The Last Rubber Band

It's 11:58PM and on the table, there lies the scattered group of rubber bands I just removed from Moriah's hair.  I am noting this because from here on out (as long as I can stand to do otherwise) I plan to place no more rubber bands in Moriah's hair. 

 

I read information all the time about the damage that rubberbands to the hair but had not seriously looked into alternatives (other than the cloth ponytail holders I use from time to time) until tonight, after I had picked them up from a babysitter and saw Ja'el's hair in twists.  It was so cute,  and I didin't mind that the sitter did it.

 

So I looked into this option for Moriah after sitting down at the end of a  long day and researching online.

 

Speaking  of the day it was a great one!

 

The first 'outing' of the day for me was CTI Worship.   Second year school of ministry students, CORE students, and any first year and school of business who want to join - participate once a month in a worship seminar held by the Intercessory Prayer Ministry. 

 

Today, Pastor Tim led us in worship, taught a lesson on worship, then continued with more worship. 

 

Among many things, we learned about the parallel between the Outer Court, Inner Court, and The Holy of Holies, with Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs (Ephesians 5:19, Colosians 3:16).   Very powerful word.

 

We were taught that when we sing psalms we are at an experiential level, in the soulish realm, the Outer Court, talking about what God has done for us, what He is doing, and so on (Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus, What Do You Know About Jesus?  He's Alright).  Often times if we're not careful, we're more into the groove, the beat, etc.  Not always, but often. There's nothing wrong with psalms, but the Lord desires that we go further.

 

When we sing hymns we're delcaring the doctrines of God, we move to the Inner Court, we're speaking of His nature (You Are The King of Kings, You Are the Almighty Creator, Our God is an Awesome God).  Often times, but not always, we're affected by the feel-good-ness of the song, and that in itself is not bad. 

 

Oh, but when spiritual songs are written, and when we sing spiritual songs.  We have taken the next step into the Holy of Holies.  The veil is removed, and we are naked before the Lord with all of our issues, hangups, we're transparent before him and we begin to allow him to move in our hearts.  But in order to go there we have to go beyond the veil that's blocking us from being totally free to become intimate with him.

 

Worship is not just what we sing, it's what we do.  It's what we were created to do.  It's not only about music.  It's also how God reaches out to fellowship with us - unlike no other religion!  We no longer need a priest to go to the Father for us, we have full access becasue of the work that Jesus did on the cross.  Hallelujah!

 

The rest of the morning and afternoon was spent hanging out with the kids, cleaning up, administrating nap times, visiting with Julie about life and Internship with CTI/CORE Music and Worship, visiting with Jatoya,  getting dance clothes for Moriah from the outlet dance wear store, and returning home for wind-down, bathing, and prayer with the kiddos before they turned in.

 

Long after Moriah was fast asleep, I went back to her room, brought her to the family room couch, and began to remove the tight rubber bands from her hair, much like the areas that block us from beig free and open for intimate fellowhip with the Father!

 

I pray her hair will be much more free to breath and grow now! As we are when we remove the barriers that are blocking us from this freedom.

 

When was the last time you removed one of those tight rubber bands?

 

(p.s. I plan to follow the online instructions in the morning, for putting her hair in twists.  We'll see how it goes.  If I really like how it turns out I'll post a pik.  If I'm not too thrilled, I'll hold off on the picture until I take her to a pro!)


Update 10/21: I have a picture to post but I cannot figure out how to get one on here again!!!


In the meantime here's a link to it Moriah Twist Pik

 

 

The last rubber band was removed from Moriah's hair at approximately 11:40pm.

 

 

 

 

New Life Part II

Had a mini-slumber party tonight with Kourtnei, Moriah and Monte. K came over while her parents were at Imari's football game. They BEAT Hebron High (last year's 4A State Champions), 42-6!! Go Longhorns. They are now 2-0 for the season.

We had homemade burgers and watched Leap Frog's - The Storybook Factory.

They finally went to sleep after bath time, Moriah fussing about wanting to sleep in the middle and reminding me that I needed to give her a kiss-hug-and-love before she could go to sleep.

Now getting ready to turn in for the night.....

But before I do, here's another tidbit from New Life Live, that I've been wanting to write for the past two weeks (See post entitled "New Life" for background on this):

The last time I tuned in, the hosts were sharing with a caller about relationships, dealing with flaws in ourselves and our mates, etc.

One thing that stuck with me was when they told this lady who was dealing with some severe issues with her husband - that when dealing with those types of things it's never about the behavior itself. Whether it's an affair, gambling, a sexual addition, anger, physical abuse, you name it. The question one must ask is, "what is the underlying condition that is causing the person (or you) to exhibit this behavior?" The behavior is just a manifestation of the person not being healthy.

If we're Christians, our spirit man is perfect and righteous. When we are married, we become one in the spirit with our spouse. We are joined with the Father. After a period of time being married, we most often begin, or continue, to see more of the flaws and sins of our mates. When there is sin or hurt that has not been dealt with, we become more and more unhealthy, more and more broken. If it is not dealt with, this sickness can manifest itself through the behaviors mentioned above - emotional or physical affairs, addictions, physical abuse, excessive spending, prolonged unforgiveness or bitterness, and others.

The counselors on the show encouraged those who find themselve in these situations to find out through prayer and/or counseling, what the root of these behaviors are.

We must also remember that this behavior does not represent the true identity of the individual. If the person is in Christ, we can be assured that he/she can be renewed by the Spirit of God, back to our God-ordained state of righteousness. If it is us, we must know that we can be renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit! When Father God looks as us, He sees purity, because Jesus Christ is our mediator.

When we enounter these situations, we can have confidence in, and speak over our lives and the situation, the words of Ephesians 6:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints"

Chapel at 7:30AM tomorrow! Can we make it????

Why am I awake?

Because I told Moriah that I would lay down in her room with her for a while.....until she went to sleep. The sleep got pretty good I guess, because I 'just now' woke up!

We had a pretty good day today.

I actually took about a two hour nap!! What?

Hallelujah!

Shampooed Moriah's hair and gave her a hot oil treatment.

Shampooed lots of clothes. :-)

Watched Madagascar,.....again.

"I like to move it move it!"