Leighanna 5.5

Sometime

2011-03-25T19:41:00.001-07:00

This is a poem titled "Sometime" by May Riley Smith. In it, she beautifully expresses the perspective of heaven we will one day posses.

Sometime

Sometime, when all life's lessons have been learned,

And sun and stars forevermore have set,

The things that our weak judgments here have spurned,

The things o'er which we grieved with lashes wet,

Will flash before us out of life's dark night,

As stars shine most in deeper tints of blue;

And we shall see how all God's plans are right,

And how what seemed reproof was love most true.

Then be content poor heart;

God's plans; like lilies pure and white, unfold;

We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart-

Time will reveal the chalices of gold.

And if, through patient toil, we reach the land

Where tired feet, with sandals loosed, may rest,

When we shall clearly see and understand,

I think that we will say, "God knew the best!"

Solution to Prostitution: Define, Refine, Sanction

2010-11-20T22:53:00.000-08:00

Solution to Prostitution: Define, Refine, Sanction

Utopian societies do not exist. Governing bodies strive for one by creating regulations for the land with penalties for breaking them in hopes that it will cause humankind to live together harmoniously. Nevertheless, it does not matter how many laws the government puts into place to keep the peace; rules get broken and conflict results. However, when a law is given, should there be room for movement within the law or is it to be obeyed to the fullest extent? Should some people, or regions in the country, be exempt from the law, or should the law apply uniformly to the entire country? And if there is a law that needs to be in place and is not being followed, what should be done about that? One should remember that some people don’t care what the consequences are, and some even enjoy the consequences. These questions are applicable to the legality of prostitution in America. As a daughter, a sister and a single woman, I am interested in the things the men in my life see and what they are exposed to. As a girl, I am saddened by what other girls around me have resorted to as an income source and want to see change happen for them. I suggest that our prostitution laws be made more specific, that all areas of our country should uphold the same law, and that those who break this law be given a more severe punishment.

The law in America is not clear or relevant in how it addresses prostitution as it allows each state to decide whether it wants to make prostitution legal. Pictorial archivist Hilary Evans notes in Harlots, Whores and Hookers that “each of the fifty American states may decide for itself whether to permit prostitution. In 1978, forty-nine states said ‘No’; one only, Nevada, said ‘Yes’. And even in Nevada it’s a very guarded ‘yes’” (Evans 225). However, in order to exist in other states, prostitution has used new advertisement strategies aided by technology. Having more venues for business has allowed illegal brothels to spring up under the radar. If there is not a clear definition on what is legal and what is illegal, gray areas get taken advantage of and the stipulations that weren’t defined get pushed out of the way, the wrong people go to jail, and the governmental system is ineffective and expensive. If, however, the bylaw was changed so prostitution in all its forms of streetwalking, massage parlors, call girls, online ads, escorts, newspaper ads, and fake dating sites etc. be eradicated without question, it would force those involved in undercover brothels to use different means for advertisement and thus make it easier for the police to incarcerate the real “bad guys.”

In addition to a clearly defined law, a consistent law for all the United States would create an efficient process in controlling the situation. Social researcher H. B. Woolston used history to prove his point of the downward spiral we are finding ourselves if prostitution is licensed:
Opposing the point of view that great sexual freedom will restrict the volume of paid prostitution is another view which would see to be justified by history. In the past, wherever great license has prevailed, where sex restraint is broken down for both sexes, paid prostitution has stood side by side with free association, and with it has come perversion and every degenerate practice known to man. Unrestricted license, over-indulgence of a function for sheer sensation's sake, has always, with sex as other appetites, reached a point where new devices must be sought to stimulate jaded senses. (Woolston 17,18)
Allowing a debasing practice like prostitution to exist in one state is bad enough. Permitting its practice nation-wide would be a disaster. However, some argue that we should uphold the constitutional personal freedom of choice to its full extent. The reply of a modern prostitute to an interview question by NBC Today of “Why do you do this?”, was “Because I can! And because the beauty of America is that I can become a business woman, and I can use the best asset I have. Me!” (Cline) Nonetheless, prostitution affects more than just those directly involved. In addition to funding johns (or pimps), customers may contract contagious diseases. These are spread to their relations, and in turn, ruin their home life for their families. Families are the backbone of America and when division is caused by that which could be prevented, it makes for an unstable nation. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Eradicating the legal brothels in Nevada is a step closer to better family life and a stronger nation.

And so, if the law is made clear and corresponds with the rest of the country, then the penalty should also be the same or similar in each state. If we can be so outraged at the thought of a woman or young girl being sold into sex slavery, we should also be upset at prostitution in the streets. If there is a demand, there will be a supply. If the demand is taken away, the supply will become obsolete. In his studies of American prostitution law, Woolston found two states had legislated, in a more or less haphazard fashion, away from the male customer of the prostitute. “Apparently public opinion was yet too ingrained with the idea of the double standard to believe that the male customer be punished. In northern Iowa and Indiana the Supreme Court had held that a man could not be guilty of prostitution” (Woolston 226). While I do agree that prostitutes should be taken off the streets and even jailed, I also think that they shouldn’t be the only ones behind bars. As is usually the case, policemen will round up streetwalkers before or during an agreement is settled upon between customer and producer. The girl goes to jail, and the guy usually goes scot-free. Besides its unfairness, there is no gain in sending a prostitute to jail for a few days with a fine attached to it. Her pimp pays her bail and fee, and she will go back to work within a few days. Many do not like this arrangement of prosecution, but there is little done about it. William Acton, a venereal disease doctor and social problems enthusiast, did not anticipate change from our governmental aid. “Nor from the agency of enforced seclusion do I anticipate reformation, but from the gradual instilling of sentiments of self-respect and self-restraint” (Action 207). Acton also attributes equal if not more blame on the male in the event of arrest. “I would enact, I say, by the help of society, that, in the first place, the seduction of a female, properly proved, should involve the male in a heavy pecuniary fine, according to his position” (Acton 202). A combination of heavier fines, longer jail time, permanent marks on one’s record, and sending those responsible for the crime to jail will ensure cleaning the streets of America.

In summary, the solution to prostitution is in tightening American laws, making those restricted laws uniform with the entire nation, and penalizing the right people with greater consequences. Even though I am not affiliated with a brothel, I am still a part of the female race and thus, the exploitation of women. Prostitution is wrong, and needs to be stopped. In a letter to the editor of The Times, on the anti-matrimonial tendencies of modern middle-class society, Theophrastus notes that the recognition of this principle (eliminating prostitution) would raise the tone of character of our young men, bringing out into healthful exercise the home affections, which are now denied them, at the very time of life when their influence is most beneficial. It would purify our streets and check many a bitter pang of conscience, and save many a soul (qtd in Acton 123). So let the authorities carry out the legal aspects of this fight, but we as Americans are responsible for advocating the actions that must be carried out if change is to happen.

Word count: 1,357

Hinson 5

Works Cited

Acton, William. Prostitution. New York: Praeger Press 1968.
Evan, Hilary. Harlots, Whores, and Hookers A History of Prostitution. New York: Taplinger
1979.
Taylor, Brooke. Interview by Peter Anderson. Call Girl: ‘I’m a Ho-fessional’. NBCToday.com, 2008. Web. 25 Sep. 2010.
Woolston Ph.D, Howard Brown. Prostitution in the United States. New York: The Century 1921.

A Woman's Quesiton

2010-11-20T21:40:00.001-08:00

A Woman's Question

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing,

Ever made by the Hand above?

A woman's heart and a woman's life,

And a woman's wonderful love.

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing,

As a child might ask for a toy?

Demanding what others have died to win,

With the reckless dash of a boy.

You have written my lesson of duty out,

Manlike, you have questioned me.

Now stand at the bars of my woman's soul,

Until I have questioned thee.

You require that your mutton shall always be hot,

Your socks and your shirts be whole;

I require that your heart be as true as Yah's stars,

And as pure as His heaven, your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef,

I require a far greater thing.

A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts,

I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called Home,

And a man that his Maker Yah, could,

Look upon just as He did at the first,

And say, 'it is very good'.

I am fair and young but the rose may fade,

From this soft young cheek one day;

Will you love me amid the falling leaves,

As you did 'mong the blossoms of May?

Is your heart an ocean, strong and true,

I may launch my all on its tide?

A loving woman finds heaven or hell,

On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and free,

All things that a man should be;

If you give this all, I would stake my life,

To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook,

You can hire and little to pay;

But a woman's heart and a woman's life

Are not to be won that way.

-Lena Lathrop

Wait and see.

2010-10-27T21:46:00.001-07:00

Timing is just right with You, isn't it God? Master of the clock...of yesteryear and the future. Lord, you have searched me. You know everything I do! What I think, what I hope for, what I dream, and my secret ambitions. You know it all and what part of it will come true! Lord, as to what has been sprung on me recently please give me the ability to react in the right way. Help me to respect those over me...I want to do what is right.

Fresh page, new pen
Where do I begin
Words fail, tears come
I need someone
To take the thoughts I almost think
And carry them to God for me

-Chris Rice

Thank you God for giving this to me right now. I've smiled all day long! Although, just because the sequence of events that has happened may make me smile like that once again, it doesn't necessarily mean that its the choice I should make. Help me to keep a level head. After all, I'm Yours first and foremost...always and forever!

-Leanne

I Got Peace Like A River!

2010-10-04T21:29:00.000-07:00

God has placed the right people in my life at exactly the right time to help me with the christian walk. What peace it has given me to know that I'm around precisely who I'm supposed to be with! I try periodically to zoom-out of my everyday life, and pan around at what my direction in life is at the moment, and who's around with me. To be honest, everyone I come in contact with on a weekly basis has some part in either drawing me closer to God, or giving me the opportunity to draw closer to Him. My prayer is that I would use the time I'm given while here to further the Kingdom of God and His righteousness for His name sake.

-Leanne

Jokes are the bomb.com

2010-08-05T13:25:00.000-07:00

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux were were going hunting when they came to a fork in the road and a sign that said "BEAR LEFT." They turned around and went home.
Boudreaux decided to go play a game of golf with his good friends Thibodeaux and Guidry one morning. He promised Clotile that he would be home in time for lunch. Well, lunchtime came and went, and no Boudreaux. Mid afternoon came and went, still no Boudreaux. Suppertime passed, and Boudreaux finally shows up about an hour later. Clotile is, of course, just a little bit mad. "Boudreaux, where have you been ? You say you gonna be home by lunch, and here it is dark time, and you jus now gettin' home !" Boudreaux says, "Clotile, don' get on my case. My good fren, Guidry, died on de golf course dis morning." Clotile says, "Oh, Boudreaux, I'm so sorry. I can understan' now; makin' funeral arrangements for your fren, and all. I understan' why you late." Boudreaux says, "Funeral arrangements. What funeral arrangements? It was 'Hit de ball, drag Guidry. Hit de ball, drag Guidry. It took me and Thibodeaux all day to finish the game!"
What's another word for thesaurus?
What do you do when you see an endangered animal that eats only endangered plants?
Is it true that cannibals don't eat clowns because they taste funny?
If a stealth bomber crashes in a forest, will it make a sound?

How-to according to me.

2010-07-07T20:02:00.000-07:00

Lets be honest, the standard for a good relationship between a guy and a girl has fallen through the floor. Sure, guys and girls alike have certain aspects about the other that they look for, but when someone comes along who merely resembles what that ideal is, one gets "twitter-pated" (Yes, a Bambi reference, y'all), and you can forget all other characteristics that were dreamed of.

What does that look like, though? When 'she' comes in the room, you don't really care that she disrespects her authorities, only that she gives you the time of day. When 'he' is nearby, you somehow lose the respect you had for yourself, and let him touch you in a way that is inappropriate for unmarried couples. (examples only, you fill in the blank) Your thoughts are consumed by this individual, and nothing else matters except the the time that you're going to spend with them next. It becomes difficult to step back and evaluate the relationship from an unprejudiced point of view, and really see what is going on. You might even disregard the advice of friends, or family on this person, claiming; "I know this is the one. It just feels right". I would encourage you, gentle reader, to listen twice as much as you speak on a subject like this. How do I do that? I really like this person...

Here are a few things to be aware of when considering entering a serious relationship:

What is the purpose of the relationship? What is driving you?

As a christian, it has been well said that the chief end of man is to glorify God. In 1st Colossians 3:17 it says;

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

If the reason (if you have one at all) in entering a relationship is because "he/she makes me feel good", I would remind you again of your purpose on earth; to glorify God. God is to be glorified in every area of our lives, and a selfish reason like what the other can do for you is no basis for a successful relationship.

Is this person of like mind-set when it comes to the most important relationship in life, the one with God?

The Bible says "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with the Devil? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?"

I don't think I need to add anything to that verse, it stands alone.

Have you considered this person as a future mate for life?

Is there any other reason to become close to someone of the opposite sex? Dating for the sake of dating, or having a title "girlfriend/boyfriend" is such a pathetic motivation for giving your heart away. For every time you get close to someone, you give a piece of your heart to them, whatever the size; they have a part of you now. I know when I get married (inshalla) I want to give my husband a whole heart, not one with parts of it missing. I don't want to have to say "you can have what is left..." Now, will God heal my heart, and allow a partial heart to win the heart of another? Of course! But I am doing everything I can to keep my heart guarded for my soul-mate. And I pray earnestly for 'him' that he does the same for me.

Do you love her/him?

Do you even know what love is? "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend". We cannot even come close to imitating the magnitude of Christ's love for us, but we can go by his example. The most famous essay on love in history is as follows:

"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

Love never dies."

Now ask yourself again; "Do I love her? Do I love him?"

If the answer is yes, what are you going to do about it?

There are certain roles that men and women take when this is the case. Guys, as the man in the relationship, it is your responsibility to find out what her family's requirements are in pursuing her heart. If her dad is not around to ask for the opportunity to pursue her, go to her closest guardian to gain permission. Trust me, guys, she wants you to get permission, even if its not expected. Girls, you are to wait on him to do the leading. To take the initiative first off in a relationship will only cause trouble later on, and will make you question his leadership in other areas. For each of you, praying over the situation together is always a perfect start, and firm base for success. A God-centered relationship is sure to be incredible.

If I am allowed a relationship in this life, I want it to be orchestrated by God, and I think these are practical ways to have just that.

-Leanne

Times

2010-07-04T21:27:00.000-07:00

There is a time, and a season for everything in my life. A time for brokenness, and a time for healing. A time for mourning, and a time for laughter. A time to ponder, and be still, and a time for action.

I have been through the time of brokenness, mourning, and pondering, and stillness. Now, my time is for healing, laughter, and action.

"The times you doubt me, when you can't feel

the times that you've questioned 'is this for real?'
the times you've broken, the times that you mend
the times you hate me and the times that you bend
well my love is over, its underneath
its inside, its in between,
these times you're healing
and when your heart breaks
the times that you feel like you've fallen from grace
the times you're hurting
the times that you heal
the times you go hungry and are tempted to steal
in times of confusion and chaos and pain
I'm there in your sorrow under the weight of your shame
I'm there through your heartache
I'm there in the storm
my love I will keep you by my power alone
I don't care where you've fallen, where you have been
i'll never forsake you
my love never ends, it never ends".

His love sure hasn't ended. I can look back now, and say "Wow, God! You really ARE there every step of the way!"

God is good. All the time.

Now we're movin' on up!!

Just friends in a 'just do it' world.

2010-06-23T16:37:00.000-07:00

The dilemma of how to stay "just friends" with someone of the opposite sex is just plain confusing. But it can be done if a few things can be kept in mind.

1.) Understand the difference between friendship and intimacy.

The key to friendship is a common goal or object on which both companion focus. It can be an athletic pursuit, hobby, etc. but it's something outside of them. C.S. Lewis wrote, "We picture lovers face to face, but friends side by side; their eyes look ahead." "Pursuing intimacy without commitment is like going mountain climbing with a partner who, once halfway up the mountain face, isn't sure he or she wants to hold the rope." -Joshua Harris

2.) Be inclusive, not exclusive.

Don't isolate yourself with this one person, as it puts you in a relationship mind-set. It also doesn't mean inviting one other person with you only to make it into a 'social unit' of three people.

3.) Seek opportunities to serve, not to be entertained.

How much can you really learn sitting next to someone for 3 hours in a theater? Especially compared to you serving alongside the same person for 3 hours? It highlights a shared goal between friends. Produce before you consume; serve before you seek entertainment.

Think about these questions to ask yourself of the person in mind;

"What's our relationship to each other? We're brothers and sisters in Christ.

How do we view and treat each other? With honor.

And what's the secret to our zeal? Service-side by side for God's glory."

Guided by this attitude, being "just friends" can just be plain awesome.

Milestone 6/13/10

2010-06-13T05:47:00.000-07:00

Recently, there have been several traits to a successful christian walk that have been made apparent to me in my own personal experience.

The first is TRUST: The firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone, or something.

It is hard to trust someone who tends to let you down, or breaks promises, but whom do I place my trust in? One who has never gone back on His word, and has been faithful in every circumstance of my life. Who's primary concern is that I grow closer in life to Him. What do close friendships display? The amount of trust shown. And God has shown time and time again that He is trustworthy. That being said, if I trust God so completely, I would naturally trust who He has chosen to care for me on this earth. These are no other than my parents. God put me into the family that I'm in for a reason, and that has become more apparent over the course in my life. (After all, who else would put up all of my quirky habits?) But that is besides the point right now. I have been blessed with understanding parents who don't expect me to be perfect, or put unreasonable strain on my life goals and the like. Growing up, I could always count on their judgement of a situation, and how I should precede in it. Though not perfect, they have been God's mouthpieces in my life, and I am ready to trust them once more in my current situation.

The second characteristic is the importance of PRAYER: To converse with, petition, or to intercede with God.

To be a christian without prayer is no more possible to be alive without breathing. Invented by God to talk with God, for the purpose of growing closer to God, it is the most direct way to enter into the presence of The King.

Philippians 4:6 tells us: Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live Christ Jesus.

Sounds like the best deal ever to me. Address the creator of the universe with your desires and worries, and in return, He will answer them according to His will. To spend personal time with God creates a peace in me that is quite incredible.

The third characteristic that has been at the forefront of my thoughts has been COURAGE: Mental or emotional strength to persevere and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.

Ambrose Redmoon put courage in an interesting light; "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear." This strength can come only from God. "Sometimes we persevere, and nothing seems to change, and it is easy to lose heart. It's important to understand that exercising courage doesn't mean

that we always succeed, but it does mean that we are willing to hold our own and to keep moving forward." -Cynthia Heald. Sometimes, we have to rely on others to show courage for the right action to be accomplished, and to do so with graciousness, I need to practice the forth quality I would like to mention.

PATIENCE: Long-suffering, endurance, forbearance.

Psalm 27:14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Waiting around without doing anything isn't the idea here, if you pray for rain, you better prepare for it. Run the earth, but watch the skies. And notice how the verse doesn't say "wait for others, or for you to feel good" it just says "wait for the Lord". If he is directing your path, then he'll show you when the right time to act is.

I need to trust God and those he's placed in my life to guide me in 'the way I should go' with much prayer for the courage to act for Him, and to wait patiently for the good things He has promised. (James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from the Lord above...")

I hope this has given you as much encouragement for the future as it has for me.

-Leanne

Summer 2010!

2010-05-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

Summer 2010

To do list:

1.) Make an A in Physics

2.) Make enough money for next semester's expenses, and help pay rent for my apartment.

3.) Read "How To Ruin Your Life By 40", "My Utmost For His Highest", "Evolution, and Creationism", and if I'm feeling ambitious, "The Qur'an".

4.) Write my own take of a "how-to" on relationships.

5.) Be able to carry a short conversation in Spanish.

6.) Go to Blue Bayou.

7.) Learn to play guitar.

8.) Run 7 miles a week.

9.) Catch up on my "Leanne, you HAVE to see this!" movie list.

10.) Teach a friend to cook, and learn to make a layered cake from scratch.

Love Lifted Me!

2010-04-07T22:26:00.001-07:00

God is my refuge, and God is my strength. A very present help in trouble.

For a while now, I have struggled with personal issues of trust, and forgiveness. But I am now, by God's healing hand, I have come to a place in my life where I have freedom from the weight that held me down! The old hymn "Love Lifted Me" aptly describes my release:

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,
But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Refrain

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me!

All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling
In His blessèd presence live, ever His praises sing,
Love so mighty and so true, merits my soul’s best songs,
Faithful, loving service too, to Him belongs.

I know this won't be the last battle for my trust that I will go through, but when the next one comes, I will look back on this time and remember God's goodness, and faithfulness to me. He is my rock, my strength, my song.

Thank you God for loving me, a sinner, and for caring about one in 6 billion hearts.

-Leanne

Can I just get a green light, please?

2010-03-11T22:38:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been thinking quite a bit on God's influence in my life, and how obvious a choice it should be to seek His will. What I usually do when I run into a storm of life (i.e problems of any sort, be it physical, emotional, or spiritual) is seek the counsel of my peers. While this isn't a bad thing in and of itself, I believe that the first thing I should do as a christian is to see what my Heavenly Father has to say about it. After all, there is no one else who knows me like He does, and cares for my every need. Why would I even think of seeking the advice of others first? God has proven Himself faithful in every circumstance whether I see it at the time or not. It seems like I have short-term memory loss sometimes, and forget what He has done for me!

Does this mean I shouldn't ask for other's advice? Absolutely not! God has placed many people in my life that help "train me in the way I should go." (Proverbs 22:6) And I am so grateful for the loving people encouraging me to stay on the "straight and narrow" path that God has called me to.

My problem is asking these people too much of what I should do, rather than God. And its only my fault that I do. To be surrounded by those who care about my relationship with Christ over everything else is what I need the most. Those who will point me to God and His word first, before going elsewhere. After all, at the end of the day, its just God and me.

Lord, help me to seek your will diligently, and to accept it with submissiveness. And when it is shown to me, please give me the strength to carry it out. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak.

-Leanne

2010-03-07T16:23:00.000-08:00

"If I flee from greenest pastures

would you leave to look for me?

Forfeit glory to come after

Till I only dwell in Thee?"

-Hymn, Brook Fraser

Isn't this the fear one may face? Will God, creator of heaven and earth, leave everything, forsaking His glory to come after me? The awe inspiring answer is yes, He did. Praise God.

-Leanne

Pearls and Pigs.

2010-02-20T22:36:00.000-08:00

"Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and attack you." Matthew 7:6

Of course, these words of Jesus are allegorical. I doubt that any were literally casting pearls before swine. The meaning is pretty simple to figure out; "Do not persist in offering what is sacred or of value to those who have no appreciation for it, because your gift will not only become contaminated and be despised, your generous efforts could also be rebuffed and perhaps even openly attacked."

The "dogs" and "swine" here stand for the unappreciative and worldly; unappreciative and uncaring men and women who belittle the value of what is offered to them. "That which is holy" would be the meat offered in sacrifice to God. A dog could care less whether it came from the altar or the garbage. The swine have no appreciation for either the beauty nor the value of the pearls under their feet.

Your life, time, energy, opportunities and abilities are God's pearls. They're His! You and I are merely His stewards overseeing His possessions (1 Corinthians 6:19,20; 4:1,2; 1 Peter 4:8-11). We must show discernment as to what use we make of God's possessions. It is possible to waste them either by using them when we should not as well as not using them when we should.

-Leanne

"Dad?...did I wake you up?"

2010-02-18T22:58:00.000-08:00

There is no one on God's Green Earth who loves you as much as family does. No matter how close the friend, its your family that is always there for you. Bad day? I can call my dad at any given time and receive encouragement from him. Sure, friends care. Some more than others, but you're stuck with the ones God has placed you with in life. And I'm so glad I am! I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.

"A man of many companions may come to ruin. But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." How great it is when your friends are your family!

-Leanne

Gooey Things

2010-02-15T16:23:00.001-08:00

Prep Time: 2 Hours

Cook Time: 30 Minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Servings:8

Ingredients

1 quart Whole Milk

1 cup Vegetable Oil

1 cup Sugar

2 packages Active Dry Yeast

8 cups (Plus 1 Cup Extra, Separated) All-purpose Flour

1 teaspoon (heaping) Baking Powder

1 teaspoon (scant) Baking Soda

1 Tablespoon (heaping) Salt

Plenty Of Melted Butter

2 cups Sugar

Generous Sprinkling Of Cinnamon

_____

MAPLE FROSTING:

1 bag Powdered Sugar

2 teaspoons Maple Flavoring

½ cups Milk

¼ cups Melted Butter

¼ cups Brewed Coffee

⅛ teaspoons Salt

Preparation Instructions

Mix the milk, vegetable oil and sugar in a pan. “Scald” the mixture (heat until just before the boiling point). Turn off heat and leave to cool 45 minutes to 1 hour. When the mixture is lukewarm to warm, but NOT hot, sprinkle in both packages of Active Dry Yeast. Let this sit for a minute. Then add 8 cups of all-purpose flour. Stir mixture together. Cover and let rise for at least an hour.

After rising for at least an hour, add 1 more cup of flour, the baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir mixture together. (At this point, you could cover the dough and put it in the fridge until you need it – overnight or even a day or two, if necessary. Just keep your eye on it and if it starts to overflow out of the pan, just punch it down).

When ready to prepare rolls: Sprinkle rolling surface generously with flour. Take half the dough and form a rough rectangle. Then roll the dough thin, maintaining a general rectangular shape. Drizzle 1/2 to 1 cup melted butter over the dough. Now sprinkle 1 cup of sugar over the butter followed by a generous sprinkling of cinnamon.

Now, starting at the opposite end, begin rolling the dough in a neat line toward you. Keep the roll relatively tight as you go. Next, pinch the seam of the roll to seal it.

Spread 1 tablespoon of melted butter in a seven inch round foil cake or pie pan. Then begin cutting the rolls approximately ¾ to 1 inch thick and laying them in the buttered pans.

Repeat this process with the other half of the dough. Let the rolls rise for 20 to 30 minutes, then bake at 400 degrees (see note below) until light golden brown, about 15 to 18 minutes.

For the frosting, mix together all ingredients listed and stir well until smooth. It should be thick but pourable. Taste and adjust as needed. Generously drizzle over the warm rolls. Go crazy and don’t skimp on the frosting.

Note: My rolls don’t work for me at 400 degrees anymore. I now bake them at 375 degrees.

WARNING! If you follow these instructions and wind up delivering these cinnamon rolls to your friends, be prepared for any of the following to occur:

1. They’ll call you after they’ve taken the first bite and profess their eternal love for every ounce of your body, even your toe jam and love handles.

2. They’ll pass out after the first bite, hit their head on the kitchen counter, sustain a concussion, and sue you for damages, despite the fact that the one bite they tasted of your cinnamon roll was the single most profound culinary experience in their miserable little life.

3. They’ll call you and ask for the recipe, saying, "HOW did you make those?"

4. They’ll call you and propose marriage.

5. They’ll hug the cinnamon roll pan, get maple frosting all over their clothes, and send you the bill for the dry cleaning.

Bon Appetite!

-Leanne

A whole lotta love.

2010-01-25T09:18:00.000-08:00

6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

8 “ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ” -Luke 13:6-9

I've been told there is a right way and a wrong way to analyze parables, but I don't know how that works.

To me, the man who owns the fig tree in the vineyard is a christian. The fig tree is an unbeliever that christian has been witnessing to for what seemed like forever. The man who takes care of the fig tree/unbeliever is Jesus. So, having the characters in the story cleared, I will rewrite it 'Leanne version':

"A christian had a friend he had shared Christ with for some time, and when he checked on the friend to see if the 'seed' planted had produced any . Finding none, christian asked Jesus; "Lord? I have done everything for this friend. I have walked my talk for my friend, and they still haven't done anything about it! Why should I waste anymore time on my friend. This one is hopeless."

Jesus replied; "Christian, show the patience I've shown you. Wait a while longer, and see if he bears fruit. I will prove myself evident in his life, and then you'll see if he grows. If not, you have still proved yourself faithful."

We are called to live as Jesus Christ lived. There is no time limit on how long we must love like crazy. In Matthew 18:22, Peter asked Jesus "how many times must I forgive my brother; seven times?" Jesus replied; "No! Seventy times seven!" I think that this can be applied to all things, not just forgiveness. Rephrasing: "Lord, how many times must I .... show patience, forgive, show love to (as defined by Corinthians 13)? When they do these things back to me?"

If we want to be like Christ, the answer is 'as long as you draw breath'. "No, O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he require: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God" -Micah 6:8

This is not just towards those who we already love, for everyone is kind to the ones they care about. But this applies when I am cut off in traffic. When my spot in line is taken. When my "rights" have been violated. Chris Rice aptly puts how we are to love in his song "Love Like Crazy";

"He gave his life away/

Then he had to go and say/

'Gotta love the same way that I love you!'"

Jesus died a horrific death because of His great love for me, the most vile of sinners. How much more willing should I be to love, knowing what He has done for me?

So what am I waiting for? I've got a whole lotta love to share!

-Leanne

2010-01-19T18:40:00.000-08:00

"What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!"

We never have to carry the burdens life gives alone. Jesus cares about our pain, and willingly shoulders it for us. He knows intimately what we go through having not only made us, but lived a human life as well. I sometimes think that I have to go through whatever the situation is by myself, but that is not true. God grants peace that nothing else can bring. Horatio P. Stafford wrote the familiar hymn "It Is Well With My Soul":

"When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul!"

It usually takes a while for it to be "well with my soul", and right now, I'm not there yet. But God will be, and always has been there every step of the way. I will miss Nana more than I can say, but I know she is with her Savior now, and that her pain is no more. If home is where the heart is, she was already in heaven. I look forward to meeting with her again to worship our Savior together once more.

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'" -John 11:25-26

-Leanne

Rhio O’Connor’s legacy of health

2010-01-14T15:20:00.000-08:00

Leanne Hinson

Perseverance: Continuing in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success. Or in the words of a Hodgkin’s cancer patient: “Perseverance is not continuing a task that you enjoy, it is by definition, continuing a task despite your continuing dislike for it.” I believe this is the word that summarizes the ending years of Rhio O’Connor’s life.

Its stories like Rhio’s that inspire me to become a hardworking student. To work towards the benefit of those around me. Although I will not be going into the medical field, his dedication to finding the best option to cure his illness is inspirational to me. He showed that even in the face of adversity, one can even surprise science with the drive to carry on. If he could persist with a physical handicap like what Mesothelioma gives, I can show the same courage and drive in my personal life.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. In this case, malignant cells develop in the protective lining that covers most of the body’s internal organs. This causes chest pain, and shortness of breath caused by fluid between the lung and chest wall. This, coupled with the side-affects of chemotherapy and radiation makes for a hard 6 months while undergoing what treatment can be used. The disease carries a poor prognosis to say the least. A direct link to learn more about Mesothelioma can be found here: www.survivingmesothelioma.com

If I was faced with a disease such as cancer, I would hope to be able to say like this cancer survivor: “I am still not upset about having cancer – I’m not depressed, I’m not disappointed, I don’t blame a higher being, or wish things were different. I still think that there are things that cancer has shown me that I never would have seen otherwise; I still think cancer is a good teacher.” I think that Rhio’s search for a cure is admirable. Rhio exhausted his options for finding the right ministrations for himself. I would do the same as he, searching for the best options available for whatever type of disease I had. There are many resources one could use to choose the best course of action for treatment. Many are available directly from the internet. There are many websites that can help define your illness and have many health tips to keep your body in good shape. Medical textbooks are made available to the general public at any bookstore, but if one decided not to purchase a copy, the local library would have a selection to choose from to read about the disease on your own. It is also to your benefit to schedule regular visits to your physician in hopes of catching the problem right away. A regular checkup can prevent potential issues later on down the road as testified by many.

I am not a stranger to cancer victims, three of my grandparents having had some form of it, and my grandpa and grandma losing to different types of cancer. And although they fight a losing battle, their positive and selfless attitude during this time has been a witness to those around them. Because there is a chance I might one day have cancer, I will be doing everything I can to keep up my health for as long as possible. Whether I end up a cancer survivor, or victim I hope to keep a positive attitude about the situation.

Adversity comes in many different forms. Cancer is a tragic one. The scale on which adversity is measured differs from person to person, as the circumstances change. For one, a trying time could be coping with asthma, and for another, it could be dealing with a stressful family situation at home. But whatever the circumstance I would want to say like Christopher Reeve; “Once you choose hope, anything is possible.”

(Thoughts on) The God Delusion Part 3

2010-01-13T13:10:00.000-08:00

Having covered the "reasons" (so called) for a God, its time for Dawkins very energetic arguments against a creator.

He is emphatically engrossed with Darwinism. He has been "enlightened" by Darwin's theories on natural selection, which is his main ground for his explanation of creation. Dawkins does not believe that the universe came into existence by chance, one he claims is a creationist's favorite defense for God. StateMaster - Encyclopedia: Ultimate Boeing 747 gambit If you'd like to read it for yourself, the Boeing 747 gambit is the general idea of the "chance" he is referring to.

Dawkins continues for about eight pages saying the same thing over again, the universe did not come into existence by design or chance. It seemed to me that instead of giving examples or reasons against God's existence, he is continuing chapter three with more "why he doesn't exist" rambling.

One other punch he puts out there is "The worship of gaps". "I ___ [insert own name] am personally unable to think of any way in which [insert biological phenomenon] could have been built up set by step. Therefore it is irreducibly complex. That means it is designed". And this one is my favorite; "If an apparent gap is found, it is assumed that God, by default, must fill it. What worries thoughtful theologians such as Bonhoeffer is that gaps shrink as science advances, and God is threatened with eventually having nothing to do and nowhere to hide." Dawkins assumes that christians are against the furtherance of knowledge, and I quote; "...one of the truly bad effects of religion is that it teaches us that it is a virtue to be satisfied with not understanding." He hasn't read Proverbs, I guess, where it says "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels." (Proverbs 1:5) And: "The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." (Proverbs 18:15)

Dawkins compares the gap argument to a magic trick in which the audience cannot explain the illusion, therefore it must be a miracle.

After what seemed like re-reading the previous chapter, chapter four ended with this statement; "If the argument of this chapter is accepted, the factual premise of religion-The God Hypothesis- is untenable. God almost certainly does not exist. This is the main conclusion of the book so far. Various questions now follow. Even if we accept that God doesn't exist, doesn't religion still have a lot going for it? Isn't it consoling? Doesn't it motivate people to do good? True or false, religion is ubiquitous, so where does it come from? It is to this last question that we turn to next."

And so will I.

-Leanne

(Thoughts on) The God Delusion Part 2

2010-01-12T22:30:00.000-08:00

Being an atheist with decided persuasions, Dawkins has little, to no respect for one who believes contrary to him. And so puts forth the arguments for a God in a poor light, and includes all the poor reasons he can. In this example, he stages a conversation between two people:

"Bet you I can prove God exists.'

'Bet you can't'.

'Right then, imagine the most perfect perfect perfect thing possible.'

'Okay, now what?'

'Now, is that perfect perfect perfect thing real? Does it exist?'

'No, its only in my mind.'

'But if it was real it would be even more perfect, because a really really perfect thing would have to be better than a silly old imaginary thing. so I've proved that God exists. Nur Nurny Nur Nur. All atheists are fools."

(What?)

He continues with "proofs" he found on the internet at http://www.godlessgeeks.com/LINKS/GodProof.htm . I will list a couple of his favorites:

#38: Argument from Sheer Will: I do believe in God! I do believe in God! I do, I do, I do! Therefore God exists.

#41: Argument from Emotional Blackmail: God loves you. How could you be so heartless as not to believe in him? Therefore God exists.

(Is this how true believers came to trust Christ as their Savior? Not any I've met)

For the sake of space, I will mention only one more, The Argument From Admired Religious Scientists.

His main point for this one is this; 'Newton was religious. Who are you to set yourself up as superior to Newton, Galileo, Kepler, etc. etc.?' I say in reply to this, my faith is not determined by who believes it or who doesn't. If it were, I might as well belong to the church of Scientology, because John Travolta and Tom Cruise are a part of it. And I find it odd that we as christians can't use other well-known scientists and scholars as examples of religious leaders, while he can quote all the non-christian scientists, etc. to make his own points. Well, we're just ignorant christians, who need a God as a crutch to make up for our poor brain-power, and low IQ's, right? I don't need C.S Lewis to talk for me, I can answer questions on my own. I choose to quote others like him for their gift of eloquence on the subject. (I have never heard this used as a reason for His existence either)

I was unable to finish reading the reasons against a God/Intelligent design, so I include that in the next part.

-Leanne

(Thoughts on) The God Delusion

2010-01-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

I have been reading this book by Richard Dawkins for a little over a week now. And although it is a well written book, (by well written, I mean an interesting read, or one that holds my attention) there are several aspects about it that I have to address.

First of all, calling myself a christian, I am certainly not in agreement with his views. He is a firm atheist, one that refuses to believe in a "Higher Power". "Higher Power" being something he defines as anything one would call providence, "Cosmic Intelligence", but in his book, the divinity he refers to the most is "Yahweh, the God of the Old Testament". That being said, here are a few "highlights" from his book.

He begins by clearing up some terminology so as to not cause confusion later on. I mentioned the 'God of the Old Testament' who he says is: "Arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic, cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, fili-malevolent bully". Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention that in his opinion, people have trodden too carefully around the feelings of others in the area of religion, and he will not be doing so. Speaking his mind without sensitivity for any religion will be a prevalent thrust of this book. The God he will be alluding to plain now, lets move on to who Atheists, and Believers are. Atheists are those who either cannot know for certain, but thinks God is very improbable, and lives life on the assumption he is not there, Or someone who knows there is no God just as others know there is one. A believer is one who either cannot know for certain, but strongly believes in God, and lives life on the assumption that he is there, or one who does not merely believe, but knows God exists.

In the upcoming second part, I will address his views of creation, and cases for and against the validity of Intelligent design.

-Leanne

Don't worry, be happy!

2010-01-06T09:18:00.000-08:00

An old Swedish hymn "Day By Day", based on Deuteronomy 33:25 (As your days, so your strength will be) gives us this assurance:

"Day by day, and with each passing moment,

strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,

I've no cause for worry or for fear."

What is so wonderful to me in this verse is the phrase "...with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials..." Sometimes, the hardest time when going through a trial is the small, empty moments where hope seems so far away. But God has promised and IS there all the time. Deuteronomy 31:8 says; "The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Can't we trust the Lord of all creation for our troubles, and cares? Easier said, than done. When there is cause for doubt, and the future looks dim, remember His past faithfulness to you, and rest in the assurance of His love.

"He whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what he deems best

Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest."

-Leanne

So, I read the dictionary...

2010-01-04T16:30:00.000-08:00

Well, not really. Maybe if I'm sick, and all I can do is read... we'll see. But I do have a definition to share.

Stupid: lacking intelligence or common sense.

Now, you might be thinking, "why in the world did you pick 'stupid'?" Answer? I asked my sister to just say a word. So having been given this one, I'll go with it.

Stupid. This word is usually associated with one who has done something that wasn't the brightest thing. Or name calling...but I'll stick with the first. I've done stupid things before that at the time seemed like a good idea, but turned out to be just dumb. One example that comes to mind that was really dumb of me was just this past semester in one of my classes. I made a not-so-hot grade on the first test and thinking I could do better on the second, didn't seek help on the matter. Second test was worse than the first. I finally went to my professor who gave helpful tips on my study habits, turned that grade around, and made 2 letter grades higher than the first. If only I had done that sooner!!

Makes me frustrated thinking back on it. But I sure learned my lesson! Funny as it sounds, this is a good example of being stupid BECAUSE I learned my lesson. I've heard there are three ways to learn: First, listening to the advice given you, and following it. Second, making the mistakes, and changing the way you do things. The third, is making mistakes, and not doing anything about it. Just continuing in the poor choices. The first two are clearly the better decisions. One might learn better if the mistake has been made on their part, but either way, lesson learned.

What did I pull away from this experience? Listen to what is being advised. Don't be so hard-headed, thinking I can do it better than someone who's already been through whatever the situation is. If I do end up making a mistake, I can't beat myself up, just accept the consequences, and move on.

Good news! God knows we, in our human nature, will make mistakes. So He has provided a way to take care of it. God sent His Son to die for us to pay for our sins (missing God's mark of perfection). Jesus died a horrible death separated from God so I don't have to experience the consequences of my sin. Then this verse from Romans 6:1 comes to my mind: "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?" In the Leighanna version, should I keep on doing the "stupid things" to learn the lessons in life? Well, the next verse answers it: "By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?"

Indeed, how?

-Leanne

Come and get it!

2010-01-01T09:34:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite meals, and its good for any occasion.

Chicken Fettucini:

1 (16) oz package fettucini noodles

2 sticks butter

1 c. whipping cream

1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese

1/2 c. romano cheese

3/4 c. fresh parsley

1 tsp. minced garlic

Salt and pepper to taste.

Cook the noodles and set aside with butter. whip the cream and add the parmesan and romano cheese. Mix the noodles, cream-cheese mixture together; lightly mix. Add the parsley, garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Serve at once. Serves 6.

Salad: Vegetables used are variable. Here is what I usually use though:

1 1/2 tomatoes, diced.

1 stick celery, chopped

1 carrot sticked, chopped

1/2 bell pepper, chopped

cilantro

Dressing:

1/2 c. vegetable oil

lemon juice to taste

salt and pepper to taste

Add dressing to vegetables and toss. Add 1 head of lettuce and fresh spinach leaves. Don't toss lettuce and spinach in till ready to serve.

Fresh French bread, buttered and lightly sprinkled with garlic. Toast. (but don't let it burn, like I tend to do.)

Bon appetite!

-Leanne

So long, Self!

2009-12-31T09:35:00.000-08:00

I was listening to a sermon Sunday, and this verse was read:

Haggai 1:9 "You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the LORD Almighty, while you are all busy building your own fine houses."

Here, God was referring to the Israelites living in nice houses while God's temple lay in ruins. They were so caught up in their own lives, they neglected the very One who made them prosperous. Reading this made me think of the cliche': "There is nothing new under the sun". In this case, that is true. How often do I ignore the One giving the blessings in my life, rather than giving Him praise for it? How often do I neglect his temple (found in his people) and making it holy and fulfilling my own selfish desires?

My New-Year's resolution: to not give up pursuing holiness. There is no higher calling than to be like Christ. This ain't no picnic. Which is why if one doesn't have a hatred for everything that gets in the way of oneness with Christ, you won't get there. I fail miserably. Praise God for his unfailing love, and patience! I don't deserve it.

These lyrics convey what I'm trying to say well: MERCYME LYRICS - In The Blink Of An Eye

-Leanne

6 billion, hunh?

2009-12-29T12:06:00.000-08:00

This past semester at LSU, I took Biology 1001. In and of itself, the class was ok. Being a Gen Ed course at LSU, there were about 300 students in it. (probably the noisiest class I've been in) First part of the semester, ehhh. Kinda boring. Not too exciting to learn about stuff I can't see. Cells, and what-not. But when we turned to larger objects, my interest peaks. And actually, I enjoy reading about the theory of evolution, and its effects on the modern science world. I'm not sure why, because sitting in the evolution class periods would make me really upset.
All that to say, I had many questions on the subject I thought I would ask my fellow class-mates about to get their opinions. Little did I know what I was getting myself into! After asking a few basic questions on Moodle, I waited for a reply. Didn't take long for there to be a flood of upset responses. Turns out, asking about someone's evolution beliefs is offensive, and one should just accept "their truth" as fact, and don't question it. Thank-you.
Well, I happen to like a good debate, when I know my facts, and so this discussion via Moodle continued for the remainder of the semester. My professor didn't get into the discussion, but addressed it on the last day of class and suggested several books for us to read on either side of the evolution v. creationism argument. I am reading the first of the three suggested right now, and am trying to finish the other two before the break is over. I don't mind reading pro-evolution material, if only to know the other side. I like to know "both sides" before I make a fool of myself. I won't be talking to any of my biology peers again, but I hope that I at least raised some questions in their minds.
Improving my mind on vacation. Yay me.

-Leanne

Wonderment.

2009-12-26T05:24:00.000-08:00

Always Forever :
You are the hand that catches my fall
You are the friend that answers my call
You are my day, You are my night
You are my love and all of my life

You are the love I need
You are the air I breathe
You are my love my life always forever
I would lay down my life
Just to be by Your side
You are my love my life always forever

You are the grace that covers my sin
You’re everything the beginning and end
You have my soul, my heart and my mind
You have my love and all of my life

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, forever

-Phil Whickham

Having a human brain, I cannot comprehend the length of forever! In this song, Whickham puts so well the companionship that Jesus gives. Am I willing to lay down my life, JUST to be by His side? He would rather die, than to separated from me. One other unfathomable characteristic of God. Why He could love this broken, earthen vessel is beyond me, but I am so thankful He does! I use the word "awesome" too much. The dictionary defines it as: "Extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring great admiration." Is there anything on earth besides God's vast love and faithfulness that is awesome?

One of my favorite hymns goes like this:

Great Is Thy Faithfulness :
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Now THIS is truly "awesome"!

-Leanne

The Christmas account.

2009-12-24T19:48:00.000-08:00

Luke 2:1-20 (New Living Translation)

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

¹ At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. ² (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. ⁴ And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. ⁵He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. ⁷She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

The Shepherds and Angels

⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

¹⁵ When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. ¹⁷ After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. ¹⁸ All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, ¹⁹ but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. ²⁰The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

12-24-09

2009-12-24T12:04:00.000-08:00

Of all the worst things that one could do to themselves, yet so helpful at the same time is getting wisdom teeth pulled. Ouch! I will have relief in the future, but man, its painful right now.

Although I will be missing out on our wonderful Christmas dinner, I think it pulls my attention back to the real reason I celebrate it. Its not the food, or the presents, or the bazillion carols we sing, but a reminder of God's love coming down to earth in human form to ultimately save me from my sins. Because I can't sing, (it hurting too much) Or chew (ditto) I have realized a few things about the advent season that I had not before.

The first being that the plan God has for my life is so much bigger than what I can see now. At Christmas time, we focus on "baby Jesus", when God's attention was 33 years down the road from then. I know how caught up I can get in "the now" and how it distracts from where I could be going. My immediate desires get in the way of God's big ideas for me, and hinders His shaping process. Like God does all the time, I can only try to stand back and look at the bigger picture. There is much in my future, of which God knows all. "For I know the plans I have for you..." I can only wait and watch it unfold. And what a beautiful picture it will make if I stay in His will!

One other thing that I have noticed more is how inwardly focused most are at this time of year. Christmas today is all about presents, and "who got what" etc. And while this is fun, putting on a big show isn't what the reason for the season is about! Christ, the savior of the world, was born in an animal manger. The ultimate gift to man was born to one of the poorest families without a lavish Christmas dinner, warm clothes, or a lighted tree to create a homy atmosphere. The only ones who knew of his birth besides his parents, were lowly shepherds, and the angels that were present. The shepherds in their uneducated minds knew that this was the promised Messiah and worshiped him in their child-like faith. If only I could be as simple today in my worship as the shepherds were then. They weren't concerned with having anything to bring but sincere adoration.

And since I've lost my train of thought (go figure) I will end there.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

-Leanne

Hope in confusion

2009-10-07T09:14:00.000-07:00

Life is confusing. Simple as that. When I think that a situation would go in a certain direction, and it doesn't, I can't help but wonder why? Was it something I did wrong? In times like this, I am reminded of this: Jesus is Lord of my life and over every situation. I also know that whatever comes is in His plan for conforming me more like him. I have hope in this, when I think I'm going under the "waters of life", He will part them to make a way for me. Trouble will come, but He will see me through every step of the way. Praise God for His faithfulness.

-Leanne