No, It Isn't Just One

The shooting this morning by a Bernie Sanders campaign worker is not just a single weird event. The worldview of this individual is one that is prevalent in any person adhering to socialism.

Socialism kills.

There is a godless holding in the socialist's worldview and it leads to deadly acts of human nature. People are sinners. People do bad things.

That's why we need a Savior.

As Bible believers we must respond to people like this daily, taking their verbal abuse, grieving the results of their liberal fascism. You see, fascism doesn't allow for other viewpoints. It simply takes them out physically.

That is why the socialist/communist Chinese don't allow any Christians to speak of Christ's return.

It gives a hope that they cannot control.

They may allow Christianity, but not the promises of His return.

The socialist/ social justice Christians are the same way here in America. Socialism robs the hope from any human trusting in Christ's answers, Christ's return, Christ's prophecies.

There is a correlation.

So abandon the hopelessness of socialism. There is no solution there. The only solution to the world's problems is JESUS CHRIST!

Repent and believe today.

Today is the day of salvation.

Summer Begins

The first full week of vacation starts this morning, and it's gorgeous.

After a day of apocalyptic weather here in the Minneapolis region yesterday we are enjoying cool temps and sunny skies.

Yesterday there were drifts of hail like I've never seen before. Unreal. They had to pull out the snowplows in my old hometown of Coon Rapids! Really, something strange happened.

Cherie begins her horse riding "lessons" this morning. As much fun as owning a horse would be I think we're going to wait until the millennium for that. Then we'll each have several horses, surely. For now "renting" one each week for a few hours works pretty well.

Tomorrow Ed and Cherie start a writer's workshop. They both are pretty prolific writers. I'm hopeful that this workshop will hone their skills.

I'm a believer in homeschooling writers by reading out loud daily for an hour at the least. The books must be well-written, and for a level above their reading level. It's magical. The kids hear correct grammar and voice it in their minds.

Pronunciation can be a challenge, and that is important. Having raised avid readers I always laugh at quirky pronunciations by my children. They understand the meaning of the words perfectly, but having never heard it pronounced they mangle it. The joys of homeschooling!

Cherie has several works and Ed has had at least three blogs. My heart was warmed recently when I read Cherie's Wattpad post on the differences between Old Testament ceremonial law vs. Old Testament moral law. Someone was really paying attention! She articulated her thoughts masterfully.

Puppy news: Corwyn is quite the wild child lately. She seems perfectly content at Corgi Hollows. Topi enjoys tussling with her still, despite puppy nips on his ears. Blackberry still struggles with acceptance, except when they are outside together. She acts like a mother figure, then. Corwyn is darling. She continues to be fetchingly Corgi-ish. Everyone who sees her melts.

There are sad things in the our world right now: a young woman we know has been diagnosed with a rare form of virulent breast cancer.  Please pray for her. Her path is tenuous and hard.

A young family we know needs lots of prayer. Life changes. Hard ones.

Everywhere we look there are new cancer diagnoses, hardships, and dissolution. Some people are struggling with political changes, spiritual changes, or circumstantial changes. Life is hard!

It's time to look to the Chief Shepherd for His help in times of trial.

We are never far from trials. That is our earthly existence. We may weather one storm, but another is coming. It is always important to look into the face of Christ to get through each storm, and to have a loose hold on the material gains we've made.

Nothing lasts except the spiritual. Wood, hay, and stubble make up the things we've acquired here on earth, and everything passes through the fire.

Will there be jewels that emerge from the ashes? Eternal jewels? Eternal awards?

Let's hope so.

Our study last night touched on this concept of the Bema Seat.

Most people do not realize that there are TWO judgments coming. The Great White Throne judgment is the one where the sheep are separated from the goats, the sheep going to be with Christ and the goats to hell.

The Bema seat, the other judgment, is like an award ceremony for the sheep. Our lives will be reviewed for good and bad. Our salvation is already secure, but the things we did here on earth will be evaluated. Did we waste time? Did we do good? Where did we fail?

I don't believe there will be tears, but there may be some regret. There will be great rejoicing, too! Our King will be glorified by our good works!

So do good works, to glorify the King.

Do you know Christ?
He is the only way. It's true, Bernie Sanders! Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by HIM.

Repent today, and humble yourself before the Lord of the Universe.

Maranatha!

Interesting

https://youtu.be/tc1lbo6DHAk

Corgi Hollows

Work

A word about work:

I've been back to work since January. Five full months. I'm substitute teaching on the average of four days a week, working at the deli when Margaret doesn't want my shifts. The fifty hour weeks aren't happening anymore, and I'm grateful.

Those sort of weeks can be truly killers.

My life has changed, but I think for the better.

I appreciate more. I revel in the moments in the sunshine, sipping coffee or tea, watching my pets snoozing. I pick up a book with discretion, not abandon, and read judiciously.

I value my time.

I think I'd love being a painter, a knitter, a seamstress, but I have to plan these moments now. I can't just fritter away my time. I purposefully plan projects and MAKE time.

This is a good thing.

We humans are created for work. I think we'll have work to do in heaven. Wonderful, fun, fulfilling work.

But there is no reason to think that work can't be fun here too.

I enjoy subbing. I like the kids. I like the teachers. I like the school district I work for. I am happy to get phone calls from teachers planning their upcoming absences, instead of getting a generic call from Kelly Services. I like to look forward to a certain group of people.

And the deli is fun too. I am meeting people with interesting stories and lives. I take a certain amount of pride in little things, like slicing meat perfectly, hitting the exact weight desired by a customer. Why shouldn't I find a certain satisfaction in something so mundane?

Work is good.

I also mark my work here at home more astutely. Getting the laundry done, cleaning the kitchen, clearing out the endless accumulation of STUFF is a worthy calling. It's living. It's work.

It's good work.

Enjoying a perfect spring day in a perfect spot is all the more perfect because it can be savored more poignantly.

That's what I'm learning, a valuable lesson.

Corwyn Adjustments

Corwyn is a delight.

She's feisty. Feistier than Misty ever was. I'm taken aback by her fierceness some of the time. Little puppy teeth are SHARP, and we are all trying to teach her that biting too hard results in a startling "NO" from the victim. She's gradually learning.

Housetraining is slow. She has established her "den," which is the dining room/kitchen area and when no one is watching she hies to the nearest area rug---"grass"--- and takes care of necessities. Arrrgh.

Thankful for 409, Mrs. Meyer's Geranium Scented All-purpose Cleaner, and any other bottle of cleaning fluid at hand. This too shall pass.

She's not dumb. She's very smart!

Topaz, the buff black cat, thinks Corwyn is his personal playmate. We are endlessly amused by his somersaults and antics. We have to monitor this crazy playtime. He gets his beating from puppy teeth, and the two can really tussle.

By the end of the first week she was sleeping most of the night. That's progress!

Puppy days are fleeting. She will be a staid, responsible Corgi before we can even believe.

The constant vigilance will cease.

I would like to ask you to pray for something I cannot share about. The LORD knows what it is, but if you would be in prayer for this matter with me I would be so thankful. It's big. Perhaps at some time I can give a full report, but not now. For now I ask that you would simply pray for my Request.

Life is difficult, complex, hard, surprising, and, of course, unfair.

And wonderful. It's a gift from God.

As soon as we give up our expectations of life we find true happiness.

How many times have we heard that gratefulness is key to joy?
Contentment is key to living a satisfied life?
That poverty can be the freest existence?
People need food, water, and shelter, but some of the poorest people on earth appear to be the most satisfied with life.

There is a reason for that. Their dependence is on God's gifts, and not their own striving. God gives life. He promises to provide for us.

Until death.

I was thinking about death last night. We don't like to think about it, but everyone faces it. Everyone dies. Death can be so awful!

Such a horrible consequence to the fall of mankind.

It is a picture we must face and come to terms with.

I dread death, but the LORD has told me that death is swallowed up in victory. So I look to Him to help me face it, whenever it comes.

And I pray for His deliverance. The Rapture. Our blessed hope. We're heading out of this earthly home.

To know the Creator of the Universe is a privilege. To know that He created each one of us in His own image, knitting together our DNA in each womb, fashioning us according to His plan, is an awesome thought.

We are called to serve Him, to glorify Him. We exist because of Him, in Him, and through Him.
Anything else on our part is idolatry.

God is good. He is love. He is worthy of our praise.

I'm watching for His return, and until then I will live each day to His glory. I will thank Him for His uncountable blessings. I will give Him honor and praise. I will live the life of one who seeks to obey Him. I want to be counted as His friend.

"He who loves me keeps my commandments."

I will wait on Him, living each day that He gives to His purposes. This is my will.

I hope it is yours.