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The little boy had a great love for music, particularly piano music. His greatest dream was to be a great composer and concert pianist. So, when his Mom told him she was going to take him to hear a renowned composer in concert he was overjoyed! At last the day of the concert arrived and the little boy sat beside his Mom, waiting for the Maestro to make his appearance. While his Mom was busy talking to a friend beside her the magnificent grand piano on the stage seemed to beckon to the boy until he could resist it no longer. He silently slipped off his seat and made his way to the stage.  Suddenly the whole crowd was shocked by the sound of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" being slowly picked out on stage. The little boy was unable to resist the lure of the beautiful piano and he just had to see how the only song he knew how to play would sound. Murmurs sounded through the crowd. "What does he think he's doing?" "Who is the little brat?" "Where is his mother?" And then it happened. Halfway through the song the great Maestro walked onto the stage. The little boy was so enthralled with the piano he didn't notice, but the whole crowd held its breath, waiting to hear the Maestro's rebuke of the arrogant youngster. But instead of rebuking the little music lover the Maestro quietly sat down beside him and whispered to the shocked boy "keep playing". He then put his hands on either side of the little boy and transformed the child's simple, common little tune into a song of rare beauty with his rich accompaniment. When they finished the attitude of the crowd had completely changed and they all rose in a standing ovation. I read this story years ago and just very recently remembered it. And I felt God telling me something as I thought it through. I am that little boy. I am young and inexperience in life. I know only one, simple little song. And when I share my writings I can feel just like that little boy must have when he realized what he was actually doing. Presumptuous. Inadequate. And WAY out of my comfort zone. But my Jesus - the Composer of my life can come out and accompany me with His rich grace, mercy and love. And if anyone catches a bit of the tune and thinks it's beautiful and is blessed - it is Jesus who gets the glory, just as the standing ovation was not for the little boy, but for the act of grace the Maestro gave to him. And what about you? Do you feel like your efforts to serve Jesus are to small to be noticed? Or maybe only get negative attention? Do not stop playing! Give your Life Song to the Maestro and let Him add His glorious accompaniment. You will not be great. It will probably not make you famous. But it will glorify Jesus and lift Him up. And that is the least that we can do! God bless you, as you offer your Life Song to Him! 
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Abortion - it is a word that makes us shudder with revulsion. Videos have come out recently, revealing that the atrocities of the abortion industry are even worse than we realized, and our hearts are filled with deep sadness. Making it a huge temptation to just scroll past. To not get involved and pretend it didn't happen. We pacify ourselves by praying that God will end this actual horror movie going on behind the scenes in the places we never visit. And we wait for abortion to be voted out. We forget that abortion isn't a legal issue, but a heart issue.  And I am not talking about the hearts of those that are getting routine abortions - or even the abortionists. We have a heart issue. We are the idolaters. And our god is called "Ease". He goes by many other names but the characteristics are always the same - he is the god of selfishness. And he is running rampant in our churches and our lives. In my life. I couldn't sleep one night so I started praying for God to end abortion in our country. And His answer stopped me in my tracks. I do not have the right to pray against abortion and expect an answer unless I am willing to throw myself into the battle in some way. And He brought to mind the line of Kings in Judah. "Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign..but he did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord, like David his father...He burned incense in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, and burned his children in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places..." 2 Chronicles 28:1&3-4 Judah would be steeped to the neck in idolatry and child sacrifice. Then a righteous King would come along and tear down the high places of idolatry and sacrifice. He would use action, not just prayers. I am sure he would seek God, but then he followed up on his prayers with deliberate and radical action. "Hezekiah began to reign when he was 25 years old...and he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done...now when all this was finished, all Israel that was present went out to the cities of Judah and brake the images in pieces and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places of all Judah...until they had utterly destroyed them." 2 Chronicles 29:1,2 & 31:1 Most likely many of us are not like King Ahaz who even sacrificed his own children, but are we like King Hezekiah, following up on our prayers with action? Or are we more like King Jehoshaphat? "He walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord. However the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers." 2 Chronicles 20:32&33 I am sure the idolatry and evil sacrifice of the people grieved Jehoshaphat but he took no action. He likely prayed about it every day, but he did not follow up with action, teaching the people and leading their hearts towards God. Now I know that of if you are a Mom it may not be possible for you to volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center or be active out on the streets. But Moms can sign petitions, share articles and encourage and equip other people to be the front edge of the wave against abortion. We can get a babysitter for an afternoon and spend time standing outside an abortion clinic with other protesters. If we are willing God will show us a way. Instead of only praying against abortion we should pray "God use me! What do you want me to do?" I have a feeling we might be amazed where He will lead us if we are willing! Let us prepare our hearts to serve wherever he leads!  It's here! Did you notice? Look: SEPTEMBER 1st!! I have been waiting for this day for a while. Why? Because this is THE day to start making all things pumpkin. I could hardly make myself wait, but it doesn't seem quite right to start celebrating fall in August. It took me several days to decide what the perfect thing would be to make on this wonderful day. And then I remembered my recipe for Pumpkin Spice Lattes. And that was that. I knew what I was making. :)  I got this recipe from a friend in Asia before I was married and made it many times for friends and family. In fact, as I was making it today I got this strange sense of dejavu. It is almost exactly 5 years ago that this good looking guy started coming around and hanging out with our youth group on a few weekends. My family had the youth group over one evening and I made Pumpkin Spice Lattes and there was quite a little flutter in my stomach as I served Mr. Handsome. I was starting to think I could just maybe fall for him. ;)  5 years later and I still had that little flutter in my stomach when I made him a Latte this afternoon. Doesn't God just write the best love stories? Now, without further ado, here is the recipe: Pumpkin Spice Latte 1 cup Milk 1 T. Pumpkin 2 T. Sugar 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon Warm together in a small kettle. 1/2 cup Strong Coffee 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Mix it all together and blend in a blender for about 30 seconds. I like to make my coffee in a French Press, but any coffee maker will work. I always add a little, tiny shake of salt to my coffee grounds before I make it. It just takes off the bitter edge. Make sure you don't skip the blender step. It blends the pumpkin in nicely and it give the latte a nice, authentic froth on the top.  The recipe makes 2 cups - perfect, because coffee is made to be shared, right? If you don't have someone to share with at the moment it also blends well with a little journaling on a cool, windy day. Some of my favorite variations are: Substitute the sugar with white chocolate for a White Chocolate Pumpkin Latte Substitute the sugar with maple syrup for a Maple Pumpkin Latte. Whipped Topping on top with a sprinkle of Nutmeg {I kinda have a crush on nutmeg in the fall} :) So yummy!!  I hope you all have a lovely day! May the Joy of the Lord be your Strength this week.
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I am on a journey to know Jesus better, and be the wife, mommy and friend that God created me to be, all within the walls of my own little home. <3
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