Endings are beginnings

This school year has come to a close pretty quickly. I cannot believe it was last August I dropped Morgan off at school and will be going to get her in a week and a half. Time flies. Time in general goes faster it seems the older you get. Not really sure why that is the case. As a kid I couldn't wait for school to be over, then to get married, then to have kids, then to see them grow. I am feeling like all that has gone within a blink of an eye and soon it will be just Mark and me! I really hadn't contemplated that fact until very recently. It makes me think about back when we first married and it was just the 2 of us. It still is a ways off, but something to contemplate. I will be happy for a simpler life without running kids back and forth to wherever or the never ending money stream leaving my pocket, but all in all I will miss it. Every new ending is a beginning of another chapter. I am always excited to see what the next one will bring!

To compromise or not to compromise...

Today is just another day. Another day of working, eating, sleeping and other misc things needing to get done. Not anything special. I am amazed, however, how compromised people become. I talked with someone today who has little by little, taken advantage of. To the point they are no longer just being taken advantage of, but outright being wronged. Why? Initially to please the person doing it in hopes of receiving some type of reward, so to speak. Now, it is just to appease them. Sad. If I were to tell you that you would, say, be having an affair; or stealing an item from a store; or perhaps lying to someone you love I would hope you'd say, NO WAY! But how does a person go from being so dogmatic about wanting to do the right thing to actually committing the offense? Slowly, little by little, compromising yourself. It doesn't usually happen that a person wakes up one morning and says, "I think today I'll doing something terrible", no it is a progressive thing. We become desensitized over time. We justify the reasoning based on some wrong perhaps done to us. I have a news flash.......there is no right way to do a wrong thing. If you know it's wrong, there is NO justification for it. I need this as much as the next person. I have to remember to guard my heart and mind against those things that would cause me to stumble. Just one question I need to ask... am I compromising myself in some way? If so, I need to go to the source of all strength and ask for the one who can guard up my heart and mind to do so. There is a reason we have a conscience. It is to help guide us, but essentially since it can fail we have to remember that humanity has no good. None at all. I am thankful for God, his grace and that He loves and cares about me to be the guard for my heart and mind!

Survey says......

I would like to take a quick survey of those who may read my blog. I am a Christian, and I guess you wouldn't have to read too many posts to figure that out. I am curious, however, among those who would consider themselves Christians as well as those who wouldn't some observations about the church. So, hopefully I'll get a response or two, we'll see.

1. What do you think the ultimate purpose of the church is?

2. What type of things should a church be doing to achieve the purpose?

3. Why do you go or don't go to church?

4. What would be something you'd like to learn about say in Sunday School or study in a Bible Study?

5. What biblical subject is most perplexing?

6. If you had a bad experience with a church, what was the resolution or was there one?

7. How do you feel you fit in or don't fit in with the church you go to now?

I am not trying to be nosy, just a bit curious as to what people are thinking. Thanks for looking, and if you answer, thanks for answering!

I am at a loss.....

To start I would like to say I have never used this blog as a forum for my political views nor have I ever made commentary about our government or politics. I am CERTAIN that all Presidents, past and future, have and will use something to help make their point. Whether foreign policy, domestic or some other issue they feel would help public opinion sway in their favor. I have never been shocked like I have when I spoke with a local business owner this week. This person was at a meeting with one of the "6" health care CEO's who supposedly met with President Obama to discuss healthcare reform. This gentleman had meetings with past presidents (Bush, Clinton) IN PERSON. They have had the same routine each time they have come. Arrive at the White House, ushered into the west wing, meet, sometimes followed by a press conference. This time, they were ushered into the east wing. After waiting for awhile, they were told to follow the staffer, who led them into a room with waiting tv cameras, lights, President Obama and his infamous teleprompter. He proceeded to read off said teleprompter followed by cameras off, teleprompter off, President exit and bye bye. No meeting with the President. Look at the White House's own transcript- it's a lie......he DIDN'T meet with them, nor does he care what they think or for that matter what you think. This is being shoved down their throats as much as the American public's! Read the transcript for yourself- http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-on-Reforming-the-Health-Care-System-to-Reduce-Costs Are you kidding me? My husband has been saying since before the 2008 election that Obama is an ideologue who is, well, just plain arrogant. I have been of the opinion that he comes off as arrogant but surely he will do what the American public wishes. He won't go against what they want. WRONG. He IS an ideologue who feels we are all too stupid to figure out what is best for us, and is even on the road doing "town hall meetings" to lecture us how much we really don't understand. He has driven this country into deeper debt than any other president and the democrats are running for the hills to get away from him and his ideals so they can get re-elected. As a matter of fact, the US Government is in danger of losing it's AAA credit rating (according to Moody's). What does this mean? Well, when an individual has bad credit, they have to pay a higher interest rate because they are a credit risk. http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/287151 I have NEVER commented on political situations or politics in general, but having worked in the insurance industry for the last 9 yrs I feel like I have a stake in what happens to not just my industry but am insulted that Obama wants to tell me what is best for my industry having not even asked anyone who actually works in it. It would be like him coming into an ER and giving the physician advice as to how to treat the patient. Give me a break! I love my job and I wish insurance companies would do things differently, but going to a single payer system is NOT the answer. That is what Obama wants.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpAyan1fXCE ..... he just won't come out and say it now that he's president. It's not palatable. And by the way, did you watch his "meeting" with the GOP on Cspan? I did and I am disgusted. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1-jasxb7NY. This one from youtube is in it's entirety. If you support Obama, I am sorry if I offended you. I really am not a controversial person. If you ask my opinion, Bill Clinton started off weak and ended strong. I appreciate some of the things he tried to do like welfare reform and budget responsibility. This was at a time when Republicans were getting it wrong. I also didn't agree with everything that George Bush did either. His last year was weak and he wanted out. I thought Iraq was a mistake, but ALWAYS supported the troops! I guess what I want whoever reads this to understand is that we are all thinking people and should NEVER take a party line and stand on every issue. It's a mistake. I am concerned about lots of things including what kind of country I am leaving for my kids and grandkids. That should be the concern of every American.

To trial or not to trial??

^"2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4. Pure joy. What exactly does that mean? Pure- free from anything of a different, inferior, or a contaminating kind. Joy-a state of happiness. We are to consider it happiness, free of anything else, when we face trials. Why? Well, the writer goes on to tell us that it is because we know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. So then what is perseverance? Steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc. especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. Ever feel aimless? Like you a looking for a purpose or at least something greater than yourself. I sometimes do. I don't think when I was younger I would consider facing trials "pure joy" or that perseverance was something I longed for. There are times when life seems to fall lockstep behind us. Everything is coming easy and without trial or trouble. Then there are the trials. It doesn't mean that we are or have done something wrong or stepped out of line. It's in those times God is trying to do something with us or for us or prepare us for something else. The key to remember is that as His child, He is with us. He promises to never leave nor forsake us. What a great promise. No matter where we are, who we are with and regardless of having support of one kind or another, He is there. I am grateful. Grateful for all He's done and is doing in my life. I want to be aware of all He is doing in my "circle" of influence here and abroad. My prayer is that no matter what happens in your life and whatever comes your way that you would know there is a God, He knows all about you before you even open your mouth and say a word and wants you to know Him.

Wow

After watching the stories of all the Haitians on TV and seeing all the horrific images, I can't help but say one thing. WOW. Just how can I complain?? It's the overwhelming feeling I have every time I come home from Honduras. These folks lacked basic infrastructure and a strong economy to begin with, but complicate that with the recent tragedy and wow. Envision if you will going from a difficult daily life to not even knowing if your family members are dead or alive? If they died and were buried in one of the mass graves being dug, never being able to identify them? How tragic and awful. I cannot conceive of things that these folks have to deal with. In spite of this vast and awful tragedy there have been images of people surviving. People being pulled from the wreckages of their former homes and reunited with the remnants of their families. Many have given thanks to God as the reason for them being able to survive. Wow. I haven't got enough faith at times to see 2 feet in front of me and trust that God will provide a way, yet their faith is all they have. Sometimes I think God is up in heaven shaking his head at us saying "What are you thinking, you crazy people? Don't you know I am God the creator of the universe? If I created the universe, can I not handle your minor problems?". Do I really believe this? Yes, but do I have faith? Morgan put on her page that faith is moving without seeing. I have this intense desire to see before I leap, to be in complete control. How is it this lesson seems to be a lifelong one for me? I guess sometimes the Lord allows us to get to the point where we cannot do anything but pray and trust. Our actions have been played out to the extent that we have no other option but to wait and trust. It's in those moments we have an opportunity to practice what we preach and trust in Him. Lord I pray for those who have experienced this vast and great tragedy. I pray that you would be the strength for those who have none. I pray for those ministering in Haiti, Honduras and all over the world in your name. I lift them up not really knowing what they will encounter or what they will need from you, but just praying. Lord, help me to focus on you and all you are doing and not on my petty problems but rather give all things to you and give you the glory for working them out without my much unneeded input. Phil 4:19

Thought du jour

It's been quite a week. I was planning on going on a missions trip, then after a great deal of discussion with Mark decided to put it off until later this year and hopefully I'll go later with folks from our church. I want more people to have this experience, to catch the excitement of ministry on speed (this is the term I have coined for mission work in Honduras). A bit disappointing, but I will be praying as the work continues. In spite of my disappointment I am excited for the future. I am excited that Morgan is struggling with things like Theology and questioning what she believes and why she believes it. Blindly following without ever questioning is dangerous. It is how cults can "brainwash" people. We should always be working through scripture, wrestling with why we believe what we do. More people who occupy the pews of the church should be doing that. I never really understand why things happen the way that they do, but there is always a reason. Always. I guess this week's blurb is just about a bit of disappointment (for my own selfish reasons-missing the trip to Honduras), excitement for Morgan's provision and learning. I can't be too disappointed because the Lord's work always goes on. I am grateful no matter what my circumstances and situation because I know that God has it in control. I'm just along for the ride!