Sanctity of Human Life

Last Sunday was Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.

This week President Obama signed an Executive Order that would give our tax dollars to international organizations that perform abortions.

In the state of our economy, why would he give away our money for purposely killing babies?

Many people feel that the war has killed too many of our troops. And it has. But those men and women volunteered for the military. They understood the risk.

The unborn babies have no voice and no choice.

You know, when money is more important than life for some people, why didn’t Obama wait until our country had the money again to sign that unholy Executive order?

Could it be possible that the person that would find the cure for cancer was actually aborted by his or her mother because it would be too inconvenient to have a baby?

This is an old video, but I urge you to watch the whole thing.

First Lady Michelle Obama, does this appall you like it does me?You looked so classy at the inauguration. How can you let this happen?

The Fairy Tale is over.

Snow Days

The tarheel state had snow this past week and because of the snow, my son’s school was canceled for two days.

Last night there was supposed to be a talent show in the school gym.

I had planned to go until my son called me at work(I’m so glad I have a job. I’m so glad I have a job) yesterday to tell me that it had been postponed due to indecent weather. Yes, he said indecent.

I think my son is brilliant and sometimes he says some profound things(like after the inaugaration he stated that brown is the new white) but this time he really said the wrong thing.  Which was kinda funny. And even funnier after I told my husband what he had said and he said it must have been raining panties and bras.

My son attends a private Christian school, so it is a good thing they closed school. We wouldn’t want the students going out in weather like that.

From the Head to the Heart

I need to lose weight. To those of you who know me, well, that is not a new revelation.

The thing is, I know what it takes to lose weight: cut back on the calories I eat and exercise.

I know that if I made better food choices–veggies instead of chocolate–then I’d probably begin to see the pounds melt away.

The problem is I have all head knowledge about weight loss and no heart. My heart just isn’t in it.

And so it is with faith. All the knowledge in the world does nothing (even the demons believe and tremble) until  it becomes a matter of the heart.

I especially like the Proverbs verse below that the Lord weighs the heart (not the body!)

James 2:19 (New International Version)

19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Romans 10:9 (New International Version)

9That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Proverbs 21:2 (New International Version)

2 All a man’s ways seem right to him,
but the LORD weighs the heart.

Matthew 22:37 (New International Version)

37Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^[a]

Luke 6:45 (New International Version)

45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

Matthew 15:8 (New International Version)

8” ‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.

Luke 21:33-35 (New International Version)

33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

34“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth.

Psalm 37:31 (New International Version)

31 The law of his God is in his heart;
his feet do not slip.

Psalm 40:8
I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

Psalm 86:12 (New International Version)

12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.

Psalm 40:10 (New International Version)

10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.

Psalm 26:2 (New International Version)

2 Test me, O LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;

Psalm 119:36 (New International Version)

36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.

Proverbs 27:19 (New International Version)

19 As water reflects a face,
so a man’s heart reflects the man.

Psalm 105:3 (New International Version)

3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

Psalm 138:1 (New International Version)

Of David.

1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.

A Kiss at Midnight

So, I posted earlier that my wedding anniversary(#20) is New Year’s Eve.

My husband and I celebrated by going to The Melting Pot(Thank you CMFG, you know who you are). Whew, can’t afford to do that too much.

Later, we watched A Kiss at Midnight not realizing it was a New Year’s Eve related movie since I had recorded it a few days before. I was delighted to find that the movie ended with a New Year’s Eve wedding, just like mine. And as Faith Ford’s character said, he should never forget the date.

A Clever Disguise by Kathleen Fuller

Kathleen Fuller has written a delightful regency romance, my favorite choice for reading.

Since Michael Balcarris returned from university he no longer was the same man Emily Dymoke had been smitten with as a young girl. In fact, the change in him was quite ridiculous, so much so, Emily felt his very presence insufferable. No longer was he the young man who rescued her from a tree, but instead, a fop.

But Michael’s ridiculousness is all a clever disguise, thus the title of the book.

I enjoyed reading the book and couldn’t wait until Emily discovered Michael’s annoying behavior was nothing more than a ruse because of his profession.

I have just two criticisms of the book:

1-The prologue starts with Emily pursuing another man, Gavin. Maybe the prologue could have been from Michael’s Point of View as he watched Emily make a fool of herself with this man who does not feel for her. Had it been from Michael’s point of view, then I would not have assumed the main character was the man she was pursuing. Michael did not appear until page 12 which I suppose is not too far into the story, it just threw me just a little.  (So, who am I to criticize another writer? After all, I am unpublished and this author is published. She obviously is far more advanced than I am).

2-Avalon books are expensive. I wish they were cheaper because I would love to sign up for a subscription to a service much like the Harlequin system. But to their credit, the books are all hardbacks which is nice for the bookshelf. Check your library to see if they can order a copy.

Despite my confusion in the very beginning, I loved the book and I read it in one sitting.

Dark Pursuit by Brandilyn Collins

Brandilyn Collins is the Master of Suspense in Christian Fiction.

Her newest novel, Dark Pursuit, drew my attention because one of the main characters, Darell Brooke, is a best-selling author and well, in my dreams, I want to be a best-selling author. But first I’ve got to get a publisher to look at my work. That can be extremely frustrating.

As a best-selling author, Darell had no problem getting publishers to look at his work until the accident which left his cognitive abilities less than able to come up with the page-turning plots he was known for producing.

When his estranged granddaughter comes to him for help after she discovers a body in her apartment, Darell is hoping this real-life suspense will help him with the plot of his next book.

Brandilyn’s seat-belt suspense writing has done it again. Great book.

2009 – A New Year

I suppose everyone is writing what their new year’s resolution is for 2009. I’ve thought about it quite a bit, but had not decided on anything until I woke up yesterday with the perfect one.

You see, I could say the usual things….

lose XX pounds (too embarrassed to say how much I really need to lose)

exercise daily

make more money

get out of debt

read my Bible daily(I still would like to do this)

read X number of novels

read X number of books on writing

Write another book

Get my 2nd book published

Find someone to produce my screenplay

There is nothing inherently wrong with any of those things, but I set myself up for failure like all the other years in my past.

Instead, I woke up with an epiphany yesterday morning of what my new year’s resolution should be:

• To be content. Sounds simple, but is one of the hardest things to do. God has supplied all I need, why should I be anything other than content. I want to be satisfied with every aspect of my life(except for in the next resolution).

• To be on fire and not to be lukewarm. I want passion about my faith. I want everyone to know that Jesus loves them so much he died for them. I want my faith to be visible and not kept hidden.

Philippians 4:11-13 (New International Version)

11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Revelation 3:15-17 (New International Version)

15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.