Everything About Jesus is Glorious
Much much much has happened just in the last two months. My thought process of it has as well been very slow. Recently there has been such an amazing increase that the Lord has sent almost like a kiss from heaven. The journey of this increase has become glorious, overwhelming, has meant some sleepless nights, much laughter, the joy of new acquaintances and so much more.
In all this, I have come to see how the Lord has been preparing us many months ago for what was to come. Months back when the state of being hidden was easy due to no one else being in the room and how I ached and desired for that not to be so. Not for myself but for the simple fact that I had come to know this Man in a whole new way that revealed an endless river to be enjoyed and I was falling for this Man more and more and wanted others to encounter Him. How I desired to scream out at times,
“Daughters of Jerusalem, have you known my Beloved! He is fairer than the sons of man, chief among ten thousand, there is NONE like Him or ever will be! Among all the trees in the woods, my Beloved is like an apple tree in the midst of them. Come and see! Come and meet Him! Come away with Him and set Him as a seal upon your arm, upon your heart! For His love is stronger than death!”
Now here we are and that season of being hidden seems to be fading; growing dim and with much joy, it fills my heart but I feel the ache to “Come Away”…
How easy it is to get draw away from Him out of a genuine heart who desires others to know and encounter Him. How easy it is even when in a good place, a right place in our hearts we work work work…work work work to organize, and situate, and gather, and produce and guide and…
So much…so easy for ones mind to become so cluttered that the soft faint lovesick whisper of the One who desires us to be with Him where He is beckons us to look back at Him.
There is so much to who this Man is. Knowing Him, searching out His thoughts and heart and interests, emotions is the journey. The adventure. The quest. The treasure hunt. More precious than rubies or precious stones, is being captivated, fascinated by Jesus Christ. I need to know Jesus. I want to know Him. How nothing else compares to gazing…set gaze everyday, the journey…to set my gaze; my full attention and affections, everything I am, everything I have and yet…
Its so easy to set Him aside, it’s so easy to think we’re putting first in first place, today. Tomorrow will worry about itself (Matthew 6:34) Am I putting first in first place today? Its a good question that like a marriage, we get into that familiar stage where I can feel as though, “Yea! I was with him yesterday and the day before that and I’ll be with him tomorrow and we’ll talk about that or do that together tomorrow.”
And so many times tomorrow’s come and go and next thing we know, a week has gone by and we’ve barely ran by one another; a glance, a half smile. I remember to say hello mid-day and run with the excuse that I’m prepping something nice for Him but the time spent is limited. Its easier this way honestly. The running, the doing. It’s far easier than, stopping… dropping everything (this is where faith must come in that He will get it done, not us in our own strength) …sit at the dinner table face to face. Take a deep breath…and start the conversation.
Start the conversation…the simple…”So, how was your day? …How are you today?…what have You been thinking about today…”
Then the silence….in the waiting…for Him to actually get a word in and speak…He’s been waiting all day for this, maybe even longer.
Everything about Jesus is glorious.
Why wouldn’t I want to spend my every second of everyday waiting to hear what HE has to say. The Man of Glory wants to have a conversation. The Majesty of Heaven, the Father of Glory wants to have a conversation with us.
Nothing else matters. All else is added unto us…
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:33-34
Nothing else matters…I want to know this Man, this God. I need to know Him.
Do you?
Will you?
GIVE US EYES TO SEE & EARS TO HEAR…
Project Inspired -Inspiration & Life Advice for Christian Girls
http://www.projectinspired.com/
I stumbled across something very interesting today. A friend on Facebook posted about this model who was labeled in recent articles as the:
Christian Model Says ‘Cosmo’ Has the Devil Written All Over It
article: http://charismanews.com/culture/32628-christian-model-says-cosmo-has-the-devil-written-all-over-it
At first I overlooked the Facebook post. Later this evening it caught my attention again so I decided to check it out. To my surprise it’s a movement this young woman is launching for young women, girls and teens everywhere.
The last time I got this excited about a writer was when a friend introduced me to “Leslie Ludy’s” books! Which I HIGHLY recommend if you’re a young woman or even if you are not. She has some amazing download of wisdom in reference to relational dynamics between men and women and where some of our “special” behavior comes from.
http://www.setapartgirl.com/home.html (site where you could find Leslie Ludy’s books. First read “Authentic Beauty” then move unto “Set-Apart Femininity” and then “Answering the Guy Question”…
“Project Inspired” was released by a model/actress who one day realized that all the money and fame in the world, would never amount to happiness. How did she know? She watched many celebrity “friends” in her circle live it and live it miserably, lost, and empty. One of them even died as a consequence of their reckless “living-it-up” lifestyle.
From her site:
“I always wanted to be famous.
I had been modeling and acting since I was 5 years old. I had been with the same agency in Portland, Oregon for about 8 years, and had appeared in numerous publications, ads, magazines, television commercials. I had my own checking account by the age of 12, and saw billboards with my face on them as I was being driven to junior high dances. But I was a ”big fish in a small pond”. I was ready for the big time, and wanted to make it in Hollywood.”
“I moved to Hollywood at the age of 16 and plunged headfirst into the task of becoming an “it” girl. Although I was still in high school, I partied with well-known actors, had an all-access pass to the hottest clubs, and mingled with the see-and-be-seen celebrities. But because I was young and naïve, I neglected the most basic things that actually would help me achieve my goal of fame: getting a headshot and a resume, taking advanced acting classes, making sure I got enough sleep at night.”
“At 23, I fell into a deep depression. I felt helpless and foolish that had I allowed myself to get into this position. With no college degree and no alternate plan for my life, I knew I had made a huge mistake. I didn’t know where to go.
I turned to every self-help book available: The Law of Attraction, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, all the Anthony Robbins books – but nothing helped me.
Then everything changed.
Every single night I would look up into the stars and pray for a miracle. I completely gave my life to God. I asked for guidance to lift me out of the horrible situation I was in. I saw what “making it” did to others in this industry and knew I didn’t want that for my life. It was at that point that I realized my great truth:
Everything I went through – all I experienced in that dark city – was for a bigger purpose.“
<end quote>
Her visually accessible and appealing site is full of forums, and articles she writes herself about fashion, celebrities, and God. She engages with her readers and passionately pursues spreading a message of truth and real beauty only found in Christ. This world has a warped perception of beauty and are training up the past and future generations to think this way. I admire this young woman who the Lord has given a taste of the truth behind the veil of this world; Hollywood and filled her up with wisdom and revelation unto a greater truth and purpose for life. Now she is a voice for the younger female generation who are captivated and fascinated not with Jesus but with glitz and glam and fame of it all; and are modeling their every decision on what this world of Hollywood emulates off of one another. The Lord has directed her to lead an honest and open relationship with her readers by answering the hard questions that churches today are not really asking for themselves, less answering for young teens and young adults who are struggling daily with temptations the world and media claim are normal.
Check out her site, Facebook and twitter pages.
There is a petition on CHANGE.ORG right now that is trying to put a stop to the easy access pornographic magazines that are sold to any age in stores everywhere. Cosmopolitan Magazine features minors, targets minors with celebrity minors while promoting detail, outrageously inappropriate sex-driven pornographic context that I dont believe anyone of any age should be reading but even more so our younger female and male generations.
SIGN THE PETITION! They need 50,000 signatures!
Cosmopolitan Is Aggressively Marketing Explicit Porn Tips to Minors, Put Cosmo In a Non-Transparent Wrapper and Sold to Adults Only!
Support a movement!
In the Name of Jesus…VOLUME II
Continuing my quest to gain language for something I believe in, I found another couple of blog others have posted online that have already written for the most part the blog for me. Giving credit where credit is due.
My last post was bought about from a question a fellow believer asked some of us that was worth searching out. In my heart and spirit I knew there was premise for it but I am not a great teacher, preacher who can memorize the entire bible and holds their own in great debates.
Still gaining in language and understanding, I do know when I get those impressions from my faithful friend Holy Spirit whose molding and teaching me to be like my great love Jesus Christ day by day till I awaken to His likeness. (Psalm 17:15)
Here’s what someone posted about praying in the name of Jesus…
<start quote>
“What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name?”
Answer: Prayer in Jesus’ name is taught in John 14:13-14, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Some misapply this verse, thinking that saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer results in God’s always granting what is asked for. This is essentially treating the words “in Jesus’ name” as a magic formula. This is absolutely unbiblical.
Praying in Jesus’ name means praying with His authority and asking God the Father to act upon our prayers because we come in the name of His Son, Jesus. Praying in Jesus’ name means the same thing as praying according to the will of God, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15). Praying in Jesus’ name is praying for things that will honor and glorify Jesus.
Saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer is not a magic formula. If what we ask for or say in prayer is not for God’s glory and according to His will, saying “in Jesus’ name” is meaningless. Genuinely praying in Jesus’ name and for His glory is what is important, not attaching certain words to the end of a prayer. It is not the words in the prayer that matter, but the purpose behind the prayer. Praying for things that are in agreement with God’s will is the essence of praying in Jesus’ name.”
<end quote> http://www.gotquestions.org/pray-Jesus-name.html
Also the “Amen” part. I wanted to research this out. I knew it was a prophetic release declaring “So be it!” Here’s a small post I found by the same sight on using “Amen” in prayer:
<start quote>
The Hebrew word translated “amen” literally means “truly” or “so be it.” “Amen” is also found in the Greek New Testament and has the same meaning. Nearly half of the Old Testament uses of amen are found in the book of Deuteronomy. In each case, the people are responding to curses pronounced by God on various sins. Each pronouncement is followed by the words “and all the people shall say Amen” (Deuteronomy 27:15-26). This indicates that the people applauded the righteous sentence handed down by their holy God, responding, “So let it be.” The amen attested to the conviction of the hearers that the sentences which they heard were true, just, and certain.
Seven of the Old Testament references link amen with praise. The sentence “and all the people said, Amen, and praised Jehovah” found in 1 Chronicles 16:36, typifies the connection between amen and praise. In Nehemiah 5:13 and 8:6, the people of Israel affirmed Ezra’s exalting of God by worshipping Him and obeying Him. The highest expression of praise to God is obedience, and when we say “amen” to His commands and pronouncements, our praise is sweet music to His ears.
The New Testament writers all use “amen” at the end of their epistles. The apostle John uses it at the end of his gospel, his three letters, and the book of Revelation, where it appears nine times. Each time it is connected with praising and glorifying God and referring to the second coming and the end of the age. Paul says “amen” to the blessings he pronounces on all the churches in his letters to them, as do Peter, John and Jude in their letters. The implication is that they are saying, “May it be that the Lord will truly grant these blessings upon you.”
When Christians say “amen” at the end of our prayers, we are following the model of the apostles, asking God to “please let it be as we have prayed.” Remembering the connection between amen and the praise of obedience, all prayers should be prayed according to the will of God. Then when we say “amen,” we can be confident that God will respond “so be it” and grant our requests (John 14:13; 1 John 5:14).” <end quote>
http://www.gotquestions.org/amen.html
“It is the glory of God to hide a matter, and the glory of a king to search it out” Proverbs 25:2
1 Corinthians 2:9-10
“but as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him”!
Aren’t you curious! The Genesis 1 Uncreated God of all creations has things prepared for us who love Him and He’s telling us we can’t even fathom it! It would blow our minds and yet, He sent His promise, Holy Spirit to not dwell just WITH us anymore but dwell IN us!
verse 10 “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches ALL things, yes, the deep things of God.”
Just so He can reveal them to us. Search out the word! Dont just memorize theology but in prayer and intimacy talk to Him, ask Him for understanding.
Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law (now through the unveiling on the cross-the entirety of the Word which is truth) shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day & night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
Jesus came for many reasons but I will highlight that He came to deal away with religion and get to the heart. He came to “offend minds to reveal hearts” and demonstrate that everything is considered in regards to the intentions and attitude of one’s heart. (He spoke about this even way before His first coming-just read David’s psalms and quotes) “Consider your ways!” (Haggai 1:7)
In the end, there is so much about this Man we need to know. This morning, I heard a man, his name is Daniel Lim speak on Revelati0n 1:8 Jesus is speaking to John in the island of Patmos saying “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
<you can check out the teaching from the webstream archives here http://www.ihop.org/weekendservices/archives/ -Should be available if not tonight, then possibly tomorrow.>
Christology should be daily our Bible Study. We do not know this Man Jesus! The greatest theologian I can almost confidently say, does not know Jesus! He is the least spoken about subject in the body of Christ…what is that!? We know a little about the Jesus who was, we like the Jesus who is cause it’s kinda always about us isnt it? And we know NOTHING about the Jesus who is to come.
Why? Because Eschatology, End Times teaching is a taboo in the Church of America (I cant speak for other nations). The world is fascinated with Eschatology-
Definition of ESCHATOLOGY
1: a branch of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or of humankind
In the name of Jesus…VOLUME I
Someone recently challenged some of us with this thinking. “Why do you end your prayers with “In the name of Jesus, Amen”? In my heart I knew there was premise for it but didnt have the language yet to speak life unto what I felt a conviction in my spirit for. So here we are…”It’s the glory of kings to search it (a matter-God) out” -Proverbs 25:2
There is power in the name of Christ Jesus. The Apostles as examples prayed in the name of Jesus.
Acts 16:18 “She was doing this for many days. But Paul, becoming greatly annoyed turned and said to the spirit, “I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” it came out that very hour.”
Acts 3:6 But Peter said “Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”
Acts 4:30 “While you stretch our your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.“
Its the attitude of the heart and depth of our souls that have searched out this Man and gained understanding of the unsearchable riches that dwell within this name that is like ointment poured forth (Songs of Solomon 1:3)
I’m separating this into volumes; if you will, due to the fact that I was gathering information to write about it myself but found someone who pretty much wrote it for me. Why fix something that’s not broken. So as the first “Volume” here is what a man named David Reagan wrote on the matter…
<start quote>
Praying in the Name of Jesus
Do you close your prayers with something like, “in Jesus’ name, Amen?” You may word it a little differently. But many of you will use some formula to indicate that your prayer is in the name of Jesus. Where do we get this? Is it biblical? What does it mean to pray in Jesus name?
First, let us establish that it is scriptural to pray in the name of Jesus. Consider the following verses:
- John 14:13
– And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. - John 14:14
– If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. - John 15:16
– Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. - John 16:23
– And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. - John 16:24
– Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. - John 16:26
– At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you.
You will notice that in all of them Jesus tells His disciples to pray to the Father in His (Jesus’) name. But is this just a formula or is there something more to it? In order to get to the bottom of praying in the name of Jesus, we need to consider three things: (1) the biblical concept of name, (2) the importance of God’s name, and (3) what it means to act in someone else’s name. Then, we will be ready to look at praying in Jesus’ name.
The Biblical Concept of Name
We must first realize that the concept of name in scripture involves much more than a tag that identifies that person and distinguishes him or her from other people. Although it does do that, it also has a much deeper meaning. Name in scripture represents the very essence of the person. A person’s personality, character, reputation and authority are all wrapped up in his name.
- Proverbs 22:1
– A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. - Ecclesiastes 7:1
– A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
Notice the extraordinary value of a good name. Besides a man’s soul, this is the most important possession a man has. We should cherish a good name because it refers to virtue and integrity. It must be nurtured and respected as a most precious possession.
The Importance of God’s Name
That also explains why God’s name is so often exalted in scripture. God’s name is a declaration of the greatness of His person. Consider these verses:
- Psalm 8:1
– O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. - Psalm 103:1
– Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. - Psalm 113:1-3
– Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised. - Psalm 148:13
– Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
Because God’s name is excellent, we are to exalt it in our prayer and in our praise. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9). One day every knee shall bow at the feet of Jesus (Romans 14:11). Why? “God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). His exalted name brings worship and praise.
We now understand the importance of a name in scripture. We also know that God’s name is exalted above all other names. Now, what does it mean to do something in the name of someone else?
Acting in the Name of Another
Doing something in someone else’s name has two implications. First, you come by the authority of the other person. You are not coming in your own authority but because someone else authorized you to take these actions. When David fought Goliath, he came unto him “in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied” (1 Samuel 17:45). He was not coming in his own power or authority but in that which belonged to God alone. This gave David the authority and ability to fight against the giant Goliath…and win.
Second, when you come in someone’s name, you come in his stead. The person to whom you come is expected to react to you, not on the basis of who you are, but as if the person who sent you was there himself. They are to treat you as they would treat the one who authorized you to come. When David sent servants to Nabal to ask for food, “they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David” (1 Samuel 25:9). Therefore, when Nabal insulted David’s servants (who came in David’s name), he insulted David just as directly as if he had spoken to him to his face.
APPLICATION: Praying in the Name of Jesus
Now, let’s apply this to praying in the name of Jesus. What is the significance of this? First, it means that when we come to the Father, we come because Jesus sent us. It is not simply our own idea to speak to the God of heaven and earth. We are sent to Him by His own Son. No wonder we walk into the throne of grace in boldness (Hebrews 4:16). If one of the angels were to ask us on the way in, “What are you doing here?”…We can reply, “The Son sent me.” What a glorious commission! We are sent by the Son to seek help from the Father!
Second, the Father is obligated to treat us as He would His own Son because we come in His stead. We represent the Son when we come to the Father. You don’t believe this? You say that this is just too much? Then listen to these verses.
- Ephesians 1:5-6
– Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. - Romans 8:17
– And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
We are adopted into the family of God as children. We are accepted in the beloved. Since Christ is the beloved Son, that means that the Father accepts us as He would His own Son. Finally, we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ…
You see the benefit of coming to the Father in the Son’s name. However, is this just referring to adding a phrase to the end of our prayers? No. It is much more than that. It means that you come to the Father with the knowledge that your only right in approaching Him is that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that He Himself has sent you to the Father. It means that you know that you are totally unworthy of receiving anything from God and that the only reason God should grant your requests is that you come in Jesus’ name. It is not a magic formula, but a heart attitude.
Often, in my times of serious prayer about a particular need, I will spell this out. I acknowledge that I am unworthy to receive anything from God. I affirm that I come only in the name of God’s Son Jesus Christ. I remind God of what He said in Romans 8:32 [“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”]. I remind Him that He did not withhold His own Son from me and that He promised not to withhold any good thing from me. I declare that I only ask for these things in the name of His Son.
In all my prayers, I try to say, “in Jesus’ name.” However, I know that the phrase means nothing without the heart attitude. I am nothing. Therefore, who I am makes no difference. But, when I come in the name of Jesus–that is authority and that is power! <end quote>
http://www.learnthebible.org/praying-in-the-name-of-jesus.html
Anything worthy to say…
Interesting when starting a blog or perhaps you just think; shouldn’t I start a blog? It’s been a while and for some crazy reason, people stumble across this random pile of thoughts and I believe actually read it; so the question that crosses your mind…”Do I have anything worthy to say?”
It’s one of those moments, where it’s past midnight and song writing isn’t flowing, fingers are being fidgety not wanting to play the guitar tonight like a five year old, throwing a tantrum about not eating broccoli…so you think, “perhaps I have something to write about?”
Let’s start then with my trip…
Kansas City was amazing. My visit was terribly short unlike this post about KC that is terribly late since I returned weeks ago already. Coming back home was very much bitter sweet.
We went to a Renaissance Fair (my first ever!) as well as to the Melting Pot for the first time for some amazing chocolate fondue for “happy hour” which meant chocolate awesomeness for $5! (no alcohol purchase necessary, which works out since I dont desire or fancy the taste of 
alcohol. I can find better ways to escape my day or life for a few hours without the indulge).
We went to a Louisiana JAZZ restaurant joint that was true to the theme and the food was quite delicious. Though I believe I am not the best 
critic since one, I do not eat sea food and two, I have a ridiculously low tolerance for anything spicy…so…the chicken and non spicy stuff was DELICIOUS! ::chuckle to self knowing how sad that reality is::
Of course the best part of the whole thing was my wonderful, brilliant writer, beautiful, funny and witty best friend Heather Lee’s presence which I missed terribly! It was her birthday week as well. I was ecstatic and honored to be a part of the celebration!
These past few days I’ve been reminiscing my Theater geek days and remembering how much I always wanted to do Musical Theater. If it wasnt for the cut-throat, win at all cost (even murder), overtly sexual environment that doesnt remotely have a clue of what the idea of “Boundaries” means, while exuding the sad insecurities of vanity and 
“dumb luck for another was all it was” venture; I would have fought harder to be in that world.
Shows like “Glee” (great concept minus the inappropriate …well everything per episode) and movies like “Phantom of the Opera” which I wasnt very fond of when it first came out. Saw it randomly on television the other day and appreciated the music and principle actors acting better now…7 years later. Anyway, these little momentary hiccups in my day have had me thinking about the arts…performing arts mainly.
It’s such a powerful tool… I think of Musicals and how they can portray the emotion of a moment, a scene, a thought so powerfully all because Music says most times what we feel or think way better than regular dialogue or a monologue can.
We
truly are musical creatures. It’s in our DNA…no, seriously, it’s literally in our DNA…research it, it’s pretty cool and just makes sense the Creator of all creation would create us to respond that way with every fiber in our beings.
How I wish talented, gifted performers, writers, ect would rise up in Jesus Christ and with integrity, knowledge of the Word, and genuine depth in prayer would bring to life all we know, encounter and feel to a powerful halt of sound; the silence of awe and beauty beholding…Things never seen before, scores never heard before because Heaven opened from above and dropped in mercy a piece of the beauty of holiness…
When will performers in Christ stop defining each other by the worlds standards and “greats”. Mind you, these so called greats and legends they base all their talent and inspiration on were either, suicidal, or reckless, irresponsibly sad accidental deaths, were tormented, never satisfied and families fell apart as they played their “genius” alone and haunted…”yes…cause that’s exactly what I want to be when I grow up!”::cued sarcasm::
Dont ask me who my favorite Director is, or who are my musical influences just so you could define me and label me and whatever talent I may have as worthy or not. Why do Christians base standards on whats on this decaying earth rather than what’s set above? This is why we’re still waiting for the sounds of heaven never heard before that would revolutionize Music, or concepts and ideas demonstrating Truth in the word powerfully instead of in a cheap, cheese-factor kind of manner…
WE NEED A HOLY RENAISSANCE to sweep every Artist who proclaims to know this Man, Jesus Christ!
(p.s. I’m preaching to the choir here…meaning myself included)
May grace takes us deeper still… Spring up O well within us
I’m overdue for a Post! …
So since my Wisdom Tooth debacle forever ago, a lot has happened. My apologies for the long delay though it seems that Keratin Reviews have kept my Blog “popular”. ::giggle::
So what could I quickly update and say at this already late hour where I should prep for bed and tomorrow…
Well one excitement has reeled me into what I believe will be a very interesting 6 weeks.
I AM KC BOUND T-MINUS 6 WEEKS!!!! …There is excitement running through my phalanges hence all the caps! I havent visited Kansas City since I moved back home 2 years ago. Life just never presented the opportunity and now with my best friend gone again (She moved back to KC after moving to Miami a little over a year ago) the idea of being able to laugh with her in person instead of the phone thrills me more than my mere words could say here.
So I’m on a 6 week makeover of sorts. I’m going through an inner makeover and outer makeover journey. I have finally found incentive to get certain things straight in my life so I’m excited to see (with the kicking and screaming moments) whats to come out of this 6 weeks prepping me to head back to the place that for 3 years truly changed my entire life.
So today is Day one!
I’m trying to break many old habits. Physical, internal, ect. Wish me luck, send me a prayer, throw a penny in a well…good vibes, good vibes people! ::wink::
Till the next post which will hopefully be sooner than a year from now.
Too-da-loo to yous all (New Yorker: quoting my Momma ::grin:: ) Till the next one! Night
Whats so “wise” about Wisdom Teeth?
The Pain that led to the Horror…
Ok, so Im exaggerating a bit…a lot perhaps but you need to understand, I have been to the dentist only ONCE in my life before this fabulous event of this past week.
Luckily my family have inherited great dental structure and just plain good teeth for the most part. My mother has never needed to remove her wisdom teeth and my 32 year old brother neither.
I didnt know this but apparently 3 of my wisdom teeth are already out. The latest one that was half out is the main character of my story, or should I say the villain of this story. Nemesis.
So it all started two weekends ago that I started feeling PAIN in the right upper part of my mouth. It felt more like raw open cuts. None of my teeth hurt so I figured it wasnt a cavity or anything more serious. Others suggested perhaps an infected gum that just needs antibiotics and or a cleaning. Later, my jaw became constricted and I wasnt able to open my mouth all the way to even stick a spoon of food in. I looked “special” as I attempted sticking food in my mouth with a fork or spoon and the food just sliding off the utensil cause my lips werent parted enough to let the food in. I never realized how wide one or I must normally open my mouth to receive food.
So the dreaded day came. My second Dentist appointment ever. I am a BIG baby when it comes to Doctors, NEEDLES, hospitals, ect and I have NO shame to admit that, cry and whine at seven and twenty.
So the Dental assistant after taking some awkward X-Rays gave my false hope when she looked in my mouth and insinuated that it was just swollen gums from an infection.
“Awesome!” I thought…yea…I thought till the Dentist came and confidently said, its your wisdom tooth. We’re gonna need to remove both top and bottom…
“Excuse me? No, that makes no sense. My teeth dont hurt, at all, its my jaw and my gum and cheek.”
Then she informs me its my top right wisdom tooth which REALLY didnt make sense to me.
“My my bottom gums if anything are what hurt, nothing on top!”
I questioned her and pretty much kept hinting that she was WRONG and I wanted a second opinion, but when the X-Rays came out and she explained, I couldnt argue any longer.
The top right wisdom tooth was growing in crooked jabbing against my Jaw hence the constriction when trying to open my mouth. I was so bummed!
Now they were affordable and could do the extraction there but there was one BIG tiny factor in my book that they did not provide….KNOCKING ME OUT!
I refused doing this unless I was put under or something, hence needing to attend my third dentist appointment ever.
In the midst of all this, I was planning with my best friend an Engagement Party for our friends while waiting till next week to get this dealt with.
O the food!!!! So much delicious food and I had been eating like a baby with all Mush food. Let’s just say I forced myself to eat certain things that I just couldnt resist and definitely paid for it with some pain in the end.
So here comes Tuesday. My doctor “consultation” to see what they think and schedule a procedure.
Annnnd, it turns out to NOT be a consultation, it was D-Day! I was so mentally NOT prepared for this. So I head back and they prep me. I insisted for them to KNOCK me out good cause my body has never-always taken to medication easily. A horse pill that could knock out a grown human being wouldnt work for me.
Now before going in to get it done, everyone and their mother was trying to convince me to get them all four taken out and get it over with!
I was like, “are they crazy!” This was gonna suck as it is. I couldnt picture being in pain on both sides of my mouth.
I was NOT ready and willing to look like this poor soul in the picture to the left.
Later my friend was telling me how her ex had all four of them out and he was miserable. If it wasnt for the expensive cost of all four plus the knock out IV, they might have convinced my mother and I would be living in great suckage right now.
So it began: IV which hurt, shots of anesthetics which HURT and then the wait to feel loopy and sleepy…and the wait…waiting for loopy sleeping feeling….waiting….
Yea, NEVER happened!
Why did I pay over $500 to end up just being numb in my mouth but FULLY aware, awake and alert of everything which is specifically what I didnt want!?
So there went the drilling, the cracking, the suckage, all the horror which lasted a half hour.
But it was over and I was on my way home. The Novocaine started waring off and the pain began.
The ice pack, the Vicodin which also did NOT work for me (go figure) and the mashed potatoes and icecream which normally would be a dream but…nope not this scenario.
So now its Day 2 and I’m resting and hoping by the end of the week to feel normal and eat normal again!
So that was my big dramatic story of my current events! ::smirk:: I was a Theater major, its in my blood to be dramatic!
And seriously, why Wisdom teeth? Whats so “wise” about Wisdom Teeth!? I dont get it and if they’re not necessary, Lord, why do we have them?
Anyway, that was my rant. Hope all your wisdom teeth extraction experiences are fabulous and painless, with quick recoveries!
May your many awesome friends come to your rescue with ice cream and care as mine did! ::wink::
All Things Jane Austen, My New Hobby
Writing Letters-Regency Style and Book by & on Dear o’ Jane
It has been quite some time since I truly last wrote an entry to this publicly viewed eruption of my random thoughts and after reading some other entries from other people, I felt inspired to write on my new hobby: All things Jane…Jane Austen that is.
I have always had a love for the era’s of Elizabethan, Georgian, Regency, Victorian…but more and more I love that of the Regency era, fashion, and woman. I love the more understated era of the simple but strong woman like those in most of Jane’s books.
Since I was little, I have wanted the simple but still touch of elegance in dresses, manners, the dances, the language, the courtship, the love. I hoped growing up that there would be somewhere a city that would dress in that era, and run the town in that period just so I could visit and dress up, maybe secretly thinking, I’ll meet some dashing young man…O the naivety of young minds.
I have loved buying my Calligraphy pens, parchment paper, nibs and ink to write letters, diary entries, anything I could think of just as an excuse to use them and write! 
Just recently I picked up my writing again and have written a few friends, sealed with wax and the works. I remember my best friend was stunned that the Post Man delivered the letter without an envelope. She had researched how they folded letters in Regency era and sealed them.
Books…O how I LOVE buying books…now if only I loved reading books as much as I love buying them!
Recently I’ve been adding different versions of Jane Austen’s novels. I also bought some of the BBC adaptations of her novels. What has become my absolute favorite story but mainly due to the 2007 BBC version is “Persuasion”. I absolutely love Miss Anne Elliot and Captain Fredrick Wentworth’s story! Before one of my favorites 2 years ago was “Mansfield Park” but recently in the past year, the more and more I explore the story “Persuasion”, the more and more I fall in love with it.
Watching Anne write away in her journal teases me into writing with an inked pen in my own journal but I think of me writing multiple pages and needing to wait for the ink to dry before I move on to the next. How did they do it back then? Writing away in a fury and not being able to turn the page in your journal or for a story due to the wet ink. What if you needed to hide your journal in a hurry due to an unexpected visitor who just invited themselves into your quarters?
Random thoughts that pass my mind when I watch them live their day to day.
That’s where it has gone now, beyond the surface of the stories and further into the realistic nature of that period, the way they lived. The everyday inconveniences of their time and yet the gentile nature and character and manners of those days that I wish we stayed integral to.
The men…
yes, they still had their share of scoundrels back then as well but finding a good, well mannered, loyal, genuine man of valor who actually cherished women and treated them each as they should, was far easier then than it is now. There were far more of those then, than there are now. Now it’s the exception when back then it was the rule.
Jane Austen was surrounded by the ridiculous stress of society and a woman’s duty to sit and wait for things to happen, while men lived adventures and chose when they wanted to make a woman stop waiting. Granted there are still many other factors to why I am grateful to have been born in this era but truly wish there were certain aspects untainted from those eras that could have been translated to our day and time.
Since those hopes are not realistic, I as well as many others turn to books. Many specifically Jane Austen books. A momentary escape to a world more appealing than our own. A time more enchanting even if just a story.
I love old books. Old, hard cover books with that vintage feel to them. I’d love to build a full built-in wall bookshelf and stack them with books and vintage, artistic decor.
::happy sigh:: One day…
Some books other than Jane Austen novels I’ve been reading lately are:
“The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen” by Syrie James
and…
“I was Jane Austen’s best friend” by Cora Harrison
“I was Jane Austen’s best friend” has become one of my favorite books. I fell in love with Jane Austen’s cousin “Jenny Cooper” and the journey she takes during her stay at the Austen’s. Her and Jane are very young still. Jane’s 15 and Jenny is 17. I highly recommend it to any Jane Austen fan who wants to read a sweet charming story with the familiarity of loving characters we know well; Jane Austen spunky at 15, Cassandra, their brothers, Mr. and Mrs. Austen and even a Lefroy or two.
I am still in the beginning of “The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen” but hope it to be of great delight. It journeys through a possible great love, greater than Tom Lefroy. The “what if’s” for Jane. After all of all people, we all wished Jane could have experienced a great love. This book may be the closest thing to it. I will update when I can!
Well, done rambling about Jane Austen and such. I will leave you with this. 
For all you Janeites, enjoy and happy reading 
the Blackout
::cue in sarcasm:: “Fabulous…”
“Oh what a night!” It’s been an interesting day. It was DEFINITELY a “Manic Monday“. My friend Vany-Chan (as I and many others have called her) decided to start our new “On our way to good health” routine and start walking. After a stressful, tired, and grumpy day, walking was quite brilliantly the best idea of the day. We found this spot and area that is just perfect and after over an hour, I felt invigorated…soar but invigorated and at peace again.
The ugly one eyed monster went back into it’s little cave and shut up
After such a great walk and workout I was excited to run home, take a nice warm shower and watch “Dancing with the Stars”. HUSH! Dont judge me ::smirk::
As I’m driving down the road that leads home, I notice the street lights ahead of me just shut off. Now this didnt strike at first as weird cause I’ve noticed many times in the past how street lights at night, when passed by cars would turn off.
This always seemed ridiculous to me cause arent we needing the street lights at night to be ON when people pass by with their cars…not OFF!
So pretty much thought this was one of those times…till I reached the street “red light, green light” light. There were no red light green light street lights. Further down I saw the pitch darkness of night ahead of me.
I entered my complex and just knew…we had NO ELECTRICITY.
Great.
So I get home, light up some candles, gather with my bro in the living room and wait…
We were NOT happy, especially since this seems to be a most common 
occurrence in this neighborhood. In the daytime, these regular occurrences were not that irritating. At night this was NOT something I was looking forward to as I’m getting home after a workout, excited for my warm relaxing shower and Dancing with the Stars.
So I decided, “Hm…we’re stuck here. We at least have candle light, why not take advantage and read a book.
So I find my Jane Austen novel by candle light; almost felt as though I were in the Elizabethan era of the early 1800′s which I’ve always secretly have wished to live.
I’m inspired and love the idea of looking like this guy on the LEFT. I begin reading, tweet a little about it (so 1800′s of course) then the Eureka moment comes to me…
I look over at my brother and the poor guy is leaned back on the recliner board. We both have nothing to speak about and I’m contemplating my options here. Continue taking advantage of this rare peaceful opportunity or seize the thought in mind…
I look over at my brother and say, “Hey! Get your laptop, we’re going Starbucks!”
O how glorious, Electricity AND Internet. How sad is our generation! I didn’t last 20 minutes before I realized a more modernized experience in my impatience.
So how typical but here we are, glad for Starbucks internet and entertaining myself with a blog in the midst of this Blackout…well neighborhood blackout.
Well boys and girls, that’s my sad tale of giving in to modern comforts but Oh well. Hope you all are comfortable at home with all your modern comforts. Enjoy and good night!
