Miracle of Life

This story brought tears to my eyes and brings proof yet again to the fact that our God is greater than anything perceived as humanly impossible. 

The Difference Between Romance and Love

Romance is flying.
Love is safe landing.

Romance is seeking perfection.
Love is forgiving faults.

Romance is fleeting.
Love is long.

Romance is the anguish of waiting for the phone to ring to bring you words of endearment.
Love is anguish of waiting for a call that will assure you that someone else is happy and safe.

Romance is eager-striving always to appear attractive to each other.
Love is two people who find beauty in each other-no matter how they look.

Romance is dancing in the moonlight, gazing deep into desired eyes across a candlelit table.
Love says, "You're tired, honey. I'll get up this time," as you stumble through the darkness to warm a bottle or comfort a frightened child.

Romance is flattering attention.
Love is genuine thoughtfulness.

Romance is suspense, anticipation, surprise.
Love is dependability.

Romance is tingling excitement.
Love is tenderness, constancy, being cherished.

Romance is delicious.
Love nourishes.

Romance can't last.
Love can't help it.

~Marjorie Holmes~

Easter Family Photo

I've been intending to get this up all week. I guess it's the thought that counts, right?

Photos from Callaway Gardens

I was gone over the weekend to Callaway Gardens with my mom. It was a good chance to get away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and my mom and I were able to do some catching up. I really needed a getaway like that. Here are some pictures from the butterfly center.

How Could Anyone Refuse Such a Blessing?

In whatever form it takes place from outright rejection to seemingly harmless prevention, our nation's epidemic of refusing one of God's greatest blessing is quite disturbing. Our nation screams, "We want blessings of money, health, spiritual gifts, talents, wisdom, but no, no, no, God, please keep that terrible "curse" of children from us! We have so many things to accomplish and just don't have the time, energy, or desire to raise Godly children for You to go on into the next generation. Bless our bank account not our fertility!"

Does anyone else see something wrong with our great "Christian" country's attitude? It's actually quite easy to pass over what I am saying as being extreme or maybe I'm making too big of a deal out of a little issue, but I beg to differ. I listen to young woman after young woman state how much she hates small children and NEVER wants any of her own. Instead, she is set on a big career, fabulous husband who serves her in every way (if she even desires marriage at all, but if she does, by golly, he'd better not hold her back or prevent her from her fullest "potential"), and a nice house, car, and bank account to suit her shopping and spa addictions. In the meantime, Muslims are populating by the dozens and we insist on no kids, or maybe a big family of two kids (of course a boy and girl). It won't be long before we become a Muslim dominated culture by mere population increase alone. If you don't believe me, look at our population replacement rate right now...it has fallen below replacement rate. That's quite honestly, beside my point right now.

I'm reading a book now, written in 1985, called "The Way Home-Beyond Feminism Back to Reality" by Mary Pride, a former feminist. It was written over 20 years ago, but we certainly haven't gotten any better. She says,

I believe the reason that Christians have not been successful so far at stopping abortion in this land is because we have not yet understood and confessed our part in bring it about. Typically the Christian understanding of abortion has been 'The central issue in abortion is the question of human life. But the great assumption of the proabortion movement is that the fetus is not a human being. However, as we have just seen, the lid is off the abortion racket; everyone know that 'fetuses' are human. In fact, they are pushing for more and more experiments on and organ transplants from these poor little human beings. Yet women still have abortions. (pp. 73-74)

She goes on,

The typical Christian response...is that our sins have been (1) lack of political involvement and (2) lack of acceptance for unwed mothers. This is not correct. We are not all called to be lobbyists or politicians any more than we are all called to be preachers. Nor do we owe it to every unwed mother to provide her with money, a home, a day-care center, and a job (to say nothing of pushing her into this feminist careerist lifestyle). Mercy? Yes, for repentant sinners. Compassion? Yes, for those who ask for help. We do need to repent of our sins before God; but political naivete and a strong stand against fornication are not sins. Nor have they caused abortion. (p.75)

The church's sin which has caused us to become unsavory salt incapable of uplifting the society around is selfishness, lack of love, refusing to consider children an unmitigated blessing. In a word, family planning.(p.75)

I'm concluding with this one,

When the church came out in favor of family planning, it produced certain effects. Outside careers because truly possible for women with the blessing of the church. Only when a woman deliberately chose to stop having children and was able to carry through on her plans would she be able to launch a career without fear of 'interruptions.' This was the first wave. The second wave was a sudden demand for abortion, to insure that her new career plans were fail safe. Along with this came a decreased dependence on her husband, leading to marital stress as she felt more free to do her own thing without bothering to consult him. You know the rest of the story. Epidemic divorce, abortion-on-demand, child abuse, the popularity of homosexuality (with women trying to become men, who wouldn't be confused?), infanticide, and so on. All because children are no longer considered a blessing.(p.75)

This woman has so much to say! (I would recommend this book to anyone interested following God's plan for womanhood.) I'm not sure if she is 100% correct, but think about it. I really believe she has some tremendously valid points. Unfortunately, we are so brainwashed by our Godless society that even Christianity has been effected.

So, I'm not really going to get everything down that I wish to say today, but please consider your attitude towards children. Would you rather drive a Mercedes by yourself or an old mini-van (not that it has to be old...just paid for! :)) full of precious, eternal, human lives? I don't think I could ever look into the face of a baby and tell God I didn't want it or didn't want anymore.

I'll leave you with some verses (taken from The Message version), all emphasis is mine.

Genesis 17:20

And Ishmael? Yes, I heard your prayer for him. I'll also bless him; I'll make sure he has plenty of children—a huge family.

Genesis 28:3

And may The Strong God bless you and give you many, many children...

Genesis 35:11

I am The Strong God. Have children! Flourish!

Isaiah 23:1-3

Wail, ships of Tarshish, your strong seaports all in ruins!
When the ships returned from Cyprus,
they saw the destruction.
Hold your tongue, you who live on the seacoast,
merchants of Sidon.
Your people sailed the deep seas,
buying and selling,
Making money on wheat from Shihor,
grown along the Nile—
multinational broker in grains!
Hang your head in shame, Sidon. The Sea speaks up,
the powerhouse of the ocean says,
"I've never had labor pains, never had a baby,
never reared children to adulthood,
Never gave life, never worked with life.
It was all numbers, dead numbers, profit and loss."

Isaiah 29:22

And finally this, God's Message for the family of Jacob, the same God who redeemed Abraham: "No longer will Jacob hang his head in shame, no longer grow gaunt and pale with waiting. For he's going to see his children, my personal gift to him—lots of children.

Isaiah 57:3 (This is pretty convicting)

But you, children of a witch, come here! Sons of a slut, daughters of a whore. What business do you have taunting, sneering, and sticking out your tongue? Do you have any idea what wretches you've turned out to be? A race of rebels, a generation of liars. You satisfy your lust any place you find some shade and fornicate at whim. You kill your children at any convenient spot— any cave or crevasse will do. You take stones from the creek and set up your sex-and-religion shrines. You've chosen your fate.

Jeremiah 29:6

Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you'll thrive in that country and not waste away.

Mark 9:36

He put a child in the middle of the room. Then, cradling the little one in his arms, he said, 'Whoever embraces one of these children as I do embraces me, and far more than me—God who sent me.'

and I saved my favorite one for last:

Psalm 127:3-5

Don't you see that children are God's best gift?
the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior's fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don't stand a chance against you;
you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.

Interview With the Duggars

I absolutely love the Duggar family. They display such a love for kids and the Lord. They have so welcoming accepted each and every child into their home and on top of that kept their sanity! It just goes to show that God will provide whatever you need to accomplish the task He has assigned you to. Here is a fairly recent interview with the parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar (this was before #17 was born this past summer).

Marriage Myths According to Modern-Day Psychologists

I saw this article called "'Don’t Go to Bed Angry’ and Other Marriage Myths" on the MSN homepage today. I found it quite sad really. You tell me, what do you think? If I followed their advice, I know I would be unhappy. Maybe some people are satisfied with that kind of relationship, but marriage is supposed to be a demonstration of Christ and the Church (us). It's the greatest relationship we will every have on this earth and it is meant to be an example of Christ's love to us. That means you should tell your spouse everything, keeping things from them does nothing for oneness. You shouldn't go to bed angry, don't let the sun go down on your anger. And your spouse most certainly should be your closest friend and confidant.

I know I have no experience in a marriage relationship, so I'm not calling myself an expert, but I see so many marriages that can be so much more. Divorce is not the only enemy of marriages. Lifeless, unproductive marriages that have ceased to grow are just as big a threat to the union. God doesn't call us to settle with an okay relationship, He wants it to be an incredible display of His power, glory, and love. In fact, that's why He made marriage. He made marriage, not for us, but His glory.

Mike Huckabee On Homeschooling and Abortion

I'm sure you can't tell that I've been on YouTube today. I've been following a few of the presedential candidates lately and Mike Huckabee though not perfect seems to hold some pretty important values. I heard him preach (he is a former Baptist minister) a few months ago at church and was quite impressed. I'm just praying that whoever gets elected as the next leader of our country leads us in the right direction...back to our true Christian heritage.

Homeschool Family

I love this video!! :) (Even though it's a little exaggerated...)



(Turn off blog music on the sidebar.)

Christmas Photos

Update

I highly doubt that I'll be able to get back to normal blogging until after the holidays are over. I had HOPED to, but it looks like I'm busier than predicted. Tomorrow and Sunday are taken up with family gatherings on my mom's side and then my dad's side of the family. Then, Monday is Christmas Eve! I can't believe it, it snuck up on me this year. On Christmas Day we'll be at home and celebrate Christmas as a family and on Christmas night, we'll celebrate my birthday. I'm going to be 20!! I feel so old :). I just do not feel like I'm 20, I feel more like I'm 16. My life is not at all the way I envisioned it to be when I turned 20. Anyway, on December 26, I'll be getting my wisdom teeth extracted :(. I'm not too excited, but it'll be a great relief to have it done and off my mind. That pretty much sums up my next week. I'll try to get back to blogging as soon as I fully recover from my surgery. Though I'll make no promises since I will be looking for a full-time job, figuring out insurance, and trying to discover where God wants me to go next. I would greatly appreciate all of your prayers as I make some important decisions and seek the Lord's will in my life. Thank you so much to all of you who keep me in your prayers!!!

The Duggars

How this family does it, I do not know, but I'm fascinated with their documentaries. This is one of their most recent TV interviews.