The Things we Talk About

Mom, is it dark in hell? Is the question that comes from the backseat. Both children await quietly to hear what kind of response they will get.
Yes, I suppose it will be very dark in hell. I think it will be much darker than it is right now, because Jesus won't be there.
Why do people think hell is going to be fun, Mom?
I'm not exactly sure, but I have heard people say, "They don't care if they end up in hell, because all their friends will be there!" and they laugh, making light of it. So I guess they are under the impression that hell will be like a giant party where they can do whatever they please. But that's not the way it will be at all. Hell is a place of separation. You see, hell is hell because it is when people will be completely separated from God for ETERNITY.
But Mom, God isn't here either. (they mean in the physical sense)
Well, though that is true the Bible tells us that Gods attributes are revealed in all of Creation, so man is without excuse. So as long as we are here there is hope for those who haven't chosen Christ, but one day we will all, everyone have to stand before God and give account and everyones eyes will be open that Jesus is the Lord God, and those who trust him for salvation will spend eternity with him and those who don't will spend eternity without him, hell! So they won't care if their friends are there or not, because there won't be relationships as we know them here. So now think of your most loneliest time and multiply it by a gazillion, and imagine it goes on forever with no end it sight.
Now our car is silent. My heart aches for the lost.
The voice from the back comes with gentleness and says, Mom that is so sad.
Yes it is, so we have to just keep praying.

Revelation 22:5 "And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever."
Romans 1:19-25 "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!"
Romans 14:11 "for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." So then each of us will give an account of himself to God."
Philippians 2:9-10 "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Freedom & Joy

Here is a question that wears on my heart from time to time. I wonder, why, as a Christian, is it so difficult to walk in the freedom and joy that were suppose to have. One observation I've made in the past 9 years is that, a lot of my Bible believing friends struggle with bouts of depression, more so, it seems than my other friends. It just seems that, that should not be the case. The Bible talks about this great joy and freedom and even I seem to struggle in walking in this daily. Sometimes I think, it is no wonder no one is all that interested in giving their life to Christ, because if it sucks all the joy out of life than why bother?. With that being said, I have been reading in Galatians and having an incredible time. I feel like this morning God has shown me a glimpse into the questions I struggle with and given me a picture to help me understand a little better.

Here is the scripture: Galatians 2:16 "yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."
Galatians 3:28-29 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ;s, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."
Galatians 4:6 "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."


So hence, my questions and struggles. And then God shows me the picture of the other part of His promise to Israel, the land. For years and years people have battled to take their land from them and the battle still goes on today. (I am not up to speed necessarily in the geography of who reigns over the exact land that God promised Abraham, all I know is that the Muslims say it is theres and for centuries Israel has been the center of tug-a-war for many different people groups.) With that being said, no matter what it belongs to Israel because God said it was theres. Same with us, who have given ourselves to Christ. We are His, but there is a battle that goes on daily or better yet moment to moment to put us in bondage or suck the joy out of our walk with the Lord. So, with out a doubt, we will bounce from time to time in and out of joy and freedom as Israel has, but no matter what I am His and the truth is I have freedom and joy, even when it doesn't feel like it. PTL

Today I have a new understanding of Ephesians 6:11-20:
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand firm. Stand therefor, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as the shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the work of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To the end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."

And so I will go and walk upright and boldly, with freedom and joy, knowing who I am. Heir and Ambassador for Christ!!!!
Thank you Jesus for this sweet freedom, there is nothing else like it.
Blessings and Happy Halloween,
Your Royal Hines, Connie

Sol/On the other side

I look out at the faces of women and wonder....
What there morning was like just before they got here?
How is their marriage, is she sure of his commitment to her?
Is she just tired of trying to make everything work?
Does she worry about her weight, what she should wear, and how her hair looks?
Does she drink to numb the hurts that have been dished out to her?
Has anyone told her "thank you" lately?
Does she wonder that if she wasn't there, would anyone notice or care?
Is she ready to throw in the towel?
Is she sick of having the same fight with her husband over and over?
Do they struggle like I do?
They all look so together.
Do I have anything to really offer them?
And then it happens. The chatter in the room of real women, who are not very different from me at all, and I am strengthen and encouraged to be able to offer them hope.
By:Connie

Thanks for those of you who prayed for me. It was a blessing to be on the panel and it went well and I am looking forward to how God will use the things that were said.
Praise God for His great care.
Blessings,
Connie

Please Pray for Me!!

Next week I will be part of a panel of 4 women answering questions on "Having a Balanced Life". My part of life that I will be addressing is "Marriage". I have to chuckle a little to think, that I'm going to be giving advice. Hopefully, our weekend will be a good one, so that I will come across as hopeful and not that it is always a chore!!!! LOL
Anyways~if you would lift me up before God and ask that he would guide my words and that I would have ideas that would be very practical for them to use within their marriages.
Thanks Ahead of Time,
Connie

"No plans of yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2

Here is my 1st "Memory Memoirs". I have been getting nudges lately from the Holy Spirit and through God's word that he wants me to "go there", so this is where we went this week.

The other day I got all up in my teenage child's "grill", so to speak. I found myself wildly upset when it was brought to my attention, from another well meaning child of mine that he cut down the tree swing of his brothers, that we just put up this past weekend. Aside from the fact he was up on the top step of the ladder with a giant hedge clippers, there really was not to much of a reason for me to be upset. His motive was to move it so it would be farther out on the branch, to help prevent anyone from further injury. I knew all of this, but I was still so frustrated with the whole situation. I will spare you the details of our "nose to nose" confrontation that erupted. He made a comment to me and it sent me way back and all of a sudden it was as if time stood still and I could hear myself saying the same thing to my parents. His words were, " I hate my life. You don't know what its like. I have so much pressure and I don't need this from you."
My reply, needless to say will not earn me "Mom of the Year", but it was, "Don't tell me I don't understand what it's like. Don't forget, I didn't have a home where both my parents were, and so I was forced to grow up quickly, plus I still had the pressures that teenagers face. I do know what it is like and I remember the pressure that your talking about."

Which brings me to 3rd grade or there about. I was escorted out of my class, I think it was art. I can't remember who took me, but they were friendly as we walked down the hall. Maybe she told me where we were going but, I do remember that when they took me into this small, stuffy, warm, bright room, I must have been the last to arrive and I felt surprised and a little nervous not knowing what to expect, in spite of the woman's friendliness.
About 5 other kids, whom were all younger than I was, were all sitting in a circle and our guidance counselor "2 tall Jones" was also sitting on the floor with his long legs all tangled up in "Indian Style" fashion.
I think we went around the circle and said our name and age or something like that, and I began to feel more comfortable, and then it wasn't long they started to talk about "Divorce". I'm not sure that I realized at this point in my life that my parents were split for good. You see, my Dad worked some shift work and so did my Mom and so they kind of flip flopped and my Mom would come when my Dad was gone, although I did know my Mom had an apartment that I got to visit. So sitting in this small group seemed to make it official.
We were the only kids in the whole school who had, "Divorced" parents, and so we were "special". They told us that it wasn't our fault and that our parents still loved us. That was nice, but why did you have to pull me out of art class, I already knew that.
And so it goes. I think I have wore the tag, "Divorced Parents, poor me!" around since that time in 3rd grade. Never really realized it, until I went nose to nose with my child. It's about time I take it off and surrender the self-pity and the hurt that comes with parents splitting. I wonder though, what life would have been like if those well meaning people would have left me in art class and just let my parents, parent me.

Oh Lord, heal the hurt that still lingers in my heart from when my parents divorced and thank you for their deep love for me in the midst of it. Thank you for filling the longing I have had for a complete family, in giving me my own. Forgive me for all the times I play that "poor me" card, intentional or not. I know now that I wasn't alone during that time and that your plan was not for harm, but for good. Lord, help me to not exasperate these children that you have trusted me with. Thank you for a heart that is sensitive to others who face the reality of divorce.
In His Care,
Connie

Do you need a ride somewhere?

So many times I find myself wondering what my purpose in this life is and then something happens to remind me.
Last week, the weather was gorgeous and my kids were outside tossing the football around in the road. Then Tori came in to tell me that there was a lady outside who would like to use our phone. I went outside and introduced myself and she explained she was waiting for her friend, who lived across the street from us to get home and he was already 1/2 hour late and she needed to get home to shower, and get to work by 6. She used our phone and I said, if she couldn't get a ride I would be willing to get her where she needed to be. Of course, no one was picking up the phone and time was ticking away. So, she took me up on my offer. It wasn't long into our drive that just in small talk I learned that she was a hurting women. Sounded like most of her relationships were not very healthy, and so I thought I would invite her to the conference that our church is holding called, "Intimate Issues." She asked about our church and I explained that it's a Bible believing church and our teaching come directly from the scriptures. Turns out she is a born-again Christian. She knows the truth and realizes that she needs to turn to Christ for the help she needs. As we got closer to her place, the more the tears ran down her face. My heart just broke over her pain. She kept apologizing and as we pulled into her driveway, she shared that she was battling an addiction. At this point, my response is, "Oh!" Now, I am a little concerned, because no one really knows where I am at all, because I was only planning on dropping her off and so I just left. I realize, I may not be in the safest place and quite frankly, I felt pretty unequipped to help. I called my hubby and gave him the info. as to where I was and asked for him to find some numbers that I could call to try to get this woman some help. There are a ton of other details to this story, but here's what I have come to realize because of it.
My purpose~Love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, 2nd Love my neighbor as myself.
This was an interruption to my day, but this is really what this life is all about. Caring for others. My job is to just show up faithful daily and embrace these divine interruptions. Oh, how ill equip I am, this is for sure, but God is able.
I would love to say this story has a storybook ending, but as of now, not so much. I ended up realizing that it is hard to get "on the spot help" with addictions and for those who battle them, the only jobs they can find are ones in positions where the temptations are enormous. I took her to work, (against my better judgement) and left her with a bible, phone number to a place that could help, and my phone number, letting her know we would help her in whatever way we could. We hugged and she was on her way. I haven't heard from her and I pray that she is ok.
I find myself asking the Lord, what that was all about anyways? I may never know this side of glory, but I am thankful to have met this beautiful women, and am humbled that I could show her the love of Christ.
On my knees, praying for the freedom of those who are bound,
Connie

15 years Baby!!!!!

It's hard to believe that 15 years have gone by since I married my man. What's harder to believe is that we are not only still married, (I say that with all seriousness!!) but I am more in love with him than ever before. There is a story here, our story, and I think deserves to be told, so here it goes.

When I got engaged I was of course excited mainly that someone really wanted to call me "wife" and I had a beautiful diamond to wear. When I said "yes" I said it fully expecting that it would never last, because that's just how I thought things were suppose to go. Nice, I know. My reasoning for even participating in this union?, well, I thought you really should be married to have kids. So that's what we did. We got married, bought a house, racked up a ton of debt, then started having babies. Marital bliss, I know. In time things got tough and so to counter the pain of life, which I couldn't seem to bear, I would live it up on the weekends. Since we didn't have a ton of money, I would skip meals or eat very little so that it wouldn't take much to get drunk and that's what I did. Eventually, this gets old and I still wasn't happy, and I could not figure out why, so it must be time for a "Divorce". This was only after 6 years. I made some phone calls and thankfully I had people who knew better then I did and encouraged me to go to a Christian counselor and if that didn't help they would help me. Needless to say, I was not excited about this, because I had already been in and out of counselor's offices and it's always the same old song and dance. Next thing I knew I was pregnant again!!!! Troy and I always wanted at least 3 kids, but with the way things were headed, this wasn't in my plan. I am a child of divorce and I didn't want to do that to my 2 kids, let alone 3. So I found myself, crying out to a God that I didn't really know at all and asking Him, what in the world are you doing? I'm doing a terrible job with what I have and now, I'm having another baby?!?! Turns out, He knew what He was doing. The plans for divorce were set aside to see how things would go with this pregnancy. Fast Forward-I had this beautiful baby and we called him Carter. After I had him, I thought I would go and try out this "Moms group" at the church where this counselor was and see what it was all about. I figured, I didn't know anyone and if they were all crazy and cultish, I would be out of there and that would be that. Turns out, they were pretty normal, (I say that loosely) and were all very nice. Almost to nice. I went back for some weeks waiting and watching to see if I could figure them out. The group I did was called "Mastering Motherhood". This is when I read the Bible for the first time and realized what it really means to be a Christian. It was then I decided I had made such a mess of my life and if Jesus wanted me then I was going to jump on to His train. I remember taking a deep breath and saying, "Here I am, and I really hope this is for real, because it is my last hope." It truly was my last hope to save both myself from self destruction and our marriage. Needless, to say, it was for real. It wasn't long and I began to change. I learned about what a godly marriage should look like and it made much more sense then any of my own or Hollywood's ideas. I always thought that if Troy was my "soul mate" then things should just naturally flow, so when they didn't I assumed that he wasn't. Fast Forward a few more years-We went to a marriage retreat and worked through some issues and we committed that there would never, no matter what, and I mean no matter what, we would never breath the "D" word again. We would be stuck with each other for the rest of our lives. And here we are. Things are far from perfect and we are still working through old issues that pop there heads up every now and then and working through new issues that seem to arise. 15 years and I can confidently say, "I have found my soul-mate!" He's mine and I'm his. I love him so much and there really is no one else I would rather do this life with. This man of mine has had every reason to up and leave and he didn't. I pushed him and pushed him, but he remained. To say the least, I am forever grateful. I would love to say that there' s not a day that goes by that I don't thank God for him, but there is, because that's the way it works, but today, and for all the September 18th's that will come, I will remember, and be grateful for such a wonderful guy. Thank you Lord for the blessing of Troy. Thank you for the way you work things out. I am amazed at your great love and care for us. We pray our marriage would always be a reflection of your great mercy, grace and a wonder of the work that you do.
Praising God for my Beloved,
Connie
"My lover is mine and I am his;" Song of Solomon 2:16

Warning: If you click on this picture you may be grossed out.

Cutting fabric to get a head start on Christmas gifts, my finger was cut by those wonderful sharp cutting tool. It's the tool you love to hate. My finger is healing nicely and I can finally type again.

In the presence of His Majesty......

No bus for us!!!!

I am still thanking the Lord that we are able to keep our kiddos home and train them ourselves. Our past 2 days of school have been just delightful. Now, I do realize there will be a day coming when it will be less than that, but as Beth Moore would say, "When we have something to rejoice about, I'm going to really rejoice!!!" So today I am rejoicing.

I got up again today before the kids and soon after heard the bus go by. No offense Mom, but I am glad that there is no bus for us!!!!! No worries about bullies, conversations that are rated higher than PG, and no boys/girls trying to hitch up with our kids. Yes, that's what really happens on the bus.(Well except for my moms) So Mr. Bus you can just drive on by because there is no bus for us!!!!! I pray that the sound of the bus each morning will be a reminder of what a blessing it is to have them home on the days that will come when it is less than delightful!!!

Lakeshore Academy School Blog

Here they are on the 2nd day of school. Today for our last project, I had the kids set up a blog to post school stuff. My hopes is it will act both as a school "newspaper" and encourage writing and keyboarding/computer skills in a fun way. We'll at least it will be fun for me. So stop by if you please. http://hoehneslakeshoreacademy.blogspot.com/
Blessings,
Connie

Welcome to what goes on in my mind.............

Hang on, you may get more than you bargain for this morning. In my devotion I am looking at Matthew 10 for the week. So as I am reading it and pondering what Jesus says, I start to think, Why, would anyone in their right mind sign up for this. To understand this post more complete, you may want to read Matthew 10 for yourself, I have copied it on the bottom of the post. I have the ESV Bible that I am commenting on, and I know a good student would look at several translations, but well, I didn't. Maybe later. Anyways~ 10 starts out where Jesus calls the disciples to himself and he gives them authority. I imagine this to be an honorable and proud moment for them. Then, he gives them instruction and sends them out. To do what, you ask, 1. Proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 2. Heal the sick. 3. Raise the dead, 4. Cleanse lepers, 5. Cast out demons. Ok, sounds good, we can do that because you are Jesus and you have given us the authority to do so, it's likely they were still excited about this and probably, maybe even had some butterflies in their tummies. He gives more instruction on where to go and what to do in the towns they go to. And then He uses words like, "Behold, Beware, When, and will" He tells of the suffering in persecution that IS to come. At this point, after they hear the words, "you WILL be HATED by ALL for my name's sake." I would have to think they may have been asking themselves, what in the world did I get myself into? Then he goes on to encourage them to have no fear, and reminds them that "nothing is covered that will not be revealed," and that we have value to him. He knows every hair on our head. Nothing is outside of His control and he knows what is to come and has taken it all into account. Ok, thanks for reminding us. I'm feeling better about all of this again. (at least that's what I would have been thinking!) Then He goes on to say this and I am sure I will need to do some study on these verses to ever be able to understand it. "For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." What, my response would be, Why, How come? The only part I can sort of understand is the daughter-in-law/mother-in-law thing.Wink Not first hand of course, I have a wonderful mother-in-law!!
Then he talks of the reward, and this is when I start to get it, at least a little bit. Verse 42, Whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." He reminds me of the reason he sent them out to begin with, V. 7 proclaim the kingdom of heaven, healing, life for the dead, cleansing, and freedom!!! It's because of His great love for us. He desires for us to know him. He desires to heal us and give us freedom and he uses his disciples to be his hands and feet. He tells them in verse 8, "You received without paying; give without pay." What a God! It is all free for the taking. Isn't that just something. I don't need to fret over the stuff I don't quite all understand because I am sure that God is loving and trustworthy and will reveal to me more as I seek him. If the 12 disciples were anything like me I am sure by the time Jesus was finished they were up and on their way. I wish there was a little face to show how I think they would have looked, but theres not. I am sure it was a face of serious, joy and of empowerment ready for the battle for when it would come and delight to see people given new life.
Time to get up out of this chair and face the day with the same serious joy, empowerment, and delight, because I to, have been called to Him, the one who saves and am His disciple.
Because of His great Love, Sign me up,
Connie

Matthew 10
The Twelve Apostles
1And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles
5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, 10no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12As you enter the house, greet it. 13And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
Persecution Will Come
16 "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
Have No Fear
26"So , have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31,Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Not Peace, but a Sword
34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Rewards
40 "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."

SOL/Worlds Apart: Part 2

Rise and Shine?!?!
If you know me at all you know I am not a morning person. The past 4 nights in a row now I have been waking up at unspeakable hours in the early morning only to lay there. I enjoy sleeping so, this has been a little frustrating to say the least. Anyways~today I got myself out of bed with Troy at 5ish, yes, AM!!!! As we talked about this problem I am having, I came to realize, it may be the Lords way of getting my attention. I have not been very faithful to spending much time with Him lately. (all this means is that I haven't been reading the Bible, not to freak anyone out) So needless to say I had a wonderful time with Him this early AM and what was the most fun is the verses He gave me helped guide me to finish the World's Apart Part 2 post that I wanted to do!!!! Thanks God! I really like to blog if you can't tell and often wonder if I am on my way to an addiction that will go bad one day, like all good addictions do. But as for now I felt the encouragement of the Lord to share with you today. "What's the word He spoke to you?", you ask. By all means I would love to share, thanks for asking....
Matthew 10:27 "What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops."
NOTE: It was dark when I woke and by the time I was finished with the post, it was light, though I was not on the housetop, I do believe the world wide web, will be sufficient! SO here is Part 2!

Worlds Apart: Part 2

As the one neighbor put the groceries away, the warm summer breeze came through the kitchen. As it gently rolled through it carried whispers of truth with it.

"Worlds apart?, Really?"
"Have you forgotten the ground is all level at the cross?!"
"Are you not distracted and tempted by the same things; money, respect, power?"

As the frozen pizzas and bread found there rightful spots in the freezer and pantry--she came to the realization of the true reality.
Worlds apart they weren't.
They were really only inches from the property line.
By: Connie

Oh Lord you have reminded me of how merciful and gracious you have been to me. There is no one good, not even one. It doesn't matter what a tattoo or bracelet says because you look at the heart of man! You are not fooled. Though I am tempted with the things of this world you have given me sweet freedom from it all. I pray for all of us who stand inches from the property line, might we always realize the reality that awaits us of freedom and life just on the other side, that you so free and willingly desire for us to have. You are so good to me, my sweet Lord.
So, So, goood.

Romans 3:10-12 "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."
1 Samuel 16:7 "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."
John 8:32 "and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Walking in Freedom, only by the blood of Christ,
Connie

SOL/Connie

Today's SOL, has been inspired by the things I am studying and the rawness of the fragility of this life that we live.
Enjoy,
C

Worlds Apart: Part 1
2 people stand in their front yards just inches from the property line.
One, has groceries on the counter waiting to be put in it's proper place.
The other, just finishing up yard work.
The day is coming to a quick end, but the sunshine, warm air, and sound of waves, invite both to chat a while longer.
One's shoulder tattoo reads; Money, Respect, Power! It is intermingled with dollar signs, ace and jack cards, dice, and a eagle.
The other, wears a bracelet made of water buffalo bone, with the words; Faith, Hope, Love, etched in each piece.
Though the 2 of them stand only inches apart, it seems they are on completely different planets altogether.
By: Connie Hoehne

Luke 12:15-21
"Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my, soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."

Celebration of Discipline by: Richard Foster
Discipline of Simplicity
"Simplicity also prevails against the tyranny of things. Out of fear that others might discover who we are, we create an artificail world of ostentatious display, extravagant ornamentation, and pretentious style. We call upon the beautician, the tailor, and the dress maker to create an impression of perpetual youth. We buy clothes, cars, and houses beyond our means in a frantic attempt to appear successful."

Another funeral.......

is on the horizon for us. Troy's Grandpa passed away unexpectedly yesterday morning. This is the spouse of the Grandmother that just passed away in June. We are still trying to get a bit of a grip on things as the realization of it all sets in.
It is very interesting to me how though I do not like the idea of any drawn out sufferings for either myself or others, especially to people I care about, there is something to be said to have the time to make amends or just to say the things that need to be said with the tenderness of heart. As I reflect today this loss for me is like when my kids were little and sitting on my lap and would get restless and want to get down and they toss their heads back and it smacks you square in the nose!!!! That's what it felt like to get the news. As Troy and I talked yesterday, we are reminded of just how short this life really is, and before long we will be the ones on the front line having to make decisions of how to care for our parents and funeral arrangements. Our 30's have been a time of realization that we aren't getting any younger and the responsibilities that once belonged to our parents will soon be on our shoulders. I am so thankful for having such great examples of how to handle these things in our parents.
My prayer today is that somehow I will know this truth afresh each day, not missing any opportunity to care for those I love and that have been put in my life, because in the end this is all that matters. It's not the career that we hold, the car we drive, the house we live in, how much $ we make, clothes we wear. Teach me Lord, because I am so easily distracted by those things.
With that being said, I am sure I don't know who all reads my blog, but for those who I know do, I want to tell you with all rawness and truth how much I care about you all. You are all dear to me in your own way and I love who you are. I pray that you would know today how much you are loved and that you have left fingerprints of yourself all over my life, and for that I am grateful.
With a full heart,
Connie

Softball Anyone?

My leg is getting much better and I am thankful. I am not good with crutches and fear when I was using them that I may incur new injuries. I have been walking real good today, so I am hopeful tomorrow will be a day without bandage or ice. I am amazed once again at the strength of our body and I am realizing that I sure take a lot for granted that I am able to do. Praise God for His healing power.

Cute couple

This is my friends oldest son and new wife. They are such a fun, cute, couple. It was an honor to be a part of their special day. I hope that I will be blessed with such a wonderful daughter-in-law one day.
Many Blessings, Matt and Brianna.

Petal Pounding Original

It was my mother-in-law's birthday and she has everything, and what she doesn't have she buys, so.....the kids and I made her a wall hanging that turned out so good that it was hard to give it away. The kids all were willing to do it and we had alot of fun making it together. Seems petal pounding is man enough of a craft for my boys to do. It was my first attempt of sewing a quilt like square and it went pretty well and I am looking forward to making a few more. I used the sewing machine that was Troy's grandma's, Marsha's mom's, who just pasted away, and the fabric on the back was from my grandma and so was the batting in the middle. The thread was my own from Hobby Lobby and I have finally experienced first hand what sh....it thread is, while making this. Thank you to my Aunts for letting me in on it, or I would have just thought it was me. Hope you are all as impressed as I was with the way it turned out.
Blessings Today,
C

Hearts in the sky..........

Homemade Birthday gift for our Tayha!!!

This is the gift we made for Tori's friend from her whole life. She turned 11 and loves horses, but has every horse thing you could want, so we had to be creative. We decided to give her a kit of everything she would need to do our new favorite activity.....Petal pounding. The day after the party, Tori and Carter got to have a play date to show her how it is done.

Steven Curtis Chapman/Lifest 2008

Meet and Greet with Rebecca St. James and her brothers

We love you Rebecca!!!!!!! Tori and Skyler were so excited to see Rebecca that they left the concert early to get in line to have her sign their guitars. She was thrilled and honored to do so. I love that my little girl looks up to young women who are living out God's plan of purity. Thanks Rebecca and brothers for being a great example for my girl.

SKILLET

Carter, Jacob, and Sam got in line to get Skillet's autograph. I'm not sure they knew any of the songs they sing, although our family are big fans, but the line was short and everyone else were getting signatures, so they wanted some too. Turns out, they put on one of the best shows of the weekend, at least I think so.
SKILLET ROCKS MAN!!!!

Mandisa

Tori, Skyler and Raeleigh were so excited to get Mandisa's autograph. Raeleigh got a little red bucket of slime and wanted her autograph on her slime. Mandisa said it was the first time she ever signed slime. We are so privledged.

Autographs Please

Trevor and his friend Fletcher are fans of Switchfoot and stood in line to get autographs. They were super cool guys.