Mary Spirit Mondays

Okay gals, it's official. We will begin our online Bible Study NEXT MONDAY, July 7!

I am so excited about this!! I wanted to take a minute to sort of share what I have envisioned about our journey through Having a Mary Spirit by Joanna Weaver.

I've noticed that some of you are calling this a "book club". I have never been part of a book club, so I am not exactly sure what I am refuting here, but I see this adventure as very similar to a Bible Study group (the likes of which I have actually been a part of...hehe) that would meet together weekly after completing reading/homework assignments, and then discuss what we've learned. The only difference is, you don't have to get dressed and go anywhere...you can participate right at home, in your PJs if you like! ;-)

Hopefully by next week, I will have Mr. Linky set up, and a button for you to use to mark your posts. (Trying to be careful not to infringe on any copyrights.) The idea is, each week after you have completed your assignment, to post a blog discussing what you have learned, and link it back here. That way, all who are participating will be able to view each other's thoughts, and leave comments that encourage, uplift, and inspire. If you do not have a blog, you can still participate by leaving a comment on my post each week, or via email. My email address is captivatinggirl (at) hotmail (dot) com.

So, if you haven't already, go ahead and purchase your books, and begin to look them over. Pay special attention to the layout of Appendix A. This is the Study Guide portion of the book that we will use to drive our discussions each week. We will start with a brief introduction and Week 1's assignment next week, so there's no need to panic if you don't have your book yet.

I would like to ask all who have decided to participate to pray for this study, and for our group. Also, if you know someone else who might like to participate, feel free to let them know about it. You can even post about it, and link back here, if you'd like! I cannot wait to see and hear the AWESOME work God is going to do in and through us in the coming weeks!! To HIM be the glory!!

Are We There, Yet?

All was quiet on the east-bound front. The kids and I had almost made it home from a visit to my parent's house in Columbia, and there had been no whining. No pushing, poking, or pinching. And none of the dreaded, "Are we there, yet" questions...

All three little angels were asleep, and had been since we'd hit the Interstate!

I'd just finished having my own little "Praise and Worship Hour", singing along with Shane and Shane through their Pages CD. Life was good. Really good.

As we hit the end of I-20, and I slowed to stop at the first traffic light in town, little eyes began to pop open. The first voice I heard was Sam's.

"Mommy, are we to home?"

"Almost, baby."

"Are we to Florence?"

"Yes, sweetie. We are in Florence."

Then Jacob announces, "Whew, that was fast! I must have taken the short cut." (That's what we call it when they close their eyes in one town and wake up in another.)

Emilee spoke next. What she said sort of took me off guard, and obviously proves that there are more visions than of sugar plums when my kiddos are sleeping. ;-)

"Mama, you know what I want to be when I grow up?"

"What's that Emmie G?"...

"I am going to be a singer/song writer. One day you are going to hear me on the radio." (She's written four songs since last week. Girl after her Mama's heart.) "But Mrs. Leonard says that you can have a side job, too. You can actually have two jobs. You know... one that carries you way to the top, and another on the side...just for fun, and a little extra money."

Chuckling to myself, "Well, what would your 'just for fun' job be?"

"I am going to be a hairdresser on the side. But I'll need you to teach me how, 'cause nobody does hair as good as you." (Ahem... I was an ENGLISH TEACHER...it is her Nana that was the cosmetologist!)

Then Jake chimes in, "Well, I am going to be a car fixer. You know, not just a regular one, but one that fixes race cars, and gets all their new tires on so they can get back in the race."

"Oh, you mean, like on a pit crew."

"Yeah, that's it. A pit crew. But I am going to be the chief. You never know... I might decide to be the driver. Then you could see me on TV!"

Last, but not least, Little Sam speaks. "Mama. You know what I am going to be when I get big? I am going to be a pwayne man".

"You're just going to be a plain man?"

"No, a PWAYNE man! I want to dwive the air-pwaynes".

"Oh, so you are going to be a pilot?"

"Yes! And you will see me up in the sky!!"

"Well, there you have it. And now you guys can get out your crayons and color me one proud Mama!". (Giggling commences from the back of the van...)

Vision is a powerful thing, no? In fact, the book of Proverbs says it this way:

Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained,
But happy is he who keeps the law.

So here's my question. When you were little, what did you dream of becoming? What vision has God laid on your heart?

And, more importantly...

Are you there, yet?

Fun One...

Baby Sister sent me this little meme in my email. I'm sure she thought it would be quite the challenge for a chatter-box/wind-bag like me! Hehe...

Directions:
This is definitely a challenge to try-- You can only type *One Word!*Not as easy as you might think. Now copy or forward, change the
answers to suit you and pass it on. It's really hard to only use one word answers.
You can only type one word. Send it to 7 people including the person that sent it to you:

1. Where is your cell phone? Night-stand
2. Where is your significant other? Working
3. Your hair? Curly
4. Your mother? Awesome!
5. Your favorite thing? Music
6. Your dream last night? KISA
7. Your dream/goal? Revolution
8. The room you're in? Bonus
9. Your hobby? People
10. Your fear? Unspoken
11. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Closer...
12. Where were you last night? Parents
13. What you're not? Quiet
14. Muffins? Banana-Nut
15. One of your wish list items? Maid
16. Where you grew up? SC
17. The last thing you did? Phone
18. What are you wearing? Pink
19. Your TV? Disney
20. Your pet? Hell-cat
21. Your computer? Used! ;-)
22. Your life? Grand!
23. Your mood? Happy
24. Missing someone? Definitely
25. Your car? Taxi
26. Something you're not wearing? Earrings
27. Favorite store? NY&Co
28. Your summer? Fun
29. Your favorite color? Red
30. When is the last time you laughed? Always
31. Last time you cried? Yesterday
    
32. Who will resend this? Buddies
33. What word is often said, but not often meant? Sorry
    

Tagging: Priscilla, Tammi, Lisa, Patti, Betsy, Brandi, and Amy.

Randomness

1)  Revolution Church had another great team gathering last night!  Chris gave his ONE PRAYER message:  "God Make Us Disciples".  We don't want to merely be content as "bench warmers" for the Kingdom.  We want to be fully devoted followers of Christ, and lead others to do the same!  Simply said, the best way to lead others to become disciples of Christ is to BE ONE, yourself!! Here's a great quote from last night's study:

"It all comes down to a decision.  Will we make our faith real and impacting, relinquishing our pride to allow us to learn and grow, and in turn teach others, or will we plant our rears in the pew, so that our only impact is our butt print in that pew!"  -  R.J. Krejcir

2)  Mary Spirit Mondays will begin on July 7!!  I am so excited about the response I have had to this post.  I am going to hold off for a couple of weeks, to give everyone  who wants to participate a chance to purchase the book.  There's always room for one more, so if you haven't gotten in on this little "Bloggy Bible Study", come on! ;-)

3)  It was such a privilege to meet Christie Sharp, live and in person, this past weekend.  She and I belong to a group called Church Planter Wives on Facebook.  I love connecting with these girls; they are such a blessing!!!  We visited Christie and John at North Point Community Church on Sunday, and had a wonderful time worshipping with them.  They made us feel so welcome and at home.  Thanks guys...YOU ROCK!!! (Oh yeah, and John just started blogging!  Check him out, here.)

4)  After everyone left last night, and we got the kids all snug in their beds, Chris let me "preview" a couple more ONE PRAYER messages.  Last week,  Craig Groeschel led our team with his message: "God Make us ONE".  It was such an awesome night! Chris is still trying to decide on the final two messages for our series.  There are so many to choose from, and he's narrowed it down to about four or five, but MAN! They are ALL great!  Last night, we watched Chris Hodges, "God Make us Authentic", and Gary Lamb, "God Make Us Revolutionary".  Their communication styles are as different as night and day, but BOTH these guys NAILED IT!! So awesome to see churches coming together AS ONE!

"There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."  (Ephesians 4: 4-6)

5)  The kids and I are traveling back to Columbia tomorrow to spend the rest of the week with Nana and Papa.  I'll try to blog a little from there (IF Mama lets me get my hands on her new laptop!!), but if I don't get the chance, I'll be back next week.  Have a good one!!!

A "Mary Spirit", Anyone???

About two years ago, several young women at my home church started "The Mary Hearts Club", after beginning to read/study this book by Joanna Weaver.  (Don't you just love the name?  I'll admit I had a little to do with that. ;-))  The group meets once a month, and this year the Mary Hearts are studying through the sequel, Having a Mary Spirit.

As you know, I got that book as a Mother's Day gift, and have recently begun reading it through.  I CAN'T PUT IT DOWN!!  Have you ever picked up a book at just the EXACT right time of your life and it seemed as though God was using the author to speak DIRECTLY into your heart and soul??  That's how this feels.

When I read this quote in the VERY FIRST CHAPTER, I felt as though it it had been printed precisely for my reading alone:

"When you run ahead of me, the Lord impressed upon my heart, you end up doing what I've asked you to do in your own strength rather than Mine.  Instead of being cloaked in the  sweetness of My Spirit, your efforts are cloaked in your flesh.  And sometimes my dear daughter, your flesh ain't that easy to receive.

WOW!  Can you say, "ALERT: Important incoming message from the Lord for Susanne Reeder"???? I am only on chapter three, but I already feel such a connection with the author and her experiences (as I did with her first book), as well as a sort of "ripeness" for the scriptural lessons that God, through Joanna, is teaching me. 

As Wayne Cordeiro said in The Divine Mentor, no book is ever a substitute for the Inspired Word of God, but I do love books that cultivate a hunger for that Word within me and motivate me to feast therein.  This is one of those books.

So here's a question for you.  Are there any ladies out there  who would be interested in going through this book with me?  (Guys you are welcome to participate too, but you'd probably need to make sure that your MAN CARD is hidden somewhere nice and safe!) 

I have decided to blog about it weekly for the next 10 weeks or so, and would love to have some others to participate in the discussion.  I know it's summer, and we are all a little disjointed from our routines, but I really feel lead to do this... at least for me.  If we have enough interest, I can get my Stupid Programmer to create a little button for us, and maybe do the "Mr. Linky" thing.  Just leave a comment, or email me (captivatinggirl at hotmail dot com) if you would like to join in on this, and we'll proceed from there.

I'll leave you with this prayer from the end of Chapter One.

Lord Jesus, I give you my life.

I invite You to have Your way in me.

Take me and break me. Shake me and make me.

Fill me and spill me. Change me and rearrange me.

But whatever You do, Lord…don’t leave me the same.

Spirit of wisdom and revelation, I welcome Your work.

Open my eyes so I can see…my ears so I can hear…

I choose truth over comfort, challenge over complacency.

Lord, make me forever Yours.

And most of all, make me like You.

Amen

Ten Years Ago, Today...

I was recently asked to complete a survey for SHE Magazine (a local, monthly publication).  The survey was to be used to create "The World According To..." feature for the month of June.

Along with "Childhood Ambitions" and "Guilty Pleasures", I was asked to define my "Proudest Moment".  Here was my response:

June 20, 1998 ...The day I became Mrs. Christopher Lynn Reeder.

I can scarcely believe that it has been ten years since we stood before our pastors, our families, and our dearest friends to declare our love for one another.  We promised to love, honor and cherish... until death do us part.

I wish I could say that the last ten years had been smooth sailing; that there have been no obstacles to face, or burdens to bear.  But that would be far from the truth.  The truth is, those obstacles and burdens have only served to grow our love.

My KISA never ceases to amaze me with his quiet strength, patience, and humility.  He is a man of excellence and determination.  He has more integrity in his pinky finger than most people have in their entire bodies!  I've learned SO MUCH from him over the last ten years.  His love (along with that of my First Love, Jesus Christ) has made me the woman I am today, and for that I am eternally grateful.

So here's to the next ten years, Baby!  I can't wait to see what it feels like to love you EVEN MORE!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

(P.S. - I know you hate music on blogs, but turn up your speakers, this song is dedicated to YOU!) ;-)

The Celebrations Continue!

June is a big birthday month for us.  My Wonder Twins siblings had a birthday early on, and as you  may have guessed from this slideshow, my sweet Sam had a birthday while we were on vacation. 

On June 8, he turned FOUR YEARS OLD!! 

Wow!! No more babies in the Reeder house.  He is such a big boy, growing and changing almost daily.  I thought I would share some images of him (on or near his birthdays) through the years...

Such a handsome little sucker, and he has the laid-back personality of his Dad.  I was put on bed-rest at 30 weeks pregnant with him, and I thought I'd never make it through the struggle of not being able to "Mommy" my older two children (ages 4 and 2 at the time).  I have to say, though...all the trouble was DEFINITELY WORTH IT!! I mean, look at that face!! How THAT not bring me joy???;-)

But we're not done celebrating birthdays...oh no! 

Today is my dear Daddy's birthday.  He has always been such a steady and strong presence in my life.  When I was a little girl he used to say,  "I am the #1 Man in your life, and the ONLY ONE that will NEVER let you down". 

Well, I am happy to say that even though there is a new #1, my Daddy never has let me down.  And because of his love and presence in my life, I was able to hold on and wait for my other Knight in Shining Armor (KISA) to ride up on his white horse and rescue me!  I love you, DADDY!! Happy Birthday!!!

Without Further Ado...

 

Vacation 2008 - Ocean Isle Beach

 

What Time is It???

Summer time, HEY!! It's our vacation!!!

School's out..."scream and shout"!! ;-)

AND...

We're headed to Ocean Isle Beach, NC on Saturday for a week of family fun!!! And when I say family, I do mean FAMILY!!! Me, my man, the kiddos, the parentals, bro, sistahs, BIL, and nephews... will be all be having us a big ol' ball right here.

So that means...

NO Blogging... NO Twittering, Tweeting, or Twhirling... and NO Facebook.

I thought about taking the laptop with us, but decided against it...

I am taking the week OFF!! (I'll pause for a second while you pick yourself up off the floor....)

The plan is to spend my days playing on the beach and lounging by the pool. At night it will be GAME ON, literally. KISA and I will challenge "Carl and the Gang" to a MEAN game of spades (that's right, "Carl", Miss "Q", and "Uncle Cletus"... I am calling you out!!! Right here on the interweb, no less!!), and we may even let him kick our butts in Scrabble... Because "Carl" is hard core with his Scrabble playin' y'all!!

I know I'll have many a tale to tell when I return, (after all, this is my crew...you know there will be tales...wherever we go we make our own drama!) not to mention a camera full of pictures.

Until then, take care my peeps!! Enjoy these views, my new summer time tunes, and try not miss me too badly while I'm gone!! ;-)

Happy Birthday, Wonder-Twins!!!

 

"Wonder Twin power, ACTIVATE!!!!  Form of an Ice-cream Cake... Shape of Balloons!!!"

For those of you that may not recall (yeah I know... I am showing my age here...), the Wonder Twins were a special set of super heroes featured on the Super Friends cartoon that used to come on Saturday mornings when I was a kid...

On June 4, 1973, God rocked my planet!  He gave me (very unexpectedly) my very own set of WONDER TWINS to play with, grow with, and love.  (You can read the full story of their "surprise" arrival, here.)  Even though I tried to give Betsy away, (Hey, I wasn't even two yet... and I was only prepared for one "baby"!!) I cannot imagine my childhood, my life, without these two. 

 

Just had to give a "shout out" to my Super Bro and  Wonder Sis on their special day!!!  I love you both, ever so very!!!

You're My Healer

Once again, Steven Brewster has led me to some awesome new music. But then again...that's what he does...(as in, "literally gets paid for"). 

Check out this link to HEALER by Hillsong that I found on his blog.

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

As I listened to this song for the first time the tears began to flow....

So many that I love are hurting and grieving right now.  My sister Betsy and her dear husband Rusty are just beginning to crawl out from under the rubble of his father's death last fall.  My precious baby sister Karen is trying to resurface from a huge pit of despair, right this moment.  Our dear friend Chris and his wife are physically and emotionally mending from a recent heartbreak.  Our friends Mark and Erika are struggling with the terminal illness of a dear loved one, his precious father.  In the last weeks and months many of us have grieved over the recent tragedies of Todd and Angie Smith, and Steven Curtis Chapman and his family.

We all struggle with the whys.  But maybe it's not the whys that are important.  Maybe it's the WHO.  WHO do we turn to when life falls apart?? I know that each one of these would tell you the same answer... that there is only One that can mend the broken, and set the captives free... 

As I listened to this song, a peace washed over me.  And before I knew it, I was out of my chair, standing on my feet, with my arms lifted toward heaven...praising my precious Savior...my Redeemer...my HEALER! 

But He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;  the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by His wounds we are healed.  (Isaiah 53:5)

Packing Up the Dreams God Planted...

Yesterday was a very emotional day. If anyone remembers this post, they'll know that I had to wax up my surf board, and get ready for quite a ride.

It was our final day in ministry at South Florence Baptist Church. (You can read more about that history here.)

It was also Graduation Sunday.

Two of the sweet graduates are the last of my first crew of "babies" that God gave us 7 years ago when we began teaching youth classes. They've been with us since 7th grade...I've watched them grow up...in some ways, I've helped to raise them.

We had a great time of fellowship yesterday morning in Sunday School, and we managed to make it all the way through the hour before any of us teared up. I know they are all going to love their new teachers, Richard and Renee Jones. God has given this couple such a desire to grow His kingdom, and because of that genuine desire, and the excitement all over their faces, I believe they will be a great fit for the class.

After Sunday School, we traveled downstairs into the sanctuary to prepare for worship. I tried not to look at anyone, because I knew I had to sing the special music and didn't want to get up on stage looking like a raccoon! It was all good until the "Shake Hands With Your Neighbor" segment of the offertory hymn. People began hugging us and whispering words of love and encouragement... and well, that's when the floodgates opened.

I did manage to get through the song, "Legacy", which I dedicated to our graduates and anyone else that God had allowed me to touch for Him during our time at SFBC. It was emotional, but I did it. Before I could sit down, one of the mothers of the graduates (I love you, Mary Lynn!!) stood to publicly thank KISA and me for allowing God to use us to impact the lives of both of her precious children. By then, I was a COMPLETE mess!!

Our pastor preached on vision from the book of Nehemiah, and in doing so, encouraged our graduates and those of us leaving to pursue our call in Christ (his son has just been called to a church in Spartanburg, and it was the last day for he and his family, as well). The message was such an encouragement and affirmation, and it was exactly what I needed to help me walk out of those doors. Though plenty of tears were shed, and hugs and kisses were given, I have complete peace with it all because I know that we are following God's vision, His plan, for our lives.

As we walked through the parking lot with tearful kids in tow, I couldn't help thinking these words...

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
cause the welcome will not end
Though its hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.

I love you South Florence Baptist, and I always will!!