Endless Rambles of a Conservative Christian Mind

Distance

2010-08-17T20:21:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot about distance lately. I find it funny how it effects the way you see and feel things. Time changes when someone you care about isn't a short drive away. You may still talk to them the same amount, even see them the same amount, but the fact that their over an hour away makes you miss them more than ever. That makes the time you do talk to them and you do see them more special. Why is that? Why does distance change our perseption? Maybe when we know people are close to us, we take them for granted. We realize this once they leave. Okay, enough sappy thoughts for now. I shall write later.

Jane

This is What it Is

2010-08-14T18:06:00.000-07:00

"This is what it is/ this is who I am/ this is where I finally take me stand"-Born Again by the Newsboys

In the world today, I hear many different takes on what a Christian is. Fanatic, hypocrite, mislead but well intended, and racists are among some of them. Everyone is watching the Christians. Everyone has an opinion on what a Christian is and whether they play a good or bad role in this life. Yet, they judge based on false assumptions. If you are going to judge me and my brothers and sisters in Christ, then I submit that you know who you judge. This by all means will not be an in-depth study on everything a Christian is, but I hope that it will at least give you insight into the group of people that you ridicule.

In the simplest terms, a Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. They are people who have admitted they are sinners, and asked Christ to cleanse them. They give their lives to do what Christ has instructed them to do, and try to live by the example He set. We were sinners, but Christ has transformed us into a new creations. This does not mean we are perfect. It means that our desire is to follow Christ's instructions. From that desire should come all our actions. I say "should" for a reason.

Christians are often charged with hypocrisy. In this there is some truth. Our actions do not and not ever live up to the standards we proclaim. As a Christian, I strive to live like Jesus Christ, as do all who are truly Christians and not just someone with a title. However, as I said before, we are not perfect. Becoming a Christian did not give us super human powers over evil in this world. We still fall, and come up short. Christ gave us the ability to over come, but we still stumble. This does not excuse our wrong doings. We must go to God and the people around us to ask for forgiveness.

If I could get one point across, it would be that Christians try to do good and at times fail. I abhor the fact that our short comings constantly drive those away who we are trying to reach. I wish I could live perfectly. Only Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has achieved that. He is the only one that will. What I can do is not try to hide my short comings and hypocrisy. Maybe through honesty others will be saved. It is when our pride gets in the way, and we can't admit we are human that we drive the most people away.

One of the most recent charges is that of a hater. Homosexuality has become a hot topic in our culture. Those who disagree with this way of life are called haters, homophobes, and the like. Let me make this clear. As Christians, we do not hate the person. Christ has called us to love everyone. However, Christ did not call us to love their actions. This is what it means to "love the person, but hate the sin". God clearly taught in the Bible that homosexuality was not the way he created things. He calls it an abomination (Leviticus 18:22). We cannot pick and chose which sections of the Bible to obey and which to throw aside. Would we not be guilty of the hypocrisy we are charged with?

The act of loving people, but not their actions is the action taken when it comes to many things. Christians are told to not have sex outside of marriage. This view is an uncommon view in our world today. I know people who have, yet I do not love them any less. I have lied and been unkind to people, but God and the Christians in my life still love me. If we hate the person, we do not have the love of Christ.

Christians are also charged with being arrogant. Holier then thou is an often used term. I wish I could say that we do not at times deserve that. We at times forget that those around us who are not Christians have no reason to act like a Christian. We have judged and put down those who do not live up to our standards. I wish that never happened! Yet in those moments our human side rises up and fall into the Devil's temptation. I would ask that you know that not all Christians are like that. Please, do not judge the majority based on the actions of a minority. They need as much forgiveness as everyone else in this world.

Another reason arrogance is associated with Christianity is the belief in absolute truth. We believe that there is only one way to be saved and go to Heaven: salvation through Jesus Christ. We believe that there is a right and there is a wrong, and that it is Jesus who defines them. Again, this is not arrogance. God has said all of this in the Bible. We would bring God's name down if we reject half of what He teaches. It is all or nothing.

I hope this will give you some insight to the stand that Christians take. Maybe this will inspire you to talk to a Christian and find out what they think and believe. I don't know. I hope that it will do something against the falsehoods out there regarding Christianity.

Jane

Out of this Town

2009-11-13T21:30:00.000-08:00

Right now President Obama is in Asia. He has now traveled out of the country more in his first year then any other president in theirs. Maybe it's just me, but I want my president to be in our country. He is after all suppose to be running it. Wouldn't you want to spend time to get to know your job and the country ever better then before? I would think it would make it easier to run the country if you were actually in it. Just me though.

Jane

To Break a Laid Foundation

2009-10-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

"The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon."- President Washington

"that generally the Constitution is a charter of negative liberties. Says what the states can’t do to you. Says what the federal government can’t do to you..."-President Obama

Picture this: there is a beautiful house. It's been standing tall for over 200 years. Suddenly a new master of the house comes along, and he says he wants to make changes to house for better. Okay, you think, he's gonna expand the store rooms, make the servants better, and make the house look even better then it already is. Instead, he goes straight for the foundation of the house. As he begins to chip away at the foundation the house begins to crumble. Slowly, it starts to fall away.

Quickly you try to make him stop. This is change, but not the kind of change you wanted. Yet you know that even if you were to make him things never could be the same. The foundation will never be the same again. It will never be as strong as it use to be. That doesn't mean you can't make things better, but it will never be as good as it once was.

This is the situation we find ourselves in. The new administration in our White House wanted to change our country, and they are starting with the foundation. As they tear away at the foundation of our country, the Constitution, they weaken the country that stands on it. We can stop them. We must stop them, but our country will never be the same. Our Constitution has been compromised and will never be as strong as it was when it was first laid. That doesn't mean things are hopeless. What we need to do is stop this administration from eroding our foundation before it can no longer be saved.

To break a laid foundation is to destroy the whole house.

Jane

A Moral and Religious People

2009-08-31T12:14:00.000-07:00

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.-John Adams

Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.-George Washington

Our country is in trouble. All one has to do is read a news paper or what the news to get that. Our laws and government are being corrupted. Yet slowly people are beginning to not be content with where we are. Tea Parties to combat government control and give people a chance to have their voices heard are springing up around the country. People want change, and not the socialistic kind we are being offered.

However, change will not solve our problems. Even if we manage to cut down government and put control back in the hands of people, we will still be falling. That is because God, religion, and a true sense of morality has been taken from our land. Without those, our nation can not prosper. If we are ever to truly be a great nation again, we must turn the people back to God. We must be a nation under God again to ever succeed. It was only because of God that we rose up the first time, and it will only be God that brings us out of darkness.

Jane

JK Wedding Entrance

2009-08-29T21:33:00.000-07:00

This is the wedding entrance dance of a couple named Jill and Kevin I think. Anyway, it's very cool. I think whenever I get married I want to do something like this.

Jane

Good and Faithful Servant

2009-08-20T15:15:00.000-07:00

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’-Matthew 25:21

I can not speak for the people around me. I can not say how they think and feel. What I can say are my thoughts and feelings on certain issues such as responsibility. To me, responsibility is not a burn or something I have to do. I included the above quote because it embodies my thoughts and feelings of what responsibility is. Responsibility to me is just a way to show faithfulness. I accept responsibility in church because of my faithfulness to God. I take on responsibility at home because of my faithfulness to my parents. When I look at responsibility this way, it does not appear as much of a burden. Instead, I find joy in being faithful to those I care about. This does not mean that there are not times where I feel over whelmed or really just don't wanna do it. I have those moments. Remembering why I am responsible helps give me the strength to get throw those moments to the better moments in life.

I hope not only God, but those in my life that I serve can call me good and faithful.

Jane

Disarm America

2009-08-19T22:19:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of talk about President Obama looking at taking away gun rights. Unfortunately President Obama is not the only threat to firearms freedom. This threat comes in the form of a UN treaty called the “UN Convention on the Rights of the Child”. The best way to sum up this treaty comes from one of its own pamphlets.

“The Convention on the Right of the Child sets out comprehensive principles and standards to guide all actions and attitudes towards children.”

Since I’m righting about gun control I will refrain from ripping into that statement. This law will set the government in a position on deciding what counts as appropriate behavior towards ones child.

That established, the treaty makes another claim. It says that a culture with guns harms children, therefore, guns go against a child rights. Their solution to this: disarmament and Disarmament Education. In case anyone has any doubts of what they mean by those two terms, the UN World Congress on Disarmament Education (that a group call that exists should be enough to scare anyone) adopted the following statement:

Definition of disarmament:

“For the purpose of disarmament education, disarmament may be understood as any form of action aimed at limiting, controlling or reducing arms, including unilateral disarmament initiative, and, ultimately, general and complete disarmament under effective international control. It may also be understood as a process aimed at transforming the current system of armed nation States into a new world order of planned of planned unarmed peace in which war is no longer an instrument of national policy and people determine their own future and live in security based on justice and solidarity.”

I highly doubt I need to explain how dangerous and twisted that statement is. Now, I opened by saying that President Obama is not the only threat to the right to bear arms. In all reality that is only half true. One way for this treaty to be ratified is for the current administration to place the treaties before the Senate as they have the power to make treaties. There is one other way for the treaty to be ratified. Through Customary International Law, America could be forced to accept this treaty even though it has not been ratified.

“In contrast to international treaties, where a specific document is drafted, signed, and ratified, customary international law is an unwritten law, "comprised of the customs and usages among nations of the world." These "customs" can be drawn from three separate sources: the general practice of nations, decisions of international judges and courts, and the opinions of legal scholars. If any of these sources provide evidence of an international "custom," that custom can be declared to have the force of law.”[parentalrights.org]

America and Somalia are the only two countries who have not ratified. This fact puts us in a direct position to be under Customary International law. In a way we already are. The only way to get around Customary International Law is if Congress passes a statute that specifically rejects what that law states. If Congress does not pass such a statute or remains silent, America will be forced to accept this treaty no matter what the people think. Right now there is a group of people getting ready to put forth a Constitutional Amendment to protect the rights of parents. It will say that the parents not the Government know what is best for their children. This would effectively block Customary International law from taking place.

I know this is kind of long and you may have already heard about this, but I thought in case you have you might be interested in hearing about it. And in case you want to learn more, here is a website you can go to.

www.parentalrights.org

Jane

The Lost Get Found

2009-07-17T10:57:00.000-07:00

This is a video of one of my favorite Christian Artists, Britt Nicole, singing her new song The Lost get Found. I find this song a very powerful song and one of inspiration in my life. I hope it speaks to you in some way.

Lost Get Found
Hello my friend
I remember when you were
So alive with your wide eyes
Then the light that you had in your heart was stolen
Now you say that it ain't worth stayin'
You wanna run but you're hesitatin'
I'm talkin' to me

Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
'Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found

So when you get the chance
Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it
There's a girl on the streets, she's cryin'
There's a man whose faith is dyin'
Love is calling you

Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
'Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found

Why do we go with the flow
Or take an easier road?
Why are we playin' it safe?
Love came to show us the way
Love is a chance we should take
I'm movin' out of the way

Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
'Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
(Stand out)
Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
(Stand out)
'Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found

So when you get the chance
Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it

Jane

The Morals of Law

2009-07-14T16:13:00.000-07:00

I hear a lot about how people think they could never be lawyers because that would require saying goodbye to their morals. I would argue against that theory from two ways. One way would be to look at a former lawyer. His name was John Adams. Now, at the beginning of the Revolutionary there was a trial called the Boston Massacre Trial. In this trial John Adams defended British soldiers accused of killing 5 American colonists. Even though he disagreed with what these men had done and the politics, he defended these men because he believed that everyman deserves a good defense. He was a moral man and a lawyer. He did not loose his morals when he became a lawyer. Instead, he used being a lawyer to further morals.

The second way to look at law and morals is to look at the person. We have free choice. It say that a career destroys your morals is akin to saying that being homeschooled makes you antisocial. You have to make a choice. You decide if you're going to hold strong to your morals or go with the flow. It is the same thing for a homeschooler. You choose to step out of your box, or use it to hide. It is your choice. Don't blame the job or your situation. It is you who make the decisiosns not the career you choose.

Jane

Remember Why

2009-07-09T19:13:00.000-07:00

4th day of VBS. I was tired and having a difficult time with some of the kids. Then something happened today that reminded me why I was doing this. I watched as two kids accepted Christ. It was amazing. It just reminded me that we are here to teach kids about God. Yeah, it gets hard, tiring, and frustrating, but in the end it will all be worth it if only one child came to Christ.

Jane

Music Minded

2009-07-07T16:57:00.000-07:00

Well as you can see I got a new background theme for my blog. The on I had was okay, but I never really fell in love with it. This one I have!

Anyway, enough of that. Sunday was a very exciting day. After spending all day at the church setting up for vbs, I lead the music for the evening service. What is exciting about that is this was the first time I lead music and that I did kind of well. Exciting huh?

Another exciting even is that VBS started!! It's wonderful.

That's all I have. I promise I will post something more when I have something to say. Hopefully that will be soon!

Till then,
Jane

It Becomes Necessary

2009-07-04T21:37:00.000-07:00

I love our Constitution. I want to go into Constitutional law to defend our Constitution. However, I have always found something special about the Declaration of Independence. I wish I could have been in that room as they signed it. What was going threw their minds? Where they thinking about if the impending war did not end in America's favor, what they would suffer? Was it with that thought that John Hancock wrote his signature in huge letters? The courage that went into the words on the Declaration of Independence is astounding. I guess on this Independence Day I would encourage you to look over those courageous words of our founding fathers. Perhaps you will find the same courage and strength that I find.

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

Jane

Letter From Michael Farris

2009-06-19T09:14:00.000-07:00

This is a letter from the president of Home School Legal Defense and a leader in the Parent's Rights Movement. I felt like sharing it with you guys.

Dear Supporter of Parental Rights,

Three major developments—all of them ominous—have occurred in the last several days.

1. On June 1 and 2, Georgetown University Law School hosted a two-day symposium entitled “The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC): Why It Is Time to Ratify.”

This well-funded conference was held to organize a new coalition effort by American internationalists to seek ratification of the UN child’s rights treaty.

2. In the second week of June, a major study was released by the British education ministry calling for dramatically dangerous increases in the regulation of homeschoolers in that nation.

This study concludes that the UN CRC requires that the government enter every homeschooling home and privately interview each homeschooling child to determine “the child’s wishes” regarding his or her education.

3. On June 17, at the UN headquarters in Geneva, the UN’s Human Rights Committee—which oversees all human rights treaties—announced that it was forming a committee to draft a new “protocol” for the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Under this new addition to the CRC, individual children would be able to file a formal legal complaint if they believe that their rights had been violated. It would give this new international tribunal the right to determine if the child’s treaty rights had been violated by any person.

The internationalists believe that this is their moment in history.

They have millions of dollars in their coffers. They have the support of the media. They have the powers of government. They have the entire apparatus of the United Nations.

We have some assets as well.

Our arguments resonate with the American people—the vast majority of Americans believe that Americans should make our own domestic laws and that parents, not government, should make decisions for children.

Leaders at the Georgetown conference publicly admitted that logic and facts will not defeat our arguments. What do they plan to do?

They plan to use emotional arguments. They said so in open public sessions.

At the Georgetown conference, the UN officials and other foreign experts were constantly censored by their American handlers. Why? Because these foreign experts acknowledge that this treaty would be supreme over American law.

The American child’s rights propaganda machine denies that we would forfeit American sovereignty—even though they do not have the legal arguments to back their rhetoric. They did everything they could to silence their guest speakers when they strayed from the sanitized version of their message.

We are in a race. It is a race for the future of the American family and American self-government.

The question is: Will the lies of the internationalists be heard by more Americans than the truth of those who believe in families?

I wish that I could look each person reading this right in the eyes. It is incredibly difficult for written words to explain how serious this situation really is.

The real battle is being fought right now. Our opponents are preparing for a vote in the Senate sometime ahead—as soon as they feel they have laid the groundwork for victory.

Because the internationalists possess the reins of government, have millions of dollars at their disposal, and have powerful allies in the mainstream media, they can build momentum much faster than we are able to do.

We have to get our message out to others and we have to do it today.

I have been leading grassroots political efforts for over thirty years. Without any fear of contradiction, I can tell you that we are going to win or lose the battle over the Convention on the Rights of the Child in the next few months. The key to victory lies in the stage of preparation.

Will we have adequate preparation to win?

The annual budget of Parentalrights.org is less than $500,000. They have millions and millions of dollars at their disposal.

We must raise money right now to employ professionals who can help us get our message out in the media.

We must also raise money right now to employ experienced people to work the halls of Capitol Hill on our behalf.

I cannot do these things alone. We have to have a quality team if we expect to stop the combined power of Geneva, New York, and Washington.

This is the time to decide whether you are willing to take meaningful action.

There are just two tangible things I would ask you to do.

1. Give a gift of $10 or more right now to parentalright.org (PRO). Membership in PRO is just $25 a year. Sustaining membership is just $100. We have to raise a substantial amount of cash or we simply cannot keep up.

2. Please recruit at least three other people to sign up for our online email alerts. We have over 100,000 people who are a part of this team. We need to get to 4,000,000 supporters before the battle starts. We have to dramatically pick-up the pace of recruiting people if we are going to have any hope of beating the other side in the greatest grassroots battle in American history. We need to be doubling our numbers every couple months to get our team in place.

You are the best recruiters we have. Please pick up your phone right now and call a friend and tell them that they need to read the email you are about to send them and that you really need them to become part of the team. This kind of personal attention will work.

In less than two years, American social workers may be in a position to inform all our children that if they have any conflict with their parents over any decisions at all then they can file a formal complaint in an American court to vindicate their international rights. And ultimately, once this new protocol is in place, if they don’t like the outcome from the American courts, there will be a new UN tribunal to hear their complaint.

Moms and dads, we have to get ready. The battle for American liberty is about to begin.

Michael Farris
-------------------

Jane

If you Love Me

2009-06-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

In keeping with my unofficial theme of commitment, I want to concentrate on an area that I feel deserves a high level of commitment. I'm speaking of our commitment about going to church.

First, let's look in the Bible since it should be our base for our actions. We are told that we are in a love relationship with God. This is a relationship that God started. John 3:16 says:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

We see this sentiment again in Romans 5:6-8:

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

We see God's love for us in these verses. Our response to God's love is to obey him if we love him.

If you love me, you will obey what I command.(John 14:15)

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.(John 14:21)

Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.(John 14:23-24)

These three verses are all saying the same thing. If we love God, we obey God. It's that simple. But what about the application of obeying God? The Bible deals with that too.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.(Matthew 6:33)

for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.(Ephesians 5:8-11)

The act of obeying God is to seek His kingdom and what pleases Him. These are the things we are to do.

Okay, so the four things we've learned from the Bible so far are:

We are in a love relationship with God.
God loves us and we love Him back.
We love God and therefore obey Him
We obey God by seeking His kingdom and doing what pleases Him

These are the basics of Christian living. They establish the foundation for how important our obedience to and pleasing God is. It is from this foundation that we start looking at individual commands and life-guiding principles. This is where I will pick up my original topic of church attendance.

Hebrews 10:19-25 says the following:

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

What is church? The "assembling of ourselves together". It's not just the act of going to church that is important. While we are there we're suppose to exhort one another and likewise be exhorted by those around us. Church is not suppose to be something we do when it fits into our lives. The above passage is a call to press on, persevere. If living the Christian life was going to be the easiest thing in the world there would be no need to call people to press on. Our meeting together is part of that Christian life.

Church is also not just a place to go on Christmas and Easter. Church is where we learn of God. It is where we have fellowship with other believers and find strength in that fellowship. We get help from the other believers and likewise give help to the believers around us.

Now the argument has been made many times that someone didn't come to church because they were with family. God has something to say about this too. In Matthew 10:37-38 God says:

Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

This however does not mean we do not show your family love or actually hate them. On the contrary, Ephesians 5:28 gives this command:

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

God is not telling us to truly hate our family. What should happen is that we love God so much that our love for our family pales by comparison.

Our relationship with God is to be the most important relationship in our life. He should be the top priority. And you know what else? He deserves to be at the head. It is His right. One way for God to be the leader in our lives is to put our time aside and GO TO CHURCH! Church has fallen from our priority list. It's time it came back to the top.

Jane

I Meant What I Said, and I Said What I Meant

2009-06-05T15:48:00.000-07:00

"I meant what I said, and I said what I meant- An elephant's faithful, one hundred percent!" Horton the Elephant from Dr. Sues's Horton Hatched an Egg

What ever happened to commitment? When people said they would do something they did. They didn't say they'd do something when they knew they didn't have time. People didn't give you their word then back out on you because it wasn't as fun as they thought it would be. No, when people said they'd do something it was for real.

No one has to commit to anything. People don't have to commit when they volunteer, and people don't have to commit when they get married. People aren't even getting married anymore! Everything is so self centered that not committing so we feel free to changing our minds has become a right! Whatever happened to depending on people? Whatever happen to giving one's word was enough? Whatever happened to commitment?

Jane

Schools Almost Out

2009-06-02T15:50:00.000-07:00

School may almost be out, nut here is a small refresher course for you all.

FIREARMS REFRESHER COURSE

"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~Thomas Jefferson

FIREARMS REFRESHER COURSE

1. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

2. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.

3. Colt: The original point and click interface.

4. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.

5. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords and IEDs?

6. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.

7. Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.

8. If you don't know your rights, you don't have any.

9. Those who trade liberty for security have neither.

10. The United States Constitution (c) 1791. All Rights Reserved.

11. What part of 'shall not be infringed' do you NOT understand?

12. The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.

13. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.

14. Guns have only two enemies; rust and politicians.

15. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.

16. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.

17. 911: Government sponsored Dial-a-Prayer.

18. Assault is a behavior, not a device.

19. Criminals love gun control; it makes their jobs safer.

20. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.

21. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.

22. You have only the rights you are willing to fight for.

23. Enforce the gun control laws we ALREADY have; don't make more.

24. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.

25. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.

Jane

Tree of Liberty

2009-05-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."-Thomas Jefferson

It is Memorial Day. The day when America remembers those fallen in service to our country. We remember those who will never come home, those loved there country and wrote that love in blood. It is such men and women that fuel my pride in my country. Most did not go because they had to. Most were not forced into service by an overbearing government. They went out of love for their country. I remember how my grandfather(who did not die in service to our country) told me that during WWII he was too young to enlist, but he did any. Why? War is hard and horrible. Why would someone whiling go into it. For love. We are told in John 15:13 that "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." These men and women showed this love when they went off to protect their homeland and their friends and family living in it. They are heroes, and should be treated as such. They gave the ultimate sacrifice, and their families shared in this sacrifice.

Yet they are not the only heroes. There is a great hero. One who died to save the world. Jesus Christ came to Earth with the specific mission of dieing on the cross to save us all. Our soldiers died for freedom, but even if I loose that freedom my soul shall still be free. His blood paid a price that can never be wanting. Jesus bought the ultimate freedom by paying the ultimate price. Have you forgotten?

Happy Memorial Day!

Jane

A New Day-Some New Thoughts

2009-05-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

It's really starting to feel like summer here in the mountains. It's a warm, sunny Sunday day. It's also a very special day as it is my father's Birthday. He's 52 today and in honor of that we will be making home made peach ice cream and having a little get together with our church family.

As I'm sitting her typing my mind is wondering to the weather and hot it is. Right now it's around 95 degrees and it feels very warm. We don't like it when it's this hot. It makes us uncomfortable so we turn on our air conditioning. This got me thinking. We can't stand this heat so why do we seem to so conveniently forget that Hell will be worse? It will be ten times hotter for eternity there. Why does that not seem to bother people? I've heard people refer to Hell as one big party. It's not. What it is is eternal separation from God and eternal suffering in a lake of fire. That's worse then even the hottest summer day.

As Christian we need to wake people up to this reality. Maybe then they'd give some more serious thought. Maybe comparing Hell to a summer day is a bit unorthodox, but if people burn and try to escape from the summer heat why not try and help them escape from the Eternal heat of Hell?

Jane

New Template

2009-05-15T21:20:00.000-07:00

Well here is a new, colorful template in honor of spring/summer. Hope you all like it!

You know, it never ceases to amaze me what God will do. I went to a meeting with me father, and he made the comment that I liked horses. A lady who owns horses and gives horses lessons a little ways from our house approached me and asked if I had ever had horse lessons. I told her that my best friend was teaching me to ride, but I had never had professional lessons. She told me to come over anytime and we'd talk about lessons. I went over today, and I think it will work out. I wasn't looking for it, but God dropped it in my lap. How cool is that?

Jane

In a Word: Faith

2009-05-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

Faith certainly tells us what the senses do not, but not the contrary of what they see; it is above, not against them.-Blaise Pascal

Faith embraces many truths which seem to contradict each other.-Blaise Pascal

Many times I have heard that Christianity is based on nothing but faith. It is not back by science or anything. Yet this is simply not so. The Bible is the most proven books in the world. Look through more then 13,000 manuscripts of the New Testament, historians have found that current translations agree with existing documents 99%. Also, the 1% disagreement is not over any major teaching in the New Testament. The New Testament also is highest in the world when it comes to the number of manuscripts it has:24,000. The runner up is Homer's The Iliad with only 643 surviving manuscripts.

The Bible is also backed by what archeologists are finding. The difference between the trials that Jesus and Paul went through go along with what historians would think. Documents show differences in trials conducted before and after A.D. 50. Also, in John 5, there is an account of Jesus healing a man by a pool called Bethesda. Archeologists now believe they have found Bethesda.

There are many more things that could be listed, but this short list should tell you one thing: faith does not go against the knowledge that we have. What it does go against is the current fads in human thinking. These however are rather trivial. They do not determine my view of the Bible or my faith.

Jane

Celtic Fair

2009-04-29T21:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, so here are the long overdo pictures from the Celtic Fair. I didn't get that many, but here are the ones I got for your entertainment.

Okay, so my sister Amanda and I both had tales. We wanted a picture. So we made David take a picture.

Here is the front of Amanda and I.

This is David her boyfriend.

This is Amanda.

These are very pretty horses. I think they are Shires, but I'm not sure.

This is a bagpipe marching band. They were actually really good!

This is me in one of the cut out things. Ain't it attractive?

Amanda in another one of those cut out things.

And finally David, whom we forced to stand there and let us take his picture.

Yep, there they are. The only thing I don't have a picture of was Amanda, David, and I retrieving haggis for a help. Fun fun!

Jane

Getting Ready

2009-04-25T04:46:00.000-07:00

So today should be interesting. So, I'm up at 4:57 am. I got up at 4am. Why you ask? I'm over at my sister, Amanda's house getting ready to go to a Celtic Fair in Woodland. David is picking us up at 5. Please note, neither one of us remembers at this point in time why we decided this was a good idea. Oh well, it should be fun no matter what. I do have a camera and will take lots a pictures.

Jane

The Story of a Girl, and Dream, and How God made it Real

2009-04-15T21:44:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time,

There was a little girl. Now this little girl loved music. She loved to here her dad play guitar, and she loved to listen to jazz. Her special love was for the saxophone. Now this little girl was given the chance to play an instrument, and she asked her parents for a guitar. While she loved the saxophone, she loved her daddy more. This little girl wanted to be just like Daddy.

Fast forward four years. This little girl still loves playing her guitar. She's part of "Walt's kids" that play in church. Yet she still loves the saxophone, and still has a dream to play it. So, she decided to do something about it. First she went to her cousin who had an old sax. Unfortunately it was stuffed in a storage unit in Mexico. Okay, strike one. Then another opportunity presented itself. A man named Glenn said he knew of some people selling an alto saxophone. Unfortunately, it would take the girl awhile to result up the $200 for it. Okay minor set back. Then her mom told her that she really wanted the girl to focus on her guitar. Major set back, but the girl knew her mom had a point. The little girl was very sad that she couldn't get the saxophone. It's always sad when dreams don't work out they way we wished they would.

Fast forward a week. The girl is doing school when she gets a call. It's Glenn wondering if she'd been able to to get together the funds for it. The girl tells him that she hadn't and that her mom wanted her to focus on her guitar. Glenn informs her that the people selling the sax said if she couldn't get the funds together, they wanted to just give it to her. He then told her that since she couldn't have it right then, he would not only hold it at his house for her, but he would also repair some of the damages to it and make sure it played well. The little girl was speechless. All she could say was "thank you" over and over again. She was so happy that she hung up the phone and cried.

Isn't is amazing how when we give up on dreams God seems to have a way of making them come true? In this instance he used some very generous and kind people to make it happen. God took this opportunity to remind the little girl that even when things seem so far gone, they never really left.

And one last point. The little girl isn't so little. She's me!

Jane

Explaining a Nickname

2009-04-12T22:09:00.000-07:00

My father has this nickname for me: Fiona. Hopefully this video will explain why I got the nickname. The women is Fiona just in case you you couldn't guess.

Jane

In the Paper

2009-04-11T22:51:00.000-07:00

(Click to make larger)

Jane

Patrick Henry

2009-04-08T22:17:00.000-07:00

George Washington and Patrick Henry are two of my favorite American revolutionaries. I have already showed some Washington quotes, so here are some of my favorite Patrick Henry quotes.

“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.”

“It can not be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!”

“The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.”

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!”

“Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom. No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.”

“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.”

“Religion I have disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give to them, and that is the Christian religion. If they had that and I had not given them one cent, they would be rich. If they have not that, and I had given them the world, they would be poor.”

“The Bible is worth all the other books which have ever been printed.”

“The great object is that every man be armed.”

“Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense?”

“Perfect freedom is as necessary to the health and vigor of commerce as it is to the health and vigor of citizenship.”

“If this be treason, make the most of it!”

“When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object.”

Jane

A Woman's Question

2009-03-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

A Woman's Question
by Lena Lathrop

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing
Ever made by the hand above?
A woman's heart, and a woman's life--
And a woman's wonderful love.

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy?
Demanding what others have died to win
With the reckless dash of a boy.

You have written my lesson of duty out,
Manlike, you have questioned me.
Now stand at the bars of my woman's soul
Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
I require your heart be as true as God's stars
And as pure as His heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef,
I require a far greater thing;
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts---
I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called Home,
And a man that his Maker, God,
Shall look upon as he did on the first
And say: "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose may fade
From this soft young cheeck one day;
Will you love me then, 'mid the falling leaves
As you did 'mong the blossoms of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and true,
I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give this all, I would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook
You can hire and little to pay;
But a woman's heart and a woman's life
Are not to be won that way.

This is one of my favorite poems. It reminds me to keep my standards high when looking for a husband. As long as a man can stand up to these questions, I'm pretty sure he can stand up to anything.

Jane

Obama and Lincoln

2009-03-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

This post is kind of in response to the funny picture and caption but on Lady of the Plain's blog. This post goes along the same lines. If you want to see her post, look here.

Lincoln and Obama are very much alike:

Lincoln place his hand on the Bible for his inauguration. Obama used the same Bible.
Lincoln came from Illinois. Obama came from Illinois.
Lincoln served in the Illinois Legislature. Obama served in the Illinois Legislature.
Lincoln had very little experience before becoming President. Obama had very little experience before becoming President.
Lincoln rode the train from Philadelphia to Washington for his inauguration. Obama ode the train from Philadelphia to Washington for his inauguration.
Lincoln was a skinny lawyer. Obama is a skinny lawyer.
Lincoln was a Republican. Obama is a skinny lawyer.
Lincoln was highly respected. Obama is a skinny lawyer.
Lincoln was born in the United States. Obama is a skinny lawyer.
Lincoln was honest, so honest he was called honest Abe. Obama is a skinny lawyer.

It is almost spooky!

Jane

John Adams

2009-03-07T19:21:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite clips that I have scene from the HBO mini-series on John Adams. I have not scene the whole show, just a few clips. I must say I echo the last statement: "God save our American States!"

Jane

Time After Time

2009-03-05T15:45:00.000-08:00

One of the amazing things about the Bible is that you can read sections over and over again and still have passages jump out at you! I have had two such occasions recently and feel like telling y'all about them.

Being one of those kids that was raised in Sunday School, I have read Luke a lot. Some parts of Luke more than others, but it is still one of those books that gets brought up a lot. A little while ago I was reading the book of Luke for AWANA and came across Luke 10:17-20. It says:

17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."
18 "I saw Satan fall like the lighting from heaven.
19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on the serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

The first thing that came to me was in 17. When the seventy came back to Jesus they didn't go "Oh man look what we did! That was soo cool!" No, they came back and were ecstatic that the demons were subject to them in Jesus' name.

The second came in verse 18. In our finite minds it is hard to understand Jesus being there before before He was born by Mary. Yet in this verse Jesus says He saw Satan fall from heaven. Satan fell before the beginning of time as we know it. If Jesus saw Satan fall, then He must have been before the beginning of time too! This would give validity to the Trinity.

The third is found in verse 20. In the verse above, verse 19, Jesus mentions all these things that He has given us the power and authority to do. Then in verse 20 He turns the tables and says we should not rejoice in this. What?! It's amazing that He gives us the power to do this. What does He mean do not rejoice? Jesus tells us that we should rejoice in the fact that we are saved. This is the basis for everything. With our salvation will get to spend eternity with God. It is also through our salvation that Jesus gives us the power and authority He mentions in verse 19. So God tells us not to rejoice in the power He has given us, but rejoice in His power that He uses on us.

The next set of verse that struck me are in Matthew 10:19-20. They read:

19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;
20 "for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

It really struck me how I spend a lot of time coming up with arguments for my faith. I try to figure ways to say things eloquently and persuasively. Yet here Jesus is saying not to worry about what I will say or how I will say it. He will give it to me...if I let Him. If I just give God control of my mouth He will speak through me in more eloquent and persuasive ways then I ever could on my own. I know I've said a lot that I don't do good speaking if I don't have a script in front of me, but why would I need a script if I have Holy Spirit?

Please know that while I finally figured all this out, I haven't quiet put it all in to practice. These verse have a lot to say and a lot for me to do. They give me a mind set to strive for. I'm not there yet, but maybe someday I will be.

Jane

Knight of Murder Mayhem

2009-02-24T21:45:00.000-08:00

Friday the 20th was my b-day party. It was a murder mystery party. The good news: it was soo much fun! The bad news: everyone was having so much fun that we didn't think to take pictures. Sorry.

Anyway, it was a very good night. A tournament was held in the honor of the marriage of Lady Diana of Dunesberry to Baron Bartholomew of Fernwood Manor. In the middle of the dinner Lord Taylor, the Baron's father, stood up to make a toast. When the toast was almost over the lights went out. After the lights came back on we found that Sir Rufus, an evil knight that no one liked, had been stabbed to death. In the insewing caos everyone was the suspect. I wont tell you who did it, just that it was an awesome ending.

It was such a wonderful party! I got some very wonderful gifts, but more importantly I had my wonderful group of friends to celebrate with. I will defently remember this one!

Jane

Not so Silent Majority

2009-02-19T15:30:00.000-08:00

This is a video my father sent me. I thought you guys might find it interesting. I know I did. Unfortunately I can't just post the video so copy and paste the link in your url.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1039849853

Jane

Valentines

2009-02-14T14:52:00.000-08:00

The day had finally arrived. The minister was in his best t-shirt. The maid of honor was wearing the customary hideous bridesmaid dress. The bride was glowing. There was just one problem with this wedding…Where was the groom?

Valentines Day is here. It’s a romantic time filled with dreams, wishes, flowers, hearts, card, and chocolate. Around Valentines, people seem to be able to muster their courage and ask that special someone for a date. It’s a very special time of year.

For me Valentines Day is a very special holiday, but it’s special for different reasons than most would think. I don’t date which highly limits my ways of celebrating Valentines Day. For me, Valentines Day is a time to renew my trust in God. In God’s perfect timing He will bring a man for me. It won’t be when I think I’m ready for a relationship; it will be when God knows I’m ready. So this Valentines Day I will think God that he made me able to have feelings, for special friendships, and remind myself that God has the most amazing love story written for me and it’s not my duty to ask “Where’s the groom?!”

Jane

BIRTHDAY!!!

2009-02-12T09:40:00.001-08:00

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!

Yes, it is my birthday! I'm soo excited! I got to sleep in and have cinnamon rolls for breakfast! They were sooo good! And now I have a secrect. I've used some of my b-day money to buy a new airsoft gun. It's a sniper rifle. But shhhh! The guys don't know about it so don't tell them.

My b-day party actually wont be still next Friday. This Friday is the Valentine Banquet at our church and the youth(most of whom are invited to the party) are helping with that. (Pst! Walt! He's probably coming. I don't know though 'cause Wed. he had a slight cold.) My party is going to be a murder mystry party. It will be a lot of fun. I post pictures and tell about the night after it happens.

Well, off with the rest of my day!

Jane

Weep You No More Sad Fountains

2009-02-09T09:08:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite scenes from the movie Sense and Sensibility. This is the scene where Col. Brandon first sees/meets Marianne Dashwood, and at least for Brandon it is love at first sight! Marianne is playing Weep You No More Sad Fountains.

Jane

Which Side do you Choose?

2009-02-06T16:08:00.000-08:00

You stand on a path at a cross road. You can only see a little of each side. The right side looks steep and the path narrow. The sign pointing to it doesn't promise an easy road, but it says you'll have a guide that will never get lost. The left, well that's a different story. The road winds slowly down. From where you stand you can see what looks like lush grass and flowers. The sign says the pathway is fun, and you're your own guide.

Which do you choose?

The right is steep and narrow. It'll take a lot of work to walk that; you'd have to commit to it. There is also the fact that you'd have to follow a guide. He is in charge, and He makes the rules. The left is wide and an easy walk down. No commitment, no hard incline...no rules.

Which do you choose?

Jesus gave us the answer in Matthew 7:13: ""Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many." See, while the left looks like an easier path to take, it's really not. It leads to despair, loneliness, and destruction. What looks pleasant at first becomes twisted and torn. You will find no rest on that road. The right looks hard, and it is. There are times when you will wonder if it was really the right choice to choose this path. Yet, God has promised us that He will always be with us. He will get through the tough parts. On this road we will find joy, friendship, and life.

So, which do you choose?

Jane

That Don't Impress Me Much

2009-01-26T18:06:00.000-08:00

A threat is looming. Dark clouds are gather. The storm has not come yet, but the signs of it coming are everywhere. For centuries no one has questioned a parent's right to parent their children as they see fit. This mind set is slowly fading. Parent's rights are being attacked not only on a federal level, but an international level.

There have been signs of the slipping support of parent's rights from the federal courts have been there for a few years. The justices still side with parents on certain issues, but not all do it because they feel the right of parents is a fundamental right. The threat from our own government has slowly crept into our nation. We must take it out.

As if it were not enough that support for parent's rights are eroding in the federal system, it is not being called into question by the UN. A treaty entitled "Convention on the Rights of the Child (Also known as 'UNCRC')" has already been presented to the world. It was introduced in 1989 and since then every nation in the world except for the United States and Somalia. The UNCRC is:

"an international treaty focused on promoting the rights of children and seeking to give children priority in the implementation of governmental measures. The Convention claims to offer a road map that will guide government officials in the improvement of laws and policies, by defining which rights the government should give to children."(ParentalRights.org. To read the whole article go here.)"

This attack on parent's rights is a very real threat. For everyone's sake it can not be ignored. We are being told that parent's do not know how to raise their child, but their goverment does. Please, I would beg you to go to www.parentalrights.org. Learn about these issues. See what you can do to stop this escalating attack on parent's rights before it is too late.

Jane

Savior's Bleeding

2009-01-23T18:05:00.001-08:00

Savior's Bleeding

I use to think that if I didn’t look back

Maybe I could forget all that had turned my world black

I tried to forget the emotions that had left many scars

Yet these actions left my heart marred

I thought ignoring would bring healing

Yet it was my joy that it was stealing

God showed me I could not simply forget

And neither should I fret

I learned I could not run from emotions

For in my previous notions

There was only pain

In them I had nothing to gain

So with God I faced what I’d been running from

I let those emotions come

Only then did I find healing

Only in my Savior’s bleeding

By Jane Bingly

This is another one of those poems that has a lot of meaning to it. It's basically my emotional journey learning how to work through the emotional pain that I've been through.

'Cause it's a Wonderful Life Right Now

2009-01-19T18:08:00.000-08:00

I have had a wonderful weekend and on into Monday. There's so much to say so let me start with Friday.

Friday I went down to see Nelley. Nelley was my best friend before I moved up to the mountains. Her 17th birthday was today, Monday, so I went down to see her. It was a good time. Got reminded of a lot of memories. Nelley and her family is going through a hard time so I was happy to make her happy. Hopefully I wont go another year without seeing her.

Well, that was Friday morning and afternoon. At 9:30pm an indoor soccer game started at the Folsom Sports Complex. This was the first indoor soccer game I've ever seen. My friend, Mitchel, is on the team. He did very well! It was a fast paced game, and very amusing to watch. I had a lot of fun sitting with my Mom, Mitchel's mom, and Mitchel's grandma. It will be a very nice memory.

Saturday was also an awesome day! As many of you know I go horse back riding with my best friend, Amanda. Well Amanda and I have been trying to get our friend Cara to come riding with us. Saturday she did. We got to teach her how to ride, and she did very well! We all had soo much fun! All of us hope we can get her to come over again.

Sunday was a day with surprises. I got a call from my Aunt Andy, our old next door neighbor. She told us that her mom was in the hopspital, had been since Wedensday. Her mom was doing okay, but there was a hard road ahead of them. After we hung up with Aunt Andy, her daughter, Candice, called. She was wondering if she could come up Monday since she didn't have school on MLK day. We told her just come up right then. Now Candice is one of my best friends. She has been all my life. I was glad she came up and spent the night. It was also intersting since I was going to be at Cara's house that afternoon, but since I wasn't I was at home to take Candice's call. Ain't God funny? Go Him!

Like I said, she spent the night and we watched Horton Hears a Who, ate her favorite dinner(my mom's tacos), and stayed up late talking. Monday we had fun racing around the neighbor hood and my yard on golf carts. Candice went home around 2pm.

Well, I think that's about it. Here are some pictures from Saturday and Monday. Unfortuantly I don't have pictures from seeing Nelley or seeing Mitchel in his soccer game. I forgot a camera.

^Cara with Max

^Me jumping Scooter over a cross rail oxer

^My jumping Scoot over a cross rail oxer.

^Scooter jumping three ft

^Amanda riding Scooter.

^Me lunging Scooter over a two ft eight in. oxer

^Me canter Scooter around the pasture

^Candice and I in a golf cart

^Candice, my brother Nathaniel, and myself in a golf cart.

Okay, well I think that's everything for me.

Till next I write,
Jane

Turning into a portfolio

2009-01-13T21:41:00.000-08:00

I seem to be posting a lot of my graphics lately. This is a banner I made. It depicts one of my characters that I made. Her name is Neeva Ashton. Just thought you all might find it interesting. I'm experimenting with brushes in photoshop. This is what turned out.

Rebuttel

2009-01-03T12:39:00.000-08:00

Let me begin by saying that I see disagreement as an okay thing. I feel that arguing a point is helpful for both parties. It makes both parties think about the points they are trying to prove. As long as you argue correctly, I feel no reason to shy away from a good argument (especially among friends). With all that said, my tendency is not to put my rebuttals out in a public place. You will see my comments, but the long e-mail, letter, or conversation that hold my actually arguments I prefer to have in a private setting. Yet, sometimes that is neither possible nor practical. Such is the case this time. I found an article on Google entitled “A Former Witch Looks at Lord of the Rings”. This post is my rebuttal to that article.

Now I will be referring to not only the general article, but mostly I will be referring to specific sections. To make this easier on my reader, I am going to provide a link to the argument I am working from for you. I have highlighted the sections and given those highlighted sections numbers. I will be referencing those numbers. Here it goes.

Click here to view the article

1. The author makes the claim that Lord of the Rings and the like are being used to bring in an “Aquarian age”. Look at the other books of that time. Advise and Consent by Allen Drury came out in 1960. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee came in 1961 and a movie was made in 1962. The Shoes of the Fisherman, by Morris L. West was a product of 1963. These books did not sell in just small amounts. With the amount of other influential books from this time period, why is Lord of the Rings being singled out to usher in the “Aquarian age”? And where is the “Aquarian age”? If it didn’t happen in the sixties, it isn’t any more likely to happen now.

Lord of the Rings came from Tolkien’s imagination. They did not come from his desire to bring forth an “Aquarian age”.

2. On this I will give the author credit. Deuteronomy 18:9-14 does tell us not to practice sorcery. On this matter, I will let Tolkien defend his own work.

“What really happens is that the story-maker proves a successful 'sub-creator'. He makes a Secondary World which your mind can enter. Inside it, what he relates is 'true': it accords with the laws of that world. You therefore believe it, while you are, as it were, inside. The moment disbelief arises, the spell is broken; the magic, or rather art, has failed. You are then out in the Primary World again, looking at the little abortive Secondary World from outside.”-J.R.R. Tolkien, “On Fairy-Stories,” in The Tolkien Reader (New York: Ballentine Books, 1966), p. 85.

Tolkien makes an excellent point. When you write fantasy such as Tolkien’s you are not talking about this word and the laws that govern this world. Inside the made up world, right and wrong, evil and good are define by the laws of that world. They are not defined by the laws of this world.

Since the laws of the made up secondary world are from the author’s view, we need to know the perspective that makes-up that view. If the author holds to relativism then that will be the moral standard for the world. If the author holds a Christian world view, the morality in his world will be close to that of a Christian. We must be able to properly discern issues with the author’s world view.

3. A lot of books are $13. Do the people selling those books have a hidden desire to turn the Christian youth to the occult? To suggest that Focus on the Family wishes to make “good Christian witches” out of children is as best silly and at worst belligerent.

4. If you’re going to write a paper on why some books and their movies are bad, then the representation of the characters needs to be properly represented. Sauron is not an evil wizard. For the sake of simplicity, he is just spirit. He can exist in physical form, which he does from time to time, but his original for is spirit. During the period of time which the stories in the Lord of the Rings takes place, Sauron is in the form a lidless eye. Sauron may be many things, but he is not a wizard. Again, if you’re going to write something, take the time and make sure you define everything and everyone right. It helps your credibility.

5. To call runes the witchcraft langue, while accurate, is misrepresentative. Runes are used by witches, but they were not among the first to do so. The word “rune” comes from the word “runa” which means “mystery”. The runic alphabet is called “futhark”. The runic alphabet was first used among German tribes in central and Eastern Europe. This was their written language. And the One Ring was not even written in these runes. The inscription was written in evlish runes. That is a language Tolkien created. If he created it, that means it did not exist before, and therefore was not being used by anyone or any group before.

6. First off, this is a Lord of the Rings discussion, not a political discussion. Second, the pictures in which President Bush is wearing the One Ring are doctored. All be it every well, but they are still made up. Thirdly, someone wearing the One Ring does not mean anything. If I had the money to spend, I would buy a replica of the One Ring. Why? It’s a replica from my favorite book/movie. It also happens to looks pretty. It’s a gold ring!

7. Nothing irks me more than an unfinished quote. The whole quote is:

“I desired dragons with a profound desire. Of course, I in my timid body did not wish to have them in the neighborhood, intruding into my relatively safe world. I never imagined that the dragon was of the same order of the horse.”- J.R.R. Tolkien, “On Fairy-Stories,” in The Tolkien Reader (New York: Ballentine Books, 1966)

Yes, Tolkien wanted dragons, but he did not want them here. He desired them in that second world he created. He knew it would not be a good thing to have them here.

8. There have been times I have thought the exact same thing. I set out to do a task, and part way through I have the task has gotten much bigger than I first thought it would be. It has become “a monster”. Tolkien was using this as a metaphorical description. He did not mean his work had become an actual monster.

9. Since Lord of the Rings takes place in a world that is not our own there is no Heaven; there is no Hell. Gandalf’s spirit left him. It wandered in other places. It was sent back from those other places to Middle Earth. Was Gandalf different? Yes, he was sent back stronger in his powers. Was he resurrected? Not in the way Jesus was.

10. Yes, Tolkien translated the Lord’s Prayer into elvish. So? It is a language. Translating the Lord’s Prayer into elvish is not different than translating the Lord’s Prayer into Japanese. They are both languages. Nothing more.

11. There is a plethora of movies that came out in that time span as well. Do they all have some demonic reasoning behind them? I think not.

There is my rebuttal. My hope is that if you read it, you do so with an open mind. Reading an article does nothing for you if you read it with an already made up mind.

Jane

Our Hope Endures

2008-12-28T22:11:00.000-08:00

This is a song by Natalie Grant. It's entitled "Our Hope Endures". It's a beautiful song. One that I connect with. Thought I'd share it with you.

Our Hope Endures
You would think only so much can go wrong
Calamity only strikes once
And you assume that this one has suffered her share
Life will be kinder from here

Sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear
But our hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged

How do we comprehend peace within pain
Our joy at a good man's wake
Walk a mile with a woman whose body is torn
With illness but she marches on

Sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear
But our hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged

Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient

We never walk alone
This is our hope
Our hope endures, the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
let the earth quake
let the earth quake
let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged

Jane

The Rush is Over

2008-12-27T09:36:00.001-08:00

Christmas comes
And Christmas goes
Heaven only knows
That Christmas could stay all year round
If we remember when Love came down

Well Christmas is over, and we're heading towards a new year. It was a good Christmas with family and some friends who are like family. There is a lot of food and other goodies lying around our house..... need to find some way to get rid of them.

Most of the family is already gone, and the rest are leaving today and Sunday. It will be kind of quiet around me house.... maybe I'll have to invite some friends over.

Wednesday our family went to the candle light Christmas Eve service at our church. It was a good service. It's always good to hear others thoughts on Christmas and why it's special to them.

Well, I think that's all I got. I'll write back soon.

Jane

More Randomness

2008-12-26T17:53:00.001-08:00

Here is a random background to go with the other random graphic.

Jane

Now He Believed Her

2008-12-23T15:29:00.000-08:00

He hadn't believed her. He should have, but he didn't. She'd come back from her cousin's pregnant! Most guys would not have taken it quiet as well as he had. Still, he loved her. He should have believed her. Instead, he decided to send her away. End their engagement. He would've done it quietly so as to save her name, but he still would have done it. It had made him sick inside. Not just the thought of sending her away, but the thought that she had betrayed him. Joseph for the life of him couldn't figure out why Mary would have done such a thing. That hadn't seemed like her at all.

The night he'd made his decision, Joseph wasn't sure how he was going to sleep. Yet he must have drifted off because something amazing happened. An angel appeared to him in his dream. He told Joseph Mary had been telling the truth. The child was God's. The angel said to not be afraid to take Mary as his wife.

Now he believed her. He just wished he'd believed her sooner.

Jane

Just Random

2008-12-22T20:28:00.000-08:00

So this is just a random graphic I made today. Hope ya'll like it.

Jane

Who Would Believe Her

2008-12-21T15:43:00.000-08:00

Who would believe her? She barley believed it herself. An angel! She'd been visited by an angel! He's told her she was going to have a baby. Even if you didn't have the added fact that the baby was going to be God's own son, the fact she was going to have a baby was amazing. She wasn't married. She'd never been with a man so having even an ordinary baby was miraculous! But who would believe her? She was a single Jewish girl betrothed to a Jewish man. Would they believe her innocent? Would they even listen to what she had to say? Mary knew she had been given a great gift, but now she was finding out that this was also a great burden.

"Breath of Heaven, hold me together. Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven. Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness; pour over me Your Holiness, Breath of Heaven."*

Jane

*Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant

Happy Poem

2008-12-15T09:36:00.000-08:00

Well per an indirect comment, I have decided to post another one of my poems. I was intending it to be a song, but I haven't been able to come up with a second verse. If I ever think of another verse and a bridge for it, then it will become a song. Anyway, here it is. A happy poem.

Love Song

I wanted to write you a love song

Telling you how much I feel

I wanted to write you my heart song

Play it on a music real

But I can’t write for the life of me

I’m goin’ crazy

Can’t you see

Hands tied can’t write what’s on my heart

Tried to make this special/ but I couldn’t find a start

My hearts on my sleeve

Here’s a love song to you from me

Jane

25 Questions for Mary

2008-12-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

These are questions from Max Lucado's book "When God Came Near". The chapter was filled with 25 questions for Mary the mother of Jesus. I found them insightful, and thought I'd share them with you. Enjoy!

What was it like watching him pray?
How did he respond when he saw the other kids giggling durning the service at the synagogue?
When he saw a rainbow, did he ever mention a flood?
Did you ever feel awkward teaching Him how He created the world?
When he saw a lamb being led to the slaughter, did he act differently?
Did you ever see Him with a distant look on His face as if He were listening to someone you couldn't hear?
How did he act at funerals?
Did the thought ever occur to you that the God to whom you were praying was asleep under your own roof?
Did you ever try to count the stars with Him....and succeed?
Did He ever come home with a black eye?
How did He act when He got His first haircut?
Did he have any friends by the name of Judas?
Did He do well in school?
Did you ever scold Him?
Did He ever ask questions about Scripture?
What do you think He thought when He saw a prostitute offering to the highest bidder the body He made?
Did He ever get angry when someone was dishonest with Him?
Did you ever catch Him pensively looking at the flesh in his arm while holding a clod of dirt?
Did He ever wake afraid?
Who was his best friend?
When someone referred to Satan, how did He act?
Did you ever accidentally call Him Father?
What did He and His cousin John talk about as kids?
Did His other brothers and sisters understand what was happening?
Did you ever think, That's God eating my soup?

Jane

Christmas Time is Here

2008-12-02T21:40:00.000-08:00

So, it's the Christmas season, and I couldn't be happier! Ya know, the one good thing that has come from all the death I've seen is that it has made Christmas and Thanksgiving time more special. The time with family, just the joy, magic, and love of Christmas. It's just, special. We haven't got our tree yet, but we're looking!

Anyway, I can't wait for Friday and Sunday. Friday is game night at the church. Sunday the youth group is going down to Down Town Sacramento to the ice skating and Christmas shopping! I can't wait. I've never been ice skating so I'm sure I will make some sort of fool of myself. Yet it will be a blast.

I guess that's it. So to all have a merry CHRISTmas, and to all a goodnight!

Jane

Thanksgiving Travels

2008-11-26T17:23:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm down at my grandparent's house in Delano. It is kind of fogging, very cloudy, and rather rainy! Yet it has been a good time. Yesterday my mom, three aunts, my cousin, and myself headed down to Torrence with is in Southern CA(near LA). It was a good visit. A sad visit, but a good one. My mom's aunt and uncle live there so we were down in Torrence to see them. My Aunt, Betty, is blind and has a form of dementia. Whether my Uncle Bob has all his marbles is also questionable. It is a sad situation. So while it made them happy to see us all, it was hard to see that. Yet, enough of that sad stuff!

As you all know, tomorrow is Thanksgiving! I can't wait! It will be nice to sit down to a meal with all my family. Being in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I figured I'd list different things I'm thankful for.

God
God saving me
Family
Being able to see family
My wonderful friends who look after me
Horses
Pizza Hut
A car
A comfortable living

I know there is more, but I just thought I'd list a few. Hope you all have a very happy Thanksgiving!

Jane

Zoom Zoom!(Now with a Picture)

2008-11-19T15:46:00.001-08:00

HURRAY!!! Tonight is the AWANA Grand Prix(pine wood derby racing). After spend grueling hours working on their cars, racers will compete to see who's car is the fastest and who's car has the best design. These are all high skilled drivers, and there is sure to be excitement so thick you could cut it with a knife.....

Okay, so maybe I'm exagerating just bit. I'm sure the AWANA Grand Prix will be a lot of fun, but high skilled drivers might be taking a bit of a creative license. I've actually built a car this year so I'm excited to see how it does. Mom and I have done a lot to try and make this car the fastest. We're hoping to see if we can dethrone the reigning champion. Cross your fingures. I'll have my brother take pictures so I can post some of the night!

Jane

EDIT:

Okay, so there is the promised picture. I took second place, and almost beat the reigning champion! It was a very fun night. Though nights at AWANA with my friends are always fun. Here it is. Enjoy!

Can I Know Too?!

2008-11-18T18:40:00.000-08:00

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Lately I've been having to remind myself of the fact that God's will always comes out good for us. It's hard to remember that even the things in our lives that hurt of ultimately are what God uses to help us.

In two years 12 people that I know have died. I have three great aunts that could die at any moment. If they were to die that would bring the tally up to 15 people in three years. Now true, not all of these people were family members. Those that were not however, were from either the church I attend now or the church I attended before I moved. And also true, not everyone of my family members that have died I've been close to. Some I barley knew. But my mom and dad knew them. My grandma bland and Shaduck grandparents knew those family members. While I may not have direct pain from knowing those people well, it is hard to watch my family hurt around me.

I know God is in control. That I will never question, but at times I question, "Why?". Why must my family and I go threw this pain? Lord I know there is a reason, can I know what that reason is?

Each of those twelve deaths has affected me, but none more so then the death of my grandfather. The Sunday after he died I was back at church. Everyone I saw came up, gave me a hug, told me they were sorry for my lost, and that I would see him in heaven someday. That last part annoyed me after awhile. I know they did not mean it like this but that phrase almost made it sound like that fact was suppose to take all my pain away. It didn't. I still hurt. I still cried. After awhile though( just over two years actually) I finally figured it out. That truth was not meant to take away my pain(though I'm sure it helped to lesson it), it was meant to take away my despair. I may not know or understand the reason for those twelve deaths, but I know that I will see them again. That gives me hope so when I am hurting I can think of that, and have God's love chase away the lonely feelings.

Jane

My Fun Filled Days

2008-11-12T17:05:00.000-08:00

Well I haven't posted in almost a week(or has it been a week?) so I figured I should tell you what I've been up to. Friday my grandmother came up and stayed the week with my family. She came up because game night at our church was Friday. Game night was a lot of fun! Danny brought risk and so we all gathered around to try our hand at world domination. To no ones great surprise, Danny won. He always wins. Twas a good time. Then we,the youth, went outside and played basically glorified hide-and-go-seek. That was the most fun though I did manage to get some very bad blisters.

Saturday I went horse backing riding with my sister Amanda. This of course is always awesome! I'm getting better at my riding and controlling the horse. I still have to work on having a better seat when cantering. Oh! And we're teaching my horse, Max, to go off of leg commands. I even have some pictures from that day:

(This is me cantering Scooter around the pasture)

(This is a picture of Scooter in his beautiful english tack)

Tuesday my mother and I took my grandmother home. We stopped and had lunch at Burger King then dropped her off at her house. After that we headed to Patterson for the soccer playoffs. Amador High went up against Patterson High. Amador lost 2-o. It was a very good game. Kind of intense. Mitchel didn't get to play so that was kind of sad, but we did give him a ride back home. Wont complain. We stopped in Tracy and Grandma took us to In-n-Out Burger. Twas fun.

Tonight was AWANA and that went well. Not too much to say about that. Guess that's it for now!

Jane

God Save America

2008-11-04T22:32:00.000-08:00

"He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." Daniel 2:21

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases." Proverbs 21:2

As election day comes to a close I still don't know the outcome of everything. I will admit to having apprehension about the out come, but I must remember that no matter what does happen God is in control. He sets up the rulers for His own purpose. Not the purpose of the rulers. Through even a bad ruler (whether corrupt or incompetent) God can still do mighty things. God is sovereign, and He promised to keep His children safe.

Even with these thoughts, I still fear for my country that I dearly love. I see it going down a path I'm forced to follow. I object to what I view as socialism, but I feel like my voice is drowned out. I know that God will work everything into His perfect plan, but I still fervently pray, "God save America!"

God Bless America

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.

Jane

Rain horses, bowling, and tests... OH MY!

2008-11-03T19:17:00.000-08:00

It has truly been a wet weekend up here in my slice of the mountains. We've gotten over 2 1/2 inches of rain over the weekend. Praise God! It was needed to help with the fire danger!

Well all this rain did not stop myself and my sister, Amanda, from going horse back riding Saturday. It was wet and cold, but we had a great time. Defiantly one of the experiences I will always remember. The only dry post on the blanket I put over the saddle to help protect the leather was in the outline of my legs and backside. The only outlines on the horses were in the shapes of their saddle pads. The rest of the horse was soaking wet, but the horses did very well!

Sunday our youth group set out to go bowling. I believe there were fifteen people! It was soo much fun. It didn't bowl very well(my highest score was an eighty-five), but it was still good. I'm looking forward to other outings planned for our growing youth group!

Today, Monday, I took my physics test. I didn't do as well as I would have liked. I got a 'C'. That is below my average. Not too thrilled about that. Guess there's nothing I can do about it now besides do better next time.

My schedule for this week looks pretty full. I'm going to be cleaning my room and temporarily moving to our downstairs guest's room all week. My grandmother is coming up for game night at our church Friday. Tuesday, tomorrow, I go to an Amador High Soccer game. Mitchel got put into the game twice last game and almost scored a goal! Yay for him! Then I have AWANA on Wednesday, a HAM radio club meeting Thursday, game night Friday, and hopefully more horse back riding! Oh, and I'm fitting school in their somewhere. I'm sure it will be a lot of fun! We live and learn to take one step at a time.

I'll write later!
Jane

Shine On

2008-10-31T09:09:00.000-07:00

Okay this is a video to the song "Shine On" by Needtobreathe. I just thought it was an interesting way to show how we need to be lights shining for God.

Shine On
Somewhere between the end
And the point where we begin
There's a fire burning brightly
That's found it's way to dim
When the feeling's gone
Shine on, shine on
And on to something new
It's long and overdue
I will remember you
Shine on, shine on
And let the others see
You've got your victory
Will you remember me
I was with you in the valley
And up upon that hill
So take just one more step infromt of you
Fir I am with yo ustill
And you're not alone
Shine on, shine on
and on to something new
It's long and overdue
I will remember you
Shine on, shine on
And let the others see
You've got your victory
Will you remember me
Can you see my hands are open
I am waiting just ahead
And you think you need it all now
But you needed me instead
Shine on, shine on
Shine, oh shine on
Won't you, won't you shine
Shine on, shine on
and on to something new
It's long and overdue
I will remember you
Shine on, shine on
And let the others see
You've got your victory
Will you remember me
Somewhere between the end
And the point where we began...

Enjoy!

Jane

Place Witty Title Here

2008-10-27T16:46:00.000-07:00

Yes tis kind of sad. I could think of nothing better to be the title of this post. Oh well. On with the post!!

Last Friday, the 24th, I finally got to go horse back riding. It was my first time in almost a month! I was soo happy. Some good friends of mine, Walt and Marilyn, came and watched me ride. It was soo much fun! I can't wait to go back!

We've also, for the past two Sundays and one Wednesday been having missionaries, both foriegn and stateside, come and speak at our church. It been a great time, and I've learned some interesting things. Did you know there were gypsies in Arizona?

In other news, last Saturday, the 25th, was the Harvest Party at the Church of the Nazarene. It was soo much fun. There were games, candy, food, bounce houses, friends, and lots of interesting costumes.! It was a lot of fun. My dear friend, Cara, and I went as Marianne and Elinor Dashwood from Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. We had such a good time strolling around the grounds pertending to be ladies of high society. For a few moments we had a 'Mr. Thorton' escort us around, but that really didn't last that long. My brother went as a knight. He looked mighty impressive and formidable strolling around in his suit of armor. There were even some little princesses that got thier picture taken with him. How cute! Here are some pictures from Saturday!

Okay, so this is a picture of Cara and I. I am Marianne Dashwood and Cara is Elinor Dashwood.

This is a picture of Cara, my brother, and msyelf. What a group we make!

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of my brother with the little princesses. Sorry. Well I think that's all for now.

Till next I write,
Jane

One Step at a Time

2008-10-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

It's just a test. It's doesn't define me. I don't have to live up to anyone's standard's but God's, and He just wants me to give it my all, do my best. I don't have to prove anything.

*sigh* That's all pretty easy to write. A little harder to put into practice. In truth, I am scared about taking the PSAT today. Afraid that I wont live up to the score I want to get for myself, a score to impress the people around me. I know those are foolish thoughts, but there they are. And here I go.

"Hold me Jesus 'cause I'm shakin' like a leaf/ You have been King of my glory/ wont you be my prince of peace"-Rich Mullins

Jane

Note: Well it is now around 2:35, and I'm done with the test. The test actually ended at 11:40 something, but I am just now getting around to posting. It went well. God gave me courage from Him. He is an awesome God. I was still nervous, but not at the same time. Kind of hard to explain.

Anyway, I'm now at the On Mission Celebration that our church is helping with. Thank you to everyone that prayed for me as I did this test. It worked!

Jane

A Weekend at Jenness Park

2008-10-06T18:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this weekend my mom and I headed up to Jenness Park with Grandma Karen, our church's pastor's wife, for the Mother Daughter Retreat. We met up with two of Karen's daughters and four of her grandkids. I'm good friends with her family so it was like gaining another family! Twas a lot of fun. I got to drive a go-cart, hang out with my friends and my mom, and learn to sqare dance. It was an awesome weekend!

The rest of the week looks like it will be good as well. Tomorrow I have a soccer game to go to. Thursday I'm hoping my cousin Charles will be able to come up and stay for a few days! I can't wait! Haven't seen him in awhile! Saturday I hope to go horseback riding with Sissy. Haven't done that in awhile either! Saturday is also a fundraising/appriciation dinner for Jenness park wich I'm helping with!

I think that's it for now. Till next time,
Jane

Ever After

2008-09-28T21:16:00.000-07:00

Ever After is the name of my favorite romance movie. It's a Cinderella story complete with romance, betrayal, evil step mother, and an evil step sister. It also has a lot of good lessons in it when it comes to friends, love, and living. In true fan fashion, I made a background with my favorite quotes in it. Tell me what you think!

Jane

Without a Try

2008-09-27T17:33:00.000-07:00

I actually thought very hard about nor posting this poem. Not that this is a bad poem, but like all the other poems I write the meaning is very personal. Maybe one of the most personal of the bunch. Yet, here it goes!

Without a Try

I never knew I would feel like this

I guess I never fully understood the risk

That came when I let myself truly feel

But I don’t regret not having my heart under a seal

You’ve become a valued friend

So even if our feelings end

Let’s never loose the friendship we’ve found

Don’t let it crumble to the ground.

Don’t say goodbye

Without a try

What's Been Going On

2008-09-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

Sooo sorry I haven't updated in awhile. All my fault, I take full blame.

Okay, so last Saturday was a very fun day. My friends and I went over to the Faith Lutheran church and helped out at a dinner they were putting on. We were the waitresses and waiters. Twas very fun. Hectic and my feet really hurt, but fun!. There was good food, music, and the most important.... DANCING! True I didn't get to dance much, but it was still fun to watch the other people. Here are some pictures!

Sunday, we took my mother to the train station. She was leaving to go down to Delano to see her family. She spent the whole week there and came back Friday.

Tuesday I went to Argonaut High for a soccer game. Amador High was playing over at the Argonaut field. Amador won, 3-1. It was a good day. I did got lost about 2 times trying to get through Argonaut to find the soccer field(Mitchel if you are readying this... no laughing!).

Thursday Cara(Lizzy), her mom, her siblings, and I went to Wal-Mart to find material in order to make our holloween costumes. I found some material, unfortunately she didn't. We're dressing up like Jane Austen characters. Will be fun!

Friday Dad and I went and picked up Mom from the train station. She was tired and sore, but none the worse for wear. She had a good week with her family. She was helping her father put up a roof on a patio cover at her sister's house.

Saturday we'll be going to Apple Hill with our church. I'm really looking forward to it!

Okay, I think that's it for now. I'll try not to go forever without posting again.

Till next I write,
Jane

Love Is.....

2008-09-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

"Love is blind."

I've heard that statement a lot, and always something didn't seem right about it. I've never seen love as blind. In order to truly love someone you must know someone, faults and all. Love is the only thing that isn't blind. Infatuation, now that can be very blind. With those kinds of feelings, you can more easily see what you want to see then what is truly there.

1 Corinthians 13:4-6 tells us what love is. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." This is what love is. Love is not blind. It is threw love that we see. That is why in Song of Solomon 8:4 says, "Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." Love is powerful. It should not be taken lightly as is often done today.

Now I'm not talking just about romantic love. This is the love between friends, family, and yes, romantic love as well.

I will leave you with my favorite verse from 1 Corinthians 13 on love.

1 Corinthians 13:7, "It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

Jane

A View from the Bleachers

2008-09-19T16:09:00.000-07:00

Hooray for Amador soccer! Tuesday started the Amador High Soccer Team's official season. Tuesday they lost by one point... so I'll talk about Thursday.

Thursday Amador won, 3-0! They, in my ignorant opinion, did very well. It was the first game I've seen them win. They've one others, I just haven't seen them do it. I also got to see Mitchel play. It was a goodnight. It was a little chilly though.

Saturday promises to be a gooday was well. Saturday night is a dinner called "A Night to Remember" at the Faith Lithren Church. My friends, and I have been asked to help be waiters and waitresses. There will be food, fun, music, and dancing! It should be a very fun night! I can't wait! Especially for the dancing! I love to dance and haven't been dancing for a long while!

I will leave you with one last goofy picture. Enjoy!

Jane

I Believe I can Fly!

2008-09-13T18:32:00.000-07:00

Ok, so here are some videos of me jumping my horse, Scooter. The jump I am jumping is a two foot oxer. That means there are two, two foot poles side by side. This is the largest jumped I ever jumped so far! It felt amazing! I know the videos are small and not real good, but I hope to have some better ones for you soon. And video of my sissy, Amanda, jumping as well. She's the one teaching me. She's amazing! Enjoy!

Jane

You Go for a Ride

2008-09-08T15:53:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of school. It went well. I got all my work done without really any problems. Some of my classes actually look interesting and enjoyable! History is one of those classes. I will actually not only get my American history credit, but I will also get my Bible and literature credits. That will be nice. I will be doing the writing assignments in that book and not my english book, which is an added bonus seeing as the history assignments are a lot more interesting.

On a different note, I learned I will have to take the PSAT come Oct. 18th. I'm not really that worried about the test. I can already tell you how I'll probably do. I'll be weak in science, guess my way through parts of english, and be solid in math. I am however not thrilled with being completely thrown out of my element into a very forgien place. I don't know anything about the highschool... besides where the soccer field is. I couldn't even tell you where a water fountain is or if they even have them! And I don't really know a lot o people that will be there. I know a few from AWANA, but still.... I'm terrified. Please! Please pray for me! I know God will work things out, but right now I just need peace.

Well, yesturday was a good day too. I got to hang out with Lizzie(Cara) all day! It was fun. I also got to hear her and her mother sing the song they wrote. It is very beautiful!! They did an awesome job. Cara and I sang a duet in church. It was "Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer". It's a moving song by Kieth Getty. We just fell inlove with it.

I think that's all for now. I need to get some stuff ready for dinner. I'm making Spagehitti and breadsticks! Yum! I'm actually uses a bread stick recipy that my dear sissy, Lizzie, gave me! I'me excited!

Till next time,
Jane

NOTE: I'm actually feeling a lot better about the test. I'm not so apprehensive about going and being with all those people anymore. I am a little about getting a good grade on the test. I'd like to get some scholarships out of the deal, but I have a study book so I think I'll be ok. Thank you thank you to everyone that prayed. I know it helped! Thanks!

Jane

Is Love A Fancy

2008-09-05T14:45:00.000-07:00

Is Love a Fancy or a Feeling

Is love a fancy, or a feeling? No.
It is immortal as immaculate Truth,
'Tis not a blossom shed as soon as youth,
Drops from the stem of life--for it will grow,
In barren regions, where no waters flow,
Nor rays of promise cheats the pensive gloom.
A darkling fire, faint hovering o'er a tomb,
That but itself and darkness nought doth show,
It is my love's being yet it cannot die,
Nor will it change, though all be changed beside;
Though fairest beauty be no longer fair,
Though vows be false, and faith itself deny,
Though sharp enjoyment be a suicide,
And hope a spectre in a ruin bare.
--Hartley Coleridge

Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed

2008-09-03T22:44:00.000-07:00

AWANA(Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) was tonight. It was the second meeting of the year. It was a lot of fun! We played some very fun, very amusing games. We played a game where people had to go back to back, link arms, then sit down and stand back up. First we started with teams of two, then four, then six. It was a lot of fun! The girls rocked at it btw. We also played a game called pretzel. That's where a group of people stand in a circle, grab hand with anyone except the person next to you or the same person twice. After you've figured out the hands you have, you must try to untangle yourselves and form a big circle. That one we weren't so good at.

Tomorrow is karate night for my brother and friends. I'll go down to give Lizzy moral support as she does her work. (a.k.a doing silly thing to make her laugh)

Well I'm tired so I think that's all I've got for you now.

As always,
Jane

Ok, Sissy I know....

2008-09-02T22:41:00.001-07:00

Let me start this post of with saying Lizzy, I know I said I wasn't going to the soccer game tonight. Well it turns out that the game really started at 6 and not 7. I was looking at the wrong date. No blond comments from the audience.

Anyway, as I said, I went to another Amador High soccer game today. I actually got to stay for the whole game! Yay! They lost though, 3-1. My friend, Mitchel, tells me that tomorrow, Wednesday, the coach is gonna kill 'em. On a happier note I got to see Mitchel play this game. I didn't the last game. Ok, enough about soccer.

Monday myself, my brother, Lizzy, and her two of her brothers and one of her sisters went to of friends house and help him clean up his yard. The house where he and his mother are living hadn't been lived in for over 20 years before they came to it a year ago. Needless to say, we had a lot of work to do. Evidently that family had gotten a love note from Cal Fire saying clean this up for it's not a fire hazard or else. So off we all went to help him. We were all tired by the end of the day, but it was a good time. I got to hang out with Lizzy! Of course it was fun!

Well, I think that's as exciting as my life's been recently. I'll write again when I have something to report.

With Love,
Jane

Letter You Will Never See

2008-08-31T17:02:00.000-07:00

Just over a year and a half ago my grandfather was diagnosed with ALS. Over the period after the diagnoses that he was living my eldest cousin, Charles, spent a lot of time with us. He became my comforter and listener. That is where this poem came from.

Letter You will Never See

This is the letter you will never see

About how much you mean to me

Words you will never hear

About how you hold all my tears

When the emotions unbidden came

You remained the same

You were my strong tower

My silent power

There is no way to tell you

How much I missed you

When you go away

There is no way to express the joy

When you stay

I wish you never had to leave

Why can’t you stay with me

You’re my security

You were there that day

When the world turned grey

You watched my smile fade

And did anything in my aid

I was the damsel in distress

You were my knight in shining armor

You passed the test

And helped me sore

How can I repay the love you gave

How can I repay you for saving me from the cave

That threatened to choke out all the light

From my sight

This is to you my cousin

My thanks that you will never read

In the letter that you will never see

And There Goes the Ball

2008-08-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Thursday the 28th, was a very fun day! On my last blog I told you how my friend, Mitchel, had invited me to go to his soccer game, and that I wasn't sure if I could come. Well I didn't think I'd get to go since Mom had grocery shopping to do. Later Thursday afternoon we went down to Martell to drop Nathaniel and myself off at Nathaniel's karate practice. That night was going to be a surprise black belt promotion for one of the guys in the class. In this karate style once a person reaches a certain belt it is the sensei's job to determine when the student is ready to get his balck belt. Mike, the guy who the surprise promation was for, had only been at this belt a week. Nathaniel and I had just gotten in the place were the lessons are held when my mom came in and asked if I wanted to be dropped off at the soccer game. I of course said yes. I am sorry that I didn't get to see Mike promoted, I heard it was awesome to see, but I had a lot of fun at the soccer game.

The scrimage before the game and the actual soccer game was against one of the best boys soccer team. Amador had their work cut out for them. By the time I left, half time, no one had scored a point. Each team kept getting close, but none of the balls made it in that ever sought after net. Was an interesting game. One kid actually took a fall and hurt his shoulder pretty bad. That was sad. He was also a very good player for the Amador team which made it even more sad.

All in all it was a good day. As I said, I was a little sad to not see Mike get permoted, but I did enjoy the soccer game..... even though I didn't get to see Mitchel play. I did get to sit with his father and little brother. That was fun.

Today my family is going down to the Sacrimento airport to pick my father up. Then' we're going out to dinner with some really good friends of ours. I'm really looking forward to it!

Your suddenly interested in soccer girl,
Jane

It is Well With My Soul

2008-08-27T15:37:00.000-07:00

It is Well With My Soul was the favorite hymn of a dear brother in Christ name Al Hendricks. A few days ago he want to be with the Lord in Heaven. His funeral was today. It was a nice service. Family and church family a like took the time to celebrate Mr. Hendricks' life. He had a full life. He loved to play music and sing. He had a huge collection of musical instruments. He was also a faithful member of our church. He was so proud to be a deacon. Even when he could no longer do the work because he was blind and sick, Mr. Hendricks was still an honorary deacon. He was also a member of the Gideon. He handed out around 20 Bibles a month and witnessed to everyone he met. He was truly a man of God.

The service was a hard one for me to go to. Ever since I went to my own grandfather's funeral, I've felt the loss of people around me more keenly. I know I'm suppose to be happy that he's in a better place, but it still is hard and sad to see people you love and care about die. And this is the 12th person I know that has died in a two year period. In this area, I'm starting to feel very emotionally drained, but I'll make it through. God always find something to brighten things around me.

Yesterday, Thursday, was a good day. It was the first soccer scrimmage for the Amador High Soccer Team. I went to see my friend, Mitchel, play. He was playing forward... I think. I don't really know a lot about soccer. He did good. I had to leave before the game was over so I don't know who won. I'll find out later tonight.

Tonight is the first night of AWANA. I'm excited. I get to see some friends that I haven't seen in awhile. Should be fun. I'll write more about how that goes tonight. For now I'll bid you goodbye!

Jane

Later that Night:

Well I just thought I'd tell you about how my first night of AWANA went. It was a lot of fun. We had a hot dogs and sloppy joes for dinner. After that Mr. Berky went over the AWANA rules. After that all the high school students met with Mss. Hoverson. She gave us our starting booklet that we must have finished before we start our Bible study. The first study we are doing is going to be on Galations and Ephesians. I'm excited!

Before I left I had a glorious time chasing around Mitchel trying to poke him. He then invited me to his soccer game tomorrow. I don't know if I can go yet. We'll see.

Till Next Time,
Jane

Time to Play Catch Up

2008-08-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I know I haven't posted in awhile. Tome to play catch up!

Ok, I'm gonna start way back at the Murder Mystery Party I went to at wonderful Colette's house. Was a lot of fun. I Played a character named May. She was tried make people think she was a good girl when really she was a big player in smuggling, black marketing, and specialized in blackmailing. She also had a whiskey problem. Oh, and her boyfriend was a drug dealer in France. She was the on that Colum, an ex-army crazy man of his rocker, tried to kill. He messed up and accidentally killed someone else. Then their was Leonora, a mistress of a millionaire newspaper owner. Marie, well she was an actress*cough*. Luc, May's drug dealing boyfriend. And Hurry, the adopted son of Monty, the millionaire newspaper owner. Hurry actually turned out to be Colum's son. Colum was trying to kill May because she was going to turn Hurry into the police for because Hurry murdered his adoptive mother. If you followed all those twists and turns, congrats! All in all, it was a very fun night! (Oh and Lizzy brought homemade bread sticks! They were sooo good!!)

Ok, so after that there was a party at the Schow house. It was Colette's send off party! There was pizza, games, and basically just funness! And me, as May, running around the Schow's backyard because they all decided, accept for Lizzy and Luc of course, that they wanted to kill me for being a blackmailer and ruining Colum, Leonora, and Hurry's lives. And then their was Beu the hired gun who switched sides constantly threw out the whole evening. I hired him first to protect me from Colum and everyone else then Colum and Co. hired him to kill me, ect. You get the picture. It was a lot of laughs!

Colette is now down in San Deiago on her way down to Cal Baptist in Riverside of college. I miss her a lot, but I know she's on the path God has lade out and couldn't be more happy or proud of her.

Colette left on the 12th. Monday the 11th we had a sleep over with Cara at Cara's house. It was a lot of fun. We got around 3-4 hourse of sleep because Danny got us up, some he got up nicer than others, at 2:30 (did you know it's still really dark then?) so we could go see a meteor shower. We went up to Shot Rock Vista.... I think. It was a lot of fun! It was basically one last blast before Colette left that afternoon on her way down to river side. It was a wonderful night/day. Then I stayed with Cara the rest of the day and helped the Schows get ready for their camping trip. Cara says the trip was a success. I'm sure she'll say something on her blog about it so you'll hear more about it from her.

Right now I'm down in Tracy helping to reseal my grandmother's deck. Today, Tuesday, we are waiting for the deck to dry after we used the power washer to get the old seal off it. Tomorrow, Wednesday, we are going to put the seal on. Should be interesting.

Ok, well I think that's it for now. I'll post pickers of us from the sleep over/meteor show once I get them. Till next time!

Ever Yours,
Jane

A Graphic Side of Things

2008-08-04T15:39:00.001-07:00

Well, I thought it was about time I show off some of my graphic works. Graphic as in graphic arts. These are two backgrounds I recently made. I'm trying out a new style so tell me what you guys think! If you wish to see them in a larger format, just click on them.

This background is from Sense and Sensibility. It's about the romance between Marianne Dashwood and John Willoughby

This background is also from Sense and Sensibility. It's about Elinor Dashwood and Edward Ferrars's romance.

With Love,
Jane

Grand Prix to that Max

2008-07-30T22:18:00.000-07:00

Well today was a good day! I went riding with my dear friend/sister. She has the horses I ride. Anyway, I finally learned to canter. Well I already knew how, but I didn't have control of the horse when I didn't and also lacked confidence when I did it. It was awesome! I learned how to do a working canter. That is when the horse just goes at it's natural pace. I also learned how to do a collected canter. That's where I have the horse on a short rein so his steps are more collected. And lastly I learned how to do an extended canter. That's where he reaches father with his legs. It was awesome.

After I had all that confidence I decided to canter over a quick double jump. That's where you have two jumps set up in a strait line one right after another. One jump was a simple cross rail and the other was a small oxer. A cross rail looks just like it sounds. Two rails making an "x". An oxer with to polls side by side. I still need to work on sitting the oxer.

I'm going to leave you with two videos of some very awesome show jumpers. This course is unreal! I can't wait till I have the skill to do something like this. The first jump is of Todd Minikus. The second is of Herve Godignon doing the same course. Two
very talented riders with equally talented horses! Enjoy!

Jane Bingly

Down from the Mountain

2008-07-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

Ok, well I'm down from my mountain. I've traveled with my family for an over night visit with my Grandmother in Tracy. Tis fun! We went to dinner at our favorite chines restaurant, Mandarin Vila. We had really, really good food. After dinner, we dropped Nathaniel back at the house, then Dad headed off to my aunt's house to help her with her computer while Grandma, Mom, and I headed over to Gottschalks and I got a new outfit. It's soo cute!

We're heading back home tomorrow. I'm getting dropped off at the Amador County fair where I'll spend the day with Amanda and her bf, David. Should be fun! Also! Tomorrow is the Rolex Classic. That is a big horse show. It has dressage, cross country jumping, and show jumping. It's amazing! Amanda is gonna record it so we can watch it! I'm excited. The biggest dream in the world I have is to someday compete in the Rolex show jumping! That would be so awesome! Here is the commercial for it! Enjoy!

Your Dreaming Friend,
Jane

Island Pictures

2008-07-21T11:14:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of registration the first day of VBS.

This is Mitchel and myself having a water gun fight during a break we got.

This is Aloha Bod teaching the 5th/6th grade class.

This is Marsha, the 5th/6th grade teacher. She's wearing a mask.

And this is my Mom teaching some kids the motions to the music.

We had a lot of fun!

P.S.-See Walt, two words. A-lot.

On Outrigger Island

2008-07-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

"On Outrigger Island we live God's unshakable truth".

That's how the theme song to this years VBS starts. I had am amazing time at VBS. Even if I had thousands of pages I could never tell you what an amazing time it was.

Mitchel and I had loads of fun teaching recreation. We got to get kids wet! So much fun! I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to lead. I either thought I'd let the kids walk all over me or that I would be too sticked and the kids would hate me. Neither, By God's grace, happened. It was a wonderful time. The last day Mitchel and I had a water gun fight with the kids. It was basically controlled chaos! Though now that it's over I'm gonna miss hanging out and talking to him every morning....

Family night went well! It couldn't have gone better. I know last post I told y'all that I was scared about the play 'cause I didn't think I'd be ready. Well, there was nothing to worry about. God pulled not only me but everyone else through. We all did awesome(Though poor Lizzy is loosing her voice so she had a hard time talking.)! Anyway, we did wonderful and everyone was telling us how cool we were.

And our VBS director, Liz, did an awesome job. You just had to see the smiling faces of the kids to know that everyone had a great time.

But sadly it's all over. Now I must wait a whole year for it to come again. It's well worth the wait.

Your Tired and Excited,
Jane

PS. I'll post pics later. We'll see if there'll be just from rec or from all over.

Marine Mouse

2008-07-10T10:19:00.000-07:00

My dad got this from a Marine buddy. And since I found it funny I think whomever reads this should see it and find it funny too!

Your Laughing Friend,
Jane

What a Whirled Win Day

2008-07-09T23:23:00.000-07:00

Today was an awesome Wednesday! I got to spend the day with 3/4 of my best friends. Cara, Candice, Mitchel, and I spent the day helping Liz get ready for VBS(which starts this Monday BTW). We painted, cut, and taped. Then we went and got prizes for the VBS kick off carnival! And after all that we went through the script for the play. To be honest, I'm starting to freak out about the play. It's so close and I don't feel completely ready. Yet, I just need to have confidence that with God's help I will be.

After, everything was done, my wonderful sister, Lizzy, invited my over to her house to have dinner and go swimming. I had so much fun! Too bad it was smoky....

I was sooo happy that Candice got to come up. She was my next door neighbor before my family moved. It was so awesome to see her again. Even if she did have to show that home video of the two of us.

Ok, I think that's all for now. Tomorrow is Nathaniel's karate class, and my meeting with Marsha to give her guitar lessons. Should be fun!

Ever moving,
Jane

In a Moment Everything can Change

2008-07-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

Let me preface this by saying I'm not quiet sure where this post is going. I'm just letting my figures do the work. So just hang on and go for this ride with me. I guess this is just really to caution people in what the discuss. I'm a moment a word can be said and in that moments things change. Politics and religion are deeply embedded in our emotions. I need to be careful what I say and how I say it. True, there are things that need to be said that I know people wont like. But that does not give me a free pass to just trample on someone's view an emotions. Even if it takes me ten times longer, I'll try and find a way to state what I have to say in a non-offensive manner. Why? If it's gonna offend people anyway and if it's the truth, why think so much about that? Because if I offend someone I've hurt a friend. And if an argument is offensive then who ever I'm talking to puts up a guard and stops listening. Just because I'm an opinionated person who's opinions go in the opposite direction of the world does not give me a free pass to not think about other people's feeling. Still, politics and religion are put forth by emotion so I know that no matter how hard I try I will still offend someone. And buttons will still be pushed. This can happen no matter how careful I am. A fact which truly saddens me, but on the same token can not stop me from telling the world what God says is right. I know this is rambling, but this has been on my heart. I hope you give it some thought. Remember, in a moment, whether for good or bad, everything can change.
(P.S. This is also for my A-U friends if any of you see this. We can not for see where this 'censorship' movement will take us. Please, listen to PoTR, Melda, and the mods. They have good points. I fear this is getting close to getting out of hand.

If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins. - Benjamin Franklin)

Your very thought filled,
Jane Bingly

Standing on the Edge

2008-07-04T17:53:00.000-07:00

I've been wondering something of late. When do my political convictions meet my religious conviction? Are they always connected or at some point do they have a separation point? Like gay marriage. I believe gay marriage is wrong because that is my religious conviction. But my political conviction is that the government should not have that much control over our lives as to dictate who we can or cannot marry. Of course I vote my spiritual conviction, but is there any way bring them together or are they to remain separate forever? Am I just to walk on the edge of both convictions?

Your ever questioning,
Jane Bingly

EDIT: Ok, so I found the answer to me question. I don't have to take my morals out of legislation. You can legislate morals, it just depends on who's morals you are legislating. So both my convictions are intertwined.

Of Weddings, Horses, and Fresno

2008-06-23T19:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

I always love the feel of a wedding. The joy that seems to be in the very air you breath and the happiness adorning the bride and grooms faces are truly something to take in. Sunday was a wedding of the daughter of a friend of my family's. Her name was Liz Meese, now Liz Dalton. She made a beautiful bride. The wedding as at Bella Piazza Winry, and I will say the building and the surrounding area looked truly stunning! And the sunset! My oh my it was like a fairy tail. Hopefully they live happily ever after like in the stories. The picture is of me in the dress I wore to the wedding. (Pst, I'll give you a secret. It was bought at a thrift store!)

Ok, now from the wedding to the horses. Saturday myself, my dear friend Karyn, and four summer missionaries went to the place where my friend keeps her horses.(I call Max, one of the horses, mine because I'm the one that rides him and shows him.) It was a fun day. Some of the missionaries learned something new and other's relearned old tricks. My father also came by and took some pictures. That is where the one on the right comes from. That is me jumping Scooter, the other horse. The vertical is 20 in. It felt like I was flying. I trotted scooter up to the jump and a few strides before the jump he broke into a canter. I had ALOT of fun!

Now for Fresno. Those four summer missionaries I mentioned earlier, well we picked them up from Copper Opolis(I think I spelled that right) and along with a pastors son from a church in Pylmouth, headed down to Fresno to do some work on the California Southern Baptist Building. They were totally remodeling a room. They were putting in a book store and some executive suits. We had a lot of fun. From Left to Right: Jane(me), John(the pastor's son), Ashley, Brittany, Jasmine, Nathaniel(my brother), and the person being lifted is Shelmith. Ashley, Brittany, Jasmine, and Shelmith are the four summer missionaries. They've left to go to Jenness Park to help with Distract Camp. Jasmine will be back to help out my church with VBS. Should be a good time!

Well I do believe that is everything. I will try to write again soon.
Oh and as to the matter of the next chapter in my "Not so Self Evident" series, I am sorry I have not posted it yet. I'm having some trouble with it and also haven't had a lot of time to write. I will try to have it up soon!

Ever Yours,
Jane Bingly

Not So Self Evident Part 2

2008-06-09T13:50:00.000-07:00

“That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.” – U.S. Declaration of Independence

The beginning of this section states the purpose for which governments are instituted, to “secure these rights”. “These rights” again is a reference to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Since laws are being made that directly go against liberty, is the government not going against the very principle for which it was established? The very thing put in place to be liberty’s greatest ally has become liberty’s great threat.

Now this section also tells where the government gets its power from, the people. It tells us that we not also give the government its power, but we also have the right to change it. Now I realize that the word abolished is also used. Please don’t misunderstand me. I have no intentions of telling you that we should lead a coup d'etat and abolish our government. I believe it is in need of some serious reform, but I will not tell you that we should abolish it. I believe the people and not the politicians should use their right and alter our government.

If “to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness” means that another amendment to the Constitution must be made, then so be it. I believe, if the right amendments were made, that could be a very prosperous thing. Starting with adding a section securing parent’s rights would be a fine start. (My complete thoughts on the subject of adding parent’s rights I will save for another essay or series.)

This section also gives a proviso to when we can use our right to alter the government. It says “that whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends”. The laws that are being passed now are destructive! When the laws start to sound like rules that a nanny would give, it is passed time to take a stand. We may be a small majority, but if you recall that even a large ripple must start out small. Please, lets start our own revolution and bring are country back to the country our founding fathers envisioned.

“All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” – Thomas Jefferson

Here Comes the Bride

2008-06-08T14:42:00.000-07:00

Friday June 6th was my cousin's wedding. I was wonderful. Kami was a very beautiful bride! I will always remember how happy Kami and Rockie looked as the looked at each other. And Rockie practically screamed "I do"... er.... "Play Ball" actually. Rockie really likes baseball so the wedding had baseball themes to it. The colors were orange and black. Yep, Giant Colors. It was an awesome time. There was even an old car parade that went by right before the wedding so the happy couple had a parade to start off there wedding! Here is a pic of me and my wonderful cousin! I wish her and Rockie all the best of luck! I got told I look like her. I'll leave that up to your judgment.

The day after the wedding Kami and Rockie held a picnic. It was good. Perfect weather for a picnic. Good food and family are always good things!

Friday was also my dear, dear friend Colette's graduation. She will be leaving for California Baptist University. This song is dedicated to her and my cousin and her new husband and family.

My Wish
By Rascal Flatts

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you wanna go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile.
But more than anything, more than anything...

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but you never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And always give more than you take.
But More than anything, yeah, more than anything...

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish. Yeah.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I Have No Idea What the Title Should Be

2008-06-04T22:33:00.000-07:00

Today there was another VBS drama play! I had sooo much fun! If this was a private diary then I would tell ya more..... but since the whole world could conceivably read this I'm not gonna say much.

We got a lot accomplished. Did a lot of blocking and figuring out how we want to move about the stage. Cara sneaking behind make shift trees. Mitchel yanking my away from her. It was fun.

Ok, that's all I'm gonna say.

Till next time!

Jane

A Room Full of Karate Kids!

2008-06-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I realize that is sort of a strange title. I do have a reason for it though. And no, it's not because I'm strange.... even though I am. I'm here at the Church of the Nazerine watching the karate class my brother is in. Get the title now?

Today has been a good day. I got outside and cleaned the windows. For the really tall windows I used the power washer. *Evil Grin* That was fun!!! It also felt good to get me feet wet!

Tomorrow is another VBS drama practice. I can't wait!! We have a good group. It's a lot of fun to hang out with them.

I've been out of school less then a week, and already I'm looking at what classes I want to take next year. I'm hoping that I will get to take some introductory law class my junior and and senior year. Those should be fun!

Well I guess that's all I've got to say. I'm talking to my cousin on MSN so I'm going to give her my full attention. Talk at you guys later!!

Jane Bingly

Maybe Not so Self Evident Part 1

2008-06-01T20:37:00.000-07:00

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”- U.S. Declaration of Independence

This section of the Declaration starts out by saying that “these truths” are “self-evident”. What truths? “These truths” are that men are created equal and that God has given us “unalienable” rights. These rights encompass life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It seems today that these are not so “self-evident”. We are given life and the pursuit of happiness, but it comes at the cost of liberty.

The dictionary defines liberty as “freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, hampering conditions, etc.; power or right of doing, thinking, speaking, etc., according to choice.” Today it appears the government has its hands in everything. Laws have been made to tell us how we should take care of our families, how we should eat, and what we should learn. If liberty is defined as “freedom from control, interference” then why does the government have so much control in our lives? Why does it interfere in most aspects of our lives?

Now I will concede that the government must have some control. Some laws are good. Those saying that murdering, stealing, public disturbance, ect. are necessary for a civil society. But when laws start being made that are intrusive to our day to day lives and business, they then start encroaching on our liberty.

Laws have been passed saying how parents are to educate their children. Automobile companies are being told how to make their cars. There are even laws that tell us how to talk in public. When will the line be draw? When we will stand up for our liberty that is slowly and quietly being taken away from us? When will we tell the big government that this is our life and that we don’t want them so far in it?

The government says that they make these laws for the good of the country. That we need them to continue on the good path we are on. I will leave you with President George Washington’s words on that matter.

“It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.”-President George Washington

A Day Without Consequences

2008-05-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this is a poem I wrote. Hope you like it!

A Day Without Consequences

A day without consequences

What would that be?

What could happen between

You and me?

What would happen if there were no boundaries?

What would I be able to say?

What could happen if for a day

There was nothing in the way?

I could ask for your thoughts without fear

For I’d know that no consequences were near.

I could find out how you feel

Maybe we could share a meal?

But that will never happen

For you see

A day without consequences

Could never be

This poem came from my thoughts of what I see around me. I have made the decision not to date till I had aleast graduated highschool when I was 14. It was an easy choice then. Then, I turned 15 and on into my age now(16) and actually found out what all the decision entailed.

I met a Christian teenage guy who managed to rock my world off my cool and most times collected head. According to the world I should forget my decision and the consequences that wold come from that and chase after him. But it is impossible to just forget or out run consequences( something the world seems all too ready to ignore. I could not just turn from the decision I made. And not just because I feel that I made the right decision when I made the choice not to date, but I feel that it was a God prompted decision.

So, that basically what this poem is about. Sure, I'll be the first to tell you that I flirt with this guy, and yes, he knows everything. I felt I needed to tell him the truth. I didn't want to give this guy the idea that asking me out would be a good idea. So I told him that I liked, didn't date, but would really like to get to know him better as a friend. Come to find out he doesn't date either..... go figure!

Anyway, sorry this is a really long post. I just got on a role.

Ta!
Jane

Random Writing of the Day

2008-05-30T22:06:00.000-07:00

So, today was the first of practice for the VBS play. It was alot of fun! I had a good time with our director, Liz, a friend, Andrew, and a very dear friend, Mitchel. (Sissy/Lizzy, I will tell you all about it Sunday!) This was the first time we'd all been together to go over the script. We did pretty well in my opinion. Wednesday is the next practice. I can't wait!!!

Tomorrow Mom and Dad are going to Las Vegas for my cousin's graduation. It's just a day trip. Should be interesting.

June 6th is my other cousin's wedding. Our pastor's wife, I call her Grandma, is hemming up my dress for the wedding. I'll have to post some pictures of the wedding once it happens. I'm sure it will be a good day!

I think that's all for now.

I will try to write soon,
Jane Bingly

Maybe Not so Self Evident

2008-05-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security."- American Declaration of Independence

Thus were these words written by the Constitutional Congress in 1776 against the tyranny of the English Tutors. Today, these words seem forgotten. If our forefathers were to see us now I highly doubt they'd recognize us. Our forefathers feared big government, yet that's exactly what we have become.

Once a week I'll give me opinion on this section of the Declaration of Independence. I'll be taking it part by part and just telling you what I think. We'll see how it goes. I'll start next week.

Enjoy,
Jane Bingly

Ever Ever After

2008-05-24T20:45:00.000-07:00

"Start a new fashion, wear your heart on your sleeve"- Ever Ever After by Carrie Underwood. This is a great song! If you haven't heard it, GO DO SO NOW!!! lol. Sorry..um... Please?

So, I'm actually writing about yesterday because there is really nothing to report about today. The rain ruined my plans for today, horseback riding. Though I did have a good pancake breakfast......

Anywho, yesterday was a lot of fun! A friend of mine, we'll call him Charles Bingly, came over. He and I are working together in my churches VBS. We're running the recreation station so he came over and we planned for that. Afterwards, we(my mother, twin brother, Charles Bingly, and myself) all went down hill to see Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. It was interesting.... and rather creepy. Crystal aliens and man eating ants are not my thing. Neither are men that jump out of nowhere. Needless to say, I had ALOT of fun! Though all that VBS planning has made me rather excited for VBS, but I have to wait till July!!!! Ugh! Oh well, guess I don't have a choice.

I am almost done with school! This Friday will be my chemistry test. Chem is the only subject I have not finished sooo I am very excited to do so! But I'll probably have work I'll need to do over the summer. I have brought that on myself though. I'm the one that wanted more then two years of a foreign language. It will look good for college.

Well, I think I'm gonna go now. Until the next time I have something to report,

Jane Bingly

P.S. If you like my blog you might wish to check out my two friends blog!
http://cara-daughteroftheking.blogspot.com/
http://imright-on.blogspot.com/

Prince Caspian who?

2008-05-17T21:38:00.000-07:00

Friday was the long excepted day. My wait was over. As the lights dimmed in the theater I felt my heart race. The moment was here. I stifled a scream a glee when the title appeared, "Chronicles of Narnia- Prince Caspian"! Sadly, it did not live up to my expectations. Sure, it was a really cool movie. With a fast pace and with twists the movie kept you on my feet. But it wasn't much like the book it is based on. It did tell the basic story of Caspian, but there was little beyond that to resemble. The loudest cry I have against the movie is the way which High King Peter is portrayed. He is shown as someone who is trying to prove himself and has a big ego. It ticked my out. Oh well. I can't really say much more without giving stuff away so I will say goodbye for now.

With Love,
Jane Bingly

~Mother's Day Shout Out~

2008-05-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

Well it's Mother Day and we've just finished dinner. Dad, my brother, out pastor, and myself all made dinner for my mom and pastor's wife. We had stake, shrimp, asparagus, and oriental salad. It was good. We do have a lot of clean up to do now. *sigh* The sad part of cooking. It was well worth it.

We had a really good Sunday school lesson. It was on good communication with the people around and listening to God. It was good. We looked at different stories in the Bible to make the point. One was of Absolom. I don't know if I spelled his name right. Anyway, Adsolom was called back to Jerusalem by the king, his father. His father said he wanted him back , but didn't want to see him. So Adsolom was there for two years before his father saw him. Kind of interesting.

Ok, well I have to go now. I'll post again soon.

Until then,
Jane Bingly

"Well, I'm back"

2008-05-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

I just couldn't resist using the above line. It is the very last line Lord of the Rings(books and movie). Sam says it when he arrives back home after leaving the Grey Havens . Tee hee.

Anyway, I'm back home from my grandmother's where my cousin's bridal shower was. I had a very fun time! It was put together acquisitively. Here, I'll show you some pictures!

Ok, so the above image is of the table scape that was used. The bottom picture is of my cousin(the bride), her mother, and my grandmother.

The below image is that of my cousin, her future sister-in-law, and, and future mother-in-law.

Ok, so that's all the pictures that I have for you right now. As you can see we had a wonderful time! I wish my cousin and her future husband all the best of wishes for their happy ever after!

With Love,
Jane Bingly

On the Road Again

2008-05-09T20:11:00.000-07:00

So, I'm down at my grandmother's house. We're getting ready for my cousin's bridal shower which is gonna be Saturday. It should be really fun!

We went to this really good stake house called the "Taxes Road House". I had an 18 oz T-Bone. I had it cooked to medium well when I think I should have just done medium. Oh well, it was still really good! And I have some left over. Daddy might get to have some of it when I get home.

I'm listening to this really good song too! It's called "For get Me Not" by Lucie Silvas. I really like this song. It might have something to do with the fact that I kind of identify with the song. I think I have it on my music play list for this blog. If I do, check it out. It is a really beautiful song. I just fell in love with it.

Well I guess I shall go now. I have some over things I have to do. Maybe tomorrow I will get on an post pictures of the bridal shower.

Till next we meet,
Jane Bingly

" Forget me not, I ask of you/Wherever your life takes you to/And if we never meet again/
Think of me every now and then"- For Get Me Not to the Mr. Bingly of my life. All I ask is that you never forget me and the small things that we shared.

First Dive into Bloggdom

2008-05-08T15:50:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this is my first dive into the world of blogging. Be prepared for a random onslaught on opinion and ramble driven by boredom.

As the title implies I am a Christian Conservative and this all my post will swing towards that point of view . Just thought I should warn you.

So, I guess I shall leave till I actually have something constructive to say.

Your's Truly,
Jane Bingly