Stop Doubting and Believe

I Have the Dumb Today

Yesterday, as I was going about my things to do, I did not quite feel 100%. Early this morning, I began feeling worse. So, please forgive me but I cannot brain today.

Mr. Worldly Wiseman and Atheist

Mr. Worldly: How did you come to get your burden in the first place?

Christian: By reading this Book in my hand.

Mr. Worldly: I thought so. It has happened to you as to other weak men who suddenly fall into such distractions by meddling with things too high for them. Those distractions not only strip men of their manliness, as I perceive they have done to you, but also cause them to undertake desperate ventures to obtain things they know nothing about. (Bunyan, John. THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. Pg. 19.)

Have you ever come across Mr. Worldly Wiseman? Perhaps it was just a brief encounter or maybe he is a constant part of your life (like a boss, family member, or friend)...going on and on about (his believed) foolishness of one being in the word of God. Or, perchance it is Atheist with whom you interact,

Christian: We're going to Mount Zion.

Atheist: (Laughs greatly.)

Christian: What's the meaning of your laughter?

Atheist: I laugh to see what ignorant persons you are to take upon yourselves such an exhausting journey. And yet you're likely to have nothing but your travel for your pains. (Bunyan, John. THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. Pg. 176.)

Atheist Into Believer

When I was a child or teen, I recall hearing about an older, atheist man (though I cannot remember his name) who stated he had been deemed clinically dead, went to hell for a moment of time, then to heaven briefly, before coming back to life. He said his experience in hell was so horrifying (and heaven so wonderful) he abandoned atheism to become a follower of Christ.

It is stories like this one that spark my interest because, I figure, if a person does not think God or Jesus exists why would he (or she) proclaim to have an encounter with them? Further, if a brush with death is only a state of mind then why would Atheist have God and Christ Jesus on the brain?

"'All the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them.' 'Stop doubting and believe.'" - Evangelist (THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, Mark 3:28, Matthew 12:31.)

Vanity Fair

Encouragement Along the Way

The "Pilgrim's Progress Virtual Journey" is a "blog hop" (if you will) based on John Bunyan's THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. Each of my posts (at the start of the "hop") will contain a "place" and "characters" from the literature. Today's is:

Vanity Fair

1st Stop - Hopeful: The Ignition Point
2nd Stop - Phoebe: Radical Womanhood
3rd Stop - Mr. Mnason: Inside Martyn's Thoughts
4th Stop - Grace: Far Above Rubies
Final Stop - Martha: Kellee Art

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)

Let's Have Lunch

I'm sure you are busy today but I thought we could have lunch together. I know a great place right on the beach. We can sit outside, watch as the waves swell in the distance, and then hear them as they crash against the shore. There's a smell of sea life in the air and a faint taste of salt on the breeze.

Maybe it's been a while since we've seen each other...or perhaps we have never met before. But here we are.

Table for two, please, out on the deck.

The hostess nods as she grabs two menus and place settings. "Follow me, please," she says.

I hear the shellfish is excellent here, but they also have other delicious dishes if seafood is not your thing.

The air is warm as we push the door open which leads to the patio. It's like a hot cup of coffee on a cold winter morning...comforting and cozy.

How about that table over there?

We each pull out a chair, have a seat, and start perusing the menu. What looks good? Pasta? Fried chicken? Steak? Crab legs? A soup or salad? Everything sounds so tantalizing...I can't decide.

"Would you like to start with an appetizer?" says the server.

None for me, thanks. I do not want to fill up and not finish my entree. How about you?

The server jots it all down then goes to get our drinks. Our attention turns to pelicans diving on the horizon. The birds coast gracefully in the sky before plummeting head first into the water.

There is a dark shadow in the depths! I am instantly reminded why I usually stay out of the ocean. A fin surfaces! The swimmers see it too! I shift in my seat to get a better view. It is a dolphin meandering parallel to the coastline...and a second one is following not too far behind.

We get swept up in conversation as we cover topics important to each of us. Easily we could remain here for hours talking the day away. We are suspended in time as the world around us blurs past. No phones, no email, no interruptions. Just us.

We notice the dishes piling up on the table and I check the time. I'm so sorry, my friend, I have to get going. We settle the bill and I tell you how much I have enjoyed your company. We rise to our feet. I give you a hug.

We'll have to meet up like this, again, sometime. Good-bye for now, my friend.

Where I Belong by Building 429

Take this world and give me Jesus!!!

Faith. Hope. Love: Chapter Eight

Have you ever experienced anything like a hurricane, tornado, tsunami, volcano, etc? Once (while in the U.S.), I woke to an earthquake in the wee hours of the morning. I was on the second floor of my rental house and I stared at the moving blinds on the window as my mind tried to wrap itself around what was happening. The building, foundation, and earth below me rolled as though I was perched on the deck of a boat at sea. I was unable to stop it, powerless to save myself, incapable of escape. I was along for the ride whether I wanted to be or not! I was at God’s mercy!

Having my eyes opened by God was a similar ordeal. The birth pains, if you will, were small and far apart at first…difficult to even identify. But as time went on (many years infact), they became more intense and closer together…until grace. He was calling me and I knew the Good Shepherd’s voice. I was going toward Him by instinct without thought or hesitation. Could I put on the breaks? I cannot prevent death. Could I hinder God or thwart His doing? And, why would I? I was in His tractor beam and being pulled to the mother ship.

The book God used (in addition to the bible) as a tool toward the end of this process was Seeking Him: Experiencing the Joy of Personal Revival by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Tim Grisson. It is one I highly recommend. Of course, at that time I also had a wonderful guide to help me navigate through the book and the deep, tumultuous waters of my conflicting feelings as my flesh burned and I transitioned from being a slave to my sin to one of righteousness (Romans 6). But while in Singapore, I was closer to the beginning of this progression. I was still focused on worldly things and naïve in my young age.

Ethics and integrity were always important to me…but so was going out with friends, dancing (as a guest not employee) at clubs, having a few alcoholic beverages, cursing, and “enjoying” life. You only live once you know! And I was under the impression God would forgive me no matter what! He loves me. I can indulge all I want and ask forgiveness later, right? And the overall thought of God in general just was not at the forefront of my mind. I flew by the seat of my pants and ate up every moment. I felt invincible and maybe even above reproach.

One night that stands out in particular in my mind during this season was when a large posse of coworkers and I went out to a popular restaurant to celebrate. What, exactly, we were observing I cannot remember but I do recall standing by the bar with one or two others and exceeding my drink limit. I cannot speak for anyone else but I for one was juiced, tanked, intoxicated. It all became a blur of laughing, cheering, chattering (about God only knows what, I have no clue), and hopping in a cab with a bunch of others and heading to our next destination which was a trendy night club. Though I was probably there for hours it seemed like thirty minutes and then a particularly lovely gal from my work family (with whom I am still friends) took me by the arm and escorted me safely home. God watched over me that evening and thankfully so! I imagine He was probably shaking his head and muttering something about what a terrible mess I was but He gave me His mercy and protection though I certainly did not deserve it!

Two gals and I returned to that restaurant a second evening for dinner. While there I made many comments about the bartender and how he had flirted with us the first time we were there. As my mouth ran away with me, our server politely asked me how I knew the bartender and stated he was her boyfriend! DEER IN HEADLIGHTS! “Uh.” I could hear crickets echoing in my brain as every thought had quickly vacated the premises. She waited my response. I just wanted to climb under the table and disappear! What did my face look like? Was I smiling or was my jaw just hanging open? “I am SO SORRY!” I uttered in absolute embarrassment. “I had NO idea!” She smiled warmly and gave a chuckle. We did not even have our food yet and already I could not finish mine fast enough. Needless to say I never went back to that establishment again!

Faith Hope Love: Chapter Eight

Valley of the Shadow of Death

Pilgrim's Progress Virtual Journey

The "Pilgrim's Progress Virtual Journey" is a "blog hop" (if you will) based on John Bunyan's THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. Each of my posts (at the start of the "hop") will contain a "place" and "characters" from the literature. Today's is:

Valley of the Shadow of Death

1st Stop - Faithful: Thoughts on Life, God, and Ministry
2nd Stop - Moses: Voice of the Martyrs' Persecution Blog
3rd Stop - Old Honest: Jews for Jesus
4th Stop - Mr. Fearing: Joshua Project
Final Stop - Gaius: Tim Challies

I hope you are encouraged as you walk with God.

The Earth Will Wear Out Like a Garment

"A web is a house for a spider.
A bird builds its nest in a tree.
There is nothing so snug as a bug in a rug
And a house is a house for me!" ~ Mary Ann Hoberman

(I want to tread carefully here because I do not wish to offend anyone. With that said...)

Ten years ago, hubs and I bought our house. It was supposed to be a "first home" not a "fixer upper"! Had we spoken to other residents in the housing development when we did our walk through we would have either A) said, "No thank you!" to the home or B) paid significantly less than what we did! We would have not only asked for a $2,000 allotment to replace the carpets (which we did) but also thousands of dollars off the asking price for home repairs!

At Three Years

The owners before us only stuck around three years before they headed for the hills. This should have been a huge, blinking, neon sign for us...WARNING! DO NOT PROCEED!

The area in which we live and our neighbors are wonderful... Light, airy, relaxed, great for a young family, convenient, easy going, free from congestion and traffic, and not overly populated. But, frankly, the builders (and inspectors) should be ashamed of themselves...to pass these dwellings off as acceptable and then charge a minimum of $200,000 for under 1200 sq. ft. ($168 per sq. ft.) of living space! It is no wonder notice of a class action lawsuit against the builders was some of the first pieces of mail we received in our three-year-old household.

Further, when one of the initial questions to run through a person's mind includes, "Why are nearly ALL of the light bulbs in this place burned out?" That should be a clue to a more pressing issue as well...an electrical problem. (The sockets in the master bathroom rarely work (as they consistently trip the breaker) and the hall lights click off regularly on their own.)

At Nine Years

One bright afternoon as I shuffled from the living room to the hallway, I noticed a warm spot on the floor. The laminate was heated beneath the soles of my bare feet. Was the dog just lying there? By evening, small droplets of water could be seen at the seams and where the baseboards met the planks. And, when I got up in the middle of the night to get a drink, my toes splashed through puddles and glided over buckled, warped boards. A water pipe had ruptured beneath the foundation. The line had to be rerouted and extensive damages repaired. (Thankfully the builder had to pay since the residence was under ten years old. Otherwise, we may have been stuck with the bill!)

At Thirteen Years Old

Today, the windows on the back wall of the house leak, profusely (which causes obvious concerns regarding mold). Neighbors have had similar headaches...some even more sever than ours! Oh, and did I mention the side yard floods and weeds (from outside) have made their way into the master bedroom and master bath through the wall!

Our roost has potential. It has kept us moderately safe and fairly dry for ten years but keeping up with issues the builders caused has become too much. I am grateful for all the Lord has provided and feel it is now time to move on and bring light to troubles this shelter has. I, personally, do not want another family to fall victim to its complications (unless they agree to purchase it as a "fixer upper").

Peace out.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Matthew 24:35 ESV)

The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8 ESV)

Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look at the earth beneath;
for the heavens vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment,
and they who dwell in it will die in like manner;
but my salvation will be forever,
and my righteousness will never be dismayed. (Isaiah 51:6 ESV)

since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for

"All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,

but the word of the Lord remains forever."
And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:23-25 ESV)

Versatile Blogger Award

Thank you so much, Ms. P.J., from the blog "P.J.'s Prayer Line" for nominating me for this award. Your continued support and encouragement is such a blessing to me! I am grateful to God for you!

The Rules to Follow For the Versatile Blogger Award:

1. Add a picture of the award to your blog post.
2. Thank the blogger who nominated you and include a link to their blog.
3. Share 7 random facts about yourself.
4. Nominate other bloggers and inform them that they have been nominated.

Seven Random Facts (you might not know) About Me

1. I once took a class taught by Patsy Swayze (mother of Patrick Swayze) and at least one by Gus Giordano.

2. I tapped around a little bit with Gregory Hines (when he was rehearsing at the dance studio I attended in my home town for a Kennedy Center Honors performance).

3. I performed in shows with Bob McGrath (from "Sesame Street"), and made a guest appearance in The Moscow Ballet's "The Nutcracker". (I have pictures from each of the above mentioned (except with Mr. Giordano) but don't have time to look for them at this moment. That might be a post for a later time.) ;)

4. I attended an audition and ended up in a picture in "Life" magazine. (December 1991. Pgs. 20 & 21. Photo by Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel.)

5. I studied dance (with a focus on ballet) for 13 years before working as a professional in that field for a short time.

6. Currently, I work as a dance teacher and web developer. My favorite classes to instruct are advanced ballet. And, as a "web developer" I customize websites to the desires of each owner. (I also do a little graphic design.)

7. I attended web production courses at a school in San Francisco.

The Blogs I Would Like to Nominate for This Award
(In no particular order.)

1. Meditations and Confessions of a Woman Found

2. Life with Kaishon

3. Radical Womanhood

4. Scribbles from Emily

5. Girl Talk

Faith. Hope. Love: Chapter Seven

My first experience cooking with gas was in Singapore. Our “L” shaped, outdoor kitchen was striking and what I would expect in a cabana on a tropical island in a location like the Whit Sundays…where the water is a clear, radiant blue; champagne is served like juice or soft drinks; and fine dining occurs under a vast blanket of stars.

Being I never really learned how to cook, I refrained from using the gas range often. One time, I distinctly remember lowering my face to watch as I tried to light the flame. Needless to say I walked away with singed eyelashes on my left eye and was fortunate I did not loose my eyebrows.

I was asked to Christmas dinner with some others whose friendship I enjoy. Cocktail dress or formal gowns were required. Thirty minutes before washing I had to remember to flip the switch outside the bathroom to heat the water. Such a tiny toggle for a fairly important job. Well, essential to me anyway, I did not favor cold showers. (Infact, I would rather stink than bathe in frigid water.) Tonight I remembered. I put on a velvety, maroon, sleeveless number, black nylon stockings, and heels. With my hair swept into a graceful do and clutch under my arm I was ready for an evening of sophisticated dining. I spritzed a bit of my favorite perfume on my neck before leaving and left a trail of fragrant fruity flowers behind me. We headed to an expensive restaurant with a sensational view as that of birds.

Seated in an alcove booth we could look out the picturesque windows and see for miles. The scenery was breathtaking. The city radiated with a glowing vibe below us. We were on top of the world. Spirits were high as we browsed the menu. Fifty dollars for a salad and appetizer and one hundred dollars purchased a dinner plate with portions so small they barely filled me up. I would most likely eat again later. But I felt it was worth every penny. I was in great company and we laughed and posed for pictures with each other after our meal. The place was deserted as we went from one location to the next for each photo…by the vase, on the stairs, near the bouquet…each change of surroundings warranted a swapping out of people. (This was before digital cameras so I am not sure how many rolls of film we went through that night.)

--------------------------------

Before I went out some mornings I walked across the street to a little hole-in-the-wall place where I got my photographs processed. By the end of my five month stay in Singapore I had enough prints to fill an oversized album (that was rather difficult for me to transport). There were hundreds of portraits of people, colleagues, and roommates along with landscapes of the Sentosa Merlion, temples, work, the city, and rural areas. Moments of time frozen on four by six paper until they eventually fade into nothingness. Flashes of a life that can be pasted together into a story.

One final decision stood staring me in the face…where to go on my vacation? And as it came together, myself, a member of my work family, and her boyfriend planned a trip to one of the most amazing places I have ever visited…Cairns, Australia. Following were two more weeks in Singapore, back to the States for one month, then on to Taipei, Taiwan.

Faith Hope Love: Chapter Seven

The Cross, Sepulchre, Hill Difficulty, and House Beautiful

Pilgrim's Progress Virtual Journey

The "Pilgrim's Progress Virtual Journey" is a "blog hop" (if you will) based on John Bunyan's THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. Each of my posts (at the start of the "hop") will contain a "place" and "characters" from the literature. Today's is:

The Cross, Sepulchre, Hill Difficulty, and House Beautiful

1st Stop - Watchful: Albert Mohler
2nd Stop - Discretion: Donna Perugini Children's Author
3rd Stop - Prudence: The Little Missionary Girl All Grown Up
4th Stop - Piety: PJ's Prayer Line
5th Stop - Charity: The Worst Preacher's Wife Ever
Final Stop - Humble-Mind: A Pause on the Path

I hope you are encouraged!