Where were you on September 11, 2001?
Sadly I often forget the horrible events that happened that year, when 9/11 comes around each year. But today even as I listen to the Nebraska football game, I'm reminded of that day. I'm reminded I need to be thankful for each day here. I need to remember our troops and the sacrifices they're making everyday because of that day.
In 2001 I was in Jackson Hole, Wyoming at Bible college. I wasn't quite awake yet when Jenny came into my room and said we'd better get up. Something happened and we needed to come over to Pastor Don's house and see. I got up and stumbled over in the pajamas. I sat there most of the morning just watching the coverage. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't look away. I was afraid. I wondering what this would do to the world I knew. What would change? I was 13 hours from home and immediately I wished I was with my family. If war ensued could I go home? No, if the fight spread across the nation, I would go home. I cried and prayed for anyone I could think of that was directly affected by this.
Thankfully class was cancelled for that day. I don't think I could've focused even a little.
Even today, as I remember, I can feel the emotion of that day bubble up again. I feel the fear and shock and sadness. And immediately my thoughts turn to prayers. I know that day still haunts the daily thoughts of many people in our nation. I'm looking forward to heaven. I'm looking forward to the day when sin doesn't destroy the world like that.
Showing posts with label future. Show all posts
Showing posts with label future. Show all posts
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Baby... GIRL!
I was waiting until I had some photos to post with this. But sadly they are still on the camera. I'm going to have to have a talk with my tech guy about this! :) So without pix...
It's official - we're having a little girl. We just had our ultrasound. What an amazing experience! I couldn't help but tear up a little. This is the first time we get to really see our little one. She's so little and perfect! And she's got her little feet right on my bladder - well she did that morning. It was so comforting to watch Missy, the ultrasound tech check out all her little working parts. It looks like she has all her fingers and toes - and did you know that down syndrome babies usually keep their hands in fists rather than opening and closing those little fingers. Our girl was moving everything! And she checked that all the chambers of her heart were working correctly and that her brain was developing well. Plus they measured her - head, tummy and limbs. So even though we didn't have the special tests, we can be fairly confident that she's normal - well normal until we get a hold of her.
It's so fitting that it was pouring on Wednesday. The first time I felt her move a few weeks ago, it was pouring and thundering in church. I think maybe she can sense that I like storms or that rainy days make me sad and I need a little love. :) Wishful thinking I'm sure.
It's official - we're having a little girl. We just had our ultrasound. What an amazing experience! I couldn't help but tear up a little. This is the first time we get to really see our little one. She's so little and perfect! And she's got her little feet right on my bladder - well she did that morning. It was so comforting to watch Missy, the ultrasound tech check out all her little working parts. It looks like she has all her fingers and toes - and did you know that down syndrome babies usually keep their hands in fists rather than opening and closing those little fingers. Our girl was moving everything! And she checked that all the chambers of her heart were working correctly and that her brain was developing well. Plus they measured her - head, tummy and limbs. So even though we didn't have the special tests, we can be fairly confident that she's normal - well normal until we get a hold of her.
It's so fitting that it was pouring on Wednesday. The first time I felt her move a few weeks ago, it was pouring and thundering in church. I think maybe she can sense that I like storms or that rainy days make me sad and I need a little love. :) Wishful thinking I'm sure.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Political Musing
So in light of recent days, I have some things to say. Of course you all know I have opinions about everything but politics is something I try not to get too worked up about. But I have a few issues this year and a few positives to share in the aftermath.
Why is there hate in politics??? The campaigns were especially brutal this year. Or maybe it just felt that way because I paid attention. Journalists (and I use that loosely because I think they're so biased that there should be another term for them) from the New York Times and other big newspapers and TV stations really seemed to hate Sarah Palin. Examples of bias and hate if your interested to read:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/opinion/13sat1.html?em
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us/politics/14palin.html?em
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/opinion/14rich.html?em
And there are many Slate articles and others that will write a decent article but it's peppered with "she scares me to death" and "he's so old and creepy" in parenthesis. And celebs were saying that they don't want to be Americans anymore if Palin is in the White House. I would have loved to see them move out. :) I have no problem with people feeling strongly about the issues but when it comes down to hating a specific person, I think that's too far!
The other side of the aisle was just as bad. I'm sure you heard the claims or read the emails and articles making personal attacks on Obama. And even though you never officially heard it, I think the race card was being thrown around too. Racism should never be encouraged for gain. examples: the horrible rumors and racism spread by the Republican party.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7688
http://www.2sistersfromtheright.com/writings/Rich_Carroll/jihadcandidate.html
And Fox News (which I happen to enjoy watching most of the time) has a few shows where the hosts were outright rude! If you watch Fox you know I'm talking about Hannity. He's the type of conservative that makes us all look stupid sometimes. I have to say I prefer O'Reilly over him and I've had my issues with Bill's style too.
Now I'm not saying I'm the authority or have done all the research to prove all of these claims right or wrong, I'm just saying they sound far fetched. If I'm going to give Sarah Palin the benefit of the the doubt that claims about her are made up, I owe Obama the same.
This has also brought up some thought provoking issues for me...
Some final thoughts from John Piper. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGjGbZNyIBY . Response to this Piper interview...http://theologica.blogspot.com/2008/11/piper-politics-and-abortion-few.html . More from Piper...Why a Woman Shouldn't Run for Vice President, but Wise People May Still Vote for Her More from Piper, clarifying his Sarah Palin comments http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1474_why_a_woman_shouldnt_run_for_vice_president_but_wise_people_may_still_vote_for_her/ . Women's role in politics is an issue that I will be thinking about. I've never thought about it that in depth before because it hasn't been an issue.
One thing I have enjoyed about the campaign coverage is Saturday Night LIVE! Hilarious! Sure, I noticed it was slightly biased towards Obama but not outright. And they made fun of both sides. It was just easier to make fun of the Republicans cause they said some silly things under pressure. Example: The Rap on Palin . I laughed so hard!
Why is there hate in politics??? The campaigns were especially brutal this year. Or maybe it just felt that way because I paid attention. Journalists (and I use that loosely because I think they're so biased that there should be another term for them) from the New York Times and other big newspapers and TV stations really seemed to hate Sarah Palin. Examples of bias and hate if your interested to read:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/
And there are many Slate articles and others that will write a decent article but it's peppered with "she scares me to death" and "he's so old and creepy" in parenthesis. And celebs were saying that they don't want to be Americans anymore if Palin is in the White House. I would have loved to see them move out. :) I have no problem with people feeling strongly about the issues but when it comes down to hating a specific person, I think that's too far!
The other side of the aisle was just as bad. I'm sure you heard the claims or read the emails and articles making personal attacks on Obama. And even though you never officially heard it, I think the race card was being thrown around too. Racism should never be encouraged for gain. examples: the horrible rumors and racism spread by the Republican party.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/7688
http://www.2sistersfromtheright.com/writings/Rich_Carroll/jihadcandidate.html
And Fox News (which I happen to enjoy watching most of the time) has a few shows where the hosts were outright rude! If you watch Fox you know I'm talking about Hannity. He's the type of conservative that makes us all look stupid sometimes. I have to say I prefer O'Reilly over him and I've had my issues with Bill's style too.
Now I'm not saying I'm the authority or have done all the research to prove all of these claims right or wrong, I'm just saying they sound far fetched. If I'm going to give Sarah Palin the benefit of the the doubt that claims about her are made up, I owe Obama the same.
This has also brought up some thought provoking issues for me...
Some final thoughts from John Piper. http://www.youtube.com/watch?
One thing I have enjoyed about the campaign coverage is Saturday Night LIVE! Hilarious! Sure, I noticed it was slightly biased towards Obama but not outright. And they made fun of both sides. It was just easier to make fun of the Republicans cause they said some silly things under pressure. Example: The Rap on Palin . I laughed so hard!
Now the elections is over and I feel reflective, apprehensive and curious about our new president. These verses are my rock in the midst of my worry:
Excerpt from a blog I'll link further down but verses I am thinking on... And surely politics is included in "all things." God removes kings; God sets up kings (Dan. 2:21). God does all that he pleases (Ps. 115:3), and he "works all things according to the counsel of his will" (Eph. 1:11). Even though a king (or a president) appears to be the most powerful person in the land, "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will" (Prov. 21:1). Amen and amen.
2Chron 20:6 says "O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?
Psalm 47 says
Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
2 For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.
3 He will subdue the peoples under us, And the nations under our feet.
4 He will choose our inheritance for us, The excellence of Jacob whom He loves. Selah
5 God has gone up with a shout, The LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7 For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.
8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.
9 The princes of the people have gathered together, The people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.
Daniel 2 says "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king."
2Chron 20:6 says "O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?
Psalm 47 says
Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
2 For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.
3 He will subdue the peoples under us, And the nations under our feet.
4 He will choose our inheritance for us, The excellence of Jacob whom He loves. Selah
5 God has gone up with a shout, The LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7 For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.
8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.
9 The princes of the people have gathered together, The people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.
Daniel 2 says "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king."
I am resting in the power of God's sovereignty. I know He is on His throne and so I don't have to worry. This is His plan for His purposes even though I may not understand! I've read a few articles that have really impressed me. The tone of thoughtfulness and graciousness towards our new president that they didn't vote for is amazing to me. I'm sure there are people spewing hate out there but I haven't been reading that yet. Check out these articles...
this whole website is amazing and all the posts have been very gracious and thought provoking http://theologica.blogspot.com/ . This wraps up my thoughts from reading at this blog spot = pray, there is no time to lose! I also enjoyed
this whole website is amazing and all the posts have been very gracious and thought provoking http://theologica.blogspot.com/ . This wraps up my thoughts from reading at this blog spot = pray, there is no time to lose! I also enjoyed
My worries about the next 4 years (maybe 8) are calling me to prayer. And I hope your concerns (or joys) take you to the throne of grace as well.
P.S. vote independent! :)
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