May « 2006 « {hannah michelle}

Archive for May, 2006

Memorial Day

Monday, May 29th, 2006

I'm sure many of you have family members who served in a war, either past or present. Some came home, some didn't, and today we as Americans remember their sacrifice. Our own poppa, Ed (Eddie in his younger years), who passed away when I was six, fought in World War ll and received a purple heart after being injured.

My talented brother Christopher has created a video tribute in honor of those who have served and defended our country in the armed forces. This tribute is for those we know, and for those we will never know. You may view it at:

www.jesusredeemed.us/tribute

Posted in JustAnything |

Strength For The Journey

Monday, May 29th, 2006

"Get up, get going, if you want to be free…"

When I was growing up in Indiana, there was something my dad used to tell me whenever I'd complain about a task being too hard. No matter what it was – cutting grass, bending sheet metal in the 98-degree sun – as soon as he heard any gripping, he'd just grin and bust this line on me: "Hey, son, that's why they call it WORK! It's not supposed to be easy."

The Hebrew children knew all about work. They endured years of slavery in Egypt, laboring endlessly under the whips of their masters, longing for God to deliver them. The story of their journey to the Promised Land is such a great lesson for all of us. So many times we lose sight of the fact that God will allow us to reach the mountaintop of our dreams, but we will have to do the climbing.

I was definitely raised with a strong Midwestern work ethic. But at the same time, my Christian upbringing taught me that it was "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord." (Zech. 4:6). It was sometimes hard for me to reconcile that verse in my mind. I struggled with trying to figure out just what was God's job and what was my responsibility in doing the work of His kingdom.

I have come to understand that the Spirit of the Lord gives the task and then gives us the strength to complete the task. We gain this strength by ingesting the Word of God and spending time with Him in prayer. That's the kind of spiritual food God can turn into spiritual muscle. Then we will have power reserves to draw on when we face the mountains in our lives. And we will all have mountains – the enemy will see to it. But we have to just keep on climbing until we reach the top. Victory is sweet, and every victory in our lives brings our Savior glory and honor.

"For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light"

Matthew 11:30

-From 30 Days To Harmony With God by Ernie Haase

Posted in HeartThoughts |

The Missing Writer

Sunday, May 28th, 2006

As you've probably noticed, I've taken a temporary vacation from my blog. I'm not sure when or how I often I will be posting again for awhile yet. My laptop was out of commission for a long while, but there are also some things in my life that I'm sorting out. All this means that blogging isn't currently high on my priority list or my want to do list either, for that matter. But I'll be back, and those of you who know me always know where to find me.

"People do not like to think. If one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant."

-Helen Keller

Posted in Announcements |

My Mom

Sunday, May 14th, 2006

When I think of people in my life who model true greatness, my mom, Diane, is among the first. I have learned enormously not only from her intentional instruction, but by observing her character. Though there are many things I respect and appreciate about my mom, there are a few key areas that stand out to me as worthy of recognition in her life.

First of all, her commitment to God and following His will. She willingly left behind her own pursuits to embrace the life of a stay-at-home wife and later a homeschooling mom. Talk about going against modern cultural expectations! I appreciate my mom’s sacrifices for our family that continue even today. In countless ways she has given of her time and effort, and remained confident in her calling. She always reminds and encourages me to make my own relationship and obedience to God of prime importance.

I respect my mom for the example she is in godly womanhood. She has showed me that inner beauty is of more value than outer beauty. She consistently exhibits honor and respect towards my dad and goes out of her way to please and assist him. She has taken care to be a wise mother and a healthy cook.

My mom displays genuine care and sensitivity for the concerns of those around her. She graciously gives of herself, be it praying and sharing scripture, recommending a helpful book, writing emails with godly wisdom, or consistently sending birthday cards. And she is always available to listen and give me advice, whether I have a pressing problem or just need a good girl talk.

What I especially appreciate about my mom is her unconditional love towards me, something which I honestly don’t deserve or understand. I’ve been most unlovable many number of times, but she is always forgiving and merciful. She has always made me feel completely accepted, and in fact, she delights in being with me! By this she is a tangible, active representation of God’s love in my life.

I am gratefully aware that I need my mom just as much now, at nineteen, as I did as a little girl. More than being my mom, she's my best friend and a gift from God. We have the absolute greatest times together that I wouldn't trade for the world!

Because of my mom's faithfulness, I have reaped many blessings and learned many lessons that I hope to pass down to my own children one day. Because of her, I know what true greatness looks like…Because of my mom, I know that a woman of noble character is truly worth far more than all the rubies in the world.

Happy Mother's Day, Mum. I love you!!

Posted in Family |

The Beauty of Being Loved

Monday, May 8th, 2006

"He doesn't love me because I am beautiful. I am beautiful to him because he loves me."

So writes Gretchen Louise Glaser in her beautiful and very sweet post, His Beauty. Though I don't know Gretchen, my heart has often been touched by her lovely writing, in which there is much evident and tender love for her man, soon to become her husband. It's so endearing.

I'm such a sappy girl when it comes to love and romance. It doesn't take much…just a snapshot of a cute couple, a sweet movie, seeing the way a husband and wife look at one another, hearing how someone speaks about their fiance or spouse, and I'm all amush with "awwww"s inside and out. Seeing that kind of love, especially young love, does something to my heart. I get this wonderful, inexpressible feeling…the feeling that all is well in the world.

And it's not because I wish myself to be in that state today, but because it's such a delight to see. Because God made it to be that way. There's nothing like a couple in love. It's like looking out a window and seeing the blue sky, chirping birds, and green grass; it's natural, fresh, alive, and beautiful. It's the way things ought to be, just like the sun rises and sets, just like the seasons come and go…true love is always there.

A strong man, a tender woman. It's beauty that can't be defined in physical terms.

Just like God's love for us.

"Christ views us this very same way, that we are completely and utterly beautiful, perfect just the way we are. And if we could finally grasp that, I think we would see not only the view of our own bodies and images change, but our views of others." reads part of a comment on Gretchen's post.

Never had I thought of it that way before. That is why my heavenly Prince loves me so much! I know that I am entirely undeserving, and so I have struggled to make sense of His amazing love. Though I know salvation is by grace alone, it's hard for my human mind to grasp the concept of how He could love me so much when I've mucked up my life so much, when I am often far from beautiful.

"He has taken me into His banquet hall, and His banner over me is love." – Song of Songs 2:4

This thought has opened the door a little wider in my understanding. My beauty doesn't depend on me, it depends on Him. He doesn't love me because I am beautiful in my own right, but He loves me as I am, which makes me beautiful. His love – love that is always there – makes me beautiful. Beauty that can't be defined in physical terms.

What a precious, precious thought this is to me! When I feel discouraged and downtrodden, I know this, and all is well in the world….I am not loved because I am beautiful, I am beautiful because I am loved.

And so are you. Never, ever forget that.

Posted in HeartThoughts |

Grab Bag of Posts

Monday, May 1st, 2006

Here's a collection of some excellent posts that have come to my attention over the past several weeks. Happy reading!

:: On making God top priority…

The Bible or the Bullet

Alex & Brett over at The Rebelution (which remains one of the top blogs ever, in my opinion) recently reposted this compelling piece. It hits hard, but it hits good. Don't miss this one!

Her sacrifice was worth it because it symbolized something much greater than simply a leather-bound Bible and a quarter-teaspoon of spit. It was a choice between her earthly home and her Heavenly Home, between her persecutor’s threats and her Savior’s promises. She had nothing to lose and everything to gain by choosing God’s Word over earthly comfort. Are we ready to make the same choice?

:: On friendship and relationships….

Just Friends in a Just Do It World

Not a blog post, but this article by Josh Harris covers the ever-present issue we face as singles seeking to wait for God's best…

What are you supposed to do if you don't date? The simple answer is friendship. Just be friends. Easy, huh?

Yeah, right. Maybe it would be if God created us without hearts, devoid of emotions, and immune to attraction. But most of us have to deal with all three as we stumble through the confusing process of finding balance between the extreme options of jumping headlong into romance with everyone who catches our eye or running in fear from all members of the opposite sex. Finding that balance is anything but easy. The "middle ground" is more like a tight rope stretched over a gaping chasm.

A Question of Courtship

Ok, I LOVE this post. It's almost like someone reached inside my mind and pulled out my thoughts, because if I were to write a post about what I believe on the subject of getting to the marriage alter, this would come really close.

I'm not one that's big on "rules" for defining a courtship. It isn't about whether you decide to save your first kiss for marriage or that you can't hold hands or no talking on the phone over 20 minutes or whatever. I think there certainly need to be guidelines and parameters to keep within for the sake of purity and discipline, but those in themselves should not define the courtship.

:: On being a girl…

Just a GIRL, through and through

From one girl's heart to the rest of us desiring to be women of God…you will find joy, encouragement, and comfort for the journey.

Inside the heart of every GIRL, I believe, is the deep and passionate desire to one day, the day of her dreams, be the most perfect and beautiful wife and mother possible. To love, and to be loved. To cherish, and to be cherished. To enjoy life to it’s fullest, and to do so with the one prince, whom her heavenly King has picked out for her, since before the foundation of the world. As time goes on, my heart’s desires for those things only get stronger and more definite.