If You Call My Name

The Lord is good! Sarah did great in the debates and held her own. She's got on her spiritual armor, and even though the liberal media and dysfunctional Hollywood elite keep trying to attack her, those arrows are bouncing right off. So bring it on world...the battle has just begun.

Today was such an awesome day! Worship at church today was so filled with the Holy Spirit that I left there with such gladness and peace; with such a humble spirit before the Lord. Even at a child's birthday party today, I had a conversation with a father so passionate for the Lord and our country. Lately, I am meeting more and more people with such a passion to speak out for Christ and to save our country. We talked about how we need more Christians to boldly and earnestly stand on the Word Of God. Here stood a very successful business man, an educated man, a wealthy man, and yet his first love isn't what the world has to offer but only God's truth. This is a man to whom heads would turn and ears would listen. We need more like him, I decided, and will pray for his calling.

Another encounter recently confirmed what I've been feeling...like we need a rival of sorts...not just a "Come to Jesus" meeting but a "Put on your spiritual armour because it's about to get ugly" meeting. I recently met a new lady in my bible study that literally packed up her family, quit her job, sold all she had because the Lord told her to move to Texas. I listened intently to her testimony of growing up in California (a Godless place, she claims) and feeling a sense of despair and longing so strong that she could only obey God's voice. As she spoke of how different her life has been living in Texas, what she called God's country, I felt so blessed to live and raise my children in a State that still holds so strongly to it's roots. Even though I look around me and see destruction, I am finding that there are more lovers of the truth than there are haters. For that I am so thankful; it gives my soul rest knowing God's people are my neighbors. That they are on their knees praying for the very things I am; that my passion is not in vain.

Take my tile guy. This is a guy I got out of the phone book to rebuild our master shower and Rod and I have had the most amazing conversations with him about the Lord. He has become an instant friend, something that can only happen when there is a spiritual connection, and I am so proud that God brought him into our lives!

I am so thankful; my joy is overflowing; my heart is full. God is Good!

You Are Called For Such a Time As This...

I've been so burdened for Sarah Palin lately. The media and Hollywood have been attacking her with such a ferocious vileness that literally, my stomach has churned. Planned Parenthood's spokesperson recently said she wants to thank Sarah Palin because their donations have doubled since she has been the v.p. nominee and donors are actually giving money "in name the name of Sarah Palin". They are playing countless videos of Sarah in a beauty contest that took place over 20 years ago where she is playing a flute and wearing a one-piece bathing suit...insinuating that she has nothing more to offer than a pretty face. Hollywood stars are using their media influence to bash and demean her credibility, her intelligence, her experience, her faith, her values and her integrity.

I have never felt more ashamed of our media and entertainment industry than I do right now...but then, I realized, the world is just acting like the world...why should I expect it to act any differently? The "feminist movement" has become more about the liberal cause than about women's rights. Somehow a woman's rights become nonexistent if the woman doesn't follow a certain liberal doctrine...which is exactly the type of bias that I thought feminism was supposed to be against. Turns out, I'm wrong.

Thankfully, I have some sister's in Christ to whom I can voice my frustration. My mom reminded me that God told Esther "I have called you for such a time as this." As I was telling my ladies about this, someone shares this amazing story about a small town pastor whom God uses to speak those exact words to Sarah. Below is Pastor Mark Arnold's story of how amazing God is:


From~ Pastor Mark Arnold (Ohio)

"This past Tuesday, the McCain/Palin Bus came through a little town called, Lebanon, Ohio. The LORD allowed me to go to the Rally giving them a message that He wanted me to personally deliver. Sunday Night - a burden hit me that would only shake me to my knees - I prayed and wept for our Nation. Never has my heart been so broken before God. I literally interceded for these wonderful people who do not deserve all the hate against them. . . . Monday and into Monday Night - the burden of prayer was so heavy that I was literally shaking and could not stop weeping. ( I didn't know that they were coming to Ohio.) I prayed and walked and wept and walked. . . . on and on.Tuesday at 2:00 A.M. - God spoke these words to me - "Go turn the Radio on!" Immediately the Reporter's Words were - "McCain & Palin Bus to be in Lebanon later this morning for a 10:00 A.M. Rally!"Immediately on hearing that news, I heard God again...God said, "You are to go. You will meet them and give them a message for Me!". . . . .I didn't stop praying until I drove over to the town and parked the car. The News would later report they were expecting 5,000 people and the actual head-count of those who had been scanned was more than 10,000 people. I simply obeyed...and God actually told me where to stand, who to talk to...and when to be on the move. . . and even those standing beside you may just be an Angel. I struck up a conversation with an agent on the ground - he simply said, "I can't allow you to stand here!" Here is where the bus was going to actual pull up. They had to make a much larger perimeter so the entire area was now being moved back several blocks. . . He told me to go through the metal detector zone and just watch from the back. So, that's what I did. Looking over the shoulders and backs and heads of all those people...I knew it would take a miracle for what GOD told me to do. As I was standing there, two Boy Scouts came running up my back...literally, they almost knocked me to the ground because they were running so fast behind me. Their Scout Leader and several smaller boys were behind them...but as the first two were trying to push through the crowd, saying they were late...the smaller scouts were left in their dust. The Scout Leader who was with a McCain Rep from the State grabbed me and told me to bring the other Scouts up front as they continued to push through. As the Rep was shouting back at me...the people parted just like God parted the Red Sea! When I got there I was fifteen feet from the podium. GOD said, "Stand here, and don't move from this spot." Within five minutes...the bus pulled up and around the other side McCain, Sarah Palin and her husband Todd stepped up and the speeches took off. I was where God placed me...and even Sarah Palin and Todd were standing on my side of the stage. I made eye contact, I gave them thumbs up gestures...and I knew they were just happy to see me standing there. Ha Ha. A little lady who stood by me, reached up and told the Rep that they had promised a picture with her because she was the one who had lost a son in Iraq, recently. The Rep confirmed she would get a picture with them and they would talk to her. When McCain came to hug her... he immediately shook my hand following his moment with her. I shook his hand . . . . I said, "God wants you to know that I'm praying for you, Sir!" He thanked me and kept smiling. I repeated that phrase to him five times! He grabbed my hands and looked right into my eyes and said, "I won't make it without prayer. Sir, Thank You for praying for me, and don't let one day go by that you don't pray for me. I need all the prayers that I can get. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!" As he moved to my right, Sarah Palin, came over to my left side...standing over the crowd and then looking at the little lady who had lost the son. . . Sarah came and got on her hands and knees on that side of the stage and hugged that little Mom, telling her, "...it was not in vain.. . . . . . . It was at this moment Sarah Palin, reached out for me to help her up and as I was assisting her to stand I was now face to face with her and GOD said,"Open up your Mouth and I will fill it." Here is what came out... "God wants you to know that you are a present day Esther!" [She immediately began to cry]! "God wants to tell you that you are Chosen for such a time as this!" "You are called, and chosen to be a leader." "Don't lose heart and don't fear man." "The news and nay-sayers and criticizers are going to be very hateful toward you... and in the days ahead they are going to turn up the heat...but do not fear." "You are a present day Esther." You are an Esther. You are an Esther! "Keep your eyes on GOD and know that He has chosen you to Reign!" "Stay strong...be strong...don't tire. Don't be weary in well-doing. Be strong." Her husband Todd came over and I told him what I told her. He began to cry. I emphasized the fact that he was to guard her at this time...and know that "...she is GOD-CALLED and GOD-ANOINTED." ...this is a GOD-THING and your wife is a Present day Esther...she is for God to use at this time...She is an Esther...she is an Esther...she is an Esther." You will be hated...but stand strong...GOD has called both of you to stand!" "We are praying and I am praying for you...!" At this moment, McCain came right to where I was finishing talking to Todd and I told Mr. McCain exactly what I told to Sarah and Todd Palin. "Mr. McCain, ...they are called of God and she is an Esther." "Don't lose hope and don't lose heart." We are praying for all of you!" He shook my hand and with a deep look of understanding what I had just said, he said, "Thank you for your prayers and support...I really do mean that!" And he turned and shook more hands...and I watched them as they went through the crowd. When I got to my car I sat there for quite a long time...knowing the GOD of the Universe had just used me to deliver a message confirming to Sarah and Todd to realize they are truly chosen vessels of God. I wept. I have not stopped praying and crying. My heart is full knowing they had to have all the staging and all the hype and all the crowd...but the GOD of Heaven and Earth...wanted to give them a Divine-God-Appointment! To God be all the GLORY and HONOR. Do you want to know if I believe God can speak. Yes...Absolutely! Burdened for all of our Leaders!" Pastor Mark Arnold (Ohio)

Wow! I still get chill bumps reading it! My God is saying: "I've got her, keep praying, but don't be burdened; she is anointed; she is chosen for such a time as this." Tonight are the debates, and I can't wait to see what the Holy Spirit is going to do. No matter what happens, Sarah is not alone and the battle she is fighting cannot be seen with human eyes. Thankfully, she is wearing her spiritual armour that NO man can touch! God be with you, Sarah! Glory be to God!

What's in a Name?

I must confess, I don't like my name. I hate having to repeat it, spell it and slowly dissect it. I despise having to say..."You know, like Tyra Banks." She is not exactly the role model I aspire to be; although, she is quite the looker. Oddly, my name is very popular in the African-American Community and usually gets listed in the credits of any black film. My parents were Caucasian, yet decided on "Tyra" for a girl and "Tyrone" for a boy. Sorry, Mom, but...are you kidding me? Perhaps my mother's secret crush on Sidney Poitier inspired the soal-sister in her; or perhaps trying to match my father's T.N.T. initials left her searching. Actually, my mother's story is that when I was born, her sister reminded her of an acquaintance that she went to college with named Tyra (she was white), so I should blame my aunt Barbara. Did I forget to mention my middle name is Neill? I know what you're thinking...what kind of drugs were my parents on?

A name defines a person. It's such an important part of one's identity and I'm not sure if parents take this challenge seriously. Hollywood stars, for instance, are notorious for naming their children strange, exotic and bizarre names...remember "Apple"? I just want a normal one. I like Kasey or Kaitlyn. What do you think, am I too old to change it?

Fannie and Freddie...Who's Fault Is It?

I must admit, I'm not a financial genius, and trying to wrap my mind around the complicated intricacies of America's latest economic downfall has me spinning. I first went to my brilliant financial-CPA-husband, whom so graciously explained the fiasco. My first question was: "Whose brilliant idea was it to get the Government involved with a lending corporation?" Upon further investigation here is what I discovered:

Eamonn Butler at the Adam Smith Institute blog offers his answer:
It started with the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, which aimed to support community groups, but in 1995 the Act was extended and beefed up, giving regulators far more powers to punish banks who refused to lend to people in poor urban neighbourhoods – so-called ‘redlining’ – because they considered the risks too high in those particular areas.Congress's idea, obviously, was to extend to poorer people the same rights and enjoyment of home ownership that the middle-class majority possessed. But in fact it precipitated the banks into giving loans to some rather shaky people. Quite simply, they feared retribution by the regulators if they did not.As a result, sub-prime loans mushroomed in the late 1990s. Not too bad for as long as the US economy was booming. But booms inevitably burn out and then the banks started to realize the magnitude of their dodgy contracts. And now, the whole world is being sucked into this crisis, and ordinary, prudent bank customers find themselves and their money frighteningly exposed.

2003 NY Times article:
According to the NY Times article, the Bush administration proposed new regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which would have tightened up loose lending, but Democrats opposed it because it would make it harder for poor people (read NAMs if you prefer) to own homes:
Among the groups denouncing the proposal today were the National Association of Home Builders and Congressional Democrats who fear that tighter regulation of the companies could sharply reduce their commitment to financing low-income and affordable housing.
''These two entities -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- are not facing any kind of financial crisis,'' said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. ''The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.'' Representative Melvin L. Watt, Democrat of North Carolina, agreed. ''I don't see much other than a shell game going on here, moving something from one agency to another and in the process weakening the bargaining power of poorer families and their ability to get affordable housing,'' Mr. Watt said.

That's rich. Liberal Democrat Barney Frank said that Fannie and Freddie "are not facing any kind of financial crisis." Had Democrats voted for this legislation, a financial crisis and expensive government bailout might have been averted.

The New York Times also said there was a "lobbying battle" over Bush's proposal to reign in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac...so, lets follow the money! Over the last ten years, from 1989 to 2008, the top three recipients of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac campaign contributions are...drum roll please: (1) Democratic Senator Christopher Dodd and Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, (3) Democrat Senator John Kerry. What about number 2 you ask? I think someone stepped in number two because, in less than four years in office, a certain inexperienced, junior Senator from Illinois somehow managed to rise to the number (2) spot in most campaign contributions received from the, now under Federal conservatorship, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: Democratic Senator Barack Obama. Change!

So in essence, Jimmy Carter in 1977 started it, and Bill Clinton "revised" it, Bush tried to change it (but it didn't pass a Democratic Congress) and now Obama is benefiting from it. Great. Now the tax payers will have to pay for it.

So much for NOT living in a socialized society. Thanks, Democrats, once again!

Football...it's just a game!

I don't get America's obsession with Football. It's just a game to me. People get crazy over their team (my husband included) and lose their minds over a game. Maybe it's just me, but I find getting THAT worked up over ANY sport to be a little strange.

My oldest son decided he wanted to play football this year. I was against it; I got overruled. It's not that I mind him trying new things, it's just that I know my son. He wants to be big and strong and tough, but he's not; he's still a little boy. He gets obsessed with his socks not being on "just right" or his shirt being too long or his shoe strings not being tied a certain way. Let's just say that putting on ALL that gear has been a challenging experience for him. He isn't able to wrap his mind around "just grin a bear it" when his shoulder pads are too heavy or his knee pads don't fit "exactly" over his knees. Anyway, I hate to say "I told you so"...but I TOLD YOU SO!

Another thing that irritates me about Football is the time commitment and their attitude that football comes first. Huh? I'm secretly hoping that my boys decide baseball is the sport for them. I don't think I can take another season of football.

Don't Worry...Be Happy!

Life is weird. In my beautiful neighborhood I've got the liberal-loving Obamas across the street from me and the Baptist-conservatives to the right of me, and the moderate-Catholics to the left of me. I ran into my Baptist conservative neighbor this morning who was saying if Obama wins, she'll just give up hope. We talked awhile about politics, Palin, God, etc...we stand for basically the same things so it was a "rah-rah" session, but afterwards, I thought..."This isn't right. We are getting ourselves worked up when we aren't even in control!"

As I was on my knees today before the Lord I just proclaimed, "You are STILL on the throne. You are Sovereign. No matter what happens, You are my king. It doesn't matter who wins; what matters is that I am on Your side! I will follow You know matter what...so it just doesn't matter." It feels so free to let go of the world's problems and lay it at His feet. I am so thankful God passionately pursued me. I hope whomever reads this knows, He is passionately pursuing them too.

Sad...Disgusting...Pathetic...

From Jonathon Martin's Blog:

"South Carolina Democratic chairwoman Carol Fowler sharply attacked Sarah Palin today, saying John McCain had chosen a running mate "whose primary qualification seems to be that she hasn’t had an abortion.” Palin is an opponent of abortion rights and gave birth to her fifth child, Trig, earlier this year after finding out during her pregnancy that the baby had Down syndrome.Fowler told my colleague Alex Burns in an interview that the selection of an opponent of abortion rights would not boost McCain among many women.“Among Democratic women and even among independent women, I don’t think it helped him,” she said. Told of McCain's boost in the new ABC/Washington Post among white women following the Palin pick, Fowler said: "Just anecdotally, I believe that those white women are Republican women anyway."