tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45132713608772456262024-02-21T06:56:29.279-05:00Rambling RebeccaRKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-841680674867885552012-10-05T10:21:00.003-04:002012-10-12T16:10:34.801-04:00A Brief Guide to Third-Party Options<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">After watching the Presidential Debate this week, I'm considering voting third-party. Our political system is so corrupt, something needs to change. I don't for a second think that a minor candidate can win the election, and even if they did, I don't think that any of the candidates can implement the changes needed to fix the system. But I no longer a vote for a minor candidate equals throwing away my vote. In fact, I think it may be the best way to make my voice heard. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This week, <a href="http://www.democracynow.org/" target="_blank">Democracy Now</a> ran a supplemental debate that included two of the three "third-party" candidates who are on the ballot in enough states to be taken seriously. <a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2012/10/4/expanding_the_debate_exclusive_third_party" target="_blank">You can watch the debate here</a>. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here's a brief guide to the three minor parties and their candidates on the ballot, with links for more information: </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="http://www.voterocky.org/" target="_blank">Rocky Anderson</a>, <a href="http://justicepartyusa.org/" target="_blank">Justice Party</a>:</b> Launched in November of 2011 as an offshoot of the Democratic Party, the Justice Party is the newest third party on the block. Its mission, as stated on its website: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">"We seek to return political power to the people through fair and transparent elections, campaign finance reform, proportional representation, and Constitutional amendment.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">The Justice Party is a grassroots, broad-based, real political alternative to the corporate-controlled Democratic and Republican parties. We invite you to help build America’s just future."Anderson is the former Democratic Mayor of Salt Lake City. <a href="http://www.voterocky.org/solutions" target="_blank">You can find his stand on the issues here</a>. He is on the ballot in 16 states and an accepted write-in candidate in several states, but in eight states no votes for Anderson will be counted. (<a href="http://www.voterocky.org/" target="_blank">His official ballot map is available here</a>.) </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/" target="_blank">Gary Johnson</a>, <a href="http://www.lp.org/" target="_blank">Libertarian Party</a>: </b>Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party is the oldest and largest third party in the race. According to its website: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Libertarians believe the answer to America's political problems is the same commitment to freedom that earned America its greatness: a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">free-market economy</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">and the abundance and prosperity it brings; a dedication to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">civil liberties and personal freedom</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">; and a foreign policy of</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">non-intervention, peace, and free trade</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">as prescribed by America's founders."Johnson is the former Republican Governor of New Mexico. <a href="http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/issues" target="_blank">You can find his stand on the issues here.</a> The Libertarian Party estimates Johnson will receive 6-percent of American votes and is on the ballot in 47 states (<a href="http://www.lp.org/2012-ballot-access" target="_blank">The official list is available here</a>). According to Democracy Now, Johnson declined its invitation to be included in the supplemental debate. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://www.jillstein.org/" target="_blank">Jill Stein</a>, <a href="http://www.gp.org/index.php" target="_blank">Green Party</a>:</b> The Green Party was formed in 2001 as a revamped version of the Association of State Green Parties (founded in 1996) and is affiliated with the European Federation of Green Parties. Its mission, as stated on its website: "</span>Committed to environmentalism, non-violence, social justice and grassroots organizing, Greens are renewing democracy without the support of corporate donors. Greens provide real solutions for real problems. Whether the issue is universal health care, corporate globalization, alternative energy, election reform or decent, living wages for workers, Greens have the courage and independence necessary to take on the powerful corporate interests."Stein is a physician, author and environmental-health advocate. <a href="http://www.jillstein.org/issues" target="_blank">You can find her take on the issues here</a> as well as the "<a href="http://www.jillstein.org/green_new_deal" target="_blank">Green New Deal</a>". Stein is on the ballot in 42 states and accepted as a write-in in five other states. (<a href="http://www.jillstein.org/ballot" target="_blank">Her official ballot map is available here</a>.)</span><br />
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I have not yet made up my mind who I will vote for, but I am going to take the next few weeks to learn more about the minor candidates and hope others will as well. If you aren't already sold on Romney or Obama, please consider one of these alternate choices.RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-26134212944908570022012-09-12T10:41:00.001-04:002012-09-12T10:41:06.829-04:00Acoustic Worship Returns<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hi Friends, </span><br />
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This Saturday evening at 5 p.m., I will be hosting acoustic worship at The Old Stone Church in Upper Saddle River. The church was built in 1819 and is an acoustic marvel. No microphones or amps are needed and the music is 100% acoustic. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to glorify God in song in this historic sanctuary. We will be holding acoustic worship once a month, on the second Saturday of the month at 5 p.m.</div>
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The service is designed to help you unplug from the stress of daily life. It starts with a time of low key music to help you unwind from the world and recharge your spirit. Use the time to sit silently and pray, read the Bible, write in a journal, stare out the window or hum along with the music. </div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The service ends with upbeat and uplifting songs. In between, there is a Bible reading and discussion. The Gospel reading for this week is Luke 7 and there will be opportunity for you to share brief thoughts on the reading. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div>
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The service runs from 5-6pm and will be followed with auditions for our upcoming concert series, which kicks off Oct. 7 with an amazingly talented band out of Nashville, <a href="http://thevespersband.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Vespers</a>! These kids have a positive message and a great roots sound. They just self-released their second album <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-fourth-wall/id508263516" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Fourth Wall</a>, which has quickly become my favorite album. Tickets are $10 and <a href="http://thevespers.spinshop.com/details/163809?parent_url=http%3A%2F%2Fapp.topspin.net%2Fsell" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">available online through the Vespers site </a>or at the Church office. </div>
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If anyone is interested in participating in the services by reading, making music or sharing a testimony, please let me know. Starting a service from scratch is an challenge and any help I can get would be greatly appreciated! </div>
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Some have asked why I am doing a Saturday night service at the Old Stone Church. The reasons are many and varied, but here are a few: </div>
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* To have a Saturday evening service for my own enjoyment and as a place in Bergen County to invite friends who like to sleep in on Sunday mornings. </div>
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* To preserve the building and its nearly 200-year heritage as a place where God is worshipped. </div>
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(The acoustics allow for a wide range of dynamics without any electronic interference or special effects.) </div>
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* To ensure the future of the church congregation (The current average members age is in the 70s) </div>
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I feel so amazingly blessed to have this opportunity and hope it will be a blessing to many others as well. </div>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I hope to see you this Saturday night at 5pm. If you cannot make it, I would appreciate prayers for this new and exciting ministry!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div>
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To Recap: </div>
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Acoustic Worship at The Old Stone Church</div>
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Saturdays, Sept. 15, Oct. 13, Nov. 10 & Dec. 8 at 5 p.m.</div>
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481 E. Saddle River Road</div>
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Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458</div>
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The VESPERS Band</div>
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Sunday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m.</div>
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Love & Blessings, </div>
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Rebecca </div>
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PS: Sorry for the bulk email! </div>
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PPS: Please "like" <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OldStoneChurchMusic">Music at Old Stone Church</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaAbma">Rebecca Abma on Facebook</a></div>
</span>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-20531073302943145502012-07-29T23:57:00.000-04:002012-08-04T12:10:49.355-04:00Some of My Best Friends are Gay<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I don't know if that headline is as offensive as the racist version of that phrase and I certainly don't intend it that way. It's the truth: Some of my favorite people are gay or lesbian. Lifelong friends and family members who are in committed, loving same-sex relationships or seek to be. I am a firm supporter of gay marriage and I cannot understand the hoopla of protests against it. Marriage is a serious commitment and if two people want to share their lives together and celebrate their love in a marriage ceremony, why should anyone interfere?</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Kevin & Patrick eating their wedding cake! I don't think I've ever seen Kevin so happy!! </span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As a Christian, it used to be difficult to rectify my love of my gay friends and family members with the typical Christian stance that homosexuality is a sin. I been told to "love the sinner, hate the sin." But in truth, I don't hate "the sin" of homosexuality. I hate the way society treats my gay friends.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I remember when one of my childhood friends came out in college. It wasn't a surprise, but when the realization of his "lifestyle" hit me, I was so terribly sad for him. I was dating random guy after random guy, and it was perfectly fine for me to walk into the diner holding "man of the week's" hand and to kiss him goodbye in front of people, but my friend wasn't free to do that with his longtime boyfriend. (And still isn't) It didn't seem fair, and it didn't make sense.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiBhfuClIllV9wS4tbZQeCY2Vop-sLNcbFH5Zzvq98yXb0NPal3qMgcYXk9bGv1fGMtk6JufE1a7QQ0U5WSWbS3rXuKY9AO6KfmqVuxwBwbYc6UM1MOKEuhxS7g-3Kt472YqbBvbEdys/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-02+at+8.05.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiBhfuClIllV9wS4tbZQeCY2Vop-sLNcbFH5Zzvq98yXb0NPal3qMgcYXk9bGv1fGMtk6JufE1a7QQ0U5WSWbS3rXuKY9AO6KfmqVuxwBwbYc6UM1MOKEuhxS7g-3Kt472YqbBvbEdys/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-08-02+at+8.05.43+PM.png" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">These guys always sat so far apart. Who could've guessed they were a couple? </span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I have been Christian my whole life, but it wasn't until I started attending a "Bible-believing" church that I found out "the truth" that "homosexuality is a sin". <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy+1:10&version=NIV" target="_blank">It says so in the Bible</a>. When I found out, I was really surprised I didn't learn about this in Sunday School. There were a few years where I prayed for my gay friends to be "healed" of this sin. And then, by accident, I found <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheChristianLeft" target="_blank">The Christian Left</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">There is a wonderful (albeit long and somewhat irreverent) article, "<a href="http://www.thegodarticle.com/7/post/2011/10/clobbering-biblical-gay-bashing.html/" target="_blank">Clobbering Biblical Gay Bashing</a>," that put a completely different spin on the Bible's stance on homosexuality. Here are some brief key points from Rev. Mark Sandlin's post:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrbSJX_cM5Wegg4cOFqiqAiIr69w6Z2vZBwjjxiNndJF9lT8z2gWzMpOTf-WMXiOSk4Yg3O_C84v6yfhdmVrIm0fPtb_xzYCySa_kF7AuMIua8JCzOjUBZ-gEmKhLfwIRUNIN62LY8Qk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-02+at+8.14.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrbSJX_cM5Wegg4cOFqiqAiIr69w6Z2vZBwjjxiNndJF9lT8z2gWzMpOTf-WMXiOSk4Yg3O_C84v6yfhdmVrIm0fPtb_xzYCySa_kF7AuMIua8JCzOjUBZ-gEmKhLfwIRUNIN62LY8Qk/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-08-02+at+8.14.42+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">borrowed from www.theGodarticle.com </span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1. When you say "love the sinner, hate the sin" and the "sin" is "being homosexual", you are actually telling the person that you hate who they are. This is not a Christian attitude.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2. The concept of sexual orientation and homosexuality did not exist until the 1800s. The Bible was written long before that. And it was not written in English. Anything that has been translated to read "homosexual" is an inaccurate translation, because the term and concept of homosexuality didn't exist.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3. Rev. Sandlin then points to several "clobber" verses and explains how in the original Greek and Aramaic, the Bible authors are not talking about monogamous, loving, same-sex relationships. For example, Genesis 19:1-11 and the "sin of Sodom," which many say the sin is sodomy, but I read it as forceable rape of other men. Other verses, like Leviticus 18:22, refer to pagan practices of making "offerings" to temple prostitutes. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I have asked several of my Biblical scholar friends to read Rev. Sandlin's article and, if it is not accurate, to write up a detailed refute of it or call me to explain how it should be refuted, and thus far, no one has. I have been told it is the "same old liberal gibberish," or the article is "irreverent," but I have not been told specifically what is wrong with Rev. Sandlin's assertions.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSO2Az3PzhJ-XYZRAzFCIDi4E3q4nrb5dh4U6-T0N_3rrnIxeeJeR37Vz0X5oKEZkJgM2kqVcaXlpQNq2cbXSm9OPhFK8vtF-U1uErF1-5o6dlnkpGbguX5X55rP0TqbBB-V2ujEZFig/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-02+at+7.04.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSO2Az3PzhJ-XYZRAzFCIDi4E3q4nrb5dh4U6-T0N_3rrnIxeeJeR37Vz0X5oKEZkJgM2kqVcaXlpQNq2cbXSm9OPhFK8vtF-U1uErF1-5o6dlnkpGbguX5X55rP0TqbBB-V2ujEZFig/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-08-02+at+7.04.03+PM.png" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The girl in the black suit crashed my 10-speed when we were kids, but I love her regardless. And how pretty is her wife??? </span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>(Side note: If you would like to explain how Rev. Sandlin's article is wrong, using scholarly language and not name calling, please either <a href="mailto:rkabma@gmail.com" target="_blank">email me</a> or post it on your own blog and share your link in the comments, or leave a detailed comment explaining where Rev. Sandlin is wrong or misguided. But please keep it to a scholarly argument and not just that he is "irreverent" or "liberal" or "misguided." And please note, if you email me, I reserve the right to quote from your email in my blog.)</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">One of my "Biblical scholar" friends told me that homosexuality has been growing over the past decade and it is an epidemic of sin. Shortly after my conversation with him, I found out that as late as the 1960s, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_riots" target="_blank">IT WAS ILLEGAL TO BE GAY</a>!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I was completely shocked to find out that "gay bars" were routinely raided as illegal; that people could be fired for being gay (and still can in some states!); that it wasn't until 1961 that the first state (Illinois) removed anti-sodomy laws from their books and it wasn't until <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodomy_law" target="_blank">2003 that the Supreme Court declared anti-sodomy laws unconstitutional</a>. Of course there are more openly gay people today than a generation ago. IT WAS ILLEGAL TO BE GAY 50 years ago.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I brought my questions about Rev. Sandlin's article to my childhood pastor (at the church where I never learned homosexuality was a sin), and he explained that he has studied the issue extensively, initially with the belief that "homosexuality is a sin" but as he studied the original texts, he found the opposite is true. He affirmed the key points in the Clobbering Biblical Gay Bashing article.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1zrEbq6xU2POnp78d155TJ4-IYxz3S86mQHv5tjdSZVxwQq9Hqpf9e65ovU48F3JyEZXofWV0YJwtWvv9j1p6Q9lCESacaj0wwSmAfio6hUncyGBEK34CksJrYs0_wLQbZFrCCVqtic/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-02+at+7.00.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1zrEbq6xU2POnp78d155TJ4-IYxz3S86mQHv5tjdSZVxwQq9Hqpf9e65ovU48F3JyEZXofWV0YJwtWvv9j1p6Q9lCESacaj0wwSmAfio6hUncyGBEK34CksJrYs0_wLQbZFrCCVqtic/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-08-02+at+7.00.04+PM.png" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This is a happily married couple of three years, with a baby! (And I could not be more HAPPY for them!) </span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Another really good article I read this week: <span id="goog_1019752436"></span><a href="http://canyonwalkerconnections.com/six-things-straight-people-should-stop-saying-about-gay-people/" target="_blank">Six Things Straight People Should Stop Saying About Gay People</a>. <span id="goog_1019752437"></span>The key points:</span><br />
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<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Don't use the phrase "gay lifestyle." Gay people have <b>lives</b>, not “lifestyles”.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Don't say that same-sex parts don't work together. God is a clever designer. And (TMI, perhaps) the parts do fit and work quite well for same-sex loving couples.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Homosexuality is a natural expression of human sexuality.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">People do not change sexual orientation. Christian groups that have claimed otherwise are starting to recant their testimonials. </span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Marriage is a civil right in the US. Denying marriage to consenting adults is violating civil rights of others. </span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Bible is being wrongly used to discriminate against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. </span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The bottom line, for me, is that I choose to embrace loving, monogamous couples regardless of who they are. Love is love. I will not choose hate and discrimination, and claim I am upholding Biblical truths. I support gay marriage and will continue to fight for my friends' civil rights until my dying breath if need be, but I really hope I won't need to! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpTn6yv9x_qIqUYHyn4n0QgkYQBTMWNJMsIv8UN-gaoETXg-oXJNqAWTKFiCfBTxVA86D85Zxd_oFK-otSFmK-6RrLgfb32p7qXTMuAqTeeaLU_bEfcBFSsWcieDtrWrre7RcB5jBc5A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-02+at+7.59.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpTn6yv9x_qIqUYHyn4n0QgkYQBTMWNJMsIv8UN-gaoETXg-oXJNqAWTKFiCfBTxVA86D85Zxd_oFK-otSFmK-6RrLgfb32p7qXTMuAqTeeaLU_bEfcBFSsWcieDtrWrre7RcB5jBc5A/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-08-02+at+7.59.35+PM.png" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Kevin & Patrick's wedding ceremony. I wish I could have been there! </span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Special thanks to all my friends who allowed me to use their private photos in this post. I love you all and have such respect for you for having the courage to just be yourself! Thanks for being wonderful examples and role models, and I am sorry for any discrimination you have faced from society and especially from the Christian community. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For further reading: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.gaychristian101.com/what-does-you-shall-not-lie-with-a-man-as-with-a-woman-mean.html" target="_blank">What does Leviticus 18:22 really mean?</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.gaychristian101.com/do-you-love-us-enough-to-hear-our-heart.html" target="_blank">Do You Love Us Enough To Hear Our Heart? </a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
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</div>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-10766536678182357072012-01-23T16:38:00.004-05:002012-01-23T18:01:52.130-05:00Is There Really Such A Thing As A Poop Time Capsule?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXYwaoSF-VJrF7vKdcKT-sLrKD9kYXjKdi3CjVU1mK4irSe9VmR8kzPmJI8m7g2BOMuZHf9d5VDwAQ0EmojyJfCxh0aq9TtExeOhmzE0BYePJi8btWYK1d4F2xA_rWobjgNkG1n9fSbk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-01-23+at+4.38.17+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXYwaoSF-VJrF7vKdcKT-sLrKD9kYXjKdi3CjVU1mK4irSe9VmR8kzPmJI8m7g2BOMuZHf9d5VDwAQ0EmojyJfCxh0aq9TtExeOhmzE0BYePJi8btWYK1d4F2xA_rWobjgNkG1n9fSbk/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-01-23+at+4.38.17+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700945464904059890" /></a><br /><div>I saw this photo on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Facebook</span> along with the caption, "Something to think about — every conventional disposable diaper sent to landfills since their invention in the 1950s is still there and will be for generations to come." (Not sure of the original source, I grabbed it from a friend who shared it from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/itsybitsybums"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Itsy</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bitsy</span> Bums <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">LLC's</span> page</a>.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I will admit that while I was going through my "<a href="http://ramblingrebka.blogspot.com/2011/11/green-grappling.html">Green Mama" phase</a>, this "fact" that appalled me. I first learned this staggering statistic from<a href="http://www.gdiapers.com/"> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">gDiapers</span></a>: "a single disposable diaper can take up to 500 years to biodegrade in the landfill." (You can read more of the <a href="http://www.gdiapers.com/the-g-story/how-it-all-began"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">gDiapers</span> story here</a>.)</div><div><br /></div><div>That shocking statistic — 500 years!! — spurred me into action, so I ordered a starter set of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">gDiapers</span>. For those not familiar, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">g's</span> are a unique diaper that uses a biodegradable liner with washable outerwear system. They worked pretty well, but we had a lot of leaks and the liners were expensive. So I upgraded the system to cloth, and eventually made a switch to different brands of cloth diapers. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the outset, the initial investment was costly and it generated an additional 3-4 loads of laundry a week, but I was helping the environment. And doing so gave me a feeling of superiority over those moms and dads with diapers in their carts. I was saving a ton of money. I was saving the planet. </div><div><br /></div><div>And my child wasn't creating poop time capsules that last 500 years! Boy did I brag about that one to all my friends, both in real life and online friends. I'm pretty sure I drove my cousin "Chicken" absolutely crazy spewing all my anti-'<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">sposies</span> rhetoric. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well Chicken, let me take this opportunity to publicly apologize and admit that I gave up on being super green mama. While researching <a href="http://wyckoff.patch.com/articles/where-does-your-garbage-go">this article</a> last Earth Day, I found out the 500 year statistics I repeated <i>ad <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">nauseum</span></i> isn't true. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can't recall the exact figure I was quoted, but I was shocked at how minimal it was compared to five centuries. It was more like several months to a few years. I have a call in to the initial source to confirm the actual statistic, but since the photo is going around Facebook, I wanted to speak up and try to set the record straight. </div><div><br /></div><div>To anyone who had to listen to me rant about the "Poop Time Capsules" in your diaper genie, I am truly sorry. There is no such thing as a Poop Time Capsule. It is apparently an Urban Legend. I'm hoping <a href="http://www.snopes.com/">Snopes </a>will look into it soon. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully our diaper days — cloth or otherwise — are over in our house!</div>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-5854465218221903052011-12-01T09:57:00.005-05:002011-12-01T10:28:45.788-05:00Today is World AIDS DayI wasn't going to blog about it because I hardly feel qualified to comment on it. To my knowledge, I don't know anyone who has or had AIDS, so other than growing up in the shadow of condom billboards, my life hasn't been touched by the disease. <div><br /></div><div>But from my Christian perspective, I realized I do have some things to say. </div><div><br /></div><div>In its early days, AIDS was miscast as a gay disease. I have heard loud Bible Thumping televangelists declare that AIDS is God's retribution for gay sin. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is clearly not how I see the issue. Because this is not how I see God. </div><div><br /></div><div>My God created Heaven and Earth. He created Man in his image and we are all perfect in His site, even if we are flawed by sin. We are all perfect creations of God. Born just as God intended each one of us to be. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have spoken to enough gay people to know that they were born gay. I have grown up with enough gay people to clearly see— sometimes before it was even clear to them — that they're gay. I know being gay isn't something a person chooses. It is just who they are. </div><div><br /></div><div>The God I know, the God I believe in, wouldn't punish someone for being who He created that person to be. I can't and won't believe that. The God I know is merciful and forgiving. Slow to anger and loves righteousness. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have often wondered if God's intended purpose for homosexuality — or same-sex attraction as some churches call it — is to test pious religious people. </div><div><br /></div><div>God calls us to love our neighbor, regardless of who that is. And our neighbor is defined as everyone else on Planet Earth. To not be able to love someone because of their sexual identification, or their race, or because they just annoy the ever-living daylights out of you, is not a true Christian way to behave. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-20311129299514414082011-11-30T18:32:00.007-05:002011-11-30T20:22:37.160-05:00Please Help Reunite This Family<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFuaCByHMQ5CWXSb4W_bPVMsFkDu2dZZMoz9PzXMTXryrLg7IPv1YiD1-XTzRVL8Jh_ibMKMhZu7HTPt4oUPqBik0hUwrT3It0472d4S0BPZXI1EKHFFC2lquMuu1vNebd-sphvd7tac/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-11-30+at+6.46.17+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFuaCByHMQ5CWXSb4W_bPVMsFkDu2dZZMoz9PzXMTXryrLg7IPv1YiD1-XTzRVL8Jh_ibMKMhZu7HTPt4oUPqBik0hUwrT3It0472d4S0BPZXI1EKHFFC2lquMuu1vNebd-sphvd7tac/s320/Screen+Shot+2011-11-30+at+6.46.17+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680963934122686514" /></a><br />My rational mind cannot make sense of this. This morning, a couple spoke at <a href="http://www.cbsclass.org/classes/MidlandPark/home.aspx">Community Bible Study</a> and told a story I just cannot wrap my head around. <div><br /></div><div>For 593 days, Major John Jackson and his wife Carolyn have been in a fight with DYFS for their five children. To see and hear the couple, it is unfathomable that they don't have their children. They appear to be a God-fearing and God-honoring family. The husband is in the military and the wife is well-spoken, poised and sincere. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I know that I have only heard their side of the story, and I know that I can be naive, always believing the best in people. But even if only a kernel of their story is true, this is still an outrageous travesty and miscarriage of justice. I will try to make sense of it. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>The back story:</b> In 2006, the Jacksons, who already had three biological children, adopted a little boy named Joshua. He was born addicted to drugs and six-months premature. In his short life, he endured multiple hospital visits (during one of which he developed <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004520/">MRSA</a>) and multiple surgeries. In 2008, he died from a congenital seizure disorder. </div><div><br /></div><div>According to the Jacksons, the death was investigated by both State and Federal agencies (because they lived on a military base), as per protocol, and they were cleared of any culpabilities in his death. </div><div><br /></div><div>A month after Joshua's death, the couple became foster parents to two little girls (their cousins) under an interstate agreement between Indiana and NJ DYFS. They had to pass home studies and DYFS scrutiny and in July 2009, the Jacksons formally adopted the two girls. The next month, John was deployed to Iraq. </div><div><br /></div><div>For Thanksgiving and Christmas, with John still in Iraq, Carolyn took their five children to visit family in Indiana. When they returned home in January, the entire family came down with the flu. The baby, Chaya, was taken to the hospital and treated for extreme dehydration. In follow-up visits with the family doctor, the child was diagnosed with failure to thrive, and underwent monthly doctor visits and blood draws. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>The injustice: </b>In April 2010, Chaya became sick again, and was taken to St. Clare's hospital in Dover, N.J., then transferred to Morristown Memorial Hospital. There, a social worker who remembered the couple from Joshua's trips to the hospital, became suspicious ad contacted DYFS. According the Jacksons, the social worker failed to check records and told DYFS that Joshua died at home (instead of in the hospital where he actually died) and was cremated before an autopsy (which he actually had). </div><div><br /></div><div>Instead of verifying the facts, DYFS did the unthinkable. They removed all the children from their care, citing imminent danger. They did not get a court order or followed the routine channels. Instead they took all five children from their home and split them into three homes. The children were denied comfort items from home. As a mom, the thought of Dan being denied his puppy and blanket — because they are reminders of home — is completely unfathomable. The kids were also denied family prayer books and even their Bibles. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>The unbelievable:</b> The DYFS that took these children from their home is the same Social Service organization that failed to act on allegations of abuse of children who ultimately died in both <a href="http://lawisnotjustice.com/faheem.html">Newark</a> and <a href="http://www.nj.com/njvoices/index.ssf/2011/05/looking_into_dyfs_and_a_girls.html">Irvington</a>. Is the agency overcompensating now? If so, I think they are sorely off the mark. </div><div><br /></div><div>John and Carolyn Jackson appear to be upstanding, Godly people. They are well spoken. They are hurting. They are standing firm on God's promises with a faith I hope I am never forced to display. </div><div><br /></div><div>I feel very powerless that there isn't more I can do to bring justice for this family. I can send a letter to Gov. Christie. I can pray. I can send money for their legal fund. But that, and this little blog to try to bring awareness, really doesn't feel like much. </div><div><br /></div><div>I heard they have a Facebook page, but I couldn't find it. I did find links to other articles about the Jackson Seven: </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://reunitejackson7.blogspot.com/">http://reunitejackson7.blogspot.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://reunitejackson7.webs.com/">http://reunitejackson7.webs.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://joyfulwith3.blogspot.com/2011/04/reunite-jackson-7-tell-nj-dyfs-to.html">http://joyfulwith3.blogspot.com/2011/04/reunite-jackson-7-tell-nj-dyfs-to.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Please pray that this family can be reunited soon. (And please, hug your kids extra tight!)</div><div><br /></div>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-49307827776461635252011-11-29T09:56:00.004-05:002011-11-29T10:34:32.536-05:00Green GrapplingMy first Earth Day as a mother sent me on a green spin for a while. I opted for Ecologically-friendly alternatives for everything I did. I started recycling religiously, stopped buying petroleum-based cleaning products, and even cloth diapered for a little while. <div><br /></div><div>I felt good. I felt smug. And maybe just a little superior. But by the next Earth Day my greening was seriously waning, with the exception of my <a href="http://patch.com/A-gTCp">Green Cleaner</a> and recycling. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last Spring, as editor of <a href="http://franklinlakes.patch.com/">Franklin Lakes Patch</a>, I produced a <a href="http://franklinlakes.patch.com/articles/earth-month-rewind">Green Patch</a> series for Earth Day. One article for each work day in April. In doing so, I discovered that recycling is actually big business. Our garbage is our largest export, and in this down market, commodities like paper and steel are actually thriving. </div><div><br /></div><div>In interviews with <a href="http://patch.com/A-gGQ6">local garbage and recycling companies</a>, I found out that recycling helps the economy at the local level. Municipalities are actually get paid by the companies who pick up our recycling, which off sets our taxes. American paper products are particularly valuable. China is paying good money for our paper because our tree-derived pulp is superior to their rice paper. </div><div><br /></div><div>With this knowledge in hand, I no longer feel guilty about the huge pile of paper I recycle each month. Instead can rejoice while buying a box of two soy milks, that I'm not only saving a dollar, I'm helping to generate to offset my property taxes. Or something like that. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-66500269652372398492011-11-28T12:07:00.003-05:002011-11-28T16:41:17.517-05:00Guilt-Free Gift GuideLooking for Christmas gifts that doesn't leave you <a href="http://ramblingrebka.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-shopping-dilemna.html">feeling guilty</a>? Here are a few ideas: <div><br /></div><div><b>Toys Made in the USA:</b> <a href="http://www.pureplaykids.com/">Pure Play Kids</a> sells natural, battery-free creative toys and play things, most of which were made in America (or Europe) and produced under environmentally friendly conditions. From infants to grade school, the company offers a wide selection of toys you can feel good giving. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>A Hand-Up: </b>The nonprofit <a href="http://www.kiva.org/">Kiva.org</a> provides micro loans to small businesses around the globe. Kiva users can lend as little as $25 (which is repaid 100-percent) to their choice of more than 3,500 small businesses around the world. A Kiva <a href="http://www.kiva.org/gifts/kiva-cards#/print">Gift Card</a> is a feel-good gift that can be recycled over and over again as the loans are repaid. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;"><br /></span></div><div><b>The Gift of Life:</b> By the end of 2011, close to 1 million people living in third world countries will die from malaria. Enter the <a href="http://wyckoff.patch.com/articles/preventing-malaria-in-the-third-world-moskeeto-hood-e">Moskeeto HoodE</a>, a technologically advanced garment that repels insects, including mosquitos that carry malaria. For just $22, you can purchase a Moskeeto HoodE to protect someone living in an area where malaria is prevalent. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Educational Opportunities:</b> In America, we take going to school for granted. But just across the Texas border, children in Juarez, Mexico, don't get a free-education. For $35 a month, or $420 a year, you can <a href="http://ttwlifebridge.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53:sponsor-a-child&catid=37&Itemid=9999">sponsor a child's education</a> in one of the poorest and dangerous communities in the Northern Hemisphere. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Clean Water: </b>Nearly 1 BILLION people do not have access to safe, clean drinking water. For as little as $10, you can make a difference thanks to <a href="http://thewaterproject.org/">The Water Project</a>. The organization does more than just dig wells in Africa, they engage communities and help to change lives. </div><div><br /></div><div>Have any suggestions for guilt-free gifts? Share them in the comments!</div>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-76969336204796281822011-11-24T05:00:00.001-05:002011-11-24T08:42:53.529-05:00I AM AN AMERICANWhenever I am asked my nationality, I always say, "American." The typical response is, "Well, yeah, we are all American. I mean, where is your family from?"<div><br /></div><div>My family is from America. I'm not Irish American, or German American, or Swedish American. I am American. English-Irish-Scottish-Welsh-German-Swedish-Dutch 14th generation American.<br /><div><br /></div><div> My first ancestor came to America in the first half of the 1600s. Richard Stout settled in Salem, Mass. in mid-1630s. From there, he moved to Gravesend, NY. </div><div><br /></div><div>His future wife, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/penelopestout">Penelope Kent Van Princes</a>, came to America in 1639. She was born in 1622 in Holland and came to America with her first husband on their honeymoon. On the passage over, her husband got sick. The voyage ended when then were shipwrecked on the Jersey Shore (at <a href="http://middletown-nj.patch.com/articles/sandy-hook-a-reminder-of-the-sunday-drive-assets-within-our-reach">Sandy Hook</a>). The rest of the passengers travelled on to safety, but Penelope's husband was too sick, so she stayed behind with him. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>According to legend, the Indians came, killed her husband, scalped her and left her for dead. She was reportedly disemboweled and crawled to safety in a hollowed out tree where she subsisted off maple sap for days until she was rescued by other indians (Kind Navesink/Leni Lenape Indians). These "Good Samaritan" indians took her back to their camp, nursed her back to health and allowed her to live among them — as an equal. </div><div><br /></div><div>From what I understand, Penelope lived with the Indians in what is now Monmonth County, NJ, for about a year. At that time, her people came back for her. The Old Indian who saved her life asked her if she wanted to stay with the Indians who treated her so well or go back with her own people, who basically left her for dead. She missed her culture and her religion, so she went with them back to Gravesend. </div><div><br /></div><div>Years later, she returned to Monmonth County where she and her second husband, Richard Stout, are said to have purchased property from the Indians and co-existed peacefully with them. (I don't know if that is really a fact, or just legend.) My family has pretty much stayed in New Jersey ever since. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am 14th Generation American. My family tree has some interesting people on it: Abe Lincoln (sixth cousin, fourth removed), <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Bowne/143235582356128">John Bowne</a> (author of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flushing_Remonstrance">Flushing Remonstrance</a>, which was later taken nearly word for word as the Freedom of Religion doctrine of the Bill of Rights), and revolutionary war general, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Wayne">Mad Anthony Wayne</a>. (But I think my coolest ancestor is my Great Aunt Carol, who was a Roxyette, the dance troupe precursor to the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rockettes">Rockettes</a>.) </div><div><br /></div><div>I am the 14th generation of my family born in America. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.iamanamericanproject.com/">I AM AN AMERICAN</a>. </div></div></div>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-62065267346347334162011-11-22T07:00:00.002-05:002011-11-22T07:29:07.049-05:00Taking Christianity to the StreetsWe all have walls. I live in an area that's just spacious enough that I see my neighbors sporadically, rarely even. I don't really know most people who live on my street. Except for the ones with kids, which aren't many, and I don't even know all of those. <div><br /></div><div>We stay inside and see each other in passing. Extended conversations during power failures, and when fire trucks or ambulances stop on our street. And the only time we ring our neighbor's doorbells are on Halloween. The rest of the time, we hide behind our walls. </div><div><br /></div><div>One of the things I find interesting about Occupy Wall Street is that people are taking to the streets and not hiding behind walls anymore. That includes faith communities. A loosely organized group of pastors calling themselves <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ProtestChaplainsNYC">The Protest Chaplains</a> have emerged from the Occupy movement. It is inspiring to see. </div><div><br /></div><div>On Sundays, they hold interfaith services in Zuccotti Park. (Yesterday, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVM90JzmJWo">The Council of Elders</a> from the Civil Rights movement spoke. I wished I could have been there! I hope to find footage to watch.)</div><div><br /></div><div>After the protestors were kicked out of the park last Tuesday, many churches in the area opened their doors to occupiers, showing genuine Christian hospitality. It makes me happy to see Christians openly acting like Christians should. </div><div><br /></div><div>One thing I hope comes out of Occupy Wall Street is that we tear all our walls down. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-88900315333049227602011-11-21T16:36:00.002-05:002011-11-21T16:49:36.675-05:00Month of Discontent Cont'd (Part 5)<div>I fell behind (again) on my discontents. Let's see if I can pull this together quickly.</div><div><br /></div>Nov. 16. I hate that I don't appreciate all the good things that I have more often. <div><br /></div><div>Nov. 17. I hate unfair labor practices. I hate that feel I have to choose between affordable and humane. I hate that the toys my kid wants for Christmas are probably made by kids, in sweatshops. </div><div><br /></div><div>Nov. 18. I hate that people, online, would rather argue about philosophical difference than collaborate on points they agree upon to come up with a common solution.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nov. 19. I hate that a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch. Many people are wholesale dismissing the Occupy Movement because of the actions of a few. </div><div><br /></div><div>Nov. 20. I hate how much clutter I have accumulated. How much junk we have! (And how much effort it seems to take to get rid of it!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Nov. 21. I hate that my preschooler completely hates naps. But then crashes at about 4 p.m. and is super cross if you try to make him get up!!!</div>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-28646103739173430992011-11-21T12:19:00.006-05:002011-11-21T16:18:43.441-05:00Christmas Shopping Dilemna<span class="Apple-style-span">I am having a disconnect between my conscience and my pocketbook this Christmas. I don't want to spend a lot of money. I don't want to be inconvenienced. </span>I don't want to use credit cards. <span class="Apple-style-span"> And most importantly, I don't want to violate my personal ethics. <div><br /></div><div>Growing up in <a href="http://www.blogger.com/paramus.patch.com">Mall Capital of America</a>, I want to avoid traffic, malls and parking at all costs. Enter online shopping. No crowds, no traffic, no hassles. And paying with debit cards or paypal ensures I don't overspend and increase my debt. </div><div><br /></div><div>But this year, I'm having a problem justifying online shopping. Over the summer, there were some exposes about <a href="http://uppermacungie.patch.com/articles/amazon-gets-new-attention-over-breinigsville-sweatshop">unsafe working conditions in Amazon.com factories</a>. That's something that I just cannot support. </div><div><br /></div></span>I also don't think I can shop at Kohl's anymore. It's tempting when a 30% off coupon arrives in the mail, but of course, you have to use your credit card to take advantage of the coupon. Plus, I find most Kohl's clothes fall apart pretty quickly. <div><br /></div><div>The big sticking point for me is knowing that many of the clothes were made in China and other countries without fair labor practices. For all I know, it was made by some little kid who spends 10 to 12 hours a day in a factory instead of playing outside. </div><div><br /><div>I am hoping to be able to make the right choice in purchasing presents this year. (I shutter to think where McQueen and Thomas are made!!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Have any good <a href="http://www.MADEinUSA.org/nav.cgi?">American-made</a> gift ideas? Know of a place to shop online or locally for it? </div></div>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-1035060062550799402011-11-16T15:43:00.004-05:002011-11-16T17:03:08.981-05:00Can OWS Change Anything?<div>For the last two months, I have been watching the <a href="http://occupywallst.org/">Occupy Wall Street</a> movement pretty intently. I haven't made it to an occupation yet, but I know some people who have. So between some friend and organizations I follow on Facebook and Twitter, I've been getting a daily dose of news without having to leave the comfort of my home. </div><div><br /></div><div>At times, I have been glued to the <a href="http://www.livestream.com/occupynyc">live stream</a>. Yesterday, they were arresting people. Non-violent, peaceful resistance person after person. Not sure what law they were breaking, but they were in violation of something, I'm sure. As people chanted, "Stop and Frisk has got to go! We say no to the new Jim Crow!" person after person was flex cuffed by police, in a seemingly polite and orderly fashion, as an Occupy Wall Street film crew interviewed each person being arrested. Some had plenty to say. Some had nothing to say. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was mesmerizing. Intoxicating. Entertaining. </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know what to make of the whole movement. The movement has been criticized for not having clear demands, for being in violation of laws and for just being dirty (and possibly lazy). Of being a bunch of anarchists and radicals. </div><div><br /></div><div>One think I am sure of: Occupy Wall Street has started a conversation. A very important conversation about political inequality and corruption of corporate America. This conversation has been a long time in the making and I am glad that it is finally getting the attention it deserves. (And yes, I believe in personal responsibility for the poor as well as the rich.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, I discovered the movement has produced a "<a href="http://anoncentral.tumblr.com/post/12409353866/for-the-99-the-new-common-sense-must-distribute">New Common Sense</a>," doctrine. I haven't read through the entire thing. I think it takes its name from <a href="http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/">Thomas Paine's Common Sense</a> and it reads similar to the beginning of the <a href="http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html">Declaration of Independence</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the beginning: </div><div><br /></div><div>Common Sense from the "99%"</div><div>Introduction and Preamble</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(98, 101, 102); line-height: 20px; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman';"><blockquote>"When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for the Citizens of a Nation to petition their own Government for a redress of grievances, the People have a duty to exercise their rights under the First Amendment collectively if they so choose. To this end, We the People hereby assert our right to peacefully assemble and petition our Government for redress when we feel that this is our best, and perhaps only remaining option to seek remedies.</blockquote></span></span></div><blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(98, 101, 102); line-height: 20px; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br />"We affirm that any lasting and workable solution must reach beyond mere politics, that political issues do not matter at a time when our collective voice has been nearly silenced. We believe that the current political climate has caused a paralysis of our Government. We find that our individual opinions mean little when we are no longer being properly represented. In fact, we believe that the Balance of Power between the Branches of our Government has been corrupted to the point where it can answer only to members of an affluent and politically active upper class. The impending result of this imbalance is that government of the People, by the People, for the People has almost perished from Our Nation. We believe that government has been influenced by an external source that has conspired to control it to the point of stalemate. We believe that this was forced upon us by “special interests”, corporations, lobbyists, the banking and the financial sector including Wall Street and the Federal Reserve, who together have used unrestrained financial leverage leading to the corruption of many politicians, regardless of their political party, resulting in great damage to the People and to this Nation.<br /><br />"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all are created equal regardless of their financial status. — That we free Citizens of the United States are without exception endowed under a Federal Constitution granting us certain unalienable Rights. — That among these Rights are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure and protect these rights, our forefathers drafted this Constitution, ratified by the then several States and agreed to by the People. — That this Constitution defines and protects us all with a system of Checks and Balances by which the powers and responsibilities of government would be divided amongst the Federal, the States and the People. — That this original Social Contract in which those powers were granted has been repeatedly violated by the Federal government. — That we no longer are represented by our Government. — That we no longer have a voice in our Government. — That the limits of power of the Federal Government have been deliberately and repeatedly breached. — That our Government has become destructive towards the vast majority of the same People that they are supposed to protect. — That outside influences have gained unreasonable power and influence within our Government. — That the Fair Election system is being systematically dismantled and no longer allows for a full, on paper, verification and accounting of actual balloting. — That We the People have the Fundamental Right and Patriotic Duty under the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights to peacefully assemble and to demand that the Government cease and desist from or correct any of these violations. — That the Government cede back to the States and to the People all such Powers that they have unconstitutionally seized, regaining such Powers from the States via Constitutional Amendment if they are to have them at all. — That our Government must Right these encroachments on the People by realigning itself to the Constitution. — That vague interpretations of the Constitution should be clarified through civil discourse leading to a series of new Amendments and with full participation by the several States."</span></span></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>The full text can be found here: <a href="http://anoncentral.tumblr.com/post/12409353866/for-the-99-the-new-common-sense-must-distribute">http://anoncentral.tumblr.com/post/12409353866/for-the-99-the-new-common-sense-must-distribute</a>. I admit I haven't read the whole thing, so for all I know it posts ludicrous anarchist, antidisestablismentarianism demands (The big word used is one I was taught as a child was the longest word in the dictionary, and I think I am actually using it appropriately, but as always, I could be wrong....)</div><div><br /></div><div>As I said, I don't know what to make of the whole thing, but I appreciate that the conversation has been started, and I admire the sacrifice people have made to bring the conversation to the forefront. I hope the conversation continues to productive change. </div><div><br /></div><div>What do you think of Occupy Wall Street and The New Common Sense? </div>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-12677863025095258082011-11-15T09:44:00.002-05:002011-11-15T10:00:27.358-05:00More Discontent (part 4)Nov. 13: I hate cancer. I found out today that a friend has breast cancer. She is a wonderful, sweet, caring woman of God, with an itty baby and a huge heart. I am standing on Faith that she will be healed. My heart completely breaks for her though. <div><br /></div><div>Nov. 14: I hate whining. I hate hearing my son whine. I hate hearing other people's kids whine. I hate listening to grown people whine. But most of all, I hate it when I whine. (Don't think the irony of whining making the Discontented list is lost on me...)</div><div><br /></div><div>Nov. 15: I hate fighting. I personally hate having arguments with people, but I also hate witnessing other people's arguments. The anger, things said in the heat of the moment that can't be taken back. Out of control actions, intentionally hurting others. I hate it. </div>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-85240004296694752192011-11-12T09:00:00.000-05:002011-11-12T09:00:00.928-05:0030 Days of Discontent, Part 3Nov. 12: I hate when people badmouth God. When they don't have respect for the creator of the Universe. When they call belief in God ridiculous. Or a fairytale. Or the natural reaction of dimwitted individuals. I cannot begin to explain how angry this gets me. <div><br /></div><div>I have gotten into a habit of reading HuffPo Religion articles and the comments, which are awful. An article posted on Veteran's Day spoke about <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/09/vets-return-home-churches_n_1084982.html?ref=religion">how churches are reaching out to returning Veterans</a>. The comments were horrific: The church is manipulating our returning vets. Haven't the vets been deceived enough already? Churches are always on the lookout for new prey. The key to praying is talking to yourself and believing something intelligent is listening. </div><div><br /></div><div>I get really burned up reading these comments. I have even commented to the contrary a few times and been personally attacked, so I try not to say anything any more. I know I shouldn't even read them, they make me so mad. </div><div><br /></div><div>And I can't really explain why I get so angry about it. I don't think I feel personally insulted, like it is my belief that is under attack. There are plenty of things that I feel strongly about that others don't have to agree with and I don't get this upset. Make fun of my clothes, my choice of music, my favorite TV shows. That may annoy me, or embarrass me. But it doesn't come close to evoking this same level of anger in me. </div><div><br /></div><div>I guess I am just completely offended that people can talk about the God of the Universe like that. I don't know how to respond or reply to it. I do have some friends who are nonbelievers, and we have interesting and respectful discussions, which I am completely OK with. But when people openly mock God, that gets me mad.<br /><div><div><br /></div></div></div>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-47818086861537805642011-11-11T05:59:00.006-05:002011-11-11T06:44:45.184-05:0030 Days of Discontent, Part 2Somehow I got a full week behind on my posting. Here is a quick rundown of more discontents. <div><br /></div><div>Nov. 5: I hate that marriage is so disposable in our culture. I am lucky to come from a happily married family and to be in a good marriage. Growing up, I was one of the only one of my friends whose parents were still married. Today, I see marriages collapsing all around me (and not just the Kardashian variety). Sure, marriage is unbelievably hard work at times and the concept of forever is hard to swallow some days, but that's what marriage is.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nov. 6: I hate that the laundry never ends. Yes, I am grateful to have clothes to wash, and a washer-dryer in my basement so I don't have to go to the laundromat, but there is always another load to be done, folded and put away. It never ends and I can never seem to get ahead.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nov. 7: I hate Daylight Savings Time. Changing the clocks screws up my internal clock every time. And now that I am a mother, the ways it messes with my kid's sleep really makes for a bad week. </div><div><br /></div><div>Nov. 8: I hate politics. I hate political commercials where one candidate just bashes the other. I have no idea what is fully true, what is outright false and what falls somewhere in between. I vote because it is my right, privilege, and duty, but I don't fully engage the process because I feel like everyone is lying and I don't know where the truth stands. It makes my brain hurt.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nov. 9: I hate junk mail. For starters, it is mostly someone trying to sell me something and I don't even look at it. It is a waste of many resources — paper, ink, postage, to name a few — but it also contributes to my overall clutter problem. The sheer volume of junk mail received in this house is overwhelming. I even paid a service to opt out of junk mail, but it clearly didn't work. </div><div><br /></div><div>Nov. 10: I hate procrastination. To look at the way I operate in life, you would think that I love to procrastinate. That I must get a rush out of putting things off to the last minute. But in reality, it stresses me out. I hate the way that I continue to put things off — that need to be done — until the last minute. </div><div><br /></div><div>Nov. 11: I hate war. On Veteran's Day, I am extremely grateful for the sacrifices brave men and women have made for our country and the world. But I hate that war exists. I hate that families are missing loved ones overseas right now. According to iCausualties.org, <a href="http://icasualties.org/oef/">Operation Enduring Freedom</a> has resulted in 2,798 coalition fatalities and <a href="http://icasualties.org/Iraq/index.aspx">Operation Iraqi Freedom</a> has resulted in 4,801 coalition fatalities. And those are just the figures for people fighting on OUR side. </div>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-89439872383553470712011-11-03T09:18:00.009-04:002011-11-04T18:36:54.971-04:0030 Days of DiscontentMany of my FB friends are doing 30 Days of Gratitude for November. I'm having a hard time getting in the spirit of it and instead feel like posting 30 Days of Discontent. I will update this as the month goes on:<div><br /></div><div>Nov. 1: I hate that so many people lie. Little lies, big lies. We are surrounded by lies. Politicians, bosses, employees, friends, neighbors. Everyone lies. Even I lie. Whether a white lie to my kid or begging off a social engagement because I'd rather lay on the couch and watch Real Housewives. </div><div>I can't count the number of times I've committed the biggest lie of our time: "I have read and accept these terms and conditions." Sure, it is a harmless lie, but I still hate that lying is normal, accepted and expected in our society. </div><div><br /></div><div>Nov. 2: I hate feeling like everyone had their hand in my pocketbook. From "charities" to commercials to the cable company, everyone is trying to separate me from my money. We are blessed to have so much, but I feel like I can never get ahead. </div><div><br /></div><div>Nov. 3: I hate that poverty exists. I lead a fairly sheltered life, so I don't need to confront poverty face to face on a regular basis. But I know it exists. I know that I have it so good in my warm suburban home, and I am grateful for it. I donate food and clothing to the church's mission closet, but it feels like teaspoons in the ocean. </div><div><br /></div><div>Update: Nov. 4: I hate that ministries and ministers sometimes come off as greedy. It gives all Christians a bad name. For instance, <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/bankrupt-church-wants-donations-pastor-sick-wife-ferried-182015520.html">this story</a> tells about a bankrupt church whose pastor was allegedly collecting a lavish salary. It doesn't say how much he was getting paid, but still, stories like these do not do anything to glorify God. In fact, it turns a lot of people off of Christianity. And I really hate that. </div>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-26487511653058492062011-10-27T11:49:00.005-04:002011-10-27T12:53:26.191-04:00Almost Finished the BookI feel like I should throw a party. It's taken roughly six years, but I am almost finished reading the Bible. I bought the "read the Bible in a year" Bible around 2004, and needless to say, I've been sidetracked along the way. Not to jinx myself, but I've made it to "Dec. 26" in the Bible and its not yet Halloween, so I'm pretty confident I should be able to finally get to the last page before the last day this year.<br /><br />Now that I'm almost at the end of the book, I feel I've finally earned the right to voice my opinon on what can be a very controversial subject.<br /><br />The Bible is a very thick book. It speaks on many things, and recounts generation after generation of God's people and miracles. It's story after story of God using ordinary and flawed people to do extraordinary things. There is so much history and wisdom and warnings. It guides and instructs. It is filled with all range of human emotion.<br /><br />Do I believe the Bible is the Word of God? Yes. Do I understand everything it says? No.<br /><br />But I do understand that every verse needs to be taken in context, and now that I've nearly reached the end of the book, I understand the story as a whole and have a better grasp on verses within their context.<br /><br />On Facebook this week, a friend posted: <em>Jacob was a cheater, Peter had a temper, David had an affair, Noah got drunk, Jonah ran from God, Paul was a murderer, Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossiper, Martha was a worrier, Thomas was a doubter, Sarah was impatient, Elijah was moody, Moses stuttered, Zaccheus was short, Abraham was… old, and Lazarus was dead.... Now, what's YOUR excuse?)</em><br /><br />That is one thing that struck me so strongly in reading the Bible. From the beginning of time, mankind has been flawed, and yet God still loves us. David is called "a man after God's own heart" and even he fell to sin, some pretty serious ones at that (lust, adultry, murder). Yet he repented and God forgave him.<br /><br />I know that we are all sinners and fall short of the Glory of God. All I can do is my best to follow its guidelines in my life. And since there is so much of the Bible, I would be overwhelmed to try to memorize every rule, I'm going to stick with the verses that apply to my life. Like ministering to the sick and broken hearted. To loving my neighbor and helping community. Sharing what I have with others. Clinging loosly to the things of this world.<br /><br />I am sure to have a hard enough time following those to be concerned with verses that have no direct bearing on my life (ehm, Lev. 18:22).<br /><br />If you have never read the whole Bible, I highly recommend it. Whether you believe every word or not, there is much you can take out of it to apply to your life. And there really is no other book I know of that is like it.RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-85666822799307328522011-10-26T20:01:00.005-04:002011-10-26T20:16:16.438-04:00Lighthouse Looking for Diapers<a href="http://friendsoflighthouseprc.org/">Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center</a> in Hawthorne provides an outstanding service in our community. A non-profit, faith-based crisis pregnancy center, Lighthouse is a safe place for women who find themselves pregnant under less than ideal circumstances. Through its network of volunteers, Lighthouse provide emotional and spiritual support, parenting advice and material needs to women throughout pregnancy and the babies first year.<br /><br />In talking with Debbie Provincher, executive director at Lighthouse, it became clear that one thing these new mothers and babies need are diapers. Twice a month, on the second and fourth Saturday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m., the center' overflow center at the Rea Ave. Reformed Church in Hawthone is open to accept donations of gently used clothes, items and diapers (visit the website for a complete list of items needed).<br /><br />You can also hold a diaper drive at your church or club, or even organize a baby shower for a new mom. For more details in our area, please contact me at RKAbma@gmail.com.<br /><br />If you need help spurring you on to help, read this guest post at Rage Against The Mini Van: <a href="http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2011/03/what-i-want-you-to-know-pregnant-out-of.html">What I want you to know: Pregnant Out of Wedlock</a>.RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-30469816441004689132011-09-20T10:22:00.003-04:002011-09-20T10:41:18.637-04:00Opportunities Arise!Praise God, freelance work has come my way! I've written a few articles for Patch and have another with Bergen Health & Life.<br /><br />More exciting is the <a href="http://christiansingerchick.blogspot.com/2011/09/gems-other-good-things.html">music and ministry opportunities</a> that have come up in the last few weeks. Singing at church, Bible study, GEMS and possibly recording. It's all good and exciting!<br /><br />This week, I had the pleasure of writing about <a href="http://franklinlakes.patch.com/articles/teens-helping-teens-concert-to-benefit-pregnancy-center">Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center</a> for Patch and attend a concert by Endurance benefiting the center. I have a special place in my heart for Lighthouse and have written about the center several times, always with a different director. I've been wanting to get involved but wasn't sure what I could do. Debbie Provincher asked if I would be interested in organizing diaper drives. I'm not sure what is involved with that exactly, but my heart cried yes. If your group or organization is interested in having a diaper drive, let me know!<br /><br />I'm so grateful for all the blessings in my life and thank you all for your prayers and support!RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-79948016499900974992011-09-14T11:53:00.004-04:002011-09-14T17:12:08.369-04:00Show & Tell<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Some days, I have some really smart and really wise Facebook friends</span>.<span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> My friend Linda shared this little gem today:<br /></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: lucida grande;" class="MsoNormal">"I remember loving Show & Tell, because when a person brought something that was cool to them, it gave me a glimpse of who they were and I could know them better. If we allow Him, I believe that God wants us to be His show and tell...use us to help others to know Him better."</p><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> What a great picture. It got me thinking: What am I bringing for Show & Tell? </span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br />I'm not sure what people see when they look at me, but I can guarantee it isn't always a glistening reflection of God's love and grace. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;" >God, please help me with that.</span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I know a lot of people don't like Christians, not because they have anything against God, but because they think we are a bunch of cherry-picking hypocrites who twist pieces of scripture into intricate origami figures resembling whatever want. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">That was made pretty clear to me on another Facebook thread this week. A friend posted about the </span><a style="font-family: lucida grande;" href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8364931/lane_bryant_is_a_lesbian_and_one_million.html?cat=7">controversial Lane Bryant</a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> magalog, to which a "Christian" responded with a "</span><a style="font-family: lucida grande;" href="http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2010/11/the-jesus-juke/">Jesus Juke</a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">" that started a heated discussion. Lines such as "that's what is wrong with organized religion" and "aren't Christians supposed to be loving and compassionate" peppered the thread. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">As Christians, can we all try do a little better letting God's light shine in? </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:lucida grande;" >Help us with that God, would you please?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Thank you Linda, for sharing your insight and reminding us all to bring better things to Show & Tell. </span>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-3008544114919365432011-09-10T08:39:00.005-04:002011-09-10T09:00:36.893-04:00The Drought After 9/11<span style="font-family: lucida grande;">The coverage of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 is overwhelming. I feel compelled to read it and watch it all, yet, it would be impossible--and inappropriate with an almost 4-year-old in the room--to follow all of it. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">In the aftermath of 9/11, the one thing I remember so clearly is that it did not rain. In the few days immediately following the attacks, I remember thinking how fortunate it was that it did not rain, because that would have made the search efforts that much harder. Then on Friday, Sept. 14, the National Day of Prayer and Morning, the heavens opened and poured down. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">But after that, it did not rain. It did not snow that winter. I don't think it rained that spring. I remember working at the newspaper and writing drought after drought article. I remember my father and I keeping a running count of how many days without rain. I don't remember when the rain finally came. (When my dad gets back from his trip, I'm going to make him get out his 2001-2002 records to find out the exact day. The </span><a style="font-family: lucida grande;" href="http://www.erh.noaa.gov/okx/stormtotals.html">National Weather Service's record of significant weather events for New York City</a><span style="font-family: lucida grande;"> doesn't show any for that winter or spring.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">To me, the dry weather felt like God's mercy on the workers of Ground Zero. I cannot imagine how hard and gruesome the work was, and it never let up. But at least they weren't also working in the rain. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Tomorrow, Pastor Jeff is going to preach a sermon about Where Was God on 9/11? I wonder if he will mention how God stopped the rain. </span>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-35813686447241776182011-09-09T07:00:00.000-04:002011-09-09T07:00:15.778-04:00The Last Good Day of the World<span style="font-family: lucida grande;">I remember it plain as day. My sisters and I met at Great Adventure (aka Six Flags) for a day of riding roller coasters. It was Sept. 9, 2001. We had a good time, and for once I kept my nosiness in check and didn't ask my older sister if she was pregnant yet. I didn't even think twice to say anything when she, after standing on an hour line, side stepped getting on the roller coaster (turns out she was pregnant, but so early, she wasn't sure). </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">It was a fun day. Me, both my sisters and their husbands, a boyfriend who was slowly becoming kind of serious, and endless roller coasters. We even had a group photo taken on the Great American Scream Machine. We rode Rolling Thunder, like, a half-dozen times because we heard it was being retired. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">When the park announced it was closing, it was just the then-boyfriend and I left from our crew, and I actually ran across the amusement park to ride the Nitro one more time, just to prove to myself that it was indeed much better than Medusa. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">On the drive home, I fell asleep on the Jersey Turnpike, but then-boyfriend woke me up in time to see the Twin Towers majestically looking over us. I recall being struck by the number of windows randomly lit up at 10 p.m. on a Sunday night. One thing I have always loved about the New York skyline is how many people are there. Each window illuminated, each headlight, represented another person. All those lights put in perspective that I am just one of many. And my problems are much smaller than others. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">It was the last time I saw the Twin Towers in real life. We all know what happened just 36 hours later. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">The next night, or rather the early morning of 9/11, I had a very vivid dream. I was on a children's playground with other women -- mothers -- who were running to scoop up their children and hold them close to their chest. It was a bizarre dream and in the moment, I chalked up to my biological clock ticking, but would haunt me for months. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">It is hard to believe 10 years have passed. </span>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-84574746604707274942011-09-08T07:00:00.003-04:002011-09-08T07:00:01.375-04:00A Good Morning<span style="font-family: lucida grande;">I wake up and smell the coffee. I'm not a morning person and my sweet husband has learned the nicest way for me to wake up is with coffee and quiet. So he brings me coffee in bed, leaves it on my nightstand and quietly shuts the door. I then have 30 minutes to slowly wake up, while I read, pray or journal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Every morning isn't like this of course, but the days he brings me coffee (and I use my 30 minutes wisely) are guaranteed to be better days.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">I was reminded of this after my friend </span><a style="font-family: lucida grande;" href="http://www.sixuntilme.com/">Kerri</a><span style="font-family: lucida grande;"> posted </span><a style="font-family: lucida grande;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VssO5bKFJU0&feature=youtu.be">this video</a><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">, a mash up of retro coffee commercials where husbands insult their wives's coffee (it is pretty shocking how far we have come in such a short time).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Upon watching it, my first thought was, if my husband spoke to me like that, I'd throw the pot in his face. But then again, early in our relationship, he told me (in a much nicer way) that my coffee was bad and I didn't argue. So now, he sets the coffee every night before bed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">If I need a cup in the afternoon, he will make it if he is home and if he isn't, now that </span><a style="font-family: lucida grande;" href="http://ramblingrebka.blogspot.com/2011/09/why-i-am-boycotting-starbucks.html">I'm boycotting Starbucks</a><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">, I make my own (bad) coffee or visit my friend, who's husband makes awesome coffee (so awesome, I wish he would open a coffee shop at the end of my block, ehm).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Being served coffee in bed, and then using my time wisely, doesn't happen every morning, of course, but when it does the rest of the day is pretty smooth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">For about nine months, I was working from home, and mornings did not start like that. Hubby still brought me coffee in bed most mornings, but instead of reading my Bible or writing in my journal, I would check my email on my phone. Life pretty quickly derailed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Living in a work-a-holic state, I asked Pastor Jeff, the busiest man I know, how he finds time for everything. He told me he starts every day with prayer and meditation and the rest falls into place. I tried it for a week, and realized the job was getting in the way of more important things.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">A month into leaving full-time work from home employment and resuming my quiet time, I feel much better about life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">And I love -- and appreciate -- that my husband still brings me coffee in bed. Thanks babe.</span>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513271360877245626.post-40977282257688123902011-09-07T07:00:00.003-04:002011-09-08T09:27:27.987-04:00Why I Am Boycotting Starbucks<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Starbucks CEO Harold Schultz is getting a lot of positive press in the past few weeks for his </span><a href="http://http//www.upwardspiral2011.org/http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" style="font-family: lucida grande;">Upward Spiral campaign</a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">. In it, he pledges to withhold campaign contributions until our elected officials can work together to fix this country, and he encourages others to join him. (AOL Chairman and CEO Tim Armstrong, my former boss's boss's boss, and J. Crew Chairman and CEO Millard Drexler have joined in the pledge.)<br /><br />Last month, however, Mr. Schultz was in the midst of some negative publicity. He was scheduled to speak at the <a href="http://www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/">Willowcreek Leadership Summit</a>, but an organization threatened to boycott Starbucks if he fulfilled his contractual obligation, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/11/starbucks-ceo-cancels-meg_n_925039.html">so he backed out of the Summit</a>.<br /><br />As a Summit attendee, I was kind of shocked by the whole thing. Why someone would boycott a company because their CEO spoke at a leadership summit was beyond me. But after hearing the story, I was kind of disgusted with Starbucks. The boycott petition had fewer than 800 signatures on it, yet he still caved.<br /><br />I instantly felt like I couldn't support a company who's CEO is so wishy-washy, no matter how wonderful its lattes. Bill Hybles, of Willowcreek Church, <a href="http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2011/08/bill_hybels_on.html">encouraged summit attendees to still support Schultz</a>, to buy his book Onward, and to buy a cup of coffee. But I just can't do that. And I was a serious Starbucks devotee before this.<br /><br />That afternoon at the Summit, we were also shown a World Vision video detailing how many people in the world subsist on $2 or less a day. Contrast that with my $5 daily latte habit and the whole thing seemed evident. I have not bought a cup of Starbucks since. If Starbucks begins to pledge $2 of every latte sold to World Vision or some similar organization, I will end my boycott.<br /><br />Of course, when it comes to meeting friends for a cup of coffee </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">it seems at times that Starbucks is the only game in town</span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">. I've had to explain on multiple occasions that I won't go to Starbucks and try to scramble to come up with another meeting spot.<br /></span><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);" class="" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I'm not suggesting everyone boycott Starbucks. But it would be nice for people to suggest other places to meet up ;) It would be extra nice if someone opened another coffee shop in my town (hint, hint <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/16634345299684015047">coffebuzz</a>). </span>RKAbmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01591317861381238607noreply@blogger.com2