My grandson walked out of his room and said "I'm ready."  I didn't want to embarrass him but his shirt was inside out. How could i tell he asked, (he was only 5.) "Because," I said, "The seams are on the outside, see, the tag is also showing. They're not supposed to show. Look, there are two tags, one on the collar and one on the inside seam way at the bottom." "Ooooh" he curiously replied. "But Nana, why are there tags?"
"Well, one is a label, it tells us who made the garment. The other is a note, it tells us how to take care of the garment."

My grandson not only learned how to tell if he is wearing his clothing inside out that day but how the shirt was made, who it's maker was and how to find the instructions to daily care for his garment. These are things that we all pretty much learn at an early age. As we grow, some of us come to gain respect or fondness of particular makers/designers.  We become familiar with how to care for particular fabrics. We learn which fabrics are sturdy and which are delicate. Each need be handled accordingly if they are to survive any length of time.

Someone I know refuses to separate laundry by fabric's weight and colors. Not separating heavy blue jeans from the delicate knits and nylon undergarments, nor whites from dark's. When jeans are thrown in with the fragile garments, the life of the most delicate items are diminished severely under the rigorous beating of the heavy denim pulling on the fragileness of the knits, silks and nylon. Instead of a well made knit golf shirt or beautiful camisole lasting years, their life span's are reduced to months. You can tell when a garment is worn out or abused/mishandled. It's shape is sloppy and it's colors faded or blended with blue or what ever harsher color it had been thrown in with. Whites are never white because to bleach an item that would require extra time taken to sort them first.  So seldom is there any bleach used. The result: Dingy whites!

Life is this way. We must handle it with care. Each one of us is unique. We all have our respective parts to play in this life. Some lives are sturdy and strong. Perhaps a bit abrasive, armour bearers tend to be of this fiber. Like denim, able to land on their knees a few times with out tearing through the fabric of their garments. Then some are delicate and sensitive. Able to prepare nourishment and administer tenderness, hugs, kisses, kindness and warmth. These lives are generally merciful and long suffering; Not able to withstand harsh treatment without rips and damage to the fabric of their garment's. And some are everyday wear. Not delicate but not super sturdy. Able to do most mundane jobs, provide adequate body covering,  non-rigorous activity wear. These are the lives that are usually steady and dependable. Not overtly warm, not abbrasively domineering, faithful.

Ultimately, you don't have to become a fabric expert to "handle with care."
Each designer/maker stamps his label on the inside of the garment and in recent years, as i stated,  garment manufacturers have begun to place a second label called a "care" label down now on the side seam of upper wear. I have yet to see a designer fail to place instructions for care on their garments.

God, the life designer, has instructions for care of everything in your life. To find Him, you must first accept His design for your life. Second, you may look inside yourself (James chapter 1) and find His stamp, then search out his directions. They're "all" in the book of instructions he provided us. And he instructed us to "write the laws (oh, did i mention they are not suggestions)  on the tablets of our hearts, not just on tablets of stone (or wood or paper or computer screen.)

Beloved, if you were to begin to sort out life's challenges, experiences, responsibilities and relationships with spirit eyes, asking first the makers instructions in each individual circumstance, I know you would begin to see the fabric of your life improve.

If your life is stained from sin, the word of God says He washes white as snow, those who confess their sins. Your life can begin fresh by accepting "new life" by the original designer. The bible says Gods spirit, The Holy Spirit, Christ, when he comes in, flushes out the old and All things become new! "How" you say "can someone be born the second time?" Zacheus asked Jesus this same question. "How can a man enter his mothers womb again!" In other words : I am already born. I am what I am.

I Corinthians 2:8-11 says this: "The spirit searches out (looks for the care label down the side seam of the garment) the deep things of God. For how can a man know what is in another man's mind? He can't, only the spirit of that man knows what is in his mind. Likewise, only God's spirit knows what is in God's mind. And you (who have accepted Christ/become born again/shed the old garments that are stained with sin/Have become a "new creation"/"Have been transformed by the renewing of your mind") have that spirit in you!"     ~~  The scripture says "Put on the mind (care label) of Christ" "Put on the garment of Praise, for the spirit of heaviness" "Treat unkindness with kindness" "Use a kind word to turn away wrath" "don't repay evil for evil" "Forgive 70X's 7" "Submit to authorities set in government over you because God instituted all authority"

The list of life instructions is endless, but are readily available to your mind by the spirit of God living in you, thru the book. When you wake up tomorrow morning, before you put on your daily wear, put on the mind of Christ! Put on the garment of Praise for the spirit of heaviness. Put on the breastplate of righteousness which is able to keep your heart from the fiery darts of the enemy, Put on the helmet of salvation (to protect your mind and brain from being crushed under the weight of the blows of the enemy; Blows of stress, blows of depression/oppression, blows of weapons formed against you but placed in the hands of people, loved ones, weapons designed to destroy you by striking your mind,body and/or spirit. Weapons of destruction, bombs that blow things in your life up. Arrows that strike precise places in your life or mind or body. Artillery of all types, some wide spraying, can hit a general area with lots of small metal shots, some like magnums which hit once leaving a hole large enough to annihilate the spot where it hits. Ever evolving weaponry, aims to outsmart its components. In recent years we've seen stealth bomber's, planes that can fly under the radar completely undetected, invade a territory and hit it before it is seen. Heat seeking missiles are able to chase down it's enemy with a mind of it's own, following it's target's movements. It's almost impossible to escape an attack of this kind. The list goes on. )

When you put on the helmet of salvation you decide as the people did also in Joshua 24:24  ..."We will serve the Lord our God and OBEY him."

When weapons of warfare come against your mind, first remember they are not of flesh and blood, They are spiritual. II Corinthians 10:4 says "For the weapons of pir warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against teh knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

"Casting down imaginations, bringing every thought captive to the obedience of God!" 

This is how we put on the mind of Christ and securely wear our  Helmet/Head covering of salvation; By knowing and obeying the will/instructions of God, in all situations, under all circumstances, in thought and deed and relationship. And making up our minds, taking our thoughts captive to Christ our bodies follow.

Beloved, let us look to the care instructions of our lives in Christ, remembering, if our lives are Christ's, then it is our responsibility to follow the directions in caring for (being stewards of) this life.  This is how a life prospers. (is successful and well)

We celebrated Katelyn's Sweet 16 with a bang!

Katelyn’s Sweet 16


We celebrated Katelyn’s Sweet 16 with a bang!!! Had a great party. Great Band, "Evangelin"! Thanks guys, Zack, (go Smith!) you were more than we could have hoped!!! You made it personal and remarkable! Katelyn’s friend Sarah told Kate, "Things happen to you that only happen in books!!" You rock!!

To all who participated. Thanks for a wonderful evening. Guests were superb! Chocolate was not regrettable!!!

For all who served in one capacity or another. Thanks!!!!!!! You are all brilliant hues of “awesome”!

Special Thanks to Friends who helped with decorating, food prep, blowing up balloons took all day, several shift changes.

Bethany and Jessica you were such troopers! Dedicated 24 long hours to the parties success! Cassy too, You were all beautiful by the way!

Carissa, you read my mind. You are my sunshine! Thanks for all day (Chad probably made you)help and hosting. I count on you so much you know. Good Job!

Dad, You rock!

Sarah, what would we have done with out you!! You were clever and a great cover. You are bossy and Kate is trusting! Thanks a million. We hope to have many more fam celebrations with you present...not just to help us surprise Kate!

Pastor Joe, your contributions were indispensable. How can we say thanks for helium, venue, running last minute errands and clean up!!! Wow!!! You’re great!!

Ethan! You know how I feel about your service! You are the man for the job! Your parents must be proud! They did good! You never have to be asked to do a job thoroughly or with the highest of standards. You are remarkable.

Jeff, above and beyond. Thanks not only for your service but your multi-colored heart for visual expression and sharing it generously!

Britt, I don’t have to tell you that you are an artist but you came thru with your talent. Mostly ,thank you for being a delightful friend to Kate! You always ad to the mix your creative, thinking mind coupled with a heart of compassion and “passion”. These are qualities you possess that you should guard as you grow.

Don and Pat, like the people you are, you jumped in with both feet, up to your elbows! You are too good to be true. If we could ever measure up to the kind of friends you are!! You are what friendship is made of!

Jay you are an intricate part of Kate's childhood. Thank you for making it to the party. I know your social schedule is full! You are a reliable friend. We think of you like family! We love you! And you too Alicia. You hung out with Kate and she loves your wit!! We love you guys!

Hofman! You are a delight! Thanks for getting off work and gracing us with your presence!

To our company crew, you are always there, always willing, always make us proud! Thanks!

Sean, you are special to this family, especially to Kate. Thanks for your presence and help. Mostly for being there. I hope you had fun! PS you too Kim. You are Katelyn’s first youth leaders, that will always be a special place in her heart and life. You are both precious to the Davis Tribe.

Jack, Stacey, Allison and Jackson Nichols, we love you!!!

Thanks to all our family members who were there! We especially appreciate your presence and love!!! To Andy and his fam, Thanks for the accesorizing the puppy surprise! Our Tampa family and church family, thanks for coming so far to be with us!

Michael Easter, you travelled some 800 miles? Wow, hope to see more of you. Thanks for being there. You were a delight by the way. Friendly and at ease, christian spirit shows in your demeaner. We enjoyed your company!

To all our distinguished guests! Thanks for being "you" and being with us on this happy occasion!
We Love You All !!!! Kiley's your sweetness! Kerns your always positive and serving in joy and excellence! Clapps, your smiles are enormous! Levins not just for being eye candy (heehee : ) JayJay, you were not the only one present who was 6'5", was that nice. thanks so much for coming, hope you had a good time! Ali Bess your excitement was joyous! Kent Philips you are a social king! Lauren, thank you so much for coming!

Dennis, you know you have been incorporated into the Davis Tribe. You know we Love you! You are sometimes overlooked in the thank yous but never under appreciated (just like family.)

Katelyn was thoroughly surprised, from the entrance to the church parking lot where we told her we were meeting up with dad because he worked late. ( She thought we were going out to special bday dinner where daddy wanted to dress up 'cause it was a milestone)

As we approached the church parking lot and viewed the excessive cars in the parking lot, we told her there must be a special worship meeting tonight and that was why dad was here to edit the songs on pc.

The entrance surprise!(she said is this a joke?) The puppy surprise! The band....

We ushered her into the dark sanctuary where we stood silently for a couple of minutes (Later, she confided in me that what was going thru her mind in those few, silent, dark moments was..."I sure hope I'm not getting married!") Then a voice out of the darkness said "Happy Birthday Katie" and the band started playing and the lights came on and the fog blurred the band and the crowd all rushed forward to enjoy the wonderful sounds of Evangelin! They put on a great show!

Then to the "after party"...food and chocolate!

The dress was semi formal..Everyone looked Marvelous!! It was a beautiful party! Hope you all enjoyed!!

Until we party again! (soon i hope!)

The Davis Tribe

Please join us in celebrating:
Katelyn Davis'
Sweet Sixteen

Located at Freedom Fellowship
On Friday, April 4^th, 2008.
7:00pm – 11:00pm

Featuring a live band:
"Evangaline"

Semi-formal dress

RSVP :
321-279-3045