MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Luke 2: 1 - 20

1) Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
2) This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3) And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.
4) Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is also called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5) in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
6) While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
7) And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8) In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9) And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10) But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people;
11) for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12) This will be sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13) And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14) "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
15) When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."
16) So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
17) When they had seen this, the made known the statement which had be told them about this Child.
18) And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
19) But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20) The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as he been told them.

Matthew 2: 1-12

1) Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herrod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
2) "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."
3) When Herrod the kind heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4) Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
5) They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
6) 'AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH: FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE OF ISRAEL.'"
7) Then Herrod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.
8) He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him."
9) After hearing from the king, they went on their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.
10) When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
11) After coming to the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasurers, they presented to Him the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12) And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herrod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

On this day, the day of Jesus birth, I will ask you the question my Pastor asked us last night at our Christmas Eve service. Who do you really believe that baby in the manger was that day? Do you believe that He was the Son of God; sent to earth to save us from our sins? Or do you believe He was just a prophet who was not the Messiah.

He truly was the Messiah for us. He was sent to earth to live a human life, die on a cross and save us from our sins.

You shall call His name Jesus, and He will save you from your sins.

I hope that you will take this day, of all days, to search your heart and soul, and see what you believe. Do you believe in Him? Is He your Savior? If He is not your Savior, why not take today to give Him the greatest gift you can give Him, YOU! Surrender yourself and your sins to Him and ask Him into your heart.

May God Bless Each and Every One of You on this Blessed Day. And May You Have Blessed New Year!

"All Come, All Ye Faithful" by Celtic Women
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eLDvM7eSq0

"Angels We Have Heard On High" by Sandi Patty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bnP0k0JdOQ

Dearest Grandma

Dearest Grandma:

This past Sunday night(the 14th), sometime during the night, you went home to be with our gracious Lord and Savior. I am glad that you went in your sleep and that, although you had had some physical difficulties lately, you weren't sick for a long time before you went Home. I am so thankful for that.

I know that you are in heaven having a good time with Grandpa D., and all of the other family members and friends that have gone on before you. I know that you were amazed at the glory of the beauty of God’s face and the love that shown through it as He welcomed you into heaven with His open arms. I can’t wait to see that day myself!

Haha! Remember that night that we stayed down there with you on the farm and I got up in the middle of the night to pee or something? There were those white cows out there (I forget what you call them) out in the yard that had gotten out of the neighbors pens and I screamed like the little girl that I am, thinking they were "ghost cows"? You got the biggest kick out out of that, I do remember that! You laughed and laughed; even while you called the neighbors to tell them to come get their cows! You told them I thought they were ghost cows too!!! That's what'ya get for having a small town girl out in the country! Hahaha! We had some good times, didn't we?

Well, Gramm, I am going to go. It is almost 535am and a I am tired. I have been awake most of the night. Its raining and I like the sound of the rain; maybe that will lull me to sleep yet . So, I am going to lay back down and try to get some extra rest before I have to get up and moving for the day.

Thank you for being my grandma these past 17 or so years and for welcoming me so much into the family. You reminded me so much of my mom’s mom, it was uncanny. I am so glad that you were a part of my life for all of these years and that I will always have these memories and pictures of you.

Have no doubts, however, that you will be missed by me a lot. I am once again without any grandparents, but know that all of you are up there in Heaven, meeting each other for the first time, and talking about what ornery kids we were/are!!! Haha! ;-)

Thanks for being there for me. Thanks for loving me as you did. Thanks for laughing at my silly things or even when I tried to tell a joke (cause you know I am not good at telling jokes).
Thanks for being the woman you were; for being the Godly woman you were.

I wish that we would have had more time together here on this earth; but I know that we will have all of eternity some day to sit and talk in heaven about the things we didn’t get to talk about here on earth.

I love you; I’ll miss you and I will probably ‘talk’ to you from time to time. Give Grandpa D. and Grandma F. a hug for me. Tell them I love them too. I am sorry I wasn't at your funeral to say goodbye properly, but hey, you weren't there either! So, this is my way to say good-bye to you. Although I prefer to say, 'See Ya Later'.

Ya’ll don’t party too hard till the rest of us get up to Heaven; then we can let loose! We'll party, party then! God and the angels better make sure they have enough food etc., for when we're all up there together again and ready to PARTY!

Here’s some songs for you that I think you would like and they also mean a lot to me.

I love you, Grandma.

Your Granddaughter forever,
Meg

"Amazing Grace: My Chains Are Gone" by Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXV6HJxUebg

"Great Is Thy Faithfulness" by Steve Green
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1O8kVT4A-w

"When We All Get to Heaven" by Brad Paisley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZnUY3CcH8A

"Sweet By and By" by Bird Youmans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T2bZ1SHBIo

"Time To Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pamC18f_T8

LOVE YOU GRAMM'S.....ALWAYS....

School's Out and Here Comes Christmas!

Well, here we are, on the 14th of December, a week and four days till Christmas!! Where did the year go??? It has just flown by; it seems like it was just Memorial Day weekend and now it's almost Christmas! My goodness! I feel like saying, 'Stop the world, I want to get off!' as if that would somehow stop time or slow it down!!!

I have just started working on my Christmas cards yesterday! I am so behind! Haven't even started shopping yet. Have basic ideas of what I am getting, just haven't gotten out there and done it yet!! I need to get on the ball or I will be one of those people running around of Christmas Eve trying to get that last gift (and the stores will be closing!).

I surprisingly got through most of my Christmas card list yesterday, although need to do several more. I have just signed my 'Merry Christmas' etc., my name and the name on the outside of the envelope. I still need to write the addresses on the envelopes and need to write little notes in several of them. Whew! Oh, I shouldn't say that I haven't gotten any Christmas shopping done; I am done with the dog's. She got some new toys, (a kind she likes particularly well, that are getting more and more difficult to find). I found them online for $4.99/each (good deal!), and they already arrived via UPS, so I am done with her.

The most important thing of late is that I made it through my first quarter of returning to college after many years! The last week of classes was December 1-4th and I took my final on December 10th (this past Wednesday). The final was long and arduous, even though I had studied for about a total of 15 hours over several days for it. I was one of the last ones to finish, no, I stand corrected, I was the last one to finish; the other two people who were also still in the classroom didn't finish.

When I say long, it was 3 pages front and back and then a 4th page, front only. Now there were only sometimes 2-3 problems per page, but then there would be several steps to the problem. We had an 1 hr and 50 minutes to take the test and I barely finished when I had to turn my test in at 2 hours. Ugh! It is definitely a test that needs 2 hours I think. Some people finished in like 45 minutes or an hour, but I am slow and methodical on my math test taking and so it takes me longer. I like to take my time and be sure I am doing each step of the problem correctly and not just rush through; make mistakes that way.

Anyways, I was glad to be done with the test and just have it over with. My nerves had gotten the best of my the day/night before and I cried several times. Silly, I know. I even had asked hubby to come over to go over a few problems on the review with me that I wasn't sure of; it was much different from what he had remembered. We got some of them worked through and I just got to the point where I couldn't push anymore in my brain, ya know? So, I just packed it in.

I took my notes with me to the final and got to school a 1/2hr before the final was to begin. I thought about taking out my notes and looking through them once more, but didn't. Instead, I took out a little New Testament/Psalms Bible that I carry with me to school every day. I read several verses out of the Psalms and out of several other books; then I bowed my head (yes right in front of everyone else that was also already in the classroom) and prayed. I prayed that God would calm my nerves, my shakes (they were bad that day); that He would calm my mind and spirit and that He would help me remember what I needed to remember for the test. That was it. Took my calculator, pencil, eraser, scrap paper, bottle of water and a peppermint out and got my desk situated for the test.

Soooooooooo, I didn't do as well on the final as I had hoped ( a high C: i knew when i was done with the test exactly which problems i had not done the right); however, that still gave me a final grade of a "B" for the class!!!!!! So, I finished my first quarter with a 3.0 GPA! Praise the Lord! It was truly with the Lord's help that I was able to do that well in a class that has never been an easy subject for me. So, thank you Lord, for getting me through this first quarter, through this class and with a final grade better than I had hoped for at the beginning of the quarter!!!!

Now I get a break until January 5th. That's the first day back for winter quarter. I don't know who my professor is for my poly sci class yet, but I do know that I have the same professor for the next succession in my math (103), for which I am very grateful. I signed up for my poly-sci class several weeks ago when registration opened for winter quarter; but I had to wait on the math class. My professor is part-time at my college, so I had to wait for them to assign her classes to her.

So, she emailed me the other day before the final and let me what they had assigned her; it worked out very well! I not only have her again for the math class, but its 4 days a week (which I need) and its at the same time as it was this quarter, 9-950am! So, I will have time on TTH before my poly sci class at noon, to get my math homework done in the math lab (which I will do ever day anyways; did that this quarter) and have a quick bite to eat for lunch. The Lord really was is in the details!

I am still struggling with my back. The pain has been incredible (and I don't mean that in an amazing way, I mean that in a bad way), but when I saw my doc again this past Wednesday afternoon, she gave me better pain medicine, and boy does it make a difference!! I had an MRI around lunch time on Wednesday also (on my back of course) and by the time I saw my doc at about 430pm, she had the preliminary report. I have arthritis in my back (which I already knew), but also two other things. At L4-5, I have a disc that is rupturing and at L3-4, I have a disc that is slipping (or protruding). Nice huh?? At the L4-5, where the disc is rupturing, it is causing my vertebrae to move closer together because the "cushion" of the disc is getting less and less. Anyways, its all causing the pain, pressing on nerves etc. The good news is that even with all of that going on, my spinal canal looks in real good shape. There is no narrowing of that, which is very good news.

My doc said that her office was going to refer me over to the Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation (which is in the same building). When I was done with the doc and was checking out, we set up an appointment for me to see my doc again in 4 weeks and then they said they would call me the next day (which would have been last Thursday, the 11th) with my appointment with the Sports Medicine would be. Well, they still haven't called, and I am running out of time. Like I said, I start back to school on January 5th, and if you take out 4 days for which the office will be closed for the holidays (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day), that doesn't leave me much time to get in and get started on doing whatever I need to do to begin the healing of my back so that I am not in the same severe pain etc., when school starts back up. And I really would like to be off the pain medicine too; it dulls my senses and my mind and while it helps with the pain which has been so bad, I feel I need to be off of it for school.

I had called one of my dear friends Friday morning to talk about a few things (she had emailed me) and to see how she was doing and she wanted to know how I was doing. She was on her way to see her chiropractor. So, I told her what the MRI showed, what the doc said they were going to do (refer me to sports med), and that I had not heard anything about any of that yet. I shared with her my frustration and that I wanted to get something started to get the process of healing started on my back, which she totally understood.

So, she went in and talked with her chiropractor about my situation(with my permission). So, a few minutes later, her chiropractors' office called me and said that my friend had shared my situation. They took my name and info etc., and I have an appointment with them this Tuesday! PTL!!!! I am so thankful that I am going to be getting started on the healing process. Now, I know it is probably going to be painful to do this, and that it will take time; that I will have to also do exercises here at home (not a problem), but at least I will be getting started on the process!!! PTL!!! So, thank you dear friend, for connecting me with your chiropractor; and thank the Lord for the email I received from her that morning that prompted me to call her!!! Again, the Lord is in the details!!!!

I went to church last night with one of my friends from my small group. She picked me up so that I could take my medicine and not be in pain during the service, but be able to go. It was a good service and I enjoyed singing and praising the Lord, even though I had to sit down. The sermon was good also. It was about 'Radical Generosity', 2 Corinthians 8:1-9. It was really good.

Our church is taking a special Christmas offering. Half of the amount that is received in the offering will go to help people/families in our church/community that are having a very tough time because of our economy; perhaps they have been laid-off or have completely lost their job etc. They had intended the whole offering to go to this Project Clean Water, but after they started hearing of people in our church family that were being laid-off or losing their jobs and needed help, they prayed about it and decided to split this special Christmas offering because of the special situations in our community.

The other half will be going overseas for Project Clean Water to help provide money that will help provide clean wells (and therefore clean water) in developing countries that desperately need this like Uganda, India and Central America. Did you know ( I did not know this) that over 3900 children die every day from water-borne diseases because the water is dirty. That is astounding! You can go to http://www.adventconspiracy.org/ to read about this and there is a link on the page if you would like to donate to help get clean water to people all over the world that desperately need it.

My church is also doing a Christmas Eve service, which I am looking forward to attending. Actually they are having 2 Christmas Eve services. One is at 5pm, which I believe is more family oriented; there will be a kid's live nativity and Christmas carols along with Pastor Steve sharing. The 7pm service is going to be more 'adult', I believe. We will have candlelight time of worship and praise in celebration of Jesus Christs' birth. If you are interested in learning more about these services or any of our services etc., in general, go to http://www.enewlife.com/. Come out for any of the services, but I think the Christmas Eve services will be very special.

Well, my final campaign that I volunteered with this summer/fall finally finished all of the counting of ballots and a couple of things that had to run through the courts. It was the race for the 15th Ohio District for the US House. Anyhow, they finally finished it all up the other day, and I am sad to report that Steve Stivers lost the race to his opponent, MaryJo Kilroy. It wasn't even close enough to trigger an automatic recount (which I think a lot of us were hoping for). The numbers would have had to be within 1/2 of 1% to trigger the recount and it was not. So, only one of the campaigns that I volunteered on won, and it was at the state level, which was good, but losing this US House seat and also the Presidency was very disappointing. Never fear though, it won't be long before campaigning will start up again for different things, and we will be hard back at work at it!

Well, I guess that's it for now. Just wanted to let you know how things turned out for school . And catch up you on my back. Tell ya about Church things and Christmas coming up (so fast!).
I hope that ya'll are doing well. I hope that everyone who was also in college this fall and is now on break, did well also. I prayed for all of us.

Ya'll enjoy your Christmas season with your family and friends. Remember that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! And don't be afraid to say 'MERRY CHRISTMAS' to people instead of the politically correct 'Happy Holidays'. Say it loud and proud!! May God bless you and yours at this special time of year!

"O, Holy Night" by Josh Groban:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTgMe5demPc

Remembering Pearl Harbor

Today is the 67th Anniversary of the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Their attack, the first ever on American soil, brought our country into WWII.

Over 2400 Americans died that day, many of them on the USS Arizona.

There are not that many WWII Veterans left among us today, so if you come across one, be sure and thank them for their service in WWII.

May God bless those who died that day and throughout our participation in WWII. May God continue to bless America.

Thank you, WWII Veterans!

Eternal Father (Strong to Save) also know as the Navy Hymn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnm-4kSLKdI

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Brrr. It's cold outside! We are currently at 18 degrees and falling. Not quite sure how low we are supposed to go tonight, but it sure is cold outside! Winter has definitely arrived!

I trust every one's Thanksgiving was blessed and good. I had a good time in Kentucky, but it was nice to come home again. It was a long trip (because of my back), but it was nice to spend time with family and especially my nephews! They are growing so fast and both are going to be so tall; just like their dad and I (we're brother and sister).

School is done except for final on Wednesday. I have a quiz I have to make up on Monday also, but currently have almost an "A" average in the class! Can you believe that?? Me, the one who isn't known for her algebra skills! I am pleased. It has truly been a lot of hard work and the help of the Lord that has gotten me this far; and I know He'll take me the rest of the way also. I am registered for next quarter; taking the next succession in my math class (from the same professor; she is great) and also poly sci. 9 hrs total. Math is MTWTH like this quarter and poly sci is TTH from 12-230pm. That will be long, but its gotta be done.

It's hard to believe that we are into the Christmas season already! I got a new tree (that already has the lights on it, boy what a blessing that is for me). It looks nice. I have to get busy on my Christmas card list and what little shopping I am going to do. I have a feeling its going to go by fast! I am going to see Trans Siberian Orchestra on the 20th with some friends. I am really looking forward to that; have always wanted to see them and am glad it worked out to go this year. And my cousin either is already back in the U.S. or will be shortly and we are going to PARTY at Christmastime. I am so excited to see him and can't wait to hug him and make sure he is alright. And then another girl friend, my little Italian firecracker, is having a New Years Eve party, which I am planning on attending; can't wait for that.

My back is still on the fritz. I am on a powerful muscle relaxer now. If I take it, it seems to help, but I cannot drive. So, Wednesday morning I won't be taking it so I can go take my final; then I will come home and "dope up". Having an MRI Wednesday about lunch time and see my doc again later in the day. I think she still suspects something is being pinched because it is so painful to sit up. Laying down or standing is much more comfortable; sitting for any length of time without pain medicine etc., is very painful. So, we'll see what the MRI shows.

It's aggravating with it being on the fritz. The hubby has been very helpful; has gone to the store for me 2 times now and is coming Monday to help me clean up the house a little (sweep, change the bed etc); stuff that would really aggravate my back. A friend of mine has graciously agreed to pick me up for church Sunday morning so that I don't have to drive to that, for which I am very grateful. My sister in law has also been very helpful; gotten medicine for me, taken me to the dentist today, and taking me for my MRI and doc on Wednesday. So, THANK YOU ALL! And thanks to you all who have been praying also, I know that many prayers have gone up to the Lord over the past several weeks over this situation, so Thank Ya'll too, my prayer warriors!

Reading a new book,"The Bumps Are What You Climb On". It's by Warren W. Wiersbe. It's very good and is an easy read. I haven't gotten very far in it yet, but what I have read has been helpful and encouraging. I am thankful for that. My parents gave it to me over Thanksgiving. Appropriate don't ya think...I certainly have had a lot of bumps this year.

Well, I guess that's it for now. Just wanted to pop up and say hello. It's supposed to snow tomorrow (accumulation snow). I think we're only supposed to get about an inch, but its the beginning. I cherish seeing the sun when it comes out. A number of years ago, the hubby and I lived in north-eastern Ohio close to the lake, and boy, you really didn't see the sun for months! At least here, I see it once in a while, which is better than nothing!

Ya'll keep warm. Say a prayer for my back and for my final on Wednesday (8am-950am) if you would; I'd appreciate it.

Here's a little something for the season: Doris Day and Bing Crosby singing "Baby, It's Cold Outside". Enjoy and God Bless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25fUl3NpeBc

LIBERTY By Ken Blackwell

This was sent to me and I thought it very appropriate concerning our current situation in our economic situation. I am speaking specifically to the 3 big auto makers in this country, begging, yes begging, for a bailout. I don't think we should give it to them. I say, let them fail. That is what a capitalistic society is all about; businesses fail all the time.

And don't get me started on the government bailing out citigroup today (and adding another $800 billion to our deficit by opening up more 'bailouts' for other companies). ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Let them go. Let them fail. We will survive! It won't be the end of the world! Sure it will be rough for a bit, but we cannot keep this up. We are digging ourselves into a deeper and deeper hole from which we may never come out of; and it's just plain no good for our country to keep bailing out these companies/banks/mortgage brokers etc. Let them fail; let them all fail.

If they want to 'stimulate' the economy; take all of those billions of dollars that they have given to these companies (who some are spending the money in unwise ways: read, parties), and instead give it to us, the tax-payer in the form of a rebate check. I know that there are plenty out here who could use something like this instead of it going to these big corporations who will probably end up belly-up anyways. That would stimulate the economy in a good way, instead of these bailouts that aren't doing anybody, any good (except maybe the fat cats that are just getting fatter).

Anyways. I thought Ken Blackwell's column had some good insights, so I thought I would share it with ya'll.


LIBERTY

"I was always taught when growing up that when you reward bad behavior all you get is more bad behavior. From the mortgage meltdown to the automaker debacle to cities and states going under, it's all bad behavior. It should not be rewarded. The problem here is that our culture of debt -- both personal and corporate -- has created a culture of dependency. Everyone is calling out to our central government to give them money. And horrors of horrors, many are willing to let the federal government take ownership stakes in these entities and have a hand in their management. That is the road to socialism. The first step to ending the culture of dependency is to tell these corporations, cities and states they need to start taking responsibility for their actions by dealing with the consequences they have created for themselves. If not, then we could accumulate a national debt that even our grandchildren will never pay off."
--columnist and former Mayor of Cincinnati Ken Blackwell

Pray for our country. We need it now more than ever. And pray for our leaders, they desperately need it. May God continue to bless America and may He have mercy on us as a country; we need it.

Peace.

Remembering Freddie

Today, Queen fans everywhere, are remembering Freddie Mercury, their lead singer.

He was born on September 5, 1946 as Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar. He, of course, eventually changed his name to Freddie Mercury.

Queen got together as a group in 1971 and released their first album in 1973, simply titled 'QUEEN'. They were one of the greatest rock groups in history, in my opinion and their songs have been loved by millions over the years.

Sadly, Freddie died on this date in 1991. Queen has gone on, now with Paul Rogers, but there will never be anyone else like Freddie Mercury. He was a true original.

We miss you, Freddie. Rest in Peace.

"These Are the Days of Our Lives"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjiapiq-hqY

"Who Wants To Live Forever"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgK_keIJq-4

Not Asleep

Well its about 140am and I am obviously not asleep. Have had my sleeping pill and all and nothing. Maybe its my back pain that's keeping me awake. I can take more pain medicine in a few minutes, so I will give that a shot.

In some ways, the back seems better, and in some other ways, just as painful. Driving is very hard on it and always leads to the pain coming back. I have managed rides (thanks to some very gracious friends) for a few things, but today I had errands to take care of, so I drove myself. Pain. Getting to church Sunday morning should be interesting. And to school next week for the 3 days that we have it before Thanksgiving.

This back pain/issue has been very aggravating. I don't like to have to rely on other people for stuff, although they have all be gracious to help out and I know they'd want me to ask for help. Just hate asking for it.

The movie "Soldier" with Kurt Russell is on tv right now. Started a few minutes ago. Its a decent movie. Not one of his greatest, but not too bad either. I have definitely seen worse. Especially when it comes to the late-night, can't sleep, fare. There's a few movies coming out from now through New Years' that I am somewhat interested in seeing. It's hard for me to bring myself to pay $6 -$8 for a matinee though. 'The Dark Knight' is finally at the dollar theater ( its actually 1.50 now, I think). I will probably see it again (3rd time), and buy it eventually on dvd. I enjoyed it that much. I like this series of Batman movies with Christian Bale as 'The Batman'. Its a darker slant to it, and a good, good vs evil slant, and I like that.

I'm going to Kentucky for Thanksgiving. Ride situation is a bit up in the air at the moment cause of my back, but it will get worked out. I get to be away from Wednesday after class until Sunday. That will be a nice break and I am looking forward to the 'getaway' plus the seeing of family and friends.

School's almost done for this quarter. Am so glad. Have a "B" average so far in my math class (big surprise) and I intend to keep it. We 7 actual days of class left, plus the 'final' day. Then I get about a month, not quite, but real close, off before winter quarter starts up in the new year. Looking forward to the break and all that Christmas will bring. My favorite time of year.

Well, I guess I should take some more pain medicine now and try to get back to sleep. I actually fell asleep for about an hour and a half or so, but then the pain woke me up again. Ugh. Tomorrow should be a good day though. A good friend of mine has offered to give me a perm in the morning ( I desperately need it) and then I am meeting up with another good friend later in the day for just some 'hang-out' time etc.

And of course its the day of the big OSU-MICHIGAN FOOTBALL GAME; being played here in Columbus this year. It will be a cold day for it today, but no snow, I don't think. So GO BUCKS! BEAT MICHIGAN!

OSU FIGHT SONG (BATTLE CRY!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha6roJfoGjc

SCRIPT OHIO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKL7_MSBR7Q

CIE GRANT SINGS "CARMEN OHIO"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eW2ZBU9UHI

Later ya'll....

BE STILL

A VERY, VERY, DEAR FAMILY MEMBER SENT ME A CARD WITH A LITTLE PLAQUE TODAY. THE LITTLE PLAQUE IS PERFECT FOR HANGING ON THE WALL ( WILL HAVE TO FIND SOMEPLACE TO HANG IT WHERE I WILL SEE IT EVERY DAY, TWO OR THREE TIMES A DAY), AND THEY BOTH SAY ALL OF THE THINGS LISTED BELOW. IT'S QUITE A POWERFUL READING, ONCE YOU LET IT SETTLE IN.

I GOT IT IN THE MAIL LATE THIS MORNING AND READ IT ALL SEVERAL TIMES THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING BEFORE I WENT TO SMALL GROUP TONIGHT; AND IT WAS THERE THAT IF FINALLY SUNK IN. GOD REALLY IS THERE IN ALL OF THOSE TIMES.

WHEN WE ARE TIRED, BROKEN-HEARTED, IN PAIN (PHYSICALLY AND OTHER WISE), LONELY, LOW SELF-CONFIDENCE, 'HOW WILL IT ALL WORK OUT?'; ALL OF THAT. HE IS THERE AND HE IS EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED. EVERYTHING. ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS LET GO AND LET GOD. (EASIER SAID THAN DONE RIGHT?); BUT THAT'S WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. SURRENDER IT ALL TO HIM AND LET HIM WORK; BE AMAZED AT HOW HE WORKS AND THEN SHARE THAT WITH SOMEONE TO INSPIRE THEM!

TRY TO SPEND SOME SERIOUS TIME IN THOUGHT OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS OVER WHAT YOU ARE REALLY AND TRULY THANKFUL FOR; YES, YOUR HOUSE, YOUR HEALTH, ALL OF THOSE USUAL THINGS, I UNDERSTAND. BUT GO DEEPER. MUCH DEEPER. LET GOD SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT YOU SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR OR ABOUT. LET HIM USE THIS UPCOMING THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS SEASON TO REALLY WORK IN YOUR LIFE. HE'S WAITING, OPEN THE DOOR TO YOUR HEART AND LET HIM IN. YOU'LL BE AMAZED AT THE PLACES HE'LL TAKE YOU!

BE STILL before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. -Psalm 37:7 (NASB)

When you are the neediest,
HE is the most sufficient.

When you are completely helpless,
HE is the most helpful.

When you feel totally dependent,
HE is absolutely dependable.

When you are the weakest,
HE is the most able.

When you are the most alone,
HE is intimately present.

When you feel you are the least,
HE is the greatest.

When you feel the most useless,
HE is preparing you.

When it is the darkest,
HE is the only light you need.

When you feel the least secure,
HE is Your Rock and Fortress.

When you are the most humble,
HE is most gracious.

When you can't, HE CAN!

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power the works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21 (NASB)

GOD BLESS YA'LL AND KEEP YA TILL NEXT TIME. NIGHT.

Back Pain, A Long Weekend, and the Stupid Raiders

Well, as you can tell by the time stamp on this one, I am wide awake in the middle of the night (215am). I woke up because I was in pain, again.

It has been a long weekend. All last week, was a decent week, no unusual activities or anything. I did suffer from several mini-migraines through out the week, but determined that they were happening because of stress and the big weather change that was coming here at the weekend.

Went to class all 4 days, got the homework etc., done. Found out that I received a 99%-A on my test that I took a week ago Thursday (11/6). I was shocked at that and had to look at the test a couple of times to make sure that it was mine! ;-)

Well, everything was going along well, exercising etc., except for those mini-migraines which affected me from late morning/early afternoon, on. I got very nauseous several times and thought I may actually throw-up, but never did. I would have to take some Excedrin migraine and lay down in the dark for a few hours, but it would eventually go away, although some days it took longer into the evening, than others.

Thursday night, I am home because of one of those migraines. Nothing unusual happens. I try to eat a little supper later in the evening when the nausea has subsided a little bit. I get the dog taken care of (PTL! she has stopped throwing up and is eating normally again!). I get into bed about 9pm because I am still feeling the migraine and just plain worn out.

Friday morning I wake up to find that something is very wrong with my back. I am in a great deal of pain and do not know why. When I went to bed Thursday night, everything was fine, now its not fine. I manage to get the heating pad on it and try to get it relaxed and doing some very mild stretches to see if that will help.

I had a luncheon meeting downtown at 1pm that I very much wanted (needed) to keep. So, I slowly got up and began to get ready. Took a hot shower (hoping that would help also) and slowly got dressed. Right before I left for the lunch, I rubbed some capsazian on it and prayed that God would give me strength to drive to the meeting safely and also give me the strength for the meeting. He did, Bless Him. The capsazian started to wear off just as we were finishing our meeting and getting ready to leave.

Nonetheless, by the time I reached home, I was in quite a bit of pain. I changed into more comfortable clothes and rubbed more capsazian on the affected area. Then I laid down with the heating pad a muscle relaxer to try to get it relaxed and better.

Well Saturday and yesterday were no better. Saturday I managed to shower, cook supper and do the dishes, but by the time I was done with the dishes, I thought I was just going to die, it hurt so bad. It was beginning to hurt down the back of my legs and also bother my neck.

So, yesterday I wake up late for church; aggravated at myself for that. But it has been hard to rest with this pain ( I have a decent pain tolerance and this has just left me in tears at times). I go to look at my cell phone to see if anybody had called while I was sleeping and the crazy thing won't turn on or anything. I try all the usual things (take out the battery, wait a few seconds, place it back it; hook it up to the charger (which it had been overnight).

I am just beside myself. It was a Motorola razor and I have had nothing but trouble with it from day one. I try to call my cell service and of course nobody is around because its Sunday. I do find out that one of the stores near here opens at noon. So, I called hubby to let him know of the cell situation (he already knew about my back because I had texted him Saturday evening, asking for prayer for it and the pain).

So, he said to call the store when they opened and talk with them and see what they say and then call and let him know. So, while I am waiting for them to open, I take another shower and try to sit up a bit, thinking maybe that would help. Well, I couldn't sit up (like on the couch, love seat or dining room chairs) for a very long period of time. The pain and discomfort just makes it impossible. So, I come back to the bed, fully-dressed, and lay on the heating pad (the only thing that seems to alleviate it somewhat) with a blanket and watch football and a movie.

Hubby comes and we go to cellular store. I have to get a new phone. I am not happy with what I got, but didn't feel like I could spend big money to get what I really wanted. I don't know. I may see if I can find something better online that I like and trade. We'll see. I am just not happy with the shape of the phone or the use of the buttons (very difficult for me). Oh, and the best thing is, that nothing can be saved from the old phone. No numbers, pictures, texts or anything. Great. Just Great. So, now I have to go through and get every one's phone numbers again and load them into the new phone.

By the time we get done with that. I am in such pain I am practically in tears. Every bump in the road, every sway of the truck, hurts like crazy. So we go to an urgent care. They were very kind. When we went in, they told us it would be a long wait, which we accepted. However, after some minutes of trying to sit in the chair in the waiting room, I couldn't do that anymore. So, hubby asked if there was a bed where I could go ahead and lay down to wait my turn.

So, they took us back into an exam room that had an actual hospital bed in it and got me situated on that. Oh, sweet relief. And we did not have to wait as long as were told we would have to when we came into the urgent care center.

I did cry some there, especially on the phone with my parents, as the pain was just too much and I did not know how much longer I could tolerate it. So, long story short, they diagnosed me with a pinched nerve somewhere there in the mid to lower back. They gave me steroids to help the swelling of whatever is pressing on the nerve, a different muscle relaxes (temporarily) and blessed pain medicine. The urgent care doc is going to be faxing my information from yesterday afternoon/evening over to my regular doc today ( see her Wednesday), so that she will be aware of the situation. The urgent care doc said my regular doc will probably do an MRI or such, to see exactly what is causing the pinch and where exactly it is at, so that she will know how to continue the treatment better.

Hubby brought me home, got me some food, hung out for a bit, walked the dog for bedtime and then left. I sooooooo appreciated him doing all of that for me. I know that he was tired and didn't want to have to deal with all of this, but I know he could tell that I was in real pain and suffering. So thanks, hubby. I really, mostly sincerely do appreciate it.

So, I am awake cause of the pain. I am getting sleep again (cause of course I took more pain medicine) and the words on the page are starting to blur. I will be glad if I can get back to sleep and just let my body work and heal in its own natural way.

There have been several urgent prayer requests come through my email, from both near and far, for which I have been praying for each one. But, compared to these, mine seems so very minor. But, I ask it anyway, that those of you out there would pray that whatever is causing this pinching of the nerve would abate and that the pain would go away and I would be able to function normally again.

Gotta go to sleep again (Praise God). Am too tired and can't keep my eyes open or think clearer. Will finish this late this morning.

Am back (430am). Never did get back to sleep. Here in a couple of more hours, I can take some more pain medicine to see if that will help. Gosh it hurts. I usually have a decent pain tolerance, but this is beyond that. Way beyond that.

Anyway. Thats it. The dog is doing better and eating normally again, for which I am so thankful. Now, if we can just get me healed up. Any prayers would be much appreciated. Will try to keep in touch as I can.

Oh, and my Raiders lost yet another game yesterday that we actually could have/should have won! We suck. Need new owners and just start over. I am a die hard fan, but this is getting ridiculous!

So, here's some Queen - "Another One Bites the Dust" for my stinky football team and my back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMenB9Ywh2Q

Ya'll have a good day.

Happy Birthday Pops!

Happy Birthday Pops!

Today is your birthday and I wanted to do something a little different for you. So, here are some songs from when you were growing up, one I know that is especially a favorite of yours, and then a fun 'Happy Birthday' at the end.

Enjoy and Have a great Day!

Love you Pops!


Bill Haley: "Rock Around the Clock"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5fsqYctXgM

Chubby Checker: "Let's Twist Again"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5PqydMA1kA

Buddy Holly and The Crickets: "Peggy Sue"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhgO8rZs1Fg

Everly Brothers: "Bye Bye Love"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFoIdxLBm_A

Louis Armstrong: "What A Wonderful World"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnRqYMTpXHc

Happy Birthday To You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeypOvsY91Q

An "Experience(d)" Good-Bye

Mitch Mitchell, the remaining member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience trio, died early this morning in Oregon. He was 61. Mitch played the drums for the trio and the group had an excellent, unique sound.

Bassist Noel Redding died in 2003 and Jimi, of course, died in 1970.

They will all be missed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA8agXR7YxI

Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day. In Canada, its called Rememberance Day. Its also known as Armistice Day for the end of WWI (1918).

Today, you should pause and remember those who have served our country before now; those who are serving now; and those who will serve in the future. You should remember the living and the dead.

Most of all, you should pause and remember what these veterans did for you and for me. For the freedom that they fought, and died, for here in our country and overseas. You should say a prayer for all of them, but especially for those who are serving now.

And remember, thank a veteran today. Thank him or her for their service and ask that God will bless them.

May God Bless this Great Nation! And God Bless our Veterans!

American Anthem, Sung by Norah Jones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B81kW814qA

For 75 Seconds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihmwbVvVk2I

Veteran's Salute: Freedom Isn't Free
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krOAbflGzVQ

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY

TODAY IS THE 233rd BIRTHDAY OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL YOU DEVIL DOGS, FORMER AND CURRENT, OUT THERE!

SEMPER FI!

MARINE CORPS HYMN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm-3y17uuJU

Awesome USMC Commercial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwY67LYzH7Q

Long Day...Very Tired

Hubby and I saw the mediator tonight for the first time. We expected to only be there an hour or so and get some paperwork filled out, but it didn't go that way.

By the time we left it was after 9pm (we went at 630pm) and neither one of us had had supper, were exhausted and had headaches, although hubby's worse than mine.

I cried much more than I wanted to and sort of had been having second thoughts for a few days, but I got through it. I felt bad about the crying etc., and explained to hubby afterward that I had been going as such a fast paced, campaigning and political stuff that when we talked a little over 2 weeks ago, my head got it, but my heart didn't have time to deal with it until I went from 400mph to 2mph, hitting that brick wall.

Since then I have missed him a lot and cried a lot. Now the heart is catching up with the head and I know what needs to be done and it will be ok. We will both be ok.

Anyways. I am beat tired. Its almost 1230am and I can hardly keep my eyes open. Just wanted to share this piece with you a little bit and of course end with some music.

For hubby and everyone else out there who needs to hear this: James Taylor- "You've Got A Friend". Awesome tune. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmUi-4EhHyw

I'm Going Slightly Mad.....

I have had it. I am stressed to the max (pardon an 80s term). I have been for a couple of weeks now and it just seems to get worse and worse instead of better.

I go to bed every night with tension in my shoulders and back and wake up with an aching body because I sleep tensed up all night. I have just had enough.

And now the car is acting up again. There is a bulge on at least one tire and I think the alternator is going out. I am sick of this. Fed up. Tired of it. You name it. Not to mention how hard it is for me to physically get in and out of the stupid thing cause it sits so low.

I am just tired of all of this. I need a vacation from life. I have just had enough.

So, instead of going outside and screaming at the top of my lungs (although I would very much like to), I will place the link for you to enjoy Queen singing "I'm Going Slightly Mad" and leave it at that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNBWf54RvsI

For You, Mr President-Elect

For you, Mr President-Elect, our first socialistic president. May God have mercy on our country.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEOkxRLzBf0

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

ON THIS ELECTION DAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008, I WANTED TO REMIND ALL OF YOU WHY AND HOW WE BECAME THE FREE COUNTRY THAT WE ARE TODAY. THE COUNTRY THAT IS ENVIED ALL OVER THE WORLD BECAUSE OF OUR FREEDOMS. IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE MUST NOT LOSE SIGHT OF, NO MATTER WHAT.

SO, AS YOU GO TO VOTE TODAY, A LITTLE HISTORY LESSON FOR YOU, THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. TAKE IT TO HEART AND PRAY BEFORE YOU VOTE THAT GOD WILL GUIDE YOUR DECISION. THEN I URGE YOU TO SPEND THE REST OF THE DAY IN PRAYER FOR OUR COUNTRY, OUR FUTURE AND OUR NEXT PRESIDENT (WHOMEVER THAT TURNS OUT TO BE), THANK YOU.

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776.

"The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happines. - That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, - That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. - Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britian is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent shuld be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legistlative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legistlative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishings Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legistlation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury"

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legistlatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority fo the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britian, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

(Courtesy of The Heritage Foundation- Leadership for America)

MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA ON THIS ELECTION DAY. MAY WE BE REMINDED OF THE PRINCIPLES THAT OUR ANCESTORS FOUGHT AND DIED FOR.

AS RONALD REAGAN SAID: “We’ve gone astray from first principles. We’ve lost sight of the rule that individual freedom and ingenuity are at the very core of everything that we’ve accomplished. Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.”

The Star Spangled Banner - Our National Anthem, Sung by Whitney Houston
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qciWEufZ2xA

The Audacity of Deception

“Forbid it, Almighty God!” —Patrick Henry

PATRIOT PERSPECTIVE

The Audacity of Deception
By Mark Alexander

If you are perplexed, even bewildered, by the number of Americans who normally make logical and rational decisions but now support Barack Obama, I refer you to a lucid explanation for this phenomenon in the opening pages of the candidate’s political autobiography, The Audacity of Hope. He writes, “I am new enough on the national political scene that I serve as a blank screen on which people of vastly different political stripes project their own views... I am bound to disappoint some... of them.”

Beyond the projection and deception, however, elections have consequences. Some of Obama’s supporters, the formerly logical and rational, will be first in the soup line of deceived disappointees expressing buyer’s remorse. They will awaken from the stupor of all the good feelings that attracted them to Obama and face the hard realities of the Socialist agenda they enabled.

In this, the final week of the ‘08 presidential campaign, Obama bought 30 minutes of prime time on several networks to air an infomercial in which he endeavored to pass as something other than the ideological Socialist he is. Feigning the fiscal conservatism of Ronald Reagan, Obama claimed he would review the budget, line by line, and cut waste. He even made taxing and spending, a.k.a. “the collectivist redistribution of wealth,” sound like a noble democratic gesture.

At one point he said, “Just because I want to spread the wealth around, they call me a socialist. The next thing you know, they will call me a communist because I shared my peanut butter sandwich in kindergarten!”

Cute. Of course, Barack Obama isn’t proposing to “share” his sandwich. Instead, he’s proposing to take your sandwich and share it with someone else. He’s assuming that you aren’t charitable enough to share it yourself.

Truth is, it is unlikely Obama ever shared a sandwich with anyone. With an average annual income of more than $500,000 between 2000 and 2006, Barack and Michelle only gave two percent—two percent—of their income to charity. Obama’s running mate is even more miserly. The Bidens’ income averaged $260,000 over the last 10 years, but they averaged just $650 a year in charitable giving.

So much for “spreading the wealth around.”

Meanwhile, Sen. John McCain centered his soapbox message on Obama’s penchant to redistribute wealth, even uttering the word “socialist” in several interviews—and not a minute too soon.

Of course, Socialist policies are now the centerpiece of the once great Democratic Party, packaged under the aegis of “fairness and equality” or “investments in our infrastructure and people.”

Obama uses code words such as “political and economic justice” and “coalition of powers through which you bring about redistributive change.” In the last two months, however, given the crisis of confidence in our economy, Obama’s Socialist rhetoric has become bolder. Perhaps he’s heeding the counsel of his mentors’ mentor, Karl Marx, who wrote, “A new revolution is possible only in consequence of a new crisis.”

The fingerprints of Obama’s radical Socialist mentors are all over his “vision for America” —from his early childhood tutor, Communist Party USA member Frank Marshall Davis, to his black radical spiritual advisor, Jeremiah Wright, to the benefactors who launched his political career, radical terrorists William Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn.

These are the Leftists who fed Obama’s unmitigated narcissism and shaped his warped worldview, which he now seeks to inflict upon the entire nation. Even his campaign icon implies “Obama over America.”

Of course, when asked about his relationship with these radicals, Obama responds, “[These people] are not advisors or donors to my campaign,” at which point an adoring press corps dutifully moves on to the next question.

Despite having spent 20 years as a disciple of Wright, the man who officiated at Obama’s marriage and baptized his children, the man whom Obama describes as “a father figure,” he claims he never inhaled any of his spiritual mentor’s racial hatred—never even heard any of it.

Obama claims that Bill Ayers was “just a guy in my neighborhood,” and “I was just eight years old when he was a terrorist.” However, Obama was 34 when Ayers used his radical celebrity to launch Obama’s political career, and he was 40 when this unrepentant terrorist was featured in a New York Times article (on the morning of September 11, 2001) and quoted in the opening paragraph proclaiming, “I don’t regret setting bombs. I feel we didn’t do enough.”

Ayers added, “America makes me want to puke.” Obama was working on his second major “philanthropic” project with Ayers at that time.

In addition, there are Obama’s ties to the Socialist New Party, the ACORN crowd, Father Michael Pfleger, Khalid al-Mansour, Kwame Kilpatrick, Louis Farrakhan, Tony Rezko, Rashid Khalidi, Raila Odinga and other haters, hard Leftists and convicted felons.

George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.” All committed Socialists understand this principle.

For example, when Obama asserts, “We’ll ensure that economic justice is served—that’s what this election is about... I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody,” that is tantamount to buying votes.

Michelle Obama echoes her husband’s redistributionist philosophy: “The truth is, in order to get things like universal healthcare and a revamped education system, then someone is going to have to give up a piece of their pie so that someone else can have more.”

In 1916, a minister and outspoken advocate for liberty, William J. H. Boetcker, published a pamphlet entitled The Ten Cannots . “You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man’s initiative and independence. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. You cannot establish security on borrowed money. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves.”

A century later, Democrats are utterly ignorant of these principles. In fact, Barack Obama’s campaign is built around their antithesis—“The Ten Cans.”

I was speaking with a friend recently, a man who lived most of his life under the Communist regime in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. He has spent several years and continues to incur many legal expenses in his endeavor to become a U.S. citizen, but he has since lost his enthusiasm.

“The prospect of an Obama presidency is like dèja vu for me,” he explained. “The socialist goal back home was that everyone had equal wealth. They met that goal—eventually no one had anything. Any attempt to work harder to achieve a better standard of living for your family was considered contrary to the welfare of the state, and dutifully discouraged. Socialism is a big hole, easy to fall into and hard to climb out of.”

He lamented, “The American dream is not something I want to wake up from—but too many Americans have no idea what they have, and are about to lose it. Socialism seems an appealing ideal, collective ownership, equal society, ‘sharing the wealth,’ et cetera. But it has a downside: It doesn’t work.”

Indeed it doesn’t work. It creates wards of the state—slaves, if you will.

In the 1980s, I spent enough time in Socialist countries, including the old USSR, to know that we want to avoid, at all costs, a USSA. If we could gather up all Americans who, knowingly or unknowingly, support collectivist policies like those espoused by Barack Obama and transport them to the old USSR for a week, they could see the terminus of such policies—the walking dead—and the wisest among them would rethink their support for statist concepts such as “sharing the wealth.”

It is no small irony that as the younger generations of former Communist countries around the world are moving rapidly toward liberty and free enterprise, our nation is moving rapidly toward Socialism and a tyranny of the few.

Barack Obama recently said, “I don’t find myself particularly scary or particularly risky.” It was a weak attempt at self-effacing humor, but make no mistake: Barack Hussein Obama’s Socialist policies are both scary and risky.

“Hope” and “change” may be pleasant catchall bromides, but as Benjamin Franklin wrote in Poor Richard’s Almanac, “He that lives upon Hope will die fasting.”

On change, John Adams wrote, “A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”

To that end, in 1787, the year our Constitution was adopted, Thomas Jefferson, wrote, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.”

Let’s not go there—yet.


(the end)


“We’ve gone astray from first principles. We’ve lost sight of the rule that individual freedom and ingenuity are at the very core of everything that we’ve accomplished. Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.” —Ronald Reagan

Dear Mr. Obama

Read about this post being on youtube.com on foxnews.com. I watched it and knew I HAD to share it with you all!

WELL SAID YOUNG MAN! GOD BLESS YOU!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8

Twas the Night Before the Election

Twas The Night Before The Election

'Twas the night before elections And all through the town Tempers were flaring Emotions up and down!

I, in my bathrobe With a cat in my lap Had cut off the TV Tired of political crap.

When all of a sudden There arose such a noise I peered out of my window Saw Obama and his boys.

They had come for my wallet They wanted my pay To give to the others Who had not worked a day!

He snatched up my money And quick as a wink Jumped back on his bandwagon As I gagged from the stink.

He then rallied his henchmen Who were pulling his cart I could tell they were out To tear my country apart!

' On Fannie, on Freddie, On Biden and Ayers! On Acorn, On Pelosi' He screamed at the pairs!

They took off for his cause And as he flew out of sight I heard him laugh at the nation Who wouldn't stand up and fight!

So I leave you to think On this one final note- IF YOU DONT WANT SOCIALISM GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!

PRAISE YOU IN THE STORM

This has been a week. I am tired. Worn out. It's a week to Election Day and I am just exhausted from it all. I figured the other day that I have walked almost 200 miles doing campaign work since Memorial Day weekend of this year. Whew! No wonder my feet and legs hurt!

I have felt especially stressed in the past few days. I'm sleeping a little better, but not totally normal yet. I had an extra meeting this month with the conservative group that I belong to (which I am now the secretary of). Just extra stuff in general, not all bad stuff, just extra stuff.

I went out campaigning this past Sunday and just thought I was going to die. We didn't walk quite 2 miles (not too bad actually, I try to walk 2 miles for exercise every other day); but much to my surprise, a lot of the driveways and paths to the front doors of houses were straight up hills. So, we spent about an hour going up and down hill after hill after hill, on top of the 2 miles of actual walking we did. My legs hurt so bad by the time I got home. I kept stretching and stretching and couldn't get my hamstrings to relax. Felt like I had walked around in high heels all my life and now my heels wouldn't touch the ground!

Anyways. It's just seemed especially stressful lately (my mom says she can hear it in my voice), good and bad stress; just a lot to deal with, take care of, look after etc.

One of the good "stressers" if you want to call it that was a women's night I went to at my church this past Friday night called 'I Got Something to Say'. It was a very good night. Very good speakers, special music etc., but it was a long night and I went already worn out.

One of the speakers used this song at the end of her talk and it really spoke to me. It's called "Praise You In the Storm" by Casting Crowns. It really spoke to me. And they put scripture up on the big screens as the music was playing. I thought it was awesome.

And you know what, I do praise Him in the storms and right now I feel like I am in a storm because of the stress I am feeling. Now, I know this stress is temporary and will eventually abate (most of it after Election Day next week), but it is a storm nonetheless.

So, I thought I would share the song with you, along with the scriptures. Maybe they will help you when you are in your own storm. Remember, Praise Him in the sun; Praise Him in the rain; Praise Him in the snow; Praise Him in the Storm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHlQ6sBEO9A

Job 1:21: He said, "Naked I cam from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Psalm 31:7-8: "I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindnesses, because You have seen my affliction; You have known the troubles of my soul, and You have not given me over into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a large place.

Psalm 37:23-24: "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand."

Psalm 28:6: "Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplication."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Luke 8:24: "They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, 'Master, Master, we are perishing!' And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm."

Luke 1:37: "For nothing will be impossible with God."

(All scripture NASB)

DREAM BIG and GOD BLESS!!!

An Ending and A New Beginning

Well, its over. The hubby and I got together and talked this past week and decided to divorce (dissolution).

We know we made some serious mistakes while married, or maybe we even got married for the wrong reasons. However, we did have some good times and when they were good, they were good; but when they were bad, they were really bad.

I see now that we have not really been together for some time. Several years even, not like we should have been. Of course, we spent many years away from God, most of our married life actually, and I am sure that contributed to it; didn't help it anyways.

We are both Christians now (have been for almost 2 years each) and God is doing some amazing things in our individual lives. This is just the path we have to go down right now. Sadly.

Our talk the other night was good, easy-going. We even had a few laughs and yes, shed a few tears. I think that we will be alright; I know we will be. We may even be friends when all is said and done; maybe not 'hang out every week' friends, but friends nonetheless.

I just ask that ya'll would pray for us as we go through this process. Pray for God's guidance and direction. Pray for his protection over both of us. Pray for healing for both of us. And for God's guidance and direction in our lives for the future.

Thanks to everyone for their prayers, support and encouragement. We both appreciate it very much. This is just the way things have to be right now.

May God Bless each of us. May God bless you, hubby, and give you the healing that you need so desperately.

For an ending, here is a song for hubby, for me, for all of us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db1-IlnW2YY

Remembering Beirut...25 years later

I apologize for getting this out 2 days late, but wanted to get it out anyways.

25 years ago, on October 23, 1983, The Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon was car-bombed killing about 250 Marines and other military personnel on that fateful day. The Marines attacked were of the 24TH MEU out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Much discussion has been had since then as to whether or not we, the Marines, should have been there in the first place. That can be debated for all eternity. What matters is that we were called to go; we went to do our duty and our fellow Marines died doing that duty. That's what should be remembered. Those Marines and their families.


May God Bless them on this day. May God Bless the United States Marine Corps. May God Bless these United States of America!!!

Semper Fi!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xp1gHzDRMk

19 Weeks

Well, it has been 19 weeks (almost 5 months) since the hubby left me. There were days that I just thought I was going to die without him, but I am still here.

I have grown in the Lord and grown personally in these past weeks and I am much stronger than I ever thought I could be. I am continuing on with my life and still working on myself personally and still deepening my relationship with the Lord. I could not have made it with Him, I tell ya that.

Anyway, as I kind of anthem and to say "Hey, I am strong. I am woman. I can make it on my own", here are two songs that speak to that.

"I Will Survive" By Gloria Gaynor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv6lHwWwO3w

"I Am Woman" by Helen Reddy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od2zY8VpoC4

These songs are dedicated to all those women out there like me, who are finding themselves going through separation/divorce and have found out that we are stronger than we thought we were! WE ARE WOMEN and WE WILL SURVIVE!

God Bless Each One of You!

OBAMA IS A SOCIALIST

For those of you out there who do not believe that Obama is a Socialist, below is the definition of Socialism and a collage clip of Barack and Michelle Obama stating their wishes for a Socialistic society here in America. As you will read, Socialism was created by Karl Marx and is therefore also Marxist.


If this step is taken, we will be one step closer to Communism as a country and no longer be a Democracy and the free Capitalistic country that we are today. It is a very slippery slope and we could very easily wake up one day in a Socialistic/Marxist society without even realizing that it has happened. Then we will have lost the country that our forefathers intended for us to be when they left England and British rule.

Socialism:

Socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating state or collective ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and the creation of an egalitarian society.[1][2] Modern socialism originated in the late nineteenth-century working class political movement. Karl Marx posited that socialism would be achieved via class struggle and a proletarian revolution which represents the transitional stage between capitalism and communism.[3][4]

Socialists mainly share the belief that capitalism unfairly concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society that controls capital, and creates an unequal society. All socialists advocate the creation of an egalitarian society, in which wealth and power are distributed more evenly, although there is considerable disagreement among socialists over how, and to what extent this could be achieved.[1]

Socialism is not a discrete philosophy of fixed doctrine and program; its branches advocate a degree of social interventionism and economic rationalization, sometimes opposing each other. Another dividing feature of the socialist movement is the split on how a socialist economy should be established between the reformists and the revolutionaries. Some socialists advocate complete nationalization of the means of production, distribution, and exchange; while others advocate state control of capital within the framework of a market economy. Social democrats propose selective nationalization of key national industries in mixed economies combined with tax-funded welfare programs; Libertarian socialism (which includes Socialist Anarchism and Libertarian Marxism) rejects state control and ownership of the economy altogether and advocates direct collective ownership of the means of production via co-operative workers' councils and workplace democracy.

This is the clip of Barack and Michelle Obama wanting to make this country Socialistic.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZQ03kgB6Bg


God help us. Pay attention people! This is happening so fast and so quickly. We are going to lose this great free country if we don't pay attention to what is really being said and what really wants to be done by Obama, should he win this election.

Don't vote for Obama. If you do, this country will pay for it with its life.

Colin Powell Endorses Obama

WOW! I don't really know what to say. I am very, very, very disappointed in Colin Powell's decision to endorse Obama. I don't know what he is thinking.

I cannot believe that a career military man would endorse someone who is a Socialist and Marxist. It goes against everything that Colin Powell stood for in his military career.

I am just in such shock and so disappointed in Colin Powell himself. His decision this morning has caused me to lose a great deal of respect for a man who I once respected greatly.

Shame on you, Colin Powell.

This just emphasizes the importance of each American who is eligible to vote to get out there and vote on Election Day. And I just ask that each one of you pray earnestly before you place that vote, that you are voting for the man the God truly wants you to vote for.

May God watch over our country during these times. May He continue to bless America as He has for so long. And may more Americans come to know God and His love.

To My Desperado

You don't have to be a desperado, you know. There are lots of us out here who love you and support you and want to help you. You don't have to do this alone. We are here for you and love you.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umw1-Do3-ho

To Two Dear Friends.....

The Best is Yet to Come.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqdGGuPNP-E


Love you both!

Remembering the USS COLE

8 years ago today, the USS COLE was attacked in port in Yemen, while refueling. They were viciously and cowardly bombed by the al-Qaeda terrorist network. The bombing killed 17 sailors, injured many others and seriously damaged the ship.

So, I wanted to remember all of those that were on the ship that day. Those who were or were not injured, but especially those who died. May they rest in peace. God Bless the USS COLE and her crew.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KCiMdR1ox0

Obama's Neighbors

Ya'll might find it interesting to see who are Obama's neighbors in his hometown of Chicago.

Here they are:

Tony Rezko- Convicted Felon (Federal Courts) and waiting to be sentenced. He was a high fundraiser for Obama's Illinois State Senate campaigns and good friend.

William Ayers- Unrepentant terrorist with the 60s group, Weather Underground. They liked to bomb public buildings. He isn't in prison because of a technicality and currently teaches at the University of Illinois (what were they thinkin'?).

Louis Farrakhan- Supreme Minister of the Nation of Islam. He thinks Obama's the second coming (no kidding folks!).

And of course Obama himself: Belonged (still?) to the socialist group, New Party established in 1992. He is connected heavily (although they continue to lie, I mean deny, this) with the ACORN voter registration group. ACORN is now being investigated in numerous states for voter fraud.

So, that old adage must be true. People judge you by the company you keep! What a group of winners (not)!

A BIG Reason Not to Vote for Obama

The article below comes from the April 2008 issue of Citizen Magazine. It is very too the point about what Obama voted against in this legislation and paints a very disturbing picture of his true beliefs. How anyone can be for this kind of barbaric action and still call themselves a Christian and believer in Christ is beyond my comprehension.

Read the article carefully and let if fully sink in. I pray that it gives those of you out there who are thinking of voting for Obama in a few weeks, some serious pause in your consideration. May the Lord guide and direct you as you read the article below.

God Bless these forgotten babies.



Obama Blocked Born Alive Infant Protection Act

by Jill Stanek, guest reporter

He often stood alone as an Illinois lawmaker in opposition to protections for babies who survived abortion.

Note: This report first appeared in the April issue of Citizen magazine.

On Jan. 10, 2005, newly elected U.S. Sen. Barack Obama visited former colleagues and staffers at the Illinois state Capitol, where he had served seven years as state senator. I happened to be at the Capitol that day, too, and a friend and I took the opportunity to speak to Obama, who had not yet achieved rock-star status and was still approachable.

We were in Springfield to lobby for passage of the state Born Alive Infant Protection Act, legislation that would require hospitals to care for infants who survive an abortion. Obama spoke against the legislation in 2001 and 2002 and single-handedly defeated it in committee in 2003.

My friend stood in Obama’s path and said, “Senator, we are going to pass Born Alive here in Illinois this year.”

Obama smiled smoothly and agreed, “I think you will,” adding, “I would have voted for the Born Alive Infant Protection Act in Illinois had it been worded the same as the federal bill. I think that’s the position the Democrats should take.”

There’s just one thing he forgot to mention: Obama had stopped his committee from adding the federal wording.

With Obama no longer in the state Senate, the Born Alive legislation passed in 2005.

First encounter

An Illinois lawmaker offered the first draft of the state’s Born Alive Infant Protection Act in 2001 after I revealed publicly that Christ Hospital left babies who survived abortion — viable babies whose delivery was induced, and whom the abortionist intended to kill but somehow survived — in a utility room to die.

The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Patrick O’Malley of Oak Lawn defined “born alive” using language identical to that of federal legislation introduced in 2000 by Rep. Charles Canady, R-Fla., who in turn drafted wording developed by the World Health Organization in 1950 and adopted by the United Nations in 1955:

The term “born alive,” with respect to a member of the species homo sapiens, means the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of that member, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut, and regardless of whether the expulsion or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section, or induced abortion.

I first encountered Barack Obama on March 27, 2001, when I testified before the Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee, of which he was a member. My testimony included my description of holding a premature aborted baby until he died:

One night, a nursing co-worker was taking an aborted Down’s syndrome baby who was born alive to our Soiled Utility Room because his parents did not want to hold him, and she did not have time to hold him. I could not bear the thought of this suffering child dying alone in a Soiled Utility Room, so I cradled and rocked him for the 45 minutes that he lived. He was 21 to 22 weeks old, weighed about ½ pound, and was about 10 inches long. He was too weak to move very much, expending any energy he had trying to breathe. Toward the end, he was so quiet that I couldn’t tell if he was still alive unless I held him up to the light to see if his heart was still beating through his chest wall. After he was pronounced dead, we folded his little arms across his chest, wrapped him in a tiny shroud, and carried him to the hospital morgue where all of our dead patients are taken.

Obama questioned whether the born alive legislation would impede the right to abort and doctor/patient decision-making. He and an American Civil Liberties Union attorney speculated Born Alive would force doctors to resuscitate nonviable aborted babies.

Obama opposed Born Alive in committee, but voted “present” — neither “yes” nor “no,” but merely “present” — on the state Senate floor, one of many “present” votes that Hillary Clinton has cited as evidence that Obama lacks leadership skills. Clinton voted for the federal Born Alive bill, putting her on record as more pro-life than Obama.

Constitutional blindness

A graduate of Harvard Law School, Obama taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago for 10 years. Both schools are listed in the top 10 law schools in the country.

But Obama revealed his constitutional blind spot in his book The Audacity of Hope:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created [emphasis added] equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among those are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

....(T)he essential idea behind the Declaration — that we are born [emphasis added] into this world free, all of us; that each of us arrives with a bundle of rights that can’t be taken away by any person or any state without just cause; that through our own agency we can, and must, make of our lives what we will — is one that every American understands.

Note Obama’s choice of the word “born” over the word “created.” Perhaps that helps explain his support for unrestricted abortion. Also note that our "bundle of rights” can be “taken away” with “just cause.”

Obama clearly considers abortion a “just cause.” Here is how he argued against Born Alive during Illinois Senate debate in 2001:

… I just want to suggest … that this (legislation) is probably not going to survive constitutional scrutiny.

Number one, whenever we define a pre-viable fetus as a person that is protected by the equal protection clause or the other elements in the Constitution, what we’re really saying is, in fact, that they are persons that are entitled to the kinds of protections that would be provided to a — child, a 9-month-old — child that was delivered to term. That determination then, essentially, if it was accepted by a court, would forbid abortions to take place.

I mean, it — it would essentially bar abortions, because the equal protection clause does not allow somebody to kill a child, and if this is a child, then this would be an antiabortion statute. For that purpose, I think it would probably be found unconstitutional.

The legislation passed the Senate but did not survive in the House.When Rep. O’Malley reintroduced Born Alive and its companion bills in 2002, they headed again to the same committee, where Obama rewrote history:

"Ms. Stanek, your initial testimony last year showed your dismay at the lack of regard for human life. I agreed with you last year, and we suggested that there be a Comfort Room or something of that nature be done. The hospital acknowledged that and changes were made and you are still unimpressed. It sounds to me like you are really not interested in how these fetuses are treated, but rather not providing absolutely any medical care or life to them."

Of course, Obama had not agreed with me the year before, and I was the one who had told him about the Comfort Room, which the hospital created in response to my testimony: "We now have this prettily wallpapered room. … There is even a nice wooden rocker in the room to rock live aborted babies to death."

The hospital made live birth abortions look nicer, but the end result was still dead babies.

“What we are doing here is to create one more burden on women, and I can’t support that,” Obama concluded, and voted “no” in committee again.

The bill went again to the Senate floor, where Obama was the sole speaker against it, claiming that it would impose a “burden” on physicians:

[T]his [legislation] puts the burden on the attending physician who has determined, since they are performing this procedure, that in fact, this is a nonviable fetus.

Troubled conscience?

Democrats won control of the state Senate in November 2002, and when Born Alive was reintroduced for the third time in 2003, it was directed to the Obama-chaired, infamously liberal Health and Human Services Committee, where he simply refused to call it for a vote.

By this time Obama was running for U.S. Senate. He won his primary in March 2004, and Republicans recruited former U.N. Ambassador Alan Keyes, who lived in Maryland, to oppose him. It was Obama’s position against Born Alive that persuaded Keyes to run, as he stated in his announcement speech:

"When I was first approached about this possibility… I have to say that my reaction was negative…. What finally caught my eye, however… what finally arrested my attention and forced me to consider whether I not only had the opportunity to oppose him, but the obligation… was when I learned that (Obama) had actually, in April 2002, apparently cast a vote that would continue to allow live birth abortions in the state of Illinois … .

"We are talking about a situation in which, in the course of an abortion procedure, a child has been born alive — is out of the womb, breathing and living on its own — and he cast a vote against the idea that we should not stand by and let that child die!"

This was why Keyes alleged during their campaign that Jesus Christ would not vote for Barack Obama, as he explained in an interview with an NBC affiliate:

Christ would not stand idly by while an infant child in that situation died. … Christ would not vote for Barack Obama, because Barack Obama has voted to behave in a way that it is inconceivable for Christ to have behaved.

Obama later admitted Keyes’ comment “nagged” him and has written or spoke about it several times, although he always misrepresents Keyes’ rationale as being about abortion support when it was specifically about infanticide support. In a July 2006 opinion piece in USA Today, restated later in The Audacity of Hope, Obama wrote:

If I am opposed to abortion for religious reasons but seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all
.
Obama’s faith has come into question on the campaign trail. Accused of being a Muslim, he’s insisted that he’s “rooted in the Christian tradition” and has a “personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” In fact, Obama has attended the largest church in one of America’s most stridently pro-abortion denominations — the United Church of Christ — for 20 years. His church, Trinity, is located just five miles from Christ Hospital. Obama’s pastor, the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, served on the board of Christ Hospital’s health care system.

It’s ironic in the extreme that the most determined opponents of preborn life — and even those who are born — embrace the name of the One who caused John the Baptist to leap in his mother’s womb.

Jill Stanek writes a weekly column for WorldNetDaily.com and is a pro-life speaker and blogger