McCabe...

LOOK, Oh my goodness my baby is growing up!!! McCabe is 3 months already! How did that happen, was it not yesterday I watched him be born?

Oooooooh look how long he is...

Are they not the cutest thing EVER?

Movin' On

I've dealt with my ghosts and I've faced all my demons
Finally content with a past I regret
I've found you find strength in your moments of weakness
For once I'm at peace with myself
I've been burdened with blame, trapped in the past for too long
I'm movin' on

I'm movin' on
At last I can see life has been patiently waiting for me
And I know there's no guarantees, but I'm not alone
There comes a time in everyone's life
When all you can see are the years passing by
And I have made up my mind that those days are gone
--Rascal Flatts

Bring that Child to Me

Even though you never wanted
The child that grows in you
I know that you must be afraid
Of what you plan to do
But please before you let them take
This child before it's time
Would you hear what's on this heart of mine?

I am a barren woman
I cannot have a child
I've been a mother only in my dreams
And the child that grows inside of you
Could fill these empty arms
Please give him life
Then bring that child to me

There'll never be a child unwanted
As long as we are here
Your child could have a happy home
And we could dry our tears

I am a barren woman
I cannot have a child
I've been a mother only in my dreams
And the child you plan to throw away
Could fill these empty arms
Please let him live
Then bring that child to me

--Annie Chapman

Jonathan's paper

YAY! This is a paper Jonathan had to write for his philosophy class. It is totally awesome, HE is totally awesome!!! :D He is sooooooooooooooooooooooo amazing. He's a thinker. *looks proud* Anyway here it is:
_____________________________________________________________________________

What Is the Purpose of Philosophy?

Why do we have philosophy? Is it so we can talk idle and not ever actually learn anything as some would think? In The Elements of Logic, Simon Blackburn says,"For people who want to think about the big themes: Knowledge, reason, truth, mind, freedom, destiny, identity, God, goodness, justice." This answers the question about why we have philosophy I believe in a very effective way. It states that mankind wants to know about deep theological matters. By our nature we are curious and desire to know the truth. And that's what philosophy is. The search for truth.

Now we realize why we have philosophy. We know that we should understand about the deep theological issues. It is a widely known concept that the more you know about the world and the way things work the better off you will be. When you have knowledge you can often transpose that knowledge into invaluable wisdom. You can know how to ride a bike but if you understand the mechanism then you will know that when the chain comes off the gears you must put it back on before you continue. For one to realize that if he has knowledge he can translate into wisdom and be better off, he is already ahead of the crowd. Take for instance the simple man who always takes things for granted. He isn't interested in engaging his mind in order to have a brighter future. Instead he is interested in knowing as little as possible to get by. Such a man may find himself in an emergency that he would have known how to handle had he engaged his mind in understanding basic concepts on a deeper level. In the same way when we have insights to the deeper spiritual issues it greatly affects the way we live. If a man does not believe in God that will also affect his belief about morality therefore affecting the way he lives. It is absurd for us to think that we can separate our beliefs from our actions. Therefore philosophy has a purpose to find truth and understand why we believe what we believe.

This raises the classic question. What is truth? Since we as humans are often deceived, how do we know truth from falsehood? Is it really possible for an imperfect person to have perfection in all of his views by using philosophy? Is it possible for a human to always believe the truth and never believe a lie? No. Believing a lie is part of our natural habitat, however we must strive to expose the lies and expel them whenever possible. Rene Descartes states, "I shall efface even from my thoughts all the images of corporeal things, or at least I shall esteem them as vain." This makes an interesting point. Decartes is reexamining everything he knows to find any falsehood. This is certainly taking it to an extreme. It is unnecessary to reexamine everything we know. There are things that would be a much wiser use of our time than spending hours and hours and finally concluding that we really do have two hands and if you walk out in front of a car you will get hit and it wasn't just something you imagined. This is foolishness. A man who doubts if he has a hand even though he sees it, and uses it will perhaps never have any spiritual beliefs. For if he cannot believe something physical that he can experience how will he ever believe the truth about God and spiritual matters? The Bible says without faith it is impossible to please God. So what about you? Do you have faith?

In conclusion, there is a time for philosophy. And there is a time to believe and a wise man will know the difference.

Little Star

Ok here is the music video that nobody could watch in the last format:

Happy Birthday Rachelle

To my sister: I'm so glad God made us close. Over the years it's amazing to see, how intertwined we've become. It's even hard to remember what things I do because I like it...or you like it? Thanks for the godly example you've set for me, I pray one day I'll be as selfless as you are. Thanks for being ready to listen and quick to understand. I think the Lord's given us a special gift to be able to understand each other on a deep level. It's really a blessing, for we know most all before the other even opens her mouth. IYKWIM even our darkest moments we trust enough to share. Our friendship doubles our wardrobe and divides our calories. *cracks up* I sure do love you girl, may you always keep your eyes on the Lord! :D

Lord Jesus, thanks so much for Rachelle! May You be glorified in her life forever and ever and ever! Fill her to overflowing with Your Spirit and shower Your blessings into her life. Give her wisdom to discern Your leading and guide her with Your hand. Give her joy & fulfillment in You, and draw her close to You, reveal more of Yourself to her. May You give her everything pertaining to life and godliness and help her to be dilligent to seek You with all sincerity. I love You Jesus, in Christ's name I pray!

HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY RACHELLE!!!!!!!!!

Quotes

"You should have God so big on the inside of you that His beautiful love, gorgeous goodness, and attractive acceptance emanates from you onto your family." -- Unknown

"Glances of true beauty can be seen in the faces of those who live in true meekness." Henry David Thoreau

"Love is the beauty of the soul." Augustine

"There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness." Marguerite Gardiner

"Don't be moved by praise or criticism. Just go to God and find your identity in Him." Unknown

"Beauty without grace is the hook without the bait." Ralph Waldo Emerson

"People are like stained-glass windows: They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within." Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

"Fair faces need no paint." Thomas Fuller

"The difference between pretty and beautiful is that pretty is temporal whereas beautiful is eternal." Unknown

"YOU cannot be anything but faithful
YOU cannot be anything but true
How I need this heavenly persective
Take my eyes off this world so I see You"
Eric & Leslie Ludy

PictureTrail

Morning Meditations

“He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything” Colossians 1:17-18

His thunder pierces, our tears fall hard

Death strikes and we’re forever marred

But the sting predicted as destiny

Evolved to His peace to create victory

For just as Christ is firstborn from the dead,

Of the body, the church, He is the head,

So He raises His saints with power divine

As His victory reigns His glory sublimes

Amid my ways, my dreams, my plans

The Father holds me in His hands

I fear not what He has for me

But shake in awe of what I see

I long to birth new lives in love

To watch a miracle from above

But His place is first in everything,

So all I give; to Him I cling

I gaze on Him, and my steps He prearranges,

For He is before all things, and never changes

In Him all things are held together

His grace, His goodness, He lasts forever!

Amid my ways, my dreams, my plans

The Father holds me in His hands

I fear not what He has for me

But shake in awe of what I see

Give me unadulterated love for Thee I cry,

As fall on my face before God on high

Worshiping Jesus, love is my duty

And I’m fully covered in His beauty