James

"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

James 5:7-8

Not Cool

This is not cool...it's cold. It's freezing. Freezing rain to be specific.

No, it's not funny.

I cannot wait for winter to be over. I will keep living in denial and claiming that it's not really winter, which is very hard to do when there is giant winter storm bearing down claiming adjectives such as, "massive", "historic", "crippling", and "horrific". So by 7 PM tonight we should be covered in freezing rain, followed by sleet slathering everything in an inch of deadly ice, destroying power lines and making roads impassable death traps. Then we will get a 12-18 inches of snow, just to top everything off like a layer of mockingly fluffy meringue.

So if there are no posts in the next few days, it's because I'm huddled over a fire trying to stay alive along with my family with no electricity in 8 degrees F.

Ohhhhhhh!!! I'm sorry God, but I hate winter!!!

Free Rice

I love this website!!

And the best part - FreeRice is helping Haiti! Keep playing!!

;)

Comfort

"Blessed is the man who trust in the LORD, whose trust is in the LORD. He is like a tree planted by rivers of water, that sends out it's roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for it's leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Jeremiah 17:7-8

"Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage...multiply and do not decrease...For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a FUTURE and a HOPE. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with ALL your HEART."

Jeremiah 29:5-6, 11-13

"Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a NEW covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah...I will put my law within them, and I will write in on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people...For I will forgive there iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

Jeremiah 31:31, 33, 34

"And I will give them ONE HEART, and a NEW SPIRIT I will put in them. I will remove the HEART of stone from their flesh, and give them a HEART of FLESH."

Ezekiel 11:19

Shabby Apple

This website makes me covet horribly - I just sit and gaze at the computer screen and drool a little bit. I think if I dressed this way every day I would automatically become more feminine. See - these are some simple dresses that wouldn't look too out of place in a BBQ restaurant...I mean, if I just threw an apron on them...and left off some jewelry. But not the heels...heels are absolutely necessary for femininity. I love showing off my femininity in this man cave. Until I look in the mirror...

Right?

*sigh*

I think if I was rich I would buy and wear almost every dress from Shabby Apple...hickory smoke and everything.

No, wait! Oh, yeah...if I was rich I would build a ridiculously huge orphanage in Haiti.

Oh, well.

Thoughts from a long Saturday afternoon....

"And God is able to make ALL grace abound to you, so that having ALL contentment, in ALL things at ALL times, you may abound in every good work." II Corinthians 9:8



Proverbs

Remember that little book of quotes and proverbs that I mentioned in this post? Well, I dug it up yesterday, and besides the difficulty of deciphering my own handwriting, I was reminded why I loved collecting quotes so much! I love the power of words, and how a simple turn of a phrase can carry so much weight. Here are some favorites:

"Patience is a bitter plant that has a sweet fruit." - German Proverb

"Truth exists; only lies are invented." - George Baroque

"Love looks with the mind, and not with the eyes." - from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' by William Shakespeare

"He gives too late, who waits to be asked." - Latin Proverb

"The measure of a man's character is what he would do, if he knew he would never be found out." - Baron Thomas Babington Maucaly

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I may look up, see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they live." - Louisa May Alcott

"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith; and the beginning of faith is the end of anxiety." - George Muller

"Beware of despairing about yourself! You are commanded to put your trust in God, not yourself!" - St. Augustine

"The influence of a good mother is worth more then a thousand school masters." - George Herbert

"Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest Saint upon his knees." - Unknown

"As unto the bow, the cord is,
So unto man is woman;
Though she bends him, she obeys him;
Though she draws him; yet she follows;
Useless each without the other."
 - from 'The Song of Hiawatha' by H.W. Longfellow

"The greatest cross, is self." - Unknown

"Delays are not denials." - Dr. Wayland Hoyt

"The true measure of loving is to love without measure." - St. Bernard

"Life is a long lesson in Humility." - James Barrie

"A woman is not born a woman. Nor does she become a woman when she marries a man, bears a child and does their dirty laundry; not even when she joins a woman's liberation movement. A woman becomes a woman when she becomes who God wants her to be." - Kenneth G. Smith

"Do great things for God; attempt great things for God." - William Carey, missionary

"I have seen in the morning sun the smoke of a thousand villages where no missionary has ever been." - Robert Moffet, missionary

"I do not regret leaving home and friends. If I had to do it over, I would do it with more pleasure - yes, with all my heart!" - Mrs. Mary Robert Paton, missionary martyr

"The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears." - John Cheney

"A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails." - Donna Roberts

"The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears or the ocean." - Isak Dinesen

"We have a God who delights in impossibilities and who asks, 'Is anything too hard for Me?'" - Andrew Murray

Yes, that's "a few" of my favorites. I really need to keep collecting them...I still have a lot of empty pages left in my book... :)

Egypt and Lebanon

Egypt's capital is up in flames  in political, bloody riots against the thirty-year reign of President Mubarak.

Lebanon's government has been overturned in a coup d'etat by the terrorist group, Hezbollah.

Tunisia and Yemen are both dealing with riots this month as well.

The Arab world is in terror.

All of this on the news this week and this morning. The newscasters voices' are tense and ominous when reporting the violence on the streets of Cairo...the video footage horrendous. The State Department says it is "monitoring this situation", and are gravely concerned, considering that Egypt is "our strongest ally in the Arab world," and the first Arab world to "make peace" with Israel.

And yet none of it is a surprise.

"And I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, each against each other and each against his neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom;and the spirit of the Egyptians within them will be emptied out...The LORD has mingled in her a spirit of confusion, and they will make Egypt stagger in all her deeds as a drunken man staggers..." Isaiah 19:2-3, 14

"Ah, stubborn children," declares the LORD, "who carry out a plan, but not mine, who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who set out to go down to Egypt without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!...Egypt's help is worthless and empty; therefore I have called her, 'Rahab who sits still.'" Isaiah 30:1-3,7

"Behold! You are trusting in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh, king of Egypt to all who trust him!" Isaiah 36:6

"The land mourns and languishes; Lebanon is confounded and withers away..." Isaiah 33:9

"He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an axe, and Lebanon will fall by the Majestic One." Isaiah 10:34

 Please join me in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ scattered throughout the Middle East, who are caught in the middle of this spiritual and political strife. May they be strengthened to be Salt and Light of Christ. May they be protected by His shield; and reminded of His promises of a beautiful future.

"Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest." Isaiah 29:17

"In that day, there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at it's border. It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the LORD because of oppressors, He will send them a Savior and a Defender and deliver them. And the LORD will make Himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day...In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria [Iraq], and Assyria will come into Egypt...In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the Earth, whom the LORD of hosts has blessed saying, 'Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.'" Isaiah 19:19-21;23-24

"I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as before. Though I scattered them among the nations, yet in far countries they shall remember me, and with their children they shall live and return. I will bring them home from the land of Egypt, and gather them from Assyria and I will bring them to the land of Gilead and Lebanon, till there is no room for them...I will make them strong in the LORD, and they shall walk in His name," declares the LORD." Zechariah 10:8-10;12

The LORD Sovereign is in control. All will be well.

ALL

You are my Strength when I am weak,

You are the Treasure that I seek -

You are my All in All.

Seeking You as a Precious Jewel,

LORD, to give up I'd be a fool -

You are my All in All.

Jesus! Lamb of God!

Worthy is Your Name!

Jesus! Lamb of God;

Worthy is Your Name!

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame,

Rising again I bless Your Name -

You are my All in All.

When I fall down You lift me up,

When I am dry, You fill my cup -

You are my All in All.

Jesus! Lamb of God!

Worthy is Your Name!

Jesus! Lamb of God,

Worthy is Your Name!

Patriotism - Part II

(Note: You can read Part I here. Also, as a disclaimer, I realize the extreme of my "examples", and not wanting to put all Americans in a unfavorable light, I want to point out that these mindsets are not the majority. Also, in regards to the remarks made about Haiti by "Steve", I edited some of what he originally said. He also suggested that we relocate all Haitians before we destroy the island with bulldozers. See, that's much better! *sarcasm*)

I am very aware that the debate of whether or not Christians should be involved in politics and to what extent. I have been subjected to many different kinds of Christians with many different interpretations of Scriptures and I wanted to discover for myself what God really means on this subject. What I write will probably not be anything new - but it is what I have discovered, and it is where my convictions lie. I started with a small convictions, but once I delved deeper into the Scriptures on this subject, I was blown away. I look forward to sharing my findings.

Politics and "patriotism" are sprinkled liberally throughout Scriptures. God is clear that He will bless the nation that "seeks Him." (2 Chronicles 7:14) God created the nations. He created languages and borders and ordained their goings and comings. Politics play a key role in Israel's history - yet always seems to have a sordid, dark undertone. When the children of Israel left Egypt and followed Moses into the wilderness, they wearied of waiting for their God-ordained leader to come down off of Mount Sinai. They adopted a democratic mindset, took matters into their own hands and when the majority agreed, they built a god unto themselves - a decision which carried dire consequences.

Once established in the Promised Land, the children of Israel weren't contented to be "set apart" complained to the prophet Samuel saying that they wanted a king and leader "like all of the nations". Before this, Israel had been "ruled" through a religious system judges and priests, while God was recognized as Israel's one true King. Despite Samuel's warnings against human kings, the people stubbornly insisted (I Samuel 8) and God commanded Samuel to make them a king. When a true political system was instituted in Israel, most of their hardships began. Under a cycle of different kings and leaders, Israel opened herself to countless political influences from various neighboring kingdoms, and began a tragic yo-yo game of serving God, then backsliding; cutting down high places, then erecting them back up again; being blessed by God, then turning against Him, suffering His punishment and then repenting again...

The Bible is clear on Israel's wicked kings, but even Israel's best kings were still human. As true offspring of Adam, they were still sinfully weak and inevitably failed their God and their people. Even the best leader with the best interests are still imperfect. King David, who was described as being a man after God's heart, (I Samuel 16:18) sinned against God with Bathsheba, and as a result, his family deteriorated. The consequences of the resulting dysfunction were felt by the entire nation (II Samuel 15) King Hezekiah was praised as trusting in the God of Israel, "so that there was none like him among ALL the kings of Judah after him, nor among those before him." (II Kings 18:3-7) However, Hezekiah's heart was still susceptible to pride. And it was that patriotic pride that prompted him to show off all of his riches and wealth to the political envoy from the heathen kingdom of Babylon. The cost of that political pride was the overthrow of Jerusalem several generations later and the carrying-away of Judah by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.

As a result of this seeming endless cycle, it was easy for the Israelites to despair, and the Scriptures and prophets were clear on the subject of "politics", and warnings and reminders of how things really were and WHO God is. The Bible is liberally sprinkled with God's views of power, nations, politics and patriotism.

"Behold, the nations are like a drop in the bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold He takes up the coastlands like fine dust...all the nations are as nothing before Him, they are accounted by Him as less than nothing and emptiness." Isaiah 40:15, 17

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Psalm 20:7

"For the LORD is enraged against all the nations, and furious against all their host..." Isaiah 34:2

"The LORD has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His steadfast LOVE and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God." Psalm 98:2-3

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end..." Isaiah 8:6-7

Politics and patriotism played a key and specific role in Jesus' life on earth. Many Jews looked to Jesus as a political messiah; one who would lead the Zealots in rebellion against the Roman Empire and set up the Israel again as an independent state. They were more focused on "patriotism", that many did not see Him for who He truly was. He came for a greater purpose, and to meet a more dire need. He came to be the answer to the long awaited Savior, and to be the King of our hearts. His message to His disciples and followers was clear -

"Then he said to them, 'Therefore render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's.'" Matthew 22:21

"Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world, if my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting...but my kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36

The tragic irony is that though Jesus had no intention of setting up a political reign during His first time on Earth, it was for the very whisper of treason, that hypocrites and traitors found reason to bring Him before the judicial authorities of that day and have Him executed - all in the name of patriotism and religious zeal.

"Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked Him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' Jesus said, 'You have said so.'" Matthew 27:11

"Again the high priest asked Him, 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?' And Jesus said, 'I AM, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with clouds of Heaven.' And the high priest tore his garments and said, 'What further witnesses do we need? You have heard His blasphemy. What is your decision?'" Mark 14:61-63

So what can we learn from the Scriptures that is applicable in our lives in this day and age, no matter what our nationality? What is the role of the Church and of a Christian in politics and government? What should patriotism be to us?

I see I'm going to have to make this a three-part post.

Part III coming...

My Heart Leaps Up!

After taking stock of all the good and bad things in my life and trying to write them all down on this blog - I just keep remembering more and more I could add - (Sitting on my favorite pair of sunglasses: not cool!). But adding and re-editing my blog to make room for more complaints is kind of...tacky. I know it's better to have more reserve. But adding a wonderful thing I remembered is fine, right?
I'm starting to get a little sick of winter. So is everyone around me. I'm tired of waking up everyday to a stale, glowing, gray sky and a muddy, dirty, snow-covered landscape as far as the eye can see, not to mention the cold. I'm doing my absolute best, but I'm starting to feel a little, SAD. But, coming home from work last week with my sister, I looked up over the stark, skeletal trees of the forest, and saw a rainbow glowing in the pearly gray sky. It was faint, but it was a burst of color and so beautiful. I have never, ever seen a rainbow in the winter.

It was a gift.



My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky.
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man;
So be it when I grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.

- William Wordworth

Happy Tuesday night!

F-A-N-A-T-I-C

I'm a F-A-N-A-T-I-C, Fanatic
I rep Christ till I D-I-E, Fanatic
I'm not extreme, I'm redeemed with faith
To serve a God who's extremely great
I'm a Fanatic
The world's trying to tidy up, exfoliate their skin
but only Christ can come and exfoliate their sin
And their fate look grim, If they don't take Him
As the high priest He is to mediate their sin
The world's got to many gods, man we choose the One
From Hebrews, He rules, He bruised His son
He moves the sun
So if we prayin and our schools call us fools
Cuz our God's too true to shun
Channels two in one
Man, it looks insane
TV make a lot Christians seem dramatically strange
Though we may be looked upon as one and same
We will not turn in shame, we proclaim the name
Christ Jesus, believe us, you ain't gotta receive us
But we gonna follow our God wherever the Bible lead us
And you can call us dramatic, fanatic, emphatic
But hate while you at it, take a look at our mathematics

I am a F-A-N-A-T-I-C, Fanatic
I rep Christ till I D-I-E, Fanatic
I'm not extreme, I'm redeemed with Faith
To serve a God who's extremely great
I'm a Fanatic
What can I do to make it simple, make it plain
Christ came, emptied Himself and let out sin hang Him
You couldn't blame Him for any sin
While they singing many men
The crucifixion was pretty grim
But when we state the fact that God resurrects
We get funny looks from a world that doesn't get
We are not David Koresh or Krishna
Or the people on TV who glorifying their bishop
From Edwards to Piper, MacAurther to Spurgeon
From Dallas to France, From Cali to Berlin
As Christians all over who getting the Word in
We ain't crazy we just understand the Truth and we burdened
The world sees us as evangelical Christians
As narrow-minded fanatics with a mythical mission
Labeled extremists for sharing out faith
But that's cool, we can carry the weight of persecution
Cuz earth is losing
And if we yelling the truth
We honored to be the people that our God is using
So keep it moving
Cuz if we yelling the truth
We honored to be the people that our God is using

I am a F-A-N-A-T-I-C, Fanatic
I rep Christ till I D-I-E, Fanatic
I'm not extreme, I'm redeemed with Faith
To serve a God who's exrememly great
I'm a Fanatic
They thought Jesus was out of His mind
They laughed and mocked Him
Called Him a cult leader and they tried to stop Him
Pharisees said Christ got His power from Satan
Hating, on the very One that came to save 'em
Even after He rose, man the world ain't changed
They still rejecting the name, still look at us strange
Still tell us without shame that our faith's insane
and, "it don't take all that to be a Christian, man"
And it's hard when you tryin to reach your family and stuff
They say man, "you too spiritual, you doing to much"
So we show them the love of Christ and live in the Light
So they can glorify our God when they look at our life
And we win for sharing the truth and hearts get changed
We win if we're rejected because of His name
We win if seeds get planted and watered and grow
But even if we lost, we still be Fanatical though

I am a F-A-N-A-T-I-C, Fanatic
I rep Christ till I D-I-E, Fanatic
I'm not extreme, I'm redeemed with Faith
To serve a God who's extremely great
I'm a Fanatic

- Lecrae

Cool...and not Cool

OK - sometimes you have cool things....and not so cool things happen. Kinda like this idea. But you live with it...right?

Not Cool:

- Snow/Ice/Freezing rain/Freezing wind
- Sneezing every time  I put on mascara. Not kidding.
- Staying up waaaaay too late because you were talking to your friend on the phone for three hours.
- Having a black guy ask me, "Hey girl! How'd you put on so much weight in Haiti?" Uh....I didn't...I lost weight, Taurus!
-My bangs. Which desperately need to be trimmed - actually my whole head of hair, really needs to be cut.
- Speaking of my hair - it's not cool to keep getting a bad rap from my family for getting it everywhere. Actually, it's not cool that it gets everywhere...I can't help having thick, beautiful hair! I hope my husband appreciates my hair, because it will be all over the shower and sheets
- Memorizing my scripts lines for the play I'm in
- Studying for my General Physchology test
- Accounting. But I finished those receipts without any mistakes!
- Kacie Davis won't update her blog
- This movie....
- Not seeing my sissy much because of school...

Cool:

- Spending Friday evening playing with my little sister's hair while she read me a story...she loves reading stories.
-Spending Saturday evening listening to my little brother's dreams of playing football one day.
- BSF tonight!! I missed Bible Study Fellowship while it was off for Christmas, but the past two weeks have been awesome!
- Buying a book I really wanted off of Amazon for $2.99!!
- Our new church and the wonderful people in it. Thank You, God for answering our prayers!!
- Play practice!! I get to be in a play! I'm so happy! (Except for the memorizing part...)
- Studying for my General Physchology test. (Yes, it's cool and not cool) ;)
- Our new dining room
- Spanish guitar music
- This WONDERFUL bit of news...After all my ranting and raving on politics and patriotism I now see some definite volunteer campaigning in my future...
- Jesus

<3

"Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in LOVE for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in HOLINESS before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints...REJOICE always; PRAY without ceasing, GIVE THANKS in ALL circumstances; for this is the WILL of God in Christ Jesus concerning you!."

I Thessalonions 3:11; 5:16-18

Happy Monday!

Good Article

I like this. It's a good reminder, and it's very well put.

It's amazing how different generations go through different things...and my generation is seeing the result of almost "too much" of a good thing. Not just in this area...but in many areas where "standards" are an issue.

The Edge of Vengeful Sanity

My sister is learning Scriabin's Etude Opus 8, Number 12 in D sharp minor.

I love it.

She has wanted to learn it for years. As she was practicing it very slowly, hands separate the other day, it was difficult to recognize. I told her whatever she was playing was mournful and was making me sad. She said it was supposed to be faster - at which pace it was still mournful, but less sad. More tainted with - revenge! As one person described it on YouTube: "If there is one piece that would represent the agony of a man on the verge of sanity, this would most likely be the piece..." So, my lovelies, if you like feeling as though you are tottering on the edge of vengeful sanity in a blindingly white snowstorm, then without much further ado, is Vladimir Horowitz playing Scriabin's Etude in D sharp minor:

Patriotism - Part I

Patriotism.

It's one of those subjects that I've been pondering a lot about lately. One of the pillars of my upbringing, I have been searching my personal patriotic convictions and feelings and comparing them to the truth of Scripture. And really - what is it? And what role should patriotism play in a Christian's life?

I am exceptionally grateful to God for allowing me to be born an American. I have been raised with the foundational appreciation and the open practice of 'Man's unalienable Rights' - the freedom of Speech, the freedom of Religion and all of the other principles that make up our beautiful nation of beautiful people.

But appreciation and patriotism are not the same thing. The Amish are no doubt appreciative of the political rights that allow them to practice their religion in peace - but they do not practice their appreciation as patriots. I was raised to be patriotic. As a home-schooler, I was well-taught in American history - of which I am very proud. I get a tingly, teary-eyed feeling when I hear the National Anthem played or sung. I cry (sob) in remembering fallen soldiers and the sacrifices that have been made. My heart swells at the sight of the Stars & Stripes waving in the air.

Ever since I was old enough to participate, by family and I have been involved in political events too many to even number. I have marched in parades for candidates; walked door-to-door handing out fliers until my heels bled; made phone calls for John Boehner; attended Presidential rallies; stood on TV behind George W. Bush; and I stood on the stadium floor with all the media screaming until I was hoarse when John McCain announced Sarah Palin as his running mate on live TV in his 2008 campaign. I have angrily protested on freezing cold sidewalks; have volunteered at many Right to Life events; Tea Parties - and the list goes on and on with countless other political activities - all in the name of patriotism, the Constitution, Liberty - oh, and God...yeah...

Lord Byron once said, "If a man cannot love his country, he can love nothing." While that may be true to some extent, it's certainly not a foundation to build your life - or love - upon. But considering this quote, I started to realize that for most Americans patriotism is summed up not in a love for their country and our principles - but in a disdain for other's countries and other's principles. In fact, where in-country politics are concerned, most people, whether Republican or Democrat, usually find their reasons for voting, not "for" something, but "against" something. Everything, everything coming from almost a single-minded negative reaction. And not for the sake of principles, but for the sake of how it affects Number One - "ME". As happy as I am to be an American, I respect others dedication towards their homeland, and rather find it a deep honor that people will leave their culture, families, and country to come to my homeland to pursue their dreams. (But I am referring to those who go through the torturous maze of legal immigration.)

Because of the influence of media and Conservative talk-shows (aka - Conservative does not equal Christian) I have realized that people talk as they think they should. True - "from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" - but what people hear affects their heart, if we are not careful in choosing our beliefs based on conviction, it is easy to "believe"anything. While liberalism may be a mental illness, as Rush Limbaugh claims, people who "hear" of Biblical principles masquerading as"Conservative Values" and follow the man or political party behind it, instead of the TRUTH -  soon become just as tainted and twisted as any anti-Biblical heresy. Here follows two examples of common American "patriotism":

Only yesterday, I was standing in our small town's post office. There was only one worker available at the counter and six people already ahead of me in line when I walked in. Everyone was rushing around, trying to get errands done before the current "blizzard" arrived. After I had been standing, waiting about 5 minutes, without moving up at all, a man walked in and took his place behind me.

"Oh my gosh!" He was muttering. He proceeded to mumble and complain about the long waits all over town, postage prices, union workers, until a new customer arrived behind him and he had fresh blood to pour out his complaints on.

"I gotta go to Wal-Mart after this....all the long waits will be ridiculous. I'm gonna have to head over to Richmond. I'll get to see all the Mexicans....that always thrills me!" He said. The woman behind him laughed appreciatively. I stopped listening after that comment, because he was irritating me. Yes - illegal immigration is an issue. A big issue in our country. Yes - the majority of illegal immigrants come from over the Mexican border. Yes - I even support Arizona's immigration law. BUT - are we to condemn every Latino looking person as though they are public nuisance; all criminals; or - heaven forbid - somehow lower then us? Some do think that way...whether they realize it or not. And that attitude becomes a passing joke for a laugh from a pretty stranger in a public post office.

My second example happened about two weeks ago and touches closer to home. Two weeks ago, my dad's friends, Tom & Rick, spent their week expanding our restaurant dining room, and doing remodeling, reconstruction, and electrical work. They did a fantastic job. It's awesome. However, they brought a little extra "help" with them one day from their regular job.

Steve - I shall call him, was a hard worker too. Giving his time and labor for free to help out some strangers is an honorable thing. But he really rubbed me the wrong way. Really. Really. Annoying.

I never told him my name, but somehow he found out, and every chance he could he was yelling for me, "Hey EMILY!" At lunch break, my dad and I handed out their food. Rick and Steve took a couple chairs. Tom settled onto the floor and I joined him with my Diet Coke, silently following their conversation. Somehow the conversation turned to the gas station next door to our restaurant, which is owned by two Indian brothers. Since I am the only one who can actually get polite responses from them (that's another story) I'm the one who gets sent over there whenever we need something. From there, the discussion became how every gas station in the U.S. seems to be owned by either Indians, or Middle-Easterners. My dad pointed out how they're are much nicer to me then they are to him.

"HEY Emily!" Steve leaned over in his chair, "You know what I call them?" He paused a second, but not long enough for an answer - "Dot-heads!"

I smiled sickly, but didn't laugh. I understood the joke about the Hindu woman's traditional bindi, but to me it was not laughable - it was a sad sign of their need for Jesus, not a subject for a racial joke. Unfortunately, it didn't end there. After they continued to share stories and express frustration over the fact that immigrants own almost all the gas stations in America, I piped up -

"You know who owns almost all of the gas stations in Haiti? Middle-Easterners too! They immigrate there from Jordon and Lebanon!" Before anyone could respond Steve cut in again loudly, directing his comments to me:

"Now you know what I think we should do with that country? I think we should just take a bunch of bulldozers and just push the entire island of Haiti into the ocean! That country has been - "

Before he could finish his remarks, Tom - who knows how I have been there four times - stood up and loudly announced it was time to get back to work. My face was getting hot, and if I hadn't been so angry I could have thought of a thousand replies. But in reality - the strongest feeling I felt was a sick pity. Because I knew that despite America being the number-one global leader in charity - that attitude towards third-world countries, not just Haiti, was sadly common. And it is simply a misguided patriotism stemming from ignorance. Not just a lack of knowledge - but a lack of desire for knowledge. And the best response for ignorance is silence. "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest though become just like him" (Proverbs 26:4) - wise words indeed.

I have discovered since becoming involved in over-sea missions the amount of disdain that is out there for people who will take their talents, money and labor overseas for charitable work. I have received grief from both Christians and non-Christians alike. "To h*ll, with Haiti," one "Christian" man went as far to say, "We have enough poor in our own country!" Misguided patriotism - loyalty to country before loyalty to God's service. God calls some to go, some to give and some to stay. "What is that to you - you follow ME!" (John 21:22)

And here we reach the real root of the matter.

Part II later...

And the Wall Came Tumbling Down...

This is Adam's Rib old dining room.

(With Larry & Daddy)

Note the wall in the back.

And this, after my brother and Dad tore the wall down...(well, half of it.)

Tom, of the Tom & Rick duo (and the mastermind of the remake) varnishing the wood.

And..."voila"...as they say. The new dining room. (Well, part of it.) Badly documented, I know...But the wall used to be where the wood ends and the painted wall begins.

Here's the story: At some point in time over the past five years of being open, (exactly when is impossible  to say) two guys started coming into the restaurant. Their names were Tom & Rick. They drove a delivery truck for a big store in the nearest big city over in Indiana. They only did that on the side though -in their real jobs they were firemen and paramedics. They were fellow believers and hard-working, intelligent, and good adapters. As they came more frequently, and stayed longer, we had a lot of opportunities to sit down, talk and get to know each other.

Tom is a visionary. He has many great ideas, that Rick good-naturedly goes along with. (Like becoming delivery guys!) Tom is a quasi-modern-day Jimmy Stewart. Laid-back in his discussions of his schemes, but high-strung in the execution. He's done a lot over his years, and even went to Port-de-Paix, Haiti, when he was in college. Rick, is laid-back no matter what the situation. Always the same, he can stay humorous in any situation, but because he is ex-Army and fought in Desert Storm Operation, he has a serous "get-'er-done" work ethic. He likes to "spread the Love, man." Rick has even worked with me in the restaurant on two occasions, one scheduled and one impromptu. He is an excellent front-of-house-man. While he was working on the electrical re-wiring, during the remodeling project, I was left alone in the kitchen and got slammed with five customers. When the phone range, Rick calmly put down his tools and wandered in with a smile and a "Need help?" and answered it for me, as I frantically run around. "Hey, fellas! What can I get you?" He good-naturedly took charge of the cash register, so I could make the orders.

Inspired by my dad, Tom & Rick are opening their own restaurant, in which my dad will become an equal third partner when opening comes. Artistic and detailed, they have been remodeling and reconverting an old firehouse building into an authentic, barbecue restaurant for about a year now. Opening will probably be sometime this spring. But in the mean time...they wanted to help out my dad - whose restaurant desperately needed a 'face-lift.' So, they did an extreme "dining-room makeover" and thanks to their server's hearts and hard-work we now have a new dining room!

Now we need to get them in our ghetto kitchen and fix that...I'm getting tired of crawling around on the floor to turn the hot water on...

From customers...to friends...to business partners. You  never know what can happen.

Thanks Tom & Rick!!

I love this place. Really. I do.

For Troubled Hearts

"For troubles hearts we pray.

The grievousness of war

Has driven JOY away,

And sun, and moon, and star.

Console the sore distressed,

The wounded bound in pain,

The broken, for whom rest

May never be again.

Like bells at evening time

Let words of healing come,

Till, led by that clear chime,

They find themselves at Home."

- Amy Carmichael

An inexplicable uneasiness throws a shadow across my mind and spirit today - and has been growing stronger. Different burdens I received this past week, from different revelations of how the Enemy is at work within the Church, and among so-called Christians, planted this dark seed - which has quickly bloomed. Reminders of unconfessed sin are forefront on my heart, but a dark pain threatens from another source...and I wonder what it means. What is the Enemy about? What is this the eve of? Who is in the thick of spiritual battle out there, and it desperate for allies in prayer? Why the resistance in me at the thought of prayer? What are all these lessons and information I have learned this week building to? What will the Great Vanquisher accomplish through this and how can I give Him the glory?

Will you join me in prayer?

"Do not be grieved, for the JOY of the LORD is your STRENGTH." Nehemiah 8:10b

"Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you, when my HEART is faint. Lead me to the ROCK THAT IS HIGHER THAN I." Psalm 61:1-2

"REJOICE ALWAYS, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, give THANKS in ALL circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus FOR YOU." I Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Finally, be STRONG in the LORD and the POWER OF HIS MIGHT." Ephesians 6:10

"May you be STRENGTHENED with ALL POWER, according to His GLORIOUS MIGHT, with ALL endurance, and patience with JOY, giving THANKS to the Father, who has qualified YOU to share in the INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS IN LIGHT. He has DELIVERED us from the domain of Darkness and TRANSFERRED us to the Kingdom of His Beloved Son, in whom we have REDEMPTION, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS." Colossians 1:11-14

Pleasure Forevermore

"Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD,

'You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'

As for the saints in the land, they are excellent ones,

In whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;

their drink offerings of blood I shall not pour out

Or take their names upon my lips.

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;

You hold my lot.

The lines are fallen for me in pleasant places;

Indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I bless the LORD, who gives me counsel;

In the night also my heart instructs me.

I have set the LORD always before me;

Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad,

And my whole being rejoices;

My flesh also dwells secure.

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

Or let your Holy One see corruption.

You make known to me the paths of Life;

In Your presence there is fullness of JOY;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore!"

- Psalm 16, ESV

LOVE

"See what kind of LOVE the Father has given us, that we should be called the children of God; and so we are! The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him...

"Beloved, let us LOVE one another, for LOVE is of GOD, and whoever LOVES has been born of GOD and knows GOD. Anyone who does not LOVE does not know GOD - because GOD IS LOVE! In this the LOVE OF GOD was made manifest among us, that GOD sent His only SON into the world, so that we might LIVE THROUGH HIM. In THIS is LOVE; not that we LOVED GOD, but that HE LOVED US...! Beloved, if GOD so LOVED us, we also ought to LOVE ONE ANOTHER!"

"We LOVE because He first LOVED us."

I John 3:1; 4:7-11, 19

What?

'Baby-Doc' returns to Haiti - I wonder what that means?

Haiti is the most unpredictable country on this globe...

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable." Isaiah 40:28

Looky, Looky!

Hmmm....I think Kacie Davis may have fallen off of the Earth recently... 

:D

                                      
                                                                      Gratitude.

Thrilled, Ladies.

Ohhh....workin' hard!?

Ayiti bel!

Aww...Kacie and Aubree!

Mwen sonje ou e mwen renmen ou!

Rose from Brier

Thou hast not that, My Child, but thou hast Me;

And am I not enough for thee?

I know it ALL, know how thy HEART was set

Upon this JOY not given yet.

And well I know how through the wistful days

Thou walkest ALL the dear, familiar ways

As unregarded as a breath of air;

But there in LOVE and longing, always there.

I know it ALL, but from thy brier shall blow

A ROSE for others. If it were not so

I would have told thee. Come then, say to Me;

"My LORD, my LOVE, I am content with THEE."

- Amy Carmichael

Ayiti Cheri

Remembering Haiti.

"Grobot"

If you've ever find it worth your while to scroll the music I have annoyingly blaring from my playlist below, you might have discovered that I slipped some Josh Groban in there.

OK - so he's not really a classical artist, but his music is painfully beautiful, and for all other's opinions, he really does have a glorious voice.

Poor Josh.

I hardly ever hear much about him anymore...in fact, he's one of the few celebrities I have never, ever seen or heard any news about. No drug arrests, no illicit affairs, no D.U.I, no restraining orders...just fundraisers for African orphanages and various international concerts. He seems to be one of the few celebrities who is...normal. I remember back in about six years ago, when the "Josh Groban craze" hit the small and sheltered group of teenagers from church, who were the only people I hung around with. To be a Josh Groban fan, was then to me, daring and intense. Groups of guys even tried to imitate his style while singing at church, earning the nickname my dad dubbed them: "Grobots." Get it? Mindless, mechanized followers of Josh Groban? (Darn! I used an alliteration. I'm not fond of them. They are too overused. In fact in most instances, I find alliterations cheap, cheesy, and chintzy.)

Anyway, I don't hear much about Josh Groban from the mainstream media, nor from any of that group of people. I guess he's just not cool, or hip to young people anymore. I mean, who wants to listen to Josh Groban, when there's Lady Gaga?

Well, I still like him. His songs, to me, bring back streams of fragrant nostalgia. He came out with a new album just two months ago...I need to listen to it. Because I think he's still retained his talent. :)

Here's an old video...awww...this song was from his first album. (2001)

Don't  you love music? I can't imagine a life without it! Only the God of sunsets and waterfalls could have created music...thank Him that He did!



Whiter

"Have YOU entered the storehouses of the snow, or have YOU seen the storehouses of the hail?

Job 38:22

"He gives snow like wool; he scatters hoarfrost like ashes."

Psalm 147:16

"Behold, you delight in TRUTH in the inward being, and you teach me WISDOM in the secret heart. Purge me...and I will be CLEAN; WASH me, and I will be

WHITER THAN SNOW."

Psalm 51:6-7

"Come now, let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be WHITE AS SNOW; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

Isaiah 1:18

I Will Not Be Moved

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why...

I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

- Natalie Grant

Happy Birthday, Anna!

So one of the beeeest thing every new year brings, is my precious, beautiful sister's birthday. And this year was special because she reached double-digits. Ten years old!

Sometimes I wonder what my life was like before my two youngest siblings were born.

They both bring quite a lot of joy and...interest to my life. Anna, especially, amazes me almost everyday.

She is a typical little girl in that she adores everything beautiful - clothes, make-up and fingernail polish. She loves to try on our clothes, comment on our clothes, and watch us put our make-up on, and comment on our make-up. Because she shares a bedroom with two older sisters, she has an amazing quickness of tongue and can hold her own in an argument even if her logic is flawed. She loves to laugh and make people laugh, and it a natural comedienne. And sometimes she says things that she doesn't even mean to be funny. The other day, she came stomping upstairs, upset about the teasing she had just gotten from her older brother...

"WHY did God make Adam?" She huffed. "WHY didn't he make them ALL Eves? I don't like MEN...the only man I like is Jesus...(silence)...and Daddy...(silence)...and Grandpa...and all the other men - but not the rest of them!"

Another winner...

"Living is hard."

But for all her drama...Anna has a very tender heart. She hates to see anyone or anything suffer. She can't even listen to sad music because it makes her cry. She loves people and animals. She is mercy, and it is a gift from God that He is going to use greatly through her. She loves to serve, and will often make our beds, pick-up our clothes, wash dishes and do anything that needs to be done, because it makes her feel "grown-up".  She is wildly artistic...she loves to draw, play piano, sing, knit - even write books! Anything that involves creating, she can do it.

I love my little (now getting bigger) sissy, and I pray all the time that God would make me a better sister. I can't wait to see how God uses her!!

I love you Anna!

Happy New Year!

Well, after keeping this article in my draft folder for over a week, it's difficult to see the point in saying "Happy New Year", a week in. Isn't it funny how quickly a new year loses it's "newness".

I love the song on this video. I heard it on the radio as my sister and I drove to a friend's house New Year's Eve. We were looking forward to spending the night full of fun and games. But as we drove through the darkness on the highway and passed through the city, this song came on the radio and it's message struck me in a new way. I looked out the window to hide my tears.

It was literally the last song we listened to on that radio, since that night my sister's car was targeted, and a midnight thief high on alcohol and who-knows-what-else, ripped the radio and CD player out of our car. Happy New Year.

I have made no attempt to hide my eagerness for 2010 to be over. I was glad to see it go; and was looking forward to seeing what 2011 would bring - hoping it would be better than 2010. That year started going down-hill for me twelve days into the new year. But, God got a hold of me and exposed the selfishness of my delight.

Because two days before the new year, a dear friend of ours was diagnosed with Stage One cancer. A young lady, who is still single and an example in her faith and love of the Lord. A friend, who has encouraged us,  in many ways. In fact, there are three books sitting on our bookshelf all about trusting God, that came to us from her.

The first week of December, I enjoyed reminiscing about my "surprise" trip to Haiti - already a year ago. But those good memories were shadowed when I heard from my friend who took me there, that Pastor Nene had been in a terrible accident, and was now struggling with recovery from severe brain damage. Pastor Nene, who good naturedly followed us all over Port-au-Prince and up into the mountains; who patiently waited for us while we played duck-duck-goose with the kids in the orphanage. Pastor Nene, who gladly translated for us, and was always available, even if that meant spending more time away from his family. Pastor Nene, who proudly introduced us to his beautiful family, and his joyful church. Pastor Nene, who translated for me in the prison, as I shared the message God laid on my heart to the women behind iron bars, and who helped me pray with them as they accepted salvation.

Then there's Betsey, my new friend who, along with her husband, had adopted two beautiful sisters from Haiti after the earthquake. They had been trying to adopt a third handicapped little girl, who had lived with them while in the States on her medical visa. Now that her mother has decided she can't provide and take care of her, they're trying to get her back. Only a few weeks before the new year, they discovered that the Embassy in Haiti has denied her a visa. Now what?

This list can go on and on...

While I may be looking forward to 2011 - what frightening depths of the unknown it holds for people close to me in Christ.

Depressing sounding, isn't it? That's not how I mean it. God,  in His great mercy, often delights in our impossibly despairing circumstances, in order to show us Who He is. It's a lesson for all of us in the body of Christ and it certainly has been for me. While these depressing circumstances are not happening to me personally, how can I do my duty and help bear the burdens in the church of Christ, if I am so concentrated on my own personal comfort, "I'm so happy 2010 is over!" Sin and it's affects follow us everywhere. Even into New Years. Sickness and disappointment are not unknown to Him, the Man of Sorrows.

So that's why that song meant so much to me. It was like everything was just made clear. No matter what resolutions I make for perfection, living in this sinful world will hurt and disappoint and mess up my plans. So my one resolution for this year, that I have no idea what happiness or maybe sorrow, it will bring for me or loved ones:

"Be strong in the LORD!"

And my prayer for those around me - whether I weep or rejoice with them:

"Be strong in the LORD!"

I'm still looking forward to this year...but not for myself. I'm just excited to see what God will do - in me, everywhere and all around me.

Happy New Year!

Something Crazy

He's got a Bible and a megaphone standing on the corner
And everybody's saying he's crazy
Well does he really think anybody wants to hear what he has to say
He's not screaming at anybody in fact he says
It's a love story that he's trying to tell them

And he knows he may look a little strange
But he just smiles and says that's okay
'Cause you know sometimes love makes you
Act that way

And it's crazy when love gets a hold of you
And it's crazy things that love will make you do
And it's crazy but it's true
You really don't know love at all
'Til it's making you do
Something crazy

I know a lady in Uganda, forty kids call her mama
And everybody thought it way crazy
She used to drive a beamer, but I've never seen her
Any happier than she is now
I've met them all around the world, they're the boys and girls
Filled up with the love of the Father

And they know it may seem a little strange
But they just smile and say that's alright
'Cause love puts everything in a different light

And it's crazy when love gets a hold of you
And it's crazy things that love will make you do
And it's crazy but it's true
You really don't know love at all
'Til it's making you do
Something crazy

Something crazy
Crazy
Crazy when love gets a hold of you
Crazy, crazy
Crazy thing that love will make you do

Well, some might say it's a crazy thing
To believe in a man who would say he came
From heaven down to earth because of love

But I just smile and say that's okay
'Cause you know sometimes love makes you act that way

And it's crazy when love gets a hold of you
And it's crazy things that love will make you do
And it's crazy but it's true
You really don't know love at all
'Til it's making you do

Crazy when love gets a hold of you
And it's crazy things that love will make you do
And it's crazy but it's true
You really don't know love at all
'Til it's making you do
Something crazy

- Steven Curtis Chapman

Byen Pre Pa Lakay

Great article, from Empowered Traditionalist (for girls!).

"Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in." Isaiah 26:2

Like Christ

"I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians - they are so unlike your Christ." - Ghandi

"Little children, let us not LOVE in word or talk, but in deed and truth."
I John 3:18

"Beloved, let us LOVE one another, for LOVE is of God, and whoever LOVES has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because GOD IS LOVE."
 I John 4:7-8

"Let ALL bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be KIND to one another, TENDERHEARTED, forgiving one another. as GOD IN CHRIST FORGAVE YOU. Therefore be IMITATORS OF GOD, as beloved children. And walk in LOVE, as CHRIST LOVED US and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Ephesians 4:31-32; 5:1-2

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, MEEKNESS, and PATIENCE, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving one another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above ALL these put on LOVE, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Colossians 3:12-14