Feb. 25, 2009 - Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be- A Book Recommendation

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Jun. 12, 2008 - Floodwaters Still Rising in Iowa: God Help Us

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Jan. 21, 2008 - Daily Diligence

Tonight I watched a program that depicted what the world would be like if humans were gone and only animals remained.  It was shocking to see the desolate and decrepit condition of the once-thriving, now deserted city near the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Russia after a nuclear disaster.  Though is has only been twenty years, concrete walls are crumbling, windows are all broken, vegetation covers the buildings, and wildlife populations have dramatically risen, despite the radiation contamination that was originally predicted by scientists. 

And just like the neglected city of Chernobyl, such is the state of the difficult tasks in my life if I don't practice daily diligence to accomplish them.  Writing a book, getting in shape, homeschooling my children, managing my household, reading the Bible cover to cover, or any other worthy goals are not going to come to fruition "someday" without action "today". 

Looking at any of these projects as a whole, I am in danger of second-guessing my abilities and telling myself "I can't, I can't, I can't." 

But if I will only keep my focus on God and let his Spirit work in me, then I can accomplish anything within God's will for me.   Galatians 5:22-23 explains, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness (kindness), temperance (self-control): against such there is no law.

Dear Lord, help me to focus on you; today, tomorrow, and everyday.  Please stop me when I begin to believe "I can't" and instead, help me to believe, "I can."  Let me be like a well-rooted tree, stronger than the gusty winds, always reaching higher, and bearing fruit that is pleasing to you Lord.  Amen.

 

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Jan. 21, 2008 - Do You Know Roe vs. Wade?

Do You Know Roe vs. Wade?

January 22, 2008 marks the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that dramatically changed our nation. In spite of its impact, true understanding of Roe and what it accomplished remains relatively vague in the public consciousness. We can expect both sides in the abortion debate to ratchet up arguments in the coming months as we mark this anniversary. It is imperative that we, as citizens, understand the facts about what Roe does and does not do. The Roe IQ Test to measure the current awareness of Roe and its effects, as well as to provide detailed information about the ruling. It only takes a few minutes to complete the test. Your answers and results will remain 100% confidential. Take the IQ Test and invite your friends to do the same. If you think you know Roe, we think you'll be surprised! Click here to take the Roe IQ Test today. (In order to ensure the most accurate analysis possible, only take the Roe IQ Test one time and that you not use the Internet or other reference materials to research your answers. The Roe IQ Test is designed to measure the top-of-mind knowledge Americans have on this important issue. Thank you, in advance, for helping to insure the information provided by this short test is as accurate as possible.)

Source:  RoeIQtest.com

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Jan. 19, 2008 - Once Friend Poor, Now Friend Rich

Once Friend Poor, Now Friend Rich

I remember just a few years ago thinking that I had so few friends.  Oh I had dozens of acquaintances, but very few friends.  I poured everything into my family, but I did not have a meaningful network of support outside my famly.   I began praying that the Lord would bring godly women into my life and help me to develop lasting relationships.    Now, as I look back over the past few years, I realize that he has answered that prayer, over and over.

Once I began teaching a homeschool writing co-op, I made several new friends.   And now this year, I also took a step of faith and began a Keeper's of the Faith club for homeschoolers.  It has been a wonderful Christian fellowship opportunity for moms and children alike.  God has blessed me over and over with new friends, real friends.  Friends that I can call on, friends that I can confide in, and friends that I care about.

Another unexpected source of friends has come from joining a Christian Writer's Club.   One woman in particular has been a particular encouragement to me. 

I started a "Little Ladies" weight loss club this fall and new relationships have come from that source, as well.  

The list goes on and on.    Friends through attending quilting retreats, friends through singing on the worship team at church, friends through political activism, and joining a ladies tea guild. 

The change from being friend poor to friend rich has been gradual.  And along the way, I am learning how to be a friend.   I've made many mistakes, but from my experience, here's what is working:

1. Pray for God to bring godly women into your life.
2. Take a risk.  Put yourself out there.  Start or join a group with similar interests.
3. Ask Questions and remember to Listen! 
4. Invest yourself.  Stay in touch at least monthly!
5. Don't offer advice too much.  (I struggle with this one!)
6. Share yourself.  This can be risky, but real friendship will only develop when you are REAL and move beyond the superficial niceties.
7. When feelings are hurt, don't let the sun go down on differences.  Always take the initiative to work things out.

Dear Lord, I thank you dearly for the many friends that you have brought into my life.  Lord please help me to continue to grow and learn from the godly women that you have brought into my life and allow me to be a mentor to those you choose.  Amen.

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Dec. 18, 2007 - A Different Christmas Poem

A Different Christmas Poem

The  embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the
room and I  cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter  beside me,
angelic in rest.


Outside the snow fell, a blanket of  white, Transforming the yard to a
winter delight.
The sparkling lights in  the tree I believe, Completed the magic that
was Christmas Eve.


My  eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by
love I  would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered,  perhaps I
started to dream.


The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too  near, But I opened my eyes
when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I  didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of
footsteps outside in the  snow.


My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I  crept to the door
just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the  dark of the night, A lone figure
stood, his face weary and tight.


A  soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled
here in  the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over  me, and
my wife and my child.


"What are you doing?" I asked without  fear, "Come in this moment, it's
freezing out here!
Put down your pack,  brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at
home on a cold Christmas  Eve!"


For barely a  moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the
snow blown in  drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed  and
he said "Its really all right,


I'm out here by choice. I'm here  every night.
It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That  separates you from
the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore  me, I'm proud to stand here like my
fathers before me.


My Gramps died  at ' Pearl on a  day in December, Then he sighed,
"That's a Christmas 'Gram always  remembers."


My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam  ', And now it is my turn
and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son  in more than a while, But my wife sends me
pictures, he's sure got her  smile.


Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his  bag, The red, white, and
blue... an American flag.
I can live through the  cold and the being alone, Away from my family,
my house and my  home.


I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I  can sleep in a
foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing  another, Or lay down my life with my
sister and brother..
Who stand at the  front against any and all, To ensure for all time that
this flag will not  fall.
"So go back  inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting
and I'll be all  right.


"But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give  you money," I
asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all  that you've done, For being away from
your wife and your  son.


Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell  us you love
us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while  we're gone, To stand your
own watch, no matter how long.


For  when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we
fought  and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we  mattered to you
as you mattered to us."




LCDR Jeff  Giles, SC, USN,
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell  One
Al Taqqadum , Iraq

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