I added a new song to my playlist... called "For Love of You," by Audrey Assad. I LOVE the lyrics. Here they are:
You live in a million places
Your fingerprints can be seen on a million faces
And there's a trace of You
in every alleluia
every song that I sing
For love of You
I'm a sky on fire
For love of You
I come alive
And it's Your Sacred Heart within me beating
Your voice within me singing
out for love of You
It's all for You
You are the highway I travel
cause I watched You carve streets of gold
From sin and gravel
I gave You brokenness
You gave me innocence
and now this road leads to glory
You are my deepest longing
so I see You everywhere
it's You I'm chasing after
Cause I am captivated by who You are
and how You move
I'll follow You forever
God
For love of You
Purses Complete
July 25, 2010
Alexandrea, Lexi, Tiffani, and I finished our purses/tote bags on Friday... they all turned out beautifully!
Modeling...:)
Tiffani and I with our instructor, Billie.
Celebrating! It was a delightful lunch with our good friends.MrJ Pictures!!!
July 24, 2010
I promised to post the pictures from Pondo with MrJ soon... and here they are!
We're here!!!!
Look at that pine tree!
At the wheel~!
Playing with the kids:)
I couldn't resist a picture of this lovely flower.
Into costume and excited to go!
Hannah going over moves with everyone...
On stage!
All over... Me, Lexi, and Hannah. Lexi and I are sooo sad it's over, but we're looking forward to winter camps! If G-d wills we can't wait!
We're here!!!! 
Look at that pine tree!
At the wheel~!
Playing with the kids:)
I couldn't resist a picture of this lovely flower.
Into costume and excited to go!
Hannah going over moves with everyone...
On stage!
All over... Me, Lexi, and Hannah. Lexi and I are sooo sad it's over, but we're looking forward to winter camps! If G-d wills we can't wait!Proverbs 3:26
July 21, 2010
I simply had to share this verse. It's amazing!
"For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught." ~Proverbs 3:26
Oh Lord, my confidence is in You!!
"For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught." ~Proverbs 3:26
Oh Lord, my confidence is in You!!
Teen-Age or Teenager?
I was looking at the TJED (Thomas Jefferson Education website) this evening, and came across this article. Yes, I've heard the speakers of TJEd say things like it over the times I've heard them speak, but not altogether in an article like this. This is part of it. The rest is on
http://www.tjedonline.com/free-article.php?id=32.
I would encourage you to read the rest.
"Youth v. Teenager" by Dr. Michael Platt
“We have two teenagers,” I sometimes hear parents say. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” I sometimes reply. Although I say it with a smile, the truth is sad. Teenagers are not inevitable, natural, or God-given. The Teenager was invented, fashioned, permitted—let loose you might say—by the generation of our parents and grandparents. Discovering that may help us to raise our children differently.
There were no “teenagers” before World War II. Instead of Teenagers, there were Youths. Youths were young people who wanted to become adults. However confused, wayward, or silly they acted, however many mistakes they made, they looked to the future, wanted to make it different from their youth, and planned to. They were aware that life is more than youth. The Teenager has no such horizon. Beyond the “Teeny” world there is no adult life, no past with heroes, no future with goals.
And a new word was needed to describe them. Words such as “upstart,” “brat,” “tough,” “rogue,” and “slut,” described deviations from the general good of “youth,” not its characteristic features. The word “teenager” did not exist. Compare the entries in Webster’s II (1934) and III (1961); only after the war does the adjective “teen-age” become the noun, “teenager.”
When parents today say “We have two teenagers,” the reason why I can reply “I’m so sorry” is that they say this with a sigh. Indeed, there is a world of difference between having youths in your home and teenagers. Consider Tolstoy’s Childhood, Boyhood, and Youth. Author Tolstoy is honest to a fault; youth Tolstoy was a bag of vices, poses, and miseries. However, youth Tolstoy was never a Teenager, for in the midst of his confusion, he was always a striving to become a man. The world of grown-ups was there around and above him, not shut out. Youths associated with other youths, sometimes dressed alike, talked alike, but never separated entirely from their teachers and parents. When you saw youths with their parents, they were not pretending to be unrelated to the family. After all, they wanted one day to become like their parents, or like their grandparents, or like their teachers.
Their heroes and heroines were such people. Youths chose presidents, inventors, scientists, explorers, warriors, saints, and teachers for their heroes. In American history they looked to the likes of Washington and Jefferson, Boone and Crockett, Lincoln, Lee, and Grant, Fredrick Douglas and Booker T. Washington, and Clara Barton. In literature they looked to the likes of the Virginian, Robinson Crusoe, Hamlet, Odysseus, and Leather-stocking. The cowboy and the saint filled their imagination. Above these they looked to Abraham, Moses, Paul and Christ.
A youth wants to be trusted, given responsibility, and the opportunity to deserve esteem. Youths make more mistakes than adults, usually with less grave consequences, but they suffer more from them than adults; they like their mistakes less; they feel more shame. Shame is the other side of the respect they have for adults, for the virtues they see in them. Being immature, youths will always be tempted by pleasures, by flattery, and by illusions, but with an adult world around them, they will be able to make comparisons and judgments. Candy is candy, candy is sweet, candy can be given to you, but nothing in the world can substitute for knowing how to ride your bike. No one can give that to you. No one can do that for you.
Youths tend, then, to know the difference between the things that are really your own, the virtues, and the things that come from others, such as wealth, or come easy, such as the pleasures. Good youths like good tests. They want enjoy adult pleasures after performing adult duties.
The truth in this self-approval {of youths v. teenagers} is that we are often mixed beings; our experiences have not always been good, our deeds virtuous, our hearts true, our minds clear. If we were to acknowledge this, we might then forgive ourselves as we wish others to forgive us. Without acknowledging such things, I doubt that anyone is really o.k., can think clearly, live well, or help others to. The Prodigal Daughter I have imagined is a portrait of America at the present time, free but not brave enough to be virtuous, discontented but not enough to free herself from bondage.
The most potent impediment to acknowledging our negligence is the doctrine of choice. “Yes, we see rock music is bad, we don’t like it ourselves. Yes, we see TV is shallow. Yes, we see that loose money is not good for our children. They have so much more than we had, but, yes, they are not better off for it. Yes, perhaps we shouldn’t send peevish Pam and sleepy Sam to Europe when neither has worked hard enough at their French to order food in a restaurant, but what can you do? The kids have to have some responsibility. You have to give them some choice.” Thus runs the pro-choice excuse for negligence.
We know how welfare recipients often lose their spirit, unlearn responsibility, and fall into dependency. As a class Teenagers are less deserving of welfare and as debilitated by it. The parents who set up a “pro-choice” version of welfare, are as unlikely to exhort their children, discuss responsibility with them, give them maxims, or give them examples of responsibility, fiscal or otherwise as the current Federal Government is. And even if the parents do exhort their children, they are, by setting them up with discretionary money, showing them the way to avoid such discussions. Few such parents will exhort their children anyway. The advantage of welfare for them is that you don’t have to exhort your children, don’t risk a stormy argument, and can just forget them. To justify their negligence parents who “welfare” their children say “We are tired.” Recognize a “right to be tired” and you can justify anything."
Now, after reading all that... I'm not putting down those who lead the kind of lifestyle mentioned above. I am simply stating that there is something more to being in teen years. To learn from the life-styles of our founding fathers, of those we look up to and admire from the past. To act on our passions, not just dream of them. And yes, to be as youths were in the past- not feeling, "oh, you're out of school, time to party," but, "wow, I just served my country by doing such-and-such. I feel good about what I just did! I feel like I've reached my man (or woman, whichever the case may be)-hood.
Dr. Platt concludes with this statement:
"Nothing should make us more happy about our children today and more confident about our future public life than the number of parents who have chosen to educate their own children today. The benefits are immediate to the children, and immediate to the parents as well. In order to teach you must know and in order to know you must learn. The benefits last unto the third generation and beyond. A generation of parents whose good children could declare, “You set us on the good path you first trod” would constitute a mighty nation, might reconstitute this once almost chosen one, and would surely please God."
http://www.tjedonline.com/free-article.php?id=32.
I would encourage you to read the rest.
"Youth v. Teenager" by Dr. Michael Platt
“We have two teenagers,” I sometimes hear parents say. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” I sometimes reply. Although I say it with a smile, the truth is sad. Teenagers are not inevitable, natural, or God-given. The Teenager was invented, fashioned, permitted—let loose you might say—by the generation of our parents and grandparents. Discovering that may help us to raise our children differently.
There were no “teenagers” before World War II. Instead of Teenagers, there were Youths. Youths were young people who wanted to become adults. However confused, wayward, or silly they acted, however many mistakes they made, they looked to the future, wanted to make it different from their youth, and planned to. They were aware that life is more than youth. The Teenager has no such horizon. Beyond the “Teeny” world there is no adult life, no past with heroes, no future with goals.
And a new word was needed to describe them. Words such as “upstart,” “brat,” “tough,” “rogue,” and “slut,” described deviations from the general good of “youth,” not its characteristic features. The word “teenager” did not exist. Compare the entries in Webster’s II (1934) and III (1961); only after the war does the adjective “teen-age” become the noun, “teenager.”
When parents today say “We have two teenagers,” the reason why I can reply “I’m so sorry” is that they say this with a sigh. Indeed, there is a world of difference between having youths in your home and teenagers. Consider Tolstoy’s Childhood, Boyhood, and Youth. Author Tolstoy is honest to a fault; youth Tolstoy was a bag of vices, poses, and miseries. However, youth Tolstoy was never a Teenager, for in the midst of his confusion, he was always a striving to become a man. The world of grown-ups was there around and above him, not shut out. Youths associated with other youths, sometimes dressed alike, talked alike, but never separated entirely from their teachers and parents. When you saw youths with their parents, they were not pretending to be unrelated to the family. After all, they wanted one day to become like their parents, or like their grandparents, or like their teachers.
Their heroes and heroines were such people. Youths chose presidents, inventors, scientists, explorers, warriors, saints, and teachers for their heroes. In American history they looked to the likes of Washington and Jefferson, Boone and Crockett, Lincoln, Lee, and Grant, Fredrick Douglas and Booker T. Washington, and Clara Barton. In literature they looked to the likes of the Virginian, Robinson Crusoe, Hamlet, Odysseus, and Leather-stocking. The cowboy and the saint filled their imagination. Above these they looked to Abraham, Moses, Paul and Christ.
A youth wants to be trusted, given responsibility, and the opportunity to deserve esteem. Youths make more mistakes than adults, usually with less grave consequences, but they suffer more from them than adults; they like their mistakes less; they feel more shame. Shame is the other side of the respect they have for adults, for the virtues they see in them. Being immature, youths will always be tempted by pleasures, by flattery, and by illusions, but with an adult world around them, they will be able to make comparisons and judgments. Candy is candy, candy is sweet, candy can be given to you, but nothing in the world can substitute for knowing how to ride your bike. No one can give that to you. No one can do that for you.
Youths tend, then, to know the difference between the things that are really your own, the virtues, and the things that come from others, such as wealth, or come easy, such as the pleasures. Good youths like good tests. They want enjoy adult pleasures after performing adult duties.
The truth in this self-approval {of youths v. teenagers} is that we are often mixed beings; our experiences have not always been good, our deeds virtuous, our hearts true, our minds clear. If we were to acknowledge this, we might then forgive ourselves as we wish others to forgive us. Without acknowledging such things, I doubt that anyone is really o.k., can think clearly, live well, or help others to. The Prodigal Daughter I have imagined is a portrait of America at the present time, free but not brave enough to be virtuous, discontented but not enough to free herself from bondage.
The most potent impediment to acknowledging our negligence is the doctrine of choice. “Yes, we see rock music is bad, we don’t like it ourselves. Yes, we see TV is shallow. Yes, we see that loose money is not good for our children. They have so much more than we had, but, yes, they are not better off for it. Yes, perhaps we shouldn’t send peevish Pam and sleepy Sam to Europe when neither has worked hard enough at their French to order food in a restaurant, but what can you do? The kids have to have some responsibility. You have to give them some choice.” Thus runs the pro-choice excuse for negligence.
We know how welfare recipients often lose their spirit, unlearn responsibility, and fall into dependency. As a class Teenagers are less deserving of welfare and as debilitated by it. The parents who set up a “pro-choice” version of welfare, are as unlikely to exhort their children, discuss responsibility with them, give them maxims, or give them examples of responsibility, fiscal or otherwise as the current Federal Government is. And even if the parents do exhort their children, they are, by setting them up with discretionary money, showing them the way to avoid such discussions. Few such parents will exhort their children anyway. The advantage of welfare for them is that you don’t have to exhort your children, don’t risk a stormy argument, and can just forget them. To justify their negligence parents who “welfare” their children say “We are tired.” Recognize a “right to be tired” and you can justify anything."
Now, after reading all that... I'm not putting down those who lead the kind of lifestyle mentioned above. I am simply stating that there is something more to being in teen years. To learn from the life-styles of our founding fathers, of those we look up to and admire from the past. To act on our passions, not just dream of them. And yes, to be as youths were in the past- not feeling, "oh, you're out of school, time to party," but, "wow, I just served my country by doing such-and-such. I feel good about what I just did! I feel like I've reached my man (or woman, whichever the case may be)-hood.
Dr. Platt concludes with this statement:
"Nothing should make us more happy about our children today and more confident about our future public life than the number of parents who have chosen to educate their own children today. The benefits are immediate to the children, and immediate to the parents as well. In order to teach you must know and in order to know you must learn. The benefits last unto the third generation and beyond. A generation of parents whose good children could declare, “You set us on the good path you first trod” would constitute a mighty nation, might reconstitute this once almost chosen one, and would surely please God."
To Chew On (Not Literally:P)
July 20, 2010
Glenn Beck said something today that was amazing. Chew on it for a while, will you?
-There is no peace without hope.
-There is no hope without liberty.
-There is no liberty without integrity.
-There is no integrity without virtue.
-There is no virtue without enlightenment.
-There is no enlightenment without truth. !
-There is no peace without hope.
-There is no hope without liberty.
-There is no liberty without integrity.
-There is no integrity without virtue.
-There is no virtue without enlightenment.
-There is no enlightenment without truth. !
A Twist on Purim
July 19, 2010
Gracie-Hopie and I were playing with her legos in her room the other day... at least, she was playing with them. I was building. She was playing. She began singing to herself, and I really wasn't paying much attention to exactly what she was singing, until I caught the words: "Your highness I believe there is much to fear... with permission, your highness, I'll tell you how... there are those who can't be trusted! ... Sneaky little families who do sneaky little things, who sneak their sneaky noses into matters of the kings, etc." Finally, I caught on. Any of you ever watched VeggieTales before? I watched this very one (Queen Esther) with Tiffani a few weeks ago, and I remember laughing at this song. But back to my tale...
Grace-Hope then began dancing her little lego people around in a circle, "Okay, now we're going to dance." Now, you have to understand, that at Purim, which happened several months ago, there was a celebration, as normal- with food, story-telling, and dances. So after the afore-mentioned dance, we read the story of Queen Esther- where we, "Hurray!" for Mordecai, "Aw!" for Esther, and a boo and/or hiss when we hear Haman's name mentioned. Two of Grace-Hope's lego-people were dressed as a king and queen, and, as you probably expected, they became King Xerxes, and Haman. Okay, so you didn't expect Haman. Xerxes, and Esther. And Xerxes and Mordecai. So now she started boo-ing when she spoke Haman's name. Etcetera.
Just thought I'd share about how she remembered the festival of Purim!
Grace-Hope then began dancing her little lego people around in a circle, "Okay, now we're going to dance." Now, you have to understand, that at Purim, which happened several months ago, there was a celebration, as normal- with food, story-telling, and dances. So after the afore-mentioned dance, we read the story of Queen Esther- where we, "Hurray!" for Mordecai, "Aw!" for Esther, and a boo and/or hiss when we hear Haman's name mentioned. Two of Grace-Hope's lego-people were dressed as a king and queen, and, as you probably expected, they became King Xerxes, and Haman. Okay, so you didn't expect Haman. Xerxes, and Esther. And Xerxes and Mordecai. So now she started boo-ing when she spoke Haman's name. Etcetera.
Just thought I'd share about how she remembered the festival of Purim!
Perishment by Dream
After dinner tonight, our family was seated around the table for Bible time. We read, in the Catherine Vos The Children’s Bible, the story of Daniel telling Nebuchadnezzar what his dream was about. This brought up the topic of dreams- for you know it’s never a complete devotion without an interruption or two:)
Anyway, after hearing about the particular dream Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar about, Grace- Hope said, “Oh, I had a terrible dream in my nap this afternoon! I dreamed I was perishing in the ocean!” My Mom asked, feigning surprise and shock (but Grace-Hope never notices the whole ‘feigned’ part, adding to the fun.), “Oh my goodness! What were you perishing from?” Grace-Hope turned to me, and rolled her eyes dramatically from the remembrance, "A shark was perishing me. It was terrible." *Insert melencholy sigh* I, on the otehr hand, was trying to keep a straight face. Mom was hiding her face from Grace-Hope and whisper/mouthing to me, "I love the perishing~!" I started to crack up- and Grace-Hope turned back to my mom. Her face was instantly straight again. "Oh, I'm glad you were okay." "Yeah."
Oh my goodness.
Anyway, after hearing about the particular dream Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar about, Grace- Hope said, “Oh, I had a terrible dream in my nap this afternoon! I dreamed I was perishing in the ocean!” My Mom asked, feigning surprise and shock (but Grace-Hope never notices the whole ‘feigned’ part, adding to the fun.), “Oh my goodness! What were you perishing from?” Grace-Hope turned to me, and rolled her eyes dramatically from the remembrance, "A shark was perishing me. It was terrible." *Insert melencholy sigh* I, on the otehr hand, was trying to keep a straight face. Mom was hiding her face from Grace-Hope and whisper/mouthing to me, "I love the perishing~!" I started to crack up- and Grace-Hope turned back to my mom. Her face was instantly straight again. "Oh, I'm glad you were okay." "Yeah."
Oh my goodness.
I'm Tagging Again!
July 15, 2010
Okay, so I was tagged by my friend Rachel- and now I need to answer the questions! Yay!
Here are the rules. If you are tagged, answer all the questions and tag five people. Leave a comment on their blog letting them know that they are tagged. Answer every question, and try to be original with your answers (for example, sometimes one word answers are fine, but try not to use them for every single question.)
1. Who are your best friends?
I have so many amazing friends. But besides Jesus, my very best friend, I have my sister Alexandrea, and of course my sweet sis' Tiffani, Cassie, Elisa, Hannah, Karah (aka, Kare-Bear:D), Lexi, Elissa, Carrie, Sandra, -- and believe me, the list could go on because I have many beautiful, wonderful, godly friends!
2. Who is the person you love the most?
Here's a one-word answer: Jesus.
3. What I dislike most about the gernal public is...
There is very little fear of and love for G-d.... (I'm copy-catting Rachel on this one, but I really agree.)
4. Is there any circumstance where cheating is okay?
No way!
5. East Coast or West Coast?
Don't ask. I live on the West Coast, but a lot of my family is over on the other side...
6. What is love?
1 Corinthians 13! Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, love does not brag and is not arrogant. True love is what G-d gave to us-- His Son. Love is self-sacrifice.
8. What is the meaning of life?
To glorify G-d and Him alone. Really, I'm here for His planning and purpose, for a reason.
10. Do you drink coffee?
Sometimes...
11. Do you like to bake/cook?
I love to cook! You can eyeball everything! Baking, on the other hand, is Alexandrea's cup of tea.
12. Do you believe in Heaven and Hell?
Definetely. And I am looking forward to Heaven, where I will see my Savior face to face!
13. What color are your eyes?
Depends on the light: hazel, green, brown.
14. What is the name of your truest friend?
Jesus! I can say no one else!
15. What is your natural hair color?
Brown (One of those one-word answers.)
16. How many people are in your [immediate] family?
Six- My parents, my sisters, and my dogs:)
17. Favorite rapper?
I STRONGLY DISLIKE RAP! And besides, I actually have only heard it once. Once was enough. Enough said.
18. What's the first thing you notice in a boy/girl?
I honestly don't go by first impressions too much... it depends on the conversation we have.
19. What language would you like to speak fluently?
I would love to speak French and Hebrew... but Hebrew most fluently.
20. Are you in love?
Oh, yeah! With Jesus Christ!
21. How many kids (or any at all) would you like to have?
If G-d would so chose to so bless me, I would love nine or more children. As many as G-d sees fit!
22. Chocolate or other candy?
Chocolate all the way!
23. Sweet or sour candy?
Sour
24. Favorite hot drink?
Aple cider for sure:)
25. What is your dream job?
I want to be a clear reflection of G-d, a home-schooling mother, and I have a passion for Shakespeare, so something to do with that.
26. What religion did you choose to follow?
I'm not following a religion-- I'm following my Savior, Jesus Christ, through Whom I have found the most incredible and inexpressible joy in the universe. He is the Love of my life- and my Life itself!
27. Performing Arts, Fine Arts, or Sports?
Performing. definitely.
28. Riding horses or riding dolphins?
I love horseback riding! It's a breath-taking feeling!
29. Are you fed up with all these questions?
Nope!
30. Do you believe that a good life is attainable? Or is it something out of our control (i.e. subject to luck, etc.)?
Not at all! There is no such thing as luck! And there is only One Who has lived a good life-- Jesus Christ. But He has paid the price for our sins, so now, we can have forgiveness for all the wrong we have done.
31. What came first, the chicken or the egg?
Okay, I've recieved this question in almost EVERY email/quiz/whatever. We're not too original here, are we?!?! But, just to answer, the chicken. G-d didn't make an egg in the beginning, He made creatures. Hence, the chicken.
32. What is your favorite color?
Lavender and pink are a great colors :) And I also love blue and green and yellow, and really any color that's happy. Forego the black, please.
33. Right or left handed?
Right, but just for the fun of it, I'm teaching myself to write with my left hand, too!
34. Who do you count on when feeling down?
G-d is my One and Only.
35. Do you plan in advance?
Yes-- I love having plans! But sometimes I like spontaniety.
36. If you won the lottery, how would you spend your millions.
I'm sorry, but forget the gambling. I would never gamble. But, if I came across some money I would build an orphanage in Mexico or China or somewhere else where I could be a missionary (that wouldn't take millions but it would be one thing I've always wanted to do) (Rachel... we're getting VERY like-minded...)
37. If you could travel back in time, what mistakes would you undo?
All those times when I trusted my own plans more than G-d's... and especially when I suffered the consequences for it later.
38. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hum, hum... I'll be 19. I think it's kind of hard imaginging myself at this age:P Whatever G-d has planned will be done!
39. What are you most proud of in your life?
There is nothing good in me, except for CHRIST, Who lives in me.
40. Who do you admire most?
Jesus is Awesome! But if it were a person, I would say simply my mom. Any other person? Oh, the Proverbs 31 woman, Amy Carmichael, and Corrie Ten Boom.
42. When do you plan on getting married?
I don't make those kinds of plans. I leave them up to G-d! He is awesome and has the perfect plan. Leaving it all up to G-d! Whenever G-d calls.
43. Water or 100% juice?
Water (so now I'm kinda getting fed up with the questions...)
44. Would you rather be hot or cold?
Cold!
45. Opera, Musical, Performance, Play, or Other?
I love all types of theater. But I always love watching a good performance of Shakespeare!
46. What is your favorite clothing brand?
I'm good with whatever... some of the best finds are in thrift stores!!!
47. What was your last thought?
"I'm so glad my daddy and I got to go out spontaneously for ice cream at 9pm after TBC!"
48. Favorite fruit?
Raspberries, plums, tangerines... G-d made so many fruits that I enjoy!
49. Would you rather be blind or deaf?
I would have to say... deaf! I would miss seeing those I love, and being able to read G-d's Word! Ugh, it's a hard decision! On the other hand, if I were blind there would be so many sounds that I really can't do without- like the birds chirping outside my window that I awake to at 5 in the morning (heaven knows why!).
50. Where do you want to travel next?
I'd love to go to Israel! Israel, and my second choice is Ireland and France. Then Guatemala, to visit the child my family sponsors.
51. What is your favorite food?
Ha. I knew this was coming soon...
52. Do you read Harry Potter books?
No, and I don't plan on it. After someone asked me the other day what books I don't love (since the afore-said person always hears me say, "Oh, I love that book!") I mentioned those. They said they were glad, and didn't blame me.
53. Flip flops or tennis shoes?
Flip flops
54. What is your favorite song of all time?
Brave, and Legacy by Nichole Nordeman, and I'm Letting Go, Forever Love, Someday Soon, and Beatiful, Beautiful, by Francesca Battistelli. And Anyway, and How You Live by Point of Grace. And Born Again by Third Day. I love the song Every Moment by Joy Williams. (And you can hear all of those on my playlist, I believe.) I also love various artists, such as Steven Curtis Chapman, Jars of Clay, Michael W. Smith. Oh! And a big part of my music is any Hebrew praise song that you can dance to! Dance is a big part of worship over here.
All right. That's all over. Time, once again to tag my victa-- ahem, friends:):):)
I'll tag Rachel over at "Living in the Moment."
And... hmm, Kalahan over at "Adventures in the Life of a Daughter of Christ."
And my sweet sister Tiffani, over at "The Kittie Blog."
*I'm racking my brain for the fourth person...*
And Avery over at "Paws for Reflections."
And if you are reading this... you are officially tagged! Have fun!
Here are the rules. If you are tagged, answer all the questions and tag five people. Leave a comment on their blog letting them know that they are tagged. Answer every question, and try to be original with your answers (for example, sometimes one word answers are fine, but try not to use them for every single question.)
1. Who are your best friends?
I have so many amazing friends. But besides Jesus, my very best friend, I have my sister Alexandrea, and of course my sweet sis' Tiffani, Cassie, Elisa, Hannah, Karah (aka, Kare-Bear:D), Lexi, Elissa, Carrie, Sandra, -- and believe me, the list could go on because I have many beautiful, wonderful, godly friends!
2. Who is the person you love the most?
Here's a one-word answer: Jesus.
3. What I dislike most about the gernal public is...
There is very little fear of and love for G-d.... (I'm copy-catting Rachel on this one, but I really agree.)
4. Is there any circumstance where cheating is okay?
No way!
5. East Coast or West Coast?
Don't ask. I live on the West Coast, but a lot of my family is over on the other side...
6. What is love?
1 Corinthians 13! Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, love does not brag and is not arrogant. True love is what G-d gave to us-- His Son. Love is self-sacrifice.
8. What is the meaning of life?
To glorify G-d and Him alone. Really, I'm here for His planning and purpose, for a reason.
10. Do you drink coffee?
Sometimes...
11. Do you like to bake/cook?
I love to cook! You can eyeball everything! Baking, on the other hand, is Alexandrea's cup of tea.
12. Do you believe in Heaven and Hell?
Definetely. And I am looking forward to Heaven, where I will see my Savior face to face!
13. What color are your eyes?
Depends on the light: hazel, green, brown.
14. What is the name of your truest friend?
Jesus! I can say no one else!
15. What is your natural hair color?
Brown (One of those one-word answers.)
16. How many people are in your [immediate] family?
Six- My parents, my sisters, and my dogs:)
17. Favorite rapper?
I STRONGLY DISLIKE RAP! And besides, I actually have only heard it once. Once was enough. Enough said.
18. What's the first thing you notice in a boy/girl?
I honestly don't go by first impressions too much... it depends on the conversation we have.
19. What language would you like to speak fluently?
I would love to speak French and Hebrew... but Hebrew most fluently.
20. Are you in love?
Oh, yeah! With Jesus Christ!
21. How many kids (or any at all) would you like to have?
If G-d would so chose to so bless me, I would love nine or more children. As many as G-d sees fit!
22. Chocolate or other candy?
Chocolate all the way!
23. Sweet or sour candy?
Sour
24. Favorite hot drink?
Aple cider for sure:)
25. What is your dream job?
I want to be a clear reflection of G-d, a home-schooling mother, and I have a passion for Shakespeare, so something to do with that.
26. What religion did you choose to follow?
I'm not following a religion-- I'm following my Savior, Jesus Christ, through Whom I have found the most incredible and inexpressible joy in the universe. He is the Love of my life- and my Life itself!
27. Performing Arts, Fine Arts, or Sports?
Performing. definitely.
28. Riding horses or riding dolphins?
I love horseback riding! It's a breath-taking feeling!
29. Are you fed up with all these questions?
Nope!
30. Do you believe that a good life is attainable? Or is it something out of our control (i.e. subject to luck, etc.)?
Not at all! There is no such thing as luck! And there is only One Who has lived a good life-- Jesus Christ. But He has paid the price for our sins, so now, we can have forgiveness for all the wrong we have done.
31. What came first, the chicken or the egg?
Okay, I've recieved this question in almost EVERY email/quiz/whatever. We're not too original here, are we?!?! But, just to answer, the chicken. G-d didn't make an egg in the beginning, He made creatures. Hence, the chicken.
32. What is your favorite color?
Lavender and pink are a great colors :) And I also love blue and green and yellow, and really any color that's happy. Forego the black, please.
33. Right or left handed?
Right, but just for the fun of it, I'm teaching myself to write with my left hand, too!
34. Who do you count on when feeling down?
G-d is my One and Only.
35. Do you plan in advance?
Yes-- I love having plans! But sometimes I like spontaniety.
36. If you won the lottery, how would you spend your millions.
I'm sorry, but forget the gambling. I would never gamble. But, if I came across some money I would build an orphanage in Mexico or China or somewhere else where I could be a missionary (that wouldn't take millions but it would be one thing I've always wanted to do) (Rachel... we're getting VERY like-minded...)
37. If you could travel back in time, what mistakes would you undo?
All those times when I trusted my own plans more than G-d's... and especially when I suffered the consequences for it later.
38. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hum, hum... I'll be 19. I think it's kind of hard imaginging myself at this age:P Whatever G-d has planned will be done!
39. What are you most proud of in your life?
There is nothing good in me, except for CHRIST, Who lives in me.
40. Who do you admire most?
Jesus is Awesome! But if it were a person, I would say simply my mom. Any other person? Oh, the Proverbs 31 woman, Amy Carmichael, and Corrie Ten Boom.
42. When do you plan on getting married?
I don't make those kinds of plans. I leave them up to G-d! He is awesome and has the perfect plan. Leaving it all up to G-d! Whenever G-d calls.
43. Water or 100% juice?
Water (so now I'm kinda getting fed up with the questions...)
44. Would you rather be hot or cold?
Cold!
45. Opera, Musical, Performance, Play, or Other?
I love all types of theater. But I always love watching a good performance of Shakespeare!
46. What is your favorite clothing brand?
I'm good with whatever... some of the best finds are in thrift stores!!!
47. What was your last thought?
"I'm so glad my daddy and I got to go out spontaneously for ice cream at 9pm after TBC!"
48. Favorite fruit?
Raspberries, plums, tangerines... G-d made so many fruits that I enjoy!
49. Would you rather be blind or deaf?
I would have to say... deaf! I would miss seeing those I love, and being able to read G-d's Word! Ugh, it's a hard decision! On the other hand, if I were blind there would be so many sounds that I really can't do without- like the birds chirping outside my window that I awake to at 5 in the morning (heaven knows why!).
50. Where do you want to travel next?
I'd love to go to Israel! Israel, and my second choice is Ireland and France. Then Guatemala, to visit the child my family sponsors.
51. What is your favorite food?
Ha. I knew this was coming soon...
52. Do you read Harry Potter books?
No, and I don't plan on it. After someone asked me the other day what books I don't love (since the afore-said person always hears me say, "Oh, I love that book!") I mentioned those. They said they were glad, and didn't blame me.
53. Flip flops or tennis shoes?
Flip flops
54. What is your favorite song of all time?
Brave, and Legacy by Nichole Nordeman, and I'm Letting Go, Forever Love, Someday Soon, and Beatiful, Beautiful, by Francesca Battistelli. And Anyway, and How You Live by Point of Grace. And Born Again by Third Day. I love the song Every Moment by Joy Williams. (And you can hear all of those on my playlist, I believe.) I also love various artists, such as Steven Curtis Chapman, Jars of Clay, Michael W. Smith. Oh! And a big part of my music is any Hebrew praise song that you can dance to! Dance is a big part of worship over here.
All right. That's all over. Time, once again to tag my victa-- ahem, friends:):):)
I'll tag Rachel over at "Living in the Moment."
And... hmm, Kalahan over at "Adventures in the Life of a Daughter of Christ."
And my sweet sister Tiffani, over at "The Kittie Blog."
*I'm racking my brain for the fourth person...*
And Avery over at "Paws for Reflections."
And if you are reading this... you are officially tagged! Have fun!
A Prayer Request
July 12, 2010
After watching the VBS presentation at "The Bridge" church all last week, my sweet friend Lexi and I decided we wanted to become a part of the cast team of KidPossible ministries with MrJ. I've known MrJ since I was little, when he did services in the Sunday School at my church.
Lexi and I approached him about it... and guess what he said? Lexi and I are going to "audition" by getting put in the program at a camp tomorrow night in Pondo. We get to watch in the morning, and do it at night! (Plus we get to dress up like pirates!) Pray for everything to go well! Thanks everybody!
Lexi and I approached him about it... and guess what he said? Lexi and I are going to "audition" by getting put in the program at a camp tomorrow night in Pondo. We get to watch in the morning, and do it at night! (Plus we get to dress up like pirates!) Pray for everything to go well! Thanks everybody!
The Quilters' Faire!
A few days ago, we went with our good friends, the Garcia ladies and Tiffani to go quilting. Here are some pictures of our fun day at Quilters Faire! We all made quilted purses, and it was a fabulous day!
Right after Alexandrea and Lexi were eating lunch... notice their nice smiles???
And then they got back at Tiffani and I while we were eating lunch...
Fun, fun! And we're looking forward to finishing them sometime next week!
On Godly Femininity
My friend Rachel recently wrote an amazing post on her blogs about femininity. My reasons for stating this? Well, she writes amazing points and views- and so this post is really by her. She echoes my own thoughts perfectly!
I've always been feminine. Yes, I did go through what we call 'jean disease,' where everywhere you go you wear jeans, or pants of some sort, and don't care for skirts/dresses. I went throught it- and you know what, the reason why I started is because a lot of my friends were wearing them regularly. I wasn't comfortable, and went along with the crowd, and felt I needed to fit in. Then, several months ago, I peeled off my shell. Now, everywhere I go, I wear skirts/dresses! It's my feminine side! And, believe me, it's not because everyone is wearing them- no, siree! G-d helped me love who I am- and the person inside of me. I try to never be like anyone else because G-d has created me with the purpose of being who He made me to be. No, I don't know what His purpose in life for me is just yet, but when He calls, I'll be ready!
No matter where you are, if you are a young, teen aged lady-- in particular, a Christian one, then you are probably surrounded by many different expectations. On one end of the spectrum, you're probably bombarded with the world's standards of true 'beauty' (You know, you have to look like all of the actresses in Hollywood). Even if you're not in public school, you can hear these things from neighbors, movies, just about anywhere. Sadly, these ideas are everywhere. On the other end of the spectrum, you may be from a conservative Christian home (as am I) but are sometimes overwhelmed because it seems that many Christians deem it 'ungodly' if don't know how to sew or that you need to marry or you're not obeying G-d's commands.
Is there something wrong with these pictures? Yes. Do they need to be addressed? Certainly. I want to talk a little bit about our world's feminist movement that is growing alarmingly quickly; and I'd also like to look at how some Christians view femininity and what the problems are with that view.
I think one of the main problems with the modern feminism movement is that women are always saying they want "equality" with men. The problem is, we were made to be different.
Ephesians 5:22-33 "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church — for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. "
And Colossians 3:18 "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord."
Notice that G-d never gives the command for husbands to submit to their wives. No, that was not His plan in marriage. His plan was, and is, for women to submit to their husbands. Women have different and distinct roles from what men do. At the same time, we are all equal in our value to G-d.
Here is a paragraph from http://www.gotquestions.org/women-pastors.html. I myself will only quote the second-to last paragraph:
"God has ordained that only men are to serve in positions of spiritual teaching authority in the church. This is not because men are necessarily better teachers, or because women are inferior or less intelligent (which is not the case). It is simply the way God designed the church to function. Men are to set the example in spiritual leadership—in their lives and through their words. Women are to take a less authoritative role. Women are encouraged to teach other women (Titus 2:3-5). The Bible also does not restrict women from teaching children. The only activity women are restricted from is teaching men or having spiritual authority over them. This logically would preclude women from serving as pastors/preachers. This does not make women less important, by any means, but rather gives them a ministry focus more in agreement with God’s plan and His gifting of them."
On the other hand, some Christians are combating the feminist movement by having many rules that are not necessarily Biblical. I believe that, as Christians, we need to be careful that the rules we have come from G-d and that we are not being 'old-fashioned' simply for the sake of being old-fashioned, and calling it godliness. What do I mean? Well, just because it's old-fashioned does not make it godly. We need to realize that, yes, some things that are godly will be labeled as 'old-fashioned' by the world. but it's important that we are determining what our convictions are and not just doing things because they seem old-fashioned and therefore we assume they are Biblical. In the simplest terms, godly things may be called old-fashioned, but old-fashioned things are not necessarily godly. I hope that makes sense.
In closing, I would like to encourage all the young ladies that read this blog to keep aspiring after godliness and biblical femininity. G-d is so awesome, and He loves you so much. I appreciate all the wonderful, godly young ladies that I know who are aspiring to do His will for their lives. I'll close with a Bible verse,
"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." ~ Titus 2:3-5
I've always been feminine. Yes, I did go through what we call 'jean disease,' where everywhere you go you wear jeans, or pants of some sort, and don't care for skirts/dresses. I went throught it- and you know what, the reason why I started is because a lot of my friends were wearing them regularly. I wasn't comfortable, and went along with the crowd, and felt I needed to fit in. Then, several months ago, I peeled off my shell. Now, everywhere I go, I wear skirts/dresses! It's my feminine side! And, believe me, it's not because everyone is wearing them- no, siree! G-d helped me love who I am- and the person inside of me. I try to never be like anyone else because G-d has created me with the purpose of being who He made me to be. No, I don't know what His purpose in life for me is just yet, but when He calls, I'll be ready!
No matter where you are, if you are a young, teen aged lady-- in particular, a Christian one, then you are probably surrounded by many different expectations. On one end of the spectrum, you're probably bombarded with the world's standards of true 'beauty' (You know, you have to look like all of the actresses in Hollywood). Even if you're not in public school, you can hear these things from neighbors, movies, just about anywhere. Sadly, these ideas are everywhere. On the other end of the spectrum, you may be from a conservative Christian home (as am I) but are sometimes overwhelmed because it seems that many Christians deem it 'ungodly' if don't know how to sew or that you need to marry or you're not obeying G-d's commands.
Is there something wrong with these pictures? Yes. Do they need to be addressed? Certainly. I want to talk a little bit about our world's feminist movement that is growing alarmingly quickly; and I'd also like to look at how some Christians view femininity and what the problems are with that view.
I think one of the main problems with the modern feminism movement is that women are always saying they want "equality" with men. The problem is, we were made to be different.
Ephesians 5:22-33 "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church — for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. "
And Colossians 3:18 "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord."
Notice that G-d never gives the command for husbands to submit to their wives. No, that was not His plan in marriage. His plan was, and is, for women to submit to their husbands. Women have different and distinct roles from what men do. At the same time, we are all equal in our value to G-d.
Here is a paragraph from http://www.gotquestions.org/women-pastors.html. I myself will only quote the second-to last paragraph:
"God has ordained that only men are to serve in positions of spiritual teaching authority in the church. This is not because men are necessarily better teachers, or because women are inferior or less intelligent (which is not the case). It is simply the way God designed the church to function. Men are to set the example in spiritual leadership—in their lives and through their words. Women are to take a less authoritative role. Women are encouraged to teach other women (Titus 2:3-5). The Bible also does not restrict women from teaching children. The only activity women are restricted from is teaching men or having spiritual authority over them. This logically would preclude women from serving as pastors/preachers. This does not make women less important, by any means, but rather gives them a ministry focus more in agreement with God’s plan and His gifting of them."
On the other hand, some Christians are combating the feminist movement by having many rules that are not necessarily Biblical. I believe that, as Christians, we need to be careful that the rules we have come from G-d and that we are not being 'old-fashioned' simply for the sake of being old-fashioned, and calling it godliness. What do I mean? Well, just because it's old-fashioned does not make it godly. We need to realize that, yes, some things that are godly will be labeled as 'old-fashioned' by the world. but it's important that we are determining what our convictions are and not just doing things because they seem old-fashioned and therefore we assume they are Biblical. In the simplest terms, godly things may be called old-fashioned, but old-fashioned things are not necessarily godly. I hope that makes sense.
In closing, I would like to encourage all the young ladies that read this blog to keep aspiring after godliness and biblical femininity. G-d is so awesome, and He loves you so much. I appreciate all the wonderful, godly young ladies that I know who are aspiring to do His will for their lives. I'll close with a Bible verse,
"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." ~ Titus 2:3-5
The Tytler Cycle
The 18th -Century Scottish historian Alexander Tytler came up with the circular cycle below. While looking at it, keep in mind these three points:
-Spiritual Faith (which goes into)
-Courage
-Liberty
-Abundance
-Selfishness
-Complacency
-Apathy
-Dependancy
-Bondage
I think we are in the bolded areas. So now let me explain my thinking for why each bolded word should be bolded in the first place.
First, Dependancy. We are dependant on others. Look at our national debt! Look at our welfare! And just look at our leaders! (Are they doing anything about it???) The average person cares only about themselves (not to any reader, just to our entire nation as a whole:))- which is why politicians are able to stael votes, because they offer something good for nothing. No-one wants to help another person. That is why big businesses bully little ones without a trace of guilt. No-one is willing to work for what they want- hence, there is no more stewardship. All that to say, we are now beginning to depend more and more on the government, which is exactly what our founding fathers didn't want- for one person to have so much power!
Second, Bondage. The apathy seems to take place in the midst of abundance. The abundance is/has been disappearing, and now people are waking up to the bondage they didn't feel before. People don't care enough about what's going on in their country and the world to be educated voters. I think that it's better to feel a little pain now than a huge amount of agony later-- but our country is just waking up to what's really going on. I believe we're either in the midst of dependancy, or going into bondage. Spiritual bondage, intellectual bondage... just because we aren't in cages doesn't mean our food, our rights, our wages, our education, etc. aren't being controlled. There is a certain amount of bondage in dependancy, which, while once there, is like a stubborn weed let go in a garden: hard to dig out.
There was a time when I would've said, "Abundance." Next there was a time when I looked at that chart and said, "Complacency." But we're farther on the chart then ever. What are our people going to do about it?
- Issues drive debate through societal decline.
- Economic, political, legal, and societal forms are the focus of statesmen as the cycle progresses.
- The cycle occurs typically over a two-hundred year period.
- 'Spiritual Faith' through 'Abundance' are forms; while 'Selfishness' through 'Bondange' are issues.
-Spiritual Faith (which goes into)
-Courage
-Liberty
-Abundance
-Selfishness
-Complacency
-Apathy
-Dependancy
-Bondage
I think we are in the bolded areas. So now let me explain my thinking for why each bolded word should be bolded in the first place.
First, Dependancy. We are dependant on others. Look at our national debt! Look at our welfare! And just look at our leaders! (Are they doing anything about it???) The average person cares only about themselves (not to any reader, just to our entire nation as a whole:))- which is why politicians are able to stael votes, because they offer something good for nothing. No-one wants to help another person. That is why big businesses bully little ones without a trace of guilt. No-one is willing to work for what they want- hence, there is no more stewardship. All that to say, we are now beginning to depend more and more on the government, which is exactly what our founding fathers didn't want- for one person to have so much power!
Second, Bondage. The apathy seems to take place in the midst of abundance. The abundance is/has been disappearing, and now people are waking up to the bondage they didn't feel before. People don't care enough about what's going on in their country and the world to be educated voters. I think that it's better to feel a little pain now than a huge amount of agony later-- but our country is just waking up to what's really going on. I believe we're either in the midst of dependancy, or going into bondage. Spiritual bondage, intellectual bondage... just because we aren't in cages doesn't mean our food, our rights, our wages, our education, etc. aren't being controlled. There is a certain amount of bondage in dependancy, which, while once there, is like a stubborn weed let go in a garden: hard to dig out.
There was a time when I would've said, "Abundance." Next there was a time when I looked at that chart and said, "Complacency." But we're farther on the chart then ever. What are our people going to do about it?
The Rosh Hashana Earthquake
July 8, 2010
Most of you probably felt the 5.4 earthquake yesterday afternoon. You know, the one that was first 6.1, then scaled down to 5.9, and finally was determined 5.4? Yep, that's the one. It was a pretty big shaker, one of the largest I've been in.
There's a book out there called The Bible Code, and actually we had an interesteing discussion about it at the Theology Book Club (TBC) a few weeks ago. In a nutshell, Isaac Newton had first discovered a series of codes in the Hebrew Bible- but he was never able to figure them out with out the technology/computers that we now have today. Well, they've figured them out. There's been many different things found- such as the words, "Shakespeare, Hamlet, Comedy," etc. The concensus was (amidst the TBC-ers) that though it was interesting enough, Scripture is still the infallible Word of G-d; and, that those who saw only what they looked for historically, there would probably be much more that is to come that they would not have seen.
What does this all have to do with Rosh Hashana and earthquakes?
In TBC, our group has been discussing Epicenter, by Joel Rosenberg. This morning, for the homework, I was reading chapter eleven. Chapter Eleven's prophecy (which is yet to be fulfilled) is talking about an earthquake that will strike Israel, but will impact the whole world. In The Bible Code, things have been found that seem to lead to a large earthquake on September 10th, 2010, which is... guess what?
Yes, Rosh Hashana, the Day of Judgement on the Hebrew calender. Coincidence? Who knows?
This started me thinking this morning- and it's only a thought: what if the predicted Rosh Hashana earthquake actually takes place in Israel, but is still felt badly all over the world? Like I said, it's only a thought, but it sure is a peculiar one.
There's a book out there called The Bible Code, and actually we had an interesteing discussion about it at the Theology Book Club (TBC) a few weeks ago. In a nutshell, Isaac Newton had first discovered a series of codes in the Hebrew Bible- but he was never able to figure them out with out the technology/computers that we now have today. Well, they've figured them out. There's been many different things found- such as the words, "Shakespeare, Hamlet, Comedy," etc. The concensus was (amidst the TBC-ers) that though it was interesting enough, Scripture is still the infallible Word of G-d; and, that those who saw only what they looked for historically, there would probably be much more that is to come that they would not have seen.
What does this all have to do with Rosh Hashana and earthquakes?
In TBC, our group has been discussing Epicenter, by Joel Rosenberg. This morning, for the homework, I was reading chapter eleven. Chapter Eleven's prophecy (which is yet to be fulfilled) is talking about an earthquake that will strike Israel, but will impact the whole world. In The Bible Code, things have been found that seem to lead to a large earthquake on September 10th, 2010, which is... guess what?
Yes, Rosh Hashana, the Day of Judgement on the Hebrew calender. Coincidence? Who knows?
This started me thinking this morning- and it's only a thought: what if the predicted Rosh Hashana earthquake actually takes place in Israel, but is still felt badly all over the world? Like I said, it's only a thought, but it sure is a peculiar one.
Free Associations
July 6, 2010
Imagine a row of balloons, all of which have a different entity in them. One has 'family' in the balloon, one has 'religion,' one has 'community.' All lined up, you see the following:
These are "free associates"- and they perform an important job. Edmund Berk refers to them as "little platoons" that stand between the loning individual and the looming state:
Freedom is when all of the associations, of the mediating entities, are balanced. For instance, community can do things that the government cannot. Religion can do things that education can't do.
So how do we keep these free associations balanced? We compromise! Each entity naturally has checks on all and/or any of the others. One problem today is that, instead of compromise, we use FORCE (such as the law) for everything. Each time you've got one above the other, such as tyranny over everything else, we've got tyranny. Our new diagram looks like this:
Family~ Religion~Community~Business~Education~Media~Government
These are "free associates"- and they perform an important job. Edmund Berk refers to them as "little platoons" that stand between the loning individual and the looming state:
The Individual <----> Free Asscociate <----> Free Associate <----> The State
Freedom is when all of the associations, of the mediating entities, are balanced. For instance, community can do things that the government cannot. Religion can do things that education can't do.
So how do we keep these free associations balanced? We compromise! Each entity naturally has checks on all and/or any of the others. One problem today is that, instead of compromise, we use FORCE (such as the law) for everything. Each time you've got one above the other, such as tyranny over everything else, we've got tyranny. Our new diagram looks like this:
Governement
over
(insert all free associations here)
This is where our country is headed right now. People compromising in society equals for freedom. People who run to the government for every little thing brings about tyrrany. Freedom is hard, force is easy.
~Conclusions drawn from Constitution Study today.
Hope it Makes You Smile:)
July 5, 2010
Just something to make you laugh or remind you of a special child in your life :)
With kids on the topic of church...
3-year-old Reese:
"Our Father, Who does art in heaven,
Harold is His name.
Amen."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A little boy was overheard praying:
"Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it.
I'm having a real good time like I am."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the christening of his baby brother in church,
Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.
His father asked him three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied,
That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home,
and I wanted to stay with you guys."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One particular four-year-old prayed,
"And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they
were on the way to church service,
And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"
One bright little girl replied,
"Because people are sleeping."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3.
The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.
Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.
"If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,
'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'
Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,
"Ryan, you be Jesus!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A father was at the beach with his children
when the four-year-old son ran up to him,
grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore
where a seagull lay dead in the sand.
"Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked.
"He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied.
The boy thought a moment and then said,
"Did God throw him back down?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A wife invited some people to dinner.
At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said,
"Would you like to say the blessing?"
"I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied.
"Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered.
The daughter bowed her head and said,
"Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"
I hope this made you smile like silly! It sure did it to me.
With kids on the topic of church...
3-year-old Reese:
"Our Father, Who does art in heaven,
Harold is His name.
Amen."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A little boy was overheard praying:
"Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it.
I'm having a real good time like I am."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the christening of his baby brother in church,
Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.
His father asked him three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied,
That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home,
and I wanted to stay with you guys."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One particular four-year-old prayed,
"And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they
were on the way to church service,
And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"
One bright little girl replied,
"Because people are sleeping."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3.
The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.
Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.
"If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,
'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'
Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,
"Ryan, you be Jesus!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A father was at the beach with his children
when the four-year-old son ran up to him,
grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore
where a seagull lay dead in the sand.
"Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked.
"He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied.
The boy thought a moment and then said,
"Did God throw him back down?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A wife invited some people to dinner.
At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said,
"Would you like to say the blessing?"
"I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied.
"Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered.
The daughter bowed her head and said,
"Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"
I hope this made you smile like silly! It sure did it to me.
Freedom at a Price
July 4, 2010
Happy 4th of July. I just wanted to post this poem-- some of you may have heard of it before; it seems quite popular. It's a good reminder of the true cost of freedom.
I watched the flag
Pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine Saluted it,
And then he stood at ease..
I looked at
Him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square
And eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men
Like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign
Soil
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes
Shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers'
Graves ?
No, freedom isn't free
I heard the sound of Taps
One night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the
Bugler
Play And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant 'Amen,'
When a flag had draped a
Coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the Children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and
Husbands
With interrupted lives.
I Thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington .
No, freedom isn't free.
I watched the flag
Pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine Saluted it,
And then he stood at ease..
I looked at
Him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square
And eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men
Like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign
Soil
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes
Shot down?
How many died at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers'
Graves ?
No, freedom isn't free
I heard the sound of Taps
One night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the
Bugler
Play And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant 'Amen,'
When a flag had draped a
Coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the Children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and
Husbands
With interrupted lives.
I Thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington .
No, freedom isn't free.
Independance Day Jaywalking
This is highly embarassing for our country's people- however, in a way, amusing. The responses to various history questions regarding Independance Day can be extremely funny. Enjoy!
