tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-333615232024-03-12T22:04:19.771-05:00Breath Beyond the Rain (Archived)Somewhere over the rainbow... someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me, where troubles melt like lemondrops, way above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me..Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-89726900046354291412009-06-26T12:18:00.002-05:002009-06-26T12:20:19.739-05:00Author of Faith, Eternal WordThis is a hymn by Charles Wesley<br /><br /><br />Author of faith, eternal Word,<br />Whose Spirit breathes the active flame;<br />Faith like its finisher and Lord,<br />Today as yesterday the same.<br /><br />To Thee our humble hearts aspire,<br />And ask the gift unspeakable;<br />Increase in us the kindled fire,<br />In us the work of faith fulfill.<br /><br />By faith we know Thee strong to save;<br />Save us, a present Savior Thou!<br />Whate’er we hope,<br />by faith we have<br />Future and past subsisting now.<br /><br />To him that in Thy Name believes<br />Eternal life with Thee is given;<br />Into Himself He all receives,<br />Pardon and holiness, and heaven.<br /><br />The things unknown to feeble sense,<br />Unseen by reason’s glimmering ray,<br />With strong commanding evidence<br />Their heavenly origin display.<br /><br />Faith lends its realizing light,<br />The clouds disperse, the shadows fly;<br />Th’invisible appears in sight,<br />And God is seen by mortal eye.Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-42874936295311292382009-06-05T16:03:00.001-05:002009-06-05T16:03:46.411-05:00<font face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif" size="2"> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"><i>I've got so much on my mind</i></font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"><i>Have to get it off my chest</i></font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"><i>Have to open up my mouth and speak the truth</i></font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"><i>I Let the little words out right</i></font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"><i>Leave the biggest stone unturned</i></font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"><i>It's like I'm trying to keep the light from taking root</i></font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"><i>But I'm never gonna clean this slate at the rate I'm going</i></font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"><i>Have to dig in to find the strength to follow through...</i></font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"> </font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"><i>Cause if it were up to me</i></font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"><i>To pull myself out of this place</i></font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"><i>A failure's what I'd be without your grace</i></font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"><i>Cause it's never gonna wash me clean, this muddy water</i></font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"><i>Your rivers' the only thing to make me new...</i></font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"> </font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"><i>...Cause I'm never gonna clean this slate at the rate I'm going</i></font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"><i>Have to dig in to find the strength to follow through...</i></font></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><font color="#008080"> </font></div> <div><font size="2" color="#008080">This is part of a Jill Phillips song that I don't know the name to. The chorus doesn't really apply to me, so I left it out, but the verses do. </font></div> <div><font size="2" color="#800000"> </font></div> <div><font size="2" color="#800000"> </font></div> <div><font size="3"><br> </font></div> <div><font size="3" color="#008080"><u> ________________________________ </u></font></div> <div><font face="Arial, sans-serif" size="2" color="#808080">Confidentiality Statement!<br> The information contained in this electronic message from the Louisiana Department of Revenue is privileged and confidential. If you are not the<br> intended recipient, you must not disclose, copy, distribute, or use any of the transmitted information, or take any other action based on the contents of this information. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify the transmitter by return e-mail.<br> </font></div> </font> Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-91048514402346529442009-02-23T00:41:00.005-06:002009-02-23T00:52:04.075-06:00Beware of the Stinging Nettle<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VXjmjYK9euU/SaJF3c2mcxI/AAAAAAAAAKY/VjuYD_rOtbw/s1600-h/stinging+nettle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305880129936192274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 261px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VXjmjYK9euU/SaJF3c2mcxI/AAAAAAAAAKY/VjuYD_rOtbw/s320/stinging+nettle.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Y'all ever heard of these things? I think it's something I may have heard of but didn't really know what they were. They're plants. They look like mint and they grow like mint - taking over and recreating wherever they are. Except the major difference is that they have tiny little thorns all over them that appear as "texture". These thorns immediately release some strange chemical into your fingers. We went hiking today and kept seeing these along the path and I was curious.. is it mint? (the ones we saw were much prettier than the picture) So I went to pluck a leaf and <em>immediately</em> pulled back my hand! It BIT ME! Weird thing is there were no thorns actually stuck in my fingers. It just felt like it. I thought it would go away after a few hours and the sensation has changed, but not diminished much. It feels like the ends of my left finger and thumb are asleep. When something touches them I get that strange waking-up-pins-and-needles sensation. Anyway. I just thought I would share so that you can avoid them too. It's not nice. </div>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-55057450044742700242009-02-13T00:04:00.001-06:002009-02-13T00:05:58.717-06:00I Am the Church<div>I came across this video. It's really, really neat. SO amazing to see that there are so many around the world who say the same thing we do. </div><div><br /></div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z95xAYB-rNc&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z95xAYB-rNc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-11520243927805285752009-02-11T16:17:00.004-06:002009-02-11T23:00:26.936-06:00I Can't Remember<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I can't remember the last time that I've written with abandon. Written something </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">for myself</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> because I need to, because I want the release of seeing all of it typed in front of me instead of floating around in my head in unorganized, wandering thoughts. I think that's part of what my blog is for. Not always these lofty philosophical theologies and revelations. Not that those are bad. And I do want to write about that. The things that God has been revealing, the way He's been changing have been monumental. But what about the past few months? The months in which this blog has lay dormant. I feel a silent question from the readers - especially those who may not know me as well. What's happened? </span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A line from a Sara Groves song is circling my mind right now. "It's been a hard year, I'm climbing out of the rubble. These lessons are hard, healing changes are subtle. But every day.. It's less like scars... And more like character" I admit. I haven't much of a life to reflect on yet. But this has been one of the hardest years I've ever encountered. So difficult, so painful, but so gloriously victorious. Lets go backwards. </span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Start with December. My dad was admitted to the hospital at the beginning of the month, losing blood in places you don't want to lose blood. He lost so much at one point that he passed out and ended up in the ICU for days. They discovered a cancerous tumor in his colon. There was never an opportunity to be fearful. Immediately the body of Christ surrounded us on all sides. God gave us peace through every circumstance we faced. He brought our family together and gave us the comfort of HIS family. I had an entire month to simply cherish the LIFE of my dad. He was in and out of the ICU a couple times, but we got through it after 2 exhausting weeks. Gods timing was amazing! They removed the cancer and doctors now say that he is 95% CURED - something they </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">rarely</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> say to anyone. The chances of the cancer coming back are little to none. </span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Back up a little more. We had a week off of work and school due to a major Hurricane in September. Gustav hit Baton Rouge with more force than any hurricane for several years. Weird part is, the hurricane was great! We played in it and spent an inordinate amount of time with our family - the body of Christ (who, incidentally had power back after 2 days, while we had to wait a week!). But during that time the Lord was dealing with me emotionally. That was very weird to me. For so long I didn't think that He had anything to do with emotion. I've learned not to base my spiritual status on how I "feel".. In fact I think that's rather dumb and selfish. But there was years worth of anger and hurt built up in me that I had to </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">deal with</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. The alternative to dealing with it was a heart hardened by bitterness. And I could see myself on that pathway very quickly. God gave me a major revelation on this passage from Hebrews 11:15, "Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled." But.. That's a blog post in itself.. He's still working on me to keep my heart clear. </span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In July we moved out. That was such a </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">bittersweet</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> experience! I think we were ecstatic to finally be on our own. Everything that happened leading up to moving out was difficult. But I knew that God had me in that season for a </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">purpose</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and I was determined not to waste that time! Being surrendered to Him paid off in a big way. He changed me and my attitude.. And taught me some very valuable things during those 6 months. Like how to keep my mouth shut when it's difficult. How to serve and love when everything in your flesh says they don't deserve it. </span></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“We shall draw nearer to God, not by trying to avoid the sufferings inherent in all loves, but by accepting them and offering them to Him; throwing away all defensive armor. If our hearts need to be broken, and if He chooses this as a way in which they should break, so be it.”</span></i></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've put that quote on my blog before. But I think that now it sums up the last year for me. There has been love through suffering. And I can't remember a time when I've ever felt nearer to Him. Even when it seems He is the one doing the breaking. He has taught me to throw away the defenses and let myself be wounded. And He is healing deeper than I dreamed was possible.</span></span></div> </span>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-36304558613383146412009-02-04T07:25:00.001-06:002009-02-11T22:59:37.971-06:00Testing for Deanna<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VXjmjYK9euU/SYmXb5BGKEI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/s-oGNIHO9ho/s1600-h/BreighAnne-767540.bmp"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VXjmjYK9euU/SYmXb5BGKEI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/s-oGNIHO9ho/s320/BreighAnne-767540.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298932941995780162" /></a></p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"> <div><span style="color:#800000;">Y'all tell me if you see a picture. </span></div> <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">****Edit: Okay it worked, Thanks!</span></div> </span>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-67670389262097072142008-11-18T11:15:00.002-06:002009-02-23T00:52:48.746-06:00I'm Still Here<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><div><span style="color:#008080;">For those of you who actually check this blog I just thought I'd drop you a note to say that I'm still here. I've thought of many various blog posts in the past month but before I get the chance to blog them, I discuss them with most of the people who care to know what I'm thinking - and by that time, what's the point it writing it down? It'd be a bit redundant. </span></div><div><span style="color:#008080;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#008080;">It occurred to me last night that when I say, "I've been busy" it really isn't made up.. I really am. I realized that I have my weeknights scheduled Tuesday through Friday and usually Saturday. Monday nights are my only truly "open" nights! The time in between is spent cooking, cleaning, running errands, and more recently developing the hobbies usually ascribed to elderly women.. Jordan learned to knit, so I wanted to and taught myself from a YouTube Video. Yet further proof that this is the "digital age". And we are putting together our first puzzle in years. </span></div><div><span style="color:#008080;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#008080;">Another point of interest: I am currently engrossed in reading a little piece of Baton Rouge history. It's a hand-written log book from a Hippie Crisis Call Center/Charity of sorts called "The Genesis House". It was recorded over 35 years ago! My dad actually used to work there and knew many of the people who wrote in it. My American History teacher was a crock so I'm learning all these things about that era as a whole right now - about the Vietnam War, Roe V. Wade, and so on and so forth. Reading this book is like reading a bunch of random diary entries. Some are really funny but others are genuinely heartbreaking. </span></div><div><span style="color:#008080;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#008080;">I hope to do some writing about it. I want to take some pictures of it and post them too.. Some of the entries are really funny. I'm trying to do some research about the things going on in Baton Rouge during that time frame (June through September of '71) but this is one instance where Google doesn't prove to be very useful. I'm grateful for the privilege of having access to the State Library. </span></div></span>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-66250584677621929442008-10-15T21:49:00.001-05:002008-10-15T21:49:57.301-05:00Who's on First??!!??<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sShMA85pv8M&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sShMA85pv8M&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-81445233276502929362008-10-12T19:13:00.002-05:002008-10-12T19:21:47.325-05:00Open Letter to Whole Foods Guy<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; ">Dear Whole Foods Guy,<br /><br />Tonight I entered your store on a mission. At the restaurant next door one of my best friends sat leaning over a table looking sick with the pain consuming her head. This, from the girl who bikes into the woods for fun, emerging bruised, scratched and exhausted but grinning. So I was highly concerned, and as I said, on a mission. Discouraged after scanning over aisles and seeing only labels for vitamins, herbs, homeopathic remedies and essential oils, I approached you. Yes, you. With your hair longer than mine, square wire rimmed glasses, and crooked apron. Great, I thought. One of these. <br /><br />My face began to flush while I stared at the organic remedies in on the shelf in front of me. I stammered with an urgency, "Look, I know y'all have all this all natural stuff, but I have a friend with a severe headache and I need something - Ibuprofen, Excedrin, Tylenol, Anything!" I looked up to see you shaking your head emphatically before I even finished the words. Oh great, here it comes. I was officially embarrassed and blushed to prove it. What was I thinking that I would find real medicine in Whole Foods??? You walked down the aisle a few steps and crouched in front of the bottom shelf to show us a few things. I thought surely you were avoiding showing me where the things I wanted were located because you couldn't let me "poison" my friend with such items. The first thing you showed us was some sort of Bark. Willow Bark I believe. Very similar to the ingredients in aspirin. Then there was some sort of herbal remedy, and lastly the essential oil version of "Head On". I couldn't believe I was standing there wasting my time this way, and stared at the floor behind you thinking, "Now what??" Meanwhile my sister gawked at the digital price tag - $21.99 for Bark? Are you JOKING? You explained that you couldn't carry the items I asked for because of chemicals in the coatings. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.<br /><br />I think you saw that I wasn't buying it - the product or your sales pitch. You stood upright then and lowered your voice a notch saying, "Well, there's a gas station about a block that way, and a grocery store about a minute further that direction.." You hesitated when I shook my head and told you that we didn't drive, but walked over from the restaurant next door. "Oh, you're on foot..." We sort of stood there all staring at each other while I tried to come up with something we could do. It's New Orleans. I wasn't walking a block away at 8:00 at night. I think we must have looked awfully worried because the next thing you said was something like, "You know what? Don't worry about it. I'll find something. I'll have someone look in the back, and I'll get something for you. Would you prefer something specific?" Shocked, but hopeful I told you ibuprofen would be good, but we'd take anything. I couldn't say thank you enough! You went to have someone take care of it.<br /><br />While we lingered in the aisle staring aimlessly at items we knew nothing about you went about helping other customers. You paused to assure us that you were available if we needed you and that someone would be returning soon. I saw you answer a telephone and from a distance could tell that you were discussing us. I heard you say, "No, Just get whatever you can find, as much as you can get!" You looked to us to confirm that there was no allergy to aspirin. After hanging up you told us it would only be a few more minutes. <br /><br />The minutes crawled by and as they did I was replaying in my mind my friends reaction when I asked her what kind of medicine she wanted. Her eyes grew as big as saucers when she asked with surprised relief, "You have something??!" I told her no, but that I was going to get it. From that point all I got out of her were mumblings that she would be fine and other such incoherent nonsense. I knew better. <br /><br />Shortly though a bearded employee came down the aisle in your direction with something in his hand. We smiled and watched him pass. Before he interrupted you with your customer he turned back to us and asked, "Are you the ones with the friend...?" My relief was palpable as I said yes and he reached to place two small packets of medicine in my hand. I tried to press a couple of bills into his hand in return, thanking him profusely and insisting he take it for all his trouble. It was more than obvious that it required a wild goose chase to track down any real medicine in that place! He refused though after several attempts and finally told me, "Give it to him!"<br /><br />You were still helping a customer further down the aisle but I saw you were keeping an eye on the interchange. I took the bills back regretfully and tried to come up with a way to give them to you without making your customer aware of what was going on. As I approached you I decided that the easiest way to make you accept it was to slip it into the large pocket of your hopelessly skewed apron. I did just that, without pausing to say anything so you would have no opportunity to return it. By the time you realized what happened I was too far away for you to give it back easily, but still you called after me, "No, you don't have to do this!" I turned around and said, "Thank you SO MUCH! You don't know how much we appreciate it!!" but kept walking towards the door, clutching my prize. My sister, who was several feet behind me caught on when you turned around to look for her, but she dashed around to the next aisle before you could reach her either. I looked back again in time to hear you exhale exasperatedly and see you blush to your hairline, but smile nonetheless. All I could do was grin unrepentantly and wave while I walked out of sight. <br /><br />Yes, in the beginning I stereotyped you very erroneously. I think you taught me a lesson in that regard. I believe I experienced a Random Act of Kindness tonight. The kind that makes me wonder if you are a child of The Way, or simply someone who was raised in the generous atmosphere that seems to permeate native New Orleanians. You did something that you did not have to do. You went to a great effort to help us, though no one asked you to. And you expected nothing in return, which made it all the more precious. And I want you to know that it made a very distinct impression on me. As silly as it is to say it again... thank you.</span>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-82638378573724952202008-09-15T20:00:00.002-05:002008-09-15T20:03:18.096-05:00I must pay my respects... because I said I would! So by the way y'all, <a href="http://www.phoenix95.com/blog/">Dave</a> gets another blog award. Not only for blogging more than all of us put together in a week, but for being very obliging and playing his sax for us Sunday!! He's gotten very good!! I will definitely be one of those people venturing out to whatever Christmas parade he's going to be marching in!Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-1996351545756956932008-09-02T22:35:00.003-05:002008-09-02T22:38:26.544-05:00We're Fine!Hey there y'all!<br /><br />I just wanted to let you know that we weathered the storm just fine! There were massive power outages though - this is the worst hurricance Baton Rouge has seen since the sixties. We're under a curfew from dusk to dawn every evening until further notice. We JUST got power and cable back, obviously, but 85% of the parish is still in the dark. I think 100% was out for quite a while there. It was insane. First time that's ever happened. Jordan won't be in school the rest of the week, and I won't be at work at least tomorrow, we'll see about the rest of the week...<br /><br />Anyway, our cell service is spotty at best, even text is messed up. At&t is having major issues.<br /><br />Love y'all! Thanks for your prayers!!!!!Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-72826631122054210472008-08-21T21:48:00.003-05:002008-08-21T22:32:54.177-05:00God in a BoxLiterally. A big ugly concrete one.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Okay so I was on my way home today and was listening to NPR. Yes. I am an NPR fan. When the news isn't sickeningly repetitive. </div><br /><div></div><div>So anyway, this story caught my attention when they led up to it with the phrase, "<strong>Church congregation wants to tear down their building. But they can't - stay tuned to hear why.</strong>" (paraphrased) You can read the whole story <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93844919">here</a>. So anyway, to paraphrase, this congregation wants to tear down their big ugly block of concrete<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VXjmjYK9euU/SK4u41ceJEI/AAAAAAAAAHc/OTF5bx6NgxI/s1600-h/third+church.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237174970632512578" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 205px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" height="170" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VXjmjYK9euU/SK4u41ceJEI/AAAAAAAAAHc/OTF5bx6NgxI/s200/third+church.jpg" width="238" border="0" /></a> (the church was built in the 70's in the popular "brutalism" style) and build a new church building, but the city won't let them because it's been made into a historic landmark. The church is suing the city claiming that this infringes on their freedom of religion. This is their logic, <strong><em>"<span style="font-size:130%;">Nothing expresses a church's religious exercise more than its architecture.</span> And this architecture does not express our theology and our exercise. Brutalism is not our religious expression." </em></strong>My mouth dropped open at that.</div><div><strong><em></em></strong> </div><div>This is what the experts have to say about it. <em>"But it's going to be tough to win in court. Robert Tuttle, a church-state expert at George Washington Law School, says cost and inconvenience are not enough. The church must show its expression of religion is "substantially burdened." Courts have different standards on what that means, but often it's a high bar. <strong>Namely, he says, church members must show they cannot practice the religion without overhauling or demolishing it.</strong> "</em></div><div><em></em> </div><div>Alright, that last sentence was when I started laughing. I think this is highly ironic considering that <em>"God, who made the world and everything in it, since <span style="font-size:130%;">He is Lord of heaven and earth, <strong>does not dwell in temples made with hands.</strong></span>"</em> (Acts 17:24) I'm seriously considering emailing the district attorney of Washington DC with that scripture and telling them to use the bible against this congregation in this case!! I personally think it would be hilarious! But I don't think it would very effective considering this is a "Christian Science" church. </div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#990000;">***Shamless plug*** <strong><a href="http://www.phoenix95.com/blog/">DAVE</a></strong> wins this weeks award for the </span><a href="http://www.phoenix95.com/blog/?p=136"><span style="color:#990000;">most spectacular blog post</span></a><span style="color:#990000;">!!! Congratulations Dave. You are the most brilliant 13 year I know (no offense Leslie, but he takes the cake with this one!) </span></div>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-43923406119045003822008-08-15T22:51:00.004-05:002008-08-17T21:34:29.994-05:00I like this<blockquote>...I am just like any other girl, and I love happy endings, and hand me a chick flick anytime, but the realization hits me that this is not what true love is about. It is not when the boy meets girl, and their eyes lock and it is love at first sight. It is not the Happily Ever After, and no, it is not roses and chocolate on Valentines.<br /><br />Love is a bloodstained cross...<br /></blockquote><br /><br />I read this paragraph in an article I was reading and that section just really stuck out to me. I guess because of the stark contrast in the description of the two things. The truth of it just stuck out to me. Love is not at all those mushy gushy things we're sort of trained to think it is from the time we're little kids. It's sacrifice. Sacrifice in so many ways. Thinking of others higher than yourselves.... and when I think of love in that way suddenly I see how many people love me so much. And It spurs me on to <em>love <strong>through</strong> good works.</em> (Hebrews 10:24) Anyway.. just a tidbit I thought I'd throw out there.Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-75047211468174026992008-08-09T01:36:00.003-05:002008-08-09T01:41:13.338-05:00TornadoWow.. Only a few of you know why the title to this song is SO freakishly ironic. It took me a while to find it because I never dreamed that was the title! Anyway, I've had a line from this Sara Groves song stuck in my head for over a week now..<br /><br /><blockquote>You live your life like a tornado.<br />Destruction follows everywhere you go.<br />And you have no plans to stop or slow (oh).<br />I will not let this bitter root grow in me.<br />I will not let you leave that legacy,<br />But it gets so hard when pain is all I see (oh).<br /><br />And every time I find healing, you're making a new mess,<br />And I am learning the real meaning of forgiveness.<br /><br />And I tried to remove myself from your path,<br />But I keep on waking up in the aftermath.<br />So I pick up again and say I won't look back (oh).<br />And I will not let this bitter root grow in me.<br />I will not let you leave that legacy,<br />But this constant fight is breaking me (oh).<br /><br />And every time I find healing, you're making a new mess,<br />And I am learning the real meaning of forgiveness.<br /><br />And it hurts when you hit at the hearts of the ones I love;<br />When everything you touch is rubble and dust.<br />And it gets so hard to know how to trust,<br />But I will not let that bitter root grow.<br />I will not let it, no no.<br />But it gets so hard (oh).<br /><br />And every time I find healing you're making a new mess,<br />And I am learning the real meaning of forgiveness.<br />And I could move and never send you a forwarding address,<br />Or I could learn the real meaning of forgiveness.<br /></blockquote>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-23124349747992345242008-08-06T00:07:00.004-05:002008-08-06T00:09:43.959-05:00More Holiness Give MeThis cry comes from the very depths of my heart right now, of where the Lord has me and how He's dealing with me..<br /><br /><br />More holiness give me, more strivings within.<br />More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin.<br />More faith in my Savior, more sense of His care.<br />More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer.<br /><br />More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord.<br />More zeal for His glory, more hope in His Word.<br />More tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief.<br />More meekness in trial, more praise for relief.<br /><br />More purity give me, more strength to o'ercome,<br />More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home.<br />More fit for the kingdom, more useful I'd be,<br />More blessèd and holy, more, Savior, like Thee.<br /><br />- Hymn by Philip Paul BlissRebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-59266869173384623152008-07-02T12:38:00.002-05:002008-07-08T17:00:42.992-05:00The Summer Chronicles<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><div><span style="color:#008000;">That's going to be the name of our Video Blogging series. I realize it's kinda dumb considering this summer is already halfway over, but the rest of the summer is going to be busy so it'll be okay!</span></div><div><span style="color:#008000;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#008000;">Just wanted to let y'all know that the first "Episode" is in the works if I can figure out why the computer doesn't like the video files off my dads camera. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#808080;"></span> </div></span>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-83356425128267470842008-06-23T00:49:00.003-05:002008-06-23T01:03:46.453-05:00AnnouncementsI know, I've blogged twice in one week! It's a miracle!! Especially considering how long this blog has remained virtually dormant. <div><br /></div><div>Though this post will be brief. I have two things to announce.</div><div><br /></div><div>1) Many of our close friends already know this but I figure it's about time to tell everyone - officially -<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">J</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">o</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">rdan and I will be moving out</span></span> of our parents house in the next two weeks. We're going to be moving in 10 m<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; ">inutes away with a single lady in our church body who has an extra room and bathroom in her apartment. We're excited and nervous all at once! In the past month God has just made it increasingly apparent that this is what we're supposed to do and we trust that He will be faithful to see us through all the changes and transitions we'll be making...</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>2) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Lauren, Jordan and I are going to attempt to "video blog" this summer.</span> We were discussing this evening how none of us have much time these days to sit down and type out all the things that are happening in our lives, all the things that God is revealing. It's a lot easier to say it than it is to type it out. Since we all have webcams and/or digital cameras we figured it shouldn't be all that difficult. So... yes it's going to be awkward at first, but we hope you guys will give us grace in that respect.. and don't laugh <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">too</span> hard!! Haha.. Those of you who like the idea are more than welcome to join us in this! We hope that it'll catch on, but we'll just have to see.</div>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-48725547487419229152008-06-19T14:32:00.002-05:002008-06-19T23:43:12.711-05:00Changes<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"> <div><span style="color:#008080;">Have you guys noticed that among our circle of friends the phrase, <span style="font-size:100%;"><b>"God is doing a lot right now." </b></span>has become an almost cliché generalization at this point? I've been guilty of saying it far too often myself, not knowing how to sum up in a couple of sentences the things that are happening so deeply inside me that there almost can be no words. Unfortunately right now you're going to have to live with the generalizations.. I'm trying to keep them to a minimum but if you know me you know what I'm talking about. Haha..</span></div> <div><span style="color:#008080;"> </span></div> <div><span style="color:#008080;">At the beginning of this year God made it very clear to us ("us" being my sister and I in particular) that we are going to do a lot of growing up, in more ways than one. As I reflect over the last 6 months I can see where some of that has taken place. I determined early on that the Lord was going to allow me to stay just uncomfortable enough not to stay where I was at, but to continue pressing forward in Him. Uncomfortable is an understatement. He has pushed and shoved on me until my old "comfort zones" no longer exist. It's been encouraging though because in the process He has changed my heart, my mind, even my train of thought and emotions. The way I react to things now is totally different from the way I did 6 months ago. I will never cease to be amazed when I suddenly realize, "Wow.. He changed me and I didn't even know it.. He is faithful." </span></div> <div><span style="color:#008080;"> </span></div> <div><span style="color:#008080;"> Though this is only the beginning. I'm about to go through one of the biggest "growth spurts" of my life, and I can already feel the growing pains. Life as I know it is about change. Drastically. I can't even begin to anticipate all the things I'll be facing in the coming months. But one thing I know beyond a shadow is that <i><b>"His mercy endures forever!"</b></i> If the Lord has shown me anything recently it's that He gives us the grace to get through each moment as we approach it. I can't ask for any more than that. </span></div> <div><span style="color:#008080;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size:130%;color:#008080;">He IS the God "<b>Who remembered us in our lowly state</b>, <i>For His mercy endures forever; </i>And rescued us from our enemies, <i>For His mercy endures forever; </i>Who gives food to all flesh, <i>For His mercy endures forever; </i><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>Oh give thanks to the God of Heaven, </b></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><b>For His mercy endures forever!</b></i></span>" <i>Psalm 136</i></span></div> <div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div> </span>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-89847043530850385762008-05-10T16:18:00.000-05:002008-05-10T16:19:09.177-05:00This is hysterical!<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A9Ebg4kBUrk&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A9Ebg4kBUrk&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-62985811754803846052008-04-18T13:34:00.003-05:002008-04-18T17:24:27.441-05:00Make Me a Captive Lord<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;"><b>Make me a captive Lord and then I shall be free</b></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;">Force me to render up my sword and I shall conqueror be</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;">I sink in life's' alarm when by myself I stand</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;">Imprison me within Thine arms and strong shall be my hand</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;"></span> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;"></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;">My heart is weak and poor until it's master find</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;">It has no spring of action sure, it trembles with the wind</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;">It only stands unbent amid the clashing strife</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;">When on Thy bosom it is bent and found in Thee it's life</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;"></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;">(<i>Hymn quoted by Ravenhill. He didn't mention the author</i>)</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;"></span> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;"></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="color:#008080;"><b>"Like the railroad. While the train runs there it's captive to the rails, but it's </b><i><b>free</b></i><b> to go to speed." </b></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;">~Leonard Ravenhill</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;"></span> </div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;">I want to be <i>captivated</i> by Him! The whole bond slave idea - free, but bound... It's hard to comprehend. This never made sense to me until I heard the quote above.. like a train - bound to the rails, doomed to wreck otherwise, but <i>completely free </i>to go as fast and as straight as I possibly can. Knowing that when I am BOUND to Him I will never miss the mark, just as a train has no choice but to reach the station at the end of the line.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;">Modern American Christianity has taught us that "freedom" is a goal - something to <i>achieve</i> in the Christian life. Questions like "Have you claimed your freedom?", "Are you free from _____ yet??" are asked - as if it's a one time occurrence. It seemed to me for years like it was an unobtainable goal, reserved only for the most "elite" in Christianity. But it's not. Freedom is something we walk in - constantly. If you are a Christian you <i>are</i> free. Period. <i>Free</i> from sin and <i>bound</i> to Christ. It's one of those things that's almost unutterable. You can't really explain it. I have this picture in my head of what it's like but I can't bring words to it! Paul tries to describe it in Romans with words that have made my head spin for years! But it's like today a light went off and I really got it. <i><b>Free</b></i>... like a kite is free.. Soaring in the wind but still held by a tether and controlled by my Master. There is so much <i>security</i> in that. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#008080;">I think I've always interpreted the word "freedom" in the bible according to the worlds standard of what "freedom" is. And there is no comparison between the two concepts! When I step back and look at these seemingly "little" things I'm amazed that I never saw it that way before when it's so simply explained in the word of God. I look at it and go, "Wow.. that's so elementary." And it shows me that I'm only just beginning to learn the elementary things. The <i>basics.</i> All the "pat answers" are flying out the window. Here is evidence yet again of the Lord <i>changing the way that I think</i>... So now that I see it, I <i>must </i>walk in it. Repentance must always produce action... </span></div></span>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-80270123614685346942008-04-01T23:25:00.006-05:002008-04-03T00:39:58.823-05:00Rise Up and Walk - or Rebel<em><span style="font-size:78%;">It seems lately that every time I turn around I'm mentioning our GIFT girls on here. For those of you who read this that don't know (all 2 of you) GIFT is "Girls In Fellowship Together" - a group of 9-13 year old girls who we meet with every Tuesday night to discuss the things the Lord has put on our hearts, and, right now, to study the Doctrines of Christ with.</span></em><br /><br />This week we began our study as we usually do - asking the girls what the Lord has shown them in the word, or what He's laid on their hearts that week. We're never dissapointed by their responses! It's always encouraging to hear the things that the Lord is doing in and through them. And they're hilarious. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VXjmjYK9euU/R_MTr-3dItI/AAAAAAAAAGw/nftNcSoIXb4/s1600-h/java+chip.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184509242364469970" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VXjmjYK9euU/R_MTr-3dItI/AAAAAAAAAGw/nftNcSoIXb4/s320/java+chip.jpg" border="0" /></a>They never cease to challenge me to look at things from a different perspective. It's amazing. So tonight it was just myself and 3 of the girls in our local Starbucks. They sipped on decaf while I enjoyed my java chip. (Trust me, the sugar alone generated enough senseless giggling, forget caffeine!!) So after the girls shared, I decided to share with them what God's been speaking to me for the past couple of weeks. A bit ago he dropped the phrase into my heart, "Rise up, Take your bed, and <strong><em>go.</em></strong>" I kept hearing it and seeing it in everything I read, telling me to take action, keep moving, keep pressing in. I never actually looked up the story where that phrase is found until this weekend though. It's where Jesus heals the paralytic (Luke 5:20-26);<br /><br /><blockquote><br /><p align="justify">When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”</p></blockquote><br />So perhaps this is obvious, but it looks like to me that the <em>evidence</em> of the man being forgiven was the fact that he got up and walked away! He didn't just sit there, or argue saying, "But I'm paralyzed. What do you mean walk??" He obeyed, and God received glory as a result! So I was discussing this with the girls and asking them what they thought would've been the consequences had the man just sat there... then one of them turned and looked at me and matter of factly said something that never occurred to me before, "He would've been in rebellion." I was stunned for a moment and wanted to say, "Wait a minute... repeat that??" It all became clear. Suddenly I put myself in that place. If I don't choose to walk in obedience to the simple things the Lord is telling me to do - then I walk in open rebellion. Now that I look at it, it seems so obvious. I want to kick myself and ask, "Why didn't I see that before??" But another part of me is delighted that God chose to use the mouth of a young girl and the simplicity of her perspective, to put me into my place. I am so thankful for those girls. God knew just what I needed when he brought each of them into my life! They are <em>such</em> a blessing!<br /><br /><br />So, will you take the challenge? Walk in the forgiveness that He's offered. <em>DO</em> something. Don't just sit there. Take action. Stir yourself up.... Or else, in the words of a girl... rebel...Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-58859475744398623432008-03-26T23:56:00.003-05:002008-03-28T19:06:58.260-05:00He's Alive<div>So, I had a whirlwind weekend in Dallas over Easter. Some of you might wonder, "She went out of town over Easter? Away from her family? On purpose?" The answer is yes. And there's a reason for that, other than the fact that my friends are just overly generous! A few weeks ago in our GIFT study we discussed the story where Jesus resurrected Lazarus.<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "<strong><font size="4">I am the resurrection and the life.</font></strong> He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."<br /></blockquote><br /><font size="2">( I want to make it clear that this is not my original thought, but Bro Teryls - I just got a really clear understanding of it recently.)</font> The point Bro Teryl makes in the study is that Jesus was trying to get Martha to understand that The Resurrection is not necessarily an <em>event </em>but a <em>person</em>. Jesus Christ - The resurrection and the life - inside of us, living His life through us walking in the Spirit, walking in newness of life. In light of this, I got to thinking... Easter really doesn't make sense. To celebrate The Resurrection once a year - not to mention all the pointless and ridiculous traditions that surround it - is absurd. We should celebrate The Resurrection inside of ourselves <em>every day</em> if we're truly walking as He has called us to walk. The holiday no longer holds any value to me whatsoever. It's just another day, which is why I didn't think twice about being out of town... Even the Passover, which is generally celebrated in conjunction with the Pagan "Easter", shouldn't be a once a year celebration. Jesus instructed His disciples to break the bread in remembrance of Him - each time you do these things, do them in remembrance of Him. We "break bread" together every week as a part of our "love feast"!<br /><br />That being said, I had a great time in fellowship with the brothers and sisters up in Texas. Gina in Mabank started off the meeting by singing this song for us - unacompanied! It was gorgeous!!<br /><br /><br /><p> </p><br /><blockquote><br /><p>The gates and doors were barred and all the windows fastened down; I spent<br />the night in sleeplessness and rose at every sound, Half in hopeless sorrow and<br />half in fear the day, Would find the soldiers breakin' thru to drag us all away </p><br /><p><br />And just before the sunrise I heard something at the wall, The gate began<br />to rattle and a voice began to call; I hurried to the window and looked down<br />into the street, Expecting swords and torches and the sounds of soldier's feet </p><br /><p><br />There was no one there but Mary so I went down to let her in; John stood<br />there beside me as she'd told us where she'd been. She said "They moved Him in<br />the night and none of us knows where; The stone's been rolled away and now His<br />body isn't there!" </p><br /><p><br />We both ran t'ward the garden, then John ran on ahead; We found the stone<br />and empty tomb just the way that Mary said. But the winding sheet they wrapped<br />Him in was just an empty shell; And who or where they'd taken Him was more than<br />I could tell. </p><br /><p><br />Well, something strange had happened there, but just what I didn't know;<br />John believed a miracle but I just turned to go. Circumstance and speculation<br />couldn't lift me very high 'Cause I'd seen them crucify Him, then I saw Him die. </p><br /><p><br />Back inside the house again the guilt and anguish came; Everything I'd<br />promised Him just added to my shame. When at last it came to choices, I denied I<br />knew His name; And even if He was alive, it wouldn't be the same </p><br /><p><br />But suddenly the air was filled with a strange and sweet perfume; Light<br />that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room. Jesus stood before me<br />with His arms held open wide; And I fell down on my knees, and just clung to Him<br />and cried. </p><br /><p><br />He raised me to my feet and as I looked into His eyes, Love was shining<br />out from Him like sunlight in the skies, Guilt in my confusion disappeared in<br />sweet release, And every fear I'd ever had just melted into peace </p><br /><p><br />CHORUS He's alive! He's alive, He's alive and I'm forgiven! Heaven's<br />gates are open wide: He's alive, He's alive, oh He's alive and I'm forgiven<br />Heaven's gates are open wide He's alive, He's alive, hallelujah He's alive </p></blockquote><br /><p>I found out later that this is actually a country song. All I could think about the entire time I listened was "Lord, Help my unbelief!!" Leonard Ravenhill says all the time that the resurrection morning must've been one of the most dissapointing days of Jesus life. How many times did He teach His disciples that He would be raised?? And He found them cowering in a little room above someones house in despair.. The thing that sticks out to me most right now about that situation is that the disciples <em>didn't stay there</em>. They didn't continue to hide in shame for what they'd done - they got out into the city and spread the word. They <em>did </em>something!!</p><br /><p>Lord help my unbelief and show me what you want me to <em>DO</em>!</p></div>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-65534991697172403772008-03-10T00:27:00.002-05:002008-03-10T00:34:09.795-05:00The Martyrs PrayerThis is a good reminder I think. And just good to listen to if you haven't heard it before..<br /><br /><embed src="http://godtube.com/flvplayer.swf" FlashVars="viewkey=2ca29713840ae3711fa8" wmode="transparent" quality="high" width="330" height="270" name="godtube" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed><br /><br />Disclaimer: I am not a supporter of GodTube, at all! I think that's just about the dumbest idea anyone's ever had.... but YouTube wouldn't let me post it and it was in 2 pieces on YouTube anyway.. So yeah..Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-83022067875506702882008-03-09T23:01:00.002-05:002008-03-09T23:31:30.039-05:00I Miss Real Blogging... Still.I just spent the last 10 minutes looking over the past year or two of Laurens blog trying to find a quote she'd put up there from The Martyrs Prayer that is no longer there. At least I would swear it was her.. for some reason it's not there. Anyway.. It just made me ache. Somewhere deep inside me. A little pang remembering the innocence of youth.... Okay so maybe you all know I like to dramaticize things a bit too much. Haha.. It's just.. wow.. where are the days where we all actually had<em> time</em> for these things?? When did we get so busy that we just let it go? When did I get so careful that I couldn't even just stop by to pour out a few thoughts and ponderings for my friends to wonder with me on? Does that even make sense? When did I make this rule that everything I put on here has to be well thought out and planned and there has to be hours of contemplation and notes on it?? I've had this Keith Green song on my heart all week long.. did I put it on here? No. Why not? Why can't I just stop here for a few minutes?<br /><br />You know what the problem really is though... I miss fellowship. And I'm not saying that Sunday morning's at Bob's isn't fellowship! This Sunday was GREAT! Time spent in communion with the Lord together is so refreshing. Those moments of content silence... everyone's bellies full on one of my favorite meals... It was wonderful! But I miss that <em>spontaneous</em> fellowship that we used to have all the time. Anywhere, anytime, whether on the phone, or across an invisible internet connection, or in the grocery store, or what-ever! I guess a big part of that is my fault. It's my responsibility to my brothers and sisters in the Lord to make that happen. I miss you guys. Amber, Holly, Jamie, even Lauren, Penny, Kandi, Nan, the Jacksons entire Home Church, Deanna to name a few... And I don't even think half of you read this but I want you to know that I'm thinking of you. And you still hold a very special place in my heart.... I don't know why I'm even writing this. I guess as a challenge to myself to MAKE it happen this week. To really sow some time and effort into rebuilding relationships that I've let fall to the wayside. To put aside my own agenda and really <em>show</em> my friends that I love them. We talked about it this morning.. laying down your life for your friend.. I don't think I get it. It's not just being willing to jump in front of a train for someone, but actually putting aside your own life and investing in theirs. I want to know the things that God is showing y'all. I want you to know what the Lord is doing in me!! I miss that constant witness of the spirit that builds my faith so much!!<br /><br />So it's not really the blogging that I miss as much as the people - the involvement in each others lives. I'm resolving here and now to change that.<br /><br />FYI this is the first post I'm making from me and Jordans new computer!!!Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33361523.post-65880216450438960342008-02-14T17:15:00.001-06:002008-02-14T17:20:33.355-06:00The Porcelain Heart<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>O</strong></span>nce</span> upon a time, not so long ago, a man loved a little girl. He watched her grow up and knew her in every way. He loved her as His own and she loved Him in her youthful innocence. They spent many nights together talking, playing and laughing. One night like this He presented her with a gift He created for her. In wonder the little girl, who was becoming a young lady, lifted a perfect, beautiful porcelain heart out of the box. She marveled at its' beauty and treasured it close for a long time. Her Guardian offered to keep it safe for her on numerous occasions but she always laughed Him off, wanting to show the world the beauty of the heart He'd made her. As she grew older the time she spent with this man grew sparse. There were some days where things would be as they were when she was little, and in those moments He would plead with her to let Him guard the heart, warning her of its' fragility. But she held onto it, dismayed that He would try and take something so precious to her.<br /><br />The two grew further apart and before she realized what was happening the little girl, now a young lady, was swept off of her feet by a handsome young man. He showered her with praises, exclaiming of her beauty. The young lady was sure that when she showed him her beautiful porcelain heart he would be awed as she was at this treasure. So she gave it to the young man in hopes of showing him how much she'd grown to love him. She trusted him to protect it for her. For a while he did. Then he grew a little careless. Over time it got some chips and cracks in it but wasn't completely ruined. The girl expressed her disappointment but the young man promised to be more careful and repair it, so she let him keep it. Weeks went by and the cracks in the heart only grew. Finally she made a decision. She had to get her heart back and leave. So, she timidly approached the young man who still held the heart loosely in his hand. When she reached for it he held it out to her saying, "Take it, I have no use for something so delicate. It's worthless to me." Once the heart was in her possession she turned and ran - hard, fast, and long. As soon as the young lady was far enough away from the handsome young man she fell to the ground and wept, for in all that happened the heart was shattered into bits and pieces. Her beautiful porcelain heart was destroyed. Only the skillful hand of the master craftsman could repair it.<br /><br />She slowly turned in the direction of the home of her Guardian, knowing there was nowhere else for her to go. It was a long journey and she went over and over what she would do and say. The last thing she wanted to do was show Him the heart broken as it was. She could imagine the disappointment in His eyes. On her way back she tried many things to put it back together and some would work… for a while… and then it would break all over again. Still she continued on. Just when she got to the door of her Guardian's home she concealed the pieces of the heart in her clothing, deciding not to reveal its' brokenness. He opened the door and embraced her warmly with tears streaming down His face. The young lady sobbed brokenly, muttering apologies for not coming sooner. She was taken in, cleaned up, given new clothes to wear and her old room back. For many days she rested in her room, all the while wondering what to do with the broken heart. She and her Guardian went on daily walks where they talked about all manner of things, but He never asked her about it. He just waited. Many weeks went by, becoming months, and the girl couldn't bring herself to show Him the pieces of the once beautiful porcelain heart.<br /><br />One evening they sat together watching the sunset in content silence. She sighed and leaned back soaking up the last bit of the suns warmth. As the final rays disappeared on the horizon He stood, looked at her, and said, "It’s time." Her heartbeat accelerated while she looked up at Him, knowing He was right. So, she got up and led the way to her room. There she opened a small chest that held the pieces of her heart and pulled out each one, laying them on the table like a scattered puzzle. They were there for what seemed like hours while she cried and told Him the story. He simply looked at her with compassion, carefully collected each piece, and without a word slipped out the door. That night she she slept soundly, relieved that she no longer had to protect the secret of her heart.<br /><br />The heart was not mentioned, and the young lady knew without asking that He would take care of it. Months went by. Months that she spent learning under her guardian and talking with Him. During this time she grew and was nourished and healthy. There were occasions in which she wondered what became of the broken pieces but she never asked.<br /><br />One morning as she was going about her daily chores and studies her Gaurdian came in and pulled her aside. With a radiant grin on His face He pulled a box from behind His back and held it out to her. Not believing what her eyes were telling her was true she stared, open-mouthed. In slow-motion she opened the box and uncovered… a porcelain heart. Not just any heart, her porcelain heart. It wasn't exactly the same as the one she had before, but more spectacular and beautiful. There were no cracks, no chips, just the purest porcelain. As silent, joyful tears slipped down her cheeks she reached into the box and tenderly pulled out the heart, admiring its' smooth texture. With careful movements the young lady knelt before this man and held the heart out to Him saying, "This heart can only ever belong to one person... it's maker. You alone are worthy of such a beautiful treasure. I love you Jesus." <br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> The End</span>Rebekah Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05621414007953219061noreply@blogger.com3