"Mission Aborted"

Gah!!! =(

Phase 1 of Operation Wedding Master Plan was foiled last night.

On my way to David's Bridal, I got a text message from my sister Kim saying that Sandy wasn't going to make it and the plans were off because someone tried to rob her store (she works at a check cashing place).

Double gah!

I was so mad. I wanted to go looking for this person for ruining my plans.

Then I had to stop and re-direct the focus off of my own feelings. Poor Sandy. That must have been terrifying. I don't know the details yet, but I'm assuming the person had a gun, or at least some kind of weapon.

Thank you, Lord in Heaven, that Sandy was not harmed. Thank you for your loving kindness and mercy. There could have been no wedding at all, but you kept her safe. THANK YOU, JESUS!

Guess it's back to the drawing board...


BTW, yesterday was very odd. Not only did Sandy have her ordeal, but my other sister Katie had a strange situation to deal with also. She's been housesitting for a family of one of the kids at her school. They left a very sick dog in her care while they were gone. Well, the dogs health started to deteriorate through the week, and yesterday morning she had the unfortunate task of calling the family up and letting them know that the dog had passed away. How awkward to have to be the one to find the animal and then inform the family. You feel sad, but at the same time it's like, "this isn't even my pet." Weird....

April 8 will go down in history, I tell you... lol

"The Eagle has Landed"

Okay, so tonight's the night we take Sandy on her surprise appointment to David's Bridal. I'm SO excited! I can't wait to see her face when 1) she realizes what's going on and 2) when she sees that all of us are there (she thinks she is just going to dinner with my Mom and Kim).

All this secretive stuff is so funny to me. I literally had to text Sandy and ask her what size bra she wears (to make sure we have a strapless bra for her when she tries on dresses). I lied and told her that my Mom bought me some bras, but they were too small and maybe she might want to take a look at them to see if she would want them. She replied back with a billion "haha's" because she knows that whenever my Mom tries to buy me any article of clothing I usually don't like it (I can't help it... we just don't have the same taste). She totally bought it. Muahaha! I'm way too good at being sneaky...

I'm so happy for Sandy. As much as I know she is fearful about getting married and being able to have the wedding of her dreams, I know she will start to be filled with excitement when the plans FINALLY begin to unfurl. Most of us girls dream of the day we get married. Plus, marriage is the full commitment and promise of security... well it's supposed to be at least. In this case, I'm sure it is. =)

So, I'll check back in later to give a run-down of what happens.

=D

PC (Political Correctness) = OTL (Offends the Left)

This column by Dennis Prager, a devoutly JEWISH (not Christian) writer/columnist/radio show host discusses how one Iowa town decided it wanted to re-name Good Friday as "Spring Holiday" and how ridiculous and offensive that is and should be to Americans.

In my opinion, the most amazing truth that Mr. Prager, a non-Christian, makes in this article is that there is a very real attack by the Left on Christianity right now. When a Jew is pointing out that Christianity is being attacked and defending it, you know it's not just some crazy consipiracy or bout of paranoia:

...What is significant is that the civil rights commission and the city administrator of an American city -- a heartland city -- would recommend that Good Friday be replaced by the meaningless "Spring Holiday."

It is significant for these reasons:

1. There really is a war against Christianity.

Leftism functions as a secular religion, and its adherents understand that the major obstacle to the dominance of Leftist policies and values is traditional religion, specifically Christianity. With the demise of Christianity in Western Europe, Leftist ideas and values came to dominate that continent. America, the most religious industrialized democracy, remains the great exception.

(...)

5. Non-Christians offended by Good Friday as an American holiday are narcissists.

The Left tells us that non-Christians are offended by the government celebrating Good Friday. As a Jew, permit me to say that any non-Christian offended by Good Friday or Christmas gives new meaning to the word "narcissist." To seek to erase the name Good Friday is an exercise in self-centeredness and ingratitude that is jaw-dropping. We non-Christian Americans live in the freest society in human history; it was produced by people nearly every one of who celebrated Good Friday, and we have the gall to want to rename it?

Read the whole column here.

Well put, Mr. Prager. For as long as Christianity has existed, Christians have recognized Jews as the chosen people of God and we've supported the Jewish nation of Israel. It's nice to see some support being reciprocated.

My 2-Day-Late Easter Post

I never got around to posting something on Easter in honor of Our Lord's sacrifice, but I thought I would give you some words from others that seem to convey every feeling on and the story of Easter so perfectly:

“You were as I, Tempted and tried, Human. The word became flesh, Bore my sin and death. Now you're risen” Lead Me to the Cross by Hillsong United

“Look at these hands and my side. They swallowed the grave on that night, When I drank the world's sin, So I could carry you in, And give you life. I want to give you life.” By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North

“Love is here. Love is now. Love is pouring from His hands, from his brows. Love is near, it satisfies. Streams of mercy flowing from his side. 'Cause love is here.” Love is Here by Tenth Avenue North

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Holy, Holy is He.” Revelation Song

“He became sin, Who knew no sin, that we might become His righteousness. He humbled Himself and carried the cross. Love so amazing. Love so amazing… His body the bread. His blood the wine. Broken and poured out all for love. The whole earth trembled and the veil was torn. Love so amazing. Love so amazing…” Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin.

"My chains are gone. I've been set free. My God, my Saviour, has ransomed me. And like a flood, His mercy rains. Unending love. Amazing grace." Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) by Chris Tomlin

“I feel so alive, for the very first time. I can’t deny you….” Alive by P.O.D.

“Now that I know you I could never turn my back away. Now that I see you, I believe no matter what they say.” Alive by P.O.D.

Praise Your name, Jesus. Thank You for the work on the cross on behalf of this lowly sinner. I love You!

Robin Hood... Not so much

This morning, as I drove in to work, Robin Hood popped into my head (don't ask me why... I'm random like that, okay... lol). That thought led to me thinking "I'm surprised Liberals don't use Robin Hood as their official hero/icon." Afterall, he "stole from the rich to feed the poor"... or, in other words, he "spread the wealth," which seems to be their favorite pastime. Heck even Barack said that spreading the wealth is a "good thing for everyone."

But then I remembered something.

Robin Hood felt he needed to steal from the rich because the rich (a.k.a. the government/law enforcement [Prince John/Sheriff of Nottingham]) were gouging the people through taxation.

Oh wait. That's what the Liberals also want to do: Tax us to death. They want to take those taxes up as high as they possibly can to pay off all this debt and to fund all these public programs.

No wonder! Duh!

They don't want anyone to make that equation because in Robin Hood, those guys--the ones taxing the people up the wazoo--are the BAD guys. We wouldn't want anyone seeing us as the bad guys, now would we....

The Sin of Depression

Last night in Bible Study the ladies got into a discussion about depression. Is it clinical? Is it sin? They all seemed to say that it was a little of both.

I disagree. It's pure and simple, sin. Period.

I have struggled with depression since I can remember... pretty much always. I used to think it was something out of my control. I used to think it was some affliction that I couldn't just "snap out of." I justified it left and right so that I wouldn't have to take responsibility for it.

The Lord, in the last few years, has shown me otherwise.

Depression isn't the result of of some genetic pre-disposition. It's a choice we make. It's a frame of mind. It's the result of listening and even clinging to the lies of the enemy. It's a form of self-centeredness. It's focusing on yourself instead of the Lord and His TRUTH and promises.... truths and promises that are scattered all over His Word.

I used to believe all kinds of lies. They ranged from self-pity to self-righteousness.

"I am a horrible person and I don't deserve to be happy."

"I am a good Christian. I don't have sex. I don't steal. I don't deserve to be unhappy all the time. I have't done anything wrong."

LIES. All lies.

The Bible says that if we cling to the Lord he will bring us joy, peace, blessings, etc. (John 15:11, Acts 2:28, Romans 5:1, Romans 15:13, Galatians 5:22)

The Bible says that we ALL sin and fall short of the glory of God--we are ALL sinners. (Psalms 51:1-5, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23)

What is the cure to Depression? Choosing not to feed into these lies. Putting God and His will before our own. Rejoicing ALWAYS and in EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE--good or bad:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

As well as, clinging to the TRUTH of the Word of God and His promises that He will not forsake us and that He wants the best for us:

...God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5b

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I will never be perfect. I still struggle with self-pity at times. Depression is the burden that I was given and it's up to me to fight it. If I fall back into it, it's no one's fault but my own. I have a choice...

Let me get this straight...

Too funny. Had to post (from Mommy Life blog):

Let me get this straight.
We're going to be gifted with a health care plan

written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn't understand it,

passed by a Congress that hasn't read it but exempts themselves from it,

to be signed by a president who also hasn't read it and who smokes,

with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes,

to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese,

and financed by a country that's broke.

What the heck could possibly go wrong?

El amor

Love is a funny thing. Earthly love that is. God's love, however, is perfect and never failing.

Anyway, it's so crazy to see what God has done through HIS love to repair the love between my parents.

My mom has been living with us since around the first week of the year 2010. So far, everything is great. I can see that my parents REALLY love each other. God has restored their marriage and given them a love for each other that I don't think they've ever known.

Last week we took a family trip to Disneyland and I don't think we've ever had as fun and enjoyable a day there as we had last Thursday. We all couldn't help, but notice the love that my parents truly have for each other. That's were this picture came from.

That's literally the first time I've ever seen my parents holding hands like that.

Please know that ONLY GOD could have done this. ONLY GOD could have restored such a ravaged marriage. God can restore anything, including you. If you are suffering and broken and have no where else to turn, cry out to Him and see what He can do. I dare you.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalms 34:8