Everyone will be salted with fire.

[Mk 9:49 NIV]

Whether it’s the refining fire of the Holy Spirit or the fires of hell, none are exempt.

Inspiration

“What welled up in that dread moment?”

Fear. Burning like a core deep within, like a fire blazing.

“The deceiver wants you to think that is real. Yes, in an instant it consumes you, but you were calling out my name.”

Then I remembered your promises my Lord, to ask for anything in your name and it will be given.
And I knew the good and righteous life that this soul you’ve tied me to – should live.

His very life a gift from God.

You showed me a glimpse of the plans you had in store and

without touching,
without seeing,
without knowing, I let go.

It was yours Lord, totally and completely.

There was nothing for me to control.

There was no reason to fear at all.

For you are the Sovereign Lord
who truly reigns over us all.

In that instant, like a transition
from dark to light, the world changed.

Not the greater world.

Not those outside the experience,
but those of great faith inside.

Your Great Spirit Lord came rushing in,

It filled us Lord,
It filled our lungs,
It filled our hearts.

There was a peace, a tranquility.

The wind blew out the fire.

Then I heard cries of joy, the fear was gone.

Our lungs filled to sing your praises:
Blessed be the Lord God Almighty
By the grace and mercy of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ

In whose name we prayed, – and it was answered.

Inspiration faith

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

“…we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

Barbara Curtis of MommyLife brought this to my attention:

The Americans Who Risked Everything by Rush Limbaugh’s dad.

Try reading through it aloud during today’s celebrations without getting choked up or shedding a tear.

God Bless America – and those who love her so.

Happy Independence Day everyone!

Inspiration freedom, patriotic

Robert Larson

is someone whose photography, inspires someone else,  who in turn helped capture a number of really great stories.

Somewhere out there is a woman who made a selfless, courageous decision.

Melissa, thanks for giving us Robert.

Inspiration Inspiration, photographers, thrufire

…tumbling off a cliff, out of control.

All you know is you’re falling.

Yet, if you gain control by stretching your wings and going with it, you’ll find a thrill that will last a lifetime.

wingsuit base jumping from Ali on Vimeo.

Life seems to pass that fast, especially with kids, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

What if pregnancy resource centers and the pro-life movement introduced edgier advertising for the guys?

What if new dads were able to see life choices not as dead ends, but as an opportunity to stretch their wings and gain the excitement of watching their unborn children grow up and learn how to fly?

Reminds me of a song: Mark Harris – Find your wings   

Of course, there’s also the flip side – they might not want the child so they can go base-jumping.

It’s all in the way it’s presented: being in the moment and very real.

Making the connections:

This morning’s email introduced a new follower on twitter: @TheRobertD. Upon visiting his tweets I found him pointing to this cool video. Robert works with Andy Andrews, who I recently came across, also through twitter.  Andy is a great motivational speaker and storyteller.  Here’s a sampling of some of Andy Andrews videos so you can judge for yourself.   Truth be told, I never would have put unexpected pregnancies, base-jumping and life changing decisions together without Robert’s tweet. 

And like some of the guys in the video, I’m excited by what God has been showing me over the last few weeks.

Inspiration abortion, leap of faith, life

Okay – so I succumbed and joined twitter last evening – it’s easy to see N-connections across the web, and for twitter following it’s completely unclear why they’re connected, other than someone traversing a pool (node) of followers and deciding to follow someone at random.

It’s way early – (3:00 AM) and I woke up wondering how you connect 6 billion people on all levels.

It must’ve been something I drank – take a look.

BTW – I got there, by way of Michael Hyatt to Sara Horn and then her web developer – PulsePoint Design – Kelli Standish.

How did I know Michael Hyatt? He’s the head of Thomas Nelson publishers who published Dawn Eden’s book – Thrill of the Chaste.  I had been following Michael’s blog sporadically and remembered he had mentioned something about twitter.

Where I started I had no idea I would end up coming across stuff like this!

Geek icon spotting – came across Joi Ito and Susan Kare.

I’ve got to get some sleep.

Inspiration creative, twitter

I believe, so are all the orphans who are aborted as well.

If you haven’t visited www.BornAliveTruth.org – please do.

Here’s an incentive. Watch both parts.

Inspiration abortion, BAIPA, forgiveness, Jessen

….we tell ourselves, and what they do to us. Jennifer Fulwiler takes a look at how she became pro-life.

[HT:Dawn Eden of Dawn Patrol]

Inspiration abortion, pro-life, repentence

Perfect example of how culture redefines personhood one small consensual step at a time.

If we don’t learn the lessons of the past – we’re condemned to repeat them.

Inspiration human-dignity, witness