My favorite Taize song - probably my favorite Lenten song along with "Jesus, Remember Me"
Every time I hear this song, I feel almost driven to my knees in adoration. Jesus has been so good to me and my family and this song reminds me to daily, constantly invite the Holy Spirit into all of my thoughts, words, and actions.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
A Little Perspective
This picture speaks volumes about the unbelievable devastation in Japan. Here, at home, I carry on worrying about wedding costs, losing weight, selling my house, raising my kids correctly, etc. all in the comfortable confines of my heated home with my stocked refrigerator and with the knowledge of the whereabouts of my loved ones.
I've learned so much from just observing the Japanese people during this crisis of unimaginable proportions. There have been no reports of looting, no curfews imposed on the residents, no worries about government officials stealing aid money, etc. They have quietly assisted one another while also grieving the loss of thousands of people and countless homes, memories, pets, heirlooms, photos, churches, stores, business, and so on. Amidst this devastation is a lesson for all of us on how to survive after this. I'm humbled and amazed and I leave it at that and with this:
Friday, March 11, 2011
Sad
I feel a bit compelled to share my thoughts on the abortion issue. I cannot stand Planned Parenthood for so many reasons. If they were merely an organization that provided free "health care" to families, then I would have less of a problem with them. I get being the uninsured or the under insured because I am one and to have places to go where I can get health care at low-cost, on paper, sounds fabulous. Planned Parenthood makes millions - M.I.L.L.I.O.N.S. - on abortion and handing out birth control. Stop killing babies in utero by BOTH birth control and abortion, and I'll support MY tax dollars funding you. Until then, nope, never, ever will I support a "medical" facility that preys (yes PREYS) on low-income and desperate women.
They say that we, on the pro-life side, don't care about the women and children only about the babies in utero (only they don't use the word babies because that might convict them that, I don't know, there's an actual LIFE in their uterus!) Have they asked me? I may not be able to afford many extras in life but I would do my very best to lovingly support a woman faced with an unwanted pregnancy. The bottom line is, Planned Parenthood paints this scenario of a fresh start and, yet, where are they when women regret their abortions? Well, one place where they are is down the street countin' their money! Daily, I have to drive by my local PP office and see their tacky marquee screaming "Morning After Pill - only $65 - no pelvic exam needed" Yeah, that sure gives me the warm and fuzzies!
And, yes, I do think that the invention, pushing, marketing, etc. of the pill and all forms of birth control has ushered in generation upon generation of self-centered people. I get why people use birth control and I do not judge them because that's not my job but I'm not going to be silent anymore. The pill, uses chemicals to prevent the implantation of a fully-fertilized egg into the uterus causing it to abort (this is not my wording, it is in the literature) I believe that human life begins at the moment of conception. I don't believe that it happens a second later but that it happens at that precise moment: Life has begun I can put myself in the shoes of people wanting to have as much sex without any of the "burdens" that may come from it but, really? Are we so spoiled that we can't adjust our urges? Are we so selfish that we want the cake but we don't want the calories that go with it? Have we separated ourselves so far from God that we don't even see pregnancy, marriage, children as a gift to be nurtured and embraced?
Enough!!!
And with that, I give you the lovelies supporting a government funded PP:
They say that we, on the pro-life side, don't care about the women and children only about the babies in utero (only they don't use the word babies because that might convict them that, I don't know, there's an actual LIFE in their uterus!) Have they asked me? I may not be able to afford many extras in life but I would do my very best to lovingly support a woman faced with an unwanted pregnancy. The bottom line is, Planned Parenthood paints this scenario of a fresh start and, yet, where are they when women regret their abortions? Well, one place where they are is down the street countin' their money! Daily, I have to drive by my local PP office and see their tacky marquee screaming "Morning After Pill - only $65 - no pelvic exam needed" Yeah, that sure gives me the warm and fuzzies!
And, yes, I do think that the invention, pushing, marketing, etc. of the pill and all forms of birth control has ushered in generation upon generation of self-centered people. I get why people use birth control and I do not judge them because that's not my job but I'm not going to be silent anymore. The pill, uses chemicals to prevent the implantation of a fully-fertilized egg into the uterus causing it to abort (this is not my wording, it is in the literature) I believe that human life begins at the moment of conception. I don't believe that it happens a second later but that it happens at that precise moment: Life has begun I can put myself in the shoes of people wanting to have as much sex without any of the "burdens" that may come from it but, really? Are we so spoiled that we can't adjust our urges? Are we so selfish that we want the cake but we don't want the calories that go with it? Have we separated ourselves so far from God that we don't even see pregnancy, marriage, children as a gift to be nurtured and embraced?
Enough!!!
And with that, I give you the lovelies supporting a government funded PP:
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
I Remember...
Dear Bill,
I want you to know that I remember. Despite the fact that I cannot remember your voice and I have trouble recalling the color of your eyes, I have not forgotten. I am sorry if I don't change my Facebook picture to a picture of you and I'm sorry that my status message doesn't make mention of the fact that it was 4 years ago tonight (in roughly an hour) that you died. It's not because I don't remember and it's not because I don't care. I love you, Bill. I'm sorry that you got cancer. I'm sorry that you never got to hear your youngest son call you daddy. I'm sorry that you haven't gotten to see your youngest daughter grow into a beautiful angel. I'm sorry that you aren't here to see your second son become a young man (at 6 ft tall in 7th grade!) I'm sorry that you didn't get the chance to meet your granddaughter and see how much she looks like your oldest son.
But, I want you to know that I remember. I remember the good times and, often times, the bad. I remember it all because I want to be able to pass along our lessons in life and tell our kids that this is what daddy used to say or this is what daddy used to do. I'm keeping your memory alive the best way that I know. I don't know what that best way is but I'm trying and...
I remember.
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