Bach Festival Society FREE Open Rehearsal Friday, Feb. 25, 2011

Tickets are normally $25+ for this event.  If you love classical music, you don't want to miss this!   I'm out of state or I'd love to be attending this tonight.

Open Rehearsal: Mozart’s Grand Mass in C minor

Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put together a large choral work at this Open Rehearsal.

This event is free and open to the public. No ticket required. Doors will open at 6:15pm. Knowles Chapel, Rollins College.

More info at THIS LINK

Simple Things: Restoring Your Car Headlights

I was at Wal-Mart last month getting my oil changed and I happened to overhear the technician talking to another customer about restoring his headlights.  When it was my turn, I asked him what he meant by that.  We  (particularly me) have been having hard time seeing the road at night when driving my car.  I thought it was just my old eyes but my younger son who has excellent vision was saying the same thing.  The tech said that the headlight bulbs did not need replacing but that the exterior cover needed a deep clean.    We wash the cars fairly regularly and this had not helped.

I took it back a few weeks later and had this process done.  Amazing!  It really has made a huge difference in our driving at night.   Plus, it is guaranteed for the life of the  car!  A simple process with great results, and a  good buy for $40.

BEFORE

AFTER

Mimi's BOGO Breakfast Coupon. Take a friend to Breakfast.

Still valid today and tomorrow, Feb. 23-24, 2011.

Print yours at THIS LINK.

BOOK STUDY: Twelve Extraordinary Women / Rahab--A Horrible Life Redeemed

Continuing with John MacArthur's book Twelve Extraordinary Women...Just posting once on this book this week since I will be flying out on Thursday for my mother's funeral.
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Chapter 3

Rahab:  A Horrible Life Redeemed

It's funny how some Bible stories are so familiar that any alterations from what you're used to seems very strange.  The story of Rahab the harlot in Jericho would seem odd if she and her family had NOT been saved when the walls came tumbling down but oh, what a different illustration that would have been for us.  Just another "you get what you deserve" story rather than one of God's amazing grace.   It is always comforting to remember that in our lives, when the culture or job or neighborhood or even churches sometimes, seem their worst, there is usually still a remnant of people whom God has drawn and is drawing to Himself.  Perhaps you are, or have been one of them.

Rahab had always been a willing participant  in her civilization's trademark debauchery and had profited from the evil that permeated that whole society...why shouldn't Rahab also receive the just desserts of her own deliberate sin?

How is it that she appears in the genealogy of Christ in Matthew 1?  

It's interesting to me that Rahab even hid the two spies at all.  She had heard stories of YHWH (God) as had her kinsmen who were somewhat  fearful of Him.  John M. believes that she had probably never met anyone who actually knew Him personally, particularly having lived in Jericho all of her life.  Just that one night of conversation with the two spies changed her heart and led her to hide them from the city guards. Her home high upon a wall was the only part of it that did NOT fall down (remember that children's song?).  Rahab only asked that she AND her family be saved.  She turned her back on her former lifestyle of prostitution and walked away from the corrupt place where she had been for so long.   Amazing.   Even more amazing is that she apparently lived our her life quietly with the Israelites, married and is in Christ's genealogy as well as in the book of Hebrews as an example of faith to us.  Not because of WHAT she did in protecting the spies (remember, she lied about them), but because of God's extraordinary grace and apparent choice of her in His plan.

This story a wonderful example of how telling others (some of whom we may never see again) our own story and who God is from the scriptures, can be used by Him to change someone's heart in dramatic ways.  For myself I know this is true since I had heard most of my life about the Lord, been to church periodically,  sang in the choir, read the Bible stories (and parts of the Bible itself), been through the "plan of salvation", etc.  Still, I only knew these as "stories"  and experienced them as "activities".  Most people thought I was a Christian long before I ever truly believed.  I had never met anyone who knew Jesus personally until I was a senior in college just about to graduate.  A young man whom I met and dated for several months after college, who assumed I was a Christian at the time, talked about the Lord regularly, prayed with me, studied with me and introduced me to a singles group with many young people my age who did the same and were serious about their faith and living for Him.  God used his life and our relationship to lead me to a good church home and be nurtured by others both my age and much older.  He and I eventually went our separate ways, both married and both have sons, all six of whom are also believers and followers of Christ.  33 years later... I will forever be thankful.

2Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; 

the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 

Jury Duty / Memories from Last Year

It's been almost exactly one year since I  was on a criminal jury for over a week.  If you have never been a juror you might find this interesting.

Several posts were done the week after we found a verdict (couldn't post at all during the trial).  Go HERE to read them or search JURY DUTY.

Morse Gallery Open House March 19-20, 2011 / Laurelton Hall OPENING

A fun outing for the family or date...

The Morse Museum’s new 12,000-square-foot wing on Park Avenue in Winter Park will provide, for the first time, long-term public access to its collection of art and architectural objects from Louis Comfort Tiffany’s celebrated Long Island home, Laurelton Hall.

Hugh F. and Jeannette G. McKean rescued works from Laurelton Hall after the mansion was destroyed by fire in 1957. Over the next three decades the couple went on to assemble extensive holdings of Tiffany objects for the Morse—what is today the world’s most comprehensive collection of the artist/designer’s work.

We hope to stop by this weekend.  

FREE admission March 19-20, 2011

More information  at THIS LINK.


UPDATE:  My  husband and I went on Saturday and the new Laurelton Hall wing is beautiful, as is the entire gallery.  What a talented craftsman Louis B. Tiffany was.  Be sure to save your brochure which you are given upon entering the gallery. There is a FREE pass for an entire family in each one with NO expiration date.

Book STUDY: Twelve Extraordinary Women / Sarah Hoping Against Hope

Chapter 2, p. 42-50 (part 2)

Sarah:  Hoping Against Hope

Genesis 17: 15-17

Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 

I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her."  

Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 

The rest of this chapter focuses on God's incredible promise to Abraham and both his and Sarah's complete trust that it could come to pass. Interesting that Abraham was not seeking God but He was seeking Abra(ha)m at the time.  John M. also discusses the incident with Hagar and Ishmael when Sarah was harsh with them and cast them out.  I've always thought that she was cruel for doing that, but according to the culture, she was not being unreasonable.   In fact, part of the reason for her sending them away was her belief in His promise.  

As I ponder this section I marvel that both Abraham and Sarah are commended in the book of Hebrews as examples of  faith.  We know from reading Genesis that there were several incidents where neither appeared to be faithful and each behaved in  in ungodly ways at times i.e. Abraham's lying 2x to different people about Sarah being his sister; Sarah "helping" God fulfill His promise by having Hagar sleep with Abraham to conceive a child...  They were sinful people just like we are. They made mistakes and bad choices, some big ones, too, just like we do. Their behavior was not always perfect or kind or wise, as is ours.  I think that these occasions are emphasized for our benefit to show the mercy of God and that He looks at the heart not just on specific occasions but throughout one's life.  They were both quite old [Abraham 175, Sarah 127] when they died and these occasions are relatively few when you consider their entire lifetimes which were generally ones of devoted godly people.   Nevertheless, Scripture says:  

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

It is comforting to read that  the Lord considers them faithful servants and to know that they are in heaven with Him simply because God is merciful to those He has chosen.  That's a promise that we can cling to and trust as well and one that gives us peace in all circumstances.

NEXT WEEK:  Rahab--A Horrible Life Redeemed

Wordless Wednesday (Almost) / Sunset Photos in the Strangest Places

Not sure if you want to try this at "home"...  I was returning home from taking my son to his church youth group the other night about 6:00 p.m.  I hadn't realized until then that the days really are getting a little longer.   As always, I had my camera in my purse as the sun was setting but I was going the wrong way to see it.   I got the camera out and was able to snap these photos quickly (I was driving very slowly and sometimes stopped, by the way)...

Sunset reflected on the back of a car

I kept my eyes on the road and held my camera to the side and snapped.

In my rearview mirror

The sunset in  my side mirror

BOOK STUDY: Twelve Extraordinary Women / Chapter 2 / Sarah the Wife of Abraham

Chapter 2, p. 27-42

Sarah:  Hoping Against Hope

Hebrews 11:11 

By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. 

NOTE:  The life of Sarah is told in Genesis 12-25; she is also mentioned in Isaiah 51:2, Romans 9:9, iPeter 3:6.

So many topics in this section to discuss:

1. Sarah's extraordinary beauty even into old age
2. Sarah's name change (Sarai to Sarah)
3. Sarah's devotion to her husband despite some foolish actions on his part
4. Sarah's sense of pressure that the birth of a nation depended solely on her
5. Sarah's willingness to leave all that was familiar and go with her husband to an unknown place
6. Sarah's scheme to "ensure" that what God had promised would be fulfilled and its consequences (Hagar/Ishmael)

Let's talk about # 5--Sarah's willingness to leave all that was familiar and go with her husband to an unknown nation.  This can apply to single women as well as to those who are married since the Lord is the Bridegroom to each of us.  

I have to admire Sarah for her adaptability to change especially since she and Abraham were urban people from the city of Ur, not nomads from birth.  I can hardly imagine moving away from our home in the suburbs to live in the remote mountains or the country with no neighbors, stores or friends.  In our culture people often move every few years but I have never liked it.  Our family moved several times when I was growing up and I could hardly wait until I was on my own and could stay in one place.

Sometimes though, a family must move due to health, new job opportunities, financial and family issues.  Usually it is the husband who must decide whether  to go or stay. Sometimes it’s to a new neighborhood, sometimes it’s to a new state / country, sometimes into a new business venture.  Do you complain and  argue and nag?  Or do you quietly pray and follow your husband where he leads you?  Sometimes it’s a matter of your husband leading you into decisions that you would say no to.  Unless it is outright sinful, let him lead you there without your kicking and screaming.  Sometimes men (and women) misunderstand God’s direction and make mistakes, other times they hear Him clearly and blessings are bountiful. My point is, let your husband lead.  Men learn from their mistakes and in doing so, often learn how to lead better as a result.  A wise woman once told me that men can’t learn to lead unless we women let them. Men often will give in or concede to an aggressive, argumentative wife just to keep the peace.    Trust the Lord that you are under His umbrella of protection by submitting to your husband.

If your husband does not lead, that’s a different story.   In that case, pray and seek wisdom from your pastor or church elder what to do.  Maybe it’s just a matter of him not having had a father or a good role model from which to learn how or that he’s not in the company of other men very often who can encourage and counsel him.  Iron truly does sharpen iron.

If you are single, where is the Lord leading you that you do not want to go?  Into a ministry? a new job? a relocation?  a new relationship?  Let Him direct your steps and take ONE step at a time where it seems He is leading.  Sometimes by rushing too fast  we don't see the warning signs, detours or turns in the road.  Take it slowly and keep going in whatever direction seems right.  Pray for Him to show you any roadblocks or dead ends if you feel you are going astray and trust that by submitting to His authority you are in no better place.

Remembering...

Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 

Mom's Brag Book Item ... :) Amazing Basketball Trick Shot Videos

My son and a few of his college friends filmed these two amazing videos of unbelievable basketball shots that they made themselves.  Enjoy this fun video!  

Click HERE to view the video.  Music by Switchfoot.

Happy Valentines Day! I Corinthians 13 for Wives and Mothers

Happy Valentines Day!


A time to be thankful for those whom we love and for those that love us.


I Corinthians 13: 1-8
 ¹If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
 ²If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
 ³And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
 ⁴Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
 ⁵does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
 ⁶does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
 ⁷bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
 ⁸Love never fails;

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I Corinthians 13 for Wives (by Jim Fowler)

• If I exercise my freedom to speak my mind and say what I think, but do not have love, I am just a squeaky wheel or a dripping faucet.
• If I know the mysteries of how to please a man and the guidelines of a Proverbs 31 wife, but do not have love, I am just going through the motions.
• If I submit myself to my husband in total availability, and do not give myself in love, I am but a pitiful marital martyr.
• A wife's love is patient with all her husband's "big ideas," adaptable to his preferences, and supportive of his leadership.
• The love of a Christian wife does not nag; does not keep a running list of all the times he has hurt her feelings.
• It is not provoked when he does not pick up his own things, does not come home when he says he will, or wants to do something at inconvenient times.
• In love for her husband a wife will keep herself attractive, join him in his recreational pursuits, and express her admiration for him often.
• A wife's love bears all the insensitivities, believes that God will mold the marriage and the man as He desires, hopes that God will be glorified in what they do, and endures the inevitable marital conflicts (OK - fights!).
• All the feminist propaganda will disappear.
• All the latest fashion styles will soon be old-fashioned.
• All the material things will break down and deteriorate.
• Now abides faith in God's sufficiency,
• Hope for a marriage that glorifies God,
• But the greatest of these is Love that puts the other first so as to enjoy God's intent for marriage.

I Corinthians 13 for Mothers (by Jim Fowler)

• If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love, am a housekeeper, not a homemaker.
• If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, but have not love, my children learn cleanliness, not godliness.
• If I scream at my children for every infraction, and fault them for every mess they make, but have not love, my children become people-pleasers, not obedient children.
• Love leaves the dust in search of a child’s laugh.
• Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.
• Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.
• Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
• Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present “mommy,” the taxi-driver to every childhood event, the counsellor when my children fail or are hurt.
• Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.
• Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection.
• Now I glory in God’s perfection of my child.
• All the projections I had for my house and my children have faded away into insignificance,
• And what remain are the memories of my kids.
• Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture, dishes with missing place settings, and bedroom walls full of stickers, posters and markings,
• But the greatest of all is the Love that permeates my relationships with my children.

SOURCE