Christmas - The Wonder of It All

Christmas summed up in a verse:

John 3:16.

16"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

We all have read, recited, heard this verse so many times in our lives that sometimes it becomes almost too well known and we don't really hear what it is saying. Think about what exactly it meant to deliver your own child up for pain, sadness, rejection, and death. Think about why it was done, not so the Creator would be better off, but that the created would not be destroyed.

Sometimes I look at my life and wonder how a perfect God would ever have anything to do with me, yet this verse reminds me that He desired that I should have eternal life and avoid destruction so much that He offered His perfect Son as a sacrifice for me.

How can we doubt God's love when we have this picture, this verse, that so perfectly portrays His wondrous love? How can we give in to Satan's lies that we aren't "good enough" or haven't "suffered enough" to earn salvation?

The Bible clearly states that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Once more, read it slowly:

John 3:16.

16"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Merry Christmas everyone.




Flyleaf - Christmas Song


A frightened virgin teenage girl
Receives a message that defies the laws of this world
All she can do is weep and nod
She's to bring into this world the Son of God

God's angels sound their trumpets
And blow their horns
Tonight the long awaited savior is to be born
The goodness bound by Satan it has been torn
With this baby's precious brow ready for thorns

A star appears fufilling ancient prophecy
There's an ounce of fear as wise men follow faithfully
The Virgin Mary brings forth the human savior
And this future king sleeps soundly in the manger
Soundly in the manger

God's angels sound their trumpets
And blow their horns
Tonight the long awaited savior is to be born
The goodness bound by Satan it has been torn
With this baby's precious brow ready for thorns

Tonight He is born so one day He can die
To heal hearts that are torn and live the perfect life
So He hang upon a cross and we can take His life
So we can live as sinners
And He can pay the price
Tonight He is born so one day he can die
But He will rise again

God's angels sound their trumpets
And blow their horns
Tonight the long awaited savior is to be born
The goodness bound by Satan it has been torn
With this baby's precious brow ready for thorns

Christmas - Why We Celebrate

Part 2 of 3

I'm sure you've heard the saying, "If Jesus only needed to come and die for you, He still would have done it."

I would take that one step further and say that He did die just for me. He didn't suffer for a mass of faceless people, rather He sacrificed Himself for billions of specific people, all of whom He knows intimately.

I think if we could wrap our minds around this concept we would live our lives more fully for Christ. We just can't comprehend someone being so powerful and superior to us actually wanting a close relationship with us. We look at the famous people in our world and see to what great lengths they go through to keep the "common folk" away from them and apply that picture to God, when that is the furthest from the truth.

Kutless - Sea of Faces

I see the city lights all around me
Everyone's obscure
Ten million people each with their problems
Why should anyone care

And in Your eyes I can see
I am not just a man, vastly lost in this world
Lost in a Sea of Faces
Your body's the bread, Your blood is the wine
Because you traded Your life for mine

Sometimes my life it feels so trivial
Immersed in the greatness of space
Yet somehow you still find the time for me
It's then You show me Your love

And In Your eyes I can see
And in Your arms I will be
I am not just a man, vastly lost in this world
Lost in a Sea of Faces
Your body's the bread, Your blood is the wine
Because you traded Your life for mine

If only my one heart
Was all you'd gain from all it cost
Well I know you would have still been a man
With a reason
To willingly offer your life

I am not just a man, vastly lost in this world
Lost in a Sea of Faces
Your body's the bread, Your blood is the wine
Because you traded Your life for mine

Just one in a million faces

Christmas - Who We Celebrate

This will be a 3-part series all about why I love Christmas. This is by far my favorite time of the year, even with the cold temperatures and icy roads.

When I was younger I loved Christmas primarily because of the gifts, but now that I am older I feel saddened that people who focus only on the gifts and family miss out on the most exciting part of this holiday. The birth of our Savior.

This is the time when we stop and spend time specially thanking God for our salvation that came about through the birth of a tiny child. A child that was not just a child, but God Himself who came down to us, who met us in our sad state, and lived amongst us for 33 years before finally sacrificing Himself in order to bring us back to Him.

The first song is "Here is Our King" by The David Crowder Band. This song is Christmas to me, the reason for our celebration, as the angels rejoiced on that day 2000 years ago, we do the same now.





Here is Our King


(verse 1)
From wherever spring arrives to heal the ground
From where ever searching comes to look itself
A trace of what we're looking for
so be quiet now, and wait

(Pre-Chorus)
The ocean is growing
The tide is coming in
Here it is:

(Chorus 2x)
Here is our King
Here is our Love
Here is our God who's come to bring us back to him
He is the one,
He is Jesus

(verse 2)
And what was said to the rose to make it unfold
Was said to me, here in my chest
So be quiet now, and rest.

(Pre-Chorus)(Chorus 2x)

(Bridge 2x)
Majesty!
Finally!

(chorus 2x)(bridge 1x)

The “Blog” of “Unnecessary” Quotation Marks

I thought the English majors out there (or just people who don't like seeing our language butchered) would find this amusing.

http://quotation-marks.blogspot.com/

Favorite Song of the Moment

Demon Hunter - Deteriorate

I really like these guys, good music and some of their lyrics are fantastic. This song is great, Christian emo anyone?




Time has had it's way with me
My broken, tired hands can't build a thing
The wires that have held me still
Embedded now in flesh, define my will
The idle of my days has won
The empty I have fed has made me numb
Despite what you will find in me
The failures of my past still swell beneath

(Prechorus)
I need a heart that carries on through the pain
when the walls start collapsing again
Give me a soul that never ceases to follow
Despite the infection within

(chorus)
Our careless feet leaving trails
Never minding the fragile dirt we all end in(x2)

This is where i find my fall
The cares that held my life don't work at all
And every step away from here
Is closer to the plague I hold so dear

(Prechorus)

(Chorus)

Awaiting my end
Breathing in the day that finds me new
Redemption begins
Bleeding out the flaws in place of You(x2)

(Chorus)x4

This is truly an amazing use of a wondrous talent

Awesome Music I'm Listening To

Lecrae - Jesus Muzick

I'm really liking this guy, awesome stuff




Maylene and the Sons of Disaster - Dry the River

Give the song a shcance to the chorus at least, the sound quality isn't very good, but the song is great and the video, to quote a commenter on youtube is, "epic".

I'm Wearing Shoes!!

Maybe this isn't a big deal for most of you, but it is for me, I hadn't worn shoes without pain since Monday the 6th.

The reason? I had injured both of my feet in two separate incidents, one involved a storm door dropping on my foot and the other involved taking a chunk out of the side of my foot.

The pressure of wearing shoes hurt too much so I had to wear flip flops....everyday even when it was rather chilly in the morning.

But today, even though I am feeling some discomfort I am able to wear shoes to work.

So...yay me!!

Favorite Song of the Moment

Kutless - Changing World



I thought I had it all under control
I thought my fate was still in my hands
All of my plans were firmly set
By the words that I say

I forgot how quickly things can change
Now my vision can not be the same

[CHORUS:]
My life is not what I thought
I'm not where I planned to be
Though something's gone
There's nothing wrong with my changing world
Though something's gone
There's nothing wrong with my changing world

I need to let go of my destiny
I need to trust in things unseen
I believe in having faith
Though I yield my control

I forgot how quickly things can change
Now my vision can not be the same

[BRIDGE:]
I'm embracing all of my fears
I am watching them turn to delight
The very fears which were gripping my mind
Are now the hands shaping and sculpting my dreams

You Are God - Charlie Hall

We have sang this song at church a few times, it is awesome.

Mark Twain is great

I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him.
- Mark Twain

A couple spifferiffic videos

http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=22yu108hew

http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=6cxnofp8av

Remember when I used to write?

I was looking something up from the archives and was reminded that I actually did use to write. Here are some older posts that I think were pretty good.

Persecuted

Story from here

Saudi Arabia – Daughter of Muslim Cleric Killed by Her Brother Leaves Poem

In August, Fatima Al-Mutairi, the 26-year-old daughter of a Muslim cleric, was brutally killed by her brother in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, after she proclaimed her faith to her family. The Voice of the Martyrs contacts report Fatima’s fellowship with other believers was mainly limited to Internet forums and phone correspondence. "As part of her testimony to the family, she proclaimed that the way of Christ is the most pure and most holy way of all. After sharing with her family, she found her brother in her room with her laptop open before him," VOM contacts said. "Her laptop contained notes about her spiritual journey, which he was searching in order to find more evidence against her. Her brother locked her in the room for four hours, during which time she wrote a final letter on the Internet. Fatima was killed soon thereafter," VOM contacts added.

Prior to her martyrdom Fatima wrote a poem that shows her love for Christ and her desire to share His love with her family.

And We For the Sake of Christ All Things Bear
A poem written by Fatima Al-Mutairi before her martyrdom

May the Lord Jesus guide you, Oh Muslims
And enlighten your hearts that you might love others
The forum does not revile the Master of the prophets
It is for the display of truth, and for you it was revealed
This is the truth which you do not know
What we profess are the words of the Master of the prophets
We do not worship the cross, and we are not possessed
We worship the Lord Jesus, the Light of the worlds

We left Mohammed, and we do not follow in his path
We followed Jesus Christ, the Clear Truth
Truly, we love our homeland, and we are not traitors
We take pride that we are Saudi citizens
How could we betray our homeland, our dear people?
How could we, when for death - for Saudi Arabia - we stand ready?
The homeland of my grandfathers, their glories, and odes - for it I am writing
And we say, "We are proud, proud, proud to be Saudis"
We chose our way, the way of the rightly guided
And every man is free to choose any religion
Be content to leave us to ourselves to be believers in Jesus
Let us live in grace before our time comes
There are tears on my cheek, and Oh! the heart is sad
To those who become Christians, how you are so cruel!
And the Messiah says, "Blessed are the Persecuted"
And we for the sake of Christ all things bear
What is it to you that we are infidels?
You do not enter our graves, as if with us buried
Enough - your swords do not concern me, not evil nor disgrace
Your threats do not trouble me, and we are not afraid
And by God, I am unto death a Christian - Verily
I cry for what passed by, of a sad life

I was far from the Lord Jesus for many years
Oh History record! and bear witness, Oh Witnesses!
We are Christians - in the path of Christ we tread
Take from me this word, and note it well
You see, Jesus is my Lord, and He is the Best of protectors
I advise you to pity yourself, to clap your hands in mourning
See your look of ugly hatred
Man is brother to man, Oh learned ones
Where is the humanity, the love, and where are you?
As to my last words, I pray to the Lord of the worlds
Jesus the Messiah, the Light of Clear Guidance
That He change notions, and set the scales of justice aright
And that He spread Love among you, Oh Muslims

Pastor Bike Update

I just got this email today:

Thank you for adding your name to the online petition asking the Chinese government to free Pastor Bike. Your voice was heard! Pastor Bike is FREE! On Friday, August 29, prominent Chinese house church leader Zhang Mingxuan, affectionately known as "Pastor Bike," his wife and a co-worker were released from Chinese custody. Pastor Bike was arrested along with his wife and co-worker August 6, two days before the Olympic Games began in Beijing. An outspoken evangelist, Pastor Bike has travelled on his bike to many places in China, handing out Christian literature and Bibles and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Instead of being held at a prison or a detention center Pastor Bike and his wife, Xie Fenglan, and their co-worker were taken to resort hotels on a "forced vacation" designed to ensure that they couldn’t talk to any foreign media. Pastor Bike was scheduled to do an interview with the BBC the day of his arrest.

All three believers are in good health and spirits and praising God for their release, according to our co-laborers at China Aid Association. The detainees said during their confinement they had opportunities to witness to guards and even high-ranking government officials staying at the hotels where they were held.

On August 26, The Voice of the Martyrs and China Aid Association launched an international online petition drive advocating for Pastor Bike, his wife and co-worker to be released. On September 4, China Aid Association delivered the petition — which had more than 57,000 names printed on 619 pages — addressed to Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington, D.C. Included was a letter thanking the Chinese government for releasing these house-church Christians.

We are thankful to you and the thousands of others who logged on and signed the petition. Christians in free nations often wonder if we can really make a practical difference for Christians in persecuted countries. Pastor Bike’s release shows that WE CAN!

Continue to pray for Pastor Bike, his wife and their co-worker and for other believers in China.

Free Pastor Bike

I'm not someone who believes that these things do any good, but it seems that in this case taking the 2 minutes to sign the petition is a good use of time on the off chance that it could work. God has used lesser tools than internet petitions in the past I'm sure.

From the website:

On August 6, just two days before the Olympics began, Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan was arrested, along with his wife and a coworker. In response to these arrests, The Voice of the Martyrs and China Aid Association have launched a petition drive to free these three Christians and to let the Chinese government know that the world is aware that these Christians are being detained.

Pastor Bike, as he is affectionately known, is considered to be one of the most outspoken evangelists in China. He is a bold believer willing to cross borders, hand out Christian literature and Bibles, share Christ with those under age 18 and lead thousands to Christ. All these actions are considered "illegal," in communist China. Earlier this year, Pastor Bike pleaded with VOM staff and China Aid Association to create the China Prayer Bands so that Christians in the free world could know more about persecution of Christians in China.

Click here to sign the petition

Why you don't get animals from pet stores

If you want a pet, get one from a breeder.

Hillsong Healer Update

So I just found out that the story behind the song "Healer" is not true. The writer Mike G. is not suffering from cancer and he is not terminal.

The first reaction is one of sorrow and anger, sorrow that he lied and anger that he made us look like fools to the world.

However, when you see the true intent of the song, it changes things, when you realize that he came forward to confess, he wasn't caught in a lie and forced to confess, he knew that he needed to be clean and needed to break free. He lied to his wife and his parents about this, that is how bad off he was.

I think we all should be praying for him to be able to trust in God's power to break him free from
the sin of lust. The first step I'm sure was the hardest and I think in some ways he is an example of courage, losing everything for the truth.

The words of his father I think explain the situation best. The addictive behavior that is talked about is an addiction to pornography that he had hidden from the time he was 12.

Original Here

THE father of fallen pastor Michael Guglielmucci, Danny, read this brief statement to a packed congregation to explain his son's actions.

"Today is a very sad day for our family and church family.

For many years our son, Michael has suffered from unexplained illnesses. We have been worried as we have seen him suffer and spend periods of time in hospital.


Two years ago our lives were totally turned around by the sad news of our sons' cancer diagnosis. The love and support shown by our local church and all of our many friends around the world helped us get through a very difficult situation.


During the last two years we have experienced the favor of God, his love and grace, and also the constant pain of the possibility of losing a son.


On Tuesday 12th of August we received a call to come and meet with Mike and Amanda but weren't ready for what we were about to hear. Mike began to share how he has lived a lie for the last 16 years of his life because of addictive behavior he couldn't break free from.



He loved God and would throw himself into prayer, worship, and serving God with full energy and enthusiasm but still couldn't break free.



In September in 2006, Mike had an accident and went to hospital. It was at this time, because of his torment of living a double life, Mike thought he could escape the pain by creating a diversion from his addiction to adult pornography, so he created the cancer scenario.



The pain of this addiction was so deep that he started something he couldn't stop and proceeded on a downward spiral that led to him experiencing pain and suffering that resulted in constant vomiting and many other symptoms of a genuine sufferer.



Sharonne and I witnessed these episodes and pained and wept over his suffering. Michael wrote the song Healer because he wanted God to set him free from his addiction but hid it behind the lie of a fabricated illness.



Once he had started down this track he felt he couldn't stop so he continued to act out this sickness, feeling he had gone too deep into the lie.



I can't begin to tell you how much this is hurting us on the inside. A few weeks ago Mike had a dream of Jesus on the cross looking down on him saying, 'the truth will set you free' and so he decided to confess and bring everything out into the open.



I immediately contacted our National Executive and submitted to their advice and council. Church, our family needs your prayers at this time. We are so, so sorry to bring you into this.



I have lead you with openness and integrity and declare that we have not lived a lie before you. We fully understand the questions, shock, disbelief and even anger you may feel over this announcement. Please pray for us and we will pray for you.



Michael is struggling with a different kind of illness and is receiving professional help and will do so as long as is needed. On the council and advice of our executive and board, after our up and coming Edge conference, we will take time to be with Mike and get him all the professional and spiritual help he needs to come to full recovery.



We have an amazing team. Thank you, executive, board, staff and church, for your love and support. We will do what is right before God and man and see this situation turned around for the glory of God. We love you. "

Prayer for the Day from Spurgeon

When will the day dawn, and the shadows flee away? O Jesus, if thou come not in person to thy waiting Church this day, yet come in Spirit to my sighing heart, and make it sing for joy.

Hillsong - Healer

The first video is them performing this song, the second video is the story about the song and that performance. The singer is on oxygen and he has cancer. You can choose which order to watch the videos in, but they are both well worth watching.

Brilliance by Spurgeon

"Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn."

-- Ruth 2:2

Downcast and troubled Christian, come and glean to-day in the broad field of promise. Here are abundance of precious promises, which exactly meet thy wants. Take this one: "He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax." Doth not that suit thy case? A reed, helpless, insignificant, and weak, a bruised reed, out of which no music can come; weaker than weakness itself; a reed, and that reed bruised, yet, he will not break thee; but on the contrary, will restore and strengthen thee. Thou art like the smoking flax: no light, no warmth, can come from thee; but he will not quench thee; he will blow with his sweet breath of mercy till he fans thee to a flame. Wouldst thou glean another ear? "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." What soft words! Thy heart is tender, and the Master knows it, and therefore he speaketh so gently to thee.

Wilt thou not obey him, and come to him even now? Take another ear of

corn: "Fear not, thou worm Jacob, I will help thee, saith the Lord and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." How canst thou fear with such a wonderful assurance as this? Thou mayest gather ten thousand such golden ears as these! "I have blotted out thy sins like a cloud, and like a thick cloud thy transgressions." Or this, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Or this, "The Spirit and the Bride say, Come, and let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely." Our Master's field is very rich; behold the handfuls. See, there they lie before thee, poor timid believer!

Gather them up, make them thine own, for Jesus bids thee take them. Be not afraid, only believe! Grasp these sweet promises, thresh them out by meditation and feed on them with joy.

Stephen King

I just finished Dreamcatcher last night, I actually read a book rather than watch TV while riding the bike, don't worry, I will get back to filling my brain with nonsense soon. Anyway, the book was quite good, a stunning beginning and an ending that was quite agreeable.

There were times when I was reading that I would skip ahead to the bottom of the page without meaning to, I was just reading so fast that my brain couldn't keep up, I just wanted to know what happens next so badly.

I also read Cell while on vacation. Very good, end of the world stuff, half the size of Dreamcatcher, so not as involved. Cell has a quite interesting ending, part of it reminded me of The Stand in a way.

Well worth the time to check both books out.

Hear! Hear!

From Bill O'Reilly's most recent column, which can be found here.

"Under the Republican Bush administration, tax money presently pays for abortions, Viagra, condoms, sugar-laden food, dangerous housing in blighted neighborhoods and prescription drugs that will send you to the land of Oz.

But if you complain about any of this, you're an uncharitable greedhead.

Well, I am complaining. I don't want my money supporting some layabout who wants to get high all day long. Robin Hood wouldn't give those people money. The feds shouldn't either."


We are a nation out of control.

Beauty and Wonder

MORNING:

"And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that

hear will laugh with me."

-- Genesis 21:6

It was far above the power of nature, and even contrary to its laws, that the aged Sarah should be honoured with a son; and even so it is beyond all ordinary rules that I, a poor, helpless, undone sinner, should find grace to bear about in my soul the indwelling Spirit of the Lord Jesus. I, who once despaired, as well I might, for my nature was as dry, and withered, and barren, and accursed as a howling wilderness, even I have been made to bring forth fruit unto holiness. Well may my mouth be filled with joyous laughter, because of the singular, surprising grace which I have received of the Lord, for I have found Jesus, the promised seed, and he is mine for ever. This day will I lift up psalms of triumph unto the Lord who has remembered my low estate, for "my heart rejoiceth in the Lord; mine horn is exalted in the Lord; my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies, because I rejoice in thy salvation."

I would have all those that hear of my great deliverance from hell, and my most blessed visitation from on high, laugh for joy with me. I would surprise my family with my abundant peace; I would delight my friends with my ever-increasing happiness; I would edify the Church with my grateful confessions; and even impress the world with the cheerfulness of my daily conversation. Bunyan tells us that Mercy laughed in her sleep, and no wonder when she dreamed of Jesus; my joy shall not stop short of hers while my Beloved is the theme of my daily thoughts. The Lord Jesus is a deep sea of joy: my soul shall dive therein, shall be swallowed up in the delights of his society. Sarah looked on her Isaac, and laughed with excess of rapture, and all her friends laughed with her; and thou, my soul, look on thy Jesus, and bid heaven and earth unite in thy joy unspeakable.

Worst Hold Music Ever

I am on hold right now. The hold music is Blues Traveler.

Over and over and over and over.

Just Blues Traveler, and only that one song that people liked for no good reason.

Garfield Minus Garfield

I saw this on a blog recently and thought it was rather amusing, so here it is.

No Garfield, all about Jon Arbuckle

Weezer

This is a pretty good music video, they took all the popular youtube videos and have used them in their music video. If you have seen the videos it is pretty amusing, if not you can still enjoy the song.

Embedding is disabled so I have to link it, sorry.

Morning from Spurgeon

"We live unto the Lord."

-- Romans 14:8

If God had willed it, each of us might have entered heaven at the moment of conversion. It was not absolutely necessary for our preparation for immortality that we should tarry here. It is possible for a man to be taken to heaven, and to be found meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light, though he has but just believed in Jesus. It is true that our sanctification is a long and continued process, and we shall not be perfected till we lay aside our bodies and enter within the veil; but nevertheless, had the Lord so willed it, he might have changed us from imperfection to perfection, and have taken us to heaven at once. Why then are we here? Would God keep his children out of paradise a single moment longer than was necessary? Why is the army of the living God still on the battle-field when one charge might give them the victory? Why are his children still wandering hither and thither through a maze, when a solitary word from his lips would bring them into the centre of their hopes in heaven? The answer is-they are here that they may "live unto the Lord," and may bring others to know his love. We remain on earth as sowers to scatter good seed; as ploughmen to break up the fallow ground; as heralds publishing salvation. We are here as the "salt of the earth," to be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life.

We are here as workers for him, and as "workers together with him." Let us see that our life answereth its end. Let us live earnest, useful, holy lives, to "the praise of the glory of his grace." Meanwhile we long to be with him, and daily sing-

"My heart is with him on his throne,

And ill can brook delay;

Each moment listening for the voice,

'Rise up, and come away.'"

More Funny Stuff

Steven Curtis Chapman

For those who don't know his 5-year old daughter was killed yesterday when his teenage son accidentally hit her while driving. I cannot imagine the pain the son must be feeling right now. Be sure to pray for this family.

Today my daily devotional from Spurgeon was so fitting:

"He led them forth by the right way."

-- Psalms 107:7

Changeful experience often leads the anxious believer to enquire "Why is it thus with me?" I looked for light, but lo, darkness came; for peace, but behold trouble. I said in my heart, my mountain standeth firm, I shall never be moved. Lord, thou dost hide thy face, and I am troubled. It was but yesterday that I could read my title clear; to-day my evidences are bedimmed, and my hopes are clouded. Yesterday I could climb to Pisgah's top, and view the landscape o'er, and rejoice with confidence in my future inheritance; to-day, my spirit has no hopes, but many fears; no joys, but much distress. Is this part of God's plan with me? Can this be the way in which God would bring me to heaven?

Yes, it is even so. The eclipse of your faith, the darkness of your mind, the fainting of your hope, all these things are but parts of God's method of making you ripe for the great inheritance upon which you shall soon enter. These trials are for the testing and strengthening of your faith-they are waves that wash you further upon the rock-they are winds which waft your ship the more swiftly towards the desired haven. According to David's words, so it might be said of you, "so he bringeth them to their desired haven." By honour and dishonour, by evil report and by good report, by plenty and by poverty, by joy and by distress, by persecution and by peace, by all these things is the life of your souls maintained, and by each of these are you helped on your way. Oh, think not, believer, that your sorrows are out of God's plan; they are necessary parts of it. "We must, through much tribulation, enter the kingdom." Learn, then, even to "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations."

"O let my trembling soul be still,
And wait thy wise, thy holy will!
I cannot, Lord, thy purpose see,
Yet all is well since ruled by thee."

Here is a link to the Chapman blog with a video about Maria on it.

What is the thought this story leaves you with?

My thought is tax dollars being wasted.

Remembrances

July 19^th will mark the 5^th year anniversary of my mother dying.

In Christian circles we call it “going home” or other such terms, and they are true, but it doesn’t change the fact that my mother is no longer here with me. While we don’t mourn with no hope we still do mourn.

Merlin died a few months ago and I run into the same issues when I think about him that I do when I think about my Mom. Some of the clearest memories are the ones of them dying. The memories that stand out are them in the hospital never to leave. Their lifeless bodies lying there with tubes, eyes closed like they are sleeping, and me knowing that they will never be waking up again this side of paradise.

And that is not how I want to remember them.

I force myself to remember happier times when I think of them.

I think of Merlin sitting next to me on the arm of the chair watching sports with me. Merlin running along beside me as I carry some yummy canned cat food into the bedroom so I can close the door so the other cats can’t chase Merlin away from his treat.

Merlin with his meows that sound more like barks, the way his eyes get so wide when he would be playing with a toy. How we had to take some of his teeth out, due to improper blood flow we know now, and sometimes when he was playing with me he would try to bite me. I would be more worried that he was injuring himself by gumming my arm than I would be in pain.

I remember how gentle he was, how he would curl up by my pillow at night and sleep next to me. He had a specific spot he would sleep in, I could put him anywhere on the bed and he would go to that spot and lie down.

And for my mother, I think of corn on the cob fights. And indoor water fights. I think of her spraying us with the sink hose when we thought we had the upper hand. When I think of my mother I think of her reading the Prydain Cycle to my brother and me at night before bedtime, reading the Chronicles of Narnia. Knowing it was past our bedtime but all three of us wanted to see what happens next so we would continue on.

I think of the movie Alien. My brother and I were trying to watch this suspense filled movie in the living room and over in the dining room Mom was sewing using her sewing machine. We would be at a super scary part, leaned forward in the chairs, then suddenly, chug-chug-chug, the sewing machine would start up, causing weird lines to cross the TV screen. Even then it was funny.

Going for walks so we could talk to each other. I have such a clear recollection of the conversation when we started a new school and I didn’t like the people as much as I did at the old school. I remember camping, the three legged bear, campsite 74 that we always got, wasn’t super close to the road like 73 was, but still closer to the bathrooms than 75. Going to the beach for picnics, that is something I really miss now that I live somewhere with no beach nearby.

One memory that I can laugh about now was when Mom wanted some concrete sidewalk slabs for her garden path. Some people were tearing up their yard and they offered them to us if we dug them out and took them. We were using pitchforks to pry the slab up and I caught a pitchfork through the foot….well through the shoe actually. If went straight through so it was only in the sole. That was nice not having to go to the hospital, but my shoe made squishing noises when it rained from then on.

The time Mom got a metal stake stuck in her foot. I remember the circles that the doctor drew on her foot showing how far the infection had spread in her foot. I remember the joy I felt when the circles started to get smaller.

I remember when Dad wouldn’t participate in apple bobbing and so she splashed him. He got mad, at the time it wasn’t funny, but now I can’t help but grin since it showed how entirely different those two people are, but also how perfect they are for each other.

When I think of Dad when I was younger and Dad now after Mom had years to soften him up he is such a different person. Different in a good way.

The liquor story memory is one of my favorites. I had just got my license and I wanted to drive everywhere. So I drove Mom to the liquor store to pick up some wine. We were at the cash register and she had a memory lapse and couldn’t remember where the $20.00 bill was that she had brought to pay for the wine. She was digging through her purse looking in pocket after pocket trying to find it. The cashier had that look in his eyes like he wasn’t sure if he should be selling alcohol to some lady who was acting like she had one or two too many already.

When I sit and force myself to think of the happy times there are so many, too many to remember them all.

But mostly I think about corn on the cob fights.

I think I like this band

I know I like this song



Coheed And Cambria -In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth 3

Music to work to

Project 86 - The Spy Hunter

Letters to the President

I like this song, so I am posting it so that other people can like it too! Yay!!

Favorite Song of the Moment

I've really started to like this band, I heard one of their songs a few years ago and bought it from iTunes, then kinda forgot about them until recently when I picked up their album Letters to the President which had this song "From Underneath" on it.

This song is about the singer's father leaving when he was a child and him needing to forgive his father.

Hawk Nelson

"From Underneath"

From Underneath I wanted you
To see the first thing I ever poured my heart into
You'll never know the pain that I've been through
I'm not so sure you'll ever know
And so I'll make you understand the words that built my life
Were not from you, but from my father's hand

Do you remember that cold day in December
Leaving everything you knew behind
I may never know how it feels to stand beside you
Or take your hand when I need some direction
And I may never know what it's like to see you smile back at me
Or know you'd be proud of me

From underneath I promise to erase the past
And let my heart forgive the former you
Replace the dark of old and start brand new
I never thought I'd see the day
I walk toward the end of life and turn the other way
I'm reaching out to take my Father's hand

Spurgeon

Once everyone has subscribed at heartlight.org I will stop posting these....maybe not, this one is truly awesome

MORNING:

"And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him."

-- Luke 23:27

Amid the rabble rout which hounded the Redeemer to his doom, there were some gracious souls whose bitter anguish sought vent in wailing and lamentations-fit music to accompany that march of woe. When my soul can, in imagination, see the Saviour bearing his cross to Calvary, she joins the godly women and weeps with them; for, indeed, there is true cause for grief-cause lying deeper than those mourning women thought.

They bewailed innocence maltreated, goodness persecuted, love bleeding, meekness about to die; but my heart has a deeper and more bitter cause to mourn. My sins were the scourges which lacerated those blessed shoulders, and crowned with thorn those bleeding brows: my sins cried "Crucify him! crucify him!" and laid the cross upon his gracious shoulders. His being led forth to die is sorrow enough for one eternity: but my having been his murderer, is more, infinitely more, grief than one poor fountain of tears can express.

Why those women loved and wept it were not hard to guess: but they could not have had greater reasons for love and grief than my heart has. Nain's widow saw her son restored-but I myself have been raised to newness of life. Peter's wife's mother was cured of the fever-but I of the greater plague of sin. Out of Magdalene seven devils were cast-but a whole legion out of me. Mary and Martha were favoured with visits-but he dwells with me. His mother bare his body-but he is formed in me the hope of glory. In nothing behind the holy women in debt, let me not be behind them in gratitude or sorrow.

"Love and grief my heart dividing,
With my tears his feet I'll lave-
Constant still in heart abiding,
Weep for him who died to save."

Haiku for 2008

I know quite a few people who enjoy the "art" of haikuing so thought I would try one out. This will be my only haiku for 2008 so enjoy it people!

Writing good haikus
Is superbly hard to do
Refrigerator

---Fritz

Pancakes and Syrup....the silent killers

As some of you know I have been having some heart issues/worries. My heart will pound or race for what seemed like no reason at all. Recently I discovered a webpage talking about this issue. The most salient point to me was that if you eat a big meal on an empty stomach when your blood sugar is low it is like a shot of adrenaline to your heart. Since I don't like the feeling of my heart trying to escape my chest I tried to avoid eating large meals on an empty stomach.

However, it still continued to happen. A few nights ago I made pancakes for dinner and my heart raced all night. It was so bad it was keeping me awake, I barely slept.

So now I am on a new diet, no white. No more refined sugar, no more empty carbs, no more good food basically.

My rice and pasta are now brown, my soup is low sodium, and I drink decaff coffee.



Wheeeeee....

Stud Finder? Stud Found!

My sister scanned in some older pictures and sent them around via the wonder that is known as the internet.

I am 95% sure this is me, if it is my brother (or sister, babies are hard to tell sometimes) just ignore the title and be glad I didn't post this picture.*

I'm going to make this picture my wallpaper and stare at it anytime I think about gorging myself or when I don't feel like exercising or think about taking a picture of someone else when they are yawning.

Now, if you will excuse me, my Fiber One is calling.







*Yes, I do realize that I posted this picture after saying I wouldn't

Morning and Evening

MORNING

"Then all the disciples forsook him and fled."

-- Matthew 26:56

He never deserted them, but they in cowardly fear of their lives, fled from him in the very beginning of his sufferings. This is but one instructive instance of the frailty of all believers if left to themselves; they are but sheep at the best, and they flee when the wolf cometh. They had all been warned of the danger, and had promised to die rather than leave their Master; and yet they were seized with sudden panic, and took to their heels. It may be, that I, at the opening of this day, have braced up my mind to bear a trial for the Lord's sake, and I imagine myself to be certain to exhibit perfect fidelity; but let me be very jealous of myself, lest having the same evil heart of unbelief, I should depart from my Lord as the apostles did. It is one thing to promise, and quite another to perform. It would have been to their eternal honour to have stood at Jesus' side right manfully; they fled from honour; may I be kept from imitating them! Where else could they have been so safe as near their Master, who could presently call for twelve legions of angels? They fled from their true safety. O God, let me not play the fool also. Divine grace can make the coward brave.

The smoking flax can flame forth like fire on the altar when the Lord wills it. These very apostles who were timid as hares, grew to be bold as lions after the Spirit had descended upon them, and even so the Holy Spirit can make my recreant spirit brave to confess my Lord and witness for his truth.

What anguish must have filled the Saviour as he saw his friends so faithless! This was one bitter ingredient in his cup; but that cup is drained dry; let me not put another drop in it. If I forsake my Lord, I shall crucify him afresh, and put him to an open shame. Keep me, O blessed Spirit, from an end so shameful.

EVENING:

"And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs

which fall from their master's table."

-- Matthew 15:27

This woman gained comfort in her misery by thinking GREAT THOUGHTS OF CHRIST. The Master had talked about the children's bread: "Now," argued she, "since thou art the Master of the table of grace, I know that thou art a generous housekeeper, and there is sure to be abundance of bread on thy table; there will be such an abundance for the children that there will be crumbs to throw on the floor for the dogs, and the children will fare none the worse because the dogs are fed." She thought him one who kept so good a table that all that she needed would only be a crumb in comparison; yet remember, what she wanted was to have the devil cast out of her daughter. It was a very great thing to her, but she had such a high esteem of Christ, that she said, "It is nothing to him, it is but a crumb for Christ to give." This is the royal road to comfort. Great thoughts of your sin alone will drive you to despair; but great thoughts of Christ will pilot you into the haven of peace. "My sins are many, but oh! it is nothing to Jesus to take them all away. The weight of my guilt presses me down as a giant's foot would crush a worm, but it is no more than a grain of dust to him, because he has already borne its curse in his own body on the tree. It will be but a small thing for him to give me full remission, although it will be an infinite blessing for me to receive it." The woman opens her soul's mouth very wide, expecting great things of Jesus, and he fills it with his love. Dear reader, do the same. She confessed what Christ laid at her door, but she laid fast hold upon him, and drew arguments even out of his hard words; she believed great things of him, and she thus overcame him. SHE WON THE VICTORY BY BELIEVING IN HIM. Her case is an instance of prevailing faith; and if we would conquer like her, we must imitate her tactics.

New song and update

Update:

Carrie is still in pain all the time, it isn't as bad as it has been, but she still hasn't been able to leave the house in over a month. We received a call from a surgeon's office who asked us some questions about stuff and we had the MRIs sent over to them so we are waiting for them to call us back. Hopefully he will deign to help us.

- - - - - -


We sang this at church yesterday and I thought it was pretty awesome.

I couldn't find a good version on youtube so you will just have to click the link.

"I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous)"

by Chris Tomlin



I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

Chorus:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me!

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

I Am Legend Alternative Ending

Someone at work sent this to me today and I am trying to figure out which ending I like more, the theatrical ending or the original ending. So I thought I would post the original ending and see if my esteemed readers had an opinion.

http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/03/05/must-watch-i-am-legends-original-ending-this-is-amazing/

Click the link, also read what the author has to say regarding this ending, I find his thoughts interesting.

Perfect Timing

"My grace is sufficient for thee."

-- 2 Corinthians 12:9

If none of God's saints were poor and tried, we should not know half so well the consolations of divine grace. When we find the wanderer who has not where to lay his head, who yet can say, "Still will I trust in the Lord;" when we see the pauper starving on bread and water, who still glories in Jesus; when we see the bereaved widow overwhelmed in affliction, and yet having faith in Christ, oh! what honour it reflects on the gospel. God's grace is illustrated and magnified in the poverty and trials of believers. Saints bear up under every discouragement, believing that all things work together for their good, and that out of apparent evils a real blessing shall ultimately spring-that their God will either work a deliverance for them speedily, or most assuredly support them in the trouble, as long as he is pleased to keep them in it. This patience of the saints proves the power of divine grace. There is a lighthouse out at sea: it is a calm night-I cannot tell whether the edifice is firm; the tempest must rage about it, and then I shall know whether it will stand. So with the Spirit's work: if it were not on many occasions surrounded with tempestuous waters, we should not know that it was true and strong; if the winds did not blow upon it, we should not know how firm and secure it was. The master-works of God are those men who stand in the midst of difficulties, stedfast,

unmoveable,-

"Calm mid the bewildering cry,

Confident of victory."

He who would glorify his God must set his account upon meeting with many trials. No man can be illustrious before the Lord unless his conflicts be many. If then, yours be a much-tried path, rejoice in it, because you will the better show forth the all-sufficient grace of God.

As for his failing you, never dream of it-hate the thought. The God who has been sufficient until now, should be trusted to the end.

Trip to the Doctor

Went to the pain specialist today, they weren't able to help us much, which was mostly expected. We will be going to a surgeon at some point in the future, hopefully soon. It appears Carrie might be stuck in the middle, it is too bad that the epidural injections and physical therapy don't seem to help, but not bad enough that a surgeon really wants to get involved.

If the surgeon doesn't want to do anything we will be back to square one, left wondering where God's plan is leading us.

Since I love music so much, I'll add this song to the post.




Lord (I Don't Know)

You are the author of knowledge
You can redeem what's been done
You hold the present and all that's to come
Until your everlasting kingdom

Lord, I don't know where all this is going
Or how it all works out
Lead me to peace that is past understanding
A peace beyond all doubt

You are the God of tomorrow
Turning the darkness to dawn
Lifting the hopeless with hope to go on
You are the rock of all salvation

Lord, I don't know where all this is going
Or how it all works out
Lead me to peace that is past understanding
A peace beyond all doubt

Oh, Lord, you are the author
Redeeming what's been done
You hold us in the present
And all that is to come

Lord, we don't know where all this is going
Or how it all works out
Lead us to peace that is past understanding
A peace beyond all doubt

Update

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who sent us cards and emails regarding Merlin. They were all appreciated greatly.



Here is the Carrie update:


She is still in constant pain, of course, but it isn't as bad as it was on Friday. The doctor relented and prescribed a narcotic pain reliever again and it has really helped Carrie. We were also able to pick up another medicine on Sunday that really helps her as well. So Carrie has been able to sleep again, which is good.

We still need to find a pain doctor or neurosurgeon who will be willing to listen to us and not dismiss us like all the others did so we can find a permanent solution for this problem.

Thank you all for your prayers. Don't stop now.

Though There's Pain in the Offering

The elders came over last night and prayed over us. While nothing miraculously was healed last night we were encouraged. I suppose feeling up and down is part of life.

We could really use something good to happen in this situation soon. I don't understand why God has planned this route for us, but I promised that I would trust Him, even though I need His help to do so. There is so much proof that He loves us and has sacrificed so much for us that I refuse to believe that He has abandoned us.

Nothing Ever Happens

This song keeps running through my head.


For those who I haven't told yet this past week has been absolutely awful. Carrie's doctor has taken her off most of her pain medicine and we were worried at one point that she was going to no longer prescribe pain medication. Starting last Thursday, life started getting bad and it just kept going downhill from there. As I look back over the past week at the string of horrible events that just keep piling on top of each other I am amazed and astonished and I cling to the story of Job.

Carrie is now in constant agony, neither of us are getting any sleep, and there is nothing I can do to make her better.

I repeat to Carrie and myself that God is good, this is going according to His plan and that His plan is good and that we have to continue to have faith and trust and love Him. Somedays I believe it, other days it is harder. I pray the prayer of the father in the Gospels to "help my unbelief".

The elders are coming over tonight to anoint Carrie and pray over her for healing. I keep struggling with the fact that while I know that God can heal her, I just don't believe that He will, and that is why this song keeps running through my head.

Artist: Sufjan Stevens

Title: Casimir Pulaski Day

Album: Illinois

Golden rod and the 4-H stone
The things I brought you
When I found out you had cancer of the bone

Your father cried on the telephone
And he drove his car to the Navy yard
Just to prove that he was sorry

In the morning through the window shade
When the light pressed up against your shoulder blade
I could see what you were reading

Oh the glory that the Lord has made
And the complications you could do without
When I kissed you on the mouth

Tuesday night at the Bible study
We lift our hands and pray over your body
But nothing ever happens

I remember at Michael's house
In the living room when you kissed my neck
And I almost touched your blouse

In the morning at the top of the stairs
When your father found out what we did that night
And you told me you were scared

Oh the glory when you ran outside
With your shirt tucked in and your shoes untied
And you told me not to follow you

Sunday night when I cleaned the house
I find the card where you wrote it out
With the pictures of your mother

On the floor at the great divide
With my shirt tucked in and my shoes untied
I am crying in the bathroom

In the morning when you finally go
And the nurse runs in with her head hung low
And the cardinal hits the window

In the morning in the winter shade
On the first of March on the holiday
I thought I saw you breathing

Oh the glory that the Lord has made
And the complications when I see His face
In the morning in the window

Oh the glory when He took our place
But He took my shoulders and He shook my face
And He takes and He takes and He takes

Merlin

We just got back from having to put Merlin to sleep tonight.

Best Super Bowl Commercials

These two are my favorites with the squirrel one being my favorite that I actually laughed out loud when i saw it. But the baby and the clown is pretty awesome too. Anyway, here they are:





And the squirrel:



Still makes me chuckle.

Wow, I forgot one that was awesome too:



Build a better mousetrap.

Neat video

This is the band called Mute Math, their video for this song "Typical" was shot in reverse. They then went on the Jimmy Kimmel show and did this performance.




After you watch that, check this out, it is their performance not in reverse, they must have practiced a ton.




Forgive my 4th grade English, I have not been in this country long this year.

Mostly for my father

Of course I'm sure there are others out there who like these simple free games. But anyway, here is this year's list of 101 Free Games.

Today's "Morning" from Charles Spurgeon

"I will help thee, saith the Lord."

-- Isaiah 41:14

This morning let us hear the Lord Jesus speak to each one of us: "I will help thee." "It is but a small thing for me, thy God, to help thee. Consider what I have done already. What! not help thee? Why, I bought thee with my blood. What! not help thee? I have died for thee; and if I have done the greater, will I not do the less? Help thee! It is the least thing I will ever do for thee; I have done more, and will do more. Before the world began I chose thee. I made the covenant for thee. I laid aside my glory and became a man for thee; I gave up my life for thee; and if I did all this, I will surely help thee now. In helping thee, I am giving thee what I have bought for thee already. If thou hadst need of a thousand times as much help, I would give it thee; thou requirest little compared with what I am ready to give. 'Tis much for thee to need, but it is nothing for me to bestow. 'Help thee?' Fear not! If there were an ant at the door of thy granary asking for help, it would not ruin thee to give him a handful of thy wheat; and thou art nothing but a tiny insect at the door of my all-sufficiency. 'I will help thee.'"

O my soul, is not this enough? Dost thou need more strength than the omnipotence of the United Trinity? Dost thou want more wisdom than exists in the Father, more love than displays itself in the Son, or more power than is manifest in the influences of the Spirit? Bring hither thine empty pitcher! Surely this well will fill it. Haste, gather up thy wants, and bring them here-thine emptiness, thy woes, thy needs. Behold, this river of God is full for thy supply; what canst thou desire beside? Go forth, my soul, in this thy might. The Eternal God is thine helper!

"Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismay'd!

I, I am thy God, and will still give thee aid."