Fear

   A few years ago we decided that it was time for my hubby to get his first dog:)  We headed to our local rescue center and decided to adopt a dog that was at least a year or older, since all the puppies get adopted so quickly.  After searching for our perfect match, we found Jake.  He was so sweet, and got along great with our other dog, Nicky, we had brought with us.

  It's always so exciting to get a new pet- and we had a blast bringing Jake home and loving on him.  As we got to know Jake more though, we learned that he had massive separation anxiety- probably because his first family had indeed left him.  When we were home, he was golden.  But if we left the house, Jake had a royal freak out- literally climbing the walls and destroying whatever he could.  We decided we would need to crate Jake, and got a huge crate for him outside, set up underneath our carport so it was safe from the elements.

  We then began learning what a great escape artist Jake was.  We would come home and find Jake sitting outside our front door; or we'd get calls at work from our neighbors letting us know he was in their yard (super fun).  We began trying everything we could- different latches, locks, etc- to keep him in his crate.  He prevailed, destroying the crate and his own teeth to get out.

  So we purchased the Kong crate. THE Kong crate.  Indestructible!  Inescapable!  Inexpensive!... wait , n o... very expensive!;)

  We also did crate training with this crate, going through all the steps of getting him used to/happy with it.  Yes this might have involved us hanging out in the crate with him;)

  He escaped the first time in it.

  And so again... new latches, new locks, a second door...  all destroyed in a few months.

  And so, after 3 years, hundreds and hundreds of dollars, different anti-anxiety medications, methods and training, many personal things destroyed... we had to give up.  And we had to take sweet Jake back to the adoption center.

  It was so not easy.  Very painful.  But we literally could not contain him, and had tried everything we could.

  The worst part was that Jake's fears had made themselves come true.  He was panicked that we would leave him, and that panick controlled his behavior to the point that we indeed left him.

  Don't we do the same thing?

  We let ourselves be controlled my fears, worry, and anxiety; and our behavior becomes so twisted that we make our fears come true.  We fear problems in our relationships and hence behave differently... and then we create problems in our relationships.  We are anxious over the what-ifs that never come true and yet we hide in their possible consequences. We literally worry ourselves sick.

  And we allow Satan to rob us of the joy of the here and now.  The joy of health.  The joy of love.  The joy of every blessing God has given us.

  Who cares if the bad things happen if we're gonna let those things control us anyways... let them intimidate us and weaken us when they haven't even occurred.  What's the point of things ever going well if we're gonna live like that?

  God's most common command is to not be afraid.  DON'T be afraid!  Do not fear!!!  Not before the bad things happen, not when the bad things happen, not after the bad things happen... DON'T BE AFRAID.

  Instead it's time we claim the joy and blessings from God, soaking in every moment and knowing that when the bad things happen, He will be there to carry us through.  So there's nothing to be afraid of.  He's got it.  He's got us.

 There's plenty to fear- but we just can't live like that.  We'll end up like Jake, putting ourselves in cages and returning to our shackles.  God's adopted us and set us free... let's not go back to our adoption center lifestyle.  Live fully in the freedom and joy He gave us!

Heroes, Humility, and Hubbies

 
Well there's been another gap in the time since I last blogged, but this time I have the best excuse EVER;)  On July 17th, our precious bundle of joy and boy came into our arms, at 7 lbs. 7 oz. and 19 3/4 in.  To read my whole birth story, please visit my Baby Hart blog:) What a journey it's been!  We could not be more happy and blessed.  Through this experience there's been so much learned, way more than I can share here.  But here are a few thoughts...

1. Heroes

There's debate out there about what's the "best" way to give birth.  Who's the strongest, toughest, smartest... which way makes you the most "woman".  Epidural... no epidural...C-section... vaginal delivery... this method... that method.  Let me tell you right now- it doesn't matter.  I don't care how you get a baby out of you- you are a hero.  Period.  I went into labor with no birth plan.  Best decision ever;)  For 17 hrs. I rode the roller coaster of "You'll have a baby by 10am!" to it's 6pm and there's still no baby.  The roller coaster of "We need to do a C-section" to "No, we don't"..."Yes, we do..."  Ahhhh...;)  I went as long as I could without an epidural and then got one.  Because I knew it wouldn't make me any less of a woman, but would actually take the death pain away.  I respect those women that give birth naturally.  I also respect those that get epidurals.  No one's tougher or smarter or more crazy than the other.  You have a baby?  You're a hero.  You're tough.  You're an amazing woman.

2.  Humility

While I definitely view myself as a tough woman and hero, and soak in the proper pride that comes with giving birth, I also have never experienced such a humbling time in my life.  The things that the nurses had to do for me... whoa.  The things my husband had to do for me... yeah.  The things that family and friends that are practically family had to do for me.... oh man.  The sights and sounds and...ok, enough said;)  Labor, giving birth, and recovering from it all... will humble you like no other.  And while a lot of it can be really embarrassing if I let it be... the great part is instead of dwelling on that embarrassment, I can feel overwhelmed by the love that all these people had for me.  The unconditional love and profound acts of service blow my mind and make me feel yet more humbled.  And so grow even stronger bonds that could never have been so deepened if I had not been so humbled.


Hubbies

One of the best parts since having Silas is how awesomely helpful my hubby's been.  Now, rather than make this some sappy brag fest, I'll restrain blithering on and on;)  Jason comes home, and even though he's had a long day at work, he gives me an hour break from Silas duty.  During the rest of the night we both help out evenly, and over night when Silas wakes up... again and again;)... Jason does the diaper/swaddle duty.  He even does the dishes.  It's great:)

One of the reasons I appreciate this so very much, is because it's always baffled me when guys don't help out with the kids or house stuff because that's the "woman's" work.  There can be a tendency of thinking that says "Men go to jobs, and women take care of all the domestic responsibilities."  The problem with this thinking is that in a career you get to punch in and out... you get co-workers... you get breaks.  Often women end up working 24/7 and never get the freedom to feel "off duty".  It bothers me when a man gets to come home and prop his feet up while his wife cooks dinner... and then she cleans up dinner... and it just never ends for her.  It bothers me that not only do some people think this is fair, but they think it's right.  There was a lifestyle...a culture... in the 1940's that some people mistake as Biblical.  But in Genesis 3, the curse for the man was indeed to work... but the curse for the woman was increased pain in childbirth.

That's what balances the scale.  The curse for women is pain in childbirth, and it's not just the birth... it's our cycles, the yucky sides of pregnancy, labor, breastfeeding...

Not dishes, laundry, dusting.

I understand and respect that for some families it works.  There are wives and husbands who prefer that she do all the house stuff and it's okay for them for the guy to chilax while dinner's being made.  And so that's fine!  But what baffles me are the motivations that are sometimes behind such ways of running a home.  Does she feel like she has to be Doris Day to gain approval?  Does he view it as "woman's work" instead of seeking to serve alongside her in those tasks?  These are questions that I can't answer for anyone else, and again sometimes that lifestyle is fine in some marriages.  But unfortunately, I think it's often just something that was from a different time and culture that needs to be left in the past.

We can't look at guys going to work and women doing domestic chores as an even wash.  Because women giving birth has to seriously count for something.  That is our curse, and trust me, it's no small task;)  So maybe instead we can serve alongside each other in our homes, as a team.  Sure it's not always 50-50 for everything- the way the chips fall in our family, I definitely do end up doing most of the "domestic" things.  Jason takes care of a lot of the "manly" things, like cars and mowing.  I mean, let's face it- ladies generally have a certain knack for cleaning and such;)  Guys are generally built to fix cars and mow yards.  But it's not a one-size-fits-all model.  And ultimately, the overall tone needs to be one of a team- however that plays out in each family unit.

~"Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies"~  Eph. 5:22, 25, 28

Pointing Fingers

    Recently our President made some comments about same-sex marriage that caused waves for sure.  I've blogged about politics and how I believe Christianity should respond to our government plenty before; so I won't hash all that out again.  But about the same time I heard our President's comments I also discovered a new song from Casting Crowns, called "Jesus Friend of Sinners".  Such a powerful, true, needed, and timely message for us to hear and be reminded of!

"Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing.
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me.
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded,
A plank-eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided.

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners,
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours.

Jesus, friend of sinners, the One Who's writing in the sand
Made the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of these
Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees
Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners,
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours.

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came.
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet.

'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever,
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever.

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours.

Seek the Living

It's been a few weeks since my last blog, and I must admit it might be because of the attention my Baby Hart blog is getting from me;)  Baby Hart has definitely been a marvelous part of life and has added deeper meaning to so many things.  One of those things was Easter this year.  My absolute favorite holiday is Easter; the beauty and power of the cross and empty tomb never cease to blow me away.  I am amazed at what Jesus did for me.  This year, Easter took on a whole new meaning as I celebrated what Jesus did for my son! 


     Another new lesson that hit me this Easter came from a passage I've heard many times.  Among the different Scripture that was read on Sunday morning, Luke 24:1-6 was read:

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.  And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen."

              

...Why do you seek the living among the dead?...


This question that was asked of these women so long ago, took on a whole new and current meaning to me.  How often do we seek the living among the dead?  How often do I??  We seek "the living"... satisfaction, joy, fulfillment, abundance... among "the dead" instead of looking to the living Christ.  "The dead" we search can be anything from straight up sinful habits like drugs and promiscuity; to "good" things, such as our jobs, relationships, hobbies, etc. that could be tools used by and for "the living" if we were ultimately seeking Him. "The dead" we search among can even be our churches as we seek religious status, as we go through the motions, and put on a show without having a TRULY cultivated, personal, abiding walk with Christ.


And so we "seek the living among the dead" and find ourselves lifeless, unsatisfied, and cold.  Dead.


Jesus offers us "living water" (John 7:38) and "abundant life".  We need to stop seeking the living among the dead... stop looking in at empty tombs and missing what's above.  It's time to surrender and accept the living water and abundant life Christ is offering us, not just for eternity, but for today... for here... for now.  

Attitude Check

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  

Attitude to me is more important than facts. 

It is more important than the past, 

                      than education, 

                                          than MONEY,

                                                                                     than circumstances, 

than failures,

 than success, 

than what other people think or say or do. 

It is more important than 

appearance, giftedness, or skill. 

It will make or break a company

...a church...

a home. 

The remarkable thing is 

we have a choice 

every day 

regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. 

We cannot change our past...

we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. 

We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, 

and that is our attitude. 

I am convinced that life is 

10 percent  what happens to me

and 90 percent how I react to it. 

We are in charge of our attitudes." 

 ~Charles Swindoll

Roller Coaster Ride

Life can sure be a roller coaster ride, can't it?  You hear it all the time from people.  You experience it yourself frequently.  And while at times it can be like a kiddie ride, at other points in life it's an all-out record-breaking thrill ride. 

 







  p
U   and d
             o
               w       p
                  n.  U   and d
                                    o
                                     w
                                        n. 

Whew, it's exhausting.

Lately I've been feeling like my life is quite the roller coaster.  Various reasons have pooled together to give me the up and down experience.  So when my pastor preached a sermon called "Ride the Rollercoaster, Trust the Designer" I knew I was in for it.  Sure enough, by the end of the sermon I found myself in one of the sweetest moments of my faith with face tear-covered and burdens handed over to God.

One of the neatest points that my pastor made was that when we are trusting God on our roller coaster ride our roller coaster itself actually changes form.  Suddenly are highs aren't so high because we're not jumping to false states of bliss.  Our lows aren't so low because we have hope and joy in God.  We trust Him with our roller coaster; and He then starts to even it out.

I read a similar thing in my devotional book, One Year With Jesus:

   ~"When our lives are intertwined with His, He will help us to walk through adversity without sinking into debilitating lows and to manage prosperity without moving into deceptive highs.  The joy of living with Jesus daily will keep us level-headed, no matter how high or low our circumstances."

Tim Tebow seems to be grasping this concept as well.  When asked in a press conferece how his faith affects his game he says, "It's never as good as it seems and it's never as bad as it seems.  And at the end of the day, it's just a game. That's the perspecive my faith gives me."

It's just a game.  Funny how God giving us perspective changes our roller coaster ride.

Why does God allow bad things to happen?

  This question is one that has been asked and asked again... and again.  When trials and suffering come upon a Christian it's easy to wonder "Why, God??".  This last Sunday my pastor preached some answers to this question; and as part of that he shared this short video, that impacted me deeply:




What a great way to turn this question around.  Think about the person who is wondering why God is allowing the bad things in their lives.  You ask them what they want God to do about the bad things?  They want Him to destroy them.  To get rid of them.  To not permit them.  Then you ask that person if they have done bad things....

So God, in agreement with this suffering person, should destroy us.  Should get rid of us.  Should not permit us.  We are, indeed, bad ourselves. 

And this is true.  He should.

It reminds me also of a quote I recently read in G. K. Chesterton's book Orthodoxy:  "If Cinderella says, 'How is it that I must leave the ball at twelve?' her Godmother might answer, 'How is it that you are going there till twelve?"

So instead of asking why we must leave the ball at twelve... let's instead remember how amazing and undeserved it is that we're going at all.

Say So

Today I finished reading Rob Bell's "Love Wins".  I'm not going to give you all of my thoughts from this book because I know my hubby is planning to review it on his blog soon.  But one thing I will say...

Of all the offensiveness of Rob Bell's book, the worst to me was the fact that I still don't know what exactly he believes.  After investing hours of my life into the couple hundred pages of his book, I STILL am utterly confused as to what he thinks (though what I think are some of his beliefs are definitely disconcerting).  When he shared his own "salvation experience" (you better believe he doesn't call it that) he talks about saying a prayer and "something" happening.

It's so frustrating to me when people are wishy-washy like that.  Vague.  Lukewarm.

Revelation 3:16 says, "So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."  Looks like God doesn't like wishy-washiness either!

This reminds me of a sermon I sat through at a previous church of mine.  The sermon was on "finding God" and for 30 minutes the pastor rambled on about... finding God.  At first I was thrilled at the sermon choice because I had two unsaved friends with me visiting that night.  It was a rare opportunity to say the least.  As the pastor rambled on and on, I kept waiting for the punchline.  The "Oh and here's how to find God" explanation.  But for 30 minutes he just kept talking about finding God as if it was this mystical thing to try to grasp.  Imagine my dismay... truly, heartbreak... when the sermon ended with him saying, "I hope you find God."

No salvation presentation, no call or invitation, no Romans Road.

My friends laughed after the service was over and left.  I bawled.

It really stunk that I found myself sobbing because I had a meeting on this church's council group right then.  Boy, did I want to GIVE some counsel!

Psalm 107:2 says, "Let the redeemed of the LORD say so!"

Say it!  Spit it out!  Don't beat around the bush, camouflage it, or ignore it.  SAY so.

To me the only good reason one would have to not come out and give a clear presentation of how they were saved and how someone else can also be is if... well... that person actually isn't.

So if you are one of the "redeemed of the LORD"... say so.  Tell people.  Don't hide it.  Don't blur it. Don't be lukewarm.  Say so.

Misunderstood

I certainly hope you read and enjoyed my last blog.  If you did, then I even more hope you are fluent in the language of "Sarcasm", as the blog was written heavily in that dialect.   I would certainly hate for anyone who does not speak Sarcasm to think for any part of that blog that I meant the opposite of what I was trying to say and misunderstand my meaning.

Ahh misunderstandings... such a sad and dangerous happening.  It's truly frustrating when someone misunderstands you... but what about when you're the one misunderstanding?  And you don't even know it?

This brings to mind a funny story.  A few weeks ago my husband and I were sitting in church.  He always brings approximately 8,000 Bibles.  And so he lays out on the pew his favorite translations as well as the Septuagint and Greek (that last sentence is literal, no Sarcasm speak there).  He also pulls up whatever other translation he feels like on his fancy I-can-do-everything phone.  And so we're sitting in church, listening to the sermon, and he whips out his phone and brings up Bible # 8,001.   The following events had me nearly LOL-ing in church.  You see, down the pew a bit on the other side of me sat an older lady.  She glanced at Jason on his fancy phone, and I immediately thought her judging wheels were turning. "Stupid yougins!  And their stupid fancy phones!  In CHURCH!!! Outrageous!!" I could hear her in my head. 

But I had misunderstood her glance.  Because she then reached in her pocket and pulled out her cell phone.  She looked around slowly and deviously and began.... texting. 

Now I really wanted to LOL.  First of all because I didn't know people that age texted.  Secondly because of her extreme nervous, sneaky, guilty disposition.  She would hide the phone in another page of her Bible and flip back to it when the page on top of it lit up.  Then she'd sneak it to her side where she would type as un-obviously as possible.

The best part was that she couldn't figure out how to turn the vibration off and so every time a text came back her phone would vibrate and she would turn even whiter-faced and glance around quickly as she smothered her phone.

HILARIOUS. 

But this is a smaller thing, so it's easy to giggle.  These types of misunderstandings can become truly sad.  Think about this on a bigger scale... someone misunderstands someone else's actions and then basis their actions on a misunderstanding.  And so people without knowing it jump off cliffs cause they think that's what Joe Smith did, when in reality Joe wasn't even near the cliff.

The question is... what am I misunderstanding?  What are you?  What blanks are we filling in... the wrong way?  What sins am I... are you... committing because we are looking at a false reality?

You see, the only true truth... the only for-shizzle... is God.  We need to be careful of basing things on what other people believe, think, say, do.  Because if we are not basing our beliefs, convictions, practices, and decisions solely on God, the Holy Spirit, the Bible.... than maybe we've misunderstood.

And that's not funny.

Tattooed

Yes, I am...

...tattooed.  The right ankle says "Dead to Self" and the left ankle says "Alive to Christ".

This summer I had the amazing experience of reading the book "Radical" by David Platt.  I HIGHLY recommend it (and who knows, maybe you'll come away with some other permanent body art after reading it too!;) ).  The book breaks down the core of Christianity and how a Christian should live... from finances, missions, reading the Bible, etc.  It was SO convicting and inspiring.  I have liked tattoos for a long time and wanted one for a while, I just hadn't been able to think of something that I could truly commit to forever like that.  As I was nearing the end of the book I remembered someone I worked with in college who would write "Dead to Self, Alive to Christ" on their arm every day.  It was such an awesome and challenging reminder to me each time I saw that message.  And so, ding!  The tattoo light bulb went off and a few weeks later, viola!  My now new ankles.

The point of this tattoo is three-fold:

1.  It's such a challenging and great reminder to constantly have on me.  Almost like a "WWJD" bracelet except there's no taking it on and off... it's on me alllll the time.  No matter what problems, temptations, or sufferings I go through in my life I cannot escape this message from God, to live to Him and die to myself.  It truly has already influenced me as in moments of temper or pride I happen to glance down and let the Holy Spirit put me back in my place.

2.  It keeps me more accountable.  It's almost like driving a car with a Jesus Fish on it.  Suddenly we're driving better.  Now when I'm in the grocery store, at work, in a long line... I'm finding myself feeling more careful about how I'm treating people and behaving because who knows who's read my ankles?

3.  It's an awesome witnessing opportunity.  Suddenly the question "What's your tattoo?" is like asking "Share your faith with me!"


I recognize for some tattoos still carry a certain stigma, and some even view it as sin; but I know it would be premature, defensive, and wrong of me to come out swingin' from the Tattoo Closet.  So instead, I have desired this opportunity to explain my reasoning here and thank you for hearing my tattoo story.

I truly hope you don't think I've jumped off the spiritual cliff, fallen into the wrong crowd, or slipped off the sinful slope.  If you do, I encourage you to remember... I'm still me.  And I would love the opportunity to discuss it further with you!

So if this isn't your thing, that's totally fine!  I'm glad you listened to my story.  I just hope we can say, "Eh, that's not for me, but whatever", and not blame it on God and pretend like it's His rule. I've heard arguments and read articles that seem to merely whip verses out of context (like Leviticus 19:28) and preach principles that we don't really follow anyways (like "it has some health risks"... well so does driving and cheese pizza...).  Maybe instead we can accept and respect our differences in such areas.

One of the other neat thoughts to me is that one day I will die and leave this body and my tattoos.. and then, when my soul has begun it's new and eternal state in heaven, my body left behind will present a message still that will be truer then then it ever was.... "Dead to Self, Alive to Christ"!

Resolution

Recently, and in honor of the New Year, I heard a song called "I Then Shall Live".  It is sung to the tune of "Be Still My Soul", but there are different words written by Gloria Gaither.  The words impacted me very strongly, especially when staring down a brand new year.  The message of this song reflects my resolutions for 2011.

I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven;
I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am His child, and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, Ill forgive another;
The law of love I gladly will obey.


I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion;
I’ve been so loved that I'll risk loving too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;
I'll dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment,
Then I'll be there to care and follow through.


Your kingdom come around and through and in me,
Your power and glory, let them shine through me.
Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor,
And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world through me.

What's the Problem? Part 3, Conclusion

Of these two scenarios  I see three main sad commonalities in the responses:


1.  Both contain uninvolved people who loudly and clearly spread exaggerated and untrue statements.  It's like the saying goes, "People who know the least about something, know it the loudest."

2.  In both, the complainers forget about what truly matters.  And the "what" is actually a "who"-  the children.  The children are the point of both scenarios- the Deaf children in our program, and all children in the public school systems.  The complainers sure do get all upset, yet they forget to show the burden for the children.  Maybe you disagree with me at this point and claim that concern for the children is truly the point of the complaints in both scenarios.  Then I would again ask why there is no stepping up to be a part of a solution?  Why people complain about the public schools but don't show up at the prayer walks (See "Public Schools" in Embarassed -Part 2), and aren't involved in any ministries in the schools?  Why people who complain about our county's Deaf Ed. program aren't coming along side to help improve it?  No, if it truly was about the children then these people wouldn't be only complaining, they would be taking action.

3. Often the people who complain about both these areas also insist that the response should be one of getting out.  For example, these Christians often say that our Christian kids should never be sent to the public schools and Christians shouldn't work there.  People who complain about our Deaf Ed. program also say that interpreters who have credentials should get out of this county and go to that near-by state.  To these suggestions I say this:  Well, that's when you'll have the problem.  That's what would really be the demise of these areas.  Take out all the Christian lights from the public schools and that's when you can watch the darkness win.  Take the credentialed interpreters out of the county and that's when you'll have a lousy program.  And again, then the children will be the ones to suffer.  I mean really, how do you think that by running away, that will make things better?  But that's just it- the interest is not in making the problem better; they're merely concerned about making points, keeping their noses up, and being outraged.

There's a philosophy out there that says, "If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem."  I don't agree with this view.  There are so many problems in this world that is just not possible to be a part of every solution.  So, that is not the philosophy I'm pushing in this series.

What I am saying is that if you are all worked up about a problem to the point that you are complaining a lot about it to plenty of people, then you better be a part of a solution.  Merely griping about something does not mean that you truly care.  In fact, it really says you don't.

Maybe this blog seems harsh, and maybe it is.  But I've gotta tell ya, I'm over it.  Please, if you see a problem either, pray up and step up, or pray up and hush up.

There needs to be a greater vision- a focus on the bigger picture.  And unfortunately, that vision usually means getting involved and putting in some elbow grease.  But boy, if we could do that instead of simply whining, what a different world it would be, 

What's the Problem? Part 2

Of these two scenarios that I mentioned, I want to focus more now on the second.  As I explained, I have personally heard so many negative comments against the public schools and experienced many people's attacking of them.  Often these have to do with the public schools not teaching creation but instead teaching evolution, not allowing prayer, and other aspects that are not "Christian-like".  Unfortunately usually these complaints I hear are not presented as well explained arguments or thought out views; they are instead basic rants and quick-tongued insults.  Comments like "sending your kids to the public school is sending them to the pits of hell", or "Sending your kids to the public schools is like sending lambs to wolves" are such comments that infuriate me.

One specific situation I explained in my blog "Prayer, Alcohol, and Halloween".  Some more thoughts on this and the general complaining I described above:

~I know that we would love to have a perfect Christian country where we all believe the same and share the same faith.  That will be heaven; this is now.  The public schools are just that.  We do have Christian schools in our country, so if you'd like the Bible read, Jesus taught, and prayer, then the option is out there.

~Check your facts.  I've heard comments like "They don't allow prayer in the public schools..."  Not true.  Such general and vague comments like these cause complete misunderstandings and misnomers.  Children are free to pray in the public schools, teachers and staff just may not lead them in prayer.

~Speak only for what you truly know.  For example, I can speak and know a lot about the county I'm employed in, however I cannot speak for all public schools everywhere.  Neither can you, and if you are not truly involved in any public school than you really can't speak for any of them at all.

~What if everything you wanted of Christianity in the public schools was another religion- and it was prayers to another god and another faith being taught.  How would you feel about that?  That's how unbelievers feel about Christianity in the public schools.  Whether you agree or disagree, try to sympathize.

~If you do decide to homeschool your kids or send them to Christian school because of your concerns with the public schools, then please keep your mouth quiet about the public schools.  You have opted out, so please do so.  Your kids are "safe", so really, why the outrage? 

~If the outrage is because you're sure the public schools are just one more area that is pulling this country down, then DO something about it.  That is my main point in this blog- if you are so worked up about something and feel there is so much danger going on then STEP UP and do something.  Saying, tweeting, facebooking your gripes and worries do no good.  You might say "Oh, I'm creating awareness about what's going on".  So what?  Creating awareness about a "problem" but doing nothing to then create a solution is pointless and weak.  I greatly respect Christians who are involved in Good News Clubs, KidVenture, and other ministries in public schools.  The options are out there and access to Jesus can be shared in the public schools through these venues.  You CAN get plugged in, if you so choose. If not, then please stop complaining; it's not truly that important to you.

What's the Problem?

One of the most flabbergasting things to me is when people get all outraged and fired up about something, complaining loud and clear to anyone and everyone, but never take any steps be a part of a solution; and in fact they think the appropriate response is to then distance themselves as much as possible from the problem. 

To explain what I mean I will specifically share two situations.

First of all, each state has different regulations and requirements for their educational interpreters.  The state that I am employed in has very little requirements, unfortunately.  The state near us has high requirements.  These are just facts.

The county I am employed in is very close to this other state.  I am personally thrilled with my job, and have had countless positive experiences.  While I do wish stricter requirements were put in place, I recognize the great program that I work in, and the many more-than-qualified interpreters I work with.  I am there for the children, anyway, above all.

Sadly, I have known people who have relentlessly verbally torn my county apart and view it as the pits of Deaf educational programs.  They seemingly forget that these are state, not county, laws. 

What bothers me the most is there are those of these who complain who have actually never entered one of the schools in this county and truly know nothing of our program specifically.  Yet they are the ones who seem to speak the loudest.  What also bothers me is that they have put forth zero effort to be a part of any solution or change.  They truly just want to complain and have something to talk bad about.

The second specific area is that of the public schools.  I have personally heard so much complaining about and attacking of the public schools by Christians that I am truly sick of it.  Again, my frustration stems from a lack of involvement by these complainers to be a part of any solution and a loss of true understanding and greater vision. Another main reason the public school bashing bothers me is that it is bashing the location of my job as well as my personal mission field.

In this short series, I will explain further the commonalities I see in these two situations in the ways of responses, misunderstandings, and a loss of greater vision.  I hope you will stick with me and possible reconsider some problems you may be able to handle better.

Giving thanks, for everything.

This last Tuesday night our church had a "usual" Thanksgiving service, full of special music, songs of thanks, and a sermon on being thankful.

But there was nothing usual about this service.

You see, it was in honor of a local Pastor named Joe Miller who's body is full of cancer and according to the doctors only has a few months to live.  He is in our human view, way too young to be so close to dying. This man is the one who preached the sermon for this Thanksgiving service; it was as far as we know, his last sermon he preached.

Let me tell you, when someone says to thank God for everything, the good and the bad, in all circumstances, it tends to go in one ear, I nod and smile, then out my other ear it goes.  But when a man who is going through all that Joe is going through says that, I listen up.  Boy, did I listen up.

Joe shared with us that God IS good and He can bring good out of EVERY situation if we let Him and follow Him and keep praising Him.  I know he meant it- I know he believed it. This man is definitely living what he's preaching as he's dying.

I encourage you to listen to his own words from him here.  It was a powerful and challenging reminder for this Thanksgiving and for all the time.  God is good!

Prayer, Alcohol, and Halloween.

Prayer:

Recently, one of our area high school's decided to cancel leading in prayer before their football games because a student complained about them. Of course, Christians are outraged, and I'm sure I am just supposed to be as well. But my outrage is actually directed towards the Christians in this situation. While I will further explain my view in a following blog series called "What's the Problem?", for now let me leave these few thoughts:

~I used to interpret high school football games, and once I asked why they prayed before them. I was told it was for good luck.  I wonder to how many people these prayers are indeed merely good luck charms. So what are we really losing? If these people don't even know or believe in God, then were they really even praying? Were they even being heard?

~Think about what exactly our "voice" as Christians is to the public school system. Are we known as loving, helpful, giving, kind? Or are we just known as gripers?

~What's the goal? Sure, fight it and force people to say a prayer, but what does that really do? Do we want them to truly pray, or just go through a motion to appease an angry crowd?

~You can still keep praying if they don't lead in it. Just like we see the example of Daniel in the Bible- I don't see Daniel leading any protests or making angry speeches, he just keeps on praying.

~What if this school was leading a different religion's rituals before the football game? Would you be on the other side wanting removal as well?

Halloween:

I don't know all of the ins and outs of the history of Halloween, and as I don't have kids yet, I have not had to personally formulate my own full philosophy on it. I do know that some Christians are against Halloween and view it as sort of a Satanic day. I must say, again without fully studying the history, that my view of the here-and-now Halloween is not so harsh. I am not a fan of making light of the spirit world or demons, but do feel that Halloween now has many other aspects to it.

Often church's do what is known as a "Trunk or Treat" where family's set up cars in the church's parking lot and give out candy there. It is a great way to promote safety on Halloween as well as be an outreach to the community as neighborhood kids are invited to come. Surprisingly to myself, I know Christians who are even against this. Some churches who this year had Trunk or Treats on Sunday night also then had regular services inside for those who didn't approve of nor want to be a part of the trunk or treat.

One question that bugs me is this: If Halloween is indeed such a deep, dark, demonic day then shouldn't the last place Christians be is sitting in their comfy pews? Or hiding in their houses with their porch lights off? It just isn't consistent to me to hear people's outrage over it being such a sinful, Satanic day yet they just sit back and criticize without doing a thing to shed a light. I mean if they truly believe what they say, shouldn't they be out in those parking lots loving on those children? Or heading through the neighborhoods sharing Jesus and fighting against this darkness?

Alcohol:

I greatly enjoyed a sermon preached at my church a couple weeks ago. It asked the overall question of whether or not we are following Jesus or following traditions. One specific issue discussed was alcohol. The point was clearly preached that while the Bible does speak against drunkenness it does not condemn drinking alcohol. And while there are important principles to use, one cannot honestly say that drinking in itself is a sin. One of my favorite lines was "We cannot blame God for our rules."

I am very tired of Christians condemning something that the Bible never does, while at the same time treating lightly areas that the Bible does clearly condemn. For example, we almost condone gluttony. In the book of Proverbs there are indeed warnings against drunkenness (not drinking, but drunkenness) and with these warnings often hand in hand are warnings against gluttony and the warning that we should not be given over to our appetite. I'm sure a lot of Christians would freak out if someone walked in to church with a Bud light, yet we joke about being "good Baptists" because of our love for food and ability to eat a lot.

If we are going to condemn all drinking because it is "addictive, unhealthy, and expensive" (as I've often heard) then we better also condemn pizza. My point is, know your Bible, and what clear-cut rules it gives and what rules it does not give. Also remember, "In the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you." (Matt. 7:2)

Feeling Critical?

I read a devotional entitled "Beware of Criticizing Others" by Oswald Chambers from his book "My Utmost for His Highest". It was so well said and so convicting, I had to share at least most of it.

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"The average Christian is the most piercingly critical individual known. Criticism is one of the ordinary activities of people, but in the spiritual realm nothing is accomplished by it. The effect of criticism is the dividing up of the strengths of the one being criticized. The Holy Spirit is the only one in the proper position to criticize, and He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding.



Criticism serves to make you harsh, vindictive, and cruel, and leaves you with the soothing and flattering idea that you are somehow superior to others. You must constantly beware of anything that causes you to think of yourself as a superior person.



There is no escaping the penetrating search of my life by Jesus. If I see a little speck in your eye, it means that I have a plank in my own (Matt. 7:3-5). Every time I judge, I condemn myself (Romans 2:17-24). Stop having a measuring stick for other people. There is always at least one more fact, which we know nothing about, in every person's situation. The first thing God does is to give us a thorough spiritual cleansing. After that, there is no possibility of pride remaining in us. I have never met a person I could despair of, or lose all hope for, after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God."

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Cum Laude

So it's been a couple weeks since I blogged, but this time I have a really good excuse. I was busy graduating college (can i get a *woot woot*?!)

Throughout the past let's-just-say-more-than-the-usual-4-years of college, there's certainly not one step that has been easy. My first college proved too expensive for my budget. Since I wasn't a preacher's kid nor a preacher-to-be, it was clear any grants or scholarships from the private college itself wasn't gonna happen. Since I was really from PA and this college was in IA, the state and country offered only loans. No grants/scholarships for outsiders. Throughout that experience, it became increasingly frustrating to me that while I strived and succeeded to get great grades, there were too many other "factures" that left me disqualified.

So on to the next college I went. A community college that while remaining much more in my comfort zone of finances also offered the new world of sign language to me. This then offered me the world of Sign Language Interpreting, and hence, my call.

A crystal clear call from God to me. Calling and burdening me with a love for the Deaf Community.

With one college transfer under my belt, why not spring for another? Ya see, with this new call from God came a new predicament. The community college was not going to train me for ministry. And while its own program was shaky and uncertain, I was already knowing I needed to seek another. One that would train me for Deaf Ministry.

Hence, Tennessee Temple University- the university I just, and finally, graduated from.

Scraping pennies to make it through yet another private school, I made it- working full time as well through it all. Not easy, but God's grace is more than enough.

And, through it all, I managed a 3.6 GPA. These grades that I had worked so hard for, but had never been enough in themselves to qualify me for any financial help, would now earn me one piece of recognition.

Cum Laude.

I was so excited for that yellow honors sash to wear with my gown! So excited for the star by my name in the program!

But, alas.

I found out that because I had not taken quite 60 credits at this last college of mine, that I could not be given Cum Laude nor the yellow sash. Sure, the grades matched. But yet again, there were other stipulations. Stipulations that despite my hard work made me still not quite good enough.

And so I looked as the yellow sashes were handed to many others, but not me. I looked at my name without stars. And I cried, a lot.

Because, you see, it was just so unfair. Transferring colleges and moving to TN was one of the hardest things I'd ever done. And I had transferred TO this school, yet they were punishing me for that. Still not counting me as one of their own. All those long nights of studying and slaving for what felt like nothing.

From this disappointing and heartbreaking experience that I know will mean nothing in a few years, I found a couple spiritual lessons that have been soothingly on my heart:

1. God knows the whole story: He will not gyp us. He won't throw out any surprise dumb rules that all the sudden make what we accomplished not good enough. He knows our hearts and hard work; He knows the whole story. And God is fair.

2. God knows the whole story: Deja vu? Sure. But the second way to apply this is to remember that indeed God does know everything. Yikes, huh? I mean sure I can pat myself on the back and think "Whew, at least God knows that great thing I did!" But then you have the "Oops..." How many times in private do we do/think/say things that we would hide from people, but forget that God witnesses? He knows our hearts; He knows the whole story. And God is fair.

The Modern Day Good Samaritan

Ok, I know it's been another long lag in my blogging life, however I have been quite busy getting ready for my college graduation (more on that later:) ). So that's a good excuse, right?

Ah, so anyways.

In case you missed this news story, here's the basic gist from The Associated Press:

"NEW YORK -- The homeless man lay face down, unmoving, on the sidewalk outside an apartment building, blood from knife wounds pooling underneath his body.

One person passed by in the early morning. Then another, and another. Video footage from a surveillance camera shows at least seven people going by, some turning their heads to look, others stopping to gawk. One even lifted the homeless man's body, exposing what appeared to be blood on the sidewalk underneath him, before walking away.

It wasn't until after the 31-year-old Guatemalan immigrant had been lying there for nearly an hour that emergency workers arrived, and by then, it was too late. Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax -- who police said was stabbed while intervening to help a woman being attacked -- had died." Read the whole story here.


Back in the day, Jesus taught us -er, tried to teach us- a lesson with a similar story:
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Luke 10:30-37
Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
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Some key points to remember:
1. If this was written about America today, it would probably say "Christian preacher" or something like that instead of "priest". Yeah, he is one who kept walking. Oh, and same with the Levite- he'd pretty much be your modern day Christian layman.
2. Also if written today, this Good Samaritan would NOT be translated as a "Good Christian". Probably would be something like the "Good Atheist" etc. Basically, I'm just letting you know that "we" Christians were not picked to be the hero in the parable, but pretty much the opposite case; and I'm guessing that would be the same role we'd get today.
3. Jesus asks who was really the neighbor. This was all spurred on from his command to "Love your neighbor as yourself". Remember how critical this command is for a true Christian to live out? Jesus calls it his "second greatest command" (Matthew 22:39), and we are also told that people will know us by our love (John 13:35). And of course, don't forget 1 Corinthians 13.
4. Sadly, in the current New York story, there really was no Good Samaritan.

No, I'm not Catholic, but...

...I am practicing Lent this year. Usually when people have found out about this they look at me pretty confused thinking something along the lines of, "I thought you were a Baptist chick??" Yes, I go to a Baptist church. But, it's not a box that I am in.

And while Lent is often associated only with Catholicism, Lutherans, Methodists, and Anglicans recognize Lent just as strongly. And previous to the Protestant Reformation, all Christian groups practiced Lent just as strongly. Lent is still currently viewed as a general Christian practice.

Christian... what a marvelous term. One that does not depend on where you go to church or what denomination you claim. Now, hear me correctly here: I am not Catholic, and it is because of some very strong differences in belief. Hear me correctly again: I think a lot of Baptists will go to hell and a lot of Catholics will go to heaven.

Basically, where you go after you die doesn't depend on where you went to church when you were alive. But more on that later.

Yes, I am practicing Lent. Here are some reasons:

~ It gives me an early focus and preparation for the Easter celebration. Easter is by far my favorite time of year. What a beautiful, amazing day full of opportunity to celebrate Jesus' resurrection! As it leads up to that precious day, I find a period of self-denial to be more than appropriate. I mean one thought of self-pity at what I gave up just gives God more opportunity to remind me of how much His Son gave up for me.

~ I find that self-denial is crystal clear in the Bible as being much more than a good thing. Often, it's a must. Too often we get used to getting what we want, when we want it, how we want it. So it takes some extra effort on our part to experience self-denial. In the Bible we see examples of many including Jesus Himself who go through periods of fasting, wilderness experiences, and other practices similar in heart to Lent.

~ Not getting what we want often leaves a vacuum. At Lent, it's a great way to give up something to create that vacuum for the sole purpose of God filling it. So with the self-control comes a greater need to pray and depend on God. Through the sacrifice comes praise and realization at just how much we do have. And through the self-denial we get to put into action our beliefs on self-discipline.

I am not Catholic. I believe very strongly with Baptists' doctrines. But that doesn't mean that I can't look at another denomination and learn from them and find value in some of their practices.

I am a Baptist, but not in a box.

And I am practicing Lent.