well i was going to put a bunch of phenomenal world records on here from guinness world records website but there wasn't anything WOW that was on the front page

yawn

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heard the most awesome message by Dr Tony Evans and was goign to link to it from here but the page is down

sorry!

E out

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A Window Into a Cutter's World

"I've got to get away. Why do I even bother coming—no one cares that I'm here. I'm worthless. Nothing I say or do is ever right. I'm ugly, fat and lazy. I'll never amount to anything."

OK, so pep talks were never my strong suit. But what made those scathing inner monologues even more dangerous was how I'd try to silence the voices by "cutting." I would rush home, take a knife from my desk and escape to a private place where I'd carve wounds into my skin. Frantic self-abuse and physical pain drowned out the emotional pain I was feeling, if only for a short time. Nursing my wounds, I felt oddly comforted, guilty and aware that, next time, it would take even more pain to find that brief release. I was a freak with a secret. Little did I know how many teen cutters guard that same dark secret. "

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DEMOCRAT 

You have two cows.

Your neighbor has none.

You feel guilty for being successful.

Barbara Streisand sings for you.

REPUBLICAN 

You have two cows.

Your neighbor has none.

So? 

SOCIALIST 

You have two cows.

The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor.

You are forced to join a cooperative to help him manage his cow.

COMMUNIST 

You have two cows.

The government seizes both and sells the milk at a state store.

You wait in line for hours to get it.

It is expensive and sour.

CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE 

You have two cows.

You sell one, buy a bull, and build a herd of cows. 

BUREAUCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE 

You have two cows.

Under the farm subsidy program the government pays you to shoot one, milk the other, and then pours half the milk down the drain. 

AMERICAN CORPORATION

You have two cows.

You sell one, lease it back to yourself and do an IPO on the 2nd one.

You force the two cows to produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when one cow drops dead. You spin an announcement to the analysts stating you have downsized and are reducing expenses.

Your stock goes up. 

FRENCH CORPORATION 

You have two cows.

You go on strike because you want three cows.

You go to lunch and drink wine.

Life is good.

GERMAN CORPORATION 

You have two cows.

You engineer them so they are all blond, drink lots of beer, give excellent quality milk, and run a hundred miles an hour.

Unfortunately they also demand 13 weeks of vacation per year.

FLORIDA CORPORATION 

You have a black cow and a brown cow.

The people vote to determine the best looking one.

Some of the people who actually like the brown one best accidentally vote for the black one.

Some people vote for both.

Some people vote for neither.

Some people can't figure out how to vote at all.

Finally, a bunch of guys from out-of-state come in and decide which is the best looking cow. 

CALIFORNIA CORPORATION  You have millions of cows.

Their milk makes really great nacho cheese.

Only five speak English.

Most are illegals.

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On MSNBC yesterday, I made this approximate case:

If I were a Republican candidate for Congress I would immediately change my campaign to reflect the New Jersey decision.

I would say, "Connect the dots:

If the Democrats win control of the House, Nancy Pelosi will be the Speaker.

Nancy Pelosi is from where? San Francisco.

San Francisco is known for what? Two things: A song by Tony Bennett and being ground zero for Gay rights.

If you want Sister Boom-Boom to be the Clerk of the House, vote for the Democrat."

( to subscribe to Mullings go to www.mullings.com and subscribe

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Hope and Healing Among the Amish

by Jenny Schroedel

The five Amish girls who recently died in the Lancaster County school shooting were prepared for burial in the traditional way: Older women dressed them all in white — simple gowns sown by their mothers, white head coverings, veils, socks and aprons. The white pointed to the purity of heaven — to which the Amish believe that these "Innocents" belong. The white is also suggestive of the purity of hearts cleansed by forgiveness. Just hours after the shooting the Amish were already reaching out to the non-Amish family of Charles Roberts IV, who had barricaded 10 girls aged 6-13 in their school house, tied them up in front of the blackboard and shot them, fatally wounding five before killing himself. One Amish man went to the home of Roberts' parents and embraced his weeping father on the front porch, saying, "All has been forgiven." Members of the Amish community also invited Roberts' widow, Marie, to attend one of the girl's funerals, and many of the Amish were present at Roberts' burial. When aid began to pour into the community to help with medical bills, the Amish requested that a similar fund be established for Marie, who has three young children of her own to care for. The Amish response to what many of them have called, "our 9/11" has been in turns inspiring and startling. Here are a few reflections: Forgiveness is a Process It was a little hard for me to understand how forgiveness could be offered so instantly. I wondered how it could be offered before the full implications of the shooting became clear, before the questions had time to surface and the rage had an opportunity for release. But perhaps the willingness to forgive does not signify that the act is complete. It is more like a promise to initiate the hard work of beginning to forgive — a little bit like taking a wedding vow. When we promise to care for another person in sickness and health, we only know that we intend to keep our vows, but we cannot comprehend the weight of them or the way that their meaning will grow as the years wear on. Within the Amish community, there is awareness that although forgiveness must be offered, the pain will linger for years. Daniel Esh, an Amish woodworker, reflecting on the glazed expressions on the faces of his grandnephews who narrowly escaped the shooting, said, "They're still in shock.... They'll heal, but it will affect them their whole lives." The Mystery of the Other What went wrong in the soul of Charles Roberts? Detectives and police are sifting through the suicide notes he left, as well as records from his last cell phone call and the evidence of his methodical planning for the schoolhouse siege. Those who knew him say that he was a loving father and there were no hints of what was to come. For the Amish, part of forgiveness seems to be a willingness to accept that there are things about other people that we might never understand on this side of the grave. They know now that Roberts, who regularly stopped at their farms on his milk truck route, was a quietly sick man. When one Amish couple attempted to explain the crime to their children — who asked why — the father, Ben, turned to the children and said, "Really the only way to answer this is to toss it in the Lord's lap and say, 'You take care of it, I can't.'" His wife Mary added, "But you may ask Him to please carry us through." Forgiveness Breaks the Cycle Even as I struggled to understand how quickly the Amish could offer forgiveness, I could see that their response to the shooting can stop the cycle of events that Charles Roberts set into motion. From Robert's suicide notes it seems that he was tormented by bitterness. He expressed anger at God that his first child lived only 20 minutes. In a cell phone call to his wife, he told her that he was "getting even for something that happened 20 years ago." We can't know what was on his mind that morning when he dropped his own children off at a school bus stop and headed for the Amish schoolhouse, but it is possible that his brutal act was at least partially seeded by bitterness. If the Amish chose to respond with rage and hatred, they could perpetuate this cycle. By choosing to forgive Roberts and to embrace his family, they made a decision to stop the insanity. According to an article in the Charlotte Observer, the Amish were only able to offer forgiveness for this large transgression because they had been practicing it all their lives by peacefully resolving smaller transgressions. As the Grandfather of one of the girls prepared her body for burial, he encouraged the young boys around him to seek to forgive the man who had taken his granddaughter's life. "His words came naturally to him because they are the reflection of how he has lived over the course of a lifetime," wrote Gregory Jones in the Charlotte Observer. "They startle many of us who live in the midst of violence, who tend to harbor desires for vengeance, even if we do not act them out violently." Ultimately, forgiveness is not a denial of wrongs committed, but a willingness to accept that there are things that we cannot undo or even understand. It a deeply humble act, as we offer up the work of executing justice to God. The Amish realize that it is not their job to carry bitterness to the grave. As a child psychologist friend of mine, Russell Carleton, said, "When you forgive someone, their act no longer defines your life." Forgiveness Heals Like many things that benefit our souls, forgiveness is also a balm for our bodies — just as bitterness wreaks havoc on them. Recent studies suggest that those who regularly forgive have lower levels of stress indicators — such as high blood pressure. Studies also suggest that those who forgive tend to experience a greater sense of control over their lives and more joy. According to a study by Kathleen Lawler, a psychology professor at the University of Tennessee, those who do not forgive tend have a weaker immune systems and more visits to the doctor than those who forgive. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Lent does not begin with ashes on the forehead, but with bended knees and foreheads pressed to the ground as every member of each parish asks for forgiveness — and offers forgiveness — to every other member of their church. The day after Forgiveness Sunday, and the first day of Lent, is called "Clean Monday." It is the first day of the Lenten fast — no meat or dairy for 40 days — so that our bodies can be purged from excess. But it is also a day of clean hearts, permeated by quiet sense of joy because of the healing that began the day before in our parish communities. As the mother of one of my mentors told him near the end of her life, "Always have a clean and forgiving heart." I'm beginning to understand that the two are one and the same.

Copyright © 2006 Jenny Schroedel. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.

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Brother, You're Like a Six

by Scott Croft

Are you a single Christian man who desires to be married? Let me help. I have an idea for a personal ad: "Single Christian male (SCM) seeks single Christian female (SCF) to love as Christ loved the church, to give himself up for her to make her holy, to love as he loves himself (Eph. 5). SCF must be absolute physical knockout (no one scoring below 9.0, please), must love to talk politics and sports, and must possess a laundry list of pre-decided personal characteristics so completely that SCM is convinced no better option could possibly be available within the next decade." Oh, you're a single Christian woman? No problem: "SCF seeks SCM to submit to in everything as to the Lord, to respect, to serve, to follow and to be led by in discipleship and ministry, to trust as spiritual leader of the home, and to serve Christ with for the next several decades or until Jesus comes back. SCM must possess total confidence (but can't be cocky and must trust SCF's opinion in all things); must be devastatingly handsome but have no idea that he is; must be exquisite interpersonal communicator who enjoys nothing more than long, conversations about the relationship; must understand SCF completely; and must otherwise fit description of how SCF thought 'The One' would be since SCF started thinking about it at age 11." Too harsh? Not likely. Surveys inquiring about what singles — even professing Christian singles — look for in someone to date or marry, often receive "physically attractive," "sense of humor," "fun-loving personality," even "wealth" as the top answers. The world tells us that the way to know whether two people are "right for each other" is to measure the white-hot physical attraction between the two, combined with the idea of "chemistry" on steroids — their ability to effortlessly have day-long conversations anytime about anything, punctuated by the quick, witty exchanges found mostly in edgy independent comedies. In our culture — and in many churches — "attraction," whether purely physical or "chemistry-related," is considered the foundational way to evaluate a potential marriage relationship. Biblical Christians, however, are called to think differently. We are to use Scripture as the measure of our desires. We are to take every thought, every area of our lives captive to the word of God. Thankfully, "attraction" does play a role in finding a husband or wife. Read Song of Songs sometime. Biblically, however, attraction as the world understands it cannot be the foundation on which a godly marriage is built. Let's examine two problems with the "attraction-as-foundation" approach to dating and marriage — one theological, one practical — and then look at the idea of biblical attraction. The Theological Problem "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church — for we are members of his body." (Ephesians 5:22-30) The fundamental theological problem with the "attraction-as-foundation" approach to dating and marriage is that the approach grossly distorts the biblical definitions of "love" and "marriage." What's the big question most people agonize over with regard to finding a spouse: "How do I know if I've found the one?" As my friend Michael Lawrence pointed out in his article "Stop Test-Driving Your Girlfriend," "the unstated goal of the question is 'How do I know if she's the one ... for me.'" And that's essentially selfish. I don't mean that such an approach involves malice or the intent to hurt anyone. I simply mean that such an approach is self-centered. It conceives of finding a spouse from the standpoint of what will be most enjoyable for me based on my tastes and desires. What will I receive from marriage to this or that person? In Scripture, love is described not as a mere emotion based on personal desire (i.e., "attraction"), but as an act of the will that leads to selfless actions toward others. According to Jesus Himself, the second-greatest commandment (after loving God) is to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). He also said "greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Jesus' love for us did not result from our inherent loveliness or our wonderful treatment of Him. He didn't go to the cross as a spontaneous response triggered by mere emotion. His perfect love of us was a choice, an act undertaken despite our lack of attractiveness — and it led to both sacrifice and joy. The apostle Paul agrees. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul describes the biblical definition of love in detail, and he lets us know that love isn't just felt, it does something — something selfless. In the world's version of attraction, I'm a consumer, not a servant. I respond to attributes of yours that I like because of their potential to please me. Again, this is not malicious or evil — it's just not how we're primarily called to treat one another in Scripture. It's not the Bible's idea of love. As for marriage, look back to the passage from Ephesians 5. Fundamentally, marriage is a beautiful (if distant) analogy of the way that Christ has perfectly loved and sacrificed for the church, and the way the church, His bride, responds to her Lord. Marriage is incredibly fun; it's also incredibly hard. For most people it is the greatest act of ministry and service to another person that they will ever undertake. Husbands are literally called to "give themselves up for" their wives. Wives are called to submit to, respect, and serve their husbands "as to the Lord." Though husbands and wives receive countless blessings from a biblical marriage, the very idea of biblical marriage describes an act — many acts — of love, service, sacrifice, and ministry toward a sinful human being. According to Scripture, marriage is anything but a selfish endeavor. It is a ministry. What sense does it make to undertake that ministry based primarily on a list of self-centered (and often petty) preferences? If your idea of attraction — whatever that is — dominates your pursuit of a spouse, consider: Is your approach biblical? More on this in a minute. The Practical Problem The practical problem with letting "attraction" lead the way in finding a spouse is not profound: It doesn't work. If everyone demanded that their quirky, secular notions of attractiveness or chemistry be perfectly fulfilled before they would agree to marry a person, no one would marry. I once counseled a Christian brother in his dating relationship with a great woman. She was godly, caring, and bright. She was attractive, but not a supermodel. For weeks I listened to this brother agonize over his refusal to commit and propose to this woman. He said they were able to talk well about a lot of things, but there were a few topics he was interested in that she couldn't really engage with, and sometimes the conversation "dragged." He also said that, while he found her basically attractive, there was one feature of hers that he "just pictured differently" on the woman he would marry. I would ask about her godliness and character and faith, and he said all those things were stellar (and he was right). Finally, he said, "I guess I'm looking for a 'ten'." I could hold back no longer. Without really thinking, I responded, "You're looking for a 'ten'? But, brother, look at yourself. You're like a 'six.' If you ever find the woman you're looking for, and she has your attitude, what makes you think she would have you?" Here's something else the world won't tell you. Even if you find your "perfect ten" — however you define "ten" — marriage is still hard. When you search for a spouse, you are looking for someone (a sinner, like you) who you will be serving God and living the Christian life with until Christ returns or one of you dies. In that context, even a really good sense of humor will only get you so far. Physical attractiveness (as defined by the world) fades in 100 percent of people, including you. "Chemistry" as the world defines it ebbs and flows in any relationship. Your spouse can be as fun-loving as he or she can possibly be and there will still be many moments that aren't fun. Your spouse can have the best personality you've ever seen and he or she will still drive you absolutely batty sometimes if you live with him or her for the rest of your life. You can marry someone who appears to be an omni-competent genius, and there will still be times that neither of you knows what to do next. Knowing that is part of maturing as a person and as a believer, and believe it or not, it's part of what makes marriage wonderful and special. As you seek someone with whom to serve God in marriage, build on something more than what might make for a few fun dates or an impressive "catch" in the world's eyes. Biblical Attraction What then? Am I saying that attraction and chemistry have no place in your consideration of whom to marry? No. Does biblical faithfulness require that we all run out and marry the godliest, most personally grating person we can find? Of course not. In God's kindness to us, He doesn't just nourish us, He has provided an infinite variety of foods that not only keep us alive, but that also taste good to us. In the same way, God has graciously given us physical attraction, chemistry, and pleasure to make marriage and its unique intimacy that much sweeter to us. That's good and right. Enjoy those things, but don't be a slave to them. Desire them, but have a realistic idea of what those words mean in a fallen world, and the limited role they should play in one of the most important decisions of your Christian life. Remember, "the movies" aren't real, and they aren't the standard. It's not that attraction makes no difference, but it shouldn't make the difference. What should make the difference? Well, the Bible talks about the characteristics of godly men and women. These are the things that the Lord Himself considers to be good attributes, or, to use a different word, "attractive." Is your potential spouse clearly a believer in Jesus (2 Cor. 6:14)? Does he/she exhibit the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5)? Does he/she show clear regard and care for others? Does he/she show evident love for God in how he/she spends time and money, how he/she interacts with others? Women, is this a man you respect? Could you envision yourself submitting to and following him over the course of your lives together? Do you believe he will care well for you and your children? Will he serve you above himself and encourage your spiritual growth, as he is called to do in Ephesians 5? Is he growing in the characteristics of biblical manhood (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1 and 1 Peter 3)? Men, do you believe this woman will care for you well and be a good mother and discipler to your children? Is she growing in the characteristics of biblical womanhood and what the Bible calls "true beauty" (Proverbs 31, 1 Peter 3, Titus 2)? Do you envision her being supportive of you in whatever ministry God may call you to? My friend's view is not rare, and he's not a bad guy. He would not have married a woman who met his laundry list of requirements but wasn't clearly a believer. He valued godliness; he just demanded godliness and total compliance with his list. That's the subtle selfishness that creeps in. I can have both. I can have it all. My brother or sister, if that had been Jesus' approach to love, you and I would still be in our sins. Forget the fantasy. Glorify the Lord in the way you choose a spouse. Let the Inventor of attraction and beauty reform your thinking, and your marriage will be rich.

Copyright © 2006 Scott Croft. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.

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 where to start where to start...

began day by finding out the smiths couldn't come cuz Robin was sick

But then it got better.

We started at 2 - with the move it move it song and we all dancedwe did the can can and then some others... as soon as i can i'll get some pics on here.

Then we did cake and ice cream. imagine this if you will. about 40 people in a bedroom. all moving in and out; all talking. thats about how it was. LOUD and SMALL. but then it settled down when we fed the raving urchins. yum yum. chocolate cake (SF), cheesecake (a staple at my parties) and a big white sugar cake.

then presents. I got a bunch of hair stuff, a can opener (electric), some bath and body stuff (smells soooo good I'm taking a bath tonight with it ), a hair stick, a bunch of jewelry, a wicker rabbit, some socks, a praying bear and 35 bux and a $20 gift card. oh and some candles

then we just kinda hung out - oh and Tyffani came!!! I couldn't believe it! I didn't think she would come honestly lol how lame is that?!

it was good. next year is going to be smaller though... just my closest friends and family. just small and quiet lol. next year my bday is on a sunday. so i will prolly have it at cici's lol

Michael found out it was my birthday sunday and told me that he was gonig to buy me something. I told him he could buy me lurnch next sunday.  

practice sunday was good - we spent the whole time on one song though.

ok mom's home so i gotta go

E out

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CULTURE

“Whatever happened to self-responsibility? Sure, McDonald’s commercials put the best spin on its products. All advertisers do that. Individuals should exercise caution, and parents should teach their kids a little skepticism. It’s not as if information about nutrition is hard to come by. Today we’re constantly harangued about cutting calories, reducing fat, and exercising more. McDonald’s competitors, such as Subway, provide lots of counter-information. You’d have to live in a cave not to know about this stuff. Fast food doesn’t have to make you fat... [A]nyone whose health was harmed by eating at McDonald’s only has himself or herself to blame. To bloat himself up an individual has to choose to enter the restaurant on a regular basis, overeat an unbalanced diet, and fail to exercise. Should that person be able to pin his health problems on McDonald’s? If so, where does it stop? You can get fat eating Girl Scout cookies or dining at expensive restaurants. Should we sue someone whenever we don’t like the results of what we do?” —John Stossel

LIBERTY

“Free speech means hearing things you like and agree with, and it means allowing others to speak whose views you do not like or agree with. This—listening to the other person with respect and forbearance, and with an acceptance of human diversity—is the price we pay for living in a great democracy. And it is a really low price for such a great thing. We all know this, at least in the abstract. Why are so many forgetting it in the particular?” —Peggy Noonan

THE GIPPER

“We Americans are blessed in so many ways. We’re a nation under God, a living and loving God. But Thomas Jefferson warned us, ‘I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.’ We cannot expect Him to protect us in crisis if we turn away from Him in our everyday living. But you know, He told us what to do in II Chronicles. Let us reach out to Him. He said, ‘If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land’.” —Ronald Reagan

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