godsgiftmylife.com

peculiarplace has decided that we are going to make Him famous through the way we LOVE.

Not the crap we see on television, that “out the side of your neck love” that most of us have experienced in our lives that have left us broken, searching, insecure, hiding, lonely and afraid to be vulnerable, but the LOVE that only He can share through us with anyone and everyone willing to receive it!

What’s the difference? I believe today we have dressed tolerance up in drag and called him love, hoping to fool those on the receiving end into thinking we actually would go to the ends of the earth for them. Hoping that they never see through our facade as we move across the room from them or ignore their plea for help. TOLERANCE IS NOT LOVE!

We are creating a place, a gathering, a community of “the church” for anyone and everyone who is curious, frustrated, broken, at their wits end, wanting more out of life, wanting to change their life, wanting to encounter face to face the God of truth, love and life, anyone who just is fed up with what they have and where they are and a place where LOVE truly RULES.

A place where all decisions are made in love, where we are treated with love and CORRECTED with love.

We are creating this place, this gathering, this community of “the church” in Old Fourth Ward, a historic and beautiful community in the heart of Atlanta!

We would love for you to be a part, whether physically, through prayer or giving (it takes money to do His work and if it were to fall from the sky… it would be counterfeit). Think about it, pray about… I would love to hear from you either way send emails to lowens@peculiarlove.com.

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lloyd owens, old fourth ward, peculiarplace, therstblog

We did get “adam and eve”.  We decided to try a blow fish and an angel fish, I pray they live a little longer than Jonah did.  The night we got them, I cleaned the fish bowl and slowly poured the fish into the tank but I could not see them.  My first thought was maybe they got under the rocks since they are a bit small.  So, I am freaking out and looking in the bowl.  Suddenly, something told me to look in the bag and there they were on their side trying to stay alive.  Apparently, they were stuck in the bag….oh, it was insane!!

I am still packing and cleaning…you don’t realize how much junk you have until it’s time to move.  We are getting rid of a lot of things that we haven’t use in over six months…that’s a good sign that we don’t need them.

We had to take a couple of trips to the hospital because Zion fell of f  the bed and hit his head, thank God he is fine.  A few days later, his elbow came out of the socket.  I was really freaking when I noticed the arm was just hanging there lifeless.  Doctor just pushed it back in and within seconds, he was able to move the arm like nothing happened.  While we were there the doctor noticed Jah’s face and asked if he were sick.  We told her he has eczema, she told he did not- he had strep….talk about two for one.  I thank God the doctor was observant enough to noticed Jah’s face.  He is taking antibiotics and feeling much better….whew!

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angel fish, antibiotics, blow fish, eczema, nurse maids elbow, old fourth ward

Whew, the end of a very long day.  Lloyd went to Alabama for a conference and I was left behind with the boys.  Our day started at 5:30 am, we dropped Lloyd off and I took the boys to school…it really stinks that they go to different schools.  On our way back home Zion decided that he no longer wanted to stay in the car seat and started crying.  I told Lloyd a while ago that mothers are athletes and he asked me why did I say that.  I told him because she must be able to run, catch, slide, jump and sometimes do all of them at the same time…LOL.  Needless to say I was driving home, with one hand on the wheel the other stretched back  making sure the pacifier stays in Zion’s mouth.  We took a quick nap then it was time to work.

As I sat at my desk, I noticed “Jonah” the pet fish was NOT moving…yes, Jonah died.  Tyler got the fish as a birthday gift and he has been taken care of it.  I was thinking of so many different scenarios on how to handle this tragedy.  I thought of replacing it with out telling him but I did not have that kind of time, so I decided to just tell him the truth.  He handled the news pretty well.  The first thing he asked me was “did you kill him?” “how did he die”.  I told him, I did not kill him and maybe he was sick.  I could see he was a bit sad, so I  promised him two bettas.  After we got home, he flushed Jonah down the toilet.  Then the weird and awkward moment came…what’s for dinner???  It just so happened I took out some tilapia for dinner and did not expect Jonah to die.  I had no other meat defrosted, so I baked the tilapia and of course Tyler would not eat it because well, his pet fish just died.   BTW, after our investigation we found out Jonah died from overeating sad, but true.

Tomorrow, we will go to the pet store to get “adam and eve”, he already named them!

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betta fish, moder mom, super mom

The past several days have been very hectic.  We are packing and getting ready for the big move, prayerfully this would be our last move for several years.  I must say that I am quit excited about this adventure.  I am looking forward to making this house in Old Fourth Ward into our home.  I am looking forward to being friends with the neighbors and our boys having little buddies they can hang out with.  Most importantly, I am looking forward to starting the work God has placed in our hearts for downtown.

On another note, what is up with that mother kicking her kids out of the car??? From the time Lloyd told me about it, my first reaction was she probably lost her mind for a second.  I mean, I understand she wanted to teach them a lesson but couldn’t there be another way to get the point across.  I have told my boys that I would kick them out the car to scare them but hey, I am not CRAZY! I would never kick my babies out of the car and leave them.  Can you imagine what could have happen to these girls?? safe neighborhood or not.  Or how afraid they must have been? Or what lasting effect that will have on them, especially the youngest one?  that could be a pivotal moment in their lives.   Also, what is up with the older sister leaving the youngest…where is the love?  My heart goes out to them.

The other story I have been following is this swine flu outbreak.  The name alone says it all, we all know pigs are some dirty animals.  I have been extra cautious and making sure my friends and family are paying attention to the news.  The other thing though is that I want to be cautious but I don’t want to start operating in fear either…oh that is such a fine line.  I pray for the families who lost their love ones to that nasty flu.

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downtown atlanta, mother kicking daughter out of car, old fourth ward, swine flu

I am sure many of us have heard the news about the 11 year old boy Jaheem who hung himself.  My heart melt and ache when I heard the news from a friend of mine.   I cant help but to think about what Jaheem’s parents are going through.  I don’t want to imagine the hurt, guilt and shame that they might be enduring right now.  So  my question is who is to blame?  the school, the parents or the bully??? was there anything else the parents could have done to prevent this?    Dekalb county has a “No place for Hate” program to combat bullying, did that program work for Jaheem?  what is the consequence for the bully?

I have heard of many stories of children being bullied at school and some say it’s normal children behavior, I disagree.  As a parent of three boys, If I were to ever find out any of my children were being bullied I would take it to the top.  I would not rest until it stops!  If you know your child is a bully and don’t do anything about it, you are just as guilty.  There is NOTHING cute about your child beating up other children.  It’s not fair that this poor baby felt that hopeless and helpless that he took his own life.  It’s not right that the parents of Jaheem had to bury their 11 year old for killing himself.  How many more children have to kill themselves before we wake up…

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bullying, dekalb county school, jaheem herrera, no place for hate, suicide fith grader

Jah at his birthday party

Tyler at his birthday party

My three boys…just chillin…

Ty fishing for the first time

Jah smiling for camera instead of fishing

Elijah is all into it

Easter egg coloring…I think I was more into it than the children

The little ones enjoying their first easter egg hunt…They really enjoyed it.

Zion enjoyed Easter too!!!

Sorry Slider night with the boys…fun!

and that’s all folks!!!

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Easter egg hunt, Spring break

Happy Easter everyone.  We went to West Ridge Church today and the word was awesome.  Even though I know the story of Jesus and what he did for me and you; sometimes I need a refresher course….we got that at West Ridge today.  I thank you Jesus for dying on the cross and taking all of my sins from me, so that I may live in peace in you!    After church we got ready for the ultimate Easter egg hunt.  The house we live in is sitting on about 6 acres of land and the children are about to search all over it for Easter eggs…FUN!!!!

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easter, west ridge church

I read this story and thought it was AMAZING.  I wonder how many of us would handle it the way she did???  especially with the way the economy is right now.  I know some probably think she is a fool but I personally admire what she did.

Check it out here.

So, would you have done what she did…really would you?????

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cashier's check, woman finds money, yahoo news

So Lloyd did take the boys fishing again this morning and still no fish was caught.  However, they had a blast.  Lloyd said our oldest  got into it more than the others.  While they were fishing, Zion and I were fighting over some shut eye…he won!

After the guys got home, Lloyd took my nephew home and we went back to Acworth beach.  He put some food on the grill while the boys swam in the lake.  It was too windy and  cold for Zion to enjoy the outing.  We ate the wonderfully made dinner and then Lloyd and the boys grabbed their fishing gear and went at it one more time…no fish

By the time we got home our boys were beat from this year’s spring bling.  They opened their Easter basket from their grandparents and one by one they fell asleep…

We didnt get to do what Lloyd had originally planned for spring bling due to inclimate weather, but overall I think the boys enjoyed it!

pictures coming soon…

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acworth beach, easter, Easter basket, fishing