Fork In The Road... An Object Lesson on Purity

The other morning, our 8-year old son, Luke, was eating small, dill pickles.  As he chattered on about various topics, he eventually paused, held up his pickle, and asked me, "Mom... do you know how I know THIS pickle... is mine....?"


When I looked at him quizzically and asked, "How?," he replied by sticking out his tongue and licking all over the pickle.


He's right about one thing.... that is definitely HIS pickle.


And that funny episode rattled around in my brain for a few days until this morning, when I started thinking about my sons and the road ahead of them regarding purity.... and a white plastic fork.


(Don't ask me how my brain works... just go with it!)


This is untested - as I don't run a teen group and my kids are too young for this talk... for now.  So if you use it, please let me know how it goes.

Fork In The Road

An Object Lesson on Purity

by Maggie Buckley, 2012

Intended Audience:  Junior High or Older

Materials

• White plastic forks
• Sharpie Markers
• CAKE! (or some other awesome dessert)

Instructions

Pass out one plastic fork to each student as well as a Sharpie Marker (any colors - having each kid with a different color will help illustrate this better).

Adapt this conversation for your group:

Take your fork, and color on it with your Sharpie marker. You don't have to color the whole thing - just make enough of a mark to show you've been there.  Imagine you are using the fork for real - the marker symbolizes your spit/germs/etc.  But obviously, for germ reasons, we are not all going to lick the forks!  Instead, we are going to color with markers to show that we "used" it.

Now pass the fork 2 to the left.  THIS is now your fork.  Claim it by coloring on it.

Pass it 3 to the right.  THIS is now your fork.  Claim it by coloring on it.

Pass it 2 more to the right.  THIS is now your fork.  Claim it by coloring on it.

Continue passing the forks around in different directions and patterns until the forks are all yucked-up with marker.

Then bring out the gooey dessert.

• If all of these people had "licked" or "used" your fork for real, how interested would you be in using the fork to eat this cake?
• How many people would prefer that I give them a new, clean fork?
• Notice that while you all had fun coloring the forks, but when it actually came time to USE the fork, you didn't want the dirty, germy, used-up forks; you wanted a nice CLEAN un-marked fork.
• Notice that sometimes, when you got another fork, someone had colored where you would like to have colored on the fork.  You had to move over and find a new place.

Now imagine that fork was your body.

When you make decisions about sex you are like the fork.  Every time you choose to have sex or intimate behaviors with someone, it is just like when your fork was colored on by someone else .  And when you choose to have sex or intimate behaviors with multiple people, you are used over and over just like the forks that were colored on again and again.  And, as with a permanent Sharpie marker, those experiences never go away.  They are always stored in your brain - comparing experience to experience.

When you receive God's wedding gift to you (sex) on your wedding night, you *SHOULD* be able to enjoy it without worrying who else has been there too.  And your spouse deserves the same consideration.

Choosing abstinence may not be the world view or the "popular" path... But if you wouldn't even eat cake with a fork that had been used by 1...2...5...10+ other people, why in the world would you share the most intimate of moments with a person who had similarly been so used?!

In a bar, the best liquor is kept on the top shelf - hence the expression "Top-Shelf Liquor."  This is the most expensive and typically viewed to be "the best" when it comes to liquor.  Middle-priced liquor is on the middle shelves - and the bottom shelves, the "well," holds the cheap stuff.  Not many people buy the "Top-Shelf" liquor - because it's too expensive and they are just as content with something cheaper or more common.  "Top-Shelf" liquor is considered exclusive... special... priceless.  Not many people experience a "Top Shelf" drink.

When you are looking for your future husband or wife, you need to be looking for a "Top-Shelf" person.  You are deserving of a "Top-Shelf" Spouse!  Find someone who didn't choose to be common, used, average, or cheap.  Find someone who valued their body enough to treat it as an exclusive treat for their future spouse.

Back in high school, we studied Robert Frost's poem, "The Road Less Traveled."  In it, Frost ponders the choice of which path to take when you come to a "fork" in the road:

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both... Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

He took the path LESS traveled - the exclusive one - the one NOT already trampled by a myriad of other people... that THAT has made all the difference.

Cherish yourself and your body.  Treat yourself as a "Top-Shelf" person and look for the same in the person to whom you will pledge your faithfulness and the rest of your life.

You are worth it.

:) Mags

My Son Found God In His Teeth...

Obviously, I've been a terrible blogger... as it's been 2 months since my last entry.  I've had some great ideas, but I've let myself be distracted with other stuff.  Nothing more "important" or anything - just stuff.  


But I wanted to share with you an ongoing story my 8-year old has been telling me.  I think it shows how God can speak to us in "everyday, ordinary places."  Luke started his musings after a standard trip to the dentist.  The next morning, he says "Whenever we get a cavity, it's like when we sin against God.  The cavity just grows and grows with our bigger sins.  Then when we brush our teeth or go to the dentist and have our teeth all fixed up, it's like God's grace - when He forgives our sins... and our teeth are nice and clean again."


They say God speaks to us in mysterious ways.... I don't feel inspired at the dentist, myself.  I feel tense, grumpy, and sore!  But my sweet son saw a link to God's grace with the swipe of the dentist's toothbrush; the dentist's chair is certainly an everyday, ordinary place.


And that's what this blog is really all about.
Keep brushing,
:) Mags

I Found God Inside Me... And You... and You... And You...!

WATCH THIS - a video about Jordyn who was treated at St. Jude's Hospital. See if you hear about THE MIRACLE...

Did you catch what cured her?
The answer was INSIDE HER all along!!

St. Jude was able to remove her bone marrow (the same marrow that was breathed into her by God when she was formed). Scientists could then facilitate the natural "killer" cells already within the marrow to reproduce into a cancer-killing army, and they could return the enhanced army of marrow back into her. The "killer" cells, backed by millions of new helper cells, could now fight the cancer and put Jordyn into remission.

Scientists and doctors used the very material that GOD had created within Jordyn to cure her cancer. No factory-made medicine, no man-made cure - but a cure based on what God had already created. Frankly, it just gives me chills to think about it!

I've written before about God & Glue, showing that within each of us, there is a special material that is shaped like the cross. Now we have a cure for one girl's cancer - with the possibility to cure hundreds? thousands? more. Both instances where GOD was literally WITH US... for nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)

I once read an article that offered the idea that all of the "discoveries" or "inventions" of the world were hidden on this Earth by God like little Easter Eggs. With our diligence and unshakable faith, we can find them - i.e. airplanes, space flight, vaccines, cures for deadly illnesses, etc. Man has come up with nothing on his own; rather he has stumbled upon one of these little Easter Eggs whenever a new idea/concept/cure/invention/etc. is discovered. I don't know if that's true, but I liked the idea, anyway. The idea that God has ALL of the answers - we just have to have FAITH and look for them.

In the meantime, it sure looks like St. Jude's Research Center has found one awesome Easter Egg!
:) Mags

In A Nutshell.... SUCK IT, SATAN!

Our friends, Gary & Beth, do a wonderful job of family Bible study time with their three kids. This seems to be a regular thing for them, and I wish I was that good at incorporating God's Word naturally into activities with our kids.

I was especially impressed when they decided to let their KIDS lead a study or two. Each kid was responsible for coming up with a short lesson to share with the rest of the family.... When their third grader, Leah, had her turn, this is what Gary posted on his Facebook page:

...(I) enjoyed Leah leading our family Bible time last night. So cute seeing her ask questions, request us to look up scripture, explain God's words, then finish by exclaiming........."SUCK IT SATAN!" When asked where she heard that, Seth said "That would be from us" (referring to his brother & self). Crazy kids!

I LOVE THIS!!!
I love it when kids just "get it" - and can sum it up in their own language!

And how powerful do you feel when you gather your breath and exclaim, "SUCK IT, SATAN!"

Go ahead... give it a try. Think of a difficulty in your life that you are facing right now.... a sin or temptation you are trying to stand up against. Satan is the ultimate deceiver - instead of being swayed by his clever lies, hold your head high, and tell him off!

"Control yourselves. Be on your guard. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion.
He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow.
Stand up to him. Stand firm in what you believe.
All over the world you know that your brothers and sisters are going through
the same kind of suffering."
1 Peter 5: 8-9

The Bible puts it a bit more eloquently, but the result is the same. Stand up to the lies, the deceit, the whispers, the sin... say "Suck it, Satan!" and remember that "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you." (Romans 16:20).

:) Mags

I Found God in Laundry...

When I get to Heaven, one of the first people I'd like to have a word with is EVE. I mean, REALLY?! An apple?! You caved and sent all of humanity into sin for an APPLE?! Not a chocolate bar? Or a big steak? Or an "I'll be forever thin" pill?

An apple.

*sigh*
Eve really needed to get her priorities in order... *wink*

I thought of this today as I was wrangling the kids to put away their laundry. Again. Because I'm always doing laundry. And they keep having to put it away.

They keep wearing clothes.
And getting them dirty.
And hence I have to wash them.
And dry them.
And we put them away.
And the cycle continues.

I tried to point out that if our whole family stopped wearing clothes then we could stop having to put away laundry... but even my 9-year old and 6-year old found this idea to be problematic (i.e. "MOM...! They won't let us into the movies without clothes!!!").

And just think, if Eve hadn't succumbed to the lure of an APPLE, of all things, we'd all be happily running around nekkid and there would be no need for laundry!

But even as my arms protest at dragging up yet another heavy basket of clean clothes, I am THANKFUL.

• Thankful that I have clothes to launder.
• Thankful that I have a washing machine.
• And a DRYER (I'm still haunted by our conversation, my friend Carrie-- who lives in Scotland and doesn't use a dryer!).
• Thankful that I have healthy kids who dirty up their clothes playing outside.
• Thankful that I have capable kids who CAN put away their own laundry....
• ...And sort it into lights & darks in the first place.

(We're still working on they turning things right-side out, but hey, they've got the sorting thing down!)

Because God can take even the simplest things and use it for good.

And I can count my blessings... with each fold of a shirt or pair of shorts.

What have you been complaining about lately?
And what are the blessings you should be counting instead??

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

Karaoke Tuesday: Everlasting God

It's been a while since I've done a Karaoke Tuesday - and I was totally inspired yesterday... My five-year old, Luke, was dancing around our family room singing "You are the Everlasting God... the Everlasting God... you do not faint, you won't grow wear-y....," and when he got to the part about "wings like eagles," he started flapping his arms and "flying" around the room.

You can't help but smile when you see unbridled joy in a small child... and believe me, our smiles got MUCH WIDER, when Luke prayed Jesus into his heart last night. :)   Take a look at the lyrics - they are just perfect for this occasion.

And the end of Lincoln Brewster's version (my personal favorite) a child says this:The Lord is the everlasting God,
The creator of all the Earth,
He never grows weak or weary,
No one can measure the depths of His understanding,
He gives power to the weak, and strength to the powerless,
Even youth will become weak and tired,
And young men will fall in exhaustion,
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength,
They will soar high on wings like eagles,
They will run and not grow weary,
They will walk and not faint,

Why is it that sometimes, it's the children who just GET IT?

Why would you pledge your love, your fealty, your devotion, to anyone other than He who is everlasting... He who is strong... He who gives power to the weak, and strength to the powerless, He who never tires... never faints... never fails...???

Revelation 22:13 says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (NIV)" God is everlasting - and ever eager to fill our hearts with His Word. Have you opened your heart and invited Him to come into your life yet?

And if not... What are you waiting for???

My favorite version is by Lincoln Brewster, but others sing it too.
Hear it here on Last.FM.

I Found God In My Name...

I'm ashamed to admit it... but some days, I hate my name. Not the "Maggie" (although it's taken me a while to enjoy that moniker... especially when I've met more dogs than people with the same name), but the other name... The name I received when we had our first child:


"Mom."


I'm ashamed because I know there are hundreds of people who would LOVE to hear some little child call them "Mom." And because I know that God has blessed with the two perfect boys for us - and I love them dearly.


But the fact remains that having small children means that I hear

Mom....

Mom.....

Mom.....

M O M . . . .

about 100 times a day. Kids that yell M O M?!?!? from the basement (when I'm on the 2nd floor)...

or wail MOMMMMMMMMM when they are ready to tattle on the sibling...

or repeat "MAAAH-M!" just in case I didn't hear them the first 3 times.

It can get very tiring... quickly!! And it's tempting to say, "STOP CALLING MY NAME!" or some equivelent, for sure.... Because the whining/tattling/nagging, and such gets OLD swiftly. Sometimes, when I least expect it... when I'm on my last nerve... my little one will say, "MOM!" for what seems like the millionth time, and I'll probably either say?/sigh?/shout?/growl?/snarl? "W H A T!!" and in return, the little voice will smile, "I LOVE YOU....." :) And I'll be warmed by these words (and properly chagrinned by my snarky response), and I'll remember what a blessing my children are - even in their most trying of moments.

And, I am humbled when I think of how "childlike" I AM when I call God's name. I'm sure He would be ever so pleased to hear me call out, "God...! I love you!" on a regular basis. But, I'm equally as sure that he more often hears me sigh / shout / growl / snarl / scream,

"G-O-D !!!!!"

in that shrieky, whiney voice that I also possess. And the very thing that annoys me about my own kids is the very thing that I do to my own Father.

Fortunately, there is this verse from the Bible:

People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:15-17 (NIV)

I know...! I know...! That's NOT what He meant!! :) He was talking about the honest and pure "childlike faith" - the children who come seeking Him with no hidden agenda. But often, that's what my kids are doing to me. They are looking to ME to be their caretaker, referree, savior, doctor, comforter... When they are hollering "Mom," it's because no one else can take MY place in their lives either. They need me - and I need to make sure that I can be counted on.

Because if one of our goals in life is to emmulate Jesus, to ask ourselves, "What WOULD Jesus Do?," then we need to answer the call. God is ALWAYS there when I call Him... Always. And I am so thankful that when I call unto Him, an angry, weary, snarky, tired voice DOES NOT shout back from the Heavens, "WHAT?!!!!"

My questions, laments, cries, or comments are welcomed.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

How have YOU been calling out to God lately? Have you inserted a smiley, "I love you," lately? Because I'm sure He's love to hear it.

:)

I Found God At The Bus Stop (re-run)

In honor of all of the parents watch their kids head back to school - especially this year, where I saw my youngest off onto his first school bus to kindergarten, I'm re-posting one of my favorite posts: Finding God at the Bus Stop. I wish I had been as contemplative THIS year - but in truth, we almost missed our first bus - it came early! :) Anyway - I hope you enjoy this Everyday Places rerun:

You know - it goes against a parent's very nature...

Let's walk our 5-year old to the bus stop. Sling an oversized backpack stuffed with school supplies on their little backs - throwing them completely off-balance. Put them on a giant vehicle with no seatbelts (let alone the Federal-approved, safety-tested carseat that has been a constant since the child was born!), driven by a complete stranger to a school with only 1 adult per 25 kids!

Yet every September, parents of kindergarteners gather at the bus stop with their cameras in one hand and the small fingers of their child in the other... waiting tearfully... and sometimes fearfully for the big, yellow bus to come around the corner. And every September, those cameras capture the brave 5-year olds who climb that first enormous step onto the school bus and turn around to flash a smile at the proud parents waiting at the curb.

The parents brains are swimming with
How in the world did my baby grow up so fast?!
What if they can't find their classroom?
What if they are scared?
What if the teacher won't let them go to the bathroom?
What if they cry all day long?
What if a kid picks on them?
What if they pick on someone else?


We're proud to see our smallest kids start that long journey of "SCHOOL" - yet fearful because this is a journey that we, ourselves, have traveled. We know what lays ahead on this road... the fun times, the hard times, the studying, the games, the tests (both academic and social), the angst, and the joy. We've seen and done it all. Some of us wouldn't go back and repeat school life even if we were paid a million dollars... yet we still have to send what is most precious to us - our children - through this journey because we know how important it is and that it is a necessary step in their life.

Did you ever wonder if this is the way God feels when a new baby is born?

Everyone one of us is a precious child of God - loved by Him before we were ever born:

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;

you formed me in my mother's womb.

I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!

Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

I worship in adoration—what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

all the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared

before I'd even lived one day.

Psalm 139:13-16 (The Message)

God has marvelous plans for each of His children - but He also know how hard it can be on Earth - He lived it through His own son, Jesus. Yet God still places His children here to go through the journey of life... knowing that sin will tempt them, that tragedy might strike them, that hardships will try them. But knowing all along that the amazing experiences each child will have on Earth will be worth the trip.

So when you make that long walk to the bus stop and give up your child to the journey of school, remember that God is with you AND with your son or daughter. He is walking alongside you both, holding your hands, guiding you, and loving you. Just like always.

I Found God in a Happy Meal...

Those of you with small kids know how obsessive children can be with collecting the McDonald's Happy Meal toys - depending one what is being offered, my kids start begging to go day-after-day so that they can get ALL of the various toys in a particular set.

Right now, the Happy Meals contain toys from Night in the Museum 2, and when we went through the drive-thru last week, my 5-year-old was crazy-hopeful that his lunch would contain the cowboy on the squirrel and that his older brother would get General Custer on the motorcycle. The odds of getting exactly what you want are slim... sometimes we can finagle a trade to a more desireable toy, but often we're just stuck with a bunch of duplicates that end up in the next garage sale. But it's still fun to hope and see what we get, anyway.

On this particular day, with my son reciting over and over again "motorcycle - squirrel" in the back seat, we had a bit of good fortune. When we peeked inside the Happy Meals, Luke got the squirrel AND Jack got the motorcycle - EXACTLY what they had wanted (with absolutely no prodding or requesting from Mom!). Luke was stupified - "How did they KNOW, Mom?!!" he squealed on the way home. "Did they read our MINDS?!!"

At home, we said grace, but before Luke ate, he told me that he also needed to say a "thank you" prayer to God. He folded his hands and prayed, "Thank you God for picking out just the right toys today at McDonalds!"

Is that cute, or what?! :)

What I love best is that Luke gave thanks to God for his good fortune. Usually, it is only in our weakest times that we reach out to God. But, Luke served as a reminder that you can honor God with the good things too. He's not just there as Savior to help us fix our messes - but also as a Friend who wants to celebrate our little victories as well.

This Monday, I had one of the best mornings in a long time. Both kids were in VBS at our friend's church which meant I did not have to volunteer. I went shopping at Kohls: BY MYSELF for two whole hours. While shopping, I found a replacement pair of "perfect" sandals - exactly like the pair I have completely worn out - and there was exactly ONE pair left in my size. I found the lone "Go Michigan" T-shirt among a sea of Buckeye shirts... AND the shirt was exactly my husband's size. Plus, I actually fit into clothes TWO SIZES SMALLER!!! than I did last summer!

I can't remember the last shopping trip where I was actually smiling to myself the whole time, and as I walked to my car, I offered a grateful THANKS! to God for this wonderful morning.

When was your last little victory? Sometimes, they are few and far between.... so it's important to give thanks for them!!

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Psalm 30:11-12 (NIV)

Here's wishing you a perfect morning really soon!
♥Mags

I Found God In Little Eyes - An EverydayPlaces Rewind

First... a little note (THX, Michelle for forwarding this to me!):

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'

-Author Unknown (by me, at least)

This is my segway into EverydayPlaces Rewinds - a way to highlight some older posts that may have gotten lost in the Archives. One of my favorite posts is about being an AUTHENTIC Christian. "Little Eyes" see a LOT... just like God... who sees past our facades and who knows our hearts, our intentions, and our motives.... Go HERE to rewind to the original post about "God & Authenticity." It's a good one! :)

I Found God in Transformers...

No Sacrifice... No Victory...

That is one of the mottos of Optimus Prime and his Autobots.

For those of you who missed the 80's and all it's Transformer glory, the short story is this (courtesy of this website):

The Earth has become a battleground. Centuries ago, on a distant planet, the robotic alien races known as the Autobots and the Decepticons waged terrible war over a powerful cube called the All Spark. The cube was lost and both races vowed to find it. Now the cube has come to rest on Earth, hidden away by the US government for years, and the final stand of the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime against the Decepticons, led by Megatron will take place on our planet. But the Autobots have an ally: humans.

Fiery battles ensue and eventually, Optimus Prime is willing to sacrifice himself to save humankind... planning to stick the All Spark cube in his chest to destroy it and save Earth. Whether or not Optimus Prime is forced to this end will be yours to discover if you see the movie. What I love is that you can find so many Christian undertones weaved throughout the storyline...

God asks us in Romans 12:1-2 to sacrifice the commonplace behaviors and corruptions of earth to live in a way that is acceptable to Him...

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

The Bible is packed with characters who made sacrifices to claim God's victory...

Noah... who sacrificed his reputation to build a giant boat that would guard his family against the end-of-the-world flood.

Moses... who gave up his independence to follow God's instructions and return to Egypt to save the Israelites.

Mary and Joseph... Joseph knew that baby wasn't "his" yet sacrificed his pride to be an earthly father to God's son while Mary gave up her own expectations and dreams to serve as the mother to Jesus.

Jonah... who had to face his fears to follow God's instructions.

Saul/Paul... who sacrificed his power in the Roman Empire to serve the Lord.

And Jesus... who truly gave the ULTIMATE sacrifice... Himself. His sacrifice yielded VICTORY for all of mankind.

Without sacrifice, there can be no victory. The important things are worth fighting for... they are worth the sacrifice.

Incidently... the other main motto of the movie is this:

One shall stand - One shall fall.

Good vs. Evil

God vs. Satan

Everlasting Life vs. Death

Who knew that you could find so much Godliness in some transforming robots? :)

--> Note: The Transformers movie is PG-13, and in it's original form, this is NOT for young kids. However, you can visit GoodMoviesOnline.com and purchase the edited-to-PG version that removes sexual references, anything with human blood, and all foul language. While the special effects are fabulous, the items that earned it's PG-13 rating are obnoxious and unnecessary. Do consider watching an edited version if you have kids!

I Found God in GoodMoviesOnline.com

If you saw Transformers - The Motion Picture in theaters, you know that while the toys are played with by the 5-to-10 yr. old set, the movie was rated PG-13 for a completely UNnecessary scene concerning a teenage boy and masterbation. Thank God for GoodMoviesOnline.com - a FANTASTIC website that edits movies down to PG and PG-13. To stay copyright-compliant, when you buy a movie from this website, you pay for the original version and get the edited version for free. As long as you keep the two versions together, no "additional" movies are actually made (which doesn't violate copyright). I have used this service; I am SO THRILLED with the results!!! :)

I remember sitting with my 7-yr. son Jack in the movie theater one day when a preview for Transformers came across the screen. Both of us were mezmorized by the short clip, and we saw the shiny grill and heard the robotic sounds... both of us whispered at the same time: Optimus Prime... as the Autobot leader flashed before us.

Imagine my dismay when the movie was released and was rated PG-13. WHAT? The toys are marketed for little kids - why include material that prevented little kids from seeing it? Transforming robots saving the world from evil with loud explosions, fast cars, and military men? What more could a little boy want?!?!

I watched Transformers movie after it came out on DVD... without my kids. Good thing! - While it was, indeed, amazing - packed with all of the robots my kids would adore, it was also infused with a handful of suggestive dialogue plus the obnoxious masturbation scene.

*sigh*

But in November, I stumbled across the GoodMoviesOnline website. And Transformers was one of the movies they offered. They could edit out the questionable scene and maintain the PG-13 rating or they could "dumb-it-down" to PG and eliminate all sexual references as well. I bought the PG version; we saved it for Jack's birthday in February, and finally, tonight, the boys and I had time to watch it.

Amazing!

Fantastic!

Stupendous!

My kids loved it - I loved it - and the questionable scene was edited out flawlessly - I couldn't even see where it had been! Plus, no bad language! No human blood! Of course, we're talking about Transformers: it IS full of explosions, battles, duels, etc.; you can't edit that out or you're left with nothing but the closing credits! :) But I knew what I was getting into... I just wanted it without the sex and language!

This is an amazing service - just think of all of the fun movies out there that we CAN'T show our kids b/c of the adult situations, language, or extreme violence contained within. Even when they are "13" - some of the messages are still not ones we want reinforced. GoodMoviesOnline.com has a huge assortment of new and classic movies to choose from.

I am so thankful to find a place that takes the "junk" out of movies to make them kid-friendly. I hope you'll check out their store too - because this is one place that I hope stays in business for a long, long time!! :)

PS... I actually found God IN Transformers too... for that, you'll have to wait for the next post! :)

"A Person's a Person... No Matter How Small!!"

Yesterday was the 36th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade which legalized abortion in America. Admittedly, in high school and college, I was always one to spout off about "choice" and "mother's rights" and other such nonsense. I honestly had NO idea the process involved or any sense of science that proved to me just how quickly a mass of cells turns into a miniature human. I can only say that my opinion of abortion changed the moment I found out I was pregnant in 2000, and over the years, I've become more and more convicted as I've learned more about abortion practices. I often wish that schools could teach the science of it - to explain to people just what it involves. Teenagers are often self-centered, yes, but not usually deliberately cruel; if they understood just how much a baby might feel during the "procedure" or how developed even an 8-week fetus actually is, perhaps they would no longer find termination a suitable option.

My friend, Jackie, has always been a passionate supporter of the rights of unborn babies. In fact, my favorite "How did you meet your husband story" is that of hers and her husband, Andy. In college, Andy and his friend decided that the best way to meet "good, Christian women" was to attend the Pro-Life Rallys.... and lo and behold, that's where he met Jackie, his future wife and mother to his children! :)

Jackie wrote a wonderful note on Facebook yesterday - so instead of trying to be as well-spoken, I received permission just to post her note in it's entirety here. I'm also including a thoughtful comment from Kathy, another lady from our church:

Why It Matters So Much - by Jackie C.

Today I am very sad. I have been reading some things online where women are celebrating the 36th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade today. They are celebrating because their daughters will continue to have the right to abortion. I wonder if they really understand what that means.

My heart aches as I read this because I have held a baby in my hands that was just 19 weeks, 4 days old (gestational age) and he is considered a non-person by so many today. The baby was our son, Nathaniel. Even though he was silent at birth and he never took a breath outside of my womb, he was so much a person. All his fingers, all his toes, eyes, ears, lips, even his little male parts were complete and just needed time to grow. There was nothing about him that was a non-person. I have always been against abortion because I have always believed that life begins at conception. Nathaniel's early death just confirmed what I already knew. As I remember holding him, it is unimaginable to think that we, as Americans, are fine with a woman deciding willingly to end the life of a baby his same age.

Our next pregnancy following Nathaniel's death was an emotionally difficult one. At our first appointment, the doctor asked me how I was feeling. I told him that I was trying not to feel until I heard a heartbeat. He understood and took me right to the ultrasound machine to be sure we could not only hear a heartbeat, but see one as well. I had been praying to God for strength to get through whatever this pregnancy would hold for us. When I lay on the table, I was incredibly nervous, as was Andy. Then the ultrasound tech got a heartbeat, but not just a heartbeat - we saw something amazing. That little child, who we now know as Abby, waved her tiny little hand at us. We couldn't believe it. The ultrasound tech said, "Did you see that? The baby waved. That just doesn't happen at this age." She was 10 weeks, 3 days (gestational age). I believe that was God, giving me reassurance that all was good. I had seen the statistics many times and it was hard to imagine that so many would choose to abort a baby this same age. Once again, I was reminded that I need to continue to stand up for these unborn babies because "A person's a person no matter how small!"

I beg you to step out of your comfort zone and get educated about what abortion really is, if you haven't already. Abortion is a choice, but not a glamorous one, nor one without consequence. It is undeniably the taking of a human life. Many women have deep struggles after having an abortion. Can we as Americans in good conscience, continue to just allow abortion in our country? When will we say "enough" and truly live by "with liberty and justice for ALL?" I challenge you to be uncomfortable and stand up for what is right. You don't have to picket to make a difference. Pray and act. Start talking to others about what is going on and what the truth is. Support your local Crisis Pregnancy Center. Let our lawmakers know your position.

Follow-Up Comment by Kathy M.:
The moment we conceive, God imprints us as mothers---of children or angels. Never again do we have the luxury of thinking only of ourselves. That is the saddest secret of abortion, the emotional torment that a ghost lives with you for life. Never are we free of the responsibility for that precious soul. Our reassurance that God forgives, that God cradles those angels some give Him prematurely is a blessing we can rejoice in. Jackie-only experience can deliver a message so powerful. Thank you for sharing yours and using if for Him.

I echo Jackie's challenge that you step away from the "easy" and "comfortable" and stand-up for the babies who don't yet have a voice. It's not a "choice," it's a child.

Image (c) LDI.org and found HERE along with many others.

Karaoke Tuesday: "Your Love Is Deep"

Last year, my husband and I helped out during K-2nd Grade Kids Worship - and I found that there were a lot of great songs played there! One was "Your Love Is Deep" by Jami Smith:

Song: Your Love Is DeepArtist: Jami Smith
Album: Wash Over Me
LYRICS

Your love is deep,
Your love is high,
Your love is long,
Your love is wide.

It's a simple lesson, really. God's love for us is deeper, higher, longer, and wider than anything we can imagine. No matter how many times we screw up... no matter how many errors we make... no matter how undeserving we may be... God loves us... each and every one of us.

One of my favorite kids' stories is Guess How Much I Love You by Sam Bratney.

My favorite youth minister from our former church, Cindy, once used this book as an object lesson for Children's Time. In it, Little Brown Nut Hare tries to "out-love" his parent, Big Brown Nut Hare. Little Nut Brown Hare loves Big Nut Brown Hare THIS MUCH (spreading out his arms as wide as he can reach), but Big Nut Brown Hare loves Little Nut Brown Hare THIS MUCH (and his arms are much wider). The pattern continues through the book - with Big Nut Brown Hare having the size, strength, and wit to "out-love" his baby... including at the end:

Little Nut Brown Hare: I love you all the way up to the moon! (Nothing could be farther than the moon!)

Big Nut Brown Hare: I love you all the way up the moon........ and back.

Now, if you have the book at home, re-read it... but substitute YOUR NAME for Little Nut Brown Hare and GOD for Big Nut Brown Hare. Just like the words in Jami Smith's song, no matter how big, or deep, or high, or wide your love is for God, HIS love is bigger, deeper, higher, and wider. You are enveloped in His love... all the way to the moon... and back.
Have a blessed day,
:) Mags

--> Listen to today's Karaoke Tuesday selection on .LastFM!
I also really like Big Stuf's (one "f") version on iTunes - that's the one I play a lot! :)

"Edited" Movies - a pop culture alternative...

I love movies... Action movies, thriller movies, scary movies, romance movies, cartoon movies, science movies, whatever... I just LOVE movies!

I also love to share some of my favorites with my kids (ages 7 and 4). We've been fortunate that our oldest son is not afraid of movies - he's got a good sense of "real" vs "not real" so we've been able to see a lot of fantasy/sci-fi stuff that make other kids fearful. We saw The Dark Crystal together when he was around 4 years old - watching first the "making of it" to show how the characters were all puppets and then the movie. He loved it! And we have fun talking about how they made the characters move and work. Star Wars is a HUGE part of our kids' lives. We all seen all 6 episodes... even Episode III... because there used to be a local video store called "Family Flix" that rented "edited" versions of popular movies - with all of the bad language, adult situations, and bloody gore removed. When the video store went out of business, we were able to purchase Star Wars III in edited form... cropping out most of Anakin burning alive in the lava pit, cutting the beheading of Count Dooku to just him falling to the floor, and limiting the slaying of the Jedi children to just the hint of it. Those small omissions enabled both of our kids to see the last movie without scaring them or compromising the storyline.

This weekend, I rented Transformers just for me... yes, I'm an adult female - and it's probably not the typical movie that 36-year old Moms usually rent. But I remember the hey-day of Transformers in the 80's; my brother LOVED them, and the trailer for the movie looked amazing. I was so disappointed when it received a PG-13 rating because I just knew that my sons would love it...

Sure enough - the visual effects were fabulous, and the sound effects even better. The voice of Optimus Prime was just as I remembered it from the old cartoons - and the grinding sounds of the robots actually transforming was SO neat! But there were a few completely inappropriate scenes - scenes that could have been completely cut out without messing up the storyline. There was NO need for this movie to have scenes in it that required a PG-13 rating... especially not when boys as young as 6 or 7 could have just loved this movie.

I started surfing around the Internet for some Family Flix alternatives and found a great site: www.goodmoviesonline.com sells original movies WITH an edited version! You can choose among new releases, classics, actions, suspense, comedy, etc. - AND choose whether you want your version edited to a PG or PG-13 level! Best of all, they had Transformers! So I ordered the edited movie and will save it for my son's birthday in February. As soon as it comes, I'll watch it and be able to tell you about the quality of the editing - but for now, I'm just thrilled to find an edited alternative to some really fun action movies!!

Autobots... ROLL OUT!

I Found God At The Bus Stop...

You know - it goes against a parent's very nature...

Let's walk our 5-year old to the bus stop. Sling an oversized backpack stuffed with school supplies on their little backs - throwing them completely off-balance. Put them on a giant vehicle with no seatbelts (let alone the Federal-approved, safety-tested carseat that has been a constant since the child was born!), driven by a complete stranger to a school with only 1 adult per 25 kids!

Yet every September, parents of kindergarteners gather at the bus stop with their cameras in one hand and the small fingers of their child in the other... waiting tearfully... and sometimes fearfully for the big, yellow bus to come around the corner. And every September, those cameras capture the brave 5-year olds who climb that first enormous step onto the school bus and turn around to flash a smile at the proud parents waiting at the curb.

The parents brains are swimming with
How in the world did my baby grow up so fast?!
What if they can't find their classroom?
What if they are scared?
What if the teacher won't let them go to the bathroom?
What if they cry all day long?
What if a kid picks on them?
What if they pick on someone else?


We're proud to see our smallest kids start that long journey of "SCHOOL" - yet fearful because this is a journey that we, ourselves, have traveled. We know what lays ahead on this road... the fun times, the hard times, the studying, the games, the tests (both academic and social), the angst, and the joy. We've seen and done it all. Some of us wouldn't go back and repeat school life even if we were paid a million dollars... yet we still have to send what is most precious to us - our children - through this journey because we know how important it is and that it is a necessary step in their life.

Did you ever wonder if this is the way God feels when a new baby is born?

Everyone one of us is a precious child of God - loved by Him before we were ever born:

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;

you formed me in my mother's womb.

I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!

Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

I worship in adoration—what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

all the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared

before I'd even lived one day.

Psalm 139:13-16 (The Message)

God has marvelous plans for each of His children - but He also know how hard it can be on Earth - He lived it through His own son, Jesus. Yet God still places His children here to go through the journey of life... knowing that sin will tempt them, that tragedy might strike them, that hardships will try them. But knowing all along that the amazing experiences each child will have on Earth will be worth the trip.

So when you make that long walk to the bus stop and give up your child to the journey of school, remember that God is with you AND with your son or daughter. He is walking alongside you both, holding your hands, guiding you, and loving you. Just like always.

I Found God In Rain...

Please forgive the quietness on the God Blog - we were on vacation to Tennessee with our best friends for the last 5 days. It seems fairly impossible that there is still ANY place left on this earth without an Internet connection, but we managed to find one! And although I was yearning to check email, to blog, to make some digital scrap kits, or to just mindlessly web-surf, I was blocked by the angry, red, Intel Wireless icon blinking "NO WIRELESS CONNECTION." Of course, this was probably God's reminder that this was a family vacation, and I wasn't supposed to be spending it on the computer, anyway. :) We had a wonderful time: swimming on Lake Norris, tubing (WOW! What a rush!), hiking (Okay... that was my husband, his friend, and all of the kids... I don't really like "nature..."), or just lounging around laughing. We are blessed to have such good friends with whom we can spend a week and not kill each other (the kids whacking each other with pool cues doesn't count, does it?!) :)

But when we returned today, I was anxious to power-up the laptop and check email (846 emails!), check my groups, read comments from the blogs (Whoo-hoo...there were some!), and pop in to all of my favorite web spots! In a Christian scrapbooking group I belong to, someone posted a link to an amazing blog called Bring The Rain. I wasn't familiar with the group, Selah, but apparently the wife of one of the singers has started this blog about her family's journey through a pregnancy that would not result in a baby to raise on earth.

Now I've mentioned before that my sister-in-law & brother-in-law lost their beautiful baby daughter, Julia Ellen, after only 6 days of life. She was born in April 2006 with the genetic abnormality called Trisomy 18. The complications that arise from the extra chromosome at the 18th place makes the chance of even a baby surviving delivery a long shot. But our Julia persevered, and her parents at least had 6 days to meet her, and hold her, and sing to her, and know her.

It has been 2 years since we attended Julia's memorial; and in that time, I have seen my in-laws' faith and love of God grow stronger - even in the face of the greatest loss they could imagine - the loss of their child. I read somewhere that "pain of that kind of loss never goes away; rather that you slowly become strong enough to bear it." I think that strength comes from one slowly releasing the reigns of control and handing over all of their worries and concerns and wishes and dreams to God. From what I've read so far (and I'm only in "March!") Angie, the author of the Bring The Rain blog, has truly done this as well. For a woman who is writing about the impending death of her child, Audrey Caroline, she has found God working miracles already in Audrey's life... even if that life only exists within Angie's womb.

If you are facing something so huge that it seems to eclipse your ability to think, to plan, to reason, to be - then please stop by Angie's blog. It is a story of hope - not of death - and I think it will bring you perspective and comfort.

♥Mags

I Found God In Grace...

The other day I was putting together a hasty lunch for my boys. It involved re-heating some leftover penne noodles from Carrabba's... quick, but one of my kids' favorite meals. They'll eat noodles anytime!!

As I passed out their plates, my youngest said, "Let's say grace to Momma because she made these yummy noodles!" Luke then proceeded to say our standard grace "God is great, God is good, Let us thank Him for our food" except for he subbed in "Mommy" instead of God. I had a moment of "Ack! Watch out for lightning!" But, I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. Receiving a genuine, no-one-prodded-him-into-saying-it THANK YOU from one of my kids always makes me feel really, really good. :)

I figured that God would share in my pleasure - given that Luke was following the whole Honor-Thy-Mother part of His commandments. And I wondered if God is just as tickled when one of His own children gives Him an honest thank you.

So often we are shrieking out to God in desperation, in peril, in stress, in anger, in frustration, in sadness, or in some major meltdown when life has us overcome. Very rarely, I suspect, do we stop and say a simple THANK YOU to Him for the blessings He has given us.




The last two days have been trying in my house. My husband had to travel this week, and we're still trapped in the humid summer days with no-school-to-keep-them-occupied which means the kids are driving each other (and me!) crazy at every turn. I know I've asked God more than once to zap my kids with the MUTE Button or gift me with a short period of deafness so I could have some peace and quiet. (He's chosen not to grant those blessings *sigh*) But when my son offered his thanks for the simple act of serving noodles for lunch, a lot of my frustration from the day just melted. A "thank you" can soften the hardest of hearts... and turn around someone's day.

And of all the beings in this world, I'm sure that God would appreciate some thanks as well.

Thanks for reading this blog today,
♥Mags

I Found God In My Heart - Part 2

My story today is fairly UNrelated to the original "I Found God In My Heart" post, but since it involves "hearts," what else would I title it...? :)

My 4-year old is currently fixated on "floods" - He continually asks if it is going to flood, if it might flood, if it will flood, and other translations of the same question. At first I thought he was just afraid of thunderstorms, but his questions got more insistent (requiring a better answer than my standard "Um-Hm" or "Uh-uh,") AND often came in the middle of a sunny day. When he finally mentioned God, I realized he was fixated on the Noah's Ark story and the BIG flood.

I try to explain that God isn't going to flood the world again. My mother-in-law even helpfully reminded him about the rainbow and God's promise and all that. But he was still whining about drowning in a flood, and I was distracted trying to check email or something - so I said something uber-helpful like "You just have to listen to your heart when God is talking and hear him tell you that he won't flood the world again."

Nice answer, Mom.

He's 4.

He takes things literally.

The next thing I know, my son is contorted into some strange position on the sofa.. head all twisted up and cock-eyed. I start laughing and ask him what he is doing, to which he replies, "I'm trying to put my ear on my heart to listen to what God is saying in there!"

D'OH!

This reminded me that children - especially young children take just about everything literally. We sing so many fun Bible songs - many about Jesus being IN our hearts. You ever wonder how the kids take that? Because they are so trusting, do you think they envision a mini-Jesus walking around inside their bodies?

It makes me giggle... what their young minds might conjure up... but at least the idea is planted in their minds. And, as they grow older, hopefully, they will transition from the idea that there is an actual person inside their hearts to FEELING God filling their hearts and souls with His love, His Word, and His guidance.

Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart

and with all your soul and with all your mind.

This is the first and greatest commandment." Matthew 22:36-38

Following God's greatest commandment will allow the Lord to guide and protect my children - and allow them to accomplish all of the great plans He has for them...

... But until then... I'm going to have to be a little clearer on how I explain things... otherwise, my son is going to be permanently bent up like a pretzel! :)

Hug a little one today,
♥Mags

I Found God In A Bucket of White Rice...

We ordered Chinese food the other night for dinner. My 7-year-old son only wanted "the biggest thing of white rice they have, Mommy!" Feeling relieved that he, at least, was being agreeable to the dinner selection (it's not his favorite), I order a large steamed rice - and of course, it comes in the standard 5-inch paper container. Jack was totally annoyed with me... sure that I must've ordered a small because this container just can't be big ENOUGH to be a LARGE...!

We scoop a humungous portion on his plate which he eats.

He then eats a second enormous blob of rice.

He works on a third mound of steamed rice, and then looks inside the container only to see that it is still OVER HALF FULL of white rice. He then proclaims:

"Momma! It's like the loaves and the fishes!!

God just keeps filling up this bucket of rice!"

Now THAT was an excellent response!! My son honored God first. As much as I might have liked to have heard "Wow, Mom - you were right, this was more than enough rice to order!" (Yeah... right... I wasn't holding my breath!), Jack's first thought was that God had provided more than enough for him. (I think he still believed that I had ordered a small... and God was refilling it as fast as he could eat it!)

In surfing around the Internet for some other commentaries on the story of the loaves and the fish, I stumbled upon an excellent post by the Troy Schmidt - Indy Writer Guy. In it, he explains a simple Truth about God:

God will provide practically, but not necessarily extravagantly. The key for us is to appreciate what we receive and recognize it came from God. My family knows Matthew 6 very well. We quote it. We believe it. We hang on to it for our dear lives. In all my years, God has not broken this promise. To live with this verse at the core of my being, I had to understand these statements:

1. It may not be what I want, but it is what I need.
2. It may not arrive when I want, but it arrives in time.
3. It may not come to me how I want, but it comes nonetheless.

We must set aside our expectations and expect only God's promise.
This promise comes with an expectation on our part, though. We must seek Him first. God doesn't provide for everyone, all the time. Only those that follow him.

Recently, my husband, David, spoke with a friend about the stresses of being the sole breadwinner to our family - and how being the "only one" to provide (monetarily) can be mind-numbing. His friend stopped him and replied, "But you aren't the 'only one.' GOD is the One providing for your family... he's just working through you to do it. He will provide for your family no matter what job of yours he uses to do it..."

What a shift in perspective!!

I've noticed a change in my husband's mood since that talk. When he feels stresses at work, he reminds himself that God will provide for our family and will place him in the right spot to carry out His plans. The burden does not rest soley on David's shoulders - God has made a promise to help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes (Matthew 6:34 - The Message). And like Mr. Schmidt says in his own article, "God does not break His promises!"


My son was thankful to God for providing him with enough rice to stuff himself silly. More importantly, he offered praise to the One who provided this treat. Now God provides for our simple and complex needs every day... Have you taken a moment to say thanks? My son was thrilled with the abundance of plain, steamed, white rice... Haven't you received at least a few bigger provisions for which God should get at least a simple thank you? :)

--> To read the full article by Troy Schmidt, visit this link: http://www.indywriterguy.com/indy_ramen.htm. It's a great read!!