Jesus.

Be the reason the world wants to know Him.
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Be a living invitation to experience what cannot be explained.
Live love. Err on the side of grace.
Live Jesus.

Nothing else matters.
    which is why everything matters.
-Mo

My boy

I love this handsome man cat.

SCOTUS Hobby Lobby Decision

I actually agree with the Court here, and not just because I am pro-life and religious.  This decision resonates with me politically, regardless the specifics of the issues involved.  Not forcing companies to provide contraceptive coverage is not the same thing as allowing companies to keep employees from accessing said contraceptives.  Condoms, the pill, Plan B, and whatever else you want to use to avoid pregnancy are all readily (and relatively cheaply) available without company contraceptive coverage.  The Court's decision does not keep any of these products off of shelves or out of citizens' reach.

The Court even recognized the importance of making these contraceptives available to Americans.  They just refused to require that a person or company be held responsible for what the government has decided is important. If the government thinks people should have free access to contraceptives, the government should provide it.

In fact, I would argue similarly for universal healthcare. If we believe in what our Declaration of Independence calls the inalienable rights to life and the pursuit of happiness, I argue we owe every American a level of healthcare that supports those rights. But if we also believe in the third listed inalienable right: liberty, we should not force a free man, woman, or enterprise to be responsible for footing the bill of securing individuals' rights.

If voters believe these rights are important, then voters (i.e. taxpayers) should provide for their security.  We should all be responsible for protecting and providing for the unprotected and unprovided-for among us. In effect, Hobby Lobby, by paying taxes, would end up giving its share toward contraceptive coverage, but executives would not be forced specifically to make a choice contrary to their beliefs or preferences.

The way I see it, this is a question not of religious liberty but purely of liberty. The government should not be in the habit of forcing upon individuals its own responsibilities.

Handicapped parking at Furkids

Mother's Day

Grateful.

Spring Shower

Enjoying a soft, spring rain. One of God's gentlest whispers.

Prove Me Wrong

I can pinpoint the beginning of the phase almost exactly. May 29, 2012. My first day of Fitwit, one of several things I had written off without more than a glance and a feeling, or perhaps even an educated guess, that it would not work for me. On that day, I accepted the challenge of allowing experience to prove wrong my preconceived notions:

Fitwit
Preconception: I hate exercise. I can't do athletic things. I definitely can't afford Fitwit.
Experience: I love exercise that is structured and fun. I may not be the best at every workout, but when I commit to doing what I can, I will be surprised by and proud of my progress. If I put fitness where it belongs on my list of priorities, it become worth much more than the cost of Fitwit camps.

Megachurch
Preconception: Megachurches are not Biblical churches. Knowing all other church members, especially one's pastor, is essential to the church experience as it was intended by God. People really are okay with watching their preacher on a screen???
Experience: God led me to attend Buckhead Church in spite of my preconceptions. And in spite of my preconceptions, I have fallen in love with it. God can speak as well through a preacher on a screen before thousands as through a teacher face-to-face with a handful. I love being part of a church that my non-Christian friends love to attend with me, and Sunday is once again my favorite day of the week.

Trader Joe's
Preconception: hip grocery store for grocery snobs who will pay more for the same groceries just because they come from a hip grocery store.
Experience: I went to TJ's for the first time a couple of weeks ago and, other than the hip part, was completely proven wrong. I found really interesting products that are not available elsewhere. I still only bought my normal stuff, though. I drove immediately to my normal Kroger with my TJ's receipt and found that I had saved a good chunk of change while also being hip.

Paleo diet
Preconception: There is no way cavemen didn't eat grain and drink milk. Even if this diet is true to the way they ate, I prefer today's life expectancy over the much shorter paleolithic one. And while we are discussing preferences, I always prefer cheese.
Experience: Giving it a shot. Will let you know how it goes. Paleo, prove me wrong!