Well, it's official. I am now legally Ashley Nicole Taylor! Matt and I have been married for 16 days now, and we are very happy :) It's hard to believe that our wedding day has come and gone! It was a beautiful ceremony, but it went by so fast.
We spent about a week in Naples, FL, for our honeymoon, which was absolutely fabulous! I will post more about that later and hopefully include some pictures. We are now living in our adorable rental cottage in Louisville, KY, and are having a blast making it our home. The house needs a lot of work, but it is coming along, and we are slowly seeing it come together. Right now, we do not have Internet access at home, so I am only on the Internet once or twice a week (thanks to Java Coffee Shop). But I hope to post more about our wedding/honeymoon/new life in the near future....possibly this weekend while we are in Nashville for Christmas. We can't wait to see our families and friends!
Well, my house isn't getting cleaned by me sitting here :) I pray that you all have a Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wedding Website
For anyone who may be interested, Matthew and I have created a wedding website. I meant to post a link to it a long time ago, but kept forgetting. You can check it out at www.elders-taylor.com. I hope to post our engagement photos there within the next few days...but don't hold your breath! ;) Only 16 more days until we become husband and wife!! :)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The Tenderness of a Stonewall
I am currently reading Life and Letters of Stonewall Jackson by his wife Mary Anna Jackson. Until I began this book, I knew very little about Jackson, only that he was a Confederate general in the Civil War. My fiance Matt, who knows a lot about the Civil War, recommended this book to me, and so I have been picking it up here and there when I have some spare time. I am thoroughly enjoying it, especially the snippets of Jackson's letters to his wife. He was very tender and sweet in his letters, and always tried to point his wife to Christ. Here is a section of one I read recently. The General wrote this to Mrs. Jackson on May 7, 1859, while she was away for a time, recovering from an illness.
"You must not be discouraged at the slowness of recovery. Look up to Him who giveth liberally for faith to be resigned to His divine will, and trust Him for that measure of health which will most glorify Him and advance to the greatest extent of your own real happiness. We are sometimes suffered to be in a state of perplexity, that our faith may be tried and grow stronger. 'All things work together for good' to God's children. See if you cannot spend a short time after dark looking out of your window into space, and meditating upon heaven, with all its joys unspeakable and full of glory; and think of what the Saviour relinquished in glory when he came to earth, and of His sufferings for us; and seek to realize, with the apostle, that the afflictions of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Try to look up and be cheerful and not desponding. Trust our kind Heavenly Father, and by the eye of faith see that all things with you are right and for your best interest. The clouds come, pass over us, and are followed by bright sunshine; so, in God's moral dealings with us, He permits us to have trouble awhile. But let us, even in the most trying dispensations of His providence, be cheered by the brightness which is a little ahead. Try to live near to Jesus, and secure that peace which flows like a river. You have your husband's prayers, sympathy, and love...."
"You must not be discouraged at the slowness of recovery. Look up to Him who giveth liberally for faith to be resigned to His divine will, and trust Him for that measure of health which will most glorify Him and advance to the greatest extent of your own real happiness. We are sometimes suffered to be in a state of perplexity, that our faith may be tried and grow stronger. 'All things work together for good' to God's children. See if you cannot spend a short time after dark looking out of your window into space, and meditating upon heaven, with all its joys unspeakable and full of glory; and think of what the Saviour relinquished in glory when he came to earth, and of His sufferings for us; and seek to realize, with the apostle, that the afflictions of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Try to look up and be cheerful and not desponding. Trust our kind Heavenly Father, and by the eye of faith see that all things with you are right and for your best interest. The clouds come, pass over us, and are followed by bright sunshine; so, in God's moral dealings with us, He permits us to have trouble awhile. But let us, even in the most trying dispensations of His providence, be cheered by the brightness which is a little ahead. Try to live near to Jesus, and secure that peace which flows like a river. You have your husband's prayers, sympathy, and love...."
Friday, September 11, 2009
A Long (and Overdue) Story
So...
It has been way too long since I have posted anything. I am sure you all are getting tired of coming to my blog and seeing the same pictures of Ireland (though how could anyone get tired of that?). I have a huge and exciting story to tell, and finally have some time and desire to tell it here. Many of you already know it. Some of you know a little bit, but you need details. Be prepared--this is going to be a LONG post!
I'll start by telling you the biggest piece of news in my life as of late. That is, I'M GETTING MARRIED!! Yes, it's true :). Matthew Taylor, my fiance, proposed to me on August 4, 2009 at Cheekwood in Nashville. I must say that right now, I am the happiest woman on the face of the earth. I do suppose, though, that this piece of news demands an explanation--a story. Well, here we go...
I met Matt two years ago through our mutual friend Mandy. Mandy, my sister, and I went to the Opryland Hotel to hear Matt's sister Meagan play music. I don't remember much about that night, except that Matt had a nice, full beard :). I saw him a few other times over the course of about a year when he visited our church while he was in town to see his family. We would talk a little bit, but I didn't really get to know him that well.
Then, on March 14, 2009, I saw him again at our friend Mandy's wedding. I was a bridesmaid, and the fact that Matt would be there never even crossed my mind. I had been downstairs getting ready, and as I came up the stairs to wait in the foyer, I saw a very handsome man with dark, curly hair. Immediately I wondered, "Who is that, and how can I get to know him?" All of a sudden I realized who it was....it was Matt Taylor! I didn't recognize him because he had shaved off his beard! As I walked up to him, he recognized me and we began to talk, although not for long, as it was time for the ceremony to start. Afterwards, we talked to each other throughout the entire reception.
After that wedding, Matt kept "coming around" a lot. Of course, I didn't mind...I rather liked him :). At some point, he asked for my phone number and called me. We talked quite a bit on the phone, and he continued to visit Nashville on the weekends. One particular Monday night night he called and told me that he was interested in starting a courtship with me and wanted to know how I felt about it. I told him that I was interested, but he needed to talk to my dad about it. So, he met with my dad on the following Friday. Dad gave us permission, and we officially began courting on May 22, 2009. Over the course of the next 2 months, we spent a lot of time getting to know each other as well as each other's families. I also did a lot of praying, as the point of our courtship was to find out if God would have us to get married. Eventually, God began to confirm to both of of that we should move forward to engagement. (Now for the really fun part!)
Matt had two weeks vacation beginning at the end of July, so most of that time he was here in Nashville. On Tuesday, August 4th, Matt called me and said he'd like to take me to lunch. He picked me up at my house and we headed out. I asked him where we were going to eat, and he said "That's a surprise." Being intrigued but not suspicious, I tried to think of where he was taking me. I eventually figured it out (only because I saw a sign for "Cheekwood" :). We ate lunch, walked around the gardens a while, and then made our way up to the mansion. We walked around to the side where there is a beautiful little covered balcony that overlooks the gardens. The view was breathtaking! We stood there for a few minutes, and then...Matt looked at me with his stunning green eyes and began his proposal of marriage to me. I was so shocked and surprised that I can't remember much of what he said! I immediately started to cry. Matt pulled a beautiful diamond ring out of his pocket, got down on one knee, and asked "Will you marry me?" Still crying, I said "YES!". He stood to his feet, put the ring on my finger, and then said something that I will never forget. For the first time, he said "I love you." As we left Cheekwood, holding hands (also a first!!), neither one of us could stop smiling and laughing. That night, we had a nice dinner with both our families to celebrate the occasion.
Since that day, our lives have been busy, busy, busy with wedding plans. But it has been a wonderful and joyful experience so far. With each new day, I fall more in love with Matthew. He is a wonderful man of God, and I am so excited to spend the rest of my life serving God with him. The Lord has blessed me with a husband-to-be who is exceedingly and abundantly above everything I ever asked or thought. All praise and glory to Him!
It has been way too long since I have posted anything. I am sure you all are getting tired of coming to my blog and seeing the same pictures of Ireland (though how could anyone get tired of that?). I have a huge and exciting story to tell, and finally have some time and desire to tell it here. Many of you already know it. Some of you know a little bit, but you need details. Be prepared--this is going to be a LONG post!
I'll start by telling you the biggest piece of news in my life as of late. That is, I'M GETTING MARRIED!! Yes, it's true :). Matthew Taylor, my fiance, proposed to me on August 4, 2009 at Cheekwood in Nashville. I must say that right now, I am the happiest woman on the face of the earth. I do suppose, though, that this piece of news demands an explanation--a story. Well, here we go...
I met Matt two years ago through our mutual friend Mandy. Mandy, my sister, and I went to the Opryland Hotel to hear Matt's sister Meagan play music. I don't remember much about that night, except that Matt had a nice, full beard :). I saw him a few other times over the course of about a year when he visited our church while he was in town to see his family. We would talk a little bit, but I didn't really get to know him that well.
Then, on March 14, 2009, I saw him again at our friend Mandy's wedding. I was a bridesmaid, and the fact that Matt would be there never even crossed my mind. I had been downstairs getting ready, and as I came up the stairs to wait in the foyer, I saw a very handsome man with dark, curly hair. Immediately I wondered, "Who is that, and how can I get to know him?" All of a sudden I realized who it was....it was Matt Taylor! I didn't recognize him because he had shaved off his beard! As I walked up to him, he recognized me and we began to talk, although not for long, as it was time for the ceremony to start. Afterwards, we talked to each other throughout the entire reception.
After that wedding, Matt kept "coming around" a lot. Of course, I didn't mind...I rather liked him :). At some point, he asked for my phone number and called me. We talked quite a bit on the phone, and he continued to visit Nashville on the weekends. One particular Monday night night he called and told me that he was interested in starting a courtship with me and wanted to know how I felt about it. I told him that I was interested, but he needed to talk to my dad about it. So, he met with my dad on the following Friday. Dad gave us permission, and we officially began courting on May 22, 2009. Over the course of the next 2 months, we spent a lot of time getting to know each other as well as each other's families. I also did a lot of praying, as the point of our courtship was to find out if God would have us to get married. Eventually, God began to confirm to both of of that we should move forward to engagement. (Now for the really fun part!)
Matt had two weeks vacation beginning at the end of July, so most of that time he was here in Nashville. On Tuesday, August 4th, Matt called me and said he'd like to take me to lunch. He picked me up at my house and we headed out. I asked him where we were going to eat, and he said "That's a surprise." Being intrigued but not suspicious, I tried to think of where he was taking me. I eventually figured it out (only because I saw a sign for "Cheekwood" :). We ate lunch, walked around the gardens a while, and then made our way up to the mansion. We walked around to the side where there is a beautiful little covered balcony that overlooks the gardens. The view was breathtaking! We stood there for a few minutes, and then...Matt looked at me with his stunning green eyes and began his proposal of marriage to me. I was so shocked and surprised that I can't remember much of what he said! I immediately started to cry. Matt pulled a beautiful diamond ring out of his pocket, got down on one knee, and asked "Will you marry me?" Still crying, I said "YES!". He stood to his feet, put the ring on my finger, and then said something that I will never forget. For the first time, he said "I love you." As we left Cheekwood, holding hands (also a first!!), neither one of us could stop smiling and laughing. That night, we had a nice dinner with both our families to celebrate the occasion.
Since that day, our lives have been busy, busy, busy with wedding plans. But it has been a wonderful and joyful experience so far. With each new day, I fall more in love with Matthew. He is a wonderful man of God, and I am so excited to spend the rest of my life serving God with him. The Lord has blessed me with a husband-to-be who is exceedingly and abundantly above everything I ever asked or thought. All praise and glory to Him!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
There and Back Again: An Irish Tale, Part 6
On Sunday morning, Amanda and I got up earlier than normal, packed up, ate breakfast, and went out to the bus early to get a front seat. This was mainly because we were leaving Killarney for Galway, where Amanda spent the spring semester, and she was ecstatic to be going back to Galway one more time before returning to the U.S. (I'm not sure I have ever seen her quite so giddy!) I was a bit sad to leave Killarney, as it was one of my favorite places we had visited.
Our first stop en route to Galway was Bunratty Castle (photo #1) which dates back to the year 1425. Bunratty is very different from Blarney, mainly because it has been restored to look similar to what it did when first built. There were several rooms, most of them furnished with period furniture, clothing, armor, etc. There were also several staircases that were extremely narrow, but the view from the top was really pretty (photo #2). I really enjoyed touring the castle, but I think I like Blarney better, simply because it is so rustic and original. After that tour was finished, we had lunch at the restaurant there. I ate the Seafood Chowder, which was amazing!!
After lunch, we once again boarded our coach and took off for the Cliffs of Moher (pronounced mo-er). These cliffs make up a coastline of about 5 miles long, and they rise above the Atlantic Ocean at a staggering 700 feet. The view from these cliffs was absolutely breathtaking (photos #3 and #4)! Amanda had told me that the wind usually blows quite furiously at the top, but there was only a slight breeze that day. This was the first time I had ever been to any kind of cliffs before, and I loved it!
We left the Cliffs of Moher to travel to Aillwee Cave (pronounced all-wee). This cave wasn't discovered until 1940 by a man named Jack McGann, and he didn't even tell anyone about it until 1973! We saw bear bones that date back about 1,200 years, a waterfall, stalactites, and stalagmites. I took a few pictures while in the cave, but none of them turned out very well.
We left the Aillwee Cave to drive through The Burren, which is limestone region of Ireland. And even though the ground is very hard and rough, the wildflowers still manage to grow. To me, the Burren was very bleak, but also a very lovely part of Ireland (photo #5 is a view of the Burren from Aillwee Cave).
We continued our travel through the countryside until we finally reached Galway. We had dinner at our hotel, and then Amanda took some of us down to the Crane Bar, one of her favorite spots in Galway. We had to take a cab, as our hotel was sort of out in the middle of nowhere (at least, it seemed like that). When we got into the cab, the little screen on the driver's side said something like "bunch of Americans"...nice :). When we got to the Crane Bar, we all ordered a drink and then sat and listened to some really good music. We stayed there until about midnight, and then took a cab back to the hotel where I promptly went to bed.
Our first stop en route to Galway was Bunratty Castle (photo #1) which dates back to the year 1425. Bunratty is very different from Blarney, mainly because it has been restored to look similar to what it did when first built. There were several rooms, most of them furnished with period furniture, clothing, armor, etc. There were also several staircases that were extremely narrow, but the view from the top was really pretty (photo #2). I really enjoyed touring the castle, but I think I like Blarney better, simply because it is so rustic and original. After that tour was finished, we had lunch at the restaurant there. I ate the Seafood Chowder, which was amazing!!
After lunch, we once again boarded our coach and took off for the Cliffs of Moher (pronounced mo-er). These cliffs make up a coastline of about 5 miles long, and they rise above the Atlantic Ocean at a staggering 700 feet. The view from these cliffs was absolutely breathtaking (photos #3 and #4)! Amanda had told me that the wind usually blows quite furiously at the top, but there was only a slight breeze that day. This was the first time I had ever been to any kind of cliffs before, and I loved it!
We left the Cliffs of Moher to travel to Aillwee Cave (pronounced all-wee). This cave wasn't discovered until 1940 by a man named Jack McGann, and he didn't even tell anyone about it until 1973! We saw bear bones that date back about 1,200 years, a waterfall, stalactites, and stalagmites. I took a few pictures while in the cave, but none of them turned out very well.
We left the Aillwee Cave to drive through The Burren, which is limestone region of Ireland. And even though the ground is very hard and rough, the wildflowers still manage to grow. To me, the Burren was very bleak, but also a very lovely part of Ireland (photo #5 is a view of the Burren from Aillwee Cave).
We continued our travel through the countryside until we finally reached Galway. We had dinner at our hotel, and then Amanda took some of us down to the Crane Bar, one of her favorite spots in Galway. We had to take a cab, as our hotel was sort of out in the middle of nowhere (at least, it seemed like that). When we got into the cab, the little screen on the driver's side said something like "bunch of Americans"...nice :). When we got to the Crane Bar, we all ordered a drink and then sat and listened to some really good music. We stayed there until about midnight, and then took a cab back to the hotel where I promptly went to bed.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
There and Back Again: An Irish Tale, Part 5
(I am sorry for the delay in my Ireland posts. I hope to finish up within the next week or so!)
On Saturday, we awoke to a gloriously sunny day, which was perfect for our tour of the Ring of Kerry, Ireland's most popular scenic drive. We started in Killarney and went in an "anti-clockwise" (the British way to say "counter-clockwise") direction, ending up in the small village of Sneem. We made several stops along the way, mostly to gaze at and photograph the sheer beauty of Ireland. One place we stopped was the Kerry Bog Village (photo #1), where we toured actual dwellings of villagers from the early 1800s. It was here that some of us, including myself, went over to the Red Fox Inn to have some Bailey's Coffee :-). One of my favorite stops along the Ring of Kerry was to a sheep farm owned by an Irishman by the name of Brenden (photo #3). Brenden gave an amazing demonstration of how he and his two sheep dogs work together. Each dog has its own whistle commands, as well as verbal commands that they learn to follow. All Brenden has to do is give the commands, and the dogs know what to do. It's quite fascinating to see them work!
I think that our last stop was a really cute little village called Sneem. Amanda and I walked around a little bit, and then went into a little shop to get a Bailey's ice cream cone...best ice cream ever! We left Sneem and headed back to Killarney to eat dinner at our hotel. After dinner, I went to Mass at Saint Marys with the Wahlmeiers and the rest of those in the group who are Catholic (which turned out to be pretty much everyone). That was the first time I had ever attended a Catholic service, and it was very interesting. The only thing they recited that I knew was the Lord's Prayer. I was going to say it with everyone, but the Irish talk so fast that they were half way done before I managed to say "Thy kingdom come"! After church, then some of us went to Danny Mann's again to hear music...and have a Bailey's (yes, that is the third time that word has appeared in this post!). The band that played that night was the Molly McGuires. They had a good sound, and sang some familiar songs, but their mics were sooo loud that it became a bit annoying by the time we left.
On Saturday, we awoke to a gloriously sunny day, which was perfect for our tour of the Ring of Kerry, Ireland's most popular scenic drive. We started in Killarney and went in an "anti-clockwise" (the British way to say "counter-clockwise") direction, ending up in the small village of Sneem. We made several stops along the way, mostly to gaze at and photograph the sheer beauty of Ireland. One place we stopped was the Kerry Bog Village (photo #1), where we toured actual dwellings of villagers from the early 1800s. It was here that some of us, including myself, went over to the Red Fox Inn to have some Bailey's Coffee :-). One of my favorite stops along the Ring of Kerry was to a sheep farm owned by an Irishman by the name of Brenden (photo #3). Brenden gave an amazing demonstration of how he and his two sheep dogs work together. Each dog has its own whistle commands, as well as verbal commands that they learn to follow. All Brenden has to do is give the commands, and the dogs know what to do. It's quite fascinating to see them work!
I think that our last stop was a really cute little village called Sneem. Amanda and I walked around a little bit, and then went into a little shop to get a Bailey's ice cream cone...best ice cream ever! We left Sneem and headed back to Killarney to eat dinner at our hotel. After dinner, I went to Mass at Saint Marys with the Wahlmeiers and the rest of those in the group who are Catholic (which turned out to be pretty much everyone). That was the first time I had ever attended a Catholic service, and it was very interesting. The only thing they recited that I knew was the Lord's Prayer. I was going to say it with everyone, but the Irish talk so fast that they were half way done before I managed to say "Thy kingdom come"! After church, then some of us went to Danny Mann's again to hear music...and have a Bailey's (yes, that is the third time that word has appeared in this post!). The band that played that night was the Molly McGuires. They had a good sound, and sang some familiar songs, but their mics were sooo loud that it became a bit annoying by the time we left.
Friday, June 19, 2009
There and Back Again: An Irish Tale, Part 4
I think that Friday was one of my favorite days in Ireland. We left our hotel that morning in Blarney and traveled to the 15th century Blarney Castle (photo #1). We arrived at the parking lot, went through the little gate where they collect your money, and then continued on to the castle. At that point, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, since Dublin castle hadn't been the most exciting place to visit, and most of the original castle is now gone (don't get me wrong, I liked it). When Blarney Castle came into view, I was almost ecstatic! That was really the fist castle I had ever seen, and I loved it immediately. We continued on to the base of the castle, where we entered through a door and began the ascent to the top. The stairways were so narrow, and there were many times when we would meet people going down as we were going up! When we reached the battlements at the top, we got in line to kiss the infamous Blarney Stone. This was so much fun! In order to kiss the stone, I had to lay on my back and then sort of bend over backwards while holding on to a rail (photo #2) They also have a guy up their who holds on to your legs so you don't fall...it's a straight drop down to the ground! I am usually pretty scared of heights, but I figured that I may only have this opportunity once, so I did it. The legend is that he/she who kisses the stone will be blessed (or cursed, however you want to look at it) with the "gift of gab", or eloquent and flattering speech. When someone has this kind of "gift", they are said to be "full of the Blarney". I have yet to figure out if it worked on me ;) After touring the castle, we ate lunch and did a lot of shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills.
We left Blarney Castle and journeyed to Killarney in County Kerry. We arrived at the Rivermere Hotel, took our bags to our rooms, and then went back outside to take a "jaunt ride" (photo #3). Kevin was our "jarvie", or driver, and we decided that he was definitely "full of the Blarney"! He had us rolling with laughter the whole time. Our jaunt ride took us through the beautiful Killarney National Park (photo #4), which covers 25,000 acres of Irish countryside (we did not tour the whole 25,000 acres). The ride was very peaceful and the weather was perfect. At the end of our ride, Kevin dropped us of at Ross Castle (photo #5), where we boarded a boat and took a ride on the Lower Lake, which is called Lough Leane (pronounced Lock Leen). The water looked black instead of blue, and the captain of the boat told us that was because the lake was 1/2 water and 1/2 Guinness :).
When our tour of the lake and park was finished, we headed back to our hotel for a little bit of res before dinner. Again, dinner was mediocre, but I was hungry enough to eat it! After dinner, some of us walked down to Danny Mann's Pub to hear some really great traditional Irish music. Then, it was off to bed for another full day.
We left Blarney Castle and journeyed to Killarney in County Kerry. We arrived at the Rivermere Hotel, took our bags to our rooms, and then went back outside to take a "jaunt ride" (photo #3). Kevin was our "jarvie", or driver, and we decided that he was definitely "full of the Blarney"! He had us rolling with laughter the whole time. Our jaunt ride took us through the beautiful Killarney National Park (photo #4), which covers 25,000 acres of Irish countryside (we did not tour the whole 25,000 acres). The ride was very peaceful and the weather was perfect. At the end of our ride, Kevin dropped us of at Ross Castle (photo #5), where we boarded a boat and took a ride on the Lower Lake, which is called Lough Leane (pronounced Lock Leen). The water looked black instead of blue, and the captain of the boat told us that was because the lake was 1/2 water and 1/2 Guinness :).
When our tour of the lake and park was finished, we headed back to our hotel for a little bit of res before dinner. Again, dinner was mediocre, but I was hungry enough to eat it! After dinner, some of us walked down to Danny Mann's Pub to hear some really great traditional Irish music. Then, it was off to bed for another full day.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
There and Back Again: An Irish Tale, Part 3
We left Dublin on Thursday morning to travel to Blarney with a few stops along the way. Our first stop was the Irish National Stud in Kildare, home to some of Ireland finest thoroughbreds. I really wasn't sure how interesting this would be to me, since I see horses quite often here in the States. But I was pleasantly surprised! These stallions were once champions on the race tracks, and they have also produced champion offspring (which is what determines the kind of fee that someone will pay to have their mare bred by a one of the stallions). If my memory serves me right, about 3,000 mares are brought to the farm every year to mate with the stallions. Our favorite "stallion", actually a pony, was Tommy the Teaser (photo #1). Tommy's has somewhat of a rotten job: he is there to help determine which of the mares are ready to mate. If he is placed next to a mare that responds to him, he is then taken (or rather dragged) back to his stall. Poor Tommy! But Dee, our wonderful guide at the farm, told us that they do bring ponies in for Tommy to play with :-) Also there at the Irish National Stud was a beautiful Japanese Garden that we walked through (photo #3).
Our next stop was Cashel in County Tipperary to see the Rock of Cashel, which is a very old monastery that looks like a castle (photo #4). We didn't have much time here, so I wasn't able to walk all the way up to the site, but it was beautiful place. While we were there we ate lunch at a wonderful little place called The Rock Cafe where I had a Tuna and Sweet corn melt on Irish soda bread. It was absolutely delicious, and was one of the best meals I had on the whole trip.
After lunch, we once again boarded the coach to continue our journey to Blarney, and made one more stop at a little port town called Cobh (pronounced "Cove"). Cobh was once known as Queenstown, but after Ireland gained independence from England in 1922, the Irish changed it back to it's original name. While in Cobh we toured the Queenstown Story, which is a museum that tells the history of Irish immigration to Canada, the U.S., and Australia. Just outside the museum entrance was a statue of Annie Moore (photo #5) an Irish girl who was the first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island, New York, at the age of 14. There was a really great display about the Titanic, which made a stop there before heading to New York; and there was also a display about the Lusitania, which sank near Cobh in 1915 after being struck by a German torpedo. There was a really nice little cafe in the museum, so many of us sat down to afternoon tea once we finished the tour.
We left Cobh and finally reached our final destination, Blarney Golf Resort. This was the nicest place we stayed in Ireland, and I was sad that we only stayed one night! Once we arrived, we had about 2 hours before dinner would be served in our hotel, so we were able to just hang out in our rooms and rest. Our dinner was a bit more fancy than the previous nights, but there was no dessert there...I guess you either get a mediocre dinner with dessert, or a fancy dinner with no dessert! After dinner, Amanda, Sarah, Manda D. and I stayed down in the hotel bar for several hours, just talking and hanging out. After retiring to our rooms for the night, Amanda and I stayed up til about 2:30 am...not a smart thing to do, considering we had to be up by 7:00am!
Our next stop was Cashel in County Tipperary to see the Rock of Cashel, which is a very old monastery that looks like a castle (photo #4). We didn't have much time here, so I wasn't able to walk all the way up to the site, but it was beautiful place. While we were there we ate lunch at a wonderful little place called The Rock Cafe where I had a Tuna and Sweet corn melt on Irish soda bread. It was absolutely delicious, and was one of the best meals I had on the whole trip.
After lunch, we once again boarded the coach to continue our journey to Blarney, and made one more stop at a little port town called Cobh (pronounced "Cove"). Cobh was once known as Queenstown, but after Ireland gained independence from England in 1922, the Irish changed it back to it's original name. While in Cobh we toured the Queenstown Story, which is a museum that tells the history of Irish immigration to Canada, the U.S., and Australia. Just outside the museum entrance was a statue of Annie Moore (photo #5) an Irish girl who was the first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island, New York, at the age of 14. There was a really great display about the Titanic, which made a stop there before heading to New York; and there was also a display about the Lusitania, which sank near Cobh in 1915 after being struck by a German torpedo. There was a really nice little cafe in the museum, so many of us sat down to afternoon tea once we finished the tour.
We left Cobh and finally reached our final destination, Blarney Golf Resort. This was the nicest place we stayed in Ireland, and I was sad that we only stayed one night! Once we arrived, we had about 2 hours before dinner would be served in our hotel, so we were able to just hang out in our rooms and rest. Our dinner was a bit more fancy than the previous nights, but there was no dessert there...I guess you either get a mediocre dinner with dessert, or a fancy dinner with no dessert! After dinner, Amanda, Sarah, Manda D. and I stayed down in the hotel bar for several hours, just talking and hanging out. After retiring to our rooms for the night, Amanda and I stayed up til about 2:30 am...not a smart thing to do, considering we had to be up by 7:00am!
Friday, June 12, 2009
There and Back Again: An Irish Tale, Part 2
I awoke Wednesday morning to the sound of a ferocious wind howling outside of our hotel room. Really, I thought the trees were just going to fall over any second! After getting a nice shower, Amanda and I went down to have breakfast, which consisted of cereal, rolls with jam, coffee or tea, and juice. I had been in great anticipation of a rather hearty Irish breakfast, so the cereal was a bit disappointing.
We then left our hotel to travel to downtown Dublin, where we met Sally, a local tour guide who took us on a "driving tour" of historic downtown Dublin. Some of the sights we saw included: lots of great Georgian architecture; the Ha'Penny Bridge that crosses the River Liffey (people used to pay a half penny to walk across it); a gigantic cross built for Pope John Paul II when he came to Dublin to say mass for over 1 million people in Phoenix Park in 1979 ; the location where Handel's Messiah was first performed in 1742; St. Patrick's Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral; and the Guinness Brewery. My favorite place we visited Dublin was Trinity College. Trinity college was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. It is here that the famous Book of Kells kept in the Trinity College Library, which is the oldest research library in Ireland. The Book of Kells was written by Celtic monks around the year 800, and contains beautiful transcriptions of the Four Gospels. When I walked into the Library, it almost took my breath away! This library is lined floor-to-ceiling with bookshelves containing massive amounts of books. There are also ladders at each shelf that move back and forth on a track (just like "Beauty and the Beast!). It was the most spectacular library I have ever seen.
After Trinity, our large group of 39 split up into smaller groups to go explore the city. It was lunchtime, and so Amanda took our small group to Leo Burdock's, a little fish and chips take out place. To borrow Amanda's expression, "The fish and chips combo is the size of a small child!" And she was right! After finishing lunch, we took a tour of Christ Church Cathedral, and we were able to go down into the crypt, which was really cool! We also toured Dublin Castle, which was a really neat place, and we got to see the room where the President of Ireland is inaugurated.
After touring the city for a while, we got back on our coach to go eat dinner at a little Pub called Porto Bello, where the Irish were gearing up for a football (soccer) match between Manchester United and Barcelona. We had reserved seating for our group, and there were lots of Irish who were hovering over our tables, waiting for us to leave. I think we could have auctioned off our tables and made a lot of money!
After dinner, we went back to our hotel for the night. Amanda, Manda D., and I went downstairs to the pub in our hotel to have a drink and watch the football fans go crazy while watching the game on t.v. It was sooo loud in there, we could hardly hear each other talk. I talked to a really nice Irish girl who was giving me tips on fun things to do in the different places we were going to be that week. We also met an obnoxious and quite drunk Irish guy who kept trying to get us to go down the street to the karaoke bar...we said no, of course.
We then left our hotel to travel to downtown Dublin, where we met Sally, a local tour guide who took us on a "driving tour" of historic downtown Dublin. Some of the sights we saw included: lots of great Georgian architecture; the Ha'Penny Bridge that crosses the River Liffey (people used to pay a half penny to walk across it); a gigantic cross built for Pope John Paul II when he came to Dublin to say mass for over 1 million people in Phoenix Park in 1979 ; the location where Handel's Messiah was first performed in 1742; St. Patrick's Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral; and the Guinness Brewery. My favorite place we visited Dublin was Trinity College. Trinity college was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. It is here that the famous Book of Kells kept in the Trinity College Library, which is the oldest research library in Ireland. The Book of Kells was written by Celtic monks around the year 800, and contains beautiful transcriptions of the Four Gospels. When I walked into the Library, it almost took my breath away! This library is lined floor-to-ceiling with bookshelves containing massive amounts of books. There are also ladders at each shelf that move back and forth on a track (just like "Beauty and the Beast!). It was the most spectacular library I have ever seen.
After Trinity, our large group of 39 split up into smaller groups to go explore the city. It was lunchtime, and so Amanda took our small group to Leo Burdock's, a little fish and chips take out place. To borrow Amanda's expression, "The fish and chips combo is the size of a small child!" And she was right! After finishing lunch, we took a tour of Christ Church Cathedral, and we were able to go down into the crypt, which was really cool! We also toured Dublin Castle, which was a really neat place, and we got to see the room where the President of Ireland is inaugurated.
After touring the city for a while, we got back on our coach to go eat dinner at a little Pub called Porto Bello, where the Irish were gearing up for a football (soccer) match between Manchester United and Barcelona. We had reserved seating for our group, and there were lots of Irish who were hovering over our tables, waiting for us to leave. I think we could have auctioned off our tables and made a lot of money!
After dinner, we went back to our hotel for the night. Amanda, Manda D., and I went downstairs to the pub in our hotel to have a drink and watch the football fans go crazy while watching the game on t.v. It was sooo loud in there, we could hardly hear each other talk. I talked to a really nice Irish girl who was giving me tips on fun things to do in the different places we were going to be that week. We also met an obnoxious and quite drunk Irish guy who kept trying to get us to go down the street to the karaoke bar...we said no, of course.
Monday, June 8, 2009
There and Back Again: An Irish Tale, Part 1
After about 9 hours of flying in various airplanes, I arrived in Dublin, Ireland, on Tuesday, May 26 at 10:30am. After going through customs and all that, I was greeted almost immediately by Amanda and Jane, my Kansas friends. I was delighted to see them! Most of the group had already arrived, but we were still waiting for one family, and they arrived about an hour after I did. We were then introduced to David, our lovely English tour guide (who turned out to be a most hilarious man!), and we headed straight outside to board the private coach that was to take us through Ireland for the next several days. We boarded the coach, and headed to a 5th century monastery called Glendalough (pronounced Glen-da-lock). This was the first time I had ever seen the ruins of such an ancient place, and I was amazed that parts of it were still standing. There was also an amazing cemetery there, where thousands of people are buried beneath beautiful Celtic crosses. After walking through the cemetery and the other buildings of the monastery, we took a short little hike down to a beautiful lake, which was a great opportunity for pictures!
After our tour of Glendalough, we again boarded the coach and drove back into Dublin to the Abberly Court Hotel to get settled into our rooms and have dinner. I went to bed around 8:30 that night...the jet lag was beginning to take over, I think. That night, the wind picked up considerably, and I began to think we were in a hurricane...:) Enjoy the pictures, and stay tuned for Part 2!
After our tour of Glendalough, we again boarded the coach and drove back into Dublin to the Abberly Court Hotel to get settled into our rooms and have dinner. I went to bed around 8:30 that night...the jet lag was beginning to take over, I think. That night, the wind picked up considerably, and I began to think we were in a hurricane...:) Enjoy the pictures, and stay tuned for Part 2!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Off to Ireland
In about an hour, I will be heading to the airport to leave on my 9 day trip to Ireland. What excitement! I spent most of yesterday evening packing, though I had done a good bit of packing all throughout the week. I was able to get everything in one bag (which is all I am allowed to take), and I am hoping it does not exceed the 50 lb. limit. My carry-on bag/purse consists of 2 books, my little Bible , my journal, a pen, some necessary toiletries (in case my luggage is lost), a change of clothes, a neck pillow, a jacket, my iPod, money, and my camera. I know I'll take plenty of pictures!
I plan to journal the events of each day, and then blog each of those journal entries in 9 consecutive posts when I return (rather than try to fit everything into one gigantic post). Please pray for safe travels for all in our group, as many of us are arriving in Dublin from different parts of the U.S. To my family and friends...I will miss all of you and will be so glad to see you when I come home!
I plan to journal the events of each day, and then blog each of those journal entries in 9 consecutive posts when I return (rather than try to fit everything into one gigantic post). Please pray for safe travels for all in our group, as many of us are arriving in Dublin from different parts of the U.S. To my family and friends...I will miss all of you and will be so glad to see you when I come home!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Through the Wilderness
"Thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee through the wilderness"
Deuteronomy 8:2
The importance and comfort of these words is even greater if we consider them in a spiritual sense. They are addressed to all who are passing through the wilderness of this world to a heavenly Canaan. These travelers, by faith in the promises and power of God, are seeking an eternal rest in that kingdom which cannot be shaken. The hope of that glorious inheritance inspires us with courage and zeal to move forward. When our eyes are fixed upon the Lord, we are more than conquerors over all that may stand in our path. But we are not there yet. We still feel the weakness and failings of our sinful nature. Because of our own ignorance and unbelief, we often fail to understand the Lord's dealings with us, and we are all too ready to complain. If we knew everything from God's perspective, we would rejoice. For us, however, there is a time coming when our spiritual warfare will be finished, our perspective enlarged, and our understanding increased. The we will look back upon the experiences through which the Lord led us and be overwhelmed by adoration and love for Him! We will then see and acknowledge that mercy and goodness directed every step. We shall see that what we once mistakenly called afflictions and misfortune were in reality blessings without which we could not have grown in faith. Nothing happened to us without a reason. No problem came upon us sooner, pressed on us more heavily, or continued longer than our situation required. God, in divine grace and wisdom, used our many afflictions, each as needed, that we might ultimately possess an exceeding and eternal weight of glory, prepared by the Lord for His people.
John Newton, from his autobiography Out of the Depths
Deuteronomy 8:2
The importance and comfort of these words is even greater if we consider them in a spiritual sense. They are addressed to all who are passing through the wilderness of this world to a heavenly Canaan. These travelers, by faith in the promises and power of God, are seeking an eternal rest in that kingdom which cannot be shaken. The hope of that glorious inheritance inspires us with courage and zeal to move forward. When our eyes are fixed upon the Lord, we are more than conquerors over all that may stand in our path. But we are not there yet. We still feel the weakness and failings of our sinful nature. Because of our own ignorance and unbelief, we often fail to understand the Lord's dealings with us, and we are all too ready to complain. If we knew everything from God's perspective, we would rejoice. For us, however, there is a time coming when our spiritual warfare will be finished, our perspective enlarged, and our understanding increased. The we will look back upon the experiences through which the Lord led us and be overwhelmed by adoration and love for Him! We will then see and acknowledge that mercy and goodness directed every step. We shall see that what we once mistakenly called afflictions and misfortune were in reality blessings without which we could not have grown in faith. Nothing happened to us without a reason. No problem came upon us sooner, pressed on us more heavily, or continued longer than our situation required. God, in divine grace and wisdom, used our many afflictions, each as needed, that we might ultimately possess an exceeding and eternal weight of glory, prepared by the Lord for His people.
John Newton, from his autobiography Out of the Depths
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Scenes from the Sunshine State
These pictures are from our recent family vacation in Panama City Beach, FL, where we have vacationed for 3 years with two other families. God blessed us with beautiful weather, sweet fellowship, and sun-kissed faces! I have an almost endless supply of pictures, but I will only post a few here so as not to overwhelm anyone who may read this.
Admiring my biscuits and gravy at Cracker Barrel!
My sweet brother :)
Sisters!
The heavens declaring the glory of God...breathtaking!
Our family
I love this little grove of palm trees!
Admiring my biscuits and gravy at Cracker Barrel!
My sweet brother :)
The back yard :-)
Sisters!
The heavens declaring the glory of God...breathtaking!
Our family
I love this little grove of palm trees!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Goodness and Severity
Yesterday (Friday, April 10) several severe storms ripped through Middle Tennessee and other parts of the south, causing a great amount of damage and even a few deaths. A tornado touched down in Murfreesboro, TN, leaving hundreds homeless, and claiming the lives of a mother and her 3 month old baby. For about a 2-3 hour period, my family and I watched a live weather report online, ready to take cover if necessary. In disbelief, I watched the radar screen, as the path of every storm cell missed Goodlettsville (where we live). It was like we were in a little pocket of safety. I am amazed at the "goodness and severity of God" (Romans 11:22). Just 44 miles southeast of us, people are homeless, devastated, grieving, reeling from the shock of it all. And all we experienced was heavy rain. It didn't even hail. My heart goes out to those who have lost everything. And my heart is full to the brim with gratitude and praise to my God, who is ever merciful. My prayer is that His glory would be seen, even in the midst of this devastation.
"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21
"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Why Good Friday is Good
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Romans 5:6-9
Romans 5:6-9
Friday, March 27, 2009
Save the Trees....Kill the Children
While shopping at Wal-Mart earlier today, I came upon a large display of t-shirts with pictures and slogans that were all about loving and saving Earth. One such shirt in particular was decorated with a forest of trees and read "Save Our Future". I became agitated, even a bit angry when I saw this shirt. Here's why. First, I want to make clear that I do believe that God has given the earth to man as a stewardship, and that we are to do what we can to take care of God's creation. However, it is mankind that was created in the image of God, not these other parts of creation. So, what about our own kind? What about the hundreds of thousands of unborn babies that are heedlessly slaughtered every year? Are they not the future that we should be giving our lives to save? If we continue killing off our babies, there will be no one left to save the trees! As Casting Crowns has so wisely put it in their song While You Were Sleeping, "We're sung to sleep by philosophies that save the trees and kill the children." America cares more about trees, which have no soul, than about these little ones that, from the moment of conception, have a soul that is immortal. This is why these "Save the Earth" t-shirts make me angry. Not because I think taking care of the earth is a waste of time. But because our priorities are so mixed up. In some parts of Florida, it is illegal to even accidentally hit an alligator with your car. But a woman can go and have her unborn baby murdered...and no one can stop her. The Pledge of Allegiance to our flag states that we are "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL". This is no longer true. There is not liberty and justice for all people. There is more justice for trees than for little baby boys and girls. I don't understand this philosophy at all, and I am quite certain that I never will. All I can do is pray that God will arise and send forth justice for the unborn and mercy for those who are killing them.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Wonderful Wedding
Congratulations, Tony and Mandy! May God richly bless your life together. I love you both!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Family Friendly Radio
I listen to quite a few different radio stations when I am driving in my car, three of which are Christian radio stations. One particular Christian station has as it's slogan "Safe for the Whole Family", and their morning show is labeled "Family Friendly". I think that can be a good thing, since much of today's radio is full of nothing but adult content. However, there is something about this "family friendly" station that, quite frankly, annoys me. This morning as I was listening, they played a song by Third Day, called "Call My Name". The song is written from Jesus' point of view, and in the song, He is saying, "When you feel like you're alone in your sadness...call My name and I'll be there." Great song, lyrically and musically. But when the song ended, one of the DJs said something like, "Isn't great to know that when life gets tough, we can just call out to Him, to the Man, and He hears us?" Indeed, this is a glorious truth, but... "the Man"?? This is the title they sometimes use for Jesus. This is not the only time I have heard something like this from this radio station. The rarely ever use the name Jesus or Christ. That is what annoys me so much. Why won't they just say the name of Jesus? Aren't they a Christian radio station? Is this not a free country...at least, for now? They remind their listeners over and over that they are "safe for the whole family", but they won't even speak the name of Christ on the air. Every time I am listening, they use words like 'He', 'Him', 'the Man', or 'the One'. So this morning after the DJ referred to Jesus as 'The Man', I said out loud to my radio, "Just say His name!!" I'm not saying that using these words is wrong or sinful. But it seems like they are afraid to say the name of Jesus on the air. Maybe I am totally misjudging them and blowing this thing way out of proportion...or am I?
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Pregnancy As Slavery...?
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com)
With his appointment of Dawn Johnsen, a former NARAL attorney, as the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Legal Counsel, pro-life advocates already know they are getting an abortion advocate in the position. But, Johnsen goes further and views pregnancy as slavery.
Johnsen is a professor at the Indiana University School of Law, but she is also a longtime abortion advocate and worked for one of the leading abortion advocacy groups.
Johnsen was the Legal Director for NARAL from 1988-1993.
In an article at National Review, Andrew McCarthy describes the importance of the Office of Legal Counsel.
"OLC, a critically important agency, is the administration’s lawyers’ lawyer," he says. "It authoritatively interprets the law for the attorney general and, in doing so, drives administration legal policy."
"OLC’s credibility is derived from its reputation for apolitical, academic discipline — its commitment to informing policymakers of what the law is, rather than what staffers believe the law should be. Johnsen is, for that reason, a poor fit: She is an ideologue, and an unabashed one," he explains.
McCarthy says that Johnsen's view of pregnancy as slavery wasn't just an off-the-cuff remark.
"It was her considered position in a 1989 brief filed in the Supreme Court," he explains, and the legal papers she filed concerned a Missouri law banning taxpayer funding of abortions.
In the papers, Johnsen said that any restriction that makes abortion less accessible is, in her view, tantamount to “involuntary servitude” because it “requires a woman to provide continuous physical service to the fetus in order to further the state’s asserted interest [in the life of the unborn].”
In effect, a woman “is constantly aware for nine months that her body is not her own: the state has conscripted her body for its own ends.” Such “forced pregnancy,” she contends, violates the Thirteenth Amendment, which prohibits slavery.
"The Court rejected this farcical theory, just as it has rejected other instantiations of Johnsen’s extremism," McCarthy explains in his National Review column.
"In reputable private law offices and U.S. attorney’s offices throughout the country, adult supervision would prevent such a lunatic analogy from finding its way into a letter to a lower-court judge, much less into a Supreme Court brief," he added. "Obama, however, is proposing that Johnsen be the adult supervision at Justice. He would fill a position calling for dispassionate rigor with a crusader for whom strident excess is habitual."
Johnsen goes further and she insisted in her legal papers that, without government-provided abortion counseling, a large number of women would be left without “proper information about contraception.” This, she claimed, would mean they “cannot be said to have a meaningful opportunity to avoid pregnancy.”
McCarthy responds: "The usual rejoinder to such reasoning is that nobody is forcing these women to have sex."
He also explains that, with Johnsen giving the president legal advice, she will surely tell him that any judicial pick -- from Supreme Court on down -- must adhere to a pro-abortion mantra.
"Moreover, as she declaimed in a 2006 op-ed opposing Samuel Alito’s confirmation, opposition to all restrictions on abortion — not just acceptance of Roe v. Wade — should be a litmus test for judicial nominees," McCarthy says.
Johnsen wrote: "The notion of legal restrictions as some kind of reasonable ‘compromise’ — perhaps to help make abortion ‘safe, legal, and rare proves nonsensical.”
Ultimately, McCarthy says he understands the attraction Johnsen has for Obama.
"Johnsen’s attraction for Obama is obvious. The principal target of her Webster brief was the settled principle that the Constitution’s recognition of various fundamental rights (and the judicial invention of such 'rights' as abortion) does not confer an entitlement to governmental aid to exercise those rights," he explains. "For Johnsen, this is anathema, the denial of 'economic justice' and thus of equal protection."
"In Dawn Johnsen’s dizzying jurisprudence, government has no business invading individual privacy and regulating abortion but is obliged to coerce taxpayers into underwriting abortions as a first step in what she unapologetically calls 'the progressive agenda' of 'universal health care,'" McCarthy adds.
With his appointment of Dawn Johnsen, a former NARAL attorney, as the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Legal Counsel, pro-life advocates already know they are getting an abortion advocate in the position. But, Johnsen goes further and views pregnancy as slavery.
Johnsen is a professor at the Indiana University School of Law, but she is also a longtime abortion advocate and worked for one of the leading abortion advocacy groups.
Johnsen was the Legal Director for NARAL from 1988-1993.
In an article at National Review, Andrew McCarthy describes the importance of the Office of Legal Counsel.
"OLC, a critically important agency, is the administration’s lawyers’ lawyer," he says. "It authoritatively interprets the law for the attorney general and, in doing so, drives administration legal policy."
"OLC’s credibility is derived from its reputation for apolitical, academic discipline — its commitment to informing policymakers of what the law is, rather than what staffers believe the law should be. Johnsen is, for that reason, a poor fit: She is an ideologue, and an unabashed one," he explains.
McCarthy says that Johnsen's view of pregnancy as slavery wasn't just an off-the-cuff remark.
"It was her considered position in a 1989 brief filed in the Supreme Court," he explains, and the legal papers she filed concerned a Missouri law banning taxpayer funding of abortions.
In the papers, Johnsen said that any restriction that makes abortion less accessible is, in her view, tantamount to “involuntary servitude” because it “requires a woman to provide continuous physical service to the fetus in order to further the state’s asserted interest [in the life of the unborn].”
In effect, a woman “is constantly aware for nine months that her body is not her own: the state has conscripted her body for its own ends.” Such “forced pregnancy,” she contends, violates the Thirteenth Amendment, which prohibits slavery.
"The Court rejected this farcical theory, just as it has rejected other instantiations of Johnsen’s extremism," McCarthy explains in his National Review column.
"In reputable private law offices and U.S. attorney’s offices throughout the country, adult supervision would prevent such a lunatic analogy from finding its way into a letter to a lower-court judge, much less into a Supreme Court brief," he added. "Obama, however, is proposing that Johnsen be the adult supervision at Justice. He would fill a position calling for dispassionate rigor with a crusader for whom strident excess is habitual."
Johnsen goes further and she insisted in her legal papers that, without government-provided abortion counseling, a large number of women would be left without “proper information about contraception.” This, she claimed, would mean they “cannot be said to have a meaningful opportunity to avoid pregnancy.”
McCarthy responds: "The usual rejoinder to such reasoning is that nobody is forcing these women to have sex."
He also explains that, with Johnsen giving the president legal advice, she will surely tell him that any judicial pick -- from Supreme Court on down -- must adhere to a pro-abortion mantra.
"Moreover, as she declaimed in a 2006 op-ed opposing Samuel Alito’s confirmation, opposition to all restrictions on abortion — not just acceptance of Roe v. Wade — should be a litmus test for judicial nominees," McCarthy says.
Johnsen wrote: "The notion of legal restrictions as some kind of reasonable ‘compromise’ — perhaps to help make abortion ‘safe, legal, and rare proves nonsensical.”
Ultimately, McCarthy says he understands the attraction Johnsen has for Obama.
"Johnsen’s attraction for Obama is obvious. The principal target of her Webster brief was the settled principle that the Constitution’s recognition of various fundamental rights (and the judicial invention of such 'rights' as abortion) does not confer an entitlement to governmental aid to exercise those rights," he explains. "For Johnsen, this is anathema, the denial of 'economic justice' and thus of equal protection."
"In Dawn Johnsen’s dizzying jurisprudence, government has no business invading individual privacy and regulating abortion but is obliged to coerce taxpayers into underwriting abortions as a first step in what she unapologetically calls 'the progressive agenda' of 'universal health care,'" McCarthy adds.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Snowflakes That Stay On My Nose and Eyelashes
Well, these snowflakes didn't really stay very long, but it was beautiful while it lasted!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Under Pro-Death Leadership
I have found that John Piper's blog expresses much of what I am feeling today.
Desiring God Blog
Being Pro-Life Christians Under a Pro-Choice President
Posted: 20 Jan 2009 01:08 AM CST
(Author: John Piper)
That is the title of a sermon I preached January 17, 1993, three days before Bill Clinton was inaugurated president. It is just as relevant—or more—today.
The text was 1 Peter 2:17, "Honor the king." I closed with eight ways to honor a pro-choice president. The seventh was this:
Desiring God Blog
Being Pro-Life Christians Under a Pro-Choice President
Posted: 20 Jan 2009 01:08 AM CST
(Author: John Piper)
That is the title of a sermon I preached January 17, 1993, three days before Bill Clinton was inaugurated president. It is just as relevant—or more—today.
The text was 1 Peter 2:17, "Honor the king." I closed with eight ways to honor a pro-choice president. The seventh was this:
- We will honor you by expecting from you straightforward answers to straightforward questions. We would not expect this from a con-man, but we do expect it from an honorable man.
For example,
- Are you willing to explain why a baby's right not to be killed is less important than a woman's right not to be pregnant?
- Or are you willing to explain why most cities have laws forbidding cruelty to animals, but you oppose laws forbidding cruelty to human fetuses? Are they not at least living animals?
- Or are you willing to explain why government is unwilling to take away the so-called right to abortion on demand even though it harms the unborn child; yet government is increasingly willing to take away the right to smoke, precisely because it harms innocent non-smokers, killing 3,000 non-smokers a year from cancer and as many as 40,000 non-smokers a year from other diseases?
- And if you say that everything hangs on whether the fetus is a human child, are you willing to go before national television in the oval office and defend your support for the "Freedom of Choice Act" by holding in your hand a 21 week old fetus and explaining why this little one does not have the fundamental, moral, and constitutional right to life? Are you willing to say to parents in this church who lost a child at that age and held him in their hands, this being in your hands is not and was not a child with any rights of its own under God or under law?
Perhaps you have good answers to each of these questions. We will honor you by expecting you to defend your position forthrightly in the public eye.
You have immense power as President of the United States. To wield it against the protection of the unborn without giving a public accounting in view of moral and scientific reality would be dishonorable. We will honor you by expecting better.
Friday, January 16, 2009
This is What America Voted For
Openly Homosexual Anglican Bishop to Kick Off Obama Inaugural Weekend
By Kathleen Gilbert
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 12, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com)
Following the row that erupted after pro-marriage and pro-life Saddleback pastor Rick Warren was picked to preside over the main inauguration event, Obama has selected the Episcopal Church's only openly homosexual bishop to give the main invocation at a Sunday event celebrating Obama's inauguration, to be held two days later.
New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, a central figure in the homosexual clergy controversy that has rocked the worldwide Anglican communion, will deliver his invocation on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
"I'm just overwhelmed and so humbled by this invitation," said Robinson, who entered into a legal civil union with his long-time partner Mark Andrews in June.
Joe Solmonese, president of the homosexual activist group the Human Rights Campaign, said Robinson's selection was "encouraging."
"Bishop Robinson models what prayer should be - spiritual reflection put into action for justice," he said.
Robinson said his prayer would focus on inclusiveness. "It will certainly be a message that everyone in the nation can identify with. And part of the prayer will be for President Obama but also I am going to include words of prayer for the nation and what I think we are called upon to do," he said.
Mr. Obama felt the ire of homosexual activists and social liberals on the whole last month after inviting Rick Warren to deliver the main invocation at the presidential inauguration on January 20. Warren is widely known for proclaiming Christian teaching on marriage and family, which has frequently earned him the brand "anti-gay."
Robinson and his associates denied that Obama picked the bishop to help soothe anger from gay lobbyists; rather, the pick reflects Obama's longtime friendship with the bishop.
Obama sought out Robinson on several occasions during the presidential race. During one such meeting, the two shared thoughts on being "first" of their kind.
Speaking of Obama, Robinson said in a Times interview last November: "The thing that I liked about him and what he said on this issue is that he and I would agree about the rightful place of religion vis-a-vis the secular state.
"That is to say, we don't impose our religious values on the secular state because God said so. Our faith informs our own values and then we take those values into the civil market place, the civil discourse, and then you argue for them based on the constitution."
I read this article on SermonAudio and was disgusted, to say the least. In case any of you were wondering, I am totally and absolutely against homosexuality in any way, shape, form, or fashion. Not because of personal preference, but because God in His Word (in both the Old and New Testaments) calls it a sin. Not only is this Episcopal bishop an open homosexual, but he is a bit mixed up on how and from where his faith and values should be argued from. He says that "you argue for them based on the constitution." What? Argue Christianity from the U.S. Constitution? No. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) This is the Christian standard--the inspired, infallible Word of God. Don't misunderstand me. I am for the Constitution because in it (if interpreted correctly) I am given the freedom to worship and love God and His Son in this country without restraint. But the Constitution is not sacred, nor infallible. Bishop Robinson also denies that President-elect Obama made this choice to appease gay activists after they threw a fit about his choice of Rick Warren to preside over the main inauguration event; the decision was made because Robinson and Obama are friends. Somehow, I just can't believe this is true. It seems to me that Obama has buckled under pressure; however, I openly admit that I might be wrong.
I know that God is sovereign even over who is elected President of this country, but I can't help but say, "Here you are, America. This is what you voted for." May God have continued mercy on this seemingly God-less nation and Presidential administration.
By Kathleen Gilbert
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 12, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com)
Following the row that erupted after pro-marriage and pro-life Saddleback pastor Rick Warren was picked to preside over the main inauguration event, Obama has selected the Episcopal Church's only openly homosexual bishop to give the main invocation at a Sunday event celebrating Obama's inauguration, to be held two days later.
New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, a central figure in the homosexual clergy controversy that has rocked the worldwide Anglican communion, will deliver his invocation on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
"I'm just overwhelmed and so humbled by this invitation," said Robinson, who entered into a legal civil union with his long-time partner Mark Andrews in June.
Joe Solmonese, president of the homosexual activist group the Human Rights Campaign, said Robinson's selection was "encouraging."
"Bishop Robinson models what prayer should be - spiritual reflection put into action for justice," he said.
Robinson said his prayer would focus on inclusiveness. "It will certainly be a message that everyone in the nation can identify with. And part of the prayer will be for President Obama but also I am going to include words of prayer for the nation and what I think we are called upon to do," he said.
Mr. Obama felt the ire of homosexual activists and social liberals on the whole last month after inviting Rick Warren to deliver the main invocation at the presidential inauguration on January 20. Warren is widely known for proclaiming Christian teaching on marriage and family, which has frequently earned him the brand "anti-gay."
Robinson and his associates denied that Obama picked the bishop to help soothe anger from gay lobbyists; rather, the pick reflects Obama's longtime friendship with the bishop.
Obama sought out Robinson on several occasions during the presidential race. During one such meeting, the two shared thoughts on being "first" of their kind.
Speaking of Obama, Robinson said in a Times interview last November: "The thing that I liked about him and what he said on this issue is that he and I would agree about the rightful place of religion vis-a-vis the secular state.
"That is to say, we don't impose our religious values on the secular state because God said so. Our faith informs our own values and then we take those values into the civil market place, the civil discourse, and then you argue for them based on the constitution."
I read this article on SermonAudio and was disgusted, to say the least. In case any of you were wondering, I am totally and absolutely against homosexuality in any way, shape, form, or fashion. Not because of personal preference, but because God in His Word (in both the Old and New Testaments) calls it a sin. Not only is this Episcopal bishop an open homosexual, but he is a bit mixed up on how and from where his faith and values should be argued from. He says that "you argue for them based on the constitution." What? Argue Christianity from the U.S. Constitution? No. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) This is the Christian standard--the inspired, infallible Word of God. Don't misunderstand me. I am for the Constitution because in it (if interpreted correctly) I am given the freedom to worship and love God and His Son in this country without restraint. But the Constitution is not sacred, nor infallible. Bishop Robinson also denies that President-elect Obama made this choice to appease gay activists after they threw a fit about his choice of Rick Warren to preside over the main inauguration event; the decision was made because Robinson and Obama are friends. Somehow, I just can't believe this is true. It seems to me that Obama has buckled under pressure; however, I openly admit that I might be wrong.
I know that God is sovereign even over who is elected President of this country, but I can't help but say, "Here you are, America. This is what you voted for." May God have continued mercy on this seemingly God-less nation and Presidential administration.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wit and Wisdom from Mr. Darcy
"A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment.""The power of doing anything with quickness is always prized much by the possessor, and often without any attention to the imperfection of the performance."
"Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast."
"I cannot be so easily reconciled to myself. The recollection of what I then said, of my conduct, my manners, my expressions during the whole of it, is now, and has been many months, inexpressibly painful to me. Your reproof, so well applied, I shall never forget: 'had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner.' Those were your words. You know not, you can scarcely conceive, how they have tortured me;— though it was some time, I confess, before I was reasonable enough to allow their justice."
"I cannot give you credit for any philosophy of the kind. Your retrospections must be so totally void of reproach, that the contentment arising from them is not of philosophy, but, what is much better, of innocence. But with me, it is not so. Painful recollections will intrude which cannot, which ought not, to be repelled. I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle. As a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit. Unfortunately an only son (for many years an only child), I was spoilt by my parents, who, though good themselves (my father, particularly, all that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of all the rest of the world; to wish at least to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own. Such I was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been but for you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! What do I not owe you! You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. By you, I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception. You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased."
Friday, January 9, 2009
The Holy Shores of Uncreated Light
In reading through Psalms in this new year, I read something a few days ago in Psalm 6 that has been on my mind ever since. In this particular psalm, David is pleading with God to deliver him from defeat in the face of his enemies. In verses 4-5 he says, "Return, O LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for your mercies' sake! For in death there is no remembrance of You; In the grave, who will give You thanks?" This verse strikes me. I think that David is asking for God to spare his life because he is a little uncertain of what will happen to him after death. David didn't have the privilege of the New Testament, which reveals the glory that awaits God's people when they die. I would love to have seen the look on David's face when he passed from this world to the next...as he stood and beheld the face of the living God...as his senses were inflamed with the glory of heaven. There is after all remembrance of God in the grave, because for God's people, the grave is not the end. It is only the beginning. I am so glad that this life in this world is not going to be the end for me. I am in a far country, traveling to another far country--the home where I was made to go. It is the same far country that Abraham, Moses, David, all the prophets and all the apostles have already reached by faith in Jesus Christ. By faith, I will reach heaven. And when I die, You can lay me anywhere,
But just remember this:
When you lay me down to die,
You lay me down to live.
(Lay Me Down by Andrew Peterson)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Mystery of Mercy
I love this amazing song by Andrew Peterson.
I am the woman at the well, I am the harlot
I am the scattered seed that fell among the path
I am the son who ran away
I am the bitter son who stayed
My God, my God,
Why hast Thou accepted me
You took my sin and wrapped my in
Your robe and Your ring
My God, my God
Why hast Thou accepted me
It's a mystery of mercy
And the song I sing
I am the angry men who came to stone the lover
I am the woman there ashamed before the crowd
I am the leper who gave thanks
I am the nine who never came
My God, my God,
Why hast Thou accepted me
You took my sin and wrapped my in
Your robe and Your ring
My God, my God
Why hast Thou accepted me
It's a mystery of mercy
And the song I sing
You are the bringer of the moon and all the seasons
You are the singer of the tune that calls the stars
My God, my God
Why hast thou accepted me
You took my sin and wrapped me in
Your robe and your ring
My God, my God
Why hast thou accepted me
When all my love was vinegar
To a thirsty king
My God, my God
Why hast thou accepted me
It’s a mystery of mercy
And the song I sing
I am the woman at the well, I am the harlot
I am the scattered seed that fell among the path
I am the son who ran away
I am the bitter son who stayed
My God, my God,
Why hast Thou accepted me
You took my sin and wrapped my in
Your robe and Your ring
My God, my God
Why hast Thou accepted me
It's a mystery of mercy
And the song I sing
I am the angry men who came to stone the lover
I am the woman there ashamed before the crowd
I am the leper who gave thanks
I am the nine who never came
My God, my God,
Why hast Thou accepted me
You took my sin and wrapped my in
Your robe and Your ring
My God, my God
Why hast Thou accepted me
It's a mystery of mercy
And the song I sing
You are the bringer of the moon and all the seasons
You are the singer of the tune that calls the stars
My God, my God
Why hast thou accepted me
You took my sin and wrapped me in
Your robe and your ring
My God, my God
Why hast thou accepted me
When all my love was vinegar
To a thirsty king
My God, my God
Why hast thou accepted me
It’s a mystery of mercy
And the song I sing
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