John 14:1 (ESV)...

Dermatology Appointment...

Today Tim was seen at the dermatologist for this:

They told us it's Beckers Nevus.  That's basically a fancy name for a huge mole/birthmark that can get darker and grow thick hair (which it's starting to do). It affects 1% of the population.  It's more common in males than females.  There's nothing that can be done for it.  They don't know what causes them.  It's believed to be related to a genetic predisposition.  It doesn't cause any health issues.  If the hair gets thicker or darker there are things we can do for dealing with it but none of them are covered by medical insurance which totally stinks.  

Acts 1:8 (ESV)...

Footnote from NIV Application Bible (v.7-8):

Their primary concern should not be the political power that will come with the restoration of Israel's Kingdom.  It should be the spiritual power that will come through the baptism with the Holy Spirit, which will enable them to be witnesses.  

    In a sense the disciples were already witnesses, for they had seen the risen Lord; that was the key to their witness (v.22).  But they also needed the "power" that would come from the Holy Spirit. 

Missionary Speaker Quotes shared at Cross Assembly Yesterday...

There was a guest speaker yesterday at church.  He spoke on John 15:9-17 about being a friend of God by being loyal to Jesus; standing with Jesus, weeping with Jesus, and stewarding His trust.  It was such a great sermon.  Here are some slides that he shared.

I know many in our neck of the woods are more Baptist in faith than Pentecostal in faith.  Azuza Street was a Pentecostal meeting where God showed up in a huge way.  Lots don't understand Azuza Street.  In their not understanding they tend to spout opinions in order to sway folks to unbelief of what happened there.  

Here's my take on it.  It's not mine to understand the movings of God and His showing up in different ways for different groups of people.  What I do know is it's mine to believe that God can do anything at anytime with anyone who believes.  It's our lack of belief that holds us back at times.  When we open our hearts and eyes to allow Holy Ghost to show us how mightily God moves and has moved in the past we open ourselves up to a deeper belief than we could ever possibly imagine.  

So, you will never see me saying that what happened at Azuza Street wasn't God even though I've heard many non-Pentecostals spout that kind of talk.  What you will hear from me is to take the time to read and study about all that happened at Azuza Street for yourselves.  Really open your mind and heart to understanding all that happened there.  Let Holy Ghost be your guide as you read and study as to what is true or not.  If he does with you what he did with me then your heart and life with be touched with all that God did there.  And yes, I do believe that God showed up there in a mighty way because the people believed and were expectant for a move of God like they had never seen or known before.  Oh what a different, much better, world we would have today if all God's people were seeking Him as they did then.  Just saying.

Now, in the slides you saw above there was a David Livingstone quote.  He was a pioneer missionary to Africa from the prominent 18th century Moffat missionary family. He became one of most popular British heroes of the late 19th century Victorian era.  He was also an explorer of the region.  His disappearance and eventual death in Africa led to the founding of several major Central African Christian missionary initiatives carried forward in the era of the European “Scramble for Africa” during which almost all of Africa fell under European rule for decades.   Reading about his life is quite interesting.

In the slides you saw above there was also a Frank Bartleman quote.  He was a Christian writer.  His book Azuza Street (can be found on Amazon) describes the events surrounding the Pentecostal revival. He authored six books, four pamphlets, over five hundred and fifty published articles, and one hundred tracts. Bartleman is best remembered for his chronicles of the 1906 Los Angeles revival.  Of the revival, held in Los Angeles from 1906 to 1909, Bartleman famously wrote, "It seemed that everyone had to go to “Azusa.” ... There were far more white people than colored coming. The “color line” was washed away in the blood."  After the Los Angelas revival and his missionary work (ending with the start of World War 1) he returned to evangelistic street work until his death in 1936. He is buried in Burbank, California, at Valhalla Memorial Park.

His book is the book I would personally recommend reading in your journey of understanding Azuza Street and the pentecostal movement.  That way it will help you not be like so many who in their not understanding say something wasn't God just because they don't understand it.  

In my lifetime, I can most confidently say that God moves in mysterious ways and His ways are not our ways.  I've experienced Him in my life in ways that I could have never imagined.  He's touched my life in such a deep way that it stays with me always.  Although I was born long after the Azuza Street Revivals Franks book gives a great description of all that happened there.  To say that what happened there was not God is putting God in a box and I never wanna be guilty of doing that ever.  

God is my world.  He is my lifeline.  He's everything that I'm ever gonna wanna or need in this life.  It's my prayer that if you don't feel as I do that one day you will.   

Micah 6:8 (ICB)...

Footnote from NIV Application Bible:

Micah is not attempting to reveal some new standard of conduct or give an expanded or secret list of requirements that were previously unknown.  God has already communicated that he wants these three basic things.  Micah's description of God's requirements includes no negative statements about what is forbidden to the Israelites: It clearly and positively presents the keys to a full life within the covenant. 

Homeschool Coming to End This Year...

(Technically 13 years if you count Kindergarten)

Today I start going through all Tim’s school books. Some of it will be getting donated and others packed into a bucket for safe keeping. There’s just some stuff you don’t get rid of. IYKYK. #homeschooljourneycoming2anend #classof2026

I did this once before to make room for new books as we went into his highschool years.  There's still more purging to get done though because I didn't get it all done back then.  

It's hard to believe this journey is coming to an end this school year.  It feels surreal that it's almost over and that our son will be moving onto new things and adventures in his life.  

While we know that weightlifting will continue to be a huge focus for Tim moving forward we don't know what else God has in store for him.  It's gonna be hard letting go and letting God work in his life as he steps out into this crazy world and does life.  WE know we've taught him well and we have to trust in that as Tim moves forward. 

I'm also taking this time to figure out what's next for me now that the job of raising/homeschooling our son is almost done.  Life will be so much different after May 2026.  

I'm seeking God's guidance on what he would have me do next.  I'm sure there's a next he has in mind for me and I'm looking forward to walking it out with him.  God is my world!  He's my everything!  Besides, my relationship with him the only others that are my world are my husband and son.  I'm so thankful for God's many blessings in my life.  He has blessed me so much more than I could have thought or imagined.  He's touched my life so deeply that I'm eternally grateful.  I'm so glad that His presence in my life is always felt and appreciated.  I will never understand those who do this life without God.  I can't even imagine my life without God in it.  

This homeschooling journey has been a season in my life.  It's been a challenging season at times and a really blessed season at other times.  Such a mix of emotions going on for me in this last year of homeschooling.  

James 5:16 (NKJV)...

Read verses 12-18 for context.

Footnote from NIV Application Bible (v.12-18):

James aligns with the teaching of the OT that false swearing and the giving of oaths is forbidden (e.g. Lev. 9:12).

The true theme of the passage is prayer (v.16).  James here deals with the prayer of the individual (v.13), the prayer of the elders (vv. 14-15), the prayers of friends and companions for one another (v.16), and finally the prayer of the righteous prophet Elijah (vv. 17-18)

The first issue raised is that of suffering (v.13a).  In such times, James advocates prayer.  It allows us to be active and positive and keeps us in communion with God.  Then James discusses the case of those who are happy (v.13b).  God desires our prayers in both difficult and pleasant times.

The sick person is to be "pray[ed] over" (v.14).  It is obvious that the basis for this action is the firm belief that God is the source of healing.  James clearly teaches here that sickness can be alleviated through public confession and prayer.  

Our world places a great premium on eliminating discomfort.  In the face of this potent cultural value, evangelicals need to go against the grain and adopt a biblical understanding of adversity.  God uses adversity for spiritual preparation.  Prayer in adversity also urges us to renounce the pride that is associated with the world's materialism and self-centeredness.  This has been a constant theme in James.  

God's Timing is Perfect...

A friend shared this and I wanted to share too so I found an adorable picture to put with it as well😉:

An elephant and a dog became pregnant at the same time. Three months later, the dog gave birth to six puppies. Six months after that, she was pregnant again, and nine months later, she gave birth to another dozen puppies. This pattern continued for some time.

Eighteen months later, the dog approached the elephant and asked, "Are you sure you're pregnant? We conceived on the same day. I've already given birth to a dozen puppies three times, and you're still expecting! What's going on?"

The elephant calmly replied, "There's something important I need you to understand. What I carry isn't a puppy; it's an elephant. I only give birth once every two years, but when my baby touches the earth, the world will feel it. When it crosses a street, people will stop and stare in awe. What I carry is powerful and majestic." She continued, "Don't lose faith. When you see others receiving their rewards quickly, don't feel jealous if yours hasn't come yet Don't despair. Instead, remind yourself, 'My time is coming. And when it does, people will be amazed."

MORAL:

God's timing is perfect. Everything comes when it is meant to, never too soon, never too late, but always at the right moment.

Week 2 of A Jesus Shaped Life...

I am so loving this bible study.  Week 2 was all about the Trinity and Community.  

One way to define the Trinity is = God eternally exists as three persons (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit).  Each person is fully God.  There is one God.

We went over the "Nicene Creed".  Click on it to learn more about it.  

Our picture of God (how we see God in our mind's eye when we pray, read Scripture, and engage in other spiritual practices) absolutely informs the way we live our lives.  

Trinitarian theology = the oneness of God

God is a God of unity!  

Christianity is a monotheistic (one God) faith!

Trinitarian theology is 1 + 1 + 1 = 1.

It is essential to the Christian faith that our God is one.

Praise God for His infinite nature and that we can continue to grow in our understanding of Him for all of eternity!

For Paul, in the book of Corinthians, Trinitarian theology  was essential to understanding the redemptive work of Christ and the power of Holy Spirit.  

Paul's letters are important for us Christians today because although he was writing specifically to the ancient Corinthians and not us, through the power of God he was writing for us.

Because we know that all 3 persons of the Trinity have ALWAYS existed and none were created later on, we know that God has always existed in community.  

Genesis 2:18 - Why did God know that it was not good for man to be alone?  Because God Himself has never been alone either!

God, in His infinite wisdom, knows it is important for us to reflect His image & so He created in us a deep desire for good & whole community.  Basically, God is in community, so we should be too!

God is consistently gathering His people to Himself throughout the story of the Bible, & God is drawing near to us all over the pages of Scripture.  

Such a great week of learning.  Lisa Harper is an amazing Bible teacher.  I love her passion for God's Word.  It exudes out of every part of her and it's contagious.  It just stirs you in your inner most being.  So thankful for this woman of God and all I'm learning from her obedience to teach God's people what He would have her teach.  

The hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy" has been in my mind this week.  One because she mentioned it in the study but two because it fits perfectly with all that we studied this week.  The old hymns that I learned as a child are coming home to rest so deeply in my heart these days.  Don't get me wrong, I love all the new Praise & Worship songs but there is just something that hits you with such depth about the old hymns.  It's indescribable but I feel it in a way that I never did when I was growing up in church.  There's so much more meaning in them for me now.

God In 3 Person's,

Blessed Trinity!

Happy Labor Day!

Summers coming to an end 😢 but Christmas 🎄 will be around the corner but not before we get to enjoy the fall 🍂 colors 😍😊.

We hope you enjoy this Labor Day with your families enjoying the last glimmers of summer 😌.

A Snippet from this mornings Sermon...

Here's a snippet from this mornings sermon from Pastor Chad at Cross Assembly:

He  was  teaching  from  Romans  14  (be  sure  to  read  the  chapter).  

I  still  need  to  watch  Victory's  service  from  this  morning.  I  haven't  had  a  chance  to  do  that  as  of  yet  but  will  before  the  day  is  over.  

We  watch  both  services  every  week.  Both  of  these  church  Pastors  are  amazing.  They  don't  hold  back  and  they  speak  truth  whether  you  wanna  hear it  or  not.  They  don't  sugar  coat  things.  They  won't  "tickle  your  ears"  but  they  will  "speak  truth"  from  God's  Word!

Milestone Moment...

Today Tim took his 1st solo drive to the gym to do his weightlifting training.  He made it safely.  Thank God for the Life360 app that helps give us nervous parents more peace of mind.

It's never easy to let go of the apron strings with our children but they do have to grow up at some point and we've got to let them.  We miss the times when they were younger as they grow into adulthood and take steps outside the nest of safety that we've had them in all these years but they will never know how to fly unless we allow them.  A wise momma bird pushes her young out of the nest and forces them to fly and so must we with our kids.  We've got to trust that we have done our job as parents well and that they will soar in life as they begin their journey of life without us.  

Tim is growing to be an amazing young man.  His dad and I are so proud of all that he's accomplished and survived in his young life.  God has kept him on this earth for a reason.  He has a plan for Tim and we pray that Tim lives out God's plan for his life.  

We know that as he grows and learns more of God's plan + reads and studies God's Word that he will do well in this life, such as it is currently.  

We are so incredibly thankful for God's blessings in our lives and we pray for God's ministering angels to guard around about Tim as he does life.  We pray safe journeys everywhere that he goes.  We pray God's hand will lead and guide him every step of the way of his journeys.  We pray that God meets him right where he's at.  We pray to God for protection, wholeness, and completeness always and forever.  And thank you God for giving us, as parents, a peace that passes all understanding as you guard our hearts and minds as our son steps out into the world to do life without us with him constantly.  In Jesus Name, Amen & Amen!

John 13:34 (ESV)...

Footnote From NIV Application Bible (v.34-35):

Jesus' statement in these verses is dramatic.  Disciples are to reflect a love expressed through committed obedience.

    But the word "new" may mean something more (v.34).  The "new command" may be a signal that Jesus is talking about life in a new era - a messianic era.  In that era, love must characterize his followers; a love patterned on the generous, loving act of God that saves his people.

Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)...

NEVER  LOOSE  FAITH!

JUST  WHEN  YOU  THINK  IT'S  OVER,

GOD  WILL  MAKE  A  WAY  FOR  YOU!

National Dog Day - August 26th...

Forgot to share this with you... 

Exodus 14:14 (NIV)...

Footnote from NIV Application Bible (v.14-15):

We should understand v.14 in the context of the Israelites' faithlessness in the light of what God has done. Why is it, after the Israelites cry out in v.14 and Moses rebukes them for their lack of faith, that Moses is reprimanded by God for crying out?  There is a close identification between Moses and the people he is leading.  He is the mediator who connects the people to God (e.g., 32:9-14).  Their guilt becomes his.  

Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)...

Footnote from NIV Application Bible (v.7-8):

Moses publicly passes the mantle so that Joshua will be seen as the divinely chosen successor.  V.8 offers Joshua the grounds for courage: Yahweh goes before him and guarantees his presence.

Week 1 of A Jesus Shaped Life...

This week I learned this:

Christoformic Orthopraxy = a way of right living that is rooted in our transformation into the likeness of Christ.

    

    Broken down into roots:

       Christo = Christ or Christ-centered; Formic = form

Christoformic (adj.) = refers to the ways in which we are shaped into the likeness of Christ. 

"If our pursuit of biblically orthodox theology doesn't ultimately have a Christofromic effect on us thereby drawing others toward Jesus Himself, then our pursuit is at best shallow, at worst sabotaged by self-serving movtives."  ~Lisa Harper 

So Why Theology?  Theology is unique because it is NOT something meant to be studied in a way that is disconnected from our lives.  It IS meant to TRANSFORM US!

Our Bible is a collection of 66 books, comprised of Old and New Testaments.  Each of these books points us toward the character of God and tells the story of God.  

The Bible is a grand narrative that points us to Jesus as the ultimate embodiment of God Himself.

The Bible is an incredible, rich story of pursuit, love, and redemption we just can't compare to anything else.

The Scriptures illuminate Jesus for us!

"More often than not, the phrase 'word of God' in the New Testament isn't used to describe a physical Bible; instead, it's referring to Jesus."  ~Lisa Harper

Bibliology = a field of theology all about the Bible; the study of one's belief about the Bible.  Theological study of, or conversation about, our collection of holy books known as the Bible.

• Biblio = from the Greek (Gk) work biblios meaning "scroll" or "book" (from this root we also get the English word "bibliography")
• Logy  = from the Greek (Gk) word logos, meaning "word" or "study"

The study of Scripture is a wonderful Christian spiritual practice that can draw us deeper into relationship with Jesus and is a way we can participate in our own spiritual formation.

Theology, a conversation about God, is an invitation to deepen our relationship with Him as we grow in our knowledge and experience of Him in our lives.

Biblically orthodox theology:

• Biblically = rooted in Scripture
• Orthodox =from the Greek (Gk) roots orthos (straight) and dosa (belief or opinion), in other words, something that is grounded in correct Christian faith and tradition
• Theology = a belief system and worldview based on the promises and parameters found in God's Word

Biblically Orthodox Theology refers to developing our own theological views that are 1) rooted in Scripture, 2) grounded in historical Christian truth, and 3) based on our study of God.

"As we dive deeper into biblically orthodox theology, it's likely that most of us will have to jettison theology we've inherited along the way and sincerely thought was true."  ~Lisa Harper

Jesus, as the true vine, is the source of all of our nourishment and allows us to flourish.  If we are able to see theology as an invitation into relationship, we can remain connected to Jesus, the true vine, and we can bear spiritual fruit.

In John 15:9 (and you'll have to look that up) the invitation into relationship is infused with the love of God.  Remaining in the love of Jesus, then, is vital to our theological study.

And that's all from week 1's study.  I'll share week 2's study with you soon.  

Isaiah 26:4 (ESV)...

Leveled Up ⏫ Today...

He leveled up ⏫ today. He’s looking forward to driving alone. Me not so much😳😢😭. Going to the Wendell DMV was a much better experience than going to Goldsboro. They were so much nicer. We had an 8am appointment and we were driving home by 8:35. Now that’s how it should be done at the DMV. We were in Goldsboro for 5 1/2 hours with an appointment and had to walk away because Tim needed to get home so he could get to training. It should have never taken that long with an appointment.

Word of advice: MAKE AN APPOINTMENT & BE NICE, ALWAYS BE NICE!

Next stop for Tim will be his full Class C when he turns 18 in May of 2026.

#wendelldmv4thewin.

Bardominium Ideas...

We ultimately want to rebuild on our land and put up a Bardominium.  Here are a couple that I really like:

Of the three I like the first one the most.  I totally love the layout of it.  I also love the layout of the second one as well.  I like the third one but I don't know if we will ever actually own an RV and I'm not totally loving the layout of it.  They all have very nice floor plans though.

A bit of History...

 

Every American should put this bit of history to memory.  

The democrats are the ones that want to enslave the people.  They want total control.  The very thing they harp that the republicans are after is what they are after.  They are yelling it from the rooftops blaming the other party when it's their own party that seeks to destroy our nation from the inside out and turn us into a communist country.   If we keep playing follow the leader with the left that is just what will happen if not worse.  Remember Hitler and the concentration camps.  That will be us if we allow it.  

A history that is not taught or remembered is a history that is doomed to repeat itself!

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)...

Footnote from NIV Application Bible:

The God of all strength can give his people exactly what they need at the right time, whether to "soar", "run", or "walk".

The Bible gives us hope for transformation when we surrender our lives to God's purposes.

Romans 12:12 (ESV)...

Footnote from NIV Application Bible:

If the three exhortations in v. 11 (and you'll have to go read it) all relate to service, the three exhortations in v. 12 combine to encourage believers to "stay the course" in their fight against the influence of the world.  

My "New Large Print" NIV Application Bible...

Yes folks I am at the age where I need a large print bible.  Regular print bibles are just too little for me to read out of anymore.  You might be thinking that's what digital bibles are for.  Not for me because I like having a real bible in my hands to read and study out of.  I like to highlight and make notes in my bibles as well.  And yes, I know that you can do that on digital too but it's just not the same as with a real one.  So here's what my new bible looks like:

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)...

Footnotes from NIV Application Bible:

(v.34) The use of the imperative "seek" does not mean to look for something not present.  Jesus has already announced the arrival of the kingdom.  In this context, it means that his disciples are to make the kingdom of heaven the center of their priorities.  

(v.19-34) If we put Jesus at the center of our lives, we will avoid the modern idolatry of worry.  We probably do not think of worry as a form of idolatry, but it is when we allow it to take our eyes off Jesus.  We substitute despair, hopelessness, or fear in place of God and turn to our own efforts at trying to control our environment.  This can be a harsh world, and worry can consume us.  A way of reversing the trend toward anxiety is to look around at what we have and what God has done and then say, "Thank you."  He is our Master and Provider, the One who has given us kingdom life, kingdom priorities, and kingdom values, by which we can truly say, "Thank you."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)...

Footnotes from NIV Life Application Bible:

(v16-18) Our joy, prayers, and thankfulness should not fluctuate with our circumstances or feelings.  Obeying these three commands - be joyful, pray continually, and give thanks - often goes against our natural inclinations.  When we make a conscious decision to do what God says, however, we will begin to see people in a new perspective. When we do God's will, we will find it easier to be joyful and thankful.

(v17) We cannot spend all our time on our knees, but it is possible to have a prayerful attitude at all times.  This attitude is built upon acknowledging our dependence on God, realizing His presence within us, and determining to obey Him fully.  Then we will find it natural to pray frequent, spontaneous, short prayers.  A prayerful attitude is not a substitute for regular times of prayer but should be an outgrowth of those times.

(v18) Paul was not teaching that we should thank God for everything that happens to us, but in everything.  Evil does not come from God, so we should not thank Him for it.  But when evil strikes, we can still be thankful for God's presence and for the good that He will accomplish through the distress.

My Greatest Blessing...

Telling our kids often that we love them is so important to their self esteem.  It's important that we build them up as often as we can and that they never have to wonder if we love them because they already know.  

Tim knows because we tell him all the time how much we love him.  He also knows how proud we are of the man that he's becoming because we tell him all the time.  He never has to wonder how we feel about him because he knows.  

Tim knows he is wanted.  He knows he is loved.  He knows that he will always be wanted and loved.  He is God's greatest blessing to his father and myself.  I'm thankful everyday that God allowed me to be his mother and that we have raised him the way that we have raised him.  He is becoming an amazing young man, at 17 (a senior in High School), who knows who he is and whose he is as well.  I know that God has great plans for him and his dad and I can't wait to watch how those plans play out in his life.  

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)...

Footnote from NIV Life Application Bible:

To walk safely in the woods at night we need a light so we don't trip over tree roots or fall into holes.  In this life, we walk through a dark forest of evil.  But the Bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so we won't stumble as we walk.  It reveals the entangling roots of false values and philosophies.  Study the Bible so you will be able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path.  

A Jesus Shaped Life...

Started this bible study Monday and I'm loving it already.  I'm looking forward to diving into the subject of sound biblical theology and how it deepens my relationship with God and others.  

Already I've learned:

(Definitions derived from Greek Words)

• Theology = theologia = a belief system and world view based on the promises and parameters found in God's Word.  
• Theos = God; Logos = Words/conversation.
• Hermeneutic = the lens through which we see and understand.
• Orthodoxy = Orthos = right; Doxa = belief
• Ask yourself, is what I claim about God in line with Scripture and the core beliefs of the Christian faith?
• Orthopraxy = Orthos = right; Praxis = practice
• Ask yourself, does what I claim compel me toward right ways of living?
• Orthopathy = Orthos = right; Pathos = feeling
• Ask yourself, is my heart and emotion attuned to God in light of my theology?

This study has already got my blood pumping and excited for learning more.  I can't wait to do day 2's solo work/homework today.  I'm looking forward to sharing more with you as I do this bible study.