Thursday, April 7, 2011
Blessings
I recently heard a song for the first time that moved me to tears. The song is called Blessings and the artist is Laura Story. I was listening to the lyrics and contemplating how God's greatest gifts often come in the most bewildering packages: babies loved and longed for, lost before taking a breath. Loving fathers suddenly taken out of children's lives. Devoted mothers loosing the cancer battle while trying to find ways to help their young children remember them. Dynamic people of faith killed by seemingly random events. Natural disasters wiping entire towns off the map. Beautiful young ladies killed in car wrecks before even getting a driver's license. Brilliant young men with voices lost in the sea of autism. Sweet innocent toddlers whose bodies are racked with the pains of degenerative disease. All these and more can cause us to shake our fists at God and demand explanation, or worse, turn our backs to him and refuse to listen. But as I have discovered, we learn very little when life is easy, times are good, bodies are healthy, and fears are few. The sovereignty of God is one of the absolute hardest and most painful lessons I ever had to learn, and it is one that He reiterates on occasion. It is not by any means pleasant or fun when those "lesson reviews" come. But remember that Romans 8:28 tells us "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." Notice that this passage does not tell us that all things ARE good, it says that in all things GOD WORKS for our good. He uses circumstances in our lives to bring us closer to Him, to teach us His most important lessons, and to bring glory and honor to himself. One of my favorite illustrations of this was a scene I saw once in a movie. A character in the movie had been devastated and her heart hardened by terrible things that had happened in her life. She resisted any attempts to share the word of God and was hostile and hateful to the main character. In the climactic moment she grabbed a stunningly beautiful stained glass picture and threw it to the floor, shattering it into a million pieces and declared "this is my life. This is what happened to me. You can't fix it. No one can fix it. It will never be the same again." She then stormed off in angry tears. Later in the movie, the main character presented her with a gift. He had gathered up the pieces of the stained glass picture and formed them together into a stunningly beautiful vase. The symbolism was so beautiful. The exact same materials which made up the picture, now made up an object of completely different form and function, something which could never have existed had the picture not been shattered. The message is clear. God uses our most painful and most difficult experiences to break us in order that we can be molded and shaped into something new, something more wonderful, more beautiful, more useful, and more reflective of His great grace and redemption. Consider the lyrics in Miss Story's song: "What if Your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near? What if the trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?" As I listened to the song I wept. I considered the words for days afterward. I thought of an area near my home where several weeks ago trains passing by sparked fires along the highway. For several miles along the road the ground was streaked with areas of charred blackened earth amidst the dry grasses of the last season. It looked horrible, ugly, and wasted in the days after the fire. But as days turned to weeks, winter gave way to spring, the sun warmed and rains began to fall, I watched something emerge. The areas which were burned are now the most vibrant lush green grass anywhere in the area. The areas which remained untouched by the fire are still brown and dead looking, the fresh growth straining to push up through the remains of the old. The fire, which was frightening and menacing, which fire fighters rushed to stop, was the mechanism God used to rid the land of the old, the dead, the encumbering leftovers from the past, and to prepare it to receive his life giving rain and sunshine. It was the destructive force of the fire that prepared the way for the creative powers of God to be displayed. God works this way in our lives also. When we are faced with our hardest challenges, our most difficult struggles, our most painful experiences, it is then that God is most at work. He is preparing our hearts, burning off the dross to make way for new and greater blessings. It is during these times that we do well to remember the last verses of Romans 8: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble of hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?....No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present, nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Facebook and the Body of Christ
While I am at work, I have a lot of time to think. While I cook, clean, do dishes, etc. my mind tends to wonder over many kinds of things. I sing songs that are stuck in my head, I spend time praying, and I contemplate things that are going on in my life. Things that trouble me, things that bring me joy, things that have happened, and things I look forward to. Tonight, as I considered the year gone by and the one just beginning, I found myself once again pondering….you guessed it…Facebook!
I know, I know, I've been yakking way to much about this subject lately. Perhaps I am one of those people you joke about who cares too much about social networking. But what has me troubled this time is a little different than what I've ranted about in the past. What got it all started for me this time was that "contest" that Wal-Mart put together in which people were asked to vote for their own community in order to determine which cities would receive portions of a huge sum of money Wal-Mart was giving to help the hungry. Had you heard about this one? The voting ended this afternoon (thank goodness). It had people posting insane numbers of wall posts on face book pages, begging their friends to click like and vote, and go to this page and vote, and click, and vote, and click click click, vote vote vote.
Now please, don't get me wrong. I know that hunger is a huge problem lurking in our communities all over our country. It is a serious problem, and one that deserves our attention. I am thankful that Wal-Mart was willing to throw a drop in their bucket of massive profits toward the issue. But it was by no means an altruistic effort. Turning the effort into a giant contest just made it distasteful to me. Hey Wal-Mart, if you want to help the community, just help the community! If you want to contribute to charity, just contribute! Don't cheapen the issue by making it into some cheesy Facebook game.
Perhaps I am just jaded. But do you remember back when women were asking each other to post the colors of their bras and the location of their purses to support breast cancer? How about when people were changing their profile pictures to cartoon characters and claiming that it was an effort to end child abuse? Come ON people! Use your BRAINS! Think this through, will you? What on EARTH difference is it going to make in any of these issues that you posted something on Facebook? Really? I think we are smarter than that. What disturbs me is that these silly games come along and make people feel good about themselves, as if they have actually done something good and positive in the world. "Who me? Oh yeah, I'm a good person! I support breast cancer research. I posted my bra color on Facebook. I've done my part." We have given people vehicles with which to alleviate their social guilt without actually DOING anything. And in the process, we have cheapened the very social issues we claim to be trying to support.
I wonder, how many of the people who played along with these silly games ever actually sat by the bedside of a bald friend as she struggled to survive? How many participated in a fundraising event or even dug into their own pocket and donated? How many brought meals to a grieving family after cancer claimed another life? How many people who posted cartoon characters on their profile ever interceded for a child who was being abused? How many ever called CPS to protect a child in danger? How many ever volunteered at Big Brothers Big Sisters? How many ever took a struggling young parent under their wing and helped them learn how to cope with stress and anger?
And of the people who harassed everyone they know about clicking and voting to help the hungry, how many do you suppose have ever volunteered time serving at a soup kitchen? How many actually went to Wal-Mart and bought food items and donated them to a local food pantry? How about any time of the year OTHER than Thanksgiving or Christmas? How many ever dug into their own finances to see what they could give to feed others?
Now I'm not saying that it was wrong to play along with these little Facebook games, or that those who did so were bad people. Far from it. What I am saying is that if we really truly care about these and other social issues in our communities, we will be working parallel to that in ways that are real and tangible. We will do things that require our time, attention, presence, and maybe at times our money. We will get out from behind our keyboards and get out there and get shoulder to shoulder with each other and do the work it takes to make our world better!
While I was thinking about all these things, it stung me that I am just as guilty of complacency as anyone. I have never been to a soup kitchen, worked with those less fortunate, or given of myself and my time to help people in times of crisis. But the Lord says, in Matthew chapter 25, "'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." and "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."
So my resolution for 2011 is to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I will seek and find ways to give of myself, of my time, talents, and blessings, to help those who need help. I will get out from behind my computer, and out from behind my bible, and I will get real. I will get physical. I will get emotional. I will put the weight of my convictions into action! Will you join me? Consider these lyrics from the song "If We Are the Body" by Casting Crowns:
We are the Body of Christ
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
I know, I know, I've been yakking way to much about this subject lately. Perhaps I am one of those people you joke about who cares too much about social networking. But what has me troubled this time is a little different than what I've ranted about in the past. What got it all started for me this time was that "contest" that Wal-Mart put together in which people were asked to vote for their own community in order to determine which cities would receive portions of a huge sum of money Wal-Mart was giving to help the hungry. Had you heard about this one? The voting ended this afternoon (thank goodness). It had people posting insane numbers of wall posts on face book pages, begging their friends to click like and vote, and go to this page and vote, and click, and vote, and click click click, vote vote vote.
Now please, don't get me wrong. I know that hunger is a huge problem lurking in our communities all over our country. It is a serious problem, and one that deserves our attention. I am thankful that Wal-Mart was willing to throw a drop in their bucket of massive profits toward the issue. But it was by no means an altruistic effort. Turning the effort into a giant contest just made it distasteful to me. Hey Wal-Mart, if you want to help the community, just help the community! If you want to contribute to charity, just contribute! Don't cheapen the issue by making it into some cheesy Facebook game.
Perhaps I am just jaded. But do you remember back when women were asking each other to post the colors of their bras and the location of their purses to support breast cancer? How about when people were changing their profile pictures to cartoon characters and claiming that it was an effort to end child abuse? Come ON people! Use your BRAINS! Think this through, will you? What on EARTH difference is it going to make in any of these issues that you posted something on Facebook? Really? I think we are smarter than that. What disturbs me is that these silly games come along and make people feel good about themselves, as if they have actually done something good and positive in the world. "Who me? Oh yeah, I'm a good person! I support breast cancer research. I posted my bra color on Facebook. I've done my part." We have given people vehicles with which to alleviate their social guilt without actually DOING anything. And in the process, we have cheapened the very social issues we claim to be trying to support.
I wonder, how many of the people who played along with these silly games ever actually sat by the bedside of a bald friend as she struggled to survive? How many participated in a fundraising event or even dug into their own pocket and donated? How many brought meals to a grieving family after cancer claimed another life? How many people who posted cartoon characters on their profile ever interceded for a child who was being abused? How many ever called CPS to protect a child in danger? How many ever volunteered at Big Brothers Big Sisters? How many ever took a struggling young parent under their wing and helped them learn how to cope with stress and anger?
And of the people who harassed everyone they know about clicking and voting to help the hungry, how many do you suppose have ever volunteered time serving at a soup kitchen? How many actually went to Wal-Mart and bought food items and donated them to a local food pantry? How about any time of the year OTHER than Thanksgiving or Christmas? How many ever dug into their own finances to see what they could give to feed others?
Now I'm not saying that it was wrong to play along with these little Facebook games, or that those who did so were bad people. Far from it. What I am saying is that if we really truly care about these and other social issues in our communities, we will be working parallel to that in ways that are real and tangible. We will do things that require our time, attention, presence, and maybe at times our money. We will get out from behind our keyboards and get out there and get shoulder to shoulder with each other and do the work it takes to make our world better!
While I was thinking about all these things, it stung me that I am just as guilty of complacency as anyone. I have never been to a soup kitchen, worked with those less fortunate, or given of myself and my time to help people in times of crisis. But the Lord says, in Matthew chapter 25, "'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." and "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."
So my resolution for 2011 is to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I will seek and find ways to give of myself, of my time, talents, and blessings, to help those who need help. I will get out from behind my computer, and out from behind my bible, and I will get real. I will get physical. I will get emotional. I will put the weight of my convictions into action! Will you join me? Consider these lyrics from the song "If We Are the Body" by Casting Crowns:
We are the Body of Christ
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Contemplating Facebook...
I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about Facebook. "Social Networking" has become the latest greatest fad. I recently even saw a bottle of ketchup with a logo on the label saying "find us on Facebook!" Sheesh! I am on it, and I am "friends" with all my family, some local friends, people I went to school with, and some folks I met online. It is a fun way to connect with people and see what is going on in their world, and how quickly their children are growing. I have been thrilled to tears on more than one occasion to find a long lost friend from my past on Facebook. I have caught up with them and reconnected. It's been wonderful.
As time has gone by, my interactions with my "Facebook friends" has evolved in a way that is less than pleasing. At first, I would regularly comment on other statuses, and my friends always had something to say to me. There was an actual INTERACTION that was fun. I also shared emails, private messages, and actually (gasp) phone conversations with my friends. But as time passes, I find that more and more Facebook has become just a giant electronic extension of ego. People are so focused on putting themselves on display, they forget to actually interact with anyone else. It becomes a lot of "look at me! Look at me!" The phone calls have stopped. I find that there are a great many people with whom I always am the initiator of contact. It's much too easy to forgo real genuine friendship because we "see" each other online. There is a feeling of connection and camaraderie, but it is counterfeit. Jimmy Kimmel was right, Facebook has cheapened friendship.
And there have been several people on my friends list whom I dearly love and care for, but whose statuses are at times…unpalatable. And this is in no way a judgment on them as people. One's Facebook page is one's own, and each person has the right to post whatever they choose. But my Facebook feed is also my own. And I have the right to choose what I do and do not want to see on it. I may choose to simply hide you from my feed, thereby missing not only the disagreeable posts but also the other things you have to say. I may choose to delete you entirely. Doing either of those things is NOT about YOU. It's about ME. It's about what kind of things I want put in front of my face. It's not political, it's not social injustice, it's not bigotry, and it's NOT intolerance. I simply don't want my feed littered with F-bombs, cuss words, and vulgarity. I don't want to know when you are intimate with your significant other. I don't want to know personal details about your private life or your bodily functions. I'm not asking anyone not to post it, I'm just choosing not to look at it. And if anyone can't accept that, then THEY are the intolerant one, not me!
In addition, I have been thinking about my "friends list." There are some people on it who aren't really friends. They don't ever talk to me, comment, or interact with me in any way. So why do I want them to have a window into my private life? Why should I allow them access to what I'm doing, and information about my family, and pictures of our lives? I am preparing to do some more trimming from my list. If you are among those who get deleted, please do not take it personally. I promise you it's not personal. My Facebook profile is my own, and no one has a right to it. I am happy to share my life via social networking with those who are genuinely my friends and who really care about me, but I really don't need to lay myself bare for those who are just nosey or who don't even pay any attention anyway. As always, anyone who wants to keep in touch with me can do so by email, snail mail, or phone. I am not going anywhere.
And if, once again, my choice to downsize my friend list for my own personal reasons makes others think badly of me, so be it. If you think "unfriending" someone is some sort of crime against humanity then you have a lot to learn. I wish ill of no one.
As time has gone by, my interactions with my "Facebook friends" has evolved in a way that is less than pleasing. At first, I would regularly comment on other statuses, and my friends always had something to say to me. There was an actual INTERACTION that was fun. I also shared emails, private messages, and actually (gasp) phone conversations with my friends. But as time passes, I find that more and more Facebook has become just a giant electronic extension of ego. People are so focused on putting themselves on display, they forget to actually interact with anyone else. It becomes a lot of "look at me! Look at me!" The phone calls have stopped. I find that there are a great many people with whom I always am the initiator of contact. It's much too easy to forgo real genuine friendship because we "see" each other online. There is a feeling of connection and camaraderie, but it is counterfeit. Jimmy Kimmel was right, Facebook has cheapened friendship.
And there have been several people on my friends list whom I dearly love and care for, but whose statuses are at times…unpalatable. And this is in no way a judgment on them as people. One's Facebook page is one's own, and each person has the right to post whatever they choose. But my Facebook feed is also my own. And I have the right to choose what I do and do not want to see on it. I may choose to simply hide you from my feed, thereby missing not only the disagreeable posts but also the other things you have to say. I may choose to delete you entirely. Doing either of those things is NOT about YOU. It's about ME. It's about what kind of things I want put in front of my face. It's not political, it's not social injustice, it's not bigotry, and it's NOT intolerance. I simply don't want my feed littered with F-bombs, cuss words, and vulgarity. I don't want to know when you are intimate with your significant other. I don't want to know personal details about your private life or your bodily functions. I'm not asking anyone not to post it, I'm just choosing not to look at it. And if anyone can't accept that, then THEY are the intolerant one, not me!
In addition, I have been thinking about my "friends list." There are some people on it who aren't really friends. They don't ever talk to me, comment, or interact with me in any way. So why do I want them to have a window into my private life? Why should I allow them access to what I'm doing, and information about my family, and pictures of our lives? I am preparing to do some more trimming from my list. If you are among those who get deleted, please do not take it personally. I promise you it's not personal. My Facebook profile is my own, and no one has a right to it. I am happy to share my life via social networking with those who are genuinely my friends and who really care about me, but I really don't need to lay myself bare for those who are just nosey or who don't even pay any attention anyway. As always, anyone who wants to keep in touch with me can do so by email, snail mail, or phone. I am not going anywhere.
And if, once again, my choice to downsize my friend list for my own personal reasons makes others think badly of me, so be it. If you think "unfriending" someone is some sort of crime against humanity then you have a lot to learn. I wish ill of no one.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The Content Sigh
One day as I sat on the floor with my child in my lap, hugging and gently swaying him back and forth, I heard a small sigh of contentment from him. I looked down to see his precious smile. I hadn't even realized what a habbit I had of this, but when I am cuddling with him I feel so relaxed, so at peace, so content, that my body relaxes and I sigh. A small, sweet, happy noise. Kind of a gentle hum. James has now aquired this habit to show his peace and contentment. It makes me happier than I can tell you.
Today as I sat down to type this post, he climbed onto my chair behind me, sat on my back as I leaned forward to give him room, laid his chin on my shoulder and just sighed. I smiled. "What are you doing, Mommy?" "I'm blogging," I told him. "I want to blog too."
I'm telling you, all the educational programs, books, videos, software, schools, preschools, and other intellectual gimicks in the world don't teach a child half as much as the time he spends at the side of his mother and father, doing daily tasks and routines. What have your children learned at your side today? Share with me by adding your comment below.
Today as I sat down to type this post, he climbed onto my chair behind me, sat on my back as I leaned forward to give him room, laid his chin on my shoulder and just sighed. I smiled. "What are you doing, Mommy?" "I'm blogging," I told him. "I want to blog too."
I'm telling you, all the educational programs, books, videos, software, schools, preschools, and other intellectual gimicks in the world don't teach a child half as much as the time he spends at the side of his mother and father, doing daily tasks and routines. What have your children learned at your side today? Share with me by adding your comment below.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Mommy, I'm growing it!
I have had a very eventful week. A lot has happened, and I have observed and learned so much. I am blessed and so thankful to God for the family he has given me and all the things I have taken for granted all my life. I am still working on sorting through my thoughts and emotions related to recent events, and will share about that when I can get it into words.
Tonight, as James and I were playing in the back yard, I was again contemplating the day. I needed to water my little raised bed container vegetable garden. I got out my half gallon pitcher and filled it to carry water to my little plants. (I don't have a hose for the back yard, nor would I trust leaving one there thanks to my little furry companions back there!) James came up to me and wanted to help me carry the water, so he put his hand on the handle with mine and we walked to the garden and poured the water in. Then I gave him the pitcher and told him to go back and get more water. He ran back to the spigot so excitedly it made me chuckle.
I turned on the water and filled the pitcher about two thirds full and for whatever reason, decided to allow James to carry it all by himself this time. I laughed to myself as he hugged the pitcher and stomped across the yard, sloshing the water out all over himself with every step. He got to the garden and I told him to pour the water in, which he did in one giant torrent right in the middle. I told him he did great and we returned to the spigot. This time I only filled it half full and he did a better job carrying it. I directed him to put water on this plant, and this plant. By this time he was so incredibly proud of himself, it was a joy to watch. He announced "I'm growing them! Mommy, I'm growing them!" We talked about how the plants drink water through thier roots, and how they use the dirt and water and sunshine to grow. At one point he looked across the yard where the dogs lounged and told me "The doggies are watching me."
After the garden was watered and James was back to running and laughing with his buddy the weiner dog, I got to thinking. Many days I would have been annoyed at his insistence with helping me. Letting him carry the water himself made us have twice as many trips to get the amount of water we needed. But if I had been bent on doing it myself for the sake of efficiency, look what I would have missed! Look at the joy, the self-confidence, the sense of accomplishment and involvement that simple activity gave my son. As I thought about this, I pulled my blackberry from my pocket and posted a message to my facebook account. "I am learning that the process is as important as the result. Often more so."
As I posted, a song that I hadn't heard in a long time came to mind. Joy in the Journey, by Michael Card. It has been playing in my mind all evening. I found it on youtube and listened again.
There is a joy in the journey. There's a light we can love on the way. There is a wonder and wildness to life. And freedom for those who obey. All those who seek it shall find it, a pardon for all who believe. Hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind. To all who've been born of the Spirit, and who share incarnation with him; who belong to eternity stranded in time, and weary of struggling with sin. Forget not the hope that's before you. And never stop counting the cost. Remember the hopelessness when you were lost. There is a joy in the journey. There's a light we can love on the way. There is a wonder and wildness to life. And freedom for those who obey. And freedom for those who obey.
I decided to revise and re-direct my blog. I hope to use this a tool to reflect on and to share with others the joy that is in my journey. I hope to keep it always in the forefront of my thinking that how we get there and what we do on the way is as important as where we are going.
God's blessings, Heather
Tonight, as James and I were playing in the back yard, I was again contemplating the day. I needed to water my little raised bed container vegetable garden. I got out my half gallon pitcher and filled it to carry water to my little plants. (I don't have a hose for the back yard, nor would I trust leaving one there thanks to my little furry companions back there!) James came up to me and wanted to help me carry the water, so he put his hand on the handle with mine and we walked to the garden and poured the water in. Then I gave him the pitcher and told him to go back and get more water. He ran back to the spigot so excitedly it made me chuckle.
I turned on the water and filled the pitcher about two thirds full and for whatever reason, decided to allow James to carry it all by himself this time. I laughed to myself as he hugged the pitcher and stomped across the yard, sloshing the water out all over himself with every step. He got to the garden and I told him to pour the water in, which he did in one giant torrent right in the middle. I told him he did great and we returned to the spigot. This time I only filled it half full and he did a better job carrying it. I directed him to put water on this plant, and this plant. By this time he was so incredibly proud of himself, it was a joy to watch. He announced "I'm growing them! Mommy, I'm growing them!" We talked about how the plants drink water through thier roots, and how they use the dirt and water and sunshine to grow. At one point he looked across the yard where the dogs lounged and told me "The doggies are watching me."
After the garden was watered and James was back to running and laughing with his buddy the weiner dog, I got to thinking. Many days I would have been annoyed at his insistence with helping me. Letting him carry the water himself made us have twice as many trips to get the amount of water we needed. But if I had been bent on doing it myself for the sake of efficiency, look what I would have missed! Look at the joy, the self-confidence, the sense of accomplishment and involvement that simple activity gave my son. As I thought about this, I pulled my blackberry from my pocket and posted a message to my facebook account. "I am learning that the process is as important as the result. Often more so."
As I posted, a song that I hadn't heard in a long time came to mind. Joy in the Journey, by Michael Card. It has been playing in my mind all evening. I found it on youtube and listened again.
There is a joy in the journey. There's a light we can love on the way. There is a wonder and wildness to life. And freedom for those who obey. All those who seek it shall find it, a pardon for all who believe. Hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind. To all who've been born of the Spirit, and who share incarnation with him; who belong to eternity stranded in time, and weary of struggling with sin. Forget not the hope that's before you. And never stop counting the cost. Remember the hopelessness when you were lost. There is a joy in the journey. There's a light we can love on the way. There is a wonder and wildness to life. And freedom for those who obey. And freedom for those who obey.
I decided to revise and re-direct my blog. I hope to use this a tool to reflect on and to share with others the joy that is in my journey. I hope to keep it always in the forefront of my thinking that how we get there and what we do on the way is as important as where we are going.
God's blessings, Heather
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Taxes.....UGH!
Here it is, middle of March, and I STILL don't have all our personal tax stuff done! Thought I had it all organized exactly as I needed, but then looked at the 1099 and the numbers DON'T MATCH!! So now I have to redo my spreadsheet and separate every tiny category so I can tell what is and what is not included in the amount that the trucking company reported to the IRS as our income. They have included amounts that they should NOT, I can tell that much for sure. And needless to say, Rick is MAD! It is all so aggrivating. This should be finished by now.
Well, enough ranting.....on to work on my spreadsheet some more. *sigh*
Well, enough ranting.....on to work on my spreadsheet some more. *sigh*
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The source of my strength
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-
(Psalm 103:11-17)
Dear friends, I am so achingly sorry to report that our precious baby is lost. We do not pretend to know why this joy was placed in our life only to be lost so soon, but we place our trust firmly on the Rock of our Lord. We know that he purposes all things for good, and we praise him for his infinite love and compassion.
Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalm 30: 5)
(Psalm 103:11-17)
Dear friends, I am so achingly sorry to report that our precious baby is lost. We do not pretend to know why this joy was placed in our life only to be lost so soon, but we place our trust firmly on the Rock of our Lord. We know that he purposes all things for good, and we praise him for his infinite love and compassion.
Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalm 30: 5)
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