We have a new grandson!

Our fifth grandchild, our second grandson!

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Thinking about our nation...

"Freedom is an open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity. With the preservation of these moral and spiritual qualities and with God's grace will come further greatness for our country."

-- President Herbert Hoover

I wonder what he meant the "moral and spiritual qualities" which needed to be preserved were?

The only thing I know for certain is that only by God's grace is any person, let alone a nation, able to achieve anything considered even close to "greatness".

Character and Controversy

I've been quite busy, as usual (not something I consider a good thing), and decided to take some time to just sit and watch a couple of videos.

Sometimes, I feel a need to experience something vicariously without actually having to be involved in any significant decision making processes. Movies can be good for this kind of get-away. The only decisions are whether or not to put it on pause when you need to move away from the screen.

The two I settled on were "The Tale of Despereaux" an animated G rated film staring a plucky little mouse and "Seven Pounds" a drama staring Will Smith. Both were well worth the rental fee.

Despereaux inspired me towards courage, honor, the value of fighting to overcome oppression, forgiveness from the heart, and the integrity that is revealed in common courtesy. It also highlighted the reality of how we respond to grief and loss in ways that can be easily misunderstood and may deeply effect those around us. All things I need to be reminded of at this particular juncture of my life's events and circumstances.

Seven Pounds allowed me to experience the raw emotion around the very difficult topics of grief and loss. Sometimes we're so wrapped up in "doing the right thing" that we don't allow ourselves to feel the emotions we're experiencing. We find ourselves reacting and behaving in ways that are uncharacteristic of us. I suspect I'm not the only one who has this type of reaction to loss and grief from time to time. I think it's a form of denial. I'm told that denial is a safety valve of sorts, putting things on hold until we are able to process them appropriately. This film also highlighted the reality of the dangers of isolation; physical or emotional. We need the perspective of those around us when we are going through difficult things.

I was surprised to find the themes of grief and loss, forgiveness and character in both films. I simply chose one because it seemed to guarantee a light hearted laugh and the other because it seemed to be inspirational...

I had signed up to join a Grief Share group this coming Monday evening. Coincidence? I don't believe in coincidence. Some One guided my choices.

I'm going to give you a link to a site that does movie reviews from a conservative Christian perspective: http://www.pluggedinonline.com/

If you'd like to see another perspective than mine on "The Tale of Despereaux" follow this link: http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a0004407.cfm .

If you'd like to see another perspective than mine on "Seven Pounds" follow this link: http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a0004409.cfm .

President Obama's Inaugural Speech

Look out! Here comes my "train of thought" on President Obama's inaugural speech!

This is evidence of me being more like a crock pot than a microwave ... thank you for indulging this idiosyncrasy and reading on.

On Tuesday I said, "There was nothing I didn't like about the speech the President gave on Tuesday." Which is true to a point; it definitely set a tone, inspired, and motivated. It elevated our thoughts to things above and beyond ourselves as individuals, put us in touch with our heritage as a nation, and gave a clear direction for us to focus on and move toward. It even instilled a sense of responsibility to the listeners for making concerted efforts to move in the stated direction. He even quoted many of my favorite historical figures!

BUT, he kept saying that he had faith in the American people, in our potential, our drive, our history, our ability, our competence, our strength, our American way. Not once did he reference our past or present dependence upon God for any of these character qualities or favorable outcomes. Not one hint. The absence of this could be chalked up to political correctness but, I don't think that's likely.

Everything about the speech was absolutely deliberate, specific, purposeful, intentional. Rick Warren's inclusion in the day's events, at first glance, seems only a token of "inclusion" (translate: appeasement) for those perceived to be "the intolerant, radical, right" and nothing more. But looking more closely, with eyes and hearts in tune through our relationship with God in Christ, we can see the LORD's glory revealed in that same inclusion! The truth of the good news about God was proclaimed and prayed without apology and broadcast to the world to the glory of God!

This is the truth: our hope is found in Christ Jesus alone. Without Him we are merely building another Tower of Babel and inviting God to intervene for His name's sake. He is a jealous God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished. There is no other and He is good.

With that, I step off my soap box.

Christmas confessions...

Well folks, this is a difficult time of year for me. Has been for more years than I care to admit. First, I denied it all and focused on the kids. Then, I denied it all and tried to manage it better. Finally, I got honest about it and focused on others' Christmas needs and applying the management skills I'd learned. My desire is to... hmmmm... eventually become conformed to the image of my Savior and since that is His goal for me, I'm sure it will be accomplished in His time. Until then I hope (that's the confident expectation of the goodness of God) to love while traveling through this season.

The reality is I'm surprised to hear the Spirit whispering that I need to also give attention to my Christmas needs. There is a selfish sound to that yet, I've been learning that "burning out for Jesus" is not necessarily congruent with, "If you try to save your life you will loose it, but if you loose your life for My sake, you'll find it in the end."

Jesus ministered to the sick and possessed for countless hours on end yet he would not let anyone divert him from the Father's plan for him... there is much yet that I need to learn.

I'm sorry, truly, for the ways my sinful patterns impact those around me. Some may say, "It's nothing, don't think of it again" but, large or small, sin is sin.

I'm grateful for the grace and love shown me by my fellow human beings.

I'm especially grateful for the love shown me by my holy God. Love truly covers a multitude of sins.

I confess... You are an AMAZING GOD!

You are AMAZING God!

Have you ever received a gift from Jesus? The kind that is undeniably from Him?

Totally unexpected. Absolutely perfect. Just at the right moment. You know?

The kind where you are COMPELLED to worship Him in response?

Yea, that kind.

Would you care to glorify Him here by sharing your experience with us?