Sunday, March 27, 2005

Friday, March 25, 2005

Okay.........

Okay, I publish the blog and my post from last night was there! Sometimes cyberspace is so weird!

Our new little Kaden

Trying again

I tried last night to post, but it was not meant to be.

I am so saddened by the Terri Schiavo situation. How far this country has strayed from our founding tenats-"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". 3 things that the Federal government are to protect, one of the few places they truly are supposed to be based on our Constitution and judges have claimed jurisdiction and set forth the ability to legally murder those who don't suit our ideals.

Food and hydration, basic needs. We don't deny convicted mass murderers food and water, but we can put this woman through that, as well as putting her family through the hell they are going through.

I'm tired of the argument that her parents can't possibly know her well enough to know what she'd want. Her husband would be the only one. Since when do we not talk with our mothers after we leave our home. My husband knows me better than anyone, I'll agree with that, but my mother knows almost as much, especially about my feelings about life and death. We've dealt with death all our lives, my grandmother, my step-father, my grandfather.

My step-father was paralyzed from the chest down, was still receiving nourishment, but died of cardiac arrest. They attempted to revive him for 45 minutes. It was not meant to be. The same will be true for Terri Schiavo, when it's her time, food and water will not keep her from dying.

The "sanctity of marriage" argument is not holding water with me. He turned his back on the sanctity of his marriage when he stepped outside his marriage vows. I don't care who suggested it or how "frustrated" he was, he made vows to Terri and God to forsake all others until death parted them. He promised to love her in sickness and health, for better or worse. Just like a murderer forsakes his own life when he chooses to take the life of another, so should we recognize that he forsook this marriage when he turned to another woman (and some accounts hold that there have been more than one).

I am comforted by the fact that this situation has been foretold.

2 Tim. 3:1 through 2 Tim. 3:5 (NIV) 1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

But...

2 Chr. 7:14 (NIV) 14if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

This week has been filled with ups and downs for me. Life is difficult, it can be very sad. It's tiring to hear all the negative all the time. It's exhausting to be vilified constantly for your beliefs, but expected to be tolerant of immorality and paganism. It's so wonderful to know that the only thing that as ever truly changed your life is a relationship with Jesus Christ, and yet so sad, people don't want to hear it, don't want to believe it. They don't want to admit their need, pride rules. I know, I've been there, but I can honestly say that I am a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come. I have light in my life, I have hope.

On Wednesday, I went to Sandy's funeral. She explicitly stated that she did not want the funeral to be about her, but about Jesus. That is what her life was about. It was truly a celebration of Jesus. He was exalted. I pray that many recognized the truth and put their faith in Him.

On a joyful note, by step-sister had her baby boy this week! He's beautiful. Today, another little one will enter this world, mommy is in labor right now. We are so excited for Levi to make his entrance. God is good!!

That said, I need to be knitting!!

Thursday, March 24, 2005

So sad...

I am so saddened by the Terri Schiavo situation. I'm struck by the verocity of the people who want her to die. That it is about her dignity, her wishes. If it was her wish, why was the feeding tube ever inserted in the first place?

The left is using words like "right to die", "sanctity of marriage", "small government". But, there are so off base, it's depressing. This is about life. This is about the possibility of rehabilitation. This is about love.

I'm surprised at the support for her husband. He may very well have her interests at heart, but most of his actions don't support that. To claim that he couldn't possibly have self-control and remain monogamous is ridiculous, men have done it many times before. I think it's this culture of sex that we live in. Everything in this life is not about sex. There are so many more important things. Honesty, integrity, faithfulness.

The more this plays out in forums and on talk shows, the more frightened I become for those who are in these situations.

I pray that those who seek to play god will repent and turn to the one true Almighty God. He will not be mocked and He will not tarry forever.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (AMP) "If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

Lord, raise up believers to stand up for you, for the weak, the infirm, the downtrodden. May we pray, seek, crave, and require Your face. In Jesus' name, AMEN

Sunday, March 20, 2005

I'm struggling

I'm struggling today. My friend, Sandy, went home to be with the Lord this morning. I'm not struggling with that, per se, I'm happy she's home, she's out of pain, she's more fully alive than ever before.

I'm struggling with people taking each other for granted. I'm struggling with rudeness, with cruelty, with meanness. I'm struggling with life being short and people hurting each other. There is room for debate and disagreement, but there is not room for belittling, for tearing down, for emotional abuse. You can disagree without disrespect. You can teach and share without making someone feel like dirt. It isn't worth it. Life is short, it's precious, it's filled with blessing. Let's be grateful. Let's count our blessings.

To quote Sandy, "God is good all the time, all the time, God is good."

Friday, March 18, 2005

I'm still around!!

I'm still around and I'm working on transcribing last weeks sermon to post-it was very good and very educational!!

I've also been pondering abortion, the Schiavo case, and moral relativism-so look out, when I get it all together, it could be interesting!!

Knitting--well, I've been working on baby items!!

Friday, March 11, 2005

The Holy Bible, New International Version
Psa. 33:1 through Psa. 33:22 (NIV)


Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.

The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars£;
he puts the deep into storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.
For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.

The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;
from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth—
he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

WorldNetDaily: It's the parenting, stupid

WorldNetDaily: It's the parenting, stupid

This discusses the problems some Christian parents are having.
Okay, a couple of things that I want to address from KR. First, proselytizing. I’m surprised that someone got that from the post that it was referring to. The original post was just an inspirational paragraph about looking to Jesus for hope and strength, but someone chose to perceive it otherwise. So, they have to bash and accuse and be intolerant in the name of tolerance (explain that!).

Then the whole idea of “judging” comes up again. “Don’t judge me”, “don’t tell me my beliefs are wrong” and above all else, “don’t tell me that I’m going to hell.”

Well, I have a few thoughts about all of it! If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you will be able to discern those who are not. It’s pretty simple. You can tell by their fruit. That being said, you were once in their shoes-unbelief. You have a responsibility to love them, show them Jesus in your life, and share the hope that you now have. Judging them based on their sins is foolishness, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Until you come to Christ, the only sin that matters is unbelief. You should warn those around you and you certainly shouldn’t lower God’s standards, you must speak up for righteousness, but man’s righteousness “is as filthy rags”. Without Christ, you cannot be truly righteous.

Now, if someone claims to be a Christian, we can judge.
1 Cor. 5:12 through 1 Cor. 5:13 (NIV) 12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”£

Strongs Hebrew and Greek Dictionary defines judge:

G2919
êñßíù
krinoô
kree'-no
Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish:—avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

We have a responsibility to judge those who claim to be Christians, to hold them up to God’s standards of righteousness.

As for unbelievers and “sinners”, Jesus spent considerable amounts of time with them, eating with them, socializing with them. But, he didn’t mince words. He taught them about the Kingdom of God, how to enter the Kingdom of God, and that obedience is essential and he told them to “go and sin no more.” When he sent his disciples out to share with the people, he told them that if they would listen, share, otherwise, shake the dust off their feet and move on. We need to be open to sharing with those around us, but it’s important to move on if people are hostile to the gospel. Just a few feet down the road, God may have another heart prepared, someone who knows that the Lord is calling them, but doesn’t know what the next step should be.

Our society is in the shape it is in because people kept saying “live and let live”, “who am I to judge”, maybe I should say “the church” is in the shape it’s in because of these things. If the people in the churches were living like they were supposed to, different from the world, maybe Christianity would be more appealing to unbelievers. As it is right now, they just see a bunch of self-righteous people telling unbelievers how to live and letting the church live like the world. They see our divorce rates are just as high as the rest of society, our abortion rates are just as high, and our desires for our children have more to do with a good education and material success than having a relationship with Jesus Christ (this just came out in a recent survey).

Do we keep speaking up for morality? Of course. Do we speak up for truth? Absolutely! Do we correct misconceptions and distortions? Yes! All those things are important, but the most important thing is living it! Showing people Jesus 24/7. He is our example and He is the judge. He will judge those outside the church for their unbelief, their hardened hearts, I don’t have to. I just have to keep sharing, keep loving, keep going!

Today is my 41st birthday. It really is an odd number, but I’m liking my 40’s. I just want to say how thankful I am for the life the Lord has given me. I’m blessed to have a GREAT GOD and SAVIOR, a wonderful husband, wonderful children (who teach me so much), a fabulous, loving mom, an awesome dad, a great step-dad, amazing and awesome friends who encourage and build me up, a godly pastor who leaves no stone unturned, who has taught us the priceless value of God’s Word, of learning it and living it, a wonderful church family, the coolest doggie ever, wonderful internet friends, and so many more blessings that it would take forever to list them!

As my friend, Sandy, would say (even as she awaits her trip home to Heaven), “God is good all the time, all the time, God is good.”

Saturday, March 05, 2005

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!! It's an odd one, 41. Not to exciting, but Mom and I had a good day. I got a makeover at the Lancome counter by the sweetest young woman. I got $150.00 worth of clothes (a beautiful skirt and 3 cotton sweaters) for $29.00. My favorite anti-bacterial soap was on sale at Bath and Body Works for 4 for $10.00. I got a new pair of leather, slip-on Nike tennis shoes for $32.00 (regularly $46.00). I was so excited!! I'm not a great bargain shopper, I never seem to hit it right, but I was thrilled with my great buys!!

Oh, those Asian beetles!!! My friend, JB, commented on them yesterday! They are unbelievable!! I started vacuuming them up on Tuesday evening and we haven't stopped! We use to shake them out outside, but I've decided to flush them and let the septic tank do it's thing! I've probably flushed 300-400 in the last few days. It's wild! The other night, around 3:00 am, I could feel something crawling on my inner thigh, inside my p.j.'s-sure enough, there was a beetle in my pants!! I can't take much more, it's like a bad horror movie.

I taught my first knitting lessons at the market this morning. It went well. I have more students next week and even more the following week. I'm excited. I love passing on the craft.

Well, I'd better get to work. I need to finish one baby sweater this afternoon and put a good dent in another. They are starting to come fast and furious!!

Friday, March 04, 2005

Poor Hubby has been sick again this week. He's finally feeling a little better, but I think he had the flu. The coughing was horrible and the headache and neckache was awful. Of course, it rearranged our schedule for the whole week, but hopefully we're back on track.

I'm quite ready for some warmer weather. The house feels very stuffy and I'd like to get it aired out.

I started reading, The Last Disciple by Hank Hanegraff and I'm very disappointed. Until I started reading this book and doing some research, I had trusted his take on things. Now, I'm not so sure. The book takes a "preterist" view of Revelation and prophecy. They believe that the 1st century persecution by Nero was the tribulation period and the Nero was the beast. I find this very difficult to believe in light of Scripture. I believe that it was a shadow of the wrath to come, but I know that Scripture says that believers will NOT see the wrath of God and that there is a coming wrath. We will suffer persecution, but not wrath. There are just to many questions that have to remain unanswered if you take a preterist view. There are to many things that can't be explained. I found it to be discouraging and at the same time, it fulfills Scripture about scoffers and false teachers.

Once again, the conservative view is under attack on KR. It doesn't seem to matter what the conservative says, it is routinely blasted and discounted. In this case, I don't have anything to do with it. I've learned my lesson, it isn't worth my time, and it's become a foolish argument. No more casting pearls before swine, the dust is shook. I'll keep checking in and I hope to encourage those that are feeling bold, but it's really a private party that many there don't want crashed.

As I've been watching the world around me, news, websites, blogs, I'm often appalled at the level of selfishness. The whole "I, Me" thing. Everything is about bringing pleasure to oneself, fulfilling ones needs, doing what's right for "me" and to heck with the rest of the world. It's sad. There is so little joy, so much bitterness. Maybe, if people weren't so focused on themselves, they'd see things a little differently, be less expectant of government to rescue them.

Well, enough ranting. My mom is taking me out for lunch today for my upcoming 41st birthday. I'm looking forward to it.

I'm almost finished with one baby sweater and started a white Dale pattern last night, something special for JJ to wear when he is dedicated to the Lord.