Atonement (Freedom's Call Word Study)

Because I'm still processing everything from last weekend, and by that I mean God is still doing a work in my heart, I thought I would share my second word for the month of August. This too is a work in progress....


ATONEMENT

I’m sitting in my favorite leather chair right now. My laptop is appropriately, on my lap. My Bible is balanced on the arm of my chair and my notes are scattered on the floor and side table beside me. I’m struggling to write this. I’m overwhelmed and touched in the deepest part of my being by this word. It is real to me especially today.

Let’s just get the definitions out of the way.

ATONEMENT. The satisfaction or reparation for a wrong, injury. (The doctrine concerning the reconciliation of God and humankind, as accomplished through the life, suffering and death of Jesus Christ.)

ATONE. To make amends for an offense or crime. To make up as for errors or deficiencies. (To atone for one’s failings.)

I love Jewish history and the picture of Christ the Old Testament so beautifully paints. One part of this history, the Tabernacle and all the details that went along with it, never ceases to amaze me. In particular, the Mercy Seat. What a picture!

God tells His people in Exodus 30:6 that He will meet them at the Mercy Seat. When I looked up the Hebrew word for atonement one of the words that came up was “Kaphoreth” it means mercy seat AND place of atonement

As Jewish law required each year on the Day of Atonement a sacrifice was to be made. The purpose of this particular sacrifice was to cleanse the priests as well as the people from their sins and to purify the Holy Place. It was a sacred day, a day that would “make up for” all the errors and failings of the last year. The Day of Atonement sacrifices reconciled Jehovah and His chosen people.

As I said I am overwhelmed by this word. As I always do, I go first to the dictionary to read the meaning of the word. When I read “to make up, as for errors or deficiencies” my heart just about burst.

It’s hard for us to admit we are deficient in any area isn’t it? It’s even harder to admit we have made a mistake, or an error. We or maybe I should just keep it personal and say I, fight my nature to shift the blame onto another person. (If they hadn’t done…..then I wouldn’t have done……) One thing that God showed me is that shifting the blame onto another person does not cover the offense. Shifting blame does not make up for my deficiencies! Even if another’s actions have contributed to my sin, another human being can not atone (cover or make up for) my errors, my deficiencies, my sin.




Old Testament law demanded a blood sacrifice to cover or ATONE for the sins of the people. Leviticus 17:11 says

“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement
for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

Hebrews 9:6-7 tells us
“When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room and that only once a year and NEVER without blood which he offered for himself and for the sins the people committed in ignorance.

It is the blood that makes atonement for my life. Not just any blood, but the blood of Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:23-25
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement and through faith in his blood. “

Every year they went through this process. Nothing the priests sacrificed would atone for their sin once and for all. It is only through Jesus that their sin, our sin was finally atoned for.

Once and for all. Hebrews 10:1-18 tell us this.

In particular verse 4 says

“it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

Hebrews 2:17 says
“For this reason, he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.”

Read this again.
Leviticus 17:11
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement
for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

Read that first part again…the life of a creature is in the blood. We can not live without it. Jesus poured out His blood, his life as the final atonement sacrifice. My life is what it is because of that single sacrifice.

Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb, the Atonement for our sin.

It was supposed to be a pan of brownies.

Ya'll. For two days I have been trying to make brownies.

I'm using the same recipe I've used for 6 years or so. The recipe I know like the back of my hand BUT still keep the cookbook open just in case.

Wednesday, I opened the door of my oven to find a very flat brownie type "thing" filling my dish. I let Emma do the toothpick test, and it came out clean, but these brownies did NOT look like MY brownies.

My sweet little Emma said, "I'll taste them mommy, how bad can they be?" Well.....

She said she like them because they were not to sweet. I figured since Emma had tried it, I might as well.

The taste was...well....it sort of tasted like a brownie. Just flat. These things were just a little thicker than a pancake. I am NOT kidding.

I dumped the entire dish in the garbage. (And can I just tell you that the sucker slid out of the baking dish in ONE PIECE. Nice.)

Chad came home expecting brownies and ice cream for dessert and bless his heart...he tried not to laugh when I explained what had happened. He suggested that maybe I used the unsweetened cocoa instead of the the regular cocoa. I didn't realize we had unsweetened cocoa in the cabinet so assumed that was the problem. (I don't know why that would have affected whether or not my brownies were fluffy or flat..but hey....as hard as I try I am just not gifted in the culinary arts.)

So today...today I woke up and decided to conquer the brownie.

I pull out the trusty (trusty until now) recipe and gather ALL my ingredients. I measured and then I re-measured. I read every label to "be sure". I had Emma read the directions WHILE I CREAMED, MIXED and poured. I just knew that today would be the day that I, the culinary challenged would conquer that brownie recipe. I've done it in the past and I could do it again.

Into the oven they went and oh they smelled wonderful! THAT didn't happen yesterday by the way. So anyway...the timer went off. I slowly opened the oven door expecting to see beautiful fluffy, moist brownies. The kind of brownies that would make Chadwick rise and call me blessed.

Wrong.

Flat.

Black.

Dry.

Gross brownies.

Emma said it best..."Mom, those aren't brownies. They are blackies."

Friday when I go to the store, I'll be purchasing the box mix, WITH the Ghiradella Chocolate.

Let's just keep this to ourselves okay?

Can you help a family out?

One of the things I LOVE about the land of blog is that we have this sisterhood thing going on. When one of us has a need all she has to do is ask and 100 women will start praying. Here is your chance to pray and help a family who is in the process of adoption.


My very talented Fiesta Roomie Jenny has painted an incredible piece of artwork she feels led to sell. Whatever it sells for she is going to give to Debra to help with their adoption.

Go check out Jennyhope and follow her links to see pictures of her artwork...I think you'll like it. :)

It's Time to Live it Out

Okay...so as much as I LOVE all the pictures of the Fiesta weekend, I need to share some of the meat. After all, the first reason I went to this conference was to get away with God, the Siesta's were an extra special gift. (A gift that far exceeded my imagination!)

I'm going to post the theme verses here, they are from Psalm 16 and Beth had us write the ESV translation:

Verses 5 & 6 "The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance."

I was overcome this weekend with the teaching, but also what God was doing in my head and heart AFTER the teaching! Rather than list the 8 points today, I feel like sharing what was going on in my heart.

Our word of the weekend was "INHERITANCE". We were challenged to take on this attitude: "I am an heiress".

In my notes I jotted down this note to self: "act like the heiress God died to save."

Oh boy did this convict me. I think we all struggle with our external appearance. We want to drop a few pounds...change our hair....wish we were taller, well maybe that's just me. I've seen some of you in person and some of you are T.A.L.L.!!!!
Anyway..you probably know where I'm going. We don't like what we see in the mirror and often times take drastic measures to change that.

This was made very clear to me in the strangest of ways Saturday morning. There were 5 godly women in my hotel room. Each one crazy about Jesus, and some of us just plain crazy! Anyway...on the way out the door Friday night and then again on Saturday morning...we all laughed out loud at the amount of "product" in our bathroom. There were 4 flat irons, 1 curling iron, tons of anit-friz and other hairsprays, several make-up bags.....get the picture. It was so funny and we got a kick out of each other. :) Here's the thing God impressed on my heart...

Each one of us in that hotel room believe with all our hearts that our identity is found in Jesus Christ alone. We get that. BUT. What about those women that don't? They are all around us. We sit next to them at PTA meetings, we cheer with them watching at our children's sporting events, and all too often we worship next to them in church on Sunday.

My heart hurts for them. I'm burdened for women to find their worth in Jesus alone. Part of this weekend just brought that burden back to the front of my mind and heart.

God also did some convicting. Far too often I do not act like the heiress He died to save. And have no doubt, He brought those areas to my mind. In particular there was one area that I did not even realize was an issue until I asked God if there was anything that needed to change. Oh.My. IT was the first thing on my mind and as hard as I tried...it just wouldn't go away! So that was settled on the floor of the Alamadome on Saturday August 23, 2008. That's all I'm going to say about that.

Romans 8: 15-18 " For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, Abba Father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

I am an heiress of God. A co-heir with Jesus Christ. Does my life testify to that? Do my actions and my attitude line up with that of my co-heir Jesus Christ? These were just a few of the questions I wrote down over the weekend.

And THAT was BEFORE Mama Beth really got into her 8 points.

Do you see why it's taking me awhile to process!!!!

You Guessed it Fiesta # 3....

I still have pictures to share! These are from Saturday. I promise to share some of the meat of this weekend soon, but honestly, I'm still reading over my notes and taking in what was poured out. Does that make sense?

I will tell you that the theme was "Inheritance" and that this morning, my daily Psalm fell in line with that theme. I love it when God does something like that. :)

Me, Suzi, Jenny


Moore Girls


This was lunch/dinner on Saturday. I'm surprised we didn't need to pass the Tums around after this meal! We laughed SO hard the ENTIRE time....This is where Jenny (waving at the camera) gave the famous "prayer".


Me and Fran


Georgia, me, Fran, Boomama, Lisa


Lisa, me, Fran BigMama


Me with a few new friends


These beautiful ladies are a mother and daughter in law. They live just a few minutes from me!! They came up to me in the Alamodome on Friday while we were waiting to go in...and it was so neat to see and hug their necks. Ya'll...they literally live less than 20 minutes from me! We definitely need to have a GA Siesta get together. :)


Patty, Fran, Georgia, Me and Kim in the San Antonio airport on Sunday. There are several "versions" of this picture....can't wait to see where they pop up. :)



I MISS you all!!!

Siesta Fiesta Number 2

My heart is so full. I am still reading over my notes and absorbing what God showed me this past weekend. At some point, I'm going to share a little of that here. One thing that just continues to stick out was the number of women there ready to meet with God. It was incredible to be one of 10,000 worshipping at the same time. Fran sent me a text last night saying if that was what Heaven would be like, then come Lord Jesus! I agree 110%!!!

Here are a few more pictures....

A few new Siesta friends at lunch on Friday. You two that told me you read my blog but don't comment better leave me one!! I know who you are! :) Seriously, it was so nice to meet you face to face. I'm praying for you!



Leah from The Point...it's a shame we live about an hour apart and had to go to San Antonio to meet!! I'm looking forward to a coffee date at the mall! :)


This sweet siesta is Jenmom. We've been e-mailing and praying for each other for about a year now. It was so neat to watch God orchestrate her trip like He did mine. I'm so glad I finally got to hug her neck! We may have to figure out a bloggy baby shower for her in a few months!


One of my roomates Darlene R from Have You Seen My Keys? don't you love that blog title! Darlene is precious and I SO enjoyed getting to know her better. Darlene, I'm wearing our prayer ring right now.

Darlene had her picture taken with the "Miesta" right before I did...you'll have to ask her why we are laughing here...it's pretty funny. :)

The Miesta...do I really need to say anything else. He and his team ushered us into the throne room Friday and Saturday. I don't know about anyone else, but I could listen "Mercy Seat" over and over again....


Each one of these people were part of a gift God gave me this weekend and I'm so thankful to have been part of it.

My little girls are saying they are HUNGRY!!! I guess it's time to come back to reality. I'm off to cook and then have to go rehearse with Freedom's Call. I can't wait to share with those girls what God did this weekend. They will LOVE it.

How About Some Siesta Pictures????

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!

I can not believe this weekend.

The fellowship with those of you there was wonderful! I think we laughed about 90% of the time we weren't in the conference! It was so incredible. In fact, my sides still hurt. I don't remember who, but one of my roommates said we had laughed so much, her stomach felt like she had been doing sit ups...I can say AMEN SIESTA to that. :)

Since I've only been home long enough to change clothes and pop in on my children's choir, I'm going to just throw up some pictures. I will post again Monday, and if I get enough sleep...it just might make sense!!!


While Patty, Georgia, Lisa (the Preacher's Wife) Fran and Kim prepared to register about 1000 Siesta's on Friday afternoon......

We stood outside. Do you think it was windy????


From left to right...ProfBaugh, Teri, me Darlene R and Jennyhope. I love these girls and was so honored to worship beside them Friday and Saturday!

These girls worked their holy tails off Thursday and Friday getting everything ready. I love you girls and praying that you are home safe and resting...



I'll post some more on Monday, I need to chill out and love on my family!

I just couldn't wait...

Okay..it's early here...like around 6:30 am. I'm up, showered and halfway ready to go. The bags, with the exception of my carry on, are packed and waiting for my flat iron and make up to be thrown in. We leave in just a few hours for the airport. Emma is having a hard time...bedtime last night was hard. I'm glad now that I skipped choir and stayed home to rest.

Right before bedtime Chad and I were talking in our room, I looked over at the door and Emma was standing there with a bit of a grin. She was holding something behind her back. I asked her what she was hiding and she handed me two photos. "They are for you to take with you....so you don't forget what I looked like when I was a baby..." Then the tears started...hers too.

The time with Emma, the stomach bug I've fought all week along with a couple of other "things" that have come up have just confirmed in my heart that I am to be in San Antonio. This weekend will be part of my story..thank you Lord for allowing me to go through this stuff this week...


So here is what I COULDN'T WAIT TO SHARE!!!!!

Earlier this week I was checking out Cindy Morgan's latest blogpost on her website. She is doing "Believing God" this summer. (and if you've done it, you know her world is being rocked big time) She talked about entering your Promised Land and suggested we read Josh. 3 and 4. I knew that I needed to read these chapters, but everytime I sat down to read them, something would come up.

This morning, the house was (and is thus the last minute post!) quiet. I poured my first cup of coffee, sat down in my yellow chair in the breakfast room and knew that it was time to read Josh. 3 and 4. Before I started I had journaled/prayed about this weekend. I told God..."I want it..whatever it is...even the hard stuff..I want to hear you. Will you do something to rock my world this weekend?" This was His reply...

Josh. 3:5 "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."

Thank you Lord for answering me. Thank you for doing what you say you will do.

My girls are coming down the stairs...I'm off to give some manicures and pedicures before I leave!

God is Good.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-5).

God often allows pain to ignite destiny in our lives. Without motivation, many of us would never fulfill the purposes for which God created us. Oftentimes a measured assault invades our life and creates a depth of pain that all we know to do is press into God with all our being.

The above verse and quote came in an e-mail devotion this morning. I don't often get as sick as I have been the last few days. At one point over the weekend, I asked God if this was some sort of attack right before this trip.

This morning, I woke up feeling physically stronger and somewhat spiritually stronger. Over the past few weeks, I've been asking God to prepare me for the message He has for me to receive this weekend. I didn't want to just show up for a good time, I want to meet Him there.

At some point, I felt like God was saying to my heart..."Look for me before the conference too...don't miss me today because you are looking ahead to the Fiesta."

I have tried to make a concentrated effort to listen harder to Him the past few weeks, and He has been speaking in themes all around me. I just love it when He does that. That's why I'm thankful that I have been sick.

Being sick has forced me to be totally dependant on God. It's almost exactly 24 hours before my plane leaves. I have not packed the first thing...in fact, I'm still doing laundry. THIS IS TOTALLY UNLIKE ME.

God has forced me to take my hands off of this week. I have been dependant on HIM to give me the strength to homeschool the girls, do the laundry, clean the house...you get the idea... God used this stomach bug to remind me that I can't take a step without Him.

Like I said earlier in the week, as eager and excite as I am to finally meet so many of you, I'm more excited about receiving the message God has for me.

I keep thinking that "this will be my last post before I leave" and this time...I really think it is!!

I'll be back Monday with pictures and a heart full of stuff to share!

Blessings...

It's down to hours....

My Siesta Fiesta countdown is down to hours. I have not packed the first thing. BUT I do have a list. A very detailed list with everything from my new brown and pink pj's (Thanks Dad and Mom) to my favorite pen and pencil. Go on and laugh...I can take it. Remember, this is the girl who sorts her silverware IN THE DISHWASHER.

Thanks for your prayers, I'm still fighting the stomach thing, but I did eat soup tonight! No crackers, just soup.

Chloe and Emma told me today they were really excited for me to go meet all of you in person, but that they didn't really want me to go. When I asked why, Emma admitted to being jealous that I was getting to go to a slumber party all weekend. I told her we were going to be doing more than the pj party. She seems to enjoy the
Siesta Momma as much as we all do. (She watches Wednesday's with Beth on Life Today with me sometimes.)

God has been so faithful in so many areas of my life, this trip included. I can't believe it's finally here. Even today, He reminded me that despite how I feel right now, He is in control. I have a date with the King this weekend and I can not wait.

Birthday Weekend Number 3

We are three for three. Three weekends so far in August and three birthday parties. We had a house full of family down to celebrate Chloe this past weekend. I will spare you pictures...mainly because I was sick and took maybe three pictures the whole weekend.

My parents arrived with Mia and Morgan on Friday morning. Despite a severe sinus/allergy attack, I enjoyed having my little nieces here. They were saying more this weekend than they were just two weekends ago at their party! My personal favorite was Morgan bringing her little hand up to her head, falling down and saying in the most southern accent you've ever heard grace the lips of a two year old..."I faint....." No one is claiming to have taught that child how to do this, but boy is it funny. I was glad their mommy and daddy were here by bedtime....it had been a long day! I forgot just how busy a two year old can be.

Saturday morning, my father & mother-in law arrived from Florida just a little while before my mother-in-law and Chad's grandmother arrived from TN. Chloe was blessed to have all of her grandparents and one great-grandparent here. I just wish I had not been high on sinus medication. It doesn't take much to make me loopy...and I was VERY loopy. Lunch was served and from what I understand, the cake was good....and according to Chloe, nothing else mattered!

God was gracious and I woke up Sunday morning feeling much better. That was such a gift seeing as Sunday afternoon we kicked off our new Children's Choir year. I am already in love with my fourth graders! They are enthusiastic and eager to learn and more importantly worship Jesus. I asked my secretary how many we had...thinking we had around 25 or so...she just smiled and said no....we had 38!

38 fourth graders!!! ON THE FIRST NIGHT!! God is so good.

We came home from choir and I thought I was just really tired from the weekend and choir kick off...but the longer the night went on...the more I realized I was just plain old sick.

So today...I am just a couple of days from San Antonio, I can't eat without being sick. (Maybe God is just trying to make me fast before this trip!) The right side of my head feels like it's going to explode and despite the fact that I've slept for 2 hours this afternoon, I can hardly keep my eyes open.

I feel like this is just a distraction. I can hardly contain my excitement, not for the party, or the "hype" of the fiesta...I want to hear God this weekend. He has been preparing my heart for this weekend for almost one year....meeting my bloggie siesta's is just an extra kiss from the King this weekend.

I say this to say..If I'm a little absent over the next few days it's because I'm focusing on my family and my God before this trip. I know a lot of you reading this will be there and completely understand! And to you I say see you Thursday!

To those not going..I wish you were! I look forward to the day we meet...eyeball to eyeball! Until then...I'm praying for you and ask that you pray for us as we travel this week.

I'm off to make out my packing list...I've got to put camera and extra batteries on the list before I forget!

In Just One Week

In just one short week, I leave for San Antonio. I can not believe that it is finally here.

From the moment Living Proof announced Siesta Fiesta, I knew I wanted to go. Everything in me wanted to go! I sheepishly brought it up to Chad and he was all for it, saying "Go! God will provide..." I somewhat doubted that He would just give me a ticket, airfare, hotel money and any other expenses that would pop up. At that point in our life, there was NO extra money. NONE.

Shortly after this conversation with Chad, I received an e-mail from a certain Princess Siesta. She had already purchased a ticket to the San Antonio Siesta Fiesta and knew that she could not attend. She offered that ticket to me. I was amazed, God had provided the first part of my trip. That was almost one year ago.

In January, I began to look at airfare. The prices weren't THAT bad, but when there isn't a lot of extra money, they still seemed impossible. I remember that first night, Chad saying..."Those aren't bad, we'll just have to wait a little closer and pray that they don't go up too much."

We checked in March...they had gone down but we didn't have the money.

In May...we checked and they were about the same.

Mid June God provided and when we went on-line to purchase my tickets...the price was no where near what it had been in May. I will never forget looking at the computer screen and saying..."this can not be right."

I started a new search to check again. Same price.

The price had been cut...more than in half. God provided. Again.

So I sit here..just 6 days away from Siesta Fiesta. I feel like this journey began about a year ago! I am still believing God to provide the last little bit AND to calm this anxious girl down!

Anxious isn't the right word. I'm eager. Eager to meet so many of you! Eager to worship with other women who are serious about their Savior. Eager to hear your stories. Most of all I'm eager to see what God has in store for us. I have a feeling that He is about to pour something over us that we can't imagine. I want it.

One more thing...and this is so typical Stephanie that those of you who know me will just laugh.

I love to travel but I HATE airports. BIG TIME. And I hate even more to be in an airport ALONE. It just creeps me out. SO...for me to fly into San Antonio without a flying buddy is huge. HUGE I tell you. I have been praying for several weeks that God would orchestrate me meeting a siesta in the airport to share a cab to the hotel with. He did. :) Emily and I come in just a few minutes apart and I can not wait!! Emily...your eyes will be the first Siesta Eyes I see in person! I can not wait!!!!

Isn't God good.

Circle of Friends

Chloe has a really neat group of friends. She invited a few over last Saturday to celebrate her big day. We moved the coffee table out of the way, covered the area rug with beach towels and had a Spa party. Which means, I spent an hour painting little toe nails. I LOVED it.






This group of girls love to talk..imagine that. I knew that there would be a period of time that they would be waiting, so before the party I typed up a ton of questions, cut them out, folded them and placed them in a bowl.

In between the base coat and the top coat (which was polka dots) each one of them would draw a question, read it, and answer. It was neat to hear their responses. Some of the questions were just fun..."Today, what is your favorite song?"...or "What is your favorite book?"...BUT, something happened. As they gave their answers, each one of them would ask another girl and it would turn into a big group discussion. I was so proud of them. They included everyone and honored God in their conversation.







Here they are: M, N, G, Chloe, Emma, M. Thanks girls for a great party! You all are a ton of fun!

Outdoor Movie Night and a Pre-B'day Surprise

Thursday evening we had so much fun at our church's community move night. This is the second year that our friend and neighbor M. has come with us.



Waiting to start....our worship orchestra played some "movie music" for a little over an hour. I was so honored they asked me to come play along. We played theme music from everything from "Gone With the Wind" to Disney's "The Incredibles". Although, my favorite was a tie between the John Williams medley (there was a little "ET" in there) AND "Pirates of the Caribbean".



Chad took this and it is my favorite of the evening.



Chloe asked daddy (and she petitioned her Zuzu and Granddaddy to convince him) back in June if she could get her ears pierced. He told her he would think about it and let her know. Well....he's been "thinking" about it for almost two months. Chloe has been very patient and respectful during the wait...if only we grown ups would wait for our answers as calmly and patiently. Anyway...

Friday morning, Chloe woke up to find two envelopes on the breakfast room table. The first was a very beautiful letter from Chad to Chloe. (I cried as she read it aloud) At the very end of the letter it said.."and I give you my blessing to.....(see envelope number 2)

When she opened the second one...it said...."have your ears pierced!" There were tears, thank you's, and hugs for a good 10 minutes. Then we told her that she could pick a special place for lunch and that after lunch we would go to the mall and have her ears pierced.

She chose the same wonderful Asian restaurant Emma picked on her birthday. AND they put us in the tiki hut again! The chef came out and told Chloe he wanted to prepare a special dessert for her. He asked her lots of questions and this is what he came up with. A piece of Godiva triple chocolate cheesecake with a scoop of ice cream and strawberries on some homemade whipped cream...oh yea...there was some tasty fudge sauce drizzled over the entire thing. Chloe shared with Emma and Chad and I had one bite. We shared the LAST BITE...


Emma lending a hand to her big sis.





"Hurt her and I'll take you down..." Karate kid Emma is extremely protective of her loved ones. This is her "back off" face.




Second thoughts????





She was so excited, especially when I told her I thought she looked at least 11. (She turned 10 today, but bless her heart...she still looks much younger! One day she'll appreciate that.)

I'll have pictures from today's girlfriend party Sunday afternoon...This group of girls are just precious to me and I promised to put a picture of their feet up so they could see their toes on the internet...

Freedom's Call Name Study "Anointed of God"

This is part of one of my study on this. I need to "work it out" here...leave a comment and give me some feedback!

ANOINTED OF GOD

If we were asked to make a list of people that we thought were anointed of God, I bet our lists would be similar. They may include our pastor, worship leaders, Bible study teachers, authors, speakers….maybe even your closest friends!

This week as part of our Freedom’s call study on the names of God, I’ve been asked to ponder and think on “Anointed of God” as an attribute/characteristic of God.

First things first, what does anoint mean? Here are the definitions from dictionary.com.

1. To rub or sprinkle on; apply an unguent, ointment, or oily liquid to.
2. To smear with any liquid
3. To consecrate or make sacred in a ceremony that includes the token applying of oil:
4 .to dedicate to the service of God

During Old Testament times, the first definition was a common practice. Anointing with oil was part of their daily personal grooming, as well as in traditions such as preparing a body for burial. Anointing with oil also had medicinal purposes but the third and fourth definitions, those are the definitions that are applicable here.

Sacred anointing was used to dedicate (set apart) things or persons for God’s service.
As I think about a sacred anointing, I picture an ordination service. The ordination service is a precious time when deacons and other ministers pray over a man who has been called to lead. There is nothing mystical or weird about it, it is just concentrated time of prayer and commissioning.

When I asked God to tell me who this attribute described in respect to Himself, I immediately had two thoughts, The Son and the Holy Spirit. Number two and three of the Trinity.

THE SON ~ JESUS

Jesus quotes part of Isaiah 61 in Luke 4 where He says

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted; to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:18-19)


Let’s imagine it. God the Father turns to His Son and tells Him it’s time. It’s time for Him to leave Glory and come to earth. There is a task that only Jesus Christ can carry out, but before God can let Him leave, He must do one more thing.

I see my Jesus, knowing full well what His earthly assignment would involve, on His knees before God.

Wouldn’t you have loved to see their faces as their eyes focused on one another and God the Father lovingly anointed His only son? Can you imagine the way God’s voice sounded as He gave Jesus Christ his Holy anointing? Perhaps is sounded something like this:

“My precious Son, my Spirit is on you and in you. I am setting you apart to preach salvation to the poor. I’m sending you to mend the brokenhearted. Those that are held captive by sin, you will deliver! You will show them how to really live. You are going to give sight to those that can’t see, physically and spiritually. And to those who have been beaten down and feel lifeless because they are so consumed by the law…you will teach them and you will give them liberty! You can do this because I have covered you and will empower you to complete this assignment. No one else can do this, you are it my Son. You are the Anointed of God and I am so pleased with you.”

Jesus Christ was anointed by God to die for the sins of each one of us. That was His task. His entire ministry was to bring reconciliation for man’s sin. His sacrifice on the cross was to restore my fellowship, your fellowship with God the Father.

Jesus means “Savior”; you probably knew that BUT….

Did you know that “Christ” means “the anointed one”? Yes it does!

Now, when you say “Jesus Christ” you are saying “Savior, the Anointed One”. He was and is the Anointed One sent by God to be the Savior of the world.
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Part two of this "the Holy Spirit" is coming in the next day or two. Thanks for your input. :)

I'm off to practice for our churches "Music and a Movie" community event tonight! We will be playing movie themes for a little over an hour and then once the sun goes down, we will enjoy "Horton Hears a Who" out on the corner of Fence and Dacula Road. If you are in this area come by and say HI! It's FREE and a lot of fun. :)

Nothing makes a girl feel pretty like....

BEAUTIFUL JEWELRY!! Go here and check out the two rings Debra is giving away!!! I am in love!! They are just beautiful. After you leave a comment, and I know you will...go to her friend's Etsy shop and drool over her very affordable pieces. I'm in love!!!!

Prayer Need

UPDATE: Lindsay came through surgery just great, please pray that she will continue to wake up without getting sick! Also, please pray for the children (11 x 2 & 3 x2)mommy and daddy are about an hour away from home. Thanks so much!!

I've had another post spinning around in my mind for a while, but today isn't the day to share it. Today, my sister in law Lindsay is having surgery. In fact right now (10:30) she is probably about halfway through. SO, my heart and my mind and my focus is on her, her husband and the children.




Chad and I were talking this morning about how hard it is to be so far away right now. Everything in us wants to be there with them, but since we can't....we pray. And you know what....those prayers are heard and hand carried to the Father by Jesus Himself. I would love it if you would say a quick prayer for Linds. Pray that the surgeon is able to take that infected portion out and I'm specifically praying that if there is anything else there that he will see it and be able to remove it. You can read more about what's going with her here.

Thanks bloggy friends...you are the best!

Sharing the Love

My real life friend Carol at Sheep to the Right sent this my way:


You can check out now this award came to be here. It REALLY touched my heart to read this story, and I think you'll be blessed too.

I'm passing it on to Heather at Home With Heather. This lady has the BEST grill ideas each week! I loved reading their adoption story! It will melt your heart.

Bethanne at Waiting for the Shout. One day, Bethanne and I HAVE to meet up in Pigeon Forge for a little power shopping and some Apple Barn apple fritters. This lady challenges me, makes me laugh and she keeps it real. I love that about her!

Last but not least my sweet blog friend Heather at Life at Sonic Speed . Since she passed this my way, I'm going to share the love her way. :)



Thanks Heather!

If you weren't one of the 70,000 women who participated in the Living Proof Simulcast this past weekend, go check out Heather's recap. I just came from there and let me tell you...the girl encountered God this weekend. Her post testifies to that and as I type this, I have tears thinking about what God is doing in her life.

Can I tell you something? God wants to do the same thing in your life too! I sure hope that you aren't riding another person's "spiritual wave" so to speak. God is not respecter of man or woman! He has some AWESOME things just for you....ask Him to show off for you today and see what happens. :)

So what did you do this weekend?

We had a birthday party. The first of 4 in our family this month!! I'm going to post A LOT of photos. :)

My beautiful little nieces turned 2 today. Their vocabulary has expanded since the last time I saw them...I'm still waiting to hear the say "Aunt Steffie", but to have them look up and say "Mo cake peeze", well how can anyone resist that? I sure couldn't and Uncle Chad couldn't either. I caught him dipping cake into the chocolate fondue and giving it to Morgan. She turned around looked up at me, grinned REAL big and said "I like him!"




Here is Gram's. She gives the best party.. :) Chloe and Emma decorated while she cooked. They also helped make some AWESOME cupcakes and a pretty incredible cake!



About six months ago I shared with you that my 90 year old grandmother M. had prayed to receive Christ as Savior..well here she is (On the left) with my grandmother F.




The gentleman on the left is my grandmother F.'s man friend G. They are not dating. They just have dinner every night and grocery shop together, and play bridge together, and walk together...but they are NOT dating. Grandmother and G. go together like peanut butter and jelly. That handsome man on the right is my papaw.



This is my brother, Mia and Morgan's daddy.



My beautiful sister in law's Dad and brother who are in from out of town.



Eating Cake!!!

Morgan


Mia


My Girls




Family photo



Aren't you impressed that after unknown amounts of cake, ice cream, and other sweets, these little ones sat completely still for a family picture?!!!!

Well check this out....




And this...THIS is more like it..


This is the ONLY picture of my dad! Chloe took this, I don't how I missed him! He must have been hiding with Chad because he isn't any of these either. Well get them at the next party. :)



We are home and coming down off of a major sugar high! I can't wait to do this again next weekend, and the next...and then..

IT's SIESTA FIESTA!!!!!!