I hope your Christmas was wonderful. I hope you were with family and friends. I hope you enjoyed the blessing and joy you "planned" and that you also had time to contemplate the Birth of Jesus and what that means to your life.
I woke up this morning praying for family, friends and all my wonderful readers. I imagined what you may be thinking today. Did you stop to look out the window and say a quick "thank you" prayer for all your many blessings? Did you stare into space with a broken heart because a loved one isn't there?
Some of you may have opened your eyes this morning and refused to turn the lights on as you once again prayed a desperate prayer and wondered why God seems so silent. I am praying for all my new friends who are experiencing abuse in their homes and asked God to grant them at least one day of "peace".
As I sipped my coffee, I smiled thinking about new mothers and their busy schedules as they try to keep up with family demands. It's amazing to watch young mothers deal with two sets of parents each wanting to share Christmas dinner and a crying newborn who refuses to give up his structured life for a day of new activities. I giggled thinking of our friend who called to say that his daughter had just given birth to twins. His laughter and joy took me back to the birth of my own twins followed by the birth of our youngest, Ken.
I thought of too many dear wonderful friends who have lost a spouse and their children can't be with them. They stare out the window as a parade of past Christmas memories tug at their heart and they wonder how to make it through another lonely holiday.
But what about the New Year? What will tomorrow and all of 2011 be like for you? Will you wake each morning with a feeling of complete satisfaction? Will you think of all you've done and feel as though your heart may burst with the joy of it all? Or....will you recall past memories while guilt wraps around your neck like a huge python determined to squeeze the life out of every molecule of your body.
Is it possible that at some point you may contemplate....is that all there is?
I remember back in the 60's hearing a song by Peggy Lee. I thought then that it was probably the saddest and most depressing song I had ever heard. Yet....it was extremely popular and unfortunately many people identified with it. I'm afraid that with our busy often disjointed lives and the constant problems America now faces....many people can identify with it now. The song, "Is that all there is?" takes God completely out of the story. The problem for many Christians even today is that while we believe in God - we still have moments when we wonder... is that all there is?
The chorus goes like this
Is that all there is, is that all there is? If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing.
Let's break out the booze and have a ball, If that's all there is.
Peggy Lee - Is that all there is?
Please allow me to encourage you that this life, this moment, this season, this time is not all there is.....there is more!...MUCH MORE.
Janet Paschal sings a beautiful song on her CD "This is Janet". The song It's not about here explains that while we may become trapped by all the "stuff" of this world - when it comes down to it - for Christians it's never about here, it's always about Heaven and our home over there. God has promised a wonderful home for us there where justice will rule and all the wrongs will be made right.
We do live in this world and we should do all we can to have a great life while we are here. Hang on to the moments, kiss your family and hug your friends. Develop the talents that God has given you. Become all that God had in mind for you to be. BUT....keep your eye on the real prize - the real reason Jesus came to earth. We have a heavenly home and all the love we enjoy here will be magnified over there! What a fantastic promise!
I hope you find a way to make this year the best you have ever had.
God loves you!
Debbie
Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Thanks for all your prayers!
I think God must look at people like me with a "tsk, tsk, tsk" every so often. I'm always concerned about doing the right thing. I spend a lot of time researching my opinions, my work ethics and my daily routines - just to be sure that I'm on task and doing what God would have me do.
Then there's a little hic-cup followed by a medium hic-up followed by a large gasp and an explosion. There I stand in the middle of a rubble of hopes and dreams and wonder what in the world happened. All my plans, all my research, all my hopes and dreams are merely a pile of broken pieces surrounded by a lot of dust. I quickly look around and wonder if others have noticed. "I'll bet she thinks I messed up." "Maybe he wonders why I'm not finished with this project or that one." "Oh my, please dear God....please don't let her feel like I've let her down!"
I fret and worry and wish that I could somehow be perfect - but alas! Failed again.
I love writing on my blogs. I love my readers and want to help them. But this week, I've felt like the little hic-cup of last week's surgery blossomed into an explosion of events that couldn't be helped and yet prevented me from writing.
Have you every felt pushed along by circumstances? Have you ever wondered what your friends thought of you? Have you ever felt like you failed and yet you know you did the very best you could?
If you answered yes to those questions then you are just like everyone on the planet. Even the most productive, resourceful and sanctified Christian has had at least one week or one month of stressful "I'm not preforming at my best" days.
And if you answered no to those questions - then you probably aren't human. You must be an angel only visiting and using the computer because it would be something novel to do. (Which means you probably don't need my writing anyway.)
The best news of all is that God understands. He expects us to "be" the best person we can be. He wants us to "strive" to do all that he has called us to do. But....I know that he is also compassionate. He can read our hearts. He knows when we are goofin' off and he is also aware of those special times when the circumstances were just out of our control. He knows the truth about our lives and he loves us anyway. Ahhhh....isn't that reassuring?
My surgery went fine. It took a lot more out of me than I thought it would and therefore my busy schedule was interrupted much longer than I had hoped. But....I do appreciate all the prayers and thoughts and I hope that I'm now on the mend!
I love you all and I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Season.
God loves you,
Debbie
Then there's a little hic-cup followed by a medium hic-up followed by a large gasp and an explosion. There I stand in the middle of a rubble of hopes and dreams and wonder what in the world happened. All my plans, all my research, all my hopes and dreams are merely a pile of broken pieces surrounded by a lot of dust. I quickly look around and wonder if others have noticed. "I'll bet she thinks I messed up." "Maybe he wonders why I'm not finished with this project or that one." "Oh my, please dear God....please don't let her feel like I've let her down!"
I fret and worry and wish that I could somehow be perfect - but alas! Failed again.
I love writing on my blogs. I love my readers and want to help them. But this week, I've felt like the little hic-cup of last week's surgery blossomed into an explosion of events that couldn't be helped and yet prevented me from writing.
Have you every felt pushed along by circumstances? Have you ever wondered what your friends thought of you? Have you ever felt like you failed and yet you know you did the very best you could?
If you answered yes to those questions then you are just like everyone on the planet. Even the most productive, resourceful and sanctified Christian has had at least one week or one month of stressful "I'm not preforming at my best" days.
And if you answered no to those questions - then you probably aren't human. You must be an angel only visiting and using the computer because it would be something novel to do. (Which means you probably don't need my writing anyway.)
The best news of all is that God understands. He expects us to "be" the best person we can be. He wants us to "strive" to do all that he has called us to do. But....I know that he is also compassionate. He can read our hearts. He knows when we are goofin' off and he is also aware of those special times when the circumstances were just out of our control. He knows the truth about our lives and he loves us anyway. Ahhhh....isn't that reassuring?
My surgery went fine. It took a lot more out of me than I thought it would and therefore my busy schedule was interrupted much longer than I had hoped. But....I do appreciate all the prayers and thoughts and I hope that I'm now on the mend!
I love you all and I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Season.
God loves you,
Debbie
Sunday, December 5, 2010
FYI
Just in case everyone is wondering what's going on with Debbie and her sites.....I have been preparing for surgery. I will have what I hope will be minor surgery tomorrow morning.
Please say a prayer for me. Hopefully I will be able to return to daily postings beginning Tuesday. I have so much material to send your way!
God bless you and I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas season!
Debbie
Please say a prayer for me. Hopefully I will be able to return to daily postings beginning Tuesday. I have so much material to send your way!
God bless you and I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas season!
Debbie
Friday, November 26, 2010
George Washington issued Thanksgiving Proclamation
Brought to you by American Minute
In order to thank God for the First Amendment, which was passed a week earlier by Congress, President George Washington issued the first National Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1789:
"Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me 'to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness;'"
Washington continued:
"Now, therefore, I do recommend...Thursday, the 26TH DAY of NOVEMBER...to be devoted by the People of these United States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be;"
Washington concluded:
"That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks...for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government...particularly the national one now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed...to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue."
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope all of you had a wonderful time with your family. Don't forget to thank God for all your many blessings. I prayed for you today that God will bless you and give you peace through this beautiful Holiday Season!
God loves you,
Debbie
"Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me 'to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness;'"
Washington continued:
"Now, therefore, I do recommend...Thursday, the 26TH DAY of NOVEMBER...to be devoted by the People of these United States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be;"
Washington concluded:
"That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks...for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government...particularly the national one now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed...to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue."
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope all of you had a wonderful time with your family. Don't forget to thank God for all your many blessings. I prayed for you today that God will bless you and give you peace through this beautiful Holiday Season!
God loves you,
Debbie
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Watch it.....They are sneaking in the window!
The reason I watch Glenn Beck is NOT because I believe every single word he says....it's because he presents great research and he shines a light on "hidden" agendas.
Unfortunately, we live in a day when "motive" and "hidden agendas" can destroy your life, your faith and extremely important - your freedom and country!
I haven't said a lot about Muslims and their presence in this country. I sincerely hope and wish that some of them are dedicated patriots that would not allow radical Muslims or jihad's to take over this country. And more importantly that they would join a fight against those types of people. (In the right sidebar of this blog there's a link to a site that gives the truth about radical Muslims. I encourage you to click on it and read about their agenda.)
But....the more I wait for confirmation of Muslim dedicated patriots - the more disappointed I become. So far....(at least what I've read) only one Muslim leader has come out against radicals and even his statements could be construed to mean that he wasn't for jihad unless it was absolutely necessary. In other words, "my faith comes first".
What I truly don't understand about all this, is the lack of intelligence on the part of "true patriots". Yes, we must be concerned about the economy. Yes, we must be concerned about politics and culture related problems. Yes, we must be concerned about our own faith and our children and our jobs and...and...and....
My concern however, is that while we are fussing about taxes and bailouts and political agendas and loss of our "American" freedoms.....someone is sneaking in the window. The Twin Tower mosque is only the beginning. Most Americans agree that Muslims shouldn't be allowed to build a temple as a conquering statement. Most Americans agree that Sharia law is not what America is about and will lead to massive abuse for women and children. Yet....we continue to keep silent and let it happen. Why? Are we content to rock along and let Muslims turn this country from true freedom into the worst kind of personal abuse the world has to offer?
There is a huge difference between the majority ruling faith of this country - based on Christianity - and the brutal "do what I say or die" faith of Muslims. Do we really want that here?
Even from my boring office I can hear all my readers screaming a huge "NO". Yet...as if afraid for their lives, the media - the bureaucrats - politicians and liberals refuse to stamp a big "NO" on the attempts of the Muslim faith to take over this country.
I felt sick as I read this article from One News Now
An expert on Islam explains that schools across the United States have implemented radical Islamic curriculum in public schools.
Brigitte Gabriel, founder of ACT! for America, explains that students are required to become a Muslim for three weeks, adopt Muslim names, memorize verses from the Quran, and visit a mosque for a field trip. If students try their best on assignments, she says, they will be guaranteed a good grade.
Students in these programs, laments the conservative activist, must also recite the Islamic prayer for salvation, which describes Islam as a straight path to God -- and Christianity in error.
"Here's what they're teaching in the public schools; [here's] what they're telling the students they have to memorize and recite," she says -- "'Praise be to Allah, Lord of Creation, the compassionate, the merciful, king of judgment day. You alone we worship, and to you alone we pray for help.'"
Gabriel sees more than a little inconsistency in how the material is being presented. "Remember, this is public school where we can't even say we have a Christmas break -- we have a 'winter break,'" she exclaims. "Where we can't even say we have Easter break -- it's now called 'spring break.'"
The ACT! for America president explains that Islamic ideologies are prevalent in textbooks, such as the way the term "jihad" is explained. She says instead of portraying the idea as one of violence and bloodshed, the texts describe it as a struggle against oppression -- the same description that al-Qaeda presents.
She argues that "what they're doing is literally brainwashing our students to prepare them to turn against our own soldiers and our own military and government by basically feeding them the talking points of al-Qaeda."
Gabriel contends that if students were to recite Bible verses, adopt Christian names, and learn a Christian prayer for salvation, many Americans would be infuriated, arguing it violates the alleged separation of church and state. But because of political correctness, she says, Islamic indoctrination is allowed in public schools
So what would you do Debbie?
Well, first of all....I'm not advocating that we declare war on Muslims and run them out of America. I don't think that's what America is all about. But...I do think we need to begin standing up for what we are about.
We need to stop the anarchy. If something is against our laws.....then it's against the law. We need to stop allowing "certain" people to break laws because we don't want to be considered "politically incorrect".
Secondly, everyone of every faith needs to understand that just like Iraq is basically Muslim and you have to follow their laws in their country -AMERICA IS A CHRISTIAN NATION! Period. We may have a lot of non-Christians that live happily here. We may have Muslims and Jews and Buddhist and even witches.....but everyone needs to understand that AMERICA IS A CHRISTIAN NATION. Because we are Christians our laws and schools as well as many other daily activities will be sponsored and governed by men and women who believe in the Bible. We celebrate Christmas and Easter. We educate our young children about Pilgrims and their faith. We teach the Ten Commandments because it's a good way to live and because most of America's laws are based on them. Don't like it - you are welcome to leave and find a country that promotes the lifestyle you want.
If you live in America, you will not trash our heritage or our laws. Suck it up. Live in peace with us and don't indoctrinate our children. Period.
Whew! Debbie that's tough. No. Not really. That's called preservation. If I had a child that was going to a school that wanted to teach the Muslim faith to my children or....to ask my child to study how to be a lesbian or how to be a witch - I would not only give the school system a piece of my mind, but I would rip my child out of that school so fast the void would break the sound barrier. That's my freedom. And it is also the freedom of illegals, Muslims and anyone else who doesn't agree with America - it's also their freedom to leave this country.
Now you don't have to agree with me. You can be as tolerant and kind and patient with evil as you wish. But don't be surprised if one day you hear someone yell....."Watch it....they are sneaking in the window!" Evil will always find a way to conquer. If they can't get their way through the front door, they will try the back. If that doesn't work, they will try to go through the basement or garage. If that doesn't work - they will crawl through a window. Evil will continue to cheat their way into conquering no matter how long it takes. You can never relax when evil is around.
In my book Child of Light I said, "It's possible to live side by side with a compassionate but understanding person who differs in personality, opinions and beliefs. It is totally impossible to live side by side in peace with evil. Evil has one basic component - to conquer. It will lie, cheat, steal and commit any despicable act necessary in order to conquer. Evil can never be trusted. If you trust evil - one day you will find that you have been conquered."
God loves you,
Debbie
Unfortunately, we live in a day when "motive" and "hidden agendas" can destroy your life, your faith and extremely important - your freedom and country!
I haven't said a lot about Muslims and their presence in this country. I sincerely hope and wish that some of them are dedicated patriots that would not allow radical Muslims or jihad's to take over this country. And more importantly that they would join a fight against those types of people. (In the right sidebar of this blog there's a link to a site that gives the truth about radical Muslims. I encourage you to click on it and read about their agenda.)
But....the more I wait for confirmation of Muslim dedicated patriots - the more disappointed I become. So far....(at least what I've read) only one Muslim leader has come out against radicals and even his statements could be construed to mean that he wasn't for jihad unless it was absolutely necessary. In other words, "my faith comes first".
What I truly don't understand about all this, is the lack of intelligence on the part of "true patriots". Yes, we must be concerned about the economy. Yes, we must be concerned about politics and culture related problems. Yes, we must be concerned about our own faith and our children and our jobs and...and...and....
My concern however, is that while we are fussing about taxes and bailouts and political agendas and loss of our "American" freedoms.....someone is sneaking in the window. The Twin Tower mosque is only the beginning. Most Americans agree that Muslims shouldn't be allowed to build a temple as a conquering statement. Most Americans agree that Sharia law is not what America is about and will lead to massive abuse for women and children. Yet....we continue to keep silent and let it happen. Why? Are we content to rock along and let Muslims turn this country from true freedom into the worst kind of personal abuse the world has to offer?
There is a huge difference between the majority ruling faith of this country - based on Christianity - and the brutal "do what I say or die" faith of Muslims. Do we really want that here?
Even from my boring office I can hear all my readers screaming a huge "NO". Yet...as if afraid for their lives, the media - the bureaucrats - politicians and liberals refuse to stamp a big "NO" on the attempts of the Muslim faith to take over this country.
I felt sick as I read this article from One News Now
Brigitte Gabriel, founder of ACT! for America, explains that students are required to become a Muslim for three weeks, adopt Muslim names, memorize verses from the Quran, and visit a mosque for a field trip. If students try their best on assignments, she says, they will be guaranteed a good grade.
Students in these programs, laments the conservative activist, must also recite the Islamic prayer for salvation, which describes Islam as a straight path to God -- and Christianity in error.
"Here's what they're teaching in the public schools; [here's] what they're telling the students they have to memorize and recite," she says -- "'Praise be to Allah, Lord of Creation, the compassionate, the merciful, king of judgment day. You alone we worship, and to you alone we pray for help.'"
Gabriel sees more than a little inconsistency in how the material is being presented. "Remember, this is public school where we can't even say we have a Christmas break -- we have a 'winter break,'" she exclaims. "Where we can't even say we have Easter break -- it's now called 'spring break.'"
The ACT! for America president explains that Islamic ideologies are prevalent in textbooks, such as the way the term "jihad" is explained. She says instead of portraying the idea as one of violence and bloodshed, the texts describe it as a struggle against oppression -- the same description that al-Qaeda presents.
She argues that "what they're doing is literally brainwashing our students to prepare them to turn against our own soldiers and our own military and government by basically feeding them the talking points of al-Qaeda."
Gabriel contends that if students were to recite Bible verses, adopt Christian names, and learn a Christian prayer for salvation, many Americans would be infuriated, arguing it violates the alleged separation of church and state. But because of political correctness, she says, Islamic indoctrination is allowed in public schools
So what would you do Debbie?
Well, first of all....I'm not advocating that we declare war on Muslims and run them out of America. I don't think that's what America is all about. But...I do think we need to begin standing up for what we are about.
We need to stop the anarchy. If something is against our laws.....then it's against the law. We need to stop allowing "certain" people to break laws because we don't want to be considered "politically incorrect".
Secondly, everyone of every faith needs to understand that just like Iraq is basically Muslim and you have to follow their laws in their country -AMERICA IS A CHRISTIAN NATION! Period. We may have a lot of non-Christians that live happily here. We may have Muslims and Jews and Buddhist and even witches.....but everyone needs to understand that AMERICA IS A CHRISTIAN NATION. Because we are Christians our laws and schools as well as many other daily activities will be sponsored and governed by men and women who believe in the Bible. We celebrate Christmas and Easter. We educate our young children about Pilgrims and their faith. We teach the Ten Commandments because it's a good way to live and because most of America's laws are based on them. Don't like it - you are welcome to leave and find a country that promotes the lifestyle you want.
If you live in America, you will not trash our heritage or our laws. Suck it up. Live in peace with us and don't indoctrinate our children. Period.
Whew! Debbie that's tough. No. Not really. That's called preservation. If I had a child that was going to a school that wanted to teach the Muslim faith to my children or....to ask my child to study how to be a lesbian or how to be a witch - I would not only give the school system a piece of my mind, but I would rip my child out of that school so fast the void would break the sound barrier. That's my freedom. And it is also the freedom of illegals, Muslims and anyone else who doesn't agree with America - it's also their freedom to leave this country.
Now you don't have to agree with me. You can be as tolerant and kind and patient with evil as you wish. But don't be surprised if one day you hear someone yell....."Watch it....they are sneaking in the window!" Evil will always find a way to conquer. If they can't get their way through the front door, they will try the back. If that doesn't work, they will try to go through the basement or garage. If that doesn't work - they will crawl through a window. Evil will continue to cheat their way into conquering no matter how long it takes. You can never relax when evil is around.
In my book Child of Light I said, "It's possible to live side by side with a compassionate but understanding person who differs in personality, opinions and beliefs. It is totally impossible to live side by side in peace with evil. Evil has one basic component - to conquer. It will lie, cheat, steal and commit any despicable act necessary in order to conquer. Evil can never be trusted. If you trust evil - one day you will find that you have been conquered."
God loves you,
Debbie
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Governor William Bradford
Brought to you by American Minute
Governor William Bradford called him "a special instrument sent of God."
Of 102 Pilgrims that landed November 1620, only half survived till spring - then appeared Squanto.
William Bradford wrote: "Squanto was a native of these parts...one of the few survivors of the plague...
He was carried away with others by one Hunt, a captain of a ship, who intended to sell them for slaves in Spain; but he got away for England, and was received by a merchant in London, employed in Newfoundland... and lastly brought into these parts by a Captain Dermer."
Bradford continued "Squanto stayed with them and was their interpreter...
He showed them how to plant corn, where to take fish and other commodities, and guided them to unknown places....Nor was there a man among them who had ever seen a beaver skin till they were instructed by Squanto."
Bradford wrote that in LATE SEPTEMBER 1622:
"Winds drove their boat in...they could not get round the shoals of Cape Cod...so they put into Manamoick Bay...Here Squanto fell ill of Indian fever, bleeding much at the nose, which the Indians take for a symptom of death...
He begged the Governor to pray for him, that he might go to the Englishmen's God in Heaven...
His death was a great loss."
This is a great story for our children. So much is written about how badly we treated the Indians and how awful we were to them. This story is one of mutual trust and respect. I hope this Thanksgiving you will remind your children that Americans and Indians did have good history as well as bad. Since I have a heritage of Native Indian blood...I am grateful for this type of history.
God loves you,
Debbie
Governor William Bradford called him "a special instrument sent of God."
Of 102 Pilgrims that landed November 1620, only half survived till spring - then appeared Squanto.
William Bradford wrote: "Squanto was a native of these parts...one of the few survivors of the plague...
He was carried away with others by one Hunt, a captain of a ship, who intended to sell them for slaves in Spain; but he got away for England, and was received by a merchant in London, employed in Newfoundland... and lastly brought into these parts by a Captain Dermer."
Bradford continued "Squanto stayed with them and was their interpreter...
He showed them how to plant corn, where to take fish and other commodities, and guided them to unknown places....Nor was there a man among them who had ever seen a beaver skin till they were instructed by Squanto."
Bradford wrote that in LATE SEPTEMBER 1622:
"Winds drove their boat in...they could not get round the shoals of Cape Cod...so they put into Manamoick Bay...Here Squanto fell ill of Indian fever, bleeding much at the nose, which the Indians take for a symptom of death...
He begged the Governor to pray for him, that he might go to the Englishmen's God in Heaven...
His death was a great loss."
This is a great story for our children. So much is written about how badly we treated the Indians and how awful we were to them. This story is one of mutual trust and respect. I hope this Thanksgiving you will remind your children that Americans and Indians did have good history as well as bad. Since I have a heritage of Native Indian blood...I am grateful for this type of history.
God loves you,
Debbie
Darlene's Daily
Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones.
-- Phillips Brooks
'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*
An elderly fisherman wrote to a mail order house the following:
"Please send me one of those gasoline engines for my boat you
show on page 438, and, if it's any good, I'll send you a check."
In a short time he received the following reply: "Please send check; if it's any good, we'll send the engine!"
'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*
The true home has no boss, but it does have at least one wise leader.
'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*
A life-long city man, tired of the rat race, decided he was going to give up the city life, move to the country, and become a chicken farmer. He found a nice, used chicken farm, which he bought. Turns out that his next door neighbor was also a chicken farmer.
The neighbor came for a visit one day and said, "Chicken farming isn't easy. Tell you what. To help you get started, I'll give you 100 chickens."
The new chicken farmer was thrilled. Two weeks later, the new neighbor stopped by to see how things were going.
The new farmer said, "Not too good. All 100 chickens died."
The neighbor said, "Oh, I can't believe that. I've never had any trouble with my chickens. I'll give you 100 more."
Another two weeks went by, and the neighbor stops in again. The new farmer says, "You're not going to believe this, but the second 100 chickens died too."
Astounded, the neighbor asked, "What went wrong? What did you do to them?"
Well, says the new farmer, "I'm not sure whether I'm planting them too deep or not far apart enough."
'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*
Money is a purchaser of anything except happiness and a passport to any place except heaven..
'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'`
Surgeons invited to dinner parties are often asked to carve the meat, or worse yet, to watch the host carve while commenting on the surgeon's occupation. At one party, a surgeon friend was watching the carving while Harry, his host, kept up a running commentary: "How am I doing, Doc? How do you like that technique? I'd make a pretty good surgeon, don't you think?"
When the host finished and the slices of meat lay neatly on the serving platter, the surgeon finally spoke up, "Anybody can take them apart, Harry. Now let's see you put them back together again."
'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*'``*
Thanks Darlene....I'll remember that last one when I carve our turkey.
God loves you,
Debbie
Friday, November 19, 2010
Philippians - Insight is the key
In Philippians 1: 9-10 Paul reveals his prayers for his friends in Philippi.
"And this is my prayer: that you love may abound more and more in the knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God."
Nice prayer. He really loved his friends. However if you look at the highlighted words (my doing) you will see the real value of sharing this prayer.
I know a lot of people who can quote more scriptures than I can. They would win at the old game of "Sword drill" (where you hold your Bible in the air and then race to find a scripture). These people have great knowledge and can quote scripture alongside the best pastors. But....and this is a huge but.....they don't have insight. They are unable to take the scriptures and apply them to everyday circumstances. Instead they use the scriptures to make rigid rules and to judge or look down their noses at others.
The word of God (Bible) must be a "living" thing. It must invade our hearts and turn our thinking. If it doesn't - if it is just something we quote - then it's worthless. I taught a small group meeting where a man quoted scripture and lectured others with an attitude of superiority. He wasn't haughty - just smug. It was as if he was announcing...."See there, I'm Christian! I know what I'm talking about." It was sad to see him berating his wife in the parking lot. She was crying while he called her names. When he saw me he shoved her in the car and drove off.
It's always been hard for me to have respect for people who obviously love God but despise his commandments and have no intention of changing their lives. I've had friends tell me that they love God and yet two sentences later announce that if I make them angry they will cuss me out. When I hear something like that I usually look like I've just had really sour lemonade. Either we love God and we follow his leading or we don't. It can't get more simple than that.
That's not being a Christian. Enjoying the good life that Christ offers means that we not only know his word - we have "depth of insight" and "we can discern what is best". Those are powerful statements. To have insight into the mind of God and to know what is best in this life will give you the power you need to live a victorious life!
My prayer for you today is that you will not only read your Bible - but that God will give you insight and discernment.
God loves you,
Debbie
"And this is my prayer: that you love may abound more and more in the knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God."
Nice prayer. He really loved his friends. However if you look at the highlighted words (my doing) you will see the real value of sharing this prayer.
I know a lot of people who can quote more scriptures than I can. They would win at the old game of "Sword drill" (where you hold your Bible in the air and then race to find a scripture). These people have great knowledge and can quote scripture alongside the best pastors. But....and this is a huge but.....they don't have insight. They are unable to take the scriptures and apply them to everyday circumstances. Instead they use the scriptures to make rigid rules and to judge or look down their noses at others.
The word of God (Bible) must be a "living" thing. It must invade our hearts and turn our thinking. If it doesn't - if it is just something we quote - then it's worthless. I taught a small group meeting where a man quoted scripture and lectured others with an attitude of superiority. He wasn't haughty - just smug. It was as if he was announcing...."See there, I'm Christian! I know what I'm talking about." It was sad to see him berating his wife in the parking lot. She was crying while he called her names. When he saw me he shoved her in the car and drove off.
That's not being a Christian. Enjoying the good life that Christ offers means that we not only know his word - we have "depth of insight" and "we can discern what is best". Those are powerful statements. To have insight into the mind of God and to know what is best in this life will give you the power you need to live a victorious life!
My prayer for you today is that you will not only read your Bible - but that God will give you insight and discernment.
God loves you,
Debbie
Bible Study with Debbie
My life is better because I study the Bible.
I understand intricate details about life because I am a Christian who studies the Bible.
I have avoided a lot of life's problems because I believe the Bible is the true word of God.
I have joy and peace because of God's presence in my life and because I gain comfort from the Bible.
Your life will be better if you study God's word (Bible) and commit yourself to following his commands.
John 14:15
"If you love me, you will keep my commands."
How can you keep them if you don't know what they are?
Let's start with Philippians:
Philippians is my conscience
Philippians - Insight is the Key
I bear Witness - Philippians 1:12-14
God loves you,
Debbie
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Abuse destroys lives
ANY FORM OF ABUSE IS UNCHRISTIAN AND AGAINST THE LAWS OF GOD!!!
God does not permit destruction of His creations. That includes everything mental, spiritual, intellectual, social, moral, marriage, children, pastors, grandparents and even our enemies ----all are protected from that deep down evil that encourages us to abuse. There are reasons to extend proper punishment or to fight a war in order to protect freedom.....but the Christian must be very careful that our reasons for judgements do notcross the line into abuse. If they do, you could lose your soul. God does not tolerate abuse.
Some examples of God's anger against abuse include the story of Abigail - I Samuel 25:3-44. You must read this glowing example of good vs. evil in marriage. In this story, Abigail was married to wicked man - Nabal. He was cruel and mean. King David and his men were in the desert and around Nabal's servants as they watched their flocks. King David ordered his men to guard this man's property. When feasting time arrived, David sent some of his soldiers to ask Nabal to share food and wine with them. Nabal fussed and refused. When David's men told David of the selfish and mean nature of this man, David ordered his men to get their swords. They were going to destroy him and take his property.
Verse 14...."One of the servants told Nabal's wife Abigail: "David sent messengers from the desert to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing. Night and day they were a wall around us all the time we were herding our sheep near them. Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him."
Verse 18... Abigail lost no time. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys. Then she told her servants, "Go on ahead; I'll follow you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal.
David met Abigail and begged for forgiveness not only for her husband but for all involved in the problem. Because of her kindness and understanding David praised her and promised not to harm anyone.
Some pastors have used this scripture to insist that somehow a victim can help to save the life of the abuser. But....they miss the final point of this scripture. God did not allow Nabal to continue in his sin. Verse 36-38 When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until daybreak. Then in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all these things, and his heart failed him and he became like a stone. About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal and he died.
Did you get that??? Good vs. evil in marriage. God supports the good by "striking dead" the evil! That's a clear picture of how God feels about "any" abuse! Nabal was a jerk who withheld compassion and love from those around him. We can only guess how he treated Abigail. But...the Bible doesn't say that he hit her. All we know is that he was a total jerk and a very selfish man. So....God struck him dead!
The story didn't stop there. When David found out about her loss, he asked Abigail to return to him and become his wife. For the rest of her life she would live in luxury and would be protected.
If we take the time to look behind the story you'll find that God is never pleased with selfishness or a heart that chooses to hurt others. It doesn't matter if it's through the anger of the sword or the refusal to provide food - God will not tolerate a mean and cruel heart. That's not to say that any of us can be perfect. Do we all slip and occasionally say something mean or say something hurtful to a loved one. I think everyone on the planet has done that. But....what this scripture is talking about is a man (or woman) whose heart is cruel. A person who desires or loves to be mean. Someone who finds pleasure out of hurting others.
Another quick example is that of Lazarus - Luke 16: 19-31 In this story "a beggar named Lazarus was covered with sores and sat by a rich man's gate. he longed to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony."
I think we should ask the question...."Why was the rich man in agony (obviously Hell)? As you read this entire passage, think about the motive and the state of the heart behind the rich man's requests. Was he in hell because he walked by poor Lazarus day after day and did not have compassion for him? That's the only thing that's alluded to in the scriptures. There's nothing about the rich man being mean or physically abusing Lazaras. All he did do was ignore him. He just didn't care. All the scriptures say is that Lazarus "longed to eat what fell from the rich man's table." All he wanted was scraps and apparently the rich man wasn't kind enough to offer that to the beggar. This story is about the continued selfishness of the rich man. After all the pampering in his life - even from Hell he was not concerned about Lazarus. Even from Hell he was demanding and unconcerned. He wanted poor Lazarus to leave the comfort of heaven to bring him some water. And when Abraham said "no"....this selfish rich man wanted Lazarus to go back to earth to talk to his brothers.
What selfishness! What an evil heart!
That's where abuse begins. Evil in the heart will always be manifested in abuse to others. Evil and selfishness will destroy the lives around them. Abuse is not limited to bruises and broken arms. Sometimes the worst abuse of all is the destruction of dreams, the loss of self-esteem or the loss of purpose. What could Abigail accomplished had she not spent years of her life with Nabal? What could Lazaras have accomplish if the rich man had stopped and helped him? What could they have done together? What purpose did God have for both of them?
Not only is it our duty to speak out against selfish and abusive people, but it is our responsibility to make sure they do not destroy the lives they encounter.
It is the duty of every Christian to fight to rid our churches and our homes of the destruction of abuse! Our churches and participants must be the friend of the victim not the promoters of abuse!
God loves you,
Debbie
Samuel Adams - "The Father of the America Revolution"
Brought to you by American Minute
Crying "No taxation without representation," he instigated the Stamp Act riots and the Boston Tea Party.
After the "Boston Massacre," he spread Revolutionary sentiment with his Committees of Correspondence.
Known as "The Father of the American Revolution," Samuel Adams, who was born SEPTEMBER 27, 1722, called for the first Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence.
A cousin of 2nd President John Adams, Samuel Adams wrote in The Rights of Colonists, 1772:
"Among the natural rights of Colonists are: First, a right to life; Secondly, to liberty; Thirdly, to property; together with the right to defend them...
The supreme power cannot justly take from any man any part of his property without his consent."
As Massachusetts' Governor, Samuel Adams wrote to James Warren, February 12, 1779:
"A general dissolution of the principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy.
While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader."
Samuel Adams ended: "If we would enjoy this gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people."
Hum....makes me wonder why we pay taxes. Just because we gave congress the right to represent us, why does that give them the right to reach into our pockets and take our money - if we are not willing to give it. Can you imagine a government that runs on the "generous gifts" of the people? That would be a pretty small government wouldn't it???
And then there's the virtuous thing....Virtuous people are pretty rare anymore, what does that say about our country? Webster's Dictionary...."Having, or characterized by moral virtue; righteous".
God loves you,
Debbie
Crying "No taxation without representation," he instigated the Stamp Act riots and the Boston Tea Party.
After the "Boston Massacre," he spread Revolutionary sentiment with his Committees of Correspondence.
Known as "The Father of the American Revolution," Samuel Adams, who was born SEPTEMBER 27, 1722, called for the first Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence.
A cousin of 2nd President John Adams, Samuel Adams wrote in The Rights of Colonists, 1772:
"Among the natural rights of Colonists are: First, a right to life; Secondly, to liberty; Thirdly, to property; together with the right to defend them...
The supreme power cannot justly take from any man any part of his property without his consent."
As Massachusetts' Governor, Samuel Adams wrote to James Warren, February 12, 1779:
"A general dissolution of the principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy.
While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader."
Samuel Adams ended: "If we would enjoy this gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people."
Hum....makes me wonder why we pay taxes. Just because we gave congress the right to represent us, why does that give them the right to reach into our pockets and take our money - if we are not willing to give it. Can you imagine a government that runs on the "generous gifts" of the people? That would be a pretty small government wouldn't it???
And then there's the virtuous thing....Virtuous people are pretty rare anymore, what does that say about our country? Webster's Dictionary...."Having, or characterized by moral virtue; righteous".
God loves you,
Debbie
Are you infected with this dreaded disease?
There is a disease that is destroying the world. America has an epidemic problem with this disease. It infiltrates a society and often takes generations to cure itself.
Let's call this disease "Tirmass". That stands for a person who was not raised properly and has negative qualities that severely damage society. I've often said that when parents do not use proper methods to keep a child from being selfish and spoiled the consequences will show up in adult life. Tirmass is an acronym for a spoiled brat who developed into a destructive adult.
T = transference void. Most normal adults know how to transfer information they receive in one area of their lives to aid them in judging another area of life. People suffering from Tirmass can't do this. For example, if they feel it's wrong for them to lie to their wife - they don't necessarily transfer that information to thinking it's wrong to lie to the public.
I = ignorant. Since they see themselves as more important than others, they also feel they know it all and therefore don't have to investigate properly, study or listen to another viewpoint. They find it extremely difficult to let go of their own agendas in order to accept that Freedom is "good" for everyone.
R= Refuses proper evaluation of new information. People with this disease make a conscious effort to discount new information that might disprove their conclusions. They will go out of their way to insist that any new or old documented information has anything to do with their agenda. When this is coupled with a transference void, their opinions and thoughts become disastrous for society.
M = Manipulative. They see themselves as more important than others and insist they know better. These individuals were probably the bossy ones in preschool and ruled the roost in their homes. As adults they feel like they have the right to decide what is proper for others. They are much more inclined to a socialist view than one of freedom but only if they are part of the upper elite and can avoid the consequences for the decisions they make. Manipulative people are also narrow minded. They concentrate more on the insignificant than on the important. Concentrating on the unimportant allows them to continue to manipulate even when they are ignorant.
A = Arrogance. People who have Tirmass have a difficult time admitting that they are wrong about anything. In their eyes they have been deemed the caretaker of everyone else - mainly because everyone else is too stupid to care for themselves.
S= Selfish. People suffering from Tirmass are extremely selfish. Look for the motive in any decision they make. It's either to extend their power or it's ultimately for their own good. They are rarely concerned about others or their feelings. Their main goal is to maintain power and a manipulative structure.
S= Spoiled. At the very core of Tirmass individuals is a spoiled rotten nature. It's all about self and self-serving ventures. It's all about power and manipulation. Every decision is self related and is consumed with the preservation of self. They love to climb the ladder, kicking everyone else on the way. Most of them try to hide it with statements like "I'm for the masses" or "I just want to help" - but if you look closely you will see the marks of their bootprints on the faces of the innocent.
So why am I talking about this new disease? Why have I labeled it and given it a name? Because I couldn't believe an article I read today.
Liz Hull reported that the politically correct have now sunk to a new low. In her article on Gingerbread Men she reported that council bureaucrats in Lancashire have renamed Gingerbread men to Gingerbread persons cookies. What? Now we are so politically correct that we have to worry about the name of foods.
After reading the entire article, I was comforted somewhat by the fact that this may be a school in England. Unfortunately, we have a multitude of ignorant stupid decisions here in America as well. Children are being groped at our airports. An elementary age boy can't display an American flag on his bike. A seven year old girl is expelled for bringing a butter knife to school to spread peanut butter on an apple. At a time when preschoolers and elementary age children are only thinking about cartoons and riding their bikes - some idiots are insisting they should know if they are gay - and if they can't determine it - they should be informed they are gar! That's the epitome of Tirmass. How stupid! Before the age of pre-teen, most children hardly know the opposite sex is alive much less what their feelings toward them are!
I am going to pray for all of you today. I am going to ask God to protect us from this horrible disease. I encourage you to search your heart and your life and be sure you are not infected. Then put up a barrier against all forms of Tirmass! Run for your lives!?!?!?
God loves you,
Debbie
Let's call this disease "Tirmass". That stands for a person who was not raised properly and has negative qualities that severely damage society. I've often said that when parents do not use proper methods to keep a child from being selfish and spoiled the consequences will show up in adult life. Tirmass is an acronym for a spoiled brat who developed into a destructive adult.
T = transference void. Most normal adults know how to transfer information they receive in one area of their lives to aid them in judging another area of life. People suffering from Tirmass can't do this. For example, if they feel it's wrong for them to lie to their wife - they don't necessarily transfer that information to thinking it's wrong to lie to the public.
I = ignorant. Since they see themselves as more important than others, they also feel they know it all and therefore don't have to investigate properly, study or listen to another viewpoint. They find it extremely difficult to let go of their own agendas in order to accept that Freedom is "good" for everyone.
R= Refuses proper evaluation of new information. People with this disease make a conscious effort to discount new information that might disprove their conclusions. They will go out of their way to insist that any new or old documented information has anything to do with their agenda. When this is coupled with a transference void, their opinions and thoughts become disastrous for society.
M = Manipulative. They see themselves as more important than others and insist they know better. These individuals were probably the bossy ones in preschool and ruled the roost in their homes. As adults they feel like they have the right to decide what is proper for others. They are much more inclined to a socialist view than one of freedom but only if they are part of the upper elite and can avoid the consequences for the decisions they make. Manipulative people are also narrow minded. They concentrate more on the insignificant than on the important. Concentrating on the unimportant allows them to continue to manipulate even when they are ignorant.
A = Arrogance. People who have Tirmass have a difficult time admitting that they are wrong about anything. In their eyes they have been deemed the caretaker of everyone else - mainly because everyone else is too stupid to care for themselves.
S= Selfish. People suffering from Tirmass are extremely selfish. Look for the motive in any decision they make. It's either to extend their power or it's ultimately for their own good. They are rarely concerned about others or their feelings. Their main goal is to maintain power and a manipulative structure.
S= Spoiled. At the very core of Tirmass individuals is a spoiled rotten nature. It's all about self and self-serving ventures. It's all about power and manipulation. Every decision is self related and is consumed with the preservation of self. They love to climb the ladder, kicking everyone else on the way. Most of them try to hide it with statements like "I'm for the masses" or "I just want to help" - but if you look closely you will see the marks of their bootprints on the faces of the innocent.
So why am I talking about this new disease? Why have I labeled it and given it a name? Because I couldn't believe an article I read today.
Liz Hull reported that the politically correct have now sunk to a new low. In her article on Gingerbread Men she reported that council bureaucrats in Lancashire have renamed Gingerbread men to Gingerbread persons cookies. What? Now we are so politically correct that we have to worry about the name of foods.
After reading the entire article, I was comforted somewhat by the fact that this may be a school in England. Unfortunately, we have a multitude of ignorant stupid decisions here in America as well. Children are being groped at our airports. An elementary age boy can't display an American flag on his bike. A seven year old girl is expelled for bringing a butter knife to school to spread peanut butter on an apple. At a time when preschoolers and elementary age children are only thinking about cartoons and riding their bikes - some idiots are insisting they should know if they are gay - and if they can't determine it - they should be informed they are gar! That's the epitome of Tirmass. How stupid! Before the age of pre-teen, most children hardly know the opposite sex is alive much less what their feelings toward them are!
I am going to pray for all of you today. I am going to ask God to protect us from this horrible disease. I encourage you to search your heart and your life and be sure you are not infected. Then put up a barrier against all forms of Tirmass! Run for your lives!?!?!?
God loves you,
Debbie
Monday, November 15, 2010
Abuse - Satan's favorite tool
After writing the article "Does Faith Hide Abuse" my inbox was flooded with both men and women who deal with abuse on a daily basis. I spent almost a week answering questions and praying with and for my new friends. I admire men and women who are so committed to their marriages and their faith that they are willing to stay in a difficult situation in order to give God a chance to work. No matter what situation you are dealing with....I believe there is hope! I am positive that once the facts are exposed, you can find hope and help for any problem you may have.
While I do not think divorce is or should be the solution to every situation, I do think there are specific situations where there is no other choice. I also am very concerned about the consequences of staying in a bad marriage as well as the consequences of leaving one. I do not believe in using divorce as a tool to have your selfish desires fulfilled. Maturity and determination should guide anyone as they work on marital problems.
I should also make it clear that I do not believe in any form of abuse. No one should ever have to live in fear. Abuse is unchristian and unlawful.
How you handle the different forms of abuse is clearly a personal decision. You and you alone have all the information necessary to make that decision. I do believe that Biblical misinterpretation has added great pain to the victims suffering abuse. Often pastors and church friends are a victims worst enemy. It shouldn't be that way. That's why over the next few months we will explore abuse and why it's Satan's favorite tool.
This series of posts will deal with abuse in all it's forms. Child abuse, marital abuse, physical and mental abuse, workers abuse, church abuse....all forms of abuse. I hope you will check back often as we discuss this difficult issue.
Abuse destroys lives
God loves you,
Debbie
John Paul Jones
Brought to you by American Minute
"I have not yet begun to fight!" shouted John Paul Jones when the captain of the British ship Serapis asked him to surrender.
Their ships were so close their cannons scraped and masts entangled, yet his American ship Bonhomme Richard, named for Ben Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac, refused to give up.
When two cannons exploded and his ship began sinking, John Paul Jones lashed his ship to the enemy's to keep it afloat. After 3 more hours of fighting, the British surrendered.
This was SEPTEMBER 23, 1779.
Called the "Father of the American Navy," John Paul Jones commanded the Continental Navy's first ship, Providence, in 1775. With 12 guns, it was the most victorious American vessel in the Revolution, capturing or sinking 40 British ships. In 1778, sailing the Ranger, Jones raided the coasts of Scotland and England.
After the Revolution, in 1788, Jefferson arranged for John Paul Jones to join Russia's Catherine the Great in repulsing the Muslim Ottoman Turks from the Black Sea, sailing the Vladimir.
On February 13, 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt wrote:
"The remains of Admiral John Paul Jones were interred in a certain piece of ground in the city of Paris...used...as a burial place for foreign Protestants...The great service done by him toward the achievement of independence...lead me to...do proper honor to the memory of John Paul Jones."
His remains were placed in the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis.
The dedication of the heroes of this country always leaves me in awe. I hope if you are raising boys that you teach them to be heroes as well.
God loves you,
Debbie
Their ships were so close their cannons scraped and masts entangled, yet his American ship Bonhomme Richard, named for Ben Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac, refused to give up.
When two cannons exploded and his ship began sinking, John Paul Jones lashed his ship to the enemy's to keep it afloat. After 3 more hours of fighting, the British surrendered.
This was SEPTEMBER 23, 1779.
Called the "Father of the American Navy," John Paul Jones commanded the Continental Navy's first ship, Providence, in 1775. With 12 guns, it was the most victorious American vessel in the Revolution, capturing or sinking 40 British ships. In 1778, sailing the Ranger, Jones raided the coasts of Scotland and England.
After the Revolution, in 1788, Jefferson arranged for John Paul Jones to join Russia's Catherine the Great in repulsing the Muslim Ottoman Turks from the Black Sea, sailing the Vladimir.
On February 13, 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt wrote:
"The remains of Admiral John Paul Jones were interred in a certain piece of ground in the city of Paris...used...as a burial place for foreign Protestants...The great service done by him toward the achievement of independence...lead me to...do proper honor to the memory of John Paul Jones."
His remains were placed in the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis.
The dedication of the heroes of this country always leaves me in awe. I hope if you are raising boys that you teach them to be heroes as well.
God loves you,
Debbie
Phillippians - My conscience
I was praying this morning for strength to follow a specific instruction of Paul and thought you might like to join me in a study of Philippians and Ephesians.
Philippians begins with a personal "Howdy" of sorts to the Church of Philippi. Verse 6 continually gives me comfort. I'm one of those flawed humans that loves God with all my heart, but I often wonder if I'm doing everything God wants me to do. When Paul says, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" - I instantly have hope!
I am so grateful to know that God doesn't give up on us. He may reprimand us. He may even allow the consequences of bad decisions. He may look at us sternly - like any good parent would their own child. But...also like a parent, he never gives up!
As long as we are willing to continue the process (it's all about free will) God will continue to work with us and continue to lead us into His will for our lives.
Take a deep breath! Let all the tension out and remember that God is ready and willing to continue to work with you today.
God loves you,
Debbie
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Darlene Daily
'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*
The trouble is that I'm in a hurry, but God isn't.
'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'
Weary of constantly picking clothes up from the floor of her son's room, a mother finally laid down the law: Each item of clothing she had to pick up would cost her son 25 cents. By the end of the week, he owed her $1.50. She received the money promptly, along with a 50 cent tip and a note that read, "Thanks, Mom -- Keep up the good work!
'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*
It is confusing to everyone if the rules of the house are multiple choice. -- Phillips Brooks
'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*
While standing watch in the Coast Guard station in Juneau, Alaska, I got a call from the Navy in the nearby city of Adak. They'd lost contact with one of their planes and needed the Coast Guard to send an aircraft to find it. I asked the man where the Navy aircraft had last been spotted so we would know where to search.
"I can't tell you," the Navy man said. "That's classified."
'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^
The Mind is not a vessel to be stuffed; it is a vessel made to transmute something.
'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^
Little Tommy had been to a birthday party at a friends house. Knowing his sweet tooth Tommy's mother looked straight into his eyes and said, "I hope you didn't ask for a second piece of cake."
"No," replied Tommy, "but I asked Mrs. Smith for the recipe so you could make some like it, and she gave me two more pieces without me asking."
`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^
Ha ha ha....Thanks Darlene.
God loves you,
Debbie
The trouble is that I'm in a hurry, but God isn't.
'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'
Weary of constantly picking clothes up from the floor of her son's room, a mother finally laid down the law: Each item of clothing she had to pick up would cost her son 25 cents. By the end of the week, he owed her $1.50. She received the money promptly, along with a 50 cent tip and a note that read, "Thanks, Mom -- Keep up the good work!
'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*'`*^*
It is confusing to everyone if the rules of the house are multiple choice. -- Phillips Brooks
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While standing watch in the Coast Guard station in Juneau, Alaska, I got a call from the Navy in the nearby city of Adak. They'd lost contact with one of their planes and needed the Coast Guard to send an aircraft to find it. I asked the man where the Navy aircraft had last been spotted so we would know where to search.
"I can't tell you," the Navy man said. "That's classified."
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The Mind is not a vessel to be stuffed; it is a vessel made to transmute something.
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Little Tommy had been to a birthday party at a friends house. Knowing his sweet tooth Tommy's mother looked straight into his eyes and said, "I hope you didn't ask for a second piece of cake."
"No," replied Tommy, "but I asked Mrs. Smith for the recipe so you could make some like it, and she gave me two more pieces without me asking."
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Ha ha ha....Thanks Darlene.
God loves you,
Debbie
George Washington - Farewell Address
Brought to you by American Minute
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolken tells of man's lust for "the ring of power." George Washington had that power and twice gave it up.
When King George III asked American-born painter Benjamin West what Washington planned to do now that he had won the war, West replied "They say he will return to his farm."
King George said "If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world."
Washington later served as President and again returned to his farm, similar to Roman leader Cincinnatus, who twice led Rome's Republic to victory in battle then returned to farming.
On SEPTEMBER 19, 1796, the world stood in awe as President George Washington delivered his Farewell Address, stating: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism who should labor to subvert these great Pillars...Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion."
George Washington continued:
"Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle...Morality is a necessary spring of popular government...Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation?"
George Washington continued warning in his Farewell Address:
"And of fatal tendency...to put, in the place of the delegated will of the Nation, the will of a party; - often a small but artful and enterprising minority...
They are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the Power of the People and to usurp for the themselves the reins of Government; destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion...
But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism.
The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an Individual... turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty... The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism...
Let there be no change by usurpation... It is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed."
I hope you will take the time to check your child's history books and see how they present George Washington. I've read that many of them insist that he was not a religious man. I believe this posts totally refutes that position.
God loves you,
Debbie
When King George III asked American-born painter Benjamin West what Washington planned to do now that he had won the war, West replied "They say he will return to his farm."
King George said "If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world."
Washington later served as President and again returned to his farm, similar to Roman leader Cincinnatus, who twice led Rome's Republic to victory in battle then returned to farming.
On SEPTEMBER 19, 1796, the world stood in awe as President George Washington delivered his Farewell Address, stating: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism who should labor to subvert these great Pillars...Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion."
George Washington continued:
"Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle...Morality is a necessary spring of popular government...Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation?"
George Washington continued warning in his Farewell Address:
"And of fatal tendency...to put, in the place of the delegated will of the Nation, the will of a party; - often a small but artful and enterprising minority...
They are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the Power of the People and to usurp for the themselves the reins of Government; destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion...
But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism.
The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an Individual... turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty... The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism...
Let there be no change by usurpation... It is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed."
I hope you will take the time to check your child's history books and see how they present George Washington. I've read that many of them insist that he was not a religious man. I believe this posts totally refutes that position.
God loves you,
Debbie
Amazon.com - Accountability
Dear Debbie:
RE: Open Letter to Jeff Bezos
The removal of the latest pedophilia book by Amazon is something to be grateful for - especially if it means that through continued pressure, we can clean the subject of pedophilia from Amazon. I have called and written Amazon this morning and hope you will do the same.
Call Amazon: 800-201-7575
Email Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO: Jeff@amazon.com
I am also taking down all my links until this problem is resolved (though I may need the help of my BlogGuru for one). I ask other bloggers to consider the same. Individually we have little impact; together we may capture Mr. Bezos' attention.
Mr Bezos:
Not only have I been shopping at Amazon for 12 years - buying everything from chainsaws to Cheerios - but for the past five years I have been an affiliate, and a grateful one.
As a professional writer who loves to blog, I found I could replace my some lost income by promoting not just Amazon products, but the whole concept of Amazon shopping. With 11,000 visits/day and a readership including many homeschool families, I have successfully sold the idea of saving time, money and stress through Amazon.
As a Montessori teacher whose message to parents is about growing confident, healthy and joyful children, I can't tell you how mortified I am to be so closely affiliated with Amazon today. This morning I will be removing all banners and links to Amazon - which will leave me with virtually no income until Amazon changes course and I can publish them once again.
While I want to thank you for withdrawing the book The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure yesterday, you need to know that this is only the first step Amazon needs to take to restore public confidence and regain the goodwill of American families.
As far as Amazon's initial statement that you do not believe in censorship: Censorship is the government deciding what we may or may not read. In the marketplace, individual businesses have the right - and responsibility - to conduct business in a way that reflects their values. When my husband and I owned a tree company, we turned down jobs which would involve trimming trees in ways that would be harmful or aesthetically unpleasing. Likewise, Amazon certainly has the right - and responsibility - to refuse to sell books which would condone child sexual abuse.
As an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I can tell you there is never anything healthy about it. There is a spark that dies in a child when preyed upon by an adult. I was abused in a foster home, as were my brothers. One of those brothers is now a convicted sex offender himself (incest), but like your pedophile author would say that what he did was natural.
Mr. Bezos, your next step - and I hope it will be sooner rather than later - should be to remove all books on pedophilia from Amazon. This should be accompanied by a statement explaining why you have rethought your position, apologizing for the damage you may have indirectly caused, and asserting your commitment to families shopping Amazon.
This email is a reiteration of what I told your customer service rep in South Africa this morning. I will also publish it at my blog, and urge fellow bloggers to also remove their Amazon links. As one blogger/affiliate I can't expect to make a big difference, but if there is a movement of family-friendly blogs willing to personally sacrifice to get Amazon's attention, perhaps you will be moved to rethink this situation - if only for the sake of your own bottom line.
Christmas is coming. I know my readers spend 7-8 times as much through my links during November and December. As I said, I hope you will make this decision sooner rather than later.
Sincerely,
Barbara Curtis
http://www.mommylife.net/
http://www.mommyteachme.net/
http://www.barbaracurtis.com/
I encourage all of you to make your voices heard as well!
God loves you,
Debbie
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Buzz Aldrin - Godly prayers on the moon
I have been posting information from American Minute to give you a resource to help you teach your children that this is a Christian Nation and that the reason we are strong is because this country was built on the knowledge of God. The foundations for everything that America does is based in Christianity. Just in case your children are tired of talking about older heroes, Buzz Aldrin might be one they can easily connect with.
Thanks to Pat Sanders for sending this information to me.
Communion on the Moon July 20th, 1969
(This is an article by Eric Metaxas)
Forty years ago two human beings changed history by walking on the surface of the moon. But what happened before Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong exited the Lunar Module is perhaps even more amazing, if only because so few people know about it. I'm talking about the fact that Buzz Aldrin took communion on the surface of the moon. Some months after his return, he wrote about it in Guideposts magazine.
A few years ago I had the privilege of meeting him myself. I asked him about it and he confirmed the story to me, and I wrote about in my book - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God (But Were Afraid to Ask).
The background to the story is that Aldrin was an elder at his Presbyterian Church in Texas during this period in his life, and knowing that he would soon be doing something unprecedented in human history, he felt he should mark the occasion somehow, and he asked his minister to help him. The minister consecrated a communion wafer and a small vial of communion wine. Buzz Aldrin took them with him out of the Earth's orbit and on to the surface of the moon.
He and Armstrong had only been on the lunar surface for a few minutes when Aldrin made the following public statement:
"This is the LM pilot. I'd like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way." He then ended radio communication and there, on the silent surface of the moon, 250,000 miles from home, he read a verse from the Gospel of John, and took communion. Here is his own account of what happened:
"In the radio blackout, I opened the little plastic packages which contained the bread and the wine. I poured the wine into the chalice our church had given me. In the one-sixth gravity of the moon, the wine slowly curled and gracefully came up the side of the cup.
Then I read the Scripture, 'I am the vine, you are the branches. Whosoever abides in me will bring forth much fruit.... Apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5).
I had intended to read my communion passage back to earth, but at the last minute [they] had requested that I not do this. NASA was already embroiled in a legal battle with Madelyn Murray O'Hare, the celebrated opponent of religion, over the Apollo 8 crew reading from Genesis while orbiting the moon at Christmas. I agreed reluctantly.
I ate the tiny Host and swallowed the wine. I gave thanks for the intelligence and spirit that had brought two young pilots to the Sea of Tranquility . It was interesting for me to think: the very first liquid ever poured on the moon, and the very first food eaten there, were the communion elements.
And of course, it's interesting to think that some of the first words spoken on the moon were the words of Jesus Christ, who made the Earth and the moon - and Who, in the immortal words of Dante, is Himself the "Love that moves the Sun and other stars."
That's so moving. It's never ceases to amaze me that most of the wonderful moments in American history were marked by a full recognition of God and his great love for us. Like many scientists, I believe that there is no real discovery without the knowledge of the presence of God. When God is left out, their research leaves a hole that can't be bridged. That leads to flawed thinking and usually ends badly.
God loves you,
Debbie
Thanks to Pat Sanders for sending this information to me.
(This is an article by Eric Metaxas)
Forty years ago two human beings changed history by walking on the surface of the moon. But what happened before Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong exited the Lunar Module is perhaps even more amazing, if only because so few people know about it. I'm talking about the fact that Buzz Aldrin took communion on the surface of the moon. Some months after his return, he wrote about it in Guideposts magazine.
A few years ago I had the privilege of meeting him myself. I asked him about it and he confirmed the story to me, and I wrote about in my book - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God (But Were Afraid to Ask).
The background to the story is that Aldrin was an elder at his Presbyterian Church in Texas during this period in his life, and knowing that he would soon be doing something unprecedented in human history, he felt he should mark the occasion somehow, and he asked his minister to help him. The minister consecrated a communion wafer and a small vial of communion wine. Buzz Aldrin took them with him out of the Earth's orbit and on to the surface of the moon.
He and Armstrong had only been on the lunar surface for a few minutes when Aldrin made the following public statement:
"This is the LM pilot. I'd like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way." He then ended radio communication and there, on the silent surface of the moon, 250,000 miles from home, he read a verse from the Gospel of John, and took communion. Here is his own account of what happened:
"In the radio blackout, I opened the little plastic packages which contained the bread and the wine. I poured the wine into the chalice our church had given me. In the one-sixth gravity of the moon, the wine slowly curled and gracefully came up the side of the cup.
Then I read the Scripture, 'I am the vine, you are the branches. Whosoever abides in me will bring forth much fruit.... Apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5).
I had intended to read my communion passage back to earth, but at the last minute [they] had requested that I not do this. NASA was already embroiled in a legal battle with Madelyn Murray O'Hare, the celebrated opponent of religion, over the Apollo 8 crew reading from Genesis while orbiting the moon at Christmas. I agreed reluctantly.
I ate the tiny Host and swallowed the wine. I gave thanks for the intelligence and spirit that had brought two young pilots to the Sea of Tranquility . It was interesting for me to think: the very first liquid ever poured on the moon, and the very first food eaten there, were the communion elements.
And of course, it's interesting to think that some of the first words spoken on the moon were the words of Jesus Christ, who made the Earth and the moon - and Who, in the immortal words of Dante, is Himself the "Love that moves the Sun and other stars."
That's so moving. It's never ceases to amaze me that most of the wonderful moments in American history were marked by a full recognition of God and his great love for us. Like many scientists, I believe that there is no real discovery without the knowledge of the presence of God. When God is left out, their research leaves a hole that can't be bridged. That leads to flawed thinking and usually ends badly.
God loves you,
Debbie
God is here!
Life is extremely difficult for many of us. Watching the news will affirm the fact that we are all suffering right now. Jobs are scarce, crime is on the rise and health is always a personal problem. As we look into the future we all are a bit anxious. Even sharing our voices in the election process has not soothed the fears we have. We know that our world is suffering and that there is pain all around us.
Are you frightened? At times I am. I wonder what the future will hold and how I will face it. Will I have the tools I need to face it? Will I be required to live through some difficult times or are we in the end times? Questions upon questions flow through our minds and like little children we find tears rolling down our cheeks and fear flooding our souls.
Darlene sent me a wonderful e-mail today. I read it and felt refreshing tears flow down my cheek. Since I have a heritage of Black Foot Indian in me, I was especially touched. I hope you too will find comfort in the fact that this Cherokee ritual may be a reflection of God.
Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youths' rite of Passage?
His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him an leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.
He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.
The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him . Maybe even some human might do him harm.
The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!
Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.
It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him.
He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.
We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.
Moral of the story: Just because you can't see God, Doesn't mean He is not there.
Are you frightened? At times I am. I wonder what the future will hold and how I will face it. Will I have the tools I need to face it? Will I be required to live through some difficult times or are we in the end times? Questions upon questions flow through our minds and like little children we find tears rolling down our cheeks and fear flooding our souls.
Darlene sent me a wonderful e-mail today. I read it and felt refreshing tears flow down my cheek. Since I have a heritage of Black Foot Indian in me, I was especially touched. I hope you too will find comfort in the fact that this Cherokee ritual may be a reflection of God.
Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youths' rite of Passage?
He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.
The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him . Maybe even some human might do him harm.
The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!
It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him.
He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.
We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.
Moral of the story: Just because you can't see God, Doesn't mean He is not there.
"For we walk by faith, not by sight."
God loves you,
Debbie
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
This is going to be a must see Movie!
I hope you will click over and watch this trailer. I'm including it here, but you may need to use the link below the video.
I was in the process of watching this when I received a phone call. I paused the video and talked for about ten minutes. At the top of the page was a debt clock. I was amazed to see that the debt clock clicked over 10 million dollars just in the time I was on the phone.
Folks....we have to get this in check. This debt thing is going to kill our nation!
I Want Your Money - Movie Trailer
God loves you....God have mercy on this country!
Debbie
I was in the process of watching this when I received a phone call. I paused the video and talked for about ten minutes. At the top of the page was a debt clock. I was amazed to see that the debt clock clicked over 10 million dollars just in the time I was on the phone.
Folks....we have to get this in check. This debt thing is going to kill our nation!
I Want Your Money - Movie Trailer
God loves you....God have mercy on this country!
Debbie
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Darlene Daily
Darlene's Daily
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The knowledge of Christ's love for us should cause us to love Him in such a way that it is demonstrated in our attitude,conduct, and commitment to serve God. Spiritual maturity is marked by spiritual knowledge being put into action.
-- Edward Bedore
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An auto mechanic received a repair order that said to check for a clunking noise when going around corners.
He took the car out for a test drive and made two right turns, each time hearing a loud clunk.
Back at the shop, he returned the car to the service manager with this note: "Removed bowling ball from trunk."
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For it isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it.And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it....Eleanor Roosevelt
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The complaint letter from Judi:
We blonds at the ofise are tired of all the the dum stoopid jokes about us. We think this is hairassment.
It causes us grate stress and makes our roots turn dark. We have hired a loyer and he is talking to the loyers at Clairol. We will take this all the way to the supream cort if we have two. Juj Thomas knos all about hairassment and he will be on are side. We have also talked to the govner to make a new law to stop this
pursicushun. We want a law that makes peepol tell brewnet jokes as much as blond jokes and every so often a red head joke.
If we don”t get our way we will not date anybody that ain't blond and we will make up jokes about you and we will laff. Sined by the blonds at the ofise
(sine with a penseel so you can erace it if you make a mistake)
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Do you know the difference between education and experience?
Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don't.
~Pete Seeger
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The Teacher was trying to get the class to understand how the Indians must have felt when they first encountered the Spanish explorers.
"How would you feel," she asked, "If someone showed up on your doorstep looking very different, spoke a strange language and wore unusual clothes?
Would'nt you be a bit scared?"
"Nah" one boy answered, "I'd just figure it was my sisters date."
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Thanks Darlene,
God loves you,
Debbie
Friday, November 5, 2010
Maddy Curtis - Beautiful young girl!
Maddy Curtis was on last year's American Idol. She is a beautiful Christian girl and wonderful young lady. She is the daughter of my good friend Barbara Curtis. I met her at the Unite In Action Rally. What a joy to talk to such a dynamic and intelligent young woman. God must have fantastic plans for Maddy Curtis. Here's a fun song from youtube.
God loves you,
Debbie
God loves you,
Debbie
John Langdon
Brought to you by American Minute
A member of the Continental Congress, he led military expeditions during the Revolutionary War, paying for them at his own expense.
He built ships to raid the British, signed the Constitution and was the first President pro tem of the Senate.
His name was John Langdon, and he died SEPTEMBER 18, 1819.
As Governor of New Hampshire, John Langdon was visited by President James Monroe in 1817, as the newspaper reported:
"While at Portsmouth, the President spent that part of the Sabbath which was not devoted to public divine service, with that eminent patriot and Christian, John Langdon.
His tarry...was probably longer than the time devoted to any individual in New England."
A founder and first President of the New Hampshire Bible Society, whose goal was to put a Bible in every New Hampshire home, Governor John Langdon wrote in a Proclamation, October 21, 1785:
"It therefore becomes our indispensable Duty, not only to acknowledge, in general with the rest of Mankind, our dependence on the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, but as a People peculiarly favoured, to testify our Gratitude to the Author of all our Mercies, in the most solemn and public manner."
I wish I could do a study on the correlation between recognizing our dependence on God and how that influences the productive life. It seems to me that people are more dedicated to helping mankind, more knowledable about the "real" needs of the people, more committed to doing good and more productive with the things they choose to do - when they have a relationship with God and a knowledge of him as the ruler of the Universe.
God loves you,
Debbie
He built ships to raid the British, signed the Constitution and was the first President pro tem of the Senate.
His name was John Langdon, and he died SEPTEMBER 18, 1819.
As Governor of New Hampshire, John Langdon was visited by President James Monroe in 1817, as the newspaper reported:
"While at Portsmouth, the President spent that part of the Sabbath which was not devoted to public divine service, with that eminent patriot and Christian, John Langdon.
His tarry...was probably longer than the time devoted to any individual in New England."
A founder and first President of the New Hampshire Bible Society, whose goal was to put a Bible in every New Hampshire home, Governor John Langdon wrote in a Proclamation, October 21, 1785:
"It therefore becomes our indispensable Duty, not only to acknowledge, in general with the rest of Mankind, our dependence on the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, but as a People peculiarly favoured, to testify our Gratitude to the Author of all our Mercies, in the most solemn and public manner."
I wish I could do a study on the correlation between recognizing our dependence on God and how that influences the productive life. It seems to me that people are more dedicated to helping mankind, more knowledable about the "real" needs of the people, more committed to doing good and more productive with the things they choose to do - when they have a relationship with God and a knowledge of him as the ruler of the Universe.
God loves you,
Debbie
Thursday, November 4, 2010
A lump in my throat that won't go away....
Though crowds were smaller than expected, the executive team did a marvelous job, providing attention to detail - excellent classrooms - quality teaching and a renewed patriotic spirit. It was one of the best conferences I've attended.
I taught a class called, "The Patriotic Mom". What a joy to speak to such an engaged crowd. They clapped, laughed, cheered and cried. We all dedicated ourselves to raising patriotic children and to doing all we could to protect the freedoms we have enjoyed in this country. I believe it was the combined dedication of thousands of moms across this country that helped us with a sweeping win this last Tuesday.
Efforts like those of Barbara Curtis. She has a wonderful website Mommy Life and continually keeps her readers informed about family issues as well as political issues. It was an inspiring time when I asked her to join me at the podium. She is extremely smart and has written a must have book, "Reaching the left - from the right". If you have liberal friends that you want to reach out to, this book is a must. (see end of post)
I attended a class given by Allen Keyes and the Ladies banquet where so many wonderful speakers had all of us cheering and grateful to be in America. I loved meeting all the speakers like Kevin Jackson, Lori Parker, Sharon Slater, and felt the rush of tears sting my eyes as I talked with movie star Morgan Brittney. Yes....it's inspiring to know that so many wonderful people love this country and will fight to retain our freedoms.
Ron and I also took a short 3 hour tour of Washington. Our guide took us to most of the popular memorials. My favorite was the WWII memorial. As I walked around and read the inscriptions I could feel the history they represented. When Ron asked me to pose for a picture at a wall that displayed one of President Truman's quotes, the emotion of all the sacrifices that had been made for my freedom seemed to rest on my shoulders. I couldn't get my emotions in check and finally cried on Ron's shoulders.
I thought about the fear so many people felt during those difficult times. How people at home worried about the shores of this country being overrun with dictators. I thought about the precious men who lost their youth, were crippled or died to ensure that we would remain free. I contemplated the fact that their devotion and sacrifice was the only reason that on September 10, 2010 - Debbie Jansen was able to exercise her freedom and attend a conference where she would be allowed to stand up and voice her opinions. That she would be able to worship in freedom. That she would be able to continue the beautiful life she had been given. That sacrifice and devotion to others can't be forgotten. I hope that today you will take a moment to celebrate the freedoms we have and dedicate your life to ensure that your children will always be free!
God bless all my friends that continue to fight the good fight! Thank you, Marta, Debi, Ruth and Barbara.God Bless America!
God loves you,
Debbie