Blogging at The Fountain

Oct - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2007-10-02T06:57:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

this is a different kind of post for me but I just wanted to remind everyone that this month is breast cancer awareness month. I have two friends whose mom's have passed away due to this horrible disease... I just want to remind everyone to be praying for those not only who have been touched by it in the past but those who might currently be facing this obstacle in their lives.

"Through His stripes, we are healed" and this can be physically or emotionally - lets claim this for those who are struggling during this month dedicated to this horrible disease.

wonderful life

2007-09-17T08:40:00.000-07:00

vivian here - so it is 11:17 on monday morning. we are sitting here eating homemade banana muffins that i just pulled out of the oven. xander man is asleep in his bed (woo hoo - we’re getting there). jesse already has part of the bathroom sink pulled out and we’re both still in sweats. it’s cold here, there’s a fall chill in the air and the dishwasher is running from last night’s chili and apple crisp meal. the ups man just stopped by and is probably wondering what we do for a living seeing as how we both look like we just got out of bed, but that’s okay because we kind of just did. laying around being lazy, getting little projects done. the bathroom should be complete by the end of the week - even painted. i’m so happy. we just looked through xander’s 3-6 months clothes and we are so blessed. he has plenty. we’re going to two really nice children’s consignment shops this week to look for a mobile for his bed and some new pj’s - he’s already outgrowing his little footie ones… as sad as that makes me, we have one healthy little boy who is happy. his smile means everything to us - who knew that the world’s best entertainment was free…i’ve been journaling a letter to xander starting from how badly we wanted him, all through the pregnancy and now the little moments in the day that make life so great. did you know that he had hiccups at his first ultrasound - 9 weeks after being conceived this little guy had the hiccups, isn’t that funny, he still gets them all of the time. i had forgotten about that until i started his letter. yesterday’s message at church was on the prodigal son, my group discussed the older son and how his thoughts/actions are/compare to the kingdom of God. he was steady…. he had always done what was right and didn’t even realize the blessings he was living with on a daily basis. he got bitter over something that he already had - the blessing of his father. we live with that on a daily basis and have for years… i’m only just now beginning to see it. what a wonderful life we live - even through the times of crying babies and late nights, even through the financially slim times, even through the stresses of work, what a wonderful life. what a wonderful god.

The Little Things Matter

2007-07-19T05:50:00.001-07:00

Vivian here again... this morning before 8:00 even rolled around I was reminded of how God cares about the little details in our lives that might not seem like much.
My sister-in-law was also pregnant and due the same day as we are... this weekend. However, she was progressing through things but not in active labor - she was progressing so much the doctors wanted to induce her today (Thursday). Being that she was induced with their first and that there are some potential kidney issues with this baby she didn't like the idea of being induced and wanted to go naturally. This morning she had little Jeremiah... how cool is that! While I'm sure she would have been fine to be induced, her desire was to do things naturally and that is what she got... I am going to start praying for a pain free delivery - hahahahaha! Until next time...

Miracles or Luck?

2007-07-11T10:13:00.000-07:00

This is Vivian again... more ramblings from a now 9 months pregnant woman at home waiting for the arrival of our little boy. Through this pregnancy I can't help but think of what a miracle the development of a child is. We recently watched National Geographics "In the Womb" which I highly advise (not for small children) and sat back in complete awe of the details Jesus creates us in. How can someone say we are here by chance? This theory I'll never understand... although I'd love to chat with someone about it to here their side. It is just amazing and beautiful the design of the human body.
This was made even more real to me this past week. I found out that a wonderful friend of mine from TN delivered their son. No big deal right, happens every day... Jakob wasn't due until October though. Born at just 28 weeks, one pound and one ounce, he's hanging on. He is now three days old and breathing 80% on his own. Again... are they just "lucky?" I like to think it is about more than just luck. Where is the peace in that? Although times like these are scary and very unpredictable, I like to believe that we have an amazing Father looking out for us and watching over us - and our little born or unborn babies. I think I'd go crazy in this life without my assurance of Jesus... even though I have a ton of questions... He's a constant when nothing else in this life is. And a constant that doesn't mind our questions.
I like miracles, luck gives me nothing...

Race and Religion or God?

2007-04-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

I recently listened to a song that my sister sent me and to be completely honest I don't know who sings it or what the name of the song is. The one thing that I do know is it is profound. The author of the song is talking about God ( I know, I know, not so different yet) however, she starts singing about how people have a "race and religion" and she guesses she does too, but what about God? She also mentions walking underneath a star filled sky and how can we do such a thing and not think about God... it has just got me thinking. What about God?

I have been on a journey here recently to truly get to know God... not my beliefs, not my religions, but God. Who is this lover that Misty Edwards sings about? Who is this radical revolutionary that Shane Claiborne writes about? Who is this God that loves me for just who I am and not what I do, just me being me? Being 7 months pregnant with our first son (and child for that matter) has made me think even more. I don't want to just teach my child about God - we all sang the songs but do we really think about Jesus loving us and not just singing the lyrics to our children at night? I want my son to know God and I want to know Him too. Not just for religion's sake, but knowing an amazing lover, creator, and friend.
- Vivian

If God is so good......

2007-04-06T21:08:00.000-07:00

"If God is real, if God is so good, why is there so much evil in the world?" This age-old question seems to follow those who love God around. How do we answer this question?

I know that God is good because of my experience with him. Yes, of course, the many blessings he has so lavishly given me-my husband, my 4 phenomenal children, my extended family, my friends, even my possessions shows his goodness. But what about those rough times-the tension at work, the financial strain, broken friendships, death, sickness-is He really in that as well? Have I experienced His goodness in those too? Of course these things seem small compared to the poverty, sickness, starvation and wars in the world. So how can God be good with all of that going on right in front of him?

I recently attended a conference where a speaker pointed out that it's because of God's love and goodness that things aren't magnificently worse! What if we each acted upon everything that might be in our hearts and our minds? Can you imagine what the world would be like then?

It's often because people DO act upon what is in their hearts and minds that there is poverty, disease and war. Corruption often stops the flow of food and medicine to those that need it most. But that's not God's fault. He allows us to choose--or not-- his goodness. "Choose life....", He says.

But even when life for me is hard, when I'm tempted to ask that age-old question, I remember how he has brought me through each challenge--and has taught me something I needed to learn that I could not have learned unless I experienced it myself--often empathy for others. A "classroom lecture" would not have done the trick.

So yes, God is good. Even when we are surrounded by "all the bad things in the world", we can rest assured that there is no evil in Him.

-Delisa

What is a vivid Easter memory for you?

2007-04-02T05:58:00.000-07:00

Stephen here:

About 8 years ago I was wanting to create a visual to help teach my young kids, 5 and under, about the sufferings of Christ. His sufferings were not deserved, but were necessary for Him to relate with me and to die for me. Anyway, we lived in KY at the time and I had passed an un-mowed field with thorns and briers growing in it. I cut some down and took them home. These were the nastiest thorns I had seen in the area. They were hard as wood and razor point sharp.

I was going to take a little time one Saturday afternoon to connect the strands of thorns together and make a crown of thorns for display and a physical touch for the kids. It became a frustrating process. The thorns were so sharp I had to wear thick leather work gloves. I used pliers to grasp and intertwine the thorns, but it just was not working well. It was taking longer than I thought and I kept getting painfully stuck with the thorns.

Finally, my temper went off and I went in an anger burst. I yanked and jerked the strands together forcing them with all my strength not caring how badly I would be stuck by the thorns. It seemed to work- the crown was complete. I hadn't gotten that mad at anything in a long time.

My rage bothered me. I had a flashback to what the soldiers must have been like putting the crown of thorns together- getting frustrated, cursing, and slamming the thorns on the head of Jesus. Their rage and hatred for Jesus was released through flogging, beating, and torturing him. I felt their rage that afternoon and I realized that my sins and evil ways weren't any worse than the Roman torturers that day. I need someone to cleanse me of my evil ways and sins as much as anyone else. And He has - thank you Jesus.

What is a vivid Easter memory for you? This memory serves me well each year during Easter time.

Hebrews 10:22, "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

Blogging at The Fountain

2007-01-08T20:03:00.000-08:00

life as i have recently known it...

Well this time last weekend I was completely upset that I had to go back to work in just two days. I was excited to have New Years off but not excited about anything else in life - it was really weird, just a funk I guess. I knew I was going into a busy season and some of my superiors were going to be out of the office so I was STRESSED. On Monday, I finished up the book The Horse and His Boy out of the Chronicles of Narnia. There was a section in the end of the book that gave me great comfort about heading back to work and the craziness that this time of year brings with a school.

Shasta (the boy) is walking in the woods and all of the sudden Aslan the lion, who he had never met, is walking alongside of him - always on his left. It is dark outside and Shasta is scared of the lion but the lion is peaceful and only showing concern. When it turns to day he is overcome with the glory of the lion. A few chapters later, Shasta is on the same path and realizes that he was not on just any path but a very narrow path with a cliff that would have been on his left side. He can’t believe that he made the journey in the dark and then realizes that Aslan stayed on his left the entire time - of course he was safe.

I had such a peace that no matter how crazy the coming weeks were going to be, God was on my left. Little did I know just how crazy life would be. Going from stomach pains Monday night to surgery Tuesday night to remove my appendix, God had prepared me ahead of time. I don’t think it was any “luck” that I had read that story one night before. Even in the craziness of life, Jesus is on our left, even when we don’t have any idea what is happening or what could happen - He is there… how encouraging. I couldn’t believe it.

Those Amazing Women!!

2006-12-26T19:47:00.000-08:00

Wow, when you get extra busy the blog is the first to go. Sorry about that. Why is it that the Christmas holidays are designed to be most celebrative and enjoyable holiday of the year, yet it is such a stressful time?

I really don’t want to talk about that right now. I want to talk about single Moms. I have found over the years, that single Moms are amazing!! When I go out of town and leave my wife all alone with the kids, I know it is tough on her, but she seems to get through without any major disasters. When she goes away and leaves me alone, (which is not very often) it takes all of my energy and ability to make sure there are no disasters and we get everything accomplished on the schedule (which we usually do not).

Sometimes I can tell my wife is hoping that everything will fall apart while she is away, so I can experience first hand what she must overcome on a regular basis. (Can't say that I blame her.)

Lately, I’ve been reminded again of the stamina, perseverance, administrative skills, energy, devotion, dedication, and compassionate heart of women (in this case – single Moms). A single Mom in our East Oreland neighborhood volunteered to “adopt” a needy family of eight who live in North Philly for their Christmas wish list. She was willing to raise the money, shop for gifts, and wrap them. I helped in the fundraising, door to door in our neighborhood, but she did all the rest. Then her good friend, another single Mom in the neighborhood, jumped in and helped in the shopping and wrapping. They are already overloaded with families of their own, and yet they were able to give of themselves in such a way to provide Christmas for another family, all with a great attitude.

Single Moms are my heroes! Have you admired one lately? Be sure to encourage them and honor them as often as possible.

Have a Happy New Year! Stephen

Blogging at The Fountain

2006-12-15T06:33:00.000-08:00

So this is Vivian again... I know it has been a while - life just happened. Surely you know what I mean. In a matter of one week we lost one of hte most precious men in our lives - Jesse's grandfather - only to get back from MS and find out that night that we were expecting one of the most precious gifts Jesus can give - a baby! Needless to say, with the ups and downs of pregnancy, holidays and continuing life as a wife, intake coordinator, friend and family member - I got lost on my blogs!

In the past couple of weeks some things have stood out to me... how much family means. It is hard being away from family with all of the events happening that have just happened in our lives. Death is hard, very hard, being away from family during that time is hard. On the other end of the spectrum, we have found that new life can be hard, very hard. And just like death, being away from family has proven to be difficult. Sometimes the thing I long for the most is just to cuddle with my mom - she knows how it is to be pregnant, she knows a lot of things.

In all of this, we have also learned the crazy mystery of God. We have a being that is living, already with a beating heart, inside of me. There is no way we could have done anything to deserve such a thing or even create such a thing... it is such a God thing. It also is a shock to your system. One suddenly realizes from about week 4 that it is no longer about you - NOTHING IS!! I can't keep up with things the way I long to, but it's not about me anymore - not that it ever was, it is just the reality I wake up to now though.

All of this to say, once again we are learning God in a new way... a very exciting, crazy new way. I feel as though there is so much to learn in life, I never want to quit... even though sometimes it can be tiring... sorry for all of the rambling thoughts - vc

Cheesy Thanksgiving Insight

2006-11-27T06:26:00.000-08:00

I normally try to be thankful all year long so I rarely place extra emphasis on the "deep meaning" of Thanksgiving. But I had an insightful moment on Saturday on the beach at Cape May. Yes, are you jealous? Delisa, my lovely bride, and I had an overnight stay at the Jersey shore since my parents came down and watched the kids for us. (Thanks Mom and Dad.)
We walked out on the bright wide beach for a little while to see what it was like. We were on an exploration trip not staying in one place too long. It was a gorgeous day - clear sky, warm sun, big ocean. You've been there, done that. As we were leaving the beach we passed a lady sitting in the sand with her shoes off facing the ocean and the sun beaming down. She had a grin on her face and was looking in our direction. I said to her, "Enjoying the warm sun?" She said with deep contentment, "It's beautiful!"
As we kept walking by I wondered, "Does she realize who is blessing her - who set this up just to pour out the peace and warmth she felt?" I prayed that she would. God's goodness was after her that day, whether she know Him or not. Whether she trusts in Him or not. God is good and He pours out His goodness on everyone so that they will realize He is there and that there is much to be grateful for. So be thankful and see His goodness. (So how cheesy was that?)

Happy Birthday to me...

2006-11-13T07:24:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to me...I turned 41 yesterday. I haven't thought about it much this week. When you are in your twenties and thirties you dread the day you turn forty. At my thirty-eighth Birthday, I ended up feeling forty and so for the proceeding 2 years I got through the idea of becoming forty, sober though it was. It felt great turning 40. The timing was right to merge my youthfulness with my years of experience.
Forty- one is boring. Nothing to dread and nothing to look forward to. I am reminded of God's love for me - mainly through my wonderful family who love me so much. So I pray the "Jabez prayer" from 1Chronicles 4,

"Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. Jabez cried out to the God of Israel,

'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request."

Not only do I need God's blessing I am convinced He loves me in a way that He wants to bless me. Thank you Father for your love and kindness toward me. Stephen

what does one do?

2006-11-08T19:48:00.000-08:00

So in the past couple of weeks my husband and I have had some discussions. In the last blog that Stephen posted about peace it was brought to my attention once again. What does one do in the many different life situations without Jesus? I understand that some people believe in different religions, but sometimes I just can't help but feel as though without Jesus there is NO WAY I'd have true peace. Even in the worst of circumstances, I have something to rely on that is not myself. Some would criticize this thought process as being defeating and powerless. I am willing to be criticized. I know and I am very happy with the fact that I CANNOT make it on my own. I find great comfort knowing that the Almighty Creator God, my Aslan, of this universe is on my side - and not just on my side, but cheering, pushing, encouraging, challenging, and sometimes most importantly - waiting - for me. I feel His peace, even now as I type this and I have had yet another crazy week.

My husband's grandfather is currently on life support and probably going to be taken off in the next 24 hours. As sad as this is, the last time we visited it was so clear that he was just a shell of what used to be a vibrant human life. I take such peace knowing that this man who dedicated his hand to the hard work and sweat of his brow for his entire life is about to be wrapped up in the loving arms of Jesus.

So here I am again, just wondering, what would I do without Him? No assurance, no peace, no joy... it is hard for me to even imagine. As the Lord once showed my husband, I feel as though the world would become a desperately gray, barren, depressing place. I'm so thankful I know and believe... I want others to know this peace. Comment please - I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one...

His Love means My Peace

2006-11-05T18:35:00.000-08:00

My beautiful wife Delisa lead Kids Club at our Saturday afternoon outreach at KCM in North Philly yesterday. Her topic was Jesus, the Prince of Peace. For kids in the inner city, "Shalom" is an obvious need. To conclude her teaching she had the kids write down things on a napkin that take their peace away. Then she had them pour water on each napkin and watch them disintegrate away.
As I closed my eyes to think on what takes my peace, fears came to my mind more than anything else. Fear in general and fear of failure, fear of lack, fear of.... I realized (or God reminded me) that most of the fears on my mind dealt with issues that haven't happened yet, but might. They were future possible events. Can I trust my Heavenly Father with my future? Can I ask Him to take this fear away about events down the road?
I then realized (or God reminded me) that He really does love and care for me. So YES, I can trust Him over future outcomes. I can have peace and I began sensing it right then with my eyes closed.
I later remembered ( or God reminded me) of the Scripture in 1John4, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
You are LOVED. Have a peaceful day. Later, Stephen

Sometimes...

2006-11-01T18:37:00.000-08:00

Being completely honest, sometimes I feel as though nothing is going right. It isn't anything in particular, it is just those moments when I don't feel good enough, feel like all of the little annoying things are happening and it drives me crazy! I am having one of those weeks this week and it is hard. It is hard to keep motivated, hard to not just want to stay in sweats and watch some Oprah!

However, even in these moments, I have to know that there is Someone bigger and someone in control. Even in the midst of my crazy days, I know that I have someone watching over me and sending me love messages - whether it is the still small voice in my heart or the simply beautiful fall colors and weather, He is sending them and I just need to focus on this. More later, v

Light the Night - grateful

2006-11-01T05:08:00.000-08:00

We did our first Light the Night last night in our front yard-games, refreshments and fun. I enjoyed meeting new people in our East Oreland neighborhood. We even met some from North Hills. It reminded me what a great neighborhood we have. Really nice people and lots of kids. I'm really grateful for that. That is a blessing that is hard to find today. I hope to see many of these newfound neighbors more often and see friendships develop. Last night's experience reminds me of a verse in the book of Psalms in chapter 133, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" Later, Stephen

So last night I was praying...

2006-10-31T05:54:00.000-08:00

Jesus was asked in John 6 verse 28, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
I'm reading slowly through the gospel of John right now. My favorite book in the Bible. I get in "doing mode" so often that I end up trusting in my good works and efforts. Jesus is reminding me here- it is more about being than doing. More about trusting and depending on Him.
So last night I was praying about something and I actually was trusting more in Him than in the effort put in the prayer or the correct wording of the prayer. It felt good. It felt right. It felt faith filled. "The work of God is this: to believe in Him." Later, Stephen

My Blogger Photo

2006-10-29T15:01:00.000-08:00

My first blogger photo. Hilarious, because I'm not a heavy intellectual, academic type thinker. Learning to be real... Stephen

Our Fountain Blogger Photo

2006-10-29T13:56:00.000-08:00

This is a cool photo we found on the web today. It depicts the fountain of God's light and the people that are drawn to it - like myself. However, I can't figure out how to publish the photo to the profile so it can always be seen. Obviously, I'm revealing that I'm new at this blogger stuff. Help me if you can! Stephen