TulipWife

Loan Loan Loan

2010-10-30T17:42:00.000-07:00

I have 11k Student loan, and I really need to get this paid off (interest is killing me) . I'm thinking of coming up with something I can make to pay it off. And either sell it off ebay or etsy.com I'm trying to come up with something that's not expensive to make and cheap for a person to buy. (which will I think grab someones attention).

Any idea's? Only thing is...I'm not a crafty kind of person ummm so I might have to buy something cheap and sell it for a little more than I bought it. Ohhh I don't know. How I wish there was interest free loans. It would make paying a loan back more enjoyable. To see the numbers go down and know they will stay down would be nice and encouraging to pay it all off.

I think this is a venting entry.

Christina

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring

2010-10-20T14:01:00.000-07:00

I haven't written an entry for a while now. I think I get caught up on facebook and forget about this site. But today something happen and I really didn't want to share it on facebook,so I decided to come here instead.

Tuesday night I was discussing with a group of ladies that it's been a while since I had a siezure since I started some new medicine. I said this with an attitude of being thankful for the right medicine. Thinking I will now have no problems now because everything is solved. I felt good.

This morning as I was praying,I thanked the Lord for this day, I thanked him for his strength in my weakness, I told him I trusted his plans for my life. That he will give me whatever I need to overcome whatever circumstances I'm in.

I totally believe in his providence and sovereignty in all things.

Well guess what happen to me this afternoon, I had a seizure :/ And I thought, Why? It felt as if God was saying... Now do you really Trust me. What's weird is that I was reading John this morning (before the seizure) and I was reading about Jesus feeding the 5000. He asked Phillip where he could by bread so that the people could eat. And the scriptures say in John 6:6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.

God knew my prayers even before I spoke it ,And I believe it was part of his plan for me to have my seizure later on that same day. It all goes together I believe, for my good, to make me more like him, to bring Glory to Christ. I have prayed a "whatever it takes Lord" prayer with my whole heart,and meant it. And even though my shoulder hurts,my tongue hurts,and my body aches. I still mean it. Whatever it takes Lord. There is a scripture that sums up total Trust. It's in Job, and it's one of my favorites.

Job 13:14 Though he slay me, I will hope in him;

That scripture will sum up my final thoughts and feelings here now, and I'll end this blog. I'm glad I have came back. I have a lot of catching up to do.

Christina

Praise You in this Storm: An Animation

2010-06-11T20:34:00.000-07:00

History of short/long hair

2010-06-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

I only keep my hair long because my husband likes it that way. And I've been reading articles how men perfer long hair, and women prefer short hair. Most women feel pressure( by other women) to cut their hair short after the age of 40. Maybe thats why I want to cut my hair short? Most women my age and older all have short hair, and honestly I feel like the weird one because my hair is long. Also intelligence, powerful, and well to do ladies are associated with "short hair". But , Victoria secret women, desperate housewives,and sex pots like ginger on Gilligans island and Jessica rabbit in who framed roger rabbit all have long hair.

A famous woman -Joan of arc- was a center of controversy because she cut her long hair short. And in the 1920's there was controversy among the women about the getting the new "bob" look. The husbands did not like it..and neither did most women.

In an April 1927 issue of Pictorial Review, a well-known opera singer of the 1920s named Mary Garden (1874–1967) wrote an article titled "Why I Bobbed My Hair" explaining to her fans why she cut off her long hair. She said, "Bobbed hair is a state of mind and not merely a new manner of dressing my head.… I consider getting rid of our long hair one of the many little shackles that women have cast aside in their passage to freedom." This statement expresses the underlying reason behind the 1920s fad of short hair for women. While until World War I (1914–18) long and carefully styled hair had been a symbol of elegant femininity, never cut except in times of serious illness, during the Roaring Twenties, a time of rebellion and newfound freedoms following the calamities of World War I, short hair on women became a symbol of liberation, fun, and daring. Read more: Short Hair for Women - Fashion, Costume, and Culture: Clothing, Headwear, Body Decorations, and Footwear through the Ages.

So.. I just wanted to share some of the stuff I've been learning.What is your take on it?

Sin

2010-06-03T12:22:00.000-07:00

I'm frustrated, again. Maybe I'm blind to Grace? Maybe what seems worldly to me.. isn't? Maybe being set apart isn't what I think it means? Maybe what may be worldly to me isn't worldly to someone else? Maybe following the steps of Christ, isn't what I think it is.

Maybe I'm too serious, like my family says I am.
Maybe I'm judging or looking far into what is acceptable and what isn't.

I want to ask... WHO HATES SIN? Do you really? Do I really? Does it just grieve you to tears? Ever feel like beating your chest because of it? I hate that my sins killed Christ.

Do you hate hearing blasphemy, filthy words, lies, ? Why listen to it in movies?
Do you hate adultery? tell me why surround yourself with movies that glorify it?
Do you hate your own sins? I hate that I sin... and I want anybody and everyone to tell me when I am, when I don't see it myself.

And I don't understand why others are not open to this?

Am I wrong in all this?

Maybe I just want him to return soon, to get rid of this sin, this battle, this flesh.

A vow honored /dishonored

2010-05-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

Many may not know this, but I have worked with the elderly since I was 16. My specialty is with Alzheimer. I have seen the most saddest things, and the most beautiful things with this disease. First I would like to say that, the hardest part about Alzheimer is the pain that the family goes through while slowly thier parents or spouses can not reconize them anymore. The hurt is unspeakable because most believe that if she or he truly loved them, they would remember. Of course this is not the case.

I have seen husbands come in and talk to their wives, without any recognition, thank you's or I love you's back.

I have seen wives come in and take care of their husbands, while the husband is calling her bad names, because he thinks this woman is a snoopy nurse.

I have seen wives, tear up, infront of me, because there once strong,intelligent husband, has become childlike, and is not acting like the leader she married.

It's a hard road to go down through. But I find it amazing how husbands and wives love thier spouses without any of the love in return. It seems like they remember who they really were, and choose to see them in this light. They know thier husband or wife would be grateful, They know that if it were them wearing their shoes, he or she would take care of them the exact way they are now. They honor the vow...through sickness and health.

But there is a sad part, I've seen some sad sights.
I've seen the elderly placed in facilites where the staff is underpaid, and sparse. I've seen Alzimer patients just walking around and around in a small square room with the tv on. I've seen bed sores, bruises, and have heard them crying in thier beds. No one comes to visit them. People treat them as if they are a pain in the neck. No love, no comfort, no loving touches. It so sad, and it just angers me to the core!

What about all those years of mothering, cleaning, loving, their children and spouses? All the Christmas presents, birthday cakes, and I love you's they said as their spouse or children walked out of the door each day? And what about the Father and husbands who went to work,each day, for years, providing food, comfort, love to their family??? I have seen the old cry..and held their hand as they did. I have held unto a mother who has alzheimers, while she cried her eyes out thinking her kids don't love her, because they never come by and talk to her. Even though she talked with her daughter 10 min ago.

As you can see, I have a heart for the elderly. I love them, I love thier stories and their wisdom. I think respect for the elderly has gone out of America. Because you usally don't see these things in other parts of the country. And what saddens me most is that... the best generation of the elderly are now dying out. Our elderly are going to be from the years of the 60's to 80's soon. And what kind of people were they? The good o'l days are going to be gone. The good old stories from the old are dying with them. Could you imagine hearing from elderly lips the stories from the great time they had at Woodstock? It just doesn't seem right.

Just sharing something on my heart.

Christina

Work~unto the Lord

2010-05-17T10:47:00.001-07:00

This past Sunday, Pastor Tim preached about Work, and how to make it Gospel centered. Even though he was talking in terms of employment which brings in money, I couldn't help but apply the things he said , and compared them to me as a home maker. He asked some good questions. He Explained how work is a gift, and not a drudgery. How to change our attitudes to gratefulness instead of duty. As he spoke, conviction started really getting to me. Even to the point of getting teary eyed.

Do I steal time? Yes, majorly

Do I forget that it is God who I am working for and not man? Yes, I forget, and bitterness starts to creep in because I do.

Do I forget that my work is a testimony of the Church and Christ? yes, I do forget at times, and I can see how it can ruin a reflection of who Christ is.

All this really got to me.

But, as he started to put all his words together, what came out was a desire to apply all my work "as unto the Lord" And to only focus on my eternal rewards and not little rewards, like money, compliments, or even thank you's.

So its another journey I'm starting ( I'm like in 5 journey's right now). But at least they are all on the same path, and because Christ has began the work, I have faith he will complete it in me as well.

All Glory goes to him.

Christina

Prodigal: An Animation

2010-05-06T14:30:00.000-07:00

A special gift, and a new love.

2010-04-19T11:16:00.000-07:00

One day I asked my friend Ann, if she could teach me how to make an Apron, and that I would like to make one out of Tulips. she said "sure".But I never got around doing it because I was focusing on a different project I could do for my husband :) ( that's another story)

Well, guess what Ann made me for Christmas? A homemade Tulip Apron. I felt so blessed and loved by her. I wear this Apron all the time.
My husband really likes it as well, he likes the colors and mentioned that someone should make a dress out it. You may not know it, and it sounds silly, but one can totally express themselves with an apron. The reason I mentioned tulips to Ann, wasn't because of the tulips themselves but because of the whole T.U.L.I.P thing. Now I have all different aprons in my mind that I can make. My next one will have a book theme. I look forward to Ann's guidance, and once I get this apron making skill down, I'm going to town!
By the Way, Putting on an apron acts like an uniform to me, and it sets my mind on that day's tasks. And it reminds me of Gods call for me to be a wife and mother. I guess this is a way to express my joy :)

Christina

The things kids say.

2010-04-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

Are you this honest?

Charlie Bit me!

Deists

2010-04-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

Today as I was reading yahoo's religious section, I came across this article-
Anthony Flew, once a prominent atheist, dies at 87

As I started reading I was thinking about what great news this was. A man who held to the atheist view, now believes there's a creator..but as I kept reading I found myself being disappointed. He held to the belief of Deism. Not in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What's deism?

Deism is the belief in a supreme being, who remains unknowable and untouchable.

How sad to hold to a belief like that? A cold god? A god that doesn't care a thing about you?It doesn't make sense. Why would someone want to believe that? .So I Googled Deism and I came across this website.

http://www.deism.com/deism_defined.htm

I clicked around the site and as I was reading article after article I came to the realization its totally anti- christian, and anti-bible. And as I kept reading I could tell this man has no understanding of bibical history,doctrine, or really anything when it comes down to it. I mean he is even denying that Jesus is even true. (Historians even agree to the fact Jesus was a real man, who claimed all the things he claimed) And he boast in silly knowldege like.. that Christ,isn't Jesus's last name. Like we Christians believe it is?

To prove he doesn't understand a thing about Christianity.. he says.

" According to the Bible, your sins can be forgiven through the sacrifice and blood of an animal. This makes the blood of Jesus worthless!"

Um yeah , He's blind..he's blinder than a bat. But he thinks he see's.

Here is a link to a set of cards he's selling. They are "reality cards" and they are for us ignorant Christians who follow fables and story tellings. And they are to be put in places where Christians put tracts or they are to be handed out at the door when someone comes knocking at it.

http://www.deism.com/deistrealitycards.htm

I'm in no way endorsing these cards, I'm just giving out the link so people can see for themselves how this site is full of .. I don't know what to call it...ignorance and anger.

I'm sure going to be praying for this one man, and I'll be praying for the others who are deist as well. Pray with me.

Christina

Secular things

2010-04-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

There are two sides of me. My past,(as an unsaved person) and my present (as a saved woman),but I'm still one person. In the past..I was a mega 80's rocker chic. Big hair,Bon Jovi lover kind of girl. I was wild, hung with the wild kids, and did all the wild kinds of things. Soo..when I hear that kind of music,a part of me slips into the past,and I get too caught up in it. I start remembering the days, the summers, the fun, The parties,ect. And the hard part is,I like it... way to much.

So when the topic of secular things come up, I become passionate about getting rid of it all. I'm an anti-secular person. I just don't see the point of surrounding yourself with things that don't benefit you or others in a kingdom kind of way.

I'm like this with:
Books
Music
Movies
Tv

But I've noticed that maybe I'm kind of extreme in this way. I haven't met anyone really who is like me. So, I give a little. I will go to the movies with the family and friends, I'll listen to the secular music that my husband has on his playlist. I've read secular non-fiction books. But really if I had my way, I would throw all those things out and not do any of it. But then again, I wouldn't have nothing in common with a lot of people. And I would probably be looked at as someone who's legalistic. But you know, I'm not. I know 100% that no amount of good doing would save me. It's Christ Alone only. It's just that I hate being reminded of the things I did during that time when I hated Christ. Why surround myself, and enjoy parts of my life when I was in rebellion? Didn't Christ set me free from all that stuff? It's more out of Love and respect towards him, in what he set me free from, that makes me not want to listen or do secular things. It's out of love not duty. It's kind of hard to explain.

Anyways, I bring this up because last night I had alot of fun listening to my husbands playlist.We listen to music, chatted about the good o'l days. We also listen to Christian music too. But you know..Today,I just feel kind of heavy hearted about it, and wish I didn't have to do that, in that kind of setting. But, I did love spending time with my husband. And I did enjoyed listening to his laugh, his singing, and seeing him rock out to some of his favorite songs. He was fun to hangout with.
He's cool like that :) ya know.

Anyways, just some things on my heart and mind.

Christina

Encouragement during a hard and difficult time.

2010-04-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

doctrine

Perseverance of the saints

It's what my heart says!

2010-04-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

You hear it all the time. "listen to your heart,do what your heart says?" It sure sounds good, and it seems like good wisdom. But what does the bible say about our hearts?

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Mark 7:21
For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,..

It seems to me that listening to our hearts really isn't a good thing. Matter of fact the bible says to take every thought captive...why? Because a lot of our thoughts are not right,and feelings will deceive us. We have to continually check to see if what we feel is right or wrong according to God's word. A Person may "feel" lead to do one thing, but in fact the bible would consider it wrong and sinful.

For example.. a mother may "feel" that it's wrong to discipline her child because she doesn't want her child to "hate her", or have the child feel guilty or have shameful feelings. . She is more concerned about own self and her own feelings than she in wanting to be a parent. She may not know it but she's teaching her child to think that shameful feelings or guilty feelings are something to be ignored..when if fact..they are there to helps us to understand repentance, to helps us to know when to say "I'm sorry..I was wrong" and helps us not to live selfish self-centered lives as adults. It is good thing to teach,correct, and discipline our children. The bible says if we don't we,hate our children.

Proverbs 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

So..We can't trust our hearts, its the word of God that we must trust. My heart has deceived me many many times, and I have hurt many people because of it. I pray that that you would reconsider next time when someone tells you to listen to your heart. I ask that you to reach for the Word of God first.

Doctrine and Theology /Wife and Mother

2010-03-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

Many know that doctrine and theology is a huge passion of mine. I study on my own, because well, I can't go to seminary, I'm a wife and mother first and it also cost a lot of money. But sometimes I forget this fact,and I get caught up in doctrine drama online. It wouldn't be so bad if I could somehow control my emotions when my family needs me. My husband will ask me something,or my teenage sons will ask things like "can we have dinner mom? and I with a frown faced, roll my eyes, take deep breaths, and treat them as if they are asking something from me,that they have no right be asking. Isn't this awful?? This is not right. And diffidently, doesn't give God Glory.

So how am I to change? I know that I will have to depend heavily on the Lord. Really only he can help me in this area. I have asked myself and pondered on the reasons why many women are not into doctrine and theology? Why is this? Its so strange to me. To me fashion,the latest recipe's, housework ideas,everything most wives and mothers are into.. I am not. I really try to immerse myself into it, but I have a real hard time. As of right now I'm going through a book with some ladies from my church, all about Glorifying God and adorning the Gospel through wifery,and motherhood. By using Titus 2 as an example. It really is an awesome book, and it does encourage me.

Now to end this entry.. I'm now going to use scripture for my basis,of prioritizing my roles as mother and wife, and backboarding my love for doctrine and theology.

Mark 8:35 For whoever would save his life will loose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospels will save it.

So..I give up my wants, wills, dreams, and ambitions,and surrender to the place where God has put me for the sake of adorning the gospel. So the needs of my husband and children come first,before my selfish ways do. And I pray the Lord helps me with this, Because My God knows how much I love him, and how much I don't.

please pray for me.

Christina

I'm thankful

2009-11-16T18:52:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for the Father who mysteriously on the act of his own will decided to display Love and send his son to die for me. I am thankful For Jesus who with Joy went to the cross and took the fathers wrath in my place.And I'm Thankful for the Spirit who regenerated my heart, open my eyes, and lead to me to faith and repentance.

I am thankful for He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it.
I am thankful for the strong Hand that will not let me go.
I am thankful for the Wisdom of God when he picked my husband for me.
I am thankful for church family and friends.
I am thankful for my children-whom I love so much.
I am thankful for my Dr, who will tell me the truth and not lie to me.
And I am thankful for my husband who is supporting me in this life style change.