Tag Archives: Laughter

Come with Me…To Lisa and Ariel’s House Blessing and Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony!

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2 Samuel 7:27-29

Lord Almighty, God of Israel,

You have revealed this to Your servant, saying,

‘I will build a house for you.’

So Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You.

Sovereign Lord, You are God!

Your covenant is trustworthy,

and You have promised these good things to Your servant.

Now be pleased to bless the house of Your servant,

that it may continue forever in Your sight;

for You, Sovereign Lord, have spoken,

and with Your blessing

the house of Your servant will be blessed forever.”

Lisa, Ariel, Marisa, and Andre

Since you’ve moved into this new house…today we’re pronouncing blessings on your new home from the very beginning.  It would also be wonderful for you to renew this blessing year after year for as long as you reside there.  Blessing a house is simply taking the authority over it that belongs to you, and dedicating it to the Lord.

It’s inviting the Spirit of God to come, and everything else to leave.  Where God’s presence is, there is blessing and hope. When we bless our homes we make room for God to take up residence in every room and over all our possessions.

Your house blessing will be on the basis of your rightful authority over your own dwelling. When you moved in, someone put keys to the house in your hand.  Physically and Spiritually, you determine who, or what, has access to your home.

Joshua 24:15, says, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Blessing your home, says your heart is in agreement with that Scripture!!  And, that you want your house to feel safe, peaceful, and be filled with God’s Spirit, so it will be godly place to live, and raise your family.

The authority you now take over your house, determines what the atmosphere will be like in this house from now on, and it is up to you to drive out any negative forces, in Jesus’ Name, in submission to the authority that is over you, the Lord Jesus Christ.

By blessing your house, property and possessions you are consecrating them as holy unto the Lord, and with His Light, you are dispelling any darkness.  Always keep His Light burning brightly in your home!

Pray!!!  Declare that this house belongs to God, and everything ungodly has to leave. Keep yourself holy and pure.  Bringing light to your home means everything else must leave.

Therefore, it is worth your time to take inventory and to rid yourself of spiritual garbage. As you pray in each room, ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything in that room that grieves Him. Take a look at books, magazines, music, videos, DVDs etc., Look at everything. What internet sites are accessed through your home? What television programs are allowed in? What radio stations are listened to?

Is your house set in order? Are relationships healthy? Is sin being permitted in your home? What is the spiritual atmosphere that you’re allowing?

Today, we’ll be anointing your doors and windows with oil representing the Holy Spirit. We’ll walk the parameter of the property, consecrating it, and placing it under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  We can use the oil to anoint anything you wish out on the property, and on cars, garages, equipment etc.

Lisa and Ariel…

As the owners, you may want to speak out blessings, for us to agree with as we pray over each room, asking God to use this house for His glory. Thanking the Lord for providing you with a place to live, asking for His angels to be posted at all the doors and windows, keeping anything evil from entering in, by the blood of Jesus, and in the authority of His Name!

We will speak peace here in this home, the Name of Jesus. We invite you to come, Holy Spirit, and fill this place…anything ungodly will need to leave!

As you live in your house, fill it with praise and constant thanksgiving. God will be honored, you will love the atmosphere in your home, and everyone who enters will love it too.  Amen!

Based on:  http://www.hannahscupboard.com/pray-walk-house-blessing.html

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Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony

Matthew 19:4-6

“Haven’t you read,”

he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’

and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh’?

So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

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The day was cold for Florida…

A high of 58 degrees…

The weather felt colder and breezier at the beach…

And since we’re all Floridians…

We were freezing!

Not your typical day-at-the-beach…

But still,

I was pleased and blessed…

To officiate at my friends’

25th Wedding Anniversary/Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony!

Lisa and Ariel…

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When you first joined hands and hearts in marriage 25 years ago, you did not know where life would take you.

You promised to love, honor, and cherish one another through all things.

Life has surely brought you both wonderful blessings, and difficult challenges over the years. 

But here you are today, having fulfilled the vows to love, honor, and cherish… that you each made on your wedding day. 

And God is smiling!  

As you celebrate here today, and as you reflect back over all the years as husband and wife, do you now wish to reaffirm the vows you took 25 years ago? 

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Answer:  “WE DO!”

Please join hands as I continue with the Vows.

Lisa, will you continue to have Ariel as your husband and continue to live in this marriage? Do you reaffirm your love for him, and will you love him, keep him, and honor him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, being faithful to him as long as you shall live?

Ariel, will you continue to have Lisa as your wife and continue to live in this marriage? Do you reaffirm your love for her, and will you love her, keep her, and honor her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, being faithful to her as long as you shall live?

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May I have the rings and roses?  In the words of the prophet Isaiah, where relationships create love and compassion, even “the desert shall …bloom, like the rose.”  The rose, born of the tiniest of seeds, is a symbol of the potential and beauty contained in love’s promises.  In the merging of a spirit-filled vessel, and a fragrant rose…we proclaim a new relationship, a new future…one which love has unfolded, and is unfolding, before our very eyes.  As your gifts bring beauty and purpose to each other, may your lives continue to enrich and strengthen one another.

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Lord, I pray a prayer of re-blessing of these rings, and over the givers and receivers of each of the rings.

Ariel, repeat after me:  Lisa, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, and with this ring I thee wed.

Lisa, repeat after me:  Ariel, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, and with this ring I thee wed.

Lisa and Ariel, On your wedding day you exchanged rings as a symbol of the never-ending circle that symbolizes the eternal quality of God’s unending strength, and unending love!

Rings serve as a reminder of your wedding vows to each other, and your commitment to live in unity, love, and happiness. At this time, it is appropriate to reconfirm the meaning of the rings you wear.

Please join your left hands together so that Ariel’s hand is on top. Ariel, please repeat after me:

Lisa, I wear this ring you placed on my hand 25 years ago, as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

Now, with Lisa’s hand on top, Lisa, please repeat after me:

Ariel, I wear this ring you placed on my hand 25 years ago, as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

God bless these rings and the two who exchanged them in love on their wedding day.  Lord, keep Lisa and Ariel safe in the circle of Your protection and love.  Bless their marriage, which is a commitment to learning to care for one another… a life-long relationship always in the making.

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Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life.  

Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher, commitment is stronger,

even anger is felt more strongly, and passes away more quickly.

Marriage understands…

and forgives the mistakes, life is unable to avoid.

It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences,

and new ways of expressing a love that is deeper than life.

When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage,

they create a spirit unique unto themselves

which binds them closer than any spoken or written words.

Marriage is a promise made in the hearts of two people who love each other

and the promise requires a lifetime to fulfill.

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1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“Love is patient,

Love is kind.

It does not envy,

It does not boast,

It is not proud.

It does not dishonor others,

It is not self-seeking,

It is not easily angered,

It keeps no record of wrongs.

 Love does not delight in evil,

 But rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,

 Always trusts,

Always hopes,

Always perseveres. 

Love never fails…”

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Lisa & Ariel, as the two of you both now reaffirm you love for each other and the vows you made to each other many years ago, I ask that you each remember to continue to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, and that you each respect the thoughts and ideas of one another. And most of all, be able to forgive each other, and not hold grudges against one another. Live each day in love with each other, always being there to give love, comfort, and support to each other, in good times, and bad.  Amen!

Lisa and Ariel, today you have renewed the promises and vows you made to each other on your wedding day.  You have symbolized the renewal of the marriage union by the joining of hands, the taking of vows, and by the wearing of your wedding rings.

It is with pleasure that I conclude the ceremony of renewing the vows of marriage that joined you, and binds you as husband and wife. Please celebrate this renewal of vows with a kiss!

Since Lisa & Ariel have now exchanged vows and rings, and pledged their love and faithfulness to each other, it is my pleasure and honor to repronounce you Man & Wife. You may kiss the bride!

Based on:  http://www.themarriageman.com/renewal.htm

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1 John 3:16

“We know what love is

because Jesus gave His life for us.

That’s why we must give our lives for each other.”

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John 17:23

“I in them and You in Me—

so that they may be brought to complete unity.

Then the world will know that You sent Me

and have loved them even as You have loved Me.”

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1 John 3:18

“Dear children,

let us not love with words or speech

but with actions and in truth.”

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Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other,

just as in Christ,

God forgave you.”

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Ephesians 5:25-33

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her

to make her holy, cleansingher by the washing with water through the Word,

and to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish,

but holy and blameless.

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.

He who loves his wife loves himself.

After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body,

just as Christ does the Church—

for we are members of His Body.

‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh.’

This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the Church.

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself,

and the wife must respect her husband.”

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Love & Laughter!!!

Thank you, Jesus, for all Your blessings!!

Lukewarm Is Not Enough!!! Yuk! We Need Crazy Love!

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To serve the Lord!!!

Amen!

Revelation 3:15-17

“I know your deeds,

that you are neither cold nor hot.

I wish you were either one or the other! 

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

You say,

‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’

But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

Revelation 3:22

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Well…

The downfall of our 12-year old Sears Kenmore side-by-side refrigerator/freezer…

 Started with the melting ice cream in the freezer…

As with my dryer story

With its faulty heating element…

The lifespan of my major appliances is limited…

Several years ago the microwave went…

No fast meals for us, ’til we bought a new one!

The washer has been repaired…

We remember lugging dirty clothes to the Laundromat to wash…

And lugging them back home to dry…

But I feel good about the length of time they’ve all lasted…

Nothing’s built forever now-a-days…

And in Florida, if it makes it through a hurricane…

We consider ourselves blessed!!

So, the ice cream was melting…

And I say, to my perfectly intelligent husband…

“The ice cream is melting in our freezer!”

And he says…

“No, it’s just that I bought Breyers Creamier Butter Pecan Ice Cream!”

What?!?!

“It’s Creamier Butter Pecan Ice Cream Soup!!” I say…

As I pour it into his ice cream bowl…

“It’s fine,” he says…

That’s just husband talk for…

“I don’t want to have to call Sears and deal with this!”

Well, I didn’t want to deal with it either…

Since, we just had Sears here to fix our dyer right after Christmas!!!

So, I said, “Okay!”

When I knew perfectly well that the old freezer was biting-the-dust…

Especially when I saw the delicious chocolate fudgesicles melting and dripping…

All over the thawed fish sticks…

But, when I, as the wife, could no longer agree that a lukewarm freezer was ok!!

And, after procrastinating way too long, we finally went to Sears…

Ordered a nice Kenmore Elite in the bisque color that’s apparently hard to find…

 After 12 years…

But, of course that’s what we needed to match the other appliances…

Or, we’d have to get all new ones…

Are you crazy?!?!

And Sears rushed right out to deliver our much needed appliance…

Right???  Wrong! 

We have to wait two weeks more!!!

So, now with no freezer, we’re either cooking everything we can save…

Or, throwing things out…

Just like after the hurricane!

Then, just like that…

The refrigerator side is not staying cold at all…

And when the milk tasted lukewarm…

I had enough of that ‘frig…

Yuk!!!!!

So we packed up all our salvageable items…

Vacuumed all the dog hair from behind that piece of junk….mopped…

And left that useless piece of lukewarm metal sitting there, lifeless!!

My husband scrubbed the fish-smelling little ‘frig in the garage…

Filled it up…

Since it was COLD!!!

And out came all the coolers we own…

Bags of ice…filling and refilling…we felt like we were camping…

And we’re not really camping people!

Then, 2 days before Sears…

Ahhhhh…

Was going to deliver our long-awaited new ‘frig…

Our highly intelligent, college graduate, teacher/tutor, and getting his Masters, son says…

“Oh, did you guys remember I have that small refrig from my dorm room???”

No, we didn’t…

Do you think we would have chosen to play with ice for two weeks???

This is how we roll in this house…

Everyone’s too busy to think anything all the way through!!

Ha!

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So the moral of this story is that…

Lukewarm is not pleasing…

It doesn’t please the Lord!

He’ll spew you out of His mouth!!

My Mom used to call it, “So-So”

“How ya doing, Mom???”

“Oh, so-so!”

She’d reply…

Not good or bad…not hot or cold…lukewarm!!

Cold: 

Refreshing, quenching, invigorating, level-headed, crisp…

Intense, keen, sharp, piercing, breath of fresh air…

Hot: 

Passionate, alive, compassionate, contagious, blazing, fiery…

On fire, excited, masterful, impassioned, intense, significant…

Compelling, exhilarating, dedicated, fascinated, exuberant…

Glowing, fervent, healing…

Lukewarm: 

Tepid; foul; disgusting; lacking enthusiasm, excitement, or conviction…

Indifferent; little ardor, energy, or zeal; half-hearted, unconcerned…

Apathetic, unresponsive, uninterested, useless, self-deceived…

Shallow, bland, mundane, neither hot nor cold, nauseating, wretched…

Miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, naked…

Jesus:

Cleanses, refreshes, cools, washes, renews…

Comes in a cloud….

In a pillar of fire…

He’s the breath of the Holy Spirit…

He’s the Living Waters…

An All-Consuming Fire…

He heals…

Revelation 3:15-17 The Message

“I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking.

You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot!

You’re stale.

You’re stagnant.

You make me want to vomit.

You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’

oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.” 

God wants complete commitment…

Not half-hearted service…

Are we totally in love with Jesus?  

Or, are we lukewarm, half-hearted,

or partially committed? 

Frances Chan says,

in his book Crazy Love

“There is no such thing as a lukewarm Christian. 

Jesus calls for total commitment.”

View online videos at:  

www.crazylovebook.com

Frances Chan says:

We should be willing…

To say to God that He can have whatever He wants. 

To believe that wholehearted commitment to Him is more important than any other thing or person in our life. 

To know that nothing we do in life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made. 

True faith means holding nothing back; it bets everything on the hope of eternity. 

This whole swimming-upstream, pursuing-Christ, taking-up-your cross, counting-the-cost thing isn’t easy. 

The road is narrow and few will actually find it! 

We can’t afford to just assume we’re one of the few on the narrow way. 

Be totally in love with Christ. 

Even Heaven would be a desolate place without Christ. 

Don’t just let life happen. 

Love and desire Christ, for when we love, we are free! 

Let God change us. 

We need to let Him in our life. 

We need God to help us love God, and if we need His help to love Him, a perfect being, we definitely need His help to love other fault-filled humans.   

Don’t hold back, be consumed with Christ. 

We need to show a “Love” that is crazy to the world. 

True love, a kind found nowhere else, but through Christ.

Don’t be lukewarm, be obsessed with Christ.  

People obsessed with Christ…

Love people and are friends to all…

They’re crazy risk takers for Christ…

They’re humble…

They serve…

They give…

They think about eternity…

They’re engrossed and delighted with God’s Word…

They’re passionately in love with God…

They’re unguarded and open with Him…

They meditate, are nourished by, and are rooted in the Word…

They’re dedicated and faithful to Christ. 

They know they’re a child and a friend of God.

Let’s evaluate our lives…

Is what we’re doing, what we want to be doing, when Christ returns????

Taken from:  Crazy Love by Frances Chan

Lukewarm is completely useless…

Neither like hot water (as in a comfortable bath)…

Nor like cold water (as in a refreshing drink)…

Interpret “hot” and “cold” in light of the historical context of Laodicea…

It had no permanent supply of good water…

Efforts to pipe water to the city from nearby springs were successful…

But, it would arrive lukewarm…

Located close to both natural hot springs by Hierapolis…

Often used for medicinal purposes…

And a cold, pure stream by Colossae…

Both hot and cold water are desirable…

Both are useful for distinct purposes…

All believers can be used of God…

The spiritual state of this church…

More closely resembled the tepid, lukewarm water…

 That eventually flowed into Laodicean pipes…

Neither hot nor cold…

It was putrid!

The metaphor condemns Laodicea for not providing…

 Spiritual healing (being hot)…

Or, spiritual refreshment (being cold) to those around them…

Revelation 3:15 is a condemnation of their lack of works and lack of witness.

They spread spiritual disease…

What disease?

They believed they were spiritually rich…

When in fact they had gone bankrupt…

They thought they could see…

But they were blind…

They thought they were healthy…

But they were corrupt….

They thought they were fully clothed…

But they were naked…

The difference was in their opinion of themselves…

  vs reality…

They thought they were well off…

But they were starving to death…

They were spiritually content and self-satisfied…

Although actually they were wretched and pitiful…

In Revelation 3:17, they had the audacity to say…

“I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.”

The problem with being lukewarm…

And the case against Laodicea…

Revolves around the idea of self-deception…

They were self-deluded…

The church at Laodicea was made up of Christians…

Who were trusting in themselves and their wealth…

Or, what they thought their wealth could buy them!

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, says,

Lukewarm…

Useless and self-deceived…

They thought they were of great value…

But were hypocritical…

Promoting themselves, as those who saw the truth…

When in fact they did not…

Actively covering their sins with a cloak of religious observance!

Lord…

Help us to be obsessed with You…

  Show us where we’re lukewarm…

    Give us the strength to deal with these areas…

      Do whatever it takes…

For us to please You…

We need constant infilling of Your Presence…

A constant love relationship…

Constant prayer…

Constant worship…

Constant renewing of our minds…

With the Word of God…

We don’t want to be lukewarm:

A believer who isn’t a threat to satan’s kingdom,

A person who is unable to accomplish anything for the Lord,

Who no longer brings God glory,

Who no longer accomplishes His will,

Who no longer builds His kingdom.

Refresh!

Rekindle!

Our lukewarm hearts…

Restore!

Us to a heart perfect in its commitment to You!

Amen!!

 

Lukewarm is not enough…

 

Try Crazy Love!

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Ahhh…

My new non-lukewarm refrigerator!!!!

Cold and Colder!!

To match my repaired non-lukewarm dryer…

Hot and Hotter!!

Forget lukewarm!

If a dryer’s not HOT…

Or, a refrigerator’s not COLD…

They’re useless…

And so are we!!

Amen!

Don’t sing these Top Ten Songs Of The Lukewarm Christian!!!

1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do – See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.h1RhYzKB.dpuf
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do – See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.h1RhYzKB.dpuf

1.  Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style

2.  Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me

3.  I Surrender Some

4.  I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives

5.  Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus

6.  What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus

7.  Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following

8.  He’s Quite a Bit To Me

9.  Oh, How I Like Jesus

10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do

Taken from “Way of the Master”

Resources:

http://so4j.com/what-is-a-lukewarm-christian#hot_cold

 http://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-lukewarm-faith.html

http://scripturenuggets.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/the-dangers-of-being-lukewarm/

http://www.learnthebible.org/lukewarm.html

http://konig.org/wc2.htm

http://maranathalife.com/teaching/lukewarm.htm

http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html

 

http://treymorgan.net/10-signs-you-might-be-a-lukewarm-christian/

http://biblestudywiki.com/articles/Answers/Where_Is_The_Scripture_About_Being_Lukewarm_And_How_It_Is_Like_Returning_To_A_Dog_S_Vomit?action=diff

(Keith Krell)

Top Ten Songs Of The Lukewarm Christian

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have in my hands a copy of today’s top ten list.”

“Today’s list is top ten songs of the lukewarm church.”

1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do

Let’s be fired up this Sunday when we sing. Our Savior was passionate for us and we need to be equally as passionate for him.

Taken from “Way of the Master”

– See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.dpufTop Ten Songs Of The Lukewarm Christian

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have in my hands a copy of today’s top ten list.”

“Today’s list is top ten songs of the lukewarm church.”

1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do

Let’s be fired up this Sunday when we sing. Our Savior was passionate for us and we need to be equally as passionate for him.

Taken from “Way of the Master”

– See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.dpuf

This Is How It Is!!

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E-mail from me:  (to our Pastor’s wife, who heads up our Kids Church) 

“Thanks, Pam, for the Christmas treats you left in Kids Church for Casey & me!! 

We found them today!!

Chocolate for me…Yum!  Yum!!

And I must say, you really do know what my son loves!!

 

PEZ!!!

 

We came to the church to organize the Drama Team Christmas stuff…

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And he starts playing with, and eating, the PEZ…

 

Wondering how to get all of the candy into the dispenser without them all falling out!!

 

Really?

 

‘Mom, do you know how to fill the dispenser?’

 

Something about unwrap slightly…

 

Then hold the paper around it ’til it goes in the dispenser???

 

I don’t know…

 

If I did know…

 

I certainly don’t remember…

 

Does he know how long…

 

How really long…

 

It’s been since anyone has even remotely asked me to fill a PEZ dispenser???

 

He was so intense..

 

So focused on the dispenser…

 

On the candy…

 

And on how hard it was to get the candy in the dispenser…

 

So he could eat it!!

 

Why not cheat…

 

And just gobble it up sans dispenser???

 

No fun in that, huh?

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We had one hour ’til he had to leave for rehearsal…

 

Needless to say…

 

We didn’t get done!!

 

Oh, he was helpful setting up tables…

 

And moving boxes for me…

 

But we could have gotten the whole job completed…

 

If he was focused on what I needed done…

 

Instead of that great gift of PEZ you got him!!!

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Thanks Miss Pam!!

 

Ha!!  Just teasing…

 

Thanks!  We love you!!”

 

This kid of mine is 23…

 

Now you all know why he’s so good at Improv!!

http://stage2improv.net/

 

I love him!!!

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Happy New Year!!! So, Were You At Jesus’ B-Day Party?!?!

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The Story Of Christmas…

As told by the children of St Paul’s Church, Auckland, New Zealand.

(Anyone is welcome to show this film publicly,

but not change it in any way, publish/broadcast it, nor make money out of it.)

Except for Joe. You can connect with his music here: https://www.facebook.com/EzraVine

Check out our prequel: Good News of Great Joy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttInl1…

Our new kids’ film: Star News Bethlehem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBaTUw…

And our Christmas doco: O Little Town of Bethlehem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjQDl9…

You can download this film here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ju8ogav90r…

Unless there are too many downloads, then you’ll need to wait a few days.

And you can download the transcript here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/rf9q12k92ek…

We all celebrated here!

It was a blast!

And we all agree…

This is the cutest version of the Christmas Story we’ve ever seen!!

Family Christmas Photos!!

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Hey Everyone!

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Merry Christmas!

Welcome to our home!!

We’ll be in Longboat Key at the beach for Christmas to relax…

It’s been a busy “work/school/drama team, etc.” year so far!!

Here are some photos of Casey as Santa in our Christmas drama on Sunday at our church!!

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He’s not in the “Ho!  Ho! Ho!  Jolly Santa” character, yet!
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Oh, that’s better!!  Ha!

 

He had to learn the real meaning of Christmas…

 

Through the song…

“This Is Christmas”

By Kutless

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What is Christmas?!?”

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It’s all about a Savior wrapped in a manger!!

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What is Christmas??? 

Without Christ??

Also, some photos of our Pre-Christmas Italian Dinner…

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Hubby stirring the huge pot of sauce, meatballs, and boiled eggs I made!!

Yes, boiled eggs!

My Mom put everything in our sauce!!

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Yum!!!

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Dig in!!!

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And…add lots of Parmesan/Romano Cheese!!!

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Come on in and join us!!

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Don’t forget the Crazy Siberian!!!!

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Since we’ll be away on Christmas Day…

We opened presents early!!

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When did sneakers become toys?!?!

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Let’s read the Christmas story!!!

Luke 2

“…For unto you is born this day in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

 And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth Peace, Good Will toward men…

 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds…

 And the shepherds returned, glorifying

and praising God

for all the things that they had heard and seen,

as it was told unto them….”

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The doggie wants to hear, too!!!

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Praying you and your family have a…

 

 

Very Blessed and Merry Christmas

 

 

And a…

 

 

Healthy and Happy New Year!!

 

 

Love!  Love!  Love!!

 

 

God Bless!!

 

 

From All Of Us!!

 

 

From Our House to Yours!

 

 

Love, Mom, Dad, Son, Dog, and Snake!!!

 

Amen!

Have You Finally Figured Out…What Christmas Is Really All About?!?!

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It’s Christmas time again…

Spread some good cheer…

Volunteer…

Sing!

Grin from ear to ear… 

Christmas time is here!!

Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  Ho!  Ho!  Ho!

Christmas has nothing to do…

With livin’ for yourself…

Let the Light of Christmas shine through…

Your eyes, your smile…

You know you can…

Shine on…

Through the good you do for the people that don’t have it so good!

Light up…

Show the way…

Don’t wait for Christmas Day!

Light up…

And finally figure out…

What Christmas is all about!!

Oh!  Oh!  Oh!  Oh!  Oh!

Hear the sound?

A thousand angels singing out!

To God Almighty.. .

We’re bowing down…

And that’s what Christmas is all about!!

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Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,

and will call Him Immanuel.”

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Isaiah 9:6-7

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a Son is given,
    and the government will be on His shoulders.
And He will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of His government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over His kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.”

Amen!

Stage 2 Improv!! They’re Back!! Go See It!!

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Stage 2 Improv has been so widely popular,
Stage 2 Improv has been so widely popular,
Stage 2 Improv has been so widely popular,

My son’s in the show!!

Saturdays @ 8 pm and Sundays @ 2pm

January 4th/5th, 11th/12th, 18th/19th, 25th/26th

Because they’re “so widely popular.”

http://www.naplesillustrated.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.details&content_id=2214

“Laugh until you cry with Stage 2 Improv.”

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students under 18.

Call 239-263-7990

Or purchase online at www.naplesplayers.org.

Sugden Community Theatre
701 5th Ave. S.
Naples, FL 34102
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/jul/23/curtain-up-stage-2-improv-troupe-keep-the-laughs/

“For 20 dollars you can go downtown

and see a group of personable,

quick-witted young (or at least young-ish)

performers play the improv game…

If you have been to improv,

you know the drill.

Audience members contribute ideas —

celebrity names, vegetables, places —

and then the cast has to do something with them…

So go…and have some goofy fun.”

Mike Santos, Kat Ebaugh, and Meg Pryor

Meg and Judith talk about the benefits of Leg Hair Removal

Brad Goetz, Bukki Sittler, and Guy Glover

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Improvisational_theatre

“Improvisational theatre…

often allows an interactive relationship with the audience.

Improv groups frequently solicit suggestions from the audience as a source of inspiration,

a way of getting the audience involved, and as a means of proving that the performance is not scripted.

That charge is sometimes aimed at the masters of the art,

whose performances can seem so detailed that viewers may suspect the scenes are planned.

In order for an improvised scene to be successful,

the improvisers involved must work together responsively to define the parameters and action of the scene,

in a process of co-creation.

With each spoken word or action in the scene, an improviser makes an offer,

meaning that he or she defines some element of the reality of the scene.

This might include giving another character a name, identifying a relationship, location,

or using mine to define the physical environment.

These activities are also known as endowment.

It is the responsibility of the other improvisers to accept the offers that their fellow performers make;

to not do so is known as blocking, negation, or denial,

which usually prevents the scene from developing.

Some performers may deliberately block (or otherwise break out of character) for comedic effect—

this is known as gagging

but this generally prevents the scene from advancing and is frowned upon by many improvisers.

Accepting an offer is usually accompanied by adding a new offer, often building on the earlier one;

this is a process improvisers refer to as “Yes, And…”

and is considered the cornerstone of improvisational technique.

Every new piece of information added helps the improvisers to refine their characters and progress the action of the scene.

The unscripted nature of improv also implies no predetermined knowledge about the props that might be useful in a scene.

Improv companies may have at their disposal some number of readily accessible props that can be called upon at a moment’s notice,

but many improvisers eschew props in favor of the infinite possibilities available through mime.

In improv,

this is more commonly known as ‘space object work’ or ‘space work’, not ‘mime’,

and the props and locations created by this technique, as ‘space objects’.

As with all improv offers,

improvisers are encouraged to respect the validity and continuity of the imaginary environment

defined by themselves and their fellow performers;

this means, for example, taking care not to walk through the table

or “miraculously” survive multiple bullet wounds from another improviser’s gun.

Because improvisers may be required to play a variety of roles without preparation,

they need to be able to construct characters quickly with physicality, gesture, accents, voice changes,

or other techniques as demanded by the situation.

The improviser may be called upon to play a character of a different age or sex.

Character motivations are an important part of successful improv scenes,

and improvisers

must therefore attempt to act according to the objectives that they believe their character seeks.”

Hey, this is hard work…

But soooo much fun!!

And for more laughs…

Follow them to…

Marco Island!

http://islandtheatercompany.com/stage2improv/

February 14 & 15 and March 21 & 22
Evening Shows 7:30 p.m.

Island Theater Company

Marco Island’s Community Theater

info@theateronmarco.com or 239-394-0080

LOL

You will not be disappointed!!

Really…

You’ll be…

Laughing Out Loud!!

Isaiah 61:10

“I delight greatly in the Lord;   

my soul rejoices in my God.”

 Ecclesiastes 3:4

“…a time to laugh…”

Amen!   

Happy Birthday…Ya Little Rascal!

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“Happy Birthday, Mr. Hood!

Happy Birthday to you!

To make your Birthday turn out good!

I give this present to you!!

-Little Rascals-

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Hon,

I appreciate you because…

You pray to God for us!

You’re true-blue!

You gave me a beautiful son!

You love us!

You do all the yard work!

You take care of all the cars!

You call to complain to everyone who tries to rip us off!

You do all the grocery shopping!

You do all the cooking!

You take care of all the garbage/recycling!

You play golf with our son!

You take him to the shooting range!

You care about our safety!

You handle our cash outflow!

You lost weight for your health!

You love Siberian Huskies, even crazy ones like ours!

You’re independent enough to pack your own luggage!

You take charge in a crisis!

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Hey, Yo!

What more can we ask for???

We’re blessed!!

 We couldn’t live without you!!

All God’s Blessings for a Happy Birthday!!

And many, many more!!

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Love, your Gang!!

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Lets’ Eat!!!

Thank God, we finally found a good pizza place in Florida!!

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And mussels with good sauce!!

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Our prayer for you…

Numbers 6:24-26

“The Lord bless you    

and keep you;

the Lord make His Face shine on you    

and be gracious to you; 

the Lord turn His Face toward you    

and give you peace.”

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3 John 1:2

“…I pray that you may enjoy good health

and that all may go well with you,

even as your soul is getting along well.”

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Psalm 21:3

“You came to greet him with rich blessings   

and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.”

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                         (Hand to Hand training-US Army-Ft Dix, NJ!  Ha!)

Psalm 21:6

“Surely You have granted him unending blessings   

and made him glad with the joy of Your Presence.”

Amen!

Opposites Attract!

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I received this e-mail awhile ago:

 

“Ladies this e-mail will answer all your questions…

 

Men Are Different!

 

They think differently…

Talk differently…

Are interested…

Or not interested…

In different things!

The sooner we realize it the better off we’ll be…

And the easier it will be to get along…

 

Why Men Are Seldom Depressed!

Men are just happier people:

Their last name stays put…

The garage is all theirs…

Wedding plans take care of themselves…

Chocolate is just another snack…

They can be President…

Car mechanics tell them the truth…

Same work, more pay…

Wrinkles add character…

Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100…

New shoes don’t cut, blister, or mangle your feet…

One mood all the time…

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat…

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase…

They can open all their own jars…

They get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness…

Three pairs of shoes are more than enough…

They are unable to see wrinkles in their clothes..

They don’t need to put on a new face every day…

The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades…

They only have to shave their face and neck…

They can play with toys all their life.

One wallet and one pair of shoes!  One color for all seasons…

They can ‘do’ their nails with a pocket knife…

They have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache…

They can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24th in 25 minutes…

 

No wonder men are happier!!  Ha!

 

Nicknames: 

If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah…

If Mike, Dave, and John go out for lunch, they will affectionately call each other Fat Boy, Bubba and Wildman…

 

Eating Out: 

When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it’s only for $32.50.  None of them will have anything smaller, and none will actually admit they want change back…

When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators…

 

Money

A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs…

A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn’t need, but it’s on sale…

 

Bathrooms

A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel…

The average number of items in the typical woman’s bathroom is 337…A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items…

 

Arguments:  A woman has the last word in any argument…

Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument…

 

Future:

A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband…

A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife…

 

Marriage:

A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn’t…

A man marries a woman expecting that she won’t change, but she does…

 

Dressing Up:

A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the trash,

answer the phone, or go get the mail…

A man will dress up for weddings and funerals…

 

Natural:

Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed…

Women somehow deteriorate during the night…

 

Offspring:

Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments, romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears, hopes, and dreams…

A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house…

 

Though For The Day:

A married man should forget his mistakes. There’s no use in two people remembering the same thing!

 

P.S.  Read about relationships:

 

Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus by John Gray, Ph.D.

http://www.marsvenus.com/

 

Laughing Your Way To A Happy Marriage by Pastor Mark Gungor

http://markgungor.com/

 

Men and Women

Most can’t agree:

On what a “lazy” Sunday afternoon looks like…

What “straighten up the house” entails…

How long “working on the car” takes…

Or what, “I’ll be ready in five minutes!” really means…

Just the other day…

I was listening as my husband spoke on the phone to his good friend, Dave…

“Oh, No!!!  What did you do, Davie???

Your new puppy?  Big mess?  While you were out playing golf?  And she was at church? 

And the volume in your house is on ‘MUTE!!!?!’

Oh, No! Georgie can’t help you with this one, Buddy!!!

Why???  Because no matter what you say or do…you’re wrong!!!

So, just say you’re sorry and be done with it!!

I’m telling you, Friend…

It’s a grey area!!  With women!”

So, by now I’m laughing, because I can’t hear Davie’s end of the conversation…

But I have an answer, nonetheless!

“Swallow you’re pride…

Say you’re sorry…

Put your ‘puppy tail’ between your legs…

And beg for forgiveness!!”

My husband conveys my message and says…

“Doesn’t matter if she said you could go…

Clean up the mess!!”

See???

Opposites!!!

Thank God they attract!

But both men and women can agree on our love for Jesus!!

And how we need His love for us!

Don’t you find that amazing???

In our household…

I’m not a morning person…He is!

I do the paperwork…He can’t!

He’s super observant…I’m not!

I’m a clean-up-as-you-go cook…He’s messy and doesn’t care!

He’s trained to handle a crisis…I melt down!

But…

It’s okay, because…

Jesus and I are opposites, too!

And Opposites Attract!!!

Yipee!!

I’m weak…He’s strong!

I’m human…He’s divine!

I’m selfish…He’s selfless!

He’s sinless!

He’s love!!

He’s Holy!

God’s the Creator!

God’s perfect!

God never changes!

God never fails!

Lord, I Can’t Get Over You!

Men and women are opposites…

And they disagree on many things…

But somehow in Jesus…

We all find what we need!

We all seem to agree!!

Men and women from all walks of life…

 Every country…

 People who can’t agree on politics…

Or the economy…

 Or even on which of our major world problems to try solve first…

Can agree that we adore the love of our Savior for us!

It’s amazing!

We can meet someone totally different from us…

  And still just know that they possess the love of Jesus…

That They Have His Heart!

Psalm 8:4

“What is mankind that You are mindful of them,
    human beings that You care for them?

You love like no other…
Not anything that I do…
You forgive me…
I choose to stay here with You!

Hold me…
Closer…
Can’t lose this moment…
You’re love has covered me!

And now I can’t get over You!

I just can’t get over You

Arms of my Father…
Grace can be found…
Lay my fears down…
Not the same anymore…
Changed from the inside out..
Heart is beating…

Can’t get over the way…
Your love stays the same…

All the time…
You stay the same…
My song remains…

Oh, Lord…

Nothing I can’t do…
Except get over You!

I’ll never get over You!!

Amen!

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