Thursday, May 03, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Thansgiving Thoughts
Take a moment to say Thanks to Him who provides!
Most of us go through the day without much thought of how lucky and blessed we are. Today, I remind my self of what a blessing it is to be me.
Of course there are days when I feel trapped in the ramblings and responsibilities of being a Mom, Wife, and trying to run an agency that's sole purpose is to make the lives of others better. I must do all that and yet make it all secondary to doing God's will. At times it seems a bit overwhelming. And then I look around....
I look at my youngest, born 4 months early and told he would never live, this miracle child who is in the gifted program at school and on the honor roll, and despite being born with Cerebral Palsy, he plays a mean game of T-ball and soccer. He has one of the most loving hearts I have ever seen paired with a fighting spirit greater than I have ever witnessed. Don't ever try to tell him he cannot do something! His faith is often stronger than mine and can bring me back to the simple truth of Jesus.
Of course there are days when I feel trapped in the ramblings and responsibilities of being a Mom, Wife, and trying to run an agency that's sole purpose is to make the lives of others better. I must do all that and yet make it all secondary to doing God's will. At times it seems a bit overwhelming. And then I look around....
I look at my youngest, born 4 months early and told he would never live, this miracle child who is in the gifted program at school and on the honor roll, and despite being born with Cerebral Palsy, he plays a mean game of T-ball and soccer. He has one of the most loving hearts I have ever seen paired with a fighting spirit greater than I have ever witnessed. Don't ever try to tell him he cannot do something! His faith is often stronger than mine and can bring me back to the simple truth of Jesus.
.....and I am thankful!
Then I look at my oldest child, all of 8. He is like looking in a mirror, got Mom's looks and personality. He arrived on the scene after I had given up on children and is the source of so much joy and a testament to hope and God's love. Smart, good looking and athletic (not that I am playing favorites or anything!)......and I am thankful!
I look at my home, my job my husband, and look at others who have no families, jobs or homes. I open my refrigerator that is full of food, and think of those who are hungry. I read the thanksgiving emails and cards from friends and family and I pause to think of those that are alone. I think even if I lost all of this, I know I have God on my side and in my corner and I know where I am going!
......and I am thankful!
I look at my church, that feeds the hungry, helps the hurting and trains all of us to be better and do better. I see my Pastor and his wife and know they were sent to our community to bless us and challenge us and give us the chance to be forgiven.
......and I am thankful!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Grace descends on New Orleans!
Last week in the wee hours of Monday morning, a fearless crew heads out, one from Clewiston (Trish) drove her church (1st United Methodist of Clewiston) van to Cape Coral's Grace United Methodist and met the others, Patti, Keith, Dan, Jim, PT, Nancy, Caren, and Becky. Their mission, to drive 14 hours to St. Bernard Parrish, New Orleans to work with Samaritan's Purse in assisting residents in gutting their homes, due to mandates from the city. Meanwhile, Beth was flying in from Long Island to join us. All of us heard the call of Samaritan's purse and went to one of their outposts designed to help New Orleans residents gut their homes before the deadline, as the insurance companies and others have left them hopeless. Click on the link above to see pictures of our trip!
Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God's love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. "When disasters strike, we want to be able to respond immediately with practical help and the hope of Jesus Christ. By working with volunteers, Samaritan's Purse can bring relief quickly to those who are suffering--wherever they may be. Volunteers should be committed Christians who want to provide compassionate, competent service in the Name of Christ." That's why we went and why we were there!
A mismatched
group of Christians from Florida (and one from New York) gather together, most of them strangers to work together to make the world just a little better for some suffering people in New Orleans, and for each other. Some took a week's vacation from work, others took a week from their families in their time between jobs to give sweat, muscle and the love of Christ to the people of New Orleans. For the first two days we worked on Debra's house, a single Mom of 3, with 5 grandkids. She is currently living in Jonesboro, GA as she cannot live in the house here which we gutted and sprayed in two days. Right next door lived her parents, we were going to do their house next, but they were not quite ready for the heartache of having their home gutted. Note the gal in normal clothing, Patti. She is the one who got us all together. She was our organizer on divine appointment. Patti is the spiritual motivator who was called away early to minister to others in need. God bless her enthusiasm and keen insight!
Meet the Crew! Our fearless leader, Keith. He was a great leader, managed to keep us all in line and motivated (not an easy task). He diligently earned the title of Sir Delegator and Ice Cream Connoisseur.
He is the one with the red shirt peeping out from the flattering protective suit! In the middle, that's our devotional leader, Becky. But she also proved to be a great dancer, caretaker to local kids, New Orleans residents, and fellow volunteers. She always had something cheery to say no matter how tired we were. The laid back gal, Beth, she was our Long Island comic relief, she knew none of us, but her sister-in-law, who abandoned her with us strangers (and trust me we were strange!), but she fit in just right and always knew exactly what we were talking about! Her accent although was not the only thing that gave us comic relief! Her New Yorker attitude was wrapped up in a bundle of enthusiasm and a non stop steady work pace. Despite being in Florida, she remained a dedicated Mom over the phone to her family back in Long Island. We all agreed to make her a honorary Floridian! 
Caren is our Harley girl! Without her we would have been lost, she remembered to bring everything. For any of us who forgot to bring anything, she had it for us. She was the surrogate Mom to our group. She also proved to be great with a zydeco tie, who knew she could play? She also proved to be the dancing queen (great moves). In the middle you see Nancy, she was the calm waters. She was steady and kept bringing us all back to The Word. She was mission minded and kept her eye on God. She also gave us a gentle nudge if any of us strayed! Next is PT Barnum, not only a relative of the circus, but our police protection as well. He acted as our bulldozer that never stopped. He got us home in record time, driving just under the radar (we won't mention the high speeds that cracked the windshield!). He was our heights guy, loving it way up on the high
ladders. Despite all that masculinity he showed off his feminine side with his pink sheets. True to his profession, he helped us keep the peace when our differences flared and tolerance fell.
Here is the girls bedroom, on the other side of that blue tarp wall sleep the boys, good thing no one snored, yeah right! After a nice relaxing sleep we head off to the next home. This was the home of Donald and Wilma. They are both teachers, currently living in Jackson, Mississippi, waiting for the day they can return to their home. 
Here you see Trish "the destroyer" getting out all the aggression while taking out cabinets, counters and appliances! Asking all the nosy questions, getting all to open up and bond, and helping us all get along. She is a social worker to the end!
The girls put on their most flattering outfits and prepared to attack our second day at our second home which seemed overwhelming at first due to its size and the attic full of memories.
Donald and Wilma join us at the mess hall for dinner after we finished gutting their home. Dinner was always followed with prayer and worship for He who brought us all together! God is good!
Dan and Jim looking back during only a moment of the long van hours. Jim in the front brought our group brutal honesty, st
rength, and a loving heart and true concern about his neighbor. He kept us from getting too big a head and helped remind us the simplicity of Jesus's message to love one another. Dan helped bring comic relief, provided dance lessons, killed giant roaches and braved the attic (clearing it and tearing out the ceiling and insulation) of house number two. He was also our tour guide and does a mean version of Captain and Tennile's Muscrat Love!
Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God's love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. "When disasters strike, we want to be able to respond immediately with practical help and the hope of Jesus Christ. By working with volunteers, Samaritan's Purse can bring relief quickly to those who are suffering--wherever they may be. Volunteers should be committed Christians who want to provide compassionate, competent service in the Name of Christ." That's why we went and why we were there!
A mismatched
group of Christians from Florida (and one from New York) gather together, most of them strangers to work together to make the world just a little better for some suffering people in New Orleans, and for each other. Some took a week's vacation from work, others took a week from their families in their time between jobs to give sweat, muscle and the love of Christ to the people of New Orleans. For the first two days we worked on Debra's house, a single Mom of 3, with 5 grandkids. She is currently living in Jonesboro, GA as she cannot live in the house here which we gutted and sprayed in two days. Right next door lived her parents, we were going to do their house next, but they were not quite ready for the heartache of having their home gutted. Note the gal in normal clothing, Patti. She is the one who got us all together. She was our organizer on divine appointment. Patti is the spiritual motivator who was called away early to minister to others in need. God bless her enthusiasm and keen insight!Meet the Crew! Our fearless leader, Keith. He was a great leader, managed to keep us all in line and motivated (not an easy task). He diligently earned the title of Sir Delegator and Ice Cream Connoisseur.
He is the one with the red shirt peeping out from the flattering protective suit! In the middle, that's our devotional leader, Becky. But she also proved to be a great dancer, caretaker to local kids, New Orleans residents, and fellow volunteers. She always had something cheery to say no matter how tired we were. The laid back gal, Beth, she was our Long Island comic relief, she knew none of us, but her sister-in-law, who abandoned her with us strangers (and trust me we were strange!), but she fit in just right and always knew exactly what we were talking about! Her accent although was not the only thing that gave us comic relief! Her New Yorker attitude was wrapped up in a bundle of enthusiasm and a non stop steady work pace. Despite being in Florida, she remained a dedicated Mom over the phone to her family back in Long Island. We all agreed to make her a honorary Floridian! 
Caren is our Harley girl! Without her we would have been lost, she remembered to bring everything. For any of us who forgot to bring anything, she had it for us. She was the surrogate Mom to our group. She also proved to be great with a zydeco tie, who knew she could play? She also proved to be the dancing queen (great moves). In the middle you see Nancy, she was the calm waters. She was steady and kept bringing us all back to The Word. She was mission minded and kept her eye on God. She also gave us a gentle nudge if any of us strayed! Next is PT Barnum, not only a relative of the circus, but our police protection as well. He acted as our bulldozer that never stopped. He got us home in record time, driving just under the radar (we won't mention the high speeds that cracked the windshield!). He was our heights guy, loving it way up on the high
ladders. Despite all that masculinity he showed off his feminine side with his pink sheets. True to his profession, he helped us keep the peace when our differences flared and tolerance fell.
Here is the girls bedroom, on the other side of that blue tarp wall sleep the boys, good thing no one snored, yeah right! After a nice relaxing sleep we head off to the next home. This was the home of Donald and Wilma. They are both teachers, currently living in Jackson, Mississippi, waiting for the day they can return to their home. 
Here you see Trish "the destroyer" getting out all the aggression while taking out cabinets, counters and appliances! Asking all the nosy questions, getting all to open up and bond, and helping us all get along. She is a social worker to the end!
The girls put on their most flattering outfits and prepared to attack our second day at our second home which seemed overwhelming at first due to its size and the attic full of memories.
Donald and Wilma join us at the mess hall for dinner after we finished gutting their home. Dinner was always followed with prayer and worship for He who brought us all together! God is good!
Dan and Jim looking back during only a moment of the long van hours. Jim in the front brought our group brutal honesty, st
rength, and a loving heart and true concern about his neighbor. He kept us from getting too big a head and helped remind us the simplicity of Jesus's message to love one another. Dan helped bring comic relief, provided dance lessons, killed giant roaches and braved the attic (clearing it and tearing out the ceiling and insulation) of house number two. He was also our tour guide and does a mean version of Captain and Tennile's Muscrat Love!
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
George Bush is harming our country and cannot be a true Christian!
I know a lot of you like George Bush, and I know a lot are not big fans of NOW, however, the truth hurts at times. He has done so much evil, and we are a nation that is able to change what is wrong. Take action, get involved in your government and make our elected officials know we want them to uphold our Christian principles, that we are against violence, and believe in religious freedom and know that doing the right thing is a choice we all must make. We must promote Christianity and teach people the Word and pray that they will follow. At the same time however, we have to remember to that following Christ is a choice, we cannot make people do the right thing. Yet as citizens, we can refuse to keep them in office, if they do not!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
God is good!
Today was a good day, spent the day surrounded by Christians, looking for ways to make the world a better place! How cool!
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Growing in Christ
You know, every now and then, you get an AMEN sister! We had an intresting Sunday School lesson. We are doing a study by Rick Warren entitled, What on Earth are we here for! I have been a great fan of his since first reading and doing a study on the purpose driven life.
I have to admit though, as much of a fan, the first two lessons of this book have hit me the wrong way. Thanks to small group though, I think I am getting it. The topic today, about us leaving it up to God. He seemed to me to be saying we can't leave it up to God, we have to act, we have to take control over our cirumcstances. As a social worker, I know control is a luxuary that most people don't have. If we are realistic, the only thing we really have contol over is our emotions (reactions) and our actions. We cannot control how others react, what they think, what they do, or what groups of people do. We cannot control the weather. We have to pray and leave it up to God. I think of the times that my family faced medical crisis, when we lost our roof and ceiling in Hurricane Wilma, and when my sons were born. Each of those times, we prayed and left it up to God, we knew we could not control anything. We knew there was a master plan out there. Members in the group pointed out to me that prayer is action. They felt his message was directing those like the story of the man in the boat who was offered resuce many times, but he waited for God to come and did not take the offers. God sent the offers. Or the people who refuse to act or decide and simply through their hands in the air saying "I leave in to God". So they convinced me.
Then, a member pointed out to me how impressed he was at my growth as a Christian. I still feel like a baby in this. I know I don't pray enough or trust in God enough or seek his advice enough. I do not see it. He shared at how when I joined the group, I had bad feelings towards missionaries, now not only do I rely on them to do my work in the professional arena, but I am going on my first mission trip to New Orleans in November.
But back to the message, we left Sunday school and headed to Church. Somehow, the Pastor seemed to read my mind and created a service and sermon directed right at me. LOL.
The children's sermon was about David and Goliath, David faced impossible odds, and turned to God to be victorious, note he was not inactive however. The adult's service was about Jehoshaphat and how with a massive army coming to wipe them off, they asked God he told him do nothing, all was in his hands. Jehoshaphat led his army into song as the other armies came to kill him. God wiped out the army without Jehoshpahat lifting a single finger. All he had was faith and obedience and he was victorious.
I have to admit though, as much of a fan, the first two lessons of this book have hit me the wrong way. Thanks to small group though, I think I am getting it. The topic today, about us leaving it up to God. He seemed to me to be saying we can't leave it up to God, we have to act, we have to take control over our cirumcstances. As a social worker, I know control is a luxuary that most people don't have. If we are realistic, the only thing we really have contol over is our emotions (reactions) and our actions. We cannot control how others react, what they think, what they do, or what groups of people do. We cannot control the weather. We have to pray and leave it up to God. I think of the times that my family faced medical crisis, when we lost our roof and ceiling in Hurricane Wilma, and when my sons were born. Each of those times, we prayed and left it up to God, we knew we could not control anything. We knew there was a master plan out there. Members in the group pointed out to me that prayer is action. They felt his message was directing those like the story of the man in the boat who was offered resuce many times, but he waited for God to come and did not take the offers. God sent the offers. Or the people who refuse to act or decide and simply through their hands in the air saying "I leave in to God". So they convinced me.
Then, a member pointed out to me how impressed he was at my growth as a Christian. I still feel like a baby in this. I know I don't pray enough or trust in God enough or seek his advice enough. I do not see it. He shared at how when I joined the group, I had bad feelings towards missionaries, now not only do I rely on them to do my work in the professional arena, but I am going on my first mission trip to New Orleans in November.
But back to the message, we left Sunday school and headed to Church. Somehow, the Pastor seemed to read my mind and created a service and sermon directed right at me. LOL.
The children's sermon was about David and Goliath, David faced impossible odds, and turned to God to be victorious, note he was not inactive however. The adult's service was about Jehoshaphat and how with a massive army coming to wipe them off, they asked God he told him do nothing, all was in his hands. Jehoshaphat led his army into song as the other armies came to kill him. God wiped out the army without Jehoshpahat lifting a single finger. All he had was faith and obedience and he was victorious.
Carrie Underwood and her Louisville Slugger!
You gotta love the lyrics, the video is even better.
Right now he's probably slow dancing with a bleach-blond tramp,
and she's probably getting frisky...
right now, he's probably buying her some fruity little drink cause she can't shoot whiskey... Right now,
he's probably up behind her with a pool-stick, showing her how to shoot a combo...
And he don't know...
That I dug my key into the side of his pretty little suped up 4 wheel drive,
carved my name into his leather seat...
I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights, slashed a hole in all 4 tires...
And maybe next time he'll think before he cheats.
Right now, she's probably up singing some white-trash version of Shania karoke..
Right now, she's probably saying "I'm drunk" and he's a thinking that he's gonna get a lucky, Right now, he's probably dabbing on 3 dollars worth of that bathroom Polo...
oh, And he don't know... oh--------
That I dug my key into the side of his pretty little suped up 4 wheel drive,
carved my name into his leather seat,
I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights,
slashed a hole in all 4 tires...
And maybe next time he'll think before he cheats.
I might of saved a little trouble for the next girl,
Cause the next time that he cheats...
Oh, you know it won't be on me! Ohh... not on me...
Cause I dug my key into the side of his pretty little suped up 4 wheel drive,
carved my name into his leather seat...
I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights, slashed a hole in all 4 tires...
Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats.
Ohh.. Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats... Ohh... before he cheats...
I am quickly becoming her biggest fan! This song and video always makes me smile. Another song along the same line, with a similar video, a woman taking a Louisville slugger to a nice suped up truck is "Love you!" by Jack Ingram! http://www.jackingram.net/
Right now he's probably slow dancing with a bleach-blond tramp,
and she's probably getting frisky...
right now, he's probably buying her some fruity little drink cause she can't shoot whiskey... Right now,
he's probably up behind her with a pool-stick, showing her how to shoot a combo...
And he don't know...
That I dug my key into the side of his pretty little suped up 4 wheel drive,
carved my name into his leather seat...
I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights, slashed a hole in all 4 tires...
And maybe next time he'll think before he cheats.
Right now, she's probably up singing some white-trash version of Shania karoke..
Right now, she's probably saying "I'm drunk" and he's a thinking that he's gonna get a lucky, Right now, he's probably dabbing on 3 dollars worth of that bathroom Polo...
oh, And he don't know... oh--------
That I dug my key into the side of his pretty little suped up 4 wheel drive,
carved my name into his leather seat,
I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights,
slashed a hole in all 4 tires...
And maybe next time he'll think before he cheats.
I might of saved a little trouble for the next girl,
Cause the next time that he cheats...
Oh, you know it won't be on me! Ohh... not on me...
Cause I dug my key into the side of his pretty little suped up 4 wheel drive,
carved my name into his leather seat...
I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights, slashed a hole in all 4 tires...
Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats.
Ohh.. Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats... Ohh... before he cheats...
I am quickly becoming her biggest fan! This song and video always makes me smile. Another song along the same line, with a similar video, a woman taking a Louisville slugger to a nice suped up truck is "Love you!" by Jack Ingram! http://www.jackingram.net/
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Sojourner Truth
What an increible woman. She was a Northern slave, one of the greatest Christians I have ever read about, one of the earliest soical workers on record, and a great feminist! She has so many quotable quotes and made so many public statements and adovcated for so many others.
Note some great statments she made to address women's rights:
"In the courts women have no right, no voice; nobody speaks for them. I wish woman to have her voice there among the pettifoggers. If it is not a fit place for women, it is unfit for men to be there."
"I am above eighty years old; it is about time for me to be going. I have been forty years a slave and forty years free, and would be here forty years more to have equal rights for all. I suppose I am kept here because something remains for me to do; I suppose I am yet to help to break the chain. I have done a great deal of work; as much as a man, but did not get so much pay. I used to work in the field and bind grain, keeping up with the cradler; but men doing no more, got twice as much pay; so with the German women. They work in the field and do as much work, but do not get the pay. We do as much, we eat as much, we want as much. I suppose I am about the only colored woman that goes about to speak for the rights of the colored women. I want to keep the thing stirring, now that the ice is cracked. What we want is a little money. You men know that you get as much again as women when you write, or for what you do. When we get our rights we shall not have to come to you for money, for then we shall have money enough in our own pockets; and maybe you will ask us for money."
"My children, there is a God who sees and hears you!
Note some great statments she made to address women's rights:
"In the courts women have no right, no voice; nobody speaks for them. I wish woman to have her voice there among the pettifoggers. If it is not a fit place for women, it is unfit for men to be there."
"I am above eighty years old; it is about time for me to be going. I have been forty years a slave and forty years free, and would be here forty years more to have equal rights for all. I suppose I am kept here because something remains for me to do; I suppose I am yet to help to break the chain. I have done a great deal of work; as much as a man, but did not get so much pay. I used to work in the field and bind grain, keeping up with the cradler; but men doing no more, got twice as much pay; so with the German women. They work in the field and do as much work, but do not get the pay. We do as much, we eat as much, we want as much. I suppose I am about the only colored woman that goes about to speak for the rights of the colored women. I want to keep the thing stirring, now that the ice is cracked. What we want is a little money. You men know that you get as much again as women when you write, or for what you do. When we get our rights we shall not have to come to you for money, for then we shall have money enough in our own pockets; and maybe you will ask us for money."
"My children, there is a God who sees and hears you!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Was Jesus the First Social Worker?
Was Jesus the first Social Worker?
Social Work values and Christian values are very similar. They both promote helping others to become better people and to strengthen the individual. A hand up not a hand out. It also requires teaching self responsibility. Both Jesus and Social Workers teach this. He did not ask Creed, Color, Socioeconomic status, health status, he helped all equally, just as social workers.
Imagine how great the social worker is that works for Jesus. Not only doing good works on their own but with the power of God within them. This is when you see real miracles.
Social Work World: A World of Social Work Resources and Support
Social Work World: A World of Social Work Resources and Support
A great resource for social workers!
A great resource for social workers!
911 hype
911Truth.org ::::: The 9/11 Truth Movement
Why surfing the net, I stumbled across this little tid bit! It angers me to the point that my blood boils. What is wrong with our country. We know that our political officials are lying to us, or at the very least keeping information from us. Yet so little people went out to vote. Honestly, I understand the frustrations, I mean look at what we have to choose from.
However, if nothing else, vote all the incumbents out to show government how unhappy and how mistrustfull we are of them!
Get involved, write letters, call congressman, let our president know we are not satisfied with his answers and his bullcrap speeches. We want action, we want leaders who follow the hearts and minds of those who they serve!
We cannot stop 911 incidents from happening, the world is a dangerous place full of people with no or bad morals. We can however, hold those that we elect, whether it be local officials to the school board, judges, senators or presidents, we must get out and vote, tell them what we want and hold them accountable to us!
Why surfing the net, I stumbled across this little tid bit! It angers me to the point that my blood boils. What is wrong with our country. We know that our political officials are lying to us, or at the very least keeping information from us. Yet so little people went out to vote. Honestly, I understand the frustrations, I mean look at what we have to choose from.
However, if nothing else, vote all the incumbents out to show government how unhappy and how mistrustfull we are of them!
Get involved, write letters, call congressman, let our president know we are not satisfied with his answers and his bullcrap speeches. We want action, we want leaders who follow the hearts and minds of those who they serve!
We cannot stop 911 incidents from happening, the world is a dangerous place full of people with no or bad morals. We can however, hold those that we elect, whether it be local officials to the school board, judges, senators or presidents, we must get out and vote, tell them what we want and hold them accountable to us!
Friday, September 01, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Saturday, August 12, 2006
HELPING OTHERS
THIS IS A COOL SITE! What a terrifc way to help others. http://www.innocentfoundation.org/
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