Economic Stimulus Bill Bans "Relgious Worship"?

Yes, our economy needs help. Yes, we need a plan that may actually stimulate the economy. I'm guessing all have heard of the amazing pork in the bill that was passed by the Congress.

Are you aware that there are societal agendas buried in the bill, other than pork? The title above is misleading. No, nothing in the bill bans ALL religious worship - simply religious worship at any public college or university that receives money from this bill. Remember, the courts have defined a simple PRAYER to be religious worship. There are also no stipulations that dorm rooms would be excused from this provision. This provision could lead to a replay of court cases that were won 20 years ago.

The bill passed in the house as written:

The problem in the proposed stimulus bill comes from a provision that states:
"PROHIBITED USES OF FUNDS. - No funds awarded under this section may be used for - (C) modernization, renovation, or repair of facilities - (i) used for
sectarian instruction, religious worship, or a school or department of divinity;
or (ii) in which a substantial portion of the functions of the facilities are
subsumed in a religious mission."

Senator (R SC) "De Mint warned organizations such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Campus Crusade for Christ, Catholic Student Ministries, Hillel and other religious groups would face new bans on access to public facilities that would not apply to other organizations."

Senator De Mint proposed an amendment that would remove these lines from the "stimulus" package. It was defeated. You can read the entire article here. The video clip below is Senator De Mint addressing his colleagues. It's a bit long - but gives a good understanding of what is in this bill our Congress and now Senate are being asked to "rush into law".

Now is the time for Christians to be praying and writing their elected officials about a host of issues...OK I listed five issues I've written my elected officials and the White House about this week...but honestly, I think we ALL need to be in prayer over these issues and simply respond as God leads us. I tend to be a communicator and so have been sending lots and lots of emails in the past few weeks. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Update

Zander is sick but refuses to stay down. He's horribly offended that anyone is telling him he's sick. He is sad to miss the basketball game and just now asked, "How will I go to drama if I'm sick?" I think he'll be well by then.

Jared has a sore throat but won't stay home and sleep. He promised to come home from his game tonight and sleep all day until the next game. ::snort:: Mike took all the kids and went to the game.

I ordered books for unit 3 and 4 today. It was a God thing that I happened to decide today - and TOG is moving their resource book business...Tomorrow. Tomorrow would have been the last day to order until the 20th. Jamin is zipping ahead REALLY FAST to finish school by the end of February so that he can begin to work full time to save for college.

I cooked meals. I went to the gym. I messed around a bit trying to teach myself new skills....ugh.

I'm still trying to figure out, too, why THIS blog has no title box to type a title into....and the other three I publish DO.....I've tried changing templates and such and it doesn't.....

Nolan has requested "Death By Chocolate". I'm off to figure out what that means...and frankly....he often requests food by one name and what I come up with is not what he is expecting....ie. "Plain muffins". I made "oat bran muffins." Those aren't the "plain" ones......

This is for he and Josiah's birthday dinner on Sunday. I think Josiah will like it too. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Hair Cuts and Fevers

We are enjoying school. Maybe a bit too much for the younger ones. We need to make a bit quicker progress if we hope to finish by May and/or before a move. (I say this as we begin an extra rabbit trail on Vikings).

I took the boys for haircuts....and the girls too. Stacia won Heather's heart. She chattered away (as is typical) while Heather cut her hair. Then she looked up at Heather and said, "Miss Heather, my monkey thinks you are beautiful." We enjoyed seeing Heather's wedding dress....I've really come to like our young hair stylist.

Quick game of Egyptian Rat - I don't play this game. OUCH.

Nolan

BAD SIGN at 7 p.m. Zander has a 103* fever, headache and sore throat. Please pray for him. Isn't he adorable when he sleeps?

Please also pray for Jared. He has a sore throat....and has informed me he has House of Faith, two basketball games and a CAP flight to finish before he can get sick. I gave him Vitamins and sent him to bed.

Mike is coughing.....not a good sign either.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

January's Health Fitness Update

One of my grace-filled goals for 2009 is to lose 3 lbs a month. I wasn't sure HOW I'd do this. The focus isn't really WEIGHT, but HEALTH. Other health issues will be helped as I lose my extra weight. I've been counting points and working out since July and have gained weight. ::snort:: I decided to go back to what the dietitian had told me....and Never Say Diet, mirrored Debbie's thoughts in a well-written plan. I decided that her plan was "slow," but since I'd devoted a year to a workout regime that didn't produce results, and six months to an eating program that wasn't working....I could surely devote the same amount of time to a program that I thought had potential.

I began the new regime in a combination of Phase 1/Phase 2.

• Phase 1 - Establish a regular cardio exercise habit. Eat a 300 cal breakfast. Focus on "Brain Change". Success is defined if you "Just Show Up".
• Phase 2 - Regain control of what you choose to put into your mouth, on your own terms. Pinpoint a weakness and give it up for a month. Add strength training 2x a week using a stability ball at home. Continue doing 5 cardio workouts IN A ROW - add intervals.

The Brain Change This Month for Me....

1. Be Truthful - Every single time I had a reason not to workout I faced my reason for what it was - an EXCUSE. I did the same with reasons not to follow the nutrition guidelines of my dietitian. I also faced the fact that I had used the WW points as a way to eat less than 1200 calories a day. I'll avoid a lengthy discussion here but my daily points allowance is less than 1200 calories. IF I actually ate bonus points and activity points I'd be at 1750...but I didn't EAT the activity points or the bonus points. Bonus means BONUS and I skipped my bonus (a lesson some CEO's could learn from) and it goes against my nature to eat more because I work out.....I just want the bottom line. SO....eating only my daily points for 7 months put me below 1200 calories, working out a LOT and slowed my metabolism. My problem is eating below the 1200 - 1400 calories that the dietitian told me to aim for. By increasing my points to 24 - 28 points, I fall into the 1200 - 1400 range. I tracked both points and calories for a week to be sure. I burn approx 700 calories, 5 days a week.... this is working. I also began to split the points up into 5 meals a day. This watching calories is NOT phase 2 of Never Say Diet - but I was already doing it so I continued. Phase 3 begins to focus on portion control....
2. Be Forgiving - I admitted I cheated by doing WW points and was eating less than was healthy for me. I forgave myself...but didn't allow that forgiveness to become another excuse not to eat as much as I know I should. It was at this point that Cindy told me that for ME the mantra needs to change from "Just Show Up" (which isn't my hard area) to "Just Show Up and EAT " (which is my challenge). Thanks Cindy, that helped. LOL
3. Be Committed -Cardio on every weekday and my personal Lent cemented my commitment and ability to be disciplined.
4. Be Interested in nutrition and exercise......learned some interesting things about food as fuel this month. Eats carbs before a workout and your body will FIRST burn the carbs you just ate, then dip into the stores of fat. I've been getting up and going to the gym early so that my body begins to reach into stored fat for fuel quicker. LOL
5. Surrender - daily.

Results in January:

• 23 Cardio workouts (mine are 60 min as I need that for heart health)
• 6 Strength workouts (3 weeks worth)
• 3.8 lbs lost
• 11 inches GONE - Wow this is a LOT...and probably more important than the weight numbers....it was amazing to me that I lost that many inches right away as I am NOT new to workouts or diet....in other words I would have expected it if this were the START of a being healthy but for me it is just a fine-tuning.....

I took a "before" photo on 1 Jan. I had planned to upload to a spot that would shave 40 lbs off it and send it back....but they've not sent me the thin photo. I thought that would be cool motivation. I've sent them the fat photo 3x..... I think I'll keep trying. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Zander and Stacia's Adventures

Today was the start of Homeschool Drama Club at San Angelo Broadway Academy. Our kids were excited to have this option back in their schedule. The highlight of the day is that Angela is allowing ZANDER to participate, though he isn't 8. We are trying it to see how it goes. He LOVED it.

All the kids were playing around before Angela was ready for club. I heard her say, "Everyone sit down in a circle." Then I heard laughter. Stacia had sat right down in the circle and was ready to join the big kids for a drama lesson. She was sad to leave, but we drowned our sorrow by making a trip to HEB to check on bulk organic treats. ::snort::

EACH of the children have done this - and each time I have visions of having to get out Mike's power tools to remedy the situation. I don't think I'll buy this type of chair again whilst there are young children in our home.

The day ended with a couple of little admin/internet chores for PWOC and then attending our local PWOC. I love the group that God has brought together.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Midland - Saturday

Jared drew a target and taped it to his shirt. There were quite a few fouls in the last game with this team....and Jared evidently aggravated one player enough that he kicked a wall or something....Jared was NOT talking trash or nasty....was just blocking the kid and the kid kept getting fouls called.....Jared was a bit concerned that this would be a rough game and so responded with humor. ::snort:: Coach convinced him that he'd get killed if he went into the gym with that on his back.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

BreAnne Update

Thanks to Krista for sending these photos along.

Does it get any better than a job in a Chocolate store? Seriously, Bre is doing well. Here are some specific areas of prayer for Bre...

• Strong finish with her responsibilities in Master's Commission
• Strong finish in her classes (which she will need to transfer to college)
• New Job - lots to learn
• Upcoming decisions
• Strength and health
• Wholehearted love for God and "neighbors"

{Hey, this was fun. Maybe I'll spotlight all the kids one at a time. LOL}

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.