Lollipop Piano Cover By David Sides

Maybe you know the original song, maybe you don't- but hearing it like this is just beautiful! ...just sayin.

Rescue Children - Compassion International

So many reasons to be thankful!

I am thankful for many things this year...

I'm thankful to the Lord for loving me, teaching me, and helping me through this life; for my children, family, friends, my brothers and sisters at Living Hope, and our new puppy. I'm thankful for His grace and His rod- I need them both. I'm thankful for the pain He allows to give me a deeper understanding of my need for Him each day and the comfort and joy that comes when I let go of my will and trust in Him for all the unknown and unanswered. He has sustained me and He is worthy of my praise this Thanksgiving day and every day.

Our new family member!

We've got a new family member! Her name is Jodi Jolene, "JoJo" for short. The boys are thrilled and so are we! She is a beautiful and very sweet Labrador. She is eight weeks old and already grown quite a bit! We bought her yesterday and surprised the boys after school. Here are some picks we took of her this morning. Pardon our "bed head" hair and squinting eyes, as we literally just woke up and took pictures. Isn't she a pretty girl! Seriously- this puppy is precious! Welcome to the family JoJo! (Aidan is already saying her name!) Yay God! :)

2nd post on Milgram Experiment (video)

1st post on Milgram Experiment (Derren Brown)

The Milgram experiment was a series of social psychology experiments conducted by Yale University psychologist Stanley Milgram which measured the willingness of study participants to obey an authority figure who instructed them to perform acts that conflicted with their personal conscience. Milgram first described his research in 1963 in an article published in the Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, and later discussed his findings in greater depth in his 1974 book, Obedience to Authority: An Experimental View.

The experiments began in July 1961, three months after the start of the trial of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem. Milgram devised the experiments to answer this question: "Could it be that Eichmann and his million accomplices in the Holocaust were just following orders? Could we call them all accomplices?"

Milgram summarized the experiment in his 1974 article, "The Perils of Obedience", writing:
"The legal and philosophic aspects of obedience are of enormous importance, but they say very little about how most people behave in concrete situations. I set up a simple experiment at Yale University to test how much pain an ordinary citizen would inflict on another person simply because he was ordered to by an experimental scientist. Stark authority was pitted against the subjects' participants' strongest moral imperatives against hurting others, and, with the subjects' participants' ears ringing with the screams of the victims, authority won more often than not. The extreme willingness of adults to go to almost any lengths on the command of an authority constitutes the chief finding of the study and the fact most urgently demanding explanation.
Ordinary people, simply doing their jobs, and without any particular hostility on their part, can become agents in a terrible destructive process. Moreover, even when the destructive effects of their work become patently clear, and they are asked to carry out actions incompatible with fundamental standards of morality, relatively few people have the resources needed to resist authority."

Above is a replica experiment done by Darren Brown in the UK. The results are strikingly similar to the results of the 1961 experiment by Milgram. This begs me to ask myself the question, "How far would I go in obeying authority despite my inner convictions?" For believers in Christ - our submission to earthly authority must be weighed and obeyed only to the extent that it affords our primary obedience to Christ, in my opinion... but this is not always a clear cut knowledge, and there are gray areas in most issues... this is when obeying the still small voice of the Holy Spirit in us is of dire importance. See video above...

Turn with Me

O soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Saviour,
And life more abundant and free.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conquerors we are!

His word shall not fail you He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well.
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

I will turn my eyes upon Jesus,
I'll look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

This was (and still is) one of my favorite songs.
Some times I have to remind my self that I'm not alone in my labor and responsibilities, decisions and obstacles, nor am I alone in my loneliness- because Jesus is alive and here and is the friend that sticks closer than a brother. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us- a promise for all who belong to the Lord! I believe that fixing our eyes on Jesus is the only way to handle anything we face, no matter what we face. I'm facing a lot of decisions regarding everything from my children's education plan, to work related issues, to my day to day mission for Christ- trying to seek out what my part is and find opportunities to serve as His friend. I must be honest and say that I don't know all the right answers to these issues in my life but I do believe that Jesus is more concerned with my focus being on Him rather than my abilities (or lack thereof) to properly handle the weights of x, y, and z. So today I am carrying this song in my heart as a prayer to the Lord, that my spirit would acknowledge the power that is in Christ- and that I would have a deeper understanding of Him as I focus on Him. Without Him, there is nothing- No way, no truth, no life, because He IS the way, the truth , the life.

*Good News Reminder!* We don't have to have it all figured out or do it all perfectly! Let's face it- we don't. :) Just obey one step He gives you at a time, and don't let anyone drag you by the hair through their theology or try to steal your joy... look full in the face of Love and know you are loved, know you are capable of anything through Christ (phil 4:13) who's joy is your strength. ... The same Christ who says you can do all things will surely lead you into all the things He wants you to do!

YAY Elizabeth Elliot!

Here are some of my favorite quotes from Elizabeth Elliot, (an author I admire):

"God is God. Because He is God, He is worthy of my trust and obedience. I will find rest nowhere but in His holy will, a will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what He is up to." -Elizabeth Elliot

"If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hands but would be safer in mine!"
- Elizabeth Elliot

"Until the will and the affections are brought under the authority of Christ, we have not begun to understand, let alone to accept, His Lordship."
- Elizabeth Elliot

"Holiness has never been the driving force of the majority. It is however, mandatory for anyone who wants to enter the Kingdom."- Elizabeth Elliot

The List...

I know I'm going to think of more things later... but for now, here's some things I'd like to do that I've never done:

1. Go to a football game!- An actual league playing league in uniform!!! Never been. My school didn't offer football. (At this point I'm holding out on purpose for a special occasion.)
2. Take my kids on a vacation.
3. Do pottery (A desire I've had since the movie, "Ghost")
4. Go to Europe (...we're dreaming now)
5. Go on a sail boat (I've been in a boat- but not a sail boat- those things look amazing!)
6. Go with a group of family and/or friends to spend a Christmas on Skid Row.
7. Go on a dangerous "smuggle bibles" mission trip.
8. Have a candle light dinner on the roof of a building with a beautiful view. (from my romantic side)
9. Go deep sea fishing and catch something big!
10. Go on a road trip with good friends and good music.
11. Go to Jerusalem.
12. Help build something- like a house or church for a people group in need ( I actually have gotten to do this before- but really want to do it again- it's fun!)

* Quick story- one of my favorite memories... mission trip to Guatemala orphanage. The directors of the children's home asked if our team would help the kids paint murals in each room of the school house and dorms, build concrete stairs for the entrance, and use machetes to clear all the bush around the back for a soccer field. It took all week and we worked side by side with their local church- one of the best weeks ever!

So, what's YOUR list??? Think about it- write it down even- it's fun! ;-)

Anniversary of Martin Luther

Found this on John Piper's blog... thought I'd pass it along... and I added a few comments of my own below in red.

It was a backwater German town called Eisleben on November 10, 1483—today marks 525 years. There Martin Luther had his inauspicious beginning. He was born a poor boy, son of a coal miner. And by a strange providence, Luther died in the same town 62 years later on February 18, 1546, even though he spent barely any of his life there. In the intervening 6 decades, the world changed—and Luther, under God, was the chief catalyst. The pope excommunicated Luther in January of 1521, making him a marked man. For the last 25 years of his life, he lived with the awareness that each day could be his last. He often expressed surprise that he was still alive. To the left is a 1526 painting by Lucas Cranach, which may be the most authentic portrait we have of Luther. And, so that you can join us in celebrating Luther's 525th, below is a timeline of his life, highlighting some of the most significant events of his 62 years.

Thank God for Luther—simultaneously righteous and sinful.

Timeline of Luther's Life 1483, November 10 - Born to Hans and Margaretta Luther in Eisleben 1484, Summer - Luther family moves to Mansfeld
1501, May - Enters university at Erfurt (age 17)
1502, September 29 - Receives Bachelor of Arts (age 18) (received a degree in a yr.- nice!)
1505, January 7 - Receives Master of Arts (age 21)
1505, July 2 - Vows to become a monk (something I could never do)
1505, July 17 - Enters the monastery in Erfurt
1507, May 2 - Celebrates his first mass as a priest (age 23)
1510, November - Journeys to Rome and is disturbed by its corruption (age 26) (cool- a righteous rebel in the making always starts with being disturbed at how things are.)
1511, April - Transferred to Wittenberg to teach at the university
1512, October 19 - Receives his Doctor of Theology (age 28)
1517, October 31 - Posts his 95 theses (age 33)
1518, April 26 - Defends his theology at Heidelberg
1519, July - Debates prominent theologian John Eck at Leipzig
1520 - Publishes Address to German Nobility, Babylonian Captivity, and Freedom of the Christian; breach with Rome now irreparable
1521, January - Excommunicated by the pope (age 37) (ouch!)
1521, April 18 - Gives "Here I stand" response to the emperor at the Diet of Worms
1521, May - Kidnapped and hidden at Wartburg to preserve his life; begins translating the New Testament into German
1522, March - Returns to Wittenberg to lead the Reformation
1522, September - Publishes his German New Testament
1524, November 30 - Writes that he has no intention to marry (...right.)
1525, June 13 - Marries escaped nun Katherine von Bora (age 41) (haah! -love it!)
1525, December - Responds to Erasmus' Freedom of the Will with The Bondage of the Will (which J. I. Packer calls "the greatest piece to come from Luther's pen")
1527, Summer - Composes "A Mighty Fortress" during a season of sickness and deep depression
1529, October - Meets Zwingli at Marburg and is unable to come to agreement on the Lord's Supper
1534 - Publishes the complete German Bible (age 50) (sweet deal for Germans)
1546, February 18 - Dies while traveling in Eisleben (age 62)

What a life!

Overwhelmed by goodness.

I was in church this morning- something I look forward to weekly and after yet another amazing message from the Lord through Gib, we took communion and sang to God. I was touched so deeply because I was reminded by the Holy Spirit how far God has brought me out of the depths of darkness. I had to leave my chair and go to the very back and just kneel down on the ground and say a prayer of thankfulness. I was so overwhelmed and felt God's presence so strongly that all I could do was kneel in amazement and say thank you. Jesus is so good! I remember quite well what it was like to be far from Him and the despair I felt living life on my own. Just being with a group of people who understand this and have lived it too- being with people who realize the value of the cross, and being able to worship God together and give Him the glory for this- it floors me. My heart is heavy still, but not from sadness, instead it is heavy from the weight of love and joy and peace- all His graces- and just a thankfulness to God for saving a wretch like me. ... And a wretch like you! ;-)

Christmas Lights!

I know it is still early in the game to be thinking about this... but I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas Lights and every year I look forward to seeing lights all over the city. It's so beautiful to me- just makes me happy and giddy inside. I hope to put lights up when I have a home of my own. I really like having lights up inside too, and turning the lamps off- it changes the atmosphere of a room in an instant! So I encourage all to put up a few Christmas lights- or a lot, if you wish.
Also- instead of giving each other store bought gifts this year, maybe consider to give donations towards a cause or organization (like buying Christmas dinners for the homeless, sponsoring a child, etc...) in that person's honor. And if family members ask you what you'd like for Christmas- maybe consider asking for them to give towards a cause of your choice! I'm excited just thinking about it. Man I love Christmas

and all the joys of being with friends and family, and yes- strangers too! Thanksgiving is also great! :-)

How to Love... for Dummies

Anybody else read the "How to...(fill in the blank)... for Dummies" books? I kind of think that 1 Corinthians 13 is the "How to love" for dummies. I have a major in dumbness when it comes to the infinite knowledge of God and still a dummy when compared to theologians, pastors, and teachers of God's word... but somehow this chapter gives the impression that even a dummy such as myself can learn, and practice, and BE, LOVING. This is my deepest hearts desire - to live my life loving. I might fail at this sometimes, but I keep striving for it and looking into it deeper, so I don't turn away or forget what Jesus did for us.

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

This is such a great chapter... I LOVE it! ;-) I love it because it simply shows the way we are to live... And if you know me, you know how much I need and appreciate directions! This passage, to me, is the "HOW" of all hows. My personal favorite line from above is, "Love never fails." And then that last line, "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is Love." I'm inspired in reading the contrast of things that "will pass" and the things that will remain; noting that the things that will pass are not bad things- just not eternal things. Since my goal (as well as yours I'm sure) is to live a life that seeks the good of others for their entire existence/eternity- the words here give a clear perspective of what matters and how we live in a way that matters.