I've been troubled lately, really troubled over no small thing. Granted, I can make small things big, but this thing had the potential to be really big. Over the years I've tried many methods, words, actions to resolve this thing. Sometimes they brought temporary relief, other times my methods made things much worse.
In my despair and frustration, I cried out to my God, "What do I do?" And I heard, "Trust me." Okay, but what do I do? And again, "Trust me." Okay.
But I thought, do I still be me and do what I do? No answer.
So, I do what I do, but with an ear to my God and a heart seeking His way. Doing what I do is not always pleasant, for me, for others. I cause a reaction, which is sometimes very troubling to me. But I remember a time when God brought these words to me: "Sometimes to be a peace maker you have to cause calamity. Sometimes stress goes before a heart hearing and seeing."
So I trusted God, and was gentle and humble, seeking Him. And the result was something I could only hope would happen! God moved and is working. I learned again, and in another way, to trust.
Whatever it is, bring it to Him, and trust.
Trusting,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com, http://www.facebook.com/faceofagirl, http://twitter.com/keight8
Friday, December 11, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Are You Worthy of the Rabbi's Time?
I came across this quote very recently referring to Jesus' interaction with the woman at the well in John 4:
It places an entirely different perspective on the interaction between Martha and Jesus when he says Mary has chosen the better way by sitting at his feet and learning from him. We often think about doing versus being, but I think, more importantly, we should ponder the fact that the scriptures are meant equally for both sexes to study and learn and apply. Martha may have been annoyed that Mary was not helping her, but likely she was also shocked and jealous. Mary was sitting at the feet of a rabbi and being taught!
Truly, Jesus was revolutionary in his time by his treatment, his acknowledgement, of women.
In Him there is no male or female; we are all sons of the Most High, equal HEIRS in His kingdom.
Being taught,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
“First, it was sufficiently offensive that the person with whom Jesus was conversing was a woman. My beloved sisters, you owe much to the Gospel, for it is only by its agency that you are raised to your proper place. For what said the rabbis? ‘Rather burn the sayings of the law than teach them to a woman.’ Again, ‘Let no man prolong conversation with a woman; let no one converse with a woman in the streets, nor even with his own wife.’ Women were thought to be unfit for profound religious instruction and altogether inferior beings. My sisters, we do not think that you are superior to us, though some of you perhaps fancy so. But we are right glad to own your equality and to know that in Christ Jesus there is neither male nor female. Jesus has lifted you up to your true place, side by side with man. Even the apostles were tainted at first with that horrible superstition that made them marvel that Jesus openly talked with a woman.”—Charles Haddon Spurgeon
It places an entirely different perspective on the interaction between Martha and Jesus when he says Mary has chosen the better way by sitting at his feet and learning from him. We often think about doing versus being, but I think, more importantly, we should ponder the fact that the scriptures are meant equally for both sexes to study and learn and apply. Martha may have been annoyed that Mary was not helping her, but likely she was also shocked and jealous. Mary was sitting at the feet of a rabbi and being taught!
Truly, Jesus was revolutionary in his time by his treatment, his acknowledgement, of women.
In Him there is no male or female; we are all sons of the Most High, equal HEIRS in His kingdom.
Being taught,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Monday, November 09, 2009
Unwrapping the Gift of Eternity!
There's a lot of meat I could write about in that title, but until I do consider this:
If you are within 2.5 hours of Valpraiso Indiana this Saturday, head to the Tie Us Together Christian Women's Conference!
The main speaker is Jan Silvious, with breakout sessions featuring local teachers and speakers.
The conference is free, just visit their registration page to give them an idea of how many are coming. You can also reserve a lunch ($10) or bring a sack lunch.
See you there!
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
If you are within 2.5 hours of Valpraiso Indiana this Saturday, head to the Tie Us Together Christian Women's Conference!
"Tie Us Together was birthed out of a prayerful vision to bridge the denominational divides that keep various parts of the Body of Christ separated.
Our desire is to reclaim the Church's focus as a united Bride and celebrate each area of giftedness that God has given His Church."
The main speaker is Jan Silvious, with breakout sessions featuring local teachers and speakers.
The conference is free, just visit their registration page to give them an idea of how many are coming. You can also reserve a lunch ($10) or bring a sack lunch.
See you there!
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Join me on Oct. 22-24 when Precept comes to Gurnee, Ilinois!
I am thrilled to invite you to the Precept Ministries International Training Workshop being held at Immanuel Church in Gurnee, IL, this coming October 22-24. Precept, the Inductive Bible Study People, will help you learn how to discover truth for yourself as they teach a variety of inductive Bible study skills.
You can click through on the link at the bottom for full information about class schedules and prices.
In addition to their regular line-up of classes, Precept is offering a free seminar on the new Sweeter than Chocolate! series on Thursday, October 22 that Pam Gillaspie, the author, will be leading. If you'll be attending the Chocolate seminar, just send me an e-mail back to register. For all other registrations you'll need to visit the site linked below.
While you can register anytime between now and the workshops, there is a price break if you sign-up by September 28 . . . and to be perfectly honest, you'll do us a big favor by signing up early enough for us to do better planning!
I so hope to see you sometime on October 22, 23, 24 or all three days! In my opinion, you won't find a better place to invest both your time and money than in one (or more!) of these workshops!
Here's your link!
http://bit.ly/TasteTheWord
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
P.S. The workshop for both men and women
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
You can click through on the link at the bottom for full information about class schedules and prices.
In addition to their regular line-up of classes, Precept is offering a free seminar on the new Sweeter than Chocolate! series on Thursday, October 22 that Pam Gillaspie, the author, will be leading. If you'll be attending the Chocolate seminar, just send me an e-mail back to register. For all other registrations you'll need to visit the site linked below.
While you can register anytime between now and the workshops, there is a price break if you sign-up by September 28 . . . and to be perfectly honest, you'll do us a big favor by signing up early enough for us to do better planning!
I so hope to see you sometime on October 22, 23, 24 or all three days! In my opinion, you won't find a better place to invest both your time and money than in one (or more!) of these workshops!
Here's your link!
http://bit.ly/TasteTheWord
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
P.S. The workshop for both men and women
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Sunday, August 16, 2009
BEYOND OUR ASKING
More than our hearts can imagine
Or minds comprehend,
God's bountiful gifts
Are ours without end--
We ask for a cupful
When the vast sea is ours,
We pick a small rosebud
From a garden of flowers,
We reach for a sunbeam
But the sun still abides,
We draw one short breath
But there's air on all sides--
Whatever we ask for
Falls short of God's giving
For His greatness exceeds
Every facet of living,
And always God's ready
And eager and willing
To pour our His mercy
Completely fulfilling
All of man's needs
For peace, joy and rest
For God gives His children
Whatever is best
Just give Him a chance
To open His treasures
And He'll fill your life
With unfathomable pleasures,
Pleasures that never
Grow worn out and faded
And leave us depleted,
Disillusioned and jaded--
For God has a "storehouse"
Just filled to the brim
With all that man needs
If we only ask Him.
Helen Steiner Rice
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Or minds comprehend,
God's bountiful gifts
Are ours without end--
We ask for a cupful
When the vast sea is ours,
We pick a small rosebud
From a garden of flowers,
We reach for a sunbeam
But the sun still abides,
We draw one short breath
But there's air on all sides--
Whatever we ask for
Falls short of God's giving
For His greatness exceeds
Every facet of living,
And always God's ready
And eager and willing
To pour our His mercy
Completely fulfilling
All of man's needs
For peace, joy and rest
For God gives His children
Whatever is best
Just give Him a chance
To open His treasures
And He'll fill your life
With unfathomable pleasures,
Pleasures that never
Grow worn out and faded
And leave us depleted,
Disillusioned and jaded--
For God has a "storehouse"
Just filled to the brim
With all that man needs
If we only ask Him.
Helen Steiner Rice
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Friday, July 31, 2009
A Click Away
To find your government officials contact information, use this link:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/officials/congress
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/officials/congress
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Length of Your Earthly Life May Depend on the Outcome
I am using my bully pulpit to pass on some information from a family friend. Our friend was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer in 2008. He is in his 60's. He was not given a whole lot of hope, but he did have access to excellent doctors and hospitals and the ability to make decisions about his treatment. He is still alive AND doing well.
Under Obama's Health Care Reform, he would be dead, barring a miracle.
I have a beloved Aunt, who experienced a heart attack and needed life saving bypass surgery this past year. She's in her 70's. She received her surgery and is doing wonderful.
Again, if the reform passes as it is in its present form, likely, she'd not have received the surgery she needed.
Both of these people, however, would've received mandatory counseling on how to refuse treatment and check themselves into hospice care.
Your political persuasion aside, please read the following carefully and pass it on. The length of your earthly life may depend on wether this bill passes or not.
Asking everyone to take action,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Dr. Dave Janda is a friend and highly respected surgeon at St. Joe's Hospital in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. He has dedicated his life to health care reform and is often asked to speak to groups of business and political leaders. As the nation watches our politicians and the media spin the presidents proposal for health care reform in many different directions, I would like to pass along a summary from Dr. Janda. He is obviously opposed to the presidents plan, however, he offers some rather clear insight for his position.
Ed McEachern
----
Subject: Health Care.... Not so much....Janda
Friends,
As I mentioned last Friday, I was given the opportunity to be the keynote speaker at a Congressional Dinner at The Capitol Building. The presentation entitled.....Health Care Reform, The Power & Profit of Prevention was well received and several very positive developments have occurred. I will outline these at a later date.
In preparation for the presentation, I read the latest version of "reform" as authored by The Obama Administration and supported by Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reed. Below is the link to the over 1000 page document.....
http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/AAHCA-BillText-071409.pdf
Let me summarize just a few salient points of the above plan......warning.......they need to put the same warning on The Obama Plan as they do a pack of cigarettes.....Consuming this product WILL be hazardous to your health.
The underlying method of cutting costs throughout the plan is based on rationing and denying care NOT PREVENTING health care need. The plan's method is the most inhumane and unethical approach in cutting costs. The rationing of care is implemented through The National Health Care Board, according to the plan. This illustrious Board "will approve or reject treatment for patients based on the cost per treatment divided by the number of years the patient will benefit from the treatment." Translation.....if you are over 65 or have been recently diagnosed as having an advanced form of cardiac disease or aggressive cancer.....dream on if you think you will get treated.....pick out your box. Oh you say...this could never happen......sorry....this is the same model they use in Britain.
Not to worry, according to the plan, there will be little or no advanced treatments to be available .....why? The plan also creates The Federal Coordinating Council For Comparative Effectiveness Research. This illustrious Council's purpose is "to slow the development of new medications and technologies in order to reduce costs." How special is that !!
The plan also outlines that doctors and hospitals will be overseen and reviewed by The National Coordinator For Health Information and Technology. This " coordinator" will "monitor treatments being delivered to make sure doctors and hospitals are strictly following government guidelines that are deemed appropriate." It goes on to say....."Doctors and hospitals NOT adhering to guidelines will face penalties." According to those in Congress penalties could include large six figure financial fines and possible imprisonment. So according to the Obama Plan....if your doctor saves your life you might have to go to the prison to see your doctor for follow -up appointments. I believe this is the same model Stalin used in the former Soviet Union.
On page 425 of The Obama Plan, "The End of Life Counseling Program" is discussed. After each American turns 65 years of age they have to go to a mandated counseling program that is designed to end life sooner. This session is to occur every 5 years unless the person has developed a chronic illness then it must be done every year. The topics in this session will include, "how to decline hydration, nutrition and how to initiate hospice care." It is no wonder The Obama Administration does NOT like my emphasis on Prevention......Prevention is the "enemy"......people would live longer.
Finally, on page 16 of the plan.....it is ILLEGAL for a citizen to have private insurance if they lose their job, change their job, become a senior citizen or graduate from college and land their first job.....yes....illegal. When President Obama was asked about this portion of his plan yesterday his response was...." I am not familiar with that part of the plan." Don't believe me......take a look.
Obama hosted a conference call with bloggers (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/20/obama-calls-on-bloggers-t_n_241570.html) urging them to pressure Congress to pass his health plan as soon as possible.
During the call, a blogger from Maine said he kept running into an Investors Business Daily article (http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=332548165656854) that claimed Section 102 of the House health legislation would outlaw private insurance. He asked: “Is this true? Will people be able to keep their insurance and will insurers be able to write new policies even though H.R. 3200 is passed?” President Obama replied: “You know, I have to say that I am not familiar with the provision you are talking about.”
I rest my case....The Plan authored by Obama / Pelosi / Reed is hazardous to the health of every American.
In Washington on Thursday night, I was asked by a Congressman in the question - answer session...." I am doing a number of network interviews next week on the Obama Health Care Plan. If I am asked what is the one word to describe the plan what should I answer."
The answer is simple, honest, direct, analytical, sad but truthful...... the word is FASCIST.
Dave Janda
----
Links on Dr. Janda
http://www.mackinac.org/bio.aspx?ID=59
http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Surgeon-David-H-Janda/dp/1886947953
----
I have fact checked this info, but did not exhaust all sources. From my research the content that refers to aspects of the bill is very accurate. k8t
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Under Obama's Health Care Reform, he would be dead, barring a miracle.
I have a beloved Aunt, who experienced a heart attack and needed life saving bypass surgery this past year. She's in her 70's. She received her surgery and is doing wonderful.
Again, if the reform passes as it is in its present form, likely, she'd not have received the surgery she needed.
Both of these people, however, would've received mandatory counseling on how to refuse treatment and check themselves into hospice care.
Your political persuasion aside, please read the following carefully and pass it on. The length of your earthly life may depend on wether this bill passes or not.
Asking everyone to take action,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Dr. Dave Janda is a friend and highly respected surgeon at St. Joe's Hospital in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. He has dedicated his life to health care reform and is often asked to speak to groups of business and political leaders. As the nation watches our politicians and the media spin the presidents proposal for health care reform in many different directions, I would like to pass along a summary from Dr. Janda. He is obviously opposed to the presidents plan, however, he offers some rather clear insight for his position.
Ed McEachern
----
Subject: Health Care.... Not so much....Janda
Friends,
As I mentioned last Friday, I was given the opportunity to be the keynote speaker at a Congressional Dinner at The Capitol Building. The presentation entitled.....Health Care Reform, The Power & Profit of Prevention was well received and several very positive developments have occurred. I will outline these at a later date.
In preparation for the presentation, I read the latest version of "reform" as authored by The Obama Administration and supported by Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reed. Below is the link to the over 1000 page document.....
http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/AAHCA-BillText-071409.pdf
Let me summarize just a few salient points of the above plan......warning.......they need to put the same warning on The Obama Plan as they do a pack of cigarettes.....Consuming this product WILL be hazardous to your health.
The underlying method of cutting costs throughout the plan is based on rationing and denying care NOT PREVENTING health care need. The plan's method is the most inhumane and unethical approach in cutting costs. The rationing of care is implemented through The National Health Care Board, according to the plan. This illustrious Board "will approve or reject treatment for patients based on the cost per treatment divided by the number of years the patient will benefit from the treatment." Translation.....if you are over 65 or have been recently diagnosed as having an advanced form of cardiac disease or aggressive cancer.....dream on if you think you will get treated.....pick out your box. Oh you say...this could never happen......sorry....this is the same model they use in Britain.
Not to worry, according to the plan, there will be little or no advanced treatments to be available .....why? The plan also creates The Federal Coordinating Council For Comparative Effectiveness Research. This illustrious Council's purpose is "to slow the development of new medications and technologies in order to reduce costs." How special is that !!
The plan also outlines that doctors and hospitals will be overseen and reviewed by The National Coordinator For Health Information and Technology. This " coordinator" will "monitor treatments being delivered to make sure doctors and hospitals are strictly following government guidelines that are deemed appropriate." It goes on to say....."Doctors and hospitals NOT adhering to guidelines will face penalties." According to those in Congress penalties could include large six figure financial fines and possible imprisonment. So according to the Obama Plan....if your doctor saves your life you might have to go to the prison to see your doctor for follow -up appointments. I believe this is the same model Stalin used in the former Soviet Union.
On page 425 of The Obama Plan, "The End of Life Counseling Program" is discussed. After each American turns 65 years of age they have to go to a mandated counseling program that is designed to end life sooner. This session is to occur every 5 years unless the person has developed a chronic illness then it must be done every year. The topics in this session will include, "how to decline hydration, nutrition and how to initiate hospice care." It is no wonder The Obama Administration does NOT like my emphasis on Prevention......Prevention is the "enemy"......people would live longer.
Finally, on page 16 of the plan.....it is ILLEGAL for a citizen to have private insurance if they lose their job, change their job, become a senior citizen or graduate from college and land their first job.....yes....illegal. When President Obama was asked about this portion of his plan yesterday his response was...." I am not familiar with that part of the plan." Don't believe me......take a look.
Obama hosted a conference call with bloggers (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/20/obama-calls-on-bloggers-t_n_241570.html) urging them to pressure Congress to pass his health plan as soon as possible.
During the call, a blogger from Maine said he kept running into an Investors Business Daily article (http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=332548165656854) that claimed Section 102 of the House health legislation would outlaw private insurance. He asked: “Is this true? Will people be able to keep their insurance and will insurers be able to write new policies even though H.R. 3200 is passed?” President Obama replied: “You know, I have to say that I am not familiar with the provision you are talking about.”
I rest my case....The Plan authored by Obama / Pelosi / Reed is hazardous to the health of every American.
In Washington on Thursday night, I was asked by a Congressman in the question - answer session...." I am doing a number of network interviews next week on the Obama Health Care Plan. If I am asked what is the one word to describe the plan what should I answer."
The answer is simple, honest, direct, analytical, sad but truthful...... the word is FASCIST.
Dave Janda
----
Links on Dr. Janda
http://www.mackinac.org/bio.aspx?ID=59
http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Surgeon-David-H-Janda/dp/1886947953
----
I have fact checked this info, but did not exhaust all sources. From my research the content that refers to aspects of the bill is very accurate. k8t
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
This is What it Says
Regarding healthcare reform, President Obama has said that no one will have to sacrifice. He has also said seniors should reconcile themselves to the difficulties of old-age and realize they should get less benefits.
A healthcare adviser to the President, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, brother to Rahm Emanuel, has written extensively on his beliefs about healthcare. In his writings he has stated that he believes no money should be spent on someone with an incurable disease.
Recently, Besty McCaughey, a health policy expert, has read the full house bill on healthcare reform. She has been reporting on what she read. In light of the Presidents statements and the beliefs of the people he surrounds himself with, we should not be surprised to see these "benefits" included in the healthcare reform bill:
These are only a few the frightening provisions in the proposed healthcare reform.
There has got to be a better way to provide for those who do not have access to affordable insurance! Must we tell one group to die more quickly so that another group might have access to rationed care?
Praying that Obama and our representatives remember the innate dignity of ALL,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
A healthcare adviser to the President, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, brother to Rahm Emanuel, has written extensively on his beliefs about healthcare. In his writings he has stated that he believes no money should be spent on someone with an incurable disease.
Recently, Besty McCaughey, a health policy expert, has read the full house bill on healthcare reform. She has been reporting on what she read. In light of the Presidents statements and the beliefs of the people he surrounds himself with, we should not be surprised to see these "benefits" included in the healthcare reform bill:
- Over 10 years the Medicare budget will be cut by 500 billion dollars to pay for the healthcare reform provisions (this is roughly half of what the President has said reform will cost). [This likely means rationed care with fewer hip and knee replacements, bipass surgery and angioplasty-- all procedures that extend life and increase enjoyment and participation in activities.]
- On pages 425-430 a new benefit is found that requires mandatory counseling for seniors on end-of-life issues: how to refuse antibiotics, hydration, nutrition. After you reach a certain age a senior must receive this counseling every five years. If a senior becomes ill before the next scheduled counseling session, they must receive end-of-life counseling at that time.
- On pages 442-443 another benefit is described called "Shared Decision Making-- it will not be the patient and possibly their family who will be making healthcare decisions; doctors guided by government panels will also way in.
These are only a few the frightening provisions in the proposed healthcare reform.
There has got to be a better way to provide for those who do not have access to affordable insurance! Must we tell one group to die more quickly so that another group might have access to rationed care?
Praying that Obama and our representatives remember the innate dignity of ALL,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
The Assualt on Seniors
If you are a senior or love a senior, you need to listen to an interview and read this article: http://defendyourhealthcare.us/assaultonseniors.html
Interview can be downloaded here:http://fredthompsonshow.com/programhighlights the interview was on 8/27/09 and starts at minute 18 and goes to about minute 28.
Hoping you pass this info on,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Interview can be downloaded here:http://fredthompsonshow.co
Hoping you pass this info on,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Friday, July 24, 2009
Alternative News Sources
I was doing a little surfing this morning and found the following news sites:
Adult
World Magazine Today
SRN News : Breaking news reported on from a more biblical world view
Townhall : News and commentary not always covered in the big media outlets
Teen
Student News Daily : News for teens with the goal to build students' knowledge of current events and strengthen their critical thinking skills.
Kids
God's News for Kids : Uplifting news for kids, resources for teachers and parents
I especially liked the resources for teens and kids!
Keeping informed,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Adult
World Magazine Today
SRN News : Breaking news reported on from a more biblical world view
Townhall : News and commentary not always covered in the big media outlets
Teen
Student News Daily : News for teens with the goal to build students' knowledge of current events and strengthen their critical thinking skills.
Kids
God's News for Kids : Uplifting news for kids, resources for teachers and parents
I especially liked the resources for teens and kids!
Keeping informed,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Inductive Bible Study Conference with Precept Ministries International
Taste The Word!
October 22-24, 2009
Immanuel Church, Gurnee, Illinois
Taste and see, He is good!
Discovering God's truths for yourself is a life-changing experience. If you long to know God and yearn for a deep and abiding relationship with Him, attend Taste the Word, a Precept Ministries International Bible Study Conference at Immanuel Church in Gurnee, Illinois, and learn how to interact with God's Word personally; learn to absorb its meaning and let God engrave His truth on your heart, mind and life!
The Bible is God's book about Himself featuring His instructions for His creation, YOU! Taste the Word Conference features classes that help you learn the age old method of Inductive Bible Study. Through inductive study you will learn to see truth for yourself, understand what it means, and apply that truth to your life.
Taste the Word Conference also features Immanuel's very own Pam Gillaspie! Pam is a Precept leader as well as the author of the Sweeter Than Chocolate! new inductive bible study series published by Precept Ministries International. Pam will be leading a free class on Saturday, October 24, featuring a study in the Sweeter Than Chocolate! series!
Schedule Overview
THURSDAY:
- How to Accurately Handle a Difficult Subject (anyone): 3 days long
FRIDAY:
- How to do a Word Study (anyone): 1 day long
- Structuring: How to Examine the Text for New Insights (for anyone): 1 day long
- How to Teach Children to study the Bible (anyone): 1 day long
- How To Study The Bible (anyone): 2 days long
- Second day of How to Accurately Handle a Difficult Subject
SATURDAY:
- Sweeter Than Chocolate! Series (get a taste for inductive study in a flexible, no-guilt format): 1 day long FREE Class
- Basics of Precept Upon Precept (for future leaders or those who want to know more): 1 day long
- How to Teach Children to study the Bible (anyone): 1 day long
- Precept Leader Training (for PUP leaders): 1 day long
- Second day of How To Study The Bible
- Third day of How to Accurately Handle a Difficult Subject
Planning,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Monday, May 25, 2009
Taste the Word
If you've ever wished the Bible called out to you like chocolate from the kitchen, it's time to discover that God's Word is Sweeter than Chocolate!
Sweeter Than Chocolate! - Study of Psalm 119
Announcing the release of Sweeter Than Chocolate! the new inductive bible study of Psalm 119 written by Pam Gillaspie. Who would suspect that one chapter of the Psalms could be so tasty? Pam knew and, in her unique style, she penned a delightful study of Psalm 119 to help anyone find real solutions in God's book. Yes, the cover looks like a box of chocolates-- without the guilt!
Sweeter Than Chocolate! is Inductive Bible Study with Flexibility
Sweeter Than Chocolate! provides the depth and content associated with inductive bible study in a refreshing, well-thought-out format. Pam literally turned inductive Bible Study on end with her landscape layout. Study Psalm 119 as deeply as you desire or as lightly as time permits.
Students untrained in the inductive bible study method can stick with the main text of Sweeter Than Chocolate! with great success. Following this path, they will be learning the method of study while learning the timeless truths Psalm 119. As skills and excitement develop, new comers can try optional assignments for Psalm 119 in the sidebars called "One Step Further". Seasoned inductive bible study participants will be challenged to greater growth and exploration through the "Digging Deeper" assignments.
The Format of Sweeter Than Chocolate!
This study of Psalm 119 contains six lessons:
Week 1 - Taste and See!
Week 2 - Your Source for Answers in a World of Questions
Week 3 - The Secret to Delighting in God
Week 4 - Are You Standing Firm in an Unsteady Culture
Week 5 - Finding Security in Unstable Times
Week 6 - Ready for Every Tomorrow
Why Study Psalm 119
Psalm 119 is the definitive chapter in the Bible about what God's Word is and what God's Word does. This powerful Psalm is a 22-stanza acrostic poem of the Hebrew alphabet with practical application in every stanza.
God's Word makes awe-inspiring claims about itself and it's benefits. In uncertain days like these, what we really need is answers to the important questions that are at the root of our confusion.
- Does the Word of God Work?
- Is the Word of God what it claims to be?
- Does the Word of God do what it says it does?
- Why does the Bible so often not seem to work?
- Is it just me? Am i missing something?
Sweeter Than Chocolate! is not fill-in-the-blank fluff. This study of Psalms 119 is full of everyday, in-your-face, this-is-the-way-it-is insight. A study of Psalm 119 will certainly stimulate direct, to-the-heart discussions. Sweeter Than Chocolate! skillfully incorporates the tried and true inductive study methods and helps the student turn sound Biblical knowledge into godly action for life in difficult times.
With compelling passion Sweeter Than Chocolate! declares the truth every person is dying to hear . . . the Word of God works! Not only does the Word work, it brings comfort, wisdom, peace and joy unimaginable. Through it, He changes our very lives holding us fast in the midst of the troubles and trials of life.
Endorsements:
"If you think you love the Word, if you want to love the Word, if you would like to know why the Word-God's Word-is so significant, then Sweeter Than Chocolate! is for you. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you will find incredible delights waiting for you as you unwrap Psalm 119-piece by piece. As you taste each morsel, you will find a portion of Scripture that is Sweeter Than Chocolate! and delicious, delightful and delectable for your soul. Try it. You will like it!"
Jan Silvious
Speaker
Author of Foolproofing Your Life and Big Girls Don't Whine
__________________________________________________________Speaker
Author of Foolproofing Your Life and Big Girls Don't Whine
"Nothing in life is sweeter than the words of God. Sweeter Than Chocolate! will tantalize your spiritual taste buds as it opens up Psalm 119 -the definitive chapter in the Bible about what God's Word is and does. You will take a six-week inductive journey through this virtual box of God's delights-words that will meet you where you are and cheer you on. You will develop a gourmet's sensitivities as you 'taste and see' that God's Words are rich and wonderful beyond all other words on earth-and be assured you will only long for more!"
Kay Arthur
Bible Teacher and host of "Precepts for Life" on radio and television
Co-CEO and Co-founder of Precept Ministries International
Author of over 100 books and Bible studies, including 4 Gold Medallion Award winners
__________________________________________________________Bible Teacher and host of "Precepts for Life" on radio and television
Co-CEO and Co-founder of Precept Ministries International
Author of over 100 books and Bible studies, including 4 Gold Medallion Award winners
About the Author:
Pam Gillaspie is a speaker, teacher and author of No More Excuses: An Almost Too-Practical Guide to Reading Through Your Bible and Ablaze, Igniting Spiritual Passion for Life Through Reading God's Word. God has instilled in Pam a passion for His Word. She has a gift for guiding others to it and through it, so they, too, can experience the transforming power of God in their lives through His Word. A graduate of Wheaton College, she resides in Gurnee, IL with Dave, her husband of 23 years, her children Brad and Katie, and a Great Dane named Abby.
Sweeter Than Chocolate! fits so many situations:
- Perfect for gift giving: Bridal Shower, Graduation or just because...
- Terrific first course for the New Inductive Bible Study Leader (The free Leader Guide is better than any I've ever seen.)
- Ideal Summer or Fall Bible Study
- Women's Ministry Study Selection
- A great way to introduce your friends and loved ones to the Inductive Bible Study method.
Buy a copy of Sweeter Than Chocolate!
Exclusive Introductory Offer: $19.99 - (Available until May 31, 2009)
Regular Retail: $24.99
Buy copies for your group of Sweeter Than Chocolate!
Special Group Offer: Buy 10 Get 1 - so the Leader copy is free (Also until May 31, 2009)
Tasting the chocolate,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
P.S. Intended for release in time for Mother's Day gift giving, the initial reception has been overwhelming. Sweeter Than Chocolate! just keeps selling out. Buy your copy today while stock is available.
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Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Monday, May 18, 2009
A Bagel or A Loaf?
We've got a problem in the Western Church; there is a hole in our Gospel.
Can the Gospel, the Good News of the Kingdom of God, be summed up by an analogy about the trendy bagel and the old-fashioned loaf? I don't know, but I'm gonna' try. Both are basically "bread," both provide sustenance, but which one would you like for the long haul? Which will provide more food (life) over a period of time?
If you're a Christian, a follower, a believer of Jesus, of Yeshua, and if you were spiritually born through an Evangelical "process," then, most likely, you are "Saved." You have "Jesus in your heart." You are "Born Again." "Jesus died to save you from your sins."
For the most part, true statements.
I came to belief through a more old-fashioned, King James-ie, kind of language and "denominational" birth pains. I believed "by faith and that (faith) a gift of God by His grace." My belief grants me "salvation," and now, by grace, I'm to "follow."
Again, true.
We now attended an Evangelical church, which I enjoy very much because God's Spirit is present and active, and the Bible, in its entirety, is preached. Because of the church we attend, I hear a lot of what I'll call evangelical Christian-ese: a dialect developed by well meaning, sincere, disciples of Yeshua to communicate the Good News on a very personal, relational level. Unfortunately, I think the dialect sells Yahweh, Yeshua, and Spirit short-- to quote a friend, "We have been selling an 'introductory price' gospel;" or handing out a bagel instead of the loaf.
The introductory price gospel, along with its dialect, reflects biblical doctrine, yet does not reflect the entire teachings of Yeshua and what he did. The dialect is made up of paraphrases and substitutionary phrases in place of full teaching. It's a friendly, easier to handle, more portable, doctrine that looks like it will fit in, and work anywhere. It's the gospel for the individual-- personal forgiveness, personal salvation. It's the bagel.
The bagel gospel creates individualistic, self-centered, half-learned Christians, valuing our personal experience with Jesus. We've got Jesus in our heart and we're Marionettes, waiting to be moved by him. We've got Jesus and now we're waiting for the magical whoosh and all the fun to begin! We're adult sized kids.
It is true, as babies, we start by drinking only milk. So too do new Christians need easy to assimilate teachings. But while a baby is feeding on milk, the rest of the family is present, eating a much heartier meal. The baby gets to see, smell and, sometimes, taste what everyone else has; the baby begins to long for the heartier, more fulfilling stuff. And as she is able, if it is present, she begins to eat it.
The problem, as I see it, is that we are only providing pitchers of milk-- for everyone. Milk will only support growth for a minimal amount of time. But the worst part of the bagel gospel, the milk gospel, is that it focuses mainly on forgiveness of personal sin, salvation for the individual, personal grace, and there it stops. What if I don't believe my sins are all that bad? What if I think I'm a pretty decent person?
Then what Jesus did to save me isn't all that grand. Then God's grace is not very remarkable. Then I am not grateful for much and Jesus is not worth the effort to talk about, let alone follow.
Woe to us who (maybe ignorantly) are focusing on our personal experience and relationship with God, and what God can do for us. We prayed our prayer and we're waiting for the whoosh and the perfect life. The Holy Spirit has become the magical, ethereal force of good (thanks The Shack, Oprah)-- a talisman of good luck, and wisdom, and self-help. Jesus has become the little god we store in our heart to pull out as needed. The words of God are being replaced by the phrasings of men. We are eating our bagel, and ignoring the big picture, ignoring the loaf set out on the table.
Why Did Jesus Come?
Jesus came to destroy the works of Satan (Hebrews and 1John 3)-- all the works of Satan-- sin, destruction, oppression, death. His death and resurrection enables the forgiveness of sin. Everyone's sin-- even that guy that hunts little boys, abuses them, and then kills them. He came even for that guy. He came for all of creation, for the universe. He came to right every injustice done against human, animal, and land, against God. He came to grant heir ship to all that accept it. He came so that we would have the opportunity to follow his example, and with him and by him, destroy the work of the devil: feed the hungry, free the oppressed, heal the sick, comfort the broken hearted, love our neighbor and our enemy. He came so that those who believe will spend eternity with him. This is the loaf.
Jesus calls us to bigger and harder things, things more important than one individual, things beyond ourselves. We are called to love, to endure suffering and hardship, to consider others more important than ourselves. We are promised joy, in this world and the new one.
Jesus said, "I am the bread of life, take and eat." He said, "Follow me, take my yoke and learn from me, I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and my burden is light. Don't you know? I have come to give life and give it abundantly."
Those who believe in Jesus are in Jesus. Truly, this is a relief. I'd rather be covered by the Creator of the Universe than place the Creator in the box of my heart, deciding myself when to pull him out.
Choosing the whole Good News of the Kingdom of God, choosing the loaf,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
P.S. The Good News of the Kingdom of God is not something to just hear or read. The "Good News of the Kingdom of God" is a verb.
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Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Can the Gospel, the Good News of the Kingdom of God, be summed up by an analogy about the trendy bagel and the old-fashioned loaf? I don't know, but I'm gonna' try. Both are basically "bread," both provide sustenance, but which one would you like for the long haul? Which will provide more food (life) over a period of time?
If you're a Christian, a follower, a believer of Jesus, of Yeshua, and if you were spiritually born through an Evangelical "process," then, most likely, you are "Saved." You have "Jesus in your heart." You are "Born Again." "Jesus died to save you from your sins."
For the most part, true statements.
I came to belief through a more old-fashioned, King James-ie, kind of language and "denominational" birth pains. I believed "by faith and that (faith) a gift of God by His grace." My belief grants me "salvation," and now, by grace, I'm to "follow."
Again, true.
We now attended an Evangelical church, which I enjoy very much because God's Spirit is present and active, and the Bible, in its entirety, is preached. Because of the church we attend, I hear a lot of what I'll call evangelical Christian-ese: a dialect developed by well meaning, sincere, disciples of Yeshua to communicate the Good News on a very personal, relational level. Unfortunately, I think the dialect sells Yahweh, Yeshua, and Spirit short-- to quote a friend, "We have been selling an 'introductory price' gospel;" or handing out a bagel instead of the loaf.
The introductory price gospel, along with its dialect, reflects biblical doctrine, yet does not reflect the entire teachings of Yeshua and what he did. The dialect is made up of paraphrases and substitutionary phrases in place of full teaching. It's a friendly, easier to handle, more portable, doctrine that looks like it will fit in, and work anywhere. It's the gospel for the individual-- personal forgiveness, personal salvation. It's the bagel.
The bagel gospel creates individualistic, self-centered, half-learned Christians, valuing our personal experience with Jesus. We've got Jesus in our heart and we're Marionettes, waiting to be moved by him. We've got Jesus and now we're waiting for the magical whoosh and all the fun to begin! We're adult sized kids.
It is true, as babies, we start by drinking only milk. So too do new Christians need easy to assimilate teachings. But while a baby is feeding on milk, the rest of the family is present, eating a much heartier meal. The baby gets to see, smell and, sometimes, taste what everyone else has; the baby begins to long for the heartier, more fulfilling stuff. And as she is able, if it is present, she begins to eat it.
The problem, as I see it, is that we are only providing pitchers of milk-- for everyone. Milk will only support growth for a minimal amount of time. But the worst part of the bagel gospel, the milk gospel, is that it focuses mainly on forgiveness of personal sin, salvation for the individual, personal grace, and there it stops. What if I don't believe my sins are all that bad? What if I think I'm a pretty decent person?
Then what Jesus did to save me isn't all that grand. Then God's grace is not very remarkable. Then I am not grateful for much and Jesus is not worth the effort to talk about, let alone follow.
Woe to us who (maybe ignorantly) are focusing on our personal experience and relationship with God, and what God can do for us. We prayed our prayer and we're waiting for the whoosh and the perfect life. The Holy Spirit has become the magical, ethereal force of good (thanks The Shack, Oprah)-- a talisman of good luck, and wisdom, and self-help. Jesus has become the little god we store in our heart to pull out as needed. The words of God are being replaced by the phrasings of men. We are eating our bagel, and ignoring the big picture, ignoring the loaf set out on the table.
Why Did Jesus Come?
Jesus came to destroy the works of Satan (Hebrews and 1John 3)-- all the works of Satan-- sin, destruction, oppression, death. His death and resurrection enables the forgiveness of sin. Everyone's sin-- even that guy that hunts little boys, abuses them, and then kills them. He came even for that guy. He came for all of creation, for the universe. He came to right every injustice done against human, animal, and land, against God. He came to grant heir ship to all that accept it. He came so that we would have the opportunity to follow his example, and with him and by him, destroy the work of the devil: feed the hungry, free the oppressed, heal the sick, comfort the broken hearted, love our neighbor and our enemy. He came so that those who believe will spend eternity with him. This is the loaf.
Jesus calls us to bigger and harder things, things more important than one individual, things beyond ourselves. We are called to love, to endure suffering and hardship, to consider others more important than ourselves. We are promised joy, in this world and the new one.
Jesus said, "I am the bread of life, take and eat." He said, "Follow me, take my yoke and learn from me, I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and my burden is light. Don't you know? I have come to give life and give it abundantly."
Those who believe in Jesus are in Jesus. Truly, this is a relief. I'd rather be covered by the Creator of the Universe than place the Creator in the box of my heart, deciding myself when to pull him out.
Choosing the whole Good News of the Kingdom of God, choosing the loaf,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
P.S. The Good News of the Kingdom of God is not something to just hear or read. The "Good News of the Kingdom of God" is a verb.
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Friday, May 15, 2009
Look at the Snake!!!!
I was happily reading along through John 3 and came upon,
Huh? Which snake? The snake that turned into a staff and vice versa? The bronze snake? A snake I don't remember?
I went scurrying back through my Bible to the reference cited by the verse that had me scratching my head. I decided I better read it in context,
Ohhhhh.
The Israelites; a forgetful, ungrateful, complaining, ornery bunch (they sound familiar), wanted to be free of a deadly pest. Moses prayed for God to take the pest away. Instead, God told Moses to perch a bronze snake on a pole. If a snake bitten Israelite wanted to live, all he had to do was look at the pole. By turning and looking, he took action, he displayed his faith (even though it may have been riddled with doubt) that God would save him from death by snake bite. And God did.
Turn and look... I never really got that verse before.
Grateful to know,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
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Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." (John 3:14, 15, NIV)
Huh? Which snake? The snake that turned into a staff and vice versa? The bronze snake? A snake I don't remember?
I went scurrying back through my Bible to the reference cited by the verse that had me scratching my head. I decided I better read it in context,
" When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked the Israelites and captured some of them. Then Israel made this vow to the Lord: “If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy their cities." The Lord listened to Israel's plea and gave the Canaanites over to them. They completely destroyed them and their towns; so the place was named Hormah.
They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”
Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.
The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived." (Numbers 21:1-9, NIV)
Ohhhhh.
The Israelites; a forgetful, ungrateful, complaining, ornery bunch (they sound familiar), wanted to be free of a deadly pest. Moses prayed for God to take the pest away. Instead, God told Moses to perch a bronze snake on a pole. If a snake bitten Israelite wanted to live, all he had to do was look at the pole. By turning and looking, he took action, he displayed his faith (even though it may have been riddled with doubt) that God would save him from death by snake bite. And God did.
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." (John 3:14, 15, NIV)
Turn and look... I never really got that verse before.
Grateful to know,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
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Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Angels, Demons and an Engineer
With the coming release of Angels and Demons, the movie, I am anticipating (read bracing) myself for the barrage of TALK that will hit the media streams.
I haven't read Angels and Demons, but I did read its sequel, The Da Vinci Code. Mr. Brown can WRITE. He certainly creates a fabulous read. And his fictional writing certainly creates a stir. But that's just it, it is fiction. As I read The Da Vinci Code, I was amazed at Mr. Brown's ability to intertwine truth and fact with superstition and legend, a bit of angst (okay, maybe a lot of angst), wishes and fabulous fiction. If you don't know history well, and you're a bit rusty on science, and legends get misplaced into the "Actual Event" column, not to mention ignorance on religious beliefs and history of Christianity and pagan cults, well, OOOOFF! You could be one confused soul, especially if you begin sliding into the trap of believing it's a historical novel.
I'm betting that Angels and Demons is no different. From what I hear it contains some fabulous real science. But how many of us know much about sub-atomic particles? Seriously?
I have a sneaking suspicion that Mr. Brown, in Angels and Demons, has attempted to use science to discredit the Christian religion-- the theme will be similar to "Christianity is anti-science." And, most likely, because Christianity is made up of humans, you'll be able to find some, maybe even a lot of Christians who view science with skepticism, even contempt, because they see science as anti-Christian. This will be true past, present and, unfortunately, in the future.
I wonder too, if Mr. Brown has gone after the divinity of Jesus in this book?
Science is used to refute religion, especially the Christian religion and the supernatural, on a regular basis. And, in defense, people of faith, lash out and say silly, unscientific things.
I've never really had a problem with the whole "Science and Religion" debate, because I think first and foremost, my concern is with Yahweh, not religion, not an institutionalized set of tenants. Second, I've never looked at the Bible as a science book. The Bible is not primarily a "how" book, it is a "what" book. It gives us some tantalizing peaks into some "hows" (maybe more on that another time), but it primarily talks about "what." And finally, I think science proves the existence of God.
Yup, I said it.
I love science! I have a natural affinity and ability in some, and have to work really hard to comprehend others-- but they are all fascinating to me. It is the sciences, the study of our world and the universe that assures me, in a concrete way, that God exists!
I am an electrical engineer. Archeology, chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, astronomy, electromagnetics, thermodynamics-- each discipline is testimony that there is a God that created. Each discipline convinces me that God is a design engineer!
For me, the fossil record is not proof of evolution; it is possible proof of the flood and the myriad of creatures that existed. The periodic table is testimony to the structure and order of our world, mathematics and physics, the same. Biology is testimony to the complexity of life and of everything that must be exactly right for life to exist. The laws of thermodynamics, specifically, the second law (the law of entropy), counters the rhetoric that states that life evolved from simple to complex by chance. In reality, things start out complex and break down-- all foremost scientists agree on this. Recent developments in molecular biology actually prove macroevolution false. Microevolution, or variations in species, are evident visually and at the molecular level. To me, DNA is proof that, God, being an excellent engineer, designed life and used the base design to make different kinds of life. We are only 3% different from the great ape in our DNA; yet, it is amazing the difference 3% makes! The evidence of species perfectly adapted to their environment is not proof of evolution, survival of the fittest; it is testimony to God's great wisdom in designing the earth and its creatures in harmony with each other! How silly to put a polar bear in the Mohave or a gecko in the artic.
Did you know that the earth is perfectly placed relative to the sun? Any difference, and life could not exist. Did you know that string theory (an advanced theory of gravity) solves itself with 11 dimensions? Other theories have to be solved by putting in arbitrary numbers, string theory does not, it comes up with its own answer-- 11 dimensions leave a lot of room for God to interact in ways we call miracles, but are actually perfectly logical, if we were capable of seeing it and understanding it.
This is all AMAZING stuff! Science is testimony to God, and the more we "discover" the more evidence for an intelligent creator. The naked science is out there; it is human's who, in our arrogance, make the science fit our conclusions, instead of drawing conclusions from evidence.
I look at God like He is the ultimate design engineer, perfectly logical, perfectly creative. As a human, I cannot encapsulate Him in entirety (I only sense about 4 dimensions), but, I have an analogy, that I think, though we see through glass darkly, might help shed a very small amount of light on the mystery.
The Analogy
When an engineer designs a system, if he is good, he creates back-up and protective mini-systems within the design. These mini-systems create a way for the system/design to meet its goal, purpose, prescribed outcome, no matter what happens when the system is live. These minis are not alternate plans, they are part of the original design and they exist because the engineer understands the limitations and purposes of the components in his design, and because he always has the end purpose in mind. An engineer that forgets the purpose of the design will create a faulty system that NEVER accomplishes its purpose.
A really talented engineer will create designs for the pure enjoyment of the creation, and its components, and purpose. The design, though it has a prescribed pragmatic purpose, also has an ultimate purpose; joy, interaction, and it will reflect, in certain ways, aspects of the designer. Every engineer leaves images of himself in his design, most people will not notice, but the astute, those sensitive to the designer, will.
God as Engineer
God, when He, His Spirit and Jesus, created the universe and everything in it, He did it for His pleasure and for Jesus. We were created for God and Jesus, and everything else was created for us. He created us so that we could be in relationship with Him. He created us for the joy of interaction and purpose of love in freedom. He created us because He chose to.
What's Jesus Got To Do With It?
Knowing full well who and what we are, knowing our limitations, knowing every part of us, and keeping in mind the ultimate purpose-- us dwelling with Him and Jesus in freedom, God assured that He would meet His purpose by how He created everything. God created everything through Jesus; Jesus is the integral part of the design, necessary whether sin entered the world or not; Jesus holds it all together. Jesus was blessed to be part of the design by his unique participation in its creation. Because the design was created through Jesus (not forcibly created, but with his permission) and he is the one who holds it all together, it is Jesus who chose to come to us as one of us, when it was necessary.
Choice
Jesus, suffering what he did, did not do it out of compulsion or a mandate from his Father; he did it by choice, a choice that was given to him in the beginning when he participated in the creation. Jesus is fully equal to God, they are no different. Jesus came to us with the authority of the one who created us. That is why he can destroy Satan and everything Satan has done, that is why he can rightly call himself God. That is why holding God (or anyone else) accountable for Jesus' choice is incorrect. The Bible says that God sacrificed His son, and He did, but it was a sacrifice of holding Himself back, of allowing His son to accomplish what he set out to do, from the beginning. God could have stopped Jesus, Jesus could have said no. God gave His son the authority to make this choice. God honored Jesus in the most profound way. And, Jesus, by freely participating in his Father's "business", honored his Father in the most profound way.
In his humanity, in a time of great physical and emotional suffering, Jesus beseeched his Father, "Is there another way?" And even when he asked, he knew the answer, because he had chosen and created the solution with God. Jesus knew, intimately, the makeup of the components of the design he and his father had created, and he knew that a point would come when He would become human to overcome, to conquer the limitations of humanity. He would provide the way.
When death and sin had been conquered by Jesus' action, God raised him and gave him, formally, the kingdom. Honor upon honor and rightly so.
I Don't Like This World, It's Screwed Up!
We can be mad about the design, but it is arrogant, and, really silly, for us to be so-- like a ridge pole mad it is part of a barn, or a resister mad that it is part of a complex relay, or a break-pad mad that it is part of a race car, or a wire that is mad because it is part of a fighter jet, or your hand mad that it belongs to your body.
We are part of Their design and we are blessed to be so -- honor upon honor. Our challenge is to take our place in the design and be “us” to the fullest of our purpose, as we are able, through Their power.
Taking my place,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
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Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
I haven't read Angels and Demons, but I did read its sequel, The Da Vinci Code. Mr. Brown can WRITE. He certainly creates a fabulous read. And his fictional writing certainly creates a stir. But that's just it, it is fiction. As I read The Da Vinci Code, I was amazed at Mr. Brown's ability to intertwine truth and fact with superstition and legend, a bit of angst (okay, maybe a lot of angst), wishes and fabulous fiction. If you don't know history well, and you're a bit rusty on science, and legends get misplaced into the "Actual Event" column, not to mention ignorance on religious beliefs and history of Christianity and pagan cults, well, OOOOFF! You could be one confused soul, especially if you begin sliding into the trap of believing it's a historical novel.
I'm betting that Angels and Demons is no different. From what I hear it contains some fabulous real science. But how many of us know much about sub-atomic particles? Seriously?
I have a sneaking suspicion that Mr. Brown, in Angels and Demons, has attempted to use science to discredit the Christian religion-- the theme will be similar to "Christianity is anti-science." And, most likely, because Christianity is made up of humans, you'll be able to find some, maybe even a lot of Christians who view science with skepticism, even contempt, because they see science as anti-Christian. This will be true past, present and, unfortunately, in the future.
I wonder too, if Mr. Brown has gone after the divinity of Jesus in this book?
Science is used to refute religion, especially the Christian religion and the supernatural, on a regular basis. And, in defense, people of faith, lash out and say silly, unscientific things.
I've never really had a problem with the whole "Science and Religion" debate, because I think first and foremost, my concern is with Yahweh, not religion, not an institutionalized set of tenants. Second, I've never looked at the Bible as a science book. The Bible is not primarily a "how" book, it is a "what" book. It gives us some tantalizing peaks into some "hows" (maybe more on that another time), but it primarily talks about "what." And finally, I think science proves the existence of God.
Yup, I said it.
I love science! I have a natural affinity and ability in some, and have to work really hard to comprehend others-- but they are all fascinating to me. It is the sciences, the study of our world and the universe that assures me, in a concrete way, that God exists!
I am an electrical engineer. Archeology, chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, astronomy, electromagnetics, thermodynamics-- each discipline is testimony that there is a God that created. Each discipline convinces me that God is a design engineer!
For me, the fossil record is not proof of evolution; it is possible proof of the flood and the myriad of creatures that existed. The periodic table is testimony to the structure and order of our world, mathematics and physics, the same. Biology is testimony to the complexity of life and of everything that must be exactly right for life to exist. The laws of thermodynamics, specifically, the second law (the law of entropy), counters the rhetoric that states that life evolved from simple to complex by chance. In reality, things start out complex and break down-- all foremost scientists agree on this. Recent developments in molecular biology actually prove macroevolution false. Microevolution, or variations in species, are evident visually and at the molecular level. To me, DNA is proof that, God, being an excellent engineer, designed life and used the base design to make different kinds of life. We are only 3% different from the great ape in our DNA; yet, it is amazing the difference 3% makes! The evidence of species perfectly adapted to their environment is not proof of evolution, survival of the fittest; it is testimony to God's great wisdom in designing the earth and its creatures in harmony with each other! How silly to put a polar bear in the Mohave or a gecko in the artic.
Did you know that the earth is perfectly placed relative to the sun? Any difference, and life could not exist. Did you know that string theory (an advanced theory of gravity) solves itself with 11 dimensions? Other theories have to be solved by putting in arbitrary numbers, string theory does not, it comes up with its own answer-- 11 dimensions leave a lot of room for God to interact in ways we call miracles, but are actually perfectly logical, if we were capable of seeing it and understanding it.
This is all AMAZING stuff! Science is testimony to God, and the more we "discover" the more evidence for an intelligent creator. The naked science is out there; it is human's who, in our arrogance, make the science fit our conclusions, instead of drawing conclusions from evidence.
I look at God like He is the ultimate design engineer, perfectly logical, perfectly creative. As a human, I cannot encapsulate Him in entirety (I only sense about 4 dimensions), but, I have an analogy, that I think, though we see through glass darkly, might help shed a very small amount of light on the mystery.
The Analogy
When an engineer designs a system, if he is good, he creates back-up and protective mini-systems within the design. These mini-systems create a way for the system/design to meet its goal, purpose, prescribed outcome, no matter what happens when the system is live. These minis are not alternate plans, they are part of the original design and they exist because the engineer understands the limitations and purposes of the components in his design, and because he always has the end purpose in mind. An engineer that forgets the purpose of the design will create a faulty system that NEVER accomplishes its purpose.
A really talented engineer will create designs for the pure enjoyment of the creation, and its components, and purpose. The design, though it has a prescribed pragmatic purpose, also has an ultimate purpose; joy, interaction, and it will reflect, in certain ways, aspects of the designer. Every engineer leaves images of himself in his design, most people will not notice, but the astute, those sensitive to the designer, will.
God as Engineer
God, when He, His Spirit and Jesus, created the universe and everything in it, He did it for His pleasure and for Jesus. We were created for God and Jesus, and everything else was created for us. He created us so that we could be in relationship with Him. He created us for the joy of interaction and purpose of love in freedom. He created us because He chose to.
What's Jesus Got To Do With It?
Knowing full well who and what we are, knowing our limitations, knowing every part of us, and keeping in mind the ultimate purpose-- us dwelling with Him and Jesus in freedom, God assured that He would meet His purpose by how He created everything. God created everything through Jesus; Jesus is the integral part of the design, necessary whether sin entered the world or not; Jesus holds it all together. Jesus was blessed to be part of the design by his unique participation in its creation. Because the design was created through Jesus (not forcibly created, but with his permission) and he is the one who holds it all together, it is Jesus who chose to come to us as one of us, when it was necessary.
Choice
Jesus, suffering what he did, did not do it out of compulsion or a mandate from his Father; he did it by choice, a choice that was given to him in the beginning when he participated in the creation. Jesus is fully equal to God, they are no different. Jesus came to us with the authority of the one who created us. That is why he can destroy Satan and everything Satan has done, that is why he can rightly call himself God. That is why holding God (or anyone else) accountable for Jesus' choice is incorrect. The Bible says that God sacrificed His son, and He did, but it was a sacrifice of holding Himself back, of allowing His son to accomplish what he set out to do, from the beginning. God could have stopped Jesus, Jesus could have said no. God gave His son the authority to make this choice. God honored Jesus in the most profound way. And, Jesus, by freely participating in his Father's "business", honored his Father in the most profound way.
In his humanity, in a time of great physical and emotional suffering, Jesus beseeched his Father, "Is there another way?" And even when he asked, he knew the answer, because he had chosen and created the solution with God. Jesus knew, intimately, the makeup of the components of the design he and his father had created, and he knew that a point would come when He would become human to overcome, to conquer the limitations of humanity. He would provide the way.
When death and sin had been conquered by Jesus' action, God raised him and gave him, formally, the kingdom. Honor upon honor and rightly so.
I Don't Like This World, It's Screwed Up!
We can be mad about the design, but it is arrogant, and, really silly, for us to be so-- like a ridge pole mad it is part of a barn, or a resister mad that it is part of a complex relay, or a break-pad mad that it is part of a race car, or a wire that is mad because it is part of a fighter jet, or your hand mad that it belongs to your body.
We are part of Their design and we are blessed to be so -- honor upon honor. Our challenge is to take our place in the design and be “us” to the fullest of our purpose, as we are able, through Their power.
Taking my place,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Sunday, May 10, 2009
What Do A Bee And A Mother Have In Common?
There are probably many analogies I could come up with, but the one I'm thinking about is encapsulated in Deborah, a judge over Israel (Judges 4 &5). A few years back, I studied Deborah in depth in preparation for a presentation about her. This Mother's Day brought her to mind again.
In Hebrew, Deborah means "bee."
Through Deborah's steady and inspiring leadership, enabled by her unshakeable faith, Barak, and the men of Israel liberated their land from the Canaanite king, Jabin, and his fierce military commander Sisera.
After the land was liberated, Deborah and Barak sang a song praising Yahweh and recounting the deeds of Yahweh and the people of Israel in battle. Interestingly, Deborah, when describing herself, does not refer to herself as a wife, leader, a warrior, or even a prophet (all of which would've been true). She referred to herself as a mother, a mother in Israel.
I thought her description odd. Mother?
In Hebrew, the word translated as "mother" in Judges 5:7 can also be translated, "a point of departure." Hmmm....
I don't think that the translation used in Judges is incorrect, but I do find it VERY interesting that the same word used for "mother" can also be used when someone means "a crucial point, period in time, when things changed."
During Deborah's leadership, Israel, which was being oppressed, terrorized, and plundered (caused by their choosing the gods of the people around them instead of Yahweh), broke free from the yoke that was on them (the yoke of fear, the yoke of false gods) and turned their hearts to Yahweh. Deborah stirred herself to play her part. She placed, not only her heart into the action, but also her body. She followed Yahweh into the thick of the battle calling Barak and Israel to fight with her. Deborah, with God's spirit upon her, lead her people to rise up and change for the good.
And when it was over, Deborah acknowledged the part the people of Israel played and gave all credit and glory to Yahweh.
So ladies, what did Deborah do?
She chose Yahweh, when those around her were choosing other gods. She listened to Him, trusted Him, believed Him, obeyed Him and praised Him.
She fought for her people; she exhorted and encouraged them, she lead and inspired them, she taught them, she held them accountable.
She allowed Yahweh to use her. She considered herself a mother and allowed God to use her as a prophet, a judge, a military leader.
She placed not only her heart and mind into the fight, but her body too. She was a warrior!
What can she teach us?
FIRST, choose Yahweh, by choosing Jesus: listen, believe, trust, obey, praise and worship him!
On behalf of those around you: exhort and encourage, lead, teach, usher accountability in.
Allow God to use you as a mother wherever you are, no matter your position, your authority, your influence or your power.
Place your heart, mind and body into the fight, be a warrior!
You can do this, you have what she had; the wisdom found in scriptures and the trust in God found in relationship with Him.
You have what she did not have. You have God's spirit in you through belief in His Son. You have Christian brothers and sisters.
You can be like Deborah! You have worth because God created you. You are royalty because you are an adopted daughter, sister to Jesus! You can be a warrior, a mother, a point of departure for the people around you; serving their needs, fighting for their lives, following God in the battle, fighting the good fight!
You are a woman-mother-warrior-princess!
Happy Mother's Day!
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
P.S. The bible doesn't give us any information about Deborah's husband except his name, but I'm going to make the assumption that he was a faithful and strong man and a supportive husband. His name means "torches." Men, if you are married to a Deborah, remember, God put you together, you are perfect for her and she for you. As your wife fills her call as a warrior mother, know that you are God's warrior also-- never forget.
P.P.S. :-) If you would like to hear more about Deborah (there is a lot more), I'd love to share what I learned! :-)
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
In Hebrew, Deborah means "bee."
Through Deborah's steady and inspiring leadership, enabled by her unshakeable faith, Barak, and the men of Israel liberated their land from the Canaanite king, Jabin, and his fierce military commander Sisera.
After the land was liberated, Deborah and Barak sang a song praising Yahweh and recounting the deeds of Yahweh and the people of Israel in battle. Interestingly, Deborah, when describing herself, does not refer to herself as a wife, leader, a warrior, or even a prophet (all of which would've been true). She referred to herself as a mother, a mother in Israel.
I thought her description odd. Mother?
In Hebrew, the word translated as "mother" in Judges 5:7 can also be translated, "a point of departure." Hmmm....
I don't think that the translation used in Judges is incorrect, but I do find it VERY interesting that the same word used for "mother" can also be used when someone means "a crucial point, period in time, when things changed."
During Deborah's leadership, Israel, which was being oppressed, terrorized, and plundered (caused by their choosing the gods of the people around them instead of Yahweh), broke free from the yoke that was on them (the yoke of fear, the yoke of false gods) and turned their hearts to Yahweh. Deborah stirred herself to play her part. She placed, not only her heart into the action, but also her body. She followed Yahweh into the thick of the battle calling Barak and Israel to fight with her. Deborah, with God's spirit upon her, lead her people to rise up and change for the good.
And when it was over, Deborah acknowledged the part the people of Israel played and gave all credit and glory to Yahweh.
So ladies, what did Deborah do?
She chose Yahweh, when those around her were choosing other gods. She listened to Him, trusted Him, believed Him, obeyed Him and praised Him.
She fought for her people; she exhorted and encouraged them, she lead and inspired them, she taught them, she held them accountable.
She allowed Yahweh to use her. She considered herself a mother and allowed God to use her as a prophet, a judge, a military leader.
She placed not only her heart and mind into the fight, but her body too. She was a warrior!
What can she teach us?
FIRST, choose Yahweh, by choosing Jesus: listen, believe, trust, obey, praise and worship him!
On behalf of those around you: exhort and encourage, lead, teach, usher accountability in.
Allow God to use you as a mother wherever you are, no matter your position, your authority, your influence or your power.
Place your heart, mind and body into the fight, be a warrior!
You can do this, you have what she had; the wisdom found in scriptures and the trust in God found in relationship with Him.
You have what she did not have. You have God's spirit in you through belief in His Son. You have Christian brothers and sisters.
You can be like Deborah! You have worth because God created you. You are royalty because you are an adopted daughter, sister to Jesus! You can be a warrior, a mother, a point of departure for the people around you; serving their needs, fighting for their lives, following God in the battle, fighting the good fight!
You are a woman-mother-warrior-princess!
Happy Mother's Day!
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
P.S. The bible doesn't give us any information about Deborah's husband except his name, but I'm going to make the assumption that he was a faithful and strong man and a supportive husband. His name means "torches." Men, if you are married to a Deborah, remember, God put you together, you are perfect for her and she for you. As your wife fills her call as a warrior mother, know that you are God's warrior also-- never forget.
P.P.S. :-) If you would like to hear more about Deborah (there is a lot more), I'd love to share what I learned! :-)
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
What Are You Doing With Your Cross?
Thought provoking...
Putting away my saw,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
These pictures arrived in my inbox. If anyone can provide information on their origin, I'd love to credit the artist.
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Putting away my saw,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
These pictures arrived in my inbox. If anyone can provide information on their origin, I'd love to credit the artist.
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
A Long, Lonely, Sabbath
If I were Mary Magdeline, or John, I can't imagine what this day was like-- a never-ending day of silence, bewilderment and anguish. If I were one of Y'shua's followers, friends, who had stayed until the end, this Saturday Sabbath would've found me mostly immobile and going over everything I had seen and heard from the day before, endlessly. The words of my Lord, my Rabbi, would've stuck in my head and played over and over again like a song on an old, scratched, vinyl record.
When he asked, ""Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? (My God, My God, why have you forsaken me)," would I recall the section of the Torah that started that way? Would I know that he was referring to the writings of David when he said those confusing words? Would I recite God's words, written through David, in my mind? Would I put the last few days together with words from ancient times? Would I realize David was prophesying about his distant relative? Would these words bring me comfort?
I hope so.
Trying to imagine,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
When he asked, ""Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? (My God, My God, why have you forsaken me)," would I recall the section of the Torah that started that way? Would I know that he was referring to the writings of David when he said those confusing words? Would I recite God's words, written through David, in my mind? Would I put the last few days together with words from ancient times? Would I realize David was prophesying about his distant relative? Would these words bring me comfort?
I hope so.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, and am not silent.
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the praise of Israel.
In you our fathers put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
They cried to you and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by men and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads:
“He trusts in the Lord;
let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
since he delights in him.”
Yet you brought me out of the womb;
you made me trust in you
even at my mother's breast.
From birth I was cast upon you;
from my mother's womb you have been my God.
Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
Roaring lions tearing their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted away within me.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.
Dogs have surrounded me;
a band of evil men has encircled me,
they have pierced my hands and my feet.
I can count all my bones;
people stare and gloat over me.
They divide my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing.
But you, O Lord, be not far off;
O my Strength, come quickly to help me.
Deliver my life from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.
Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;
save me from the horns of the wild oxen.
I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the congregation I will praise you.
You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
For he has not despised or disdained
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.
From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.
The poor will eat and be satisfied;
they who seek the Lord will praise him—
may your hearts live forever!
All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
for dominion belongs to the Lord
and he rules over the nations.
All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
They will proclaim his righteousness
to a people yet unborn—
for he has done it.
Psalm 22, from the New International Version
Emphasis mine.
Trying to imagine,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Life Changing Pea Soup
Not really, this post is just an excuse to encourage you to read a friend's blog. She's got a good bit to say and, believe it or not, it was pea soup in God's hand that inspired her post. We never know what He will use to open our heart's to Him.
Enjoy this recipe, but more importantly, enjoy her post!
Start with:
1 bag of split peas
*Quick Recipe
Canned Ham (16 oz), cut up, 1/2 inch pieces (I often use Dutch Colony Cooked Ham)
6-8 cups Chicken Broth
1 Bay leaf
3- 5 stalks Celery diced, 1/4 inch
Carrots cut to 1/2 inch: 3 full carrots or equivalent amount of baby carrots chopped
1 med Onion, chopped
1/4 tsp Chinese 5 Spice (Allspice will work)
4 chicken bouillon cubes or 4 tsp of chicken stock base
Salt and Pepper (white) to taste
Place place all ingredients in a stock pot, bring to boil, reduce to simmer. Simmer until split peas have turned to mush. Stir periodically. Salt and pepper to taste. White pepper works best. Should be done in about 2 hours (?).
*Not Quite As Fast Version
Ham bone with ham on bone or saved ham pieces, cut, 1/2 inch
(if no ham, use some canned ham-cut up, 1/2 inch pieces)
6-8 cups Chicken Broth
1 Bay leaf
3- 5 stalks Celery diced, 1/4 inch
Carrots cut to 1/2 inch: 3 full carrots or equivalent amount of baby carrots chopped
1 med Onion, chopped
1/4 tsp Chinese 5 Spice (Allspice will work)
4 chicken bouillon cubes or 4 tsp of chicken stock base
Salt and Pepper (white) to taste
Some people will cook ham bone in water to make stock, you can do this, but I don't. If you do, boil bone in 8 cups water until done, remove bone, pick meat off bone and cut to size, cut any meat that fell off bone, during boiling, to size. Then place the rest of the ingredients in a stock pot, bring to boil, reduce to simmer. Simmer until split peas have turned to mush. Stir periodically. Salt and pepper to taste. White pepper works best.
When I have a ham bone, I place the bone and all the ingredients (except bouillon) in the water, and bring to boil, them simmer. When bone is done, I remove it, make sure the ham is right size, add more ham from can, if needed, and add bouillon and simmer until done. Stir periodically. Salt and pepper to taste. White pepper works best.
----
I think pondering about God changing my "taste" is a pretty scary thing; I like my preconceived notions, they fit me well... maybe too well, maybe they fit my flesh perfectly, ouch....
I hated pea soup as a kid, now I really like it. I discovered I liked pea soup when a new way to make pea soup found me-- pea soup made new.
I guess we need intimate settings where we can't escape, where we are forced to confront ourselves.
Wondering what other "taste" of mine, He might change, what else will be made new, AND thanking Mandi for helping me think this way,
k8t
P.S. If you don't understand that last bit, read this!
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Enjoy this recipe, but more importantly, enjoy her post!
Start with:
1 bag of split peas
*Quick Recipe
Canned Ham (16 oz), cut up, 1/2 inch pieces (I often use Dutch Colony Cooked Ham)
6-8 cups Chicken Broth
1 Bay leaf
3- 5 stalks Celery diced, 1/4 inch
Carrots cut to 1/2 inch: 3 full carrots or equivalent amount of baby carrots chopped
1 med Onion, chopped
1/4 tsp Chinese 5 Spice (Allspice will work)
4 chicken bouillon cubes or 4 tsp of chicken stock base
Salt and Pepper (white) to taste
Place place all ingredients in a stock pot, bring to boil, reduce to simmer. Simmer until split peas have turned to mush. Stir periodically. Salt and pepper to taste. White pepper works best. Should be done in about 2 hours (?).
*Not Quite As Fast Version
Ham bone with ham on bone or saved ham pieces, cut, 1/2 inch
(if no ham, use some canned ham-cut up, 1/2 inch pieces)
6-8 cups Chicken Broth
1 Bay leaf
3- 5 stalks Celery diced, 1/4 inch
Carrots cut to 1/2 inch: 3 full carrots or equivalent amount of baby carrots chopped
1 med Onion, chopped
1/4 tsp Chinese 5 Spice (Allspice will work)
4 chicken bouillon cubes or 4 tsp of chicken stock base
Salt and Pepper (white) to taste
Some people will cook ham bone in water to make stock, you can do this, but I don't. If you do, boil bone in 8 cups water until done, remove bone, pick meat off bone and cut to size, cut any meat that fell off bone, during boiling, to size. Then place the rest of the ingredients in a stock pot, bring to boil, reduce to simmer. Simmer until split peas have turned to mush. Stir periodically. Salt and pepper to taste. White pepper works best.
When I have a ham bone, I place the bone and all the ingredients (except bouillon) in the water, and bring to boil, them simmer. When bone is done, I remove it, make sure the ham is right size, add more ham from can, if needed, and add bouillon and simmer until done. Stir periodically. Salt and pepper to taste. White pepper works best.
----
I think pondering about God changing my "taste" is a pretty scary thing; I like my preconceived notions, they fit me well... maybe too well, maybe they fit my flesh perfectly, ouch....
I hated pea soup as a kid, now I really like it. I discovered I liked pea soup when a new way to make pea soup found me-- pea soup made new.
I guess we need intimate settings where we can't escape, where we are forced to confront ourselves.
Wondering what other "taste" of mine, He might change, what else will be made new, AND thanking Mandi for helping me think this way,
k8t
P.S. If you don't understand that last bit, read this!
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
The Bible is God's Testimony About Himself
For many (many) years, especially as a child, I had great difficulty reading the Old Testament of the Bible. What I saw was a collection of stories (they are stories in the sense of a recording of events-- as a child if you said you were going to read me a story, I immediately categorized it as fiction-- not true) about people who did confusing, strange, some good and many bad things. Between this thought and the fiction underpinning I had, I could not figure how the OT was so important and what I was supposed to be learning. David and Goliath was interesting, a good underdog "story," but that was about it, especially, if you kept reading and came upon David's other stories. In my young mind, David was not a role model, why was there so much about him?
At 40, I finally have come to understand, well enough to actually put into words, that the Bible is God's testimony about Himself. It is through the events recorded and the people and things integral to those events that we learn who God is.
God could have told us that He sees, He is our God Yahweh, the God Who Sees, but like a good documentary, He showed us that He is the God Who Sees when He records for us His interactions with Hagar (Genesis 16).
He could have told us that He is our God Yahweh, the God Who Heals, yet He has shown us through the myriad accounts of physical and spiritual healing throughout His testimony.
He could have told us that He is our God Yahweh, the God Who Is Salvation, The One Who Saves, yet, instead, He sent His son, Yehoshua, Jesus. Yahweh manifested Himself in human form, became human, and is the salvation for every created thing.
The next time you are reading scripture, literally, the testimony of Yahweh, don't look at the people in it too closely, don't try to learn who they are, remember it is His testimony about Himself, focus on Him, learn about Him.
Remembering WHO it's about,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
At 40, I finally have come to understand, well enough to actually put into words, that the Bible is God's testimony about Himself. It is through the events recorded and the people and things integral to those events that we learn who God is.
God could have told us that He sees, He is our God Yahweh, the God Who Sees, but like a good documentary, He showed us that He is the God Who Sees when He records for us His interactions with Hagar (Genesis 16).
He could have told us that He is our God Yahweh, the God Who Heals, yet He has shown us through the myriad accounts of physical and spiritual healing throughout His testimony.
He could have told us that He is our God Yahweh, the God Who Is Salvation, The One Who Saves, yet, instead, He sent His son, Yehoshua, Jesus. Yahweh manifested Himself in human form, became human, and is the salvation for every created thing.
The next time you are reading scripture, literally, the testimony of Yahweh, don't look at the people in it too closely, don't try to learn who they are, remember it is His testimony about Himself, focus on Him, learn about Him.
Remembering WHO it's about,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Definition of Hell : A Proof
God resides in Heaven, therefore Hell is empty of God.
God is good.
Everything good comes from God.
Jesus and God are one.
The world was created through Jesus.
The world was created for Jesus.
Through Jesus, creation is held together.
No God: no Jesus.
Hell is the absence of good, of creation, of Jesus.
Hell is the absence of everything good that we know and more.
--
Can you even imagine what that means?
Can you survive eternity in alone, nothingness, with no evidence or comprehension of good, with no purpose? And if the bible is accurate, can you watch? Can you watch from the other side of the chasm (Luke 16: 19-31) as others bask in good, in pure relationship and in purpose?
Struck by this thought,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
(a comment left on yesterday's post spurred this thought)
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Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
God is good.
Everything good comes from God.
Jesus and God are one.
The world was created through Jesus.
The world was created for Jesus.
Through Jesus, creation is held together.
No God: no Jesus.
Hell is the absence of good, of creation, of Jesus.
Hell is the absence of everything good that we know and more.
--
Can you even imagine what that means?
Can you survive eternity in alone, nothingness, with no evidence or comprehension of good, with no purpose? And if the bible is accurate, can you watch? Can you watch from the other side of the chasm (Luke 16: 19-31) as others bask in good, in pure relationship and in purpose?
Struck by this thought,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
(a comment left on yesterday's post spurred this thought)
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Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Learning To Fear
In this era of political correctness, happiness at all costs, playing nice, no consequences, bailout packages, and relativity, have we made God into god? Have we lost our fear of Him?
As a child, I think I had a fear of God, maybe not a healthy, right fear, but it was fear, nonetheless. I lost that fear when all I concentrated on was how loving God is. We hear it everywhere in Christian circles, and rightly so, “God is love.”
But, I’m getting an inkling of what C.S. Lewis meant in his Narnia series when he writes about Aslan (who represents God/Jesus if Jesus came to a world as a lion):
And what Bonhoeffer means when he refers to God has severe.
God is scary, He’s big, He’s … I don’t have words.
He leaves you to sit in the results of your choices. He is the god of the old testament, the old covenant. He can be, seemingly, mean.
He is fearful with a capital F.
But there’s more, and I know there’s more, and it ends in love spelled J E S U S. But, right now, I’m learning about His bigness and His scariness. I’m learning to fear-- and it's not a bad thing.
In fear and hope,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
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Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
As a child, I think I had a fear of God, maybe not a healthy, right fear, but it was fear, nonetheless. I lost that fear when all I concentrated on was how loving God is. We hear it everywhere in Christian circles, and rightly so, “God is love.”
But, I’m getting an inkling of what C.S. Lewis meant in his Narnia series when he writes about Aslan (who represents God/Jesus if Jesus came to a world as a lion):
Susan: “Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
Mrs. Beaver: "That you will, dearie, and no mistake, if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."
And what Bonhoeffer means when he refers to God has severe.
God is scary, He’s big, He’s … I don’t have words.
He leaves you to sit in the results of your choices. He is the god of the old testament, the old covenant. He can be, seemingly, mean.
He is fearful with a capital F.
But there’s more, and I know there’s more, and it ends in love spelled J E S U S. But, right now, I’m learning about His bigness and His scariness. I’m learning to fear-- and it's not a bad thing.
In fear and hope,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
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Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Trajedy of A Princess: An Old-Fashioned Fairy Tale
Once upon a time, in a land far away, lived a princess. She was a beautiful and pure princess, obedient and smart. Her name was Tamar and she wore lovely gowns and lived in a grand and glorious kingdom. She had one brother, Absalom (who was very handsome) and many half-brothers and sisters. Her mother was a princess, the daughter of the King of Geshur.
Tamar's oldest half-brother, Amnon, was the crown-prince, the son that would become king. Amnon thought Tamar was beautiful. He thought he loved her. He wanted her so much that he would become sick in his stomach when he thought about her. He was very frustrated because he knew that he could not marry his sister. So, day after day he moped around and did not eat.
A wicked and crafty man, named Jon, saw how Amnon was acting. He asked him, "Why are you, the son of the king, looking so ill and acting so depressed? Tell me!"
Amnon said, "I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother and I cannot marry her, I cannot have her."
Jon suggested that Amnon trick Tamar so that he could be with her. Amnon thought this was a good idea, so he pretended to be sick. His father, the king, went to him when he heard Amnon was sick; Amnon was his favorite son, his first-born and heir to his throne and he loved him very much.
The king said, "Son, what is it you need?"
"Please, let Tamar come to me and cook for me and feed me. I want to see her and be with her." So the king sent Tamar to Amnon's house to cook for him and feed him.
When Tamar arrived she made cakes of bread; she kneeded them and baked them while Amnon watched. When the cakes were done, she brought Amnon the food, but he refused to eat.
"Send everyone away, I want to be alone, but you stay!"
After everyone left, Amnon said, "Now, bring the food to me here in my bedroom and feed it to me from your hand." Tamar brought him the food. Amnon grabbed her and said to her, "Come, lie with me, my sister, come into my bed."
Tamar was shocked and afraid, "Brother, don't do this thing, do not violate me, this is not done in our kingdom; do not do this disgraceful thing! If you do, what will happen to me? Where will I get rid of my disgrace? And what will happen to you? You will be called wicked and a fool! The people of our nation will laugh at you! Ask the king, he will allow you to marry me!"
But Amnon would not listen to her, he wanted her, he took her and raped her. Then, in his guilt, he hated her, he hated her more than he loved her. So, he said to her, "Get up and get out!"
"No!" Tamar said to him. "Sending me away is a greater wrong that what you have already done to me; marry me or pay my bride price, make this right, but do not send me away!"
But Amnon would not listen to her. He called to his servant and said, "Get this woman out of here and lock the door after she is gone."
The servant did as he was told. Tamar was wearing a lovely gown, one that only a virgin princess can wear. In her grief and despair, she put ashes on her head and tore her clothing as a sign of a great calamity and her great distress. She went from Amnon's house, with her hand on her head, weeping loudly.
Her brother, Absalom found her, and said, "Did Amnon hurt you, did he violate you? Be quiet now, my sister; he is your brother, he is family. Don't take this thing too hard. You can live in my house."
The King heard all that Amnon had done and he was very angry, but he did nothing. He left Tamar in her brother's care.
Absalom did not do or say anything either, but he hated Amnon for what he had done and he made plans to do evil to his half-brother.
Tamar lived in Absalom's house, a desolate woman, ever after.
----
Hoping people see AND do something if a princess they know needs them,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
(This fairy-tale is true and can be found in 2 Samuel, Chapter 13 of the Bible. Because the king did nothing, terrible consequences ensue for the whole family, not just Tamar.)
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Tamar's oldest half-brother, Amnon, was the crown-prince, the son that would become king. Amnon thought Tamar was beautiful. He thought he loved her. He wanted her so much that he would become sick in his stomach when he thought about her. He was very frustrated because he knew that he could not marry his sister. So, day after day he moped around and did not eat.
A wicked and crafty man, named Jon, saw how Amnon was acting. He asked him, "Why are you, the son of the king, looking so ill and acting so depressed? Tell me!"
Amnon said, "I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother and I cannot marry her, I cannot have her."
Jon suggested that Amnon trick Tamar so that he could be with her. Amnon thought this was a good idea, so he pretended to be sick. His father, the king, went to him when he heard Amnon was sick; Amnon was his favorite son, his first-born and heir to his throne and he loved him very much.
The king said, "Son, what is it you need?"
"Please, let Tamar come to me and cook for me and feed me. I want to see her and be with her." So the king sent Tamar to Amnon's house to cook for him and feed him.
When Tamar arrived she made cakes of bread; she kneeded them and baked them while Amnon watched. When the cakes were done, she brought Amnon the food, but he refused to eat.
"Send everyone away, I want to be alone, but you stay!"
After everyone left, Amnon said, "Now, bring the food to me here in my bedroom and feed it to me from your hand." Tamar brought him the food. Amnon grabbed her and said to her, "Come, lie with me, my sister, come into my bed."
Tamar was shocked and afraid, "Brother, don't do this thing, do not violate me, this is not done in our kingdom; do not do this disgraceful thing! If you do, what will happen to me? Where will I get rid of my disgrace? And what will happen to you? You will be called wicked and a fool! The people of our nation will laugh at you! Ask the king, he will allow you to marry me!"
But Amnon would not listen to her, he wanted her, he took her and raped her. Then, in his guilt, he hated her, he hated her more than he loved her. So, he said to her, "Get up and get out!"
"No!" Tamar said to him. "Sending me away is a greater wrong that what you have already done to me; marry me or pay my bride price, make this right, but do not send me away!"
But Amnon would not listen to her. He called to his servant and said, "Get this woman out of here and lock the door after she is gone."
The servant did as he was told. Tamar was wearing a lovely gown, one that only a virgin princess can wear. In her grief and despair, she put ashes on her head and tore her clothing as a sign of a great calamity and her great distress. She went from Amnon's house, with her hand on her head, weeping loudly.
Her brother, Absalom found her, and said, "Did Amnon hurt you, did he violate you? Be quiet now, my sister; he is your brother, he is family. Don't take this thing too hard. You can live in my house."
The King heard all that Amnon had done and he was very angry, but he did nothing. He left Tamar in her brother's care.
Absalom did not do or say anything either, but he hated Amnon for what he had done and he made plans to do evil to his half-brother.
Tamar lived in Absalom's house, a desolate woman, ever after.
----
Hoping people see AND do something if a princess they know needs them,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
(This fairy-tale is true and can be found in 2 Samuel, Chapter 13 of the Bible. Because the king did nothing, terrible consequences ensue for the whole family, not just Tamar.)
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Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Which God Do You See?
We have a pre-teen, a female pre-teen, a strong-willed, very bright, with a huge vocabulary and very high comprehension pre-teen.
I need help. I really do. She is my oldest and I am out of my league.
The other day she related to me in a very clear manner that my effort and longing to pass along the truths and wonderful words of God, has, instead of drawing her nearer to our creator and our savior, pushed her away. She also told me that it was high-time I stopped being perfect.
Hmmfff.
I was hit, hard, in the gut. I was also very sad. My girl was rejecting me and worse, rejecting God and it was my fault. She was seeing, not who I am, but some apparition of me she had placed on a pedestal. She was seeing the god I saw as as child, the god of "rules and regulations", the god of "the removal of fun" from life. The god who did not solve my problems, who was not at my beck and call and who made mistakes. This was not the god I was trying to describe, trying to share.
I am at a loss as to how I share my joy in knowing there is truth with a capital T, that life is not all relative. How do I share that there is freedom when one knows who YHWH is, who Yeshua is, when one knows who they are because they realize WHO created them and why.
How do I share reality without condemnation? How do I share my hope? How do I live so she knows I am not perfect, but there is One who is?
Really pondering,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
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Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
I need help. I really do. She is my oldest and I am out of my league.
The other day she related to me in a very clear manner that my effort and longing to pass along the truths and wonderful words of God, has, instead of drawing her nearer to our creator and our savior, pushed her away. She also told me that it was high-time I stopped being perfect.
Hmmfff.
I was hit, hard, in the gut. I was also very sad. My girl was rejecting me and worse, rejecting God and it was my fault. She was seeing, not who I am, but some apparition of me she had placed on a pedestal. She was seeing the god I saw as as child, the god of "rules and regulations", the god of "the removal of fun" from life. The god who did not solve my problems, who was not at my beck and call and who made mistakes. This was not the god I was trying to describe, trying to share.
I am at a loss as to how I share my joy in knowing there is truth with a capital T, that life is not all relative. How do I share that there is freedom when one knows who YHWH is, who Yeshua is, when one knows who they are because they realize WHO created them and why.
How do I share reality without condemnation? How do I share my hope? How do I live so she knows I am not perfect, but there is One who is?
Really pondering,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
----
Please include the following statement on any distributed or linked copy: By Kaet Johnson. © faceofagirl.com. Website: faceofagirl.com
Everything New Is Old
Do We Need a New New Deal?
Burton W. Folsom, Jr.
Charles F. Kline Chair in History and Management, Hillsdale College
Author, New Deal or Raw Deal? How FDR's Economic Legacy Has Damaged America
The following is adapted from a speech delivered on January 9, 2009, in Washington, D.C., at a seminar sponsored by Hillsdale's Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship.
This article was originally posted at http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis.asp in the January 2009 Issue of Imprimus
THE NEW Deal has probably been the greatest political force in America during the last 100 years, and Franklin D. Roosevelt has probably been the most influential president during this time. In our current economic crisis—which some have compared with the Great Depression—many critics are calling for more federal programs and a "New New Deal." There are three reasons we do not need a New New Deal from President Obama in 2009.
First, the federal programs in FDR's New Deal did not lower unemployment. Sure, the Works Progress Administration built roads, the Tennessee Valley Authority built dams, and the Civilian Conservation Corps planted trees. But every dollar that went to creating a federal job had to come from taxpayers, who, by sending their cash to Washington, lost the chance to buy hamburgers, movie tickets, or clothes and create new jobs for restaurants, theaters, and tailors.
What's worse, some New Deal programs had terrible unintended consequences. The Agricultural Adjustment Administration, for example, overhauled agriculture by paying farmers not to produce on part of their land. After farmers took the federal dollars, the U.S. developed shortages of the very crops taxpayers were paying farmers not to produce. By 1935, for example, the U.S. was importing almost 35 million bushels of corn, 13 million bushels of wheat, and 36 million pounds of cotton. Simultaneously, we had an army of bureaucrats in the Department of Agriculture to inspect farms (and even to do aerial photography) to ensure farmers were not growing the crops we were importing into the country.
Second, the taxes to pay for the New Deal became astronomical. In 1935, Roosevelt decided to raise the marginal tax rate on top incomes to 79 percent. Later he raised it to 90 percent. These confiscatory rates discouraged entrepreneurs from investing, which prolonged the Great Depression.
Henry Morgenthau, FDR's loyal Secretary of the Treasury, was frustrated at the persistence of double-digit unemployment throughout the 1930s. In May 1939, with unemployment at 20 percent, he exploded at the failed New Deal programs. "We have tried spending money," Morgenthau noted. "We are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work. . . . We have never made good on our promises. . . . I say after eight years of this Administration we have just as much unemployment as when we started. . . . And an enormous debt to boot!"
Third, the New Deal divided and politicized the country in tragic ways. Those who lobbied most effectively won subsidies and bailouts even if their cause was weak. Others, who had greater needs, received nothing. Walter Waters, who led a march of veterans on Washington, lobbied successfully for a special bonus for veterans, whether they had been in battle or not. When asked why veterans—instead of longshoremen or teachers—should receive a special bonus of taxpayer dollars, he said, "I noticed, too, that the highly organized lobbies in Washington for special industries were producing results: loans were being granted to their special interests. . . . Personal lobbying paid, regardless of the justice or injustice of their demand."
Thus, as money became available, those with effective political lobbies won the subsidies and others, who sometimes had more just causes and greater need, received little or nothing. In the case of the veterans, in 1936 they won a $2 billion federal bonus—a sum exceeding six percent of the entire national debt at the time. Teachers, by contrast, were less effective lobbyists and won almost no federal subsidies. Silver miners, led by Senator Key Pittman of Nevada, won a silver subsidy that paid almost $300,000 a day each day for 14 years, but coal miners were left out.
In another example, under Presidents Hoover and Roosevelt, Illinois lobbied effectively and won $55,443,721 under the first federal welfare grant while Massachusetts received zero federal dollars. Without federal money for welfare needs, Massachusetts valiantly raised its own funds to secure what Illinois extracted from Washington. The Boston Civic Symphony repeatedly gave concerts to benefit the jobless. City officials and teachers raised money and took pay cuts. Massachusetts Governor Joseph Ely believed that no state should receive federal aid and that private charity was the best charity; that federal relief ruined both taxpayers and those in need. "Whatever the justification for relief," Ely said, "the fact remains that the way in which it has been used makes it the greatest political asset on the practical side of party politics ever held by an administration." Ely added that "millions of men and women . . . have come to believe almost that there is no hope for them except upon a government payroll."
Federal dollars always become political dollars, and the Democrats moved to use federal money to gain votes at election time. In Pennsylvania, Joseph Guffey, the successful Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 1934, ran a campaign ad that said, "Compare this $297,942,173 contributed by Pennsylvania to the U.S. U.S. Treasury with the cash and credit of $678,074,195 contributed to Pennsylvania by the Roosevelt Democratic administration." Vote Democrat, Guffey and others proclaimed, and the federal faucet will keep running. James Doherty, a New Hampshire Democrat, said, "It is my personal belief that to the victor belong the spoils and that Democrats should be holding most of these [WPA] positions so that we might strengthen our fences for the 1940 election." One WPA director in New Jersey—a corrupt but candid man—answered his office phone, "Democratic Headquarters."
If history is a guide, we have every reason to believe that if President Obama institutes a New New Deal, then universal health care, federal bailouts, and jobs stimulus programs will be costly, will be politicized, and will fail.
© 2007-09 Hillsdale College. All Rights Reserved.
33 East College St. Hillsdale, MI 49242 • Tel: 517-437-7341 • Fax: 517-437-3923
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Reading today,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
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