thoughts on Osama bin Laden

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

The fact that Osama, hated man across the world by many both Christians and Muslims alike, is dead somehow does not excite me. And before stones are thrown, YES, I REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11TH. Very Well. I stood in disbelief with my students and watched the second tower get hit and both towers fall. Horrible day. Beastly crime. The fact that he is dead only means that another such monster will rise to perpetrate terror upon the world in replacement.

I am reminded by verses in Matthew 5 that I memorized years ago when I was a teen: "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."  For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,  

In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to obliterate the heathens that would seek to adulterate His people and their faith in Him. In the New Testament, He commanded us to love. WHAT IF, just what if, the young terrorists who gave their lives in jihad on 9/11, and on all the other myriads of dates that mark terrorist hits, had been evangelized and reached for the Gospel. What if their Christian neighbors, in the next house next door or the apartment above, had reached out to them and by the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT they had been converted?!? How many of us have actually prayed for the salvation of these men and women who perpetrate crimes against humanity? And who has prayed for Bin Laden?

Not many of us, I am pretty sure.

Again, from Matthew 5: "You have heard that it was said, And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.  But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

Jesus did not advocate apathy or passivity. Look at what he did in the temple, exploding against the hypocrisy, idolatry, and thievery in His Father's house. But He does command us to LOVE as He and our Heavenly Father love.

As a teacher, I am well aware that some of my students from "christian" families are abused every day- verbally, emotionally, or physically. I grieve and pray and counsel and actively do what I can to stem the tide of evil being perpetrated by people claiming the be washed by the blood of the Lamb. The Church is in pitiful and deplorable shape. Jesus says that He is coming back for a spotless Bride, without wrinkle or spot. So much of what I see and hear is far from that. What this world needs is JESUS and His message of LOVE, HOPE, and SAVING GRACE. I know that even in my own life, walking circumspectly is so difficult.

OBL is most likely going to burn in hell for eternity. Either He heard the Gospel and rejected it, or he had "eternity in his heart" and ignored it. Or could he have lived in the world and never heard the Gospel? I like the way that R. C. Sproul explains this in this article, "Are those who have never heard of Christ going to hell?"
http://www.ligonier.org/learn/qas/are-those-who-have-never-heard-christ-going-hell/

Jesus himself commented on this. Mark 16:16, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." I think this specifically refers to those who have heard and rejected the Message. God is holy and righteous and just. The Scriptures are full of references to His recompense of the wicked.  But in balance, Ezekiel 33:11 says, ‎"As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!"

I don't think that my thoughts are conclusive on this matter. Just thinking aloud here...

Thanksliving

I read this on another blog that I clicked on from another blog, etc:
Thanksliving...Gratitude as an act of Worship

That's profound, huh?!?

A little song from my childhood floods my mind today. As I near the end of Spring Break, and am feeling generally overwhelmed with all that there is to do in the coming days, I MUST remember...

Happiness is to know the Savior,
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior,
Happiness is the Lord.

Happiness is a new creation,
Jesus and me in close relation
Having a part in His salvation,
Happiness is the Lord.

Real joy is mine,
No matter if the teardrops start,
I’ve found a secret,
It’s Jesus in my heart.

Happiness is to be forgiven,
Living a life that’s worth the livin’,
Taking a trip that leads to Heaven,
Happiness is the Lord.

Real joy is mine,
No matter if the teardrops start,
I’ve found a secret,
It’s Jesus in my heart,
Jesus in my heart.

Spring has come

Spring came early for us this year. The weather warmed up, the daffodils and paperwhites bloomed in February, and we were swimming in the pool by the first of April. Cardinal parents set up nest outside our front door, and the wisteria’s fragrance was heady.

The beaches are beautiful and warm (and once again white, after last year’s disaster). I enjoy hearing my my 2-year-old niece squeal to see the wide open sand and water. “Yay! It’s pwetty, Aubee!” Corrie Lynn loves to “swim” in the sand, make sand-angels, and splash in the bubbly waves as they lap onshore.It is heart-warming to see her fresh delight! As we lather on our Burt's Bees sunscreen, we are thanking the Lord for letting us enjoy His creative world!

Aside from the fact that I am busier than ever at this time of year, I just LOVE spring!

As every graduating class grows in number as the years go by, so does my load of work in preparing their transcripts and processing Bright Future applications. This spring I have also attended an administrator's workshop by our accrediting board and taken our kids to the local Homeschool Prom (and hosted an after-party!). The first was informational. The second, downright a blast! It's strange that graduation for this class is only a month off now!

We also celebrate the 2nd birthday of the child that made us aunties...Corrie Lynn turns two, to the tune of a "Bob" party coming up this Friday. She is such a doll...and a devotee of Bob, Larry, and friends! She loves to read, draw, sing, dance, swim, and is quite on the go at all times. We just took the girls to Penny's for their portraits;they were just adorable! Juliana Mae is 5 months old now, it's hard to believe. And sooo different from CL, in everything from looks to temperament. I "put on the ritz" on Easter Sunday; all the family was here and a fun time was had by all. Being the Easter Bunny has its advantages! :-P

This week is Spring Break at CIAS...and lucky me, I am studying for college finals. :-) Oh, joy! At least I can sleep in and attempt to rid myself of the dark circles that threaten to take over my face! And I have a LIST of things I want to get done around the house. That I will do. So help me. And I get to COOK, which I LOVE (and miss during the school year!). And create my spring/summer budget.

This time of year will fly by quickly. I don't get to blog like I'm accustomed to anymore. Soon it will be summer, and school will be out, and I will be wrapping up a successful school year and planning a new one. And tutoring my bro through college algebra. And taking my nieces to the beach and to the seashell shop. :-) And going for sushi with Mom. And reading a few good books. God is good!

Moon talking

I was driving back from school tonight with my moon roof open, observing things above and thinking about life.
How pretty that white ball was in the sky.
How my heart fills so incredibly full when I see and hold and love on my nieces.
To see them pucker up for kisses, their beautiful eyes gazing steadily into mine.
How blessed I am to be able to invest my life and witness into real heart soil.
How the petty dramas at school among hormonal pre-teens drive me crazy.
How I do not like to be disrespected or disobeyed.
Or hear "bully words" come out of my students' mouths.
How I love my dog Meg, even though she can be a pest sometimes.
How I like to pay off credit cards.
And put money aside for a rainy day.
How I always survive "Jonah days."
And get up the next morning with a fresh outlook on life.
How I am progressing down my bucket list quite nicely.
And am thankful for good health.
And a precious and sometimes trying family.
How laziness and apathy irritate me.
And a good book is a rare but delicious treat.
How much I hate to do laundry.
And need a maid to clean my house.
How much I love the book of Psalms.
David is my hero. He survived victoriously.
How much I enjoy concerts.
And do not attend nearly as many as I would like.
How I love to learn.
And hate to study.
How the Lord teaches me patience as I am never able to get everything done that I need to do.
But enough to be obedient to my calling and purpose.
How my heart hurts for those who are hurt, seeing them hurt others.
And angry at the devil for being the destroyer that he is.
I am thankful for the Holy Spirit to comfort and teach (John 14).
I will be glad when Jesus comes back.
And I get to see Daddy again.
And everything is finally perfect.
Moon talking.

The Fruit of the Spirit in my Life

Lord, I pray that the fruit of Your Spirit will manifest powerfully in my heart and life.
Fill me with Your love, peace, and joy.
Enable me to be patient, kind, and good.
Teach me to be faithful and gentle, and help me to have self-control at all times.
Control my life so much, Lord, that all these qualities are revealed in me and seen clearly by others.
Bring fruitfulness into my life today in every way possible.

Galatians 5:22-23
"The fruit of the Spirit is
Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control.
Against such there is no law."

From Prayers for Emotional Wholeness by Stormie Omartian

at home

Jane Austen wrote in her Emma, "Ah! there is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."

Well, I heartily agree. These three weeks at home, away from the bustle of teaching school and studying for college, has been such a blessed respite. We are enjoying our new 42". All the holiday Hallmark and Christmas movies have been cool. Our home was so lovely for the holidays, and now I am taking it all down, putting away, and hauling tubs back to the shed where they will store for the next eleven months. I am sooo so blue about the holidays drawing to a close! I enjoyed every minute and moment. The poinsettias are still gorgeous and brighten the house. I am reminded...

Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green!
And here we come a-wand’ring so fair to be seen!
Love and joy come to you and to you your wassail too,
And God bless you and send you a happy new year!
And God send you a happy new year!

 I am trying out a new arrangement of our family photos on the wall-to-wall book shelves in the den. Now I am looking for pink candles to accent my Valentine's decorations (pink dining linens, two small pink fiber optic trees for the buffet, heart ornaments, etc.). Not a clue where I can find them...

Daniel has really been working diligently on the south-end remodel. The new double-size bathroom has insulation and drywall up, so it is beginning to look like it should. We made a decision to remove the wall & closets that were separating the old laundry hall from the new laundry room, so now it is one very nice and large laundry/utility room. Once we get the floor tiled, I will move in the two tall oak shelves from my bedroom (redo coming in there this year!) for folded towels and blankets, as well as the white table from the back porch for folding and laundry basket storage. I am so excited!!!

BTW, a little trivia...January 6th was 12th Night, made famous by Shakespeare's wonderful play (and a very funny movie!), and the following day was Epiphany, historically memorializing the arrival of the wise men to greet baby Jesus.

Out with the OLD...

In the in-between time...

resolutions for 2011

Each year, I think and pray and stew and think and pray some more about what I should do or become or change. I need to seek the Lord more for this new year. Until then...so far, I would like to accomplish the following in 2011:

1. Read my Bible every day.
I read my Bible pretty regularly, but not every day like I want to. So THAT is going to change.

2. Lose at least 20 pounds.
I know that I need ot lose more than that, but if I set accomplishable goals for myself, I know that I can and will accomplish them!

3. Redecorate my bedroom.
New wallpaper, a different furniture arrangement, an armchair, tv, a bed board and 2 lighted display cases/shelves for my "pretties."

4. Eliminate more clutter and "belonging build-up."
We have lived in our house over 20 years. That equals accumulating unneeded things/stuff/junk. I started to clean out closets and throw away in 2010, and I will continue into 2011. It is liberating!!! :-)

5. Get more active and exercise.
Tricia and I will purchase an exercise machine this year and will use the back porch-turned-exercise room after its remodel is finished. I also would like to go bowling more, as my sciatica is not giving me issues much anymore (thanks to Doc's prescription of cinnamon~ginger tea).

6. Spend more time with my precious nieces!
They are so adorable. I pray they come to know Jesus early and that they live for Him.

Enjoying the piano with Aunt Tisi...look at that grin!

Dancing around the menorah in her new tutu.