Legislation Involving Compounded Medications-Act Now--Senate Bill 959
Legislation has been proposed that could create an environment that would unduly restrict access to personalized (also known as compounded) medications, even when they provide the best treatment options for patients, as determined by their physicians. You can make a difference if you act right now and oppose Senate bill S.959. Legislators need to hear from those who would be affected by any policy or law that doesn’t reflect the importance of personalized medicine.
We’re asking all pharmacists, patients and practitioners to call their Congressional representatives TODAY and let them know that you oppose the bill. Here is suggested text for your conversation:
It’s imperative that you ACT TODAY and help make sure the millions of people who rely on compounded medications each year can continue to do so.
URGENT UPDATE: Proponents of bill S.959 are pushing for a vote the week of JULY 29th.
We’re asking all pharmacists, patients and practitioners to call their Congressional representatives TODAY and let them know that you oppose the bill. Here is suggested text for your conversation:
- Introduce yourself and provide details
- I am a Pharmacist/patient/practitioner/pet owner located in (City, State)
- I have X number of employees and X number of patients who have been using compounds for X years
- I have a condition which Is helped by compounding medications
- I am aware that Senate Bill 959 is about to be up for vote in the Senate
- I am extremely concerned that this bill will limit Patient access to needed medications
- I am asking (Senator) to oppose this bill
It’s imperative that you ACT TODAY and help make sure the millions of people who rely on compounded medications each year can continue to do so.
Bonhoeffer is Riveting
I won't say a lot, but I hope you will take time to read Bonhoeffer. It is readily seen why it is a best-seller. I've found such encouragement and truth in what he observed years ago in the church in America...it is happening even now at such warp speed. Reading the Martyn-Lloyd Jones book I've recommended on here already goes along well with Bonhoeffer as he got a lot from that sermon.
7/27/13
7/27/13
Targeting-Latest from Daymond Duck
This is not an endorsement of the other articles on the site. Updated to add that ACL hasn't gone to this site in many yrs.It’s the Target and Who Targets Them By Daymond Duck
In 1971, several high-level members of President Richard Nixon’s staff established the “Political Enemies Project” to target people who opposed the president. They created an “enemies list” and decided that the president’s “enemies” would be watched, intimidated, investigated by the IRS, denied government grants, denied government contracts, attacked with lawsuits, attacked politically and harmed in various other ways. The “Political Enemies Project” led to a burglary at the Watergate Hotel, wiretapped telephones, broken campaign finance laws and a major cover-up. The Democrats and the news media were outraged. President Nixon was eventually forced to resign. Three of his top-aides were sent to prison and most agree that it was one of the greatest political scandals in U.S. history.
Through the years, Congress, the Justice Department and the media have reacted strongly to the creation of an enemies list. Laws have been passed and court rulings have come down against governments and police forces profiling, targeting or taking action against people according to their race, gender, accent, dress, language, behavior patterns, religious beliefs, etc. Without question these practices are illegal.
But the Obama Administration sees nothing wrong with profiling, targeting, watching and taking action against people. Regardless of what the president’s people say, they have demonstrated that they are in favor of it as long as they get to decide who is to be profiled, targeted, watched, and intimidated, etc. For example, they are against profiling Islamic terrorists (they pretend that it’s a small group of people, workplace violence, etc.) and illegal aliens. But they are for profiling, targeting, watching and intimidating people if they are in a Christian, pro-Israel or pro-life group, or if they use words like “TEA Party,” “Patriot” or “Constitutional” in their name, or if they work for a conservative news organization such as FOX News.
Why is anyone surprised? In 2009, the Department of Homeland Security warned against the possibility of violence in the U.S. by citizens concerned about illegal immigration, increasing federal power, restrictions on firearms, abortion, the loss of U.S. sovereignty and the like. They warned that end- times prophecy teachers (people with religious beliefs) could motivate extremist individuals and groups to stockpile food, ammunition and weapons.
In 1992, Bill Clinton was running against George H. W. Bush for President of the United States when a member of Clinton’s staff, James Carville, coined the phrase, “It’s the economy stupid.” I’ve never liked that phrase because it demeans people, but it will help me make the point I want to make. It’s not the targeting or profiling of people that is unacceptable to the Obama Administration. It’s the target and who does the targeting, stupid.
For example, Muslims and illegal aliens are on the Obama Administration’s list of unacceptable targets and no action must be taken against them. But Christians, Jews, pro-lifers and conservative newsmen are on their list of acceptable targets and President Obama wants them silenced. Targeting people is unacceptable if conservatives such as President Nixon and some of his staff are doing it. But targeting people is acceptable if liberals such as President Obama and some of his staff are doing it.
There is a great deal of concern among many conservatives over where this is going. If the government is willing to target its political enemies and use the IRS to threaten them, silence them, drag them into court, deny them tax exempt status, etc., as it has been doing, will the government transform Obamacare into a weapon for the IRS? Will the government direct the IRS to threaten people with the denial of healthcare?
Will the government direct the IRS to delay the approval of surgeries the way it delayed the approval of tax-exempt status for those on President Obama’s enemies list? Will the government put reporters who write the truth on its enemies list and direct the IRS to deny or stall their healthcare? Will the death panels that Sarah Palin talked about actually exist and will the government use the IRS and Obamacare to eliminate the opposition and freedom of speech by delaying healthcare to those on his enemies list?
Is it just me or should I be concerned about the use of drones to kill American citizens on American soil? Attorney General Eric Holder said that President Obama can do that under extraordinary circumstances. Should I be concerned about all the bullets, guns and armored vehicles the Department of Homeland Security is buying? Should I be concerned that they want to take away the guns of returning troops, TEA Party members, conservatives, prophecy teachers, etc.? Should I be concerned about this all-out attack on “Stand Your Ground” laws? Should I be concerned that this sounds like some of the actions of the Antichrist whose satanic government will target people during the Tribulation period for their religious beliefs?
The right to buy and sell will be granted to those who take the mark, name or number of the Antichrist, but those who refuse to take the mark, name or number will be targeted, denied the right to buy and sell (can’t purchase healthcare, food, water, utilities, guns, bullets, etc.), and ultimately, they will die or be put to death. It will be too late. But the left and media (same thing) are going to regret their complicity and silence. Could it be that this IRS scandal is coming out of the pits of hell instead of Cincinnati and Washington, D.C.? Could it be that it is being orchestrated by a control-freak who is clearly a type of the Antichrist or perhaps worse (the real man of sin)?
FYI: Coming soon: God Has Spoken (And We Know It) by Daymond Duck.
Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck
daymondduck@bellsouth.net
rachelduck@bellsouth.net
Visit
I just wanted to write that I've recently had a terrific week with my sister and her new baby.
The week couldn't have gone better. I got to do all the things one loves to do with a baby...we napped, took walks, ate, burped, washed, changed, rocked, snuggled, sneezed, had tummy time...she is precious. I miss her so much already.
I absolutely loved all the time with my sister, too. Getting to have late night talks and leisurely time together was priceless. My sister came for an extended visit when I had babies, and it was so great. There is just something you can't capture in short visits.
I'm thankful my husband and I are both open to being wherever God wants us to be. Who knows, maybe one day we'll be even closer to our families. I go back and forth on it, so am glad that we can just follow His leading and trust in that.
The week couldn't have gone better. I got to do all the things one loves to do with a baby...we napped, took walks, ate, burped, washed, changed, rocked, snuggled, sneezed, had tummy time...she is precious. I miss her so much already.
I absolutely loved all the time with my sister, too. Getting to have late night talks and leisurely time together was priceless. My sister came for an extended visit when I had babies, and it was so great. There is just something you can't capture in short visits.
I'm thankful my husband and I are both open to being wherever God wants us to be. Who knows, maybe one day we'll be even closer to our families. I go back and forth on it, so am glad that we can just follow His leading and trust in that.
Bonhoeffer
To say I'm presently enamored with Bonhoeffer, by Eric Metaxas, is a mild overstatement. Mild. My girlfriend sent me her copy to borrow. She is currently working through Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, which I continue to go through as well; there is such satisfaction in reading the same books as close friends and then discussing them.
What is amazing me are how ideas I've been having and grappling with are being said plain in Bonhoeffer. In observing American dormitory life, " Community is therefore founded less on truth than on the spirit of 'fairness'." (this is because they, meaning Americans and those involved with the church and theology, do not see 'the radical claim of truth on the shaping of their lives~Bonhoeffer)
Oh how this sums up the dissatisfaction of community for the sake of community. To have communion with others who study the Word and ponder it's truth...who seek to live set apart from the wicked modern culture rather than compromise...to have discussions about the intricate theology that historic Christianity was built upon! There indwells deep fellowship.
Of course, I am not a theologian and do not comprehend nearly as well all that I hope to by the end of my days. But striving toward understanding what it means to be a disciple, striving to understand God...communing with others doing the same, is beyond words.
What is amazing me are how ideas I've been having and grappling with are being said plain in Bonhoeffer. In observing American dormitory life, " Community is therefore founded less on truth than on the spirit of 'fairness'." (this is because they, meaning Americans and those involved with the church and theology, do not see 'the radical claim of truth on the shaping of their lives~Bonhoeffer)
Oh how this sums up the dissatisfaction of community for the sake of community. To have communion with others who study the Word and ponder it's truth...who seek to live set apart from the wicked modern culture rather than compromise...to have discussions about the intricate theology that historic Christianity was built upon! There indwells deep fellowship.
Of course, I am not a theologian and do not comprehend nearly as well all that I hope to by the end of my days. But striving toward understanding what it means to be a disciple, striving to understand God...communing with others doing the same, is beyond words.
Searching This Blog
It can be hard to find what you are looking for on a blog. I thought this might prove helpful.
If you put a term in the search box, it is only going to bring up posts with those words in the title. Watch punctuation, it matters. I try to be exact, using apostrophes, for example, so if you write a term that should have one with out it, you'll get nada in the search results.
Often I write about the same topic and try to tag the topics similarly. If you want to find all my posts about something, the best way is to find one such article and then click on a tagged term. For example, type 'cults' in to my search box and only a few articles come up. But then click on the tag "Apostasy" and you will find a LOT more on the subject matter.
I hope this helps!
If you put a term in the search box, it is only going to bring up posts with those words in the title. Watch punctuation, it matters. I try to be exact, using apostrophes, for example, so if you write a term that should have one with out it, you'll get nada in the search results.
Often I write about the same topic and try to tag the topics similarly. If you want to find all my posts about something, the best way is to find one such article and then click on a tagged term. For example, type 'cults' in to my search box and only a few articles come up. But then click on the tag "Apostasy" and you will find a LOT more on the subject matter.
I hope this helps!
Median Income Chart-One Wage Earner USA
I think this is quite interesting to see what the median income is of one income families in the USA, listed by state. The link below has this information. The chart also shows the average increase per number of persons living in the household. Of course, people live on less than these numbers and also more. We are so much wealthier in the US than the vast majority of people worldwide...just looking at the bottom most chart is a sage reminder of this truth. So many of our needs are really just wants. I want to pay our house off as quickly as possible, so am really looking at this sort of information, praying for wisdom and ways to cut back.
http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/20120501/bci_data/median_income_table.htm
http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/20120501/bci_data/median_income_table.htm
Move over NSA, here comes the Obamacare Big Brother database
Just adding more information for them to have in my file.
Move over NSA, here comes the Obamacare Big Brother database.
Move over NSA, here comes the Obamacare Big Brother database.
Catholic Indulgences in 2013
If you've heard about the Pope offering indulgences for following him on Twitter, you are not going to be amazed at the horrific nature of the link I'm sharing in this post. When my husband told me about this, I thought for certain he was joking. Rest assured, it is not a joke and it is a sober reason to leave the Catholic church.
I understand that people who are very sincere follow Catholicism. It is hard to leave a religion of one's family or upbringing, but we are each accountable before God Almighty and will one day stand before Him. There will be no pass for following error no matter how sincere a person is because we can be sincerely wrong. When we are wrong on the matter of what it takes to go to Heaven, there is no correction able to undo the state we'll find ourselves in. Hell is a very real place and the die is cast on where we are going upon our death--there is no evidence in Scripture to the contrary.
Please read the Bible and look at what it says. Compare it to what your religion teaches, whether it's Catholic or some other religion that has rules made up by fallible men. No matter how old a religion is, if it is not founded on the Bible, which means the 66 books of the Old and New Testament that met the strict standards to be considered the word of God recorded by men, it is not something to be trusted. Only God's word is unchanging. Christianity is meant to be very simple, no act that we perform can put us in a saving relationship to God the Father. It is remarkably simple to be born again as the Bible says we must be in order to see the kingdom of God. (John 3:7 is where the statement is, but read all of John 3 to understand more)
I don't know about you, but I want to 100% certain what I'm placing my faith in in guaranteed to get me where I want to go when I die. Moreover, I want to be 100% certain what I teach my children is going to be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Aside from this, there are so many wonderful promises made to the true follower of Christ. It pains me when people who only give lip service to Christianity try to rest in the promises of God. The promises are for those who are in Christ, which means, those whose attitude toward sin is the same as Gods. No, we aren't perfect, but we cannot be truly IN Christ if we are comfortable living in a sinful lifestyle such as homosexuality or having sex outside of marriage. It amazes me how people expect God to watch over them but they refuse to give Him anything...the only thing He wants is our hearts, our allegiance. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to be able to see where a person's allegiance is, whether we're talking Christ or something less important. You can spot a 'fan' anywhere--look at sports. There is evidence of who you support, right?
When I was growing I had questions about Catholicism and began to research. I started by going to the Priest who could not sufficiently answer my questions. I believe the Lord put it on my heart to start asking, and in time, the Word of God made sense to me because I had been born again as the Bible says (born spiritually, because the first birth is merely physical birth).
We are all born spiritually dead, so we cannot comprehend God's word. I distinctly remember reading the Bible in high school and not understanding what it meant. I tried and tried...in college I realized how sinful I was according to God's standard of perfect holiness and bowed before Him as a humble servant. Pride was gone, self-promotion and justification of my actions was gone...it was me and the Christ I'd heard of and wanted to live for. He came in to my heart and I was radically changed-- set free. Free from the bondage of sin and free to serve the living God whose word never changes. I needed that so much and it's been an anchor of steadfastness for nearly two decades.
For Further Study....
What does the Bible teach about a need for further possible cleansing when we die so we are fit to enter Heaven (the untrue belief of Purgatory)?
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. (no unrighteousness is left)
1 John 2:1
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. (no one else can be an advocate for us, only Jesus is named as the advocate, just like He is the only intercessor named in the Bible in 1 Tim 2:5)
Romans 8:1, 2
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. (it is Christ Jesus who frees us completely from the condemnation of our sin, we are FREE from the law of sin and death because of what Christ did....don't follow a religion that teaches something other than this, it is not to be trusted with your eternal soul)
There is not a single verse in the Bible with which to defend the false theology of purgatory. In fact, the very idea of a second route to heaven runs counter to God's redemptive plan. Jesus Christ was the substitute for you and me, and His death paid our sin-debt. He obtained our eternal redemption with His blood (read Heb. 9 for more). If there is a place where people can go to suffer for their own sins—in other words, pay their own penalty—then God sending His Son to die makes no sense. Our good works are called filthy rags in the Bible, how could they or the prayers offered by sinners do anything Christ didn't already do?
In John 14:1-3, Jesus told the disciples that He was going away to prepare a place for His followers. Nowhere in scripture do we find any mention of a detour into misery where we "earn" a pass into heaven. The Bible says that believers are either at home in the body, or absent from it and present with the Lord. There is simply no in-between stopover.
Prayerfully living for the King of Kings and hoping to point you to Him-
I understand that people who are very sincere follow Catholicism. It is hard to leave a religion of one's family or upbringing, but we are each accountable before God Almighty and will one day stand before Him. There will be no pass for following error no matter how sincere a person is because we can be sincerely wrong. When we are wrong on the matter of what it takes to go to Heaven, there is no correction able to undo the state we'll find ourselves in. Hell is a very real place and the die is cast on where we are going upon our death--there is no evidence in Scripture to the contrary.
Please read the Bible and look at what it says. Compare it to what your religion teaches, whether it's Catholic or some other religion that has rules made up by fallible men. No matter how old a religion is, if it is not founded on the Bible, which means the 66 books of the Old and New Testament that met the strict standards to be considered the word of God recorded by men, it is not something to be trusted. Only God's word is unchanging. Christianity is meant to be very simple, no act that we perform can put us in a saving relationship to God the Father. It is remarkably simple to be born again as the Bible says we must be in order to see the kingdom of God. (John 3:7 is where the statement is, but read all of John 3 to understand more)
I don't know about you, but I want to 100% certain what I'm placing my faith in in guaranteed to get me where I want to go when I die. Moreover, I want to be 100% certain what I teach my children is going to be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Aside from this, there are so many wonderful promises made to the true follower of Christ. It pains me when people who only give lip service to Christianity try to rest in the promises of God. The promises are for those who are in Christ, which means, those whose attitude toward sin is the same as Gods. No, we aren't perfect, but we cannot be truly IN Christ if we are comfortable living in a sinful lifestyle such as homosexuality or having sex outside of marriage. It amazes me how people expect God to watch over them but they refuse to give Him anything...the only thing He wants is our hearts, our allegiance. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to be able to see where a person's allegiance is, whether we're talking Christ or something less important. You can spot a 'fan' anywhere--look at sports. There is evidence of who you support, right?
When I was growing I had questions about Catholicism and began to research. I started by going to the Priest who could not sufficiently answer my questions. I believe the Lord put it on my heart to start asking, and in time, the Word of God made sense to me because I had been born again as the Bible says (born spiritually, because the first birth is merely physical birth).
We are all born spiritually dead, so we cannot comprehend God's word. I distinctly remember reading the Bible in high school and not understanding what it meant. I tried and tried...in college I realized how sinful I was according to God's standard of perfect holiness and bowed before Him as a humble servant. Pride was gone, self-promotion and justification of my actions was gone...it was me and the Christ I'd heard of and wanted to live for. He came in to my heart and I was radically changed-- set free. Free from the bondage of sin and free to serve the living God whose word never changes. I needed that so much and it's been an anchor of steadfastness for nearly two decades.
For Further Study....
What does the Bible teach about a need for further possible cleansing when we die so we are fit to enter Heaven (the untrue belief of Purgatory)?
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. (no unrighteousness is left)
1 John 2:1
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. (no one else can be an advocate for us, only Jesus is named as the advocate, just like He is the only intercessor named in the Bible in 1 Tim 2:5)
Romans 8:1, 2
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. (it is Christ Jesus who frees us completely from the condemnation of our sin, we are FREE from the law of sin and death because of what Christ did....don't follow a religion that teaches something other than this, it is not to be trusted with your eternal soul)
There is not a single verse in the Bible with which to defend the false theology of purgatory. In fact, the very idea of a second route to heaven runs counter to God's redemptive plan. Jesus Christ was the substitute for you and me, and His death paid our sin-debt. He obtained our eternal redemption with His blood (read Heb. 9 for more). If there is a place where people can go to suffer for their own sins—in other words, pay their own penalty—then God sending His Son to die makes no sense. Our good works are called filthy rags in the Bible, how could they or the prayers offered by sinners do anything Christ didn't already do?
In John 14:1-3, Jesus told the disciples that He was going away to prepare a place for His followers. Nowhere in scripture do we find any mention of a detour into misery where we "earn" a pass into heaven. The Bible says that believers are either at home in the body, or absent from it and present with the Lord. There is simply no in-between stopover.
Prayerfully living for the King of Kings and hoping to point you to Him-
Nothing Between My Soul and the Savior
I love the truth found in a good hymn.
Nothing Between My Soul and the Savior
Nothing Between My Soul and the Savior
Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
Naught of this world's delusive dream;
I have renounced all sinful pleasure;
Jesus is mine, there's nothing between.Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
So that His blessed face may be seen;
Nothing preventing the least of His favor,
Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.
Nothing between, like worldly pleasure;
Habits of life, though harmless they seem,
Must not my heart from Him e'er sever;
He is my all, there's nothing between.
Nothing between, like pride or station;
Self-life or friends shall not intervene;
Though it may cost me much tribulation,
I am resolved; there's nothing between.
Nothing between, e'en many hard trials,
Though the whole world against me convene;
Watching with prayer and much self-denial,
I'll triumph at last, with nothing between.
source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/miscellaneouslyrics/christianlyrics/nothingbetweenmysoulandthesaviorlyrics.html
Naught of this world's delusive dream;
I have renounced all sinful pleasure;
Jesus is mine, there's nothing between.Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
So that His blessed face may be seen;
Nothing preventing the least of His favor,
Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.
Nothing between, like worldly pleasure;
Habits of life, though harmless they seem,
Must not my heart from Him e'er sever;
He is my all, there's nothing between.
Nothing between, like pride or station;
Self-life or friends shall not intervene;
Though it may cost me much tribulation,
I am resolved; there's nothing between.
Nothing between, e'en many hard trials,
Though the whole world against me convene;
Watching with prayer and much self-denial,
I'll triumph at last, with nothing between.
source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/miscellaneouslyrics/christianlyrics/nothingbetweenmysoulandthesaviorlyrics.html
Don't Be Afraid to Dream
I've never thought of myself as a dreamer. Just the term sort of rubs me wrong.
Lately though, I've been thinking about all of things I've done in my 39 years...how many things did I want to do that I didn't? My husband jokingly pointed out the other night that if I want to figure something out, I do..it was in response to my lame reaction when he wanted to bring in a CD book from the car and finish listening. I didn't want to so acted like it would be sooo hard to find the right spot. His reaction about what an 'overcomer' I was being was hilarious. It also got me thinking.
It can be so easy to think that what we're doing with our lives and how we're doing it is the only option. It is so easy to get stuck in a microcosm. This is one reason moving to different states is a blessing. It's a reason attending college is a blessing. How can a person truly believe they can dare to have a different life from everyone around them if they've never seen anything different in action?
There is something to be said for exposure.
I've met many, many families with children through my college and married days. Most of these families have been quite different from my family growing up. With homeschooling, well, you meet tons of families. Homeschoolers by definition are a more brave sort...
I guess I just want to encourage anyone who stumbles upon this post: be BRAVE. Don't be afraid to dream and dream BIG..then go out and do what it is you want to do. It might not be that you want to become an archeologist in a remote part of Mozambique or become a fire fighting pilot.
It could be that you want to homeschool your kids and your family is really pro-public education.
It could be you want to leave the religion of your family for the simplicity of following God's word.
It could be you want to figure out how to stay home with your children when everyone you associate with is a two income family.
It could be you want to simplify your life radically and go to one car and no cell phone.
It might be something altogether different. The point is, don't be afraid to chart your own course and take life by the horns. Time is too short to sit back and act like a fearful victim.
Just do it!
Lately though, I've been thinking about all of things I've done in my 39 years...how many things did I want to do that I didn't? My husband jokingly pointed out the other night that if I want to figure something out, I do..it was in response to my lame reaction when he wanted to bring in a CD book from the car and finish listening. I didn't want to so acted like it would be sooo hard to find the right spot. His reaction about what an 'overcomer' I was being was hilarious. It also got me thinking.
It can be so easy to think that what we're doing with our lives and how we're doing it is the only option. It is so easy to get stuck in a microcosm. This is one reason moving to different states is a blessing. It's a reason attending college is a blessing. How can a person truly believe they can dare to have a different life from everyone around them if they've never seen anything different in action?
There is something to be said for exposure.
I've met many, many families with children through my college and married days. Most of these families have been quite different from my family growing up. With homeschooling, well, you meet tons of families. Homeschoolers by definition are a more brave sort...
I guess I just want to encourage anyone who stumbles upon this post: be BRAVE. Don't be afraid to dream and dream BIG..then go out and do what it is you want to do. It might not be that you want to become an archeologist in a remote part of Mozambique or become a fire fighting pilot.
It could be that you want to homeschool your kids and your family is really pro-public education.
It could be you want to leave the religion of your family for the simplicity of following God's word.
It could be you want to figure out how to stay home with your children when everyone you associate with is a two income family.
It could be you want to simplify your life radically and go to one car and no cell phone.
It might be something altogether different. The point is, don't be afraid to chart your own course and take life by the horns. Time is too short to sit back and act like a fearful victim.
Just do it!
Friends
It is that time of year to pray for friends. This is really an annual post, but rather than keep reposting I prefer to be fresh! Who knows, maybe there is something new once in a while.
The first time of year where I begin to pray for friendship is during the winter when we're making our school choices. Never do I want the issue of relationships to be what drives our educational decisions--academically or spiritually. But of course, we all need people to walk through life with and my hope is that through the educational classes we select, friends will come forth.
In this age of community in all sectors of life, it can be a challenge to keep the focus on identifying first with the Father, God. I want my kids' loyalty to be with Him and His word, as well as my own. Groups can change and my concern here is identifying so much with a group that we stop being discerning. We can find ourselves loyal to a group long after we should have left. This is seen in churches that go the wrong direction --people are so tied to it socially that they refuse to look at the serious issues that might be reason to break fellowship. For these reasons, I think approaching friends in the same way we'll look for spouses later is a good idea: pray while keeping our eyes firmly fixed on the Lord, and God will bring the increase.
The times we live in are dark and there are many unreliable 'Christian' beliefs infiltrating the church. In my mind, it is dangerous to encourage too much sentiment with those who disagree with what we hold as Truth. Our kids could feel torn between what we say versus their friends think, or worse, they can grow to be undiscerning about spiritual matters, likely developing the attitude so many believers have today, which is that we just can't know or be certain about things we really can be certain about. It is hard to disagree with people we love and spend a lot of time with. We see the erosion of morality with the homosexual movement. Someone believes it is sin until a friend or family member comes out of the closet...we have to be watchful against the forces of darkness that can weaken our resolve or cloud our judgement.
For these reasons I spend time in prayer annually for the relationships the Lord wants us all to have. There is only so much time to put in to relationships, and it seems that without careful thought, we can neglect the most important for those which are temporary. Likewise, with limited time, don't we all want to make the most of the relationships we are blessed with?
God first, immediate family next, and then we each must decide where to go from there. The size of one's family surely plays in to the time needed for 'immediate family', and the time the parents have to spend with each child and then the family as a whole. Other categories to consider: extended family, church body where you are a member, others who share your activities, others who educate as you do, people who do the same volunteer work as you....
Perhaps other people don't think on these things and just go about however time allows and wherever the kids want the time to go.
However you approach this, we can probably all agree that the company we keep says a lot about us and can impact our thinking tremendously.
For now,
The first time of year where I begin to pray for friendship is during the winter when we're making our school choices. Never do I want the issue of relationships to be what drives our educational decisions--academically or spiritually. But of course, we all need people to walk through life with and my hope is that through the educational classes we select, friends will come forth.
In this age of community in all sectors of life, it can be a challenge to keep the focus on identifying first with the Father, God. I want my kids' loyalty to be with Him and His word, as well as my own. Groups can change and my concern here is identifying so much with a group that we stop being discerning. We can find ourselves loyal to a group long after we should have left. This is seen in churches that go the wrong direction --people are so tied to it socially that they refuse to look at the serious issues that might be reason to break fellowship. For these reasons, I think approaching friends in the same way we'll look for spouses later is a good idea: pray while keeping our eyes firmly fixed on the Lord, and God will bring the increase.
The times we live in are dark and there are many unreliable 'Christian' beliefs infiltrating the church. In my mind, it is dangerous to encourage too much sentiment with those who disagree with what we hold as Truth. Our kids could feel torn between what we say versus their friends think, or worse, they can grow to be undiscerning about spiritual matters, likely developing the attitude so many believers have today, which is that we just can't know or be certain about things we really can be certain about. It is hard to disagree with people we love and spend a lot of time with. We see the erosion of morality with the homosexual movement. Someone believes it is sin until a friend or family member comes out of the closet...we have to be watchful against the forces of darkness that can weaken our resolve or cloud our judgement.
For these reasons I spend time in prayer annually for the relationships the Lord wants us all to have. There is only so much time to put in to relationships, and it seems that without careful thought, we can neglect the most important for those which are temporary. Likewise, with limited time, don't we all want to make the most of the relationships we are blessed with?
God first, immediate family next, and then we each must decide where to go from there. The size of one's family surely plays in to the time needed for 'immediate family', and the time the parents have to spend with each child and then the family as a whole. Other categories to consider: extended family, church body where you are a member, others who share your activities, others who educate as you do, people who do the same volunteer work as you....
Perhaps other people don't think on these things and just go about however time allows and wherever the kids want the time to go.
However you approach this, we can probably all agree that the company we keep says a lot about us and can impact our thinking tremendously.
For now,
Choices
I was blessed today by a conversation between two ladies whose children are raised, my sister-in-law, and myself. The older ladies live in very small homes, one is probably around 1300 sq ft and the other surely is not much bigger because they are on the same street and none of the homes are large. I've been in both, but only recall one well--it is tiny, but adorable and so neat. I really love it.
The discussion was one of joy when these older ladies learned my SIL is going to stay home with her new baby. With children raised and grandchildren now, they were quick to say that large homes, cars, nice big wardrobes etc. are just not worth the price paid by working outside the home when you have young children.
My SIL approaches it merely as a blessing she can stay home, she's thankful it has worked out that way...but truth be told, they have planned all along for her to be home when they had children, so adjusted their materialism to meet what her husband's salary could provide. In this day of success being measured by what one has, I have found it encouraging to watch them.
I was also very encouraged listening to the women not mince words or dance around the issues surrounding the sacrifice of staying home. Of course, they and we don't really see it as a sacrifice at all, it's a privilege. Still, it is very encouraging when others who have walked the path are there to cheer you on.
If you are planning to have children one day, why not plan conservatively and do what God says is a blessing--be a keeper at home. While you may not see women who stay at home with their kids thronging the streets or plastering billboards, they are out there, quietly sacrificing and loving, fully satisfied with their life-doing the work that matters most.
The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
The discussion was one of joy when these older ladies learned my SIL is going to stay home with her new baby. With children raised and grandchildren now, they were quick to say that large homes, cars, nice big wardrobes etc. are just not worth the price paid by working outside the home when you have young children.
My SIL approaches it merely as a blessing she can stay home, she's thankful it has worked out that way...but truth be told, they have planned all along for her to be home when they had children, so adjusted their materialism to meet what her husband's salary could provide. In this day of success being measured by what one has, I have found it encouraging to watch them.
I was also very encouraged listening to the women not mince words or dance around the issues surrounding the sacrifice of staying home. Of course, they and we don't really see it as a sacrifice at all, it's a privilege. Still, it is very encouraging when others who have walked the path are there to cheer you on.
If you are planning to have children one day, why not plan conservatively and do what God says is a blessing--be a keeper at home. While you may not see women who stay at home with their kids thronging the streets or plastering billboards, they are out there, quietly sacrificing and loving, fully satisfied with their life-doing the work that matters most.
The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
Reagan Tribute
This shows how far our nation has fallen in recent years. I remember my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. B, telling us to vote when we were old enough. She said it over and over; what a privilege it was to turn 18 and vote. Back then it wasn't rare for a public school teacher to be a conservative...Mrs. B loved Ronald Reagan and told us so. It wasn't until I was much older that this stern woman made sense to me. She had high standards for us, no doubt she could see how many of us needed a firmer hand than we were getting at home, and she took her role to instill good values seriously.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/OvN1jTkzXbY?rel=0
http://www.youtube.com/embed/OvN1jTkzXbY?rel=0
Attitudes in Young Children
My children aren't very small anymore, but recently I was reminded of the importance of disciplining for poor attitudes when they are young, more than behavior. The manner in which this is best dealt with is something swift, firm, and effective. I'm not a supporter of time out's or sending kids to their bedroom.
Time out's are really not any sort of punishment and they allow poor attitudes to continue, in short, they don't deal with the heart and they take too long.
Sending kids to their room isn't a punishment either and it promotes brooding. Giving special alone time in a bedroom usually results in feeling sorry for oneself or justifying bad actions. It doesn't take long to cement poor habits with thinking.
The best way to discipline is nip disobedience or defiance in the bud. For those who believe in spanking, it should produce swift, stinging pain quickly. You should not be angry when administering this punishment and ideally, it occurs after talking briefly to the child, explaining that their action was unacceptable/sin and they require discipline. If this is done well during the younger years, by the time a child is 6 years old, they should not be throwing fits when told to do something they don't want to. If we focus on the heart and the natural, rebellious nature of mankind, we'll be much more productive with training our kids.
Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp is a good read on child rearing if you want more thorough information.
Time out's are really not any sort of punishment and they allow poor attitudes to continue, in short, they don't deal with the heart and they take too long.
Sending kids to their room isn't a punishment either and it promotes brooding. Giving special alone time in a bedroom usually results in feeling sorry for oneself or justifying bad actions. It doesn't take long to cement poor habits with thinking.
The best way to discipline is nip disobedience or defiance in the bud. For those who believe in spanking, it should produce swift, stinging pain quickly. You should not be angry when administering this punishment and ideally, it occurs after talking briefly to the child, explaining that their action was unacceptable/sin and they require discipline. If this is done well during the younger years, by the time a child is 6 years old, they should not be throwing fits when told to do something they don't want to. If we focus on the heart and the natural, rebellious nature of mankind, we'll be much more productive with training our kids.
Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp is a good read on child rearing if you want more thorough information.
The Circle Maker
We just returned from a wonderful week away to the mountains. It was one of those vacations without internet or a schedule, we just played games, read, studied, and watched TV. Before leaving, I sent a note to some close friends warning them about a new book that is out, The Circle Maker. I'd stumbled upon an EZC blog post regarding it and was glad to have done so.
While on vacation, I didn't think about things back home. I did spend a lot of time in the Word and reading. I'm still working through Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by D. Martyn-Lloyd Jones, but also began reading John MacArthur's The Truth War and read the first two books in Bodie and Brock Theone's Zion Covenant Series. I loved the Zion Chronicles...it was a wonderful time to refresh and recommit to the Lord.
So we get home and what does my husband find upon reading the current newsletter for our former church? The pastor is recommending the very book I warned people about last week. The newsletter came out while we were gone.
I'm thankful and amazed with how God works. He led me to the review and then put it on my heart who to send the warning to. Had I seen the newsletter from our former church first, I wouldn't have sent the warning to the people I sent it to. May God pierce the hearts of those leading churches in to this new wave of pseudo-Christianity.
To God be the Glory
Cajun Red Beans and Rice and Fried Chicken: Take 2
Ever since reading the Unorthodox Epicure's post about fried chicken, I've become determined to make great fried chicken every time I try. That said, this is not my first post regarding Cajun Red Beans or Fried Bird.
My original post is here: http://communisvita.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/cajun-wednesday-night-dinner/.
In case you also desire to make great fried chicken, which is a lost art if you ask me, I'll share some tips.
-let the chicken come to room temperature before seasoning and frying. If you worry about letting chicken sit out (I don't), microwave it for 30 seconds per side (this is if you have 3 thighs on the plate).
-if you aren't good at eyeballing the way 375 degree oil acts, take time to check with a thermometer. I think one common error folks have is oil that isn't hot enough.
-this isn't critical, but I like the flavor of mixing various oils to fry in: Crisco, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, Smart Balance vegetable oil blend
-I like to drain the chicken on a wire rack, not the crisscrossed kind that Pampered Chef sells, but one that just has bars in one direction so there isn't too much 'bar' sitting under the chicken. This seems to help the piece be crunchier than if you set it on paper towels right away. After the chicken is pretty cool you can get more oil out by setting it on paper towels.
My original post is here: http://communisvita.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/cajun-wednesday-night-dinner/.
In case you also desire to make great fried chicken, which is a lost art if you ask me, I'll share some tips.
-let the chicken come to room temperature before seasoning and frying. If you worry about letting chicken sit out (I don't), microwave it for 30 seconds per side (this is if you have 3 thighs on the plate).
-if you aren't good at eyeballing the way 375 degree oil acts, take time to check with a thermometer. I think one common error folks have is oil that isn't hot enough.
-this isn't critical, but I like the flavor of mixing various oils to fry in: Crisco, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, Smart Balance vegetable oil blend
-I like to drain the chicken on a wire rack, not the crisscrossed kind that Pampered Chef sells, but one that just has bars in one direction so there isn't too much 'bar' sitting under the chicken. This seems to help the piece be crunchier than if you set it on paper towels right away. After the chicken is pretty cool you can get more oil out by setting it on paper towels.
The recipe from the Unorthodox Epicure
The spice mixture, she's hot!
The chicken...first fry some bacon in your cast iron
Next, lift up the skin and insert spices. I do some full strength and some much weaker so we can all enjoy it!
For Father's Day I cooked up some turnip, mustard and collard greens in some bacon grease and garlic.
My friend turned me on to Formula L biscuit mix, which I go through quite a bit of. Recently, we've all enjoyed the biscuits a lot more because of adding flax seed, wheat germ, lots of parsley, and a dash of garlic powder.
The finished plate. Sorry I took it upside down and didn't rotate it before uploading!
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