To Roam or Rome?

Continued from last blog....

OK so some of you have asked, "What was Jay's birthday surprise?" Let's just say is wasn't where the buffalo roam.

Jay and I had the privilege to follow the journey of the Apostle Paul. We started in Barcelona Spain and then sailed on to Malta. This is where Paul was ship wrecked and later became famous for healing the Governor of Malta (Act 27-28).

After leaving Malta we began our trip through Italy and headed to Pompeii; a village that was completely wiped out and then preserved by a volcano. What an oxymoron! In 79 AD the volcano, Mt. Vesuvius, erupted and completely cover the town of Pompeii. When archaeologists started uncovering the city years ago, the people and houses were mummified as if it happen yesterday. You could see the distress on the mummy's faces; there was no doubt that they knew their death was certain. Mosaics, pots, houses, streets and their amphitheatre still remained.

Rome was like unwrapping a new Christmas present; every time you went around a corner there was a jaw dropping moment. "How did they build this," you would think to yourself. I have to tell you that if you've ever studied the statue in Daniel, you will know why Rome is represented by iron. The coliseum is actually put together with huge iron staples. As Jay and I were in awe of the staples the man behind us said, "You know that Rome was known for it's iron, right." No, "I didn't know!" I also didn't know that the money to build the Coliseum came from the victory of the Judea war (the destroying of the Temple). Hum! About the time it was to be finished, Vesuvius erupts which was right up the road from Rome. Coincidence?

I could go on and on about God opening my eyes to His history but the truth of the matter is, He is still in control today and still leading His people if we will listen and obey. This was evident to Jay and I as we boarded a train in Italy. A man sitting in the train asked us, in his broken English, "Are you going to Pompeii? "Yes" Jay said. "Get off this train." He replied. We didn't have time to question him, we got off the train as the automatic doors were closing. Sure enough, we were on the wrong train. "What made this man ask us?" we wondered.

"Thank you God" was our response. Even in a foreign land and through broken English God still speaks to His people. Will you listen? Will you obey? Or will you roam in this New Year? Deuteronomy 28.

From our home to yours we pray for each of you to have a very Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year.

Love,

June and Family

Do you hear from God?

Perhaps you are wondering where in the world is June, why hasn't she been blogging? Well, I've decided to take my own advice.... I'm trying to do only what the Lord tells me to do.

I know popular polls tell us that we need to constantly stay connected to our audience, and my blog says weekly updates. But all of that is man's doing (except for the words..weekly updates posted on my blog, sigh....that was my stupid idea...note to self, take that off the blog site). What I'm trying to say is we need to stop listening to society and start listening to God. If we keep hearing the words of man we are going to live in fear, guilt, and confusion. God has convicted me of not listening to Him. Where is He directing me? What is He doing in my life? When we stop and listen to the voice and the ways of God, then we can we live with great peace, joy, and confidence.

What I'm about to tell you might make you mad, possibly make you stand and cheer, or it could simply make you want to run for a bathroom and throw up. But stay with me until the end because God has something to tell you.

A couple of weeks ago I sat upon a mountain top with my husband of 29 years, Jay. I had been trying to find the right romantic moment to tell him about his birthday surprise. Now personally I would have picked a fancy restaurant to receive my great news, but guys are different, and I wanted this to be about Jay.

We were nestled together in our camo outfits that were accessorized with bright orange hats and vests (you won't find this outfit at forever 21). Ahh, there we were, in a place that Jay loved. In the quiet, surreal, fresh air of the mountains. "This is it, this is a romantic place to Jay (for me...not so lovely)."

While sitting next to him on a cold mountain I spilled his 50th birthday surprise like a kid knocking over his grape juice at the dinner table. OK, maybe it didn't have the best delivery but I could see in his eyes that Jay was truly surprised, grateful, and excited. It was a priceless moment...I leaned toward him with my eyes closed anticipating his tenderhearted kiss. But I almost lost my balance and fell flat on my face as he pulled away from me and said, "There they are!"

"There who are?" I said with a little attitude.

"The elk!" He exclaimed.

"Oh, could this event get any better?" I thought to myself. Two missions accomplished for the price of one.

Slowly, I put my gun into position and zeroed in on my target. "I think I can do it." I said with the confidence of a mighty hunter.

"They are too far, not yet." Jay whispered.

Of course I knew that 300 yards was too far away but..."I'm sure I can do this. I have her in my sights."

"OK," Jay said, almost smiling, knowing this was a long shot for a rookie. "Gently squeeze the trigger." he whispered.

The sound of the gun seemed like a cannon. My right shoulder flinched from the recoil of the rifle. My heart raced. "What had I done, what was I thinking!" The cow (female elk) just stood there as if someone had slapped her across the face.

"Did I get her?"

I watched her slowly disappear into the forest.

"We have to go get her." My husband exclaimed. "You shot her!"

I'm not going to lie, I felt like Anne Oakley. Although a little sad at the same time. I love elk meat, but was it worth this?

As we entered the forest there was no blood to be seen. "How, could we track her?"

Jay saw a heard of elk head up the mountain but as I surveyed the trees I saw her disappear into the black timber.

We searched high and low but still no sign of her. "Maybe I missed" I thought to myself after we searched for about an hour. As darkness was setting in Jay said, "We have to split up and go through the black timber (the deepest, scariest part of the Forrest)."

First of all I had no idea where we were, and second, the darkness of the black timber scared me with Jay by my side, much less by myself.

"June, it's are only hope to find her." he assured me.

With no gun, flashlight, or sense of direction I headed into the black timber. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil." My voice kept getting louder and louder as I recited the 23rd Psalms. I walked over fallen trees and heard noises that would make me jump. After what seamed like days I screamed for Jay but heard no answer. "Where are you?" I yelled with all of my might. I was half mad, half scared, and praying with all of my might that God wouldn't let this beautiful animal die in vain (that is if she was dead).

"I'm over here, you are to far right, start making your way left and I'll meet you at the top." he shouted. I took a deep breath, "Okay, at least I know Jay hasn't deserted me."

Psalms 23 kept comforting me, "He prepareth a banqueting table in the presence of mine enemies." I mumbled as I climbed up and over a fallen tree. As I began to take my next step I froze in my tracks, my heart began to race. "What is it?" I asked myself. "Was it a bear? Do I dare move? Should I scream?" "God help me!" was all that would come out of my mouth. I had stumbled onto a pile of fur but could not see any appendages.

I stood on my tippy toes to look over the log that hid the object. "It's her, it's her, I found her!" I screamed with all my might. I praised God that she didn't die in vain. I thanked God that I was still alive and not lost. But most of all I praised God that He had guided me and directed me through the darkest part of the Forrest.

I know this story seems a little odd for most of my readers but two days later one of my daughters dogs dissappeared while I was watching him. Jolene and her family had just moved to Grand Junction from Texas. I knew that this was terrible as the dog didn't know the neighborhood and it was night time. I jumped in my car to go looking for him. I prayed, "Lord you know where this dog is, please tell me." "Go back to Jolene's house and wait." was the voice in my soul.

As I stood at Jolene's back yard with a flashlight I could hear a faint bark that seemed to be blocks away. Sure enough, the dog had been guided back home.

As I was headed back home the Lord gently spoke to me, "I've shown you twice in the last two days that I will guide you. In these dark confusing times I will lead you, listen for my voice."

What peace to know that we don't have to do things the way the world would. And even when life seams dark or confusing we just have to listen for our Shepard's voice. "His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Ps. 119:105).

What was Jay's birthday surprise...to be continued

"Just Do It"

"Do Whatever He Tells You To Do" (John 2:5)



Have you ever wanted something to be so perfect that you stressed over it, lost sleep over it, got cranky, or even worse, you let fear over take you?


I'm guilty! In fact right now it is 4:44 am and here I am blogging. Why? Because there is so much on my plate right now. i.e. The Wake Up Sleeping Beauty kick-off, Labor Day with family at the cabin, quarterly taxes, canning pickles, tomatoes, peaches, and whatever else comes out of a garden, and the list goes on. The problem is that they all have deadlines. People are counting on me and I can't wait until November to can peaches. It all seems a little over whelming.


I think Mary may have felt my stress when she was helping out at the wedding in Cana. They were having an amazing celebration and then the wine ran out... "Who ordered the wine? How could we be short? Why are we out?" I can imagine her saying as the last wine bottle was being poured.


But then she remembers, "Jesus, my Son, He's God, He can do anything!" "Ask Him to perform a miracle" She thinks to herself. But when she presents the wine problem He replies, "It's not My time."


"Yikes!" I think to myself. Is this what Jesus is going to say when I ask for help?


Only if we quit. You see, it was Mary's next move that proved her faith. "Do what ever He ask you to do" she told the servants. She knew her Son, her Savior, her Protector, her Deliverer, her Lord, was not about to let her down, and He didn't. He saved the best for last as He turned the water to wine.


I need a miracle right now... so I will "do what ever He ask me to do" and trust that He will come through with more than I expected.

Sex Sells

Sex sells. Which might explain Miley Cyrus, all of 16, jumping aboard an ice cream cart for a couple of suggestive dance moves and thrusts alongside a silver pole.

According to NewsDay.com Miley Cyrus is now pole dancing her way into the spot light with the help of her dad! I don't know about you but I'm sick of this kind of behavior and everybody just turning their heads and acting like it's no big deal.

Check out this article from NewsDay.com.

Who wears short shorts? Miley Cyrus does - and black leather boots, too.The 16-year-old Disney star, who sold out Nassau Coliseum in 2007 and is in line to do the same for her November show here, took another step along the Britney Spears career track this weekend with a pole-dancing performance at the Teen Choice Awards that some say sent the wrong message to her tween-age fans.Cyrus, who has been piping up about broadening her appeal, busted out the provocative get-up to sing her song "Party in the USA" for a segment of the teen awards fest taped Sunday and broadcast Monday night on Fox. Halfway through the song, Cyrus climbed atop an ice cream cart and shimmied alongside a pole protruding from its top. But if you were surprised, offended or shocked by the move, you really shouldn't be, say Miley-watchers - this has been coming for some time."She already has this risque image, so it really wasn't much of a stretch," says Us magazine senior editor Ian Drew. "That's how Britney took off. She was the good girl gone bad, and it looks to be working for Miley as well."

The article goes on to say, "Miley the Minor didn't do anything illegal, or against her will. According to an interview she gave MTV, Miley and her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, planned the not-so-slyly sexualized performance as part of an homage to the family's small-town, trailer-park, country roots. One minute, she's Hannah Montana, role model to legions of little girls. The next, it's Miley - a year after her father caught flak for sexually charged photographs of the kid in a magazine - dancing one more step toward goodness knows what."

Moms, please help me in fighting this. We have to teach our girls. If you haven't signed up to be a leader for this years Wake Up Sleeping Beauty kick-off please do it now. You can influence not only your daughter but her friends. Go now to http://www.wakeupsleepingbeauty.com/ and click on events and register as a leader.

We can be appalled at Billy Ray Cyrus for exposing his daughter to such scandalous behavior but we are no better if we don't become proactive with our own daughters.

Day 24-28 "Your Children Will Return"

"Your children will return" Jeremiah 31: 16-17



I apologize for not posting a blog every day this week. I want you to know that Jordan and I have been shredding and spending our time in the Word.


This past week I had the honor of going to Aspen, Colorado to do a Wake Up Sleeping Beauty kick-off. The moms and daughters captured my heart. I can't wait to see what God is up to in Aspen. Please be praying for them as they start their groups next week.


I also had the joy of preparing for all of our daughters and their spouses to come home. We are all getting ready to escape to Lake Powell. I can't remember the last time we were all together. Thank you Lord.


There was also break through this week. Jordan was anxious to get her ACT scores back because she wants to fast track into Mesa College her senior year. Now Jordan is a very smart girl but she struggles with test taking. While I was in Aspen she called, "Mom, I did it, I not only passed, I exceeded their standards!" Now that was amazing but her next words blew me out of the water. "Mom, I'm going to take the test again. I know that I can do better and get the scholarship that CCU offers." For a girl who stresses and cries on test days this was like the Red Sea parting and she was walking through. Like Jillian says, "If you want results you have to work hard, don't phone this one in."


Jordan and I have been continuing in our study of Jeremiah. Israel is engaged to God but she keeps finding other lovers. Jeremiah weeps over her unfaithfulness and keeps warning her that she is trading in God's glory for things that won't profit her.


There are many times in my ministry that I feel like the weeping prophet as I try to tell girls that their choices are going to lead to curses and not blessings. Time and time again I see girls fall into sexual impurity. They trade the Glory of God for things that won't profit them.



Last night I had the privilege of witnessing one of the most beautiful love stories of all times. A former Wake Up Sleeping Beauty student and her groom went to the marriage alter pure! Their wedding was a testimony to the glory of God. They shared their love for Christ with the guests as they wrote their own vows and washed each others feet. Tears stream down my face as I thought about Christ coming for a bride without blemish. The angles in heaven must have been rejoicing last night as two people came to the wedding chamber undefiled, and Holy unto God. Thank you, Wade and Chelsea for witnessing to so many last night!


This will be my final "Shred" blog as the next two days Jordan and I will be shredding in a remote spot. I feel like Jordan and I have made huge progress both mentally and physically. Jordan ran her three miles this week and I know that I will succeed soon. Spiritually I desire to look good for my Groom. I want to become the Bride that He longs for. I know that my job as His fiance is to learn and know all I can about Him while He's gone to the Father to prepare a place for me.



I want to encourage you to keep exercising your bodies and minds with your daughters this summer. Keep breaking thought barriers that have stopped you from succeeding in the past and get rid of things that steal God's glory and keep you from profiting.


I want to encourage you with a verse that God gave me when I started Wake Up Ministries, "Stop crying, stop weeping, your work shall be rewarded. Your children will return from the land of the enemy and into their own territory." Jeremiah 31: 16-17 Moms never give up. Girls never give in. When it comes to trading God's glory with the things that the world has to offer, it will never profit you.

Day 23 "Little Profit"

"But My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit." (Jer. 2:11)

The Apostle, Paul, tells us that it doesn't really profit us that much to buff up our bodies. There are some health benefits, but it's not ever lasting. If we start admiring ourselves too much or long for the "Idol" body we will exchange our glory (being His temple) for that which does not profit.

Jordan and I spent quite a bit of time in the second chapter of Jeremiah today. God compliments Israel as He tells them, "I remember concerning you the devotion of your youth, the love of your betrothals, your following after me in the wilderness."

We compared this scene with our first loves in High School. How cool it was to take new adventures in unknown territories with the man of our dreams. "Ain't no mountain high enough, ain't no valley deep enough to keep us from them." but then they dumped us.

They changed the glory that we had for drinking, parties, and even other women. Oh, the hurt of our first love letting us down. We gave so much of ourselves. We had a right to be angry, bitter, mean, and vengeful. Yep, we were going to drink poison and hope that someone else (our boyfriends) would get sick and die.

How God must feel when we stop depending upon Him, stop trusting, loving, or spending our time with Him in order to please the world, how much it sickens Him knowing that it will not bring us profit.

God has the right to be bitter, mad, mean, and even hateful to us as we've all dumped Him in some sore of fashion. But when we come back He forgets, forgives, and adorns us with His glory and oh, how it profits us.

Day 22 "Workout Three, The Last Frontier"

"Before I formed you I knew you, before you were born I consecrated you." (Jer. 1:5).



We are on the last leg of the 30 day shred. Jordan and I are committed to doing workout 3 for the rest of the duration (that would be eight days for those of you just joining us).


I want you to know that I'm a full supporter of this Jillian (that is until she comes out with some outrageous hidden secret). I think she's changed my life and a few others along the way. I'm telling everyone about "The Shred." I also show them, "just feel my abs." It's sick and wrong but I'm every impressed that our bodies can change so much with a little effort. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. I'm pretty sure that before long Jillian's going to have to start paying me a commission for selling so many DVDs.


Jordan and I have have gone from Isaiah (the doom prophet) to Jeremiah (the weeping prophet). Now that's progress.


I've read Jeremiah a thousand times but this morning something hit me. God said, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." The word knew in Hebrew is "yada", it means to be one or intimate, it can go as far as sexual intimacy.

God is giving us a clue about His love for Jeremiah. As He knitted Jeremiah together He was putting all the right parts, pieces, temperments, looks, and love into him to do the job which he had created him to do.

"Before you were born I set you apart" He made Him unique and then gave Jeremiah his purpose..."prophet to the nations."

Jeremiah questioned the Lord. "I am a youth."

I often question my purpose, or better yet can I do it? I often think: I'm too old, not smart enough, not rich enough, or some other excuse but the fact is... God knitted me together with everything I need to do His good works. He knew me! He's crazy in love with me.


Jordan and I said maybe we weren't sent here to change nations (or maybe we were) but we are definetly created and equipped to do all that God asks us to do.

Day 21 "Father's Day Shred"

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:3


My husband, Jay, dreamed about going to our cabin and fishing Father's Day weekend. It was the perfect weekend. The boat ran great, we caught our fishing limit in about an hour (my dream come true) and Saturday evening was quiet and peaceful as God painted us a beautiful picture in the mountain sky.


Jordan and Jay will tell you that all was calm until 8:00 am on Sunday morning. Yep, that's when the "Shred" Nazi began to shout, "Get up we're wasting daylight"

Jordan moaned, "Mom, we had a deal...we don't shred until 8:30." She wrapped the pillow securely over her head hoping that I would not bothered her again.

However, I'm smarter than the average bear so I waited a few moments and then set the only clock in the cabin up 20 minutes. "Jordan, it's 8:30!" I giggled.


"Mom, you're ridiculous." At least that's what I think she said under that muffled pillow.


While drinking his coffee, Jay, laughed as he's gotten quite use to "The Shred" routine. I took one look at him and said, "Soldier, down your coffee, you're "Shredding" too."


It was Father's day and since we have no TV at the cabin we needed Jay's stop watch. Yep, we were going to do three minutes of strength moves, two minutes of cardio, and one minute of abs (three times) while hiking straight up a mountain.


I have to say that it was one of the best times ever in the mountains. Jordan began to give her dad heck. "Dad, these are lunges, get your rear end down."


"I'm about to pull a hamstring" was his reply.


"Oh yea, your not either, you're just out of shape, I hear you breathing" She laughed.


I must tell you that at the end of our 20 minutes we were all dirty, sweating, and breathing like ninety year-old smokers. We were laughing at how crazy this all was. I can't think of a better Father's day. However, I'm not sure Jay sees it in the same way. He's walking with a limp. It must be that pulled hamstring!


While at the cabin I came across Proverbs 15:3. I smiled as it brought back memories of picking up Olivia from her Christian preschool. Olivia was a very quiet four year-old, an only child in a single parent home. I was trying to make her feel comfortable so I asked her, "Olivia what's your favorite song at school?" Before she could answer I said, "Jesus, loves me? The B-I-B-L-E? Zack, the wee little man?


"No, no, and no" was her answer. "I like...The Eyes of the Lord Go To and Fro."


"What!" I said. "I've never heard of that." Maybe it was the way she said, "Lord" rolling all the consonants together, but it was the cutest thing I'd ever heard.


In her cute little voice she said, "June, you know it, it's Problems 15:3!"


Trying to keep a straight face I said, "Olivia, do you mean Proverbs 15:3?"


"Yep, He's watching everything, His eyes go to and fro." melodically she sang.


The crackling of the fire brought me back to the present. "Oh, the eyes of the Lord watch it all. The good and the evil." I believe He smiles as He watches his children loving each other and having a good time. I believe He loves families more than anything in the world and desires for us to stay away from the evil and live the abundant life He came to give us. In the 15th chapter of "Problems" He shows us how to stay away from evil and live good.


Olivia had been through some really rough times but for her there was great comfort knowing that God sees it all, the evil and the good. My prayer for Olivia is , "God, show her how to live good, and keep Your eyes upon her." It's written in the Problems.

Day 18 "My Flesh Doesn't Control Me"

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh" (2 Cor. 10-3).

Jay left at 5:00 am this morning to go fishing at Blue Mesa Reservoir and I did not want to get out of bed.

When Jordan and I first started the DVD I was dragging. "I hate this" I kept saying in my mind. But by the time we were into the second stage of exercise I was actually enjoying it (well, maybe "enjoying" is stretching the truth a bit) but we made it another day. Our flesh didn't control us... we controlled our flesh.

The apostle Paul tells us "for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."

What I believe Paul is telling us is that our minds are so powerful that if we stay focused and believe in Who God IS and Who we are in God then we are capable of accomplishing anything.

Another thing Paul is telling us is that the greatest thing we can do with our minds is to tear down fortresses (imaginations or lies the enemy has put in there).

I've been thinking about the exercise where Jillian has us squat and then punch as if we were hitting a punching bag. Well, I'm going to start having fun with this exercise because when the enemy puts a thought into my mind that isn't right...something like...I'm unsuccessful, stupid, something mean spirited, or perhaps a sexual thought that shouldn't be there, I'm simply going to take a punch at Satan. I'll do this by saying, "Shut up!" Then I'm going to give him the right hook by putting Scripture into my mind...something like... "I am Christ workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).

Last but not least I'm going to go for the Knock Out, I'm going to walk in obedience to Christ.

So tomorrow when the enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy me, he's going to be a little beat up. He can take his little jabs but in the end I will win because my weapons are divinely powerful! While I walk in the flesh, my flesh will not control me, I will control it. AMEN!

Day 17 "No Kids for Jillian"

"Rise up, captains, oil the shields," (Isaiah 21:5).

I do not know this for a fact, but I'm pretty sure that Jillian doesn't have any kids. This would explain why she claims that everyone can do jumping jacks, even a 400 pound person; but has she tested the mother of four? Let's just say I have a new goal...

This is totally random but as I'm sitting here typing a deer just walked across my front pasture. How awesome is our God that He gives us natural parades every once in a while.

Jordan has really been battling a certain girl. Every time Jordan turns around it seems as though this girl has another fable to tell. She is always trying to cause division between people. Her stories usually have some truth to them but then are twisted and slanted to give her the benefit. Her new favorite ploy is to hit on boys with girlfriends and then put doubt into the minds of the girls.

Babylon's days were numbered. They were about to be destroyed and would no longer bring grief to Israel. God was telling Israel pay close attention, "raise up, captains, oil the shields." In other words.... get ready for the battle, keep a lookout, and get the reports. However, Israel was afraid of war. They were afraid to confront the enemy.

I told Jordan that there may come a time when she has to confront this girl. Not with anger but with truth. She needs to be ready and watch out for her. She needed to be obedient if the Lord told her to speak. But I also said, "don't be surprised if while you are on the lookout that God overcomes your enemy."

As Israel obeyed God and put watchman on the towers they saw the riders, horsemen in pairs coming. I imagine that they were scared to death knowing that the war was about to begin. But the watchman yelled out the report "Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the images of her gods are shattered on the ground" (Isaiah 21:9).

"Wouldn't it be awesome if this girl's gods were shattered on the ground and you had a change to bring her to Christ?"

"Yes!" was Jordan's reply.

"Rise up (change your posture), captain (leader of your own life) oil the shields (be prepared for battle)." While expecting a miracle.

Day 16 "I'm Starving"

"And the Lord was with him; wherever he went he prospered." 2 Kings 18:7

I keep thinking that I should be losing weight about now, but...I'm starving. Is there anyone out there that has noticed their appetite increasing? The more I exercise, the hungrier I get. I sort of feel like the chubby boy in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. I'm about to take a dive into the river of chocolate. Somebody stop me!

I think it's awesome how God shows us in the physical what is going on in the spiritual. The more I get into the Word, the hungrier I am to find the truth. I can't get enough, praise God!

At the age of 25 Hezekiah became Judah's new king. Now many of you might remember that Israel has been split into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom is called Israel and the southern kingdom is call Judah.

When Hezekiah came into power he bucked the system. He rebelled against the ways of the culture. He removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. In our modern day terms he removed the sex billboards, cut away all the pornography, burned the Playboy mansion, and paid professional athletes minimum wages.

He took their gods away and He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. He clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, and kept His commandments.

I'm sure it wasn't easy for this young king to stay firm in his commitment but the pay off was huge. "The Lord was with him; wherever he went he prospered." Are we trusting in the Lord during this recession? Are we keeping His ways or trying to be politically correct?

I can almost see King Hezekiah exercising his power slowly and then the more he does the more he wants to do for the Lord. His appetite for justice and truth are insatiable. He's performed a triple gainer and is swimming in the Holy Spirit river. Somebody just try and stop him. AMEN!

Day 15 "Change Your Posture"

"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you" (Isaiah 60:1).

Have you noticed all the different posture positions that Jillian puts you in while doing "The Shred?" First you are standing up, then lying down, leaning to the left, and then leaning to the right. All in the name of looking fit and feeling good.

This morning Jordan and I realized that God is calling us to change our posture. He tell us to "arise" change our position, our posture, get up and get going. He then tells us to shine. This word shine means to display. Kind of like a diamond in a display window. We are to arise and shine because the glory of the Lord has risen upon us (this happened when you came to know Christ).

God is telling us that we Christians should stand out when we walk into a room. We should have such an appearance, confidence, and attitude that seas of people are drawn to us.

Moms, girls, it time to put a bounce in our step and a sparkle in our eyes. "Arise, shine for the light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen up on us." Think about it...what are some ways that could set you apart from the crowd?

Day 12 "It's Friday!"

June 12, 2009
"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it" (Psalm 127)



I'm sure some of you are wondering why I haven't e-mailed you a blog every day this week. Well, it is because I didn't want to scare you (oh no, it's another blog from June). Well, rest assured that you can get on my blog everyday and see the daily post or you can wait until Friday and get the e-mail in your inbox.



I hope you are all moving forward with your "Shred' It's been great to get your e-mails and comments. For those of you who haven't read the comments on the blog we have a group in Canyon City doing "The Shred" as a group and then having their 20 minutes of Scripture. How awesome it that!! Go Canyon City!



Well, for some reason the workout seemed harder than usual today. I can't tell if it is because it's Friday and we are tired, or because we upped our weights to 3lbs (no laughing for you 5 pounders).



Today a dear friend of mine met with me to pray; the Lord gave her Psalm 127 for me. Jordan and I discussed it and realized how often we think everything is up to us. Most of the time we are running like chickens with our heads cut off.



This passage is timely for me as I get ready to start organizing and planning the fall kick-off for Wake Up Sleeping Beauty. The Wake Up Ministry prayer team believes that God is calling forth 72 moms to host small groups in their homes. The first thing I did was strategically plan how to get 72 moms (note to self, it's not up to me).



God is telling me and you to rest in Him. I have to be obedient when He tells me to do something, but the job is up to Him. Everything else I do is in vain because He gives to us even while we are sleeping (v2). How cool is that?



As we head for the Sabbath please remember to rest in Christ.

Day 11 "Energy and Burping Guppies"

June 11, 2009

"Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies" Isaiah 51:12



Okay, maybe I'm taking this a little to far but, My brother-in-law told me that the best thing I could do for my skin and brain is to take a little fish oil everyday. So... today I ingested a very large fish oil tablet and for several hours I burped guppies! So nasty! I think I will just stick to exercising my mind and body.



Mental anguish is the worst. When we worry, fret, and stew about our future, friends, financial situation, health, and things that will probably never come to pass, we waste a lot of time. If we were really honest with ourselves we would see that the root of all this worry is the that fact that we fear what others think. What if I score low on the ACT? My friends will think I'm dumb, colleges won't let me in and I will be less of a person than the smart girl going to an Ivy League school.



How about us moms? We think if our kids don't turn out perfect our peers will think we are terrible parents, lacking in our faith, or possibly full of sin ourselves. God asks us a question in Isaiah 51:12, He says, "Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies and of the son of man who is made like grass?"



When you think about pleasing man it is all vanity. Everyone on this earth will one day die and they will stand before God to be judge. So wouldn't it make sense to live our lives trying to please the One and Only Judge and King? Only then will we break the chains of our mental captivity.

Day 10 "It's All About the Delivery"

"Shall I bring to the point of birth and not give delivery?" (Isaiah 66:9)



This week Jordan and I decided that we would do workout 1 on Mon., workout 2, on Tue., and you guessed it workout 3 today. Oh baby, it was hard. I must admit that we had to resort to the modified version on several exercises, but we finished. It really inspired us to keep this up as we are determined to do it through workout 3 without modifying.



Once again, after our tough work out Jordan and I found ourselves on the sofa pondering over the captivity of Israel and how their captivity tied into our own lives. God reminded us that nothing is to hard for God. He restored Israel in one day. God asked the question, "Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once? Well, you probably already know that Israel became a nation in one day back in 1948. God planned that amazing day for Israel years in advance.



We began to ask ourselves, what has God conceived in us that He has promised to bring forth. Can we rest in Him knowing that the final push will be from His strength and not our own? Will He bring us to the point of birth and not give delivery?

Job said, "No plan of God's can be stopped." So I've decided to live an obedient life to Christ and let God take care of the rest.

Day 9 "Breakthrough"

"The Fear of the Lord is his treasure" Isaiah 33:6



You are not going to believe it but Jordan actually set her alarm so that I wouldn't have to yell. She was up and ready to "Shred" this morning. Now that is breakthrough!



I hope you are all sticking with this. Jordan and I are a little sore and whining to each other but deep down we are loving the time together. I believe it's worth the time and struggle to motivate a teenager. AMEN?


It was back to Isaiah this morning. It seems like everything Jordan and I read this summer is about captivity. This morning Assyria was about to be crushed because it had oppressed God's people. Once again Jordan and I found ourselves excited knowing that God has and is delivering us from our captivities. We just have to know that "He shall be the stability of our times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is his treasure."



Who do you fear? Man or God?

Day 8 "Monday, Monday"

June 8 Isaiah 14:6

"How the oppressor has ceased, and how fury has ceased!" Isaiah 14:6.

I'm not going to lie to you, I didn't want to do "The Shred" Monday morning and neither did Jordan. However, after I yelled (and I mean yelled) up the stairs at Jordan for the umpteenth time I was about to lose my patients.

We persevered and were both very proud of ourselves after it was over.

Jordan said to me, "Mom have you ever had a book in the Bible become yours? You know like everything it says just jumps off the pages at you?"


"I guess I never thought of owning it, but yea, I know what you mean." I replied. "Why don't you pick the Scripture today" I suggested.


Jordan began to read Isaiah 14 and what was to take 20 minutes took an hour. "A day is coming when the captives will take their captors captive and will rule over them." Jordan and I started listing all the things that have taken us captive:

• Things that others have said about us
• Fear
• People judging us
• Rejection
• Hurt
• Bitterness
• Believing who we are through the eyes of others rather than believing who God says we are

Our eyes began to fill with tears as we realized how this captivity keeps us from living the amazing free life that Christ died for.

I told Jordan, "We are going to take Communion and we are putting everyone of these captors on the body of Christ (the bread) then we are going to drink the wine (juice) knowing that as His blood washes over the bread, that we just ate, it is redeeming, cleaning, atoning, and making new all things." AMEN


"Jordan, today the oppressor has ceased, and how fury has ceased!" We are free! Just believe.

Day 6 "Rest" Day 7 "Simply"

June 6 Acts 8:16

"They had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 8:16).



On our way home from the week-end I realized that you can exercise all you want but if you don't eat right you won't be able to get the full benefit of "The Shred."

We all over indulged at the wedding. Who wouldn't? We sat down to steak, chicken, potatoes, and veggies, with all the works. Then came the chocolate fountains with bananas, strawberries, brownies, and pound cake just waiting to be dipped. Across the room waited jars of malted milk balls, spree candies, M&Ms, and Gummie bears along with their little plastic bags and ties to make the perfect parting gift. And I can't forget the amazing wedding cake. But the next day...sugar overload!!! I wanted to be sick.

Yep, we must eat right and exercise if we want the full benefit of health.

We Christians sometimes forget that if we want the full benefit of our faith we must have both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Peter and John knew the power of both Jesus and the Holy Spirit. "When they heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 8:16).

Have you received Jesus? How about the Holy Spirit? Without both it is impossible to live the full abundant life that Jesus promised us. They go together like diet and exercise.

Day 5 "Shredding" in an Unusual Form

June 5, 1 Thes. 4:3-4

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor" (I Thes. 4:3-4).

We were up early to get our "Shred" in before our appointment with the College. We turned on the exercise TV only to find out that "The Shred" wasn't one of our options, but...there was a 20 minute cardio video so we went for it. Our new problem...no room in the room.

I've never been one for letting the kids jump on the bed but it was our only choice. So being dedicated we did it anyway. Jordan and I had a blast doing our workout while jumping on the hotel beds. One piece of advice...don't do jumping jacks unless you like your fingernails filed by the popcorn ceilings. OUCH!

Our twenty minutes of Scripture is continuing to be priceless to me. After our fun aerobic workout Jordan and I sat on those beds face to face and opened the Bible to I Thes. 4: 3-4. I asked her, "What does sanctification mean to you?"

I won't betray her confidence, but God is asking us (believers) to be set apart for Him and abstain from sexual immorality. I believe one reason He wants us to be sanctified is so we will be fearless. Fearless of abortions, STDs, awkward relationships, what people think, and guilt. When we learn to be fearless we will conquer new territories and set new standards.

Keep "Shredding" I'm praying for you.

Day 4 "The Shred " Must Travel

June 4, Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Prov. 15:1).

Things are not always as we think they should be. On day four of “The Shred” Jordan, Jay, and I left early in the morning for Denver to attend my nephew’s wedding, visit Colorado Christian College, a school that Jordan is interested in attending after graduation, and to attend a play, staring Barbra Andrews, a close family friend. Not exactly your boring week-end.

Our big problem....When and where will we perform “The Shred” (that I forgot to pack)? On the sidewalks of the 16th street mall, that’s where (isn’t that where all improv happens)! Oh, it didn’t look like a typical Jillian workout but it was power walking and arm moving at its finest; I guarantee you that we shredded not only our bodies but our checkbook as well.

No, it wasn’t the normal Shred, and you can judge me if you like, but I assure you our hearts were right. This was the environment that we were in and we had to make the most of our conditions. Speaking of environment, on our way over the beautiful Rocky Mountains I couldn't help but notice the pine trees that grew so mightily in their perfect climate. I flashed back to the peach orchards in Palisade, CO that we had passed earlier that day and said to myself, “Those peach trees wouldn’t survive in the Colorado Mountains.” It wouldn’t be a matter of good seed or good soil; it would simply be that the environment wasn’t right for growing peach fruit.

Have you ever walked into a place that the spiritual climate was so stressful that you could cut the tension with a knife? While you didn’t see it, you could feel it? So my question is… can we change the climate of our environment (our homes, youth groups, schools, etc) so that healthy fruit trees grow?

I know that I’m rambling but the Bible tells us that we can change our environment and the climate around us by speaking kind words (Prov. 15:1). We can actually change our surroundings so that people can grow and love one another by simply speaking kind words into their lives.

You know I could have cussed myself for forgetting “The Shred,” yelled at Jay when he was back seat driving (the whole way over the mountain), and freaked out when Jordan was driving down Vail pass, but instead I decide to speak positive to myself, “June, you can get “The Shred” on free exercise TV tomorrow,” then I decided to joke with Jay about the comments coming from the back seat, and I pressed hard on the floor board of the car as if that might slow the car down.” Our environment stayed positive and we all learned and grew from the situations. So until tomorrow speak love into your surroundings and watch them grow.

Day 3 "The Shred"

June 3, 2 Kings 17:7

"They feared other gods and walked in the customs of the nations."

It's easy to look at the girls on "The Shred" and desire to look like them; hard bodies, large breasts, long legs, etc... Jillian keeps reminding us to work hard to accomplish a body like this. Well, are their bodies a result of working out or have they conformed to the customs of the nations?

"Now this came about because the sons of Israel had sinned against the Lord" 2 Kings 17:7.

"What came about?" I asked myself.
Captivity, slavery, and being carried away from the promised land came about as a result of their sin. What was the sin? Fearing other god's and walking in customs of the nations.

I realize that the modern day customs are to cosmetically change anything that you don't like about your body. God, however, says that your bodies are His temples. Stop fearing what men think about you and their plastic gods. Start being grateful for your natural beauty and health.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Day 2 "The Shred"

June 2, Isaiah 19

"Behold , the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and is about to come to Egypt."

Oh, today was so much better. I got up early, had my coffee, quiet time with the Lord, and then spent some time with my husband, Jay.

By 8:30 a.m. my "Shred" partner was still sleeping. "Jordan, get up it's time to exercise!" Now what 17 year-old doesn't love to be awaken by the sound of a drill Sargent?

She came down for breakfast and I began to list our tasks that we would be accomplishing for the day (keep in mind it's my birthday and I can boss if I want to).

Well, after pumping her up like a football coach ready to start out the season with his new players, we headed for the basement. Sweat beaded on our foreheads and there were times when we didn't think we could do another horizontal push-up...but we complete workout # 2.

We gave each other a high five and then plopped on the couch. It was time for mind exercise.

Isaiah 19 caught my attention. "Behold the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and is about to come to Egypt."

Jordan read the whole chapter and then we began to see how Egypt is whatever is holding us captive. We came to terms with the fact that God hates captivity for His people because it keeps them from worshiping and celebrating with Him.

We both said that one thing that holds us captive is fear. So we re-read the chapter replacing the word fear where ever the word Egypt appeared and we realized that our Lord is riding on a swift cloud and is about to come to Egypt (fear). He will devour it, confuse it, dry it up, and use it for His glory.

What holds you captive? Won't you let the Lord ride into your life and quickly destroy your enemy, release you from your slavery, so you might worship and celebrate with your Lord!

Day 1 of "The Shred"

June 1, 2009 (Matt 5:37)

"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

Ok, so the day didn't start so well.

A friend of mine was heading off to the army and I felt I needed to say good-bye. What was to take 15 to 20 minutes took all morning.

Then it was time to clean house, pay a few bills, and before I knew it my day had turned into evening. "Oh no," was the thought in my head. "I've got the high school Bible study coming for dinner." I scurried to defrost hamburgers, find pickles, paper plates, and what ever else I was suppose to provide.

My day was hectic and in the back of my brain I was wondering, "When am I going to be able to do 'The Shred.'"

As the night went on I began to make excuses why it would be okay if I didn't do "The Shred." After all it was a busy day and people would understand.

At 9:30 p.m. the Bible study departed and I was ready for bed. While standing in my bedroom closet I had a decision to make, put on my PJ's or my workout clothes. I wanted to go for the PJ's but something kept hounding me. "You made a commitment" "I know but they will understand, it's late and I'm tired." I reasoned. The voice grew more convincing, "Do 'The Shred'" now!"

As I thought of each and everyone of you I boldly pulled up my yoga pants and headed for the TV. Yes, Yes, I will fulfill my vow. I will do what I said I would do, even when I don't want to and even if it is hard.

Jillian kicked my rear end but the Lord kicked my other end, my mind.

We need to stay committed to our commitments. Have you ever told a friend that you would do something with them and then a better offer came up and you changed the plan? Have you quit something when it became hard? We need to learn to be faithful in the little things so that when the big challenges like: marriage, raising children, jobs, etc... get hard we won't quit because we are people of our word. So...."Let your yes be yes and your no be no."

What is "TheShred?"

When a friend first told me about “The Shred” I thought that she had a new kitchen gadget. I was unaware that she actually had something that would change my life, and as you can see from my vintage photo I needed a little changing long ago.

Now, I’ve heard of shredding lettuce, cheese, and maybe even unwanted documents. But really, shredding my body; how does that work? I was curious to find out so I ordered “The 30 Day Shred” video from Jillian Michaels. The advertising on the front cover claimed that you could lose up to 20 pounds in 30 days. And each session is only 20 minutes long, “Perfect for my busy schedule!”

I knew that Jillian was a Nazi weight trainer on the hit T.V. series, The Biggest Loser, but I had no idea she would soon become my personal trainer (that is via DVD) and kick my gluteus Maximus.

When the DVD first came in the mail my oldest daughter, Jolene, was visiting so I said, “Hey, let’s give this a try.” Need I say that 20 minutes later I could hardly walk?

Within a couple of days I began to feel stomach muscles (I believe the six pack is only a few weeks away). My energy level increased and I began to sleep though the night. This is all good news for someone who has an alarm clock in her head that goes off at 3:00am.

Jillian is a cheerleader for the over comer. At the age of 14 she weighed 175 pounds. Her mother took her to a martial arts instructor, knowing that her daughter needed discipline in her eating habits and in her thinking patterns.

While being interviewed on the Huckabee show, Jillian states, “I recall sitting outside the gym waiting for my class to start. I was eating a whole bag of Cheetos. My instructor had been watching me from the corner of his eye. When it was my turn for class he told me to go home. He wasn’t going to train me. He said I had no discipline and was wasting my time and his.”

A few weeks later Jillian had a wake up call. She knew she had to take authority over her life. She begged the instructor to take her back and promised that she would work hard. Today Jillian is helping millions of people not only lose weight but to get mentally tough. She pushes people to get past their limits. She has not only mastered discipline she demands it.

I don’t mean to sound like an infomercial but I think Jillian offers us a challenge as believers. I think it’s time to start the 30 day shred not only for our bodies but for our minds.

Some of us need to shred our minds from fear, hate, resentment, bitterness, self-doubt, negative self-talk, anger, bad habits, etc... Moms, girls, we can push through this together. We can become the women God intended for us to be. We can and should become women who know that all things are possible and that through Christ we can do all things.

I’ve asked my daughter, Jordan to commit with me. We’ve committed 20 minutes a day (not on the Sabbath) to work out our bodies and 20 minutes a day to get into the Word of God and work out our minds. We would like for you to join us in this challenge beginning June 1st.

Now if we are going to succeed we have to have a goal.
June’s goal looks like this: (you will need to make your own goal)

Body:
1. Lose 4 pounds,
2. Firm up arms, stomach, rear, and legs.
3. I want to run three miles without stopping by Sept 18th, 2009.

Mind:
1. Get rid of doubt
2. Get mentally tough and know for sure that I can do all things through Christ
3. Take thoughts captive immediately
4. Know that every trial and trouble that I face Jesus already took care of it on the cross and it will all workout for good.
5. Have a great time with Jordan while reaching my goals

At this year’s Wake Up Sleeping Beauty kick-off which will be Sept 18th, 2009, I would like to share a few of your triumphs. I would like to know what you've overcome mentally as well as physically, so please stay in touch with me this summer. Maybe even send me pictures of the new you.
Now, to order your shred and to get started go to http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00127RAJY/?tag=yahhyd-20&hvadid=50494715511&ref=pd_sl_62ogoc9x8c_e
Remember June 1st, 2009 we will all begin together. I can hardly wait for our new summer adventure, how about you?

Please E-mail me at june@wakeupsleepingbeauty.com and let me know your commitment. I can't wait to hear your stories in September.
Love ya,
June

Can't We Just Have Fun?

It seems that there is so much negativity in our world today: Brittney Spears is teaming up with Kohl's to dress our daughters (now that's positive reinforcement), the financial world is upside down, and I might have to grow my own garden! Yikes

Isn't it time we started having some fun? A few high school students seem to think so.

A few nights ago I was watching a news show when a clip appeared. It showed high school kids having fun for a change. They were dressed like animals (looked like school mascots) and going to the grocery stores. I have to tell you when the chicken started inspecting the store's eggs, I started rolling with laughter, it was pretty funny. Teenagers have a great sense of humor. Finally, good clean fun. They weren't hurting anyone, being rude, or destructive. Just being kids.

A few days later I watched as our youngest daughter, Jordan left the house in some wild outfit. "Where are you going in that?" I asked.
"Oh, just wait and see!" She laughed.

Now watch and you be the judge....do kids just want to have fun?



Maybe frogs really do become princes, or maybe Jordan's youth pastor, DJ Jorgensen and his wife Vanessa are a couple of nuts! What ever the case, downtown Grand Junction will never look the same to me!

Just go out this week and have some good clean fun.

Sexting is The Next Deadly Weapon of The Enemy!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Moms, girls, please listen to this. The enemy is at it again. He wants to destroy our kids emotionally and physically. What's his greatest tool? SEX! And sex of any kind. Satan knows that it destroys souls and families. Even great kingdoms have fallen because of moral decline. All other sins are outside the body but immoral sex hurts the core of the body. We have to pay attention to the lies that Satan is feeding our youth.

Last night on Fox News the new 2007 birth statistics came out.
The birth rate for teenage girls rose 5 percent between 2005 and 2007, according to the report.
The previously reported increase in 2006 ended 14 straight years of decline. The rate rose again in 2007 by 1 percent over the prior year to 42.5 births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19.
That's not all. A record 39.7 percent of babies in 2007 were born to unmarried women over the age of 19. Including 71.6 percent born to African American women and 51.3 percent born to Hispanic women.

Note that more than three-quarters of these women were 20 or older. Stop for a minute and allow the percentages above to sink in. I like what Vicki Cortney has to say, "Now, take a deep breath, sigh heavily, and get ready for a dose of reality. Our children are growing up in a culture that glamorizes single motherhood, minimizes the role fathers play in the lives of their children, and overall devalues God's standard for marriage. One can only imagine the trickle down effect this trend will have on a generation of children where nearly half will not know the joy of being raised in an intact, married household. Aside from the financial burden this will place on taxpayers, it will have devastating emotional and spiritual consequences as well. The nuclear family, as we know it, is on the endangered list and nearing extinction with each passing year."

How did we get to this place with our youth? I believe the pendulum has be swinging left for the last 40 years as the Woman's Liberation movement impacted our society. Their motto, in a nut-shell, "If you're not with the one you love, love the one you're with." Their idea of sexual freedom has become our bondage.
1 out of every 4 girls between the ages of 14-19 will contact a STD
1.4 million babies will be aborted and 189,000 in the United States
Divorce rate is decreasing but so are marriage licenses. Co habitation is the popular thing. All of these things because..."If you're not with the one you love...love the one you're with"

Last night on the O'Reilly Factor a sex therapist said, "Abstinence isn't working!"
Listen lady, 78% of all government funding for sex education in the schools is given to plan parenthood. They don't teach abstinence! Perhaps that's why it isn't working!" I'm so fed up.

I'm going to the Arkansas Valley this weekend to kick-off Wake Up Sleeping Beauty in their area. I'm asking moms to join me in taking our kids back. God keeps giving me Jer. 31: 16-17. "Stop crying, stop weeping, your children will return from the land of the enemy." The government and schools will not change our kids. We will as we pray, seek, and believe that God has a prophecy over their lives and like Rebekah, we need to get aggressive to make sure it happens. Perhaps that's what we should call the movement, "The Rebekah Movement"
I want to hear from you! Love you all.
~June

Bristol Palin: "Advocate for Teenagers"

As I watched Bristol Palin's interview with Greta Van Susteren on FOX News, I wanted to cry. She kept saying, "I wish I would have waited ten years." It's really hard to wake up everyday and wonder what your life would have been like had you not caved into the peer pressure, the sexual temptations.

Her teenage days are over as she once knew them. No more dances, outings with her friends, or even texting without thinking about about the responsibility and interruptions of the new baby. Bristol said, "abstinence is the right thing to do, but nobody can do it." I disagree, yes they can! I know many girls who have succeeded even though it is tough and unpopular.

Do you think you would feel different about waiting until marriage to have sex if everybody was waiting also? If having sex outside of marriage was not cool and girls that weren't having sex were the coolest, I think the attitude would change.

Girls, we are living in friendly captivity and don't even feel the chains. We've conformed so nicely to our sexual culture that we've forgotten who we are.

One of my favorite books in the Bible is Daniel. The Israelites had been taken in captivity into Babylon. They all conformed beautifully within the extravagant sex-driven culture except for four friends: Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These boys weren't going to be swayed from their God. They had resolved (made up their minds) that they would not defile themselves. No fiery furnace or lion's den would keep them from God. They would not bow down to the sinful culture they were living in. But guess what? They got to see the hand of God move over their lives! Miracles and encounters with God that were priceless!

Girls, it is possible to stay pure until marriage, but you have to resolve (make up your mind) to do so now so that you will not defile yourself. Find some good friends with the same heart, keep each other accountable, and watch the hand of God move over you.

I really believe that Bristol knows that abstinence is possible; it's just not popular...YET!

I believe she will become a huge advocate; helping teen-age girls to stay sex free until marriage.

Grammy Whammy!

I had just flopped myself down on the couch. Jordan, Jay, and I had made a date to watch the Grammy's together. Taylor Swift and Hannah Montana (Milly Cyrus) came out and sang a cute duo, "Fifteen." Ahh, what great family time!

Then it happened... a young woman came out of a banana, dressed in a fruity costume. At first, I was amused and the song had a very catchy beat. But before I knew what had happened, I was yelling at the television set, " Is that girl promoting lesbianism on national television during primetime?" Jordan curled into a ball as if I was going to throw something at her and responded, "I don't know?" (I think I scared Jordan; I know I scared myself.)

I could have dealt with the large banana, even the fruity outfit, but the lyrics sent me into rage: "I kissed a girl and I liked it.... It felt so wrong, it felt so right.... I liked it". I grabbed my laptop and started my research: Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), known by her stage-name, Katy Perry, is a Grammy-nominated American singer- songwriter, and musician. Born in California to pastor parents, she grew up listening to gospel music and singing in church. Perry rose to fame in 2008 with her breakthrough single "I Kissed a Girl." When Katy couldn't make it as a gospel singer she switched genres and sold out for fame.

I went to her website and watched the video. I wanted to vomit. In the video she is making out with girls. In the end she wakes up next to her boyfriend and is very disappointed that she isn't with girls.

I asked my teenage bible study class the next day if they had heard of the song. Not only had they heard it, they liked it. One girl said, "My mom turns it off then we're in her car, but she has no tolerance of homosexuality. I think, to each their own."

I remember being in high school and curious about everything sexually. Our kids are not different. They want someone to give straight, honest answers. Our kids are beginning to buy into the lie that God created them with sexual preferences. No!!! It's a bait from Satan and it's called sexual temptation. It's no different than someone wanting to have an affair. They might prefer it; but it doesn't make it right.

Everywhere our kids look, this message is being crammed down their throats. They are wearing out and giving in by being numb.

God created the family as a "mini me" of the Godhead. We are created in His likeness and His image. Our families represent the Trinity. We were put here to be fruitful (not in a fruity outfit), to multiply (now try that with two women), to fill the earth and subdue it.

I ask you, are we living in Sodom and Gomorrah? Are there any righteous left? Do we fight or run for the hills? "I kissed a girl and I liked it." Hmm, do you smell fire? (Genesis 19:6-23)

Do I Recommend "Twilight?"

Is “Twilight” part of the occult? Should our kids be watching it? Do we need to protest the movie and the books? Where do I stand on “Twilight” is the common question that moms and leaders are asking.

After posting “Twilight” on the blog I began to do some soul searching. How do I feel about “Twilight?” What’s the big deal about it? On a scale from one to ten I give the movie a five. But that’s not what you want to know. You want to know, how I see it spiritually. Is it wrong?

First of all let’s keep this in perspective. This is a fictional movie. Vampires are not real. Melanie Cogdill, a Christian writer for Brio states, “God created us as relational beings, and girls in particular are created to be relational (Genesis 2-3). We tend to focus on relationships, but sometimes we make an idol out of them or fantasize over our desire for a relationship with that “perfect” guy. No guy can ever live up to the way Stephenie portrays Edward. He’s the fantasy creation of a woman writer.”

Now keep in mind I’ve only seen the first movie; I’ve not read the books. And yes, Edward is a fantasy creation of a woman writer. Girls dream about him and long for him because it was put into their hearts. They are to marry a man that will provide for them, protect them, and give them great pleasure (sex) after they are married (Exodus 21: 10). Edward portrays this perfectly. Ms. Cogdill says, “No guy can live up to this.” I ask, “Why?” Jesus Christ is perfect. He said, “If you love me keep my commandments." (habits, walk like me).

Edwards don’t exist because we don’t expect them to? Perhaps it’s time to raise our standards. Expect a young man to control his fleshly desires, keep a young woman pure until marriage. Treat girls with great respect. We need to reinforce true identity to our daughters. They should be treated like royalty; they are daughters of the King.

I find it interesting that the author of "Twilight" and mother of three boys, captivated the souls of so many women with an age old theme: love.

In the first movie Edward isn’t buying Bella expensive gifts taking her on exotic vacations or building her an empire. He is just crazy nuts in love with her. How I long to convey this message of Christ’s love through the way I live and act towards others.

Now to love anything or anyone more than God is wrong. We all need to ask ourselves, are there any idols in our lives. We can idolize Christian preachers, boyfriends, jobs, you name it we can idolize it. It’s wrong in any sense. Just recently a teenage girl asked me, “Why would God take this guy out of my life when our relationship was so good, so healthy, so Christian?” I replied, “Because he’s become your idol.” Girls don’t need to see “Twilight” to become idol worshippers. It’s all over our culture. So if you see idolatry in “Twilight” use it as a picture to explain what idolatry might look like.

In the movie Bella comes from a dysfunctional family. Her mother is all about herself and her love life. Her father devotes his energies to his work but longs for a relationship with a daughter he doesn’t even know. Her family is awkward to say the least. Bella’s family is not uncommon in our culture. Have you ever walked down the halls of your local high school? Half of the kids relate to Bella. It’s one of the reasons they are so drawn to this movie. They are either Bella or Bella is their best friend, they understand her character.

Bella is in love with Edward’s family, the Cullen's. It’s everything she’s ever dreamed of: unity, community, commitment, camaraderie, and love. The Cullen's bring her in like a baby left on the doorstep. Shouldn’t this be our example as Christians? Why are we so afraid to enter into the tax payer’s house (the movie theater) and see the good of this movie? We are missing the point; our kids are starving for love. They want the complete meal deal; boy, family, security, and love. Isn’t this what God meant for the family? Not the condemning…thou shall not do… We need to be more like the Cullen's (just not vampire like), accepting, encouraging, and loving kids where they are.

We are not to conform to the ways of the world (Rom. 12:2). Jesus didn’t conform when he hung out with the prostitutes, sinners, and tax collectors. He simple met them where they were, revealed their need and then filled their need.

If they were hungry; He was the “Bread of Life”
If they were thirsty; He was “the Living Water”
If they were in the darkness; He was “the Light”

How do I feel about this movie? Satan may intend to use it for evil by using Vampires and the gloomy atmosphere of the Northwest. But let’s slap Him in the face and use it for good. Jesus Christ is everything that girls are looking for. As we see girls reading the book or standing in the popcorn line let’s use it as a way to connect.

This movie opened up the lines of communications for my daughters and me. It gave us the opportunity to talk about love, redemption, patience, self-control, gentleness, and kindness. I focused on the good (Phil. 4:8).

I don’t feel that I am qualified to recommend or condemn this movie because I’ve not read the books. However, my point is this; we can be so quick to judge that we miss out on ministry opportunities. “Twilight” has something stirring the hearts of women, young and old. I believe its deep intimacy. Can we use this movie to help women understand their need for Christ (Edward) and the Holy Spirit (his supernatural powers)?

If you are interested in “Twilight” you might want to check out Christian Spotlight http://www.christiananswers.net/spotlight/movies/2008/twilight2008.html and Focus on the Family http://www.pluggedinonline.com/read/read/a0004206.cfm

In His Love,
June

"Twilight"

"Twilight," over two million copies have been sold and now it's the number one hit at the box office. Why?

Over Christmas break I reluctantly decide to accompany my two daughters, Jerrilyn and Jordan, to this box office hit "Twilight."

"Why are so many girls infatuated with a young beautiful girl falling in love with a vampire?" I asked myself. I was curious about the movie, but was determined not to get sucked into the plot.
After waiting in line (that is for the popcorn) I nestled myself into the comfortable rocking chair next to Jerrilyn. She'd seen it once with her husband (he gets a gold star for enduring a chick flick) and couldn't wait for me to see it.

Bella, a young beautiful girl, just moved into an unfamiliar, cold, rainy, town in Oregon with her father. Kids are drawn to the new girl in school, especially a young man named Edward.

"She can't be attracted to Edward, he's not even good looking" I sighed as Edward appeared as large as life on the movie screen.

"Shh....Mom."

As the plot began to thicken, and my popcorn emptied, I found myself sitting up in my chair being drawn to this teenage vampire, Edward.

Why was I all of the sudden finding him attractive? Could it be that he saved her life, that he protected her; or that he was faster than lightning and tittered on the edge of good and evil? Maybe I fell for him because he listened to her and wanted to know her theories. No, perhaps it was because he denied his fleshly impulses of having sex with her because he knew it would change her live forever. All of these characteristics attracted me to Edward but there was one thing that rocked my world. Not only was he willing to die for her; he was willing to live for her. His life would be spent protecting, providing, and being intimate with Bella.

Romeo and Juliet had the dying part down but now Edward comes out of no where and teaches us how to live for somebody else. "Brilliant!" I said to myself.

I ask you: What are you living for? Who are you living for? Why are you living for it or them?


Keep me posted,

June