Gallimaufry

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2009-06-19T09:24:00.013-05:00

The Brave Hearted Gospel. Quite extraordinary.

Jackie Pullinger
Many of us want Christianity on our own terms. We want to stay alive - we want the benefits of the Cross, but not the requirements of it. But whereas the Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses us with all the pleasures of Heaven, it asks for something in return - our lives.

Click on image.

braveheartedgospel.com

My Lip Gloss

2009-03-26T23:53:00.008-05:00

I have been meaning to post this video for some time. It's one of the funniest things I have ever seen : ) I had a really hard time filming this because I was laughing so hard. I was in tears this was so funny! In July, we took the youth down to Atlanta for a weekend. We went to a Braves game (which was fun despite them losing!), the Varsity, Six Flags, and to the Aquarium. It was, needless to say, an amazing weekend! However, my favorite times were in the van...the green van. This video is just a small glimpse of what went down. Enjoy! Starring Ry Sisco.

Sam and Esther

2009-02-02T18:24:00.005-06:00

I just finished watching this video and I urge you to spend the next 10 minutes watching it. Tears will fill your eyes. Starvation is something I am not familiar with. I've used the phrase "I'm starving" a million times in my life but I have never even come close to starvation. This will impact you, I promise. It may only affect you for a few hours or maybe just 10 min...but it will affect you. I don't want to give too much away because the actions of this one little girl will do far more than anything I could write about. And the helplessness and loneliness of Sam and Esther will be forever visually engrained in your mind...whereas my words will be forgotten after this sentence. I will tell you that it ends well. Even though it won't seem like it will, it does : )

Sam and Esther

Believe It

2009-01-22T20:15:00.005-06:00

Okay it has been far too long. And I do apologize! But hopefully I will pick back up. I have experienced so much in the past month and a half : ) Maybe I will share that later. But I just read something and I had to put it on here. I ran across it browsing a website of one of my favorite bands: Tenth Avenue North : ) They are awesome. Gifted. Amazing. But the lead singer Mike has this statement on one of his journal pages. It says,

How does one love God?
Well, John says, "we love because He first loved us."
And if that's true, then my whole approach must change.
No longer am I condemning myself in the mirror,
saying, "come on Mike, get your act together."
No. Instead I simply incline my gaze to the cross.
If I'm not loving God, it's because I'M NOT BELIEVING I'M LOVED (emphasis mine).
And how do I know that I am loved?
"This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down his life..."

You can check out there website and their journal entries. Pretty cool. God Bless. I will be back soon. Much love : )
Tenth Avenue North

Plan B

2008-12-10T00:23:00.004-06:00

"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8

I was listening a couple weeks ago to a message from a pastor in Nashville. I’m not sure how I found it, nor do I remember the guys name. But I do remember what he said. He began by asking the question, “what happens when your dreams are shattered?” We all have this picture of how we want our life to look like. Call it our Plan A. However, life does not always go as we have planned. He then asked if “I had learned to trust God...I mean really trust God?” Sometimes, for me, I find it difficult to be faithful to God, when I don’t think He has been faithful to me. And at times, it can be hard to seek Him when I feel like He has abandoned me. But I have a choice to make. Will I interpret God through my circumstances? Or will I simply believe that He is who He says He is.

In 2 Samuel 12, David is pleading with God to heal his sick baby. After 7 days of fasting and praying, his baby dies. When he hears the news, he gets up and goes into the house of the Lord to worship God. This response seems unrealistic. But what David realized is that he does not control outcomes. In fact, he couldn’t even explain outcomes. However, he knew that God could and that God does.

When there is a shattered dream or unmet expectation, will I believe that God is who He says He is? That He will be with me. That He works for my good. That greater things are yet to come. Because...I will have to walk through Plan B’s. But will I trust in His promise...that He is with me, even if I feel like He isn’t? Even when I don’t understand, will I believe that He is in control and that I am not? Because it may be my Plan B, but it’s His Plan A.

What do you need to say?

2008-11-10T08:38:00.004-06:00

My dad has always taught me that it is better to say too little than too much. (I have a bit of a problem sometimes saying more than I should). And I totally agree with him. But sometimes, I don't think we say enough. Check out this video of people who realize what they need to say.... Click here.

I need to tell my parents that I really appreciate all they do for me. I need to tell me brother that I love him. I need to tell my sister-n-law that I love having her in my life. I need to tell Jessica I appreciate her friendship. I need to tell my coach how much she means to me. and my list can go on. What do you need to say?

Treasure Hunt

2008-10-29T10:17:00.008-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, my family gathered around the dinner table to celebrate my cousin Magen's birthday. My aunts and uncles were there along with my cousins. It was a fun and eventful night. One particular incidence has continued to bring me laughter even now. As we were eating, my grandfather said "I believe I swallowed my crown." My initial reaction was "thats not good." But then, he smiled...it was one of his front teeth. The table erupted in laughter. Or at least I did. It was SO funny. I hurried to find a camera to capture the moment. My grandfather, however, wouldn't allow it (as you can see by the first picture). My father (mind you, we are still at the dinner table) said "thats okay, when you find it, bring it in and I will put it back on." (that was a gross comment!) I asked how much does a "new" one cost and my dad said around 800 dollars. So it makes sense, sorta. He said many of his patients search for their crown (which they have swallowed) so they don't have to buy a new one. Makes sense when its $800! My grandfather quickly suggested that I find his crown for him and he'd give me $400 (still at the dinner table!). Finally, my grandfather let my grandmother and aunt take his picture. It's a bit fuzzy but you get a glimpse of our enjoyment that night. About 15 minutes later, another aunt of mine found his crown on his plate. So he didn't swallow it after all! Thank goodness because I wasn't sure how I was gonna turn that $400 down!

Chloe the Jack-o-lantern

2008-10-20T11:47:00.007-05:00

We visited my brother and his wife last weekend. They had just bought Chloe (who is 2) her first halloween costume. I've never liked the idea of dogs wearing clothes. But I have to admit Chloe was quite cute in her costume.

Waiting for Chloe to come out with her costume.

Strutting her stuff...

Dad trying on Chloe's pumpkin hat

Chloe hates her picture taken. In fact, she runs from the camera.

Resting after wrestling with dad...

Truth

2008-10-15T21:43:00.003-05:00

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12

Feed what you want to survive

2008-10-14T18:29:00.006-05:00

I had the opportunity to hear Beth Moore speak to a group of college girls in Atlanta a couple years ago. She said that an immeasurable amount of our personal misery in life comes from our insecurity. She later shared an illustration with us about the Altas Moth. This moth is found in Indonesia and its beauty is quite breathtaking. It's wingspan almost reaches 1 foot and is sometimes mistaken for a bird. When a female atlas moth emerges from her cocoon, she can have complete confidence that her splendor exceeds that of all the other moths. However, she spent all her time inside the cocoon developing long, attractive wings that she matured without a mouth or stomach. Sadly, since she can't nourish herself, the outwardly beautiful, inwardly undeveloped moth will die within a few days. She will live long enough to attract a mate and lay eggs, but her extravagant wings will never get more than a day's use. What a shame!

Sometimes our vanity can prevent us from developing spiritual mouths to feed ourselves on God's Word and have a relationship with Him through prayer. We may look great on the outside, but our spirits are starving! I have struggled with this my whole life, as I am sure most women have. Living in todays world, emphasis is put more on the outward appearance than inward beauty. There is a certain way to look and dress according to the media. It is easy to get wrapped up into what someone else says we should look like or should be. But our main concern should be the condition of our heart and pleasing God. Galatians 1:10 says "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." We can't do both, although many try. We must choose which part of us we are going to feed...our spirit or our flesh. Each morning we have the choice. In those minutes during my morning quiet times (when and if I make time for it) are a battleground between the mind of Christ and the mind of me—which is going to dominate today? Feed the one you want to survive. My own critical thoughts exhaust me, whereas the words of God bring vitality. How I want the mind of Christ to rule over this area of my life!

Marshmallows

2008-10-09T10:34:00.011-05:00

Please watch this video! It is hilarious!! If you were five years old, what would you do? Wait for something better or eat it right then? PS This church also has a video called "Cardboard Testimonies"...if you haven't seen it, it seriously is a must see. It is powerful. Check it out...its at the bottom of my blog. God Bless.

Marshmallow Temptation

Will work for food...

2008-10-08T13:09:00.005-05:00

Last night I got in a discussion with some friends. Someone asked the question, "would you help someone and risk being taken advantaged of?" As everyone began to share, everyones thoughts and comments geared toward the homeless. Many said they would never give a homeless person any money. Some spoke of how they should go get a job and that they don't deserve to be given money/handouts. Another said, they don't like to be taken advantaged of so they seldom have the heart to stop. This startled me. As I began to think about where this question was going...I started thinking of my own life. How often do I take advantage of God? I want Him to provide for me and help me in my time of need, but how much am I giving Him back in return. I believe we as Christians take advantage of God often and we are never deserving of what He does give us. But thats the point...God loves us even when we don't deserve His love and His grace. For me, the same goes for the homeless. They may not deserve what we give them, but how are we to judge their motives? Not all homeless fit the stereotype people give them. Some don't choose to be homeless. I'm not saying you should pass out money but you can always buy them food or ask them if they need anything. Throughout Jesus life, He helped those in need...regardless of what others thought or the fact that some wouldn't be thankful. I believe what matters is the way our heart responds to people in need. Loving others, knowing we will never receive anything in return, is true love. We are not called to pass judgement on how people got where they are. We are called to serve and to love.

I really hope that I didn't offend anyone last night when I voiced my opinion. When people start talking about the homeless, something starts stirring in me. Till next time...

Galatians 6:9-10 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people..."

Chopsticks

2008-10-02T22:34:00.005-05:00

My dad gave me this devotion to read about missions. My family has been involved with missions for years. My father has been on over 20 mission trips doing dental work in South and Central America. Right after I graduated from high school, I went on my first foreign mission trip and have been on 8 since then. Nothing has changed my life more (besides Jesus) and my perspective than those experiences. I would encourage anyone to go. However, when you read below...you will see a neat analogy of those that do the going and those that stay behind.

Chopsticks and Mission

Read Philippians 4:10-20

Jesus said to the apostles, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,

in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Like most Chinese, I eat with chopsticks without noticing how I use them. However, chopsticks became an important reminder of Christian service for me after a lunchtime talk a couple of years ago. Brother Fong, one of our missionaries to East Asia who was back in Singapore on furlough, gave the talk. As we prepared to tuck our boxes of fried rice with our chopsticks, Brother Fong challenged us to eat with only one chopstick instead of a pair. Observing our frustrated attempts, Brother Fong laughed and told us to use our chopsticks the usual way. As we ate he asked us to notice how we use our traditional pair of chopsticks: Once stick remains stationary while the others stick moves. He said, “Some of us are called to go out into the mission field. We are like the movable stick. Others remain here at home in Singapore to fast and pray for those who travel, to contribute by raising funds and awareness, to extend hospitality to visiting missionaries. These are like the stationary stick.” All of us have a part to play according to our God-given gifts.

Thought of the day: Whether we stay in one place or travel

the world, each of us plays a role in proclaiming God’s love.

-James Kwok (Republic of Singapore)

PS I cannot use chopsticks!!

Cardboard Testimonies

2008-09-25T23:48:00.000-05:00

This is an amazingly powerful video.