Fixed the Link

...in the post about Muslim's below! Sorry for the "run around" :)

My Parents Are Coming!-and other Stuff :)

:) I have not really had much time for posting or reading anyone else's posts *shock* because school officially started on Monday...and also, I am readying our home for my parents' arrival tonight. Yay!! This will be their first time seeing Ayden since he was born. Unfortunately, there is a typhoon headed this way, and is supposed to arrive on Saturday or Sunday...so we might have to spend that weekend indoors. ....Oh, I just HAVE to mention that I am reading Debi Pearl's CREATED TO BE HIS HELP MEET...I don't even know what to write, except aside from the Bible (which this book is centered around), this book has been the most eye-opening, convicting, encouraging ...put it this way, I was on my knees tearfully-fearfully begging forgiveness from the Lord for failing in so many ways after just a few chapters ...I was failing in some dangerous ways- that I was not even aware of until some issues were addressed. God is so good. The power went off last night, and I read by candle light which was so special...I thought, since the kids were in bed asleep when it happened, and Brian had to work an evening shift, "So, this is how God is going to get me alone on this :)" I sure wish I could have read it before I got married. I told my husband how excited I was to learn how I can be more of a blessing to him...infinitely more- when I am conformed to the revealed will of God's plan for my life as a help-meet. Amazing-it is a MUST MUST read...and I know alot of you already have ;)

What THEY Think...

With all this 9/11 revisited...I realized that I really did not know a whole lot about what Muslims believe, or what they thought of us (born again Christians). I did just a tiny bit of research, but was so saddened to see the depth of their illusion. The entire article is here,...I took an excerpt which sums up what some think...in a nut-shell. Should one ever have the blessing of sharing the Gospel with a Muslim it might be of help...I love that a "Christian Extremist" by the author's definition is one who is born again...uhhh yep, guess that makes me an extremist.

"...Similarly, these Christian Extremists do not identify other Christians as being real Christians. Only these 'born again' will be saved. And what is the experience of this being 'born again?' It is usually an emotional moment, even a trance-like state, brought about by hypnotic fiery sermons and religiously seductive music. It appeals to a certain type, and is generally a great 'turn-off' for more sober academics and down-to-earth people.
...Thus it is a simple matter for fascinating preachers, money-grubbing pastors, hypocritical dervishes and cunning traders of religion to take full advantage of the popular relish for esoteric matters, miracles, supernatural performances, inspired dreams and prophecies. It can all too easily be seen that simple pious people can be led into accepting every new fantasy. It all appeals strongly to those who want to feel they are on the 'inside' of a group, with secrets, profound knowledge and revelations......
Rotten luck for us - and for all who genuinely believe in another sort of Divine Being. Direct conflict with these types is usually a waste of time and energy, so what should we do? I think, what we do best. Carry on presenting the realities of the noble faith of Islam, trying to reconcile geniune Jews and Christians with ourselves in genuine faith in God, perhaps by downplaying our differences, as the Prophet (saw) advised. We are not here to force, or bribe, or brow-beat, like these Fundamentalists. We are here to guide, to set an example, to display the sunnah in the way we live. And then leave intelligent people to think for themselves, and make their choice " Islam Today -Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood

Updates!!

My friend's brother who I asked prayer for- is doing better PTL!! He is not saved though, but Lord willing this will shed some light on the Savior and His love for him.

My Aunt who is having to go through Chemo again due to a large tumor they found is so thankful for the prayers offered up on her behalf. The Drs said that not only is the tumor shrinking, it is dying!!! PTL please continue to pray for her and her family.

I had my lump removed today...an ambulatory procedure. I am pretty sore, but doing well. Now they are saying it is not a cyst but probably a benign tumor...this is frustrating, but the pathologist will do her tests on it, and I will find out the results soon. I don't know if I posted this before, but I have been suffering with hives daily for about 3+ weeks now :( Nothing intolerable, but it is annoying :) Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers

Help in Times of Trouble

...no I am not on the literal battlefield of Iraq, but definitely under attack in my own home. I do try to have a sense of humor about it, but believe me when I say that I have been CLINGING to the Lord and His Word lately. Many of us are under attack, and in ways that we are not even able to convey in such a forum as this. As much as I laugh dear reader, I cry and plead as well....I know you all do the same at times. Just know that my troubles and worries exceed that which you see here, just the same as yours, and I am a very real person who struggles with anger and sorrow and hurt the same as anyone. That is one hazard of these blogs, it can cause the illusion that there are some believers who have just a perfect attitude about everything...let me assure you that I am not one of them. I strive to be, by the Lord's grace , and am making progress..again by His grace, but have by no means arrived in any area of my life :) Here are some verses I will be meditating upon today as our family faces some trying times mostly having to do with my husband's work...I would appreciate prayer in this.

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness....For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." Isa 41:10,13

"The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles...Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all" Ps 34:17,19

"And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Ps 50:15

Missing... Heads?

I was reading the girls a story this morning about Nahum Prince..a young man who had a lame leg, and could not fight in battle, but stayed behind and was able to help win a battle by being in the right place at the right time....ANYWAY, I was, in my explanation of what being "lame" was, reminding the girls how we need to be thankful for our arms and legs because some children's limbs don't work and some even had to have them removed due to disease. Anjolie looked intently at me as I talked and then, in a very quiet and serious voice said, "And some children even have to have their heads removed, right mommy?" I tried with all my might not to even smile, but I let a couple of chuckles get away as I explained how that does not happen. :)

I'm TIIIIIRRRED :)

Brian had duty..yes on Labor Day lol...well, it was on Sunday, but PTL someone switched with him. It stormed most of the day yesterday, which was cozy. I made myself a couple of cups of tea and did my cleaning and scrubbing...a little too half-heartedly, I must admit. I am now left with quite a bit to do, and it is Tuesday- my laundry day. I knew I should have gotten up early, but I used the excuse that Lily had me up quite a few times (she just moved into her toddler bed) and Ayden, of course, must have been extremely dehydrated. Can't they come up with some sort of "straw" you know, for us nursing moms?! Anyway, the girls had trouble going to sleep and so did I ;) It didn't help that I was short with them after the 3rd trip to the bathroom and the endless requests for a snack etc...oh, I am making excuses again ;). You would think they would need to sleep in because they did not sleep well.....noooope. At 5:30am Brianna wakes me because she said she saw her closet door shut by itself (stinkin' Monsters Inc.) 6am Lily is up and knocking on her door to get out (stinkin' toddler bed) ...then I smelled popcorn! Anjolie runs into my room where I lay (I seriously need some grammar review, folks..sorry) with Lily on one side and Ayden on the other...pleading for just a few more minutes of sleep, chocolate was smeared around her mouth (stinkin' Nutella) "Mommy! I made us popcorn for snack!!" lol...ohhhhh it's Monday relived since I did not use my time as well as I could have yesterday. OH I KNOW!!! DING DING DING!!!....It must be time for some "THANKFUL THERAPY"!! Ok, I am so thankful I have such healthy, resourceful, creative and superhumanly active children...4 of them, to be exact :), food in the cupboard, a cinderblock..I mean house that keeps me warm and safe ;), a hard-working husband who loves me, my blog friends and NAPTIME!! :) What do ya know..it did cheer me up! Have a great day...I'm gonna have a cup of COFFEE :)

Christian Blogger Responsibility

A blog on Christians blogging responsibility..I was immediately convicted about some of my uhhh medical facility rants...

Door Knocking

...on the streets of Japan is not as intimidating as I am sure it is other places. I had the priviledge of going with a friend of mine, Alice, who is a missionary. She started studying the language when she was 14..before she was even called to be a missionary. It is amazing how the Lord works isn't it? Well, we went out last Thursday night, and I was excited to be able to watch Alice in action with the Japanese. The very first door we knocked on, however was an American, he is military, and had just moved in that day. His name is Doug, and we talked with him for almost an hour! I believe the Lord was truly tugging on this man's heart and sent us at that very moment for a reason. He had been up for over 20 hours! I think all he could do was listen :) We are praying he makes a decision soon. From there, we met a man on the street, and Alice and I bowed low saying "Kombowa" (sp) (Good Evening). "Dozo yunday Kodosai" (sp) (read this please) as we gave him a Japanese tract. Alice said a few more things that I did not understand, but she told me that she clarified that the tract we gave was to explain how to know Jesus Christ. Ladies,(and my family ;) ) I was sooo excited! The Lord is so good to allow me to be in attendance to His mighty work. We knocked on 2 other doors where 2 other Japanese gentlemen answered. "Gomenisai" (I'm sorry) for disturbing them, and then more low bowing. Alice said that is alot of communicating with the Japanese...apology and bowing...especially if you are an American. ;) Alot of Japanese think they must already be Christian in faith to even accept a tract..they don't think they are "allowed" to attend our churches unless they are already a Christian. It is for this reason that door-knocking in these countries to spread the gospel is so imperative. Alice kindly explained that they can read the tract even though they are not Christian...we take so many things for granted don't we? There are shrines all over this island where the Japanese believe there dead ancestors spirits live-they worship their ancestors and pray to them. They have a huge festival once a year for their dead and they go and "feast" with them. Late into the night I could hear their drums and music as they worshiped...very heartbreaking. The Japanese..especially Okinawans are a gentle, polite, beautiful people I am so thankful I am having this opportunity to help get the gospel to them. Our church has a Japanese ministry- we have translator headsets for our Japanese and a separate service- just last night a Japanese couple who recently received Christ as their Savior was Baptized :) PTL He is so merciful.

Happy Labor Day!!

Many of you have probably heard this before, but I never had...

"If your Bible is falling apart, your life probably isn't"

An Update..

...on Ms Karen's mom Here. It is so heartbreaking when members of our family face a tremendous crisis, but God is BIGGER. Please continue to pray for this family. God is so good to give us a praying family.

URGENT PRAYER

...needed for my friend's brother. He is NOT SAVED and is not at all doing well. He had some unexpected medical problems and my friend, who is saved is in dire need of our prayers. Please pray at this very moment as you read this. He may need a liver transplant due to some unexpected complications. Please pray for his salvation above all else...that the Lord would make a way!! Prayer works. I will update as I hear.

AND THEN....

...mommy pulled out all her hair.... Yes, I can't believe it, but we did...I wasn't gonna post it...but I feel guilty if I don't...made ANOTHER trip to the ER because Lily tripped and fell on my vaccuum and cut her forehead open...to the bone. (I know there is not a thick layer of skin there, but still...to the bone expresses the drama I felt at the moment it happened) It bled horribly of course, and I thought I was going to pass out because I just could not take one more thing. But, Brian helped me calm down. I held Lily in the backseat of the van (that's right, she was not in her carseat, but I felt it was best so I could restrain her while I put pressure on her head ) with frozen beans on her head...she SCREAMED for about 20 minutes and then almost fell asleep. When we got to the ER...there were at least 5 other kids there! I was like Oh...must be freak kid accident day. One little kid had pulled boiling water out of the microwave on himself...another person broke their toe... Anyway, the Dr was really nice and told me he would try "gluing" it. It is about 3/4 inch across...please pray that it heals quickly. Little Lily is a slow healer, and scratches at her little cut :( I don't want her to have to go in and get stitches...I feel like such a bad mom.

Recent Sayings..

Anjolie's Sunday School teacher informed me that their class was talking about creation and during the lesson she asked " Where did you come from" to which Anjolie answered " Well, I, came here from home"

Brianna and Anjolie are always "chatty" at bed time after the lights are off (shocking, I know lol) well, we don't mind a little bit of it, but getting out of bed is a definite no-no. Well, the night before last was no different until Brianna called out to me from her room "Mommy, you need to get in here,... and you better bring the Paddle!!"

I got in trouble with Brian today... because, while reading him something from one of my women's devotional books in the car, I noticed that Brianna was exceptionally quiet which meant she was listening. When I finished the story, Brianna chimed in "Mommy, was that from someone's blog?" LOL Brian looked at me, jaw dropped. "Uhhh, Heather, why would a five year old know what a blog is?" :) oops!