Still Making People Uncomfortable After All These Years

Yesterday was Christmas! It was a fabulous day and a good time to be with family, and recall the wonderful gifts that we've all been given. After opening presents yesterday morning, my family and I rested and watched the Today show on NBC.

They featured some entertaining recipes, and some discussion on Saint Nicolaus and Santa Claus and the history therein... and next came a discussion of faith. Faith... on Christmas Day. They had two guests... one a Rabbi, and the other a female Presbyterian minister from Bryn Mawr. Lovely, I thought. (But let's not discuss women in ministry today-- let's safe for that another one)

So... in the discussion of Faith and it's importance on Christmas Day... the day we celebrate His birth... that fantastic gift we've all been given, would you believe that not once. Not once was His name mentioned? Not even in passing.

How can one discuss faith on that day of all days and not mention Christ? Oh, they talked about gratitude and focusing on the positive, and how people of faith are happier and more at peace... but they never mentioned Christ -- the one who is the source of all those things that they talked about... even once. It was funny... and so sad.

At one point the interviewer asked, "So what are some things that people who feel they are lacking faith can do today that they aren't doing now" and instead of saying... pray, or seek Christ... rather they were told to note 5 things that are good about each day and start having faith that life is good. This from a pastor??? This from a Rabbi???

Can we take a faith based life and sanitize it anymore? I don't think so... but it would seem, even now, after all these years that He is still making people uncomfortable. He's a rebel, and a rabble-rouser, and His message is becoming ever more urgent... but there are fewer willing to speak it and never be asked back to be on the Today show ever again.

What a travesty! What a tragedy!

Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me I pray
Bless all the dear children in they tender care
and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

(Last stanza ... Away in the Manger)

New Jersey Needs It's Head Examined!

Does anyone remember Megan Kanka? The Megan of Megan's Law??? Megan's Law requires registration for sexual offenders. Each state since Megan's death at age 7 has enacted this law.

Megan was 7 playing outside her house when 2x convicted sex offender Jesse Timmendequas invited her over to come see his puppy. Megan, a trusting kid, did want to see his puppy. When she went there, she was brutally raped... and then strangled with Timmendequas belt.

He led police to her body a couple of days later... the parents and others pushed for the death penalty. It was assigned as Timmendequas sentence. Nothing left but the inevitable and (required) appeals process in order to insure that an innocent man wasn't going to die.

Got all that?? So this week, New Jersey abandons the death penalty. They aren't going to use it as a means of punishment, deterrence etc., anymore. That means that Timmendequas has gotten a get out of lethal injection free card. Timmendequas lives.

Why oh why would you put the Kanka family back through this nightmare? A judge and a jury concurr that someone merits death for killing your precious 7 yr old daughter and then the state legislature overrules them. There are times, friends and readers, that living in a red state has its advantages.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/17/death.penalty/index.html?eref=time_us

So... I know forgiveness is something to strive for in these circumstances, and I know that Jesus died for Timmendequas too. I still have a problem with this bait and switch played on the parents and loved ones of Megan Kanka. I also know that Jesus told us that someone who injures or leads little ones astray... for him it would be better to have a millstone around his neck and be thrown into a lake of fire... Honestly, this appears in all four gospels... All FOUR... think He meant it??

Vengeance is mine says the Lord... why don't we just hasten His opportunity for Him to seek His vengeance?

But... what do you think??

Planning CHRISTmas!

Decorating... it needs to happen. I've got all the stuff but life has been so busy here, I haven't had a chance to decorate yet. We'll be doing that this weekend. Doesn't it sound all festive and fun??

I have cedar garland for the outside stairs of my house, a gorgeous wreath to go around the antique-y light fixture above the front door, some holly garland (cheap-o I have to repaint the berries each year with red fingernail polish... but hey, it works) for on the mantel. And, of course, the tree.

I also will need to plan some baking. Not lots... just some. We need the peanut blossoms of happiness, the gingerbread men of hugeness, and of course dh's fave... the peanutbutter patties of Ritzness.

In the midst of all this hubbub, it's real easy to forget that I also need to be worried about decorating my heart... not just my halls. To that end, I've got the Beattitudes to put my spirit in the right place, the Nativity story, and nativity scene. I've also made plans to meet with the Lord every morning... after all He lives in me, and I need to make the effort to pretty myself up too...

SO... how are you decking your halls and heart this festive season?

Submitting Joyfully...

I've really been pondering, due to some questions on another site, why it is that Christian people would choose to get married if they are reluctant as it seems many are... to actually follow the biblical plan. I see a lot of... but that's abuse! Or, why should he care what I eat, wear, listen to, etc.? Isn't that controlling?

Let's see what God has to say about it... God tells us in Ephesians 5 to submit to our husbands. He tells us in Colossians to submit to our husbands. He tells us in 1 Peter 3 to submit to our husbands. He doesn't anywhere ever tell us that we can decide it is abusive or controlling.

However, He also tells our husbands some things. Namely, to love their wives as their own bodies, that whoever loves his wife also loves himself Ephesians 5. Now... why would a good Christian man then order his wife to eat something that made her sick? That would go against all the teachings, right??

I'm curious... at what point do you decide you don't really trust the person you are married to? At what point do you say... wow, I fell for an abusive jerk. That I think is the issue more than when does it become abuse...

The question is really... when or how do you establish enough trust in your spouse or in your God to use your spouse to truly direct your life? Honestly. I'll admit... the longer I'm married the easier it is to trust because I've seen God honor my submission. I know it's harder just setting out in a marriage.

So... is it abusive if he wants me to wear only navy blue? No. I would assume he thinks it's a good color for me to wear. If he wants me to try a food I'm afraid will make me sick, will I do it? Yes. I'll try it. If he doesn't want me to listen to certain radio programs, will I avoid them? Yes, again.

The thing is... submission is not about doing what *I* want. It is about doing what is right. It is about doing what is needed and doing so joyfully. I'm not perfect... but if I don't have that faith and trust on the little things...??? How can I ever have it on the big ones?

Just an Ordinary Day...

Well, ds is thrilled. He earned a ribbon in Original Oratory at the tournament yesterday afternoon. He has been working on it, but his true love is policy debate so he's been mainly focused on that.

I was very proud of him. He's doing quite well for a kid in his first year of speech/debate. I'm even more pleased because he's also doing good work in his classes. His Spanish teacher wants him to join the Spanish honor society next year...

Dd, well, she's also quite busy... this week she has confirmation today, dance practice on Thursday, a girls' night out cookie baking exchange on Friday, dress rehearsal on Saturday a.m., sleepover on Saturday night, and performance Sunday evening. Let me just say... I find this whole thing exhausting.

Both children have semester tests coming up and are anxious about them. I'm confident that they'll be fine... but fear can be a powerful motivator and studying never hurt anyone. Well, at least not more than a papercut.

Grace

Gloom Despair and Agony on me... and Dh's Birthday!

Well... not me personally!! Ds threw his knee out and sprained it but good. The poor kid has been in a lot of pain. He's got a massively huge brace with hinges, and with buckles to hold it in place quite tightly.

I think he's doing better now... he can walk which is such a blessing. He's still experiencing some pain but it seems under control. We were blessed and were given the athletic training price on the brace. 144.00 instead of 200.00!! That was really a nice thing for them to do, since our insurance didn't cover it.

Meanwhile, dh is feeling all icky nauseous, and he's running a slight fever. I'm worried about the poor guy. He really hates any kind of sickness especially this one. I'm so sad that he's sick.

Dd and I appear to be holding the line. Neither of us, please Lord let it continue so, have been hit with illness.

Don't you just hate it when your family is sick??

But... Dh's birthday is on Thursday. My plans? I'm making him lasagna, garlic bread, cesar salad with cherry tomatoes, and a cheesecake drizzled with chocolate. I'm buying him a bottle of good whiskey-- scottish of course, because, well... the man is a fanatical Scot. I'll also give him gifts of a more *blush* intimate nature.

Hey... we're married, and have been for 15 years... this is what God intended it to be, a beautiful expression of love for one another. I'm not going to go into details... but I'm not going to pretend that it isn't a part of life either.

The only question is... will he be well enough to enjoy it???

Thanksgiving Plans-- Generic style!

I need to make plans. I'm having the inlaws for Thanksgiving dinner. I'm planning on the usual. Turkey, mashed potatoes, scallopped corn, greenbean casserole, stuffing, gravy, crudite, and rolls and butter.

Pies... I'm thinking a couple of pumpkin, and tons of cool whip (the generic kind of course) so here's the question... do you use generics?

I love them. Most of the time I notice no difference in taste. There are a few differences and places where I stick with the brand names. I'm sometimes surprised that some people haven't tried to save money by giving up brand names. I am floored when I see things like this...

http://abcnews.go.com/search?searchtext=generic%20foods&type=

I mean, really... russet potatoes are russet potatoes. Turkey is turkey, and Butterball just means it's injected with stuff. It floors me that people pass up opportunities to save money like this. However, I guess, part of it is necessity.

Anyone got any real good ideas for how to make a pumpkin pie?

Fitness Challenge!

Well, well my friends. I am not the skinny person I once was (hah!) but in my quest to become less plump, I am enlisting the help of ds 14. Ds played football last year but this year has become hooked on debate and oratory. Great for the mind!! Less physical for the body though.

I noticed he was putting on a few pounds... and so, I have a running partner! I probably actually ran a bit today for the first time in forever. We got up at 5:30 a.m. and stumbled outside. How far did we go? A whole MILE!! LOL!!

And I didn't even run the whole way... here's the thing... it didn't happen overnight, so I'm not gonna be fixed overnight...

Lovely huh!?

Anyway... the challenge continues... still doing the devotions... just not blogging them!

How are you and yours?

Day 7 of the Challenge..

Yes... I know... it's day 8. LOL!! Ah well, we were busy yesterday with dd's dance and church and all. It was lovely. So... let me share with you the scripture I meditated on yesterday...

Psalm 149:3 ... Let them praise His name with dancing...

And so they do... why do we sometimes think that there is only one way to pray? I've been to churches where pastors get downright offended that me and mine don't hoot and holler... been told if we can hoot and holler over football we should be ready to hoot and holler over God. Well, you know what? We DON'T hoot and holler over football either.

It just isn't our style. So there!! However, we do praise with liturgical dance, we do praise with quiet meditation and devotion. Just because worship styles are different doesn't make one wrong and one right...

====

Today:

My devotion was just funny. Dd pointed out to me that there is a Proverb that says that a man who gets up early and loudly blesses his neighbor is really cursing him!! She said God put that in the Bible just to keep her brother from being annoyingly overly cheerful all morning! LOL... now I'm not sure that's the reason... but I did have to laugh...

Grace

Day 6 of the Challenge

You know... I bet you thought... oh it's the weekend... she'll sleep in today, right? Well you were wrong! I am so into this challenge, that... oh... face it, I'd still be in bed but ds... has a debate tourney today. He had to be there at 7:30 a.m. so, as is usual... I got up... got him up, and got breakfast.

Now, I'm doing my devotion and going to sleep in with dd until about 11:30 or so I think. Doesn't that sound delish!? I am fried, people!!

But... devotionally wise, today... well, in light of some recent discussions on my favorite board of all time... Prairiehomemaker at least I believe that is why the Lord drew me to this passage...

Galatians 6 2:5 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,for each one should carry his own load.

I had to change the color... That needs to pop!

What a concept! Stop comparing ourselves and test our own actions against the Bible. I am in awe of this passage. I'm guilty of it. I worry that others will look down on me for being a public schooling, work outside the home, professional Christian Mom. I wonder what they think of my celebrating Halloween, and Christmas, Easter, and St. Andrew's Day... and the 5th of November, and... and... well...

You know what... I'm done. I'm going to worry about myself, and test myself and my own actions. I'm not looking to be better than anyone else... I want to be responsible for my own load. I want to be sure that *I* am doing what is right... and unless others ask for my opinion, advice and reasoning, I'll let it go.

Grace

Day 5 of the Morning Challenge!

So... today I started by firing up the old biblegateway and started looking for thought/thinking etc. I did that simply because now I've seen how important thoughts and what we think really are. These little things not only impact how we behave, but also our witness and how we portray Christianity to this fallen world.

What should we be thinking about? Phillipians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

That is what we should be thinking about. So, where does, for example, celebrity gossip fall? Is it true, honest, just, pure lovely etc... I think the conclusion is NO! So should I hunt down the latest issue of People magazine to read the latest about the gals featured there so prominently? NO.

Should I spend time thinking instead about soap operas, romance novels, bodice rippers or not... that distract me from putting time into my own marriage and can cause feelings of dissatisfaction there? NO

I really need to change my thinking. And, I will, with God's help.

May the Lord be with You!

Happy All Saint's Day!

Today's scripture and prayer time brought me to Isaiah 29:16 "You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "He did not make me?" Can the pot say of the potter, "He knows nothing."?

Again, thought... we are in dangerous territory, it seems when we start thinking. I remember the words of C.S. Lewis in The Screwtape Letters... Screwtape instructs Wormwood that it really doesn't take a great sin like murder or adultery... a "little" one like pride will do to turn their "patient" from his hateful Christianity.

What causes some of us to have this intellectual snobbery? To think we are self-made people...

Lord, help me today to be aware of my thoughts... to take each captive. Help me to avoid hubris and the idea that I know best. Help me to seek You and Your will in my plans.

Amen.

May the Lord be with you!

Day 3 Morning Challenge...

This morning hurt more than normal. Dh left early at 4:00 a.m. I saw him off, made him coffee and sandwiches for the trip... he won't be back til Sunday late. *WAH* I know, I know... I'm a huge wuss... but I miss him when he's gone.

This is also Reformation Day for those of us in the Lutheran Christian tradition. What a tremendous change to Christianity... Martin Luther is one of those people who proves that a single man or person can change the world. "Here I stand I can do no other! God help me." If you have the opportunity... check out Luther online.

Ah... quiet time. This morning, like I said, I decided to focus on the thoughts... wanting to get a clearer picture of what was going on in my head. I did a search using Bible Gateway for the word, "thoughts". Oh my! It turned up lots of references!

Psalm 13: 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Over and over again, the Psalms alone point up how our thoughts can and do direct us. We are in a battle with our own nature. With our own thoughts... If we are to take all thoughts captive as 2nd Corinthians 10 exhorts us to... we must first be conscious and aware of what we think.

We must also be concious and aware of what we put in our heads... the old principle... Garbage In Garbage Out applies to computers and to that most advanced computer in our heads.

May the Lord be with you! and Happy Reformation Day!

Day 2 of the Morning Challenge!

This morning was early!! I wanted to get up before I had to wake ds. He had to be up at 6:15 a.m. As a result, my alarm went off... *beep* *beep* *beep* at 5:45 a.m. Can I just say, "OWIE?" If you think that means it hurt... well, it did.

Dh gave me a lovely warm soft robe last year for Christmas, so I snuggled into that and padded downstairs to start the morning offering of coffee... I hope it was a sweet fragrance for the Lord. It was the elixir of life for me.

I don't know how it is for anyone else... but as soon as I sat down with my Bible, and asked the Lord to bless my reading... suddenly, I was distracted. There were a million thoughts in my head. Oh, I should do this... and that... and the other 20 things that suddenly seem incredibly urgent. Just as I was getting up... I had words pop into my head... "For we take all thoughts captive..." Wow!

Thank you, Lord. What a great reminder... we take all thoughts captive because we have to!! I brought my focus back to Him and studied that passage... 2 Corinthians 10:5 and then the whole of 2nd Corinthians 10. I understand this so much better now. Our obedience is necessary, and we cannot be obedient if we let our thoughts go wherever they will...

I think tomorrow my quiet time will focus on going deeper about what the Lord tells us about our thoughts. I'm looking forward to growing more concious about what I am doing in my head. I also will be better on guard against the attack... I know, I know... some may think I'm being overly dramatic... but attack it was... to keep me from spending time with Him.

Thank you, Lord for a glorious morning... for time to spend with You and for what you are revealing to me. Amen.

May the Lord be with you!

Quiet Time with God!

Psalm 5:3 My voice thou shalt hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and look up...

This and countless other verses express the importance of daily prayer time and time with the word. Recently reading Laine's Letters, I was reminded and convinced anew of the importance of having this time with Him. More than that, I've begun to be convinced that the morning is precisely the right time to spend with Him.

Sure, part of it is because He created coffee and the smell of the roasted bean offering must be pleasing to Him, right? Part of it is because I read over and over again the exhortation to spend time in the morning. Part of it is because Jesus stole away to pray. How many times do we read the Lord's prayer but forget to follow His example and pray in the morning?

Now, is morning the only time... certainly not! We are told to "pray without ceasing" but we are also told to take time alone and pray. Personally, I think I do better trying to pray without ceasing every day if I take the time to get alone with Him in the morning.

My challenge to myself and anyone else who wants to join me... let's spend time in prayer in the a.m. I'll post daily what time... and what I read or learned... as a form of accountability.

If you're with me... let me know!

Pumpkin Stakes Tournament!

Ah... fall! Crisp days, crisp leaves, the plethora of autumn harvest gourds available and the sight of high school students dressed in competition wear. Yep, suits and ties. The debate season is upon us again.


I'm caught up in remembering my own former glory days. It doesn't seem that long ago, really!? And yet, it's been approximately 15 years. Now, I can see the look of happiness and joy on my son's face. He's in debate.

A parent always wants to leave a legacy. Always wants their children to carry on in their place, right? At least a little bit!! So this morning, I stepped into my father's shoes... I got up at 4:30 a.m. and got my son up so he could be ready to catch the bus. He got up and headed for the shower. I heated oil for hashbrowns.


This is how he looked after breakfast... and before the competition.

So, I confess, I thought about him off and on... wished him well. Prayed for his safety on the trip, and also prayed for his ability to speak clearly and concisely. Then, I frankly, went about my day.

At 6:30 p.m. tonight... this is how he looked...

Yep... that mug says, Superior Discussion! And the pumpkin is a festive autumn harvest trophy of his success also. That does mean, he got PERFECT SCORES ... just in case anyone missed that...

PERFECT SCORES in each round of the four he competed in. He's been bitten by the bug and bad. Of course, of the things your son could obsess over-- debate and individual speaking events, aren't really too bad, are they?

Best of all, part of the reason he got PERFECT SCORES is because he invited other students who were nervous and afraid to get involved in the conversation. He won by being nice. Now, nice may not be enough to win rounds from my recollection, but mean is enough to lose them.

I'm so proud of him!

May the Lord be with you!

Morning Musings!

There's something about a sunrise that just makes you feel close to God, you know? How could something so beautiful, so awe-inspiring NOT have a creator? It speaks to me. I'm reminded of the words of Fernando Ortega every time I see one...

This Good Day
Morning sun and morning glories
Pouring down the hill,
Through my window
I can feel the ocean breeze.
Noisy sparrows fill the oak trees
Swallows can't stay still,
And in the glad commotion
Lord, You speak to me

Chorus:
If the rain clouds come
Or the cold winds blow,
You're the one who goes before me
And in my heart I know
That this goody day
It is a gift from You.
The world is turning in its placebecause You made it to.
I lift my voice
To sing a song of praise
On this good day.

I will walk to Woodman's Cove,
The fishing boats are leaving
,Seagulls follow just above the water.
I will wait until the sunset
Brings them home again,
Rigging lines and anchors in the harbor.
Repeat Chorus

This is one of my favorite songs to listen to in the morning. It sends me off to my day reminded of all His gifts and benefits. I try to make it a part of my morning routine because I really do, like all of us, need the reminder... that weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

And it does. It really does.

So that said... May the Lord be with You throughout your day!

Can I just say...

When will the madness that is daylight savings time end? It is insane to be sending kids off to school while it is still dark! How is that a good thing AT ALL? I live near an elementary school and am so worried for the kiddos.

Let's face it, winter clothes, especially coats do tend to be somewhat dark colored. It's a good thing in a lot of ways. It helps retain heat, etc. It also means, though, that kids wearing these are less visible to drivers in the dark.

I know, I know... allegedly it will save money on energy. Somehow... I'm not convinced. Just seems that we've shifted the energy usage from one time of day to another. We're not going to see it end until November 4 this year...

Simple Pleasures!

We all have them. The little things in life that make us happy. Mine for today:

1) A friend's good news...

2) A hot cup of tea

3) The love of my hubby

4) A warm blanket

5) Happy children... er, teens that is! The one above is Alex looking a bit pensive at breakfast in Denny's the other day. He's probably thinking up a new introduction for his oratory.

Mommy Bragging time!

Yep... it's time to brag... I have a great dd and she is exceptionally talented. I mean, exceptionally talented... she's a great dancer and a wonderful lighthearted spirit besides.



This is her dance group performing their dance Nothing Without You..

I am a doting mama, but it does hit a standard of excellence I think. The girls work really hard on these dances. I've noticed how much more gracefully she moves since she joined in 6th grade. She's got a more feminine style.

I give you the girl closest to the baptismal font!

Just for fun... Test your Vocabulary!

Your Vocabulary Score: A+

Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary!You must be quite an erudite person.

How's" Your Vocabulary?

It's another Thankful Thursday!

Thinking of all the things I'm grateful for...

1. Sunshine-- even though... folks, I'm a redhead... I burn easily under the best of circumstances now, combine that with the medication I'm taking that increases sensitivity to sunlight... well, that's right 45 minutes outdoors and I was a lobster.

2. My hubby-- he's already found a different job, he's been grilling every night. (I love that so much).

3. My backyard-- I love to sit there and listen and watch my birds (yes, if they eat at my feeders and use my birdbath they become mine) There's a nesting pair of cardinals in lilacs. It's so cool.

4. The stiffness I'm feeling in my legs and back because it means the exercise I'm doing is working for me. I am getting into better shape.

5. The fantastic gift that God gave me in Jesus. What an expression of value, of confidence and faith!

For all these things and more, make me truly grateful, oh Lord!

Thankful Thursday!

The latest from the meteorologists has me singing, dancing, laughing, playing... it'll be 60 by the weekend. Thank you, Jesus! I get my spring back! A month after the equinox, but hey, it's still spring, right? Right!

I'm thankful that dh is interviewing for a new position with good hours, and that will allow him to pursue his doctorate. YAY!!

I'm thankful that ds is staying right on top of his homework issues.

I'm thankful that dd is doing well recovering from her knee injury.

I'm thankful that the sky is blue and it's a sunshine-y day. All around, I'm just generally thankful today.

And you, gentle reader, what are you thankful for on this fantastic Thursday?

10th Anniversary of 29th Birthday!

Yep. I'm 39. I like it. I feel so comfy... and happy. 39 is a good year, let's hope. So far, so good.

Yesterday, dh and the kids cleaned up the whole laundry room, and made food, and dh grilled. It was amazing. And then, today, S-N-O-W! Trust me in April, this is a four letter word! It's horrible.

Supposed to last all week long. It is really frustrating. I mean it! I want spring!!