Enjoy People While You Can

This is a article written by my dear friend Elisha Wahlquist The article is titled "Gone!". You can read the article below:

"It is only when you lose something do you realize its value.

       How sad! Days, hours before, we could have enjoyed that person, or thing, or experience; but we took them for granted, and hurried on our preoccupied way. Then, when we realize the things' worth, it is no longer there. 

       In 2003, there were 6,328,000 car accidents in the US, or roughly 17,337 crashes a day. They were each unexpected events, ending in an average of 8,062 injuries and fatalities per day in the US. These statistics should be a warning to us of the brevity of life. Without warning, the lives of family members could be ended or drastically impaired, at any time. We think death is something far off, or something that will give warnings ahead of time, allowing us to then really enjoy that person--- but, for the grace of God, it could happen to anyone in the blink of an eye.

       A less momentous example is that of one of my dear friends. Last Christmas, she was enjoying Christmas with her large, happy family, with no inkling that she would not be a maiden in her father's house the next Christmas. However, in January, she was told that a young man wished to court her--- and by October this year (Lord willing) she will be married. There will be a different flavor to her Christmas this year--- a wonderful and special difference, but a difference nonetheless. She will never be able to wholly relive those Christmases when she was an unmarried young woman living with her siblings. Those times are gone forever.


      Whether it is a move, a water main breakage, or something as tragic as the death of someone dear to us, we all face situations in which we realize--- too late!--- how we took something or someone for granted. 


       As a preacher aptly said;


"Life is what happens when you are waiting for life to start."


      I think this is a very rampant problem, especially among us young ladies. I have corresponded and talked to many girls over the years, and it seems like almost every one of them would agree with me that we face temptation to view some event in our future as "when real, enjoyable life will begin," to "just live" life right now as we look forward to that rosy day when Prince Charming will come, or when some other momentous event occurs. I am preaching to myself as I write this. I continually catch myself becoming too focused on my own things, and not earnestly putting myself into my family life and what is happening right now.


      When I was a young girl, I viewed the book of Ecclesiastes as mystifying in some ways. But now I can see the rich wisdom in verses such as these:


"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
    A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
   A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance;
   A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
   A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
   A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
   A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)


   As the above verses show, there are so many different "times" and seasons in our lives! They also emphasize that we need to live wholly in whichever one God has brought into our life. 


   How can we truly rejoice, if we have never truly wept? How can we enjoy the embrace of our beloved, if we have never set ourselves apart and refrained from embracing? How can we appreciate the gift of speech, if we never had times of silence? How can we be pleased with the ability to keep things, if we never had to give things away? As Paul says:


"...I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:11b-13)


    The point is this. We need to be focused on enjoying whatever God has placed in our lives right now. Don't even push off until tomorrow, thinking "I'll be less busy then," or "I won't be tired tomorrow, and then I'll be able to enjoy my siblings." By tomorrow they may be gone. But even if they are not-- even if nothing seems to changed-- you will have cast away moments of that will never be regained. Nothing-- no amount of tears or repentance or wishing-- will ever be able to regain or change those hours you lost.


    We have to be so, so careful that we do not let other things get in the way of the most important relationships in our life-- those of our family. Writing letters, doing online courses, tending your garden, crafting, talking with your friends, drawing, practicing music, scrapbooking, photography, training animals, etc. etc. etc. ... all these can be very good, But they are black time-stealers if we become so busy with them that we neglect our relationships with our siblings. 


    Have you ever just sat back and tried to enjoy your family members? You may say, "You just don't know my ________ (mother, dad, brother, sister, etc.)." You know, I have noticed something interesting that happens once a person dies. Maybe Mr. X was a "bear" at home; perhaps he had a terrible temper, or just had quirks that annoyed those around him. But once Mr. X is gone, something happens. Usually there is a mindset change among even the ones he annoyed or bothered. So many times, I have seen people--- who would complain volubly about Mr. X while he was alive--- begin to remember the good things he had done. His faults fade away now that they have no longer have to be dealt with, and Mr. X's better qualities come to light. This is very unfortunate, in one way. It is only when the person is gone--- when Mr. X's special story-telling gift will never be heard again--- that they are truly loved and missed. And that is the true tragedy. 


   However, this does not have to happen. Sister in Christ, it is a grand shame and a disgraceful one that such would ever happen among us Christians. But it does, far too often--- and we, who willfully spent our time hastening to events or doing our own pleasure, our words to that person usually those of criticism, indifference, or irritation, will mourn the things that we missed in our preoccupation. 


  Be thankful now! We need to be counting our blessings, and looking for positive things in our present situation, Start small--- just looking for things to be grateful to your parents for. Then expand, thinking of your siblings and bringing to remembrance all the good things you can think of. Then, are there others who have had a good influence on your life, or been a blessing to you? And don't forget God, and ALL the gratefulness we owe to Him--- even for every breath we take. Once you have listed out things you are grateful for, thank them! Develop a spirit of gratefulness-- it will help you to never take anything for granted again!


   But there is another thing that comes to mind about the death of Mr. X or Mrs. P or Miss L. What if, before Mr. X died, those around him had lovingly enjoyed his good qualities, and from the fullness of their love (instead of the greatness of their fault-finding and criticism-- people so quickly pick up those attitudes, and stiffen against them) had encouraged him to do what was right and to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of God? What if, instead of nagging or seeming distant most of the time, his siblings had been noted for their sincere, constant interest in him, and their enjoyment of  and friendship towards him? How much that would have changed--- not only bringing blessings and pleasure in the lives of his siblings, but perhaps change and sincere growth in Mr. X himself!


   Sisters in Christ, I plead with you--- don't waste your life! Don't throw it away by not wholeheartedly delighting in your life now and all its aspects! Too soon, life, which is but a vapor, will pass away, and be gone--- and you will discover, with sorrow, that because you did not rejoice and thank God now, you were not able to full enjoy even the events you wasted your whole life waiting for.

The Un-Constitutional Census

I am an unusual person, and thus I enjoy reading the Wall Street Journal (online) on an occasional basis. In more than one instance I have been (pleasantly) surprised by their straightforward, concise and truthful reporting of the facts.

I ran across this article about the up-coming 2010 census and how it will invade the privacy of Americans with its pointed questions and means of "figuring out" just who we are. Unfortunately, the regular media has neglected this issue for more interesting items of news.

The authors argue that since 1980 at least, the census has not truly answered the question it was initially set up to answer: citizenship. The census is only supposed to number citizens, not non-citizens for representation purposes.

States such as Texas, Florida, California, Ohio and New York would see an increase of Representatives from their state due to the excessive number of "non-citizens" that "need representation." And yet, those non-citizens don't abide by all of the laws of this land! Do you see a double standard here?

I would encourage you to read the article and come up with your own conclusion, but maybe it will make you re-think this whole census issue before the member of the "head counters" comes around next year.

Article ~

I wrote an article a few weeks ago (it will probably be going into one of the next issues of CET Ministries' newsletter) about death. I had these ideas floating around in my head, and after reading Mark Cahill's book One Heartbeat Away, I decided to write an article about death. So here is a portion of the article.

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Death: Where Did It Come From?

by Phoebe Kautt

Death. Something we hate to think about, yet something so common. You turn on the TV, and what do you see? Death, murders, suicides. You listen to the 10 o’clock news, and what will you most definitely hear about? So-and-so committed suicide, at such-and-such a place there was a drive by shooting. Everywhere you look the reality of death is around you: cemeteries, car accidents, funeral homes, and occurrences such as the Columbine High School shooting. Maybe we don’t like to think about it, but death happens to 10 out of 10 people. It’s a fact, 100% of all people ultimately die. All of the most famous, rich & influential people of history have all met their end: death. Caesar, Napoleon, George Washington, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Adolf Hitler and Babe Ruth are all in the grave. Michael Jordan, Alex Rodriguez, Madonna, David Rockefeller, Bill Gates and even Billy Graham will all eventually die.

But you might be wandering "Why are there deaths, murders, suicides and drive-by-shootings? Where and when did it all begin, and what or who caused it?"1 That’s a great question, and one that needs to be answered. It’s a question that everyone asks at least once.

Well, to understand the origination of death we must start at the beginning. Genesis 1:1 says, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." The rest of Genesis chapter 1 gives the account of creation. As you read it you will see the phrase "and God saw that it was good" five times throughout the entirety of the chapter. Then, at the very end of the chapter, in verse 31 it says, "And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." (my emphasis) When God says that something is "very good," that means that it’s very good. That means that there was no death, no suffering, no murders, when God created this universe. Evolutionists believe that death has always been, and will always be. Contrary to that belief, when God created Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, they were not standing on top of millions of years of dead things [fossils]. Would God call fossils, thorns, brain tumors and death good? To have death before the creation is essentially to make God a liar. Titus 1:2 says, "God, that cannot lie." So, now we know that there was no death before the creation. The Garden of Eden was a perfect garden, one with no thorns or thistles. But the question still remains, "when did death come about?" and, "who or what caused it?"

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To read the rest, you'll have to wait until it comes out in the newsletter. If you're not signed up for the newsletter, send us an email by clicking here.

A Miraculous Healing ~

We are a part of a "health care program" called Christian Healthcare Ministries, which is a program where Christians help other Christians with their medical expenses. Anyway, in their latest issue of their monthly newsletter (June 2009) there was the following article:

Heading:
Pastor Steven Pawley of Appleton, New York, knows that God still performs miracles. His six-year-old son, Aaron, is living proof.

On April 10, 2009, the young son of a visiting missionary picked up a chunk of wood from the Pawleys' wood stove and heaved it into the air. Aaron was walking by when the wood struck him in the face. A piece of wood measuring 1/4" x 1/2" became embedded in his eye socket.

Steven and his wife, Lorie, decided not to extract the wood or even rinse Aaron's eye since they couldn't determine how deeply the wood had penetrated. "We knew right away that it was very serious," Steven said. "We couldn't tell if the wood had punctured Aaron's eyeball."

The Pawleys helped calm Aaron. "Daddy, am I going to lose my eye?" Aaron asked. "All I could tell him was, 'I don't know, but it's the Lord's eye and He will do what He thinks is best,'" Steven recalled.

Paramedics arriving shortly thereafter agreed that the eye should not be touched. The paramedics transported Aaron and his family to receive specialized care at a children's hospital in Buffalo, about an hour away.

The next several hours were grueling. At the hospital, a nurse, resident doctor and primary emergency room doctor examined Aaron. All agreed that the best course of action was to call in an opthamologist.

"Throughout the ordeal we prayed together and an amazing peace came over all of us," Steven said. "The paramedics, nurses and doctors couldn't believe how calm Aaron was. They kept taking his vital signs to see it he was in shock, but he was fin. It was a great witness to the medical personnel."

The eye doctor, expecting to have to perform surgery, arrived after Aaron underwent a CAT scan. As she removed the bandage from Aaron's face, everyone saw that the piece of wood was lying on his cheek! A complete eye examination revealed that the eye had been completely restored without as much as a scratch.

"We immediately started praising God," Steven said. "We are grateful to the many people - including our church and the family of the missionary who had been visiting us - who were praying and interceding for us before God's throne."

This is a true story... and amazing! Isn't it so awesome how God works?! You can check out their website for more about their newsletter.

Please Listen To This Radio Broadcast and Forward To All Your Friends and Family Worldview Matters With Brannon Howse

After the April 2nd, 2009, G-20 Meeting it is a Whole New World Order and Americans Just Lost a Ton of Freedoms
After the April 2nd, 2009, G-20 Meeting it is a Whole New World Order and Americans Just Lost a Ton of Freedoms. Topic One: Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the “New World Order is emerging” at the G-20 meeting. Topic Two: Dick Morris explains the economic global governance that the G-20 has just instituted. America is now subject to G-20 central bankers as well as the European dominated International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Financial Stability Board (FSB) that will oversee America’s regulatory boards, banks and the compensation packages of U.S. corporations. Free enterprise in America just took a huge hit. Topic Three: Dick Morris explains how Chairman Obama is acting like he is trying to fix the banking problems while he sabotages his own plan. This way Chairman Obama can say he tried to fix the problem but it is so bad that he must nationalize the banks. Topic Four: Why has America just put itself under the control of European Socialists? Did we not fight a revolution to free ourselves from them? Our Founders sacrificed their sacred honors, fortunes and lives for our freedom and now a corrupt brood of vipers known as Republicans and Democrats, who are Fabian Socialists, have trashed our U.S. Constitution, national sovereignty and free-enterprise system. Let’s not forget that Obama had the help of G.W. Bush who gave the reins of our economy over to the E.U. during their G-20, economic summit at the White House meeting in November of 2008. G.W. did some heavy lifting for Obama. Topic Five: The Bible says there will be many little anti-christs before the real anti-christ is revealed. So why does Obama fit the Biblical description of a “little” anti-Christ?
Click here to listen now:http://www.worldviewradio.com/episode.php?EpisodeID=11459

Natural Selection: Of Darwinian Origins? A Portrait of Edward Blyth's work in the 1800s

Natural Selection: Of Darwinian Origins? A Portrait of Edward Blyth's work in the 1800s. - By Abby Kautt

In the beginning God created different species capable of producing variations within their kind. After the worldwide flood of Noah's day (see Genesis 6-9), and the dispersion of the surviving animals across the newly re-organized earth; the animals now smaller in number continued reproducing according to their kind. Changes occurred over the centuries, some for the betterment of that kind, some to the devastation of others.

Now, you must understand that Natural selection is not evolutionary in its origins, but simply a scientific fact of creation. Small changes happening over time; think of dogs and the vast distinctives between the different types.

You have large dogs like the Great Dane, Greyhounds, German Shepherds and others, and then you have small dogs like the Chihuahua or Pomeranian with many in between these extremes. Evolutionists want us to believe that natural selection (which does happen) leads to whole new categories of creatures, which is simply untrue. Dogs can only produce dogs, cats only cats, and so on.

Even though Charles Darwin popularized the notion of “Natural selection” and thus made it a Darwinian idea, it was in fact another scientist in England some 23 years1 before who advocated this concept.

Edward Blyth was born in 1810 in London, England. He was a chemist, zoologist, and later became the curator of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, in Calcutta, India.2

Unlike Darwin, Blyth did not believe in evolution, in fact here is what he had to say on the issue of the common descent of man from apes. ". . . every species is essentially distinct and separate from every other species; otherwise it would not be a species but a variety. The most similar species, therefore, are only allied to each other in consequence of the resemblance of their general organization.”3

He realized that it was God, and not evolutionary processes that had it's finger print on creation. He went so far as to exclaim, "Then, and with humble reverence, let the mighty acts of Supreme Omnipotence be spoken of, it may be that the eternal and ever glorious Being which willed matter into existence shall pronounce on it the final doom of annihilation . . . Or, what is more probable, to judge from the universal benevolence of all that is within our grasp, it's elements shall again be called forth into light and life, and blaze forth the recommencement of the same system.”4

In an age where so many scientists were abandoning the idea of a Creator, here was one who not only believed in but articulated arguments that supported the idea of a Creator, God.

Blyth spent much of his time as a scientist studying birds. As the curator of the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal, he published a Catalogue of the Birds of the Asiatic Society in 1849.5 There a several species named for him such as the Blyth's Hawk-eagle6 among others. He was a prolific writer, and published a couple of books along with his Magazine of Natural History and The Natural History of Cranes.7 He fell into poor health later in his life and was forced to return to his native England where he died in December of 1873. Edward Blyth's work with birds and as a zoologist in general reminds me of these verses:
“20 And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” 21 So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” - Genesis 1:20-21 ESV

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1 E. Blyth, Magazine of Natural History, 1835-1837 – The Darwin papers, Ch. 2, vol. 1, num. II
2 The Asiatic Society was founded in 1784, by Sir William Jones in Kolkata, India. It was set up to enhance and further the cause of Oriental research. Absolute Astronomy
3 E. Blyth, On the Psychological Distinctions between Man and Animals, Magazine of Natural History – The Darwin Papers, Ch. 2, vol. 1, num. II
4 Edward Blyth, On the Psychological Distinctions between Man and Animals, Magazine of Natural History, Vol. 1,1837. The Darwin Papers – Ch. 2, vol. 1, num. II
5AbsoluteAstronomy.com – Blyth facts
6 Blyth's Hawk-eagle found in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and Singapore. NationMaster.com/encyclopedia
7The Natural History of the Cranes was published in 1881 – AbsoluteAstronomy.com – Blyth facts