The Rugged Cross of America

Here is an paper I wrote, based on the 10/09 World article. (a Magazine with a Christian side on world news in case you were wondering)
 After writing it, I was inspired to write a poem that had to do with the subject.
 Let me know what you think!
 God Bless,

Kelsey

The Rugged Cross of America








The rugged cross stands faithfully in the California Mojave Desert. For 75

long years it has stood, representing all of the brave solders who died in World

War I. This small, six foot cross, has been there, as a strong tribute, and shows

where America stands as a nation, as well as where our hope and belief should

be founded.

There are people that know what it stands for, and continually have shied from

the truth, making it out to be something it is not; turning this simple wood

cross to a monster in our changing land.

After 75 years, this veteran memorial has been transformed, by court order,

into boxy pieces of plywood, in the ACLU’s* attempt to cover the cross up.

Mathew Staver of Liberty Counsel, saw clearly the ACLU’s plan, as he

apprehensively stated: “From a cross to a plywood covering is the evolution

the ACLU would like to see with regards to our nations religious heritage.”


This matter is being brought to the Supreme Court, and they shall decide the

fate of the staunch cross, whether it should be unveiled, to stand proudly in

Mojave Desert once again, or if it should remain covered up in it‘s boarded

jail.


A small issue this may seem, but if looked into further, it reveals a much

bigger problem. As Representative Randy Forbes, who attended the arguments,

stated fearfully: “If this case goes the wrong way then virtually every cross on

display across the country


could be subject to attack.” But there is a deeper issue still- not with the cross,

or even with the people who are against it in general, but a problem with our

whole world view. A problem with our nation. A problem with the way

America is being conducted in our “modern age.” It seems, the further we go in

time, the more we stray from our biblical


foundation. The foundation that was the only means of a strong nation. Our

foundation was on biblical truths; the forefathers of our nation knew that it

must be this way, or divided, they would crumble.

   As the cross now stands, lower courts have invalidated the transfer, and

conservatives are hoping for a five to four high court ruling in favor of the

cross.


Whether or not the cross is moved, remains boxed up, or stands free in the

open air, our country still  hangs in the balance. America’s time is growing

short.

Kelsey A. Hoppman

11/28/09

*American Civil Liberties Union

 

The Rugged Cross of America- a poem I wrote as well, to go with the article.

 (By-the-way, Mojave is pronounced Moe-hav-ee)

 

 

The Rugged cross, for solders, in Mojave desert stands

There it stood for many years, but others had their plans.

This wooden war memorial, points to heaven’s blue sky


The solders buried in the ground, for justice shall they cry






Fists clenched for war, sin yells to flesh saying “This cross cannot stay!”


All signs of Christ shall disappear, as justness fades away.






Others who follow this dark cry, tread paths of evil deeds.


And as this cross struggles to stand, may we be on our knees.






Look up now, America, at our fading homeless land


Where our dear crosses everywhere-America shall band.






This country founded on the truth now lies deep in the dust.


Instead of Christ, our country leans on greed, deep sin, and lust.






May the rugged cross you see today call you to fight.


Christ as our guide, we’ll march on now our land be made to right.






As others are deciding now the fate of that staunch cross


If we stand back our land will be, for sure, a deep, dark loss.






Though a small cross seems little now, remember where we’ve been.


Though mistakes made, we must act now to get crosses back again.






Kelsey A. Hoppman


10/30/09

A Call To Anguish

Though I'm not Pentacostal, I highly recommend you take a bit of time and watch/listen to this part of a sermon done by David Wilkerson.

 It is the kind of thing that should be taught everywhere, and in every church today. America really needs to wake up and see that our country is crumbling! Christians especially need to see that "waiting for things to work themselves out" isn't going to help anything. In fact, it might make things worse.
 Let me know what you think of what Mr. Wilkerson has to say. What are some of your thoughts?  You can watch it here. Please take time to do so.

Blessings,

                   Kelsey

Are You Reading Your Love-Letter?

O God, my heart is fixed;


I will sing and give praise,

even with my glory.

Awake, psaltery and harp:

I myself will awake early.

I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people:

and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

For thy mercy is great above the heavens:

and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens:

and thy glory above all the earth;

that thy beloved may be delivered:

save with thy right hand, and answer me.

Psalm 108: 1-6
Doesn't this psalm make you want to just praise our awesome Creator?

I love reading through the psalms. It is such a poetic part of scripture. Once, as a Bible assignment,  Mom and all of us kids went through the psalms together before school, Mom had us label different sections of the psalms. For example, In some passages of scripture, David was often lamenting; crying out to God for help in the midst of his enemies as they pursued him. Another label we would use was praise. David was always worshiping God and glorifying him for his great and wonderful deeds. I'm sure you can come up with all kinds of "labels" to add, and I recommend this activity. It helps you get more out of the Psalm. Try one psalm a day. It will help you notice things in the psalms you never might never have noticed before, and really gets you familiar with the them.

Believe me, the more you study scripture, the closer you will come to God. I like to think of the Bible as God's love letter to his children. I love it that there is always something encouraging and/or convicting every time I read! Don't be afraid to read passages of scripture you've gone through already! I find that, time and time again, you can get so much from even one verse, and it can be different each time. Our family has gone through Proverbs many times. There is so much to learn! Dig in! Be open to what God has to teach you, and please feel free to share your thoughts! I would love to hear what God is teaching you all as well. What are some of your favorite books of the Bible, and why? What are some things you've learned from them, and do you have any Bible study ideas?

I have another challenge for you. Don't just read the Bible, memorize it! If you have some favorite scriptures: memorize them! Learn the verses about salvation, and be ready to stand for what you believe. It will pay off in more ways than you can imagine!

Banana Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

Since we are getting further into the Fall, and you all might be using the oven more, I thought I would share a favorite recipe of ours. They are very easy to make and so yummy! Another nice bonus is, since we buy alot of fruit, we usually have those few bananas that get really brown. (You know the kind, everyone refuses to eat it and it is being threatened to join the compost?) Don't throw them out! Use them in this recipe. The browner they are the softer the muffins.






Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins





1 cup butter softened (two sticks)



2 cups sugar



4 eggs



1 tsp vanilla



5 ripe bananas (the browner the better!)



2 cups white flour



2 cups wheat flour (you don't have to use half wheat flour, but we like to since it is a bit healthier)



2 tsp. baking powder



1 tsp. salt (I usually add half the amount of salt it calls for. In fact, I do this in most recipes, unless it is something meant to be salty.)



2 cups chocolate chips



3/4 cup chopped walnuts opt. I don't think we ever add these. It's a matter of personal preference. :)


Cream butter and gradually add sugar beating well at Med. Speed. Add eggs one at a timem. Beat after each addition. Stir in bananas. Combine all dry ingredients. (except nuts and chips) Gradually add dry mixture to creamed and blend well. Stir in chips and nuts. Pour into greased muffin tins. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 min. (may vary depending on climate)



Yield: about 3 1/2 dozen muffins.



I hope you enjoy this as much as we have!



God Bless,




Kelsey

FF Challenge Day Seven!

Well, it's our last day of the challenge! Again, if anyone is interested to join, you can go here to find out more. You're welcome to start anytime!

I wore a tan turtleneck, brown skirt, and tan Jacket. I got the skirt for my birthday several years ago, and both the jacket and the shirt was given to me.

Mykaela's whole outfit was given to her. It is one of her favorite dresses.

Someone from Dad's work gave us the dress Keturah is wearing, as well as the jacket. Isn't her outfit adorable? :)

Just for fun, since we both matched, Mom and I decided to get our picture taken together.

I put my hair up in a headband that Mom recently bought for me. :)

Mykaela has her hair in a headband as well.

Keturah's hair was done the same way as yesterday. (She can get away with it easily because she's so little) :)

Thank-you Mykaela and Keturah for sticking with me almost the whole week! It certainly was nice to have partners. ;)

Some Balloon Fiesta Pictures

This morning dad and all of us kids went to the balloon fiesta. We got up at 4:30, and were out of the house before five. We still didn't beat all of the crowd, but going earlier helped a lot! We were able to see the "Dawn Patrol" go up. It was really amazing to see because it was still dark outside and when the balloons lit up their burners, you saw a black sky as a back round for bright orange balloons. (That was not their only colors, it just looked like that at times) Then there was the "Mass Ascension", where all of the balloons are set up and take off! The balloon field was covered with balloons! I've seen it before but I enjoy it every time!

Let me know what you think!

Dawn Patrol:

Now this is during Mass Ascension:

Here are some pictures I was able to take. Maybe it will give you an idea of what it was like if you haven't been there before. It is the largest balloon fiesta in the world. People come from all over to see them.

There was a man who, over a loud speaker, sang our national anthem. It was really amazing to see the whole crowd stop their talking, and put their hands on their hearts to salute our American flag as it was dangling over the side of a hot air balloon basket, while the balloon rose higher in the air.

When we came home, (along with cold feet, hands, and faces) Mom had prepared a wonderful breakfast for us all of hard boiled eggs, bacon, potato pancakes, and fruit.
Only one more day of seeing the balloons flying over our yard. We can't wait till next year!

FF Challenge Day Five. (Plus a little tour of our Barnyard)

We are entering the FF Challenge, Day five! Mom and we girls had some fun with our pictures today, so here is a little tour of our barnyard as well. By-the-way, NM annual Balloon Fiesta is going on, which is why you might see hot air balloons in the backround. (We are going to the balloon field tommorrow, so more pictures coming!)

I'm wearing an American Glory, jean dress that came from (can you guess?) Savers. :)

Mykaela is wearing a colonial-looking dress. Another one that was given to her! (Behind Mykaela is our backyard)

The dress Keturah is wearing used to be Mykaela's, that was handed down from her cousin.

I went back to my old standby for today, a ponytail.

Mykaela has a ponytail braid...

And Keturah had a french braid. (I put it in after her bath last night, so having slept in it, it's not as neat as we'd like. :)

The miniature pygmy goat by me is Poppy, our La Mancha milk goat, in front, Bella Rose, and the miniature horse, Chiquita. (We're going to teach her how to pull a cart soon!)

This is our hen, Ce Ce. (Cee-Cee)

Chiquita again, and our Llama is Eunice. (A biblical name!) :)

Hope you all are having a great day!