W..I...W

Regarding Prayer

To put it simply, I firmly believe couples should pray together.

Why (part 1)? -> Ecclesiastes 4 New International Version (NIV)

9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%204&version=NIV>

 

 

Why (part 2)?  -> Matthew 18 New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be[d] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.
19 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2018&version=NIV1984> 

I want God to dwell in my partner and I both individually and collectively. Emotional and physical intimacy have their place. SPIRITUAL INTIMACY IS KEY AS WELL.

Let me remix a common saying: "The couple that prays together, stays together." *smiles*

Heard a Good Word!!!

Today, Pastor Andy preached on the subject "The Kingdom Responds: The Internal Good Mechanism."

One of his primary texts was:

Psalm 24

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

Of David. A psalm.

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it;

2 for he founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the waters.

3 Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?

Who may stand in his holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not lift up his soul to an idol

or swear by what is false.[a]

5 He will receive blessing from the Lord

and vindication from God his Savior.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek your face, O God of Jacob.[b] Selah 

Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2024&version=NIV1984>  

In discussing this passage, Pastor Andy mentioned:

Psalm 51

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you are proved right when you speak

and justified when you judge.

5 Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts[a];

you teach[b] me wisdom in the inmost place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will turn back to you.

14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,

the God who saves me,

and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 The sacrifices of God are[c] a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart,

O God, you will not despise.

18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;

build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices,

whole burnt offerings to delight you;

then bulls will be offered on your altar

Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2051&version=NIV1984>

Psalm 51's verses 10-14 are the basis of the lyrics to:

 

I *LOVE* IT when sermons reference scripture (and gospel songs) that I meditated during the week!!!

Happy (BELATED) Thanksgiving!

SIDE NOTE: I believe everything happens for a reason. I tried to post some blogs from my cell phone to celebrate Thanksgiving and vent a bit BUT NEITHER went though. Perhaps, Crazy/Stupid/Love from earlier is the blog I was supposed to write instead...

...ANYWHOO....

 

Here are a few of the the pics of our Turkey Day feast that failed to upload yesterday:

 

 

HAPPY (BELATED) THANKSGIVING :-D

Crazy/Stupid/Love

Earlier this week, I watched Steve Carell in "Crazy Stupid Love" for the first time. The movie was so sweet! What made it better was the fact I watched the movie with my sweetie. It was especially insightful because this quote from the movie spoke to me after a series of less than ideal interactions/conversations:

 

"I met my soul mate when I was fifteen years old and I have loved her every minute, of every day since I first bought her that mint chocolate chip cone. I have loved her through the birth of our children… I have loved her even when I hated her – only married couples will understand that one. And I don’t know if it’s gonna work out… But I can promise you this, I will never stop trying. Because when you find the one, you never give up. “

- Cal – Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

 

While not all of this quote applies to me/us (for example: we aren't married with children AND I broke out in hives the last time I had dairy so no mint chocolate chip cone over here without an anti-histamine nearby...LOL), it spoke to me when Steve Carell's character said "I loved her even when I hated her."  Now, I did NOT fall out of love and into hate this week. BUT, my life was definitely more of a drama and less of a rom com these past few days. What was WONDERFULLY INTERESTING was even though I was upset, when I closed my eyes, I started singing:

 
I think the hallmark of a strong relationship is seeing the sun when it rains. Even though we experienced a mini monsoon this week, being with TJ makes me want to do that. As Babyface sang:

With you baby, it never rains and it's no wonder
The sun always shines when I'm near you
It's just a blessing that I have found somebody like you

And every time I close my eyes
I thank the Lord that I've got you
And you've got me too
And every time I think of it
I pinch myself cause
I don't believe it's true
That someone like you
Loves me too

 

It was my hope that our first Thanksgiving Day experience would bring us closer together. Ultimately, that is what happened. I fell more in love after all was said and done. I am truly thankful for my TJ. Like Steve Carell's character said: "...I don’t know if it’s gonna work out… But I can promise you this, I will never stop trying. Because when you find the one, you never give up."

 

I'm not sure if TJ is the one. BUT, TJ is a great one at this point in my life. I believe TJ and I are building an unconditional love for each other. For this I feel:

 

 

PLD Understands

Just as I was trying to focus solely on my studies, I got some bad news on the family front yesterday *sigh* 

It's hard to reconcile and manage both my personal and academic identies when a lot is going on in each arena. BUT, I refuse to get bogged down by negative emotions. Gonna wear a brave face and keeping moving forward. All will work out in God's time. 

Although not every word of this poem applies, the essence certain does:
 

WE wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask! 

"We Wear the Mask" by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)

The devil will neither steal my joy nor distract me from my task. I will meditate on:

Psalm 121
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
A song for going up to the Temple.

1 I look up to the hills,
but where will my help really come from?
2 My help will come from the Lord,
the Creator of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let you fall.
Your Protector will not fall asleep.
4 Israel’s Protector does not get tired.
He never sleeps.
5 The Lord is your Protector.
The Lord stands by your side, shading and protecting you.
6 The sun cannot harm you during the day,
and the moon cannot harm you at night.
7 The Lord will protect you from every danger.
He will protect your soul.
8 The Lord will protect you as you come and go,[a]
both now and forever!

30 Days...

...until the end of the fall exam season at my law school.

Time to make some serious sacrifices:

SOOO...YEA-> NO SOCIAL LIFE (and just enough sleep to survive/function) IT IS ;-)

That's where I'll be. See y'all on Dec 13th!!!

Today is Veteran's Day

It's a little after 11a on the 11th day of the 11th month. 

 

(NN: The pic above is the official logo from the VA)

 

For their sacrifice, I remember and honor:  

• my father, an army veteran...HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY PAPA!!!
• my father's father, now passed, a Korean War Veteran.
• my cousins and friends who are veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan...THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!
• my other family members who have served our country by bearing arms to protect us (even before I was born).  

Although it is not Memorial Day, I lift up and pray for those who have lost loved ones in service to our great country. I also pray for the safety of those who are still serving in uniform. God, send your angels to comfort and protect. AMEN!!!

  

*** 

 

In case you are not familiar with the history of Veteran's Day, please see the excerpt below pasted directly from http://www.history.army.mil/html/reference/holidays/vetsday/vetshist.html:

 

1918

World War I, then normally referred to simply as The Great War (no one could imagine any war being greater!), ended with the implementation of an armistice [temporary cessation of hostilities-in this case until the final peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, was signed in 1919] between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918.

 

1919

November 11: President Wilson proclaims the first Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations." The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also marked by parades and public mettings.

 

1938

Congress passes legislation on May 13 making November 11 a legal Federal holiday, Armistice Day. The United States has no 'actual' national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own holidays. The Federal government can in fact only designate holidays for Federal employees and for the District of Columbia. But in practice the states almost always follow the Federal lead in designation of holidays.

  

1954

On June 1, President Eisenhower signs legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran's Day.

4 more for 44!!!

Less than an hr ago, MSNBC declared President Barack Obama to be re-elected!!!!  

 

Words CANNOT express my delight....WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

*** 

To be honest, given the totality of the circumstances, I wasn't always sure that President Obama would win a second-term. It wasn't that I thought Mitt Romney was a formidable opponent or a masterful campaigner. I merely thought Gov. Romney was going to reap the reward of running against an incumbent with the less than robust economic figures and upside down right-track/wrong-track polls. I was worried that voters would be discouraged by long lines, fewer early voting days/hours/locations, new voter ID rules, etc. I was afraid that in a post-Citizens United world, the money and ideas of a few wealthy individuals and corporations would dictate the election outcome with their barrage of deceptive advertisements. 

Although I accept that "spin" is a part of politics, I was concerned we'd gotten to a point in American politics where the electorate would be wholly hoodwinked by an elaborate smoke and mirrors game. I was almost convinced we were stuck in the alternate reality where an inconsistent/undefined plan was better and the more statements are questioned about the extent of their factual basis, the more they were true.

But, thankfully, the shenanigans of the 2012 election cycle lead to hope springing eternal. In the face of a possible Romney/Republican-agenda reality, the majority of the American electorate remembered the hope and change we fell in love with four years ago. Although in some instances it has only partially realized or frustratingly delayed, the majority of the American electorate did NOT deny President Obama the chance to continue the good work his administration started for, by and with us.

When First Lady Michelle Obama came to my school is when it happened for me.

She told those of us in the audience how the difference between winning and losing the state of North Carolina in 2008 was only a few votes per precinct. I knew I didn't want to wake up on November 7th wishing I could've done more. From that day forward, I expanded my goal of getting myself out to vote for President Obama in 2012. I donated what little I could to the campaign from my law school student "income." I encouraged my Facebook friends, Twitter followers and as many people to get registered to vote, educated on the issue and out to vote both during early voting and on election day. 

This picture captures what was was instilled in me by the First Lady and what I tried to instill in my circle:
 

 

NOW comes the hard part: reuniting our country after a divisive election. BUT, it can be done!!!

 

AND for those of us who call ourselves Christians, the bible commands us to:

Submission to the Authorities
Romans 13
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Pasted from <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+13&version=NIV1984> 

 

IT'S ELECTION DAY!!!

For those of you who feel like this little girl...
 

...the end of the tsunami of political propaganda is in sight.  Polls will be opening soon on the east coast.

• If you have voted early-> GREAT :-D
• BUT, if you have NOT voted (yet) -> BE SURE TO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE!!!

Whatever choice you make, be sure to make and informed choice. If you need an entertaining cliff notes version of the two Presidential candidates, watch this:

 

 

HAVE A GREAT ELECTION DAY!!!