From My Heart~with Amy Stockwell: Mother Taught Me

From My Heart~with Amy Stockwell: Mother Taught Me

Mother Taught Me

My mom was a beautiful woman.  Her sky-blue eyes, milky white skin and silky brunette tresses were striking.  Her 5’11” frame was model-worthy...her elegant way of dressing herself was lady-like and gracious…she was a marvelous woman.

She was a Southern Belle.  She was reared in Mississippi, and soaked up all the gentleness and beauty of southern charm and southern ladies…she had a beautiful laugh, and gracious way of making other people feel special.  She was a strong, firm “mother,” and taught her children to work hard, take care of things, respect their elders, behave in public and in private, and to treat others with respect and forbearance.  The “Golden Rule” was lived out in our home.

Mom was a sold-out Jesus-follower – a worshiper, a prayer warrior, and a strong and committed believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.  She loved Him, served Him, and wanted more of His Spirit at work in her life.  She sought out opportunities to know Him, worship Him, and experience Him, beyond the walls of the Southern Baptist churches she and we grew up in.  She was a giver…she gave to the church, to its people, to a wide variety of Christian ministries, and to evangelical causes – generously, and without any thought of receiving credit, accolades or the affirmation of others.  She gave effusively and continually to send her children and grandchildren to Christian camps, retreats, church activities, Bible studies and worship events.  She was absolutely convinced that the most important thing in life is knowing Jesus, and making Him known – everything else was secondary.

Mom taught us all what was important in life by “doing.”  She taught us with her personal instruction, with her hands, with her attention.  She taught me so many things that are required of a “Proverbs 31” woman, of a wife, a mother, and one who takes care of her home and her family.  She taught me how to sew.  She taught me how to cook.  She taught me how to set a beautiful table.  She taught me how to bake a birthday cake and how to put together a fun and pretty party.  She taught me how to decorate; how to recognize and use beautiful fabrics; how to organize.  She taught me how (and why it is important!) to write thank-you notes and business letters.  She taught me how to write an essay.  She taught me how to proofread and how to write a research paper....and so much more!

She loved babies and children.  She would cuddle and cradle her grandchildren at every opportunity…she was like a lioness when it came to protecting and caring for her children and grandchildren.  She designed and finished out a large upstairs attic room at home specifically for the benefit of the children (and guests,) complete with window seats and comfy pillows, books galore, tables and chairs for card and board games, beds and rocking chairs, stuffed animals, colors, paper, plenty of room for playing, reading, dreaming, and sleeping, and even a children's bathroom with cabana and beach scenes on the walls and the ceiling painted like the sky.  She delighted to make things beautiful and functional, and wanted her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to have a safe place to play, sleep, dream and grow.

The beauty of her life and personality was like a lovely fragrance, wafting through the halls, homes, and lives of others.  You knew when she had been somewhere, touched someone’s life, reached out to someone in need.  She made an impression, an impact on everyone, everywhere she went.

Mom wasn’t perfect.  She had her struggles, her difficulties, her issues.  She struggled with perfectionism and insecurities. Her standards were high; it was difficult to live up to her expectations sometimes.  She wanted things to be done with excellence, because for her, everything she put her hands to, she was doing “as unto the Lord.”  She had little tolerance for sinful behavior (which was a good thing!) but had trouble accepting those who had fallen in sin, whose lives were marked by adultery, immorality, pregnancy out of wedlock, alcohol or drug abuse, divorce, and other difficult circumstances.  Both of her sisters, my aunts, went through multiple divorces; there were divorces on the other side of our family, too. Having lost her father at such a young age, and watching her sisters go through this kind of heartache no doubt affected her heart, mind and attitude toward situatons like these. Both of her brothers died young as well; so much pain, so much heartache to endure.  She was willing to forgive but had a hard time forgetting, and looking beyond their faults to love them  they were.  She genuinely tried, though, to love everyone with the love of Christ, forgiving yet not tolerating sin, and I often found notes in her Bible and in other places where she had written out prayers, asking the Lord to help her to forgive, and to help those who had been wounded by sin and difficulty in their lives.

Mom endured great pain and hardship early in her own life.  Born in 1927, she was a child during The Great Depression.  Her father died when she was only thirteen.  She was the youngest of five children. 

She adored her older brothers and sisters and her mother, but times were difficult.  After her father's death and the marriage of both of her sisters, all in the same year, she moved with her mother to a small apartment in Jackson, Mississippi; her mother worked as a seamstress, doing alterations for customers at “The Emporium.”  She met my father in high school; they married at home when they were 21.  She wore her best outfit that day – a green silk suit that her mom had made for her.  There was no money for a wedding gown, church ceremony, or reception.  She told me that the first time she met my dad’s mother, my grandmother had set out a bowl of bananas on the kitchen table during their visit….and Mother thought, “This man’s family is rich!  A bowl of bananas, right out on the table, where anyone can just take one if they wish?!”  It seemed too fantastic for her.  And that tells you something of the kind of life she had lived up to that point.  Mom and Dad lived in one of the bedrooms in my paternal grandmother’s home for the first few months of their marriage (the home in which my dad was born and reared) -- a far cry from the brand new house/fine furnishings/fine car/major honeymoon expectations of most American couples today!

They soon moved up to Starkville, Mississippi so that Dad could finish his degree at Mississippi State.  She became pregnant with their first child, my sister, Laura Lisa.  Laura Lisa developed beautifully for nine full months..but something happened…Mother began to hemorrhage, and Laura Lisa died in her womb for lack of oxygen.  She was forced to go into full labor to deliver the child, even though Laura Lisa was already gone.  My father said one of the hardest things he ever had to do in his life was to say goodbye to that baby…to leave my mom recuperating in the hospital…and to drive Laura Lisa’s body in the back seat of their car, in a little casket, back to Jackson, to be buried in Lakewood Cemetery.

Years later, Mother told me, when I would ask her about Laura Lisa, that she honestly could not remember all that happened or how it happened...how she felt…or how they got through it…that it was so deeply devastating, so unimaginably painful, that it was just too much to bear.  And somehow the Lord allowed her to just block it out, and not remember or feel the pain.

After Laura Lisa, Mom and Dad had five more children, the last of whom was "moi" - yours truly!  After Dad finished college and got a great job as a geologist with Humble Oil and Refining Company (now ExxonMobil), they moved to Houston, then New Orleans, Corpus Christi, and later back to Houston; our family enjoyed wonderful years of church, education, friendships, and family events…and Mother had a passion for life that was truly remarkable.  She and Daddy carved out a life for us that was rich and free, full of love, family, friends, and experiences that have shaped who we are today.  Mom worked as a secretary during most of our growing up years, and still found a way to keep house, cook meals, help neighbors, and make sure her children were dressed properly and well-behaved.  She endured our (occasionally!) rebellious attitudes and smart-aleck talk with love and a teaching spirit, but did not hesitate to administer spankings and punishments as often as necessary to make us behave!  The buck stopped with Daddy, though, where discipline was concerned – and we knew not to push her beyond the limit, or we would REALLY be in trouble with Dad!

Mom’s brothers died young in the late fifties/early sixties, and her mother, my grandmother, died just a few months before I was born.  Mom nursed both of her sisters through years of physical difficulty and disease.  She turned our dining room into a hospital room to help nurse my aunt back to health after heart surgery.  She came to her family's aid repeatedly during years of family and financial troubles.  She and my father helped countless people through the years, family as well as others, quietly and behind the scenes, living out the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) time and time again.

Mother endured years of physical hardship with great courage and bravery.  She had tumors the size of grapefruit removed from her body.  She had multiple surgeries on her back, her legs, her feet, her toes.  She endured years of surgeries and treatments for colon cancer, heart disease and diabetes.  During the last few years of her life, she endured dialysis and the amputation of both of her legs below the knees.  All the while, she gave glory to God for her life and her salvation.  She made friends with nurses and doctors and every person who cared for her.  She was a witness to every person who walked in her hospital room.

The last two weeks of her life were a horrible battle, spiritually and physically.  Her second leg was amputated; before, during and after the surgery, she was in extreme pain and agony.  She was on morphine to manage her pain.  She saw angels and demons in her hospital room; they were speaking to her.  She said out loud that she believed she was going to die, but she never gave up trying to live.  Later, she was moved to ICU, intubated, and could not speak.  The night before she died, she grasped my hand, though her arms were tied down…her wrists black and blue from bruising…her eyebrows were knit in agony and pain…tears rolling down her cheeks.  She tried to mouth words to me and I finally realized she was saying, “Don’t leave me…”  But I had to go; they wouldn’t allow us to stay in ICU any longer. 

I held her hand as long as I could…I hugged her and I cried…but I told her, “Mama, I’m so sorry you are having to endure these horrible circumstances. I love you so very much.  But I want you to know, it’s okay for you to go.  Fly on to Jesus now.  You don’t have to hold on any longer. We are all going to be okay, and we’ll take care of Daddy.  It’s okay for you to go.” I had to walk away from her…to leave her lying there, crying…one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

The next morning, the Lord released her soul to heaven…and she died at 6:55am, November 22, 2003.  One of the hardest days of my life.  And yet, while her physical body died, we know according to the Scripture, that those who believe in Christ, who have repented of their sin, and trusted Him to be their Lord and Savior, have eternal life. And my mom believed in Him.

Jesus said to the thief on the cross in Luke 23:42, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise!”  Psalm 116:15 tells us, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”  And, John 3:16 sums it all up: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.”  I know my mom is with Jesus in paradise…and I believe that Jesus has allowed her to be reunited with her precious Laura Lisa…and for them to love each other and get to know each other in His Presence.  I wonder what Mom is teaching her right now!?

I am so glad that my mother taught me so many things, and modeled so much of what the scripture teaches God wants from us…but the most important thing she taught me is that Jesus is The Answer to all the world’s problems, issues, questions, needs…that our lives here on earth are brief, but important…and that real life, true life, true purpose is found in Jesus, in following His commands, in loving His people, and in finding eternal life through faith in Him.  What Mother Taught Me….remains.

What did Jesus say?

It always amazes me when people say that Jesus didn’t say anything about homosexuality, gay marriage, or any number of other hot-button issues.  Of course, He did!  If this is what you believe, then you have not studied the Scripture thoroughly, nor do you understand Who Jesus is.  

Jesus is God!  He said Himself that He and the Father are ONE.  It is clear throughout Scripture that God says NO to homosexuality and not only that, but sexual immorality of any kind, including fornication (sex between two people who are NOT MARRIED – IT’S WRONG!), adultery (sex between two people who are married, but not to each other, and/or one partner married and  engaged sexually with another person, married or not) beastiality (sex between people and animals), incest (sex between family members).  It is also clear throughout Scripture that God’s plan was for His children, whom He created MALE AND FEMALE, were to come together sexually only within the sacred bonds of marriage, for purposes of pleasure, unity of spirit, emotional, physical and spiritual bonding, and procreation. It is also a symbol, a shadow, a picture of God's love for us, of Jesus as the Heavenly Groom, and we, the Church, as the (holy, spotless) Bride of Christ.  

Here’s just one of MANY references about this in the Scripture:  Matthew 19:4-6 '4 And He (JESUS) answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.'  

Wake up, people! Your argument is with GOD and His Word…and Jesus IS the Word!

Every Day Is Valentine's Day!

When David and I first married, we had very little money…I remember times when I was relieved that we had $17 in the bank, and that we weren’t down to zero!  But God has been our Great Provider, and we have never wanted nor lacked for anything.  

My precious husband wrote me a letter one year that is still so very dear to me.  In it, he said, “If I could bring you flowers every day, I would.  I can’t do that right now.  But I believe that if we will look to the Lord Jesus, and trust Him for our every need, He will provide for us in such miraculous, abundant ways, that we will hardly be able to believe it…I believe that God is going to allow us to minister to so many thousands of people, together, and that we are going to see many, many people give their hearts to Christ, if we will only trust Him…”

As I look back over the years, I see that David’s faithful prayer and his desire for us has been answered – abundantly, fully, completely, without fail.  Together, we have traveled to more than twenty countries to minister the Gospel; we have presented the Good News of Christ to hundreds of thousands of people.  We have seen many, many thousands of people pray to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 

I am so grateful, so overwhelmed…when I look at my life, and see the great things God has done.  And I am so grateful, so overwhelmed, that God has allowed me to walk beside such a faithful, trustworthy, Godly, passionate, compassionate, strong, gifted, focused, responsible, smart, loving, caring, tender, awesome man…and that I get to call David Stockwell my own. 

Thank you, Lord Jesus…thank you, my beloved David, for loving me and for leading me and for being my precious, beloved husband.  I love you with all my heart, and I am amazed that you are mine!  Every day is Valentine’s Day with you in my life!

And by the way, now, David does bring me flowers every day!  Our more than forty rose bushes, pink azaleas, camellias, gardenias, all kinds of lilies, crepe myrtles, and magnolias, all lovingly tended in our yard by my husband, bear beautiful flowers all year long!

On The Issue of Marriage Equality for Gay Couples

The issue here is a spiritual one, not one based on loving or not loving someone.  It is not about equality, nor about rights.  The gay community is not a minority but a group of people who wish to gain minority status based upon choice of lifestyle.  Certainly in this free country, a person has the freedom to live his life as he chooses.  

But, the legal issue of marriage is a matter of belief in the validity, inerrancy, and power of God’s Word, which very clearly states that marriage is to be between one man and one woman, and the homosexual lifestyle is not permitted.  It is not about how we feel, nor about the struggles we face, nor about what we want; it is about obedience to the Word of God, and following Him, according to His Word.  If a person is not a believer in Jehovah God Almighty, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and does not believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, then certainly it is easy to understand why he does not agree nor understand what the Bible teaches and what are the parameters on this subject. 

Of course, there are many places in the Scripture where sexual issues and sexual immorality are discussed, and where sexual immorality is clearly prohibited…just one of them is Romans 1:18-32.  If you should desire to read even a small portion of what God has to say about this subject, here it is:

Romans 1:18-32

·       18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 

·       19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 

·       20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 

·       21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

·       22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 

·       23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

·       24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 

·       25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

·       26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 

·       27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

·       28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 

·       29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 

·       30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 

·       31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 

·       32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”

I have had many friends through the years who have lived and do live a gay lifestyle; I love them dearly.  I do not wish them harm and ill-will – I wish them joy and abundant life!  They are my friends and precious creations of God.   My desire is that they will seek to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and to believe in the Truth of what He says in His Word.  The issue of homosexuality is one that I gladly leave at the foot of the Cross, because until a person is convinced of and surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in his life, and the Truth of God’s Word, the argument is in vain.  The Holy Spirit is the One Who convicts the world of sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8) and I know I can trust Him to do His work.

I do not accept and condone the gay lifestyle because God’s Word teaches that homosexuality is wrong, as is sexual sin of any kind.  The Bible also teaches that sexual sin is different than any other kind of sin, because it is a sin against one’s own body.  Another place in Scripture where these issues are dealt with is in 1 Corinthians 6.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 15-20

·       9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 

·       10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 

·       11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

·       15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be! 

·       16 Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, “The two shall become one flesh.” 

·       17 But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 

·       18 Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. 

·       19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 

·       20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

I know that there are many of you out there who disagree with what I have written here, but I am confident that your argument is not with me, but with God’s Word.  If you do not believe that God’s Word IS God’s Word, then our discussion stops there.  I do believe it is true, it is real, it is living and active, and it is valid in this world today. 

Jesus said, “I AM the Way, and the Truth and the Life.  No one comes to the Father but through Me.”    John 14:6

Amy Stuart Stockwell

2/10/2012

Why I Condemn Planned Parenthood

• Because they provide and promote abortion
• Because they provide and promote unethical birth control 
• Because they provide help for and promote immoral sexual lifestyles

Psalm 139:13-16

•  ^“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 
• I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. 
• My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; 
• Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written, The days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.”

Planned Parenthood (PP) is the largest abortion provider in the world.  Hundreds of thousands of babies are being murdered every year because Planned Parenthood is in business.  PP provides abortions and referral to abortion doctors throughout the entire nine months of pregnancy.  PP also provides the “morning after” pill which they "conveniently" entitle “Emergency Contraception.”  

Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization which has an annual budget of more than $1 billion.  It is a money-making machine.  26% of PP’s clients annually are teenage girls under the age of 19.  75% of their clientele have incomes that fall at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.  

Planned Parenthood provides birth control and services for sexually active people who are not married to each other.  This lifestyle is immoral and condemned by the Word of God.  I believe that their promotion of easy-to-get, inexpensive birth control, vasectomies, tubal ligation and abortion services, and their “acceptance” and promotion of immoral sexual lifestyles and activities is detrimental to our society and culture as a whole.

Since the Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973, more than 50 million children in America have been killed in the womb – an entire generation of people, dead.  Millions of babies are killed every year, usually for the sake of convenience of the mothers, wed or unwed. 

The purposeful murder of unborn babies in the womb is the height of EVIL, and our nation and the world are paying the price for this hideous, insidious sin and affront to God. I am AGAINST Planned Parenthood and EVERYTHING for which they stand.  As a Christian and a believer in the sanctity of life from the moment of conception, I CONDEMN the actions and business dealings of Planned Parenthood and pray that God will have MERCY (God’s forgiveness when we deserve judgment) on our nation and its support through government funding of the evil abortion practices of Planned Parenthood.

If you are still not convinced that abortion stops a beating heart – that babies in the womb are people -- children -- with souls and a purpose for living – then I am genuinely and deeply sorry for you.  I strongly urge you – in fact, I beg you – to consider the issues and your position, and to ask God to reveal the Truth to you. 

Look at the simple scientific evidence – evidence which is everywhere, and easily attainable!  Sadly, you can even go to YouTube and watch videos of abortion procedures!  But if that’s what it takes, then do it!  Look at it with your own eyes – look at the images provided by ultrasound – LOOK and SEE the faces and bodies of these precious children! 

How can people truly believe that it is OKAY to kill babies while they are still in the womb, or in the case of “partial birth abortion,” kill them when the head and shoulders are outside of the womb!?  Where does it stop?  When the head is outside the body, but the rest of the body is inside?  When the torso is out, but the hips, legs and feet are still inside?  Or when the whole body is out but the feet are still inside the mother?  At what point is the child still "unborn," and can people possibly believe that it is okay to murder the child?  Wake up, America!  Wake up, World!  This bloody business is an unspeakable horror!  Abortion is wrong!  Abortion is murder!  Abortion kills babies!

I urge you to visit the website of Gianna Jessen, a young woman who is an abortion survivor.  Gianna’s biological mother was 17 when she had a saline abortion in her third trimester.  After being burned alive for approximately 18 hours in the womb from the saline solution, Gianna was delivered alive in a Los Angeles Country abortion clinic.  Her medical records state, “born during saline abortion.”

Visit www.seebelieve.org for more information on using ultrasound technology to show expectant mothers and fathers images of their unborn children.

This statement certainly is not meant to be an exhaustive discussion of all the issues and ideas mentioned.  It is intended to be a pointed statement of my convictions on the subject of Planned Parenthood and abortion.  The recent decision by the Susan G. Komen organization to pull funding, and their reversal of that decision due to public outcry, has prompted my wish to make a statement on the subject.

Amy Stuart Stockwell

February 6, 2012

A Proverbs 31 Woman

I'm thinking of my mother today, who went home to be with the Lord eight years ago...she was a Proverbs 31 woman.  How I love her...how I miss her!  This is the woman of God I wish to become...

The Virtuous Wife

    ¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous wife?
      For her worth is far above rubies.
       ¹¹ The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
      So he will have no lack of gain.
       ¹² She does him good and not evil  is
      All the days of her life.
       ¹³ She seeks wool and flax,
      And willingly works with her hands.
       ¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
      She brings her food from afar.
       ¹⁵ She also rises while it is yet night,
      And provides food for her household,
      And a portion for her maidservants.
       ¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
      From her profits she plants a vineyard.
       ¹⁷ She girds herself with strength,
      And strengthens her arms.
       ¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is good,
      And her lamp does not go out by night.
       ¹⁹ She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
      And her hand holds the spindle.
       ²⁰ She extends her hand to the poor,
      Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
       ²¹ She is not afraid of snow for her household,
      For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
       ²² She makes tapestry for herself;
      Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
       ²³ Her husband is known in the gates,
      When he sits among the elders of the land.
       ²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
      And supplies sashes for the merchants.
       ²⁵ Strength and honor are her clothing;
      She shall rejoice in time to come.
       ²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom,
      And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
       ²⁷ She watches over the ways of her household,
      And does not eat the bread of idleness.
       ²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed;
      Her husband also, and he praises her:
       ²⁹ “ Many daughters have done well,
      But you excel them all.”
       ³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
      But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
       ³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands,
      And let her own works praise her in the gates.