Jean Stockdale...

Sunday Selections

"In Him, you also after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-having als beelieved, you were sealed in HIm with the Holy Spirit of prmise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory." 

Ephesians 1:13-14 

When our older son, Jason, prepared to ask the great love of his life, Patti Straznicky, to become his bride, he asked Craig and I to go with him to pick out the engagement ring. My husband and I arrived at the jewelers ahead of Jason. In my typical fashion, I was armed with tissues (this was a very emotional event for me personally) and my camera. I knew I would never forget the depth and breadth of the reeling emotions I was feeling as I prepared to launch this child into a new and exciting phase in his life. I wanted to capture this momentous occasion on film. 

When Jason arrived, Craig and I watched as the jeweler pulled out cases of engagement ring settings and stones. As my son gently fingered each delicate setting, I had to take a deep breath to avoid caving under the waves of emotions that were welling up and threatening to overwhelm me. After making his selection, Jason made elaborate plans to propose to his darling bride-to-be. 

When Jason gave Patti an engagement ring, it was a promise of a future event. The engagement ring did not make them married, but it did promise his intention to take her as his lawfully wedded wife in the near future. At the moment of conversion, having also believed, we were placed in Christ. We become part of the body of Christ. It is an unfathomable truth for our pitiful finite minds, but it is nonetheless true of us as believers. We are in Him and He now resides in us in the person of the Holy Spirit of God. At conversion, we were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise. When we believed on Jesus and invited Him into our lives, He gave us as His seal of authenticity, the indwelling Holy Spirit. In Bible days, hot wax was applied to important documents and imprinted with a signet ring indicating ownership. In the same way, God stamped His approval on our conversion experience by giving us the Holy Spirit of promise as His seal of authenticity and ownership. 

The Holy Spirit is also given to us at the moment of conversion as a pledge of our inheritance. In the original language, the word pledge meant “a down payment or earnest money.” It also came to mean “an engagement ring.” That is, the Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance of the glory that is to come. He is our earnest money—God’s down payment on our future and full redemption. The Holy Spirit is also our engagement ring to our Heavenly Bridegroom. We are not only in a legal relationship with the Father, but also a love relationship. The gift of the Holy Spirit is the believer’s unmistakable evidence of God’s favor. It is proof of our salvation and the guarantee of eternal glory.

May God bless and keep you this week. For more Spiritual Sunday post click here. Blessings.

The Lion King

Oh how fun is this?!?!?!?!?

  

The Lion King (Grayson-15 months)  stopped by for a visit.

 

Coming or going, he was too cute for words!

 

The hat proved to be more than he could stand.

 

But in the end he seemed to rather enjoy himself.

Oh for joy!

Blessings.

Six Words

My life today in six words:

I was born 55 years ago.

That's right. It's my birthday! That just about sums up my day! 

For more Six Words Saturday click here.

Random Dozen

Just for fun I borrowed these questions from a blog meme only to discover that I was too late. So this is just a post. For fun. How random is that!

1. Tell me something about your favorite teacher-My favorite teacher is Bible teacher Kay Arthur.When I became a Christian at the age of 24 I was clueless about how to study God's Word. I was invited to attend a Kay Arthur video Bible study by a friend. I still use her method of Bible study now 30 years later. Now I am a Bible study teacher and Christian author and I feel I am a direct extension of Kay Arthur's ministry.

2. Tell me about one pivotal moment in your life-My husband and I began to attend Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. Adrian Rogers had just come to this church from his former church in Florida. We began to hear the Word of God preached in power. God used him to expose us to the truth-we were sinners in need of a Savior. Jesus had died to pay for our sins. Repentance and faith were required. Craig and I both made personal decisions for CHrist. We asked Him to come into our lives, forgive us of our sins, and take us to heaven when we died. Since that moment in time, nothing has been the same!! The Lord has set our feet on a path we could have never dreamed!

3. About favorite colors--a lot of people will ask you what it is, but I want to know why it is. What feeling or memory does it evoke? I love Red-memories of buying cherry popsicles as a child from the Popsicle Man.

4. What's a sure sign that you're getting older? I suddenly needed bi-focals-overnight my vision went fuzzy.

5. Please don't sermonize, but Halloween--is it a yes or no for you? We are careful to avoid the evil influences attached to the holiday, but we enjoy seeing the dress-up and the candy.

6. What's your favorite musical? I am not a musical kind of girl.

7. Are you more of a city mouse or country mouse? I am a city mouse translated to the country mouse and surprised how much I immediately loved country living.

8. Did you know that it is possible, for a small fee, to name a real star after someone? (It's true! Goggle it!) If someone were to name a star for you, would you appreciate it for its whimsy and romance, or would you say, "Are you kidding me? For $19.95 we could have gone to the movie and actually bought popcorn." I am a very practical person so I would never go with the star deal, but the movie and popcorn is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

9. What's the craziest thing you've ever been doing and texted during it? I am not texting much.

10. "It's not a party unless we sit around the kitchen table until the wee hours of the morning visiting with sweet friends." 

11. When you're stuck in traffic or a waiting room, what do you do to pass the time? I love to listen to my iPod. I have it loaded with Christian music and lots of sermons.

12. If you weren't yourself, would you be friends with you? Crazy things seem to happen to me that don't happen to other people, so I would be skeptical of a friendship with someone who seems to attract craziness. Actually, now I sound fun. I am rethink my answer!

Nothing Could Be Finer

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good ."

Genesis 1:1-3

Would you like to see some more really fine things? Click here and go to Amy at The Finer Things.

Photostory Friday

Declan came by for a play date with JJ and Poppa. I was at the nail salon when he arrived and he had Poppa had some special time together. As I drove up, Poppa told Declan it was be so funny if he would pretend to be asleep when I came in. He then taught Declan the fine art of "playing possum."

 

 

 

 

 

What a Photostory moment. For more click here and you will be magically transported to My Chaos My Bliss-which says a mouthful!

Welcome Home

I have always held to this philosophy. Treat family like special guests and friends like family and they will feel welcome.

This is a sitting area in my kitchen. I want it to be welcoming . . . to friends and to family.

 

This little table was a find in an antique shop that I found a few years back. From what we have been able to find out about it, it was an advertising item for Quick Meal stoves. My grandchildren love to sit at to eat. Of course, it is cleared when they come for a visit so that mom and dad are not on edge!

 

 

Welcome. Stop by again.

For more fun click to The Inspired Room and Romantic Houses and 

It's Friday

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer in my comment section. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

Do you wear rain boots?

I saw some of the cutest rain boots at Charming Charlies (Memphis area) for $about 30.00 and did not buy any. I think I am going to have to go and get me a really colorful pair of rain boots. We are having unseasonably wet rainy weather here. And I think some bright rain boots might be just what I need to cheer my rainy days! 

So do you wear rain boots? Please leave me a comment and I will respond as quickly as I can!! Blessings.

For more Aloha Friday click here and enjoy!

Ephesians

So are you studying the Book of Ephesians with us? If so, write a comment tell me what God is teaching you. 

I am learning that the more I LEARN the less I KNOW! That is what I am learning through the study of Ephesians.

If you have missed any of the lessons, remember you can view them here. So far only Week 1-5 are archived. I assume lessons 6 and 7 will be posted soon. If you would like to download them as PODCASTS just click here. And the study notes for each lesson are here so help yourself!

To all my MOMS, thank you for the wonderful birthday party. You are all so precious to me!! I am thrilled to be able to stand on the sidelines of your life and cheer you on-to run well the race set before you. I am delighted that you are studying God's Word and seeking to mother your little guys according to Biblical principles.

I was so sorry Cathy Huber could not be there with us today. She and Lisa Doyle are doing a fabulous job administrating this ministry for us. Much love to both of those sweet ladies. Cathy was sick today and I just hate she missed the fun. And the cake. Oh yuumo! That was good cake. I had a piece of carrot cake for my dinner tonight. Not somethings I can do often, but hey - it's my birthday.

I love all the travel items. Craig and I try to make at least 1 (and some years 2) overseas mission trips to teach Pioneer Evangelism to pastors and church leaders. And I travel on lots of weekends to speak at women's conference, so all will be put to good use!! And like Lisa said, now I can keep all my "personal things" from being spread out over the security table at the airport for all the world to see!!!

And I love the "shoe bag" of goodies. Lisa and Cathy know how to work a theme! The M&Ms were a theme at our leaders session before we started up this semester. The Kleenex are darling and very good for mopping my brow! And then the gift certificate. Seriously, girls, I will be getting me some goodies at Macy's in short order.

I will be traveling on Nov. 8-9 to Pensacola Florida to speak to the pastor's wives of the Florida Southern Baptist Convention. Ray -Ray (my trusty asst.) is traveling with me to do the book table. We will only be gone about 24 hours, actually. We fly in on Sunday. I speak 2x on Monday and the we jump on a plane and head home. And if my bag gets opened at the airport, and it so often does, they will find darling red and black travel bags. I will be very organized and I will look just darling!! Thanks a million, sweet MOMS. You mean the world to me!

So . . . what is God teaching you?

I Found My Tears

The oddest thing has happened to me as I have gotten older. My tears dried up! This would not be particularly troublesome except for the fact that I I used to cry easily and often. Seriously often. Tears. Lots of 'em. But as I became a "woman of a certain age" my tears dried up.

I teach Bible study to a precious group of MOMMAS at Bellevue Baptist Church on Thursdays. I am teaching through the book of Ephesians called "High Stepping in Heavenly Places." It's about walking by faith while wearing great shoes! Anyways, yesterday (Wednesday) I was in my car by myself. I had my iPod playing. Mr. Stockdale downloaded 2 CDs by The Gettys for me. And I was meditating on the lesson I would bring on Thursday to those sweet MOMS on Ephesians 4 called "What Not To Wear."

This song came on. It is a favorite of mine but I have heard it before a number of times. I began meditating on our riches in Christ (Eph. 1:3-14). And suddenly I was swept into the presence of God. And tears . . . well they came back.

Listen and worship along. And when you have time, read and meditate on Ephesians 1:3-14, which is one long sentence in the original language. We are adopted, accepted, blessed, chosen, forgiven, redeemed, sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. We were dead in our trespasses and sins but God was rich in mercy because He loved us so much (Eph.2:1-3). He sent His only begotten Son so that whoever believed in Him might not perish but would have eternal life (John 3:16). 

Think about. That's how I found my tears. Blessings.

If you would like to watch the Ephesians series on DVDs at no charge click here. If you would like to listen to the downloads of the PODCAST messages at no charge click here. If you would like to download the study notes for our study in Ephesians click here. If you are interested in joining in our on-line Bible study on Ephesians click here. If you would like to order the workbook "High Stepping in Heavenly Places" click here.

For more Caffeinated Randomness click here and visit with Andrea. Sadly this is her last Caffeinated Randomness post. I personally miss her. She and her random rambles have become a part of my Fridays! Blessings, Andrea. I will check in with you often.

When the Phones Doesn't Ring

Trouble I say. Trouble.

I’m telling you folks when the ministry phone doesn’t ring it sets the stage for TROUBLE.

Jean said to me the other day, “You know, while Craig is out of town for a few days, I would like to paint his office and get it fixed up for him.” The moment those words were uttered I started looking for ministry related projects that I simply had to finish. Projects that would take me days and days to complete.  Or possibly weeks and weeks to wrap up.

I’ve learned many wonderful things from Jean in the 2 years that we have worked together. You know, things like great spiritual truths and listening to her weave a personal illustration into her teaching to help simplify a complicated Biblical principle.

I’ve also learned that when she is standing in the doorway of my office with her work-around-the-house-clothes on, one hand on her hip and starts off the conversation by using the phrase, “I would like to (fill in the blank with the name of her current project)” everything in my body screams RUN. START RIGHT NOW AND RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN FOR AS LONG AS YOU CAN!

I heard what she said which was, “I would like to paint Craig’s office” but this is what she meant, “ I would like for you to help me paint Craig’s office.”

I knew she was serious about the project when the paint chips showed up. My eyes rolled back into my head and I experienced a few moments of semi-consciousness – all of which passed rather quickly. We got down to the business of selecting a color. For those of you who follow Jean’s blog on a regular basis you will know selecting paint colors has never been her strong suit. Click here to read more about her paint foux pas Frankly, I was just praying this time we would realize the error of our ways BEFORE we had painted the entire room and cleaned up our brushes and rollers.

I’m proud to announce this project went off without a hitch. No falls off ladders. No stepping backwards into the paint tray. No paint drips on the carpet. Precious little paint on the ceiling. Here’s the bonus – from start to finish – 2 days. 1 day to paint and 1 day for accessories.

If this ministry thing doesn’t work out we may hang our painting shingle out. 

Here are a few photos from our work day.

It all started with moving all furniture to the center of the room and doing a little cleaning. 

 

 

But we couldn't figure out how to work the cleaning attachments that comes with the vacuum cleaner! Come on Mr. Dyson couldn't you help a sister out with a few more directional arrows?

After the painting was done we started to move the furniture into position.

 

New drapes and pillows were added.

When we were putting Craig's desk together, and into a different location within the room, we changed it from a right-hand return to a left-hand return. All the holes were pre-drilled for this option - all we had to do was tighten up the screws. Or so we thought. The corner piece of the desk needed a little modification and we had to drill our our own holes. 

Are you ready for this? 

 You are going to be shocked when you see the next photo.

 

That's a Kawasaki 19.2v, variable speed drill boss lady has in her hands and her finger is on the trigger!

Craig would be very concerned if he knew Jean was using power tools!!

For more Works for Me Wednesday click here. And check out 1000 Word Thursday by clicking here. 

A Few of My Favorite Things

There are lots of things I love. Teapots are just one of them.

 

Tea. Comfort in a cup!

For more Things I Love click here.

Wordy Wednesday

Say CHEESE!

 

Declan stopped by for a visit. He and his Poppa had a cheese snack. As always, I had my camera in my hand. 

I said, "Say cheese."

And he did!

For more Wordless Wednedsay click here and go to 5 Minutes for Moms and click here for Extraordinary Mothers and stop by here for Wordless Wednesday.

For Word Filled Wednesday click here.

Tackle It Tuesday

I do so love to take pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. The digital world has allowed me to indulge my passion without the concern attached to film photography. Often I was sorely disappointed with the batch of less-than-perfect pictures I picked up from the developer. Once I moved over into the digital world, well I began to take pictures with vengeance!

I have been disciplined enough to take the pictures, load them on my computer, and carefully file them according to the event and date. But . . . whoa baby, I have not kept them edited or backed up.

My project is to go through my photographs, culling the bad ones, editing the good ones, backing up the pictures on CD which are labeled well, and then loading them to Shutterfly for my final backup. Shutterfly is a great way to keep your pictures "off-site" and protected from a computer crash. I have had several lightening strikes that have fried computers at my home. So I have learned to back-up. (Even if you download your pictures to a company like Shutterfly, I recommend that you also have them backed up on a CD.) I am sure there are other good companies like Shutterfly. It is the only one I have used and I am very pleased with it. I have them develop my pictures and they are excellent.

Anyhoo, this has be one big ole giant project that will take many hours. From now on, I am going to do this in one step as I download my pictures. Until then, I am Tackling It Tuesday.

To read the posts of more Tackle It Tuesday troopers click here.

Gratituesday

I have so much to be grateful for! But I thought I might just write about 1 thing today. Today I am grateful for my digital camera (Canon Rebel EOS) and a passion to capture moments and turn them into memories.

Like this one:

And, oh my soul, this one:

 

Taking pictures as a hobby forces me to stop and examine my life-frame by frame.

For more grateful folks click over to Heavenly Homemakers.

Tummy Tempting Recipes

Memphis Almond Tea

 

2 qt. of iced tea

1 c sugar

1 6 oz. frozen lemonade (thawed)

1 tsp. almond extract

 

Make 2 qt. of iced tea as you normally would. Add 1 c sugar (I have tried to cut this and it just is not as good-this is just for special occasions!). Add 1 6oz. frozen lemonade that is thawed and the almond extract. This is just downright GOOD!

I usually serve this at brunch, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. It is very good.

 

For more yummy recipes visit Blessed with Grace. And then there more is Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. And if you will will visit All the Small Stuff you will find even more! And Our Krazy Kitchen is hosting a Fall Season Holiday Roundup-what fun!

 

Monday Morning Manna for MOMS #8

It's Tuesday. Seriously? How did that happen?

Several years ago I wrote a Bible study especially for MOMMAS on the Book of James called "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall."  This is an excerpt from that study.

I gave my heart to Jesus Christ a short time before I found out I was pregnant with our first son, Jason. The prospect of having a child to raise for the Lord Jesus drove me to my knees and into the Word of God. Studying the Scriptures was new to me, but I was certain that it was a necessity if I intended to train up this child in the way he should go. How could I possibly train a child in the truth if I did not know it?

I certainly did not know much about the abundant Christian life, but I knew enough to know that I wanted it, whatever it was. I could also tell that a change of heart required a changed life. I knew I had experienced a change of heart. There was no doubt about it; I was a new creation in Christ. My conversion was genuine. I had been washed by the blood of the Lamb. My sins were washed away, and I was whiter than snow. That much I was sure of, but I did not quite know how to tackle the changed life. The overwhelming desire to be a godly wife and mom compelled me to become a student of the Word of God. I was desperate for God. I was desperate to hear from Him and to learn to walk in His ways. Apart from Him, I knew I was doomed for failure.

God’s plan for the family is a generational faith. By that I mean it is His intention that the faith be handed down from one generation to the next. While every child is born with a free will and must ultimately choose to receive or reject Christ, there is much that a wise and godly momma can do to influence her child’s decision. God’s plan for the family is a generational faith. Since this is the case, it is crucial that we live out our faith on a daily basis. I am not talking about something that blooms on Sunday morning and fades before lunch. I am not talking about playing church or faking faith. I am not talking about being a casual or carnal Christian. If that is what you have in mind, you will never successfully hand down the faith to the next generation. Who would want what you have? What I am talking about is a woman who fears God and is committed to walking in His ways. I am talking about a woman who is so in love with Jesus that His presence in her life radiates out of her. I am talking about a woman who wears the fragrance of Christ on her life like a shawl, covering her and clothing her in His righteousness. If you are determined to be that woman, then come alongside me and let’s walk together! That is my heart’s desire as well, and we can learn together.

When I think of great mothers, I am reminded of the unwavering faith of the mom of Moses. Moses’ mother is barely mentioned by name in the Scriptures. Exodus 6:20 says, And Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses; and the length of Amram’s life was one hundred and thirty-seven years. The mother of Moses was certainly not well known, but she managed three great and godly children. Jochebed raised Miriam, a prophetess, Aaron, a priest, and Moses, the chosen leader of the Jewish nation. Impressive, wouldn’t you say? Yet few people can remember her name. That tells me that my greatest legacy to my children is not in the public arena of teaching or writing, but in the private one that few people have had access to outside of my immediate family. My truest self was revealed to my husband and boys as we all lived together in this lively household, day in and day out. Who I really am is not nearly as truly conveyed on the platform as it was in the playroom, in the kitchen, in the carpool, in the grocery, and in the million and one places that mothering has taken me. My truest nature was best revealed in the mundane monotony of everyday family living. The world at large may never know or remember my name, but two little boys watched me live out my faith, drenched in my humanity with its flaws and frailties, for twenty years (give or take a few). That is real Christianity. That is who I really am.

When you look in the mirror, who do you see?

I am hosting an on-line Bible study for MOMS on the book of Ephesians called "High Stepping in Heavenly Places." Click here to check it out.

Podcasts of "High Stepping in Heavenly Places"are available free of charge by clicking here.

Every Monday (typically on Monday!) I post Monday Morning Manna for Moms to encourage and inspire MOMMAS in the fine art of Christian mothering. Check in often for huge doses of endorsement of this holy occupation! Blessings.

Not Me Monday!

Oh NO. NOT ME.

Just so you know. I live and die by my hair appointments. 

Well, really it is more about getting my hair colored rather than getting it cut. I have very dark hair. Or at least I did. Thick dark brown hair. When I was young, I never dreamed I would gray so early OR so fast! While still in my 20's I started to grey. Seriously. I knew I would eventually turn gray but in my 20's! I wasn't expecting that. And I don't mean a little bit of gray. I greyed alot. In my 20's. Alot of grey in my 20's.

I postponed the inevitable until I was 30, but then I started doing what has become a regular event. I started coloring my hair. At first, it was only every few months. Now, it is more like every few weeks. I am not proud of it, but it is true. I color my hair. Often. Often I say. Like every 5 weeks. Like clockwork. Every 5 weeks I get a cut and a color. 

Last Tuesday it was time. My roots were already confirming what I knew in my heart. It was time for a cut and color. Now understand, I live nearly 45 minutes away from my hairdresser. So the drive alone is costly. But I have followed my stylist from shop to shop for the last 20 years and I am not stopping now! I am nothing if not loyal, my friends. 

Anyways, last Tuesday I grabbed my keys. As I headed towards the door, I had a moment of pause. My appointments are always on a Tuesday at 10:00. This helps me not mess up my hair appointment. And I live and die by my hair appointments. Have I mentioned that?

But suddenly I had this thought, "Was this the right date or not?" I got out my trusty calendar.

Oh NO!

I so DID NOT have the wrong date.

I DID NOT nearly make a 45 minute drive to find out I had the wrong date. 

I DID NOT have trouble reading my own calendar.

I so DID NOT.

At least the appointment is for this coming next week. That does not explain my roots!

For more Not Me Monday click here and visit with MckMamam.

Six Words Saturday

Describe your life in Six Words Saturday.

I am growing in God's grace.

My progress is slow. Turtle pace. At times, it is painful. Painful and slow. Painfully slow. Slow, I say. Slow and painful. But I am growing. I AM growing in God's grace.

I am studying the Book of Ephesians and teaching it to a group of precious MOMMAS who indulge my maniac style of teaching. I talk fast. I talk with my hands. I pace. Alot. Alot of fast talking, hand waving, and pacing. It appears I don't take a breath. Not one time. Not one time during my 45 minute lectures. Fast talking. Hand waving. Frantic pacing. No breath-taking. No time for it! 

Frankly, I wouldn't be able to listen to me with all the fast talking, hand waving, and pacing. Taking notes on what I am teaching is nearly out of the question. I wear out my audience. I wear down my listeners. But I am growing. I am growing in God's grace.

Anyways. I am growing. My life is changing. The pace is slow. Like a turtle. But I am growing. I am changing. Because the Word of God and the indwelling Spirit of God has the power to activate change. 

God's Word is changing my life. Slowly. Painfully at times. But I am growing in God's grace.

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12 NAS). Blessings for today and the week ahead.

If you are interested in studying Ephesians with us click here and go to High Stepping in Heavenly Places blog. For more Six Words Saturday click here. And you will want to read Spiritual Sundays. And I linked this post to Thankful Thursday.

Finer Things Friday Dumplings

One of my favorite finds of late is Mary B Dumplings. These little jewels are in your frozen section. You will want to thaw them slightly in order to separate them before dropping them in the pot of boiling broth. These are delicious and a wonderful short-cut for Chicken and Dumplings. 

If you would like to see the way I used them click here. You will find the recipe I used. It is delicious.

These are one of my Finer Things. To see some more Finer Things click here and visit with our host, Amy.