Ponderings

The problems of our lives are not intended to test how smart or resourceful we are, but how vulnerable and trusting we will allow ourselves to be.

We are like little children with a puzzle and we can't put the pieces together while our parent stands watching, waiting for a plea of "Help!"

God is like a mother who sees their child hurting or suffering and wants to run and embrace him.

There is so much suffering in this world (Satan is the god of it) and God is not surprised!  Quite the contrary!... God wanted to allow us freewill so there must be evil to test us, a choice or choices to make.

I wonder sometimes if I'm wrong, if I have taken a wrong turn.... But I think it's a matter of perspective....  "God knows the way that I take and when He has tried me I shall come forth as gold."  This is my favorite Scripture!

I love our pastor.  Some of the things he says blow my mind!...  We've been studying about Creation and the Garden of Eden.  I always thought it was kind of cruel the way God kicked out Adam and Eve (although I understand why).  He made it clear to me that had they eaten of the Tree of Life after having eaten of the Tree of the Knowledtge of Good and Evil they would've been doomed forever!

People wonder how things would've been if Adan and Eve had not sinned.  The truth is the next humans would've messed up!  We're all so flawed!  Out of the first children one of them killed the other!  It boggles the mind.

In a relatively short span of time there were only eight decent people on earth creating the need for Noah's ark, and in another relatively short time everyone joined up to build the Tower of Babel! 

And speaking of the flood if you look in part of the ceiling of Cumberland Caverns (locally) you will see seashells, and the tour guide will say that it's proof of a worldwide flood.

God is awesome!  Time is short.  Christ is at hand.

Men, Women, and God

The subject of the sexes and God is a deep one, and one I don't enter into lightly.  I'm not trying to meddle, but this is something I have wondered about from time to time, and it's come to my mind once again.
What started me thinking is the verse that says, "He tends His flock like a shephered: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young." - Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)  I love this verse, but especially the part that says He carries us close to His heart.  Why is this significant in terms of sex?  Mothers tend to carry their young on the left side, by their heart, and men tend to carry on their right side.
I've always wondered of my role as a woman in Christ.  I know Christ is the head of the church and man is head of the household (there has to be an ultimate leader).  I know man is made in the image of God and women were taken "out of" man.  So where do our feminine qualities come from?  Did we come from nothing?  I think not.
To say God is feminine isn't right, but God has many qualities associated with women, such as nurturing, tending to the sick, sensitivity, etc.
I think that we all have female and male characterisitics in each of us, and to differing degrees.  I think this is what confuses some about their sexuality.  Again - this is a deep subject, but it's on my mind. :-)
Jesus said in Luke 13:34, "O, Jerusalem, Jerusalem,... how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings...". (NIV)  I have found God, our Father, and Jesus, our older brother, to care for me similarly to a mother, but much deeper.  Our mothers can not always be there.  Our mothers can not read our mind.  But we can not surprise God!  Our earthly mothers can run away, be cruel, be neglectful, but God can not!
Certain sins are "black and white," but people's feelings are not.  I think we need to understand this.

" 'Mike and Molly' - A Fat Look"

Something's been bothering me, so I thought I'd write about it.  It's about the show "Mike and Molly."  I just started watching it, not because the main characters are fat, but because I was bored and thought I'd check it out.
It's actually pretty funny, in my opinion, and this surprised me as most shows on TV these days don't even give me a chuckle.
What irks me is the controversy surrounding the main characters being overweight or fat (not a bad word).  I don't believe there should be a controversy, and I don't believe their being fat promotes being fat!
I am fat.  I don't like it, but I'm not ashamed of it.  Being fat doesn't make me ugly or pretty; it doesn't make me happy or sad; it doesn't make me wrong or right.  It is what it is - I have a weight problem.
I do believe if the main character of this show was a man and fat it would be okay, but the main, female character is also fat, and that is the problem people are having.  Case in point is that other shows or movies with fat, male leads have been widely accepted.
Some of my favorite comedians and actors are male, overweight, self-depracating men -- like John Candy, Chris Farley, and Kevin James.  They too, like me, have or have had a weight problem (yes, it is a problem), and yet they are funny.
Being overweight isn't a choice - you don't wake up one day and say, "I think I want to get fat today."  But unhealthy choices often lead to this unhealthy condition.
I lost 115 plus pounds in a little over a year several years back, and I thought I conquered my problem.  I was slowly gaining weight back when I got pregnant with the twins.  At five months pregnant I was hospitalized at Vanderbilt in Nashville for two and a half months.  I couldn't get up except to go to the bathroom or take a shower.
The funny thing is that I had a world-famous "preemie" doctor caring for me.  The man was probably in his upper 50s or lower 60s.  I thought his hair looked like he had two horns on his head, lol.  He was so crass toward me, and was missing the edit button between his brain and mouth.
One day he came in and said, "You're getting fatter everyday."  Because of my unborn babies I kept my mouth shut.  But I wanted to say, "Yeah, and you're getting older and more bitter everyday."
So I guess what I'm saying is why knock people when they're down?  What good does it do?  Why not love people where they are?  Some one doesn't need to point out someone else's problems.  Most people aren't stupid.  But if someone's delusional you're not going to change their minds anyway.
I will continue to watch "Mike and Molly" because it's funny, until I get bored or if it gets taken off the air.  If you don't like watching fat people then don't watch it.  But if you're open to humor and bored it's kind of funny to me.
Thanks for listening to my rant.  And pray I lose weight, lol. :-)

Thanksgiving!

I love Thanksgiving!  I love the family-togetherness, lovely meal, prayers, expressions of thankfulness, shopping, and that it's one step closer to Christmas!

Imagine trying to get young children excited about it (if you haven't had to do it already).  They're like "Woo-hoo.  We eat dinner everyday."  LOL!

Maybe I should start some new family traditions this year for this special day.  Thanksgiving isn't mandatory, but it is FUNdatory, lol!

I am so thankful for my family.  Each one is a special, unique, priceless gift.  I wouldn't trade any one of them for anything!  I am thankful for my house - my home - that no on can take away!  I am thankful for my stinky dog, even with her fleas, anxiety, and "other" problems.  LOL

I am NOT thankful for sports - football in particular.  I've said it before but I'll say it again - I hate football like Al Qaeda hates America!...  Well, if it brings joy to others I guess I can be tolerant....  Peace be to you, fans!  (P.S. College basketball is also of the devil!)

I wish I could give something more at this season, but sometimes you just have to receive and say, "Thanks!"

'O, Taste and See that the Lord is Good.'

I love the Lord.  I love the Bible.  It is so deep that every day you can dive in to it, and yet never touch the bottom!

I'm not a preachy person (I hope not), but to not share the goodness of God is truly a sin!

I think about my non-believing friends and family... some may have tried to serve the Lord before, but some have never even tried!  How can you know how it feels if you've never tried?...

I have tried living to self.  It's a dark, meaningless, empty, and guilt-ridden life.  I've never pretended to be something I'm not.  Maybe I should have and I wouldn't have gotten into some of the troubles I've been in!

Life is so complex, but there is one thing that's certain - death.  We are not immortal.  Atheism says there isn't an after-life.  Some religions believe in reincarnation (isn't this just more of the same?).  Still others believe in earthly rewards in heaven - people becoming gods for doing "good deeds" on earth (like killing and harassing people)! 

I believe we will be as children of God, like the angels, if we simply commit our hearts and lives to God through His Son - Jesus Christ.  This belief has been around since the beginning of recorded history, folks have tried to eradicate it, and yet it sill remains!

"Give 'peace' a chance?"  No, thanks; try Jesus! :-)

It's almost here! Come on, fall!!!

Yes, it's September!  And I can already feel it in the air - autumn is coming!  What a glorious time!  I don't know if I've ever heard anyone say, "I hate fall."  I'm sure some people do, but I love it!

The summer was fun, but with the long, hot days, and active children, it can be challenging.  I'm not sure I would want to live in a year-round warm climate.

I look forward to wearing jackets (fleece particularly), wearing jeans, and maybe a new pair of boots.  In having small children things are constantly new to them.  My girls remember playing in the leaves last year, but they look forward to finding pumpkins, wearing costumes, and eating candy!  I too look forward to these things.

Our county fair is coming soon too!  The kids in our school have off the last Friday of the fair and get unlimited rides with admission!  I can't wait to see their excited faces and find out what rides they can go on this year!

Our church has its own concession booth at the fair.  I was asked to work in it, but can't because of the girls' schedule.  I will be baking brownies and making whatever else is needed.

I know fall comes and goes quickly - it's like springs' quiet sister - but I will enjoy it for what it's worth.  And I hope it will be cool in temperature, despite the heat this summer!

Bring on the hayrides, amusement, and candy apples!  And maybe throw in some hot apple cider as well.

How does God feel about the poor?

As I was doing my daily Bible study for today I came across a part that stood out to me - "Thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor." (Psalm 68:10b)  It made me ponder the question of how God feels about those who are less fortunate.

I have thought about this often.  I, myself, am not rich monetarily.  I have never aspired to be rich, even as a child my only desire was to have a family and have my basic necessities met.  But what does God have to say about the issue....

Jesus said, "For ye have the poor with you always...."  (John 12:8)  It was said matter-of-factly.  He goes on to say, "and whensoever ye will ye may do them good."  Does this mean God prefers the poor?

The poor people I know vary... some are unwise with money, and some just can't help being poor.  But there is a stigma that comes with it.

I believe it is the duty of the one who has more to help the less fortunate.  What does that mean?  Should it be government-mandated?  This I don't know.

In life there seems to be more questions than answers.  But on this issue I want to share that God does have compassion on the poor and I think we should too.  I don't think those who squander their resources should be rewarded.  But who among us is perfect?...

God is so merciful, and for that we all should be thankful.  :-)

"A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows....

God setteth the solitary in families.  He bringeth out those which are bound with chains....

Thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits....

Blessed be God!"

(Psalm 68: 5a, 6a, 10b, 18a, 19a, 35c)