I found out a couple of weeks ago that D and I are expecting our first child! It is exciting and scary and weird and wonderful all at the same time. At the end of the year we will have a baby, a little life. Right now the baby is dependent upon me and my choices. It is my job to nurture the baby as he or she grows and develops inside my body. That is a humbling and scary thought. Each choice I make can have an affect on this little life.
Not only that, but morning sickness has hit me hard, really hard. It isn't about when I feel bad or good, but about when I don't feel awful. It is an all day thing. It is a struggle to make it to work, to do things with my husband, to be joyful.
It is a struggle knowing that once I finally get to sleep I'll wake up again feeling awful. How do you tap into joy when you spend more time in the bathroom than anywhere else? It is one of those times in life where there is a dichotomy going on.
There is the joy of knowing that I have a little life inside me, that by the end of the year we are going to be parents. That gives me joy for the future. Yet, there are the health struggles of today, and today is really all I have. We are not guaranteed any tomorrows. We just have today, right now. And my right nows are not that great.
Yet, I am still determined to find the joy, because I believe that is what God wants from me. I am going to be joyful, but joy is not dependent upon circumstances, but on God. My joy is rooted in the love my Savior has for me. Circumstances change, medical issues come and go, but Jesus remains Jesus. His presence is always with me.
I can remain joyful if I remember to remain focused, not on how I feel, but on how loved I am. It isn't always easy, but it is important.
We are having a baby! A baby! Yes, I feel awful right now, but God has entrusted us with this little life. God has entrusted us to raise one of His beloved creations to love, fear, respect and live joyfully for Him. Nothing outweighs that excitement!
-JLP-
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
What If???
May 20, 2011 and a lot of people are asking "what if?" What if the Rapture does happen tomorrow? Does that change how we live our lives today? The honest answer, is that if we did know FOR SURE that in 24 hours Christ would be returning, we probably would be living our lives differently, but we shouldn't.
There is a group that is traveling around that is convinced that tomorrow is the day of the Rapture. If I were you I wouldn't listen to them. Christ tells us that only the Father knows when He will tell Christ to return. We are given signs and hints, but we will not know the day till it happens.
So, how should we be living? We should be living lives that please the Lord. This includes: loving others, sharing the Gospel, keeping our minds pure of displeasing images, watching how we speak, and spending time communing with the Lord (prayer, Bible reading, meeting with fellow believers). If we are daily doing the things that please the Lord we will be ready when the trump sounds. If the trump doesn't sound in our life time, we will still have lived a life that pleases the Lord, and that is what life is really all about.
There is a group that is traveling around that is convinced that tomorrow is the day of the Rapture. If I were you I wouldn't listen to them. Christ tells us that only the Father knows when He will tell Christ to return. We are given signs and hints, but we will not know the day till it happens.
So, how should we be living? We should be living lives that please the Lord. This includes: loving others, sharing the Gospel, keeping our minds pure of displeasing images, watching how we speak, and spending time communing with the Lord (prayer, Bible reading, meeting with fellow believers). If we are daily doing the things that please the Lord we will be ready when the trump sounds. If the trump doesn't sound in our life time, we will still have lived a life that pleases the Lord, and that is what life is really all about.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Marital Stages
I _________ take thee ___________ to be my lawfully wedded spouse. To have and to hold. In sickness and in health. For richer or poorer, till death parts us. And with those vows two people are eternally joined in the holy matrimony, in the sight of witnesses and more importantly in the sight of God.
When two people first get married the marriage is in the honeymoon stage. It is all love, romance, good feelings. Each spouse is amazing in the eyes of the other. There may be little squabbles, but no big fights. This is a good stage. We should be excited when we first get married. It is an exciting, holy, adventurous time. It is a time of new beginnings, the creation of a marriage.
Eventually the marriage moves from honeymoon to newlywed stage. At the bedrock of each stage should be love and commitment. During the newlywed phase the couple loves each other. They are adjusting to each other, and to life together, to the idiosyncrasies of each other. This stage could include some disillusionment. As the couple learns how to be married, how to do the daily life of marriage, each spouse will become more transparent, and with transparency comes disillusionment. You see that your spouse is not perfect. That sexy can sometimes go out the door for comfortable, easy.
Disillusionment isn't necessarily bad. It is more of an unveiling. You learn that your marriage isn't perfect, that it is going to take work, that you each have your strengths, your good days, and the bad. But you learn that as you two become more real with each other, live with each other, squabble and forgive, that you are more in love with each other and, you are safe to let your hair down. You can be you, and this other person still loves you! At the end of the day they still come home to YOU!
The newlywed phase can move into the married phase. The married phase is when you've grown accustomed to each other. Your marriage has a pattern that you are both comfortable with. You love each other, you take care of each other. You are not afraid of the arguments, you know how to solve things. You two are continuing to grow in the Lord and you see that your marriage can be vital, exciting, and full of daily life.
This phase can last for decades, or it can be ended for the parental phase. This is the phase of children in the home. The sexy romance filled days of earlier phases are partially traded for the crying, laughter, child filled days of being a parent. You two still take time for each other, but it is more difficult, as you work to raise and love your children. Once a parent, always a parent, but the child filled days somewhat end when the children grow up and move out.
Then you are an empty nester. The house is no longer filled with diapers, or sullen teens. It is back to just the 2 of you. Each couple has to find their identity again, and you find that while you miss the sounds of your children, and you miss their clutter, you are loving having time to just be with your spouse. Your love has grown and changed, and now you understand how precious time together is.
Then, a spouse dies and the relationship enters widow/widower phase, the last phase. The surviving spouse learns to live with the hole, the side of the bed that is cold, the clean plates, the food left not eaten, the quiet where there should be conversation.
No matter what stage you are in, enjoy it. Work with your spouse to deepen the relationship, to grow closer to each other, to enjoy the phase you are in. Each phase is good. Most of all, remember to be a friend and a support to your spouse, be honest with them. If you need something let them know. Our spouses can't read our minds! Honesty may cause some arguments, but in the end those can be settled, and it is better than harboring bitterness.
God created marriage. Marriage is good. Marriage is holy. Marriage is work. Marriage should be one of the toughest jobs you'll ever love. Do what you can to make your marriage the best marriage, you deserve it, your spouse deserves it, and if you have kids, your kids deserve to grow up in a loving home, with parents that love them and that love each other.
-JLP-
When two people first get married the marriage is in the honeymoon stage. It is all love, romance, good feelings. Each spouse is amazing in the eyes of the other. There may be little squabbles, but no big fights. This is a good stage. We should be excited when we first get married. It is an exciting, holy, adventurous time. It is a time of new beginnings, the creation of a marriage.
Eventually the marriage moves from honeymoon to newlywed stage. At the bedrock of each stage should be love and commitment. During the newlywed phase the couple loves each other. They are adjusting to each other, and to life together, to the idiosyncrasies of each other. This stage could include some disillusionment. As the couple learns how to be married, how to do the daily life of marriage, each spouse will become more transparent, and with transparency comes disillusionment. You see that your spouse is not perfect. That sexy can sometimes go out the door for comfortable, easy.
Disillusionment isn't necessarily bad. It is more of an unveiling. You learn that your marriage isn't perfect, that it is going to take work, that you each have your strengths, your good days, and the bad. But you learn that as you two become more real with each other, live with each other, squabble and forgive, that you are more in love with each other and, you are safe to let your hair down. You can be you, and this other person still loves you! At the end of the day they still come home to YOU!
The newlywed phase can move into the married phase. The married phase is when you've grown accustomed to each other. Your marriage has a pattern that you are both comfortable with. You love each other, you take care of each other. You are not afraid of the arguments, you know how to solve things. You two are continuing to grow in the Lord and you see that your marriage can be vital, exciting, and full of daily life.
This phase can last for decades, or it can be ended for the parental phase. This is the phase of children in the home. The sexy romance filled days of earlier phases are partially traded for the crying, laughter, child filled days of being a parent. You two still take time for each other, but it is more difficult, as you work to raise and love your children. Once a parent, always a parent, but the child filled days somewhat end when the children grow up and move out.
Then you are an empty nester. The house is no longer filled with diapers, or sullen teens. It is back to just the 2 of you. Each couple has to find their identity again, and you find that while you miss the sounds of your children, and you miss their clutter, you are loving having time to just be with your spouse. Your love has grown and changed, and now you understand how precious time together is.
Then, a spouse dies and the relationship enters widow/widower phase, the last phase. The surviving spouse learns to live with the hole, the side of the bed that is cold, the clean plates, the food left not eaten, the quiet where there should be conversation.
No matter what stage you are in, enjoy it. Work with your spouse to deepen the relationship, to grow closer to each other, to enjoy the phase you are in. Each phase is good. Most of all, remember to be a friend and a support to your spouse, be honest with them. If you need something let them know. Our spouses can't read our minds! Honesty may cause some arguments, but in the end those can be settled, and it is better than harboring bitterness.
God created marriage. Marriage is good. Marriage is holy. Marriage is work. Marriage should be one of the toughest jobs you'll ever love. Do what you can to make your marriage the best marriage, you deserve it, your spouse deserves it, and if you have kids, your kids deserve to grow up in a loving home, with parents that love them and that love each other.
-JLP-
Monday, May 2, 2011
Galatians 6:2 Ministries
"Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2
Dream: to form a non-profit company that puts Galatians 6:2 into action. To be there for the people of the community: counsel, run errands with/for, network, help people find volunteer activities in the area, fix things around the house, pray for our area, travel to churches and speak with women, children, men, and congregations.
Action: look into the feasibility of such an option, ask for prayer for God to continue to opening doors.
Action: Network with people, get a professional business plan written up.
Action: Let people know why they should donate to the ministry in an abysmal economy. Show them how their sacrifice will benefit God's kingdom.
Action: PRAY, PRAY, PRAY
Action: When God says "Go" and "Do" I go and do
I've got the dream, I know the steps to take, so now I get to do them. I know that with the Lord guiding the steps, this journey and this dream is going to be amazing! I'm so excited to see where the Lord takes this, and how it can change the Shenandoah Valley!!!
-JLP-
Dream: to form a non-profit company that puts Galatians 6:2 into action. To be there for the people of the community: counsel, run errands with/for, network, help people find volunteer activities in the area, fix things around the house, pray for our area, travel to churches and speak with women, children, men, and congregations.
Action: look into the feasibility of such an option, ask for prayer for God to continue to opening doors.
Action: Network with people, get a professional business plan written up.
Action: Let people know why they should donate to the ministry in an abysmal economy. Show them how their sacrifice will benefit God's kingdom.
Action: PRAY, PRAY, PRAY
Action: When God says "Go" and "Do" I go and do
I've got the dream, I know the steps to take, so now I get to do them. I know that with the Lord guiding the steps, this journey and this dream is going to be amazing! I'm so excited to see where the Lord takes this, and how it can change the Shenandoah Valley!!!
-JLP-
U-S-A!!!
Since late last night the televisions across the world have been streaming the news. Osama Bin Laden is dead. A USA Seal team went into Pakistan, to where intelligence showed he was living (in quite a large compound. It is obvious that Pakistanis have known for awhile and just didn't share the information) and he and 2 other evil men were gunned down. The #1 most wanted man in the world is dead. 10 years after the man hunt began, it is over. The man hunt is over, USA won this battle, but it is just a battle. The war hasn't ended. While war may still be ongoing, decisive victory is a huge boost to morale.
I find myself at a cross roads. I want to celebrate that justice was done. I want to celebrate the achievements of our military, of the brave men and women that wear the uniform of the US military and intelligence agencies. Yet, Osama is dead. Osama is now burning in hell. He now knows how false his religion is, that it is just words, there is no truth to it. He has seen God, and realized the error of his ways, and he will be paying for them for all eternity. There are no 70 virgins for him. There is just endless separation from God, and suffering like no one on earth experiences.
How can a person honestly celebrate that? Yes, he was evil. He was a pawn of Satan. He played right into Satan's hands. Some would say that he was a fool. I won't argue that Osama was evil, that things he did, plans he made, orders he gave, that it all was an evil, evil life. But, I know where he is now. Hell is not a place for celebrating.
On the other hand, I cheer for my fellow Americans, for those that feel safer now. I thank EVERY military person (and their family and friends) for the courage, dedication, commitment, fortitude and loyalty. This is a job well done. While I shudder to think of where Osama is, he did have free will. He chose to be evil, to do evil things. He paved his road.
God gives the ability to use courts, cops, and human systems to bring people to justice. Misdeeds have consequences. Yet, we should not be a vengeful people. Vengeance is reserved for God and God alone.
Americans should celebrate this victory. We should also be cautious going forward. There are now a myriad of men, women and children that are angry that we killed their figure head. The leader may be dead, but their cause lives on. Celebrate, be cautious, and above all PRAY. Pray for peace. Pray for Jerusalem, pray for your friends and family and that God would bring revival to our individual hearts, to our churches, our towns, and that somehow through all of this, that God would get the glory.
"To God be the glory great things He hath done! So loves He the world, that He gives us His Son!" That is the message! Seek God, live His way, so that when you die the world celebrates your life not your death. Share Him. We don't know exactly what the future holds, but we know who holds it. Use this day, these events as a catalyst for spiritual change. Allah didn't protect Osama because the Allah of Islam doesn't exist. Only Yahweh, I AM, exists. He is the one true God!
Last, but not least, thank you American military and hoo-rah!
-JLP-
I find myself at a cross roads. I want to celebrate that justice was done. I want to celebrate the achievements of our military, of the brave men and women that wear the uniform of the US military and intelligence agencies. Yet, Osama is dead. Osama is now burning in hell. He now knows how false his religion is, that it is just words, there is no truth to it. He has seen God, and realized the error of his ways, and he will be paying for them for all eternity. There are no 70 virgins for him. There is just endless separation from God, and suffering like no one on earth experiences.
How can a person honestly celebrate that? Yes, he was evil. He was a pawn of Satan. He played right into Satan's hands. Some would say that he was a fool. I won't argue that Osama was evil, that things he did, plans he made, orders he gave, that it all was an evil, evil life. But, I know where he is now. Hell is not a place for celebrating.
On the other hand, I cheer for my fellow Americans, for those that feel safer now. I thank EVERY military person (and their family and friends) for the courage, dedication, commitment, fortitude and loyalty. This is a job well done. While I shudder to think of where Osama is, he did have free will. He chose to be evil, to do evil things. He paved his road.
God gives the ability to use courts, cops, and human systems to bring people to justice. Misdeeds have consequences. Yet, we should not be a vengeful people. Vengeance is reserved for God and God alone.
Americans should celebrate this victory. We should also be cautious going forward. There are now a myriad of men, women and children that are angry that we killed their figure head. The leader may be dead, but their cause lives on. Celebrate, be cautious, and above all PRAY. Pray for peace. Pray for Jerusalem, pray for your friends and family and that God would bring revival to our individual hearts, to our churches, our towns, and that somehow through all of this, that God would get the glory.
"To God be the glory great things He hath done! So loves He the world, that He gives us His Son!" That is the message! Seek God, live His way, so that when you die the world celebrates your life not your death. Share Him. We don't know exactly what the future holds, but we know who holds it. Use this day, these events as a catalyst for spiritual change. Allah didn't protect Osama because the Allah of Islam doesn't exist. Only Yahweh, I AM, exists. He is the one true God!
Last, but not least, thank you American military and hoo-rah!
-JLP-
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Romance for the Financially Challenged
The politicos on the television want us to believe that the economy is turning around, that the recession is over and we are in a recovery stage. The economy is growing again. Or so they tell us. I'm not totally convinced. I know that living pay check to pay check is no fun. It sure doesn't inspire romantic feelings between my husband and myself.
In order to keep the newlywed feelings flaming in the bedroom it takes creativity to be romantic. If you, like D and I, are living pay check to pay check you may need some advice finding financially savy ways to be romantic. All good husbands want to romantic, but it may not be a wise decision to forgo paying the cable bill so that you could treat your wife to a romantic night. Don't worry! There are ways to be SUPER romantic and watch your wallet. Here are 5 ideas that I love (and D if you are reading this, take heed!)
5. Cook dinner for your spouse. Clean the kitchen after. During dinner turn off the lights (or at least dim them. Light some candles. Spread a blanket on the floor and have an indoor picnic. If you do ALL the work, it doesn't have to be a fancy meal. Mac and cheese can be romantic. Turn on your favorite music (at an appropriate level) and eat. Feed each other bites of fruit for dessert (healthy and romantic! Focus on your spouse. Turn off the phones.
4. For less than $20 you can take your spouse on a 2nd honeymoon! Go to the local Goodwill or dollar store. Or talk with friends (especially parents of young kids) and find the cheesy island type decorations. Turn your bedroom into a tropical getaway. You could even light a couple of tropically scented candles. Cook a couple of tropical treats, or get a can of pineapples and feed each other. Spread a couple beach towels on the floor (or the bed), turn on some tropical music (you can always go to the pandora website for free) and let the atmosphere take you two away.
3. If you have a couple of big potting plants, or some room at the side of your yard, plant a couple of rose bushes. It may cost a few bucks to buy the bushes, but after you will have easy access to roses. Go out to the yard, cut a rose, turn on some music (it has been proven through studies that music affects our moods, and women need to be in the mood), give your spouse the rose, pour her a bubble bath, rub her feet.
2. Write your spouse a love note and read it to him/her. Or, go online and find some love quotes or a love poem that expresses how you feel, write it out and read it to him/her. Make it into a card, or even something you two can frame. Nothing is more romantic than hearing how much our spouse loves us. Throughout the day you can send your spouse little love text messages or e-mails (or voice mails). Just say "I love you." When you two are home, fix dinner (and clean up), give him/her a back rub, and end with the reading of the words of love.
1. MEN- I know that sex and the release of sperm also releases sleepy hormones within ya, and that basically all you want to do is zone out and sleep. Well, women may be drowsy too, but we need the post coitus cuddle time. The more time you spend cuddling with us after the more likely we are to want to do it again later. Nothing is less romantic than "wham, bam, thank you and off you go to snoring." Even though we KNOW you love us, and your reaction is partially how you were created, we still NEED you to put forth the effort.
There are a 1001 ways to be romantic without going broke. The important concepts are to think of the two of you. Do something that you both love, that speaks to the type of romantic you both are. Think outside the box. Put forth the effort. Mainly focus on your spouse. Do things that make your spouse feel special. That let him/her know just how much they are loved. Be in the moment, put away outside distractions (if only for a little while). You can do it. Let me know if you think of other wallet friendly ways to bring romance into your marriage. I'd love to hear them!
-JLP-
In order to keep the newlywed feelings flaming in the bedroom it takes creativity to be romantic. If you, like D and I, are living pay check to pay check you may need some advice finding financially savy ways to be romantic. All good husbands want to romantic, but it may not be a wise decision to forgo paying the cable bill so that you could treat your wife to a romantic night. Don't worry! There are ways to be SUPER romantic and watch your wallet. Here are 5 ideas that I love (and D if you are reading this, take heed!)
5. Cook dinner for your spouse. Clean the kitchen after. During dinner turn off the lights (or at least dim them. Light some candles. Spread a blanket on the floor and have an indoor picnic. If you do ALL the work, it doesn't have to be a fancy meal. Mac and cheese can be romantic. Turn on your favorite music (at an appropriate level) and eat. Feed each other bites of fruit for dessert (healthy and romantic! Focus on your spouse. Turn off the phones.
4. For less than $20 you can take your spouse on a 2nd honeymoon! Go to the local Goodwill or dollar store. Or talk with friends (especially parents of young kids) and find the cheesy island type decorations. Turn your bedroom into a tropical getaway. You could even light a couple of tropically scented candles. Cook a couple of tropical treats, or get a can of pineapples and feed each other. Spread a couple beach towels on the floor (or the bed), turn on some tropical music (you can always go to the pandora website for free) and let the atmosphere take you two away.
3. If you have a couple of big potting plants, or some room at the side of your yard, plant a couple of rose bushes. It may cost a few bucks to buy the bushes, but after you will have easy access to roses. Go out to the yard, cut a rose, turn on some music (it has been proven through studies that music affects our moods, and women need to be in the mood), give your spouse the rose, pour her a bubble bath, rub her feet.
2. Write your spouse a love note and read it to him/her. Or, go online and find some love quotes or a love poem that expresses how you feel, write it out and read it to him/her. Make it into a card, or even something you two can frame. Nothing is more romantic than hearing how much our spouse loves us. Throughout the day you can send your spouse little love text messages or e-mails (or voice mails). Just say "I love you." When you two are home, fix dinner (and clean up), give him/her a back rub, and end with the reading of the words of love.
1. MEN- I know that sex and the release of sperm also releases sleepy hormones within ya, and that basically all you want to do is zone out and sleep. Well, women may be drowsy too, but we need the post coitus cuddle time. The more time you spend cuddling with us after the more likely we are to want to do it again later. Nothing is less romantic than "wham, bam, thank you and off you go to snoring." Even though we KNOW you love us, and your reaction is partially how you were created, we still NEED you to put forth the effort.
There are a 1001 ways to be romantic without going broke. The important concepts are to think of the two of you. Do something that you both love, that speaks to the type of romantic you both are. Think outside the box. Put forth the effort. Mainly focus on your spouse. Do things that make your spouse feel special. That let him/her know just how much they are loved. Be in the moment, put away outside distractions (if only for a little while). You can do it. Let me know if you think of other wallet friendly ways to bring romance into your marriage. I'd love to hear them!
-JLP-
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