You Have to Check This Out

The King of the Blog World, Hugh Hewitt, has done something amazing and I think you will all love it.

He has started a blog called One True God Blog.

You have to visit it!!! There is some amazing discussion taking place.

Here's the way this blog works:

Hugh Hewitt poses a question

A Pre-selected panel (about 5 people) all respond to the question

There is not a comment section, but you can email Hugh Hewitt.

Check it out!!! You'll love it, I just know it!!!

Putting Things In Perspective

I feel like recently I've had a lot of friends, family, or colleagues that have been dealing with either themselves of dear loved ones who have some form of cancer. It just seems like cancer is everywhere right now. I personally know people from ages 6 to 80 that probably won't live past this year because of some sort of cancer that is eating away at their body. This said, it has been on my mind a lot, since it seems wherever I turn, the reality of how powerful cancer is hits me in the face.

For those of you who read Our Daily Bread, today's excerpt was even about cancer, but it had a great story that left me with a positive feeling, instead of the same sad feeling I get when talking about cancer.

Here was the focus verse for the day:

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. —Philippians 1:21

It's one of those verses that I've heard a million times, but it just totally made sense with this circumstance and became even more clear and had even more meaning for me.

I pray that we can all live without fear of dying, because with Christ, we only go on to a better place. Just like the lady in the story today, fear of dying can also include being fearful of leaving the ones you love, but with our faith in God we can know they'll be taken care of and we can leave them with the peace of mind that we are going to a better place.

May you all have a blessed day!

If you love Dogs, you'll love this....

This was emailed to me and I loved it!!! I am such an animal person...hope you enjoy!

"DOG GONE GOOD DOG STORY
Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you don't and may decide you need one. Mary and her husband Jim had a dog, Lucky. Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably someone would forget and something would come up missing Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease .. she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable. But finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love. Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every night. It's been years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure. Live everyday to the fullest ... remember it is a blessing from God."

Find God, Find Yourself

Here are two Awesome pieces of Scripture:

Jesus said, “If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me.”
Matthew 10:39 (The Message)

If you are really eager to give, it isn’t important how much you are able to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you don't have.
2 Corinthians 8:12 (New Living Translation)

I pray that you have a blessed day and that you look to the Lord in ALL situations and that in turn you may find yourself and desire to give back to the Lord with all of your heart!

More on Ghandi

Here is another great quote from Ghandi that was on Basic Daily Devotions today:

Gandhi's Life Mission
Gandhi was asked to describe in twenty-five words or less what his life mission was...

He said, "I could do it in three: Renounce and enjoy." You renounce all worldly attachment to everything and enjoy what God gives you. You give away what you have inside yourself, your love. You're not concerned with whether it worked or didn't work, whether it was right or wrong, whether you won or lost. You just constantly flow through your life without getting attached to the results. The irony is that the less attached you are, the more you get. The more you keep circulating, the more keeps coming back to you. It's a flowing system.

I know that Ghandi is a bit controversial to some, but he has some great insight as to how we are to live our life. Despite the fact that he didn't believe in Christ, he certainly understood Christ's message and has wonderful insight as to how we should be living out a Christ-like life.

Hope

Here is an excerpt from one of Rob Bell's article's that I found earlier today:

What is at the heart of what you do?

Hope. There is the perspective of the person who pretends that everything is fine—the shiny, happy people perspective, "this it the day God has made," but doesn’t seem to acknowledge how bloody and difficult the world is.

Then there is the deconstructionist voice of despair that says, I see how rough it is and how horrible and hard life is—all they have is commiserating with you.
Then there is this third category of voices of people who acknowledge how things really are and still have hope. And those are always the people who inspire me so much.

This idea really made me think? What kind of person am I? What taste am I leaving in other people's mouths? Am I being an inspiration to those around me or am I bringing them down by my perspective and lack of showing the Hope I find in Jesus.

Jesus is my Lord and Savior and I He is my Hope. I desire to live as though I believe that 100%, 100% of the time.

Where is your hope? If you don't know the answer to this question, I pray that you would seek out the Lord and ask Him to be apart of your life. Invite Him to be ruler of your life and let Him capture your heart!!!

So Exciting

Two of my closest friends had their baby last night!!! She is beautiful!!! She was 7 lbs 14 oz, 19 1/2 inches long.

They named her Ave Jacqueline...so precious. She looks just like the momma! Babies are so wonderful, such a blessing from our Almight Creator. I don't know how anyone can walk through life with a woman during her pregnancy and then see the final product and not believe in Christ, let along the Miracles of God. So Amazing!!!

Baby Fever is in the air...wonder who will be next? Only time will tell......

What Is Your Faith Speaking?

I was emailed a site that had the below article. It's amazing. Here is the link to the website so that you can check out more from this author: Coach Doug Reese

Believe That!
The U.S. women's gymnastic team was loaded with talent in 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta with names such as; Dominique Dawes and Shannon Miller. Never had a U.S. team won the gold medal in the team competition. Now on the last day of team competition, on the last apparatus, the gold medal came down to Kerri Strug and her vault.

Strug landed early on her first vault causing a serious ankle injury. The pressure was on.

Kerri went to Bela Karolyi and told him that she could not feel her leg. Bela told her that she had to go one more time.

"Do I have to do this again?" she asked.

"Can you, can you?" Bela responded.

She hesitated, "I don't know yet." Then she concluded, "I will do it, I will, I will."

Kerri Strug's affirmation cut through the building pressure of the moment - the pressure of hitting a winning vault, the pressure of doing it on an injured leg, the pressure of knowing it was up to her alone to capture the gold medal.

On her second vault with a painful injury she hit a powerful vault and stuck the landing on one leg and held it. Strug's vault captured what the USA Today proclaimed as the "greatest American team victory in the Olympics since the U.S. hockey team upset the Soviet Union in 1980."

In the gold medal ceremony, Bela Karolyi carried Kerri Strug to the podium, where her teammates supported her while she stood on one leg for the playing of the national anthem. It was the first time in Olympic history that the U.S. women's gymnastics team won the gold - it was done while defeating terrifying pressure, but that is what champions train to do!

One has to be careful what leaves their mouth. There are words of defeat, "Do I have to do this again?," and there are words of victory, "I will do it, I will, I will." What is your faith speaking?

Our faith has to speak if we are going to see results. God calls "those thing which be not as they were," (Romans 4:17). Abraham understood and operated in that principle. Certainly if our Heavenly Father and the father of our faith operated in this kind of faith, we ought to do the same!

"Speaks of things that do not exist as if they do exist (NIRV)"... is to call, to say, to speak aloud, calling those things which are not in your life as though they were.

Which of God's blessing are not in your life? Is healing not in your life? Then call it as though it were: "Everywhere I go healing and health are overtaking me. My body is strong. I am healthy! I am whole!" You have to affirm with your words that which is in your heart.

Someone may say, "Is that scriptural?" Believe that! Joel said, "Let the weak one throw out his chest and say, "I'm tough, I'm a fighter," (Joel 3:10 THE MESSAGE). Joel didn't write, "Let the weak say, 'I am feeble and I can't make it.'" No, the weak are suppose to say they are STRONG! So calling those things that be not as though they were is very scriptural!

The weak are not suppose to wait until they feel strong. If they did, they would never feel it. No, let the weak, "I am strong," (NIV), while they still feel the weakness.

Faith is not enough, faith has to be plugged in - and acted upon. When fully connected, the tongue verbalizes and the body acts on the belief in one's heart. How many times did you hear Mohammed Ali say, "I am the greatest!" And how many times did he predict to the media what round he would knock out his opponent? Ali was plugged in!

There is a familiar quote in sports, "Believe to Achieve." That statement of three words is so true no matter what you do.

As children you might remember the book, The Engine that Could. The story was about a train engine that was climbing a hill. The engine kept repeating over and over again, "I think I can. I think I can. I think I can," as it struggled to climb a steep hill. That simple affirmation statement, "I think I can," changed to, "I know I can," when the engine realized that it could climb that hill.

Are you plugged in? I hope you are. If not, start calling out the matters of your life as it they were. The time will come when you will experience the spoken truth. Stay plugged in to God's truths - He wants you to taste victory that comes from experiencing His Word - Believe that!

Wow!!! I was impressed...enough said. What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear them.

Being Content

I was praying and looking for scripture to help me in my current situation right now and I came across an amazing piece of scripture, that I've heard several times before, but today it had a profound impact.


"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13
TNIV

Right now I am in the middle of being switched from a second grade classroom to a one, two combo. I am feeling very overwhelmed and sort of in panic mode. This is only my third year teaching and I'm just a little bit nervous about how I'm suppose to teach two different sets of curriculum when there is hardly enough time in the day to teach one set.

When I read this piece of scripture, I felt like I had just been put in my place. No matter what the circumstance I can do it through Christ who strengthens me. In fact, that's the only way I'm going to be able to do it. But what really convicted me was the part that talks about being content in all situations because I am so far from that right now.

Today while I was running I prayed that God would help me see the big picture and how this is all suppose to work, having two different grades in the classroom, essentially I was asking for contentment. Well, when I got home from the run, this is the verse I found.

God is Good!

Speechless

I feel as though I am in a rut. I'm at a loss for words. I have a lot on my mind, but not the words to express them. I have enjoyed reading many different blog entries. Hope to be writing soon. If you have any ideas or topics for discussion feel free to share :)

Never Forget

In light of September 11th, let's take a moment and remember our fellow Americans who lost their lives on the day the terrorists attacked our great country.

Let's think about the little girls and boys who no longer have a mother or father because of what happened. When we think about these things, let's pray for them to have strength to continue carrying on and a great memory so that they can still hold their loved ones close.

Let's remember those who lost a spouse or significant other four years ago today. Let's pray that God comforts and continues to heal their broken heart.

Remember all of the brave heroes who stepped up to help dig people out of the rubbish, who donated blood, who steered the plane away to prevent one more disaster, who cared for those who were mourning, who risked their lives to save others.


Today, let's take a moment and remember what happened to our country and how we need to continue to prevent that from ever happening again, in our country or anywhere else.

Look to the ones you love and be grateful that we have been blessed with yet another day of life, another day of love, another day of grace.

The Melting Pot

Oh my gosh....went to the most fabulous restaurant last night!!! My husband took me to The Melting Pot for my birthday. For those of you who have never heard of it before, it is a Fondu restaurant. Everything, and I mean everything, is fondu style. We went to the one located in Irvine.

I had heard several amazing things about the restaurant, but had never actually been there. I can now officially say that everything I had heard about it was true.

Alex and I had such a blast from start to finish! We started with a Spinach and Artichoke Cheese Fondu appetizer. This came with mixed breads, apples and veggies to dip in it. Then we had yummy salads. Next, we had the entree. Our entree included 5 different types of meat and a yummy cooking broth. We had filet, lobster, pork, chicken, and there was an option of bass, but we asked for more filet instead. Mmmmmm!!! This also came with delicious veggies to cook and then as if that wasn't enough we were also given spinach and gorganzola filled ravioli to cook as well.

After all of that delicious food, yes...there's more, we had the most amazing desert. We had a snickers fondu....this came with strawberries, pineapples, bananas, cheesecake, brownies, marshmallows, and pound cake. We ate it all....you have to!! It's so incredible.

I already want to go back, but there are no special occasions coming up...may have to just go for that yummy spinach and artichoke dip.

Well, you can't just take my word for it...you have to go try this yummy restaurant!!! Mind you, it is a little pricey, thus my comment about special occasions...but well worth it!!!!

Why?

Have you ever wondered why it is so hard for people to love each other? I mean really, WHY is it that people have a hard time doing this?

Here we (the United States) are in the midst of a terrible tragedy from the aftermath of Katrina and people are avoiding the OBVIOUS need: love. Instead, people are trying to figure out who is to blame, arguing about the gas prices, shooting rescue helicopters, looting/trashing stores, going on TV and making fools out of themselves such as West's comment, "Bush hates blacks," etc....

I mean seriously why is it that people can't just put their own agendas aside and step up to the plate and help these people. They need love right now....many of these people have lost everything: their spouse, children, pets, home, job, memories/keepsakes (photos), dignity.

Why is it that at times like these our country is so quick to criticize rather than deal with the situation and then maybe go back and rehash the details of what "really" happened?

I have a poster that I keep in my classroom that says, "Why can't people just get along?" I wonder this all of the time. What is it that makes us feel like we always have to be right or always have to prove someone else is wrong? Why do we have to assume that everything that happens, even natural disasters, is always someone's wrong doing?

There are people all along the Gulf Coast who are hurting right now. I have heard they are in need of plus sized clothes and underwear for all ages. There are several organizations that are collecting items. I know that Feed the Children, an amazing organization, is sending 7 pounds of necessary items for every dollar that is donated to their charity. Let's break the cycle of all these crazed lunatics who aren't staying focused on the issue at hand...let's get out there and help these people whether it be through monetary donations, specific item donations, blood donations (which they are in dire need of), time donations, etc.


Let's love on these people like they've never seen before and get all the other people to shut up because they are so overwhelmed with the love being showered on these people that their agendas get pushed to the back of their mind because they are so boggled as to WHY people would step up to the plate. Let's be Jesus to those He came to save....

Katrina

With everything that has happened due to Katrina, let's unite and help those in need. Hugh Hewitt (there's a link to him on the side of my blog) proposed that today, Thursday, all bloggers post something asking people to help out in this situation. I think it's a great idea. My aunt lives in New Orleans and is now currently in Mississippi staying with someone she doesn't even know.

I've talked to my new school, and we are going to be adopting a school out there and seeing how we can help. I know my church is trying to do the same thing with a church down there. My husband has found an animal rescue sight and has posted it on his blog that is also tending to the animals that have been hurt or lost in this whole mess.

Hope you all have a great day. God Bless you all!!!!