A few words of truth for today...

Ephesians 4:31- Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil-speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And BE KIND to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (emphasis mine)

1 Corinthians 14:33- For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.

Galatians 5:22-23- But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW. (emphasis mine)

Romans 12:9- Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

Romans 13:1- Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
13:3- Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good and you will have approval of the same.

1 Corinthians 7:19 Keeping the commandments of God is what matters.

1 Corinthians 13:5- (Love,) does not behave rudely.

And finally, from Romans 3:23- for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

#PrayforParis

Lord Jesus come! Protect them, protect us.

Topsy Turvy

I know I haven't been around. January. That's pretty lame. I'm so sorry. I have been having my world rocked in an amazing and wonderful way. More on that in a moment....

First, I owe you the follow up on the colonoscopy thing. All of the polyps were clear of cancer or anything else. Phew! My 'difficult' colon was the reason that I ended up waking up-the procedure took about 3x as long as it normally does! Ultimately everything was fine, so I'll take it. Thank you for your prayers!

If you follow this page on Facebook or are friends with me there you know that I've been taking classes at our church. These have been great classes, seriously SO GOOD. The first class focused on who we are in Christ, and the second one is about healing from sin: the hurt from the sins against us and the hurt of the sins that we've committed against others. In a nutshell, it's all about being a disciple of Christ. Really knowing what it means to follow him and understand the crazy authority and capacity for love that we have when we are in Him is GAME CHANGING. For real. I've learned more about God, more about myself, and what direction my life is supposed to be going. All good stuff, I assure you. I've learned about prayer, about how to let God's words soak into your soul, and more.

I will be sharing more, I'm sure, but if you have any questions please let me know! Shoot me an email, or leave a question in the comments. I'm not afraid, and you shouldn't be either.

Interestingly enough, HD is doing the classes too and having an equally radical experience. It's also doing wonders for our marriage. For real. When was the last time that you had a conversation with your husband about what God was speaking to you about? It changes you.

I hope that you'll stick around to learn more. I promise that this is good stuff. I hope that my writing can do justice to the great things that I'm learning, and more importantly internalizing. It feels good, and I want you to have it too!

Fund Hope Pavilion in Pomona

Pomona, California.

Some of you may have never heard of this city before, many of you have. If you're from the LA area then you know that the once thriving city is now struggling under the weight of homelessness, drug addiction, and poverty.

Todd Construction wants to change all of that. The owner, Glenn Todd and his wife Carrie have a heart for Pomona and are looking to break through some of the obstacles that the residents face. Enter Hope Pavilion.

The vision is for Hope Pavilion to be a place where the homeless, youth aging out of foster care, under-employed, and other at-risk people can get culinary job training, access to health care and housing, entry level jobs, and other counseling to get on their feet, ultimately benefiting themselves and the larger community of Pomona and the Pomona Valley.

"Sounds great Headless Mom, but what has that got to do with me?"

Todd Construction has applied for a $250,000 Chase Mission Main Street Grant for the seed funding for the program. Here's where you, my lovely readers, come in. We need your votes! The applications are considered by the committee only after a minimum of 250 votes.

To vote:

• Visit the Chase Mission Main Street website.
• Click on Vote. Enter "Todd Construction" in the search box.
• It may ask you to connect with Facebook but they guarantee that they do not store your information for any other purpose than the voting process.
• Click "Vote" 

"OK. I voted. What now?"

If you want to do more, here are some ideas:

• Help us get more votes by sharing this post with your friends via email, Twitter, Facebook, and anywhere else you are online. Voting is open through November 15 so please don't be shy about sharing. Remember, Hope Pavilion will only be considered for the grant if there are a minimum of 250 votes. 
• When you share on social media please use the hashtag #HopePavilion so we can be sure to thank you for your help!
• If you are in Southern California and have a specialty that you would be able to contribute to the project please contact Glenn Todd, President, CEO Todd Construction, 1206 Price St. Pomona, CA. 91767, Office ph# (909) 469-6242, glenn@toddconstructionservices.com
• Prayer. This project needs prayer warriors, just like Pomona needs them. Prayers are always accepted.

"How are you involved HM?"

Just so you know, Carrie and Glenn are friends of ours. We went to church together for years. Glenn and Headless Dad have worked together on actual professional projects. Our kids are friends. Carrie has been featured on this blog before for her amazing artwork. Please know that I would never feature a project like this that I didn't believe in. I'm not asking for your money, only a vote so they can be considered for a grant. Thanks!

For Anna

I'm sure you've heard that our own Anna See lost her sweet boy last Thursday in the devastating floods in Virginia. Monday is the day that they will gather to mourn, and from 3,000 miles away I will mourn, too.

After following Anna for a year or two, I finally had the chance to meet her at BlogHer in NYC last summer. I had so much fun getting to know her, Kate, and Jill. We also realized that we had something else in common... Anna, Jill, and I are also sorority sisters. The connections made through blogging and being sisters have remained strong. Our hearts are bonded.

 As a mother I am devastated by what has happened. Losing a child is unimaginable, yet Anna is now facing that reality and I am heartbroken for her. There really are no words in our human vernacular that can even come close to help.

So today, I give the words of our Lord, Psalm 34: 18 "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart." Jesus, hold Anna, Tom and Molly in the palm of your hand today, and carry them through this awful time. Give them calm, give them peace, for You alone can comfort in a time like this.

I am also reminded today of another online friend, Heather, that recently lost her daughter Emma. Someday, Anna, I hope that you can read Heather's post on God's sovereignty in the face of such personal tragedy. God will get you to that day, too, Anna.


I love you, Anna, and I hope that you can feel God's love surrounding you today, and always.

Addendum: If you, like me, missed the memorial service you must not miss this post, Anna, by Momastery. Take your tissues. I'm proud to say that I know this woman of courage and strength. Thank you, Glennon, for a glorious tribute to our friend.


If you have any words of comfort for Anna you may leave a comment on her post about Jake, or if you've written a post for her, please link over at Kate's so she will see all of them when she is ready. The family is asking that any donations be made to Samaritan's Purse.
Tweet

OK, Universe

....I give.

First, Maddie.

Then, Shannon's cancer came back.

Michele's son is in an awful situation.

This week, Anissa.

And today, Liz's brother has cancer, too.

³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. ⁵For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. ⁶If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. ⁷And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. (2 Cor 1:3-7 Bible Gateway, NIV)

God, comfort these families tonight, comfort those around them to give them great strength in the days ahead. May your mercies be great, Father. I ask in the name of Jesus that you bring supernatural healing to the sick bodies and hurting hearts represented by the names above. Touch the doctors involved, that they may have knowledge beyond understanding to touch and heal. I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Universe, I give these things to my God, who is all powerful. He is Mighty to Save. I believe that He is the one that can bring healing.

Will you pray with me?

Prayers, Please

Today (Thursday,) my daddy is going into surgery for a knee replacement. We would appreciate your prayers for a safe surgery and speedy recovery.

Thanks!

I love you Daddy. Talk to you soon!

We Interrupt Regular Posting...#2

I have made this a sticky post so it stays at the top for the long weekend. Please continue to help if you can. Scroll down for new content.

We need some help.

My daughter's youth pastor was fired, quite unexpectedly, from our church a few months ago. He and his wife have been mentors for my daughter and dozens of other kids for over 6 years-we feel like they are a part of our family. They have dedicated their time, money, (what little they have,) and hearts to serving Jesus and our kids. Now, as they have contemplated what God has for them, they have decided to move back to their home state of Maryland.

They spent their last money on a shipping container to get all of their things home. Unfortunately, it didn't hold all of their stuff and they have been left trying to figure out how to get it all home.

My husband and I, along with our friends C from My Studio 13 and her husband, stepped up. With everything that they have been through, we didn't think that they should have to throw away anything else. We have figured out how to get it there, just not how to pay for it.

Here's what I'm asking. If you have a few bucks to help us ship their stuff, it would be greatly appreciated. The container will cost $1300 to ship from Southern California, plus 1 months storage until they can get to Maryland and get settled. I have a paypal account (button below), or if you would rather help in another way please contact me (headlessfamily5 at gmail dot com). Every dime contributed will go straight to this couple's moving needs.


For example, if each of my 100 subscribers contributed only $4, we would be 1/3 of the way to getting them home, with the rest being covered by us and our friends. Can you sacrifice your Starbucks today?

I know that times are tight for everyone, and if you can't help, I totally understand. It would also help if you could pass this post around via Twitter, StumbleUpon, Facebook, etc. If you read here often, you know that I've never done this kind of thing before, so know that my heart is to bless this young family (they have a two year old!) as they start over after devastating circumstances. Prayers, of course, are accepted, too.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Update: We have already received two four six over $100 in donations! Thank You!!!

Are We So Different?

(This is an entry to win a scholarship to the SheSpeaks Conference. Please read all the way through for your opportunity to win, too!)

Much has been said about what Pastor Joel Osteen said on Larry King. From what I can find, it was about 2 years ago, and in a nutshell, when asked about whether Jews and Muslims will go to heaven he danced around the issue. (You can see the clip here.)

In direct response to the clip he was pointing to the fact that the Bible says that we are to have a personal relationship with Christ. He also didn't directly answer the question either. It is abundantly clear in the Bible that there is One Way.

⁶Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

I wonder. How often do we, as Christians, do the same dance? Thinking that if we soften the message we'll win more people? Or we shrink away from the whole truth to be "politically correct"?

I know that I'm guilty. Even here on this blog. Especially here. So I am here to repent today and step out boldly for Christ. To ask for your forgiveness, and God's forgiveness for not using this space for it's full potential. For God's purpose and kingdom. In my heart I want everything I do to point to Him- His power, His grace, His authority, His love.

My prayer today is that God will use my fingers as I type on this keyboard for the glory of His kingdom. I don't have all the answers, I don't know all there is to know about the Bible, but I know that by surrendering to God, and giving ourselves (and our fingers!) for His will and His purposes HE WILL MOVE. I ask God to use me, in all my imperfections, to reach someone today. I want to speak boldly for the Lord.

²⁹Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. (Acts 4:29)

*****

Twice now I have been prophesied over and the word was the same. I am called to be a women's speaker, to take God's message of love and acceptance to women to help strengthen families and marriages. My heart is for families to be strong, for marriages to be full and blessed. I have never shared this publicly before because I was afraid. The enemy did good work in me-he led me to believe that I didn't know enough, wasn't good enough, didn't read the Bible enough, didn't have a good enough story to share. Who would want to listen to me?

God has done a better work though. Although I have questioned Him over and over, the answer has always been the same. I argued that I didn't know apologetics well enough, know the Bible well enough, or pray good enough. Instead of not being enough, I want to live the humility of this:

⁹But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. ¹⁰That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:8-10)

Did you see that ? "I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." Amen. I need Christ's power because becoming a speaker is way bigger than I am capable of on my own. I can't get there on my own understanding or my own works. I need God's help. He has given me this space, this sphere of influence to go boldly and speak of His grace and mercy. I never want to waste that again.

*****

SheSpeaks is a conference for women speakers, leaders and writers to learn how to better serve the Lord in their calling. These can be daunting tasks but Lysa TerKeurst and the Proverbs 31 Ministries team are here to help. From July 31-August 2 Proverbs 31 leaders will gather in Charlotte, North Carolina to help women like you and me find our unique voice, and write and deliver a clear message.

I desperately want to learn how to better use my calling, my voice, and my influence to expand God's kingdom, and to guide women to their God given talents in being uplifting to their families and communities. I desperately want to say "Yes" to all that God has called me to do in His name, and I feel that this conference is a perfect way for me to step out in faith that He knows what He's doing in calling little ol' me. I'm not perfect, but I will follow where He leads. I have often asked God to show me how to begin the process of becoming a speaker and a better blogger for Him. I hope that He is leading me to Charlotte!

If you would like to join them you can register here, or visit the SheSpeaks home page for more information. If you would like an opportunity to win a scholarship to this years' conference go to Lysa's blog and get all of the information that you need-there is still enough time to enter!

So, are we so different? Am I so different from Mr. Osteen, that when asked directly about what the Bible says I shrink from the truth? I hope through this conference that I am able to say that I don't back down when it comes to my faith. I hope I learn how to better write what God has put on my heart. I hope I learn how to be bold when it comes to Jesus and all that He has called me to. I hope that I can say "Yes, I am different, because Christ made me different."

Last Week, In Parts

First I wanted to thank you all so much for the wonderful birthday wishes. Turning 40 has been so much fun with all of you around me here in Blogoslovakia. 

 My parents arrived last week on Monday and Tuesday was Apple Store day. We spent way too long in there! Headless Girl had saved her graduation money for a MacBook to take to college and my parents were getting me one for my big day so we had choices to make. Then when it came time for my dad to pay his card was denied. Crazy! It ended up that it was just a security measure, but that added about 20 minutes to the visit. We decided to apply for all of the rebates there in the store which should have only taken about 5 minutes but as we were doing that it came to light that the sales guy hadn't charged us for the printer. OY! So, the first guy got another guy to help him fix it. 2nd guy was helpful but had a stutter so anything he tried to explain sounded like "th,th,thi,this iiiiiis th,th,th,the tottttttal". (I'm not making fun of this guy. He was really helpful and ended up fixing everything but it added like 30 minutes to the 'experience'.) First guy was really embarrassed and apologetic for the mistake, and finally just left us with the 2nd guy. 

And, for those of you who don't know my dad, he's not so patient anymore, especially when it comes to mistakes like this that cost us OVER 2 HOURS OF TIME. Seriously there were people who came in and out with just as much stuff as we got in about a half an hour. Dad, he was a joy that day. 

But also a gem. After we ate lunch he sat with the kids at the fountain while me, my mom, and Headless Girl went to get dresses. I'm dialed in for BlogHer!

*****

So there you have day one of our holiday week. I have a huge favor to ask of those of you that pray...First, some friends just found out that their boy Chase (5 in a couple of weeks) has leukemia. He started treatment over the weekend. And to make matters worse his twin sister, (who has been going from family member to family member while mom and dad are at the hospital,) broke her leg yesterday while playing at a park. Please pray for this family! And, second, I am fasting and praying this week during lunch time. One of the things that I am specifically praying for is direction for this blog.  Thank you in advance for adding these to your list this week!

A Call to Prayer- Memorial Day

Reprinted from an insert in our church bulletin, May 25, 2008:

Congress passed a law on May 11, 1950 that instuted Memorial Day and it was intended to be a national day of prayer for peace. These words from the White House Memorial Day Proclamation make clear the intent:
Section 169g. Memorial Day as day of prayer for permanent peace- "The President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe each May 30, Memorial Day, by praying, each in accordance with his religious faith, for permanent peace; designating a period during such day in which all the people if the United States may unite in prayer for a permanent peace; calling upon all the people of the United States to unite in prayer at such time; and calling upon the newspapers, radio stations, and all other mdiums of information to join in observing such day and period of prayer."
Though the observance of the holiday has now been changed to accommodate a longer holiday weekend, the call for Americans to pray is just as urgent.

How much would our nation be changed if we all prayed today? How much would God bless us if we, collectively, as a nation, got to our knees today and asked for forgiveness, knowledge, and the bounty that the Lord has for us?

I challenge each one of you reading to pray with me today. Pray for our nation's leaders, for world leaders, for peace, for the poverty stricken lands, for your hometown, your neighbors, your family.

Let's see what God will do.

*Knock, Knock* Is Anyone there?

Yes, I'm still here, more or less. The Great Sickness of 2008 really got me-I haven't been sick in about 3 years and now I remember why. Being sick sucks. Big time! As a status report HD and I are mostly over it (just a lingering cough,) and HB2 has it and is starting his 2nd round of antibiotics today. Like my mom always used to say, "I don't have time" and it usually works. Not this time however.

Onward and upward.

Life went on at the Headless household-baseball practice is fully underway, and Headless Girl is cheering her heart out for the girls basketball team in the playoffs. The laundry piled up big time-I had to get that under control before I could even post, it was that bad. We missed a family party last weekend because of the crud-I'm sure it went well but I hate to miss that stuff!

For those of you that pray, would you please send up a word on behalf of my Aunt? She was admitted into the hospital last night with a small intestinal blockage; they don't know yet if they'll need to operate. Headless Grandmother went to be with her, and that's about all we know so far. Thanks for helping me to fill His inbox!

Have you been keeping up with American Idol? Well, the top 12 boys look pretty good, except for the few that don't. Mostly the ones lacking testosterone are the ones that need to go IMO. Not because of their lack of testosterone, but because of their lack of, um, say TALENT? My faves are Rocker guy from Florida, Dread-lock guy from Texas, and Hot guy from Australia by way of Atlanta. I'll let you know the status of the gals after tonight.

Speaking of tonight, HB1 has Blue and Gold starting at 6 so I've gotta hustle to get these kids out the door. Thanks for staying with me internet pals and forgiving the interuption!

Ciao!