Timothy and I have dinner with my parents on Sunday nights (and do laundry), and it’s time I value. This past Sunday something came up that might have taken us away, but for whatever reason we decided to pass and do dinner as usual.

It was a normal Sunday evening at mom and dad’s – dinner and sitting around. At one point, mom made a comment about how nice it would be to get one night’s sleep. I pressed the point a bit and she told us her neck and shoulders have been bothering her, and once she wakes up she lays awake thinking/worrying. She didn’t say what she worries about, but the woman has this uncanny ability to worry about anything. Immediately I heard Holy Spirit, “Pray over her.” I responded, “I will.”

Something about my parents inspires this uncharacteristic timidity in me. I don’t know what it is, but I’ve always been very non-confrontational toward them. Although lately I’ve been much, much better.

For the remaining hour of the evening Holy Spirit would remind me, “You are going to pray, right?” “Don’t forget to pray before you leave.” I actually answered out loud while I was alone in the basement, pulling laundry out of the dryer, “Yes! I will pray.”

So as we discussed getting off the couches to go – and mom to go to bed – I turned to her, “Mom, can we pray with you before we go – for the shoulder and the not sleeping?” She laughed uncomfortably and consented, and Timothy echoed, “Ya, I really felt to pray with you too.” We each laid a hand on her shoulders; prayed very simply for healing, sleep, and peace of mind; and gave hugs. She made a comment about us having “hot little hands” (which is funny because I was freezing) that I think she knew meant more than body heat.

Hallelujah that He gives us the words to speak in that hour. In retrospect, I realized I said, “pray for you,” not “over you,” which might have been oddly authoritative for mom. I was also acutely aware that I should not pray in tongues, though it’s my natural reaction to do so – for mom it would have been very uncomfortable and no one should be uncomfortable if she’s being prayed over.

On the way home, Timothy told me he’d felt the clear conviction to pray the same time I did, and that he did feel a heat moving through his hand. Awesome. I believe with all my heart she woke up rested and well this morning – anyway it’s Jesus’ name on the line, not mine!

Stop! Everybody just stop. This is stupid. Pope makes a comment about Muhammad’s teachings being “evil and inhumane,” and now Muslim’s all over the world are waging a war on the west and other “worshippers of the cross?” Excuse me, now? This war is just beginning now? Give me a break. (If you’re nodding a blank visage right now, check out the Honest Reporting link to the right, or go here.)

I know I’m just a kafir with a limited knowledge of Islam, but can I make two small observations here (besides the above)?

1. Why do I not hear a Muslim voice denying Muhammad’s command to “spread by the sword the faith?” My primitive, western mind translates that, “intimidate by threat of death in order to convert people to Islam.” To me, that’s evil and inhumane, but all I’m hearing is “I’m offended,” not “That’s not true.”

2. Why is it that every time the Muslim world is insulted by unreasonable claims regarding the violent nature of Islam, the loudest response is a group of fundamental Islamists rioting, bombing and declaring war? I mean if I’m mad because someone thinks I’m voilent – and I’m really not – do I punch that person in the face to prove him wrong?

I love Muslims, and I know there are many, many, many who are peaceful and against jihad – but where are you?

The thing that really gets me is today’s headline: Pope Expresses ‘Deep Respect’ for Islam? The man’s totally back-peddaling and it’s weak sauce. It is possible to respect Muslim people without respecting Islam. And then he makes the comment that now he’s looking for, “positive, even self-critical dialogue both among religions and between modern reason and Christian faith.” Dialogue between modern reason and Christian faith? What does that even mean?

I’d like to dialogue with all the peace-loving Muslims out there – we can have tea and talk about the woes of being misrepresented to the world.

Last night we celebrated my birthday (again) with a few friends at Chuck E Cheese: pizza and skee ball – what else do you need to turn 23?

Bianca went way over board. She brought balloons and streamers, which she immediately began decorating the table with, as well as a german chocolate up-side-down cake. Tim and Marianne brought a tiara.

Chuck E Cheese pizza has come a long way, but not long enough that my tummy wasn’t a bit angry with me this morning (nothing a little prayer and repentence can’t move along). I think the pizza sauce had more sugar in it than the cake.

We spent a few hours eating poorly and everyone spent $5 on skee ball and photo machines and random video games. Little Goldilocks (Bella) came with as well, and entertained us when the flashing lights and loud music failed. All in all a successful evening.