Tiny Treasures

A lot of people on Facebook post “thankful” statuses during the month of November.  I like to read them because their posts remind me of the many things for which I am thankful.  There are too many to list; but it got me thinking about the whole concept of thankfulness. 

To be thankful means to feel or show an appreciation for someone or something that has been bestowed upon us.  It’s indicative of receiving a blessing and expressing gratitude. 

There are people who actually feel they have nothing for which to be thankful, but I don’t believe this is the case.  If we look at each moment in our lives… I mean, really get close and look…we’ll find tiny treasures we have missed.  A smile.  Laughter.  A hug.  An act of kindness from a stranger that went seemingly unnoticed. 

I think we are often times so hurried and harried that we miss some of life’s simplest blessings.  There are mornings when I am flying around my kitchen trying to make breakfast, make lunches, fill water bottles, get backpacks ready and get the kids off to school, and it isn’t until they are gone that I realize I didn’t even make eye contact with them.  They talked and I nodded a hurried “uh-huh” or “okay,” but I didn’t really engage in the conversation or connect with them.  Their smiles light up my heart in a way nothing else can, and when I get too busy I miss out on that simple morning blessing.  It was there, but I didn’t see it.  I’m making a point to never miss out on that blessing again.

Nothing in this world matters more than the people God has placed in our lives.  Oh, sure, sometimes they can make us want to pull out our hair, but that’s just a part of love.  Sometimes we make them want to pull out their hair as well.  I believe God hand selects those that will cross our paths, for reasons we may or may not know; but important nonetheless.  Our job may be to influence them and their job may be to change us…either way, it is the act of journeying together that matters most. 

Each morning when I awake I thank God for another day and then I quickly give the day back to Him because if I hold onto it I’m bound to screw it up.  He has to hold it for me, in the safety of His hands and guided by His wisdom, not my lack of it.  Then, I thank Him for all of the people for whom He has brought into my life and blessed me.  I pray that I will not miss the tiny, treasurable moments of seeing their smiles, sharing their laughter and giving tight hugs.  These blessings are what fill me.  They are what make everything else in life bearable.  

During this month, I am striving to treasure every tender moment… to tuck it into my heart and let it sprout roots of joy.  ~

Exodus from Hate

I just read an article wherein Exodus International has announced that they are shutting down in an effort to stop hurting people. 

What a remarkable statement their founder, Alan Chambers, has made.  I believe he should be commended for his change of heart and his efforts in finally taking the right steps...steps away from accidentally spreading hate...steps toward a Biblical foundation of "love thy neighbor."

My favorite quote from the announcement is: "For quite some time we’ve been imprisoned in a worldview that’s neither honoring toward our fellow human beings, nor biblical."

You can read the full announcement HERE.  But, beyond that, I encourage you to read Chambers full apology stated on the Exodus website, wherein he shares his personal convictions, his experiences and what ultimately led him to this decision.  You can read that by clicking HERE.

Another favorite quote from Chambers is:  "My beliefs about these things (sex and marriage) will never again interfere with God’s command to love my neighbor as I love myself."   

Chambers has certainly gone against the grain and taken a risky stance for a man in his position, and I believe he should be commended.  Any Believer who is able to publically admit that, though their intentions were good, they ultimately went off track and ended up hurting people with God's Word instead of promoting healing, is, well, a fine, upstanding individual in my book.  It takes guts to come out and say you were wrong.  It takes strength to admit that you've gone off track and it takes courage to shut everything down so you can repair and re-focus.  Chambers is going to open another ministry and says he and his wife are dedicated to the focus of proclaiming God's grace and salvation for everyone.  He said, "Grace is the center of salvation, not sin; our focus should be on grace."

I tried to commend him in a somewhat public forum yesterday and was immediately shot down by fellow Christians, one in particular, who accused me of calling ALL Christians bigots.  As can be typical of the radical right, who ironically think they are always right but should probably be called the radical wrong, she only saw the issue of homosexuality and never even bothered to look at Chamber's heart. She jumped all over me, trying to put words in my mouth, trying to accuse me of words I hadn't said and wasn't even thinking...to the point that I finally told her to kiss my ass.  And then she played the victim (insert eye roll here).  Oh, so typical.

Christians.  It's people like this woman that make me ashamed to bear the title and people like Alan Chambers that make me proud to be a Believer. 

Alan Chambers, you ROCK!  May others follow your lead and learn to walk in love instead of hate, judgment and condemnation.  After all, we are ALL created equal and we ALL are saved by grace, God's acceptance and His love.  There is no room for discrimination and finger-pointing; and one thing we, Christians, seem to forget or overlook is the nasty little fact that casting judgment is just one more form of sin.  May we all look in the mirror as Chambers has done.  ~

Epiphany

June is a crazy month.  I haven’t blogged in over a week because there’s been a lot going on in my life.  Nothing bad…just the normal hectic stuff…schedules and commitments that keep me from having any opportunity to sit at my keyboard.  Consequently, I’ve been buried in email because I just haven’t had time to keep up with it.  As July approaches, I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.  Of course, there’s always the chance it might be a freight train about to run me over.

Though I haven’t blogged much in June, I have thought deeply about some things.  These thoughts may be indicative of a mid-life crisis or they may actually be signs of some form of spiritual growth…who knows.  I’ve observed people, history, and mulled over personal experiences and have come to the conclusion that religion sucks.  I can honestly sit here and tell you that in my experience and in my observations religion has caused more problems than it has done good.  I have come to the poignant conclusion, or had an epiphany,  that religion is nothing more than the conglomeration of political games in the name of God, hinging its success on the power of guilt and fear.  How many people throughout history have died fighting over a religion? How many people have justified killing with religion?  How many relationships and friendships have been destroyed over religion?

And where is God in all of that mayhem and madness?  Probably shaking His head and wondering how humanity can so outlandishly miss the point.

Whenever I question things of a spiritual nature, I always go back to three fundamental things.  Faith, Hope and Love.  The greatest and most important being love.  If we love God and we love others, how then does religion even matter?  If we live simply by this principal, where then does religion gain its power over us? 

Love is untainted, pure and the most powerful force in existence.  If we simply spread that love with our lives, isn’t that enough?  Jesus Himself said, “the greatest of these is love.”  Therefore, I take that to mean that above all else, we are to love….God, others, ourselves, and all things living. 

Religion taints love with regulations and guilt and fear tactics.  Give this much.  Don’t do that.  Do this.  God hates this.  God loves that.  The asinine rules go on and on and on. The irony is that love isn’t about rules, it’s about relationship. The Ten Commandments are rules, yes, but if you are living a life of love, following those commandments is a given.  If you are living a life of love then you have no desire to murder or steal from someone else or deceive others. If you are living a life of love, giving to assist others is second nature, lending a helping hand is common place.  You don’t need to be told to do it… because you already desire to do it.

If life isn’t for living and living abundantly than what is the point in being here?  I ask myself this question frequently.  If our purpose for being on the planet isn’t to love others and have a damn good time while doing it, then why the hell are we here?

I have many friends from different religious backgrounds.  Most, if not all (myself included) have suffered severe guilt from their religions.  Don’t. Don’t. Don’t.   That’s the favorite religious word.  Don’t drink. Don’t smoke.  Don’t listen to secular music.  Don’t dance.  Don’t wear pants.  Don’t swear.  Don’t curse.  Don’t have premarital sex.  Don’t use birth control.  Don’t drink caffeine.  Don’t show your ankles.  Don’t go out in public without your head covered.  The list goes on and on and on; and not one of these rules has anything to do with God and love.

It’s all a sham.  It’s a money making power trip.  It’s a political game in the name of God and I am hereby standing up and publically blowing raspberries in the face of religion.

I love God and I love His son, Jesus Christ and I am thankful every second of every day for salvation and the blessings He has bestowed upon me… and I say this recognizing fully that nothing in this sentence has anything to do with religion.

Life is a gift… one religion wants to control, stifle and command.  Don’t let it.  Life is a gift that was meant to opened and enjoyed and shared.   No father gives his children the gift of rules and regulations and judgments and condemnations, fear and guilt… neither does our Heavenly Father.   He gives life and love and He gives it abundantly.

I understand fully now that Religion gives rules while God gives relationship. I choose the latter. 

My entire life has been one quilt after another quilt and one fear after another fear, all religion related; and I’m just plum tuckered out.  So, Religion, you can kiss my big, fat, white ass.  You can take all the fear and guilt, the judgment and condemnation and shove it…. because life is too damn short.  I’m going to live the way I want to live.  I’m going to love God and love others and I’m going to do it my way.  Like Frank Sinatra sang, “I did it my way.”

The irony is, I’m not writing this from a rebellious spirit, but rather from a place of understanding.  See, if I strive to follow all of the rules and yet, am so stifled by them that what I’m doing, and how I’m living isn’t real; then the love I’m trying to show isn’t real.  It’s all a façade and I don’t want to live a façade any longer.  I want to live loving people because it’s how I truly feel, not because it’s just one more thing I’m “supposed” to do.  I’m done with the religious “have-tos”…. I’m finished with the bullshit.  If I’d rather sit on my deck on Sunday morning and have Bloody Marys with friends instead of going to church, I’m going to do it and I’m no longer going to feel guilty about it.  Why?  Because let me say it straight, sometimes church is boring and friends are more fun.   That’s saying a lot because I go to a pretty exciting church…still, there are days when I feel closer to God at home than I do in the church. 

See, God is everywhere and anywhere.  I don’t have to get on my knees or pray a certain prayer or be in a particular building.  I can talk to Him in my home, on a mountain and even on the toilet.  He’s there and listening….just like a dad…because He is one.  It’s about love not church.  It’s about love not rules.  It’s about love not have-to’s and shoulds.

Love…it literally and figuratively makes the world go ‘round.  It’s all that matters.  It’s the salve that soothes.  It’s the only constant and the only fix that works.  It’s healing and intoxicating and it fulfills unlike anything else on the planet.  Love…that’s what life is all about.  ~

God Can Take It

I often think about what my children will remember about me long after I am gone.  Not so much what they will recall about me personally, but what life lessons I will have been able to impart.  One of my main goals as a mom is to teach them that it’s okay on occasion to be angry with God.   Just as we sometimes get angry with people that we love, it doesn’t mean we stop loving them; and God is no different.  I never want my children to be afraid of God, as if He is sitting up there, watching their every move, just waiting for them to make a mistake so He can outpour His wrath.  That is such a misconception.  I want my kids to know that God is a Father, and like most fathers, He wants the very best for His children.  He wants them to love Him and trust Him and talk to Him.  He wants them to know that He’ll never leave them, nor forsake them… He’ll never turn His back when they’ve made a poor choice.  I want my kids to know that God forgives them each and every time they blow it; and not only forgives them, but helps them dust themselves off and scramble back to their feet when they fall down. 

Life isn’t fair…but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good.  Bad things can and do happen to very good people and it is natural, in those circumstances, to question why God allowed it to occur.  I’ve had my share of broken moments, where I have been screaming at the Lord, like an angry child… His angry child.  Through it all, He’s never stopped loving me and I’ve never stopped loving Him.  I trust Him because I believe in Him and He’s only ever shown Himself faithful and loving, even in my darkest hours.  I can’t explain why terrible things happen, but I know that when they happen, I am never alone.

It’s okay to be angry with God, He can take it.  It’s okay to question what is written in the Bible and what others say about Him.  In fact, it’s good to question.  Questioning is a form of seeking and seeking will bring understanding of the truth.  I want my children to never render themselves spoon-fed without researching and studying the Word of God for themselves.  I want them to know that God’s love is not conditional…that they can do nothing to earn it and nothing to lose it.  He is eternal and so is His love for us.

Life is a mystery and everything can change in the blink of an eye; but it isn’t a mystery to God and He doesn’t blink or miss a thing so there is no reason to live in fear.  I want my kids to realize that God is bigger than everything and He’s a good one to have on their side.  We will endure hardship but He causes all things to work together for good for those that love Him (Romans 8:28)… that’s a promise to which I cling and I hope my children will as well.  ~

I Don't Want to Go Off On A Rant Here, But...

In the words of Dennis Miller, “I don’t want to go off on a rant here, but …”

  Mean people suck and let me tell you why.  Arrogance.  The meanest people are the ones that proclaim to be nice and actually believe that they are.  They are the people that believe that they have a right to speak into your life because they are so arrogant that they believe their perception of your reality is correct. They believe that they and they alone hold a truth you lack and therefore it is their responsibility to inform you of this so-called relevancy.  They are the ones who drip outwardly with sweet verbal expressions but whose words are inwardly laced with condemnation, judgment, arrogance, contempt and elitism; all masked by a misguided appropriation of a Divine agenda they swear to possess but have not a clue. They have taken the Word of God and mixed it with their own ideas of God, thereby distorting the very truth from within.  These people attack those that do not live according to their standards.   They stand with hate signs while proclaiming love and I ask you, could there by more irony than this?   Muslim terrorists blow people up in the name of God.  Radical Christians tear people down in the name of God.  Both proclaim to possess God’s agenda and both are sorely mistaken.  God’s agenda is love.  It has always been love.  From Genesis to Revelations it speaks of love.  Love one another, for if you do it will be impossible for you to be mean.  That doesn’t mean you’ll never error, explode in anger or say something hurtful by mistake… but it means that even your mistakes will be made from a heart that was simply trying to love and not to attack, blow up or tear down.  Mean-spirited people are not the hostile ones you see throwing their hands in the air or venting frustration… those are just frustrated folks.  Mean-spirited people are the ones that live under the pretense of spirituality and purity and yet their hearts are filled with arrogance.  Arrogance…the root of all evil.  Arrogance…the root of a mean-spirit.  Arrogance…the cause of destruction.  Arrogance…distorter of the truth.  Arrogance…deliverer of death. 

God loves all of us equally.  There are no levels of His love.  Most importantly, He loves us because of who He is, not because of anything we do, did or didn’t do. 

So, to all of the mean people….stop sucking...shut the hell up…and let’s just all enjoy this wonderful gift of life we’ve been given.  ~

Me...In A Nutshell

“Where does a person go to fit in when those of her own faith judge her to be too pagan and worldly?”

I saw this quote on a Facebook status the other day and it stuck with me.  Maybe it’s because it is the story of my life and the constant pondering of my soul.  You see, the greatest judgments in my life have come from those that share my faith, but do not share my religion because, as it would seem, I have none.

There is a vast difference between religion and relationship and I truly believe that God doesn’t care what religion you practice as long as you have a relationship with Him.  I believe He wants you to know Him and love Him as much as He loves you.  Does it matter if you worship the Almighty on a mountaintop or in a pew?  No.  It only matters that you worship Him.

Hate and violence stir our nation, and they stem from one source…judgment.  Mother Teresa said, “If you’re judging someone you are too busy to love them.”  There are countless verses in the Bible that speak against judging others.  The reason for this emphasis is that judgment stems from a spirit of hatefulness masked in an evangelical motive of purity labeled “God’s Agenda.”

But it is wrong.

 

The world may end in judgment, but the agenda of the Most High is one of love first, followed by mercy and compassion. Put your hate signs down.  Stop your condemnation of others.  If you need to point a finger go look in the mirror. Fight against the enemy, not against one another.  Who IS the enemy?  Hate is the enemy and it shows itself in the form of judgment derived from pseudo-godly arrogance and elitism.

Let me pose an odd question:  How many atheists are judging others for their beliefs or lifestyle choices? 

Now, I’m not saying I think people should become atheists.  I’m merely pointing out that somewhere along the line it seems that the "religious" people have picked up the torch of hate and have begun terrorizing the villagers and burning the towns…all in the name of God, which is ironic since God is love, not hate. 

Love is the most powerful influence in the world, and its counterpart, Hate, is the most destructive weapon known to mankind.  It starts in the heart and is fed by arrogance until it finally manifests itself in an act of violence against others.  "I'm right and you're wrong," is the foundation of judgment.  "I hold the truth and you are deceived," is the foundation of judgment.  Judgment, fed by arrogance and elitsim results in hateful actions, some of which can manifest violently.

I may not have a “religion” that those who share my faith can understand; but I have a relationship with God.  You won’t see me in church every Sunday, because quite frankly, I don’t always feel close to God while I’m in church.  You won’t find me handing out tracks, putting ‘Life’ tape over my lips or holding a sign that says ‘God hates homosexuality.’  I refuse to cast judgment on anyone else.  I'm not "right" and I don't hold a "truth" that isn't available to anyone else.  Thus, it isn’t my place to spew forth judment and frankly, I don’t want to carry the hatefulness that accompanies judgment in my heart. 

Hate destroys.  Whether you use a gun, a bomb, a knife, a rope, a sign or your words…hate brings about destruction; internal and external.  And if you are invoking judgment and destruction in the name of God or under the guise of His agenda, shame on you.  Shame, shame, shame on you.

I once had a fellow Christian scoff at me and say, “Well, how many people have you led to Christ?”  I didn’t answer, for it was none of her business.  That answer is between me and God.  I should have asked her, “How many people have you chased away from Christ with your judgmental arrogance and hateful elitism?”  That is the real question.

People of my faith don’t always like me…and I’m learning that that’s okay.  God likes me and He loves me and my faith is established in HIM alone and not the man-made, religious rules that cause damage to others.  Jesus said to love others, not judge them.  "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Would you stand in your own yard with 'Life' tape on your mouth?  Would you stand in your own yard holding a "God hates ME" sign?  Would you treat yourself the way you are treating the rest of the world who doesn't agree with you?

I might be nuts, but in the words of Gladys from the Ellen Show, “I love Jesus, but I drink a little.”  J  That’s me in a nutshell.  ~

My Easter Prayer

Thank you, God, for sending your Son to die for me and save me from my sin.  Thank you, Jesus, for the sacrifice you made on my behalf.  I could not earn it nor ever deserve it.  Not only did you give your life for me, but you rose from the grave, defeating death and promising me eternal life.  Thank you. 

 

You’ve given me the authority to tell Satan to kiss my ass, which is exactly what I tell him every day.  I’ve already won the battle because of You, and I am eternally grateful. 

Thank you for loving me.  Happy Easter.  ~

An Easier Easter

Easter is such a fun holiday, though I wish it didn’t fall on a Sunday. 

The problem with holidays that fall on a Sunday is that it hinders people from being able to travel and celebrate with their families.  It forces people to have to take Monday off of work, and not everyone can do that.  It also means kids have to miss school on Monday and not everyone can do that either.  For those who have family local, it still puts a damper on the festivities because there is constant time awareness, knowing you have to get the kids home and to bed at a decent hour for school the next day. 

I think we should officially move the Easter celebration to Saturday…that way people can travel easier without missing work or school; and the party doesn’t have to stop at any particular time. 

We could go straight from Good Friday to Easter without the extra day in between.  Now, I know I’ve probably just offended some of my super-duper-religious friends, who feel we should keep the time authentic.  Jesus died on Good Friday and rose from the grave on the following Sunday; therefore we should celebrate on the day of His resurrection. 

Forgive me…but I don’t think God cares what day on which we celebrate, as long as we recognize the true meaning of Easter and honor He and His Son for the gracious gift of salvation.  (Which, honestly, we should be recognizing all year long anyway.) 

The way I see it, we’re not re-arranging God’s schedule, just the Easter Bunny’s... and I don't think he cares either. ~

 

Love is our savior; our Savior is Love

As I age, I have come to realize that I have fewer answers and more questions.  I am less rigid on the boundaries of right and wrong, in the context of people’s personal decisions and lifestyle choices.  Things appear more gray than black and white.  Now, before I get a barrage of emails telling me that the Bible is very much black and white and we, as Christians, are not to live in the gray… hear me out. 

We are all very much alike.  Regardless of upbringing, cultural background, religion, political affiliation, race and sexual preference, we are human beings.  We have bodies that function the same; and minds and souls.  We make decisions for our lives based on what we think, how we feel and what “moves” us internally.  We have unique gifts and talents, that when we come together, are used to help and entertain one another.  We share a fundamental foundation of truth that is innate in humanity.  It wasn’t learned, but has existed inside of us from the moment we were birthed.  It says this:  Love is right.  Hate is wrong.  Love is healthy.  Hate is harmful.  Love is good.  Hate is bad. 

I do not believe anyone on the planet will argue with that fundamental statement.  We, as people, long to be loved and are, in essence, created as an extension of love.  Love is internal and inbred in us; but we must be taught to hate.  Hate is an external entity that one makes a personal choice to grasp and invite inside.

 

The Bible says that “God is love.”  Thus, He is the absence of hate.  The Bible also says we are not to judge one another.  In the words of Mother Theresa, “If you are judging someone you are too busy to love them.”    Judgment and love cannot go hand in hand for human beings.  When we judge it is a hate-driven attitude that then becomes a hate-driven action.  For a person to cast judgment, even in the name of God, it is still an action of hate and not one of love.  Only God has the right to cast judgment and only God has the ability to be able to judge and love simultaneously. 

 

Part of our human nature is that we want to believe we are right, that we have the answers, that we’re the best, the chosen, that we are as-close-to-perfect-as-a-human-can-be.  But, this is just a lie that we tell ourselves.  We cannot be perfect and we’re not supposed to be.  We weren’t created with an expectation of perfection.  We were created out of love for the purpose of love…loving God and loving one another.

That’s what life is all about.

Sometimes we think that we’re supposed to have the answers…but maybe we’re supposed to have the questions.  Seeking the answers is what causes growth.  The lesson doesn’t lie in the destination, but in the journey. 

See, love has no ego.  Love is not self-serving.  Love doesn’t go into ministry for the popularity of being known in Christian circles.  Love doesn’t talk other Christians or other religions down and love doesn’t puff itself up.  Love doesn't use fear-tactics and threats.  Love doesn’t destroy families and friendships, but cherishes that which God has given for this lifetime.  Love isn’t satisfied with fake, shallow, hollow relationships. Love doesn't care about image.  In a world where hate prevails in our churches and is spewed forth from our pulpits,  love is our only savior and our Savior (Jesus) is love. 

At the core level, there is no greater truth than love. "Faith. Hope. And Love. But the greatest of these is love."  Everything else will fade away...and all that will be left is love.  ~

... especially hate in His name.

 

Can I Get an AMEN up In Here?!

I overheard a conversation the other day between two women.  One was having difficulty dealing with daily life.  If I could break down all she shared into the simplest form, I would say she was feeling overwhelmed.  There were no major issues of illness, adultery or murder.  No one robbed a bank, got arrested or assaulted anyone else.  She was simply expressing the exhausting trials associated with juggling parenting, marriage and a career.

There were moments during their conversation when she cried, and my heart wept with empathy for her.  We’ve all been there.  In fact, I live there.  No matter how blessed we are, there are still days when we wonder how we’re going to get through….how we’re going to get it all done…and we feel like we just can’t handle one more thing.  It's those "calgon, take me away" moments.

 

 

As they talked and I eavesdropped, I had to force myself to bite my tongue and resist the temptation to barge into their conversation.  The friend, instead of just listening, took it upon herself to seize the moment for preaching.  She reminded her teary-eyed friend that the Bible tells us to do all things without complaining or grumbling or getting angry or being bitter and upset.  The tears that had pooled in the woman’s eyes now ran down her cheeks as the friend continued.  “Jesus tells us to be holy and seek perfection and to practice self-control…”

This went on for quite some time with the friend quoting Scripture and it took all of my strength not to leap to my feet and yell, “Shut-up!  You hypocritical bimbo!”  That’s what I was yelling inside my head.  Now, I don’t really know if this woman is a hypocrite or a bimbo, but those were the words that popped into my mind.

See, I can’t stand people like her.  I don’t have any close girlfriends who respond this way, and that’s a purposeful decision on my part.  There’s an uppity class of Christians who believe in holding one another accountable before the Lord… and even though the idea of this is Biblical…the method with which they carry it out is not.  I don’t associate with this kind of Christian for this very reason.

I believe God is way more concerned with us uplifting one another than holding one another "accountable."  I believe our main job is to love one another and not to judge.  The woman who got on her preachy high-horse in an attempt to help hold her friend accountable to God’s principals of Christianity, made her feel judged instead of loved.

This, quite frankly, pisses me off, and makes me want to tell every upity, know-it-all Christian what they can go kiss...

 

 

Jesus said, “Faith. Hope and Love; but the greatest of these is Love.”  When a girlfriend is crying, love doesn’t tell her she shouldn’t be bitter or angry or grumble.  Love says, “Cry it out.  I’m here.  I understand.  Life sucks sometimes.”

When a girlfriend is overworked and overwhelmed and feeling that she just can’t do one more thing, love doesn’t tell her she should seek perfection and strive for self-control.  Love says, “Can I help you?  Let me take the kids for a while and give you guys a date night.  Let's go have a coffee and whine a little.” (or wine a little!) 

Love listens…it does not preach…and it never judges.

Christianity is defined as having a “personal relationship with Jesus Christ” because it is just that:  PERSONAL.  That means it’s between God and you…no one else.  No one else has the right to preach to you or at you or judge you, not even when they are judging you with fundamental, Biblical principles.  Those principles are there for you to hold yourself accountable and for God to hold you accountable.  He doesn’t use them to judge you so what gives anyone else the right?  God uses those principles to help you grow and learn and become all that He has made you to be.  He doesn’t use them against you to beat you up or tear you down.  Only elitist Christians riding around on high-horses do that…and shame on them!

Can I get a frickin’ Amen up in here?!

 

 

   

Preachers That Piss Me Off !!

We’ve all heard what happened at the elementary school in Connecticut… there are no words that can describe it.  It’s every parent’s worst nightmare and it is unbearable agony. 

When a spouse loses their partner, they are called a widow or widower.  When a child loses their parents they are called an orphan.  But there is no term for when a parent loses a child.  It is un-natural.  It isn’t supposed to happen and it certainly isn’t supposed to happen like this.

Parents lose children to illness and to accidents.  That is brutal enough.  But to lose them because a mentally ill adult attacks and murders them is … well… there are no words to describe it.  It is more than injustice.  It is more than wrong.  It is more than evil.

 

My heart breaks for everyone who has lost children and loved ones in this tragedy.  I am praying for them and for the children, teachers and families who survived but will be forever scarred by what happened. 

 

That being said…

I have already heard something disturbing….something I knew would eventually be verbalized but thought people would have the decency to wait until the mourning process was over and there was at least some inkling of healing in sight.  Of course, these people don’t wait… they want to voice their ever-judgmental opinion with cold immediacy.  They want to strike while the iron is hot, thinking it will in some way have a greater effect. 

Well, it had an affect… it pissed me off!

I won’t name specific names (yet) but several preachers have come forward claiming that this tragedy occurred because “we, as a nation, have taken God out of our schools.” 

To that I say:  BULLSHIT!

To these preachers, I ask this:  Who are you that you think you have the power to take God out of anything or anywhere?  You arrogant son-of-a-bitch!  You’re talking about the Almighty Jehovah God; all-powerful, all-knowing, omnipotent.  You nor I have the power to remove Him.  He doesn’t reside in buildings or in systems of government or programs.  He isn’t something you can vote in or out.  God dwells in the hearts of people.

Don’t you dare tell these devastated parents that God wasn’t there because our nation removed Him.  God WAS there.  He IS there.  He promised to always be there.  He didn’t say bad things wouldn’t happen… He said when they happen He will never leave us alone.  He will never leave us nor forsake us.

This didn’t happen because God wasn’t in that school…this didn't happen because someone voted to take prayer out of school systems... it happened because of a mentally ill individual.  That mentally ill man would have walked into that school regardless of whether a law allowed public prayer or not.

 

You like to take tragic events, be they man-made or forces of nature, and use them to beat the living crap out of people.... to scare them into accepting some unfounded belief about God. 

You are the people who think the Joplin, Missouri tornado was "God's punishment for abortion."  You are not only ridiculous, you are deceivers and manipulators of God's Word.  Shame on you.

I can tell you this:  I am a Believer.  I am a Christian.  I love Jesus with all of my heart.  My children go to public school and God IS with them every minute of every day.  It doesn’t matter if they are publically allowed to pray in school; they are praying quietly in their hearts anyway.  Regardless of what a law says, there is prayer in school because prayer is generated from the hearts of people; not some mandated law.

Would I like prayer to be publically allowed in schools… yes.  But laws don’t keep God out.  Laws don’t stop prayer.  God doesn't punish His own children because someone else voted to take prayer out.  It doesn't work that way. 

Laws don’t control the Almighty. Period. And here's a newsflash for you.... YOU don't control the Almighty either.

So if this is the kind of right-wing, bullshit message you’re going to send hurting parents, then it would be more beneficial for you to go stick your head back up your ass and stop spreading lies in the name of God.

I don’t claim to know everything about the Lord.  I wish I knew Him better, but what I do know is that YOU are not a representation of HIM.  Not even close.  You are a sham, a fraud, a fake and I am ashamed to have to share the title of “Christian” with the likes of you.

God is everywhere, all of the time.  Period.

What I’m realizing is that what should be voted out or disallowed in our society are preachers like you, who twist and taint the Word of God for your own gain; who use fear-tactics and I-told-you-so’s to your own advantage and represent God in a condemning, judgmental way.  You make me sick.

You suffer from "ass-holism" and you spread your disease every time you open your mouth.  Instead of being concerned about God in our schools, why don't you look at your own church, because based on your teachings I'd say God isn't anywhere near your church. 

You are mis-leading and deceiving people.... and if I were you I'd be afraid because I don't think God's going to put up with your bullshit for much longer. ~

An Attitude of Gratitude

On this Veteran’s Day I want to thank everyone who has served and is serving to protect our Nation and our Freedom.  May God bless America and you.  May He also bless your families, who serve along with you in their sacrifice.   It is not small.  Some of have given their lives and mere words cannot express the gratitude I feel.  Even when our economy is in turmoil, I am proud to be an American.  Even in times of upheaval, I am proud to be an American.  I am proud to stand behind our troops, waving stars and stripes, and profess my gratitude that we are One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, With Liberty and Justice For All.

 

 

Thank you, God, for every blessing and every freedom; and thank you, Veterans, for defending and protecting the blessings and freedoms we have been given.  ~

Boomerang of Shame

Here is an excerpt from a letter I received after I posted yesterday’s blog, entitled “Don’t Quit: Re-new It!”  

“You claim to be a Christian but you write books about murder and on your blog you’ve condoned spanking, which is a form of abuse, and abortion which is killing.  The fact that you refer to yourself as a follower of Christ is apprehensible.” 

There was a time when receiving an email of this nature would have reduced me to tears.  Thankfully, those days are gone.  I have reached a point in my life where I am confident in who I am and in my relationship with God.  He loves me…everyone else doesn’t have to.  So, it is with a comical grin that I respond to this email.  

First, let me point out that I believe the word she meant to use was "reprehensible" and not "apprehensible." 

In regards to my books, the Just Call Me Angel series is a suspense series centered on the Mafia.  It would be virtually impossible to write a story about the mob that didn’t involve killing.  These books are fiction and in no way voice a personal conviction that murder is acceptable.  They are simply written to entertain readers.

Likewise, my debut novel, No Easy Way, and my short story, Petals of Blood, are also murder mystery/suspense novels.  I don’t want to point out the obvious, but when writing a murder mystery one sort of has to include an actual murder into the plotline.

Just because I am a Christian does not mean I should write books that fall into the Christian genre.  It’s neither my desire nor my calling.

As for the picture of spanking that was included in yesterday’s blog, I placed it there because I was talking about the Fifty Shades series, wherein spanking is an integral part of the story; not because I was in any way condoning physical abuse.  That being said, I do believe there are those that include spanking in their bedroom activities and I do not condemn them for doing so.  To each their own.  Live and let live. 

On the topic of abortion, you may read my blog, “Out-Of-The-Closet Confessions” if you’d like to better understand my thoughts.  

This email is a prime example of judgmental, holier-than-thou people, with whom (Christian or not) I disassociate myself.  It is this exact type of condemnation that drove me away from the church for twelve years of my adult life.  It is this attitude that I find UN-Christ-like, and I don’t want people to think ALL Christians are similar to the elitist few among us.

All Christians are not radical bigots.  All Christians don’t cast judgment and point fingers. 

Reading murder mysteries or writing murder mysteries doesn’t make me less of a Christian.  The fact that there may be whips and chains in someone’s bedroom, doesn’t make their heart less committed to Christ.  BUT… the fact that you judge others based solely on what you think you see or how you think things should be, tells me YOU are the one that should refer to your Bible and look up the passages about not judging others. 

So, if you’re without blemish, cast that stone; but, first, let me give you a piece of advice.  If I were you I’d duck, because I think your stone is a boomerang of shame...and it's headed right back-atcha! ~