It has been awhile since I actually posted something about what I’ve been doing.  About life.   It seems that when there is something interesting that happens, there is just no time to blog about it.  Lame excuse I admit, but it makes for a good sounding one anyway, right!?   

So what have I been doing?  Well, many things.  I do a lot of cooking and I have been enjoying the more cold weather foods (squash, potatoes, casseroles, soups), including all of the speciality cooking done for Thanksgiving.   I spend several hours each day preparing meals, and enjoy it vastly! 

Besides cooking, cleaning and housework, I spend my time in research, writing and blogging for our creation evangelism ministry, school work, and lots of reading.   

What’s on my bookshelf these days?  Well, too many books.   Seriously though, I tend to overload my brain with to many brainy and philosophical books that literally make me “eat” them in little bites.  I have been trying to “digest” a fairly small book, critiquing the marriage of modern humanistic psychology and Christianity.  To say the least, I am ready to have that book checked off my list.  Besides psychology, I am also studying Latin and Greek, world religions, which I find to be a delightful and informative study, and I have just recently piled on top of all the above, Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s classic book Ethics.  For sure if none of these others books blow my brains, this one will!   Oh yes, and I mustn’t forget the wonderful and great faith strengthening study I am engaged in with John Piper’s wonderful 50 day devotional on Christ’s death, 50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die.  

So what else do I occupy my time with?  I am doing a lot of school work with Jaden, which I greatly enjoy!  And also teaching world geography and American history.  Which of course, includes lots of research, maps, charts, internet searches, and pictures.  I am actually learning in the process!  Shocking I know.   

And then there are all of the ”other” things I do on an infrequent and frequent basis.  Music, which I love listening to and encouraging my siblings in playing seems to always be on somewhere in the house.  At this time of the year, the temptation is very great for me to break out my collection of Handel’s Messiah and singing with it (yeah right!) at the top of my lungs!   I do try to keep my mind sharp by listening to a wide array of classical music.  There is such beauty in the older, Baroque style of classical music, though I have to admit I have acquired a taste for more modern interpretations of classical music – Debussy, Chopin, Schubert, Vaughn, among others. 

I am spending some time each day on email, Facebook and twitter.  Because I so enjoy knowing what is going on in my friends lives and also interacting (if you can call it that) with them, I try to communicate with them through these new venues.  One neat thing that has happened to me recently is the fact that I am emailing a young German lady who I became connected with via my uncle Jim who lives in Germany.  It is fascinating discussing various things with her and interesting to see the different styles of English that we both possess.    I am learning more about my fatherland through her, which is wonderful!

I am looking forward to Christmas, and also dreading it at the same time.  I know it will be a wonderful holiday weekend, with lots of time to reflect on God’s plan and purpose for my life.  But also great family time and Cajun food!  Wahoo!  This year my Mom’s side of the family (with whom we will be celebrating) has planned for Cajun food as the theme for that weekend.    Spicy!  Thankfully, I like spicy foods.   The only bad thing about holidays is that they pass by to quickly and we plan for them for such a long and stressful period of time.  What a crazy thing to do, but uniquely American I guess. 

In my personal Bible time I am reading Piper’s book, but also in the books of Jeremiah and 1 Peter.  I am finding out more about the Judgement side of God by reading through Jeremiah, and trying to grasp what it means for me to sin and the effects it has on my life and possible others around me.  And then as I read the epistle of Peter, I am learning about other important things, such as submission and obedience, humility and grace. 

That about sums up what I do each and every day, and week.  So if you were wondering, I hope you’re not now.

Take care everyone!  And stay warm. ♥

I am reading through the first epistle of Peter this month in my personal bible study, and ran across a passage I am trying to memorize. 

10 For “Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Why I decided to put this passage to memory is due to the fact that I am trying to learn (with God’s help) self-control in the area of my tongue.   As James puts it so memorably “the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.” 

Of course, Peter is exhorting us to do other things besides speaking in a wise, truthful and good way.  He also encourages us to do good and seek and pursue peace. 

It is encouraging to know that the Lord hears and answers our prayers.  What do the evil have?  Nothing.  The Lord’s face is against them. 

I would encourage you to put this passage to memory. 

How often does it snow in North Texas… In December? 

Not very often, but it did today!!!

So much for climate change, where is the hot weather????

Item #1

The Manhattan Declaration: Why Some Will Sign It and Some Will Not and What You Should or Should Not Do
By Jan Markell
A controversy has broken out between two sides over a serious issue. It concerns The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience, which has been in the works for months and released just prior to Thanksgiving. Allow me to present the case the signers are making for this Declaration and then share concerns that others have who will not sign it. If I may, allow me to report and you decide.

To read these stories look under our national and international news section at:
http://www.worldviewtimes.com/news

• How and Why China Will Flood the Gold Market
• Tiger’s good-guy image manufactured from start
• Okay for People With HIV and AIDS to Be Barbers, Cosmetologists, Home Health Care Aides
• ‘Manhattan Declaration’ commits to engage culture
• Federal court upholds school district’s ban on tunes about Christ
• Climate change: this is the worst scientific scandal of our generation
• HHS would become federal giant under Senate plan
• Bernanke Says Limiting Fed Independence Would ‘Impair’ Economy

Item #2

Worldview Matters with Brannon Howse
Topic One: Brannon’s guest is Jan Markell to discuss the Manhattan Declaration. What is the Manhattan Declaration? Why are some national leaders not signing it? Why are so many Christians criticizing those who do sign it as if they are embracing something heretical? How should Christians respond to the Manhattan Document? Topic Two: Brannon’s guest is Ingrid Schlueter to discuss what Emergent church leader Pastor Brain McLaren’s said about evangelical Christians.
Item #3

Obama File 90 Alice Palmer Re-examined-Was Obama’s First Political Boss a Soviet “Agent of Influence”?
By Trevor Loudon
Alice Palmer is a Chicago based academic, activist and former friend, employer and political ally of Barack Obama.
Item #4

Barack Obama’s Destroy America Mission to Copenhagen
By Tom DeWeese
For more than fifteen years I have been studying and reporting on international United Nation conferences, treaties, and policies, warning that they are a road map to global governance and eventual UN global government. In addition, I have warned that the international environmental movement is not really concerned about protecting the environment at all – rather it is using mother earth as an excuse for an age-old drive for power and wealth.

Item #5

Two Tracks to Globalism Merge
By Brannon Howse
There have been two tracks to globalism for many years-political and spiritual. Now the two tracks have become one as politicians use religion to promote globalism and religious leaders become partners with politicians and promote the United Nations.

Item #6

Is the Bubble About to Burst?
Is the Bubble About to Burst? Gary Kah returns asking, “Is the bubble about to burst?” He means is the American bubble about the run into so much financial trouble in the next year that the current state of affairs in America looks quite benign? Who is really pulling the strings? What about the “death of the dollar”? Now that the FDIC is broke, what happens if there is a bank holiday and our money is all devalued with a new currency? These are not conspiratorial questions. Gary talks about issues, including Copenhagen, that are front-burner, not back-burner things to discuss.

Item #7

Ex-Con Counts on “Faith Community” to Pass Health Care
By Cliff Kincaid
The media furor over the White House state dinner crashers ignores the convicted felon who was invited to attend with the approval of Obama’s inner circle. The ex-convict, Robert B. Creamer, is a friend of White House adviser David Axelrod and the husband of Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois. A major Democratic Party political strategist, he is the author of a 628-page book that describes how the Democrats can become the permanent majority party by passing a national health care bill and giving amnesty to illegal immigrants.

Item #8

Brian McLaren Paints Critics as Gay-Hating Bigots
By Ingrid Schlueter
Emergent author Brian McLaren doesn’t believe in a literal Second Coming of Jesus. He has problems with the penal substitutionary atonement of Jesus on the cross. A literal hell with eternal torment for those who reject Christ? Not likely. The Genesis account of the fall of man? Not true. But instead of addressing his own spiritual rebellion, Brian appears to want to paint his critics as bigots. In a recent blog post, McLaren demands that what he calls “discernment websites” (he used the quote marks) address an African country’s attempts to codify severe penalties for homosexuality into law. He seems to imply that these same “discernment ministries” would automatically support the arrest and execution of gays by Uganda.

Item #9

Wallbuilders Live with David Barton
Live from WallBuilders’ ProFamily Legislators Conference Guest: State Reps. Lisa Billy (OK) & Woody Burton (IN)
Item #10

Senator Christopher Dodd: U.N. Facilitator
By Henry Lamb
When the term “Sustainable Development” first entered the world, it was defined to be: “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

To read more worldview news go to: www.christianworldviewnetwork.com

Climate change… it seems to be on every ones mind these days (how can it not when all of the news organizations are talking about it?) but do you really know what this catchy phrase is all about?

Lord Christopher Monckton is a leading voice of dissent in the “war over climate change.”  

You can watch a video as Lord Monckton talks about the effects that the Copenhagen conference on “climate change” will have on the United States and the world. 

In a speech given in St. Paul in October, Lord Monckton said:

“If President Obama signs the Copenhagen climate change treaty, he “will sign your freedom, your democracy, and your prosperity away forever — and neither you nor any subsequent government you may elect would have any power whatsoever to take it back again.”

I am glad that there are scientists and politicians out there that are standing against this great fraud being pulled off by the United Nations and the like.   For instance, Senator Jim Inhofe is a strong voice of reason on the side of “scepticism” here in the States.   He of course has been attacked for his stance on truth as opposed to shifting opinions. 

In the end, truth will prevail because truth always wins out.  The only reason why I bring this “hot topic” up is just to remind you my readers, that God is still on the Throne no matter what mere men try to do or say.  The policies that are being devised by the UN or the US make little difference in the LONG run. 

Trust in God, not men… He never fails!

2:1 Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”

 Psalm 2:1-6 ESV

Today I am giving thanks for family and friends.

Dad & Mom – They are the ones who caused me to be… and God of course. Both of my parents are my heroes and encourager’s. They are a solid example to me of a Christ-like marriage, and have been married for over 25 years. Because of their love and prayers I am challenged to live a life that is well pleasing to the Lord!

Joel – As my older brother, he is such an example of doing hard things, without compromise. He is a wonderful and compassionate person, a great manager (mine for many years!), and a very organized guy. I really look up to him as someone I admire and respect more and more all the time.

Caleb – He is my younger brother, or my twin, but he is taller than me… now. We have always had many similarities through out our growing up. When we were younger, we looked so much alike, that we were mistaken for twins many times. Caleb is growing into godly manhood and I am glad that I can assist him in getting there. He is one of my best friends.

Phoebe – She and I are best friends and do so much together. Cooking. Cleaning. Basketball. School. Talking. Working. We are together all the time, from morning to night (we share a room). Even though she is five years my junior, I learn so much from her quiet wisdom. She is growing into a beautiful and godly young lady.

Johanna – She is also a very dear sister of mine. Each day I am amazed at how intelligent Jo is even though she expresses it in different ways from the rest of us. She is always surprising me with her organizational skills (like making birthday cards for all of her friends and family one year in advance!), her artwork, musical talent which completely amazes me, or her loving gestures which are so cute. She is also growing into beautiful and godly womanhood (which makes me feel old).

Jaden – He is the youngest of my family, and also a little fireball of energy and inquisitiveness. His musical and artistic skills surprise me (I don’t draw or paint) and he is always asking questions… always! As good as he is with numbers, it wouldn’t surprise me if he became some sort of mathematician or statistician. It is so thrilling to hear him read through his verse during Family worship / bible time. My prayer is that he will soon learn to love Jesus with all of his heart! He is my special little bud.

Grandpa & Grandma – They are so dear to me, and it is a joy to have them nearby to run down and visit with them or have them come over. I know that I am very blessed to have both sets of grandparents within easy driving distance. They inspire me to become a more educated and talented person.

Poppy & Grams – I admire my Poppy & Grams because they are both very hard workers despite many physical problems that could keep them homebound. Even though they have not been as involved in my life as my other grandparents, I still love and respect them very much and always enjoy having them drop by when they are in the area. I especially love getting to go see them, since they live “out” – away from the city. They are truly an inspiration to me to endure in hard times or easy.

Aunts, Uncles and Cousins – I have TOO many to count, but they are ALL dear in their own special way. Some live near, some farther away. Some I know quite well, others not as well. Each of them are dear to me because we are family, related by blood having the same dear parents and grandparents. Wherever they may be today, I am thankful for you all!

Friends – I am going to get in trouble here, because I have SO many friends and I am only going to name a few.

Ana Marie – She and I have only known each other for a little over a year, have never met and only talked on the phone once. But, just from that one conversation and from emailing her, she is a dear and godly young lady who is very special to me and to many others. She has inspired me to fully revel in who I am (a woman) and whose I am (a Christian). I am thankful for you Ana Marie, God bless you!

Abbie – Since we share the same first name, I think it is cool that we are friends. She is also a new friend of mine, and we have discovered that we have a lot in common. I am encouraged by knowing that she and her family are joyfully serving the Lord in this age of deception and compromise. It is refreshing to have her as a friend because just as the scripture says “iron sharpens iron, just as a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Abbie and I do not interact very often, but she is a blessing none the less. God bless you Abbie dear!

Camille – She and I have been friends since we were 11 and 12. Since that time, we have emailed several hundred times, called each other a lot and written “old fashioned” letters by the dozen. We share a lot of the same dreams, hopes and convictions. And our conversations are always very interesting and varied. She is a blessing to me because she loves the Lord, and is very musical (she plays the harp and piano). I am impressed with her willingness to do what she does, without complaining. God bless you dear friend!

Hannah – She is Abbie’s younger sister and has also become one of my personal friends. I love the fact that she joyfully serves her family and loves to sew (I don’t know how, and admire anyone who can!). She is also an encouragement to me to be a cheerful and willing servant to everyone. I have enjoyed getting to know her (via email and phone) and look forward with great eagerness to the day when I can meet her and her family face to face! I am thankful for you as well Hannah!

Lauren – Again, I have never met Lauren but have only emailed her. It was really interesting how we “met” -it was via twitter, at the recommendation of a mutual friend, we began to “follow” each other and found that we had much in common. As my only friend who is older than me, it is refreshing to see a fellow young lady waiting on God’s perfect timing with regards to marriage and relationships. She always brings a smile to my face and I am thankful that she has such a cheerful disposition and a servants heart. May the Lord richly bless you Lauren as you follow Him!

And Last but not Least…

Sarah – I just recently started interacting with her via email because she lives in Germany! My uncle and aunt connected the two of us, and we are enjoying getting to know each other. I am thankful that Sarah came to know the savior and is now seeking His plan for her life. I believe the Lord will bless her for her faithfulness. She inspires me to be humble and do hard things… I am thankful for you Sarah!

And I could go on and on… I am SO blessed, beyond measure with family and friends who love the Lord and are serving Him with their lives. And for having so many godly Christian friends who are an encouragement and blessing to not only me, but also my entire family!

May the Lord bless those whom I have mentioned and also all of those whom I have not! Have a wonderful, God blessed Thanksgiving everybody!!

Since I failed to post anything yesterday, I will make up for it in today’s post!

“Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the
rock of our salvation!
Let us come into His presence with
thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to Him with
songs of praise!”

Thus the great Psalm opens, exhorting us to worship and give thanks unto the Lord for being our Rock of Salvation and our Great King.

Today I am listing the ministries I am thankful for.

Answers in Genesis – Because they helped me see the importance of having a firm foundation so that I can have answers ready for those who ask.

Grace to You – Because through the preaching of John MacArthur, I have come to love the Bible more, and understand it better each time I listen to one of his sermons.

Ligonier Ministries – Dr. R.C. Sproul is my favorite theologian of ALL time! He brings the old and new testaments alive and in such a fascinating way. I especially enjoy the fact that he brings more of a philosophical perspective to his preaching.

Vision Forum – This family strengthening ministry has helped me to more fully appreciate my role as a daughter and woman. Through their numerous resources, my understanding of godly femininity has been made clearer and my faith strengthened.

John Piper and Desiring God – For the past couple of months, I have been studying through John Piper’s wonderful little book 50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Through my study, I have come to love Jesus better, and each day I gain a new understanding of the reasons behind the Cross. His writing is so clear and concise, and portrays His love for me.

Institute for Creation Research – Because they understand the scientific evidences behind Creation and are defending them. I am so thankful for ALL of the Creation ministries, as they proclaim the reliability of Scripture from the First Verse!

Biblical Discipleship Ministries – Dr. Jobe Martin, his wife Jenna Dee and their delightful daughters Taryn and Mirren have been such an inspiration to me and my family as we launched our own Creation ministry this year. Through their godly example, I have been challenged to love Jesus more, use my time wisely, become better equipped in my faith, read and study more and to serve others, as Jesus would have me to serve.

And last but not least…

Creation Evangelism Tools – I thank the Lord for giving the vision to Joel and the rest of my family, to bring the great message of Creation to those in our sphere of influence. This year we have had the wonderful privilege to present two creation seminars to the people at our church, and in our community.

May Christ be ever praised through the work of these ministries!!

“I will give thanks to the LORD with my
whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name,
O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2

Today I am giving thanks for God, and His wonderful deeds. They are numerous, too numerous and this blog post would be very long if I attempted to write them all down. I will only share a few, but I hope you get the idea.

For salvation in Christ, without His saving me, I would be lost, hopeless and doomed to a life of misery apart from His love and saving Grace.

For God’s Word, which is truly a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. It’s guidance and wisdom fill my life with direction and purpose.

For the Cross and the love and awesome power shown there. The victory over Satan, and sin was made concrete when Christ died. God offered up His only Son as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind.

For God’s amazing grace. Without His grace, I would die in my sins without hope of being forgiven. Because of grace, I am not viewed by God as a sinner, as un holy, or impure. I am viewed as having a righteousness that is not my own (Christ’s in other words) and His favor is showed to me.

For forgiveness, and the fact that because of the kindness of God, I am lead towards repentance every time I sin. It is God’s kindness that brings me to my knees to ask for forgiveness of sins committed.

I am beginning a week of thanksgiving here on imprimis, and today’s reading comes from the Psalms.

“What shall I render to the LORD

For all his benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12)

Of course the answer to this rhetorical question is EVERYTHING!  As Christians we owe our very souls to Christ, our obedience and allegiance to Him for all that He has done for us.  He has saved us from the clutches of the Devil, from hell and death and is preparing us for His glorious home which He now prepares for those who love Him and are in Him. 

This might seem like a strange passage to start our week of Thanksgiving with, but it states so clearly that our very existence depends upon God’s mercy and grace towards us! 

Let us render to Him the honor, respect and obedience that He is due as we thank Him this Thanksgiving week.

“If tomorrow’s supply depended upon today’s

thanksgiving, how much would we have?”