Sad but true

http://www.themorlockrevolt.com/2013/05/how-obama-gets-his-news-true-story.html

Dallas thought provoker

Willard appeals to those haunted by the question: Why don't Christians look more like Christ?

Introducing Dr. Dallas Willard

"Dallas makes goodness attractive."

DW thoughts

Dr. Willard's Vampire Christian insight:
"I'd like a little of your blood, please. But I don't care to be your student or have your character. In fact, won't you just excuse me while I get on with my life, and I'll see you in heaven." 

One of Dallas's earliest childhood memories was his mother's funeral.  The wee lad was 2 years old and tried to crawl into his mother's casket.  The sinuous knot entwining a mother and her child in The Circle of Sufficiency compelled the child to be near her.  Mother Willard's last instruction to her husband  was to "keep Eternity before the children."  

Why does my heart swell to bursting with the mother's plea?  Those would be my last words as well.  To my children and my children's children for a thousand generations until Jesus returns, please keep Eternity before you.

Two Dallas Willard memories shared by Pastor Mark Roberts:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markdroberts/2013/05/08/remembering-dallas-willard-part-1/

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/markdroberts/2013/05/09/remembering-dallas-willard-part-2/

    

Timely quote of the scandal-riddled day

If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man. 

C. S. Lewis 

Little Man turns the page to Three

Sweet Morgan Jo proudly carrying her brother's
birthday cake.  

Mama Elissa made a dirt loader cake
that 3-year-old Isaiah Robert can play in.
Nothing better!

Sweet shy little laddie savoring his moment of birthday
specialness.
Taking his sweet time gliding through the Traditional Birthday Tunnel.
I love him in his fedora and spring duds. 

This photo speaks a thousand:
Dad overseeing the safety of his family in the face of fire,
while trying to be taken seriously in a bday hat.
Mom enjoying the joy of her children being celebrated.
Big Sis taking her candle-lighting task so seriously.
Birthday boy waiting patiently.
Thunder Thigh Mimi along for the happy ride
while holding up 1 finger indicating her upcoming
First Birthday.

Worshipful homegoing

Summer of 2009, found me happily side-by-side with my beloved teacher, Dr. Dallas Willard.  Nathan and Becky MacHunter told me of the Lake Okoboji, Iowa camp event where Dallas was the conference speaker.  When I asked for a picture at the pastoral luncheon, the dear saint said, "We'll have to get close."  The peaceful calm restorative unhurried patient life of Jesus oozed from Professor Willard.  Dr. Willard's brilliant and deep description of the Light Yoke inspired me to read his books and accept the incomparable invitation to become an Apprentice to Jesus.  

http://dwillard.org

Recently Dallas said, "We can worship in dying."  I pondered his meaning, and upon learning of his death a few days ago, knew that his final words, "Thank You," were spoken in worship and thanksgiving to King Jesus and his beloved family.  Dallas lived well and died in joyful thanksgiving.  

Of all the divine 'coincidences,' Dallas Albert Willard's memorial service will be at my California home church where Robert and I met and married.  Church on the Way.  If Pastor Jack Hayford participates in the service, the two most influential teachers in my life will be together:  Pastor Jack and Dallas Willard.  I told JoyFul this weekend that my next child will be named Dallas Jack or Jack Dallas.  This unlikely event will be noted on the family blog.  Keep in touch.   

Live by the slander,
die by the truth.

Thought provoking quote of the day

If our educational institutions — from the schools to the universities — were as interested in a diversity of ideas as they are obsessed with racial diversity, students would at least gain experience in seeing the assumptions behind different visions and the role of logic and evidence in debating those differences.  

Instead, a student can go all the way from elementary school to a Ph.D. without encountering any fundamentally different vision of the world from that of the prevailing political correctness.

Thomas Sowell, Economist and Thinker

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." 

"But whoever causes harm to one of these little ones, it would be better if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea."  Bible

Is there no end to this man's vapid banality?

May our yea be yea

Pope Benedict once commented that "the world is suffering from a lack of thought."

Beware of language manipulation.  Words have certain meanings which correlate with the reality of facts and experience.  When 'genocide' becomes 'cleansing,' and the killing of children in the womb becomes "parasitic removal" or bothersome "fish flesh," there is grave danger.  Not only for the renamed person -  aka, baby - but also for the perpetrator - aka, mother.

The re-positioning of people and word meanings often have a dark purpose.  "(Adolph) Eichmann's thoughtless linguistic fictions were the mechanism by which Nazism achieved its humanity-denying distance and requisite alienation." (Keith Riler)  

The result of Eichmann's linguistic manipulation was six million murdered Jews and sympathizers.  It was far easier for the Nazis to exterminate Jewish 'subhuman rats' than real people created by God in His image.

Beware of those who change word meanings.  It may be a ploy to opaquely sanitize or demonize for the purpose of hiding evil.  Thank God, there is One who sees and will pass judgement.  

Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/04/the_void_of_reason.html#ixzz2RsGJUzGT Follow us: @AmericanThinker on Twitter | AmericanThinker on Facebook  

Let the dat-gum season begin!

I saddled-up with Mitt and spun the first Lake Loop of the 2013 season!  Glorious!  Simply splendid!  The 65 degree Watertown weather woos the walkers and bikers.  We are out in droves!  Hallelujah!

Emotional George W. Bush at presidential library dedication: 'Our nation's best days lie ahead' - Washington Times

Emotional George W. Bush at presidential library dedication: 'Our nation's best days lie ahead' - Washington Times

Click above to view a short clip of President Bush's remarks at the dedication of the George W. Bush Library and Museum on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

50 guesses why this photo makes my heart sing.
The first 49 don't count.

Driving by the Bush Library at SMU

Driving by the Bush Library at SMU

"But in the end, leaders are defined by the
convictions they hold."
You are exactly correct, Mr. President.  

 Former President George W. Bush does not seem to give a tinker's damn about popularity polls and the ink blob of historians.  President Bush is a 'what you see is what you get' guileless man who is interested in serving and protecting the American people.  The political chips may fall where they may.  He plays to an audience of One.  And the One True Judge who sees the heart and soul of every man, will drop the gavel.  George W Bush stands and falls before God.  He has entrusted his legacy to the LORD Almighty.   He is comfortable with that.  And  for that, my respect abounds.  

Having done all, Stand

http://youtu.be/GNSohFJCoYk

Amanda Thatcher reading Scripture
at the funeral of her Grandmother, Lady Margaret Thatcher.

Amanda Margaret Thatcher - 19 year old Richmond University student - flawlessly read Ephesians 6:10-18, at her Grandmother's funeral.  Amanda and her brother, Michael, both share their Grandmother's devotion to Christ.

Lady Thatcher's favorite Bible verse, John 14:1:

14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Lesson learned

It can look harmless, even tranquil, but there is an undertow.  The rip tide can pull a person far from the point of entry.  It happened to me once in Michigan with my cousin, Linda.  As we frolicked like children in Lake Michigan, I noticed that we were far downstream from our point of entry.  A quarter mile away I could see our beach chairs and towels.  The lesson I learned was that the undertow is pulling whether we are mindful or not.  That is what was happening with me in regard to wasted Facebook time.  

Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one 

who heeds correction gains understanding.  Proverbs 15:32

Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.  Proverbs 9:8 Sunday night I received a loving remonstration.  The above Proverbial wisdom from King Solomon - the wisest man to ever draw breath - framed my response.   Aaron led the way.  Such courage!  I marvel at Aaron's willingness to demonstrate his love and trust by going where angels fear to tread.  He gingerly told me, in so many words, that my use of Facebook was out of character and rude.  The rude part is my interpretation because the LORD had been saying that on the margins for awhile.  I needed someone to share their concerns with gracious integrity, and Aaron stepped up.  Thank you.  Danielle stood by his side with supportive "for instances."  I wrote the following on Monday: Dear Aaron and Danielle ~ Once again, Aaron, you have lived up to your name as a Bringer of Light.  Your brave broach of the facebook concern has surely brought light to me.  I have been reading Scripture since our conversation and have taken the appropriate steps in response to the LORD's  rebuke. As often happens, 'sudden' insight comes after days, weeks or even months of God speaking on the margins.  It took someone up close and personal to bring the sin to light.   My abuse of the social medium was sin because it was perpetuated to bring attention to myself.  My actions were rude, arrogant and ill-advised.  I am embarrassed that I was not more discerning.  God has now forgiven, so I go forward in obedience.     What was needed was someone who loves me enough to snatch me bald-headed.  Thank you, my daughter and your wonderful husband, for your courage.  I know that you would never bring me pain.  Your insightful concerns are wrapped in kindness and devotion.  Therefore I can trust your intent.  All of my children respect and love me.  I will remain under the safe canopy of my children's devotion for all of my days.  I am grateful beyond words.   I am light as a feather with the new-found freedom to spend my time in more prudent pursuits.  There is nothing like a godly rebuke - leading to confession and repentance - to cleanse the soul.  Thank you for trusting that my response would be in keeping with your intentions.  Only a fool ignores the righteous rebuke of a loved one.  Truly the words of the wise bring life.   My hope is that I will increasingly walk in wisdom to the Glory of God and benefit of others.   All my love and respect ~ the mom/care

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