All That Is Possible

--> -->

All that is Possible
I try to eat the healthy food I need, and do the things I should. I don't use drugs or drink in excess. Yet life is too short, my friend! I, for one, hate missing out on something good or trying something new.

I've never been this old before and I’ll never be this age again. So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I’ve ignored or taken for granted:

~I haven't smelled all the flowers yet~

~There are too many books I haven't read~

~And kites to be flown overhead~

~I haven't cried at all the movies yet~

~Or walked in the morning rain~

~I want to fall in love again~

~There are vistas not yet seen; places I’ve never been~

~I need to feel wind in my hair~

~There are hot fudge cakes and banana splits to wolf down~

~I want unlimited long distance calls to the people I love the most~

~I have not laughed at all the jokes~

~Or tickled my daughter enough~

~I haven’t hugged my children too much~

~I want to wade again in water and feel the ocean spray on my face~

~I've missed a lot of Broadway hits~

~I want to sit in a country church once and thank God for His blessings and His grace~

Pardon me if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner. If perchance I should die before night fall, I can say I filled my heart's desire because I had that final chocolate hot fudge cake before I shed my mortal coil.

~~Live well, Love much, Laugh often, Be happy!~~
~~Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige...

    but on relationships with people we love and respect, and who love and respect us in

    return~~

And ALWAYS remember that while money talks…..CHOCOLATE SINGS!

~Starla~

It's That Time of Year Again

Christmastime.

I keep asking myself when did the month of December get to be so busy.....and so stressful?  I keep thinking if there are some things I can stop doing to make it less so, but when I begin doing that, I feel guilty.  After all, this is supposed to be a time of giving and charity (love) to our fellow-man.  Right?  So much of that requires time, on my part.  Then there are obligations and some times I don't know if I'm coming, going, or just in some kind of alternate reality.  By the end of what I've come to call "Nutcracker Week" I'll be nearly comatose.  Factor in school activities/parties/and the drama class production of A Christmas Carol, and well, let's just say that it's no wonder I have a hard time keeping myself focused on Who the Reason for the Season is all about.  I do try!  Honestly.  Mostly through things that aren't what I label "busy work" like all the church stuff.  I get more joy from all of the non-church volunteer projects I've been involved in.  Sad.  But true.  I really don't think I "fit in" with the churchianity mentality, but I'm ok with that.

It's a sad fact.  It's bad enough when it's just the Nutcracker, but this year it's even more stressful due to too many things happening the same week.  My church has scheduled a Christmas concert on Thursday night, caroling on Friday night,  a youth Christmas breakfast on Sunday morning, a Christmas Cantata on Sunday night, a youth group Scavenger hunt on Monday morning, and the Pastor's Open House on Thursday night.  I think that's all.  I can't do it.  

When did "service" to Jesus become "activities?" In my opinion we'd do much more in Jesus' name if our church went to serve at the homeless shelter food kitchen.  Bleh!  I don't even like thinking like this, even though I truly believe that the church has left it's first love.  Our first love should be Christ, and Christ's first love was people....the poor, rejected, outcasts of the world.  He ran with the party crowd:  the whores, tax cheats, blue-collar redneck types, the diseased (lepers), those who were physically handicapped or blind, and the demon possessed...and if we have the love of Christ we should be ministering in a real hands-on way, to people.  I just don't think that singing in a cantata or being in a scavenger hunt is of the same merit as actually serving the kind of needy people Jesus ministered to.  Jesus always met their physical needs before meeting their spiritual needs. Satan has effectively quarantined the church; totally removed it from the society to which it's supposed to be the shining City on a Hill.  Sadly, we've bought it, hook, line, and sinker.  I can count on one hand (and still have fingers left over) the churches that I know who personally minister to the kind of people that society looks down on. Where do we get off with the idea that just because we "give money" or support to an organization, that THAT lets us off the hook to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the dregs of society?  Show me, please.

I don't really know how the Enemy has succeeded.  Perhaps what Bro. Rick says is right....we've had it too good for too long.  I recently read that people are drawn to dead churches because it makes them feel better about their own dysfunction.  Since when do we want to feel better about our dysfunction?  What I see is that there's a generation who doesn't understand the power of being addicted to a legitimate substance (Hebrews 11:1) and we waste our time burning for illegitimate things. Jesus was, IS, and forever will be, the most magnetic force humanity has ever experienced.  Has anyone else ever walked up to random strangers and said, "Come.  Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.", and perfectly sane men dropped their fishing nets and followed a man that they did not know?  Religiously cleansed Levitical priests didn't see who He was, but lepers did; the Sanhedrin didn't follow Jesus, but whores did. The Pharisees couldn't see who Jesus was, but blind men did....men who couldn't see anything knew that what they needed was passing them by as Jesus walked away.  And they followed Him.  How do blind men follow anything? Or anyone?  Yet they did. Right into a house of someone they didn't know.  Talk about crossing the societal standards on etiquette and propriety.  They were so desperate to be in His presence that they crossed the threshold of impropriety and societal mores.  Religion creates "lines" = what is acceptable and unacceptable.  Society doesn't mind if you're a Christian so long as you stay "inside" the lines.  That's the whole thing behind the bias against Tim Tebow.  He doesn't stay inside the "religious lines."  He crosses their lines each and every time he kneels to pray on the sidelines of a football field.  If he were practicing any other religion the bias and mockery would not be tolerated, nor accepted.  The difference is that Tebow's faith is in Jesus.  People who have encounters with religion will NEVER understand people who have had an encounter with Jesus.  Jesus.  He still intimidates and crosses the lines some 2000+ years later.  The moment our Christianity becomes confrontational, it in actuality becomes Christianity.  When our faith ceases to be confrontational we can take Christ out of the equation and it just becomes religion then.  How can you have a non-confrontational Christianity?  The essence of the entire concept is Christ:  the most controversial person in the history of the world.

I can only speak for myself, but I want more.  More Jesus.  I want to see Him work, not only IN me, but THRU me.   It's weird, but sometimes it's like I'm a Jesus junkie and I can't wait for the next high.  The more Jesus I get, the more I want.  I can't explain it, and I have to admit that I wish this was something I felt every day; it isn't.  Some days it's a plateau; others, a valley.  Yet, I know God has put me on this planet to engage in a game of Divine Tag! If what happened to me, happens to you, you'll get crazy too!  Tag!  You're IT!

L8R Dayz,

Starr

The Call on 11-11-11

On 11-11-11 in Detroit, Michigan, Lou Engle and The Call are hosting a 24 hour prayer vigil for Detroit, Michigan, and our country.  The prayer service begins at 6:00 p.m. and will continue until 6:00 p.m. tomorrow evening.  Having heard Lou Engle (via The Ramp) I know him to be outspoken in his stance against the Islamicization of America, unlike Pastors Rick Warren and Robert Schuller who have begun preaching a heretical form of the gospel of Christ known as Chrislam, a mixing of the Bible and the Koran.  So, it is not surprising to me that Council for Islamic Relations (CAIR) would be protesting this event.  This blog is in response to an article (link provided below) that I read and that I disagree with.  First is that the article implies that the Christians are going to become violent and target the mosques. I say “implied” because it says that the Muslim community is beefing up the security around their Mosques as if they are expecting something to happen. Muslims seem to forget that we are not the religion responsible for BEHEADING people who do not convert to Christianity. ‘Nuff said.

I support Lou Engle! It amazes me that so many Christians today don’t (or won’t) support any gathering such as this because it’s “confrontational” and may offend Muslims. Really? How can you claim to be a Christian then? How can you have a non-confrontational Christianity when the essence of the concept IS Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ IS absolutely the most controversial figure who has lived in the history of the world! If your brand of Christianity isn’t confrontational then it has ceased to be Christianity. If we’re going to preach a gospel that is less than radical then we need to eliminate the name of Christ entirely from our religious-speak. Christ was, and is, undoubtedly the most radical person humanity has ever experienced. The Pharisees couldn’t see who Jesus was, but blind men could; the Levitical priests didn’t follow Jesus, but fishermen and whores did. Jesus took 12 men and turned the known world upside-down and has been doing so for 2000+ years. The problem today is that we have taken the radical message of Jesus and quarantined it out of our society and confined it to within “the church building.” Where the NT church is to be a revolving door, equipping people to “live” out the message of Jesus and build His Kingdom within our communities, we have instead built great and glorious mega-churches (mini-Kingdoms) of our own and sacrificed our salt- and light-worthiness in the society in which we live.  Just my opinion.

This article also misrepresents (or at least takes out of context) Engle’s position on Christians “taking over government” or whatever in society. It all goes back to the word “Ecclesia” or “Ekklesia” and the responsibilities of that “solemn assembly” governing body. As most people know, the “ecclesia” is the translated word “church” (meaning the ‘called out ones’) in the Bible. What most people don’t know is that Ecclesia was also a principal governmental assembly in Athens, Greece; responsible for declaring war, military strategy, electing military generals and magistrates. Ecclesia or Ekklesia: meaning the “Called out of” is used 115 times in the NT and translated “church” in all but 3 verses. The practice of ecclesia had been in use 500 years by the time of Christ and had specific, well-acknowledged connotations. Peter understood ecclesia.

“Called out” ones to be the heavenly council above city council; rules over kings and govts that are renegade…governing body….word ecclesia changed to “church” and Joel 2:15 “a solemn assembly” uses the same word “ecclesia” in Gk Septuagint.

Ecclesia declares war on renegade elements of the society in which it assembles:
Ps110:1-2
2 Cor. 10:4
Eph 6:12

so it’s not like a “takeover” in the context in which this article implies, but spiritual warfare against the ungodly or Satanic elements in the society in which we live.

Til Next Time,

Starr

This blog is in response to the article listed here:  Muslims protest the 11-11-11 Prayer Event

Dictator of the Month Club

With the beginning of the Arab Spring earlier this year, it almost seems as if America has become a leading participant in the Dictator Of The Month club.  The recent assassination of Osama bin Laden by Seal Team 6,  and the demise of Anwar al-Awlaki by Predator Drone,  seem to support my premise.  I find it ironic that President Obama ran on a platform of ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet in the time since the beginning of the Arab Spring he has sent troops into Libya and, as of this past week, Uganda.  What are we becoming???  The NATO thugs?  When the President sent troops into Libya, he totally bypassed Congress in the process.  As a result of our presence there the latest Dictator to meet his untimely death is Libya's Muammar Qaddafi.  According to one report, his entourage was fired upon by Predator Drone, whereupon he exited his vehicle and ran to a drainage underpass.  He was shot in both legs.  Al Jazeera released video showing Qaddafi just minutes before he was shot in the head.  The video and pictures are graphic.  Below is just one such example.  WARNING:  Graphic!

It still puzzles me that pictures of bin Laden were not released.  I think I would have felt major validation and justification in viewing those pictures....much the same as I did when Saddam Hussein was hanged.  Qaddafi always reminded me of Scar from the Disney movie, The Lion King.  I'm not sure why, but maybe the EVIL persona had something to do with it.  While I feel little remorse on the death of this evil man, my concern is that someone of an even more vile nature will rise up to take his place.  Isn't that the usual way of things?  Egypt's Hosni Mubarak was ousted and he sought asylum elsewhere.  Probably a good thing he left the country or he would have met a similar fate to that of Qaddafi.  

The political game of foreign policy is skewered at best.  I mean, we spent millions of American taxpayer dollars to support these regimes back in the 70's, 80's, and 90's.  We provided them with our technology, military equipment, etc., and for what?  Just so we could kill them a few decades later, leaving the entire Middle East in upheaval and unrest, a plum ripe for the picking to the next, worst evil dictator to come along!  I can honestly say, "What's wrong with this picture?"

I  truly believe God is in control of all things; He is the master planner.  There is nothing that happens that surprises Him.  He isn't sitting in heaven, wringing his hands, with a worried brow.  It seems that all of this unrest in the Middle East, the resurgence of anti-Israel sentiment and anti-Semitic attitudes prevalent all over the world are leading up to the end time events described in Daniel, Ezekiel, and the book of Revelation.  I am not a prophet; have never claimed to be, but I can read.  Interestingly enough, is that lately I've been reading the Qur'an.  I have such a clear and concise concept of how those events are going to unfold.  My spiritual eyes have been opened.  Not that they were closed, but even with reading and understanding something is far different than in seeing or conceptualizing how those events come to pass.

Fact:  the three major mono-theistic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all have their foundation in the person of Abraham and his sons Isaac and Ishmael.   Judaism and Christianity from Isaac; Islam from Ishmael and the sons of Keturah.  The center for all three religions is Jerusalem.  God promised to make both Isaac and Ishmael great nations.  But only Isaac was the son of promise, the line of the Messiah.  Ishmael was banished, along with his mother Hagar, and eventually married an Egyptian woman.  All of the ancient peoples of Edom, Moab, and Ammon are descendents of Ishmael. Abraham had other sons by his concubine Keturah. It is from her that the Arabs are descended. We know them today as Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Persia.  Isaac was the father of Esau and Jacob.  Jacob later became known as Israel and this is the line of modern day Israel.   In reading the end time events and those leading up to Daniel's 70th week, we are introduced to people who will play a major role as those prophetic events unfold.  Do I know who they are?  No.  Do I know the exact time when they will happen?  No.  Nut job Harold Camping has predicted the end of the world....again.  This time it's for tomorrow, October 21, 2011.  His previous prediction was in May of this year.  Yet, Mr. Camping will be proven a false prophet again, tomorrow.  The Bible is clear, without room for conjecture.  No one knows the day nor the hour; it will come as a thief in the night.  

That isn't to say that we can't be aware of events taking place at a rapid pace.  We can see those quite literally with our own two eyes.  All we have to do is turn on Fox News or CNN and run the current events through our prophetic scriptural eyes and we can SEE it happening right in front of us!  Prior to reading the Qur'an, I always wondered how such events would unfold.  How would so many people be deceived and believe a lie?  How would so many come to accept the Mark of the Beast in their foreheads and/or hands?  How would the nations of the world NOT recognize Christ as the Messiah when he returns?  All of those questions are answered in the Qur'an.  I know, weird!  Right?  The Qur'an is like a photographic negative to the Bible....similar but diametrically opposed.  The Qur'an speaks of the Madhi and recognizes him as their savior.  I find it astounding that this Madhi guy has many of the same characteristics as that of the Antichrist as depicted in the book of Revelation.  The Madhi comes in a time of worldwide chaos, and establishes a false peace with Israel; he causes people to receive a mark in their heads or hands to show that they are the *true* believers, and he beheads those who do not convert; he leads the armies of the world against the One who returns on a white horse and makes war with the One whom he calls the "false Jesus" when in reality, that One on the white horse is the TRUE Jesus! The religion of Islam is setting Muslims up to be the agents of the end time events and they will believe they are doing God's (or Allah's) will.  It's mind boggling when you begin comparing the two.  We now have the movement of Chrislam overtaking evangelical churches in America.  America will not be exempt from the judgment on the nations.  Chrislam is the tool that will facilitate the one world religion and be instrumental in the emergence of the Antichrist on the secular, political, and ecumenical scenes.  When you have Pastors such as Rick Warren and Robert Schuller embracing this false theology and then propagating it to their mega-congregations, you have to KNOW that this isn't going to end well for the sheep in their flock.  They are great examples of what Jesus called a "wolf in sheeps clothing."

In closing, of the three monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, only one recognized Jesus as the Messiah.  Only One claimed to be the Son of God and gave His life to prove He was who He said He was.  Only One claimed to be The Way, The Truth, and The Life.  There is no Plan B.  Jesus was either who He said He was, or He was the biggest fraud in the History of Mankind.  He either suffered and died as an atonement for us, the propitiation of our sin, or He suffered the most horrendous, horrific death imaginable as a Poser!  If you can believe Homer wrote the Odyssey, or that Plato wrote The Republic, why is it so hard to believe the account of Jesus, as told by eyewitnesses and first-hand accounts?  Primary sources we call them today.   These Primary Sources were holed up in the upper room following the crucifixion.  These scaredy-cats were afraid they were going to be next on the crucifix agenda!  Yet something happened within that first 72 hours that changed these cowards into Bold men of God who turned the known world upside down! Not only that, they too, died a martyrs death!  Why?  What happened to change them so?  They saw Someone, walked with Him, ate with Him, touched Him for 40 days!  Then went and told others what they had Seen and Heard!  So much so that the religious leaders of their day sought to kill them!   When Stephen is stoned, a man by the name of Saul stood and watched.  His mission to kill as many Christ-followers as possible!  Until he met Someone on the road, that is!  After meeting Jesus, Saul became Paul...a NEW creation in Christ.  God is a Seeker.  He sought Adam in the Garden; he left the 99 to seek the lost sheep; He sought Paul on the road to Damascus.  God loves for us to emulate Him and seek Him.  Real seeking always produces Real Finding!  If you aren't finding then it's time to re-evaluate your seeking.  He draws near to those who draw near to Him and He will always be found by those who Seek Him.  Don't delay.

Pondering,

Starr

Scarlett O'Hara on Occupy Wall Street

The Communist Party endorses OWS. The Nazi Party endorses OWS. Now, President Obama endorses OWS.

"Show me your friends and I'll show you your future." ~Bill Cosby

As history has shown, this never ends well for people. Consider these facts:

"That secularism is more dangerous to a society than any specific religious faith is statistically verifiable. For example, even though tens of millions of lives have been lost at the hands of numerous religious faiths over the past two thousand years (and most of those have indisputably been lost at the hand of Islam), the number of lives lost at the hands of secular governments in just the twentieth century alone is many times greater. For example, there were the 62 million killed by Soviet Communists; the 35 million by Chinese Communists; the 1.7 million by the Vietnamese Communists; the 1.6 million in the Polish Ethnic Cleansing; the 1 million in Yugoslavia; the 1.7 million in North Korea, etc.

Furthermore, the number of deaths perpetrated by individual secular leaders is enormous. For example, Joseph Stalin was responsible for the murder of 42.7 million; Mao Tse-tung, 37.8 million; Hitler, 20.9 million; Vladimir Lenin, 4 million; Pol Pot of the Khmer Rouge, 2.4 million; Yahya Khan, 1.5 million; and numerous others could be listed. Significantly, secularism killed more in one century than did all religions combined in the previous twenty."  ~Courtesy of David Barton, Wall Builders

In light of the above horrifying statistics, these 20-somethings that Stalin would have labeled "Useful Idiots" (google it!) will be eaten alive!  These are the kids who have had everything they've ever wanted handed to them on the proverbial silver platter or were born with the proverbial golden spoon in their mouths.  They are protesting their student loans to Ivy League colleges that cost more than what my humble abode is worth!  Where is the justification in that?  If anything, they should be protesting outside those hallowed halls of liberal learning instead of the banks who gave them the student loans in the first place!  After all, the banks didn't MAKE them take out those loans...it was their own personal choice.  Education is not a RIGHT, it is a privilege.

They keep trying to compare the OWS protests to Tahirir Square in Egypt.  There is no such comparison.  These kids have never lived under the oppressive rule of a dictator.....yet!  They have never missed a meal, whereas the Egyptian people were starving!  There was no food in Egypt!  They couldn't run out to the local convenience store on the corner to buy a loaf of bread or gallon of milk.  What do these kids think is going to happen if/when the system collapses?  What will they do when they can't get to their ATM's?  Let's not forget that these are the same kids who grew up with Participation Trophies and the 10-run rule in Little League baseball.  So maybe they're all about getting a Participation Trophy now?  I don't know about that, but some are getting 20 pts extra credit from their institutions of higher learning for attending an OWS protest.  When life is lived in the herd mentality, exceptionalism and ingenuity die a slow and painful death.  

When socialist, communist principles become the law of the land, the quality of life and standard of living is always lower for the people as a general rule.  In this homogenous, pasteurized world no one in school will make A's, B's, D's, or F's.  The A's give their extra points to the F's and the B's to the D's and the result is a bunch of mediocre C's!  These people are going to open their eyes to a rude awakening!  In all of the interviews I've seen of the OWS, one of the most ironic is the one where the reporter is asking all these people to tell why they are protesting.  One hippy chick says we should go back to the hunter/gatherer lifestyle.  Really?  These kids will starve!  The reporter then asks, "oh, is that an iPhone you're using?"  Funny, huh?  Yeah, these people have the same love affair that I have with my iPhone and iPod (the new iPhone 4S sales hit 4 million in 3 days of it's release) yet they are protesting the Capitalist system that made that technology and ingenuity possible.  Unbelievable! 

What these people don't seem to realize is that if/when our system collapses, it's going to be THOSE people who are eliminated first.  I have always said, somewhat tongue in cheek, that I am "American by birth, Southern by the Grace of God!"  In light of recent events, I affirm that statement with every breath I take and every bone in my body!  For the same reasons that the South lost the War Between The States, the South will be one of the few places where we know how to survive what is seemingly looming on the horizon.  We've already lived thru Reconstruction.  Scarlett O'Hara taught us that in the Deep South, women learn at a young age that when the world is falling apart around you, it's time to tear down the drapes and make a new dress!  Our agrarian culture will be to our benefit.  We still grow our food, our Mama's taught us canning and how to dehydrate for food storage. We can sew, crochet, and knit. Our men still hunt & fish.  We know how to survive!  Do you really think that those people on OWS would still be there if there weren't others who were doling out food for them?  If they were having to go hungry, do you think they'd really still be 3 weeks into protest?  No!  Not to mention that the Working Families Party (just one of the unions supporting this) is paying $650/week to people to protest!  That's more than what many people make in a week doing an honest days' work!  Sad, but true!

 

They spit on our troops, thereby trampling underfoot the blood spilled by those same soldiers who died to give them the right to protest in the first place!  In my opinion, these people should renounce their American citizenship and get  the hell out of Dodge!  They should live in Russia, Cuba, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, N. Korea, or China for a while.  Perhaps then they would have a greater appreciation for what our men and women of the armed forces have lived and died for in our country's 235 years.  Perhaps they would not take their freedom for granted.  Then again, with the Zombie mentality they have exhibited so far, maybe not. 

Later dayz,

~Starr

A New Beginning

From the poisoning of our trees,
by a man with a poisoned mind.

To the trail of mass destruction
that April’s Fury left behind.

Our Auburn family has pulled together
to face adversity head on.

And extended our hands to our brothers
so that healing can go on!

We have bid a farewell to familiar faces
and are anxious to meet the new...

Who will proudly wear the Jerseys
of Auburn's Fearless Orange and Blue!!

On Saturday, at Jordan-Hare
Another football season will begin.

Some things may be different,
But still, "All We Do Is Win!!!"

We are The National Champions!
We will put Utah's Big Blue in their place!

We are The Courageous Auburn Tigers!
And we are back in the race!!!

WAR EAGLE!!!

Poetic Tiger

September 3, 2011

 

Life in the Rearview

Whoever said that life isn't a bed of roses, lied. Life is exactly like a bed of roses: full of the beautiful fragrance and vibrant vitality of life, interwoven with the bittersweet memories of remembrance, and thorns along the way to remind us that we're "not all that" and it's not all about us. 

It's funny, (though 'funny' isn't the best word to use, I'm not sure how else to describe it), how God can take a horrendous, destructive act of nature, and even in the midst of suffering, pain, and the "OMG! What do I do now?" feelings and turn it into a blessing in disguise. Seriously. 

The tornadoes that ravaged my fair state for 24 hours on April 27th spawned more than death and destruction. In the aftermath, I've seen a community knit closer together; the spirit of charity and love rekindled; perfect strangers reaching out to help; pastors and youth ministers rolling up their sleeves and doing hard labor alongside the roughest beer-drinking rednecks you'll ever see (this IS Alabama!). I've seen churches being the hands and feet of Jesus, sheltering the now homeless, the orphaned, and providing for the broken and downhearted, ministering to their souls and restoring their spirit.

Following the poisoning of the oak trees at Toomer's Corner in Auburn by Harvey Updyke, an Alabama Crimson Tide fan, you'd think you'd never see the day when an Auburn fan would reach out to a *insert aghast stage whisper here* Bammer! Yet following the reports of the near annihilation of Tuscaloosa, and whadaya get? The Toomer's  For Tuscaloosa Facebook page mobilizing Auburn fans nationwide to help. And help we have! Miracles in shoe leather, a strong back, and a willingness to help. More than just willingness; it's more like a gut-wrenching need that you can't control. I know. I've felt it. 

The morning following, I was consumed by the feeling that I had to "do something!" I didn't know what.....just SOMETHING to help in any way I could! As a result, I've experienced a lot of "firsts," but I shall leave that for another day, as this post has taken on a life of it's own and is headed in a different direction than it's original intent....a result, not surprising, I suppose, considering the rambling way my mind diverges in the blink of an eye from one random thought to another.  But I digress. 

Reality is a crutch for people who can't handle drugs. Some people believe faith is a crutch for "weak, uneducated dumbasses" (new blog about this is in the works too!). Yet,  as a person of faith, I wonder how people "without faith" get thru tragedies of Biblical proportion such as this and retain their sanity? I use the term "without faith" loosely, because, in reality, everybody has faith; the only difference is the Object of our faith.

There were 47 tornadoes in Alabama on April 27, 2011, including 5 EF-3, 9 EF-4 and 1 EF-5.   To put it in perspective, if you add up the  lengths of all the tornadoes we had in Alabama on April 27th, we had 1165 MILES of damage....roughly the driving distance from Montgomery, Alabama to Toronto, Canada. (0_o)

I've seen, with my own eyes, the destruction from Sand Mountain, Shoal Creek, Ohatchee, and Eclectic. I recognized names on the list of those who had died, all the way from Pisgah, Bryant, and Flat Rock in northeast Alabama to Eclectic in south-central Alabama.  I can't speak for everyone, nor all communities, but this tragedy has made my community, my state, more of a family. The walls and barriers of race, religion, and even college football affiliation, have been breached as we have come together to recover from this disaster.

I broke down in tears at the Elementary school when I saw the black ribbons on the doors for the little girl who had been killed the night of the storm.  At the Middle School I sobbed during the Awards Ceremony as the husband of a science teacher sang "I Will Praise You In The Storm".   I cried with a friend of long years who had lost so much materially, but the Lord preserved her treasure in earthen vessels and her faith has kept her strong for her family. I saw this same tiny woman brave the hoards of FEMA and refuse government assistance, vehemently and loudly, to about 20 people, vocally proclaiming her faith as she continues to trust God for provision and direction.

I cried in thankfulness that my Mama was kept safe while the three houses next to hers were demolished. I have cried until I have no tears left....just dry wracking sobs shaking my body. I had a hard time, trying to wrap my mind around it all. Mentally trying to process and compartmentalize it  just seemed an overwhelming task. Unfathomable.

Now that I'm looking at the events of 27 April in the rearview,  I've come away with a stronger faith in God and an even deeper realization that God is good, all the time. While in the midst of terrible tragedy, He still blesses us above and beyond what we deserve. He reaches out to us through the words and actions of His people and He puts us in the lives of others who come alongside us in times of tragedy who may not know Him personally, to initiate a game of Divine Tag.  I WILL praise Him in the storms life hurls my way! To do less would be that of the most reprehensible ingratitude.. 

L8R Dayz,

Starr

Throw Momma From The Train

While waiting for Jacob to finish his All-star baseball practice today, I chose to chillax with a sweet tea at Mickey D's. I began reading an article in the local paper about people lining up for the 60 courtroom seats in the Casey Anthony trial. Puhleeze!!!

Somebody tell me what's wrong with THIS picture??? I mean, here are people who are coming out as early as 1 a.m. to get a place in line!!! I just don't see how making this tragedy a spectacle is beneficial to society AT ALL! A court spokeswoman actually said that they had considered lottery tickets! For real!!  (0_o) What's this world coming to?

First, this is a horrible incident. The life of a precious little girl was snuffed out by her no-account Mama. Yes, she's claiming it was an accidental drowning in the bath tub, but really....who believes that?  I don't. 

Secondly, there are grandparents and other family members to consider. Imagine with me, if you can, the horror they must feel KNOWING that their own child is capable of this kind of atrocious act. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around it. I just cannot fathom, for the life of me, how a mother could be so selfish and self-absorbed, that she could, or would, take the life of her own child. As frustrating as motherhood and parenting can sometimes be, there are innumerable blessings that far outweigh the trials of parenthood.  I just don't know how one arrives at that decision.

Thirdly, I'm just gonna say it. Speak my mind loud and clear, as to why it is so seemingly easy for people such as Casey Anthony to kill her own child. Thank you, Rowe v. Wade! Is it surprising that more crimes against children have occurred since it's passage in 1973? If the life of a child is not valued while in the womb, is it any wonder that it's worthless after birth? Everyone is A-Ok with killing the most innocent victims. No one wants to take responsibility for their actions. Abortion is the ONLY "viable" choice for the pro-abortion crowd. The words "viable" and "abortion" should never be used in the same sentence. It is an oxymoron. Viable means "life" and abortion means "death." Abortion is cruel and inhumane on every visceral level.

In this case, I think it's time to Throw Momma From the Train!!! Casey Anthony deserves the death penalty, and nothing less. As for the would-be spectators, they should be ashamed of themselves for making this tragedy a public spectacle and courtroom circus!

Ah, well....that's my rant for the day. 

L8R Dayz, 

Starr