Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Taking a Stand
Thought I'd share an email I sent to MSNBC this morning. As the saying goes... If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.
I am sad to say I am extremely disappointed in Today’s decision to air an excerpt of a Lady Gaga video as a promo for her upcoming Today show appearance. I am not a Lady Gaga fan nor do I have anything against the entertainer. However, I was shocked to see a video clip of her erotically grinding her “nether region” on someone and kissing another woman. Why on earth would you air this promo at 9:30 AM EST? I’m not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, however, my toddler son was in the living room standing in front of the TV with my husband when this aired. If he were any older I would have some serious explaining to do.
Consider this your one and only warning, Today. I’ve been a faithful viewer for decades, however, I will not allow your blatant disregard for family values to infiltrate my home. It’s hard enough to instill morals and values in our children today and I certainly will not allow you to further enhance an already-monumental challenge
I am sad to say I am extremely disappointed in Today’s decision to air an excerpt of a Lady Gaga video as a promo for her upcoming Today show appearance. I am not a Lady Gaga fan nor do I have anything against the entertainer. However, I was shocked to see a video clip of her erotically grinding her “nether region” on someone and kissing another woman. Why on earth would you air this promo at 9:30 AM EST? I’m not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, however, my toddler son was in the living room standing in front of the TV with my husband when this aired. If he were any older I would have some serious explaining to do.
Consider this your one and only warning, Today. I’ve been a faithful viewer for decades, however, I will not allow your blatant disregard for family values to infiltrate my home. It’s hard enough to instill morals and values in our children today and I certainly will not allow you to further enhance an already-monumental challenge
Thursday, April 29, 2010
What a Wonderful World it would be
I’m reading my way through the Bible for the second time and this morning’s reading was the book of Joel, a prophetic book about God’s judgment. Joel also speaks much about the day of the Lord and the final cosmic battle between good and evil. After I finished the heavy reading of this book I felt I needed a little pick-me-up so I began to thumb through the New Testament. I came across the following verses.
What beautiful thoughts and words to carry forth into the day. As I reflect on this passage I can’t help but think of what a wonderful world it would be if everyone followed this directive. God truly has given us life’s instruction manual in His Word. We just fail to follow His instructions.
I’m going to print out this passage and display it prominently in front of me today—no matter where I am. I intend to keep it in my line of vision so I will have a constant reminder to encourage, help, be patient, be kind, be joyous, be prayerful and most of all be thankful—in all things. Care to join me? Maybe together we can indeed make the world a more wonderful place.
1 Thessalonians 5:14-18
14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
What beautiful thoughts and words to carry forth into the day. As I reflect on this passage I can’t help but think of what a wonderful world it would be if everyone followed this directive. God truly has given us life’s instruction manual in His Word. We just fail to follow His instructions.
I’m going to print out this passage and display it prominently in front of me today—no matter where I am. I intend to keep it in my line of vision so I will have a constant reminder to encourage, help, be patient, be kind, be joyous, be prayerful and most of all be thankful—in all things. Care to join me? Maybe together we can indeed make the world a more wonderful place.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Remembering in the Wilderness
Wow! Talk about a timely message. The following devotional was in my Inbox this morning. How apropos! But then again God is amazing like that. Absolutely perfect... (And yes, in reading the Old Testament I've thought these exact thoughts about the children of Israel.)
remembering in the wilderness
remembering in the wilderness
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
So Much to Say
I have so much to say, so many things God has laid upon my heart that I’m not even sure where to begin. I’ve posted ad nauseam this year about challenges my family are facing. The “talking points” God has placed on my heart relate to these challenges. Perhaps God has someone specific in mind to benefit from this blog entry.
Let me just say again that the economy is kicking our tails. I’m so tired of thinking, let alone talking/writing, about it but I feel a need to preface what I’m going to write. We have seen a dramatic downturn in our business revenue and therefore, our personal income. Don’t get me wrong, we continue to be blessed beyond measure compared to many. Our company’s doors are still open and God continues to bring business through them, however, we have had to be very creative in reworking our operational budgets—corporately and personally. This is an on-going, constant project. The stress of this is overwhelming. We never seem to get away from it. It is present when we wake up, throughout the day, when we’re trying to relax at day’s end, when we go to bed and unfortunately when we are sleeping. It definitely takes a toll on us.
It gives me great joy to say it has not taken a toll on our family life. Our situation has opened our eyes as to how much excess we truly had. There is no shopping unless it is for Jackson, and even that is only at consignment stores. Thankfully they are plentiful in Palm Beach County. As for entertainment—it is non-existent outside of our home. If it costs money, we don’t do it. We don’t dine out. We don’t attend events. We don’t travel. Much as I’d like to, I don’t join the costly mother and child activity groups. Yet our recreation is plentiful. We cannot believe how much richer our lives are for this. Another unexpected yet cherished by-product of these trying times is that our marriage is stronger. I know this is usually not the case. Financial stress has been the death knell for many previously-healthy relationships. We give God the glory for bringing us closer together. A great analogy would be that of people adrift in the ocean on a life raft. My husband and I are huddled together, better yet clinging together, for strength and security. Praise God!
Yet despite these positive turns, life is stressful and most days I forget just how faithful God has been and is. I had this realization in church Sunday. We had our final, one-year post-placement adoption visit with our social worker Saturday. I was a nervous wreck for our first and even second post-placement visits but I hardly gave this visit a second thought. We sailed through the visit, talking to the social worker like she was a neighbor. No stress. No worry. We just chatted and laughed. And I never took the time to appreciate that until singing a song in church Sunday. God hit me over the head with that realization. I had stopped appreciating all the good things in life that happen every single day. Shame on me. I’ve become so caught up in the worry and stress that I stopped living. My life had become joyless.
I really focused on this realization this morning in my prayer time and in response God showered me—literally—with memories of all of the wonderful and wondrous things he has done in my life over the years. The memories just flooded over me. In my mind I could see struggles I’ve had over the years, but they were visually small—like looking through a pinhole. And I could see blessings and answers to prayers and they were larger than life! I really believe God was reminding me that the struggles we’re facing right now will be overshadowed yet again with amazing blessings—if we just keep our focus on Him and let Him work within us, refining us. He is glorified in this—in all things—good and bad. Always! It is imperative that we never, ever lose sight of His sovereignty.
Be blessed, whoever you are. Please don’t let your life be joyless. Find joy in everything, in ever blessing—no matter how great or how small, and remember to give God the glory. He wants only good things for you.
Let me just say again that the economy is kicking our tails. I’m so tired of thinking, let alone talking/writing, about it but I feel a need to preface what I’m going to write. We have seen a dramatic downturn in our business revenue and therefore, our personal income. Don’t get me wrong, we continue to be blessed beyond measure compared to many. Our company’s doors are still open and God continues to bring business through them, however, we have had to be very creative in reworking our operational budgets—corporately and personally. This is an on-going, constant project. The stress of this is overwhelming. We never seem to get away from it. It is present when we wake up, throughout the day, when we’re trying to relax at day’s end, when we go to bed and unfortunately when we are sleeping. It definitely takes a toll on us.
It gives me great joy to say it has not taken a toll on our family life. Our situation has opened our eyes as to how much excess we truly had. There is no shopping unless it is for Jackson, and even that is only at consignment stores. Thankfully they are plentiful in Palm Beach County. As for entertainment—it is non-existent outside of our home. If it costs money, we don’t do it. We don’t dine out. We don’t attend events. We don’t travel. Much as I’d like to, I don’t join the costly mother and child activity groups. Yet our recreation is plentiful. We cannot believe how much richer our lives are for this. Another unexpected yet cherished by-product of these trying times is that our marriage is stronger. I know this is usually not the case. Financial stress has been the death knell for many previously-healthy relationships. We give God the glory for bringing us closer together. A great analogy would be that of people adrift in the ocean on a life raft. My husband and I are huddled together, better yet clinging together, for strength and security. Praise God!
Yet despite these positive turns, life is stressful and most days I forget just how faithful God has been and is. I had this realization in church Sunday. We had our final, one-year post-placement adoption visit with our social worker Saturday. I was a nervous wreck for our first and even second post-placement visits but I hardly gave this visit a second thought. We sailed through the visit, talking to the social worker like she was a neighbor. No stress. No worry. We just chatted and laughed. And I never took the time to appreciate that until singing a song in church Sunday. God hit me over the head with that realization. I had stopped appreciating all the good things in life that happen every single day. Shame on me. I’ve become so caught up in the worry and stress that I stopped living. My life had become joyless.
I really focused on this realization this morning in my prayer time and in response God showered me—literally—with memories of all of the wonderful and wondrous things he has done in my life over the years. The memories just flooded over me. In my mind I could see struggles I’ve had over the years, but they were visually small—like looking through a pinhole. And I could see blessings and answers to prayers and they were larger than life! I really believe God was reminding me that the struggles we’re facing right now will be overshadowed yet again with amazing blessings—if we just keep our focus on Him and let Him work within us, refining us. He is glorified in this—in all things—good and bad. Always! It is imperative that we never, ever lose sight of His sovereignty.
Ecclesiastes 7:14
When times are good be happy; but when times are bad, consider God has made the one as well as the other.
Psalm 40:5
Many, Oh LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them they would be too many to declare.
Be blessed, whoever you are. Please don’t let your life be joyless. Find joy in everything, in ever blessing—no matter how great or how small, and remember to give God the glory. He wants only good things for you.
Jeremiah 29:11
“…For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…”
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Reconciling
I’ve been having a tough time lately reconciling the mundane “concerns” of my (family’s) life against the true trials and tribulations of life as a whole. I’ve wrestled with this dichotomy before, but it really struck me yesterday as I was trying to remedy the underarm stains of my husband’s dress shirts. I don’t mean to trivialize his problem. Really, I don’t. His appearance and presentation are direct representations of our business. The bottom line is this: the typical person judges man’s outward appearance. Period. If my husband doesn’t look his best, people may not want to do business with him. This is a sad but true fact.
As I was lamenting the best and most cost-effective way to treat the stains (which ironically occurred because the manufacturer felt the need to “improve” the antiperspirant formula) it really struck me that this absolutely has to be at the bottom of the “life’s most important things” list. There are people around the world and around the corner who are homeless, starving, dying, losing their homes, being exploited, victimized and abused—and we’re worried about underarm stains. Even writing this makes me sick to my stomach.
Where and how do we begin to make a difference? Some of you who are reading this know I’ve written in this vein before. This overwhelming feeling of inadequacy is not new to me. If anything, I’ve become even more aware of the disparate circumstances of humankind. I’ve read some great books as of late regarding our call as Christians to serve others so it’s fair to say the Holy Spirit is working within me, prompting me to get out and do something. I’ve been tossing some ideas around in my head—possible ways to raise monies to support causes near and dear to my heart. These are, of course, mostly causes that provide some manner of care for orphans.
I’ll keep you posted as to what transpires. As a matter of fact, be prepared because I just may come to you for support for a cause or two. Until then, I guess I will have to find a way to reconcile our family's simple yet abundant blessings— health, love, food, shelter, clothing, safety, freedom—to the poverty that truly isn’t that far removed from our lives.
As I was lamenting the best and most cost-effective way to treat the stains (which ironically occurred because the manufacturer felt the need to “improve” the antiperspirant formula) it really struck me that this absolutely has to be at the bottom of the “life’s most important things” list. There are people around the world and around the corner who are homeless, starving, dying, losing their homes, being exploited, victimized and abused—and we’re worried about underarm stains. Even writing this makes me sick to my stomach.
Where and how do we begin to make a difference? Some of you who are reading this know I’ve written in this vein before. This overwhelming feeling of inadequacy is not new to me. If anything, I’ve become even more aware of the disparate circumstances of humankind. I’ve read some great books as of late regarding our call as Christians to serve others so it’s fair to say the Holy Spirit is working within me, prompting me to get out and do something. I’ve been tossing some ideas around in my head—possible ways to raise monies to support causes near and dear to my heart. These are, of course, mostly causes that provide some manner of care for orphans.
I’ll keep you posted as to what transpires. As a matter of fact, be prepared because I just may come to you for support for a cause or two. Until then, I guess I will have to find a way to reconcile our family's simple yet abundant blessings— health, love, food, shelter, clothing, safety, freedom—to the poverty that truly isn’t that far removed from our lives.
Galations 6:2
Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)