Watching the Iowa legislature via livestream

Tonight was a first for me. I watched the Iowa Senate debate and vote on legislation via livestream. It was pretty interesting. (Turns out you can watch the legislature live anytime they're in session via their website - https://www.legis.iowa.gov)

They passed SF2281 (AKA "the Heartbeat Bill") that would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Since the human heart starts beating 21-22 days after conception, this would effectively ban most Iowa abortions. The law would charge any physician performing an abortion* after fetal heartbeat is detected with a felony. (*There is an exception for physical medical emergencies in the current bill.) 

The bill passed with a 30-20 vote. I know there are many more hurdles to overcome before this piece of legislation could/would become Iowa law, but tonight's victory is a big step forward.

Especially interesting is the fact that I watched part of the debate via a Planned Parenthood facebook livestream. So everyone's reactions and comments were opposite mine. I so hope the women who were booing this bill experience a change of heart and mind. Many of them have likely experienced an abortion (or several) first hand and may be hurting from that experience. Let's pray for them to experience a change of heart and mind on the issue of abortion. Let's pray their eyes are opened to the truth, and that they begin to advocate for the rights of ALL women, including the unborn.

Washington, DC this summer

It's official: I'm going to Washington, DC this summer for the National Right to Life's Summer Academy! The program kicks off Thursday, June 27 in Dallas, Texas at the National Right to Life Convention. Then our class will fly together to DC for five weeks of coursework and practicum. We'll be staying at a local university. (I can't remember if it's George Mason or George Washington University.) I also received one of the Blessed John Paul II Life and Leadership scholarships, and it covers half of ($1,800) the program tuition. Woohoo!

Who You Are

JJ Heller's new song "Who You Are"
I love the truth - "Sometimes I don't know what You're doing, but I know who You are."

This reminds me of a song I used to sing as a teenager called "Trust His Heart."
God is too wise to be mistaken. 
God is too good to be unkind. 
So when you don't understand, 
When you don't see His plan, 
When you can't trace His hand, 
Trust His heart. 

We often (always?) ask "Why?" when faced with difficulty, loss, pain, and chaos - myself included. I love that I have a Father God that I can trust. I do trust His heart. In those moments when I'm sick of this broken world, I can remember who He is.

The Bible Mini-Series: Genesis - The Red Sea

Some friends and I got together Sunday night to watch The Bible mini-series on the History channel. I love watching stuff like this because it usually makes me dig in deeper to the Bible to see what parts are true, to discover things I might have missed, and to determine which pieces are simply speculation.

Overall, I thought The Bible (parts 1 & 2) were well done.

Our journey begins on Noah's ark during the rain storm (emphasis on storm) with Noah telling some of his family the story of creation, how evil entered the world, and how God was now cleansing the world and starting over with humanity.

It was really interesting to see what story lines the directors/producers chose to highlight and which they skimmed over. They paid special attention to Abraham and Lot's relationship (including Abraham's rescue of Lot when he was captured, which I didn't even remember ever reading) and to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

They failed to cover Joseph and his brothers, which I think it important as it sets up the 12 tribes of Israel and explains how the Israelites ended up living in Egypt.

They also didn't get into Moses' argument/questioning with God when told to return to Egypt. The show portrayed the conversation as more of a "Go, do this" and "Okay, God" than the truth of the matter that Moses didn't want to go and certainly didn't want to speak. They didn't show how God raised up Aaron to be Moses' partner in speaking to Pharaoh.

Several parts made me rethink the timeline of the events: Was that person really so old when this happened? How much time past between these two events? etc.

I've been digging back in Genesis this week and searching the Scriptures. I like how media portray God's Word in a new way and spur interest. I hope the series will spur many other people to read His Word, too.

on driving directions & destination

I like to pride myself on being able to navigate places. Since arriving in D.C., I've gotten turned around almost every time I've gotten in my rental car.

Influencing factors: I'm not familiar with the area. I don't have an actual map (until now - just bought a downtown one). I have no visual map in my mind of where I'm going, and that's a biggie for me because I'm a very visual person.

Then, of course, there's also the issue of clarifying your destination. This morning, the directions seemed simple. I wrote them out and had on my phone. But things didn't seem quite right. I didn't turn off at the Metro sign (where I was headed) because my directions didn't say to. I passed the Metro station twice on the highway before taking control. I realized that my directions (and the annoying GPS lady I turned to for help) were confused. They thought I just wanted to SEE the train station, when what I really wanted was to reach the parking lot and GET ON the train.

Clarifying the destination really is key - in finding the Metro station and in life.

Washington, D.C.

Today was the first day of my new adventure.

I worked as an improptu chaperone/escort helper for a recent refugee from Myanmar/Burma who had just arrived in the country and was flying to live in texas with his brother and brother's wife.

I enjoyed meeting "L" on my first flight. I ended up talking with her about a loved one who'd chosen abortion and now wasn't the same. I was able to point her to a couple good resources, and I got her email to follow up.

I rented a car for the first time in my life.

I met my host family and they are great.

Father God, Thank you for such a beautiful day.

martyr stories for kids

I just discovered that Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) has produced a line of 9 kids videos that features the stories of Christ followers who've been persecuted (and many, maybe all killed) for their faith.

The series includes (and I don't know all these people):

• Perpetua
• Richard Wurmbrand
• Eric Liddell
• Jim Elliot
• Gladys Aylward
• William Tyndale
• John Bunyan
• William Booth
• Amy Carmichael

Sounds awesome. I'd really like to check these out!

a Titus 1 man

In reading Titus this morning, I started thinking that Titus 1:6-9 is like the Proverbs 31 for men. I very much hope to marry a Titus 1 man.

Paul here is describing the qualities necessary for elders in the church. In the NLT, here's what we're looking for:

• well thought of for his good life
• faithful to his wife (I heard a message on this once being actually translated as a "one-woman man")
• children must be believers who are not wild or rebellious (this is definitely the hardest one, as its really beyond your control how your children choose to live after they are grown)
• live a blameless life
• not arrogant
• not quick-tempered
• not a heavy drinker
• not violent
• not greedy for money
• must enjoy having guests in his home
• must love all that is good
• must live wisely and be fair
• live a devout and disciplined life
• strong and steadfast belief in the trustworthy message he was taught
• able to encourage others with right teaching
• able to show those who oppose right teaching where they are wrong

This is good stuff. And just because I like examining different translations, I'm digging back into my well-worn NIV Bible. Here's the criteria via NIV:

• blameless
• husband of but one wife
• a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient
• blameless (again. yes, it mentions it twice)
• not overbearing
• not quick-tempered
• not given to drunkenness
• not violent
• not pursuing dishonest gain
• hospitable
• love what is good
• self-controlled
• upright
• holy
• disciplined
• holds firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can (1) encourage others by sound doctrine and (2) refute those who oppose it

Love it. Great stuff.

robust & dangerous levels

"We work to see young adults awakened to robust, dangerous and compelling levels of biblical discipleship, equipping them to live counter-cultural lives."

Read this description of an organization called Uber. Don't know much about it, but I loved this line. What a great way to describe the discipleship we really want to see?

Robust
Dangerous 
Compelling

Love it.

what am I stirring up?

I'm very familiar with the verse in Song of Solomon warning not to arouse love until it desires. Then tonight I came across 2 Timothy 1:6 with that same idea of stirring up. So I'm looking at the two passages side by side. And I'm reading from the Amplified Bible tonight.

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you never [again attempt to] stir up or awaken love until it pleases. - Song of Solomon 8:4

That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination]. -2 Timothy 1:6

Makes me think about what I'm stirring up in my life. Am I fanning into flame the gifts God has given me? And how can I do a better job of that?

content and yet desiring?

Is it truly possible to be so completely content that you have no desires? I'm not so sure.

The apostle Paul talked of how he'd been through seasons of much and seasons of little. He had learned to be content in all circumstances.

As a single girl, I've often been instructed to seek contentment. I shouldn't focus on what I don't have, but be content with what I do have. And often these instructions are pointed on the issue of marrige.

I would like to be married someday (sooner rather than later, preferably) to a great godly man. I desire a partner for this life.

I've been told numerous times (though not as if it's a formula, but rather a life principle) that I must find my contentment in God. Then the man will come.

I feel like I'm pretty content. I don't know that there's a perfect contentment that any of us couldn't truly attain. But for the most part, having a husband does not consume the majority of my thoughts, behaviors, actions, dreams. I'm actively pursuing Christ, serving Him, studying His Word. But at this point, I'm still single and I do still desire a husband.

I'm thinking that only time we'll experience 100% no-desires-left contentment is when we're in eternity with our God. Is this true?

Hegai: first fashion stylist in the Bible

I'm not sure if Hegai was the first recorded fashion stylist in all of history, or simply in the Old Testament, but I think it's cool that the book of Esther includes his role in the story.

Hegai was one of the King's eunuch servants. When King Xerxes (ruler of the Persian empire at the time when Persia was the world leader, 483BC) decided to search for a new bride, Hegai was put in charge of the new "harem," a responsibility that included beauty treatment regimens for all the candidates. As one of the beautiful young women in the pool, Esther was entrusted to Hegai's care.

I'm not sure if it was immediate or if this happened after some time, but Esther 2:9 (NLT) says that "Hegai was very impressed with Esther and treated her kindly. He quickly ordered a special menu for her...He also assigned her seven maids specially chosen from the king's palace, and he moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem."

Each women received 12 months of beauty treatments before she spent her night with the King. There was a lot of pressure here, because this one night would mean the difference between being queen and being just another woman in the king's harem of many wives.

Esther 2:13 clearly tells us that the women could choose their own clothing and jewelry for their big night. "When the time came for her to go in to the King, she was given her choice of whatever clothing or jewelry she wanted to enhance her beauty."

Esther took her fashion and beauty advice from Hegai, a great choice since he would probably know best what the King would like. Esther 2:15 tells us that "When it was Esther's turn to go to the King, she accepted the advice of Hegai, the eunuch in the charge of the harem. She asked for nothing except what he suggested, and she was admired by everyone who saw her." Way to go, Hegai!

Of course, we know that the King loved Esther more than any of the other women, she became the queen, and Persia celebrated. Woohoo! If Hegai wasn't indebted to serve the King at his palace, I bet he could've opened his own business and garnered some great clients with that success story on his resume.

I wonder if Esther got to keep Hegai on as her personal stylist through the rest of her reign.

chronology

I think I was in college when I really learned the our Bibles aren't in chronological order. I grew up in a great Bible-teaching church, and we knew the categories of the Bible - the Torah or Pentateuch, the wisdom literature, the major prophets, minor prophets, gospels, and epistles. I guess I kind of assumed these were the different eras - like first there was Adam and Eve, then the Kings, then the prophets all came, and then Jesus.

In our 4/5th grade class at Harvest (I'm a leader), we've been studying Ezra, Nehemiah, Micah, and other Old Testament books. As I've read the lessons and started digging into the actual books themselves, I'm become very curious about how it all falls in order.

So I've started circling the historical years in the footnotes whenever I see them. I would like to map out the different events so I can get a better idea of how this all fits together.

And then I started wondering...how is it that I've gotten through this much church teaching, classes, camps, etc. And yet I still don't have a really clear grasp on the order of the Bible. Like shouldn't we be teaching our kids this from when they're young so they understand how the Bible fits together?

I went looking for a chronological guide to the Bible, specifically designed for kids. I figured that if I got a kids one that it would lay all the events and books out in a really clear order. But seriously, I couldn't find one for kids. Surely, you would think, there must be one out there. (Please, if you're reading this and know of the very book I'm describing, let me know. I'd love to buy it!)

Well, once I figure it out for myself, I hope to teach it to my own kids one day. I want us as a family to be able to reference Israel's history as a people.

praying together for life

I'm not sure who originally said that "The family who prays together, stays together." But I think that's often true. Praying together has the power to unite. It's you being on the same page as the others you're with, petitioning God for His work in your life.

I think the same could be said about the family of Christ who prays together. Prayer is bonding. Across varying denominational backgrounds, brothers and sisters in Christ come together when they pray together.

And I'm not the only one who would love to see the body of Christ unite in this way more often. And more deeply. Last week, a friend shared his passion to see the body of Christ come together around the issue of life. So encouraging. And fire-up-ing.

"To fear the Lord is to hate evil."
"All who fear the Lord will hate evil."
                       -Proverbs 9:13 (NIV, NLT)

Father God, May we as Your people rise up against evil. May we see the body of Christ in the Quad Cities come together and pray together. May we see the family of God call come together to lift You up, and to unite in prayer for our abortion workers. May You bring those workers out of the abortion industry and into the light. Into a place where they can truly help the women they are serving. Father God, May we see a united front for life in our churches, among Your people.

simon says

So I'm reading in Proverbs 2 today and it focuses in on listening to wisdom, searching for wisdom, tuning your ears to wisdom. And it got me thinking about Simon Says. Yes, the game.

You must listen closely to follow Simon's instructions and only Simon's instructions. Only the things you're told to do that are directly preceeded by "Simons says" are to be followed. Otherwise, you'll screw up and start flapping your wings like an eagle and get disqualified because oops, Simon didn't actually say that one.

So Simon Says is actually a remarkable game for teaching kids to follow The Way.

In life, we hear a lot of voices, a lot of messages. People are calling out instructions, advice, counsel. But if you listen to everyone, or even to just anyone other than "Simon," you lose. Following God's way, the way of the Master, following Christ, means listening intentionally for His voice. Learning to distinguish His voice among all the noise.

Father God, May we see that You are the Simon. May I listen closely and attentively to hear what You are saying and telling me.

learning from the birds

So I'm reading in Proverbs this morning and I come across this verse I don't remember ever reading (or at least understanding) before. (Which is part of the reason I like reading out of my NLT sometimes. It's different and fresh to me wording makes me stop and think about even familiar passages in a new way.)

"When a bird sees a trap being set, it stays away." -Proverbs 1:17 (NLT)

Makes sense. I'm not sure if I knew that birds were this smart or not, but I like the simple concept. The birds sees you setting a trap. The bird knows it's a trap. The bird stays away from the trap. The bird doesn't flirt with the trap, trying to see how close it can get without getting caught in the trap.

Solomon is comparing this to our foolishness as people. In our folly we lay traps for ourselves with poor decisions. We set ourselves up to fail, or at least to experience some really icky consequences.

Let's learn from the birds on this one, and follow wisdom.

to strip or not to strip

I'd be lying if I said I've never considered stripping as a job option. I know you can make good money.

Talking with a friend tonight, I found out that he's taken on weekend stripping jobs for bachelorette parties, etc. He makes $400-500 in a 4-hour stint. Great money. He's doing it for the cash. He and his fiance, you see, need to raise some money if they are going to pay for their big wedding coming up. And neither of them blink an eye at this particular method of (very effective) fundraising.

I had another friend who also stripped for a long time. I"m sure she was great at it. And she had the same attitude as my friend tonight. It's just a job. She needed the cash. It was the best paying job for miles around. So she did it.

When my friend exclaimed (trying to get a reaction out of me) that I had never had felt the freedom that comes in stripping, I replied (quite honestly) that I fully intend to strip all the time for my husband once we're married. And that will be the best freedom.

I have a whole married life in front of me. So I needn't be in too much of a hurry right now.

best compliment ever

Today, I found something out that totally kinda rocked my world.

Chris and I were good friends as teenagers, but we haven't seen each other or talked in years. Recently, Chris found me on facebook. I noticed his profile picture was with him and a little girl, and I wondered if he had a daughter now.

Chris messaged me today to tell me his little girl's name is Kathryn. He said, "I just wanted you to know that I named my daughter Kathryn...She's a pretty perfect little girl...When I found out she was a girl, I had to think of a name of the best girl I ever knew and I thought of you."

Wow.

on temptation

If God is so clear in James about how He never tempts us, then why does He specifically include "lead me not into temptation" in the Lord's prayer? I really don't know.

Bix at Six

I am in love with the Bix at Six. This is my first year. My sister and I have gone out the last two weeks and had a blast.

I just love all the people. You've got really fast competitive athletes racing the trail, and you've got me who's walking more than I'm jogging. All ages. Skill levels. Ethnicities. I'm definitely a social exerciser, and all those people just energize me. It's beautiful.