April 2009 – The Welcome Home

Dr. Obama.

[edited May 9, 09]
The University of Notre Dame is set to crown Barack Obama with an honorary degree — in addition to the invitation to deliver the 2009 commencement address. So, don’t you wonder how this anti pro-life president will handle the commentary generated from accepting the invitation to address the graduating class of Notre Dame? You know, what I find so disturbing is that he has the temerity to accept an honourary Doctor of Laws degree — from. a. Catholic. University — no, on second thought, it’s disturbing that the University would confer it on him.

This is unbelievable — on so many levels.

In a perversely paradoxical sense, it is the pro-life community at Notre Dame which is responsible for the abomination which this invitation represents. By steadfastly opposing the display of abortion photos on their campus, they have allowed abortion supporters to create the misleading impression that abortion is a nominal evil. Dr. Martin Luther King didn’t trivialize lynchings by handing out white carnations or empty red envelopes. He won passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by forcing the American people to look at shocking images of African Americans being savagely beaten for trying to register to vote.”

The Center For Bio-Ethical Reform (CBR) has begun displaying large abortion photos on the sides and backs of a fleet of billboard trucks which will operate in the South Bend area between now and the conclusion of graduation ceremonies.”

And the furthest left-leaning president in US history, President Obama, will accept an honourary doctorate from a university that, according to its foundational platform:

From its earliest days, Notre Dame’s distinctive mission has set it apart from other institutions of higher education. The difference lies not so much in terms of subject matter and academic disciplines as in the perception of how those disciplines ought to serve God and humanity. At the very heart of Notre Dame’s mission is its profound faith heritage and aspiration to be at the center of Catholic intellectual life—to be a bellwether institution in the pursuit of truth and knowledge, while remaining guided and elevated by the moral imperatives of the Catholic faith.” (Faith and Service at Notre Dame)

I guess, in reality, I ought not think it strange that Obama would take this doctorate — I really ought to be questioning the University’s decision to give it out. But then… it’s not really strange… I guess — for people are giving the Obama a pass just about everywhere he goes regardless what he says he will do and doesn’t or what he says he won’t do and does. It doesn’t seem to matter.

Update: (5/9)
Protests = arrests at Notre Dame.
Apparently, by which, Mr. Obama is not swayed. I mean, ‘ Doctor ‘ is ever so much more persuasive and sounds so much more official than: Community Organizer or president.

“Anywhere, anytime.”

Someone could be listening in on your cell phone conversations. Or your personal conversations — even if you’re not using your cell phone. Anywhere, anytime… someone can be tracking you… receiving text messages you receive on your cell phone.

Anywhere, anytime. It’s amazing where technology has brought us. Go here for more info; or watch a YouTube video report.

Random thoughts on intolerance

I’m doing housekeeping today… many things needed sorting and filing, washing and ironing. Teatime brought to mind some thoughts from the past weekend.

It’s getting fiercer and fiercer, the slick and sick double standard of those who scream to be tolerated — not just tolerated, but venerated — endorsed — lauded. I’m not a proponent of beauty pageants per se, but it’s sure detestable that a ‘qualified contestant’ is being dragged through the mud for articulating her answer to a question regarding her thoughts on marriage — the answer was contrary to one or more of the “judges'” personal beliefs and, therefore, she’s unqualified. So much for tolerance.
The new Free Speech: You’re free to say what you like and hold the beliefs you choose to hold so long as you make sure you agree with homosexual behaviour and the propaganda machine that is ravaging the world. And if you don’t believe there’s an agenda, read: The Marketing of Evil by David Kupelian — you’ll be introduced in that book to another book, After the Ball, and if you dare to read it (and I don’t say this lightly, it is not light reading and may not be suitable for anyone) it is sobering, you’ll see the agenda is well underway and very, very successful in a dark way. (I wrote about Mr. Kupelian’s book a few years ago…. I can’t recall the blog date on that).
Voddie Baucham

Family Driven Faith

A man who is not afraid to speak the Truth.

David Kupelian’s

The Marketing of Evil

it’ll change the way you see everything in society!

As long as you don’t mess with the agenda, you’ll be accepted — if not, you’ll be castigated, mocked and scorned to death. You can read a bit more of what happens when you dare to teach the truth which is not believed by a percentage of the population. We attended the Worldview Apologetics Conference held at the Crossroads Bible Church in Bellevue last weekend — obviously a predetermined target — at the start of the conference, the church building was vandalized by a group determined to “bash back” with pink paint, foul words and phrases and broken locks and other damages.

Two of the speakers at the seminar were Voddie Baucham and Doug Geivett. Both were excellent at articulating the Truth of the Word, the climate of society today and the bold attempt to destroy the Truth and Believers. Voddie Baucham is probably one of the most articulate and inspiring speakers I’ve ever had the privilege of listening to. I first heard him and thought this two years ago at the Heritage Homeschool conference — he will be the keynote speaker again this year. If you haven’t heard him or read any of his books, I would highly recommend that you hear his talks and read his books. For info on the Christian Heritage Conference being held this coming weekend go here. I would recommend this conference for *every* believer… *every* parent.

One of the weapons against the church or “conservatives” is the word: hate. If you disagree, you hate. If you disagree, you’re a hater. If your view is Biblical, you’re intolerant. If you, on biblical grounds, disagree with a lifestyle choice, you are an intolerant, judgmental person. But those who disagree with Christians… are not judgmental?Christians must judge situations — Christians must prove all things — must hold to that which is good.

Those in disagreement are duping Christians into believing they must be tolerant… they say Christians are not to judge — au contraire — Christians must identify that which is Truth and follow it — and those things that are contrary to the Truth are to be condemned – it takes wise judgment to discern good and evil. I marvel that Christians are willing to allow ideas contrary to the Word of God to determine their world view. For lack of knowledge, believers are being destroyed. When Bible teachers do not teach what the Word says and believers do not read what the Word says — and when, instead, “pastors” teach from stories of paraphrases of the Bible, people, who do not study for themselves what the Scriptures say, will be ignorant of the Truth.

Fear of being judged by those who hate God’s Word
is keeping those who would love God from obeying His Word.

The Love Dare Journal — Day 6

love dare

Love is not Irritable.
This chapter begins with a verse from Proverbs 16.32
And then continues, “Love is hard to offend and quick to forgive.”

To be irritable means ‘to be near the point of a knife.’ Not far from being poked. People who are irritable are locked, loaded, and ready to overreact.”

I know I get irritable when there’s a deadline and I’ve not adequately prepared for it… when I don’t feel well and don’t have a quick solution… when I don’t have a meal prepared on time or when I’ve not planned well enough for an event or when I think things will never change in this or that person’s life — in all this — even knowing that there’s nothing whatsoever I can do about the situation, I still fret and become irritable sometimes — but I determine not to be irritable with my husband. I have continually striven to stop and recount the ways of the LORD and His dealings and have sought to live in accordance with His Word — bcz it is there that I know I will find hope and peace for certian.

A little further on in the chapter we read,

A loving husband will remain calm and patient showing mercy and restraining his temper. Rage and violence are out of the question. A loving wife is not overly sensitive or cranky but exercises emotional control. She chooses to be a flower among the thorns and respond pleasantly during prickly situations.”

The book suggests that there are at least two key reasons for irritability — stress and selfishness. Of selfishness we read:

When you are irritable, the heart of the problem is primarily a problem of the heart.” (Matthew 12.34)

I smiled as I read differences between people and the characteristics of fruits — peaches and lemons. So, when things get stressful and the squeeze is on… remember lemons and peaches — be a peach, the result is sweet.

Being easily angered is an indicator that a hidden area of selfishness or insecurity is present where love is supposed to rule. But selfishness also wears many other masks: Lust… Bitterness… Greed… Pride… These motivations can never be satisfied. But when love enters…”

I liked the analogies and comparisons. I like ‘two things’ type lists — catchy phrases, and the exhortation in this chapter to “respond… with patience and encouragement rather than anger and exasperation.”

Today’s Dare

Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation. Begin by making a list below of areas where you need to add margin to your schedule. The list any wrong motivations that you need to release from your life [I would write: list any wrong motivations you need to repent of, confess as sin and seek forgiveness for].
_____ Check here when you’ve completed today’s dare.”

To the questions, I am mulling over my responses — I know I need to work on priorities and to stay ahead of my work — for I am learning more and more that I will neglect important things or drop important things — schedule-wise — instead of saying or volunteering in advance that I cannot do something by a specific date/time. I recognize that these failures lead to irritability — the very last thing I want to be / respond.

Where do you need to add margin to your life? When have you recently overreacted? What was your real motivation behind it? What decisions have you made today?

I’m mulling this over — especially in light of some recent health problems in which I have had to realize I am not handling things as well as I had thought and that I need to not fret about things — I need to just rest in what I can do today and not get caught up in what others are doing or what I think they might be thinking if I don’t have this or that thing done. My husband’s been very, very helpful to me in seeing these things. O, for grace to trust the LORD with things I grieve over — things I cannot do anything about.

Heard at our house today:

Today was an outside most all day long. The first mowing of the year, the first trimming of the year (besides the pruning of the fruit trees and roses done last month), and first real sunny-warm-play in the water sort of day.

Mama, I’m so glad you had more children. I’m so happy I can play with my brothers and sisters — I would be so sad if you didn’t have any more children and I was all alone. [Hug, hug, hug…] I’m so happy…”

I smiled and said, “me, too.”

And I’ve been smiling about that over and over again… and I’m thinking, I’m sure thankful the last baby is glad I had more children. 🙂

The Love Dare Journal — Day 5

love dare Today’s “Dare” begins: Love is not rude.

Once again, I find it difficult to carry out the dare of the day. I say this because I genuinely feel as though I am never rude to my husband. In fact, from the beginning of our marriage, courtesy and manners have been something we’ve continually practiced. But I am determined to go through this book and so I read the chapter and considered the definitions, thoughts and suggestions. And then I had thought on them for a number of days.

Nothing irritates others as quickly as being rude. Rudeness is unnecessarily saying or doing things that are unpleasant for another person to be around. To be rude is to act unbecoming, embarrassing, or irritating.”

I’ve considered several scenarios and I’ve realized that I will occasionally make a comment that interrupts or even contradicts something my husband has said. In times past I have thought I do this bcz I know him so well that I know what he meant to say and so I occasionally interject what he meant to say. And you know… I got to thinking about this and realize that I need to keep this in check — O, I’m not saying I wouldn’t tell him something — but rather, the way it’s done is what I need to determine to redouble my efforts to consider.

The chapter continues with suggestions as to what rudeness looks or sounds like and some Scriptures — concerning how rude behaviour affects a husband (Proverbs 25.24) and the importance of discretion and graciousness. (Proverbs 112.5) The sugesstions were followed by some questions — one being:

Would your husband or wife say that you are a blessing, or that you’re condescening and embarrassing?”

Then tree suggestions (with comments):
1. Guard the Golden Rule…
2. No double standards…
3. Honour requests…

Just yesterday I heard a request — I complied… but I didn’t complete the task — and actually didn’t realize I hadn’t completed the task. Do you know why? I hadn’t listened carefully to the information I was given. I hadn’t paid close attention to the details. Now, in that situation there was no harm done whatsoever — except — that I hadn’t paid close attention to specifics. So from that I now know two things — the next time I am to complete that specific task, my husband will remind me of what I missed this time and *I* will pay very close attention to look in the place he told me I would find the product he had purchased. :o)

Do you think I wanted to ask the questions in this chapter’s exercise? Really… I don’t mind — even though, as with any test, confrontation or question I get nervous that I won’t measure up. I know one thing’s for sure — when my husband tells me something I need to do or something he’d like to have done I kow he is *for* me and wants the very best for me. Time and experience has proven this over and over. I am assured of his love and respect. Here’s this chapter’s dare:

Ask your spouse to tell you three things that cause him or her to be uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking them or justifying your behaviour. This is from their perspective only.”

______ check here when you’ve completed today’s dare.

There’s space in the book to record what your spouse pointed out; space to record how you handled it; and space to record what you plan to do to improve these areas. Tomorrow, Day 6: Love is Not Irritable.

On Colbert…

This isn’t a blanket endorsement of Stephen Colbert or The Colbert Nation… but I’m just posting this so that you’ll see the lengths to which some people are going to deceive others or to discredit the Bible. I first saw this at an apologetics conference this weekend during a talk by Dr. Doug Geivett. He was talking about evidence and why it matters — evidence for Christian theology. He made an interesting comment regarding evidence:

Evidence has never mattered more than it does today.

Evidence has never mattered less than it does today.

Do you get that? Let it sink down in your ears.

I’ve been mulling this thought over and over. I have been trying to articulate this for years — that the Bible matters. Truth matters. Knowing God matters. Knowing God’s Word matters. Faith matters. Obedience to God’s Word matters. But it seems — if you listen to or read books by mainstream pastors — like none of all that matters all that much. Truly… if you follow mainstream preacher/teacher sorts, you will find that *the Truth* doesn’t always matter so much as what it is that they think that matters.

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/224128/april-09-2009/bart-ehrman

another menopause tale…

There’s more to this than meets the eye.
Stuff you don’t know until you do.

Are you a big surprise?

Have you let someone mock you and steal your dream?

Our family crowed [sorry, that’s a typo. Our family didn’t crow around the computer — we crowded; c-r-o-w-d-e-d]around the computer to view a YouTube video that was suggested to us. So we waited for the video clip to upload….

When she walked on the stage of “Britain’s Got Talent” it was obvious what the audience thought of the contestant, Susan Boyle. Standing there, smiling and obviously pleased to be there, she was — to worldly eyes — not stylish, attractive, seductive or of much interest — and certainly not a star. And it’s shocking, isn’t it, how much stock the world puts in worldliness or in people who *seem* to have it all together — or how powerful the world is in defining worth. So, here she was — engaging — but from audience reactions, apparently odd — unprofessional and awkward. Additionally, she didn’t appear to have talent except whatever talent it took to make it to that mark on the stage.

Susan Boyle was asked by one of the judges, Simon Cowell, “Okay, what’s the dream?” She answered, “I’m trying to be a professional singer.” And at that, the camera, panning the audience, stopped on a young girl wearing a blue blouse — gasping and crossing her arms, rolling her heavily black-lined eyes — obviously thinking this next contestant was a joke. I thought, how pitiful that we are often derailed in life by small people who are so filled with their own self importance and ridicule of others — and yet we, for whatever reason, believe or fall prey to their mockings or belittling. After answering the “What’s the dream” question, Susan Boyle was asked, “And why hasn’t it worked out so far, Susan?” She answered, “Well, I’ve never been given a chance before, but here’s where I figure it will change.” And for a moment the mocking and preconceptions rippled through the audience — but the moment she began to sing, stunned audience was transformed.

I, at once, admired her obvious eager desire and tenacity. I am not a television viewer and I don’t know and don’t follow talent programs or personalities. I’m not a follower of celebrities and had to look up the program and names of the judges (Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, and Piers Morgan); and, by the way, even mentioning this program might be misconstrued as an endorsement — I assure you: it is not. But I am attempting to make a point — and it is this: small people steal big dreams. I am reminded once again — and it’s hit me profoundly — to not be careless with other people’s dreams and to not let others be careless with mine.

I was thinking about this through the evening and this morning. And I was considering the number of times — and lengths of time — I have been derailed by others and what they thought — or, more accurately, what I think they thought — because, in reality, I know people don’t think as much about us as we think they do. And… sadly, we often ignore or discount those who think highly of us (because we allow ourselves to be squashed by, and dwell on, those who don’t care much about us).

I think of the times I’ve felt like a Susan Boyle with big dreams… and then I am derailed as I let my eyes fall on an ignorant girl rolling her eyes back at me with disgust at my pitiful hopes. I hate that I am inhibited by fear of foolishness or ineptitude. I think of situations where I’ve been chided or mocked through the years for things I do or choices I’ve made — and occasionally have allowed my mind to be overrun with negative thoughts. The times I’ve not taken every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. (2Cor10.5) I then feel stupid and small (or too poor or too fat or too old or too ignorant or whatever) and then I’m sort of paralyzed by those negative thoughts and don’t carry out what I know I ought to be doing.In those times I forget what my Heavenly Father thinks of me — how He loves and cares for me.

In those times I forget what He has created me to be and do.
In those times I forget (or dismiss) how much my husband loves and cares for me.
In those times I forget the promises of God and His glory and plans.

I think there are lots of us who occasionally allow the enemy’s mocking to squash our hopes and cloud our days. I pray from here on out… we’ll just be a big surprise to the watching world. To God’s glory.

[I need an editor]

Because of Jesus

I’m in awe… thankful and amazed at the mercy of God.
I could never do anything, be anything, think anything: to earn my way to redemption.
But God! Because of the cross…

because of Jesus

— Jesus alone
I stand redeemed. I stand in awe, I stand redeemed.

Consider Jesus… who lived among men, was crucified, suffered, died, rose again, was seen by many, ascended into heaven
and ever lives to make intercession for us who believe.
Jesus is coming again.

Trust in Him.
Believe today… repent and follow Him.

because of Jesus… we have life.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12.2

One day I will see my Saviour face to Face and I will be home… today, because of the Cross,
because of the finished work of Jesus Christ… through faith by the grace of God: I stand redeemed.

It’s only Jesus. It’s always been just Jesus.
“Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4.12

He is Risen!

Jesus is Alive

the stone’s been rolled away…

God has given the greatest gift ever given.

The awful stone of your life can be rolled away today…

and for you today — today — can be the day of salvation.

Salvation through faith in the living LORD — Yeshua… Jesus