Merry Christmas!

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

My son the fanatic

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

The Nativity Story.

Watch it.

The Homeschoolers Have It

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

Trust No One

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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

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

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

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...

"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

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

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

Greece

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

Stupidity

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

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

http://ppgi.blogspot.com/