I'm just a freak

Yep. And I guess I always have been. Furthermore, I'm perfectly fine with it!

Last night I was adding some more music to my player (you're welcome!) and I decided to add a song that my son, Matthew, and I recently heard performed "live." It brought back a lot of memories. Memories of around 15 years ago when the song first came out, sure...but more than that, memories from long (long) ago that come flooding back every time I hear the title.

Jesus Freak

That's what kids like me were called when I was growing up. Jesus Freaks. I was a JF because I went to parochial school, went to religious education classes, went to church on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Heck, I even went to vacation Bible school at two neighborhood churches - Presbyterian and Southern Baptist - during the summer because it was so much fun! I wasn't ashamed or afraid to talk about my Savior and my relationship with Him then - or now.

So am I still a "Freak?" You betcha!! Just like the song says...

I don't really care if they label me a Jesus Freak.
There ain't no disguising the truth!

These three have come a long way since the days of Liberty University, dc Talk and Jesus Freak. A long way since they shook things up at the Gospel Music Awards in 1996...

**scroll down and pause my player before watching video**

(didn't you just love Toby's Dad at the end there??!!)

Nowadays, if you listen to contemporary Christian music, the name Toby Mac needs no introduction. Michael Tait is the new frontman for the legendary group Newsboys. Kevin Max prefers to do his solo thing - acting, writing, singing.

Not bad for a bunch of freaks...!

And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.
Luke 21:17 NLT

Wisdom Wednesday

My child, don't lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the LORD is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don't say, "Come back tomorrow, and then I'll help you." Don't plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you. Don't pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm. Don't envy violent people or copy their ways. Such wicked people are detestable to the LORD, but he offers his friendship to the godly. The LORD curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright. The LORD mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble. The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!

Proverbs 3:21-35 NLT

The Message translates verse 27 this way:

Never walk away from someone who deserves help;
your hand is God's hand for that person.


I love that.

Come Together Now

**Please scroll down and pause my player before watching video**

Beautiful song, no?

If you liked it (or even if you didn't!), would you please consider going to iTunes and purchasing the song for only $1.29? All of the artists involved donated their time and talent. All of the studio and recording time and equipment was donated as well. The end result being that 100% of the profits from the sale of this single will be donated to the relief efforts in Haiti. 100%.

Thank you, Michael W. Smith, and everyone involved in this project! You truly have been His Hands and Feet...

I will sing a new song to you, O God! I will sing your praises with a ten-stringed harp. Psalm 144:9 NLT

This is how I feel

It's been a rough weekend. I don't feel well...haven't felt well. I was talking with my girlfriend Marsha last night. She lost her husband to pancreatic cancer in October. And a few weeks later, she was diagnosed with cancer herself. Last night, we were talking about how much we missed our husbands and how hard it is to be alone. But that somehow, it's so much worse when you don't feel well. Yeah. To be sick and alone really stinks.

I heard this song on the radio a couple of weeks ago and it has been playing over and over in my head. So, without any more depressing thoughts from me - here's this week's Music Monday selection:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. Revelation 21:1 NIV

Pride and Joy

Congratulations to our youngest son, Matthew! Yesterday afternoon at 1:30, he stood before his Committee and presented his Dissertation Proposal. White knuckle stuff to be sure, but also the beginning of the home stretch in his work toward his Ph.D. (Secretly, I knew he'd be brilliant...but then, I'm his mother so I know these things!)

This next year will be spent conducting yet more research, writing yet more articles for publication in scientific journals (yes, he is a published author at 25) and training yet more undergrad students. And hopefully, having some fun along the way. (Remember son, life is all about balance!)

I told him the night before his presentation that I'd be praying for him (although I knew he'd be brilliant!) and that I also knew that if there was a way, his Dad would be in that room, right alongside of him...hanging on his every word and cheering him on! Because that's one of the things my Sweet Hubby did best and because he was just so gosh darn proud of this son of ours!

You can take a deep breath, Matthew...this phase is behind you! So my eyes are on the future now and I can't help but look ahead to next May as you receive your Ph.D. and I can say (just once, okay?!) my son - the "doctah!" Well, maybe twice - because your Dad wanted to say it too!

Love you son...you've made us proud your whole life and you just keep on rollin'!

Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Proverbs 1:8 NIV

Wisdom Wednesday

Introducing something new I'd like to do every Wednesday here at ItTR...

~~Wisdom Wednesday~~

May you delight in reading these Proverbs as I do...may they bless you as they do me!

"Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine. Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees. Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments. I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me. I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice. My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries. The lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters. Before the mountains were formed, before the hills, I was born--before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil. I (Wisdom) was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth. I was there when he set the limits on the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth's foundations, I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family! And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful."

Proverbs 8:14-32

One for me, one for you

**UPDATE**

Congratulations Dawn...you were the winning post! If you'll email me through my profile with your mailing info, I'll send the book on its way this week...Enjoy!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

2

Timestamp: 2010-02-16 11:47:16 UTC

*************************************************************

If you've read my blog for a while, you may know that I really, really like Beth Moore. So, I was very excited to pick up my copy of her latest book:

So Long, Insecurity: You've Been a Bad Friend to Us

In fact, I was so very excited that I picked up TWO copies...one for me and one for YOU! Well, one of you, anyway!

That's right...it's a giveaway here at ItTR!

If you'd like to have a copy of Beth's latest book for your very own, leave me at least one comment - or as many as you like - between now and ummm, let's say 6 a.m. Tuesday morning (2/16/10). I'll draw a winner and get the book off to you. I'll be using that random integer thingy to pick a number Tuesday morning so be sure and check back sometime Tuesday to see if you won (of course you're gonna win, right?) because if you did, I'll be needing some info from you!

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17 NIV

Celebrate!!

I received news.

Of the BEST kind!!!!

So this is definitely a PRAISE REPORT!!!

Are you ready????

Did you catch that??

"As of now, all sponsored children in Haiti have been confirmed safe..."

Hallelujah and thank you Lord!!! My deepest thanks to all of you who have been praying for "my" little Guithe. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

I would ask that you continue to pray...and if you're able to make a financial offering as well - that would be fantastic. There are a number of organizations that are in place in Haiti and doing good work there...World Vision (near and dear to my heart!), Compassion, Samaritan's Purse, the American Red Cross, Unicef, to name just a few.

Because while this is a PRAISE REPORT (!!!) the news is still bittersweet...

"As of now, all sponsored children in Haiti have been confirmed safe, although many have suffered great loss."

Great loss...that could mean their homes and everything they own - which is not much to begin with. It could also mean their families - parents, brothers, sisters...

We've all seen the pictures. It goes far beyond devastation and really, there just are no words.

So, we'll pray and as we're led...give.

Did you hear???



He's SAFE!!!!


"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40 NIV

Beginning to explain

Remember this photo from my post on January 30th?

Let me give you a different perspective...

That's Matthew, our youngest son, on the shores of South Beach, Miami.

And so we began our adventure...

More to come.

And I will take every care so that you may have a clear memory of these things after my death.
2 Peter 1:15

Adrift

Sorry I've been absent for a while...I've been a bit adrift.



Please bear with me for a few more days while I gather my thoughts and I'll try to get things back on track here at ItTR!

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. Hebrews 2:1 NLT

Fifteen

Never forgetting...always remembering...ever thankful...missing you still.

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers. Philemon 1:4 NIV