Pony Of Prey Blog

“I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve.” Luke 1:38. (from THE MESSAGE)

To fathom the response of Mary is to capture one of the most powerful messages of Christmas.

Engaged to be married to Joseph, full of hope for a life blessed by marriage and motherhood, pure of heart and of body, she had every reason to believe that she would enjoy the fruits of a good and honest life. Simple. Out of the spotlight. And yet the intervention by Gabriel, God’s messenger, stopped her in her tracks, turned her world upside down, and changed the course of history.

Gabriel gave the news to Mary that she would become pregnant, give birth to a son, and call him Jesus. Visibly shaken, she said to the angel: “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.” And thus the conception by the Holy Spirit was revealed:

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
The power of the Highest hover over you;
Therefore, the child you bring to birth
Will be called Holy, Son of God.” (Luke 1:34-35 from THE MESSAGE)

That message rocked her world.

And then it was revealed by Gabriel that her cousin, Elizabeth, had also conceived a child with her husband, Zachariah, even though she was very old, and thought to be barren.

And then Gabriel replied: “Nothing is impossible with God.” And Mary immediately answered: “Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.” (Luke 1: 37-38 from THE MESSAGE)

And thus the course was set: this divine, eternal drama would change the lives of mankind from that moment forward. From the family of Joseph and Mary, to Zachariah and Elizabeth, to the shepherds abiding in the fields: the news of the conception by the Holy Spirit, the unswerving belief of Mary and her immediate desire to serve, and the birth of the babe who was born a Savior has granted believers around the world the promises of forgiveness, righteousness, completeness, and a place in the heavenlies at the right hand of God.

It is important to grasp that, despite the recent frenzy in America about taking Christ out of Christmas (having “winter celebrations” instead of “Christmas parties”; “Programs” instead of “Pageants”; and “City Trees” instead of “Christmas trees”) that we Americans are nonetheless distinctly Christian. In fact, four out of five of us describe ourselves as Christians. A recent Harris poll found that 82% of us believed in the Virgin birth, and surprisingly, even among those who admit to being non-Christian, 43% believe in the virgin birth of Jesus.

The Virgin Birth is an incredible historical account with the most profound impact ever introduced to mankind. It is full of wonder and mystery. And I accept and believe it in faith. I believe in other divine orders as well. I believe in God the Creator, as do 94% of Americans; in heaven, as do 89% of Americans; in the eternity of the soul, as do 86% of Americans; in miracles, as do 85% of Americans; and in Christ’s resurrection, as do 86% of us. (1)

But two of my favorite parts of the Virgin Birth of Christ are Gabriel’s message, and Mary’s immediate response: “Nothing is impossible with God”, and “I am the Lord’s maid, ready to serve.”

How many times in your own life have you encountered a situation that looked impossible? Where you felt hopeless, helpless, and hapless? Certainly, you have struggled with relationships, health issues, and financial burdens that have looked absolutely hopeless. There may have been marital battleslarge or smallthat have forced you to wonder if resolution was even possible, let alone practical. Your children may be rebelling, your home life may be in ruins, your health may be in a state of serious jeopardy, and so you look at life right now through eyes of despair rather than through eyes of hope.

Can you imagine the fear that coursed through Mary’s veins when she was first confronted by Gabriel? Young, pure, and engaged but not yet married…and being told that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and deliver the Savior of the world? Her initial shock would have to have been completely overwhelming. Any one of us would be traumatized by such news! Yet she found comfort in the angel’s assurance: “nothing is impossible with God.”

So how did she go from being overwhelmed by the news to the immediate reply: “I am the Lord’s maid, ready to serve”?

For when I read and re-read the account of the Virgin Birth, it is not only through the filter of “Nothing is impossible with God.” Rather, being a two-part account, it’s the immediate desire and readiness to serve that truly amazes me! Mary was ready to serve! After hearing overwhelming news. Confronting confusion. Facing fear of rejection and ridicule. Yet she was immediately ready.

Twenty seven years ago I was hit by a car as a pedestrian. My right leg met the bumper and my pelvis met the hood of the speeding car when I attempted to cross the street on my way to my part-time summer job as a college student. The impact propelled me about seventy-five feet in the air before I landed in a crumpled heap on Route 100 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. I was unconscious for a couple hours and, shortly after waking up, had an angel encounter of my own. I re-tell the incident at the risk of losing you; I understand that angel encounters are extremely rare, and that you may find my experience unbelievable. And how could someone else lend it credibility anyway? But especially now, at Christmas, I feel compelled to share it.

Waking up in extreme pain and bewilderment that went beyond rational thought, my first sight was that of my mother and brother staring at me in the emergency room of the hospital. Just like in the movies, everything went in and out of fuzziness (my head was pounding from a concussion), and I was overcome with a sense of “What in the world happened to me?!?” (Apparently that’s a universal reaction to coming out of unconsciousness.) My family was able to quickly explain things and help me sort out the gravity of the situation. I was extremely fearfullike Maryand understood immediately that my future held in the balance. I was closer to death than I was able to comprehend. And when my brain started to get wrapped around just exactly what had happened to me (my pelvis was fractured in two places, my tibia and fibula were shattered, internal organs suffered extreme bruising, trauma affected my ability to face immediate surgery, my brain was suffering from a concussion), I started shaking uncontrollably. And then the angel spoke to me and I got the senselike Maryto “fear not.” For her wordsthough short and simplewere delivered with great calm: “We’re not ready for you yet.” The rest was delivered with equal weight, but with less clarity. The Message resonated strongly: “Go and tell others about God.”

I confess thatunlike MaryI lacked the sense of “Here am I Lord, your good and faithful servant.” As a self-absorbed twenty-year-old college junior, my only desires were to survive and get back into the action at Wake Forest University, where my sorority sisters and fraternity brothers were having way more fun than I was. I didn’t tell anyone about my angel encounter for another twenty years or so. And I did a lousy job of “telling others about God” as well. My fear of proselytizing led me to keep my mouth mostly shut. I tried to “tell others” with good behavior. With feeding the hungry and clothing the poor. With housing teens in crisis pregnancies. Going on mission trips. Yet I lacked the confidence and boldness to spread The Message much beyond that.

And so I failed to live up to part of the purpose that I believe God saved me for. I was given another chance at life, yet in many ways, I wasted it.

Regardless of your theology, your religious background, and your place in this journey, you can nonetheless identify with the impossibility of some of the challenges that life throws our way, and of your desireor lack of itto be good stewards of your time, talent, and energy in meeting them. Some of us are well aware of our life purpose, and know with certainty the roadmap we are to follow in carrying it out. Some of us
are well aware of our life purpose, but quietly put it on the back burner for one reason or another. Fear of rejection? Of failure? Of the sheer magnitude of the purpose and the impossibility of achieving it? And some of us have no idea why we’ve been put into this time and place in history. We’re still groping for answersor even worsecan’t even articulate the questions!

So it makes Mary’s response even more incredible to me. Faced with news that would confound the bravest among us, she responded with calm dignity and enjoyed the confidence that faith in Gabriel’s message allowed. With faith and assurance in God’s promise, she not only accepted the news; she offered herself as a willing servant. Immediately.

It is my hope that during this season of Christmas, you will be open to immediate service, too. That despite sad news, overwhelming odds, confusing trials and tribulations, and confounding problems in your everyday workaday world, you will grab hold of the promisewith confidencethat “Nothing is impossible with God.” And that you will fear notlike Maryand agree to stand in the gap for service to others. It may be service to your children and to your spouse. Or to your next-door neighbor. It may be to complete strangers who are facing challenges beyond your comprehension and living as disenfranchised citizens of the world.

Regardless, move forward with confidence that servicewhile sometimes frightening, sometimes overwhelming, and almost always inconvenientmight just lead to events that could change the course of history. Like Mary.

NOTES:

(1) The Harris Poll #52, September 13, 2000.

Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson, 1993, 1994, 1995. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Carolina Fernandez earned an M.B.A. and worked at IBM and as a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch before coming home to work as a wife and mother of four. She totally re-invented herself along the way. Strong convictions were born about the role of the arts in child development; ten years of homeschooling and raising four kids provide fertile soil for devising creative parenting strategies. These are played out in ROCKET MOM! 7 Strategies To Blast You Into Brilliance. It is widely available online, in bookstores or through 888-476-2493. She writes extensively for a variety of parenting resources and teaches other moms via seminars, workshops, keynotes and monthly meetings of the ROCKET MOM SOCIETY, a sisterhood group she launched to “encourage, equip and empower moms for excellence.” Please visit http://www.rocketmom.com

History

Throughout the US and in many parts of the world, greyhounds are used as racing dogs to support gambling. In the United States alone, there are roughly 40 dog tracks and hundreds of puppy farms and training facilities around the country. Years ago, the greyhound industry was in much worse shape than it is today. Many tracks have established very good policies as well as “no kill” rules that help ensure the health and fate of the greyhounds. However, there are still thousands of greyhounds that after their racing days are in need of forever homes.

From Puppy to Adoption

Soon after greyhounds are born, they are sent to farms for training. They often remain in these training facilities until they are 18 months old. At this age, the dogs are introduced to the track and if they’re fast enough, will often race until they are between 3-4 years old. Aft this, they are usually put up for adoption.

Personality

It’s not enough to consider adopting a greyhound for humanitarian reasons alone. Think about the breed’s characteristics to determine if it would be a good fit in your home. Greyhounds are very easy-going dogs. This might surprise you, since we’re used to seeing greyhounds speeding around racing tracks reaching speeds of 40 mph. Despite this, greyhounds are normally good for only a few sprints per day. Otherwise, they are truly happy to relax around the house and casually play with a toy or a companion. The greyhound’s docile personality is complemented by their loyalty, intelligence and excitement about simple things like taking nightly walks or seeing their owner return home from work.

Appearance

Greyhound come in a variety of colors including solid blue, white, black, red, fawn and combinations of these colors with spotted and brindle patterns. Male greyhounds generally weigh between 65-75 pounds and females tend to weigh between 55-65 pounds. Their sleek, athletic look should be maintained even as they enter retirement. Keeping a greyhound fit and trim should be relatively easy since their metabolism is quite fast and they don’t tend to gain weight easily. Perhaps in part because of their great conditioning, greyhounds have long life expectancies for such large dogs, spanning between 12-15 years.

Availability

Greyhounds are available at shelters around the country - many of which are associated with local racing tracks. Be sure to discuss your home situation with the director of the adoption facility. They’ll want to know if you have cats at home, small dogs and very young children. Based on greyhounds’ training and instinct, some maintain left over aggressiveness toward small animals. The facility’s adoption director should be able to suggest a number of greyhounds that match well to your home life.

http://www.thepetman.com/

A positive pregnancy test result sends a signal to close friends and family that it is all systems go for the holding of a baby shower party for the expectant mother. Baby Showers are parties that are held to celebrate the new edition expected at a later date. Shower parties and the planning of them have dramatically changed over the years.

A lot of thought goes behind the event. Through out the early months of pregnancy the expectant mother rests while the party is carefully organized by the select chosen few. In the past Baby Showers were usually arranged by non relatives but that has all changed. Mother-to-be is the only person who does not get involved with the preparations.

Knowing who to invite can be difficult, once upon a time the only inclusion on the invite list was that of immediate family. You can approach mum-to-be on this part but if it is to be a surprise celebration then you will have to scout around and do a little homework on who to invite. The birth of every baby born into the same family is now celebrated with a Baby Shower party. Traditionally it was the first born that was recognised in this manner.

Gatherings for the first born normally had more guests attending the baby shower party than that of the second or third child.
Intimacy prevails at baby showers so try your best to keep your friends as close knit as they get. Different ways of sending invitations is best checked out. Email or the telephonel are two ways for inviting but the nicest and more appropriate is to send a personalized invitation card this way the guest gets to keep a little memento of the day.

Guys and dolls in unison work together when making babies but what of the men at baby shower parties. This type of occasion intends to have more feminine evolvement but if guys feel comfortable with this then so be it.

Where the event should be held and celebrated is entirely up to you, a popular choice is in back gardens, but venues like halls, restaurants are as much appropriate for on the day of the baby shower. Depending on your list of guests the size of the venue will have to be taken into account for comfort for all attending.

The best time to throw a Baby Shower party is at least two months before the baby is expected to make his/her appearance. This gives people chance that come bearing gifts enough time to make their donations in hope that mum-to-be has not already purchased the same items.

Baby Showers for expecting mothers are a lovely and thoughtful surprise therefore less stress for the expectant mum when it comes to organizing events as such.
A properly coordinated baby shower will leave guests with memories of a phenomenal and everlasting day/night to remember.
Memories relate to something that happened in the past that you recall and reminisce about but if they are FOND memories then they will remain in your thoughts every day from that day on.

If this day is to be remembered for as long as ever after then be sure to browse this fabulous site for fantastic ideas/themes. All you could possibly want to announce babys presence can found here at http://www.good-baby-showers.com.

If you are like the average, recreational Blackjack player, you may play Blackjack in a casino a few times per year and you want to play in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and have fun.

But at the same time, you don’t want to play a game where the odds are greatly
against you and you want a good chance of beating the house on any given day. And
you’re willing to invest a reasonable amount of time learning to play properly.

Does this describe you? If so, you’re not alone. About 99% of Blackjack players can
very likely be described as “recreational” players. If you invest the few hours it
takes to lean Basic Strategy and good money management you will reduce the
casino’s edge down to about a half percent. This is the closest to playing even with
the house that you’ll find in any game in the casino.

However, for those of you for whom playing almost even with the house is not good
enough and you want the edge, you must become a card counter.

It is an irrefutable fact that you can have an advantage over the casino in Blackjack
by counting cards. There are dozens of books this subject and card counting has
been mathematically proven - literally thousands of times - as a method to more
accurately determine the odds that your next hand will have favorable cards.

The long-term advantage gained by card counting is about 1%, versus the one half
percent disadvantage from simply playing Basic Strategy.

So why isn’t everyone a card counter and why are casino Blackjack profits at an all-
time high and climbing?

Two reasons:

* Casinos have made the playing conditions very difficult for card counters.

* Becoming an expert card counter requires hundreds of hours of practice and a
monstrous bankroll. Even then, a small lapse in concentration at the table will
wipe out the small advantage gained by counting.

This does not mean there aren’t professional Blackjack counters who make a living
playing Blackjack - there are.

However, to be able to make a full time living by counting cards, you’ll need to be
able to do the following:

* Spend hundreds of hours, and play thousands of hands, to learn to count
cards expertly, plus learn the many subtle variations to hitting and standing
that vary with the count.

* Play 100 hours plus per month of actual table time, with average bets of $50
- $100. You can probably double this amount of time - or more - to allow for
breaks, finding good tables, changing tables and casinos frequently, travel,
etc.

* Learn how to constantly conceal your card counting skills when playing, to
avoid being asked to leave.

* Play at odd hours - usually very late at night into the early hours of the
morning, because it’s best to play one-on-one with the dealer or with as few
other players as possible at the table.

* Change tables and casinos frequently, to avoid being detected.

* Have a very large bankroll. As a professional, you will need about 300-500
times your average bet, to be able to take advantage of the count by stepping
up your bets dramatically and playing multiple hands, while also being able to
weather the wild swings in your bankroll that will frequently happen in the
short run. This translates to a working bankroll of about $30,000 - $50,000,
based on average bets of $50 - $100, which is what you’ll need to earn a full
time living.

If you are indeed able to do all of the above flawlessly, then congratulations! You
are an expert card counter and you will make money in the long term.

For the 99% of us who are recreational players and unable - or unwilling - to
make the substantial effort required to count cards expertly, then playing Basic
Strategy is the next best thing. This will give a very low edge against you of
about one half of one percent, while still providing the chance to come away a
winner in the short term.

Learning perfect Blackjack Basic Strategy takes only a few hours and can be
mastered by virtually everyone. You can play any table, any time, for as long as
you like, without having to worry about being noticed by the Pit Boss. In fact, the
Pit Bosses will welcome you with open arms. You’ll still have the lowest odds
against you of any table game in the casino and you’ll have a fighting chance of
beating the casino with a good run of cards.

This is the best way to play for casual, recreational players who want to have fun
but not lose their shirts.

Don’t get me wrong: the bottom line is that if you want to be a serious, dedicated
Blackjack player, who gets the most thrill out of beating the casino and is willing
to work hard to do it, then by all means learn card counting.

However, for the recreational player, Blackjack should be easy to learn and fun.

With Basic Strategy, it is.

Tom is the webmaster at http://www.blackjack-for-everyone.com, which is a website dedicated to the recreational Blackjack player.