Friday, July 31, 2009
Billie Jean -- posted by John
I'm sorry for all the hip thrusts-- that doesn't look nice. I'm going to make another one without that and then add some things I forgot.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Guaranteed Holiness -- posted by Sarah Grace
Living in the “Bible Belt,” one might assume that as Christians, we’re surrounded by like-minded people. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. The Bible Belt is an area of the country that is full of church divisions, with each denomination saying something different from the next. This should not be, as Paul clearly states in 1 Corinthians 1:10:
“Now I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same judgment.”
These churches are divided because each denomination has it’s own “interpretation” of the Bible, instead of believing God’s word as a whole. Unfortunately, most of these denominations do agree on one falsehood— that Christians can’t stop sinning. However, 1 John clearly states:
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1 John 3:9
They frequently use the following passages as a way to excuse sinning:
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
In the first verse, John was referring to the Gnostics who believed that all people are born good. He’s explaining that all people are born sinful, and that those who say otherwise don’t have the truth. My family recently heard a pastor use this verse to explain that Christians can’t quit sinning, and Will was impressed with the fact that even some of the little boys knew the scriptures well enough to be able to counter that argument. Notice the second verse uses the words "have sinned" (past tense), not "continue to sin."
What was the point of Christ dying on the cross if not to free us from the bondage of sin? Under the old covenant, we already had forgiveness of sin by way of sacrificing animals, but we were not able to quit sinning. So did God give his only son to be beaten and crucified just to spare us the hassle of animal sacrifices? Of course not. Christ died not only to forgive us of sins that are past, but also that we may be made a new creation that doesn’t sin in the future. For the Bible says:
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:4-6
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galations 2:19-21
That’s what it means to be a true believer. Not just believing that Christ is the son of God (for even the demons know that), but believing that he died to take away our sins. Only by faith in that promise are we truly saved.
“And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.” Matthew 13:14-16
“Now I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same judgment.”
These churches are divided because each denomination has it’s own “interpretation” of the Bible, instead of believing God’s word as a whole. Unfortunately, most of these denominations do agree on one falsehood— that Christians can’t stop sinning. However, 1 John clearly states:
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1 John 3:9
They frequently use the following passages as a way to excuse sinning:
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
In the first verse, John was referring to the Gnostics who believed that all people are born good. He’s explaining that all people are born sinful, and that those who say otherwise don’t have the truth. My family recently heard a pastor use this verse to explain that Christians can’t quit sinning, and Will was impressed with the fact that even some of the little boys knew the scriptures well enough to be able to counter that argument. Notice the second verse uses the words "have sinned" (past tense), not "continue to sin."
What was the point of Christ dying on the cross if not to free us from the bondage of sin? Under the old covenant, we already had forgiveness of sin by way of sacrificing animals, but we were not able to quit sinning. So did God give his only son to be beaten and crucified just to spare us the hassle of animal sacrifices? Of course not. Christ died not only to forgive us of sins that are past, but also that we may be made a new creation that doesn’t sin in the future. For the Bible says:
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:4-6
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galations 2:19-21
That’s what it means to be a true believer. Not just believing that Christ is the son of God (for even the demons know that), but believing that he died to take away our sins. Only by faith in that promise are we truly saved.
“And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.” Matthew 13:14-16
Monday, July 20, 2009
Too Much Information? -- posted by Sarah Grace
As I mentioned in my last entry, I went through a period in my life that I call my "freak of nature stage" from about the ages of 10-16. I was self conscious about my looks, as most girls are at that age, but consequently that lack of self esteem started to poison my personality and the way I behaved around others.
For starters, I had extremely crooked teeth (seriously, they were bad), which made me forgo smiling altogether. I hadn't quite grown into my nose, and on top of that I was very uncomfortable with the way my shape was changing. I've never been overweight, but at 5'2" and a full figure (meaning curvy), the slightest weight gain made me feel like a Weeble, and I adopted the habit of walking with my shoulders hunched. I had morphed from an effervescent little girl into this sad, quiet, Peyton Manning-nosed lurch.
During this phase, my wise mother sat me down and explained an important concept: shyness is actually pride, flipped inside-out. When I first heard this, it didn't make any sense. How can shyness be pride, when it seems like the exact opposite? It's the same because they both stem from a focus on self. A prideful person, in the typical sense, is someone who is consumed with self-importance, and disregards the feelings of those surrounding them. Likewise, my shyness left me feeling as if all eyes were on me and my imperfections, and I was so focused on catering to my own needy little world, that I neglected to think about what may be going on in the lives of those around me. Both types come off as aloof, and there is no love in that.
I eventually had my teeth straightened and was able to smile again. However, it wasn't until I received the new birth that I was fully able to love others. I still have my imperfections that bug me sometimes, i.e. breakouts when I'm stressed, bad hair days, keeping my weight in check so I don't look too round, etc.. However, my love is perfect. It's not something that can be worked up, and I can't be credited for it. It comes with the new heart, and it is effortless. I know who I am spiritually, but physically I have had my doubts.
Anyway, I'm saying all of this to explain why it was so important to me to get comfortable on camera. Having never gone to school (except up to first grade), there is the temptation to wonder if I measure up with my appearance and personality. I've been flirted with only a couple of times, so it is only by faith that I know the Lord has made me sufficient, as, you know, a woman. So, holding my head up and making those silly videos was showing the Lord that I trust what he's doing with me. It was my step of faith, and without faith it is impossible to please God.
Whoa, that was deep.
For starters, I had extremely crooked teeth (seriously, they were bad), which made me forgo smiling altogether. I hadn't quite grown into my nose, and on top of that I was very uncomfortable with the way my shape was changing. I've never been overweight, but at 5'2" and a full figure (meaning curvy), the slightest weight gain made me feel like a Weeble, and I adopted the habit of walking with my shoulders hunched. I had morphed from an effervescent little girl into this sad, quiet, Peyton Manning-nosed lurch.
During this phase, my wise mother sat me down and explained an important concept: shyness is actually pride, flipped inside-out. When I first heard this, it didn't make any sense. How can shyness be pride, when it seems like the exact opposite? It's the same because they both stem from a focus on self. A prideful person, in the typical sense, is someone who is consumed with self-importance, and disregards the feelings of those surrounding them. Likewise, my shyness left me feeling as if all eyes were on me and my imperfections, and I was so focused on catering to my own needy little world, that I neglected to think about what may be going on in the lives of those around me. Both types come off as aloof, and there is no love in that.
I eventually had my teeth straightened and was able to smile again. However, it wasn't until I received the new birth that I was fully able to love others. I still have my imperfections that bug me sometimes, i.e. breakouts when I'm stressed, bad hair days, keeping my weight in check so I don't look too round, etc.. However, my love is perfect. It's not something that can be worked up, and I can't be credited for it. It comes with the new heart, and it is effortless. I know who I am spiritually, but physically I have had my doubts.
Anyway, I'm saying all of this to explain why it was so important to me to get comfortable on camera. Having never gone to school (except up to first grade), there is the temptation to wonder if I measure up with my appearance and personality. I've been flirted with only a couple of times, so it is only by faith that I know the Lord has made me sufficient, as, you know, a woman. So, holding my head up and making those silly videos was showing the Lord that I trust what he's doing with me. It was my step of faith, and without faith it is impossible to please God.
Whoa, that was deep.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Warm and Smooth as Butter -- posted by John
My family has been putting videos up on www.milkandhoneyacres.com and maybe you would like to see them. If they aren't on the first page still, click "videos" on the sidebar. But first I should tell you that I'm sorry I frustrated Sarah Grace and she got angry with me. I'm kinda nosy and curious and I distracted them. I'm so sorry everybody and especially Sarah Grace.
All of a sudden Sarah Grace has started writing online and she made a friend in the UK. He tried to do a Southern accent in a video entry and we all laughed so hard. Even Dad thought it was very funny.
Mom and Sarah are studying dialects now and it is quite interesting. There are many different Southern accents even in our own state. Our accent is much different than a Charleston or "Low Country" accent. Their accent has an African sound from the Gullah or Geechee languages of very black people who live on the islands around South Carolina and Georgia. I saw two of these ladies sitting on the steps by the columns of a building in Charleston making sea grass baskets. They are extremely black. Many of those ladies were mammies to white children so the white children got that sound. It is a beautiful accent, warm and smooth as butter.
Mrs. Sarah, my British friend, looked up Publix to see the cakes I was talking about. We had the Chocolate Ganache Supreme and the Strawberry and Peach Sensation. She said she's lucky they don't have those for such a good price at her home because she would eat them all the time!
We had cantaloupe from our garden this morning. We were late planting them so they are just now ripening. They were quite tasty. Everything seems better when you grow it yourself, I think.
Dad's been taking us to the pool a lot and we met two men and they played volleyball with us and we wished Sarah had come and met them too. We want Sarah Grace's husband to like all of us a lot, and these men did. These men were a good bit older than Sarah but that's okay because what matters is that her husband loves her for his whole lifetime. I can't imagine how I would feel if someone hurt her. I bet I would want to beat him with an iron rod, and I'm not ashamed to tell you that.
I read an article in The Economist about the trouble dairy farmers are having. One poor guy is trying so hard to keep his farm going. His father and grandfather were dairy farmers. I would love for us to be dairy farmers and the article made me sad to know how hard it is for these people.
I also read another article in the same magazine about farmers in Britain. They are into the "agritainment" business to make money. We actually thought about something like that. I got interested in the Britain section because of Mrs. Sarah and Mr. Billy.
All of a sudden Sarah Grace has started writing online and she made a friend in the UK. He tried to do a Southern accent in a video entry and we all laughed so hard. Even Dad thought it was very funny.
Mom and Sarah are studying dialects now and it is quite interesting. There are many different Southern accents even in our own state. Our accent is much different than a Charleston or "Low Country" accent. Their accent has an African sound from the Gullah or Geechee languages of very black people who live on the islands around South Carolina and Georgia. I saw two of these ladies sitting on the steps by the columns of a building in Charleston making sea grass baskets. They are extremely black. Many of those ladies were mammies to white children so the white children got that sound. It is a beautiful accent, warm and smooth as butter.
Mrs. Sarah, my British friend, looked up Publix to see the cakes I was talking about. We had the Chocolate Ganache Supreme and the Strawberry and Peach Sensation. She said she's lucky they don't have those for such a good price at her home because she would eat them all the time!
We had cantaloupe from our garden this morning. We were late planting them so they are just now ripening. They were quite tasty. Everything seems better when you grow it yourself, I think.
Dad's been taking us to the pool a lot and we met two men and they played volleyball with us and we wished Sarah had come and met them too. We want Sarah Grace's husband to like all of us a lot, and these men did. These men were a good bit older than Sarah but that's okay because what matters is that her husband loves her for his whole lifetime. I can't imagine how I would feel if someone hurt her. I bet I would want to beat him with an iron rod, and I'm not ashamed to tell you that.
I read an article in The Economist about the trouble dairy farmers are having. One poor guy is trying so hard to keep his farm going. His father and grandfather were dairy farmers. I would love for us to be dairy farmers and the article made me sad to know how hard it is for these people.
I also read another article in the same magazine about farmers in Britain. They are into the "agritainment" business to make money. We actually thought about something like that. I got interested in the Britain section because of Mrs. Sarah and Mr. Billy.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Meet Cute Me -- posted by Sarah Grace
I'm not seriously flaunting my beautiful, extremely expensive, filigree diamond ring... that was a shout out to my favorite consumer.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Way Back Into Love (sorta) -- posted by Sarah Grace
OUTTAKE#1:
If I seem a bit impatient with John, you should know it's because he kept popping in repeatedly during our practice session. We even saw him perched on top of the outside rail, peering in the sliding glass door... just don't judge me for my seemingly hostile outburst.
OUTTAKE#2:
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Absalom, Absalom! -- posted by Sarah Grace
We're planning on celebrating Will's birthday soon and I'm giving him a bottle of cologne. I've wanted to get him cologne for a while now, so I can't wait until my mom and I go to the mall to sample the different ones out there. I'm not very familiar with what's "in" with men's cologne, but I feel confident that I'll pick the best one for Will's personality.
I've finally decided on the model harp I want, and we're ordering it today! I am so excited, you have no idea. The harp is a 36 string Siberian figured elm Sonata. It has the most gorgeous tone of all the harps I heard on the website, and a very interesting wood grain design. They said it should ship within 2-3 weeks. Yay me!
I had a dream where I was helping Absalom brush his hair in our kitchen... and then we fell in love. What could that mean?
I've finally decided on the model harp I want, and we're ordering it today! I am so excited, you have no idea. The harp is a 36 string Siberian figured elm Sonata. It has the most gorgeous tone of all the harps I heard on the website, and a very interesting wood grain design. They said it should ship within 2-3 weeks. Yay me!
I had a dream where I was helping Absalom brush his hair in our kitchen... and then we fell in love. What could that mean?
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Makeup and Screen Test -- posted by Sarah Grace
Here I am being a good sport doing a screen test for my brothers, the movie makers. I used the style of makeup that was worn in silent era films. The darker shade of eyeshadow is swept across the eyelid just below the crease and up into the inner corner right under the start of the eyebrow. This creates an innocent look as opposed to the sexier style that is used today, with the dark shadow in the crease toward the outside of the eye- like a cat.
Please forgive the messy classroom, we were cleaning off the shelves... my mother made me say that.
Please forgive the messy classroom, we were cleaning off the shelves... my mother made me say that.
Monday, July 6, 2009
A Sad Week -- posted by John
I haven't written in awhile because my grandfather died. I don't have much to say about him because I didn't know him very well, but I wanted to. The good news is that I got to meet two of my aunts, an uncle, and some cousins. I've wanted to meet them my whole life.
I really hit it off with my 26 year old cousin. He thinks I'm a good writer and he is a playwright. He came to my journal before. He said something to me that I didn't understand so I just laughed. Everything went through my mind like light speed but all I did was laugh. I was on the spot. When we said goodbye, we shook hands and hugged at the same time. My uncle was just as nice to me, he said little friendly spurts of nice things.
After the funeral we went to Ma's house and I was hoping they would come too, but they couldn't. We saw lots of Ma's friends and our little boys did a good job of being magnanimous. We aren't allowed to be shy or aloof because that is bad manners. We are to shake everybody's hand and hug anyone who will let us.
The whole weekend was spent meeting and greeting people and there was lots of food with beautiful desserts. We had one chocolate cake that looked like a fancy bakery baked it but it was from Publix, of all places.
On the 4th of July, Sarah Grace and Dad took us to the Peach Festival that night to eat peach ice cream and watch the firework show. Mom stayed at home because she was tired from grieving and she was glad to be alone. She usually always wants to be with us, and I felt bad that she wasn't, but we all understood.
I really hit it off with my 26 year old cousin. He thinks I'm a good writer and he is a playwright. He came to my journal before. He said something to me that I didn't understand so I just laughed. Everything went through my mind like light speed but all I did was laugh. I was on the spot. When we said goodbye, we shook hands and hugged at the same time. My uncle was just as nice to me, he said little friendly spurts of nice things.
After the funeral we went to Ma's house and I was hoping they would come too, but they couldn't. We saw lots of Ma's friends and our little boys did a good job of being magnanimous. We aren't allowed to be shy or aloof because that is bad manners. We are to shake everybody's hand and hug anyone who will let us.
The whole weekend was spent meeting and greeting people and there was lots of food with beautiful desserts. We had one chocolate cake that looked like a fancy bakery baked it but it was from Publix, of all places.
On the 4th of July, Sarah Grace and Dad took us to the Peach Festival that night to eat peach ice cream and watch the firework show. Mom stayed at home because she was tired from grieving and she was glad to be alone. She usually always wants to be with us, and I felt bad that she wasn't, but we all understood.
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