Teen Pregnancy - Fad or Fate

While taking a break for lunch today, I was catching up on the headlines and read an article on Bristol Palin. You know, the center of controversy for Gov. Sarah Palin's VP run?

As a recap, Bristol is the eldest daughter of the Palin's and during the candidacy, she was a hot topic issue - teen pregnancy. News outlets across the globe worked tirelessly to tarnish the image and reputation of a politician at the expense of a child. I know, another great showing for the media. Way to go!!!

Anyway, Ms. Bristol has recently given birth to a healthy baby boy named Tripp and she's engaged to the father. She claimed in an interview on Fox recently that it wasn't her mother's decision for her to keep the baby, it was her decision and she made it. Further, the father was in full support of both the baby and the upcoming marriage. Given sociological statistics, I think it would be best not to judge and just wait and see what happens in light of the coming attraction.

As a woman and a mother, I was impressed by both Gov. Palin as well as Bristol for their absorption of the ugly punches as well as the class they exuded during the campaign.

But in this recent article / interview, Bristol said something that (of course) would become the headline...she said she didn't believe that abstinence was realistic. Hmmm...interesting statement. I must admit that I have not been able to read the entire transcript from the interview, but of course the article does not say anything in line to why she said that, in what context and what else was said.

However, let's take this idea for a minute and play with it. Is abstinence, in this global community, really realistic? The side question for me on that, is whether or not the so-called educational systems excuse for "sex ed" is even working or simply a waste of time and resources? And if it is a waste, what are we missing as a society and Christians? What are we neglecting to visualize for the future?

As teenagers, which we've all been, we can all acknowledge the inarguable influence of not just peer pressure, but unabashed adolescent hormones. We've all tried and we know that hormones CANNOT be turned off no matter what anyone says or how much you love Jesus. But, can the mind really overcome the matter? Can the spirit/Spirit triumph over the temptation?

For many parents facing this issues today, they had experienced sexual activity during their teen years. Once you become a parent, your visualization changes, for arguably a number of reasons and you simply don't want your children falling in the same traps you did. But can we stop them? Can we control everything? Who sells chastity belts? Catch my drift.

I've meet wonderful Christian parents who established a loving and moral home for their children and did everything one can imagine right in raising their children. But, their children still made their own decisions, good and bad. I have also witnessed what some may say are horrible parents, the worst of influences imaginable. And yet, their children grew up making the right choices, some even ending up abstinent until marriage.

What then are the sociological, psychological and theological factors thus involved? Is teen pregnancy not just something for our crazed popular culture or did it indeed exist since the beginning of time? After all, every generation has their fare share of teen pregnancy's in and out of marriage...so where is the standard, the moral, the idea? Are girls in the spotlight like Bristol Palin, Jamie Lynn Spears or the Massachusettes pregnancy pact creating a recent fade of teen pregnancies? Or is it that new car syndrome, where once you buy a new car, you suddenly see that car everywhere? So, we become brutalized by the media through one teen pregnancy story and now we notice all teen pregnancy stories? So I ask you, Fad or Fate?

We were created inherently good, yet born with sin. So is it even avoidable to face sexual activity and teen pregnancy?

I think humans intend well with everything. I think there are astringent socio and psychological issues involved in each situation and that we must be incredibly cautious when daring to judge on something that is not concrete but fluid in social context and realities. I believe that we all sin and do things we know aren't the best choices and some people end up with harder consequences as a result. I'd rather my teenage daughter (which I don't have by the way - just hypothetical) come to me with a pregnancy issue and wanting to keep the baby, than coming to me with HIV, wanting an abortion, other STD's, rape. At least I could have the peace that it was consensual and that babies are blessings irregardless the box they come in. I would be better equipped to deal with that than the other. Though I would find a way to work with the other, I would have more natural resources for the first.

I don't wish young sexual drama on anyone and I wish we could make our young people understand that...but did we listen at their age? So how do you confront this?

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USS Cole - Obama Say What??

Outraged. The bird is the word and the bird is Cuckoo!

While watching the news I heard something that outraged me. President Obama had issued an order to halt court proceedings on all prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, the Navy Detention Center which has been the center of many human rights issues over the last 8 years.

Unfortunately, one of those cases, was against the leader and head strategist behind the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000. This man, suspected Al Qaeda bomber Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, has thus had all charges against him, wait for it....DROPPED!

I believe in justice and I believe in innocent until proven guilty. However, the evidence against Mr. al-Nashiri, is indisputable. As I understand it, there is a possible opportunity to re-draw up charges against him, but...this will no doubt lead to a dangerous time of reprieve.

So my questions to you are: have you heard about this, what do you think, what have you heard and if you were advisor to the President, what would you tell him to do?

Praying for Health

My grandmother has been struggling with her health over the last couple of years. Today she is back in the hospital. I will tell you more of this wicked web of a story, but please say some prayers for her and for our family as we figure out how to proceed from here.

Tackling the Issues: Gun Control

Statement:
Now, gun control. I hate the argument, “guns don’t kill people, people kill people”. Of course that is correct in meaning that guns could not kill anyone unless someone pulls the trigger. However, guns provide a more lethal (and accessible) weapon than any that have been in existence. Biological warfare is even worse, but the average Joe can’t get his hands on it. You can’t argue the fact that the number of firearm homicides is more than double that of non-firearm homicides: In the US 64% on average over the last 30 years. (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/weapons.htm). Guns just make it easier for murderers to murder. Conclusion: If there were no guns, there would be far less, up to 12,700 less murders per year (based on averages since 1974). True some people would reach for a knife if they had no gun, but it takes a different kind of psycho to stab someone to death, not to mention more strength.

I know that taking firearms away from people by making them illegal would not get rid of all the guns. There are plenty out there that are not registered, due to the black market. But over a long time, if you start with the guns we know about, and then collect and remove guns being transported in the black market by taking them when they are used in crimes, slowly the number of guns will decrease and approach zero. Also, if you stop selling bullets, the guns in the black market will be useless to everyone who cannot make their own.

I have a plan that probably won’t work although I think it is striving for the very best scenario. Remove guns as described above, including all legally owned handguns, assault rifles, and any gun not used in hunting. As for the hunting rifles, those should be stored in “gun banks” which would be secured locations at entrances to hunting lease properties. Hunters can keep their own guns, stored in a locked secured safe at a “gun bank”. They must return their gun to the “gun bank” after their hunting trip is over. This should limit hunting rifles to hunting, and prevent them from being used in a homicide.

I know this will never happen. There are too many selfish people who would rather keep their weapon and allow the 12,700+ people on average per year to die. It is kind of like a selfish child. Telling the child to share and the child responding, “You can’t have it because it is mine.”

I also don’t buy the argument that guns make people safe. I can’t prove it, but I’ll bet having a gun makes people less safe at least as often as it makes them more safe. My reasoning: If an intruder enters your house, they usually are after your possessions. They don’t want to kill or hurt anyone. If you run downstairs with a gun after hearing them break a window, you are risking the lives of yourself, your family, and the intruder. You better hope you are “the fastest gun in the west” or he could shoot you before you even figure out where he is. Or if you are successful and shoot him before he shoots you there is a chance he does not die instantly. He can then shoot back at you and kill you or shoot wildly and hit your two year old son in his bed upstairs. Not worth the risk. Let him take your TV, call the police and everyone lives.

Argument / Response:
To start this off, you must understand that overall, I am fairly moderate in my political, social and spiritual viewpoints. What this means is two fold: 1) I believe in gray area and 2) I don’t believe that I have all the answers nor will I in this lifetime, so I leave room for a margin of error. I work very hard to keep my mind open to the varying degrees of life and I believe that things, on the whole but not entirely, are circumstantial. What may be a good solution for guns today, may not be the best solution for guns tomorrow or in the same fashion.

There are several things one must consider when looking at issues such as the one we are examining. To be frank, someone once told me that wisdom never includes statistics. Oddly enough, this came from a sociology professor whose class was peppered with statistics. Anyway, we must proceed with caution when using statistics. They are fine if they are treated for what they are and that is biased. An unbiased statistic is the essence of an oxymoron. Further, it is a rare occurrence when statistical sources notate the make and model of the focus group or collaborative sampling from the outset. It takes a great deal of motivation and research, in most cases, to find out the differential characteristics of those polled and then to look at the psycho-social, social and psychological factors that played therein and that were determined based on such factors as gender, race, socio-economic status, education, etc.

With that said, I have great respect for the fact you sourced a website that is probably as credible as one can get even though it is a government run agency. I tend to be a bit skeptical of motives behind certain agencies. As does most of the country these days. Pretty hard not to be that way with the economy in the status it is and governmental officials skirting the system. What are you going to do? There is corruption everywhere…just another reason to make sure you’re reading between the lines.

I come from a long line of card toting NRA members. I myself have been through hunters training courses and own my own gun. My husband has 8 guns, most of which he inherited from his grandfathers and great-grandfathers. These guns are used in two ways: 1) hunting and 2) for the simple enjoyment of skeet shooting and accuracy competitions. Some people choose to box for enjoyment and stress relief. Others enjoy going to a gun range and shooting clay pigeons. I, for one, like to shoot the gun target practice…meaning; I like to work on my accuracy…not so I can become an amateur sniper shooter.

My father enrolled me in a hunter’s safety training course that was extensive, when I was 13. He did this for two reasons: 1) to help me understand the nature of guns and learn respect for them and 2) to attain my hunting license. In my home, it is a personal choice of mine not to obtain handguns. The sight of them scares me. It’s odd, but just my personal quirk. All guns have trigger locks and are kept in a locked and secure gun cabinet. If someone where to break into my home, even if my first thought was to protect myself with a gun, it would be a mute point because I would never logically have the time to run to Michael’s office, find his key to the gun cabinet and then find the right key (of 9) for one of the guns. And to be honest, I would probably end up defending myself in other ways. Nothing scares an armed robber like an inflatable bat from my son’s room.

Now that you have a little info on my history with guns, we can discuss my feelings towards gun laws.

I know you don’t like that line, “gun don’t kill people, people kill people,” but its true. It’s one of those stupid little “duh” lines…like no kidding. So I understand your reaction to it, but where is the inaccuracy? It’s the same thing with cars. Cars are dangerous. Look at the number of people killed every year in automobile accidents. Now compare that number to the number of deaths caused annually from gun incidents. The reality is, because statistics are skewed, that I have been able to find several sources claiming that gun deaths are higher but I’ve also been able to find stats that say auto deaths are higher. So, let’s say hypothetically that they are even. Should we outlaw cars because of their inherent risk? What about planes, buses, boats, trains, motorcycles?

Being a mother, I have had to learn really fast, that there is only so much I can protect my son from. I can roll him up in bubble wrap, but that’s not going to protect his feelings. I can dope him up on depression meds, but that’s not going to protect him physically. I can ban him from all sports, all physical outdoor and even indoor activities, refuse to let him watch any movies or television, limit the books he reads to foamy soft ones, cover my home in rubber…but what happens the minute he steps outside of my house? The best tool I have is to teach him how to be cautious, what ‘danger’ signs to look out for, raise him to be responsible for his actions and to always consider the well being of others in all that he does.

My problem is that I found many stats saying that gun violence is down, so we can argue that point until we’re blue in the face. The bottom line is that removing guns from the situation, is not fixing the situation. Do you not think that people outside of our “home” will get them in somehow? Further, we risk a much greater danger because now we’ve made them even MORE black-market than they are now. Look at the extreme violence currently taking place in Tijuana, Mexico. Guns are being illegally shipped in and out at a constant pace.

Another important factor is that we must look at the bigger picture. That is, guns will never go away. Whether this country ever agrees to banning them or not, is yet unseen. But if that day comes, violence will escalate exponentially. People will find a way to get them regardless. I also believe we are fools if we fail to learn from our history. So, lets take a look at prohibition. The outlawing of alcohol was mainly a moral issue that became a political issue that then became a national headache. For a little fun, take a look at crime statics during the time of prohibition. I think you might be shocked to see that violent crime (especially thanks to large mafia activity and grass roots cartel) increased.

I think we’d be making a huge mistake by banning guns and that is not a Republican position or a conservative position, but a Tiffany position. I’m not drinking anyone’s Kool-Aid…just researching and reading and then making my own educated opinions.

If we want to see a dramatic change in violent crime, its time we walk the talk. That doesn’t mean banning, it means teaching. We have to be intentional in regulation and in punishment to violent crime, and frankly, crime in general. If we compare the number of repeat offenders to the escalating degree of crime they commit, we shouldn’t be shocked. We arrest people for violent crime and though they may get sentenced to prison, they rarely serve out their entire sentence, or even close. Psychologically, most of these criminals have very telling psycho-DNA profiles, which show patterns to crime and violent behavior. Most criminals of violent crime come from violent family lives and lives of poverty. Even for those who did not come from poverty, there is almost always a history of violence, fear and abandonment in that person’s life.

So, we take this criminal and throw them in jail on a 20 to life murder sentence. With good behavior, our criminal is now back in society after only serving a 10-year sentence. The odds are unmistakably in their favor that they will commit another crime to bring them back to prison within 1-3 years. Why? We fail them. Yes they got themselves there, but then what did we do with them? We put them in a cage with a bunch of other animals and let them attack each other, sometimes kill each other. We don’t, with all the money we put in our prison systems, give attention to rehabilitation. Why are we not rehabilitating our prisoners? That’s the outrage. They came in criminals, where trained through survival techniques how to become even more violent and then without another word, we set them free on civilian society. That makes absolutely no sense. Rather, if we would rehabilitize the inmates with social skills, intense (and regulated) therapy, trades, education, etc., one’s release back in society could be a win/win. The criminal would have been taught life skills. They would have been dealt with in a manner that is stern but is one of grace.

I have two brother-in-laws in civil service and almost every man in my family and my husband’s family is a part of the military in one branch or another / one way or another. I have spent considerable time talking with these men about their views, their thoughts, what they’ve seen. My standpoint comes not from imagining what I don’t really know, but from the words of those who have been in times of war including several currently serving and those who are on the streets protecting the rest of us as police officers. If we created and properly regulate laws that mandate appropriate training (as I went through) in order to own a gun, that would be step one. To keep your “license to operate” (which could be created for all, not just those who are licensed to carry) you must attend a course on continuing education once a year or every two years. Guns can only be legally sold to those who have meet certain requirements, like those above and other requirements currently in effect in relation to criminal history, etc. Any violators must be disciplined and not let off the hook. Those put into the prison system, are thereby rehabilitated and now you’re devising a completely different cycle into mainstream society. Most gun owners would agree to this kind of compromise. The right to own a gun should be seen as a privilege for citizens, one that will be indefinitely revoked if laws are broken.

The problem is that you have to be very careful with how much control you give to the government. I’ll talk more about this when I answer your statement on the health system. The government was never created to ‘control’ those who live here. In fact, that’s why there is a U.S, because people wanted to escape from that. The governments roles is to serve, lead and protect. We need to seek justice in all its facets. If we were more concerned about achieving justice in areas of poverty, we would see a substantial decline in crime. Proven fact…what is the crime rate in an upper middle class suburban area compared to inner city Los Angeles? Ask any expert…poverty often leads to crime. And if the poor and poverty stricken can manage to get their hands on guns my husband and I couldn’t dream of affording, then what good is a ban going to do. Case in point – drugs. They’re illegal and banned. It hasn’t changed a thing. Where there is a will, there is a way. So we must stop focusing on this nonsensical ideology of banning guns…it won’t change the situation. Guns don’t kill people, people do. So if you take the guns away, you have only eliminated one weapon. But you haven’t done a thing for the violent mind.

Sorry this is so lengthy, but it’s simply not a two-sentence issue. With all do respect to you, I get it. Truly, I’m right there with you. I hate the way our world has become. I loathe the violence, the injustice, the environmental wasteland…the muck we’ve made of things. I’m in ministry because I have a deep love and respect for God, but also because I really, truly want to help make the world a better place. I want to feed the hungry, deliver medicine to the sick, comfort the lonely, house the homeless…and give hope to a world that often feels so lost. I know that most of my brothers and sisters in the Democratic Party, who include Summer (my best friend and godmother of my son) and several members of my family (who I love and respect), are wonderful people. They have huge hearts, are well educated and have only the best intentions for this country and our global community. What we face is a world of people who are inherently good, as we have been created to be so, who want to heal this world of the constant pain its in, but who disagree on how to go about. I care about violence as much as you do. I feel deeply the pain of people I know and have had the honor to have met who have suffered horrible acts of violence (rape, physical abuse, slavery) and even those who have suffered in the Rwandan genocide. Guns were the major weapons of choice in Rwanda and around the world. If we ban guns here, how does that change anything or help those in Bosnia and Rwanda avoid disasters in the future? We have to think bigger and globally. We can’t just safety proof our house…we have to make the world a safer place.

Ok…you get the drift. I’m exhausted. ☺ But I’m grateful for your ear and your open mind.

Tackling the Issues

Recently, I started talking with an old friend. This friend has challenged me to a debate...which I welcome and am excited about. Not only because it keeps my mind fresh to new ideas, but it gives me an extra reason to do personal research and come to conclusions on some of today's hot button topics.

Thus, I've decided to use those conversations as a new Coffee Talk Series called Tackling the Issues. Depending on the frequency of these debates with my friend, you will see recaps of his comments and then my responses posted here.

FUN FACTS
To add a little sugar and spice to the mix, this friend and I are polar opposites.

1. He's male. I'm female.
2. He lives in a largely liberal and urban community. I live in a small urban community in a largely conservative state.
3. He's a self described Atheist. I'm, well, in the ministry...so I kinda believe in God. :)
4. He's a ultra liberal, left wing Democrat. I'm a moderately conservative, registered Republican (who by the way, votes for the best candidate, not always the Republican).
5. He's an engineering major with major brain cells. I'm a women's studies major gone seminarian who knows how to look smart.
6. He's married. I'm married with a child.

What do we have in common: well, that's a long story, but in general, we went to high school together ions ago.

Let me tell you, thus far, this debate is shaping up to be quite something. Be sure to tune in and leave your two cents, no matter which way you feel your cookie crumbling. You'll know its part of the debate when it says Tackling the Issues: (Issue).

Is there a debate you want me to debate with my friend? Let me know. I'll see if we can't tackle it.

Disclosure: These are issues that get everyone riled up. Though my friend and are on own opposite 'teams' we have agreed to remain respectful, considerate and constructive. Understand, that I'm expecting the same from any comments we receive. I'm not for deleting comments, but for the well-being of all, make sure you follow the RCC code (respectful, considerate, constructive) when engaging in dialogue.

Alright...are you "Ready to Rumble?"

**Summer...my dear sweet lovable democratic best friend...you should pop in your two cents too.

What A Warnerful World

Click on the photo for more.

I recently received an email regarding the story of Kurt Warner, quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals. I have seen and heard things from Mr. Warner over the last several years that has really impressed me, but the story just keeps getting better. I had a hard time believing that an email story could possibly be 100% accurate, so I checked out a few sources and received the following from Snopes.com. This is a bit lengthy, but a beautiful story that will sure to lift your spirits, show you the light of Christ that is among all of us and maybe tip your scale in favor of those Cardinals for tonight's game. I bleed Bronco orange and blue, but...I'm going for the underdog and the guy with inspirational charisma.

*****************************************************************

The Ballad Of Brenda And Kurtis The Stock Boy

by Dashiell Bennett
January 28, 2009
Deadspin.com

Sports is a cold and cynical world, but its nice to know that uplifting tales of goodness can be found in the abyss. Oh, look... your mom just forwarded you an email from 1999!

For the second time this week, we have gotten the email chain about "Kurtis The Stock Boy and Brenda The Checkout Girl." It's the kind of thing you might read in a "Chicken Soup For The Arena Football Player's Soul" and it's popping up in inboxes and message boards all over the Western world this week. Here's some excerpts::

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.

Let's skip ahead to "KURTIS" and "BRENDA"'s first date, where she explains that she can't go, because she has two kids and the baby sitter canceled.

To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us." She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter Jessie, who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, Zachary in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome.

Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mindset.

Are you crying yet? It goes on like this....

When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.

Those two crazy kids got married and had five more babies of their own. Have you figured out ... the rest of ... the story?

So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona , where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals and has his Cardinals in the hunt for a possible appearance in the Super Bowl. Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person.

OMG I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! WHAT COULD POSSIBLY MAKE THIS STORY ANY BETTER?

Both Brenda and Kurt are active born-again Christians.

Yes, this email is not without a purpose, but surely it made the rounds before, when Kurt was leading the Rams to two Super Bowls. There's long been talk that his inspiring story will become a movie someday, but the real tragedy is that this cheesy email actually shortchanges the Warners, because almost all the details are incorrect and not as interesting as real life.

This internet legend has already been chronicled by Snopes.com, which breaks down the inaccuracies and points out how the true story is even more sad and inspiring. Brenda was never a checkout girl. She met Kurt when he was still in college and before his career took its unfortunate turn for the worse. (She actually stuck with him, despite his many football failures.) They were together five years before they got married, not one. Her son, Zachary, is actually her oldest child and he doesn't have Down's Syndrome. His birth father dropped him on his head when he was an infant, leading to brain damage and blindness. (The trauma of that incident let to the father leaving Brenda, while she was pregnant with her second child.) Also, left out: the tornado that killed Brenda's parents in 1996; the spider bite that cost Kurt a tryout with the Bears; and Brenda's first career as a freakin' Marine. This family [has]* perseverance.

So, yeah ... their story is pretty awesome—which is why I just assumed that everyone had already heard it before. But I guess maybe your great aunt just got her first MacBook so you should probably send it along just to be safe.

* word changed by Woman on a Mission to better suit her blog readers.

********************************************

For information on Kurt and Brenda Warner's First Things First Foundation, please visit www.kurtwarner.org.
Support your brothers and sisters who are doing things in the name of Christ!

Link to the Snopes article: http://www.snopes.com/glurge/warner.asp

ObamaNation

Is it just me, or does it seem as if the whole country has succumbed to Happy Hour at the "forget how to think for yourself" Obamanaide Brewery? It's an outrage. It's an ObamaNation...in more ways than one.

I am a vocal supporter of equality among God's people...which means, everyone on earth. There is no exclusive pass to Club Heaven and everyone is VIP; even those we don't see eye-to-eye with. Therefore, I'm incredibly touched and moved by the spirit of humanity that exists not only in our nation, but in the greater majority of our world. It is this spirit that has transcended all forms of hatred and persecution evident in our history, and has paved way for change, for something different. In this country, we have never seen a leader at the pinnacle of power who was anything but white and male. It must be acknowledged, that we as a human community have moved beyond the radical forms of cultural discrimination and have opened our minds and thus our world, to endless possibilities.

This country will no doubt have more white male presidents. It has certainly had many admirable ones. And we must appreciate, in the same manner of inclusivity, the value that the growing minority of white males, has. They too, even though demonized by mainstream society, have a valuable place in the human system. Additionally, we will no doubt see other men of color, varying heritage, backgrounds and beliefs, set foot into the most prestigious position of power and leadership in the world. It does of course make me wonder, about gender. Will women ever be truly embraced as not only plausible but impeccably providential leaders? And within that question, what can we as members of the human race, demand from ourselves in the heart of reason and future? One can argue that women are on the cusp of grasping the same reality that Obama and his fellow African-Americans just embraced. Maybe one day, we will see the tears of women flow as they watch the final ceiling shatter...maybe I can hope.

I am very aware of the barriers that the Obama presidency have crossed in terms of societal blockades. I'm pleased at the growth and evolution of the human mind and the spirit of our God given humanity and compassion. I can certainly empathize with the oppression felt by those in this country who have suffered much. And I rejoice in their joy and the exultation of release from years of political and societal bondage.

However, I must remove myself from pure emotions and remain fluid as our world remains fluid. Nothing every stays the same and, being it was his political slogan, Obama should understand that change happens. It has happened in multitudes of our history, it is happening now and it will happen again, and again, and again. We as humans, masters of our own God given free will and highest of the intellectual creatures, should also desire to remain fluid in our thoughts and beliefs on the world around us. Fluidity doesn't mean loosing firm grasp on that which you subscribe, it simply means being open to the idea that things and life moves and we must move with it. I love God and Christ...that will never change. But as life moves, I must be able to move with it and I can do that if my motion is in sync with that of the Trinity.

Obama makes me nervous. Not fearful for I believe in the protection and guidance of our Lord. My concern comes in the form of my lack of faith in other humans and therefore, lack of trust in their better judgment. For all purposes concerned, it is my deepest hope that Obama can lead this country and this world in ways that are beneficial to all and are constructive rather than destructive. My greater concern, however, comes from the fact that it appears everyone has been drinking the Obama Kool-ade and no one remembers how to think for themselves. I wonder if these people will be too prideful to admit or call foul when Obama makes a mistake...which he will because he's human and flawed; as are we all. Or will every action by blindly justified?

Our media is a tool of propaganda. It has been for centuries in its various forms. I don't fault the media for everything, that would be foolish. But it does have its role in the conspiracy of Group Think. I don't wish to have others tell me what to think or how to act or vote or believe. I despise those remarks made out of ignorance that propagate those who lack faith in our new president, as uneducated and ignorant. Rather, I believe ignorance lies in the mind that does not challenge what it is told.

Think about all that you know. Where did you learn it? Who told you? Where did they learn it? Are certain they were 100% factual and nothing was altered or exaggerated or left out? Could it be that any of the things you learned and know came from humans who are also imperfect and flawed? You see, all that we know has been taught to us in one way or another. Given through lessons and stories. And even that which we know from experience, looses its flavor as memory fails us. We can only be so sure. So to have the audacity to claim we KNOW and we KNOW better than you...shows the real ignorance.

Of things, we can be certain. We can be convinced. We can believe. For everything, there will come a time when truth is all revealed. Therefore, it is not up to any one of us to claim we know Obama's mind, thoughts and true plans. In reality, we hardly know our own minds, thoughts and plans. Life is but moment to moment. Fluid.

I pray that those who like and those who dislike Obama, can come together just the same for the betterment of humanity; for life. I pray for ignorance to fade among God's people and to show us ways in which we can build our neighbor up rather than tear them down. I pray for the dwelling of the Holy Spirit amongst all the world's leaders, that they may be open to hearing the voice of God and following the light of Christ. I will never give up the hope that one day we can KNOW what global human peace is really about...what it feels like, smells like, looks like. But its not something that one man, one president can accomplish. But one humanity, lead by the Holy Spirit can accomplish anything. After all, nothing is impossible.

In the meantime, we need to live out the calling that God has placed on all of our lives and that is to help those who are suffering. It starts with one mind being willing to act out of compassion. While the world waits for perfection and for one man to be the cure to all, there are those who wait on the man who was and is our true Savior and in serving Him, we are loving the world back to health. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, parent the parent-less, shelter the homeless, give, give and keep giving. Never stop giving of yourself...that is the essence of humanity and humanity in its purest form is contagious. Spread the love, not the wealth. One lasts forever, the other is tangible waste.

I'd like to leave you with one of my favorite Scriptures:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV)

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

AMEN!

Blessed Chaos

Aloha everyone! I know its been awhile, but I wanted to update everyone on the happenin's! The week of the 11th, I was in Kansas City for a seminary course for my post-grad work. I got home on that Friday night. I spent all day Saturday running around like crazy and packing up my family because on the 18th, we adventured to Hawaii for a two week vacation.

Needless to say, I had very limited and sometimes non-existent Internet access during that time so I haven't been able to get on here to talk with all of you and I've been missing it immensely. I'm in Hawaii for a week yet, but will try and hope on here as I can to let you know how the trip is going as well as my two cents about all things random. :)

Everyone is doing great, thank you (Francois) for your kind comments and for checking in. I'm sending a big Hawaiian Mahalo your way.

So far, we've swam with dolphins, took a helicopter ride right over a live volcano and actually witnessed the bubbling of molten hot magma, hung out at a Polynesian Cultural village and partook in an amazing authentic luau, went whale watching, swam in a breath taking waterfall, snorkeled in Maui, ate delicious seafood until our eyes were swimming, boogie boarded, played in white and black sandy beaches, took a donkey drawn wagon ride through an unbelievable valley...truly a trip of a lifetime and my toddler is doing pretty okay. Although I don't recommend that 8 hour flight without Benydryl...not for the kiddo but for you...your gonna need it. :)

Hope all is well for all of you and I look forward to reading up on what you all have been up to.

Of Porn and Politics

I know this is a little out of left field, but as I was munching my breakfast cereal and reading up on the morning's news I came across a little something that literally made me gasp out loud, "Oh My God!" Then, I proceeded to go in this tangent on hubs, who totally agrees with me by the way, and then I decided, you know what, I need to blog about this.

First, let me just say how completely repelled I am by the current state of our economy. Our country is suffering the consequences of materialism and greed and the powers that be believe that the best was to handle such unpleasantries is by unleashing more stupidity on the nation. I'm talking about the bailouts. I've read up, listened, debated, discussed and thought deeply about all sides of the bailout issues, but in a country that can clone people, send someone to the moon, make the blind see, etc., this is the best we can come up with? Seriously?

So then it should come as no surprise, that as our country seems bent on nationalizing itself, that scum is coming out of the wood work and also demanding bailouts. I am pretty good about holding back judgment, and though I do believe there is hope for everyone, I must admit my guttural loathing of the vile filth that is the pornography industry. I hate everything about it and it's not because I'm a raging feminist...because raging I am not. It is simply that misguided information that so many have. Simply, people don't really know what is behind the porn that is in their homes, bedrooms and computers. The don't know about the multi-billion dollar sex trafficking industry that is fueling it.

Did you know that the United States is #1 in its demands for sex slaves? That's right. In 2007 alone, sex traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined and the greatest demand is in the U.S. Simple economics of supply and demand. Did you know about porn's black market here in the U.S. that produces 65% of the smut films in peoples homes? How about the number of marriages that porn destroys? The number of young men and women whose lives are damaged because of addiction to pornography, or dare I mention the increased levels of child pornography, pedophilia and oh...any one catch Dateline's To Catch a Predator?

Did you know that thanks to the the porn demands and sex trafficking, that there are more SLAVES today than at any time in global and American history? And did you know that the majority of today's slaves reside in the U.S.? If not, you should.

It's not that I think the people who watch porn are garbage, because I don't. Pornography has trapped a lot of people; good people. People who are innocent in that they really have no idea the depth of wickedness those images carry. It's not just about your own sinfulness, but about the lives of others. Do you know that if you have a teenage daughter and she runs away or is abducted that the likelihood is greatest that she will be sold into some kind of local or even international sex rings? This is greater than murder? And many of those girls who go missing every year end up on some amateur porn film and you have no idea that the girl you're watching on the television has a family that is desperate to know she's alive and to have her back. It's awful, this whole thing. And please don't think I'm self righteous about this, because I've been there. I've watched this stuff. I got trapped by its fangs. Maybe its because I have had such great guilt since I found out about the realities of this industry, that I have committed myself to helping those who are fighting human sex trafficking. And if you think about it, porn doesn't just enslave those who are in it, it truly enslaves those who watch it.

All of this being said, imagine my infuriating outcry when I read an article about Larry Flynt and Girls Gone Wild creator Joe Francis, sending a letter to congress asking for a $5 billion bailout of the pornography industry. No, I'm not kidding. Ludicrous, huh? What is the matter with us? Have we all gone completely mad? Not to mention, the porn industry thinks its in need of $5 billion of the governments money? For what, exactly? If anyone thinks porn is hurting, they are WRONG. They are at an all time high. And forgive me, but I'd like to see the industry just disinagrate.

So, what will Uncle Sam do? Will he bail out the porn industry? Will he globally acknowledge that he doesn't care about the men, women and children who are slaves in this country as a result of the high demand for sex, sex, sex? Or, will it be a pillar of dignity? And if it says no, how far with Mr. Flynt fight this? He is, of course, notorious for being over the top.

This brings me back full circle to the whole bailout concept. We have AIG, the 3 Auto Amigos and now Beavis and Butthead who all think they are in need of bailouts...money from the government. Well, what about Andrew and Jill who have three children, one half way running car and a mortgage that's about to default because Andrew just lost his job? Where is their bailout? I'm swimming in medical debt up to my nose from hubs back surgery this summer. Will I ever see a bailout from the government on that? Heck no. You want to help the 'little' people, then HELP the little people. Give us jobs, give us hope and give us the American Dream back. And that means, don't sell us the American Dream and then tell us we don't actually have to work for it just so you can take it away later. That's not the American Dream. If you want the "American Dream" you better work for it. You better study hard, work hard, save hard, love hard. You better stop spending and putting your life on credit. Quite being a slave to every department store you enter. And for the love of everything holy, you pray hard. You find that time to spend with God. You work with and for God's people and kingdom. You make a difference in the world and stop thinking about yourself all the time.

Apparently, us "little people" are going to have to show the big guys what the American Dream is all about, and its not private jets.

Thanks for letting me rant.

I Won't Make You Love Me

I Won't Make You Love Me


I'm in your life and your in mine,
We can't change the hands of time.
There is no control over the choices others make
Just grace to get us through until another day.

I'm sorry that you're frustrated with my presence.
I'm sorry that you wish I'd go away and leave you alone.
I'm sorry that you want me only when you need something,
And I'm sorry that I'll never be good enough or live up to the standards you've shown.

I never meant to cause so many problems or be the catalyst of so many tears.
It wasn't my intention to make you fell inadequate or ashamed or angry.
I've only just wanted to be me; the me God asked me to be.
I know its not easy for you to accept who I am or what I have become.

Can't you see I just want to be loved, needed, accepted, wanted...by you?
Can't you see how much I love you? Can you truly be that blind?
Do you really think I mean to hurt you? Why do you run from me?
So we're not exactly the same, or of the same 'kind', can't you see it doesn't matter when we speak of love?

God, I wish people could just understand I want to love them. I want to care for them and show them a better way.
God, why do people run from me, into darkness and out of day?
If they only knew how much I loved them so would they still run?
If only they had seen my blood that day, they might know that I AM the Son.

As much as it hurts, I won't make you love me.
I won't make you take my hand and let me free you from your chains.
I won't make you find salvation, or truth, or love, or faith, or even hope.
I won't make you love me, but my love for you will always be.

I don't love you because I have to, but because I want to.
I don't love you because your perfect, but because your not.
I don't love you because your my brother and sister, I love you because we are of the same spirit.

So I won't make you love me and I won't make you believe,
But I won't leave you alone; I can't.
I won't walk away, I'll always be here.
Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but maybe someday you can reach your arms out to me as widely as I reached them out for you.
Like our Father to us..."I Loved You This Much!"



Written by Tiffany D'Amours
Copyright 2009
All Rights Reserved

On the iPod - Where Is the Love?

It's 'What's on My iPod' Monday.

Today, I did a random shuffle in my iPod and the song that popped up was Where Is The Love, by the Black Eyed Peas. I've listened to it a couple of times today and then really took a look at the lyrics and as you can imagine, it got me thinking. If Jesus were amongst us in the flesh today, what would he say? I think he would be very busy turning over a lot of market places. Can you think of anything that wouldn't exactly jive with the gospel of Jesus? What a disappointment we must be sometimes.

I was getting frustrated with Hambone this morning because, as most toddlers do, he was not listening to me. It was driving me bonkers. I caught myself telling him that I'm the mommy and I know what's best for him and he's going to get hurt and then I asked him, "why don't you listen to me?" Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. If my little love bug can frustrate me that much, imagine how God feels with our lack of listening skills. He knows what's best for us. He wants to help us, guide us, teach us, love us and protect us. But how many times do we ignore Him in favor of doing it our own way just to wind up messing it all up and running to God for comfort? Or, how many times have we trumped God's word with our own doctrinal interpretation of the what God wants?

I know that when Hambone gets all "jacked up on Mountain Dew" that he's going to trip over his own feet or a toy or one of his daddy's monstrosities of shoe and then he'll face plant into something not so soft. This leads to pain and tears and some times a little bleeding. I hate that. I hate it when he doesn't listen to me and then gets hurt because it's my job as a mommy to love him and to 'take care' of him. How much more God feels of this towards all of us is astounding. We get going ninety to nothing and we don't stop to listen to the warnings and when smack head first into immovable walls.

So this song, Where Is The Love, was really popular on the air waves during my under-grad (2003) and had great meaning on a post 9/11 university campus. It's not liberal to think of social injustice or to question the decisions higher political powers are making. It's not conservative to believe that there should be morals and ethics upheld. It's humanity to want to see the gospel of Jesus in all that we do and are surrounded by. The world in a post 9/11 era is different. We have to question, we have to wonder and we all already do. The way we think and how we think globally has been challenged since the fall of the towers. People are yearning for a much deeper spiritual understanding of the world we live in and why things happen the way they do. Theological studies are in increased demand by students and theological books are flying off shelves at an all time high. We want to know answers to the deep rooted theological questions that we all have.

The song takes a look at our world from one perspective, that of the gloom that seems to exist and the dichotomy that life in this world presents. It asks the question that in all the evil that surfaces our planet, where is the love? Where can love be found even in hate? Where can we see the light even in darkness?

Listen to the song and read the lyrics. What do you think? Where do you think the love is and is it possible to make love more visible than hate? Where can you show more love today? Be the love the world needs.

Where Is The Love by the Black Eyed Peas - WATCH THE VIDEO

Lyrics

What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'
in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love, the love, the love?

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found
Now ask yourself

Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love?

Sing wit me y'all:
One world, one world (We only got)
One world, one world (That's all we got)
One world, one world
And something's wrong wit it (Yeah)
Something's wrong wit it (Yeah)
Something's wrong wit the wo-wo-world, yeah
We only got
(One world, one world)
That's all we got
(One world, one world)

Rockin' Out!!!!

For Christmas, I got hubs Guitar Hero. He works hard so I figured he should be able to play hard too and this is a game I can play unlike all those sports games. I love sports, but I do NOT understand all the controls to the XBOX games. I mean...wow.

Anyway, so we have been putting Hambone to bed and spending some fun couple time jamming to some great rock hits. Is it fair then, where this was a gift for my husband, that I totally smoke him? I love healthy competition but he gets a little fed up with my ability to totally out axe him. So, we've now moved to Co-Op play, meaning we play the song together, one as bass the other as lead guitar.

I know that this is completely nontraditional, but it got me thinking. When we are working on our marriages, we often need to shake things up a bit and be nontraditional. We think about improving our marriages and we think of expensive dinners out, babysitters which also cost money, movies which cost too much money plus don't allow for bonding/communication or we think of reading self/couple help books. I'm not saying that any of these are bad, in fact, I enjoy a peaceful dinner out with candlelight in a restaurant without crayons. I enjoy being able to watch a movie without multiple distractions. However, that can't be the only thing we have to do, right?

Who ever made the decision that when you reach a certain age, you have to stop having fun? Or that I DO really means, I DON'T have anymore fun. When was the last time you and your spouse took off just the two of you, grabbed a quick bite to eat and hit the bowling alley? Putt-Putt? Or what about staying home and playing a board game together or maybe even a little Guitar Hero?

Hubs and I have had so much fun playing this game TOGETHER. One isn't in one room and the other in another. We're playing together. Laughing, joking around and having simple youthful fun. We've been having so much fun, that we look forward to it at the end of the day. So we release the day's stress and spend fun time together.

This whole notion got us thinking. What are things we do together that are not so much fun? Hmmm...any guesses what those can be? Yup...fiances, bills, taxes, some yard work (other stuff is fun), disciplining children, cleaning the house, organizing the garage...etc. Have you also happened to notice that the spare time you do happen to find for time with each other, most often is filled by one of the activities above? I have. So, what if we made a pact that after every 'not so fun' activity, we follow it up with a fun activity. It doesn't have to involve us going some where, or if we do, it doesn't have to involve us spending a lot of money or going out of state. We could go for a walk in the park and hold hands and talk about other things after an intense afternoon with the taxes. We could wrap up a trying week with a game or cooking together, or, if we so choose, reading together. There are so many things that we can do as couples to enjoy each other.

Maybe that is why so many people are unhappy in their marriages. The only time they ever get with each other is time spent on unpleasant things. Then we go seeking the pleasant things in sinful places. It makes a huge difference to your personal emotional health as well as the emotional well being of your marriage to be intentional about taking time for it. Go get that ice cream together. Have a tickle war. Have a food fight. Do what you really want to do and do it together. Start dating your spouse again. It's a lot of fun and you'll wonder why you ever stopped. Plus...it's really great for your kids, if you are parents, to see you having fun. Giddy, side-splitting, memorable and healthy fun.

As a final note, I also think its fun to take the time to become active in your church as a couple. Whether that's through small groups, couples groups or Sunday schools. You can't just feed your relationship once and then expect it to flourish and live forever on nothing more. Give it water, care and the SON. You'll be amazed at how your marriage will grow.

The Resolute - tion Revolution

It's a new year. Newness is around us and we can be refreshed by the idea of getting to do it all over again, but this time, maybe a little better. We can convict ourselves to live as we know we should. We can stand up against the competition in our lives that drives us farther from God and farther from ourselves.

You have to pretty much be on a different continent not to hear all the commercials or water cooler banter about new year's resolutions. I mean, they are every where. Not only do I not enjoy this time of year because its gloomy, cold and depressing when the tree goes down, but then you can't escape, no matter how hard you try, the weight loss ads. I loath weight loss ads. But more than that, I hate this idea that we have to change who we are to be happy. Though health and some change are always good things, when is enough, enough?

At what point do we stop trying to change ourselves to meet the world's standards and start improving that which really needs help...our relationship with God? If I had the money, I would love to follow every weight loss ad with an alternative ad. One that is spiritually based and encourages putting focus on improving our spiritual lives. Maybe a focus more on what comes out of our mouths rather than worrying so much about what goes in them.

I have long believed that it doesn't matter how beautiful you are on the outside, its really is what is on the inside that counts. Truly, your body ages no matter how many toxins you inject into it. But your heart, your soul, your spirit, it ages gracefully in a matter than only becomes more radiant with every passing day.

This got me thinking about what I wanted to do to strengthen my inner self this year in a Godly way. I think looking at the word resolution is important. Resolute. That's the part that stands out to me. I want to be, in myself, a resolution of being resolute. I want to be steadfast, determined, unwavering. I want to be, admirably purposeful in all that I do. I resolve to place myself on a course of action that will aim to honor God in all that I do and say...even if it is uncomfortable to others. I will be resolute in following the calling God has placed on my life and allow the Lord to shield me from the hateful dissuasion of others. I will stop myself before apologizing for being a determined woman of God. I will be proud of being admirably purposeful in the name of Christ...and unwavering in that humble pride.

I resolve not to make a covenant with the world where I serve its purposes, aims or ideology. Rather, I resolve to be at a level of self-awareness that is so in tune with God's will, that I am the woman God has created me to be. Not perfect. Not flawless. Not airbrushed. I resolve to be real, to be Christian, to be faithful, to be in a walk with God that others will see and long to have. And at the end of each day, I resolve to forgive myself as well as others and then in turn, love myself despite of others. I resolve to embrace the value and worth that God created me with and to realize the extent of the love which God has for me.

Have a resolution revolution. Break from the chains of bondage the world has you in. Be it finances, health, emotional grief...break free, be with God, grow and overcome in 2009. It's your year to do with what you please. Take the free will that God gave you and do something good with it. Give it back to God. Just like in photography, your relationship with God with make your resolution stronger and your life clearer.

Special Prayers Needed

Directly after church this morning, we were devastated to find out that a colleague of the family business who has also become a dear family friend, had to take his wife to the ICU early today. "L" has a pulmonary disorder and apparently the nebulizer treatment she did last night was ineffective. Her husband "B" found her in a coma this morning as she had virtually asphyxiated. She had been without oxygen for such a lengthy period of time, they are gravely concerned that if she awakes she will have extensive brain damage. Currently, she remains in the ICU in a coma.

"L" and "B" have four grown sons, a daughter-in-law and a 2 year old grandson. Please place this family in your prayers. We are of course praying for a miracle, but certainly for the peaceful will of God.

Thank you for your added prayers.

Sweet Essence of Christmas

Christmas was magnificent this year. The stockings were hung, the cookies left out, the Hambone snoring sweetly and wrapping paper covering the floor. It was simply delightful.

This was the best Christmas I can remember in years. Hambone is old enough now to really get into things like Santa and Jesus's Birthday. He kept singing Happy Birthday Jesus and it warmed my heart in so many ways. So often we are unable to celebrate the holidays with those we love, but this year was different. We were surrounded by so much love and joy and hope that it is impossible to measure the wonder of this holiday season. The only way it would be better is if we had those we have lost back with us...of course, they are with us anyway if you really think about it.

The next three weeks are going to be a bit crazy. I have two weeks to read, write and prepare for my next class which is a one week intensive course in Kansas City starting the 12th. I'll get home in time to have one day to pack up my family and then we're heading to Hawaii for two whole weeks. I'm absolutely psyched. Hubs, Hambone and I will be joining my parents as well as my brother and his girlfriend for this once in a lifetime trip. I'll be writing about it while I'm there as well as posting photos so you'll have to stay tuned as that approaches.

Anyway, I wanted to take a few minutes to share with you how wonderful our Christmas was and that I hope yours was just as perfect. I also wanted to do something that is a little hard for me and that is to ask for prayers. Hubs and I had a terribly hard time conceiving Hambone because I have PCOS/PCOD. It took us two and a half years to conceive and went through hell on earth in the process...but we got our miracle. We have been seriously considering trying for another one and so we are. I am pumped full of fertility meds, hormones and vitamins. We're praying that we conceive soon and have another beautiful and healthy miracle. Of course, we know it won't be possible without your prayers. If you think about it, please add us to your prayer list. Of course, I am always more than happy to return the favor of prayer any time.

Happy Holidays everyone! And God Bless you always!!!

"Outcast"

I'm an outcast. "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world." - John 15:19


Outcast. The Oxford American Dictionary defines this word as:
noun - a person who has been rejected by society or a social group.
adjective - rejected or cast out. Made to feel outcast and inadequate.

If you look Outcast up in the thesaurus, you'll find the following words used: pariah, reject, black sheep, outsider and leper.

As humans, we can all identify with the plight of being an outcast. No one is ever fully accepted all the time. So, everyone suffers rejection. Some rejection just comes with life. For example, not getting the job you wanted and applied for. Or not getting in to the college program you desired, not making the football team...

Life is full of rejection. And rejection is painful. No one wakes up in the morning and desires to be the outcast. Being an outcast is a negative thing that no one really wants. You don't want to be the loner, the outcast or the throw away person. But, sometimes, you just are. And when you're there, you question why. What did you do to deserve being treated this way? And ultimately, you start to question your worth.

I picked this shirt because the word Outcast identifies in some ways, to how I'm feeling right now. It's something that other people have made me because I don't fit their mold. You see, I've been asked to do some things that takes guts, strength, ambition and leadership. Often times, when you're a leader and asked to swim up stream and do something different than the norm or outside the box, you find confrontation. Many people don't like different. They don't want what they have always known to be challenged. And, many people find it hard to think there might just be more to God, than the little bubble they have placed the Lord in.

Those of you who have been readers for awhile, will know that Jeremiah is my favorite prophet. He had the inner strength and the guts to stand up for what he felt was right and for what God was calling him to do, irregardless of the scorn he would receive from others. He challenged the status quo; the robotic set of beliefs of those around him. He was willing to redefine the parameters of God abilities by questioning the validity of social construct. I'm not saying that I come anywhere close to Jeremiah, but I'd like to strive to be that way. To be willing to stand up for what I believe in even if it means there is a painful cost.

I see this kind of determination in our Savior Jesus. He was willing to be unpopular, disliked, an outcast. He was willing to walk alone. He was willing to suffer in many ways so that the truth and the light could be revealed and salvation received. Jeremiah and Jesus, were not the only ones to have done this up stream swimming. What about Martin Luther King? Can you think of some others who might have been willing to stir the pot on the hope of social justice?

Then I wonder what is wrong with us and people who have all suffered from rejection and being made outcast. What is wrong with those of us who know the pain, to turn around and cause or inflict the same pain on other people? At what point did you find yourself so prideful as to think that you are better than someone else? That you are anointed to outcast others in your hateful judgement and ignorance? We often don't even realize the damage we do to others before its too late. We ignore people that we don't think are worthy of are time. We mistreat people, even as Christians, who we don't think are good enough...and yet do we ever take a moment to stop and think that that was never the role God gave us? He told us to love others not hate them and yet we act out in hate on a daily basis.

It's appalling really and then we wonder why our children treat others with such disregard for respect and common courtesy.

I want to stress though, that there is always hope. As an outcast, I know that I'm not alone. I know that the things God has called me to do are not going to be easy. I know they are going to take an extreme level of inner strength and peace. Don't be afraid of being in the world, be cautious of being of it. If God has called you to do something, don't walk away from it. Embrace it. God is not going to ask you to do something that you know is going to be challenging and then leave you alone. It's so easy to feel like following God will make you an outcast. It will. You will have to live to a different standard, one that many won't understand and further mock. You'll be teased and made fun of, misunderstood and rejected. But...if you are diligent and put your faith in God, he will heal all of that.

I have found since following my calling, that friends I once had, I have no longer. Not because they are bad people, but because they don't understand my love for Christ because they don't have it. More often than not, I find that these people don't want to be around me anymore, because doing so makes them feel badly about themselves and how they live their lives. So the rejection is of me but is not my fault. However, I have also made new friends. Wonderful, loving and supportive friends. Some of my family has rejected me and some have become closer. During the time that I tried to run from God, my marriage suffered. Now, for the first time in five years, my marriage is better than it has ever been.

No, its not easy being an Outcast, but its not necessarily permanent either. You can't make everyone like you no matter how hard you try. What you can do is make sure you like yourself. Find your worth not in the world or what the world thinks of you, but in God and what God thinks of you. If you have a calling from God, whatever it may be, follow it. Don't hold back out of fear of rejection from those who love you. Rejection will always be there...but so will God. Don't let the world keep you from doing God's work in whatever capacity God is asking you to do it. Plus, if there is one thing I have learned, it is that God is persistent. If God's calling you today, you can ignore him, but he'll call you again and again and again and again. Eventually you're going to have to answer. Put your faith in the one thing that has never abandoned you and that is not the world. Be brave and willing to be an outcast for a little bit. God will take care of you and things will always get better. And lastly, when things do get tough and you feel the world is crashing in on you, that's when you need to be the strongest and refuse to give up. Brighter days are ahead.

When God called Mary to do carry and give birth to Jesus, she became an outcast. When Joseph stayed with Mary when she told him she was pregnant, he became an outcast. Can you imagine if Joseph and Mary would have listened to the people around them rather than the voice of God? What if Jeremiah had ignored God and followed the rulers of the land? What if Moses would have refused God's call? Or John? Or Isaiah? Or Abraham? Or Daniel? Or Hosea? Or Ruth? What if your pastor had said no to the call of God? Or your Sunday School teachers? What if you would have said no when you were called to claim Christ as your Savior?

Sometimes the biggest price is paid when we choose to take the "easy" way and say no to God, rather than to face the road less traveled and say yes. Just look in your Bible. God has called a lot of impractical people to do impossible things. God asked people to do things that were so outrageous they are hard for us to fathom even today. What about the wise men? Did you know that they were endangering their lives to follow that star to bring gifts to the baby Jesus? They were in great danger. But they were willing to follow that star in order to be with God.

Are you willing to follow that star to be in the presence of Christ?