Duct Tape

This was one of my devotions this morning and I wanted to share it with you.

Divine Duct Tape

Theresa Ceniccola

Have you noticed that duct tape comes in all kinds of fun colors now? There's an entire rainbow of duct tape - including some of the more outrageous designs of camouflage, tie-dyed, plaid and glow-n-the-dark. Why not? Duct tape can solve almost any problem - from fixing a leaky faucet to removing a plantar wart. Pretty much everyone can use duct tape, right? So it makes sense to choose a color you love. No matter what the color - it all works the same. Sure, we all know the power of the super adhesive, but we don't always have it with us when we need it. I own several rolls of duct tape - including one in neon pink - but I couldn't tell you where they are at the moment. Only Boy Scouts, engineers and the Sopranos actually carry duct tape with them at all times.

If you think about it, duct tape is kinda like God. Powerful, yet gentle. A miracle worker - able to fix the big problems and the small ones. Available everywhere. And once you are introduced to duct tape, you begin to think of more ways you can use it in your life.

The problem with duct tape is that if you remove it, you are left with a sticky residue. A reminder of a broken time. The residue then begins to attract dirt and dust, creating an even greater dilemma. God leaves his mark on our souls in much the same way. Once we invite him into our hearts, we are changed forever. Once we witness his incredible mercy and unconditional love, we don't want him to leave. We don't want to remove him from our lives and open ourselves up to attracting evil and despair.

And God comes in a variety of colors. He dresses in just the right color each time he appears in my life. He is the color of the spirited young teacher who just won't give up on my child, the compassionate nurse who actually holds my hand and takes the time to explain what's going on, and the stranger who patiently holds the door for me and my three kids as we argue, trip and drop stuff on our way. Yes, God comes in many colors - a pattern to suit each one of us. He makes it easy for us to find him despite his chameleon tendencies.

Like duct tape, God is always accessible - but we have to remember to use him. God can solve all problems, but we must carry him with us. So, I think I'm going to buy some funky duct tape - maybe in a leopard print - and put it in my purse to remind me to call on God when I need him. I'll put some in my car, in my office and in my laundry room, too. That way, I'll be sure to ask him to repair my life when it falls apart. Plus, I just might use the duct tape!

I wonder what would happen if I ran into Tony Soprano...me and God...Tony and his trunk full of duct tape. I have a feeling my Divine Duct Tape would be stronger.

Pictures

Well I haven't updated in a while...sorry. Been kinda busy with school and all starting. The kids started back August 9th and then Jeremy started 19th. Its been good just busy. We are all doing great. Ethan has joined Cub Scouts and Jeremy is the Den leader for his scouts! That's really cool and Ethan loves it! Kara is doing Jazz dancing. She is really catching on. Brianna is practicing for the Christmas Production at the Ramp.

Here are some Pictures from the past few months: More blog to come soon. Have lots on my mind :)

July:
The boys enjoying the skate boards. Ethan is pretty good with it.

Kara's bday
August:

1st Day of school: 7th, 5th, & 1stNew Hair for school Ledbetter Family Reunion
MowHawk Brothers :)August Ramp Baptism
September
Jeremy and Ethan with the Cub Scouts in the Homecoming ParadeThere you go...some updated pictures. More to come soon. Sorry it has taken so long.
I will be posting a new blog soon. God has been so awesome. The grace He gives us, the way He loves us, how to be a seeker and why, and allowing Him to take everything out of me that isnt of Him so He can fill me with Him. Just a few of the many thoughts in my head. Be back soon!

JULY2010

Well this month has been super busy but lots of fun!

*July 2-4th~My mom and step-dad came down for the weekend. They haven't been here since Jaxson was 3mths old, so it was a good visit. The kids were so excited to see maw-maw & pawpaw. We had a cookout and it was soooo nice to be able to get the family together. I don't think we have gotten together like that in a long time!

Mom, Jaxson, Kara, Ethan, Paw-paw, & Brianna

Part of the Starman FamilyPart 2 of the Starman familyMe and Mom

4th of July~Jeremy had the week off, so after my mom and step-dad left, we headed to the lake and spent a few days there. That was nice and relaxing. We haven't been able to go up there like that in over 6yrs and it was great to spend time with Nona and Paw-paw. We had a great time...swimming, boat riding, tubing, and just hanging out!

Jaxson loved driving the boat with Uncle Mike!

Kenzie, Brianna, Ethan, Madalyn, & KaraKara

July 18th~We celebrated my niece, Maddie's 1st birthday.

July 25th~We celebrated my nephew, Caden's 4th birthday.He loved his buzz outfit.

We have had two Ramp conferences this months. They have been glorious as always. They just keep getting better and better. It never gets old watching these kids and adults coming to the Lord and walking away free from all types of bongage such as pornography, cutting, homosexuality, drugs, alcohol, and whatever else you can think of. The water baptisms this summer have been so awesome! I love standing in the HOT SUN watching these people go into that water and coming out completely different. You can just see it in their faces! Nothing like hearing the sound of a 7 or 8 yr old little boy, on his dads back say "Dad I don't need my glasses anymore, I can see, I can see!" (this is just one of the hundreds of stories that have happened) I have never cried so much. God is so awesome and He is STILL in the healing business!

There was about 1000 people.
We will finish up this month with Kara's 10th birthday. I cant believe she is 10 yrs old.
They grow up too fast.
We start school Aug 9th. Brianna will be a 7th grader;Kara will be a 5th grader; Ethan will be in 1st grade. Jeremy will be going to school also.

God is so good. I fall more and more in love with Him everyday. I love being a child of God and I am so thankful the Love He has for me! He loves me when I am unlovable.

Hope you all have had a good summer! More pics to come from Kara's birthday. Also lots in this mind of mine and once I can get it all in order, I will post it. Love all and God Bless You!!

Prayer Request Update

GOD IS AWESOME!!!!

AWESOME NEWS!!!!! Grayson Eli Whitlock got to go home yesterday(6.28.2010)!!!! He went home at a little over 5lbs and 17inches long & will be 3mths old on July 1st. He is very healthy and a beautiful little boy! Stephen and Tracy are very happy to be home with their little boy that God has sent them! Thank you all for praying with me for this family! Please continue to pray for them as they go home and get into a normal routine of daily life! Thanks again!

**Summer**

Summer is on its way. Just wanted to update with some new pictures. We are going to have a busy busy summer with Kids Ramp next week and 4 Ramp Gathering from then until August. It will glorious watching thousands of people, young and old, getting back to the basics with the Lord and having the chains of bondage broken. I am sure this summer will produce many pictures!!! If you are this way, come see us!

Yep, thats Ethan with a MoHawk! He has been wanting his hair cut like this for a while and with it being summer, I decided to go ahead and let him have it. He looks so cute it!!Kara finally let me take some cute pictures of her!PEACE OUT :D

"I need you"

“Momma,” in the small yet loud voice, Jaxson cried out for me. As I rounded the corner to his room, he said, “I need you.” He had woken up and just needed that comfort that I was there to love on him and lay beside him. To give him comfort that everything was ok and to just put my arms around him. As I was lying there, God begin to show me that this is who He is. He is our comfort in the darkness and when we are scared and not sure what to do or where to go and cant clearly see our way, all we have to do is call out for Him, “Daddy! I need you!” and there He will be, right beside us, to hold us, and give us the peace and comfort we need to make it through whatever it is we are battling with. Although I know this about Him, sometimes He likes to remind me that He loves me and cares for me more than I give Him credit for sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, I know He loves me but sometimes I just feel like I a very small part in the equation considering all the other important things that are going on in this world today. In this book I am reading, Radical, David Platt talks about how God is at the top of the mountain and we are at the bottom and our goal is to strive after Him but that God is God who doesn’t mind coming down off the mountain to come to us when we need Him. I love having that comfort in knowing my God loves me so much.

~Heidi

All you have to do is call out to Him and He will be right there to comfort you! Will you call for Him today?

Shake me God!!

Everyday I ponder about where am I and what am I doing? Too many times I get stuck in the wheel of doing the everyday things over and over and forget to stop and realize what God is up to and that I am apart of that. Not just here at the Ramp but on this earth. Anyone who calls themselves a “Christian” is being called to a deeper place with God everyday. Does our everyday walk and life reflect a true Child of God? Everyday we are supposed to seek Him more than the day before. We are called to be disciples first, then Christians. What did the disciples do? They left everything to follow after Jesus. They gave up everything to follow after something that they knew would change their lives. You may say well that was then and this is 2010. But really…the bible says that He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow…Heb. 13:8. That means that what He called the people of the bible to live, talk, walk, and breath is same for us today. I just want to be shaken of everything but God. Wow what a statement. “don’t say that because oh the storms coming now.” Well if it means that God has all of me and that Holy Spirit is in complete control and there is no more of me, then SHAKE ME GOD, SHAKE ME!!!! Me hasn’t gotten me very far. I know that God can do so much more with me. I am about to start reading this book, Radical, by David Platt. And all I know is that I want to be Radical for Jesus. If that makes me jump, shout, speak with “funny noises,“ make decisions that don’t seem right, then I don’t care!!! I just want Him and all that I can have of Him! I want to be sooo full of God and Holy Spirit that when you look at me, all you can see is Him!!! He is my someone whom its worth it all to loose everything for!

Just my thoughts for now :D

~Heidi

Is Jesus someone worth giving it all up for or has He been made into your American Dream?