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Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

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Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus, was human like us. He did not want to endure the physical pain of his upcoming crucifixion. From Mark 14:36, Jesus implores to God in the Garden of Gethsemane  “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” The “Abba” is Aramaic for “Daddy”. It reminds me so much of when Carter wants something and says “Please, Daddy!”, and my heart either wrenches and gives in or I say  “No” to what Carter wants.

God’s answer was for Jesus to endure the cross and be the sacrificial lamb for all mankind. My human heart can only imagine the anguish God was feeling for Jesus to die for us. An angel came from God and comforted Jesus (Luke 24: 43) so as to fortify him for the excruciating death that awaited him.

I also think of the 12 disciples being “cowards”, but yet, what would I have done? Do I betray Jesus like Judas did (Matthew 26: 47-49)? Do I like money, cars, clothes, traveling, or food more than Jesus and put them before my love and dedication to him? Sometimes I feel that I would have run like everyone but Peter and John. However, Peter snuck around and denied that he knew Jesus. Tradition tells that John and his family was well-received in high Jerusalem circles and probably mingled with the crowds during those early morning hours being as close to Jesus as could even until Jesus gave up his Spirit on the cross (John 19:25-27). Oh, how I would love to think that I would stay by Jesus’ side until the end.

No matter what, Jesus still loves me like he loved Judas until the end. Jesus STILL called Judas “friend” (Matthew 26: 50): Unbelievable and remarkable! However, that’s Jesus! He is LOVE and forgiveness!

This evening as we lay down in our cozy beds for a great night’s rest, let’s remember our tired and sleepless Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane and getting ready to face the death on the cross so he could be our sacrificial lamb and take on our sins. What a man! Thank you, Jesus!

* It’s because of Jesus that I have begun to write and share about my life, if you have a few minutes, enjoy my latest adventures as of March 2014,

http://bit.ly/1lziq4r

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The Last Supper/Communion

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Last Supper/communion

Matthew 26: 17-29; Mark 14: 12-25; Luke 22:7-19; John 13 & 14

Jesus instituted communion the night before his crucifixion, and it is has been a part of Christian worship ever since. I have met several, wonderful Jewish people, and one Holy Week in the future, I hope and pray Carter, Ammon, Sean, I can sit and partake of one and think of Jesus and the 12 Apostles eating in fellowship. Passover Seder

Being a Christian/a follower of Jesus Christ and partaking of the bread that represents his body on the cross and sipping the fruit of the vine that represents his blood that was shed for me and all the billions of people on the earth for the remission of our sins is what puts my heart and soul in “communion” with all the billions of saints who are partaking of the Lord’s supper with me. That is a powerful component of Christian worship

I know everyone doesn’t take communion every Sunday, and I kinda wish we would like the Christians of the New Testament (all it takes is a little research of first century Christian worship to understand they took it every Sunday), but in the scheme of things, it doesn’t matter. However, it’s a part of worship in remembering the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. The next time you partake of the Lord’s supper, think of all the billions of Christians you are communing with as well. It’s a pretty awesome thought.

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Jesus washes feet

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John 13: 3-30

If you knew you would be dead in the next 24 hours, would you take time to wash your friends and family’s feet? Wouldn’t that be a bizarre act? Well, that is one thing Jesus did KNOWING he was going to die. Jesus wanted the 12 disciples to know that he did not think he was any better than they. He was their master yet he wanted to serve them. The serving wasn’t to stop there but to continue with them serving others.

I’ve often thought of Jesus washing dirty, stinking, calloused feet of his friends. Here is the son of God that came down from heaven and all of its glory sitting on the floor of an upper room in some home in Jerusalem almost 2,000 years ago, humbly and gently washing 12 burly men’s feet.

During the Holy Week, the main idea is that Jesus was crucified and while being crucified took on the sins of the world. However, we sometimes skip over the fact that the one of the last things he taught just hours before his death was to love and serve others.

To answer my own opening question, I’m not sure how and where I would fit serving others in, but, yes, I would serve others in fullest capacity I could in those last hours. However, I can do it HERE and NOW without waiting….that is what Jesus wants us to place in our hearts and act upon immediately. Have a blessed day, friends.

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Ammon and Carter’s Palm Sunday 2012

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Vivid Details for Carter and Ammon's memories with a reenactment of Jesus' Palm Sunday: donkey, palms, actors

At Christ Methodist, Sunday school as well as the worship service today revolved around Palm Sunday. We then reenacted Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem with palm branches and an actor portraying Jesus himself.

The church then had an Easter egg hunt and children’s activities: petting zoo, balloon animals, and face painting. Carter and Ammon had a great day. We are looking forward to an educational week of studying Holy Week and Easter these next 7 days! Enjoy the pictures!

Warm Palm Sunday: 82 degrees!

If you're having trouble seeing, Ammon & Carter are holding baby bunnies!

The donkey's name is Jerusalem

Ammon's turn!

Carter requested to be a lion! grrrrrrrr!

Kitty cat, Ammon (Oh, yes, Carter took this!)

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Palm Sunday 2012

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Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11: 1-11, Luke 19:29-42, & John 12: 12-19

Jesus was a human who experienced times of elation just like us. How many times have we had the thought, “It can’t get any better than this?” buuuuuuuuuuuut, we know it is fleeting and cannot always be this way. Our lives are not this way.

It is important to first mention that all four of the Gospels write of this event.  Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem must have been quite a sight to behold. The clamor, the hubbub about the Messiah/Hosanna, and the spiritual excitement of the King of Jews entering Jerusalem to “reign forever” must have been a glorious moment. It was a fulfillment of prophets from Zechariah (9:9): Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem. Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, and riding on an ass and upon a colt the foal of an ass. The people even lay palm branches on the street like a red carpet for their king.  What deserved pomp and circumstance for Jesus yet what physical and mournful tragedy awaited our Lord!

As I got ready for church this morning, I imagined all the Gospels from their beginnings to this point like a roller coaster that chugs up a hill: Palm Sunday is the top/pinnacle of the hill. For Jesus, his physical life creeks over the top, then begins to plummet. In five days, Jesus the future Christ would be humiliated, beaten, and killed on a cross a criminal…to the world a crash at the bottom of the hill. However, it wasn’t the end, but the beginning of our assuredness of eternal life though Jesus Christ.

Enjoy Palm Sunday and get ready to walk Holy Week with Jesus anew.

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10,000 Views

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On March 18, 2011 I had no idea I could make it to 10,000 views. Thanks to you all we did it. During the past year, I’ve received many comments: The overwhelming majority have been 100% positive with much encouragement. However, there have been a few negatives. Someone near and dear to me said several times, “I don’t understand who would want to read your blog.”, or “How did you get 50 views today?” . I’ve always enjoyed criticism because it makes either me or what I am working on better. It’s nice to say that this particular person does compliment me more now and encourages me to follow my “writing dreams” . LOL

In conjunction with my blog writing, I was receiving some wonderful feedback from Parents magazine (2 million subscribers) regarding an article where Carter and Ammon engage in learning activities as we travel. God has not blessed me with a published article with Parents , and the two assistant editors I was corresponding with BOTH left the magazine for new opportunities in their careers. I am planning one more round of “help” from a Parents editor then I am moving on. After reading through the magazine several times, I’m not sure if this is the conduit by which God wants share my work with millions of people. As I have asked a handful of you all, now I am asking all of you to please pray that the Holy Spirit guide me where I need to be in writing articles.

The novel I mentioned to you all back in June of 2011 is still “brewing”. The way I see it I need a fan base to help me sell the book, and as I just mentioned, I don’t have enough exposure to help me sell it. The publishing and advertising fees cost a lot of money, and I don’t think I could recoup my investment money nor make a profit without a fan base.

However, I love writing about my life with Ammon and Carter, and I will continue to do so in this blog. Carter and Ammon are such blessings, and I am honored that you all want to read and share such blessings with me. Take care and God’s blessings on you. Haven

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Carter: Our photographer & Ailments

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We are coming out of 3 weeks of household ailments. Over 3 weeks ago, Carter had a viral infection that simply had to run its course. Last week, Ammon got an ear infection coupled with a horrible cough (not croup or whooping cough but horribly congested cough) that kept her/us up during 5 straight consecutive nights!  Praise the Lord (once again) for medicines: cough expectorants, suppressants, steroid cough medicines, antibiotics! Oh, well, so is the life of a 3 year-old. We’re just about all well now.

As I've mentioned before, we've started a 5th Generation of dog lovers!

While Ammon was catching up on some sleep Monday with a nap ( a VERY RARE occurrence these days but after nights without sleep), Carter and I were out on the patio. I had decided to grill Carter and Ammon’s hamburgers outside this afternoon, so I was flipping burgers while Carter played with his cars. Katie, Ferd, and Sissy (the coon hound family) had been out on the mountain, returned, and were milling around the house, and Sissy had been watching me clean the grill and begin flipping burgers. As I was finishing a round of flips, I noticed Carter coming from the garage with a 22 oz. cup of dog food. He then proceeded to moisten the kibble with the water spigot from near our back door. After preparing the food, he placed in front of Sissy’s nose!  She ate it.  I was surprised and proud that Carter could help feed the dogs. I took some pictures then decided to let Carter take some pictures as well. Once again, he is a great, 3 year old photographer.

Taken by Carter Caylor-Brown: 3-26-2012
"Sissy eating dogfood"

Have a Blessed Tuesday Everyone.

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Easter Season

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The Caylor-Brown Easter Mantle

I hope and pray that everyone has a great Friday, and that your Easter Season is flowing with blessings.

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Carter, the hair-cut pro!

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He was the best behaved 2 year old they've ever had when he started! Carter is excellent when getting his hair cut.

Carter had just turned 2 when we first went to Hixson to get his hair cut at the Classic Barber. They have always been AMAZED  at what a great client he is. He has never flinched once, and he is so kind, respectful, and courteous.

Carter’s latest, spring haircut went great on Wednesday. After our trip to the barber, we went to Logan’s Roadhouse where Carter and Ammon chose corn dogs for lunch.

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Carter & Ammon Moments (Back to back)

. Family, Parenting . , , , ,

Our holding hands evening, and the 1st Day of Spring
March 20, 2012 (Tuesday)

The two sweet things happened minutes apart but both meant SO MUCH. With the onset of Daylight Savings Time,  our chore schedule inside and outside the house shifts.  Since the time has changed and it so warm in the evenings, we have returned to jogging about an hour before darkness sets in. We also eat dinner earlier and feed the Coonhounds earlier.

After dinner, Ammon, Carter, and I had gathered up the Coonhounds’ dog food, and we headed to the barn.  The three dog food pans with the moist kibble, bread, and lunch meat probably weigh approximately 5 pounds in total, so I carry them. Ammon and Carter were lagging behind playing, and I was headed to the dog lot. I turned around to see Carter running up behind me. I thought he was going to ask to carry a pan; however, upon reaching me, he went to my left side with my free hand and placed his hand in mine so he could walk with me to the barn. I smiled, and My Daddy H heart was thrilled and soft. Ammon joined us in a few seconds, and we entered the dog lot.

Upon feeding the dogs, we three exited the lot. Carter ran ahead to the swing set, and this time Ammon joined me and took my hand. I smiled again and thought about how 3 minutes earlier Carter had taken my hand, but this time, I had some dog food grease on it. I looked down at Ammon, and I said, “I’m holding your hand lightly because it’s dirty after I fed the dogs.” Without saying a word, Ammon took the back of hand, kissed it, and looked up and smiled. My dirty hand did not matter to her. As Carter, Ammon, and I approached the swings, I said a quick, silent prayer. “God thank you so much for my Carter and Ammon! They are such blessings!”