Arizona Shooting

This weekend, I sat in amazement at what I saw on tv. A lone shooter wounds 19 people, killing six of them in Arizona. Among the killed was a young 9-year old girl. As I watched the interivews progress, emotion welled up inside me as the most polished news comentators could hardly even talk about it without their voice breaking up. And then today I find out that this group of people that call themselves a church are planning to picket this little girl's funeral. This is the most rediciulous thing I have ever heard of! These idiots are extreme nuts! How can picketing this girl's funeral help further any cause? She didn't hold a political office and neither did her parents. If they have any sense (and I don't belive they have an ounce) they better keep there derriere out of Arizona! I don't think those people are going to let them just waltz in without a fight! Even though this group calls themselves a church, they are really not. A church is place where people can meet and worship the Lord God in Spirit and Truth. A place where each person is there to encourage and lift each other up in prayer. This group's so called "church" is a social club, where they use their name to push an anti-government agenda. They are not a church! They are a group of communists who need to move to a country that goes along with their ideas! Say.....Pakistan! As you can tell, this tends to get my motor running and I have to admit, it gets my blood boiling! I wish I had the time to join the people that are planning on lining the funeral route so these fools can't get through! I would be there in a heart beat if I could!

Your Word

Have you ever wished that people would say what they mean and mean what they say? Yeah me too! Let's preface this with a scripture from Matthew 5:33-37 where the scripture is talking about these very things. Here the scriptures are telling us that "polishing" our words with religious ideas don't make them any more true. If you don't intend to follow through then the end result will be the same regardless. For me, I grew up watching people never following through with their promises. Due to that, I have made it a point to say what I mean and do what I say. I've come up short many times but I always try to make it up and give an apology. I know some people whose intentions are great but they are either late or never do what they say. I never hear from them about their promise they made. It's like, "let's ignore it and it will go away" or they will make an excuse. You can make an excuse to cover about anything! As Christians, we of all people should be making sure that our words are believable. If we can't follow through, then with today's technology, it shouldn't be a problem of letting someone know that we can't do as you promised. Remember, the world is watching!

To Visit or Not To Visit

Recently, our youngest daughter had to have emergency surgery due to a ruptured appendix on Christmas day. While going through the last couple of weeks, I've noticed the importance of words of encouragement and friend visitations. She has had a number of family and friends either call, text or come by to see her in which I am thankful. I've watched her face light up when visitors call or come by. I have also watched her enter almost a depressive state on days when no one called or came by to see her. Through this I have observed the importance of visiting the sick. I have never been in her condition and couldn't relate until this occured. I'm sure that in the past I have chosen to not call or not go by and visit someone even if only for a brief moment. I now see how important those times are. So, if you have the opportunity to encourage someone, take the time do so. Who knows, it could mean the difference in a speedy recovery or long drawn out sickness!

Music Program Update

After talking to both principals at Allardt Elementary and South Fentress Elementary, we have made the decision to not "make up" concerts for the Christmas programs that we missed in December. The Principals and I feel it would be better to move on due to the possibility of more snow which could hamper even a make up date. We do apologize but you know, we can't control the weather. If I could, well...I wouldn't be teaching music and writing this blog most likely! As far as future plans, we will be doing a Spring Patriotic Program at each school and it will involve 4th, 5th & 6th grades. We will begin working on the songs for these programs very soon. Hopefully the snow will be gone by the then!