Laugh for the day....

Marriage Seminar

While attending a Marriage Seminar dealing with communication, Tom and his wife Grace listened to the instructor, "It is essential that husbands and wives know each other's likes and dislikes." He addressed the man, "Can you name your wife's favorite flower?" Tom leaned over, touched his wife's arm gently and whispered,"It's Pillsbury, isn't it?"

God is Enough....

Once we recognize our need for Jesus, then the building of our faith begins. It is a daily, moment-by-moment life of absolute dependence upon Him for everything. ~Catherine Marshall


The last and greatest lesson that the soul has to learn is the fact that God, and God alone, is enough for all its needs. This is the lesson that all His dealings with us are meant to teach; and this is the crowning discovery of our whole Christian life. God is enough! ~Hannah Whitall Smith

Sufficiency

Of this I can be certain: God is sufficient to meet my needs. Period.

Do the demands of your life seem overwhelming at times? If so, I'm telling you, you must learn to rely not only on your own resources but also upon the promises of God. He will hold your hand and walk with you if you let Him. So even if your circumstances are difficult, trust in the Father!

Sometimes it is difficult to "let go and let God." Often times we were brought up to 'do it ourselves.' Don't rely on anyone else. You have to look out for number 1 because no one else will. My heart is truly saddened when I hear of people with this outlook on life. It makes it very difficult to let go and let God...

The Psalmist writes, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" Psalm 30:5). But when we are suffering, the morning may seem very, very far away. It isn't. God promises that He is "near to those who have a broken heart" (Psalm 34:18). When I am troubled, I must turn to Him, and I must encourage my friends and family to do so likewise.

If you are discouraged, or get discouraged in the near future, by the inevitable demands of life here on earth, be mindful of this fact: the loving heart of God is sufficient to meet any challenge...including yours.

Truth

I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word according to all Your name. ~Psalm 138:2

Power of Prayer

As most of you know prayer is near and dear to my heart. At some point in time I'm sure you have heard the phrase, "the power of prayer." These words are so familiar, yet sometimes we forget what they mean. Prayer is a powerful tool for communicating with our Creator. It is an opportunity to commune with the giver of all things good. Prayer helps us find strength for today and hope for our tomorrows. Prayer isn't a thing to be taken lightly or to be used infrequently.

Is prayer an integral part of your life? Your family's life? Or, is it a hit or miss habit? Are you one to "pray without ceasing," or is your prayer life an afterthought? Are you one to regularly honor God in the solitude of the early morning hours, or do you bow your head only when others are watching?

The quality of your spiritual life will be in direct proportion to the quality of your prayer life. Prayer changes things, and it changes you. Today, instead of turning things over in your mind, why not turn them over to God in prayer? Instead of worrying about your next decision, ask God to lead the way. Don't limit your prayers to meals or to bedtime. Pray constantly about things great and small. God is listening, and He wants to hear from you. I guarantee it!

A Bright Beginning!

A bright spot began my morning. I hate making telephone calls for other people, by that I mean business calls, where I do not know what is going on. I know, I know, I had to do that at work and, yes, I survived doing it. But, it wasn't my favorite thing to do.

This morning, hubby was leaving to go greet 2000+ visitors who were converging at the SLC airport. They were arriving for a BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) conference being held here this weekend. Hubby was to help direct, make sure they connect with their luggage etc. Anyway, before he headed out the door he asked me to do a favor for him. Would I please call Dr. B's office and ask for C and see if she has sent the letter off to the Dept. of Labor to get the first of two shoulder surgeries approved. (The second time around. The first two surgeries were 15 years ago.) If she hasn't then be sure she has the address and any pertinent information.

Naturally, I said yes but I really didn't want to do it. I have all these weird quirkie insecurities over the phone when taking care of business. I don't know why. On the other hand, if it was a friend on the other end...not a problem. I could talk forever...well, almost forever. ;)

I sat down at the desk just as hubby was leaving and told myself I should make the phone call right now before I got involved with my day. My hand moved to pick up my phone and the phone rang.

I said, "Hello?"

"Hello, this is C at Dr. B's office. Is J there?"

Me: "No, he has just left the house. Who did you say you were?"

"This is C at ....."

Me: "Oh, C, I was just going to call you. J had asked me to contact you to see if you had sent the necessary letter and paperwork to the Dept. of Labor."

"Isn't that the oddest thing? Well, yes, I was calling to tell him that all has been faxed and I'm just waiting to hear back from them. Hopefully, by Monday we will have a response from them regarding their approval for his surgery date on 3/3/06. "

Me: "Thank you so much C for taking care of that and for calling to let J know. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Now, you can't tell me that there isn't a God who cares for the quirky discomforts of my life! It wasn't a co-incidence that C called right at that moment. The Lord poured out His love on me this morning! I'm STILL smiling even now! :D

Jehovah

Jehovah

Self-Existent

He who lives forever...is holy. "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." ~Isaiah 57:15; Revelation 4:8

Much ado about nothing....

It has been a busy week for me. I've had follow-up doctor appointments (that old whooping cough stuff!), my ladies Bible study is meeting back in my home now that my home is no longer quarantined. It seems like it's been none stop.

I'm still involved in the Christian Chapter Chat which I'm enjoying very much. I'm learning so much from the other ladies. You really should consider coming on board for our next book. And, as you know if you've read my latest entries I'm participating in the Forty Days to Forever Lenten Blog. I've been so busy I haven't had any time to get around and greet everyone in it until tonight. Oh, and I can't leave out the Olympics. That has managed to take up some of my time...not as much as the last Winter Olympics when it was held here in my own backyard!

I really have nothing to tell you. No witty stories, no original thoughts. So, I guess I'll turn in and hopefully will get a solid nights sleep. I need it, because I'm still waking up with "the cough."

Humility is a bag into which Christ puts the riches of His grace. The one infallible test of our holiness will be the humility before God and men which marks us. Humility is the bloom and the beauty of holiness. The chief mark of counterfeit holiness is a lack of humility. ~ Andrew Murray

Ever Present God

He will not let your foot slip--He who watches over you will not slumber. The Lord will keep you from all harm. The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. ~Psalm 121:3, 7, 8

Adonai

Adonai

LORD

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. ~Psalm 95:6,7

Announcing....

Beginning next Wednesday, March 1st, I will be participating in a Lenten Prayer Blog which will run through Lent. There have been around 20 - 30 people sign up to participate! If you are interested there is still time to join the blog. Drop in over at Hey Jules at Faith or Fiction? to get all the details. That shouldn't come as a big surprise since she is always the "go-to" person for me! :) It's called Forty to Forever - A Lenten Prayer Blog. Check it out!

Rock

Rock

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. ~Psalm 95:1; 62:1-2

I'm a Lily....

Which Flower are You?

You are a Lily:You are graceful, gentle, calm, and pure and perhaps a little shy (though your shyness is part of your charm). You are a very honorable person who always wants to do the right thing. Your calm attitude has a soothing effect on others.Symbolism: The lily has long been used as a symbol of majesty, honor, chastity, and purity of heart.
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El Shaddai

El Shaddai

All-Sufficient

I am the Almighty God; walk before me. My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ~Genesis 17:1; 2 Corinthians 12:9

Bedrock of a Faith is Jolted....

Bedrock of a Faith Is Jolted

DNA tests contradict Mormon scripture. The church says the studies are being twisted to attack its beliefs.

By William Lobdell
Times Staff Writer
February 16, 2006

From the time he was a child in Peru, the Mormon Church instilled in Jose A. Loayza the conviction that he and millions of other Native Americans were descended from a lost tribe of Israel that reached the New World more than 2,000 years ago.

"We were taught all the blessings of that Hebrew lineage belonged to us and that we were special people," said Loayza, now a Salt Lake City attorney. "It not only made me feel special, but it gave me a sense of transcendental identity, an identity with God."

A few years ago, Loayza said, his faith was shaken and his identity stripped away by DNA evidence showing that the ancestors of American natives came from Asia, not the Middle East."

I've gone through stages," he said. "Absolutely denial. Utter amazement and surprise. Anger and bitterness."

For Mormons, the lack of discernible Hebrew blood in Native Americans is no minor collision between faith and science. It burrows into the historical foundations of the Book of Mormon, a 175-year-old transcription that the church regards as literal and without error.

For those outside the faith, the depth of the church's dilemma can be explained this way: Imagine if DNA evidence revealed that the Pilgrims didn't sail from Europe to escape religious persecution but rather were part of a migration from Iceland --- and that U.S. history books were wrong.

Critics want the church to admit its mistake and apologize to millions of Native Americans it converted. Church leaders have shown no inclination to do so. Indeed, they have dismissed as heresy any suggestion that Native American genetics undermine the Mormon creed.

Yet at the same time, the church has subtly promoted a fresh interpretation of the Book of Mormon intended to reconcile the DNA findings with the scriptures. This analysis is radically at odds with long-standing Mormon teachings.

Some longtime observers believe that ultimately, the vast majority of Mormons will disregard the genetic research as an unworthy distraction from their faith.

"This may look like the crushing blow to Mormonism from the outside," said Jan Shipps, a professor emeritus of religious studies at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, who has studied the church for 40 years. "But religion ultimately does not rest on scientific evidence, but on mystical experiences. There are different ways of looking at truth."

According to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an angel named Moroni led Joseph Smith in 1827 to a divine set of golden plates buried in a hillside near his New York home.

God provided the 22-year-old Smith with a pair of glasses and seer stones that allowed him to translate the "Reformed Egyptian" writings on the golden plates into the "Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ."

Mormons believe these scriptures restored the church to God's original vision and left the rest of Christianity in a state of apostasy.

The book's narrative focuses on a tribe of Jews who sailed from Jerusalem to the New World in 600 BC and split into two main warring factions.

The God-fearing Nephites were "pure" (the word was officially changed from "white" in 1981) and "delightsome." The idol-worshiping Lamanites received the "curse of blackness," turning their skin dark.

According to the Book of Mormon, by 385 AD the dark-skinned Laminites had wiped out other Hebrews. The Mormon church called the victors "the principal ancestors of the American Indians." If the Laminites returned to the church, their skin could once again become white.

Over the years, church prophets -- believed by Mormons to receive revelations from God -- and missionaries have used the supposed ancestral link between the ancient Hebrews and Native Americans and later Polynesians as a prime conversion tool in Central and South America and the South Pacific.

"As I look into your faces, I think of Father Lehi [patriarch of the Laminites], whose sons and daughters you are," church president and prophet Gordon B. Hinckley said in 1997 during a Mormon conference in Lima, Peru. "I think he must be shedding tears today, tears of love and gratitude... This is but the beginning of the work in Peru."

In recent decades, Mormonism has flourished in those regions, which now have nearly 4 million members --- about a third of Mormon membership worldwide, according to church figures.

"That was the big sell," said Damon Kali, an attorney who practices law in Sunnyvale, Calif., and is descended from Pacific Islanders. "And quite frankly, that was the big sell for me. I was a Lamanite. I was told the day of the Lamanite will come."

A few months into his two-year mission in Peru, Kali stopped trying to convert the locals. Scientific articles about ancient migration patterns had made him doubt that he or anyone else was a Lamanite.

"Once you do research and start getting other viewpoints, you're toast," said Kali, who said he was excommunicated in 1996 over issues unrelated to the Lamanite issue. "I could not do missionary work anymore."

Critics of the Book of Mormon have long cited anachronisms in its narrative to argue that it is not the work of God. For instance, the Mormon scriptures contain references to a seven-day week, domesticated horses, cows and sheep, silk, chariots and steel. None had been introduced in the Americas at the time of Christ.

In the 1990s, DNA studies gave Mormon detractors further ammunition and new allies such as Simon G. Southerton, a molecular biologist and former bishop in the church.

Southerton, a senior research scientist with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization in Australia, said genetic research allowed him to test his religious views against his scientific training.

Genetic testing of Jews throughout the world had already shown that they shared common strains of DNA from the Middle East. Southerton examined studies of DNA lineages among Polynesians and indigenous peoples in North, Central and South America. One mapped maternal DNA lines from 7,300 Native Americans from 175 tribes.

Southerton found no trace of Middle Eastern DNA in the genetic strands of today's American Indians and Pacific Islanders.

In "Losing a Lost Tribe," published in 2004, he concluded that Mormonism --- his faith for 30 years --- needed to be reevaluated in the face of these facts, even though it would shake the foundations of the faith.

The problem is that Mormon leaders cannot acknowledge any factual errors in the Book of Mormon because the prophet Joseph Smith proclaimed it the "most correct of any book on Earth," Southerton said in an interview."They can't admit that it's not historical," Southerton said. "They would feel that there would be a loss of members and loss in confidence in Joseph Smith as a prophet."

Officially, the Mormon Church says that nothing in the Mormon scriptures is incompatible with DNA evidence, and that the genetic studies are being twisted to attack the church.

"We would hope that church members would not simply buy into the latest DNA arguments being promulgated by those who oppose the church for some reason or other," said Michael Otterson, a Salt Lake City-based spokesman for the Mormon church.

"The truth is, the Book of Mormon will never be proved or disproved by science," he said.

Unofficially, church leaders have tacitly approved an alternative interpretation of the Book of Mormon by church apologists---a term used for scholars who defend the faith.

The apologists say Southerton and others are relying on a traditional reading of the Book of Mormon--- that the Hebrews were the first and sole inhabitants of the New World and eventually populated the North and South American continents.

The latest scholarship, they argue, shows that the text should be interpreted differently. They say the events described in the Book of Mormon were confined to a small section of Central America, and that the Hebrew tribe was small enough that its DNA was swallowed up by the existing Native Americans.

"It would be a virtual certainly that their DNA would be swamped," said Daniel Peterson, a professor of Near Eastern studies at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, part of the worldwide Mormon educational system, and editor of a magazine devoted to Mormon apologetics. "And if that is the case, you couldn't tell who was a Lamanite descendant."

Southerton said the new interpretation was counter to both a plain reading of the text and the words of Mormon leaders.

"The apologists feel that they are almost above the prophets," Southerton said. "They have completely reinvented the narrative in a way that would be completely alien to members of the church and most of the prophets."

The church has not formally endorsed the apologists' views, but the official website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--- http://www.lds.org/ --- cites their work and provides links to it.

"They haven't made any explicit public declarations," said Armand L. Mauss, a church member and retired Washington State University professor who recently published a book on Mormon race and lineage. "But operationally, that is the current church's position."

The DNA debate is largely limited to church leaders, academics and a relatively small circle of church critics. Most Mormons, taught that obedience is a key value, take the Book of Mormon as God's unerring word.

"It's not that Mormons are not curious," Mauss said. "They just don't see the need to reconsider what has already been decided."

Critics contend that Mormon leaders are quick to stifle dissent. In 2002, church officials began an excommunication proceeding against Thomas W. Murphy, an anthropology professor at Edmonds Community College in Washington state. He was deemed a heretic for saying the Mormon scriptures should be considered inspired fiction in light of the DNA evidence. After the controversy attracted national media coverage, with Murphy's supporters calling him the Galileo of Mormonism, church leaders halted the trial.

Loayza, the Salt Lake City attorney, said the church should embrace the controversy. "They should openly address it," he said. "Often, the tack they adopt is to just ignore or refrain from any opinion. We should have the courage of our convictions. This [Lamanite issue] is potentially destructive to the faith."

Otterson, the church spokesman, said Mormon leaders would remain neutral. "Whether Book of Mormon geography is extensive or limited or how much today's Native Americans reflect the genetic makeup of the Book of Mormon peoples has absolutely no bearing on its central message as a testament of Jesus Christ," he said.

Mauss said the DNA studies haven't shaken his faith. "There's not very much in life --- not only in religion or any field of inquiry --- where you can feel you have all the answers," he said. "I'm willing to live in ambiguity. I don't get that bothered by things I can't resolve in a week."

For others, living with ambiguity has been more difficult. Phil Ormsby, a Polynesian who lives in Brisbane, Australia, grew up believing he was a Hebrew."I visualized myself among the fighting Lamanites and lived out the fantasies of the [Book of Mormon] as I read it," Ormsby said. "It gave me great mana [prestige] to know that these were my true ancestors."

The DNA studies have altered his feelings completely."Some days I am angry, and some days I feel pity," he said. "I feel pity for my people who have become obsessed with something that is nothing but a hoax."

---------------------------

For those of you who are interested, you may purchase the DVD, "DNA vs. the Book of Mormon" from Amazon.com or you can visit your local Christian bookstore.

The problem of the Mormons is that it states on their title page, and I quote, "Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel: and also to Jew and Gentile..." What they are saying is the Lamanites (American Indians) are actually Jewish descent.

Another problem arises from their believing the Book of Mormon is without error. Not only does the DNA testing prove the American Indians are of Asian descent but there are countless other errors found in the Book of Mormon. One that comes to my mind is in Alma 7:10, "And behold, he shall be "born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God." The Bible is very clear in Micah 5:2 that the birthplace for the Savior was to be Bethleham.

The word inspiration literally means "God-breathed" in the Greek text. Because Scripture is breathed out by God, it is true and inerrant. The truthfulness of the Bible has been proven by archaeology, fulfilled prophecy, literary evidence from both Christian and secular sources that date close to the time of Christ, and historical evidence.

There is lack of archaeological support for the Book of Mormon. According to the Book of Mormon, the Nephite and Laminite nations had huge populations that lived in large, fortified cities. They allegdedly waged large scale wars with each other for hundreds of years, culminating in a conflict in which hundreds of thousands of people were killed in A. D. 385 in a restricted area near Hill Cumorah in present day New York state (Mormon 6:9-15). However, there is absolutely no evidence that any of this ever happened. There isn't any coins, or pottery, or arrowheads etc. which one would presume to find from so large of poplulation. I would think if these nations really had lived in large fortified cities there would be substantial archaelolgival evidence for their existence. If there was evidence then non-Mormon achaeologists would have discovered some of it. In regards to the wars, I would expect to find bones...skeletons, human remains, ancient weapons etc where these conflicts occurred.

Even according to the Smithsonian Institution they state, "There is no evidence whatever of any migration from Israel to America, and likewise no evidence that pre-Columbian Indians had any knowledge of Christianity or the Bible."

"Theologically speaking , a cult is a religious group that claims to be Christian but in fact denies one or more of the essential doctrines of historic, orthodox Christianity (as defined in the major historic creeds of Christianity). Such groups deny or distort essential Christian doctrines such as the deity of Christ, the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, and salvation by grace through faith alone" (Ron Rhodes, Th.C., Th.M.).

When we first moved to Utah in 1980 it was an eye opening experience. We listened to their General Conferences on television. They have two each year, one the first weekend in April and another the first weekend in October. During the mid 1980's we listened as one of their authorities (we cannot remember if it was their Prophet or one of their General Authorities) very plainly told them "you are not Christians. Do not attempt to catagorize yourselves as Christians." He went on and talked about how proud they should be in their Mormon heritage.

Today it is very different. They are calling themselves Christians and are deeply offended when they are not thought of in that manner. However, Jews are Jewish, Buddhists are Buddhists, Muslims are Muslims. None of them are considered Christian. In the same way, Mormons are Mormon, not Christian.

The difference comes down to which Christ is one worshipping. Are you worshipping the Christ on the Cross, who is God Himself, the Creator of EVERYTHING (including satan). Or our you worshipping the Christ on the Cross who is the spiritual brother of satan, one of 3 Gods, the one who was limited in creation to the elements present? There is a huge difference on where people will spend eternity by which Christ they are believing in.

However, remember it is He who touches their souls; it is He who convinces them of sin and of righteousness and of judgment (John 16:8). Only God can lift the veil of darkness that Mormon theology has cast over the hearts of individuals.

Lamb

Lamb

"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" ~Revelation 5:12

El Roi

El Roi

God Who Sees

O great and powerful God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; you reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve. ~ Jeremiah 32:18, 19

Immutable God

Immutable God

"I the Lord do not change." Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Your work, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations. ~Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; Pslams 119:89, 90

Ice Sculptures

 

El Elyon

God Most High

Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. It is good to praise the Lord and make music to Your name, O Most High. ~1 Chronicles 29:12, Psalm 92:1

The Name of the Lord

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. ~Proverbs 18:10

Elohim

Creator

"To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? The Lord is teh everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. ~Isaiah 40:25, 26, 28

My Word Cloud....

Click here if you would like to make a "Word Cloud" from your blog.

Herding Cats....

Yes, that is correct. Drop on in over at Carol's place, She Lives, and watch her video of the cat roundup. I do believe you'll experience a laugh! :) Click here for the video.

I, President before our son?!

Get your position here

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

Your Candy Heart Says "Hug Me"

A total sweetheart, you always have a lot of love to give out. Your heart is open to where ever love takes you! Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a surprise romantic evening that you've planned out Your flirting style: lots of listening and talking What turns you off: fighting and conflict Why you're hot: you're fearless about falling in love

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

Happy Valentine's from Me to You!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor; and if I surround my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profis me nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all thing, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.

When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but hen face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Blog About Your Dog Day

Jules over at Faith or Fiction? has declared this Blog About Your Dog Day. So in the spirit of dog lovers everywhere I'll attempt to do just that!

We had one dog. One dog which was totally enough. We had one who made a night break and was killed by a car. So we waited quite a bit of time before getting another dog. Finally, we decided the time was right and we brought home Caleb for James. Caleb fit in just fine with our family. He did have a few stubborn streaks here and there but on the whole, he was just fine.

After a few years I began hearing some 'undertones', some muttering in the ranks. "We need another dog." My answer, of course, was absolutely not!!! Still there were attempts in the ranks to change my mind. Whenever a movie came out about a dog we had to go see it. I remained VERY firm in my resolve. Absolutely. No. More. Dogs. Period.

Well, I finally began taking HRT. I'm telling you, ladies, that was a true God-send! I know it isn't for everyone but for the ones who are able to do it....DO IT! Ahem, sorry I digressed. One day I was invited over to a friend's house for a luncheon. Her dog had just had puppies. That didn't faze me at all. I was still resolute.

After lunch the puppies were passed around for all the ladies to hold. Except for one. He was the runt and no one seemed interested in him. He was so tiny. So chocolatey...just like hot cocoa. I was still firmly resolved in my mind. After all, we didn't NEED a second dog. I AM FIRM!

"Oh, Claire, you don't have a puppie to hold!"

"No, but I'm fine. Truly, I am."

"Well, why don't you just hold this little one. He's our runt."

"No, really, I'm fine."

"Well, I guess I could "hold" him [as she puts him in my hand]."It's a good thing I don't need a dog, I think. Just think if my son was here...I wouldn't hear the end of it...Someone in the family has to be firm and I guess it falls to me! Well, I certainly don't have a problem with being firm. I am the "go-to" FIRM person when one is needed! Yes sireee!

"We are trying to find homes for all the puppies, " says my friend (the pastor's wife, no less).

It's good I'm so resolved! FIRM!The runt begans to suck my finger like a binkie. I AM STILL FIRm...Before I know what is happening, my mouth revolted and switched to the ranks! I distinctly heard, coming from MY mouth, "I'll take this one."

*Panic* *Looks around wildly* Hoping against hope that was someone else's voice that just sounded like mine.*Gulp* Finally, my mind kicks into gear! Thankfully! What was I thinking?!!!

"Well, actually, I probably should talk it over with Jim and if HE says it's okay then we'll take him. I'm pretty sure he won't agree so if you find someone else after I leave, before I get Jim back over here tonight, then just go ahead and give him to whoever you find...."

Later...

"You want me to what?"

"Let's just go 'look'. It's not like we are going to bring him home...but, I do want you to see how cute he is."

"Are you crazy, Claire?"

"Um, no, but I can't explain it. Let's just go look. Okay?"

Well, of course, I'm sure you can figure out the rest of the story by now. We brought that 4 week old runt home with us that very evening. The ranks have said he is my menopausal dog. Since he was acquired during that time of my life. He's had a lot of problems...he's kind of neurotic, he forgets to breathe periodically and has to be reminded. "Breathe, Cocoa, breathe..." And, he has seizures and he doesn't know what to do when that happens...not that he can do anything. It paralyzes him when it happens. He will still suckle on your finger. He's very hyper. When hubby goes out to work in the front yard, Cocoa thinks he needs to be there supervising. And, cries until we let him out in the front. He is almost 12 years old now. Cocoa likes to think he is big, tough, and brave but really, deep down, he's just a scaredy cat. But, he is our lovable mutt! :) neuroses and all

Announcements...

I'm telling you, Jules thinks up the most fun things. Over at Faith or Fiction? she has declared tomorrow, Monday, February 13th, Blog your dog day. So get your pooch (sorry, cats are not allowed this time) all groomed and dressed to the nines, take some pics and post about him/her. Now Hawk, this would be a perfect time to parade the General out for the rest of Blogland to meet!
Also, for those who are interested in finding new blogs to read you will want to check out the nominees for blog awards over at One Woman's World. Drop in and peruse the listings in different catagories. It's a wonderful way to find new bloggers and read great writing. Expanding our horizons is fun!

New E-zine Alert!!!

It has come to my attention that there is a new e-zine online. Thanks has to go to Jules over at Faith or Fiction? for keeping me updated on what's new and happening in Blogland. The new e-zine is called Christian Women Online. Go on over and check it out, ladies. I do believe all ladies, young, old and inbetween will enjoy their time there. The editor and brain child for this is Darlene over at What Would Jesus Blog. If you haven't read any of her blog before pop on over there. She can be quite hysterical.

A Contest!!!

Hey, everyone, jump on over to Leslee's place at Fresh-Cut Flowers because she has a contest going on. She has one great picture which she is trying to come up with a caption. Go see if you can be the winner! :)

Spiritual Moments!

The Sovereignty of our Supreme God

One Bible verse which gives me some of the greatest security is found in Job 42:2 "I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted." What security this is when I remember that God's purposes are designed by One whose nature is love.

I have days where I totally mess up. I make mistakes, I blunder along making mess after mess. Throughout it all, disorder is created, chaos seems to reign supreme, sadness can creep in, and suffering begins to surface as I recognize how far off from God's instructions I am concerning how life is to be lived. Yet He who is in control over all things tells me that, "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called to His purpose" Romans 8:28. He is supreme and sovereignly in control over everything...the crooked and the straight of life. "Consider the work of God, for who is able to straighten what He has bent? In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider---God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him" Ecclesiastes 7:13-14.

So when we despairingly think, "O Lord, bless this mess," He already has! He has worked even our mistakes into His plans for good! I firmly believe that a growing awareness of the sovereignty of God leads to a true stability in life and develops a gentle and quiet spirit within our hearts, which in God's sight is very precious.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!!!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about Pilot Mom 1. I live in Utah. And have lived here for going on 26 years. I never thought I would still be here this long but the Lord had other plans! 2. I'm not a Mormon. 3. I have one son who is a wonderful blend of his father and me! 4. My favorite color is green. 5. I love to study the Bible. 6. I've been married 30 years to the best man EVER! He even writes me poetry! ;) He compliments me perfectly by his being an extrovert to my being an introvert. 7. I love to read. All different kinds of books. Murder/mystery, theological, biographies.... 8. I used to be a model to earn money. 9. I went to my first year of college in Mississippi. My second year I went in Colorado where I met my hubby. 10. My fear of heights began in Germany when I nearly fell over a parapet at a castle which overlooked the steep mountain. 13. I was a 'little' rebellious in high school. One time I put vaseline all over the door handles to the classrooms. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Something to think about...

All I am going to say is that our worst day of survival is better than our best day as a captive.

My ABC's Meme

I found this over at Suz's place, Goin Ons. I hope you enjoy it!

My ABC's Meme:

A - Accent: I have been kidded about still having a southern accent on certain words but on the whole, I don't believe I have an accent.

B - Breakfast: It varies. Some days I'll have an egg and toast, other days cereal or a bagel. I always try to eat a piece of fruit.

C - Chore you hate: Dusting....however, I do like a room that is dusted. It' s just getting there that is the hard part.

D - Dad's name: Rowan

E - Essential everyday item: Besides chocolate and ice tea and steak? Water.

F - Flavor ice cream: Chocolate fudge brownie

G - Gold or silver?: Gold but I do wear silver also.

H - Hometown: I guess this is where I was born? Ardmore, OK

I - Insomnia: Oh my goodness, YES! I'm in a really good sleep cycle right now so I hope I don't return to the insomnia any time soon.

J - Job title: Praying Wife, praying Mom

K - Kids: One son who is a pilot in the Air Force

L - Living arrangements: It began as a six bedroom home but we tore out a wall between two bedrooms to make a huge bedroom for Jim and me. So 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 family rooms, 2 fireplaces, 1 living room, 1 kitchen/dining area.

M - Mom's birthplace: Booneville, Mississippi

N - Number of significant others: 1 hubby, 1 son, 1 sister, 1 neice, 1 neice's hubby, 4 neice's boys and 1 on the way, 1 nephew, 1 nephew's wife, 1 mother

O - Overnight hospital stays: I will not even begin to mention overnight hospital stays. I have had way to many to list.

P - Phobia: Fear of heights

Q - Quote: "It is important to receive God's arrangement in the circumstances. This arrangement is the discipline of the Holy Spirit. To escape God's arrangement just one time is to lose an opportunity to have our capacity enlarged. A believer can never be the same after passing through suffering." ~ Watchman Nee

R - Religious affiliation: I'm a born again Christian, totally relying on Christ to usher me into Heaven.

S - Siblings: 1 older sister, and 1 younger brother, now deceased.

T - Time you wake up: Tuesdays and Thursdays it's 7am. The rest of the days whenever...usually around 7 or 8.

U - Unnatural haircolors you've worn: None

V - Vegetable you refuse to eat: Brussel Sprouts, cooked spinach

W - Worst habit: procrastination

X - X-rays you've had: Again, way too many to mention...

Y - Yummy: Strawberries, anything chocolate, steak and potatoes, most any fruit

Z - Zodiac sign: Capricorn...but I much prefer the Sign of the Cross! :)

God is Love....

Do you ever wonder what it is like to be loved unconditionally by someone? Someone whose love for you isn't influenced by anything you have ever done, or are doing right now, or will do in the future? Most of us, if we are honest, know that sometimes love weakens or fluctuates in moments throughout life. There may be people who do a very good job at loving unconditionally however, because they are human, and have a sin nature, I can guarantee there are moments when they fail to do so.

We can know what it is like to experience unconditional love though. For God's love for you and me is not influenced by anything we ever did or will do (Check out Deuteronomy 7:6-8 and 2 Timothy 1:9). God's love is unconditional. The moment He chose to love us, He became identified with us. We became the object of His affection...the "apple of His eye" (Psalm 17:8). Love doesn't exist in a vacuum. It must express itself, so God desired to espress Himself to you and me through a personal relationship. This was made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Oh, friend, just contemplating God's love for us should excite us. His love for us will never change. God loves us as much today as when He gave His Son for us (Galatians 2:20; Titus 2:13-14). His love will never weaken or fluctuate, for in Him "there is no variation or shadow due to change" (James 1:17). God's love for us is eternal. Therefore He loved us before we had any being, with a love that is everlasting (Jerimiah 31:3).

Once we know and believe the love which God has for us we experience increasingly more freedom in Christ. By trusting in what Christ did on the Cross, it sets us free from the sins that may be entrapping a person, making them feel guilt ridden. You see, by accepting what Christ did on the Cross sets us free from all sins past, present, and future, and from the present power of sin in our lives. What does this mean to you and me? Well, the temptation to be irritable, impatient, angry, and self-indulgent need no longer control us (Romans 6).

Wait there's more! Another liberating effect of the love of God on our lives involves the issue of fear. Have you ever been afraid of god or of what God might allow to happen in your life? The Scriptures answer your concern with the Cross of Christ, the supreme evidence of God's love for you. "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) The nature of God's love causes Him to always desire what is best for you and me. The fact that He controls all things enables Him to accomplish His desire.

Think what this kind of love does for our basic need for self worth! Consider the worth one would feel discovering they are loved the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Creator of all things, the One of whom the Scriptures declare:

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all" (1 Chronicles 29:11).

This is the One who loves us!!! You are of supreme value as a person, for now you are loved by God. In fact, you are loved so much that God gave His own Son in order to establish a relationship with you and me. Why worry what people think of you because God is for you!

Now, there is another unbelievable affect on our lives concerning God's love. When you belive in Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God comes to literally live inside of you (Romans 5:5). It is in this way that we have power to "love one another" (1 John 4:11) , or to truly love your husband or children (Titus 2:4), to love your friends and even your enemies. And, it truly enables us to experience the ultimate joy of responding in love to Him who first loved us!!!

My Scrabble Score!

Pholph's Scrabble Generator My Scrabble© Score is: 14. What is your score? Get it here.

I picked this up over at Carol's when I dropped in for a visit this morning. I always enjoy my visit at She Lives.

Attributes of God...

Just what is an attribute of God? God has revealed some of His personal qualities or characteristics to us and these are called God's attributes. It is something that is true of God. God's attributes are unalterable. They do not change.

Let's look at some verses from God's Word and see what we can discover about God!

Deuteronomy 7:9, "Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindess to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments."

Lamentations 3:22-23, "The LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."

1 Chronicles 29:11-12, "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone."

Psalm 62:11, "Once God has spoken; Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God."

Psalm 90:2, "Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God."

Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms; and He drove out the enemy from before you, and said, 'Destroy!'"

Psalm 136:1, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting."

Psalm 139:2-4, "You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O LORD, You know it all."

John 21:17, "He said to him third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep."'

Psalm 139:7, "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?"

Daniel 4:35, "All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing. But He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?'"

2 Chronicles 20:6, "And he said, 'O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You.'"

Malachi3:6, "For I, the LORD, do not change; therfore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed."

Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

1 John 4:16, "We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."

These are just a smidgeon of the verses in the Word about God. Do you feel you could trust a God like this? Why or why not?

Is there an issue confronting you right now? Look at the verses above and ponder them in light of your issue. Look at your circumstance or problem through the character of God. How might you be able to specifically relate these truths of God's attributes to your personal situation?
We need to practice looking at the daily joys, frustrations, and irritations of our lives through the character of God.

Five Factor Personality Profile...

Thanks to Pam over at Ramblings & Other Things for this quiz. Amazingly, it is pretty 'spot on' accurate as far as these quizes go!

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have low extroversion. You are quiet and reserved in most social situations. A low key, laid back lifestyle is important to you. You tend to bond slowly, over time, with one or two people. Conscientiousness: You have high conscientiousness. Intelligent and reliable, you tend to succeed in life. Most things in your life are organized and planned well. But you borderline on being a total perfectionist. Agreeableness: You have high agreeableness. You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly. Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone. You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance. Neuroticism: You have low neuroticism. You are very emotionally stable and mentally together. Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly. Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is low. You're a pretty conservative person, and you favor what's socially acceptable. You think that change for novelty's sake is a very bad idea. While some may see this as boring, many see you as dependable and wise.

The Five Factor Personality Test

A View of God

Psalm 50:21 states, "These things you have done and I kept silence; You thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes."

This is God talking. "You thought I was just like you." How many people think this way? I'm sure there are many. Or another view is they think of Him as silent. At times He does seem silent. But by His silence He is not condoning sin, nor is he indifferent to it. Instead, He is withholding deserved punishment, giving people time to repent. "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentence" (2 Peter 3:9). God isn't slow, He just isn't on our timetable!

So if a person was seeking to find correct answers to what God is like where should they turn? Since He has given us His Word so we may know Him, let's look at a few Scriptures and see what they tell us. "Psalm 19:1, "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." The heavens give dramatic evidence of His existence, His power, His love, His care. To say that the universe happened by chance is absurd. Its design, intricacy and orderliness point to a personally involved Creator.

Another verse is John 5:39 which tells us, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me." Please, don't be someone who 'misses' Jesus.

Christ is the visible, tangible image of what God is like. This is attested to by Christ to Peter in John 14:9, "...Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Phillip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?" Colossians 1:15 is one of the strongest statements about the divine nature of Christ to be found anywhere in the Bible. Jesus isn't only equal to God (Philppians 2:6) but He is God (John 10:30, 38; 12:45; 14:1-11). "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation" (Col. 1:15). I use this verse alot when discussing God the Father where I live. The religion here professes God the Father has a body just like us.

Finally, I'll leave you with this verse, "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). The most important message of salvation has been entrusted to fragile, frail and fallible humans. Hopefully, as we share what He has done for us, you won't see the person speaking but you will see Christ, shining through them. Just don't focus on the perishable container the message comes by but on its priceless contents.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"A God who let us prove his existence would be an idol." ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

My temperment?

You Have a Melancholic Temperament

Introspective and reflective, you think about everything and anything. You are a soft-hearted daydreamer. You long for your ideal life. You love silence and solitude. Everyday life is usually too chaotic for you. Given enough time alone, it's easy for you to find inner peace. You tend to be spiritual, having found your own meaning of life. Wise and patient, you can help people through difficult times. At your worst, you brood and sulk. Your negative thoughts can trap you. You are reserved and withdrawn. This makes it hard to connect to others. You tend to over think small things, making decisions difficult.

What Temperment Are You?

Why is it important to know God?

Do you realize that we could never have known God except that He chose to make Himself known to us? Doesn't that just kind of take your breath away? The Creator of everything desired to make Himself known to you and me. Unbelievable!

The Lord knows everything about us, the smallest detail of our lives is known to Him. He even knows the things about us that we don't even know about ourselves!! (Read Psalm 139.) But, do you know anything about God? Anything factual that is? Not just some person's opinion of Him?

Remember that God cannot be divided into parts. God is one, complete and perfect. It is to an intimately alive, all encompassing reltationship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords that we are called.

Just exactly why does it behoove us to know what God is like? Let's look at some Scripture.

The first one is Daniel 11:32, "By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action."

Read Daniel 3:8-30. This is an illustration of the truth just stated above. The knowledge of God which they possessed enabled them to endure what was before them. What area in your life do you need strength to stand firm? By what means do you think that need will be met?

There is another effect the knowledge of God has on a person's life. Look at this sample of verses. "Yield now and be at peace with Him; Thereby good will come to you" Job 22:21. "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You" Isaiah 26:3. And, Ephesians 2:14 states, "For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall." In what circumstance do you lack peace? Is it possible for you to have peace? How so?

Proverbs 9:10 is an excellent verse which states another important reason we need to know God. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

A person who knows God shall become free as stated in John 8:32, "...And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." This is illustrated by the apostle Paul in his own life when he declared, "For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want...Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin" Romans 7: 19, 24-25.

Take a few minutes and think what a difference knowing God can make in your life.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about YOUR NAME 1. It is French. 2. When I was 4, and new in the neighborhood, 2 girls were over introducing themselves. After they said their names I told mine. One of them asked if I was a girl or a boy. 3. The masculine spelling leaves off the 'e' on the end. 4. I was named after my Dad's mother. 5. I was also named after my Mom's mother. 6. My last name is French, too. 7. When I was little I didn't like my name. 8. Now, I absolutely adore it. 9. My niece has my same first name. 10. My cousin also has the same first name. 11. When we are all together people have to use our middle names when speaking to us. 12. I think my niece will name her baby, if it is a girl, our name. 13. My name is Claire. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Jen 2. Dawn 3. Eric 4. Suz

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Yipee!!

I went to the doctor's office today to have my legs checked out and let me tell you that since last Wednesday, at about the same time in the morning, I have lost 6 pounds of fluid!

May I repeat that? I have lost 6 pounds of fluid!!! Since. last. week.
The doc brought other people in just to see the difference a week makes with losing the fluid!
Yea! I'm normal again! I have ankles and bones! I am YOUNG again! :D
No more stockings but still a pretty high dose of lasix for maintenance but it's worth it if I don't have to wear the compression stockings.