The fine line between Joy and despair

It has been a rough year for the family. Struggling with the pain of losing my mom's mother last year, having good friends with a sick child, knowing friends at church who's child is in heart surgery right now after being born 3 days ago.... life is hard.

But there is one picture that I do not like to see. May3,2005, I was at the hospital with my mom waiting for Julie to deliver Noah. A normal day and occasion for our family, that turned out to be anything but normal. But in the moments of excitement, I captured the following picture. Yet, the picture I have embedded in my head of that day, is one of me standing at the window in the hallway, with my arm wrapped around my mother, pleading for the healing and well-being of our new family member. The picture of pain seems to be bigger and more evident than the last moment of joy I saw on my moms face. And it hurts.

What is God's will?

It seems God's will is painlessly defined in politics and personal opinions, rather than faith and things unseen or unexplainable.

What is God's will? Is it clear...on everything?
In trying decipher this, all I can repeat are the words below:

Romans 12:1-3 Living Sacrifices
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

I have plenty to say, but my words probably counter those of the passage above.
Today, I'll keep silent.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS
MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS
MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS
MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS
MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS

I'm tired of this PC stuff. If you are offended by the phrasing, please do not take off for the Christmas holiday. You have to work. That also means, no present for you, no dinner, and especially no Santa.
However, the reason we celebrate during this time of year, is because of the birth of Christ. Without that birth, and the testimony of his love, and the cleansing we receive from his blood and body, there is no reason to be "merry". Celebrate this year like you've never celebrated before. Share the love of Christ in your wishes of "holiday cheer".

Law created as protection

I have read 2 articles today regarding 2 men who have violated the law, and now stand trial and punishment for those actions.

Kenneth Boyd, a NC man who was convicted of killing his wife and her father, was the 1000th execution since 1977's capital punishment reinstatement.link His attorney is quoted as saying

The execution of Kenneth Boyd has not made this a better or safer world, his attorney Thomas Maher said. If this 1,000th execution is a milestone, it's a milestone we should all be ashamed of.

The execution of Kenneth Boyd was not meant solely to make this world a safer place, but to punish a man for breaking the law... twice. By taking the life of 2 people, and theexponentiallynally affecting lives of those who knew his wife and father-in-law. Where they bad people? Did they deserve to be die? I don't think that's for Kenneth to decide. Our legal system has been setup to protect those who follow the law, and bring about punishment for those that do not. If you would like some leniency concerning your crime, how aboutcommittingiting it. That would show great maturity on your part. One of his sons from a previous marriage is quoted as saying,
"He made one mistake and now its costing him his life,"said Kenneth Smith, 35, who visited with his wife and two children. "A lot of people get a second chance. I think he deserves a second chance." It is up to the judge for the second chance. Sometimes, the judge shows mercy.

From the other article,

In closing arguments earlier, prosecutor Debra Riva sought the death penalty, saying Smith was clear-headed enough to get rid of evidence and recount his crimes to his brother, which she said showed he was not impaired by a mental disorder or drugs. "He chose to prey upon a child for sexual gratification, Riva said.... He was under the influence of his urges, not under the influence of a mental disorder.
Defense attorney Adam Tebrugge argued for a sentence of life in prison without parole, saying it would punish Smith, protect society and provide a fitting conclusion to this horrific case.
The Joe Smith on Feb. 1, 2004, was a man in pain, ravaged by drug abuse and out of control, Tebrugge said. "The Joe Smith, the drug addict who was out of control, will never exist again because he will be kept away from drugs."
Carlie's mother walked out of the courtroom as Tebrugge made his case.

If the law had no natural consequence in place for those that defied its creation, then what good is it? If someone is convicted of a murder, and sentenced to death, why does it take so to fulfill the judgement? Scripture tells us, the wages of sin is death.

I don't know. Just something to think about. As I sit here trying to finish up this post, I'm not even sure what my final thought it. And I guess in life, there are some things that are ok to keep open-ended. And then there are some which require a firm stance of unwavering conscience.