"Only one life, 'twill soon be past
Only what's done for Christ will last."

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Yes, We'll Pull Out

Today the news is that the Boy Scouts of America are considering changing their policy regarding homosexuality.

As you know, we've been a scouting family for years. (Three boys, home-schooled, Eagle Scout, etc.) The projects we've helped with are worthy and the skills learned were appreciated. The camping was fantastic.

But change comes, and I think we need to recognize the locomotive approaching us all.

Out we go, as in it comes.

Too bad, so sad.

Conscientious objectors stand by their convictions.

At times there are deeply personal reasons for the actions you take, but other times you simply stand on your worldview. Here, for us, it is a blend of both.

As I see the guard change in our own troop I see that change is inevitable. The younger scouts have a younger set of parents, and they bring new, less traditional views to the table. It won't be long before the "old guard" is down, and feeling a part of that particularly means we are no longer welcome.

Changes.

I feel sorry for Ed, but it drives us to be more creative in our own lives.


#FallingPlates

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Look at those eyes of reproach. It's one of those Misty looks too!
@[150555121623775:274:tastefullyoffensive.com]

Friday, January 25, 2013

Screeching Harpies

In November we spent a lovely day driving through the mountains of the Taunus, a gentle mountain range east of the Rhine and northwest of  Wiesbaden, Germany, through fog and mist and green forest, to a castle on a hill, the Marksburg.

After a lovely tour we decided to return to our friends via the Rhine river. If you are a fan of Downton Abbey and watch the advertisements for Viking Cruises you will see footage of what we visited. 
http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/rivers/rhine-main-danube/


Europe River Cruise - Katz Castle on the Rhine River

We made our way southeast along the eastern bank of the river until we came to "the Lorelei."  We decided to drive up and walk around the top of the cliff overlooking the ships navigating the wretched curve below us.

Legend abounds. There was a siren who, sitting upon the cliff, lured ship captains to their death in a frightening whirlpool below by singing a high "song."

We didn't hear anything that day in November, but we were the only humans walking around the cliff, and the whirlpool has long since disappeared due to modern river civil engineering. We did see the "Viking Cruises" ship masterfully negotiate the river bend up a powerful stream. Other barges followed, up and down this spectacular geography. The cool wind drove us back to our warm little VW Toureg before long, but the scene was worth the day trip.

Sirens have long been feared, and though mythological, a type exists today as well. Sometimes I think we should now heed the warnings more than ever.

There seems to be an attitude of lazy indifference toward the moral decline in our world. That we should rub shoulders with apostasy in our Christian churches and book stores and witness the gelatinous mess of the conservative political structure seems beyond our belief, but just look! It's happening before our eyes! The call of the post-modernism siren is proving so alluring!

What can this mean?

Either we will witness the demise of our values in the cesspool of progressivism or a clarion cry will arise from the forces of Good.

Mind the ship. Batten the hatches. Trust the Captain who stops his ears to the evil lure. Stop the screeching of the harpies from reaching the ears of our progeny.

And start the cry of realism, the true message of peace and salvation from the Creator of the universe.

When you have the answer, it solves everything. Let the world know.

Last year my goal was to read a chapter in Revelation every day. Believe me, I really got to know that book, and CLEARLY was blessed! Two years ago the book was Micah. This year my goal is to MEMORIZE Jude. What a message for today.

Did you ever look up this article?  http://www.eternalvalue.com/adownload/EVR_10_2011.pdf

Here is a taste of it. I copied what I could from the PDF, but please go to the actual newsletter for a complete picture.  This is from Wilfred Hahn's October 2011 newsletter:

 Jude: Conditions Revealed for
Last-day Christians

The book of Jude is small—one chapter
25 verses long—tucked in just before
the Revelation. Just as Genesis is the
first book of the Bible and Revelation the
last, the position of Jude is equally
significant. It holds a spot that parallels
Esther in the Old Testament. The Book of
Esther is the last of the historical books for
the Hebrews in the Old Testament. It was
meant to be a prophetic foreshadowing of the
future history of the Jewish people, largely
taking place over the “times of the Gentiles.”
Immediately following is the Wisdom
Literature, and then the prophets.
The book of Jude holds a similar anchor
in the New Testament, providing the last
instructions for the Church Age. Prophetic in
character, it foreshadows the fate of the
Church and Christians for the period between
the epistles and the 3rd chapter of Revelation.
Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote this
epistle with one main objective in view: “[…]
That ye should earnestly contend for the faith
which was once delivered unto the
saints” (Jude 1:3).
Why? Because: “[…] There are certain
men crept in unawares, who were before of
old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly
men, turning the grace of our God into
lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord
God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 4,
KJV).
Jude is writing expressly to prepare the
Church against teachers of falsehoods,
corruptions and the fleshly philosophies of
mankind. “Contending for the faith” is the
very line of defense that falls when the gospel
is distorted and corrupt doctrine is adopted.
We can see here that the Church was
attacked very early by false teachers who had
“slipped” into its ranks even while the apostles were still alive. These false teachers are sneaky and
devious … not going in unto the sheep by the front gate.
Jesus warned: “I tell you the truth, the man who does not
enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other
way, is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1). Because of their
slipperiness and subtle encroachments upon the Church,
Jude then lays out a list of diagnostic characteristics by
which to recognize them, lest the Christian be caught
unawares.
But while Jude is responding to what he sees in his day,
he is certainly also covering the conditions of the very last
days. He says: “But, dear friends, remember what the
apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you,
‘In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their
own ungodly desires’” (verses 17-18, NIV).
Following Jude’s introduction which ends in verse 5,
two structures are then carried throughout the rest of this
book:
1. The direct actions of 10 persons, entities or groups
are named, besides the false, corrupt teachers that play a
role in the battle for the truth of the gospel. Each of
these factors mentioned, we can view as being
prophetically significant.
2. 18 characteristics that help to identify false teachers
that “[…] deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and
Lord” (verse 4).
To no surprise—as Scripture always corroborates itself
in various ways—the numbers of “10” and “18” are aptly
symbolic. “18” is the sum of three “6’s.” Three times the
number of man signifies the peak significance of an
apostate, human religion or system (i. e. 666). In the Bible,
the number “3” often signifies spiritual or religious
significance. In the case of a humanist apostasy, the number
“18” then would represent its fullest perversion. Apostle
Paul, when listing the characteristics of ungodly people
during the apostate “perilous times” in 2 Timothy 3, also
mentions exactly 18 characteristics.
The number “10” is also significant in the Bible. It implications they may foreshadow for the “last days.”
1. “[…] The Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but
later destroyed those who did not believe” (verse 5).
Prophetic Parallel: Israel is returned to its land in the last
days—delivered from out of the world, as from Egypt—yet
most do not believe in their Jehovah and many will be
destroyed in the coming Tribulation (Jacob’s Trouble).
2. Angels (in their fallen state, demons) are mention next
in verse 6. “And the angels who did not keep their positions
of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has
kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for
judgment on the great Day.”
Prophetic Parallel: Disobedient angels (demons) who
originally took unto them “the daughters of men” (Genesis
6:2, KJV) and corrupted mankind in the age of Noah (and
then were bound up), foreshadow another demonic attack
upon humanity in forms of deceiving demons and possibly
in manifested physical form during the Tribulation. In
Revelation 12, we read that “[…] Satan, which deceiveth
the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his
angels were cast out with him” (verse 9). While that event
specifically takes place in the Tribulation Period, several
New Testament authors (including Jude) warned that in the
last days many deceiving doctrines, taught by demons,
would make their way into the Church. We see the “stealth”
of these conditions today. Many Christians are not able to
recognize these false teachers for what they are.
3. Sodom and Gomorrah: “In a similar way, Sodom and
Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to
sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an
example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal
fire” (verse 7).
Prophetic Parallel: In the last days, that there would be a
prevalence of immorality to the point demonstrated even in
Sodom and Gomorrah. There, sexual perversion was
publicly endorsed to the extreme of flaunting and aggressive
militancy. We already see such conditions today.
4. Archangel Michael is mentioned next: “But even the
archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil
about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous
accusation […]” (verse 9).
Prophetic Parallel: Michael, who is the Archangel of the
Jews, is disputing with the world run by the Devil over the
right of Israel to exist. Michael serves a special role for the
Jews, as is confirmed by the prophet Daniel. “At that time
Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will
arise” (Daniel 12:1). Even though the Devil wants a dead
race of Israelites, Michael does not slander him, but leaves
this task to the Lord. Indeed today, there can be no doubt
that Satan is working very hard to make Israel a dead body,
both physically and spiritually. To this point, Israel is
spiritually dead, awaiting the event described in Ezekiel 37
when they would be filled with the Spirit.
5. “Woe to them! They have taken the way of
Cain” (verse 11). What is the way of Cain? It is the path of
Jude: Conditions Revealed for Last-day Christians … from page 1
motivations behind economic actions), self interest, and
the pursuit of “false gods” have been the culprits.
We are living in unprecedented times, in which the
“raw emotions” of materialistic people and the desperate
"strong arm tactics” of the world’s policymakers can lead to
some very extreme outcomes. The span of outcomes range
from a broad collapse of financial economies to new, and
perhaps sudden, power structures.
PAGE 4 man doing what is right in his own eyes. It also signifies the
attempts of man to create his own righteousness through his
own achievement and toil. It is the opposite of grace, which
is salvation freely given and undeserved.
Prophetic Parallel: Today, the entire globalized world is
represented by Cain. Humanism reigns. Systems and
agencies such as the United Nations, the International
Criminal Court, the World Health Organization and so on,
believe that by virtue of mankind’s toil, a society of peace
and goodness can be created (so humanists think). Jesus
said otherwise, “There is none good but one, that is, God:
but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the
commandments” (Matthew 19:17, KJV). Even so-called
Christian churches have endorsed or joined similar
movements. The rapidly increasing influence of
Reconstructionism (Dominion Theology) tangentially falls
into this category.
6. “[…] They have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error
[…]” (verse 11). This is one of the greatest errors being
perpetuated today that most people do not see. I have called
it the “Babylon Occlusion” (See Midnight Call magazine,
July 2007). Balaam was guilty of prophesying for a price.
He oriented his sights to money and materialism, mixing it
with the precepts of his religion. Money had the upper hand.
Prophetic Parallel: Without a doubt, money is the
highest god in the systems of globalized man. The merging
of faith and money is nearly complete. There are various
indications of this also in the so-called Christian church,
including a prevalent Prosperity Gospel. The world is
already far advanced on the road to the final ecumenicism
shown in Revelation 17-18, where world polity, economics
and a substitute Christian faith will be merged into one.
7. “[…] They have been destroyed in Korah’s
rebellion” (verse 11). Korah, a Levite, and some 250
eminent Israelite leaders were guilty of trying to set
themselves up as being equal to the station of priest. They
challenged the God-elected leadership of Moses and Aaron.
They judged themselves to be holy and worthy. It was a
power struggle and represented total disregard for spiritual
authority. They effectively were appointing themselves to a
position of power.
Prophetic Parallel: Today we have the condition of
Korah in its most extreme form, more blatant than perhaps
ever in the Church Age. For one, the largest religious
organization in the world, widely considered to be
Christian, has set itself up as the very vicar of Christ. The
Roman Catholic Church has appointed itself as the
necessary intermediary to salvation, also presuming to set
up His kingdom on earth. It has challenged the very
position of Christ. This is Korah’s rebellion at its most
extreme. Similar rebellions are also witnessed in Protestant
sects. Various self-appointed prophets and apostles presume
to speak on a level equal in authority to Christ and the Holy
Scriptures.
8. “Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about
these men: ‘See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon
OCTOBER 2011
thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict
all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the
ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners
have spoken against him’” (verses 14-15).
Prophetic Parallel: Enoch was the first example in the
Bible of someone being “snatched away” … in other words,
raptured. Here, he is shown as not only foreshadowing the
pre-tribulation Rapture, but also the post-tribulation return
of Christ with the saints, as the next two points confirm.
9. “[…] Thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to
judge everyone […]” (verses 14-15).
Prophetic Parallel: These are the saints of old as well as
those raptured, who come back with Christ to vanquish the
ungodly, meeting them on the plains of Megiddo.
10. “[…] The Lord […]” (verse 14).
Prophetic Parallel: This is Jesus Christ, God Himself,
“the One who is good,” returning to set up the Millennial
Reign.
Having reviewed the list of persons and/or groups, we
note the oft occurring 6-3-1 distribution noted earlier,
whose sum is the number 10. There are six names
representative of man and his relations—“his people out of
Egypt” (Israelites), Enoch, Cain, Balaam, Korah, and the
people of “Sodom and Gomorrah and surrounding towns.”
The group of spiritual, non-physical or of non-human
origin are the “thousands upon thousands” of saints (they
have already been translated to incorruptible bodies at this
point), Archangel Michael, and the “angels that left their
estate.” The Lord Himself here represents the single unity of
perfection.
The Objective: Identifying the False Teachers
Now, we list the characteristics of the false teachers,
their identification being the very objective of Jude’s
writing.
1. “[…] These dreamers pollute their own bodies” (v8).
2. “[…] reject authority” (v8).
3. “[…] slander celestial beings” (v8).
4. “[…] These men speak abusively against whatever
they do not understand […]” (v10).
5. “These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating
with you without the slightest qualm” (v12).
6. “[…] shepherds who feed only themselves” (v12).
7. “They are clouds without rain […]” (v12).
8. “[…] blown along by the wind” (v12).
9. “Autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice
dead” (v12).
10. “They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their
shame” (v13).
11. “These men are grumblers […]” (v16).
12. “[…] and faultfinders” (v16).
13. “They follow their own evil desires” (v16).
14. “They boast about themselves […]” (v16).
15. “[…] and flatter others for their own
advantage” (v16).
16. “These are the men who divide you […]” (v19).
... continued on page
symbolizes a type of “systematic” or “program”
completeness. This number breaks down to a sum of 6, 3
and 1. The symbolism of the first two numbers has already
been reviewed. The “1” signifies the perfect finality or
Person. You will see this when we list the 10 constituents of
this group.
Let’s then first turn our attention to this collection of 10
persons (or groups) and attempt to glean any prophetic 17. “[…] who follow mere natural instincts […]” (v19).
18. “[…] and do not have the Spirit” (v19).
Numbered here are 18 characteristics with which to
identify false teachers and purveyors of the doctrines of
demons. No Christian should ever be deceived by them.
Points to Ponder
Jude is a remarkable book of prophetic foreshadowing,
serving as a useful alert to endtime Christians. Given the
prophetic parallels that we have considered, we must
conclude that it is already very late … very near the
Midnight Call. We are on the threshold of the occurrence
associated with the eighth name mentioned—Enoch—the
new beginning for the saints when they will be raptured.
The number “8” stands for exactly that—a new beginning.
Eight people were on Noah’s ark.
All prophetic parallels are in clear sight today. Our
identification of the season of the last days should be
obvious.
Once the “thousands upon thousands” of saints return
with Christ, the next occurrence is the judging of the
ungodly. They come “[…] to judge everyone, and to
convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have
done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words
ungodly sinners have spoken against him” (verse 15).
Described by Jude are very difficult times (“perilous
times” as mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1) for true Christians.
However, Jude comes to our aid and outlines a course of
action for us … a list of seven (which is a divine number).
“But you, dear friends,” he says:
1. “[…] Build yourselves up in your most holy
faith“ (verse 20);
2. “[…] and pray in the Holy Spirit” (verse 20);
3. “Keep yourselves in God's love […]” (verse 21);
4. “[…] as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus
Christ to bring you to eternal life” (verse 21);
5. “Be merciful to those who doubt” (verse 22);
6. “[…] Snatch others from the fire and save
them” (verse 23);
7. “[…] To others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating
even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (verse 23).
In closing, let us join Jude in his Doxology:
“To him who is able to keep you from falling and to
present you before his glorious presence without fault and
with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory,
majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our
Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen” (Jude 24-25).

Regulators Discover a Hidden Viral Gene in Commercial GMO Crops

Regulators Discover a Hidden Viral Gene in Commercial GMO Crops

Articles: It's the Message, Morons

Articles: It's the Message, Morons

Tuesday, January 22, 2013







Photo: The jumpers were made by Shetland designer Doreen Brown - a little longer in length and shorter in the arm than she is used to. They are hand-knitted using Shetland wool.

Ponies of Mykillengi
 


Ponies of Mykillengi [Hardcover]

Lonzo Anderson (Author)

















It Does Affect

Hey, it's -12° here right now, and I don't want to go outside.

My husband, Margaret, and my Runner (Son number 2) have started their vehicles and entered the world. It's the coldest it's been in 4 years, and that's cold.

Tell me why the dogs needed to go out at 3:30 am, and bark at ??? And need to be lured in (!). Sometimes animal behavior astounds me.

I always feel sorry for the wildlife on nights like this. Arctic temperatures seem inhumane.

So today we try to rev the engines and exist.

Enjoy your sun and sand, your beaches and waves, your turquoise water, you equator dwellers. Yes, we need that up here, but we'll make it.

We'll get through this bleak mid-winter.

Gen 7:22 “As long as the earth endures,
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter,
day and night
will never cease.”

I take comfort in this promise.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Overload

Okay, I have the cards I was going to send out for Christmas here, the stuff I need to write my thank you notes, and a couple of boxes ready for the post office.

I confess that I STRUGGLE with getting things sent. I think it's one of my worst vices!

There are so many things to do, and I LOVE keeping up with people, but there are times when I just FAIL.

Getting things to the post office is one of those things.

Maybe it's because my husband is so good at it....and I've let him do it most of the time! Maybe it's because the computer is just so much more efficient and quick!

But we've both been overloaded lately. He and I.

There has been a doctor's appointment almost every day of this month, it seems, for someone in the family! School has started up with new schedules and activities. Camp outs, swimming program (every Saturday), shopping the clearance events, house guests, parties, and something else:

Processing.

So much to process. It takes time to think everything through, remember the things you never want to forget and deal with the new things that inevitably hit.

I've had a week of thought, and it wasn't my choice. It simply happened in response to the overload we've been going through.

It's normal. It's healthy. It's absolutely a MUST to process things in our minds after experiencing them, and it takes time. Quiet, and time. Prayer.

So you won't be getting cards from us yet. I'm still processing our incredible trip to Germany, and I'm behind on lots of communication there, too.

And is anyone else just mentally weary from the world and all its sorrows? I am.

Obama has shown himself to be true to his ideologies and we can know where he stands with unfettered knowledge. Just another cause to be depressed.

Sad faces everywhere. They need to process...

Friday, January 18, 2013

Monday Alert

  • Brothers and sisters have a blessed weekend in Yeshua/Jesus. As many of you know Jonathan will be the keynote speaker this Monday on the morning of the Presidential Inauguration at the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast, we ask that you keep Jonathan in prayer, that God's words be delivered, He's will be done! Please pray for protection from spiritual warfare for all those that will be attending this event. Please keep in prayer all the Christian leaders that will be in attendance, pray for our President that he may be lead to repentance and salvation, pray for our Government and nation that they turn back to God! Let us remember that all this is not for our glory, or any particular person BUT only for Yeshua/Jesus and it's an honor to just be a servant to Him who calls us to be servants! So as you pray remember you are also being a servant! Amen and God bless.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

A Few Interesting Things to Note:

Take a discerning look at the newsletter I received in my email today.

There are words that raise eyebrows: missional, community.

After reading about Christian Fascism recently light is shed in a whole new way.

How quickly we embrace the hip trends, often without examining their roots.

It all sounds great, doesn't it?

But wait! Where did these concepts originate, and where are they going?

No one wants to stop a fire lit by the Holy Spirit, and He certainly can work in many ways. That cannot be denied.

We must see where the train derails on political or cultural influence, leaving the work of the Holy Spirit for less spiritual ideas and trends.

It's a big business out there. Churchiness has hooked a whole bunch of people.

But that is not THE CHURCH. The Church is Christ's bride, and He is returning for her soon.

Let's not get caught up in churchiness. Let's be the bride of Christ, helping each other discern the Truth of God's Word, growing toward Christ, becoming mighty in Spirit and truth.
 



An Appetite for the Lord
Most of us stopped talking about New Year’s resolutions around the same time we stopped keeping them. But there’s one resolve we as Christians should sustain — to intimately know Jesus and continually be filled with his Spirit.
In the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook (see right sidebar), Adele Calhoun writes: “Jesus wants us to recognize that hidden in our desperations and desires is an appetite for the Lord and Giver of life.”
We pray that all of us will continue to seek first the Lord as we live out our faith daily — at home, in our vocation, and in our community.
In this Alumni Newsletter, read more about the ongoing process of spiritual formation and development. May Jesus meet us all in 2013.
Featured Stories
Missional CFO

Missional CFO
Alumnus David Sutherland serves as the CFO for Morgan Stanley in Asia. Read how his renewed focus on following Jesus led to serving God’s global mission.
Discipline for Spiritual Growth

Spiritual Nourishment
Christ is our spiritual food. In this article from the HIS Magazine archives, former InterVarsity General Secretary C. Stacey Woods writes about the importance of feeding on Jesus. Read More       
Made for Relationship

Made for Relationship
When we think of spiritual disciplines, “community” isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. Read why small group community is a spiritual discipline alumni shouldn’t neglect.
Becoming More Christ-Like

Becoming More Christ-Like
God is the Potter, and we are the clay. Alumnus and spiritual formation leader Stephen Smith talks about how God uses spiritual disciplines to shape us into the image of Jesus. Read More
More News

More from InterVarsity
Urbana Recap

Urbana 12 Recap
If you missed Urbana or want to relive your experience, we’ve got your covered. Watch the Summary Video or read President Alec Hill’s recap for a taste of the feast that took place.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

The Big One

I had a rather significant birthday this month, and it was celebrated in the perfect way with perfect friends. A little surprise, a little sweetness, a lot of love.

I'm blessed.

As we age we learn.

Being there, aged, is a gift, and yet it isn't always easy to grow old.

My son, Ed, is writing a novel right now. I hear snippets of plots and action (and believe me, it's pretty out-of-this-world!) and I hope I don't ruin it by saying he's thinking of a very long-lived hero. And it's not a good thing: it's a curse.

I think Ed is pretty sharp for thinking that through!

To grow old and die in Christ is all good.

"We must live the appointed days," says the character in "Wives and Daughters," (Elizabeth Gaskell).

How true. And each one can be lived in acceptance of God's way or bitterness of defeat.

And the pain is just there. It's honing and sharpening and stretching. We mustn't give up, and we look to the next half of our centuries with expectation!

Friday, January 11, 2013

Something Beautiful

Rain

It's January, and it is raining here in Minnesota.

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2013/01/australia-dust-storm-photos/60828/

I prefer the rain to that amazing cloud of dust, for sure.

Snow in Jerusalem (not weird, but unusual).

Things are just a little off.

Global warming or signs of the (end)times? I guess we'll know sooner or later.

We are watching.

Meanwhile, here at home things hum along at break-neck speed. We anticipate house-guests for the weekend, and we LOVE to spend time with these good friends. Grandma made a Strawberry Pretzel Salad here for the weekend last night during my choir rehearsal. Except it isn't really Strawberry pretzel salad:

We substituted sweetened, cooked cranberries for the frozen strawberries, raspberry jello for the strawberry jello, plain yogurt for half the Cool-Whip, and honey-wheat sticks for the pretzels. I gave her the ingredients I had on hand.

Welcome to Corgi Hollows, the world of workable substitutions!

(It's good, really!)

Actually, I view the words, "Did you follow the recipe?" as a curse. It suggests failure on all accounts. Wouldn't it be nicer to hear, "This is different and I'm not sure I like it, but you are trying to be frugal and use the ingredients at hand----" etc.?

Yesterday we took all four critters to the vet and found out something amazing: our little Predicate is quite the feline! With her metal plate in the rear (she was hit by a car in her previous life) she is a very pricey little cat!!! Our vet said that type of  treatment costs upwards of $3,000!!!!

We all look at her with new appreciation! Lucky for her she had this treatment before she came to us! We'll try to keep her safe inside and preserve the rest of her lives. She loves to wrap herself around my neck while I stand, but as soon as I sit she scampers away.

And guess who was naughty at the vet yesterday?

Yup, it was Misty. She showed her Corgi temper when the doctor probed her and administered her rabies shot. No biting, but a clear warning! Blackberry hates the vet equally (tail between the legs), but she showed very good manners.

Kiwi, our sleek black king of the house, maintained his dignity masterfully. The shot didn't faze him.

We had hopes for some skiing this weekend, but the weather may not cooperate.

I hope you had a chance to listen to Chris Rosebrough. I know it's a long clip, but doesn't it give insight on so many things happening within the church?

Most people don't give a thought to trends, but they fascinate me. I always find the roots of thought key to their outcome, and significant. Humans tend to live in patterns, and though we are infinitely made, we still revert to recognizable trends more often than not. It explains so much.

It's sort of like finding out what caused the famine in Egypt at the time of Joseph-----it was flooding of the Nile, not drought. Greater floods prevented the sowing of the crops, hence famine. Finding the root cause  explains so much more!

And weather does play quite the role in our lives. Here's to a colder temp! (It's Minnesota, after all!)

Monday, January 7, 2013

Monday Musings

Vikes lost.  Boo hoo. What's New?  On to other things:

Had a most interesting conversation yesterday. I count it my infinite privilege to be friends with a woman who is very poor financially, and extraordinarily rich in life.

No income. None. She lives with her family off of the land and the goodness of others. (NO SOCIAL WELFARE, I repeat: NO SOCIAL WELFARE)

Can you say job security?

God has blessed this person with more than I can account for here, but I can say she lives in the most beautiful place on earth, she has a wealth of loving children and a devoted husband. She has purpose and mission and intelligence and insight.

I learn much from her.

She has found her niche and her talents are invested.

We talked about consequences yesterday. And poverty. We talked about societal ills and shortages. We talked about blame and justice.  We talked about riches and how they corrupt. How lives are changed by the love of money. We spoke of the warring armies of spiritual darkness and spiritual light.

We talked about the world and how messed up it is.

And we talked about the solution. Because SHE LIVES IT.

Don't listen to the pie in the sky from the left about social justice and Obama's sustainability/equalizer/social agenda/fairness/reform/progress/change garbage. It's empty. It has borne no fruit whatsoever. That philosophy only breeds contempt and death camps. National Socialism is a philosophy from the dark side and it will only ever breed darkness.

My friend talked about living in the light of God's plan. She extolled His provision. She has very little on this earth materially, but so much in the spiritual realm. Incredible strength and grace.

She's not a writer, but I will tell her story. She exists. I know her. She lives the answer that so many people seek.

As I said, it's a privilege to call her my friend.

The Haters Hate

Conspiracy of Brothers

Conspiracy of Brothers

Nigerian Americans to Obama: Stop ignoring yearly jihadist Christmas massacres

Nigerian Americans to Obama: Stop ignoring yearly jihadist Christmas massacres

Saturday, January 5, 2013

To Each According to His Need

Light in the Dark

There comes a time when you simply must abandon all sense of self and be the Christ-light in the world.

It's hard. You have to overcome all the self-image issues you grew up with, the guilty conscience of all your faults, your fears of losing friends and bonds with relatives...

But really, that is exactly what it takes to be for Christ.

It doesn't matter how flawed you are. You could be the ugliest troll on earth and if you are called to be light for Christ, His power will only shine brighter!

Often I feel that is my own story. Always unsure of myself and aware of my own unattractiveness I have only found more delight in Christ, and what He accomplishes through me. The weaker the vessel, the more power from the Holy One.

It doesn't matter how weak your body is. You could be without legs and arms and shine the light of Christ. (I'm sure you've seen the testimony of that young Australian man who has none.)

This week I watched the testimony of Adrian Peterson on a CBN network tape. He certainly has the story, and he's anything but perfect, but he has chosen to stand for the truth of Jesus Christ.

And yes, I am a Vikings fan. Tonight's a big game. Yes, I knitted my own hat. I'm very hopeful we can beat Green Bay.

I love that Leslie Frasier, Adrian Peterson, and Jared Allen have all made professions of faith in Jesus Christ. I love that the team has cleaned up its image. (Thank you, Brad Childress!)

It's only more to cheer about!

Be light. Be Christians. Stand up and risk it all for the One Who is all in all. 
It's getting dark out there.

Friday, January 4, 2013

While Washing the Salt off My Van

I don't listen to radio very often, but I had the Christian station on in the van today while out and about. I heard this little gem. I had to turn it up loud to hear over the car wash!

Worth sharing;

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/revive-our-hearts/saying-no-counsel-ungodly/

Doings at the Hollows

This is the weekend of travel.

Children are dispersed or dispersing right and left, with parents on the hook for some retrieving.

Dogs have cabin fever (It's been really cold the last week).

The sun is out today and I feel the need to CLEAN.

All the holiday jumble must go, and I need to start on the projects of the New Year.

Thankfulness is deep in my heart as I see God's blessing on my family----through deep waters and sunny shores----I know God is our fortress and rock.

We've been blessed by many people in many different ways. I'm beginning to see that every person you ever meet can be a potential spiritual benefit.

Either you will draw that person closer to God or he or she will draw you closer to God.

It will be interesting to see which it will be!

Just don't let Satan win and draw you AWAY, because he is in this game too, and working harder than ever. He knows his time is shorter than ever, and he sees great opportunity in this age of apostasy.

Draw Nigh Unto God and He Will Draw Nigh Unto You.

Our choir is singing songs about life---and death---this spring. It is very moving music. We had our first rehearsal last evening.

I attended a funeral yesterday. I should have been at another one too, but I couldn't be in two places at once.

Death seems to be nearer this past month. Somethings just seem darker, and it's not the seasonal change either.

I think it might be the Zeitgeist speaking.

I am not the only one waiting with baited breath for things to change...

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Extremely Righteous

Wouldn't it be something if anyone could label you "extremely righteous?"

No one is righteous. Not one. Our "righteousness" is as bloody menstrual cloths----filthy rags.

Yes, it's disgusting. Remember, evil is disgusting. Sin is evil. We all sin (no exceptions).

But God loves us, and we are called to righteousness. Apparently there is hope for even our own puny attempts to please Him.

Our salvation rests on Christ's sacrifice alone, but we bear a responsibility for our behavior that will be judged by the Righteous Judge.

There is no power spiritually apart from God.

Without Christ there is only spiritual death. Oh, yes, everyone's soul has been affected by the spiritual world, but until you are born again you are DEAD spiritually. You are DEAD. You are blind to the Spirit. You cannot hear the Spirit. It's there in Corinthians.

So this year, ask Jesus to forgive you. Repent. (That means turn, or go a different way.) Ask Him to be your Savior and experience spiritual LIFE as never before.  Join those forgiven, those joyful, those with everything to live for.  Join the living.

And love righteousness. Pursue godliness. Strive to please Him. We must give an account when we see Him, our infinite Judge. So be known as an extremist---extremely righteous.