Just a quick check in and a note or two...	February 24, 2006

I'm home following surgery and a couple of days' stay in the hospital this past week [It was sort of a resort... well, a last resort, maybe and I did receive lots of personal attention there---so much so, that I can't sit here very long.]  Will resume blogging when possible.

Our sincere condolences to the Anthony Burger family in the event of the sudden passing of Anthony Burger, the gifted pianist who had accompanied the Gaither Vocal Band for many years.   Details are few, but he apparently suffered a heart attack during one of the performances on a Gaither cruise to the Bahamas. The ship was to dock in Nassau, and the family started the process of returning to the states. Please remember this family in prayer as they face the days ahead.

A few slices...	February 16, 2006

Following a short stay at a local resort with lots of personal attention, I'll be taking a little rest from things domestic and cyber. I'll be journaling a bit about my little journey and will post it here in the "medical" section of our website.  Hopefully, I can share some things that will be of help and encouragement to other women---especially moms of many children.     ---ps
 

---

I would love to have shown pictures of the beautiful dinner Kathryn prepared for us.  Wes's camera was stolen (Wes had his briefcase bag stolen from his truck the other day.  In the bag was his camera, CD player, CD's, headphones, etc.,  his school text books, numerous papers, etc.).  He had received a phone call from a detective that his checkbook had been found in a stolen vehicle!  I thought: wow---the thief had stolen a car and other stolen things were in that vehicle as well.  I imagine he must've been disappointed that Wes's account didn't finance him very well.   So far nothing's been reported found---but we still hold out hope!  We were sorry about that situation and all disappointed for him as he regretted the loss of not only those more expensive things, but his papers and textbooks for his class and... the older children lamented... that daddy couldn't take pictures of his little dolly, Amelia.   He regretted not being about to use it to take pics of pool jobs---something he does at the completion of pools is to take pics so that other customers can have a visual of what they might choose for their own pool.

So... eBay.  Maybe one of the cameras on eBay will fill the hole left by the loss. 

Another Marvelous Epicurean Delight	February 15, 2006

For our twenty-eighth anniversary *and* Valentine's Day, yesterday evening, Kathryn prepared a sumptuous feast for us.  After spending the day traveling to and from Canada where Wes had a dentist appointment to take care of a painful tooth, we so looked forward to the meal Kathryn would have waiting for us upon our return home.

O, that delicious feast!!!  Another dinner prepared and served last night by Kathryn --- and I mustn't neglect mentioning her sparkling, delightful and able kitchen crew cleaning (and sampling!) for her!!

I will post (ASAP) the menu and recipes that she prepared so that should anyone decide they'd like to prepare the meal themselves, her recipes would really be an encouragement and a help in doing so.  She continues to amaze me in her cooking ability.  Her attention to presentation and detail is inspirational to me.  I find lately, that  I tend to be more "institutionally" minded in meal preparation and less concerned with style and presentation at meal time.  I used to pay strict attention to balance and variety, unique or complimentary tastes and visual appeal.  I'm sorry to say that many days in the last few years, I concern myself so much with simply producing volume that I don't attend to small, but critically imperative, details like unique dishes, ambiance and time to linger over a meal.  I find that meal time is too often simply a perfunctory obligation instead of a daily opportunity for refreshment and encouragement. 

Set the table... eat together... talk... make time to not be in a hurry... plan ahead... be creative... be interested... be interesting... *all* of these are imperatives that we mothers tend to neglect or become careless about.  We especially do so when there are "collisions of reality" as I call them.  When the reality of life collides with another reality of life---such things as illness, new baby, various work-schedules, unexpected difficulties or unexpected blessing.

 As we lingered over dinner last night, we marveled at the changes, marveled at the accomplishments of the older children and delighted in the time together.  We also had a wonderful surprise visit by some friends who came by to bring a gift.  The gift was a wonderful, lavish surprise that we needed to complete a project Wes needed to do!   I couldn't have imagined or chosen a more perfect curtain... it's simply beautiful.

After all this time in this home and many years of talking about fixing that bathtub to accommodate a shower, Wes put up a circular shower curtain rod and shower extension for the bathtub---we've talked for years about getting a new faucet to make a shower and curtain for it.  So... the gift, two beautiful white embroidered shower curtains, two white liners, and two sets of beautiful blue floral hooks to hang the curtain. 

With all the excitement, we stayed up late (---O, well, Wes did all the work!!) to hang the new shower-curtain ring and install the new shower fixture on the old claw-foot bathtub.   I had the sweet job of stringing the hooks, hanging up the new shower liner/curtain and standing back to admire the beautiful curtain.  It's a white embroidered voile "Simply Shabby Chic" curtain with blue & white ceramic hooks.  This morning, as I looked at it, I couldn't but stand there amazed at the mercy and sweet kindness of the LORD through our friends who made this possible.  And to Wes who always takes care of things that are needed.

Valentine's Day

February 14, 2006

Valentine's ideas for you in your home  and  Old Fashioned Living.
 

Some Home Making's	February 13, 2006

I had (late last night) decided that in the morning I'd like to share "Some Home Making's" for today's blog---and how faithful is the LORD---I had a direction late yesterday and He showed that He had a purpose for it today.

Our friend sent us an email this morning: "Type in your home address or a family members' address. The web site will bring up a map of your neighborhood with small colored boxes on it. The small House icon represents your address; the colored boxes represent sex offenders in your area.   Click on the colored boxes and it will bring up the offender's photograph and the locations, names and employers.  Click ALL AROUND, you will be amazed at the information you get!"   http://www.familywatchdog.us/   So, out of curiosity,  I did a check and was also amazed.  I also found that I just was reminded to be more careful about "strangers" and to talk to the children about "strangers" and the need to be cautious as we go about our business in town or at the park, etc.  I find that I need these simple reminders to talk to the children about the realities of life. 

I think, as mothers of many children, we might sometimes tend to be lax or think we've covered the bases, so to speak, and sometimes forget "who knows what" as far as the different children in the family are concerned.  For example: the other day I was asking one of the younger children to do a particular task and they sort of glazed over and didn't know what to do---and so I smiled and asked, have I not taught you that yet?  No.  No, I hadn't.    Teaching, teaching, teaching.  It never stops---it mustn't stop.  But we get weary in the well doing sometimes.  But again, we mustn't let weariness lead to neglect or indifference or wavering---or worse: giving up.  That's not an option---it may feel (some days) like an option---especially if we listen to bad counsel or the coarse talk of the day that is obnoxious and rude about the precious value of motherhood, parenting and children.

We need to stop and assess, from time to time, the understanding or knowledge of each of the children.  Not just a "what are their strengths and weaknesses" sort of assessment, but: do they know this or that basic skill.  Do they know particular numbers, protocol for different situations, how to find information they need, what would they do in this or that circumstance, etc., etc.  I always amazes me when I realize that one of the younger children missed a particular teaching and how they just went on without it or compensated for it in some other manner.  This could be anything from handwriting (how they come up with a particular formation of a letter that looks alright but is incorrectly performed) to sewing, cooking, math, cleaning, personal hygiene (bathing, flossing, tooth-brushing, wiping, etc.),  housekeeping or whatever.  Skills need to be learned, perfected and maintained.  But it requires attentive attention.  (sort of the way the LORD told the disciples:  "And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer."  --Luke 22.15) 

It's attentive attention.  It's hearing *and* listening.  With desire we must desire to parent and care for the children.

So, this has led to some "drilling" around here.  Perhaps not all at once and not in a scary or confrontational way, but it has meant asking questions (from time to time---for clarity and reinforcement)  of different age groups of children , from basic questions like: what is your full name, what is your address, what is your age, what is your phone number, what is your dad's and mother's name, what is your birthday, what do you do if a fire starts here or here, what do you do if the toilet overflows, what do you do if someone comes to you in the yard and mother is in the house, what do you do if a person we do  or do not know tells you to do something we have told you not to do,  what do you do if someone touches you inappropriately, what do you do if your are cut or injured or whatever, what do you do if someone tells you not to tell mother and dad about something---and you know it's not a birthday surprise or something you need to discern as a "good" secret, etc., etc.   All of these things require discretion. 

And then, to older children, we need to evaluate from time to time, their responses to some of those similar questions that would be occurring in their lives.   They need to know all those same answers throughout their childhood, but the scenarios will necessarily be different as they grow and mature and as their activities increase and their circle of freedom increases.  They'll have more and more opportunities to be "out" for parental sight or supervision and will be in settings where they will have to have earned privileges and trust and will have opportunity to demonstrate maturity and trustworthiness.  For the older children, whether in home or public school, I think it's vitally important to ask and receive answers to these and many more questions resulting from dialogue each day.  I guess we cannot just assume they know answers and right responses and we must be very careful to correct wrong assumptions and wrong responses.  This is easier said than done if the teens are older and communication has been compromised or limited.

Talking, talking, talking trough the years---and it's never too early, I'm convinced, has astoundingly important implications and results.  Totally open communication really and truly appears to be key in any relationship----most especially in marriage and parenting.  I'm also pretty sure it's never too late.

So, what did all this have to do with the registered sex-offender link and information?   Everything.

	Tomorrow's Valentine's Day... be a sweet heart to your family... they need you.
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Whaddya guess that Vice President Dick Cheney is saying: "ooops!"
And, maybe, the Google boys are saying: "ooops!"

More thoughts on End of the Spear	February 12, 2006

I felt certain that I would appreciate the commentary by Doug Phillips regarding the film, End of the Spear, and I surely was not disappointed.  And now, I pray many will read his commentary and see the clarity with which he writes and the wisdom of his commentary on the controversial issues surrounding the film. 

I wrote back and forth with Mart Green of Every Tribe Entertainment, the man who ultimately hired the actor that played the part of both Nate and Steve Saint.  In his replies to my letters, his answers were vague to my many points of disagreement for their decisions and reasons for them.  [I totally understand that he is a very busy man---inundated with mail---so for him to reply at all was extremely generous.  I further shared that I disagreed with Randy Alcorn's summation of the situation and felt they'd both compromised in their stand and reasoning.

This, a portion of the letter I sent to him in response to his letter advising me to reread Randy Alcorn's letter about End of the Spear and ETE:

"Fear of man bringeth a snare."

I wrote back to say that I felt sure that he and Randy Alcorn and the who Saint family must be anguishing over all of this.  My intent wasn't to add to that at all, nor was it to fuel the flames of controversy.  It was simply to take a stand for the Truth and not stand idly by.  Some may feel it inappropriate to write to such individuals---we did not feel it inappropriate but necessary.  Christians should and must take a stand against evil.  Let us not esteem lightly what the Word says and what the LORD has done for us.  Let us not cheapen the grace of God by what we allow, nor by what we esteem lightly.

In our fellowship this afternoon, we were hearing of what it is to gather and what is the LORD's supper, and after all that, I've been mulling over what it is to have a clear conscience before the LORD... to not partake unworthily.  I thought back on that conversation as I mulled over Doug Phillips' blog and additional entries he made.  I thought on the precise and specific wording of the Scriptures and thought... would God have differing standards for different portions of our lives---would His holy standard be lessened by circumstances? 

Consider 1Corinthians 11.28-32  
"But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

With all the controversies, all the moral failures, greed for success, fame and fortune, with all the scandalous behaviour and reports of compromise by Christian individuals and groups, we must hold fast to the profession of faith.   Doug Phillips shared much more, perhaps even more troubling commentary, that's worth reading.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Heb 10:25
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And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1Corinthians 13.13

Another Saturday Morning	February 11, 2006

It's early... one of the kinds of mornings I treasure so much... spending time with one child---the little early-birdie who brings the sunshine in!   Standing at the counter, and he sitting on the stool with the cutting board pulled out to form a table for him next to the toaster, we enjoyed tea and toast together. I'm purposefully etching the moment into my memory... for the days are fleeting.

I've browsed the paper (yes, the paper-paper----I remembered where I'd last set my glasses and thankfully, didn't have to ask for the billionth time to no one in particular: "has anyone seen my glasses?") and then I came into the sunroom to see the mails and messages on the computer.    Two letters, in particular, stood out to me this morning... one encouraging me to get back on track writing to and about homemakers/homemaking and the other, an encouragement to keep on doing the work I'm doing. 

So, I mulled over the letters, the other mail and more news stories.  I studied more about (what I've not talked about at all here) an upcoming surgery I will have next week.  And, like the gift of a mother's laryngitis to her children ~wink~ I'll be a bit too pre-op-upied to blog and too post-op-upied to tell about it.  Anyway, I'm creating a page... a journal of sorts that details the journey a bit and gives a bit of information on options and surgery, etc.  I'll share later about this thrilling adventure---sparing the not-so-entertaining details of course.  I am smiling as I suppose were I to blog this time next week... the writing might be very amusing---that, or they'd lock me away for certain and toss away the key when the entry looks like:

But that's a blog for another day.  Okay, so, I know I've been inordinately preoccupied with the social trends and will likely continue to be so---to a degree... it's just a reflection of who I am----but I'm also preoccupied with marriage and family.  These all seem to, with the influence of societal assaults, intersect and sometimes, collide. 

I don't know if I think it's my duty or obligation or just what, but I do feel constrained to share from time to time (and I'll concede it's really been overboard lately) the societal trends and trends in the church.  I do this for many reasons, not the least of which is stand against the gradual inclination for Christians to blend with society or to have society blend into them.  I share different things or different angles of things because I feel I cannot idly sit at the intersection and not sound the horn when fully loaded semi carrying toxic waste is careening toward the van that's carrying innocent children and is sitting in harm's way.  This probably sounds overly dramatic... but really, when you think about it... it's not. 

So, I guess all that to say: O, we must be more purposeful in the training up of our children, more decisive in choosing what is best, more diligent in teaching and demonstrating faith in the LORD, more determined to live in obedience to God's Word and unwavering in our resolve to be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks the reason of the hope that is within us.  We must be more resolute to give respect to our husbands, and to be sweet and loving in our homes.  Our homes must stand as beacons of light and truth----love and joy in the LORD.  This necessarily means being aware of the dogs... being aware of the wolves that lurk about---the enemy: that  roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.  These are all very real---all very necessary to see and understand.

Please pardon me for what seems to have been a bit of over attention to societal reflections and reactions --- I would adjure everyone---husbands, fathers, wives, mothers, young people... be aware of what's going on around us.  This is not to say to be familiar with evil, but to be aware.  Pay attention to the signs of the times. Unmask the ploys of the enemy.  Very simple lies have become truths to Christians---the slow and calculated indoctrination of lies have weakened and drawn away many.   Be aware of what's going on in society.  Be aware of what's on your computer---really---check the history, be aware of where the clicks have taken the computer users in your home.  Get the kids *off* "My-Space" and guard their time and conversations, friends and activities.  Be aware of the subtle influence of "sensitivity training,"  "diversity," "sexual-orientation," and a myriad of other phrases, concepts and liberal-speak.  I do not say this meanly, spitefully, or in anger.  I am saying all of this in an attempt to bring awareness of the tidal wave that is carrying away the church... and the church is getting carried away in its attempt to be all things to all people in all places.

I'll get to talking about other stuff...  and there really are lots of other things going on.  Lots of other things.  I know, I know... I'm really overboard sometimes---passionate to a fault! 

So a bit of family musing this morning... as I was kissed and hugged awake by a little sunshine earlier this morning.   

Our family sort of seems to have come in "sets" of children.  First, we had our "trainer set" and then a foursome and then a trio and then a pair in the last of the "sets."   So, the Trainer Set grew up, moved on and now have homes of their own.  The foursome---still asleep as I type this, are lively, busy, interesting and are each on the brink of the vast expanse of "the first day of the rest of their lives" as they, each one, prepare for what the LORD has for them.  The third set, the 'trio,' is also still sleeping yet this morning---having stayed up late to watch videos last night.  (Friday nights are the only nights we watch videos or movies, here) 

This brings me to the sunshine and flowers... that's what Andrew and Amelia are to me.  Though they are two years apart, they're essentially the same age in terms of skill, interest and verbal ability.  Though their specific activities are not always similar, they always play together---or at least in proximity if their actual choice of activity/toy/game/etc. is different.  They're in no hurry to not be little... thoroughly delighting in the softer things of life... fuzzy blankets, teddy bears, sippy cups, Blue's Clues, stringing beads, shaping play-doh, making cards for everyone and colouring pictures for the fridge... they love bubble baths, quilts and story books.   They are the sunshine and flowers of my life... and I suppose, if this is so, the others are the fragrance and music and my husband is my inspiration.

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Another slicing of a lie	February 10, 2006

Remember: repeat a lie often enough, and people will begin to permit it to be common and then begin to accept it as truth. 

Such is the case with the so-called "homosexual movement."  This, from Worldnet Daily: "A leading homosexual activist group is blaming a deranged teenager's violent rampage through a "gay" bar in Massachusetts on "hatred and loathing" fueled by Christian groups and leaders such as James Dobson."  And then, the article went on to describe the individual responsible for the attack.  In addition to the mean-spirited and unfounded attack on Christian individuals and groups, there was a description of items found in the home of the attacker.  There was no mention finding a Bible, or a Focus on the Family Magazine or anything else remotely "Christian." So, why the slander against Christians for the atrocious behaviour of that individual? 

I'll tell you why... contrary to the claim by Matt Foreman of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, that  "The hatred and loathing fueling this... vicious attack on gay men in New Bedford is not innate, it is learned... And who is teaching it? Leaders of the so-called Christian right, that's who. Individuals like James Dobson of Focus on the Family, the Family Research Council's Tony Perkins, the Rev. Pat Robertson and their ilk are obsessed with homosexuality."

Do you see the conditioning?  Do you see the dialectic praxis?  The rant that "their ilk are obsessed with homosexuality."  What a lie and that lie is gaining momentum day by day.  The truth is not that Christians are obsessed with homosexuality, but rather that people who commit homosexual acts are obsessed with homosexuality!

Christians simply present a dilemma to those who promote homosexuality and the dilemma is that there is a war in the conscience of those who choose acts that are in conflict with God's moral laws.  And to combat the conflict or to deaden it, they must necessarily lash out at those who reflect God's design---they have to hate Christians because Christians represent the very One they cannot deny---but they must deny God in order to continue on the immoral path they travel.  Bullies always throw stones, they always attempt to discredit those they seek to intimidate so that they can continue garnering support even through intimidation in an attempt to validate themselves and their plan and then to saturate it with victimization or the emotionally laced oppression intensifies the effect of the protest and the charge .  

That young man with his swastika tattoo and with the "Neo-Nazi" and white supremacist materials in his home is no representative of Christians.   And they know it.  Clever and sly---they know it.  That was just a bit of harassment aimed at further demonizing and marginalizing Christians and ultimately attacking the Creator---the One they must face.

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A little political slice	February 9, 2006

I had to smile yesterday when I read that Barbara Boxer was suggesting that it was a bad idea for Cindy Sheehan to run for the California Senate seat of Diane Feinstein who, though it is said, would easily win reelection, toss in this shifting rebel and who knows what might happen.  I'm thinking that Mz. Boxer was attempting a bit of damage control as she attempted to discourage Mz. Sheehan from campaigning for the seat.  It's one thing for Mz. Sheehan to be clay in the hand of the media, and to run-at-the-mouth saying things many liberals want to say but are afraid to say them, but it's clearly another for a potentially successful run for the Senate by a virtual loose cannon.  I'm sure Mz. Boxer & Mz. Feinstein aren't the only ones breathing a sigh of relief for what might have been a real blow to the their perceived intelligence.  Mz. Feinstein surely must've breathed a sigh of relief as well since she doesn't seem to be ready to give up the cherished seat in Congress and since, heretofore, she's enjoyed a fairly comfortable, uncontested seat.    It would have provided hours of media fodder had Mz. Sheehan remained on course to run for the Senate seat---and, she'd likely have garnered quite a following with her be-all-things-to-all-the-disenfranchised and her appeal to all who are anti-America and because of the unwitting accomplices in the media and those who seem to use her as a pawn in their game.   But, actually, now that she's stepped out of that hasty plan... who knows where the canon blows next?!  For now, Mz. Boxer (obviously knowing Sheehan's a pawn)  thinks Cindy Sheehan may be "more valuable out there not as a candidate."  Yes, indeed, "out there" ---that, she is!

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Suspending adulterers	February 8, 2006

In the news...
Seems that in Florida, according to this article, because of the number of incidents and the resulting problems, Sheriff's deputies who get caught cheating on their spouses or sleeping with another person's spouse in Pinellas County, Fla., will be suspended from work for the behavior."  I couldn't agree more that there ought to be consequences.  In fact, I'm wondering if there'd be a dramatic decrease in the number of cases of adultery if they were suspended...   from freeway overpasses.

[note: just imagine... adulterers suspended from overpasses would serve as a deterrent.  This was not intended to be mean-spirited]

I've had lots of time to read magazines in waiting rooms lately and decided I've been there too often when the same issues of magazines are still on the tables or in the magazine racks.  So, yesterday I was glad to have David Kupelian's book The Marketing of Evil with me.  I wish I could properly convey the absolutely incredible value of this book as it is truly a "must read" book.  Really!  Order it and read the book!!   Even reading the first pages of the book will refute the lies and expose the gross manipulation that permeates society.  The book is well written, well documented and will, no doubt, forever change the way things are perceived.  The exposing of lies, the uncovering of a cleverly orchestrated agenda, and the explanations for countless atrocities, trends and beliefs will leave readers contemplating for hours the incredible influence of media to perpetrate evil.  But the trickiest part is that the evil is accepted as light and truth; the lies are cleverly designed to appeal to your mind and emotions and convince you of truth---but it's not truth at all.  What I am saying probably sounds like some unfounded, garbled conspiracy theory, but as I stated a moment ago, this book is no conspiracy---but it certainly does expose the agenda of those who hate God, those who hate good and Truth, those who seek to cover their own consciences by assaulting those who expose them.

Taking a stand against things that are accepted by many people is a sometimes risky thing to do---risky if one is concerned about personal status or if one is concerned about offending critics.  I'm not concerned about them.  I *am* concerned if I offend a brother (or sister) in the LORD---for I know first hand that "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle." (Proverbs 18.19)

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Living today in light of yesterday	February 6, 2006

I smiled as I read Melissa's blog comment regarding our anniversary and our wedding year being the same year the she was born.  I smiled because she and I were both beginning a new life in that year---that her mother was carrying her during the time of our wedding preparations.  Amazing.

I smile, too, bcz Kathryn and I have just returned from visiting a friend who celebrated her thirtieth birthday yesterday.  Here she is, so capable, the mother of many children and expecting the birth of another child in several weeks... I marveled, seeing all she's accomplished in her life and realized that she's nearly the same age as our daughter in law.  It's amazing how things are brought into perspective.  More amazing, I guess, is how time flies. Tomorrow is yesterday in a moment.

       

When I looked back on our wedding picture that I posted a couple of days ago, I smiled again as I considered that a few years ago, Hannah was trying on my dress (pictured above), modeling it for us all to see.  Hannah was not quite twelve years old at the time.  So, yes, I guess I was a child-bride. ~wink~  And to think: I thought I was so fat on my wedding day in my homemade "Gunne Sax" style dress.  O, me...  I had no idea then and never have had an idea how things really were or are at the time.  Always discrediting  accomplishments or making a fuss over failures, and often living in hope of a brighter future or of another day.   I missed a lot of what was really happening at the time fretting over what might happen or what should've happened.  Those years gave me perspective to write about not fretting and about not living in fear.  These revelations have served to make me desire to live---really live---today, to pay attention to the moment and to listen... to play with children in the yard, to watch them show me "one more thing," to listen to stories and see the flowers for what they represent today. 

As I wrote to a family member just recently: Live today!  Make today count.  Enjoy today in light of yesterday and don't fret about tomorrow: because really, there are no tomorrows---there's only today.  For when tomorrow comes, it is today and it is no longer tomorrow... and tomorrow is yesterday in a moment.

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Psalm 81	February 5, 2006

1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.
4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.
5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.
6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.
7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.
8 ¶ Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;
9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.
13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.
15 The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.
16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

 

Nostalgia.... Our wedding day in 1978 at Temple Baptist Church in San Francisco, California; Wes and me alongside Wes's dad and mother. Now, 28 years, lots of changes, eleven children, a daughter-in-law and three grandchildren later, we smile and say... could you have dared to wish or imagine all that the LORD has done and how merciful and gracious He has been on our behalf?  I smile and say, no... I could not have imagined what He has done---the blessings He's washed over us.  I wouldn't trade a single day or anything on earth for the things He has done, for the family He's given us and for the joy of knowing Him as Saviour and LORD. Blessed be the LORD God of Hosts.

February 4, 2006
we're celebrating 28 years

A gust of news from the National Blasphemy Company.    Seems that the network has responded to pressure from opposition to a blasphemy-laden episode of Will and Grace that was scheduled to air on April 13th.   The episode that was scheduled to air on "Will and Grace" was beyond the pale of decency in this nation.  Now, this may seem like an about face to "freedom of speech" and the right of networks to air what they choose.  It seems to me that when a country is essentially Judeo-Christian, at least that's the presupposition, it assaults the senses to blaspheme the LORD and utterly so on that particular Thursday, the day commemorating The Last Supper, the day before the crucifixion of the LORD Jesus.  I can't help but think also that for the Jewish communities, of which there is great influence in this country, that Thursday is the first day of Passover.

So, in an effort to do a bit of damage control,  NBC said in a memo  to affiliates, "the information was mistakenly included in a press release describing an upcoming episode of 'Will and Grace' which, in fact, has yet to be written. The reference to 'Cruci-fixins' will not be in the show and the story line will not contain a Christian characterization at all."    

Yep... info mistakenly included in a press release... Yep.  Easy to believe... could happen to anyone. 

Random Acts of.... Communication	February 3, 2006

Okay, so for my Super Bowl comment...  Hmmmm.  All  I know is that when I turned 40, I know I sure didn't want to be referred to as: XL.   

More in the News

Reading of the determined work of Liberia's new president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, conjures up images of a mom who's been out for the day and upon returning home, finds the disheveled children running around, in the cluttered yard.  Then as she pulls in the drive, she sees naughty children hanging out windows, sitting on the porch talking on the phone snacking on junk-food.  Then when she opens the door and enters the ransacked house, all the provisions wasted, destruction of what was once beautiful and the capable but lazy children hoarding the snacks and refusing to cooperate--------so, then, as any bold mama would do, she's clearing the decks, cleaning house and demanding order. Right now. 

Her resolve to restore order and honour to the country of Liberia is both remarkable and commendable.  With the deep and widespread corruption, she has quite a formidable task before her.  Like a mama bear robbed of her whelps, the new president is resolute to raze the corruption and raise the country to prosperity.  And, prosperous it could be; the land is replete with valuable natural resources and the strong resolve of many to make it flourish.  

This is a pic my husband took while he was in Liberia last year to assist our friend in picking up two Liberian children from an orphanage in Monrovia.  This sign, one of many hundreds like it, was commonplace.  The devastation from years of civil war and unrest and the desperate state of affairs in that nation was readily apparent. Pray for Liberia, pray for the LORD to be merciful to the people who's lives have been ravaged by war, sickness and death.

If the LORD so leads, perhaps you are or someone you know is a family
who desires children...  there are countless children who desire a family. 
WACSN  --- West African Children Support Network

The Pink Elephant	February 2, 2006

We all do it---we don't want to, but when we see something in the middle of the road, we look.  Sometimes we know the grotesque mangled opossum lying dead in the road will make us sick and disgusted---but we say oooooooo, look! sick!  We say, O, this time, I am not going to pay attention to that sick thing in the road---I don't care what it is or who's looking at it---I am going to look away.  This time I am going to master "self" and make use of that elusive quality: self restraint.

So, there's this pink elephant running around the news (ya know, at this point, I could go a couple of ways with this blog entry) and it's sort of getting annoying.  Annoying like a mess in the roadway.  Annoying like stuff that impedes traffic. Annoying like cigarette smoke that permeates your clothing and hair and every time you move, you set off a wafting aroma that you can almost see.  Well, so that's how this annoying thing, this pink elephant, seems to me to be.

Everyday I say, uh-ah, no going to do it.  Not going to talk about that one.  Not going to acknowledge the obvious, not going to give credence to that one by responding to its presence.  And every day that pink elephant tromps around my screen (you know why I read news online?  I can't read the papers here, bcz half the time I can't find my glasses and when I wear them around my neck, they get stuck in the clothes that I pull from the washer and the dryer) and every time I browse the news wires, I see this obnoxious pink elephant.

No, it's not Cindy Sheehan.

So... every day I see the insufferable comments, the accolades and the rave reviews (which really ought to cue anyone: beep, beep, beep: trouble!) about this pink elephant and then, from time to time I see the image.  O, that image.  I used to love that image---and am desperately trying to hang onto the original. 

I've raised several of them.  Every one of our little boys have been self-styled icons of masculinity and bravery: quintessential cowboys.   Not to say that they haven't been gentle and kind when that's been the proper response, but they've all been strong manly cowboys (well, at least until they're twelve or thirteen and then they seem to grow up before my eyes) and every one of them have had wonderful times, exhibiting bravery and skill, always triumphing over formidable opponents, always my courageous heroes: gallantly saving someone from certain peril with their ropes, and 2x4 rifles with the 16-penny nail triggers and riding horses no one can see (but I'm pretty sure I can hear them).   Though the olders no longer play cowboys, I'm pretty sure they still know that, to me, they're still stronger and faster and braver than ever.  They rode away, but sometimes I know they're out in the yard... I know, because I can hear them sometimes.

So about that pink elephant.

I'm asking the LORD daily to help me retain those precious images of real cowboys and not allow the current barrage of images of a recent movie to taint the wonderful times that turn boys into men.  Real men.  Real heroes.  Real leaders of homes and defenders of the faith, builders of the future.  And not the pink elephant that keeps tromping across my screen each day.

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