Friday, October 31, 2008

My Husband Rocks~Friday


Josh rocks because he wanted to fight a battle for me, and I appreciate how he wants to protect me. I have been having some "arguments" with friends lately, and he wanted to "tell them why they were wrong!" I love that he wants to protect me. He knows how much I hate confrontation. Thanks, Babe, for being my hero! I love the fact that you are turning into a great fighter.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

RePost

Now that I don't have ads on my blog anymore, I can blog about what I want with no fear of what will be advertised...........I guess ONE plus to not having extra money?


So here it goes:

The fact that my family and I don't celebrate Halloween has set us a part from so many of our friends, that it almost surprises me!

Here is why WE don't celebrate Halloween:

Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain. The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is sometimes regarded as the “Celtic New Year”. Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores.

The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, into which bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them. Believe it or not, most of our Halloween practices can be traced back to these old pagan rites and superstitions.


As for the name “Halloween” it is shortened from All Hallows’ Even (both “even” and “eve” are abbreviations of “evening”, but “Halloween” gets its “n” from “even”) as it is the eve of “All Hallows’ Day”, which is now also known as All Saints’ Day.

Now one might argue that the Halloween we celebrate today, at least in the United States is nothing like the pagan rituals it was derived from but rather an innocent time of the year to dress up in costumes, trick-or-treat, host or attend Halloween parties, visit haunted houses and mazes, watch horror flicks and otherwise enjoy the dark side of humanity including ghosts, witches, gouls, monsters and demons. And while that may sound innocent enough and non-seroius to most, Halloween is a very sacred holiday to others.

For example, those who follow the Wicca religion consider Halloween to be one of eight holy days they observe throughout the year. “Halloween, plain and simple is our favorite time of year,” writes one follower of Wicca on witchway.net. In fact they feel it is a true time for witches, Witchcraft itself, and Wiccans alike who feel that on this night the separation between the physical and spiritual realities is it’s least guarded and it’s veil the thinnest.

That same person goes on to write, “It is a time for dimensional openings and workings, it is a somber holiday, one of dark clothes and thoughts for the dead, it is said to be the time when those of necromantic talents can speak with the dead and it is certainly a time to remember ones own dead. Witches believe it is a time of endings of relationships and bad situations and it is the time when one can see the glimmer of hope in the future. There are as many concepts attached to this holiday as any other, truly a time of remembrance of our ancestors and all those who have gone before.

”What about other organizations? Is Wicca the only group of people that view Halloween in this manner? Anton LaVey, author of The Satanic Bible and high priest of the Church of Satan states, “Satanists consider Halloween the most important day of the year. Satanic, occult and witchcraft powers are at their highest potency level…Satan and his powers are at their best that night.”

So if we know that Halloween is derived from anchient pagan rites and rituals and that at least two very non-Christian groups consider Halloween a sacred and holy day, should we as Christians celebrate it?

If we do celebrate it, does that not violate 1Thessalonians 5:22 where it says, “Abstain from all appearance of evil” or even the common knowledge that to follow Christ is to be like Him and not live our lives in a paganistic fashion?

One would argue, “What about Christmas?" - Christ was not born on December 25th or even in the winter and the commercialism of Christmas with its Santa Clauses, elves, snowmen, reindeer, gift-giving and the like have nothing to do with the birth of the Son of God. But that is an entirely other post.

So what should a Christian do? I leave you to your own convictions but I choose certainly not to celebrate it and not to participate in it. To celebrate the holiday to me is to contradict my faith and give praise to what is most definitely a darker side of humanity. I think we Christians today do enough of that already when we constantly fall prey to embracing the world around us as opposed to Christ.

For many people I believe it's a lack of knowledge, here are some of the traditions of Halloween and their history.

Trick or Treating:

During Samhain, the Druids believed that the dead would play tricks on mankind and cause panic and destruction. They had to be appeased, so country folk would give the Druids food as they visited their homes.Bobbing for Apples:Apples were the sacred fruit of the goddess, and many games of divination involving them entered the Samhain customs.

The Witch's Broomstick:

The witch is a central symbol of Halloween. The name comes from the Saxon wica, meaning wise one. When setting out for a Sabbath, witches rubbed a sacred ointment onto their skin. This gave them a feeling of flying, and if they had been fasting they felt even giddier. Some witches rode on horseback, but poor witches went on foot and carried a broom or a pole to aid in vaulting over streams. In England when new witches were initiated they were often blindfolded, smeared with flying ointment and placed on a broomstick. The ointment would confuse the mind, speed up the pulse and numb the feet. When they were told "You are flying over land and sea," the witch took their word for it.

Jack-O-Lanterns:

Irish children used to carve out potatoes or turnips and light them for their Halloween gatherings. They commemorated Jack, a shifty Irish villain so wicked that neither God nor the Devil wanted him. Rejected by both the sacred and profane, he wandered the world endlessly looking for a place to rest, his only warmth a glittering candle in a rotten turnip.

How about you? If you are a Christian, do you feel my convictions are just a bunch of nonsense, stooped in silly superstitions? Or do you agree and either resist celebrating the holiday? Do you find alternatives? If you are not a Christian, do you think Christians should celebrate this holiday? I’d love to hear some various opinions and may I remind you that what I have written here are my own convictions. I do not force them on anyone but only ask if you are a follower of Christ, to prayfully consider the facts that surround this holiday.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

AN AWARD?!?!


Wow, I am on a roll this week. I was tagged for my first meme, and now I have my first award. Thanks again, Daja, for making my blogging week so interesting.

So, I have to answer the following question and then pass on the love to five other bloggy buddies. Here goes:


1. Do you have the same friends since childhood?

Hmm, does being 15 count? or older? LOL!!

No, really, I don't have any friends that I keep in daily contact with, but I have a few friends that I get updates on their lives. If it's through a blog or their Facebook/MySpace accounts, I do still know where they are.


2. What do you value most about your friends?

What was on the award? I definitely value honesty the most.


3. Are your friends your sounding boards?
Like Daja said: "Some are. You know different friends fill different needs. Some are coffee buddies, some are casual acquaintances, some share history, some are safe places to fall."
My sounding boards are usually my mothers, my sisters, or occasionally Josh.


4. What is your favorite activity to share with your friends?

Shopping~I miss you, Leona!!



Now, for the friends I want to pass the AWARD on to...... you already HAVE been given the friendship award, because you are SOOOO great! LOVE YOU!

BUT, I DO HAVE ONE PERSON, who should have gotten the award a long time ago......

Mom at Daffodil Dreams : she has been a true friend, even listening to me whine and cry about her own son!

More Politics

TO ALL MY FRIENDS....LIBERAL OR CONSERVATIVE........FYI


George Bush has been in office for 7 1/2 years.

The first six the economy was fine.

A little over one year ago:

1) Consumer confidence stood at a 2 1/2 year high;

2) Regular gasoline sold for $2.19 a gallon;

3) the unemployment rate was 4.5%.

4) the DOW JONES hit a record high--14,000 +

5) American's were buying new cars, taking cruises, vacations overseas, living large!...



But American's wanted 'CHANGE'! So, in 2006 they voted in a Democratic Congress and yes--we got 'CHANGE' all right.


In the PAST YEAR:

1) Consumer confidence has plummeted ;

2) Gasoline hit over $4 a gallon;

3) Unemployment is up to 5.5% (a 10% increase);

4) Americans have seen their home equity drop by $12 TRILLION DOLLARS and prices still dropping;

5) 1% of American homes are in foreclosure.

6) as I write, THE DOW is probing another low~~ $2.5 TRILLION DOLLARS HAS EVAPORATED FROM THEIR STOCKS, BONDS & MUTUAL FUNDS INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS!


YES, IN 2006 AMERICA VOTED FOR CHANGE...AND WE SURE GOT IT! ....


REMEMBER THE PRESIDENT HAS NO CONTROL OVER ANY OF THESE ISSUES, ONLY CONGRESS.


AND WHAT HAS CONGRESS DONE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.


NOW THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT CLAIMS HE IS GOING TO REALLY GIVE US CHANGE ALONG WITH A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS!!!!


JUST HOW MUCH MORE 'CHANGE' DO YOU THINK YOU CAN STAND?

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Tagged for a Meme~my first one

Should I be honored? Hmm.......thanks Daja! I guess you just wanted to know some more random things about me?





1. I don't care for writing. I know, can you believe I have a blog? Insane? But it's one of the ways I believe God is stretching me.

2. I don't really like intercessory prayer. I know, AGAIN??? Can you believe it? It seems that as I go through life God seems to be having me do the things I don't care to do!

3. I have a backwards tooth. The orthodontist said it would be easier to turn it the wrong way then to make it right. Every dentist I go to HAS to comment.

4. I have about 80 pairs of shoes. Please.....make me feel better and SAY you have more!!

5. I like to do laundry. I only have issues with letting it pile up when it is CLEAN. I always have a child napping SOME WHERE in a room, and I don't get to it quick enough. One day around here, can make me VERY FAR behind.

6. I don't like heights. I choose to do things that make me afraid, just to not let FEAR have control over me. I am not ready to jump out of a plane, YET!

7. I am a ChaCha Guide. I get paid 10/20 cents a question....to research FOR people.

I tag:

Amy at Ke Aloha : a friend who rarely blogs! :-)

Nessie over at Metamorphosis : a friend from Yuma, AZ, who moved to Colorado, and NOW lives in Yuma, AZ, AGAIN. (Still trying to forgive her, J/K)

Angela, my cousin, over at Robo Family : Miss you!

Friday, October 24, 2008

My Husband Rocks~Friday

He's going deeper with God, that's the reason my huband rocks! I am excited to see him getting a renewed passion for Christ. I know he is a bit scared, but who isn't? I mean really.....you jump out of a plane and it can scare you half to death!!! BUT, the thrill of the ride, that's what keeps you going back for more.

Josh, I am so happy that you are seeking after God. I know that dying to your self is the only way that we can not repeat the past. We can end the cycle of defeat and draw a line in the sand. The old man will STAY dead. I am wondering if I will recognize you when God is done with you. How exciting is that?

With all my heart, I am proud of you. AND no matter where this takes you, that maybe I don't want to go.....I'll follow you, following Him.

"Almost dying changes nothing; dying changes everything." Dr. Gregory House.


You rock: For jumping into the deep end of God............


If you want to brag about your husband, too.......join other wives, here!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Above All

I really love this song, and I love hearing how a song "started!"
God is amazing in so many ways, and I love how he imparts His Words into the hearts of men, if only they are willing to listen and ask.


Friday, October 17, 2008

My Husband Rocks-Friday



Josh has been trying to lighten my load, and he has been busy himself! Isn't that sweet that he even considers it something he can do for me?

I appreciate the effort that he has put forth this week in trying to make my week easier, even though his is busy.

Tuesdays are my busy day, and this Tuesday was especially busy with some extra obligations. Josh got home from work at around 8:30 PM, only an hour before I did. He took his shower, and he rushed to finish putting the dishes in the dishwasher. I got home from church at 9:30, to find my kitchen all clean. YEAH!

THANKS, BABE, for lightening my load.

Love you,
Serena



Can you believe I almost forgot the fact that you spent time making ME dinner?? How could I? He was even "frugal" about it, too! He used leftover pasta and a few pieces of Italian sausage that I had not used--made a yummy pasta, sausage, sweet pepper dish!! YUMMY!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

What is Abortion?

Today I asked Jael if she knew what abortion was; she said, “No!”


So, I decided to tell her, but I didn’t go into any detail or try to sway her opinion.


This was our conversation:


“Abortion is when a mommy goes into the doctor to tell him she doesn’t want the baby in her tummy any more.”


You should have HEARD the air sucked out of my car.


I never told her what I believed. She immediately said that "God would be so sad at that"; Abishai said that "God would cry."


Now, keep in mind they are 6 and 4, I didn’t tell them anything about death or what happens to those innocent lives. They just KNEW within themselves that to say--you didn’t want a baby in your tummy, MUST make God VERY sad.


At this point I really just agreed with them, but I still added nothing; Jael talked about how adoption would make God happy. That he doesn’t want babies to die!!!!


Now, WHERE DID SHE GET DEATH?????


The INNOCENCE of a child is SO TELLING.


As a child of God when we feel something is wrong, there is a tug in our spirits. Will we listen?

Monday, October 13, 2008

Amendment 48~WOW!


The Fire from Personhood USA on Vimeo.




The Scarecrow from Personhood USA on Vimeo.




What Is It? from Personhood USA on Vimeo.


Frequently Asked Questions



Q. What does this initiative say?

A. Title: An amendment to the Colorado constitution defining the term “person” to include any human being from the moment of fertilization as “person” is used in those provisions of the Colorado constitution relating to inalienable rights, equality of justice, and due process of law.

Language of the Initiative: Section 1. Article II of the constitution of the state of Colorado is amended by the addition of a new section to read: “Section 31: Person defined. As used in sections 3, 6, and 25 of Article II of the state constitution, the terms ‘person’ or ‘persons’ shall include any human being from the moment of fertilization.”

Q. What will this initiative do?

A. This amendment would permanently alter Colorado’s constitution in a way that could legal foundation for government interference in our personal, private medical decisions. The amendment would redefine the term “person” and grant constitutional rights from the moment of fertilization.

Q. How could this amendment affect today's woman?

A. If this amendment passes, the Colorado Constitution could be used to deny medical treatment to a pregnant woman for a disease or condition – like cancer -- if the treatment might harm the fetus.

This amendment also would lay a legal foundation to outlaw all abortions in Colorado, even in the earliest weeks of pregnancy.

Colorado would have a constitutional provision that could ban several of the most "effective" forms of birth control – like the Pill, IUDs, the Patch and the Ring.



Do I sound thrilled? Oh, YES!!!!! Amen to LIFE!

Nothing trumps life, not even our selfishness........

A side note: if Barrack Obama becomes President he says the first thing he will do is take away the choice of STATES to decide on LIFE. This is paraphrased because I do not have time to go into it, but these videos are WELL DONE!!!

Friday, October 10, 2008

My Husband Rocks-Friday

I guess I have been so busy from my fun weekend away, that I haven't posted anything since I left. Oops! Things have been hectic around here. I have to say it's mostly because of something that happened a few weeks ago, which leads to my reason for Josh being the "best!"

I got into an accident, and I turned in front of a motorcycle. My 2004 Yukon XL is officially a total LOSS. But instead of my Josh being "really ticked off at me" he has been calm, cool, and collective during this whole ordeal.

I know the stress on him-to make sure we are provided for and have a decent car to drive- weighs on him a lot, but he never got mad at me for putting a big kink in his "month!"

I love you, Babe, for understanding that accidents happen.
You also have managed to stay so calm about the whole situation.
As we spend this weekend looking for the car God has for us, I want to say THANK YOU for doing the best you can.

I love you!


Friday, October 3, 2008

My Husband Rocks~Friday

I am not even around this weekend.........

Yupper, we have FOUR children: 6, 4, 2, 11 months.............and he is watching ALL of them.

Can you believe it? I get to go away and relax and be with all of my "girlfriends."

My husband is the best father. My children can't WAIT for him to come home from a long day, and they really miss him when he has LONGER days. I am so proud to have him as my children's father. He never complains about having to "babysit!" It's not babysitting.....they are my children.

He's even taking off work in order to make sure that I can go and have fun.

I love him SOOO much.



To get involoved and learn about how this ALL started:

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Another Giveaway that isn't mine!


It's so much fun to see if you can win, at least I think so.............


Go......hurry..........


Nope, not here, can you imagine a company like HOOVER giving a blogger a vacuum? I am so not big enough for that. But... over at Mama Kat's you can enter to win a sporty, shiny, pretty new vacuum!!!


I plan on winning, but you can try.