GALS

Jun. 5, 2008

Thanks for your prayers!

Dear GALS,

Thank you SO MUCH for your prayers! Today was the last day of lifeguarding class and consisted of all physical/practical tests and a written test... I PASSED! YeeHaaa!!! Your prayers were answered (of course, all prayers are answered, but sometimes not in the way we want--however, this time God's answer pleased me very much! :^D) God definately showed-up and showed-off!!! I feel very blessed to have been showered by your prayers.

Whenever I or lifeguarding come to mind, please continue to shoot up a quick prayer to God for my co-workers. I'm struggling to know what to say (or if to say anything at all), how to act, how to love as Jesus would love...

This isn't over yet--it's only just begun.

Thanks again GALS!

Love you mucho!

Caris

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Mar. 9, 2008

An e-mail from Caris

Excerpts from a dog's diary

8:00am Dog Food! My favorite thing!
9:00am A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40am A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30am Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00pm Lunch!! My Favorite thing
1:00pm Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00pm Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00pm Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00pm Got to play ball!! My favorite thing!
8:00pm Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00pm Sleeping in my bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a cat's diary

Day 893 of my captivity! My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little
dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates
and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets crap. Although I make my
contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something
in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my
dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the
carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I
had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly
demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending
comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. There was some sort of
assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement
for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell
the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of
'allergies'. I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my
advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my
tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this
again tomorrow - but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other
prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special
privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to
return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I
observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he
reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him
in an elevated cell, so he is safe..... for now.....

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Feb. 20, 2008

Ben Franklin on Humility (Submitted by Caris)

Ya'll know Benjamin Franklin... one of our founding fathers... real super smart guy. Well, unlike most of the founding fathers, Franklin wasn't a Christian--He was a deist, which sets the stage for some real strange thinking on his part.

He decided one day to try an experiment--an experiment to perfect himself. He picked thirteen qualities that he would try to perfect in his life: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. Well, as you probably guessed, he ran into problems. We aren't perfect beings and we certainly cannot perfect ourselves by mere will-power as Franklin tried to do.

Franklin especially stumbled in the area of humility--interestingly enough, Franklin had not originally listed humility as one of the virtues--it was added only after a Quaker friend informed Franklin that he needed work in that area (humility) as well. After the experiment was regarded as a "flop," Franklin wrote specifically concerning the virtue humility: "I cannot boast of much success in acquiring the reality of this virtue, but I had a good deal with regard to the appearance of it."

Where am I going with this? Well, I think it ties in marvelously with what we just talked about in Daniel... the humbling of King Neb and the one question on Week Three, Day One (pg. 49): "Share another example of how something true can be enhanced until it's a lie." Obviously, Franklin experienced first-hand how humility could be enhanced so it only showed outwardly but did not take root inwardly (in his heart and soul).

I wonder if King Neb might have done the same thing... Remember that it was one year after Daniel had warned King Neb to "renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed." I wonder during those twelve months if King Neb put on a facade of humility, but really pride and selfishness still simmered in his heart. King Neb could not humble himself just as Ben Franklin could not humble himself--it took an act of God to send Neb spiraling to his knees.

I pray that throughout this next week of study that we'll all learn the lesson from the page and take it to heart. <3

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