tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2869928895050982972024-03-05T16:09:43.341+11:00i'd rather laugh than cryckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-34488086039722253512008-10-07T23:11:00.005+11:002008-10-08T13:15:13.491+11:00Olivia Kious Jolly<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNgZR68H0P1Tu9fVnRyJsIrUpWoOIrCdT4EhD3IdOKqEoUJ-rQcWVH09o_0oPxrMQ45WRD_0f9TBjmAVSJaxCmSkPkrv5_gRSrtY0HW-VZnGg2LHiSu4rUMLAlLlTIVfAhAIzFqdwEYcV/s1600-h/liabilities0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNgZR68H0P1Tu9fVnRyJsIrUpWoOIrCdT4EhD3IdOKqEoUJ-rQcWVH09o_0oPxrMQ45WRD_0f9TBjmAVSJaxCmSkPkrv5_gRSrtY0HW-VZnGg2LHiSu4rUMLAlLlTIVfAhAIzFqdwEYcV/s320/liabilities0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254383711431012194" border="0" /></a>Introducing Olivia Kious Jolly (formerly known as Squiggle-Brick). Her expected birthdate is mid to late February.<br /><br />It was an odd experience for Mike to see her squirm about on the screen this morning. She has the sweetest face and the most darling pair of rosebud lips. I think she has Mike's spine.<br /><br />For those who are curious about her middle name, <span style="font-style: italic;">Kious</span> (which rhymes with "pious") is a family name. I was very honored when Mike suggested we grace the middle of Olivia's name with Kious. It was my mother's maiden name and my middle name. The earliest Kiouses we are aware of were Hessian (German) mercenaries who fought in the American colonies for the British. There is a document containing the name Jean Kaus who became John Kious when he decided to settle in the United States following the War for Independence.<br /><br />On a side note...<br /><br />The family has issued the following statement:<br /><blockquote>It is clear from the scan that Olivia has inherited her mother's psychological aversion to the color pink. Although it cannot be 100% percent certain, it is relatively probable that she may also have a slight allergy to the color purple. Family members have already been warned about her medical/mental condition. Due to her sensitive condition, they have made the necessary adjustments to make Olivia's life as comfortable as possible. Her mother, Christine, sadly was not diagnosed with the condition until she was in her 20s. We do not wish for Olivia to experience the same problems throughout her life as her mother. Others should be aware that if they wear pink or the slightly less menacing color, purple, this will not have an averse effect on Olivia. Rather, the condition is confined to her own personal apparel and accessories.<br /></blockquote>ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-20510406597834600852008-07-22T14:17:00.001+10:002008-07-22T14:17:00.907+10:00don't waste your humorBelow are some quotes from C. J. Mahaney's recent talk "<a href="http://sovereigngraceministries.org/Blog/post/CJ-Mahaney-Dont-Waste-Your-Humor.aspx">Don't Waste Your Humor</a>":<br /><br /><blockquote>Apart from humor and laughter, one would be vulnerable to unwise, unhealthy introspection, discouragement, and depression.<br /><br />Humor cultivates humility.<br /><br />The Bible tells us that only the humble are truly happy.<br /><br />Those who are humble love to laugh at themselves.<br /><br />"We should mind humiliation less if we were but humble." C. S. Lewis<br /><br />Self-deprecating humor reminds us that we are not the center of the universe. It is a humble assessment of oneself.<br /><br />The times when I do not engage in humor, I usually have a high view of myself.<br /><br />Sin is not humorous and ought not be laughed at. I grieves the heart of God.</blockquote>ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-88971481451271799572008-07-21T09:55:00.002+10:002008-07-21T10:08:51.169+10:00in each others businessOf course each individual is different, but I am amazed at how many people who are mourning or hurting truly long for people to be in their business. <br /><br />John Piper's daughter-in-law recently wrote about her own experience with losing her daughter only days before she was meant to be born. She longed for people to talk to her about her daughter, ask her questions, give her an opportunity to share what she was feeling. My friend Cil, mentioned to me that some women who find themselves unable to have children feel as if their condition is the elephant in the room. They long for someone to ask them how they are doing, allow them to express their pain. But everyone seems afraid.<br /><br />So often our culture encourages isolationism, as if we ought to bear each of our burdens ourselves and not bother anyone else about them. If for some reason we cannot cope with our own issues, there must be something wrong with us. <span style="font-weight: bold;">But this is so counter to Christian culture. We are family, a body, fellow sojourners. We need each other.</span> <br /><br />As I was thinking about this, I realized that it is going to be extremely difficult for those so accustomed to isolating their worries to show the care and concern their hurting brothers and sisters need. If you have at one time found yourself in the situation of being hurt and have longed for someone to share the burden with, be the example for others. Show them what it is to rejoice with those who are rejoicing and how to mourn with those who are mourning. Teach them ... US ... by your own example.ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-29318908977842181062008-07-14T10:52:00.002+10:002008-07-14T10:55:10.388+10:00a family that laughsI learned this lesson when I was at university. I want very much to create a culture of laughter in my family, much like the <a href="http://girltalk.blogs.com/girltalk/2008/06/at-home-with-hu.html">Mahaney</a>'s.<br /><blockquote>In all this laughter, we learned humility. My dad led by example as he always laughed the loudest when the joke was on him. But whenever we did something silly (or can I say stupid?) he taught us to laugh rather than withdraw in pride. While it took the sons-in-law some time to adjust to our family culture, they now lead the way in pursuing humility through laughter.</blockquote>ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-7498005918330334252008-07-03T10:33:00.004+10:002008-07-03T13:47:28.563+10:00learning from trialsYesterday, I was just beginning to read the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Parenting-Raising-Children-Shapes/dp/0310247349">Sacred Parenting</a> by Gary Thomas. Chapter 2 began with an Arab proverb--<blockquote>"Sunshine without rain is the recipe for a desert."</blockquote> Thomas then went on to describe how Abigail Adams bade her nine year old son, John Quincy, farewell as he left with his father on a diplomatic mission to Europe for a number of years.<br /><br />In a letter, she wrote:<br /><blockquote>"It is not in the still calm of life ... that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. Great necessities call out great virtues. When a mind is raised, and animated by scenes that engage the heart, then those qualities which would otherwise lay dormant, wake into life and form the character of the hero and the statesman."</blockquote>It is during those hard break-ups, disappointments, dashed plans for the future that carry so much uncertainty that I am convinced that God grows us the most. Our growth is somehow connected to how we respond to the challenge. Do we run to God or do we wallow in self-pity?<br /><br />What is it that we believe about God at that moment? A.W. Tozer once said that what a person believes about God is the most important thing about him. It determines how we respond to blessings and trials. It characterizes what we value or detest. Do we believe he is a loving father who disciplines his children so they may learn from their wrongs and grow in knowledge and faith and virtue? Or is he a passive being who merely watches from afar? Or perhaps a cruel tyrant who takes pleasure in seeing man suffer?<br /><br />(another parenting analogy ... it's the season ...)<br /><br />I was watching one of those Super Nanny type shows last night and every time the 6 year old boy flipped out and through a tantrum, the parents GAVE IN! The coach took them aside and told them that this was stunting their son's growth. "He MUST learn how to cope with life! And he will! But you aren't letting him!"<br /><br />God cares for us so much more than these parents could even attempt to. He is more touched by our suffering than these parents were when they saw their son "suffer" because he had to go to bed at 8:30. His love for us sometimes involves miraculously snatching us away from the fire ... or ... allowing us to experience the consequences of our actions. May we choose to grow during suffering or trials, rather than give into stubborness and throw tantrums. May we learn to love God and love others better through each trial we experience and not coddle or sulk within our self.<br /><br /><blockquote>1 Peter 1:13-25<br /><br />Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">As obedient children</span>, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on him as <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Father</span> who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.<br /><br />Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for<br /><br />"All flesh is like grass<br />and all its glory like the flower of grass.<br />The grass withers,<br />and the flower falls,<br />but the word of the Lord remains forever."<br /><br />And this word is the good news that was preached to you.<br /></blockquote><br />How wonderful is it to know that these trials come from God for his good purpose and to shape and mold us into the image of His Son! How awful it would be if everything was just by chance! ... for no reason! ... there would be no hope. How much better it is to yield to God's work in our lives than fight it.ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-27468041339161504282008-06-29T10:05:00.000+10:002008-06-29T09:53:35.403+10:00no regrets<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hbKfJgnVmuY&hl=en"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hbKfJgnVmuY&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />We took this video a year and a half ago when I came to visit Mike after we got engaged.<br /><br />I told my mum that we were posting it on our anniversary.<br /><br />"Ah, is it a mushy one?"<br /><br />"Um ... it depends on what you mean by mushy."<br /><br />"Lovey dovey?"<br /><br />"Nup, not that kind of mushy."<br /><br />By the grace of God, we have enjoyed a great first year of marriage.<br /><br />This week DJP from <a href="http://bibchr.blogspot.com/">Biblical Christianity</a> asked me on Facebook chat if I'd recanted from any of my "extremist" statements from <a href="http://ckhnat.blogspot.com/2006/08/my-path-to-womens-ministry.html">this famous post</a>.<br /><br />Honestly?<br /><br />Nope. After a year of being married to Michael Jolly, I neither recant nor regret anything.<br /><br />I still believe that one of the greatest ways of showing Michael that I love him is to show him respect.<br /><br />Married for one year! What a surprise it was for us to find out that we're pregnant this past Wednesday! He will be great dad come March. I hope our child has a great sense of humor and isn't overly embarrassed by my silliness.ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-36535372080970957922008-06-28T09:55:00.004+10:002008-06-28T10:04:48.995+10:00my battle and Esther'sIn Nancy Leigh DeMoss' recent series on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=esther&version=47;">Esther</a>, she concludes with a number of lessons to be learned.<br /><blockquote>• We are in a battle.<br /><br />• The real battle is not between flesh and blood but is spiritual.<br /><br />• We win the war with humility, with faith, with prayer and fasting, sackcloth and ashes, with reliance on God.<br /><br />• God has a sovereign plan.<br /><br />• God's plan will not fail.<br /><br />• God sustains and orders and rules over all His creation.<br /><br />• Through faith and obedience you can be a part of God's plan.<br /><br />• There is no situation so desperate that God cannot redeem it.<br /><br />• Don't judge the outcome of the battle by the way things look now.</blockquote>The entire article can be found <a href="http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=9933">here</a>.<br /><br />Don't wait for a particularly difficult situation to begin putting to practice these truths. Start now to integrate this into your entire life. Let it become a disposition ... a lifestyle ... not an occasional cry to God for help.ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-1012505936155718712008-06-25T09:54:00.003+10:002008-06-25T09:58:38.200+10:00golden memoriesThis post is <a href="http://ckjolly.blogspot.com">i'd rather laugh than cry</a> gold originally published <a href="http://ckhnat.blogspot.com/2007/05/he-blesses-me-in-prayer.html">here</a> May 2007. I've posted this in honor of our upcoming one year anniversary.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photo.ringo.com/185/185903576O290800723.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://photo.ringo.com/185/185903576O290800723.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />When you listen to a sermon that exhorts hearers to extend grace to others as grace has been fully given to them, you may nod your head in agreement but your mind is puzzled about how you might actually do that.<br /><br />A mavelous theory ... a great idea ... but how will I actually extend grace, what does that even mean? what does it look like practically? So you stow it away in a card file of "good ideas" in your brain, but keep on living life as usual.<br /><br />In a conversation today with a friend, I challenged him to move beyond the "idea" and toward the practical living.<br /><br />How will you bless and honor the reputation, family, and heart of the woman you love?<br /><br />One practical way Mike honors and blesses me is through prayer.<br /><br />This may sound trite. One of those things in your card file ... you know you should do it ... but honestly ... what good could it actually do?<br /><br />From the beginning of our relationship, Mike would end each of our conversations over skype or the phone with prayer. Take it from a woman whose man leads her spiritually in this manner, I am blessed, encouraged, and proud that Mike leads us before God in prayer as the spritual leader in our relationship.<br /><br />I began to look forward to that time of prayer together more than anything. It removed the distance between us bringing us together to stand before the throne of God in prayer. God became more than just an honorary member of our relationship but the Cause, Sustainer, Lord, and Fellow-covenanter in our love.<br /><br />Mike continued this discipline when we were together for two months in Australia. Each evening when we parted ways, Mike led me before the Lord in prayer to bring before Him our hopes, our sin, our love, and our desires.<br /><br />Knowing that prayer ended our time together deterred a world of sin because we were living our lives before God.<br /><br />When Mike leads in prayer, I am honored and blessed and respected.<br /><br />Men, how can you honor the women in your lives?<br /><br />Women, how can you encourage the men in your life in their spiritual leadership?<br /><br />(For a fabulous Piper sermon on extending grace, click <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2007/1992/">here</a>.)ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-26755438558317273882008-06-09T15:35:00.003+10:002008-06-09T16:08:47.092+10:00Living Grace: The Gospel for ChristiansI recently spoke at the Women's Winter Festival here in Hobart. A recording of my talk can be found <a href="http://www.crossroadshobart.org/talks/Women%27s%20Winter%20Festival/07.06.08%20-%20Womens%20Winter%20Festival%20-%2001%20-%20Living%20Grace%20-%20Ephesians%202.1-10%20-%20%28CJ%29.mp3">here</a>.<br /><br />Bible reading: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eph%202&version=47;">Ephesians 2</a><br /><br /><blockquote>“If there’s anything in life that we should be passionate about, it’s the gospel. And I don’t mean passionate only about sharing it with others. I mean passionate about thinking about it, dwelling on it, rejoicing in it, allowing it to color the way we look at the world. Only one thing can be of first importance to each of us. And only the gospel ought to be.” ~ C.J. Mahaney, The Cross Centered Life<br /></blockquote>What is this Gospel or Good News?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Every one of us are more sinful and flawed than we ever dared believe, but MORE LOVED AND WELCOMED than we ever dared hope.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Gospel is for Believers</span></span><br /><br />Do you think the Gospel is for you? <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Gospel is for everyone, every day, ESPECIALLY those who identify themselves with Christ and call themselves Christians!</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/5563/nm/A_Gospel_Primer_for_Christians_Learning_to_See_the_Glories_of_God_s_Love_Paperback">GOSPEL NARRATIVE READING</a><br /><br />If you get ANYTHING out of this talk tonight, I want you to walk away with the tools to battle doubt, despair, and discouragement in your Christian life by being able to Preach the Gospel to yourself, daily. By arming yourself with the five facets of the Gospel message you can APPLY each of them to your life everyday. <br /><br /><br />1. INCARNATION – God became man<br /><blockquote>(Ephesians 2:17)<br />17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.<br /></blockquote><blockquote>(Ephesians 2:1-3)<br />1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath<br /><br />(Hebrews 4:15)<br />For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, <span style="font-style: italic;">yet without sin</span>.<br /></blockquote><br />2. SINLESS LIFE<br /><blockquote>(Romans 5:19)<br />So by one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.<br /></blockquote><br />3. CRUCIFIXION<br /><blockquote>Romans 5:6-10<br />You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.<br /><br /> 9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!<br /></blockquote><br />4. RESURRECTION<br /><blockquote>(Ephesians 2:4-5)<br />But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.<br /></blockquote><br />5. ASCENSION<br /><blockquote>(Ephesians 2:6-7)<br />And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.<br /></blockquote><blockquote>(Hebrews 4:16)<br />Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.<br /></blockquote><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">HOW SHALL WE RESPOND TO THIS GOSPEL?</span><br /></span><br />The more you preach the gospel to yourself the more you will become overwhelmed with the hideousness of your sin and the glorious love and amazing grace of God.<br /><br />I urge you to respond to this grace in 5 ways:<br /><br />1. GRATITUDE<br /><br />Be thankful for this: Ephesians 2:8-10<br /><blockquote>8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.</blockquote><br />2. CONTENTMENT<br /><br />3. HUMILITY<br /><br />4. FORBEARANCE: being patient with one another, walking through life arm and arm, supporting one another on your journey in life.<br /><blockquote>(Ephesians 2:19-22)<br />19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.</blockquote>Peter tells us HOW to forbear with one another<br /><blockquote>(1 Peter 4:8-11)<br />Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.</blockquote>5. FORGIVENESS<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">CONCLUSION</span></span><br /><br />The Gospel that saved you is the SAME gospel that keeps you. <br /><br />Paul asks you to REMEMBER the gospel … preach it to yourself<br /><br />Verse 12<br /><blockquote>Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ … without hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.</blockquote>Paul wrote to Timothy, a young minister <blockquote>“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel.”</blockquote>The churches in the book of Revelation were warned, <blockquote>“Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.”</blockquote>The Gospel is for you … remember it … preach it to yourselves daily.ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-16289907134591426322008-05-18T22:56:00.003+10:002008-05-18T23:24:47.135+10:00minister's wifeDoes your minister's wife feel loved and appreciated or neglected and misused?<br /><br />One of our ministers' wives was recently asked if she was being looked after by our church. The older woman was perhaps surprised and pleased when this fresh, young minister's wife piped up that she had never felt so loved and looked after as she has over the last few months. She has been bathed in prayer. Her children have been loved by her sisters at church. And she does not doubt that others in the church respect and understand the immense and wonderful responsibility of being a godly mother to her two little girls.<br /><br />If you would like to bless your pastor's wife, I recommend the following:<br /><blockquote><br />1. Commit to praying for her. Over the past 31 days, I have been praying for the above wife of our new pastor. Each day I sent her a card in the mail with Scripture written inside and a prayer I'd written for her based on the Bible passage. The blessings I received by doing this for her were small in comparison to the joy and gratitude I see in her eyes. Many times as I wrote out my prayers for her, the Scripture had so convicted me that I also lifted up prayers for myself. If you'd like to commit to praying for your pastor's wife, click <a href="http://www.reviveourhearts.com/topics/downloads/index.php?id=9475">here</a> to take part in the 31 day challenge.<br /><br />2. Also, click <a href="http://www.reviveourhearts.com/pdf/EncourageYourPastorsWife.pdf">here</a> for 25 Insightful Ways to Encourage your Pastor's Wife.</blockquote>ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-27170485101756319292008-05-18T22:49:00.003+10:002008-05-18T22:55:53.853+10:00changeSaturday is the wrap up of our women's Bible study on the topic of sanctification. We're hosting a mini-retreat at which the women of the church are invited to join us for our last study. We will also share with them what God has taught us and how God has changed us over the past three months.<br /><br />P came up to me after church to share what she has learned.<br /><br /><blockquote>1. My sin is horrendous in the eyes of God.<br /><br />2. God's grace is truly amazing and glorious and very much at work in me.<br /><br />3. My church community is precious to me. I now see the importance of forming deep, meaningful relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ ... allowing God to use them to change me and letting God use me to change them.<br /></blockquote>ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-49927645649502507722008-05-13T09:55:00.004+10:002008-05-14T22:17:54.172+10:00USS TarrawaMonday morning a small group of just from Jane Franklin enjoyed a VIP tour on board the USS Tarrawa. Just as we boarded the ship I was met with the familiar plaque of pictures of commanding officers. The men and women in the pictures were not familiar to me, but my father and mother's faces once hung in similar plaques. There in the bay were all sorts of military vehicles that I was familiar with ... the smell ... the sights ... all reminded me of my childhood. Tanks, helicopters, HumVs, the slight aroma of grease and sweat, men and women in uniform ... nostalgia.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/107/72/894925430/n894925430_2915575_7733.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/107/72/894925430/n894925430_2915575_7733.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The group from Jane Franklin Hall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/107/72/894925430/n894925430_2915543_9951.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v251/107/72/894925430/n894925430_2915543_9951.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>My favorite man.ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-29007905367445833752008-05-13T09:46:00.000+10:002008-05-13T09:47:44.673+10:00can I be both pro-life AND pro-Obama?<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/why-im-prolife-and-pro_b_85636.html">Frank Schaeffer</a> thinks so.ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-59973441739660955742008-05-12T09:50:00.002+10:002008-05-13T09:54:44.805+10:00Laura's here<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixM-06-jkzkbWVi-LIYp-y6ldNXr5a5nk1KV_bKfcYpAKw4GK6oIY-_aJLlhxbXMdyAx0acf2gNwWNMfqkMEMa5AMNuxtSfGWZm_mYzslkN4vXChPvDBoH86DJqrak5rkshxFKdh2wic0/s320/DSC06775.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixM-06-jkzkbWVi-LIYp-y6ldNXr5a5nk1KV_bKfcYpAKw4GK6oIY-_aJLlhxbXMdyAx0acf2gNwWNMfqkMEMa5AMNuxtSfGWZm_mYzslkN4vXChPvDBoH86DJqrak5rkshxFKdh2wic0/s320/DSC06775.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />She's moved here ... she just doesn't know it yet.ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-11961023091941314352008-05-11T16:30:00.002+10:002008-05-11T16:57:10.252+10:00loving our mothersOur women's Bible study at church has been working through the <a href="http://www.ccef.org/interview.asp">How People Change</a> (or How Christ Changes Us by His Grace) curriculum. During one study we began contemplating ways that we could show the mums in our church how much we loved them and valued them. It's understandable that mums can often feel left out of the loop or depressed that they cannot give the church what they once could before children came along. But we wanted to show them that we understand that they are in a phase of life of performing unmeasurable amounts of concentrated blessing on their young ones. So we determined to show them God's love in practical ways.<br /><br />First, the women in the church who do not have children and were keen to participate decided to adopt a mum as their sister. The purpose was not to enter their sister's home and make her feel guilty and lecture her on how to be a better parent. Instead, we wanted to be at their service. If a new mum just needed someone to hold her baby for 30 minutes so she could take a shower ... consider it done! If she'd really like some adult company or someone to read the Bible and pray with her ... done! If she just wants to feel like a woman again and go out to a movie with friends and indulge in some ice cream afterwards ... done! There is only one rule for the mums--they are not allowed to clean their home before their sister comes over. ; ) In turn, we have received a huge blessing from ministering to and loving our sisters. <br /><br />Second, our Bible study made mother's day cards and gift bags for our sisters. Inside each bag we tucked away our cards, a <a href="http://www.greenandblacks.com/uk/productdetails.php?pageid=27&cid=6&pid=10">bar</a> of fair trade chocolate, a CD of <a href="http://www.sojournmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/prayer-of-hannah-jamiebarnes.mp3">Remember Me</a> (Prayer of Hannah) by Jamie Barnes, a prayer for mothers (written by <a href="http://madenoughtopray.blogspot.com">Laura Roberts</a>), and an invite to our Bible study's wrap-up <a href="http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/AMMIGSHZZKQTZAWKDHWP/miniretreat">mini-retreat</a>. I showed my friends Nick and Kate Jamie's song and they decided to bless the mums at <a href="http://crossroadshobart.org">Crossroads</a> House this morning by performing it. Everyone was blessed.<br /><br /><br />Prayer for Our Mothers<br />by Laura Roberts<br />Heavenly Father,<br /><br />It was your eternal purpose to give all people life through mothers,<br />And to send your Son in flesh through a mother’s womb.<br /><br />Bless our mothers as they follow you,<br />And guide them as they seek you.<br /><br />Give them wisdom, that they may instruct their children faithfully.<br /><br />Grant them discernment as they pray for their children;<br />Shape their hearts that they might desire the gospel to shine forth in their children’s lives.<br /><br />Lord, you know what we need even before we ask.<br />We earnestly seek your perfect will for our mothers,<br />So that they might raise up children whose lives declare the gospel<br />Of your Son, by whose sinless life, perfect death, and glorious resurrection<br />We come before you with our requests.<br /><br />Amenckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-7896259210053163332008-04-11T14:25:00.000+10:002008-04-11T14:26:43.038+10:00stop the press!<a href="http://madenoughtopray.blogspot.com">She'</a>s coming!<br /><br />Fights are booked.<br /><br />It's really happening!ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-56220112678829638662008-03-18T12:28:00.003+11:002008-03-18T22:50:42.615+11:00bringing Laura down under<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TN3XmhTSKldbmfHXU07FclzRuPOkvcB9e2mYsSLInM4O0pQ5KvdXxdKYWjnRCbkvHYJBTMv-CYU8UDK-8lMEeEvybBs0j34VgOh15JVZgEIPdlY2FjZefppOuAUgbUgmCaN6C5lvAUQY/s1600-h/laura.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TN3XmhTSKldbmfHXU07FclzRuPOkvcB9e2mYsSLInM4O0pQ5KvdXxdKYWjnRCbkvHYJBTMv-CYU8UDK-8lMEeEvybBs0j34VgOh15JVZgEIPdlY2FjZefppOuAUgbUgmCaN6C5lvAUQY/s320/laura.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178888396452614946" border="0" /></a><br />What would you be willing to do to bring <a href="http://madenoughtopray.blogspot.com/">Laura</a> down under? Get involved <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=7719864956&ref=mf">here</a>.ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-56112423625177154022008-02-08T20:47:00.001+11:002008-02-08T20:49:03.709+11:00our new pad<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v185/107/72/894925430/n894925430_2215158_4261.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v185/107/72/894925430/n894925430_2215158_4261.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />More pictures <a href="http://mikejolly.blogspot.com/2008/02/where-i-live-now.html">here</a>.ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-40691586744769028082007-12-31T11:07:00.000+11:002008-01-02T11:43:26.206+11:00what a wonderful wedding weekend!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v170/107/72/894925430/n894925430_1936028_4080.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v170/107/72/894925430/n894925430_1936028_4080.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />"I think it's only fair to warn you that today you may see a side of me that you don't approve of. However, please don't judge me. Everything I say or do today will have a purpose."<br /><br />I then hopped out of the car to meet our passengers at the airport.<br /><br />Somehow we found each other without the aid of my nifty sign. Disappointed, I asked if they wouldn't mind if we re-staged the meeting so I could use the sign.<br /><br />G. and L. Baulch (G. being a founder and coordinator of a <a href="http://www.campfire.net.au/">film festival</a> in which films from different worldviews are presented) were more than happy to indulge my silly, odd request.<br /><br />When Mike pulled up in the car, we all piled in, ready for the drive down to <a href="http://www.portarthur.org.au/">Port Arthur</a>.<br /><br />A number of weeks ago, I was asked to be the rehearsal coordinator for my friends <a href="http://www.peirceandchristina.com/">Christina Sonnemann and Peirce Baehr</a>. This was to be the wedding of the season. Friends and family from all corners of the earth were to be present.<br /><br />The festivities began this past Thursday with a kitchen tea with Christina's friends all donning hats and gloves. At the party I was able to meet Christina's Matron-of-honor, Rachel and her sweet baby girl Elenore (who has the most lovely little elfin ears). At Rachel's own wedding, she honored Christina by directly placing her bouquet in Christina's hands rather than the traditional haphazard toss over the shoulder to all the desperate single women present. Rachel is a lovely, tall woman and we became quick friends.<br /><br />On Friday, I was called to duty at Hobart's <a href="http://www.stdavidscathedralhobart.org/">St. David's Cathedral</a>. Arriving early, I sat there quietly waiting for the others to arrive for the rehearsal. I thought that my title of rehearsal coordinator was entirely honorary holding little actual responsibility, but still quite happy to be a part of everything. But the moment the bishop arrived it dawned on me that my role was much larger than I began to imagine.<br /><br />Essentially, I became the bride's advocate other than just making notes of where people needed to be, when they needed to be there, and what they needed to do once they were there. During the process of the rehearsal, there were numerous breakdowns in communication. Christina and Peirce had a clear vision of what they wanted their wedding to be ... some present were having difficulty "hearing" that vision so it was up to me to communicate the couple's desires so they did not feel trampled on.<br /><br />During one particular breakdown, Peirce seeing that Christina was visibly distressed took her by the hand and simply began to dance with her, effectively taking her mind off of the situation. While chaos surrounded them, there they were in their own world practicing the steps to their dance for the wedding reception. Rachel and I looked at each other and knew that the sight before us was yet another example of why Christina and Peirce were so wonderful for each other.<br /><br />During the drive down to Port Arthur the following day for another brief run-through and rehearsal dinner, I warned Mike that my methods of organizing people might seem a bit militant ... but then again I <span style="font-style: italic;">am</span> Maj. Hnat's daughter.<br /><br />It was a lovely drive with wonderful company. The Blauchs were a marvelous older couple passionate about the gospel and reaching our culture with the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. They were incredibly encouraging to Mike and me.<br /><br />As we arrived, Mike admitted to feeling a bit squeamish. He had not been to Port Arthur since the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Arthur_massacre_%28Australia%29">massacre</a>.<br /><br />Port Arthur's event coordinator team was fabulous. As I kept the wedding party punctual and organized, they were always 5 steps ahead having each event ready and waiting for us. I was so pleased that Christina and her mother, Margaret, had asked me to take this responsibility off of their shoulders so they could relax and enjoy themselves.<br /><br />(I highly recommend having a wedding coordinator if you get married! The advice I've given to multiple brides-to-be after my own recent wedding [6 months and 2 days ago] is: DELEGATE DELEGATE DELEGATE!)<br /><br />Sunday afternoon, I arrived at the cathedral early to take care of minor details as well as to make some minor changes on behalf of the bride and groom (which involved my <span style="font-style: italic;">removing</span> the unity candle from the stage which may not sound like much to you but there's a long story behind it).<br /><br />All in all, the wedding went smoothly. My job was complete and I enjoyed getting to know some of the interesting guests that had come from long distances for this joyous occasion. Many I now call friends who I never dreamed that I would have had the opportunity to meet until Heaven.<br /><br />The charming <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Gresham">Douglas Gresham</a> was not only a dairy farmer in Tasmania for a number of years but is the step-son of the late C.S. Lewis and co-producer of the 2005 Narnia film, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363771/">The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</a>. This classic fellow was incredibly easy to talk to. Unlike others who never hear a word you're saying and always seem to thinking about what they are going to say next, Mr. Gresham is a genuine listener and marvelous conversationalist. His wife is easily one of the sweetest women on the planet.<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Baehr">Dr. Ted Baehr</a>, (snicker) the father of the goom, is another man known for taking Christianity to the surrounding culture. Based in Los Angeles, he ministers to those in the world of media. Dr. Baehr's personailty is larger than life and his wife, Lily, is beauty and glamor personified.<br /><br />Following the ceremony, invited guests were welcomed on <a href="http://www.peppermintbay.com.au/">The Peppermint Bay II</a> for a cruise down the river to the location of the reception. We were entertained by a traditional bush band that led the guests in traditional bush dance throughout the evening.<br /><br />My heart leaped inside of me when I noticed the old copy of the book <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blue_Castle">Blue Castle</a> (can be read online <a href="http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks02/0200951h.html">here</a>) on our assigned table. It is that very book that essentially brought Christina and I into friendship when I decided to test this young woman on the extent of her love for all books by the Canadian author.<br /><br />"If you're as much of a fan of L. M. Montgomery as you say you are, tell me the plotline of Blue Castle." I was sure I had her. Few people had even heard of that fabulous book.<br /><br />Heard of it?! Christina had written a <span style="font-style: italic;">screenplay</span> for it and was delighted that I loved it as much as she did.<br /><br />Late in the evening, Peirce whisked Christina Baehr away to a secret honeymoon destination and the guests boarded the ship to return to Hobart.<br /><br />What a fun whirlwind this past weekend has been!<br /><br />More pictures <a href="http://mikejolly.blogspot.com/2007/12/wedding-craziness.html">here</a> at Mike's blog.ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-30264437443205729682007-12-21T15:27:00.000+11:002007-12-21T18:00:31.242+11:00an interview with a blocked writerWith men, you are met with facial-foliage, bathrobe, glazed eyes, the sound of emo music and the smell of filth.<br /><br />With women, you are more likely to be met with the sight of pajama pants, sweatshirt complete with ice cream stains, hair pulled back in a pony tail, the sound of Hugh Grant (gag!) fumbling his way through some sort of apology that leaves the woman shrugging (knowing FULL WELL that he'll only hurt her again and again) and taking him back, and the smell of bleach.<br /><br />These are the sights and sounds (and smells) that you might expect of someone with writer's block. But when she opens the door, you see she's not alone. She's got company. Books are scattered across the coffeetable. The comical lyrics of the Ditty Bops pour into the hallway.<br /><br />You mention that you noticed no activity on her blog for the past ... oh ... 2 months! She laughs it off and changes the subject. Still ... you're concerned. You ask what she has been doing with herself over the last couple of months.<br /><br />Apparently she's been to Sydney and back with her husband. And then while he was away at a conference she's fought boredom by inviting friends over for movie nights and meeting friends for tea in the afternoon. Her days are filled with work and her evenings with her husband.<br /><br />She seems to be fine and yet you are somehow hurt. Did she not get all the messages from concerned friends? For a fleeting moment you think you see remorse despite her superficial smile.<br /><br />She hesitates.<br /><br />She wrings her hands.<br /><br />"I ... I ... wanted to write. Truly I did. I still do! But I just don't know what! Occasionally an idea will come to mind while I'm out with friends but when I get home, that idea that once seemed so brilliant has become dull and uninteresting ... who would want to read it anyway. I've stopped answering the emails because I have no hope to give them. I began to fill my time in the kitchen concocting bizarre culinary experiments (hmm ... curried onion baclava ... could be good ... [WARNING! do not make!]). I invited friends over for tea and have gotten to know so many people on such a deeper level. I've been reading books and contemplating a future Bible study with women in my church. In some ways I thank God for this 'block' and yet ... I know I have let down those that I call friends who read my blog and pray for me and encourage me through their comments. I am ashamed. What do I do?"<br /><br />She looks at you pleading for answers.<br /><br />You suggest something she could write about.<br /><br />She shakes her head. "I thank you for your suggestion. But others have tried to help me in a similar way. I'm afraid I gave them false hope by my polite responses only to disappoint them when they clicked onto my blog later in the evening to find ... nothing."<br /><br />You begin to throw out the usual topics ... women, men, marriage, relationships ... what about the series she began about submission?!!<br /><br />She leans back and closes her eyes and lets out a deep breath. "It seems as if I have so much to say. But is it truth? Or merely experience? Am I better off learning in humility and keeping my big mouth shut? God forbid I pass something off as truth and cause a sister to stumble. I feel instead that I have so much to learn and had best learn in silence."<br /><br />You can now see the battle she is fighting in her mind. You sense the responsibility she feels. You ask her to share some of her experiences.<br /><br />She recounts a conversation she had with a newly married man at church. "As we discussed the high expectations wives place on themselves in marriage, he responded that he would much rather have a relaxed, stress-free wife minus a kitchen garden, minus spotless windows, minus gourmet meals, minus a headache and sore feet. He'd be happy to have none of those as long as he could have a wife that is happy to see him come home, has the time to sit down and talk with him, and the energy to allow him to express his love to her in the evening."<br /><br />She looked down at her hands. "I remember for years before I was married placing expectations on myself concerning what I had to be and do in order to become the perfect wife for my future husband. I don't think men put themselves through the mental torture women do ... although I could be wrong. Over the past two months, as I read more of Scripture and learn more of grace, I have seen the pitfall of trying to achieve perfection of my own merit rather than leaning on the saving work of Jesus Christ and his Holy Spirit working in me to conform to the image of God's Son."<br /><br />"When I punish myself for not living up to my own imagined standard, I am often punishing myself that not only does God not expect of me but neither does my husband."<br /><br />You ask her why she hasn't written about this?<br /><br />"I feel so unqualified. I have so much to learn of God's grace. In the past I feel that I came to God with songs and sacrifices when he merely wanted obedience. My pride showed in my writing ... look at what I was achieving! look at how great my marriage is! If I should boast, let it be in Christ ... not me. It was Christ that brought Mike and I together and it is Christ who continues to make us a holy union ... NOT my cooking skills, not my cleaning skills, etc."<br /><br />You're a bit confused. As a reader of her blog you hadn't sensed any pride. Oh sure, others had commented that perhaps she was too honest in her approach. But you generally found her insights helpful. Perhaps she's merely rambling and hasn't got all her thoughts together on the matter yet.<br /><br />You try a different tactic. Glancing at some of the books strewn across the coffee table you ask if she's read anything good lately.<br /><br />She leans forward excitedly, "Actually, while on holiday in Sydney, I read an entire book cover to cover. I'd read the same book when I was 16 but had greatly disliked it ... I don't even think I finished it. But while visiting a friend, I noticed the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stepping-Heavenward-Inspirational-Elizabeth-Prentiss/dp/1577483421">Stepping Heavenward</a> on her bookshelf. I read it every spare moment I got while Mike was reading the paper, watching the news, or reading blogs online. As I read, I began to see my own ongoing journey towards Christian maturity in the fictional journal of Katy. <br /><br />"I remember being 16 and reading of the people in Katy's life who lovingly came alongside her encouraging her towards holy living. I was frustrated and indignant. Thinking that everyone ought to just back off. She was trying her best. However, my eyes widened weeks ago as I read the book again and realized the impact marriage has on shaping a person in holiness and grace. <br /><br />"My own experiences matched Katy's as I seek to please God despite my faults, selfishness, and failure to live up to what I think I ought to be. With hope, I look forward to continue in my growth in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. <br /><br />"I once viewed Katy's frustration over her own sins as unnecessary and extreme. But now I pray that God will grant me a more tender heart towards my sin and eyes to see my loving Savior who knows my sin and enables me to repent and rejoice in His salvation. Stepping Heavenward gives me great hope that God might even use my "journaling" to encourage others as they see themselves in my experiences."<br /><br />You smirk, "So you'll continue writing?"<br /><br />She seems surprised at her own admission ... and yet wanting to be realistic she makes no promises.<br /><br />You stay for a bit longer and she tells you jokingly how she and her husband discovered how to have a holiday that both of them enjoyed. She has plenty to say but still seems hesitant to write any of it down.<br /><br />After you leave, she checks her email thinking about everything you'd talked about.<br /><br />She reads, "Laura says, Oh bah. What is the point of checking even?"<br /><br />She panics.<br /><br />She writes.ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-73156133897773010652007-11-09T08:54:00.000+11:002007-11-08T23:42:18.640+11:00Mike daySaturday is Mike's birthday!<br /><br />I know that one of his greatest concerns is to raise enough support as he works full-time for FOCUS at the University of Tasmania. (Uni students aren't exactly the most affluent individuals.)<br /><br />So, I got the idea to surprise (hush hush) Mike by helping him raise some of the support he needs.<br /><br />My idea is that if everyone gave a minimum of $5 each that it would take care of a good chunk of his support.<br /><br />Would you please consider donating $5 to his work?<br /><br />You can make your donation <a href="http://www.afes.org.au/_donate/?sessid=2eec91c9ca948eba72532e120712b9c5">here</a>. Be sure to select Mike Jolly in the "worker" field.<br /><br />Also, if you'd like to keep up with his work you can check for regular updates at <a href="http://mikejolly.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">mikejolly.blogspot.com</a> ... recently, he has posted a number of posts containing the vision for FOCUS next year. Exciting stuff.<br /><br />Remember ... shhhhh!<br /><br />Note: If you are overseas and the form doesn't work for you (might not work if you have a Visa card), you can download a form linked at the top of the donation page and mail in a contribution.<br /><br />Thanks so much for making Mike's birthday special for me!ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-34353738276502974572007-11-03T09:02:00.000+11:002007-11-03T15:06:36.675+11:00don't believe Mike<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihpQQ_Lsxzt_ZrCvqMi70DLY9nAHSnhEj9dpuonnyOVgrFKkwuAQiLwdDiVaW2SFdKps88fEqetUUMHEofXpWUfzG8Uwu0jfOEsM1ryxIvlCSHNAI6FG2YFSwYH5XSaj_k7qdWXuxGDez/s1600-h/IMG_1832.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihpQQ_Lsxzt_ZrCvqMi70DLY9nAHSnhEj9dpuonnyOVgrFKkwuAQiLwdDiVaW2SFdKps88fEqetUUMHEofXpWUfzG8Uwu0jfOEsM1ryxIvlCSHNAI6FG2YFSwYH5XSaj_k7qdWXuxGDez/s320/IMG_1832.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128367862581452738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUkKk210oCoPbd4EztgYGPPURxSV_oES9S6ZkIn6aFIHvCCrknp4w5jEKoptfPcpxrfZ-UimN0QiCTmR5G00DyApQz6fNBunEqo3anmkz3-RzJz_UG8qn8yBwVADY26DBYc2zALAsWg-B/s1600-h/IMG_1833.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUkKk210oCoPbd4EztgYGPPURxSV_oES9S6ZkIn6aFIHvCCrknp4w5jEKoptfPcpxrfZ-UimN0QiCTmR5G00DyApQz6fNBunEqo3anmkz3-RzJz_UG8qn8yBwVADY26DBYc2zALAsWg-B/s320/IMG_1833.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128367866876420050" border="0" /></a><br />When he <a href="http://mikejolly.blogspot.com/2007/11/and-then.html">tells you</a> I'm messy.<br /><br />That's me lying on the bed ... if you look closely you can see the outline of my body ... I sort of blend in. Just look at my wardrobe ... brown ... green ... blue ...<br /><br />Sorry, I haven't been responding to comments all week ... or updating my blog. Having worked full-time all week ... the evenings left me EXHAUSTED. I haven't been able to prepare our evening meals with the well-thought-through care that I'm used to. The first night I came home and prepared dinner, Mike said the sweetest thing after I dumped a jar of sweet and sour on some chicken and frozen veg.<br /><br />(Just after taking a bite) "I like it better when you prepare your meals."<br /><br />For me, it was a very sweet complement about my cooking.*<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">*I really enjoy making my meals from scratch. It was good for me to know Mike appreciates the effort I've gone through to make nice healthy meals for us.</span>ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-36647349532581924332007-10-30T21:48:00.000+11:002007-10-30T21:50:55.489+11:00submission, part 2<blockquote>I’d read what the Bible had said about submission. I’d read all the books about Christian marriage. I was emotionally and mentally prepared. I’d come to the conclusion that should Mike and I disagree on a matter … oh, say, something like whether or not we ought to move to Sydney or Nepal … I would behave as an Executive Vice President … after having thoroughly voiced my point of view, then praying about the matter, and finally, finding that we still disagreed, I would then submit to his decision. No problem! </blockquote>Read the rest of my post <a href="http://www.babbleofthesexes.com/2007/10/30/that-dirty-word-that-starts-with-s-part-2/">here</a>.ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-60184049610276240622007-10-28T14:04:00.000+11:002007-10-28T21:19:56.837+11:00what's happened to me?!!The day before our wedding during a rehearsal dinner game Mike was asked what his favorite characteristic of mine was. And I was meant to guess his answer. I hadn't a clue ... like many of the other answers, really ... my height? my hair? ... "Um, I don't know ... my eyes?" ... I know ... LAME! ... especially since my eyes are probably my least striking feature.<br /><br />"No, silly. I told you the other day what it was."<br /><br />I had another think ... nup, nothing.<br /><br />"Your skin! Your beautiful smooth flawless skin."<br /><br />ohhhhh ...<br /><br />Red flags went up ... "Um, you know that my skin won't always be like this ... I'm certain wrinkles will come along."<br /><br />"Oh, sweetheart. I know that. I love you no matter what your skin is like."<br /><br />Hmph ... wrinkles ... I knew those would come ... but I definitely was NOT prepared for the onslaught of acne.<br /><br />Ugh! It's rabid! I'd never had it this bad. Sure, an occasional zit here or there ... but never massive clumps of painful red irritation.<br /><br />I had a good cry about it last night ... especially since I'd gone to the shop for the weeks shopping and had run into FIVE people I knew. I'd ventured out of the house ... not feeling particularly well yesterday anyway ... without any make-up to cover my blotchiness. It was very humbling ... five people I knew ... one, a minister at a nearby Presbyterian church stopped and had a chat with me in the checkout line ... saw me in my humbling state. But it wasn't just the encounters that brought on the tears, it seems to be out of my control. Mike loved my smooth skin and I could do nothing to bring it back.<br /><br />I've looked at skin complexion diets and what I eat on a daily basis definitely lines up with everything. Is it my latex pillow? Is it ... gasp ... Mike ... oh, no! I'm allergic to Mike!ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286992889505098297.post-66993919875579914522007-10-27T15:25:00.000+11:002007-10-27T15:27:39.918+11:00submission is a dirty wordI'm beginning a new series of posts on submission <a href="http://www.babbleofthesexes.com/2007/10/26/that-dirty-word-that-starts-with-s-part-1/">here</a> at Babble.<br /><br />While I have much material already prepared, what would you like to see covered? Please answer here on this post.ckjollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06263260525667337446noreply@blogger.com5