Thoughts On America's Prosperity

I am taking Geography online this semester, and the assignment this week was to post a response to the below thoughts:

"As we all know, America has the largest, most advanced economy in the world. The American people enjoy the most propsperous lifestyle of any large nation. However, this comes at great cost. For example, with 5 percent of the world's population, we consume 25 percent of the resources. The USA is also the world's largest polluter, and much of our wealth comes at the expense of other nations' labor and natural resouces.

This is not to assume that the American people are immoral. However, there is no doubt that presently it would be impossible for the rest of the world to enjoy similar prosperity. This would create economic and environmental chaos.

Thus, what is the solution? Are Americans justified in consuming so much? How can we bring the rest of the world "up" without reducing our own prosperity? Is this even possible? How much would you be willing to sacrifice for the greater good of other peoples and the natural environment?"

Hmm. Yeah. (Is it just me, or does this sound like Socialism?)

Anyway, here are my thoughts on the matter:

"The reality of this situation is that there just is not an answer that would satisfy everyone. For my part, I believe that the chaos in the world today is caused by one thing and one thing only: sin. Man is inherently sinful, evil, selfish, and greedy. Only by the grace of God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ, can the suffering of the world be alleviated and the evils of the world be righted.

God gave human beings the dominion over the earth - He made us the stewards to take care of nature and use our resources wisely, and we have failed miserably in many cases. There are, of course, many organizations out there trying to "save Earth", though lots of them are looking at the job the wrong way I think - worshiping the planet, instead of the Maker of the planet. But to a certain extent, they are at least trying to get the job done. I think recycling is good. I think being kind and humane to animals is good. I am not a wasteful person - in many areas of my life, I live by the old saying, "Use it up, wear it out. Make it do, or do without!" :) I recycle and I love animals - but it all goes back to the responsibility given to us by the Creator to take care of His creations!

I believe the reason America has prospered so mightily for so long, is that the men who led the founding of this nation realized Who is the ultimate source of life and liberty. They began leading the United States with the knowledge that, if the Lord is on your side, you cannot fail, and if He is not on your side, you will fail. For many years, we didn't fail - because "In God We Trust"ed. We are blessed here in America. We have been victorious in wars, undefeated in disasters, and prosperous in health and resources. In the past fifty years or so however, that has begun to change (I believe because of our national rejection of Christ as our Power), yet we are still the greatest nation on earth.

Is it possible to bring other suffering nations up to our level of prosperity? I don't believe so. Not considering all that an effort like that would involve and the immeasurable effects it would produce. Yes, in many nations, innocent people are going through horrible situations. But study the beginnings and histories of the majority of those nations - they relied on themselves and their personal strength and greatness instead of the Lord. They practiced Socialism, Communism, and rampant immorality. Now they are paying the prices.

I'm not saying we shouldn't try to help them! Another command God gave is that we should love others as ourselves. When we shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, and care for the hurting, we bless Him. And we have. As a nation, we have provided aid in many forms and in many situations: medical care, food, clean water, shelter and comfort in the aftermath of natural disasters, or even in places where hunger, disease, and poverty are, sadly, the "norm".

So, can we change the world? No. I don't think so. In many ways, the world doesn't want to be changed. If we are going to change the world, we've got to start with ourselves. Are we living right? Do we please God in what we say, do, or how we act? If we have allowed Him to make our hearts right, then we have changed part of the world! Now we are free to move on and, with His help, do what we can for the rest of it.

I in no way mean to sound harsh or unkind in all I've pointed out above. I'm just telling it the way I see it. And if you take the time to look at the situation with an open mind, I think you'll see that what I've said makes a whole lot of sense."

Hope I don't get an F :]

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Thoughts On America's Prosperity

As you can see, I've been posting a little along, even though, technically, I 'quit' this blog. I've decided I'll keep it, at least for a while, and probably will keep posting things every now and then.

Today two things happened that I thought would be worth posting. This is number one. I'll post number two later, if or when I get the chance :)

I am taking Geography online this semester, and the assignment this week was to post a response to the below thoughts:

"As we all know, America has the largest, most advanced economy in the world. The American people enjoy the most propsperous lifestyle of any large nation. However, this comes at great cost. For example, with 5 percent of the world's population, we consume 25 percent of the resources. The USA is also the world's largest polluter, and much of our wealth comes at the expense of other nations' labor and natural resouces.

This is not to assume that the American people are immoral. However, there is no doubt that presently it would be impossible for the rest of the world to enjoy similar prosperity. This would create economic and environmental chaos.

Thus, what is the solution? Are Americans justified in consuming so much? How can we bring the rest of the world "up" without reducing our own prosperity? Is this even possible? How much would you be willing to sacrifice for the greater good of other peoples and the natural environment?"

Hmm. Yeah. (Is it just me, or does this sound like Socialism?)

Anyway, here are my thoughts on the matter:

"The reality of this situation is that there just is not an answer that would satisfy everyone. For my part, I believe that the chaos in the world today is caused by one thing and one thing only: sin. Man is inherently sinful, evil, selfish, and greedy. Only by the grace of God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ, can the suffering of the world be alleviated and the evils of the world be righted.

God gave human beings the dominion over the earth - He made us the stewards to take care of nature and use our resources wisely, and we have failed miserably in many cases. There are, of course, many organizations out there trying to "save Earth", though lots of them are looking at the job the wrong way I think - worshiping the planet, instead of the Maker of the planet. But to a certain extent, they are at least trying to get the job done. I think recycling is good. I think being kind and humane to animals is good. I am not a wasteful person - in many areas of my life, I live by the old saying, "Use it up, wear it out. Make it do, or do without!" :) I recycle and I love animals - but it all goes back to the responsibility given to us by the Creator to take care of His creations!

I believe the reason America has prospered so mightily for so long, is that the men who led the founding of this nation realized Who is the ultimate source of life and liberty. They began leading the United States with the knowledge that, if the Lord is on your side, you cannot fail, and if He is not on your side, you will fail. For many years, we didn't fail - because "In God We Trust"ed. We are blessed here in America. We have been victorious in wars, undefeated in disasters, and prosperous in health and resources. In the past fifty years or so however, that has begun to change (I believe because of our national rejection of Christ as our Power), yet we are still the greatest nation on earth.

Is it possible to bring other suffering nations up to our level of prosperity? I don't believe so. Not considering all that an effort like that would involve and the immeasurable effects it would produce. Yes, in many nations, innocent people are going through horrible situations. But study the beginnings and histories of the majority of those nations - they relied on themselves and their personal strength and greatness instead of the Lord. They practiced Socialism, Communism, and rampant immorality. Now they are paying the prices.

I'm not saying we shouldn't try to help them! Another command God gave is that we should love others as ourselves. When we shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, and care for the hurting, we bless Him. And we have. As a nation, we have provided aid in many forms and in many situations: medical care, food, clean water, shelter and comfort in the aftermath of natural disasters, or even in places where hunger, disease, and poverty are, sadly, the "norm".

So, can we change the world? No. I don't think so. In many ways, the world doesn't want to be changed. If we are going to change the world, we've got to start with ourselves. Are we living right? Do we please God in what we say, do, or how we act? If we have allowed Him to make our hearts right, then we have changed part of the world! Now we are free to move on and, with His help, do what we can for the rest of it.

I in no way mean to sound harsh or unkind in all I've pointed out above. I'm just telling it the way I see it. And if you take the time to look at the situation with an open mind, I think you'll see that what I've said makes a whole lot of sense."

Hope I don't get an F :]

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Summer Days

I've been wanting to do a picture post since July of some of the things I was into this summer! I'm just now getting around to it, but at least it's getting done right? :)



So, here goes.



One day while the four of us (Dad, Mom, Trissy, and me) were in Wal*Mart shopping for a bird feeder for The Grandparents ( ;) ), I spotted a "Wren House" birdhouse. I love wrens, building, and the shape and design of this little house! "I could make one of those!" So with (alot of) help from Dad, I was able to create a very similar house, and add a few tweaks of my own to the design. I plan to enter it in 'woodworking' in the County Fair next week.











{"Finished Project" picture coming soon!}





Because I was going to be taking a summer class online, and so would not have much of a summer at all really, the four of us had kind of a "summer week". One of the things we did was go hike a trail in our area that we had never investigated before. Between Trissy and me, we got alot of pictures! But rather than bore you with all of them, I'm just posting a sample. :)







This little frog was about the size of a dime!











I wasn't really feeling good that day, but marked it off to the heat and being out of shape for all that walking. Well, apparently I really was coming down with something. I don't know what it was, but I sure felt miserable! Nothing soothes quite like a nice cup of hot chocolate though - even in the summer!







This is just a little something we thought was funny. The picture isn't good quality, but maybe you get the point. :)









We've also been working on some much-needed clothing.





Something we've really been needing is some new Sunday clothes. You can't hardly find anything decent in the stores, or even patterns for that matter. But we did finally find some patterns that, with just a little tweaking, I think will work.

We started cutting out my first dress the other day. I hope to have it done this week, so I can enter it in the County Fair next week. I'll try to post a picture when it's finished.







One more thing that I'm very thankful the Lord helped me get accomplish before school started, is {drumroll} a craft blog! I am really needing an 'outlet for my creativity' so to speak. My creations are piling up in my closet, and in various boxes, totes, bags and corners all over the house! And I'm running out of room for supplies for new projects. So, since I don't have an Etsy shop, a blog seemed the way to go. I am desperately trying to learn how to make a blog button, but since I don't have one yet, I'll just post the link:



http://www.handworked.blogspot.com



You can cut and paste it into your browser, or (if you like the easier road ;) ) you can just click here -> HAND WORKed





The rest of these pictures are just random summer snapshots. :)























SOLI DEO GLORIA!



-Kyrie<><

"A little hard work never hurt anyone..."

Yesterday we (Dad, Mom, Trissy, and me) all went to Archer's family's place to help them put the roof on the house they are building. Archer's dad is a great thinker - he's also a Christian, a husband, and a father. All those things come together to make him take the action he does. With the goal of being more self-sufficient, and more private, they're living on a piece of land out in the "boonies" you might say, building a homestead using their own hands, research, and alot of prayer. Bro. S. wants more for his family than the modern 'norm', and takes this mission very seriously. Instead of a TV, they have a trampoline the whole family uses together. Instead of trips to Disney World, they take their kayaks out on their ponds or float the creek. Instead of lots of 'things' to keep the kids busy, they raise produce and animals for entertainment, education, and personal use. And instead of building a small mansion on this beautiful land, they are building a modest, economical farmhouse-style home. Dad really likes to talk with Bro. S. ; his way of thinking is so refreshing and, sadly, so scarce in this age we live in. The family of six is living in a barn already on the property, and a little old camper trailer, until the house is finished.
Anyway, so like I said, the better part of our Saturday was spent baking in the sun, melting from humidity, and helping these dear friends try to knock out the roofing job in one day. It was hot, it was humid, but it was also very rewarding. Archer and Law's two younger sisters, Abigail and Piper, gave Trissy and me the grand tour of their farm (Mrs. S. showed Mom around), in between lifting sheets of metal roofing up to Bro. S., Archer, Law, and Dad, and moving scaffolding and sheet metal around to different positions. Bro. S.'s mother was also there visiting - a really neat lady, very spry, very likable, and a master gardener. We helped pick peas and lima beans while she told us interesting facts about plants and bird feeders. After picking, we, along with Mom, Mrs. S., and the three dogs, ;) sat under a tree and shelled as long as the men didn't need water, recharged batteries for their drills, or more sheet metal. That was really fun!

A couple of pictures from the day (click on them to view them larger):




This is where we were shelling. Abigail, Piper, Bro. S.'s mother, Trissy, Mrs. S., and Louis the dog ;)


I Heart Lima Beans! ;D



The men on the roof while we were shelling. Dad, Bro. S., Archer (behind Bro. S., sitting on the roof to tie his shoe), and Law. Law is getting a little head start on the break they were fixing to take ;) .

Law is a very interesting person - guess it runs in the family; Archer is pretty quirky himself :) . This is kindof a side note, but I didn't record it when it happened (I think it was the same Wednesday night service I told about here) and I'd like to remember it:

Law used to not play his guitar much with the group upstairs on Wednesday night because, for one thing, Japan was the 'regular', and for another, he wasn't old enough yet to be in that class. But then Japan left, so Law started filling in more. He's almost as good as Archer. Anyway, after we finished one song and the 'musicians' were getting ready to move to the next, one of the young people (I don't remember who, but it was one of Law's friends) called out, "Go Law!" kindof teasing him, but as a compliment at the same time.
Law looked up, looked them square in the eye across the room, and in front of everyone, stated emphatically, "This is for Jesus!"
He has a funny accent 'cause they didn't grow up in the south, and that, coupled with the fervor with which he spoke (Law doesn't seem to be one to get riled easily), made me just want to laugh! But I was so proud of him! If he will keep that spirit of the Lord first always, he will grow up to be a great man. God help our young people! May He raise up this generation to accomplish GREAT things for Him!

People Will Let You Down

This is so strange. My last post was about a blessing. This post is about a discouragement.

That's how life is, isn't it? Peaks and valleys, ups and downs, laughter and tears, Light and Darkness.

Everyone is human; everyone has faults. No matter how wonderful, spiritual, consecrated, or wise they are, they are still flawed in some area. I have always known that people will let you down (God won't). Sometimes it seems like I don't know it though.

Saturday I got a good hard shock that thoroughly proved the accuracy of this post's title. At an event that day (for time's sake, and to avoid finger-pointing, I won't name names or go into all the details), a group of people who I have respected, trusted, and looked up to, behaved in a manner completely foreign to the people I thought they were. I respected, trusted, and looked up to them, because of their character, integrity, spiritual-mindedness, purity, and set-apartness (I don't know if that's even a word, but it serves my purpose). Witnessing their behavior, I was completely dumb-founded. Disgusted. Embarassed. And heart-broken. I turned to Mom and told her, "These aren't the [people] I know!" This was so unlike them! It was like living a nightmare, where strange and shady-minded characters take the bodies and voices of people you love, then behave like the fiends they are.

Oh how I have prayed that the Lord would pierce their consciences! Shame them to their core; wake them up, startled, to the realization of the message they were sending.

I also have the impression that I should try to speak to them. They knew I was there; they know I saw. I cannot conscientiously stand by, silent, and act like everything is OK. It's NOT okay! I must, as a loving friend, approach them and give an account of what their actions spoke to an outsider. But I am so afraid. Afraid I will not have the right words. That I will not time it right. Afraid for their testimonies. Afraid to lose them as friends.

The sovereignty of God is a great comfort!

Encouragement

This past Sunday, I recieved a sweet blessing that I thought I might like to remember.
I have always desired to be a good example, and an encouragement. Early Sunday, I had prayed specifically that I would be used to encourage other believers - especially people at church, who had been such a blessing in my life.
Before the day was over, Bro. Earl, Bro. Mike, and two others had all expressed to me that the Lord had used me to be a blessing to them. Talk about an immediate answer!

Heb 10:24 says,

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:"

How many times we struggle along, feeling sorry for ourselves and our 'problems', when we could be being used to lift the burdens of someone else! And how many times therefore, we miss the opportunity to have our own lifted.

Disney's Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader

Well, for any of you who are Narnia people and haven't heard yet, the "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" trailer has been released. I am hoping that the makers learned their lesson with the major fan dissapointment of "Prince Caspian", and decided to stick to the book for their inspiration for "Dawn Treader", instead of their own immaginations. The first one they made, "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe", wasn't exactly like the book, but any alterations that were made only honored and enhanced the original C. S. Lewis ideas. Their version of "Prince Caspian" however, was such a major dissapointment in so many areas! It's only redeeming quality, I felt, was how they handled the character of Edmund. I thought they 'did' him excellently.

Now it's time for "Dawn Treader". Set to release this December, and so far, the trailer looks very familiar to anyone who has read the book. I detected only a couple of things I didn't recognize, and I'm hoping that means "Dawn Treader" will be patterned more after the quality of "Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe".

I thought I'd post the trailer here for anyone who's interested.



Once again, I would like to note that I have not viewed any of the 'related' videos whose links may be displayed with this one. Please use caution if you choose to view any of them - sometimes not-so-nice (and totally unrelated) material is snuck in to this list.