Moms In The Right

Trust

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Abortion Kills More Black Americans Than the Seven Leading Causes of Death Combined

noreply@blogger.com (Indy Jane) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:53:00 +0000

Planned Parenthood, leading abortion provider, apparently is functioning exactly as intended. It's time to get honest about who are the REAL racists in our country.

CNSNews.com - Abortion Kills More Black Americans Than the Seven Leading Causes of Death Combined, Says CDC Data

“The great irony,” she said, “is that abortion has done what the Klan only dreamed of.'

Mallard Fillmore: Parents Do it Better

noreply@blogger.com (Indy Jane) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:23:00 +0000

Mallard Fillmore

Posted using ShareThis
Cross-posted at Muse with Indy Jane.

Christians are Like the Taliban?!

noreply@blogger.com (Indy Jane) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:45:00 +0000

So says Chris Matthews.
Chris Matthews: The Religious Right is Just Like the Taliban: "

Okay, you scary Christians, America has had it with your bomb belts, machetes, and honor killings! Knock it off!

Mr. Matthews, what shall we do about these violent, oppressive Christians? Shall we kill them off as this young fellow chose?

A California rapper -- who's music consisted of death, murder and mutilation -- has been charged with the killing of a pastor, and may face charges in the deaths of three others, said a report from The Associated Press. On Saturday (September 19), 20-year-old Richard Alden Samuel McCroskey III (who raps under the moniker Syko Sam) was charged with first-degree murder, robbery and grand theft auto the slaying of Mark Niederbrock, a pastor at Walker's Presbyterian Church in Virginia.

full article

Or, Mr. Matthews, shall we intimidate, silence, ridicule, harrass, blacklist, threaten violence against, impugn economic hardship, deny employment, etc; as, the No on Prop 8 campaign of California has chosen to do?

Supporters of Proposition 8 in California have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, vandalism, racial scapegoating, blacklisting, loss of employment, economic hardships, angry protests, violence, at least one death threat, and gross expressions of anti-religious bigotry. Arguments for same-sex marriage are based fundamentally on the idea that limiting marriage to the union of husband and wife is a form of bigotry, irrational prejudice, and even hatred against homosexual persons. As this ideology seeps into the culture more generally, individuals and institutions that support marriage as the union of husband and wife risk paying a price for that belief in many legal, social, economic, and cultural contexts.

Great article, read it in full at Heritage.org.

After all, Mr. Matthews, we can't have Christians running around doing such dangerous christianny things as feeding the poor, or sharing the love of Jesus.

Seriously now, Mr. Matthews, we ALL know that your asinine statement morally equating Christians with the Taliban is both ludicrous and intellectually dishonest.

Mr. Matthews, yes, many Christians want to preserve the long standing religious tradition of the biblical marriage. The Christians support Prop 8 peacefully at the ballot box, while, those who oppose Prop 8 do so with violence.

Christians have zero interest in criminalizing homosexuality. However, they do value the liberty to disagree with it on biblical grounds. That is a far cry from calling for capital punishment of homosexuality, as do our Islamic friends.

Keep it real, dawg.

Cross-posted at Muse with Indy Jane.

Mike Pence, We are Proud of You!

noreply@blogger.com (Indy Jane) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:01:00 +0000

Mike Pence: Limbaugh, Beck speak for many Americans - Politico Staff - POLITICO.com

“So to my friends in the so-called ‘mainstream media’ I say, ‘conservative talk show hosts may not speak for everybody but they speak for more Americans than you do.’”

Posted using ShareThis

Check that! MSM is making themselves irrelevant. Obama's attacks on FOX News will continue to expedite the MSM's way of the dinosaur.

Watch him in action on the House floor.

Cross-posted at Muse with Indy Jane

Truth with a Capital "T"

ldfouch@cableone.net (Daiquiri) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:56:00 +0000

We have one excited little girl around here. Samantha will turn 4 years old next month, and she can hardly stand it! Each day, she asks, "Mama, is my birthday tomorrow?"

Our conversation started off in the usual manner today, but when I tried to explain to her that her birthday was about a month away...about 30 days...she just wouldn't accept it.

"But Mamma, I want to have one more sleep. One more sleep tonight, and then tomorrow is my birthday. Okay? Please?"

"Sorry, sweetie. Your birthday is not tomorrow. It's a month away. C'mon, let's go look at the calendar and I'll show you."

"NO. Tomorrow. I want my birthday to be TOMORROW. ONE MORE SLEEP, MAMA, ONE!"

"Yeah, that would be nice, wouldn't it? It would be nice, but Sammy... it wouldn't be true!"

"Oh, okay." slumped shoulders...as if I'd just announced that her birthday is never going to happen again (although for an almost 4 year old, a month might very well seem about as far away as "never".)

It struck me then how often we (read: I) have this same sort of conversation with our Father.

"I can't believe that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. What about all those people who are not Christians? Do they all go to Hell? I think that there's one God, but many paths to Him."

I can't stand here and claim to know who's going to Heaven and who's going to Hell. But I can say that Jesus told us how to get to Heaven. Not liking it doesn't make it any less than God's Truth.

"The idea that Jesus is the only way to Heaven is ludicrous. How can the path to God be so narrow?"

Yes, the path is narrow, but the Truth is that it is available to every person who ever lived.

"I think Jesus was just a good example of how we're supposed to live. I don't have to let Him rule my life or anything. As long as I'm doing more good than bad, I'll go to Heaven."

It might be nice if that were the case, but it's simply not True. (but I've gotta say, having the burden of living a life that's "good enough" would not be nice if you're asking me)

"Hell? For an eternity? That doesn't make sense. Why would God let anyone go to Hell if He loves us?"

It would be nice if Hell wasn't a reality, but it is. Believing that it's not, doesn't change Truth one little bit. And he does love us. That's precisely why he offers us the gift of Heaven.

"I'm a Christian. Why is my life such a mess? Why doesn't God fix this for me? Shouldn't life be easier now that I've become a child of God? Maybe I bought into a lie."

This is one I struggle with, personally. But each time I have doubts about my faith because I'm suffering, God reminds me of His Truth. He loves me. He saved me. I'll still suffer in this life, but I won't be alone.

"Jesus died for my sins? Are you calling me a sinner? Well, I'm offended by that. I'm a good person and always have been. At the very least, I've grown up a lot and am a good person now."

Yes, you're a sinner. I'm a sinner too. Remember, we don't get to decide what sin is...God does. And the Truth is that everyone has sinned.

And when I do mess up? I take care of it myself. I don't need anyone else to take the fall for me."

Especially here in this "I'll do it myself" independent country, this is a popular belief. It feels good - it lets us feel like we're in control of our own life...in control of the outcome. But it's not True. Christ died for our sins, whether we believe it or not.

"What do you mean I need Jesus? This spirituality works for me. I can feel it - I'm right with God."

Yeah, I know...we're all about doing what "feels right" or what "works for you". But it's not True, and there's no getting around it!

In fact, let's go back to the example of Samantha's birthday. Let's say that Samantha was so incredibly upset that she wasn't having a birthday party TOMORROW that we decided to just go ahead and celebrate with her tomorrow. We'd have friends over. We'd have cake. We'd have lots of fun, and we'd even have presents and singing.

Sammy would be happy. She'd get to live for a day in the belief that it's her birthday.

In short, it would "work for her". And while opening her gifts, it would certainly "feel right and good."

But it simply wouldn't change the fact one little bit: it is not her birthday tomorrow. No amount of pretending will change the date of her birth!

It would sort of be like getting on an airplane that's flying to Detroit. But you want to go to Honolulu, you say? You can sit in your chair the entire trip believing that you're going to Honolulu. You can even sing about it. You can write about it. You can proclaim it for all the passengers to hear.

But guess what...you're going to end up in Detroit, my friend.

So how about you? Are you believing any lies? My conversation with a very passionate and earnest 3 year old today sure opened my eyes! I plan to spend some time praying for God to make me aware of any lies I might have accepted as Truth.

Some commonly-believed lies for you to consider:

1. There's no God.

2. Jesus was not God.

3. Jesus did not rise from death.

4. Jesus did not die for me.

5. Satan is not real.

6. Hell is not real.

7. As long as I live a good life, I'll go to Heaven.

8. I'm doing my best, that's good enough.

9. God doesn't love me.

10. God is not real.

11. I'm a Christian, but it doesn't feel like I'm forgiven.

12. I'm a Christian, but I don't think I need to tell anyone else about Jesus.

13. I'm a Christian, but I'm suffering. God must be punishing me for something.

14. I'm a Christian, I'm protected from anything bad happening to me.

15. I'm a Christian, but other people should just do whatever works for them.

16. Christianity means being a good person.

17. Hell is not eternal.

18. If I live a life that is good enough, I can be like God someday.

19. God is unconditional love, He's not judgmental.

20. God just wants me to be happy. Anything that makes me happy is okay.

Creative Parenting

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:00:00 +0000

by Rhonda Robinson

With each new generation of parents there comes a new generation of parenting books. “Experts” and “professionals” who purport to hold the key to successful parenting.

I can handle the onslaught of books and philosophies. But personally, I bristle at the commercials with a young actor or actress extolling their parental virtue, “Talk to your child…he will listen…” reading their profound advice from a cue card. Whoever hired these people must consider the average parent to have the intelligence of a sack of hammers.

First of all, Hollywood is not exactly known for producing stable adults, let alone well-adjusted children. It’s as if they’re selling something, using their name and familiar face to persuade us to be good parents. If we are that shallow, our children need more help than a 60-second public service announcement can produce.

Notice you never see some plump, white-haired woman on a commercial saying with a smile, “I have raised eight children. Two are politicians, but the rest are happy, well-adjusted, successful adults. Here’s my advice…” Not even Dr. Phil can do that.

No, instead we get our advice from the stars. Lisa Whelchel, (she played Blair on “Facts of Life” years ago) authored a book entitled "Creative Correction: Extraordinary Ideas for Everyday Discipline.”

Parents don’t need creative correction; they need effective parenting skills and time to use them.

Unfortunately, due to the actions of a few, parents today live under a shadow of suspicion. Corporal punishment has been deemed child abuse by social workers and the nosy lady at the grocery store. No doubt the conclusion of some “professional” who has only raised lab rats.

The problem with “professionals” who make these assessments is that they rarely have the opportunity to observe healthy, normal families. They tend to see only the families with problems and the extreme cases.

Then they draw conclusions and try to apply their theories to the rest of society, disregarding the methods of previous generations. Parents have used time-honored methods of discipline, not to harm their children, but to teach them, and protect them from their own destructive childishness.

Raising children under the current politically correct system is like trying to raise chickens to live inside the house. When you strip parents of their respect and authority, you tie their hands behind their backs; and leave them with only creative manipulation and bribery to coerce compliance.

A few years ago I read about a desperate couple in Florida who went on strike to get their teenagers to help around the house. They pitched a tent, set up a lawn chair, TV, and took the phone out to the driveway, and posted signs-“Parents on Strike.” Depriving teenagers of parental supervision--some plan.

I would be willing to bet this family lost that battle years ago when the children were still young enough to really care what their parents thought.

Reasoning with a young child who has not yet developed reasoning abilities can quickly digress into manipulation. Children, who learn manipulation at an early age rather than respect, become formidable foes as teenagers.

One “creative discipline” Ms. Whelchel advocates is placing hot sauce on a child’s tongue. My problem with this tactic is that it inflicts pain and possible injury for a minor offense.

Mouthy children, or children who are trying on new words for size, should be taught otherwise, but consequences coupled with an explanation on a child’s level works without danger of injury or the potential for abuse.

I prefer Grandma’s tradition. Give the small offender a chance to spit out any “dirty” words into the sink while explaining, “Those words are dirty, yuck. Get them out of your mouth.”

Then encouragement--“Spit! Keep spitting! Are they all out? Are you sure?” Always follow with a promise of help in the future.

“Okay, if I find anymore dirty words in there I will wash them out with soap for you.” A slightly soapy washcloth can quickly wipe out a budding new vocabulary.

Childishness is bound in the heart of a child, but it takes a diligent parent’s correction to drive it far from them.

The Road Paved with Unintended Consequences

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:23:00 +0000

By Rhonda Robinson

Unintended consequences or collateral damage is fast becoming the legacy of the Obama administration.

After hearing about the “unintended consequences” of the “cash for clunkers” a line out of “Meet the Robinson’s” came to mind.

Remember when the Bowler Hat Guy, says to the T-rex, “Now, my slave, seize the boy!” When the T-rex tries and fails the Bowler Hat Guy asks, “What's going on? Why aren't you seizing the boy?” To which the T-rex sheepishly replies, “I have a big head and little arms. I'm just not sure how well this plan was thought through--Master?”

The underestimated cost of the “Cash for Clunkers” program that ran out of money in a week should be an obvious warning sign about the accuracy of the administration’s cost projections. A scary thought considering they have their eye fixed our health care system.

The impact of the “unintended consequences” will soon be felt as families who can’t buy new cars, can’t find parts to keep their older cars running.

Should we believe that this plan was simply not thought through? Is it that these and many other issues are just the unintended consequences of good intentions? Or are the consequences the intention all along? It’s no secret that environmentalists want gas guzzlers off the road.

Under this administration, ideology trumps reality.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer co-authored an op-ed piece in USA Today pushing their Health Care agenda, while dismissing the concerns of worried Americans expressing their anger in town hall meetings.

“These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views — but of the facts themselves. Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American.”

Now protests are un-American? Dissent with the government is un-American? Boy, we sure did get change.

Democrats have set up a war room to combat the opposition. Opposition they say is nothing but Astroturf. You would think they would know Astroturf when they see it; they have become masters at producing it.

On Craig’s List one ad reads,

“We’re fighting for health care that will protect families’ financial health, lay out a clear path for all Americans to afford health care, and improve patient safety and quality care.”
“You can work for change this summer.”
“Join motivated staff around the country working to make change happen. You can make great friends and money along the way. Earn $4000-$6000 this summer.”

But sadly, they refuse to see the real grass roots movements growing, so they just keep spreading their manure—fertilizing what was once a dormant opposition.

When the Huffington Post asked Sen. Durbin if he believed the chaos was fabricated from the insurance and private health care industry, he replied, “Some of it is, yes."

I don’t doubt that the insurance industry is fighting back. I hope they are. (They should be looking at the auto and banking industries and be shaking in their boots.) That shows he understands the rest of the anger is real. Yet, the Democratic leadership continues to ram it through, and marginalize, degrade, and demonize all who voice opposition.

Back to Pelosi’s op-ed; she writes:

“The first fact is that health insurance reform will mean more patient choice. It will allow every American who likes his or her current plan to keep it. And it will free doctors and patients to make the health decisions that make the most sense, not the most profits for insurance companies.”

Translation: As long as the insurance companies hold on, you can choose between them and us. But as the free carrot is held out in front of employers and the whip of costly penalties falls on those who fail to tow the line, we can starve out the profit hungry insurance companies. We’ll run on your tax dollars.

Ideology meets reality; health care for all Americans will be paid for by some Americans and run as efficiently as they run our school systems.

What will be the unintended consequences of good intentions? Or are the consequences the intention all along?

Town hall meetings go back to Colonial days—keeping power in check, protests even rebellion is quintessential American. That, and those willing to fight, it is what has kept us free for over 200 years.

As congress returns home, they might do well to remember another quaint American custom—tar and feathers.

But Why?...

ldfouch@cableone.net (Daiquiri) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:39:00 +0000

My little Ben is quite the thinker...but if you read this blog, then you already knew that :)

Lately, he's been asking questions that are tough for me to answer. Heck, they're hard for me to just think about, never mind give a reasonable answer to!

"Mommy, nothing is perfect, right? So why do we even have the word 'perfect'?"

"Mommy, nothing is really exact. It's impossible. So why do we have the word 'exact'?"

Ahh, absolutes. How to describe to a 7 year old that sometimes the absence of something can be just as descriptive as something that is? How do you explain that some words are more of a concept or an idea...than something literal?

See...my brain hurts. My eyes cross and my straight hair thinks about curling. This kid...he doesn't even have front teeth...how can he be thinking about this stuff?!

But then, I was vacuuming the other day. It's always amazing to me how I have the best talks with God during the most mundane times of my day (taking a shower, washing dishes, folding laundry, etc.). I guess it's because my brain can check out, focus on the task at hand, and just listen.

Suddenly, I was reminded of a time in my life when I was so confused about God and His LAW. Have you read the Old Testament - really gone through all those intricate and laborious laws? Holy moly! It's IMPOSSIBLE to follow the law perfectly (there's that word again).

So why on earth would a loving God give us a law that is impossible to follow? Why...to set us up for failure? To force us into sin merely by making the law too heavy a burden to carry? Does He want us feeling like failures our whole lives?

Eventually, I had to set the issue aside and just accept that some things are beyond my understanding. There's God. There's His Law. And there's me. And, thank our good and merciful God...there is His grace. I don't have to carry the burden of the law because he carried it for me, and that's good enough.

But still...it's sort of been sitting in the back of my brain all these years. Until just lately...while I was vacuuming.

It was then that I realized that my questions were a lot like the ones Ben has been asking me.

Nothing is perfect or exact, yet we have words for thing that are impossible. The concept or idea is real...but it cannot be literally true for humanity. So why the concept or idea? Maybe, just maybe, it's because perfection and precision really DOES exist. Not in us, but in HIM.

And maybe God's law is much more than just the impossible burden it seems to be. Maybe it's an expression of God's nature. Exact. Perfect. Unchanging. And when we felt the guilt and the burden of our imperfection...our tendency to reject God and do it our way...our sinfulness...ONLY then can we truly comprehend and really feel what mercy and grace are about.

So thank God for the impossible little words we use every day without really contemplating. And thank God for my 7 year old who God unwittingly uses to school his old mom :-)

Some more food for thought:

~"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Jesus, Matthew 5:17) Who could fulfill the law but God himself?

~"It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law", Jesus replied. (Mark 10:5) If our hearts were soft toward God and His ways, the law would not have been necessary to reveal the nature of God and His ways.

~ "But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, 'this man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'" (Luke 15:2) We can have the law or we can have Jesus.

~ "It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law." (Jesus, Luke 16:17) The law is still in place. Jesus' coming did not nullify the law. Again, we can choose the law or we can choose Jesus.

~ "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)

~"Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses." (Acts 13:39) We could not be justified because we could not follow the letter of the law exactly.

~ "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin." (Romans 3:20) YES! That's what I was trying to say :)

~ "The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more" (Romans 5:20) We didn't sin because of the law, rather the law revealed where we were already sinning. And as we became aware of our sin, we could also comprehend the great grace and mercy of God.

~ "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." (Romans 6:14) Thank God!

~ "the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so." (Romans 8:7)

~ "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." (Romans 10:4) Righteousness not for everyone...for everyone who believes. Big difference. If a person doesn't believe in Jesus, then he is still under the law.

~ "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) "All" means...all. Everyone has/will sin. Thankfully, Jesus is for everyone and no one has to be condemned for their sinfulness. If only they would believe...

My (Run Up The) Mountaintop Experience

ldfouch@cableone.net (Daiquiri) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 07:11:00 +0000

I went for a run this morning. Well, technically it was the afternoon...but when a girl's married to a guy like the one I'm married to....the kind that lets her sleep in until 10, then wakes her with gentle kisses AND breakfast in bed? Well, sometimes time just seems to turn on itself and gets all mixed up. I'm not complaining in the least. Are you kidding? Stop the clock right now and let me spend eternity with my amazing man. Time - you matter not one bit when I'm with him.

Whew. I digress. I'm a blessed woman, to be sure.

So...I ran.

And the second song on my playlist this morningnoon? It was this:

Great Things - Matt Maher

Before you play it, you'll need some instructions:

1. Get out of your chair and get your singing voice on

2. TURN IT UP LOUD

3. Repeat until you just can't take it anymore

It was just the perfect song to get and keep me going. And boy oh boy, did I have a great talk with God. There's just nothing like spending time with Him when I'm really focusing on HIM and how incredible he is. I spend the first half of my run just rattling off all the blessings in my life and saying "thank you".

It reminded me of running the 1/2 marathon I did this past spring. I didn't have music with me, but I spend the bulk of my time on that hill praying.

"Wow, I can't believe I'm doing this!"

"Oh, Lord. This hurts."

"What was I thinking? Yesterday would have been a good time to let me sprain an ankle or something."

"Is it me, or is that little brook over there singing your praises?"

"Thank you for this healthy body."

"Lord...mountains? Were they really necessary?"

"Wow - look at those flowers and look at that hawk soaring up there. You're awesome."

"Um, Lord...this is embarrassing, but that guy I just passed is snickering and doesn't think I can hear him talking to his buddy. You hear the crude things he's saying about me. Would you mind striking him with lightening or something. Like now, maybe?"

"Okay. Pretty sure I'm dying here. Glad I know where I'm headed."

"I can't do this anymore. You said I can do all things through you. I'm just gonna hang out here and do my best to breathe and lift my feet. I'll count on you to keep my heart beating and my feet landing where they should."

It was that last prayer that really stuck with me as a lesson for life.

Do you ever get to the point where you just feel like you can't "do it" (whatever your "it" is) anymore? Do you feel like you're lost, frustrated, overwhelmed, lonely, hurt?

I do. And I'm a child of the King. My life has value and purpose and I'm never alone. But still, I feel like I've had it....daily.

But you know, there's a strange joy and peace in those moments. Life is hard, no doubt. Even as His kid, life can seem downright crappy (pardon the language). In fact, the more I know Him, the more I want to just be with him and leave this life behind.

It's in those moments of "Lord, I've HAD it!" that I finally come to the end of whatever I'm capable of doing on my own. I turn to Him and say something like I did on that run - Lord, I'm just gonna keep on breathing, and I'll count on you to keep me going and guided in the right direction.

And it's painful...this giving up of myself and my control. There's something at the heart of our human nature that really just wants to do it ourselves. But would I want it any other way?

There was a time when my "I've had it" moments came around 3:00 PM. Then it was around lunch time. These days, it comes closer to breakfast time.

You'd think that as I grow and mature, that I'd more easily be able to handle the ups and downs and just ride them out with a little grace. You'd think my endurance would increase...that those "I'm done" moments would start happening LATER in the day instead of the opposite. When I realized the trend, it irritated me to no end.

But then I realized that I had it all wrong!

Now, I pray that my "Lord, take over for me" moments will start happening in that quiet, fuzzy moment during which I start to drift out of dream world, but still haven't opened my eyes for the day. My first mostly alert thought for the day...I want it to be one of handing my day over to the One who holds me together by his very word...who knows me...who loves me.

And considering the fact that it's past 1 AM right now? I sure hope that the first time I get to try and remember to do this as I'm waking up (tomorrow morning) happens at about 10:30 AM ;-)

Worthy - No Matter What

ldfouch@cableone.net (Daiquiri) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:11:00 +0000

Life happens, and sometimes it ain't pretty.

Personally, when I face struggles and pain, one of my first responses always seems to be "Where are you God?" "Don't you love me?" "Why are you letting this happen to me?"

Embarrassing and immature, but true.

It seems sometimes that even a stubbed toe can turn into a crisis of faith for me if I let my thoughts and doubts and fears run amuck. Truly, we are called to take control of our thoughts to the submission of His truth for a good reason.

But it's hard for me. Is it for you? I so easily and quickly fall into a way of thinking...as if he didn't shed is very own blood for ME. What else do I want? Need? Nothing, really.

A very wise and good and honest-when-I-really-need-it friend put me in my place once. I was once crying about my latest disappointment, and she lovingly and gently said something like, "Daiquiri, the best thing to do when in the midst of suffering is to praise Him. No matter our suffering in this life, He saved us...and for that He is worthy of our praise."

Whew. Somewhere in my head and heart I knew that...but I sure needed the reminder. I promised myself that I'd praise through my next time of suffering, no matter how big or small.

Disappointment. Financial fears. Depression. Sick kids.

It can be overwhelming sometimes.

And sometimes, at the end of a tough day, it seems that my only comfort is that someday my suffering will be over. Totally and completely over. I'm going to Heaven. I am 100% confident that I will go to Heaven after this life.

Some would call me arrogant or cocky for saying that with such confidence. But hear this, friends....I'm confident not in myself, but in HIM. He is capable. He is sufficient. He is willing and able to do what He promises....and he promises that I will be saved. My future is very bright, but it has zero to do with me or my efforts.

My future is bright because He saved me. And for that, He is worthy of my praise...no matter what.

I am a Conservative woman

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:47:00 +0000

by Rhonda Robinson

I am the “product” of an unwanted pregnancy. I am also an adopted daughter, the mother of six girls, and grandmother of six little granddaughters.

For most American teenage girls, an unwanted pregnancy would be the first real adult crisis they have to face. It makes me furious that there is an entire industry waiting to pounce on these girls in their most vulnerable time.

Under the best of circumstances full grown women have a hard time making simple decisions in their first trimester, let alone a pregnant teen in a crisis.

The reality is that a girl of 15 years of age can’t possibly understand how this decision will affect her when she is 30. That is a lifetime away to her.

Conventional liberal wisdom says it would be better to send her to someone with something to sell her for guidance.

Proponents of abortion hide behind the smoke screen that the baby could have been conceived in a sexually abusive or incestuous relationship. In that case, the parents should be notified and arrests should be made.

Crimes aside, in the real world where most of us are trying to raise our families, we understand that teenagers (especially adolescent girls) are notorious for underestimating the love and understanding of their parents.

It is the average girl who loves her family that is most likely to be misguided by “counselors” promising to keep her secret and make it all go away. And she won’t have to disappoint her parents—sounds like an easy answer to a complicated problem.

I remember sitting in my high school classroom, when a woman from Planned Parenthood came to talk to us. She assured us that our parents would not have to know, and that an abortion is as simple as "picking a flower."

Tell that to Angele, who aborted her baby boy, Rowan, on April 2, 2005. Angele wrote to Jill Stanek, a pro-life nurse and told her that she had delivered her almost 23-week-old baby in an abortion mill bathroom.

The grave reality of the situation struck her when she saw her baby move--in the bottom of the toilet. She said everything she feared up to that moment melted in the face of her dying baby. Angele begged for help, the abortion nurse only shut the bathroom door on her and left her alone with her dying newborn.

She frantically called her friend, who in turn called 911. Angele did what any mother would do, all she could do. She cradled her baby and sang to him.

He turned his head to his mother’s voice, and with his hand clasped around his mother’s finger—he died in her arms.

How many young mothers share Angele’s story, but are too devastated to talk about it?

I see the abortion industry as nothing more than a bunch of vultures, claiming to be angels, waiting to swoop down on the wounded and devour the helpless.

Are you pro-choice? Behind the high sounding political spin there is a stark reality that too many mothers realize too late. That in fact there are only two choices—to deliver a live baby, or deliver a dead baby.

Today we politicize life and death. President Obama has stated that if one of his girls made a mistake, he wouldn’t want her “punished” with a child.

Let’s take the polish off the fine words. If his daughter made a mistake, he would pay to have his own granddaughter put to death before she took her first breath.

Call me what you want. I make no apologies; I am a Conservative and a third-generation pro-lifer. All because my 15 year-old birth mother, together with her parents, chose life--and my daughters, grand-daughters, and I are alive today to thank them.

Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Ladybug) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Originally posted at Miss Ladybug on July 11, 2007.

This afternoon, shortly before I headed out to my part-time job, I learned that Lady Bird Johnson had passed away within the previous hour at the age of 94. I decided now might be an appropriate time to review a biography about her that I had purchased while working on an interdisciplinary unit for one of my classes: Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers written by Kathi Appelt and illustrated by Joy Fisher Hein.

I actually purchased my copied (signed by both the author and the illustrator) at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in South Austin. The Wildflower Center was founded by the former First Lady and Helen Hayes, the actress, in 1982 as the National Wildflower Research Center. The Center moved to its current location in 1995 and was renamed in Lady Bird's honor in 1997. Last year, it became part of the University of Texas at Austin. I never went there when it first opened - I moved away just a year later, but I've been several times in the past 3 years. The best time to go is in the spring when the Texas bluebonnets are in bloom. Currently, the Center's home page has a tribute to Mrs. Johnson, which concludes:

"Lady Bird Johnson's Family has expressed Mrs. Johnson's personal desire for memorials to be made to The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Endowment Fund. You endowment contribution is a sustaining gift that will help the Wildflower Center continue Mrs. Johnson's vision for conserving the beauty of the American Landscape."

Now, on to the book...

The book is wonderfully and colorfully illustrated - it helps bring to life Lady Bird's love of flowers:

"She loves the bright California poppies, the wild prairie roses of Iowa, and the thick bluebonnets of Texas, all of which grow along the highways of our great country.

There was a time when our roadsides were ugly. They were cluttered with billboards, rusted old cars, and miles of trash.

They might still be this way if not for the woman we know as Lady Bird Johnson."

As with most biographies, this one gives us the facts of when and where Claudia Alta Taylor was born. Also, we learn that she came to be known as "Lady Bird" because her nanny said, "She's as purty as a lady bird," a lady bird being "the name of the colorful and lively beetle" native to that area in East Texas.

We learn that young Lady Bird lost her mother three months before her sixth birthday. Lady Bird had a lonely childhood, living in the big house outside of Karnack. A neighbor told young Lady Bird a story about her mother, Minnie, dressed in white, holding a bouquet of bluebonnets, and running barefoot down the path to meet Lady Bird's father, TJ. "The vision soothed Lady Bird, and every time she saw a bluebonnet, it filled her with a sense of being loved."

TJ owned a general store and would have to take Lady Bird with him to the store when he had to work late, and would put her to bed in the upstairs room, but he didn't like raising his daughter this way, so he sent for her Aunt Effie.

Aunt Effie taught Lady Bird an appreciation of nature. As she got older, she would spend her free time in the forest near her home. "As much as she loved the forest, though, Lady Bird yearned to explore the world beyond its tall trees, beyond the walls of the Brick House."

At the age of 18, she did something uncommon for young women at the time: she went off to college, becoming a student at The University of Texas at Austin. While in Austin, she met Lyndon Baines Johnson, and married him in November 1934.

Once her husband became a Congressman, she came to serve as a tour guide around Washington, D.C., taking visitors to its monuments and museums.

"However, as she became familiar with the city, she noticed the dismal parks that were nothing more than concrete slabs, the dirty streets and shabby lawns, the unkempt and weedy shores of the filthy Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. Remembering how beautiful flowers and trees had helped her thrive, she worried about children growing up with only cement and asphalt beneath their feet."

When she had children of her own, she made sure she had a flower garden for them, but she wanted all children to be able to have flowers.

The book tactfully deals with the death of President Kennedy. The illustration here is of the funeral cortege in Arlington National Cemetery, complete with caparisoned horse following the caisson. But, that event propels Lady Bird into a new role - First Lady.

"One of Lady Bird's first responsibilities in her new position was to help her country begin to heal.

She knew from her own experience that beauty would help the country recover. Thanks to her boundless energy, and with the urging of the president, the Highway Beautification Act was passed by Congress. Because of that law the landscapes along the interstate highways of our great land were cleared of signs and rusted cars. The roadsides were blanketed in native wildflowers.

In the capital itself, more cherry trees were planted, trees that filled the city with blossoms every spring. Best of all, a million daffodils were planted along the Potomac River, just like the ones that Lady Bird dubbed "princess" when she was a little girl."

After returning to the Texas hill country, she began to make improvements on the ranch by planting the overgrazed fields with native wildflowers: "Indian blankets and Indian paintbrush, bluebells, purple horsemint, and especially bluebonnets."

Not long after returning from Washington, in 1973, her husband passed away, and "once again her house felt empty." She again turned to her wildflowers. Out admiring the wildflowers with a friend one evening, Lady Bird first heard a tractor, and then saw a farmer mowing down the wildflowers in his field. Lady Bird confronted him, finally forcing him to stop by standing in front of the tractor. He said he needed to plant hay to make a living. On the spot, Lady Bird had an idea: "I'll pay you for your wildflower seeds." They made a deal.

The book also tells us about the Wildflower Center which Lady Bird helped create.

"There scientists study the uses and effects of wildflowers. They also collect and preserve seeds of those flowers on the brink of extinction.

When asked why she helped found the center, Lady Bird told reporters that it was her way of 'paying rent for the space I have taken up in this highly interesting world.'"

The book closes with a reminder to thank Lady Bird whenever we drive down our now beautified roadways.

At the back of the book, readers are challenged to find the wildflowers illustrated there in the other illustrations within the book. Also, the final page is "Miss Lady Bird's Legacy" - the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center:

"it resides on 284 acres just south of Austin, Texas [ed: it used to be "south of Austin", but is now surrounded by housing developments resulting from Austin's growth over the last decades]. Nestled in the heart of the Texas hills, the center's mission is 'to educate people about the environmental necessity, economic value, and natural beauty of native plants.'

...

The Wildflower Center serves as a living laboratory. Even though it is located in Texas, its impact is nationwide. Scientists from across the country conduct research there in landscape restoration, plant conservation, horticulture, and environmental education. Mrs. Johnson stated, 'Wildflowers and native plants are as much a part of our national heritage as Old Faithful or the Capitol building.'"

I would recommend this book (recommended for children ages 7 to 10) for any children's library, personal, classroom or public. Although it is about the life of one of this nation's First Ladies, politics does not enter into the story, and the message is a positive one.

Miss Ladybug, a life-long book lover, earned her Masters in Elementary Education. She blogs regularly at Miss Ladybug.

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Jellybeans

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Ladybug) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Originally posted June 1, 2007 at Miss Ladybug.

In Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Jellybeans: A Fourth of July Story, Heather French Henry brings us once again into the world of young Claire and her dog, Pepper.

It's 4th of July morning, and Claire complains she doesn't have any freedom because of Mom's rules, such as no jellybeans right after breakfast. Upset, she takes Pepper outside to go play with her friend, Robbie.

Claire doesn't find Robbie, but her neighbor, General Jones, is there. In greeting the General, she tells him she is unhappy. Inquiring into her troubles, he tells her: "This is the date the patriots signed the Declaration of Independence for 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.'" Claire questions, "Independence is freedom, isn't it?" The General explains, "Yes, it's the freedom to find happiness."

Claire complains to General Jones about Mom's rules. He reassures her "You have to learn how to be free, Claire. Your mom makes good rules. That's what the Declaration of Independence is about - good rules for a free country." Robbie then arrives with a bang, throwing some poppers on the ground, which startles Pepper. Claires asks him to throw them somewhere else so he doesn't scare Pepper. General Jones points out it's a good rule...

Later, a lightening storm arrives. General Jones makes a comment about Ben Franklin. Mom calls Claire to come inside, and advises Robbie to get home before it rains, too. Claire doesn't want Robbie to have to learn, but the General gently reminds her about "good rules".

While Claire is in her room, she sees Ben Franklin outside with a pair of kites. He invites her to go work on the Declaration of Independence with him. They fly away to Colonial America. Claire sees British soldiers and patriots, one of whom is Robbie. Upon arriving in Philadelphia, Claire sees some men looking over a large paper. Thomas Jefferson, who looks like General Jones, reads what they've been working on:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of jellybeans..."

This makes Claire giggle. "You can't say 'jellybeans.'" Mr. Jefferson explains that jellybeans make him happy. Claire points out that not everyone feels the same way, "and the Declaration is for everybody." Claire is inspired: "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Ben then takes Claire back home.

Mom wakes Claire up from her dream. Claire tells her mother:

"What a day, Mom! First I learned about rules for freedom, from General Jones. Then I flew to Philadelphia with Mr. Franklin and helped with everyone's freedom."

Later, everyone is outside watching the fireworks, and Claire and Robbie get to have some jellybeans.

Included at the back of the book is "A Brief History of the Fourth of July".

This book is recommended for children ages 5 to 9. For this age group, it's a simple story to help them begin to understand how America came to be, and that to be a free society, we all need to follow good rules. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Jellybeans would make a nice addition to a young child's library.

Miss Ladybug, a life-long book lover, earned her Masters in Elementary Education. She blogs regularly at Miss Ladybug.

What Freedom Means to Me: A Flag Day Story

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Ladybug) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Originally posted June 1, 2007 at Miss Ladybug.

Quite by accident, I discovered a series of books focusing on American holidays. As I am wont to do since beginning my journey to becoming an elementary school teacher, I go to Barnes and Noble and peruse the children's book section to see if I find anything of interest. Sometimes, I was there for a purpose (course work in which I needed to find materials on a certain topic or theme), and other times, I'm just looking to see if anything catches my eye. One day, I found a book about Veterans Day by Heather French Henry. Heather was Miss America 2000, whose platform was raising awareness of the plight of homeless veterans. Her father is a disabled Vietnam veteran. According to one critic's statement, all royalties from Heather's books go to the Heather French Foundation for Veterans. I'll go back and review the Veterans Day book come November - I promise! Now, it's time for Flag Day...

Heather's books follow the adventure of young Claire, her friend, Robbie, and her dog, Pepper. In What Freedom Means to Me: A Flag Day Story, Claire is having trouble with Pepper not obeying commands. Her neighbor, General Jones, encourages Claire by telling her Pepper will learn as she grows, but right now, she's just a puppy. Claire feels bad about ordering Pepper around. General Jones suggests they all come along with him to celebrate Flag Day. Claire agrees, but says she'll have to clean her room when they are done.

General Jones takes out an old, folded flag. Robbie asked why it is folded that way. "'To look like the hats the first patriots wore in their fight for freedom,' said the general." Claire notices something else:

As they prepared to raise the flag, Claire frowned. "It's not the real one, she wailed. "It's missing too many stars."

What happened to them?" Robbie asked.

"They showed up later," explained General Jones. "The first flag, made by Betsy Ross, had thirteen stars-one for each colony that broke free from the British."

If you didn't already know, there isn't any actual proof that Betsy Ross made the original Stars and Stripes, so when sharing this book, it should be noted that this is legend, not a provable fact.

General Jones also gets out craft supplies. Claire gets the idea they can make their "own Betsy Ross flag". General Jones comments that his children did the same thing when they were little, and that's why these supplies were packed away with the flag. Together, Claire and Robbie decide that each of the stars should have what freedom means to different people. Some of the things the children heard:

"Delivering mail by day and studying law at night."

"Acting silly sometimes."

"Being true to myself."

"Voting for leaders who represent the people."

"Being elected president and always speaking my mind."

Claire's mother reminds her she still needs to clean her room. "I will...' is her response. When the children return with the stars, Pepper makes a mess of the craft supplies. The general reminds the children they haven't made stars of their own. What does freedom mean to them? "Not worrying about Pepper" and "Not being a slave." Then, the general notes they are still missing a star for Pepper...

"She doesn't have freedom," Claire balked.

"Because Claire's like that nasty British king who ordered the first Americans around," teased Robbie."

Claire pouted, thinking about her own orders and her mom's. "Are we still free when we do what we're told?" she asked the general.

He smiled. "Following guidelines doesn't erase freedom."

The general goes on to explain that the guidelines we follow, such as traffic lights, help to make life safer. As the sun goes down, the general says it's time to take the flag down. The children go home, and Claire is reminded that she still needs to clean her room. She grumbles about it, because she doesn't like doing it, but it helps her understand that with freedom also comes responsibility.

At the back of the book, there is "A Brief History of Flag Day", beginning with the legend of General Washington asking Betsy Ross to make the first flag in 1776, the Continental Congress stipulating the flag would have 13 alternating red and white stripes and 13 white stars on a field of blue on June 14, 1777, then how stars were added for each new state, and finally how June 14th was declared Flag Day. The final note: "The red stands for courage, the white for innocence, and the blue for justice."

According to barnesandnoble.com this book is recommended for ages 5 to 9. I'm not the biggest fan of the plot in this particular book - I don't think it's completely clear to a young reader that the lesson is "with freedom comes responsibility", but I do like that this book is highlighting a uniquely American holiday.

Miss Ladybug, a life-long book lover, earned her Masters in Elementary Education. She blogs regularly at Miss Ladybug.

He Loves Me. He Loves Me Not.

ldfouch@cableone.net (Daiquiri) — Sun, 31 May 2009 05:20:00 +0000

Wow. I sit down to write this post, and this screen feels like a stranger to me. I feel like I'm sitting down to chat with a long lost friend who I really haven't had a heart to heart with in years. I've been absent. My heart at least...absent.

It's been a painful month or so for me.

Sometimes I don't know how much to share - how much to be "real" about. So I've been avoiding this blog. I've been avoiding writing what's on my heart.

It's funny. As I sit down to write about it, I realize how, from the outside at least, my struggles seem so...trivial. Even to me. I look back at the last month and I think, "really, THAT'S what I was so upset about?"

But it's not about the "stuff" that's happened (which is really and truly nothing). It's about the state of my heart. The state of my soul.

Okay, everyone together now..."Ooooo, Deeeep!"

I've felt disappointed and betrayed by God (over that silly "nothing" stuff). And I reacted like I'm ashamed to say that I always react; not by turning to my comforter and receiving peace and healing...but by turning to God Almighty with my fist raised in anger and defiance.

What the hell are you doing?

Do you really even care?

Are you really even THERE?

This is such BS - what's the point of this pain and why aren't you DOING something?

And then I stopped talking to him all together. And then I started crying for the loneliness and the hurt. And then I sulked.

All the while I've heard him, "Are you ready to talk to me yet?"

NO.

"Now? Are you going to talk about this with me?"

LEAVE ME ALONE. YOU DON'T CARE ANYWAY.

"I'm here you know. Turning up the radio doesn't make me go away. Let's talk."

Aww, crap. Okay.

He's been showing me the painful truth about what I believe and (more importantly) what I don't believe. He's been bringing me deeper with him - have you noticed how it's always a painful process to get someplace wonderful?

Are you frustrated with my lack of details? I'm not avoiding them - it's just that they truly don't matter. What I've learned in the past month, however, is everything to me....it's the result...the purpose?... of my suffering.

There are things that a person can learn with her head, and yet it's still not a truth of her heart. Do you know what I mean? It's sort of like when you bring that first baby home with you for the first time. You keep thinking "I'm a mom"...and yet it takes some time for that reality to really sink in, for you to start living like it's true. It's not until it sinks all the way down deep into your heart that you are changed from the inside out.

So head vs. heart knowledge - I know lots of things with my head and my heart. I know with all my being that there is a God. I know with everything in me that he is mighty. Capable. Strong. Big. Sufficient and powerful to save me. Majestic. Holy. Powerful.

And yet....there are some things. Some crucially important things that are still just head knowledge for me. What has God been showing me lately that's such a revelation (you're gonna laugh - it seems that everyone can get this but me)? It's this:

God loves me.

Now, I can quote scripture all day long about how God loves me. I can show evidence. Argue a debate. Hell, I can probably build some sort of ultra-geeky spreadsheet detailing all the ways and reasons that God loves me.

But it's all in my head.

Lately, God has been asking me to let it sink into my heart. And I can hardly get real with him, have a conversation with him, or even spend quiet time with him...without totally bawling my eyes out. We went to church tonight, and by the end of worship I was sweating and trembling in my fight to maintain some composure.

He wants me. He wants my heart - all of it. And I'm just so friggin scared!

But I've been scared for a long time - it's the result of not really and truly trusting God. I guess I'd rather be afraid for what he'll do in my heart than for what life will be like if I don't let him in. Man. Sometimes he can just be so REAL.

And so damned persistent!

As I read The Shack, there were a few passages that had me bursting into tears and running the other way:

"You cannot produce trust, just as you cannot 'do' humility. It either is or is not. Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved. Because you do not know that I love you, you cannot trust me." (p.128)

"You [do not] know deep in your heart that I love you. You sing about it, you talk about it, but you don't know it." (p.144)

Ouch.

I've respected him. I've revered him. I've pursued him. But I don't think I've ever really trusted him...because I don't trust that he loves me.

So when something bad (or even remotely disappointing) happens, I immediately get angry and defensive and even more scared. I feel hurt because it seems that life's pains are evidence that I'm not really loved...that I'm not precious to him.

And lately, mercy upon mercies, the very One I've been shaking my fist at for the past month (and all the months before that for that matter) has been gently asking me to open another little door in my heart to him. And I'll tell ya what - the hinges to that little door are rusty and don't want to budge!

But I want it with everything I am - I WANT to believe with my whole heart that he loves me. I want to be able to trust him. As I closed my eyes during worship tonight, I could feel him pressing on the walls of my heart. I could almost feel him physically. But yet...I resist.

Why do I DO that?

I don't know how to end this post. It doesn't have a tidy ending because, well, it's not over yet! I'm a work in progress. I know I need some good quality quiet and alone time where I can pray and cry and let it all out...and more importantly, let him IN.

I'm interested in hearing your stories. How deeply do you know that God loves you. Does the phrase "God loves me" roll off your tongue in the same casual way that "we're having pizza for dinner" does? Or does it come bubbling out of your heart like that living water? Do you really know it with your heart? Either way - I'm in no position to judge. I'm just curious. And if you're one of the ones who has a deep down trust relationship and KNOW that God loves you with all you have...will you please tell me about how you came to know it?

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Seek The Lord Sunday is a weekly series I write at my blog, Call Her Blessed. Come on over and say hi. I'm looking forward to meeting you! ~Daiquiri

The Night Crossing

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Ladybug) — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Originally posted at Miss Ladybug on May 20, 2009.

I subbed again on Monday, in a fourth grade class for a language arts teacher. I took the opportunity to look over the books on the shelf and found The Night Crossing by Karen Ackerman, illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. On the back cover of this short (56 page) book, which is recommended for ages 7 to 9, are two endorsements:

This is an excellent fictional introduction to the Holocaust....Ackerman's writing is clear and direct.
~School Library Journal

and

Realistically child-centered.
~The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

It is a simple enough story. It is 1938. Clara is a little Jewish girl living in Innsbruck, Austria. The Nazis have taken control and things are getting bad: they must wear yellow stars on their clothes; they are forbidden "from celebrating the Sabbath or going to the synagogue"; some people have been dragged away, never to be heard from again.

Clara's father, Albert, tells his wife, Helen, they must leave while they still can. Clara and her older sister, Marta, help their father find things around their home that can be sold to get the money they will need to escape. They can only bring with them what they can carry.

The family will make a night crossing, just like Clara's grandmother did when she was a little girl, when the Jews in Russia were being persecuted. And, the dolls Grandma carried with her, Gittel and Lotte, will make another night crossing, this time with Clara.

The journey is a dangerous one. They must travel by night, by foot. They must hide during the day. They must avoid being seen by patrols of Nazi soldiers. They must pretend to be Swiss citizens who have just been visiting family in Austria.

For children unfamiliar with this period in history, this book, as the School Library Journal says, is a good introduction. It is a quick read and touches on the dangers Jews faces during the Holocaust. The epilogue isn't graphic about it, but does mention "horrors of the Nazi concentration camps" being reported in the papers, sometimes accompanied by pictures from English, American and Soviet photographers; also "Clara and Marta began to understand what had truly happened to the people like Mr. Duessel, the kosher baker who'd disappeared." They girls also come to understand their father made the right decision. They had family who chose to stay behind that were never seen again.

Miss Ladybug, a life-long book lover, earned her Masters in Elementary Education. She blogs regularly at Miss Ladybug.

Seeking The Trinity...In A Shack

ldfouch@cableone.net (Daiquiri) — Sun, 24 May 2009 05:15:00 +0000

Yes, a shack.

I recently read a great book, The Shack, by WM. Paul Young (fiction). I got it for less than $10 at Costco - I definitely recommend picking one up! Like any book, it needs to be read critically and weighed against Truth at every turn. For the most part though, I found this book to be in line with Biblical teachings...only the story was written in a way that helped me to see God in a new and fresh way. It helped me to even better understand what I already knew in my head.

For the next few STLS posts, I think I'll be working from this book. I'll do so without giving away anything about the plot so you can read it yourself if you'd like.

One of the most difficult things to understand about God is the idea of the Trinity, don't you think? There was an exchange in this book that I found to be so powerful (a conversation between God and a man):

"...there are three of you, and you are all one God?..."

"...We are not three gods, and we are not talking about one god with three attitudes, like a man who is a husband, father, and worker. I am one God and I am three persons, and each of the three is fully and entirely the one."

"huh?" (love that!)

"What's important is this: if I were simply one God and only one person, then you would find yourself in this creation without something wonderful, without something essential even....Love and relationship. All love and relationship is possible for you only because it already exists within me, within God myself." (emphasis mine)...Unless I had an object to love - or, more accurately, a someone to love - if I did not have such a relationship within myself, then I would not be capable of love at all...you would have a god who could not love."

This was such a huge lightbulb moment for me!

Any good thing that is possible for us is ONLY possible because it already exists totally and completely in God.

It seems so simple and obvious!

I admit, I've always thought of the Trinity as something taught by "religion", but totally backed by the Bible. The Bible doesn't come out and say "Trinity" or "three in one" though, so in the back of my mind I've always wondered just a little... do we have this right?

At the same time, I've completely swallowed the teaching that "God is love" hook, line, and sinker.

But how could I logically doubt the idea of a relationship existing within God, while fully accepting the idea of God being love? How can God be love...or have love at all in any capacity...if there wasn't some sort of relationship built into God's very nature?

Now, just to play the flip side for a minute... some might argue that God can love because he has humanity to love... that he made us so that he could have the relationship.

But do you see what that implies? The assumption in that argument is that God is somehow incomplete without us... that he lacked something before he made us... that he needs us to make him whole. Is that the God you know? The great I AM?

No. God was full and complete and perfectly whole before making us. Remember - he made us in his image...not to complete his image.

And of course, we have to consider some compelling scripture: Genesis 1:26-27. Many say that when God said "Let us make man..." that he was speaking to his spirit children (basically humans before we came to earth - the LDS church is one organization that teaches this). Okay. Seems reasonable, right? BUT...keep reading:

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27)

Look at that! God says "let us", and who responds? God! God creates. God creates in God's image. Humans didn't come on the scene at all until AFTER God created them. What awesome scripture - a gift, really - to show us a thing or two about the relationship that existed in God before we were even created.

We have an awesome God, folks. Utterly awesome! I'm so thankful for every little glimpse I get of him this side of Heaven.

************************

Seek The Lord Sunday is a weekly series I write at my main blog, Call Her Blessed. Come on over and leave a comment to share your experience with the Lord this week....or just stop by to say hello. I'm looking forward to meeting you! ~Daiquiri

Thunder Rose

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Ladybug) — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Originally posted at Miss Ladybug on May 7, 2009.

When I was working on my Masters, I had to design several "units". One of them was part of the requirements for student teaching, and had to relate directly to the grade level I was teaching. So, I settled on a unit centered around Tall Tales. There are the various traditional tall tales: Paul Bunyan, John Henry, Pecos Bill. But, I also went looking to see if I could find something new. I found that something new in Thunder Rose by Jerdine Nolen and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. The book is recommended for children 5 to 8 years old.

Thunder Rose takes elements from many of those traditional tall tales, but has other elements all its own. Rose sits up and talks immediately after her birth to freed slaves in the post-Civil War American West. Born the night of a storm, she grabs hold of a bolt of lightening, placing upon her shoulder after she "rolled it into a ball." The next morning, her mother's milk isn't enough, so she takes to drinking directly from the family's cow...

As a two-year-old, she takes some scrap iron and fashioned into a big thunderbolt and named it Cole. "Wherever she went, Cole was always by her side." Of course, she performs a myriad of amazing feats growing up, to include wrestling a big Longhorn bull to stop the stampeding herd before it overran the family farm when she was twelve, after which she tamed him by humming her song to him. She decided to name him "Tater" on account of potatoes being his favorite vegetable. She also invented "Barbara's Wire" while building a pen for all those stampeded Longhorns: she found that "little twisty pattern seemed to make the baby laugh"... She captures a gang of cattle rustlers... She lassos a cloud to make it rain... She calms a pair of tornadoes with her song... All this and still a girl!

Thunder Rose is a cute story, and I really like the illustrations. The author's note at the front of the book gives a little explanation on what was behind the writing of this tall tale: an old desire to add to American folklore and wanting to share "a little-known part of American history" of how many freed slaves went West, how "these bold, brave and adventurous spirits heroically took the opportunity to set themselves down in those wide-open spaces to live free."

Thunder Rose is also a 2004 Coretta Scott King Honor Book for illustrator Kadir Nelson. "The Coretta Scott King Awards are presented annually by the American Library Association to honor African-American authors and illustrators who create outstanding books for children and young adults."

Miss Ladybug, a life-long book lover, earned her Masters in Elementary Education. She blogs regularly at Miss Ladybug.

America's White Table

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Ladybug) — Wed, 13 May 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Originally posted May 14, 2007 at Miss Ladybug.

As an educator, I’m always on the look-out for quality children’s books. Since I am certified to teach early childhood through fourth grade, but do not yet know what grade I will be teaching, I’ve mostly looked at picture books, and I particularly like to find books that show a love for America and appreciation of our military. One such book is America’s White Table, written by Margot Theis Raven and illustrated by Mike Benny. It tells the story of the White Table, of which many outside of the military may be unaware. Although the story takes place on Veterans Day, I think it is also quite appropriate for Memorial Day, and given recent events, it can be appropriate at other times, as well.

Young Katie explains how Uncle John, a Vietnam veteran, will be coming to their house for dinner. Her mother explains to Katie and her sisters about the White Table: how it is intended to honor America’s Armed Forces, but most especially MIAs and POWs.

“We use a small table, girls,” she explained first, “to show one soldier’s lonely battle against many. We cover it with a white cloth to honor a soldier’s pure heart when he answers his country’s call to duty.

We place a lemon slice and grains of salt on a plate to show a captive soldier’s bitter fate and the tears of families waiting for loved ones to return,” she continued.

“We push an empty chair to the table for the missing soldiers who are not here.”

“We lay a black napkin for the sorrow of captivity, and turn over a glass for the meal that won’t be eaten,” she said.

“We place a white candle for peace and finally, a red rose in a vase tied with a red ribbon for the hope that all our missing will return someday.”

Katie then tells us how she learns her beloved Uncle John was shot down behind enemy lines. Uncle John and the rest of his helicopter crew were taken prisoner. One crew member, Mike, was seriously injured. When there was an opportunity to escape, Mike was too sick to go, so Uncle John stayed behind – “he wouldn’t leave a fellow soldier alone so far from home.”

Later, Uncle John had another chance to escape, this time taking Mike with him. Uncle John did his best to keep them both alive, and eventually found an American infantry unit, but Mike succumbed to his wounds before a rescue helicopter could arrive.

“I know that Mike was only 20 years old and he dreamed of playing football, but he loved America enough to give his life for his country when duty called.

And I know how much Uncle John loves America, too, but he learned when helping Mike that a soldier risks his life for a fellow soldier, because the best of our country lives in every man and woman who would lay down their life for you, too.”

Katie and her sisters decided the little table also “needed words of gratitude”, so they decide to leave gifts of their own on the table. Gretchen draws a picture of the objects on the table. Samantha transcribes the lyrics from “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”, but Katie doesn’t know what she, a 10-year old, could leave “that was as important as each veteran’s gift of freedom”. Throughout dinner, she thinks, then imagines those “silent soldiers of the empty chair saying:

Remember us, please…
we are real people like your Uncle John and Mike
who left families and friends, homes and dreams of our own
to protect your birthright of liberty from disappearing
as easily as sunlight from a glass”

At the back of the book, the Author’s Note is a history of the White Table, beginning with the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, or the River Rats, setting the first MIA/POW Remembrance Table during the Vietnam War. Sometimes the objects on the table vary, as can the symbolism of those objects. Regardless, the intent is the same: to remember those of our Armed Forces who are not able to be with us because of their service.

If you have children in your life – kids, grandkids, whatever – I would recommend sharing this book with them. According to barnesandnoble.com, this book is recommended for ages 6 to 12. The topic is a little “heavy”, so you’d have to make the judgment about whether or not your children are mature enough yet to understand the message of the story, but you could also share it with older children to help show the importance of honoring our Armed Forces for their service. The book jacket includes the following quote from General George Washington:

“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.”

Miss Ladybug, a life-long book lover, earned her Masters in Elementary Education. She blogs regularly at Miss Ladybug.

Her Little Shadows

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Mon, 11 May 2009 04:27:00 +0000

I saw a young mother
with eyes full of laughter
and two little shadows
came following after.

Wherever she moved,
they were always right there
holding onto her skirts,
hanging onto her chair.
Before her, behind her-
an adhesive pair.

"Don't you ever get weary
as, day after day,
your two little tagalongs
get in your way?

She smiled as she shook
her pretty young head,
and I'll always remember
the words that she said.

"It's good to have shadows
that run when you run,
that laugh when you're happy
and hum when you hum -
for you only have shadows

when your life's filled with sun."

Author Unknown

I've always loved this poem. It is a sweet reminder of my own 2 little shadows. Thank you so much, my own sweet darlings, for giving me the gift of Motherhood twice over.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you who also know the sweetness (and occasional sour) of this amazing calling.

12 Rules for Raising Delinquent Children

noreply@blogger.com (Kat) — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:09:00 +0000

Begin with infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way he will grow up to believe the world owes him a living.

When he picks up bad words, laugh at him. This will make him think he’s cute. It will also encourage him to pick up “cuter”phrases that will blow off the top of your head later.

Never give him any spiritual training. Wait till he is 21 and then let him “decide for himself.”

Avoid use of the word “wrong.” It may develop a guilt complex. This will condition him to believe that society is against him and he is being persecuted.

Pick up everything he leaves lying around (books, shoes, and clothing). Do everything for him so he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility on to others.

Let him read any printed matter he can get his hands on. Be careful that the silverware and drinking glasses are sterilized, but let his mind feast on garbage.

Quarrel frequently in the presence of your child. In this way he will not be too shocked when the home is broken up later.

Give a child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own. Why should he have things as tough as you had them?

Satisfy his every craving for food, drink, and comfort. See that every sensual desire is gratified. Denial of his desires may lead to harmful frustration.

Take his part against neighbors, teachers, and policemen. They are all prejudiced against your child.

When he gets into real trouble, apologize for yourself by saying, “I never could do anything with him.”

Prepare for a life of grief.

~From a Homemaker's by Choice Handout

Taking A Leap

ldfouch@cableone.net (Daiquiri) — Sun, 03 May 2009 02:18:00 +0000

It's so much easier to talk the talk than to walk the walk, don't you think?

My passion is to be a great photographer. To create art that makes people gasp in delight when they see it for the first time. To produce images for clients that they will treasure forever - pass on in their will, even.

This wasn't always my passion. I feel like my desire for this was a gift, and I'm so thankful for it.

I felt directionless and lost and confused for a time, so I spent some time fasting and praying. At the end of that time, I had an answer. It wasn't as if God spoke from the heavens "Daiquiri, you should be a photographer." (wouldn't that be nice?) It was more like He reached down and lit a fire under me! I was suddenly consumed with the desire to do this.

But now? Now that it's spring and all those folks who have been saying "I'd love for you to take pictures of my kids when spring rolls along"? Now I'm actually having to DO something besides build a website and order business cards.

And I'm scared.

Freakin' out and having nightmares scared.

Thinking I made a mistake and every photo shoot is going to be a disaster...scared.

But I'm going to do it. Not because I think I'm the world's best photographer, but because this was His answer. Who am I to consider ignoring it?

This is something bigger than I would have dreamed for myself, but isn't that the way He usually operates? More importantly, isn't that one of the main perks of being His child? We don't have our little goals and dreams anymore - we have His best plan for us, which is always greater than anything we could have imagined. And when it seems bigger than us (which it almost always is), then we have His promise that He'll be there every step of the way. All things are possible with Him!

And one other thing - have you noticed how there always seems to be an ACT of faith that has to happen before God delivers on his promises? I think of Moses in particular, how he always had to raise his staff or dip his staff into the water and THEN what God promised would happen.

So I'm going to keep pressing on. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited and joyful to be sure! I'm certainly not complaining. I'm excited to be on this journey, and I'm looking forward to seeing what He has in store for me. I'm also praying an awful lot these days...for my clients, for God to show me the beauty and to let me capture it, and for great light ;-)

Hopefully, I'll have success and when people ask me what my secret is I can answer with boldness and honesty..."HIM"

Do you have something in your life that you feel God has called you to, but that seems overwhelming? Do you feel afraid even though the call seems strong? Do you doubt your ability to deliver?

You're not alone. Let's step out in faith together. And when we succeed against the odds? Let's raise our hands to the author of our lives and say, "Praise God and Thank You!"

Now, if you'll excuse me...I need to format a memory card and charge my camera battery :-)

Would you like to share a bit of your walk with us? Great! Head on over to my blog, Call Her Blessed, and link up. Looking forward to meeting you :) Daiquiri

The Princess and the Castle

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Ladybug) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Originally posted at Miss Ladybug on April 7, 2009.

The Princess and the Castle, written and illustrated by Caroline Binch, is a little different than the other children's books I've picked up. The first thing you'll notice in reading it is that it doesn't sound "American". It was originally published in Great Britain. As such, in addition to the "sound" of the book, you'll also see the English spellings of some words. If you're sharing this book with a child old enough to notice the differences, it will be a "teachable moment" about how, although we share a common language with Great Britain, there are some differences, as well.

Genevieve lives with her mum and baby brother in a seaside town, but she "hated the sea." Her father was lost at sea while he was out on his fishing boat. Her mother used to cry a lot, along with the baby.

She likes to pretend that she is a princess and that her father is a king and he lived in the castle on an island out in the bay, "waiting for her to come home." She doesn't go with her friends when they go to the beach to play in the sand. She prefers to stay home and play at being a princess, riding her horse, or being kissed by a prince.

One sunny morning Genevieve watched a small boat enter the harbour. A tall dark man lowered the red sails.

"Ah, here comes the Red Knight," she told her court.

Some days later Mum introduced Jack and Genevieve to her new friend, Cedric.

"Hello, you must be Genevieve," said a deep voice. It was the giant, the Red Knight from the boat. Genevieve gasped in fright and fled to her room.

Mum talked a lot about Cedric after that, but Genevieve refused to meet him again, even though Mum got upset.

Genevieve thought Cedric was a "scary giant" who would catch her, or maybe Mum. However, Genevieve began to notice a change in her: she was happier "and hardly ever got cross. Genevieve knew that after she went to bed, Cedric came to visit Mum. She became familiar with the gentle music from Cedric's guitar flowing up the stairs."

Eventually, Genevieve warmed up to Cedric. He would go places with Mum, Jack and Genevieve. Genevieve was even coaxed into going down near with water while sitting up on Cedric's shoulders. They played on the beach, but she got scared when the tide came up to their sandcastle. But, she eventually found the courage to get in the water and play.

Genevieve didn't want Cedric to go out in his boat. She was very afraid something would happen to him. Mum tried to reassure her that he would be okay.

So when Cedric said one day, "How would you like to visit the castle, little princess? We could sail across the bay," Genevieve was struck dumb. It was a terrifying idea. Yet she hated the thought of being left behind. All her stories were set in the castle.

She had to go.

They all went on Cedric's boat, sailed across the bay and went all over the castle, and they also had their own feast while looking back across the bay, seeing their house instead of the usual view she had of the castle.

"I'm a really happy princess now," smiled Genevieve. "We are in the castle with our own king," and she gave Cedric a great big hug.

I could see this story being helpful in helping a small child (this book is recommended for ages 4 to 8), who has lost a parent - for whatever reason - in learning to deal with the changes that come with that unfortunate fact of life. Also, it is an example of facing fears and overcoming them.

Miss Ladybug, a life-long book lover, earned her Masters in Elementary Education. She blogs regularly at Miss Ladybug.

Being Still

ldfouch@cableone.net (Daiquiri) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 04:12:00 +0000

(Originally posted at Call Her Blessed)

One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 46:10 ~ "Be still and know that I am God." If I had to sum up this week? I'd have to do it with that beautiful verse.

This has been a week of being still. Being still, focusing on God, and evaluating my life a little bit. I didn't plan this. I didn't think "hmmm...I feel a little directionless. I need some guidance and so I'll seek His face." It was more like..."Nothing else seems to matter to me right now. The deepest desire of my heart right now is to just...be still."

It's like He called me to be still this week.

(And to do a lot of sitting on the couch, but that had less to do with a spiritual journey and more to do with the fact that I could barely stand for days after running last weekend's half marathon.)

And big surprise - I had my own little revelation during all that stillness. What is it, you ask? It is this:

I am living my grandest dream. Right. Now.

It sounds so small and cliche to just say it like that. There's really no other way to express it though.

I started the week feeling frustrated and discouraged about so many areas of my life. All this working, striving, hoping, planning...for what? It seems that nothing is going the way I'd like it to...like all of my work is for nothing. And even when things go my way, it's not quite as soul-satisfying as I'd expected it to be. Also, I have so many things I want to do in this short life of mine, so many dreams to chase. Where to start? Where to focus? Am I on the right path? How will this turn out?

And then, somewhere in the middle of my whining, that beautiful and gentle still small voice made it clear to me:

The greatest longing of my heart EVER? It's been to be a wife and mom. And just LOOK! God answered my prayers. I'm crazy in love with my husband. I have four incredible children. It happened. The greatest dream of my life...God gave it to me!

And what am I doing with this dream come true? I'm spending my time wishing it away! I'm spending my seconds and minutes and hours planning for a future that I'm not really even in control of! I'm WASTING the best part of my life!

Now, if you had pointed out this fact to me a month or so ago, I would have sighed and said "I know". And intellectually, I would have known. But I would have known it only with my head. Now? I know it with my heart and soul, from the tip of my head to my stubby little toes. It really sunk in.

Don't you love it when God does that in you? I do.

Since the incredible moment that this truth pierced my heart and soul, I've looked at my life so differently. Instead of just getting through these tough days of taking care of small children and the monotony of never-ending housework, I've been able to look at things with fresh eyes.

Just look at all this laundry. Just look at these dishes. I get to spend my days taking care of the most incredible people and a beautiful home. This was my dream. It's happening right now!

Ack, Thomas, why won't you go down for a nap? Never mind writing a blog post of processing photos, sit on the couch with me little one. Let me kiss your soft cheek. God answered my prayers with you, my sweet little boy. You are my dream come true.

This is my life. My only life. And it's absolutely spectacular! It's my greatest and most passionate dream come true. What an incredible gift.

Anything past what's in front of me at this very moment? It's extra. Gravy.

And although anything else might seem small in comparison to the grandness that is my life right now? I'm still so excited to see what it is...because God...the God who created the heavens and the earth...HE is the author of my little life! And He has such a magnificent way of totally blowing me away!

It sure is great to be his kid.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

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If you'd like to participate in STLS, please click on over to my blog Call Her Blessed for instructions and a place to link. Thanks :) Daiquiri