Surgery tomarrow

Hey gang! just wanted to post a quick update. Matthew is scheduled for surgery tomorrow on his knee. They will do the scope first and we are hopeful that they will be able to make the necessary repairs without having to open it up completely. The specialist said that he probably won't do any more sports this year. Bummer for him, but as long as they can fix it and he doesn't have permanent damage I will be happy. thanks for keeping us in prayer!

No Time.....

How can it be?? no time to blog? this week has been a little crazy. I have been putting in a few extra hours at work. Trying to get a few extra things done around the house. Doesn't that seem never ending to you too?

Today I have to work from 9-3 and then go back one more hour at the end of the day to close. We have one girl out for vacation. *fun for her!* I hope she enjoys her days off. :) I work with a group of very sweet ladies. I love my work envirment. I love what I do there. It just seems that some days I am there too much! My house is missing me this week.

In the mornings I bring my dear sweet husband to work, then I come home, take the Dog out for a bit of a walk. I come back in and do some devotions. After I finish that up, I log on to my computer and read some blogs (of which I really enjoy!)

Today, I looked up Ken Davis's site and saw that he too has a blog! It was so exciting to read that. I am a big fan of his lighten up and live splats on our christian radio station. I will be adding that to my blog roll for you to enjoy also.

Well, that is all the time I have for now. I am off to get my youngest moving for school!

Be Blessed today and remember! spend time with God today!!!

PRO LIFE all the way

15 years ago now, we were touched with a life before some say life began.
our second child was due to come to us in June 1991. We faithfully went to checkup and took care of things the way we should have, but something went wrong. During a regular ultra sound to get an accurate due date and measurement of the baby, The Dr. found something.

An appointment for us was schedualed in Iowa City the following morning. There, they did an Amniocentesis http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_520.asp only to find that our baby would not survive. The doctors in Iowa City told us to schedual for an abortion the next morning. We told him no immediatly!

We strongly believe that God gives life and GOD takes it. It was totally in his hands as to what would become of our beloved little girl. Days turned into weeks. Nothing was changing. I was going in everyweek to still hear her little heart beating. Our family doctor was so supportive and wonderful to us. We had hope that our baby would be made whole. That was not to be either.

At the end of March, I stopped feeling her move. We went to the ER to check for a heart beat.... nothing. It just happen to be on a Friday night, so nothing could be started until the following monday. It was devestating news, but we knew that God was in control. God has decided that our little Katie needed to be with him.

I will never regret carrying on with the pregnancy! Only God knew what her future was to be. We did not make that deccision for him. :)

Baptism Sunday

Sorry, no sermon notes today! Today was a day of celebration. 5 of our church family members were baptised today. One of them was our Dearest Daughter, Rebecca! We are so happy for her today. She has always been a Jesus lover. Bless her heart! She loves the lord with all her heart and will be a wonderful woman of god one day. She is a treasure to us and we are so very proud of her for taking this step in faithfulness to our lord.

Please Join our prayers for her today as she commits to following christ! :)

The following I took from http://www.believers.org/believe/bel190.htm which describes our beliefs in water baptism and it's meaning. a good read, and sorry, but our beliefs are not up for debate :) So, with that being said... If you disagree, please just go on to another blog without comment. Thank you very kindly!

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Water Baptism

Water baptism is a symbolic burial, by which the new Christian publicly declares they have died, and are now beginning a new life, in Christ.
Baptize is the English form of a Greek word which means to immerse: to place something into something else.

In Christian water baptism, the believer is put completely under water, then immediately raised out of the water.

Water baptism is a statement of faith: my old life is behind me -- I am a new person, with a new life.

Water baptism is a sign of repentance -- repentance means change -- a change so drastic that the old person is "buried."

It does not make you acceptable to God. As a work of righteousness, trying to obtain a good standing with God, it is worthless.

Water baptism is a way of giving testimony to what has happened inwardly, and a clear commitment to turn from the old life.

For Your Benefit

Water baptism outwardly demonstrates what has happened inwardly. Water baptism helps you to grasp the reality of the spiritual truth that the old "you" has died.

Water baptism is only as important as the participant believes it to be. Water baptism is their confession, and a public commitment. Unless the person really believes they died, there is no need for a burial.

It is not something we must do to impress God, but something to impress on our mind what happened to us inwardly. Water baptism is for our benefit -- not God's.

Meaning Of The Word Baptize

T. J. Conant in his book, The Meaning And Use Of Baptizein,1 after an exhaustive examination of the Greek word baptizein in Greek literature, concludes that the English word immerse is the best word to translate it.

Conant tells us, "The word `baptize' is an Anglicized form of the Greek BAPTIZEIN."

He says immerse is the English word that "precisely" makes known to us the same meaning as BAPTIZEIN did "to those who first heard and read the Gospel in Greek."

In all the available Greek literature, both secular and religious, Conant found no example in which the word baptizein had any other meaning.

Conant reports that it was a common, secular word, used in the daily affairs of life, to express the most familiar acts and conditions.

Baptizein was a daily household word. Whenever the idea of total submergence was to be expressed, whether literally or metaphorically, baptizein was the word used.

As you read the Bible, mentally translating the word baptize to the word immerse will greatly help your understanding. Not every time the word baptize or baptism is used in the Bible refers to water baptism.

Burial After Death

Water baptism is about death -- your death. ("Death" is the end of something.) Water baptism is your public declaration of your death. It is a public confession of faith: I have died to my old life and my old ways.

By being baptized in water you are saying that you have died to sin, selfishness, and the world's ways. Water baptism is a public burial of the old life.

By asking for burial, you declare that you believe something has died. There is no need for a burial without a death.

Burial is not absolutely required, but is recommended as the best course of action. So, generally, those who receive Jesus Christ should normally be baptized in water.

In the book of Acts, water baptism always seemed to be done without delay. Although burial can take place at any time, the best time is immediately after death has been confirmed.

Clean Break With The Past

As we are baptized in water, we are in effect saying goodbye to our old life (self), and saying hello to a new creation who is IN Christ Jesus.

Because of death you are free from your old master the devil; now you have a new Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

A major benefit to the believer is the clean break that water baptism makes with their past. When the devil brings temptations and accusations concerning their old life -- the believer can reply, "That person is dead and buried. I am a new person in Christ."

Water baptism is a point of separation, dividing the old from the new. It says the past is dead and gone -- drawing a clear line between the old life and the new, graphically imprinted on the mind of the believer.

Jesus' Baptism

Why was Jesus baptized in water? He was, and is, our pattern. And, in a sense, He was, at that point, dying to His past life.

From that point, His first allegiance would no longer be to earthly relatives. ("Who is My mother, or My brothers?" Mark 3:31-35.) Jesus would no longer be a carpenter. He was beginning His public ministry.

Jesus was declaring that He was dead to any selfishness and existed solely to do the will of the Father God.

A Picture Sermon

Because it illustrates the central message of the Gospel, water baptism should be a tool for teaching and evangelism. Water baptism should help people understand the spiritual truths being proclaimed.

Water baptism pictures the most fundamental truths of the Gospel: the burial and resurrection of Christ, and of the believer in union with Him.

By means of water baptism, we demonstrate to the world our identification with the crucified and risen Christ.

By water baptism we testify that our old life is gone, and we are now joined with Jesus. We are pledging ourselves to a new life, with Jesus Christ Who died for us and rose again.

Water baptism also acknowledges that the person being immersed is indeed a Christian believer.
So, all who baptize should question converts, just as Philip did in Acts 8:37, to be sure of their commitment to Christ, before immersing them in water. Only those who accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ should be baptized in water.

Which Formula Of Words?

MATTHEW 28:19 NKJ 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

ACTS 2:38 NKJ 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Some people place great importance on certain words being spoken when a person is baptized in water. This is all religious tradition with no real meaning whatsoever.

"In the name of Jesus" can mean by the authority and command of Jesus. Colossians 3:17 tells us our every word and deed should be in the name of the Lord Jesus. Certainly, Colossians 3:17 does not mean we have to continually say, "I do this, or say this, in the name of Jesus."

Claiming that certain words must be said at the time of water baptism, or that only certain special people can truly baptize you in water, makes water baptism into a magical rite -- a work of man trying to be right with God.

The words spoken by the person baptizing you in water will not save you, or condemn you. Water baptism is not some magic ritual which makes you right with God. Water baptism is a testimony and picture-sermon of what God did in you.

Even if no words are spoken over you during your water baptism, it is still a picture of burial and resurrection. Specific words are not what is important, but the attitudes and faith of the people involved are what matters.

When baptizing new believers, saying something like, "In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I baptize you into the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," is probably best. Then the devil cannot tempt them to think they were not baptized in the right name.

Must You Be Baptized To Be Saved?

In Luke 23:39-43, we have the record of one of the criminals crucified with Jesus acknowledging Him as Lord.

LUKE 23:43 NKJ 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

Jesus told the criminal he would be with Him in Paradise, even though he was not baptized in water.

Also, in Acts 10:44-48, Cornelius' household became believers, received the Holy Spirit, and began speaking in tongues, before being baptized in water.

According to Jesus (John 7:38-39, Mark 16:17), receiving the Holy Spirit happens only to those who are believers, and therefore saved.
So, we must conclude that these believers were born again, and ready for Heaven, before they were baptized in water.

TITUS 3:5 NKJ 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
We are not saved by works of righteousness that we do. Many think, wrongly, of water baptism as a work that must be done to be right with God.

EPHESIANS 2:8-9 NKJ 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
If water baptism was necessary for salvation, then salvation would partly be by works, and not by grace.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:17 NKJ 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
The apostle Paul, who received the Gospel direct from the risen Lord Jesus, said he was not sent to baptize. If water baptism was necessary for salvation, that would not make any sense.

MARK 16:16 NKJ 16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

What about Mark 16:16? Obviously, if water baptism was required for salvation, that requirement would be made clear throughout the New Testament -- and it is not. Mark 16:16 could mean, "believes to the point of publicly confessing, by the act of water immersion." Or, it could mean, "believes and is placed in Christ."

We should also note that the passage in question does not say, "He who believes and was baptized will be saved." Only a present tense baptism guarantees a person's salvation. That is to say: those who are IN CHRIST now, are saved.

Salvation cannot be dependent on physical surroundings -- such as water being present for baptism -- there are too many situations where water baptism would be impossible.
Those who make this error do so because the word baptize was not translated and understood. Therefore, they think every mention in Scripture of the word baptize refers to water -- which is not true.

Baptism in water is not necessary for salvation, but is beneficial for the believer. Water baptism provides a good foundation, if understood correctly.

Summary

The main points to remember about water baptism are:

* It does not make you a Christian, or right with God. It is only a symbolic act with no power to save you.
* It is a testimony of what has already happened inwardly in the believer -- the death of their old life.
* Certain formulas of words are not vital.
* It is complete immersion into water.
* It is best done publicly.
* It should be done only by someone old enough to understand what they are doing.
* It should be done only by those who have received the Lord Jesus Christ and are committed to Him.

Should you be baptized in water?

Yes, if you understand clearly what you are doing, and sincerely mean what baptism signifies.
Otherwise, you should not be baptized in water, because it will do you no good whatsoever. Water baptism could even harm you by giving you false hope.

Have a Blessed day!

Lori

Happy Tuesday!



Back to the grind, so they say. We had an activity filled weekend with our family this weekend. As I have mentioned before, Steve and I are on the ministry team in Sioux Falls, SD. This past weekend We took our turn working in the Family life booth at Life Light music festival.



It was a perfect weekend for the festival this year. I heard on the radio this morning that there was an estimated 320,000 people there this weekend! WOWZA!!!! to read more about lifelight go to http://www.lifelight.org/festival



This festival is incredible! There are hundreds of bands that play and it's all FREE!!! of course the food there is very expensive, so it is best to eat well before you go and bring your own goodies. I took some pics to share with you. Enjoy!



One pic is of the stage. This thing is huge! I went all the way up to the front to snap a pic to share with you just so you could see how far back we were. standing up there while the bands play is awful. The music just pounds in your chest. So we sat way in the back. The volume was much better there :)



The kids danced for awhile and acted silly. That was fun! and Doesn't my hubby look like a big soft teddy bear? holding on to his little cub! ;)

Fears Relieved

My biggest Fear with my youngest son, is that he won't get the most out of school. I went and talked with his *special* teacher this morning. She says he is doing GREAT in her classroom.

His homeroom teacher is being kinda tough on him, but he needs to be pushed. The teacher that I spoke with this morning said she will talk with the other teacher and get a more suitable plan worked out for Tyler (my sweet little boy!) I reassured him before I left, while he was in the lunch room that I was very proud of him and not upset.

He is a wonderful loving little boy. He gave me a big hug and kiss {yep, right in front of his friends!} I do love him so much. :)

Feeling much better this morning, I threw my load of laundry in for the day ( down to 1 load a day now) big pat on my back! LOL and my home is getting more organized each day. Little by little! I am not stresses over it though... I know it will come together!

I bought a new center piece for my table yesterday. I love decorating for fall! the mornings have been alittle foggy and cool. You can tell the seasons are changing! above is my new center piece! nothing fancy, but makes the house feel more like HOME :)

Blessings to you today. May you feel God Presence surround you!

Raising A Child With ADHD

Why god chose us to have a child with ADHD, I dont understand. But I accept that challenge! Our youngest son stuggles daily with his ADHD. I wish there was a magic pill that would make it all better, but in reality, there isn't.

His whole attitude really stinks lately and it is rubbing off on me. I try to be a patient and understanding mom, but where do you draw the line?

Tyler is in the 3rd grade this year and after only one week back to school we have having problems already. He refuses to do his work at school. He refuses to do his work at home. I Have been able to get him to do his *homework* done, but it is practically an act of God!

I really need your prayers this week. I am going to go tomarrow and talk with his teachers and see what we can do.

I make sure he has a solid schedual at home. He eats right, goes to bed on time. He gets up in the morning and takes a shower and gets a good start to his day. I don't know what else to do for him. When he wants something, he doesn't give up! tonight, he wanted to do his spelling and then go to a friends house. I tried to tell him that we can't just go at 7:30 in the evening to play with friends on a school night. He gets angry, yells, throws things and just has a temper tantrum. I am just about to my wits end.

Please forgive me for sounding so negative today.... I'll put on my postive attitude now :)

A Trip To the Zoo

Hair Cut Gone Wrong

I am NOT a beautician. I did not go to school to learn to cut hair. I have no desire to become one. And yet, my children through the years seem to like the haircuts they have forced me into giving them....

This past week, my 9 year old son came home from a friends house with the worst self given hair cut I've seen. Like any good mommy, I thought.... I guess I can straighten this out. So I sat the restless child in the kitchen chair and located a scissors, comb and water bottle.

I snipped here and there and was going along pretty good. It was looking a bit more decent! Then it happened. I got a dose of over confidence. It appeared as though I were reenacting a scene from Edward Scissor hands. Hair was falling as fast as I could cut it and soon my sweet little boy looked like a victim of sorts. I turned him to me, looked him in the face and said... "wait right here, I have to get something."

I ran out the door in my Pj's and went over a couple of houses to my sister's house. (thank goodness she lives so close!) I grabbed her clippers set and ran back home. I attached the longest attachment she had in that kit onto the clippers. I turned the thing on and.... Nothing! ugh... grabbed the old one instead of her new one!

Well, I have a clippers too, just not the attachments. So I grabbed mine and put her attachment on. It didn't fit mine quite as well as hers, but that's OK I thought. I can hold it. I went to work with the first swipe. I stopped after the first stroke and tears filled my eyes. It was too short! My oldest son, Matt, looked at it and laughed. Well mom, you may as well finish it.... So I did. After all his hair was cut, he looked down on the ground in front of him and ran into the bathroom.

He came back out not saying a word. I know he was mad... but he didn't say it. I helped him wash all the hair off of himself in the tub and lathered up is stubbly head. I said to him, you know Tyler, if we wash it everyday, it will grow back quick! :) Hopefully my haircutting days are over now. and I can retired the old buzzer.

May God Bless you through the day today!

Lori

Song Spot!

I've finally discovered how to add a song spot to my blog, and I LOVE IT! I saw this feature added at some other blogs and really liked the idea so, I went to the website and got my own. :) The song I choose is my personal favorite. *It is well with my soul*

The weekend was good. I had to work, but thats ok. It was really to hot to play outside anyway! Went to church on Sunday, but had to leave early for work. My hubby and kids snoozed all afternoon, then later in the evening we went fishing. hubby Steve, calls me the great angler. LOL he does not care for fishing, so he is the official troller while Rebecca and I Fish. Lastnight we tried fishing with minnows for the first time ever. ewwwwwwwww!

Now I am not sure HOW you are suppose to put the minnow on the hook without killing it, but we paralized a few before switching to good ole worms. I am going to have to go some research on that whole minnow thing.

Rebecca and I had some mother/daughter time this morning. We rarely get a chance to do anything just with us two. We got up really early and brought Steve to work then we took the boat and went to the lake. We fished for a while and then just putted around. It was a beautiful morning. Then we came back and did alittle shopping. She tried on some jeans, but didn't find anything she really wanted so we just browsed at the second hand shop. Our town has the BEST second hand shops. Very good quality clothes at reasonable prices. As were were getting ready to leave, she spotted a beautiful cross necklace. Of course, we could not leave empty handed, so now it adorns her neck! :)

After our little shopping stop, we ran home to see that the boys had lunch, then off we went again for a girls lunch out. We went to a nice restraunt in town and ordered the noon special. Hamburger with homemade fries, and Strawberry lemonade. We finished off the lunch with homemade fresh peach pie. It was delicious. I am NOT a star in the kitchen. Rebecca loves to bake and cook. My husband loves to cook, I do not. I dont enjoy it at all. I do have some favorite recipies that I will make on occasion. So for me to post a recipie on my blog would mean that it was FABULOUS!! I may just have to find out the recipie for that fresh peach pie. It rates in the fabulous catagory.

Now, I am just catching up with blog land and trying to learn how to do a few new things. Then I am off to get some cleaning done! Hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...