His Love here

Parents have so much that they give. Love, wisdom, protection, time, guidance, opportunities, care, teaching, provision... they will talk about what ever is on your mind, at just about any time of the day or night, caring about what you say. They discuss things, willing to address your concerns and answer your questions... They'll laugh with you, cry with you, teach you things you never could have dreamt of, and say they're still learning too, deserve honor, and yet still show you respect, love you when you're unlovable, hold you and then, let you go.

Could God have given us a greater blessing than to promise us that He would never leave us, and give us parents so we wouldn't forget?

God's sovereignty: over more than caucuses

We attended our caucus tonight, and as we sat waiting to begin, I was wishing you could tell who was truly conservative just by looking at people. I admit, I was feeling pretty timid when my dad and I arrived. I saw one family that I was pretty sure would be voting, if not for the same candidate, for the same principles. Two more families I knew came, but among the 82 people present, I wasn't sure how much of a voice righteousness had.

The caucus was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer. A prayer that surprised me. Not some brag session of America, nor a little ceremony. But a prayer, to a God who gave us our freedom, who has "divine guidance" over every thing that happens here, who's blessing is something to be sought after. And, it was prayed "in Jesus's Name". It's been a long time since I've heard a humble, God-fearing prayer offered in a "secular" event.

God's blessing was on the evening, over everything that happened. From people choosing a conservative presidential candidate, to the passage of Godly resolutions, to not sending the 2 pro-choice women as delegates.

And His Divine care extended to both before we set out, and our ride home... As I was preparing our dinners to go, Dad asked me to switch Tupperware from the tall yogurt containers to something wider. I picked out some sturdy squares and thought nothing more about it... As I was driving home I slid in the drifting snow, and ran into the 3-4 ft. snow-wall on the side, and stuck fast. Rocking the car, backing, gunning; nothing helped. I offered to start digging, and Dad asked me what I was going to use... Yup! My Rubbermaid containers. It worked beautifully! We were out and on our way home in 10 minutes. And just to prove how tender is His care-- I was wearing my wool socks with my tennis shoes because I didn't remember to switch them out for a thinner pair. I don't remember ever wearing woollies with my sneakers before. "His mercies are from everlasting to everlasting"

So while I can't say what God has planned for America in this upcoming election, I know I can rest in complete faith, confident that He is in complete control of every factor of this race.

My God doeth all things well

Venomous words, how deeply do they bite...

And the poison is not withdrawn when the sound of them fades away.

Why do we turn our toungs on those we profess to love, saying things we would not dare say to a stranger? Why is it that spouses, parents, and siblings have to bear negligence, disdain, accusations, harsh rebukes and other such things that we would never abuse a friend with?

Are we taking advantage of their good will? "They will love me no matter what, so no matter what I say, they'll get over it"?? Why d0 we despise their love? We trample over what is the strongest of human feelings ever given to us by our Creator, as if it were a child's plaything, to be picked up and enjoyed or cast aside at a whim.

A beautiful passage from the Bible from paints a true and awful picture of what love is like, how strong it is, and tells it's worth.

Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm:
for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave:
the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it:
if a man would give all the substance of his house for love
it would utterly be contemned.

Read Away!

As far as material things go, there's not much better than good books. They can carry so much more than a good story. They can plant seeds in the hearts of those who pursue them, lift up a broken spirit, inspire and strengthen weakened courage, mold a soul for eternity. They can hold a treasury of truth.
For some time now I've been looking for good books and building my list (and library). And I'm hoping to attack that list with vim and vigor... and hopefully more method than before. As in not reading the middle first, the beginning to the end second, and the preface last. Since I've already confirmed that these are indeed good reads, I don't have that excuse anymore.
So. Starting tomorrow, November first, I am going to read as many of these books as I can in a year. This is not my complete "to read" list, I haven't made one of those, but this is of the books that are unpacked.

Here goes!


Confessions of St Augustine
The Rare jewel of Christian Contentment
The Art of Divine Contentment
Politics of Guilt and Pity
Politically Correct Death
Thoughts for Young Men

The Search for the Twelve Apostles
Kon Tiki
Bravest of the Brave
Endurance
The Slave's Champion
Sacred Fire
A Scottish Christian Heritage
Back to the Jerusalem of the East
North of the DMZ
Through Gates of Splendor

Holy War
The Singer
The Song
The Finale
A Symphony in Sand
A Requiem for Love
An Overture of Light
Men of Iron

Shallow Heart

I like to think of my self as unselfish. That I am generous, and that I will put others needs first before my own. But when I look at my life as though it were someone else's, I can't make myself see it that way. It's just too much of a stretch. I have taken the smallest measure of selflessness and became over-satisfied. I might serve other people their food first, or give them the more desirable portions, but I don't really care what or when I eat. So that might be called nice, but it couldn't be considered anything more. I didn't put them before me. I gave what I did not miss.
But in the rest of my live I become cross when what I want or consider mine is delayed when I can't go on the run I had planed, or when helping someone makes me not finish the work I thought important.

But the fountain of Joy I desire is elusive. It cannot be gained by pursuing it. MY desire for ME to have joy must be set aside, and I must Give joy.

"For it is more blessed to Give than to receive."