This Peace

It's a whisper in my ear
It's a shiver up my spine
It's the gratitude I feel for all that's right
It's a mystery appeal
That's been granted me tonight
This peace
This peace
Sara Groves, This Peace

We had Grandma's calling hours tonight. It's amazing the peace provided by the assurance of Heaven. Instead of a sense of sadness which many experience when dealing with death, there was a very real sense of excitement. Looking at Grandma in her casket brought tears of joy to my eyes. It was just a body, just a shell, just a temporary home. It was obvious by looking at her that the "life" was gone. Not because of death, but because her life was an eternal life. Probably the most famous of Scriptures, even amongst non-believers, provides the assurance we all seek. Seen at every major sporting event, John 3:16, is a promise all can cling to. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." I can't imagine facing death without that guarantee. Without a hope for something better, for healing, for happiness, for peace.

HOME

I've been feeling kind of restless.
I've been feeling out of place.
I can hear a distant singing, a song that I can't write,
but it echoes in what I'm always trying to say.
There's a feeling I can't capture.
It's always just a prayer away.
I want to know the ending, things hoped for but not seen,
but I guess that's the point in hoping anyway.
I'm confined by my senses to really know what You are like.
You are more than I can fathom, more than I can guess,
and more than I can see with human sight.
But I have felt You with my spirit.
I have felt You fill this room.
This is just an invitation, a sample of the whole,
and I cannot wait to be going home.
Going home, I'll meet You at the table.
Going home, I'll meet You in the air.
You are never too young to think about it.
Oh, I cannot wait to be home.
Face to face how can it be?
Face to face how can it be?
Face to face how can it be?
--Sara Groves, Going Home

For those of you who know us, and those of you who read Josh's Blog, you are aware that Josh's Grandma Smith passed away today. Feeling at a loss for words, I found a song(surprise) that kind of encompasses what I feel in terms of Grandma's passing and what I know she would be saying if she were still here. Fortunately for her, she's finally HOME.   I wonder how it is "face to face" with Jesus. Grandma finally knows.

Another FWD:.......

Yes, another one. May appear long, but well worth the read.
Thanks again Dad! My response to the following, AMEN!

WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR THE PRESIDENT GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH?

My Fellow Americans:

As you all know, the defeat of Iraq regime has been completed. Since congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete. This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq. This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now time to begin the reckoning. Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short. The United Kingdom, Spain, Bulgaria, Australia, and Poland are some of the countries listed there. The other list contains everyone not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.

Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war. The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world hell-holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption. Need help with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France. In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home. On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth. Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France, or maybe China. To Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Yo, boys. Work out a peace deal now. Just note that Camp David is closed. Maybe all of you can go to Russia for negotiations. They have some great palaces there. Big tables, too. I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France, Germany, and Russia. Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well. Bon chance, mes amis. I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers, and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York. A special note to our neighbors. Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change. Mexico is also on List 2. President Fox and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple extra tank and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am gonna put em? Yep, border security. So start doing something with your oil. Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty --- starting now.

We are tired of the one-way highway. It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, "darn tootin." Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America. It is time to eliminate homelessness in America. It is time to eliminate World Cup Soccer from America.

To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thanks guys.
We owe you and we won't forget.
To the nations on List 2, a final thought. Drop dead.

God bless America

Thank you and good night.

In The Land of Forwards..."Fwd:....."

Okay, I will admit, I usually delete most emails that begin with "Fwd:...". My main reason for doing so is that most emailers out there don't know how to delete all of the other addresses of the emailers to whom this "Fwd:" has traveled. After scrolling through about a million addresses, the "Fwd:" usually isn't worth your time anyway. Once in a while I am curious to see what all the hype is about, why so many have received this particular "Fwd:", so I check it out.

I received one from my father the other day, and I was curious. Thanks Dad. My first thought after viewing it was, yes, to forward it to everyone on my address list. But I chose to post it here. My hope is that this "Fwd:" will reach not only my family and some close friends, but also those whom I do not know, that some how stumbled upon "kirsten's blog" or gitgan.com . It isn't the most exquisite piece of work, but it is moving, it is powerful, it can bring you to tears. It will leave you thankful.

Are you all sitting, reading in suspense? Wondering, "When will she post a link to this fabulous "Fwd:" she received?" Well folks, here it is.
I hope you enjoy it. Never forget....

Blood of Heroes