I love this one!!! :)
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Sabbath and others..
Morning, Bloggers!
Happy Saturday! :) I have a role this weekend. I'm Mr. Mom while Michelle is at Skycroft Retreat center in Maryland attending the Deaf Ladies' Retreat. It will be good for her and the deaf ladies this weekend. They're in my prayers. I trust that the Lord will provide for them spiritual food that they starve after. Cathy Williams from Austin, Texas, daughter of Loyd Williams, will be there to inspire the ladies. Lord, bless them today and tomorrow!
Yesterday, Michelle and I had a wonderful "Sabbath" time together. I learned about "Sabbath" last year at Zoe in Nashville. I must admit that I've put off observing our "Sabbath" time together on Fridays and we are going to try and lock Fridays as our day of "Sabbath".
Michelle was reading the book called, "Mary Heart in a Martha World", the theme for this year's Deaf Ladies' Retreat. Our Lord works wonders yesterday! While we were doing our "Sabbath", Michelle read a paragraph that also talks about "Sabbath". There will be things that will come up such as doing chores around the house, catching up with your work or shopping on a Sabbath. The author encourages not to substitute anything for the day of Sabbath. Put your pagers away. Stay away from the computers, videophones, etc. Of course, if there's an emergency, that's to be expected. I read another article about Sabbath:
Sabbath is taking a day a week to remind myself that I did not make the world and that it will continue to exist without my efforts.
Sabbath is a day when my work is done, even if it isn't. (hint, hint)
Sabbath is a day when my job is to enjoy. Period!
Sabbath is a day when I am fully available to myself and those I love most. (not only this can be with your physical family but your spiritual family as well (leave your pagers at home or in the car!)
Sabbath is a day when I remember that when God made the world, He saw that it was good.
Sabbath is a day when I produce nothing.
Sabbath is a day when I remind myself that I am not a machine.
Sabbath is a day when at the end I say, "I didn't do anything today," and I don't add, "And I feel so guilty!" (Amen?)
Sabbath is a day when my phone is turned off, I don't check my email, and you can't get a hold of me.
Awesome, huh? Now, you'll ask me, what's the benefit(s) of doing weekly Sabbath? Jesus wants to heal our souls, wants to give us the shalom (peace) of God. And so we have to stop. We have to slow down. We have to sit still and stare out the window and let the engine come to an idle. We have to listen to what our inner voice is saying.
Also, Sabbath is to reflect all you have done from Monday through Thursday whether good or bad, whether you provided for or not, whether you have shown your light or diffused it, and preparing for the day when we all come together to worship Him on Sunday asking Him to prepare us for, once again, our daily battles against the dark forces of evil.
Michelle read in the "Mary/Martha" book that the Africans trek for 3 days and stop and rest for one day. People were asking why they do that, trek for 3 days and rest all day? They answered that it's their "Sabbath", waiting for their souls to catch up.
Interesting, huh?
God bless you all!
Happy Saturday! :) I have a role this weekend. I'm Mr. Mom while Michelle is at Skycroft Retreat center in Maryland attending the Deaf Ladies' Retreat. It will be good for her and the deaf ladies this weekend. They're in my prayers. I trust that the Lord will provide for them spiritual food that they starve after. Cathy Williams from Austin, Texas, daughter of Loyd Williams, will be there to inspire the ladies. Lord, bless them today and tomorrow!
Yesterday, Michelle and I had a wonderful "Sabbath" time together. I learned about "Sabbath" last year at Zoe in Nashville. I must admit that I've put off observing our "Sabbath" time together on Fridays and we are going to try and lock Fridays as our day of "Sabbath".
Michelle was reading the book called, "Mary Heart in a Martha World", the theme for this year's Deaf Ladies' Retreat. Our Lord works wonders yesterday! While we were doing our "Sabbath", Michelle read a paragraph that also talks about "Sabbath". There will be things that will come up such as doing chores around the house, catching up with your work or shopping on a Sabbath. The author encourages not to substitute anything for the day of Sabbath. Put your pagers away. Stay away from the computers, videophones, etc. Of course, if there's an emergency, that's to be expected. I read another article about Sabbath:
Sabbath is taking a day a week to remind myself that I did not make the world and that it will continue to exist without my efforts.
Sabbath is a day when my work is done, even if it isn't. (hint, hint)
Sabbath is a day when my job is to enjoy. Period!
Sabbath is a day when I am fully available to myself and those I love most. (not only this can be with your physical family but your spiritual family as well (leave your pagers at home or in the car!)
Sabbath is a day when I remember that when God made the world, He saw that it was good.
Sabbath is a day when I produce nothing.
Sabbath is a day when I remind myself that I am not a machine.
Sabbath is a day when at the end I say, "I didn't do anything today," and I don't add, "And I feel so guilty!" (Amen?)
Sabbath is a day when my phone is turned off, I don't check my email, and you can't get a hold of me.
Awesome, huh? Now, you'll ask me, what's the benefit(s) of doing weekly Sabbath? Jesus wants to heal our souls, wants to give us the shalom (peace) of God. And so we have to stop. We have to slow down. We have to sit still and stare out the window and let the engine come to an idle. We have to listen to what our inner voice is saying.
Also, Sabbath is to reflect all you have done from Monday through Thursday whether good or bad, whether you provided for or not, whether you have shown your light or diffused it, and preparing for the day when we all come together to worship Him on Sunday asking Him to prepare us for, once again, our daily battles against the dark forces of evil.
Michelle read in the "Mary/Martha" book that the Africans trek for 3 days and stop and rest for one day. People were asking why they do that, trek for 3 days and rest all day? They answered that it's their "Sabbath", waiting for their souls to catch up.
Interesting, huh?
God bless you all!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
A Special Message
Our announcing a possible move to the Midwest where we can be closer to the family and provide for two of our ailing family members. Pray for us!
Before You Tell...
Before you tell...
..your friends..
..your co-workers..
..your girlfriend..
..your boyfriend..
..your boss..
..your best friend..
..your neighbors..
..your enemies..
..your children..
..your grandchildren..
..your relatives..
..and the list is endless..
That you're a Christian...
But IF you can't be a Christian...
Please don't go out into the world and tell people you're a Christian.
Why?
Because you'll screw it up for the rest of us...
- Rob Bell (in part)
"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you." Philippians 3:17 (niv)
..your friends..
..your co-workers..
..your girlfriend..
..your boyfriend..
..your boss..
..your best friend..
..your neighbors..
..your enemies..
..your children..
..your grandchildren..
..your relatives..
..and the list is endless..
That you're a Christian...
But IF you can't be a Christian...
Please don't go out into the world and tell people you're a Christian.
Why?
Because you'll screw it up for the rest of us...
- Rob Bell (in part)
"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you." Philippians 3:17 (niv)
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Day Of The Lord Part 1
"The Day Of The Lord" with focus on Noah, Elijah, Joel and three points to help us prepare for the "Valley of Decision" (judgment).
The Day Of The Lord Part 2
With emphasis on Elijah against 450 and 400 false prophets of Baal and Asherah..
The Day Of The Lord Part 4
Closing with three things in preparations for the Day. One interesting slide will be shown at the end of the video...
Thursday, May 15, 2008
If It Happens...
I had to remove it due to poor video quality.. I'm in the process of doing this vlog again.. So stand by... ;)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Spring Deaf Retreat '08, more...
This is our speaker, Philip Box, from 'Bama!
Alyson Lowenstein getting serious with ice cream.
Brandie Young taking in a chunk of ice cream.
Kayla Cesone screamed for ice cream!
Ethan Gournaris and Solomon Forshay all smiles!
Jason Bard, pro Hooper!
Kenny Hynes with Mark Lowenstein
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Spring Deaf Retreat; more...
Thanks to the Cesones for supplying these photos:
Christmas brothers?
Our wonderful speaker, Philip Box, with kids!
Cookin' up a storm!
Plain crazy!
Deaf Hulk!
Christmas brothers?
Our wonderful speaker, Philip Box, with kids!
Cookin' up a storm!
Plain crazy!
Deaf Hulk!
Monday, May 05, 2008
Deaf Retreat '08 @ Wamava
Bonfire time with SMORES!!
DODGEBALL!!!!!
This is the game that everyone enjoyed the most!
Ring of fire (game)
Heaven's Kitchen with Steve Williams and Tim Stewart
Cario all hooped up!
Tim Stewart, Michelle Lowenstein @ Bev Young all smiles!
FLINCH game: sudden death with Cindi Cesone and Jasmine Bard; John Gournaris throwing the pong.
Spring Deaf Family Retreat '08
Wow! I'm really exhausted today! It's been a great weekend with the brothers and sisters. We're sure glad Philip Box came to share with us his heart and God's Word. We're thankful for his wife, Paige, and his two kids for allow him to come up to Virginia to be with us.
Also, we're glad the Gournaris family came flying in from Minnesota. The Gournaris used to be with us at Fairfax for a couple of years before moving on to Flordia where John worked to finish his PhD degree. Now, they're in Minnesota working in the Mental Health department. John loves his job as well as his wife and three boys! It was good having them here.
35 people were at hand for the weekend fellowship! Wamava is the place to be! We feel spiritually refreshed but physically tired. We prefer to be spiritually recharged though our physical state had been drained! :) That's the way it is! It takes physical energy to be spiritually recharged!
Thanks to all those who chipped in to make this retreat possible! We couldn't do this without any of you hard workers for the Lord!
I'll be posting pictures as soon as I get them uploaded on my computer. Stand by!
The next Deaf Family Retreat will be this Fall in October. We're hoping the Deuschles from Alaska will be with us for the Fall retreat! For those attending the retreat this fall will be in for a big treat!
God bless you, Blogreaders!
Also, we're glad the Gournaris family came flying in from Minnesota. The Gournaris used to be with us at Fairfax for a couple of years before moving on to Flordia where John worked to finish his PhD degree. Now, they're in Minnesota working in the Mental Health department. John loves his job as well as his wife and three boys! It was good having them here.
35 people were at hand for the weekend fellowship! Wamava is the place to be! We feel spiritually refreshed but physically tired. We prefer to be spiritually recharged though our physical state had been drained! :) That's the way it is! It takes physical energy to be spiritually recharged!
Thanks to all those who chipped in to make this retreat possible! We couldn't do this without any of you hard workers for the Lord!
I'll be posting pictures as soon as I get them uploaded on my computer. Stand by!
The next Deaf Family Retreat will be this Fall in October. We're hoping the Deuschles from Alaska will be with us for the Fall retreat! For those attending the retreat this fall will be in for a big treat!
God bless you, Blogreaders!
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