"...one of the most convicting realizations I've come to is that blogging may just fuel in us (and by "us", of course, I mean "me") a need to articulate everything. I wonder sometimes if our culture is veering away from the very fine art of simply keeping some things to ourselves. Sometimes the best words are the ones we don't say."

From http://www.momoflittles.com/

I came to a peace two weeks ago that it was time to shut both of my personal blogs down.

This decision was not come to lightly, but I truly feel it is God's will for this season of my life. Shannon's post sums up much of why I'm leaving the blogosphere. Especially this:

"...one of the most convicting realizations I've come to is that blogging may just fuel in us (and by "us", of course, I mean "me") a need to articulate everything. I wonder sometimes if our culture is veering away from the very fine art of simply keeping some things to ourselves. Sometimes the best words are the ones we don't say."

While I have loved blogging for the past four years, I now feel God calling me to a season of quietness.

Read more: http://www.momoflittles.com/

I've been thinking of taking a longer break from blogging and I think now that time has come. I hope this is the last blog entry that you see from me in a long time. Feel free to call or email (elijahlofgren (a t) elijahlofgren.com)! Thanks! - Elijah

Emotions: Can You Trust Them?

I'm re-reading some of Emotions Can You Trust Them.

Thank you Anna! (She knows why.)

From http://www2.focusonthefamily.com/docstudy/bookshelf/a000000391.cfm:

...
I have no desire to return our culture to the formality of yesterday, when father was a marble statue and mother couldn't smile because her corset was too tight. But if our grandparents represented one extreme of emotional repression, today's Americans have become temperamental yo-yos at the other. We live and breathe by the vicissitudes of our feelings, and for many, the depression of the "lows" is significantly more prevalent than the elation of the "highs." Reason is now dominated by feelings, rather than the reverse as God intended. "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22 TLB)
This need for self-control is emphasized by the difficulties and stresses that occur in the lives of virtually every human being on earth. As Mark Twain said, "Life is just one darn thing after another" It's true. At least once every two weeks, someone gets a chest cold or the roof springs a leak or the car throws a rod or an ingrown toenail becomes infected or a business crisis develops. Those minor frustrations are inevitable. In time, of course, more significant problems develop. Loved ones die and catastrophic diseases appear and life slowly grinds to a conclusion. This is the nature of human experience, like it or not. That being true, nothing could be more dangerous than to permit our emotions to rule our destinies. To do so is to be cast adrift in the path of life's storms.2
This statement was intended to convey one primary message: emotions must always be accountable to the faculties of reason and will. That accountability is doubly important for those of us who purport to be Christians. If we are to be defeated during life's spiritual pilgrimage, it is likely that negative emotions will play a dominant role in that discouragement. Satan is devastatingly effective in using the weapons of guilt, rejection, fear, embarrassment, grief, depression, loneliness and misunderstanding. Indeed, human beings are vulnerable creatures who could not withstand these satanic pressures without divine assistance.
Someone wrote, "The mind, body and soul are very close neighbors, and one usually catches the ills of the others." I agree. A person who experiences deep feelings of inferiority, for example, usually believes that God disrespects him too. Consider this note written by a small boy to a famous psychotherapist:

Dear Doctor Gardner,
What is bothering me is that long ago some big person it is a boy about 13 years old. He called me turtle and I knew he said that because of my plastic sergery. And I think god hates me because of my lip. And when I die he'll probably send me to hell.
Love, Chris3

Chris had obviously drawn the conclusion that since he was worthless, not even God could love him. It was illogical extrapolation, yet emotions are not bound by principles of logic. He felt hated by God. That same lie has been whispered in the ears of a million Christians who are overwhelmed by inadequacy and inferiority. Likewise, every river of emotion running deep within the human spirit has the capacity of overflowing its banks and flooding the mind with its rampaging waters. That is why I have written the pages of this book. Our purpose has been to fortify the banks of those rivers with scriptural truth and psychological understanding.
At least eight or ten specific emotions could have been addressed in this context. However, the limitations of time and space required us to focus on four of the most important. They are as follows:

1. Guilt
   
   • When is it valid and invalid, and how can the difference be known?
   • What are the consequences of false guilt which can never be "forgiven"?
   • What is the origin of the conscience, and can it be trusted?
   • Can parents influence the consciences of their children, and if so, how should they be taught?
   • Does the absence of guilt mean we are blameless before God?
2. Romantic Love
   
   • How can the "feeling of love" become a dangerous trap?
   • Why do so many couples become disillusioned shortly after the honeymoon?
   • Does "love at first sight" ever occur?
   • Does God select one particular person for us to marry and then guide us together?
   • How can love be kept alive?
3. Anger
   
   • Is all "anger" sinful?
   • How can strong negative feelings be handled without violating scriptural principles and without repressing them into the unconscious mind?
   • Is it possible for the Christian to live without feelings of irritation or hostility?
   • Does being morally "right" in a particular instance justify an attitude of resentment and antagonism?
   • What is the "flight or fight" mechanism, and how does it relate to biblical understandings?
4. Interpreting Our Impressions
   
   • Can we trust our impressions in interpreting the will of God?
   • Under what circumstances does God speak directly to the heart of man?
   • Does Satan also speak directly on occasion? If so, how can the two voices be distinguished?
   • What role does fatigue and illness play in the interpretation of impressions?
   • How can major decisions be made without leaning too heavily on ephemeral emotions?

...

Read more: http://www2.focusonthefamily.com/docstudy/bookshelf/a000000391.cfm.

"Legend, Lunatic, Liar, or Lord and GOD?" - What do I believe? Why do I believe it? Is it true? Does it matter?

I'm working on writing down what I believe.

I realize how little I know.

I'm in the process of researching in order to be able to document things as I write about them.

Here's a page that I've found helpful (from: http://www.whoisjesus-really.com/english/claims.htm):

Claims: What did Jesus Christ have to say about himself?

Legend, Lunatic, Liar, or Lord and GOD?

In his famous book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis makes this statement, "A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic--on the level with a man who says he is a poached egg--or he would be the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either this was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.(emphasis: web author)"
Jesus could only have been one of four things: a legend, a liar, a lunatic--or Lord and God. There is so much historical and archeological evidence to support his existence that every reputable historian agrees he was not just a legend. If he were a liar, why would he die for his claim, when he could easily have avoided such a cruel death with a few choice words? And, if he were a lunatic, how did he engage in intelligent debates with his opponents or handle the stress of his betrayal and crucifixion while continuing to show a deep love for his antagonists? He said he was Lord and God. The evidence supports that claim.
Here are some of the key claims Jesus made about himself.
....

---

Read more: http://www.whoisjesus-really.com/english/claims.htm

I'm living my life by a book. I want to understand it as much as possible. I'm buying NET Bible and NET Bible Greek / English New Testament Diglot

From http://thesundrytimes.blogspot.com/2009/05/study-bibles-net-bible-first-edition.html

"At first I tend to think of the NET Bible as a regular reference Bible, not a study Bible. But that is a fallacy, because the NET Bible First Edition is really the quintessential study Bible. Nearly every verse has several text and translators notes, and many verses include more traditional study notes as well.

This Bible is a fantastic collection of information to help us understand what the original manuscripts not only said, but meant! (Not that we have the originals, of course!) There are so many notes that most of the time the notes take up far more than half the page, and sometimes nearly the entire page! And while quite a lot of those notes only tell you that a certain word was added for clarity in English, or to note the actual word or phrase used in the Greek or Hebrew, there are many notes which go into great detailed discussion of how and why a word or verse has been translated as it has been, or into discussion of a theological point. In my own experience, the NET Bible has the most comprehensive set of study notes of any study Bible available today. They not only help you understand the NET Bible, but they will help you understand the translation choices that have been made in other Bibles as well!

..."

Read more: http://thesundrytimes.blogspot.com/2009/05/study-bibles-net-bible-first-edition.html

"In less than two years, American social workers may be in a position to inform all our children that if they have any conflict with their parents..."

From "Child Rights" Forces Mobilize (emphasis added):

...

In less than two years, American social workers may be in a position to inform all our children that if they have any conflict with their parents over any decisions at all then they can file a formal complaint in an American court to vindicate their international rights. And ultimately, once this new protocol is in place, if they don’t like the outcome from the American courts, there will be a new UN tribunal to hear their complaint.

Moms and dads, we have to get ready. The battle for American liberty is about to begin.

Michael Farris

Read more on ParentalRights.org here: "Child Rights" Forces Mobilize.

"How you live"

GOOD song:

"Love Is Not A Fight" - "I’m waiting on You, Lord Though it’s not easy, no But faithfully, I will wait Yes, I will wait"

Love is not a place
To come and go as we please
It's a house we enter in
And then commit to never leave
So lock the door behind you
Throw away the key
We'll work it out together
Let it bring us to our knees

Love is a shelter in a raging storm
Love is peace in the middle of a war
If we try to leave may God send angels to guard the door
No, love is not a fight but it's something worth fighting for
...

Some of the words (from http://joy-ziegler.blogspot.com/2009/01/while-im-waiting.html):

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience


While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait


I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy, no
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

Pictures: Currently Watching "Fireproof"! :)

 

And when I'm not working, sleeping, or hanging out with friends, I've got plenty of things to keep me busy:

Guns reduce crime?? Your thoughts on gun control? Know any good research and statistics on the topic?

I'm currently in a discussion with friends regarding gun control. Know any good research for or against it?

e.g.
From http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/493636.html:

Question: What does the title mean: More Guns, Less Crime?



John R. Lott, Jr.: States with the largest increases in gun ownership also have the largest drops in violent crimes. Thirty-one states now have such laws—called "shall-issue" laws. These laws allow adults the right to carry concealed handguns if they do not have a criminal record or a history of significant mental illness.

Question: It just seems to defy common sense that crimes likely to involve guns would be reduced by allowing more people to carry guns. How do you explain the results?
...

Thanks!

- Elijah

"...It's all about you Jesus, and all this is for you, for your glory and your fame. It's not about me, as if you should do things my way. You alone are God and I surrender to your ways."

"...It's all about you Jesus, and all this is for you, for your glory and your fame. It's not about me, as if you should do things my way. You alone are God and I surrender to your ways...." -- All About You (Jesus Lover Of My Soul) Written by: Paul Oakley

Notes on Solitute and Prayer from my ABF at NCBC that I IMed to a friend

Here's a chat I recently had regarding solitude and prayer:

(5:23:46 PM) My Friend: getting to know a lot of the people there?
(5:23:47 PM) elijahlofgren: http://blog.elijahlofgren.com/2009/06/i-want-to-move-to-cedar-rapids-iowa.html
(5:23:55 PM) elijahlofgren: yup, I go to the 20-somethings group and the college group
(5:24:03 PM) elijahlofgren: probably at least 40 in the 20-somethings group
(5:24:13 PM) elijahlofgren: and about 15 to 20 in the college group
(5:24:19 PM) My Friend: whoa, that's a good size for the age :-X
(5:24:23 PM) elijahlofgren: indeed
(5:24:30 PM) elijahlofgren: We're going through Philippians now
(5:24:51 PM) elijahlofgren: And were going through spiritual disciplines such as silence, fasting, prayer..
(5:25:01 PM) elijahlofgren: best church I've ever been to, I think
(5:25:10 PM) My Friend: very good
(5:25:19 PM) My Friend: what kind of things about silence?
(5:25:46 PM) elijahlofgren: solitude I mean
(5:25:58 PM) elijahlofgren: Let me try to dig up notes...
(5:26:01 PM) My Friend: hehe
(5:26:10 PM) My Friend: that is something I want to get into studying soon
(8:26:35 PM) elijahlofgren: Here are some quotes:
(8:26:42 PM) elijahlofgren: "Just doesn't happen"
(8:26:46 PM) elijahlofgren: "You need to plan it out."
(8:27:05 PM) elijahlofgren: "Be in place not normally, .e.g home is distracting"
(8:27:18 PM) elijahlofgren: "The Practice of the Presence of God" <- book
(8:27:52 PM) elijahlofgren: "Then one day I realized I'd always be a failure at prayer and I've gotten along better ever since then."
(8:28:22 PM) elijahlofgren: "Suzanna Wesley Insists 1 hour off every day. Put apron over her head."
(8:28:43 PM) elijahlofgren: "It's about relationship, not about checking off another duty"
(8:29:51 PM) elijahlofgren: "Prayer is must but we often need help for some: writing, book, speaking out loud, something to guide time of prayer, or praying guitar, or bring iPOD with worship music."
(8:30:03 PM) elijahlofgren: "If like nature, GET OUTSIDE"
(8:30:20 PM) elijahlofgren: "Prayer is a two way..."
(8:30:30 PM) elijahlofgren: "Give requests. Listen"
(8:30:55 PM) elijahlofgren: "Solitude w/o stillness: strum on guitar, run, [walk]"
(8:31:33 PM) elijahlofgren: "Alone in prayer...~20 min to break through, so distractions for 20 minute, ~10-60min takes concentrated effort."
(8:31:55 PM) elijahlofgren: "Drive can be good. Shutting radio off. Audibly pray."
(8:32:11 PM) elijahlofgren: "Helps: Hands lifted. Open hands" (NOTE: AMEN!!!)
(8:32:25 PM) elijahlofgren: "Gettting on knees really helps" (AMEN!)
(8:32:56 PM) elijahlofgren: "Our posture does make a difference when we pray." (AMEN!!!!)
(8:33:04 PM) elijahlofgren: "Openness. Humility"
(8:33:43 PM) elijahlofgren: There ya go.
(8:33:49 PM) elijahlofgren: I'll paste on my blog too. :)

Pictures from the AMAZING Barlowgirl, Newsboys, and David Phelps Concert in Cedar Rapids, Iowa during Healing The Heartland, June 13, 2009

I REALLY ENJOYED the Barlowgirl and Newsboys concert last night! Tait (formerly a part of DC Talk!) made Newsboys even better! I really got into it, jumping, moving closer, raising and waving hands, etc. :)



Barlowgirl Life 101.9 interview snippet:

From Uploaded June 14th

See the pictures from the slideshow above here: http://picasaweb.google.com/elijahlofgren/UploadedJune14th
Update: I'm not the only one who thought it was the best concert they've EVER been to! :)

From http://www.facebook.com/newsboys.official?ref=mf:

Chris Morton: "Hey guys, just wanted to say that the concert last night in Cedar Rapids was awesome. I have been to many concerts in my 41 years but last nights was the BEST show I have ever attended. I usually don't get up and dance and sing with a band but I have always liked you guys and I was up and grooving the whole time. Thank you and God Bless you! I live in Iowa City which also suffered from the flooding last year and for you and the girls to come and entertain us and spiritually lift us all up was amazing. Thank you."

It. Was. Amazing.

Prayers of my Middle School pastor at New Covenant Bible Church

I was able to finish the Breathe Devos (from GROUP) this month. It was a wonderful time of reflecation and I think my prayers (see below) reflect that. I'm also getting close to finishing my review of key questions from my past 3 year devo time. The prayers I have put down really show to me how God has moved and changed me. I'm looking forward to what this next month will be like.

From the Breathe devos:

Lord, please keep pruning me so that I might be more and more like the Mark Eades you want me to be on this earth.

Lord, keep me humble, help me to love compassion, and keep me deep in your word so that I know what is right and how to share it clearly.

LORD you are my great daddy – you love me and you are proud of me. That gives me so much hope to keep moving ahead in everything that I do and go through. Thx Daddy

Lord, I have little doubt that you are going to do some incredible things in my MSers lives but I wonder about myself? I don’t want to become so engrossed with myself that I miss you but I also want to be the best Mark Eades there is – help me with my struggles.

Heavenly Father, everything is about and for you. Thank you that you are for me - that you are there when ministry is rich and satisfying and when it is not. Guide me through “good pastures” and keep me from fake “good pastures.”

Lord, I love you X3 and more. Help me to be faithful, to keep helping my family and ministry to “get it,” and to never stop trying to glorify you.

Lord, so often I let my fear of life take control of me and I feel so far from you. Lord, help me to constantly realize that there is nothing on this earth that can separate me from you.

Unity under You LORD is so important – may I help kids, parents, sponsors, my family, & even me move towards that always.

LORD, I feel so troubled so often, I’m so confused in what I should do, I feel like I’m hurting, and it seems every time I start to stand up I get knocked down again – HELP! I need you. Thanks for being there for me.

LORD, you can shine through anything – including my weaknesses. My I humbly come before you and allow you to mold me and reshape me – pls LORD.

Dear God, I know that you have a race all lined up for me and are asking me daily to run it with everything I can. I know also that by doing this you are doing things for me – thank you God and keep shining the light for me to take my next step forward.

Lord, may I open my spiritual eyes even more to see what you want me to see. May I be an instrument of “pray, care and share” in all that I do.

Lord, open your word to me and my I find you there as always. How faithful you are, may I become a faithful man and pastor to middle school kids.

Lord, I know that there is a prize awaiting me in heaven but I don’t often think about it. I think more about how I can honor you today with all I say and do – help me to keep that as my focus.

from my Personal devos:

Lord, may I live by faith and work hard for wisdom in my life.

Lord, I’m thinking through my relationship with my sister & how you say often in your word that we should treat wisdom like a sister – may I do that more and more.

Lord, may your wisdom be as a foundation to my life and ministry as pillars are to a strong building.

Lord, thank you for your sacrifice on the cross, help me to get to understand you better each day.

Lord, I want to become a faithful man, but I know I’m not – help me pls.

Lord, I am your child; help me to keep myself focused on only that.

Lord, it is a mystery how you communicate with your people, my I grow to understand that better and tell you I love you better.

Lord, thank you for being fully man on earth – may I be the Mark Eades you want me to be.

Lord, open my eyes to your ways in my life, may I sacrifice anything I have for your glory and to share your truth to others.

Lord, may I be all that you want me to be – so much so that others around me will notice and encounter you.

Lord, may I be useful for your glory until I’m used up here on the earth and then may I join you to praise you in heaven.

Thank you Lord for loving me - a great sinner.

Lord, I want my life to be about you – keep my eyes on you in all I say and do.

I want to move to Cedar Rapids, Iowa

I heard the middle school and senior high pastors at New Covenant Bible Church share about their approach to youth ministry..... They have 60 to 70 adults helping out with the youth ministry....

The more I learn about New Covenant Bible Church the more I want to move to Cedar Rapids after I graduate. Even if I don't get a job at Rockwell Collins, I'd like to apply to some other place in Cedar Rapids so that I can go to New Covenant Bible Church...

• Main church website: http://newcovenantbible.org/NCBC/default.asp
• Blog of my Middle School pastor: http://jrhiguy.blogspot.com/
• "I'm a Christian, a husband of 15 years, a father of 3 (12,7,&6), and the Middle School pastor of New Covenant Bible Church (NCBC). I've been in full time youth ministry for over 10 years and have been the middle school guy at NCBC right at 7 years."
• Blog of my Sr. High Pastor:

• What I’ve been learning and how I’ve been growing: http://pastormark.ncbcsrhigh.org/

Handy Little Chart - God has a Positive Answer

From http://pinksassafras.blogspot.com/2009/02/handy-little-chart-god-has-positive.html

YOU SAY	GOD SAYS	BIBLE VERSES
You say: 'It's impossible'	God says: All things are possible	(Luke 18:27)
You say: 'I'm too tired'	God says: I will give you rest	(Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: 'Nobody really loves me'	God says: I love you	(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )
You say: 'I can't go on'	God says: My grace is sufficient	(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: 'I can't figure things out'	God says: I will direct your steps	(Proverbs 3:5- 6)
You say: 'I can't do it'	God says: You can do all things	(Philippians 4:13)
You say: 'I'm not able'	God says: I am able	(II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: 'It's not worth it'	God says: It will be worth it	(Roman 8:28 )
You say: 'I can't forgive myself'	God says: I Forgive you	(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: 'I can't manage'	God says: I will supply all your needs	(Philippians 4:19)
You say: 'I'm afraid'	God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear	(II Timothy 1:7)
You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated'	God says: Cast all your cares on ME	(I Peter 5:7)
You say: 'I'm not smart enough'	God says: I give you wisdom	(I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: 'I feel all alone'	God says: I will never leave you or forsake you

-- From: http://pinksassafras.blogspot.com/2009/02/handy-little-chart-god-has-positive.html

"Who I Am In Christ - I am accepted..."

From http://www.gocornerstone.org/Who%20am%20I%20in%20Christ.pdf:

Who I Am In Christ
All bible verses (quotes) quoted in NIV
I am accepted...
* John 1:12 I am God's child.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
* John 15:15 As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for
everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
* Romans 5:1 I have been justified.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
* 1 Corinthians 6:17 I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.
But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
* 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your
own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
* 1 Corinthians 12:27 I am a member of Christ's body.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Read more http://www.gocornerstone.org/Who%20am%20I%20in%20Christ.pdf

"I had the meanest mother in the world"

I just read this really cool and inspiring story on pages 104-106 of "The Christian Family" by Larry Christenson.

From http://www.free-
sermons.org/pdf/print.php?t=14967:

"In the book, the Christian Family, by Larry Christiansen, he wrote about the “meanest mother in the world.”
“I had the meanest mother in the world.
While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs or toast.
When other had Cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich.
As you can guess, my supper was different than other kids’ also.
But at least I wasn’t alone in my sufferings.
My sister and two brothers had the same mean mother I did.
My mother insisted upon knowing where we were at all times.
You’d think we were on a chain-gang.
She had to know who our friends were and what we were doing.
She insisted if we said we’d be gone an hour –
That we be gone one hour or less – not one hour and one minute.
I am nearly ashamed to admit it, but she actually struck us.
Not once, but each time we had a mind of our own and did as we pleased.
That poor belt was used more on our seats than it was to hold up Daddy’s pants.
Can you imagine someone actually hitting a child just because he disobeyed?
Now you can see how mean she really was.
We had to wear clean clothes and take a bath.
The other kids always wore their clothes for days.
We reached the height of insults because she made our clothes herself –Just to save money.
Why, oh why, did we have to have a mother
who made us feel different from our friends?
The worst is yet to come.
We had to be in bed by nine each night and up at eight the next morning.
We couldn’t sleep till noon like our friends.
So while they slept – my mother actually had the nerve
to break the child-labor law.
She made us work.
We had to wash dishes, make beds, and learn to cook and all sorts of cruel things.
I believe she lay awake at night thinking up mean things to do to us.
She always insisted upon our telling the truth
and nothing but the truth, even if it killed us – and it nearly did.
By the time we were teenagers, she was much wiser,
And our life became even more unbearable.
None of this, tooting the horn of a car, for us to come running.
She embarrassed us to no end by making our dates and friends come to the door to get us.
If I spent the night with a girl friend,
can you imagine she checked on me to see if I were really there?
I never had the chance to elope to Mexico –
that is, if I’d had a boyfriend to elope with.
I forgot to mention, while my friends were dating at the mature age of 12 and my old-fashioned mother refused to
let me date until the age of 15 and 16.
Fifteen, that is, if you dated only to go to a school function.
And that was maybe twice a year.
Through the years, things didn’t improve a bit.
We could not lie in bed, ‘sick,’ like our friends did, and miss school.
If our friends had a toe-ache, a hangnail or other serious ailment, they could stay home from school.
Our marks in school had to be up to par.
Our friends’ report cards had beautiful colors on them, black for passing, red for failing.
My mother, being as different as she was, would settle for nothing else than ugly black marks.
As the years rolled by, first one and then the other of us were put to shame.
We were graduated from high school.
With our mother behind us, talking, hitting, demanding respect, none of us were allowed the pleasure of being a
dropout.
My mother was a complete failure as a mother.
Out of four children, a couple of us attained some higher education.
None of us had ever been arrested, divorced, or has beaten his mate . . .
And whom, do we blame for the terrible way we turned out?
You’re right – our mean mother . . .
She forced us to grow up into God-fearing, educated, honest adults.
Using this background, I am trying to raise my three children.
I stand a little taller and I am filled with pride, when my children call me, “mean.”
Because, you see, I thank God, He gave me the meanest mother in the world."

"Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through. You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do. So there could never be a more beautiful you"!!!

...
Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you
...

-- Johnny Diaz in More Beautiful You

Do you have a BUNCH of Favorite Bookmarks that are hard to keep Organized? Diigo can really help! :)

I just helped a friend get started with http://www.diigo.com and she really likes it! It's great if you have lots of bookmarks!

I have over 4,000 on the site here: http://www.diigo.com/user/elijahlofgren

Tired of the annoying flash ads on Facebook and Yahoo Mail? Flashblock allows you to CLICK if you want to see Flash and save you from seeing some annoying ads! :)

To use Flashblock you need to use Firefox. Firefox is like Internet Explorer. It's free and you can still use Internet Explorer so you don't need to worry about messing things up by using Firefox. Internet Explorer will still work just fine.

Using Firefox also helps protect you from adware and spyware which usually targets Internet Explorer.

So, want to start blocking annoying Facebook and Yahoo Mail Ads?

Just do 3 Things:
1. Download and install the free Mozilla Firefox Web Browser.
2. Open Firefox and Install the Flashblock Extension for Firefox.