The "G" Word

I grew up with guns.

Grampa had guns.

Daddy has guns.

My brother has guns.

I have no problem picking up a rifle or pistol, taking aim, and firing at one of the targets my brother sets up in the field.

You mess with me or my family, you're messing with the wrong girl.

But guns kill!! I hear people say.

No, the bullet kills.

The bullet - whose only way out of the gun is being pushed out, with great force.

This happens when the bullet is propelled by a gas, derived from a powder, detonated by a primer, enacted by a blow

from a firing pin, energized by a hammer, released by a trigger, pulled by...

A human being.

Guns do not kill.

Human beings kill.

Albeit an evil human being, but a human nonetheless.

The blame needs to be placed where it is due.

Don't get me wrong, I am in no way saying that those individuals that shot little kids in CT, or movie-goers in CO, or students in VA are not guilty.

They very much are.

However, taking away my right to bear arms as a citizen of the United States of America is not the answer.

*I will take a moment to say that this is my blog and thus a place for me to express my opinions. I do not generally take a public stance on politics or anything to do with them, but this is a subject that I feel strongly about and wish to share my point of view.*

If an intruder walks into my house and threatens my life or the lives of my loved ones with a weapon, I want the option of protecting myself and those I care about.

I sympathize with the tragedies that happen.

My heart and prayers go out for the families that are left behind to deal.

It's not a happy world we live in.

It's a very sad and evil and scary world we wake up to every morning.

And it's not going to get better.

Yes, I have faith and trust in God.

I know He will take care of me.

BUT I also know that He gave men the knowledge to invent things.

Things like guns.

And while they have been used wrongly, they can be used for good.

To protect your life.

To protect the lives of your spouse, your mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter...

Some Christians believe that it is wrong to own or use guns.

Some people believe that Christians should not be involved in the military because God says "thou salt not kill." (I think each individual needs to make that a matter between themselves and God alone.)

I am not sure where I would stand if I was called into military service...

But I will proudly stand behind every single man and woman that decides to put their life in harms way to keep me safe. (And I do know a couple Christian men and women that are a part of the military.)

I'm not telling you that you have to go out and buy guns and ammo.

All I'm saying is, let me and my family defend our own.

And don't walk unannounced into my house in the middle of the night, you might not like the ending of that story.

A Little Farming Lesson

(I wrote this back in 2008...)

Peter Gregory spoke this year for Southern's In Tents meetings that were held in September of this year. He had a sermon every night, but Friday Vespers is the one I found the notes for. He made some interesting and striking statements that got me to thinking; I want to share one with you...

He said: THE QUALITY OF YOUR ROOTS DETERMINES THE QUALITY OF YOUR FRUIT.

When I heard that I immediately started thinking about back home. Before we plant corn we have to make sure that the field is ready for planting. We have to cultivate it several times with different pieces of equipment, spread some fertilizer on the ground, and then go over the field again to get the fertilizer in the ground (not just on top where the rain can wash it away).

Once the ground is ready, we can finally plant the seed corn. But that's not the end of it. The corn plant doesn't pop up the next day. Rather, it takes lots of sunlight, rain, and mild temperatures for the seeds to germinate and start to grow underground (in the dark). The corn seed puts down roots deep into the ground so once it pops it's head out it will have something to protect it from the wind pulling it out of the ground.

If all of the above goes well and the roots are deep and the plant is healthy, the head will then pop out and the corn plant will start reaching for the sky. As it grows it continues to need food and water from the soil and sunshine spreading warmth over it's leaves and stalk.

Spiritual translation:

We are the corn plant. The seed of the Holy Spirit must be planted in order for us to grow, HOWEVER the ground (our hearts and minds) must be tilled and cultivated so that the seed will have a safe home to live.

Once the seed is planted, it needs water and food so that it can start to sprout and put down roots. Just like the corn seed, if we don't put down roots that go deep into our heart and minds we will be blown away by Satan's winds when we start to come out as Christians. The roots have to go deep, deep into Jesus.

Once we start to rise above ground, our lives must be fed by the Word of God (food) and the Holy Spirit (water) and we must bask in the Son to grow properly. As we grow we reach for the sky (Heaven) where we hope to someday be.

What I want you to take away from this agriculture lesson is that we need roots in our faith. Without roots the plant doesn't survive and neither can we. We must be deeply rooted in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So, as you grow in Jesus, remember the simple little corn seed.

Were You Born In A Barn?!

As I was doing chores tonight, my mind was occupied with thoughts of the very first Christmas.

No, we don't know if it really was December 25th.

And I don't really care.

Those logistics and petty details of the story are not what matter.

The STORY is what is important...

Can you imagine a barn in your mind right now?

It wasn't as nice as the barns we have today though.

They were simple shelters for the animals to get out of the elements.

They were most likely drafty.

They had an odor to them.

Anyone who has been in a barn - any kind of barn - I'm sure has smelled something that wasn't pleasant.

It goes with the territory.

People always make the comment that THIS was where He was born.

In a BARN.

Like it's a bad place.

I'm not sure that the Inns in those days were much better...

I mean, look at the castles people lived in - drafty and cold.

I'm sure that there was a large gathering of people in Bethlehem at that time (remember, Caesar had ordered all people to return to the place of their birth to be taxed) so the inns were full of people.

People who were NOT happy about bring taxed; and having to make such a long journey to get there.

I'm sure there were many arguments going on and possible brawls.

Probably a lot of eating and drinking too.

The inn was not quiet.

And as far as odors go, I'm sure there was a stench from people who hadn't taken baths in months; and all that drinking and eating...I'll leave that to your imagination.

Would you want to give birth in such a place??

I think I would have PREFERRED the barn!

Our barn is newer than that barn of old but it's still a bit drafty - fresh air can circulate through that way.

Our barn has an odor - all barns do.

Our barn is quiet - once the animals have been fed, they settle right down.

Sure, it's not the most sanitary place.

Nevertheless, I'd say for back then, it was better than most for her to give birth.

She had clean straw or hay to lay on.

There was plenty of clean water - the animals didn't mind sharing.

If it was a chilly night, the animals would have helped as space heaters.

And as for the Baby's visitors, do you think the shepherds would have been allowed in the inn?

People may scoff at where He was born.

They may say that the innkeeper and the rest of the people were dreadful in turning the couple away.

They may say that if THEY had been around back then He would have had the best of the best; they would have seen to it.

But honestly, I cannot think of a better place for the Savior of our world to be born.