Without Change, there would be no butterflies

More About MUFA's (Mono unsaturated Fat)

2009-08-09T16:14:00.000-07:00

I just started this & will post in a few weeks on how it is going. :) Ive also added exercising 3-4 times a week for at least 30 minutes. I love to do the Wii Fit, as I dont have to leave the house especially during the Summer months when I have my 7 year old underfoot.

Im finding that I can do the 30 minute Wii Fit free run and I can change the channel so my son can watch SpongeBob while I get in my 30 minutes of exercise. :)

http://www.simpleweight.com/blog/diet/how-to-add-mufa-to-breakfast-lunch-and-dinner-for-weight-loss/

How do I add MUFA (mono unsaturated fat) at every meal?

Basically, try to add: Avocado, Canola oil, Olive Oil, Nuts like almonds, cashews, pecans, and peanuts, Olives, Peanut butter and peanut oil, or Sesame seeds to your diet.
One of the best ways is to try to mix and optimize those ideas. For example: Traditional pesto is made from pine nuts, olive oil, basil, parmesan cheese. What a tasty way to get MUFA.

Here are some more specific ideas for each meal:
MUFA Breakfast Ideas for weight loss
Add Avocado in omelet
Spread Peanut butter on toast, bagels, english muffins, or apples
Sprinkle Almonds (nuts) on top of pancakes, waffles, and even french toast
Mix nut-based granola in your yogurt
Blend Flax Seed Oil with your favorite fruit smoothie
Add Sunflower seeds, Walnuts, or Pecans to your cereal or oatmeal

MUFA Lunch & MUFA Dinner Ideas for weight loss
Toss sliced avocado, chopped olives, or sliced nuts in your green leaf salad
Pour Oil Based Dressings on top of your salad specifically Olive Oil, Sun Flower, or Peanut Oil
Add avocado to a Mexican chicken or black bean soup
Instead of croûtons, add nuts and seeds to your or soup or salad
Add nuts to stir fry dishes
Ask for Olives in your Enchiladas or other Mexican Food.
Dribble Pesto sauce over a small bed of noodles
Add a dollop of pesto to dishes such as tomato soup or baked potato
Stir olives into your red pasta sauce
Sprinkle nuts on cream-based soups like tomato-basil, butternut squash soup, etc.
Add Avocado to your deli sandwich (Jimmy John’s is great for this)
Top your Chicken Sandwich, Turkey Burger, or Small Hamburger with Guacamole

MUFA Snack Ideas for weight loss
Eat Raw Nut based Trail Mix.
Spread Olive tapenade on a cracker or crostini
Spread Avocado and cheese on a cracker
Dip apples or celery in Peanut or almond butter
Have an Olive Loaf Bread slice with olive oil

Remember, the key here is you need to keep your quantity of calories down for maximum benefit.

As I detailed in my MUFA weight loss article, Nuts, Avocados, and Oils are all high calories foods. Yet, they are very filling so you need less food at your meal. Try to strive for 400 calorie meals with a vegetable and protein rich diet.

Here are some other articles that you might like to read:
Flat Belly Diet: A Skim Review
Top Three 5 minute MUFA Snacks

Okay... enough is enough....

2009-08-07T19:24:00.000-07:00

Okay, Ive finally realized that I tend to overeat out of frustration to deal with my 7 year old son's issues with Autism. But, Ive soon had a realization that I cant do this any longer as it isnt good for my overall health, even though I am 6 foot tall.

I stepped on a scale only to find out that Ive gained 15 lbs over the past two years. Not good at all!!!

So, Ive started working out 3-4 times a week doing Wii fit. Im also learning to change my eating habits and happened to find an advertisement in Prevention Magazine for Flatbelly.com, so my husband and I are going to add MUFA's (mono unsaturated fat)
to our diet and see what happens.

As for working out... I happened to find this cool online site that tracks ones exercise habits. This is mine so far:

Detox Superfoods

2009-03-11T19:17:00.000-07:00

DETOX SUPERFOODS:

Consume These Foods As Often As You Can

Apple: Helps excrete heavy metals and cholesterol and is supports cleansing for the liver and kidneys

Artichoke: Purifies and supports the liver and has a diuretic effect on the kidneys

Asparagus: Superb detox food because of its diuretic effect; helps maintain healthy bacteria in the intestines

Blueberry: High in antioxidants and are an excellent source of fiber, potassium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and credited for improving eyesight

Broccoli: Like sprouts and cabbage, increases levels of glutathione, a key antioxidant that helps the liver expel toxins

Carrot: Packed with beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant; antibacterial and antifungal

Cranberry: Antioxidant-rich; destroys harmful bacteria in the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract

Fennel: Has strong diuretic action and helps body eliminate fats

Garlic: Powerful antioxidant that is also excellent at helping eliminate toxic microorganisms

Ginger: Supports relief from abdominal bloating, nausea and diarrhea. Helps to stimulate digestive enzymes, aiding efficient digestion

Lemon: Stimulates the release of enzymes – an essential part of the liver’s detoxification process

Olive Oil: Antioxidant; helps prevent cholesterol from being transformed into a harmful free radical

Onion: Rich in antioxidant quercetin, which protects against free radical damage; onion enhances the activity of healthy intestinal flora and is antiviral

Parsley: Diuretic and helps kidneys to flush out toxins; contains phyto-nutrients that support the liver and is rich in antioxidants

Quinoa: Easily digested cleansing grain that is a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals

Rasberry: Almost 50% higher antioxidant activity than strawberries, three times that of kiwis, and ten times the antioxidant activity of tomatoes, shows research conducted in the Netherlands and published in the journal BioFactors

Rice: Brown rice in particular cleans the intestines as it passes through and prevents constipation; antiallergenic and helps support normal blood-sugar levels

Salad Greens: Superb antioxidant and cleanser of the digestive tract

Tomato: Rich source of the antioxidant lycopene, which is believed to prevent a variety of health issues

Watercress: Purifies the blood and expels wastes from the body

Yogurt: Live yogurt contains pro-biotics that may support reduced intestinal inflammation and fungal infections and eliminate bad bacteria that damage the gut wall

The Importance Of Fluids: Drink At Least 8 Glasses A Day

This will help avoid fluid retention and keep your body’s waste disposal system – the liver, kidneys, lungs, digestive system, lymphatic system, and skin – functioning efficiently. Water flushes out toxic material, reduces bloating, helps keep your skin clear, and is essential for a successful detox.

Drinking fluids throughout the day, reducing the intake in the hours leading up to bedtime is important so that you don’t have to get up in the night. Drinking with meals dilutes the digestive enzymes, so try to avoid drinking before or up to an hour after meals. Herbal teas are excellent alternatives to water, and green tea is rich in antioxidants. Freshly squeezed fruit and vegetables juices are loaded with nutrients, antioxidants, and enzymes and help to keep your system alkaline, but they need to be drunk immediately as the nutrients are destroyed on exposure to the air.

Tough Times, Tough Faith

2009-03-01T16:56:00.000-08:00

I always appreciate my Pastors perspective & just had to share this from my March newsletter from our church :)

Tough Times, Tough Faith
By Pastor Wendell Smith

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. 3 You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. 4 So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. 5 If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. 6 Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. 7 Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, 8 adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. James 1:2-8 (MSG)

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:11-13 (NIV)

If you live long enough, you will endure many hard times. Life is good, but there are always difficult and challenging things that every earth-dweller encounters. We live on planet earth- a physical realm dominated by sin and darkness, where storms and resistance seem to rule and problems and troubles are commonplace.

The Patriarch Jacob lived one hundred thirty years but said his days were few and evil. King Solomon said that if a man lived many years, let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Jesus prophesied of days coming on the earth when men's hearts will fail them for fear. The Apostles wrote letters and described perilous and stressful times that would come.

In today's global economic crisis, we find ourselves in the middle of one of the most challenging situations many of us have ever experienced in our lifetime. But before we give in to depression, we need to recall that the Bible is filled with hope and faith and an optimistic view of how life should be lived- even in the face of adversity.

Most baby boomers and their children cannot recall many difficult financial years. A few older saints might still be alive who were children during the great depression. Today, we all struggling to varying degrees as we go through the current economic calamity. Some of us have lost jobs, houses, retirement accounts or value of some kind. These kind of hard times can shake our faith and make us ask hard questions but as people of faith, we need the divine perspective to get us through.

The perspective we need is a much more long term one- i.e. one that spans most of human history. In the Bible, for example, there were several famines, many in the Old Testament and a few in the New. But in the midst of each of them the Lord supernaturally provided for His people.

God provided for Abraham in a time of famine.
Isaac sowed and reaped 100 fold in a time of famine
God provided for the prophets Elijah and Elisha and the widow chosen to help them in famine

The Churches of Asia sent aid to Jerusalem and the Judean brethren during a great famine
Financial gurus, wall street brokers, heads of the nation's most prestigious banks and some of the brightest minds of our times are all in a quandary about how to solve the present emergency. It seems that "all the king's horses and all the king's men" cannot put our economy back together again. The same hurricane that is blowing against us is also blowing down the house down next door.

But Jesus said if we obey Him and practice what He says, we will build on a foundation that will weather the storms and remain standing when everything around us is being washed away. If we follow God's divine principles and stay connected with a community of believers who are walking in truth, we will make it through this crisis- just as millions have done before us. Our fathers survived the ancient crises of the Old Testament. Prophets were miraculously provided for during famine. And the early church disciples endured many and varied trials and came through them all victoriously. If they made it we can make it.

From a biblical perspective, how do we get through such severe financial catastrophe?
Remember first, we all need community, a local church of loving friends and family of believers to stand with us. When one is lacking, others provide. In the very first church, there was none that lacked because they met each other's needs out a selfless desire to help.

Believers also have a secret advantage. We have a divine connection with the provision of God Almighty through our prayers. Simple asking evokes simple provision. The same God who multiplied loaves and fishes for Jesus and the disciples, is the same God we serve. Ask and you shall receive!

How important it is also to renew our minds and think God's thoughts when facing a crisis. If we spend our time just meditating on the bad news, we will be discouraged and our faith will be drained. But faith comes when we hear the Word of the Lord, made alive by the Holy Spirit and giving us daily guidance.

Out of the faith base of the Bible, a personal relationship with the Lord and the connections of a community of believers, sprouts another crop that blossoms in the heart of every faith filled follower of Christ. Wisdom comes from God. It comes when we meditate day and night on His Word and it comes from walking with wise men. . One decision can make or break a family's finances or a business's momentum. Don't make major decisions alone, in time of crisis. Seek the Lord, ask for counsel and make sure and careful steps during these times.

Lastly, don't stop doing what got you this far. We tithed by faith trusting our Heavenly Father to keep the windows of heaven open over our lives. We gave and sowed seed into the lives and needs of others. We can now trust that the harvest of what we planted will come back to us. And no one who has given to the poor will be forgotten by God. He Himself will repay anything we have given in His name to those in need. If, in a time of testing, I panic and start to withhold, I run the risk of stopping with life giving flow of faith and love that runs through my life.

There are many practical things each of us can do to walk wisely during times like these but the greatest thing we can do, is position ourselves in faith to maintain our trust in God, Jehovah Jireh, who has always helped us and always will. Going through tough times- ask God to give you tougher faith; fight the good fight of faith and take a stand. The storm will pass. Your foundation will remain and your life will reflect the pleasure of God who rewards those who walk by faith!

Shayans Law: or How'd You Like to Pay Out Of Pocket For Autism treatments?

2009-02-26T15:05:00.000-08:00

I found this blog today and had to share as we are trying to get Shayans Law passed.

Shayan's Law or: How'd You Like To Pay Out Of Pocket For All Your Doctors?

http://geeked-up.blogspot.com/2009/01/shayans-law-or-howd-you-like-to-pay-out.html

You want to know something that's really awesome? When I take Bug to his doctor visits regarding his Asperger's (high functioning autism), I only have to pay around $200 a visit. I'm lucky, because his autism is high functioning and the free programs via his school system plus work I'm able to do from home are enough to get him along every day and help him succeed.There are families out there with children who have autism far more severe than Bug, who pay thousands a month for their treatment. Because Washington State does NOT require any insurance coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorder treatment.

Which means all costs--the expensive doctors: the main doctor, the speech therapist, the behavioral therapist, play therapy and even medication, comes straight out of parent's already-tight pockets (Thanks economy!).

People have been forced to move out of their homes to be able to afford treatment for their children, which is absolutely monstrous. Treatment these kids thrive on, treatments that help them adjust and succeed in every day life are seen as 'optional', I've met doctors who give LESS of a damn about what they do because they think they won't get paid and some parents aren't able to get their kids the aid they need at all because of the cost.Some very excellent and hard-working people have put together Shayan's Law, and passing it will mean insurance companies must cover ASD treatment in our state. This cause is a very near and dear one to my heart, as it directly affects not just my own family, but tons of other wonderful people across the state.

If you guys could take ten minutes today to show your support for us, yourselves and other people you know, that'd be wonderful. I don't really do this kind of thing often, but it's extremely important this law gets passed and what better platform to turn to than you guys?Thanks, all, we really appreciate it (and just to note, the phone script isn't mine).

Two Ways You Can Help
By Phone: Make nine brief calls to the Senate health care committee members' offices and read them the following script:
Hi. My name is _____________. I live in ______, and I want to ask you a favor. I have/know a (child/grandchild/godson with autism) or (am a teacher/ therapist of a child with autism), and I would like for you to vote yes!!! for Shayan's Law-Senate Bill 5203.Shayan's law provides medically necessary treatments for autism. Please vote 'yes' on this bill.

Karen Keiser, Chair: (360) 786-7664
Rosa Franklin, Vice Chair: (360) 786-7656
Randi Becker: (360) 786-7602
Cheryl Pflug: (360) 786-7608
Darlene Fairley: (360) 786-7662
Chris Marr: (360) 786-7610
Ed Murray: (360) 786-7628
Linda Evans Parlette: (360) 786-7622
Margarita Prentice: (360) 786-7616

If the Legislator or Legislative Aide asks for more information about the bill, refer him or her to Arzu Forough, Arzu@WashingtonAutismAdvocacy.org

By email:

1. CALL AND EMAIL THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE, Senator Karen Keiser, today and continue to call her for the next 48 hours. Ask her to please schedule a vote on Shayan's Law in an executive session! Share your personal stories and convey the following message: Autism is a treatable medical condition. Insurance should cover the treatment. Be polite and persistent. Ask her to please schedule the bill for an executive session vote so that it can continue through the legislative process! Keep dialing until you get through!

Call Senator Karen Keiser - (360) 786-7664
Send an Email to Senator Karen Keiser HERE!

2. CALL AND EMAIL THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE, Representative Eileen Cody, today and continue to call her for the next 48 hours. Ask her to schedule a hearing for Shayan's Law! Share your personal stories and convey the following message: Autism is a treatable medical condition. Insurance should cover the treatment. Be polite and persistent. Ask her to please schedule the bill for an executive session vote so that it can continue through the legislative process! Keep dialing until you get through!

Call Representative Eileen Cody - (360) 786-7978
Send an Email to Representative Elieen Cody HERE!

How cool-- Chalkboard Paint

2009-02-25T16:47:00.000-08:00

Since my sons bedroom could use a bit of repainting (perhaps a light blue color, since the color blue has a calming effect-- LOL) I thought this would be a great idea for one of Noah's bedroom walls as well, but use "magnetic" chalkboard paint. :)

Look! Chalkboard Paint on a Kitchen Wall
We see so many cool things that people do in their homes, and this one seemed perfect for Art Month, since you can make the art yourself.
This comes to us from Brenda and Dave in Chicago. They used chalkboard paint not just to paint a patch of their wall, but to paint the WHOLE wall. Now they are and their son can scribble and keep notes and numbers on the kitchen wall without anyone getting into trouble. (thanks, B & D!)

LINKS
How to make chalkboard paint yourself
Chuck's Magic chalkboard paint
Benjamin Moore's chalkboard paint

Steals and Deals....

2009-02-24T10:36:00.000-08:00

Great website! Just click on the icon to go to their page: :)

20 Things that I have learned about Life :)

2009-02-10T09:42:00.001-08:00

"Life is a Journey, not a Destination!"

I was just brainstorming the other day & since my birthday is next week; I had fun looking back & jotting down a few things that I have learned about life & myself along the way.:) Wow-- I sure have grown! :)

I've learned that:

1. I believe that the Lord puts dreams in our hearts for a good reason. Give your dreams over to God & trust that he will work them out in his own timing and not our own! :)

2. In elementary school, I occasionally got into trouble for staring out the window and daydreaming. Today, I am still dreaming with childlike faith & I still dream big! Ive also learned that when a dream dies, then just dream another dream for another opportunity to come my way! :)

3. Share your dreams with those who understand and and can be supportive. Life is full of naysayers, so I try to not to let them discourage me & give up on the dreams that the Lord has put in my heart! :)

4. Attitude is everything-- choosing to be positive makes a big difference in rising above adversities! Ive heard it said that our ATTITUDE determines our ALTITUDE in life. :)

5. Dont sweat the small stuff and pick your battles carefully. Life is just too complicated as it is! :)

6. Forgive others quickly & turn offenses over to God. Holding unforgiveness in our hearts is like drinking poison ourselves and wishing the other person dead & a hazard to our health!
I'd rather focus on what someone has done FOR me, rather that TO me. :)

7. Having a child diagnosed with Autism isnt a death sentence-- It just means that the Lord trusted me & my husband enough to care for this very special child . I feel honored that we are entrusted with Noahs care.

8. Everyone is not going to like me and that is okay, cause I like who I am. I no longer let others opinions define me.

9. Standing up for what I believe in, even if it means losing a few friends along the way!

10. To Not take things so personally.... why carry the burden?

11. Sometimes when someone/something annoys me, it is like looking into a mirror image of a certain weakness inside of myself that needs my attention. This can be good thing, even though its painful sometimes... cause we all want to grow, right???

12. The word "FEAR" is just False Evidence Appearing Real!

13. Dont live in the past, cause I cant move forward if I am still looking backward!

14. Dont waste precious time worrying about what others think-- cause I wont always be able to please everyone.

15. If I dont like my circumstances and I cant change them, then I try to change the way that I think about it. Getting a fresh perspective & looking for the bright side of somthing surely works!

16. To not beat myself up over past mistakes and things that I cant change or have no control over. I'd rather focus on my milestones and not my mistakes.

17. Home is wherever we make it and it is so much more than my familys address whether it be a house or an apartment. Besides, its the memories that I cherish the most... :) I still have fond memories of when I was a single Mom living in an apartment with my 'tween boys before I met and married Joel.

18. To treat our grown children as equals and enjoy their friendship. I may or may not always like their choices, but I have to realize that I have to cut the apron strings sometime and give them the freedom to make their own choices/mistakes or how will they learn and grow?

19. I never let a day go by without telling my children/family/spouse how much I love them, cause tommorrow is never certain.

20. Its okay to indulge every now and then to get away from the kids.
Ive heard it said that "Put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others," which is so very true& time away from my kids makes me a better Mom!

Top 10 Blessings

2009-01-30T14:48:00.000-08:00

Here are the Top 10 blessings when you live in God's grace-
Romans chapter 8 :)

1. Peace (8:1) - no matter the circumstances, you can experience and live in God's peace

2. Life (8:6) - there is life and joy when you abide in God and trust his promises and principles

3. Wonderful relationship to God as our Father (8:15-16) - The Holy God of the Universe is our Father! Wow!!

4. Access to God's riches (8:17a) - what Christ has is yours, you are co-heir with Jesus Christ to all heaven's riches!

5. Privilege of suffering for Christ (8:17b-18) - might sound like a weird blessing, but many Christians can testify to a fantastic intimacy and a fantastic growth in their relationship with God during suffering for Christ!

6. Power of the Holy Spirit (8:26) - The Holy Spirit lives in you. He helps you, he guides you and he constantly intercedes for you!

7. Assurance that God loves us (8:28) - God loves you just the way you are!

8. Promise that we'll get all we need (8:31-32) - God, your Father, takes care of you and will give you all you need!

9. Victory over all evil (8:37) - God if for us! Who can be against us?

10.Assurance of remaining in God's love (8:38-39) - God will never let you go! He'll always love you!

Walking By Faith

2009-01-28T13:14:00.001-08:00

I received this devotional in my email box today & thought it had a nice message :)

Walking By Faith
Robin Ware

Walking by faith is one of the shortest and yet most powerful sentences a believer can say. As a single woman over the age of 40 and small business owner, this is my life's testimony. The world wants you to believe that there is something wrong with a life like mine because I'm still single and childless.

They want you to believe that if you aren't keeping up with the Joneses and that you aren't living a fulfilled life. Pretty hilarious, huh? I know that I'm God's best and as I walk by faith, He is completing me as I joyfully tell my teasers that my life is more complete than theirs.

As you walk out your dreams, here are some great tips to ensure that walking by faith is an enjoyable experience:

1. Pray that God will reveal to you his desires for your life. It's a mature walk when you can honestly confess to God that you want his desires to be your desires and to break you until you're walking in harmony.

2. Become disciplined in your time with God. Be honest with yourself and admit you aren't studying enough and you aren't sure how to study. Consider a bible reading program that will direct you to read the Bible in a Year.

You have it in you to do this. 2 Timothy 2:15 teaches us to "be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth".

3. Surround yourself with others that are walking by faith in this season. As a Girl Scout, I was taught to make new friends but keep the old; it's the same concept. It's time to grow in all areas of your life this year. Don't be afraid to cut sub-tractors, distractors, and whiners out of your life.

4. Celebrate others when their harvests arrive. It's a great sign that you are next!

5. Sow where you want to grow. Find a mentor and devote (sow) time to work with them. Work with a servant's heart. Be committed, dedicated and trustworthy.

As you walk by faith, you will strengthen your belief and grow in confidence in knowing that you can be all that God said you could be no matter where you began your journey. You will now understand that challenges are merely new opportunities for you to reach your greatness.

Finally, your life will truly be blessed. Everything that you touch will provide you with a blessed life and no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Get Organized in 2009

2009-01-21T13:44:00.000-08:00

This year, say goodbye to clutter, once and for all and finally start to feel like there are enough hours in the day. Just make a New Year’s resolution to get organized—it’s much easier than you think! Follow these 7 steps and you can reclaim your space, your time, and your sanity in 2009.

First, rethink your space and how it affects your life. Take a look around your home or office—can you quickly find your grandma’s recipe for brownies, your favorite pair of winter boots, or your client contact lists? Or do you have to rummage through piles?

Evaluate how you use your time. Do you struggle to get things done, like errands, household chores, and other projects? Is it hard to decide what to do first and what can wait until tomorrow?

After you’ve decided what aspects of your daily routine could use a makeover, start thinking about how you can change them. An easy approach is to make lists. Jot down all the unorganized areas in your home and workplace, as well as daily tasks that are particularly time-consuming.

Once your list is complete, start adding possible solutions to each problem. Because it’s important that you have the right supplies to stay organized, these solutions can also work as a ‘grocery list’ of items that will help you. Here are two examples:

Problem: Overstuffed closet
Solution: Get closet organizers and hangers with extra racks for pants. Put old, rarely worn clothes into large trash bags and donate them to charity.

Problem: No time for exercise
Solution: Exercise first thing in the morning, before other must-do, last-minute tasks get in the way. If you can, do something else at the same time, like reviewing notes from yesterday’s office meeting.

Using your list, get the supplies you need. Look for items and furniture that are designed with compartments, such as drawers, folders, or cubbies that will allow you to easily put things away in the same place each day. Avoid anything that might just add more clutter to your space, like oversized, clunky desks.

Create daily to-do lists. Each night before bed, write out everything you want to accomplish the next day. Put the most important tasks at the top of the list, so they get finished right away. For even better results, write out an itinerary complete with time slots for each activity, and keep it with you throughout the day so you stay on schedule.

Make it a habit to stay organized. The hardest part about reorganizing your life is sticking with it. But the more often you put things away and manage your time well, the easier it will be to keep it up. Reinforce these same habits with your family—there’s strength in numbers!

New Year Goal: Clearing a Space for Change.

2009-01-16T09:17:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

I know its taken me a couple weeks to post, but I have been busy putting away Holiday decorations and getting daily schedules back on track since my 7 year old son's Winter Break is over & we're back to the school morning routine for the past 2 weeks now. I got spoiled being able to sleep in past 7AM while on Winter Break... it took awhile to get back into routine & still slowly getting there! With the cold, Northwest Winter mornings, it is harder to get motivated in the morning! You can say that I am anxiously counting down the days until Spring! Only 9 weeks away! :)

One of the goals that I made for myself for this New Year is to simplify my life & focus on what really matters. To achieve this goal, I have been going through our house and bagging up household items that we no longer need & donating them to charity. So far, Ive donated 4 large trash bags full of items that we no longer use or don't really need. I even e-cycled our old tv that doesnt work along with 2 old computer moniters that have been taking up space in our garage. It really has been liberating!

Ive been doing this in baby steps since it is easy to get overwhelmed to tackle it all at once & made it a goal to get it all finished by early-late Spring! I found an article that reflects on my new goal. Enjoy!

Clearing a Space for Change
The Weight of Objects

In life, we tend to have an easier time acquiring possessions than we do getting rid of them. Just as we harbor emotional baggage that is difficult to let go of, our lives can tend to be filled with material objects that we may feel compelled to hold on to. Most people are not conscious of how much they own and how many of their possessions are no longer adding value to their life. They fiercely hold on to material objects because this makes them feel secure or comfortable. While it’s true that the ownership of “stuff” can make you feel good for awhile, it seldom satisfies the deep inner longings that nearly everyone has for fulfillment and satisfaction. It is only when we are ready to let go of our baggage and be vulnerable that it becomes possible to recognize the emotional hold that our possessions can have on us.

It’s not uncommon to hold on to material objects because we are attached to them or fear the empty spaces that will remain if we get rid of them. Giving away the souvenirs from a beloved voyage may feel like we are erasing the memory of that time in our life. We may also worry that our loved ones will feel hurt if we don’t keep the gifts they’ve given us. It’s easy to convince ourselves that unused possessions might come in handy someday or that parting with them will cause you emotional pain. However, when your personal space is filled with objects, there is no room for anything new to enter and stay in your life. Your collection of belongings may “protect” you from the uncertainties of an unknown future while keeping you stuck in the past. Holding on to unnecessary possessions often goes hand in hand with holding on to pain, anger, and resentment, and letting go of your material possessions may help you release emotional baggage.

When you make a conscious decision to fill your personal space with only the objects that you need or bring you joy, your energy level will soar. Clearing your personal space can lead to mental clarity and an improved memory. As you learn to have a more practical and temporary relationship to objects, positive changes will happen, and you’ll have space to create the life that you desire.

12 Steps to A Prosperous New Year

2008-12-31T16:13:00.000-08:00

I found this on Beingfrugal.net and wanted to share the great tips :)

As the year draws to a close, it’s natural to start looking ahead and planning for the new year. Some people make resolutions; others set goals. Regardless of your preference, making a plan for next year can help you achieve your financial goals. Here are a few rules to get you started.

1. Face the Facts

If you have no idea where you stand financially, now is the time to face the facts. Write down all your debt. Add it up. It might be scary, but as Dr. Phil says, “You can’t change what you won’t acknowledge.” Look at your debt vs. your income. You owe yourself some honesty. And once you know the facts, you can make a plan to change your situation.

2. Spend Less Than You Earn

Make a commitment right now to spend less than you earn. That is the only way to get yourself on sure financial footing. If you have a problem running up a balance on credit cards when you run out of money, stop using the cards. Cut them up or freeze them. Just make a commitment to spend less than you earn.

3. Pay Yourself First…or Second

With every paycheck you receive next year, take a little bit off the top for savings. If you’re a Christian and believe in tithing, as I do, pay yourself right after you tithe. But pay yourself before you pay your bills. It’s only through building a comfortable savings account that you can step away from living paycheck to paycheck.

4. Prioritize

Remember that you can have anything you want, but you can’t have everything you want. With savings and persistence, almost any goal is achievable. But if you’re trying to buy a house, take a trip to Italy, be a stay at home mom, and drive a BMW, things might not work out too well. Decide what is most important to you in life, and work on that.

5. Make a Spending Plan

You can’t make any changes without knowing what changes need to be made. If you don’t know where your money is going, you can’t make the changes necessary to improve your financial situation. A budget isn’t restricting. It’s just a plan for your money. If it’s not working for you, change it. But have a plan.

6. Educate Yourself

Wherever you are in your financial situation, learn about the next step. Do you have a great emergency fund, and find yourself ready to begin investing, but don’t know where to begin? Check out books from the library. Read blogs. Meet with a financial professional.

Do you need to cut back your budget? Do the same. We live in a day and age where information is easily available. Use it.

7. Stop Trying to Keep Up With the Jonses

Don’t you know that the Joneses are in debt and living on the edge? Learn to be content where you are. You can strive for more, but don’t live the lifestyle until you have the money to pay cash. You’ll sleep a lot better at night.

8. Give

Giving has a strange and wonderful effect on people. It takes our eyes off our own needs and places them squarely on the needs of others. When we realize that other people are struggling, too, our own situation seems less dire.

If you can’t give financially, volunteer your time. Read to kids in schools. Work in a soup kitchen. Visit the elderly in a retirement home. The possibilities are endless, and everyone has something to give.

9. Reduce Your Waste

Become a conscious consumer. Make sure that you really need the things you buy. Make sure you will use the things you buy. Recycle what you can. By becoming aware of how much you are wasting and trying to reduce it, you naturally start to spend less and use less. It’s better for the environment and your pocketbook.

10. Spend Time With Your Family

If you’re a parent, make sure you take time to spend with your children. Go to the park. Play a board game. Spend time doing free things together. Teach your children that they don’t need to buy everything on their wish list to be fulfilled. Remember that on your deathbed, all the stuff in the world won’t matter, compared to the relationships you had…or didn’t have…with those you love.

11. Give Yourself Permission to Fail

Nobody is perfect. So many resolutions fail each year, because people start out determined to follow their plan…and then they blow it. Go into the year knowing you will blow it in one fashion or another. Expect it. Deal with it. Pick yourself up and move on. Improving your financial situation is not about being perfect. It’s about continually moving in the right direction and learning from your mistakes along the way.

12. Find a Good Support System

If you’re trying not to spend money, don’t hang out every weekend with people who are spending like there’s no tomorrow. Find people who share your values and support each other. If you can’t find anyone in your life, look online. There are blogs like this one where frugal-minded people are constantly sharing ideas. Jump in and participate! There’s always room for more.

Whatever your goals are for next year, make a good plan. As Paidtwice said on the first day of this series, “failure to plan is planning to fail.” You can have a prosperous new year, but it’s not going to just fall into your lap. Figure out what you need to do. Then do it.

Christmas is in the Air

2008-12-10T12:15:00.000-08:00

Happy December everyone! Its hard to believe that 2008 is coming to a close. I guess its true what they say about the older you get, the faster time passes.

We're enjoying everything that Christmas brings at our house. Our 7 year old just loves to watch the Holiday specials and we were happy to see the Polar Express a few times since we first saw it in the theatre back in 2004, when he was only 3 years old.. Wow!

I remember when my 19 year old son, Jeremy first read the book when he was in elementary school and it now has passed the tradition down to his younger brother.

I love to watch my son's child-like faith that believes in Santa. In fact, even at my age, I still do believe in Santa-- He lives on in every one of us who chooses to believe in the Spirit of giving! My husband laughs as I want to bless everyone at Christmas time and I always tell him "It is better to give than receive" as I think of someone else that I hadnt added to my Christmas list. Thankfully, making treats from our kitchen seems to fit our budget. After all, who doesnt like homemade sweets and treats?? LOL :)

Speaking of giving...Here is a little Holiday treat from our house to yours....

Merry Christmas everyone... and remember... they say that Seeing is Believing, but I do believe that "Believing IS Seeing".... its a little thing called Faith! :)

Enjoy!

November Reflections

2008-11-03T13:34:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that its November already! Where did the year go? Before we know it, there will be turkey & trimmings on our tables (say that five times fast.. LOL) and then indulging in the Holiday shopping season.

We just started a new tradition in our household. I really needed something to lift my spirits after our home being on the real estate market for 3 months and two offers that fell through. We decided to take a temporary withdrawal off the market for the Holiday season... who needs the extra stress right??? The Holidays seem to always bring stress of their own. I felt in my spirit that I needed to reconnect to the things that really matter... cause the last few months have been stressful, to say the least.

So--- For every day in Nov, my 7 year old son Noah and I think of 3 things to be thankful for that day. Ive heard this idea from somewhere and by the end of the month it really is supposed to change your perspective on things. Try it for yourself and see what happens! :)

November brings the chance to share one of my favorite songs by Josh Groban that I discovered last year. The words speak for themselves, but there is so much to be thankful for! Truly! :)

Just Promoting my friends website :)

2008-10-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

Some long time friends of mine just started an online business & thought I would help them out my blogging their website. You can go to the link of their actual webpage at www.creditonline321.net. :)

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The Attorney that Never Lost a Case

2008-10-23T16:53:00.000-07:00

After living what I felt was a 'decent' life, my time on earth came to the end.

The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house.The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.

As I looked around I saw the 'prosecutor.'He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen. I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in fullflowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn't take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, 'Let us begin.'

The prosecutor rose and said, 'My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this woman belongs in hell.' He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the past when I cheated others Satan told of other horrible Perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done? Satan finished with a fury and said, 'This woman belongs in hell,she is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.'

When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench.

The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan,and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him inHis full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, 'Hi,Dad,' and then He turned to address the court. Satan was correct in saying that this woman had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this woman deserves to be punished. Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father withoutstretched arms and proclaimed, 'However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and she has accepted Me as her Savior, so she is Mine.'

My Lord continued with, 'Her name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch her from Me. Satan still does not understand yet. This woman is not to be given justice, but rather mercy.' As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, 'There is nothing else that needs to be done.''I've done it all. 'The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down.

The following words bellowed from His lips.. 'This woman is free.''The penalty for her has already been paid in full.''Case dismissed. 'As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, 'I won't give up, I will win the next one. 'I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, 'Have you ever lost a case?'

Christ lovingly smiled and said,'Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you, ~Paid in full!

Awakening to Change

2008-10-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

Awakening to Change
Being Aware is the First Step

Life is a journey comprised of many steps on our personal path that takes us down a winding road of constant evolution. And each day, we are provided with a myriad of opportunities that can allow us to transform into our next best selves. One moment we are presented with an opportunity to react differently when yet another someone in our life rubs us the wrong way; on another day we may find ourselves wanting to walk away from a particular circumstance but are not sure if we can.

Eventually, we may find ourselves stuck in a rut that we can never seem to get out of. We may even make the same choices over and over again because we don’t know how to choose otherwise. Rather than moving us forward, our personal paths may take us in a seemingly never-ending circle where our actions and choices lead us nowhere but to where we’ve already been. It is during these moments that awareness can be the first step to change.

Awareness is when we are able to realize what we are doing. We observe ourselves, noticing our reactions, actions, and choices as if we were a detached viewer. Awareness is the first step to change because we can’t make a change unless we are aware that one needs to be made in the first place. We can then begin understanding why we are doing what we are doing.

Afterward, it becomes difficult not to change because we are no longer asleep to the truth behind our behaviors. We also begin to realize that, just as much as we are the root source behind the causes for our behaviors, we are also the originator for any changes that we want to happen. There is a freedom that comes with awareness.

Rather than thinking that we are stuck in a repetitive cycle where there is no escape, we begin to see that we very much play a hand in creating our lives. Whether we are aware of them or not, our behaviors and choices are always ours to make. Our past and our present no longer have to dictate our future when we choose to be aware.

We are then free to move beyond our old limits, make new choices, and take new actions. With awareness, our paths can’t help but wind us forward in our lives while paving the way for new experiences and new ways of being. It is through awareness that we can continue to consciously evolve.

Man Charged with Threatening Autistic Boy

2008-10-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

News like this angers me to no end. Im sure this man would feel different if he was in the other parents shoes! Sheesh!

Man charged with threatening autistic boy

YouNewsTV™

By KOMO Staff
Watch the story

SEATTLE -- A Seattle man accused of threatening his neighbor's autistic son pleaded not guilty Thursday in King County Superior Court to two counts of malicious harrassment, the state's hate crime statute. Mark J. Levison, 48, was arrested October 2 for allegedly yelling profanities at Chris Engen and saying that he "did not want to see that idiot staring at my house." Engen told investigators that the comments were in reference to his 13-year-old son, who suffers from severe autism. According to court documents, Levison did not answer his door when officers arrived, and stared blankly "in a drunken stupor" before he was arrested.

Levison allegedly told police that he wanted the boy's parents "to keep that (expletive) idiot out of sight." At the time of the October 2 incident, Levison was already under a court order to stay away from the Engen family because of previous threats.

On July 8, Levison allegedly threatened to burn down the Engen's house if they didn't keep their son in the backyard where he would not have to look at him. Engen said the incident began when Levison began yelling and walked across the street. "That's when he became threatening, and that's when he threatened to burn down his bedroom ... my son's bedroom, if he didn't go inside," Engen said.

The boy's mother called police. When officers arrested Levison for the threat they say he smelled of booze.The police report says he kept ranting about the boy."I pay $1,000 a month rent and shouldn't have to see that idiot spinning around and staring at my house," Levison said, according to the July police report.Levison is being held in the King County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.

A Certain Faith in Troubled Times

2008-10-14T10:23:00.001-07:00

A good word in troubled times! :)

A Certain Faith in Uncertain Times
Dr. David C. Cooper

Where do we turn in uncertain times? In times like these Psalm 121 brings a message of assurance: "I will lift my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." The psalmist looked to a higher source of strength beyond what he could find on a human plane.

The ascent psalms of 120-134 (15 total) were written over a diverse period of time, some by David. They were arranged in their order after the Babylonian exile. They were sung during the festivals of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. The ascent described the upward journey out of Babylon back to Jerusalem.

The city of Jerusalem and its temple are always described in Scripture as being "up." We always go up to the house of the Lord. In the Mishnah, the rabbis say that the 15 psalms correlate with the fifteen steps that lead up to the temple although there is no Scriptural support of this position.

Life with God is always an ascent, never a descent. Yet, the fact that it is an ascent reminds us that the walk of faith is indeed a journey not a destination, a direction not merely a decision. The purpose of the arrangement for these 15 psalms is not certain. However, they do begin with the pilgrim in exile and surrounded by pagans (120:5-6) in the land of Meshech, located in central Asia Minor and Kedar, in Arabia. His pilgrimage takes him to the house of the Lord (122:1) and finally, into the presence of the Lord himself where he declares, "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord" (134:2).

I will lift up my eyes to the hills and to the Lord. The "hills" are Mount Zion on which is at Jerusalem, the Temple and its surrounding mountains. The hills in its plural usage refer to the majesty of God revealed in Jerusalem (see Ps 48:1-2; 125:2). The Lord watches over Israel. The phrase "watches over" appears five times in this psalm. God is the guardian of His people. God is also "the Maker of heaven and earth." Not only is He the Creator, He is the only true God in contrast to the pagan deities of the ancient world (Deut 6:4; Ps 124:8; 134:3).

This psalm calls to a life of complete trust. The affirmation of faith, "I will lift up my eyes." Faith looks up, beyond the limitations of the self and human resources, and trusts the heavenly Father who alone does all things well. Instead of looking out at our circumstances in fear, let us look up in faith!

Emptiness Becomes Openness

2008-10-10T18:39:00.000-07:00

I can really relate to this since my 18 year old son moved out & on his own

Even though he moved out in April; It didnt really hit me until school started in Sept. I have to admit that I am really feeling the void of not having him around everyday, even though we have our 7 year old living at home. It really feels like the end of an era! *sniff*

I am ready for new beginnings, new opportunities and experiences ... we have been trying to sell our home (its been on the market since this Summer) & relocate to another state.

I guess the New beginning that I am yearning for will have to wait until Spring '09, as we plan to take a Holiday break and take our home off the market and re-list it in the Spring. Who needs the stress over the Holiday anyway? LOL.

I guess I will just have to keep trusting the Lord until then. Who knows what is just around the corner, but I know the Lord always has our best interests at heart!

Emptiness Becomes Openness
Sometimes a Loss Can Be a Gain

When we lose anything that we cherish, the sense of emptiness we are left behind with can be overwhelming. A space that was filled, whether in our lives or our hearts, is now a void, and the feelings of pain, loss, and separation can sometimes be difficult to bear. While it is always important to honor what we’ve lost, sometimes a loss can also represent a chance for a new beginning.

When we are ready, the void left by a relationship, a job, or a dream can then be viewed as open space that can be filled with something new: new experiences, new knowledge, new job opportunities, new dreams, new people, and new ways to grow. There are many ways to weave the threads of loss into a blessing.

If you’ve lost a job or ended a relationship, your first thoughts may revolve around filling the void with a similar job or the same kind of relationship. Try not to rush into anything just to fill up the emptiness. The loss of a job can free you up to explore new opportunities, especially if you’ve outgrown the old one. Likewise, the loss of a relationship can give you a chance to rediscover your own interests, explore new passions, and meet different people.

If seeking the good in what seems like a bad situation makes you feel uncomfortable, then try to remember that you are not devaluing what you’ve lost or replacing it cold-heartedly. You are surrendering to the fact that, in life, we sometimes have to let go and allow for what is new to enter into the open spaces created by our losses. In doing so, you are honoring what has left you and welcoming the new into your life with open space, an open mind, and an open heart.

Birthday Gathering Videos

2008-09-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

One my favorite features on my camera is the ability to finally be able to get audio with video! We had a family gathering last Sunday to celebrate my husband Joel's birthday (9/28) and just 4 days later, Noah and Joels Mom share the same birthday on Oct 2nd.

Here are a couple fun videos... As you can see; Noah really loves to sing the Birthday song!

And another cute one of Noah singing up on the stairs landing at Grandma and grandpas

In God We Trust-- My Pastors Perspective :)

2008-09-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

In God We Trust
Pastor Wendell Smith

It is the slogan emblazoned on all our money. In these uncertain times of national financial crisis, it is exactly what we need. Wouldn't it be refreshing to see our political leaders call our nation to prayer and ask for God's help in this predicament? Wouldn't it be revolutionary to see congressmen join hands and pray together? Wouldn't it be great if America humbled herself, as in days of old, and sought divine assistance?

Yes, practical steps must be taken to save the financial system from collapse. Yes, some institutions need to be rescued lest we all go down with their sinking ships. Most definitely, those who have driven us into this mess with their corporate greed should be confronted and forced to pay back all that may be loaned to them.

However, there are some things we can all do to lighten the ship and rescue others from shipwreck in this horrendous storm. While putting our trust in God, we should take these steps of action:

Pray for those in authority that they will understand the times, know what to do, and humble themselves to work together to solve our national dilemma.

Humble ourselves and repent of any pride, greed or self-reliance

Scrutinize our own financial stewardship and make certain we are "diversifying"; we should be tithing to the church, giving to others in need, blessing the poor, laying up money in savings and wise investments for the future. These are God's means of diversifying for believers.

In the mean time, as we prayerfully wait out this storm, let's get back to simply trusting God and encouraging others to do the same.

God bless America (so we can continue blessing others)!
For the City,

Pastor Wendell

Late Night Kitchen Time w/ Josh Groban

2008-09-25T13:58:00.000-07:00

His second video blog!

Late Night Kitchen Time from Josh Groban on Vimeo.

What is Unseen

2008-09-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal".
II Cor. 4:18

I ran across this scripture today and it really spoke to my heart. Now that the Fall season is here, the holidays will be following just right around the corner. During the Holidays, we gather with family and friends, but we also begin to prepare our Christmas wish lists before hand.

I was just thinking about this the other day as I was browsing the Sunday sale ads for the stores. My husband casually showed me the stainless steel appliances that were advertised in a sales ad and my flesh literally was going through the "gotta have that" attitude.

Then my spirit overrided my flesh (or soul) and spoke to me saying "Does it really matter if your kitchen has stainless steel appliances or not ? What matters the most is to be content with what you have, Paula. What is seen is only temporary" Now, That really brought me back to reality and changed my perspective!

Sooo--- I am working on being more content in my environment and circumstances. Back in 2004, the Lord blessed us with a beautiful townhouse. Its a matter of working on getting my soul and spirit to work in unison is the key!

We put our townhouse on the market over the Summer, in hopes to relocate to Texas when it is sold. Originally, I am a Southern California native-- but I have lived here in Washington State for over 30 years (gasp!) LOL. My spirit (and body too) just yearns to return in a warmer climate, where there is a low cost of living, and our family can get spiritually fed in a new home church.

My husband and I also have the goal of becoming totally debt free and eventually owning a house with no mortgage. (Even though I won 250K towards our home, we had to take out a mortgage in 2004 just to pay the taxes.)

At this point there have been about a dozen showings, a couple Open Houses and we even an offer back in August that was shortlived, due the buyers had to retract due unforeseen financial issues.

Even though we still have faith that our house will sell eventually (even with a slow real estate market!!!! Cause I know that the Lord has the ability to override anything that is seen with our eyes & can do "exceeding and abundantly anything above than we can even ask or think"-Ephesians 3:20)

But for now....I have decided to be content with the Lord's plans for our lives. If we are meant to stay here in Washington for a little while longer, then I gladly give God that control-- cause what is unseen is eternal and I refuse to fight against the Lords will for my life. :)

What Your Brain Looks like on Faith

2008-09-24T10:08:00.001-07:00

I found this rather interesting.... :)

Scan of a brain

What Your Brain looks like on Faith

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1694723,00.html?xid=feed-yahoo-full-nation-related
By David Van Biema

Sam Harris is best known for his barn-burning 2004 attack on religion, The End of Faith, which spent 33 weeks on the New York Times best-seller List. The book's sequel, Letter to a Christian Nation also came out in editions totalling hundreds of thousands. Last Monday, however, the combative Californian produced a shorter (seven pages) and seemingly calmer publication that will be a hit if it reaches 10,000 readers: "Functional Neuroimaging of Belief, Disbelief and Uncertainty." It appears in the respected journal Annals of Neurology. And Harris, 40, claims it has little if any connection to his two popular books. Believers, however, may draw their own conclusions — and may want to read his subsequent neurological studies even more carefully.

The current paper recovers Harris's identity as a doctoral candidate in neuroscience at UCLA, his occupation before he commenced what he calls his "extramural affair jumping into trenches in the culture wars." It is an addition to the growing field of brain scan trials, and Harris thinks it may be the first to detail how the brain processes belief. At first read, it seems less dangerous to Christianity than to another cherished pillar of Western thought — that "objective" beliefs like "2 + 2 = 4" and "subjective" beliefs like "torture is bad" belong to entirely separate categories of thought.

Harris and two co-authors ran 360 statements by 14 adult subjects whose brain activities were then scanned by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) devices. It suggests that within the brain pan, at least, the distinction between objective and subjective is not so clear-cut. Although more complex assertions may get analyzed in so-called "higher" areas of the brain, all seem to get their final stamp of "belief" or disbelief in "primitive" locales traditionally associated with emotions or taste and odor. Even "2 + 2 = 4," on some level, is a question of taste. Thus, the statement "that just doesn't smell right to me" may be more literal than we thought.

Harris tested how the brain responded to assertions in seven categories: mathematical, geographic, semantic, factual, autobiographical, ethical and religious. All seven provided some useful data, but only the ones relating to math and ethics produced results clear enough to give a vivid picture of the way the simple and the complex, the subjective and the objective intertwine. Regardless of their content, statements that the subjects believed lit up the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (VMPC), a location in the brain best known for processing reward, emotion and taste. Equally "primitive" areas associated with taste, pain perception and disgust determined disbelief. "False propositions may actually disgust us," Harris writes.
Is there a practical application here? He speculates that if belief brain scanning were sufficiently refined it could act as an accurate lie detector and help control for the placebo effect in drug design.

Harris says there is no critique of faith hidden somewhere in his brief paper. But his next neurological enterprise may be another matter. He is planning an fMRI run that will concentrate specifically on religious faith, which Harris thinks he now knows how to plumb more deeply. He also plans to set up two different subject groups — the faithful and non-believers. "That way," among other things, he says, "you can ask, 'Do believers believe that Jesus was born of a virgin the same way that nonbelievers believe that Chevrolet makes cars and trucks?'" It may turn out that the brain treats religious faith as its own special category of belief unlike ethics and math.

But that is not what Harris expects to find. He suspects the machines will show that "belief is belief is belief." And that conclusion, he admits, may put him at loggerheads with familiar foes. No one, he says, could accuse him or anyone else of trying to disprove God's existence on the basis of an fMRI. But faith is more vulnerable. "People who feel that religious faith is a singular operation of the brain — if they admit that it's an operation of the brain at all — would object to what I'm doing, since it may show that faith is essentially the same as other kinds of knowing or thinking. The whole thing will seem fishy to anyone who thinks we have immaterial souls running around in our bodies."

Which, of course, a lot of people do. And despite the fact that, as Harris puts it, his current literary mode "is not beach reading," they may find that they are keeping up with his academic writings more avidly — and nervously — than they do his bestsellers.

Fun test video of Noah

2008-09-23T19:24:00.000-07:00

Just testing out the video capability..... :)

Josh Groban Sings @ the Emmy's!

2008-09-23T11:52:00.001-07:00

What can I say???? He's the Man!

Recognizing Our Own Abundance

2008-09-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

I loved this message, so I thought I would post it. I can personally testify from my own life that what we give to the world, always comes back to us... the ultimate law of attraction! I am just amazed on how that works and how much it parallels the principles of God.

Whenever I think of the word "abundance "; I always think of the Fall Season and the scripture that comes to mind is " as long as the Earth remains, there will be always be seedtime and harvest"... so whatever what we sow, positive or negative, will eventually come right back to us-- and sometimes not as we had expected nor had planned!

Recognizing Our Own Abundance

Planting The Seeds Of Generosity

The most difficult time to be generous is when we ourselves are feeling poor. While some of us have experienced actually being in the red financially, there are those of us who would feel broke even if we had a million dollars in the bank.

Either way, as the old adage goes, it is always in giving that we receive. Meaning that when we are living in a state of lack, the very gesture we may least want to give is the very act that could help us create the abundance that we seek. One way to practice generosity is to give energy where it is needed. Giving money to a cause or person in need is one way to give energy. Giving attention, love, or a smile to another person are other acts of giving that we can offer.

After all, there are people all over the world that are hungry for love. Sometimes when we practice generosity, we practice it conditionally. We might be expecting to “receive back” from the person to whom we gave. We might even become angry or resentful if that person doesn’t reciprocate. However, trust in the natural flow of energy, and you will find yourself practicing generosity with no strings attached. This is the purest form of giving. Remember that what you send out will always come back you.

Selflessly help a friend in need without expecting them to return the same favor in the same way, and know that you, too, will receive that support from the universe when you need it. Besides, while giving conditionally creates stress (because we are waiting with an invisible balance sheet to receive our due), giving unconditionally creates and generates abundance. We give freely, because we trust that there is always an unlimited supply.

Being aware of how much we are always supported by the universe is one of the keys to abundance and generosity. Consciously remember the times you’ve received support from expected and unexpected sources.

Remember anyone who has helped you when you’ve needed it most, and bless all situations that come into your life for the lessons and gifts they bring you. Remember that all things given and received emanate from generosity. Giving is an act of gratitude. Plant the seeds of generosity through your acts of giving, and you will grow the fruits of abundance for yourself and those around you.

God's Secrets

2008-09-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

I thought this was an awesome blog post and wanted to add it to mine. It makes perfect sense to me as sometimes the Lord speaks to me through certain dreams at night using symbols that I wouldnt otherwise be able to comphrend during the day. Just like the author of this blog, I am in awe of the Lords unlimited power. That unlimited power keeps me in a healthy balance just knowing that I can put my upmost trust in Him when I give the control over to Him.

Its amazing, cause I really didnt know the true meaning of "fearing the Lord" meant until I surrendered my life to Him & was in awe as I watched Him take control over my life and circumstances. Its definately something that I no longer take for granted, cause Ive personally seen what the Lord can do in the world and in the lives of others.

God’s secrets

http://livingmyfaith.blogspot.com/

We have a friend who is unable to keep a secret. A couple weeks ago she was included in a planned surprise anniversary party for her son. She said she kept her “lip zipped” and was so proud of herself. As her family looked back, they recalled how she dropped big hints on the way to the party with them. While they didn’t catch on, she just could not totally keep this great secret to herself.

God has secrets too. He has a secret covenant or agreement that He makes with certain people. Psalm 25:14 describes the people to whom He makes this mystery known, “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.”Most people would say that the fear of the Lord means an awe and reverence for Him. It does mean that, but in my research, this word can also mean terror, like the healthy terror

I should have if a hungry tiger walked into the room or a tornado was bearing down on my house .Fearing the Lord, in my opinion, means recognizing His unlimited power and what He could do in my life and in this world. It means knowing that He is not to be messed with, and even though He is a loving God who cares for me more than my awareness, like the children of Narnia, I know that “He is not a tame lion.”

The fear of the Lord is important for me. If I focused only on His unconditional love, I might take that for granted and do stupid things. This holy fear keeps my choices in balance. If I focused only on His grace and forgiveness, I might sin without a thought, but fear makes me realize that God can inflict chastening and even bring great calamities to teach me that sin is my enemy; I must not fool around with it.

Even the consequences of deliberate sin show me that I need to fear the Lord. While He forgives me, He may not withhold the fruit of foolishness just because He loves me.This verse from the Psalm 25 brings out another great reason to fear the Lord. He reveals His secrets to those who do.

Because I fear Him, He shows me things that I would not otherwise know, things about Him and the spiritual realm, things about myself and others, and the trusts about the covenant or solemn agreement that He has made with me.C. S. Lewis did a great job in depicting the Lord with the lion, Aslan in his Chronicles of Narnia series. Sometimes I imagine myself with those children curled up in the fur of Aslan, knowing that He could devour me in just one bite, yet knowing that I am safe with him.I am safe with God too.

Because Jesus died for me, I am protected from God’s fury and wrath, and can instead consider this sin-hating God my refuge and hiding place. He still hates sin, but He let me in on His secret—the closer I get to Him, the less apt I am to experience His wrath and the more I know about His grace.

In Remembrance of 9-11: We will Never Forget!

2008-09-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe its been 7 years since that fateful day, yet I can still it recall it like it was yesterday. I was 9 months pregnant, with my son, Noah at the time. I remember how my 2 eldest boys, Josh and Jeremy were getting ready for school that morning & called me into the living room that morning and said "Mom, you've got to see whats happening on tv!"

I thought I was watching some sort of movie and couldnt believe what I was seeing on the tv screen and watched in horror. My heart sank to the floor & I found myself in tears. I remember thinking, Please God, dont let me go into Labor today as I touched my pregnant belly--as I was only 2 weeks away from my due date. I prayed for the safety of my family that day and those who had lost their lives that day.

Most of all, I prayed for America & how the terrorists could try to steal from us, but they could never steal our freedom. We are Americans and we will stand strong... together!!

I think 9-11 was a wake up call for all of us-- A warning that evil does exist in the world & its up to us to be the change!

Sarah Palin/Tina Fey... Striking Resemblance!

2008-09-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

Govenor Sarah Palin

Actress Tina Fey

Change the hair a little and its pretty darn close!

I'll bet Saturday Night Live is going to have a blast with this one!

Sarah Palin-- Advocate for Special Needs Children

2008-09-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

Sarah Palin - advocate for Down syndrome, special needs

Every family or friend of a person with Down syndrome would love to see the footage of the love showered on baby Trig - Sarah Palin's fifth child, who has Down syndrome - by his siblings last night

I loved the close ups of the youngest daughter cradling Trig in her arms and smoothing his hair.
And my goodness, when Sarah took the baby and held him close to her, then turned him out so all America could see his beautiful face - well, it doesn't get much better than that.

Who would have thought that a baby with Down syndrome could be in such a position to witness to the world?

Palin on her son Trig and her promise to us:

"And in April, my husband, Todd, and I welcomed our littlest one into the world, a perfectly beautiful baby boy named Trig. From the inside, no family ever seems typical.

That's how it is with us.

Our family has the same ups and downs as any other -- the same challenges and the same joys.

Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge.

And children with special needs inspire a special love.

To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters.

I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House".

Folks, this is going to spark a national conversation that is long overdue:

Sarah Palin, Down syndrome & the brave new world
By Valerie Karr
Thursday, September 4th 2008, 4:00 AM

Republican vice presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin has put children with disabilities in a national spotlight. Her recent decision to have a child with Down syndrome places her in a tiny minority of American women. A staggering statistic: 92% of unborn children diagnosed with Down syndrome are now aborted in the United States. I don't normally get overly exercised about the issue of abortion, but this number is striking - and a searing indictment of social values. Somehow, we are saying the lives of children with Down syndrome mean less than those of so-called normal children.

Read entire article here.

Noahs First day of 1rst Grade :)

2008-09-03T17:47:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it seemed like only yesterday when Noah had started preschool. He started preschool a month after we had moved into our new townhouse back in Sept of 2004. When we first moved in, his little head was inches below the mantle of our fireplace.

Our Possessions Don't Define Us.

2008-08-25T09:29:00.000-07:00

I have been contiplating this a lot lately & happen to run across this article on the net. We will be in the process of moving once we sell our home. I thought this was a great perspective that basically that sends the message that our possessions dont really define who we really are. We are not the car we drive or the house we live in since everything belongs to God anyway.

Joel and I have aquired a lot of stuff in our 8 year marriage-- so I am letting this be a helpful guide as we plan what to keep and what to give away. One of my most prized possesions is a old & tattered, worn out Bible that belonged to my Grandfather that I inherited when my father went home to be with the Lord in 2002.

The pages are worn and yellow; but as I turn each page-- they remind me a lot of who I am. I know my heritage defines who I really am a whole lot more than what I could ever own while living here on Earth & that really means a lot to me. :)

On Faith
Ann Thomas Rinker

http://www.gazette.net/stories/092806/fredcol180153_31953.shtml

Can you imagine what it might be like if you were to lose everything you own in a fire or flood or in some other way?

What one thing would you miss the most? What items do you feel you couldn’t live without?

What are your greatest material possessions?

I was flipping the channels this morning and caught a story on one of the morning shows about family who had lost their home and all their earthly goods in a fire.

I am not certain how long ago this occurred, but I do know that the house was gone; all possessions, everything, lay in ashes.

The family had been on vacation at the time of the fire and came home to find a shell of a building where there home once stood.

The wife and mother of this family, Betsy Kramer, did not appear on television for our pity, but for us to learn something from her loss.

She told the interviewer that at first she felt as if she ‘‘wasn’t strong enough” to handle the situation. Then she noticed her daughter sleeping.

Looking up at what was the little girl’s room, she realized that ‘‘all was not lost because her child was spared; her family was safe.”

It took losing everything for her to realize just how unimportant these things actually were.

The family now lives in a newly constructed house and their possessions have been streamlined to include only what they truly need.

Today, the woman works as a professional organizer helping others get their lives in order, relieving them of the clutter which can control them.

She said she hopes her work enables her clients to embrace what is really important and to recognize what truly creates happiness in one’s life.

A bit later I flipped to another channel and soon became mesmerized by a story about a young man who was born with a disorder that left him without leg muscles.

Even after multiple surgeries his legs remain limp, much like soggy spaghetti noodles. At 15, he made what would be an important decision; he decided to teach himself to break dance.
Dance he does and boy can he wow the crowds with his self-taught abilities. He has even won awards in dance competitions.

He credits his parents with teaching him to reach his highest potential, citing his dad’s advice, ‘‘Your first failure is not to try.”

This young man, known to his fans as ‘‘Lazy Legs,” uses his time going to schools for deaf and disabled children, giving talks and demonstrations to motivate them to reach their potentials.

It was amazing to witness the children’s response to this man, Luca Patuelli. He tells his listeners, ‘‘maybe you can’t have it all, but you can have what is important.”

His encouragement and personal triumphs allow these disabled kids to dream dreams that they perhaps had never dared before.

Ms. Kramer and Mr. Patuelli show, by their examples and in telling their stories, just how precious life is, in all of its forms.

Happiness doesn’t come from things any more than the fact that our possessions should not define who we are.

We are more than our physical abilities or limitations. We are the spirit within us.

Our treasures are our God-given bodies; our loved ones; our dear friends; our hopes and dreams. We are not the car we drive; the fancy house we live in, the crowd we run around with; or the way we look, dress, or feel. We are so much more than that.

As children of God we are the spirit of love made in His image. What a gift it is to hear the stories of Betsy Kramer and Luca Patuelli. Will our own stories be as inspiring to others? Will they be as faithful to God’s hope for our lives?

Slipping through my fingers.....

2008-08-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

This song from Mamma Mia emotionally hit me when I heard it. It just fits perfectly to what I am going through lately. My middle son, Jeremy is moving into his first rental house in Bremerton with some friends today-- and it has brought some mixed emotions from sadness to excitement for me.

I will miss those days that I thought wouldnt ever end. Jeremy & I used to hang out & I remember how his friends used to call me "the cool Mom". I will miss the days when he & his brother Josh, used to come through the door afterschool & tell me about their day. Its strange, as even I have one more child still at home; It feels like an era is gone... but a new one just beginning around the bend as we wait for an offer on our house.

Of course, our 6 year old; Noah will be starting the 1rst grade in less than two weeks now & I will be soon taking the traditional walk to the school bus stop on the corner on his first day of school. Will I get weepy?? Of course-- Estrogen city here! LOL.

Where does time go? I will try to remember on the challenging days, that one day I will look back and miss these days... from good to bad & try not to complain.

Mamma Mia!

2008-08-18T11:15:00.000-07:00

Since the 19th falls on a work week; Hubby & I went out to lunch and a movie yesterday to celebrate our 8th Anniversary. Mamma Mia was hilariously funny! I cant wait until it comes out on DVD! I was impressed with Meryl Streeps vocals.. she can really belt out a tune.

This song is one of my favs from the movie. It takes me back to the 70's when my gal pals and I would have fun with this song--just a few of us junior high girls with hairbrushes for microphones, dancing around and acting silly, can anyone relate??? LOL :) Brings back fond memories!!!! :)

The Joy of the Lord

2008-08-14T11:49:00.000-07:00

Our family and extended family has a lot going on in our lives right now, so this is a great reminder for me.

The Joy of the Lord is My Strength!
Alan Riley

Sometimes we in the church are accused of glossing over the fact that life can be hard. We sometimes tend to give the impression that all you need to do is give your heart to Jesus and all of your problems will be solved, all your bills will be paid, you will have success and prosperity and everything you touch will turn to gold.

If you are a Christian, you will have a continual smile on your face and always be happy. We make all our baskets, we sink all our putts, we close all our deals. Does that sound like your testimony? I know it doesn't sound like mine! I think the problem is that we've confused joy with happiness. Happiness is dependent on happenings.

Circumstances in your life dictate whether or not you are happy. Joy, on the other hand is a gift from God - a fruit of the Spirit that transcends whatever is happening in your life.

Joy allows you to rise —even to soar— above difficult circumstances, challenges, and heartaches. Joy comes from knowing Who is in control and that He has a plan to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

We do not draw our strength from the great feeling we get when things go right; if we did, we would be powerless when hard times and adversity hit, and we would all be easy pickings for the devil.

No, it is the joy of the Lord that is our strength! Jesus wasn't happy about going to the cross. He prayed the night before "If there is any other way, let this cup pass from me..." But He did have joy in obedience.

The writer to the Hebrews put it this way: "Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..." There was joy for the Lord Jesus even in the pain and the agony of the cross because He knew the end result of His obedience and sacrifice would be the offer of salvation for you and me. Jesus chose to go through hell for us rather than to go to heaven without us.

In the book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul talks about joy over and over again. Yet he wrote that letter to the church at Philippi while he was imprisoned in horrible conditions. How could he write about joy while imprisoned in a dark, cold, rat-infested Roman cell? It's because joy is not dependent on circumstances!

When you and I face tough times, we can draw on great reserves of joy that are rooted in our knowledge of the faithfulness of God. That's how Job was able to say in the midst of tragedy, heartache and great loss, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" (Job 13:15, KJV) He knew God and He trusted God. That is how he could have "joy in unrelenting pain" (Job 6:10, NIV)

Job's friends made the mistake of misjudging Job. But what was worse, they misrepresented God. They presumed to speak for God in telling Job he needed to repent. Job's friends naturally assumed that since things weren't going great for Job, he wasn't living right, and God was punishing him for his sins. I'm afraid the spirit of Job's friends is still very much with us. We see and hear it just about every Sunday.Now, don't get me wrong here— I've spent most of my life in church.

Since I was a teenager I have either worked for a church or worked with organizations that worked with churches. I love the church. I love church people. But let's be honest—sometimes we have a problem keeping it real. We look at each other and smile real big and say, "I'm fine! We're all fine! How about you? Are you fine?" while inside we're hurting. The problem is if I admit to you that I am hurting or struggling, you might assume that I'm not spiritual enough. To avoid that I just pretend that everything is fine, when it really isn't.

If there is any place on earth that you should be able to keep it real, it ought to be the church. God's Word tells us to confess our faults to each other so we may be healed. (James 5:16) But you can't confess your faults if you are afraid to let me know that you have any!

In the church we, like Job's friends, have bought into the notion that "spiritual" Christians don't have any problems. But if you think about it for a minute I believe you will agree with me that the most spiritual people I have ever known were those who had walked through deep dark valleys of sorrow and heartache yet through it all their faith and trust never wavered.

It wasn't the smiley-faced folks pretending to be perfect who touched my heart, it was those who I saw pressed on every side but not crushed, cast down but not destroyed. It was in those people that I saw that indeed the joy of the Lord is our strength. I want to be one of those people! Lord, help me to draw my strength from your gift of joy and not from my feelings or present circumstances!

Rev. Alan Riley is the Director of Web Operations for Streaming Faith and serves as the Managing Editor of StreamingFaith.com. He is an ordained Baptist Minister and a frequent contributor to the Streaming Faith Daily Devotional. His personal blog can be found at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uUSF-VRXKJMzMYbJGHJxB8lzz2UG_s-Cwta9B-vtc4UAEr269rVYs0MC87pllfsSlxbEIiLZrqlunMLWSK4hdH3aXszkJkp4DlFbDD0l_M13AH67aBWdng==.

To Reach a Rainbow....

2008-08-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

Noah's kindergarten class sang this song on the last day of school & the words just stuck with me.It really puts things in perspective.... Ahhhhh.... faith of a child.... every adult needs a good dose of it from time to time. We can still learn a lot from children. I know I have by just watching our son, Noah. He just lives in the moment and totally enjoys himself.

To Catch a Star

To catch a star,
You have to ride a cloud,

To reach a rainbow,
You need to dream out loud

You can do anything,
I know...

You can do anything.. I know it..
If you try....
and believe...

Don't let nobody tell you...
You're less than great...

Cause we all are human...
and sometimes we make mistakes...

You can do anything,
I know...
You can do anything... I know it..
If you try.... and believe.. :)

Faults

2008-08-12T11:49:00.001-07:00

Do not think of your fault; still less of others' faults...
Look for what is good and strong and try to imitate it. Your faults will drop off like dead leaves when their time comes...
--John Ruskin

If we keep focused on our faults and problems, guess what we'll get more of? If we keep our minds always on our shortcomings, we're virtually guaranteeing that those shortcomings will be major parts of our lives for a long time to come. We'll strengthen them and give them more power in our lives, just by keeping our minds on them.
But is that what we really want to do?
There are many, many examples of the good and the strong, the loving and the compassionate in the world. And as we see those examples, if we keep our focus on it we can bring it into our lives more regularly--it can become the most common element of our lives if we but keep it in our minds and imitate it all that we can. We shouldn't be faultfinders, and we shouldn't stay focused on faults any more than they deserve--and they certainly don't deserve much of our focus at all...
There's been an awful lot written about the Law of Attraction, the concept that we attract to ourselves in life exactly what we think of. By thinking about certain things, we cause ourselves to be much like magnets, attracting to ourselves things that are just like our thoughts. Focusing on our faults, then, causes us to focus on being critical, on looking at the negative side of ourselves, creating a magnetic pull to other elements that simply will perpetuate our focus on our faults...
By keeping my mind on the positive, though, I attract more positive things to me--more positive people and situations and outcomes. And as my faults matter less and less, they go away, killed by neglect.
And I may even find that some of what I thought were faults actually are among my greatest virtues!

~ Living Life Fully ~

Noah's House

2008-08-11T15:13:00.001-07:00
Noah never ceases to amaze me. He has such a creative mind! Our house is for sale right now, so Noah decided that he was going to create himself a new one-- complete with a lego security gate.
Hey, its cute-- even though the box was formerly used to hold cat litter and makes a cozy home for his stuffed animals. What more could you ask for, right??? LOL :)

Bucket List Questions

2008-08-06T10:11:00.000-07:00
PONDERING POOL QUESTIONS

If you haven't got a clue what to do, and haven't got a "bucket list", here are 50 things you can mull around and meditate upon.Set aside some time read them over. And then, start working through them giving them each a lot of thought. Good luck!

1. What would you love to do or accomplish, before you die?

2. If you were to begin to achieve that/these, what is the first change you would start to make?

3. What would you need to include MORE of in your life?

4. What would you need to have LESS of in your life?

5. Rewrite your goal(s) so it is 'moving towards' something, rather than 'moving away' from something?

6. What is YOUR personal definition of success?

7. If you had to guess your life purpose, what would it be?

8. What daily habits could you replace with a better daily habit? List them.

9. What would a massive action 'look like' for you?

10. What action would you take, if you knew you could not possibly fail?

11. What has worked for you when accomplishing past personal goals?

12. What can you see about any past setbacks, which may actually benefit you?

13. What are you tolerating/putting up with?

14. What will you do, to completely erase petty things that are bothering you?

15. For what will you take 100% responsibility, from now?

16. If you were your own coach, what coaching would you give yourself right now?

17. Who and what are you listening to, most of the time? How will you change that, if it needs changing?

18. What do you keep saying to yourself that usually hinders your progress?

19. What could you now keep saying to yourself, to empower you?

20. What could you get done this week that you know needs doing?

21. For that task, what is the first step and the next step?

22. What could you put in your environment to remind you of your promises to yourself?

23. What could you include in each day to create and hold your vision for your future?

24. What have you 100%, decided to achieve?

25. What ways do you benefit by NOT deliberately moving toward what you want?

26. What activities and new habits will you deposit into your future, this month?

27. On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited to you feel about taking these actions?

28. What could increase that score?

29. What are your highest aspirations for this year?

30. What are the greatest lessons you have learned in life?

31. What is life asking you to do differently?

32. What are you now willing to do that you've been unwilling to undertake?

33. What non-negotiable decision are you willing to make for your life, and stick to?

34. What in your life needs immediate attention?

35. What strategies could you use to better manage your daily priorities?

36. What is perfect about where you are in your life right now?

37. Describe in detail, your feelings once all your goals are achieved?

38. Which books could you read, people could you call and places could you visit that support your goals?

39. In what way are you a better person this year than last year? What will be your answer, next year?

40. Where will you fine-tune your use of time in the next 24-hours?

41. Is there anything you are ignoring, to which you should be paying attention? Be honest!

42. What are you most excited about now? What are you looking forward to?

43. What ways will you will get more energy into your life?

44. What newly created, personal standard(s) will you abide by, come hail, rain or sunshine?

45. What are your greatest strengths and how will you leverage them?

46. What would you most like to be acknowledged for, so far in your life?

47. What do you need to give yourself so that you can give more to others?

48. What new belief could you take on to speed up your personal decision-making processes?

49. What do you already know for certain? Is that the truth?

50. List all the benefits that you got from completing this exercise, and what are your next steps forward?

Source: Thea Westra, Senior Thought Leader, Forward Steps

So Whats on Your Bucket List?

2008-08-05T10:44:00.001-07:00
Last night I watched "The Bucket List" starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. It was a story about two terminally ill patients who make up a "bucket list"-- which is basically a list of things to do before they "kick the bucket".

I found this movie both endearing and inspiring. What caught my attention is when one character asked the other 2 questions:

Have you found joy in your life?

Have you brought joy to other peoples lives?

Even though I could answer both questions with a positive yes; it was the last question that caught my attention the most & it became a revelation for me. Isnt that what life is all about anyway-- thinking less of ourselves and bringing joy to one anothers lives???

I will keep that in mind in the days ahead- bringing joy to other people. Now that is one of the keys to true happiness & will become a priority on my bucket list!

Time to break out the butt paste! LOL

2008-08-04T09:55:00.000-07:00
Hubby and I got a laugh over this one & has become a running joke in our house lately!
BTW-- yes, it is a real product. See for yourself at http://www.buttpaste.com/!

Life is Life!

2008-07-31T10:55:00.000-07:00

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is...
The way you cope with it is what makes the difference...
--Virginia Satir

It's kind of funny to think of life as "it's supposed to be," as if our experiences here on this planet have come with an instruction book and a user's manual... We see good things happen to other people and think that those good things should be happening with us, also. We see bad things happen to others and think that while they might deserve those things, we certainly do not, and they shouldn't happen to us at all...
But life is life, and it doesn't operate by rules. It flows. If a river suddenly finds its course blocked by a landslide, it simply changes its course. Life is like that, too. If we've put up blocks to the flow of life in our efforts to control things, then life will simply flow around us, and we may stand there a bit dumbfounded, saying "That's not the way things were supposed to be!"...
Life is what it is, and in our life experience other people will do what they do... How we react to life, and how we act in and towards life, is what mostly determines what our personal life experiences will be like.

It's that simple, and if life gets to be overwhelming and difficult, I need to slow down and ask myself an important question: is life really overwhelming and difficult, or are my reactions making it seem overwhelming and difficult to me?
I love the fact that life is as it is, though I have to remind myself of this constantly... Once I accept this fact, my life becomes much easier, much simpler, for I no longer need to try to control situations or outcomes. When I accept this fact, I free myself up to enjoy life, just as it is...

Nobody has things just as they would like them. The thing to do is to make a success with what material I have. It is a sheer waste of time and soul-power to imagine what I would do if things were different...
They are not different...
--Frank Crane

~ Living Life Fully ~

Thoughts

2008-07-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

Look Up at the Moon
(Thoughts)

When you feel down, you are thinking too much about yourself. You can only tie yourself in knots when so many of your thoughts get wrapped around you... Then your thoughts become like spider webs that wind themselves over and over again...
Enough thinking! Rest your weary mind. Give it a break. Give yourself a vacation from thinking. Take some time off...
See a blank sheet of paper before you instead of one all crowded with notes every which way. You can start anew. Right now you can. Simply let go of these trains of thoughts you have been riding on. If you were on a train, and it didn’t take you where you wanted to go, you would get off and find another train. Or you would walk. In any case, you would know you don’t have to stay on the same train as if you had no choice...
Your thoughts are your choice. And if thoughts come unbidden, you can ignore them or shoo them away like the flies they are. You don’t need to make too much of them. Thoughts are a dime a dozen anyway, aren’t they? When certain thoughts are a waste of your time and energy, don’t get you anywhere, then, beloveds, find some thoughts that energize you, not revolving thoughts from your Rolodex, but new thoughts. What a novel idea. You can have new thoughts. You can think anything you want. Your thinking can be purposeful. It can take you where you want to go...
Perhaps your mind has been on a pony path, a small circle, and you go round and round. If your mind has been tethered, undo the tether and jump over the fence... Why, there is a whole field of new grass to chew on...
What is a beautiful thought you could hold right now? What might it be? Is there something to prevent you from thinking of it and putting it at the top of your list?
Look up at the moon and find yourself there. Be the moon looking at you... Immerse yourself in the stars, the beautiful stars of the night. Soon all the stars will turn into One Sun. Think of the sun. Think of how it shines, and how it shines on you. Feel how its golden light reaches you...
Let thoughts enter you in the manner of the warmth of the sun. There is nothing you have to do to absorb the sun. Be out in it once in a while. The same way you can find thoughts new to you, thoughts that you are happy to take home with you...
When you buy something at the store and it turns out to be defective or simply not what you really wanted, you return it to the store. You don’t have to live with it... You don’t have to claim it as yours just because it’s there...
Manage thoughts the same way. Let some in, and send some out. It is no big deal... Thoughts are not inviolate. They are only thoughts. They have no life at all without you...
Thoughts are meant to serve you, not roil you...
And when you have thoughts that were once serviceable and now are worn out consider them like appliances that have seen better days -- you would go back to the store and buy new ones. You do not to be stuck with a thought that now is of no use to you...
When you are feeling down, you need to think some new thoughts. Bring them on... They are waiting in the water. Haul them in. Take them on board. Rescue new thoughts. Change your mind...

~ Heavenletters ~

People Who Soar

2008-07-23T17:00:00.000-07:00

People who soar are those who refuse to sit back, sigh, and wish things would change.

They neither complain of their lot nor passively dream of some
distant ship coming in. Rather, they visualize in their minds that they are not quitters; they will not allow life’s circumstances to push them down and hold them under...
--Charles Swindoll

"People who soar." Oh, how I'd like to think of myself as a person who soars! Far too often, though, I find myself to be a person who slogs--through the mud and the grime and the swamps of the world.

And while it's tempting to believe that down here in the mud is where I'll find those who really need my help, the question must be asked: can I help more people by providing a role model of someone who soars through life, or by trying to pull them out of the mud that they've mostly chosen for themselves, especially if they're neither ready nor willing to leave the mud?
We can find many excuses for not soaring through life in a state of joy and abundance. We're afraid of heights, we don't want to leave others behind, we don't know how to soar, we're "needed" where we are. Sometimes we just accept that life's unfair and let our circumstances keep us down because we're afraid to go after the changes we'd need to help us to soar...
When I look up into the sky and see a bird soaring gracefully with the wind currents, I think of how nice it would be to let the currents carry me effortlessly through the air. And I realize that it's not impossible for that to happen, as long as I'm willing not just to face change, but to invite change and allow it in and to welcome it, and then to take those actions that change demands. Soaring isn't difficult for one who has learned to fly, but it's impossible for one who has elected to stay chained to the ground. Life can't keep us down--we must allow ourselves to stay down...

~ Living Life Fully ~

The Revelation in Seperation

2008-07-22T09:50:00.000-07:00
This is a good Word as my husband and I prepare to sell our house and relocate to another state.
Change is hard on all involved, but if there is no change; then how do we grow???

The Revelation in Separation
Rev. James C. Matthews

"And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord." Deuteronomy 8:2-3, NKJ

I believe there are times in our lives when God removes us from the routine of life, and separates us from others, so that he can spend some time with us. Without God "taking this time" with us, we would drift through our lives preoccupied and distracted by life, and never pursue the destiny and purpose He created us for.

Because these places of separation are often uncomfortable and dry places, we resist them and conclude that God must be punishing us, when in reality He is preparing us through separation. It is in these dry places, where no one else can help us (including ourselves), that we discover that God is our source, our healer and protector.

We discover that our true source is not our jobs, our families, our education or money - but God alone! This level of revelation cannot be gained unless we have spent some quality time with God. Oftentimes, if we don't voluntarily "make this time" for God, He will involuntarily "take this time" for Himself.

Separation Is Often an Indication of Designation

If it seems like everyone and everything that you've always looked to for support is gone-it is not a coincidence but rather divine providence. It may be an indication that God is readying you for a transition in your life.

Ask Abraham, the one whom God separated from his family to give him and his descendents a Promised Land. Ask Joseph, the one who was forcibly removed from his father's house (of which he was the least of 12 brothers) so that he could become the second most powerful man in the world.

Ask Moses, the one whom God separated from Egypt and prepared in the desert for 40 years to deliver His people from slavery. Ask David, the youngest son of Jesse, the one whom King Saul removed from his father's house and placed in the palace where he could observe firsthand what it meant to be king. Finally, ask the apostle Paul, the one whom God separated from the pharisaical order so that he could become a leader and pillar in the Kingdom of God. Separation is indication of God's designation of those He is calling.

Separation Is a Sign of Preparation

God is preparing and positioning you to discover something about Himself that He cannot reveal to you while you are surrounded by others. He needs to separate you from the people and things that you have placed in positions that belong to Him. They would only distract you from hearing and seeing the things He wants to show you. During this time of separation and seclusion, we also discover things about ourselves that we otherwise would have never known.

There is no one to impress or save face with when we are alone. God has the ability to show us who we really are so that He can begin the process of molding us into who He's called us to be. God will remove our support and separate us from the things that we've become familiar in order that He might reveal to us something much greater-Himself.

In Deuteronomy 8:2-3, we read that God purposefully lead His people into the wilderness for the purpose of proving Himself to them. God used this place of isolation to develop their confidence in Him as their God. They did not labor for their living, but simply believed God for their living.

There was no Walmart in the wilderness, therefore they had to trust God for their food, clothing and care while having no money to buy anything with. God proved to them that He was their one and only "true source". They would have never received this revelation, without this time of separation and sanctification with God.

Insensitive Comments by Michael Savage on Autism

2008-07-22T09:21:00.000-07:00
Insensitive Comments by Michael Savage on Autism

Just when you think it was safe to listen to the radio you hear the most insensitive remarks.
In case you haven’t heard Michael Savage has declared that "autistic children" are brats. The Michael Savage radio show reaches millions of people each week. He as always been a controversial host but these comments puts him in rarefied territory.

As moms of children on the spectrum you have every right to be outraged. So its time to pop open the can of whoop a^% on this guy.

The full story:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080721/ap_on_en_ot/savage_autism

A Big View Of God

2008-07-17T13:21:00.000-07:00
Before bed last night; I read from my "Grace For the Moment" devotional by Max Lucado.

This particular devotional caught my attention about worship & how we magnify God in our lives through our worship. For me, worship isnt just a Sunday church thing. I try my best to acknowlege God in my everyday life and throughout my week.

I found by doing so, God draws closer to me and I can hear him speaking to me in everyday situations and sometimes even....through my dreams at night as well.

A Big View of God

Exactly what is worship? I like King Davids definition. "Oh magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together" (Psalm 34:3)

Worship is an act of magnifying God. Enlarging our vision of him.

Stepping into the cockpit to see where he he sits and observe how he works.

Of course, his size doesnt change, but our perseption of him does.As we draw nearer, he seems larger. Isnt that what we need? A big view of God? Don't we have big problems, big worries, big questions? Of course, we do! Hense, we need a big view of God.

Worship offers that. How can we sing "Holy, Holy, Holy" and not have our vision expanded?

Max Lucado

Josh Groban Blog-- Gotta love it! :)

2008-07-16T16:20:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons I joined Friends of Josh Groban are little extras like this. I am so glad that Josh decided to do a blog. Its great to hear behind the scenes about the man & his music!

I'll give you a little sneak peak of his first blog & you will come to love Josh like all his fans out there do!

Blog virgin from Josh Groban on Vimeo.

Prerequisites for Answered Prayer

2008-07-14T15:55:00.001-07:00
Prerequisites for Answered Prayer
Brent Barnett

Here are five elements that the Bible says are essential to having God both hear and answer our prayers. If we do these things we can be sure that our prayers will be answered. That is not to say that we can use these principles as spiritual "magic charms" to make God accomplish our will on earth. The whole point is to accomplish His will on earth as it is in heaven. Thus, central to praying properly is the idea of aligning our hearts and minds with the heart and mind of God. He will then enable us to pray rightly, properly, and in accordance with His will.

1. Faith
Mark 11:22-24 says, "And Jesus answered saying to them, 'Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, "Be taken up and cast into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.'" The principle here is that we must have faith that we have received what we have asked of God in order to receive it. There is no room for doubt (see James 1:5-8). This kind of faith is not forced or contrived, but it flows from a heart and mind that is abiding in Christ (John 15:7).

2. Persistence
Luke 11:5-10 says, "Then He said to them, 'Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, "Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him"; and from inside he answers and says, "Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything." I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.'" The clear lesson in this story is that God honors persistence in prayer. If we want to see answers to our prayers, we need to tarry in prayer, not just one time, but over and over again, not losing heart all the while.

3. Without Ceasing
1 Thessalonians 5:17 gives us another qualification for answered prayer. It says that we must "pray without ceasing." This command is echoed in Ephesians 6:18 which says, "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints." Since Jesus Himself wasn't literally praying constantly but only at certain times, it would be unwise to conclude that we should spend our entire lives actively praying. The idea here is that everything we do, say, and want in life must be filtered through the will of God according to the grid of Scripture. This will require that we are faithful to make time to pray because we will realize that prayer is inseparable from a lifestyle that depends fully on Christ.

4. Righteousness
James 5:16 says, "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." The principle which this passage exposes is that the church's prayer, as well as the individual's, is hindered by the presence of unconfessed sin. If we want to discern the will of God and pray rightly, we must first confess our sin to God and to those whom we have sinned against.

5. According to God's Will
1 John 5:14-15 says, "And this is the confidence that we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him." To pray according to God's will is to pray according to what God wants done. This is something the Spirit of God will enable us to do (see Romans 8:26-27) if we are humble and willing to listen and be changed according to the Scripture.

Answered prayer is possible and the desire of God, but we must do it God's way by His Spirit and according to His Word and guiding principles therein. May God make us effective and powerful pray-ers.

Kindergarten Memories

2008-07-13T13:56:00.001-07:00
Noah's recent graduation from kindergarten on June 19th reminded me of this poem:

ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten.

Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate-school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday School.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.

Play fair.

Don't hit people.

Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess.

Don't take things that aren't yours.

Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.

Wash your hands before you eat.

Flush.

Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.

Take a nap every afternoon.

When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.

Be aware of wonder.

Remember the little seed in the styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.

And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggestword of all - LOOK.

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere.

The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation.

Ecology and politics and equality and sane living. Take any of those items and extra polate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or your government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm.

Think what a better world it would be if all - the whole world - had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down withour blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had a basic policy to always put thing back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are - when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

In Pursuit of Happiness

2008-07-10T10:11:00.000-07:00
It’s all Hollywood’s fault. It’s a conspiracy and a fallacy designed to brainwash the masses into believing romance is one of the key factors to attaining ‘happiness’.. that is the happiness as referred to in ‘the pursuit of..’

Thing is though, a majority of those masses acquire the stuff: the husband, the 2.3 kids, the mortgage, the cars, the 6 figure salary, the CO condo and they are still not happy.. it’s never enough.

There’s a Jay Leno email circulating that sums it up. Check it out:

As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark. The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President.

In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain’t happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ‘What are we so unhappy about?”

A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D.. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H.. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J.. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thussaving you, your family, and your belongings.

K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don’t have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession?

Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?

The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show?

Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn’t take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?

Think about it……are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the ‘Media’ told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it.

The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn’t have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ”general” discharge, an ‘other than honorable” discharge or, worst case scenario, a ”dishonorable” discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner?

The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by ‘justifying’ them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like OJ. Simpson to write a book about how he didn’t kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way……Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.’ ‘With hurricanes, tornado’s, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, ‘Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?’

May it serve you well to remember this the next time you open your mouth to gripe and moan about all the “happiness” you’ve acquired!

Josh Groban to Perform at the 2008 All Star Game!

2008-07-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

This is just awesome!! But, I can't help but thinking Josh should have been there for the 2004 All Star Game in Minute Maid Park in Houston when Joel and I were there!
Oh well... at least we have him there for the 2008 All Star game, right?
2008 All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15th at Yankee Stadium

Classically-influenced pop-singing superstar Josh Groban will perform "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch at the 2008 All-Star Game. Josh Groban has thrilled a legion of devoted fans with his flawless baritone and extraordinary stage presence. The 27-year-old Los Angeles native first broke through in 2001 with his self-titled double-platinum debut, followed by 2003's multi-platinum Closer, featuring the smash hit "You Raise Me Up," and 2006's double-platinum Awake. In 2007, the Grammy-nominated star became the best-selling recording artist of the year thanks to sales of Awake and his blockbuster Christmas album, Noel — the best-selling album of 2007. Groban has recently released his third live DVD, entitled Awake Live.

Seeking Approval

2008-07-06T13:21:00.001-07:00

Seeking Approval

So many people waste so much time and effort seeking approval...
There's nothing wrong with wanting the approval of others. It is when we need approval at any cost, that it becomes a big problem. If you require the approval of others, you give them control over your life. And you sacrifice your own uniqueness in order to be the way someone else wants you to be...
Here's an irony for you to consider. Think of the person in your life who commands the most respect and approval. Chances are, that person is heavily opinionated and clearly defined, and does not change his or her behavior so as to win the approval of others. In other words, the people who have the most approval are not the ones who seek it out...
You can never gain approval by seeking it. Rather, people will respect and approve of you because of your integrity and consistency. Follow your own path. The world needs the contributions of each individual. If we were all the same, life would have little meaning. The vibrancy of life comes from differing opinions and ways of doing things...
Don't worry about what other people think. Be true to yourself and your own beliefs, and you'll gain the respect, admiration and approval that you deserve...

-- Ralph Marston

Quest to fight PMS....

2008-07-03T13:46:00.000-07:00
Just some helpful tips that I found while surfing the net.

*Cut back on caffeine intake. Caffeine accentuates the edginess you feel, as well as depletes many of needed vitamins.

*Take a multi-vitamin. One thing I found REALLY helpful, was vitamin B6...take 100 mg daily and then double the dose about a week prior to periods.It also helps bloating, cramps and other nasty symptoms. B6 is one of those vitamins that the body will get rid of if we have more than we need, and the dosage above is safe.

*Give in to cravings (but if possible try not to binge)

*Drink more water and get regular exercise, even though you may feel unusually sluggish.

*Take a lot more deep breaths when you are feeling stressed.

*Cut yourself some slack; try to create breaks for yourself that allow you to be alone and rest.

*Encourage a healthier state of mind by attempting to be more positive

*Realize your state of mind is not at its best, and therefore put off making major decisions or solving problems until you feel better.

*Don't make anything a "big deal". Repeat to yourself over and over, "This too, shall pass".

*Apologize when you overreact.

*Take a more leisurely bath instead of a rushed shower, if at all possible.

*Avoid stressful situations & negative people-- Know your limits!

I hope that you find some of these ideas helpful in getting through a rather challenging physical and emotional part of your cycle. PMS is a real drag, but by being more aware of it, and making a few allowances for the way you feel, you can come to peace with it. Hopefully these tactics will lessen the stress you feel, as well as the amount you take out on those around you.

Recharging Your Batteries

2008-07-01T16:31:00.000-07:00

I can so relate to this as a Mom!!!! Now that school is out for Summer break and the kids are home all day long, it is easy to feel worn out & just plain tired. Ive realized that I cant do it all or I start to feel totally overwhelmed. Its definately a battle of the mind. Simply put, negative thoughts lead to stress!
I just tackle what I can do in the day & leave the rest for the next day. Or even delegate chores/responsibilities to my husband/family members. At the end of the day, just vegging out on the couch watching a mindless television, reading a book or even a book of devotionals helps me recharge. Or just leaving the work behind and taking off to the park for some Summer time fun sure recharges my batteries.
Recharging Your Batteries
Getting Run Down
Our natural state of being is vibrant, happy to be alive. Yet, there can be times when we feel run down and worn out. This does not mean that we are lazy or unfit for the tasks in our lives; it means that we need to recharge our batteries and find a way of keeping them charged. Vitamins and extra rest can be very helpful in restoring our physical bodies. And if we are willing to delve deeper, we may discover that there is an underlying cause for our exhaustion.
Whenever you are feeling run down, take an honest look at how you have been thinking, feeling and acting. You will likely find a belief, behavior pattern or even a relationship that is out of alignment with who you really are. Perhaps you believe you have to be perfect at everything or you have been bending over backwards to get people to like you.
Maybe you are dealing with mild depression or simply have too much on your plate right now. There may also be people or situations in your life which are draining your energy. Once you get clear on the root cause, you can weed it out and better direct your flow of energy in the future.
In time, you might notice that the reasons you feel run down have less to do with how much you are doing and more to do with the fact that in your heart, you would rather be doing something else entirely. From now on, try and listen to what your heart really wants.
It may take meditation, or just a moment of silent tuning in to gain the clarity you need, but it is well worth the effort. When you know what you truly want to do, and honor that in all situations, you will find that getting run down is a thing of the past.

American Airlines Kicks Autistic toddler off the plane

2008-06-25T10:46:00.000-07:00
People JUST dont know what we go through as parents with a child with Autism! Let them walk a mile in our shoes and maybe they will change their tune!

So far, we've flown twice successfully on Southwest airlines with Noah when he was between the ages of 3-4. Even though the airline have been understanding with his meltdowns in the past; we have avoided 2 other past family holiday trips since then because the anxiety that it would be on Noah. Fortunately-- Noahs doctor recommended an extra dose of meds to calm the anxiety for future flights, so we will see.

I'll definately make it a point to avoid American Airlines in the future!

A friend (who also has a child with Autism) just saw this on CNN. com.

A mom and her very young autistic child (he's just a toddler) were kicked off of an American Airlines flight when the child had a meltdown.

Can you say boycott, much???????

http://abclocal. go. com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6223045

Good Words

2008-06-24T16:35:00.000-07:00

I really liked this It is from my Girlfriends in God devotional...... :)
It's something that we all need to reminded of every now and then.
Our son Noah recently graduated from kindergarten and inside his journal one of his favorite teachers wrote some really encouraging and kind words to Noah. She spoke of what a joy that Noah was to her. I was touched by her kind words. We all need to be uplifting to one another as there already is so much cruelty in the world alfready! They just might even brighten someone's day!

Today's Truth
Proverbs 12:18 (NIV): "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise bring healing."

Friend to Friend
As my mother always said..."if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

Could you imagine a world where this happened? How different the work place, the media, our homes and even our churches would be if we lived our lives only saying nice things?

What do we talk about around the water cooler or see when we turn on the TV or computer? This morning my homepage on my computer looked a little like this: Why Paris was cuddling w/K-Fed; Jessica Simpson accidentally exposed; angry smoker rams into wife's house; Recipe for divorce: hiding debt. I had to ask myself, "What value do these news headlines bring to our lives and our world?"

What about our homes? What do we say about our self or our family? What negative thoughts or words steal our peace on any given day? Did you wake up this morning feeling frustrated or critical of your weight, your children, your husband, or your job?

And our churches? Was there another critical conversation about a pastor's teaching or the fact that he drives a nicer car than you do? Were there conversations about member's dissatisfaction with the worship style or the current choice of Bible study?

How different would the world be if we asked ourselves this question before speaking: "If I were Jesus, would I be having this conversation?" In Matthew chapter 27, Jesus teaches us that we must love God and love our neighbors. Anything outside of loving and encouraging words should snap our lips shut.

I believe it is time for a "Live Love" revolution! If God created the world with words, we can change the world by words spoken in love!

Webster dictionary defines "revolution" as:

1. Sociology. A radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure.
2. A sudden, complete or marked change in something

This revolution begins with examining our self talk. Jesus said, "The mouth speaks out of the overflow of the heart" (Matthew 12:34b NIV). When we assassinate our own character with words, we destroy our self-esteem and stop ourselves from purposeful living; we become who we say we are.

Likewise, when we criticize or judge another person, whoever we are giving our opinion to will now have a different perspective of the person we are criticizing. I have recently been personally convicted of this truth. I was sharing with a friend how an email received from a relative had hurt my feelings. Being the good friend that she is, she defended my position and took my side immediately. This of course made me feel better until the Holy Spirit convicted me of my actions. Without even thinking about it, I had scarred my relative's reputation. My friend would never view my relative the same again. I was mortified, but knew I must apologize to both my friend and my relative.

It is time we distinguish ourselves as Christian women who speak life and "Live Love". Together we have the power to change a world that pierces hearts like a sword, bringing division and breaking community. Together we can bring healing and build unity. The revolution starts with you and me!

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, I Thank you Lord that by the power of the Holy Spirit, I am a new woman in Christ. I thank you that I am growing in grace, humility, and compassion every day. I have a significant role to play in this world. That role starts with loving YOU and loving others. My role as a maturing Christian is to build others up. I will no longer allow myself to use words that wedge division between me and others or that destroy my own spirit and self-esteem. I am a woman of maturity and purpose, distinguished by the image of Christ. I speak life and live love. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Formula Proves that June 20 is the happiest day of the year!

2008-06-20T10:35:00.001-07:00
Formula proves today's the happiest day of the year!
Friday, 20 June , 2008, 13:34
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14698883

London: Dump all your sorrows and spread smiles everywhere, for June 20 has been declared the Happiest Day of the year by a leading researcher at the University of Cardiff's Centre for Lifelong Learning.

Cliff Arnell has taken the credit for discovering today's hyper-happy potential after working out maths formula – O + (N xS) + Cpm/T + He.

He devised an elaborate scientific equation based on physical, emotional and stress factors that pointed to today as the optimum time for cheer and joy. Among the factors: It's the first day of summer - which means happy memories, more time to enjoy nature and the anticipation of holidays and vacations, reports the Telegraph.

O stands for being outdoors and outdoor activity, N is connection with nature, which is in full bloom now, S is socialisation with neighbours and friends, Cpm stands for childhood positive memories, T is the mean temperature which is now usually warm, and He is holiday expected.

Arnall, a psychologist and former tutor at Cardiff University, said that the main aim is to 'get people talking about what makes them happy'.

Arnall, who was commissioned by Walls Ice Cream to carry out the study, also calculates the most depressing day of the year which is normally around the end of January which is based on the weather, debt after Christmas, time since Christmas and motivational levels and days to pay day.

Personal Satisfaction

2008-06-11T15:59:00.000-07:00
Personal Satisfaction
Doing Our Best

We often come into contact with the idea that our best isn’t good enough, as if this were actually possible. If you examine this notion, you will begin to see that it doesn’t make much sense. Your best is always good enough, because it comes from you, and you are always good enough. You may not be able to deliver someone else’s idea of the best, but the good news is that’s not your burden.

You only need to fulfill your own potential, and as long as you remain true to that calling, and always do your best to fulfill your purpose, you don’t need to expect anything more from yourself. It’s easy to get tangled up with the idea of trying to be the best—the best parent, the best employee, the best child, or best friend.

If we try to be the best, we run the risk of short-circuiting our originality because we are striving to fit into someone else’s vision of success. In addition, if everyone is striving for the same outcome, we lose out on creativity, diversity, and visionary alternatives to the way things are done. On another note, there is nothing wrong with wanting to improve, but examining where this feeling comes from is important because wanting to be better than others is our ego coming into play.

Letting go of the tendency to hold ourselves up to other people’s standards, and letting go of the belief that we need to compete and win, doesn’t mean we don’t believe in doing the best job we can.

We always strive to do our best, because when we do we create a life free of regret, knowing we have performed to the best of our ability. This allows us to feel great personal satisfaction in all of our efforts, regardless of how others perceive the outcome.

Real World Advice

2008-06-10T09:58:00.000-07:00
Love him or hate him, he sure hits the nail on the head with this! Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.

Rule 1 : Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2 : The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3 : You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4 : If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5 : Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

If you agree, pass it on.
If you can read this - Thank a teacher!
If you can read this in English - Thank a Veteran

A Few Declarations of Founding Fathers and Early Statesman on Jesus, Christianity and the Bible

2008-06-04T12:47:00.000-07:00

Lately--I've been taking a more serious interest in the upcoming election in Nov, and have been watching the series "American Heritage". Ive been learning a lot. You can find more information on the series on: www.wallbuilders.com
A Few Declarations of Founding Fathers and Early Statesmen on Jesus, Christianity, and the Bible
(This list is by no means exhaustive; many other Founders could be included, and even with those who appear below, additional quotes could have been used.)
John Adams
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; JUDGE; DIPLOMAT; ONE OF TWO SIGNERS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES<>
The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.1
The Holy Ghost carries on the whole Christian system in this earth. Not a baptism, not a marriage, not a sacrament can be administered but by the Holy Ghost. . . . There is no authority, civil or religious – there can be no legitimate government but what is administered by this Holy Ghost. There can be no salvation without it. All without it is rebellion and perdition, or in more orthodox words damnation.2
Without religion, this world would be something not fit to be mentioned in polite company: I mean hell.3
The Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity.4
Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. . . . What a Eutopia – what a Paradise would this region be!5
I have examined all religions, and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world.6
John Quincy Adams
SIXTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; DIPLOMAT; SECRETARY OF STATE; U. S. SENATOR; U. S. REPRESENTATIVE; “OLD MAN ELOQUENT”; “HELL-HOUND OF ABOLITION” <>
My hopes of a future life are all founded upon the Gospel of Christ and I cannot cavil or quibble away [evade or object to]. . . . the whole tenor of His conduct by which He sometimes positively asserted and at others countenances [permits] His disciples in asserting that He was God.7
The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the Divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made “bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God” [Isaiah 52:10].8
In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.9
Samuel Adams
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; “FATHER OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION”; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS<>
I . . . [rely] upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.10
The name of the Lord (says the Scripture) is a strong tower; thither the righteous flee and are safe [Proverbs 18:10]. Let us secure His favor and He will lead us through the journey of this life and at length receive us to a better.11
I conceive we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world . . . that the confusions that are and have been among the nations may be overruled by the promoting and speedily bringing in the holy and happy period when the kingdoms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and the people willingly bow to the scepter of Him who is the Prince of Peace.12
He also called on the State of Massachusetts to pray that . . .
the peaceful and glorious reign of our Divine Redeemer may be known and enjoyed throughout the whole family of mankind.13
we may with one heart and voice humbly implore His gracious and free pardon through Jesus Christ, supplicating His Divine aid . . . [and] above all to cause the religion of Jesus Christ, in its true spirit, to spread far and wide till the whole earth shall be filled with His glory.14
with true contrition of heart to confess their sins to God and implore forgiveness through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior.15
Josiah Bartlett
MILITARY OFFICER; SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; JUDGE; GOVERNOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE<>
Called on the people of New Hampshire . . . to confess before God their aggravated transgressions and to implore His pardon and forgiveness through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ . . . [t]hat the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ may be made known to all nations, pure and undefiled religion universally prevail, and the earth be fill with the glory of the Lord.16
Gunning Bedford
MILITARY OFFICER; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; FEDERAL JUDGE<>
To the triune God – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost – be ascribed all honor and dominion, forevermore – Amen.17
Elias Boudinot
PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; SIGNED THE PEACE TREATY TO END THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION; FIRST ATTORNEY ADMITTED TO THE U. S. SUPREME COURT BAR; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; DIRECTOR OF THE U. S. MINT<>
Let us enter on this important business under the idea that we are Christians on whom the eyes of the world are now turned… [L]et us earnestly call and beseech Him, for Christ’s sake, to preside in our councils. . . . We can only depend on the all powerful influence of the Spirit of God, Whose Divine aid and assistance it becomes us as a Christian people most devoutly to implore. Therefore I move that some minister of the Gospel be requested to attend this Congress every morning . . . in order to open the meeting with prayer.18
A letter to his daughter:
You have been instructed from your childhood in the knowledge of your lost state by nature – the absolute necessity of a change of heart and an entire renovation of soul to the image of Jesus Christ – of salvation through His meritorious righteousness only – and the indispensable necessity of personal holiness without which no man shall see the Lord [Hebrews 12:14]. You are well acquainted that the most perfect and consummate doctrinal knowledge is of no avail without it operates on and sincerely affects the heart, changes the practice, and totally influences the will – and that without the almighty power of the Spirit of God enlightening your mind, subduing your will, and continually drawing you to Himself, you can do nothing. . . . And may the God of your parents (for many generations past) seal instruction to your soul and lead you to Himself through the blood of His too greatly despised Son, Who notwithstanding, is still reclaiming the world to God through that blood, not imputing to them their sins. To Him be glory forever!19
For nearly half a century have I anxiously and critically studied that invaluable treasure [the Bible]; and I still scarcely ever take it up that I do not find something new – that I do not receive some valuable addition to my stock of knowledge or perceive some instructive fact never observed before. In short, were you to ask me to recommend the most valuable book in the world, I should fix on the Bible as the most instructive both to the wise and ignorant. Were you to ask me for one affording the most rational and pleasing entertainment to the inquiring mind, I should repeat, it is the Bible; and should you renew the inquiry for the best philosophy or the most interesting history, I should still urge you to look into your Bible. I would make it, in short, the Alpha and Omega of knowledge.20
Jacob Broom
LEGISLATOR; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION<>
A letter to his son, James, attending Princeton University:
I flatter myself you will be what I wish, but don’t be so much flatterer as to relax of your application – don’t forget to be a Christian. I have said much to you on this head, and I hope an indelible impression is made.21
Charles Carroll
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; SELECTED AS DELEGATE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; U. S. SENATOR<>
On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for salvation and on His merits, not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.22
Grateful to Almighty God for the blessings which, through Jesus Christ Our Lord, He had conferred on my beloved country in her emancipation and on myself in permitting me, under circumstances of mercy, to live to the age of 89 years, and to survive the fiftieth year of independence, adopted by Congress on the 4th of July 1776, which I originally subscribed on the 2d day of August of the same year and of which I am now the last surviving signer.23
I, Charles Carroll. . . . give and bequeath my soul to God who gave it, my body to the earth, hoping that through and by the merits, sufferings, and mediation of my only Savior and Jesus Christ, I may be admitted into the Kingdom prepared by God for those who love, fear and truly serve Him.24
Congress, 1854
The great, vital, and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.25
Congress, U. S. House Judiciary Committee, 1854
Had the people, during the Revolution, had a suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle... In this age, there can be no substitute for Christianity... That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.26
John Dickinson
SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA; GOVERNOR OF DELAWARE; GENERAL IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION<>
Rendering thanks to my Creator for my existence and station among His works, for my birth in a country enlightened by the Gospel and enjoying freedom, and for all His other kindnesses, to Him I resign myself, humbly confiding in His goodness and in His mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of eternity.27
[Governments] caould not give the rights essential to happiness… We claim them from a higher source: from the King of kings, and Lord of all the earth.28
Gabriel Duvall
SOLDIER; JUDGE; SELECTED AS DELEGATE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; COMPTROLLER OF THE U. S. TREASURY; U. S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE<>
I resign my soul into the hands of the Almighty Who gave it, in humble hopes of His mercy through our Savior Jesus Christ.29
Benjamin Franklin
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION; DIPLOMAT; PRINTER; SCIENTIST; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA<>
As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and His religion as He left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see.30
The body of Benjamin Franklin, printer, like the cover of an old book, its contents torn out and stripped of its lettering and guilding, lies here, food for worms. Yet the work itself shall not be lost; for it will, as he believed, appear once more in a new and more beatiful edition, corrected and amended by the Author.31 (FRANKLIN’S EULOGY THAT HE WROTE FOR HIMSELF)
Elbridge Gerry
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; MEMBER OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS, GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES<>
He called on the State of Massachusetts to pray that . . .
with one heart and voice we may prostrate ourselves at the throne of heavenly grace and present to our Great Benefactor sincere and unfeigned thanks for His infinite goodness and mercy towards us from our birth to the present moment for having above all things illuminated us by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, presenting to our view the happy prospect of a blessed immortality.32
And for our unparalleled ingratitude to that Adorable Being Who has seated us in a land irradiated by the cheering beams of the Gospel of Jesus Christ . . . let us fall prostrate before offended Deity, confess sincerely and penitently our manifold sins and our unworthiness of the least of His Divine favors, fervently implore His pardon through the merits of our mediator.33
And deeply impressed with a scene of our unparalleled ingratitude, let us contemplate the blessings which have flowed from the unlimited grave and favor of offended Deity, that we are still permitted to enjoy the first of Heaven’s blessings: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 34
Alexander Hamilton
REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; AUTHOR OF THE FEDERALIST PAPERS; SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY<>
Following his duel with Aaron Burr, in those final twenty four hours while life still remained in him, Hamilton called for two ministers, the Rev. J. M. Mason and the Rev. Benjamin Moore, to pray with him and administer Communion to him. Each of those two ministers reported what transpired. The Rev. Mason recounted:
[General Hamilton said] “I went to the field determined not to take his life.” He repeated his disavowal of all intention to hurt Mr. Burr; the anguish of his mind in recollecting what had passed; and his humble hope of forgiveness from his God. I recurred to the topic of the Divine compassion; the freedom of pardon in the Redeemer Jesus to perishing sinners. “That grace, my dear General, which brings salvation, is rich, rich” – “Yes,” interrupted he, “it is rich grace.” “And on that grace,” continued I, “a sinner has the highest encouragement to repose his confidence, because it is tendered to him upon the surest foundation; the Scrip¬ture testifying that we have redemption through the blood of Jesus, the forgiveness of sins according to the richness of His grace.” Here the General, letting go my hand, which he had held from the moment I sat down at his bed side, clasped his hands together, and, looking up towards Heaven, said, with emphasis, “I have a tender reliance on the mercy of the Al¬mighty, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ.” 35
The Rev. Benjamin Moore reported:
[I]mmediately after he was brought from [the field] . . . a mes¬sage was sent informing me of the sad event, accompanied by a request from General Hamilton that I would come to him for the purpose of administering the Holy Communion. I went. . . . I proceeded to converse with him on the subject of his receiving the Communion; and told him that with respect to the qualifications of those who wished to become partakers of that holy ordinance, my inquires could not be made in lan¬guage more expressive than that which was used by our [own] Church. – [I asked], “Do you sincerely repent of your sins past? Have you a lively faith in God’s mercy through Christ, with a thankful remembrance of the death of Christ? And are you disposed to live in love and charity with all men?” He lifted up his hands and said, “With the utmost sincerity of heart I can answer those questions in the affirmative – I have no ill will against Col. Burr. I met him with a fixed resolution to do him no harm – I forgive all that happened.” . . . The Communion was then administered, which he received with great devotion, and his heart afterwards appeared to be perfectly at rest. I saw him again this morning, when, with his last faltering words, he expressed a strong confidence in the mercy of God through the intercession of the Redeemer. I remained with him until 2 o’clock this afternoon, when death closed the awful scene – he expired without a struggle, and almost without a groan. By reflecting on this melancholy event, let the humble believer be encouraged ever to hold fast that precious faith which is the only source of true consolation in the last extremity of nature. [And l]et the infidel be persuaded to abandon his opposition to that Gospel which the strong, inquisitive, and comprehensive mind of a Hamilton embraced.36
One other consequence of Hamilton’s untimely death was that it permanently halted the forma¬tion of a religious society Hamilton had proposed. Hamilton suggested that it be named the Christian Constitutional Society, and listed two goals for its formation: first, the support of the Christian religion; and second, the support of the Constitution of the United States. This or¬ganization was to have numerous clubs throughout each state which would meet regularly and work to elect to office those who reflected the goals of the Christian Constitutional Society. 37
John Hancock
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS<>
Sensible of the importance of Christian piety and virtue to the order and happiness of a state, I cannot but earnestly commend to you every measure for their support and encouragement.38
He called on the entire state to pray “that universal happiness may be established in the world [and] that all may bow to the scepter of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the whole earth be filled with His glory.”39
He also called on the State of Massachusetts to pray . . .
that all nations may bow to the scepter of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that the whole earth may be filled with his glory.40
that the spiritual kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be continually increasing until the whole earth shall be filled with His glory.41
to confess their sins and to implore forgiveness of God through the merits of the Savior of the World.42
to cause the benign religion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to be known, understood, and practiced among all the inhabitants of the earth.43
to confess their sins before God and implore His forgiveness through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.44
that He would finally overrule all events to the advancement of the Redeemer’s kingdom and the establishment of universal peace and good will among men.45
that the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be established in peace and righteousness among all the nations of the earth.46
that with true contrition of heart we may confess our sins, resolve to forsake them, and implore the Divine forgiveness, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, our Savior. . . . And finally to overrule all the commotions in the world to the spreading the true religion of our Lord Jesus Christ in its purity and power among all the people of the earth.47
John Hart
JUDGE; LEGISLATOR; SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION<>
[T]hanks be given unto Almighty God therefore, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die and after that the judgment [Hebrews 9:27] . . . principally, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner . . . to receive the same again at the general resurrection by the mighty power of God.48
Patrick Henry
REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; LEGISLATOR; “THE VOICE OF LIBERTY”; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA<>
Being a Christian… is a character which I prize far above all this world has or can boast.49
The Bible… is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed.50
Righteousness alone can exalt America as a nation. Whoever thou art, remember this; and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others.51
The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible.52
This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.53
Samuel Huntington
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; JUDGE; GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT<>
It becomes a people publicly to acknowledge the over-ruling hand of Divine Providence and their dependence upon the Supreme Being as their Creator and Merciful Preserver . . . and with becoming humility and sincere repentance to supplicate the pardon that we may obtain forgiveness through the merits and mediation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.54
James Iredell
RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NORTH CAROLINA; U. S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON<>
For my part, I am free and ready enough to declare that I think the Christian religion is a Divine institution; and I pray to God that I may never forget the precepts of His religion or suffer the appearance of an inconsistency in my principles and practice.55
John Jay
PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; DIPLOMAT; AUTHOR OF THE FEDERALIST PAPERS; ORIGINAL CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE U. S. SUPREME COURT; GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK<>
Condescend, merciful Father! to grant as far as proper these imperfect petitions, to accept these inadequate thanksgivings, and to pardon whatever of sin hath mingled in them for the sake of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Savior; unto Whom, with Thee, and the blessed Spirit, ever one God, be rendered all honor and glory, now and forever. 56
Unto Him who is the author and giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for His manifold and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by His beloved Son. . . . Blessed be His holy name.57
Mercy and grace and favor did come by Jesus Christ, and also that truth which verified the promises and predictions concerning Him and which exposed and corrected the various errors which had been imbibed respecting the Supreme Being, His attributes, laws, and dispensations.58
By conveying the Bible to people . . . we certainly do them a most interesting act of kindness. We thereby enable them to learn that man was originally created and placed in a state of happiness, but, becoming disobedient, was subjected to the degradation and evils which he and his posterity have since experienced. The Bible will also inform them that our gracious Creator has provided for us a Redeemer in whom all the nations of the earth should be blessed – that this Redeemer has made atonement “for the sins of the whole world,” and thereby reconciling the Divine justice with the Divine mercy, has opened a way for our redemption and salvation; and that these inestimable benefits are of the free gift and grace of God, not of our deserving, nor in our power to deserve. The Bible will also [encourage] them with many explicit and consoling assurances of the Divine mercy to our fallen race, and with repeated invitations to accept the offers of pardon and reconciliation. . . . They, therefore, who enlist in His service, have the highest encouragement to fulfill the du¬ties assigned to their respective stations; for most certain it is, that those of His followers who [participate in] His conquests will also participate in the tran¬scendent glories and blessings of His Triumph.59
I recommend a general and public return of praise and thanksgiving to Him from whose goodness these blessings descend. The most effectual means of securing the continuance of our civil and religious liberties is always to remember with reverence and gratitude the source from which they flow.60
The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts.61
[T]he evidence of the truth of Christianity requires only to be carefully examined to produce conviction in candid minds... they who undertake that task will derive advantages.62
Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.63
Thomas Jefferson
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; DIPLOMAT; GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA; SECRETARY OF STATE; THIRD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES<>
The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of man.64
The practice of morality being necessary for the well being of society, He [God] has taken care to impress its precepts so indelibly on our hearts that they shall not be effaced by the subtleties of our brain. We all agree in the obligation of the moral principles of Jesus and nowhere will they be found delivered in greater purity than in His discourses.65
I am a Christian in the only sense in which He wished anyone to be: sincerely attached to His doctrines in preference to all others.66
I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ.67
William Samuel Johnson
JUDGE; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; PRESIDENT OF COLUMBIA COLLEGE; U. S. SENATOR<>
[I] . . . am endeavoring . . . to attend to my own duty only as a Christian. . . . let us take care that our Christianity, though put to the test . . . be not shaken, and that our love for things really good wax not cold.68
In an address to graduates:
You this day. . . . have, by the favor of Providence and the at¬tention of friends, received a public education, the purpose whereof hath been to qualify you the better to serve your Creator and your country. You have this day invited this au¬dience to witness the progress you have made. . . . Thus you assume the character of scholars, of men, and of citizens. . . . Go, then, . . . and exercise them with diligence, fidelity, and zeal. . . . Your first great duties, you are sensible, are those you owe to Heaven, to your Creator and Redeemer. Let these be ever present to your minds, and exemplified in your lives and conduct. Imprint deep upon your minds the principles of piety towards God, and a reverence and fear of His holy name. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and its [practice] is everlasting [happiness] . . . . Reflect deeply and often upon [your] relations [with God]. Remember that it is in God you live and move and have your being, – that, in the language of David, He is about your bed and about your path and spieth out all your ways – that there is not a thought in your hearts, nor a word upon your tongues, but lo! He knoweth them al¬together, and that He will one day call you to a strict account for all your conduct in this mortal life. Remember, too, that you are the redeemed of the Lord, that you are bought with a price, even the inestimable price of the precious blood of the Son of God. Adore Jehovah, therefore, as your God and your Judge. Love, fear, and serve Him as your Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. Acquaint yourselves with Him in His word and holy ordinances. . . . [G]o forth into the world firmly resolved neither to be allured by its vanities nor contaminated by its vices, but to run with patience and perseverance, with firmness and [cheerfulness], the glorious career of religion, honor, and virtue. . . . Finally, . . . in the elegant and expressive language are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” – and do them, and the God of peace shall be with you, to whose most gracious protection I now commend you, humbly imploring Almighty Goodness that He will be your guardian and your guide, your protector and the rock of your defense, your Savior and your God.69
James Kent
JUDGE; LAW PROFESSOR; “FATHER OF AMERICAN JURISPRUDENCE” <>
My children, I wish to talk to you. During my early and middle life I was, perhaps, rather skeptical with regard to some of the truths of Christianity. Not that I did not have the utmost respect for religion and always read my Bible, but the doctrine of the atonement was one I never could understand, and I felt inclined to consider as impossible to be received in the way Divines taught it. I believe I was rather inclined to Unitarianism; but of late years my views have altered. I believe in the doctrines of the prayer books as I understand them, and hope to be saved through the merits of Jesus Christ. . . . My object in telling you this is that if anything happens to me, you might know, and perhaps it would console you to remember, that on this point my mind is clear: I rest my hopes of salvation on the Lord Jesus Christ.70
Francis Scott Key
U. S. ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; AUTHOR OF THE “STAR SPANGLED BANNER” <>
[M]ay I always hear that you are following the guidance of that blessed Spirit that will lead you into all truth, leaning on that Almighty arm that has been extended to deliver you, trusting only in the only Savior, and going on in your way to Him rejoicing.71
James Madison
SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; AUTHOR OF THE FEDERALIST PAPERS; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; SECRETARY OF STATE; FOURTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES<>
A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves lest, while we are building ideal monuments of renown and bliss here, we neglect to have our names enrolled in the Annals of Heaven.72
I have sometimes thought there could not be a stronger testimony in favor of religion or against temporal enjoyments, even the most rational and manly, than for men who occupy the most honorable and gainful departments and [who] are rising in reputation and wealth, publicly to declare their unsatisfactoriness by becoming fervent advocates in the cause of Christ; and I wish you may give in your evidence in this way.73
James Manning
MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; PRESIDENT OF BROWN UNIVERSITY
I rejoice that the religion of Jesus prevails in your parts; I can tell you the same agreeable news from this quarter. Yesterday I returned from Piscataway in East Jersey, where was held a Baptist annual meeting (I think the largest I ever saw) but much more remarkable still for the Divine influences which God was pleased to grant. Fifteen were baptized; a number during the three days professed to experience a change of heart. Christians were remarkably quickened; multitudes appeared.74
Henry Marchant
MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; ATTORNEY GENERAL OF RHODE ISLAND; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; FEDERAL JUDGE APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON
And may God grant that His grace may really affect your heart with suitable impressions of His goodness. Remember that God made you, that God keeps you alive and preserves you from all harm, and gives you all the powers and the capacity whereby you are able to read of Him and of Jesus Christ, your Savior and Redeemer, and to do every other needful business of life. And while you look around you and see the great privileges and advantages you have above what other children have (of learning to read and write, of being taught the meaning of the great truths of the Bible), you must remember not to be proud on that account but to bless God and be thankful and endeavor in your turn to assist others with the knowledge you may gain.75(to his daughter)
George Mason
DELEGATE AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; “FATHER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS” <>
I give and bequeath my soul to Almighty God that gave it me, hoping that through the meritorious death and passion of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ to receive absolution and remission for all my sins.76
My soul I resign into the hands of my Almighty Creator, Whose tender mercies are all over His works. . humbly hoping from His unbounded mercy and benevolence, through the merits of my blessed Savior, a remission of my sins.77
James McHenry
REVOLUTIONARY OFFICER; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; SECRETARY OF WAR UNDER PRESIDENTS GEORGE WASHINGTON AND JOHN ADAMS<>
[P]ublic utility pleads most forcibly for the general distribution of the Holy Scriptures. Without the Bible, in vain do we increase penal laws and draw entrenchments around our institutions.78
Bibles are strong protections. Where they abound, men cannot pursue wicked courses and at the same time enjoy quiet conscience.79
Thomas McKean
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA; GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA; GOVERNOR OF DELAWARE<>
In the case Respublica v. John Roberts,80 John Roberts was sentenced to death after a jury found him guilty of treason. Chief Justice McKean then told him:
You will probably have but a short time to live. Before you launch into eternity, it be¬hooves you to improve the time that may be allowed you in this world: it behooves you most seriously to reflect upon your past conduct; to repent of your evil deeds; to be incessant in prayers to the great and merciful God to forgive your manifold transgressions and sins; to teach you to rely upon the merit and passion of a dear Redeemer, and thereby to avoid those regions of sorrow – those doleful shades where peace and rest can never dwell, where even hope cannot enter. It behooves you to seek the [fellowship], advice, and prayers of pious and good men; to be [persistent] at the Throne of Grace, and to learn the way that leadeth to happiness. May you, reflecting upon these things, and pursuing the will of the great Father of light and life, be received into [the] company and society of angels and archangels and the spirits of just men made perfect; and may you be qualified to enter into the joys of Heaven – joys unspeakable and full of glory!81
Gouverneur Morris
REVOLUTIONARY OFFICER; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; “PENMAN OF THE CONSTITUTION”; DIPLOMAT; U. S. SENATOR<>
There must be religion. When that ligament is torn, society is disjointed and its members perish… [T]he most important of all lessons is the denunciation of ruin to every state that rejects the precepts of religion.82
Your good morals in the army give me sincere pleasure as it hath long been my fixed opinion that virtue and religion are the great sources of human happiness. More especially is it necessary in your profession firmly to rely upon the God of Battles for His guardianship and protection in the dreadful hour of trial. But of all these things you will and I hope in the merciful Lord.83
Jedidiah Morse
HISTORIAN OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION; EDUCATOR; “FATHER OF AMERICAN GEOGRAPHY”; APPOINTED BY SECRETARY OF STATE TO DOCUMENT CONDITION OF INDIAN AFFAIRS<>
To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoys. All efforts made to destroy the foundations of our Holy Religion ultimately tend to the subversion also of our political freedom and happiness. In proportion as the genuine effects of Christianity are diminished in any nation… in the same proportion will the people of that nation recede from the blessings of genuine freedom… Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government – and all the blessings which flow from them – must fall with them. 84
John Morton
LEGISLATOR; JUDGE; SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION<>
With an awful reverence to the Great Almighty God, Creator of all mankind, being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory, thanks be given to Almighty God for the same.85
James Otis
LEADER OF THE SONS OF LIBERTY; ATTORNEY & JURIST; MENTOR OF JOHN HANCOCK AND SAMUEL ADAMS<>
Has [government] any solid foundation? Any chief cornerstone?... I think it has an everlasting foundation in the unchangeable will of God… The sum of my argument is that civil government is of God.86
Robert Treat Paine
MILITARY CHAPLAIN; SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MASSACHUSETTS; JUDGE<>
I desire to bless and praise the name of God most high for appointing me my birth in a land of Gospel Light where the glorious tidings of a Savior and of pardon and salvation through Him have been continually sounding in mine ears.87
I am constrained to express my adoration of the Supreme Being, the Author of my existence, in full belief of His Providential goodness and His forgiving mercy revealed to the world through Jesus Christ, through whom I hope for never ending happiness in a future state.88
I believe the Bible to be the written word of God and to contain in it the whole rule of faith and manners.89
William Paterson
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NEW JERSEY; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; U. S. SENATOR; GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY; U. S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE<>
When the righteous rule, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. [invoking Proverbs 29:2 to instruct a grand jury].90
Timothy Pickering
REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; JUDGE; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; POSTMASTER GENERAL UNDER PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON; SECRETARY OF WAR UNDER PRESIDENTS GEORGE WASHINGTON AND JOHN ADAMS; SECRETARY OF STATE UNDER PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS<>
Pardon, we beseech Thee, all our offences of omission and commission; and grant that in all our thoughts, words, and actions, we may conform to Thy known will manifested in our consciences and in the revelations of Jesus Christ, our Savior.91
[W]e do not grieve as those who have no… resurrection to a life immortal. Here the believers in Christianity manifest their superior advantages, for life and immortality were brought to light by the gospel of Jesus Christ [II Timothy 1:10]. Prior to that revelation even the wisest and best of mankind were involved in doubt and they hoped, rather than believed, that the soul was immortal.92
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
REVOLUTIONARY GENERAL; LEGISLATOR; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; DIPLOMAT<>
To the eternal and only true God be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen!93
John Randolph of Roanoke
CONGRESSMAN UNDER PRESIDENTS JOHN ADAMS, THOMAS JEFFERSON, JAMES MADISON, JAMES MONROE, JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, ANDREW JACKSON; U. S. SENATOR; DIPLOMAT<>
I have thrown myself, reeking with sin, on the mercy of God, through Jesus Christ His blessed Son and our (yes, my friend, our) precious Redeemer; and I have assurances as strong as that I now owe nothing to your rank that the debt is paid and now I love God – and with reason. I once hated him – and with reason, too, for I knew not Christ. The only cause why I should love God is His goodness and mercy to me through Christ.94
I am at last reconciled to my God and have assurance of His pardon through faith in Christ, against which the very gates of hell cannot prevail. Fear hath been driven out by perfect love.95
[I] have looked to the Lord Jesus Christ, and hope I have obtained pardon.96
[I] still cling to the cross of my Redeemer, and with God’s aid firmly resolve to lead a life less unworthy of one who calls himself the humble follower of Jesus Christ.97
Benjamin Rush
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; SURGEON GENERAL OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; “FATHER OF AMERICAN MEDICINE”; TREASURER OF THE U. S. MINT; “FATHER OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION” <>
The Gospel of Jesus Christ prescribes the wisest rules for just conduct in every situation of life. Happy they who are enabled to obey them in all situations! . . . My only hope of salvation is in the infinite tran¬scendent love of God manifested to the world by the death of His Son upon the Cross. Noth¬ing but His blood will wash away my sins [Acts 22:16]. I rely exclusively upon it. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly! [Revelation 22:20]98
I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament.99
By renouncing the Bible, philosophers swing from their moorings upon all moral subjects… It is the only correct map of the human heart that ever has been published.100
[T]he greatest discoveries in science have been made by Christian philosophers and . . . there is the most knowledge in those countries where there is the most Christianity.101
[T]he only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government is the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible.102
The great enemy of the salvation of man, in my opinion, never invented a more effective means of limiting Christianity from the world than by persuading mankind that it was improper to read the Bible at schools.103
[C]hristianity is the only true and perfect religion; and… in proportion as mankind adopt its principles and obey its precepts, they will be wise and happy.104
The Bible contains more knowledge necessary to man in his present state than any other book in the world.105
The Bible, when not read in schools, is seldom read in any subsequent period of life… [T]he Bible… should be read in our schools in preference to all other books because it contains the greatest portion of that kind of knowledge which is calculated to produce private and public happiness.106
Roger Sherman
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; “MASTER BUILDER OF THE CONSTITUTION”; JUDGE; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; U. S. SENATOR<>
I believe that there is one only liv¬ing and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Tes¬taments are a revelation from God, and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him. . . . That He made man at first perfectly holy; that the first man sinned, and as he was the public head of his posterity, they all became sinners in consequence of his first transgres¬sion, are wholly indisposed to that which is good and inclined to evil, and on account of sin are liable to all the miseries of this life, to death, and to the pains of hell forever. I believe that God . . . did send His own Son to become man, die in the room and stead of sinners, and thus to lay a foundation for the offer of pardon and salvation to all mankind, so as all may be saved who are willing to accept the Gospel offer. . . . I believe a visible church to be a congregation of those who make a credible profession of their faith in Christ, and obedi¬ence to Him, joined by the bond of the covenant. . . . I believe that the sacraments of the New Testament are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. . . . I believe that the souls of believers are at their death made perfectly holy, and immediately taken to glory: that at the end of this world there will be a resurrec¬tion of the dead, and a final judgment of all mankind, when the righteous shall be publicly acquitted by Christ the Judge and admitted to everlasting life and glory, and the wicked be sentenced to everlasting punishment.107
God commands all men everywhere to repent. He also commands them to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and has assured us that all who do repent and believe shall be saved… [G]od… has absolutely promised to bestow them on all these who are willing to accept them on the terms of the Gospel – that is, in a way of free grace through the atonement. “Ask and ye shall receive [John 16:24]. Whosoever will, let him come and take of the waters of life freely [Revelation 22:17]. Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out” [John 6:37].108
[I]t is the duty of all to acknowledge that the Divine Law which requires us to love God with all our heart and our neighbor as ourselves, on pain of eternal damnation, is Holy, just, and good. . . . The revealed law of God is the rule of our duty.109
True Christians are assured that no temptation (or trial) shall happen to them but what they shall be enabled to bear; and that the grace of Christ shall be sufficient for them.110
“The volume which he consulted more than any other was the Bible. It was his custom, at the commencement of every session of Congress, to purchase a copy of the Scriptures, to peruse it daily, and to present it to one of his children on his return.”111
Richard Stockton
JUDGE; SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE<>
[A]s my children will have frequent occasion of perusing this instrument, and may probably be particularly impressed with the last words of their father, I think it proper here not only to subscribe to the entire belief of the great and leading doctrines of the Christian religion, such as the being of God; the universal defection and depravity of human nature; the Divinity of the person and the completeness of the redemption purchased by the blessed Savior; the necessity of the opera¬tions of the Divine Spirit; of Divine faith accompanied with an habitual virtuous life; and the universality of the Divine Providence: but also, in the bowels of a father’s affection, to exhort and charge [my children] that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, that the way of life held up in the Christian system is calculated for the most complete happiness that can be enjoyed in this mortal state, [and] that all occasions of vice and immorality is injurious either im¬mediately or consequentially – even in this life.112
Stone
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; SELECTED AS A DELEGATE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION<>
Shun all giddy, loose, and wicked company; they will corrupt and lead you into vice and bring you to ruin. Seek the company of sober, virtuous and good people… which will lead [you] to solid happiness.113
Joseph Story
U. S. CONGRESSMAN; “FATHER OF AMERICAN JURISPRUDENCE”; U. S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT JAMES MADISON<>
One of the beautiful boasts of our municipal jurisprudence is that Christianity is a part of the Common Law. There never has been a period in which the Common Law did not recognize Christianity as lying at its foundations.114
I verily believe that Christianity is necessary to support a civil society and shall ever attend to its institutions and acknowledge its precepts as the pure and natural sources of private and social happiness.115
Caleb Strong
DELEGATE AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION TO FRAME THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; RATIFIER OF THE CONSTITUTION; U. S. SENATOR; GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS<>
He called on the State of Massachusetts to pray that . . . all nations may know and be obedient to that grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ.116
Zephaniah Swift
U. S. CONGRESSMAN; DIPLOMAT; JUDGE; AUTHOR OF AMERICA’S FIRST LEGAL TEXT (1795) <>
Jesus Christ has in the clearest manner inculcated those duties which are productive of the highest moral felicity and consistent with all the innocent enjoyments, to which we are impelled by the dictates of nature. Religion, when fairly considered in its genuine simplicity and uncorrupted state, is the source of endless rapture and delight.117
Charles Thomson
SECRETARY OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; DESIGNER OF THE GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES; ALONG WITH JOHN HANCOCK, THOMSON WAS ONE OF ONLY TWO FOUNDERS TO SIGN THE INITIAL DRAFT OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE APPROVED BY CONGRESS<>
I am a Christian. I believe only in the Scriptures, and in Jesus Christ my Savior.118
Jonathan Trumbull
JUDGE; LEGISLATOR; GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT; CONFIDANT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON AND CALLED “BROTHER JONATHAN” BY HIM<>
The examples of holy men teach us that we should seek Him with fasting and prayer, with penitent confession of our sins, and hope in His mercy through Jesus Christ the Great Redeemer.119
Principally and first of all, I bequeath my soul to God the Creator and giver thereof, and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial, in firm belief that I shall receive the same again at the general resurrection through the power of Almighty God, and hope of eternal life and happiness through the merits of my dear Redeemer Jesus Christ.120
He called on the State of Connecticut to pray that . . .
God would graciously pour out His Spirit upon us and make the blessed Gospel in His hand effectual to a thorough reformation and general revival of the holy and peaceful religion of Jesus Christ.121
George Washington
JUDGE; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY; PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; “FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY” <>
You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.122
While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.123
The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger. The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier, defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country.124
I now make it my earnest prayer that God would… most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of the mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion.125
Daniel Webster
U. S. SENATOR; SECRETARY OF STATE; “DEFENDER OF THE CONSTITUTION” <>
[T]he Christian religion – its general principles – must ever be regarded among us as the foundation of civil society.126
Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens.127
[T]o the free and universal reading of the Bible… men [are] much indebted for right views of civil liberty.128
The Bible is a book… which teaches man his own individual responsibility, his own dignity, and his equality with his fellow man.129
Noah Webster
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER; JUDGE; LEGISLATOR; EDUCATOR; “SCHOOLMASTER TO AMERICA” <>
[T]he religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles… This is genuine Christianity and to this we owe our free constitutions of government.130
The moral principles and precepts found in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws.131
All the… evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.132
[O]ur citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican principles is the Bible, particularly the New Testament, or the Christian religion.133
[T]he Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children under a free government ought to be instructed. No truth is more evident than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.134
The Bible is the chief moral cause of all that is good and the best corrector of all that is evil in human society – the best book for regulating the temporal concerns of men.135
[T]he Christian religion… is the basis, or rather the source, of all genuine freedom in government… I am persuaded that no civil government of a republican form can exist and be durable in which the principles of Christianity have not a controlling influence.136
John Witherspoon
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; RATIFIER OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION; PRESIDENT OF PRINCETON<>
[C]hrist Jesus – the promise of old made unto the fathers, the hope of Israel [Acts 28:20], the light of the world [John 8:12], and the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth [Romans 10:4] – is the only Savior of sinners, in opposition to all false religions and every uninstituted rite; as He Himself says (John 14:6): “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.”137
[N]o man, whatever be his character or whatever be his hope, shall enter into rest unless he be reconciled to God though Jesus Christ.138
[T]here is no salvation in any other than in Jesus Christ of Nazareth.139
I shall now conclude my discourse by preaching this Savior to all who hear me, and entreating you in the most earnest manner to believe in Jesus Christ; for “there is no salvation in any other” [Acts 4:12].140
It is very evident that both the prophets in the Old Testament and the apostles in the New are at great pains to give us a view of the glory and dignity of the person of Christ. With what magnificent titles is He adorned! What glorious attributes are ascribed to him!… All these conspire to teach us that He is truly and properly God – God over all, blessed forever!141
[I]f you are not rec¬onciled to God through Jesus Christ – if you are not clothed with the spotless robe of His righteousness – you must forever perish.142
[H]e is the best friend to American liberty who is the most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion, and who sets himself with the greatest firmness to bear down profanity and immorality of every kind. Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I scruple not to call him an enemy to his country.143
Oliver Wolcott
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; MILITARY GENERAL; GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT
Through various scenes of life, God has sustained me. May He ever be my unfailing friend; may His love cherish my soul; may my heart with gratitude acknowledge His goodness; and may my desires be to Him and to the remembrance of His name….May we then turn our eyes to the bright objects above, and may God give us strength to travel the upward road. May the Divine Redeemer conduct us to that seat of bliss which He himself has prepared for His friends; at the approach of which every sorrow shall vanish from the human heart and endless scenes of glory open upon the enraptured eye. There our love to God and each other will grow stronger, and our pleasures never be dampened by the fear of future separation. How indifferent will it then be to us whether we obtained felicity by travailing the thorny or the agreeable paths of life – whether we arrived at our rest by passing through the envied and unfragrant road of greatness or sustained hardship and unmerited reproach in our journey. God’s Providence and support through the perilous perplexing labyrinths of human life will then forever excite our astonishment and love. May a happiness be granted to those I most tenderly love, which shall continue and increase through an endless existence. Your cares and burdens must be many and great, but put your trust in that God Who has hitherto supported you and me; He will not fail to take care of those who put their trust in Him….It is most evident that this land is under the protection of the Almighty, and that we shall be saved not by our wisdom nor by our might, but by the Lord of Host Who is wonderful in counsel and Almighty in all His operations.A NAME="R144">144

Money Can't Buy Love

2008-06-03T18:28:00.000-07:00
Money can't buy love
Garrett Godwin

What can money really buy? It can buy us clothes that can keep us warm for autumn and winter. Money can also be use for food when we go with our family, friends, spouses or by ourselves. Another is food that keeps us nourished everyday at home. Because of money, we need food that will help us get through the next several days for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner and dessert when we're home.

Money can also buy things we like and want such as a DVD player, shoes that we can wear when we dress casual or for church services. Money can buy us a home or apartment, T.V., books, and supplies for school and work and the list goes on. It is good to have all of those things, but let's get back to the question what can money really buy?

Can it really buy us these: love? friendship? salvation? happiness? Money can't buy us love, as the Beatles would say. We can't put a price on love because it's not for sale. Love is priceless. Money can't buy us friendship either. If we think that having lots of money means it will lead to popularity and gaining new friends, then we're just kidding ourselves.

Thinking with this mentality will lead to believing that we could buy people's trusts, affections, as well as love. There are others claiming that they can buy their salvation, meaning we can buy our way into heaven. Well, we can't. Like love, salvation is also priceless because it can't be bought by money.

What about happiness? Can money really bring happiness into our lives? There is probably a viewpoint from the world that said having money will make us happy. But the "truth" is false. Money won't lead us to happiness nor can we buy happiness. If we become so consumed with making money all the time, using it to buy everything we see and holding on to our material possessions, then we'll be empty inside.

There is nothing wrong with having money in our lives. Nor making some either. It is important to support ourselves, our family and our friends financially. It is also important to have money to keep each other fed, clothed and bathed. However, we still have to be careful on how to deal with money in our lives.

Putting money at the center of our lives will lead to replacing the true God who created us in His image. In other words, money is what we'll worship by declaring it as a "God." But in the end, it will leave us empty inside our hearts. That leads once again to the question: what can money really buy?

Not our souls; not friends, love, salvation, redemption. Not even God.

God is Neither Democrat or Republican....

2008-06-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

.... But we all are One Nation Under God!
It saddens me that during Political season that there is so much mud slinging against one another. Our Founding Fathers wouldnt have wanted that. Its time to get back to basics, back to our grassroots. Thats why I support Ron Paul-- cause that is his Constitutional message as well! http://www.ronpaul.com/
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the BLESSING OF LIBERTY to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
I ask myself, where is God in the mist of our Nation right now?? I personally think that the reason that America is so "knee deep in the hoopla", cause everyone thinks they can solve the problem on their own, and in their own power (Not true-- only God can do that!)
We all need to admit of our sin, and then God will heal our land. Until then, we are just playing right into Satans hand!
2 Chronicles 7:14
"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land".
The lyrics to the song, Man in the Mirror, states this nicely. It all starts with us to make that change or we go down with the ship, folks!
May God Bless America & Lord, help us all!
"Man In The Mirror"
I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .
As I, Turn Up The Collar On My Favourite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See Their Needs
A Summer's Disregard,
A Broken Bottle Top
And A One Man's Soul
They Follow Each Other On The Wind Ya' Know'
Cause They Got Nowhere To Go
That's Why I Want You To Know
I'm Starting With The Man InThe Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The WorldA Better Place
(If You Wanna Make TheWorld A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself, AndThen Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself, AndThen Make A Change)
(Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,Na Nah)
I've Been A Victim Of A SelfishKind Of Love
It's Time That I Realize
That There Are Some With No Home,
Not A Nickel To Loan
Could It Be Really Me,
Pretending That They're NotAlone?
A Willow Deeply Scarred,
Somebody's Broken Heart
And A Washed-Out Dream
(Washed-Out Dream)
They Follow The Pattern OfThe Wind, Ya' See
Cause They Got No PlaceTo Be
That's Why I'm Starting WithMe
(Starting With Me!)
I'm Starting With The Man InThe Mirror
(Ooh!)I'm Asking Him To ChangeHis Ways
(Ooh!)And No Message Could HaveBeen Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The WorldA Better Place
(If You Wanna Make TheWorld A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself AndThen Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself AndThen Make A Change)
I'm Starting With The Man InThe Mirror
(Ooh!)
I'm Asking Him To Change HisWays
(Change His Ways-Ooh!)
And No Message Could've Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself AndThen Make That . . .
(Take A Look At Yourself AndThen Make That . . .)
Change!
I'm Starting With The Man InThe Mirror,
(Man In The Mirror-OhYeah!)
I'm Asking Him To ChangeHis Ways
(Better Change!)
No Message Could HaveBeen Any Clearer
(If You Wanna Make TheWorld A Better Place)
(Take A Look At Yourself AndThen Make The Change)
(You Gotta Get It Right, WhileYou Got The Time)
('Cause When You Close YourHeart)
You Can't Close Your . . .YourMind!
(Then You Close Your . . .Mind!)
That Man, That Man, ThatMan, That Man
With That Man In The Mirror
(Man In The Mirror, Oh Yeah!)
That Man, That Man, That Man
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
(Better Change!)You Know . . .That Man
No Message Could HaveBeen Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The WorldA Better Place
(If You Wanna Make TheWorld A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself AndThen Make A Change)
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,Na Nah(Oh Yeah!)
Gonna Feel Real Good Now!
Yeah Yeah! Yeah Yeah!Yeah Yeah!Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,Na Nah
(Ooooh . . .)
Oh No, No No . . .I'm Gonna Make A Change
It's Gonna Feel Real Good!Come On!(Change . . .)
Just Lift Yourself
You KnowYou've Got To Stop It.Yourself!
(Yeah!-Make That Change!)
I've Got To Make That Change,Today!Hoo!
(Man In The Mirror)
You Got ToYou Got To Not Let Yourself . . .Brother . . .Hoo!
(Yeah!-Make That Change!)
You Know-I've Got To GetThat Man, That Man . .
.(Man In The Mirror)
You've Got ToYou've Got To Move!
ComeOn! Come On!You Got To . .
.Stand Up! Stand Up!Stand Up!(Yeah-Make That Change)
Stand Up And LiftYourself, Now!(Man In The Mirror)Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!Aaow!
(Yeah-Make That Change)
Gonna Make That Change . . .Come On!(Man In The Mirror)
You Know It!You Know It!You Know It!You Know . .
.(Change . . .)
Make That Change.

Your Life-- A Masterpiece!

2008-06-01T11:36:00.000-07:00

Each moment of your life is a brush stroke in the painting of your
growing career.

There are the bold, sweeping strokes of one
increasing, dynamic purpose.

There are the lights and shadows
that make your life deep and strong.

There are the little touches
that add the stamp of character and worth.

The art of achievement
is the art of making life--your life--a masterpiece...
--Wilferd A Peterson

Every day we contribute to the person we will become one day. If you envision yourself as a portrait, you'll see how we continue to add to the who we are in what could be called brush strokes, some bold and brilliant, some subtle and understated. We may have a bit of an idea of what the portrait will look like when we finish, but that's just an idea--there's a very good chance that our contributions to our lives will lead us to be much different than we now think we will...

Can my life be a masterpiece? Absolutely. Will it hang in the Louvre? Definitely not. Some of the most beautiful paintings that I've ever seen have been hanging in doctors' or dentists' offices, or they've been on the wall in some college or gallery. And they've been true masterpieces--beautiful works that are full of great details and lots of character...

I always remind myself that my life probably isn't one that is going to be up for public scrutiny. My masterpiece may be seen by no one when it's finished one day, but that's okay by me--I want the brush strokes to mean something to me, and something to the people I touch in life. Even if my masterpiece hangs in some hidden room that few people ever visit, that's fine--the fun is in the creation of it, without being attached to any expectations of what will happen to it when it's done...

If one advances confidently in the direction of
one's dreams, and endeavors to live the life one
has imagined, one will meet with a success
unexpected in common hours...
--Henry David Thoreau

~ Living Life Fully ~

How An Autistic Child Thinks...

2008-05-31T19:44:00.000-07:00
How an Autistic Child thinks......

Nobody can see my disability. I look just like every other kid-attractive, walking, making sound's. They can't see how my neurons are scrambled in my brain. They can't see the misconnections between the left and right brain. Nobody can see I have autism.

Nobody can see that my body is sick. No one can see that my stomach is in knots from my digestive system not working. No one can that my body and mind are starving because my cells don't make the right enzymes to digest food. No one see that I suffer from low blood sugar because I can't properly metabolize nourishment.No one can see that my body is attacking its own nerve cells from auto-immune dysfunction.

No one can see that mercury lead and arsenic cannot be excreted from my body, so it keeps building up in my brain.

No one understands that my body cannot tolerate normal enjoyments for children, like bright, vivid colors and loud noises. I desperately want to be a kid and enjoy these things, but my body just won't let me.But everyone can see how inappropriate my behavior can be when I am out in public. Everyone can see how immature I can be compared to other kids my age. Everyone sees the 2-year old tantrums when things have been too overwhelming for me.

Everyone sees my frustration from trying to cope.Everyone sees my screaming and fighting. Everyone just assumes I'm being bad, not that my body hurts, my eyes are in pain from colors, my ears ring with loud noises not heard by others.Everyone sees my tantrums when I don't get my way.

No one sees that I can't explain my fear when I think I'm not being understood. Everyone may see my screams when my mom takes something away from me. No one can see that having something of comfort can keep my fears under control for me, and taking it away makes my nerves explodes in anxiety.No one understands how hard I have to work to keep my behaviors from reacting to the chemical imbalances in my body that makes me feel horrible.

No one can see that, no matter how hard I try, sometimes I cannot control it. No one can see the shame I feel after I've had a meltdown from my body's problems.What they don't see I am a person. I have feelings and want to be loved and accepted like everyone else. What they don't see is that, when they look at me like I need a good spanking; I understand that I'm not capable of controlling my body.

What they don't see is that I scream because I don't know how to say "HELP ME"What they don't see is that I hear every ugly word they say, but for the life of me, I can't make my mouth say what I'm feeling. But they don't see that as a disability.

They say I am unmanageable. They say I am a problem.But I am not a problem. I HAVE AUTISM. My mom has taken me to more doctors and specialist than you can ever imagine. She's read more books and done more research on my disease than parents would ever want. She has tried special diet, supplements, drugs and various metabolic therapies. She has PRAYED for GUIDANCE and asked for discernment on how to help my body. And behaviors, OH YES, has she tried everything to help my behavior.

Stop telling her all I need is a spanking. If spanking would stop all this, my mom would gladly exchange my disability for a spanking. She knows better than all of you what I need to help me, and what we both need is your understanding, not ignorance.I just want to be accepted and understood. No blamed and ashamed, I want to be appreciated for my gifts. I do have some if you look more closely.

I want to be cared for as a person. I want you to care, even when I act like I don't.I want to be respected, just like you do. I want you to respect my mom and dad for all the hard work they have done to help me try to lead a normal a life as possible. I want you to respect my family and all the struggles we have to endure because of our love for each other.I want to be LOVED like any other child. And need you to role model respectful behavior for me so I can be respectful too.

I want you to love me just like God would.

Worship that Pleases God!

2008-05-28T11:34:00.000-07:00
This is a very nice reminder :) For me, Praise & worship time is one of my favorite parts of going to church. It prepares my spirit to receive the Word. Worship is different for everyone, but for me...I used to wonder why that I would get so emotional and shed tears during Praise & worship time at church.

I now know that it is my spirit being in touch with the Holy Spirit and it will sometimes make me cry. I call it my "Holy Spirit" washing-- that the Lord is washing away all the gunk that is going in my life. I also will get that warm and an all over tingly feeling. It is then when I feel the Lords presence and feel totally connected. I just close my eyes and worship. It does my spirit and soul good and I just forget about all the garbage that might be going on in my life. :)

Worship That Pleases God
by Rick Warren

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’” Mark 12:29-30 (NLT)
*** *** *** ***

God doesn’t want a part of your life. He asks for all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. He’s not interested in half-hearted commitment, partial obedience, and the leftovers of your time and money. He desires your full devotion.

A Samaritan woman once tried to debate Jesus on the best time, place, and style for worship. Jesus replied that these external issues are irrelevant. Where you worship is not as important as why you worship and how much of yourself you offer to God when you worship.

The Bible teaches worship that pleases God has four characteristics:
God is pleased when our worship is accurate.
God is pleased when our worship is authentic.
God is pleased when our worship is thoughtful.
God is pleased when our worship is practical.

When Jesus said, “Love God with all your strength,” he was saying that worship takes effort and energy. It’s not always convenient or comfortable, and sometimes worship is a sheer act of the will—a willing sacrifice.

When you praise God even when you don’t feel like it, when you get out of bed to worship when you’re tired, or when you help others when you’re worn out, you’re offering a sacrifice of worship to God.

And that pleases God.

Ron Paul-- Hope For America!

2008-05-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

Spiritual Being--Physical Experience

2008-05-27T12:31:00.000-07:00
I liked this :) As the saying goes that "we are spiritual beings having a human experience"

Spiritual Being--Physical Experience
Physical Bodies on Earth

We are on this earth, in our physical bodies, because our souls have things to learn that we could not learn in any other way. It is through our physical body and the physical world that we can experience life.

Purely spiritual beings are just that - they are in a state of being rather than doing – in a place that is beyond the limitations of time and space. But when we incarnate on the physical plane, we are automatically subject to the laws of physics and the world of dualities. In this place, we know what happiness is because we have experienced sadness, and we understand the value and power of light because we have known darkness.

Knowing this, we have the opportunity to let ourselves be spiritual beings having a physical experience. There is no pain in the spiritual realm, because we know we are one with the limitless source of the universe. But here, in the material realm, our sense of limitation and separation allows us to feel our emotions and to learn about love, forgiveness, and compassion.

We go from a spiritual state of oneness to learning how to be in relationship with people who are different and distinct individuals. We learn to understand ourselves through our relationships with the world around us—its seasons and landscapes, challenges and opportunities. And through our journey to find our place among so many others, we begin to recognize our own glimmer of light in a constellation of stars.

Once we remember that we are spiritual beings, we can revel in the experience of being human while knowing we are all connected. We can live from the place of oneness while truly appreciating the beauty of diversity, the bittersweet feel of love and loss, and the elation of triumph over challenges and adversity.

It is through these opposites that we experience life itself, and we can ride through the dark times with the understanding that it will help us to appreciate the light of life and love and spirit more fully. We are here now because we made the choice to experience an earth life, so now we can choose to enjoy the journey as completely as possible.

The Politics Of Memorial Day, and a special project

2008-05-26T11:17:00.000-07:00
The politics of Memorial Day, and a special project

Technically, Memorial Day is not a political holiday. It actually began at the grass-roots level by post-Civil War moms who began marking the shallow graves of the fallen on both sides.

But the weekend set-to over veterans benefits between Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, and the ongoing Iraq war and stark differences between parties over that issue indicate the military will be front and center in the national debate this political season.

President Bush added his comments at an Arlington National Cemetery service today too.

With a hat tip to Politico's Mike Allen, we also note the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, is warning the military's entire officer corps to stay out of politics this year, as always.

But the main point of this item is to call to everyone's attention the compelling Memorial Day special project elsewhere on this site. A special team has been working long hours for weeks to assemble this interactive collection of all 492 of Southern California's recent war dead from Iraq and Afghanistan, searchable by hometown, high school, age, etc...

There's a specially produced video. And the familiar comment board for readers to share their thoughts and messages.

Even if you're not from Southern California -- and despite the appearance of traffic there, most Americans aren't -- you'll find the individual stories and lives revealing and compelling. The Ticket recommends it highly.
--Andrew Malcolm

Dodging and Deflecting

2008-05-25T13:29:00.000-07:00
Dodging And Deflecting
Let It Roll Off Our Back

One of the most difficult challenges in life is learning not to take things to heart and hold on to it. Especially when we’re younger, or if we’re very sensitive, we take so much of what comes our way to heart.

This can be overwhelming and unproductive if it throws us off balance on a regular basis. When we are feeling criticized or attacked from all directions, it becomes very difficult for us to recover ourselves so that we can continue to speak and act our truth.

This is when we would do well to remember the old saying about letting certain things roll off us, like water off a duck’s back. Most of the time, the attacks and criticisms of others have much more to do with them and how they are feeling than with us. If we get caught up in trying to adjust ourselves to other people’s negative energy, we lose touch with our core.

In fact, in a positive light, these slings and arrows offer us the opportunity to strengthen our core sense of self, and to learn to dodge and deflect other people’s misdirected negativity.

The more we do this, the more we are able to discern what belongs to us and what belongs to other people. With practice, we become masters of our energetic integrity, refusing to serve as targets for the disowned anger and frustration of the people around us.

Eventually, we will be able to hear the feedback that others have to offer, taking in anything that might actually be constructive, and releasing that which has nothing to do with us. First, though, we tend ourselves compassionately by recognizing when we can’t take something in from the outside without hurting ourselves.

This is when we make like a duck, shaking it off and letting it roll off our back as we continue our way in the world.

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road (Some Political humor!) LOL

2008-05-24T09:08:00.000-07:00

WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?
BARACK OBAMA:The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a CHANGE! The chicken wanted CHANGE!
JOHN McCAIN:My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he was a TERRORIST and we need to BLOW HIM UP!It's Fried Chicken for the next 100 YEARS!! YIPEE!!!
HILLARY CLINTON:When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure -- right from Day One! -- that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me......
DR. PHIL:The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on 'THIS' side of the road before it goes after the problem on the 'OTHER SIDE' of the road. What we need to do I s help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his 'CURRENT' problems before adding 'NEW' problems.
OPRAH:Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not have to live his life like the rest of the chickens.
GEORGE W. BUSH:We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here. We will attack the other side of the road whether the chickens of this country approve or not! Anyway, I thought I owned that chicken where's that black car!(clearly the chickens will not allow this madness)
COLIN POWELL:Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.
ANDERSON COOPER - CNN:We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the roador report about any of the happenings on this side of the road.
JOHN KERRY:Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
NANCY GRACE:That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! Guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walksand the way he dresses. Guilty, guilty, guilty!!
PAT BUCHANAN:That Chicken crossed the road to steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.
MARTHA STEWART:No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
DR SEUSS:Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY:To die in the rain. Alone.
GRANDPA:In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.
BARBARA WALTERS:Isn' t that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how itexperienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its life long dream of crossing the road.
ARISTOTLE:It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
JOHN LENNON:Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.
BILL GATES:I have just released eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of the Chicken. This new platform is much more stable and will never cra...
ALBERT EINSTEIN:Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
BILL CLINTON:I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. Well, what exactly is your definition of “cross”?
AL GORE:I invented the road AND the highway!
COLONEL SANDERS:Did I miss one? !
DICK CHENEY:Where' s my gun! Just keep them from everyone else. I'm in charge of that Chicken!
AL SHARPTON:Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens! and the finale!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!! drum roll!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!
RON PAUL: Let the Chicken be free to cross the road and don't take away his God given right of Liberty to cross it. Let the chicken cross it without the Taxation and NO we are not going to replace the crossing tax with another! He Marched right in, just let him March right out!

Who Am I-- Cool video

2008-05-23T16:28:00.000-07:00
My Aunt sent me this video by email & I found it to be inspiring! Enjoy!

Dead Woman Buried with Cellphone Allegedly Sends Texts to Husband

2008-05-22T12:29:00.000-07:00

Very strange! I guess some people are so in love with their techno toys that they are buried with them... LOL
Dead Woman Buried With Cellphone Allegedly Sends Texts to Husband
A grieving widower claims to have been receiving calls and text messages from beyond the grave. Frank Jones, whose wife Sadie died five years ago, says he has been plagued by SMS messages and missed calls since she was buried—her beloved cellphone in the coffin beside her.
The weirdest part of all of this is that 20 years ago, when Frank and his family moved into their house in the British resort town of Blackpool, they were plagued by paranormal behavior. Doors were slammed, bedclothes pulled off the kids while they slept, taps were turned on—and all this was put down to a malevolent presence called "The Thing."
So, the Joneses called in Blackpool's answer to Ghostbusters, the Fleetwood Spiritualist Church, who cleansed the property of The Thing, according to them a spirit "trapped between two worlds." For five years everything was A-OK until the family was hit by a double tragedy: first the death of son Steven, then Sadie just three months later. After she was buried, the weirdness returned.
Shortly after his wife's death, Frank claims to have had a missed call on his mobile, which didn't ring. "The call was from my own home number, but there was nobody in the house," he explains. "When I went inside there was a smell like cigarettes which Sadie used to smoke and the smell of her perfume." The 59-year-old also claims that his late wife has been sending them all SMSes from beyond the grave. "There have been messages with words Sadie would say but there's no number." [The Register]

Facing The Truth

2008-05-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when we see too much truth about ourselves suddenly mirrored in front of us by the teacher or the teachings, it is simply too difficult to face, too terrifying to recognize, too painful to accept as the reality about ourselves. We deny and reject it, in an absurd and desperate attempt to defend ourselves from ourselves, from the truth of who we really are. And when there are things too powerful or too difficult to accept about ourselves, we project them onto the world around us, usually onto those who help us and love us the most - our teacher, the teachings, our parent, or our closest friend...

How can we possibly penetrate the tough shield of this defensive system? The very best solution is when we can recognize ourselves that we are living duped by our own delusions. I have seen how for many people a glimpse of the truth, the true View, can bring the whole fantastic construction of wrong views, fabricated by ignorance, tumbling instantly to the ground...

~ Sogyal Rinpoche ~

Josh Groban--Guitar Hero

2008-05-21T14:24:00.000-07:00
Josh Groban Guitar Hero and Wide Awake

The Great Guitar Hero Challenge with Josh Groban and Ellen has finally taken place! Wow, what a fun challenge, great interview and performance on Ellen's show today. If you missed it in your area (or you are somewhere else on the planet), you can check them here:
Josh Groban Guitar Hero
* * *
Josh Groban Awake Live on Ellen
You are going to love these!

A Delay Doesn't Always Mean Denial

2008-05-20T16:43:00.000-07:00

I thought this was a good perspective! For example-- if my 6 year old son asked for a toy that wasnt age appropriate; I would probably make him wait-- but that doesnt mean that I would deny him of his request. It just means that I don't think he is ready for that particular thing at the time that it was requested. That is the way the Lord works as well. We still request, as it states in Philipians 4: 6; "by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God".
A Delay Doesnt Always Mean Denial

http://nbetweenmag.com/2007/08/10/delay-does-not-mean-denial/

Have you prayed for something only to have to wait and wait and wait and well wait? Have you ever felt like God was not giving you the blessing in which you asked? Do you ever in your life believe that God did not hear you?

I know I have, but then I had to search the scriptures I mean really search and stand on the word of God.
Sometimes God will delay our blessing in order to get our attention, and turn our focus inward and upward in order to gain access into our lives.

In the midst of every trial, storm, dark place, or light Jesus is sitting on the throne of grace waiting on you to surrender, submit and sell out for the word, and work of God.

I know many of us want God just to reign down the manna from heaven like he did for the Israelites in the wilderness. We want God to shower us with wealth and finances beyond belief, and not that he wont.
But what will you really do with it?

Answer these questions honestly and in your spirit as you read along with me.
If God blessed you with
One million dollars today right now, what would you do?
A new Cadillac Escalade paid for with no note
A 50 room mansion
A 6 figure income
A husband
A wife
A child
A church
A ministry
What would you do with it right now today?

Many of us don’t have the answer to those questions right now and thats okay. See I have tried him for myself and found that God’s delay doesn’t mean God’s denial. It just means that I am not ready.
If God Blessed me with a million dollars today sure I would tithe and give a tenth to the church but I would go on a spending spree for my home, myself and my children. I wouldn’t give all that money away I would horde it and sit on it or spend it all because that is where I am.
I would not donate and sew into ministries that are struggling to get the message out because right now where I am, I want to many things and guess what God is sitting up in heaven and he knows my heart, he knows that like Paul that money is the thorn in my side.Oh come on somebody we don’t want to admit that we wouldn’t be good stewards over the bounty and the blessing if he gave it to us.
Passage Matthew 25 :15
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Well done thou good and faithful servant, Oh man My prayer is that when God does blesses me that I am ready that he will make right my path give me a new song of praise, and give me the right mind and spirit to not only divide his word of truth but to be able to rightly divide his Financial Blessing upon my life.
Psalm 34:8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
God can and will bless you above any measure on heaven and on earth. God will give you the spirit of understanding and peace and stewardship if you believe.God is calling his people into holiness, oneness in him seeking him in all things big and small. He wants to be just that close to all his children and we should desire to do the same for him
Delay does not mean denial.It simply means that God wants all of us and He cant get all of us until we give him all of us.
Psalm 40
1I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
We serve a right now God with a right now blessing but how can he give us his best when we cant even be his best…..
I want you today to pray this prayer with me and replace the words I, Me, My, and make it personal by putting your name in the blanks.
Father God I am a sinner, I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins, I believe that he was rose from the dead and sits on the right Hand of you Father God. I ask Jesus to come into my heart now, save me, lead me guide me, direct me protect me. I believe that right now I am born again thank you Lord for saving me and making me whole. In the matchless name of Jesus Amen

Now give God thanks for the wonders of his love and understanding.
Be Blessed and encouraged!

What God Asks of Us

2008-05-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

What God Asks of Us

God said:

When you go to a store and see something you really like, you guess the price before you see the price tag, and you are either pleasantly surprised, or you are taken aback. The world estimates a value, and pretty much My children take the world's assigned price as its value...
And so it is with everything in the world. You estimate its value. That's what you are doing all the time. You guess the usefulness of people to you. One person you rate a million dollars, and another a nickel. This is so even when you are aware of the high value I give...
I say that each child of Mine is worth gold. I do not compare My children. Across the board, I say each one is of an inestimable price. I would not trade even one of My children. Regardless of how a child of Mine may appear to you, I have set a value. My price is firm. There is no negotiation. And my set value includes you as well...
No child of Mine has a lesser value than you. No child of Mine has a greater value than you. I know treasure when I see it. I know the gold you are made of, and I know you are worth more than jewels and all the tea in China. My heart swells with pride as I think of you and what you mean to Me. I am the only True Assessor...
You may be the wealthiest man in the world, and you would gladly give away all your wealth for the sake of one of your children. The value you set on your child is the value to assign to every single person on Earth. All children are My children, and that, whether you are aware of it or not, is what you are growing toward, where all children on Earth are your children, and you value them all. This is not a mental activity, you understand, even though you realize it. It is your heart's resurgence...
I know that the area of your mind that evaluates tosses some of My children aside, as if not worth the time of day, and yet somewhere deep within you, deep within your heart, you know this is not so. You have, however, embraced however many of My children you embrace, and you have cast others aside. This is what you are growing beyond...
Of course, you cannot sit every child on your lap nor can you meet everyone on Earth, nor can you employ everyone, nor can you feed them all, but you can greet them all. Your heart can make room for all. Your heart is big enough. Your heart can accommodate all...
Take what I say at face value, and your intellect will allow your heart to open itself gladly to welcome every Being on Earth. When I say you are the welcomer of the Universe, I mean just that. It is your heart that welcomes. The same light that shines in Christ shines in all. I favor all. And now you grow to where you also favor all. Now you treat all with the greatest consideration and regard for their inestimable value to Me...
This does not make you a softie. It makes you an aware Human Being...
As it is now, you don't value what I created enough. As it is now, you don't value yourself enough...
Now is the time for you to rise to the evaluation I say and to see it for yourself. What is this that I ask of you, beloveds, but to honor as I do honor? What is this that I ask of you but to love as I do love? What is this that I ask of you but to love all as I do love you, My beautiful Child...

~ Heavenletters ~

Karma

2008-05-15T13:40:00.000-07:00

Karma : Medical Leave

She wanted to take “advanced leave” to attend a retreat. But it was not approved. However, her leg got hurt and she received medical leave. Thus, she could go to the retreat - without taking any annual leave! Her friend commented that it was a case of “bad karma ripening at the right time”...

Then again, if the bad karma was a condition for something beneficial, it was actually good karma. It probably isn't bad karma in the first place. Whether something happens to us is really good or bad depends a lot on how you take it in your stride, to use the experience as a cause for something better...

~ Shian ~

Expert Tips On Healing the "Mother Wound"

2008-05-14T11:31:00.000-07:00
I thought this was a great article. This was posted yesterday on CNN's website - courtesy of Oprah magazine. So take it with a grain of salt, but I think there's some useful advice about healing your unmothered self by allowing yourself to be "mothered" by healthy people.Easier said than done of course. Sigh!

I grew up with a Mother who has BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) & I took her many rages, manipulations, and emotional abuse personally. It wasnt many years later that I discovered as an adult; that the conflict of the unhealthy relationship wasnt all my fault--as my Mother played it out to be.

Many years later, Im still on the road to healing & noticed that certain situations can sometimes "trigger" my painful past. However, I may not yet be where Im supposed to be, but I thank God that I'm not where I used to be!! I seek out healthy relationships and avoid "toxic" people. I rejoice that I have a Heavenly Father who is healing my heart & one day I will be fully recovered! ")

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/05/13/o.build.better.mother/index.html

Create yourself a new mother
Expert tips on healing the "mother wound

"Mothering is about acceptance, nourishment, instruction, empowerment

If you mom can't give you those things, find someone who can

You may have to build patchwork mother to get it all

By Martha Beck

(Oprah.com) -- Unfortunately, motherhood is so difficult that virtually no one does it perfectly. Maybe your mother was flawless, but it's more likely she made mistakes. Whatever her errors, you inherited a legacy of sorrow.You can and should find a way to heal what psychologists call the "mother wound."

My favorite strategy for this is to make yourself another mother.

Step 1: Think of mother as a verb

Thinking of the word mother not as a noun but as a verb ("to mother") helps change your internal definitions so that you stop looking to a human female for perfect parenting and begin to identify your mother as anyone who offers you maternal care.

You're being mothered when anyone offers you one or more of the following gifts:

Acceptance: This is not the anxious adoration of a mother who pins her hopes for happiness on her child's appearance or achievements. True mothering starts with unconditional love for another person, without demands or expectations.

Nourishment: Sustenance, comfort, and care, whether physical or emotional, are components of real motherhood. Anyone who nurtures you, in body, mind or heart, is mothering you.

Instruction: Real mothers teach constantly, showing both by example and by explanation what their children must know in order to live well.

Empowerment: Real mothers are intent on working themselves out of a job by building in those they mother the courage and confidence needed to become completely independent.

Step 2: Meet your motherless self

Once you've detached your concept of motherhood from a particular human being and learned to see mothering as a gift of love and strength, it's time to assess where you could use more mothering.

Complete these sentences with whatever comes to mind:

I feel useless, unlovable, and disgusting when ...
I feel empty and needy when ...
I feel stupid and ignorant when ...
I feel helpless and incapable when ...

If none of these feelings are familiar to you, it's a sure sign that you've been very well mothered by either your biological mom or an excellent substitute.

But if the sentences above sparked clear associations ("I feel like a stupid, ignorant moron in board meetings;" "I get incredibly needy around the holidays"), you owe it to yourself to find the kind of maternal love that can nurture your unmet needs. It's time to make yourself a patchwork mom.

3: Patch together your ideal mother

After identifying the situations where you need more mothering, commit to finding people who can offer you acceptance, nourishment, instruction, and empowerment in those areas.If you think your biological mother is up to the task, great -- go to her and ask for help and advice. But if your mom can't or won't provide it, open yourself to finding someone who can.

The perfect mother is available to all of us if we're willing to let go of expectations that will never be filled and to see what is being offered to us here and now. Though all mothers are limited, the force of motherhood is not.

It surrounds us every day, in all sorts of guises, some predictable and ordinary, some startling and extraordinary.If you allow yourself to embrace it, I guarantee you'll find it waiting to embrace you.

And that, to me, is the mother of all comforts.

By Martha Beck from "O, The Oprah Magazine," May 2003

America's Recession-Proof Cities

2008-05-13T12:45:00.000-07:00
America's Recession-Proof Cities
By Joshua Zumbrun
Forbes.com

Nationally, home prices are falling, unemployment is on the rise and the economy is expected to grow slowly--or even contract--in the first half of the year.
But some cities are doing just fine.

Take Oklahoma City, Okla. With falling unemployment, one of the country's strongest housing markets, and solid growth in agriculture, energy and manufacturing, it looks best positioned among the nation's largest metropolitan areas to ride out the current crisis.

In Pictures: 10 Recession-Proof Cities

San Antonio is right behind. It also features solid employment figures and affordable home prices that continue to rise. Its industries are growing; it can't hurt that the new AT&T was formed when San Antonio-based SBC Communications swallowed the old AT&T Corp. and BellSouth.

The others holding steady or improving include Austin, Texas; Houston; Charlotte, N.C.; Dallas; San Jose, Calif.; Raleigh, N.C.; Salt Lake City; and Seattle.

Behind The Numbers

To find them, Forbes.com examined the country's 50 largest metros and looked at several key
measures.

We examined unemployment data supplied by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for the year ending in February 2008 to see which areas are most adding or subtracting jobs.

Next, we looked at the BLS data on job growth in non-farm payrolls, through February 2008, for construction, education and health services, financial activities, information, leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, natural resources and mining, professional and business services, trade, transportation and utilities, and the BLS's catch-all category, "other services."

We also took into account median home price data from the National Association of Realtors--from the fourth quarter of 2006 to the fourth quarter of 2007--to see which areas posted the largest annual gains. Our data don't account for the impact of declining sales in the first several months of this year.

Finally, our rankings were adjusted using data from a November 2007 report, "U.S. Metro Economies: The Mortgage Crisis," by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. It lists each city's estimated gross metropolitan product growth by projecting how rising foreclosures and falling home prices would affect overall levels of productivity in local economies.

Sunny Southern Skies

Texas cities fared best under these measures. San Antonio, Austin, Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth have benefited from historically lower home prices, which have been affordable to a large segment of the population. The availability of land--and, in some cases, little zoning--helped keep prices in these cities low. Instead of competing for homes, Texans could move to a new subdivision a little farther out.

What's more, all four boast falling unemployment rates, with Austin dropping from 3.8% to 3.6% and San Antonio from 4.3% to 4%.

Cities that are expected to see growth in non-farm payrolls include Raleigh , which is expected to see 7.4% growth in professional and business services and 6% growth in education and health. In Salt Lake City, where the median home price rose 2.5% and unemployment, at 3.1%, is below the 5.1% national average, growth in education and health services is expected to be 5.5%.

Some cities have seen increasing home prices but otherwise continue to struggle. Buffalo and Rochester, N.Y., have seen home price growth (from a low base) but still contend with high unemployment--around 6%--and slow-growing or shrinking industries.

And in the San Jose area, the median home sale price is over $830,000. That's 11% higher than it was in the fourth quarter of 2006, helping to land the area at No. 4 on our list. Problem is, that growth has since cooled, and it remains to be seen whether pricey homes coupled with a 5.3% unemployment rate will cause trouble for homeowners this year.

To be sure, even in the most resilient cities, the mortgage crisis has caused suffering. People everywhere got into bad mortgages. Similarly, even in the most battered cities, the majority of people are employed and making their mortgage payments. The extent of recession or resilience is very much in the eye of the beholder, and this list represents only one of many ways to take a snapshot of economies that are standing tall.

In his statements to Congress' Joint Economic Committee earlier this month, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke predicted the economy would possibly move into recession in the first half of 2008 but begin to rebound in the second half.

If you're tired of waiting, these might be the best places to go.

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-09T10:23:00.000-07:00

Happiness keeps You Sweet,

Trials keep You Strong,

Sorrows keep You Human,

Failures keep You Humble,

Success keeps You Glowing,

But only God keeps You Going!

You are so special!
Happy Mothers Day to all the Mothers and Spiritual Mothers out there!

Can you Feel the Love???

2008-05-08T16:47:00.000-07:00

Make your plans BIG!

2008-05-08T10:41:00.000-07:00
I thought this was awesome!

http://blog.thekaylors.org/

D.L. Moody once said, “If God be your partner, make your plans BIG!”

Is God your partner in every way of your life?

How big are your plans?

Do you live (make decisions, plan and act upon) based on God being your partner?

Do you live every day based on your BIG plans with God as your partner or are you just getting by?

Try this exercize:

1. Imagine the BIGGEST plan that you can think of if God really is your partner and there was no way to fail.

2. Now read Ephesians 3:20

New Living Translation: Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

The Message: God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Make your plans as big as possible for God and His Kingdom (His Church) and He will make sure to fulfill your plans beyond your “wildest dreams” for His glory (v21).

How BIG are your plans?

Treasure and Heart

2008-05-06T14:42:00.000-07:00
I have been doing a lot soul searching these days about desires of the heart and treasures ever since the Lord gave me a desire in my own heart to eventually become 100 percent debt free & live simply as possible.

It just feels like we are on the right track. For starters, we own both of our cars. One of our long term goals is to own our house outright w/ no mortgage. We figured that this cant be done here short term in the Seattle area, so we thought eventually relocating to the Lone Star state (God willing, of course) would be a nice option!

Joel & I would love to be more of a blessing by sowing more into the Kingdom of God. It just feels like our calling. It gives me more pleasure to be a blessing to someone else than the latest tricket of technology could ever buy (not to say that having material things are nice, if kept in the proper perspective, of course)

The way I see it after reading John Beveres Book: "Driven By Eternity", (see video link: John Bevere - Driven by Eternity) is that once we get to our Eternal destination, everything we own here on Earth is not going to matter anyway. However, what we do sow into the Lords kingdom will make a difference!

I came across this sermon & I thought I would share. I hope it is encouraging to you as it has been to me.

Treasure and heart
Good Shepherd 8/8/2004 (Morning Prayer)
http://www.johndavies.org/sermons/gs_04_08_08.html
Isaiah 1.1, 10-20, Luke 12.32-40

Last week we heard the story of two brothers who asked Jesus sort out their financial differences and got told to sort it out themselves. Jesus guided them only by telling them this: they should aim, in life, to be rich towards God.

If you were here you may remember the list I read out about the difference between just being rich, and being rich towards God, that with money we can buy: a bed, but no dreams; books, but not intelligence; food, but not appetite; adornments, but not beauty; medicines, but not health; entertainment, but not fun; a crucifix, but not a Saviour...

So being rich towards God is about putting away our cares about money, or our obsessions with things and valuing instead those things which make life special, wholesome, good - and pursuing them.

Today's reading carries this theme on. "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" That's astonishing, when you stop to think about it. If your treasure - your money, your possessions - is mainly in stocks and shares then your heart - your mind, your obsession - will be taken up with the ups and downs of the stock market.

If your treasure is mainly in your home then your heart will be wrapped up with keeping your home going. If, when you get money, you immediately spend it, then you are a person who is wrapped up in the moment. If you're saving for your family's future then it's your family's future which means the most to you.

Where's your treasure, I wonder? Sometimes it's hard to know what our treasure is or where it is, until it's gone. We've been having a lot of funerals recently, and in some of them it's very clear, very quickly, that for the partner left behind, they've just lost their treasure.
Their love for that person was where their heart was.

For others it might be that when the house is burgled that they realise where their treasure is: in the hi-fi which they saved up for for so long, or perhaps in a ring that belonged to their grandmother.

Or when the car is stolen. Or when their health and mobility goes and all seems lost. Sometimes though we realise where our treasure is at happier times. When we hold that new-born baby for the first time and we realise that nothing on earth matters more than precious human life.

When a long-lost friend calls. Or when someone gives us a gift which is just exactly what we've always wanted. These are our treasures. They fill our hearts. Think for a moment about what your treasures are, where your heart is.

I'm not going to ask you to talk about it out loud because it may be deeply personal; Two questions to help you:

First, what are the things you have, that you are glad you've got, that you'd find it hard to be without?

They may be things money can buy, they may not. These are your treasures.

Second, what are the things you'd like more of? Same rules apply - could be a new mobile phone, could be more world peace. These are where your heart lies. Where your treasure is, there your heart is also.

Where's your heart today? (pause for thought)

I imagine a lot of us would have thought of people or relationships - these are the things which we most value and we put our heart into. And that agrees with God, whose scriptures are full of concern for people, especially about how we treat others.

Today's reading from Isaiah makes that clear. "I don't want your religious ceremonies any more," says God, "I'm not listening to your fancy prayers. Because you are mistreating people. Your treasure is in your own gain and your heart has closed to the needs of those around you."

God says, Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Jesus put it a different way to his disciples, but it amounts to the same thing: Be dressed for action ... like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet ... be alert ... Jesus knew that what was in people's hearts affected what they did with their time. And so being alert, being dressed for action, should involve our living lives of goodness, justice and generosity towards others.

If our treasure is in God. Sometimes it's the people who don't have a very explicit Christian faith who you look at and see God in. Last week Margaret Simey died. You may know her. One of Liverpool's finest champions, and specifically a champion of the people of Liverpool 8, that area much-maligned by outsiders who only see it through a framework labelled '1981 riots', but much-celebrated by generations of local people who know it as a lively, vibrant place; a poor area, always vulnerable to crime and manipulation by city leaders.

Simey did her best, in her 98 good years, to challenge that. She became famous throughout the country for insisting that the police accounted for their actions in the wake of the riots, but she was better known locally known for her tireless work campaigning alongside the people of the area on issues that mattered to them.

The Echo got the title of her obituary right: A life lived for the good of all. It's full of tributes from ordinary folk who saw her (unpretentious to the last) as one of their own, and it put her in perspective among the other great women of modern-day Liverpool: her philanthropy influenced by working alongside Eleanor Rathbone in Margaret's early years in the city, her political radicalism shaped during her apprenticeship with the formidable Bessie Braddock.

Margaret Simey did all she could to try to give the people the power to change their own lives. She was tough on Thatcher's messenger-boy Heseltine when he came to straighten Liverpool out: "I kept telling him that if he just listened to Toxteth, they could teach him. But he told me there was no room in his plans for anyone like me." But she was equally tough on local people who for too long, she saw, had become 'welfare-dependent' and thus disempowered. She called us all to take collective responsibility for our community's life - something which had been a strong feature of Liverpool's civil society in the past.

I met Margaret once or twice - no great boast for she was always on the streets of Liverpool 8, if I'd been around more I'd have seen more of her. Sat in community meetings which she would liven-up even in her great age; meetings between hard-nosed politicians, tired and disenfranchised local campaigners and the business classes there to get their hands on new European money, and she would command respect from all of them.

I would say that Margaret Simey's treasure was the people of Liverpool 8. Her heart was devoted to their well-being. I doubt she'd like being called a saint but I think she is a fine example of what Jesus was getting at when he called on us all to be dressed for action ... to be alert ... It is about our money; but not just about our money. It's also about our time and who we devote it to.

Define Your Relationship With Money

2008-05-06T10:13:00.000-07:00

I found this article interesting. The author speaks of your emotions and how they relate to money. Interesting that in Luke 12:34 states the same concept, "For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also".
Define Your Relationship with Money
By Susan McCarthy
The current economy has many Americans worried about their financial security. How can they make the best decisions and protect themselves and their money? Most financial advisors tell their clients to remove all emotion from financial decisions.
Susan disagrees,”I believe you must acknowledge your emotions and study how they relate to your money.”
Situations like marriage, divorce, retirement, caring for a child or elderly relative often cause the biggest financial changes in your life. Susan says these are the times when our emotions and our money become the most tangled.
“Our financial attitudes -- what we think about money, what we think of others who have more or less than we do, how we choose to spend it or not spend it, what priorities we set as we plan our financial futures – are thoroughly entwined with our emotions,” shares Susan.
To complicate matters further, Susan says how a major trend in the United States that we are beginning to witness is the greatest transfer of wealth our nation has ever seen. This shift of wealth will put even more demand on people to be financial decision makers.
Experts suggest that $41 trillion to as much as $136 trillion will change hands in the coming decades. The movement began in 1998 and will extend to approximately 2052. There are a number of reasons for this shift of wealth including an aging population and the retirement of the baby boomer generation.
“The financial circumstances of our day are inviting us to become aware and to evaluate our belief systems around money, to go beyond simply contemplating how we spend it or how much we need or want,” shares Susan.
By understanding your relationship with money, Susan says you will be more qualified in making wise financial decisions that will help you fashion a legacy that speaks of your deepest values.
THE FEAR OF MONEY
According to Susan, money is only complicated because we make it complicated. It can be a weapon, an object of desire, a tool for generous compassion, or a symbol of success.
“What I have learned is that the world of money is one of emotion, a stage on which we play out all of our dramas and, as such, that it can be an unexpected source of spiritual lessons,” shares Susan.
Through the years, Susan has seen her clients display many emotions in her office. The emotion that really caught her attention and that she saw the most among her clients was fear. Some of her clients were fearful of making a mistake and losing money, as well as fearful of not having enough or running out of money. Then one day, Susan made a startling discovery. She shared the same deep rooted fear of running out of money.
Although as a financial advisor her personal financial plan was very sound, it didn’t seem to quiet her fears. She grew up in a family that wasn’t wealthy, but certainly did well enough. So where in the world had this fear of money come from? After digging a little deeper into her own life, she realized that she had absorbed her father’s fear of not having enough money.
“Observing our relationship to money is an excellent path to greater self-awareness. It opens the door to amazing personal growth,” says Susan.
MONEY TYPES
Susan says “nothing is more intriguing than that complex dynamic that arises when people interact with their money.” Through the years, Susan has come to recognize seven basic types of relationships with money. Most of us display traits of all of these styles at various times in our lives. Knowing what type of relationship you have with your money can help you make better decisions.
The seven different “money types” include:
The “Money is King” Type views money as a measure by which all things are judged, including their lives. For those individuals, money trumps everything else.
The Little Lamb Type maintains a childlike attitude towards money, and refuses to accept responsibility for their own financial well being – this is the classic “I’ll think about it tomorrow” approach.
The “I’ll Pick Up the Bill If You Just…” Type uses money as a tool to manipulate others, often in order to control, punish or express disapproval.
The Wolf Never Leaves My Door Type lives in constant fear of running out of money, no matter how much they might have in the bank.
The Money Martyr Type uses money for self-sabotage, undermining themselves with rash decisions or unrealistic expectations.
The All is Well Type has a positive relationship with money – these people approach financial decisions with decisiveness, and feel confident and calm about money issues.
The Spread the Joy Type uses money in ways that express their deepest values and their best selves. Not only are they at peace with their money, they also use it with awareness for their own good and for the good of others.

Driven By Eternity

2008-05-05T13:18:00.000-07:00
This is powerful & life changing! It will definately make you stop and evaluate your life! The question is "Are we living for ourselves or Are we living for Eternity"??

John Bevere - Driven by Eternity

Its Not Just Any Home......

2008-05-02T10:28:00.000-07:00
..... When its a Bowen Family Home!

I thought this was very cool, since I am a Bowen by marriage.
I happen to come across this on the google search engine while looking up something else.
I was happy to see that they have homes in Austin, Texas. Not to bad... starting at a cool 150K! My husband and I joked if they offered family discounts... LOL. We'll have to keep these in mind, cause we will be in the market for a house when we relocate to Texas.. eventually!

Check out the website and see for yourself:
http://www.bowenfamilyhomes.com/
Check out the selection studio pictures: (So very nice)http://www.bowenfamilyhomes.com/selection_studio_photo.asp
More pics:
http://www.bowenfamilyhomes.com/georgetownvillage-com.asp?cmode=7

Behind Desire

2008-04-29T17:24:00.000-07:00

Behind Desire

Behind every desire is a deeper desire. Behind the deepest of desires, you'll find the true identity of the person you are...

If you follow only the desires on the surface, without ever looking beneath them, you'll likely come up empty. For knowing why is a key part of accomplishment. If your desires are ever to be realized, you must question them. Know that beneath each and every desire is a more profound, more fundamental purpose...

Perhaps you are a slave to your desires, or perhaps you are shocked by your desires, and maybe you're even fearful of them. Have you ever considered stepping back and really examining them? They all exist for a reason. Knowing and following those reasons can lead you to an undeniable sense of real and lasting fulfillment...

Behind your desires you'll find something even more compelling -- purpose. The more often you bring that purpose to the surface, the more successfully your life will proceed...

-- Ralph Marston

Graceful Intervention

2008-04-28T15:30:00.000-07:00
Even though our family has recently faced a setback; I am grateful for divine intervention. I do believe that the Lord goes before us & closes the door on circumstances that will eventually
harm us. (See: Jeremiah 29:11)

Very recently-- my husband interviewed for a position in Texas. We were all set to go forward with our plans to sell our house since we thought that he would begin his new position in June. It was crushing to hear that the company abruptly decided to go in an alternate direction. But, after picking up the pieces, I now know that the Lord closed that door for a reason.

One of those reasons is that the townhomes in our community aren't selling as rapidly as we thought & there are 6 townhomes for sale in our little townhome complex alone. We could have faced financial hardship having to pay our mortgage plus additional housing expenses for my husband in Texas until our townhome was sold.

Today I will rejoice in that revelation while still knowing that there are bigger and better plans in store for our family in the near future. :) I take great comfort in knowing that there are still better days ahead.

I plan to remain hopeful, cause I know that the Lord will honor my positive attitude & reward that kind of faith eventually. I'd rather keep a positive attitude than being negative; which will only only pull me in the other direction and further away from the Lord eventually bringing our dreams to come to pass.

I heard it once said that God never gives us rainbows without the rain! :)

Its all how you look at it! :) :)

Graceful Guidance

At some point in our lives, we are likely to find ourselves asking for help, perhaps from no one in particular, and without knowing where help could possibly come from. We may have raised our eyes skyward or whispered our need under our breath only to find that somehow we were heard, and the help we needed arrived. It might have come in the form of a person who appeared at the right time, or perhaps it came in the form of luck, chance, or divine intervention.

However assistance appears, these are times when we can be sure that there are angels watching over us. We may find ourselves asking for their help with simple things—like finding a parking spot or to watch over loved ones—but then we forgot to call on them when we found ourselves alone or in pain.

We don’t need to be aware of them to receive their assistance, but there is comfort in the knowledge that they are there for us when we need them. And when we remain open to their presence, we can call on them whenever we need them to connect and be nurtured by their ethereal and heavenly energy.

As symbols of grace and gentle encouragement, they can offer us comfort as they enfold us in their wings or lift our spirit as they take flight. We may be warmed by their glow, guided by their gentle nudges or inspired by their whispers in our ears. We may hear the name of our angel and feel a personal connection, but it isn’t necessary.

All they need is to be heard, to see us benefit from their guidance and perhaps to hear a word of thanks sent their way every now and then. Whether they appear in the guise of a helpful stranger, or as a thought that suddenly occurs to us, angels are our loving guides from the spiritual realm, who with a brush of their angelic wings help us to make the most of our human experience by balancing it with the spiritual awareness that all things are possible and that we are not alone

Serenity

2008-04-28T11:06:00.000-07:00

Even When...

2008-04-27T14:10:00.000-07:00

Even When

Even when you have failed before, there is still every possibility of success. Even when one door is closed, another door will open. Even when the situation appears to be hopeless, there is indeed hope. Even when your options and your resources seem to be exhausted, there is still something more you can do...

Why is this so? Because the past does not equal the future. Because you are endlessly adaptable, resourceful and determined to go where you know you must go, to do what you know you must do. Because in this moment, you can move beyond anything at all that may have previously held you back...

Even when defeat appears certain, victory is well within reach. Even when the night is at its darkest, dawn is already on the way...

Never give up, never give in, even when everything before has been a disappointment or a disaster. Because everything ahead can be just as you decide to make it...

-- Ralph Marston

Be Who You Are

2008-04-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who
mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind...
--Dr Seuss

There are a lot of people who spend a lot of time worrying about what other people are doing with their lives. When I say or do something that comes from my heart and someone criticizes me for my thoughts or actions, I have to remind myself that as long as I wasn't hurting anyone else, there was nothing wrong with what I said or did. The people who concern themselves with what I do or say because they want to exert some sort of control over me for some reason really don't matter--or at least, their reactions to my actions must not be important to me...

I am who I am, and I must be true to that.

If someone criticizes me or my actions in an effort to get me to act some other way, then I should be suspicious of their motives: are they trying to get me to change because they have my best interests in mind? And do they truly know what my best interests are?

The more of us who say what we feel and who be who we are, the more diverse and unique this world will be. The more of us who adopt the "safe" and the "ordinary" things to say and ways to be, the less truly unique input into the world we'll be able to give...

We can contribute to the diversity and uniqueness in this world, or we can contribute to the uniformity and conformity. When I think of the image I would like to present to a young person in order to help that person to grow into a truly unique individual, I know that I need to be truly me, truly myself. Otherwise, I'm simply teaching them to conform, and that really leads nowhere new or special...

The more we let each voice sing out with its own true tone,
the richer will be the diversity of the chant in unison...
--Angelus Silesius

- Living Life Fully -