"Aslan's Meditations: True Beauty" (for Narnia fans)

by AslansLily @ AslansCountry.com
Click here to go to the original

Susan Pevensie has always been considered "the pretty one" and "the beauty of the family" (Voyage 5, 154).* While she reigns as Queen Susan during Narnia's Golden Age, Prince Rabadash of Tashbaan seeks her hand in marriage. And when Shasta meets her, even he believes Susan is "the most beautiful lady he had ever seen" (Horse 61).

However, Lucy Pevensie seems to be rather plain, in comparison to her older sister. Except for a few suitors during the Golden Age of her reign, Lucy never receives the attention that Susan does -- at least from her family.

So when she is tempted with a beauty spell, while on Magican's island, Lucy nearly succombs. She has visions of being "throned on high at a great tournament in Calormen and all the Kings of the world [fighting] because of her beauty" (Voyage 153-54). Lucy then envisions herself "back in England" and Susan returning from America, but the older sister is "plainer and [has] a nasty expression" (154). Lucy rejoices that because of her "dazzling beauty," "no one care[s] anything about Susan now" (154).

Yet which is the truly beautiful sister? And what is true beauty?

In this modern age, surrounded by images, we women are told that physical appearance is what matters. We may not be told that beauty is skin deep, but that is the subtle message our modern culture is sending to women. So from the time we're teenagers, we worry about our weight, our hair, our clothes -- everything that makes up how we appear physically to others, especially boys and our peers. We buy expensive clothes and makeup. We go on diets -- sometimes endangering our lives. We do all of this just to appear beautiful to thers. Yet the same is true for men, even more so today. Neither gender is immune to our modern culture's polluted conception of beauty.

My mother has had a weight problem all her life -- unlike her thin and pretty younger sister. While she was growing up, her parents were not very kind to her about her physical appearance. That she had great faith in, and love for, Jesus Christ (unlike her sister) did not matter. That she knew and obeyed to Bible (unlike her sister) did not matter. As a result, my mother likes to equate weight (and fat) with sin. She thinks if she doesn't eat certain foods on a given day, she's being "good." My mother wonders why God made her with a certain body shape, why she doesn't look like a model or can eat anything she wants without gaining weight. My mother has bought into the lie that in order to be beautiful, or be considered such by the world, she must worry about (and manage) her physical appearance.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to be and feel pretty. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be healthy physically. Yet I fear that we have missed what true beauty is.

Do not let your adomment be merely outwad--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel--rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves... ~ 1 Peter 3:3-5**

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is not law. ~ Galatians 5:22-23

True beauty is faith, gentleness, quietness, and holiness. It is obedience, humility, and sacrifice. True beauty is producing the fruit of the Spirit in one's heart. So which is the more beautiful sister? Lucy. Unlike Susan, she has faith in Aslan. In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Lucy faithfully follows Aslan to the Stone table and stays by his side after he dies. In Prince Caspian, she sees Aslan when the others don't. In The Voyage of the Dawn Trader, even Edmund remarks to Eustace that "Lucy sees him most often" (111). Aslan reveals himself more often to her than to anyone else on the ship's voyage. Also in Dawn Treader, it is Lucy who prays to Aslan.

As a result of such faith, Lucy is obedient, humble, gentle, and loving -- to her friends, family, and Aslan. In Wardrobe, Lucy insests on rescuing her friend Mr. Tumnus, even though the way is paved with great dangers. In Prince Caspian, she obeys Aslan's voice when he wants everyone to cross the gorge on their way to Aslan's How. And in Dawn Treader, Lucy shows compassion for her cousin Eustace and Lord Rhoop.

Yet this is not enough. Lucy still believes that in comparison to her sister Susan, she is plain. We have no evidence of this in the books. I personally don't think Lucy was unattractive by worldly standards, yet many in her family did not consider her as pretty as Susan. This is what Lucy believes and it affects how she sees herself, and what she says and does.

So, while on Magician's island, Lucy is tempted by the attraction of physical beauty. In a moment of weakness, she takes her eyes off Aslan and puts them on herself -- and on Susan. Lucy is tempted to see herself in the wrong mirror and say the spell that will "make beautiful her that uttereth it beyond the lot of mortals" (Voyage 153). The first Dawn Treader trailer rephrases it this way: "An infallible spell to make you she the beauty you've always wanted to be. Lashes, lips, and complexion / Transform my reflection." Is this true beauty? No. And somehow deep inside, Lucy knows this. She fights the voice of her conscience that says saying the spell in wrong. So Aslan intervenes with a fierce growl to turn Lucy from her wrong intention.

After she later succombs to the eavesdropping spell, Aslan reminds Lucy what true beauty is. In a "spell 'for the refreshment of the spirit,'" she reads "about a cup and a sword and a tree and a green hill" (Voyage 156-57). It's like she's overhearing the events at the Stone Table in Wardrobe. Lucy must be reminded of who Aslan is and what he did for Narnia. She must be reminded of his sacrifice. In this is true beauty.

He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. ~ Isaiah 53:2

When Jesus Christ was hanging on the cross, bloody and scarred and beaten, there was no physical beauty evident to the spectators that they should desire Him. Yet there was great spiritual beauty. Over and over in the Bible, the word "beauty" is used in conjunction with holiness, humility, and praise. God will give us "beauty for ashes" (Isaiah 61:3). We must worship Him "in the beauty of holiness" (1 Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 29:2, 96:9). Our praises to God are themselves beautiful (Psalm 33:1, 147:1). So are the feet of those who tell others about Christ (Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:15).

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. ~ James 1:25

When Lucy finally says the spell that will "make hidden things visible," in obedience to the Dufflepuds, Aslan reveals himself as "the highest of all High Kings" (Voyage 157-58). When he is made visible with the others, Lucy learns the Aslan "obey[s] [his] own rules" -- and so should she (159). She also learns what true beauty is: obedience to the voice of Aslan, and faith in him. Lucy already possesses these virtues but Aslan must reinforce them, in the context of true beauty. When he appears in the doorway and Lucy turns around to face him, "her face [lights] us till, for a moment . . . she looked almost as beautiful as that other Lucy in the picture" (158). Why? Because Aslan himself is true beauty. He defines beauty. And Lucy's focus in that moment is rightly on him. Her identity and value come from knowing and loving Aslan -- not from what the world calls beautiful. And when she looks at Aslan with the eyes of faith, Lucy herself become beautiful. She is gazing on the right mirror.

Don't worry about or focus on what the world calls "beautiful." If you have living faith in Jesus Christ, and follow and obey Him, you are beautiful. Take time each day to see yourself in the mirror of the Word, not the mirror on your wall. When we look at Christ, through this divine mirror, we are also transformed into creatures of true beauty.

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. ~ 1 John 3:2

In The Last Battle, the differences between Susan and Lucy is obvious. Because of her faith in Aslan, along with the six other friends of Narnia Lucy enters Aslan's country, wearing a crown and "glittering clothes" (Battle 152). Like Eustace and Jill, she has been changed (153). Lucy becomes the true beauty, in her physical appearance, that she has always been in her heart.

Susan, however, "is no longer a friend of Narnia" (Battle 154). She likes "nylons and lipsticks and invitations" to parties (154). And she compares Narnia to a children's game. Susan may think she is pretty, but she does not have true beauty. As a result, she is not on the train with the others. Susan does not enter Aslan's country. And she is not changed. the ugliness of Susan's heart is revealed for everyone to see.

Which sister has faith in Aslan -- and sees him the most? Which sister enters the Narnian heaven? Which sister has true beauty? Lucy. I know which sister I would rather be like. What about you?

*Quotations taken from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Horse and His Boy, and The Last Battle (HarperCollins, 1994)

**Bible quotations taken from the New King James Version (NKJV)

Photos: VDT screencaps, LWW screencap (via Totally Georgie)

This is me now. The above essay is used with permission (thanks, AslansLily). AslansLily included 3 pictures from the LWW & VDT in the essay, but they wouldn't download onto here for some reason, so I wasn't able to include them in my post. I've also put the KJV bible verses below, in the order they appear in the essay:

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves... ~ 1 Peter 3:3-5

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is not law. ~ Galatians 5:22-23

...he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him. ~ Isaiah 53:2

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. ~ James 1:25

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. ~ 1 John 3:2

The Star Spangled Banner

I wrote something for 9/11 this year--but it's not ready to post, so I'll probably post it next year. Instead, I'm posting "The Star Spangled Banner". My favorite verse is the fourth verse. I especially like the line, "And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust'". May this always be America's motto, and the motto of each of her individuals.

The Star Spangled Banner

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the swilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us as a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

America for Me

America for Me

'Tis fine to see the Old World, and travel up and down

Among the famous palaces and cities of renown,

To admire the crumbly castles and the statues of the kings,--

But now I think I've had enough of antiquated things.

So it's home again, home again, America for me!

My heart is turning home again, and there I long to be,

In the land of youth and freedom beyond the ocean bars,

Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars.

Oh, London is a man's town, there's power in the air;

And Paris is a woman's town, with flowers in her hair;

And it's sweet to dream in Venice, and it's great to study Rome;

But when it comes to living there is no place like home.

I like the German fir-woods, in green battalions drilled;

I like the gardens of Versailles with flashing fountains filled;

But, oh, to take your hand, my dear, and ramble for a day

In the friendly western woodland where Nature has her way!

I know that Europe's wonderful, yet something seems to lack:

The Past is too much with her, and the people looking back.

But the glory of the Present is to make the Future free,--

We love our land for what she is and what she is to be.

Oh, it's home again, and home again, America for me!

I want a ship that's westward bound to plough the rolling sea,

To the blessed Land of Room Enough beyond the ocean bars,

Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars.

--Henry Van Dyke

A Creed for Americans

We believe in the dignity of man and the worth and value of every living soul, no matter in what body housed, no matter whether born in comfort or born in poverty, no matter to what stock he belongs, what creed he professes, what job he holds.

We believe that every man should have a free and equal chance to develop his own best abilities under a free system of government, where the people themselves choose those who are to rule them and where no one man can set himself up as a tyrant or oppress the many for the benefit of the few.

We believe that free speech, free assembly, free elections, free practice of religion are the cornerstones of such a government. We believe that the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights of the United States of America offer the best and most workable framework yet devised for such a government.

We believe in justice and law. We do not believe in curing an evil by substituting for it another and opposite evil. We are unalterably opposed to class hatred, race hatred, religious hatred, however manifested, by whomsoever instilled.

We believe that political freedom implies and acknowledges economic responsibility. We do not believ that any state is an admirable state that lets its people go hungry when they might be fed, ragged when they migh tbe clothed, sick when they might be well, workless when they might have work. We believe that it is the duty of all of us, the whole people working through our democratic system, to see that such conditions are remedied, whenever and wherever they exist in our country.

We believe that political freedom implies and acknowledged personal responsibility. We believe that we have a great and priceless heritage as a nation--not only a heritage of material resources but of liberties, dreams, ideals, ways of going forward. We believe it is our business, our right and our inescapable duty to maintain and expand that heritage. We believe that such a heritage cannot be maintained by the lacklustre, the selfish, the bitterly partisan or the amiably doubtful. We believe it is something bigger than party, bigger than our own small ambitions. We believe it is worth the sacrifice of ease, the long toil of years, the expense of our heart's blood.

We know that our democratic system is not perfect. We know that it permits injustices and wrongs. But with our whole hearts we believe in its continuous power of self-remedy. That power is not a theory--it has been proven. Through the years, democracy has given more people freedom, less persecution and a higher standard of living than any other system we know. Under it, evils have been abolished, injustices remedied, old wounds healed, not by terror and revolution but by the slow revolution of consent in the minds of all the people. While we maintain democracy, we maintain the greatest power of a people can possess--the power of gradual, efficient, and lawful change.

Most of all, we believe in democracy itself--in its past, its present and its future--in democracy as a political system to live by--in democracy as the great hope in the minds of the free. We believe it so deeply rooted in the earth of this country that neither assault from without nor dissension from within can ever wipe it entirely from that earth. But, because it was established for us by the free-minded and the daring, it is our duty now, in danger as in security, to uphold and sustain it with all that we have and are. We believe that its future shall and must be even greater than its past. And to the future--as to the past of our forebears and the present of our hard-won freedom--we plede all we have to give.

--Stephen Vincent Benét

Oh, it's home again, and home again, America for me!

This or That?

YOURSELF
1. Would you rather be able to run 100 miles per hour or swim 100 miles per hour? Run... that's more useful when playing soccer. =D
2. Would you rather have fangs or a tail? Um, could I just have both?
3. Would you rather have hair that grew an inch every day or fingernails that grew an inch every week? Hair... fingernails would definately be much more of a hastle!
4. Would you rather have to sing when you talked or dance when you walked? Hmm. Dance, I guess.
5. Would you rather be able to kick a field goal or dunk a basket ball? Field goal, DEFINATELY!!!


FOODS
1. Would you rather eat a chocolate hamburger or a strawberry pizza? YUCK! Probably the strawberry pizza. Maybe.
2. Would you rather eat only tacos for a month or only spaghetti? Probably spaghetti.
3. Would you rather have lunch in a library or a lake house? Lake house.
4. Would you rather eat a salad with salsa on it or chips dipped in salad dressing? Salad w/ salsa. I'm actually not sure that would taste all that bad. Maybe I'll try it sometime.
5. Would you rather have popcorn-flavored candy, or candy-flavored popcorn at the movies? Candy-flavored popcorn, definately!


FUTURE
1. Would you rather go places in a helicopter or a limousine? Helicopter! That definately sounds like more fun!
2. Would you rather have a gymnastics trick or a constellation named after you? Hmm... probably the constellation. That'll last longer, anyway, and, besides, I love astronomy, so that would definately be more fitting.
3. Would you rather win an award for your acting performance or for a song you wrote? Acting perfomance, DEFINATELY!!! Although a song I wrote wouldn't be bad either.
4. Would you rather like on a houseboat or in a penthouse? Hm, that's a hard one. The house boat. Less people=more sleep at night, as far as noises go! And I wouldn't mind the rocking either--I don't get seasick or anything like that.
5. Would you rather own a toy store or a candy store? I'm really not sure.


ANIMALS
1. Would you rather tell a joke to a parrot or to a laughing hyena? Interesting... Maybe a parrot?
2. Would you rather meet a blue dog or a purple cat? Weird. What difference does it make?
3. Would you rather play patty-cake with a monkey or go skating with a gorilla? Skating.
4. Would you rather be able to speak squirrel language or bird language? Hmm again. Probably a squirrel.
5. Would you rather ride a giraffe or an ostrich? Ostrich. I could race it! But I guess a giraffe might be cool, too.


ADVENTURE
1. Would you rather slide down a mountain on a plastic saucer or float down a river in a giant teacup? Slide down a mountain on a plastic saucer. That sould like a lot of fun! Speed--here I come!
2. Would you rather spend the night in a mall or in your school? Well, since my school is my home (I'm homeschooled), a night a the mall might be interesting.
3. Would you rather find out that you were royal or magical? Although it doesn't exist, magical. Of course, royal would be neat too, but I think magical would be better. I guess it would depend in either case, though.
4. Would you rather go to school in your pajamas or to the movies in a rabbit costume? School in pajamas. The rabbit costume would probably be way too hot & uncomfortable!
5. Would you rather slide down a super-long banister or swing from a jungle vine? Swing from a jungle vine.

Anyone that wants to, take the quiz! This would be a fun group activity, too. Let me know if you take it (if you want to)... it'd be fun to see your answers, too! Have fun!


Jess

Riddle

This is a riddle my dad thought of that actually happened:

We (well, my cousins, really) walked down the marriage aisle together twice, but we've only been married once. Nothing went wrong. How is this possible?


Jess

They Didn't Die in Vain/D-Day

The following is a poem, written by a WWII Veteran, that I saw in a newspaper article. Written as seen in the article.

'THEY DIDN'T DIE IN VAIN'
Pvt. E. Duncan Cameron of Company C, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, wrote this poem in his pocket diary a few days after D-Day. At the time, he was in a foxhole amid Normandy's hedgerows. In 2003, he donated his diary along with other writings to the Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

D-DAY

The invasion had finally started.
We were off on a cruise of doom,
A mask of a smile on lips parted,
But a heart beneath full of gloom.

We knew it a big undertaking --
We all understood our job.
A beachhead was in the making,
A showdown with Hitler's mob.

Sam was thinking of England.
Johnnie, his wife at home.
A joker put on a swing band;
My thoughts began to roam.

Our boat cut thru the gray mist
And sped us on our way.
Many who looked at the watch on their writst
Knelt down and began to pray.

Out of the mist loomed a murky wall --
It was Hitler's western defense.
Here was our goal and it had to fall
Was the flash to our inner sense.

The cry, "Saddle up," was the go sign.
The deck suddenly filled with men.
We were headed straight for the coastline;
God! Don't let this happen again.

Thru smoke we saw many sunken ships,
Proud in their ghost-like hue.
For they had scored their winning hits --
What more could you ask them to do?

The air reeked of death all over,
The water a blood-dyed red.
For a minute our heads seemed to lower,
A silent prayer for the dead.

Our craft didn't make it the first go.
She maneuvered to try it again.
The minutes seemed like ages, though,
Ere the prow of the boat hit the sand.

So into the icy water we jumped
As the shells whizzed overhead.
Many a pack and rifle dumped;
It was either that or be dead.

The beach was a literal graveyard.
The Jerries had taken their toll.
For the lads before us the road had been hard,
But they had continued to roll.

A deadly barrage from his 88s,
And the Boche had us eating sand.
It was there that some of our boys kept dates
With the Boss of the Promised Land.

John took the count -- God save his soul!
War is terrible, I know.
But maybe it's best, he's reached his goal --
He's gone where the brave men go.

Sam, he got it below the knee.
A million-dollar wound, I guess.
And thus my partner was taken from me,
At least for a while he'll rest.

Joe and Robbie were caught there too,
And Sergeant Doe in the legs.
So onward, boys, it's for me and you
To grind these Nazis to dregs.

Yes, the beach was won at a terrible cost,
But they didn't die in vain.
If it wasn't for them, the day'd been lost
And we'd had to start once again.

So raise the Stars and Stripes on high,
Ring praises thru our land --
For the valiant fightin' men who die
On a Flanders field of sand.

We're marching forward, the Fightin' First.
We're out for some Nazi blood.
And we won't stop till we stop this curse,
This nation ruled by a dud.

Yes, we're driving onward, this mighty team,
To meet a beaten foe.
And the valorous boys we left on the beach
Are with us wherever we go.

This story, though not completed,
Leaves a message in its wake:
We have never been defeated,
And we can give more than we take.

Memorial Day

I know I'm a couple days late, but I wanted to post something about Memorial Day anyway. Here's a poem by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918):

"In Flanders Field"

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

If you go to the website, there's a picture of (I assume) the original copy of the poem, as well as a history of the poem.

This is a response poem written by Moina Michael:

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

The following is an article Jennifer posted over on her blog:

"Lest we forget...The History of Memorial Day"

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge to day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed to honoring Americans who died fighting in any way). It is now celebrated in almost ever State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms. Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.

Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.

There are a few notable exceptions. Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more the 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. they then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights (the Luminaria Program). And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial day parade in over 60 years.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observee in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in servicce to their country.

But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance. Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

On January 19, 1999 Senator Inouye introduced bill S 189 to the Senate which proposes to restore the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day back to may 30th instead of "the last Monday in May". On April 19, 1999 Representative Gibbons introduced the bill to the House (H.R. 1474). The bills were referred the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Government Reform.

To date, there has been no further developments on the bill.

As found on the Memorial Day History Website.

Sources:
Arlington National Cemetery website
Jennifer's blog
US Memorial Day website pg1
Historic American Sheet Music webpage
US Memorial Day website pg2
US Memorial Day website pop-up #1
VFW website
US Memorial Day website pop-up #2
US Memorial Day website pg3
US Memorial Day website pg4
US Memorial Day website pg5

I hope you enjoyed this post, as well as learning some things about Memorial Day & its history.


Jess

The Whole Armour of God

By the way, before I start, I know I'm spelling 'armor' incorrectly. But that's the way it's spelled in the King James Bible, so, when refering the the Armour of God, I will spell it 'armour'. Besides, it's in the dictionary, anyway. =D

I'm making a page, "The Whole Armour of God", and I would like some help on a particular part. One of the things I'm doing on this page is listing the pieces of the Armour of God. There are six pieces of armour obviously stated, but at the end, prayer is also included, though there isn't a specific piece of armor given to it. I believe that prayer is most definitley a weapon of God as well as the Bible, just a different kind of weapon. Since there isn't a specific piece given, I figured, why not give it one myself? So, I've put a poll on my sidebar for this with a couple weapons I thought of, as well as an 'other' option. If you choose 'other', please comment on this post and tell me what weapon you would suggest. Remember, though, that I am (unless a good reason is commented otherwise) going to use a medieval weapon. This means I won't be using weapons such as guns, or any other weapon that would be considered a modern weapon. (Again, unless someone convinces me otherwise with a good reason. It would have to be a VERY good reason, though).

Thanks for participating!

Jess

God Is...

Before I give you the actual post, I want to let you know that I am NOT copying my sister! In fact, I had the idea to do this post at least a day before she did--she just got to posting it first! And actually, I haven't even been to her blog since before she posted her 'God is' post. Not that she's copying me, either. Neither of us had mentioned it to the other until she told me about it after she posted. Anyway, except for getting the idea from my dad (explained later), this post is original to me. =D Here's the actual post:


Last week Pastor was preaching at a revival meeting up in Indiana. Since he wasn't there for our Thursday night bible study, he asked dad to lead it instead. Instead of giving an 'informal sermon', dad decided to do a 'strict bible study', as he called it--strict as in it wasn't lead similar to a normal sermon, rather it would be a bible STUDY, in the real sense of the words. He did a keyword search on (I'm assuming) Sword Searcher and came up with a bunch of different verses with the phrase "God is" in them. He listed the references on a sheet of paper and, at the bible study, 'went around the circle' (the bible study is held in one of our church's member's homes) and assigned each person (well, those who can read anyway, which was about ten, since most of the church goes to the Wednesday night service. Obviously not the 2-year-old =D) anyway he assigned each person a verse to look up, and then each person read their verse when their turn came, then he'd 'go around the circle' again, until either all the verses had been read, or we ran out of time. After each verse was read, dad would make a comment about the 'God is' part of of the verse. Also, anyone else who had a thought, comment, question, etc, that they wanted to share could do so.

Dad's 'strict bible study' gave me an idea: why not do my own keyword search for 'God is' and put it on my blog??? Anyway, what I've done is I've, as I said, did the same keyword search my dad did, only I'm doing mine through biblegateway.com. I'll list, in the order that they appear in the Bible (since that's they way they'll show up in the search), the verses with their references. The 'God is' part of each verse will be in bold. I might put my own thoughts in, too, but probably not. I'll probably put anything I want to share in the comments. Anyway, please comment with any thoughts, comments, questions, etc, that you have about this. Part of the purpose of this post is to start a discussion about all the things that God is, or is not. You may want to look at the context of some of these verses to give you a better idea of what each verse truly means. All verses have been taken from the KJV. Word

By the way, if you're thinking, "This is too long!!!", then think about how you have the time to read all those long surveys. If you can set aside the time to read those, then shouldn't you have so much more time to read something like this??? However, if you really don't have enough time to read this (as I do admit that this will be extremely long) then maybe just read a few of the verses. Then when you have some time later, you can read a few more. Well, anyway, I'm anxious to start, so, enjoy!

1. Genesis 20:11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.
2. Genesis 21:22 And it came to pass at the time, that Abimelech and Phicol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest:
3. Genesis 31:50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.
4. Genesis 41:28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.
5. Genesis 41:38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
6. Exodus 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
7. Leviticus 21:12 Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD.
8. Numbers 6:7 He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die: because the consecration of his God is upon his head.
9. Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie, neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
10. Numbers 23:21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
11. Deuteronomy 3:24 O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy might hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?
12. Deuteronomy 4:7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
13. Deuteronomy 4:24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
14. Deuteronomy 4:31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
15. Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
16. Deuteronomy 6:15 (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
17. Deuteronomy 7:21 Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a might God and terrible.
18. Deuteronomy 9:3 Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.
19. Deuteronomy 10:17 For the LORD you God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
20. Deuteronomy 20:1 When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
21. Deuteronomy 20:4 For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
22. Deuteronomy 31:17 Then my anger shall be kindled against them in the day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that thy will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?
23. Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.
24. Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.
25. Joshua 3:10 And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive you from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
26. Joshua 23:3 And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD you God is he that hath fought for you.
27. 1 Samuel 4:7 And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore.
28. 1 Samuel 4:17 And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thytwo sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
29. 1 Samuel 4:22 And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.
30. 1 Samuel 10:7 And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.
31. 1 Samuel 16:16 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well
32. 1 Samuel 28:15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.
33. 2 Samuel 22:33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
34. 1 Kings 13:31 And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones:
35. 2 Kings 8:7 And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.
36. 2 Kings 18:22 But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?
37. 1 Chronicles 14:15 And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.
38. 1 Chronicles 17:2 Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.
39. 1 Chronicles 21:17 And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it was that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and not on thy people, that they should be plagued.
40. 2 Chronicles 30:9 For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lad them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.
41. Ezra 8:22 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.
42. Job 1:16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
43. Job 27:3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
44. Job 31:2 For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?
45. Job 33:12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
46. Job 36:5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.
47. Job 36:26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
48. Job 37:22 Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
49. Psalm 7:11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
50. Psalm 10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
51. Psalm 14:5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.
52. Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
53. Psalm 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
54. Psalm 45:6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
55. Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
56. Psalm 46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
57. Psalm 47:5 God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
58. Psalm 47:7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
59. Psalm 48:3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
60. Psalm 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
61. Psalm 50:6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
62. Psalm 54:4 Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
63. Psalm 56:9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
64. Psalm 59:9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.
65. Psalm 59:17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.
    
66. Psalm 62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
67. Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
68. Psalm 68:15 The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; and high hill as the hill of Bashan.
69. Psalm 68:20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.
70. Psalm 71:19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
71. Psalm 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
72. Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
73. Psalm 74:12 For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
74. Psalm 75:7 But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.
75. Psalm 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
76. Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
77. Psalm 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
78. Psalm 94:22 But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
79. Psalm 99:9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill for the LORD our God is holy.
80. Psalm 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
81. Psalm 116:5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
82. Psalm 118:27 God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
83. Psalm 144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
84. Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
85. Ecclesiastes 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon the earth: therefore let thy words be few.
86. Isaiah 8:10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
87. Isaiah 12:12 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
88. Isaiah 36:7 But if thou say to me, We trust in the LORD our God: is it not he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and said to Judah and to Jerusalem, ye shall worship before this altar?
89. Isaiah 45:14 Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and thy shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and thy shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.
90. Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
91. Jeremiah 3:23 Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.
92. Daniel 2:47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
93. Daniel 6:20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel, O Daniel, servent of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
94. Daniel 9:14 Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.
95. Nahum 1:2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
96. Habakkuk 3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
97. Zechariah 8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard the God is with you.
98. Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
99. Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
100. Matthew 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
101. Mark 1:15 And saying, The time if fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
102. Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
103. Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
104. Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
105. Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
106. Luke 10:11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
107. Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
108. Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
109. Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
110. Luke 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
111. John 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hat set to his seal that God is true.
112. John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
113. John 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
114. John 13:31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
115. Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
116. Acts 28:28 But it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
     
117. Romans 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
118. Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
119. Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
120. Romans 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
121. Romans 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
122. Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
123. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
124. Romans 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
125. Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
126. Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
127. 1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
128. 1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
129. 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
130. 1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
131. 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
132. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with temptation also make a way to escape, and that ye may be able to bear it.
133. 1 Corinthians 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
134. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
135. 2 Corinthians 1:18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
136. 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
137. Galatians 3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
138. Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
139. Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
140. Philippians 1:8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
141. Philippians 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
142. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
143. 1 Timothy 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
144. 2 Timothy 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
145. Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
146. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
147. Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget you work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
148. Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
149. Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
150. Hebrews 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
151. 1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
152. 1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
153. 1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
154. 1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hat to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
155. 1 John 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
156. 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
157. Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
     

Taken Tag

No one tagged me on this one... I "stole" it again... from Katie again. Sorry Katie. But then, I know you don't mind, do you? =D

Anyway, here's the tag:

~What's Your Favorite~

Color? Black, blue, red, or yellow, or a mix. Of course, if your talking symbolism... Red, White, & Blue!!!!!!!!!!

Main dish? Um... Cheeseburger Pasta, maybe? I'm really not sure at all. AT ALL.

Dessert? Um...

Drink? Has anyone realized that this question has been on EVERY tag I've done so far? I'm not kidding--EVERY ONE. And, of course, I've put the same answer EVERY time: Voltage Mountain Dew!!!

Veggie? Corn?

~Do You~

Go to Starbucks Coffee Shop? yes

Go to the mall a lot? no

Talk on the phone everyday to someone who is not family? Well, I don't have my own phone. Yet. =( But if I did, I probably would! Well, maybe not EVERY day, but most days, definately!!!

Read you Bible everyday? Well, I can't honestly say I read it EVERY day... I don't think anyone can really say that! But I do try... unfortunately, only most of the time, though.

Do lots of reading? YES!!!

See your grandparents everyday? Unfortunately, no. They either live too far away, or are busy all the time! (Except mom's mom, but she lives 3 hours away--farther than anyone else--but, ironically, we see her the most! (versus our other relatives who, generally, live about 30 minutes-an hour away.))

Bake a lot? No, but I think I might if I had a reason to.

Clean your room everyday? Well, yes, of course! =D

Have to say your sorry to someone everyday? Well, no, not EVERY day. What is it with these 'everyday' questions, anyway??? Enough of those already!!! =P

~A Certain Thing You Dislike of Each Category~

Veggie? Stinky feet, aka brussels sprouts!

Color? Well this is a silly question--I don't dislike any color!!! Well, except pink--not the biggest fan.

Drink? Unsweetened ice tea.

Animal? Can't think of any... I don't think I really dislike any animal--though some can by very pesky sometimes! aka BUGS!!! lol

~Do You Have A~

Pet? Yes!!! MY cat, Torri! And a frog (1 died--miss nobody put a thing in the tank that killed it. The ball thing just went right through the lid without any evidence of doing so... ya, right! lol), and ants!

Gift card at the moment? no

Sewing machine? Um, does my mom's count? She has two, but one was a figt, and the one I like better, she doesn't really like at all. (Actually, that's pretty normal--for the most part, if I like something, especially if I REALLy like it, she doesn't, & vice versa. LOL)

Big mess under your bed? No! Of course not!

Pack of gum in your bag or purse? Nope.

Computer in your room? Yes! My laptop!

~Have You Ever~

Been on a plane? yes

Been out of state? yes

Been out of the country? yes

Been in an eight-teen wheeler? yes

Been in a car accident? I think mom was in one when she was pregnant with me (does that count???) Other than that, no.

Read about a hundred and fifty page book in about an hour? yes

~Your Favorite Place To~

Go shopping? Shopping? What's shopping? Isn't that where people go and come back all tired & grumpy??? lol. Actually, I don't really think it's THAT bad, it depends on what I'm shopping for--I just had that thought and thought it was kind-of funny. Anyway, the answer to that question would be Kohls, or maybe Pebbles.

Eat out? Fast food: McDonalds. Eat-in: Italian (basically any Italian restaurant--Italiano Delight, Carabba's, Olive Garden), Shady Maple, Chuck E. Cheese... I think that's it.

Go visit? Grandma's (mom's mom) house!!! And, of course, various historical sites & vacation areas--if that can be considered visiting.

Read a good book at? I used to climb up to the top of a tall pine tree in our front yard, but I'm not allowed to anymore (due to a telephone line). There's also a little thing we call "The Plataeu" that's near our house that I like to read at--I'm not sure what it really is, though.

~Random~

What color is your room? If that means the walls, they're a cream color (same as when we moved in--not my choice). If that means the main color in my room, that would have to be a neutral-colored wood--again, that's just what we happen to have.

Do you share a room with anyone? *Ugh*, yes--a messy sister that throws her cloths not only on the floor of HER side of the closet, but MINE as well! lol

Have you ever went swimming in a pond? yes

How old are you? Exactly? 15 years, 6 months, 3 weeks, 2 days. In case you haven't noticed by now, I like being exact.

What year were you born? Hm, I wonder. Can't you figure that out from the previous question??? lol. 1994

Are you related to anyone important or famous? There's a bunch of possablities (according to last names & such), but we don't have any real proof. YET! Anccestry.com is my friend!!! lol

Have you ever met a vice president? yes, I think so--whoever was vice president under President George W. Bush. (I don't remember who it was at the moment.)

Are you getting bored yet? No! Of course not! I LOVE filling out tags/surveys/quizes/etc. like this!

What are you thinking? I'm thinking, "What am I thinking?" How about you, after reading that question??? lol

~Who You Will Tag~

Everyone I can think of!!!

Katie (yes, I got it from your blog, but you did it a long time ago, and you said you like doing these things--especially when your bored from reading a Ms. Angela-recommended book (;P), so go ahead and fill'er out again!)

Renee

Joshua

Raquel

Cindy

Angela (my sis)

Ms. Angela

Mom

Sharon

Adam

Christine

Livvy

Mrs. Mathena

Rebecca

Livvi

Emii

Andrew

Tiffany

Rebekah

Keith & Julie Loveless

Joshua

Skye

Miss Raquel

Jessica

And it comes to a grand total of 23!

Jess