Political Correctness taken a little too far

It is very bad when we can't let our little children take part in a play that happens to mention Christmas! When is enough enough? When is this mis-guided idea going to be really challenged enough that Christians, or just little children are able to enjoy the Christmas holidays without being told it's inappropriate to even mention Christmas at school?

Yes, that's what happened last year.

Windmill Point parent Heather Cowart, mom to third-grader Logan, said she was upset last year when Logan's teacher demanded he not bring Santa cupcakes, candy canes or other Christmas-themed treats to a "holiday party." Even donations of canned goods to the needy had to be wrapped in newspaper, not traditional wrapping paper, Cowart said.

Meanwhile, Parkway Elementary School had a Christmas tree in the front lobby last year, and other schools have enjoyed visits from the jolly old elf himself, the parents said.

"I don't understand why these secular things are being taken away from our young children," Cowart said. "Last year Logan got in trouble for saying 'Christmas' in class. Is that a bad word now?"

Just what are we teaching our children? The PC crowd wants us to appease everyone. Laws are being made and probably more on the way that is going to soon make it hard to even speak without committing a crime of offense. Little children do not understand what is happening in our society. They just want to believe in Santa, enjoy Christmas, and do the things all little kids enjoy doing during the holidays. And, it is not omitting saying Christmas, and calling it "Happy Holidays".

Already this year, a little girl is unable to play Mrs. Claus in a play called A Penguin Christmas at her school, because she was informed that the principal had said there would be no mention of Christmas in the holiday festivals. Principal Bernadette Floyd has let one parent dictate what goes on in her school. A parent protested last year for a stricter separation of church and state. So, the principal decided to take a more generic approach to Christmas. Sure, knuckle under at the first sign (remember what one woman did with prayer in the schools?) of disagreement. I doubt that the woman would win the case, considering the play was about Santa, Rudolph, elves, and penguins!

The mother of the little girl wondered why it's okay to offend her and Mrs. Cowart by not allowing the play, and not offending those parents who objected to the Christmas play.

Just be politically incorrect and say Merry Christmas with the Merry Christmas bracelet.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Stuck on Stupid
Stop The ACLU - Weekend links

Christian Carnival CXLI is up

A Penitent Blogger hosts the Christian Carnival this week. If I counted right, you have 37 great blog entries to read. I haven't read them all, but I am sure they are good. So, hop on over and treat yourselves to some good stories this week.

Technorati Tags: Christian Carnival

Thursday Thirteen #13

13 Blogs I recommend and visit often

1. Notes in the Key of Life - Cindy Swanson
   
2. Life is a Buffet - Polly Boyette
3. Neil's Notes - Pastor Neil Smith
4. Jay Adkins
5. Adrian's Blog - Adrian Warnock
6. Sisters' Weblog
7. A Chelsea Morning - Barb
8. The Dawg House - Darrell Garrett
9. Theological Musings - Steve Sensenig
10. Mountain Musings
11. Thinking Christian - Tom Gilson
12. Church and State - Nathan Bradfield
13. Christian Persecution Blog

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

1. Candy Minx 2. Caylynn 3. Silver 4. carmen 5. TC 6. Bev 7. Susan 8. JO

9. Sally 10. Teena 11. Janene 12. Mitch 13. N. Mallory 14. Danielle 15. shash 16. Lisa

17. Sophisticated Writer 18. nat 19. Gail 20. Tinker 21. Irish Church Lady 22. MommyBa

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

Thursday Thirteen

Wednesday around the blogosphere

I've been reading lots today on blogs and news sites and ran across a few great posts that perhaps everyone will not see. Thought I would list them for your pleasure of reading today. They are from all sides of the blogs - politics and religions, etc.

• From Fedora-pundit - Re: Clinton's Meltdown
• From Thoughts by Lyn - How to Pastor Your Pastor
• 7-Eleven dropping Venezuela-backed Citgo
• Jay Adkins - Are End Times Near?
  

Enjoy the reading and leave them a comment.

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Blog, Politics, Religion, End Times, Clinton, Venezuela, Citgo

Visiting Choir from Europe told they couldn’t sing sacred songs

“Voices of Heaven”, an ‘all star’ choir visiting from Europe, had been brought to Michigan through the efforts of Kelli Falls, choir teacher at Three Fires Middle School. But, it seems they were told they could not sing songs that were ‘too religious’ in the Michigan school district of Howell.

The order came recently from Supt. Charles Breiner of the Howell School District in Michigan just as the Eberbach, Germany, choir arrived for its scheduled concert at Howell High School.

The 62-member choir, which came to the US through a program of the Blue Lakes Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lakes, Michigan, will not go home with a good impression of the area. The members who stayed with familes while in Michigan were upset and felt discriminated against.

Officials told the local newspaper that the censorship was imposed to bring the program into line with a policy of Howell Public Schools that limits the amount of sacred music in any performance.

"I don't know if I would call it 'scaled back' or 'censored' – and that word scares the heck out of me," Donna Hoornstra, a parent of two Howell choir students said. She hosted two members of Voices of Heaven during their recent visit.

The students said this was the first and only school that had asked them to take the songs out of their program. Some had solos that they could not sing because of having to drop some of the songs.

A parents group is now asking for the resignation of Supt. Charles Breiner. A spokesman for the Livingston Organization for Values in Education committee, Vicki Fyke, says he’s gone from promoting gay agenda to embarrassing their community internationally. He has allowed the hanging of a gay flag in the school, but he has forbidden “In God We Trust” to be on the school walls. She said they have endured two years of controversy with Breiner, and the community would be better served, if he would just resign.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Third World County
Planck's Constant OTA

Technorati Tags: Choir, Europe, Michigan, School district

Anything goes?

Times have changed tremendously during my years here on earth. I can remember a time when you didn't sass your parents, are you were in deep trouble. You always said things like thank you; no, sir; yes, sir; yes, ma'am; no, ma'am - just good sense politeness to your elders. You were kind to others and didn't try to start fights. If you were wrong you admitted it, and didn't try to give reasons to prove you were right, when you knew you weren't. Students listened to their teachers and coaches and held them in high esteem. So,what has happened?

We have changed. People are no longer afraid to do whatever it takes to come out 'first' in their mind. Take the case of former President Clinton and his interview on Fox News yesterday. In the midst of questions, he couldn't keep calm and answer questions that were put before him. But, at the first question as to his ability to get bin Laden, he exploded with his temper, and his finger pointing at Mike Wallace. I believe when you are in this sort of situation, your demeanor really shows! And, I think it really made President Clinton look very bad! I wonder why he seems to come 'unglued', when met with a question that he seems wrong or inappropriate (although Mike's question was not). It would benefit him more, if he was able to answer calmly, without trying to make people think he was 'set up'.

My grandchildren say other kids curse on the fields during the sports events, and think nothing of it. I have heard other teams do it myself, sitting not many feet from a soccer game. The kids will scream at their parents, never say, "I'm sorry", or 'yes, ma'am, etc. It is like politeness and etiquette has gone down the tube with our youngsters. But, they aren't the ones to blame. I think parents have let the kids down. I told my grandsons other night, had I said something another person said to their parents, I'd probably be dead today, or I'd have wished I was when it happened! Real discipline has declined in America among lots of families. The children are turned loose at an early age, and they learn on their own from other kids. And, the parents have a hard time getting them back in control, unless they do it promptly. But, with today's fast life, sometimes, when the problem seems to arise, we are too late.

Road rage has gone to the extreme. People will run you off the road for absolutely no reason, except, in their minds, they've been done wrong. How many of you have been almost hit by that wreckless driver trying to get in your lane just to turn right in a few yards? I have many times! But, did I run them down, curse them out, shoot them? No, but it's happened. Drivers play tag on the road, and it doesn't matter if there is lots of traffic or not. They want to have their version of 'fun'. But, it's not fun; in fact, it could mean death for someone.

I guess you can call me an old fogey. But, I was brought up to obey my parents, be respectful to them and to others, and obey the law. I was disciplined when I disobeyed (which wasn't often) in a way I knew I didn't want to do whatever I had done again. My Mother had charge of her children until they left her home when they married. And, today, she's almost 90 years old, and I still feel the need to be a respectful person, and to do things that will not bring dishonor to her. I wish all children were taught the same. I know we taught our son and daughter those things, and they, in turn, are teaching their children that there are rules and you do abide by them!

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Deuteronomy 5:16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Technorati Tags: Manners, Etiquette, Parents, Children, Rules,Discipline,

Monday Morning Posts on the Internet

I surf around lots on Monday morning for the best of stories to read. Here are some of my finds today.

• Why didn't Jesus drop a mountain into the sea?
  
• Feast of Tabernacles celebrates church's Jewish roots
• Persecution: Where is it?
• It Is Good To Thirst.
• She Wrecks The Train - Carol's Testimony
• Be overwhelmed by God's Power!

Those should keep you for at least a few minutes! Enjoy!

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Internet, Christian, God

Pastor Rasheed says 500 Bibles needed in Pakistan

Pastor Shahzad Rasheed is pastor of Gospel Pentecostal Church of Pakistan. He and his members are doing everything possible to spread the WORD in Pakistan. They are continually 'sowing the seed' and reaping a harvest. The 'harvest' is also helping them in working to get souls saved and into the Kingdom of God.

Pakistan is a fundamental Islamic nation. Pastor Rasheed says they are persecuted and deceived by the Muslims all the time. So, they cannot preach openly, and have to go underground.

The biggest problem they have is their ability to get Holy Bibles. And, they are in great need. Right now, they need 500 Bibles, or the cash to buy them. Please be in prayer for Pastor Rasheed and all the people in Pakistan who are standing for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that their needs will be met quickly.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Church And State

Technorati Tags: Bibles, Gospel, Pakistan,

Fall Into Reading Challenge Book List

Katrina, at Callapidder Days, has issued a challenge to those of us who love to read. We list all the books we would love to read this fall, and then make a commitment to get them read by December 21, 2006.


I am listening the books that I would like to read through this Fall in this post. I have started a few of them, and others I have here, but have not read. I also am listing a few I still want to buy and read. I may eventually add more to my list, as days go on.

• I Love Being a Woman (Renewing the Heart) - Patsy Clairmont
• The Messiah of Morris Avenue: A Novel - Tony Hendra
• The Good Life - Charles Colson
• Praying the Ten Commandments: Mercy Triumphs over Judgment - Cleddie Keith
• 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life - Don Piper
• Ten Minutes from Normal - Karen Hughes
  
• The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love (Ladies of Covington (Paperback)) - Joan A. Medlicott
• The Spirit of Covington: A Novel (Ladies of Covington (Paperback)) - Joan A. Medlicott
  
• A Covington Christmas (Ladies of Covington) - Joan A. Medlicott

Technorati Tags: Books, Challenge

Thursday Thirteen #12

Things I Need To Do

1. Clean and paper my kitchen cabinets inside. I’ve put it off as long as I can.
2. Take my Mother shopping. She doesn’t drive very far, and it seems I’ve been too busy to take a day off and just go. She keeps reminding me.
3. Buy my pansies to put out in my flowers boxes for the fall. I didn’t do it last year, so I don’t want to miss it this fall.
4. Call my cousin who has the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Her husband is a preacher, and she plays the piano and sings. I need to find out her condition as of now. Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease.
5. Defrag my computer. It has slowed down tremendously, and I just haven’t taken the time to clean it up. I could remove lots of programs that I don’t use, as well.
6. Lose weight. It’s a never-ending battle to lose weight, but I need to do it for myself, and my health. I’m not getting any younger!
7. Drag out the paint brush and paint and finish the work we started in our house a long time ago! I would like to finish it before I’m too old to care. I also have the wall paper for my middle bathroom.
8. Iron! I used not to worry about ironing – I’d do it willingly. Now, I have to make myself iron, and when I do, I do lots at a time. But, it’s easier to do it as you wash, believe me!
9. Give my refrigerator a good cleaning. I did throw out some things that were old other day. But, I need to take out everything, and just refresh the whole refrigerator.
10. Clean up my computer room. It’s a disaster area. You can hardly find my keyboard on my desk for all the clutter. But, I’m not the only one who occupies this room, and not the only mess-maker. 
11. Finish reading a couple books I’ve started. I don’t seem to ever have the time. But, I think I just need to take the time, since they are definitely good books.
12. Get the Church bulletin done before the weekend, but I see no way. Ball games will keep me from getting it done until the last minute!
13. Polish my nails.That is one of the hardest things for me to stop and do. I’m usually out some place and realize I meant to do it, but didn’t!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

1. amy 2. Francesca Gray 3. KarenW 4. PRACTiCAL CHiCK 5. Tiffany 6. Stephanie 7. Wacky Mommy!

8. nancy 9. Mandy 10. Jaime 11. Chelle Y 12. Jenny Ryan 13. Jenny 14. incog

15. kristarella 16. MommyBa 17. Barbara H. 18. LuluBunny 19. Lisa

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

Thursday Thirteen

Pakistani couple seek sanctuary in Scottish church

Masih, 49 and Christine Raymond, 42, left Pakistan 2 years ago because of persecution. They became Christians and sought asylum in Glasgow. But, they were denied, and were to be deported last night. But, at the last minute, they sought sanctuary in the Scottish church in Glasgow. The priest gave up his living quarters for the couple.

The couple has lived in Glasgow for 18 months, and has attended the church. Father Nugent said the parish will offer them support and a place to live until extradition is no longer a threat.

They fear they will be persecuted even more, if they return to Pakistan, although the Pakistani Consulate general says they have nothing to fear. But, they have had stones thrown at them, because of their religion, and churches have been burned. Masih had a stroke recently, and he also suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure.

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Christians, Persecution, Pakistan

Search for E.coli source is narrowed

Government investigators have narrowed their search for the source of the spinach blamed for the outbreak of E.coli. A bag of contaminated Dole baby spinach was found at the home of a person who was ill. It was bagged by Natural Selection Foods, a "a San Juan Bautista company that packages salad greens sold under dozens of brands." The investigators believe the spinach came from at least one of nine farms and several processing plants in California's Monterey, San Benito or Santa Clara counties.

E. coli is often spread by human or animal waste. Inspectors have been looking at the possibility that the germ was spread by contaminated irrigation water, workers relieving themselves in the fields, or some other means.

The California produce growers and processors are working on new guidelines for safety measures for food. When the FDA approves the measures, consumers may see a price reduction in food to stimulate the sell of spinach again.

"The thing that is more fragile than this product is consumer confidence, the trust that consumers have in our ability as farmers, processors, retailers and restaurant operators," Silbermann said. "That's what we've got to focus on.

Linked at Conservative Cat
TMH's Bacon Bits - Bacon Break
Pirate's Cove

Technorati Tags: E.coli, Disease, Spinach, Investigation, California,

Fun Quiz.......

What color of green are you? This is just a short, and cute quiz. Answer a few questions and find out your best color of green. Here is mine:

You Are Olive Green

You are the most real of all the green shades. You're always true to yourself. For you, authenticity and honesty are very important... both in others and yourself. You are grounded and secure. It takes a lot to shake you. People see you as dependable, probably the most dependable person they know.

What Color Green Are You?

Marinate in the Word

Until recently, while reading blogs, I thought to ‘marinate’ meant to soak food (mainly meat) in a liquid mixture, in order to give it flavor when you cook it. To my surprise, Doug, over at CoffeeSwirls, mentioned that Christians should ‘marinate in the Word’

"'marinate in the Word'

.... meaning the Bible. He mentioned staying on a passage until he feels he is ready to move on.

A former Sunday School teacher of mine always stressed the importance of studying the Word for ourselves. His favorite verse was:

2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

John 17:17 say ‘thy word is truth.’ I believe, when we delve into the Word more and more, we find how easy it is to fall in love with the Word of God. It makes us want to study more and more. And, as we 'marinate' in the Word, we become saturated to the core with Truth, which causes us to become more acquainted with Jesus, and who He is. Scripture tells us in Romans 11:17 that ‘faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.’ And, as we study and build our faith, we find it easier each day to conform to what God wants our lives to be.

Technorati Tags: Bible, Christian, God, Truth

Around the blogosphere today....

These are some great reads for today:

• Excuse me, but Islam disgusts me
  
• Strange Days
• The West can win without weapons "The title is a slight exaggeration that makes an important point."

Linked at Conservative Cat
Mark My Words - OTA

Technorati Tags: Islam, West

Space Tourist breaks three records

Anousheh Ansari, 40, an Iranian-American telecommunications entrepreneur, broke three records, as she left with the Russian Soyuz spacecraft for a flight to the International Space Station, along with both a Russian and American astronaut. Ansari is the first woman tourist, first Muslim woman, and first Iranian in orbit.

Ansari came to the US in 1984, and is now an American citizen, living in Texas. She says she wants to be an example to her compatriots. She thinks her trip into space could be a ray of home for the youngsters in Iran, amid all the talk of war and bloodshed. But, she has been told to remove the Iranian flag from her spacesuit. She also had to promise there would be no political messages during her trip to space. Ms. Ansari had been scheduled to go on a later mission, but took the place of a Japanese businessman who was unable to go due to illness.

They will dock with the space station tomorrow. Ansari won't be staying the 6 months with the astronauts. She will be returning to earth in 10 days with the other Russian crew who will be coming home.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Don Surber
Is It Just Me?
Third World County

Technorati Tags: Space, Woman, Iranian, Muslim, Muslim, Russian,

Thank the Lord for cell phones!

A cell phone was the undoing of the kidnapper of 14 year old Elizabeth Shoaf in Lugoff, South Carolina. Elizabeth's kidnapper, 37 year old Vinson Filyaw, had left her unattended with his cell phone in a booby-trapped bunker only one mile from her home. She text-messaged her Mom, who notified the authorities, and it led to his capture.

Filyaw will be charged with kidnapping, possession of an incendiary device and impersonating an officer, he said.

Sheriff Steve McCaskill said they were happy to find Elizabeth alive. But, it was a big relief to get this criminal off the streets. He had tried to carjack another woman outside a pizza restaurant around 2AM yesterday, and was caught about 5 miles from his house on foot.

Elizabeth seemed to be unharmed. But, she was taken to a hospital for a check up.

Technorati Tags: Cell Phone, Kidnapping

Are you a reader?

I have enjoyed books ever since I can remember. I loved school, and couldn't get enough of library books. We used to have the Bookmobile come through our little town during the summer months, and I was one of the first to get there to check out books. I always got my limit, and could have read many more.

I was just reading over at A Chelsea Morning. And, Barb had posted some new things out in blogosphere. And, one of those was the fact that there is a challenge over at Callapidder Days called 'Fall Into Reading'. Katrina has discovered she's not the only person who has loads of books to read and still loves buying them. So, she's presenting a challenge to those of us who are willing to take that challenge, to post our book titles by September 21st, and link to her post.

The challenge will be to see what you can read between September 23 and December 21, 2006. I know I have many books to read! How much I will get read is another story. But, anyone who is interested, go over and read the information Katrina has posted, get your book titles together, and let's get started!

Linked at Conservative Cat
Adam's Blog
Conservative Culture

Technorati Tags: Challenge, Books, Reading

Wisconsin Students planned attack on school

Two 17 year old students from East High School in Green Bay were arrested Thursday morning. They were found to have an array of guns, ammunition, bombs, and other weapons in their homes, which was raided by police. They also found suicide notes.

The school resource officer of the school found out that these two boys were obsessed with pain, death, and had suicidal thoughts. The Chief of police said these boys had learned about bomb making on the Internet.

"This was a Columbine waiting to happen, from the briefing that I've had" said prosecutor John Zakowski. "Only they know how close it was to being reality."

Zakowski said he cannot say what charges might be filed until interviews are finished, but any charges will be handled in adult court. The police chief said authorities were considering charges of conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit arson.

This could certainly have been another Columbine waiting to happen. But, thanks to the relationships the school staff has with its students, it has been stopped.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Cao's Blog - Trackback party

Technorati Tags: Students, Suicide, Bombs, Guns, Murder

E. coli outbreak traced to bagged spinach

There has been another outbreak of e.coli in at least 8 states. People are being warned not to eat bagged spinach. There has already been one death and 50 sick people reported. The sickness has afflicted mixed ages, but most of them have been women.

The states included are Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah, where there are 8 seriously ill people. And, Wisconsin has the only death so far, and 20 more are sick there. The FDA is advising everybody to stay away from eating any bagged spinach. They think all the sickness is coming from one bug.

E. coli causes diarrhea, often with bloody stools. Most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, although some people - including the very young and old - can develop a form of kidney failure that often leads to death.

Anyone who has gotten sick after eating raw packaged spinach should contact a doctor, officials said.

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: E.coli, bagged spinach, diarrhea, death

Thursday Thirteen #11

Thirteen Things I Like About Myself

1. I have very thick hair that grows very fast. Everybody tells my beautician they wished they had my hair.
2. I am very tall. That means I can reach the top cabinets with no problems.
   
3. I love my green eyes. And, green looks good on me.
4. I play the piano. I used to be pianist at my church.
5. I enjoy computing, my website, and blogging.
   
6. I made the best choice for a husband I could ever have made! It was 'love at first sight'!
7. I can sew, crochet, and knit. I used to make custom drapes for a living. I also used to make my clothes, and some for my children. A friend from England taught me to knit in the mid-sixties. I learned to crochet when I was just a young girl. I can also tat, but I haven't done that in years.
   
8. I enjoy just sitting around with my husband reading, watching television, or just having quiet time. That doesn't bother either of us.
9. I love to read. I have loads of books, and I'm always buying more.
10. I enjoy doing things for my daughter when she doesn't know about it. I love to surprise her, and go clean her house when she's not home. She's a single Mom with four children, and lives over an hour away.
11. I love going out to eat. Doesn't matter where it is, as long as I don't have to cook! I don't mind cooking - just that I've done it so many years, it's time I got a break.
    
12. I can shop all day and buy absolutely nothing. I've been known to pick up a few things, walk around the store, and finally go put them back, saying to myself, "you don't really need that". I come home happy because I've talked myself out of spending money.
13. I can go all day without turning on the television. Sometimes, I've gone all day and haven't even noticed. I get involved in computing and forget the television!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

1. Raggedy 2. amy 3. Jasmine 4. my 2 cents 5. Debi 6. Goofy girl 7. TC 8. Jennifer

9. Nicole 10. Candy Minx 11. Mysterious Lady 12. Amy 13. N. Mallory 14. Jersey Girl 15. Chelle Y 16. Lisa

17. Janet 18. Brony 19. pixieprincessmom 20. Jenny Ryan 21. Bloggin\' Outloud 22. kristarella 23. Irish Church Lady

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

Thursday Thirteen

Former Texas Governor Ann Richards dead at age of 73

The news just came across the television screen that former Texas Governor Ann Richards has died at her home in Austin, Texas. She has suffered from esophageal cancer for awhile, and passed away today.

Linked at Conservative Cat
TMH's Bacon Bits - Bacon Break

Technorati Tags: Ann Richards, Death, esophageal cancer

Friend or Foe?

Do you know who your friends are? Can you actually rely on them to be there for you? Do you know your enemies?

Sometimes we really think of a person as a close friend. Maybe we’ve known them for years. But, one day, things change, and that friend is no longer the person you thought you had known. Accusations are made against your person, the manner in which you serve God, or your personal beliefs are brought into question, all because they differ in opinion on certain things. Or perhaps they’ve misunderstood what you were saying, and accused you of something that really isn’t true. Is that person still considered your friend, or are they truly your foe?

I am one who believes our personal walk with God is just that, personal. And, nobody has a right to tell you that, because you don’t believe exactly as they do (see scripture in the same light), that your aren’t a true Christian. In other words, they are really saying, “I am more holy than you”.

I believe salvation comes through grace by faith in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

When a person tells me that they are saved and this is how they came to the saving knowledge of God, then I believe what they say. It is not my place to tell them they don’t know Christ, because I can’t see their heart. Only God can see, and only He knows our true relationship with Him.

Friends try to uphold you, not tear you down. Friends don’t try to change you into something you are not. A Christian friend will want to nurture another friend in the love of God, not tear down their spirit with hurtful words. A Christian friend will be an encourager, not a discourager. If a friend needs guidance, it’s given in a loving way, not in a way that makes you feel as though you are second rate in their eyes, or makes you feel that they are ‘more holier than thou’.

I have always heard the saying, “You can get more flies with honey than with vinegar.” I think this is true in almost every situation.

I Corinthians 13 speaks about having love, (spreading the honey, if you will). I think we all need to learn this chapter verse by verse, and remember that without love, we are just ‘sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.’ Doesn’t matter how eloquently we can speak; if we don’t have love, it does nothing for us. True friends are loving, no matter what the situation. An enemy doesn’t care how much it hurts, he will insist that he is doing it for your good. Give me a friend who, with love, can help me through any crisis, regardless of the aches and pains getting through it. And, you will certainly know who your true friends are, when you encounter a situation in which you have to call upon them.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Is It Just Me?
Stuck On Stupid

Technorati Tags: Friend, Foe, Christian, Love

Children Die in Turkish bomb blast

A bomb was set off near a park in the turkish city of Diyarbakir today. It killed 7 people, wounding 14. Among the dead were 5 children.

The explosion happened next to a wall by the Kosuyolu Park in the Baglar district of the city. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The Kurdistan Liberation Hawks (TAK), the militant group which claimed the previous attacks in late August, has threatened to turn Turkey into "hell".

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Bomb, Turkey, Diyarbakir

Remembering 9-11 Five years later

In Memory of 9-11 and all the victims of that horrible tragedy of terrorism:

• The Day America Cried
• September 11th Psalm from Life is a Buffet
  

Technorati Tags: terrorism, 9 -11

Supernatural Power

To each of us, power may mean different things. The first to come to mind, I am sure, is our daily need for electricity in this modern world. Without power, this laptop from which I am writing would not work. Oh, it has a battery that will keep it running, but you have to have an wireless Internet connection to get online. And, that is achieved through power.

It takes power to run our automobiles, our lawn mowers, or our recreational vehicles. Almost everything you can name needs power to run. We, as individuals, need power to sustain ourselves and do our daily work.

Our body power does not come from electricity. Instead, our body works from stamina we get from getting needed rest and exercise. We also have to have a balanced diet for our bodies to withstand enough exercise to help us, and also to help us rest. Too many of us run out of power before the day is over; sometimes, it happens early in the day.

But, humans have the ability to tap into another kind of power which is not supplied by earthly power. This is the power of the Holy Spirit. When we let God be our guide, and rely on His holy power, there is nothing too hard for us. He tells us in His Word that he gives us 'power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.' Luke 10:19.

1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

That power spoken of is the power given to Christians by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit quickens our minds, delivering us from the strongholds of Satan. He also he does something men cannot do; He comforts and strengthens us and establishes us in God. It is something that only can be accomplished by the power of God. In this day and time, we need the power of God in order to survive what the world has thrown as Christians. Every where you turn, it seems Christians are attacked for their beliefs, or freedoms are taken away simply because we call ourselves Christians. In Romans 8, we read that nobody can separate us from the love of God. We have been made 'more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Church and State
TMH's Bacon Bits - Bacon Break

Technorati Tags: Bible, Supernatural power, Christians

Thursday Thirteen #10

Thirteen Books on my desk, either read or being read

1. The Good Life by Charles Colson with Harold Fickett
2. Ninety Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphy - This is definitely a book I recommend for reading!
   
3. Printed Sources - A Guide to Published Genealogical Records - Edited by KoryL. Meyerink
4. Grandmothers are Like Snowflakes - No Two Are Alike - by Janet Lanese. My daughter-in-law gave me this one Christmas
   
5. Pick a Better Country by Ken Hamlin
6. I Love Being A Woman by Patsy Clairmont - You will never go wrong, reading one of her books!
   
7. Revelation Unveiled by Tim LaHaye
8. The New Jerusalem Bible
9. National Audubon Society Field Guide to Birds Eastern edition
10. God Is In The Small Stuff by Bruce & Stan
11. Streams In The Desert - by Cowman
12. Keys For Kids - Daily Devotional - I get this for my grandchildren
13. The Bobbsey Twins - Solve A Mystery by Laura Lee Hope - one of my grandsons was reading this during the summer.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

1. Tracie 2. my 2 cents 3. Incog 4. MommyBa 5. Tink 6. Irish Church Lady 7. carmen 8. amy 9. Lisa 10. mar 11. Janet 12. Chaotic Mom

13. Tug 14. Carol M. 15. Tinker 16. on the Rock 17. Charmed1 18. Pass the Torch 19. Bev 20. PinkJeweledCat 21. Southern Girl 22. bernie 23. K T Cat 24. LaFlor

25. Faith 26. Jersey Girl 27. Chelle Y 28. BadHomeschoolMom 29. Jennifer 30. Margie 31. Margie 32. Amy 33. Kailani 34. Carol 35. Barbara H.

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

Thursday Thirteen

Christian Carnival 138 is up

The Christian Carnival 138 is up at From The Anchor Hold. There are some great blog posts today, so go by and check them all out. Karen has presented it as the newspaper, The Kingdom Beacon Herald, and has done an excellent job.

Technorati Tags: Christian Carnival

Around the blogosphere....

There is some good reading out there today. Here are a few I've found:

• Why Should I Care from "Life Is A Buffet"
• The Ultimate Educator from Sting My Heart
• The Crisis & Cure for Comfortlessness from Active Christian Media
• Financial Bankruptcy and Spiritual Bankruptcy from Eternal Perspectives

Enjoy!

Nellie Connally Dies

The last survivor of the fateful ride on November 22, 1963 has died. Nellie Connally, age 87, was the widow of the former governor of Texas, John Connally. She and the governor were in the limousine with President Kennedy and his wife when the shots rang out, hitting her husband and killing the President.

Nellie Connally died in her sleep over night Friday night. She was living in Austin, Texas, where she had moved a year ago from Houston. It was a very sudden and unexpected death, since she had been active the last few days.

Mrs. Connally had these memories of that faithful day in history:

Connally had said the most enduring image she had of that day in November 1963 in Dallas was of a mixture of blood and roses.

"It's the image of yellow roses and red roses and blood all over the car... all over us," she said in a 2003 interview with

The Associated Press. "I'll never forget it. ... It was so quick and so short, so potent."

She had just turned to the President and told him he could never say that Dallas didn't love him. Then, the shots rang out.

Mrs. Connally is also a breast cancer survivor. She had breast cancer in 1970 and celebrated her 10th anniversary with fellow survivors on her 80th birthday in 1980. She is survived by one daughter and two sons.

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Nellie Connally, John Connally, Texas, President Kennedy