Thoughts?

Do Not Grieve the Spirit.. Ephesians 4: 25-32
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:%2025-32&version=NKJV

Today, I was reading in my quiet time about not grieving the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:25-32). I began to think about my idea of grieving and if that is what we do to the Holy Spirit when we speak unkindly to or about a fellow believer. The only thing I could think of was grieving over a lost loved one, and so.. I had to do a search for the meanings of grieve.

grieve
[greev] verb, grieved, griev·ing.
–verb (used without object)
1. to feel grief or great sorrow: She has grieved over his death for nearly three years.
–verb (used with object)
2. to distress mentally; cause to feel grief or sorrow: It grieves me to see you so unhappy.
3. Archaic . to oppress or wrong.

And, as I read through the passage, I reached another verse that got my mind wondering..

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." -Ephesians 4:29


The bit about "impart grace to the hearers".. which definition of grace is being referenced?

grace
/greɪs/ noun, verb, graced, grac·ing.
–noun
1. elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.
2. a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.
3. favor or good will.
4. a manifestation of favor, esp. by a superior: It was only through the dean's grace that I wasn't expelled from school.
5. mercy; clemency; pardon: an act of grace.
6. favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity.
7. an allowance of time after a debt or bill has become payable granted to the debtor before suit can be brought against him or her or a penalty applied: The life insurance premium is due today, but we have 31 days' grace before the policy lapses. Compare grace period.
8. Theology .
a. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of god.
b. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
c. a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces.
d. Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect.
9. moral strength: the grace to perform a duty.
10. a short prayer before or after a meal, in which a blessing is asked and thanks are given.
11. ( usually initial capital letter ) a formal title used in addressing or mentioning a duke, duchess, or archbishop, and formerly also a sovereign (usually prec. by your, his, etc.).
12. Graces, Classical Mythology . the goddesses of beauty, daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, worshiped in Greece as the Charities and in Rome as the Gratiae. 13. Music . grace note.
–verb (used with object)
14. to lend or add grace to; adorn: Many fine paintings graced the rooms of the house.
15. to favor or honor: to grace an occasion with one's presence.


Which definition do you think they were referencing?

Walk in Love..

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." -Ephesians 5:2



Praying that I might learn to love the way Christ loves.

Welcome to 2011

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and days of old lang syne ?
For old lang syne, my dear,
for old lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for old lang syne....



Happy New Year to you all!

Dear Friends..

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." -Hebrews 10:23-25


I am thankful for so many of my friendships. The Lord has given me true friends. Friends that edify me, encourage me, scold me when needed, keep me grounded, keep me in stitches, and love me in spite of my faults. For each of these friends I am thankful.

A Very Merry Christmas Indeed!

Hello Blog-World! I have not graced your presence for sometime, so first off.. Greetings!

I cannot believe that Christmas is over, and what a great Christmas is was! Here is a play-by-play of our Christmas week...

Sunday, December 19th, Josh and I spent time with my family.. which is always a treat for me! I always enjoy spending time with my parents, sister and brother-in-law. We always eat great food and have many laughs while around the table. This year Kelly, Mom and I had some very fun laughs looking at our family tree and all the funny names we could find! Oh, what a trip!

Monday, December 20th, Josh and I celebrated Christmas with his parents. This year was Becky and Ron's year to have Josh and I on Christmas day, but Ron had to work Christmas and Hillary (Seth, my bro-in-law's g/f) was in town.. so, Monday worked out best. We took pictures, ate yummy food, read the Christmas story, worked on a puzzle, watched Charlie Brown Christmas and opened gifts! Wow.. a jam packed evening full of laughter and fun!


Tuesday, December 21st, Josh and I went to Fort Mill, SC to spend the evening with the Smith family. This family has been a part of our lives since Josh and I were engaged. Megan and Truman have been some of our truest friends. They truly are a God-send. They also have two of the cutest boys on the planet.

Wednesday, December 22nd, I was asked to help lead a Candlelight Service in Kannapolis, NC. Josh and I are good friends with the Assoc. Pastor and his wife, so they asked if I'd come sing. And so.. Chris, Cindy, Zack and I lead the service that evening. Carly (Chris' wife), set up gorgeous candles in the church. Chris read scripture and sang with Cindy and I as Zack played guitar. It was such a serene evening, so warm and peaceful.

Thursday, December 23rd, Josh and I spent a quiet evening at home watching the Sound of Music and eating yummy pizza.

Friday, December 24th, Josh and I joined his parents and brother, Matt, in Salisbury, NC for the Christmas Eve Service at First Baptist. The service was slam-packed with people! After the service, we went back to the Hughes' house, friends of the family, for some food and fellowship. I am so blessed to have been warmly welcomed by the friends of my in-laws.. they are a group of couples and their children who have known each other for 20+ years, whose children have grown up together and have continued to be a tight-knot group! I think spending time with them is one of my favorite Clark Christmas traditions! After we returned home, Josh and I opened gifts by the tree. It was such a sweet time, just the town of us under the tree. So, we took pictures!

Saturday, December 25th.. CHRISTMAS DAY!! Josh and I picked up Becky, Seth and Matt and headed to the farm to spend the day with Grand-mommy and Grand-daddy. Becky's sister, Lynn, and her husband, Greg, also joined us. We spent the afternoon chatting with family members as they dropped in to say, "Hello" and "Merry Christmas!" It was such a nice visit.. and I got to know more for the Nunnery side of the family better! Oh.. and it started snowing on our way home! A White Christmas after all!

Sunday, December 26th, Josh and I enjoyed our snow day at home. We ventured out to the store around 10am and then did not leave again until we went to a Christmas Movie Night at our friends' house. The evening was filled with more yummy food, fellowship and a game of "bad Santa." We love any time spent with our friends. Many were missed tonight, but I will be seeing them this week as we continue the Christmas celebrating!


This week has been chalk full of Christmas celebrations and gifts, but the greatest gift of all to be received on Christmas is the gift of Jesus Christ. He was brought into this world to live a perfect life, and then die a shameful death on the cross for the sins of the world. Thank you, Lord, for sending us your Perfect Lamb. Merry CHRISTmas!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." -Isaiah 9:6

Glory to God!

Well, August 23rd marked a new year of school, a new job, and an opportunity to make new friends and impact the lives of the students I would be working with.

I am about two months into my job, and thankfully.. I still love it! Each day is a new adventure, full of new surprises! I see about 6 classes a day, one of each grade.. Kindergarten through Fifth. It has been a challenge to switch gears from lower grades to upper grades and vise versa, but each class brings about a new challenge, different personalities and a new something to learn each day! I come home exhausted, but fulfilled.

I am thankful for the opportunity to work with people that I have known for many years, and one that I have known all my life, as well as brand new friends that I am making.

Lord, thank you for the opportunity to work with the amazing staff and the fun, enthusiastic students at RCES! I am blessed! I pray that my actions would bring Glory to God day in and day out.

Liberating Labor Day Weekend

Josh and I spent Labor Day weekend at North Myrtle Beach, SC with our friends: Allison and Grant Maginnis, Amy and Cameron Wagner. This was our first getaway as a married couple, together, without parents! We have each spent weekends away with friends, but never together as a married couple. The weekend was sunny and warm, a beach-filled vacation with some lazy river riding on the side...