Birthday Presents

My mom, my sister, and my aunt (I call Nanny) gave me an Australian pine for my back yard. I can't wait to watch it grow up. Thanks to Steve for doing all the planting and watering.

Steve got me new dishes for my birthday. I wanted something more neutral that I can dress up or down with napkins, placemats and/or tablecloths. I look forward to entertaining with my new dishes. First up will be breakfast for my Nanny and my mom's brother, Uncle George, who will be coming to breakfast on Thursday.

57 And Counting

Today was my 57th birthday. How can that be? I am three years away from being 60!! Just doesn't seem possible. I was blessed that this celebration was several days long :-) My previous post tells how my friends from Texas came to surprise me for my birthday. We had a fun three days together. Friday we took the Cog train up to Pikes Peak and Saturday we had a picnic at Garden of the Gods. Then yesterday Steve took me out to breakfast and we went to see Inception (a really good movie). Usually when others rave about a movie I am disappointed, but not this time. Inception was just as good as everyone said it was. Then last night my parents took me out to eat to Edelweiss for German food. It was very good! I had a combination platter so I could have a little of snitzel, saurbraten and chicken cordon bleu(which I have to admit I didn't know was German). To top it off they gave me a complimentary piece of chocolate birthday cake that was ever bit as my favorite at the Cheesecake Factory. Looking forward to a great year to follow this great day!

Sweet Friends

So today Steve told me we were going to Wendy's for lunch on our a way to a movie. I thought it was a little strange, just because Wendy's isn't one of our usual eateries. Before we moved to Colorado I would eat at Wendy's every Wednesday night after Bible Class with a group of friends called the "Supper Club". We had not eaten at Wendy's since moving to Colorado Springs. Steve had been a little cryptic about the plans and had indicated we would be doing something tomorrow and Saturday as well. It wasn't until we were walking into Wendy's I had this suspicion "I wonder if someone is here?" But in my wildest dreams I did not think it would be four sweet friends!!! Half of the supper club: Deb, Piper, Linda and Tresia! They had driven all the way from Richardson (left Amarillo this morning) to come surprise me for my birthday which is Monday. I was so touched!! They took me to dinner tonight at the Flying W Ranch (a chuckwagon dinner and Western show) It was so much fun! Tomorrow we are taking a ride on the Pikes Peak Cog Train and going to the Garden of the Gods. Hopefully I can post some more pictures then.

Why Have We Forgotten?

It is amazing to me how much we have forgotten what the founders of this country believed and their hopes and dreams for the future of America. Just read a few of these quotes and you will have to agree we have strayed afar from what they had hoped for.

'An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The battle sir, is not of the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.' -Patrick Henry

'It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here.'-Patrick Henry

'I am a Christian, that is to say a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus. I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator and, I hope, to the pure doctrine of Jesus, also.'-Thomas Jefferson

'It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible. Of all the dispositions and habits that lead to political prosperity, our religion and morality are the indispensable supporters. Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that our national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.'-George Washington

'We have no government armed with the power capable of contending with human passions, unbridled by morality and true religion. Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.'-John Adams

'The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.'-John Quincy Adams

'The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.' -Calvin Coolidge

In 1782, the United States Congress voted this resolution: 'The congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.'

So we ask "what happened?". It all began in 1947 when the Supreme Court banned this prayer from their assembly 'Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence on Thee. We beg Thy blessings upon us and our parents and our teachers and our country. Amen.'

Now that Elena Kagan has been approved as the new Supreme Court justice we will all need to be more fervant in prayer than ever before, because it is only going to be worse for those of us who bear the name Christian.

Health Insurance

One of the things I didn't really consider in a move was changing doctors. Since we really don't know people in Colorado Springs, there aren't many recommendations so we just have to look at the yellow pages and pick doctors who are convenient to the house. That in itself is a task, but add onto that mix all the health insurance hubaloo and it is a nightmare.

It has been the biggest blessing that my car accident and subsequent injuries were covered by workman's compensation. Steve and I would probably be homeless by now with all the couple of million my medical care has been. Before considering leaving Texas, I asked my adjuster if there would be any problems with getting workman's comp when I moved and the reply was "no problem you will just need to find a doctor who accepts workman's comp". She should have said "you might want to call and see what they say before you make the move". Because guess what?? There is not a single orthopedist in Colorado Springs that will accept out of state workman's compensation!! I have called them all!!! So then I called back and said "can I talk to someone who might have the power to make an exception". I found one doctor who said if I get my records sent and they get it in writing the insurance company will pay Colorado rates that he will consider it. So I am waiting for an answer.

The crazy thing is I am caught between a rock and a hard place, because if I can't find a doctor, they are telling me I will just have to go back to Texas! Are you kidding me?? I can't go to the doctor and just put it on my regular health insurance because it was a workman's comp accident. Now just a few months ago I became eligible for disability and little did I know that meant I would qualify for Medicare, until I got the card in the mail. Since our health insurance premium for me is $650 a month, we thought that would be a blessing. Well guess what?? Neither will Medicare cover anything to do with my leg because it is a workman's comp injury. So I called and asked what if I just close my workman's comp case? I was told it was illegal????? They are legally responsible for paying for my leg the rest of my life. Well that does a lot of good if I can't find a doctor to accept the insurance.

I have spent hours on the phone the past two weeks dealing with all of this and it is just so frustrating. Then on top of that who knew being put on Medicare would not be a blessing??? Doctor's are all running "gun shy" of accepting it because the government is threatening to reduce the amounts they get reimbursed. Naive me had no idea a doctor had the freedom to chose whether they accepted Medicare or not? Perhaps if you didn't have supplemental insurance this would make sense to me, because they may or may not get paid when Medicare doesn't pay the total bill. But when you have supplemental insurance it pays what Medicare doesn't so what is the risk to the doctor??

So I had to get a Colorado doctor to sign my paperwork to get a handicap license plate. It just seemed easiest to go under my present insurance which we haven't canceled yet. Little did I know that since I was eligible for Medicare in June, I couldn't go to the doctor in June and have it charged to United Health Care, even though we haven't canceled it yet because we haven't received final confirmation that we have been accepted by the supplemental company. It has been another few hours of calls to get all straight, but the kicker??? They charged $235.00 for a visit for a doctor to fill out a form??? Yes they did take my blood pressure, but a ten minute interview is $235.00!!!!!!! Crazy! There obviously needs to be something done. But unfortunately I have seen nothing that indicates Obama's plan is going to make it better. And if I had any doubt before what is this bill that the Congress is putting in place that will make them except from the plan we are all forced to accept??

No....unfortunately, I am afraid there are still more frustrating times ahead. It definitely is an exercise in patience.

Presbyterian Church Vote

Yesterday the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. voted to allow non celibate homosexuals to be clergy? I just find this to be so wrong on so many levels. It won by a 53% majority. Their next step today is to decide whether they will change their definition of marriage from "a man and a woman" to between "two people."

Wow that is even scary. That means that and adult and a child could marry and it would be between "two people" and why just two, why not three or four people, or why not brother-sister, father-daughter, aunt-nephew, etc? Of course right now most states don't allow any of those scenarios to happen. And while at the moment most states don't allow homosexuals to marry, it is coming and is a major agenda item for the Obama administration.

We can't be surprised when the world acts like the world, but when the church acts like the world???? Why would Presbyterians think that homosexuals could be clergy?
Would they let an adulterer, or fornicator, or child molester be clergy?? Why would they not just say celibate homosexuals can be clergy?? The article I read also said the Evangelical Luthern, the U.S. Episcopal church and the United Church of Christ have also made the ruling to let non celibate homosexuals be clergy as long as they are in committed relationships.

The whole homosexual propaganda is just so wrong. They want us to just accept that it is an alternative lifestyle. But all the things I listed above could also be a lifestyle. One difference is a child molester is harming another individual. Unless you are talking about a minor who actually consents and then it would also fall into the "lifestyle" category. No one condones any of those acts and yet more and more we are just letting the homosexuals push their lifestyle into being accepted as normal. And why am I labeled a "homophobe" if I speak out against homosexuality? What do you call me for speaking out against adultery?

I know the homosexuals sin is no worse than my own sin and they are entitled to the same free gift of grace that I am. But just like I can't keep sinning so that grace abounds (Romans 6:1) the homosexual must take a vow of chastity in order to not be sinning.
I am not sure what the answer is besides praying? And just speaking truth whenever we can. Once again while I have my opinions I know I am not the final judge.

I have had way too many serious posts as of late. I will have to post something much more uplifting soon!!!

Church Looking Followup

So tonight I got two calls from people from two different churches. Here is how the conversations went:

First:
Caller: "Is this Lynn Leaming?"
Me: It is
Caller: "This is (she may have said her name, I missed it)from.......church. I wanted to thank you for your visit on Sunday."
Me: Thank you
Caller:"I was just going to send you a card but I couldn't tell for sure what your address was, so I thought I would just call and ask"
Me: gave her my address
Caller:"Well I hope we will see you again sometime"
Me: Thanks for calling

Second Call:
Caller: "Hi Lynn, this is................, I was calling to see if you and Steve had a good
4th."
Me: I told him all about Steve's sinus problems, and the hail, etc. How about you?
Caller:"We had rain and hail as well but stuck it out at the Air Academy and it was a good show" I wanted to let you know that our small group will be meeting right after services on Sunday. We will be in the conference room that is right off the auditorium.
Me: "I don't think we will be at.......this Sunday as we are going to go to......for our second time, but thanks so much for letting us know."
Caller: "Our philosophy at.......is that we want each person to find the place where they can serve God the most and while we would like that to be.......we want you to do what you feel God is calling you to do."
Me: I appreciate that, it has been an interesting journey so far, other than (his church) we haven't found anyone to be very friendly and you have called us twice so we really appreciate it. To be honest..........is more my worship style, but we have just not felt a strong leading yet.
Caller: "you do know about our Newcomer's class right?"
Me: No, not really, does it happen once a quarter or something?
Caller: "no, it is a two week class, but it happens every week and just repeats" and then he went on to tell me all that is covered in the class.
Me: I will be sure and tell Steve and we will go the next time we visit, you don't have to be a member to attend do you?
Caller: "no, it is designed exactly for people like you. How are your parents?
Me: I tell him how they are and a little bit more history about them.
Caller: "I hope that we will see you again soon"
Me: We will definitely be back.

Now I ask you which church would you revisit??

Church Looking

Wow! I had no idea how hard it would be looking for a new church home. We have visited six different churches and on our second round with three down. I would consider me an outgoing person, but so far every church we have been to has been an uncomfortable experience. I keep looking people in the eyes hoping they will introduce themselves to me. Very few have and those that have have mostly been in their 70's or older. Yesterday, three men spoke to me (Steve was home sick) and not one woman??? There was a man talking to me and telling me he knew someone who moved to Texas and thought it was a town near Dallas but couldn't remember the name, to which the woman in front of us turned and said "Lone Tree" and yet not once after that man left did she turn around and introduce herself??? Are you kidding me??? What is that about???

We thought at first it was because we were just showing up for worship and not Bible class. The past two weeks we have also gone to Bible class, which for both churches was an all age class in the auditorium. So there we are after class sitting in the seat for 10-15 minutes waiting for worship to start and still no one speaks?? Yesterday 2 men shook my hand and walked by.

BUT the bigger deal for me is that EVERY time we have visited we have filled out "visitor cards" and marked that we are looking for a church home and we have received one call?? No visits, no calls to do lunch or dinner, basically no interest whether we would be valuable members or not??? It has been so interesting being on the outside looking in. Hopefully God is teaching us very valuable lessons and I won't forget how this feels and determine that I will make sure other's don't feel this in the future.

Perhaps part of it is because we have promoted the belief that visitors want to be anonymous and perhaps for the majority of people that is true. Maybe we should have stickers for visitors to wear that tell us whether they want to be approached or not?
When we used to visit Highland Oaks there was a lady who wore flashing jewelry. Perhaps I need a flashing sign that says "yes I want you to talk to me".

I know that God knows where He wants us and where He will use us and perhaps we just haven't found that place yet. Steve and I have been praying about it and we just have not felt any strong leading one way or the other. So we don't know what that means and are asking ourselves does that mean we are suppose to look outside the church of Christ? And if so where? It causes you to start evaluating what things are important to you in a church.

Obviously from what I have already said friendliness is important to me, but there are really some Biblical teachings that I just can't compromise on. The most important is that the church believes that baptism by immersion is a necessary teaching and that it is baptism for the remission of sins. It is interesting how many websites I have read where they state that baptism is an outward sign of an inner acceptance of Christ. Several go on to say it is not baptism that saves us. What do they do with I Peter 3:21 "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."? Yes, it is true that it is Jesus that saves not baptism, but you cannot become one with Jesus without baptism.

Communion is also important to me. When I have visited churches who don't observe it weekly, I have missed it. It is not something I do by rote, it is part of my worship celebration. I don't think it would be the same if I only took it once a month and I know I could not only do it quarterly.

I don't think God would have spent time in multiple places in His Word talking about elders and deacons if they were not an important part of a church. Then there is instrumental music. I personally don't think it is a salvation issue, but neither do I enjoy "rocking out" in worship. When the music is louder than the words of worshipers, it is no longer worshipful for me. Guess the final thing for me is that women are not in prominent roles. There maybe some special circumstance for a woman to lead prayer, sing a solo, give a testimony, read a scripture, but I personally don't think that women should be more in leadership than the men. I feel that God gave that role to men and we should be supportive.

So the look continues. Hopefully, once God has confirmed the decision for us I will be able to blog again and it will have turned out to be a much better journey than it has been so far. I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us. I look at where He has brought me from and there has never been a church that wasn't family, so I know He will do it again.