Instruction Manuels

The weather is changing, and with it a whole new set of instructions on how to cope with this season. I am equipped with some of the hardware, lawn mower, rake, hoe, lawn furniture, etc.etc. I'm just getting anxious to start using some of it. It is rainy and chilly here, cloudy. I believe the word my mother used to use is dreary. Yep, that pretty well sums it up. I told my sister the other day that I am so tired of cold weather and winter that I am actually LOOKING FORWARD to mowing my lawn--can you believe. Someone will remind me of this in the heat of August I am sure, but in the mean time I'll be reading up.

Happy Easter!

We were gone over Easter, but I think this video pretty much expresses how GLAD I am that Jesus came!

Blogging.....what it means........to me

I realized as I read Serenity’s blog spot’s “Love Me, Love My Friends”, that I have been welcomed into a community of people I don’t know at all, and can only glean information about them by reading what they post on their blog, which if they are like me is a fraction of their life.
That is OK I still feel honored to be included on that list, and hope I can live up to the mention of our name there.
Most of my thoughts expressed on my blog are ramblings by comparison to others I’ve read, then I realize that with the MILLIONS of blogs out there, I am a pin prick on the face of the blog world, and thus, just as insignificant as I can feel if I think about that right about now.
I have been a housewife and a stay at home mom for the past 31 years, who for 8 of those years homeschooled our two children. I have worked at various part time jobs outside the home the longest being a cleaning lady for various people. I cared for my mother the last three and one half years of her life while she underwent dialysis treatments. My life has been one of wife, mother, friend, companion, lover, teacher, maid, housekeeper, launderer, nurse, gardener, yard person, chauffer, etc. etc. etc……………the list goes on and on. I am as they say “a jack of all trades-master of none”.
I note that there seems to be a pervasive atmosphere in the world today that you must be “qualified” to do something. This involves a listing of accomplishments, initials after your name, and usually accompanied by a high dollar salary. Thus your opinion is valid, noteworthy, and worth listening to or reading.
I graduated from college with a degree in Interpersonal Communications, and did nothing with it—or didn’t I? I don’t have initials after my name, and I haven’t done anything that would be considered in certain circles as noteworthy, and my salary has been measured in hugs, kisses, “thanks you’s”, complaints, loads of laundry, meals cooked, gray hair, and an aging body. My life, by many, is considered mundane, and for those who count worth in dollars and cents, not worth much.
Am I qualified to give my opinion on politics, religion, sex, society or life in general? Some would say no, but others would give a resounding yes!
So I blog, I put my thoughts, ramblings’, musings, opinions, out there for my sake, because I NEED to write them down. I learned ALONG time ago that my value as a person didn’t come from what people think of me, but of what I think of them. The way I view and think of others says much more about me and who I am, than how I am thought of.
I enjoy this “blogging”, and reading others thoughts. I love that there are people out there like Serenity who can make me laugh out loud, or wipe a tear because I’ve known her all her life, and reading how she has let cancer impact her, encourages me that she is “getting it.” Or reading “I Come Undone”s picture of his hair upon arising in “Love Child”, and grinning from ear to ear, because as Greg Kinner character says to Jack Nicholson’s character in “As Good As It Gets”, “the biggest thing you have going for you is your not afraid to make a fool of yourself.” These are a few of the reasons I am enjoying this “blogging” thing, just reading, watching, and being a part of it all.

Not Perfect, Just Forgiven

I was doing my daily surfing where I check my bank accounts, check my e-mails, read my favorite blogs, and check in on my friends “my space” spots, read the news, check the weather, and of course read my favorite comic strip, (For Better or For Worse, if you are interested) and am ready to start my day.

As I was re-reading a friends blog, she referred to a time in her life when she was involved in Christian Cult. I found this interesting, because I was there right along with her, and I don’t remember thinking of it as a cult, during, or after. I saw it as one man who had completely misunderstood God’s calling on his life, and the misdirection it took in so many other people’s lives as well. I guess you could call that a cult.

But the word “cult” seems so strong-definitely something to be feared, avoided.

I learned a lot during those years. The Bible training was intense I will admit, but I came away with a much deeper knowledge and understanding of Scripture than I had ever had in my life, and I had been “raised” in the church. I learned what God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit were NOT. God is not a bully with a ball bat ready to smash us when we screw up, and Jesus is coming again to take us to live with him because he LOVES us, not just because he wants to judge us. The Holy Spirit is not to be feared. He is a “comforter, helper in times of trouble”, and he will be present with us until Jesus returns.

I learned about Grace, something that wasn’t practiced readily in that particular church setting, as most of the people in that particular church at that particular time were searching for discipline and structure, and the leadership was more than happy to give it to them.

As I sit in the church we attend now, I am struck by the differences. Grace is preached, love is practiced, and forgiveness is administered; not perfectly, but attempted. All with the hope that these things will encourage and inspire the recipients’ to WANT to live a life where they will be hungry for the word of God, where they will seek to be more like Jesus all the time, and to be receptive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings.

We are not perfect, I wouldn’t be there if we were, but we are trying. We fail continually, that is where grace comes in, but we keep trying. That is what it is all about.

I am not a denominationalist, so I won’t mention the church we attend, as I truly believe the Holy Spirit can manifest your faith through your life in any church setting as long as you are open. I believe that if you love the Lord, you will continue to attend a house of worship for the fellowship, encouragement, and motivation to keep at it, and to help you realize that we are all on the same road, headed the same direction, but are at different stages in our journey, thus, the opportunity to lend a helping hand, or grasp one that is extended to you.

I am reminded of the line “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven”. I have forgiven the people involved in that part of my life, and moved on, because I know God is greater than anything or anyone that may come across my path, so I just keep travelin’ on.

Tag:Nearest Book

O.K. I’ll play the game, and by the way, I feel honored to be asked

The nearest book at my desk is one I had carried downstairs to put away after I had read it again for the third time. The Jesus I Never Knew. This is the book that made me a Phillip Yancy fan. I’ve read most of his books, but this is by far my favorite; but after all look at the subject matter. He describes a Jesus I would be challenged by meeting, which I think is the exact effect he is supposed to have on us.

The chapter this excerpt comes from is on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and teachings on the Beatitudes. He ends the segment on the particular beatitude–"Blessed are the peacemakers…Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness." referring to the time in 1989 when many of the nations in Eastern Europe used non-violent means to stop the oppression of Communism:

In many of these places, especially the nations of Eastern Europe, the Christian church led the way. Protesters marched through the streets carrying candles, singing hymns, and praying. As in Joshua’s day, the walls came tumbling down.

I remember those days, when “the Wall” came tumbling down. It was so exciting, to see people chipping away at it, huge portions falling away, the reunions of families who hadn’t seen each other in years. The joy, tears, the hope! Am I aging myself? You bet. Some times were definitely worth living through.
I can't tag five, but I'll tag Shiuvaun I KNOW she has a book on her desk, it will just be WHICH ONE!!