Jury Duty

Well, we got home safe and sound, without predicament. After a decent night's sleep, Monday started 3.5 days of jury duty for me... Not only was  I picked for jury duty (a first in my immediate family), but I sat as Juror the entire time, despite the possibility of being 'just' an alternate...

Our case was terrible, sad, complex, yet fascinating: A domestic battery done by a husband to his wife.... We found him guilty as charged, and not guilty for Kidnapping to the 2nd degree, due to lack of evidence.

I love serving jury. It fascinates me - the ins and outs of it.... I only did a little bit of speech and debate in high school (and didn't particularly 'love' it), and served as judge a couple years ago for the local tournaments as well, however all of my experiences with speech and debate have given me a real appreciation and understanding for the different facets of each argument presented in the courtroom, and the foundation laid for them... It is definitely something I think all kids should do--at least for a season....

Jury duty truly is a right and duty of each United States citizen. It is our opportunity to not only give back to our community, but take part of the legal proceedings which happen each day in our judicial system.

Granted, often cases include some terrible things, and conflicting things to sort through, however, God is the giver of wisdom to those who lack, and we can trust Him for it!!!

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour."

~ 1 Timothy 2:1-3 ~

"Justice and judgement are the habitation of Thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before Thy face."

~ Psalms 89:14 ~

Busy Valentines

Valentine's Day was filled with many different activities...

First of all, I signed my life away to surgery (consent forms) at my surgeon's office, and had a bunch more pre-op pictures and moulds taken. He did a "model surgery", pictures of which, I hope to post soon.

Second of all, as most Coeur d'Aleneans know, we were honored to have Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum campaign here in Coeur d'Alene, before going on to Boise. We were privileged to listen to him deliver a message to a packed house of 600 people (around 400 people had to be turned away due to lack of space).

Yes, thus far, we are casting our vote with Senator Santorum for President. Out of all the candidates, he seems to be the most balanced in his views and looks to be the best choice to fit our Nation's need for revival. Throughout his service in the Senate, he has shown Conservative views and values, but also has a strong faith (although he is Catholic, he professes to be born again), good character, humility, decency, is down-to-earth, and is a family man.

I encourage you to watch his speech (given here in Cd'A) , and since I doubt most of you will want to sit through all 81 minutes of it, I have included below a time summary of where the important issues start (after allowing it to load, simply click on the moving bar, and drag it to the time you want). Some include sound-bite type stuff, but they all include the depth needed to inform.

A friend of ours said: "Taking just a few minutes focusing on these segments will allow you to be better informed on this candidate than by watching months of TV." Enjoy!

Rick Santorum's Coeur d'Alene Speech

19:10 - Health Care

21:00 - The real reason Health Care is expensive. (Excellent comparison of Health Insurance with Auto Insurance)

37:35 - Energy

65:26 - Defense

68:40 - Entitlements

71:55 - Welfare

74:01 - Healthcare specifics

76:43 to 79:40 - Brilliant Treatise on Social Security

My evening was filled up with our church's Valentine's Banquet, which was put on by the College-age kids in our church.  We all had a wonderful time, serving, eating, and cleaning up. What a special time fellowshipping with other young people while being a blessing to others!!

Most of our group

What Is True Love???

1 John 4:7 says: "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."

Digging deeper, we find John 14:15, 21: "If you love Me, keep my commandments. ... He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him."

Note that every time it says love, the Greek word is "Agape" which means 'unconditional love'...the kind that God had when He sacrificed His only Son for our sins, to redeem us.  This is the word that is used over and over and over again in 1 Corinthians 13, where Paul describes in detail what makes Agape so singular.

So often, we read that chapter, but don't really take it to heart in what it really means. I would encourage all of you to read it again, and really meditate on what he is saying here.  In what ways do you need to grow or are you lacking??
I really like vs. 11, where it says: "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

I think so often, as we become adults, we bring some of that childish immaturity with us, and instead of being able to take care of at least us and 1 other person, we are self-centered and me-focused.  I know this is definitely something God has been working on me about, as I am in this transition phase.

I encourage all of you young people out there, seek God in regards to any areas you may need to grow & mature in. Yes, we should still have fun, and be like little children in our innocence, but not in an immature, selfish way. It should be in a sensitive and responsible way, not hurting others to our own amusement.