Yes; a Time

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

 a time to be born, and a time to die;
 a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
 a time to break down, and a time to build up; 
 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
 a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
 a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
 a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
 a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
 a time to love, and a time to hate;
 a time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

There is truly a time and a season for everything in life. I like the encouragement this brings to me when I read this scripture for truly there is a time for everything. The interesting thing is that I can pull out certain "times" I am going through even now! 

Despite the times we are going through, we are never alone. Our Heavenly Father is always with us; and His spirit lives inside of us. :) Jesus who is mightier than anyone on earth- his Spirit lives inside of believers! - I wonder about the fire part of this verse! I just noticed it.

John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming,the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Also, I like this verse because it speaks of contentment in Jesus alone. He is all we need it explains in essence. 

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 
Hebrews 13:5

I just bought a book from our local Christian book store called "Live Abundantly" and it is a Bible study book through the book of Ephesians. So far, I have done the first day's worth of it; and this is what I have learned so far! 

God's will for our lives is:

1. Give Thanks to God in ALL THINGS! 
2. Well Doing
3. Sanctification

1) GIVE THANKS TO GOD IN ALL THINGS

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

2) WELL DOING

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

1 Peter 2:15

 3) SANCTIFICATION

For this is the will of God, your sanctification:that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

That was a very good lesson that I learned so far. I really enjoy doing the Bible study.. it's amazing to me how much I missed from just reading the Bible and not really studying it. That's why I like this study book because it helps me write things down and fill in the blanks; and asks me questions.. so I can actually access and dwell on what I'm reading. :) I like it! :) 

Certainly there is a time and a season for everything; and a person can choose to spend there time how they wish. It's funny; how earlier I started to cry about my circumstances; and then I thought about "why am I crying" and I realized it was because I was actually being selfish and pitying myself and how wrong that was!!!! I am praying that God will continue to show me how to serve and love Him as I seek Him more. It's easy to be consumed with the things of this world, but they are just for a moment [even when they seem like forever!!]

 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

If you have some spare time, I'd really encourage you to read all of the 4th chapter of 2 Corinthians; which I'm including a link here for you:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%204&version=ESV

Jesus's Spirit is with us everyday; every single second of the day and is the only thing that will be with us throughout our lives and throughout eternity! :)

Praise God!! :) Tomorrow we get to celebrate my lovely mother's birthday, which I'm so happy I am with her to celebrate it truly with her this year.

- I am thankful for our warm clothes and the food and jobs God has provided us, I'm thankful for my brother and the work he is doing, I'm thankful for the friends and family he has given me, and I'm thankful that He has given me an able body to serve; I hope God will be able to use me for good things for His glory here on this earth. :)

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27

The events

Yesterday was an enjoyable day. I ended up taking just Courtney out for the day. We were supposed to be together from 1:00-4:00, but as we know the way of youngin's stretching the time out- I ended up calling her mom and she let her stay an extra hour. We explored a bit of the downtown area- I took her to a shop that has gelato and coffee. She ordered cake batter and I ordered carmel cashew- so that is what I told the server we wanted. The server must not have quite understood me because he scooped them both in the same dish! Courtney started laughing and I was trying my very best to be discrete but it was oh so hard when you have a ten year old girl who is just rolling in laughter beside you. So, I asked the server for "another one" and he stuck another mini spoon inside the dish. It was quite funny. I once again had to be a little more "blunt" and ask for another scoop of icecream in a separate dish> :) We ended up getting what we wanted- along with our Chai Tea Latte and Vanilla Cappuchino. :) I couldn't believe the things middle schoolers had to deal with. I just couldn't imagine what it would be like to get slapped in the face-- and just be okay with that and stay in the same classrooms. It's sad the lack of responsibility and authority by the adults. The adults are bias or so stressed out, that they don't know how to properly control kids, and the kids ride over their authority to look "cool" to the other kids. So, it was interesting to see inside the life of a person who is half my age and see the struggles there. On a good note, I was able to help her finish her math homework- which was actually quite easy and she knew how to do it all just lacking the motivation. :) Also- Yesterday Sammi and Brandon came over. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings and ate wings and played Trivia! I won the first round-- I named myself "JEDI" haha! :) I suppose the Jedi's always seem to win. When we got home, they requested some hot chocolate. I didn't have any packets, so i decided to look up how to make homemade hot chocolate! I didn't try it; but they said it was really delicious! I probably will stick with that from now on- since they seemed to like it. :) Homemade stuff is always the best! And I must say that as I was pouring the delicious milk into the pan; I couldn't help but thank God for the farmers who work hard day and night to give us those good things. :) {{Thank you Row family!!}} It's truly a blessing.

Arraying Yourself For Beauty and For Battle

Last evening was a wonderful event at church. The event was solely for women and about arraying yourself for beauty and for battle. I came late from work so I missed quite a bit of the beginning but seemed to make it in time for what I thought were the best parts anyways. I walked inside and all of the tables were lined with beautiful white linen table cloth. Each one had beautiful paper gold hearts in the center with a long vase and sparkling lit candles. The tables were done as if they were for a wedding! The orchestra had just started when I arrived. The orchestra was a group of kids performing. They played pieces from the baraqoe area including a piece by Handel. I could hardly believe I just walked into such a place after such a crazy yet boring day of work. After the orchestra was the message. The message came from the book of Ephesians about putting on the whole armor of God. The woman who spoke is a fiery woman of God she spoke to us ladies. It was very encouraging to hear her speak. She used a woman as her example and "dressed her up in the armor". For the breastplate she used a beautiful necklace, for the shoes she used black long boots, for the belt of truth she used a shiny belt, the shield of faith consisted of a cute black jacket, and the sword of the spirit was a fashionable black purse with a Bible inside of it and a tablet. :) It was a great example and I'll never forget the armour of God! :) The message spoke to my heart about being content only in the Lord and it gave me the strength from God that I needed to realize that He is fighting all my battles and He will bring me a place of contentment no matter what the circumstance if I only rely on Him. :) The more I am learning to trust in God just over the past day the more my fears are subsided and my thoughts are good! Tonight, I'm taking out a ten year old girl from our church to spend Saturday together along with my cousin and her man Brandon. I'm really excited and I'm praying that God will use this extra time I have now for His glory! FrEeDoM at LAST! :)

Thoughts

A thought starts here
 You share it there
"They" share it there and it comes back here.

Here is a thought
Lost amist the lively noise
Where I once sought
Now seems like a land without poise

What was it that I think that I once thought
Was it true or am I simply caught
The lines of the mind are pulled taut
And my thought are disintegrating; the ones I once fought to have thought

Now are my thoughts valid?
I do not now know..
For the voices are ever stirring
And my thoughts are all but blurring

 -Courtney

 This isn't a poem but more of a question of wondering. It's no where near a great work- I took a few minutes to write it. It derives from the confusion that comes when you listen to so many voices you can't hear God's voice or your own thoughts. This is the place I am in right now. :)

Beautiful Day

Today is a wonderful exciting day. Christopher is preparing to leave for his journey to Uganda where he will spend his life for the next 27 months. His primary focus will be math tutoring to the professors there along with hiv/aids education and overall wellness for the Ugandan community. We have been trying to squish all the favorite "American" times within this past week, visiting Christopher's favorite restaurants and spending quality time with him before he leaves. It's quite a change of pace for the week since our family is usually busy in our own individual lives I feel as we don't take time with each other, so honestly it's weird to spend a whole week together focusing on spending time with each other and my brother. Anyways, he is about to embark on an exciting journey and I am glad we can support him. I bought him a personalized teddy bear with a t-shirt of him and I on our graduation. I got the package in the mail today.. and they forgot to send the bear! What are the chances! So-- I ended up with a mini sweatshirt- lol.. and now I'm waiting for them to put in a new order for the bear. It might be too late- but that's alright; mistakes happen. Well, Dinner is ready- and unfortunately I don't have time to write anymore. Hope all is well!

Assured Future

All around us everyday, life is changing. My life seems to constantly change. I suppose since I allowed the change; I should be quite used to the immediate changes. However, Change is not always the easiest thing to deal with, even if we know it's for the better. Without being too personal on the www (world wide web) , it has been quite hard at times yet quite easy. It's a mix of feelings of knowing that what you are doing is right and coming to terms that the future does not exist as I once planned it a few months ago. You see, we make plans and construct futures in a sense for ourselves, yet the future does not always hold as we "planned" it. God is the only supreme being the Universe that knows the future and has a exact plan for the future. In that, we can rejoice in the assurance that we are gauranteed a sure future in Heaven with our Lord and our God. No matter where the roads of life take us, we will all end up with a sure future. Depending on if we accepted the free gift of Jesus life n place of our sins, we can know and be assured of our future in heaven. On the contrary, if we haven't, we can also be assured of our future in hell. Either way, God has set a plan that is sure and perfect, so in the midst of life's brutal storms, we can stand with Jesus in His peaceful prescence. 

Courtney J

I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you.

Cast your burden on the Lord for He cares for you.

Come all ye who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.

The mercy of the Lord endures unto ALL generations

To be or not to be is not the question

Is a relationship to be? Then, let it be. If it is not to be, well you better end it quickly. However, this post isn't quite about the lackadaisical relationships of "dating"; however, it is more directed at marriage. With the increasing divorce rate (or more or less now days the no marriage rate), there comes into question, "how do you know if this will be". Now, the answer, I believe, is fairly simply. If you make a decision, before God and before men, you need to stay true with it. Why do you say marriage vows if you simply discard them after the first six or so years. Until death due us part is a vow that is broken by over half of the marrying population. I am writing however in ignorance as I am not married/have not been married before. These are my thoughts on the issue now; and I do not care to change my opinion as this is not just my opinion but it is God's will for couples as well.

2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.

Romans 7:2-3

Furthermore, as I increase in my age and I continue to ponder the thought of getting married (and staying married), I begin to see what a very important commitment this someday may be and perhaps the greatest one I will make besides my already committed relationship with the Lord. 

Rhythmic Circus: Feet Don't Fail Me Now -

I once saw this group perform at the UWEC and at the time I didn't realize what a unique experience I was getting to experience. Now, I realize the uniqueness of this live art. Please enjoy a promo video of the Rhymthic Circus. I definitely am interested in going to see them again; and I have to admit they have influenced me to want to start to tap dance (I even have a pair of tap shoes)!


     

Deception of the Heart

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9

There is this poem that I stumbled upon, that seems to explain quite well things I constantly deal with when I enter into relationships. All of a sudden the heart becomes blind, and you do not realize the trouble you are in and the stress and anguish it has caused; until it subsides. The following poem is worth reading to remind yourself to keep a head on your shoulders despite the luring of dumb loves pull. I can say I can testify by many experiences; many too many; that I wish this poem would have been more prevalent in my childhood instead of stories of unrealistic romances. Besides the point, I enjoy this poem, except I do not agree with the last sentence because God did give all his heart, and though we failed Him, Jesus has redeemed us and God never loses. :)

Never give all the heart, for love
Will hardly seem worth thinking of
To passionate women if it seem
Certain, and they never dream
That it fades out from kiss to kiss;
For everything that's lovely is
But a brief, dreamy, kind delight.
O never give the heart outright,
For they, for all smooth lips can say,
Have given their hearts up to the play.
And who could play it well enough
If deaf and dumb and blind with love?
He that made this knows all the cost,
For he gave all his heart and lost. 
W.B. Yeats 

Thoughts of today

What is life? Is it not just a fleeting moment? Yet we hold so many things so tightly as it is something that will mean forever. Why are our selfish desires constantly conflicting with so many things? Sometimes I take a step back and look at situations and wonder why is this such a big issue, and then I realize something. I realize that it's not as big as I think it is, but it's my own desires or other's own desires that make the issue so big.
This morning I heard on the radio much talk about hospitality. How important it is to be hospitable to others and to open our homes to them. The example of the couple in the Bible that opened their home to the prophet Elijah and his servant was used- when they had built a spare room for him to stay with them when he traveled through the area. Also, I heard another sermon about being humble about the things that we possess and not to exalt ourselves or our material goods. If we have money, we should use it to better the kingdom of God, and likewise, if we don't have money, the same. Eternal treasures in heaven are more important than the temporal things of the earth.

I enjoyed listening to the sermons; and I am always taken a back at the things I seem to forget and re-learn. Tomorrow is supposed to be the church camping church, however, there are some complications so I'm not sure if I'll be able to go. Still, I have to trust that there is a good purpose in everything to those that love God. :) And I do believe that.
Ta ta!

The One Things of Summer

The One Things of Summer

One firefly lighting up the dark night

One bat fluttering with wings stretched outward in the sky

One buzzing crew of cicadas in the shadowed trees

One lazy tree laying down its trunk to the ground

One whispering grass waving adieu

One brown leaf fallen; the first of many

One star bursting a small stream of light

One ray of sunlight soon swallowed up by the dark clouds

One white moon welcoming the dusky evening

One person folding their well-worked hands

One prayer quietly spoken

One God, over all, answering, watching, listening, waiting

One Summer, now almost over

J ~Courtney Dunn 8-26-13 The One Things of Summer -Inspired by a walk in a park in the evening