Violin Prodigy or Just Enthusiastic?

My daughter loves the violin. She has wanted to learn to play the violin just like her Aunt Heather since she was 2 years old. This summer she received her very own 16th violin. She was so excited. She immediately took it out of the case, went up to Aunt Heather, and said, "I want to play the bumblebee song." She was referring to Flight of the Bumblebee. Then she proceeded to move the bow rapidly across the strings, screeching horribly. She was completely convinced that she had played the bumblebee song.

Whenever my sister comes to visit she gives my daughter violin lessons. She already knows all the parts of the violin and bow, the names of the strings, how to hold the violin properly, and can pluck strings on command. She is just starting to learn how to hold the bow properly.

Soon I want her to be able to take real lessons and maybe someday she will be a great violinst. One day when she learns to really play Flight of the Bumblebee I will have to show her a video of her first attempt at age three.

Mary Did You Know?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know---

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb---

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great--I--- AM---.

- by Mark Lowry

I think this song is a beautiful reminder that baby Jesus, Who's birth we celebrate this time of year, was not just a ordinary baby, but the Son of God, the great I AM Himself! What a wonderful privilege Mary had to be the mother of the One Who would save the world from their sins. As you celebrate this holiday season, don't forget that Jesus didn't stay a little baby. He is the Savior of the world and He is still alive today, just as powerful as He was back then.

Merry Christmas to you all and have a Happy New Year!

My Alien

Four years ago I married an alien. He had come to earth from Saturn seeking...no, no, that's not right. He was only an alien from Canada, a Newfie (sounds like a kind of dog). Well, for the last four years I have enjoyed being married to an alien. He's quite proud of being Canadian and we enjoy teasing each other about our countries. But for four years two countries were united and respected in our home.

Unfortunately, I am sad to say, I am no longer married to an alien. No, we did not split up. He just decided to become one of us. Last week he became a citizen of the United States of America. So, even though he is still a proud Canadian at heart (he wanted to wear a Canadian tie to the oath ceremony) I can no longer say I am married to an alien.

I'm not really disappointed that he is American now. I am very proud of him. God bless America...and Canada!

God Is Listening

God is amazing! He knows just when I need to hear from Him. I have been praying about a lot of things lately, seeking direction, but feeling like He's not listening. Then last night God answered one of my prayers that I prayed for months ago. It wasn't anything big or amazing, but it was like God was saying, "See, I am listing to you. I do care about you and will help you." It was a huge comfort to me and it gave me hope. Now He has given me an opportunity to be used by Him. And I pray that He will use me to make a difference.

What Is God's Will?

What is God's will for my life? What is God's will in certain circumstances? How do you know God's will? I have been searching for an answer to these questions since I was a teenager. The answer that has been given to me by several people is that God's will is to please Him everyday in everything I do. As a result of that advice 2 Corinthians 5:9 has become my life verse: "So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it."(NIV) But even that still doesn't answer my questions for big decisions.

Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

This verse has been popping into my head a lot lately and I think God is trying to teach me this same lesson He taught Paul. (Thankfully I haven't had to go through anything as drastic as what Paul went through.) I think He wants me to learn "in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." He seems to be trying to teach me that in more than one sense of the word "state".

One thing about me is that I like to know what's going on and be prepared for whatever is coming next in my life; to have a plan. I hate being in the dark. I don't like surprises (unless they're good surprises). Well, God seems to have other plans for me. He likes to keep me in the dark. And it drives me crazy. So maybe God is trying to teach me to be content and trust Him even in the dark, even when I don't know what's going on. It's really hard to be content with the unknown because I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing to prepare for the unknown.

There is also the other sense of the word "state" that I am struggling to be content in. We are considering moving. As my husband comes across various job opportunities, we are again faced with the question: "What is God's will?" There are some states that I would be happy to move to, and other that don't sound so exciting. I have to keep reminding myself that it doesn't matter where I want to live. Wherever God sends me I will need to be content. But how will we recognize God's will when we see it?

In the first Harry Potter book Harry comes across a magic mirror called the Mirror of Erised. When he looks inside it he sees himself with his parents who died when he was a baby. As Harry stands there trying to figure out what the mirror does, Dumbledore helps him out. He says, "The happiest man on earth would be able to use the Mirror of Erised like a normal mirror, that is, he would look into it and see himself exactly as he is. It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desprate desire of our hearts." If I were to look in that mirror I would see all sorts of things. But if I could just learn to be content, even if I don't know God's will, I would see myself just as I am now, the way God made me, where He wants me; in the center of His will. Maybe it is God's will for me not to know His will (if that makes any sense). Maybe He just wants me to be content in the dark.

Morning Bird

I woke up early one morning

The earth lay cool and still

When suddenly a tiny bird

Perched on my windowsill.

He sang a song so lovely

So carefree and so gay

That slowly all my troubles

Began to slip away.

He sang of far off places

Of laughter and of fun

It seems his winsome tweeting

Brought up the morning sun.

I stirred beneath the covers

Crept slowly out of bed

Then gently lowered the window

And crushed his little head.

I am not a morning person.

I don't know who wrote that poem but I like it. No, I would not harm a little bird that woke me early in the morning with a sweet song, though I have been tempted to let my husband get rid of the birds who unceasingly tap on the outside of my bedroom wall at the break of dawn every morning. Generally I do like birds. But I am not a morning person.

AtHome America

We recently got a new youth pastor at our church. The Hargraves are a sweet couple; newly married and expecting their first child. Since Angie wants to spend a lot of time with her baby, she found a career that will allow her to do that. She is a HomeStyle Specialist with AtHome America.

AtHome America sells a wide variety of products from dishes to end tables to decorations for your home. Please check out her website and see all the nice things you could buy. The website is athome.com/ahargrave.

If you see something you want to buy, order from Angie so she gets all the benefits. Also if you decide to buy something please contact me and give me your name so I can get credit too. As a hostess I can get discounts if people order through me.

You can contact me by leaving a comment on this blog or email me. There is an email link on the bottom of my website, Beauty of the Heart. Follow the link to the right.

Enjoy browsing!

Hi Jesus!

My daughter says and does a lot of cute things. Lately she has been trying to understand things about Jesus and other biblical things. So from time to time I will have to share these stories.

Today my daughter came into my room while I was studying my Bible and said “Jesus isn’t here. He can’t hear me.” I told her, “Yes He is. He is right here and heard you say that.” So she looked up and said “Hi!” Then she looked at me and said, “Will Jesus say hi to me?” I told her that you can’t hear Jesus speak out loud. He speaks to us through the Bible. So she looked down at my Bible that was sitting on my lap and said “hi!” then put her ear to it expecting Jesus to answer. I explained to her that God wrote the Bible and that is His way of talking to us, then I read her a verse.

Three Little Princesses

Little girls are so cute and so much fun. Today we had a birthday party for my 3 year old daughter. My daughter had been looking forward to this party for months so when her friends arrived she was jumping for joy. Excitement filled the room as 3 little girls chattered and played their little girly games together. The excitement was contageous. As I watched them play dress-up and playdoh and tea party I remembered back to when I was a little girl playing those same games. I kind of wished I could go back to that age and join them. I definately wish I had their energy. As I look back on this day I will remember three little princesses filling my home with childish laughter.

The Joy and Delight of My Heart

Jeremiah 15:16
"Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord, God of hosts."

This was my favorite verse that I read today in my devotions. I have been noticing that when I spend time in the Word I have an inexplicable joy. I guess it's not really inexplicable since I know that the joy comes from spending time with my Savior. It refreshes my soul to study God's Word after a long hard day. And God is truly becoming the joy and delight of my heart.

My Daughter's Prayer

On and off over the last few months my daughter has been asking for a sister or brother. She is about to turn 3. Yesterday during breakfast she made the request again. I told her she should pray and ask Jesus to give her a sister or brother. So she asked, "Can I pray right now?" I said, "Sure." She sweetly prayed, "Jesus, I want a sister." Then she quickly looked at me and asked, "Is Jesus here?" I said, "Yes, He's right here and He heard your prayer." So she prayed again, "Jesus, I want a brother." Again she asked me if Jesus was here and I assured her that He was here and heard her prayer.

What a joy it is to teach my daughter about Jesus and that He's always with us and hears our prayers. It's encouraging to see her pray with the unquestioning faith of a child. And when God answers her prayer she will see His love and power.

I pray for the day when she will understand salvation's message and ask Jesus to save her and give her heart fully to Him. Yesterday at church she pointed to the baptistry and said she wanted to be baptized. Then she lay down on the pew and sat back up while verbally describing how a person goes under the water and comes back up. I was amazed that she understood that. I explained to her that she couldn't be baptized until she asked Jesus to be her Savior. She doesn't quite understand that concept yet but as I keep teaching her I hope she will come to understand.

I am encouraged by the questions she asks about Jesus and Biblical things. And even more encouraged when she seems to grasp something I tell her. I've never taught someone so young about God before so I don't know what all she is able to understand or how to simplify things to her level. But she likes to hear Bible stories and even just to listen to me read the Bible out loud. I pray that she will always have a love for the Bible. She has already memorized 2 Bible verses.

Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Proverbs 20:11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Even at her young age she is a huge example to me. She makes me think about my own faith. It seems so easy for her to trust and have faith. I wish I had her faith. I hope she will never lose her child-like faith but that it will grow stronger.

What Is Your Future?

Everywhere I go I pass places offering psychic readings of your future. These places are wicked and God condemns them, but sometimes I feel sorry for them because I know their future. The thought has crossed my mind to go up to one and tell them their future - even for free.

I see a Great White Throne and God is sitting on the throne. Billions of people are gathered around as you stand before the Throne. The books are opened as God searches for your name. Your name is not there. You fall down before the holy God, begging and pleading with Him because you realize what it means to not have your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life. You will worship Him and claim to have done many things for Him. But He will reply, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you worker of lawlessness. Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."

Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 25:31-33,41-46

Now you can't see anything, just utter darkness.You can't even see your hand in front of your face. But it is so hot! You hear the roar of unquenchable flames. You feel unbearable pain as the flames engulf your entire body, yet it does not consume you. The strong scents of sulfur and brimstone churn your stomach and burn your eyes. Your tongue is swollen and your voice hoarse as you cry out for a drop of water to ease your unquenchable thirst. Worms crawl all over your body. Your voice joins billions of others in the wailing and gnashing of teeth against the anguish and torment. You are filled with despair and hopelessness. One thought haunts you for all eternity: "Why didn't I trust Jesus as my Savior when I had a chance?" You know that all believers are in paradise with God and you are stuck here in the Lake of Fire for all eternity. This is your eternal punishment for rejecting God. This is your future. This is the second death.

This is not my prediction of the future; it is God's. It is the future of everyone who rejects Him by not putting their faith and trust in Jesus Christ to save them.

Outer or utter darkness: Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30; 2 Peter 2:17; Jude 1:13
Eternal unquenchable fire: Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 3:12; 25:41; Mark 9:43,44,48; Jude 1:7
Sulfur and brimstone: Revelation 19:20; 20:10; 21:8
Unquenchable thirst: Luke 16:24
Worms that shall not die: Isaiah 66:24; Mark 9:48
Weeping or wailing and gnashing of teeth; anguish; torment: Matthew 8:12; 13:42; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28; 16:23-25,28; Revelation 20:10

I do not wish that future on anyone. Praise the Lord, you get to choose your future! God doesn't wish that future on anyone either. You don't have to spend eternity in the Lake of Fire. If you would rather spend eternity in heaven with God, all you have to do is believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins then rose again three days later; repent of your sins and ask Jesus to save you. If you would like to find out how to do that, click on the link to the right, Beauty of the Heart, then the top link, Beauty in Living for God.

Since I put my faith and trust in Jesus as my Savior, I have a different future; one that I am looking forward to. I am a child of God; the bride of Christ; and I will spend eternity in God's presence, praising Him, worshipping Him, and fellowshipping with Him. It is the future you can have too. The choice is yours. Keep in mind as you make your decision that salvation is not a 'fire escape'. Your motive for getting saved should not be to escape hell, but to have a personal relationship with God. Which future do you choose?

Protector Guardian

I recently took a Myers-Briggs typology test just for fun. According to them I am a Protector Guardian. The first thing that popped into my head when I read that was an image of Mushu. Then I read the description of Protector Guardian. Some of the characteristics are: service to others, seeing to their safety and security, high developed work ethic, etc. That doesn't sound much like Mushu.

Now, I don't put a lot of stock in these tests, but it got me thinking about my personality, strengths and weaknesses, and my role as a wife, mother, and Christian. God wants me to be a protector guardian, not because some test says that's what I am, but because His Word says I should be.

Protector Guardian for my Husband:

• Protect my relationship with him by being loving, submissive, and putting him first (Eph. 5:22)
• Protect my time with him by making him my top priority and always being there for him (Phil. 2:3,4)
• Protect his happiness by not nagging or having a bad attitude (Prov. 31:26; Prov. 12:4)
• Pray for him (Col. 1:9)

Protector Guardian for my Daughter:

• Protect her spiritually by teaching her about God, salvation, and morals (Deut. 6:5-7)
• Protect her emotionally by providing a stable, safe, happy homelife (Eph. 6:4)
• Protect her future by preparing her for the real world when she grows up (3 Jn. 1:4; 2 Tim. 3:14,15)
• Protect her physically by taking care of her when she's sick or hurt and making sure she has everything she needs every day (Prov. 31:15,21)
• Pray for her (Heb. 13:18)

Protector Guardian for my Home:

• Make it a refuge where my family feels safe and are happy to come home to (Prov. 31:10-31)
• Create a pleasant atmosphere that is cheerful, comforting, warm, and positive (Prov. 14:1)
• Manage my home well and take care of it (Tit. 2:5)

Protector Guardian for my Friends:

• Be a good friend (Prov. 18:24)
• Be encouraging and honest (Prov. 12:25)
• Be there in good times and in bad (Phil. 2:4)
• Always have a listening ear, but keep confidences (Prov. 27:9)
• Be forgiving (Prov. 15:1; Eph. 4:32)
• Don't gossip or slander (Prov. 15:28)
• Pray for them (Eph. 6:18)

Protector Guardian of my Relationship with God:

• Spend time in His Word, studying it and applying it to my life (2 Tim. 2:15)
• Pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17)
• Serve Him (Ps. 100:2)
• Tell others about Him (Mk. 16:15)
• Trust in Him for everything (Prov. 3:5,6)
• Be a good testimony (1Tim. 4:12)
• Do everything for His glory and to please Him (Col. 3:23)

I take my role as 'Protector Guardian' seriously. I certainly don't want to be like Mushu. His motives were all wrong. He wanted to protect Mulan so he could gain honor and glory and put himself on a pedestal. God looks at our motives and I will be held accountable in heaven for all that I do on earth, and for my motives. So instead, I want to be a servant, like Christ, doing but asking nothing in return; putting others first and giving God all the glory and honor. When others look at me I hope they never see a Mushu, but Christ.
Heb. 13:17; Col. 3:17,23-25; 2 Cor. 5:9,10

Shakespeare in the Park

Last night I went with my husband, daughter, and sister to see Shakespeare in the Park. They put on A Midsummer Night's Dream. I enjoyed it very much. It had been a long time since I had been to anything like this and I really like Shakespeare. But I think what I enjoyed the most about it was introducing my daughter to Shakespeare. She is not quite 3 years old and this is the first play of any kind that I have taken her to. She certainly didn't understand what was going on, but by the end of the night she could tell us who's picture was on the fans that were handed out when we walked into the park (Shakespeare's) and she understood that the people on the stage were acting out a story.

I didn't expect her to sit through the whole 3 hours and pay attention (and she didn't) but she behaved and enjoyed it in her own way a lot better than I expected. When she wasn't wandering around our seats or playing with the fans, she actually watched the play and asked questions. She even wanted to get involved in the play. She danced and waved her arms along with the faeries; she wanted to climb the "tree" on stage when she saw Puck the fairy climb it; she laughed whenever anyone fell down and clapped along with everyone else. She even seemed to understand some of the rivalry. Her favorite character was Puck, who was dressed in bright orange clothes and had wild orange hair. She also liked the man dressed as a lion at the end.

Overall it was a fun night and my daughter is already asking when we can go again. I guess it's not too early to introduce an almost 3-year-old to Shakespeare.

Schitzophrenics Anonymous

These are the sort of things you might hear at a Schitzophrenics Anonymous Meeting:

"I have gone to find myself. If I get back before I return, keep me here."

"How do you spell 'schitzophrenic?'"
"I don't know, ask your other personality."

"I'm not schitzophrenic...and neither am I."

"The first step to overcoming schitzophrenia is to recognize that only in your mind have 'two become one'. Or is it 'one become two'?"

I wonder what happens when the psychologist asks them to break up into groups of 3...

[Ok, I know that I am incorrectly using the term 'schitzophrenic' for multiple personality disorder but "Split-personalities Anonymous" just doesn't sound as fun. So if you don't like this post, take it up with my other self, Kione.]

Why Rambling Rose?

Rambling Rose? It's a strange title for someone who hardly ever talks. But it will probably accurately describe the randomness of my future entries.

I am having trouble thinking of what to write in my first entry so my sister told me to just write whatever is on my mind. In the background the Jeopardy song is playing. It stopped so I guess my time is up.

Rambling Rose? I guess it is appropriate after all. It is how my mind works. My thoughts ramble from one subject to another so fast that nothing makes sense.