Sweetest Sound on Earth

SOL Memorial 2009

Announcing...

Sanctity of Life March and Memorial

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009

Silent March begins at 11:45 at parking lot adjacent to Farm Bureau

(just past Ideal Bakery on the left on Main Street in Cedartown)

March through town to end with memorial service on the Polk Co. Courthouse steps

sponsored by the Polk Co. Christian Coalition

As the director of LMO, I will have a small part in the ceremony. Ga. Rep. Martin Scott will be the featured speaker.

Come and give a voice to the unborn!

Rain or shine

Thank You, Ingrid,

for always boldly speaking the truth.

Rick Warren, There's Blood On Your Hands by Ingrid Schlueter

:-)

Beautiful Babies

Priorities

While most of America went on about their busy lives, 1.2 million human pre-born children were killed in 2008...
but on the other hand, you'll be happy to know that thanks to PETA, there will be no more kiss-a-pig contests at a Georgia high school, no more greased pig chases in West Virginia county fairs, no more frog jumps in the Florida Pumpkin Festival, and no more traumatized chimpanzees will have to lend their cute little faces to SEGA game commercials.

After all, we are a compassionate nation, right?

Jan. 22, 1973 - Jan. 22, 2009

36 years of legalized abortion

50 million dead

Who say?

There are scholars who would have us believe that the English language is on decline. They tell us that the language peaked during the Elizabethan Era, that glorious period of scholarship and beauty that gave us such writers as William Shakespeare and also our treasured King James Bible. They say that today, our language content is actually only a percentage of what it once was, and that with today's generation of "IMers" and "texters", it will surely become even more simplified.

Up until yesterday, I thought the scholars might be right. But after hearing the Great Reverent Joseph E. Lowery deliver his show-stopping benediction yesterday at President Obama's inauguration, I am going to have to beg to differ.

If you missed this treat, check out the clip and transcript below.



Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around -- (laughter) -- when yellow will be mellow -- (laughter) -- when the red man can get ahead, man -- (laughter) -- and when white will embrace what is right.
Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen.
AUDIENCE: Amen!
REV. LOWERY: Say amen --
AUDIENCE: Amen!
REV. LOWERY: -- and amen.
AUDIENCE: Amen! (Cheers, applause.)
END.

Now, them's beautiful words. I know you'll have to agree.

Holiday

While most of the nation celebrates a national holiday today, it will go largely unnoticed that today is the birthday of one of the greatest Americans who ever lived, Gen. Robert E. Lee.Here is a great link that tells about the spiritual life of this great Christian man, and another link to an interesting article about Rev. William Mack Lee. Rev. Wm Mack Lee was a slave that General Lee inherited and freed 10 years before the Civil War. He, and all the other servants at Lee's home, remained with him until after the war. Rev. Lee even served as Lee's personal cook and body servant during the war (by his own will). After the war, Lee paid for his education and helped him get started in his preaching ministry.

"So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that Slavery is abolished. I believe it will be greatly for the interest of the South. So fully am I satisfied of this that I would have cheerfully lost all that I have lost by the war, and have suffered all that I have suffered to have this object attained."

Gen. Robert E. Lee

"With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. I have therefore resigned my commission in the Army, and save in defense of my native State, with the sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword..."

Gen. Robert E. Lee

Pals

Silencing Christians

The stories told in this episode should infuriate any American citizen, and especially any American Christian. The Brittany McComb story interests me in particular because I experienced something similar to this in 1993. As one of the top 5 graduates in my high school senior class, I was allowed to have a speaking part in the graduation ceremony. It fell on me to deliver the invocation, or the opening prayer. We were required to submit our speaking parts (my prayer) prior to the ceremony for review, and I was told that I would have to change the end of my prayer, which I had written to say, "In Jesus' name we pray," as I would not be allowed to say "Jesus". Well, I was not a rule breaker, but after talking with my parents and praying about it, I decided to say it anyway. Nothing was immediately said about it, other than a disapproving look from one of the counselors, but I was really upset about the attempted censorship. So, I wrote an editorial to the local newspaper telling what happened. An elderly Christian lady that knew me, read the article, clipped it from the paper, and mailed it to a Christian law firm. In response, this Christian law firm (The American Center for Law and Justice), sent me a "way to go" letter, and sent the Polk School District an information packet informing them of the Constitution and the First Amendment. That was 16 years ago, and I am so grieved to see how today's Christian public school students are silenced and persecuted, and I fear it will only get worse.

My Pretty Little Doodlebug

Today Madelyn turns 9 years old. I was just thanking the Lord for her, and thinking of all the fun we've had with her through the years, so I thought I'd post a few of my favorite pictures of her. Coon hunting...it's true that my pretty little Doodlebug usually smells like a boy

Age 6 ...I love her golden hair

She'll kill me for posting this, but this is her at age 5...always right behind KK in whatever he's playing. She is actually wearing an Indian costume that my mother made for me when I was her age


Age 4, painting Jason's toenails when he was in one of his comas (a.k.a. "naps")



Age 5, with her best buddy

Age 2 1/2, with her best buddy

Age 2, Sis and Doodle helping me make biscuits

Happy Birthday to my sweet little Sis! I love you!

Perfect Dinner

It's been a while since I shared recipes on my blog, and several people have mentioned this to me, so here's a recipe for Baked Spaghetti that my Aunt Connie gave me years ago. It's a favorite at our house. I'll also include a recipe for Parmesan Twists made in the breadmaker, as well as a simple but delicious Peanut Butter Cake. Add a salad, and you have a meal fit for company!

BAKED SPAGHETTI

1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained

1 c. chopped onion

1 chopped garlic clove

1 c. chopped green pepper

1 Tbsp. butter

1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 4 oz. can mushrooms stems and pieces, drained

1 2 1/4 oz. can sliced ripe olives, drained

2 tsp. dried oregano OR Italian seasoning

1 12-oz. spaghetti, cooked and drained

2 8 oz. cups shredded cheese your choice (cheddar, colby, monterey jack, mozzarella...or a mixture)

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1/2 c. water

1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven 350 degrees. In large skillet, saute onion, garlic, and green pepper until tender. Add tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, and oregano. Add ground beef; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Grease a deep dish 13 x 9 baking dish.* Place half of spaghetti in dish; top with 1/2 of meat mixture. Sprinkle with 1 c. cheese. Repeat layers. Mix the soup and water until smooth; spoon over casserole. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes. Yield: 10 servings

*Note about dish: If you don't have a deep dish, this fits well into an 11 x 15 pan. OR you can use 2 smaller dishes and freeze one for later. Just prepare the dish complete with the Parmesan topping, then freeze. Allow to thaw in refrigerator and bake as usual*

PARMESAN TWISTS

1 1/8 c. water

3 c. bread flour

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar

1 1/2 tsp. yeast

TOPPING: 1/2 c. butter, 3 tsp. garlic salt, 3 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese

Put all ingredients (except for topping) into breadmaker and use dough cycle. Remove dough from pan and place in greased bowl; turning greased side up. Cover and let rise in warm place about 30 minutes. Grease large baking sheet.

Punch down dough and divide it into 24 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 10-12 in. rope on a lightly floured surface. Pinch ends of 2 ropes togher and twist them. Place twists onto baking sheet and pinch ends securely. Mix butter and cheese; brush half over twists. Cover and let rise in warm place 25 minutes. Bake at 400 for 12-15 minutes. Brush with remaining butter. Serve warm. Yield: 12 twists

PEANUT BUTTER CAKE

2 c. self rising flour

1 1/2 c. sugar

3 eggs

2/3 c. oil

1 c. buttermilk*

1 tsp. vanilla

ICING:

2 c. sugar, 1/2 c. milk, 1 stick butter, 1/4 c. peanut butter

Grease and flour a 9 x 13 cake pan. Preheat oven to 350. Mix cake ingredients and pour into pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove and poke holes in cake with fork. Immediately place frosting ingredients into a heavy boiler. Bring to a rapid boil and cook for 1 minute on medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter. Pour over warm cake. Cool 4 hours before serving. (If you don't have buttermilk on hand, milk can be "soured" by placing 1 Tbsp. vinegar, and fill with milk to make 1 c.)

Time

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15, 16)


This incisive expression--"redeeming the time"--occurs also in Colossians 4:5: "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." The Greek word for "redeem" means to "buy back," to "ransom," or even to "rescue." That is, time is a very valuable asset, in danger of being lost forever unless it is rescued, or redeemed.

As a matter of fact, time is just about the most valuable asset we have. If we squander our money or lose our health, there is always the possibility of earning more money or being restored to health, but wasted time is gone forever. In our text, those who are wise redeem the time, whereas those who are fools waste or misuse it. The word in the original for "circumspectly" is translated "diligently" in Matthew 2:7. The text thus indicates that those who redeem the time are walking diligently; the parallel passage in Colossians 4:5 says they are walking in wisdom. The time God gives us, therefore, should be used both carefully and diligently.

Henry Madison Morris
Days of Praise Devotional

Recommended Reading

This is by far one of the most convicting books I've ever read. (I'm on my third read now.) Click on the picture below, and it will take you to the No Greater Joy website where you can purchase this book for only $5.95. It would be a help to any Christian parent.

Hangin' out with my bubbas....

Sanctity of Life Month

As most of you probably know, January is Sanctity of Life Month. It has been so designated, since January is the month in which the infamous, illegal, Constitutionally ignorant decision "Roe vs. Wade" was handed down, instantly legalizing abortion in all 50 states.

Since then, we pro-life Americans have been fighting to save babies. Unfortunately, we have only gained "baby steps" (if you will) of progress; only managing to regulate or restrict abortion, but never outlawing it or repealing the Roe vs. Wade decision.

On the heels of my last post regarding change, I want to bring attention to 4 major changes regarding the sanctity of human life, that will take place almost immediately in our new Obama administration. I'm going to limit myself to ONLY changes regarding abortion and life issues, and I will only briefly discuss these. I urge you to take time to read up on any of these topics that you aren't familiar with.

1. MEXICO CITY POLICY. Our beloved President Ronald Reagan signed an executive order that prevented U.S. foreign aid money (tax payer money) that is sent abroad, from going to agencies that perform or promote abortion. Of course President Clinton revoked this order during his administration, and then President Bush restored it, and even expanded the limitations to include family planning organizations that even counsel about abortion. President-elect Obama has said that he will immediately revoke this order, paving the way for taxpaying Americans to help fund abortions abroad. (FYI, 46 million abortions per year are performed worldwide, 78% of those occurring in developing, poor countries that receive our aid). Unlike laws which take time to pass and implement, an executive order is signed and goes into effect immediately.

2. HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH (CREATING LIFE JUST FOR THE PURPOSE OF KILLING IT). As promised, President-elect Obama will not only lift the restrictions (regarding government grants) placed by President Bush on tax-payer funded human embryonic stem cell research, but he will also sign into law, any bill placed on his Presidential desk that strikes down any limitations on this type of research. (President Bush vetoed just such a law in 2006.) It could rightly be said that adult stem cell research (which requires no taking of life and is Biblically ethical) is just as effective, if not more effective than, embryonic stem cell research....however, even IF that were not the case, it still is not right to destroy one life in hopes of saving another.

3. FREEDOM OF CHOICE ACT. Barack Obama has promised to make this his "top priority"; in fact, pledging to sign this as his first Presidential Action. What is it? Currently, our 50 states have over 300 laws restricting abortions, by means of parental notifications, waiting periods, full disclosures, bans on interstate abortions, etc., etc. The Freedom of Choice Act would repeal all of these laws, and also effectively repeal the Partial Birth Abortion Ban. In other words, everything that Christians have fought for in the past 36 years would immediately be overturned.

4. U.N. CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD. As a man who was raised internationally, Obama will surely join the ranks of the elite (namely, our Supreme Court justices) who lately have turned away from our beloved Constitution, and turned toward international law when making legal decisions. This is disturbing enough in and of itself, but even more so when we consider what the United Nations is trying to shove down our throats. This "convention" (signed by every member nation except U.S. and Somolia) sounds so compassionate, but what it effectively does is take childrearing decisions out of the hands of loving parents, and place it into the hands of the government...the international government, at that!! I urge you to take time to explore my sidebar widget from ParentalRights.org to fully explore this issue, but the jist of it is this: that the "best interests of the child" shall be the ruling factor in all situations; the only problem is that these "best interests" are designed by the atheist state, and not by parents. (Imagine their take on the "abuse" of homeschooling!) And furthermore, that the "evolving capacities" of the child shall be considered in all situations. In other words, a 16 year old is much more "evolved" and mature than a 4 year old; therefore, he/she should be given a voice in his/her upbringing. Therefore, if little Susie wants to move in with her loving, mature boyfriend and her parents object, too bad. If little Johnny decides that he was born homosexual, his parents could go to jail for taking him to church to sit under a real preacher. (My sincere apologies to all the Susans and Johnnys out there...) It would be considered psychological abuse to force "religion" on your child, and you would have no say in whether or not your mature teenager (...uh-huh...) decides to have an abortion. Consider what this could mean to parents regarding homeschooling, vaccinations, sex education, evolution......

Folks, this is scary. I've conceded defeat on the abortion issue. We lost. Almost 50 million babies have died in the U.S. since Roe vs. Wade. That's not success. I still work and share the gospel message one on one at the crisis pregnancy center (which I believe is one of the few remaining effective outlets for pro-life work now), but by and large, we have lost on abortion. That breaks my heart, and I know that our work has not been in vain since it has not gone unnoticed by our Lord, but I can accept that we lost. I can accept that, and wait on the Lord to return and set all things right. But until then, STAY OUT OF MY LIVING ROOM! If you want to get pregnant 10 times and have 10 abortions, I can't stop you because I live in a nation that loves to kill babies. BUT STAY OUT OF MY LIVING ROOM! If you want to mock God and call Christianity a myth, do so at your own peril, BUT STAY OUT OF MY LIVING ROOM! AND KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF MY PRECIOUS KIDS!

Moms and Dads, if this convention is signed, things could change for us in a big way. It was originally ratified in 1989, and President Clinton toyed with the idea of bringing it before Congress, but didn't when he was faced with opposition. To his credit, President Bush never even discussed proposing it. However, there is much talk in the liberal Senate now of bringing it up for a vote, and Obama will surely jump on board if this happens. As a homeschooling, Christian mother of 5, this worries me above all the other changes we are set to endure the next 4 years.

Christians, it's time to get on our knees...not in fear, because God is still in control, and He wasn't suprised, as I was, on election night to find that common sense and decency in America was now the minority. But we need to get on our knees in earnest intercession for our nation and our children and their future. And we still remember that "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." Prov. 21:1

Can't Wait

Does anyone get the irony here?

New Year's Eve Fun

We spent this New Year's Eve with our church family. We all met at church and had a wonderful service with Jason and Bro. Tony both preaching wonderful messages. We prayed and closed out the meeting, then everyone headed to our house for food and fellowship. We hooked up the Wii's, built a fire for roasting marshmallows, ate barbecue, and of course shot fireworks.

Seth gets a little coaching from Bro. Jamie

Sis going for a strike

Catherine wants a Wii for her birthday

We all loved bowling

Diane and Tony

I think Bub ate about 20 pickles

Tasha is so sweet and patient with the boys

KK getting in on the action

Our preachers

There's mischief brewing....

The Amen Corner

Roasting marshmallows

Where there is Jason, there is fire

Bro. Tony and I are the shutterbugs....

Jason and Bro. Travis are the firebugs....

What a great way to bring in the New Year!