State Of The Union Response

Over the last year The People in this nation have been standing up and speaking out to defend the Constitution and our freedoms in this nation. Now we have an opportunity to become proactive in setting up additional protections to limit government in the area of government controlled health care, and upholding fiscal responsibility.

In February of 2009, the Tea Party Patriots formed to speak out against the fiscal irresponsibility in government. That movement swept the nation as The People joined in speaking out and led to a march on Washington in September where over a million citizens from all over this nation participated.

The Tea Party Patriots have now proposed a State Of The Union Response which consists of the following two initiatives. Please read these initiatives and go to the Tea Party Patriots State Of The Union Response website to show your support by signing the pledge and please pray for our nation. Thank you!

These are the proposed initiatives

Fiscal Responsibility Amendment
The debt ceiling has increased from approximately $10.62 trillion to $12.33 trillion in the last year. Now Congress is considering raising the limit to $14.3 trillion!

Instead of increasing the debt ceiling, Senator Tom Coburn has the novel idea to cut spending and leave the debt ceiling alone. The government has gotten fat for years off the American taxpayer by creating more and more programs that do exactly the same thing. For example, there are more than 14 programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education related to foreign exchanges and designed to increase opportunities for students to study abroad.

This amendment to the currently proposed federal debt increase will put the federal government on a massive diet by reducing redundant programs, releasing unspent funds to pay down the debt, thereby saving the taxpayers billions of dollars each year. It will cut spending by $120 billion, consolidate 640 duplicative government programs, and prevents politicians from pursuing the fiscal obesity plaguing our nation.

Declaration of Health Care Independence
In order to retain the Blessings of Liberty as secured to us by our Founding Fathers and as expressed in our Constitution, We the People reject the imposition upon us of a new, Washington-controlled system of government-run health care. We demand Constitutional protection of the right to make our own health decisions and our own health care choices free of government denials, bureaucratic red-tape, and greater intergenerational debt. A Washington takeover of American health care will ___Deny fundamental personal and economic liberties and indisputably violate the Principle of Limited Government as established by the Constitution; ___Impose increased costs and taxes upon individuals, families, and businesses, as well as taxpayers at the federal, state, and local levels; ____Irreparably cripple the American economy, at the cost of jobs, businesses, productivity, and quality of life; ~Create an inescapable new tax by imposing individual and employer mandates; ____Institutionalize a massive, ever-expanding federal bureaucracy that is impersonal and impractical; ___Empower bureaucrats to interfere in the doctor-patient relationship, undermine the quality of care, limit choice, and increase the cost of health care.

We have appealed to the decency of the elected majority to respect the rights of all Americans, but their leaders have been deaf to the Voice of the People. We are appalled by their cavalier disregard of the Constitution and of the demands of the People. We are repulsed by their blatant political bribes and kickbacks.

We, therefore, the People and Representatives of the United States of America, do solemnly Publish and Declare that health care reform, as a matter of principle must ___Protect as inviolate the vital doctor-patient relationship; ___Reject any addition to the crushing national debt heaped upon all Americans; ___Improve, rather than diminish, the quality of care that Americans enjoy; ___Be negotiated publically, transparently, with genuine accountability and oversight, and be free from political favoritism; ___Treat private citizens at least as well as political officials; ___Protect taxpayers from compulsory funding of abortion; ___Reject all new mandates on patients, employers, individuals, or states; ___Prohibit expansion of taxpayer funded health care to those unlawfully present in the United States; ___Guarantee Equal Protection under the law and the Constitution; ___Empower, rather than limit, an open and accessible marketplace of health care choice and opportunity.




"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

El Roi - The God Who Sees

Yolanda at Joy Comes in the Morning is doing a study of God's Names from the book by Kay Arthur, Lord I Want to Know You. For some reason I have been calling this book "The Names of God" but that is not the title. I will go back to my previous posts and correct my error. This has been a wonderful study and I am learning so much more about God's character and drawing nearer to Him as I study His Names. Thank you Yolanda for doing this!

Since I also have the book by Ann Spangler, Praying the Names of God, I have decided to combine the two studies to glean more of God through my study of His Names. What I share here is only what I learn, it is not an in-depth lesson on His Name. I would so encourage you to do your own study and allow God to reveal Himself in ways that will speak intimately to you.

Hagar was Sarai's (Sarah) maidservant. Sarai had given Hagar to her husband Abram (Abraham) to conceive a child since she, Sarai, had not been able to conceive. By law the child would be considered Sarai's offspring. After Hagar was pregnant with child, the bible says she despised her mistress Sarai. The NLT says "she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt."

He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Genesis 16:4

Because of Hagar's behavior, Sarai began to mistreat her until Hagar couldn't take it any longer and she ran away. While she was sitting near a spring in the desert, God came to her, told her to go back and submit to her mistress, and He blessed her with a promise for her descendents. In response, she called Him El Roi.

Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” Genesis 16:13

This is the only time in the bible that the Name El Roi is used. I can just imagine Hagar sitting there wondering what in the world she was going to do now. She had blown it. Yes Sarai had mistreated her and that was wrong, but if she hadn't gotten out of line in the first place, she wouldn't be in this predicament. Now what? These are some of the thoughts I can imagine might be running through Hagar's mind.

Have you ever felt like that? Like you've blown it because of a wrong choice or behavior? I have. More times than I would care to admit. At those times I still fall prey to the thought that God might decide to look away or overlook me. I beat myself up for saying the wrong thing, offending another person, falling back into that sin that won't let go.

Whether it is an intentional act on our part or just carelessness that lands us in a bad spot, El Roi still sees us. He does not overlook anyone, ever, for any reason. He looks on us with love and mercy. He comes to us, picks us up, corrects us, forgives us, loves us, blesses us, and continues to use us.

He will not let your foot slip— He who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 121:3

How does El Roi, The God Who Sees, speak to your heart or impact your life?








"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Longings

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to shop for a child? Give a gift to a toddler and chances are good that they will be more interested in the box than the pricey toy. When that happens you may redirect the child's attention to the toy. This may require persistence on your part, and even removal of the box but eventually the child is focused on the toy. It becomes one of their favorite toys for a while, then they lose interest in it all together. That toy gets pushed aside while they make way for new toys that peak their interest for a little while until they become bored with those as well. Before you know it the child has a room full of toys that they never play with. Does that sound familiar to you?

In the eyes of that little toddler, the box brought more interest and joy than the pricey toy. The box is the thing that invites the imagination of the child to soar. In a sense, redirecting their focus to the toy is like teaching them to focus on material value rather than on the simple joy. Between a parent's, grandparent's, or other family members' desire to bring happiness to a child, and a retailers desire to sell more stuff, it is easy for a child to have too much.

He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet. Proverbs 27:7

We have all had to shop for someone who seems to already have everything they need or want, except for things that are not in our allotted budget for their gift. While the gift may be appreciated, it most likely won't bring that sense of enjoyment that the we would like it to. The same can be true of our children if they have all the latest and greatest toys and gadgets on the market we may be depriving them of the delight that comes with receiving something that has been longed for.

That is the way God works in our lives. He doesn't hand us everything we want but when it is His plan to give it, He often has us wait and allows us to long for it so that when He does give us that gift, our joy will be much greater than when we first asked for it. Whatever the longing is, whether necessity, ministry, companionship, or enjoyment, His perfect timing will bring the most joy to His child.

My soul, wait silently for God alone,For my expectation is from Him. Psalm 62:5

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11

Join me at Titus 2 in Action today...







"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

El Elyon - The Most High God

Joining with Yolanda at Joy Comes In The Morning we continue our study of the Names of God from the book by Kay Arthur, Lord I Want to Know You.

This week we studied the Name El Elyon which means The Most High God. Honestly just saying that makes my heart soar with worship and adoration. This is the Name that refers to God as Sovereign. He is in control 100% of the time. His Authority reigns over ALL things, ALL people, ALL creatures, and ALL forces. There is no one and nothing that can thwart God's plans. His plans will always prevail regardless of our choices, and regardless of Satan's attempts to prevent them. Even Satan has to get permission from God as shown in the book of Job. God not only has to grant permission, He is the one who sets the boundaries.

What does the Name El Elyon mean to me personally?

This is the God I had in mind when I was an agnostic and asked Him if He was real. I knew that if He was real then He could tell me in a way that I would know without doubt. I didn't realize it at the time, but He knew that I was appealing to El Elyon for that answer.

It is El Elyon that I look to when much Faith is needed in my circumstances or decisions. At these times I often say to myself "Either He is God (El Elyon) or He isn't." It is El Elyon that I place all of my trust in. It is El Elyon that I look to for what seems impossible. He is the MOST HIGH GOD and He alone is in control!

My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. Psalm 7:10

I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. Psalm 57:2

Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, Psalm 50:14

They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. Psalm 78:35

For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Psalm 97:9

Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, Daniel 3:26

It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. Daniel 4:2

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35

How does the Name El Elyon speak to you?










"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Elohim - The Creator

Yolanda at Joy Comes in the Morning is facilitating a study on the Names of God from the book Lord I Want to Know You by Kay Arthur. We are in week two of the study and the Name we studied is Elohim which refers to God as Creator.

It was very interesting to find out that in Hebrew, the him part in Elohim is actually plural and points to the triune Godhead. Elohim is used in Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth.

On day five Kay discussed the purpose we were created for.

But now, this is what the LORD says— He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. ....... ... everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." Isaiah 43:1,7 (emphasis mine)

I love how Kay tied this in with the scripture in 1 Corinthians that says:

...the woman is the glory of man. 1 Corinthians 11:7

The word glory in the Hebrew language means "to give the correct opinion or estimate of." A woman is to honor her husband in such a way that it gives a correct opinion or estimate of Him as a man. So if we are created for God's glory, then our purpose is to live in such a way that it gives all of creation a correct opinion or estimate of God.

What does this Name, Elohim, mean to me personally?

For me, when I think of God as The Creator, I see a glimpse of how we were created "In His Image". Elohim has placed some amount of creativity inside all of us. We generally think of creativity as some artistic ability but that isn't the only form of creativity. Many people who aren't artistic are very creative thinkers. Elohim is both artistic and a creative thinker and it is abundantly visible in His work. I find it wonderful and amazing that He would take such an incredible piece of Himself and place it into the hearts of men.

I also think about the fact that everything Elohim created is unique, even things that appear to be identical have some attribute that sets them apart from each other. Think about how incredible that really is. Everything that Elohim has created is a "first". Everything is a custom creation of His. You are custom made. That says so much about how much He values all of creation including every person, past, present, and future.


So how does Elohim - The Creator speak to you?







"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Project 365 - January 10, 2010

Week 2 of Project 365 hosted by Sara. Would love to see your pictures too.

Sunday - I have three pictures for today. There just wasn't enough room to get them all in the same picture. Creative moments here. The two little ones are decorating new church bags and Word Girl is creating a picture on canvas paper.

Monday -This is the look I get when I try to sit down on the couch while Tobi is there.

Tuesday - Re-insulated the water heater. Have I mentioned how much I dislike jobs like this?

Wednesday - Took Word Girl to the orthodontist.

Thursday - New faucet covers. I had never heard of these when I lived in California.

Friday - Picked up Word Girl from school for another orthodontist appt.

Thanks for visiting!

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

The Way

Remember when you were a child people started asking you what you wanted to be when you grew up? This of course was to refer to what job or career path you would like to take. A child may or may not have any thoughts or ideas about these things, but God was thinking about it long before they were ever born.

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

Since God has already thought about the plans He has for our kids, then we should also be thinking and praying about it. The bible even tells us to train them for it.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

The Hebrew word used for "way" in this scripture, is derek. Vines Bible Dictionary defines it like this. Path, road, highway, manner, conduct, condition, destiny, undertaking. This word connotes how and what one does, a manner, custom, behavior, mode of life. Derek is applied to an activity that controls one, one's life-style. It can signify the overall course and fixed path of one's life, or his "destiny".

So how do we begin training them for what God will call them to when we don't know what that call is? In addition to teaching them to love the Lord with all their heart, we need to study them to learn how God is equipping them. We should seek to discover the things they love the most, the things they are naturally good at, and the things they are naturally drawn to. These will be used in the skills and talents that God is developing in them to equip them for His plans.

Ask your kids questions about the things they love. Not vague "What do you like? and What's your favorite color?" questions but focused questions like "What do you like better x or y?" They will enjoy the focused attention and interest you have in them while you do this, and you will learn how God is shaping them. Keep a journal on them to document what you discover. Don't discount anything no matter how insignificant it might seem to you at the moment. Everything has a purpose.

For example, my middle grand-daughter has always been drawn to tiny things. I began noticing this when she was about three years old.

• Once as we were walking to the car, she stopped in her tracks and squatted down to intently watch an ant that was walking across her path on the sidewalk.
• On another occasion, she found a very small bead on the floor. She picked it up and exclaimed with delight, "Look! A little ball! There's a little hole in it." Then she studied it intently for several minutes. Knowing how inquisitive she she is, I could just imagine the questions she was wondering at that moment. "I wonder what that hole is for. I wonder if there's anything in that hole. I wonder what I can put inside that hole. I wonder how it got there."
• One day we played the "What do you like better?" game and one of the questions I asked her was "What do you like better, big or little?" Her answer - little. Next question - little or tiny. Her answer - tiny.

Since then I have discovered through her painting, drawing, and speech that she adds a lot of details. Her draw toward things tiny is the indicator of her attention to detail.

As you discover more about the way God is equipping your children, you can then begin to train them by providing the supplies that will encourage growth in those areas. Not to over do it. It's not necessary to go out and pay for expensive music lessons if your child shows an interest in an instrument. The next time you are purchasing a gift for that child, make it an age appropriate guitar or drum set. If they love painting, get them some basic artist supplies. My youngest grand-daughter loves things on wheels and technology, so for her birthday I got her a remote control truck. My oldest grand-daughter has a great love for animals so one year I got her a Zoo Vet computer game. These will be the tools that will help them to hone the skills God is developing in them.

As they begin to think about what they want to "be" when they grow up, you will be able to point out some of the skills and talents God has given them and encourage them to ask Him what He has in mind. When they reach an age where they are thinking more seriously about their career path, you will have trained them in the way they should go and can present them with a journal filled with information that could help them take the next step.

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Join me at Titus 2 in Action to find out...

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Project 365 - January 3, 2010

We're beginning a New Year with Project 365 hosted by Sara. Join us won't you?

I'm starting out by coming up three days short on pictures this week.

Monday - Word Girl spent most of the day sewing with the sewing machine she got for Christmas. This is a wall pocket that she made. Can you tell she's excited? I do believe she enjoys sewing. (This picture was actually taken on Tuesday but the sewing was done on Monday.)

Tuesday - In the picture it looks like it's raining but that is actually snow. You can see it accumulating a little on the grass. It was a bit slushy and didn't stick for long. Word Girl was only too happy to check my mail for me.

Wednesday - The girls spent the night and decorated little boxes. I wasn't feeling very well so the poor little things endured a grumpy grandma.

Thursday - My book arrived today. I'm joining Yolanda at Joy Comes In The Morning in a study on the Names of God. I've been wanting to do a study on the Names of God for a while now so I jumped on it when Yolanda mentioned that she was doing this. We are just about to start so there's still time to join us.

If you would like to join us in this study, the book is available at ChristianBooks.com. It was on sale when I posted this. My book arrived only 3 days after I ordered it even though I selected the least expensive shipping method. And if you use the search box below to order it, you will be helping me as well.

Search: Title Author/Artist ISBN CBD Stock # Keywords Publisher

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your week!

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou