I heard a great statistic awhile back: only 30% of people are morning people, the other 70% are night owls. I tried to track down the source of that stat, but haven't found it yet. I did find another stat - that it's actually 50/50. I don't believe it! It is the GUILT. 20% of the late-nighters gave in to peer pressure and LIED, LIED, LIED! The ranks of the majority need to band together and change the way the world works.......it's just not fair. It is time for the tyranny to end!
I truly believe I am meant to live somewhere else in the world - perhaps a Polynesian Island or maybe South America. Maybe I was born without an adrenal gland (or maybe some Hunter S. Thompson fanatic stole it). I just do not get enough sleep. I am forced out of bed every Monday through Friday during the school year, at 6:00 AM. My kids' bus stops in front of our house at 6:37. Yes, I do mean AM. We live two miles from the school and school doesn't start until 8:00. Last year I prayed to God, "Please God, let them change the bus route, so the kids don't have to get on the bus at 6:45 anymore." That's when we ended up with 6:37. God is definitely refining me like silver.
The only thing worse than living in a morning person world would be if my husband were a morning person. Thankfully he is like me, although he is slightly more energetic in the morning. Two of our three children are morning people - don't ask me how that happened. Our oldest daughter, Maddy, is exactly like I was as a child. She has terrible insomnia and wants to stay up and read. In the morning she is nearly impossible to get out of bed. She has gotten more skilled at getting ready for school and has learned to sleep on the bus. Someday, when it is no longer my job to drag her out of bed, she and I will be the best of friends.
So if you are reading this and you are a morning person, know that you are in the minority (now where is the site on that darn statistic). Raspberries to you and your whole culture of clock-watchers and the early-riser patriarchs who crafted our society on guilt and and sun-worship. I am not lazy and you will not make me feel guilty. Now be quiet, I am going back to sleep.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
God Is So Good...Welcoming Julia into the Community of Faith
Today I had the extreme pleasure of baptizing my youngest child. As a parent, I am so grateful that all three of my children have a living, active relationship with Jesus. Each of them asked Jesus into their heart at the age of three and asked to be baptized at age four. This was not my plan, but God's.
Age three seems so young for a child to have a genuine relationship with God. They have a keen desire to please, so they are certainly susceptible to doing something in order to make Mommy or Daddy happy. When a child turns three they have barely outgrown the toddler phase, really they are still babies in many ways. By the time they turn four - in the span of just one year - they are little kids, savvy and opinionated and testing every boundary (again and again and again) . Age three is also the time when they become aware of their own sin nature. A young three year-old may know the basics about Jesus and about God's redemptive plan, but without an awareness of sin, they have no need for a savior. My daughter, Maddy, at age three, in conversation about Jesus dying on the cross for the bad things that we do, said, "Oh mommy, I don't do bad things." Just a few days later, she came to me and said, "Mommy, I want to tell Jesus I am sorry for the bad things I do." Ian was with us while visiting my mother-in-law. He ran out from the room where he was supposed to be sleeping and exclaimed, "Mommy, I just asked Jesus into my heart!" I proceeded to question him about what he thought that meant - fully expecting him to deny his own wrong-doing, but instead he talked about Jesus dying for his sins and making him clean. Julia also had this same self-awareness. She had recently seen a passion play at the Miracle theater in Pigeon Forge, TN. She had been talking about the story of Jesus and Satan and how Jesus died on the cross and won over Satan. One day in the car on the way to the YMCA, she said from her car seat, "I'm sorry mommy, that Jesus had to die for my sins." I asked her if she wanted to pray and tell him she was sorry, so she said, "Yes." I asked her if she wanted to ask him into her heart, and again, she said, "Yes." So I led her in a short prayer. Already she has been sharing her testimony with anyone who will listen.
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
Mark 10:13-16 ......."Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
Age three seems so young for a child to have a genuine relationship with God. They have a keen desire to please, so they are certainly susceptible to doing something in order to make Mommy or Daddy happy. When a child turns three they have barely outgrown the toddler phase, really they are still babies in many ways. By the time they turn four - in the span of just one year - they are little kids, savvy and opinionated and testing every boundary (again and again and again) . Age three is also the time when they become aware of their own sin nature. A young three year-old may know the basics about Jesus and about God's redemptive plan, but without an awareness of sin, they have no need for a savior. My daughter, Maddy, at age three, in conversation about Jesus dying on the cross for the bad things that we do, said, "Oh mommy, I don't do bad things." Just a few days later, she came to me and said, "Mommy, I want to tell Jesus I am sorry for the bad things I do." Ian was with us while visiting my mother-in-law. He ran out from the room where he was supposed to be sleeping and exclaimed, "Mommy, I just asked Jesus into my heart!" I proceeded to question him about what he thought that meant - fully expecting him to deny his own wrong-doing, but instead he talked about Jesus dying for his sins and making him clean. Julia also had this same self-awareness. She had recently seen a passion play at the Miracle theater in Pigeon Forge, TN. She had been talking about the story of Jesus and Satan and how Jesus died on the cross and won over Satan. One day in the car on the way to the YMCA, she said from her car seat, "I'm sorry mommy, that Jesus had to die for my sins." I asked her if she wanted to pray and tell him she was sorry, so she said, "Yes." I asked her if she wanted to ask him into her heart, and again, she said, "Yes." So I led her in a short prayer. Already she has been sharing her testimony with anyone who will listen.
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
Mark 10:13-16 ......."Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
WHERE'S MY STIMULUS CHECK?????
One more thing I have to get off my chest......
Where's My Stimulus Payment?
This table describes the status of your refund
Social Security Number: ***-**-**** Please select
this button to print your Rebate Results for your records.
-->Rebate Status Results
-->
There is a delay in processing your Stimulus payment.
If you have questions or need additional information, please have the following on hand when you call:
A copy of this page
The Social Security Number, Filing Status, and Total Exemptions claimed on your 2007 tax return
Please mention reference number 1647 to the IRS Customer Service Representative.
IRS Hours of Service:Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Call:1-800-829-0582, when asked for an extension, enter 726.From outside the US call 215-516-2000.TTY/TDD: 1-800-829-4059
AAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHERE'S MY MONEY?????
We filed back in Feb or March, received the nice little letter (those cost the IRS $42 million, alone) saying we would be receiving our money on the first day of direct deposits and still haven't received one penny!!! The mistake we made was filing an amended return before we received our check. STUPID! STUPID! STUPID! We got a revised K1 in the mail, which amounted to us owing $40 to the IRS. Like good little citizens, we filed our amended return immediately - before April 15, in order to avoid paying penalties. What was our reward - A DELAY ON OUR STIMULUS PAYMENT! At first the FAQ website said allow 8-12 weeks after filing an amended return. Last week, it said allow 12 - 16 weeks. They cashed our check on April 6. That was 19 weeks ago!
Where's My Stimulus Payment?
This table describes the status of your refund
Social Security Number: ***-**-**** Please select
this button to print your Rebate Results for your records.
-->Rebate Status Results
-->
There is a delay in processing your Stimulus payment.
If you have questions or need additional information, please have the following on hand when you call:
A copy of this page
The Social Security Number, Filing Status, and Total Exemptions claimed on your 2007 tax return
Please mention reference number 1647 to the IRS Customer Service Representative.
IRS Hours of Service:Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Call:1-800-829-0582, when asked for an extension, enter 726.From outside the US call 215-516-2000.TTY/TDD: 1-800-829-4059
AAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHERE'S MY MONEY?????
We filed back in Feb or March, received the nice little letter (those cost the IRS $42 million, alone) saying we would be receiving our money on the first day of direct deposits and still haven't received one penny!!! The mistake we made was filing an amended return before we received our check. STUPID! STUPID! STUPID! We got a revised K1 in the mail, which amounted to us owing $40 to the IRS. Like good little citizens, we filed our amended return immediately - before April 15, in order to avoid paying penalties. What was our reward - A DELAY ON OUR STIMULUS PAYMENT! At first the FAQ website said allow 8-12 weeks after filing an amended return. Last week, it said allow 12 - 16 weeks. They cashed our check on April 6. That was 19 weeks ago!
Thanks Dr. Dobson - I Think I Will Vote For Obama After All!
I just hate the neocon Christian email propaganda that gets forwarded to me. Thankfully, anymore, it is usually sent to me to verify, since most of my friends know by now that I HATE FORWARDED EMAIL. (I ESPECIALLY HATE unverified hoaxmail.) I received this email the other day:
Please forward this important update on Barack Obama’s views on Christianity and government to your friends.
Dear *****, On Tuesday, presidential candidate Barack Obama lashed out at Dr. Dobson and accused Dr. Dobson of “making stuff up” about Obama.Nothing could be further from the truth! Here is what happened. On Tuesday's Focus on the Family radio broadcast (paid for by Focus Action), Dr. Dobson and I dissected a 2006 speech in which Obama made some very disturbing statements about his understating of Christianity, the role of religion in government and specifically Dr. Dobson.
Please click here to watch Obama’s speech, listen to Dr. Dobson’s comments, and more.
Obama compares Dr. Dobson to Al Sharpton .In that 2006 speech, after stating that we are not a Christian nation, Obama directly compared Dr. Dobson to Al Sharpton. Obama then continued with an extremely convoluted discussion of the Bible – from Levitical law to the Sermon on the Mount – that caused Dr. Dobson to say Obama was “deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview.”While Obama’s statements about Dr. Dobson are offensive, Obama’s misunderstanding of the Bible is alarming -- especially considering the blind faith so many of our fellow Americans seem to have in him!
Again, I want you to hear and see for yourself what Obama said, as well as Dr. Dobson’s comments.
*****, these are extremely important issues that we must contend with. That is why Focus Action sponsored this radio broadcast – and it's why we will not stand by silently as any public figure drags biblical understanding through the gutter or undermines the role of people of faith in our society.Thank you so much for standing with Focus on the Family Action.Tom Minnery Sr. Vice President, Government and Public PolicyFocus on the Family Action
There are few things I can think of that I would like to do less than watch an entire political speech, but that message was screaming, "I double dare you to verify the accusations for yourself!!" But, I must say, thanks Dr. Dobson, after watching and listening to Obama's entire speech, I have just heard everything I needed to hear to feel good about voting for him. That speech had it all - Obama's personal testimony about receiving Christ, his personal view on abortion and the difficulty of attempting to influence the party's platform toward a pro-life stance. A direct reference to Tony Campolo's work. The same totally pro-life Tony Campolo who recently joined the Democratic party's abortion platform committee to try and influence them toward a pro-life stance. Furthermore, Obama never compares Dobson to Sharpton, on the contrary, he uses them as an example of contrasting Christian views.
Funny how the neocons have stayed well away from addressing John McCain's faith, with good reason. On this issue Dr. Dobson says:
"Speaking as a private individual, I would not vote for John McCain under any circumstances," http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53743
I wonder who he will vote for? Ralph Nader?
I invite you to watch Obama's speech, which is linked above, and decide for yourself. Whatever your choice, be sure to vote for someone. Might I suggest Tony Campolo as your write-in candidate.
Please forward this important update on Barack Obama’s views on Christianity and government to your friends.
Dear *****, On Tuesday, presidential candidate Barack Obama lashed out at Dr. Dobson and accused Dr. Dobson of “making stuff up” about Obama.Nothing could be further from the truth! Here is what happened. On Tuesday's Focus on the Family radio broadcast (paid for by Focus Action), Dr. Dobson and I dissected a 2006 speech in which Obama made some very disturbing statements about his understating of Christianity, the role of religion in government and specifically Dr. Dobson.
Please click here to watch Obama’s speech, listen to Dr. Dobson’s comments, and more.
Obama compares Dr. Dobson to Al Sharpton .In that 2006 speech, after stating that we are not a Christian nation, Obama directly compared Dr. Dobson to Al Sharpton. Obama then continued with an extremely convoluted discussion of the Bible – from Levitical law to the Sermon on the Mount – that caused Dr. Dobson to say Obama was “deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview.”While Obama’s statements about Dr. Dobson are offensive, Obama’s misunderstanding of the Bible is alarming -- especially considering the blind faith so many of our fellow Americans seem to have in him!
Again, I want you to hear and see for yourself what Obama said, as well as Dr. Dobson’s comments.
*****, these are extremely important issues that we must contend with. That is why Focus Action sponsored this radio broadcast – and it's why we will not stand by silently as any public figure drags biblical understanding through the gutter or undermines the role of people of faith in our society.Thank you so much for standing with Focus on the Family Action.Tom Minnery Sr. Vice President, Government and Public PolicyFocus on the Family Action
There are few things I can think of that I would like to do less than watch an entire political speech, but that message was screaming, "I double dare you to verify the accusations for yourself!!" But, I must say, thanks Dr. Dobson, after watching and listening to Obama's entire speech, I have just heard everything I needed to hear to feel good about voting for him. That speech had it all - Obama's personal testimony about receiving Christ, his personal view on abortion and the difficulty of attempting to influence the party's platform toward a pro-life stance. A direct reference to Tony Campolo's work. The same totally pro-life Tony Campolo who recently joined the Democratic party's abortion platform committee to try and influence them toward a pro-life stance. Furthermore, Obama never compares Dobson to Sharpton, on the contrary, he uses them as an example of contrasting Christian views.
Funny how the neocons have stayed well away from addressing John McCain's faith, with good reason. On this issue Dr. Dobson says:
"Speaking as a private individual, I would not vote for John McCain under any circumstances," http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53743
I wonder who he will vote for? Ralph Nader?
I invite you to watch Obama's speech, which is linked above, and decide for yourself. Whatever your choice, be sure to vote for someone. Might I suggest Tony Campolo as your write-in candidate.
Friday, August 8, 2008
One More Bit About Bono.....Why It Matters
James 2:18 (NIV) But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NIV)
13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
There are three main points here:
1. Good works or belief in God do not qualify as faith
2. We can't please God without faith
3. We have to be careful that we are not deceived
Bono is doing something incredible through the ONE organization and DATA. He is uniting the political voice of the people to move policymakers in the US. He is uniting the world's wealthiest and most influential leaders - secular and Christian. He has also entered into partnerships with 161+ of the world's " leading non-profit, advocacy and humanitarian organizations." * He is doing all this as a call to continue Christ's proclamation of jubilee, further charity, justice and to end "stupid poverty". Bono says, "A friend of mine, is a very wise man, somebody I’ve grown up with, he just says to me, He said ‘Stop asking God to bless what you are doing Bono, find out what God is doing because it’s already blessed.’” **
If God is not behind it and if Bono is falsely marching under the banner of doing God's will, then he is the most dangerous man on the planet.
If God is behind what ONE.org and DATA are trying to do, then it is the most important social movement of our time, perhaps all time. We as Christians should be compelled to promote and participate in it. If Bono is a follower of Jesus Christ, a true Christian, then we can safely join in with the email campaigns and promote ONE to everyone we know and beyond.
Food For Thought:
"Hybels told Christianity Today about his impression of the rock star: "After a two-hour private meeting in my office, I came away convinced that Bono's faith is genuine, his vision to relieve the tragic suffering in Africa is God-honoring, and his prophetic challenge to the U.S. church must be taken seriously." ***
"I'm a believer," Bono usually says when asked about his faith. "I don't set myself up as any kind of 'Christian,' " he said as his gleaming silver and chrome tour bus motored east from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Iowa City. "I can't live up to that. It's something I aspire to, but I don't feel comfortable with that badge."
It's no denial of Christ. And Bono is not trying to play hide-and-seek with his Christianity. He wants to avoid becoming an idealized poster-child for Christ when people should be looking to the Savior, not some rock star, for their example.
A few days later at Northeast Christian Church in suburban Louisville, Kentucky, he told reporters: "I'm not a very good advertisement for God. I generally don't wear that badge on my lapel. But it certainly is written on the inside, somewhere."
It's a self-deprecation, something he's fond of indulging in, whether the subject is his faith or his success as a musician." ***
* http://one.org/partners/
** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grBByc7t3Fs&feature=related
*** Bono's American Prayer "The world's biggest rock star tours the heartland, talking more openly about his faith as he recruits Christians in the fight against AIDS in Africa." Cathleen Falsani http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/march/2.38.html?start=2
For a list of the issues that ONE addresses click: http://one.org/issues/
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NIV)
13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
There are three main points here:
1. Good works or belief in God do not qualify as faith
2. We can't please God without faith
3. We have to be careful that we are not deceived
Bono is doing something incredible through the ONE organization and DATA. He is uniting the political voice of the people to move policymakers in the US. He is uniting the world's wealthiest and most influential leaders - secular and Christian. He has also entered into partnerships with 161+ of the world's " leading non-profit, advocacy and humanitarian organizations." * He is doing all this as a call to continue Christ's proclamation of jubilee, further charity, justice and to end "stupid poverty". Bono says, "A friend of mine, is a very wise man, somebody I’ve grown up with, he just says to me, He said ‘Stop asking God to bless what you are doing Bono, find out what God is doing because it’s already blessed.’” **
If God is not behind it and if Bono is falsely marching under the banner of doing God's will, then he is the most dangerous man on the planet.
If God is behind what ONE.org and DATA are trying to do, then it is the most important social movement of our time, perhaps all time. We as Christians should be compelled to promote and participate in it. If Bono is a follower of Jesus Christ, a true Christian, then we can safely join in with the email campaigns and promote ONE to everyone we know and beyond.
Food For Thought:
"Hybels told Christianity Today about his impression of the rock star: "After a two-hour private meeting in my office, I came away convinced that Bono's faith is genuine, his vision to relieve the tragic suffering in Africa is God-honoring, and his prophetic challenge to the U.S. church must be taken seriously." ***
"I'm a believer," Bono usually says when asked about his faith. "I don't set myself up as any kind of 'Christian,' " he said as his gleaming silver and chrome tour bus motored east from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Iowa City. "I can't live up to that. It's something I aspire to, but I don't feel comfortable with that badge."
It's no denial of Christ. And Bono is not trying to play hide-and-seek with his Christianity. He wants to avoid becoming an idealized poster-child for Christ when people should be looking to the Savior, not some rock star, for their example.
A few days later at Northeast Christian Church in suburban Louisville, Kentucky, he told reporters: "I'm not a very good advertisement for God. I generally don't wear that badge on my lapel. But it certainly is written on the inside, somewhere."
It's a self-deprecation, something he's fond of indulging in, whether the subject is his faith or his success as a musician." ***
* http://one.org/partners/
** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grBByc7t3Fs&feature=related
*** Bono's American Prayer "The world's biggest rock star tours the heartland, talking more openly about his faith as he recruits Christians in the fight against AIDS in Africa." Cathleen Falsani http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/march/2.38.html?start=2
For a list of the issues that ONE addresses click: http://one.org/issues/
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Well....I Am Convinced.....Bono May Be A Christian
http://home.alltel.net/twhite2112/u2/beliefs/quotes.html
I am still looking for the actual sources for these quotes and devouring video on YouTube so I can hear the words come out of his mouth, but I think I am convinced.
I am still looking for the actual sources for these quotes and devouring video on YouTube so I can hear the words come out of his mouth, but I think I am convinced.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
More on Bono.......
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/10892
World Magazine
THOUGHTS "Superheroes strike again" August 06, 2005
Salty dogma
Bono gives an explicit confession of being saved by Grace, not Karma Gene Edward Veith
"At the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one," explains Bono. "And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that. . . . Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff."
The interviewer asks, Like what? "That's between me and God. But I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge," says Bono. "It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity."
Then the interviewer marvels, "The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I wish I could believe in that."
"The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death," replies Bono. "It's not our own good works that get us through the gates of Heaven."
World Magazine
THOUGHTS "Superheroes strike again" August 06, 2005
Salty dogma
Bono gives an explicit confession of being saved by Grace, not Karma Gene Edward Veith
"At the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one," explains Bono. "And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that. . . . Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff."
The interviewer asks, Like what? "That's between me and God. But I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge," says Bono. "It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity."
Then the interviewer marvels, "The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I wish I could believe in that."
"The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death," replies Bono. "It's not our own good works that get us through the gates of Heaven."
Is Bono A Christian??? HELP!!!!
I am a member of the ONE organization. I click "send your congressman an email" every time ONE sends me a request to petition our government to do the right thing. What I am not sure about is whether or not Bono is a Christian or if he might possibly the anti-christ who will usher in world peace and world gov. I know those are strong words, but I also believe lots of conspiracy theories, like the Bible when it says that the anti-christ can even appear as an angel of light. I found this blog today:
http://achristian.wordpress.com/2006/08/24/is-bono-a-christian/
He is very thorough. I still haven't read the Bill Hybels interview with Bono, so I can't add that insight into my opinion. I will get around to it eventually.
I posted this comment on the Blog:
5 Debby August 5, 2008
I want him to be a Christian, but it seems like he avoids and obfuscates the issue. Please - just say something remotely like, “I asked Jesus into my heart,” or “I have a personal relationship with Christ.” Even, “I am a Christian,” or “am a follower of Jesus” ” PLEASE BONO!! We want you to be a Christian so bad….help us out dude!
Can anybody out there find Bono confessing his faith in Jesus Christ? I am waiting to hear from you.........
http://achristian.wordpress.com/2006/08/24/is-bono-a-christian/
He is very thorough. I still haven't read the Bill Hybels interview with Bono, so I can't add that insight into my opinion. I will get around to it eventually.
I posted this comment on the Blog:
5 Debby August 5, 2008
I want him to be a Christian, but it seems like he avoids and obfuscates the issue. Please - just say something remotely like, “I asked Jesus into my heart,” or “I have a personal relationship with Christ.” Even, “I am a Christian,” or “am a follower of Jesus” ” PLEASE BONO!! We want you to be a Christian so bad….help us out dude!
Can anybody out there find Bono confessing his faith in Jesus Christ? I am waiting to hear from you.........
Pregnancy Isn't A Disease - Alabama Needs A Birth Center
I moved here in 2002 and at the time UAB was closing their birth center/midwifery practice. My understanding of it was that in Alabama, a doctor must supervise all deliveries. The existing birth center had gotten money to pay interns - MD's - but still training in OB. As long as they had an intern at the delivery, the midwife could deliver babies. Their funding source dried up and so did the birth center.
I found this info at: http://www.natcheztracematernitycenter.org/article.html
"Across the state line in Alabama, the rules are much different. There are no birth centers operated by midwives. "It's not the best state as far as being a midwife," said Vicki Brooks, a Montgomery nurse and state chairwoman of the American College of Nurse Midwives. Brooks said state law prohibits planned births outside of a hospital. Like their neighbors in Tennessee, Alabama midwives are regulated by the state Board of Nursing and must be registered nurses and graduate from an approved midwifery program. However, the similarities end there. Midwives in Alabama must work under a doctor's supervision and are usually hired by physicians rather than operating independently. "Any patient that we take care of is going to be admitted under our M.D. sponsor," Brooks said. She said the midwives do offer natural alternatives during childbirth, yet the births must occur in a hospital under the auspices of a doctor. There are about 54 certified nurse midwives in Alabama, although Brooks estimates the number of practicing midwives is much lower."
My rule of thumb is usually - if the insurance companies will allow it, it's probably pretty safe. That goes for roller coasters and birth centers. I had my second child, Ian, at a birth center in Delaware. I was under the care of a midwife for the entire nine months of my pregnancy as well as my follow-up GYN care and annual checkups. All paid for by Blue Cross of Pennsylvania. It cost the insurer less money for the birth center and the center was located across the street from a hospital, in case of an emergency.
Add that to the list while we wait for constitutional reform in Alabama.
I found this info at: http://www.natcheztracematernitycenter.org/article.html
"Across the state line in Alabama, the rules are much different. There are no birth centers operated by midwives. "It's not the best state as far as being a midwife," said Vicki Brooks, a Montgomery nurse and state chairwoman of the American College of Nurse Midwives. Brooks said state law prohibits planned births outside of a hospital. Like their neighbors in Tennessee, Alabama midwives are regulated by the state Board of Nursing and must be registered nurses and graduate from an approved midwifery program. However, the similarities end there. Midwives in Alabama must work under a doctor's supervision and are usually hired by physicians rather than operating independently. "Any patient that we take care of is going to be admitted under our M.D. sponsor," Brooks said. She said the midwives do offer natural alternatives during childbirth, yet the births must occur in a hospital under the auspices of a doctor. There are about 54 certified nurse midwives in Alabama, although Brooks estimates the number of practicing midwives is much lower."
My rule of thumb is usually - if the insurance companies will allow it, it's probably pretty safe. That goes for roller coasters and birth centers. I had my second child, Ian, at a birth center in Delaware. I was under the care of a midwife for the entire nine months of my pregnancy as well as my follow-up GYN care and annual checkups. All paid for by Blue Cross of Pennsylvania. It cost the insurer less money for the birth center and the center was located across the street from a hospital, in case of an emergency.
Add that to the list while we wait for constitutional reform in Alabama.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Fear and Trembling in Birmingham, Alabama
Philippians 2:12-14 (NIV)
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
What does it mean to be a Christian? Well, that depends. It has always troubled me when people claim to have a handle on what being a Christian means. I also really don't like those billboards that put words in God's mouth, as if God has a pithy little quote for all occasions - mostly humorous or terrifying. I doubt
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
What does it mean to be a Christian? Well, that depends. It has always troubled me when people claim to have a handle on what being a Christian means. I also really don't like those billboards that put words in God's mouth, as if God has a pithy little quote for all occasions - mostly humorous or terrifying. I doubt
"You think it's hot here?"
-GOD
is going to get many nonbelievers saved.
To me, working out your salvation with fear and trembling means daily growing deeper in your relationship with God. Through Christ we have freedom. There is no condemnation. The problem we all have (even me) is thinking that God is calling all people to all things. For example, many of my friends feel like God has called them to home school their children. I believe it. However, we have a tendency to feel what is good for us must be right for everyone else, which leads to condemnation. I feel like God has called me to put my kids in public school. This is probably because He has given our family the gift of evangelism. I try not to force what God has called me to do on others and claim that I have the only way.
Another variation of that is what I have heard called, "gift projection." Some who have been given the gift of healing and faith, for example, and have had great success praying for the sick are operating out of their gifting. If, however, they were to claim that every Christian should be able to pray for the sick and get the same result, they would be mistaken. Yes, we are called to pray for the sick - and God may even do miracles of healing through us, but not everyone is "gifted" to do it. What happens is that we are told that we are somehow defective. If we only had more faith we would be able to heal (or be healed!) Who hasn't heard of a person who went for prayer for healing and were told that they must not have enough faith or they would already be healed. We are all called to share our faith with unbelievers, but I would be wrong to condemn anyone who isn't out standing on a street corner preaching the Gospel.
The point is - I can not criticize or condemn - I have to keep reminding myself that we are all living out Philippians 2:12. If I am yielded to the Holy Spirit - He will fix whatever is broken in my theology and faith.
Don't even get me started on the prosperity Gospel...............
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