So, I found this quote by a 19th century Irish theologen by the name of CH Mackintosh. Of course, I don't remember the quote, but it was along the lines of this: God knows that as human, we are constantly sinning- thinking bad thoughts, feeling bad feelings, plotting evil, lying, cheating, stealing, etc. However, He still called us to repent and accept Christ as our salvation.
The key idea I get from this is- Repent. Change the way you think and act. In spite of your nature. We must turn from that former lifestyle- whether "major" sinning, or "minor" (all being the same to God.)
Now, lots of people want to argue and say it is impossible. We will never stop sinning. Part of me wants to agree, but another part wants to say, pish posh! What would be the logic in commanding us to repent if we cannot?
It is a complex, but wonderfully simple thing, folks. We can repent and totally submit to Christ and His perfect will for our lives. We can.
First, you are aware of your inequities. You've lied, cheated, thought nasty thoughts. You have, everyone has. Period. Acknowledge that to God. Tell Him.
Then, acknowledge the fact that God has placed all of that sin on Christ in our stead. Jesus has shouldered your crap. He was perfect in every way, but He took on your dirtiness. That perfect sacrifice was set up for us by God, who loves us that much.
Now, the repent part. How do you change the way you think and act? You don't. That's right. YOU don't. Upon accepting Christ, you are given an advocate, a helper. The Holy Spirit. God's interaction with YOU in this fleshly life. He is RIGHT THERE WITH YOU. There is a lovely line in a song that goes like this: "I'm learning to stand the more that I fall down." The falling down is giving up, laying down your life at the feet of Jesus and allowing Him to move you and influence you, rather than your own thoughts or the temptation of this world.
Get that? There is no way you are going to live a life of repentance on your own. That is why Jesus says, "I'm sending a helper to you." The Holy Spirit gets forgotten, or is misunderstood so often! And He is the strength by which we can live the life God intends for us! The Spirit is God within us! Moving us, holding us upright! Oh, how I love the Spirit. Oh, how I love God. Oh, how I love Jesus.
So, what is all this about? It's about "keepin' it real, ya'll." We have been called to repent, so let's do it. Every morning, wake up, let your first words be praise to the Father. Let your second words be confession of your sins. And let your third words be an invitation to the Spirit to guide your day.
Doing this numerous times a day seems pretty much impossible. But it isn't. I'm not saying that because I do it or anything- heck, I've got some serious dicsiplining to do with myself. I'm saying it because God says we can do it. He tells us to repent. We must be able to do that- change the way we think and act. And not by our power, but by the power of The Holy Spirit. God, dynamic and moving within us. We can live the life God intends for us. We can. It's gonna take work, but hey, we have each other. Let this goal be your first and last. Let living for God be the breath in your lungs, the smile on your face.
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight!!! Amen.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
It's not that I don't like the guy...
Seriously. Obama isn't too bad a guy. He's funny. Intelligent. He's got cute kids. Nice guy, nice guy.
But come on, people. The ridiculous head-over-heels reaction that most people have of this guy just makes me want to throw up. He's just a man. There is nothing particularly great about him. If you continue to build him up like some kind of god, what are you going to do to him when he falls incredibly short of your hopes and dreams?
Obama-fanatics are worse than Obama. Like I said, I like the guy. I'm glad it's him and not John McCain, because we have a Demo. congress, and there would be a stalemate between them and nothing would get done. Obama is going to move stuff around, big time. Whether or not that will be a good thing, the pessismist in me reigns on this one, but at least something is happening.
I worry about the whack-job 'bama-worshippers who go into some psychotic frenzy when the man flicks an eyelash off his cheek- seriously. Please. This is not Leonardo DiCaprio. This is not the freakin' Jonas Brothers. This is a freshman senator who just happened to win the presidency, albeit on some lofty promises and "hope" brainwashing that he has already gone back on, but we'll let him slide on that one because, well, we're in a depression. That's right, I used the D word. Not the R word.
So, Obama, this is my message for you- I hope you do well. The conspiracy nut within me eyes you with suspicion, but I will trust God and His decision to make you the leader of this land- by true means or by conspiracy-adled shifty ones. You are the president, my president. This is my country and I love her. I refuse to see you as anything but the president. You are not some kind of glorified messiah, heck, you aren't even the "first black president" in my eyes. You are a man with a big, big, big job. The color of your skin matters to me about as much as the size of your...shoe. Your pigment is not making the decisions about Iraq or the economy. Your brain is. I respect your brain.
And I will give you props for your first day. Meeting with the generals and talking about an actual timeline of getting out of Iraq. Let's hope you bring the boys home and not send them over to Iran or something. So, I don't trust you, Obama, but I will look upon your decisions with the smallest glimmer of hope, clutching my Bible, ready to test your actions against the Truth within it.
May God bless you, and may you bless Him in return, Mr. President.
But come on, people. The ridiculous head-over-heels reaction that most people have of this guy just makes me want to throw up. He's just a man. There is nothing particularly great about him. If you continue to build him up like some kind of god, what are you going to do to him when he falls incredibly short of your hopes and dreams?
Obama-fanatics are worse than Obama. Like I said, I like the guy. I'm glad it's him and not John McCain, because we have a Demo. congress, and there would be a stalemate between them and nothing would get done. Obama is going to move stuff around, big time. Whether or not that will be a good thing, the pessismist in me reigns on this one, but at least something is happening.
I worry about the whack-job 'bama-worshippers who go into some psychotic frenzy when the man flicks an eyelash off his cheek- seriously. Please. This is not Leonardo DiCaprio. This is not the freakin' Jonas Brothers. This is a freshman senator who just happened to win the presidency, albeit on some lofty promises and "hope" brainwashing that he has already gone back on, but we'll let him slide on that one because, well, we're in a depression. That's right, I used the D word. Not the R word.
So, Obama, this is my message for you- I hope you do well. The conspiracy nut within me eyes you with suspicion, but I will trust God and His decision to make you the leader of this land- by true means or by conspiracy-adled shifty ones. You are the president, my president. This is my country and I love her. I refuse to see you as anything but the president. You are not some kind of glorified messiah, heck, you aren't even the "first black president" in my eyes. You are a man with a big, big, big job. The color of your skin matters to me about as much as the size of your...shoe. Your pigment is not making the decisions about Iraq or the economy. Your brain is. I respect your brain.
And I will give you props for your first day. Meeting with the generals and talking about an actual timeline of getting out of Iraq. Let's hope you bring the boys home and not send them over to Iran or something. So, I don't trust you, Obama, but I will look upon your decisions with the smallest glimmer of hope, clutching my Bible, ready to test your actions against the Truth within it.
May God bless you, and may you bless Him in return, Mr. President.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Musings of an American Housewife
Have you seen those Scrubbing Bubbles new toilet cleaner thingys? They are little gel blobs that you stick onto your toilet bowl. I know this is of vital interest to most people so I feel compelled to write this.
If you are interested in having about 1 minute of border-line "fun," go ahead and buy this stupid product. I had a coupon, so I gave it a go. The science behind these things, seriously. What fourth grader can't tell you that this magical gel blob is purely novelty?
So, I take out the "wand" applicator. It's called a wand because the only way this thing is actually going to clean your toilet is if some kind of magic is involved. You push the blob up to the surface of the wand, stick it to your toilet, pull the wand back, and shazam, you've got yourself a very fragrant blue blob attached to the bowl of your potty. The fragrant part isn't so bad, although might I suggest going with the lemon scent rather than "fresh" which would more aptly be named "hazardous toxic chemical scent". But it's really your call- perhaps chemical scent is better than what your husband can leave behind after a big chili dinner.
Ok, so any actual cleaning this thing does is nominal. Every time you flush, water rushes past the blob, supposedly distributing that bit of cleaning fluid or whatever to the entire bowl. Yeah. I didn't take physics, but I think I can tell when something just isn't logical. My best guess as to how this thing is going to play out is like this: My toilet will be exceptionally clean in a small one-inch wide stripe, directly below the blob, where the water runs around it and down into the bowl. As I can see you are rife with interest, I will most assuredly update you on the progress. We are at day 4, and the blue blob is still in the same place, not noticeably smaller, and as odor-ific as ever. Oh, I just can't wait to see what happens.
And for those of you who just read that entire spew of nonsense, I apologize. I will now write something of more actual vital interest to maybe a few people. Mostly conspiracy-lovers and doom and gloom "we're all gonna die and the government is going to be holding the knife" type people.
Colloidal Silver. Ever hear of it? That blue guy that was on the Today show and Oprah, remember him? He was using colloidal silver on his face for a while, and now he drinks the stuff. I'm doing some research into this silver stuff. I'm hoping I find positive stuff- that will outweigh the negative. The whole turning blue thing is a very rare side-effect that only happens to some people, and it's from using IONIC silver, rather than true colloidal silver.
However, this actual colloidal silver stuff supposedly kills anything bad that could possibly enter our bodies- bacteria, viruses, fungus, whatever. It's like the best antibiotic ever- except it's even better because it kills viruses and it doesn't have all the nasty possible side-effects like liver damage. (I'll turn blue any day over liver damage.) Can this be true? Do your own research. I want to believe it because I want to have something on hand for when, you know, they release whatever stupid virus or bio-weapon killer thing they have planned. Even if you don't believe there is a giant killer conspiracy of elite mega-rich a-holes that want to kill us all in the name of environmentalism or satan or money or all of the above- what a cool thing to have on hand for say, the common cold virus? I've had a cold for like, 7 weeks, and I'm just now getting over the stupid thing. Coulda been gone in a week if this silver business turns out to be legit.
So, let's review. Gel toilet cleaner thingys: Bad. Colloidal Silver for health: outlook is good, but more research is required. Do your own.
If you are interested in having about 1 minute of border-line "fun," go ahead and buy this stupid product. I had a coupon, so I gave it a go. The science behind these things, seriously. What fourth grader can't tell you that this magical gel blob is purely novelty?
So, I take out the "wand" applicator. It's called a wand because the only way this thing is actually going to clean your toilet is if some kind of magic is involved. You push the blob up to the surface of the wand, stick it to your toilet, pull the wand back, and shazam, you've got yourself a very fragrant blue blob attached to the bowl of your potty. The fragrant part isn't so bad, although might I suggest going with the lemon scent rather than "fresh" which would more aptly be named "hazardous toxic chemical scent". But it's really your call- perhaps chemical scent is better than what your husband can leave behind after a big chili dinner.
Ok, so any actual cleaning this thing does is nominal. Every time you flush, water rushes past the blob, supposedly distributing that bit of cleaning fluid or whatever to the entire bowl. Yeah. I didn't take physics, but I think I can tell when something just isn't logical. My best guess as to how this thing is going to play out is like this: My toilet will be exceptionally clean in a small one-inch wide stripe, directly below the blob, where the water runs around it and down into the bowl. As I can see you are rife with interest, I will most assuredly update you on the progress. We are at day 4, and the blue blob is still in the same place, not noticeably smaller, and as odor-ific as ever. Oh, I just can't wait to see what happens.
And for those of you who just read that entire spew of nonsense, I apologize. I will now write something of more actual vital interest to maybe a few people. Mostly conspiracy-lovers and doom and gloom "we're all gonna die and the government is going to be holding the knife" type people.
Colloidal Silver. Ever hear of it? That blue guy that was on the Today show and Oprah, remember him? He was using colloidal silver on his face for a while, and now he drinks the stuff. I'm doing some research into this silver stuff. I'm hoping I find positive stuff- that will outweigh the negative. The whole turning blue thing is a very rare side-effect that only happens to some people, and it's from using IONIC silver, rather than true colloidal silver.
However, this actual colloidal silver stuff supposedly kills anything bad that could possibly enter our bodies- bacteria, viruses, fungus, whatever. It's like the best antibiotic ever- except it's even better because it kills viruses and it doesn't have all the nasty possible side-effects like liver damage. (I'll turn blue any day over liver damage.) Can this be true? Do your own research. I want to believe it because I want to have something on hand for when, you know, they release whatever stupid virus or bio-weapon killer thing they have planned. Even if you don't believe there is a giant killer conspiracy of elite mega-rich a-holes that want to kill us all in the name of environmentalism or satan or money or all of the above- what a cool thing to have on hand for say, the common cold virus? I've had a cold for like, 7 weeks, and I'm just now getting over the stupid thing. Coulda been gone in a week if this silver business turns out to be legit.
So, let's review. Gel toilet cleaner thingys: Bad. Colloidal Silver for health: outlook is good, but more research is required. Do your own.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Nothing is quite as exciting...
When I was a senior in high school, there was a few weeks where it seemed like happiness was right before my eyes, in my ears, and in my soul. Sadly, I am talking about the few weeks where I purchased the newest Spice Girls album (the putrid Spice World that spawned a hilariously bad movie). How could such a silly pop culture relic bring me the illusion of pure joy?
That is a question I ask myself often. How have I gone from being enthralled with certain things- a new cd that I can play over and over and sing to and brood over, a movie that can wrench my guts out and bring me to an emotional apex that nothing in my actual life has ever really brought me to...a book that leaves me clutching it to my heart minutes after reading the last page, just swooning with glee. That doesn't happen anymore. I'm a grown up now.
But wait. I'm lying. It does happen. It just doesn't happen with those "things" anymore. Sure, a good movie will lift me up into some netherworld of brief emotional ecstasy, a good book will have me blubbering it's praises to my half-asleep husband...but to the extent that the teenage me was so utterly lost in all that stuff? No.
My life has caught up with my ideas of life. I am finally in a zone where the ebb and flow of my very own existence causes me to wreak with passion and fervor. How have I gotten here? God Almighty. And I mean that in all seriousness, not as a simple interjection.
Where a beautiful song once flew me high as a kite, only singing the praises of my God will do that now. A movie that once taught me how love could feel is now a pale reflection of the love that is within God. A book will never read me like the Bible.
Never in those moments as a teenager would I have considered this a possibility. God? Yuck. I'll pass. ....Look at me now. Obsessed with Jesus instead of the Spice Girls or Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman or any of the other odd things I adored. Weird. Does everyone get to experience this? A shedding of the world and a clinging to Christ in all ways, for all needs and desires? Bizarre. I think about this a lot. Thus it appearing on this worthless blog that serves me and only me. Thinking out loud onto my computer screen. This is way better than psychotherapy!!
That is a question I ask myself often. How have I gone from being enthralled with certain things- a new cd that I can play over and over and sing to and brood over, a movie that can wrench my guts out and bring me to an emotional apex that nothing in my actual life has ever really brought me to...a book that leaves me clutching it to my heart minutes after reading the last page, just swooning with glee. That doesn't happen anymore. I'm a grown up now.
But wait. I'm lying. It does happen. It just doesn't happen with those "things" anymore. Sure, a good movie will lift me up into some netherworld of brief emotional ecstasy, a good book will have me blubbering it's praises to my half-asleep husband...but to the extent that the teenage me was so utterly lost in all that stuff? No.
My life has caught up with my ideas of life. I am finally in a zone where the ebb and flow of my very own existence causes me to wreak with passion and fervor. How have I gotten here? God Almighty. And I mean that in all seriousness, not as a simple interjection.
Where a beautiful song once flew me high as a kite, only singing the praises of my God will do that now. A movie that once taught me how love could feel is now a pale reflection of the love that is within God. A book will never read me like the Bible.
Never in those moments as a teenager would I have considered this a possibility. God? Yuck. I'll pass. ....Look at me now. Obsessed with Jesus instead of the Spice Girls or Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman or any of the other odd things I adored. Weird. Does everyone get to experience this? A shedding of the world and a clinging to Christ in all ways, for all needs and desires? Bizarre. I think about this a lot. Thus it appearing on this worthless blog that serves me and only me. Thinking out loud onto my computer screen. This is way better than psychotherapy!!
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