Puppy Love

My daughter breeds Labrador Retrievers.  She has a Chocolate dam that delivered seven very lively puppies by cesarean section last Sunday morning.   She had been laboring all through the night and she was getting exhausted.  My daughter had stayed up all night.  So, at 6am when I checked on her and she hadn’t progressed, we went into the emergency vet.  The veterinarian was great.  She examined the dam and got prepped, called for some help and the puppies were all safe and sound by 10am. 

The team was still closing the incision when we got back from a local restaurant, where we’d gone during the surgery.  The staff was so excited.  They brought two of the puppies out to the waiting room where we were and were simply giddy with joy.  They were so happy.  They said, “We don’t get to see new life very often.   This is great for us.  What a treat.”  The two that they brought had been a bit slow to liven up.  The attendants had to rub them and rough them up to get them to breath.  They were very active by the time we saw them and they make sound not too dissimilar to that of new born children.                                                                     They are a week old now.

Newborn Labrador puppies don’t look like adult Labs.  They are the right color, have fur and all their parts, but they are very disproportionate.  They have very short legs and tails.  Their eyes and ears are closed and they are shaped like kidney beans with five little roots. This dam has large puppies.  They were each close to one pound.

I could not help, but think about the paradox that existed.  I mean the place was so clean, they had modern equipment and up to date technology.  The staff was caring and gentle.  They worked so hard to provide for the lives of these animals. 

In Philadelphia, Kermit Gosnell is on trial for murder.  He killed a woman, who was in his clinic for a late term abortion.  The facility was filthy with warn and tattered furniture.  It was described as a house of horrors.  He had kept the tiny baby body parts in jars and other containers and in the freezer.  The charges include many counts infanticide.  The staff members have testified that it was routine to snip the necks of the infants, many of whom were born alive and moving, some strong enough to make noises.  A staff member told authorities of screeches heard at times.  He killed babies.  That is how he made his money.  The atrocities are so numerous and have been the subjects of many other articles.

As we sat waiting for our dam, all I could think of was, “What would be the reaction, if we decided we couldn’t afford seven puppies.  What if I asked the staff to clip their spines with scissors, the way that Gosnell and his staff had done to scores of children?”  After all, I wanted the dam back.  I just wanted to kill the puppies.  I can only imagine.  They would likely throw us out of the place.  They might call Animal Control to rescue the dogs from us.  We would probably have been placed under investigation of cruelty.  I don’t think we could be arrested, but it wouldn’t surprise me.

At one clinic in our state more than a thousand babies are killed by surgical abortion annually.  They give chemical abortions too and birth control pills, which work by inhibiting ovulation, causing cervical mucus to thicken blocking sperm and by making the uterus inhospitable if conception occurs, expelling the tiny new human. 

There are a few people who pray there every week and offer information and help to try to dissuade women from killing their children, but there is no outrage from the general public, little to no media and no investigations, arrests or charges of any kind. 

I’ve read that archeologists have found clay jars with tiny infant bodies that had apparently been stored in the walls of Jericho.  It was common practice in pagan culture to keep the bodies of sacrificed babies in the walls to appease demons. If you recall the old Bible story goes that the Israelites marched around the city seven days and seven times on the seventh day.  Then, the people all shouted and blew the trumpets and the city walls came crashing down.  One lesson is that if a people sacrifice their children, the walls of protection will fall. 

I hope that the US will enact legal protections for women, babies and our country, but with the current administration’s endorsement of these brutal murders, it will be by a miracle.  You and I can make a difference though, one heart at a time, one life at a time by supporting ministries that on the front lines and providing help to women and by prayer asking God to intervene.  Perhaps His protection will continue. 

Are there ways you can stand up for the lives of women and babies at risk?

Protect the Children?!

I find it unconscionable that President Obama would claim that his reason for outrage that the Senate rejected the latest gun control measure is to protect children!

Does anyone believe him?  He was the only man to stand up and testify against a ban on partial birth abortion.  The procedure of pulling a preborn baby out of the mother to the point of his head, jabbing scissors into the back of his neck and then, inserting a suction catheter in to suck out his brain, so his head would collapse and the dead body could then be disposed of.

This man who advocates for the murder of at least 3500 babies in the US every day by protecting and promoting Planned Parenthood. It is the largest abortion provider on the face of the earth. He hasn't said one word to condemn the atrocities exposed in the Gosnell Trial.  Does anyone really think he cares about your kids?

His insistence that protecting children is behind this is beyond ridiculous.  I may be nobody, but in my humble opinion I think when the economy crashes, he and his elitist friends want to be sure the weak will die quietly and the strong will become weak and ready to submit to subservience without the inconvenience of a fight. 

The economy is in such a fragile state.  Fiat currency, massive debt and unsustainable social programs are crushing the USA.  Like a freight train careening down hill with no brakes, we are in big trouble. 

As I stood praying aloud in front of 300 people, “Please don’t give us what we deserve.”  I knew that the mercy of God would not last for a nation that would practice child sacrifice sanctioned by those in authority.  We got what we deserved.  We got President Barack Hussein Obama. 

The mercies of God are new every morning for His people.  The only promise for a nation is that if His people who are called by His name would humble themselves, turn from their wicked ways and pray, He would forgive our sins and heal our land.  Will we?  Will there be enough of us who will?  Is it too late for US? 

I always say, “You’re breathing!  It is not too late.”  Will you join me in praying for our nation?

The Best Day Gone Tragic

At the Toastmaster's meeting yesterday, one of the speakers talked about his experience at the Boston Marathon the previous day.  He has been volunteering for 12 years at the elite refreshment station about 6 miles from the finish.

“It was a beautiful morning.” He said.  There were so many children, which is not often the case because of the often cold weather.  The temperature was in the 40s.  There was a lot of laughter and everything seemed to be going so smoothly.  A marathon coordinator from another state had been onsite to learn from them, giving them a boost of morale as they worked.  It was near jubilant.  It was the best Marathon day.

He left long before the end of the race and learned of the tragic circumstances in disbelief.  Over and over he heard the screams and cries of those on the scene pictured on the news.  Every hour the sounds attempted to drown out the memory of the morning full of pleasant, even joyful noises of the crowd.  He also mentioned that at the beginning of the race there are physically impaired athletes, mostly in wheel chairs, that start the race.  These are brave strong people.  Many are veterans with great honor. He described it as a truly inspiring site. Then, as the television reviewed the same area full of wheelchairs, they were rushing injured people through the smoke and debris.  It was a tragic turn.

This microcosm has always had a national, even international stage. The Boston Marathon is a tradition of huge proportions.  Few people have no idea what it is.  Likely few people know how immense it really is. I cannot imagine the scope.  I see the television coverage each year and maybe read an article or hear a story from a friend that has been and I live less than 40 miles from the event.  The attack seems senseless and utterly ridiculous.  From a sane perspective, to hurt and kill people is unconscionable.  It is so illogical, especially to do it anonymously, randomly and for no benefit to anyone.  Even if you try to go outside of yourself and consider some cause, some insane reason for attacking others, this may strike fear in some people, but as it happened during a lighter traffic and crowd time and not concurrent or even in close succession, it could have been much more destructive.  I don’t mean to minimize the suffering of the injured, survivors of the lost or the millions of residents, friends and acquaintances involved.  As an act of terror and threat of random violence, it worked, but only to a degree.  Many people are adamant that they will run again next year.

We may eventually know the reason and find those responsible.  For now, what is the take away?  First, there are far too many people making knee jerk comments about who and why, blaming people and groups and diminishing a caring response by making accusations of all sorts without proof.  Secondly, it is absolutely disgraceful to use the situation to take the stage with nothing to say.  Merely saying EMS is doing a good job or that other divisions of government or service is good in small bites, not worthy of their own press conferences with no valuable information.  People must respond, but emotional reactions are not generally helpful.

At a twenty thousand foot view, this is another warning, another wake up call.  You know not the hour, nor the day, but that your life may change forever or it may be taken from you.  At some point, each of us will pass from this earth.  Treasure your time and consider how short life really is.  Ask yourself if you are living true to your core values.  Ask yourself if you are peaceful with the inevitable.  Ask yourself what will be after you leave this earth.  Ask what assurances you have. 

Are you at peace?

The Glory of the Search

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

Scientists from generation to generation have long understood that our Creator established multidimensional laws that govern the universe and multifaceted sequences that govern our being; generating from the very intricate function of our microscopic cells and the chemical and electric forces that determine everything from physical growth to emotions and thoughts. 

We live in a veritable knowledge explosion, yet many, I dare even suggest most, of the world’s population is unlearned, ignorant of the matters of the world around us. What matters?  What is an important matter? What is a vital matter? What is a matter to be searched out with vigor and determination?

I suggest that depends entirely on each individual person.  God’s Word calls those who have accepted the sacrifice of the only Son on our behalf “priests” and “kings”.  You don’t have to feel like a king.  You just have to believe and agree with the Word. As a king, it is your glory to search out a matter.

What is the matter with you? Do you struggle with a complex calculation involved in your occupation or is there a relationship matter you need to search out an answer to?  Whatever the matter is, you can gain the knowledge required to conquer and control the outcome for yourself.  You may not be able to change another person or manipulate figures to be anything they are not, but you can see the matter in the light of wisdom and act on that knowledge accordingly.

Whether a chemical engineering project that you must complete and present to a client or some mechanical job that requires you to envision the anticipated result in order to properly install every piece, you can ask God for wisdom.  He gives it liberally and without reproach. 

Perhaps the matter is obscured by tumult.  Turmoil in relationships can really blur issues that when addressed would result in peace and harmony.  The ability to establish a vision for the relationship, a sense of purpose that those involved could truly pursue and allow all kinds of irritations and faults to go practically unnoticed. God establishes families.  He has plans for us, to give us a hope and a future.  Is one person or another carrying baggage from the past that if laid aside would bring freedom?

To lay it down doesn’t mean to ignore it.  On the contrary, it means to recognize its grip and declare that there is nothing that can impede your progress.  As you acknowledge the pain or difficulty, the mistrust and undesirable behavior, you will recognize future triggers of the matter and be able to manage the emotions and direct appropriate behaviors that will bring prosperity to the relationship.  If you get anxious and defensive when faced with a scheduling conflict, unpack your fears, but then seek ways to allay them. Talk about possible outcomes, postulate all the implications and discuss perspective, in terms of short and long term consequences.  You will likely find that the problem is easily resolved and you can be at peace.

Whatever the matter is and whatever the reason, we can search it out and get good results.  Perhaps the matter is lack of money.  You may need to refine your spending plan, make a few cuts in how much is spent for a while, alter the way you are paying to avoid and finance charges, or simply go without some things until you can increase your income.  Many times the matter is a result of our own bad choices. God still promised to give us wisdom, if we ask.  This is great news.

Searching out the matter is your glory. Is there a matter you can search out today?

Value Exchange

I think of value all the time.  I compare the taste, nutritional content, ease of preparation, cost and caloric value of food.  I would rather not eat than eat high calorie foods that I don’t like.  I will eat things for pure nutrition without taste, determining the value of the food to be physical and not emotional.  Sometimes I want to eat low nutritional food for emotional value, but in either case, I am mindful.

I have a harder time determining value of time though.  Sometimes it is easy.  Would my time be better spent earning a few dollars at work or snuggling on the couch with my husband?  Would I be more valuable on Saturday or during an overnight shift at my job as a nurse?  Is it important to go to the gym or the mall?  If I sit and write, will I be on track to produce a book that will be a benefit to others or should I do the laundry? These are only spontaneous decisions that don’t matter, right? 

Actually, there are a number of factors that go into each of the decisions.  Sometimes, the only thing that matters is spending some time with loved ones and all else, including money is irrelevant. We only have so much time here on earth. At other times we must consider how to pay the bills.

Value exchange is happening all the time.  What will you pay for that meal?  Those shoes?  That dress?  Will you be happy with the result of the work you are doing on that project?  Will you be uncomfortable after eating twice as much as your body needed? Will the extra activity at work make a difference to anyone?  Will the interest you’ll pay on that car loan be worth having that car?  Is a vacation worth going into debt over or will you save for it and plan ahead?  Will the college education pay you back? 

No one likes to think about the exchange everyone is engaged in.  We hear things like, “I can’t believe he’s wasting his life on that.” or “She spends all of her life at that.” or “He spent his whole life building that business.”  One’s life, the very most important commodity is limited.

The death rate among the living is 100%. Your life is made up of time, talent, energy, intellect, experiences and the ability to communicate all of these things to the rest of the world, by work or words, everything we do is value exchange.  You get paid in exchange a job.  You enjoy prestige in exchange for a career.  You receive accolades in exchange for volunteering.  You acquire products in exchange for building, food for cooking, pleasure from the arts and all sorts of other pursuits.  As we engage in activity, we exchange our lives.

Why? What is the purpose of life?  King Solomon, the wisest man to ever have lived, said that a relationship with God is the sole purpose of mankind.   Many people never consider God in anything they do.  Many people think of Him at all times.  Most are probably in between; considering His relevance and His expectations and wondering if they are even sure if they believe in His existence at all.

If the Bible is true, it is a progressive revelation of a Creator and His relationship to His creation. It is a tutorial of the exchange and the evolution of the exchange. From the time when Adam and Eve received the covering from the death of an animal after they relinquished dominion over the earth to Lucifer to the time when the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary to bring the Son, Jesus, into the world and beyond to the present the exchange has always been lives.  Jesus was the only begotten of the Father, the perfect exchange for you and me. 

He gave His life for ours. He exchanged life for love.  

Love Lifts

We’ve just celebrated Resurrection Sunday.  One of the times God showed us how much He loves us.

Sometimes we just don’t feel it.  Even if people around us tell us, we can feel so alone.  Feelings lie.  Emotions are influenced by many factors, things like hormones- and yes, men have them too.  Other factors are weather and sunlight, our activity, diet and nutrition may also heavily impact how we feel.

If you suffer with despair or depression, you may want to consider what factors are impacting your mood.  After months of existing on the brink of tears, in constant pain and wanting nothing more than to go to sleep and not have to ever get up again, I remind myself that I am loved every day.  It helps, but it is not enough. 

Circumstances are always a factor in depression, but some people are practically immune to despair.  How do they do it?  What is their secret?  Everyone has stuff that is less than desirable, sometimes tragic and some things are nagging stressors-like debt or chronic illness.  How is it that some people are able to stay steady and not get down for any length of time?

I think really knowing you are loved makes a big difference.  You can know you are loved superficially.  You can believe that sometimes you deserve to be loved.  When you really know without a doubt, to the depths of your soul and without earning it, that you are loved, circumstances have less impact.  You take care of yourself so that you can return that love too.  Careful attention to what you are eating, drinking and exposing yourself to is also very important. 

Make sure you are getting enough sleep and rest.  Settle down in the evening.  Rest by enjoying something positive; a conversation, a gift, music, a pleasant book and especially something from our heavenly Father.  Regular exercise is very important to maintain proper levels of various natural chemicals and hormones too.  Even if you cannot do much, a walk or some other activity that gets your heart rate up will help and laughter is like aerobics for your organs.

Water intake will help too.  Nutrition is a unique element. Some people are healthy eating lots of protein, others mainly carbs, some people eat only vegetables. Corrective diets are all the rage, but really do make a difference in health and mood.  You need to find the unique prescription for you. It may take some real work to perfect your own 'get healthy' routine, but you are worth it.

God has given us all things to enjoy.  In His great love for us, He holds all things together.  He makes all things work together for good for those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose.  When we are totally convinced that we are loved and that God has a good plan to work out every circumstance to produce good for us, we can better reverse those feelings and not despair.

Medications can be a bridge, but don’t ignore the arm-long list of negative side effects. Use caution.  Investigate all of your options and do lots of research, including reviews from other people. God uses all kinds of things to heal us.

Music can be as powerful as meds without the consequences for some people.  I have heard people getting healed by listening to comedians.  God has an answer for everyone, because He loves you so much.

I cannot convince you.  Only you can obtain the proof of His love and the love of others.  Tell God what you need and let Him show you how much you are loved.

~Darling