Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

 

Our next door neighbors did things up right this year. They had all the neighborhood children (and then some) over to eat chili, play games, and run around in the back yard. At one point I counted 14 masked marvels. They all came by our house after the party for trick-or-treating which means we had about 14 more kids this year than last year!

 

 

Some people really love Halloween. They decorate to the hilt and dress up and all that jazz. I thought about putting on some face paint tonight but the only thing I could think of doing was a clown face -- and I thought that might not be a very good idea this year!

This is about as festive as we get for the fall. And if you turn the pumpkins around, they spell U K. 🎃 (I know you're not surprised!)

 

Unfortunately there is a more sinister side to Halloween, but I chose not to dwell on it a whole lot. I'd rather laugh with the children, enjoy their costumes, and eat leftover candy. I'd rather focus on the light instead of the darkness in our world. And when tomorrow comes -- guess what -- it'll be November!

“I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” John‬ ‭8:12‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

1 Peter 5:7

I cast all my cares upon you. 

I lay all of my burdens down at your feet. 

And anytime I don't know what to do

I will cast all my cares upon you. 

Well, I guess I'll have that song stuck in my head for a day or two! 😊 

I remember singing this with the boys when they were small. It seems so incredibly easy, doesn't it. Just throw down your worries. Hm. 

Did you know there are several references to this in the Bible? It seems that humanity has dealt with anxiety and worry for a very long time. Perhaps throwing them down is a little more difficult than it sounds. 

Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55:22 

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Mt 6:25

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. Mt 10:29

As I studied the Scripture today in our Bible Study, I realized something I had not considered before. "Casting my cares" on the Lord depends totally on my humility. I first have to acknowledge that I am powerless over my concerns before God can do anything with them. 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.‭‭ 1 Peter‬ ‭5:6-7‬ ‭

I find it amazing when the Holy Spirit shows me new things in a passage I've known for so long. May He continue to teach. May I continue to hear. 

What Big Teeth You Have!

Have you ever been face-to-face with a real-live lion?

 

Fifteen years ago when Will was 14, he and I went on an associational mission trip to Botswana, Africa. Before coming home, we visited a game reserve where we encountered some breathtaking animals. 

This old boy is John, one of the Over brothers. I took this picture of him while I was perched in an open air, all-terrain vehicle about 30 feet away. 

Don't you know he could do some major damage with those teeth?!

Later that night as we were in our thatched- roof hut, we could hear John and his brother, Steve, outside our encampment. Their roars let us know they were there -- circling. 

As I read my ALIVE Sunday School lesson this week, I thought about these magnificent creatures. 

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” ‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:8‬

Now if Will and I had heard these lions the first night we had been there, I dare say neither of us would have gotten much sleep. As it turned out, we had seen first hand that as long as we followed the rules, we were safe from any harm. We both drifted off into peaceful sleep in the midst of God's active creation -- safe and secure.

Isn't that what this Scripture verse is talking about? We must be aware of our surroundings and think clearly about following God's directions. If we stray from His protective care, we can expect the opportunistic predator to seize us. As it is, even though we know Satan is "out there" circling, we can rest peacefully knowing we are safe and secure in the Master's hands. 

Yes, this Scripture delivers fair warning. But it also offers protection and security to those who believe. 

What a Difference an "E" Makes

Lizzie passed a milestone today on her way to becoming a nurse. She received notification that she is now certified as an SRNA (a nursing aide).

mile·stone

 (mīl′stōn′) n.

1. A stone marker set up on a roadside to indicate the distance in miles from a given point.

2. An important event, as in a child's development, the history of a nation, or the advancement of knowledge in a field; a turning point.

Interestingly, the prospect of reaching this "milestone" proved to be quite a "millstone" around her neck. She studied and stewed and took her test and stewed and paced and stewed some more.  Of course, the stewing didn't make the time go by faster or give her a better grade on her test or in any way make the situation better. 

Mill•stone (mĭl′stōn′) n.

1. One of a pair of cylindrical stones used in a mill for grinding grain.

2. a. A source of worry or distress: a responsibility that became a millstone.

b. An obstacle to success. 

See Synonyms at burden. 

I can't be too critical of my daughter, though, because I think that it is just human nature to worry. The thing is, don't you think, that God wants us to have His INhuman nature -- His godliness. We seem to want to hang on to what we can control -- in this case, stewing.  Consider the following.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John‬ ‭14:27‬ 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭6:34‬

Lord, help us to chose the successes in life and not the burdens. Help us to depend totally on you for peace in our lives. 

.  

Hope's Wings

Hope’s Wings Domestic Violence Program

 

Did you know Richmond has a top quality domestic violence center? We do. Tonight Bill and I participated in a community celebration in honor of those in our community who don't abuse others and in memory of those in Kentucky who have been victims. It was a previous event. 

These t-shirts represent some of the 33 people in Kentucky who died this past year because of domestic violence. The display is a sobering reminder of how terrible the problem is. 

 

Please be in prayer for the board, the staff, and the clients at Hope's Wings. Spread the word that they are here. It's a wonderful program. 

_____________________________________

Hope’s Wings Domestic Violence Program envisions a world where every person lives in a safe environment, free from violence and fear. Our programs and services are diverse and range from emergency shelter to counseling. Our mission is to empower victims of domestic violence to make safe permanent changes for themselves and their children by providing comprehensive and cohesive services through support, understanding, education, and awareness. We wish to support the path of all survivors as they work to be self sufficient and free from violence. Explore our site, learn about Hope’s Wings and domestic violence. Join us in our efforts to promote strong, healthy relationships by contacting us at 859.623.4095

 

http://hopeswings.com/

Have You Ever Played Spider Solitaire?

I recently picked up playing the two-suit version of Spider Sol because I like solving puzzles. Whenever I had a few minutes here or there, I'd work on a game on my phone. I got pretty good. Here are some stats. 

I've won 123 out of the last 126 games. 

That's 97.6%. 

As Adam Sandler would say, "Not too shabby."

It took me a total of 3 days 2 hours and 26 minutes to play those 123 games!  What?!

That's 50.5 hours of my life I will never get back!

Just think of all the practical things I could've done with all that time!

I know. I know. 

But it's a "stress reliever."

It exercises my brain. 

It helps me go to sleep at night. 

I can rationalize this behavior all I want to. Who am I kidding? It's a waste of time. 

I'm going to clear out the stats and walk away. 

Tomorrow, instead of playing a game on my phone, I'm going to memorize a verse of Scripture. 

 

There. I did it. 

Lord, I'm sorry for wasting all this time on these games. Show me how to better use what you've given me. Where else am I failing you? Show me so that I can stop making excuses and can let you fix it. 

How to Minister to Your Minister, Part III

Is your minister's tank full or running on empty?

Have you ever read Gary Chapman's book, "The Five Love Languages?"

In it he proposes that each person has an emotional tank that can be filled with fuel -- love, appreciation, etc.
Sometimes our love tank is full to the brim and we are supercharged and ready to go.
Other times, our love tank is depleted and we are sputtering and stalling out.

He proposes that there are five languages people use to communicate love:

1. Gifts
2. Quality time
3. Words of affirmation
4. Acts of service
5. Physical touch

I would like to propose that church members should do these five things for their pastors and for each other on a regular basis in order to keep everyone's love tanks full to overflowing.

I think we would see a lot less burn-out.

I think we would see a lot  more effective ministry from the minister and from the church body.

So how can you do these five things specifically for your pastor? 

1. Gifts
   This doesn't have to be something extravagant. More than anything, it is the thought that counts.
   For instance, we love it when someone goes on a business trip or on a vacation and brings us something back because they saw it and were reminded of us.
   We love the random gifts of cookies or homemade bread.
   Sometimes people offer to let us use their cabin or a condo someplace nice.
   It seems like there is always a book he has had his eye on.
   Or what about giving a donation to a local mission or charity in his name. Make sure to let him know about it, though.
   Taking him out to dinner or having him over for home cooking is a great idea because it also involves...
2. Quality time
   This is where you enjoy each other just for the sake of enjoyment.
   You aren't asking for anything.
   There's no ulterior motive.
   This could be casual conversation, going to a movie or a game together, playing golf, discussing a favorite book....
3. Words of affirmation
   I wish I knew how many encouraging cards we have gotten throughout the years. This is a tried and true method to affirm your pastor.
   Sometimes, though, it's pretty cool to tell other people how much you love and appreciate your pastor. Every so often those words make it back to him when he needs them the most.
   Sometimes, too, its nice to get a phone call or a text from someone who doesn't want anything -- who just wants to say hey and that they are praying for you.  
4. Acts of service
   Wash his car.
   Mow his lawn.
   Go visit someone in the hospital for him.
   Offer to teach his Sunday School class for him.
   Take his kids or grand-kids out for ice cream.
   Do something nice for his family. (I think this is Scriptural -- it pleases him when you minister to those precious to him.)
5. Physical touch
   Now this is a little touchy -- pun intended.
   In today's world, you have to be a bit careful about this.
   I think it is safe to say that a good, warm handshake is widely acceptable even today.
   But if your minister is a hugger, then by all means hug him -- often.
   Pat him on the back, literally.
   There's just something about that human touch that is affirming and encouraging.
   Just use good common sense in the touch department.

So there you have it -- three days of ideas regarding how to let your pastor know how much you love and appreciate him.
Don't assume he automatically knows.
He needs to hear it, see it, feel it, touch it, experience it.

Let me know how it goes!

How to Minister to Your Minister, Part II

Here are some particulars about how to minister to your minister -- continued from yesterday.

1. Survey the need. It will be really hard to minister effectively to him (or anyone else, for that matter) if you don't know anything about him.
   What makes him tick? What is he like as a person?
   Is he bi-vocational? What kinds of stresses does he face because of juggling two jobs?
   Is he in school? What kinds of issues is he dealing with because of work-life balance?
   Does he have small children?
   What is important to him? How can you show interest in these things?
   What are his hobbies? How can you encourage them or be involved in them with him?
   Who are his heroes and why? Ask him about them.
   When is his birthday? Anniversary?
   Has he lost family members? Who? When? Does he struggle with any of these?
   What bothers him?
   What are his insecurities?
   Where are his greatest needs?
   Is he working too hard?
   Is he sleeping enough?
   Is he being fed spiritually?
   Does he feel the weight of the world on his shoulders?
   What are his strengths? How can you encourage these?
   How is his relationship with his family?
   How is his health? Is he taking care of himself?
   Is he experiencing persecution for his Christian position on social issues?
   How does he reach out to the people of his congregation? Perhaps he needs the same thing.
   Is he a hugger? Perhaps he needs a hug.
2. Ask for God's guidance in meeting the need.
   What can you do to relieve some of the stress in your minister's life?
   Is there something you can do for his family that will bless him?
   What can you do to celebrate the important things with him?
   How can you encourage him?
   How can you shoulder some of the responsibility he has at church?
   How can you honor him by putting his teachings into practice and making the church body stronger?
   What resources should you call in to meet the needs you've identified?
3. Pray.
   Pray for your minister and for his family individually.
   Pray for those to whom he will minister.
   Pray for God to be glorified through him.
   Pray for yourself and others as you seek to minister to him.
4. Act.
   Put your ideas into action -- whether in October or in any other month.
   Enlist others to get involved with you.
   
5. Follow up.
   Evaluate your ministry endeavor.
   Were you adequately prepared to meet your pastor's needs?
   Did you discover something else that could be done to help him?
   Should you do this again?
   Whom can you include next time?

Whether ministering to your neighbor, to your minister, or to someone across town, these 5 principles can guide you along the way. 

Above all, may God be glorified as His people put ministry into action.

How to Minister to Your Minister

Did you know that October is Pastor Appreciation Month?
I want to know who made that decision.Why October? Why not June? Why a month and not just a week? Does that mean that for the other 11 months of the year you can take you pastor for granted?

I'm being silly, of course, because I do think it is important to acknowledge the hard work that pastors do. I have thought about this topic off and on for many years as I have gotten to know various pastors and their families -- not that I have felt particularly neglected in this area because we have been blessed throughout the years. But sometimes I think that churches kind of inadvertently overlook the needs of their shepherd.

So how do you minister to your minister? How do you show him appreciation? (And forgive me for using the masculine to describe the minister because I, being a woman, am married to a man who is a pastor. That's kind of the perspective I have on the matter. If you're the parent of a child at First Baptist in Richmond, however, you might want to take what I'm writing here and apply it to Rachel -- your child's minister.)

I would suggest that you follow five principles in ministering to your minister.

1. Survey the need.
2. Ask for God's guidance in meeting the need.
3. Pray.
4. Act.
5. Follow up.

When reaching out to the people in our community, this is what we do, isn't it. 

So let's apply this to our ministerial staff.

Think about these five things. Tomorrow I'll expound on them.

Who Is Sovereign?

Today I've been thinking about the word, sovereign. I live in a democratic republic yet I yield to God as my spiritual King. So is He really Sovereign in my life?

Here are a few definitions:

1. a supreme ruler, especially a monarch.
2. possessing supreme or ultimate power.
3. a former British gold coin worth one pound sterling.

An interesting point I read today is that sovereignty is a claim that must be recognized by others if it is to have meaning. 

So somebody can stand up and declare that they are sovereign, but unless somebody else agrees, then it's all talk. 

1. 
   

What about Scripture? When the term "Sovereign" is used, it is talking about God. Who proclaimed Him the ultimate ruler? 

He did. 

But so did David, and Ezekiel, and Jeremiah, and Solomon, and Jude....

Ezekiel uses "sovereign" at least a gazillion times:

• "Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord."
• "This is what the Sovereign Lord says... "
• "...declares the Sovereign Lord."

But I go back to my first question: is He really the ultimate ruler in my life?

• I like being the one in charge. 
• Society tells me that I should live by my own rules, so I must be the ruler. 
• My boss tries to be the ruler, but that's just at work. 
• Some women let their spouses think they are the family ruler, but really they are actually puppet kings subject to the wife's domination. 

In order for Him to be Sovereign in my life, I must:

• acknowledge that He is the King. 
• submit to Him. 
• obey Him. 
• respect Him. 
• trust Him. 
• make sure others know He is the King. 

“Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭36:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Lord, may others see your Lordship in my life and desire to have that same relationship for themselves.

Military Flyover in Green Bay

 

I have never seen anything like this V-22 Osprey before last Sunday. And the Osprey Flyover at Lambeau during the National Anthem was by far the highlight of the game (unless, of course, you're a Cowboys fan -- which I'm not).

http://youtu.be/8IK8FTSlVnA

 

Just to show you the size of this thing, there's a person standing to the left of the fuselage by the wheel. 

And I'm fascinated by the fact that it can change from helicopter mode to airplane mode in mid-flight. 

During the flyover at Lambeau, the timing was absolutely perfect. The guy singing the Anthem took a deep breath and sang the word FREE just as the helicopter Ospreys crossed into stadium space. He held that note as the airplane Ospreys caught up with them at midfield and crossed on out of site. The fans were cheering. People were gawking with theirs mouths wide open.  It gives me chill bumps just thinking about it!

And how proud I am of our country. We have some pretty amazing heroes who have assured my freedom to drive across the country to see this football game in peace. 

Lord, thank you for my freedom from aggressors -- physical and spiritual. 

What Is That Thing In the Sky?

Have you been noticing the International Space Station in the evening sky these past few days? It's pretty cool. It looks like a bright star but it moves fairly quickly across the sky.  

In fact, it travels at over 4 miles per second. 

It goes around the earth something like 15 times per day. 

I find it fascinating. 

Do you know how long it's been up there?

Since 1998. 

Again -- fascinating. 

And even though it is the third largest appearing object in the sky, it is only roughly the length of a football field. (I can relate to that comparison!)

 

Why does it seem so big?

Because it's a gazillion times closer to us than the stars. 

And it's got all the reflection panel things on it which reflect the sun's rays and make it pretty bright. 

I found this website on the Internet that talks about getting location and time notifications regarding the space station flying over if you're interested in knowing that kind of thing. 

http://earthsky.org/human-world/how-to-spot-the-international-space-station

The International Space Station. 

I do find it fascinating. 

By the way, do you know what a V22 Osprey is? Speaking of fascinating. 

Election Question:

Does voter fraud exist in the United States?

Is this simply a question for citizen opinion?

Or are there people out there with personal experience who can definitively answer,  "yes" or a "no?"

• Can people vote multiple times?
• Is it possible to vote in person and by absentee ballot?
• Can dead people cast ballots?
• Do people take money or other favors for their vote?
• Do people feel bullied to vote a particular way?

I've never witnessed voter fraud. 

I've never seen a million dollars, either. 

But "just because [I've] never seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist." (Charlie from The Santa Clause, 1994)

All I know is that on Nov 8, I plan to vote -- once -- and for free. 

Lizzie Wants to Dance

I've heard of DanceBlue but I've never been a part of it.  I work at UK and I'm aware of the efforts to provide state-of-the-art cancer treatment for children. But I also know research and cancer care are extremely expensive. 

Many of the fraternities and sororities participate in DanceBlue as part of their community service projects. Delta Zeta, Lizzie's sorority, is one of those. 

So here's a post from Lizzie's Facebook page that tells all about it.  

Hello, friends and family! This February I plan to participate in University of Kentucky's 24-hour, no sleeping/sitting, dance marathon, DanceBlue with my sorority Delta Zeta. From the 2016 marathon alone, DanceBlue raised $1,631,067.49. Since the start in 2006, DanceBlue has raised a total of over $9.8 million For The Kids!!!

Being that my Mamaw fought Cancer for the last few years of her life, I really felt a strong connection with this fundraiser! I know she would have loved to see this and all that the children the money will help! 

In order to help me earn a spot as a FIRST TIME dancer on my team, please consider donating to my team's DanceBlue fund so that I can go out there and dance for all of the kids who can't. My sorority has set a goal of $42,000, and my personal fundraising goal is $500, so any small amount would help a great deal. 100% of your donation will go toward the DanceBlue organization, which goes towards things like building the new clinic, helping families with costs like gas or hotels when coming to the clinic for their child's treatments, and overall cancer research. DanceBlue is an outlet to spread joy and positivity to kids and families who need it the most by providing them with the best environments possible while they receive cancer treatment at the DanceBlue KCH Hematology/Oncology Clinic.

Thanks so much in advance, and I can't wait to dance For The Kids!! In order to donate, please follow these simple instructions:

1. Click the link below
2. Choose a donation amount
3. Enter my name, Lizzie Fort, in the "notes" blank right before donating to ensure that your donation directly helps my chances of earning a spot on the dance floor!

Thank you again for taking the time to think of me & these amazing kids, who will continue to fight until the battle is won!!!

https://danceblue.networkforgood.com/projects/18502-danceblue-golden-matrix-fund-dance-teams-delta-zeta-2017-danceblue-team

So many people face cancer in one way or another. It just doesn't seem fair that children and their families should have to be among them. 

When Life Gives You Lemons....

Here's a good example of when people hurl insults, you make something good out of it (unless you own the couch):

"When the Bears won the 1985 Superbowl, Chicago fans began to taunt their northern neighbors with the nickname "Cheesehead." Affable Wisconsinites embraced the insult, and in 1987 a man named Ralph Bruno showed up to a Milwaukee Brewers game wearing a cheese-shaped hat made out of foam from his mother's couch."

In 2013, sports fans of Chicago replied to their rivals by wearing cheese graters.^[13]

 

We are such a silly people, spending who-knows-what on stupid things like cheeseheads! But it sure is fun. 

 

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

When I woke up this morning, I began contemplating how blessed we are. God promised that He would take care of our every need and He has done just that. 

But He has done exceedingly more than we could ever ask or imagine. He has blessed us more than we deserve, that's for sure. 

Perhaps it's easy to praise the Lord when He has done such marvelous things. But I want to praise Him for who He is. He is God. He is Shepherd. He is Light. He is Life. He is my Everything. 

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the Lord is God. 

It is he who made us, and we are his; 

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving 

and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭100:1-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:20-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I love you, Lord. 

Meadow Lake Wind Farm

 

The 500.85 MW Meadow Lake Wind Farm is a wind farm near Brookston and Chalmers, Indiana, spreading over portions of White, Jasper, and BentonCounties in Indiana, owned and operated by EDP Renewables North America.^[1] The wind farm currently has four operational phases, with 303 turbines. There are tentative plans to develop additional phases of the Meadow Lake Wind Farm.^[2] The farm can be seen by travelers prominently on both sides of Interstate 65, which runs through the area.

Wikipedia 2015

In our travels across the country we've seen our share of wind turbines. But tonight was a new site for us. We've never seen them at night with their big red lights flashing on top. At one point we were totally surrounded by them and it was a little bit eerie. Kind of ghost-like. 

And with the wonder of the Internet, I could look it up to find that we were in the middle of  Meadow Lake Wind Farm and its 330 windmills. 

 

And they are HUGE! We've seen trucks hauling one blade down the interstate and it's quite impressive how long they are. 

Wind Turbine Dimension:

The widely used GE 1.5-megawatt model, for example, consists of 116-ft blades atop a 212-ft tower for a total height of 328 feet.

I wish you could have heard the chatter in the car tonight as we came up on the wind farm and then just took it all in. Yep. This is what a family vacation is all about -- discovering new things, laughing, taking pictures....

What will tomorrow hold? Barring complications, I expect us to tour historic and contemporary Lambeau Field! I know at least three "little" boys on this trip who will be thrilled!

Democrats were Republicans and Republicans were Democrats

Democrats were Republicans and Republicans were Democrats.

And they were both Democratic-Republicans.

No, this is not a Dr. Seuss book!

Out of curiosity, I looked up a few things on the Internet regarding our two major political parties. I found it to be fascinating. Now I’m not a stickler for dates and such, but here’s a bit of a timeline for our two parties.

First came the Federalists who were pro-government.

In opposition were the Jefferson Republicans, later referred to as Democratic-Republicans who were against having a monarch.

The Federalists fell by the wayside.

When James Monroe was re-elected to the Presidency, he ran unopposed because the Democratic-Republicans were the only party in town.

Soon, though, there came to be a split and the Democrats and Republicans were born.

Democrats trace their roots back to 1792 and the Jefferson Republicans.

They were primarily based in the south and were, therefore, largely pro-slavery.

Interestingly, they were also advocates of small Federal government.

Republicans, on the other hand, trace their roots to the Abraham Lincoln era who was their first candidate to win a presidential election.

They were primarily in the north and were anti-slavery.

They were also, strange as it may be, fans of big government.

I’m so confused!

I feel like I’m stuck in an episode of “The Twilight Zone.” (For those of you who don’t know what the Twilight Zone is, Google it.)

How did we get to where we are today? 

      Democrats                         Republicans

      Liberal                               Conservative

      Big Government                 Small Government

      Left                                    Right

      Pro-Choice                        Pro-Life

      Pro Gun Control                Pro Right to Bear Arms

I have no idea. There was some sort of flip flop around the New Deal of the 1930’s. It’s bizarre.

And, yes, I know this is a very simplistic view of the two parties. I just think it’s interesting that they have basically switched places over the years. Who knew?!

      

Rejection: The Stone The Builders Rejected

My dear mother loved the Psalms. She taught many a Bible study on them. One of her favorite aspects of the Psalms had to do with their foreshadowing of Jesus. David's life, in many ways, pointed directly to Jesus. Since much of the two books of Samuel talk about David's life, it stands to reason that we might find references to Jesus there, as well. 

• “And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.” I Samuel 8:7 NIV

God is saying, it is not you (Christians) they have rejected but me (God). 

And...

• “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;” Psalm 118:22

‭‭Jesus, being present when the Psalmist wrote this, knew to whom it was referring. He knew that HE was going to be rejected. 

When He was talking to His disciples, He knew what was coming -- incredible rejection. 

• “But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.” Luke 17:25 NIV

But what about the idea that Jesus, the cornerstone, is also a stumbling block? I find that to be a little difficult to grasp. He is the foundation on which Christianity is built. Yet people will stumble and fall because of Him. Not because of us but because of Him. 

• “He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare. Many of them will stumble; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured." Isaiah 8:14-15 NIV

‭Peter emphasized this in his letter.

• “For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.” I Peter 2:6-8

I'm accustomed to praying that I would not make someone else stumble in their Christian walk. But it's interesting to think that Christ in me might make the unbeliever stumble. 

And Christ had some resolve regarding rejection. He instructed his followers not to let it bother them when people refused to listen. 

• “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.” Matthew 10:14 NIV

So if Jesus knew He would be rejected and if He lives in our lives, then we can expect to be rejected as well. 

And if He was a stumbling block for unbelievers, then we can expect to be the same. 

But if He wasn't bothered by it, then we shouldn't be either. 

Lord, help us to be your light to this dark world. Help us build on your firm foundation. But help us not be devastated when rejection comes our way on your behalf. Help us to praise you for your peace in our lives. And to give you glory for your direction. 

Rejection: Empathy from Our Lord

Did Jesus experience rejection when he was on the earth?
Yes. He was rejected by his brothers. None of them is included as a disciple prior to his crucifixion.

For even his own brothers did not believe in him. John 7.5

I would consider that to be rejection -- if my own sisters shook their heads at what I was all about.

Did His parents understand who he was and therefore accept Him as God?
Maybe. You do have to consider the story of Jesus going to the temple and teaching from the Scriptures as a young man. His parents didn't quite get that although Mary reflected on it intently.

"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Luke 2:49-50

If I had headed off to pharmacy school and felt like my parents didn't understand my drive to be a pharmacist, I'm not sure I would have finished. Their acceptance of my calling was that important to me. So I can't imagine how Jesus felt when he realized that his parents were puzzled by his actions.

What about his disciples -- they were his biggest fans. But they turned their backs on him. Judas turned him in to the authorities. Peter denied he even knew him. Only one was at the foot of the cross when He died.

And the very people Jesus came to save rejected Him, calling for his crucifixion. How devastating to know that your Father's chosen people were so vehemently against you.

Why do I bring up all these instances?

• To show you that what you are feeling, if rejection is on your mind, is not something foreign to our Lord. He can relate so strongly to the devastation that rejection brings.And if you have given your life to Him, He is with you walking through this difficulty with you.
• To help you remember that Jesus was rejected even though he had done absolutely nothing wrong. Sometimes we are rejected because we've done things that are right in God's eyes but the people around us just don't see it that way. That means we are in really good company.

How, then, are we to live in the midst of rejection or criticism?

Who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, or be disturbed, but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. I Peter 3:15

 Be faithful to follow Him and to obey His precepts. The sting of rejection may remain, but at least you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you've done your best for Him.

Rejection: What If I Can't Accept Myself

I've been thinking about what I wrote yesterday about rejection.
It seems so cut and dried to me to think that (1) God loves me, (2) He wiped away my guilt, (3) He accepts me.
For many people who have experienced utter rejection all of their lives, the concept that God, Himself, loves them is quite foreign. They, in fact, feel like no one could possibly be accepting of them for any reason. Especially God.
The reality is, though, that God isn't like all the other people in the world who have been critical and narrow-minded.
He knows us better than we know ourselves. He created us. He loves us just the way we are. In fact, he's crazy about us. He willingly accepts us into his family and makes us comfortable at His table.

• "For the Lord will not reject His people; He will never forsake His inheritance."  Psalm 94:14
• "In the presence of my enemies he prepares a place for me at His table." Psalm 23:5

He is protective of us. So much so that he has commanded that all believers accept us and, I might add, that we accept ourselves.

• "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." Mark 9:37
• "Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you His Holy Spirit." I Thessalonians 4:8

So the next time you are feeling particularly pitiful about yourself -- that you don't deserve God's or anyone else's love or acceptance -- just remember this. Christ loved you so much that he died for you. If you have given your life to Him, He has redeemed you -- paid the price for your freedom. Sometimes that freedom is from yourself.

Rejection vs Acceptance

Before we look much further at rejection and the devastation it can cause in our lives, I want to ask a question or two. 

For whom do we live?

Whom are we trying to please?

Who loves us more than anyone?

Who paid the price so that God would accept our sinless souls?

Jesus. 

Jesus.

Jesus. 

Jesus. 

“If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So because we live for Jesus, we should strive to do the things that would please Him. We should be obedient to His commands. For instance, we are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.... And love your neighbor as yourself...." Matthew‬ ‭22:37-40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We can never be righteous or sinless on our own. But because of the free gift from Jesus, we can stand before God blemish-free. 

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”  ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It stands to reason, then, that because of the sacrifice Jesus paid for us, we should yearn for His acceptance. And, really, we HAVE His acceptance because he wiped away all our guilt. And this should spill over into our relationships with other people.

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”  ‭Romans‬ ‭15:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So there you have it. We need to live our lives so that we bring glory to the Lord. His acceptance is all that matters. And if we seek to please Him, other things will follow -- like our acceptance of others. 

So why do we feel so rejected? Is it because we feel unworthy to receive God's acceptance? If so, then that's our fault and not His. For He wiped away our sin when we gave our hearts to Him. He restores our soul. He loves us just the way we are. 

Take a deep breath. Rest assured that God loves you. Live your life for Him. Strive to please Him. And rejection will fade. 

Rejection -- What Is It

I want to spend a couple of days looking at rejection. But before you get all worried about me, I'm not going through any crisis in this regard. I've just been reading Scripture that has made me think about it. 

So what is rejection?

• to turn down or turn away
• to dismiss as inadequate, inappropriate, or not to one's taste.
• an immune response in which foreign tissue (as of a skin graft or transplanted organ) is attacked by immune system components of the recipient organism
• Opposite of acceptance

Why are we turned down or dismissed in society?

What did we do to be rejected in the first place?

What do we do about our own rejection?

How can we help someone else who is experiencing this?

Can rejection be prevented?

Do I really want to be accepted in this society?

What does Scripture say?

Stay tuned. 

Congressional Hearing on my home turf

Senator Rand Paul conducted a congressional field hearing this afternoon at the University of Kentucky regarding the problems surrounding the cost of EpiPen prescriptions. 

 

When my sister, Rachel, invited me to attend the hearing, I had no idea what to expect. I just assumed it would be a bunch of people talking politics kind of over my head. But that was not it at all. 

Seven people testified about various aspects of the EpiPen cost issue:

    2 parent advocates

    a community pharmacist

    an economist from Western KY University

     a former FDA member

     my boss from UK 

     a policy strategist

I was amazed that I understood and agreed with everything these people had to say. They articulated their concerns very nicely. And Senator Paul asked some really good questions to try to dig deeper into the problem. 

The result: We heard many facts. Several potential solutions surfaced. 

I thought it was so cool to be a part of this process. Hopefully sometime in the near future we will see some new legislation that will come from hearings like this one. It makes me a bit proud of our country. It's got a LOT of problems -- but it's still a great place to live!

Hurricane Matthew in Haiti

 

I don't even know how many times mother went to Haiti. And Petit-Goâve was her usual destination. Hurricane Matthew took out a major bridge connecting Petit-Goâve with the rest of the country. Now rescue and relief efforts are limited at best. 

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. 

The 2010 earthquake destroyed over 90,000 lives. 

The ensuing cholera outbreak killed another 10,000. 

Now I expect we'll see more casualties as the waters recede. Right now they are saying there are ~330 known dead. 

I had the privilege of going to Haiti in February after the earthquake in 2010. That makes these images that much more real to me as I think about those precious people. 

May they heal well and quickly. 

Practice Hospitality

“Love must be sincere. 

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 

Be devoted to one another in love. 

Honor one another above yourselves. 

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.

Practice hospitality.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:9-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In the past week, we have experienced the joy, the patience, and the faith in a large part because you have shared with us in our need. 

I hate to sound like a broken record, but I think it's important for all of us to realize that we experienced the Body of Christ at work during Will's illness. This is the New Testament church. 

Don't stop doing good for those around you who are in need. Continue to practice hospitality. You'll get better and better at it the more you practice!

Update on Will: He will continue to get IV antibiotics through the weekend. They ran some tests that indicate that his immune proteins were below normal levels when he got sick. That would explain why he got sick in the first place. But we aren't sure what to do about it yet. Or why they were low. Hopefully more answers to come. Meanwhile, Will got some solid food down today and he feels even better than he did yesterday. 😊

Not Just Football

 

Tonight marks the end of the football season for Patrick's Farristown Flyers. Every game was more solid than the one before. I'm really proud of Patrick's leadership with his team. 

Bill announced the games again this year. As usual, he did a great job. And tonight we were especially glad to be able to get back to doing something a little bit normal. 

One day last week, Patrick came over and brought us a huge basket of goodies to help us get through long hours at the hospital with Will. It was a gift to us from his football team. Is that not the coolest thing? His players and their parents love him; therefore they love us. 

I tell you, this whole ordeal with Will has been one of the most gratifying things I've ever experienced. I am amazed by how we have been supported and encouraged by so many people -- including the Farristown Family. 

Thank you for blessing us. 

Inasmuch as you did it to the least of these...

The King will say to those on his right, “Come you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

The righteous will answer him, “Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:34-40

I’ve read this any number of times and I’ve pretty much always gotten the same picture:

do nice things for people as if doing it for the Lord, himself.

But I think it might go a step further than that.

When my son was on death’s doorstep, you visited, provided food, sent cards and brought gifts.

You got on your knees.

Your churches gathered just to pray for him.

And in so doing, you blessed Bill and me beyond measure.

You couldn’t have blessed us more wholly than in caring for our son.

We are full to overflowing because of what you did for him.

So perhaps the King’s point is that

we should do nice things for people because it blesses God

and fills him to overflowing.

I see this more clearly now.

Thank you for expressing your love for us by meeting the need of our son.

(In case you haven’t seen, Will went home this evening. He is still very tired and has some lingering effects from the pneumonia and the sepsis. But all in all, he is doing very well. Lizzie has been studying sepsis in her nursing class this week. She was amazed to learn that only 30-40% of people treated for sepsis survive. Isn’t it wonderful that God spared Will’s life!)

Your Love Is Better Than Life

 

Aren't adult coloring books interesting? The Currys gave one to us so that we'd have something to do while we sat at the hospital. 

This particular drawing caught my attention because we thought this time last week we might lose our son, Will. 

But God had other plans. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

He took care of all the details before we even knew we had a need. He protected Will's life. He brought so many brothers and sisters to their knees on Will's behalf -- evidence that the body of Christ is alive and well. 

And now, Will sleeps like a baby under the watchful eye of his earthly father who loves him dearly but who was powerless to do anything to save him a week ago. Instead he gave him to our Heavenly Father who in return gave him life.  

Life. 

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you." Psalm 63:3

I praise the Lord for Will's continued improvement. He alone is worthy of our praise. 

Getting Stronger

Today was a good one for Will. Everything indicates he is improving. 

Nobody is projecting a discharge day yet. He is getting stronger, though, so I anticipate they'll start talking about it soon. 

The one big thing I personally see as an obstacle is his diet -- or lack of it. He hasn't had anything solid to eat in a week. And he can't tolerate even clear liquids well. He's got to get past the nausea so he can consume some calories. 

We are amazed and humbled by the calls, texts, emails, cards, visits and gifts we have received since this all happened. What a whirlwind week. We are also very aware of how God has provided for all of us during this ordeal. He is the One and Only God. And He loves us. It doesn't get any more amazing than that.