I had the privilege of speaking at a Christian school faculty luncheon in the Sacramento area.  It happened to be held at an outdoor venue, which always sets me just a little bit on edge due to, well, the unexpected er…uh…well, let me tell you about yesterday.

I arrived at the location good and early to get a feel for the place, be ahead of any possible logistical issues that might arise, etc.  I had my fourth-born trusty assistant, Levi Aaron in tow, which was a pleasure.  We were led past the flowering bushes, wisteria vines and assorted beautiful garden decor to the back outdoor patio which was delightfully appointed, set up and ready for us – and who ever else wanted to sit outside, having lunch on the restaurant’s patio!  So…we wouldn’t be…alone…???  Hmm.  Will the unsuspecting restaurant guests…. SURPRISE!!! …desire to hear me chatting away about ‘the unpleasant-tries of our sin-sick nation, our need to arise to save the next generation, and our duty to serve our Great and Awesome God on a daily basis’ on the microphone while they sip their iced tea and munch their chicken salad, while attempting to visit with their lunch buddies? Well, I must not take that worry on, thought I.  I will remain focused.  (Perhaps they have an appointment with God that they weren’t aware of – ha! – double surprise!) 

Moving along…Once our group of educators were seated and formalities attended to, along with the other items on the agenda, it was my turn.  Now, keep in mind that I wore a two-piece suit, as is my habit when I address a group of professionals, and this happened to be a 90-degree day standing on sun-baked concrete .  Envision a beautiful, loud, fountain, flowing precisely behind the spot where I was to speak. Picture an active parking lot just behind me, customers flowing to and fro, car doors slamming, waiters buzzing about, latecomers sort-of-sneaking in discussing their needs with the waiters, birds flying…yes, so much activity and multiple distractions to compete with.  (Lord, I silently cried in desperation, help me capture their attention so they can hear what you brought me here to say!)

Now, imagine as I spread out my oodles of notes and illustrations before me on the music stand and little rolling waiter’s table I have arranged for just such a purpose (remember, I’m the bag lady who always brings more than she needs, just in case!) when I turn to adjust the microphone placement, suddenly a subtle gust of wind sweeps by, grabbing my freshly typed and highlighted notes, whisking them into the bubbling fountain! (see Exhibit A below)

In a silent panic, disguised of course with calm facial expression and with microphone in one hand, I reach into the fountain with the other (not a good idea, Mom always said, to mix electricity with water!) grabbing MY PRECIOUS from certain annihilation, (which, need I say, would leave this guest speaker in great distress!)  “That was so much fun,” thought Mr. Wind, that he began to tease me unmercifully, attempting to lift all my assorted papers from their resting places, thus activating much of the staff to grab paper weights in the form of whatever could be found laying around to anchor my papers securely to the surfaces I had arranged.

OK, this is war and  I refuse to lose.  Two can play at this game.  I recalled a text message my daughter Missy had just sent me earlier that morning, “BE BOLD!”

Those words strengthened me and I decided not to allow anything to hinder what God wanted to accomplish at this lovely event, honoring these impassioned Christian educators who were sacrificing so much to minister to their young charges, day-in and day-out.  “Let’s turn off the fountain, please,” I requested.  Done.  Good.  Now we can hear.  The gun blast sounded, we took off from the gate and  I had a blast! and I trust God worked and  now I can get a good laugh out of all those unexpected incidents at the lovely outdoor patio luncheon. 

Let’s never allow ANY little thing to get in the way of what God wants to do.  “Never, never, never give in,” is what Winston Churchill said.  I like that.

  by the contents in our LOCKED (ie., supposedly secure) mailbox.  My son innocently went to the mailbox (one of his daily duties) to grab the predictable armful of junkmail, bills and assorted papers.  As he transferred the load to me at the front door, my eye caught the latest Nordstrom’s ‘catalog’ -  “April 2008 Lingerie Book”. 

I lept into defense mode as I spied the sultry-looking bleached blonde beauty on the cover with the ‘come get me’ look on her face, her black lace almost-bra peeking out for the whole world to see.  She was the least of my worries.  When I opened this tool of hell, I was aghast that this little magazine hadn’t come in a secrecy envelope with a clear parental warning label across the front to protect the men in my household. I began to shred this 52-page packet of smut with a vengeance, as, page-by-page, I became more and more incensed by the presumptuous, greedy group of marketing execs who conceived this ‘catalog’.  I immediately Googled Nordstrom’s contact information, dialed their customer service number:

1-888-282-6060 and graciously, calmly removed myself from their mailing list, asking the operator to note specifically that this publication is in actual fact Softcore Pornography and is inappropriate for the men in our household, was unrequested, unmarked and UNWELCOME in our home, thank you very much.  She kindly informed me that this was not the first such call she had received, which was somewhat of an encouragement…if perhaps a flood of protest calls came in, incapacitating their system and threatening their profits, we would see change.

Along with this overt strike at our family, at least 5 obscene SPAM messages popped into my ‘inbox’ – a daily occurrence is 5-10 of these nasty devils – and that with strong filters downloaded onto my computer.  Then, after installing a computer camera for the purpose of talking for free via the internet, face-to-face with various friends across the earth, we were greeted with this pop-up message “Catherine has some sexy photos to show you – click here!”  All in one day.  Not to mention the alluring billboards we drive by on the interstate, the suggestive commercials we dodge on T.V. and the half-dressed strumpets strutting their stuff in our neighborhoods, coffee shops and grocery stores.  This is exhausting.

This is NOT O.K.  I won’t cry ‘peace’ when Sodom and Gomorrah are beating down my door for access to the godly men of my household and the millions of households in this nation! As I see it, this is a direct assault – a blow leveled against the purity of our lives, the strength and solidarity of our marriages, with the intent of corrupting the innocence of our children. I am angry.  This is war of another kind, and the enemy never plays fair. 

What man can stand against the deluge of smut thrown at him day and night in all its forms?!  Only a man fortified by close godly friendships, filled by God’s Spirit, marinating in God’s Word.  Plain and simple. I will sound the alarm until change comes.  I invite you to join me.    TO BE SILENT AT SUCH A CRUCIAL TIME IN OUR NATION IS TO INVITE DISASTER.