I am sure that everyone has heard about the sudden passing of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Ed Mcmahon. It really is a sad day when an individual dies. My hope is that each of these individuals knew Jesus Christ as their Savior so that they will experience true peace and healing in the arms of the Lord.
But you know what really gets me? Twitter and facebook were updated constantly in regards to the death of these celebrities (I had tweeted as well) an yet every single day we have human beings dying from AIDS/HIV, hunger, war crimes and rape....yet we don't see nearly the same amount of traffic in regards to these situations. I am not trying to put myself on a pedestal for I often find myself getting caught up in pop culture. I am ashamed to admit it but it is true. I like to read the gossip magazines. But I don't want to be one of those individuals who is so obsessed with celebrity that I forget about those who truly need the media coverage and our help!
So why don't our cable news cover crimes against humanity more than celebrity fashion and controversy? Entertainment. And constantly hearing about people starving in Africa can become weary after awhile. But don't forget them. That should be something that makes us cry. We should be disgusted and brought to tears over something like that. We can make a difference in the life of another individual if we really wanted to. I enjoyed MJ's music, but I am not going to cry over his death or write a eulogy.
I am sad for the families who are experiencing the loss of a beloved family member. My prayers are with them today and I can only hope they are able to be comforted today. I am not trying to sound insensitive although I am sure this may come off that way. I just find it sort of interesting.
Let me clarify. It hasn't necessarily been a tough day for me. I have been extremely fortunate that both Dan and I have a job right now..and one with benefits. But there are those around me, even in my own family, where they are not so fortunate and are searching, praying and hoping that there is something open for them so that they can provide for their families.
At work today in a meeting, it looks rather dire for one of my friends. She has been a temp since July and we were confident (then) that we would be able to fill that position completely...with her as the replacement. Unfortunately, crisis in our economy struck at the same time and our employer was forced to put a freeze on any hirings in an effort to avoid layoffs. Unfortunately she is one of those who is suffering and working full time hours for temp pay with no benefits. It is hard for her and for so many others who are in positions similar or worse than her.
So what can we do when economists paint such a dire and ugly picture of what is to come? I have no doubt that we are indeed headed for what we may consider a Depression. But I have faith in a God so much bigger than this situation. God is able to do far more than we can imagine. And I believe in this time God is teaching us and showing us that we need to lean on Him and trust in His provision right now. Trust that He will provide. Trust that He cares and loves us. Trust that He knows what is going on right now.
"Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." Mt. 11:28
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Mt 6:34
I encourage each of you to read these passages in context. Know that God loves you and is caring for you. Yes times are hard. He never promised a life of ease. We will experience hard times until He returns.
I pray right now for each of you who are jobless, scared, alone and worried about your future and your situation. I pray for comfort, for jobs, for peace, for provision. I pray for our President who has a huge task ahead of him to help the American people find stable ground. That the stimulus package that was signed yesterday provides jobs and opportunity for those who need it. May we CHRISTIANS who trust in God to do His will among us COME TOGETHER AND PRAY FOR OUR NATION!!! Look around..they are searching for hope right now. May they find hope in Him.
Can you imagine walking around your community without shoes? Any pairs of shoes? Well there are so many who do and we want to help!
Soles4Souls is hosting a 50 day challenge to get 50,000 pairs of shoes for those who do not have any. To give back to a communit that lacks something that we easily take for granted and don't even think about each morning. All you need to do is donate $5.00 which will buy two pairs of shoes.
So what do you do? Go to http://50000shoes.com and click on Donate 2 pairs of shoes for $5.00! Then spread the word! Email, twitter, facebook, myspace and blog so that people can get involved and help!
Will you help? After 50,000 pairs have donated, one person who donated will be selected at random to go to Mexico and help hand out shoes...a way to see those in person that you personally helped!!!!
With all that is happening right now, what with the current election and political mudslinging and the very heart and passion of americans being poured out on blogs, news articles etc.....it can become very overwhelming for people and we can become anxious about what is going to happen if Obama becomes president. Or for some people who are worried about what will happen if McCain becomes president.
I know one thing and one thing only....God is still in control. I have been praying everyday for this nation, for the upcoming elections, for americans in general. While I definitely want my voice heard and I have very strong beliefs about certain issues, I know that ultimately, on November 5th, the decision will already be made and I will still have to keep on fighting. To keep honoring God's word and trusting in Him and allowing Him to work in and throughout my life. To tell others about the love of Christ, about the gift of salvation...even if it seems completely unpopular and I am ridiculed and called arrogant and ignorant. I need to remember that it is not me they hate, but the One that the message is about.
So brothers and sisters in Christ....Go out and vote. Be on your knees seeking Him all the while but still vote. Then whatever happens know that our fight isn't done yet. Not until we are called home to meet our Savior face to face. Because only then will there be no more pain, anger, murder, theft or corruption. I envy those who are already there.....and they don't have to worry about this election! LOL!
By JEAN ORTIZ and JOSH FUNK, Associated Press Writers9 minutes ago
OMAHA, Neb. - A Michigan mother drove roughly 12 hours to Omaha, so she could abandon her 13-year-old son at a hospital under the state's unique safe-haven law, Nebraska officials said Monday.
The boy from the Detroit area is the second teenager from outside Nebraska and 18th child overall abandoned in the state since the law took effect in July.
"I certainly recognize and can commiserate and empathize with families across our state and across the country who are obviously struggling with parenting issues, but this is not the appropriate way of dealing with them, whether you're in Nebraska or whether you're in another state," said Todd Landry, who heads the state's Department of Health and Human Services' division of children and family services.
There was no sign the boy was in immediate danger before he was abandoned, but an investigation into the boy's situation was still continuing, Landry said.
The boy has been placed in an emergency shelter. Landry said the family doesn't appear to have ties to Nebraska and he wasn't sure if the family had sought help in Michigan first.
State officials have met with the boy's mother, Landry said but wouldn't immediately address her reasons for leaving her son. He said he believed the boy's parents were married but wasn't sure if the father agreed to the decision.
"Regardless of why or how, our focus remains on the safety of the child," he said.
Creighton hospital spokeswoman Lisa Stites said she did not know any additional details about the boy abandoned at her hospital early Monday.
Last week, a 14-year-old girl from Iowa was left at an Omaha hospital by her grandparents. The girl has since been returned to her family.
Nebraska's safe-haven law is unlike similar laws in that it allows anyone, not just a parent, to drop off a child, of any age, at any state-licensed hospital without fear of prosecution for abandonment. The law doesn't absolve anyone of other charges like abuse or neglect.
In Nebraska, several of the parents or guardians who have left children cited uncontrollable behavioral problems. An out-of-work widower who left nine of his 10 children said he simply felt overwhelmed by his responsibilities. That man, Gary Staton, has asked a judge to allow him to visit his children.
State officials have stressed that the safe-haven law should be used only for children in immediate danger; some worry the broadly written law could make the state a dumping ground for unwanted children.
State officials have said parents and caregivers need to understand there is no guarantee an abandoned child could be returned to them if they change their minds. The have encouraged parents to seek other resources before resorting to abandonment.
Lawmakers have spoken about the need to re-examine the law, but the Legislature doesn't reconvene until January. Gov. Dave Heineman has been reluctant to call a rare special session.
Landry declined to comment on whether a special session was needed, but he did say Monday that a new law is needed to specifically address infants in danger. Two children coming from out of state is clear evidence changes are needed, he said.
"We need to get back to the intent of the law," he said. "The intent of the law was always the protection of newborns in immediate danger of being harmed."
I don't really want to go into a total tangent about this article, because quite frankly it speaks for itself. There are quite a few parents out there who are taking advantage of a law that was meant to protect newborns. Dropping off your children when they are at the age of influence and emotional growth is just disgusting. I had heard about the father who dropped off nine of his children, the oldest being 17 and the youngest I believe 10 months. My heart is breaking for these children. I don't even want to visualize the anguish and pain their little hearts must have felt watching the people who were supposed to love and care for them walk away. To just turn their back on them. I couldn't even read this article without crying for them and praying for their emotional well being. If I were the staff at the hospital and I saw this....it would have taken the power of the holy spirit to keep me from slapping the heck out of those parents. It is beyong disgusting.
Granted, I don't know the entire cirumstances regarding their choosing to abandon these children. The reports that are coming online are stating that these children don't appear to be abused in any way, but of course time will tell. If a child is acting out, as teenagers often do (I was one so I am sure my mother wanted to give me away at times..Praise God she didn't!) I should think that there are other ways of dealing with this then giving up.
Actually the more I type the more I really feel as if the Lord is directing some of my thoughts. Perhaps these parents felt overwhelmed with the responsibilites of being parents to teenagers. Perhaps the mother or father were in a particularly precarious situation and felt the best thing to do was get their children out of harms way. It still breaks my heart, but perhaps maybe I need a little more understanding as to why they did this.
So I take it back. Perhaps I wouldn't slap them silly. Perhaps what I would do should I ever be in a position like this is warm up a coffee pot and talk to the parent. Perhaps by praying with them and being a friend instead of judging and criticizing them might make them realize the magnitude of their decision. And perhaps these children may need a better environment than what these parents can give them. Do I think it is right what is happening? No, I don't. But I think I need to be a little more open-minded about the situation and ultimately, I want what is best for those children. But golly, I hope and pray that these parents realize a better way of dealing with parenting issues.
Sorry for my tangent today folks. But protecting our children is something God has truly placed on my heart and I feel like I had to speak out on this. I hope each of you have a blessed day.
First the shootings in Omaha and now Colorado. I am so sad by this tragedy. Dan and I had the pleasure of attending a training conference with the Mill at New Life Christian Church. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victim's families.
This absolutely breaks my heart and creates fear for my children when they go to school. I still remember Columbine, Jonesboro, the peaceful Amish community shattered by the loss of innocent life through gunfire. By someone taking out years of hurt and anger on others and committing the crime of murder.
My heart goes out to the families who will receive the horrible news today that their child, the one they held in their arms as a baby and watched grow into an adult ready to accomplish the world, has perished in what is considered the deadliest shooting in America. My heart goes out to the family of the gunman, possibly also a student, for he/she was perhaps a beloved child as well. Or perhaps that person didn't have family, maybe they needed someone to show them grace or compassion and they never received it. Anger is an ugly emotion if not controlled. Absolutely ugly.
I fear for my baby Madison, who recently turned one and pretty soon will be on her way to school to grow and learn and make friends and figure out who she is. Must I fear that while she is at school, away from her mommy to protect her, that someone should decide that they are so angry that they must kill? Will she like a boy that another girls likes and meet an untimely death due to that girls jealousy? These fears can be overwhelming and I must trust the Lord to protect her when I am not there to mother and guide her. I know the Lord has a will, a good and perfect will for Madison, and I must trust it. I look forward to seeing her grow and become a grown woman, but perhaps that isn't to be. May she find role models who love the Lord and aspire to be just like Him, as Rachel Joy Scott....a young woman who journaled her life and journey with her Lord and Savior. What a beautiful person she was and her legacy lives on.
I pray that my daughter understands the meaning of kindness and love, and realizes that that is what people crave and need. They need Jesus.
I watched her at church yesterday, while waiting for service to start. She was just standing there, holding onto a couple of posts and smiled and babbled to everyone who walked by. And everyone felt joy. I pray that she continues to be like that, a person who brings joy to everyone. She brings so much joy to Dan and I that it is overwhelming to think about sometimes. Which brings me back to this tragedy......I don't know why, but God allowed this to happen, because something good will come of it. Perhaps today, someone will realize their need for their Savior, or perhaps someone will end a fued with a family member or a friend. Or perhaps someone will realize that life is too short, and the road they were traveling is not the one they should be taking. Whatever it is, I pray that the Lord sees us through it all.
My thoughts and prayers go out to those of you at Virginia Tech experiencing a horrendous loss. May God bless you and give you peace....
I put in my 30 day notice on Halloween at my job, and my official last day is November 30th. I can't believe that I am actually doing this. I am going to do Arbonne full time. Now it is a do or die mentality. I have no choice.
I know this business can work. I have seen 3 of my friends, close friends too, move up and literally change their lives. I know that Arbonne is not everything, it certainly isn't everything to me....but I need to treat this as if I was working at a job or I owned my own franchise. Now it is business time people. I WILL be at home with my daughter and I will use Arbonne as a vehicle to change our lives. Only the Lord can save me from certain death, but I also feel that we are responsible for how we deal with our money and take care of our resources, children, family....He isn't just going to do it for us! LOL!
Now I have to ask...are there any of you who struggle daily, do you wonder if you will ever get out of this cycle of living paycheck to paycheck? Or maybe you are a mom who desperately wants to be at home with her children...or for crying out loud see one of their games or performances without having to ask "permission" from your boss? Maybe you are a student who will have to pay back student loans once you graduate? Maybe you just want financial freedom...or a little extra spending money?
What I love about Arbonne is that this business can be anything to anyone. We offer different ways for people to make this business the vehicle they need towards their dreams.
What I am saying...I am going to the top and I want to take you with me. Together, as a team, we can make your dreams become a reality. So are you with me?
