Hello Family and friends!




I pray that this letter finds you well, and full of joy this Christmas. It has been a tough year for a lot of us, but I’m sure we can all find something to be thankful for.

It’s hard to believe that we have been in our house for two full years now. God has blessed us mightily in answering our prayers for a home of our own. Being homeowners is hard work! We had to replace our hot water heater, and the back patio doors to name a few projects that needed to be done. We hope to do something with our back patio this spring, and put pipes underground to help with the stream we have running through our side yard. Although, Bailey dog likes to dig in the mud over there and come out with a brown nose, and a brown body too!

Many of you have come to visit us in our new home, and we are always happy to receive visitors. Give us a call, and come see our house if you haven’t been here in a while. We put out Christmas lights for the first time this year, and Shawn says I started something that I can’t take back now. It’s a challenge for an electrician who likes to make it like day outside when it’s night.

Shawn is busy keeping the business going. We had some rough patches there, but God has been faithful to us. Shawn, Blaine, and Brandon have been busy here in Pennsylvania, but they also travel to New Jersey and Delaware doing work for Genuardi’s. Praise the Lord that he opened new doors, and helped Shawn pass
those difficult exams for licenses.

Jessie is growing like a weed. She is in the 4th grade now, and is an excellent student. She loves to read, and especially loves to read bible stories and chapter books. She is finding her own style, and likes to wear fashion scarves and legwarmers. She is discovering that having her nails painted is fun!

Jessica is in her 5th year of dance. This year the theme of their performance is “The ugly duckling”. She has scored a duet with a fellow student which is a high honor. Although, she would rather not be a rooster! Along with being a rooster, she is a beautiful goose, a duckling that hatches out of an egg (which she is so excited about), and dancing a jazz dance to “double dutch bus”.

Stephanie keeps busy volunteering at church and at Jessica’s school as homeroom mom. I have been running the women’s ministry at church for a few years now which includes leading the women’s bible study, and leading a team to do a one day retreat in the spring. I also lead our “circle of joy” which started out as a crafting circle, and has evolved into teas, luaus, game nights and all sorts of events. I have recently learned how to knit, and have been knitting all kinds of gifts. You never know, you might be my next giftee!

Our lives are full and blessed. Our biggest blessing is the love of our family and friends. Come visit us soon!

Much love to you all!

Steph, Shawn, and Jess

Standing up for your faith

Welcome to my Monday Manna post. If you want to particpate too, you can join us at:

http://joannesher.blogspot.com/2009/11/ultimate-faith-monday-manna.html

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:16-18

Compromise. The word means to expose or make vulnerable to danger, suspicion, scandal, etc. It also means to make a dishonorable or shameful concession. Compromise is not a nice word. So why do so many Christians make compromises when it comes to their faith?

I had a conversation with someone the other day that I will share with you. Miss A and I were talking about clothing. She described to me a store that she had been in. Her experience went something like this: Upon walking in the store, her jaw hit the floor. Looking around the store was appalling. There were many things that she saw that were quite disturbing. Most specifically, she saw sesame street characters on shirts doing not so nice things to each other. She went specifically in the store for a twilight shirt (which I will let the whole "twilight" thing go for now) for her daughter that she knew they carried. Her spirit was telling her to flee, but instead she quickly purchased the shirt and left. In doing this, she is supporting this store, and allowing them to continue to sell those graphic shirts to teens. It's time to take a stand fellow brethren! Ezekiel 11:11-12 says ...I will execute judgment on you at the borders of Israel. And you will know that I am the LORD, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you. We are called to not compromise with this world!

One of the things that I have been convicted of regarding compromise and my integrity is in the area of media. Whether it be cd's or printed books, there are certain restrictions on copying. People will ask me if they can have a copy of this song or another song and I must politely decline. The reason the copyright laws are in place is because if we make copies for our friends, the artists don't get the proceeds from our friends buying the cd. It doesn't matter if our friends are "not going to sell them" or not. It's like stealing the proceeds from those albums. We think "Oh they make a lot of money, one copy won't hurt". It does! It hurts our integrity. Integrity is defined as adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty and also the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished. Let's set an example, and preserve our integrity.

I know that it is hard to stand out. Daniel's friends stood out. They stood up for their faith and their God. The punishment was set to be death by fire. God walked with them through the fire, and preserved them. Our God is faithful, and the same yesterday, today, and forever. Take a stand for your faith today. God will walk you also through the fire.

God's blessings to you today!

My daybook

FOR TODAY October 5th, 2009...

Outside my window... A gorgeous fall day, with lots of sunshine, and the breeze tickling the leaves on the trees.

I am thinking...about nothing today. Yes, nothing. I know...really boring isn't it? I'm letting my day just be really spontaneous and what gets done, gets done. Nice to have a day like that every once in a while.

I am thankful for...My health. I'm just getting over a cold.

From the kitchen... It seems like a roast kind of day. I think I might put a roast in the oven for dinner with carrots, potatoes and onions. YUM!

I am wearing... My robe! LOL Yes, it's almost 12 and I'm not dressed yet. See comment above about my day! It is next on my not so ordered agenda though. I'm thinking jeans and my cozy red sweatshirt.

I am creating... peace for myself. Trying to lay low, and take care of myself.

I am going... Nowhere? At least for the moment. I have music practice tonite, and
I'm trying out a yoga class on Thursday nite. Should be interesting!

I am reading... Phillipians. Joy, joy, joy!

I am hoping... to get my house cleaned up after the mayhem of my daughter and I both being sick at the same time. Need to get everything disinfected before I allow anyone into my house.

I am hearing... Just the hum of the computer. Silence really is golden sometimes.
Around the house... Just some cleanup as mentioned above. Maybe finish the afghan for the couch here soon.

One of my favorite things...Snuggling on the couch with my husband after Jess gets to bed. I really missed this while I was trying to keep him from getting sick.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Music practice, bible study, New Yoga class, and walking in the Alzheimer's walk with a friend in honor of her Dad.

No pictures this week. hopefully I'll have some next week. Till then, The Lord turn his face toward you, and give you peace! (Numbers 6:26)

If you'd like to do a daybook of your own, be sure to visit http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

The Cutting Edge

The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. Deuteronomy 30:6

Ok, ladies, blush now and get it over with. Men, cringe now and get it over with. This post is mostly about the male s*x organ. Yes, you have reached my blog, and you didn't get re-directed to some random place. No, it's not health class either. Today I will share a bit about the Jewish rite of circumcision.

Growing up with a Jewish background is really a blessing for me. As I learn more and more about our great faith, it is easy for me to grasp some of the significance of the rituals done in the old testament. Although I have not experienced a Bri Milah myself, it is talked about often in the Jewish faith. Bri literally means covenent; it is the very first covenant between Abraham and God. If we look at Genesis 17:10-14, we will see where God commanded Abraham to circumcise himself, his "seeds", and those of his household not of his seed, but purchased (servants). The circumcision is a sign of the Jewish people's consecration to God.

What is circumcision? It is the practice of cutting away the foreskin of the penis. The Torah calls it the "orlah". The commandment is written that on the eighth day, a male child is to be circumcised. It is the only drawing of blood that is allowed on the Sabbath. As with all commandments, it can only be postponed because of health reasons. There is really no reason given for why it is to be the eighth day, but modern medicine has found that babies clotting abilities stabilize on the 8th day after birth. Amazing!

There are many reasons to consider circumcision for a man. Research at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore have shown that circumcised men are six to eight times less likely to become infected with HIV, the virus that causes Aids. Researchers believe that protection is due to the removal of the foreskin, which contains cells that have HIV receptors which scientists suspect are the primary entry point for the HIV virus. (Reuters, March 25, 2004)

Other studies have reported that infants get less urinary tract infections, bacterial and fungal infections, and other infections related to hygiene. Also, there is an extremely low rate of cervical cancer in Jewish women which is thought to be related to the practice of circumcision. So the bottom line is this: It is thought to be healthier for the man, and his partner if he is circumcised. I think God knows what He is doing here! It is also healthier for us if our hearts are circumcised in the same way.

"It is a foundation of Judaism that we are to control our animal desires and direct them into spiritual pursuits. Nowhere does a person have more potential for expressing "barbaric" behavior than in the s*x drive. That's why the Bris is done on this specific organ. If we bring holiness into our life there, then all other areas will follow" http://www.britpro.com/default.asp?p=article2

Although I don't necessarily agree with everything in the statement above, if we look at this from the perspective of circumcising the heart....it is most true. If God brings holiness into our life in our hearts, all other areas will follow. We have a foreskin around our hearts, that only God can remove. It is a tough outer skin, that only harbors bacteria, lets bad things in, and is all around unhealthy for us. Our foreskin is made of sin. It is made of flesh. Acts 7:51 says that our uncircumcised hearts make us resist the Holy Spirit. It keeps the bad things in, and the good things out. Romans 2:28 tells us that circumcision is not merely outward and physical. Colossians 2:11 tells us that being circumcised means that we put off the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men, but with the circumcision done by Christ.

When an infant is circumcised, he has no choice. In the Jewish faith, it is a ritual done with much fanfare. The Godfather holds the baby, an ornate chair is set our for Elijah, the child is given a formal Hebrew name, holy prayers are recited, and there is a festive meal prepared and enjoyed by all. It is a celebration of covenant between God, and man.

When a Christian has a circumcised heart, it is a choice they have made. They have yielded to God. The Holy Spirit has begun to cut away the tough outer skin. They have made themselves vulnerable to God, and in turn to their fellow man. A circumcised heart will look different. It will begin to reflect what is in the heart of God. Our hearts will no longer be filled with only evil, all the time (Genesis 6:5-6, 8:21). Our hearts will begin to be infused with what is in God's heart--compassion, mercy, lovingkindness, righteous anger, love, and much, much, more.

Today, you have a choice. Leave the tough, outer skin of protection that harbors sickness, unforgiveness, pain, and sin; or choose to yield it all to the one who longs to ransom your heart. The one who wants to start peeling all of that away from your life, and give you new life in Him. Beloved, it is up to you. I'm not going to say that it won't be painful, because it will. There will be no circumcision without pain and trial. God has said that He will test us to see what is in our hearts. He has also given us a promise to never leave us or forsake us. His loving arms will be held out to you the entire time. Will you run to Him? Will you let Him begin to cleanse you? May the Lord bless you, and keep you. In Jesus precious and mighty name. Amen.

Monday manna

Hi everyone! Welcome back to my blog for this weeks Monday Manna. This verse is so short! Don't think that a verse that has only 12 words is not enormous in it's meaning! Check this out:

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

Yeah, that's it. Doesn't it seem so simple? The God of the universe, who is mighty to save, will come to your rescue. PERIOD. We have a knight in shining armor, who has a sword and shield prepared for battle on our behalf. I can just picture Jesus, in a knight's uniform. My mind's eye sees a purple plume on the top of the helmet (purple stands for royalty), the metal polished so that it reflects the light of his glory coming from within him, easily wielding a sword bigger than Him, and a shield adorned with jewels that protects most of him, that I could probably sit on. How magnificent He looks! Regardless of how your imagination might picture Him going to battle for you, one thing remains the same. He is ready, willing, and able to fight on your behalf.

The knowing is easy for me. I know for sure that God is bigger than anything I can imagine. I know for sure that He is my Saviour, and that means a wide variety of things. I know for sure that God is for me, and not against me. I know that He has plans for me that were written before I was born, that are to prosper me, and not harm me. The problem comes in the "being still" part.

One of the things that I am reflecting on today, is cancer. In the past few weeks, I've found that 2 acquaintances of mine have stage 4 cancer. Stage 4 is the terminal kind. Both of these people are believers of the living God. They have both been saved by grace. Where is the fight for them? I know that one couple is for sure being still and relying on God. They are right now making a decision to continue treatment or not. Does being still mean not to take treatments, and trust that God will fight the battle of cancer on thier behalf? I cannot answer that question with any amount of clarity. There are some things in this lifetime that we are just not going to be able to understand. Is it frustrating? YES! I believe that we can voice that frustration to God. I believe that we can shout, cry, question, and shake our fists at the situation in the presence of The Almighty. It doesn't mean that we will necessarily recieve the answer that we want, but I think that that is all part of intimacy with Him.

This verse also made me think of the story of the israelites in battle in Exodus 17.

10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

I think there comes a point when we get restless of waiting. God's timing is not our own. A year for us is but a breath for Him. His timing is perfect; ours is not. Maybe God sends people into our lives during difficult times to hold up our hands in battle. Someone to lift us in prayer when we cannot utter the words. Someone to stand alongside us in the winning, and the losing of the battle. We were not meant to go this journey alone. I don't care what you are going through....cancer, loss of a loved one, infertility, a defiant teenager, drug or alcohol abuse, you name it......you can always, if you look hard enough, find someone who has been there. We go through trials in our lives for many different reasons. I believe one of those reasons is so that your testimony of what the living God has brought you through will encourage others in their faith. The question we are left with is this: Are we bold enough to use it for Him?

The last thing that we can consider based upon this verse is slander. In this life, there will be pain. Some of it is physical, and some is emotional. People are far from perfect. They will hurt you, it is inevitable. Chances are, some time in your life, you will be spoken of unkindly. Someone will say something that is either not true, or some darker shade of the truth. It is in these times that we can rest in God, and let Him fight that battle for us. Will there be carnage that you might have to push through? Yep! As long as we keep our mouths shut, we will not add to that carnage.

In closing, I will just say this....I am still a work in progress. Sitting still is not one of my personality traits. I need to ask God to help me with this, and chances are you do too. I think God has a much better chance of winning the battles than I EVER will! How about you?

Monday manna

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9


When I first saw this verse, (and the ones prior to it) I didn't think there was anything more that I could say to illuminate them. Of course, I was wrong and God had a different plan. As I went through this week, God was planting little nuggets to help me understand them better. First let me say that I had typed this all up, and thought it was saved. I pushed the post button and it all disappeared. I'm hoping this second version will live up to the first one's legacy LOL.

I was watching the movie Fireproof last night. If you have not seen this movie, you must. I don't care if you are single, married, divorced, widowed, etc. It is a wonderful testimony of God's redemptive power in relationships. In the movie, Caleb, (Kirk Cameron) recieves a book from his father called "The Love Dare". The instructions are to focus on a different aspect of marriage or your spouse every day for 40 days. One of the days leads Caleb to study his wife. He was to make a candlelit dinner for her, and to ask her some questions at this dinner to see what makes her tick. What makes her happy? What makes her sad? What are her dreams? What does she love?

As Christians, we should be doing the same with God. We should be having candlelit dinner with Him, and have a list of questions to ask Him. How do we do that? The only way to ask God questions here on this earth is through prayer and reading His word. Our candlelit dinners full of questions are our devotional times with the Lord. Let's think about putting on a candlelit dinner for a moment. We get out the good china and silverware, throw on the linen tablecloth, play soft music, pull out our best recipes, and don't forget the candles! When the moment comes, we make sure we look our best and everything is perfectly ready for our guest. Do we do this for the Lord? Don't misunderstand me here. I'm not saying that God will only accept us if we are polished and perfect. I'm also not talking about needing hours to meet with God. I'm talking about the posture of our hearts. Are we coming with an open heart to God or have we put up walls of self-defense? Have we prepared ourselves to meet with him or are we just going through the motions? Are we giving him the first fruits of our time, or just the scraps that fell off our schedule? Are we soaking in his word, or are we distracted by other things that we just can't get off our mind? We were created to be in fellowship with our Lord. He wants our best offerings, not our leftovers.

In the bible, our relationship with the Lord is compared to a marriage relationship.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Rev 19:7

Do you see that? The bride has made herself ready! My friends, there are many ways we can get ready for our Lord. One of those ways is by getting to know the character of our God. My friend preached the sermon at our church this Sunday for the family service. She is travelling to Disney as I type this. My friend told us about how she got ready for her trip by doing some research. She looked up the Disney characters in books to learn all about them. The reason she did this, was so that when they saw the different characters at the theme park, they would recognize them, and know what role they played in the Disney movies. The only way we can recognize God, is if we know his character. What pleases Him? What burdens His heart? What (or who) does He love? What are His desires? We can learn all of this in His word.

And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,so your God will rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:5b

Paul said ANYTHING you have learned or seen from him, put into practice. Paul was certain that what he was teaching, and modeling, was all that he learned from Christ. Christ was certain that everything He was doing, His Father in heaven was doing as well.

Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. John 5:19

Have you ever seen a little girl playing dress up with mommy's high heels, and scarves and hats? How about a little boy strapping on his daddy's toolbelt and boots? They want to be just like us. We are children of the most high God. We too should be trying to be just like our heavenly Father. How about we strap on his helmet, and wield his sword and shield, and grow up to be just like him?

Monday Manna :)

Hello there! Yes....I am terrible at all this blogging stuff. I have such good intentions, with such bad follow through. I will keep plugging along, because that is how my life goes!

One of the things that has heightened my interest in getting back here is Monday Manna over at my friend Joanne's blog. If you have not met her, go here: http://joannesher.blogspot.com . She is a fellow Christian that grew up Jewish and is a budding writer. I love her entries!

So without further ado....


The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." Genesis 12:1

Joanne's question is this: What does this verse say to you?

Well, at first I was like "nothing!". Then I really got to thinking about this verse. It is really rich with meaning for me. In this verse, The Lord is asking Abram to leave everything he knows. Abram grew up with his people, his father's household, his country. Sure, they may have travelled a bit, had travellers come to their area, accepted changes to their way of life occasionally. What God was asking was that he leave those things behind to accept the things that God held for him. All I have to say is "scary!".

When I was in high school, I met a boy. Ok, several of them. I was searching for something to fill the hole, the emptiness, I felt inside. My search led me to my husband, and to The King of Kings. This was a whole new experience for me. I found a man (ok, boy) that loved me for who I was, not what I could give to him or do for him. Someone who came from a family that accepted me from day one with the love of Jesus.

Church was something that intrigued me. I loved hebrew school, and learning about all the old bible stories. I loved the holy days, especially Purim. So, I started going to church with my husband. Finally, after seeing a play called "heavens gates, hell's flames" I accepted the Lord as my Savior and friend. This name that was never spoken in our house, was now upon my lips. My father's, or more accurately, my mothers house was not impressed.

God had called me out of my household, and all that I had known, and asked me to follow him. I did, not knowing what he had in store for me. Was it scary? Yes! I was walking a path that was previously not known to me or my ancestors (my mom-Jewish, my dad-catholic, me-born again believer). It was a walk of trust and faith. It still is.

Had I known that God was going to trust ME so much, I may not have chosen this path. You see, I am just dust. Without the breath of life from God inside my nostrils, I am nothing. Add God, and I can do anything he empowers me to do. I never dreamed I would be leading ladies in a study of God's word. I never dreamed I would be leading women in worship. I never dreamed I would be the worshipper that I have come to be. I never dreamed that I would be so in love with a savior that is unseen.

What I am saying is this: What you have on this earth is nothing compared to what God has already prepared for you. He is holding onto it, waiting for your obedience, and is waiting to bless you with it. Step out in faith, you will not be sorry.

Steph

For Today...

FOR TODAY June 22, 2009...

Outside my window...The leaves are blowing pretty good today. The weatherman told us that we will get a break again today from the rain, but I'm not sure I believe him just yet. There are some pretty grey clouds out there and the sun is hiding. I'm so tired of the dreariness of it all.

I am thinking...of how busy this week is going to be.

I am thankful for...an awesome Esther night on Saturday. We read the book of Esther and drowned out the name of Haman with our noisemakers. Then we got beautiful for the King. Then we had an amazing time of worship led by a local all-girl worship band. It was amazing, and God totally met us there.

From the kitchen...I need to make something for an end of the year class party for dessert. Any suggestions?

I am wearing...grey shorts and a black tshirt with stars.

I am creating...a clean, inviting home :)

I am going...to the beach! So excited to travel with a friend to the beach for an extended day trip.

I am reading...Psalms

I am hoping...that the car battery lasts through the trip. It's been giving me a bit of trouble the past few days.

I am hearing...My daughter playing dance dance mario.

Around the house...putting away everything from Esther night and packing.

One of my favorite things...a good book, my sand chair and the sound of the children playing in the ocean.

A few plans for the rest of the week:ballet! My daughter's performance is this weekend, and there are rehearsals planned for this week.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...Join us at http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Monday June 15 2009 Daybook

FOR TODAY June 15, 2009...

Outside my window...A bright sunshiny day! My pool is sparkly, and the trees are waving hello.

I am thinking...About the reasons I get overwhelmed with my house, and my life.

I am thankful for...Nice quiet afternoons. Won't be too many of those from here to September.

From the kitchen...Breakfast and dinner for Bailey the dog. Rice and chicken for now. I'm hoping she's feeling better soon.

I am wearing...Jean capris and a soft pink top with embroidery around the keyhole neckline.

I am creating...a mess?

I am going...To the beach with my good friends next week.

I am reading...Captivating. Fantastic book to help us understand why we are who we are.

I am hoping...To hear from God today.

I am hearing...The buzz of the pool filter, and the mindless noise of the t.v.

Around the house...I'm hoping to weed and deadhead the flowerbeds, as well as replace some of the flowers that got too wet and didn't make it.

One of my favorite things...Harmony with my daughter.

A few plans for the rest of the week:Softball games, swimming, and bible study.

Here is picture thought I am sharing..Want to join us? http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Back to the Monday morning daybook!

FOR TODAY March 9th, 2009

Outside my window...Outside, it looks much like my mood. Kind of gray and gloomy, but I can hear the birds singing a praise song just outside my view.

I am thinking...that amidst the things that are trying to pull me in five different directions, there is a God who is a steady anchor for me that has breakthrough just on the other side.

I am thankful for...the health of my family.

From the kitchen...just a mess of dishes

I am wearing...a short sleeve red shirt with gray sweatpants and no shoes

I am creating...the mini women's retreat for church

I am going...to take my dad to the orthopedic for his crushed toe

I am reading...captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge. An amazing book with much insight into the feminine heart.

I am hoping...that my mil can watch my child with a belly ache this morning while I take dad to the dr.

I am hearing...the hum of the computer

Around the house...chaos that needs to be taken care of

One of my favorite things...the smell of clean sheets

A few plans for the rest of the week: Taking care of my dad, finishing the Beth Moore study with the women on Wednesday, going to see the PA ballet dress rehearsal on Friday with Jessie's dance class.

No picture today...can't find a good one!

Want to join in with us?

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/