Posts
Thank You for the valley I walked through today.
The longer the valley, the more I learn to pray.
I found You where the lilies were blooming by the way.
So I thank You for the valley I walked through today.
Thank You for every hill I climbed,
For every time the sun didn't shine.
Thank You for every lonely night,
I prayed 'til I knew everything was alright,
And I thank you for the valley,
I walked through today.
Life can't be all sunshine, or the flowers would die.
The rivers would be deserts, all barren and dry.
Life can't be all blessings, or there'd be no need to pray.
So I thank You for the valley I walked through today.
Thank You for every hill I climbed,
For every time the sun didn't shine.
Thank You for every lonely night,
I prayed 'til I knew everything was alright.
And I thank You for the valley,
I walked through today.
Showing posts with label Thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thoughts. Show all posts
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Follow up appointment.
Saw my naturopathic doctor yesterday and got a lot of good information and nutritional advice, along with some supplements. He works with Cancer Treatment Centers of America. I am not supposed to eat any sugar, corn, potatoes, pasta, bread, or grains. Does that rule out the Chinese buffet for my birthday ;)
J & I saw the surgeon tonight for a follow-up. He said I can schedule my second surgery 3 months and 1 minute after the first one, lol! He went over the pathology report. The tumor had not penetrated the colon wall. All margins were clear. They believe, though can't be certain, that the colon ruptured above the tumor. Since it was too difficult to tell they want to treat it as a ruptured tumor. I will also have a colonoscopy before the second surgery. He said I should be in the hospital a minimum of 5 days again.
The children are doing well and I think J is caught up on his sleep. My mom is working on some new curtains for the girl's room before she goes home.
Next up is an appointment with an oncologist. We've chosen one, but don't have a date set yet.
J & I saw the surgeon tonight for a follow-up. He said I can schedule my second surgery 3 months and 1 minute after the first one, lol! He went over the pathology report. The tumor had not penetrated the colon wall. All margins were clear. They believe, though can't be certain, that the colon ruptured above the tumor. Since it was too difficult to tell they want to treat it as a ruptured tumor. I will also have a colonoscopy before the second surgery. He said I should be in the hospital a minimum of 5 days again.
The children are doing well and I think J is caught up on his sleep. My mom is working on some new curtains for the girl's room before she goes home.
Next up is an appointment with an oncologist. We've chosen one, but don't have a date set yet.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
"Where Were You?"
That is the question many people ask about 9-11.
September 11, 2001 I was getting ready to make my weekly grocery store trip with my one year-old daughter. I did laundry on Mondays and went to the grocery store on Tuesdays. Just as I was getting ready to walk out the door J called from work. He asked if I had the news on. That was an odd question. Of course I wasn't watching the news... did he think I watched TV and ate bon bons all day? Not to mention it was late morning and the news wasn't even on. He told me to turn it on and said something about the world coming to an end. A bit dramatic I thought. I really didn't want to turn the news on. I was ready to walk out the door. I didn't want to sit down. Besides, I had something else on my mind. I was going to buy a pregnancy test at the store.
But I sat down in front of the TV... and watched... I didn't know what to make of it, but it was a tragedy of a magnitude I had never witnessed in my lifetime. Of course as the days and weeks went on and I saw and heard more, it became even bigger.
I watched for about an hour that morning then went on to the store. It was rather surreal because I was carrying out my normal activity while so many people were living something so horrible. Here I was in a grocery store... Not only that, I was considering the possibility of a new life while all those people were dealing with a death toll we couldn't imagine.
The test was positive. 9-11 was the day I found out I was pregnant with my second daughter. It was a day of healing for me. You see, in February of that year I had gotten pregnant. SK was just 13 months old. I freaked. She was just beginning to walk and talk. It was such a fun time. I felt like I was just getting into the swing of this parenting thing. My little girl was really communicating with me now and we were having so much fun together. She was my little buddy. I held her tight, crying that I was going to lose something with her. Of course it never crossed my mind that this new baby wouldn't come for another 9 months! I literally laid face down on the floor and bawled like a baby because I thought I was going to lose this special closeness we had. Through my weeping I asked God to forgive me for my selfishness. I knew in my head that this child was a blessing, but I was simply selfish of my bond with my first daughter. Over the next few months I came to grips with the thought of another child. Of course I wanted a sibling for SK, I just hadn't wanted one so soon. Then, I actually became very happy that we were having another baby (there's a reason pregnancy lasts 9 months!).
Just when I was happy and excited; looking forward to another child, I miscarried. Oh, the guilt I felt. I had not been thankful for this blessing. I had not trusted in God's sovereignty. No, I'm not saying that God took that baby to punish me, but it brought to light my selfishness and my desire for control. Somehow I thought I knew what was best.
This 9-11 I am thankful to have four more blessings to care for. We've experienced more miscarriages too, which just strengthen my knowledge that God is in control. James 4:13-16 comes to mind: Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. J & I tried to plan and time "our family" just like WE wanted it. We were proud. Through births and losses we have learned to trust God for his plan. No, we're not perfect. This is just one area of life. We still have many areas that we're holding on to; trying to control. We have a lot of growing to do. Actually, it's a lot of shrinking ;)
September 11, 2001 I was getting ready to make my weekly grocery store trip with my one year-old daughter. I did laundry on Mondays and went to the grocery store on Tuesdays. Just as I was getting ready to walk out the door J called from work. He asked if I had the news on. That was an odd question. Of course I wasn't watching the news... did he think I watched TV and ate bon bons all day? Not to mention it was late morning and the news wasn't even on. He told me to turn it on and said something about the world coming to an end. A bit dramatic I thought. I really didn't want to turn the news on. I was ready to walk out the door. I didn't want to sit down. Besides, I had something else on my mind. I was going to buy a pregnancy test at the store.
But I sat down in front of the TV... and watched... I didn't know what to make of it, but it was a tragedy of a magnitude I had never witnessed in my lifetime. Of course as the days and weeks went on and I saw and heard more, it became even bigger.
I watched for about an hour that morning then went on to the store. It was rather surreal because I was carrying out my normal activity while so many people were living something so horrible. Here I was in a grocery store... Not only that, I was considering the possibility of a new life while all those people were dealing with a death toll we couldn't imagine.
The test was positive. 9-11 was the day I found out I was pregnant with my second daughter. It was a day of healing for me. You see, in February of that year I had gotten pregnant. SK was just 13 months old. I freaked. She was just beginning to walk and talk. It was such a fun time. I felt like I was just getting into the swing of this parenting thing. My little girl was really communicating with me now and we were having so much fun together. She was my little buddy. I held her tight, crying that I was going to lose something with her. Of course it never crossed my mind that this new baby wouldn't come for another 9 months! I literally laid face down on the floor and bawled like a baby because I thought I was going to lose this special closeness we had. Through my weeping I asked God to forgive me for my selfishness. I knew in my head that this child was a blessing, but I was simply selfish of my bond with my first daughter. Over the next few months I came to grips with the thought of another child. Of course I wanted a sibling for SK, I just hadn't wanted one so soon. Then, I actually became very happy that we were having another baby (there's a reason pregnancy lasts 9 months!).
Just when I was happy and excited; looking forward to another child, I miscarried. Oh, the guilt I felt. I had not been thankful for this blessing. I had not trusted in God's sovereignty. No, I'm not saying that God took that baby to punish me, but it brought to light my selfishness and my desire for control. Somehow I thought I knew what was best.
This 9-11 I am thankful to have four more blessings to care for. We've experienced more miscarriages too, which just strengthen my knowledge that God is in control. James 4:13-16 comes to mind: Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. J & I tried to plan and time "our family" just like WE wanted it. We were proud. Through births and losses we have learned to trust God for his plan. No, we're not perfect. This is just one area of life. We still have many areas that we're holding on to; trying to control. We have a lot of growing to do. Actually, it's a lot of shrinking ;)
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The last days of Saturn: "A different kind of company; A different kind of car"
Our Saturn retailer will be closing Friday. It's hard to believe J has just two days left. Saturday night as we sitting together it dawned on me that this was his last week. I said "Wow, it just hit me; you only have 5 days left at Saturn." He said "Yeah." and there was a long pause. I said "It's really surreal." to which he replied "That's just the word I was thinking of.".
I know Saturn isn't an American icon that's been around for 75 or 150 years, but it's been a huge part of our lives. August marked 15 years with the company. It is very surreal to imagine such a big change.
I also know that we have had it much better than so many people who have lost their jobs. Not only did J have an offer to stay with the company, but he had 7 other possible opportunities! We were praying fervently for direction and I know we had friends and family praying for us as well. One by one 7 of the 8 possible directions he could go in fell down the list of feasibility then dropped off all together. At the same time, one direction climbed to the top and was left as the only one. We prayed for clear direction and God granted it. We are very thankful for that.
J has offered to help with the closing of Saturn next week if he is needed. He will start his new job Monday, the 16th. It is about 7 miles further and the hours are a little longer. He will also be working on things he hasn't worked on in 15 years and some things he's never really worked on like pick-up trucks and Corvettes. He will bring a large following from Saturn which we believe will help his paycheck. It is a benefit to a GM dealer to be able to advertise they have a trained Saturn tech now. Your continued prayers are appreciated as he begins this new venture. He says he's going to be "stretched" and "out of his comfort zone". At the same time he has been very excited after his talks/interviews with the owner and the service manager.
If he isn't needed all next week at Saturn, J plans on taking a day to ride his dirt bike with his buddy and another to go catfishing with his dad. I'm hoping they don't need him much so he can have some days at home, too. It will be kind of like a vacation. He does have 7 days of vacation left that he will get paid for.
Below is a letter from the owner to Saturn customers (bolding mine): http://www.saturnoflancaster.com/MiscPage_2 What makes it sad, I believe, is that Mr. Sutliff was involved with the development of Saturn, was it's first retailer, and his 5 stores consistently ranked top.
Saturn was "A different kind of company; a different kind of car". I believe they would've remained that way and continued to profit if GM had kept their fingers out of it, but that's another story.
The letter:
GM Dealer of the Year 2007
Sutliff Saturn Inc.
Sutliff Chevrolet Co.
Dear Saturn Owner,
Perhaps you were as disappointed as we were when the news appeared that new Saturn Products were terminated.
Some of us think it was an error of judgement, some might say it was the result of errors in judgement. It is true that over the years, the Saturn product zigged when it might better have zagged.
Sutliff was involved with the development of Saturn. Business practices of Sutliff Chevrolet were, to a certain extent, models for Saturn business practices. When the time came, we were the first signed Saturn Retailer. Our five stores in Central Pennsylvania were arguably the most successful anywhere in terms of market share. Our stores ranked in the top five Saturn retailers in volume. Often when stores were ranked by percentage of objective, Sutliff Saturn stores were 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Our new sales since opening in 1991 will reach 48,000 by this year end.
In 2008, General Motors recognized the best 1% or so of their 2007 dealers at the most recent Dealer of the Year presentation in New York City. Both Sutliff Saturn Inc. and Sutliff Chevrolet Co. were among the honorees.
Nationally, however, Saturn was not able to maintain competitive volume after the Ion was cancelled.
Sutliff Saturn will remain open in the Harrisburg area no longer than October 2010. Lancaster, York, and State College will cease operations as Saturn stores before the end of this year. Saturn technical service and parts availability will continue well beyond that time in our other GM stores in Harrisburg and State College as well as other GM stores possibly nearer to you.
Sutliff Auto Group expects to be operating GM stores in Harrisburg's East and West Shores and State College this fall, all of which will welcome Saturn owners with experienced Saturn service advisors and technicians. Our new automobile portfolio will include Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac as well as other brands.
Greg Sutliff
I know Saturn isn't an American icon that's been around for 75 or 150 years, but it's been a huge part of our lives. August marked 15 years with the company. It is very surreal to imagine such a big change.
I also know that we have had it much better than so many people who have lost their jobs. Not only did J have an offer to stay with the company, but he had 7 other possible opportunities! We were praying fervently for direction and I know we had friends and family praying for us as well. One by one 7 of the 8 possible directions he could go in fell down the list of feasibility then dropped off all together. At the same time, one direction climbed to the top and was left as the only one. We prayed for clear direction and God granted it. We are very thankful for that.
J has offered to help with the closing of Saturn next week if he is needed. He will start his new job Monday, the 16th. It is about 7 miles further and the hours are a little longer. He will also be working on things he hasn't worked on in 15 years and some things he's never really worked on like pick-up trucks and Corvettes. He will bring a large following from Saturn which we believe will help his paycheck. It is a benefit to a GM dealer to be able to advertise they have a trained Saturn tech now. Your continued prayers are appreciated as he begins this new venture. He says he's going to be "stretched" and "out of his comfort zone". At the same time he has been very excited after his talks/interviews with the owner and the service manager.
If he isn't needed all next week at Saturn, J plans on taking a day to ride his dirt bike with his buddy and another to go catfishing with his dad. I'm hoping they don't need him much so he can have some days at home, too. It will be kind of like a vacation. He does have 7 days of vacation left that he will get paid for.
Below is a letter from the owner to Saturn customers (bolding mine): http://www.saturnoflancaster.com/MiscPage_2 What makes it sad, I believe, is that Mr. Sutliff was involved with the development of Saturn, was it's first retailer, and his 5 stores consistently ranked top.
Saturn was "A different kind of company; a different kind of car". I believe they would've remained that way and continued to profit if GM had kept their fingers out of it, but that's another story.
The letter:
GM Dealer of the Year 2007
Sutliff Saturn Inc.
Sutliff Chevrolet Co.
Dear Saturn Owner,
Perhaps you were as disappointed as we were when the news appeared that new Saturn Products were terminated.
Some of us think it was an error of judgement, some might say it was the result of errors in judgement. It is true that over the years, the Saturn product zigged when it might better have zagged.
Sutliff was involved with the development of Saturn. Business practices of Sutliff Chevrolet were, to a certain extent, models for Saturn business practices. When the time came, we were the first signed Saturn Retailer. Our five stores in Central Pennsylvania were arguably the most successful anywhere in terms of market share. Our stores ranked in the top five Saturn retailers in volume. Often when stores were ranked by percentage of objective, Sutliff Saturn stores were 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Our new sales since opening in 1991 will reach 48,000 by this year end.
In 2008, General Motors recognized the best 1% or so of their 2007 dealers at the most recent Dealer of the Year presentation in New York City. Both Sutliff Saturn Inc. and Sutliff Chevrolet Co. were among the honorees.
Nationally, however, Saturn was not able to maintain competitive volume after the Ion was cancelled.
Sutliff Saturn will remain open in the Harrisburg area no longer than October 2010. Lancaster, York, and State College will cease operations as Saturn stores before the end of this year. Saturn technical service and parts availability will continue well beyond that time in our other GM stores in Harrisburg and State College as well as other GM stores possibly nearer to you.
Sutliff Auto Group expects to be operating GM stores in Harrisburg's East and West Shores and State College this fall, all of which will welcome Saturn owners with experienced Saturn service advisors and technicians. Our new automobile portfolio will include Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac as well as other brands.
Greg Sutliff
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Winning the War Over Worldliness
A great sermon series from James MacDonald. It can be downloaded or listened to free- probably through the weekend.
http://walkintheword.com/Broadcast.aspx halfway down the page.
Two other awesome sermons are Reality Check for Husbands and Reality Check for Wives. So worth the time to listen to. They're $3 for an MP3 download.
http://store.walkintheword.com/p-962-reality-check-for-husbands.aspx
http://store.walkintheword.com/p-961-reality-check-for-wives.aspx
http://walkintheword.com/Broadcast.aspx halfway down the page.
Two other awesome sermons are Reality Check for Husbands and Reality Check for Wives. So worth the time to listen to. They're $3 for an MP3 download.
http://store.walkintheword.com/p-962-reality-check-for-husbands.aspx
http://store.walkintheword.com/p-961-reality-check-for-wives.aspx
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Meaningful...
We sang this on Sunday.
"God of My Days" from Gateway Worship
You awaken my heart from slumbering
Meet me in mourning, and You speak to my grief
You're the light in my darkness, the delight of my eyes
The hope of the daybreak when the sun's slow to rise
I trust that every moment's in Your hands
You're the God of my days, the King of my nights
Lord of my laughter, sovereign in sorrow
You're the Prince of my praise, the love of my life
You never leave me, You are faithful, God of my days
You unveil my eyes, help me to see
The arms of my Father encircling me
You're a constant companion, I am never alone
Your love is the banner that's leading me home
I trust that every moment's in Your hands
You're the God of my days, the King of my nights
Lord of my laughter, sovereign in sorrow
You're the Prince of my praise, the love of my life
You never leave me, You are faithful, God of my days
My eyes are on You, my hope is in You
My faith is in You
My eyes are on You, my hope is in You
My faith is in You
God of my days, the King of my nights
Lord of my laughter, sovereign in sorrow
You're the Prince of my praise, the love of my life
You never leave me, You are faithful God of my days
Here's another song that's really meant a lot to me.
Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
I think these songs have special meaning to me because of my miscarriages. As the second song says, "there's pain in the offering". I want to offer all my children to God for His service. J and I have left our childbearing in God's hands, and there has been pain in that offering. I know others have experienced far worse pains in their lives, but for me, this is the worst I know so far. He gives and takes away... and I will bless His name.
I remember the first time we sang Blessed Be Your Name. We sang the first lines:
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be Your name
and I thought, "Yes, God is good".
Then we sang the second lines:
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
and after a pause I realized how often we forget to praise Him in our suffering.
I CAN praise Him because I KNOW he is good and faithful and he will work my suffering for good.
"God of My Days" from Gateway Worship
You awaken my heart from slumbering
Meet me in mourning, and You speak to my grief
You're the light in my darkness, the delight of my eyes
The hope of the daybreak when the sun's slow to rise
I trust that every moment's in Your hands
You're the God of my days, the King of my nights
Lord of my laughter, sovereign in sorrow
You're the Prince of my praise, the love of my life
You never leave me, You are faithful, God of my days
You unveil my eyes, help me to see
The arms of my Father encircling me
You're a constant companion, I am never alone
Your love is the banner that's leading me home
I trust that every moment's in Your hands
You're the God of my days, the King of my nights
Lord of my laughter, sovereign in sorrow
You're the Prince of my praise, the love of my life
You never leave me, You are faithful, God of my days
My eyes are on You, my hope is in You
My faith is in You
My eyes are on You, my hope is in You
My faith is in You
God of my days, the King of my nights
Lord of my laughter, sovereign in sorrow
You're the Prince of my praise, the love of my life
You never leave me, You are faithful God of my days
Here's another song that's really meant a lot to me.
Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
I think these songs have special meaning to me because of my miscarriages. As the second song says, "there's pain in the offering". I want to offer all my children to God for His service. J and I have left our childbearing in God's hands, and there has been pain in that offering. I know others have experienced far worse pains in their lives, but for me, this is the worst I know so far. He gives and takes away... and I will bless His name.
I remember the first time we sang Blessed Be Your Name. We sang the first lines:
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be Your name
and I thought, "Yes, God is good".
Then we sang the second lines:
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
and after a pause I realized how often we forget to praise Him in our suffering.
I CAN praise Him because I KNOW he is good and faithful and he will work my suffering for good.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
I am really tired of the word "sexy".
Now we have a toilet paper commercial where a puppy is talking about being sexy!? What does that have to do with tp and why do the advertisers think it necessary?
We're trying to teach our daughters that they don't need to wear make-up, jewelry and perfume or dress in the latest fashions and hair styles to be beautiful. Everywhere they're bombarded with the opposite.
There is almost nothing on television that we allow our children to watch. Something we think is safe suddenly takes a turn and we don't know it's coming. When we do allow them to watch something we always turn it off during commercials.
There are a few shows J & I watch, but when I see things that I would not want my children to see it's hitting me harder and harder. It's too easy for them to walk in the room and see something I don't want them to. Some days I want to get rid of the tv all together. We do have some uses for it, though, so I doubt we'll ever get rid of it.
We're trying to teach our daughters that they don't need to wear make-up, jewelry and perfume or dress in the latest fashions and hair styles to be beautiful. Everywhere they're bombarded with the opposite.
There is almost nothing on television that we allow our children to watch. Something we think is safe suddenly takes a turn and we don't know it's coming. When we do allow them to watch something we always turn it off during commercials.
There are a few shows J & I watch, but when I see things that I would not want my children to see it's hitting me harder and harder. It's too easy for them to walk in the room and see something I don't want them to. Some days I want to get rid of the tv all together. We do have some uses for it, though, so I doubt we'll ever get rid of it.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Pro-Lifers: The Red Envelope Campaign to President Obama
Below is an email message originally from Christ (rhymes with wrist) John Otto. This campaign is growing. I'd like to help it along.
"Dear Friends and Intercessors:
This afternoon I was praying about a number of things, and my mind began to wander. I was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions, permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. I have been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained my heart to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal. As I was praying, I believe that God gave me an interesting idea. Out in the garage I have a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear. Here is what I would like you to do: Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinko's, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
On the back, write the following message:
"This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception." I would use the word "fertilization".
OR
"There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being. This much we know." -- Barack Obama at today's National Prayer Breakfast I think I'll write both on my envelope.
Put it in the mail, and send it. Then forward this email to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a chance to live. Each one counts. Maybe it will be used to change the heart of the president.
Warmly,
Christ John Otto"
"Dear Friends and Intercessors:
This afternoon I was praying about a number of things, and my mind began to wander. I was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions, permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. I have been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained my heart to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal. As I was praying, I believe that God gave me an interesting idea. Out in the garage I have a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear. Here is what I would like you to do: Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinko's, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
On the back, write the following message:
"This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception." I would use the word "fertilization".
OR
"There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being. This much we know." -- Barack Obama at today's National Prayer Breakfast I think I'll write both on my envelope.
Put it in the mail, and send it. Then forward this email to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a chance to live. Each one counts. Maybe it will be used to change the heart of the president.
Warmly,
Christ John Otto"
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Christmas Costs Less at Wal-Mart!
Just what does (did) Christmas cost?
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:1-4
Jesus Christ; God himself; creator of all things, gave up a life in heaven for a 33 year life on earth. On earth he experienced the physical discomforts of pain, fatigue, hunger and thirst. Why? To show people the very face of God. To live among His creation and teach them... SHOW them God's love for them. He sacrified a life in heaven, a life in the daily presence of his father God. And while many people were accepting of his message and sought to follow him, many others ridiculed him and sought to do him harm. But he endured this for every one of us, even those who spit in his face, lied about him, and beat him brutally. He loved us all so much that he willingly, and literally, gave up his life. Can any of us imagine the pain of having someone you love so much you'd die for spit in our face, ridicule us, beat us, and sentence us to death?
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 1 John 1:10-14
In just the final hours of Jesus' life look at what it cost:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Lake/3894/easter/cruscourg.html
Scourging Practices (this is graphic)
Scourging, practiced by the Romans was a cruel punishment that usually preceded crucifixion. The only ones exempted from scourging were women, Roman senators and soldiers except in cases of desertion. Normally there were between one and six trained Roman officer called lictors who were responsible for dispensing the blows to the victims. The lictors chosen to administer the scourging had previously received special medical training. They knew how to wield the whip so as to open bruises which had already formed. The instrument used for scourging is a short whip called a flagrum or flagellum to which was attached several braided leather thongs of variable lengths. Knots were tied in the ends of each thong, and sheep bone or iron balls were inserted into the knots at the end of each thong. This whip is called a flagrum or flagellum.
The person to be scourged is stripped of his clothing and his hands are tied to a post. Roman soldiers repeatedly strike the victim's back, buttocks and legs with their full force causing deep contusions. Lacerations from repeated blows cut into the underlying muscles and rip the overlaying skin of the back to a point where it hangs in ribbons of bleeding flesh. The capillaries and veins were often torn causing intense bleeding and at times leaving the entrails exposed. Even once the victim fainted, if the lictors could feel a pulse and detect sufficient respiration, the beating would continue. Once the centurion in charge determined that the prisoner is near death, the beating is halted.
According to Jewish law the prisoner was to receiver no more than forty lashes. The Pharisees, always making sure that the law was strictly kept, insisted that only thirty nine lashes be given in case an error occurred during counting.(Deuteronomy 25:3) The Roman law did not have any set limit on the number of blows which could be administered.
The object of the scourging was to weaken the victim to a state of collapse and bring them as near to death as possible without killing them. Many did not survive this punishment and it was given the name "half death." The extent of blood loss may well have determined how long the victim would survive on the cross.
After the scourging, Jesus was mocked more, had a "crown" of thorns pushed onto his head, and made to carry his cross beam.
But, somehow, Wal-Mart has made Christmas cost less.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:1-4
Jesus Christ; God himself; creator of all things, gave up a life in heaven for a 33 year life on earth. On earth he experienced the physical discomforts of pain, fatigue, hunger and thirst. Why? To show people the very face of God. To live among His creation and teach them... SHOW them God's love for them. He sacrified a life in heaven, a life in the daily presence of his father God. And while many people were accepting of his message and sought to follow him, many others ridiculed him and sought to do him harm. But he endured this for every one of us, even those who spit in his face, lied about him, and beat him brutally. He loved us all so much that he willingly, and literally, gave up his life. Can any of us imagine the pain of having someone you love so much you'd die for spit in our face, ridicule us, beat us, and sentence us to death?
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 1 John 1:10-14
In just the final hours of Jesus' life look at what it cost:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Lake/3894/easter/cruscourg.html
Scourging Practices (this is graphic)
Scourging, practiced by the Romans was a cruel punishment that usually preceded crucifixion. The only ones exempted from scourging were women, Roman senators and soldiers except in cases of desertion. Normally there were between one and six trained Roman officer called lictors who were responsible for dispensing the blows to the victims. The lictors chosen to administer the scourging had previously received special medical training. They knew how to wield the whip so as to open bruises which had already formed. The instrument used for scourging is a short whip called a flagrum or flagellum to which was attached several braided leather thongs of variable lengths. Knots were tied in the ends of each thong, and sheep bone or iron balls were inserted into the knots at the end of each thong. This whip is called a flagrum or flagellum.
The person to be scourged is stripped of his clothing and his hands are tied to a post. Roman soldiers repeatedly strike the victim's back, buttocks and legs with their full force causing deep contusions. Lacerations from repeated blows cut into the underlying muscles and rip the overlaying skin of the back to a point where it hangs in ribbons of bleeding flesh. The capillaries and veins were often torn causing intense bleeding and at times leaving the entrails exposed. Even once the victim fainted, if the lictors could feel a pulse and detect sufficient respiration, the beating would continue. Once the centurion in charge determined that the prisoner is near death, the beating is halted.
According to Jewish law the prisoner was to receiver no more than forty lashes. The Pharisees, always making sure that the law was strictly kept, insisted that only thirty nine lashes be given in case an error occurred during counting.(Deuteronomy 25:3) The Roman law did not have any set limit on the number of blows which could be administered.
The object of the scourging was to weaken the victim to a state of collapse and bring them as near to death as possible without killing them. Many did not survive this punishment and it was given the name "half death." The extent of blood loss may well have determined how long the victim would survive on the cross.
After the scourging, Jesus was mocked more, had a "crown" of thorns pushed onto his head, and made to carry his cross beam.
But, somehow, Wal-Mart has made Christmas cost less.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The "Freedom" to Homeschool
The last few months I've been reading through the laws, codes, and requirements of homeschooling in PA- one of the most restrictive states to homeschool in. This is the year, now that SK is 8, that I must file my affidavit with the school district saying I'm going to homeschool or, in my case, use my teaching certification to teach as a private tutor (completely different law). I've learned that Pennsylvania is so gracious that back in 1988 they passed a law giving parents the right to teach their own children. Excuse me? I believe GOD gave me that right when he gave me the child. It doesn't take a village, it takes a family. I have been appalled reading through the requirements of the homeschool law. It's ridiculous.
This morning I read this: "The supervisor of the home education program [that's the parent] must certify on the affidavit that the supervisor [parent], all adults living in the home and persons having legal custody of the child have not been convicted of the criminal offenses listed in section 111(e) of the School Code." So, if you send your child to the state's school you, any adults in your home, and anyone that has legal custody of your child (x-spouse) can have a criminal record, no problem. If, however, you want to teach your own child you have to prove that no one in the home or with legal custody has a criminal record. Brilliant!
The other part of the law that gets me the most is that a private tutor must teach "loyalty to the State and National government". This is required in elementary school, but not required in secondary school. It's also not required in the homeschool law at all. Ah, consistency. In this case, it may just be the feelings the word "loyalty" evokes in me that gives me concern. I will teach my children our country's history and to obey the laws of our nation, but loyalty to the government... I don't know. Loyalty to country, or respect of country, is different in my thinking than loyalty to a government.
If you're bored for some reason you can read the PA homeschooling law & codes here http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/laws/blPA.htm or here http://home.comcast.net/~askpauline/hs/homeschoollaw.html. Yes, you'd have to be really bored ;)
That's my morning vent!
This morning I read this: "The supervisor of the home education program [that's the parent] must certify on the affidavit that the supervisor [parent], all adults living in the home and persons having legal custody of the child have not been convicted of the criminal offenses listed in section 111(e) of the School Code." So, if you send your child to the state's school you, any adults in your home, and anyone that has legal custody of your child (x-spouse) can have a criminal record, no problem. If, however, you want to teach your own child you have to prove that no one in the home or with legal custody has a criminal record. Brilliant!
The other part of the law that gets me the most is that a private tutor must teach "loyalty to the State and National government". This is required in elementary school, but not required in secondary school. It's also not required in the homeschool law at all. Ah, consistency. In this case, it may just be the feelings the word "loyalty" evokes in me that gives me concern. I will teach my children our country's history and to obey the laws of our nation, but loyalty to the government... I don't know. Loyalty to country, or respect of country, is different in my thinking than loyalty to a government.
If you're bored for some reason you can read the PA homeschooling law & codes here http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/laws/blPA.htm or here http://home.comcast.net/~askpauline/hs/homeschoollaw.html. Yes, you'd have to be really bored ;)
That's my morning vent!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
They won't ask forever.
Yesterday as I went out for the mail it dawned on me that no one had asked to go with me for quite a while. They used to ask every time and it really was a pain to get 3 children's shoes on just for a walk down the driveway.
They used to always ask to drive "the long way" home so they could see the neighbor's horse. Then he sold the horse.
SK used to always ask me to read her a book. Now she reads by herself.
There are so many things that they used to ask for that they don't any more. Some of them were cute things we enjoyed with them. Some of them bothersome. Either way it's a reminder that time is passing quickly when we realize they don't ask any more.
Whenever possible, take the time youre children are asking for, because before you know it, it's gone.
They used to always ask to drive "the long way" home so they could see the neighbor's horse. Then he sold the horse.
SK used to always ask me to read her a book. Now she reads by herself.
There are so many things that they used to ask for that they don't any more. Some of them were cute things we enjoyed with them. Some of them bothersome. Either way it's a reminder that time is passing quickly when we realize they don't ask any more.
Whenever possible, take the time youre children are asking for, because before you know it, it's gone.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
