What You CANNOT Do!

AMEN!

Merry Christmas

A friend sent this to me with this message: "I am celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ."

The message also went on to say: "Maybe we can prevent one more American tradition from being lost in the sea of 'political correctness'."

"Merry Christmas" therefore, is a wish that you will find joy in the event of Christ's birth. The announcement of the Angel to the Shepherds in the Gospel of Luke clarifies the sentiment behind "Merry Christmas": "…the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

So, Merry Christmas everyone.

Starting New Traditions

New Traditions - it's kind of an oxymoron, isn't it? I mean a tradition is a customary behavior and you can't have customs if you're starting something new, can you?

But, anyway, our family is having to face the daunting task of starting a new tradition. Let me explain.

My dear mother-in-law (Mee Mee) passed away last Friday. Thankfully, we left on the Monday before and had some wonderful time with her and ample opportunities of expressing our gratitude and love. It was bittersweet, for although, I knew she was at peace and was spiritually ready for her next and final destination, saying goodbye is never easy.

They say that saying goodbye is always harder on those that are left behind. How true it is.

We have spent the last 26 years with Mee Mee for Christmas. (We've been married for 26 years.) This includes a few days before with loads of family and a special gathering on Christmas Eve with Mee Mee's sister, Aunt Bea and her husband, Uncle Tom. I know, it sounds like something out of a story, and, in many ways, it really was. It's really all my kids know and love of Christmas.

Let me give you an idea.... we would pack our bags and pack our car with presents and drive to Mee Mee's house; which was in El Dorado, AR in early years, but for the past 20 plus years has been in Shreveport, LA. We would come a few days early and maybe do some last minute shopping, but one of our highlights was Christmas Eve dinner at Aunt Bea's house. This would include our family and all of Uncle Tom and Aunt Bea's children and grandchildren( as time went by) special neighbors and a extra special friend that could play the piano like no one's business. Her name is Suda. After dinner we would gather around the piano for Christmas carols and maybe a story or two and sometimes a group game. It was always fun and always different and always extra special. Aunt Bea bought a special present for every guest and had it wrapped and placed at their table setting. There were just a lot of special things like that. Then on Christmas morning we would have our Christmas with Mee Mee. Over the last few years we had bought Mee Mee a stocking and stuffed it with lots of little goodies and we had such a great time with this. Mee Mee has bought our children a pair of pajamas for Christmas every year since they were born. Special little times, special little moments. Then we would head to Aunt Bea's again for Christmas brunch. This was another scrumptious meal followed by more fellowshipping. Then on Christmas night we would head to Uncle Sam and Aunt Teresa's house for more gift giving with their family.

I'm just trying to figure out how to replace all of that. How can you replace it? I just don't know. I do know that nothing happens that the Lord won't bring us through and Mee Mee couldn't live forever and this day was bound to come, but I am caught off guard. I am praying that even though we can never replace what we had with Mee Mee, God will give us creative ideas for new traditions. New ways of celebrating and enjoying our family and becoming closer to Him and to each other. After all, that is what Christmas is all about.

Lights in a Dark World

I’m revisiting a recent post I wrote. Mainly because this topic keeps coming up in conversations I’ve been having and listening to these past few weeks.

I’m hearing people talk about cultural relevancy and how do we keep on the message and yet reach out to as many as possible. I’m hearing people say they go to churches where the pastors are having to deal with how to reach the younger generation without having to become so “seeker friendly” that we lose the message of holiness. I’m hearing youth pastors saying “I’m tired of my youth group not caring about living for God.”, I’m hearing that the next generation has re-defined what tithing means. It’s no longer a biblical mandate for today, but was solely for the Early Church. And I could go on and on. So, what do we do and what does it all mean to us?

We live in a day where we are literally bathed in impurity. Messages from every possibly outlet hit us over and over in one day’s time. Internet, billboards, store ads, commercials on TV and TV programs themselves, movies, you name it, and it’s full of impurity. Our culture is drenched in it. I John 3:1-3 says this, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” This is what we are!!! We must consider the separateness, the distinct-ness, it’s who we are. My hubby said it so well the other day when we were discussing this. “The message of holiness and righteousness has not changed. It should not change!”

To love the world is to be the enemy of the Father. "But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior" (1 Peter 1:15). Holiness and purity are far-reaching, encompassing all of our lives, behavior, thoughts, and speech.

We say that we want to be like Christ, we come to church every Sunday, we go through the motions but do we really want to be like Him? Are we really desiring to “be holy in all your behavior”? Because “it ain’t easy” in the world we live in.

Not just in our world, be even our churches are looking more and more like the world. This is the part that concerns me. We dress like the world, talk like the world, are entertained by the world, act like the world. How can we possibly fulfill this command? Because the idea of being holy, separate and pure is really very counter to the message many of our churches are focusing on today. The real goal for many is “reaching the world”. That’s not what I hear Jesus saying, though, right before He left this earth. He said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Yes, He said go but go and teach them TO OBEY everything… Where do we get the idea in the Bible that reaching the world means mirroring what the world does? I don’t see it. Maybe I’m slow or maybe I’m just old-fashioned but I just don’t see it. When Paul said “I become all things to all people” he was not saying that he was going to change his standards to reach more people for Christ. What a contradiction that would’ve been! Paul was not talking about changing how he lives; he was talking about loving as Christ loved. He said that he used his freedom to become a servant. The idea here is of love and servanthood, not becoming worldly.

We have to develop a passion for purity. A desire for righteousness and holiness. This is a far cry from where we, as a culture, are today. This passion has to come from the Holy Spirit, I can’t muster it up within myself. We have to see righteousness and holiness as they are described and characterized in the Bible. This is our standard, our measuring stick.

And here’s the problem. I think the big problem with our churches trying to be “culturally relevant” or whatever you want to call it, is that we are comparing ourselves to other churches. We shouldn’t be doing that! We are only to compare ourselves to one thing and that is the Bible and Christ. When we are lining up and living up to what the Word of God says about how we are to behave in this evil age, then we are doing what we have been called to do.

Personally, I feel we are chasing the wrong thing. We should be pursuing and chasing the Bible instead of pursuing being relevant. The Good News is relevant; the Word of God has and always will meet every person’s needs. The Bible will never be old-fashioned, out of date or irrelevant. Instead of the world becoming like the church, the church is becoming like the world. It should be the other way around.

So, I know I’m rambling all over the place. I guess my main point would be this: We have swung way over on the balance to try to meet the world. Personally, I think we’re missing it here. As a corporate church, I think our standards are lacking. I think the reason the world doesn’t like what they see, is because it’s not different. It’s not life-changing. Why should they come to church when they see the same lifestyle being modeled by people who are Christians? Why should they pursue something that doesn’t bring real, authentic change to their lives?

My husband has a really good friend that is not a Christian. He told my husband one day that he “did not want to go to church and do all the stuff that Christians do, because to him, it was no different. They go to church and still come out cussing, smoking, getting drunk, treating their families poorly. What’s the difference? I can live my life right now and be just as good as they are. At least I’m being honest with myself.”

Something to think about church. What are we modeling?

D.L. Moody said it so well: “I do not say that here we shall ever be like our model Christ Jesus in measure or degree. But light is light, whether it be candle-light, gaslight, electric light, or sunlight. It is the same in kind or nature, if not in degree. So we may really resemble Christ, although we do not realize the full measure of his divine perfection. A good definition of sanctification or holiness would be, conformity to His example. He is the Light of the world; we are to shine as lights in the world. He is the Word; we are His living epistles.”

Government Expansion Coming To Your Home Sometime Soon

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted and narrowly passed H.R. 3962, the final House version of the health care reform legislation, last Saturday evening.
I have been following this and although the bill is almost 2000 pages long and there is no way I could read it all in a short time, there are sections of the bill that trouble me greatly. I have been following the Home School Legal Defense Association and their take on the contents on this bill. HSLDA opposes this bill because of its creation of new, federally funded home visitation programs. Costing $750 million dollars, these new programs will teach parents how to raise their own children. These programs will allow the federal government to expand its involvement in early education and could threaten parental rights.

H.R. 3962 is 1,990 pages long. This mammoth bill will not only expand the government’s role in early education, it will interfere with medical decisions between you and your doctor and force employers to make decisions that could lead to lower wages or lay-offs. While health care reform is needed, H.R. 3962 is not the right reform, as it will bring higher taxes, and an increase in government control over families.

Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader, said on November 2, 2009: “At its core, this bill is very similar to what we’ve already seen in the Senate—a trillion-dollar government experiment that raises taxes, raises premiums, slashes Medicare, and leads to unprecedented government control over the health care decisions of Americans. That’s the foundation, the starting-off point. It doesn’t get any better from there.”

Now this bill goes to the Senate for passage. Please call your Senators and urge him or her to oppose the federal government’s takeover of health care. You can use some or all of the following message (taken from HSLDA's website):

“Please oppose H.R. 3962, the ‘Affordable Health Care for America Act.’ In a time of economic hardship, the federal government should not take on a program that will double our national debt. I am also opposed the bill’s creation of home visitation/early education programs through grants to the states. Parents, not federal or state officials, should make child rearing decisions for their young children. Additionally, the ‘Affordable Health Care for America Act’ will expand the federal government’s role and will interfere with medical decisions between me and my doctor."

You can find the contact information for your U.S. senators by going to Home School Legal Defense on the internet and using their Legislative Toolbox. This is not a site just for home-schooling families, although they do follow laws and trends that could affect our freedoms as home-schoolers. This site is great information for anyone who loves family values and loves this great, free land in which we live.

We Are Not 'Of This World'

* Christianity is foolishness in a world full of earthly wisdom.
* It is peace in a world filled with war.
* It is 'the meek will inherit the earth' in a world of 'get out of my way so I can have what I want'.
* It is 'seek ye first the Kingdom of God' in a world of 'well, what can I get out of this?'.
* It is goodness in a world where impurity is rampant.
* It is giving your first fruits to God in a world where materialism is esteemed.
* It is 'turn the other cheek' in a world of get rid of those you don't like.
* It is 'spare the rod and spoil the child' in a world where 'having a talk' and discipline by reasoning is the norm.
* It is 'whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men' in a world of backstabbing and political correctness.
* It is 'sell everything and follow Me' in a world bent on having the newest and the latest.
* It is modesty in a world where mothers dress their daughters to be "cute" and "sexy" from age 4.
* It is male leadership and female submission in a world where men are becoming non-leaders and women are becoming dominant.
* It is love and acceptance in a world of resentment and revenge.
* It is grace freely given in a world where 'you owe me' is the daily agenda.
* It is 'peace, be still' in a world of never ending activity.
* It is the Word in a world where people would rather be visually entertained than pick up a good book.
* It is 'I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father, but by me' in a world of cultural relativism.
* It is 'whatever you do to the least of these, you do to Me' in a world of pushing aside the less fortunate, poor or weak.
* It is 'for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, 'til death do us part' in a world of marriage for convenience sake.
* It is 'loving your wife as Christ loved the church' in a world of liposuction, fad diets and plastic surgery.
* It is 'honor thy father and mother' in a world where young people don't know what the word respect means.
* It is communicating with the God of the universe in a personal and passionate way in a world of self-help advisors.
* It is the One, True God in a world where we have become our own gods.
* It is 'if you want to be great in the Kingdom, learn to be a servant' in a world of people demanding to be served.
* It is 'loving your neighbor as yourself' in a world of egocentricity.
* It is 'holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come' in a world of lewdness and profanity.

There is a reason that Satan was termed "The prince of this world".

Thoughts on What I Think

I just returned from my 30 year reunion at VFCC (Valley Forge Christian College). YUP, I am old! :)
Had an awesome time with friends that I haven't seen, well... in thirty years! Some, I had seen 28 years ago at weddings and such and one friend that moved to my home state of Virginia I have seen since, but otherwise, besides keeping in touch via Facebook and Christmas cards, that was it.
There were 22 of us that attended the actual dinner. I know that doesn't sound like a lot of people, but it really was a good turnout. The other classes had less than we did, so I was very pleased.
Great to reminisce and share old times and laugh.
Also, got to hang out at a really neat Bed & Breakfast (my first encounter) about 10 miles from campus. It was a beautiful Victorian home and my three best friends from school days and their hubbies all stayed there. So, we had an awesome time. Again, reminiscing. And did I mention that we laughed a lot?
One of the activities that we attended was the Friday morning chapel service at VFCC. Chapel is required every weekday.
Okay, so here are the thoughts I was thinking (is that redundant?)
Chapel service was good. I was struck, though, by the dress-code or lack of one. I know, I'm old, I already said that, but, come on folks, this is a Christian college and this is a incubator for ministry and excellence, right? Can't we at least wear a decent shirt, jeans with no-holes and something besides flip-flops to chapel?
I know, we're trying to be "culturally relevant" (that term scares me sometimes) but it's not like these kids are out in the world reaching people while they're in chapel. There needs to be some semblance of standard here. I'm all for reaching people where they are at, but I'm also for there are correct times and places for casual and sloppy clothing.
I just think our culture is changing so much and we are trying to fit in so much that we are forgetting who we are and that we do need to be different. I am NOT saying that we hang on to the old just for the sake of hanging on to the old. But I also think there is danger in trying to be just like the world in everything we do and say.
I know it's a dangerous subject to open. But I did and that is what I think. What's wrong with looking nice? What's wrong with dressing up (not even dressing up, but just wearing decent pants and a decent shirt)? What's wrong with wearing shoes instead of flip-flops or going barefoot? Which one will exclude people? Which way will include and make people feel more comfortable?
I realize our culture has become extremely casual and informal. Not only have we done it in our dress, but in our morality. And I believe that the two can be connected. I did not say that just because you dress casually means you are immoral. (I am one who loves to walk around in a t-shirt and jeans.) But, I do believe that we have let our guard down as Christians and we have accepted the "norm" of society as our own norm. I think clothing is just one of many areas that we need to be careful with. It also includes issues of what and how Christian women should dress and modesty. Okay, there, I said it! You may not agree, but that's what I think.
Anyway, we had a great time and did I mention that we laughed a lot?

BOOK REVIEW #2 - Find Your Strongest Life

Well, here it is. My much anticipated 2nd book review. HA. Just kidding.

But I did just finish reading my second book published by Thomas Nelson Publishers and wanted to share my review with you.

The book is entitled: Find Your Strongest Life - What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently and the book was authored by Marcus Buckingham.

Personally, I did not care much for this book. Here are my reasons:

1. The book was published by Thomas Nelson Publishers which means (to me) it's going to be a book with some sort of Christian world-view. Right? Well, nope, not even a little bit. I am sure Marcus Buckingham is a great guy, but he didn't mention God one time in the book. There was one chapter where he used a certain lady as an example and the fact that she had a "great faith" as he termed it. But that was it. I was really surprised.
I guess because, to me, any success at all that we derive in life, male or female, comes from the Lord. And He is the One who is in charge of our lives. He is the road map that we need to direct our lives and He is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

2. The premise of his writing was based upon an experiment he conducted on the Oprah Winfrey show. He had 30 women come to the show and talk about why or why not they felt their lives were meaningful, fulfilled, etc... I, personally, have a difficult time with Oprah these days. She has openly talked about her New Age belief system and I don't think that I want to draw from that kind of input.

3. This book was filled with many statistics and examples of women he had talked to over the course of his research for the book. It had the feel of a "women's lib" kind of take from the moment I started reading it.

It was basically just your typical self-help kind of book. I gleaned nothing new from this one at all. I found this book to be geared more toward the working business-minded woman who wants a career above all else. Nothing wrong with that, mind you. But, because of that, I found that his basic premise of what constitutes "success" to be flawed.

There is also an on-line quiz you can take, which in just a mere 23 questions, gives you your strengths and weaknesses. Both of my daughters took this and neither of them felt the quiz was at all accurate.

Finally, in my opinion, it doesn't matter how many quizzes I take or how deep I look within myself to find out what motivates me, energizes me and keeps me committed; I can never reach my fullest potential without Jesus Christ. I have had to juggle a marriage with a full-time job, have had to work outside the home when my kids were little to help put food on the table and have had a time of getting to be at home and homeschool my children. All of these experiences in themselves have not helped me to have stronger relationships, stronger kids, stronger joy. The one and only thing that has kept me through the wonderful and difficult times has been my relationship with Christ. He made me and He knows what is best for me. He knows me inside and out and if I am listening to Him, then He will direct me and show me the areas in which I am weak. Does that mean I don't seek wise counsel and find out more about myself and how I fit in this world in which He has placed me? Certainly not! But the counsel I seek is wise counsel based on God's word. I do not think this book's philosophy or approach are things that will benefit me as a Christian woman, wife and mother.

Tea from Gay Pa-ree

Most of you know that I am a collector of teapots and teacups.

Well, my very thoughtful aunt just returned from Paris and brought me back this adorable tea set.

I just had to show it off!

Believe

If you don't know me, I am a die-hard Atlanta Braves fan. This year, for the first time since 2005, the Braves have an opportunity to get into the postseason. It's a very scant opportunity as they cannot clinch their division title and are 2 games out from the Wild Card race, with the Colorado Rockies holding first place. Basically, we have to win every game left in order to do this. We have won 13 out of our last 15 games. We have a chance. I hope we can do it! I would love to see them get in, they have worked hard. GO BRAVES!! (Tomahawk Chop)

Substitute Teaching

Well, I finally got an email the other day from Oconee County and I am going in mid-October for the substitute teaching course.

It's been a long ride for me trying to figure out what God wants me to do with my life after my son is through with his homeschooling. This will be in three years.

I have been praying and asking the Lord to give me direction because I'm going to need to have a job to help financially with the college bills.

I felt the Lord spoke to me back in the spring to put my resume out there and just see what happens. Well, I didn't get any bites.

I haven't officially worked anywhere for a long time. I was an office manger for Honeywell way back before hubby and I got married and had good experience and references for that. I also worked in D.C. as a secretary and have had several great experiences with secretarial and office managerial positions. But, after we got married, I have basically been a stay at home/homeschooling mom. I don't regret one minute of it. I know it has been the path that the Lord has had for me. I wouldn't trade it for anything, but that time is coming to a close and the next step is????

Anyway, over the last 10 years, I have taught part time at the local Technical college. I've taught Spanish to adults in the Continuing Education Program at the Tech. College. I have absolutely loved doing that. About 5 years ago, another location asked me to come teach Spanish. So, I have been teaching Spanish to adults there as well. I have also been teaching English as a Second Language to Hispanic people for about 5 years and this has been a delightful experience for me. It has also given me the opportunity to improve my Spanish conversational skills. (For those of you that may not know, after graduate school, I lived in Paraguay for a time as a short-term missionary and this is where I became fluent in Spanish.)

The reason I'm sharing all of this is that I feel as if I have some really good experience and I have some great references. But, because I don't have a teaching certificate, it's going to be virtually impossible for me to be hired as a teacher.

I could kick myself for not taking the two or three extra classes that were required of me in college to get certification. At the time, I never saw myself teaching or enjoying teaching. Lesson learned. And something to think about for those of you who think "I'll never do that"!

So a good friend at church has been giving me some ideas on ways that I can get into the school system.

1. I could go back to school and spend $10,000 to get my certification. I mean, I already have a Masters Degree and, plus, I really don't have that kind of money, nor the time to do that.

2. I could also take the GACE test. This is a test offered to residents of Georgia that is basically a proficiency test. My friend at church that took it (and she is really more proficient in Spanish than I am) told me that the written part was easy but the verbal part was difficult. My verbal skills are "okay" but I'm not too hopeful.

3. The other avenue, that she mentioned to me, was getting in as a substitute and being in a school system and basically "selling" your skills to them. Show them how good of a teacher you really are (which I am a good teacher - and I don't mean that in a proud way) and then when the time comes that they have an opening, they will pick you first. From there, the school system can help me to obtain my certification.

It's all a very complex process and I am still not sure I understand it all. But I am excited for this opportunity to become a sub.

I am just praying and asking the Lord to open the right doors. I feel as if I have done my part and now, I will stand back and see what happens!

Autumnal Equinox

The Autumnal Equinox - fancy term for First Day of Fall! It is only one of two days during the year when the length of day and night is the same.

Yes, it's here. My favorite season of the year. (hey, that rhymes!)

Why is it my favorite? Well, let me count the ways:

Beautiful leaves, cooler temperatures, less humidity, pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving, Christmas, shopping, ornament exchange, pumpkin bread, baking, fireplaces, long socks, sweaters, family traditions, Christmas trees, decorations, hot cider, crisp mornings, pumpkin pancakes.

Welcome Fall!! Fall, oh, how I love thee!!

Tea Drinker

Yes, I am a tea drinker. I like it "English" style. With lots of milk and sugar. Oh, and, by the way, my very favorite tea is PG Tips. Most popular and consumed tea in Britain, (now that's saying something).

Well, why in the world am I sharing this info. with you? Well, I'm entering a contest and I need to post the contest host information here. Hopefully I will win the prize. What's the prize? Well, a really nice tea brewing mug! Wow, do you know how much I would love to have that thing?

Anyway, if you love tea, you might want to check out this blog: The Tea Scoop

Wish me luck!!

Remember when....

I remember when I was little, all of my siblings and I had our own favorite cartoon character. I remember us going around the room occasionally and saying, "mine is..." Well, mine was Tweety Bird. I loved him!

Anyway, he's celebrating his 60th birthday! Wow. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TWEETY BIRD!

Social Media Revolution

Posted on Collide Magazine's website. This is a great video. Are we gonna be left behind if we can't keep up?

That Time of the Year

It's that time of the year. When the world turns it's eyes to the gridiron. Well, everyone, except me, that is. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate football or anything; I really don't. It's just not my favorite sport. But, I am learning by living in a college town (or living near one) how important college football is to the culture of these people. It's crazy! I mean, really crazy! I mean, the Braves are still playing baseball (not too good, but, hey, they're still playing) and everyone is yelling "WOOF, WOOF".

I really don't mind. I grew up in the D.C. area and the Redskins, Sonny Jurgensen and Joe Theisman were household words. I just haven't learned all the terminology, the love for one of the ugliest dogs I've ever seen (bulldog) and all the hooplah. I still haven't figured out what it is they yell everytime they punt! I am sure I will eventually get there, but, in the meantime, I hope the rest of you have an awesome season and that your team does the best and makes you proud.

I will continue to root for my Braves and pray for a miracle and maybe someday I will love the Bulldogs with as much fervor.

Maybe I'll see you someday "between the hedges"!!

BOOK REVIEW #1 - The Noticer

Well, I just completed my very first book from Thomas Nelson Publishers and am now going to share my review with you.

The book is entitled "The Noticer" and was written by Andy Andrews.

This was an awesome book! It is fiction but has the feel of a true-to-life story during the read. The author takes his account of an elderly gentleman who is, over a period of time, befriending "needy" individuals and sharing his wisdom and insight with each of them. Each chapter highlights a new person and each chapter is, in and of itself, a new story. All, though, are woven together, by the author, into a beautiful story of hope and encouragement.

I'm not going to spoil the story for you by giving you details, because I really hope that you will pick it up and read it for yourself. It's quite an easy and quick read and the author gives plenty of detail to keep you going but you are not bogged down at all during the book. But, I will say, that this book has tons of everyday, practical advice and wisdom that all of us can use. Lots of day to day gems to hold onto in this book.

The thing I came away with is it's all about "perspective". And, when we start seeing things differently, it can, literally, change our lives.

I hope you will consider reading this book. I am actually recommending every member in my family to read it. If you would like to purchase your own copy, you may do so here.

It's Been A While....

It really has been a while and I have to admit that I have been unfaithful to my blog and the scores of readers out there following my every word. Yes, I must confess, that Facebook has consumed all of my literary genius, albeit quite pathetic that it is :)

Seriously, though, I have enjoyed Facebook; the main reason being that I have gotten to re-connect with college buds and friends from past ministry days. It's been a blast from the past, so to speak!

But, fear not, faithful followers! I have returned!!

I am also now an official Thomas Nelson Book Blogger! What in the world is that, you ask? Well, basically, I get to pick a whole bunch of books that I am interested in reading, they send me an e-book copy and I read a certain book and then review it on my blog. So, it's pretty fun! (Thanks to Rachel for this idea)

I have just finished reading my very first book and will be posting my review in the upcoming days. Don't miss out! It really was an awesome read!

Well, enough for today, kiddies.... I will be seeing you soon.

(All of the above done "tongue in cheek")

Culture War

Lots going on in our country over the past couple of weeks. Things that concern me as an American and more so as a Christian. Here's my take:

1. You may have heard that while in Turkey two weeks ago, President Barack Obama stated that America is not a Christian nation. This is at least the 2nd time that Barack Obama has made this very strong statement.

2. Last week, Newsweek featured on its cover a story entitled “The Decline and Fall of Christian America.” The Newsweek article asserts that Christianity has less influence on our culture today than at any time in our nation’s history.

3. Georgetown University, a Catholic institution, covered up religious insignia symbolizing the name of Jesus during President Obama's address there Tuesday after the White House requested the change.

4. The anti-tax "tea party" protests were held Wednesday across the country and cable anchors and guests -- who for weeks had all but ignored the story -- covered the protests by cracking a litany of barely concealed sexual references using the word "tea-bagging". (I'll let you Google it if you're not sure of it's meaning.)

5. The government considers you a terrorist threat if you oppose abortion, own a gun or are a returning war veteran. This report came out by the Dept. of Homeland Security and is titled "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment".

So, what does it all mean? Well, it means the war we are really fighting right now is a cultural war. We've been fighting this war really since time began, because, as always, it's a fight against good vs. evil. But, we've got people in power right now that are on the wrong side. And it hasn't taken long, since the change of administration, to see the direction that this tide is taking. To me it's a blatant attack on conservative values. It's a purposeful decision to break down any and all connections this country has embraced, believed in and followed regarding Christianity and Jesus Christ.

I don't know where this will take us as a nation. I don't know the effect it will have on us as a collective group. I do know that we are not wrestling against flesh and blood but against principalities. (Eph. 6:12) I also believe the Church has got to stand strong right now. We've got to make a difference. We've got to pray. We've got to raise the standard. We've got to make it clear where we stand.

It's time for the wishy-washiness of Christians to be over. It's time for religion to be replaced by life change. It's time for salt and light to be tasted and seen!
It's time for the Church to be the Church. The blood-washed Bride of Christ, ready for her Lord to come and get her.

Now, that is CHANGE that I believe in!

From Plastic Eggs and Chocolate Bunnies to a Cup of Joe

Wow, where has the month gone? Wasn't it just St. Patrick's Day?
Oh well, here we are and it's Easter Sunday tomorrow.
I was doing a bit of shopping today and getting ready for tomorrow and thinking back on how much life has changed for me over the last few years.
As I was browsing the aisles of WalMart today I saw young moms picking up the big cellophane wrapped eggs full of candy and buying bags of plastic eggs, chocolate, etc... Some were walking with their little girls and looking for that special Easter dress.
Well, my kids are just about all grown up. We did go shopping for Easter clothes a few days ago, but I don't get to pick what I like anymore. :)
I actually still make each of my children a basket; well it's really a bag with candy and some special little gift. Nothing too big. This year, since I have almost adults on my hands, I purchased Starbucks gift cards for two of my kids and the other daughter doesn't drink alot of coffee so she's getting a Verizon gift card. Honestly, I didn't know what to get her and she is saving up for a new phone.
So, many things have changed around here.
But some things don't change. The fact that all of my family believes in the life-changing resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The fact that we all get to go to church together tomorrow and worship our Risen Lord!!
So, as I reflect back, I don't really miss the chocolate and the eggs. It's just another season of my life. But I am still so grateful for that Cross and for the sacrifice that Jesus made for me. He is not dead, but He is risen indeed!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Red Envelope Day

If you're on Facebook, then you probably have already heard about this important day.

If not, I hope you will participate.

Red Envelope Day is March 31, 2009, and involves as many people as will, a chance to show our new President that we are against abortion, but in a quiet, peaceable but powerful way.

Purchase or make a red envelope and put the President's address on the front:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back, write this message:

This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion.
It is empty because the life that was taken is now unable to be a part of our world.

We will all mail our envelopes on March 31, 2009.

I hope you will participate in this cause for unborn babies.

For more information, please click on the link above.

How It Works in Illinois and NOW in Washington - aka BIG GOVERNMENT

Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House in D.C.;

One from Illinois, one from Tennessee, and a third from Kentucky.

They all go with a White House official to examine the fence.

The Tennessee contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring,
Then works some figures with a pencil.
"Well," he says, "I figure the job will run about $900: $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me."

The Kentucky contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says,
"I can do this job for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100
profit for me."

The Illinois contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers,

"$2,700."

The official, incredulous, whispers back, "You didn't even measure like the other guys!

How did you come up with such a high figure?"

The Illinois contractor whispers back, "$1000 for me, $1000 for you, and we hire that guy from Kentucky to fix the fence."

"Done!" replies the government official.

And that my friends, is how it all works in Illinois and in Washington~

Techno-Culture - Why Facebook Is For Old Fogies

(Debbie's personal note: I did not write this article, but think it is hilariously true.)

by Lev Grossman - printed on Time.com

Facebook is five. Maybe you didn't get it in your news feed, but it was in February 2004 that Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg, along with some classmates, launched the social network that ate the world. Did he realize back then in his dorm that he was witnessing merely the larval stage of his creation? For what began with college students has found its fullest, richest expression with us, the middle-aged. Here are 10 reasons Facebook is for old fogies:

1. Facebook is about finding people you've lost track of. And, son, we've lost track of more people than you've ever met. Remember who you went to prom with junior year? See, we don't. We've gone through multiple schools, jobs and marriages. Each one of those came with a complete cast of characters, most of whom we have forgotten existed. But Facebook never forgets.

2. We're no longer bitter about high school. You're probably still hung up on any number of petty slights, but when that person who used to call us that thing we're not going to mention here, because it really stuck, asks us to be friends on Facebook, we happily friend that person. Because we're all grown up now. We're bigger than that. Or some of us are, anyway. We're in therapy, and it's going really well. These are just broad generalizations. Next reason.

3. We never get drunk at parties and get photographed holding beer bottles in suggestive positions. We wish we still did that. But we don't.

4. Facebook isn't just a social network; it's a business network. And unlike, say, college students, we actually have jobs. What's the point of networking with people who can't hire you? Not that we'd want to work with anyone your age anyway. Given the recession--and the amount of time we spend on Facebook--a bunch of hungry, motivated young guns is the last thing we need around here.

5. We're lazy. We have jobs and children and houses and substance-abuse problems to deal with. At our age, we don't want to do anything. What we want is to hear about other people doing things and then judge them for it. Which is what news feeds are for.

6. We're old enough that pictures from grade school or summer camp look nothing like us. These days, the only way to identify us is with Facebook tags.

7. We have children. There is very little that old people enjoy more than forcing others to pay attention to pictures of their children. Facebook is the most efficient engine ever devised for this.

8. We're too old to remember e-mail addresses. You have to understand: we have spent decades drinking diet soda out of aluminum cans. That stuff catches up with you. We can't remember friends' e-mail addresses. We can barely remember their names.

9. We don't understand Twitter. Literally. It makes no sense to us.

10. We're not cool, and we don't care. There was a time when it was cool to be on Facebook. That time has passed. Facebook now has 150 million members, and its fastest-growing demographic is 30 and up. At this point, it's way cooler not to be on Facebook. We've ruined it for good, just like we ruined Twilight and skateboarding. So git! And while you're at it, you damn kids better get off our lawn too.

Interesting Poll

A recent poll of more than 350,000 Americans on the importance of religion revealed that the nation is separated into enclaves of widely divergent viewpoints on faith, with some states and regions clearly religious and others significantly secular.

Gallup conducted a telephone poll of 355,334 U.S. adults, asking the question, "Is religion an important part of your daily life?"

As one might suspect, states from the "Bible Belt" scored the highest, with 85 percent of Mississippians and 79 percent of Tennesseeans, for example, answering yes.

The poll also revealed, however, that in addition to the Bible Belt, the U.S. also has a pair of "secular strips."

The New England states of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine scored the lowest in the nation, with only 42 percent of Vermont residents – or less than half the percentage of those in Mississippi – answering yes.

The other "secular strip" can be found in the West, where Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Nevada all scored in the bottom 10 states for affirming religion's importance in daily life.

Across the country's entirety, 65 percent of the respondents affirmed that religion is an important part of their lives.

Happy Valentines Day

In Search of the "Perfect" Phone

My hubby has a birthday coming up really soon. He's one of those people that, to me, is hard to shop for. He pretty much likes hunting stuff and fishing stuff; and he buys what he needs in that department. I've given him shirts, ties, sweaters, etc...
So my idea, this year, was to get him a new cell phone. Not just any cell phone, but one that he can really use and enjoy.
He's an investment broker and many of his cohorts at Edward Jones have purchased Smartphones. This is to enable them to not only make calls and schedule appointments but also to be able to download client portfolio information, transfer from his office computer to his phone any information at the touch of a button and stay up with the stock market, etc...
I really think it would be a useful tool for him.
The next question: what kind of phone to get? The only parameters I have from his workplace are a) they don't interface with Blackberry or Palm and b) it has to have at least Windows Mobile 5 or 6.
So, to those of you, my extreme "tech-y" friends, I would welcome feedback. I also don't want to spend an arm and a leg either. Because after you buy the phone you gotta pay for all that extra stuff too! Oh, one other important note - it's gotta be Verizon. Why? Well, when he goes duck-hunting in the fall in Arkansas, Verizon is the only carrier that connects out in the "boonies". So, Verizon is a must!
Comments welcome - thanks!

Sad But True

This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format:

Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?

A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

Q. Where will the government get this money?

A. From taxpayers.

Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?

A. Only a smidgen.

Q. What is the purpose of this payment?

A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-def TVset, thus stimulating the economy.

Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China?

A. Shut up.

A Message from Mike Huckabee

President Obama has every right to select the people he wants and trusts for his cabinet, but the United States Senate has not only the right, but the Constitutional responsibility to make sure those selections are in the best interest of the United States. Senators may not like some of his selections, but shouldn't oppose them due to purely political reasons. There ought to be something that fundamentally disqualifies a person from being confirmed. In the case of Treasury designee Timothy Geithner, they have an issue that should force President Obama to give us a better choice.

As I've said, you shouldn't RUN the IRS if you have a history of running from it.

I'm sure he's a nice man and has many endearing qualities, but not paying $34,000 in personal taxes and then saying "oops" doesn't cut it. It doesn't work that way for you.

I urge you to email or call your Senator this weekend or first thing Monday and let him or her know that giving Geithner a job as Treasury secretary is an insult to every citizen who pays his or her taxes on time. Call every talk tadio program you can and speak out. Go to the blogosphere and urge action on the part of other citizens who are outraged that a many who fails to pay his taxes will get a salary that YOUR taxes pay for. You can go to my website mikehuckabee.com and find the link to the contact information for the members of the Senate.
Go to your computer or your phone. Do it now. Let your voice be heard. If you don't speak out, then you are saying it's okay for the people who run the tax system to skip paying what you have to pay. You might be a strong supporter of President Obama and I'm not asking you to stop-I'm asking you to join me in asking the Senators of our nation to not do disservice to the President and the taxpayers by confirming Timothy Geithner to being Secretary of the Treasury.

Email or call now....the vote on him may be as early as Monday. There is time to stop it.

More Funnies

Funny

I Want to be Found Faithful - Justin Rizzo

I heard this song in church this past Sunday. I've been singing it all week. This is my heart's cry.

Disgusted

Well, I am pretty disgusted right now. If you haven't already heard, the Atlanta Braves have let John Smoltz go. He is going to pitch for Boston.
This is just not right. What is with the Braves? I mean, really, the man has played on this team for 21 years and now it's just over, like that?
I know a lot of players are disgusted and just can't believe that the Braves club didn't fight to keep him or offer him more money.
It's going to be interesting to see what happens, but it sure doesn't make me excited about this year.
Smoltzie gone, it just can't be happening... but it is.

Ringing in the New

Last night was fun.

We had the privilege of celebrating and ringing in the New Year with some great friends, great games and just a great time. Being with my family and friends is probably one of the things I enjoy most about my life. I feel so blessed.

2009 is going to usher in a lot of new things. Some significant things for our nation; such as a new president and the inability to know what that means and what it will hold.

And, personally, I am praying and asking Father God for new revelations from Him for my own life and the lives of those He has entrusted to our care.

I trust Him implicitly with all of the new things coming. I'm so glad I can!