Standing Up

What does it mean to stand up for something? I recall a song that says "If you don't stand for what you believe in, you'll fall for anything." This couldn't be closer to the truth.

Yes, there is a danger for standing up for what you believe in. The danger includes, discrimination, judgment, persecution, ridicule and even death. It is not OK to kill someone because of their beliefs...NEVER, but it has happened time and time again throughout history. It saddens me that people commit terrible acts of violence to justify their stand or cause. Sickens me, actually. But this is what we deal with...daily.

I read a friends post on Facebook this morning about not understanding the violence. She says, "How do you explain these acts of hate to your children when they ask; 'Why does God let this happen?'"?

Is there a real...REAL answer. I suppose it depends on what you believe in. Here's the answer that I have.

Jesus says in John 15:20, "Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also."

We are also warned in 2 Timothy 3:1; "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days."

Evil is real. We are forewarned of evil's destructive powers in 2 Peter 3:3, "Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

Those who choose to follow THE Rabi to the best of their ability, and claim Christ as the Messiah and Savior WILL face troubling times, will be called out and be persecuted (even to death). The question is no longer what do you believe in (or not believe in), rather will you STAND for what you know is right and true.

The lines are being drawn, it's time to pick a side and stand firm. I choose to stand firm by loving others, listening and sharing God's truth rather than with hateful speech, intimidation or judging.

"Where love flows, hate cannot."

Peace & Blessings~
Jen

Faith, Civic Duty and when they collide

There's been a lot of news being reported about people not performing their civic duties or jobs because of their faith. I have to admit, this confuses me.


As a Christian, I do know that we have to follow God's law, but Jesus did remind his disciples to also "Give unto Cesar what is Cesar's" (Matthew 22:21). As a Christian, we are called to do everything in LOVE (1 Corinthians 16:14,"Do everything in love"). Is it our job, our position to pass judgment on those that we are called to serve? (Matthew 7:2, For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.) (Luke 6:37,[ Judging Others ] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.) (Romans 14:10,"You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.")

If you are not willing to do what is asked of you and your job because of your faith, then you have a decision to make. Either you quit your job or you do your job without complaint and petition to God for His help in your situation. (Hebrews 4:16); "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

This is to be said that as we are free to worship how we choose in these United States (http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am1.html; "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof") so this should hold true for ALL who struggle with their job and their religion. Jehovah Witnesses do not vote or pledge allegiance to the flag or join the military because of their beliefs. They CHOOSE to not serve in this way, because they know that if they were to join the military they would have to pledge allegiance to the flag, they would have to possibly kill another. They do not complain they just do not take the military as a job option.

My point is this. If you have a job, do it to the best of your ability and with a servant's heart filled with love, not hate or with contentment. You may be the only witness to those you serve that do not believe as you believe. Are you helping or hurting the cause?

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

Ten Years Ago...

was a day that changed our lives forever. I have read a few blogs today that have reflected the thoughts and feelings about today, ten years ago, and I know that the very thought of reflection is still very real and raw for many.

If you are new to my blog, and don't know much about me, let me tell you a little of who I am. I grew up as a military brat. My Dad is retired Air Force and I grew up on an always "ready alert". Not because we were always "at war", but to be honest, my Dad joined the Air Force in 1976, and we, as a nation, were just coming out of the Vietnam War. I was just a child and only really remember what I've read in history class. Growing up in the military is great, we moved all the time and I always had a sense of security. I never really thought much of the "evil" that is in the world because everyone I knew was defending good against evil.

In 1988 my Dad was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Our first (and only) overseas assignment. We spend 6 years there, and to this day it is "home". It was in Okinawa that I was introduced to the other military branches, and that is where I first understood war. I was there when the wall came down in Germany. I had many friends that were there. I was there when I had friends deployed to places of scrimmages, and it was there when "Desert Storm" initially happen in 1990 and a multitude of my friends were deployed for the desert with an uncertainty of when they would (or if they would) return. Since that time I have been very aware of the threat that is posed to us on a daily basis. I don't live in fear, but I am aware of the risks that are taken daily for my very freedom.

Since 1995 I have not been around a military instillation as I had when I was growing up. I don't live on base, and I get a feeling of honor and nostalgia when I see a person in uniform. I know that world and understand it better than most. So, on September 11, 2001, when my Mother called me to tell me to turn on the TV, I was in so much shock, that all I could do is say No, No, No, wait, this can't really be happening. It was so surreal. I was in my living room, of my first non military home, with my daughter at my feet and my new born son on my hip. I stood there, just watching the first tower burn, and then as the second plane dived into the second tower, I thought I was going to throw up, or faint, or both. I really could not believe my own eyes. I just wept..or rather cried uncontrollably for all those people, people that I had never met, or would never meet on this side of heaven. I thought about all the lives that were taken in just that brief moment, and wondered, to myself, how many knew who Jesus was, and if they were saved from eternal damnation. Then I heard of the other planes. 4 all together. So many lost. In the 10 years since I have seen many changes occur in our country. Doubt, Superstition, Hatred, Higher Security seem to be on the top of the list. Yes, they were terrible people that did a terrible thing. Yes, I believe that what happened was wrong and unjustifiable. But I believe even more in a loving, forgiving and healing God. I believe that His word holds true and that we are to continue to love one another. Mark 12:31 says, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” and God's word says in Matthew 6:14-15, " For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." My prayer is for us to find peace and forgiveness as we continue to heal as a nation, as a people. No, don't ever forget, but I urge you to forgive. ~Peace & Blessings~ Jen

The best invention of our time is...

So the question was asked this morning on Bart & Jen in the Morning, What is the best invention of our time? We had several calls, but Jim's call was the top! The microchip! Without it we would not have any of the tools we have today. So the question was asked...who invented the microchip? Well here's the answer, thanks to about.com

The History of the Integrated Circuit aka Microchip
Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce

By Mary Bellis, About.com Guide
See More About:

* jack kilby
* robert noyce
* microchip
* integrated circuit
* history of computers

"illustration from Jack Kilby's inventor's journal "

illustration from Jack Kilby's inventor's journal
integrated circuit
"What we didn't realize then was that the integrated circuit would reduce the cost of electronic functions by a factor of a million to one, nothing had ever done that for anything before" - Jack Kilby

The Integrated Circuit
It seems that the integrated circuit was destined to be invented. Two separate inventors, unaware of each other's activities, invented almost identical integrated circuits or ICs at nearly the same time.

Jack Kilby, an engineer with a background in ceramic-based silk screen circuit boards and transistor-based hearing aids, started working for Texas Instruments in 1958. A year earlier, research engineer Robert Noyce had co-founded the Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation. From 1958 to 1959, both electrical engineers were working on an answer to the same dilemma: how to make more of less.

Why the Integrated Circuit Was Needed
In designing a complex electronic machine like a computer it was always necessary to increase the number of components involved in order to make technical advances. The monolithic (formed from a single crystal) integrated circuit placed the previously separated transistors, resistors, capacitors and all the connecting wiring onto a single crystal (or 'chip') made of semiconductor material. Kilby used germanium and Noyce used silicon for the semiconductor material.

Patents for the Integrated Circuit
In 1959 both parties applied for patents. Jack Kilby and Texas Instruments received U.S. patent #3,138,743 for miniaturized electronic circuits. Robert Noyce and the Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation received U.S. patent #2,981,877 for a silicon based integrated circuit. The two companies wisely decided to cross license their technologies after several years of legal battles, creating a global market now worth about $1 trillion a year.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen