Beach Retreat: What do I bring?

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How Beautiful: A God Sized Love Story

It seemed like another typical Saturday afternoon in the wedding gown industry.  The store was filled with the hustle and bustle of busy consultants tending to blushing brides-to-be.  Families were gathered discussing wedding details and trying to envision their loved ones walking down the isle to say “I do” in the particular dress they were modeling. 

 

As I was tending to a customer, I heard my name called over the intercom.  This was my cue to excuse myself and walk to the front to be introduced to a new bride.  As I walked to the welcoming desk, I wondered what type of Bride I was about to meet. Was she going to be excited? Did she know exactly what she wanted? Was her family with her? Was she a nervous bride? As I arrived at the welcome desk, the customer service representative told me that my Bride was shopping for her sister in Romania. She was the same size as her sister and would need to try on different dresses.  The CSR pointed to a girl sitting on the couch. I took her paper work and began to walk over. 

 

I walked over to the green leather couch in our sitting area and plopped myself down in front of the Romanian sister of the Bride.  I noticed a man sitting beside her, who glanced up from his book to acknowledge my presence; he politely smiled then looked back down at his book.  He seemed to feel somewhat out of place in the room full of women.  Most men do.  Sitting to next to him was the sister-of-the-Romanian Bride. Amelia was petite with dark brown hair accented with golden highlights.  She was quite beautiful. Amelia looked up from the catalog and smiled warmly at me.  The two of us began to chat about her sister’s wedding in Romania.  Amelia spoke with perfect English and a heavy Romanian accent.  I enjoyed hearing her talk. 

 

After I had gotten an idea of what kind of dresses she liked, I left to prepare her room with the proper undergarments for a bridal gown.  After the dressing room was prepared, Amelia walked back to the dressing room and the two of us began the process of finding Amelia’s sister’s dream dress.  It is customary for consultants to ask questions and talk to the brides so that we may first get to know them and second gain an idea of what kind of dress they might like.  This comes natural to me because I love to hear the different stories of how brides meet their fiancés. For Amelia, I wanted to know about her Romanian sister. She told me that her sister was recently engaged and trusted Amelia’s fashion sense.  Choices are limited in Romania.  Amelia told me that she was married to the man sitting on the couch.  Amelia and her husband were wed a couple of years ago and her sister in Romania loved Amelia’s wedding gown.  They had tried to get permission for her sister to leave the country to come to America to shop, but they were not granted approval.  So Amelia had the responsibility of picking her sisters wedding gown.

 

I now had Amelia dressed in her first wedding gown choice.  She took a quick glance in the mirror; her face was glowing with delight.  I couldn’t help but wonder if she had a flashback to her own wedding day.  I asked her if she would like to go show her husband.  She smiled and nodded eagerly.  As we walked around the corner, Dan looked up from the book and watched his Bride as she walked toward him.  His face was filled with delight and awe as he watched his Bride model the wedding gown.  I could tell that he was thinking about the day he wed his bride because he had the same look every groom has on his face when they see their bride for the first time.  The groom’s facial expression the moment he sees his bride is my favorite part of a wedding. Dan looked lovingly at his wife; as Amelia and I discussed the details of the dress.  She was glowing. 

            We then decided to try another gown. As I was helping her dress in the second gown, I took this time to get to know her.  I asked what brought her to America.  She answered, “My husband.” From that moment she had me intrigued.  “Well how did you meet your husband?” She responded.  “I met him when I was only fifteen. Have you ever heard of something called mission trip?” she said in a heavy Romanian accent. I smiled and shared with her that I was also a believer.  She continued, “My husband came over on a mission trip when I was fifteen.  I could not speak English and he could not speak Romanian.  We first spoke through a friend who translated.  My friend did not know much English herself! After he left, we kept in touch over the years and I learned English.  I came to America and worked as an au pair.  After awhile we were married.” As I zipped up the wedding gown, I stood in awe of how God worked in the love story of his children, bringing two people together that lived nations apart.

            What a beautiful love story! We too, are living in the midst of a beautiful love story.  The tapestry of God’s word paints a beautiful picture of marriage.  The scripture in Ephesians 5:21-30 teaches us that a marriage covenant reflects the relationship of Christ and the Church.  The wife is to submit to the husband, as the church is to submit to Christ.  Husbands are to love the wife as “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

We see God’s love for the nations through Christ’s mandate in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Amelia and Dan’s story is a reflection of God’s love for the church and the nations.  Like Dan and Amelia, we too have a translator or in better words one who speaks on our behalf, his name is Christ.  Dan went to Amelia to share the gospel. God sent his son Jesus to be the gospel for us.  Dan and Amelia kept in touch over the years.  God sent his Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2 so that we might have continual communication with the Father.  Amelia learned English.  We study God’s word so that we may know him better. “My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words” Proverbs 4:20. Dan and Amelia were joined in marriage.  We are joined with Christ through salvation (1 Corinthians 6:17).  Dan went across an ocean to meet his Bride.  God sends his disciples across the ocean or across the street to share the love of Christ.  How Beautiful!

 

Hebrews 10:15 “As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who share the good news!”

Listen to this song "How Beautiful"

Take a moment. Close your eyes. Listen to the words. Worship.

One of These Things is Not Like the Other!

One of these things is not like the others, 
One of these things just doesn't belong, 
Can you tell which thing is not like the others 
By the time I finish my song? 

Did you guess which thing was not like the others? 
Did you guess which thing just doesn't belong? 
If you guessed this one is not like the others, 
Then you're absolutely...right! 

Do you remember Cookie Monster singing this song?

I loved watching Sesame Street when I was growing up.  Every morning it would be on GPTV (Georgia Public Television) at 7:00 am. I would watch the show while Mom and Dad got ready for work and I was waiting to go to pre-school.  I thought of this song today when I ventured outside to find this... See Below.

muhahahhaha!!!! Okay! Breath! I just had to take a moment to laugh.  We had a table and TV set up in our front yard! The table came complete with A1 sauce and Heinz Ketchup. :) Disclaimer: In the defense of the residents of McDowell,  the table was being moved to a storage unit and the condiments were left from last nights cookout.  The TV... well that I can not explain. 

The table, the TV, and the condiments all stick out like a satellite dish mounted to a dump truck. (True Hunter Family Story, I will save for a future blog)

As a Christian do you ever test your faith by asking the question, "Which one of these things is not like the other?" Simply put our actions, our thoughts, and our words should not be like the others. Every one of our actions is to bring glory, honor, and praise to the Father.  Our lives are to be lived as continual worship. 

Our question should be...

Which one of our actions is not like the Father?

This means we put our hearts to the test; to align more closely with the heart of our Father.  In doing this, we begin to live lives that look differently than others around us.  We choose different goals.  We speak to each other differently.  We have different thoughts than what we had before. Why does this occur? This happens because of our obedience to the Lord. The Lord who so graciously saved us from our sinful state.  Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, the helper, to empower us to make these changes in our lives.  We can only live in a manner that reflects the glory of God because of Christ working through us.  

The cookie monster most often eats the cookie on the differing plate to make the plate match the other plates. Recently on Wednesday nights our Pastor has  been taking us through Acts 2.  

In Acts 2:42-45, we read the following, "And they devoted themselves to the Apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common." (emphasis mine) 

We are also called to have unity within the fellowship of believers.  Notice that they all "devoted themselves"  to "teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers".  They were devoting themselves to things that would uplift and edify the body.  The result was they "were together and had all things in common."  If the body of Christ, you and I, decide to devote ourselves to the teaching of the word, dinning together in reflection of the word, and times of prayer together, then the result will bring unity in the body. This brings glory to the Father. 

What are we devoting ourselves too? TV, Internet, relationships that don't bring God honor, work, or our own pleasures and desires.  A good way to find the devotion of your heart is to write out your own daily schedule and see where you are spending your time.  

I once heard this story of a pastor counseling a church member.  The story is as follows...

Pastor: "In light of your problem, how much time have you spent in the word?"

Church Member: "Pastor, I just can't find time.  I work all day, the kids and my husband need me at home, and there is just no time left!."

Pastor: "Oh I see." pause "Hey did you see last nights episode of American Idol? I can't believe Adam got kicked off?"

Church Member: "Oh I am a Chris fan on American Idol. Did you watch Dancing with the stars? And what about Survivor? Oh! Oh! Good Morning America had such a great recipe this morning!"

Pastor: "Hmm..well according to what you just said you probably spent 15 hours or more watching TV. hmmm" silence. "I wonder if Lord might have wanted that time?"

What are you devoted to? Does your devotions closely align with Acts 2? Are you helping bring unity to the body?

We may not be called to look like the world, but we are called to be in unity with other believers, so that honor is brought to our Heavenly Father.  When you wake up in the morning ask yourself this question, "Which one of these things is not like the Father?"

One Hot Mama!

Hello Again Ladies! 

As we approach mother’s day this coming Sunday, I have been reflecting on mothers in the Bible and my very own sweet mother. ☺

Last night I listened to our prayers over lost family members and friends in our lives. We spoke names. Calling them out one-by-one. As we went through those names I couldn’t help but imagine the life that each name represented. Each name = one life = a decision to bow to Christ or unfortunately it may = a decision not to bow to Christ.

I found my heart being so convicted of grouping “the lost” together in prayers and not calling them out individually. Billy. Elizabeth. Hazel. Dennis. Jimmy. Roger. Chris. Audrey. 

Pause. 

Each of the names, a person, a life, a soul… who needs the Father.

So many of these people represent our children, our mothers, our fathers, our sister, our brother, our aunt, our uncle, niece, nephew, cousin, friend, or co-worker. People we love.
One relationship that is resonating most in my heart is that of  a mother and the longing of the salvation of her child. I have watched many-a-woman in our ministry, and others I have met along the way, who have been broken over the wayward lost-ness of her child. As a young lady, who looks forward to one day holding an infant of my very own in my arms, I already ache for the salvation of my children. I long for them to know, love, and serve Christ. Even now as my children are but a glimmer in my eye; I pray for their salvation.

Resting in the peace of God, we know that our children are not our own, but rather they belong to the Lord. I want to take you to a section of scripture where we find a mother who knows that her child belongs not to her, but to the Lord.

Go to 1 Samuel Chapter 1.
Stop! Do not pass Go! Do not collect $200! Read this passage first! I will even help you find it. Go get your Bible. It may be in the car (I hope not). It may be beside your bed, or your favorite chair.
Open It! Go past Genesis, Exodus, and Numbers, skip a few, Judges, Ruth, then you made it

 1 Samuel Chapter 1. Please Read!

Okay! Don’t shoot me! I wanted you to see a mother’s love for her child written in the text. Thanks to the preacher in chapel this morning, I got to see this for myself as well.

Ladies here we met Hannah. Mother of Samuel the priest. The priest who anointed King David. Christ came from the family line of King David. So, Samuel, son of Hannah, must be a pretty important man!

We first see that God caused Hannah to be barren and without child. She was broken over her inability to bear a son. Notice in verse 10 that she “was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly” I believe all mothers can identify with her desperation. She prayed. She gave her son to the service of God all the days of his life. Basically, she was saying “Bless me Lord with a son, and I will give him back to you” Have you ever prayed this prayer? “Lord Bless me with something, and then when you give it to me, I will give it back to you. All I want is for you to be glorified Lord.” What happens when the Lord actually blesses us with that something or in this case a son? Do we give it/him back to the Lord for the Lord’s pleasing? Hannah did.

Read vs. 27 and 28. “For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”

Hannah gave her only son to the Lord. I believe Hannah’s desire to have a son was out of motivation to better the Kingdom of God.

My mother has always told me that she gave me to the Lord as a baby. I want to pause for a moment with gratitude in my heart for her. I firmly believe that I am the woman I am today because of that decision she made almost 24 years ago. Praise God!

There is nothing like a love of a mother for her child. It can not be described. At this time in my life, I am on the receiving end of this love. I have a memory of my mother that warms my heart; when I was a small girl she used to rock me in this old cricket-y rocking chair. I am not sure from where the rocking chair came. It is all wood with a dark mahogany stain. The rocking chair must have been handed down from one of our family members because it is about to fall apart. You could tell many a baby/child has been rocked in this rocking chair. It would make this distinct creeky noise each time she rocked me back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. She would sometimes sing to me the song, “You are my Sunshine.” Other times she might have read to me; probably our favorite book “Love you Forever” by Robert Munsch. It is a book about a mother’s love for her son. She would sneak into his room at night and rock him. In the book, she would sing "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be." I know as long as I am living I will always be my mothers baby.  I could imagine Hannah rocking her beloved son, maybe even saying these words. "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as your living the Lord's you will be."  

This mothers day, may we be thankful for a mother who gave her son to the Lord. This mother's day, may we give our children born and unborn to the Lord, for His glory and for His honor.  As I said earlier each name given in prayer for salvation represents a life and it also represents a mother who is in desperation over her child's salvation.  More importantly it represents a Heavenly Father who longs for his child to know Him, love Him, and serve Him.

May we never skip over a name.

Dennis

Audrey

Elizabeth

Chris

Hazel

Jimmy

Roger

Matt

Wilson

Joe

Tim

Ron

Frank

John

Lance

James

Russell

Jay

Erin

Erica

Melissa

Heather

Happy Mother's Day!

                                                               

*Thank you to Mr. Palmer today at Southeastern Chapel for this inspiration. 

*Thank you to a mother who, like Hannah, gave me to the Lord.  I love you MOM!

Insomnia Brings You a New Blog!

It is Sunday night or shall I say Monday morning.  I can't sleep. so.... what else is there to do but design a new blog background and header.  I hope you ladies like the new changes.  

I was glad to hear this morning that God was still working in your hearts after the Esther study on Saturday.  A couple of you told me that you did not rest well last night because of the prayer that "we not sleep until we do what God has called us to do".  :) Maybe that is why I am suffering from insomnia tonight.  In all seriousness, this should be our desire.  When I am burdened to do what God has called me to, I usually find that there is not much rest until I listen to His guidance and put it into action.  Esther was called to go speak for God's people Israel.  She prayed. Then she put into action what God had called her to do in chapter 7 of the book of Esther.

God used the insomnia of King Xerxes to have him look at the records to find out that Mordecai had not been honored.  So, sometimes God may use our "lack of sleep" to speak to us about what He wants us to do for Him in the next day or coming days.  We must learn to discern the voice of God and put into action what He has required of us. 

Be challenged this week.  Spend more time in the word.  Pray more. Share more. AND do what you are called to do! All for HIS Glory!

Holy Smokes Ladies!

Holy Smokes! I have found a some great barbeque! Today after Bible study, our pastors introduced me to Holy Smokes just down the way from our church! I am STILL stuffed! It was that kind of place that has southern good ole eaten, written all over it. :) I just wanted to pop in and let you know about the "make your wanna slap ya mama" food I found.  Holy Smokes will definitely gain my presence again! 

Just finished watching Andy Griffith and now I am headed to bed! See you in the morning for worship! Love you all!

Prayer Requests from today: Dot (unspoken), Renee (unspoken), and Joyce's breathing.

Please Excuse our Mess!

I know! Our blog is a complete mess! I am currently trying out new backgrounds and trying to post updates. The new blog will be up and running soon. Our new church website looks wonderful though! Thanks to our Pastor! You can check it out at www.gilbertstreetbapistchurch.com


Love you ALL!

Bonnie