Noah's Ark

I wanted to share a news article with you about a Working Replica of Noah's Ark that opened in the Netherlands yesterday. Johan Huibers did the work mostly with his own hands, using modern tools and occasional help from his son Roy. Construction began in May 2005.

Reckoning by the old biblical measurements, Johan's fully functional ark is 150 cubits long, 30 cubits high and 20 cubits wide. That's two-thirds the length of a football field and as high as a three-story house. Visitors on the first day were stunned.

"It's past comprehension," said Mary Louise Starosciak, who happened to be bicycling by with her husband while on vacation when they saw the ark looming over the local landscape.

"I knew the story of Noah, but I had no idea the boat would have been so big." This replica is five times smaller than the Ark described in the Bible. Can you even imagine how large the real Noah's Ark must have been?

If I were to ever visit the Netherlands, this is one exhibit that I would love to see.

My Attorney

After living what I felt was a "decent" life, my time on earth came to the end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a courthouse. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.

As I looked around I saw the "prosecutor." He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen. I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room. I couldn't take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, "Let us begin."

The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell." He proceeded to tell of lies I told, things I stole, and in the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank. I was so embarrassed, I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins even I completely forgotten about. As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I was guilty of those things, but I did some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?

Satan finished with a fury and said, "This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise."

When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, "Hi, Dad," then He turned to address the court. "Satan was correct in saying this man sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished."

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died on the cross so this person might have eternal life and he accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine."

My Lord continued with, "His name is written in the Book of Life and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not understand yet. This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy."

As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said,"There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all."

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips... "This man is free The penalty for him was already paid in full. Case dismissed"

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up, I will win the next one."

I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?" Christ lovingly smiled and said, "Everyone that comes to Me and asked Me to represent them, received the same verdict as you, "PAID IN FULL."

Blogtipping. . .

Please mark your calendar to go blogtipping with me on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 - the anniversary of the first Blogtipping Day!

Blogtipping Definition: Blogtipping is where you publish a blog post in which you link to three unsuspecting blogs and offer three compliments and/or one helpful tip to each blogger. (Or adapt those numbers to your own preferences; the principle of selflessness is what matters most here.) Blogtipping is a refreshing and useful surprise that can start a blogger's month with a huge smile!

The first calendar day of each month is a new Blogtipping Day. Who will you sneak up behind and tip next time? :)

So come back on May 1st to see who I've Blogtipped! I'll be posting who I've Blogtipped with links to their sites. For each of my 4 blogs, I will be Blogtipping three other blogs that are similar to my blog, so I'll actually Blogtip 12 blogs on May 1st!

This is who is planning to join me on Blogtipping day! Can I add your link? Just let me know!

My Life As A WAHM

Twenty Things To Remember

TWENTY THINGS TO REMEMBER

1. Faith is the ability to not panic.

2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed, don't worry.

3. As a child of God, prayer is kinda like calling home every day.

4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.

5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.

6. Do the math. Count your blessings.

7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.

9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

10. Laugh every day -- it's like inner jogging.

11. The most important things in your home are the people.

12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.

13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. Come on in.

14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

16. We do not remember days, but moments. Life moves too fast, so enjoy your precious moments.

17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it; otherwise it's just hearsay.

18. Its all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.

19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks out it's neck.

20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation.

Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Leave gentle fingerprints on the soul of another for the angels to read.

I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.

The Dove Awards!

The 38th Annual Dove Awards are this weekend! I'm so excited to see several of my favorite groups and artist being nominated for the top awards!

My favorite groups are Casting Crowns (Mark Hall lead singer) and MercyMe. Here are the nominees:

Song of the Year	"Bless The Broken Road"; Marcus Hummon, Bobby E. Boyd, Jeff Hanna; Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc. (BMI) "Cry Out To Jesus"; Mac Powell, Tai Anderson, Brad Avery, David Carr, Mark Lee; Consuming Fire Music (ASCAP) "Drifter"; Josh Reedy, Brian Bunn, Erik Miker, Boone Daughdrill; Willow Branch Publishing, DecembeRadio Publishing (BMI) "God’s Still God"; Johnathan Bond; HIS Choice Music, PraiseStreet Music (BMI) "Imagine Me"; Kirk Franklin; Zomba Songs, Inc., Kerrion Publishing, Lilly Mack Music (BMI) "Made To Worship"; Stephan Sharp, Ed Cash, Chris Tomlin; sixsteps Music, worshiptogether.com Songs (ASCAP), Alletrope Music (BMI), Stephan Sharp Publishing "Me And Jesus"; Adam Agee, Ian Eskelin; Bridge Building (BMI), Starshaped Music (BMI), Wordspring Music, LLC "My Savior My God"; Aaron Shust; Bridge Building, Whitespot Publishing "Nothing Left To Lose"; Mat Kearney; EMI Blackwood Music/ Facade Aside Music (BMI) "Praise You In This Storm"; Mark Hall, Bernie Herms; Club Zoo Music (BMI), SWECS Music (BMI), Word Music, LLC (ASCAP), Banahama Tunes (ASCAP)
Songwriter of the Year	Aaron Shust Kirk Franklin Mac Powell Mark Hall Mat Kearney
Male Vocalist of the Year	Aaron Shust Chris Tomlin Jeremy Camp Mark Hall Mat Kearney
Female Vocalist of the Year	Christy Nockels Krystal Meyers Natalie Grant Nichole Nordeman Rebecca St. James
Group of the Year	BarlowGirl Casting Crowns David Crowder*Band Jars of Clay MercyMe
Artist of the Year	Casting Crowns Chris Tomlin Jars of Clay Stellar Kart The Crabb Family Third Day TobyMac
New Artist of the Year	Aaron Shust Ayiesha Woods DecembeRadio Leeland Pocket Full Of Rocks
Producer of the Year	Brown Bannister Ed Cash Ian Eskelin Nathan Nockels Otto Price

Ain't

Ain't
-
He was just a little boy,
on a week's first day.
Wandering home from Sunday School,
and dawdling on the way.
-
He scuffed his shoes into the grass;
he even found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod,
and blew out all the "filler."
-
A bird's nest in a tree overhead,
so wisely placed up so high.
Was just another wonder,
that caught his eager eye.
-
A neighbor watched his zig zag course,
and hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he'd been that day
and what was going on.
-
"I've been to Bible School ,"
he said and turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm replying,
"I've learned a lot about God."
-
"M'm very fine way," the neighbor said,
"for a boy to spend his time."
"If you'll tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime."
-
Quick as a flash the answer came!
Nor was his accent faint.
"I'll give you a dollar, Mister,
if you can tell me where God ain't." :)
-
Author Unknown-

In our Prayers. . .Virginia Tech

Our hearts and prayers go out to the 32 people who were killed at Virginia Tech on Monday. It's a time of healing for many. I cannot even imagine going through something like that. I can only hope and pray that the families have God in their life to help them get through all of this.

May God be with them all....

Email Joke

A couple from Minneapolis decided to go to Florida to thaw out during one particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the very same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules.

So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day. The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an e-mail to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her e-mail address, and without realizing his error, he sent the e-mail.

Meanwhile.....somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a minister of many years who was called home to glory following a sudden heart attack. The widow decided to check her e-mail, expecting messages from relatives and friends.

After reading the first message, she fainted. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My Loving Wife
Subject: I've Arrived
Date: 16 May 2003

I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send e-mails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was. P.S. Sure is hot down here!

God's Coffee

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live.

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."

God brews the coffee, not the cups.......... Enjoy your coffee!

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything."

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

Leave the rest to God.