Probing For Truth

Randy, at the Upward Way Press, wrote that it is 'Dangerous' to probe for the truth, because 'it would most likely take you from your comfort zone.' And, as crazy as the thought may seem, many people had rather let things be than to find out the truth. Truth truly might make them have to change, or cause them to have to change their opinion about something or someone.

I am a stickler for the truth. I was taught all my life, and we taught our children, that honesty is the best policy. Without honesty, you don't have the truth. And, without truth, we lose all our integrity.

Fresh Bread

There is nothing like fresh bread - homemade yeast rolls! My Daddy's mother was the best at making fresh yeast bread! She would make it every week and give all her children, that lived near, a pan of white rolls or loaf of bread and usually a loaf of raisin bread. I can almost smell it now, and she's been gone 38 years.

I receive FreshBread most every day, but it's from the bread of life - the Word. Dr. Jim DeBruhl writes a great devotion, usually short and to the point, and well grounded in the Word. Yesterday, the devotional was 'The Last Becomes The First', all about Paul being the last apostle to see the risen Christ. Although he was the last to come in of the apostles, he didn't spend the rest of his life belly aching, like some do, but entered into the new life with 'tremendous zeal.'

The Vanishing American Family

The American Heritage Dictionary defines a family as 'a fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and children.'

When I was growing up, you rarely saw a child without a mother and father. Divorce was frowned upon; you must really have problems, if you are divorcing. Today, divorce is very easily obtained, and children are not given the chance to consider who they would prefer to live with. The courts decide for them what is best.

Stephen M. Crampton wrote about the vanishing American family. He said the American family is being re-defined and railroaded almost out of existence. He also said that activist courts are seeking to define the nature of a family. Mr. Crampton used as an example a child born to a lesbian, who was killed in a wreck when her lesbian lover fell asleep at the wheel after an all-night party at a gay bar. The grandparents were taking care of the child, but, eventually, the West Virginia Courts gave this child to the lover, not the blood-kin grandparents. Mr.Crampton said this decision was 'an exercise in social engineering, not law.'

Scripture says that God made man, then he took Adam's rib and formed woman. Then in Genesis 1:28, it says "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it..." The only way it can be replenished with people is through a man and a woman. And, with society becoming more and more susceptible to changes in our family makeup, we are going to see a decline in the American family as we have known it before.

A Stand For The Truth

WorldNet Daily ran an article on August 24th that said 'Allstate terminates manager over homosexuality column'. The article was written from his own computer, on his own time, and only reflected his views and was not aimed at Allstate.

The insurance company spokesperson says, "Allstate is very fair and has a very good reputation for being inclusive." But, it looks like, when it comes to a Christian speaking their mind on their beliefs and standing up for the truth in the Word, they aren't very tolerant; they are being more politically correct. It only took a complaint from one person, or organization to get him fired.

It might also have been retaliation for being a whistle-blower on a boss, who was a married man, on a trip, that engaged in various public displays of affection with a young nurse on the trip. The manager said it made him uncomfortable, since they are the ones who investigate sexual harrassment cases.

Either way, it is a proven fact that there is no tolerance for Christians in most work places. We, as Christians, are told we must be tolerant of others and their beliefs. But, the manager's own words says it best: "I believe it's crucial to take a stand for truth, even if that stand results in suffering in the short term."

Church Jumping

I just came upon a site called He Lives. David had posted a piece on "What's In It For Me?". He was discussing how people switch churches for all the wrong reasons: they aren't getting something out of their current church, i.e., being fed. But, often it's found those same complainers don't go to Sunday School where they study the Word.

Often these people will go to another church which lavishes them with attention they haven't been getting in their present church, so they feel it's a better church. And, with my experience with these people, they will soon find that church is just like the one they left behind, and the people act the same.

I don't believe in church jumping. If the pastor preaches the unadulterated Word of God - stay. But, go there to be a blessing, and in doing so, you'll get a blessing in return!

A Man's Home Is His Castle

Up until last week, that seemed to be the thought in everyone's mind. But, perhaps it is no longer true. According to Jeff Jacoby, a man's castle was taken away from him and Jeff called it "Eminent Injustice in New London". The man was an immigrant from Italy, and had worked for the city for 27 years, but he was never contacted about moving; the city intended forcing them off their property! The homeowner's lawsuit was going to trial in 2001. It was so hard on his wife, she had to be put in the hospital, and died in 2003.

Does 5 Supreme Court Justices saying it's constitutional make it so? I think it's an injustice to citizens who have tried to make a living in this country, living out their dream of owning a home, and then being forced out by developers who love money more than the citizens' well being.

Today, it might be a homeowner losing to a firm for a hotel or office complex and condos. Tomorrow, it might be the farm out near you and I, and in will go a factory. Never say never! There are still 5 Justices that might make it happen. They've already decided you and I can do without our castle; revenue is more important.

Supreme Court Deals Blow To Private Property

Ever thought you actually owned something, to hear on the radio, that you really didn't? The government had just stuck their hands in your pocket again!

Property owners just got dealt a bad hand by the Supreme Court last week. And, it boils down to 'money'. The 5th Amendment takings clause was used against privately owned homeowners in a Connecticut city because the court felt that the city's need for more tax revenue justified the taking of the homes to build an office complex, hotel, and more expensive housing. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor wrote in her dissent that taking private property from one citizen and giving it to another was beyond the power of the government.

I Timothy 6:10 says that the 'love of money is the root of all evil.' But, when it comes to padding the pockets of city governments, I suppose 'anything goes'.

If this is let stand, we can look for any of our properties to be subject to being snatched by greedy hands for public use!

Attorney General John Ashcroft Sings

Our former Attorney General Ashcroft is a great singer! I have had the opportunity to get a tape of him singing at his home church in Springfield, MO, a song that he himself had written, called Let The Eagles Soar.

Tonight, a friend from Thailand sent me a link to a CD of the then Missouri State Auditor Ashcroft and State Rep. Max Bacon. It is called Truth and has many great gospel songs on it. You can download each and listen to them on your own computer.

Where is Natalee Holloway?

When our children go on supervised trips, we expect them to come back. We don't expect to get a phone call, saying they can't be found - they didn't show up for the return trip. But, this is what happened for parents of Natalee Holloway, from Mountain Brook, Alabama.

Natalee started out on what was to be a Senior Class trip for many of the Mountain Brook High School 2005 graduating class. It was to be a care-free, enjoyable trip for these seniors. But, for Natalee, the trip may have been enjoyable, until the night before she was to join the others for their trip home to the states. Aruba had become a place these seniors would never forget. Natalee didn't show up for the plane trip home.

Searchers have been all over the island. The government had detained many people, including the three boys that were said to have been the last to see her that fateful night. But, so far, nothing has been shown that they are any closer to finding Natalee or have any clues to what might have happened, than the first day they started. The boys have changed their stories, but nobody wants to take the blame for whatever might have taken place at the end.

We are all praying for Natalee's safe return, and for the family, whom I know miss this young woman tremendously. I'm the mother of a daughter and I can't fathom the hurt it has caused this family, to not have a clue as to where their daughter is.

Visit NataleeHolloway.com to stay abreast of the search, and what has happened in this case.

Death

It doesn't matter how many times we've experienced it in our families or with friends, death doesn't come any easier.

This week, we have buried my husband's oldest sister. She was 86 and very sick. But, that didn't make it any easier for the family to lose a sister, wife, mother, or grandmother. Her presence is no longer with us, but her spirit is. She will always be remembered as the one who never missed a chance to ask you if you knew her Jesus.

As I read my emails this week, following this funeral, I found that, on Monday, another prayer warrior went home to be with the Lord. She had battled cancer a long time.

Then, opening the next email that said, 'PapaJerry goes home'..... I thought it meant he had gone home from the hospital. But, I got the shock of my life! I had known he had been diagnosed with Lymphoma, but that was only weeks ago. But, Jerry, our beloved "PapaJRay", as he was known to those of us who had the privilege of knowing him on the Internet, had gone home to meet his Jesus!

PapaJ was a very wonderful person, loved his Lord more than anything. He loved his wife, his children, and his friends. I had the privilege of knowing PapaJ for years, but had never met him. I did have the privilege of hearing him sing with that beautiful voice through CD's he had sent me many years ago. Earth has lost a wonderful human being, but Heaven is richer tonight, with the voice of PapaJ singing in that Heavenly Choir!

If you want to get acquainted with PapaJ, visit Papa's Pipeline

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