The Day After

Today, I have been checked on. Several times, a co-worker or friend has asked me, "Are you okay?" Both times, at first I didn't realize what they meant. Then I remembered that today we have a new president-elect, and I had cast my vote for The Other Guy.

But today, mostly I have been at peace. Riled up for weeks, but today, at peace.

This passage from Scripture has steered, cheered, and set my heart straight. Take a look.

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another..." Romans 13, NIV

If you are like me, you probably believed that by living in a democracy, we, the people would be determining our next President by our votes. But did we?

There is no authority except that which God has established. This is a profound truth! And mindboggling for my political mind to accept. There is no authority, no President, no Congressman, no Governor in existence that God did not establish.

The New King James Version puts it this way: "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. " (Romans 13:1)

I imagine that some of you take issue (even Scriptural issue) with the results of some of the election races. But we are told that God, for reasons that are His, has established the governmental authorities that we will live under. This applies to our new President-elect, Barack Obama. This also applies to President Bush, to his predecessor President Clinton, and even for those who live in Venezuela, Hugo Chavez. Please remember that when the New Testament was written, many Christians lived under governments that were hostile to their faith, and shortly thereafter, early Christians were fed to lions in the Roman Coliseum.

Nevertheless, even these authorities were put in place by God.

He is God. We do not have to understand His mind or His ways. But we do have the privilege of resting in His Sovereignty, especially on the day after Election Day.

Peacefully yours,

Katherine

Napa Valley, Here We Come

This afternoon, My Honey is taking me to San Francisco and Napa Valley to celebrate our One Year Anniversary. I am so excited - I have never stayed in a Bed and Breakfast before!

Don't miss me too much...when I return, I will be writing more on this blog. I am coming to realize that this blog is the perfect place to stay in better touch, to exercise my writing voice, and to communicate what He puts in my heart. While I am gone, if you have been to San Fran or Napa, leave me a comment in the comments section telling me what we need to be sure not to miss while we are there!

xoxo,
Katherine

PS - Don't forget to make the election a matter of heartfelt prayer. Pray for the hearts of your friends and family and the whole nation. It is our hearts He is after.

Smoking Guns and The Election

"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels." {2 Timothy 2:23}

It sounds like Apostle Paul is talking to me. During Election Season.

I have had a hard time this year. I have come face-to-face with my passionate personality, a critically-thinking mind, an affinity for debate, and a natural bent towards politics of any kind. Add to these an intense election process in our country for the White House for the next four years, and I feel like an explosive being introduced to a lit match.

Let me admit, I have fed the flame.

I have faithfully listened to political coverage on satellite radio all the way to work. Once in my desk, I have hopped online to screen numerous political and news sites for latest polls, predictions, and wild stories. Then I open my email, and I usually receive around 10 new political commentaries, articles, jokes or new conspiracies a day. On my lunch break, if I am in my car, I have the chance to tune in again, and on the way home, I catch up on what I missed. (What could I possibly have missed?) Over dinner, my husband will brief me on political news or conversations from his day, and for dessert, we find ourselves checking in with the talking heads on satellite tv.

I know this year's election is hot, and many of us are feeling the pressure building inside as we head toward election day. But how to not combust and take those around us out in flames is the question.

On this month's retreat with my best friends from college, I feel I combusted during our political conversation. This is one incident with gun-powder that has caused me to evaluate my methods, my motives, my thoughts, my heart.

Then I found the rest of this passage:

"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth..."{2 Timothy 2:23-25, NIV}

Be kind! Don't argue. Do not quarrel. (But Lord, have you been following the 2008 election?)

If someone opposes you, gently instruct them. Gently instruct??

Oh, the restraint required.

Oh, the freedom and life this could breathe into my relationships. And perhaps the discussions could be just that...a healthy discussion. A chance to dialogue over ideas and our future without the heat and the smoke.

Girls in San Antonio, I am sorry for heat I let off during our debate. Thank you for bearing with me when my political passions got the best of me...I am learning by grace how to feel strongly but speak gently.

Praying with you for the ability to talk, share our concerns and views, walk alongside, and share life with those across the aisle...

gently...

without setting off smoke alarms.

Hang in there, only one more week til Nov. 4th!

Katherine

Boston

Last weekend, Dean and I headed up to Boston, Massachusetts. It was a first for me. Dean had been there a handful of times, but by the look on his face as we toured around, it struck him with its beauty all over again.

There are dark, beautiful, historic buildings everywhere, with long-established educational institutions on every corner (Harvard, MIT, Boston College, Boston University, Berklee College of Music, and many more). Our hotel was directly beside the campus of MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Think Kevin Spacey & the brilliant card-counting students in the recent movie "21".)

But best of all, the city is on the water!

(Credit for this image.)

We took a run one morning over one of these scenic bridges over Charles River that connects Cambridge to downtown Boston. Beautiful!

However, the purpose of this trip was not primarily to see the city. We had come for the memorial service of Dean's 'stepdad'. (He was married to Dean's mom for most of his childhood, and will always be remembered for raising her children like they were his own. )

This is a relative's authentic Bostonian home, where we gathered to prepare for the service.

This is Josh, Dean's brother. Dean's stepdad was his 'real' dad, and he looks so much like him. We had the opportunity to go through old pictures and reminisce together.

An interesting note: Stepdad was a gifted singer, recording with his own album reminiscent of Frank Sinatra. We discovered that when Stepdad performed in Vegas during his youth, he opened for Jimmy Durante!

This is Josh's wife, Jacquie...my sweet sis-in-law. She was a Rock of support to Josh and all of the family.

Dean getting a haircut from our cousin Denise.

The service went well, and both Dean and Josh shared from the heart about the blessing of their Dad. Afterwards, we went out with the whole family...everyone was new to me but felt like instantaneous blood...I like that about Dean's family...

Denise, Jason (He is Josh's nephew, can you imagine?), and Jacquie.

Everyone! A whole lot of love...Stepdad brought everyone together one last time at his death.

On our night downtown, Dean, Josh, Jacquie, and I discovered Boston's Little Italy...

Uh Oh....

A street lined with beautiful Italian restaurants, espresso cafes, gelato, and...

Hundreds of Italian pastries!!!!!


I decided on tiramisu AND a canoli...my husband rightly predicted I would make myself feel sick...

He told me he was so HAPPY in this pastry shop!! We all were...
Vist Mike's Pastry's website: there is a glossary of all the Italian pastries!!

Look them up on Hanover Street when in Boston! We liked this Little Italy (Italian neighborhood) better than its counterparts in New York and Chicago!

Everyone enjoyed each other so, we know it won't be the last time we pack a bag and head to Boston.