the election dilemma

Should you vote your conscience for truth and character and for your own convictions, or just vote against the opposing candidate that seems most likely to threaten everything you believe in?

The run for California governor is so important.  Unfortunately, both prominent Republican candidates are not as conservative as we would hope.  

http://larrynaritelli.vpweb.com/

Here is the site I came across about Lawrence Naritelli.  He clearly stands for everything I believe in.  This is a very difficult decision and I totally understand the position to vote for the lesser of two evils so that Jerry Brown does not win ultimately.  I just wish we would genuinely vote our conscience and for issues, character, and integrity.  I really feel like there is no time like the present to start changing the tide back to our Founders.  Poizner is only prominent because he is well-funded.  But the tea parties, the people, want someone who stands for them, genuinely.  Ugh.  I, too, wonder if I should vote my conscience or vote against someone who will destroy us.  It's a terrible dilemma.  What would God have us to do?

my thoughts: if we continue voting for the lesser of two evils, then nothing will ever change. But if we join together and eventually vote for character, then there is hope.

It sucks that the front-running political candidates are typically well-funded, but have zero integrity. When there are those out there who are genuine public servants and ooze character and righteousness, but not well-funded and not seriously considered.
Our Founders must be rolling over in their graves.


Bottom line...we shouldn't care about politics; we should care about righteousness. (I believe the Lord gave me this insight today from www.saltandlightcouncil.org.)  Vote your conscience according to the Holy Spirit.  We must do the right thing, not just the "less evil" thing.

Sometimes, I just can't help myself....

Animals that were formerly self-sufficient are now showing signs of belonging to the Democrat Party..... as they have apparently learned to just sit and wait for the government to step in and provide for their care and sustenance.

This photo is of a Democrat black bear in Montana nicknamed…

Bearack Obearma.




However, as my neighbor, Wilson, says, "I believe these bears are in trouble in every state, not just Montana."

"All great change in America begins at the dinner table."

Enjoy.  This is really beautiful and inspiring.

Beautiful Desert

I love my beautiful desert.  Quiet except for the birds and the breeze...and the jingle of Lily's collar as she faithfully hangs by my side.  Clear, blue skies. Large expanses of chocolate, bumpy mountains.  The green, orange, pink, purple, yellow, and white melting into summer brown.  Stunning cloudless sunsets disappear into black, diamond-sparkled skies over night-awakening blossoms.

A rare moment of solitude in a mommy's life.  I rest in it now only for a moment, but I am so thankful to my great Creator of the universe.

what's up with us

Here comes Summer!  Much of this past week has been in the 90's.  Of course, the last two days have been very cold and windy.  The heat is late in coming this year which is kind of nice and we have wondered if it means heat later into the fall.  I hope not, since Borrego Days falls at the end of October and the heat wipes out so many that day.  Yes, I am in the beginning stages of parade planning right now.

The warmer temps this last week or so have driven the kids right into the pool and I foresee it getting more and more use year after year as the boys grow.  I spent much of my childhood in my grandparent's pool and my summer's would not have been the same without those fun memories.  They had an apple tree near the pool and my sister and I would pick apples and toss them in the pool for a little wash down and chomp, chomp, chomp.  Yummy!  My Grandma made grilled cheese sandwiches and put them perfectly into little baskets with cheese balls and grapes and brought them down to the picnic table by the pool.  So, we didn't even have to change out of our suits or dry off.  All the while, my Grandpa worked in the yard, mowing and raking and doing whatever it was that needed to be done.  And out of the blue, we would hear a "Woohoo!" and a big splash.  He would jump off the wall by the pool and cannonball into the pool to cool off and then back to work he went.

The boys are playing t-ball and Silas is a natural.  He often wants me to throw the ball for him and I so often exchange that time with him for housecleaning.  Today, Jamie encouraged me to ditch the house for a few minutes so I could spend the time with Si.  I was glad I did.  He is such a treasure.  Brandon is a much more courageous player this year.  I love game nights because I skip making dinner and we all get to eat hotdogs at the field.  I welcome any opportunity to shirk responsibility. :)

We have added to our family.  In February, we adopted 2 guinea pigs.  In a matter of weeks, we had 5!  Yeah, one was expecting.  We are now down to three.  They are so fun and hilarious.  We keep their hay in the hall closet and every time they hear the door open, they start squealing.  They're smart little things.  Mama, Rose, and Goldie are their names.

I am officially a Prayer Action Leader for Borrego with Concerned Women for America (check out the website here).  I hope to have my training soon.  I was also accepted into the Mom Heart Leadership Intensive which will be in Colorado Springs/Denver in August.  It will be an opportunity to become involved in Wholeheart Ministries (www.wholeheart.org) which has been instrumental in directing me in my role as a mom.   I have no idea the Lord's direction for me in this ministry but am interested to see if the He will use me here.  I just received confirmation the other day and the email called us the "founding mothers."  I love this...especially as I study the Founding Fathers of our beautiful USA.  I am yielded to whatever His will is and look forward to spending a few days in Colorado (especially in August...it will be baking hot here).  We stopped there on our vacation 2 years ago and really loved the area.  I hope to have some time (maybe stay an extra day) to visit the Focus on the Family campus.


My Gramma has just settled into an assisted living home in Seattle.  Praise the Lord!  Her mind seems intact too. Yea!

Jamie has officially joined the Borrego Fire Board.  I am so proud of him in this position.  I have been reading "The 5000 Year Leap" and appreciate the importance of moral and virtuous leadership.  Jamie is fulfilling his role as a leader in our community and his integrity/character is such that he is a perfect candidate for the job.  He, also, just had his second surgery on his shoulder and seems to be doing well.  He is very achy of course but already is almost at full range-of-motion.  Please pray that he will become stronger.  He misses his work and would like to get back to it.


We are wrapping up our first year of home schooling.  Though we love life as education so I don't know that we will really stop.  It seems like it would be more of an effort to stop than to continue.  We read so much and talk and learn, learn, learn.  Every experience, exercise, and discussion is a learning opportunity.  And the Lord seems to just take us here and there and we have covered far more than I ever dreamed.  The boys are hungry for knowledge and have a love of scripture, history, our Founders, etc.  Take the time to talk and read with your kids.  You will learn right alongside them.  Such a beautiful experience.  We joined a home school group this year and they are holding their promotion ceremony in June so the boys will officially move into 1st grade.  (Below: our neighbor, Gary, showing the boys how samurai swords are made by folding thin sheets of metal over and over again.  Silas in good form.)

My sister and her family will be here in July for a short visit.  I can't wait to see her.  They will be here in time for Si's birthday.  He wants a pool party so should be a warm one, but super fun!  They are coming for a high school reunion which will be held at Indian Hills Camp where we worked a few summers when we were younger.  Our family will join them so we can have more of a visit and see a very beloved place (www.indianhillscamp.com).


At this point, we are not planning a trip this year.  Hold on....let me take a deep breath and keep from crying. LOL!  You know I love to travel, travel, travel.  Especially when it's 120 degrees out here.  We will probably take the trailer up to Julian for a week or so here and there to escape.  We are redirecting our funds toward self-sufficiency at home...if ya know what I mean.
I desire that you are well and hopeful at what is to come in the future.  Make sure you vote in the primary elections and let your voice be heard.  Live a moral and virtuous life and raise a godly, freedom-loving generation.


Bless you!

The Separation of Church and State...original intent.

We met for our first episode of the American Heritage series last Sunday at church.  It was fantastic!  There are 26 episodes, so I am really looking forward to seeing more and really driving home, in my mind, the truths of our history.  If you are in Borrego, please come by the Christian Center on Sunday mornings at 8am to check out this series.  ~~After the first episode, one of the men in our church inquired about why the "separation of church and state" is in our Constitution when, clearly, the majority of our founders were Godly Christian men.  There was a great response from someone (thanks Kelly!) who had just written a paper on this very subject.  (Thanks, God!)  I thought I would go ahead and post here the original intent of the "separation of church and state" which the liberals among us ram down the throats of the uninformed.  Their spin on the phrase is an absolute contradiction of the original intent.  I will also add that it is not a phrase found in the Constitution. 

The Federal "Wall" Between Church and State

When Thomas Jefferson was serving in the Virginia legislature he helped initiate a bill to have a day of fasting and prayer, but when he became President, Jefferson said there was no authority in the federal government to proclaim religious holidays. In a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association dated January 1, 1802, he explained his position and said the Constitution had created "a wall of separation between church and state." 
In recent years the Supreme Court has undertaken to use this metaphor as an excuse for meddling in the religious issues arising within the various states. It has not only presumed to take jurisdiction in these disputes, but has actually forced the states to take the same hands-off position toward religious matters even though this restriction originally applied only to the federal government. This obvious distortion of the original intent of Jefferson (when he used the metaphor of a "wall" separating church and state) becomes entirely apparent when the statements and actions of Jefferson are examined in their historical context.
It will be recalled that Jefferson and Madison were anxious that the states intervene in religious matters so as to provide for equality among all religions, and that all churches or religions assigned preferential treatment should be disestablished from such preferment. They further joined with the other Founders in expressing an anxiety that ALL religions be encouraged in order to promote the moral fiber and religious tone of the people. This, of course, would be impossible if there were an impenetrable "wall" between church and state on the state level. Jefferson's "wall" was obviously intended only for the federal government, and the Supreme Court application of this metaphor to the states has come under severe criticism. (The 5000 Year Leap via source: U.S. Constitution Coach)


You may read the correspondence between Jefferson and the Danbury Baptist Assoc. below:


Letter from the Danbury Baptists:

The address of the Danbury Baptist Association in the State of Connecticut, assembled October 7, 1801.

To Thomas Jefferson, Esq., President of the United States of America

Sir, 

Among the many millions in America and Europe who rejoice in your election to office, we embrace the first opportunity which we have enjoyed in our collective capacity , since your inauguration, to express our great satisfaction in your appointment to the Chief Magistracy in the United States.  And though the mode of expression may be less courtly and pompous than what many others clothe their addresses with, we beg you, sir, to believe, that none is more sincere.

Our sentiments are uniformly on the side of religious liberty: that Religion is at all times and places a matter between God and individuals, that no man ought to suffer in name, person, or effects on account of his religious opinions, [and] that the legitimate power of civil government extends no further than to punish the man who works ill to his neighbor.  But sir, our constitution of government is not specific.  Our ancient charter, together with the laws made coincident therewith, were adapted as the basis of our government at the time of our revolution.  And such has been our laws and usages, and such still are, [so] that Religion is considered as the first object of Legislation, and therefore what religious priveleges we enjoy (as a minor part of the State) we enjoy as favors granted, and not as inalienable rights.  And these favors we receive at the expense of such degrading acknowledgments, as are inconsistent with the rights of freemen.  It is not to be wondered at therefore, if those who seek after power and gain, under the pretense of government and Religion, would reproach their fellow men, [or] should reproach their Chief Magistrate, as an enemy of religion, law, and good order, because he will not, dares not, assume the prerogative of Jehovah and make laws to govern the Kingdom of Christ.

Sir, we are sensible that the President of the United States is not the National Legislator and also sensible that the national government cannot destroy the laws of each State, but our hopes are strong that the sentiment of our beloved President, which have had such genial effect already, like the radiant beams of the sun, will shine and prevail through all these States--and all the world--until hierarchy and tyranny be destroyed from the earth.  Sir, when we reflect on your past services, and see a glow of philanthropy and goodwill shining forth in a course of more than thirty years, we have reason to believe that America's God has raised you up to fill the Chair of State out of that goodwill which he bears to the millions which you preside over.  May God strengthen you for the arduous task which providence and the voice of the people have called you--to sustain and support you and your Administration against all the predetermined opposition of those who wish to rise to wealth and importance on the poverty and subjection of the people.

And may the Lord preserve you safe from every evil and bring you at last to his Heavenly Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Glorious Mediator.

Signed in behalf of the Association,

Neh'h Dodge, Eph'm Robbins, Stephen S. Nelson - The Committee

President Jefferson's Reply:

Messrs. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, and Stephen S. Nelson

A Committee of the Danbury Baptist Association, in the State of Connecticut.

Washington, January 1, 1802

Gentlemen, --The affectionate sentiment of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist Association, give me the highest satisfaction.  My duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature would "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church and State.  Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common Father and Creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association, assurances of my high respect and esteem.

Th Jefferson

Jan. 1. 1802

(source: www.wallbuilders.com)

You Cut

http://republicanwhip.house.gov/YouCut/

An opportunity to attempt to have a say in excessive government spending.  Might as well give it a shot.  Maybe they will listen to "the people" some day.

voter guide and opinion

Click on the "Vote..." tab above for current voter information.

"If ever a time should come when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." ~Samuel Adams

"Public officials should not be chosen if they are lacking experience, training, proven virtue, and demonstrated wisdom." (taken from the thoughts of Samuel Adams via "The 5000 Year Leap")

A few of you have asked my opinion about the candidates for this primary election.  I will continue to update this until June 8th.  If you find anything of concern, please email me or comment here and I will research it further and correct it, if necessary.  I hope this is helpful.  (The pic to the right also applies to June 8, 2010.)
Much love and appreciation for you who want to be informed and knowledgeable voters.  Bless you!

________________________________________________

voter guides:

• Family Voter Guide
• Tom McClintock's recommendations.  Tom is sticking close to the Republican party and so is biased in that direction.  The obvious bad pick on here, for me, is Poizner for Governor because of his abortion stance.  In the past, I have really liked Tom McClintock.  He seems conservatively consistent. 
• Tea Party voter guide.
• savecalifornia.com
• Incumbants and past politicians abortion records. http://www.ontheissues.org/states/CA_Abortion.htm
• Constitution Party picks: http://aipcalif.blogspot.com/
• Here's SEIU's list which you can use as a "How Not To Vote" guide. LOL. http://draft.seiuca.org/politics/Rebuild_California__SEIU_Voter_Guide.aspx
• NRA Endorsements.
• http://www.robynnordell.com/default.aspx On the left sidebar, you will see San Diego County listed among others.  You can navigate through there.
• www.easyvoter.org
• http://california.evoter.com/calvoterguide
• Rick Roberts' voter guide. http://www.760kfmb.com/global/story.asp?s=12501538
  
  North County Conservatives recommendations:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Governor - Lawrence "Larry" Naritelli

  Lieutenant Governor - Sam Aanestad

  Secretary of State - Orley Taitz

  Controller - Tony Strickland

  Attorney General - John Eastman
  
  
  Federal:
  U.S. Senate - Chuck Devore
  State:
  State Senate - Greg Stevens (36)
  San Diego County:
  Sheriff - Jay La Suer
  Nonpartisan Offices - Judicial (Judge of The Superior Court):
  Craig A. Candelore (Office No. 14)
  Jim Miller Jr. (Office No. 20)
  Harold Coleman Jr. (Office No. 27)
  Larry "Jake" Kincaid (Office No. 34)
  School:
  State Superintendent of Public Instruction - Lydia A. Gutierrez
  Propositions:
  State -
  Prop 13 - YES
  Prop 14 - NO
  Prop 15 - NO
  Prop 16 - YES
  Prop 17 - YES
  County-
  Prop A - NO 

_________________
GOVERNOR:
Jerry Brown (D) is pro-choice and says he would support public funding of abortion for low-income women through an executive order if necessary. Here is the video of him saying so.
Steve Poizner (R) is pro-choice, but opposes government funding of abortion.  He is pro-traditional marriage.  Otherwise, he seems fiscally conservative and supports immigration laws.
Meg Whitman (R) is pro-choice, supports government funding of abortions for low-income women, and is against parental notification of minors getting an abortion.  Nightmare!
http://savecalifornia.com/images/stories/PDFs/comparison_poizner_whitman_2010primary.pdf has a breakdown of key issues between Poizner and Whitman.
Lawrence Naritelli (R) http://larrynaritelli.vpweb.com/  This guy is right on and pro-life!  It seems...maybe... you can have it all.
Robert Newman (R) claims to be a Christian and that he will stand for the truth.  His stance on the issues is right on...in every aspect.  Not sure of his experience.  http://www.smartvoter.org/2010/06/08/ca/state/vote/newman_r/; http://www.newman4governor.org/  Here is his church website: http://www.eaglesnestministries.org/
Markham Robinson (I) supports the original intent of the Constitution and is pro-life.  He seems to be an upstanding Christian. http://www.cavotes.org/vote/election/2010/june/8/seat/governor-june-8-2010-election/candidate/markham-robinson; 
Chelene Nightingale (I) has stated her position on many issues here.  She seems cool, but a little risky.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR:
Jim King (I) has a great stance on key issues. (http://www.smartvoter.org/2006/11/07/ca/state/race/ltgov/) (http://www.vote4king.blogspot.com/)
Sam Aanestad http://www.voteforsam.com/  Aanestad on immigration. http://www.rightondaily.com/2010/05/sam-aanestad-vs-abel-maldonado-a-stark-contrast-on-illegal-immigration-watch-the-video/



SECRETARY OF STATE
Deborah Bowen (D) is married to the Deputy Director for Energy and Climate in the Office of Environmental Markets at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  She is an abortion supporter and does not defend traditional family/marriage.
Merton D. Short (I) is a defender of the Constitution.  Don Grundmann endorses him (see U.S. Senate).  http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2010/04/statement-from-aip-candidate-merton-short/ Pro-life. http://vote96.sos.ca.gov/bp/parties.htm
Orly Taitz is a birther.  Now I, too, am not fully convinced of Obama's citizenship.  She is an immigrant herself and so is very passionate about her citizenship.  There is A LOT of criticism toward her because of her "birther" stance.  She is the Tea Party pick.  http://www.runorlyrun.org/.  She, no doubt, will hold the White House absolutely accountable, especially regarding election and voter fraud. http://kabc2010.nextgenpols.com/HTML_QandA_1_KABC_0053.htm
Damon Dunn (R) http://hiphoprepublican.com/general/2009/10/18/damon-dunn-nfl-star-republican-seeks-ca-secretary-of-state/ is a baptist pastor for Saddleback Baptist Church, has been president of a local Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is an ex-NFL player.  He is pro-life.


CONTROLLER
http://www.thevoterguide.org/v/sacbee/race-detail.do?id=192257557&party=R touches on Strickland and Evans.
John Chiang (D)- opposes off shore drilling.
Andrew Favor (L) (www.andyfavor.net) is a fiscal conservative in a time when we need a fiscal conservative more than ever.


ATTORNEY GENERAL
Tom Harman http://www.harman4ag.com/tom-harman-issues.html is a supporter of the 2nd amendment, plans to call the Fed govt to accountability regarding our borders, pro-life, pro Prop 8, against Obamacare
Diane Beall Templin is a Constitution supporter and parents' say in education reform. http://www.templin4attorneygeneral.blogspot.com/
John Eastman http://www.eastmanforag.com/issues-and-philosophy is a really great option.  Honestly, I am torn between him and Harman, though My vote is for Harman at this point.


U.S. SENATE  - Oust Barbara Boxer!
Carly Fiorina is California Pro-Life Council's pick.  She also has the endorsement of Sarah Palin. http://www.carlyforcalifornia.com/issues/
Chuck Devore is looking pretty good.  http://chuckdevore.com/n/issues/
For me, it's a toss-up between Fiorina and Devore.  They essentially have the same stance on the issues that matter.  Carly is backed strongly by the pro-life movement and is a business girl (too bad she's not running for governor).  Devore is a military guy and an appointee of Reagan's White House.  Gotta love that!
Don J. Grundmann's pro-life stance is absolutely correct in his perspective on the truth about abortion.  He is pro-Constitution.
Edward Noonan is Mormon so you can assume his moral stance on various issues.  But I couldn't find any info regarding taxes/Constitution.
**Barbara Boxer must definitely be removed from office.  She is one of the leaders of immorality and foolishness in our government.  She has caused all sorts of wickedness and has had a stronghold in our state for far too long.  Just take a look here and try not to lose your lunch.  She is responsible for countless unborn lives lost.  Very sad.


STATE SENATE (DISTRICT 36)
Joel Anderson (R) is endorsed by the NRA for his support of the 2nd Amendment. http://www.nrapvf.org/Elections/State.aspx?y=2010&State=CA#Sheriff


STATE ASSEMBLY, 77th DISTRICT
http://www.smartvoter.org/2010/06/08/ca/sd/race/069/
Bill Wells http://www.vbwells.us/  He has the pro-life backing.  I lean this direction.
Brian Jones http://www.electbrianjones.com/ click on issues and endorsements.
Christine Rubin http://www.christineforassembly.com/home/ click on issues and endorsements.  Not high on my list because her stance on gun laws is unclear.


SAN DIEGO SHERIFF
Jay La Suer is committed to the Constitution regarding the right to bear arms.  (http://www.sheriffjay.org/articles/carry_permits.html)
Bill Gore is endorsed by Bob McClellan who I personally admire.  However, from some things I have read (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=2243853), he seems to have been a bit neglectful in any sort of preemptive 9-11 responsibilities.  He is ex-FBI.  There also seems to be a concern amongst Constitution-concerned citizens that Gore is anti-Constitution regarding gun laws (http://sheriffjay.org/blog/archives/516).  We, Americans, have the right to bear arms and if this was upheld and not regulated to the point of nausea, we would have a lot less crime.  Regulations, obviously, are not helping lower crime in our country.  Freedom, freedom, freedom. 


SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Candidates that support home schooling and parents' rights.
Superintendent Voter Guide.


COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 5TH DISTRICT
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2010/may/06/horn-and-challengers-spar-over-5th-district/
Marchi's immigration stance is concerning.  He does not support AZ's law and is an immigrant himself.  This is great since we are a melting pot.  But, we are also America and citizens need to be legal and uphold the Constitution, not make it up as it seems best to them.
Bill Horn and Tom Bumgardner seem to be fairly like-minded.  Tom just feels like Bill isn't doing enough.
Bill Horn, John Van Doorn, Steve Gronke and Tom Bumgardner support AZ immigration law and the need to revisit the 14th Amendment.  The 14th Amendment was meant for the children of slaves.  Bumgardner is the only one who seems to understand this.
Tom Bumgardner http://www.smartvoter.org/2010/06/08/ca/sd/vote/bumgardner_t/
Gronke is a global warming lemming and, therefore, questionable since that stance will ultimately lead to global government control if we don't require accountability and the truth.  He also loves social services...another government control ploy.  Stay far away from this pick.
Bill Horn proposed a 25% salary hike to his already ample intake.  http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/may/23/supervisor-horns-four-foes-facing-uphill-fight/


ASSESSOR-RECORDER
http://www.smartvoter.org/2010/06/08/ca/sd/race/045/


JUDGES
http://www.bettercourtsnow.com/
http://www.judgevoterguide.com/
http://www.electionforum.org/#san-diego-county
For office no. 20 - http://www.smartvoter.org/2010/06/08/ca/sd/race/020/


PROPOSITIONS
voter guides are pretty much the same across the board.
I would like to address the following: Prop B- term limits in all cases are a good thing.

Cousins!

Spent the afternoon at the Wild Animal Park.  So good to see family.  

My cousins, Melissa and Bob, were down from Washington state with Melissa's children, Selena and Cesar.

It's so hard to know who the wild animals are, huh?

Fantastic insight into the current culture of abortion

A most fantastic article.  The hearts of the people seem to be turning toward the lives of precious in-the-womb angels.

Click here: Are we witnessing a major shift of momentum on the issue of abortion?

...after you have suffered a while...

"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, 

after you have suffered a while, 

perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." 

~1 Peter 5:10

Are you suffering?  It will pass and will lead to perfection, establishment, strength, and to be settled.

How we long to be settled while we are struggling through a trial.  Yet, we know that we are to count the trial all joy because He is molding and shaping us in the midst.  I am finally coming to the point where I can truly count it all joy...even through tears at times...because I know He is making me into who He wants me to be.  And that truly is a joyful thought!  There is a light at the end of the tunnel of suffering.
God does not call us to an easy life.  We must do hard things.  And just when you think you've done enough, He calls you to do more.  "Haven't I done enough?" you ask.  And the answer is, "no."  George Washington asked, "Have I not done enough for my country?"  Mordecai pointed at Esther five times with the word "you" telling her that she was called to intercede for the Jews to save their lives "for such a time as this." (Est. 4:13-14)  Jesus told us to forgive, not 7 times, but 70 x 7 times. (Mt. 18:21-22)  Wasn't His sinless life on earth enough?  No, He had to go to the cross.  What we think is enough is never enough.  Is it impossible?  No.  Is it hard?  Yes.  But "My grace is sufficient for you.  For my strength is made perfect in Your weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9)  He gives what we need right when we need it.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us." (Rom. 8:18)  Heaven is coming.  Hang in there.  No, soar!  Be still and know that He is God." (Ps. 46:10)  We will count our suffering unworthy of mention or even the slightest remembrance in Heaven.  Because Heaven is that glorious!  

"Joy is a delight of the mind, from the consideration of the present or assured approaching of a good. " ~Locke

Blood Money trailer...spread the word.

1 abortion = 1 dead + 1 wounded.  I know.

The Five Thousand Year Leap, part 1

The Founder's Monumental Task

(I am writing this for my own sanity so I can summarize parts of this book and not get lost in the depth of it.  I am taking it in parts because it is that intense.  And if you have read this book, I would truly appreciate your input and impressions, and corrections.  Thanks!)

Skousen does an excellent job of explaining the basis of our government and the intention of the Founders.  Now, I'm not saying it is easily understood.  True to Glenn Beck sentiment, there were plenty of moments when I thought my head would explode, my eyes would bleed, and my brain would hurt.  I spent plenty of time in the dictionary and you can see in the margin many definitions of words I just had never heard of: stratified, retinue, despotic...to name a few.  I could easily re-read it several times and pick up many things I am certain I missed or just didn't fully comprehend.  Yes, my little brain is taking on a huge task in reading this book.  But, I hunger for the truth of what our government should be.  This book causes it all to make sense and scares the living daylights out of me in realization of how very far away we are from the Founder's original intent.  I could easily have underlined every single word for the importance of the message, but I restrained myself so I can just pick out some highlights.

What we view as "right" and "left" on the political/government spectrum is far from what the Founders viewed as "right" and "left."  Right is anarchy.  Left is tyranny.  And we must land somewhere in between.  Take a wild guess where we are now.  The Founders placed us practically in anarchy...that is how much they wanted a government of, by, for the people.  They set us 3/4 of the way toward anarchy...not total anarchy because there must be accountability and a few things should be regulated, but for the most part, we should be self-governed.  The importance of local government (starting with your own family) astounded me, but makes perfect sense.  If you can't rule your own household well, how can you rule a nation.  It really encouraged me to be involved in my community.  I only plan the town parade but it is a place where I can serve my neighbors.  Jamie just became a board member for the fire department.  These things matter.  Being an upstanding citizen matters.  Being a leader in your church matters.  Be a good example to others who are watching you.

The Founders placed us approximately halfway between People's Law and No Law.

The Founders, specifically Thomas Jefferson, were deeply concerned with how easily this ideal could be compromised.  We, as a nation, have become apathetic and complacent voters.  And it is destroying us.  We have thought that since we are Americans, partakers of "the dream", that we could never ever become participants in a nightmare.  We are in the nightmare right now.  We must turn the tables.  If we continue in the direction we have been heading, we will soon be a total government, minimal freedom, all regulation country.  Do something.  If you don't know what to do, click here for some ideas.  There is plenty you can do.

Another thing that was awesome for me to read was that the Founders came from vastly differing backgrounds, vocations, religious beliefs, and spheres of education.  Yet they were all "remarkably well-read" and that is why they were so incredibly brilliant.  As a home schooling mom who loves books and learning from them, I found this incredibly encouraging.  We live in a culture that has brain-washed us into thinking that the only "smart" ones are those that attend universities.  Universities are brain-washing American students into socialists.  Abraham Lincoln had the equivalent of one year of school.  He was a lawyer and the president.  But, he was well-read.  Pick up a book...and learn! 

Also, the Constitutional Convention took more than 4 months.  Why?  Because when they disagreed, they continued to work together until everyone could feel at peace with the ultimate outcome.  And we think "reaching across the aisle" is so noble???

Finally, "America's Three-Headed Eagle" is genius!  But this post is already long enough so I won't go there.  

Read this book!  It's really cool!

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