his death reset the clock of time...

He was not born into a royal family, but He left a royal impression on the world.

For 30 years, He learned the ways of the world without becoming of the world. He then changed the world for the better.

He led without a mandate. He taught without a script. His common sense parables filled people with promise and compassion, His words forever inspiring.

He never condemned what others believed – just sin, evil and corruption.

He helped the poor without one government program. He healed the sick without a government health care system. He feed the hungry without food stamps. And everywhere He went, it turned into a rally, attracting large crowds, and giving them hope, encouragement and inspiration.

For three years He was unemployed, and never collected an unemployment check. Nevertheless, he completed all the work He needed to get done. He didn’t travel by private jet. He walked and sailed, and sometimes traveled on a donkey.

But they made Him walk when He was arrested and taken to jail, and no, He was not read any Miranda Rights. He was arrested for just being who He was and doing nothing wrong. And when they tried Him in court, He never said a mumbling word.

He didn’t have a lawyer, nor did He care about who judged Him.
His judge was a higher power.

The liberal court found Him guilty of false offences and sentenced Him to death, all because He changed the hearts and minds of men with an army of 12.

His death reset the clock of time.

Never before and not since has there ever been such a perfect conservative.

For over 2,000 years the world has tried hard to erase the memory of the perfect conservative, and His principles of compassion, caring and common sense.

His followers are now millions and millions the world over, as those who resent Him have intensified their attacks on who He was and what His followers believe.

The attacks are disguised as political correctness, or a misunderstanding of the First Amendment to the Constitution. Separation of Church and State does not mean Separation of Church from State. The State cannot impose Church on the people, but the people can display and say as much Church in the public square as they desire.

Our Founders recognized that distinction, which helped to inspire the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the founding of this nation – The United States of America!

We must be the Defending Fathers and the defenders of the perfect conservative.

That’s why I proudly wish one and all a very Merry Christmas!

by Herman Cain

I'm sad today...

I'm actually exhausted... but I am sad too. First: Dealing with sick patients is part of my job, its routine. Yep, see it every day. Having to cope with a loved one in the hospital that may/may not necessarily be treatable is not routine for me. Shouldn't have to be part of my job. My grandma, who just turned 90 a month ago, has not being doing well and this past week her health took a sharp dive in the wrong direction. Yes, my sweet grandma is in the hospital. She actually was admitted on my floor yesterday evening after an exhausting/overwhelming 12 hrs, right before shift change. Second: Dealing with patients family dynamics in the hospital is part of my job. Deal with it every day, routine... Coping with my own crazy/angry family dynamics over this "controversial" hospitalization... not routine. Shouldn't have to be part of my job.

Yes, I said controversial. Because it currently is controversial in my usual very close/large/ loving family. This loving grandmother raised 6 kids. One daughter is an RN/RT (who married a MD), one a RD (registered dietitian), one a lab technician. Out of those medical children have come other medical grand kids (such as myself, RN, another RD... PA... RN... and the list goes on friends. Those reading this currently in the medical profession understand what I'm talking about when we are talking about completely sitting back and letting nature take its course to a 90 year old DNR woman vs. seeking alternatives, although not invasive (how invasive is non- invasive to a 90 yr old?) to a completely alert and oriented (although lethargic currently), sharp, 90 year old. Is this her old age speaking? or is it something else that could be treatable/non treatable... There is a very fine line friends and my dear family is struggling to find it.

I am Christian

Recently Ruthy from Discovery Street wrote a blog (and a wonderful follow-up) about my statement above. She wanted to get people's honest reaction to that statement, "I'm a Christian", and it was interesting to see the many different reactions. Some people were excited, some indifferent, some nervous, some wary. Some responses held content like "judgmental" and "preachy" and "self-righteous". Do you have a reaction?

A few responses you could tell there a was a bit more thought put behind their comments. Such as: "If brought before a judge and accused of being Christian, would you get convicted based on the evidence of your life? I think you would Ruthy, which goes beyond stating "I am a Christian." Another girl posted,"I'll be honest though - I haven't always been a Christian (thought I was, but really wasn't living it so wasn't)...And after becoming a Christian - when someone says they are - I feel curious - because so many people identify with the label, but aren't really. And I also get tense, because I see so many versions across the board that I never know what's going to happen. And that just makes me sad. But it is the truth."

I have a couple responses... to the responses. First, I do agree with one comment in that the term of Christian is so loosely thrown around in today's society its hard to really know what to expect with the label. For example, in the good 'ole South, EVERYONE will call them self a Christian, Bible Belt of America we're called. Our society is taught to wake up Sunday morning, put on your Sunday dress, grab your Bible from the shelf (its home during the week) and head down to the community church to hear "the preach'n". We say hello to neighbors and friends, say "See you next Sunday" and head to the nearby restaurant for lunch. Anyone relate? Does that make you a christian? Going to church? Another comment stated, "Christian get a bad rap". I think we do. Maybe its because as Christ-followers we're supposed to be held to Christ's standards. However, because no one is perfect (except Christ) we fail, over and over even though we're told to imitate Him. Then there will be the response, "Yeah, and she calls herself a Christian!" We are called judgmental (when God's word, the Bible, clearly says don't judge! (Romans 14:13) We're called self- righteous (when Philippians 2:3 says "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.") And so non believers in Christ, instead of just rejecting our actions, reject our belief as well. Your actions should reflect your heart (John 15), but does one action (good/bad) define you? Actually, it doesn't. But its easy to just stick a label on it...

I'll close with this, and I say this with gentleness and respect. To those of you who don't believe in Jesus as your Savior, because you don't believe in him, does that mean he doesn't exist? Because I don't believe in the wind, does that mean it doesn't exist? Logically there has to be a creator. Every item on earth is here because someone created it. And if there is a Creator, why did He create me (Jeremiah 1:5)? Even scientist will say that evolution is just a theory. And what if there is the slightest chance you are wrong, just the slightest. What will that mean for you? If I'm wrong than I guess I'll just float around/disintegrate/??? along with everyone else who dies. But if there is just the lightest chance you're wrong... what will happen? Is that a chance you're willing to take? Please understand I don't want to offend anyone, but it is something to just think about.

One can't explain Christianity in one blog post or even one conversation. That's what the Bible is for friends... and my pitiful explanation doesn't do His Word justice. I do apologize. And although many of you have probably figured out already, I am a Christian. But then again that statement, coming from me, may not really mean a whole lot. 2 Timothy 2:19 explains that God know whose are His, He knows the names written in the book of life (Rev 21:27).... Yep, God is the only one who really knows. Am I preaching yet, it is easy to sound preachy! :D

"But in your heart set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15

blue feathers

This past weekend I was browsing through Etsy and encountered this fabulous hair clip. I immediately thought of Carrie Bradshaw and her unique hair attire in the first Sex & the City Movie (*sigh, I love that movie). And while I probably wouldn't wear Carrie's bird, these sweet blue feathers will suite me quite nicely. What ya think?

Carrie: "After 10 years of what he already put me through, he couldn't make the effort and get out of the car. I made the effort! I put a bird on my head."

Miranda: "Is that what that was? I thought it was feathers."

Carrie: "It was a bird."

Yes, it's true. I, and half the female population, am a little obsessed with Sex & the City. And my obessession is completely out of character too, with my living down south in the sticks with my barn and small country kitchen. Here's my S&TC story (don't we all have one?). My obsession didn't start until 2008 when the first movie arrived. For some reason I really wanted to see the movie. I was never really interested in watching any episodes so it was a bit odd that I REALLY wanted to see it. But after I did, I was hooked. I watched the movie at least once a week for 2 months and then went out and bought the entire DVD collection and went on this crazy Sex & the City frenzy catching myself up! While I don't agree with their scandalous immoral behaviour, I do love seeing the clever writing unfold and their strong, very different personalities interact. One can't help getting caught up in their crazy, wonderful, fashion filled lives! And so I did... and still am... are you?

Happy Monday to all!

What If...

Do you ever wonder what your life would look like if you had been born into a completely different lifestyle? Perhaps born into wealth or privilege... on some huge working farm or maybe a huge city like NYC. Some days I do... This past weekend I was at my brother-in -law's home, enjoying a little Labor Day celebration with family. My husband's brother has recently become captivated with the idea of sailing, and when I say captivated I really mean a little obsessed! He's decided he and his wife could totally just sale his huge house, his restaurant, cars and pack their small bags into a sail boat. When he presented the idea to us I completely encouraged! "Yeah, awesome! Then ya'll can sail us around!" But secretly I thought he was a little crazy! But when I picked up one of his gazillion boating magazines this past weekend just to brows through while at the pool, surprisingly I became intrigued! I read about this family who had done just what my brother-in-law wanted... and this family had 2 small girls! These girls age 8 & 12 have been sailing for the past 2 years and have seen 10 times more stuff that I in my 26 years. What an experience! I couldn't believe it! What if I were one of those small girls. Would I appreciate the experience? Would I complain the whole time, wanting to go back home to my friends? Go back to my "normal" life? What if...

Miranda knows how I'm feeling:

A telltale sign

If you are raised in South Carolina and love football, you are either a tiger fan or a cocks fan. You were either raised to pull for Clemson University or the University of South Carolina. Those are our teams... Me? I'm a Clemson Tiger fan... bleed orange. Ok, so I don't go too overboard like many fans. But when Dad wanted to take us on a special "date" with one of his 4 daughters, we'd go to a Clemson football game (looking back in retrospect he really was "date" smart, we did love it though and jumped with enthusiasm at the mention of the game!), I married a Clemson graduate this past April, and many of my family/ friends have gone or are currently enrolled at Clemson. One of my cousins currently enrolled sent me an article from their campus newspaper, The Tiger, called "A telltale sign". As I glanced at it I noticed it seemed a little wordy and long so was just going to delete it from my inbox, but for whatever reason I was compelled to read it anyway.

After reading it, I had to pause. This article was so true. And the very reason I didn't want to read this "long and wordy" article was a little slap in my own face. You see, this article literally talked about words and how our society has forgotten how to speak or even how to verbally express ourselves. The author, Zak James, quoted N.T. Wright saying “A serious breakdown of language is a telltale sign of a serious breakdown of human culture.” James goes on to write,

" No wonder we are quick to give credence and respect to the words of
individuals who speak as though they are from a time in the past... We disregard
language that carries with it a level of meaning and complexity for a new kind
of vernacular that is painfully shallow and deeply defensive, overtly gratuitous
and laughably bombastic. Should we really feel so entitled as to blame our
foreign neighbors for believing us to be fools by virtue of our speech? I think
not... The culture at large rests upon the language of its people; when the
language erodes, culture soon follows. It is a perpetual cycle of reciprocal
determinism that, if not soon grasped, will undermine everything we have
achieved... (It is) a society in which bad language is no longer ceaselessly
implemented as a substitute for the inability to articulate one’s emotions or as
a cop out for not putting forth the effort to speak as individuals."

Why do only a handful of readers out there read Jane Austen? Our society can't understand her books. They are too long, wordy. Its "hard" reading, we have to concentrate too "hard". Why is EVERYONE out there reading Twilight (material written for young adults)? Its on a 4th grade reading level. Our society likes to read on a 4th grade reading level because we can understand the material. And I'm as guilty as the next. Makes me think... how am I contributing to the linguistic decline of our society? Can I do anything to change the snowball effect? Is it too late? I know this is a little heavy, but definitely something to think about... Check out the article. What ya'll think? Is this article true/false?