Aria in the news - helping a charity called Blake's Miracle

Blake's Miracle is a charity that provides music and massage therapy at the hospital for children who are sick.  Every year, SwimUSA holds a Swim-A-Thon that helps raise money to support the charity.

Last year, Aria was asked to hand out the ribbons to the participants. She was not able to swim due to just getting out of the hospital after her fifth brain surgery. It was the fourth one in less than six months.

This year they wanted her to do it again but they also wanted her to swim. They also asked if she would be part of the promotion attempts to raise money and so Aria has been in the newspaper and on Fox 10 Morning show this week.

East Valley Tribune article

Fox10 Morning Show - Aria has had 14 surgeries but only five of them have been brain. Four of them were last year. Anyway, we tried to clarify this with them but they still messed it up. Oh well.

If you'd like to help support this charity, go to Blake's Miracle

Sue Anderson's Birthday today - RIP

My mom would have been 73 years old today. I always remember the year because she used to say that it took 4 days for the effect of her birth to reach Hawaii. I guess it was her way of remembering one of the biggest events to happen during her lifetime, the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

I remember sitting in class at school one day and the teacher mentioned the date of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and I had an epiphany. I remember thinking, "My mom's 40 years old!" At that age, 40 seemed old and a long ways away.

She's been gone for twenty years but I still miss her and wish she was around to see her grandchildren.

If you knew Sue, my mom, would you respond to this post and tell a short story about her or something that you remember about her?

HOPE KIDS - Restoring Hope. Transforming Lives.

My daughter, Aria, is a Hope Kid and I want to say how glad we are to be a part of such a great organization. Hope Kids is a non-profit group that helps families who have children with severe health problems be able to go out as a family and enjoy time together. Anyone who has had health expenses knows that usually the first thing to go is any sort of recreation or family fun time together because the family can’t afford.

This organization allows families to have fun together without have to worry about the expense of it, except for the gas to get there. We’ve been a part of several activities in the past four months since we joined. A couple times we went to family fun center where the families were treated to a movie, bowling, laser tag, and a free game card for each child in the family.

This past weekend we went to a family carnival that was sponsored by a local preparatory academy where the families had access to free food, lots and lots of games, face painting, music, zip line, bouncy house, and lots of prizes. It was a great afternoon that we were able to spend with our family that we would not have been able to enjoy without being a part of Hope Kids.

In December, they will be hosting a Christmas party where all Hope Kids will get a day of fun with snow, Santa, and a gift individualized for each Hope Kid.  It's going to be a real fun event for the families.

THANK YOU, HOPE KIDS!!

Our Dark Cloud OR God's Plan

Last week I had to tell my boss about going out of town in June for the trial in NH and I gave him a quick rundown of Tina's life and what we've been through over the past four years of churches, media, trials, etc. He said, "that beautiful, young woman who I met a couple weeks ago has gone through all that?" I said, "yes, she's beautiful and she's been through that and much more. I'm just giving you the Reader's Digest version."

He's been my manager for the past nine months and so he's been told about Aria's five surgeries since last October and what she's been through. He's extremely amazed at our strong, sweet, little girl whom he met once when she came to my job.

He knows that we're in the middle of trying to sell our house to pay down some our debt.

On Friday, I told him that our dog's not doing well and we may have to put him down. He doesn't know yet that we did it. He was just amazed at one more thing going "wrong" in our lives. He joked that we have a "dark cloud" over our lives and moved himself back from desk.

I thought about that and I can see why people might wonder how we keep our sanity. On some days, it's not easy.

I don't see this as a "dark cloud." No, it's not easy or pleasant but it's life. It's the path that God has given us to walk and we won't turn back and we won't sit on the sidelines and we won't quit.

Here's what I believe.

1. This is God's way of showing us that He's in control.
2. This is God's chance to show us His grace worked out in our lives.
3. This is God's method of bringing Himself glory.
4. This is God preparing us for the future and what else He has planned for us.
5. Our lives reflect God's control, His grace, His glory, and God's working in our life to our friends, co-workers, and relatives, if we allow it through our faithfulness and willingness to accept and do what God has set before us.

Isn't that what life's about? Yesterday, the youth pastor made a great point as he preached to our church. He said, "God's not just a part of your life, He is your life."

My prayer is that as our family goes through the trials of life, or as some people may see as a "dark cloud," that they see God's Hand. They see a witness of God's power and grace and that God is magnified through our lives by us being faithful to Him.

R.I.P. Charlie

Today we lost a close companion that we all loved, Charlie. He was such a great dog. He loved the kids and was very protective of them. He was a very kind and sweet dog. We will miss him greatly.

A couple weeks ago we noticed that he had trouble with one of his front legs. It seemed to get better and then it was hurting again. About a week later, we noticed that he was having trouble with his back legs and was having trouble getting up and down the stairs.

On Monday, we took him to the vet and she told us what she thought he had degenerative disc disease and gave us some medicine. Throughout the week, he got significantly worse, especially starting Wednesday night. We mentioned to the kids that we didn't know how long we'd have Charlie. They cried themselves to sleep that night.

By Friday, he could barely move and his back legs would only support him with great difficulty and he couldn't hold his bowels and so we called the vet again. We went as a family but the prognosis wasn't good and we decided that the best thing was to put Charlie to sleep.

You can't imagine how devastating that was to the kids. They cried and hugged and said their goodbyes. Nothing prepares you for that. How do you comfort your kids? How do you prepare them to lose someone so precious to them? We hugged them and hoped they understood that it was for the best.

Our hearts are broken tonight.

We'll miss you, Charlie. As the kids said, "No dog will ever be as good as Charlie." I'm sure they're right.

I know the kids are hoping to see you in heaven. I hope so too!

REST IN PEACE, CHARLIE.

WHY I LOVE MY WIFE

My wife texted me and said, “I love you.” I responded “I love you, too.” She responded, “why?” I thought about it for a little bit because I wasn’t sure what to answer. I texted back, “because you’re awesome.” It’s the truth, but is that really a good answer?

There are a lot of things that I love about my wife but they’re not the reason I love my wife.

I love that my wife is beautiful. I find her very attractive and time won’t be able to change that.

I love that my wife is frugal. I can’t tell you how much time and energy my wife puts into saving our family money. It’s awesome!!

I love that my wife is a great wife. She takes really good care of me.

I love that my wife is a great mom. She always has their best interests at heart. She’s heavily involved in their safety, medical care, school education, training, and anything else you can think of.

I love that my wife is a great cook. I have many people, not just my kids that can attest to that.

I love that my wife is creative. One of may things she can do is sew and this has allowed her to make Easter dresses for our girls that past few years and she's made hats for my daughter so she doesn't have to feel uncomfortable after Aria's brain surgeries.

I love that my wife is friendly. People love my wife. They love talking with her.

I love that my wife is caring. People reach out to her for support. A person may just want to talk and they'll know Tina will listen and that she'll care. Sometimes a person will want advice and they'll ask Tina. They know she'll give them an honest answer. 

All these things above could change. It won't matter. It won't matter why the change. It won't matter if she can't do them any more. I won't matter if time takes away these things or if chooses not to do them any more. I will love my wife.

I love that my wife is my wife. I can't imagine my life with anyone else. I don't want anyone else to be my wife. 

I love my wife because she is my wife. I love her because I choose to love her. I love her because I WANT to love her.

If I choose to love my wife because of the things that I love about it, my love is conditional. My love is based on the things that I love about her.

If I choose to love her because I WANT to love her, then when and if those things change, I can still love her unconditionally without worrying about her changing and not being the person I think or want her to be. I can love her through the tough times. I can love her through the times when I don't "feel" like it.

I love her and I always will. No matter the time that passes, the circumstances that happen, or the changes that occur, I will always love my wife because I made that choice when I married her and I WANT to love her for the rest of my life.

I'm Relating to Jesus' Disciples when they doubted Jesus

Have you every doubted your faith? Do you ever go through times when you doubt the goodness of God?

For the last few months, I've been going through that myself.

Is God real? Why doesn't He answer? I've done what the Bible says but I'm not seeing any results.

I came across this blog post, The Correct Theology didn't help these guys, that was written by this guy, Ed Cyzewski, as a guest post, who wrote a book called Unfollowers: Unlikely Lessons on Faith from Those Who Doubted Jesus. I have not read this book but I will when I get a copy of it.

He wrote some things in the blog post that I really related to and are some of the lessons that I'll learn when I read the book. We sometimes forget how flawed the disciples were before, during, and even after they met, traveled with, and said goodbye to Jesus on the Cross and then at His Ascension.

Below are some things that really spoke to me.

They witnessed miracles. They listened to hours and hours of perfect, undeniably correct teaching. They’d even had the future predicted for them.

They still doubted.

When calamity struck, they bolted. They didn’t join their friends in prayer. They didn’t wait for clarity. While they had every reason to believe, they couldn’t make sense of their experiences. Doubt was too much for them. 

I take comfort that Jesus showed up even as they ran away.

He reveals himself to the incomplete, the uncertain, the wandering, and the unattached.

I relate because I've seen God's work in my life. I've seen Him answer prayer and guide me in my life but when you don't see those answers and you don't see the results of what God is doing in your life, it's easy to have doubts.

I have my doubts and fears and struggles but I believe in God. I believe in the God of the Bible. I believe in my heart that He knows what's best for me and my family, especially my little girl. I'll keep believing but I'm being honest when I say that it's not easy and at times I have a lot of doubts.

I take comfort that the disciples who lived with Jesus and was taught directly by Him, still had doubts, still didn't understand but when the time came, Jesus (God) came to them and helped their unbelief and didn't chastise them but understood them, loved them, and met them where they were in life, and used them greatly to serve Him.

They witnessed miracles. They listened to hours and hours of perfect, undeniably correct teaching. They’d even had the future predicted for them.
They still doubted.
- See more at: http://redemptionpictures.com/2014/03/26/the-correct-theology-didnt-help-these-guys/#sthash.fVYTybJv.dpuf

They witnessed miracles. They listened to hours and hours of perfect, undeniably correct teaching. They’d even had the future predicted for them.
They still doubted.
- See more at: http://redemptionpictures.com/2014/03/26/the-correct-theology-didnt-help-these-guys/#sthash.fVYTybJv.dpuf

They witnessed miracles. They listened to hours and hours of perfect, undeniably correct teaching. They’d even had the future predicted for them.
They still doubted.
- See more at: http://redemptionpictures.com/2014/03/26/the-correct-theology-didnt-help-these-guys/#sthash.fVYTybJv.dpuf

They witnessed miracles. They listened to hours and hours of perfect, undeniably correct teaching. They’d even had the future predicted for them.
They still doubted.
- See more at: http://redemptionpictures.com/2014/03/26/the-correct-theology-didnt-help-these-guys/#sthash.fVYTybJv.dpuf

They witnessed miracles. They listened to hours and hours of perfect, undeniably correct teaching. They’d even had the future predicted for them.
They still doubted.
- See more at: http://redemptionpictures.com/2014/03/26/the-correct-theology-didnt-help-these-guys/#sthash.fVYTybJv.dpuf

VALENTINE'S DAY 2014 - My Favorite One - so far

On February 14^th, my wife and I had plans to go out for dinner. Our two oldest children were at a church activity for a couple of hours and we had a friend at our house ready to watch Aria. It had only been one week since Aria’s brain surgery but she loves our friend and we thought it would be fine.

As we tried to leave, she starts begging us not to go. She’s clinging to us and didn’t want us to leave her. So, my wife came up with a brilliant idea of ordering some food and having Aria be our waitress and include her in our romantic evening.

I headed out to Pei Wei to pick up a couple dinners to bring back. While I was gone, my wife set up a small table with candles in the front room. When I came home, we sat down and Aria came to take our order and asked us what we wanted to drink. She brings our drinks and then takes our food order. Our friend helps her put food on the plates and she brings us our food. Every few minutes she would come in and ask us if we need anything more to drink or some more food.

She was so cute. It was great to be able to include her in our special evening. After we were done, she asked if we’d like to go to a private room to snuggle and kiss. She was coached by our friend but it was really sweet. She walked us upstairs to our room and then went back downstairs to be with our friend.

We didn't get to be alone too long because we had to go pick up the kids from church and then we all headed to the airport to pick up my sister, Tammy, who was coming into town to spend a week with us.

Overall, it was just a great and wonderful evening and definitely one to remember.

Love For Aria Hope - The YouTube Video

Our friend put this video together in honor of Aria. In this video you can see how adorable she is.

They also put together a medical expense fundraiser called Love for Aria Hope. 

THANK YOU to everyone who has shown your love through your prayers and financially!! THANK YOU!!

Four Surgeries in Past Five Months for Aria Hope

UPDATE - Feb.'14

In the past five months, Aria has had four surgeries.

In Oct. '13, she had a fundoplication.  I talk about it here. Future Surgeries

In Nov. '13, she had her 2nd chiari brain surgery but this time they cut the dura (the sac around the brain). It was at this time the doctor realized that she also suffered from hydrocephalus (too much water pressure on the brain).

In Dec. '13, she was back in the hospital because she was leaking spinal fluid through the incision that's in the back of her head. She was there a couple days to watch for infection. Later in the month she started developing lumps near her incision but we hoped it would go away.

In Jan. '14, Aria went through another Chiari brain surgery to fix the spinal fluid leak in the back of her head and she spent two weeks in the hospital with a temporary shunt in the small of her back hoping to allow the brain to adjust to the hydrocephalus. We chose this option because the other option was to put a permanent one in her head.

Feb. '14 saw us back in the hospital because she had developed lumps in back of head again and within two days of telling the doctor they put her back in the hospital and put the shunt in her head, making this her fourth brain surgery. The good news is that they didn't have to open up the back of her head again and in three months they'll check to see if the shunt can be removed. We didn't know this was an option when we first heard about shunts but we're glad that if her body can heal and deal with her hydrocephalus it can be removed.

A friend started a medical fundraiser for us to help us with our hospital expenses called Love for Aria Hope. The video of Aria that our friend put together was very sweet. It brought tears to my eyes.

We're also very thankful to those who blessed us financially during this major event in our lives.

We're even more thankful for your prayers for Aria's healing. Please keep praying for her.

ARIA - "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made"

How many people do you know that have five or six rare health issues? Until my daughter, I didn’t know any. That’s what my daughter, Aria, has to deal with but if she was to walk into the room, you’d never know anything was wrong with her.

I was thinking, “How could so many things be wrong with her?” I have to realize that God made her that way.

In Psalm 139 it says,

13 For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

I know that’s a strange thing and it’s easy to think that when you’re “healthy, wealthy, and wise” but what about a little girl like Aria.

Looking at just a small part of Aria’s medical history, you’d wonder how I could think that she’s “fearfully and wonderfully made” but here is why I believe it’s true.

1. God has made an incredible girl who has allowed her body to deal with her health issues as we try to resolve them as best we can.
2. Aria has an incredibly high pain tolerance and is able to handle things that most children could not.
3. Aria has such a sweet spirit about her and is just a blessing to all those she meets.
4. God has given her such patience and grace to accept her life the way it is with very, very little complaining.
5. Although God has made her beautiful on the outside, more important, she’s beautiful on the inside. That’s what’s important and that’s what comes through her daily life as she lives, a much a possible, a “normal,” spunky, happy, and satisfied life.
6. God has a special plan for her life. Through her, God will bless others and God will be glorified.

Aria is a little girl who has been “fearfully and wonderfully made."

MOM

It's not Mother's Day but I've been thinking about my mom quite a bit last week. When I think of my mom, I think of Sue, my second mom. I don't think of her as my step-mom. She's not the one who gave birth to me but she's the one that raised me.

My mom would have been 72 on Dec. 3rd. She used to make the statement that it took four days for the results of her birth to reach Pearl Harbor. It's also the way I remember when she was born.

I was watching a silly sitcom and there was some friction between the grandma and the step-mom over who deserved the "mom" necklace made out of macaroni by the three year old girl. The grandma who helped raise her the first couple years or the step-mom who had married the father. As most sitcoms do, it all worked out well and they were with all the people who cared about each other and that made them a family.

Earlier that night, before we watched that sitcom, our family was setting up the Christmas tree. The kids started singing and my wife sang a little and I remember thinking that my mom would have loved singing Christmas songs with my kids.

Can I be honest and tell you that I'm upset that my mom's not here to see her grandkids and that my kids don't get to know their grandma? She's been gone over 18 years now. I missed her when I was single but I miss her even more now that I have kids.

I am comforted by the fact that I'll see her again in heaven. I know that here on earth her life was miserable and that she's happy now. There's still a part of me that wishes she could be here to celebrate Christmas with her son (the one she raised as if she'd given birth to him) and his family.

Moms are special and I'm glad my kids get to enjoy the holidays with their mom.

CHALLENGES

#1 My Daughter’s Surgery this Week

This week my youngest is going in for her second brain surgery to address her Chiari Malformation. She had this done back in June of 2012. She’s really strong and did really well the last time and so I’m praying that it goes really well this time also.

I know we're very anxious about it but I told my wife last night that God loves Aria more than we do. I know that He has her in His hands and He will take care of her. I have faith in my heavenly Father.

#2 Our Children’s Behavior

It’s not easy to go through and I know it really wears on our family. My wife says that she can tell that it’s bothering the kids. When she drops off the kids for school, Aria does not want to go unless mommy promises to come to school early in the afternoon to be with her in the classroom. I’m very thankful that Tina is able to do that, although I know that puts a strain on Tina to get the things done she wants to do for the day.

Suzanna and Haydn have been acting up a little more than normal. Tina thinks it’s because they’re bothered by all that’s going on with Aria. She’s probably correct but it could also be their way of attracting attention since Aria gets the most due to all her medical treatments and we cater to Aria because of how much she goes through on a daily basis.

Have you ever been at a loss on how to correct your children’s behavior?

Have you ever felt like a failure because your child just can’t seem to control him/herself?

Do you ever worry that you, as a parent, must be doing something wrong when your kids just can’t seem to listen?

Probably not and it’s just me but that is some of the challenges that I face when it comes to our kids’ behavior.

#3 Finances

Bills are always a stress and if it’s not one thing, it’s another. Medical bills come in the mail on a regular basis. Our car was hit a couple weeks ago and we had to come up with the $500 deductible plus 20% of the cost of a week’s rental on a car. I had to replace all four tires on my car about two months ago.

BUT, God is good!!

1. I have a job that pays most of the bills.
2. Tina works some and does what she can to bring in some money.
3. Tina is awesome at saving money and finding that bargain. For example, this week on three different occasions she’s saved between 65 and 85% at the grocery store.
4. Our kids have more than enough to eat and clothes to wear.
5. We live in a nice house that God allowed us to refinance last year that lowered our mortgage.

I’m sure I could go on but I’ll stop at that for now.

#4 Faith

Do you ever wonder why God allows bad things to happen to people, especially people who believe and put their trust in Him?

I know people who are struggling with or deny that there is a God because it can be hard to believe in a good, loving God when all you see is bad things happening all around.

It's especially hard when bad things happen to yourself and/or your family. We've all wondered how God could allow such a thing to happen. Doesn't God love us? Couldn't have God stopped it?

Faith can be a challenge but I believe Roman 8:28 when it says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."


Challenges are a part of life. The challenges that come into our lives should help remind us to focus on Him. That's not always easy because we like to focus on ourselves.

Let's remember what James 1:2-5 says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Aria - Denver outcome & future surgeries

It’s been quite a couple months. In August, Tina took Aria to Jewish National Hospital in Denver. After lots of tests and meeting with doctors and several procedures, Aria was diagnosed with asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, equivocal laryngeal cleft type 1, and chronic rhinitis.

Rhinitis is a medical term for irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), gastric reflux disease, or acid reflux disease is a chronic symptom of mucosal damage caused by stomach acid coming up from the stomach into the esophagus.

A laryngeal cleft or laryngotracheoesophageal cleft is a rare congenital abnormality in the posterior laryngo-tracheal wall. It occurs in approximately 1 in 10,000 to 20,000 births. It means there is a gap between the oesophagus and trachea, which allows food or fluid to pass into the airway.

The first two we knew about but the cleft was a surprise and might be causing some of the fat in her lungs but we’re doing the stomach surgery first and monitor her condition afterwards and if necessary they’ll fix the cleft but it’s high enough that it might not be an issue. We’ll see.

On Oct 8th, Aria will be having a fundoplication, where the gastric fundus (upper part) of the stomach is wrapped, or plicated, around the lower end of the esophagus and stitched in place, reinforcing the closing function of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Whenever the stomach contracts, it also closes off the esophagus instead of squeezing stomach acids into it. This prevents the reflux of gastric acid (in GERD).

We also had another CT scan recently and it’s showing that Aria’s Chiari is affecting her again with little fluid flow between her spine and her brain which is causing more and more headaches and could lead to other problems also.

We are planning on her having another brain surgery before the end of the year to help release the pressure again. We thought it was a “one and done” thing but the new doctor says that he’s been known to do four or five on children as they continue to grow through childhood. I hope it’s not that many and we’ll let you know when her brain surgery is going to happen but my guess would be around Thanksgiving or Christmas break to try and minimize how much school she misses. She’s already missed a lot so far.

Tough Times

Below is an excerpt from a book I'm reading. It really spoke to my heart.


Our appetites in life determine how we respond in a trial. I have since been in the same circumstances and have not handled the pressure of empty cupboards quite as graciously. But never has lack upset my spiritual apple cart when Jesus was really my First Love.

Pressure brings everything to the surface— the good, the bad, and the ugly. While I don’t like it, pressure comes because of the mercy of God. Can you imagine what it would be like to live an entire life without seeing what was in our hearts through trial?

Many people turn their attention to how others have wronged them during their season of testing. That is one of the devil’s better tricks. If I can be preoccupied with what’s wrong with you, I’ll never be in a place to see my own heart. If I can’t see my heart, I can’t repent and be changed. Let’s face it, holiness— becoming like Jesus— is the purpose behind every trial.

The Kingdom of God is so different from everything else we know. Brokenness comes before healing. Weakness is the first step to strength. Seeing our hopeless condition is the prerequisite to experiencing His transforming power.

Johnson, Bill (2010-12-01). Center of the Universe: A Look at Life From the Lighter Side (p. 20). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition.

The Secret Holocaust Diaries: The Untold Story of Nonna Bannister

I just read this book and it was very moving and I'd encourage everyone to read it. Below is a poem that I thought summed up the entire book and I know there are a lot of people that would be able relate to it.


WHY?

While my body was imprisoned,
My soul was free.
Now that my body is free,
My soul is restless.

How could this happen (or be)?
Have I not dreamed of total freedom?
The dream that stayed with me for years
I dream no longer—shed no tears.

Embraced with memories so vivid,
I suffer quietly alone.
There’s no one left who shared my sorrows,
Who walked with me the road of horrors.

How many thoughts remain unspoken,
But memories can’t fade away.
The horrors of the past still haunt me,
The ghostly shadows won’t dissipate.

I tried to free myself, pretending it never happened.
Oh, what a fool I was in thinking I could easily forget.
My nights are long, my thoughts are lingering.
The past will always be with me.

No matter how I try, there’s no escape from what was real.
Should I continue to reveal?
Should others learn the true life story
Of more than one who can no longer tell?



Bannister, Nonna (2009-03-20). The Secret Holocaust Diaries: The Untold Story of Nonna Bannister (pp. 239-240). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

My Life in Fundyville by Fundy Rebel

I want to encourage you to read this woman's blog at My Life in Fundyville. This is a brand new blog. I'm sure you'll want to read all her entries and definitely read the comments where others have told their stories. I know this is going to be interesting and I'm looking forward to future posts.


Everyone's journey in/through/& out of "fundyville" will be different. I have considered what I grew up in as an average fundy church. I've been to "fundy lite," average, and even a couple of extreme fundy churches and there is a difference.

In some ways, I think that "fundy lite" can be more dangerous because it's subtle. It's easier to overlook because you don't realize the hold it has on you. As I went through life, what I thought was the Holy Spirit was just the "principles" and "guidelines" that I was taught to be a good Christian. It's not that the principles and guidelines were wrong but the things that we did and didn't do based on them caused us to think we were sinning, that others were sinning, or if they were better Christians, they wouldn't do certain things.

When you only show up for church services and not involved in any part of the ministries of a "Fundy lite" church, it is very easy to think that you're church is different and not involved in the power, manipulation, and control that you hear about it "other" churches. It's easy to miss that only certain people get "loved on" when sick or having a baby. Or, that only certain people, no matter talent or experience, get to teach a class, sing in front of the church, or be visible beyond working in the nursery.

You also come to believe that all other churches outside the baptist "umbrella" are wrong and teach a false gospel. When you finally venture out from under that "umbrella", you realize that this is not true.

One of the problems of growing up "fundy lite" is that it preps people for "hardcore fundy." I've seen multiple people make that step and it seems to be a natural transition. Unfortunately, these people see this step as a growth of spirituality instead of another level of control.


Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading Fundy Rebel's blog. I know there are too many people out there who will be able to relate to her story.

Ezekial 18 – Sins of the Father

I have been listening through Ezekial this month and chapter 18 stuck out to me. Sometimes I wonder if I have to pay for the sins of my father or if I raise a son who defies God, will I have to pay for his sins. I’ve always felt we’re responsible for ourselves but God’s Word and His clarification on the subject really meant a lot to me this week.

Ezekial gives this list of sins several times in this chapter but to save time I’ll list them here.

1.       Violent

2.       Shedder of blood

3.       Eats upon the mountain

4.       Defiles his neighbor’s wife

5.       Oppresses the poor and needy

6.       Commits robbery

7.       Does not restore a pledge

8.       Lift up his eyes to the idols

9.       Commits abomination

10.    Lends at an interest and takes a profit

Ezekial also lists the behaviors of a righteous man, which parallels the list of sins.

1.       Does not eat upon the mountain

2.       Lift his eyes to the idols of Israel

3.       Does not defile neighbor’s wife

4.       Does not oppress anyone

5.       Restores to the debtor his pledge

6.       Exacts no pledge

7.       Commits no robbery

8.       Gives bread to the hungry

9.       Covers the naked with a garment

10.    Withholds his hand from iniquity

11.    Withholds his hand from injustice

12.    Executes true justice between man and man

13.    Takes no interest or take a profit

14.    Obeys my rules

15.    Walks in my statutes

16.    Keeps my rules by acting faithfully

Here’s the good news, the lesson for today.

1.       The soul who sins shall die. (vs. 4, 19)

2.       The righteous man shall live. (vs. 9)

3.       The righteous man shall not die because of his sinful son. (vs. 13)

a.        He shall not pay for the iniquity of his son. (vs. 20)

4.       The righteous man shall not die because of his sinful father. (vs. 17)

a.       He shall not pay for the iniquity of his father. (vs. 20)

5.       If the sinful (wicked) turn from their sin, they shall not die and his transgressions shall not be remembered against him. (vs. 21, 27-28)

6.       If the righteous man turns to wickedness, he shall die and his righteous deeds will not be remembered. (vs. 24, 26)

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? (vs. 23)

For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live. (vs. 32)

J. Frank Norris: The Shooting Salvationist by David R. Stokes

I encourage you to read this book.

This was a fascinating book and story of a man that I've heard about but didn't know much about.

The best synopsis of this book is from the book itself on the last page.

The Reverend Doctor J. Frank Norris was many things: a pastor who led the nation's first megachurch, a provocative publisher and a pioneer broadcaster. At his apex during the Roaring Twenties, Norris preached to a congregation of 10,000 at First Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. With the flair of a great showman, he railed against vice and injustice.

Rev. Norris was also a killer.                                         

To those who dared to challenge him, J. Frank Norris was a formidable foe, as demonstrated with swift brutality in 1926, when he shot an unarmed critic to death. The killing and subsequent trial became a national media sensation. 

      Using more than 6,000 pages of newspaper articles, court records, and a variety of other published works, author and minister David Stokes vividly recreates the story of the fundamentalist movement's most controversial figure. Mesmerizing in its vivid details, APPARENT DANGER: The Pastor of Americas First Megachurch and the Texas Murder Trial of the Decade in the 1920s skillfully explores the events leading up to one of the most intriguing—yet least known—true crime dramas in America's legal history.

You also might be interested in the website from the author regarding this book. The Shooting Salvationist