Dire Straits

Reading the news makes me want to throw up. Watching the mass lies, mudslinging and vile hate spewed at Christians brings me to my knees.

Folks, we are in dire straits in America.

The blame game, false advertising and accusations run rampant.

Slander is prominent and people disappearing. When will it stop?

Strong gay marriage support now exceeds strong opposition

Author says GOP broke Washington

State may vote on licenses for illegal immigrants

SC Gov Haley using piñata video to raise money

Dad says son beaten at bus stop as others watched

Secret Service boss: ‘I apologize’

$100 Billion Tax Question

Polls show US presidential battle tightening

Witnesses change stories in Trayvon case

I was hard pressed to find any good news. At least this one is;

Pro-Choice’ Americans At Record Low, Poll Finds

This is just America, not the world. The evidence is clear the media is more interested in promoting civil unrest, murder and anything disgusting.

The tone is negative rhetoric. Big talkers acting. Feuds are fought with demeaning gabfest. It is embarrassing.

What is worse is people fall for the lies….because they don’t know the truth. If they did the news would be opposite.

In the last 30 years I have witnessed this country decline in roller coaster fashion.

Issues we never discussed have become mainstream. Issues we never heard of are FrontPage news. Issues once thought to be ill-advised, hush-hush or deviant are accepted as normal by those who wish to promote such shameful aversions.

Explaining that to a 23-year-old is deafening. They can’t relate. Sadly, the younger generation has no idea what Ozzie and Harriet represented.

God is speaking and speaking loudly. Actually he is yelling. If you are blinded or don’t know the word, you won’t hear him. But this is what he is saying.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Who does this sound like? Weren’t the Israelites a difficult bunch?

Unfortunately the Israelites don’t have anything on America. We are the most grumbling, complaining, and selfish, backbiting people on earth.

But God put us here for a reason. America was founded on Godly principles. America is God’s alternative to freedom for others. He has used our people to give generously, back Israel and seek peace in other areas of the world. He built this nation on Capitalism; free market and enterprise and a constitution based on his word.

America is a blessed nation or was.

We have to get back on our knees. Now.

http://singularspectrum.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/spectrum-perspectives-social-media/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/elective-despotism/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/05/23/quote-shudder/

http://butchdean.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/a-matter-of-perspective/

http://justmyfaithtalking.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/a-simple-request-go-and-sin-no-more/

churchgraphics.wordpress.com

When did everything get so COMPLICATED?

Ok. I am beginning to dislike banks intensely. Protesting on the streets is not my idea of getting my way so I will pray. God can certainly do more than a loud mouth bunch of young people who have no idea what they are protesting.

Banking has become a farce. I would rather do like my ancestors and bury money in the yard. At least I would know where it was, what it was doing and who was not touching it.

A fee here, a fee there; they don’t care. Use to be if you needed to stop payment on a lost check it wouldn’t cost you your arm and now legs! Oh, and the paperwork. A pile of red tape cluttering someone’s desk they can’t find.

How do we survive the measure of expectations? What use to be simple is now an act of Congress: and we all know how that doesn’t work.

In other words, the world travels on money.
Simple is cheap. Complicated is expensive.

The air of complications is leaving many a soul weary.

Buying a house or a car these days reveals when you last relieved yourself.

Signing a legal document requires information from your long lost Aunt.

The Privacy Act forces us parents of college students to speak to at least 6 people in the school’s administration to find out if they got my check for the tuition!

Ordering a Credit card through your own bank requires both parties fill out an application longer than the SAT.

Itemizing your taxes requires an Organizer from your accountant. That excludes the accountant’s labor.

Forget insurance. They don’t pay for anything anyway. Why again do I have insurance? Oh, my husband says we need it. If they don’t pay for anything what am I paying them for? OH! Their trip to Hawaii. They must be meeting with the GSA.

I remember the days of old, easy and slow. Yes, I didn’t know how good I had it.

You know what people? God is still on the throne and his movements are the same. He is not making adjustments to his schedule according to ours.

He hasn’t changed his address, phone number or email. He’s always listening for our call or text. He wants it simple. We have muddled the disorder we already had.

American’s for sure don’t know the meaning of rest. We are supposed to work, but God says his rest in between each duty, praying to him will give us simplicity, peace, health and joy.

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14)

Our entertainment overload is not only costly financially, but adds to time spent away from God.

Maybe that explains why there is so much depression, anxiety, fear and ill-will.

Maybe that explains why the lethargic view of life is running rampant.

Maybe that explains the hopelessness, anger and defeated attitudes.

The decision to keep or get your sanity back may depend on your simplicity or the lack there of. My sanity is rather important to me…..and those around me.

His realm of peace is another atmosphere away from man’s activities. That realm is found in his presence through our day. The self-assured, self –efficient perfectionist knows no such place. Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in a circus of clogged up animation.

Productive, Godly work occurs during times of rest with him. The secret place of his presence is a miracle waiting to happen.

I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)

“My life is a simple thing that would interest no one. It is a known fact that I was born and that is all that is necessary.” Albert Einstein

Maybe old Albert knew a little more than just Physics.

http://highlyfavored74.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/romans1013-call-on-jesus-he-is-awake%e2%99%a5/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/the-entitlements/

http://chasingtheperfectmoment.com/2012/05/06/gods-many-talents/

http://chasingtheperfectmoment.com/2012/05/06/gods-many-talents/

Castles of Dirt

Spending time at the pool this afternoon with my daughter the first thing she notices are the spiders and fire ants. Now you have to understand my 5’10” baby is a daunting coward when it comes to spiders. Screaming at the top of her lungs “oohhh there is a spider!” the size of a dot, you would think she was being attacked.

For some reason her phobia of spiders has grown to a distressing point. She and her best friend are unreasonably afraid of these small creatures. And then she pointed out the Fire Ant farm on the sidewalk; the home built over night.

These miniscule workers show up in droves undertaking an assignment humans wish for. Their toil and labor reveal a majestic, dark hill on the side of the pool.

This particular ant hill was about a foot long and maybe 4 inches wide. The torturous “fierce ant” as they call them in Spain may be small, but penetrate a deadly bite. Misery sets in as soon as they crawl up your legs. I know. About 50 of them made a meal off of my skin years ago. I have the utmost respect for the little pain makers now.

I proceeded to pour the “fire ant killer granules” on top and around their brand new home of dirt. Running out of the bedrooms, baths and kitchen, the ants scrambled to find a safe haven from their impending death. The funerals of the 100’s of dead ants should be within the next 24 hours.

Oh what can we learn from these tiny, invading pests? What good are they? Why did God make them in the first place? Don’t get me started on that trail of thought; like why did God make roaches? Mosquitoes? Or grimy, slimy snails.

After my brutal assault on their compound I researched “google” to find out if fire ants are up to any good. And they are. Unfortunately.

This plague to humans consumes large amounts of fleas, ticks, cockroaches (yea!) mosquito eggs, chinch bugs and even scorpions!

If you want aerated soil, invite the fire ants for a party. They are very effective in the control of plant eating insects and arthropods such as boll weevils and stink bugs! Whew…….

The downside of these pesky little critters is the damage to cattle and wildlife such as quail, ground nesting birds, reptile and deer. Farm equipment can also be damaged by large castles fire ants create.

So why am I discussing this annoying, disturbing army of dirt movers?

They are experts in their field. Accomplishing in a short amount of time a mound of dirt larger than a shoebox is to be recognized especially for such tiny, obnoxious varmints.

Achieving such proficiency only occurs with unity. Fire ants know how to work together unlike us humans.

there is communication gap in humans but its always pefect in such insects- without wires fire ants communicating with each other (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Proverbs 30:25 “The ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer.”

In other words, ants have a rare work ethic. They work. No, they argue against “Occupy Wall Street.”  You won’t see them lined up with miniature signs refusing to labor or protesting the cost of dirt.

These hungry, impetuous, pawns of the ground get it done in record time by working with their fellow ants. A system spread over the lawns and landscapes of America expressing an ability to “love thy neighbor” even at work.

A fire ant’s instinct to work is inbred in their lifestyle.

We, Americans could learn from these displeasing, nasty flesh eating soldiers.

Besides the intentions to conquer certain invading pests from our yards, ants give us the incentive to be proud of our jobs understanding we can do none of it alone. Ants function in groups of hundreds or thousands in a side by side fellowship.

Fellowship. A Godly act of love the ants have perfected more than we have.

P.S. Oh, one more incentive Fire ants give us. Always wear shoes in your yard.

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/nation-building/

http://apchronicles.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/culture-shocked/

http://justmyfaithtalking.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/how-can-i-serve-the-lord-today/

http://butchdean.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/what-religion-are-you/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Newsbusters of Jilted Contemplation

My weekend was busy so I tried catching up on the news.

Mistake.

Surfing the net the following are hot topics;

Unmarried Jessica Simpson has her baby.

Jilted Dentist extracts teeth of ex-boyfriend.

The Dutch don’t want to sell marijuana to tourists.

And of course the “occupiers” took another day off.

Who could doubt the significance of the above Newsbusters?

The less significant are:

While the “occupiers” took a day off, many were standing in the un-employment lines.

One year ago, Our Navy Seals ended the life of the worst terrorist.

United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Mark Zuckerburg comes up with idea to help eliminate the critical shortage of organs for patients desperately in need of life-saving transplants.

The President makes a surprise visit to Afghanistan setting in motion the end of the war.

Ugh….

I don’t think I missed much.  Sadly.

Reading headlines from online newspapers, venues of journalism or so-called journalism, nothing is surprising.

Not too happy with Jessica Simpson.

The jilted dentist lost her license to practice dentistry now. Ummm…I guess her ex is looking for dentures a little sooner than he thought!

And I can’t understand why the Dutch don’t want to sell marijuana to tourists? I would be offended if I went there and they labeled me a tourist.

I wonder how many “occupiers” who had a job yesterday and protested will have a job tomorrow. Did their employers give them the day off? Do they get paid anyway? If so I want a job like that. Only I want protest against capitalism, I will protest why facebook wants a timeline. Just for the record I never got it!

The Navy Seals who killed the world’s worst terrorist are heroes. Like the rest of the military who sacrifice 24/7 a life most could never live. Or the missionaries who forsake family and friends to serve God in other countries under who knows what kind of living conditions. Or the many who preach the gospel in the most dangerous places on earth.

Mark Zuckerburg….you may not know it, but God is using you.

And the President goes to Afghanistan. Did he take 2 Billion dollars they want from us with him? And if he gave them our hard-earned money what are they using it for?

He announces he is working directly with the Taliban. What? Tell me he doesn’t really believe terrorists are peace seeking thugs? We don’t negotiate with terrorists.

BTW: The President keeps telling people he’s bringing all the troops home. The AFB here keeps deploying my tenants or moving my property owners who will be deployed.

Nice news? Good news? Our mindset knows only evil as journalists continue to report the “bad and the ugly.”  The fallout of the John Edwards trial, the Ohio bridge bomb and the suicide of an NFL player shine on the covers of the front page. And the beat goes on….

And once again facebook comes to the rescue of a dying veteran who wanted his ticket refunded from “Spirit Airlines.” The despicable act has waged a boycott war of the airline in support of this kind man who can’t fly to see his daughter now due to his declining health.

Life is tough enough without a daily bashing from journalists and news media whose joint effort is to promote anguish, calamity and tribulation.

My guess is they don’t read the Bible. Ratings trump anything worthwhile to the point of exceeding the limits of drudgery and wretchedness.

1 Timothy 4: 4 “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.”

The news is categorized as the same as vile music, detestable movies and shameful TV.

So just turn it off and soak in some peace.  You know, like “Peace Brother.”   lol

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/growing-up/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/05/02/quote-toward/

http://theriverministries.net/2012/05/01/spiritual-wrestling-and-the-armor-of-god-part-2/

http://goldenbible.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/slavery/

http://birdmartin.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/bird-almost-gets-hustled-today/

 

 

Related articles

• Vets considering boycott of Spirit Airlines after dying ex-Marine denied refund (radio.woai.com

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

SHAW AFB AIR SHOW

US Air Force Thunderbirds flying the T-38 Talon (US Air Force Thunderbirds publicity photo). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I am going to post another post later but had to share this with you.

Every year about this time Shaw AFB has an air show. Living just a few miles from the base we get a free show without going anywhere.

I had returned from shopping and heard the jets. After almost 5 years I have a natural inclination for the jets that fly almost every day. Still intrigued by these magnificent pieces of weaponry I am like a child watching a new show. The jets that fly regularly have their own unique sound and patterns of flying.

The sound is almost deafening at times especially as they fly over our pool! One after the other they have coordinates I was told that are specific and must be met.  These jets are dark in color, but fly in sequence. Another unique quality of the jets is these rarely leave a jet stream.

Usually there are 6 in a row and often fly directly over our house. Sometimes they fly to the right of the house towards the bombing area. Rarely if ever do they fly in formation. If they do it is usually two at a time. Down the road at the Food Lionthey fly directly over the store to land. It is something to see if you aren’t use to it.

USAF Thunderbirds Demonstration Maneuver at Biggs Army Air Field, Amigo AirSho, El Paso TX (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today, when I arrived at home I noticed a different sound from the normal aircraft.  I then remembered the Thunderbirds would literally being flying into the base early to practice.

As I heard this unique, but different style of sound I knew they had arrived! I ran outside and sure enough the Thunderbirds were practicing.  6 magnificent pieces of machinery in their finest attire flying around the house! One after another they were getting use to a pattern until I saw 3 at a time flying in formation.

These beautiful aircraft are a representative of all America stands for. As if leading the way for those who fly here every day, the Thunderbirds are a sight to behold.

I am so proud to be an American.

Every day I look up to see our men and women covering our skies from the largest fighter jet base in the world. Every day I am blessed to see these uniforms living next door, at Wal-Mart and in church.

United States Air Force ThunderBirds (Photo credit: AdolfGalland)

America belongs to God.

http://afthunderbirds.com/site/

The Sanity of the Sorority Sisters

Work. Work. Work.  God says our busy work gets in the way of his work. What?

I read an interesting word this morning from the daily inspirations of “God Calling.”

“When Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” he did not mean he was to do all things and then rely on Christ to find strength. He meant that for all God told him to do he could rely on his strength.

God says we wear ourselves out becoming tired, and nervous chasing the Holy Spirit away doing that which he never asked us to do.

Jesus rested. SO DO YOU THINK HE IS TRYING TO TELL US SOMETHING!

Folks, the world will rob you of everything including your sanity if you will let it.

Learn to say no! God has not given us to do half of what we do. And for that half we do of our own accord….Well, he just isn’t there. Maybe he is resting then.

God has enough to do without having to follow us around while we line our calendars with Sorority Parties, benefit lunches and trips to satisfy our lust for travel.

Besides producing entertainment for our egotistical self indulgence think of all the money saved that could be used for the kingdom of God? What? NO?

Much of our daily overload is for our avaricious distractions like the green-eyed monster living under our beds. What about the stingy vainglorious attitudes of “oh, I’ve been there” or “yes, we had lunch on the Rivera.”  So what.

If we go and do just so we can say we went and did, what good is that? Was it God’s idea? Did you ask him before you spent his money on an expensive meal of eel?

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/the-home-and-god/

What about that trip? Did God send you to the Bahamas? Were you there to promote the Gospel or to vacation among the blue waters to satisfy the “I deserve this trip” mindset? We don’t deserve anything and if you think you do, then you either have never been to the cross or you haven’t spent enough time there.

God wants to reward us, but in his way, in his time and with his resources.

http://highlyfavored74.wordpress.com/2012/04/25/proverbs-1618-a-servants-heart/

Praying for a long time about the shape of the church, our nation and myself, God has revealed to me his longing for people to get to know him. He has shown me he can get more done in one hour of our time than we can in a year. In other words, when we spend time alone with God, he can do multiple times over what we can do and in a much shorter amount of time!

The church wants to bring people to Christ.  What if people prayed for the unsaved as much as they did churching them through this dinner and that project?

Recently God revealed to me how effective prayer really is. We can’t be everywhere. We can’t be in two places at once unless you know something I don’t. So if that is the case, and John Doe is 500 miles away and needs prayer, do we have to travel to him to pray for him? Ok, that is pretty elementary. Of course not!

God knew this. He created us. If he made us to be in one place at a time, then he gave an alternative to do more through prayer! So start praying.

http://throughhimwithhiminhim.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/wholeness-lived/

Psalm 107:20 “He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.”

First and foremost God wants personal relationships with his people.  His presence is transferred to us as we learn his character, personality and faithfulness. It is in his presence where miracles occur and prayers are answered.

http://godspeaks-i-listen.com/2012/04/26/god-please-dont-take-away-my-good-tears-part-2/

So, if you really want to get to know God, stop your 24/7 gratification ceremonies and sit down and rest with God. Alone. With no distractions. Just you and God.

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Oriental Lily by Randy Harrison
http://www.pbase.com/jrandyh

Lost in the Garden

The last 2 days I spent  planting flowers and herbs to spruce the yard up. My 2^nd trip to Lowe’s needed the attention of my expert gardener husband for advice on buying teeny, weeny, little plants for some very small pots. Herbs filled them nicely but not before I actually lost my husband in the Lowe’s garden center.

Now how one can lose a 230 lb., 6 foot man in Lowe’s Garden center is a mystery to me but I did. He had the cart, I had the car keys so I knew he wasn’t going anywhere without me. The one day I go off and leave my cell phone at home was the day I really needed it! Oh the joys of texting to find you’re long lost love.

Strolling around in between rows of pots, planters, marigolds, roses, and intense shoppers he was nowhere to be found.  I must admit how silly I felt losing my husband and spending my valuable shopping experience searching for him instead of the wonderful indulgence of God’s green earth.

The look on my face must have revealed “a woman in distress” as those with a “green thumb” paraded around me as if I was standing in their way. Had they known my plight, maybe they would have offered to aid me in my desperate search instead of frowning upon me as if I was covered in fertilizer.

As I stood in the middle of the center, hands on my hips, straining my eyes to locate this man of my dreams a young female employee stopped and asked,

“Can I help you?”

Me, “I have lost my husband and my cell phone is at home.”

Employee, “Well, we could page him like we do lost children.”

Laughing I thought what a great idea but knowing he would not want to be categorized as a young child lost in the Lowe’s Garden center, I declined.

Not long after, I spotted his baseball cap. Letting an all out “yell” he looked up only to see me approaching with a very quick sprint. After calming me down he whispered,

“Do you have to be so loud?”

Me, “I couldn’t find you anywhere, so yes. Loud works for me!”

Once we were home, he slipped upstairs to his “Man Land” for a much needed nap while I continued my 2^nd day of hard labor to win the “Yard of the Week” award.

The hot sun drained me of much needed toxins but leaving me drenched with sweat. If it had been warmer, I would have ventured into our pool for a quick dip.

Today, my body needs a good massage. Muscles in my legs and arms ache in any attempt to move. Bending over repeatedly did a number on my upper back.

Admitting I am no longer in my vibrant youth, rest has been the order of the day after church. Attending church was a major accomplishment considering it took all I had to avoid falling asleep not to mention limping around like a cripple.

A few weeks from now the aches and pains will be worth the beauty of watching my flowers grow.

This parallel is far from what our Savior did on the Cross, but the resemblance is the same.

Jesus saw the other side of the Cross. Jesus knew his sufferings would show up as saved souls on the backside of Calvary.

As my flowers grow and come to life, the gesture of God’s love will be a reminder to me of all Jesus did on the cross.

The dirty soil in our lives springs into petals of color and beauty as we lean heavily on the Cross to purify and cleanse us.

And in the process of getting lost in God’s garden is this “green thumb wannabe.”

1 Timothy 4:4 “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.”

http://mrkstevenson.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/come-unto-mephoto-of-jesus-in-the-clouds/

http://javaman56.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/captivated-by-his-beauty/

http://ladydeidre.com/2012/04/21/butterflies/

http://lifeofafemalebiblewarrior.wordpress.com/2012/04/15/turtle-time/

Ms. Rosen, You could learn a thing or two from Eve

Hilary Rosen, Obama’s campaign manager might want to chuck in her advisory board on women. Her explosive, less than maternal rhetoric just backfired. Don’t knock stay at home moms. Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs on the planet.

The choice to stay home to raise children is a privilege, an honor, a God given right….and yet Ms. Rosen who claims to be a Lesbian raising twins, says stay-at-home mothers have no business giving advice because “they have never worked a day in their life?”  Ugh….she isn’t speaking on my behalf.

Her unfounded “chit chat” is speaking to more than just Ann Romney. I am not politicizing my political fair here; I am sure Ann Romney took her job very seriously as have the many other “women who have never worked a day in their life.”  Ms. Rosen you are not welcomed at the PTA or the local Roller Rink or the Circle of Stay at Home Moms.

As a past single mother I built my life around my daughter’s schedule. God gave me a job where I could work during her school hours. My parents kept her when my job required night and weekend work. These were the hardest years of my life. Juggling the priorities of raising a child alone, working to feed us and enduring health issues was a daily struggle that no words can describe. I know both sides of the issue. I lived it.

I considered those who had the option to stay at home to be just as qualified in the working world as I was. Many, I am sure could out juggle me any day.

I wonder what Ms. Rosen and those who think as she does, believe the centuries of women before them who always stayed home did? Nothing? They added zilch to the business affairs of the husband?

Ms. Rosen I am now a stay at home wife, mother and business entrepreneur and loving every minute of it.

For those like you who believe we are unintelligent, clueless, and a miserly sidekick to our husbands, you are a thorn in the side of a mule. Your jab is the arrogance of one who has no respect for the countless mothers who renounce the plastic ladder of success for the satisfaction and treasure of doing that which you can’t do yourself.

No job has taught me what I learned raising a child.

Maybe in some twisted irony your rumbled impeachment of stay at home moms will give open dialogue for these women who tirelessly change diapers, nurture cuts and fevers, and cope with throw up 24/7.

Besides the above, mothering occurs between naps of toddlers and rants of teenagers. While we are busy feeding their bottomless pits, chasing bad boys out the door or putting our lives in danger as they learn to drive, we are raising the future of America.

Mothering includes careers as a financial genius, extraordinary negotiators and all around peacemakers. We are adept in micromanaging broken arms, nightmares and the overall household army of responsibilities.

Stay at home moms should be honored, rewarded, and recognized for a job well done instead of being scrutinized and offered up as bait for a belittling contest of nobility.

We are qualified Ms. Rosen to aid in the campaigns of our men’s lives whatever that may be.

Eve was Adam’s partner chosen by God as his helpmate. God gave her to Adam as a support system because he qualified her to perform the immense demands of keeping a home and family. Proverbs 31

Had she not been, Adam would never have shown up for work.

http://justmyfaithtalking.wordpress.com/about/

http://chiefofleast.com/2012/04/12/the-daniels-family-irish/

http://myfullcup.wordpress.com/2012/04/12/laundry-line-blues/

http://soc.li/izBxvkG

Copyright @ 20120 All Rights Reserved

Related articles

• Michelle Malkin: Hilary Rosen Comment Exposes Democratic Women’s ‘Contempt For All Conservative Moms’ (mediaite.com)

Sesame Street, Chocolate and Chimpanzees

Seal of the United States Internal Revenue Service. The design is the same as the Treasury seal with an IRS inscription. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have been waiting for this moment, this day for months. Pacing the floor, listening to hear those huge tires come roaring around the bend with my package. Yes. My package. The package sent to me by NONE OTHER THAN MY ACCOUNTANT!

Today is the day I get to pay more taxes! Yes! The Federal Government and 2 states have declared we are examples of this country’s best citizens!

We have been chosen to give additional money from our hard work to fund such projects as:

Sesame Street (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

→$10 million for a remake of “Sesame Street” for Pakistan. I love children and can understand the need for Elmo in Pakistan. The children would most likely rather eat.

Haggai 2:8 “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.”

  →$765,828 To subsidize “pancakes for yuppies” in the nation’s capital. I love yuppies.

I Cor. 4:2” Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

Chimpanzee named "La Vieille" born in 1968 (Jane Goodall sanctuary of Tchimpounga in Congo Brazzaville) - Picture taken the 9th of December 2006 Français : Chimpanzé nommé "La Vieille" née en 1968 (sanctuaire Jane Goodall de Tchimpounga au Congo Brazzaville) - Photo prise le 9 décembre 2006 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

→The government blew $592,000 on a study last year to figure out why chimpanzees throw poop.  Ok.  I am moving out of the way of this one.

Luke 16:1-13 “The parable of the wise steward.”

→ The federal government gave the Hawaii Department of Agriculture $50,000 to help pay for the 2nd Annual Hawaiian Chocolate Festival. Now I love chocolate…why wasn’t I invited?

Proverbs 1:32” The prosperity of fools shall destroy them.”

→ The Virginia Commonwealth University received $55,000 in 2011 (part of a larger $170,000 grant) to study changes in the hookah smoking habits of students in the nation of Jordan. Sounds like my next vice.

Deuteronomy 8:18 “Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”

→$96,000 on iPads for kindergarteners. These kids in Maine can’t add yet, but thanks to Uncle Sam they’ll never need to.

I have no problem paying taxes, but not for stupidity. Or Chocolate Festivals even as much as I love chocolate.

Besides not being in the mood I have a real disgust to fund hookah smoking habits for students in Jordan. (google had to explain to me what hookah smoking is.) Maybe that should be my next vice.

The money we make, the money we have belongs to God.  Do you think he prefers we spend it wisely? Use it for the needs of others like the Mother Theresa’s of the world instead of dispersing it on “pork?”

Wouldn’t it be exciting if we could choose where our taxes are spent?

Decide as God sees fit for us to use it for his glory?

Preserve that which is his kingdom on earth and promote the gospel?

Writing my checks under those conditions would be an honor.

Somehow allotting God’s money on why Chimpanzees throw their poop gives me very little incentive to write a check to the government.

One Nation Under God

Why I Believe Christians Should Be Politically Active

When Government Becomes Big. . . .

17 Examples of Government Waste (Investment U, 2/29/12)

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2011/12/20/top-ten-government-spending-at-its-stupidest/#ixzz1rm2Lhnwa

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Self, Get Out of My Way

I am with myself 24/7. I can’t get away from me. Would someone take me away?

Self examination is a daily requirement. If it isn’t, it should be. Sit down with yourself and ask a few questions.

“How are you today?”  “What is my purpose?” “Is it just me?”

I have had to push myself out of my way many times. Now it is not easy when I choose to hold onto such classic emotions like fear, doubt, worry, defensiveness and anger. Unfortunately the list is longer but some areas of concern I have thrown out. Or they got thrown out by force. Or they found another home. Or they are leaving.

For whatever reason attachments of pain or long lost loves of defeat hang around in the loose corners of my life.

Loose corners are like valid stopovers. Allotments of evil sit for awhile until we learn the process of restitution. Little by little or all of a sudden (which is great) the dumping grounds begin to take on a whole new meaning. Hopefully we learn from them and then find the landfill.

The saying goes, “We have to get rid of something important to us and when we do, God will bring something important to him to us.” Did you get the essential formula here?

Simply put, get rid of yourself. Now don’t go taking that wrong.

God is telling us if we are filled up with junk, there is no space left for him. In other words move out of his way! We are like boulders too stubborn to move on our own. Yep. Those boulders block the highway of love.

Here is an example: When my husband lost his job almost 5 years ago, he was distraught. He was in a place physically and mentally he thought he would be in for the rest of his life. I saw the bigger picture that God was asking us if we would be willing to leave everything we loved behind including family, friends, home, and a major comfort zone to follow him. Yes. We did.

We left. We moved out of state. We followed Jesus. We started over.

Unfolding before us has been a chain of events only God could do. I am absolutely positive we are in the center of his will. We are not in a place of our choosing but a place of freshness, peace and full of God’s favor. The heart that knows is the heart that grows. We know. We know. We know.

Sad as it was to leave those we love, God placed us close enough for family visits. Along the trip we dropped off extra baggage that was weighing us down. We emptied our hands and hearts of long time pains and miseries only to have God open up floodgates of abundance neither of us saw coming. If someone had told me 6 years ago I would be living here, I would have responded, “yeah, right.”

God knew what we were leaving behind.

God knew we had to start over from scratch.

God knew how difficult it would be for us to leave our families.

God knew what we didn’t.

God also knew all the blessings he would pour on us if we agreed to “yes, we will follow you.”

I admit it hasn’t all been a bed of roses. Or bars of delicious dark chocolate.

Bars of black Swiss Chocolate. From left to right: About 75% cacao; With chili; Normal black chocolate. Deutsch: Von links nach rechts: Hoher Kakaoanteil (um 75%), Mit Chili; Normale schwarze Schokolade. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It has been an adventure in every step Jesus takes before our next step.

A support system built into every detail.

Our own personal tour guide who opens doors we thought were locked.

A massive jump in our faith in believing God really is faithful.

Gifts of over abundance we would have missed out on had we not followed him.

Whatever you’re carrying around in your casket; dump a load of dirt on it, cover with new grass seed and maybe a few flowers and go find Jesus.

He is waiting, you know.

http://jesuscarriesme.com/2012/04/07/the-resurrection-of-jesus-brings-uncountable-blessings/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/the-tomb-of-jesus/

http://fromafarcountry.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/a-personal-savior/

http://lifeofafemalebiblewarrior.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/jesus-is-alive/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

churchgraphics.wordpress.com