During the last presidential election, I was told that abortion is an every four year issue...well it's not for us. The following is a note we received from our friends Matt & Sue Stack that we feel is timely and poignant.
How Ironic,
Today, many in our nation celebrate, what is for us, the most Holy of days. We believe tonight is the night when our Creator worked His greatest miracle, His greatest act of love and mercy. Tonight is the night when God gave us the gift of his only Son, the Christ Child. Jesus was more than a leader…. more than a teacher… more than a guide. Jesus was a sacrifice. His ultimate purpose was to shed His blood so that we could be reconciled to the one true God.
Yet in our arrogant and foolish hearts, we think we can do better. Daily in this country, hundreds (thousands?) of babies are sacrificed so we can pursue our false gods of selfishness, sexual pleasure, control and career “success”. And in their omnipotence, our Senate leaders just pass a bill which likely will include tax payer funding for this, our generations holocaust.
God already sacrificed a baby…His only Child… the only baby whose blood can save us. For our Senate “leaders” to choose this day, this most Holy of days, to facilitate the sacrifice of babies whose blood can do nothing…
This far exceeds irony…. This is blasphemy.
Thanks Matt & Sue!
Merry Christmas to all!
Jay & Laura~
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Wedded Bliss---ters!
Today Laura and I are CELEBRATING 25 years of marriage! December 8th 1984 Laura and I said I do and committed to a life together...what a ride!
While there is no doubt we have been blessed with a great marriage and are more deeply committed to each other than ever, marriage is not always "Bliss". In fact marriage can be filled with a lot of "Bliss--ters".
You know what a blister is, its that annoying little irritation that can bring a lot of pain. Marriage can be filled with "Bliss-ters" those annoying little irritations that CAN bring a lot of pain.
If you have a blister on your heel from that new pair of shoes and you leave it unattended it will fester and grow and could result in long term damage to your foot...don't want to go into what gangrene looks like!
The same is true about marriage "Bliss-ters". We ALL find things about our marriage or spouse that annoy and irritate and as a result we have to attend to the problem.
Just like a blister on the foot, marriage "Bliss-ters" require the right kind of attention. "Dress" your marriage "Bliss-ters" with the salve of loving communication and the bandage of Grace and you will find it healing in no time.
While we're celebrating today, we're also dealing with a "Bliss-ter"...just keepin it real friends just keepin it real!
Here's to 25 years with my BRIDE!
J&L
While there is no doubt we have been blessed with a great marriage and are more deeply committed to each other than ever, marriage is not always "Bliss". In fact marriage can be filled with a lot of "Bliss--ters".
You know what a blister is, its that annoying little irritation that can bring a lot of pain. Marriage can be filled with "Bliss-ters" those annoying little irritations that CAN bring a lot of pain.
If you have a blister on your heel from that new pair of shoes and you leave it unattended it will fester and grow and could result in long term damage to your foot...don't want to go into what gangrene looks like!
The same is true about marriage "Bliss-ters". We ALL find things about our marriage or spouse that annoy and irritate and as a result we have to attend to the problem.
Just like a blister on the foot, marriage "Bliss-ters" require the right kind of attention. "Dress" your marriage "Bliss-ters" with the salve of loving communication and the bandage of Grace and you will find it healing in no time.
While we're celebrating today, we're also dealing with a "Bliss-ter"...just keepin it real friends just keepin it real!
Here's to 25 years with my BRIDE!
J&L
Thursday, December 03, 2009
A tribute -- Shared with permission
A tribute to our friend Larry Brandon
Larry and I were married 14 1/2 glorious but all too short years.
Larry and I never fought. We didn't always agree, but we never fought about anything. Maybe because we'd both had enough of that in our first marriages, don't know. But we both knew we had something special in our relationship and we never took each other for granted. Saying, "I love you." isn't enough, it's an overused phrase that can apply to anything. I made sure to tell Larry everyday that I loved being married TO HIM. That it was an honor and a privilege to be his wife. That I was so humbled and grateful that God chose me to be his wife. That being Larry Brandon's wife was the best part of being me. And Larry told me and showed me that he cherished me, treasured my love, and wanted to make all of my dreams come true. He called me several times each day just to tell me he was thinking of me, and when I answered the phone he would make growly, goofy sounds meant just for me.
I spent the last year caring for him and searching for a cure for his cancer. I don't understand why that seems like such a big deal to people. Even the nurses in Germany seemed surprised by it, but isn't that how it's supposed to be? To me, it wasn't enough, because it didn't work. I miss him so much that it takes my breath away sometimes.
There is no - thing that's worth fighting over, not money or kids or time. I would give any of that for just one more hug, one more smile. One more Ultimate Date. When God has given us the gift of someone to love, we should hold that love in our hearts and cherish it every moment. Wrap our arms around that person and hold them close, gaze at them through the eyes of Christ and see them as the gift they truly are. We never know which hug will be the last one. Which night will be the last one. But we will remember which one is the last one - later.
We had fun, we loved well, and we laughed - Even during his last days Larry was making people laugh. I'm still amazed that God chose me to be married to Larry Brandon. I only wish it had been longer.
Marriage is so important. Our marriage had an impact on Larry's brother's marriage and on his sister's marriage.
I'm going to miss our annual trips to Celebrate, but I'll be your best advertising! Larry and I always made sure to have "preventative maintenance" trips every year and Celebrate with a few extra days on the Island was our favorite. Larry and I had a fairy tale marriage, we drove everyone around us crazy. His cousin Sheri told me at his funeral that we used to kind of gross them out because we still acted like high school kids.... it just never wore off.
Keeping a marriage together, even in a Christian home, is so difficult. Thank you for some of the best memories I have with my wonderful, funny, HOT husband!
Shelley
Larry and I were married 14 1/2 glorious but all too short years.
Larry and I never fought. We didn't always agree, but we never fought about anything. Maybe because we'd both had enough of that in our first marriages, don't know. But we both knew we had something special in our relationship and we never took each other for granted. Saying, "I love you." isn't enough, it's an overused phrase that can apply to anything. I made sure to tell Larry everyday that I loved being married TO HIM. That it was an honor and a privilege to be his wife. That I was so humbled and grateful that God chose me to be his wife. That being Larry Brandon's wife was the best part of being me. And Larry told me and showed me that he cherished me, treasured my love, and wanted to make all of my dreams come true. He called me several times each day just to tell me he was thinking of me, and when I answered the phone he would make growly, goofy sounds meant just for me.
I spent the last year caring for him and searching for a cure for his cancer. I don't understand why that seems like such a big deal to people. Even the nurses in Germany seemed surprised by it, but isn't that how it's supposed to be? To me, it wasn't enough, because it didn't work. I miss him so much that it takes my breath away sometimes.
There is no - thing that's worth fighting over, not money or kids or time. I would give any of that for just one more hug, one more smile. One more Ultimate Date. When God has given us the gift of someone to love, we should hold that love in our hearts and cherish it every moment. Wrap our arms around that person and hold them close, gaze at them through the eyes of Christ and see them as the gift they truly are. We never know which hug will be the last one. Which night will be the last one. But we will remember which one is the last one - later.
We had fun, we loved well, and we laughed - Even during his last days Larry was making people laugh. I'm still amazed that God chose me to be married to Larry Brandon. I only wish it had been longer.
Marriage is so important. Our marriage had an impact on Larry's brother's marriage and on his sister's marriage.
I'm going to miss our annual trips to Celebrate, but I'll be your best advertising! Larry and I always made sure to have "preventative maintenance" trips every year and Celebrate with a few extra days on the Island was our favorite. Larry and I had a fairy tale marriage, we drove everyone around us crazy. His cousin Sheri told me at his funeral that we used to kind of gross them out because we still acted like high school kids.... it just never wore off.
Keeping a marriage together, even in a Christian home, is so difficult. Thank you for some of the best memories I have with my wonderful, funny, HOT husband!
Shelley
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tis the Season!
Just like our world has seasons, so does every marriage. We all experience different "seasons" as we walk through this life together. Laura and I are coming out of a particularly difficult "season" in our marriage.
We never dreamed Torrey leaving for college would have such an adverse effect on our marriage, but it did. The months of August, September and October were to say the least ROUGH! However, like the seasons of the year, all things come to an end.
Thanksgiving break was great for us. Torrey (because he's Laura's son) finagled his way out of last weeks Monday and Tuesday classes...So he was home for over a week. Our house was the center of activity for he and his friends as night after night our house was a buzz with activity.
I don't think there was an exact "moment" when Laura and I realized that Torrey is doing GREAT, but we are at peace with the situation and our marriage is moving back toward "normal" (whatever that means) again.
Whether your marriage is cruising along like a sun filled vacation, suffering through a tough transition or somewhere in between, here are some NUMBERS to keep in mind. 52, and 411.
52
To remind you that no matter what season, you and your spouse need to "date" once a week. It may be as simple as a cup of coffee or a walk together, but get in each others FACE with some quality time.
411
At least 4 times a year get away together just the two of you. Rent a hotel room, spend the day on a color tour, get away from the kids or grand kids or just life.
1 time a year INVEST in your marriage at a conference or workshop.
1 time a year INVEST in your marriage by reading a book or doing a study together.
Yep it takes a lot to get through the "seasons" life brings, but in the end...WOW is it worth it!
Blessings~
J&L
We never dreamed Torrey leaving for college would have such an adverse effect on our marriage, but it did. The months of August, September and October were to say the least ROUGH! However, like the seasons of the year, all things come to an end.
Thanksgiving break was great for us. Torrey (because he's Laura's son) finagled his way out of last weeks Monday and Tuesday classes...So he was home for over a week. Our house was the center of activity for he and his friends as night after night our house was a buzz with activity.
I don't think there was an exact "moment" when Laura and I realized that Torrey is doing GREAT, but we are at peace with the situation and our marriage is moving back toward "normal" (whatever that means) again.
Whether your marriage is cruising along like a sun filled vacation, suffering through a tough transition or somewhere in between, here are some NUMBERS to keep in mind. 52, and 411.
52
To remind you that no matter what season, you and your spouse need to "date" once a week. It may be as simple as a cup of coffee or a walk together, but get in each others FACE with some quality time.
411
At least 4 times a year get away together just the two of you. Rent a hotel room, spend the day on a color tour, get away from the kids or grand kids or just life.
1 time a year INVEST in your marriage at a conference or workshop.
1 time a year INVEST in your marriage by reading a book or doing a study together.
Yep it takes a lot to get through the "seasons" life brings, but in the end...WOW is it worth it!
Blessings~
J&L
Monday, November 23, 2009
ThanksLIVING!
The following is from my friend Bob Schuemann who works for the Gathering of Men in West Palm Beach FL. It is used with his permission.
"In 1636, amid the darkness of the Thirty Years' War, German pastor, Martin Rinkart, is said to have buried 5,000 of his parishioners in one year, an average of fifteen a day. His parish was ravaged by war, death, and economic disaster. In the heart of that darkness, with the cries of fear outside his window, he sat down and wrote this table grace for his children:
'Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices;
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his world rejoices.
Who, from our mother's arms,
Hath led us on our way
With countless gifts of love
And still is ours today.'
Here was a man who knew thanksgiving comes from love of God, not from outward circumstances.
To share with Family & Friends this Thanksgiving.
A gift that you are thankful for that you have received this year.
Things you have learned about God this year that have changed your life.
Things you are thankful for about your family's faith.
Things you are thankful for about your family.
An experience your family had this year that made you happy.
People outside your family who have blessed you in some way
May this week of Thanksgiving...lead us to live a life of ThanksLiving!
Blessings!
J&L
"In 1636, amid the darkness of the Thirty Years' War, German pastor, Martin Rinkart, is said to have buried 5,000 of his parishioners in one year, an average of fifteen a day. His parish was ravaged by war, death, and economic disaster. In the heart of that darkness, with the cries of fear outside his window, he sat down and wrote this table grace for his children:
'Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices;
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his world rejoices.
Who, from our mother's arms,
Hath led us on our way
With countless gifts of love
And still is ours today.'
Here was a man who knew thanksgiving comes from love of God, not from outward circumstances.
To share with Family & Friends this Thanksgiving.
A gift that you are thankful for that you have received this year.
Things you have learned about God this year that have changed your life.
Things you are thankful for about your family's faith.
Things you are thankful for about your family.
An experience your family had this year that made you happy.
People outside your family who have blessed you in some way
May this week of Thanksgiving...lead us to live a life of ThanksLiving!
Blessings!
J&L
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
"SHUT-UP!" Slips
Grace is getting ready to go to a friends birthday sleepover on Friday night. Grace has already picked out the "perfect" gift for her friend but is also making some hand made "SHUT-UP!" Slips.
I asked Grace, "What are SHUT-UP! Slips?" She went on to explain that there are times with Jr. high girls when all you want to say to your friend is SHUT-UP! Because they are annoying or upsetting or heck just being girls.
Being a man, this idea intrigued me...what if there were marriage "SHUT-UP!" Slips? You know when your wife blathers on about every detail of her day...or...when your husband endlessly whines about not getting sex. Wouldn't it just be easier to hand your spouse a "SHUT-UP!" slip?
Easier? Not really. For Jr. high girls still struggling with self control and social skills it's just a funny joke to hand a friend a "SHUT-UP!" Slip.
But for best friends in love, the commitment to listen to each other even when we'd rather say "SHUT_UP!" is one of the foundation stones marriage is built upon.
Communicate with your spouse in appropriate and loving ways and watch your marriage GROW!
I asked Grace, "What are SHUT-UP! Slips?" She went on to explain that there are times with Jr. high girls when all you want to say to your friend is SHUT-UP! Because they are annoying or upsetting or heck just being girls.
Being a man, this idea intrigued me...what if there were marriage "SHUT-UP!" Slips? You know when your wife blathers on about every detail of her day...or...when your husband endlessly whines about not getting sex. Wouldn't it just be easier to hand your spouse a "SHUT-UP!" slip?
Easier? Not really. For Jr. high girls still struggling with self control and social skills it's just a funny joke to hand a friend a "SHUT-UP!" Slip.
But for best friends in love, the commitment to listen to each other even when we'd rather say "SHUT_UP!" is one of the foundation stones marriage is built upon.
Communicate with your spouse in appropriate and loving ways and watch your marriage GROW!
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Mile high club !?
Laura and I are now members of the "Mile high club"...ok it the mile high Wi-Fi club...coming to you from Delta flight 1043 with free Wi-Fi access. Wow technology! Do you think technology helps or hinders relationships? Why?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
I have "tone of voice" issues!
We came home from five straight days on the road where we presented twelve sessions over those five days...WHEW!
Well the next day we were both tired to say the least and I woke up "with a tone" in my voice. Now, I don't know how it gets there, and honestly I often don't even realize I've acquired it...but Laura has SONAR that picks it up immediately.
So throughout this particular day Laura repeatedly waffled between the following two statements:
"Don't talk to me like that!" and
"Why won't you talk to me?"
Do you see my dilemma? When she first said "Don't talk to me like that!" I obliged, thinking, "Fine, I won't talk to you at all". Which then prompted from her "Why won't you talk to me?" When I did the "tone" prompted "Don't talk to me like that!" and the vicious cycle continued.
While we laugh about it now, it was a TOUGH day to say the least and honestly I thought...SHEESH, we've spent the last five days helping other marriages and then we have a day like THIS?!?
Reality check: You married a HUMAN...Imperfect and fallen. Understand that there will be bad days, sometimes weeks and occasionally months when you and your spouse just don't "Click".
The best way to insure that those bad days don't turn into months is to TALK IT THROUGH...Laura and I do this best on our daily run together, we're so out of breath that we can't yell and we are too tired to bicker.
Maybe for you it's over your morning coffee or right before you go to bed. For us, talking it through is the only way to vanquish the Imperfect Human qualities that creep into our marriage.
Blessings
Jay
Well the next day we were both tired to say the least and I woke up "with a tone" in my voice. Now, I don't know how it gets there, and honestly I often don't even realize I've acquired it...but Laura has SONAR that picks it up immediately.
So throughout this particular day Laura repeatedly waffled between the following two statements:
"Don't talk to me like that!" and
"Why won't you talk to me?"
Do you see my dilemma? When she first said "Don't talk to me like that!" I obliged, thinking, "Fine, I won't talk to you at all". Which then prompted from her "Why won't you talk to me?" When I did the "tone" prompted "Don't talk to me like that!" and the vicious cycle continued.
While we laugh about it now, it was a TOUGH day to say the least and honestly I thought...SHEESH, we've spent the last five days helping other marriages and then we have a day like THIS?!?
Reality check: You married a HUMAN...Imperfect and fallen. Understand that there will be bad days, sometimes weeks and occasionally months when you and your spouse just don't "Click".
The best way to insure that those bad days don't turn into months is to TALK IT THROUGH...Laura and I do this best on our daily run together, we're so out of breath that we can't yell and we are too tired to bicker.
Maybe for you it's over your morning coffee or right before you go to bed. For us, talking it through is the only way to vanquish the Imperfect Human qualities that creep into our marriage.
Blessings
Jay
Thursday, October 15, 2009
A great story for these times
Be sure to read the "moral" at the end!
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours asthe farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway;it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping,never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.
Live simply and appreciate what you have.
Give more.
Expect less
NOW .......
Enough of that crap. The donkey later came back, and bit the farmer who had tried to bury him. The gash from the bite got infected and the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock.
MORAL FROM TODAY'S LESSON:
When you do something wrong, and try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.
Blessings!
J& L
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours asthe farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway;it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping,never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.
Live simply and appreciate what you have.
Give more.
Expect less
NOW .......
Enough of that crap. The donkey later came back, and bit the farmer who had tried to bury him. The gash from the bite got infected and the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock.
MORAL FROM TODAY'S LESSON:
When you do something wrong, and try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.
Blessings!
J& L
Thursday, October 01, 2009
We're officially "OLD"
Laura and I were working out in our yard late this afternoon. I was mowing the lawn and Laura was cleaning out the flower beds and pots.
That in and of itself doesn't make us old...just responsible :-)
One would have to look closely to understand WHY we're old...I was wearing sweatpants, sweatshirt and work gloves and was complaining still about being cold.
Laura was in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt complaining about being hot!
What role reversal from 25 years ago!
Blessings~
Jay & Laura
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
A quick question for you to PONDER...
We're off to Grand Haven today for an Ultimate Date Night...back tomorrow but I have a question I'd love you to answer...
Why do women like CHOCOLATE so much?
Give me your answer and I'll give you mind when I return Sunday!
Blessings~
Jay
Why do women like CHOCOLATE so much?
Give me your answer and I'll give you mind when I return Sunday!
Blessings~
Jay
Thursday, September 17, 2009
A little fun!
Check out this short video on some fun we had this last weekend in North Carolina...notice how I BURN the Ohio State fan!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Some kind words from this weekend!
We had a GREAT time in Southern Pines NC this weekend with our friends Kevin and Jodi Baker at Grace Church...here are some kind words and great pics from Jodi's blog.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
H.U.G.S.
I've never been much of a "hugger", more of a hand shake kind of guy. But watch out I'm gonna start with the HUGS.
It hit me like a ton of bricks yesterday (Saturday) about 1pm as we stood on the front steps of Sammy Morris Hall at Taylor University and said our final goodbyes to our son Torrey who is beginning his Freshman year.
To say it was an emotional couple of days is an understatement. As we stood on the steps we gathered in a family circle and I babbled out a prayer. In between the tears and the crackled voice I sneaked a peak at Grace who was oblivious to what was happening and Laura who was sobbing uncontrollably. Torrey stood there with a big grin on his face undoubtedly excited by the prospect of the coming days.
After my Amen I said "Hugs all around" and Torrey first went to Grace and they hugged as if they really did love each other, then to Mom...still sobbing (by the way, Laura has NEVER been a crier), then finally to me.
My love language is "Words of affirmation" and as a result there is no greater joy than for me to hear a loved one say "I love You". As I voiced my love to Torrey and heard the sincerity of his "I love you too, dad" I was struck for what seemed like the longest time by the bear hug he was giving me...Obviously, I didn't want it to end...but in that frozen moment I felt the Spirit of the Lord in a way I've never felt before. I had PEACE, unimaginable PEACE.
We all sat silent as we made our way out of Upland...Grace already on her Nintendo DS...Laura "sawing" through Kleenex like a lumberjack through pine. And me reflecting on the power of that HUG!
Being a "words" man I began to ask myself, what are "HUGS"...you may or may not agree but I know hold the conviction that HUGS are Humans Unleashing God's Spirit.
HUGS
A mother comforting her newborn
Dear friends reunited
Mourning friends at a funeral
Christian Brothers and Sisters worshiping
Young lovers on a beach
Old lovers on a couch
Moms Dads and siblings on a porch of a college dorm
All these and more are opportunities for us to UNLEASH God's Spirit on a world in desperate need of not only PEACE, but JOY and the LOVE of the Father. Let's not miss out on the chance to spread this virus and infect the world with H.U.G.S!
Start simple...HUGS to your spouse, children, grandchildren...friends, neighbors, those who are hurting, those who are joyful, just give HUGS!
HUGS to YOU E-style!
Jay
It hit me like a ton of bricks yesterday (Saturday) about 1pm as we stood on the front steps of Sammy Morris Hall at Taylor University and said our final goodbyes to our son Torrey who is beginning his Freshman year.
To say it was an emotional couple of days is an understatement. As we stood on the steps we gathered in a family circle and I babbled out a prayer. In between the tears and the crackled voice I sneaked a peak at Grace who was oblivious to what was happening and Laura who was sobbing uncontrollably. Torrey stood there with a big grin on his face undoubtedly excited by the prospect of the coming days.
After my Amen I said "Hugs all around" and Torrey first went to Grace and they hugged as if they really did love each other, then to Mom...still sobbing (by the way, Laura has NEVER been a crier), then finally to me.
My love language is "Words of affirmation" and as a result there is no greater joy than for me to hear a loved one say "I love You". As I voiced my love to Torrey and heard the sincerity of his "I love you too, dad" I was struck for what seemed like the longest time by the bear hug he was giving me...Obviously, I didn't want it to end...but in that frozen moment I felt the Spirit of the Lord in a way I've never felt before. I had PEACE, unimaginable PEACE.
We all sat silent as we made our way out of Upland...Grace already on her Nintendo DS...Laura "sawing" through Kleenex like a lumberjack through pine. And me reflecting on the power of that HUG!
Being a "words" man I began to ask myself, what are "HUGS"...you may or may not agree but I know hold the conviction that HUGS are Humans Unleashing God's Spirit.
HUGS
A mother comforting her newborn
Dear friends reunited
Mourning friends at a funeral
Christian Brothers and Sisters worshiping
Young lovers on a beach
Old lovers on a couch
Moms Dads and siblings on a porch of a college dorm
All these and more are opportunities for us to UNLEASH God's Spirit on a world in desperate need of not only PEACE, but JOY and the LOVE of the Father. Let's not miss out on the chance to spread this virus and infect the world with H.U.G.S!
Start simple...HUGS to your spouse, children, grandchildren...friends, neighbors, those who are hurting, those who are joyful, just give HUGS!
HUGS to YOU E-style!
Jay
Monday, August 24, 2009
A PG-13 Article we wrote for Cosmo~
Your Best Sex Ever!
Sex techniques are a dime a dozen. We’re not going to give you the hot new way to wiggle your fingers and make your man squirm. What we are going to give you are three proven techniques to have the best sex your man will ever enjoy!
While spontaneous sex has its place in a relationship, it is usually not the BEST sex a couple will experience. Much like birthdays, vacations and holidays, the best sex is filled with anticipation. Why? Because anticipation engages your mans largest sex organ, his brain. Anticipation then is the first technique you must employ to have your best sex ever.
How to induce Anticipation
There is no doubt that women have incredible power over men in the bedroom. With a look, a brush of the body or even a fragrance virtually any woman can have her man ready for sex. The key to great sex is to get him thinking about you all day long and about what you have planned for him later on that night.
Where to begin? First thing in the morning! Before you or your boy toy leave in the morning, spark the seduction by giving him a full frontal hug. No need to be in lingerie, or even be naked. The key to sparking the seduction is to simply make sure that when you hug him, you stand on your tiptoes, put your arms around his neck and make sure your breasts press against him in an upward manner not down. This subtle move will get his attention very quickly. Don’t worry about your size, he doesn’t care about size. What he cares about is that they are your breasts and that they soon will be his.
While you’ve got him in your grasp, melt his mind; make him worthless at work because he’s only thinking of you by whispering “I’ve got something special planned for you tonight”. The combination of your words in his ear and your chest in his face will induce a drug like anticipation that will last the entire day.
Attitude is everything
The second technique to insure your best sex ever is to show your man an attitude that says to him, “any time, any place, I’m YOURS!” Most men don’t want to have sex every night. What he does want to know is that his woman would have sex with him every night! Wow!
Your attitude toward sex will continue to keep his engine revved and ready to go. Every woman on the planet can be seductive without special articles of clothing or magic oils, why because seduction is all about attitude. Your man has been hot for you all day since you slammed your chest into his and gave him a little something to steam over all day. Now it’s time to fan the flame and turn up the heat.
The key to a great attitude toward sex is to clear your brain, it may sound funny, but your mind too is your biggest sex organ and if your brain is filled with the day’s trouble at work or the bills that need to be paid, your attitude will reflect your distraction.
So, how do you clear your brain and bring get in the right frame of mind? It may be a hot soak in a long bath. It may be a manicure or a pedicure. But it is essential to set your attitude before you meet your man for dinner or better yet cook that dinner together.
Cooking together is a perfect way to make that sexual attitude come to life. Flirt when you cook, press up against his back as he’s chopping those veggies and ask “What are you making”? Lick the salad dressing off your fingers, and then ask him to lick the last digit and moan in response. The anticipation that has been simmering all day will begin to boil over as he picks up on your attitude toward the night ahead.
Articulate to Matriculate
Men are ignorant, not stupid. Ignorance can be educated and when you articulate your desires in the bedroom, it not only leads to the best sex ever, it will lead to healthier communication throughout the entire house. The third and most important sex technique then is to articulate your desires to your man.
You’ve sparked the seduction by creating a sense of anticipation, fanned the flame with your attitude. Basically you’ve been engaging in sexual foreplay all day long. As you head to the bedroom it is important to remember that for him to have his best sex ever, he needs to know you are having your best sex ever. So be sure to tell him.
You’ve basically been blowing his mind with your day of foreplay. He will have one thing on his brain as he enters the bedroom. Know full well that while he is singularly focused, he still wants to see you, touch you, smell you, taste you, and most importantly HEAR you.
As you culminate this day of love together, tell him what makes you happy. Tell him what drives you CRAZY. He will hear your moans and other pleasure sounds, but nothing will cement your desires in his mind like you articulating the specifics of what drives you wild!
Simple phrases like “oooh that feels good” or “not there” “faster” “slower” are critical for men. We don’t get nuance or innuendo and when you tell him what’s good and what’s great, it will help him help you create the best sex you’ve ever experienced.
The latest greatest techniques are so over rated. Don’t you think lovers over the centuries have seen technique come and go? So, don’t worry if you’re holding your hand just so, or if your back is arched just right. Use the techniques of Anticipation, Attitude and Articulation to create the best sex you’ve ever known. And when your bathing in the afterglow, rock his world by whispering in his ear “I can’t wait to do it all again, tomorrow~”
Sex techniques are a dime a dozen. We’re not going to give you the hot new way to wiggle your fingers and make your man squirm. What we are going to give you are three proven techniques to have the best sex your man will ever enjoy!
While spontaneous sex has its place in a relationship, it is usually not the BEST sex a couple will experience. Much like birthdays, vacations and holidays, the best sex is filled with anticipation. Why? Because anticipation engages your mans largest sex organ, his brain. Anticipation then is the first technique you must employ to have your best sex ever.
How to induce Anticipation
There is no doubt that women have incredible power over men in the bedroom. With a look, a brush of the body or even a fragrance virtually any woman can have her man ready for sex. The key to great sex is to get him thinking about you all day long and about what you have planned for him later on that night.
Where to begin? First thing in the morning! Before you or your boy toy leave in the morning, spark the seduction by giving him a full frontal hug. No need to be in lingerie, or even be naked. The key to sparking the seduction is to simply make sure that when you hug him, you stand on your tiptoes, put your arms around his neck and make sure your breasts press against him in an upward manner not down. This subtle move will get his attention very quickly. Don’t worry about your size, he doesn’t care about size. What he cares about is that they are your breasts and that they soon will be his.
While you’ve got him in your grasp, melt his mind; make him worthless at work because he’s only thinking of you by whispering “I’ve got something special planned for you tonight”. The combination of your words in his ear and your chest in his face will induce a drug like anticipation that will last the entire day.
Attitude is everything
The second technique to insure your best sex ever is to show your man an attitude that says to him, “any time, any place, I’m YOURS!” Most men don’t want to have sex every night. What he does want to know is that his woman would have sex with him every night! Wow!
Your attitude toward sex will continue to keep his engine revved and ready to go. Every woman on the planet can be seductive without special articles of clothing or magic oils, why because seduction is all about attitude. Your man has been hot for you all day since you slammed your chest into his and gave him a little something to steam over all day. Now it’s time to fan the flame and turn up the heat.
The key to a great attitude toward sex is to clear your brain, it may sound funny, but your mind too is your biggest sex organ and if your brain is filled with the day’s trouble at work or the bills that need to be paid, your attitude will reflect your distraction.
So, how do you clear your brain and bring get in the right frame of mind? It may be a hot soak in a long bath. It may be a manicure or a pedicure. But it is essential to set your attitude before you meet your man for dinner or better yet cook that dinner together.
Cooking together is a perfect way to make that sexual attitude come to life. Flirt when you cook, press up against his back as he’s chopping those veggies and ask “What are you making”? Lick the salad dressing off your fingers, and then ask him to lick the last digit and moan in response. The anticipation that has been simmering all day will begin to boil over as he picks up on your attitude toward the night ahead.
Articulate to Matriculate
Men are ignorant, not stupid. Ignorance can be educated and when you articulate your desires in the bedroom, it not only leads to the best sex ever, it will lead to healthier communication throughout the entire house. The third and most important sex technique then is to articulate your desires to your man.
You’ve sparked the seduction by creating a sense of anticipation, fanned the flame with your attitude. Basically you’ve been engaging in sexual foreplay all day long. As you head to the bedroom it is important to remember that for him to have his best sex ever, he needs to know you are having your best sex ever. So be sure to tell him.
You’ve basically been blowing his mind with your day of foreplay. He will have one thing on his brain as he enters the bedroom. Know full well that while he is singularly focused, he still wants to see you, touch you, smell you, taste you, and most importantly HEAR you.
As you culminate this day of love together, tell him what makes you happy. Tell him what drives you CRAZY. He will hear your moans and other pleasure sounds, but nothing will cement your desires in his mind like you articulating the specifics of what drives you wild!
Simple phrases like “oooh that feels good” or “not there” “faster” “slower” are critical for men. We don’t get nuance or innuendo and when you tell him what’s good and what’s great, it will help him help you create the best sex you’ve ever experienced.
The latest greatest techniques are so over rated. Don’t you think lovers over the centuries have seen technique come and go? So, don’t worry if you’re holding your hand just so, or if your back is arched just right. Use the techniques of Anticipation, Attitude and Articulation to create the best sex you’ve ever known. And when your bathing in the afterglow, rock his world by whispering in his ear “I can’t wait to do it all again, tomorrow~”
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Just a question...
So...if a church doesn't address marriage on Sunday morning for a year, does that mean there are 52 things more important than marriage...or does it mean the church is clueless?
Thoughts?
Blessings~
J&L
Thoughts?
Blessings~
J&L
Friday, August 07, 2009
This story reminded me of YOU!
I read this story from Mikey's Funnies and it hit me that we haven't written in a while. Well summer in Michigan is such a treat and we "suffer" through such long winters that we just end up spending too much time outside! Vacations, getting ready for college and a few conferences are to blame as well.
Non-the-less when I read this email I thought I MUST share it!
One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick.
Suddenly, my son Matthew spoke up from his relaxed position in the front seat: "Mom, I'm thinking of something."
This announcement usually meant he had been pondering some fact for a while, and was now ready to expound all that his seven-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear.
"What are you thinking?" I asked.
"The rain," he began, "is like sin, and the windshield wipers are like God wiping our sins away."
After the chill bumps raced up my arms, I was able to respond.
"That's really good, Matthew."
Then my curiosity broke in. How far would my little boy take this revelation?
So I asked, "Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What does that tell you?"
Matthew didn't hesitate one moment with his answer: "We keep on sinning, and God just keeps on forgiving us."
I will always remember this whenever I turn my wipers on.
today'sTHOT============================
Never try to drown your sorrows. They can swim.
Blessings and thank God for windshield wipers!
Jay
Non-the-less when I read this email I thought I MUST share it!
One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick.
Suddenly, my son Matthew spoke up from his relaxed position in the front seat: "Mom, I'm thinking of something."
This announcement usually meant he had been pondering some fact for a while, and was now ready to expound all that his seven-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear.
"What are you thinking?" I asked.
"The rain," he began, "is like sin, and the windshield wipers are like God wiping our sins away."
After the chill bumps raced up my arms, I was able to respond.
"That's really good, Matthew."
Then my curiosity broke in. How far would my little boy take this revelation?
So I asked, "Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What does that tell you?"
Matthew didn't hesitate one moment with his answer: "We keep on sinning, and God just keeps on forgiving us."
I will always remember this whenever I turn my wipers on.
today'sTHOT============================
Never try to drown your sorrows. They can swim.
Blessings and thank God for windshield wipers!
Jay
Monday, July 13, 2009
OOPS! I forgot!
Saturday July 11, 2009. Jay, Grace and I are in Orlando,FL packing up and heading back to Michigan. As we are packing and cleaning out the hotel room of all our stuff, I had this feeling that I was forgetting something. What could it be? I checked the bathroom, the closet, the drawers, under the bed...everything....we had it all cleaned out. Yet, I still had that "I am forgetting something" feeling. We got on the plane...it was still there. I continued to ask Grace if she had everything...her books, her contacts, her games. She had it all! Yet....I was sure I was forgetting something.
Sunday July 12, 2009. Back home. We are unpacked and we seem to have everything we left with.....that feeling is still there. I cannot shake it! It is beginning to drive me nuts. I do as I always do and just put it out of my mind. We came home with everything. We did not forget a thing. So push it out of my mind. I did that successfully until late Sunday night....
Jay and I are watching one of our favorite TV shows, Eli Stone. Eli was talking to his father in a vision because his father is no longer alive. AHHHHHHHH! The tears began to flow....not Eli but Laura.....as Eli talked to his father I remembered what I forgot!
July 11 was the day my father passed away! That sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach was due to the fact that for 25 years I had not forgot that day and this year I had.
I was trying to decide if it was a good thing or a bad thing that I forgot? Life does go on and my dad would have wanted us to go on with life and enjoy it as he did. Yet I never want to forget the smile he had when he laughed or the way the man could sing!I have not forgotten those things about him and I have not forgotten him, and in many ways, I am very much like him. I think it is okay that I forgot July 11 on July 11.....I remembered on July 12th!
While I may not always remember the day my dad died, I will always remember my dad.
By the way, My dad is the one with the pipe and I am the smiley one!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Is something missing or am I missing something?
This story makes me think of the beautiful things I miss in my spouse...EVERYDAY!
Washington DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later:
the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the till and, without stopping, continued to walk.
6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes:
A3 year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly, as the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced them to move on.
45 minutes:
The musician played. Only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace.
He collected $32.
1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ....How many other things are we missing?
Washington DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later:
the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the till and, without stopping, continued to walk.
6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes:
A3 year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly, as the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced them to move on.
45 minutes:
The musician played. Only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace.
He collected $32.
1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ....How many other things are we missing?
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Didn't fight the battle...but we won the war!
So many parents need to learn to pick their battles! Jay and I have learned over the years that there are certain battles we will fight and others just are not worth it when it comes to the kids. Hair, earrings, etc....just are not that big of a deal. This year Torrey has gone from hair that is well kept to dreadlocks to long hair.
He has gone thru many hairstyle changes and many times I did not like the way it looked! I kept my mouth shut and let him be who he is....his favorite line along the way has been, "It is all a part of my journey, Mom". Well this journey has come full circle! Yesterday he went and got a hair cut all on his own.
I realised that we chose our battle well with his hair. we let him explore who he is and he came to the "correct" conclusion all on his own! We have our boy...oops..young man back! Short well kept hair and all!
You see we did not have to fight that battle but we still won the war!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Do you have a good marriage or a GREAT one?
A good friend of mine sent me an article he wrote I use the following paragraph with his permission.
In Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great, he states that good is the enemy of great. This principle holds true in marriage as well. If you fit into 90% of marriages today, you have adjusted your dream to settle for a good marriage instead of great. God intended for you to have a great marriage. You can have the great marriage that God intended or you can stay with the good marriage that you have. Don’t settle for good, go for great. Place marriage first.
So...how about you?
J & L
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Run a step at a time
So yesterday I had way to much chocolate! I love chocolate and especialy chocolate that is drenched over popcorn, rice krispy treats, and pretzels!
As a result of the popcorn treats that I consumed during all day meetings I felt an obligation to go on a very long run....for me that is 4.5 miles. So off Jay and I went.
During my run, in order to keep my mind focused on running and not my wheezing lungs, I began to contemplate the lessons that can be learned from running as it pertains to life. Here are a few observations:
1.Our run, no matter which way we go, begins with a hill! Yesterday as we began, Jay said, "Just focus on getting up that hill." So that is what I did and before I knew it I was at the top. At two other points in our run, we encounter hills. These happen to fall at mile 2.5 to 4.0! Right at the point that I am ready to be done! Again Jay says, " Just focus on getting up that hill." Again, before I knew it, I was at the top.
My point is this....we all have hills in life. We need to focus on one hill at time- getting up those hills one at a time. We cannot look at the hill that might be at mile 2.5 or 4.0 in our life, we have to focus on the now! Before you know it you will be at the top.
2. As I was running, we were keeping a pretty good pace.Actually a much faster pace than I normally keep. I am convinced it was the chocolate! Anyway, I knew I was running faster, but just kept looking right in front of me and saying to myself, "Keep your breathing steady." I ran the entire 4.5 miles faster than normal.
In life we must keep steady. We cannot allow the unexpected challenges to throw us off balance. When we stay steady, we can do alot more than we would have first thought possible.
3. Jay and I run together. It is a great time to talk but it is a great encouraging time as well. Yesterday, I would not have made that 4.5 miles needless to say at the pace I ran it, if it were not for Jay beside me the entire time encouraging me, "you can do it!" " Just focus on this hill." " WOW! You are doing great!"
I think we can face anything life throws at us if we have someone with us encouraging us along the journey. A marriage is so much more than the wedding. It is so much more than what the media wants us to believe. A marriage is a man and a woman, who have said to each other that whatever might come our way, we are in this together, for the long haul (or run!). "Til death do us part".
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Dance, Dance, Dance!
Okay so I did it! For years, ever since I quit as a 6 year old, I have wanted to take tap lessons. Well, as many of you know, I did this year. Last fall, I started taking tap at The Academy of Performing Arts, www.apafrancis.com/ I had an absolute blast!
In January, when my instructor, Judiy Swartz said we were going to do a piece from the play, Wicked, I was excited until I learned I was going to play a witch! However, it turned out just fine! I played Alfaba, the green but good witch. My dance partner was Glinda, the beautiful but mean witch. Of course, my dance partner is only 19 so of course she played the beautiful witch!
This weekend was The Academy's recital weekend. I have never been so nervouse in my entire life! I make a living on the stage but this was different! I had to tap dance in front of an audience, and an audience from a very small town where many of us know each other! My only saving grace was my face had to be painted green! I figured maybe people would not recognize me!
The weekend has come to an end. Sad to say...but I look forward to next year. Tap is a blast and it keeps my mind sharp! It is not easy but it is fun! I think we all have to think of things to do that stretch us in our minds and our bodies. It keeps us young and sharp. What is something you have always wanted to do and have not done it yet? Do it!
Next on the list...scuba diving!
Friday, June 05, 2009
A great lesson for those of us (Jay) with anger issues~~
Ron, a 9-year old boy, was being raised by his mother who didn't know how to cope with his uncontrollable temper. She knew he was angry that his father had abandoned him and she tried professional counseling, but nothing seemed to work.
So she sent Ron to spend the summer on his grandparent's farm. When he came home, he was a changed boy. His mom asked him what happened and he told her that every time he got mad or said anything unkind, Grandpa made him go outside and hammer a big two-inch nail into a two by four. It was hard, and he wasn't allowed back until the nail was all the way in.
After about 20 trips to the shed to get the tools, he decided it was easier to control his temper than hammer those long nails.
"Did you change because you hated the consequences so much?" she asked.
"Well, that was part of it," he said. "After I'd nailed in all the nails and was behaving better, Grandma took me outside and made me pull them out. That was even harder. When I was done, she gave me this note."
He showed it to her, and this is what she read:
"Pulling out the nails is like saying you're sorry. But the holes still remain in the board. You can't fix things by being sorry, but you can stop making new holes. Remember, every time you do something mean and nasty, you're making a hole somewhere in someone. That's what your dad did to you. Please don't do it to anyone else. You’re better than that."
Walking this journey together~
Jay
So she sent Ron to spend the summer on his grandparent's farm. When he came home, he was a changed boy. His mom asked him what happened and he told her that every time he got mad or said anything unkind, Grandpa made him go outside and hammer a big two-inch nail into a two by four. It was hard, and he wasn't allowed back until the nail was all the way in.
After about 20 trips to the shed to get the tools, he decided it was easier to control his temper than hammer those long nails.
"Did you change because you hated the consequences so much?" she asked.
"Well, that was part of it," he said. "After I'd nailed in all the nails and was behaving better, Grandma took me outside and made me pull them out. That was even harder. When I was done, she gave me this note."
He showed it to her, and this is what she read:
"Pulling out the nails is like saying you're sorry. But the holes still remain in the board. You can't fix things by being sorry, but you can stop making new holes. Remember, every time you do something mean and nasty, you're making a hole somewhere in someone. That's what your dad did to you. Please don't do it to anyone else. You’re better than that."
Walking this journey together~
Jay
Friday, May 29, 2009
Garbage Trucks
Oh is it a stressful time here. Graduation practice, Academic Honors banquets, getting ready for the Graduation open house and of course Graduation...oh and by the way, RELATIVES in town for the big event.
Well, we plan ahead and work hard at de-stressing when we see potential times of stress coming. We fight together to make ours a house of peace when others are going CRAZY. In the midst of this time I got an email from my friend Mike who posts a daily "funny" we thought today's was particularly insightful for those stress filled times!
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.
My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.
So I asked, "Why did you just do that? That guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage -- frustration, anger, disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.
Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
[forwarded by Amelia Lanning]
today'sTHOT============================
Always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind, and the ones who mind, don't matter.
Well, we plan ahead and work hard at de-stressing when we see potential times of stress coming. We fight together to make ours a house of peace when others are going CRAZY. In the midst of this time I got an email from my friend Mike who posts a daily "funny" we thought today's was particularly insightful for those stress filled times!
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.
My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.
So I asked, "Why did you just do that? That guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage -- frustration, anger, disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.
Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
[forwarded by Amelia Lanning]
today'sTHOT============================
Always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind, and the ones who mind, don't matter.
Friday, May 22, 2009
A Big Night for my little buddy~
Ok so he's not so little anymore~~
Torrey Graduates from High School next Sunday, but in my mind it happened last night. Last night was our church youth group's annual Senior Honors Banquet. We ate of course and had the youth worship band lead us in some songs. Then came time to honor the kids, when Dean Humphrey (Torrey's small group leader) reflected on Torrey's time in the youth group he said how much he appreciated the way Torrey stepped up to be a leader through out his time in youth.
That was cool, but what made the evening for me (besides my son initiating a hug with a BIG "I love you dad") was the message Torrey left on the "Senior wall". Along with his name and a TU for Taylor University he left the following quote and scripture:
"Today is a gift live as though your debt has been paid"
Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. Romans 16:19
While I REALLY don't want to let him go...he's ready!
J & L
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Just one of the emails from this weekend
I just wanted to let you know how important what you are doing is (in case you don't know!) My husband and I attended Celebrate 3 years ago for the first time. We were beginning to go through some very hard and painful things which at that time we could not foresee other than we knew it would be bad. The conference was great and helped to begin some healing that helped us stay together through the stormy times that were lying ahead...we were heading into the biggest crisis of our 21 years together.
We just returned home from Mackinac Island after attending our 2nd Celebrate with you. We weren't sure we should spend the money, and decided at the last minute to come. We weren't disappointed. The messages and interaction that you both along with Ken stimulated reminded us how precious and fragile our relationship is and how rewarding it is to keep at it. We have been married 24 years this summer and received the guidance needed to remember why we made this decision, are still together and want to continue into the future for a long time.
We didn't even turn on the radio on the way home (a 3 hour trip) and actually "communicated" all the way. As a matter of fact, we remarked that when our 20 year old daughter is married, we sure hope you are still providing the ministry to couples that is helping the survival of the endangered condition called marriage!
God bless you both and thank you for all you do!
Dawn F
Unionville, MI
We just returned home from Mackinac Island after attending our 2nd Celebrate with you. We weren't sure we should spend the money, and decided at the last minute to come. We weren't disappointed. The messages and interaction that you both along with Ken stimulated reminded us how precious and fragile our relationship is and how rewarding it is to keep at it. We have been married 24 years this summer and received the guidance needed to remember why we made this decision, are still together and want to continue into the future for a long time.
We didn't even turn on the radio on the way home (a 3 hour trip) and actually "communicated" all the way. As a matter of fact, we remarked that when our 20 year old daughter is married, we sure hope you are still providing the ministry to couples that is helping the survival of the endangered condition called marriage!
God bless you both and thank you for all you do!
Dawn F
Unionville, MI
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Just a thought~~
We're heading to Mackinac first thing in the morning to be with over 800 married people helping them Celebrate their marriage...
Would you consider taking 1 minute to breathe a prayer for ALL marriages right now? It's truly the best course of action!
Thanks~
Jay & Laura
Would you consider taking 1 minute to breathe a prayer for ALL marriages right now? It's truly the best course of action!
Thanks~
Jay & Laura
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Getting Away~~~
Ok just so you know, Laura and I do try to practice what we preach...We're getting away for a couple of days.
So...When's your next getaway with your spouse?
It's one of the best things you can do for:
You
Your spouse
Your Kids
Your Grand kids
Your Church
Your Job
Your Friends
Your Health
Your Wealth
Your Mind
Ok you get the point...as my friend Bob "Coach" Schuemann says: "I know it...now I just gotta do it!"
GO forth and LIVE!
Jay
So...When's your next getaway with your spouse?
It's one of the best things you can do for:
You
Your spouse
Your Kids
Your Grand kids
Your Church
Your Job
Your Friends
Your Health
Your Wealth
Your Mind
Ok you get the point...as my friend Bob "Coach" Schuemann says: "I know it...now I just gotta do it!"
GO forth and LIVE!
Jay
Monday, May 11, 2009
Clay Balls
This was passed on to me by a friend from the PGA tour...great message!
Clay Balls
A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.
He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock . Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!
Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.
Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!
It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.
We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.
There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.
May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.
I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with you. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.
APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE THING YOU HAVE, ESPECIALLY YOUR FRIENDS!
LIFE IS TOO SHORT AND FRIENDS ARE TOO FEW!
Have a Blessed day~
Jay & Laura
Clay Balls
A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.
He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock . Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!
Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.
Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!
It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.
We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.
There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.
May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.
I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with you. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.
APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE THING YOU HAVE, ESPECIALLY YOUR FRIENDS!
LIFE IS TOO SHORT AND FRIENDS ARE TOO FEW!
Have a Blessed day~
Jay & Laura
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Mother's Day
We leave for Albuquerque first thing Friday morning and won't return until late Sunday (MOTHER'S DAY...just a reminder!). So, I thought I'd pass along this little tribute to mom's everywhere, including my mom and my wonderful wife Laura, the mother of my children. Enjoy!
REAL MOTHERS...
Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried Playdough doesn't come out of shag carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask, "Why me?" and get their answer when a little voice says, "Because I love you best."
Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade. It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mommy to Mom...
=======================================
THE IMAGES OF MOTHER
4 years old: My Mommy can do anything!
8 years old: My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 years old: My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 years old: Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 years old: Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 years old: That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 years old: Well, she might know a little bit about it.
35 years old: Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 years old: Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 years old: Wish I could talk it over with Mom
Give your Mom a hug every chance you get!
Jay
REAL MOTHERS...
Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried Playdough doesn't come out of shag carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask, "Why me?" and get their answer when a little voice says, "Because I love you best."
Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade. It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mommy to Mom...
=======================================
THE IMAGES OF MOTHER
4 years old: My Mommy can do anything!
8 years old: My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 years old: My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 years old: Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 years old: Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 years old: That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 years old: Well, she might know a little bit about it.
35 years old: Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 years old: Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 years old: Wish I could talk it over with Mom
Give your Mom a hug every chance you get!
Jay
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Fatherhood...It really is tougher on the kids!
Springtime with a Senior in the house can only be described in one word...CHAOS! For this anal retentive dad, CHAOS is never welcome. Torrey is moving at the speed of light these days between school, two jobs, varsity golf, youth group, Campus Life, graduation preparations, and oh yes a girlfriend!
There are days that if we see him for 10 minutes we feel fortunate. Ten minutes of actual conversation is like finding GOLD! I was sharing with friends the other day that having an 18 year old in the house brings the full range of emotions from "I can't wait till your out of here!" to "I can't believe he's leaving us already". Part of God's beautiful design, I guess.
So I have a confession. We as parents (especially dad's) need to face up to the fact that we can make life tough on our kids. Expectations that are too high, words spoken without thought, but bottom line? WE are the cause of all their issues!
This picture will give you a clear picture of why our kids don't stand a chance! Remember, Laura is the one with the camera!
Bless your kids today with your own brand of dementia!
Jay
There are days that if we see him for 10 minutes we feel fortunate. Ten minutes of actual conversation is like finding GOLD! I was sharing with friends the other day that having an 18 year old in the house brings the full range of emotions from "I can't wait till your out of here!" to "I can't believe he's leaving us already". Part of God's beautiful design, I guess.
So I have a confession. We as parents (especially dad's) need to face up to the fact that we can make life tough on our kids. Expectations that are too high, words spoken without thought, but bottom line? WE are the cause of all their issues!
This picture will give you a clear picture of why our kids don't stand a chance! Remember, Laura is the one with the camera!
Bless your kids today with your own brand of dementia!
Jay
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Gray T-shirts
Does your spouse have quirks? Are there things about him(or her) that just make you laugh? So here is the thing.....Jay has a "thing" for gray t-shirts! I mean like an obsession! He loves gray t-shirts. He wears one every night. Gray t-shirts make up his nite time sexy pj ensemble! It is just a quirky thing...
About six months ago he got online and ordered a dozen of his favorite brand of t-shirts, all in gray! He has an entire drawer of his dresser dedicated to gray t-shirts. It is a quirky thing.....
Last night, I was teasing him about the sexy gray t-shirt he had on. We had a good laugh about his obsession with gray t-shirts and then he made this statement, " When I find some thing I like I stick with it". I laughed for a moment and then it hit me. He may be quirky, yet his statement is what marriage is all about.
When you find someone you like you stick with them. When you first fall in love, you get that ooey gooey liver quiver in your stomach every time you look at the one you love. Time passes, circumstances change, kids come and go and that ooey gooey liver quiver may be less and less. Marriage is not built on the ooey gooey liver quiver. Marriage is built on "like". Finding your best friend, the one who laughs at your quirks, shares your pains, walks thru the storms and gets wet with you. When you find the one you like, you stick with them It may be a quirky thing....
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
I love technology!
Okay so I know that some of you out there think that all this technology is making us distant and non-communicative. I have heard some say that we are creating a society that isolates itself. Well I disagree!
Over the last year, I have connected with old friends from high school and college. I have made new friends all across the country. For years, we have had thousands of folks come to our conferences and for years, I could not have told you their names nor could I have picked them out of a crowd! NOW...because of Facebook, Twitter, and Skype, I am having a blast getting to know them and making new friends.
I think technology can be what you make it! You can either embrace it and learn from it or you can bury your head in the sand and never use it. You choose. But I will tell you this, I think that Facebook, Twitter, blogging,Skype and texting are simply tools we can use to continue to build relationships across geographical boundaries.
Hey, for all you out there reading this..if you are embracing technology, find me on Facebook or Twitter! Talk at you soon!
Laura
Over the last year, I have connected with old friends from high school and college. I have made new friends all across the country. For years, we have had thousands of folks come to our conferences and for years, I could not have told you their names nor could I have picked them out of a crowd! NOW...because of Facebook, Twitter, and Skype, I am having a blast getting to know them and making new friends.
I think technology can be what you make it! You can either embrace it and learn from it or you can bury your head in the sand and never use it. You choose. But I will tell you this, I think that Facebook, Twitter, blogging,Skype and texting are simply tools we can use to continue to build relationships across geographical boundaries.
Hey, for all you out there reading this..if you are embracing technology, find me on Facebook or Twitter! Talk at you soon!
Laura
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
A friendship poem for men! From Mikey's Funnies
Are you tired of those Sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality?
Well, let's try this my way...just the stone cold truth about great friendship.
1. When you are sad, I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!
2. When you are blue, I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile, I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.
4. When you're scared, we will high tail it out of here.
5. When you are worried, I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!
6. When you are confused, I will use little words.
7. When you are sick, stay away from me until you are well again...I don't want whatever you have.
8. When you fall, I'll pick you up and dust you off--After I laugh my head off!
9. This is my oath...I pledge it to the end.
'Why?' you may ask...because you are my FRIEND!
[forwarded by Kevin Miller]
today'sTHOT============================
When times are tough, you know what you can ALWAYS count on? Your fingers.
Well, let's try this my way...just the stone cold truth about great friendship.
1. When you are sad, I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!
2. When you are blue, I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile, I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.
4. When you're scared, we will high tail it out of here.
5. When you are worried, I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!
6. When you are confused, I will use little words.
7. When you are sick, stay away from me until you are well again...I don't want whatever you have.
8. When you fall, I'll pick you up and dust you off--After I laugh my head off!
9. This is my oath...I pledge it to the end.
'Why?' you may ask...because you are my FRIEND!
[forwarded by Kevin Miller]
today'sTHOT============================
When times are tough, you know what you can ALWAYS count on? Your fingers.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Food for thought!
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get
tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs
covered with bright colored lead-based paints..
We had no child proof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and
when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we
took hitchhiking.
As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE
actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with
sugar, but we weren't overweight because,
WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back
when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day.And we were OK.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ridedown the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all,no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chatrooms.......
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no
lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us
forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and
tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang
the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't
had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They
actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers
and inventors ever!
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we
learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow
up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of
our lives for our own good .
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how
brave (and lucky) their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!
The
quote of the month is by Jay Leno:
'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding,severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another,and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get
tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs
covered with bright colored lead-based paints..
We had no child proof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and
when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we
took hitchhiking.
As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE
actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with
sugar, but we weren't overweight because,
WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back
when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day.And we were OK.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ridedown the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all,no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chatrooms.......
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no
lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us
forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and
tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang
the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't
had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They
actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers
and inventors ever!
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we
learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow
up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of
our lives for our own good .
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how
brave (and lucky) their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!
The
quote of the month is by Jay Leno:
'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding,severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another,and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
Friday, April 03, 2009
We're back!
What an amazing 10 days! It would be very difficult to put into one blog posting! So be prepared...it will be the subject of many blogs to come!:-)
I do not know how many of you have read the book, The Shack, but Jay and I have read it several times now. In the book, the character ascribed to God is Papa. Papa is an African woman. We met Papa in Africa! Her name is Hilda.
Hilda shared her story with us... She shared with passion and faith in the God she loves and serves! She lost her husband to HIV and has four children. She volunteers in the Compassion project chairing the committee that assists in HIV education and positive living for those who are infected with this terrible disease. She is an amazing woman. As she shared her story with us, Jay simply raised his hand and asked her how we could pray for her, specifically. Her response was this...."simply mention my name, He knows me, and He knows my needs."
WOW!!!! Can we all say this? Do we approach the throne of God with a "wish list"? I know that I do! This woman who lives in a slum and works with men, women, and children infected with HIV everyday, does not offer a wish list, but knows that God will do exactly what needs to be done to meet her needs each and every day.
Walk today believing that the God of Heaven and Earth will meet you on the journey and take care of your needs in ways that you will never be able to imagine!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Africa Bound
The Laffoon Family is departing on a Missions Trip to Nairobi, Africa. We leave this weekend and will return April 2nd.
We will be spending our time at different Compassion projects around Nairobi where we will conduct Vacation Bible School and work on minor construction projects.
The highlight of our trip will be the opportunity we have to spend a day with Francis! Francis is a child we sponsor and we are going to meet him and spend a day interacting with him.
Please pray that we will communicate the the Life Changing message of Jesus throughout our trip.
To keep up with our adventures you can dial 800-315-4879 toll free to get daily reports from our trip leader!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
What a difference a week makes!
The last time I blogged we were traveling home in fog and rain, anticipating losing an hour of sleep.Today, one week, later we are traveling home in sunshine and spring like temps! Whaoo!
We traveled to St. Clair Shores, MI to an Ultimate Date Night show and then stayed over to preach this morning. We saw 11 children sponsored with Compassion International!
One week from today, at this moment, the Laffoon Fam will be onboard a plane headed for Nairobi, Kenya to visit Francis. Francis is a twelve year old boy we sponsor with Compassion. We will get to visit with Francis as well as love on other children in Compassions Projects through out Kenya.
Whew! what a difference a week can make!
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Weary Road Warriors
It is 12;22 am it has been a long day-up at 6 and not home yet! Tonight we lose an hour as well! It is rainy and foggy and our bodies are ready to be out of the car! Even though we are exhausted,it has been a great weekend of ministry. We are grateful to be used by a great God to touch marriages!Have a great Sunday-we will be sleeping!
Friday, March 06, 2009
A Lesson from a tiny frog
The following story was taken from Mikey's Funnies~~
Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.
A big crowd gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants. The race began but no one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as:
"Oh, WAY too difficult!!"
"They will NEVER make it to the top."
"Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!"
The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one, except for those who, in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher.
The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!"
More tiny frogs got tired and gave up. But one continued higher and higher and higher. He just wouldn't give up!
At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!
All of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it. A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal.
It turned out that the winner was deaf.
[forwarded by JR]
today'sTHOT============================
If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.
Blessings~
J&L
Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.
A big crowd gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants. The race began but no one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as:
"Oh, WAY too difficult!!"
"They will NEVER make it to the top."
"Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!"
The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one, except for those who, in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher.
The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!"
More tiny frogs got tired and gave up. But one continued higher and higher and higher. He just wouldn't give up!
At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!
All of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it. A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal.
It turned out that the winner was deaf.
[forwarded by JR]
today'sTHOT============================
If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.
Blessings~
J&L
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Faith like a child!
In our culture today, do we really know and understand what it means to love someone like Jesus would? Many of you have read the book,The Shack. If you haven't, you should, not because it is a great doctrinal reading but because it is has great imagery.
Anway, what strikes me in this book, is the realness of Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. It is thought provoking to the point that I question if in fact the author has met Jesus in a way that I wish I could! The relationship between Jesus and Mac, the main character, is a friendship of love, respect, and bold conversation.
Through this friendship,Mac begins to understand Jesus in ways he never has before.
Do we love people in our lives that way? Do we love and respect them? Do we have bold conversations with them? Do we ask the hard questions in love and with respect? Not because we want to prove anything but because we truly love?
Grace, our 11 year old, loved a friend yesterday in such a way that she asked some bold and hard questions. She loved this friend so much that she was able to introduce this friend to Jesus.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Cna yuo raed tihs?
Olny 55 plepoeout of 100 can.
fi yuo cna
raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too
Cehck the lnik at the bttoom!
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht
I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch
at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae.
The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm.
Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!
Laern to mkae the onpenig and cnosilg of yuor secpeh precfet.
Ken Davis' Dynamic Communicators Workshop will help you COMMUNICATE to everyone in your life!
Visit Ken's Website for more info!
fi yuo cna
raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too
Cehck the lnik at the bttoom!
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht
I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch
at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae.
The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm.
Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!
Laern to mkae the onpenig and cnosilg of yuor secpeh precfet.
Ken Davis' Dynamic Communicators Workshop will help you COMMUNICATE to everyone in your life!
Visit Ken's Website for more info!
Friday, February 20, 2009
A Psalm for troubling times
23RD PSALM
The Lord is my real boss and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray before I speak and to do all things without murmuring and complaining.
He reminds me that He is my Source and not my job.
He restores my sanity every day and guides my decisions that I might honor Him in everything I do.
Even though I face absurd amounts of emails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors, and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I will not stop--for He is with me!
His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through.
He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.
He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go.
His faithfulness and love are better than any bonus check.
His retirement plan beats every 401K there is.
When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that, I bless His Name.
Peace~
J&L
The Lord is my real boss and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray before I speak and to do all things without murmuring and complaining.
He reminds me that He is my Source and not my job.
He restores my sanity every day and guides my decisions that I might honor Him in everything I do.
Even though I face absurd amounts of emails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors, and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I will not stop--for He is with me!
His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through.
He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.
He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go.
His faithfulness and love are better than any bonus check.
His retirement plan beats every 401K there is.
When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that, I bless His Name.
Peace~
J&L
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
It will come back to bite you in the....!
So I have a really bad habit of planting myself everynight in my chair. I get all comfy and cozy under my "woobie" (which is laura verbage for blanket). THEN I WAIT!
For what? you may ask...I wait for Torrey to move. When he moves to stand up for any reason, I politely ask him to get me "something" - it may be a piece of candy, a kleenex, a magazine....it could be anything.
My point is this...I purposely wait until he moves before I need something. I actually think it through! I am awful! I may need a kleenex right now but if Torrey is not moving I wait as opposed to getting up myself and getting it when I need it! That would mean I would have to get up from under my cozy woobie and move!
Well,he figured me out! Last night, when he moved to stand up; I needed chocolate! I asked in that polite loving mommy voice, "T, would you get me a piece of chocolate while you're up?" He laughed, and responded, "you mean instead of you getting up and getting yourself some chocolate? How long have you wanted chocolate mother? Did the hunger hit you right when I stood up?"
Dang, that kid! I then responded with, "look I gave birth to you! Do you think it would be too much trouble to get me a piece of chocolate!?" He laughed again.
"Mother, I never thought you would stoop to using the birth guilt card!"
I did...I am not proud of it...but...
I DID GET MY CHOCOLATE!
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
YIKES!
Well today is the day! I am officially old!
NO, it is not my birthday.
No, I can still run 3 miles.
No, I have forgotten anything important...not today anyway!
I am old because I got bifocals today! Of course, due to vanity, my new glasses will NOT have a line in the middle so you will not be able to tell I have bifocals! It was the least I could do!
Pray for Jay though he is not taking the news well...he is married to an old woman now!
NO, it is not my birthday.
No, I can still run 3 miles.
No, I have forgotten anything important...not today anyway!
I am old because I got bifocals today! Of course, due to vanity, my new glasses will NOT have a line in the middle so you will not be able to tell I have bifocals! It was the least I could do!
Pray for Jay though he is not taking the news well...he is married to an old woman now!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Cruisin and a Cause!
We leave for our annual Celebrate Your Marriage Cruise. Heading to the Caribbean for 7 days of warmth, which is a welcome relief from the 10 degrees BELOW ZERO we woke to today!
Also, below you will see a very important piece that came across my desk yesterday. I hope you will take the time to read it and pass it along to others who may feel as strongly about marriage as we do!
A New Year's Resolution: Cut America's Divorce Rate In Half January 1, 2009 by Mike McManus
I'd like to propose a New Year's resolution that could preserve a half million marriages a year now ending in divorce by cutting America's divorce rate in half.
The biggest winners of such an achievement would be 500,000 kids who would not experience their parents divorce. Children are the innocent victims who deserve a bright future.
"Though a divorce is opposed in four out of five cases by one spouse, it is always granted. Should couples with children be required to obtain written mutual consent for the dissolution of their marriage if there are no allegations of major fault such as proven adultery or physical abuse?"
In 48 states No Fault Divorce Law no longer requires proof of major fault to get a divorce. One spouse simply claims the marriage has "irreconcilable differences," and divorce is always granted. Yet in 80 percent of the cases, their spouse says the marriage is reconcilable, according to Andrew Cherlin and Frank Furstenburg in their book, Divided Families.
The key moral question, which every pastor, teacher, social worker, lawyer and parent must answer is this: should a marriage, entered into willingly by two people, be dissolved unilaterally by one unhappy parent - or should both parents have an equal voice in the decision?
To put it differently, shouldn't the parent most committed to the marriage and to the children have an equal voice in a decision that will change their lives forever?
Billy Miller came home for lunch one day to discover that his wife was gone along with most of the furniture and their teenage daughter and son. It was a shock that made him feel "total devastation."
If he had had a voice on the divorce, he would have said no. It shattered their children, two of whom have had babies out-of-wedlock and a third is divorced. Without a model of how a husband and wife make a marriage work, children of divorce find it difficult to bond with someone of the opposite
sex.
Did his ex-wife create a happier life? No. Within four years she married a high school boyfriend who deserted his wife to marry her. He kicked her out after just four months. She married a third time, but it lasted only 8 months. Billy remains her friend, and he prays for her return.
Billy is now a divorce reformer. His local newspaper published his recent letter with questions that deserve answers from the legal profession, clergy and state legislators:
1. "Is marriage a legally binding agreement between two citizens? If it is not, why should it be registered with the legal system, the local courts and the state?
2. "If it takes two people in agreement to initiate a legally binding contract, and two people in agreement to end a legally binding contract,"
why can one spouse terminate a marriage?
3. "The person breaching a (typical) contract is generally the one penalized. How is it fair in divorce to punish the one who is not breaching the contract and, at the same time, reward the one who is? The one objecting to the granting of the divorce is deprived of all rights as the divorce is granted.
"Saddam Hussein received more justice than do American citizens who want to keep their marriage and family intact," Billy Miller wrote.
No Fault Divorce is also unconstitutional. The 5th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution guarantee that "No person be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law."
Where is "due process" if the divorce is always granted?
Miller writes, "Due process is: hearing what you did wrong (accusations), with proof; offering a defense against those accusations; hearing the judge's decision based on the evidence presented, and the right to appeal that decision."
You can take a personal responsibility to help reform No Fault Divorce.
How?
1. Call or write your state representative or state senator, asking them to reform the law.
2. Ask your pastor to not only support this change, but to seek the backing of other clergy in the community, to ask state legislators for divorce reform.
3. Ask your local legal community, the Bar Association, to support divorce reform.
In short, will you declare a New Year's Resolution to help reform No Fault Divorce with Mutual Consent Divorce in cases involving minor children?
Blessings~
J&L
Also, below you will see a very important piece that came across my desk yesterday. I hope you will take the time to read it and pass it along to others who may feel as strongly about marriage as we do!
A New Year's Resolution: Cut America's Divorce Rate In Half January 1, 2009 by Mike McManus
I'd like to propose a New Year's resolution that could preserve a half million marriages a year now ending in divorce by cutting America's divorce rate in half.
The biggest winners of such an achievement would be 500,000 kids who would not experience their parents divorce. Children are the innocent victims who deserve a bright future.
"Though a divorce is opposed in four out of five cases by one spouse, it is always granted. Should couples with children be required to obtain written mutual consent for the dissolution of their marriage if there are no allegations of major fault such as proven adultery or physical abuse?"
In 48 states No Fault Divorce Law no longer requires proof of major fault to get a divorce. One spouse simply claims the marriage has "irreconcilable differences," and divorce is always granted. Yet in 80 percent of the cases, their spouse says the marriage is reconcilable, according to Andrew Cherlin and Frank Furstenburg in their book, Divided Families.
The key moral question, which every pastor, teacher, social worker, lawyer and parent must answer is this: should a marriage, entered into willingly by two people, be dissolved unilaterally by one unhappy parent - or should both parents have an equal voice in the decision?
To put it differently, shouldn't the parent most committed to the marriage and to the children have an equal voice in a decision that will change their lives forever?
Billy Miller came home for lunch one day to discover that his wife was gone along with most of the furniture and their teenage daughter and son. It was a shock that made him feel "total devastation."
If he had had a voice on the divorce, he would have said no. It shattered their children, two of whom have had babies out-of-wedlock and a third is divorced. Without a model of how a husband and wife make a marriage work, children of divorce find it difficult to bond with someone of the opposite
sex.
Did his ex-wife create a happier life? No. Within four years she married a high school boyfriend who deserted his wife to marry her. He kicked her out after just four months. She married a third time, but it lasted only 8 months. Billy remains her friend, and he prays for her return.
Billy is now a divorce reformer. His local newspaper published his recent letter with questions that deserve answers from the legal profession, clergy and state legislators:
1. "Is marriage a legally binding agreement between two citizens? If it is not, why should it be registered with the legal system, the local courts and the state?
2. "If it takes two people in agreement to initiate a legally binding contract, and two people in agreement to end a legally binding contract,"
why can one spouse terminate a marriage?
3. "The person breaching a (typical) contract is generally the one penalized. How is it fair in divorce to punish the one who is not breaching the contract and, at the same time, reward the one who is? The one objecting to the granting of the divorce is deprived of all rights as the divorce is granted.
"Saddam Hussein received more justice than do American citizens who want to keep their marriage and family intact," Billy Miller wrote.
No Fault Divorce is also unconstitutional. The 5th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution guarantee that "No person be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law."
Where is "due process" if the divorce is always granted?
Miller writes, "Due process is: hearing what you did wrong (accusations), with proof; offering a defense against those accusations; hearing the judge's decision based on the evidence presented, and the right to appeal that decision."
You can take a personal responsibility to help reform No Fault Divorce.
How?
1. Call or write your state representative or state senator, asking them to reform the law.
2. Ask your pastor to not only support this change, but to seek the backing of other clergy in the community, to ask state legislators for divorce reform.
3. Ask your local legal community, the Bar Association, to support divorce reform.
In short, will you declare a New Year's Resolution to help reform No Fault Divorce with Mutual Consent Divorce in cases involving minor children?
Blessings~
J&L
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Making the MOST of time
A few incidents have collided in a 24 hour stretch that have me thinking about how quickly time passes...Selling Tickets at the last home AHS basketball game that we will share with Torrey. A memorial service for a man who has been a stalwart in our community. Grace's first "official" swim meet.
Often we can't WAIT for: Christmas, birthdays, vacations, etc. We hope time passes quickly so we can experience the upcoming event. Other times we wish time would stand still and never arrive: That dreaded dentist appointment, April 15th or children leaving home.
One constant about time is that it keeps moving. The only time we have is the present time, so today choose to live in the present. Don't cling to failures of the past and rest assured in the One who holds the future.
Gotta go, TIME for the memorial.
Jay
Often we can't WAIT for: Christmas, birthdays, vacations, etc. We hope time passes quickly so we can experience the upcoming event. Other times we wish time would stand still and never arrive: That dreaded dentist appointment, April 15th or children leaving home.
One constant about time is that it keeps moving. The only time we have is the present time, so today choose to live in the present. Don't cling to failures of the past and rest assured in the One who holds the future.
Gotta go, TIME for the memorial.
Jay
Monday, January 05, 2009
My friend - the bird
Every day out of my office window a bird will sit and watch me work! Seriously, he does! I have tried to capture him on camera several times and he always flys away. Today,I got him!
I love to watch my little friend. He comes to the tree outside my window to feed on the berries. He watches the world go by. He sometimes brings friends to the tree. He watches me.
My little friend reminds me of the greatness of our God. He causes me to ponder the ways God chooses to create. He causes me to reflect on the wisdom of God.
At times when I have just gotten word of another friend diagnosed with cancer or an illness unexplained by medical technology- my little friend flies into the tree and perches himself and watches me. I find comfort in this because I know when I am questioning God and wondering what the heck He is doing, He sends this little bird to remind me that He is in control and knows exactly what He is doing!
What causes you to ponder and question God? So often we think we are less faithful if we ask questions and experience doubt. I think that questioning and wondering causes our faith to be strengthened. I pray that in 2009 your faith will be strengthened and God will show himself to you in real and authentic ways....like my little friend!
I love to watch my little friend. He comes to the tree outside my window to feed on the berries. He watches the world go by. He sometimes brings friends to the tree. He watches me.
My little friend reminds me of the greatness of our God. He causes me to ponder the ways God chooses to create. He causes me to reflect on the wisdom of God.
At times when I have just gotten word of another friend diagnosed with cancer or an illness unexplained by medical technology- my little friend flies into the tree and perches himself and watches me. I find comfort in this because I know when I am questioning God and wondering what the heck He is doing, He sends this little bird to remind me that He is in control and knows exactly what He is doing!
What causes you to ponder and question God? So often we think we are less faithful if we ask questions and experience doubt. I think that questioning and wondering causes our faith to be strengthened. I pray that in 2009 your faith will be strengthened and God will show himself to you in real and authentic ways....like my little friend!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
