Month: March 2008

After reading today’s devo, seeing a police officer in my rearview (hopefully not too often!) will undoubtedly bring this verse to mind.

Enjoy and be encouraged.

Much love,
SJA

2008/03/07

Perfect Love Drives Out Fear
by Jon Walker

There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:18-19 HCSB)

*** *** *** ***
There you are, driving to the grocery store. You’re under the speed limit and following all the traffic laws, but then you notice a police car in your rearview mirror.

The policeman isn’t flashing his lights; he’s not pursuing you; in a sense he’s just like any other driver who might be following behind you down the road.

But he’s not just any driver. He’s a police officer, and so you tense up. You start thinking: Am I going too fast? Am I wearing my seatbelt? Did I signal properly when I changed lanes?

And then there’s the fear you’ll make a mistake right in front of the policeman. Now, the reality is that you’ve done nothing wrong, but the fear is there because no one is a perfect driver. He could pull you over for a variety of minor violations.

When fear enters any situation, we become defensive and less trusting. We focus on fairness and on protecting our rights. Consider what happens when someone brings fear into your environment – perhaps a fellow employee, perhaps a boss, maybe a family member or a friend. Their fear shows up as criticism, defensiveness, or manipulation, and it soon infects nearly everyone, pushing them toward self-protection – toward reactive decisions instead of thoughtful responses.

On the other hand, the environment also can change when someone shows up with an outpouring of God’s love. Love shows up as encouragement, as positive interactions. Because criticism is constructive, it is easier to receive. You know you are loved, so you know your mistakes and imperfections will not lead to your being rejected or labeled a loser. You’re less concerned about fairness because you know this loving person is looking out for your best interests, and as the environment becomes drenched in love, you begin to understand that everyone is looking out for your best interests.

The more you trust, the less you fear, and eventually this pure love – you might say perfect love – drives out your fears. This is the essence of the John’s words: “There is no fear in love ….” (1 John 4:18 HCSB)

We are forgiven. We are loved by God, and we can rest in that truth. We can allow that truth to spread from our hearts to our hands, in service. Knowing that God is always loving us gives us the trust, the confidence, the faith to believe that God is working all things out for the good of those who love him and who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) We can approach God’s throne of grace boldly. (Hebrews 4:16)

Here is what I believe John is teaching: If you walk in fear, you’re trying to control life, rather than trusting in God’s love and letting him control you. Look through your fear and focus on God instead.

The thing is, if you have fear, you may be the person who brings fear into the room. Because you are less trusting, because you fear doing wrong, you may spark the fire of fear. If you fear others will take advantage, you will work to gain your own advantage.

John says, “The one who fears has not reached perfection in love.” But perfection in love doesn’t start with us – we can’t work ourselves up to perfect love. Perfect love starts with God: “We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19 HCSB) As we seek to be spiritually mature, it is God’s love that drives the fear from us. Then it is his love within us – when we trust his love for us – that moves us to love others.

What does this mean?

* Give God your fears – When you fear, tell God about your them. In other words, don’t nurse your fears or use them to justify fear-driven actions. Instead, go to God with your fears. Ask him to show you the root of your fears, and then ask him to work within you to remove the whole fear-tree – roots and all. (”I believe; help my unbelief.”)

* Let God develop perfect love in you – Accept and respond to God’s perfect love for you. How would your life change if you were no longer controlled or motivated by your fears? Ask God to fill you with his love and to love other through you. (”I can’t; God can.”)

* Pray for those who fear – When you see someone showing their fear through defensiveness, control, manipulation, gossip, or other such behaviors, pray for them. Pray they will allow God to drive away their fears, that they will receive and accept the perfect love of God, and, with that love within them, that they will begin to act in faith and not fear.

* Pray for our police officers – Lest anyone misunderstand my illustration about a policeman in the rearview mirror, these men and woman put their lives on the line constantly in order to protect and serve us. They are ministers of God, in that they maintain the peace. Pray for them and their protection, that they will be drenched with the perfect love of God.

There was a considerable about of buzz tonight saying that Ron Paul would make the announcement that he would be dropping out of the race, and even some about a possible third party run.

Yet neither rumor, so far, has proven to be true.

While Paul did say the campaign was winding down, he still encouraged people to vote for him and still hoped to win as many delegates as possible.

In the video, he plugged some grass roots efforts as well as his newest book The Revolution: A Manifesto.

Watch this clip so you know what Paul said, lest you only hear it elsewhere in sound bites and with spin:

Here’s a news story I’m following:
California Court Deems Homeschooling a Criminal Offense

More on the story from the Home Education Foundation:

Home Education Foundation,

“As WND has reported, the Longs had their children enrolled in Sunland Christian School, a private homeschooling program.

But [Justice] Croskey, without hearing arguments from the school, opined that the situation was one of a “ruse of enrolling [children] in a private school and then letting them stay home and be taught by a non-credentialed parent.”

….The school’s website notes it offers a homeschool/independent study program that is accredited. It began in Los Angeles in 1986 with 24 students and now serves more than 3,000 families.”

Continue reading “California Court Deems Homeschooling a Criminal Offense”

A question from Mamasource :

Hi everyone, I am going to be taking my baby to a few swiss cities in May. she will be an year old then. She still has no teeth and gums stuff ok but still eats mostly baby food. I was looking to try to avoid carrying jars of baby food with me. Can anyone advice me on baby food available in Switzerland? – A.P.

Dear A.P.,

Beechnut baby food is actually owned by the Swiss company Hero.

Gerber is owned by Nestle, also a Swiss company.

Just because these Swiss companies sell baby food in the USA doesn’t mean that these brands will be on the shelf, but it is a good sign.

Do you have any friends there you will be visiting? They might have first hand info about what’s available at their grocery store.

Or, you might consider sending an email to customer services departments at Nestle and Beechnut asking them directly.

When I was in Japan last year, I had no problem finding baby food for by baby. They did have more food combinations we aren’t used to seeing here for babies like fish with rice and onions, but I was also able to find chicken and vegetables, too.

Remember, just because the food combination isn’t one we’re used to seeing doesn’t mean that it’s unhealthy. Your baby is at an age where she is exploring new tastes – she might surprise you and like something new!

Here’s another tip: I brought along a Magic Bullet food processor (we had an apartment for the five weeks we were there) and made a lot of baby food while we were there. You may need an adapter if you are using American appliances. OR, you can get a non-electric food grinder if you plan on eating at restaurants or don’t want to have the hassle of using an adapter – these can be bought at Amazon.com or Babies R Us.

You can also stick with soft foods like soup or oatmeal, mashed bananas, mashed peas, potatoes, bread soaked in juice or milk, yogurt. Canned veggies are also pretty soft. Foods mash better if they’re warmed or if they’re soaked in a liquid and with a little work, a fork can be an effective a mashing tool.

Best wishes!

Yay!

This afternoon, I was accepted to the Teacher Training Program for the Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth!

My classes will be in April in Orlando, Florida.

After experiencing five successful natural births, I get a lot of calls from friends and family to answer questions about this topic. My friend Debbie, who was also my Bradley Instructor, has been saying for a few years that I should get certified and teach on a professional basis.

Recently, I saw a screening of The Business of Being Born and my interest in teaching was renewed. My husband encouraged me to pursue the classes and both he and his mom offered their support. I’m really looking forward to this!

If you’re looking for a natural birth method that starts with a healthy pregnancy, where you learn to “tune-into” your body as a way to understand and manage labor pain, the Bradley Method is for you!

There is a teacher lookup on their website, where you can find a class near you: http://www.bradleybirth.com/

Processes up to 3,000 plates per hour.

Wikipedia offers some more information on Automatic Number Plate Recognition, including circumvention techniques.

If you think plate recognition is scary, I dare you to read about facial recognition.

Think it will never happen? It already has. FaceIt was used in 2001 at the Super Bowl XXXV and resulted in the apprehension of 19 humans.

(Doesn’t the word “humans” sound like “animals”? What is friendlier about the word “people”?)

If you want to learn more about FaceIT, you could always check out the product guidelines online.