In the Name of Jesus

For the last 2 weeks, we have watched the drama surrounding the kidnapping of Olaf Wiig and Steve Centanni unfold. These men were captured in Gaza City by Palestinians and held. They were shown on video to have converted to Islam (which they later denounced). They were quoted to have said that they were forced to convert for risk of losing their lives.

In all honesty, I didn't really think that much of this situation until this morning when I was driving into work. I was listening to a radio host out of New York talking about this story and he raised a good question. As a Christian, if I were in that situation, would I have done the same thing in order to get released or would I have refused to convert and have been willing to die in the name of Jesus Christ?

Are you willing to die in the name of Jesus Christ?

Would God understand if you were in that situation and converted to Islam (under pressure) in order to save your life?

Did you ever wonder???

Over 3 weeks ago, I moved from Oakland (little town) to Memphis (big town). My sister and I moved into a house in the East Memphis area known as Colonial Acres. The houses are about 50 years old and have lots of charm. Friday night, I hosted our Bunko group over for our monthly game. It was our second time to entertain at the new house and as people came in, we took them around the house for a tour.

Later on, I was thinking about the tradition of taking people around your home when it is their first time to be there. How did this tradition get started? Isn't it amazing how this tradition has continued over the years?

It is the little traditions that hopefully will never die out. We don't know how it got started but are thankful that it is part of our society.

I wonder what other traditions are ingrained in our every day lives that we never think about, but that have been going on for years and years?

Friends

Over the weekend, I had three friends come down to visit me from Knoxville. We had such a good time just visiting with each other. I moved to Memphis ten months ago. While I miss not being involved with my friend's on a daily basis, I appreciate the fact that our friendship is such that we stay in touch and can pick up where we left off when we see each other. This summer, I have been fortunate to be able to travel to Knoxville about once a month. I haven't really felt like I moved, but that I have been traveling a lot. That is so comforting to me to know that not matter what the distance and time, there are certain friends that will love you and stay your friend.

I'm Back

I feel like such a back-slider. I haven't blogged in over 5 months!!! What happened, you may ask? I honestly couldn't tell you. I went to Europe and things get hazy from there. I am going to claim work as the main culprit. I had a major project that took all of my time from March until July. Then I moved and then I had a major conference. Hopefully, things will die down and I will be able to get back into blogging on a regular basis.

I've missed blogging. It is rather therapeutic. :)