REDEMPTION

Isaiah 49:6 "He (the Lord) says: 'It is too small a thing for you to be My servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.' "

Ezekiel 18:32 "For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!"

Excerpt from The Torch and the Sword by Rick Joyner:

"The earth itself will not be able to bear the evil of man much longer and will rebel against man. Terror will increase as the earth begins to rage and travail.

The time is approaching when no man can survive what they have released upon themselves, and they would all perish if I did not put an end to it. I will redeem the earth. In the greatest darkness, I will release the greatest light. The greater light is My love for the world and My redemption.

...You must learn to carry My love and My redemption at all times. When you learn to love the most worthless and most wretched, even those who are in the grips of the deep darkness, then My Word of redemption will flow through you.

The world's greatest heroes are those who overcome the greatest enemies.
The greatest saints are those who overcome the greatest darkness. You are being sent to call those who will serve Me in the darkest of times. Therefore, you must know the depths of My redemption.

You must know in the depths of your heart My love for those who are in the grip of the greatest evil. You must also know that the power of My redemption is great enough even for them. The sword that is being given to My messengers in these days can break any yoke and cut through any chain. My light is stronger that any darkness.

No power on earth is greater than My redemption."

2 Peter 3: 8-9 "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Excerpt from The Shack by William Paul Young:

God: "Mackenzie, there are millions of reasons to allow pain and hurt and suffering rather than to eradicate them, but most of those reasons can only be understood within each person's story. You are the ones who embrace fear and pain and power and rights so readily in your relationships. But your choices are also not stronger than My purposes, and I will use every choice you make for the ultimate good and the most loving outcome."

Mackenzie: "...I just can't imagine any final outcome that would justify all this."

God: "Mackenzie,...we're not justifying it. We are redeeming it."

kdr

Some Moments in American History

For Christmas, my husband purchased a book for us entitled "The American Patriot's Almanac" by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb. I obtained the following stories from this book. Direct quotes are noted.

Ten weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, President FDR signed an executive order to place Japanese-Americans in internment camps. Many were in the camps for two and a half years. This is an example of people responding out of fear. God has not given us a spirit of fear and we shouldn't make decisions, especially ones of this magnitude, while we are fearful.

The good news is that in 1988, President Reagan offered a national apology to Japanese-Americans and 20,ooo dollars to each person who had been interned in the camps. This heightened my respect for this president.

President George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. Bennett states, "In three crucial ways he shaped our nation. First, he led American forces during the fight for independence. Second, he presided over the writing of our Constitution. Third, he served as our first president."

"...During one battle of the Revolution, at Monmouth in New Jersey, the American troops were in confused flight and on the verge of destruction when General Washington appeared on the field. Soldiers stopped in their tracks and stared as the tall, blue-coated figure spurred his horse up and down the line, halting the retreat. The young Marquis de Lafayette remembered the sight for the rest of his life, how Washington rode 'all along the lines amid the shouts of the soldiers, cheering them by his voice and example and restoring to standard the fortunes of the fight...' Washington's very presence had stopped a rout and turned the tide of battle."

"REMEMBER THE ALAMO!"

February 23, 1836 is when the seige of the Alamo began.

Years ago, I was able to visit the Alamo. I heard other people saying that they were disappointed, that there "wasn't much to it." I enjoyed the visit. I love to visit historical places. I would love to visit the sites of Washington's battles, and other places where the early course of our nation was set.

I would like to visit Europe. I would like to go to places where I've tracked my ancestors to, in England; and those of my husband in Spain and Ireland.

I would like to visit birth places of poets and writers; musicians, artists, and statesmen; old pubs and churchyards; places I've read about in books.

But, when you get down to it, every place has a history and it's fun to me to explore the history of a place, whereever I am.

kdr

Abou Ben Adhem by Leigh Hunt

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An Angel writing in a book of gold:

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said,
"What writest thou?" The Vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."

"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said,"I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow-men."

The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest!

THE GOODNESS OF GOD

You never know when you're going to receive a touch from God.

I think sometimes I miss it.

But that doesn't negate it.

The goodness of God can be so overwhelming.

The touch pulls me out of my little world into reality.....His reality.

God is closer than we think.

Makes me wonder....'who am I that He would touch me?'.

I'm His child just like you. I have to be reminded.

Psalm 8

1 O LORD, our Lord,How majestic is Your name in all the earth,Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!

2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength Because of Your adversaries,To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.

3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;

4 What is man that You take thought of him,And the son of man that You care for him?

5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God,And You crown him with glory and majesty!

6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;You have put all things under his feet,

7 All sheep and oxen,And also the beasts of the field,

8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord,How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

I just wanted to remind you folks that God loves you deeply.

NOBILITY

Nobility

Alice Cary

True worth is in being, not seeming,—

In doing, each day that goes by,

Some little good—not in dreaming

Of great things to do by and by.

For whatever men say in their blindness,

And spite of the fancies of youth,
There's nothing so kingly as kindness,

And nothing so royal as truth.

We get back our mete as we measure—

We cannot do wrong and feel right,

Nor can we give pain and gain pleasure,

For justice avenges each slight.

The air for the wing of the sparrow,

The bush for the robin and wren,

But always the path that is narrow

And straight, for the children of men.
'Tis not in the pages of story

The heart of its ills to beguile,

Though he who makes courtship to glory

Gives all that he hath for her smile.

For when from her heights he has won her,

Alas! it is only to prove

That nothing's so sacred as honor,

And nothing so loyal as love!
We cannot make bargains for blisses,

Nor catch them like fishes in nets;

And sometimes the thing our life misses

Helps more than the thing which it gets.

For good lieth not in pursuing,

Nor gaining of great nor of small,

But just in the doing, and doing

As we would be done by, is all.
Through envy, through malice, through hating,

Against the world, ,early and late.

No jot of our courage abating

Our part is to work and to wait

And slight is the sting of his trouble

Whose winnings are less than his worth.

For he who is honest is noble

Whatever his fortunes or birth.

SEA FEVER

Sea Fever
John Masefield

I MUST go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,

And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

HOW DID YOU DIE?

How Did You Die?
by Edmund Vance Cooke

Did you tackle that trouble that came your way

With a resolute heart and cheerful?

Or hide your face from the light of day

With a craven soul and fearful?

Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce,

Or a trouble is what you make it,

And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,

But only how did you take it?

You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that!

Come up with a smiling face.

It's nothing against you to fall down flat,

But to lie there--that's disgrace.

The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce

Be proud of your blackened eye!

It isn't the fact that you're licked that counts;

It's how did you fight--and why?

And though you be done to the death, what then?

If you battled the best you could,

If you played your part in the world of men,

Why, the Critic will call it good.

Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,

And whether he's slow or spry,

It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,

But only how did you die?

OPPORTUNITY by Edward Roland Sill (1841-1887)

This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream;--
There spread a cloud of dust along a plain;
And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged
A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords
Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince's banner
Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes.
A craven hung along the battle's edge,
And thought, "Had I a sword of keener steel--
That blue blade that the king's son bears,--but this
Blunt thing--!" he snapped and flung it from his hand,
And lowering crept away and left the field.
Then came the king's son, wounded, sore bestead,
And weaponless, and saw the broken sword,
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand,
And ran and snatched it, and with battle shout
Lifted afresh he hewed his enemy down,
And saved a great cause that heroic day.

The Shell by Amy Carmichael

Upon the sandy shore an empty shell,
Beyond the shell infinity of sea;
O Saviour, I am like that empty shell;
Thou art the Sea to me.

A sweeping wave rides up the shore, and, lo,
Each dim recess the coiled shell within
Is searched, is filled, is filled to overflow
By water crystalline.

Not to the shell is any glory then:
All glory give we to the glorious sea.
And not to me is any glory when
Thou overflowest me.

Sweep over me, Thy shell, as low I lie,
I yield me to the purposes of Thy will;
Sweep up, O conquering waves, and purify.
And with Thy fulness fill.

WALL-E: a message of hope

In this movie, people have been living on a spaceship for generations. Earth has been literally 'trashed' to the point that it is unable to sustain even plant-life. Somehow, WALL-E is the only robot left and he is still faithfully on clean-up duty. He appears to be remarkably cheerful, enjoying certain 'treasures' he finds and the friendship of an insect.

The people on the ship don't realize what a poor existence they have. They are propelled about in big comfortable chairs, all wearing the same color and having basically everything done for them automatically. They don't know where they came from or what they were made for; they just mindlessly exist as generations before them have done. The ship's captain doesn't even know.

But when he finds out about our home, the earth, and that it is now possible to restore it, he becomes enthusiastic and joyful about it. The people become determined to inhabit and restore the earth, even though it is basically still a mess.

Instrumental in this awakening is the beautifully streamlined EVE. She discovers a plant previously discovered and nurtured by WALL-E. She has been programmed to scout for and return any plant-life to the captain. It is imperative as the key to allow the people to return to earth.

The peoples' existence on the ship and their subsequent awakening reminded me of my own spiritual journey. And EVE reminded me that, although womankind has long borne a certain reproach in the hearts of many for the downfall of mankind; womankind can and will play an important role, along with mankind, in the restoration to come.

kdr

PRESIDENT FOREVER

It seems as though the door has been opened in Venezuela for current presidente' Chavez to run for a 3rd term.....and a 4th......and a 5th........and you get the point. This weekend the country voted on a referendum to do away with term limits. Apparently 54% of the country voted in favor of it. As one Venezuelan put it:

"People voting 'yes' said Chavez has given poor Venezuelans cheap food, free education and quality health care, and empowered them with a discourse of class struggle after decades of U.S.-backed governments that favored the rich. "

That sounds vaguely familiar..............hmmmmmm.....where have I heard that recently????????

DID YOU KNOW?

Representative Jose Serrano (D) has introduced a bill in the House to abolish the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which limits presidents to two consecutive terms or ten years in office. It's called H.J.Res.5 if you want to check it out.

Luckily it didn't pass......maybe try again in a few months.....you never know!

JOHN PIPER'S WORD TO OBAMA

This was on BOBBY SPARK'S blog a little while ago. I think it needs to be heard again.

DAVID WILKERSON

I thought this was an interesting word for what's going on now. It's about 10 minutes long.

THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CRISIS

Aurora Australis

I know how science describes these lights......but to me it's kind of like 'Glory'.

RULES FOR LIFE

To me this say a mouthful.....Rules are really just for people to follow.

We try to impose our rules on nature.....most of the time it just doesn't work out that well.

Sometimes it seems that animals have more common sense than people.

Crazy.

FRIDAY THE 13th

Today a true horror became reality. Your children and grandchildren are now in debt. We were all born into sin.......now we're born into debt........to China. If Wal-mart wasn't bad enough. Now our country is on the verge of being a clearance item on isle 4. This is a day we're not to forget.

It got me thinking. 200+ years ago a group of bright men came together. They were men of common sense and vision. They had realization of how important their actions were. They were men of purpose. What they did in the signing of the Declaration of Independence rocked the world and forever shaped the history of man. It was that monumental. These men put their lives on the line. It was life or death......and they meant it.

Look at what happened today. It's a far cry from our founding fathers. Blatant disregard. That's what I call it. What happened today is a testimony against them. A true horror. Today we saw the making of history..........a sad day. -JGR

SUCKERS AND DOG TREATS

I remember as a child going to the bank with my mother or father and hoping that the teller would be so gracious as to give me a lollipop. Times they have a changed!

Elvis (my chihuahua/yorkie mix) went to run some errands with me today. He likes to ride in my truck. I can open the truck door and he'll hop right on in. Anyways......he enjoys the barn and all of its wonderful smells. I had to make a quick stop at the bank. Drive-thru of course! I hardly ever go in. I give the teller my stuff and she quickly returns my receipt and a Scooby Snack! WHAT?!?!

Now don't get me wrong....I'm not complaining......I was more taken by how times have changed. It took Elvis half a second to devour the snack. I know he was delighted. -JGR

Thoughts on Abraham Lincoln

When I was very young, I wasn't quite sure if I liked Abraham Lincoln. It was probably after watching 'Gone With The Wind'. I live in Alabama, and have been to Atlanta, GA. many times and knew quite a bit about Sherman's march. Yeah, I know...'war's hell'. But then I was a very idealistic little girl. I knew that slavery needed to go; had to go; but I thought the North went a little overkill with the destruction. Then I heard the song 'Johnny Reb' on Johnny Horton's album: 'When Honest Abe heard the news about the fall, the folks thought he'd call a great victory ball; but he asked the band to play the song Dixie, for you, Johnny Reb, and all that you believed...' I was later taught that it was believed that one reason President Lincoln was assasinated was because he wanted to restore the south to the Union in a much kinder way than reconstruction turned out to be.

It's tragic that the war took place because some rich plantation owners were greedy and/or lazy. Some people say it was more about state's rights than slavery, but it's really the same thing, I think, state's rights to have slaves. It is also tragic that some in the north wanted to punish the south instead of restore it...they couldn't see that, really, the south had been punished enough.

I'm grateful for President Lincoln. I'm glad he had the strength and insight to keep our nation united. So, happy birthday, Abraham Lincoln.

kdr

Record Players and Old Albums

My mom gave me her stereo since she no longer listens to her albums. That was nice, but the real treasure is the stacks of albums I brought home, even though I really don't have room for them. Some of these albums are scratchy and some are like new; even a few are ruined.

The two pictured are childhood favorites of mine. I liked the song 'Wolverton Mountain' as a child, but my favorite was 'Pistol-packing Papa'. I had a beautiful horse that I can still picture in my head. It was one of those a few feet off the ground on a metal stand attached by thick metal springs. My mom said, and I vaguely remember, that every time that song came on I would stop whatever I was doing, jump on that horse and ride so hard that it would actually come up off the floor. I still think it's a cool song; hearing it again after so many years.

Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire Album is hard to beat. I've always loved western ballads and this one is full of them; Johnny Yuma, Remember the Alamo and even Bonanza. I remember mowing about an acre lawn on a now archaic riding lawnmower. But I wasn't bored. I was a long-lost Cartwright daughter, riding the range on my trusty horse, keeping an eye out for trouble while singing the song in my head.

It will take awhile to go though these and I'll have to make a place for them. I feel like they're a piece of musical history; even the ones I don't particularly like.

The backs of the albums usually tell a little about the artist and the songs chosen for the album; and I actually like the cracklin' sound of the albums.

kdr

O FORTUNA

Several months ago we went to a Trans Siberian Orchestra concert. They played a song there that I loved. I never knew what the song was called. I found it and here I am. You might recognize it from commercials.......Denise called it the 'Damien song'. I like it the way TSO did it.

A RING OF TRUTH

Here's another political cartoon off of Glenn Beck's page (mentioned in the previous post). I thought it was rather funny.
www.robsmithjr.com

POLITICAL CARTOONS

I found this on Glenn Beck's website.....there are more. Check'm out.

http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/3890/

FRODO

The setting: Last Friday (2/6) I was working down at the barn. A beautiful day.

Recently I've posted several photos and a video about our new group of kids (baby goats). We marvel at their timing. It seems that the nannies wait until the coldest night of the year to deliver. Crazy. Anyways....the weather has been nice for the past week and the kids were all doing well.

So this particular morning I'm down at the barn working and discover a baby goat laying rigid on the ground. I figured the worst. Come to find out that he was on the verge of death. Eyes were already rolled up in his head....limbs all stiff....but there was a faint heartbeat and shallow breath. It is typical for one or two to die when a new group comes along. I tend to get attached to animals really easy. Especially babies. I hated to see this little guy in the state he was in.

So I carried him out of the barn and laid him next to my truck. He started into convulsions. I knew this little guys was a fighter. So I began to pray for him and ask God to help him live if he is to live. While I was praying I had a thought that he hadn't eaten in a long time. That's why he was in the shape he was in. *Sometimes nannies will cull out weaker/sickly kids and allow them to die....I don't know how they know...but they do*. I was fine with him dying if there was something wrong with him. So I kept praying for him. He began to struggle more. Then I had the thought to force feed him some goat milk. Over the next 3 hours I milked goats and dripped the milk into his mouth periodically. He would struggle and cry out. Go into convulsions. I just kept praying and working.

So 3 hours later I walk out to the truck and he's sitting up. I was on fire! I knew then that he had been indeed culled out and intentionally unfed by his mother. His mother is a smaller nannie who has never had babies before....so therefore she's not as developed as the older nannies and unable to produce as much milk. She chose between her two babies. She chose the smaller of the two.

I went back to milking goats and he took a little more and a little more. In an hour he was standing on his own. Within 3 more hours he was up...walking around....and wagging his little tail. Now 3 times a day I bottle feed little Frodo. I so named him because of his circumstance.

I learned an important lesson here. When I prayed for little Frodo I prayed that God would do what He thought best. I did what I could do...but at the end of the day Frodos care was in God's hands. I know Frodo is just a little goat.....seemingly unimportant......but he's important to me. And I give God the glory for his life.

Feelings as self-revelations

After the Sugar Bowl, Tim Tebow made a statement giving glory to God during an interview. My aunt told me that her friend, who is an atheist, got all mad about it and started ranting about 'separation of church and state'...She said that she got really mad at him about it.

I wondered why Tebow's public display of faith would make him so mad. I didn't think it had anything really to do with the 'separation' comment.
Then I wondered why it made my aunt so mad that he didn't like Tebow's statement.

Well, God began to pose the same question to me. The first time was when I was angry over something someone said which I thought was totally out of line. But it shouldn't have made me angry. The real reason I was angry was because self-righteousness had creeped in.

I've also discovered that I get angry when someone tries to manipulate me, even when I don't yet realize it on a conscious level. I am right to be angry over manipulation and I don't need to tolerate it, but I still need to love and pray for the one attempting to manipulate. Paul says something about our fight being with principalities and not flesh and blood.

So now when I feel angry or uncomfortable or some other emotion, I ask myself and God, why I feel this way, and how I should respond. This has been a great help in keeping me spiritually healthy.

kdr

GUITAR FAVORITES

I have been wanting to do this for a long time. I couldn't quite figure out how to do it.

What I wanted to do is share 10 of my favorite guitars leads/riffs. These guitarist inspired me to want to learn how to play. It was hard to narrow it down to 10. I could have easily had 100+. I never narrowed it down to 10.....so I ended up with 11. Some of these are leads and some are the main riffs. This video is about 9 minutes longs. I tried to incorporate a photo to let you know the artist and song name. Watch it when you have a chance and listen to the guitarist who influenced me to want to play.

1. Stevie Ray Vaughn - 'Texas Flood'

2. Living Color - 'Cult of Personality'

3. Santana - 'Black Magic Woman'

4. Metallica - 'Nothing Else Matters'

5. Allman Brothers - 'Statesboro Blues'

6. Eric Clapton (unplugged) - 'Old Love'

7. Guns N Roses - 'Sweet Child O' Mine'

8. Jimi Hendrix - 'Red House'

9. Metallica - 'Creeping Death'

10. Eric Clapton - 'Crossroads'

11. Ozzy Osbourne - 'No More Tears'

IN DEO SPERAMUS

'In God We Trust'.

The motto first appeared on a United States coin in 1864, but In God We Trust did not become the official U.S. national motto until after the passage of an Act of Congress in 1956.

I was just sitting here pondering our national motto. To tell you the truth, I'm just starting to get a grasp of what this means in my own life. I was wondering what it would be like if our motto were true. Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to pass some kind of judgement on this country or anything of the like. I really do love our country. I believe it's the best one to live in. I'm just wondering what it would be like. Because you know that there are people out there who are actually offended by this motto. People who want it stricken from our currency and capitol buildings. I've never been to Washington D.C......but I hear that it's written everywhere. I was watching Fox News the other night and they showed the Senate debating the current 'Spendulous' bill.....and there it was.....just above the speaker.

How I wish it were really true. Imaging if our Congress lived by this motto. What about the Supreme Court.....? Our President? All the way down to our Governors....Mayors....Sheriffs. It blows my mind. Our country would be a different country. Maybe even our world. Just a thought.

QUOTE

"You are seeking for secret ways of belonging to God, but there is only one: making use of whatever He offers you." Jean-Pierre de Caussade

This quote speaks to me. You can turn on the TV/RADIO/NET and find a countless number of ways to get closer to God. Most of them involve a few steps. There's something simple about what de Caussade says here........

DOG

I know....I know....I know what you're thinking.........................

I think Dog's cool.

We try to catch his show each week. He's an interesting guy. My first exposure to Dog was a while back when he got into some trouble and was issuing apology after apology over the incident. We even made fun of the guy. Then.....we watched one of his shows. You know the guy is alright.

He's a family guy. He runs a family business. Even though his job is rough and somewhat dangerous.....he keeps a positive attitude and looks for redemption in the people he hunts down. He begins each hunt with a prayer......the guy is a brother......and I think that's cool. It takes all kinds and God works in whoever is willing. God is cool. The older I get....the more I learn about God. I'm not talking theology here......I'm talking about people and life.

Another cool thing about Dog is his theme song. I mean....who gets Ozzy to do a theme song for them!?!? I'd love to have a cell phone message or answering machine message by Ozzy. I hope Ozzy comes into the fold one day.......I like that guy too! JGR

THE DOLLAR

Here's a quick thought.....what's my dollar worth? I've been wondering that a lot lately. I heard it mentioned on the news the other night that the dollar is not really worth a dollar anymore. Actually it's worth around $0.75 (give or take a few pennies). My first thought......'HUH!?!?'.

I couldn't believe it....and then quickly I thought 'I'm not shocked'. It seems that the Treasury Department can't cut trees down quick enough to print the dough. Ever since our country left the Gold Standard in the 70's.....it's been down hill. If you watched Glenn Beck the other night you know what I mean. I'm starting to wonder what's going to happen when a Stimulus Package passes. CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So here's what I'm getting at.....am I going to have to lose the wallet and start pushing a wheel barrel? Is a loaf of bread going to cost $200? I HOPE NOT!

DIZZY

This song will most likely cause jr, mb and df to cringe and stop it or not listen at all. I don't blame them. Unlike the last song posted it is no longer a favorite of mine. I posted it for The Memory: A group of little kids at a church skating rink party, already worn out from hours of skating and playing; dragging, but unwilling to admit it. Then, this song comes on...instant energy flows through each child as they either skate or spin round and round in a frenzied effort to experience the main word of the song...dizzy. kdr

Book Review and other thoughts...

I started a post back in January about a book entitled "The Shack" By the time I finished it, it was, well, today. It is in the January archives if anyone wants to read it. kdr

INDIAN RESERVATION

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I'm not sure why I like this song so much. I was very young when it came out, so maybe that's why. I like it just as much now. kdr

Sunday...and barn update

So Sunday we got up early and met Jose's dad at Cracker Barrel. He wanted to treat us to breakfast in celebration of Jose's birthday on Monday. We then trekked over trade day in search of various tools. I was cold. We bought socks and a hoe. Jose's dad left around noon. Jose' got out his guitar and music to go over some songs. My aunt wanted him to sing a couple of songs at their church singing on Sunday night. It was so much fun singing along to some good worship songs. It was definitely a worship experience. Songs like "Light the Fire Again" and "I See the Lord". We then went to the barn to feed and visit with the animals...which brings me to the update.

Since the post with the picture of the 2 baby goats, there have been eight more born. One didn't make it, so we have a total of nine baby goats. Most of them are even smaller than those first 2. We even had one set of triplets. We hope to get some pictures this weekend to add to the post.

BABY GOAT VIDEO

Baby goats at play

Our Weekend

I'll start with Friday, Jan. 23. We got up and began our day with our usual dose of coffee. Today was the day we were going to my dad's house to chop down two trees. We love trees but these two were dangerously close to the house. My dad made breakfast for us. We had biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon and scrambled eggs. My brother came to help, also. He wanted some of the wood for his fireplace.

While the guys proceeded to cut down the trees, I made two batches of fudge; one with walnuts and one plain. By this time the trees were down, so I sprang into action on cleanup crew. This consisted of loading firewood into the back of a truck as my brother cut them to size, dragging branches not fit for firewood to a trailer attached to another truck and raking up stray sticks and dead leaves, piling them in a wheelbarrow and dumping them in the garden. My dad plans to burn them there. I haven't asked him, but I believe he thinks that the ash will be good for the soil.

We began the job around 9 am. My dad and brother had to leave around 1 pm. My husband and I finished with cleanup and rolled the four big logs near the carport. This was not an easy task. He used a 4' crowbar, to pry it on one end as I pushed with all my strength on the other. Where are my super powers when I need them? He also had to cut off some large knots so that the trunks would roll. Oh, and speaking of tools, I recently discovered that the television program, Tool Academy, is NOT one that demonstrates various tools; which was my expectation when I tuned in. I'm not sure what it's about since I quickly shut it off, but I would not recommend it.

We finished up around 3 pm. We could not have picked a better day to work outside, as it was sunny with a welcome breeze that was almost balmy. We then proceeded to the barn to feed and visit with the animals. Even though we were tired, we were reluctant to go inside, so we made our way to the pond, which was full and pretty. Then back to the barn where we climbed into the hayloft to sit and enjoy the sights, sounds and scents. The scents were even pleasant at this time; the smell of hay and old wood and horses. We were very tired, but pleasantly so. There was something satisfying about working hard together and completing a task.

The trees were an oak and a hickory. Jose' said the hickory was much harder to cut. He plans to try and get the wood planed to make a table or something out of it.

Saturday we slept a little later, ran some errands, then went to some friends' house around 2 pm. We stayed until about 5:30 pm. When we got home, we ended up watching the Senior Bowl. We enjoy football and are going to miss it. We will probably watch the Super Bowl on Sunday and then no more football until next season.

I will post about Sunday later, as this is turning out to be quite lengthy. It was a good day for us as well. Until then...

kdr

SOMEONE TO THANK

Today is my birthday and I want to thank my mother.

This morning Denise and I were talking about birthdays. We all know the purpose and intent of a birthday. We thought it fitting to thank the one by whom we came into

the world. Even though it does take two to create, one truly suffers the pain. But like it says in the bible........ When a woman is in labor she has pain, because her time has come. Yet when she has given birth to her child, she doesn't remember the agony anymore because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world (John 16:21). Today my thoughts are thoughts of thankfulness for being born. I'm really just glad to be here...to have had the opportunities that I've had in my life. Now I'm a grown man(still growning up).....married to a wonderful woman....I have a life full of love.....it's what I've always wanted. I know that it cost my mother greatly to have me as a child. Not only in birth, but throughout my life.....and I'm thankful. So on my birthday today I honor my mother for just being my mother.

FROM THE N.Y. POST

I heard this on Fox News this morning and couldn't believe it! President Obama was quoted as saying:



"You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done," he told top GOP leaders, whom he had invited to the White House to discuss his nearly $1 trillion stimulus package.
"There are big things that unify Republicans and Democrats," the official said. "We shouldn't let partisan politics derail what are very important things that need to get done."
That wasn't Obama's only jab at Republicans today.
In an exchange with Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) about the proposal, the president shot back: "I won," according to aides briefed on the meeting.
"I will trump you on that."
Not that Obama was gloating. He was just explaining that he aims to get his way on stimulus package and all other legislation, sources said, noting his unrivaled one-party control of both congressional chambers.



There was also a mention in the article that he was worried about being re-elected in 4 years. Can you believe it? I'm not an avid listener to Rush......but I do like the guy. I also enjoy O'Reilly, Glen Beck and Hannity.....but to say that our representatives should not listen to them (in general) is CRAZY! This to me screams......'we're good as long as you agree with me!'. CRAZY!

NEW ADDITIONS

Isabella is a Red Merle Australian Shepherd. She was born in the middle October. I've been working with her....trying to teach her obedience. She's really sweet and playful. Right now she's not too comfortable with the barn animals. She'll get used to it. Eventually I hope for her to be able to herd the animals by voice commands. My father-in-law Aaron has 2 other A.S. dogs. I'm amazed at their natural ability to herd animals and follow voice commands. These are good dogs.

On my way to the barn today I heard the familiar cry......a newborn baby goat. I found two. Believe it or not, goats are really sweet when they are babies. They are soft and cuddly. Both are nannies (females). The red head and white bodies are indicative of Boer goats.

THE SHACK and Theology

I received this book as a Christmas gift on the weekend before Christmas. The family who gave it to me are dear friends. But before I even got home with it my husband informed me that it was controversial. He wasn't sure why.



It didn't take me long to read it. It's hard to describe the effect it had on me on so many levels. It was very good.



Mack is a man who has experienced a great tragedy in his life. I found myself asking, along with Mack, the questions he asked; feeling the feelings he felt; making the judgments he made; and ultimately, experiencing the healing, humility, trust and love that he was finally able to experience. I would not hesitate to recommend it. I even plan to buy some copies when I can to give to friends. My husband enjoyed it also. ('Mack' is a character in the book)



Maybe I've watched too much Fox News and thought I should be fair and balanced; or maybe because some who opposed the book so strongly were friends...At any rate I listened to and read quotes by a man who thinks his fellow believers lack discernment in the matter. This man said the book was "...teaching modalism and goddess worship and graven image-ism and even denies any sort of deference within the ontological Trinity..."



I reread the book, but could not find anything in it to uphold that view. I wasn't sure what modalism was. I asked my cousin who has been educated in such matters and he said it was a belief that each member of the Trinity was for a certain period of time: The Father in the Old Testament; the Son in the Gospels; and the Holy Spirit in the Church Age. I'm not entirely sure that this is what he was saying; but it's my best interpretation of it.



I don't understand at all how ANYONE could read this book and think that it was teaching goddess worship and graven image-ism. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Please understand that I am NOT bashing the man whom I quoted or the people who agree with him. They are fellow believers and we all have our blind spots, and those beliefs that are buried so deeply within us that we are no longer even consciously aware of them. One of mine was that God no longer inhabits a building made with hands, but each believer who is a living stone. Oh yes, I said and thought I believed it, but still perceived a mere brick building as the "House of God". I would get frustrated when I would be concerned about another group using the building and a friend would say "This isn't God's temple, we are." But I've finally been able to grasp this truth.



I'm not sure what "ontological Trinity" means either. I looked up the word, ontological, and found "ontological argument- an a priori argument for the existence of God, asserting that as existence is a perfection, and as God is conceived of as the most perfect being, it follows that God must exist." This was from a Webster's dictionary. I probably should've asked my cousin.



But in the book, the members of the Trinity most certainly showed deference towards one another. I really don't think the author intended this story as a theological study.



I attended some classes at a church one time, where the pastors/teachers quite often referred to being a "Calvininst" or an "Arminian". At first, I felt somewhat like an outsider attending a meeting of an elite club. But some words of Paul came to me, and I don't think I could say it any better than he did in 1 Corinthians, chapters 1-4.



There is quote by J. B. Phillips in a book entitled "Ring Of Truth": "Apart from sheer neglect, the other way in which human beings can protect themselves from the rather frightening vitality of the New Testament is by carefully dismembering it. It is obviously right that we should have New Testament scholars-indeed I owe much to them-but it is horribly possible so to dissect your subject that you remove its life. By the time each source and component has been tagged and labelled this vibrant and compelling body of writing is no more than a cadaver on the theological operating table."



kdr

FLY FISHING FLIES

My nephew and I love to make fishing flies. We've gotten pretty good at it. Of course we can't do the really elaborate flies....but they work. What we try to do is mimic a cricket, spider, grasshopper, dragonfly or a moth.

There are all kinds of materials that you can use to make flies. I categorize flies two ways: those that sink and those that float. I prefer to make the ones that float. Sinking flies are for a different kind of fish...mainly river trout and salmon. Floating flies work well with the sunfish that we have around here: mainly crappie, bluegill, bream. They even work on catfish and bass. I've discovered that the color doesn't matter so much as reflection. Fish like shiny flies. They also prefer those with legs. A guy once told me that fish recognize shapes and shadows.

Now when I fish I'll go between store bought flies and those that I've made. It feels good when fish love a fly that we made. Right now it's too cold to fish......I'll pick it back up in March. -JGR

SHARP SHOOTERS

John Wesley Hardin

James Butler Hickok a.k.a. Wild Bill Hickok

Annie Oakley (Phoebe Ann Mozee)

Buffalo Bill Cody

Today I watched a really cool show on 19th century sharp shooters. The show focused on their feats. Featuring modern day exhibitionist shooters who attempted to recreate their exploits. They were able to. My favorite act involved throwing half dollars up into the air and shooting them. One guy was able to throw up aspirins and hit them with a .22 That was amazing! If you get a chance to see the show....do it. I believe it comes on again this Friday (23rd) and Sunday (25) on the History Channel.

A PRESIDENT'S FAREWELL

As a child I remember seeing bits and pieces of the then President Reagan. My concern was more aligned with action heroes saving the universe and cartoons filled with adventure. Growing up in the 80's...I don't remember much of politics. The 90's were no different. I remember a sense of fear of War. I had a fear of being drafted. I admit I was totally unpatriotic as a teenager. President Bush spoke of war and a 'Desert Storm'. Of course it didn't help having a world history teacher who also was a Pentecostal preacher. I guess back then teachers could speak openly of God and Christianity in the confines of a classroom. The thought of a great end time battle scared me. That wasn't President Bush's (41) fault....he was just doing his job. Then came President Clinton. I don't think that I had matured much in the way of politics, but I knew that I didn't much care for him. The criteria for my dislike was more superficial than along party lines.

Then came President Bush (43). It was just after 9/11 that I think that I 'came of age'. By that I mean that I started to care. I'm not the center of the universe.....God is. That was a great revelation. I realized that what happened to this country had an affect on me and those around me. I started caring about abortion and the definition of marriage. Not to forget national security. It became apparent that people in this world wanted to harm us and destroy this country's freedom. I honestly believe that 9/11 was a wake up call for me. I developed a great appreciation for President Bush. He, in my opinion, was the right man for that particular time. He said recently.....

"I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe. ... And with strong allies at our side, we have taken the fight to the terrorists and those who support them. There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions. But there can be little debate about the results. America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil."

I really appreciate that!

Thursday night Denise and I heard his farewell address. We were deeply sad to see him go. He was a good president. I know that many people don't like him because of his party. Many who don't like him because he supports traditional marriage or pro-life. Many don't like him because of the war. That's fine for me. I like the man. I know his job was tough. But a guy like him isn't afraid of hard work. I know that much of the world thought of him as a 'COWBOY'. But you know what.....that's not bad in my book. He's in good company. I wish that more of the world had a 'cowboy' mentality.

John Wayne as Sergeant John M. Stryker (Sands of Iwo Jima):"A lot of guys make mistakes, I guess, but every one we make, a whole stack of chips goes with it. We make a mistake, and some guy don't walk away - forevermore, he don't walk away."

This video is from Noccalula Falls...BUT from across the street. The backside in the residential area. Denise and I really love water.....the ocean, rivers, waterfalls, lakes....ect. This is a treat.

The water is going down.
Low lying fields still look mushy.

Rivers are still murky with mud.

Things are getting back to normal.

For a while there it seemed that it wasn't going to stop raining. It's nice now. The pond at my father-in-laws house is full of water. The pasture is pretty soggy right now. The animals are enjoying the sunshine and the freedom to graze. Did you know that goats dislike the rain? Horses don't mind. The ducks love it!

We're both glad it's the weekend. Fridays bring the excitement of a weekend to come. Saturdays are days to be free. Sundays bring rest. Weekends are nice. I wouldn't mind if it didn't rain for a few days......the winter nights are so clear and the air is brisk. It's nice. Enjoy your day! -JGR

THE FALLS

It's been raining.

So every time that it rains Denise and I wonder what Noccalula Falls is like. After this particular rain the falls was AWESOME! Check out these video.........(I hope you don't have dial-up).

Notice how the water was up to the bridge......of course the City of Gadsden had the walk way blocked off....so this was as close as I could get.

I love watching waterfalls. The power and sound of the water is amazing. A truly powerful force. As beautiful as this is.....lots of other places around town were flooded. I don't think that any one's house got flooded out...but fields, pastures and low lying lands are under water. It's still beautiful......on a small scale as this. -JGR

A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

I don't know if I would call it a resolution.......a better word may be a desire. Already a few days into the new year and I have several things on my heart. This year I would like to grow. Grow stronger in my faith and grow small in my weight. To play. Play with Denise and Carolina more. To pick up my guitar and see where it takes me. I want to enjoy life more than I have in the past. I want to be free from worry and fear. I want to love others and myself more. I want to build new things this year. Repair old things that are broken. I'd love to ride Rosie this year. I think 'desire' is a better word. Maybe 'prayer' would be better. -JGR