Forget You tube... have you checked out God Tube?

I didnt know that they had such a thing. I happened to run across this while reading an article about Kirk Cameron: http://potw.news.yahoo.com/s/potw/41/converting-kirk-cameron


http://www.godtube.com/

How's this for putting it in perspective?

Let's say I break into your house
A lady wrote the best letter in the Editorials
in ages!!! It explains things better than all
the baloney you hear on TV.

Her point:

Recently large demonstrations have taken place
across the country protesting the fact that Congress
is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration.


Certain people are angry that
the US might protect its own
borders, might make it harder
to sneak into this country and,
once here, to stay indefinitely.

Let me see if I correctly understand
the thinking behind these protests.
Let's say I break into your house.
Let's say that when you discover
me in your house, you insist that I leave.

But I say, 'I've made all
the beds and washed the
dishes and did the laundry
and swept the floors. I've
done all the things you don't
like to do. I'm hard-working
and honest
(except for when I broke into your house).

According to the protesters:

You are Required to let me stay in your house
You are Required to add me to your family's insurance plan
You are Required to Educate my kids
You are Required to Provide other benefits to me & to my family

(my husband will do all of your yard work because
he is also hard-working and honest, except for that
breaking in part).

If you try to call the police or force me out,
I will call my friends who will picket your
house carrying signs that proclaim my
RIGHT to be there.


It's only fair, after all, because you have
a nicer house than I do, and I'm just
trying to better myself. I'm a hard-working
and honest, person, except for well,
you know, I did break into your house

And what a deal it is for me!!!

I live in your house, contributing only a
fraction of the cost of my keep, and
there is nothing you can do about it
without being accused of cold,
uncaring, selfish, prejudiced, and
bigoted behavior.

Oh yeah, I DEMAND that you to learn
MY LANGUAGE!!! so you can
communicate with me.

Why can't people see how ridiculous
this is?! Only in America .
if you agree, pass it on (in English ).
Share it if you see the value of it.




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

IN GOD WE TRUST

Some Observations--Clutter & Negative Energy

I had posted the other day about learning how the effects of negative & postive energy from a Shaman's perspective when I read Eric Davis's book. I found that to ring true as I woke up this morning & how clutter in the house stirs up negative energy in myself. I'm a "there's a place for everything, and everything in its place" type of gal. Sometimes this isnt easy when I am surrounded by a household of males-- me being the only female.

I've found that I tend to be in a better mentality & mood when our house is somewhat clean. What I mean by somewhat clean is....When the dishes are put away, the kitchen floors are mopped and swept and the carpets are vacuumed & there isn't alot of clutter lying around. Strange as it sounds, I find myself in a better state of mind when I can recycle all the junk mail that comes in the daily mail.

I find myself struggling with this sometimes, as our 5 year old son has autism. He has a facination with certain things and collecting paper, cars, books and such. Sometimes when his "collections" seem to cross over into my sense of clean-- I find myself with a negative charge of energy.

I find it interesting how our environment can either make us feel uplifted or drained. Sometimes I find myself challenged by this, but in return it is helping me understand others and their environments as well.

Now, with that said.... I have a few hours to myself... so I am finding myself happily cleaning today and will enjoy the reward of positive energy while relishing a somewhat clean environment. :)

The View: Geez!

Although I respect the fact that everyone has an opinion... this is why I wouldnt ever want to be a celebrity or be in the public eye. Everything they say seems to be under a microscope and I'll bet the media is having a frenzy with this one!

I just don't see what the hype is about. It appears to be a difference in opinion. Yes, I agree that both ladies are strong in what they believe & I understand what they are saying.... but can't we all just get along???? Maybe Hormones??? I guess. Sigh! Im not one to take sides. I admire and respect both Rosie and Elizabeth. Makes me what to break into song by Daniel Powter,"So, ya had a bad day...."

I gotta hand it to Sherri and Joy for trying to hold down the fort! WTG ladies!

That Amazing Energy

I currently have been reading a book that my awesome, Sister-in-Law, Lynette worked on as a contributing editor. She graciously gave us a copy that was autographed by the author himself. I am enjoying it, and learning alot. I found it to be an interesting read & found that the exercises of being a Shaman parallels to be true of what I believe in Christianity as well. The book that I am referring to is called "Journeys to Bliss: Healing Stories from a Modern Day Shaman" by Eric Davis.

I have been learning a lot about Eric's experiences in being a Shaman. I found it facinating when he wrote about the levels of energy within our lives. Eric writes "as these physical changes (meaning the steps that we take towards living in bliss) are in place, we can concentrate on the mental, emotional, and spiritual energy in our lives."

I found it interesting on how all these energy levels come together to create our well being (or a state of bliss) On the Spiritual level, we can look toward connecting to humanity, the Earth, the Universe and God--or some call this a "higher power."

Eric discusses that feeling seperation feeds the negative charge in our lives & conciously connect to humanity and the divine. He says that we must pay attention to the people in our lives-- do they leave us feeling drained or uplifted.

I've found this to be true, as a day at the Mall where there is a lot of people can easily drain my energy or being around certain negative individuals can be spiritually, emotionally and physically draining as well. It all makes sense to me as I find that I choose to be around uplifting people-- that feed my spiritual level. Negative people wear me out, as they seem to suck the life out of me... just like a sponge soaks up water.

Lynette and her husband, Steve have personally been taking Shaman apprentice classes through Eric Davis. I find this all interesting, as being an open minded person... I think we can benefit from Shaman techniques. I look forward to hearing more about it from Lynette and Steve in the near future.

Reason, Season or Lifetime :)

I received this in my email this morning from my husband's Aunt. I really liked the message, as it is so very true! I think we all can identify with this in one way or another...:)

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

PDL; Jesus & the Jerks

I really liked this Purpose Driven Life devotional. I think we've all come across someone in our lives that was hard to get along with. But, one thing is clear. We all need Jesus... Jerk or not.

Jesus And The Jerks
by Jon Walker

“But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NIV)

Jerk: A person regarded as disagreeable, contemptible, especially as the result of foolish or mean behavior.

One of the biggest jerks I ever knew was a 23-year-old college graduate whose anger and arrogance spilled into many of his relationships. His hypocrisy was astounding – one moment he claimed to be a Christian and the next he acted like a son of hell. If it had been my choice, I would have avoided him all together – but since that jerk was me, I was stuck being around him!

Most of us try to avoid jerks. We pat ourselves on the back for not telling them off. We applaud ourselves for putting up with them. We remind ourselves everybody has a cross to bear, and so we grudgingly accept certain jerks as our divinely ordained burden.

But is that what we’re called to do?

Jesus embraced jerks; he graced them with love – while stilling telling them the truth in love. Now he had no qualms about pointing out a whitewashed tomb when he saw one, but the corporate evil of the Pharisees was a far more serious matter than mere human jerkiness.

The point is this: Jesus didn’t shelter himself from the pain and heartache caused by jerks. In fact, he voluntarily stretched out his arms on the cross and allowed several jerks to slam nails into his hands and feet.

Behind all their stomp and snort, jerks are still spiritual beings, created in God's image and destined for heaven or hell. We’re compelled to be ministers of reconciliation, willing to embrace the pain of a fallen world for the sake of our God. (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)
The heart of the gospel is that God loves the unlovely. Could it be that the jerks God places in our lives are there to teach us to be more like Christ, to teach us the God-like quality of loving the unlovely?

Most of us take for granted the incredible change God initiated in our own lives: We were once jerks to God, yet even while we were still jerks, Christ died for us!

Jerks are never easy to embrace. If it were easy to love everyone, then Christ need not have died; we could love them on our own. But in order to embrace the jerks in our life, we need the Life of Christ within us so that, as new creations, we can overwhelm jerks with God’s grace, showing them the only power that will stop them from stumbling in the darkness, teaching them to cling to the only thing able to move them from being jerks to being Jesus-followers.

So what?

· Jesus loves jerks too – Even the most difficult people are spiritual beings in need of Christ.

· Jesus transforms you – Jesus can use the “jerks” in your life to transform you into a more Christ-like believer. Is it possible that the “jerk” who annoys you is God’s instrument to show you areas where you should grow, areas where you have difficulty loving unconditionally, the way that Christ loves you?

· God’s plan for you – If God allows a difficult person in your life, consider that he may want you to (1) pray for them and (2) show them by your own example how much God loves them, regardless of their behavior.

· Your mission – Who in your life seems disagreeable, contemptible, foolish, or mean? How would God have you approach them from now on? What can you do today to show them the love of Christ?

So Seattle Isnt the Wettest City afterall! LOL

After residing in the Northwest for over 30 years-- this is good to know that Seattle *isnt* the wettest City in the U.S.!!! LOL


Study Reveals Top 10 Wettest U.S. Cities
Andrea Thompson
LiveScience Staff Writer


Do you think Seattle is the rainiest city in the United States? Well, think again.
Mobile, Alabama, actually topped a new list of soggiest cities, with more than 5 feet of rainfall annually, according to a study conducted by San Francisco-based WeatherBill, Inc.
The Southeast dominated the most rainy list, while the Pacific Northwest never enters the list until Olympia, Washington pops up at number 24.

The 10 rainiest cities in the U.S. by amount of annual rainfall include: Mobile, Alabama--67 inches average annual rainfall; 59 average annual rainy days Pensacola, Florida--65 inches average annual rainfall; 56 average annual rainy days New Orleans, Louisiana--64 inches average annual rainfall; 59 average annual rainy days West Palm Beach, Florida--63 inches average annual rainfall; 58 average annual rainy days Lafayette, Louisiana--62 inches average annual rainfall; 55 average annual rainy days Baton Rouge, Louisiana--62 inches average annual rainfall; 56 average annual rainy days Miami, Florida--62 inches average annual rainfall; 57 average annual rainy days Port Arthur, Texas--61 inches average annual rainfall; 51 average annual rainy days Tallahassee, Florida--61 inches average annual rainfall; 56 average annual rainy days Lake Charles, Louisiana--58 inches average annual rainfall; 50 average annual rainy days

The study ranked 195 cities by the amount of rainfall they received annually over a 30-year period, although Olympia actually had the most rainy days on average across the three decades (63) of all the cities in the study. Mobile came in second on the latter scale, with 59 average annual rainy days.

Southeastern cities are so prevalent on the list because the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico fuel storms that frequently soak the region, particularly between June and November.
The study also found that in the past 30 years, the East and Southeast seemed to be getting wetter, while the West got drier. Florida, Louisiana and Alabama were the wettest states, while California, Montana, Nevada and Arizona were the driest (Las Vegas took the top spot for driest city).

Average rainfall was highest in the United States between July and September and lowest between January and March.

Massage Therapy: The Power of Touch

Last May, Joel and I were blessed to get a Swedish massage as apart of our hotel package when we were in Chicago. It was our first professional massage and it felt awesome! Since then, Ive been blessed by getting another gift certificate to a local salon/spa, and am looking forward to getting another Swedish massage on Memorial day that is included in my spa/salon "Day Of Beauty" package that I received for Mother's Day :)

I found this article interesting--as there are many health benefits.. including detoxification of the body. :)


Massage Therapy: The Power of Touch
by Kathleen Doheny

Massage, an ancient treatment described as early as 3000 BC, has taken a back seat to pharmaceuticals and other modes of care. But that's all changing as scientific studies suggest massage therapy can relieve stress and pain, enhance immune function, banish anxiety, and speed athletes' recovery.

In 1976, Tiffany Field's baby girl was born prematurely. Today, her daughter is 23, strong and healthy. Field credits massage therapy.
While pregnant with her daughter, Field, a psychologist and researcher at the University of Miami School of Medicine, was studying whether massage therapy--the power of touch--could help premature babies grow and thrive. Her own daughter, lovingly given massage therapy in the early weeks of her life, became part of that proof.

Since then, Field has published her findings in respected medical journals. With her colleagues and other researchers, she also has evidence that massage therapy is beneficial for reducing pain, enhancing immune function, enhancing alertness, and helping athletes recover from their injuries.

Field and others have also witnessed a growing acceptance of massage therapy. It's one of the fastest growing so-called alternative or complementary therapies, according to a landmark report on alternative medicine published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Consumers now visit massage therapists about 114 million times a year, according to estimates in the JAMA report.

Massage is shedding its alternative, fringe medicine reputation and has come to be regarded as a valuable complement to other treatments.
"Physicians are jumping on the bandwagon," says Field. She regularly takes calls from doctors asking about the treatment. One of the most recent was from a doctor in a burn unit who wondered about the value of massaging wounds.

In the United States, a typical one-hour full body massage costs about $50 to $75, according to the American Massage Therapy Association in Evanston, Ill., which has more than 50,000 members in 27 countries. A number of health and managed care plans are beginning to cover prescribed massage therapy, according to the association.

Massage therapy is a new fringe benefit at some offices. Employees of Futuredontics in Santa Monica, Calif., which operates the 1-800-Dentist referral service, are entitled to a weekly 10-minute clothed massage in the company's special massage therapy room. Workers always exit the massage room smiling, says Diane Lindley, a company spokeswoman.
At major metropolitan airports, including Denver, Seattle, and Chicago, stressed-out travelers can get a 10 or 15 minute shoulder massage for about a dollar a minute at terminal massage bars.

"There are physical, mental, and spiritual benefits to massage," says Maria Grove, founding director of The Touch Therapy Institute in Encino, Calif., a massage instruction school. "It takes you to another level of dealing with your life and your problems."

How It Works

The power of touch is not completely understood, even by massage therapists and researchers. Massage can affect the musculoskeletal, nervous, and circulatory-lymphatic systems, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine of the National Institutes of Health. Field says that many of its positive effects seem to be mediated by increasing relaxation and decreasing stress hormones such as cortisol. Massage also fulfills our need to be touched--a dying art in fast-paced American culture.

Types of Massage

Here are the most common types of massage, according to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA):

Swedish--Considered the most common type, this involves long strokes, kneading, and other techniques on the more superficial muscle layers, along with active and passive joint movement. It aims to improve blood circulation and range of motion and to relieve muscle tension.

Deep Tissue--Designed to release tension by administering slow strokes and deep finger pressure, deep tissue is so named because it focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. The strokes and pressure either follow or go across the grain of muscles and tendons.

Shiatsu and Acupressure--These are both finger pressure massage systems based on Oriental healing concepts. The idea is to treat special points along meridians, invisible channels said to carry energy flow within the body. The pressure is intended to unblock the energy and thereby enhance body health.

Sport Therapy-- Sports massage focuses on warming up an athlete to reach optimal performance, reducing soreness after a workout, or helping to rehabilitate injured muscles.

What the Studies Found

Medical journals include dozens of reports on massage therapy and its benefits. In a review article published in the American Psychologist, Field discussed some of the most promising.
In one study of 40 full-term infants, ages one to three months born to teen mothers, some infants were massaged for 15 minutes while others were rocked. The massaged infants, she found, cried less, had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their saliva, and were more likely to go to sleep after massage than after being rocked.
In another study, burn victims who had massage before debridement, a process used to treat severe burns, had lower anxiety levels and lower stress hormone levels than those who weren't massaged.

When medical school staff and students got 15-minute chair massages during lunch, they reported being more alert after lunch and experiencing runner's high-like feelings.
Other studies have suggested that massage helps relieve migraines, tension headaches, and fibromyalagia syndrome (in which a person feels all-over pain for no known reason).

Of course, massage isn't a total panacea. It can be inappropriate in some cases, warns the American Massage Therapy Association, such as in those with the vein inflammation known as phlebitis, some skin and cardiac conditions, and some cancers. Anyone with these health problems should consult their physician before undergoing massage therapy.

What the Future May Hold

Other applications of massage therapy are under study. Grove has visited Swedish nursery schools, in which young children are taught to lovingly massage each other. They are calmer and more cooperative, she says, than their American counterparts. That can only happen, she says, when children overcome a fear of being touched and are taught the difference between good and bad touch. Massage is also being studied as a way to quell aggression in violent teens--with a long-range goal of reducing the crime rate.

Grove has taught "Massage for Parents" workshops in which she teaches parents how to massage their children for a variety of benefits, including increasing 'peace and calm' hormones.

Seek His Face

A friend emailed me this. Study the picture & you will find it Amazing! It gives a whole new meaning to "Seek His Face" :) :)

My two cents on Rev Jerry Falwell's passing

Another Christian leader has gone home to be with the Lord. I know that even though Rev Falwell was controversial at times in the past, I try to do what it says it in the Bible and "respect' political leaders and pray for them, as I would do with any other figure in authority in America... whether I agree with them or not.

My thoughts on his passing can be conveyed in a quote that Martin Luther once said:

"Feelings come and feelings go, as they can be deceiving. For, I chose to put my trust in the Word of God and in Him I am believing"

I find it absurd if someone would think that just "one" life, would spoil the way one feels about Christianity. The enemy won't stop at nothing to take our focus off of God by trying to use our faults and failures against us. But-- no one can ever change how I feel about Christianity & my relationship with the Lord. Its different for everyone-- for its personal for each and every one of us. It's God's Word that makes the impact-- as we are just vessels to his Word.

It has been said if you aren't sure about something... we need to measure it with the Word of God-- for his Word will never steer you in the wrong direction. His Word is a "light to our path and a lamp to our feet".

As for the impact that Rev Falwell had on Christianity.... that judgement is something that only God can make! For we all will have our turn in the "Judgement seat" someday--as we all will have to give an account for our actions, while we were here on Earth.

God Bless, Rev Falwell! I know that he is at peace and in the loving arms of the Lord right now. We'll only see how his life (and ours as well) made impact when we get to Heaven. That is sure good news in my book!!!!

Just my 2 cents, for what its worth :)

PDL: Warning Each Other

I love reading the Purpose Driven Life devotionals that come in my email box. I especially liked this one as the points ring true. For instance, sometimes when my attitude is way off base, I appreciate the way that Joel will lovingly rebuke me. I can always see it coming cause he will say... "I mean this in the most loving way, but..."

It is good to have others to "sharpen our iron" by pointing out our blind spots. There is a big difference between criticism and "constructive" criticism. We really need others in our lives-- Sometimes we won't see the full impact that they have had on us until we get to Heaven, but isn't it is good to know that God knows what he is doing even though we cant see the "Big Picture yet" ???


Warning Each Other
by Jon Walker

“Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
(Hebrews 3:13 ESV)

We need people in our lives who will love us enough to warn us when necessary. Just as “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17 NIV), we’re to push each other toward Christ-like behavior and protect one another from failing in our faith.

God calls us to “tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other in the same body” (Ephesians 4:25 NCV). The basis for warning each other in loving truth is that “we all belong to each other.”

Our warnings are not to be mere rebukes; they should be positive and redemptive – calling us to a higher place and reminding each other of our godly purpose. They are exhortations for restoration, and are given as loving corrections with a humble heart and compassionate words.

The apostle Paul said, “So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:31 NIV). Can you hear the passion and compassion in his voice? When our warnings are motivated by love and based on committed relationships, they rarely come across as harsh or mean.

In fact, when we warn others, we tell them how much we love them.
And as part of a Christian community, we also should be ready and willing to receive warnings from others. The fact is, we all have blind spots. Just like a driver sometimes needs help to see what’s in a car’s blind spot, we need friends to help us see things in us or near us that we don’t see ourselves. And in the same way we would warn a driver, the point is not to tear down the other person, but to keep him safely on the road.

Paul also says the warning should be immediate – “as long as it is called ‘today.’” We should seize the moment because waiting to warn only leads to disaster.

So what?

· Take a loving risk – You show your love for others by lovingly letting them know of blind spots. It takes a risk to show love in this way, but what will it cost if you don’t warn your friend? Who in your life needs to hear a word of warning?

· Loving restoration – When you point out a blind spot, it should not be done in anger. Your motive should be to restore your friend to a strong Christian walk and witness. Ask, “How can I make this warning tender?”

· Listen, don’t defend – Are you willing and prepared to receive a similar warning? When someone points out a blind spot in your life, listen – and don’t defend yourself. Take it to God and ask if it is true. If it is, ask him what you should do about it.

Our Hillsdale College Grad!

Joel flew to Michigan over the weekend to attend Josh's (JT) College Graduation from Hillsdale College. Here is Grandma Joan having some fun with our Grad, while Josh's girlfriend, Lilly, looks on.

A Proud Dad, Joel with Josh-- the Grad.

The future Dr. Joshua T. Bowen Ph.D

(He has plans to attend Grad school at the U.W in the Fall)

Loving My New Toy!

I feel like I am keeping up with the times now after seeing my teen boys enjoy music on their Mp3 players. Joel had recently won two Sansa e260 Mp3 players of these as a part of a sweepstakes prize. (Joel gave the other one to his son, Josh, as part of his college graduation present over the weekend, which Josh was thrilled)

I finally got mine a couple days shy of Mother's Day. What a great gift, especially one who is suffers from electronic illiteracy, like myself... LOL. I found it very user friendly. It came preloaded with oodles of songs, so I am really enjoying it. It also came with a 2 months free trial to Rhapsody, so that is an added blessing! Now, I just need to figure out how to download podcasts and I'll be all set. Teehee!

When Mother's Day is Hard

I was searching for an article for the ladies who find Mother's Day hard-- such as myself. Even though I was blessed with 3 wonderful boys and a great Mother-in-law; it seems at times that I subconciously still grieve for the healthy, emotional Mother-daughter relationship that I never had with my own Mother, who is dealing with a mental illness (Borderline Personality disorder)

I thank the Lord for healing the emptiness inside my heart; and for turning the ashes of pain into something beautiful-- especially the testimony He has given me & the ability to love my three sons with an unconditional love! :)

I hope this article blesses someone else, like it has blessed me.


When Mother's Day Is Hard
Taking solace in Scripture's difficult and unsentimental image of motherhood.
By Jenell Williams Paris

Mother's Day is hard for many women, myself included. Several of my friends long for marriage and children. Several are infertile or have lost new lives to miscarriage or stillbirth. One friend hardly speaks to her estranged mother, and several have mothers who have died. Another struggles with how her marital problems challenge her parenting. As for me, my triplet baby sons died last September. Each was lovely like every mother's son, but their lives and my mothering were cut short. Like my friends, I face Mother's Day with ambivalence—glad for all the good mothering in the world, but sad about my losses.

In the first weeks after their deaths, I couldn't bear to look at a calendar because it showed only days and days of sadness ahead. Even a clock seemed too much, displaying minutes and hours ahead in which I would have to bear the absolute goneness of my children. This sharp bitterness has mostly passed, but this month the calendar shows Mother's Day coming. Holidays are frequently hard for bereaved people, especially the holidays that celebrate the very someone you've lost. And the hype of Mother's Day is just so hyped, salting the wound of childlessness, bereavement, or estrangement.

Hallmark holidays vs. the liturgical calendar

Unlike the unrealistic and sentimental feminine images dished out by Hallmark, the Bible and the church offer real stories of real women's lives. And in contrast to the twelve-month calendar, the liturgical year offers time redeemed, meaning something more than just bearing sorrow through an interminable future. Now, I don't know much about the liturgical year, but I'm learning to appreciate it. Typical for evangelical mutts, I've worshiped Jesus with little denominational loyalty, grounding myself at various times in traditions including Baptist, Evangelical Free, Evangelical Covenant, Church of God, and Mennonite. All of these churches are non-liturgical, but now I worship at a postmodern Protestant church that blends elements from various Christian traditions, including the liturgical year. This year, when my future looked like an abyss of sorrow, the liturgical year has helped me move through time with meaning. And for us who find Mother's Day difficult, the church may offer hope in its measures of time and in its truthful perspective on women and family.

Mother's Day is a secular holiday patched in during Easter Season, between Jesus' resurrection and ascension. In evangelical churches like those of my childhood, it popped off the calendar like Christmas and Easter, with no apparent context. Unlike the religious holidays that commemorate events in Jesus' life, Mother's Day is too often a day for valorizing motherhood as a necessary and ultimate expression of womanhood. I've heard numerous comments in church similar to these, from a sermon preached by my Baptist grandfather. In a Mother's Day sermon he said, "The greatest privilege and trust God ever gave women was motherhood … Mother's love is the greatest love outside the love of God."

Motherhood is a good thing, of course, and the holiday was created to honor mothers and their frequently unrecognized work. Though Christians have no mandate to celebrate, or even to mention secular holidays in the church, it may be wise to partner with the culture in honoring women's work. Christians should, however, understand motherhood by considering both the Scriptures and the real lives of women in their congregations. Unfortunately, we too often take cues from TV, greeting card companies, and our own suburban dreams. As a result, women who do not fit these soft-focused fantasies are further wounded in church celebrations of Mother's Day.

Evangelicals frequently promote an idealized narrative of women's lives that begins with a marriage between virgins in early adulthood, a household in which men are financially dominant, two or three children arriving just on time, and a few housepets thrown in for good measure. This is, however, no longer an accurate story of most American women's lives. Marriage between young virgins is becoming increasingly rare, as people marry later (age 26 on average), and well over 80 percent are sexually active before adulthood. Nearly half of American adults are unmarried, and about half of those married get divorced. One in five Americans struggle with infertility at some point, and millions experience miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death, or child death.

Scripture's sorrowful mothers

A quick look at our culture shows that idealized images of motherhood are inaccurate, and Scripture reveals the same. Ruth was left childless and widowed at a young age. Rachel, Hannah, and Sarah were infertile. Eve and Mary lost sons under terrible circumstances. Two mothers of two kings, both named Ahaziah, encouraged their sons to be wicked and unjust. The prodigal son acted with terrible disrespect toward each of his parents. Scripture tells stories like those in our churches: women in diverse life circumstances, sometimes thriving, sometimes coping, and sometimes going under.

The fairy tale of marriage and motherhood is just that, a fairy tale. Our culture is one of motherhood deferred due to later childbearing, motherhood disrupted by divorce, motherhood lost by infant/child death and miscarriage, and motherhood unachieved due to infertility and undesired singleness. Of course, our culture also includes wonderful families with strong marriages and happy children. The point is that there is not a one-size-fits-all journey of womanhood, and we hurt women in our churches by venerating one path over all others.
If we consider Mother's Day within the liturgical calendar, we could rely on the gospel reading for May 9 of this year, John 13:31-35:
At the last supper, when Judas had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Jesus didn't promise his disciples that they would be happy, or, relevant to Mother's Day, that they would have good relationships with their mothers or that they would be parents. In fact, he said they would experience sadness and longing in life, even in their relationship with him when he would no longer be with them. Likewise, we may be deeply disappointed in life: in our longings to be mothers, our attempts to become mothers, and in our needs to be mothered. Some of us will give and receive mother-love, and others of us won't. This is sad, but true.

Motherhood must not be the resting place for women's tender hopes for wholeness. Like Jesus' disciples, we are called to love each other and to love God. Love will make us whole.
So let's be gentle with each other this Mother's Day. Let's celebrate with the women who have happy families. Let's remember the women, men, girls, and boys who are hurt by their mothers. Let's remember the mothers who have lost their children. Let's remember the women who long to be wives and mothers, but aren't. Let's come together and worship Jesus alone, not idealized images of our mothers or ourselves.

Mother's Day might be hard for me this year no matter what, but I'll do my best to be blessed on that day. Instead of comparing myself to greeting card moms, I'll think of the real women in my life, who carry both great happinesses and deep sorrows. I'll remember women in my Christian story, including Eve, Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, and Mary. And I'll go to church not to celebrate motherhood, but to receive the love of the God who mothers us all.

Why Mother's Day is Important for Children

As Mother's Day weekend approaches, I thought this was a great perspective on celebrating Mother's Day- from our children's point of view.

Enjoy and Happy Mother's Day ladies!


Why Mother's Day is Important For Children

Mother’s Day is important for children. This Mother’s Day take note how your children celebrate the occasion. They will probably celebrate it in much the same way year after year. Do they do anything special for you? Do they do the same things as they did last year? Maybe they give you breakfast in bed and insist on unwrapping gifts before you eat? Maybe they wrap their gifts in a certain way or hide them throughout the house, as occurs in one family. Take note of the special activities that your loved ones create and develop on Mother’s Day.

We often take these for granted but it is in the differences and uniqueness that the power of rituals lie.It is the rituals of events such as Mother’s Day that are significant. Australian psychologist Andrew Fuller calls family rituals “the coat hooks upon which we hang your family and childhood memories”. Family rituals such as Mother’s Day are extraordinarily protective for children as in times of change it is the rituals that remain constant.

Rituals such as Mother’s Day are also anchors to childhood for adolescents. Even teenagers tend to celebrate important days such as Mothers Days and birthdays in the same ways that they did when they were young. At a time when they are rapidly moving toward adulthood the ritual of Mother’s Day helps them to revisit their childhoods at least for a time. Also as everything in their world becomes increasingly transient it is a reminder that some things don’t change.If you are a new mother then you will be shaping the way that Mother’s Day will be celebrated. You will probably bring some traditions from your family of origin, particularly if Mother’s Day was a special event.

If you got together as a family for lunch then you will probably keep that tradition going in your new family and integrate with visits to your family of origin. Strong families value rituals such as Mother’s Day. They look for every opportunity to gather and guard these rituals assiduously. It is rituals that bring everyone together when life gets frantic and other activities get tossed aside.

When families begin to break down it is rituals that are the first causalities of conflict. As families become increasingly similar in this media age it is important to maintain those distinctive traditions and rituals such as the way you celebrate Mother’s Day that make each family special and signify a child’s significance within his primary social group – his family.

"Give Me Something to Blog about"... LOL

I have a little Mantra about Blogging. It reminds me of that Bonnie Raitt song "Give them something to talk about". Well, my mantra is "Just give me something to Blog about...." LOL

One thing that Ive noticed about Blogging is that we are sharing our own perspectives and opinions. Our opinions and feelings make us who we are, which is all good. Ive learned that something is wrong when others are all singing our praises. That its okay to step out of our comfort zones and be brave enough to take a risk, without seeking someone else's approval.

Ive learned that we all are "Originals, not a cheap imitations". Our lives are a Masterpiece in the making of our Lord and Creator! It is good to know that we all need each other people that the Lord puts in our lives--as our differences sharpen one another to be the individuals that the Lord wants us to be! :)

The Queen Concludes visit with a toast and a Joke :)

Well, it is refreshing to see that the Queen of England has a sense of humor after Joel and I watched the movie "The Queen", the other night. :) After watching it, I can honestly say that even though I don't quite understand her ways or being un- emotional, I did walk away with some compassion for her and her role as Queen.

It must be hard to be in the spotlight all the time!!!! I can say that I don't blame her for her past actions & being so "formal" . It is the only way of life that she knows coming from her generation. But-- It does make one wonder if she just longs to let her hair down and cut loose like the fun loving Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson has done in the past. Know what I mean?? LOL

With that being said... Long live the Queen!!!!

Queen concludes visit with toast, joke

By DESMOND BUTLER, Associated Press WriterWed May 9, 8:08 AM ET

The queen had the last laugh. Dispensing with protocol briefly at the formal dinner she hosted for President Bush, Queen Elizabeth said, "I wonder whether I should start this toast by saying, 'When I was here in 1776.' "

The joke was at the expense of the president — the same president whose wife said he had to be talked into putting on the most formal dinner a White House can host — a white-tie affair.
Bush took it in stride, though, starting his toast by saying, "Your Majesty, I can't top that one."
Tuesday night's royal teasing contrasted sharply with the tightlipped, high-protocol, much-orchestrated style that characterized the British monarch's six-day U.S. tour. It was in reaction to Bush's faux pas Monday after he formally greeted the queen with trumpets, a 21-gun salute and a march by the Old Guard Fife & Drum Corp.

At one point in the South Lawn ceremony, Bush noted that the queen had dined with 10 U.S. presidents and had helped the United States "celebrate its bicentennial in 17 ... ." Bush caught himself and corrected the date to 1976." This brought loud laughter from many in the invited audience of thousands.

A chagrined Bush deadpanned that the queen just "gave me a look that only a mother could give a child."
When asked Tuesday what she had told him, Bush deferred, perhaps deciding to keep it to himself. "Nah, she didn't say anything," he told reporters.
The year 1776 cannot be a favorite year for the queen. It is the year when the monarch at the time of the American Revolution, George III, lost his richest colony.

At the Tuesday night dinner, the 81-year-old queen went on to toast her country's close relationship to the United States.
The queen concluded a rigorous schedule of events marked by frequent changes in dress and a series of colorful hats.

In Virginia, she visited Jamestown, America's first permanent English settlement, returning to a spot that she had seen as queen in 1957, when Bush was not yet a teenager.
In Kentucky, she attended for the first time America's most famous derby, after countless scores of equestrian events at home in Britain.
In Maryland, she watched as astronauts told by video-link of their work aboard the International Space Station while she visited NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
In Washington, she honored American soldiers at the National World War II Memorial, visited sick children at a hospital and stood graciously as the president started to suggest she had lived in the 18th century.

Speech at the Capitol: Darrell Scott Testimony

I received this forward in my email box today from a dear friend, Charita-- who received the forwarded email from someone else. I found it pretty touching & felt that I needed to pass it on :)

Subject: FW: Speech at Capitol
by Christian father of slain student
Date: Mon, 7 May 2007

The circulation of the email below by a Columbine Christian father is encouraging -- in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech shootings last month, April 2007.

My younger brother, Bill, lives in Denver. He teaches Math and Computer Science, in a high school near Columbine. After the 1999 shootings there, the students chose Bill to be their faculty advisor for their new Bible club. I thank & praise the Lord for placing Christian men & women in public schools in America.

Here are guidelines for prayer in schools:
http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/prayer-in-school.htm, by Jay Sekulow, ACLJ.

Lord bless you, Grace


FW: Darrell Scott Testimony

On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal.

There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in t he wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript: "Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart. "In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA.

I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today:

Your laws ignore our deepest needs, Your words are empty air. You've stripped away our heritage, You've outlawed simple prayer. Now gunshots fill our classrooms, And precious children die. You seek for answers everywhere, And ask the question "Why?" You regulate restrictive laws, Through legislative creed. And yet you fail to understand, That God is what we need! "Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit.

When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries [like Harvard]. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors.

No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts. "As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America , and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School, prayer was brought back to our schools.

Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA -- I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"

Do what the media did not -- Let the nation hear this man's speech. Please send this out to everyone you can. God Bless

Spiritual Hunger

I've heard a Pastor say that you can't force feed someone that isn't spiritually hungry. All we can do is pray that they get in a place in their life where they are hungry in spirit. I can relate to this concept spiritually as well as physically.

For example-- Every once in a while, my body confuses thirst & physical hunger, when all it really needs is water. If I replace food instead of water to satisfy my body it gets overloaded in extra calories & my body ends up being dehydrated & still thirsty. It's the same concept with spiritual hunger. People will fill up on what is in the world to fill the void in their lives & they still are not satisfied-- so they will keep seeking other things- when all they need is the Living water (or spiritual food) that comes from the Lord to fill that void.

I researched a bit on the topic of "Spiritual Hunger" in John 6:35 & also found the following message.


HUNGER John 6:35
by Robert Brow

"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry" (John 6:35). Our text this evening is Jesus' startling statement. Imagine a political leader claiming to be the very bread of life. What did Jesus have in mind? How does he claim to be bread, and what hunger does he satisfy?

We know at once that this is not literal hunger for ordinary food. It is similar to other startling metaphors pointing to a spiritual reality, as when he said "I am the Good Shepherd, " or "I am the Light of the world," or "I am the Vine." But what does it mean?

We all know what ordinary hunger is. We come in from a long hike in the mountains, and we say "I am ravenous." There is no anxiety. We are just hungry. We hope a meal is ready for us. But how would you feel if you had nothing to eat for a week? And had no hope of getting food to eat again?

We could identify three stages in a longer period of hunger. First there is a feeling of emptiness, a gut feeling that makes us long for food. Then there is gnawing restlessness like an animal that has not been fed. It paces up and down, gets desperate, claws at the cage. Finally weakness sets in. A person without food can't work, he or she lies down helplessly.

Those three stages correspond to spiritual hunger when we lack spiritual food.. First there is an unsatisfied longing for meaning in our life. We need a sense of destiny. That is one reason we come to a service like this. We need "food for thought." A good sermon to give us "something to chew on." And if we do not get that kind of spiritual food, we feel hungry, unsatisfied.

The next stage of spiritual hunger is a spiritual restlessness. We pace up and down like a caged animal. We try this and we try that. That is why people go into Zen Buddhism, or astrology, new sexual experiences. They rush into some cause to save the world. Or they splurge on shopping they can't afford, or fly off sightseeing. But nothing satisfies.

The third stage is when apathy takes hold. We become bored, lethargic. There is no zest for life. We can't pray. We settle for spiritual passivity. We think about ending it all. We wish we could die.

That is what Jesus is talking about when he said "I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry." He claims to satisfy our spiritual hunger. It is not something we have to work up by trying very hard. It is food that we can receive for our heart to be satisfied. He claims to be the spiritual food that gives meaning to our life. We can take him into our spiritual life.

How do we do that? First we have to admit the diagnosis. "Yes, there is a void in my heart. I am spiritually restless and unsatisfied. I have tried this and that, and my life has become more and more meaningless. "I am desperate. I am getting to the third stage of giving up. There is no hope. No direction. I am giving in to lethargy. Spiritually I am ready to roll over and give up the struggle.

Having admitted the diagnosis, we turn to the Jesus who said "I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry." Maybe we don't have much faith. We can hardly hope there could be a change. Could I ever regain the zest of a little child, and start living again? But our lack of faith is no problem for him. Just admit it, and say "Lord, I haven't got any faith. If you can do anything with me please take me in hand. My one hope is to look to you as my spiritual physician."

When you go in faith to a doctor, he or she gives you a prescription. All you have to do is eat the pills. You don't have to understand how they work. With ordinary food we just eat the meat and potatoes, and feel satisfied.
Just as you sit down at table to eat food, Jesus gave us a way of picturing our spiritual eating. You can do this on your own as you kneel quietly by your bedside. "Lord, I can't imagine how you are going to meet the heart needs of my life. But I certainly need you to satisfy my spiritual hunger."

But you don't have to wait till you go to bed this evening. You could talk to him as we kneel for a moment of prayer. Just say "Lord, I am hungry for you. I accept you into my life right now."
Jesus also gave the bread and wine of the communion service as a regular means of spiritual eating and drinking every week. "Take and eat. This is my body. This is my blood." There will be an opportunity to do that at the end of this service. But Jesus loves you, and he does not mind where and how you receive him. If your heart is open to him, he can do the rest.

Prayer: Jesus, I admit that I am spiritually hungry, and restless. I have almost given up hope. Thank you for the promise you gave. "Whoever comes to me will never be hungry." I need that. I am not sure how you will satisfy my heart longing, but I come to you with my little faith, and take you into my life. You can do the rest. Amen.

The Price Of A Mom: $138,095

As Mother's Day weekend approaches; I would like to say "Way to go Moms! Looks like we got a raise since last year! " It's a raise that is well deserved, that's for sure! Joel and I were discussing this today over our morning coffee. It's too bad Moms can't actually collect their pay-- unfortunately; as inflation would run rampid & the salary ranges of other people's professions would go way down. Sigh!

However, on the other hand, there are so many other benefits to being a Mom. It's the satisfaction that comes from nurturing our childen and the seeds that we sow into their lives, only watch them find their wings as we give them their roots. But, you know-- Motherhood is priceless anyway, cause the word "Mother" is more than a noun... its a verb in my book! Wink! :)

Wishing all the ladies a Happy Mothers day! Give yourselves a well deserved pat on the back & I hope you take time out to nurture yourself today & everyday!

The Price of a Mom: $138,095

A new report assigns a salary to a stay-at-home mother, based on the jobs she does in a normal week.
By MSN Money staff

What's a Mom worth?

According to one new report, $138,095 a year.

That's the figure in a report by Salary.com, which calculates the wages that would have been paid a stay-at-home mom in 2007 if she were compensated for all the elements of her "job." That total is up 3% from 2006's salary of $134,121.
Moms who have jobs outside the house would earn another $85,939 for their mothering work, beyond what they bring home in existing salary

The job descriptions that Salary.com used to determine a mom's salary includes 10 jobs that moms do on an average day: housekeeper, day care center teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, CEO and psychologist.
Plenty of overtime

In calculating a mom's wages, Salary.com looked at the "overtime" that both working and stay-at-home moms put in each week.
"Mom works multiple jobs and rarely gets a break from the action, working an average of 52 hours of overtime," said Bill Coleman, senior vice president at Salary.com, in a statement.According to the Salary.com survey, stay-at-home moms work a 92-hour week, with more than half the workweek spent in overtime.
Working moms, meanwhile, logged more than nine hours of "overtime," with an average 49-hour "mom" work week -- on top of their full-time paying jobs.

For the Salary.com survey, more than 40,000 moms quantified their hours per job description; Salary.com benchmarked the median salaries for each job to the national median salary for each position as reported by employers.
The final salary was calculated by weighting the salaries and hours worked in each role.

Marriage Partnerships: "You Snore!"

I could easily relate to this story as my husband and I both snore! Being a 6 foot tall woman; I unconciously take over our queen size bed at night when I "spread eagle", as Joel lovingly calls it. I am quick to comment back "So, No flying Air Paula tonight?" Sigh. LOL!

I often annoy Joel so much to the point that he will end up sleeping on the couch at night.
Anyways, we are working on it. I even brought some Breathe Right strips for both of us! In spite of our imperfections, I am grateful for the Lord bringing us together almost 8 years ago (this coming July!)

Now, onto the story:

Marriage Partnership, Spring 2007

"You Snore!"

Sleeping with my husband was becoming a nightmare.
by Jayna Richardson

When my husband, Trey, and I were on our honeymoon, the only time I felt a twinge of annoyance was a moment when he was sound asleep, blissfully unaware that I was glaring at him through the darkness. He was snoring! My pre-wedding notions of falling asleep in each other's arms had turned into reality—me, wide awake, next to the human tractor.
I confronted him the next morning, using my best honeymoon voice. "Sweetie, did you know that you snore? Loudly?"

He barely glanced up from his bacon as he replied, "Huh. Nope, I sure didn't."
And that was the extent of my finding peace in the arms of a silent sleeper.
After we returned home, I found out I wasn't the only one feeling as though I'd been given a less-than-perfect bedmate. One night I'd managed to ignore the noise coming from my husband long enough to fall asleep, only to have him poke me awake. I peered groggily at his sad, pouty face. "I'm hanging off the bed," he whined. "You and your pillows are on my side."
Trey had always assumed, very practically, that every person required only one pillow. I informed him, also quite practically, that I required at least four.

Over the next few days, I noticed that my pillow supply slowly and steadily diminished. "Where are all my pillows?" I asked Trey.
"I don't know," he replied innocently. Under pressure, I got him eventually to confess he was "weaning" me off them by hiding them, one at a time.
I continued to spend nights tossing and turning, always wondering why I hadn't purchased ear plugs on my last trip to the store. At the same time Trey waged war for his half of the bed, often removing my pillows from battle in the middle of the night. He formed new tactics to secure his position, such as tickling me if I got too close.

I wondered if we were ever going to resolve this dispute. Should we draw a line down the middle of the bed so we'd always know who was in the wrong territory? Should we just buy twin beds and push them together like Lucy and Ricky in I Love Lucy? And more important to my case, should I force Trey to use those uncomfortable Breathe Right® strips?

By day our relationship was happy and healthy. We cooked together, took evening walks, and dreamed about our future. But when bedtime rolled around we immediately went on the defensive. When Trey's snoring kept me awake for several hours, I'd roll around in an exaggerated way to shake him awake. Hopefully, I could fall asleep before him, giving me a precious few moments of much-needed rest. Other times I'd wake in the morning and see my pillows on the floor, knowing I hadn't put them there. My frustration was growing.
One evening, about five months later,
I asked Trey what he liked about being married. He thought only for a few seconds before responding, "Honestly? Fighting over the bed with you."
I was startled that the one area I considered a rough spot in our marriage was actually endearing to him. "Are you serious?"
"Sure," he said. "At the end of the day, I get to fall asleep next to my best friend. Or try to fall asleep, at least."

As I contemplated Trey's answer over the next few days, I thought of all the good things that come with sharing a bed with my husband. Even the not-so-good things, I realized, can breed patience and kindness as we decide to look past each other's flaws and choose love, respect, and acceptance. After all, the apostle Paul writes, "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28, NASB). All things. Including a snoring husband and his pillow-obsessed wife.

Inevitably another night came with that too-familiar sound I'd grown to hate. I rolled to face Trey, ready to kick him awake. He was lying on his back—yes, snoring—but the poor guy was hanging halfway off the bed. I, on the other hand, had a nest of pillows. Suddenly, I felt guilty. So instead of trying to wake him, I did something entirely different: I gathered my pillows away from him and fell asleep.

We still have nights when we don't sleep as well as we'd like. But sometimes when I'm awake in the middle of the night, instead of glaring at Trey and feeling tempted to push him off the other side, I thank God for sending me a husband who has loved me faithfully in spite of my imperfections. Surely I can do the same.

Jenny McCarthy's New Book about Autism

(Note: Jenny's book will be out in Sept 2007. I was watching her on "The View" this morning where she was guest hosting & she mentioned her new book. As a Mom of a son with autism, I am looking forward to this book being released. My kudos to Jenny!)

Jenny McCarthy's newest book to show she's still kind of crazy, just in a different way now
by J.D. Griffioen

The last time I thought about Jenny McCarthy was 1994. I was a junior in high school and mesmerized by her heaving. . .locks of golden blond hair as she bounced around the stage of MTV's queue-based dating show Singled Out. But as happens to the best of us, she has since become a parent. The assets that allowed her to grace the cover of Playboy became sources of ample nourishment. And apparently she has brains as well as boobs, because she has already written three parenting books and she has just announced that she is publishing a fourth about the supernatural qualities of her autistic son.

Apparently, as Kristin noted a while back McCarthy has created this hippie-dippy new-agey website about Indigo Children: "a special group of gifted enlightened old souls who have been born unto this planet to help transform the consciousness of this world, and to guide us all towards a higher level of evolution. They are the "System Busters", the "Spiritual Warriors", here to break down all of the old traditional paradigm systems within our educational, political, religious, medical, nutritional, technological, family and all fear-based belief systems." Uh, okay.

Her new book, about her 4-year-old son, Evan, is to be called Louder than Words: A Mother's Journey In Healing Autism. "It's a heartbreaking story about a serious health issue," Jenny told In Touch magazine. McCarthy says she has made it her life's mission to change the education system to make it better for kids like Evan. "I want our children to start each day in silent meditation," she says. "I want organic cafeterias, outdoor class sessions, getting rid of rote memorization. I want it all." Wow, I guess that's parenthood for you. One day you are sticking your tongue out and shaking your tatas for millions of teenage oglers, then next thing you know your mission in life is getting the school cafeteria to stock organic blueberries and convincing the principal to end the tyranny of spelling tests.

National Day Of Prayer- May 3, 2007

National Day of Prayer 2007

The 56th Annual National Day of Prayer will take place Thursday, May 3, 2007. The theme for this year is "America, Unite in Prayer" and is based on the verse from II Chronicles 7:14 which states: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." NIV

Dr. Charles R. Swindoll will help lead this nation in prayer as the 2007 Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer.Read the 2007 Prayer for Our Nation by Dr. Charles R. Swindoll>>
National Day of Prayer Proclamations

National Day of Prayer, 2007

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America. See this year's proclamations, select your state by going to the following website:

http://www.ndptf.org/home/index.cfm

Drink your Java-- It's Good for You!

This is nice to read as I am sipping my morning coffee-- as I have a family history on my dad's side of Type 2 diabetes.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070501/hl_nm/coffee_good_dc_1


Coffee can be good for you, experts say
By Anne Harding

Drinking coffee can help ward off type 2 diabetes and may even help prevent certain cancers, according to panelists discussing the benefits -- and risks -- of the beverage at a scientific meeting.
"We're coming from a situation where coffee had a very negative health image," Dr. Rob van Dam of the Harvard School of Public Health, who has conducted studies on coffee consumption and diabetes, told Reuters Health. Nevertheless, he added, "it's not like we're promoting coffee as the new health food and asking people who don't like coffee to drink coffee for their health."
Van Dam participated in a "controversy session" on coffee at the Experimental Biology 2007 meeting underway in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Lenore Arab of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA also took part, presenting results of a review of nearly 400 studies investigating coffee consumption and cancer risk.
There's evidence, Arab noted, that the beverage may protect against certain types of colon cancer, as well as rectal and liver cancer, possibly by reducing the amount of cholesterol, bile acid and natural sterol secretion in the colon, speeding up the passage of stool through the colon (and thus cutting exposure of the lining of the intestine to potential carcinogens in food), and via other mechanisms as well.

McDonald's Is Poised For Lattes

As a fellow java drinker, I'm lovin' the news! I have tried McDonald's new iced coffee and it is better than I expected. I really liked the price... Just 2 bucks (that includes tax) for a medium size iced coffee. What surprised me is that Starbucks owns Seattles Best coffee, which McDonald's sells.


McDonald's Is Poised For Lattes
By JANET ADAMY

In a direct shot at Starbucks Corp., McDonald's Corp. is moving closer to adding lattes and cappuccinos to its menu across the country.
The fast-food giant wants to keep competitors from poaching its lucrative breakfast business and draw customers throughout the day with what it calls a "destination" beverage line. It is installing behind some of its counters large black machines that dispense vanilla lattes, iced mochas, caramel cappuccinos and other specialty coffee drinks.

The move promises to create a major new competitor in the industry pioneered by Starbucks. The Seattle-based coffee chain transformed espresso from a niche Italian drink into a popular American ritual by offering it in an appealing atmosphere and sweetening it with flavorings and whipped cream. Last month, Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz warned in a memo to executives that fast-food chains and other competitors were poaching Starbucks's customers.

McDonald's offering would make espresso drinks cheaper and available to a broader swath of the population at its more than 13,700 locations across the country. At stores where it is already serving the drinks, McDonald's has priced most of them between $2 and $3. By comparison, many of Starbucks's espresso-and-milk drinks sell for more than $3.

McDonald's began testing espresso drinks when it opened its first McCafe in the U.S. in 2001 in an experiment to capture part of the growing coffeehouse business. The company has yet to confirm it will sell espresso drinks at all restaurants; a spokesman wouldn't say whether McDonald's plans to add the drinks nationwide. However, the chain has recently started selling the drinks at restaurants in Michigan, New York and New Jersey, and one franchisee says McDonald's has indicated it is preparing to add them in other parts of the country.

"We don't have to test whether customers want them.... We know that already," McDonald's President and Chief Operating Officer Ralph Alvarez told investors at a conference in New York yesterday.
McDonald's espresso drinks will also compete with Dunkin' Donuts, a unit of Dunkin' Brands Inc., which has been expanding its specialty coffee offering in recent years and is laying plans for a nationwide expansion.
McDonald's espresso drinks are part of a broad strategy at the Oak Brook, Ill., fast-food chain to stretch beyond hamburgers and french fries. In the past few years, the company has added more chicken items and upscale salads. Last year, it upgraded its coffee to a premium blend, which lifted its coffee sales. It is also looking at adding smoothies to its menu.

Meanwhile, Starbucks last fall announced plans to start selling hot breakfast sandwiches in its stores, treading on Egg McMuffin turf.
To keep service fast, McDonald's has installed push-button machines that roll most of the drink-making into one step. By contrast, Starbucks baristas make espresso drinks using a series of separate steps that include steaming the milk by hand and adding the espresso.