A Broke Man Can Never Be Happy.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dr4JWUtgKng&feature=related
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Religion vs. Spirituality?
By: Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio
as found at CrossRoadsInitiative.com
It is fashionable today to disdain “religion” but praise “spirituality.” Religion is oppressive, they say, but spirituality is liberating. Spirituality is about being in touch with your inner self and the life-force that animates the universe. It’s about “values” and “reflection.” The New Age Movement is a manifestation of a thirst for such a “spirituality.” So is the Da Vinci code and the Gnostic brand of Christianity that lay behind it.
Speaking of the Da Vinci code, some wonder why the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas was not accepted by the early leaders of the Catholic Church. The answer is simple. The gospel of Thomas present Jesus as a teacher of “spirituality.” He utters mysterious sayings that awe his followers. But he does not lay his life down for the flock. There is no cross in the Gospel of Thomas. No sacrifice. No redemptive suffering. In Gnosticism, we’re saved through esoteric, mysterious knowledge that we gain through hearing.
That’s why there will always be DaVinci Codes, New Agers and other refried versions of the ancient Gnosticism. The idea of spirituality and redemption without suffering has perennial appeal.
The word “religion,” on the other hand, should cause us to pause for a minute. It comes from the Latin word meaning to bind oneself, to commit oneself. Religion involves taking on the yoke of duty to God and others. Forget duty! We’d rather have rights and privileges.
True, Christianity is a religion of grace. And grace is a great privilege. Salvation comes to us as a free gift which we could never earn on our own. But many Christians misunderstand this to mean that grace comes cheap, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor, once pointed out...
On the contrary, grace is very costly indeed. To purchase this gift for us cost Jesus everything he had. The price of our redemption was his blood, sweat, and tears.
But receiving the grace of salvation is a costly thing too. To accept Jesus as Savior means accepting Him as Lord. That means that we must surrender our own will, pick up our cross, and follow him. His yoke may be easy, and his burden light. But keep in mind “Disciple” means one who comes under the “discipline” of a master. And discipline is usually not comfortable.
Jesus is quite up-front about this. Truth in advertising, you might say. It would be reasonable to expect that the closest companions of God would get extra privileges and great honors for their trouble. Like Mohammed, who said he got special permission from Allah to have more wives than allowed by Islamic law (14 in all, with one being 9 years old).
But Jesus was hated, not honored. He was betrayed by one closest to him and delivered up to torture by his own countrymen. And he warned his disciples that they could expect the very same thing (Lk 21:5-19).
“Spirituality” connotes to many quiet, tranquil meditation. An unhurried, restful, low-stress lifestyle. A philosophical life spent discussing spiritual things, like when Jesus might be coming back. Yet Paul tells us otherwise. Though in justice he was owed financial support from the Christian community for his preaching, he chose to accept nothing. Rather he preached for free by day and did manual labor by night to earn his keep. Why? So that he would be a burden on no one, have something to give to those in need, and offer an example to all (2 Thes 3:7-12). Some would say Paul was a workaholic. He admits that he worked day and night, laboring to the point of exhaustion. Others have called this attitude “the Protestant work ethic.” I think a better name for it would be love.
This is really what religion and true spirituality are about. The divine sort of love called agape or charity, that is not a matter of feeling good, but of giving of oneself even if it doesn’t feel good, even if it draws taunts rather than applause.
Of course, we couldn’t ever live out this divine love if it were not poured out into our hearts as a free gift of grace. But this grace is costly, not cheap.
as found at CrossRoadsInitiative.com
It is fashionable today to disdain “religion” but praise “spirituality.” Religion is oppressive, they say, but spirituality is liberating. Spirituality is about being in touch with your inner self and the life-force that animates the universe. It’s about “values” and “reflection.” The New Age Movement is a manifestation of a thirst for such a “spirituality.” So is the Da Vinci code and the Gnostic brand of Christianity that lay behind it.
Speaking of the Da Vinci code, some wonder why the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas was not accepted by the early leaders of the Catholic Church. The answer is simple. The gospel of Thomas present Jesus as a teacher of “spirituality.” He utters mysterious sayings that awe his followers. But he does not lay his life down for the flock. There is no cross in the Gospel of Thomas. No sacrifice. No redemptive suffering. In Gnosticism, we’re saved through esoteric, mysterious knowledge that we gain through hearing.
That’s why there will always be DaVinci Codes, New Agers and other refried versions of the ancient Gnosticism. The idea of spirituality and redemption without suffering has perennial appeal.
The word “religion,” on the other hand, should cause us to pause for a minute. It comes from the Latin word meaning to bind oneself, to commit oneself. Religion involves taking on the yoke of duty to God and others. Forget duty! We’d rather have rights and privileges.
True, Christianity is a religion of grace. And grace is a great privilege. Salvation comes to us as a free gift which we could never earn on our own. But many Christians misunderstand this to mean that grace comes cheap, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor, once pointed out...
On the contrary, grace is very costly indeed. To purchase this gift for us cost Jesus everything he had. The price of our redemption was his blood, sweat, and tears.
But receiving the grace of salvation is a costly thing too. To accept Jesus as Savior means accepting Him as Lord. That means that we must surrender our own will, pick up our cross, and follow him. His yoke may be easy, and his burden light. But keep in mind “Disciple” means one who comes under the “discipline” of a master. And discipline is usually not comfortable.
Jesus is quite up-front about this. Truth in advertising, you might say. It would be reasonable to expect that the closest companions of God would get extra privileges and great honors for their trouble. Like Mohammed, who said he got special permission from Allah to have more wives than allowed by Islamic law (14 in all, with one being 9 years old).
But Jesus was hated, not honored. He was betrayed by one closest to him and delivered up to torture by his own countrymen. And he warned his disciples that they could expect the very same thing (Lk 21:5-19).
“Spirituality” connotes to many quiet, tranquil meditation. An unhurried, restful, low-stress lifestyle. A philosophical life spent discussing spiritual things, like when Jesus might be coming back. Yet Paul tells us otherwise. Though in justice he was owed financial support from the Christian community for his preaching, he chose to accept nothing. Rather he preached for free by day and did manual labor by night to earn his keep. Why? So that he would be a burden on no one, have something to give to those in need, and offer an example to all (2 Thes 3:7-12). Some would say Paul was a workaholic. He admits that he worked day and night, laboring to the point of exhaustion. Others have called this attitude “the Protestant work ethic.” I think a better name for it would be love.
This is really what religion and true spirituality are about. The divine sort of love called agape or charity, that is not a matter of feeling good, but of giving of oneself even if it doesn’t feel good, even if it draws taunts rather than applause.
Of course, we couldn’t ever live out this divine love if it were not poured out into our hearts as a free gift of grace. But this grace is costly, not cheap.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Protect animals from cruelty
Posted By Farquhar, Ruth
Posted 6 days ago
So what happens if they catch the person or persons who shot a cat in the head numerous times with a pellet gun?
What happens if they charge the people in Alberta who microwaved a cat, or the person who left the cat Simba out to freeze to death?
Unfortunately, horrified as most of us are reading these kinds of things, we would be even more horrified at the lax penalties given to those who perpetrate these acts of cruelty on a living creature. Right now, our laws regarding animal cruelty are a joke. If convicted, you could be fined $2,000 and/or six months in jail. But have you ever heard of a judge giving the max to someone who deliberately tortured or killed a defenceless animal?
Lately, there has been story after story in the news about animals being abused and it has felt surreal to me. After hearing about the cat being shot in the head (a vet said someone probably held it down while another person shot it), a story started circulating around the Island about a puppy outside at Manitoulin Secondary School being kicked around like a football. I spoke to Principal Laurie Zahnow, who said she saw one student kick a puppy, and she stopped him, but at that time the puppy wasn't hurt. She and another teacher talked to the student about animal cruelty. Zahnow added that if she knew of any students injuring an animal, she would call the police. This puppy did end up at the local vet, where it has since found a home. But even one student kicking a dog raises questions about what our kids are thinking and why are we not giving serious consequences to students who inflict any cruelty to animals?
And then we have the property owners or farmers who feel they can shoot dogs because they are running on their property. To be fair, most farmers do not shoot them, most don't want to shoot them. Most farmers I know love their family's pets.
Last year on the Island, a couple's puppy, called Moose, was taken from the end of their driveway and is believed to have been shot. Unfortunately, the owner of this beautiful eight-month-old Pyrenees was made to feel like she was the one who had done something wrong, that by pushing people to find out exactly what happened to her dog and writing a letter to the press, she was branding all farmers with the same brush.
All Shelagh Saul ever wanted was to find out what happened to her pet. I ask you to put yourself in her shoes. If you had a puppy you loved and it disappeared and all you heard were rumours about it being shot, how would you feel? What would you do?
I wouldn't leave one stone unturned until I found out exactly what had happened.
More recently, there was a story out of Uxbridge in which a farmer had shot two golden retrievers that had run from their nearby home. I have never heard of golden retrievers attacking any livestock before, but this antiquated law, which dates back to the 1920s, allowed that farmer to kill these dogs without any proof that they were even near his livestock.
It is fairly common knowledge that children who are cruel to animals will go on to be abusive to their spouses and their children. One study has shown that 61 per cent of women staying in shelters had pets harmed or killed by an abusive partner and 48 per cent delayed leaving the situation for fear their partners would harm their pet. And I would bet good money that a man who kills animals for the "fun" of it, is someone who may also hurt women and children. After all, to him they are defenceless and he gets some kind of misguided sense of power out of it.
So what can we do? We can push our MPs to change our old laws and not just add to them. There are two private member's bills before the House of Commons. The one by (Liberal) Ajax-Pickering MP Mark Holland, Bill C-373, is the best of the two. Not only does it change the antiquated laws, it also makes the penalties much more severe.
The other bill by Senator John Bryden leaves the old laws in place and just adds stricter penalties. It will be just the same with loopholes and it leaves out stray cats and dogs. Unfortunately it is supported by the conservatives and probably will get passed.
Let your MP know you expect more from the laws against animal cruelty. My sympathies go out to anyone who has lost a pet to cruelty, or a pet that has been shot for no reason. I know how grief stricken I was when my cat died of an illness. I can't imagine what it would feel like to lose a pet because someone decided they could hurt it for no other reason than they could.
- Ruth Farquhar is a Manitoulin Island-based freelance writer.
Article ID# 907228
The Sudbury Star
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted 6 days ago
So what happens if they catch the person or persons who shot a cat in the head numerous times with a pellet gun?
What happens if they charge the people in Alberta who microwaved a cat, or the person who left the cat Simba out to freeze to death?
Unfortunately, horrified as most of us are reading these kinds of things, we would be even more horrified at the lax penalties given to those who perpetrate these acts of cruelty on a living creature. Right now, our laws regarding animal cruelty are a joke. If convicted, you could be fined $2,000 and/or six months in jail. But have you ever heard of a judge giving the max to someone who deliberately tortured or killed a defenceless animal?
Lately, there has been story after story in the news about animals being abused and it has felt surreal to me. After hearing about the cat being shot in the head (a vet said someone probably held it down while another person shot it), a story started circulating around the Island about a puppy outside at Manitoulin Secondary School being kicked around like a football. I spoke to Principal Laurie Zahnow, who said she saw one student kick a puppy, and she stopped him, but at that time the puppy wasn't hurt. She and another teacher talked to the student about animal cruelty. Zahnow added that if she knew of any students injuring an animal, she would call the police. This puppy did end up at the local vet, where it has since found a home. But even one student kicking a dog raises questions about what our kids are thinking and why are we not giving serious consequences to students who inflict any cruelty to animals?
And then we have the property owners or farmers who feel they can shoot dogs because they are running on their property. To be fair, most farmers do not shoot them, most don't want to shoot them. Most farmers I know love their family's pets.
Last year on the Island, a couple's puppy, called Moose, was taken from the end of their driveway and is believed to have been shot. Unfortunately, the owner of this beautiful eight-month-old Pyrenees was made to feel like she was the one who had done something wrong, that by pushing people to find out exactly what happened to her dog and writing a letter to the press, she was branding all farmers with the same brush.
All Shelagh Saul ever wanted was to find out what happened to her pet. I ask you to put yourself in her shoes. If you had a puppy you loved and it disappeared and all you heard were rumours about it being shot, how would you feel? What would you do?
I wouldn't leave one stone unturned until I found out exactly what had happened.
More recently, there was a story out of Uxbridge in which a farmer had shot two golden retrievers that had run from their nearby home. I have never heard of golden retrievers attacking any livestock before, but this antiquated law, which dates back to the 1920s, allowed that farmer to kill these dogs without any proof that they were even near his livestock.
It is fairly common knowledge that children who are cruel to animals will go on to be abusive to their spouses and their children. One study has shown that 61 per cent of women staying in shelters had pets harmed or killed by an abusive partner and 48 per cent delayed leaving the situation for fear their partners would harm their pet. And I would bet good money that a man who kills animals for the "fun" of it, is someone who may also hurt women and children. After all, to him they are defenceless and he gets some kind of misguided sense of power out of it.
So what can we do? We can push our MPs to change our old laws and not just add to them. There are two private member's bills before the House of Commons. The one by (Liberal) Ajax-Pickering MP Mark Holland, Bill C-373, is the best of the two. Not only does it change the antiquated laws, it also makes the penalties much more severe.
The other bill by Senator John Bryden leaves the old laws in place and just adds stricter penalties. It will be just the same with loopholes and it leaves out stray cats and dogs. Unfortunately it is supported by the conservatives and probably will get passed.
Let your MP know you expect more from the laws against animal cruelty. My sympathies go out to anyone who has lost a pet to cruelty, or a pet that has been shot for no reason. I know how grief stricken I was when my cat died of an illness. I can't imagine what it would feel like to lose a pet because someone decided they could hurt it for no other reason than they could.
- Ruth Farquhar is a Manitoulin Island-based freelance writer.
Article ID# 907228
The Sudbury Star
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday, July 27, 2007
Darling Starling;
AND I’LL HANG AROUND AS LONG AS YOU WILL LET ME
AND I NEVER MINDED STANDING’ IN THE RAIN
BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO CALL ME DARLIN’, DARLIN’
YOU NEVER EVEN CALLED ME BY MY NAME
>>>>>>>>>
It's all you can do, look at me and not start cryin
And I have no choice but to remain
But you don't have to like me, darling Starling
Hannibal is not a pretty name
>>>>>>>>>>>>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Hope
As told by David Jeremiah ~ Turning Point
The link >>>
A man on a cruise ship was strolling on the deck one afternoon when he walked past an attractive lady approximately his age. As they passed she smiled at him.
He asked the steward if it could be arranged that he could be seated at the same table as the lady at dinner.
It was so arranged, and as they dined and made small talk, he mentioned that he had noticed her because of her beautiful smile.
She looked down at her plate, blushed, and said, "The reason I smiled was because you have a very strong resemblance to my third husband".
His ears perked up and he said, "Third husband? How many times have you been married"?
"Twice", she replied.
The link >>>
Friday, June 22, 2007
Quoting Gary Thomas
What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy? … it's important to remember that the very concept of "romantic love," which is so celebrated in movies, songs, and cheap paperbacks, was virtually unknown to the ancients. There were exceptions - one need merely read the Song of Songs, for instance - but taken as a whole, the concept that marriage should involve passion and fulfillment and excitement is a relatively recent development on the scale of human history, making its popular entry toward the end of the eleventh century.
C.S. Lewis - whose marriage to an ailing woman was seen as somewhat "odd" by many of his contemporaries - explained that such a monumental shift in cultural thought as the development of romantic love is "very rare" - there are perhaps three or four on record - but I believe that they occur, and that this [romantic love] is one of them."
~ Sacred Marriage ~ Gary Thomas
C.S. Lewis - whose marriage to an ailing woman was seen as somewhat "odd" by many of his contemporaries - explained that such a monumental shift in cultural thought as the development of romantic love is "very rare" - there are perhaps three or four on record - but I believe that they occur, and that this [romantic love] is one of them."
~ Sacred Marriage ~ Gary Thomas
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
As heard on the "ELLEN" show
I love Jesus but I drink a little;
not a lot, just a little to thin the blood.
~Gladys Hardy, Austin, TX
not a lot, just a little to thin the blood.
~Gladys Hardy, Austin, TX
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Marriage
Was your wife someone different before you got married? Has she changed for the worse over time?
It’s much more likely that you saw her through rose-coloured glasses while you were dating, and now the glasses are off.
And guess what? You’re probably not the person she thought you were, either.
Did I make a mistake?
Before the wedding, differences tend to seem intriguing, interesting and attractive. A few months or years into the marriage, however, what seemed so inviting in the semi-fantasy world of dating now seems considerably less than idyllic.
That beautiful angel you married turns out to be a real woman. She has flaws that weren’t previously apparent. She may handle things in ways that you find inefficient, and isn’t interested in your suggestions about how to do them differently – even though, from your viewpoint, your ways are obviously superior.
You discover to your shock that she has the capacity to express a range of emotions not plumbed in your dating days. You hadn’t felt that hot edge of her temper nor the cold, steely glare she now feels free to display.
Perhaps your wife has expectations you never guessed were there. You assumed hers would match yours – and they don’t.
How do these “mistakes” occur?
The illusion of perfection
Barbie and Carl were so in love. They wanted to be with each other constantly. Unable to endure the thought of a long, drawn-out courtship, they married within three months of their first meeting.
Barbie was a life-of-the-party sort of girl – a social butterfly. A former high school cheerleader, she was bubbly and happy-go-lucky.
Carl was an A student in college. He had serious career plans in accounting and business. He liked books and challenging discussions about theology and politics. Not having dated many girls, he was in a daze when Barbie was willing to go out with him.
Barbie saw Carl as a responsible, mature man who’d provide stability and security in her life. Carl saw Barbie as the perfect complement to his otherwise rather pedestrian life.
They quickly decided they were perfect for each other. Surely they’d have no problems that couldn’t easily be resolved.
The reality of disappointment
Two years into their marriage, though, there was a deep rift in their relationship. Carl was coming home from the office just wanting to read a book or have some quiet space. He didn’t want to talk to Barbie about her day or her shopping plans for the next. At bedtime, he didn’t feel very amorous.
Barbie seemed frustrated and angry when Carl had no interest in dinner parties or going out dancing with her old friends. Going to church on Sunday mornings was more than enough social life for him.
Carl was angry and frustrated, too. Barbie was chronically late and seemed not to care how annoying this was to him. She was running up bills on the credit card and was irresponsible about paying them. She visited the hair salon frequently, apparently wanting to look very sexy when going out. In his view, she was a terrible housekeeper, leaving the place in a mess most of the time.
What had gone so terribly wrong with this relationship? Had Barbie really changed?
When opposites don’t attract
Carl and Barbie were opposites – and always had been. “Opposites attract” may be a common phenomenon, but it doesn’t necessarily lead to a strong marriage.
Far too often what seemed irresistible in the swirl of hormones and emotional highs during a fast courtship turns out to be irritating in the 24/7, “up close and personal” daily life of husband and wife.
The mature and responsible guy seems to become a stiff, nitpicking perfectionist, boring and sexually uninteresting. The girl who appeared to be such a wonderful, bouncy, free spirit now looks like an irresponsible, immature twit with no depth at all.
The tools to move forward
Is that what’s happened with your wife? The truth is that she’s the same woman you fell so much in love with. But you have changed – stripped of your illusions about her. You’re disappointed.
So what should you do?
You might find it helpful to sit down and list the reasons why you chose this particular woman to be your wife. Think of all her attributes that you enjoy and value. Think of yourself as the author of the Song of Solomon, writing about your bride. Shift your focus from the negative and critical to the positive and appreciative. Then make a date to share these thoughts with her.
If this seems impossible, consider the very real possibility that your marriage is at a crossroads. Disappointment may be making you vulnerable to the attentions of others, who you might imagine would better meet your needs and expectations.
Or, you may just be resigning yourself to years of regret about your choice of a spouse, bitter that you’re obligated to stay in a marriage without any hope of realizing your dreams. If this describes you, it’s past time for you and your wife to seek marriage counselling. Find a Christian professional who won’t reinforce the lie that happiness lies just around the corner if only you escape from this mistake and move on to something new.
Your situation is not at all hopeless. But it does require a fresh perspective and some tools to employ in developing a more mature relationship.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
The above was found at Focus on the Family.ca
It’s much more likely that you saw her through rose-coloured glasses while you were dating, and now the glasses are off.
And guess what? You’re probably not the person she thought you were, either.
Did I make a mistake?
Before the wedding, differences tend to seem intriguing, interesting and attractive. A few months or years into the marriage, however, what seemed so inviting in the semi-fantasy world of dating now seems considerably less than idyllic.
That beautiful angel you married turns out to be a real woman. She has flaws that weren’t previously apparent. She may handle things in ways that you find inefficient, and isn’t interested in your suggestions about how to do them differently – even though, from your viewpoint, your ways are obviously superior.
You discover to your shock that she has the capacity to express a range of emotions not plumbed in your dating days. You hadn’t felt that hot edge of her temper nor the cold, steely glare she now feels free to display.
Perhaps your wife has expectations you never guessed were there. You assumed hers would match yours – and they don’t.
How do these “mistakes” occur?
The illusion of perfection
Barbie and Carl were so in love. They wanted to be with each other constantly. Unable to endure the thought of a long, drawn-out courtship, they married within three months of their first meeting.
Barbie was a life-of-the-party sort of girl – a social butterfly. A former high school cheerleader, she was bubbly and happy-go-lucky.
Carl was an A student in college. He had serious career plans in accounting and business. He liked books and challenging discussions about theology and politics. Not having dated many girls, he was in a daze when Barbie was willing to go out with him.
Barbie saw Carl as a responsible, mature man who’d provide stability and security in her life. Carl saw Barbie as the perfect complement to his otherwise rather pedestrian life.
They quickly decided they were perfect for each other. Surely they’d have no problems that couldn’t easily be resolved.
The reality of disappointment
Two years into their marriage, though, there was a deep rift in their relationship. Carl was coming home from the office just wanting to read a book or have some quiet space. He didn’t want to talk to Barbie about her day or her shopping plans for the next. At bedtime, he didn’t feel very amorous.
Barbie seemed frustrated and angry when Carl had no interest in dinner parties or going out dancing with her old friends. Going to church on Sunday mornings was more than enough social life for him.
Carl was angry and frustrated, too. Barbie was chronically late and seemed not to care how annoying this was to him. She was running up bills on the credit card and was irresponsible about paying them. She visited the hair salon frequently, apparently wanting to look very sexy when going out. In his view, she was a terrible housekeeper, leaving the place in a mess most of the time.
What had gone so terribly wrong with this relationship? Had Barbie really changed?
When opposites don’t attract
Carl and Barbie were opposites – and always had been. “Opposites attract” may be a common phenomenon, but it doesn’t necessarily lead to a strong marriage.
Far too often what seemed irresistible in the swirl of hormones and emotional highs during a fast courtship turns out to be irritating in the 24/7, “up close and personal” daily life of husband and wife.
The mature and responsible guy seems to become a stiff, nitpicking perfectionist, boring and sexually uninteresting. The girl who appeared to be such a wonderful, bouncy, free spirit now looks like an irresponsible, immature twit with no depth at all.
The tools to move forward
Is that what’s happened with your wife? The truth is that she’s the same woman you fell so much in love with. But you have changed – stripped of your illusions about her. You’re disappointed.
So what should you do?
You might find it helpful to sit down and list the reasons why you chose this particular woman to be your wife. Think of all her attributes that you enjoy and value. Think of yourself as the author of the Song of Solomon, writing about your bride. Shift your focus from the negative and critical to the positive and appreciative. Then make a date to share these thoughts with her.
If this seems impossible, consider the very real possibility that your marriage is at a crossroads. Disappointment may be making you vulnerable to the attentions of others, who you might imagine would better meet your needs and expectations.
Or, you may just be resigning yourself to years of regret about your choice of a spouse, bitter that you’re obligated to stay in a marriage without any hope of realizing your dreams. If this describes you, it’s past time for you and your wife to seek marriage counselling. Find a Christian professional who won’t reinforce the lie that happiness lies just around the corner if only you escape from this mistake and move on to something new.
Your situation is not at all hopeless. But it does require a fresh perspective and some tools to employ in developing a more mature relationship.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
The above was found at Focus on the Family.ca
Monday, February 19, 2007
That book about not dating
I kissed dating goodbye
Foreward by Rebecca St. James from the original edition of IKDG:
Okay, I know what you're thinking. I'll just skip these first few pages and get to the real stuff.
Well, hold on. Just wait.
This is preparation for what you are about to read.
Actually, that's exactly what this book is about waiting and preparation. The ideas in these pages are really quite revolutionary. I'm so glad this book is in your hand it could save you from a lot of needless agony. It has the potential to change the mindset of our generation. It has already affected my life. Let me explain.
You see, I for a long time, have held the same kind of opinions on dating as Josh (the writer of this book and a friend of mine). I mean as someone has said to recently, "Why shop if you're not gonna buy?" Exactly. Why date if you can't marry yet? I'm 19 and even though I've never dated I've had plenty of years to watch some of my friends at the game. And believe me it is a game. And it doesn't look fun. It looks agonizing and painful. That's part of the reason I haven't dated.
Secondly, I know it's not God's timing for me right now. I would just be distracted by having a boyfriend. Distracted from the work God wants me to do during these years.
I've also had the philosophy that groups and friendships are much more fun than one-on-one relationships at my age anyway.
But a little while ago I started to get a bit discouraged in the fact that I didn't have someone to get dressed up for and daydream about. That's when I read this book and really felt God encouraging me through Josh's words.
I don't think I've ever read a book in which the author is more honest and real than Josh is in this one. He tackles the hard issues, the tough questions on this confusing topic of "to date or not to date." And he gives practical answers. Joshua Harris has a powerful way of sharing from his experience. And since he's our age (just out of the teen years himself) he knows what he's talking about.
One of the things I like the most in regards to Josh's writing is that he brings it all back to the Bible and how we can really live what it says. And after knowing him for the last couple of years I can truly say that he "walks his talk."
So get ready to be challenged, encouraged and prepare for your point of view to be taken on a ride!
Thanks for sticking with me and enjoy.
Stay strong!
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Del Delker
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Del Delker has been a soloist with the Voice of Prophecy radio broadcast since 1947. Through the years her voice has been recorded on more than 70 records and CDs. She has continued an active ministry in her retirement and is still much in demand at camp meetings and other gatherings."
For 55 years, Del Delker has been making music. Her voice is most widely known on the 7th-day Adventist radio program, Voice of Prophecy. Del's charm and warmth have sparkled over the years as her performances include singing in 15 languages around the world several times over.
Del Delker (YouTube)
Sunday, December 24, 2006
... strung up, and shot.
Quoting:
This was forwarded to me in my e-mail, and I rather liked it...
A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable, and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally finished the shopping, and wearily trudged to the elevator with her two kids.
She was feeling what so many of us feel during the hurried holiday season time of the year: Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.
Finally the elevator doors opened, and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all their bags holding their purchases. When the elevator doors closed, she couldn't take it anymore and said, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up, and shot."
From the back of the car, everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry, we already crucified Him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
Don't forget this year to keep the One Who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.
~Thoughts at Christmas
Friday, December 22, 2006
Ira Forest Stanphill (1914 - 1993)
Few songwriters contributed more inspirational work to Southern gospel than Ira Stanphill.
Born February 14, 1914 in Bellview, New Mexico, Stanphill distinguished himself as a young man after becoming a singing evangelist in the Assemblies of god denominational. He ultimately preached and sang the Gospel in all sections of the United States and in forty other nations.
Along the way, his tremendous songwriting ability earned him a place among the truly unique stylists of southern Gospel Music. Among his more 400 gospel compositions are "Mansion Over the Hilltop", "Room at the Cross", "Suppertime", "Follow Me", and "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow." © 2005 Southern Gospel Music Association
IFS ~ www.cyberhymnal.org/bio
Independent Bands
MySpace.com
SACRED MUSIC PRESERVED
~Streaming audio from gospel music's "Golden Age".
Ira Stanphill ~ google search
Monday, December 18, 2006
Raven May 7, 2006 R.I.P.
Raven smudged through pain and woe, then went home
By Warren Harbeck
The 19-year-old woman from British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast was bullied and mocked for much of her teen years because of her epileptic seizures. She finally found peace and respect during her last two years while living among the Stoney Nakoda community at Morley. In those two years, though not a preacher or missionary or evangelist — or anything more complicated than just being a teenager on a journey of self-discovery — she communicated far more effectively the meaning of Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the pure in heart,” than I ever have in all my 41 years with the Stoney Nakoda First Nation as a linguist and Bible translation consultant.
On May 12 we laid her to rest alongside elders whose lives defined the beauty of the Stoney way. Let me tell you about this amazing young lady.
(...)
CochraneEagle.com
Monday, December 04, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
MacArthur, General Douglas
From MacArthur by Clay Blair, Jr.
...The general spent a great deal of time at the penthouse with Jean and little Arthur, nicknamed Sergeant ... He was an inordinately proud and doting father. He expressed his feelings eloquently in a prayer:
Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee - and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.
Build me a son whose heart wll be clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, and the meekness of true strength.
Then, I, his father, will dare to whisper, "I have not lived in vain."
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Snow White
ATTENTION:
Whoever borrowed our laundry tub, please return.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you stole it, please come and pick up the cover.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you,
Snow White Laundromat
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Give me all your money
A young fella feeling the pressures of providing for his family, thought it might be worth the risk to rob a bank.
Cursory research led the young man to believe that all he needed was a gun and a bag for the money.
He procured the gun and bag, and headed for the nearest bank intending to say to the bank teller, "Don't mess with me. This is a stick-up. Give me all your money".
Upon arriving at the bank, the jitters over-took him; He pointed the bag, handed the gun to the teller and said, "Don't stick with me. This is a mess-up".
~Paraphrase from one of Adrian Roger's messages.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
A Post by Piper
Dealing with being home from Kandahar
« on: October 16, 2006, 02:04:16 »
It has been 2 month and 2 days since I deployed to Afghanistan, with 8 Platoon, Charles Company, 1 RCR. I was honored, as a reservist augmentee, to be attached to such a great group of probably the best soldiers our country has to offer.
In the three short weeks I was in Afghanistan, I learned more about commitment to my military family than most soldiers learn in a life time. It seemed both unfortunate and amazing that it took battle and blood shed to forge such a strong bond.
It has been 1 month and 12 days since I was wounded and pulled from the battlefield. When I was in the hospital in KAF, I had hoped that I would stay in Afghanistan to recover. Why would I want to stay in such a horrible place that almost claimed my life? I didn’t want to leave my family.
Germany and Toronto (hospitals) were a blur of Morphine, Demerol, Fentanyl, IV lines, wound packing’s, shrapnel removal surgeries, catheters, bad food, and good care. I think back on it and it seems dizzying. But when I close my eyes, only 2 images flash and they take me back to where I’m supposed to be.
I see Panjwayi; the fields of pot. Rockets and bullets. The smell of burning and the heat. Then all I see are the bodies of soldiers I helped carry to the CCP. 2 covered by body bags (WO. Richard Nolan, Sgt. Shane Stachnik) and 2 on stretchers; my platoon warrant (WO Frank Mellish), and a soldiers I new only casually from living in the shacks in Petawawa (Pte.Will Cushley)
While at the CCP I find out that a very close friend (from my reserve home unit) had been wounded by shrapnel from Taliban RPGs. His sections LAV had been left on the battlefield. For a long while, I didn’t know how badly he was wounded. (He’s still over there, thus no names) I’ll never forget the feeling; the sense and fear of loss.
I will never forget those who were lost that day.
I try to think of the good times I was privileged enough to have with my Platoon. WO. Mellish made me the unofficial piper of 8 Platoon, (shortly there after; Coy piper) and I played reveille as per his request (and everyone else’s distain) anytime I was able.
In dreams I still hear him shouting “Piper!!! Black Bear!!”… The last tune I played on my pipes… at panjwayi. (I still don’t have them back)
When I close my eyes, I also see the morning after Panjwayi. Sparks, smoke, fire… then the burp of the main gun of the A-10. I remember the feeling of panic as I crawled for my Weapon and PPE, thinking we were under attack. I can still feel the burning on my legs and back, the shock of thinking my legs were gone.
I can see the faces of the injured… the twice wounded soldiers of Charles. I see the face of the soldier who saved my life by applying tourniquets to my legs and stopping the bleeding from my back and arm… (He will remain nameless for now)
From then, everything’s a blur until I’m back in KAF. I remember asking if everyone was ‘ok’... Reaching from my gurney to other wounded soldiers walking by, trying to peace together what had happened… more confusion. I asked again and again…
Pte. Mark Graham. An inspirational man whom I only really started to get to know shortly before deploying, a brother in our family of warriors, was dead. My heart sank even more.
Our CSM (who was also wounded) came over to me and asked if I was going to be able to play the pipes for the ramp ceremony the following day. I held up my right hand, which was numb, and looked at my fingers. The tips of 2 of them looked like they had been chewed up in a blender. I felt tears run down my face. Not because I thought I’d never play again, but because I couldn’t play for my departed brothers the next day… I would have given both of my hands and more for their lives.
I had hoped to attend the ramp ceremony the next day, even if I couldn’t play, but I couldn’t move my legs and they couldn’t put me in a wheel chair because of the shrapnel in my back. I was sedated that day, and came to on the plane to Germany.
I couldn’t attend any of the funerals of my fallen family, and I feel no closure.
It has been a month and 12 days since I lost my brothers in Panjwayi and it might as well have been yesterday.
When I close my eyes at night I not only see the ones who have paid the ultimate price, but also the ones who are still there… and I feel as though I am betraying them.
My life seems to be dragging me on. My fiancé and I are planning our wedding and future. My family and I get together often. I’ve been able to socialize with my friends… and yet each thing I do here makes me feel guilty, because I shouldn’t be here to enjoy this.
I wake up every day and plan and plot. I think of only one thing; how can I get back to my family… How can I get back to Afghanistan? My wounds are almost healed. Only 3 holes left and they’re almost closed. I can walk pretty well now, but I need to run.
My family and friends don’t understand. They don’t want me to go back. My fiancé has threatened to end our relationship if I chose to return… and yet this doesn’t dissuade me. I have to get back to my boys. I have to get back and do my part no matter the cost to me. I love my family here in Canada, but no one’s shooting at them.
Every time I see more soldiers killed over there a piece of me dies, and I feel the urge to return grow stronger. And each day I enjoy in my freedom here, I feel as though I have betrayed their memory. I need to finish my job over there. I need to go back.
I can only think of the families of those who have died, and I can only say this, and hope it provides some solace:
A warrior’s sword is made from the finest steel, forged by hammer and anvil to create and edge, baptized in hot coals and flame for strength, then quenched in cold water to harden it.
Our brotherhood of Warriors, the finest of men, has been forged by Battle; Baptized by fire and Quenched by tears…
We became and will always be a fraternity of blood with a bond stronger than death.
Pro Patria
I hate to rant, but I need to vent. It’s been a hard road, and I know there are a few others here who have seen it and may or may not feel the same (HoM).
To the mods… feel free to delete this post if you find it pointless.
- Piper
Brotherhood of Warriors
Forged in battle
Baptized by fire
Quenched in tears
C Coy, 1 RCR
Panjwayi
Link >>>
(((((((((())))))))))
« on: October 16, 2006, 02:04:16 »
It has been 2 month and 2 days since I deployed to Afghanistan, with 8 Platoon, Charles Company, 1 RCR. I was honored, as a reservist augmentee, to be attached to such a great group of probably the best soldiers our country has to offer.
In the three short weeks I was in Afghanistan, I learned more about commitment to my military family than most soldiers learn in a life time. It seemed both unfortunate and amazing that it took battle and blood shed to forge such a strong bond.
It has been 1 month and 12 days since I was wounded and pulled from the battlefield. When I was in the hospital in KAF, I had hoped that I would stay in Afghanistan to recover. Why would I want to stay in such a horrible place that almost claimed my life? I didn’t want to leave my family.
Germany and Toronto (hospitals) were a blur of Morphine, Demerol, Fentanyl, IV lines, wound packing’s, shrapnel removal surgeries, catheters, bad food, and good care. I think back on it and it seems dizzying. But when I close my eyes, only 2 images flash and they take me back to where I’m supposed to be.
I see Panjwayi; the fields of pot. Rockets and bullets. The smell of burning and the heat. Then all I see are the bodies of soldiers I helped carry to the CCP. 2 covered by body bags (WO. Richard Nolan, Sgt. Shane Stachnik) and 2 on stretchers; my platoon warrant (WO Frank Mellish), and a soldiers I new only casually from living in the shacks in Petawawa (Pte.Will Cushley)
While at the CCP I find out that a very close friend (from my reserve home unit) had been wounded by shrapnel from Taliban RPGs. His sections LAV had been left on the battlefield. For a long while, I didn’t know how badly he was wounded. (He’s still over there, thus no names) I’ll never forget the feeling; the sense and fear of loss.
I will never forget those who were lost that day.
I try to think of the good times I was privileged enough to have with my Platoon. WO. Mellish made me the unofficial piper of 8 Platoon, (shortly there after; Coy piper) and I played reveille as per his request (and everyone else’s distain) anytime I was able.
In dreams I still hear him shouting “Piper!!! Black Bear!!”… The last tune I played on my pipes… at panjwayi. (I still don’t have them back)
When I close my eyes, I also see the morning after Panjwayi. Sparks, smoke, fire… then the burp of the main gun of the A-10. I remember the feeling of panic as I crawled for my Weapon and PPE, thinking we were under attack. I can still feel the burning on my legs and back, the shock of thinking my legs were gone.
I can see the faces of the injured… the twice wounded soldiers of Charles. I see the face of the soldier who saved my life by applying tourniquets to my legs and stopping the bleeding from my back and arm… (He will remain nameless for now)
From then, everything’s a blur until I’m back in KAF. I remember asking if everyone was ‘ok’... Reaching from my gurney to other wounded soldiers walking by, trying to peace together what had happened… more confusion. I asked again and again…
Pte. Mark Graham. An inspirational man whom I only really started to get to know shortly before deploying, a brother in our family of warriors, was dead. My heart sank even more.
Our CSM (who was also wounded) came over to me and asked if I was going to be able to play the pipes for the ramp ceremony the following day. I held up my right hand, which was numb, and looked at my fingers. The tips of 2 of them looked like they had been chewed up in a blender. I felt tears run down my face. Not because I thought I’d never play again, but because I couldn’t play for my departed brothers the next day… I would have given both of my hands and more for their lives.
I had hoped to attend the ramp ceremony the next day, even if I couldn’t play, but I couldn’t move my legs and they couldn’t put me in a wheel chair because of the shrapnel in my back. I was sedated that day, and came to on the plane to Germany.
I couldn’t attend any of the funerals of my fallen family, and I feel no closure.
It has been a month and 12 days since I lost my brothers in Panjwayi and it might as well have been yesterday.
When I close my eyes at night I not only see the ones who have paid the ultimate price, but also the ones who are still there… and I feel as though I am betraying them.
My life seems to be dragging me on. My fiancé and I are planning our wedding and future. My family and I get together often. I’ve been able to socialize with my friends… and yet each thing I do here makes me feel guilty, because I shouldn’t be here to enjoy this.
I wake up every day and plan and plot. I think of only one thing; how can I get back to my family… How can I get back to Afghanistan? My wounds are almost healed. Only 3 holes left and they’re almost closed. I can walk pretty well now, but I need to run.
My family and friends don’t understand. They don’t want me to go back. My fiancé has threatened to end our relationship if I chose to return… and yet this doesn’t dissuade me. I have to get back to my boys. I have to get back and do my part no matter the cost to me. I love my family here in Canada, but no one’s shooting at them.
Every time I see more soldiers killed over there a piece of me dies, and I feel the urge to return grow stronger. And each day I enjoy in my freedom here, I feel as though I have betrayed their memory. I need to finish my job over there. I need to go back.
I can only think of the families of those who have died, and I can only say this, and hope it provides some solace:
A warrior’s sword is made from the finest steel, forged by hammer and anvil to create and edge, baptized in hot coals and flame for strength, then quenched in cold water to harden it.
Our brotherhood of Warriors, the finest of men, has been forged by Battle; Baptized by fire and Quenched by tears…
We became and will always be a fraternity of blood with a bond stronger than death.
Pro Patria
I hate to rant, but I need to vent. It’s been a hard road, and I know there are a few others here who have seen it and may or may not feel the same (HoM).
To the mods… feel free to delete this post if you find it pointless.
- Piper
Brotherhood of Warriors
Forged in battle
Baptized by fire
Quenched in tears
C Coy, 1 RCR
Panjwayi
Link >>>
(((((((((())))))))))