Ma Ma Jacquie's Blah Blah Blog

The other day I heard that a missionary from an area somewhere near China said that the people in "his" country were praying for persecution for the American church. The implication was that "we" (Western Christians) do not have a clue what Christianity is all about because we live such easy lives, and that if we could suffer a little, we would learn. I've heard things like this before but, it didn't sit right with me. Maybe because I AM a spoiled American, but it just doesn't seem right to pray for someone else to be persecuted. Kind of like hoping that the cut on your hand gets infected just so your hand can learn some lessons. I don't know. I do know that hardship can bring growth but, on to my question...
What is it that we Americans lack that can only be aquired through persecution or poverty? Because if this is true, that we can only have this quality through persecution, then we here in America are truly hopeless. Is there no way to be a "true" Christian without this persecution that others are reportedly wishing on us? Should I give everything away and go live in the Sudan just for the sake of suffering, or is it possible to become a "true, authentic, real, genuine Christian" even though I have been subjected to Western prosperity? Is Western prosperity it's own adversity with difficult challenges of its own?
I know I live an easy life, and I know I battle laziness and selfishness, sometimes more than others. But I get tired of people using the term "Western Christians" as if it's a disease. But maybe that's just because I'm being defensive. If so I want to change. If not, I wish they'd shutup.

Did you know the Monday closest to Jan. 24th is clinically considered the most depressing day of the year? Are you depressed? Have you already failed on your "after the holiday diet"? Have you given up on your New Year resolution? Are the Christmas bills starting to come in? Are you dreading the thought of another whole year of "whatever"? Are you tired of winter but realize that Spring is still a long way off? Yeah, that's what the most depressing day of the year is all about.

So, have a bad day, a really bad day! Then go to bed, get a good night's rest, and plan on waking up tomorrow with new hope! God is so Good! (Everyday)

The weather was so beautiful this morning, we couldn't resist taking a drive up the coast to Pismo. It's Monarch butterfly time and we like to go see how the little guys are doing each winter. This year was the best because we finally got to witness something that we have heard about but never seen.
The butterflies hang in big clumps of hundreds-thousands to stay protected from the cold and wind. As the temperature rises they gradually start opening and closing their wings and flutter away from the group. But sometimes..... the sun begins to shine on a clump, and all at once they ALL start to fly! It's like the whole branch just explodes. Then this stream of butterflies comes pouring off the branch for about 5 seconds and the air above you is just filled with fluttering wings. It's really quite beautiful! And we got to see it today for the first time. Cool! (This picture doesn't really do it justice. I need one of those 2 foot long lense do-dads. Oh, well.)