This Thanksgiving Day, Christians across the nation are stopping their regular schedule to give thanks to God. But I guess, aside from the turkey, stuffing, and whipped cream, this day is much like any other of my days, at least recently. Allow me to explain with several Bible verses, Luke 7:40-50.
I have been forgiven so many times in my life and especially just recently as you all know. Well, what some of you don't know is that as a direct result of that forgiveness, I have more joy and thanksgiving in my heart everyday than I have had for a long while. I think this reflects back on those verses, I have been forgiven much, therefore I am more grateful than perhaps someone who had a very easy conversion experience.
A few days after my latest, and last quote-un-quote "born yet again" event, I wrote a poem about Christ's gift of sacrifice and mercy to me.
"Pieces of me,
Shattered, scattered,
There on the carpet.
Drops of tears glisten,
Shimmer, sparkle
Among the shiny shards.
Pieces of me.
Pieces of pride,
Glory, honor,
30 pieces of silver,
Pieces of me.
Pain was the price.
Blood the sacrifice,
Thorns and lashes.
Misery, death.
The white lamb was murdered,
Slaughtered for the ransom
To buy back the pieces
And build a new me.
Pieces of me
Once scattered are gathered,
Refined to pure gold.
Molded and shaped
To reflect the great God
Who died for me.
Now I stand firm
Upon my foundation.
Once I was broken,
Now I am free.”
This gift of saving blood is what I am most thankful for this Thanksgiving. Believe me, I fully understand that it may never be offered to me again so I am not taking any chances on getting myself broken again. From now until the day I die, I am going to be the little sheep that sticks the closest to the shepherd, the little mirror that reflects God's greatness and holiness to the world, the soldier that although a little frightened at the risks loves his commander so much that he would die for him. So as Uncle John always says, "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!!!"
-Thanksgiving 2005
-age 17
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Friday, November 18, 2005
I have a GOOD reason this time!!
I have a good reason for not writing in two weeks. My house is kind of upside down right now because my grandmother is moving into our house, actually into my room. So I moved out, downstairs to Serena's room which is 50% of the basement so it isn't too cramped but it is odd-shaped so it seems really small now. Anyway, then I ripped up the carpet, helped put down Pergo, and painted the walls with Verity. So it has been a pretty bizarre week.
Oh yeah...I went and took the college placement test and placed in Writing 121, Math 95, and Reading 117. So overall, I did pretty well. I also filled out my admissions form and now I am ready for winter term, I just have to see an advisor and sign up for classes. Yippee! (Should I be happy? I mean I am facing a ton more schoolwork than usual...I can handle it.)
Well, I have to got to my dad's in 20 minutes so I have to go. Toodles.
Oh yeah...I went and took the college placement test and placed in Writing 121, Math 95, and Reading 117. So overall, I did pretty well. I also filled out my admissions form and now I am ready for winter term, I just have to see an advisor and sign up for classes. Yippee! (Should I be happy? I mean I am facing a ton more schoolwork than usual...I can handle it.)
Well, I have to got to my dad's in 20 minutes so I have to go. Toodles.
Monday, November 07, 2005
I'M DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL!!!!
Wahoo.Wahoo.Wahoo.Wahoo.Wahoo.Wahoo. I am SO happy. Now I can go get started on college. Ooh, that is a wet blanket. Nevermind!! I am so happy, happy, happy!!!! Let's have a party!!!! :)
Goodbye, high school!!! (You have no idea how elated I am right now!!!)
Goodbye, high school!!! (You have no idea how elated I am right now!!!)
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Sicker than a dog.....
On a scale of one to 10, 10 being the greatest and one being the lowest, I am about a 4, which is better than some people and I realize that but I feel pretty icky. I have that kind of sickness that makes your sinuses swell, your throat hurt, and gives you a tiny fever to boot. Joy, joy, joy!! :)
But I am still grateful for how good I do have it. This week at work has been pretty stressful too but reasons I won't go in to but I am "a survivor" as Reba puts it so well.
Oh yeah, the allotted time for me to finish high school (four years to the day) is very very near. I need to quick get done with algebra and then-GOODBYE, HIGH SCHOOL!! I would have been done much much earlier but I was really really lazy up until now. That's sad, eh? Yeah, but I learned my lesson.
Well, I have a hot cup of Stash's Sandman tea, warm covers, and a good book waiting for me.
Good night.
But I am still grateful for how good I do have it. This week at work has been pretty stressful too but reasons I won't go in to but I am "a survivor" as Reba puts it so well.
Oh yeah, the allotted time for me to finish high school (four years to the day) is very very near. I need to quick get done with algebra and then-GOODBYE, HIGH SCHOOL!! I would have been done much much earlier but I was really really lazy up until now. That's sad, eh? Yeah, but I learned my lesson.
Well, I have a hot cup of Stash's Sandman tea, warm covers, and a good book waiting for me.
Good night.
Behind the Battle....
BEHIND THE “HATE BILL” BATTLE ON CAPITOL HILL
By Rev. Ted Pike
On October 20th, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted not to add Senator Edward Kennedy’s “anti-hate” bill, S.1145, onto the Children’s Safety Act, H.R.3132.
This effectively blocked further movement of the House version of the hate bill (passed as Amdt. 2662) toward a vote in the Senate. This was a shocking reversal for the homosexual lobby, a powerful force behind all anti-hate legislation.
Since then, I have been calling Senators who support and oppose the hate bill, attempting to discover what really happened in Judiciary. This is vital to ascertain the prospects of passage of this Orwellian legislation.
What I have discovered is sobering.
To understand the possible success or defeat of the hate bill, we have to first comprehend the motivations and pressures upon Senator Edward Kennedy. Kennedy has powerful groups pressuring him, notably the pedophile lobby - an emerging political force in the Capitol. They are becoming increasingly visible and vocal through such political action groups as NAMBLA, the North American Man/Boy Love Association. Pedophiles hate the Children’s Safety Act and its similar Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act of 2005, S.1086. These bills were created and sponsored not by liberals but by conservative Republicans who also oppose the hate bill (such as Hatch, Sensenbrenner, and DeLay). S.1086 and H.R.3132 are extremely punitive toward convicted pedophiles. Kennedy’s pedophile supporters demand that he do his best to weaken legislation that punishes those who sexually molest little boys and girls.
Enter the eight Republican members of the Judiciary Committee. On October 20, 2005 they were determined to block Kennedy’s hate bill but were outvoted in Judiciary 10 to 8. Yet they had something Kennedy wanted: power to water down the Sex Offender bill. Result: Kennedy and the Republicans struck a deal. Parts of the Sex Offender Act were diluted to make Kennedy’s pedophiles happier. In return, Kennedy agreed not to force a vote in Judiciary to add S.1145 to the Children’s Safety Act, a vote he would have won. Since S.1145 is a “stand-alone” bill, Kennedy knew he could press that issue later when he will try to attach S.1145 to the Sex Offender Act on the floor of the Senate.
Republican opponents of the hate bill had no other choice.
UNITING TO WIN IN THE SENATE
Meanwhile, conservatives in Congress who are pushing the anti-pedophile legislation are very weary of its being labeled “Orwellian” by the religious political right and lumped together with the anti-hate bill. Many on the Right object to the Children’s Safety and Sex Offender Acts because they authorize federal control and punishment of sex offenders, a prerogative such strict constitutionalists believe resides with the states. While this legislation does increase federalization of law enforcement, I have studied S.1086 carefully and do not find it invasive of the rights of anyone except sex offenders. Already, the government can intervene in states’ rights if it finds voter fraud, jury tampering, slavery, or crimes involving interstate commerce. Republican originators of S.1086 believe that child molestation, pornography, child prostitution, etc. are of such epidemic national proportions that only the federal government can most effectively deal with them.
Senator Frist and anti-pedophile Republicans desire that patriots call their Senators, not only opposing Kennedy’s hate bill but also convincing a majority of Senators to vote for the Sex Offender Act. They feel that strong Senate support behind S.1086 would give Republican leadership a strong position to not only pass anti-pedophile legislation but also restrain Kennedy’s attempts to attach his hate bill to it.
In my opinion, blocking Kennedy and his hate bill is of enormously greater importance than passing the Sex Offender Act. Yet I believe this pro-family legislation should be encouraged. The least that should be done, even by those who disagree with its federalist complexion, is to protest the hate bill, not the Sex Offender Act.
KEEP UP THE FIGHT
The Republican strategy has been to derail the Children’s Safety Act with its hate bill attachment, Amdt. 2662, and create another Senate version of that act, S.1086. Thus, if Kennedy should succeed in attaching S.1145, then the House and Senate versions will be different, necessitating conference between the House and Senate. Since Kennedy’s hate bill probably cannot be defeated by a vote in the Senate, referral to conference would be a boon to all who love free speech.
Four times over the past six years the hate bill has been passed by the Senate yet rejected in conference, thanks to the vigilance of feisty House Republican conferees. Those four times, the hate bill sailed through the Senate Judiciary Committee. It did not this time because eight Republican Senators had overwhelmingly heard from the people forbidding them to let the hate bill through. It was because of their obedience to that resounding voice of the people that they were even willing to allow their cherished Sex Offender Act to be weakened.
Clearly, Providence and the voice of protest helped empower defeat of the hate bill in Judiciary on October 20, 2005.
It is time to not only pray for Divine deliverance but also to continue to saturate the Senate against Kennedy’s hate bill. We must call, email, and call again because our freedom and that of our children depends upon it.
The toll free number for members of the Senate is 1-888-355-3588. Come to www.truthtellers.org for a list of 100 Senators, plus many hate laws articles. The full text of S.1145 with commentary by Rev. Pike is available at this website.
Get educated fast on the origins and ambitions of the hate laws! Ted Pike’s gripping, fast-moving documentary, “Hate Laws: Making Criminals of Christians,” is now available on DVD. Order for $24.90 at www.truthtellers.org, by calling 503-631-3808, or at the address below.
TALK SHOW HOSTS: Ted Pike is available for interviews at 503-631-3808.
NATIONAL PRAYER NETWORK, P. O. Box 828, Clackamas, OR 97015
By Rev. Ted Pike
On October 20th, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted not to add Senator Edward Kennedy’s “anti-hate” bill, S.1145, onto the Children’s Safety Act, H.R.3132.
This effectively blocked further movement of the House version of the hate bill (passed as Amdt. 2662) toward a vote in the Senate. This was a shocking reversal for the homosexual lobby, a powerful force behind all anti-hate legislation.
Since then, I have been calling Senators who support and oppose the hate bill, attempting to discover what really happened in Judiciary. This is vital to ascertain the prospects of passage of this Orwellian legislation.
What I have discovered is sobering.
To understand the possible success or defeat of the hate bill, we have to first comprehend the motivations and pressures upon Senator Edward Kennedy. Kennedy has powerful groups pressuring him, notably the pedophile lobby - an emerging political force in the Capitol. They are becoming increasingly visible and vocal through such political action groups as NAMBLA, the North American Man/Boy Love Association. Pedophiles hate the Children’s Safety Act and its similar Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act of 2005, S.1086. These bills were created and sponsored not by liberals but by conservative Republicans who also oppose the hate bill (such as Hatch, Sensenbrenner, and DeLay). S.1086 and H.R.3132 are extremely punitive toward convicted pedophiles. Kennedy’s pedophile supporters demand that he do his best to weaken legislation that punishes those who sexually molest little boys and girls.
Enter the eight Republican members of the Judiciary Committee. On October 20, 2005 they were determined to block Kennedy’s hate bill but were outvoted in Judiciary 10 to 8. Yet they had something Kennedy wanted: power to water down the Sex Offender bill. Result: Kennedy and the Republicans struck a deal. Parts of the Sex Offender Act were diluted to make Kennedy’s pedophiles happier. In return, Kennedy agreed not to force a vote in Judiciary to add S.1145 to the Children’s Safety Act, a vote he would have won. Since S.1145 is a “stand-alone” bill, Kennedy knew he could press that issue later when he will try to attach S.1145 to the Sex Offender Act on the floor of the Senate.
Republican opponents of the hate bill had no other choice.
UNITING TO WIN IN THE SENATE
Meanwhile, conservatives in Congress who are pushing the anti-pedophile legislation are very weary of its being labeled “Orwellian” by the religious political right and lumped together with the anti-hate bill. Many on the Right object to the Children’s Safety and Sex Offender Acts because they authorize federal control and punishment of sex offenders, a prerogative such strict constitutionalists believe resides with the states. While this legislation does increase federalization of law enforcement, I have studied S.1086 carefully and do not find it invasive of the rights of anyone except sex offenders. Already, the government can intervene in states’ rights if it finds voter fraud, jury tampering, slavery, or crimes involving interstate commerce. Republican originators of S.1086 believe that child molestation, pornography, child prostitution, etc. are of such epidemic national proportions that only the federal government can most effectively deal with them.
Senator Frist and anti-pedophile Republicans desire that patriots call their Senators, not only opposing Kennedy’s hate bill but also convincing a majority of Senators to vote for the Sex Offender Act. They feel that strong Senate support behind S.1086 would give Republican leadership a strong position to not only pass anti-pedophile legislation but also restrain Kennedy’s attempts to attach his hate bill to it.
In my opinion, blocking Kennedy and his hate bill is of enormously greater importance than passing the Sex Offender Act. Yet I believe this pro-family legislation should be encouraged. The least that should be done, even by those who disagree with its federalist complexion, is to protest the hate bill, not the Sex Offender Act.
KEEP UP THE FIGHT
The Republican strategy has been to derail the Children’s Safety Act with its hate bill attachment, Amdt. 2662, and create another Senate version of that act, S.1086. Thus, if Kennedy should succeed in attaching S.1145, then the House and Senate versions will be different, necessitating conference between the House and Senate. Since Kennedy’s hate bill probably cannot be defeated by a vote in the Senate, referral to conference would be a boon to all who love free speech.
Four times over the past six years the hate bill has been passed by the Senate yet rejected in conference, thanks to the vigilance of feisty House Republican conferees. Those four times, the hate bill sailed through the Senate Judiciary Committee. It did not this time because eight Republican Senators had overwhelmingly heard from the people forbidding them to let the hate bill through. It was because of their obedience to that resounding voice of the people that they were even willing to allow their cherished Sex Offender Act to be weakened.
Clearly, Providence and the voice of protest helped empower defeat of the hate bill in Judiciary on October 20, 2005.
It is time to not only pray for Divine deliverance but also to continue to saturate the Senate against Kennedy’s hate bill. We must call, email, and call again because our freedom and that of our children depends upon it.
The toll free number for members of the Senate is 1-888-355-3588. Come to www.truthtellers.org for a list of 100 Senators, plus many hate laws articles. The full text of S.1145 with commentary by Rev. Pike is available at this website.
Get educated fast on the origins and ambitions of the hate laws! Ted Pike’s gripping, fast-moving documentary, “Hate Laws: Making Criminals of Christians,” is now available on DVD. Order for $24.90 at www.truthtellers.org, by calling 503-631-3808, or at the address below.
TALK SHOW HOSTS: Ted Pike is available for interviews at 503-631-3808.
NATIONAL PRAYER NETWORK, P. O. Box 828, Clackamas, OR 97015
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Quote of the Month-Martin Luther
This is a really good quote. I don't really have a ton to say about it because it is so self-explanatory. So just, enjoy it!
"I have held many things in my hands, and have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
-Martin Luther
I have so much energy!!! (Blame the endorphins.)
I didn't have coffee, I didn't have caffiented sodas, I didn't get high on Halloween candy...okay yeah, I confess, I went to the store this morning to cash in on the only thing Halloween is good for- post-Halloween sales on candy in awesome little mini bags. I have already eaten at least six bags of peanut M&M's and numerous "twin-wrapped" Starbursts.
But don't call me the ultimate couch potato. I went to the gym and worked out for nearly 2 hours.
Speaking of the gym, I always stretch for about 20 minutes before working out and one of the stretches I do is a "killer" (cause it hurts) back bend. I am getting pretty flexible at that and have moved on to balancing on two feet and one hand or two hands and one foot which surprisingly takes a lot of core strength. But that is beside the point...
I had just complimented one of the really, really buff guys on the poundage he was doing squats with (you know, the bar that goes over their shoulders and lifts a certain amount of pounds with pulleys). He said he used to be able to lift more than that but I said it was impressive to me.
I continued stretching and did one of my back bends and when I came out of it, he said, "Now THAT is impressive." I said that girls are supposed to be flexible and guys are supposed to be buff and he agreed.
I don't know why I told you all that but I did. Wierd....Hahaha!! I am way too random sometimes.
I got some really good books on pro-life arguments today. All this studying about the wicked things women do to their babies makes me feel maternal. I want kids. Not now of course but when I get married.
Well, thanks for bearing with my ultra-randomness tonight. Hope you enjoy the quote of the month!!
But don't call me the ultimate couch potato. I went to the gym and worked out for nearly 2 hours.
Speaking of the gym, I always stretch for about 20 minutes before working out and one of the stretches I do is a "killer" (cause it hurts) back bend. I am getting pretty flexible at that and have moved on to balancing on two feet and one hand or two hands and one foot which surprisingly takes a lot of core strength. But that is beside the point...
I had just complimented one of the really, really buff guys on the poundage he was doing squats with (you know, the bar that goes over their shoulders and lifts a certain amount of pounds with pulleys). He said he used to be able to lift more than that but I said it was impressive to me.
I continued stretching and did one of my back bends and when I came out of it, he said, "Now THAT is impressive." I said that girls are supposed to be flexible and guys are supposed to be buff and he agreed.
I don't know why I told you all that but I did. Wierd....Hahaha!! I am way too random sometimes.
I got some really good books on pro-life arguments today. All this studying about the wicked things women do to their babies makes me feel maternal. I want kids. Not now of course but when I get married.
Well, thanks for bearing with my ultra-randomness tonight. Hope you enjoy the quote of the month!!
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