July 10 Thoughts

If I was in Sheridan right now I would be preparing to attend the events of the weekend, namely the rodeo parade which includes a pancake breakfast, bed races and grilled lunch. Then there is the rodeo and the street dancing! Rodeo week in Sheridan is a fun time, there are tourists galore and so much to do. People are generally in a more party frame of mind. Rodeo week marks the middle of summer for me. Even if I don't always attend all the events, I love the atmosphere of the week, and seeing friends from out of town.

This year however I am at home in Lynchburg. Right now I am praying about a job interview to work at a bookstore-right up my alley for the next year! Hopefully I will do well in the interview and be offered the job. I need it and I want this job, so it is in the Lord's hands.

The Real Paige Turner is in the editing process right now, and I am sufficiently satisfied with it I will send it off to a slew of literary agents to hopefully find one that will represent it to publishers and begin the publication process. This is when things can get discouraging. Finding an agent that will represent your book can take years and you can receive a box full of rejection letters. I am of course praying that it doesn't take years, merely months for me- so that I can get this book on shelves and let the Lord use it to minister to others and hopefully lead people to Him.

I'm not trying to publish this book to gain fame or millions (though I would love to be able to pay my parents back and maybe as a thank you send them to Australia for a vacation- I would pay for round trip tickets...I think...! No, no I would!). My desire for this book is to help other women see that life doesn't end when we are abused. Dealing with abuse is not easy or comfortable. A guy who takes out his anger, frustration, or just wants to exert power by physically or emotionally harming a woman is a monster. That said, we can overcome it and go on to have joyful and fulfilling lives. We don't ask to be abused, but we do have to take what happens and deal with it. Surviving is our choice. I want this book to show women that the hard road is the best road ultimately. Choosing to depend on the Lord is the best choice a person could ever make, regardless of their background.

I was have a chat a couple of days ago with another woman and we talked about how unworthy we feel to pray for ourselves. It is easy to pray for the people I love: my family, friends, church family, neighbors and former co-workers. It is harder for me to feel worthy to pray for myself. I know me, I know how sinful I am, how much I fail to live Biblically. Because I know me so well I know I am not worthy to talk to holy God and ask Him for anything.

For the first I think I finally understand that of course I'm not worthy. I'm a sinful human, but the story does not end there. I've been a Christian for most of my life, and since junior year of college I've been trying to follow Him and be the best Christian I can be. But even that struggle to be "all I can be" doesn't make me worthy. The only thing that makes it possible and ok for me to call on holy God is His Son, Jesus. I can approach the throne and ask for help on my behalf because Jesus died for me.

Here is the Christian story: God created the universe some time in the past. On the earth He created this paradise that makes Hawaii look blah. This paradise of a garden was called Eden. God placed the first 2 humans in Eden. Adam and Eve, one male and one female. These 2 people lived without sin and were thus worthy to walk and commune with God in Eden. God did not want robots, God is loving and doesn't need love but wants love in return. So in Eden God placed a single tree that grew good fruit. The garden was already full of a plethora of wonderful foods to eat. That is not what the special tree represented. The tree represented choice.

Everyday Adam and Eve had the choice: would they keep on eating the myraid of wonderful things that were always within reach, or would they go to the one tree that God had said "don't eat this"? Well for a long time (how long is irrelevent) Adam and Eve chose to obey God. It wasn't a hard choice at all.

Well in comes Satan. Satan was originally a high angel in Heaven, till He got the bright idea that he was better than God and could replace God. Well they only way a person can do that, is if they are God, and Satan was not God. Satan is a politician and he convinced numerous fellow angels to side with him and mount an attack to dethrone God. Suffice it to say the attack failed miserably. Not only did Satan and his minions fail, but they were cast out of Heaven and into Hell for eternity. Hell was to be their new home. But as non earth beings they have the ability to roam earth for now. In the future that will not be the case. Well, misery loves company and Hell is the ultimate in miserable, having his fellow fallen angels is not enough for Satan, he wants to take as many humans as possible.

So Satan sees a chance in the Garden to do just that. He comes to Eve one day and starts a conversation. He plays on Eve's nature and her curiosity. He makes the choice tree sound so good that it is irresistable. Adam is there (what warm blooded male would be far from his gorgeous and naked bride?) and does nothing to remind Eve what God has said. Eve makes the choice to give in and grabs a piece of choice tree fruit. She eats and it is good, she shares with her husband and he too enjoys it. Of course it was good, for all that God creates is good.

Well now God sees (He knew it would happen) that Adam and Eve chose to disobey Him. They gave into the master politician. Things had to change. God must be obeyed, He is holy and the people that created in His image must also be holy and obedient. Many consequences came from giving in to choice.

Does this make God mean or somehow evil? No I think that it shows His love even more. Read on.

First of all the people were cast out of Eden. No longer would the earth be full services for humans, we now have to work to get what we want from her. Second came pain and sorrow. As Newton discovered "everything has an equal and opposite reaction". It always did, even in Eden, but before the fruit from the choice tree, the actions produced good reactions.

Then of course came death. Not right away, but it entered the picture. Death was the verdict for all people, because now that we had choices to make, we all make bad ones and the wages of the bad choices or sin is death. No ifs ands or buts. Across the board. If you sin you are condemned to death.

Then, worse of all came a sever in the relationship with God. No longer are we perfect creatures that can walk and talk with God and look upon Him. We are sinful creatures. For thousands of years blood sacrifices of animals were used to partially restore our relationship with the Creator. But God saw that it wasn't good. Something had to be done that would once and for all be a sacrifice. Well, the only thing perfect enough to mend the broken relationship was a perfect human sacrificing Himself. Well, humans aren't perfect. Only God is perfect, so He came down in the form of a human (called kenosis) and lived perfectly and when He was about 33 years old Jesus was turned over to the government: he was tortured, abandoned and crucified.

Jesus was fully God and fully man. Because He was God in human form, His willing death was the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus died so that all of us have choice again. No longer are we slaves to sin and bound for Hell. Adam and Eve chose to go against God. But because Jesus willing died and rose from death and defeated the death, we now can chose Heaven. Our path from birth is Hell, but God does not want any one to go to Hell, so we now have the choice of Heaven. All we have to do is believe in Jesus' sacrifice and chose to love and serve Him.

Jesus is a kind person to serve. He is loving. He wants us. He is a wonderful God to serve. He wants to make our lives easier. He was here, He experienced life and now He is offering not only Heaven but to help us through this life.

Chosing Him does not automatically take away our bent to sin. We still have to go through this life and all the ups and down. And we still die, but it is what happens at death that matters. If we chose Christ than we KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that no matter what we are going to Heaven. Our spot is reserved. If we chose to not accept Christ's gift than we know that no matter what we are going to Hell. Our spot is reserved.

Our lives here need to reflect our choice. If we chose Christ than we should live as ambassadors of Him and do everything we can to show others how wonderful the choice is. Life is not going to be easy, but it is wonderful if we let it, and if we let Him guide us. God delights in giving His children the desires of our hearts. God is a doting Father and He will be there along the way. He may not calm the storm, but He will calm us during the storm.

History bears the evidence that Christians are not perfect people. We screw up just as much as others do. We get our facts wrong, and sometimes terribly wrong. The crusades, the witch trials, slavery all those events show that Christians are not perfect people. Christians may not be perfect, but they are forgiven. As Christians we should strive to live Biblical lives and be good ambassadors so that others will look at us and want what we have, and then we share it. The more we share Christ and His love with others the more we have to share!

Christianity is not a religion, it is a way of life, it is the one true account of what life is like from before the world began to a time in the future when there will be a new earth. Christianity is not a bunch of "do this" or "don't do that" and earn your way to paradise. Christianity is about a relationship with God. We live a certain to bear out our faith and love. We are not saved by works, but we do works to show our salvation. The works are the evidence.

How comforting to know that I'm saved no matter what! That is what Christianity is all about. None of us are worthy on own to approach God, but because of Christ we get to anyway. Because of Christ I can pray about anything and everything for others as well as myself. How marvelous!

Sorry that this is so long today, but I just had to get all my thoughts out there! I love y'all. Happy Thursday!

Espanol o Ingles?

Right now I'm on the fence with this issue, which isn't normal for me. Normally I have pretty strong opinions, especially on political issues! This is an e-mail about the latest vote to make English our official language. It is interesting to say the least.
There are many things that I am passionate about: supporting our military, pro-life issues, improving the economy, fixing the education system in America (NCLB just makes my blood boil, but we do need to overhaul education) and religious rights for everyone. For me, English as the national language is not one of them.
Here is why...I don't care what language we speak. Spanish is just as good a language as English, in fact I find it to be more expressive sometimes, and it is certainly an easier language to learn. I would not want to have to learn English as 2nd language. This is a terrible language-we break our rules more often than not, and it isn't all that expressive or beautiful sounding. On the other hand, I am quite fluent in English, so it has that going for it! Even if English is not declared the national language I have a hunch that most people will still use it, and it will continue to remain a predominate language. It is the language of our founding- all our precious documents are in English, so I don't think that the language is going to die anytime soon. My kids and grandkids will still have to learn the language, and if they have to learn Spanish or something else as well, that is all well and good because that just means even more people can understand them as they share the love of Christ.
So, for once in my life I have found an issue that I'm not that worried about. If English is declared the national language, than cool. But if it isn't, it is just a language, just words. The bigger issue is not what language we are speaking in, but what we are saying- the content. I can be just as passionate in my support and thankfulness to everyone who has ever served in the military, and their families, and I can be just as patriotic an American, and just as crazy a Cheesehead in Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Italian, Russian, Koine Greek (well maybe not, we all know how well I did with that...) or Pig Latin. The vessel is not the issue for me, it is the content.


**************To see what I referenced, keep reading******************

Here ARE STRONG, POWERFUL AND COURAGEOUS WORDS COMING FROM A RETIRED COLONEL.

33 Senators Voted Against English as America 's Official Language on June 6, 2007.

On Wed. 6 June 2007 23:35:23 - 0500 Colonel Harry Riley , USA , Ret. wrote:

Senators:
Your vote against an amendment to the Immigration Bill 1348....to make English America 's official language is astounding.

On D-Day, no less, when we honor those that sacrificed in order to secure the bedrock, character and principles of America , I can only surmise your vote reflects a loyalty to illegal aliens.

I don't much care where you come from. What your religion is. Whether you're black, white, or some other color...male or female...... Democrat, Republican or Independent. ...... But I do care when you are a United States Senator representing Citizens of America ...and Vote against English as the official language of the United States

Your vote reflects Betrayal.
Political Surrender. Violates Your Pledge of Allegiance. Dishonors historical principle. Rejects Patriotism. Borders on traitorous action and, in my opinion, makes you unfit to serve as a United States Senator... Impeachment... Recall... Or other appropriate action is warranted or worse.

Four of you voting against English as America's Official Language are Presidential Candidates: Senator Biden,Senator Clinton,Senator Dodd, and Senator Obama.

Four Senators vying to lead America, but won't or don't have the courage to cast a vote in favor of 'English' as America 's Official Language when 91% of American Citizens want English officially designated as our language.

This is the second time in the last several months this list of Senators have disgraced themselves as 'political hacks'..... Unworthy as Senators and certainly unqualified to serve as President of the United States

If America is as angry as I am, you will realize a backlash so stunning it will literally 'rock you out of your panties'.... ..... And preferably totally out of the United States Senate.

The entire immigration bill is a farce... Your action only confirms this really isn't about America ...it is about self-serving politics.... ..despicable at best.
It has been said:

'Never Argue with an Idiot....They' ll drag you down to their level!'

********************************
PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN
'Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested,
exiled or Hanged!!!

Wall Drug

Wall Drug is a landmark in South Dakota. It is about 60 miles East of Rapid City, and is not nearly as famous as Mount Rushmore, but it is a tourist trap nonetheless. Back in the day when I-90 was built an enterprising pharmacist living in Wall, S.D. figured that tourists traveling on the near interstate would need to stop for refreshments. So he offered "free ice water" knowing that people would stop for the free water (because cars did not have a/c at the time) and then would browse and spend money in the drug store.

The plan worked. People stopped for the free water and the rest as they say is history! The town of Wall is built around the drug store and all the tourist traps that have been built up since. The water is still free, and the coffee is only a nickel. In a day the cost of everything is sky rocketing, it is nice to know that something remains the same. There are stores galore in Wall, and there is a backyard, dinosaur museum.

Growing up whenever we would travel through S.D. my family would HAVE to stop in Wall. It was just one of those things. My parents love the place. My Mom has even said (and this is a direct quote) "I like Wall Drug better than Disneyland." Better than Disneyland...hmmm.... I'm not convinced, and I have been there too many times to count.

We do have some unique memories connected to the town. One year Mom, Grandma, my sis and lil bro and I traveled all over the country and back in my parents' new minivan. It was the last day of traveling on the route home. We of course stopped at Wall and ordered milkshakes. My bro wanted ice cream, but Mom talked him into getting a milkshake. A chocolate milkshake. Well, he didn't finish it before it was time to go, so since it was in a cup he could take it in the car with him. We hadn't gone more than 15 miles when I saw Doug tip the cup over and the milkshake spilled all over him and the seat! None of us had ever seen Mom that mad, even her mother!!! Looking back we can all chuckle at the memory, but that day it was far from funny.

Then there were all the times we'd pass through on the way to or from visiting my sis at college in Minnesota. I was usually grumpy. Wall Drug is not my favorite place, and I've been there so often, and I'm one of those people that just loves to get in the car and drive and only stop when I'm forced to get gas, so I can get to my destination. Wall Drug was superfluous to me.

In all my life I have not known my parents to not stop at Wall Drug. Heck, they've even spent nights there. Well, today is a first. I just talked to them and they are driving from Rapid to northern WI and guess what!?! They did NOT, I repeat, did NOT stop at Wall Drug. It is a good thing that I was seated for the announcement, I almost fainted. For my family stopping at Wall Drug became as necessary as filling the tank up with gas or eating. It just happened, no ifs, ands, or buts! But today it didn't! I'm not sure what to think.

As I'm older now, and maybe a little bit wiser I still would say Disney is more of an attraction than Wall Drug, but I do admit that Wall is not all that bad. It is nice to have a place to stretch my legs and take a break from the tedium of driving I-90 through S.D. Now S.D. has some great features, but I-90 gets boring! So to have this place to stop before you hit Rapid (or after depending on the direction you are traveling) is nice. And free water is always welcome!

So, if you are traveling on I-90 through S.D. make sure to put Wall Drug on your places to see. There are signs all over the world advertising the place and how many miles it is to Wall Drug (a splendid marketing scheme if ever there was one) and it is a must visit for all erudite Americans. Something we should all do at least once. The kids will have fun, and with prices of food and gas going through the roof this is one place where the dollar can stretch.

Thinking

So here it is Saturday morning, the day after Independence Day! The Capitol Fourth was well done, as it always is, and the fireworks behind the Washington Monument, oh so beautiful! Just reminded me of why I'd love to live there. In fact, Queens and I talked about that last night. I'm not sure if she is as excited as I am, but I like to think that she is!

So I titled this entry, "Thinking" because that is what I've been doing this morning. I have been thinking. I know, now it explains all the smoke you non Californians are smelling (pause as I pray for the fires to be quenched quickly)!
*****************************************************************************

I'm back! So I've been thinking about a myriad of things this morning. Will Favre return (see previous post) and I just don't know. The more I ponder it, the more I have to agree with Steve M. (if you don't know who that is, you don't pay close enough attention to the NFL) in that he (#4) probably won't return, but that till the season actually starts there will be rumors every week of his state of mind and what he will decide to do. That is the nature of celebrity, people will say what they want to happen, and all of a sudden it is all over the news, and the person being talked about never made a comment. Reminds me how precious privacy is, and why I'm penning my book under a pseudonym. Paige can have all the celebrity she wants, but I don't need it!

So what else have I been thinking about? Marriage is one thing, but not about getting married. I'm reading a book "The Marriage Builder" by Dr. Larry Crabb (who at least at the time this book was penned worked at CCU-I'm trying to remember if he did while I was there). It is very well written and seems like a good book to use in pre-marital counseling. It is a book that I checked out of the school library, but I think it is one that I need in my professional library. In this book Dr. Crabb's thesis is that our safety and security comes not from our spouse but from Christ. The fact that we are safe and secure comes from the Lord, but the Lord has designed marriage to reflect our relationship with HIM, so while the fact of our safety and security is in Christ, our feelings of safety and security come from our spouse. And my role as wife will be to always put my husband first and my motivation should always be "will this action/word/etc. make him feel more safe and secure and loved". A great book. I recommend it to couples that are already married, or that are thinking about being married.

Ok, so enough about marriage! I'm also reading a book on using metaphor stories in counseling, it is pretty good. It is mainly a collection of metaphor stories and what scenarios they are useful for. Once again, it would be a great resource to have in my library! I just love books!!!

I'm thinking that today is going to be a good day. I am going to go to the gym and go for a swim, and then maybe head over to Barnes and Noble and read for a bit, and then maybe call up a friend and catch a show at the dollar cinema near campus! All in all a great Saturday!!!

Thinking about doing things with friends reminds me of Christ (honestly everything reminds me of Christ)! Christ is our best friend, and how weird is that? The God of the universe, the God who created the universe and reigns supreme over everything is my best friend? I can go to HIM for anything and everything! I know that HE will never let me down, and that HIS advice is always right on target. I know that even when I admit my sins to HIM, I will still be loved, and HE will forgive me, no matter what the sin. I know that it hurts HIM when I sin, but HE still loves me and forgives me. That being the case, it causes me to want to sin less, so I don't let HIM down and disappoint HIM.

As a Christian I get to approach the throne in Heaven with whatever is on my mind, and I know that God hears my prayers, and not does HE hear them, but HE cares about whatever I care about, and HE wants to give me the desires of my heart. That is amazing and humbling, and oh so exciting.

To think that God wants to talk with me, and cares about me! I'm not all that exciting. I have a small group of friends, I haven't done anything earth shattering. I'm no Billy Graham or Beth Moore. I'm just a girl from the wild west, and the God of the universe has a personal interest in me! Wow! The even better part, as much as HE is interested in me, HE is interested in you too! God loves all of us.

Have a wonderful day, and may rest in the knowledge that even if everything is going wrong, and you feel down, you always have 1 thing going for you, and that thing is more important than anything else in the universe. God loves you and will take you. All we have to do is ask! Go ahead and ask, HE will come through for you. It may not be in the way you would expect, or even chose, but somehow God will come through for you, and you will be better off (spiritually) than you are now. All we have to do is believe on Him and accept the truth that Jesus is the only way to Heaven.

Enjoy the love of Christ today! I know that I am!!! Happy July 5, 2008!!!

Favre...!?!

Happy Fourth of July! I hope that for all my American readers, it is a great day of celebration and remembrance of how wonderful our country is, and how blessed we are to be citizens of such a magnificent land. To all my non-American readers, enjoy the day and spend it with people you love.

So, this week has been an interesting one for us Cheeseheads, as many of you might have heard, Favre sounds like he is maybe contemplating NOT retiring. He hasn't said anything definitive, but second hand text sources have us thinking that he is toying with the idea.

Here is the thing, while Favre made the big retirement speech on March 4, 2008, he never filled out the official paperwork, and so he remains listed as an active player for the NFL, but he is listed on GB's roster as inactive (so that his salary doesn't count against the cap).

According to his mother and brother, he has been working out and is feeling great. Now, all fans know that Favre has another couple of years left, and he is NOT a has been. The question is not one of is he up to the physical aspect. It is one of mental readiness. Is Favre up to handling the emotional and mental toll that a season of football takes on a living legend?

Of course, I would love to see him come back for another season or two. We just had such a good season. Yes, his last pass was an interception, but he had so many wonderful passes before that, so I'm not too worried about his last pass. I would love to see him come back and see the Packers win and bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown. Watching Favre play is a treat, because he just enjoys being out on the field. His love of the sport is so obvious.

We have all heard the stories of toll it takes emotionally to play at such a high level of ball, and not only play but to be the team leader. It is a tough job, and it is week in and week out, a lot goes into preparing for the 60 minutes of play on Sunday. The Packers have a great schedule though, lots of MNF appearances, which would be great!

So, I don't know what I want. I want to see Favre do what is best for his family. He spends a lot of time away from family during the season, and his first priority should be them. He has given so much to football already. Yet, watching him play reminds me why I love football. It is F-U-N! As a fan I would love to have another Favre season, so I'd be a happy camper if he returned.

Yet, if he does come back, the retirement controversy will begin again in 2009. And really the only thing he can do to go out on top is to win the Super Bowl and that is NOT an easy task, even for such a talented team. If he comes back, I want to see the Packers win it all. Because if they don't, he will be trashed, and he is so good that he doesn't deserve that treatment. A QB is the leader of the team, and takes on the responsibility, but he is not the only player. It is up to all the offensive, defensive and special teams players to produce a winning season.

So who knows what Favre is thinking, because he has admittedly called all this speculation "just rumors". The press is releasing everything with no comments from Favre or his wife. It must be weird to turn on the tv and find out that you are pondering a return to professional sports.

There is another question to ponder... just because Favre comes back, doesn't mean that the GM has to put him on as the starting QB. Favre could be released from his contract (he has 3 more yrs left on it) to play for another team! Which team would that be? I don't any of us really want to see Favre in anything but the Green and Gold. It would just be weird. He has been with the Pack for 16 seasons. To think of Favre playing his home games elsewhere is odd. But it could happen. I don't think it will though. The GM doesn't want to go down in the history books as the guy who let go of a legend.

Either way it goes Favre will always be on the NFL's great players and the Packers will always be my favorite team. I just want a decision to be made, and know that all the Packers association hopes for the same. Only time will tell!!!