There is an excellent book coming to the Americas from our long allies in Great Britian. It is a guide to boyhood adventure that has been lacking in both of our cultures for years now. Give it a look.

"The Dangerous Book for Boys"

This is where I read about the book.

Dr. Albert Mohler's blog

Something Cute

Little boys in button-up shirts.

Sock It To 'Em Mom

This weekend I found out why it is that "Soccer Moms" drive SUVs. There is'nt enough parking at the fields. I went to take a couple of boys to their games this weekend as their parents are on hiadus (I don't really know how to spell that), and found that I had to jump the curb to park the car. Thankfully the parents left their GMC Yukon for the weekend. My little Chevy Aveo would have bottomed out.

Now if we could just make "green" SUVs more available to them.

Just One More Funny Thing

Preservatives

They’re used to keep food "safe" and "healthy" but you know what, they’re not really good for you in and of themselves. God made natural preservatives like citrus juices, various types of oil, and who can forget salt, but they only last so long before you have to start adding things that only three people in the universe can pronounce. (Although these three people are on different continents and never go over the pronunciations together so that the can decide who’s doing it correctly.)

Think about it for just a moment. What you put in your mouth is meant to be digested. Digestion involves the breaking down of the foods molecular structure; which is the very thing that preservatives are meant to hinder. So doesn’t it stand to reason that the digestion process would be equally hindered as a result. Your body is trying to gather the good stuff and dispose of the bad and yet there are these chemicals that are getting in the way.

In general, if you can’t pronounce it or figure out what it is, you probably shouldn’t be forcing your digestive tract to try and figure it out either. I’m not saying that we should all spend way too much on organic foods and never eat anything out of a box. It's just that there should be a little more thought as to what we’re really throwing into the old pie hole.

There’s a show on food network that I really enjoy, Alton Brown’s “Good Eats.” The guy is a food scientist and he really gets into the structure of food and why it responds to heat or cold in just the way that it does and so on. He's fun and sometimes funny. But it’s rarely seen that he uses any type of preservatives apart form those I mentioned already (oh yeah, vinegar). And the book “French Women Don’t Get Fat” supports a diet built on this very premise. Think about what can you eat on the “South Beach Diet.” Fresh veggies, some fruits, fresh meats, eventually whole grains.

Eating things that your body is designed to digest: makes sense doesn’t it. Funny that we didn’t think of it before.

You Know What Else Is Funny??

I Mean Really, Really FUNNY...

Pepsi Girl

Viewing Tip:

Let the video go through once without watching

then click play again for viewing pleasure without the pauses for buffering.

Something Else That's Funny

Statistics show that a great number of people who may legally pursue marriage in all states(hetrosexual couples) here in the US are choosing not to, while those that may not in most states(homosexual couples) are fighting for the right to do so.

Question: Why is it that we want that which is forbidden to us and yet choose to set aside that very same thing if it is not?

Answer: Sin. Look at the fruit in the garden. The only tree that was forbidden and Eve and Adam chose to eat of it. They weren't hungry. They hadn't fallen on hard times. They had only been convinced (by Satan) that Someone (in this case God) was keeping them from a "better life." But the "better life" is never "better" for very long before it becomes bitter.

I suppose then that it's not funny at all but a matter to be pittied.

Something Funny

Chain Letters.

Sometimes they just make me think of someone special, or not so special.

Sometimes they fill in the gaps of my thoughts.

Sometimes the're just silly.

However, it's sad sometimes that these are the only instances in which I communicate with some people that are very dear to me.

Heaven Revisited

It can be a great wonder how God brings about the simple things of life to meet in a very grand way. In previous posts I was greatful to point out some of the briliant aspects of Heaven in response to a triffle found on the side of a cup of tea that I had recieved from an establishment. The next post was like it in that it referred to the holiness that awaits those who believe and will ultimately dwell in the presence of the Most Holy.

However the point of all these words are lost on the general masses, for the simple fact that one only gets excited about Heaven through the faith that God provides to those purchased by the precious blood of Christ. Although this is a point elluded to in both previous posts, it was again brought to mind by the sermon delivered to the people of Hope Community Bible Church this past Sunday (05/06/07). In it we were reminded that the things hoped for by the people of God are simply daft to the world and the promise of Heaven is among the chief assurances of the Redeemed.

There does remain a drawback for the Believer in all of this mucking about with the subject of faith. That drawback is that we are not home yet and until we reach that eternal rest we must continue to live moment by moment according to the reality of that which is unseen, that which is untouched, that which is unfathomable to the human mind. This is how we know the the Spirit is indeed living within us. Ask a Christian about the bliss of Heaven and you will have an insight to his/her knowledge of its King.

The challenge then is to have lofty minds, minds that are so far in the clouds that we long to bring others there just that we may rightly see them and show them the glories of golden streets and gates of a pearl.

I have fallen short this very day and every day before. What do you know of Heaven? What do you know of Hell?

May we grow in our knowledge of the Holy!!

A Side Note...Hey, Hey, I'm A Monkey

Year Of The Monkey

1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

"People born in the Year of the Monkey are the erratic geniuses of the cycle. Clever, skillful, and flexible, they are remarkably inventive and original and can solve the most difficult problems with ease. There are few fields in which Monkey people wouldn't be successful but they have a disconcerting habit of being too agreeable. They want to do things now, and if they cannot get started immediately, they become discouraged and sometimes leave their projects. Although good at making decisions, they tend to look down on others. Having common sense, Monkey people have a deep desire for knowledge and have excellent memories. Monkey people are strong willed but their anger cools quickly. They are most compatible with the Dragon and Rat."

Not quite sure about all of it, but there's a little potential there.

What are you?

The Bliss of Heaven

The last post has really got me thinking about just what the appeal of Heaven is. It goes without saying that a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ will have a different belief about heaven from say a Jew or a Muslim. Seeing as I am neither of the latter two , nor Hindu or Buddist, but simply a Chirstian seeking to know what the Holy Scriptures of my God have to offer on the subject, I can only approach this topic from two directions. One being a worldling brought up in a society facading as Christian, for that is what I once was. The other being a redeemed, Heaven-bound child of the Living God, for that is what I am today.

The first appeal that Heaven held for me as a worldling is that when we are finally there as purchased children of God we will be no longer burdened down by the heaviness of sin. Just as Christian in the beloved "Pilgrim's Progress", I was shown the weight upon myself that not only bogged me down now but would eventually drive me into the very pit of Hell. This pack was not placed upon me because of any deed of unrighteousness which then stained my soul. It is, however, identical to that which is upon all who are born of flesh.

Heaven is the Kingdom-home of the only One who was never born of our father Adam. It is reigned over by the only One who posessed the clean, pure and acceptable currency with which to purchase a sin-ridden soul. The only One who could remove that horrid weight of sin and wash its stains from the layers flesh and eventually the heart it's self. Heaven is the place where "when we see Him, we will be like Him." We will finally be "whiter that snow." Only the blood of Jesus can make us that clean.

In short, Heaven is a holy place. The dwelling of the Most Holy One who will not allow a waft of anyone's sin into His home. Not only do the deeds of our hands and hearts against God reek of death but those which we see as redeeming reek of death warmed over. There's nothing more potent than the smell of a rotting corpse in the heat of summer.

We are not home yet and it is yet to be seen what exact form we will take as we enter into our long-awaited home. The sure thing , however, is that we will not be as we are today. We will fully desire just what we will then have: complete untainted communion with the Most Holy and Most High God. Creator and Re-Creator of those born again in Christ.

Holiness, holiness is what I long for.

Holiness is what I need.

Holiness, holiness is what You want from me.

So, take my heart and form it.

Take my mind and transform it.

Take my will and conform it,

To Yours, to Yours , O Lord.

Scott Underwood

1994 Vineyard Publishing

Heaven...Overrated?

The Way I See It #230

Heaven is totally overrated.

It seems boring. Clouds,

listening to people play the harp.

It should be somewhere you can't wait to go,

like a luxury hotel. Maybe blue skies

and soft music were enough to keep people in line

in the 17th century, but Heaven has to step it up a bit.

They're basically getting by because they only

have to be better than Hell.

--Joel Stein

Columnist for the

Los Angeles Times

Have you seen this opinion?

As you may be able to discern by the format in which this quote has been typed, that it was not found on the side of a milk carton but rather was handed to me by an unsuspecting young adult pushing java (or in this case green tea) at a local dive dedicated to that great saint...Arbuck.

Although the bottom of the cup clearly reads: This is the author's opinion, not necessarily that of Starbucks. Some one of at least a little power within the company thought that this might be a true statement, or simply a very interesting one. The problem however is that this opinion was stated by someone who has, at the least, been mis-informed about heaven and what will take place there. However the most likely explaination is that the author is unable to appreciate the bliss that Heaven offers because He knows not the King that rules in this very real "land."

Heaven is meant to bring the highest glory to God. It isn't meant "to keep people in line." Heaven isn't about what we get to sit on or listen to. It isn't about us at all. It is however, about God sitting on the throne and listening to the praises of His creatures who delight in Him as only He can turn their hearts to do.

Unfortunately many people get their information on Heaven from all the wrong places. Don't rely on someone who doesn't believe that doesn't like pizza to give you a good recipe for the dough. And don't rely on an unbelieving reporter to tell you what heaven will be like. Especially from the side of a cup.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Shortly after reading this quote I visited my Pastor's blog. As luck would have it (or the providence of God; the more likely explaination), He is taking a survey on the question: "What is the Biggest Problem Facing Today's Christians?" The options to vote for are:

o Indifference

o Political Correctness or Modernism

o Charismatics and Pentecostals

o Cults or Sects

o Biblical Illiteracy

You may be able to suppose my answer in thinking of the American Church after reading the above text.

So what does this have to do with an illinformed columnist in LA? Obviously his sources are a bit off with their information. He and they are Biblically illiterate. Being associated with such a large reporting agency one would assume that Mr. Stein checks his sources. But reading reading the text of the Holy Scriptures or even understanding it will not be enough to make Joel Stein or his informants to be credible sources on the subject. The Spirit of God alone can make someone to know the Glories of Christ and the Heaven over which He will reign.

Where do you get your information about God and His Heaven?

Oh, So Very Long Ago

This is a week that will be remembered by most here in the U.S. as a marker of devistation for many. On Monday there was a terrible shooting an the campus of Virgina Tech. If you have been sheltered from this news do a little search and you will have much more information than I will give here.

I am commonly a listener to NPR (National Public Radio) and often forget that it is still playing while there are others in the car. Tuesday I was reminded that it was on by a small voice from the back seat. As we were nearly home from preschool the three-year-old who had spent all day sheltered within the walls of Ms. Megan's class room said "thirty people died." His voice wasn't sorrow-full or reporter-like but questioning. I quickly agreed with his statement, even though the number was incorrect, with a pitiful "yes."

He then asked why they died and the only answer that I could muster was smiply "There was a man who was very sad and he wanted other people to be sad too, so he killed those thirty people." He will have forgotten the awful events he heard reported by the time he's ten or eleven. He'll not, however, be spared from the hearing of such future events.

When I was in kindergarten the U.S. mourned the loss of a group of astronauts when the "Challenger" exploded shortly after it's launch. One year after the Oklahoma City bombing, on the day after a beloved Junior High teacher died following a battle with lukemia, the Colombine shooting occurred. Not long after was a school shooting just six hours away from my hometown. A couple of years after I began a career working with children three planes smashed into buildings filled with people just minding their own business. Two years ago I was blessed to visit Louisana in order to help with a small clean-up effort after hurricaine Katrina passed through the Gulf of Mexico and destroyed thousands of people's homes.

All of these things will be written into textbooks for children of future generations to read. I wonder if someone will be there to tell them the truth that they too are capable of making history. All it takes is a little determination and a bit of firepower and you too can become a face on the news and maybe in a history book for kids just like you to read in U.S. history class.

To quote that great philosopher Jack Johnson "Where'd all the good people go?"

There is a blog written by a young and lovely lady very far away that I read on occasion. She has a way of putting things in just enough light to show a bit of truth under their first layers. Here's a little taste from a post called: "What's that smell?"

"Understand less, live safer! We'd do everything in our power to protect ourselves from meanings. Identifying a big truth about ourselves is like living à la McEwan, that is, with a hidden rotting corpse in the cellar. Its stench would grow stronger and stronger - familiar, alarming, terrorizing. Hold back. Now. Till it's not too late. The only thing you need to know about yourself is your name. All the rest would stink, would break your heart and would stir the flesh flies."

As a believer in God's sovereignty over all aspects of salvation I go directly to "total depravity" upon reading this brief statement on the human condition.

Although I read Adela's site I can't recommend it fully to everyone stumbling upon this one. I can say however that I am often challenged by her writings to look beyond the outer layer of life this side of Heaven.

Hosanna!!

Praise Him! Praise Him! We are not left in desperate anguish.

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

We will be like Him! We will be Risen! We will be Risen Indeed!

The Saviour of promise will keep His promise!!!

At the Feet of the King

Yesterday was Palm Sunday. The day set aside to celebrate the entry of our beloved King into what should have been His capitol city; Jerusalem . We all know the tradgic story of this King who's blood would soon be spilled to cover the sins of those who would come to Him for forgiveness. Just a few days before this eternal Lamb's slaughter the people who would later proclaim "Crucify Him" shouted "Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!" and laid palm branches and cloaks down as His red carpet of welcome. This post, however, is not about what those people laid down so long ago.

Although we my say; "Hypocrits, driven and tossed by the winds of the moment" what is it that we have laid down at His feet? And how often have we picked our offerings back up as though to say "You can't do this thing which I have entrusted to You; You can't trample the sin from this flesh." The personally picked palm branches and worn cloaks are beautiful compared to that which we have to offer. Our sin-stained flesh is all that we can lay down. Praise Him that He washes it clean as only He can!!


Distracting Thought:
I just answered the doorbell to find two young ladies who have presented to the household with a well designed flyer. The flyer is meant to "Invite you to remember the greatest man who ever lived on the anniversary of his death".
I am offended that my Saviour has been stripped of honor even if it's just on a well designed flyer. (I can't describe how hard it was to leave out capitol letters in reffering to Jesus while quoting their words.) Yet how often do I strip Him of honor by forgetting to acknowledge Him at all? How often do I ignore the truth of His sacrifice by sinning again in what I have claimed to lay down?

Too, too often am I blinded by my flesh. Of all the words I could use to describe this weight on my heart only one little word is needed. Sad.

A Note From the Hillside

Thank you to any and all that have been praying on my behalf.

I know that God's Spirit is stronger than myself and will prevail. The climb out of the dung filled valley is going well as it has been steady and bears progress. Yet there is still so much to be delt with here below the tree-line. The branches aren't so covered with leaves to prevent the Son's rays that force their way into the tretcherous path which will return me to sweet communion and fellowship with God and His people.

Sprained, Strained, and Bruised

There are many pleasures of working with the youth among our Body of Believers. One that I truly love and dread at the same time are the physical games that we as a youth staff share with them. Some are more mental and strategy oriented while others are meant to stretch one's physical limits for the sake of team work.

The latter was the drive of last night’s activity. We played an excellent version of "Ultimate Frizz be," much like water polo or football. There is a goal at either end of a designated playing field which a team is trying either to protect or score through. The rules are simple however there are may variations that can be found through a Google search. We have played our variation a few times over the last weeks and the youth are getting very good at this game. This means, however, that the staff are in need of being more physical or craftier in order to keep up. I, however, am neither.

All this to say that I sprained my ankle last night.

This is not truly the point of this post. The second two adjectives used in the title are more apt than the first in describing current affairs for myself. I have found myself emotionally drowned for a month or two and this has led to a type of depression in the last couple of weeks. It is a very fleshly cycle that I am all too familiar with and have seen the evolution of over and over. Sometimes I am clearly able to see a path of higher ground before reaching this state through examining the graces of our no less glorious God, however, this time I have ignored them and as a consequence been blinded to those more mountainous trails.

About a week ago I said to myself "Uh, Oh. It's happening, I have to get off this path." I found no ladder or lift to transport me off the steep decline into the deplorable state and am now found. There was however a more treacherous route of escape. It’s been said that “the hand of a friend is God’s hand on lend” and this is just what was required as the first step on this path to Son-light which was just beyond the tree line at that time.

That tree line has now been passed and the remaining path toward relief is even more difficult than the previous. This path is covered with the watery dung of self-pity, indulgence and pride. There is now a trudging required. A trudging through the filth that I myself have laid down.

The time spent on slightly higher ground was spent trying to bury these things which wage war against my soul. The unburyable temptations of the world used is such a crafty way by the devil and the flesh to try to get the believer to fill the valley so that they may never again slip so far. This filth cannot stay covered with earth. It not only rises to the top but brings more sludge with it.

More rubbish to wade through as one tries to cover the old, unconfessed sins with the seeming purity of snow only to find that the snow has been manufactured by the ill-certified self from the same sewer refuse that it is being employed to cover. As this substance melts the filth is again revealed, requiring more vain attempts to mask its hideousness.

Such rantings of a sinful wretch can go on and on. I deplore my situation but know that I alone am to blame for it's grossness against my most holy God. Yet I praise Him that I can still say "my most holy God." I am painfully aware that this tie which binds my eternal soul to Him is never to be broken. However I am broken. His love overwhelms me in the knowledge of His wrath that is to be poured on those that are not bound to Him through His most precious and equally holy Son. I am as broken over their damned souls as I am for my wretched heart because I know that the love and blood that covers my mulitiude of sins is not my own. I cannot love myself as much a my wonderous Creator nor is my blood enough to blot out even my one sinful heart's transgressions.

The Saviour alone can rid me of this dark unrest and He alone is faithful to do so.

Forgive me for luring you in with such a simple story of torn ligiments. Along with your forgiveness I also ask for your prayers concerning this valley of vile filth that I am now laboriously trudging out of.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff,

They comfort me.

Your prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You have anointed my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

We Begin Again

It is very funny how things occur.


I have met with a delightful family in just these last few days and will begin watching their children in a little over a week's time. However, this was not the first hearing I recieved of this couple who were seeking child-care. A friend of mine mentioned to me, just after Thanksgiving, that she heard of a family who just moved back to the area from London, UK, that was looking for a nanny. At the time I wasn't sure that I wanted to attach my heart to another family and nearly set the idea completely aside.

As I posted last time, I just decided to re-enter child-care when I was told of this family once again from a totally different source. God has a perfect timeline and everything happening in it (which is everything) is done perfectly. He knew that my heart required a healing and provided for it just as He is providing now.

(Not to say that the infinite God responded to my decision but rather that His guidance is the reason for it.)

Though there is still growing and mending to be done, God has once again proven that He is over all that and more.

Blessings,

N.L. White

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To The Nanny Agency

On Friday of last week I made the decision to re-enter the child-care world. It was as if a message went out on the wind in many different directions. I called that day to speak to "The Nanny Connection" about an ad that they had placed in the paper and since that time I have not gone a day without an offer of employment.

My last post spoke of being a brave beginner and I have tried to be such in this time. I have, however, failed in the outward bravery department. I have had two interviews in the last two days and both have held questions that induced tears. The questions were about the last family I worked with. Perhaps I am seeing this step as the final one that says "I'm not going to work with them anymore."

Turn, Turn, Turn

"A beginning is always risky. It takes some courage to be a starter..."

-a fellow blogger

How many beginnings are thrown into our paths? Endless. Even the end of everything we know is a beginning to what is still somewhat a mystery.

I've recently began a job at a local retail store where I enjoy the people and don't mind the work. As I have commited to finishing out the Holidays with this store, the beginning is complete. However, there will be an end this arrangement. I don't know when or why but another beginning will be required then and new arrangements will be a must.

For one that dispises changes, there are many before me. There is a blessing in all of this. My God is in control. By saying "My God" the highlight is on His being over and even for me. He is faithful not only to meet my needs but to refuse the wants that will bring harm or shame to His glory.

Praise Him that He is careful to preserve His Glory and therefore faithful to those who are to bare it before the world.

-Christmas Blessings-