Thank you for your prayers!

Dana has been found, and she is safe with her parents. Praise the Lord! Please keep praying for her and her family as they recover from this very traumatic experience.

Emergency Prayer Request

I beg you to stop what you are doing and pray for a missionary family in New Zealand whose 13 year old daughter has been kidnapped. Here is the news as I read it on Rita's blog.

Jerry’s mom and dad phoned at 11:45 p.m. last night and said that Jerry and Dawn's daughter, Dana, has been kidnapped! It happened yesterday. Police and family are searching for her. They had just moved to the north island from the south island to work with another missionary. Dana went to the store to purchase a Christmas present. When she didn’t return, they went to the store and the owner said she never showed up. They texted her cell phone and a message came back that said “If you want to see your daughter again, you can pick her up at Christ Church on the 14th.” Other text messages came following that were very nasty. Please pray for Dana at this time … for her safety … for her safe return … for Jerry, Dawn and Justin. Dana is a scrapper and strong, even though she is only 13 years old. Please pray! It is 12 hours later in New Zealand.

Quick update

We've hit the road for a few months before going to Mexico City. Right now, we are in Cloverdale, CA, with my parents. We want to leave for Mexico City as soon as December if the funds come in. The last few weeks have been a blur. We moved from Tijuana, and attended two Missions' Conferences. I'm trying to check in here with something more interesting, but that requires more brain energy than I'm willing to devote at this moment. Thank you for checking in on me! Please pray that we can leave for Mexico City in December!

Come see our video!

This is where we've been the last three years, and what the immediate plans are. It's a short one, so check it out if you've got a minute!

Our video update

This is a link to our website. Feel free to look around!

News!

Several months ago our Internet switched off abruptly. I'm happy to report that things are going great! We are getting ready to move to Mexico City, and now we are on furlough. We will be traveling back and forth around California over the next few months, and we plan on heading down to Mexico City in December. I'll be updating more over the next few days. Thank you for coming back! I know I've been gone a long time!

I've been away from my blog for a few weeks because the internet blinked out on us and we only just got it fixed.

My uncle passed away two weeks ago after a ten year battle with cancer, and we took a trip to his funeral. I'm so thankful for the promise of Heaven that my dear Saviour has given. About fifteen years ago, Jesus saved my uncle. My parents had prayed for God to open his eyes to the gospel for nearly thirty years. What a sweet hope it is to know I will see him again!

Care for a snack?

One of the things I learned right away when I came to Mexico was that I was all wrong about Mexican food and taste. Here is one item that was hard for me to understand at first. Every Sunday several of the church members sell tortilla chips with anything you want on them. Below is "tostilocos" with jicama, cucumber, chili candy, salsa, chamoy sauce (very tangy, sweet sauce), nuts, and pig skin. It's really about trying to cram every texture and flavor you can into one snack.
Our family enjoys this just about every Sunday. (Usually not with the pig skin.)

(Click on the picture for a close up!)

Elisabeth loves her Uncle Jim

Tongues are useful for work and play

OOOOO! I've been tagged!

Susan over at ByGrace tagged me with the "six quirky things" meme! I hope I can come up with six odd facts about myself.

Here are the rules:

1) Link to the person who tagged me.
2) Mention the rules.
3) Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about myself.
4) Tag 6 other blogger´s by linking to them.
5) Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged.

1. I once bit my parent's German Shepherd puppy on the neck because she was being too rough with my littles. She had just entered that Unbelievably Pesky Nuisance stage where a dog has gained much of its adult size and about half of its brain. She was teething and grumpy, and I had to give her a talking to. In dog language. I said, "Control yourself! Just because you're feeling badly doesn't mean you can pick on my kids!" That is, I held her down on the ground and bit her when she struggled. As soon as she submitted I let her go, and she's been sweet as sweet to my kids and very "nice nice" to me ever since. That's one of those things I look back at and think, "Did I really do that????"

2. I believe you can never have too many aprons. It's like armor for the home keeper. They complete my "working uniform".

3. I love kimchie. I hope that's how you spell it.

4. My favorite movie of all time is The Princess Bride. My husband and I can quote long passages to each other. (I know, romantic isn't it? "Ha! You are using Bonetti's defense against me!" "I thought it fitting, considering the rocky terrain." "Naturally you would expect me to counter with Capo Ferro." "I found a simple Thibaut maneuver defeats Capo Ferro." "That is unless a fellow has studied his Agrippa. Which I have!")

5. I can't watch my husband play first person video games. They make me nauseated.

6. I am the clumsiest person I know, and that's saying a lot. (This would be the reason I can't work without wearing an apron!)

I tag:

My dad over at battlefieldsmiles

Sarah, over at What a Life!

Terri, of Nana's Faith

Emily, at the Campbell's blog

Michelle, from My Life and Ponderings

Starr, at the Preacher's Wife

Ocean waves at Rosarito, Mexico

This place was beautiful. I just love that sound!

More pics!

We went to Rosarito!

Busy fun!

We are having a blast out here with my mom and brother visiting. I will post pictures! My dad sacrificed them for a whole week-thanks Dad!

Happy 4th of July!

God bless you all on Independence Day, and may God have mercy on my country and bless her. If you've never seen all the words to America's national anthem, take a moment to read them .

The Star Spangled Banner
By Francis Scott Key

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

I just found this in my archives, and I had to share!

I went back and found this in draft-it's a glory story! I didn't want to post it at the time, because I didn't want anyone getting the impression we were in need, so I just put it in draft and waited. Now I dragged it out and dusted it off, because I love sharing how God provides!

Some time ago we took an trip to the states for a family matter, and on the way back we picked up 2,000 lbs. of beans someone had donated to the orphanage? We got a 60 lb box. Well, because of that, we will not lack beans for quite some time. We have used about 30 lbs of them so far. (Oh good heavens, it's not just us eating-I make them for potlucks too, and hand it out to some missionary friends we know who need them!) We have 30lbs left, which should last us a while.

Man does not live on beans alone though, does he? (For the curious, the digestive system gets used to it after a bit, and the emissions become less vitriolic.) Someone is giving the church tortillas for the orphanage. hundreds of them every week. They told us not to buy tortillas any more, but come and get them from the kitchen. They just recently reminded us, asking us to please help them get rid of all these tortillas. (Don't you know we try to be a blessing and help out any way we can!) They aren't those little thin tortillas we're used to, either. They are thick, with a strong corn flavor. YUM!

So now we have this nearly unlimited supply of beans and tortillas. This is basic Mexican fare. Millions of Mexicans eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Together, they form a complete protein, and provide calcium as well. I know lots of people who grew up strong and healthy on this stuff. And we got it for free. Did you know the kids love it?

I love this thing!

My dear sweetie brought this thing home to me one day. It's not made of the strongest material, as you can see, it's been reinforced. It's made my life a lot easier. You know some missionary moms have to wash their clothes in the river. (Jungle Mom's post on this forever silenced my laundry whine. That's not the post, but you will see what I mean. I will never complain again!) I think this is cheating.

Can you stand one more?

This was heard in our house this morning:

"David, do not wipe your nose on the tortilla. David. David! Take the tortilla out of your nose!"

Help! I'm in over my head!

Psalms 61:2-4 "From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (3) For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. (4) I will abide in thy tabernacle forever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah."

When Peter stepped out on faith into the middle of the Sea of Galilee during a raging storm, he quickly began to feel his own inadequacies as a person in control of what he was doing. I believe every Christian comes to a point some time, if they've been obedient, when they realize they are in over their head, out of their depth, in the middle of a raging storm. In other words, without outside intervention-powerful intervention `-the situation is hopeless.

While God promises to provide a way of escape so that our temptation to sin in trials will not be greater than we can bear, He doesn't say that we won't face situations that are greater than we are, greater than our strength can handle. Instead of relying on our own strength though, He wants us to rest in Him, and bear us up over those mighty waves in the power and control of Christ, so that when we are on the other side of the trial, we can say, "Wow! See what God has done!"

Jesus did not have to carry Peter back to the boat. Peter, in his moment of weakness (Don't we all have 'em?) knew exactly what to do, and he cried, "Lord, help!" Jesus was right there, just as He always is when we start to sink in our temptation or trial. Peter got to walk with Jesus on the water back to the ship. What an experience that must have been!

Sometimes when I am tempted, I do get scared because I see my own personal strength is no match for my situation. Isn't that silly? I could never do it on my own in the first place! And even if I could find some success in my own power, I would steal all the glory for it. It's so much better when Jesus can do it through me, and when He can be glorified at the end of it!

Something else I never expected to say...

You know, David, your hamburger does not belong in my shoe.

Conversation

Me: Would you like more toast, Elisabeth?

Elisabeth: No, thank you. Just some syrup, please.

Me: Would you like your syrup in a glass?

Elisabeth:Yes! (Note of excitement creeping into her voice)

Me: I'm sorry, but I'm not serving syrup that way today. Would you like anything else?

Elisabeth: May I have some candy?

Me: No candy for breakfast; would you like something else?

Elisabeth: I would like some toast!

Hey it was worth a try!

Oh, Beautiful Motherous Queen! (blink blink)

Oh, I don't know for sure, but I have a feeling that someone is trying to butter me up.

Hey, I like butter!

Gethsemane

This poem was in the Baptist Voice, a newspaper put out by WCBC. I cut it out and put it next to my desk.

Gethsemane
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox


In golden youth when seems the earth
a summer-land of singing mirth,
When souls are glad and hearts are light,
And not a shadow lurks in sight,
We do not know it, but there lies
Somewhere veiled under evening skies
A garden which we all must see--
The garden of Gethsemane.

With joyous steps we go our ways.
Love lends a halo to our days;
Light sorrows sail like clouds afar.
We laugh, and say how strong we are.
We hurry on; and hurrying, go
Close to the border-land of woe,
That waits for you, and waits for me--
Forever waits Gethsemane.

Down shadowy lanes, across strange streams
Bridged over by our broken dreams;
Beyond the misty caps of years,
Beyond the great salt fount of tears,
The garden lies. Strive as you may,
You cannot miss it in your way.
All paths that have been, or shall be,
Pass somewhere through Gethsemane.

All those who journey, soon or late,
Must pass within the garden's gate;
Must kneel alone in darkness there,
And battle with some fierce despair.
God pity those who cannot say,
"Not mine but Thine," who only pray,
"Let this cup pass," and cannot see
The purpose of Gethsemane.

Couple's Retreat!

We went to a couple's retreat out in Rosarito a few weeks ago. True to my usual way of doing things (or not doing things) I have only just now gotten around to posting pictures. However, we throughly enjoyed it! The place was beautiful, the food was delicious, the preaching was fabulous, and I had the best companion. Here are some pictures.

Mommy and Daddy's bed is magic.

Spiritual truths are beginning to sink in!

You never know when your little ones can make practical application of spiritual principals.

I was standing at the sink, washing dishes (It's amazing how many of my stories start with me washing dishes.) and teaching a lesson on temptation. It went something like this.

"The Bible says we need to resist temptation, and the God gives us a way to escape it. Think about temptation this way; Let's say Mommy made up a plate of cookies, left it on the counter, and said, 'don't touch the cookies' on my way out. Then you were standing in the kitchen thinking, 'MMMMM! Those look good! I want one! I want to take one!'

That's temptation, and you should resist it. Say, "I'm not going to disobey!" Tell yourself a Bible verse that can help you like 'Children obey your parents...' and then go find something else to do. Pray and sing a song, and that temptation will stop."

As I was finishing up the last of the dishes, David came up to Ruth, who was standing on a stool helping me. He began making a general pest of himself, pulling at her socks and her dress and whining. Suddenly Ruth shouted, "MOMMY! IS THIS TEMPTATION?"

"Why, what do you want to do?"

"I want to kick him in the face!"

"YES! That's temptation! DON'T DO IT!"

Ruth jumped off the stool and said firmly to David, "I'm NOT going to kick you!" Away she flounced whistling a tune.

Nice to know the lesson made a difference!

Joy In Heaven!

A young lady came to me several weeks ago, concerned about the state of her soul. She was young, but you don't need to have a college degree to understand the gospel of Christ. That she was under conviction was no doubt. She told me that her sins were going to take her to a place called hell. She wanted to know what she needed to do in order to be saved. I had been dealing with her for a while, helping her to understand these things, and now I could see that the Lord was opening her eyes. I felt a strong check not to tell her to pray. Instead, I showed her from the Bible how she needed to call upon the name of the Lord, confess the Lord with her mouth. She asked me what she should say, so I asked her what she wanted Jesus to do for her. She said, "I want him to take away my sins so I can go to heaven!" I asked, "Do you believe He will do this?" She looked uncertain. I said, "That's what it means when it says 'whosoever believeth on him shall have everlasting life'. You believe Jesus saves you, and you repent, or turn away from your sins." After a moment of thought, she asked, "Didn't you tell me Jesus hears my thinking?" I perceived that the one thing that was holding her back was being embarrassed to pray out loud. I said the first thing that came into my mind, which was from Matthew 10:32, "You know, one day Jesus is going to confess my name to the Father when it's time to judge my sins, and He's going to say, 'That's Sarah! I saved her and paid for her sin to be removed with my blood!' Why wouldn't I speak His name with my mouth when I asked Him to save me?"

I waited and she did something extraordinary. She laid down flat on her face and clasped her hands in front of her nose and began to pray loudly and earnestly. The only problem was, I couldn't understand what she was saying because her face was pressed so close to the ground. But Someone did hear her, and He understood her perfectly! She got up after about thirty seconds of prayer, and her face was shining. I asked her what happened. She said delightedly, "Jesus saved me!"

There is joy in Heaven over one sinner that repents, and there is much joy in our house at the salvation of this soul, because we are called to win our own children to Christ every bit as much as we are to reach the souls of Mexico for Him. I'm so thankful my Ruth has found peace with Christ. Our Lord is good, is He not?

Why I love being a mom to small children

One of the reasons:

I can say, "Whoever gives me the best back rub gets to wash the dishes!"

They stampede over to my chair.

I'm savoring the moment. I know it won't last forever!

Rebecca having fun at Chuck E. Cheese

For Earth Day; my contribution

In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to provide a parable that I heard when I was very small. We must always use the good minds God gave us when deciding to act on a concern.

The Story of Chicken Licken:

Chicken Licken was playing under the oak tree one day, when an acorn fell on his head.

"The sky is falling! I have to tell the Farmer!" said Chicken Licken, and off he went to tell the Farmer that the sky was falling down.

By and by he met Ducky Lucky.

"Where are you going Chicken Licken?"

"I'm off to tell the Farmer that the sky is falling down!"

"Then I will come too!"

And Chicken Licken and Ducky Lucky went to tell the Farmer that the sky was falling down.

By and by they met Henny Penny.

"Where are you going?"

"We're off to tell the Farmer that the sky is falling down!"

"Then I will come too!"

And Chicken Licken, Ducky Lucky, and Henny Penny went to tell the Farmer that the sky was falling down.

By and by they met Turkey Lurkey.

"Where are you all going?"

"We're off to tell the Farmer that the sky is falling!"

"Then I will come too!"

And Chicken Licken, Ducky Lucky, Henny Penny, and Turkey Lurkey went to tell the Farmer that the sky was falling down.

By and by they met Foxy Loxy.

"And where are you going this morning?"

"We're off to tell the farmer that the sky is falling!"

"Follow me! I know just where to find the Farmer," Said Foxy Loxy.

And Chicken Licken, Ducky Lucky, Henny Penny, and Turkey Lurkey followed Foxy Loxy. But he didn't take them to see the Farmer; he took them straight to his den, where his wife and the baby foxes were waiting for dinner. Then Foxy Loxy and his family ate up Chicken Licken, Ducky Lucky, Henny Penny, and Turkey Lurkey, and they never did get to tell the Farmer that the sky was falling down.

The End.

America's public schools are not teaching fine traditional parables like this. Instead, they are crying over cute polar bears and scary video game graphics that show the earth being destroyed. It's difficult to tell who is the stupid Chicken Licken or the sly Foxy Loxy. All I know is when someone says "The time for debate is over!", then it's time to take a second look.

This past year it was hot. It was summer. I live in Tijuana, Mexico. It gets hot there every year during the summer. Then the weather changed. One frosty day I went outside to see the Mexican people standing outside their houses, faces upturned. They stared in amazement as white flakes fell from the sky. Most of them had never seen snow before. (Then they ran inside and piled on the layers of thick clothing: Mexicans hate cold.) You can find unusual weather going on some place all over the world.

Here's some good places to go to learn more. I enjoyed this video. Here and here are good reads as well.

Update! This morning I read this. Something else to think about!

As we wish to take good care of the planet God gave us, let's not give up our freedoms to do it! Happy Earth Day!

Thank you to my sister and brother-in-law for the wonderful gift you gave us of the doll telling that story. Thanks to you, I can repeat it word for word, complete with sound effects, which is a good thing, because the batteries are already starting to die. I did tell my daughter, who was sad about the poor farm animals, "This is what happens when you run after some feather-brained idiot with a cause. Foxy Loxy comes hunting for you!"

A Mommy Moment

I have a thing about laughing frequently. I need it. There are times to be sober, but if I pass up the times God provides for a good loud shout of laughter, I'm always sorry later when some stress comes up and muddles my thinking. I think laughter clears the cobwebs out and clarifies the emotions just a bit.

While I was washing my never ending pile of dishes, part of my mind was on the three girls near my feet, playing with my laundry basket. They had their entire collection of colorful ponies in there, and it was setting sail about the room in what appeared to be a gale. The basket was swooping around the room like a wild thing. All six little hands were clinging to it at it swirled, dipped, and careened about. I could only imagine that those poor horsies were thinking they were going to sue the socks off their travel agent if they ever made it safely to the stable again. I said the first thing that popped into my head.

"Ooo! If I were in there it would make me sick to my stomach!"

Instantly the room was filled the groans, moans, and retching of eight plastic ponies as they were all struck by a wave of seasickness. I look again, and sure enough, each nose has been turned out to lean over the edge of the basket.

I had to stop working and sit on the floor to get through that fit of laughter.

There was only one thing I could say after that.

"You guys better clean up all that pony puke!"

But then again, maybe you have to be a Mommy to think this is funny...

Ha! I lied!

Well, not on purpose-But the Internet is back! Woopteedoo! If there is anyone out there still checking in on me, I'll be blogging again.

I can't wait to get out there and start reading my favorite blogs again!

Good News and Bad News

Good! My husband is now a Mexican citizen. This joint citizenship will help us greatly with ministry and living in Mexico. We will be heading out to Mexico City in December, so those of you who pray for us, thank you!

Not so good! It looks like there will be no more Internet out where we are staying any more. I miss you all, especially those of you whose blogs I visit. You are in my prayers! God bless!

Pass it on!

After a bout with a hearty flu, we are on the mend and will be headed back to Mexico tomorrow! We stayed with my parents long enough to heal from the fevers, and also long enough to pass it along to Grandma and Grandpa. We just have to spread that love around!

I might be off line for a bit, since the ministry in Tijuana has been having some trouble connecting to the internet. So until next time, God bless!

Update on us

Hello out there! We've seen an amazing week, and for those who prayed for us, thank you so much!

The funeral service was touching and hope-filled. I heard about it from those who went, but I had to stay at the hotel with two sick kiddies and a sick self. We came back to my parents house the next day, and the flu is moving through and out soon, I hope.

Going!

My husband found out yesterday that his grandfather died suddenly on Sunday, and we are headed out today to be able to attend the funeral later this week. We're praying for his wife, and his children. My mother-in-law is particularly on my heart today. Mom, if you see this, know I'm praying for you, for God's comfort and peace to come to you! I love you, and we will see you in just a few days.

Soap Soup!

The last time I did this I told my innocent children that I was making soap soup. We all tease each other all the time, but they didn't get worried until I grated zote soap and began cooking it in a pan with water. Then they started getting worried.

"Mom? I'm sure I don't like soap soup!"

"Mom? Are you teasing me?"

"Mom? Are we really having soap soup? Mom???"

I just replied that they always say that with new things, and you never know if you don't like something until you try it, without actually telling them they were having it for dinner.

They believed me all the way until I put the new laundry soap in the washing machine to wash a load of clothes. I must be an awful, terrible mom, because I love messing with my kids minds! Bwahahahaha!

Here are some pictures of this time around.


1/3 bar of zote soap.
1/2 cup of Borox
1/2 cup of washing soda


My soap!


My assistant!



Soap in the pan of water.


What happens if you ignore the instructions to heat on low.


My assistant found that amusing.


Stir!


Ready for the next step!


1/2 cup of each.


Getting thick.


A two-gallon bucket half filled with hot water.


One more step!


Filling it up the rest of the way with hot water.


Done!

And all while these were cooking!

If you can't tell, it's cupcakes decorated with marshmallows and candy.

He's a hard sleeper

Just to encourage!

The church we work with has an orphanage that began last year. The first picture is the building the older boys are in now. The others are in dormatories and an apartment like the one we live in. The next picture is the building that God is providing the Iglesia Bautista el Camino to build for the orphans. It's always amazing to me to see the real spiritual battle that goes on during a time that God wants to do something! God is blessing, and yes, that ol' stinky devil, he's a fighting. He goes after each of us all the time, but there is something special in his attack when God is moving in our lives. I've never seen a church go through a step of faith without strange, seemingly unrelated trials coming up left and right.

Isn't the Lord good?

All Is Forgiven!

David's banishment is not for life, and is he ever pleased!

The Throne Defiled

My son loves to sit with his daddy in his "throne" at the computer. (Copilot at the helm, I guess.)

Well today he broke the worst of the three "P"s. No Peeing, no Puking, and most of all, NO POOPING!

He busted out his diaper all over the seat of power itself. I don't know when he will get his job back, but he's pretty sad that he can't sit with Daddy anymore.



A little story to hold you all over while I get my computer fixed! The camera works now, but my computer is on strike. Oh well! I'll be back.

There have been no fresh pictures because our camera is temporarily on the blink. Here is one from Christmas Eve.

Clod moment:

I now understand that is it proper to put coffee in one's coffee cup before attempting to drink coffee. I was rather fuzzy this morning, as I had not, actually had any coffee yet, and for some reason I forgot to add the coffee, as I took a long sip of nothing.

My daughter was watching, and she got a kick out of my trying to down a cup of air. We laughed about it, then I poured my cup, lifted it to my lips, and promptly dumped half of it on my shirt.

It only gets better from here on out!
_________________

Looking for someone? I am!!!

Psalms 15:1-5
(1) A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
(2) He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
(3) He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.
(4) In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoreth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
(5) He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Just a little encouragement to other Christians who are as concerned as I am about the state of American politics and social justice. Our first calling, and our first responsibility is to our fear of God, not of men. Because I fear God, I will not choose the "lesser of two evils" when the "lesser" is for abortion. Where is the fear of God if Christians choose such a wicked (I mean that word too, it's a good word!) man to protect them from terrorists? Do they think that man is going to protect them more than God will?

On the other hand, I've been very hesitant and mistrustful of everyone this election cycle. While Huckabee said things I like, I've waited before supporting him to see if he remains consistent. He seems to have fallen apart in that area. I know of no one who behaves as if he actually believes the words in Psalm 15.

People talk about a vacuum. Really, it's a lack of people in public service who are not compromised in some way in their convictions. We are looking for someone who is what he says he is no matter who he is speaking to. I think we need to be cautious with our loyalty and our faith. Where is there a just man? I don't know.

I do know this. All these things that are tearing the nation apart from the inside; abortion, corruption, vulnerability to terrorism, the border situation, taxes, etc-these are not things that God will judge the United States for. They are God's judgment on His people, the natural consequences of Christians walking around serving themselves and not being the light He intended. We will not be saved from these things by electing a liar who throws us a bone every now and then to keep us voting for his party. (I'm speaking of politicians in general.) We will be saved from these things when God has mercy on us and grants a revival of repentance.

Well I don't know how much sense I'm making. Just thought I'd put some of my thoughts out there. Whatever we do, as Christians, we need to place our trust in God. He is our hope, and if we put our hope in a political victory, we are ripe to be deceived by someone looking to fill a vacuum. I want to be in that "He that doeth these things shall never be moved." category.

If you want to chime in, please do so; I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. I will post an opinion that disagrees with mine as long at it's decent and lacking in vitriol and/or insults. And I'm not into an extended debate. It's fun, but there are other people in my life who need my attention too...