My Name Is I Am *

it pours.

But God is STILL God. He is Lord, He is the Creator of all things and He is in control. Praise and glory be to our God- and I pray that He will use us and this situation to show His glory.

-Patrick

An important life statement, plans for our future, Conor's future, and pretty much everything else. Sorry it is long, but if you ever read all of anything I write, THIS is the ONE to read all of. I can't use this computer to highlight, but for family and friends there are some VERY important things about our plans and Conor throughout.

What is ever enough?

Being a 'good person' is not enough. What even defines a good person? God makes it clear in the Bible that by breaking one law- any law, just one- we become 'criminals', we have sinned and the punishment is death- and eternal separation from God. Only perfection- that is, never committing a single sin- allows a person to 'earn their way' to Heaven, and Jesus Christ is the only man who ever lived that did not break God's law. We are all born inherently sinful- kids start breaking rules as soon as they are old enough to know what rules are, and it goes up from there. It is only by accepting Jesus' sacrifice for us and having the Holy Spirit- a part of God himself- come and dwell inside us (something that only rarely happened to certain people in the Old Testament, but now is available to ALL who believe after the Spirit came in book of Acts). Because of the Holy Spirit and the work that God is doing inside us, we now have the ability to change- to cease breaking God's law (God's law being made clear throughout the Old Testament, and complimented by new commandments in the new- the law of LOVE does NOT change the old law, only compliments it. Murder is still a sin, adultery (sex outside of marriage as well as breaking a marriage vow) is still a sin and still wrong and still hated (the sin, not the person) by God.)

Embracing the new, rejecting the old

Those who accept Jesus' death as a covering for their sins also turn away from their sin- they commit to make Jesus LORD of their life. That means that they will allow God and His law to guide their choices and actions, not their own will. It is like taking a blank page as a contract, signing the bottom, and handing it to God telling him "Okay, YOU are Lord- you fill it in, whatever you decide is fine". This is the kind of saving Faith Paul talks about, that all the New Testament writers exhort us to have. It is a Faith that bares FRUIT. Jesus said "You know the tree by the fruit it bares". Bad fruits are sins- sex outside of marriage, dishonouring parents, showing hate instead of love, gossip, lies, etc, etc. Good fruits are talked all about in the New Testament, the fruit of the Spirit- LOVE, JOY, FAITHFULNESS, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, TENDERNESS, GENTLENESS, and SELF CONTROL (not sure if I nailed em all, but close enough, may have gotten one off I think but you get the picture). This doesn't mean we are perfect- heck, it doesn't mean that, like David, we don't sometimes commit grevious sins. God DOES forgive. But if we never improve? If we know we are committing one of these sins, and we do not seek to prevent it happening in the future? If there is no sign of change in our lives that others can see- if we don't feel guilt over committing these sins we do know about and feel driven to grow beyond them... then are we saved? Works alone do not bring salvation- but works come as a byproduct of salvation. You can't be saved and not eventually start having works (works not just being good things, but a lack of sinful things as well).

Salvation is also the start of a relationship with God. I know my Mom loves me- she also will no matter what I do or where I go. But if I go off to the mission field, but never or rarely call her- will it not still deeply hurt her? Will it not hurt and degrade our relationship? What does it speak of my love for her, if I never communicate or show her my love? Part of salvation is a relationship with God- and choosing to love Him back, to relate to Him. If we don't talk to him constantly, share with Him as well as seek to hear back (reading His word in scripture, listening for His quiet voice when we stay silent in times of prayer) how can we claim a relationship with Him? How can we claim we even love Him at all if we never talk to Him?

IF you believe the Bible is true- that it is the Word of God and tells us about God and how to have a relationship with Him- then to say good works is enough, to say the above is not true... means you haven't read the Bible well enough. Otherwise, you have to say that you don't believe all of it- or find some way around the parts that say the above, which is making the Bible not GOD'S word but MAN'S word. That completely destroys the purpose of it.

A 'good person'- someone can be what we define as a 'good person' and still go straight to Hell, eternal and everlasting separation from God. Jesus makes it clear "I AM the WAY the TRUTH and the LIGHT, NO ONE gets to the Father but by me". Without a relationship with Him- without turning from our sin and OUR desires and seeking to put HIM first, we are still condemned to death for eternity. Likewise, those who have NEVER heard about Jesus- never had the chance to make the choice... because God reveals Himself in nature and wrote his law 'on our hearts', as Paul says in Romans. Listen to some of Romans 2

12 When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. 13 For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. 14 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 15 They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. 16 And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

Gentiles being at the time those who are not Jewish, but now we could even compare them with those who are not raised in a Christian or Jewish environment as well. Many in America have the CHANCE to hear this message, they get the CHOICE to reject it. But even more people around the world have NEVER HEARD A CLEAR presentation of this message that could save them forever.

Either here or there- Missions

(note- the below won't make sense without fully reading and understanding the above. This is part of why I went through the above in such detail)

Some say that Katrina and I should stay here, that it is more important to try to convince those who rejected this message to accept it- than to make sure others have a chance to hear it at all. God NEVER gives up- God will continue to work on those who have rejected His message, and likewise there are those here in the states who have never really heard the message (not accurately) but still due to their own reasons choose to reject it. God desires to reach out to them- but it is HIS responsibility. It is MY job to follow His will in my life- to reach out to those around me- but it is not on my shoulders to save the world, or feel guilty because while I try to save someone in South America someone in America dies without knowing Christ. If I share Christ, to the best of my ability, and it is rejected completely- I am not held to blame, because it is NOT ME WHO SAVES, it is GOD and the Holy Spirit that causes people to feel shame and guilt for their sins and turn to God. A Christian who tries to do this job FOR God is the Christian that most athiests cite as representing ALL Christians- a pushy, self righteous person who judges others and tries to get them to feel guilty beyond simply sharing the truth of God's word and allowing it to convict the person.

God tells me in His Word that my responsibility is to share with others- if I meet someone who does not know the message of Jesus, and I pass up the chance to share it, God will hold me accountable when I die for not sharing. I'm forgiven, yes, but I will still be responsible. However, as Paul says, if I share it and yet they refuse to listen- I have honoured God, and I have loved that person... I cannot force them to change their mind, because we all have Free Will. Free will to choose to be with Jesus and obey God's law, free will to reject it and spend our eternity paying the price.

The Great Commission in Acts 1 sets the tone for all of Acts- the message of the early Church.

6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

This tells us the message for the Church, for all of us who believe in Jesus: "Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to EVERY NATION" (another direct quote from scripture, though I forget the reference details). We are to start with our own culture and home, then with other cultures near us, then other countries, and then all over the world. Each Christian is to have a part in sharing Christ around the world- whether it be supporting those who do it with prayer or finances, or *giving our own sons and daughters up to do this work*. It isn't a request- it is Jesus last, most powerful command in His resurrected form as he ascends. The Holy Spirit is given to us to enable us to do this.

A Christian who doesn't share what Jesus did for them and can do for others- who doesn't share the message that Jesus died for us and is the ONLY way to a right relationship and eternity with God- isn't living like a Christian. The Bible said it, not me. If it weren't for missions, the Church never would have reached the gentiles- and Christianity would have died out where it started.

America is NOT the majority of the world's population. There are MORE people who haven't heard outside America than inside it. There are churches in thousands upon thousands of cities, and in most cities you can find churches all around of all denominations. People in Taiwan, China, and Japan cannot understand the concept of denominations- how we not only have churches here, but ten different kinds that teach the Bible in ten different ways. They're lucky if they can find ONE Bible-believing church nearby.

Based on reading Acts clearly, on reading the message on missions in all of the New Testament, the message is clear. Even those Christians who are "willing to go to share Christ in foreign missions, but planning to stay unless God tells them to go" are not holding to what the Bible says. As a believer, I should be PLANNING to go- packing my bags, making preparations, and getting things ready to share Jesus with other countries... and stay ONLY if God makes clear that isn't what he plans.

There are millions of people in the USA who claim to be Christian and know the message. So why are people so desperate to see someone who is not only obeying the command to spread the gospel to other nations, but clearly called by God and passioante about it... why are people so desperate to see them stay and do the work that those who are already staying here anyone aren't doing? Because of Christians who are not choosing to share the message of Jesus where they are- who aren't choosing to live a life in obedience to Jesus Christ and share that with others.

ALL people on Earth are loved by God, ALL of them deserve to hear about what He has done for them- He wants them ALL to be with Him and to hear about Him. Americans don't get preference- whites don't get preference- blacks don't get preference- it doesn't matter your race, your heritage, or country... YOU deserve the chance to accept God's free gift of eternal life with Him as much as anyone else. BUT, if you hear it and choose to mock it, to be angry by it, to say "how DARE you tell me I live a life of sin and NEED to change?" Well, you CAN do that. But to do that, and then ask me not to give others the chance I gave you? Or to accept Christ, because of someone telling you, but ask others not to try to give people who may never have that chance... THE chance you got? Is that not selfishness?

I do not claim I have some great thing I can give that nobody else can't. No- I am valuable because God gave me all the gifts I have, and He made the sacrifice of His son. What I have of value that MUST be shared is the truth about this gift- you, having read this, now have that truth too and can choose to listen or not. You can choose to take it and share it or not. You can choose to take the message to every nation, or not. You can choose to start taking it to the friends and neighbours around you, or not. You can choose to accept Jesus and follow him- being obedient to God- or not. You have that choice, I have that choice- and I have made the choice that despite my frailties, despite my lack of experience, despite my selfishness, despite my mistakes, despite my lack of finances, despite it all I am still going to obey Christ and carry out the great commission He gave to me, and to my Wife, and to my family.

Parent and Child

(again, the above is all necessary to understand what is said here)

And my parents have carried this commission out too. Why? Because by giving us up, even though it hurts at times, to serve God elsewhere- by encouraging us, by praying for us, by making us an offering to the God they love- they, too, have obeyed the commission Jesus gave to us and will be blessed for it. I pray that one day soon, my son Conor will understand what Jesus did for Him and choose to follow Him. I pray that one day a little later, He will also be sent out into the world to share Jesus- that, too, will be a sacrifice on our part to God, to let our baby go one day as a man to leave us, and to serve God in bringing Jesus to others who haven't heard. I hold my baby one year old boy in my arms- I look at Him- and I can honestly say I would rather know that one day, maybe in his thirties, he will die as a martyr for Jesus Christ telling someone in another country about Jesus... than live to be 80 years old, bitter and hardened towards God. Or even to live to be 80 with a family, in a relationship with God, but never having reached his full potential- never having really lived the kind of powerful life God wanted him to.

As Conor's parents, this is our decision to make- until he is old enough to live on his own, then our job is to raise Him up in the Lord and trust God to protect him. I believe Conor will be far safer with us doing the Lord's will in another country- than with us disobeying God here in ours. In a world where looking away from your child for a minute could mean him drowning in a pool, getting run over by a car- it is faith in God's protection and will that brings security, and God is just as capable of protecting us and our son in the middle of a swamp in Africa as He is in the middle of New York city, in the suburbs of South Carolina, or anywhere else a person might consider 'safe'.

By making these choices I can honestly say I am no more foolhardy than Paul who went throughout the provinces of Rome, than Peter or any of the disciples of Jesus or early apostles. I am no more foolhardy to give up my life to God's plan than the one who gave up His life for me.

I gently, lovingly, but honestly say- if you do not believe the message that we intend to share as I stated above, then how can you counsel us accurately in how to share it? It is like me telling a buddhist (sp) about Jesus, and how his faith is not enough to get him to heaven... and then telling him "Well, if you're going to do that anyway, here's the right way to say your chants."

We love our family DEARLY. We intend to do our best to keep them a part of our lives, and a part of our son Conor's life- and any future children we have. We hope they will join us by praying for us- by supporting and encouraging us as we seek to share Jesus Christ around the world. We have made our choice to answer His call- and it grieves my spirit that some find this a cause for anger rather than joy, a cause for arguments rather than support. Perhaps, at the least, having share what I have now shared I can at least know that our purpose and our reasoning is fully understood.

Peace, love, joy, comfort, and all of the love of Jesus our Christ to you all,

Patrick

Snow Delay

Oh the weather outside is frightful

but the fire is so delightful

And since there is so much snow

We can't go, we can't go, we can't go



The ice makes the runway slippery

And the planes can't get a grippy

So when the cold mornings come

They won't run, they won't run, they won't run







The flights they are all quite full

We can't get one soon I'm afraid

So the earliest we can pull

Is to get on a flight this Thursday!

So we're getting ourselves quite cozy
I like playin' in the snow, see?
And if we loose this make-up flight
I might stab myself with this ice

Different families seem to have their own unique cultures, did you know that? Part of it might be that they are from a different region (the US has a multitude of cultures), that their parents come from multiple regions, it could be religion, it could be racial heritage, it could be economic background, etc. just to name a few general and broad reasons.

Well, I've already found one cultural difference in both side of my Wife's family. It's a very small thing, but it stands out as unusual to me. In her Dad's side, I might say something intended as a joke- but unless it is REALLY funny (like, slap your knee roll on the ground funny- which I don't say very often, sadly) they won't even crack a smile. The result was to slowly erode my attempts at light-heartedness and make situations a little awkward.

However, with both families, there is this unique system that seems to apply to me, as a family member. With the friends and people we know where I live, but even within my family growing up until now, if you make a comment to someone- however silly, stupid, brainless, etc that it may be... even just a little one half made to yourself... it is acknowledged. A look and often a smile, and usually a reply. This is so much of a big part of our 'family culture' (and even the culture around us- such that I thought it was not just a family thing until lately) that if Mom makes a comment, like "The mail sure did come in late today" and I don't show some kind of response (like smiling, or saying "Yeah, I know what you mean" or "Hmmm, I didn't notice", or even shrugging) she would assume I was upset, bothered, or in a bad mood. She might repeat it to see if I heard her, or make another comment, or ask how I was or if she said something wrong.

I noticed quickly in Katrina's Dad's side of the family that this was NOT the case. My comments often went ignored. I thought at first this might be a bad sign- maybe they hated my guts? But Kat said this is just how they were. Now I'm with her Mom's side of the family, and I've noticed the same thing. Her Mom has hawk-like hearing- I'm serious, she could hear a pin drop across the house- but I've noticed lately I make comments or say things and a lot of the time responding seems optional. At first I was worried this was a bad sign, as well- but I'm beginning to learn that this must be a family cultural trait in both sides of her family. In my family, if my comment was not responded to once- that might be a mistake, especially if they didn't hear. If they did hear, and it happened two or three times? It's time to address the issue because the person IS mad or upset for SURE. If it happens more than that, even over a week, then that means trouble- and none of my immediate family would let that go without resolving it.

It's funny, because I notice that comments I make to be heard aren't always responded to- and sometimes I make them specifically for Katrina, and they are responded to by someone else. LOL!

Anyway, I've learned this is a cultural family trait now so unless I see any other signs I believe it is appropriate to assume it isn't anger or negative emotions... just how they are.

Intercultural and Familial Studies

This is where my training in intercultural studies helps me not just with other world cultures, but other family cultures. I learned quickly that it is important to separate cultural responses and actions from what we are used to. Interpreting words and actions of someone else through our own cultural perspective when they might have a different one will ALWAYS result in miscommunication- so asking clarifying questions and repeating what you thought they said really helps. "So, you feel *****" (repeating what you felt they said, to allow them to correct it if you misunderstood) and "When you said ****, were you joking? Did you mean that you felt ****?"

I think on the holidays when many of us are visiting family it is VERY important to think about communication and family culture. Remember that the whole point of communication is finding out what the other person actually intended to say, regardless of how you took it. Don't let your emotions take control. Yeah, maybe cousin Robby annoys the crap out of you when he keeps grinning and making stupid jokes- but he is not INTENDING to annoy you, is he? He is trying to show a form of love- he is trying to make you laugh, to make you happy, and to as a result get closer to you. Focus on the intention- and honestly communicating. If his jokes offend you, and you know that is not the intention, communicate it and find a way to redirect. "Hey Rob, you know some of those jokes kind of rub me wrong- but I'd love to share a few ones with you that I really like." or focus on encouraging the jokes you do like. Or try something else- find out about Rob's interests and focus on talking about those things and avoid the jokes.

If Aunt Agnus always responds to you with a tone that seems stern, maybe try to talk to her more and ask sometime in the appropriate place (not a crowd) "Hey, when we talk you sometimes seem a little stern. Do I do something that upsets you? How can I help fix it- I'd really like you to enjoy my company more." Yes, it sounds basic- and yes, some people dislike being so direct and you don't always get honest answers. But you're at least doing your part, and a LOT of times it DOES work. Maybe Aunt Agnus relaly does dislike you- and maybe she'd give you an earful, or maybe she'd lie and say "Oh, nothings wrong" then go back to being annoyed. But maybe she'd really appreciate your feelings- and share that you were mistaken... or maybe you weren't, but she'd actually start to be nicer.

Being Understood

I feel that I'm a sensitive, caring person much of the time. I really like to see others happy and to do things that please them. I draw some lines and I don't let myself be pushed around, but I want to try to compromise when possible. Most of the things I do that seem uncaring or lazy are things that I'm not even aware I am doing- if someone brings it up or clarifies, I almost always try to correct the situation. When I don't, I at least explain why I am doing what I am doing. I really like being understood, and trying to understand others so that this balance can be obtained. The point of saying something is to communicate- and so I want that to come across as intended, and likewise understand. I think most of us don't just talk for the sake of it. We all want to be understood- we all want to understand others, most of the time. So I encourage you to observe a lot, genuinely listen, repeat what you don't understand, and ask clarifying questions this holiday season to make sure the message gets through and encourage a more enjoyable time!

-Patrick

PS-  We are having a LOT of snow here! Snow snow snow, several feet already. NM Mom is sure the power will go out, it is just a matter of when. So I'm off to get a WARM shower quick. If I don't say anything in the near future, you know why! Fortunately, Mom uses her wood burning stove to heat the whole house and has the entire time- so we'll be fine without electricity for heat. We can even COOK on the stove! Woo woo.

Bow down, down down

Before the power of Santa, or be crushed, be crushed

Byyyyy... his jolly boots of doom!

Yes, 'twas the night before Christmas... and invader Zim decided that Santa was a great way to take over the world. I've been watching some digital cable lately, since we have it even in our bedroom here, and it has been... interesting. Firstly, I have noted that a lot of cartoons have attuned themselves to appeal in humour and such to the adults/parents- yet, trying to remain "child appropriate" their subject matter has not completely matured so they still are not close to Japanese anime. However, it is rather amusing. Most cartoons have, like our culture, become more cynical, sarcastic, and attempt to point out human stupidity through the stupidity of some of the characters they portray as well as just being hilarious at times. However, they are rather dark and creepy as well for my taste- some, at least.

One plus is that Nicktoons has started producing their own AMERICAN "anime"- that is, Japanese drawing style (similar drawing, similar ways of showing characters in humour, even similar plot styles) produced by American animators. It's about time! The result isn't half bad- because you have some neat plots, but done "American style". That makes a HUGE difference, for those not familiar with it. Japanese anime is great, but there is a style to their plots that is distinctive- some would consider it a little too serious/mature for the age group the Japanese intend them for, and most anime never sums the plot up too much and often has some pretty emotional/dark points to it. However, nicktoons does "anime style" with an American plot- so it is rather interesting, I hope to maybe rent the result sometime if they make it available.

As appealing as some of the channels may be, I still know this- I will NEVER plan in the near future to get digital cable... or cable TV. I use cable for internet, period. It's just too... controlling. I feel like it sucks my time away and makes me try to alter my schedule to fit theirs. I hope the future of TV will be the internet- that is, the ability to pick what you want to watch WHEN you want, and then they just fill in the comercials if they so choose.

NM Mom has some deeeelicious food stored in the fridge from the family gathering some days back, and I am desperately trying to keep up with it all. So much great food, so little time. I also watched some Food Network today with Kat and have a few great recipes that I am eying and hoping to replicate when we get home: red wine spaghetti, hand-made pizza and calzones, chocolate tiramisu... lots of fun ideas.

I hope you don't forget that it is not XMAS, it's not the "holidays"- it is CHRISTmas!

-Patrick

December twenty fifth, a day that will live in infamy...

Erm, not quite right. Let me try again.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

No no, way too cheesy and trite. Sounds like something from the blog of a 30-something Mom (sorry, all you 30-something Mom's out there, but even though I'm a full time caregiver I must retain SOME masculinity).

The sun is creeping down, down, slowly darkening the snow on this rare white Christmas...

Hmmm, more like one of those Christmas horror stories that seem to be popular. Also sounds like the opening to a particularly long novel. I don't want to give my fingers any ideas.

Okay, it's Christmas. We're in Alb, New Mexico with my NM Mom (Kat's Mom) and our one year old boy Conor. I have plenty of pictures to share, but I think I should wait until I arrive home to post them. My SisIL Kayla was here the past two days for the weekend and left today. Can you imagine, leaving Christmas day? Sad, but it skips all the rush. She didn't miss out on present opening. They have- what to me is an unusual tradition- of Christmas gift opening.

What's your Christmas tradition, anyway? I can always hope to at least get one respond- I have good samaritan readers out there like Christina (!!!!) who actually noticed I hadn't updated in a week or so. Nice to know I'm wuvved.

Apparently in both Kat's paternal and maternal sides of the family, their tradition is to gather around the tree on Christmas Eve and open all of their presents! To me, that is almost sacreligious. We would always gather on Christmas Eve, eat milk and cookies, have family time, and open either ONE Christmas gift- or sometimes just our stockings, which Mom always packed chock full of so many things you wouldn't think could even fit in a stocking. Then, on Christmas day, we'd open all the presents. It was a special time and usually just our immediate family, sometimes a rare guest, would be there.

Oh, to note- a week ago, Conor started SINGING!

Yep, that's right, Katrina was singing to him on the floor and he started going "aaaaah... aaaaah... eeeehhh" along. Not in tune at all, but you could tell he was purposely doing his noises when she was singing. I got to do it with him the next day, too. He doesn't do it all the time, just sometimes.

A White Christmas

No more dreaming of it! I had my first white Christmas ever today, on Christmas day. I hope it still counts if it was snowy when we arraived here. It was such a sight to go driving and see the New Mexico deserts and mesas covered with white snow. Apparently, it snows here but it rarely sticks like this.

Sadly, Conor has not been let out in the snow yet- I hope to get him out there tomorrow, before it melts. Fussy Mommy and Linda (NM Mom) don't want to get him cold. Pooooor baby, he can bash his head on the floor and laugh but he'll die if he gets a chill.

I've enjoyed the trip thus far. I've sensed a distinct inclination in the family to avoid topics involved other cultures, other countries, travelling overseas, anything at all related to missions. Linda's good friend JR, who travelled with us, seemed kind of interested in my trip to Taiwan years back but I think he began to sense the tension it brought up. Hey, it's not unusual- it's so common that we had several entire class periods dedicated to the topic in my missions program at CIU... how to handle family matters when going to the field, frustrations over grandchildren being taken to the field, etc. Since I wrote a letter regarding it a year or so ago, Linda has been very respectful of the life decision we have made to go to the mission field- and that is all I can ask, even my parents find the idea of Conor being overseas sad although they strongly support us going to the field.

I think some relatives just hope we'll get distracted and forget it. While family life is good right now, I think I've felt some side-effects of letting 'life' side-track us from our goal. The mission field is STILL top priority- in fact, it is the next big step in our lives. We just have to get into ministry in our Church and get their guidance in getting there. Our family is slowly beginning to stabalise as a new unit now.

Gifts

Conor has enough new gifts to last him the year. I was surprised to get an absolutely wonderful gift from Katrina's Aunt: a very nice electric shaver. I'm excited to try it out for the usual month it takes to get 'adjusted' to my skin, and I am hoping for good results if I do it daily. I'll admit, with a baby and being depressed it has been hard to get shaved regularly at all, much less daily. I gave her a big hug, and she said "Hey, you're part of the family now". And what a BIG family too- we had at least 30 people packed into an area no bigger than a portion of our prefab house. Kids, toddlers, adults, elders, you name it we had it- eating, laughing, watching TV, wrestling, etc.

Katrina got me some very nice beef jerky, and NM Mom got Katrina a lovely hand video-cam (one of those ones that look like a sideways little camera, and the screen folds out from the side, you point it and do video and also take still shots at moderate quality). She even got a 2 gig memory card- heck, I'm going to have to get a new memory card myself. I'm jealous, I hope she'll let me borrow it.

We'll be flying back in New Years day- one week from now until then. I hope for things to go smoothly! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

-Patrick

Send a Soldier a CHRISTmas Card

I was forwarded a note telling me about this site, letssaythanks.com. It is a wonderful but rare occasion when you get- by means of a network of friends- a truly benevolent and way to love someone else! You can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it- sending it to a soldier currently in Iraq. You cannot pick out who gets it- it goes to someone at random, but be assured they need it! To those Americans who read this- we can all be a part of showing love to those serving the United States. With the way politics are going lately, I believe the attacks on the reasons for the war also are attacks on the moral of the people out there- they are seperated from friends, family, their lives, living through hardships and being reminded by the news that many people don't think it matters. Show them that their sacrifices matter to YOU!

-Patrick

Are Christians too tolerant?

The Passion of the Christ came out a time ago- a fairly accurate portayal of the end of Jesus' life, with a Biblically accurate representation of the Jewish leaders of the time as well as the people and their initial support of Jesus which changed to a cry for his death. The response to this movie were loud cries in the US and abroad by the Jewish community that this movie was anti-semetic, cries still repeated today years later. A comment is made about Islam- an accurate one, regarding its history- and Muslims around the world begin to uprise in anger. Even now, the slightest comment to put Islam in a negative light is not tolerated by the community. And guess what?

The media listens- it's politically incorrect to pursue those topics.

Last Easter there was a slew of articles about "Did Jesus really come back to life?" and "Was Jesus really more than a man?" and of course the Di Vinci code thing questioning, and implying that Jesus perhaps even got married and had children!! I picked up the mail today to see my Wife's subscription to US News and World Report had this article- "Was Jesus more of a teacher than a saviour?" with the subtitle "New evidence questions..." etc, etc. Basically- yet another article where scholars pick at the divinity of Jesus and the inspiration of the Bible.

Are there rallies in the streets outside US News and World report, or any other magazine that does this? I've never heard of them- and if there were, imagine the HUGE bad publicity it would get. It's tolerated when Islams, Jews, and many other religions stand up when their beliefs are even slighted 'questioned'. Yet when Jesus is questioned regularly, there is little general toleration for Christians standing up against it. The ONLY time I've seen this happen with the media/TV and work was when a TV show came out last year about a preacher who 'saw Jesus' and had a gay son, a child in sexual sin, worked alongside a mafia Priest... well, let's say it was out there, and the show was taken off the air due to protest. Finally! Well done, now let's do it more!

Support Christian movies of excellent quality like "The Nativity Story" and, for those who are mature enough for the realistic violence, "The Passion of the Christ". The End of the Spear is another incredible Christian movie- I've had the privilege of meeting both Steve Saint (the son of Nate, the man killed in the story) as well as the tribal man who was one of those who killed Nate Saint and his group. It's an incredible story- and the movie is wonderfully done.

Don't take it lying down

...when people question and criticise our beliefs. Now that is not to say be 'intollerant'- but that means when media puts out articles questioning it, write in! Tell them your dislike- and, put your money where your mouth is! Tell them that you will (or are) drop your subscription to their magazine and ask those in your church to do the same- or stop watching their show, etc.

What if that same magazine put out a cover story during the Muslim's 'holy days' entitled "Was the founder of Islam really a prophet? Questioning history vs religion". Honestly, what do you think would happen?? It would be come the next day's top story on the news about how huge rallies are occuring infront of the buildings. Muslim countries would be up in arms, perhaps even threatening war- and the magazine, most likely, would issue an apology to the Muslim community. Actually, they wouldn't, because such an article would never make it to the cover. That does not justify the Muslim extremists- but even the moderates would peacefully but LOUDLY make their protest known.

Is it 'admirable' that most Christians don't do the same? Or are we perhaps too tolerant of people questioning the foundation of our beliefs- and by doing so, shaming the name of Christ, questioning the truth of what happened, and doing so on the cover of magazines and top news stories regularly? Why do they do that, instead of articles like "The Truth and Historicity of the Bible"? Because it's tolerated.

-Patrick