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Birds are flying out of the Nest

As a momma bird, I am having a bit of a challenge adjusting to the birds flying more frequently out of the nest! I love it and I hate it all at the same time. Is that even possible?

My youngest, is leaving on a trip to Florida today without me. Can you believe that and WHY she would even contemplate such a trip without her mother, I ask in jest?

Actually, I am excited for her! Go Brittany - go, go, go! Somehow that Go Speed Racer tune pops into my head - random I know! What an adventure of fun, relaxation, and a beach loving time! Oh, did I mention watching a NASA shuttle liftoff?

The other, middle child-I know if she reads this her eyes will be rolling around in circles-is looking for work. It's been interesting watching her and a few friends doing the "job hunting" scene. They've been quite diligent at it and putting in a "ton" of applications. Okay, well not a "ton" but 4 at last count. She tells me it seems like way more!

My oldest is busy with football weight training and summer school. Trying to get a jump ahead for his senior year. Researching into college and all that involves is such a delight! Found some fabulous web sites to help us out though - I'm so thankful for the internet. What would a parent do without it?

Well, my precious little birds are about ready for full release - not really - but sometimes it seems like it. I am excited but apprehensive about that. Lord, lift them up with wings like eagles!

Agapao

What does it mean to Agapao (perfect God love) God? In our Breaking Free class, Beth spoke about how Christ asked Peter if he agapao (love) him in which Peter replied twice, "Lord, you know I phileo (brotherly love) you. Finally, Jesus asked him the third time, "Okay, Peter do you phileo me?"

Christ wants us to AGAPAO him. Looking deeper at what agapao means drives me deeper into looking at it from God's perspective.

1 John 4:8 tells me that God is love. Taking the next step to find God's definition of what love looks like, I look at 1 Cor 13:4-7. I ask God for a fresh new look at this familiar passage. As I study each of the adjectives that describe love - patient, kind, longsuffering, gentle, not envious, not prideful, seeks not his/her own, always behaves appropriately, not easily provoked, doesn't think evil thoughts, doesn't rejoice in sin, rejoices in truth, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, love never fails - I realize anew this describes God. This is His character, this is who He is.

God wants the best for His children. He's always perfecting our faith as He loves us and wants the total completion of our faith to glorify Him. Going through a trial in my life right now I asked for Him to fill me with Agapao love. I appreciate Him showing me in 1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love, perfect love casts out fear. Enlightening me that I wasn't "perfectly loving" Him when I'm focusing on the "trial" with fearful thoughts - I am failing to "Agapao" Him. He wants me to trust Him completely out of my understanding and knowing of who He is and whose I am.

His promises our true, He always keeps His word, He's faithful, He's dependable, He's perfect.

Isaiah 41:13 For I am the Lord, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear. I will help you!

Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you, he will never let the righteous fall.

Psalm 91:14-16
"Because he loves me," says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him."

2 Corinthians 12:9
He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses. So that Christ's power may rest on me.

Isaiah 58:11
The Lord will guide you always, He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden. Like a spring whose waters never fail.

Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.

Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

Thank you for your word Lord, your truth, your unfailing love - I ask that you reveal to me how I may have agapao-perfect love for You and not settle for phileo. Fill me with your wisdom, knowledge and understanding so that I always abide in You. In Jesus name, Amen.

What Your Latte Says About You

You don't treat yourself very often. You find that indulging doesn't jibe with your very disciplined life. You can be quite silly at times, but you know when to buckle down and be serious. You have a good deal of energy, but you pace yourself. You never burn out too fast. You have a healthy relationship with caffeine. You're definitely not dependent on it. You are a child at heart, and you don't ever miss the opportunity to do something playful. You are complex and philosophical, but you are never arrogant.

What Does Your Latte Say About You?

HAIL AT THE HALE HOUSEHOLD

Yes, that's right. We received a blessing of hail at the Hale household today, May 22, 2008. What some of you might not know is that we live in Arizona and for us to get this gift this late in May is a miracle! Especially as a couple of days ago, it was 112 degrees outside.

The kids sure enjoyed getting wet and "attacked" by the hail! What a way to start the summer break from school as today was their last day of school:)

Steven Curtis Chapman

You might have heard about the loss of little precious Maria, the youngest daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman. Please remember their family in prayer during this tragedy. My heart is very heavy for them in their time of grief and mourning.

Steven and his family have been HUGE adoption advocates over the past few years...Maria (held by her father in the pic above) was the youngest of their three adopted children.


Here are a few lines from a song Steven wrote last year about his daughter...

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something
The prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon
The clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

PRAISING MY LORD

I find it easy to praise God when things are going well. However, when tests/trials come, I find myself kneeling in prayer before God asking for His guidance, strength, power and deliverance and I tend forget to praise Him for all that He's still accomplishing and doing in my life. So, Lord here are my thoughts of praise!

I praise You that are a God who is always present, I praise You that You are a God who is Yawheh Yireh-my provider, I praise You that you are a righteous God, I praise You that you are a God of action and response, I praise You that you are Yahweh Tsuri-my rock, I praise You that you are my Abba-my Perfect Father, I praise You that you are the perfector of my faith, I praise You that you are a caring God, I praise You that you are an "alive" God, I praise You that you are a sacrificing God, I praise You that you are a magestic God, I praise You that you are a miracle maker God, I praise You that you are a gentle God, I praise You that you are El Olam-the eternal God, I praise you that you are I AM, I praise You that you are Lord, I praise You for your glory, I praise You that you are my deliverer, I praise You that you are my refuge, I praise You that you are my strongtower, I praise You that you are my Shepherd, I praise You that your love never will fail. I praise You for your answers to prayer and for showing me specifically in your Word answers to situations in my life! Thank you my amazing, wonderful Lord!

Homosexuality

In light of recent events in the news lately regarding the CA Supreme Court overturning the ban on homosexual marriages. I read this excerpt from John MacArthur which I believe gives a Godly viewpoint on the topic. We need to view this topic as well as all topics in light of God's truth and not our own truth.


God's Plan for the Gay Agenda

by John MacArthur


If you've been watching the headlines over the last couple years, you may have noticed the incredible surge of interest in affirming homosexuality. Whether it's at the heart of a religious scandal, political corruption, radical legislation, or the redefinition of marriage, homosexual interests have come to characterize America. That's an indication of the success of the gay agenda. And some Christians, including some national church leaders, have wavered on the issue even recently. But sadly, when people refuse to acknowledge the sinfulness of homosexuality--calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20)--they do so at the expense of many souls.

How should you respond to the success of the gay agenda? Should you accept the recent trend toward tolerance? Or should you side with those who exclude homosexuals with hostility and disdain?

In reality, the Bible calls for a balance between what some people think are two opposing reactions--condemnation and compassion. Really, the two together are essential elements of biblical love, and that's something the homosexual sinner desperately needs.

Homosexual advocates have been remarkably effective in selling their warped interpretations of passages in Scripture that address homosexuality. When you ask a homosexual what the Bible says about homosexuality--and many of them know--they have digested an interpretation that is not only warped, but also completely irrational. Pro-homosexual arguments from the Bible are nothing but smokescreens--as you come close, you see right through them.

God's condemnation of homosexuality is abundantly clear--He opposes it in every age.

- In the patriarchs (Genesis 19:1-28)

- In the Law of Moses (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13)

- In the Prophets (Ezekiel 16:46-50)

- In the New Testament (Romans 1:18-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Jude 7-8)

Why does God condemn homosexuality? Because it overturns God's fundamental design for human relationships--a design that pictures the complementary relationship between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:22-33).

Why, then, have homosexual interpretations of Scripture been so successful at persuading so many? Simple: people want to be convinced. Since the Bible is so clear about the issue, sinners have had to defy reason and embrace error to quiet their accusing consciences (Romans 2:14-16). As Jesus said, "Men loved the darkness rather than the Light, [because] their deeds were evil" (John 3:19-20).

As a Christian, you must not compromise what the Bible says about homosexuality--ever. No matter how much you desire to be compassionate to the homosexual, your first sympathies belong to the Lord and to the exaltation of His righteousness. Homosexuals stand in defiant rebellion against the will of their Creator who from the beginning "made them male and female" (Matthew 19:4).

Don't allow yourself to be intimidated by homosexual advocates and their futile reasoning--their arguments are without substance. Homosexuals, and those who advocate that sin, are fundamentally committed to overturning the lordship of Christ in this world. But their rebellion is useless, for the Holy Spirit says, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; cf. Galatians 5:19-21).

So, what is God's response to the homosexual agenda?

Certain and final judgment. To claim anything else is to compromise the truth of God and deceive those who are perishing.

As you interact with homosexuals and their sympathizers, you must affirm the Bible's condemnation. You are not trying to bring damnation on the head of homosexuals, you are trying to bring conviction so that they can turn from that sin and embrace the only hope of salvation for all of us sinners--and that's through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Homosexuals need salvation. They don't need healing--homosexuality is not a disease. They don't need therapy--homosexuality is not a psychological condition. Homosexuals need forgiveness, because homosexuality is a sin.

I don't know how it happened, but a few decades ago someone branded homosexuals with the worst misnomer--"gay." Gay used to mean happy, but I can assure you, homosexuals are not happy people. They habitually seek happiness by following after destructive pleasures. There is a reason Romans 1:26 calls homosexual desire a "degrading passion." It is a lust that destroys the physical body, ruins relationships, and brings perpetual suffering to the soul--and its ultimate end is death (Romans 7:5). Homosexuals are experiencing the judgment of God (Romans 1:24, 26, 28), and thus they are very, very sad.

First Corinthians 6 is very clear about the eternal consequence for those who practice homosexuality--but there's good news. No matter what the sin is, whether homosexuality or anything else, God has provided forgiveness, salvation, and the hope of eternal life to those who repent and embrace the gospel. Right after identifying homosexuals as those who "will not inherit the kingdom of God," Paul said, "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11).

God's plan for many homosexuals is that they come to salvation. There were former homosexuals in the Corinthian church back in Paul's day, just as there are many former homosexuals today in my church and in faithful churches around the country. With regenerated hearts, they sit in biblical churches throughout the country praising their Savior, along with former fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, coveters, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers. Remember, such were some of you too.

What should be your response to the homosexual agenda? Make it a biblical response--confront it with the truth of Scripture that condemns homosexuality and promises eternal damnation for all who practice it. What should be your response to the homosexual? Make it a gospel response--confront him with the truth of Scripture that condemns him as a sinner, and point him to the hope of salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Stay faithful to the Lord as you respond to homosexuality by honoring His Word, and leave the results to Him.

Just Fun Info

Check and see how many people in the USA have your same name. Comment me and let me know how many you they come up with. There are 284 Kim Hale's in the USA right now

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 284 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Mother's Day

Out of ALL the millions of Mother's Day cards in the world what are the odds of getting the same card for my sister as the one she gave me? How hysterical - great taste Deanne! Oh, by the way I loved MY card!

My precious three amigos and wonderful husband took me out to Texas Roadhouse who I have to say has THE BEST rolls especially when you smother them in the cinnamon butter! Oh, MY! In addition, they spoiled me by cleaning the house - we are talking mopping the floor, vacuuming, dusting, dishes, etc. Somebody pinch me - did I die and go to heaven? My favorite was their handprints in plaster gifts they made - with the coaching of Dad. The last time they did that for me was 11 years ago. We pulled out the "old" and did the comparision to the "new." It was amazing to see the change of each of their precious hands.

For all the moms who are reading this I trust you had a wonderful Happy Mother's Day with your family!

LAMININ-Louie Giglio

BROKEN FREE - JAILBIRDS ON THE LOOSE

Here are the precious women who I walked alongside in the Breaking Free class at Palm Valley Church. We just completed our study on Monday night. What a powerful and inspiring session to hear how the study had touched the ladies lives in so many various (polka-dotted) ways! You'll have to take the class to find out more about the polka dots! The ladies are holding their "full pardons" through Christ for any stronghold or captivity that Satan wanted to keep them bound to.

What a blessing to do the study together and see the truths of God's word that never change. Focusing on the benefits of being a child of the King of Kings is one of the main points of the study! Some of the benefits we learned were about knowing and believing God, enjoying His presence, experiencing His peace, glorifying Him, and finding satisfaction in God. In addition, we had to dig into some tough things throughout the study such as looking at loss, betrayal, victimization, idolatry, prayerlessness, etc. Not an easy study but oh, so tremendously worth it!