I have a bad habit of saying things like, "Oh Jesus!" and "Jesus, take me now."
Churchy, legalistic people would surely take offense to such statements.
But my God loves me, has a great sense of humor, knows my heart and understands where I'm coming from.
He's not offended by my sass. He's seen and heard it all.
In fact, I had to smile at church a few weeks ago as we were singing one of the old hymns.
I don't know any of them by heart....that's fine.
It's called a sacrifice of praise. :)
And though it's true that I have a preference to contemporary worship music, I can and do participate in true worship even with old songs that don't have a driving rock beat behind them.
I have to purposely check my heart and my attitude at times if I'm really being truthful, but I do come around.
I'm sure hymn lovers wish they would pass out ear plugs!
It's okay that we are all different. It keeps it interesting.
And we really are all one body, made up of many, many parts.
One of the lines in the song was, "Take me now, Jesus," or something like that.
Like I said, I'd never heard it before.
I laughed, inwardly of course and a smirk came across my face.
I'm always amazed at how God speaks to me in even simple moments like that.
'Cause really, that's exactly what I was thinking just before the next lyric slide came up with that same phrase!
"Jesus, take me now." :) or was it, "Take me now, Jesus" ?
He won't of course.
Billy Joel was right all along. Only the good die young.
Or so it seems.
And it looks like I'm gonna be here a while.
I am very aware that one of the first commandments is "Do not take the Lord's name in vain."
It's not the first but I'm pretty sure it made it to God's Top Five list.
Personally, I can't stand hearing kids say, "Oh my God!" I usually even OMGosh when texting.
Truly.
But sometimes I have to ask to be excused for my outbursts.
Just in case his heart reading radar is not on when I might yell an, "Oh, Jesus!"
I quickly add, "I'm not cussing. I'm calling on ya!!" And I mean it.
"For the love of God, people please!" is another Fave.
Used usually in times when I am trying to evoke some sort of peace into a situation.
Blessed are the peacemakers ya know. They shall inherit the earth.
Then there is one of my all time favorite go-to line/verses.
The one I use when I have had enough and need him to move mightily on my behalf.
I've been using it a lot lately.
Before I share it I will say that I use it only on days when I can fully comprehend and understand what the word GRACE means.
Those times when I know that I really am the righteousness of Christ...
Days when I know that I know, despite the enemy's tries and lies of convincing me God's not going to move on my behalf, because I'm not "good" enough.....
In those moments when I have a firm & deep understanding of who I am in Christ, I pull out this one.....
"God, you see this situation...you know all that I've gone through...you know all of my faults and failures...but I know that you love me and YOUR word says that it is not because of my deeds, or because I am good or right, but for YOUR holy names sake (getting louder on this part) again, not because of me or anything I've done, but for YOUR HOLY NAME'S SAKE....please! Come to my rescue!"
yada, yada.
Specifically, I shared this recent prayer tonight with my friend Pat. I told her exactly what I've been telling God.
"People are looking! Everyone is watching to see how this is all gonna play out, ya know. My life has been a roller coaster of ups and downs. And we both know that I have a big mouth, and well, honestly, right now, it's not looking so good...so, again, not for me, but for you, Lord! 'Cause otherwise, I'm just looking like an idiot! And you wouldn't want that would you? "
Then Pat says to me, in her very straightforward, no nonsense tone, "Well, it'd just be embarrassing for him really."
I love this woman!!!
Bahahaha! Can I get a witness?
“Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is
not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for
the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you
have gone." Ez. 36:22
By Ez. 37:11 it says, "Then he said to me: “Son of
man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and
our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12
Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My
people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring
you back to the land of Israel. 13
Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and
bring you up from them. 14 I will put
my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then
you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the
LORD."
Can I get an Amen???
Friday, December 2, 2011
Happy Fun Girl: Inspection Report says: Cracked Foundation
Happy Fun Girl: Inspection Report says: Cracked Foundation: Being in real estate for several years, I have seen and read many, many inspections reports. Agents and sellers fear them, buyers freak out ...
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Inspection Report says: Cracked Foundation
Being in real estate for several years, I have seen and read many, many inspection reports. Agents and sellers fear them, buyers freak out when they read them and overbearing underwriters will screw up a deal over them. (That just happened a few weeks ago) Ugh!
When a buyer pays for a home inspection, the licensed inspector will look at all of the operating systems. They will check out the plumbing, central heat & air, electric, roof, among other things and of course, most importantly, the foundation.
I live in an area where there are primarily, old, historic homes. Read: They need work!
Typically, homes here have lots of charm and character, but they need cosmetic work and updating to meet current code regulations and modern living "requirements". :)
I say this with a smile because it is amazing what people "require".
"I want a wonderful, large historic home with lots of character, central heat and air, 2 or more bathrooms, lots of great storage and walk-in closets!"
Okay Rocky! Watch me pull a rabbit out of the hat!
It doesn't exist.
Old homes were small.
Those people only had like three outfits a piece when their homes were built.
Walk-in closets were not necessary.
Inside plumbing was a luxury back then. So, probably not going to find 2+ bathrooms.
Most educated buyers are aware of this and fine with that fact and they will often make a purchase after first finding out that the "bones are good."
Inevitably, I hear this too, "Oh! There are cracks in the plaster on the wall!"
Knowingly, I nod, "The house has been here since 1863...yep, there are some cracks."
But is the foundation solid?
Is it? Is your foundation solid?
Ironically, I've noticed recently that mine is cracked. :)
Seriously.
Most of these homes are on pier and beam which tend to move around a little depending on weather conditions.
Many have settled.
Settling is not fun.
There is a crack in the southeast cornerstone of my house and I know that it needs to be fixed.
To begin making repairs, the foundation must be set solid and firm.
Luke 6:49 says, "But anyone who listens and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will crumble into a heap of ruins."
I need a foundation expert.
I also wonder if that's the real, hidden meaning behind the story of The Three Little Pigs?
The first house was made of straw.
The second was made of sticks.
And finally, the third little pig built a solid home that couldn't be huffed and puffed and blown away.
He built a home out of bricks.
Bricks are solid and they must be set on a firm foundation.
In 1 Cor. 3:10, Paul says, "Because of God's special favor to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw."
Huh.
Maybe James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps was aware of this verse also.
He's the wig wearing guy that wrote the Three Little Pigs and had it published in the mid 1800's.
Apparently he attended Jesus College in Cambridge.
According to Wikipedia of course.
I assume he probably learned at his Jesus College the importance of building on a strong foundation in Christ.
I love to build sandcastles, but as pretty as they are and as much fun as they are to make, when the tide comes...they always wash away. As does everything else I've ever tried to build on my own.
As I am rebuilding, I pray.
Lord, help me to build (or rebuild) on that which cannot be shaken so that when the Big Bad Wolf shows up again, I shall not fear, but know that the skilled and trustworthy builder of my life has built this house with His very own hands.
Huff and Puff all you want fur face.
I'm still standing strong.
When a buyer pays for a home inspection, the licensed inspector will look at all of the operating systems. They will check out the plumbing, central heat & air, electric, roof, among other things and of course, most importantly, the foundation.
I live in an area where there are primarily, old, historic homes. Read: They need work!
Typically, homes here have lots of charm and character, but they need cosmetic work and updating to meet current code regulations and modern living "requirements". :)
I say this with a smile because it is amazing what people "require".
"I want a wonderful, large historic home with lots of character, central heat and air, 2 or more bathrooms, lots of great storage and walk-in closets!"
Okay Rocky! Watch me pull a rabbit out of the hat!
It doesn't exist.
Old homes were small.
Those people only had like three outfits a piece when their homes were built.
Walk-in closets were not necessary.
Inside plumbing was a luxury back then. So, probably not going to find 2+ bathrooms.
Most educated buyers are aware of this and fine with that fact and they will often make a purchase after first finding out that the "bones are good."
Inevitably, I hear this too, "Oh! There are cracks in the plaster on the wall!"
Knowingly, I nod, "The house has been here since 1863...yep, there are some cracks."
But is the foundation solid?
Is it? Is your foundation solid?
Ironically, I've noticed recently that mine is cracked. :)
Seriously.
Most of these homes are on pier and beam which tend to move around a little depending on weather conditions.
Many have settled.
Settling is not fun.
There is a crack in the southeast cornerstone of my house and I know that it needs to be fixed.
To begin making repairs, the foundation must be set solid and firm.
Luke 6:49 says, "But anyone who listens and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will crumble into a heap of ruins."
I need a foundation expert.
I also wonder if that's the real, hidden meaning behind the story of The Three Little Pigs?
The first house was made of straw.
The second was made of sticks.
And finally, the third little pig built a solid home that couldn't be huffed and puffed and blown away.
He built a home out of bricks.
Bricks are solid and they must be set on a firm foundation.
In 1 Cor. 3:10, Paul says, "Because of God's special favor to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw."
Huh.
Maybe James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps was aware of this verse also.
He's the wig wearing guy that wrote the Three Little Pigs and had it published in the mid 1800's.
Apparently he attended Jesus College in Cambridge.
According to Wikipedia of course.
I assume he probably learned at his Jesus College the importance of building on a strong foundation in Christ.
I love to build sandcastles, but as pretty as they are and as much fun as they are to make, when the tide comes...they always wash away. As does everything else I've ever tried to build on my own.
As I am rebuilding, I pray.
Lord, help me to build (or rebuild) on that which cannot be shaken so that when the Big Bad Wolf shows up again, I shall not fear, but know that the skilled and trustworthy builder of my life has built this house with His very own hands.
Huff and Puff all you want fur face.
I'm still standing strong.
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