A New Way to Celebrate Advent This Year

Our family has decided to focus on the advent this year using this.

Each day in December I will share our journey and what we are learning as we lead up to the most magnificent birth in the world.

Our Wedding Song

...just another reminder of yesterday...

The Commitment Song

O Lord, dear Lord, we come before You now
to offer You a sacrifice of praise.
And we pray, dear Lord, You'll bless our solemn vow
that as long as we're together
the name of Jesus will be raised.

O Lord, dear Lord, we praise Your holy name.
We're standing here together to magnify the Son.
Let our lives and our love show the
world why Jesus came.
Let them know His love has made us one,made us one. one.
We'll follow You wherever You lead us,
together we'll serve You.
We'll be a light wherever You need us,
so let this song of praise be a promise, Lord to You.

O Lord, dear Lord, we praise Your holy name.
We're standing here together to magnify the Son.
Let our lives and our love show the world why Jesus came.
Let them know His love has made us one.
O Made us one.

O Lord, dear Lord, let us never turn away.
Let us honor You and always seek Your face.
And we pray, dear Lord, forgive us when we stray.
Lead us back with tender mercy
with Your precious love and grace.

O Lord, dear Lord, we praise Your holy name.
We're standing here together to magnify the Son.
Let our lives and our love show the world why Jesus came.
Let them know His love has made us one,made us one. one.
We'll follow You wherever You lead us,
together we'll serve You.
We'll be a light wherever You need us,
so let this song of praise be a promise,
Lord, to You.

O Lord, dear Lord, we praise Your holy name.
We're standing here together to magnify the Son.
Let our lives and our love show the world why Jesus came.
Let them know His love has made us one.
O Made us one.

Lyrics by Machen, Robert Sterling and Chris

Our love story

It all began October 23rd, 1993. Chili's restaurant. Sleepless in Seattle. Brandon Twin Theatre. Many nights thereafter in deep conversation until early morning hours.

I was in the middle of health problems and was due to have a laperoscopy to find out what the troubles were. After my surgery,"Mr. Cartwright" would come to read Scripture and pray with me each night and became a true friend to me during these uneasy days in my life. But the night he brought me Barney (yes, the big, purple dinosaur) holding one, single red rose I was swept off of my feet. I knew he was THE ONE. He had other ideas. I remained his "sweet, sister in the Lord", one of those phrases that I believe kept himself at arms length from entering a more serious relationship. But I eventually broke through...

May 14th he popped the question and November 26th, 1994, we were married in an outdoor wedding in Plant City, Florida.

I love this man for:
~loving God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength.
~loving and putting up with me.
~being a wonderful husband and father.
~cherishing me in a kind, gentle way.
~being willing to adopt 4 children that are of a different race; this takes someone special.
~working hard every day of his life(in the Florida heat) so that I can stay home and do the job God has given me, namely, being a manager of our home, mother and teacher to our children.
~being wise in financial decisions.
~fishing for fish as well as men.
~showing himself to be transparent.
~faithfulness to our marriage vows.
~serving the body of Christ.
~never, ever raising his voice at me...although I have gotten "the look".
~patiently enduring my lack of patience.
~praying for my spiritual growth.
~putting God above all else in his life.
~selflessly loving me as Christ loves the church.

My beloved,
I am honored to be your wife, lover and best friend. I know Christ set us on the path to meet each other and to be forever together until He comes back. I promise you all I promised you on that day 15 years ago.

I, "Mrs. Cartwright", by the grace and enablement of our triune God, do pledge to you, "Mr. Cartwright", my sustained efforts in assisting you to protect and to nurture our sacred, one-flesh union. With joyful anticipation, I look forward to the building of our new life together on Christ's foundation. My "Mr. Cartwright", I promise to love you and to submit to your divinely ordained leadership in our home. I consecrate to you my fidelity and tender care as long as we both shall live. My priority on earth shall always be this precious home established by God. No matter what He, according to His sovereign plan, may bring into our lives as one in Him, I dedicate myself to being a godly wife at all times for your good and God's glory. May our gracious God be pleased to fulfill, through this fragile but dependent disciple of His, my covenant commitments to you and my heart's desire for our new life as one. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

I love you with all my heart....more now than ever!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our Thanksgiving Tree is done, as done as it can be this year. There have been many things we have noted that we are thankful for, yet so many more that we haven't had time to comment on.

This year Thanksgiving falls on a very special day in my life, and because of that I am posting my Happy Thanksgiving to you all a day early so I can dedicate tomorrow to this occasion. "Mr. Cartwright" and I were married 15 years ago. For this I am eternally grateful. More on this tomorrow...

Friends, Happy Thanksgiving.

East to West

Have you ever taken time to ponder Christ's forgiveness of our sins?

During devotions one morning, the children and I were discussing what forgiveness is and all the commands in Scripture to forgive. The words may come easy from our mouths, yet so many times our hearts harbor the memories that sometimes never go away. Yet, when we confess our sins to Christ, He forgives and forgets. This is incomprehensible, unfathomable. Beyond our mind's capacities. May we forgive as He graciously does. Whatever and however you have been sinned against, it is a mere drop in the bucket compared to the sin that Jesus Christ has taken and forgiven of us and all of mankind.

Tears

There are many tears this week. I think to myself,"When will the tears stop?" They seem so close to the edge that most times I don't have to think much more than a second about him and the saltiness appears on my cheeks. Please pray for him too. Life seems so empty many days.

Lord, please fill it with you and help me to attempt to serve others. I know this is the cure. Thanks to a friend who has helped me by giving me these thoughts to think on:

Thank God you were able to get him in a good Godly place.
Thank God that he is getting the help that he needs.
Thank God that he never committed suicide.
Thank God he never really harmed himself or anyone else physically.
Thank God he has admitted some things, even if it has only been to others.
Thank God you'll get to see him in a few more weeks.
Thank God he is not getting in trouble while away.
Focus on the positive things of him being where he is.

I pray one day the tears will flow with rejoicing over this one coming to the Savior.

The Stebbins' Stampede celebrates 40, 40 and 20

Last Saturday, we celebrated my sister in law's 40th birthday surprise fashion. My brother has been planning an old fashioned, family-style picnic/hoe-down. He celebrated his 40th birthday as well as their 20th anniversary this year. He hired the Dade City Foothills Bluegrass Band. There was a three legged race, a hay ride, potato sack game, apple bobbing as well as lots of southern, down home food. My sister in law was extremely surprised. I think this is the first surprise party I have been to that had 100 or so guests where the secret didn't escape.

Do we REALLY believe?

Do we REALLY believe that out God answers prayer? Now, I know most of us pray, but I believe that many times we pray because we know it is the right, Christian thing to do. But as we come before the throne of the Almighty, do we REALLY believe He can and will do what we are asking? I want that kind of faith, the kind of faith that believes and, therefore, lives out what I believe. For example, every hour and waking minute, my heart and soul are crying out for my son, "Hoss". (See Aug. 29th post) This trial has stolen my joy, but I am painfully aware that my joy has left in the midst of a kind of unbelief. Maybe lack of faith is a better word for it.  Joy can and will remain even through the most painful times, but if we don't believe in the deepest recesses of our souls, we will not have the joy that overflows. I'm not talking about happiness. I won't be "happy" until our family is restored, but I know I can have the joy of the Lord that will be my strength. What are you pleading with God for? He is the God that answers prayer. But do we REALLY believe?

I read these verses today...Lord, help my unbelief.

Psalm 66:16-20
"Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear; But certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.  Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer nor His lovingkindness from me.

Singing 'round the campfire

Boompa and Gran came down from Tennessee for a quick weekend visit. The reason for that visit will be in the next post. We had a lovely night together. It's always a joy to see the children with their grandparents. This was a wonderful treat. Boompa plays the guitar so we built a bonfire Friday night and sat around it and sang....everything from If I Were a Butterfly, to Blind Man, to even a couple of Beatle's songs. I continually thank my God for family; for it is precious.

Leaves #31-35

Our tree is getting very full. I pray our hearts are too.

"Mr. Cartwright": Max, our family dog
"Mrs. Cartwright": Godly upbringing
"Little Joe": being taught by my mom in school
"Marie": my bed
"Inger": daddy telling bedtime stories

Recipe for Memories

These are actually original artwork from my childhood. I still have the coloring book.
This recipe is one that my mom made every year at Christmas time....and my favorite. Isn't it amazing the memories that come flooding in when you hear a song, or smell a favorite recipe. It isn't so much the actual food, than it is the love behind the food. For me, I can hear the Christmas music and smell the candles that accompanied this time of year in my childhood. This would be tradition, right?

Entering this time of year, I think we all, albeit, subconsciously, crave those memories. They give us a sense of belonging and feeling of love. I am blessed. There were so many nights of coloring Christmas coloring books while listening to Christmas music. I still have one of my original coloring books from 1978...and I know that my sister still makes this part of her festivities with her boys.

There also comes pain for many that don't have such good family memories. Passing by us every day as we enter this season, are people who are in pain. Let's take off the rose colored glasses that seem to cloud our eternal vision and think of those hurting around us. Whether it is a note in the mail, a meal to a shut in, or serving soup at a homeless shelter, find a place that you and your family can serve this advent season.

Our family is missing one member this year (see Aug 29th post) and this will be a very difficult year as we celebrate, but I know the cure for this is to serve others. Most of all, I want my children to know this, too. After all, the reason we celebrate Thanksgiving and the Advent is a life changing reason.

Great Craft for kids!

This week, we are making this to prepare for Thanksgiving!

Have fun with your children too!

The TeaCup

There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. They both liked antiques, pottery, and especially teacups. This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup. They said, "May we see that? We've never seen one quite so beautiful." As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke. "You don't understand," it said. "I haven't always been a teacup. There was a time when I was red and clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over, and I yelled out, 'Let me alone,' but he only smiled, 'Not yet.'"

"Then I was placed on a spinning wheel," the teacup said, "And suddenly I was spun around and around and around. 'Stop it! I'm getting dizzy!' I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, 'Not yet.'"

"Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled and knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening, and I could read his lips as he shook his head, 'Not yet.'"

"Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. 'There, that's better,' I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Stop it, stop it!' I cried. He only nodded, 'Not yet.'"

"Then suddenly he put me back in the oven, not like the first one. This one was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening, nodding his head and saying, 'Not yet.'"

"Then I knew there wasn't any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and said, 'Look at yourself.' And I did. I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful.'"

"'I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I had left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know I made you dizzy spinning around on the wheel, but if I would have stopped, you would have crumbled. I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened; you wouldn't have had any color in your life. And if I hadn't put you back in the second oven, you wouldn't have survived for very long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began you.'"

God knows what He's doing for all of us. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us, so that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

~author unknown

More Thankfulness~ #26-30

"Mr. Cartwright": my job
"Mrs. Cartwright": my freedom
"Little Joe": my clothes
"Marie": my new Bible (Thank you, Mr. Tim Borland)
"Inger": Bible, birds, and bees

Thankfulness cures the heart of complaining and grumbling and discontent.

New Gadgets

This is a sure-fire way to keep grease from splattering in your eyes. What an inventor, hey? Well, even if the patten won't be accepted, you can't help but admit he sure is handsome!!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is a special day. My wonderful parents are celebrating 42 years together.

Dad and Mom,
Thank you for making your marriage important. Thank you for your godly example to your 4 children, their spouses and your 11 grandchildren. Thank you for sticking things out when so many people look for ways out. It is humbling to see you both growing in your relationship with each other still and in your relationship to the Lord. I love you more than words can say. You are a very important part of my life and my children's lives. I am who I am in so many ways because of who you both are in Christ. Thank you.

I love you. Have a great day celebrating with each other.

Request

Please petition our Gracious God today for our son, "Hoss".
(See posts in September)

There are days our hearts are heavier than other days. Today is one of those days.

3 Hours

These are the lyrics to a song by Shai Linne that have greatly ministered to "Mr. Cartwright" and myself during the times when we need to shift our focus from ourselves to Christ.



The Cross (3hours)
written by shai linne

Verse 1
There’s something you gotta see, journey with me
It’s approximately 30 A.D.
In the land of Israel- the city of Jerusalem
But on the outside there’s screams and loud cries
Through faith, this scene can be seen without eyes
The mean shout lies and seem to sound wise
As we inch through the crowd, we need to be cautious
A Roman execution, men on three crosses
But all the focus is on the one in the center
The gate closes behind you- no one can enter
The sight you behold is so odd, you’re stunned
The man hanging on the cross is God the Son
12 noon, it’s pitch-black because the sunshine’s lacking
Your minds can’t fathom this divine transaction
As slowly the sound becomes mostly drowned
You realize that you’re standing on holy ground

Bridge
So forever will I tell
In three hours, Christ suffered more than any sinner ever will in hell (4x)


Chorus
It’s where we see Your holiness- at the cross
We see that You’re controlling this- at the cross
We see how You feel about sin- at the cross
Your unfathomable love for men- at the cross
It’s where we see Your sovereignty- at the cross
We see our idolatry- at the cross
We know that there’s a judgment day- from the cross
May we never take our eyes away- from the cross


Verse 2

We’re now in the realm of the sublime and profound
With God at the helm it’s about to go down
The Father’s wrath precise will blast and slice
The priceless Master Christ as a sacrifice
Willingly, He’s under the curse
To be treated as if the Son was the worst scum of the earth
The scene is the craziest
Jesus being treated as if He is the shadiest atheist
How is it the Messiah is in the fiery pit
As if He was a wicked liar with twisted desires?
The One who’s sinless and just
Punished as if He was promiscuous and mischievous with vicious lust
The source of all godly pleasure
Tormented as if He was a foul investor or child molestor
How could He be bruised like He was a goodie two-shoes
who doesn’t think that she needs the good news?
He’s perfect in love and wisdom
But He’s suffering as if He constructed the corrupt justice system
We should mourn at the backdrop
Jesus torn like He’s on the corner with crack rock with porn on His laptop
What is this, kid? His gifts are infinite
But He’s hit with licks for religious hypocrites
He’s the Light, but being treated like
He’s the seedy type who likes to beat His wife
He’s treated like a rapist, treated like a slanderer
Treated like a racist or maybe a philanderer
Jesus being penalized like He had sin inside
Filled with inner pride while committing genocide
I could write for a billion years and still can’t name
All of the sins placed on the Lamb slain
But know this: the main thing the cross demonstrated
The glory and the holiness of God vindicated