Multitude Monday #390 - #439

390.  that when my family is praying for healing - right now that only means healing colds

391.  the freedom to let tears fall and just be

392.  learning that grief and joy co-exist nearly every moment is we let ourselves take it in

393.  how my toddler's hands are still baby soft

394.  how my eldest wants to redecorate his room because he's getting older

395.  that my husband is thankful for his boys

396.  that sometimes only mommy will do

397.  that powerful prayers can be prayed, heard and answered by the ONE who gives them power

398.  that the little things don't matter nearly as much as some people think they do

399.  for 5 consecutive days off work just to enjoy family - and I tried to soak in every moment!

400.  black Friday sales

410.  how my wee one calls the stars "sparkle"

411.  that through a woman's willingness to share her tragic story that I'm learning so much more about worshipping our Father.  Thank you, Angie Smith!

412.  that my Pastor is willing to be vulnerable and real to his flock

413.  hugs and kisses given freely from my boys

414.  looking into my husband's eyes and seeing into his soul

415.  the reminder of resurrection power and that it's mine if I claim it

416.  opportunities to "be the church"

417.  friends who are humble enough to ask for help - here's one that needs our prayers:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kristinpattenholzman/mystory

418.  neighborhood friends

419.  the picture of the alabaster bottle being broken at Jesus' feet and Mary rubbing her hair in it.  Both Jesus and Mary smelled of the scent - Jesus being prepared for his death and Mary carrying the aroma of His life and hope as she followed Him.  Simply beautiful - I want to smell like that!!

420.  the joy of writing my story

421.  the smell of baby lotion on my wee one

422.  the anticipation of getting back in the swing of things

423.  That words are not enough to say, "Thank you, Jesus."  I must say it, sing it and live it!  Oh, may I not miss it!

434.  the vulnerability of community

435.  that truth sets us free

436.  that God loves my sister enough to have her small group studying Revelation so she can go to another country and teach other believers about it.  How cool is that!

437.  that my God is in the details and sees the big picture

438.  that God doesn't give me all the answers, but leaves some mystery so I can trust Him more.

439.  while I try to count many of my blessings, there really are too many to count.

 

 

Multitude Monday - #356 - #389

I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.”  ~Anna Quindlen

356.  Weekend visits from mom and stepdad.
357.  co-worker pot luck lunches
358.  knowing that I'm irreplaceable to 3 guys
359.  seeing God's Word weaved into the pictures and plans God is revealing
360.  sitting outside watching the oldest play and gabbing with mom and sis
361.  a sweet thanksgiving card from a friend
362.  re-connecting with a college friend on facebook
363.  my wee one being sooo excited about going to church
364.  my wee one's first prayer before dinner
365.  to the end of the wire football games
366.  Yes - the Jags pulled another one out in the final seconds!
367.  the eldest wanting to dress like his daddy to go to church
368.  the eldest wanting his grandparents to read him a bed time story
369.  kisses from my husband
370.  encouraging words from my love
371.  possibilities at work
372.  doing life together with friends
373.  the hope and security of Heaven
374.  the Gratitude Community and how it challenges me
375.  the unquenchable hunger and thirst for more Jesus
376.  that some give so others will be provided for this Thanksgiving
377.  that God opens doors to share Him with others
378.  Jesus' longing to want more from my prayer life and the intimate possibilities that could bring
379.  that my husband wants his lessons in Sunday School to be challenging and life changing to those who want to be touched by Jesus
380.  Sonny's cornbread
381.  sweet tea
382.  chocolate chip cookies
383.  planning and dreaming about Christmas gift purchases
384.  woshipping my God as my shield, my strength, my portion, deliverer, strong tower, very present help in time of need
385.  "How Great Thou Art"
386.  everyone here staying healthy
387.  that He is faithful
388.  the beautiful picture of The Bride (the church) and Bridegroom (Jesus)
389.  witnessing people loving fearlessly

Picture This - the dress

This is an excerpt from Randy Alcorn's "Heaven" Bible study.  This post is from page 87-88 of the study.  Enjoy!
_____
Christ and His Bride
As the church, we're part of the ultimate Cinderella story - rescued from a home where we labor, often without appreciation or reward.  One day we'll be taken into the arms of the Prince and whisked away to live in His palace.  When "the wedding of the Lamb has come" (Rev. 19:7), the New Jerusalem, consisting not only of buildings but of God's people, will come down out of Heaven, "prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband" (21:2). "And his bride has made herself ready.  Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear" (19:7-8).  The eyes of the universe will be on the Bridegroom, but also on the bride for whom He died.

I have vivid memories of my daughters' pure beauty in their wedding dresses.  The church, Christ's bride, should likewise be characterized by purity, as a fitting gift to our Bridegroom, the crown prince who has been utterly faithful to us.

If I were to ask you "What does the fine linen the bride is wearing stand for?' you might be inclined to say, "the righteousness of Christ that covers us."  Significantly, however, the text says something different:  "Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints." (v.8)

Question - Why do you suppose the fine linen is comprised of our acts?

The chosen princess, the church, can enter the presence of her Lord only because of the Bridegroom's work.  Yet her wedding dress is woven through her many acts of faithfulness while away from her Bridegroom on the fallen earth. 

The picture is compelling.  Each prayer, each gift, each hour of fasting, each kindness to the need, all of these are the threads that have been woven together into this wedding dress.  Her works have been empowered by the Spirit, and she has spent her life on earth sewing her wedding dress for the day when she will be joined to her Beloved.

Question - In what ways are you sewing your wedding garment?

We have a wonderful reason to stay alive, though we are apart from our Beloved, because we aren't yet finished sewing our wedding dress.  The wedding approaches, yet there's more for us to do to present ourselves pure before our Lord.  We're eager for His return, but we don't sit idly by.  Part of us wants fewer days between now and the wedding because we're  so eager to be with our Beloved in our new home.  But another part wants more days to better prepare for the wedding, to sew our dresses through acts of faithful service to God. 

Question - If the wedding of the Lamb were today, how would you feel about your preparedness?
a.  Uh oh.  I haven't even started on my gown!
b.  I was supposed to be sewing a wedding garment?
c.  My gown isn't exactly fit for a royal wedding.
d.  I've given my best to making this gown.  I can't wait for the Bridegroom to see it!

Write a prayer to your Bridegroom expressing whatever you are thinking about and feeling.
___________________________

WOW! 
Oh, Father God,
I sit here in awe and so very humbled that you have made me a princess, your bride, your prize.  I pray that together we will be sewing a magnificent gown that reflects the beauty that only you can give.  I am thankful that when my gown does get dirty, you make it clean again.  Thank you for giving me this picture to know more about what you look like, how you want me to look, and the beauty of it all.  You are amazing.  I am left speechless.  I am yours.  You are mine.
In the Prince's Power,
Kim

Multitude Monday #328 - #355

   Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  --- Philippians 4:6-7 

328.  Making it through the first week with a new boss.

329.  Working with a team of ladies that make events easy for me.

330.  My boys singing and dancing to "Seeds of Courage" CD

331.  Music that makes you want to worship  (Thank you, Baptist College of FL Jazz Ensemble)

332.  Watching a "signer"  sign "Amazing Grace" even though the words aren't being sung.

333.  hugs from my kids when they greet me at the door after a long day

334.  a husband who works diligently on home improvement projects

335.  a husband who is willing to do the laundry

336.  when my oldest son said, "Do you know why I love daddy?  Because he's a worker."  So sweet!

337.  2 best friends playing to their heart's content, exploring and making their own adventures at the playground

338.  the wee one sleeping through the night Saturday night!

339.  holding the wee one's hand while we went through the car wash.

340.  that courage only exists when there is fear

341.  that courage helps you get to love, where there is no fear

342.  ice cream cones

343.  kleenex

344.  pictures of my boys that make my heart sing and overflow with love

345.  faithful friends that ask about what you asked them to pray for

346.  toddler cowboy boots

347.  good hair days

348.  dark chocolate 

349. good night kisses

350. imagining Heaven

351.  reminders from my kids' devotionals

352.  family games of hide and seek

353.  that I get excited about writing this list!

354.  family dinners full of laughter

355.  great pre-school Sunday School teachers

 

   

Multitude Monday #291 -

291.  cooler weather
292. much needed rain

293. the beach, even when it's cold

294.  VISIT FLORIDA's Beach Walk

295.  brothers hugging and kissing voluntarily

296.  a big brother holding his little brother's hand on the way to the park to play

297.  listening in on big brother's instructions to little brother about crossing the street

298.  marching all around the room

299.  when my boys tickle me and we all laugh

300.  exciting down to the wire football games

301.  my husband's wisdom in difficult situations

302.  how my husband cares for our boys

303.  peeking in on my boys as they sleep

304.  the library

305.  hearing, "Mom, do you know why I like to hang out with you?  Because I love you!"

306.  teachable moments

307.  "learnable moments"

308.  music that gives you an attitude in a good way

309.  sharing pictures via technology

310.  the wee one telling everyone "tink you for cooking" at dinner time

311.  watching and hearing my oldest learning to read

312.  sunrises and the stories they tell

313.  warm clothes

314.  soft blankets

315.  a warm home - both in temperature and spirit

316.  fun-spirited co-workers

317.  I asked, "Why are we going to the Beach Walk?"  My eldest answers, "Praising Jesus that there is no oil on Florida's beaches."  The great thing - I didn't mention anything about thanking or praising Jesus when I was explaining it to him!

318.  a sister that is the most giving person I know

319.  a blog that makes me cry and raise my hands in praise - http://www.aholyexperience.com/

320.  phone conversations between 2 boy classmates - too many jokes!
321.  hot chocolate
322.  my little boys singing at the top of their lungs "This is the day" and the theme song to "Wall-e"
323.  church pre-school teachers and workers
324.  when the Holy Spirit leads you to pray and reach out to someone.  Then he shows you why.  WOW!
325.  Warrior Princesses - you know who you are!
326.  that there are 2 things that are certain:  uncertainty and Jesus.  So glad Jesus is big enough for the uncertainty that we face every day!
327.  a good haircut and style

Be blessed, my friends!
L&P - kim

     

Multitasking

Matthew 6:6 (The Message) - "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.


I just loved the way this paraphrase simplifies everything! 

The older I get, the more I'm realizing I'm terrible at multitasking. 

It's evident at home - I can't do the dishes and be with both my kids unless they do the dishes with me.  Then am I more focused on getting the job done or just having fun with my kids getting all wet as they help me with the dishes? 
It's evident at work - if I could just focus on one or two projects and get those done without people calling me and needing this or willingly taking on another project.  Sometimes I'm at the point where I stop being creative because a new idea means new project. 

The more I think about multitasking the more I believe we weren't made for that!  Our Heavenly Father so often requests that we take some time to focus (usually in prayer) or keep things in right priority and perspective. 

The truth is that multitasking is a myth.  We truly can only be doing one thing at a time.  That's the way God made us.  When we're distracted - guess what - we're focusing on something else other than what we originally wanted to focus on.  We can't have thoughts simultaneously.  We can't speak more than one word at a time.  While we can vacuum and talk on the phone - which gets the focus?  the floor or the friend on the other line? 

It's really about being free or giving ourselves permission to live in the moment.  This paraphrase says that when we focus on Christ rather than ourselves we begin to sense His grace.   I'm convinced that multitasking is a lie.  Multitasking is way over-rated. 

Who am I to think that I can multitask successfully?  Only the Creator of the Universe can be omnipresent and omniscient.  Who do I think I am?  Thank you, Jesus - I'm just me.  Hopefully headed to be more multitask challenged.

Love & Prayers,
Kim