C h r y s a l i s | A weblog for thinking Christian Moms.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Shhhh.... This Blog is Sleeping

Time for a Bloggity Break

It's been almost a year since I took my last blogging break. Wow, how time flies! Life is full of busy-ness (a word?) right now, and I feel the need for some time away from the keyboard. I'll be back again to post before too long, and to visit your blog to say hello. Thanks for hanging here with me so faithfully week after week. See you soon!

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Num 6:24-26 NIV)

Photo: Tambako (Flickr)

The Economy: What's God Up to Anyway?

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Making Sense of the Recession

There's no escaping the news. Daily we're bombarded with reports of massive layoffs, home foreclosures, and government bail-outs. Frugal living has suddenly become very cool.

We've taken a close look at our family budget and trimmed a lot of the fluff. You probably have too. Perhaps your spouse has even received the dreaded pink slip. If not, you probably know at least one person who is currently polishing up their resume.

There's no doubt about it. We're living through some very challenging economic times.

Many of us wonder what might be in the mind of our loving God right now. Does he care? Why would he allow this to happen? Who is to blame: our fallen world or the enemy? And what does human greed have to do with it? As believers, how should we respond?

Recently, Pastor Jamie Rasmussen (Scottsdale Bible Church) preached a wonderful two-part sermon that is compassionate and clear. Presenting a biblical point-of-view, he sheds a great deal of light on the questions we've all been asking.

Two Important Video Clips

I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch the videos below.

• God and the Economy, Part 1 (42 mins.)
• God and the Economy, Part 2 (40 mins).

Pastor Jamie Rasmussen

Jamie Rasmussen has been the Senior Pastor at Scottsdale Bible Church since the fall of 2007. As the primary teacher at their weekend worship services, Jamie also acts as the primary visionary for the church. In addition, he is responsible to the elders for the health and growth of all their ministries and staff.

Jamie holds an Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Psychology from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. He also earned a Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.

Jamie has been an ordained pastor for almost 20 years, serving growing churches in Detroit Michigan, London Ontario (Canada) and Cleveland Ohio.

HT to A Boomer in the Pew. Photo: Kevin Dooley (Flickr) and SBC.

What points stand out to you in these clips?

Word-Filled-Wednesday. Isaiah 46:4

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“I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. (Isaiah 46:4 NLT)

Do you look forward to your senior years?

Visit The 160 Acre Woods and let Amydeanne and the other bloggers uplift you with their timely Word-filled posts.

HT to Leah at The Point. Photo: J.C. Rojas (Flickr)

Holiday: Mother's Day (USA)

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The Beauty of a Woman

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.

Via Barabara Curtis at Mommy Life

How are you planning to spend Mother's Day?

Photo: Marittime (Flickr)

Word-Filled-Wednesday: Prov 31:8-9

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“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Prov 31:8-9)

Visit The 160 Acre Woods and let Amydeanne and the other bloggers uplift you with their timely Word-filled posts.

Reflection: Revelation
by Robin at PENSIEVE

Poverty is a wicked assault that seeks to strip away the dignity of those in its path. January 26, 2009 is a significant date to me; it's when Shaun Groves called me for the first time to discuss the possibility of me joining him on the next Compassion Bloggers trip.

While there's an entire level of insanity for me to leave my husband and children to go, observe and write about a people I don't even know, it was never even a question I had to ask myself. I said it to him, and in the ensuing months, over and over again to others, "I can think of no better reason to write than to lend my voice to those who have none of their own..." [See Prov 31:8-9]

Look at these kids—they have hope! Compassion kids are different, you can see it in their eyes (it's always in their eyes...). We visited four different projects this week and I could see joy...peace...hope in their countenance, something that was noticeably absent in street kids or those wandering villages.

If you've finally reached the tipping point and are ready to sponsor a child in need and release him from indignity of poverty, please click here and you'll meet children who are waiting to hear from you. At least click through to learn more.

It might just be the first move in a domino effect that breaks the cycle of poverty in a family forever...

because young girls and old women shouldn't have to bathe in the streets.

You can read Robin's entire guest post, "Revelation" at Rocks In My Dryer.

Photos: PENSIEVE

Marriage: 20 Ways to Please Your Lover

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There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden. (Prov 30:18-19 NIV)

Top Tips For Married Women

1. From this day forward promise, swear you will shower him with two words that are like air and water: "Thank You."
2. When he compliments you, smile broadly. Tell him you appreciate it.
3. Tuck his photo in your wallet. Let him know it’s there.
4. Looking good is feeling good. Don't ask him if you’re getting fat.
5. Don’t criticize. Especially when he gobbles down a bag of potato chips
or cookies.
6. Don’t give him driving directions unless he asks. Just smile. He’ll figure
it out.
7. Cook his favorite meals. Cooking is primal. It’s potent.
8. Make direct requests with as few words as possible. Get to the
point fast.
9. When he makes a mistake, bite your tongue. Keep biting.
10. Give him some space. Let him do "guy" things without you.

From this day forward promise, swear you will shower him with two words that are like air and water:
"Thank You."

11. E-mail him magazine and newspaper articles on topics of interest
to him.
12. Don’t expect him to be a great dancer. Be glad he’s willing to wiggle around and look foolish.
13. When he talks about his job, consider him the expert. Just listen quietly without making encouraging noises. (eg. “Oh” “I see” or
“Uh Huh.”)
14. Learn the language of lingerie. White means “Tenderness.” Black means “Please Me.” Red means “I’m Hot.” Flannel means “Let’s Cuddle.”
15. Kiss him hello and good-bye every single day.
16. Set the lovemaking mood in advance: a lighted candle, his favorite perfume, music you both enjoy.
17. Develop an open attitude about "quickies" especially when
you’re tired.
18. Plan a "gourmet" lovemaking event once-a-month. Don’t allow boredom to set in.
19. Reconnect through established rituals. A daily phone call, an evening walk, a weekly date night. Make these a priority.
20. Take care of yourself. When you’re happy and in a good mood, he thinks he’s done something to please you. You earn mega-points.

Related Articles

• "Intimate Issues for Christian Women." Simmering, Smoldering, Sizzling...

• "The Sanctuary of Christian Marriage." Sexual Intimacy as a Sanctuary

Recommended Reading

Today is Marriage Monday

Looking for the Marriage Monday meme? Please visit Christine, at Fruit in Season. Originator of the MM meme, Christine has volunteered to be our guest hostess in May, June, July, and August. Today's topic is "Seasons of Marriage." I encourage you to get involved!

Life becomes super-busy for us during the warmer months, so I'll be off until September. See you back here for Marriage Monday when the weather begins to cool. Ciao for now!