The HOLY Name

Where are we in America?  On our way to hell, for the most part.  Have you thought about the tell-tale signs recently?  With a heart for God, my Creator-Redeemer, it constantly grieves me as I hear other humans around me, or in the media, on radio or TV, use His name in vain.  It is used casually as an expletive by common folk; it is shouted on the internet with the "OMG" designation.  Everywhere "God" is being spoken of, while His command to hallow His name is ignored, disregarded, and men in arrogance defy his command.  His person, greatness, or majesty are nowhere in view as these words are uttered.  Usually they are just a sign or shock or disgust a person feels.

There was a time when even  ungodly men were at least thoughtful about their use of the name of God, though they used other course language.  There was a time when offensive language and sacrilege was forbidden on radio and TV.  But the erosion of our culture has brought us to a place where almost anything goes.  How often have I been sickened by the base conversation on "Imus in the Morning,"  or even by some of the tone of a very gifted and intelligent man, Mark Levin on WABC toward other men.  Increasingly the evidence shows our public turning away from God and His standards, and the consequential tearing down of men and disregard for them, though they are made in the image of God.

As for me, I am for fearing God and respecting other men, even though many hold radically different views.  Where they are clearly wrong, I pray to God to change their hearts.  I need to pray more, especially for the leadership of this nation.  On many fronts, it is clear they have forgotton the God of the Bible, under whose auspices this nation was founded, and without whose moral law it is doomed to fall.  May God open eyes to help the leaders of our nation see reality clearly, and once again seek God's help and blessing as did our national leaders of old.

Grandma goes Home August 17, 2008

Grandma finally got the call she was waiting for--to go home to be with the Lord.  While we are sad and will miss her a lot, we know she will be much happier with the Lord with a restored mind and looking forward to a new body if she does not have one already.

WHITE LILY

White lily in late summer

Like a flower out of season

She bloomed though friends had vanished

She bloomed here for a reason--

To cheer us with her loving smile

And glorify the Lord.

She taught us sweet contentment

Life alone can't afford;

And patience with the storms of life,

Waiting without resentment.

God finally has called her home

To His fair dwelling place.

And quietly she slipped away--

She looks upon His face,

All glory to His saving grace.

by

Beth E. Jelinski

August 2008 after Grandma's homegoing

Gil's coming

ARod and Cynthia

Everyday they are splashed on the front page, it seems!  It brings to me incredible sadness to see the hurt each does to the other.  Long ago it seemed that ARod was dealing with childhood hurts, absence of his father etc.  But perhaps like many others, that sort of thing is not dealt with one time or fixed overnight.  It has ramifications which affect self-image and, for better or worse, one's marriage.  

I do not know the Rodriguez family.  But even reading between the lines of what has been written about them which is "public knowledge," one can only imagine the hurt, the rejection each partner feels, and the shame that their private life is on public display in newspapers and via radio and TV.

Marriage problems are never fun.  But what often hurts most is the misunderstandings of what drives the man or the woman to feeling the despair of irreconcilable differences.  And the choices each one makes based on the misunderstandings are so hurtful as well.  Let me be clear.  What Alex and Cynthia are doing personally are sinful responses to problems in their marriage.  These things never help the marriage to get better, nor do they satisfy the empty soul that is looking for meaning, love, and rest.  They will never find those things in their partner or in the pursuits of pleasures of this life.  They will only find them in God, their Maker and Redeemer.

I cannot begin to sort out their situation, but I do pray for them and others like them, that they would each humble themselves before God first, confess their own sin, and then extend mercy to their partner.  Divorce will solve little.  New relationships may be established, but the same emptiness of soul will continue until their relationship with God gives them a guiding compass for living life and a touchstone in the midst of problems which confront us all.

Thanks to our soldiers and Vets

As Memorial Day approaches, I am once again reminded of the great debt we owe many men we know and many men and women we don't know for the freedom they risked or risk their lives for which we enjoy.  We are not totally on edge or fearing another imminent enemy attack today because of our brave soldiers who are taking it to the enemy.

As I care for Dad, I am reminded that he, too, served.  Some things about his service he does not publicize.  Nevertheless, he played an important role in everything being coordinated to end the last World War as a communications specialist.  Thanks, Dad.  And thanks to many others who are in the same category, whose feats were more celebrated long ago, but who are set aside and mostly forgotten.  If it were not for Memorial Day being set apart for remembrance, how many of us as individuals would really remember.  I thank God for our soldiers and all who defend our country.  May God bless them with the knowledge of Himself and strengthen them to do His will, even as they serve our country.

Beth, basking in Sonlight