What it all comes down to

Christopher Columbus

2011-02-27T15:56:00.001-08:00

"To the modern complaint that Columbus brought slavery to the New World and that the Europeans' diseases wiped out indigenous peoples, a response is due. Slavery was a pervasive fact of life among the Europeans, but also particularly among the Arabs, the Africans, and the Indians themselves. In Asia, slavery had always existed. It seems hard to credit an attack on Columbus that singles him out for what was then a fairly universal practice. As much as we deplore slavery today, we cannot ignore the moral development of the West from our present vantage point outside the context of history. It was from the very experience of administering a far-flung empire that Spanish scholars began to elaborate universal doctrines of human rights that led, eventually, to the abolition of slavery in the West. A counter-challenge might be offered: Who, in Columbus’s time, did not practice slavery? One might conclude that far from being slavery’s worst practitioners, westerners led the world to end the practice.”

Excerpt from America: The Last Best Hope by William J. Bennett

Baby Love

2011-02-23T10:55:00.000-08:00

Something people may not realize is how important it is to love on a newborn baby. A baby is born into the world knowing absolutely nothing. The only knowledge of love a baby has comes from his/her parent or caretaker. Everything that a parent does for and to their child teaches that child how to love themselves and how to love others.

When a parent holds their child and gives them kisses and cuddles with them and tells them "I love you," that parent is teaching their child that they love and desire their child's physical closeness. When a parent shows great concern when their child gets injured, they are teaching their child that his/her body is important and because the parent loves their child's body, they don't want anything to happen to it. When a parent feeds their baby when he is hungry, the parent is saying, "You have a need, and because I love you, I will meet that need." Thus the parent is teaching their child about physical love.

When a parent plays with their child and spends quality time with them, they are saying to their child, "You are important to me, I love and desire your company." When a parent listens to their child, they are saying, "You are important to me, I love to hear what you have to say." When a parent talks to their child and counsels them, they are saying, "I love conversing with you and helping you." And thus the parent is teaching their child about emotional love.

When a parent disciplines/spanks their child (in a righteous manner and never in anger), the parent is communicating, "I love you enough to teach you what is right and wrong and to not allow you to do something that will harm yourself or others."

There is so much more that could be said but for lack of time I must stop. However, if you are a parent, know that everything you do teaches your child. Everything. Everything your child learns and knows in his first years, comes directly from you. If you are constantly impatient with your child and bothered by his presence, you will teach him that he is a burden and not worthy of your time. And while you may not see the immediate results at the newborn stage or even at the age of three, they WILL follow in the pre-teen through adult years.

Government Violates Citizens' Constitutional Rights

2010-12-09T16:42:00.000-08:00

The Fourth Amendment of our US Constitution states: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

There you have it, folks! The government is officially violating our Fourth Amendment Constitutional rights. How do you ask? With their unreasonable, unwarranted, sexually assaulting, and without probable cause airport pat downs/scans! There is too much to say in the short time I have to blog but let me just break it down to some matter-of-fact points:

1. The terrorists have won. We Americans are being treated unfairly and harassed in our own country.
2. Our government is exercising unlawful authority over us by violating our constitutional rights.
3. They need to profile. Period.
4. Profile, profile, profile.
5. Did I mention that they need to profile? Just checking!
6. Our government is NOT listening to we the people. PROFILE!!!!!

C'mon my fellow Americans! We, the people, do NOT have to put up with this! We need to take a stand and tell our government how we want them to run our country!! We want to be protected, not sexually assaulted at the airport! We want to be secure, not have our naked bodies depicted on a screen for airport officials to swoon over! We want to be heard, not ignored! We are the people of the United States of America where the government is for the people, BY the people!

Malted Milk Ball Mousse Crisis

2010-10-09T19:28:00.000-07:00

So, I got this really awesome recipe from my super good friend, Jamie, called Malted Milk Ball Mousse. It's awesome. And it requires 3 ingredients: one giant chocolate bar, 1 container of cool whip, and malted milk balls. Now it only requires 3 simple ingredients, yes? You'd think that would be easy enough, wouldn't you? Well, I beg to differ!

After I fried the chocolate in the microwave (how does one do that you are wondering, I mean it's not like there isn't a timer or something), I decided to go to plan B--Baker's chocolate that has to be melted and sugar added to it over the stove. So, being the clever little cook I am, I measured out the exact ounces of Baker's chocolate as matched the oz. on the chocolate bar package and then added about 3/4 cup sugar. I melted this wonderful mix over the stove and then mixed it into my room temp cool whip and...what do you think happened?

Did it turn into the light, creamy makings of a mousse like substance that just need a little freezer tlc? Nope. Not a chance. Instead, I got rich, thick, black, chocolatey goo. So then I crushed up my half a box of malted milk balls hoping that this would somehow magically make my chocolate fudge turn lighter. Can you say wishful thinking? So, I call up Jamie, who gave me the recipe and makes it all the time,and I'm like, "Help! I'm having a Malted Milk Ball Mousse Crisis!" And Jamie's like, "Dude, there's like 3 ingredients! How do you mess that up?!"

Southern Charm

2010-09-18T14:51:00.000-07:00

I always knew I should have been born in the south! I love Sweet Home Alabama and fried green tomatoes and super sweet tea, among other things. I also LOVE wisteria. And check out my dream living room below, like a page straight out of Southern Living! Watch out South! Here I come!

Undependable Instability

2010-09-13T18:00:00.000-07:00

So…I get a text from my mom today and it reads like this: “Hey honey, I’m moving to the Virgin Islands and I want to see the kids before Oct. 1st, OK?”

Well, how’s that for shock value! Whatever happened to “Hey honey, I bleached my hair!” or “Hey honey, I got a tattoo all up and down my arm!” or “Hey, I’m taking up a new hobby and it’s sky diving!” No, no! It has to be, “I’m moving to the Virgin Islands! See ya!” Who does that? Seriously. Who’s mom spontaneously up and moves to the VIRGIN ISLANDS?!

To be fair, this move isn’t entirely without reason. She got a new job which apparently pays more than her current job which, by the way, she has held for all of about three months. It’s the same with the job before that…and the job before that…are you seeing the pattern here? Well, wait a minute, I think one of her previous jobs lasted for only a month. So that was a little variation. And so now she’s relocating herself outside the U.S. (well, OK, outside continental U.S.) for how long? I give it two months! Ha! If even.

I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised given my side of the family’s MO. Yep, that’s right. My family doesn’t really know the meaning of the word stability. Neither do they understand the concept of steady or dependability. No, somehow those life lessons got lost in the shuffle. Which is why I’m partially INSANE! Ha, ha. J/K.

No, seriously, I have lived in the same place for the past 9 years and I absolutely LOVE it. Unlike my mom, who has lived how many places over the past 15 years? I honestly don’t know. I’ve lost count. But when I was in highschool after my parents divorced, we moved three times in three years and she just never really did stop after that, you know what I mean? Well, my husband and I and our four beautiful children are moving in two weeks and I plan, God willing, on being there for a very, very, VERY long time!!! Praise the Lord for a stable, routine, steady, dependable home atmosphere! I love my mom, but, I just really don’t love her lifestyle, you know? :)

Glorious Motherhood

2010-09-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

It is a glorious day indeed when a mother comes to the realization that she has the best job in the world! For the mother, there is no greater calling than to tend one's children FULL TIME. Boring paper work, advancements in the "work place," promotions/salaries are but dust and will eventually fade to nothing but the work of a mother in the souls of her children is eternal. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

Pep talk

2010-08-07T22:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Jillian Michaels,

I haven't done the shred in about a week and a half because I have been super busy and exhausted. My eating has also gone astray and today was no exception. I was starting to feel discouraged by the poor choices I was making. But then, at midnight tonight, I had this sudden urge to go work out! I needed to hit the mat with the girls and hear you say, "You've got to fight for this! It's not coming for free!" And "There's nothing you can't do!"

Thanks for the pep talk, friend. I needed it!

Obama Poster

2010-08-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

I am SO OFFENDED at this poster! I am INDIGNANT! This poster compares President Obama with one of our very own legends, Martin Luther King, Jr. and it is a DISGRACE! The color of their skin is the ONLY thing they share. If Mr. King were alive today he would be spitting nails!!!!!!!

Obama poster

Swimming Lessons

2010-07-27T22:08:00.000-07:00

Very first swim lesson today with Papa Bill at the Kesselring’s pool! Logan to Papa Bill with boastful confidence: “I know how to swim!” Papa Bill to Logan with a touch of military forcefulness: “No you don’t! You don’t know how to swim until I SAY you know how to swim!” LOL!!!!

Today was AWESOME! At first Logan and Job were afraid to even dip their chin in the water. But by the end of the lesson Logan (we’re still working on Job) was sprawled face first in the water practicing drown proofing! And he did it over and over again. “Look how long I can stay under, Mom!”

This after two previous summers of swim lessons and my boys still didn’t know the first thing about how to swim! Good-bye city park and YMCA, Hello Papa Bill!

Lightning Works

2010-07-18T20:15:00.001-07:00

Alright, ya'll. God is stinking AWESOME. I was out picking up some poison, A.K.A. Dairy Queen, for my husband when I surveyed a most wondrous light show up in the sky. The sky above was clear as crystal with stars and moon shining brilliant but just to the south was a huge thunderstorm and the lightning lit up the treeline like fireworks on the 4th of July. It was spectacular. And an amazing testimony of God's power and might. I was in awe. I wanted to pop some popcorn and pull up a lawn chair for an hour or so.

So, I get home and I tell my husband that he has to run to the end of the street to see this awesome light show. He comes back panting and says, "I want the boys to see this!" So, my two boys, who should have been catching some z's, were hurried upstairs and out the front door to see this work of God's creation. They weren't as impressed as Mike and I and Logan was half afraid he was going to get zapped but it was totally worth it. Thank you, Jesus, for the experience!

2010-07-13T20:15:00.000-07:00

So, I went to pick up my baby's prescription eye drops today. Unfortunately, it was the first time I had to order a prescription for him so none of our insurance was entered into the computer under his name. This prompted the pharmacist to ask, "Do you have insurance to help you pay for this?" I'm thinking, "Do I have insurance to pay for this? What kind of question is that?" Um, yes I do, why (just out of curiosity) do you ask? That's when I found out he wasn't entered into the computer yet. Yep, had to sit there and wait for 5 minutes, which isn't a very long time, unless of course you are sitting there waiting.

So, when all was typed and done, I owed $8. But then I just had to ask, "How much did it cost before?" I mean, seriously, how much could one teeny tiny (probably less than two teaspoon fulls) bottle of antibiotic eye drops cost? Drum roll please..........$50!!! Whoa. That is some serious dough. I immediately had this mental picture of a man standing in the parking lot and both his arm and leg fell off simultaneously. So, as much as I hate to admit it, I was thankful to God for my insurance today. It's a love-hate relationship. I hate insurance companies, but I love having to pay only $8 so my baby's eye infection will clear up! :)

Being Shredded

2010-07-12T11:36:00.000-07:00

I am on Day 6 of Jillian's 30 Day Shred! I am only doing it every other day otherwise the tendinitis in my elbow flares up. Yesterday, I made the mistake of doing it at the end of the day. Oh boy! About six minutes into it I was wiped! I think I'll keep it at first thing in the morning when I wake up!

And I am doing Weight Watchers to lose my pregnancy weight...I have been doing it for about two weeks and I finally feel like it is starting to make a difference!!! Woo-hoo! So excited!

***********************

On the political side of things...

Take this poll at msnbc.com and find out how many Americans are against illegal immigration!!

Poll at MSNBC

Exercise Day 1

2010-07-01T06:32:00.000-07:00

Oh boy. I started Jillian Michaels (sp?) 30 day shred today. OMG!!!! I was DYING! And I was only do the beginner of the beginning level. Pathetic!

I am super out of shape and trying to lose these last pesky pregnancy pounds so I can fit back into my clothes again! And I want to tone those muscles! Though I have to say that I can't do the work out every single day (at least, not at first) because if I work my elbow too hard I get tendinitis. Doesn't feel so good!

Sheryl Crow on Tea Partiers

2010-06-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

Sheryl Crow says that Tea Partiers are "dangerous!" She also claims that we don't know what we're angry at. But I have this feeling that if she knew what the "Tea" in "Tea Party" stood for, she'd have an idea of what we're angry about. Lol.

How to get your kids to eat vegetables

2010-06-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

Some Veggie Tips

1. Mix baby food squash or carrots in with spaghetti sauce and feed them spaghetti for lunches or dinner two or three times a week. It takes 11 min. to boil the noodles and seconds to add the baby food to canned sauce.

2. Make banana bread or zucchini bread the day before for breakfast the next day.

3. Make banana or pumpkin pancakes for breakfast. This can be as simple as using a pre-made mix and then adding the canned pumpkin or mashed bananas. You will probably have to adjust the water amount that you add to the pancake mix.

4. I tried making spinach brownies one time. It didn't really work for my kids. But you could try it for yours! Just google spinach brownies.

5. If your toddler loves baby food fruits and veggies but won't switch to whole fruits and veggies, don't stress about it. Just keep them on the baby food because at least they are getting fruits and veggies!

Quote of the Day

2010-05-31T19:13:00.000-07:00

Christian & Jewish martyrs say: "I will die for what I believe."
A Muslim martyr says: "You will die for what I believe."

Source unknown

Bumper Stickers

2010-05-26T20:01:00.000-07:00

"I've had enough change. I want my country back!"

"America: Love it or leave it!"

"IS IT 2012 YET?"

"Only a Liberal could turn a terrorist into a victim!"

2010-04-18T21:58:00.000-07:00

Long live the King!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mommy-brain syndrome

2010-03-25T20:45:00.000-07:00

I need to post something but I just don't know what! BTW, in my previous post "A Pact With the Devil" I talked about "Pat Roberts." Well, my husband has since reminded me that his name is actually "Pat Robertson." Lol. I guess I had a temporary brain lapse. Whenever that happens I have nicknamed it, "Mommy-brain syndrome." My mind is being pulled in so many directions that I temporarily experience a lapse! Ha, ha. I guess I only get to use that excuse as long as I have young children, right? :)

Hate Incidents

2010-02-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

“Two city officials in a California town are being targeted for possible hate crimes over comments they made recently about the Christian and Muslim faiths.” Apparently, one of the city officials, Mayor Parris, encouraged the Christian community to keep growing. This little snippet of enthusiasm toward the Christian faith is now under fierce attack and Mayor Parris is being accused of a “hate incident.” Another city official, Sherry Marquez, has created quite the offense by posting biblical references on her Facebook and encouraging Christians to defend themselves. She has also posted quotations by Muslim leaders who have exhorted their own followers to convert the world to the Islamic religion. Marquez’s posts are also under investigation as part of the “hate incidents.”

Hate incidents?! The words that come to mind here are, “You’ve GOT to be kidding me!” Two Christians are trying to encourage and defend their Christian faith. And this in the face of Islam, the one religion whose holy book calls everyone who doesn’t believe in Allah “infidels” and proclaims they are deserving of death. The last time I checked, Christians aren’t going around suicide bombing people for not believing in their God! And Mayor Parris and councilwoman Sherry Marquez are being accused of “hate incidents?” That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil. Woe to those who smile upon Islam and defend it against Christianity. Islam hates the world and all that dwell therein. Islam doesn’t even favor its own much less those who don’t adhere to her doctrine. Islam demands that her followers convert or conquer. Christianity demands that her followers preach salvation and love even their enemies. Tell me, who is really guilty of “hate incidents” here?

I Believe

2010-02-06T00:27:00.000-08:00

What God declares the believing heart confesses without the need for further proof. Indeed, to seek proof is to admit doubt, and to obtain proof is to render faith superfluous. Everyone who possesses the gift of faith will recognize the wisdom of those daring words of one of the early Church fathers: "I believe that Christ died for me because it is incredible; I believe that He rose from the dead because it is impossible."

A.W. Tozer; The Knowledge of the Holy; p. 19

A pact with the devil

2010-01-14T20:50:00.000-08:00

So, Haiti made a pact with the devil, huh? And now they have their reward. Hmm...I think Pat Roberts needs to get a reign on that tongue of his for behold, whole forests are set aflame by but the smallest of sparks.

If Mr. Roberts wants to think that this earthquake was God's judgment on Haiti, fine. However, unless he is a prophet sent from God Almighty to proclaim God's judgment in such matters, he needs to keep what he thinks to himself.

And I would submit to anyone that Pat Roberts is no prophet. When the prophets of the old testament proclaimed God's will concerning many people and nations, their prophecy always concerned events that were going to happen. They didn't wait until after some catastrophe and then say, "God's judging you." They spoke of things that would come true in the future. That is why they were called PROPHETS.

So, it is very unfortunate that he made such a statement so publicly. One would think that he learned his lesson the last time around. Like I said before, if Pat Roberts suspects that this could be God's judgment on a certain group of people, he is free to theorize. But, given that he cannot know for sure, he shouldn't say anything at all.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-22T15:31:00.000-08:00

Tim Hawkins on "Do you hear what I hear?"

My son the fanatic

2009-12-16T21:45:00.001-08:00

My seven year old is a sports FANATIC. He loves basketball. Well, he loves all sports but especially basketball. And he is now creating basketball schedules for himself. He came to me today and said, "Mom, I have a game at 3:40pm."

Around 2:30pm we did Reading (Logan is reading to me the book John Smith) and I was so tired I started falling asleep. After he was finished, I asked him his science review questions and then we only had History left. I was so tired that I said, "Let's take a small break before we do History, just 10 minutes." By this time it was 3:19pm. Logan's like, "No! I don't want to be late for my game! I want to do history right now, Mom."

Well! I was tired but how could I refuse my seven year old wanting to get History over and done with? So, I read to him about the Vikings and resolved to do review questions tomorrow. Then, I curled up on the couch for a nap. Logan says to Job and me, "I've still got about ten minutes. I'm not going downstairs just yet." Then five minutes later, he says, "I'm going down now to get ready for my game!"

I can't remember who he played but he later informed me that his team won. He is always the Kansas Jayhawks and he's always playing some other college basketball team such as Texas Tech or Mizzou.

God, a faithful God

2009-12-05T13:06:00.001-08:00

In reflecting on the men who gave their lives for the freedom of America, I can’t help but think how God has honored them.

Not all the men who fought and labored for this free country were Christians; however, there were many who loved the Lord their God with all their hearts, minds, and souls. And they fought for the righteousness of God and for His truth. They fought because they loved their Creator and they would have a country that was free to honor Him and follow Him with all their hearts. So many died. So many shed their blood for this cause. And I cannot help but reflect upon how God has honored them. He has lifted up their cause and given them a nation full of people that are free to worship Him any time and in any place and in any way they want. He has given them America. And He has blessed her, not only with freedom, but with security. He has made her a land of plenty. He has poured out bountiful blessings upon her the likes of which our Christian forefathers couldn’t have imagined. Oh, how He has honored them! Oh how He has lifted up their namesake, the cause for which they gave their lives.

And His truth, the Bread of Life, is with in arms reach of any one who would reach out for it; His salvation easily accessible to any one who would seek after it—and this, without fear of persecution. Yes, He has honored their wishes and blessed them abundantly. Their God, our God, is a faithful God indeed.

O Majesty unspeakable

2009-12-03T18:57:00.000-08:00

O Majesty unspeakable, my soul desires to behold Thee. I cry to Thee from the dust.
Yet when I inquire after Thy name it is secret. Thou art hidden in the light which no man can approach unto. What Thou art cannot be thought or uttered, for Thy glory is ineffable.
Still, prophet and psalmist, apostle and saint have encouraged me to believe that I may in some measure know Thee. Therefore, I pray, whatever of Thyself Thou hast been pleased to disclose, help me to search out as treasure more precious than rubies or the merchandise of fine gold: for with Thee shall I live when the stars of the twilight are no more and the heavens have vanished away and only Thou remainest. Amen.
-A.W. Tozer

A Thanksgiving Reflection

2009-11-30T21:49:00.000-08:00

Today, as I was riding the elevator to the 6th floor of my doctor's office, a lady joined me for the ride up and, breaking the "we never speak to anyone in the elevator" rule, she asked me and another lady already on the elevator, "How was your thanksgiving?" Both I and the other lady replied, "Good! How was yours?"

"Great!" She replied. Wanting to keep the friendly chit-chat going I asked, "Lots of good food?" "Oh yes," she replied, "but the important thing is family!" At this point, the other lady got off, leaving us to ride to the 6th floor alone together. I did not say anything else to this lady because her remark felt more like a rebuke to me than friendly chit-chat.

But it got me thinking. Why do we look forward to Thanksgiving? Is it the food? Is it the day off work? Is it because we get to spend time with family? Family is most certainly important; however, family is important every day of the year. What, then, is so special about Thanksgiving?

I believe what is special and most important about Thanksgiving is why we celebrate the holiday. How many who gather remember the story of the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving and why they celebrated it? How many who gather give thanks to God Almighty for His bountiful blessings and even the trials, which keep us to look upon His shining countenance?

Hmm. Not many, I fear. Instead, we look forward to food, time off, and family-all things which, in and of themselves, are not bad. But we would do well to remember what is most important about Thanksgiving: giving thanks to God and blessing His holy name for all that He is and all that He has given, and even the things He takes away because our God is good! Praise the Lord!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T19:20:00.001-08:00

INNOCENCE IS PRICELESS

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex standing in the foyer of the church staring up at a large plaque. It was covered with names and small American flags mounted on either side of it. The six-year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and said quietly, 'Good morning Alex.'

'Good morning Pastor,' he replied, still focused on the plaque. 'Pastor, what is this? ' The pastor said, 'Well son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service.' Soberly, they just stood together, staring at the large plaque. Finally, little Alex's voice, barely audible and trembling with fear asked,

"Which service, the 8:30 or the 10:30?"

Global Warming Scam Exposed

2009-11-23T20:42:00.000-08:00

Well, I just learned today that an entire team of scientists have been exposed in their attempt to lie about the truth of Global Warming. A hacker was able to access their emails and it was shown that these scientists were encouraging one another if they could not produce enough evidence to support global warming, that they should make up the facts to support it!

Now, why would one want to lie about something like that? Maybe I'm just crazy BUT if we can't find evidence to support global warming and we happen to find out that global warming is not occurring, isn't that a good thing?! Shouldn't we be jumping up and down in our seats rejoicing? Maybe I'm just crazy.

Click here for full story

Being Transparent-Republished

2009-11-17T06:14:00.000-08:00

When I originally published this post, I received a handful of emails letting me know how helpful the article was. So, I have decided to republish it because it has been on my mind lately...

What exactly does this mean? What does it mean when someone says, “We all need to be transparent with each other?” Not only this, but is it actually true? Just because someone says it, doesn’t make it true.

I have heard this said at Bible studies and also in casual conversation and, to tell you the truth, it has never sat well with me. I didn’t realize this until I started thinking about it. And this is what I came up with…

Everyone has their own definition of what “transparent” means. But I think there are two common meanings that people generally adhere to. The first one is that the person realizes that in order for people to have healthy relationships, they need to be able to first, have someone they trust and respect to confide with and share their deep, serious struggles with. And second, they need to not be afraid to share in a group setting how God is teaching them and working in their life. They don’t need to (and shouldn’t) share their major issues with a group of 15 people who are not close confidants but they should be able to share what God has been teaching them in a general sense.

The second definition that I think people apply to the word “transparent” is that of the “we all need to air our dirty laundry and be willing to share our major (and even devastating) struggles with anyone and everyone.” Now, before I go on, I would like to say that the people who adhere to this definition would probably never say that they adhere to it, but that is what they are thinking when they say that we need to be more transparent. My theory is that people who think this generally are dealing with issues in their own lives that are very difficult and hurtful and they feel like their life is messed up and, to be quite frank, they want to know that other peoples’ lives are messed up too. This makes them feel better about themselves. Now, I am not, in any way, trying to be insensitive here. On the contrary, I am merely trying to explain the “transparent” phenomenon.

I believe that the first definition that I mentioned is the healthy meaning of what it means to be transparent. For example, when asked about their week, I think someone should be able to share, “You know, my week really hasn’t been that great.” To which someone should respond, “I’m sorry! Let me know if there is anything I can do.” And that person may reply, “Thank you! I will keep that in mind.” Or “You know, it would be great if_________,” fill in the blank with “you could pray for me” or “we could talk for a few minutes (if they feel comfortable doing so).” I don’t believe that, in order to be “real” or “transparent,” that person has to say, “Well, on Tuesday my husband and I got in a major fight and I slapped him across the face and on Wednesday, I lost it with one of my kids and told him he was a snotty little brat and on Thursday, my husband got drunk and smashed our front window, etc.” These are certainly major issues that need to be addressed but that doesn’t mean you share them with just anyone.

You don’t have to be transparent in regards to the second definition in order to be real and sincere with people. If you choose not to divulge your most intimate struggles in life to a group of people or to just anyone, it does not mean that you are being fake. Rather, I would submit that you are being wise. Over the years, I have had people share with me that they took others advice and were more transparent and they were burned—burned badly. Be careful who you are sharing with and what you are sharing with them. To share deep struggles with a person is to trust them with a lot. Being vulnerable in such a way is not a thing to be taken lightly. Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Psalm 145:8,9

2009-09-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

The Lord is gracious and merciful;
Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.
The Lord is good to all,
And His mercies are over all His works.

Classical Conversations

2009-09-10T15:16:00.000-07:00

All right. This blog is totally off the cuff but I just have to say I am so excited about Classical Conversations! We had our first day today and my boys are learning history time line of events using Veritas Press history cards, the basics of Art using Monart's Drawing With Children, as well as, English, Math, Science, and Latin grammar! I am PUMPED! Next year (when I'm not pregnant or nursing), I might even be a tudor! www.classicalconversations.com is the website. Check it out...you'll love it!

Three Words

2009-08-23T21:20:00.001-07:00

The Nativity Story.

Watch it.

The Homeschoolers Have It

2009-08-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090811/study-homeschoolers-scoring-well-above-public-school-peers/index.html

Trust No One

2009-08-06T11:47:00.001-07:00

I was glancing through a church products magazine and happened across a page displaying wheelchair signs. Then I saw a man in a wheel chair and I was reminded of something my husband once told me. He was in the living room watching an episode of "Fringe." Fringe is the latest Sci-Fi series and so, of course, my husband is drawn to it like flies on honey. It deals with the most bizarre cases you ever heard of. It is almost like an X-Files but in reverse. Anyway, I was busy in the kitchen when my husband called me into the living room, nodded toward the screen, and said, "I want you to see this." I thought, Oh great, some giant bug is about to suck the brains out of someone through their feet (or something like that).

He pushed play. The episode he was watching was about a serial killer who would stalk and kidnap women who he felt needed to be more beautiful. He would kill them and then make them "beautiful" by doing their make up and removing tattoos and dressing them in gowns. In the scene I was watching, a woman exits a building with a man in a wheel chair whom she has just met. The man is super friendly and the woman walks him to his van. The man opens up the side door to let down the ramp so that he can get into his van to drive it. The latch to let it down is stuck and the man can't reach it. The woman offers to help. The super friendly wheel chair bound man graciously thanks her and backs out of the way. The woman leans into the van to unlatch the ramp. The man in the wheel chair stands up, walks over to her and injects her with a sedative to incapacitate her. Then he shoves her inside.

Now at the time, I didn't realize what the show was about and had no idea the man was the serial killer. And when I saw this supposedly handicapped gentlemen get up out of his wheel chair and walk over to the woman, I was seriously disturbed. Moral of the story: Trust No One. Not even people in wheel chairs.

Rock the River

2009-08-04T10:28:00.000-07:00

Imagine that its 81 degrees outside and sunny without a cloud in sight and no shade. There are rock bands blaring at a sound decibel able to cause you hearing loss for the rest of your life and dozens of bodies all jammed together so that there is barely room to move. Food, restrooms, and trashcans are "down by the river" which means you have a little bit of a walk ahead of you not to mention the long lines you'll have to endure once you get there (oh, and did I also mention the arm and leg it will cost you to eat)...and you have an experience that I, personally, would rather forgo. And to be honest, I think next time i just might. :)

BUT, according to one newspaper, an estimated 65,000 people attended Rock the River! Franklin Graham gave the gospel three times throughout the evening and many came forward to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior!

2009-08-02T06:21:00.000-07:00

Jesus Christ, take my life, take all of me...

Dear Lord,

I pray that even though my faith is tested, even in the darkest hour, even in the most unimaginable circumstances, that I would be found standing in the end. Jesus, take my life, take all of me.

Amen

The Liberal Media Bashes Sarah Palin Again

2009-07-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

Well, the Liberal Media's latest scam is to attack Sarah Palin on what seems to be the smallest speck of crumb that happens to be located in a remote corner of her house that some mouse rightfully rejected as a fulfilling meal. Why do you ask? Well, it happens to be the only thing the petty media can get their grimy hands on concerning Sarah Palin. Of course, I'm referring to Palin's alleged "ethics violation," whatever that is. And the sadistic media is thirstily drinking it up.

It seems to me that their sole purpose is to make sure that she can't run in any presidential election. This makes me think that she is a viable threat to all things democrat and liberal. What have they to fear from her, I wonder, that they run after her like a roaring seven-headed beast gnashing its teeth in blood-thirsty rage?

Long Live Sarah Palin

Common Sense

2009-07-16T10:35:00.000-07:00

I have a little theory. The theory is this: Common sense is actually not common at all, rather, it must be taught. We are not born with the knowledge of common sense. It is something we have to be taught just like everything else.

My mother-in-law is a missionary in Accra, Ghana. She works with an organization that takes care of orphans. Sometimes she finds it challenging working with the staff that have been hired to work the grounds of the village i.e. kitchen workers, laundry personnel, gardeners, because it seems as if they are lacking in "common sense." For example, on one particular occasion, she gave a box full of dryer sheets (which she had brought back from America because you cannot purchase such things in Africa) to one of the laundry staff. The man came back to her the next day and said, "The sheets you gave me didn't work." My mother-in-law responded, "What do you mean they didn't work?" The man said, "Well, they didn't do anything. I put them in the washing machine and they didn't do anything." Needless to say, my mother-in-law was very perturbed that this gentleman had just ruined her entire box of laundry sheets!

Now, if you had never seen dryer sheets before but someone handed them to you, calling them "dryer" sheets for use in the "dryer," would you put them in the washing machine? It's common sense, right? Wrong! Common sense must be taught!

Today, my 6 year old (almost 7 year old) son, spilled orange juice all over the floor. I instructed him to use a towel to mop it up and then a wash rag to clean it. Then, I made him clean it three times with a rag since orange juice is sticky. Then I told him to get a towel and dry the floor. He proceeded to pick up the orange juice saturated towel and dry the floor. Now, who would do that? You don't use a wet and sticky towel to dry the floor! It's common sense, right? Wrong! Common sense must be taught.

I once read an article about a foreign woman who was hired in the U.S. to care for an infant while the parents were away at work. When the baby wouldn't stop crying the woman shook the child vigorously on more than one occasion. The baby afterward would be lethargic and wouldn't eat. When, the parents finally took the child to the doctor, it was discovered what had been done. At the bottom of the same article were the results of a poll where people had been asked whether they knew that it was unsafe to shake a baby. I do not remember the percentage but believe it or not, there was actually a percentage of people that claimed they did not know it was dangerous to shake a baby. My first reaction was, "Duh! What are you, STUPID?! That's just common sense!" But, I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that no one had ever told them that it was a bad idea to shake a baby. That is possible, right? Common sense-it must be taught!

So, what I am trying to get at here is this: there really is no such thing as common sense. We are born knowing nothing. Everything we learn we have been taught. The only thing common about a fact that is "common sense" is that the vast majority of people know about it. And they know about it because they were taught it!

Obedience

2009-07-14T20:00:00.000-07:00

And Samuel said,
"Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams."

1 Samuel 15:22

Bumper Stickers

2009-07-05T13:02:00.000-07:00

Peace Through Superior Firepower

P.E.T.A.- People Eating Tasty Animals

NOBAMA Say no to socialism!

So, how's that "hope" and "change" working out for you?

Sorry yet?
www.washingtonsbroke.com

Work harder. Millions on welfare depend on you.

Obama...because everyone else deserves what you've worked hard for.

Being Transparent

2009-06-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

What exactly does this mean? What does it mean when someone says, “We all need to be transparent with each other?” Not only this, but is it actually true? Just because someone says it, doesn’t make it true.

I have heard this said at Bible studies and also in casual conversation and, to tell you the truth, it has never sat well with me. I didn’t realize this until I started thinking about it. And this is what I came up with…

Everyone has their own definition of what “transparent” means. But I think there are two common meanings that people generally adhere to. The first one is that the person realizes that in order for people to have healthy relationships, they need to be able to first, have someone they trust and respect to confide with and share their deep, serious struggles with. And second, they need to not be afraid to share in a group setting how God is teaching them and working in their life. They don’t need to (and shouldn’t) share their major issues with a group of 15 people who are not close confidants but they should be able to share what God has been teaching them in a general sense.

The second definition that I think people apply to the word “transparent” is that of the “we all need to air our dirty laundry and be willing to share our major (and even devastating) struggles with anyone and everyone.” Now, before I go on, I would like to say that the people who adhere to this definition would probably never say that they adhere to it, but that is what they are thinking when they say that we need to be more transparent. My theory is that people who think this generally are dealing with issues in their own lives that are very difficult and hurtful and they feel like their life is messed up and, to be quite frank, they want to know that other peoples’ lives are messed up too. This makes them feel better about themselves. Now, I am not, in any way, trying to be insensitive here. On the contrary, I am merely trying to explain the “transparent” phenomenon.

I believe that the first definition that I mentioned is the healthy meaning of what it means to be transparent. For example, when asked about their week, I think someone should be able to share, “You know, my week really hasn’t been that great.” To which someone should respond, “I’m sorry! Let me know if there is anything I can do.” And that person may reply, “Thank you! I will keep that in mind.” Or “You know, it would be great if_________,” fill in the blank with “you could pray for me” or “we could talk for a few minutes (if they feel comfortable doing so).” I don’t believe that, in order to be “real” or “transparent,” that person has to say, “Well, on Tuesday my husband and I got in a major fight and I slapped him across the face and on Wednesday, I lost it with one of my kids and told him he was a snotty little brat and on Thursday, my husband got drunk and smashed our front window, etc.” These are certainly major issues that need to be addressed but that doesn’t mean you share them with just anyone.

You don’t have to be transparent in regards to the second definition in order to be real and sincere with people. If you choose not to divulge your most intimate struggles in life to a group of people or to just anyone, it does not mean that you are being fake. Rather, I would submit that you are being wise. Over the years, I have had people share with me that they took others advice and were more transparent and they were burned—burned badly. Be careful who you are sharing with and what you are sharing with them. To share deep struggles with a person is to trust them with a lot. Being vulnerable in such a way is not a thing to be taken lightly. Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

It's all about Him in worship

2009-06-14T17:24:00.000-07:00

Something the Lord has taught me and impressed upon my heart over the years is that worshiping Him is not about what I feel like doing. When I walk into that sanctuary to sing songs unto the Lord, I do it, not because I feel like it, but because I was created to do so. When I stand in that pew, I have a choice to make. Either I am going to lift my hands and my voice and my heart to Him because He is worthy or I am not because I would rather selfishly indulge in how I don't feel like worshiping.

Worshiping the Lord isn't about what I feel like doing. It is about bowing before the King because He is worthy of all praise. Sometimes I really feel like lifting my hands, sometimes I don't. But I lift them every time because it's all about Him and not about me!

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

2009-05-31T21:17:00.000-07:00

“Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” scores five stars for humor but there were a few things that could have been left out. I wasn’t so happy with their choice to use the word d*** twice (as I would have loved for my two boys to see it) nor their choice to play up the feminist mindset with Amelia Earhart; however, these two little things I would have happily overlooked had they left out the reprehensible cheap shot taken, not only at America’s heritage, but at our American military as well.

As Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) dives for an escape upon Captain George Armstrong Custard’s little motorized bike, he shouts, “What’s the plan?” Captain Custard proudly proclaims, “We’re Americans! We don’t plan, we do!” Add to that the despicable portrayal of Custard as a ludicrous, unthinking idiot, and you have a good representation of Hollywood’s bias against our nation’s military and heritage.

Now some may argue that there is nothing really to be upset about here. It’s no big deal. What’s the harm in poking a little fun? Tell it to the men who lost their lives in the name of this Great Nation’s freedom. Tell it to the men who gave all they had to defend everything they believed in. Tell it to the men who entered the military knowing they would most likely never see their families again in order that you and I might live unscathed by tyranny. Tell it to the wives who lost their husbands in battle. Tell it to the children who never saw their daddies again. After all, war is a horrible thing and is completely unnecessary. All those men died in vain.

I just have a couple of words for all those who despise our nation’s heritage. Why don’t you pack up your bags and leave? If you aren’t proud of America and the men that sacrificed to form her, if you think war serves no purpose, then go find yourselves another country. As for those of us that love our country and are proud of our nation’s past and the accomplishments of those who sacrificed so much for her, we’ll stay and proudly uphold the traditions that were once held so dear. We’ll continue to fight for freedom.

And one more thing…those of you who are so liberal and anti-war, we’ll just put you in your own little country with no military to defend you and we’ll see how long you remain anti-war.

Logan and Job Story

2009-05-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

Occasionally I may post the funny stories of my two boys here. They are a riot sometimes. Enjoy.

Andrea (me): Job, you’re going to have to apologize to the librarian for ripping pages out of the book.

Job: ok

Logan: Job, the librarian is going to chase you around the library for ripping pages out of the book.

Job: [instead of taking Logan seriously, Job starts laughing; pretty soon they are both laughing about the possibility of the librarian chasing Job around the library]

Bumper Stickers

2009-05-19T19:45:00.000-07:00

Fear the government that fears your guns.

Al Qaeda Hunt Club

You can keep the "change." Palin 2012

I'm saving up to buy a gallon of gas.

Land of the Free because of the Brave.

A Word to the Weary

2009-05-17T17:50:00.000-07:00

A Word to the Weary

It is very easy to find ourselves tired. Our lives are so full and sometimes it seems like we might just burst and sometimes we do! I can relate to this in my own life. Everything seems like work: homeschooling my children, keeping my home, tending the yard, playing with my kids, making room for family time (not to mention the extended family gatherings!), being faithful to my church i.e. keeping the nursery, attending meetings, keeping up relationships, spending time with those in need as well as friends. Add to that list being faithful to the great commission in reaching out to my neighbors (those who live near and those who don’t), trying to maintain a regular, edifying quiet time, and did I mention the dozens of projects that are unfinished around my house? Oh yes, and there is the ever present need to be involved in politics and community standing up for what is right in America! And there is so much more. Many of the things I have mentioned are detailed enough in and of themselves, for example: homeschooling and housekeeping. There are so many things subset under those two categories alone that I could spend all of my time on them and not do any of the others. So many a time have I felt completely overwhelmed with everything that needs to be accomplished.

Many Christians today are living very full lives. Their schedules are jam packed and it doesn’t seem that they could possibly add one more thing! And what are they busy with? For many, it’s ministry. They are busy with and in their churches answering the calling God has placed on their lives and even doing things that, probably, they aren’t called to because they are the only ones who will step up to the task! If they don’t do it, it won’t get done! The needs to be met in today’s Christian church are plentiful, but oh, how the workers are few. And I think many of us are feeling tired. We are feeling much like a dish towel that has been wrung and wrung and wrung and there just isn’t any more to wring out! We are dry! We are tired. Tired of doing good.

“And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.” (Galatians 6:9) Do not grow weary in doing good, He beseeches us: Press on! Do what you are doing and lean on Me! For My yoke is easy and My load is light. I will give you rest for your soul!

I write this to say to my fellow brother or sister—are you feeling tired? Me too! But let us cast it off! We can rest when we are dead! Let us beat our bodies and make them our slaves! We are called to be living sacrifices for the Kingdom so, let’s rise to the occasion! Life is work. Life is hard. But so what? It will be over soon enough and then there will be wonderful, peaceful rest in Him. Press on!

If you see it...

2009-05-10T19:23:00.000-07:00

"If you see it, you're probably called to it." George Grant, Legacy of Truth

What I think Mr. Grant is trying to say here is this: There are many things in our communities that require attention, many causes which need be crusaded. And there are many that go unnoticed, many that are neglected. If you see an area that needs tending and your heart is burdened, you are probably called to the task.
This is a GREAT QUOTE. The only trouble I have with it is this: What if I see a whole lot of things?!

Bumper Stickers

2009-05-08T13:11:00.000-07:00

Taxed Enough Already (TEA)

Bring Home Our Troops: Send the Democrats!

Born Free,Taxed to Death

I'll keep my Guns and Money, You keep the "Change."

Don't blame me, I DIDN'T VOTE FOR HIM!

Quote of the Day

2009-05-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

"The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." Tertullian

Greece

2009-04-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

Isn't it beautiful? Doesn't it make you just want to go there?

Stupidity

2009-04-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

It is interesting to note that most people today, when entering into moral debates with one another, resort to name calling as their method of "argumentation." This is especially true of chatting and commenting of sorts over the internet. I have personally come to the conclusion that attempting a civil and logical format for debate online is a complete waste of time.

There is, presently, an alarming lack of knowledge in the area of argumentation. I would venture so far as to say that all those who resort to name calling when engaged in a disagreement (especially online) are doing so simply because they lack the knowledge required to defend their position. They are ignorant, illiterate, and unlearned; and while they may not be stupid in the true sense of the word, they nevertheless render themselves equal to such a state due to their profound lack of knowledge and their deplorable refusal to access their intelligence.

The Carnage of Planned Parenthood

2009-04-20T17:37:00.000-07:00

The Quick and The Dead, Monday, April 20, 2009

http://ppgi.blogspot.com/

Homeschooling = Frustrating

2008-12-16T10:15:00.000-08:00

I have to say that homeschooling can be very frustrating. Today is no exception. We have only finished math today and already I am ready to pull my hair out and be finished! Sometimes I feel like Logan is purposely not working hard and today he is being whiny and disrespectful. And he takes F-O-R-E-V-E-R to do the problems! FOREVER!

Yesterday we were supposed to do school and only got through history because Job came down with a sore throat, ear ache, and eye infection in both eyes. He had no appetite. So we had to go to the doctor and poof! There goes my school day down the drain. Very, very frustrating.

Last week we couldn't do school Thursday or Friday because Wednesday night the city's main line backed up causing our basement to flood. We had an inch and a half of raw sewage in our basement. Frustrating!

Ancient Words

2008-11-19T22:01:00.000-08:00

One day I started humming the tune to these words and had no clue what the song was but I could NOT get the tune out of my head. I think I had heard the song once before but it had been a long time. After a couple of weeks, I finally started asking friends what the song was. In order to ask I had to hum the tune! Finally, someone knew it. It was no coincidence that I started humming the tune. Even before I heard what the words were, I knew God was speaking to me. And He is still speaking to me. The tune comes to mind often and I'm faintly beginning to realize that the meaning for me goes deep. Deeper than I know. Words cannot express.

Ancient Words

(Michael W. Smith)

Holy words long preserved
for our walk in this world,
They resound with God's own heart.
Oh let the ancient words impart

Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.

CHORUS:
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you,
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart

Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God's own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.

CHORUS x4
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart

Thomas the Tank Engine

2007-09-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

We went to see Thomas and got there 45 min early so we could get a good seat. Got a good seat. We didn't buy any popcorn because we would have left without an arm and a leg. However, we did buy a small drink for $4 because the boys were really thirsty and the generous movie theatre wouldn't give us just an ice water with a lid and a straw--that we would have had to pay full price for (never mind the fact that you can't get refills anyway).

So we watched the Thomas movie and I had a really hard time staying awake. Really, no adult should have to sit through the torture of a Thomas movie. But at least the boys loved it. Afterward, we drove to Old Navy so I could look at maternity clothes. While we were in Old Navy, Job came down with a case of poopy diaper. But, alas! We had forgotten to bring the diaper bag with us and realized it too late. I said, "That's OK. There is a bag of extra diapers and wipes in the van for times like this." Mike said, "It's not there, I took it out last night." I said, "What?!"

So quickly I make my way to the front of the store to purchase my finds--two Old Navy maternity tops on sale for $1.97 each and one on sale for $6.99. We get out to the van and Job's upset that I'm going to buckle him in without first changing his poopy diaper. Sorry Job! Suffice it to say, we had a long and stinky ride home. And I won't forget to mention that it was raining and apparently no one works on Saturdays.

But at least I found shirts at Old Navy for only $1.97! I guess that made it all worth it.

A Classical Education

2007-08-30T21:53:00.001-07:00

Why is it so hard to blog? Why is it so hard to do many things that I want to do, for example, write or how about sewing and making things? How about keeping up on my creative memories? How about working on projects around the house?

I know this is going to sound like an excuse but I happen to know that the reason I have a hard time doing these things is because of a profound lack of discipline in my life—a profound lack of discipline due to my parents’ failing to train me in this area. For those of you who know what I am talking about, you understand how great an influence your parents can have over you during the growing years, for better or for worse.

I have been reading up lately on a Classical education because it is what we intend to give our kids. And oh, oh, oh, how I was RIPPED OFF in my education!!!!!! My children are going to have an education 10, no 20 times better than the one I received and I am going to be faithful to train them and to discipline them! The tricky part is that I have to get the discipline down myself before I can train them. Lord help me!

A Classical Education conforms to the child's levels of development in learning and is comprised of the Trivium which consists of three stages: the Grammar stage, the Logic stage, and the Rhetoric Stage. During the Grammar stage, age 5-10, the student is learning everything he/she can, accumulating facts and stockpiling as much information as they can in their brain. During the Logic stage, age 11-13, the student is being taught the art of logic and reasoning in argumentation. He/she is learning to question everything they have previously learned and to logically argue the facts. During the Rhetoric stage, age 14-18, the student is being led to judge information and express properly that which they have already learned and come to understand.

The goal of a Classical Education is to equip the student with the tools that will ultimately allow him/her to be liberated from the confines of a taskmaster (teacher) so that he/she may be able to teach themselves and logically think and reason for themselves. Our current public education does nothing of the sort. Outcome based education is designed to forever keep the student bound to tasks. The student never learns to think for himself but rather, is programmed to believe this world’s beliefs on feminism, socialism, humanism, religion, origin, etc. Our education consists of the Grammar stage. We are forever learning facts and compiling information but we are never taught to assimilate this information and logically examine it. Let me offer some proof…

According to the Classical Education set up, the student is supposed to learn to argue logically and reason at the age of 11-13. I did not take my first Logic course until I was a sophomore in college!! And some people never take a Logic course at all! So, so sad.

So, I do not know where else I want to go with this little blurb except to say what I have already said. My children are going to get a far better education than I did. First, they will be trained in Knowledge (Grammar). Then they will be taught to think and they will gain Understanding (Logic). And finally, when they learn to apply practically all they have been given, they will find Wisdom (Rhetoric). AMEN!

Religious Groups in Politics

2007-07-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

Well now, I have some time to kill so...let's discuss a bumper sticker I saw when I was driving this morning. The bumper sticker said (something like this): Religious groups should stay out of politics or be taxed.

Can we dwell on how completely illogical this statement is for just one little second?

First of all, I am a Christian and I belong to a religious group and I already PAY TAXES! Yes, that's right, all the money given to churches has already BEEN TAXED! Thank you VERY MUCH. So now you want to take my Tithe and make me pay taxes on that too? Guess what? I already paid taxes on it! DUH!

Secondly, every single person who is involved in politics has religious beliefs of some sort (whether they believe in God, a god, or no god at all) and those beliefs effect all of their views, including their political ones, and every time they take a political stand they are pro-actively promoting THEIR beliefs. Ok, I just have to say it again: DUH!!!!!!!!!!!

If religious groups should stay out of politics then NO ONE, I repeat, NO ONE can be involved in politics at all.

The end. And if anyone thinks of any other good reasons why that bumper sticker is the most illogical (and stupid) bumper sticker on the planet, please feel free to add it to the comment section below. Thank you and have a nice day!

The Death of my Grandpa

2007-05-14T21:18:00.000-07:00

My grandfather passed away at 4 am yesterday morning. His name is Loward Denny Sparks. People called him “L.D.” for short. He was a very tall man, probably 6’4”, weighed 268 lbs. and he had heart problems. He has had open heart surgery in the past among other procedures. For anyone who went to my wedding, he was the one wearing a suit along with a cowboy hat and boots. Everyone wanted to know who he was. That is the type of presence he had in the room.

He started going down hill this past week and refused to be treated. My dad and uncle flew out to be with him on Friday. My uncle has shared the gospel with my grandfather and again, this weekend, reiterated the message of the cross. We hope that his conversion was real but as with any person accepting Jesus right before they die, it’s simply hard to say.

My grandpa’s wishes were that his body be cremated and his remains scattered into the Mississippi River. There will be no grave. When I heard this news, I broke down. You see, I was not very close to my grandfather and I hardly ever saw him but once a year since he lives half-way across the country. When he died yesterday morning, I had a hard time processing it. “Really,” I thought, “My grandpa is really dead?” To me he is still that grandpa who lives in that state so far away. It doesn’t seem as if he is dead.

The last time I saw him was, well, I can’t even remember. According to my uncle, it has been at least two years. And now I will never see him again. The truth is I am more than a little upset that my dad is going to cremate my grandpa.

There is a certain closure that comes from seeing your deceased love one in a casket prepared for burial. And when they are lowered into their final resting place, you know that you can go and visit them anytime you want. Will you go visit their tombstone? Maybe, maybe not. But if you decide you want to bring flowers to set on their grave in honor of their memory, at least you get the option.

My grandfather’s wishes may have been to be cremated. And I’m sure my dad thinks he is doing the right thing to honor those wishes. However, my grandfather is dead! He doesn’t have to deal with his death anymore! We, his family on the other hand, do have to deal with his death. And we will have to continue dealing in the many months and even years to come.

Where are we supposed to go visit my grandpa? At the Mississippi river?! And where will he be? The truth is he’ll be no where. His body will have ceased to exist on this earth.

Children of a Living God

2007-04-28T19:31:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I ask God, “Why do You love me?” I ask Him this because it blows my mind that a perfect, holy, sovereign Person could love someone like me. I am selfish, an idolater, a hypocrite. I lie. I am a murderer, a respecter of persons, an adulterer. What did Jesus say? If I have broken the law in just one point, I have transgressed the entire law. And it is so true. I am inefficient, absent-minded, and undisciplined. Forget undisciplined—I am just downright lazy. I am arrogant, stuck-up, prideful, conceited. I am defensive, quick to become angry, and slow to admit when I am wrong. I am hateful and a murmurer. I am all these things and more and yet, He loves me. WHY?!

And He asked me, “Why do you love your children?” Mmm. Talk about a lynchpin. God loves me because I am His child. In fact, He loves me even more than I could love my own children because His love is perfect. Though my children make mistakes and though, at times, they are rebellious to my authority, I still love them. Though sometimes my children upset me and say things that hurt and disappoint me, I still love them. When my children make bad decisions (and, let’s face it, sometimes they screw up royally), yet I love them. They are mine. Their very mannerisms and quirks reflect me. Their DNA is laced with my own. They are a part of me; I cannot disavow them. To do so would be to reject a part of myself. It is the same with God. We are a part of Him. He has made us in His own image! We reflect Him, the Sovereign God of the universe! Can I just say, HALLELUJAH!

Before my children were born, before they were even conceived in my womb, I looked forward to their birth. I anticipated their existence. I couldn’t wait to have children. Before my kids were, I loved them. It is the same with God and us. Before we ever existed in our mother’s womb, He loved us. He looked forward to our arrival. He couldn’t wait to create us, His children. The bible even says that before He formed us in the womb, He knew us (Jeremiah 1:5).

What would I do for my children? Almost anything I would do for my children I can parallel with that which God, our Father, would do (and does) for us. I teach my children and discipline them when they go astray. I nurture my children; I make sure they eat properly. I keep my children clean and clothed. I don’t buy my children everything they want because I know it is not good for them to have all that they want; however, occasionally, when I know there is something that they would really like to have, I give it to them. I give it to them because it blesses my heart to see them happy. I want my children to be happy. When my children are sick, I nurse them back to health. Whenever my children are in pain, I am in pain. I would gladly take their pain unto my self and bear it for them—gladly. I would even die for them. So great is my love for my children. And so great is God’s love for us. He does all these things for us and more.

We are greatly blessed with God as our Father. A better father cannot be found anywhere, not even in the imagination. Paralleling my relationship to my children with God’s relationship to His children gives a whole knew meaning to the verse, “We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

The Adventures of Wormwartt cont...

2007-04-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

Wormwartt pounded his fist into the side of the tall black book shelf that lined Mike’s office and slid down to sit in the corner that it formed with the wall. His face contorted in sullen anger, he mulled over the consequences the skinny twirp should suffer for the blow he had previously inflicted. It being the lunch-hour, Wormwartt had plenty of time to think it over. After all, Mike was off eating lunch with that other chump, David. Wormwartt scowled at the thought. He could not stand David! He was just as bad as Mike—just as sickeningly nice and clean and well-kept (gag him)! That’s OK. At least he was in the other room—most of the time.

What to do to Mike…hmm. He could do the usual moving around of items on Mike’s desk to make him think that someone had come into his office, but no (sigh)—that just didn’t seem mean enough. Hmm. Wormwartt, starting to get bored of all this thinking, began to chip away at some paint that was peeling just behind the book shelf. His scaly fingernails dug into the paint and dug and dug.

Slowly, an evil grin began to spread across Wormwartt’s face. He started digging faster and faster. Finally he stopped when the hole was just the perfect size. Wormwartt stood back to admire his work and crossed his arms in satisfaction. Now all he had to do was find some mice…

The Perils of Winter are not over

2007-04-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Well, our house is, once again, under the cover of sickness. I have a sore throat, cough, and both my ears ache. Logan has a cough and Job has a cold. When, oh when, is it going to end? Mike also has a cold but he and Job aren't as bad as the rest of us...yet. I say this because I have had this thing for 10 days and it took a turn for the worse last night.

So, what it all comes down to is that once again we must skip church and be cooped up inside and not be able to go anywhere. It's like being jailed or something and to be quite honest, I hate it. Hate it, hate it, HATE IT. I guess I really shouldn't be complaining. It could always be worse. I could be really sick and so could the boys. Well, gotta go. If I'm going to be stuck inside my house all day and all weekend, it is at least going to be a clean house!

River Phoenix

2007-04-10T21:46:00.000-07:00

I was on Facebook today and stumbled upon a group entitled “You know you grew up in the 90’s if…” or something like that. One of the “ifs” was you remember when River Phoenix, Tu Pac, and Selena died. Well, I grew up in the 90’s and I don’t remember when any of them died. However, I have heard of River Phoenix before and his name caught my eye. So I googled his name.

His story is a sad one for sure. He was the oldest of five children. Joaquin Phoenix, who played the evil Caesar in “Gladiator,” is his younger brother. River’s parents were involved in a cult called Children of God: The Family. It is rumored that for a time, the group promoted sexual conduct between adults and children. It is also supposed, based on brief comments made by River Phoenix, that he was sexually abused when he was a child and most likely by a person belonging to this cult. Now, please keep in mind, that everything I am telling you here is based on what I have read off the internet and of course, could all be not true. However, I believe it is true and I will tell you why.

River Phoenix led a pretty clean life up until the point where he overdosed on drugs at the age of 23, I believe it was. Family and friends began to notice changes in Phoenix. I don’t remember what the website said those were, but it seemed to indicate that they were for the worse. Phoenix had always been a humble sort of person and reserved and deeply devoted to such things as saving the rainforest. Not long after his conservative countenance changed found him doing drugs in the bathroom of Johnny Depp’s nightclub called The Viper. He was in the bathroom with other drug users and drug dealers and his overdose was due to an intake of multiple drugs including heroin, cocaine and methamphetamines.

As I read this man’s biography, a feeling of depression and dark gloom settled over me. What happened to River Phoenix was a tragedy for sure and one of the darkest kinds. This young man was most likely abused when he was but a young child. This affected him in such a way as left great cracks in his healthy human heart. No human being could respond well to such abuse—it is the flaw of our flesh. Someone, involved in a cult (that very much resembles fundamental Christianity), by sexually abusing a young child put a major stumbling block in his path. What’s that verse? “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6

This sexual abuse left deep cracks in the heart of this young man that may not have been readily seen due to his “squeaky clean” rep; however, his demise reflects the gross emptiness inside. And I can assure you (and would even be willing to bet money) that demonic forces were at work in the belly of Johnny Depp’s club that night. I could easily picture the numerous demons whispering into Mr. Phoenix’s ears through the tongues of drug dealers and his own thoughts rooting him on toward death. The heart of God was grieved deeply that night as one of His creation was lost to the spiritual forces darkness.

Now you may think that I am being wildly exuberant and overly liberal in my rendition of what happened to this young man. While all my facts may not be entirely accurate as it is hard to know for sure if the information that online websites present is as such, it does not matter. There was a deep hurting in the heart of River Phoenix and God Himself will see to it that justice is paid to the one who caused it. “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!” Matthew 18:7

Running and Getting up early

2007-03-29T05:56:00.000-07:00

I have to get up early in order to run before my husband leaves for work in the morning. Well, lately I’ve been praying for the Lord to help me get up early because it is really hard to get up at 6am to go running. God is so good! He has been helping me wake up (even if I don’t always get up) and this morning He woke me up extra early around 5:15am. When I woke up, I didn’t feel tired at all! It was awesome! So I laid there and talked to God (and fell in and out of sleep twice) until 5:45am.

Then a strange thing happened. Right after I got out of bed Mike says to me, “Don’t run the same route you always take.” I ask him, “What do you mean?” He replies with added emphasis, “Don’t go the same way you always do.” I’m thinking, “Is he awake?” But I couldn’t tell. Then it hit me that this could be from the Lord. It has crossed my mind a few times in the past weeks that it might not be the safest thing to go running in the dark at 6:00 in the morning.

So I get dressed and start warming up and all the while I’m thinking, “Lord, do you not want me to run the same route I normally take?” I wasn’t particularly thrilled about the notion because I had a route already mapped out that was exactly one mile and it was easy for me to measure how far I was running. Then I remembered a dream I had that night. In the dream, I was walking through the Shop ‘n Save parking lot at night when a man attacked me. That pretty much did it for me. I decided to run a different route altogether in the subdivision next to mine. I always run with a flashlight so I can see my watch and so cars can see me. About eight minutes into my run, the batteries went dead.

I didn’t “feel” like I was in danger to run the same route I usually took. I thought that I was probably being paranoid and the Lord wasn’t telling me to run a different route. But I decided that it is better to be safe than sorry so I took into counsel the dream and I heeded Mike’s advice. Right now I am safe and sound back at home and just maybe the Lord saved my life today. Maybe I could have been attacked or kidnapped. Maybe I was going to be hit by a car. I guess I’ll never truly know. However, I really liked my new route! I think I might keep it and alternate routes. God is so good!

The Word of God

2007-03-06T10:04:00.000-08:00

Occasionally, during my quiet times, I will hug and even give my Bible a kiss. I know that probably sounds odd; however, at times, the swell of affection inside my heart is so great toward the Word of God and God Himself, that this is the way I feel compelled to express it.

Sometimes reading God’s word is wonderful! It is literally thirst quenching—like taking a drink of ice water on a hot day. Sometimes reading His word is like wrapping oneself in a blanket—peacefully safe and secure. Sometimes when we open the word the verses jump of the page piercing like knives and we just want to cry. And sometimes we read God’s word and we are bored and distracted. Sometimes we read His word and we don’t feel much of anything.

Regardless of our experiences in the Word, there is one thing I know for certain. His Scripture is just as powerful in the times we don’t feel anything as it is when we experience its sharp double-edged sword. God’s power is not limited by the way we feel. We are still being taught even if we are bored or walk away feeling like we didn’t learn anything. His precepts reach down to the inmost parts of our soul even when we think we feel nothing.

This is why we must be faithful to persevere in dry and difficult times and stay in His Word! Because through the Holy Scripture, His Truth does things for us that we don’t even know! In His Word is our life saving subsistence. Without God’s nourishment and care, we die slowly—becoming shriveled, sickly, and weak. We are pale and fading without Him, the Giver and Source of all life.

Here's a little melodrama for ya. :-)

2007-02-25T00:41:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, late at night, I can get a little, well, let’s just say melodramatic. I start thinking about things. I start wondering about…life. When is it all going to end? We know that Christ is coming back. The last biblical prophecy that was fulfilled occurred a very long time ago. Jesus and the apostles spoke of the end of the age and that it was “near.”

Near. Hmpf! What does that mean, anyway? That was 2,000 years ago! Now, a thousand years might equal one day to the Lord but in my book, 2,000 years is a very long time and it doesn’t even come remotely close to constituting the definition of the word “near.”

Our church had a prayer service tonight. It was very good even though my heart was indifferent to most of it. I found myself saying, “Andrea! You WILL worship the Lord whether you feel like it or not. It’s not about you! It’s all about Him!” And when a woman began to wail at the foot of His altar like I have never heard someone wail, I was completely caught off guard and questioned, “Lord, is this from you? Is this one of those times where You are moving in someone’s heart and mind or is this one of those times when someone is getting a little too carried away?” And how do I tell the difference? Hmm. Maybe I’m just not spiritually old enough yet. Yes? No? Maybe I just wasn’t walking in the Spirit. Maybe You chose to put a cover over my eyes. Do I get to know?

And apparently someone else spoke in tongues. But did I hear it? Nooooooo! Of course not! Why in the world would I hear something like that? I wonder what it is like to speak in tongues. I don’t think I ever will receive the privilege of knowing, mostly because it takes me long enough just to work up the courage to pray in such large public gatherings much less speak a foreign tongue. And sometimes I don’t work up the courage to do that because I “think” the Lord “might” be telling me to but I’m just not really that sure. I’ll tell you what, sometimes it is exhausting to be so…unsure. And of course, when I do finally work up the nerve, my heart starts pounding and I feel very nervous and then I forget half the things I wanted to pray anyway. Doesn’t sound like something from the Lord, does it?

So, back to the beginning. Where are we in the whole grand scheme of things? Are we 50% of the way there—to Christ’s return that is? Maybe we are only 25% of the way there. Maybe 75%. Or maybe He’s coming back tomorrow. I have had several end time dreams. Isn’t there a verse about old men seeing visions and sons and daughters prophesying? I thought there was something in there about dreaming dreams too. I’ve also experienced very weird sensations. Like, I get this feeling that something big is about to happen. The last time I got this feeling, a few weeks later my life changed radically in just three days. Like, we are talking radical explosive change. This morning, I had a similar feeling, only the feeling wasn’t that something big was about to happen. The feeling was that something big was happening right then. I turned and gazed out the window. Something was happening. I’m sure of it. But then again, things happen all the time don’t they? So what was I sensing…or was it my imagination getting the better of me?

And if I am sensing something, so what? What does that mean? I didn’t know what I was sensing. What is the point of sensing something you know nothing about? I mean, one can hardly pray for such a matter much less do anything about it.
Yeah, so that pretty much sums up how I have been feeling today. Like I said, melodramatic. This working out your salvation in Christ stuff is hard! I know His grace is sufficient. It’s not His grace I question. It’s my response to that grace

The Adventures of Wormwartt

2007-02-15T16:53:00.000-08:00

I would like to introduce you to a rather detestable little creature named Wormwartt. You’ll please forgive his name for anything less might fail to attest to the ugly, evil little troll that he is. And he is just that—a troll. This troll, for the want of an appealing home (if you can appealing call wallowing in the mires of a stench-filled waste land where black, bubbling tar pits litter the sad and loathsome ground) has taken up his sorry residence in the unsuspecting and completely undesirable office of one Mike Bond.

Wormwartt usually sleeps in small corners in Mike’s desk. But he spends the majority of his time running around the office wreaking havoc in any annoying way he can. You see, Wormwartt resents his forced residing in the dwelling of one who is so much larger, cleaner, and disgracefully more organized than he that, seething with unintelligible disgust and animosity, it has become his mission in life to conquer and destroy the innocent and (horribly) wonderful Mike Bond.

Wormwartt has already accomplished numerous misgivings on this account. He has successfully kindled the great Dr. Vaughan’s anger toward the young office administrator by deviously erasing important messages that proved key to certain appointments to be kept and letters to be sent. One time Wormwartt shredded valuable evidence in the likes of check stubs needed to prove valid payment that, most unfortunately for Mike, were left lying on his desk. It’s a sad, sad venture for sure but alas! There is some unfairness in all this. One time Wormwartt was in the midst of attempting to physically attack Mike from under the desk when the young office administrator swung around in his chair and caught the ugly little troll by surprise with his shoe. The blow, landing right on Wormwartt’s chinny-chin, sent him flying back smack into the wall of Mike’s desk. Wormwartt lost a tooth in the incident but not to worry, he picked it up and jammed it right back into his rotting gum beside the three other stubs he calls teeth. And, wiping a spatter of green blood from his chin, he furiously shook his fist, “You’ll pay for this, Mike Bond!”

Thus begins the adventures of Wormwartt…stay tuned!

The Monday Blues

2007-02-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

Some Mondays I wake up depressed and I just don’t want to get out of bed. Today is one of those days. I don’t know what it is! There is some reason rattling around back in the subconscious of my mind but it has not been made clear to me. All I know is that I don’t want to work, I don’t want to deal with my children, and I just don’t want to face life today.

I guess it doesn’t help that the weather is so drab. If it was bright and sunny and warm, I might not feel so depressed. We could go outside and play and burn off some of this energy from being cooped up inside all day, every day!

Unfortunately on days such as this, I tend to sleep in and not get much work done. Then I feel guilty because I was lazy and not diligent with my time. And that adds to the depression. But then I remind myself that everyone has bad days. Just because I have a bad day does not mean I am a failure. And God is good! It generally only lasts for one day.

But it is hard to grasp a hold of the hope that is His abundant life on days such as these. Depression is like a black hole that sucks all light and joy into it. This is when it becomes imperative for the soul to win out over the flesh. My flesh is weak and will be sucked into that black hole every single time. My soul is strong because of the strength of the Holy Spirit which indwells it. God indwells me! And by His strength and grace alone, I make it through days such as these. Indeed, it is by His grace that I make it through any day but these days get an “especially” put before them!

Praise be to my God and Father for His strength, grace, goodness and the lavishly luxuriant amount of love which He pours over me!

Wrinkles--Bring Them On!

2007-02-04T08:35:00.000-08:00

There are women who get “checked out” by men and there are women who don’t. I happen to be one of those women who do. And I won’t pretend that I don’t notice. The other day I was out to lunch with my dad and it was a buffet. On my way to the buffet, this good-looking, probably 30 year old guy was checking me out and making eye contact. When this happens, depending on my mood, I either smile politely or just ignore them altogether. I think this time I ignored him altogether. And he probably lost interest when I later walked by with my four year old. And I felt a swelling sense of pride as I did this, glad to have a defense of some sort.

But this little incident brought a wonderful thought to my mind. One day men will not “check” me out anymore. I will be old and wrinkly and bent over, walking with a cane and I won’t have to suffer the unwelcome gaze of men who aren’t my husband. And I just want to say that the day that happens I will jump for joy! Well, as much as an old lady possibly can. Beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord, SHE is to be praised. Hallelujah!

I am not afraid of wrinkles! Bring them on! With each wrinkle I am that much closer to meeting my Savior in heaven! AND I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Home School Myth

2007-01-15T18:15:00.000-08:00

You might think this is going to be about how great home schooling is compared to public schooling but it’s not. Instead I am going to talk about a home schooling myth that I personally have been believing. The myth is this: in order to be a good home schooling mom, my children must know how to count to 20 by age three and know all their ABC’s and they must be reading full sentences by age four. They have to have the Pledge of Allegiance and the Declaration of Independence memorized by age five. I must have several hours of schooling planned out for my preschoolers each day and have a disciplined schedule. We have to do things like plant a garden together, draw maps of our neighborhood, dress up like Vikings and go on a canoe trip, go to the park, break out our magnifying glasses and have a detailed science lesson on ants. And if they spend any more than 30 minutes a day, two or three times a week, watching TV, then I have failed miserably.

I was starting to get intimidated and, let me add, very discouraged because I was hearing how great other people’s kids were doing. “So-and-so’s child can read very well and she’s only four years old! Suzy Q’s three year old can count to 30! Jane’s two year old is playing the drums”…and so on and so forth. Then I talked to a very good friend of mine who is much older and wiser than I (thank God for such blessed people!). She told me that many moms get caught up in that home schooling “competitive” spirit. And all her life she has always heard about how so-and-so skipped 1st and 2nd grade and went straight to 3rd and this teenager over here is a Sophomore and she’s taking college courses and this 9th grader over here took the ACT and got a 32 and on and on and on and on.

“Andrea,” she said to me, “Don’t get caught up in it!” She said that each family is different and each mom has different gifts and areas where she excels. Some moms are very gifted when it comes to home schooling and others aren’t. The important thing is not that our children are the smartest and most educated people around but that they grow up to be people of character who love the Lord. The reason we home school is not that our children are educated quantitatively but that they are given quality education that fosters their relationship with the Lord and teaches His values.

With home schooling, my children aren’t going to be teased and laughed at and made fun of. With home schooling, my children won’t be subjected to unbelieving teachers pushing their own agendas. With home schooling, my children are not going to be taught that evolution, feminism, secularism, humanism, emotionalism, environmentalism and all the other “isms” are true. Rather, with home schooling, I am in control of the teachings my children receive and I set the priorities! With home schooling, I can provide a loving and nurturing learning environment where my children can flourish with out the negative influences of “mean” peers. I control who they play with. I decide what curriculum. Lastly, and most importantly, I foster their relationship with God and do my utmost to instill in their little hearts a passion and a zeal for Him. Hallelujah!

And I may not be “Supermom.” I may not be able to do all the things I hear other moms doing. My little one may not grow up to be Einstein. But that is not my goal. My goal is children of character who love the Lord. My children are going to be home schooled because they are going to be the better for it. Period. The Bible tells us not to compare ourselves with ourselves. Thus, my attempt to keep up with the Jones’ is ending right now! As long as I am on the same page with my husband and we are doing what is pleasing in the sight of the Lord, that is all that matters. Amen!

It is not wrong to be "judgmental."

2006-12-21T17:57:00.000-08:00

Do you know what? I am tired of hearing Christians accuse other Christians of being “judgmental.” Let’s just get one thing straight, OK? If I am a Christian and you say you are a Christian, I have every right to judge the fruit of your walk in Christ.

If you are hanging out with bad company, if you are getting drunk or smoking or doing drugs, if you are watching things you shouldn’t watch, if you are gossiping or slandering, if you are dressing immodestly, if you are shirking responsibility, if you are rebelling against authority, then I have every right to call you on it. And you don’t get to call me judgmental!

If you are preaching a gospel other than the one we have been given in His word, if you are claiming something that is not biblical, if you are coming against His church or His people, if you are slandering the name of Christ by the way you live your life, if you bring shame to Him rather than glory, then I have every right to judge you!

If you say you are a Christian, and I observe a backward way in you but say nothing, am I loving you? Am I doing my service to you as a sister in Christ if I sit back and let you destroy yourself? It is not wrong for a Christian to judge another Christian if it is done by the standard of God’s word.

“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.” Matthew 7:16-18

“Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself lest you too be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

November 22nd Journal Entry, Unedited and Uncut

2006-12-13T20:11:00.000-08:00

I received a greater light tonight while praying for my son before bedtime. At the end of my prayer, I prayed that the Lord would put a great love in Logan’s heart for the Living God. As I prayed this I felt God affirming me as His daughter and He let me for a short time experience His fatherly love for me as I have never before felt it.

I have been complaining in my heart a lot lately and ungrateful for my position on this earth. Sometimes I am even resentful of my affluence and religious freedom because I fear that my reward in heaven shall be less because I am not persecuted.

But my Dad in heaven hath shown me that all has been given to me as a gift from Him. He wants me to have it and He is pleased to give it. And I should be thankful for it so long as it is mine because He loves me and wants my happiness. And should I walk around grudgingly and without thankfulness, I am shirking His gift. I am throwing it back in His face and labeling it unacceptable. But, alas! He is the Potter and I, the clay. And the thing molded shall not say to the one who molded it, “Why have you made me like this?” Nor shall the thing made say to its maker, “Why have you placed me here?” For its Maker shall place the vessel wherever He pleases.

And God has placed me here and here I shall follow Him and that with an uncomplaining heart.

What it all comes down to

2006-11-26T21:01:00.001-08:00

“I don’t believe in God!” a young man exclaims. “Why not?” I ask. “Where is He?” the young man replies. “I don’t see Him anywhere!”

Many a person does not believe that God exists because they cannot “see” Him. I would have to agree with them. They most certainly are not able to see Him; however, that does not mean that they do not see Him.

The problem with people is that they think that God should be corporeal. They think they should be able to reach out and touch Him. They want Him to walk through the front door and prove that He exists. But alas! God is not a man that He should be limited by a physical body. He is God! He is omniscient and omnipresent. He is in every place at once.

Let me repeat that. He is every place at once! He is right here in my kitchen and on the other side of the world in someone else’s kitchen at the same time! How is this possible, you ask? Well, because He’s God! It is in the very definition of who He is! Anyway, here is my answer to the person who says they don’t see God anywhere:

Sure you do! You see Him all the time! You just don’t recognize Him. Check out this verse in Colossians: “And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things and in Him all things hold together.” This verse is talking about Jesus. It is important to understand something. Jesus Christ was God in the form of man and He was called the Son of God. And the Bible says that in Him all things hold together.

God does not form the bowl made of clay and then just sit it on the table and walk away. In Him, that clay bowl holds together. God’s hands are always on it holding it together so to speak. I like to think of creation as God’s great tapestry. And throughout His tapestry, God is intricately woven in to it. Without Him, we would not simply break or shatter—we would cease. We cannot exist apart from our Creator. So you want to know where He is? Look around. You see the walls of your home or the grass and trees outside, but you only see the surface. He’s there! “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…” Romans 1:20

Have you ever had an experience where you were thinking about someone and wondering how they were because you hadn’t seen them in forever? And then you run into them at the grocery store the next day or better yet, they call you because they were thinking about you too? You call this coincidence but I am telling you there is no such thing! That is God almighty! You just don’t see it because you call it something else! You have labeled it wrong! God has a reason for everything. Nothing happens without purpose.

Have you ever missed being in a car accident by the skin of your teeth? Have you ever found something precious that you thought you had lost? Have you ever known something by instinct that you couldn’t have possibly known? You call it luck, but I’m telling you, THERE IS NO SUCH THING! It’s Him! And He’s letting you know that He exists all the time! You just aren’t paying attention!

God wants you to know how much He loves you. He has a great purpose for your life. You are precious to Him. So precious, in fact, that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for your sins. It is God’s desire for you to be reconciled to Him forever. Have you ever accepted Jesus as your Savior? You can do it today! All you have to do is tell Him out loud: “Jesus, please forgive my sin. Please come into my life and save me. I realize that nothing I can do will save me but it is only by Your death on the cross. Please come into my life and show me the great purpose that You have for me. Help me to turn away from sin and to live a holy and pleasing life before You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”

A Nation Divided

2006-11-10T22:22:00.000-08:00

When I heard that Amendment 2 passed, I cried. I cried because I lamented all of the lives that would be lost in the name of medical advancement. I was upset that Claire McCaskill won over Jim Talent in the Senate because of the repercussions that our children and their children will have to suffer due to the decisions that she will make. It is very tempting to despair over such things especially when it seems like we are losing battle after battle. The democrats now hold the Senate as well as the House. It’s depressing, really. But strangely, I am not depressed.

Wednesday, November 8, 2006 when I awoke I cried over Amendment 2. However, my sorrow ended with that cry. God’s peace washed over me. He told me that this turn of events was from Him, that He might accomplish His good purpose. As soon as He told me this I quickly became excited. I am excited to see His hand in this unfortunate turn of events. I am excited to see what He will do! I rest fully assured that He is in complete control! I rest knowing that Claire McCaskill and the Democrats are not the victors here. They are in office because God has orchestrated it and He will use it for good.

So I know that God is in control and I also know something else. This country is split right down its very center. So many of the races this past Tuesday were extremely close. McCaskill won with 51% of the vote! That is barely over half! The other half voted for Talent! The same thing happened with Amendment 2. And the Democrats hold the Senate and House but only by a few! Split right down the middle—give or take! This nation is divided. And we all know what the Bible says about a nation that is divided.

Bad Day

2006-11-02T10:57:00.000-08:00

So…today is very hard. I started my first “lessons” with my two boys today. It didn’t go as great as I thought it should. Logan wasn’t really interested in his activity. It might have had something to do with the workmen who were here to install a radon mitigation system in our basement. All he wanted to do was stand outside and talk to them. But I couldn’t allow him to bombard these poor unsuspecting strangers with his usual game of 100 questions in ten minutes. Instead, I let him bombard me.

Mom, can I have this? Mom, can I have that? Mom, can I play video games? Mom, can I go outside? But I just want to talk with the workers! Mom, will you play with me? Mom, will you help me put the choo-choo track together? Mom, what’s this? What do you do with it? Why? How come? Mom, I’m hungry! Can I have some candy? When will my lunch be ready? Mom, I’m hungry. After I have lunch, can I have some candy? Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!..........AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh and this isn’t even the half of it. And Job has been very whiny all morning. And I just want to pull out my hair! Maybe I would if I didn’t have a headache. It’s not a horrible headache but it’s just enough to cause me added stress.

Also, the ringing in my ear is worse. I’m pretty sure it is because I had so much diet coke last Friday. Ever since, the ringing has become louder. I have Tinnitis in my ears and a partial hearing loss because of it and drinking caffeine irritates it and apparently can make it worse!

On the bright side, we no longer have poisonous radon gas pouring into our home and I was able to share gospel tracks with the two men who came to put in the system! Pretty cool!

Reality Check!

2006-10-29T19:03:00.000-08:00

It just crossed my mind yesterday…I am 16 years old. I live an impoverished life in Cuba. My family is desperately in need of food. I run into a gentleman at the market who is in need of women to work as maids in a hotel in the States. He says that with the money that I would make I can support my family. I agree to go over. In total ignorance I am sucked in. For soon I find out that I am not to work in a hotel at all but, rather, I am now one of their new slave prostitutes being smuggled illegally into the country. I have no rights. I am not free. I cannot escape. I am beaten and raped and used.

Now I am 12 years old. I live in Africa. My dad makes 30 dollars a month to provide for our family. Our housing consists of a grass hut and our food of rice. I go to the nearby pond to draw water for drinking. Little do I know that a worm will enter my body. It will nest in my stomach and, at the end of one year, emerge through a blister that will form on my abdomen. The experience will be agonizing and the worm will twist its way through my body and grow up to 3 feet long. It will wrap itself around the muscles in my leg constricting them like a Boa does its prey. I will have to get medical help from the nearby facility run by people from another country. It will take many days of pulling the worm out inch by inch before I will be cured.

Now I am a baby girl in China. I was just born a few days ago! There’s only one problem. My mother doesn’t love me. She doesn’t want me because I’m not a boy. So I am sent to live in an orphanage with hundreds of other girls whose parents don’t love them either. I am small and utterly vulnerable. No one holds me. No one sings to me.
No one loves me. They think I won’t remember. They don’t know how wrong they are. This will scar me for life.

Now I am 26 years old. I live in America. I am a stay-at-home mom. I live in a $150,000 house that has air conditioning, heat, electricity, clean running water. I get to shower every day if I feel like it. I have food galore. I am well educated. I have a soft queen sized bed to sleep in and down pillows in which to sink my head every night. I am rich beyond my wildest dreams and I don’t even know it. I have a wonderful husband who loves and respects me. Sometimes my children drive me crazy. Sometimes I tire of cleaning the same rooms over and over day in and day out. Sometimes I have a bad attitude because I feel that my life is hard and unfair. I gripe and complain when I am having a bad day because things just aren’t going my way.

O how I need a reality check! Or maybe a change of perspective! I gripe and complain like I live in a third world country. I whine like an unloved baby! But nothing could be further from the truth!

The Exile from Eden: God's Gift to Man

2006-10-22T21:39:00.000-07:00

How can a good and loving God allow death to reign in this world? This question seems to come up a lot. Why does God let people die? Doesn’t He care? I hear people say they don’t believe in God because if He existed, He wouldn’t allow bad things such as death to occur. God is good, after all. Death is bad. A good God would not allow death which is bad. Therefore, there is no God.

O contraire, ye who hath little understanding of who God is! Consider this: death is actually the best thing that could have happened to man next to Jesus’ saving death on the cross. Here’s why: remember what happened in the Garden of Eden? God gave Adam and Eve permission to eat of any tree in the garden except one, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Of this tree God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat. He said, “When you eat of this tree you shall surely die.” Well, we all know the story. Satan deceived Eve, she ate of the tree and Adam followed. Thus, sin entered the world.

SIN entered the world. Let’s think about that for a minute. Murder. Theft. Vandalism. Hatred. Slander. Gossip. Drunkenness. Adultery. Fornication. Debauchery. Selfishness. Etc. And along with sin came PAIN—the big four letter word. No one likes pain. It is the consequence of sin. Thus, we live in a world filled with sin and lots of pain. This is why God exiled Adam from the garden. Not only did the garden house the tree of the knowledge of good and evil but it also housed another tree, the tree of life. We don’t hear about this tree very often, but it is very important. You see, if Adam and Eve would have eaten of this tree, they would have lived forever and that in their fallen state.

“Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, lest he stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim, and the flaming sword which turned every direction, to guard the way to the tree of life.” Genesis 3:22-24

Death is actually a great act of mercy from our heavenly Father. That He would care enough to not allow us to continue on forever in a world filled with great horrors and heart wrenching pain, speaks to the goodness of the God that He is. God is good. He loves us very much. Therefore, He allows us to die that we may be free from this wretched life. And assuming we have embraced His goodness and loved His good way, we will live forever in the loving arms of our Father and know peace and fulfilling love like we have never known it. If we reject Him, then He allows us to be separated from Him for all eternity. God is more than fair. If we want nothing to do with Him in this life, then He gives us our heart’s desire in the next—eternity without Him.

The Reign of My Heart

2006-10-16T15:57:00.000-07:00

A chilling wind breaks over the rolling hill that is my backyard. Rustling the leaves it sways here and there. It is not known where it has come from and it cannot be said where it will go. The overcast sky, while monotonous and uninteresting, has been pouring rain nonstop all day. The rain pours the same with in my soul. I am not particularly fond of days like this when they mirror the condition of my heart.

I am heart sick. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick…” I wish my heart would stop hoping! How much pain is enough? How much more of the throbbing and the aching must I endure? My mind is fed up! I have had enough!

There is a brokenness inside me, you see. I am all too well acquainted with its symptoms and not at all inclined to say I know its source. Pain and agony is the way and frustration is the game. My mind and my heart just aren’t seeing eye to eye on this one. My mind is ready to be free this instant while my heart wants to keep holding on much like the raccoon who, with his arm caught in the trap, could be free if only he would open his paw and let go of the bait.

But just like the stubborn raccoon who will not let go even though his life depends upon it, so my heart is steadfastly wrapped around an ideal that can never be. No matter what amount of disappointment I experience, no matter how great the affliction, still my heart will not succumb. O how I feel trapped with in myself! The heart’s pull is great and many a time have I been sucked in. I WANT TO BE FREE! This is the cry of my soul! Lord Jesus, have mercy and heal me!

“For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not wish to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which indwells me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh, for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish.” Romans 7:14-19

This is my blog

2006-10-12T09:51:00.000-07:00

What is this?

2006-10-12T08:50:00.000-07:00

I'm only starting this so I can comment on my friends site. :-)