Let me Clarify:

In regards to my last post about the man who is on strike from his wife, let me make these clarifications:

I think neither of them are right, but I tend to agree with the husband.
I don't think he's right to be on strike and be sleeping on the roof, but I certainly DO think that if he doesn't want the children in the bed, the children should be out of the bed.
First of all, in the soundbite I ran on my newscast today, the wife says the husband just needs to understand that the children come first. I heartily disagree. I will always maintain that spouses come BEFORE children in priority. Always. When you married your husband or wife, you made a life-long promise to love, honor and respect that person. Obviously this man has asked his wife repeatedlly not to have the children in the bed and she continues to refuse. That is not respect. In fact, by refusing she's not only making it clear to him that she thinks his opinions and wishes are insignificant, but she's ALSO teaching her children to disrespect him - "Daddy doesn't know what he's talking about." You children can never learn to respect your spouse and honor his or her wishes if you won't do the same.
Secondly, letting your children sleep in your bed with you is extremely dangerous, as any doctor will tell you. THE #1 CAUSE OF DEATH IN INFANTS IS BEING SMOTHERED/SUFFOCATING/CRUSHED WHILE SLEEPING IN BED WITH THEIR PARENTS. #1 folks. It's a fact. Letting your kids sleep in your bed is not a safe idea. Nor is it beneficial to the child, which brings me to my next point -
I think that woman is going to spoil those kids by letting them sleep in bed until they're as old as they are. Children of parents who let them do this will learn to only fall alseep in your or someone else's arms. They have to learn to sleep in their own beds, and I would argue at a very young age. I knew a person once who slept in her parents bed off and on until she was 21 years old because her parents never did anything about it. She was too scared to sleep or even be alone, even after she got married. The fact is that parents LIKE for their babies to fall alseep in their arms or on their chests. It makes them feel loved and needed. I think that's a pretty selfish reason to not only put your child in danger, but also set them up for a lifetime of having to overcome the fear of being alone.
I do not think it is an unreasonable request for a husband to want the kids out of the bedroom, nor is it unreasonable for the husband to desire more quality time with his wife. Any relationship would suffer without quality time alone, even if it's just for a few hours while going to bed at night. A person needs a place of rest, and what better place than the bedroom. A bedroom is not a playroom.
Nowhere in this article has it been said that this man is a poor father, that he doesn't help with the kids, etc. IT SIMPLY SAYS HE DOESN'T WANT THEM TO SLEEP IN HIS BED ANYMORE. This is far beyond reasonable - it's the simplest request and the wife just won't do it.

NOW...

On to the husband. If a man needs respect, a woman needs love. If a woman is not loved, it is very much unlikely that she will respect. Same goes for a man - if he is not respected, loving will be difficult. If this man wants his wife to respect him and his wishes, public humiliation of his wife was NOT the way to go about getting it. I'm sure she feels hurt and exposed and uncovered by the man who is supposed to be loving and sheltering her.

So I think they're both wrong. The wife needs to put her husband first, and the husband needs to stop uncovering his wife. Oh, AND THOSE KIDS NEED TO GET OUT OF THE BED!!!!

Husbandonstrike.com

In the news today:
A husband in Michigan is making national headlines for going on strike against his wife.
James Wilson moved out of the bedroom and onto the roof. He says he's tired of his wife, Valentina, letting their kids sleep in their bed. He says he wants more time alone with her. He's even opened a blog: husbandonstrike.com to get support.
I'm not condoning this in any way, but check out the site. It has pictures of his protest, of his toy-covered bed, and stories of other couples facing unusual marital issues around the world. For instance, one Jordanian man divorced his wife after discovering that she was also his virtual girlfriend.
After checking it out, thank God for your husband or wife. Go to them, tell them you love them and ask them if there's anything more you can do to show them your love every day - the way they want/need to receive it, NOT just the way you want to give it.

Bath Time for Caleb

What a Mess

Right now, my house is a disaster area. Demolition crews (aka: JP & Co.) have torn out half of my kitchen: there are no cabinets or counters on the south wall, and all of the pots, pans, canned goods, and other miscellaneous items that stayed in the cabinets that used to be there are now scattered about the remaining counters, the kitchen table, and the "back room." (If any of you have ever seen the infamous "back room," you understand why I have it in quotation marks.
Our old office desk is sitting in the middle of the living room, cramped between the coffee table and the piano bench. A huge box of books takes up the space just beyond the front entry way, leaving a small path through which you must pass to reach the rest of the house.
We are in the middle of remodeling our house. The kitchen, when it is completed, will boast new tile floors, fresh paint, new countertops, cabinets, and lighting fixtures. The office has brand new furniture with plenty of space for JP to run his business from and, once I get the ducky wallpaper stripped off, will also have new paint. There will be new curtains for the bedroom, new paint and towels for the bathroom, and the living room will also receive paint and, if we get really adventurous, hardwood floors.
It's all going to look wonderful - if we ever get there. Sometimes I wonder if we will. It seems like such a long, stressful battle. Right now all I can see is the mess in front of me. I have a vision of what it will look like when it's done, but that vision often seems so far away.
This reminds me of my life. So many times I feel like my life is a mess, cluttered with the junk that I'm trying to clear out and replace with the new. It's a process, a hard one, but worth it in the end.
The good news is that I have a Master Remodeler working on my life. He's helping to clear out the old and bring in the new. He has the blueprint, all the master plans. I'm just a sub-contractor, working under His guidance to do the things I need to do to get the job done.
Just like my house will be a "whole new house" when our remodeling is completed, so my life is a new thing when God is done with me.
But then again, He's never done with me. :)

2Cr 5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Irish Eyes are Smilin'!

Are You Happy?

Interesting Study....

"A new study by the Pew Research Group says Republicans are happier than Democrats.
People who worship often are happier than those who don't.
Married people are happier than unmarried.
And no surprise here: People who live in the sunbelt are happier than everyone else."

Houdini Dog

Yesterday I got home from work and my little dog Caleb greeted me at the front door. That may sound fairly typical, but it's NOT because we pen Caleb up during the day. Up until recently, he's stayed in his kennel, but for the past few days we've been penning him in the kitchen where he can hang out and still have access to his doggie-door to go outside.
So for him to greet me at the door was very strange. I looked around and noticed the gate was still latched. I walked into the kitchen and new he had started in there, because my mop was chewed to smithereenes. Still, I had no idea how he got into the living room.
I asked our two renters downstairs if either of them had let him out - they both said no. It was then that I got the sneaking suspicion that Caleb had learned how to climb or jump over the gate.
This morning when Caleb and I got up for work, I did a little experiement. I penned him up, then walked away and hid around the corner. For a while he jumped up on the gate and tried to get over, but couldn't. Finally he seemed to give up and go outside. But seconds later, he came RUNNING back in from the backyard covered in snow, made a GIANT leap, landed with his little front paws over the top of the gate, and pulled himself over, landing in the living room with a thud and dropping snow everywhere. Amazing.
I was going to scold him, but he came prancing up to me so proud of his accomplishment, tail wagging, and sat down "like a good little dog" right at my feet as if to say, "Did you see my trick? Do I get a treat?" It was so cute I started laughing and had to pat his little head.
Unfortunately, now Caleb has to go back to the old kennel until he can be trusted around the house by himself. I wouldn't be surprised if my little houdini dog finds his way out of that one of these days, too.

PEERS Test

Since you all seem to like these quizzes, here's one each and every one of you REALLY SHOULD take. It's called the PEERS Test, put out by the Nehemiah Institute.

The PEERS Test is designed to identify your primary worldview in five areas of life: Politics (civil government), Economics, Education, Religion, and Social Issues (PEERS). The test will rate your views in one of four worldview categories: Biblical Theism, Moderate Christian, Secular Humanism or Socialism.

This quiz is extremely eye-opening. I would wager that once you take the test, you will be surprised, even shocked and mildly appalled at your results. You may be baffled to find that your worldview (the way you look at the world) resembles more of a secular humanist mindset that than of Biblical Christianity, thanks to the public education most of us have been brainwashed with.

While I'm on the subject, let me make a plug for Summit Ministries in Colorado Springs, CO. Summit’s mission is to equip Christians to defend the biblical worldview and expose the subtle lies of Secular Humanism. It is VITAL that each and every one of us know how to stand up against the "vain philosophy and empty deciet" being thrown at us from all directions. But we can't do that until we are able to recognize these philosophies. That's where Summit comes in. They have these amazing two-week summer conferences in Colorado Springs that equip men and women to recognize thinking that is contrary to Biblical Christianity and teach them how to defend their faith in all sorts of social, economic, religious and educational issues.

My Dad's church takes a handful of college kids out to this conference every year. I've been twice. It's truly amazing - it will change your life. I would highly recommend going, or if that's not possible, at least buying a copy of Dr. David Noebel's (President of Summit Ministries) book, Understanding the Times: The Religious Worldviews of Our Day.

There is also a video that you can watch that will tell you more about Summit and its mission.

All that said - PLEASE TAKE THE PEERS TEST. You will not find out your scores today. They will mail them to you along with a description of what they all mean. This is actually a mini-PEERS test. The full version is available to take on their website, but costs a couple bucks.

Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through empty philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2Cr 10:3-5
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Are you A Heretic?

My dad tipped me off to this great site. Test to see whether or not you're a heretic! There a link to take the quiz at the bottom of my results:

You scored as Chalcedon compliant. You are Chalcedon compliant. Congratulations, you're not a heretic. You believe that Jesus is truly God and truly man and like us in every respect, apart from sin. Officially approved in 451. Chalcedon compliant 100% Modalism 67% Pelagianism 33% Monophysitism 33% Monarchianism 33% Arianism 0% Apollanarian 0% Adoptionist 0% Docetism 0% Gnosticism 0% Nestorianism 0% Albigensianism 0% Socinianism 0% Donatism 0% Are you a heretic? created with QuizFarm.com

"Roe v. Wade for Men"

There's a new lawsuit today from the National Center for Men that's been nicknamed "Roe v. Wade for Men." It has to do with a man's choice not to have a child and avoid the financial responsibilities required with fatherhood.
Basically, what the group is saying is that women have more options when it comes to unexpected and/or unwanted pregnancies than men do. A woman has the "right to choose" to either keep or abort the baby, whether the husband wants it or not. If he wants to keep the baby, but she wants to abort it, she gets to abort it. If he wants to abort the baby and avoid child support, but she wants to keep it, she gets to keep it and he must pay.
This is very interesting to me. So much fuss is made over a woman's right to choose, but what about a man's right to choose? Obviously, these men are fighting for the right to require the woman to abort the child, but if they gain the right to do that, then logically they "should" have the right to require the woman to keep the child. But a law of that nature was shot down just a couple months ago.
I'll be intersted to see how all of this turns out. My guess is that it will not go through, which will cause a huge fuss about unequal rights. Then men everywhere will freak out saying they were forced into paying child support and single moms everywhere will end up fending for themselves will no support from their children's fathers.
You can read more about this by clicking here.

Ugly Little Guy, Ain't He?

Divers have discovered a new crustacean in the South Pacific that resembles a lobster and is covered with what looks like silky, blonde fur, French researchers said Tuesday. Scientists said the animal, which they named Kiwa hirsuta, was so distinct from other species that they created a new genus and new family for it.

Reelfoot, Tennessee

The picture you are looking it is of sunset on Reelfoot Lake. The lake was formed way back in the 1800's when a major earthquake caused the Mississippi to flow backwards for about a day. It's a beautiful place swarming with beautiful cypress trees (seen here).
It's also in the middle of nowhere - and the site of a family reunion we went to this weekend.
We had a great time, and the area really was beautiful - but LARD ALMAGHTY was it ever COUNTRY down thir! I think JP experienced quite a bit of culture shock. His first impression of southern living was when we pulled up to our hotel. We warned him it wasn't much, but I don't think he was prepared to sleep in a finished-out pole barn! The look on his face was priceless. And this was the best place in town....
Once he got used to his surroundings - and the ceaseless, twangy chatter of my relatives - he then had to get used to the food. Biscuits and Gravy, catfish, hush puppies, fried okra, and even FROG LEGS are normal menu items at the local Lakeview Diner. I'm proud of him, though, as he DID at least try the frog legs.
We had plenty of adventure to keep us occupied. My aunt Anita suffered a minor stroke on Saturday night and had to be carried off in an ambulance, much to her annoyance and resistance.(Don't worry, she is fine now) JP paid my younger brother Joe $50 to eat a live minnow. And the guys built a potato gun and shot it at each other. Good, clean, southern fun.
We had a great time, with exception of the 14-hour drive home, during which everybody was simply anxious to be back home. Mostly I think JP is just happy to be back to normal eating. He's already determined we're going out to a nice restaurant for dinner tonight. :)

Kirby Puckett Dies at Age 45

It's the top story at noon, five, six and ten: Kirby Puckett died last night from a stroke he suffered Sunday afternoon. Every place I look around the newsroom, someone is researching facts, double-checking them, hunting down interviews, and disecting every possible angle of Mr. Puckett's life to cover in the news. Every angle, that is, except one. It seems as though everybody has either forgotten about or is scared of mentioning Kirby's Puckett's soiled reputation.
Now I'm not trying to be the righteous right hand of God or even distract from the legend of this hall-of-famer. Certainly he was a great athlete, a talented man who did a lot of good for a lot of people, including the state of Minnesota. I just scratch my head at why none of the news coverage includes more articles like these.
"But Audra," you say, "YOU'RE the media and you didn't mention any of that on YOUR show today!"
Guess what - I was overpowered by my superiors. They told me to leave out that stuff - that the viewers get upset when they hear it.
Like I said, not trying to be a party pooper; I just wish that the media's internal editorial thought process would be tempered with something other than sentimental, hero-worshiping amnesia.

The Moment You've All Been Waiting For

Okay, I've given up hope that anyone else will respond and I'm going out of town tomorrow...so here are the much-anticipated answers to the how-well-do-you-know-me-quiz!!!

Oh, but first - the winners:
Tied for First Place - my Dad and Nicole Russell. Well, Dad, actually had one more correct answer, only because he included the bonus questions...but Nicole would have gotten that one right for SURE. So its a tie.
Tied for Second Place - Deb and Priya with 7 correct
Beth had 6 (I can't believe you didn't know my eye color) and Chris gets the honorable mention with 3 (he hasn't known me very long).

Here are the answers:
1.) My middle name is Lynette, not to be confused with my mom's name, Lynn

2.) My eyes are blue, Beth. :)

3.) J.P. stands for James Patrick, although he almost ended up Jean Paul (yikes)

4.) My favorite color is, and always has been, and will always remain - GREEN!!!

5.) I work for WCCO-TV (channel 4)

6.) My favorite musician is Phil Keaggy. If you don't know any of his stuff, I'm not sure why we're friends. Ha ha! Just kidding, but check out his Acoustic Sketches CD.

7.) My birthday is 6/25/1982

8.) I have 3 brothers and 1 sister (not including my bro- & sister-in-law)

9.) This was a trick question! I have one adorable nephew, malachi and TWO nieces or nephews in the oven! No, Amber's not having twins; JP's sister Lisa is also pregnant.

10.) My favorite book is by far Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard, though all of the books on that list are ones I would strongly recommend. Every woman in the world should read Created to Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl. And Watchman Nee is a spiritual genius.

11.) My favorite movie since the day I saw it has been Braveheart. Gotta love that Mel Gibson. *sigh*

Thanks for playing! We're heading out of town for the weekend, so I'll update on the trip on Tuesday.

Disappointed

I have to say, I'm a little disappointed in the response to the how-well-do-you-know-me quiz from a few days ago. I'm going to insist on hearing from at least 3 or 4 more people before I post the answers. Dad? Amber? Becky? Lyss? Pete? Anybody care to give it a shot?
I'll even throw in a bonus question:

11.) What is my favorite movie?
a.) Sense and Sensibility
b.) The Patriot
c.) Braveheart
d.) Pride and Prejudice

Gay Marriage Ban in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin voters will decide later this year whether to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage and civil unions. The proposal cleared its final hurdle in the Legislature last night. Approval from the state Assembly puts the amendment on the state ballot in November, when voters will also determine whether Governor Doyle gets a second term in office.