No Comment. This speaks for itself.

This is so amazing!

This is one of the best "flash mobs" I have seen. You must wait until the end and see the nativity! I avoid shopping (at least during peak hours) during this time of year, but I've heard how awful and rude the crowds have been during this season. Perhaps if more shoppers could be reminded in this wonderful way of the humility of our Lord, they would be inclined to show a little more Christmas spirit. Merry Christmas to everyone!

Santa Pause:A Biblical Perspective by Rev. Justin Peters

read the entire article here:

Santa Pause: A Biblical Perspective by Rev. Justin Peters

here is an excerpt:

The truth of Santa's history is hard to know for certain, but there certainly seems to be enough evidence to make plausible the theory that his origins are not quite as genteel as popularly imagined. Though Santa's origins may be of interest to some, for the vast majority of people, Santa is about as far from ominous as one could get. He is a gentle, roly-poly, grandfatherly figure who gives good gifts to children once a year. What could possibly be the harm? Right?

Characteristics and Attributes

We now get to the meat of the matter. This is where I must ask you as much as possible to put aside personal preferences, majority opinion, tradition and preconceived notions in general dealing with Santa Claus. Here is where I ask that you consider the following information from a purely biblical point of view. In this section we will examine who Santa is and Who God is. We will look at his characteristics and attributes and compare them to God's characteristics and attributes. Until this past year I had never given this much thought at all. In fact, just a little over a year ago I was in much more need of reading an article such as this, not writing it. I invite you now, though, to join me as we "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5) and consider if there is biblical warrant for us to give Santa, pause.

Eternal – Santa is often portrayed as having a wife, but never a mother or father. He seems to have no real beginning and certainly no end. He's just always been around and always will be. Eternality is one of God's attributes. As with all of His attributes, eternality is uniquely His. He is the great I AM. He has always been and always will be (Ex. 3:15; Is. 41:4; 43:13; Ps. 90:1-2; Col. 1:16-17; Rev. 1:8).

Immutable – Closely related to his eternality, Santa is also, apparently, immutable. In other words, he does not change. Year after year after year on December 24^th he boards his sleigh and makes his appointed rounds with just as much energy, enthusiasm and strength as he has in years past. Time seems to stand still for Santa. Unlike all of the other created plants, animals and we humans who grow old and undergo decay, Santa appears immune from the passage of time and the curse of the Fall. He never gets sick, never tires, and never seems to age. God is also immutable (Mal. 3:6; Hebrews 6:17; 13:8; James 1:17).

Omnipresent – Santa is, in effect, everywhere at the same time. True, he does go from one house to another to another but he visits every child's house in the world all in one night. In my research I came across a rather humorous engineering analysis of Santa's feat of flying. Assuming that Santa does not visit Buddhist, Hindu, or Islamic children, etc. he still manages to visit some 91.8 million homes in one night. Just to be generous, this author[5] allowed Santa a full 24 hours with an additional 6 provided by different time zones with the assumption of east to west travel. According to this author, Santa must visit 822.6 homes per second so, for all intents and purposes, we can say that he is omnipresent. Humor aside, omnipresence is one of God's attributes. He is limited neither by space nor time and is everywhere present in His fullness (Deut. 4:39; 1 Kgs. 8:27; Ps. 139:8; Jer. 23:23-24; Eph. 1:23).

Omniscient – This is one of Santa's creepier attributes. He seemingly knows everything. Consider the words of John Coots and Haven Gillespie's 1934 song "Santa Clause is Coming to Town:" He knows if you've been sleeping, he knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake. From his home at the North Pole Santa possesses the ability to know when each and every child (and presumably adult) on earth is sleeping and awake. Compare Santa's power with that of God: Proverbs 15:3, "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." Eerily similar, is it not? Santa knows our behavior and is apparently qualified to make judgments as to its meritorious value. He sees all and knows all. Omniscience is also one of God's unique attributes (Job 21:22; Ps. 33:13-15; 139:1-4; Mat. 6:4).

Goodness – Santa is portrayed as kind, gentle, jovial and good via his authority to determine which children have been "bad or good." "Good" is a word that we often use to describe everything from people to some desired outcome or to fried chicken. Some will undoubtedly think I am stretching here, but describing Santa as "good" is problematic when coupled with all of the other divine attributes ascribed to him. God's standard of goodness is moral perfection and complete obedience as measured by the Ten Commandments. None of us measure up to that standard. We have all sinned (Rom. 3:23) and all of us have hearts that are "deceitful above all things and desperately wicked" (Jer. 17:9). The Apostle Paul knew that "nothing good dwells" in us (Rom. 7:18) and that there are "none good, no not one" (Rom 3:10-11). Except Santa. Santa is good by his nature. This, too, is in direct opposition to Scripture. In a statement affirming His own deity, Jesus told the rich young ruler plainly, "No one is good except God alone" (Mark 10:18). God's goodness (His omnibenevolence) is original to Him and is not possessed by any of the fallen created order (Ps. 52:1; 107:8; 119:68; 1 Jn. 1:5). Santa's "goodness" separates him from every other created thing and puts him in the class of God.

Gift Giver – That Santa gives gifts to good children and leaves lumps of coal for the bad is inextricably tied to his goodness. Only One who is intrinsically good by character and nature is truly qualified to make judgments about good and bad behavior and render the appropriate rewards and punishments. Aside from this, though, Santa's activity all year is for him and his elves (ponder that Santa has elves and God has angels) to create toys for worldwide distribution. He is a gift giver and gives with no expectation of anything in return (save for the milk and cookies dutifully left by children). In this aspect, too, Santa looks just like God. God is the only true gift giver because only He gives with truly pure motives. He gives light (Gen 1:3), He gives man the fruit of his labor (Ecc. 3:13), He gives individual personal abilities (1 Cor. 7:7), He gives love (2 Tim. 1:6-7), He gives spiritual gifts (Rom. 11:29), He gives faith and repentance (Heb. 12:2 and Acts 5:30,31; 11:17; 2 Tim. 2:24-26 respectively) for the gift of salvation (Eph. 2:8-9) in the Gift of His Son, Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:16). God is not only the ultimate gift giver, but it also the only true gift giver for "every good thing and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights" (James 1:17).

continue reading.....

WHO AM I?

Got this in an email a few days ago and thought it was pretty eye-opening.

"I was born in one country, raised in another. My father was born in another
country. I was not his only child. He fathered several children with
numerous women. I became very close to my mother, as my father showed no
interest in me.

My mother died at an early age from cancer. Although my father deserted me
and my mother raised me, I later wrote a book idolizing my father, not my
mother.

Later in life, questions arose over my real name. My birth records were
sketchy. No one was able to produce a legitimate, reliable birth
certificate.

I grew up practicing one faith but converted to Christianity, as it was
widely accepted in my new country, but I practiced non-traditional beliefs
and didn't follow Christianity, except in the public eye under scrutiny.

I worked and lived among lower-class people as a young adult, disguising
myself as someone who really cared about them.


That was before I decided it was time to get serious about my life and
embarked on a new career. I wrote a book about my struggles growing up. It
was clear to those who read my memoirs, that I had difficulties accepting
that my father abandoned me as a child.

I became active in local politics in my 30's then, with help behind the
scenes, I literally burst onto the scene as a candidate for national office
in my 40's. They said I had a golden tongue and could talk anyone into
anything.

I had a virtually non-existent resume, little work history, and no
experience in leading a single organization. Yet I was a powerful speaker
and citizens were drawn to me, as though I were a magnet and they were small
roofing tacks. I drew incredibly large crowds during my public appearances.
This bolstered my ego.

At first, my political campaign focused on my country's foreign policy...I
was very critical of my country in the last war, and seized every
opportunity to bash my country. But what launched my rise to national
prominence was my views on the country's economy. I pretended to have a
really good plan on how we could do better, and every poor person would be
fed and housed for free.

I knew which group was responsible for getting us into this mess. It was the
free market, banks and corporations. I decided to start making citizens hate
them and, if they became envious of others who did well, the plan was
clinched tight. I called mine "A People's Campaign". That sounded good to
all people. I was the surprise candidate because I emerged from outside the
traditional path of politics and was able to gain widespread popular
support.

I knew that, if I merely offered the people 'hope', together we could change
our country and the world. So, I started to make my speeches sound like they
were on behalf of the downtrodden, poor, ignorant to include "persecuted
minorities".

My true views were not widely known and I kept them unknown, until after I
became my nation's leader. I had to carefully guard reality, as anybody
could have easily found out what I really believed, if they had simply read
my writings and examined those people I associated with. I'm glad they
didn't.

Then I became the most powerful man in the world. And then the world learned
the truth."

"Who am I?"



ADOLPH HITLER : If you were thinking of SOMEONE ELSE, you should be scared,
very scared!

The Colossal, Monstrous, Gluttonous, Ineffective, Worthless Machine Called Government Bureaucracy

When government steps beyond its bounds of protecting the life, liberty, and property of its citizens, it is always, I repeat....ALWAYS....an expensive boondoggle of a disaster.

Take, for example, education. It's no secret that I homeschool, and I believe that homeschooling is the safest and most effective way to educate children, especially Christian children. That does NOT mean that I am critical or skeptical of other Christian parents who make different choices. Not only that, I truly believe that there was a time when "public education" was a good thing for the children and the community. That was back when it was truly "public" education and not "government" education. Back in the old days, the town chose the teacher, the textbooks, the schedule, and the graduation requirements for their own children. They had a vested interest in the decisions they made because they loved the children whom these decisions affected.

Enter "Clown in Chief" President Jimmy Carter. [The reason Carter loves Obama so much is because now Carter is no longer labeled the absolute worst President in history] In 1979, he created an illegal, unconstitutional Cabinet department called the Department of Education (along with the illegal Department of Energy). This federal bureaucracy has about 5,000 employees. Parents have no say-so in who is hired. The President is free to pack this department with pedophiles, abortionists, homosexuals, and educated idiots who could probably tell you more about Lady Gaga than George Washington. (I so wish I was making this stuff up, but if you don't believe me, read it for yourself.) Half of them probably don't even have children, much less have any interest whatsoever in YOUR children. Their goal is the "common good". So when they tell you that your child is reading "below level", that may or may not mean that your child has difficulty reading. It may mean that he is perfectly capable of reading classic literature, worthwhile publications, and quite able to function in society and interpret information for himself. Oh, horror of horrors.....A CHILD WHO CAN THINK FOR HIMSELF! This could not benefit the greater good of society!

We need tests. Standardized tests. So that everyone is on the same level. Equal. United. For the common good. Instead of reading books written by individual, passionate authors, we'll give them pre-digested, abridged excerpts determined by a hired committee, and then see if we can train the kids to answer "comprehension" questions. Then we'll rate the kids, and we'll also rate the teachers on how well the kids do on the tests. So, Mrs. Smith has to lay aside her passion for imparting knowledge and teach kids how to pass government tests, and Johnny has to put down his awesome book and stop learning in order to be trained. What a disaster!

Someone shared this article on FB the other day, and I thought it was just awesome.

When an Adult Took Standardized Tests Forced on Kids

It's about a highly educated and successful businessman, member of a School Board, who decided to take the same tests required by local 10th graders. His brave and honest assessment of the process has changed the way he views this whole standardized test racket. Be sure and also read the linked update that is at the top of the article. I think this incident proves everything that homeschoolers and conservatives have been saying for years: Government makes poor parents! The idea that a massive bureaucracy, located hundreds of miles away from the target, spending other people's money, with no vested interest in the little souls they direct, could ever be effective is just ludicrous thinking!

ELECT RON PAUL 2012!

1 iPod, 2 Silly Boys

I love it when my boys get creative. They'll close themselves up for hours and all you hear is giggling, banging, bouncing, slamming, screaming, etc. You never know what they'll emerge with: a show, something they've built or drawn, a story they've written, or now..... a video.

I thought this one was pretty hilarious from a couple of homeschoolers who don't have a clue what "homework" is. (That's the "Arthur" soundtrack playing)

THINK before you speak!

Here's something the kids and I have been working on lately. I saw this acronym (T.H.I.N.K.) a while back and thought it was a great way to remember to choose our words carefully. One day, we were discussing it, and I started to bring in a few Bible verses. I was amazed at the conviction that began to show on everyone's faces (including my own). So, we got out our Bibles and began looking up verses to go with each letter/idea. So often, I fail miserably as a parent and fall into the "wrath of mom to bring the righteousness of God" routine. How simple and productive it is to just open up the Word of God and let It speak directly to our hearts!

I typed up and printed this little poster. I can't believe how many times I've heard the phrase, "Think before you speak!" in the past few days. I know it has certainly made me be much more mindful of what passes the door of my lips!

A Day Which Will Live In Infamy

I'm posting this video today in honor and in memory of all the Pearl Harbor veterans. 2,390 Americans (including many civilians) died on that Sunday morning attack 70 years ago.

This video has an interesting perspective from one of the survivors (who also served later in the Korean War), about the U.S. "minding our own business". I'm not a pacifist, but I am a non-interventionist, just like our first President George Washington. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, America rightfully retaliated and joined World War II to directly defend its territorial borders, ending 4 years later with the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

10 years after 9/11, our soldiers are being sent here and yonder, with no clear strategy and not even a clearly defined enemy. It's past time to bring them home. There will never be a successful democratic government set up in Iraq. They've fought for 4,000 years and like it that way. Our troops should be here, defending our borders against illegal immigrants!

God bless our troops, and I pray that 2012 will bring a President who understands the dangers of trying to police the world.

So Much Fun!

My mother-in-law and I took the big kids to 2 assisted living centers yesterday to play piano. One of the centers was an Alzheimer's center. They were scheduled to play for 30 minute sessions, which is the first time they had played for such a long period of time without stopping. We had so much fun, and it was a really good experience in so many ways for the kids. Here are a few clips:

Caleb, Musette in D Major by Bach


Madelyn, Morning Has Broken (they really loved this piano!)


Caleb, Good Morning Blues. The residents really liked this one. They were dancing at the Alzheimer's place, but the piano was so out of tune that the video sounds bad, so I'll post this one instead.


Madelyn, Habanera from Carmen


At the Alzheimer's center, one of them asked if Madelyn could play "God Bless America", and she said she couldn't, but he started singing it anyway while she played something else. They all sang to all of the hymns. I was really proud of how they stayed focused on their playing and still enjoyed the residents as well.

Seth & KK, Heart and Soul

Seth has his first recital this Sunday. He's only been taking lessons for 2 months and is obviously not ready for performing yet, but I love his zeal. He would have been crushed if I'd told him he couldn't go, now that he has joined the ranks of "piano players" in our family. He has raced through his first book already and practices all the time, so KK worked with him to play this little duet. I'm so glad we took him! It was good for him, but also the residents fell in love with his dimples and big brown eyes. One lady walked him around and introduced him to everyone there! He loved every second of it.

Also, there were 2 piano teachers there, 1 retired and 1 still giving lessons at 90 years old! They were very encouraging to the kids.

For Sunday's recital, KK and Sis are playing (separately), 2 of my favorite pieces of music. It's been a joy to hear them practice for the past few months. For my FB friends, I've already posted these on Facebook, but I thought I'd put them here again for those who aren't. I'm so thankful for the hard work and dedication my children have put into piano. It's really paying off now.

Moonlight Sonata, Beethoven


Canon in D, Pachelbel

I love my kids!

(even if they can't spell)

Their latest rivalry has been a rubber band war. I love watching them have fun together! I found this laying on the couch.


- Posted using my iPhone

Your Best Life Later!

(KJV) 1 Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

I'm so thankful that the best is yet to come!


- Posted using my iPhone

Growing in Wisdom AND Stature

Looks just like his Daddy!


- Posted using my iPhone

Just a little experiment

Here's a little something I made on my iPhone:

Happy Birthday, Audrey!

I made this cake for my cute little niece, Audrey.

Here she is a few weeks ago sitting with my sister in the hospital bed after her new little sister arrived. She's a spitting image of my sister, Jada. I experience déjà vu every time I look at her!




I was out of piping gel, so I couldn't do my normal little trick of tracing onto waxed paper, then transferring the picture. Therefore, this is a free hand job which is NOT my speciality. Of course, Audrey was happy so I am too!

- Posted using my iPhone

Mmmmmm!

This coffee, "Monkey Coffee," as Bub calls it, is so delicious on this cold, rainy fall afternoon! He calls it monkey coffee because the smell reminds him of monkey bread. Get some soon because it's seasonal.



This blog is really to myself in case it makes me sick. (Tara, you really did enjoy that pumpkin spiced coffee, and you had a sweet time sharing a cup with Bubbie while snuggling on the couch. It was worth it.)

Coffee and Bible reading used to be my favorite combination for early mornings. These days, it's coffee and prayer (prayer that I don't get sick!). I guess coffee and prayer isn't a bad combo, right?

- Posted using my iPhone

This is dedicated to my husband...

who absolutely cannot read lips to save his life!

This website takes public speeches and songs and "lip reads" them. It's hilarious, because it really does look like they're saying the nonsense that you hear. I chose the Rick Perry one, since I'd rather hear hilarious nonsense than his globalist, soft-immigration, Mulism-loving, parental-rights-hating hot air.

But I have to admit, this one is funnier:

Birth order, anyone?

I'm definitely not into psychology, but years ago I read Kevin Leman's birth order book, and I was amazed at how true his descriptions of family dynamics were. I am the firstborn. Maybe just a teenie, weenie bit controlling and bossy. (only a little!)

What do you think? (also from 1982, 7 years old)

About the smoking, no...none of my friends smoked, although some of them obviously had sinus and fidgeting problems; but smoking would have been my worst nightmare. My daddy smoked (thankfully, he has quit! Yay, Daddy!), but I hated every second of it growing up. Obviously LOL.

"7" Was a Rough Year

My parents cleaned out their attic and gave me a box of things from years gone by. I thought this was pretty funny. It's dated 1982, when I was 7 years old. Incidentally, this was about a month before I got saved. :-)

And just for the record, I had a wonderful childhood and I dearly love my sister, Jada.

!!

Wow! You really should look at this. Seriously. Click on the link:

U.S. Debt Clock

Granted, "No Child Left Behind" was a spending boondoggle of a disaster, but it looks like thrift compared to ObamaCare.

Little Sister Boot Camp

This is how the soldier gets his baby sister in shape.

- Posted using my iPhone

Surprise!

I about had a heart attack when I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth tonight. I saw Mr. Freeze's house sitting on the countertop (Batman), but then I saw moving antennas!


Can you see the poor unfortunate grasshopper that Seth brought in for the night?

BOYS!

- Posted using my iPhone

On the Death of Steve Jobs

I thought this was an excellent perspective by Doug Phillips from Vision Forum on the life and death of Steve Jobs.

"On the Death of Steve Jobs" by Doug Phillips

The fifty-six-year life of Steve Jobs has ended. What is the message?

First, this was the full life of one of the greatest innovators and marketing giants since Edison. He was a man who understood that the computer revolution provided an unprecedented opportunity in history to shape culture. Over the last thirty years, American culture has been shaped by Hollywood, by music videos, by Madison Avenue, by the government schools, and by Steve Jobs. It is time for Christians to take inventory of these influences and consider our response.

...continue reading the article here.

Only one life, ‘twill soon be past;

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Just a Little Something to Brighten Your Day

- Posted using my iPhone

Dedicated to Gran and Nanna

An elderly couple's accidental video has gone viral after their granddaughter (who tried to teach them how to use their new laptop camera) discovered the video and posted it on YouTube. This is so cute!

The Donkey Whisperer

This has got to be the best campaign ad ever!

Requiem for a Cow

I obviously have not been in a blogging mood lately.  I really am trying to come to terms with my new way of life.  This past year has been filled with a lot of misery for me, physically.  I've lived with chronic asthma, migraines, fatigue, severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and hives.  I guess I'm at least thankful I know what's been causing my problems:  food allergies!  I've spent my married life immersing myself into homemaking, natural living, cooking from scratch, tweaking recipes to perfection, and cake decorating.  Now, I'm having to forget everything I've learned (and it's killing me!).  My new life will be without milk, butter, cheese, whey, casein, rice, fish, shellfish, and eggs.  I just hope and pray I don't have to add coffee to this list, as I am definitely allergic to coffee.  So far, I've been able to tolerate it (with hives) in small amounts.  That means.....

• no half and half in my coffee
• no pizza, tacos, lasagna, baked ziti, or homemade macaroni and cheese
• no Chinese food or rice casserole dishes
• no white chocolate cheesecake or strawberries and cream pie or dirt cake
• no ice cream or fruit dips and spreads
• no Ranch or Thousand Island salad dressings
• no pumpkin spice lattes or white chocolate mochas
• no mayonnaise, sour cream, cream cheese, or whipping cream
• no fast food or restaurants, and very little food not cooked by myself
• no gravy or creamy soups or bouillon 
• no baked fish or grilled shrimp or shrimp boil
• no milk chocolate or white chocolate or crock pot candy at Christmas
• no alfredo or chowder

I could go on.  It's depressing.  And there's no cure. Instead of browsing recipes to cook for my family, I am now keeping up with an epi-pen, reading labels, exchanging my iPhone recipe apps for allergy apps, and living in fear of when the pain will strike again.

After 2 terrible episodes last week, I'd had just about all I could take Saturday evening.  I just went to bed in tears.  I'm so thankful to say that I woke up Sunday morning actually feeling good for the first time in weeks.  Pain free and with energy!  The Lord knew I needed that, and I'm so thankful.  I'm thankful it is something I can live with and still enjoy all the blessings the Lord has given me.  Living in a land where we eat 3 meals a day, it has affected me greatly, and yet, it could be much worse.

I spent this past week listening to Brahm's Requiem as I meditated and remembered all the victims and lives devastated on September 11.  I found that the Requiem quite fit my overall mood for this past year.  Some parts of my homemaking (and thus, my identity) are just going to have to be laid to rest.  I have finally resigned myself to stop obsessing over "substitutes" for everything, and just focus on what I can eat.  I guess I can stop asking Jason for that milk cow I've always wanted for fresh milk, cream, and butter.  I'm not going to volunteer to cook (as I usually do), and maybe I'll finally reach that Weight Watchers goal sooner rather than later.

So, farewell, dear cow and all your dairy delights.  Hopefully, I can lay a little cellulite to rest with you.  (I haven't lost my sense of humor ;-))

Strawberries and Cream Pie

This is a recipe I came up with myself years ago for a strawberries recipe contest. I missed the deadline before I got it just right, but this has turned out to be one of my favorite recipes. Hope you enjoy it too!

Strawberries and Cream Pie

Ingredients:
1 qt strawberries, chopped and stems removed
3/4 c. sugar
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/2 c. cold water
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 c. heavy whipping cream
1 shortbread pie crust (Keebler makes these)

Directions:
1. Place mixing bowl and beaters in freezer to chill.
2. Combine strawberries and sugar. Let them sit for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over cold water. Let stand 1 minute, then stir over medium heat until gelatin is dissolved. (doesn't take long, don't get mixture too hot)
4. Stir gelatin mixture into strawberries.
5. Whip cream in cold bowl on high speed for 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy.
6. Add strawberries to whipping cream and mix on low until thoroughly combined
7. Pour into pie crust and chill 4-6 hours.

Entertained to Death

Caryl Matrisciana was born to British parents in Calcutta, India, where she was raised surrounded by Eastern Mysticism and Hinduism. As a young woman, she became heavily involved in the occult, until she was gloriously saved. With her firsthand knowledge and background, she has become somewhat of a missionary to the lukewarm Christian church in America. Each of these articles below addresses some of the pathetically misguided, if not heretical, attempts at mainstream Christianity to justify watching Twilight and Harry Potter.

"The Twilight Phenomena" by Caryl Matrisciana

"Harry Potter: Can It Have a Christian Perspective?" by Caryl Matrisciana

Below is an excerpt from a documentary that she produced called "Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged"



One of the main ideas that I discussed this summer with my Christian Worldview Class was how the church is blending with the occult to form a new kind of religion, one in which paganism and Christianity can happily co-exist, a new "pagan spirituality". I truly believe that Satan has used these 2 movie/book sagas to "break" otherwise Christian parents.

I heard one Christian parent on the radio this week, desperately defending allowing her teens to watch Harry Potter. She said there's no bad language or illicit scenes (I don't know; I've not seen them), and that she discussed witchcraft with her kids and felt like they could handle it. What struck me most was the desperate tone in her voice. No parent who truly knew she was making a wise and Godly decision on behalf of her children would feel the need to pick up a phone and dial long distance to a radio program and almost cry as she defended her decision. She admitted that her initial answer to her kids was "No." However, they pressured her relentlessly, and she finally caved in. I suspect this is the case with most Christian parents today.

I love children. I always have. I'm the kind of person that cries and loses sleep when I hear of a missing child all the way across the country that I've never met before. It grieves my heart to think of the innocent and trusting being violated. They deserve to be protected. I feel the same kind of grief when our children are assaulted with occultism. They deserve to have parents and pastors and teachers who will shield them from this satanic assault. They can't handle it themselves! It's bad enough when the lost world presents it to them with awesome special effects and cool storylines, but how tragic when the "Christian" world now defends satanism. Woe unto us! Jesus said:

"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:6

Having Fun

- Posted using my iPhone

"When You Read the Bible Through"

"When You Read the Bible Through"

I supposed I knew my Bible,
Reading piecemeal, hit or miss,
Now a bit of John or Matthew,
Now a snatch of Genesis,
Certain chapters of Isaiah,
Certain psalms (the twenty-third),
Twelfth of Romans, First of Proverbs,
Yes, I thought I knew the Word!
But I found that thorough reading
Was a different thing to do,
And the way was unfamiliar
When I read the Bible through.
You who like to play at Bible,
Dip and dabble, here and there,
Just before you kneel, aweary,
And yawn through a hurried prayer;
You who treat the Crown of Writings
As you treat no other book–
Just a paragraph disjointed,
Just a crude impatient look–
Try a worthier procedure,
Try a broad and steady view;
You will kneel in very rapture
When you read the Bible through!
–Amos R. Wells

My Little Angel

I know that the Bible never says that angels sing, and I believe that singing is a privilege reserved only for the redeemed. However, there's just something so "heavenly" about my little Seth's voice when he sings. He was born with a song in his heart, and has always loved to let it out. His little voice is so unrehearsed and innocent. I just adore it. I hope he never sings like a professional, and I pray that he will always delight in lifting up his voice to glorify the Lord!



(P.S. I'm a big fan of that piano player too!)

Divided - free until September

Don't miss the chance to view this film while it is generously being offered for free throughout the month of August.

Official Divided the Movie (HD Version) from NCFIC on Vimeo.

My husband (pastor) has taken more heat on this issue than almost any other, but I appreciate his dedication to truth over popularity. We have lost friends and he has lost preaching appointments, but we have put legs and action behind our firm convictions that children belong with their parents. I can personally testify of the "Christian" teens who come into LMO, with no commitment whatsoever to the gospel and yet no problem identifying themselves as "Christians", and almost all of them are victims of youth ministry.

Just as a side note, the last time I posted something along these lines, I was flooded with hate mail. I have 2 things to say, first of all, this is my blog (hence, the blog address). I have not dedicated my life to shutting down youth ministries and people who don't agree with me, so don't try to shut me up on my own personal blog. Secondly, consider earnestly what this video is saying. The statistics don't lie, and souls are hanging in the balance. It's worth at least an honest look. Not only could it possibly save the eternal destiny of your children, you might discover something much richer and more blessed that God has in store for families and churches.

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. " Matthew 7:13, 14

Score for the Cat Lover

KK got caught with his iPod during school time and had it "repossessed" for a while. Bad mistake when you are playing pranks on your sister! He was shocked to find what Sis posted on his FB when he finally got his iPod back!

No Kitties Were Harmed During the Making of This Blog Post

There is a constant rivalry in our household as to which is the better pet: cat or dog.

In the left corner we have Madelyn, devoted cat lover. She's ready with a shovel in a split second to scrape that dead rat off the carport before her Dad sees it.

In the right corner, we have Caleb, dedicated coon dog breeder. He's been known to trek the woods until dawn, faithfully pursuing the coon dog that got sidetracked by an armadillo.

And now, the devoted cat lover and the dedicated coon dog breeder have reached adolescence. And they are about to drive their longsuffering mother crazy.

Below you will see the latest chapter in the Cat vs. Dog soap opera. (I can already hear it..."Mama, what's a soap opera?")

Caleb and Seth slipped outside today while Madelyn was busy with chores and staged this picture. (disclaimer: it was just for show! below kitty is alive and well!)

KK just tiptoed down the hallway and set this photo as Sis's iPod wallpaper. She'll have a nice little surprise waiting in the morning.

I am absolutely certain that there will be payback. Stay tuned for more Cat vs. Dog!

- Posted using my iPhone

The Whirlwind

"For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind" Hosea 8:7

From what I hear, this is the last Harry Potter movie to be released, and for that I am truly thankful. Now, I look forward to the end of the Twilight saga, and maybe I can get a little peace of mind. I'm NOT one of these people who sits around and picks everyone around me for a little sin here and another there. Believe me, I have enough in my own life to keep myself busy. I also truly do believe that there is liberty in Christ. There are some issues of conduct that the Bible doesn't speak directly to, or is not clear on, and I do not try to force my conviction on these issues onto others around me. If you turn to Romans 14 in my Bible, you will see where I have jotted down a quote from Augustine: "On essentials, unity. On non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity."

I understand that different families have set different standards as far as media goes. Some shun it altogether, others allow closely monitored movies and books, others won't allow any movies that portray any kind of fantasy whatsoever, etc. I can respect any of those decisions (and others still) and ask God for the wisdom to do what is right for my family in our home and in our circumstances with our own unique children, and I don't part fellowship with others who see it differently than I do.

However, I am truly shocked and deeply saddened at the majority of my Christian friends on Facebook who see nothing wrong with witchcraft (Ex. 22:18), the occult (Lev. 20:27, a capital crime), vampires (and soul damnation), and the drinking of blood (Lev. 17:14). IF YOU'RE A CHRISTIAN AND DON'T KNOW THESE THINGS ARE ABOMINATIONS, STOP READING THIS BLOG RIGHT THIS SECOND. TURN OFF THE COMPUTER AND START READING YOUR BIBLE. J.K. Rowlings' books are longer than the New Testament. Instead of Harry Potter, you could read about how the blood of our precious Lord and Saviour atones for sins and gives us a home in heaven, and as you're rejoicing in these timeless truths penned under inspiration of God, you won't have a taste for the evil, dark arts of your greatest enemy, Satan.

I am horrified at the Christian moms and even preachers' wives who are taking their daughters and sons to see these movies and even list the movies and books in their own profiles. I can't help but think of the Scripture in Luke 18:8 "when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" I expect my lost family and friends to be fascinated by the dark arts, but Christians should be repulsed by anything that leads souls to hell.

My heart is especially heavy for the young people who have not been saved. Their hearts are vacant, and demons just love to find a swept and garnished residence in which to take up living. Is it worth gambling with such delicate little souls, all for the thrill of a few cool special effects and a clever story? I think eternity will tell us that there will be many parents who will wish a thousand midnights that they had summoned the courage to say "No".

Children are given only one command directly in the entire Bible, and that's to obey their parents. All the other commandments apply to children, but it's the parents' responsibility to instill them and enforce them in the lives of these immature little humans. I am reminded of the law of sowing and reaping (Gal. 6:7-8),one of the immutable laws of nature. You ALWAYS reap WHAT you sow, only MORE of it. It is impossible to sow occultism and reap salvation. That would be against the law.

A child of God should not have the same hobbies and appetites as sinners. When Christ is preached and men get saved, the occult is no longer popular. Think of what happened in that wicked city of Ephesus when Paul began to preach there:

"Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed."
Acts 19:19-20

Many Christian homes need to have a good, old-fashioned book (and DVD) burning!

Garden Harvest

I canned 9 pints of salsa from our garden harvest this week.

It's Through the Blood

I've had this song on my heart all day. So thankful for Jesus!

They Make Me So Proud

I know what the Bible says about being puffed up with pride, but seriously....just look at these little geniuses.....YOU'D BE PROUD TOO!

This little angel is 11 years old. I'm hoping the self-respect thing kicks in real soon.

The dentist suggested I help Seth brush a little more along the gumlines at night. Maybe I should consider this.

Bub came running in from swimming at Gran's house and yells, "Mama, look! Gran put jell-o on our hair!" (translation: gel)

And Seth has managed to accomplish what I've failed to do in 3 years....get Summer to obey, without challenge, the first time she's told. I think I'm going to make me a list of commands like his and try that!

Whole Grain GOODness!

This delicious chocolate chip muffin recipe is made with all whole wheat flour. I use my favorite brand, King Arthur WHITE whole wheat flour. If you have never tried different whole wheat flours, I encourage you to look into King Arthur White Whole Wheat. Most whole wheat flours you buy or grind yourself are made from red whole wheat berries. There is no difference in quality or nutrition, the difference lies in the time of the year that the wheat is harvested. I have found the white whole wheat to be much more palatable for my family, and I can still feel good about the health benefits of cooking with whole wheat.

This recipe is a favorite not only because of its healthy ingredients, but also because it's a quick, one-bowl recipe that I can whip up in no time. Our favorite version is this chocolate chip recipe, but I also use this as my "base" recipe for all muffins. Be creative! Try white chocolate chips (always a winner!) or diced apples or blueberries with 1/2 tsp. cinammon added. The possibilities are endless!

CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS

3/4 c. butter, softened
1 1/2 c. sugar
3 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3/4 c. milk
3 cups King Arthur white whole wheat flour
12 oz. bag milk chocolate chips
coarse sugar for sprinkling, if desired (I use Demerara sugar)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 24 standard sized muffin cups (or line with baking cups, my preferred method).

Beat together the butter, sugar, baking powder, salt, and vanilla until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, then stir in the milk. Mix in the flour, then add the chocolate chips.

Spoon about 1/4 c. batter into each muffin cup. (Remember whole wheat flour doesn't rise quite as much, so the cups will be a little fuller than a muffin mix.) Sprinkle lightly with sugar if desired. Bake for 20 minutes*.

*20 minutes is for light colored tins (the best kind for not burning the bottoms of your muffins!). If using a dark, non-stick type pan, check after 16 minutes.

These muffins are very filling, so be sure and freeze leftovers for a quick, healthy snack later!

When the Bough Breaks

"When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour." Isaiah 27:11

My heart is so heavy with the grave injustice that was served to little Caylee Anthony. I've shed many tears through the years on behalf of the innocent little children who've suffered at the hands of perverts and murderers. It's horrible enough when trusting little children are snatched from fit and loving parents, but when the assailants turn out to be the parents, it's a testimony to the complete degeneration of our society. As if that weren't bad enough, our "justice" system is now on the side of evil, and too often allows murderers to go unpunished.

It reminds me of the nation Israel in the Scripture referenced above. I truly believe God raised up our nation, as He did Israel, for the purpose of shining the light of the gospel to the world. And sadly, just as Israel was overcome with pride and became a nation of "people of no understanding", so has the United States. The boughs are withered and broken, and we are in danger of crumbling.

So this afternoon, I called off afternoon lessons and let my children see me shed some tears of righteous anger and sorrow for the little girl whose own mother threw her out like a bag of garbage. I've not been able to get this Scripture off my mind:

"

Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children..." Lamentations 2:19

And as for Casey Anthony, the 12 jurors who shirked their duties, the lawyers who gained fame and wealth defending her, and the parents and family who lied on her behalf....your prospects are not good. In fact, the Bible says it would be better for you to have a millstone tied around your neck and drowned in the depths of the sea (Matthew 18:6). At least we can take comfort in knowing that after her short, miserable life here on earth, Caylee is in the presence of the Savior now.

My Rosebud Turned 3!

She's growing up so fast...

She's driving now!

And I learned that I can still jog 5 MPH when I have to. Yay me!

And then we topped the day off with Little Bear. She loved it!

Marxism vs. Christianity

I would like to share some of the notes from the Christian Worldview Class I'm teaching right now. Francis Schaeffer called Marxism a Christian heresy because it takes Biblical ideals like equality, peace, sharing, and giving to the poor, and twists these ideals to form a tyrannical government that is actually the complete opposite of Biblical Christianity. It's never been more relevant to freedom-loving Americans!

You can call me "southern", and you can call me "baptist",

but don't you dare call me "Southern Baptist".

Thanks to the efforts of Richard Land (whose office receives millions of dollars from their annual budget), the Southern Baptists now officially hold the same position on illegal (as in "NOT" legal, lawbreakers) aliens as does the Communist Party USA and our Marxist President. This is shameful!

From the APB:


Southern Baptists support path to legal status in immigration reform
By Bob Allen
Wednesday, June 15, 2011

PHOENIX (ABP) – The Southern Baptist Convention adopted a debated resolution June 15 calling for “a just and compassionate path to legal status” for undocumented immigrants.

President Obama supports immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for an estimated 11 million people who are living in the country illegally. Opponents say amnesty encourages others to enter the United States illegally and compete for American jobs.

“This will be known as Southern Baptist amnesty,” said Wiley Drake, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, Calif.

“That is exactly what this is,” said Drake, a former convention vice president. “This is amnesty any way you phrase it.”

Messengers voted 766-723 against a motion by Richard Huff, pastor of Corona de Tucson Baptist Church in Tucson, Ariz., to delete a paragraph that asks the government “to implement, with borders secured, a just and compassionate path to legal status, with appropriate restitutionary measures, for those undocumented immigrants already living in our country.”

Huff said he agreed with other parts of the resolution that opposed “nativism” and any bigotry or harassment against undocumented workers, but giving them amnesty rewards them for breaking the law and puts them in line ahead of those seeking citizenship through legal means.

“They came here illegally and now we say: ‘We are going to reward you. You are already here?’” Huff asked. “The right of citizenship is too precious to reward those who are here illegally.”



Read the full article here.

Say Cheez!

Last week, I took the kids to Berry College for pictures. The photographer was LeAnne Acrey, and I think she did a great job. Here's a link to her FB: L.A. Front Porch Photos. I really like how she gave me the edited photos as well as the unedited. Everyone has their individual styles and tastes, not to mention it's nice to be able to rotate and crop for your specific needs like blogging, scrapbooking, printing, etc. I thought the pictures turned out great!

I Miss President Reagan

The following transcript is one of Ronald Reagan's famous radio addresses. In this address (which aired September 6, 1977), Ronald Reagan, the great orator, eloquently gives his thoughts on the "Good News Bible" (also called the Good News for Modern Man and Today's English Version) in comparison to the Authorized Version or the King James Bible.

"What would you say if someone decided Shakespeare's plays, Charles Dicken's novels, or the music of Beethoven could be rewritten & improved?

Writing in the journal "The Alternative", Richard Hanser, author of The Law & the Prophets and Jesus: What Manner of Man Is This?, has called attention to something that is more than a little mind boggling. It is my understanding that the Bible (both the Old & New Testaments) has been the best selling book in the entire history of printing. Now another attempt has been made to improve it. I say another because there have been several fairly recent efforts to quote "make the Bible more readable & understandable" unquote. But as Mr. Hanser so eloquently says, "For more than 3 1/2centuries, its language and its images, have penetrated more deeply into the general culture of the English speaking world, and been more dearly treasured, than anything else ever put on paper." He then quotes the irreverent H. L. Mencken, who spoke of it as purely a literary work and said it was, "probably the most beautiful piece of writing in any language." They were, of course, speaking of The Authorized Version, the one that came into being when the England of King James was scoured for translators & scholars. It was a time when the English language had reached it's peak of richness & beauty.

Now we are to have The Good News Bible which will be in, "the natural English of everyday adult conversation." I'm sure the scholars and clergymen supervised by the American Bible Society were sincerely imbued with the thought that they were taking religion to the people with their Good News Bible, but I can't help feeling we should instead be taking the people to religion and lifting them with the beauty of language that has outlived the centuries. Mr. Hanser has quoted from both the St. James Version & the Good News Bible some well known passages for us to compare.

A few thousand years ago Job said "How forcible are right words!" [Job 6:25] The new translators have him saying "Honest words are convincing." That's only for openers. There is the passage [Eccl. 1:18], "For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow". Is it really an improvement to say instead, "The wiser you are, the more worries you have; the more you know the more it hurts." In the New Testament, in Mathew, we read "The voice of the one crying in the wilderness. Prepare ye the way." [Matthew 3:3] The Good News version translates that, "Someone is shouting in the desert. Get the road ready." It sounds like a straw boss announcing lunch hour is over.

The hauntingly beautiful 23rd Psalm is the same in both versions, for a few words, "The Lord is my shepherd" but instead of continuing "I shall not want" we are supposed to say "I have everything I need." The Christmas story has undergone some modernizing but one can hardly call it improved. The wondrous words "Fear not: for; behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy" has become, "Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you." The sponsors of the Good News version boast that their Bible is as readable as the daily paper -- and so it is. But do readers of the daily news find themselves moved to wonder, "at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth"? Mr. Hanser suggests that sadly the "tinkering & general horsing around with the sacred texts will no doubt continue" as pious drudges try to get it right. "It will not dawn on them that it has already been gotten right."

This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening."

Source: AV1611.ORG