A rear view mirror is an imperative device for the automobile. A full length one for the home is also...  you'd be surprised.

Then, I wish I could convey to fathers and mothers how imperative it is to teach daughters about modesty and discreet behaviour.  And then, I wish I could convey to mothers the importance of being a living example of both.   All of this renewed my desire to set up our sewing and offer modest dresses for women and girls... but, knowing that's a long way off, I'm so thankful for those who offer the clothing and services.  Judging from what's at the retail store, it's sad to see not "sweetness" and no "innocence" for children and women.  I'd say there's just nothing (almost literally!!)  to wear out there!   See our page:  Modesty and Feminine Attire.

Hot Chocolate	January 18, 2006

While attending a predominantly black high-school in San Francisco, I learned very quickly that there was talk between blacks and blacks and talk between blacks and whites and, though unspoken, there was a protocol that was adhered to pretty stringently.  I guess knowing that, I'm able to understand why (while stupid for a politician) Ray Nagin told the assembly yesterday that New Orleans is a "Chocolate City."  Accused of being divisive (and aren't we all?), Mr. Nagin replied: "How do you make chocolate? You take dark chocolate, you mix it with white milk, and it becomes a delicious drink. That is the chocolate I am talking about," he said. "New Orleans was a chocolate city before Katrina. It is going to be a chocolate city after. How is that divisive?"

I don't know if that's divisive or not, but it's sure not going to when friends and influence people.  Or, as we were saying (on an entirely separate topic) at the dinner table tonight, that's a sure way to lose friends and provoke enemies.  I think he is digging himself a deep chasm or as we say around our house when someone's in trouble:  he's in hot-chocolate.  I don't know where the phrase originated or what we were doing at the time, but it's a phrase we use around here quite often.  I don't know if our phrase of being in "Hot-Chocolate!" will now become a MrNagin or not.  I guess it all depends on how deep he digs his trench and what he uses to try and dig himself out of it.

One of his grasping at straws comments about how he was really talking to the black community of New Orleans struck me as genuine.  I understood that line of thinking---again, bad for a politician, but reasonable, given that there's just sort of a way of communication that is unique to the black community within the black community.  It's not present in the white community and I cannot speak for any other.  It was genuine for him to speak that way, because, like it or not, there is a cultural difference and he knows it.

Hillary Clinton should know it, too, so shame on her for her comments at Al Sharpton's National Action Network event at Canaan Baptist Church of Christ yesterday: "When you look at the way the House of Representatives has been run, it has been run like a plantation, and you know what I'm talking about."  That would have been a major faux pas on any day from any white person --- but on MLK Day, it was not only that, but absurd.  There are just things white girls cannot say regardless who they are or think they are.  So, thumbs down on that one.

 I recall days in high school where a confrontation was occurring and a black teacher would be totally ripping a black student up one side and down the other---in language I could only cipher about every second or third word and included something about knowing his mama.  I knew that the whole matter was cleared up when the student sat back in the chair, the 'cake cutter' sticking out of his back pocket and the others students all sat down in their seats and class resumed.  It was truly an eye-opener for a girl who had moved there from a very lily-white community in southern California---but I was a quick study and soon learned that some things were said to one another and some things were  *never* said by an "outsider."  I learned in a hurry and I sure had respect for the students.  And I developed an awesome respect for the teachers who knew how to handle delicate situations with the precision of a surgeon.

The LORD really protected me and guided me through those years because, as I look back now, they were clean and safe---and not much in that city seems to be!   I enjoyed that school after my initial shock wore off---always something happening but never remotely threatening to me and I was oblivious to all the trouble and illegal stuff going on every day.  In addition to all that, it's a wonder, really, that I became a cheerleader on an all-black squad.  Though I was readily accepted, I'm not just sure why.   They had a lot of work to do on me, though.  First thing was to lose the stiff, gymnastic/athletic style of cheerleading I was accustomed to and to learn to do things their way, and to learn when they were talking to me and when they were *not!*  I had to learn that when they were telling me something, that sounded demanding or demeaning, it really was all good and I needn't worry.  When they told me "shake your _____ white girl," that was a kindness and not an attack.  I did learn to be a little less structured and they learned to be a little less... whatever. I learned to eat greens with them and they learned to eat salads with me. 

So, I understand why Ray Nagin would speak in the manner he did---it might not have been prudent, but he was sort of a cheerleader wanting the rest of the squad to shake their booty's and get on back home where he thinks they belong.  And as far as his comment about God being mad at them... well, that a whole other matter.  Maybe... one thing's for sure: He can't be happy about all that goes on there and He might be saying... (literally and figuratively) I told you what happens when you build a city on the sand. 

Money talks	January 17, 2006

Or so the adage goes.  Money talks but big money talks louder and the enemy is swifter and more brazen than all the money in the world---so, when the man with (on paper) the most money in the world, has a company with the clout and dominance of, say, Microsoft, it comes as no surprise that the Goliath of the industry would flex its muscle and influence to promote whatever social agenda it wants.  In another "I have no mouth and yet I must scream" moment, I read of the M$ support of the verbiage of the proposal in the Washington State legislature to include "sexual orientation" to jurisdiction of the Washington State Human Rights Commission.  Local pastors are calling for a boycott of Micro$oft. In addition to Micro$oft, Boeing, Hewlett Packard, and Nike were among several companies who signed a letter last week urging passage of a bill that would add "sexual orientation" to a state law.  It's not that they cannot do what they want *in* their companies, it's that they are using their clout and m-o-n-e-y to effect a social agenda.  And money, they've got.  Muscle they've got.  I don't think boycotting them is going to amount to a stack of shiny plastic CD cases.  I think it would, however, be very interesting if Christians walked off the job or quit working for them.  Ouch... that one might hurt a bit.   Last year, Micro$oft switched its favourable to gay-rights position to neutral.  But I guess this year they decided that they've got enough clout and enough money that no boycott would infringe on their lucrative stronghold in the business world.  It's sort of a given that Microsoft can laugh and scoff at boycotts or even public dismay over other decisions they make.  I mean, really... most of us are using the product---that's product$ with a capital $ !!!!!---and we're certainly not going to go out and buy Mac's or Apples.

So, I'm sitting here at my computer... with its XP operating system, this page utilizing the MS Office and the Frontpage program, the pix utilizing the MS DigitalImage program,  my printer is an HP, my kids are running around in Levi's (another supporter) and Nike's and then to top it off, Boeing, HP and MS are indirectly the great contributors to our family income whenever a Boeing employee's swimming pool needs work.  I guess there'd be lots more businesses on that list and we'd probably be eating, drinking or using one or more of their products at any given moment. 

Like the bully who goes under tables and ties kids' shoelaces to the desk, shoots out strings of disgusting language and innuendos against the 'goodietwoshoes' in the class, disrupts order with his demand for acceptance, steals lunch money from little kids or trips "uncool" kids in the line for the bus, or people who molest little girls or bully people into believing that they have no choice but to accept the assault or the giants of a hostile take over of a corporation or any number of other things people do when they're demanding acceptance of something for their personal gain or validation.  No, I'm not talking about Microsoft as the bully here.  I'm talking about a sect of society that's demanding acceptance of sin and immorality in its relentless attempt to redefine God ordained roles, creation and foundation and ultimately, an assault against the LORD God Himself. 

The bully is the homosexual schema to make itself accepted, endorsed and lauded.  The clever and emotionally gripping stories of ostracization, ridicule, isolation and of being misunderstood add fuel to the seeming unquenchable fire.  The sect of society that is blinding eyes and deafening ears with its barrage of imagery, with clever psychology and application of misinterpreted Scripture and with noise.  Noise that is deafening applied to the deafening silence of the church.  No, perhaps not silence, but ignorance. 

The church is buying the mantra: hate the sin, love the sinner, and in so doing, is accepting/excusing the behaviour, accepting the label "alternative lifestyle" and is seeming unmoved by the gravity of the sin that characterizes that special interest group.  It wouldn't tolerate a lifestyle to continue unchanged and still acquiesce  Homosexuality is sin.  It should be considered such --- just as immorality is sin.  Just as incest is sin.  Just as idolatry is sin.  Just as extramarital or premarital sex is sin.  Just as theft is sin.  Just as worshipping another god instead of God is sin.  Just as wanting another's possessions is sin.  Just as lying is sin.  Just as dishonouring parents is sin. Just as murder is sin.  The whole self-centered agenda of homosexuality and all its fragments and splinter groups is wrong.

  He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth Him.
Proverbs 14.2

It's not cool to take this stand.  It's not chic, it's not keeping up with the signs of the times---it's just not hip to be narrow-minded, judgmental, self righteous or holier than thou---or any of a thousand other labels pinned on people who stand squarely on the Word of God and call things sin when they are sin, wrong when they're wrong, and right when they're right.  To stand against homosexuality means to stand against a whole lot of people------and it means to stand against a whole lot of people who are just following the masses and don't even really know the stakes.  To take a stand against homosexuality means taking a stand against the decisions of family members, friends and co-workers.  It means taking a stand against trends and culture.  It means making a distinction and calling sin what it is----if a man was running around with a woman that was not his wife, he'd be an adulterer. He would be living in sin.  If he confessed that sin, repented and turned from that sin, he would have committed adultery, been forgiven and free in Christ.  He would be clean.  It's not the act that defines the person if they confess it as sin and turn from it.  But a lifestyle of that act, the continuing on and living in that sin is wrong and to seek to justify that lifestyle or live in that lifestyle is wrong.

 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:
neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified,
but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1Corinthians 6.9-11

If a thief stole things, kept stealing and then demanded to be accepted because he was "born that way" or preferred that way or whatever, we would/should say, no; that is wrong, you cannot --- must not do that.  You must turn from that way, for that way is wrong.  You must live honestly and earn money honestly--not stealing from others.  In the same way, homosexuality is wrong, it is against God, His design and His purpose.  To excuse it,  accept it or defend it, is wrong.  The difficult part is to believe this--know this--live this and at the same time, see every person as a creation of God and every person with worth.  To see every person as God sees every person---this, indeed is most difficult.  Every person is in need of redemption---every person has sinned, is born in sin and is in need of the Saviour.  No one is exempt. 

What a small price to pay for the very short time we live on earth... defending the Word of God, worshipping at His footstool and proclaiming His great glory.  Many are saying that Christians are most known for what they're against---perhaps that's what people hear---but in reality, that not what Christians are (or should be saying) saying.  They're not saying what *they* are against, they are saying (hopefully) what the Bible says on this or that matter.  Truth is, the Bible is presents a stinging indictment against us all.  For all fall short of the glory of God, all are in need of salvation, none are righteous, no not one.  For this, this reason, Jesus came, lived a sinless life, God in the flesh, and dwelt among us, died on the cross for the atonement for sin, raised from the dead, ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of God and now makes intercession for those who who call Him LORD.  It's not my righteousness that makes me free, but the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ, my saviour, makes me free.  When I stand before God, it will not be my works, my life, my righteousness He sees, but Jesus---He will stand before me and will be my plea.  I am free because Jesus is my plea.

 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke,
in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ,
that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Philippians 2.15-16

The excellent winter adventure to BC	January 16, 2006

With many thanks to our son and daughter-in-law, our parents and sister and brother-in-law, we sure enjoyed the wonderful trip to Harrison  Hot Springs in Canada.  It was virtually empty some of the time and so we felt very spoiled as we sat in pools and ate meals with very few other people around at any time.  January is a wonderful time to go there.  We sure missed our children, though... so, I sure hope we'll be able to take them there again one day.   We'll watch for a stronger dollar---it's a great value when the dollar is stronger.  I'm so glad we went... and, so glad we had passports as that made crossing the border back into the States much easier---that, and we didn't really buy anything.  He enquired whether or not we'd brought back any vegetables or beef---we chuckled, no, we ate it all. ~wink~  The Border Patrol said that passports are required for adults and apparently will be for children over 14 beginning January 1, 2007.  And all travelers 01/08.  Interesting tidbits.

  
we would sit in the pools and spa in the evening and early mornings... though it was raining,
the water was very warm---sometimes hot, from the hot springs.  It was beautiful.

Here's a flash back... from a trip Wes and I made there nearly four years ago with the little dolly: 
It's a treasured memory I'll never forget:  those days and the gift they've been as the memories have
all been so sweet.   ..it's a long goodbye to the little dolly who's growing up so fast.

daddy and the little duckling ... april 02

The hard line of taking a hard line.	January 16, 2006

It's not hard to take a hard line on social, political, spiritual or moral issues, anybody can take a hard line on just about anything.  Just ask a guy what truck is best or what tool is best---you'll get a pretty hard line answer.  Ask a mother about her children, ask her opinion on anything --- what *mayonnaise* to use---hard liners will have an opinion.  Some issues are a blend that's blurred: political-moral, social-moral, political-spiritual, etc., etc.  Anyway... I'm brought to weeping over the sweeping changes in the world and the swift moving machine that's demanding its way and is mowing down truth and righteousness.

So, I'm reading the headlines and some of the news stories.  I'm numbed by the flagrant arrogance of man.  I'm numbed by the disregard for righteousness and the self-importance and (self)superiority  of man.  Considering these reports and many others that are thought-consuming, it's with anticipation that I read the news of activities in and surrounding Israel.  It's seeming more appropriate than ever to keep a Bible in one hand as the other clicks on the news pieces.  Terrorism against the US seems to me to be relatively small compared to the terrorism against Israel spanning decades, or rather, centuries. The arrogant response to the Israel's threats of retaliation for the Palestinian's reported stockpiling of rockets with extraordinary capability---or so the reports appear.

Speaking of how things *appear* here's a NY times pic of the site of a US airstrike on a village in Pakistan---ooops! Pictures are worth a thousand words---or, possibly, a thousand lies. More on this from The American Thinker. The propaganda machine just keeps on churning along.  Palestine and Israel are just a portion of the strange happenings. 

And then I read further, check mails and do some browsing.  Ah, the Washington State reps are busy... seems like the mill of ideas for [their employment] laws and resolutions just keeps rolling along.  In another attempt to rewrite the law and another attempt to pass bad legislation, we have now:

HB 2661, a bill that would expand the jurisdiction of the Washington state Human Rights Commission to include sexual orientation. There will be a hearing on Tuesday January 17th at 10:00 AM in the O'Brien Building, in Olympia (Hearing Room D) on HB 2661, the bill that replaces last session's bill HB 1515 that failed to pass the Senate by one vote.
(15) "'Sexual orientation' means heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and gender expression or identity. As used in this definition, 'gender expression or identity' means having or being perceived as having a gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior, or expression, whether or not that gender identity, or expression is different from that traditionally associated with the sex assigned to that person at birth;..."

Here's a link to HB 2661- http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2005-06/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/2661.pdf see how ludicrous this could get?  See the variables here?  Gender is for life regardless of what one does to oneself or what one thinks of oneself---even if one hates God, hates himself and hates society around him and seeks to change identity permanently or in his/her mind.  Even if one has a determination to redirect society, God has still created that individual and has specifically designed each one.  This vague and ambiguous language opens the door for incredible twisting of current laws and physical laws, not to mention spiritual laws.

A couple of decades ago, when we still watched TV regularly, I was a Seattle Seahawks fanatic fan.  Sundays were occasionally ordered around games---choosing an earlier service over a later one in order to see the game.  It was a thrilling thing to watch them win and absolutely crushing to see them lose.  I was a George Michael Sportsmachine devotee---staying up till 12:30a to watch the recaps of all the games.  Sad, I know.  Anyway... I heard that the Seahawks were going to be in the playoff's this year... I began thinking of the team: the quarterback and the coach along with Steve Largent and Jim Zorn.  Ah, yes... Dave Krieg and coach Chuck Knox and the old Kingdome.  Oooops, wrong era!  I had to do some quick study to find out that Dave Krieg had been replaced and was not actually the QB any longer---times have changed, some youngster named Matt Hasselbeck---I had to make sure that Qwest Field was even in Seattle when the Seahawks were playing the Redskins on Saturday.  I was still seeing them in the Kingdome----that 67 million dollar structure that was only 24 years old when it was demolished on March 26, 2000.  I remember that so well because it was my birthday---that, and I just remember stuff like that.  I loved going to the 'dome--- to games and Seattle Home Shows and other events.  I recall being astonished at the imploding of the dome----but then, a year and a half later, thought Al Qa'ida  sure knows about imploding buildings!

You'd better be nice to us or we'll call you intolerant.	January 15, 2006

Wowowow, there's lots going on in the news!  Lots going on in our nation/world!  Just when I thought things were really sliding over the edge, I read of another keeling-over-sickening review of a movie and the actor playing the lead role...

I'm weary of the terms bandied about regarding Christians and homosexuality.  I'm weary of the terms: tolerance, of gender-neutral, metro-sexual, enlightened, hip, inclusive, sensitive and the beat goes on.   I wearied by the arrogance of people who are flagrantly flaunting their aberrant lifestyles and then dare Christians to accept their superfluity of naughtiness and demand equality---no, make that superiority (because of *their* openmindedness).  Well, bleck.  Homosexuality is wrong.  And it doesn't matter if I am "sick and tired" of it or not, it doesn't matter if I am fed "up to here!" with it or not. 

Truth is, it mocks God, mocks His creation, mocks God's design and flaunts its insatiable self-importance and self indulgence in sin.  To stand against homosexuality is not homophobic---it's not pride or self-righteousness----and it's certainly not fear. To stand against homosexuality is to stand on the solid rock of the Word of God and defend the truth of God's Word and His supreme glory.  A stand against homosexuality is not driven by fear.  It is not fundamentalism either---thank you very much, Rick Warren, for your latest smear of conservative Christians, saying that Christian fundamentalists are motivated by fear.  In a bizarre statement, he said, [lumping them all together--what is *that*] "Muslim fundamentalism, Christian fundamentalism, Jewish fundamentalism, secular fundamentalism - they're all motivated by fear. Fear of each other."   That was a regrettable statement and ill advised by a man who's in the position he is.   And, that's just more of the same mantra the homosexual community/agenda flagrantly flings at detractors: you're afraid.  Afraid? no. fearing, yes: God-fearing.  Seeking wisdom and understanding in the Fear of the LORD.

Job 28.28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Psalm 111.10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. {a good...: or, good success} {his commandments: Heb. them}
Proverbs 9.10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Isaiah 11.2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

I'm grieved tonight as I write this... grieved over the state of society, the state of man and the necessary fall and judgment that will surely occur.  I'm grieved for the pride of man and the stronghold of the devil in lives and the course of evil that sweeps up and swallows nations.  I'm grieved that people pass on... buying the lie and setting about to ignore the waves of sin and oppression of the enemy. 

Fifty years ago, five men lost their lives at the hands of their enemies.  Many books have been written, much has been made of the courageous lives and their brave stand for the Cross of Christ and the message of Salvation in Jesus.  Much has been written of men who gave what they could not keep to gain what they could not lose.  

So, another movie is about to be released (1/20) and sadly, along with it, a mockery of the very message of the film.  The actor playing the part of Nate Saint (one of the missionaries killed by the Auca Indians on January 8, 1956) is a sodomite, a "gay" activist.  And the casting of this individual seems to have been calculated.  [by this I mean by the ACTOR---not by the producers, writers or the Saints]  Sad, isn't it? 

I have images of a beautifully decorated, perfectly appointed home, where one would take in the view of the hillside from the terrace, there's the beauty and fragrance of fresh cut roses in crystal vases and enjoy the ambiance of the hundreds of candles that light the home.  And then, on the veranda, dinner is to be served on the finest china, crystal and silver on table dressed in white linen.  The seating has been arranged and great is the anticipation of the salad of spring greens and caramelized walnuts and raspberry vinaigrette, the pumpkin soup and sautéed vegetables, Duchess  potatoes, and filet mignon and buttered rosemary-herb bread, the delicious beverage, and the anticipation of the fragrant, rich cup of cappuccino and white chocolate raspberry mousse for dessert---but first, the centerpiece is set in place and it is a platter of hot, rotting, maggot infested tuna on a bed of manure with a dead rose and wilted parsley garnish surrounded by eau de farmland scented candles... and throughout the evening... the wonderful meal is tainted by the centerpiece that demands to be accepted---the centerpiece that dares the diners to call it inappropriate.   Do you see this is what's happening in the world?

Cinema is powerful---imagery and drama is moving and so it's easy to see why believers want to use this means to 'evangelize' or to 'expose' the world to the message of Christ (or so it would seem)-----especially with a message so powerful as that of the missionaries who lost their lives in the jungles of Ecuador.  But the devious ingenuity of the enemy knows no bounds and will go to any extreme to destroy, discredit or dishonour the Word or work of the LORD.  Though he is a *defeated* foe, his fierce attacks are seeming boundless and powerful. And so it is with the casting of the upcoming film: The End of the Spear. 

So the movie is set to be released... and it's sad that such a powerful story of redemption is tainted by the vulgar rant of homosexuals who demand tolerance of their manner of living---that shows no sign of remorse or desire for obedience to the Word of God.   Sad that such a testimony as each of those men's lives were---and---the ongoing fruit of that work is mocked by actors who siphon truth and righteousness out of everything.  You can read about the actor in the movie End of the Spear, here.

O---the church needs to stand on the Word of God...  some are, as this article by Albert Mohler demonstrates.

As sort of a general rule,  I don't usually share personal requests or deeply personal information here on the blog, but I would like to ask readers of this blog to keep two unrelated situations/families in your prayers.  The first is for a family grieving the loss of their mother who died very suddenly while on vacation out of state... the husband and the children were all very close to this dear woman.  Pray for wisdom as they make decisions and plans for the service they were in no way prepared to handle.   The other request is for a precious mother of many children is not well---pray if it be the LORD's will for her recovery and for wisdom, peace for her husband and direction for the family.

The tidal wave	January 14, 2006

There's more to this---and when I finish reading David Kupelian's book, The Marketing of Evil,  I'll write some more---I'm not sure I'll read all the nauseating book that Mr. Kupelian references in his book.  The book he refers to is sort of the homosexual manifesto written in the 90's and is, from what excerpts my husband has read to me thus far, spine-chilling and sobering regarding the reality and agenda of the machine that is mowing down, mocking and controlling America the world.  The Kupelian book is a must read----really.  It's time for the church to get into the Word---the Bible, not messages that sound good or purposes that seem good, it's time to stop the marketing and strategizing of building and filling buildings instead of building up the body and strengthening the homes, it's time for the church to see the carnage of indifference and compromise.  It's time for the church to turn from itself and look to the LORD Jesus.  He is our only hope.  He is the only hope for this plundered world.  If there really are the huge numbers of millions of believers, then there are millions who need to live out what the Word says.  In order for the light to shine it needs to be set out and not hidden.

Things are changing in "the church" all around.  The church must connect with the Word, reject the world and respect of persons.  The church, the bride of Christ must ready itself and live in accordance to the Word and get moving!  I'm not talking about "the conversation" [whatever that means!!] or "the purpose" [again, whatever THAT means] but about real lives, living real life for and in the Light of the LORD Jesus.

 

Facty   Listening to an iPod?  Better keep it down if you still want to listen to it or anything in the future.  iPod's deafening capability could potentially put the company out of business in the next generation; that, or new hearing-aids could be called iPods if their music biz goes under due to the deafness of its clientele.

So, about that fabulous opportunity...	January 12, 2006

It's often---but it's not everyday that my husband says he wants to take me somewhere special.  And it's often, but it's not everyday, that we spend extended times talking or walking together.  So, when the opportunity comes along to both go somewhere special *and* spend extended time together... well, I say: yeeeeeeessss!   What a blessing it was to spend a few days at Harrison  Hot Springs in Canada.  This special Christmas-present-twenty-eighth-anniversary-present was made possible by different family members and our son and daughter-in-law----in addition to our olders-still-at-home watching all the youngers!!!

It was so beautiful----pouring-pouring rain, but beautiful!  I didn't mind the rain coming down at bit as we sat in the pool and spa... naturally heated by the hot springs.  The Salvation Army was having a conference there this week, and so the 'guests' we ran into from time to time were wonderful.  Delicious, over the top meals were also wonderful!  It was truly restful... but I was often restless, wishing to be there and wishing to be back here at home with the family!  Little did we know that *they* were glad for the time to work on their surprise project!!  When I would phone home, they were especially cheerful and interested in what time we'd plan on coming home.  Clever... very clever those olders are!

We came home a while ago to very, extremely, enormously exuberant  children waiting for us at the porch.  I guess we should've known that there was a fabulous surprise waiting for us inside.  I had no idea that my surprises for them would so pale in comparison so as to not even be on the same par as their most excellent surprise!  So, after being practically tackled by one of the middles, and then again by one of the youngers, we made our way up the back steps and into our kitchen and then we were led by the hand to our bedroom --- Omygoodness, WOW! was all we could say to the marvelous surprise that awaited us!  Our olders and a friend had totally redecorated and repainted our bedroom while we were away for a few days.  They painted the upper molding, and the wide baseboards, and even added a chair-rail all around the room.  I couldn't have chosen a better colour and couldn't be more pleased with Kathryn's choice and design.  So, with paint barely dry and curtains freshly ironed and bedding all washed and placed back on the bed, we heard about the antics of this and the previous day as they tackled the project.  Kathryn was glad the hardware store was not far as she made a few trips for paint, more paint and supplies.

It's a lovely colour and so nicely done!   Now... I'm very particular in many ways... and colour is very important to me.  Especially living in the Pacific Northwest(!) colour is tremendously important.  But all the children---especially, Kathryn, know that they cannot go wrong with creamy peaches, apricots, creams and whites... and, for the kitchen, most anything cobalt.   Well, their choices were perfect and we're awfully impressed with the tedious painting of the ceiling, the upper molding and the door panels... and the chair rail, too!  This is a very old farmhouse that's in desperate need of repair in many places and so to update a room instead of replacing or repairing something is sort of decadent.  There are lots of these sorts of inconsistencies in our home---and in our life, I suppose.

They were all giggles and smiles as they told us of the activities and what they encountered over the time we were away.  The true story was a bit different than they reported as we talked to them on the phone---the everything's going fine... just normal stuff wasn't actually what went on at all... I guess that's what added to their excitement.  AND---they were good at masking the busy-ness of each day!!  Now, tonight as they're away at Bible study and we're settling back in... we're smiling too... smiling at the blessings... the showers of blessings.

more later.

So, I have this fabulous opportunity to not BLOG for a few days...	January 8, 2006

And so, I think it's only prudent to take the opportunity... and maybe even write a little about it later.

Daisy chains	January 7, 2006

After writing yesterday's entry, immediately brought to mind was the following piece:

The subtle washing	January 6, 2006

It's so subtle and is happening so slowly and smoothly that it's hardly noticeable to some people---the faint shift from day to day to the acceptance of immorality.  Think for a moment about the church growth "movement" of the last decade or two.  Consider the shift from Christ centered to man centered theology and from Biblical principles to marketing strategies for growth.  Then take into account the music that fills the minds and the airwaves... no longer Christcentric but egocentric.   Consider the shift from Bible study to "focus-groups" that address "felt needs" or personal interests or individual crisis.  And then mull over the ramifications of the "AIDS crisis" over the last twenty-five years.  Very gradually we've been "indoctrinated" to accept people where they're at---to not condemn or judge behaviour and certainly not attribute to sin the consequences of certain behaviours.  So that's been engrained steadily over time by advertisers and the  massive machine of Hollywood---the pseudo social and political experts, the change agents and shapers of cultural norms--the destroyers of family and morality.  Hollywood's been very cleverly working to redirect the thinking... the subtle washing, the crafty work of emotionally moving videos.  I reflect on two movies I've seen this year... the characters which command acceptance.  The lifestyles that demand tolerance---so cunning is the inclusion of two women as parents of a boy in Kicking and Screaming... Two men as a couple in The Family Stone... and in another movie which we did not/will not see was the assaulting of the sensibilities by a pair of cowboys.    Over the years, homoseuality has been slowly creeping into movies and television so that it's like the proverbial frog in the pot... slowly, as the heat is increased, the frog boils to death---never jumping out of the pot because of the slow acclamation to the heat.

So all this has happened and the church nods off.  All this is happening and the church is busy building bigger barns and catering to felt needs.  Reading paraphrases of paraphrases of the Bible.  Singing inane songs with sensual tones and repetitive lines of few words.   And then, taking into consideration the enormity of church "attendance" and the extraordinary availability of Biblical information, helps, guides, studies, buildings, buildings, buildings, seminaries, and Bible schools, it is deplorable that there's isn't notable Christian influence and appearance in this nation.  There really ought to be a difference... there ought to be distinctively different look and action of Christian individuals... individuals who are not their own---individuals who've been bought with a price, redeemed from the curse of the Law.

I've been thinking of some different letters I've received concerning movies, the sales of clothing with clearly anti-Christian symbols, the legislature and other topics where there is clearly an open antagonistic and sometimes hostile view of Christians---not so much of religion per se, not anti-God, but anti-Christ.   It's actually kind of chic to be religious--not Jesus-religious, but yoga religious, christian-science religious, new-age religious, mystic religious, and the whole gamut of sorcery sort of religious---anything but Jesus.  It's very common for people to accept talk of God---but totally bristle at the mention of the Lord Jesus---which is totally bizarre ---considering the awesomeness of the LORD God---not the pseudo-god who is known as the "higher power" in the world of Emmet Fox, Norman-Vincent Peale or Robert Schuller or all the people currently influenced by them---but God, the God of the Bible, the God of the Universe, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob---the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Isn't it amazingly ironic---the God is so cavalierly held in mind, esteemed so common as to be used as a household expletive. So, God is acceptable---sort of the universally accepted -word- but not the God of the Bible.

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me."   John 15.18-21

Our lives ought to be---must be---different because of the terrific price paid on our behalf:  Titus 2.14 "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."   But, sadly, our lives are often not all that much different at all.  Our behaviour, words and appearance really ought to outwardly reflect the inward change of our lives.   I was thinking back on a situation recently where we were attending a program and I distinctly recall watching the men watching the women in attendance.  The "holiday" attire was alluring and the line of distinction between modest and immodest was blurred.  But what saddened me the most was the tightly packed row of teenagers immediately in front of us.  Throughout the evening there seemed to be a constant preoccupation with the pants and the tops--so involved in making sure the tops were meeting but not covering the top of the pants, the victoria'ssecret tag in view, and then when sitting down, it was painfully obvious that the pants were too low.  I was embarrassed for the young ladies;  I found myself feeling sorry for them as they were more concerned with their view of their appearance than with the statement their appearance was really making.  I felt sorry for the obvious distraction they were to the young men who kept glancing and then looking away.  I felt sorry for the lack of understanding of modesty---not just in appearance but in behaviour.   I was sorry for the parents who were not in proximity to the young people and weren't watching the situation.  And seemingly hadn't been part of the purchasing process, either.

So, when I think of all the anti-Christian rhetoric and the slurs and insulting music, movies and merchandise, I guess I consider the Word and what the LORD has said would happen, I consider the state of the church today--its message, in many places, so anemic.  I pray... come, Lord Jesus---for He is the only One who can save--- Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

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If Coffee Cups Could Talk...	January 5, 2006

What amazing things they'd say... that is, if coffee cups could talk.  I think they'd proclaim the sweet things we've said, the hard things we've shared, the bitter things we've thought and the hundreds of other things we meant to say but didn't---what an amazing thing it would be if coffee cups could talk.  'Guess I'm glad they don't for the treasured secrets would be betrayed and destroyed bcz they were made know and the dreams that never came to pass might be scoffed at and the mulling over disappointments would bring us a bit of shame, I suppose.  But then, on the other hand, if coffee cups could talk, there'd be lots of glorying about the astonishing accomplishments of each of the children, the sweet stories of days gone by and the bittersweet memories that are often shared over a cup of coffee.  

Coffee's sort of the great equalizer here at our house.... and sitting down for a cup of coffee always seems to bring clarity to cloudy things, joy to sorrowful things and laughter to tears.  I'm not sure why it is that coffee's such an 'event' or why it has the effect it does.  And no, it's not the caffeine--- it's the experience, I guess and the slowing down to share a moment in the busyness of the day.  Tea's this way too, I suppose---but I never sit with my husband for a cup of tea---it's always coffee.  But the girls will sit with me for a cup of tea---and of course the favourite is to go up to Starbucks for whatever they're brewing up.  So... if coffee cups could talk, what memories they'd share----

But if Starbucks cups could talk, they'd say cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching.   If the 'conversation starters' on the Starbucks are any indicator, the coffee cups are already proclaiming quite a bit of the thinking of some American minds.  All the controversy sparked by "The Way I See It" quotes on the side of the coffee cups would prove very interesting, by the way.   There's talk from time to time regarding the "anti-Christian" or the "pro-homosexual" messages printed on the cups.   Ironically, I forget to read the quotes bcz I tend to have the coffee so hot that I ask for a sleeve for the cup---but when I do remember to read the quotes, I'm often just shaking my head.

I you're looking for cool cups you might check the Espresso Zone or if you know the type of cup you like, look on eBay.

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Choosing... a resolution	January 3, 2006

I guess of all the New Year's resolutions I might seek and hope to keep, I pray would be my daily preoccupation: to be quiet before the LORD, to seek His Face,  to hear His Voice and to obey His Word---and then, my life's desire: to be a vessel the LORD will use.  I think of "choices" and the things I might choose.  I think of Joshua:  (24:15) "...choose you this day whom ye will serve; ...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."  I think of choosing... Lot chose.  Abraham chose.  Moses chose---the children of Israel were chosen. Joshua chose.   Saul chose.  David chose.  Men have chosen to do that which is good and pleasing to the LORD and men have chosen their own way.  The LORD chose the twelve.  Stephen was chosen.  Paul was chosen.  Think of all the choosing---all the choices.  When it comes down to this, which do we choose? 

Proverbs 1.29-33  For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.  But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
 

 

I think of the Children of Israel… and the Divine Guidance they were receiving… just think they were guided by a cloud by day and fire by night… to refuse to move meant they had no direction in the daytime and to refuse to move in the night meant they would remain in darkness.  The Children of Israel didn’t know how long the cloud would remain…they were to wait until the cloud moved before they could move, and they remained ready… (Numbers 9) And so we also must be ready.  There will be a choice, a testing of our faith and an opportunity to "chose ye this day..."

So, in choosing... choose ye this day...
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Big Jar Mayonnaise Mamas	January 2, 2006

A reflection of the first day	January 1, 2006

I just got off the phone from talking to our oldest son---called to wish him a "Halfy-Birthday" and lamented that I hadn't made him a half birthday cake (again this year!) and that he'd have to wait 6 months for the German Chocolate cake for his birthday.   

I'm sitting here at the desk in my "office" and I'm reflecting on the past year, some of the news stories and the personal stories that were written in the lives of our children in the past year.  After doing my "look in the rear-view mirror" a couple of nights ago as I was closing out the year and writing for that day... reflecting on the events and activities of the past year, I realized that there were so many significant accomplishments and activities that never really received much or any attention here on this blog.  I suppose it's, in part, due to the personal nature of some of them and I guess it's important to leave some things unsaid---not glossed over, by any means, just unsaid.  I think mothers need to do this from time to time.  Sort of the pondered in the heart stuff that makes up mother's prayer journals.  Then, there are occasional "great-pride moments" that don't get mentioned but are never forgotten. 

I guess I feel that blogs cannot be "tell-all" venues, nor should they be a place of self-aggrandizing, either.  Mothers tend to do too much of both... talking and boasting.  But then, I suppose that's how little boys grow up to be men who think they're "all that" and more.  I guess it's what makes a little man into Superman.  Mothers.  Wait a second, I was talking about blogs and bloggers.

So, I don't usually tell all the stuff that goes on here.  I don't rant about all the things that go wrong or rave about all that goes right.  I guess it'd be fairly boring if day after day I raved about the adorable children I have or if I boasted about all the fabulous accomplishments and achievements daily.  Well, first... because that would take up way too much time and blog space and second, it would be self-aggrandizing---something I said bloggers should never be.

So I am listening to little 'melia singing... at the top of her lungs:

I'm living in a mountain, undermeath the cloudy sky,
I'm drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry;
O yes!  I'm feasting on bananas from a bountiful supply,
For I am dwelling in Beulah Land. 

O, well, I guess you gotta start somewhere.  Here's the song.

 

Dwelling in Beulah Land 
words and music: C.A. Miles

Far away the noise of strife upon my ear is falling,
Then I know the sins of earth beset on ev'ry hand:
Doubt and fear and things of earth in vain to me are calling,
None of these things shall move me from Beulah Land

Far below the storm of doubt upon the world is beating,
Sons of men in battle long the enemy withstand:
Safe am I within the castle of God's Word retreating,
Nothing then can reach me - 'tis Beulah Land. 

Let the stormy breezes blow, their cry cannot alarm me;
I am safely sheltered here, protected by God's hand:
Here the sun is always shining, here there's naught can harm me,
I am safe forever in Beulah Land. 

Viewing here the works of God, I sink in contemplation,
Hearing now His blessed voice, I see the way He planned:
Dwelling in the Spirit, here I learn of full salvation,
Gladly will I tarry in Beulah Land.

CHORUS
I'm living on the mountain, underneath the cloudless sky,
I'm drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry;
O yes!  I'm feasting on the manna from a bountiful supply,
For I am dwelling in Beulah Land. 

Yeah... so it was a slow day... feasting on bananas... this first day of 2006

 

Another brand new year...	January 1, 2006

I sure hope there'll be something to write.   ~wink~

One thing I know... for today it looks like a clean slate, a year unlived, stories unwritten and untold.    Am I beginning anew or am I fleeing the old?  Do I look ahead with hope for what is before me?  I suppose I can only do this if I look at what's behind me with those rose coloured glasses instead of with a magnifying glass.  I'd like to see my children more with my rose coloured glasses than with my bifocals because I think that's how I hope they'll look at me.  I hope this year I'll see that I am closer to the end than to the beginning and that I'll not be so careless with the time I do have. 

I don't know if I can make another resolution about diets or quiet time or home organization... but, the very fact that I am looking at a brand-new unmarked calendar tells me there are some opportunities to do things differently---that there are days never yet lived... troubles never yet experienced and plans never yet disappointed or interrupted... and yet a bundle of hugs and kisses to give and dreams to live.