I CHOOSE NO CHOICE

There has been much attention focused on legalized abortion this month. Susan B Kohmen defunded Planned Parenthood, who cried "Foul!" and funding was resumed. For a brief 48 hours pro-lifers celebrated and marked the decision of SBK as a victory. When the decision was reversed, we cried "Foul!" and determined to continue efforts that save babies, and save women from this awful medical abuse. 

Somewhere in the middle of facebooking and blogging I realized that I am personally offended by the concept at which our society has arrived. "Choose Life." "Pro Choice." "Pro Life." "A woman's right to choose." These all imply that it a woman's responsibility to decide whether or not to carry a pregnancy to term.  I don't believe that is a decision that belongs to any human being.  I believe that pregnancy should be embraced as a reality of humanity.  I believe that within this reality is the awareness that three lives are directly effected- a mother, a father, a child. 

I hope in my conversation and communication to make it clear that although abortion is legal, it doesn't give anyone the right to impose upon a woman the need to choose. I choose not to choose. 

Life from the moment of conception is a scientific reality. It should be acknowledged, respected and honored. 

REFLEXOLOGY

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)

Sunday we talked about the freedom we have in Christ and how the Holy Spirit guides us within that freedom to live a life that honors God and builds up other believers.
This morning I came across these verses... 2 Cor 3: 17-18. 

Liberty = freedom. So that confirms what we spoke about from Romans 14. Then this verse goes on to say that we are to reflect God's glory! So, living in freedom=God's glory being revealed in us. That's pretty personal. I mean most of the time, when you look in a mirror, who do you see? You see you. Do you also see the glory of God? This puts an added dimension to the freedom and liberty that we have! 

It also reveals that if we are true Christ-followers, that it is a process. You are "being transformed". I understand that to mean that the longer and the closer you follow the Lord Jesus, His glory will become clearer, brighter and more evident in you. Also, more evident TO you-like seeing yourself in a mirror-and I know you look in the mirror several times a day! Ask yourself, Can I see Jesus in me? Can others? 

This adds insight into what our freedom looks like. Freedom from sin. Freedom to be radical for Jesus. Freedom to love others with the love of God-w/o passing judgement. Freedom to allow the Holy Spirit to influence and guide you. Freedom to allow God's grace to be cultivated in you and channelled through you. Freedom to openly give thanks and glory and praise to God!

Read it again... this time in the New Living translation: But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Cor 3: 16-18

Showers of Blessing

Yesterday I hosted a Wedding Shower for my son's fiancee' Jenna. It was a special time for friends and family to gather to show their love and support for this young couple. John and Jenna have committed themselves to God first and foremost. They committed themselves to purity. And to each other for a lifetime.
They received many useful and wonderful gifts. Thank you for your genuine caring!
What they continue to need are your support and prayer.
May 21, 2011 is less than six weeks away. Wedding on the beach. Lighthouse close by to remind us of the Light of the World.
I wasn't very encouraging when they began to plan a destination wedding... now, I couldn't be more excited! If it's perfect for them, then it's going to be a beautiful start to a new chapter of this exciting journey called life.

Content with the Content!

This week I was praying for a friend concerning contentment. As I prayed for them, based on Phil 4:12, I felt led to google the definition of content and was reminded that it has multiple meanings...the primary definition of the noun "content "was "something contained, as in a receptacle." (like the contents of a drawer) #2 was the chapters in a book. I particularly liked #7 "power of containing; holding capacity: The bowl's content is three quarts."

As I read all these definitions I came to see more clearly that the adjective "content" is simply a matter of acknowledging that the contents of your life are what they are. No more, no less.
(adj definition: "happy enough with what one has or is; not desiring something more or different; satisfied")

I don't think this means you must be apathetic toward your circumstances or relationships, or that you shouldn't pray and work to make better a bad situation... contentment to me means that if nothing changes you trust God, you praise God, right where you are- knowing and trusting in His great love for you. He knows the longing of your heart; He knows your needs; He hasn't left you. For His children, His purpose is to use every circumstance to mold and make us more into the image of His Son. So, keep giving God the glory, no matter what the content.

In Paul's letters, he advises us to be content in our situation, however, he also advises us to PURSUE Righteousness and Godliness. Paul challenges us to live Holy Lives that are Pleasing to God. Never be content with where you are spiritually- strive to become more Christlike, understanding and applying God's will and ways, always ready to serve Him, always examining yourself as you read His Word.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A12&version=NIV

Guineas and German Shepherds

Guinea hens... funny creatures. Beautiful feathers... tiny, ugly head. We have two-Henry and Martha. They really belong to my husband, Jerry, as do all the animals. He takes care of them as though they were children. He dotes and coddles his Shepherds, feeds and cuddles the cats, cares for and loves the horses, he even likes the guineas. He brought home a half dozen of them when they were chicks-we have two left. they're not the smartest birds and ours tend to be very accident prone! Henry only has two toes. Tangled up in fishing line, one was so damaged it finally fell off! I have my doubts about how long Henry and Martha will be around... especially after the drama this past Wednesday!

As usual, I got ready for work before taking Pudgy and Ella (our house dogs) out for their walk. Hearing a ruckus from the German shepherds, I turned to look and saw Martha in a shepherd's mouth! I dropped Ella's leash, rushed to the lot, opened the gate and started yelling at Onyx to "drop the bird!" She complied, and then picked her right back up again, looking confused as to why I was interrupting her game of catch. I was horribly inadequate at keeping the dogs from the guinea and the guinea-even when free from Onyx's deathgrip- seemed too wounded to escape the lot. I yelled loudly for Jerry who was sleeping soundly, too soundly to hear me or come to my aid. Finally cornering Onyx and Bella (shepherds) on one side of the lot and hooking Onyx's collar onto the fence, I opened the gate on the other side of the lot and chased the confused guinea, who had taken refuge behind the doghouse, to her freedom.

I was a mess.

I released the confused shepherd (who was simply following her instincts), retrieved my confused shih tzu, Ella, and went about cleaning the mud off my shoes... heading for work as normal. Later as I reflected on the drama of the morning, I recalled that every night the guinea hens roost. 

They roost on the fence.

The fence of the German shepherd's lot. 

We have found feathers in the dog lot before. No guinea left-just feathers. They still roost on the fence. 

She probably fell so deeply asleep she fell on the wrong side the fence. Or maybe she got into the lot to steal some dog food. However it happened she found herself in the grip of danger unable to escape on her own. 

It reminded me of how we taunt temptations. How often have I sat on the fence too close to people, things or activities that were dangerous? How often have I ignored the evidence of the casualties of the fallen? 

The guineas are roosting on the dog lot again tonight.  Are you?

"Why are you sleeping?" (Jesus) asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." Luke 22:46

Thank you Jesus for rescuing me!

Just Getting Started

I've always wanted to write a book. I'm not much of a scholar, but most of the time, I like the way my brain works. Rather analytical, free-spritited, spiritual, a bit melancholy. I have a lot of ideas and a lot of stories. I simply would hate for them to go to waste. So, I figure I'll jot down a few words and see where it takes me. You are welcome to come along. I consider this an adventure. I've never blogged before. Most of my facebook entries consist of other's writings that inspire me. I don't want to presume that I have anything of great inspiration to say-nor do I expect to change the world. This is mostly for me... and maybe my children... just in case someday in the future they miss my ramblings, like I miss those of my mom and dad.
Be warned-I am a fullblown Jesus freak! Repentant. Forgiven. Washed. Filled. It is certain that this fact will have the greatest influence on my thoughts and He never leaves my mind, as it is His as I am His.