Mama Lolli Pop

After seeing our family’s singing debut (with the happy birthday video we made for Timothy so could see & hear us singing to him from the other side of the world) our friend called me, Mama Lolli Pop.   I already have a mousy voice — but increase the speed of a video a few notches, and I really have a mousy-lolli-pop voice.

Well, then, I just had to share a pic that makes me smile – the lolli pop is totally and completely coincidental!! Samuel and Hannah had walked to First street… looked through some of the antique shops and ended up at Sammie Jo’s candy store where Samuel bought a lolli pop. It proved to be too much for him, so he passed it on to ‘melia. I didn’t realize she was hanging on to it when she went to take a rest… so, couldn’t pass up the photo op when I went in to check on her. so, I guess this makes her — baby lolli-pop?

melia lolli pop a

Happy Birthday, Mr. Rogers

And thanks, for the memories.

Today would’ve been Mister Rogers’ 80th birthday. I didn’t grow up watching much television at all and so, not even Mister Rogers very often, and our children didn’t watch television and I don’t think our grandchildren watch ‘reruns’ of Mister Rogers. But I saw the show a number of times over the years — enough so, that I do remember many of the songs and remember them well enough to have the right inflection and timing. Do you remember the songs? Want to hear them again? “Hear” you go!

As a child, I remember going to our neighbor’s house and watching the show sometimes – that, and Sesame Street – which I pronounced, See-Same street, and was mockingly corrected for not saying it right. You know the: (ha ha ha) “You’re saying it wrong! Don’t you know how to say it?! It’s Ses-ah-meeeeeeeeeeee street (aha ha haaa)! ” If I have any phobias at all, by the way, it’s saying things incorrectly when correct pronunciation really matters. And to some children, correct pronunciation really matters.

I just try to handle situations the way Fred Rogers would’ve handled them with children and I think it all works out just fine. And that’s one of the things I most appreciated about the program — his loving enthusiasm and his kindness and patience. It was honour and gentlemanly behaviour that Fred Rogers demonstrated that also has stayed in my memories of him through the years.

I received an email that included some interesting bits about different men who are unsung heroes. I noticed that there were some amazing notes on Mr. Rogers. Sensational and unbelievable notes, really! And when notes are that amazing or unbelievable, they usually are the latter: un (or not) believable.

Though the notes in the emails had the heartwarming Mr. Rogers as trained US Navy Seal and listed the reason for his long sleeves and sweaters was to hide his the numerous tattoos he received in the military days, much of what was written and circulated in email was untrue. What’s true of him, though, is that he did spend his life attempting to make life sweet for countless millions of children — children who came to know and love their friend, Mister Rogers.

Fred Rogers warmed our hearts, this is true; but many details of his story, as told in the numerous email messages, are just tall tales. He actually graduated from Rollins College in Florida with a degree in music in 1951 and then began a broadcasting career — a career that would continue uninterrupted for 50 years, In that time he also studied for a Bachelor of Divinity degree and became an ordained minister in 1962. He didn’t live in fear of his past days or hiding a secret past as a trained Navy Seal killer. Mister Rogers was a truly a gentleman who devoted his life to encouraging the lives of children — this is how he’s remembered today.

So… it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood… where’s your sweater? Are you singing?

It’s a Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood
Fred Rogers

It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?…

It’s a neighborly day in this beauty wood,
A neighborly day for a beauty.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?…

I’ve always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.
I’ve always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

So, let’s make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we’re together we might as well say:
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won’t you be my neighbor?
Won’t you please,
Won’t you please?
Please won’t you be my neighbor!

In the mailbox today

For many years now I have written about trends in the church, church growth methods and marketing strategies and what church growth strategists are saying and doing.

What was in this space for a few days were scans of postcards from local churches and I have removed them and I would like to apologize for posting them – for the intent was not more important than people.  It was not my intent to criticize a specific local church, but rather to use the example of the postcards to demonstrate methods or as an example of purpose driven or emergent church methods and it was not my intent to cut down specific persons. at all.

So.  I offer my sincere apologies to any who were offended by my posting of those post cards.   I pray to continue to be used of the Lord to share what’s going on in the church today and to encourage trust and faith in the Living God and following after Jesus, the Truth and the Word of God.  These are very, very remarkable days as we watch for His appearing.

He is alive.

with love, a repentant heart, and faith in the only One who is able to save;

sincerely —pamela

Not a ‘depression era mentality’ at all

teacuppamela.pngIt used to be that when someone refused to waste a drop or when someone would save everything from produce baggies to cottage cheese containers to newspapers to bacon grease — people who never threw anything away after the originally intended use — they were thought to be products of the Great Depression and, as such, were tolerated (even if made fun of behind their backs) and “understood.” Then, time passed and folks were mocked for being pack-rats or hoarding things they’d never use — that, or they were secretly embarrassed over their hoarding and hiding and groups like clutterers and ‘messies anonymous’ spawned — along with the hoards of organization tips: through books, stores and products. Whatever the case, ‘depression mentality’ or no, there are just some people who have a propensity to stash stuff and never throw things out – you know, because they might — need — them someday. I know people like that. Really well.

Today, instead of being thrifty or careful to use and save items, there’s sort of a new generation of folks who save things to remake to use and reuse and reuse. Maybe they’re tight-wads, maybe they’re thrifty, but this tight-waddy-ness (you read it here first!) has led to some clever ingenuity. Consider ‘shabby chic’ and all the retro-think and then think of eBay, Craigslist and Freecycle — to name a few. Thrift stores are the main sources of clothing for many people we know (including everyone who lives at this address). I think that’s sort of a combination of the signs of the times (save the planet – recycle – renew the earth) stuff and the Depression Era parents and grandparents passing on that gene.

Well, there was a point to this post. Really. I received an email with this tip for reusing a man’s dress shirt to make a toddler dress [look at all the great photos and tutorial!] . It’s so cute and so clever and sooooooo neuvo. So, you wanna see it? I’m thinking this is a keeper — something to try out! Other ideas are coming to mind! I’ll let you know if I do make it (and it’s worth showing)! :o)

I love doing this sort of thing! For example, recently I made kitchen curtains from a beautiful white-eyelet bassinet skirt that I cut it apart — I hated messing up the originally beautiful workmanship – but it wouldn’t have been any use to me as it was. So there I had plenty of fabric to use for the curtain, and it was just what I would have purchased and I got it for free!

I’ll bet you’re thinking of stuff you could remake… aren’t you.

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The Marketing of Evil and ignorant labels

Every now and then a case comes along that punctuates the reality of ‘the marketing of evil.’ Though it’s been awhile since I read the book by David Kupelian, The Marketing of Evil, I’ve not forgotten the content nor has the impact of the book diminished – it’s interesting how the book shed a bright light on our society and the clever destruction or dissolution of foundational, Biblical and societal truths.

I happened to be browsing the Worldnet Daily site – browsing the news for the financial debacle of our nation and attempting to read something other than the egregious behaviour of mayors, governors and other elected officials and ‘religious leaders’ and happened upon an article about a librarian and an ongoing secsual harassment case. Seems that the librarian was recommending a book — the aforementioned, The Marketing of Evil, and was instantly verbally assaulted and accused of secsual harassment and a colleague even claimed that he no longer felt safe doing his job. Incredible. Over a book recommendation – a recommendation that was made bcz the required reading list was polarized that it needed an alternative.

This, from the WND site article:

quotegraysmall.gifAs WND reported previously, one of the homosexual professors, J.F. Buckley, in a March 9, 2006, e-mail, reacted this way to Savage’s recommendation of Kupelian’s book: “As a gay man I have long ago realized that the world is full of homophobic, hate-mongers who, of course, say that they are not. So I am not shocked, only deeply saddened – and THREATENED [sic] – that such mindless folks are on this great campus. … You have made me fearful and uneasy being a gay man on this campus. I am, in fact, notifying the OSU-M campus, and Ohio State University in general, that I no longer feel safe doing my job. I am being harassed.”

Seriously, I’m floored at the lawsuits, the huge leaps and assumptions made by those who hate ‘conservative’ thought, hate moral absolutes and appear to hate Christians.  I’m also amazed that an adult man would be afraid simply based on hearing another man, a colleague, offer the title of a book that carries a differing opinion.   That man’s afraid (so he says) and yet he’s labeling his colleague phobic.   The line of reasoning is just preposterous.

It’s amazing and silly to me at the same time that when one says that something is not right, morally wrong or whatever — they’re instantly labeled homophobic. Same/afraid. Afraid of homo_______. Now isn’t that peculiar and actually quite ridiculous at the same time. Just because someone holds to something that’s contrary to a belief of another does not mean they’re *afraid* of that belief – but that’s dialectic praxis. Say something often enough and it will be believed or accepted. So… homophobia; that’s the label.

Well, that’s a stupid label and a very stupid assumption. It can only mean one thing and that is that there is nothing there. Bullies who have no merit to their fight always play rough and dirty, bullies always make baseless attacks — but they do have a reason for their bullying – they demand attention (and get it) and demand their way (regardless who they crush or how they crush them in the process) with total disregard for the Truth.

So the next time someone calls you homophobic when you say that some forms of conduct or behaviour or whatever are contrary to God’s design, just tell them the truth: you are not afraid of same_____ as homo = same / phobia = fear suggests. Don’t accept the branding – it’s done in ignorance and pride. Little children do that – they call names when they feel threatened or when someone doesn’t take their side. It is not being afraid of something that makes one state facts… it’s simply seeing things as God’s Word says they are — stating that something is simply contrary to God’s design and is abomination bcz it is contrary to His divine design.

The charges leveled and the demands made are not demands for tolerance, they’re demands for acceptance — acceptance and validation. Trouble is, there’s a huge difference between rejecting lies and rejecting people. I an reject a lie, a sinful behaviour, a way contrary to design, but that in no way means I am rejecting the person — else I wouldn’t be able to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

So, don’t wear or be offended by the ad hominem attack and label, homophobic, bcz you say something negative about the practice of homosecsuality or that it’s biblically wrong. That label is erroneous and ignorantly childish. You’ll still hear it, though, because it’s at the top of the agenda.

The Shining Sword

teacuppamela.pngWes reads great books to our family several nights a week. I love to listen to him read — he reads well, clearly, passionately, with enthusiasm and occasionally he’ll even give the characters’ voice. So he was reading to us last evening and the stark current reality of the long ago written story was astounding to me. The book is, The Shining Sword by Charles Coleman, originally written in 1956. It’s one of those timeless, classic books — sort of like John Bunyan’s, The Pilgrim’s Progress, that teaches deeply important Bible truths in such an engaging manner.

Each night as Wes reads, the children listen with rapt attention to the trials and conquests of Lanus and the use of the whole armour of God. I’m sure our children will not forget the value of the armour of God, His power and the enemy’s piercings of the sword and the value and protection of the armour given every believer and follower of Jesus Christ.

I think family story time is probably one of the most valuable and important investments parent can make. It’s just such an invaluable time — great training, great truths instilled, wonderful opportunities to dialog and compare and contrast what’s read with the Word of God and it’s just such a rewarding time each time the family gathers around to listen to papa read. I read to them, too — and they enjoy it, but there’s just something particularly wonderful about having papa read the stories.  I especially like it… his voice is soothing to me.

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the signs of the times

I felt I ought to clarify, just a bit, my post of a few days ago: “One of the first gents of emergents” bcz I am concerned that I perhaps inferred favourable thinking regarding the “ministry” and work of Rob Nooma Bell. I have occasionally been thought of or called judgmental when I talk about or point out blasphemous or apostate or deceptive teachers and preachers. So, in an effort to be kinder, gentler, I think I just might have appeared to endorse the presentations, the ‘pastor’ and the work.

So, just in case there’s still a question, may I share some Scriptures that will shed light on the emergent gents and the work, the way and the deception at the core of those who rewrite Scripture, deny the power of the Gospel or deny the Truth or the only Way to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, or teach and spread cunningly devised fables, wise in their own eyes, calling evil good and good evil… that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter… woe unto them… This is the seductive, illustrious emergent conversation. This is a sign of the times.

Marvel not:

 

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2.18

 

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1 John 2.22

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1 John 4.1-3

And no marvel; for Satan himself
is transformed into an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11.14

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1.7-9

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2 John 1.7

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Revelation 20.10

Happy Birthday, Timothy!

We’re sure missing our boy today… on his birthday, and every day. Hannah made a birthday cake for Timothy, put it on the Red Plate… we lit the candles and sang the ‘happy birthday song’ while the camera was recording. So, here we are, early this morning, singing to our boy… 7500 miles away.

Happy Birthday, Timothy. We’re missing you! From all of us, with love.