Sometimes It Causes Me To Tremble... Easter & Earthquake

"There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from Heaven and, 

going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it." 

~Matthew 28:2

After church, we, mom, Dad, Linda and 2 of their friends (Ruth and Virgil) gathered at our place.  We put together a buffet and were enjoying a relaxing afternoon when, at around 3:30pm, the biggest earthquake I have ever experienced rolled through.  Jamie said, "Don't worry, it'll be over in a minute." But it was lasting much longer than any others and so I shouted that everyone get outside.  It lasted at least a minute and we all ended up in the backyard where the pool was sloshing strongly.  We could still feel the earth rolling below our feet.  It felt like waves and was much quieter than most earthquakes we experience here.  It always amazes me how some quakes roll through like that, some shake, and some feel like a truck running into the house. A few pictures fell over and the precious figurine Erika got me when Brandon was born fell to the floor and broke into pieces.  Funny...the pic of my aunt and uncle's wedding fell over, and I set it back up and then it fell over at each aftershock.  So, I figured it was just a reminder to pray for them.  :)  But everyone was fine, though a bit unnerved and you can imagine what the conversation then centered around.  I have felt numerous aftershocks since.  We had a big 5.1 yesterday morning right after I woke up.  The pots and pans were clanging together.  The original quake ended up being centered near Calexico and measured a 7.2.  That is the same as the Haitian earthquake.  But very little damage.  Thank God.  2 deaths that I have heard of in Calexico.  I don't know the details.  Both nights since, we have had a big enough aftershock to wake me up, but minor in comparison to Sunday afternoon.  

You know there was an earthquake the first Easter (Mt. 28:1-2) so it seems fitting to have one on the last Easter.  LOL!  Yes, I am hoping for the rapture before next Easter.  ;)  Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!

I have the letters: J-E-S-U-S standing on one of the nooks in the dining room.  They fell backward and have been out-of-sight since the quake.  "He's not here!  He has risen just as He said!  Come see the place where He lay"  ~Mt. 28:6.  Teehee!

Were you there when the stone was rolled away... Sometimes is causes me to tremble. 

dust rising off the mountains near Mexicali during the quake & road damage.

(not sure where I got these, but thought they were fascinating.)

Who is God and what is He like?...my perception.

God is the Creator of the atom and of the universe which is so expansive we will never, this side of heaven, grasp the massive size of it.  And yet it is all small enough to God that He holds it in His hand.  He is physically enormous yet that word does nothing to accurately describe His size.  And even though, God is awesomely huge, He still is able to know the secret workings of my earthly body and the private thoughts of my heart. (Gen. 1:1; Is. 40:12; Ps. 139:1-4, 16, 23-24)

He is Love.  Not just loving, but He is love.  He encompasses all love and one can not claim to know God if there is no love in him.  God's love is so all-consuming and overflowing that it is easily a trait that we all have inborn in us because we are in His image.  And He withholds nothing from us, not even His most precious possession, His Son. (1 Jn. 4:8; Gen. 1:27; Jn. 3:16)

He knows my days before there were any of them.  He knows the end from the beginning.  He knows and cares about every detail in my life.  The fact that He can know me (and all of His creation) so intimately means He is a multi-tasker beyond comprehension.  Certainly our ways and thoughts are not to be compared to His.  It is absolutely ridiculous to entertain the thought that our limited/finite minds can even slightly grasp His wisdom. (Ps. 139:16-18; Is. 47:10a; 48:4; Is. 55:8-9)

He is a great Healer.  He gives new life when all seems lost and is lost.  He is a resurrector of all things dead. (Is. 43:19; 2 Cor. 5:17; Ps. 30:11-12)

He is His Word, the Bible.  And how thankful I am for all those pages of Scripture. (Jn. 1:1)

He is the Father and Keeper of Israel.  And we must continue to support His people if we want to remain a blessed people as well.  He has adopted/grafted me in as if I were a Jew.  (Gen. 12:2-3; 1 Ptr. 2:9-10; Rom. 11:11-25)

He wants me to make the most of every opportunity, to bloom where I am planted, to "wherever I am, be all there."  (Eph. 5:16)

He is Comforter and guide and the Light that exposes and drives out all darkness. (2 Cor. 1:3-4; Is. 30:21; Jn. 1:5)

He is a Daddy who wraps His arms around me...soothes, cradles, and rocks me when life is tumbling down around me.  He is the eye of the storm.  My hair swirls around me, yet there is peace in Him and so I sit calmly in the midst. (Rom. 8:15; Is. 26:3)

He is so much that no one can look on Him and live.  But one day He will come and take me and I will be with Him forever.  He will one day rule earth and do so righteously.  The peace and justice we so earnestly desire will come only when Jesus is King of this world. (Ex. 33:20; 1 Ths. 4:17; Rev. 20)

He is in the details.  He causes me to be creative because He is the Creator and I am in His image.

He is the center of my life.  The reason I do everything I do and my motivation in doing it.  He sees me fall numerous times a day and still loves me and helps me up.  (Col. 3:23-24)

He is the Father to the fatherless, Defender of the widow, and satisfaction of everything we long for in our lives.  No one can find wholeness, completion, fulfillment, or satisfaction apart from Him. (Ps. 68:5-6; Jn. 14:6)

Breaking the cords of the Constitution?

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality an religion.  Avarice (excessive greediness), ambition, revenge, or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net.  Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." ~John Adams

No wonder Obama sees the Constitution as a document of "negative liberties."

The Constitution was created to limit government.  Do you want to make decisions for your family or do you want a president and other "smarter-than-you-but-don't-care-about-you" politicians creating "rights" for your family?  "We the people" are the first three words of the Constitution for good reason.  The government is about you, not about Obama or whoever else wants to trample all over your freedoms.  Be loud, be persistent, don't sit idly by while your freedoms are stripped away from you.  Humble yourself, pray, seek God's face. (2 Chr. 7:14)  Exhibit faith, hope, and love ...even toward those who are trying to ruin you, but don't tolerate or allow them to take what God has given.  This is so hard.  Temper anger with love.  Knowing that Jesus died for them as much as for those of us who love Him with all our hearts.  "Forgive them, Father, for they do not know what they do."  Or do they?  Be loving, be strong.  Familiarize yourself with our true history (I'll give you a hint that you won't find it in the public school, government-written textbooks), and the Constitution, and the fact that freedom is God-given, not Nancy Pelosi-given.  Open your eyes & recognize that the government has been and will continue to influence you through media, the government-run school system, universities...  It's called brain-washing, folks.  Think for yourself.  Question everything and discover the truth for yourself and then cling to it with everything you have!  Have conviction.

"If we lose freedom here, there is no place to escape to.  This is the last stand on earth."  ~Ronald Reagan.  It's true.  Is Antarctica still inhabitable?  Darn!  Where else can we go?  Hold on to tightly and fight for what you have because once it's gone, it's gone.

An update on Jame's shoulder

Jamie finally got the diagnosis after his MRI last week.

Apparently, the thunking/cracking he has been experiencing in his shoulder is a "foreign object" about the size of an eraser tip, probably a broken off piece of cartilage or bone.  The doctor expressed the idea that the chipping off of bone or cartilage could be a disease-related.  He will ultimately have to have surgery again but the doctor really wants to get to the source of the problem so Jame will be seeing an orthopedist for a second opinion.
He is not allowed to work or use his right arm until this is figured out.  So, we are taking a few steps backward.  This is a bummer, but we know God is sovereign, and we are very glad to have some sort of diagnosis of the problem.  Thank you for praying.  Please continue to.  I am confident God's hand is in this and He is growing us, and especially Jamie through such an uncomfortable time.

A blade of grass

"I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it." -Chuck Swindoll

This quote is staring at me as I prepare to read the next chapter of Sarah Palin's book.  I used to live by these wise words and have somehow forgotten them, and how to apply them to my own life.  A friend told me once that I was like a blade of grass...when I get stomped down, I'm down for a bit and then I pop right back up.  I know that is in me somewhere but it seems lost at the moment.

Jaci Velasquez lyrics come to me..."Here I am again willing to be opened up and broken like a flower in the rain.  Tell me what I have to do to die and then be raised to reach beyond the pain like a flower in the rain."  Such a theme song of my life at one time and yet I wish I could blossom in the downtimes like I once did so well.  But I hold bitterness and hurt so much tighter now.  Why is that?

And my mind...thoughts play over and over in my mind.  What does that person think of me?  What do they say when I'm not around?   Ugh!  It is absolutely the enemy.  Even if these people do disapprove of me.  Who cares!?  God knows the motives of my heart.  He knows my heart!  All I need is to please Him and no one else. "For do I now persuade men, or God?  Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ." (Gal. 1:10)  (Haha!  My spell check doesn't recognize the word "bondservant", a reflection of culture, I guess.)
And I try to take those thoughts captive to the obedience of Jesus, but they still dominate my mind.  I must replace them with thoughts that are true.  "God is good."  "He has a plan for me."  "I am significant to Him."  "He will use me."  "He gives me passions, talents, gifts, and opportunities.  What are they?  How am I going to use them?"

So, here's to "bouncing back" no matter who may gloat or boast at your downfall.  God is picking me back up.  Why should I return to the pit?  Get out and walk away from it.  Letting no one take from me what God is doing.  Not any person, not the enemy of my soul.

Drive Thru History

Drive Thru History :: Episode 12 CLOSING from ColdWater Media on Vimeo.

This is a series our family has really enjoyed.  I highly recommend.  This particular video was sent to Jame recently and I thought it was excellent.  Enjoy!

a letter to Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck has recently unveiled some inspiring artwork with the words, "Faith", Hope," and "Charity."  Below is a letter I doubt he will ever have time to read, but I wrote anyway.  Be encouraged.  God tells us through Scripture that we are to bear these three qualities in the last days which are coming upon us.

(property of Glenn Beck)

____________________
Glenn,

I awoke in the middle of the night the other night and began to ponder our nation, and end times prophecy.  America seems to not be in end times prophecy which means that we, most likely, will not be a prominent player of the stage being set for the return of Christ.  Of course, I believe this moment is soon approaching.  In light of prophecy and the fulfillment of it, I questioned whether or not my energy to the restoration of the USA to its founding principles is futile.  I don't know if that makes any sense.  Anyway, I began a Bible study on what I should be found doing (particularly concerning my country) upon Christ's return.  I am still in the midst of this study, but I found something rather interesting that proved to me that you are right about faith, hope, and charity (love).  Here it is:

1 Thessalonians 5 is well known as being a description of the coming of Jesus Christ or the "rapture" so it is an appropriate place to look to find out what we should be doing during that time.  Look at verse 8...

"But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation."

You are right.  I follow you pretty avidly and was so encouraged to have your vision confirmed in scripture, in my own personal quiet time with the Lord.  Keep on keeping on!  You are doing a great job!  You are a watchman of Jeremiah 6:17.

Jeremiah 6:13-17 is so where we find ourselves today:  "Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely (isn't this so true that the overwhelming majority of our leaders, even 'spiritual', are in it for selfish gain?).   They have also healed the hurt of the people slightly, saying, 'Peace, peace!' when there is no peace (lying to the people that there is no economic crisis; the hc bill is going to be great 'but you just have to pass it first so we can tell you all about it'; global warming).  Were they ashamed they had committed abomination (a homonym I often think is no coincidence. Teehee!)?  No!  they were not at all shamed; nor did they know how to blush (a result of arrogance and pride).  Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;  at the time I punish them, they shall be cast down," says the Lord.  Thus says, the Lord, "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths (our founding principles), where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.  But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'  Also, I set a watchman over you (thank you, Glenn!!), saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, 'We will not listen.'..." (commentary, obviously, mine.)

God bless you, Glenn, as you seek out the truth and share it with us all.  It will truly free us...even if only in our own hearts.  But, I desire and hope for so much more...the restoration and revival of our beautiful, God-blessed country.  And, yes, I will be raising up Godly and patriotic children so they can have a hope-filled future.

Much love to you and your staff for all you do so tirelessly and for very good cause.  You are deeply loved and appreciated by my family and so many others.

Kori Peterson

Borrego Springs, CA
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On an unrelated note, the boys told me yesterday that they were talking about our presidents and they want to be president.  Thus followed an in-depth conversation about integrity, humility, service, and the importance of knowing our Constitution.  Guess I will be adding that to the curriculum (which I had in mind already). :)