To Live is Christ

My Favorite Tunes

2008-03-12T18:57:00.001-07:00

Call Me Crazy!

2008-03-02T15:24:00.000-08:00

After only a few weeks over here at blogger, I now remember WHY I went to Wordpress! So, call me crazy but I am going BACK to Wordpress! Yes, I am asking you to follow me back to my "other" blog! The URL is the same as it was before, http://toliveischrist.wordpress.com! I promise that I will not move again for a loooooooooooooong time!

Finally They Got One Right!

2008-03-01T16:50:00.001-08:00

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities

Freaky Friday

2008-02-29T11:06:00.001-08:00

OK, I've got few things for freaky friday this week! First, I know haute couture is supposed to be more like art than ready to wear fashion, but these fashions are freaky!

Next, you might think twice before sending your kid overseas for a "year abroad" after you read this story! Freaky!

And did you hear the one about the mom who gave birth to her baby in a train toilet, the baby fell onto the tracks (this happened in India where the toilets empty onto the tracks-eew!) AND the baby survived!!! (thanks mom the heads up on this FREAKY story!)

Hope your friday isn't too freaky!

The Things Kids Say

2008-02-28T11:46:00.001-08:00

Yesterday my 7 years old daughter said this to me...

"Mom, what if our house was Chuck-E-Cheeses!"

You can imagine my response...

Running The Race

2008-02-24T19:21:00.000-08:00

I like to run. I didn't really start running until I was in high school. I took a jogging class for P.E. And as my mom says, like Forrest Gump; one day I started running and I never stopped!

Running is a bittersweet endeavour. I like to run because it gives me energy. It reduces my stress and anxiety and I sleep better. Of course, I have to admit that it also helps me maintain my girlish figure. But there are some down sides to running. Sometimes it hurts. Yes, if I don't run for awhile, my lungs burn, my muscles hurt and I have to psych myself up to endure the pain until I get back into shape. Another down side is the possibility of injury. I have been blessed not to have experienced any major injuries in my running career. But one time I did fall and twist my ankle. It didn't break it, but it was pretty swollen for a few days. Running, like any exercise requires endurance and perseverance. The saying, "No pain, no gain" is so true! If I didn't push through some pain, I would never experience any of the advantages to running. My brother, who was a distance runner in high school, once told me of a mind game he played with himself while on a long run. He would say to himself over and over again, "the pain won't last." I've done that, and it really does help. Endurance and pain are an inevitable part of running and exercise.

So, you are probably beginning see where I am going with this. Many times I have been on my daily run and thought to myself, "this so much like the Christian life." Paul really knew what he was talking about when he likened the Christian life to running a race. "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes in to strict training. They do it to a get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." I Cor. 9:24-27. Discipline is a part of running and is also a vital ingredient to the spiritual life of any Christian. There are so many times that I just don't feel like going for a run. But I push myself. And like running, there are so many times in my spiritual walk that I don't feel like reading my Bible or checking my motives or controlling my sinful desires. But in order to finish the race and get the prize, I must train myself to run the race in a way as to get the prize.

And what is the prize? Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

There are so many parallels with running and the Christian life that I could go on for a good long time! Pain is just another parallel. When I run it hurts. It doesn't always hurt, or I wouldn't ever run. But just like in life we experience pain. But we must run through it. Yes, maybe we slow down, but we must never stop completely. We must never give up the course marked before us. Jesus is our example. He ran the race and finished with victory! Hebrews 12:1-3 says, " Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." I don't know about you, but this gets me psyched up to run the race! It makes me want to run through the pain, to get up when I fall and to finish with a prize! Thanks for reading!

*repost*

Now If I Could Just Have Her Body!

2008-02-23T22:18:00.001-08:00

MyHeritage: Celebrity Morph - Blank family tree - Geneology

Freaky Friday

2008-02-22T07:23:00.001-08:00

As if the celebrity morphing wasn't freaky enough...Okay, this morning my mom and I saw 7:11 on the clock, which brought up the subject that I often see patterns of numbers on the clock. For example, very frequently I see 9:11 on the clock, many times at both the am and pm hours! Yikes! And I see my birthday, which I won't tell you for privacy reasons. But, just wondering if ya'll see creepy, freaky number patterns on the clock or in everyday life! Other patterns could be 1:23, or 4:56. Please, help me know that I'm not going crazy!

Celebrity Morph by MyHeritage

2008-02-21T15:47:00.001-08:00

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity

Working to Pay for Daycare...

2008-02-20T12:36:00.000-08:00

I just read a heart wrenching post on Radical Womanhood. It is entitled "Wannabe Soccer Mom"I highly recommend reading it as it describes one mom's struggle with working and putting her kids in daycare. I can't judge this mom (as it wouldn't be "PC")...and I happen to babysit a kid who's mom works. But is disturbing to me on more than one level. Is it worth it in our culture to have, have, have, buy, buy, buy...all the while only spending a few hours with your kid(s)? I understand that some women do not have a choice, and that is even more unfortunate. But, for a woman who basically works just to have the big house, the nice car, the Disneyland vacation, the boat, the everything! I just can't shake the sad feeling I get for her and her children. Read this article, you'll get what I'm saying! I know this all seems random, I haven't quite organized my thoughts, I just know that staying home with the kids does require some sacrifice, of which I am familiar with, so I do have a voice in this issue. If I wanted more "stuff" I could go to work, but I don't, cause I realize that my children need me at home. Yes, I understand that there are situations where some mom's are forced to work, but in the case of working just to have the "American Dream", I just can't relate. And I think this mom in "Wannabe Soccer Mom" makes my point.

Don't Miss the Lunar Eclipse Tonight!

2008-02-20T11:42:00.000-08:00

Tonight there will be a lunar eclipse! How cool is that? Most of our country will be able to view it! So, if you want more info on this awesome show, click here!

The main event begins at 9:01 p.m. ET, when the moon is completely covered by the darkest part of Earth's shadow. That translates to 8:01 p.m. CT, 7:01 p.m. MT and 6:01 p.m. PT. The total phase of the eclipse lasts 51 minutes, and the moon starts coming out of the darkest shadow, or umbra, at 9:52 p.m. ET. (taken from above link)

The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till

2008-02-19T10:09:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the recommendation of a fellow blogger, Just A Mom, my husband and I watched the documentary, The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till. It is the true story of a 14 year old young man who was brutally lynched in Jim Crow Mississippi. In 1955 young Emmett traveled to Mississippi to visit family. Being raised in Chicago, he was not accustomed to the Jim Crow laws or the severe racism that existed in the South. One summer day he whistled at a white woman and would later pay with his life. Later that night two white men showed up at the home where he was staying, dragged him out of bed and took him away. They savagely beat him (beyond recognition) and threw him in a river. In a joke of a trial, the men charged with his death were found not guilty, by an all white jury. This documentary is a must see. I highly recommend it. You will be moved and educated about the ugliness of racism and the injustice that African Americans lived under and still encounter today. For a list of Jim Crow laws click here.

Boomin' Beyond Measure Concert Update!

2008-02-16T11:51:00.000-08:00

Last night's concert with Jeremy Camp and Toby Mac was amazing! Loud, but amazing! My husband and I really appreciate Jeremy Camp and his heart for the Lord. It really shines through in his live performances. This was our second time to see Jeremy Camp in concert, and both times, he totally gave God the glory and credit! His music is so worshipful and Christ-focused/centered.

What can I say about Toby Mac? Energetic! He is an amazing performer and the Diverse City Band is amazing! Toby Mac's dedication to the Lord is also apparent. We really enjoyed the evening. If you have a chance to see these two in concert, do delay!

Have a great weekend!

Tonight is THE Night!

2008-02-15T11:25:00.000-08:00

And I Can Hardly Wait...

Who's Your Celebrity Soul Mate?

2008-02-14T20:37:00.001-08:00

Take the Quiz

I'm calling this my Freaky Friday post, cause who your Celeb soul mate turns out to be just might freak you out!

I "Heart" My Valentine

2008-02-14T07:04:00.000-08:00

How Do I Love Thee, Let me Count the Ways...

Bobby,
You love the Lord with all you heart, mind and strength.
You are tall, dark and handsome!
You are funny, in a dry sort of way.
You are an awesome daddy.
You are kind to everyone.
You do not show favortism.
You have beautiful singing voice!
You are my best friend.
You put up with me!
You show me the patient love of Jesus Christ!
You love me!
I could go on and on...
Will you be mine?

What's Your Celebrity Couple Name?

2008-02-13T11:21:00.000-08:00

Okay, if have a pulse you are most likely familiar with star couples like Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes or Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. And whether you like it or not you're also familar with their (albeit silly) celebrity couple names...like "Tomcat" and "Brangelina". I have no idea how this practice of morphing celebrity couple names began. I am pretty sure it is the fault of the hollywood media types. But as strange as it is, I am wondering what YOUR celebrity couple name is? With Valentines Day tomorrow, I thought it would be fun to make up our own celebrity couple names! For example: my name is Angela and my husband's name is Bobby. So, our celebrity name could be "Bobbela", I'm sure there are other combinations, but right now I can't think of any. So, come on, you know you've always wanted a celebrity couple name! Have fun!

"Bonhoeffer"

2008-02-10T17:19:00.000-08:00

I wrote this post awhile ago and got quite a heated response from a few fellow bloggers! Lastnight my husband and I watched "Bonhoeffer", which is a documentary about the life of Theologian, Deitrich Bonhoeffer. I highly recommend viewing this documentary(we got ours through Netflix).

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was an incomparable man. He was brave, courageous, brilliant, strong in his convictions and loved his God. Dietrich Bonheoffer was the catalyst of the Confessing church of Germany during World War II when there were few who would stand up for Christ! Religion was institutionalized by Hitler and basically became a venue for Hitler's hatred toward Jews. Dietrich Bonhoefer, however, went underground to lead the church in confessing Christ! I love this quote by Bonhoeffer:

Bonhoeffer himself wrote to a friend about this time, "Christ is looking down at us and asking whether there is anyone who still confesses him."

In an effort to combat Hitler's control over the church, Bonhoeffer and Karl Barth drafted the Barmen Declaration. The declaration basically asserted that the state had no business in "the business" of the church. The declaration states that the church "is solely Christ's property, and that it lives and wants to live solely from his comfort and from his direction in the expectation of his appearance."

Bonhoeffer provided much needed leadership in the Confessing Church as there were few pastors who would take a stand. After Hitler came to power and things become dangerous for pastors, Bonhoeffer went to the United States. But while there he felt convicted to return to Germany and stand for Christ! Prior to World War II Bonhoeffer was a pacifist. However, after seeing pictures of the injustice and carnage of the German concentration camps, Bonhoeffer realized that there are times when warring against injustice is biblically justified. Bonhoeffer was also an active member of the resistance and participated in an plan to assassinate Hitler. Unfortunately, the plot failed and Bonhoefer was arrested. For the next two years Bonhoeffer was imprisoned. During his time in prison, however, he ministered to the other prisoners who were awaiting execution. This is what one prisoner said of Bonhoeffer:

Captain Payne Best, an Englishman, survived to bear tribute to the prison-camp pastor: "Bonhoeffer was different, just quite calm and normal, seemingly perfectly at his ease. . . . His soul really shone in the dark desperation of our prison. He was one of the very few men I have I ever met to whom God was real and ever close to him."

Next, Bonhoeffer was taken to Flossenburg, an extermination camp. However, just three weeks before American soldiers liberated the camp, Deitrich Bonhoeffer was executed. If you visit the place of his execution here is what you'll find:

Today the tree from which he was hanged bears a plaque with only ten words inscribed on it: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a witness to Jesus Christ among his brethren.

Let me explain two reasons that some people do not admire about Bonhoeffer or take objection to in his life. First, he studied non-violent resistance under Ghandi. And second, he was engaged to a woman far younger than himself (Maria von Wedemery was 18 and Bonhoeffer 35). Regarding the study of peaceful resistance: I do not think that this compromised his Christian witness. From Bonhoeffer's writings and the witness of his life and actions, it is crystal clear that he loved the Lord and served only Yahweh God! Next, his engagement to a much younger woman, although socially taboo, was a pure relationship that as far as my research produced was approved of by each family involved.

I admire the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was truly a man who lived for Christ. And he knew that living meant dying. He was educated in the Word. He was a pastor and a theologian. But he lived it out practically. He in no way lived in an ivory tower. He was real! He was brave and he stood for the Lord! He was victorious in his confession of Christ and I know that he wears a beautifully bejewled crown in Glory!

Continue to Pray for Kaeli

2008-02-09T11:41:00.000-08:00

I've posted prayer requests for Kaeli before, so most of you know who she is. Please continue to pray for her as she continues to fight leukemia and all the side-effects that plague her little body. Click to read more about this precious little girl and her family!

Freaky Friday

2008-02-08T08:53:00.000-08:00

This is truly FREAKY! This little guy was thrown out of a burning building earlier this week as firefighters waited to catch him! I can't imagine the horror his family experienced as they dropped him! He survived! Praise the Lord! Read the story here!

Welcome!

2008-02-07T10:09:00.000-08:00

HI! You found my new blog! Well, it's not so new, it's the same one I had when I first starting blogging last June (but Ichanged the URL, so update that in your blogroll). I've moved most everything over here, but there's still a little more to transfer, so bear with me! Thanks for all your patience!

Deep Thoughts...

2007-05-26T08:31:00.001-07:00

A few months ago, my husband had surgery. While at his obligatory pre-op appointment I had to visit the Ladies room and this is what I found...(notice above picture!) Well, thanks for the warning, as I was about to pull out my trusty straw and take a long, refreshing swig! LOLO!