tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57435818092595899552024-03-13T18:54:35.494-07:00Raising Boys and life's joys!The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-22010798169702735192019-09-24T05:00:00.005-07:002019-09-24T06:31:25.376-07:00Happy soon to be holiday ish..... the season is almost upon us.....Life is a really rough thing..... Frankly I've gotten to the point that I don't really like it much sometimes but in perspective I don't really don't want it to change. A simple life would mean there's nothing to think about, nothing to ponder, no problems to solve and worst of all it would be mundane. I could never handle that......<br />
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So in the years past I've done things, lots of things, mostly normal things really.<br />
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1. Cook, clean and general house work<br />
2. Had my daughter at home<br />
3. Taken care of my Tracheostomy dependent son ( Dr.'s appts, melt downs, etc.)<br />
4. Helped take care of of my grandparents<br />
5. Helped with people in the family who don't want to help themselves<br />
6. Held a lot of things in<br />
7. Let a lot of things out<br />
8. Been happy<br />
9. Been sad<br />
10. Lied<br />
11. Cried<br />
12. Laughed<br />
13. Played<br />
14. Finished College Courses<br />
15. Homeschooled boys<br />
16. Held a newborn<br />
17. Spoke the truth<br />
18. Listened to the truth<br />
19. Listened to lies<br />
20. Gossiped<br />
21. Been Gossiped about<br />
22. Been on the receiving end of an argument<br />
23. Been on the giving end of an argument<br />
24. Been a gift giver<br />
25. Been a gift receiver<br />
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I do many of these things 365 days a year and honestly it's pretty real for most of us, minus the tracheostomy thing or having a kid at home ;) But my whole point in this list isn't to keep a tally of what I did or didn't do it's just to show that without much trouble we can all make a list and even check it twice we are all going to find out that at one point or another we've been naughty and we've been nice (well most of us ;))<br />
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So as we head into the holiday season where we will most likely stuffed into smaller than necessary spaces with people that we know have made less than great choices in the year (for some of us it will be us not even liking being around ourselves) remember that we all make good and bad ones so lets actually act like it!<br />
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The choices we make are no different really just different situations, different outcomes, different consequences and different results. Try to remember that if we are both doing the same thing...... we aren't all that different. </div>
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The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-52945209085275988382019-09-24T04:35:00.001-07:002019-09-24T05:20:14.830-07:00God prefers a messy person!<br /><br />(Written in 2017, published 2019)<br /><br />Yes! It's official, God, the Almighty, the most Supreme prefers messy people! Throughout scripture He makes a point of showing us messy people!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Adam and Eve couldn't follow a basic rules.<br /><br />Cain killed his brother.<br /><br />Noah got drunk.<br /><br />Lot got so drunk he sleep with his daughters and didn't know it!<br /><br />and look at here people we haven't even left Genesis yet!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Moses murderer.... David murderer...... Baalam animal abuser..... Paul...... murderer....... Thomas.... doubter...... Peter.... liar....... Jonah......coward.......<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Perfect might be the goal but God was super gracious when he showed us that messy isn't really the problem.... <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I'm my own level of a messy person.... we all have our mess but it shouldn't stop us from resting in God's all knowing grace. My kids will be the first to tell you I'm a hard mom, I expect a lot and rarely take "no", "I can't" or "it's too hard" for an answer. You see there are whole lot of messy people in the Bible in this world in our lives but that doesn't seem to be the issue God has with humanity.<br /><br />Are y'all ready? Don't hold your breath because you will quickly think.... psssshhhh "I knew that".<br /><br />It's the prideful He keeps at a distance.....<br /><br />Psalm 138:6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.<br /><br />When God listed the things He couldn't stand He listed Haughtiness FIRST.......<br /><br />Provers 6:16-19 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.<br /><br />Do you think that was a coincidence? I don't. Throughout the bible I see clear evidence that being prideful is the last thing the Lord seems to appreciate (be mindful that pride and confidence are NOT the same attribute however you must be very diligent to not enter pride when pursing confidence.). It seems to me that a fellow who says "I screwed up" is way more likely to find his way back to the graces of the Almighty than the one that can't seem to muster those words. <br />So really the take away for me is I know I have made plenty of mistakes, in life, parenting, spousing, probably even in just breathing :) But the ultimate reality is that I know I've made those mistakes.... I'm not afraid to admit it and I know that the Almighty is willing and ready to hear me out and offer me an unimaginable amount of grace that I don't deserve. I can't wrap my head around it most of the time but that's the beauty of God..... it isn't our job to understand it all.<br /><br />Rest in grace and don't give up because of past mistakes. Be the messy person that God is the Master of!The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-63194974298071665512018-02-18T21:43:00.000-08:002018-02-18T21:55:55.278-08:0050 Shades of PurpleTomorrow I will attend my grandmothers funeral. I don't imagine it will be an extraordinary event. She wasn't famous and due to her advanced age many of her friends and family have travelled on before her. She was however a remarkable and rememberable person within my life. She was what I would consider a true matriarch. Everyone knew her favorite color, all the kids knew the house rules and grandpa knew when it was time to leave during a visit (cue the purse). These subtle shades of grandma were the building blocks of what I as a grandchild grew to appreciate. These are the light purples in my experiences with grandma......<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYHq45xKIQ7VurATk7SeuvLDSuUGMScDoC7Am4q6IKmm2Jl1-9SA-1XVke7_7rN4anjDLEYTrBP5WneHmDAMKmkJL5Kc4pmzKhBDQX8jvX-aKhBPFOOx-nOY0FJNp9x9bJtLPRFG1SrKu/s1600/IMG_1861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYHq45xKIQ7VurATk7SeuvLDSuUGMScDoC7Am4q6IKmm2Jl1-9SA-1XVke7_7rN4anjDLEYTrBP5WneHmDAMKmkJL5Kc4pmzKhBDQX8jvX-aKhBPFOOx-nOY0FJNp9x9bJtLPRFG1SrKu/s320/IMG_1861.JPG" width="240" /></a>I remember driving grandma around from Gladewater to Longview... I was a young driver but she didn't seem to mind. I clearly remember an incident where a driver cut us off as we were trying to merge into traffic and grandma loudly proclaimed "IDIOT who gave them their license". This was a different shade..... I hadn't seen it before! It was loud and spicy it was the royal purple in my mind and it was exciting and different. It was the difference between that matriarchal staunchness and the exciting life I was exploring as a young person, grandma and I weren't so different after all!<br />
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She was patient with everyone except grandpa, toddlers and the dog. Those three could get under her skin almost as fast as grandpa playing the piano at "inappropriate" times (which was almost all the time according to grandma). These are the dark purples....<br />
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She never made so much as a sniffle in church and seemed shocked when she sneezed! You could almost bet that unless the weather was above 78 she would have on a very long, very heavy coat. I always thought the music in the car was grandpa's deal but one ride with them together and I learned he'd rather listen to talk radio but grandma won out on that one every time. Grandpa welcomed the introduction of the larger vehicle, grandma couldn't elbow him as hard when he'd snooze in the car.... and that elbow was always accompanied by a "JER" ladened with irritation.<br />
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She had shades that showed up when she laughed and such a soft violet when she cried. There were so many perfect shades of purple that show up in my mind. When I see the different shades of purple that everyone will be wearing tomorrow my mind won't be seeing her favorite color instead I will be seeing her smile, her laughter, her patience and determination, her excitement when she talked about the jobs she used to work or the times she saw grandpa before they were married. The conversations about Betty (her best friend) and all the amazing things they saw when they traveled. The bright and excited purple that exploded when she could see her brothers and sisters.... so many different expressions of life all caught up in the color purple.<br />
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Lastly, I will see the perfect shade of purple that came when Grandpa would slip his hand ever so closely to hers and if she didn't respond he'd give it a little nudge and she would respond by gently slipping her hand into his. There wasn't usually ever a sound, or a facial expression but you could tell that she was most comfortable with him and that that was the safest place for her..... hand in hand with him was the calmest shade of purple she possessed.<br />
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This really doesn't even begin to touch the many shades of purple Grandma could display but it's a start and everyone can weave their own amazing display of colors when they think of Grandma in this way!<br />
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#blessedtobedressedinpurple<br />
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<br />The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-43886062416370325662017-02-10T08:11:00.000-08:002017-02-10T08:11:10.457-08:00Elijah's Letter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My Dearest Elijah</div>
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A letter to you because you will need it.</div>
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I took you to the store today and you didn’t realize it but I was</div>
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crying…. you couldn’t see my tears because they were all on the</div>
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inside, you just saw my smile. I watched you pick shirts that you</div>
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thought were perfect for you and you couldn’t have been more correct. The shirts were perfect. Once you took off the old t-shirt you were wearing and put on the crisp new button up shirt your face was full of pride, you puffed up your chest as you grinned sharply at the store clerk. You always had a way with the ladies and I can only see that expanding from here.</div>
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So why I was crying inside as you were glowing on the outside. Tonight is an almost</div>
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magical night you will go to sleep and wake in the morning as a new man, literally. Around the</div>
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world in many cultures a boy becomes a man at the age of 13 and you my friend will have</div>
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arrived. You will be 13 and while we are just American’s without much true culture left I</div>
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recognize that for me and you this journey out of childhood has been a transition like none other.</div>
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I will no longer be the mother of four boy and one girl but rather three boys, one girl and one</div>
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young man.</div>
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Why does it even matter to me that you're growing up or that you’ve passed from childhood</div>
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to young adulthood? It’s a simple explanation for me and I want you to understand too. Now that</div>
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you have come of age it is time that all the work I put in gets put to the test. I get to step back and</div>
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watch you grow. I don’t want to step back but honestly it is one of the most important moments</div>
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for me as a parent and it is part of how God designed it. I will continue to pray for you as you</div>
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have to make decisions on your own and I will still be there for you if you want advise when</div>
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things get confusing or challenging. Most importantly I want you to understand that all the work</div>
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we did together talking about honesty, respect and integrity, the times I had to actively discipline</div>
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you and the times I got to stand back and smile as you demonstrated how much you understood</div>
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through your words and actions were just the training phase. </div>
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Today you begin your implementation phase where you will show God, me and the world how </div>
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much you learned and how well you learned it. Please remember all the things we talked about and </div>
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as you go forward remember that God comes first, if you decided to walk with Him in word and deed, </div>
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talk with Him when you're in the weeds and run to Him when life seems dim He will see you through!</div>
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( I know this is true)</div>
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My life changed the day I held your body just minutes after your car wreck. I didn’t know if</div>
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I would get to see this day come but God was faithful and today much like that day when I</div>
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surrendered you to him for healing I get to surrender your life to Him completely for the</div>
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remainder of your growth. It is with great honor and joy that I submit back to Him what He so</div>
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faithfully entrusted to me. This scripture became my silent prayer just a few short days after you</div>
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entered the hospital and now I am sharing it with you in hope you will always remember it. It</div>
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says;</div>
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Because of the LORD’s faithful love</div>
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we do not perish,</div>
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for His mercies never end.</div>
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They are new every morning;</div>
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great is Your faithfulness!</div>
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I say: The LORD is my portion,</div>
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therefore I will put my hope in Him.</div>
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Lamentations 3:22-24</div>
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From this point forward you are a young man and I expect you to exercise what you have</div>
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learned. I will do my best as a mother to respect your new position and I hope that in turn you</div>
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will honor God by honoring Him and me with your words and your actions.</div>
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All my love,</div>
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Mom</div>
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The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-76994466699073231792016-04-23T08:09:00.000-07:002016-04-23T08:09:26.531-07:00Stressing what need not be stressed. I always find it amazing that we are so freaking HUMAN. Seriously we never go a day without doing something or saying something stupid. We live on the edge of our humanity and live out these mediocre lives like they mean something. Chances are my life will never turn up in a history book and neither will yours because frankly we will never do something significant enough to get there.<br />
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So why in the world do we stress about it so much????<br />
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I live a "normal" life, married kids, education is important etc. etc. etc. but honestly I'm struggling and FIGHTING for something greater. I want kids who embrace life and live because its a great thing and who want to succeed because others are watching but more importantly because it's a great thing to be accomplished. I want them to go with gusto into the world making a difference and acknowledging that things can be better than they were....... nothing has to stay the same but honestly........<br />
<b> I'm not communicating that to them.......</b><br />
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You see I'm showing them that life is stressful that making hard decisions is burdensome, that carving a wedge out in this selfish world is nearly impossible. <b>I really need to stop doing that.</b><br />
I need to lead with confidence, make decisions without fail and stick to my morals and gut ..... I need to stop and listen to what my kids have to say and consider that when I fail to make time to show them how to function I'm just teaching them to stress about what doesn't need to be stressed.<br />
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I've always admired the "calm ones" those mothers that never raise their voices and swear that the good Lord made them so at peace with motherhood that it didn't bother them that the kids were ill behaved, the laundry never ceased or that their husbands were so lazy and irresponsible that they shouldered 95% of life at home alone because God expected them to. (don't get me wrong I didn't admire the people that caused her life to be so stressful just that she seemed to manage it so well) But honestly I will probably never be that kind of woman. I just don't have it in me to "chill" to the point of being taken for granted on that level.<br />
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Here's what I do know though and maybe they know it too that's why they seem so chill.....<br />
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John 16:33 says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world"<br />
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Basically God's saying yep it's gonna be a crap shoot but honestly I have got this..... I've overcome it so you don't have to overcome it. The winning has already happened you just have to navigate the maze with My wisdom.<br />
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How many times have I come upon a problem and instead of praying and deflecting to scripture I've just tried to figure it out. How many times have I failed to show my children how to do that?<br />
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2 Timothy 1:7<br />
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.<br />
Psalm 16:8<br />
I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.<br />
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Wow I must be living apart from the Spirit most of the time cause I will duck and dodge a fool in a heart beat and I really will avoid those phone calls if I don't feel strong enough to deal with them. <br />
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<b>SERIOUSLY am I teaching my CHILDREN ANYTHING??????</b><br />
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One of the most important things I think we seem to forget is that God is always teaching us....<br />
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Psalm 119:71<br />
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.<br />
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I am slowly finding that the more I feel burdened by the world I am seeking refuge in the knowledge that God has to give in scripture but I can honestly say I am not communicating that effectively to my children.......<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif;">Luke 12: 33-34</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif;"> Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.</span><br />
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<b>I want my kids to have a kingdom mind I want them to know that the world is already gotten! The things that happen here are just a phase, a temporary condition, a right of passage if you will and I want them to know that God expects us to accomplish this journey by leaning on Him.</b><br />
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The next time I have to deal with something worldly I'm going to remind myself that it's already been taken care of and I'll handle it with that mindset. I'll also do my best to remind myself that self discipline is part of the Spirit and if I am in Christ than He is in me! I am going to take this lesson I've learned and I am going to apply it........<br />
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<b>GOD KNOWS WE ARE ABOUT TO GO ALL JESUS UP IN HERE....... CAUSE THERE'S A BIBLE VERSE FOR EVERYTHING..............</b><br />
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<b>If that makes me a bible thumper I'll take that and wear it like a badge 'cause heaven knows when you stand tall as a woman somebody somewhere is already calling you a bitch, so you might as well be a bible thumper too :)</b><br />
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<b>I am determined that my boys will grow up to not be a burden in this world but a true benefit to those around them. I want them to be Men in the biblical sense, not boys stuck in transition away from the Almighty.</b>The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-6373829733331694912016-03-01T23:29:00.001-08:002016-03-01T23:29:19.652-08:00I'm the victim of bad parents, so I don't have to honor them....... right???<b><br /></b>
<b>I had to think long and hard about what I was going to put on this page tonight...........................</b><div>
<b> <i> long and hard.</i> </b></div>
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You see when I created this blog I swore to myself that I would be honest even raw at times despite how it made me feel. I also swore that I wouldn't make light of things that were important or skirt around issues that needed to be addressed but I also didn't want to make enemies on my own. I wanted my blog to speak truth as lovingly as possible but at the same time spur in every reader a level of self awareness that would drive them to look deeper and critically assess their own position. I can only hope that while this post will most definitely offend a few it will drive many to critically assess their own response to their parents as they age.......</div>
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We pulled up in the driveway per the request of an elderly man and his wife........ "give the horn a honk, his truck is here I'm sure he'll come right out!" </div>
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So I do as I'm told, knowing full well that the likelihood of that is slim to none.</div>
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Who's house are we at? The soft yet commanding voice comes from the back..... "were at our sons house, didn't you want to see him?" Well, yes, that would be nice, we haven't seen him in a while she says. You can hear the desire in her voice the longing to connect with the one she hasn't seen or heard from in "a while" as she puts it.</div>
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We sit in the driveway for a bit, I see movement in the house but no need to point it out it will simply cause more sadness. After some time the elder speaks up "I guess we better go". I am very happy to oblige this request because I can't handle the elephant sitting in the car with us it's quite stifling and so very depressing at the same time. As I go to back out a young voice from the back says "he's coming to the door.... the man who owns the house he's there he was at the window". The elder asks me to stop the car and we wait some more........ you can see the sorrow in his eyes as he looks at the door, waiting for it to open but it doesn't. After a few moments I am forced to ask a question I would rather not, "Would you like me to pull back up?" "No, he replies let's go". That moment the moment when you know what is next, the moment when you see on his face the despair and the sadness that goes without saying and then like a bomb the soft yet commanding voice from the back says, "guess he doesn't want to see us". </div>
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<b>The level of disappointment in her voice is so evident it is almost </b></div>
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<b>It is a sad day for this elder man and his wife. </b></div>
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As we pull away he is silent but the burden of the experience is so shattering that he cannot keep it within, the shoulders take on a different shape his head hangs low and it is clear his heart is so heavy with pain that he can barely keep himself composed.</div>
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How exceptionally cruel I think to myself that a child would do this to their parent. Will mine do this to me? I should hope not. What would drive a person to be so selfish, so thoughtless, so heartless? All these questions are only helpful if you care about the answer but honestly I haven't found a bible verse that would condone this behavior at all so I am forced to move on to consider that this person is better considered a follower of his own pleasures than that of the Almighty.</div>
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In a desperate attempt to understand God's expectations of us I wanted to ensure that I understood the command and the promise. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">Exo 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">Deu 5:16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">Mat 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">Mat 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">Mat 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">Mar 7:10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">Mar 10:19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">Luk 18:20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">Eph 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #373a3e;">WOW, no really WOW..... God seems to think that honoring our parents is a BIG DEAL...... and so should we! You see He gave us a promise, two actually. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #373a3e;">One, if we honor our parents our days on this earth will be long.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #373a3e;">Two, if we honor our parents He says the benefit is that it may go well with us on earth.....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #373a3e;"><b><i>Ironically the one thing I really was looking for was an excuse from this commandment, something that could help me rationalize the behaviors of "christians" who don't honor their parents but I didn't find that anywhere in scripture.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #373a3e;"> You see all of us don't have picture perfect parents. We all disagree on some level about how they did or didn't do something and we probably even swore we'd do it differently when we got children. Some of us are a product of an alcoholic or an abusive parent but God didn't give exceptions to this commandment. He never put a clause on it telling us we got a free pass if we were too offended by our parents behavior or if we disagreed with their parenting approach. As a matter of fact, there are ZERO options to negotiate on giving them the honor God says to give.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b> Wanna know the craziest thing yet, we don't get a pass on this one and it looks like He had a few things to say about people who failed to honor their parents......</b></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #666666;">Matthew 15:4 For God said: Honor your father and your mother; and, The one who speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Proverbs 20:20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Exodus 21:17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Leviticus 20:9 If there is anyone who curses his father or his mother, he shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother, his bloodguiltiness is upon him.</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Proverbs 30:11 “There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers;</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Deuteronomy 27:16 “Cursed is anyone who dishonors their father or mother.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Proverbs 30:17 The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures.</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"> </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Matthew 15:18-20 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">Exodus 21:15 Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death.</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: #666666;">Proverbs 15:20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I'm no different than a lot of people. I have differing opinions about parenting than my parents but it's ok. I'm a unique individual and even the bad times for me were opportunities to grow. I'd rather be a wise son/daughter than to fall into the category of a foolish son/daughter who despises my parents. You see there isn't a way to sweep this fact under the rug. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It isn't a gentle request, it's a commandment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It doesn't come with clauses or exceptions. It doesn't say "honor them if your comfortable with how they raised you" or "honor them only after you work out your own feelings" it simply says, Honor your father and mother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And if for some reason you're confused about how you might honor your parents even if you don't care for them here are a few verses that might simplify the issue.......</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Every believer is to live as best they can by following God's examples and commands........ here are a few....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And of course we all know the fruits of the spirit. It may be hard but again this isn't a negotiation it's God's command so quite trying to negotiate and do as you have been commanded.</span></div>
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The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-13778857003302414132015-09-16T22:19:00.000-07:002015-09-16T22:20:18.196-07:00I am a lazy woman.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5racai1InCHOlhAdz6tdq0acEDF6iU8CN03gao3H7L2gDmkHY5XXQYhT1tttbz3ZOB5J8WLAA0FKr_7G75tv06ZOS8pvl_KC2BbboxVwBgZG_VMyNcuAw7Ri5UnlbwspALl7cfcVfw033/s1600/photo+1-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5racai1InCHOlhAdz6tdq0acEDF6iU8CN03gao3H7L2gDmkHY5XXQYhT1tttbz3ZOB5J8WLAA0FKr_7G75tv06ZOS8pvl_KC2BbboxVwBgZG_VMyNcuAw7Ri5UnlbwspALl7cfcVfw033/s320/photo+1-5.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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I came into the door of my house tonight ready to go to sleep but that is not at all what was necessary. The kids needed to eat (cheers to my mother for giving me a pan of left over lasagna that just needed heating), the baby is hungry which requires me to stop what I'm doing to feed her, the dishes are piled high ( see picture to the right) laundry is on the floor, beds are not made, floors are not swept and there is NO WAY I'm showing you what kind of chaos the porch is in. I must seriously be a lazy women.<br />
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What kind of God fearing, self respecting woman would let the whole of her household look like an elementary student and a tornado organized for her? What kind of "mother" would allow her children to live like this.... I throw the baby in the walker, run water for the dishes, scream at the kid to find the dish soap that kids and hubby left outside where they had been washing the camper. Turn to the pan of lasagna and hack a few servings out carelessly dumping them on disposable plates and shove them into the microwave for a mere 30 seconds which might be great for a cup of coffee but is seriously not enough time for their food. I find a bag of steam-able green beans in the fridge and dump them in the microwave for 5 minutes, mutilate the bag with a pair of scissors I dug out of the dish water, dish up the green beans and tell my son that hates them that they're a new variety and thus consumable by his otherwise anti green bean palate. Score! He buys the line and off they go out the door to eat on the porch (which I remind you will not be featured in the pictures tonight due to the utter chaos that is present) while I begin to "put away" with far less care than is required the stacks of cloths that are on the bar/table.... Seriously shoving them in drawers and tossing them in boxes in a manner that would on another occasion be considered highly offensive because they ended up unfolded due to poor handling. Ugh..... why can't laundry do itself?<br />
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At this point I am ready to just throw in the towel, no pun intended but instead of tossing up my hands and screaming at the top of my lungs which really seems like a great idea at this point I dig my heals in and go back to the sink and proceed to accomplish a few dishes before I'm flooded with requests like; "Are we going to get a drink?" WATER have all the water you want. "Can we have a fork?" Do you see what I'm doing? Do you think I'd be doing it if it didn't absolutely have to be done????? Eat with the spoon I gave you... Use your hands for the green beans, they're long. "Can we play legos when we are done?" NO WAY it's late you're going to bed..... It's like I've spoken a strange language since they were born and they've landed in an aliens house and think the responses are going to somehow change...... GO TO BED.....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf365RZWbCVul0yLlXC-PzjJL_AT_nvfuivVjF4LCflN90ExH9pd4h6KsTvlu5ri1HCdC33kk9Japrc4Dm5TthvjxTnRqfopJ_TrHSzXB7nNDhx9-STMD8ysl5I0ED7z2Y4o0jGVptVt7/s1600/photo+4-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf365RZWbCVul0yLlXC-PzjJL_AT_nvfuivVjF4LCflN90ExH9pd4h6KsTvlu5ri1HCdC33kk9Japrc4Dm5TthvjxTnRqfopJ_TrHSzXB7nNDhx9-STMD8ysl5I0ED7z2Y4o0jGVptVt7/s320/photo+4-2.JPG" width="320" /></a> BED..... oh my gosh look at my room..... I can't stand it. I have to get this situated before I can even think about going to bed.... mind you the baby is now practically foaming at the mouth for some mom time because I am completely ignoring her plea for attention. Wait a minute there are still dishes... crisis moment as I decide to abandon the half done dishes and proceed to pick up the bedroom area in hopes that upon return to the dishes I will "feel" ok that the bedroom is clean enough to go to bed in and thus motivate me to finish my psychotic attempt to right everything that has been wronged in the last three days. Lets not even consider that there is another grown adult in this house hold and we both hold jobs.... that would be offensive at best to suggest that the other party is slacking.... The kids aren't helpless either at 11, 10 and almost 9 what in the heavens are they doing most of the time? Oh well... no time to dwell on that. On to the front door were the shoes were all over until I tucked them neatly in their cubby a touch of sweeping and on into the bathroom I go....<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaw4K4qG5IzcwYIwCzFBw2-WlPdeoP6y56HXOM7XhhfFgt-JLOS63AUixaAk9QMEbOH0UQvn1sXlfWm5ErYc8S9I0Y40Z-BXPouSqYfKLjgt4tNpuBB-AKGz6iLUoJbk3tPGvWHEvjSXWr/s1600/photo-40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaw4K4qG5IzcwYIwCzFBw2-WlPdeoP6y56HXOM7XhhfFgt-JLOS63AUixaAk9QMEbOH0UQvn1sXlfWm5ErYc8S9I0Y40Z-BXPouSqYfKLjgt4tNpuBB-AKGz6iLUoJbk3tPGvWHEvjSXWr/s320/photo-40.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Strip to underwear and t-shirt because there is NO GOOD REASON not to wear your blue jeans 2 days in a row and proceed to douse the very large tub with cleaner step over the side nearly clearing my feet from underneath me and swiftly clean the tub thinking maybe if I get up early enough in the morning I'll take a bath ( I haven't had one in two... no wait maybe three days) that's a big IF but definitely moving higher on the priority list. Pick up the dirty cloths that somehow make it next to but never in the basket. Finally I empty the trash and come out of the bathroom feeling like I've accomplished a small portion of an overwhelming task at the same time making a mental note that I should clean the bathroom first next time as it's nice to be out of my jeans and it makes you feel accomplished.<br />
<br />
Holy mackerel where did the time go. The baby's sounds have now become intolerable to ignore so I throw some veggies in the oven on broil and lay down on the bed to feed her hoping the veggies won't end up being sticks of charcoal by the time I'm done. After she eats I lay the angel in her bed and head back to the kitchen where I rescue my veggies, wipe off the top of the stove, get some cashew milk and cottage cheese and sit down for a short break. Finally I decide that the half done dishes, half swept floor, half cleaned bedroom and chaotic porch will just have to wait for another day when I'm not being a lazy woman.<br />
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So to all the lazy women out there, take a minute and respect the fact that you are a hard working, lazy looking woman who will rarely get the recognition you'd like..... Go buy yourself some flowers to put on your half cleaned counter top and for heavens sake go to bed......... You can repeat the process tomorrow :)<br />
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<br />The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-66223375056237665112015-09-03T06:45:00.003-07:002015-09-03T06:45:55.332-07:00It's all about the BiasI finally have a moment to sit and type out a post. I've been meaning to do it for some time. Good thing my life doesn't depend on the number of blog posts I accomplish in a week, month or even a year for that matter!<br />
<br />
So today I want to talk about Bias. The world is rampant with people screaming for acceptance, people arguing that things are racist and even that if conservatives weren't so conservative that life would be better for everyone. We live in a day where most people want the truth so bad they're cheering on a loud mouthed arrogent billionaire for President (who happens to say a lot of the things we want to say).<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">What is happening???</span></h2>
<br />
After a quick trip to my favorite dictionary site I found the definition of bias;<br />
<br />
<div class="vk_ans" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large !important; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<span data-dobid="hdw">bi·as</span></div>
<div>
<div class="lr_dct_ent_ph" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<span class="lr_dct_ph">ˈbīəs/</span><span class="lr_dct_spkr lr_dct_spkr_off" data-log-string="pronunciation-icon-click" jsaction="dob.p" style="display: inline-block; height: 16px; margin: 0px 2px 4px 5px; opacity: 0.55; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;" title="Listen"><input height="14" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAA4AAAAOCAQAAAC1QeVaAAAAi0lEQVQokWNgQAYyQFzGsIJBnwED8DNcBpK+DM8YfjMUokqxMRxg+A9m8TJsBLLSEFKMDCuBAv/hCncxfGWQhUn2gaVAktkMXkBSHmh0OwNU8D9csoHhO4MikN7BcAGb5H+GYiDdCTQYq2QubkkkY/E6CLtXdiJ7BTMQMnAHXxFm6IICvhwY8AYQLgCw2U9d90B8BAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" style="font-size: small;" type="image" width="14" /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<div class="lr_dct_sf_h" style="padding-top: 10px;">
<i>noun</i></div>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="xpdxpnd vk_gy" data-mh="-1" style="-webkit-transition: max-height 0.3s; color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height 0.3s;">
<b></b><b></b></div>
<ol class="lr_dct_sf_sens" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">
<li style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="lr_dct_sf_sen vk_txt" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-size: small !important; padding-top: 10px;">
<div style="float: left;">
<strong>1</strong>. </div>
<div style="margin-left: 20px;">
<div class="_Jig">
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.</div>
<div class="vk_gy" style="color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;">
"there was evidence of <b>bias against</b> foreign applicants"</div>
<div>
<table class="vk_tbl vk_gy" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="lr_dct_nyms_ttl" style="font-style: italic; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;">synonyms:</td><td style="padding: 0px;"><a data-ved="0CCAQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+prejudice&sa=X&ved=0CCAQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">prejudice</a>, <a data-ved="0CCEQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+partiality&sa=X&ved=0CCEQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">partiality</a>, <a data-ved="0CCIQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+partisanship&sa=X&ved=0CCIQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">partisanship</a>, <a data-ved="0CCMQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+favoritism&sa=X&ved=0CCMQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">favoritism</a>, unfairness, one-sidedness; <span data-log-string="synonyms-more-click" jsaction="dob.m"><span class="lr_dct_more_btn" style="color: #1122cc; cursor: pointer; padding-left: 4px;">More</span><div style="display: inline;">
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<a data-ved="0CCUQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+bigotry&sa=X&ved=0CCUQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"></a><a data-ved="0CCYQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+intolerance&sa=X&ved=0CCYQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"></a><a data-ved="0CCcQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+discrimination&sa=X&ved=0CCcQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"></a><a data-ved="0CCgQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+leaning&sa=X&ved=0CCgQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"></a><a data-ved="0CCkQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+tendency&sa=X&ved=0CCkQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"></a><a data-ved="0CCoQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+inclination&sa=X&ved=0CCoQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"></a><a data-ved="0CCsQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+predilection&sa=X&ved=0CCsQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"></a><a data-ved="0CCwQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+casteism&sa=X&ved=0CCwQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"></a></div>
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<table class="vk_tbl vk_gy" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="lr_dct_nyms_ttl" style="font-style: italic; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;"></td><td style="padding: 0px;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: -13px;">
<ul style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li aria-hidden="true" class="xpdxpnd" data-mh="-1" style="-webkit-transition: max-height 0.3s; border: 0px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; transition: max-height 0.3s;"><div class="lr_dct_sf_subsen" style="display: list-item; font-size: xx-small; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 25px; padding-top: 5px;">
<div class="_Jig" style="font-size: small;">
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
</div>
<div class="vk_gy" style="color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;">
</div>
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</li>
<li aria-hidden="true" class="xpdxpnd" data-mh="-1" style="-webkit-transition: max-height 0.3s; border: 0px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; transition: max-height 0.3s;"><div class="lr_dct_sf_subsen" style="display: list-item; font-size: xx-small; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 25px; padding-top: 5px;">
<div class="_Jig" style="font-size: small;">
<div>
<span class="lr_dct_lbl_blk lr_dct_lbl_box" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #777777; display: inline-block; font-size: xx-small; margin-right: 6px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 4px 6px; text-transform: uppercase;"></span></div>
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
</div>
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</div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="lr_dct_sf_sen vk_txt" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-size: small !important; padding-top: 10px;">
<div style="float: left;">
<strong>2</strong>. </div>
<div style="margin-left: 20px;">
<div class="_Jig">
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
in some sports, such as lawn bowling, the irregular shape given to a ball.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: -13px;">
<ul style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li aria-hidden="true" class="xpdxpnd" data-mh="-1" style="-webkit-transition: max-height 0.3s; border: 0px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; transition: max-height 0.3s;"><div class="lr_dct_sf_subsen" style="display: list-item; font-size: xx-small; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 25px; padding-top: 5px;">
<div class="_Jig" style="font-size: small;">
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div aria-hidden="true" class="xpdxpnd" data-mh="-1" style="-webkit-transition: max-height 0.3s; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height 0.3s;">
<div class="lr_dct_sf_sen vk_txt" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-size: small !important; padding-top: 10px;">
<div style="float: left;">
<strong></strong></div>
<div style="margin-left: 20px;">
<div class="_Jig">
<div>
<span class="lr_dct_lbl_blk lr_dct_lbl_box" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #777777; display: inline-block; font-size: xx-small; margin-right: 6px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 4px 6px; text-transform: uppercase;"></span></div>
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
</div>
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</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
<div class="lr_dct_sf_h" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; padding-top: 10px;">
<i>verb</i></div>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="xpdxpnd vk_gy" data-mh="-1" style="-webkit-transition: max-height 0.3s initial initial; color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important; font-family: arial, sans-serif; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height 0.3s initial initial;">
<b></b><b></b><b></b><b></b><b></b></div>
<ol class="lr_dct_sf_sens" style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">
<li style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="lr_dct_sf_sen vk_txt" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif; font-size: small !important; padding-top: 10px;">
<div style="float: left;">
<strong>1</strong>. </div>
<div style="margin-left: 20px;">
<div class="_Jig">
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
cause to feel or show inclination or prejudice for or against someone or something.</div>
<div class="vk_gy" style="color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;">
"readers said the paper was <b>biased toward</b> the conservatives"</div>
<div>
<table class="vk_tbl vk_gy" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="lr_dct_nyms_ttl" style="font-style: italic; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;">synonyms:</td><td style="padding: 0px;"><a data-ved="0CC0Q_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+prejudice&sa=X&ved=0CC0Q_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">prejudice</a>, <a data-ved="0CC4Q_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+influence&sa=X&ved=0CC4Q_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">influence</a>, <a data-ved="0CC8Q_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+color&sa=X&ved=0CC8Q_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">color</a>, <a data-ved="0CDAQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+sway&sa=X&ved=0CDAQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">sway</a>, <a data-ved="0CDEQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+weight&sa=X&ved=0CDEQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">weight</a>, <a data-ved="0CDIQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+predispose&sa=X&ved=0CDIQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">predispose</a>; <span data-log-string="synonyms-more-click" jsaction="dob.m"><span class="lr_dct_more_btn" style="color: #1122cc; cursor: pointer; padding-left: 4px;">More</span><div style="display: inline;">
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<a data-ved="0CDQQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+distort&sa=X&ved=0CDQQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"></a><a data-ved="0CDUQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+skew&sa=X&ved=0CDUQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"></a><a data-ved="0CDYQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+slant&sa=X&ved=0CDYQ_SowAGoVChMIwoXunfbaxwIVwRWSCh1DzwCz" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"></a></div>
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<strong>2</strong>. </div>
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give a bias to.</div>
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"bias the ball"</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">I would venture to say all of us are pretty familiar with noun description one and verb description one! But honestly what is bias and why does it matter? Biases are things that we think that persuade our actions or words. </span></div>
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I have a lot of biases, so do you! You just don't think of them much because it isn't at the for thought of your mind. When I was growing up we were taught a number of things and each moral point or opinion was an area where my mind could take hold of a bias and keep it. Bias is a BAD BAD word, people automatically assume that if you have bias you are either an eccentric or a racist and that's crazy. The synonyms for bias are prejudice, partiality, partisanship, favoritism, unfairness and one-sidedness. </div>
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Let's for the sake of care start calling this little issue favoritism for just a moment :) I have favoritism for truth, honesty, respect, and just an overall moral view! This does not extend past that and ironically when you have partiality or favoritism for these things the people who don't have it really truly think you are biased against them. WHY? People have a very hard time separating themselves from the issue. </div>
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Recently my husband and I resigned from the local fire department, because we are biased of course! We have a thing, an unfair thing for good leadership! We don't think the people are bad, just their leadership skills :) I'll even bet you have a bias in that area too! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Have you ever criticized the president? Ever considered the views of a leader or boss to be unjust, unfair or poor in management? Ah Ha, how dare you! You biased person you!.....</i></span> </div>
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Take this a step deeper, you prefer morals, and now the person is not the same skin tone as you...... oooooohhhhhh..... now your racist in the eyes of the person... because it can't have anything to do with behaviors. Now don't misunderstand me there ARE PEOPLE who are racist, but many many times the issue isn't the skin but the behavior!</div>
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As individual in society we need to draw the line between our bias and understand that not all bias is bad. However we must remember that whomever is doing the opposite of what we are biased towards is going to feel as though we don't like them and most likely react accordingly. Here's what that book, you know the "good" book.... says about bias</div>
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<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Exod-23-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Exodus 23:</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Exod-23-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="chapter-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="text Exod-23-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px;">1</span>“<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2146A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2146A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>You shall not bear a false report; do not join your hand with a wicked man to be a <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2146B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2146B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>malicious witness.</span> <span class="text Exod-23-2" id="en-NASB-2147" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>You shall not follow <span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB-2147a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB-2147a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+23&version=NASB#fen-NASB-2147a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span>the masses in doing evil, nor shall you <span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB-2147b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB-2147b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+23&version=NASB#fen-NASB-2147b" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span>testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after <span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB-2147c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB-2147c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+23&version=NASB#fen-NASB-2147c" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</span>a multitude in order to <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2147C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2147C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>pervert <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">justice</i>;</span> <span class="text Exod-23-3" id="en-NASB-2148" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2148D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2148D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>nor shall you <span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB-2148d" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB-2148d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+23&version=NASB#fen-NASB-2148d" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</span>be partial to a poor man in his dispute.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="text Exod-23-4" id="en-NASB-2149" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>“<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2149E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2149E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him.</span> <span class="text Exod-23-5" id="en-NASB-2150" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2150F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2150F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">helpless</i> under its load, you shall refrain from leaving it to him, you shall surely release <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">it</i> with him.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="text Exod-23-6" id="en-NASB-2151" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>“<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2151G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2151G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>You shall not pervert the justice <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">due</i> to your needy <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">brother</i> in his dispute.</span> <span class="text Exod-23-7" id="en-NASB-2152" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2152H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2152H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>Keep far from a false charge, and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2152I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2152I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2152J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2152J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>I will not acquit the guilty.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Exod-23-8" id="en-NASB-2153" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>“<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2153K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2153K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and <span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB-2153e" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB-2153e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+23&version=NASB#fen-NASB-2153e" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote e">e</a>]</span>subverts the cause of the just.</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Exod-23-9" id="en-NASB-2154" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9 </span>“<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2154L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2154L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>You shall not oppress a <span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB-2154f" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB-2154f" title="See footnote f">f</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+23&version=NASB#fen-NASB-2154f" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote f">f</a>]</span>stranger, since you yourselves know the <span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB-2154g" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB-2154g" title="See footnote g">g</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+23&version=NASB#fen-NASB-2154g" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote g">g</a>]</span>feelings of a <span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB-2154h" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB-2154h" title="See footnote h">h</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+23&version=NASB#fen-NASB-2154h" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote h">h</a>]</span>stranger, for you <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">also</i> were <span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB-2154i" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB-2154i" title="See footnote i">i</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+23&version=NASB#fen-NASB-2154i" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote i">i</a>]</span>strangers in the land of Egypt.</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Exod-23-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Biases are expected by God and He expects them to lean towards godliness. This does not mean that others will appreciate them nor does it mean you should change them. Just understand that when a bias is founded in the truth it is good, however when the bias is founded in the things of the world like prejudice against race, size, color or tone then it is unacceptable and should be removed. I will always be biased against lying, stealing, cheating and disrespect and I will have a bias for my Country because it is mine, I will have a bias for my children (the obedient and the disobedient), I will have a bias for my family..... and all these things are just a few of my biases. </span></div>
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<span class="text Exod-23-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b> Bad bias? </b></span></span></h2>
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The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-27621783651565636052015-06-11T21:57:00.003-07:002015-06-11T22:00:48.199-07:00The HORRIBLE AWFUL NO GOOD MOTHER OF 2015 I can hear them already in the not so distant future reminiscing about their "Horrible, awful, no good summer of 2015". I'm already chuckling at the stories we have yet to create but for some reason I know that it's going to be a summer to remember....<br />
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June 4th rolled around and I had had it! I was sick and tired of the demanding cries of video game time, iPad time, app purchases and minecraft. I was already sick of hearing how hot it was and how difficult the simple tasks were to complete. Yes, I'd say it's time for us to enter my kind of summer...... the summer where we ran bare foot on an oil top road, road our bikes to the wagon wheels, mowed the whole lawn with a push mower and drank from the water hose (good minerals and bacteria in there I'm sure).<br />
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A lot of you have a variation of "your summer" and I've noticed that from generation to generation the idea of living life has morphed into a plethora of technology and very little practical experience. I became aware of just how jaded our sense of raising children had become when my husband said to me "they shouldn't go to the creek, there are snakes down there"..... Seriously? Oh wait they are probably the same ol' snakes that I was wading through the creek with a meager 20 years ago! (holy cow am I that old?) Leave it to me to have a warped sense of humor about the "scary" snakes..... Now I'm not advocated total stupidity my boys will acquire that naturally at about 14 but rather I'm talking about kicking of the training wheel and the "electronic guides" and making a stab at living.<br />
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So far my plan has been a crazy success....... WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS SOONER... I've been waking the boys up and rushing them outside for their first activity of the day, weeding the garden. But they will soon learn that the days of mom acting as the alarm clock are going to come to a screeching end. After another week it will be their job to roll their happy butts out of bed and begin the morning routine.... I plan to wake earlier and enjoy a cup of coffee on the porch greeting the sunshine and preparing to watch my future men begin to come of age.<br />
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The Apostle Paul wrote this; <span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;">When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 15px;">(1 Corinthians 13:11, NASB)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 15px;">And the more I think about it right now the more thankful I am that I have come to this reality so quickly. What would my boys look like in 5 years without this revelation? You see I'm not saying that they are men right now but they are supposed to be becoming men. How will I teach them to put away childish things in a world where the men often act less responsible in word, action and behavior than many of the children? How will I teach them to embrace patience, honesty, respect, due diligence or sacrifice when they have never had to experience it for themselves? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 15px;"> Just a few days ago m</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">y boys took on the task of mowing my parents lawn (begrudgingly at first because it wasn't their idea...lol)..... I sent one of the boys down to our house to fetch the mower. Upon his return I promptly went out to the yard and demonstrated ( not told them how, not told them what to do, not instructions barked from the sidelines) I took the mower and demonstrated cranking then proceeded to cut a section of grass out as a sample. I then demonstrated how to continue cutting without leaving sections behind and proceeded to hand the responsibility to the boys, instructing them to take turns. It probably took a mere 5 mins before they were beating down the door for a break, a drink of water and a complaint but instead of a sweet mom greeting them at the door they met the Horrible Awful No Good Mother of 2015 who promptly disbanded the mutiny and sent them right back out to the lawn...... They tried this 3 times give or take a few until finally reality set in and I began to hear the steady hum of the mower and not a single voice coming from just outside the door. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">About an hour in the mower fizzled out and I stepped outside to tell them they had just discovered that amazing sound when you actually run out of gas! I sent one of them back down to the house for the gas can. As my one son was walking across the lawn with the can my other son said "bring it here I've got this". I kind of chuckled and replied, "how exactly do you know how to put gas in the mower?" He replied matter of factly.... humph, I watch dad! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">NEVER EVER EVER underestimate how closely </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">they are watching you when they aren't watching a screen!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">I returned back inside figuring that whatever the outcome a worse case scenario would be spilled gasoline. Ironically what I heard was the start of the mower and a very loud and excited woooooooh whooooooo!!!! As he pushed the mower back towards the area they had been mowing it was in that moment that I knew that I was going to love being the HORRIBLE AWFUL NO GOOD MOM OF 2015 because there was no way a video game could teach my son the gratification of knowing what he can do in the real world.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">So as yours go about their summer numbing take a minute and consider what they might be able to accomplish. Catch yourself when you start to say "that's too difficult for them" or "they're not big enough" good pete, LET THEM TRY. Show them once actually SHOW THEM and then LET THEM GO...... let them discover what does and doesn't work... don't take over when you think it's taking too long, don't shelter them from being uncomfortable or guard them from what will only make them stronger. For goodness sake start being a HORRIBLE AWFUL NO GOOD MOTHER and you'll find out that it produces ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND EXTREMELY CAPABLE YOUNG MEN!!!!</span></span></div>
The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-59917252923487923242015-05-30T17:51:00.000-07:002015-05-30T17:51:54.695-07:00Life is Awesome..... and then there's Alzheimers... and Anniversaries......No really it isn't a joke at all. My life is currently almost exclusively Awesome! Awesome's diapers, Awesome's hungry, Awesome's being held..... yep it's Awesome. I am beyond blessed to finally hold in my grasps a beautiful baby girl that we have affectionately named Awesome!<br />
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Life has been quite a blur lately but I can honestly say that it's been a good blur. Boys, baby, grandparents, husband and soon I'll be taking classes again :) Compared to so many other times I can say that the hustle and bustle has got me tired. No i think it's more like really exhausted but not the give up it isn't worth it kind but rather the fall into bed lets do it all again tomorrow kind.<br />
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So lets talk about the not so awesome.... Grams has Alzheimers and I have had the privilege of being around Gram a lot lately (that's the awesome part of the not so awesome) and while each moment is bitter sweet, for Grams it has become mostly bitter. She is very confused and very unhappy and while we all know it's not really Grams talking it's still a lot to swallow and hard on those who care for her. I think I'd nominate my Mom for Sainthood for accepting the challenge of living with Gram and I'd love it if I could grant my Grandfather patience and a blind eye that would only see the good and be able to forget the bad times when she is wearing him out over returning home (where ever that may be for the day). I love the moments when she holds Awesome and is delighted and content, confident in her ability to sooth and rock her but like all good storms the rain gives way to thunder and lightening fast. Gram can quickly become irritated if Awesome is squirming or even whimpering and that requires quick evasive action to ensure that the irritation is not long lasting. Then there's the constant packing.... remember she's going home..... and the trips to the bathroom, and the questions........ oh the questions......<br />
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"Where's my purse? Is it raining outside? Where am I? Who's house is this? Why can't we go home? I have three kids right? Is this my table? What's today? What are we doing here? Why can't we go home?<br />
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It's most always confusion and frustration mixed with a total inability to grasp any of the answers so you just answer and wait to answer again! However in the middle of it all there is this sense of amazement..... there are moments when I'm exhausted and I think seriously what is the deal why would God even think about doing this to someone.... why would He think about putting people through this day in and day out...... it's a slow fade and she didn't get a choice in this...... so why? Ultimately I can't answer that but what I can say is that I have never been so blessed..... there are these little moments throughout the day, little nuggets of gold gleaned from my grandparents that really can not be replaced by anything else....<br />
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So what do Awesome, Alzheimers and Anniversaries have in common? Moments...... they are moments..... and every moment counts. <br />
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One of the most blessed days I have had with my grandparents was the day of their 60th wedding anniversary. The day started out like any other...... they got up, got dressed and proceeded out to the living room for breakfast and medicine..... socks and shoes..... all the normal daily grind that we face. Like any other day a trip to town is a great thing to do when you have nothing else on your schedule so we loaded up in the car and headed to Shreveport ( I think that's where we went lol ) and like any other day I expected a quiet ride, grandpa typically sleeps and grandma sits quietly in the back talking to Awesome. <br />
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Gram quietly asked from the back seat, "what's today" and Grandpa answered her "it's our 60th wedding Anniversary!" Sixty years Gram exclaimed, "I can't believe you've put up with me that long". Grandpa responded "I think it's been the other way around!" About thirty minutes later Grandpa began to tell Grandma moment by moment the events of their wedding day..... where they were as each minute passed in the car as the timeline of the day passed it was met with little word pictures of their wedding day from start to finish..... from dressing and hair to the preachers prayer to lines from their vows...... every now an then he would say "do you remember that" and sometimes should would respond.... I remember..... Listening to him tell her the event he knew so clearly that her mind would no longer allow her to retain, the gentle reminder of a day so sacred that most think they will never forget it, at least not by choice and yet here Gram sat 60 years in and almost clueless to their accomplishment..... Moments...... simple moments.... What a blessing it was for me to hear the love and dedication on that day.... a private time in the car that had I not been driving I would never have heard the delicate interchange of love.......<br />
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All the while as I help my Gram it makes me think of a southern gospel song that over the years I have loved so dearly....... it goes like this....<br />
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Hold tight to the sound of the music of living,<br />Happy songs from the laughter of children at play;<br />Hold my hand as we run through the sweet fragrant meadows,<br />Making mem'ries of what was today.</div>
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Chorus: We have this moment to hold in our hands<br />and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand;<br />Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come,<br />But we have this moment today.</div>
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Tiny voice that I hear is my little girl calling,<br />For Daddy to hear just what she has to say;<br />And my little son running there by the hillside,<br />May never be quite like today.</div>
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Tender words, gentle touch and a good cup of coffee,<br />And someone who loves me and wants me to stay;<br />Hold them near while they're here and don't wait for tomorrow,<br />To look back and wish for today.</div>
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Take the blue of the sky and the green of the forest,<br />And the gold and the brown of the freshly mown hay;<br />Add the pale shades of spring and the circus of autumn,<br />And weave you a lovely today.</div>
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Gram can no longer weave her "lovely today" but on that day Grandpa did something for her by weaving her a lovely day. I hope that as I age I will have and experience the same opportunities to hold tight to the moments with my family to weave memories for myself and for others and if and when my mind disappears someone will be there to weave me a lovely day......</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /><br />More lyrics <a href="http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/gaither_vocal_band/we_have_this_moment_today-lyrics-318634.html#ixzz3bfiC2E24" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #003399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/gaither_vocal_band/we_have_this_moment_today-lyrics-318634.html#ixzz3bfiC2E24</a></span>The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-51108989425541734402013-06-27T01:24:00.002-07:002013-06-27T01:24:38.137-07:00Leadership, it's important.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="font-size: large;">A</span>s I journey through the muddy waters of having to live the life of a single parent ( I'll refrain from the "single mom" cliche because I realize that being a single parent is not </span>limited to only a mother) and relying on the generous yet stressful world of public assistance, I have been compelled to speak out about what I feel is a vital issue in today's families. The structures that have been laid waste by men who have failed to step up, step out and step through the smoke and obstacles that will quickly blind, maim and destroy a family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> I </span>am not going to bash men or say that they are incapable of stepping up and out, I am actually going to paint the issue as it stands. God cursed the man in the garden to work his butt off ( Genesis 3:17-19) and no you're not going to get away with saying that was the woman's curse because he gave us a separate one and trust me as a mother of children born naturally, it was a very sufficient curse ;) (Genesis 3:16) and let us not forget the whole desire for the husband and his whole ruling over us bit......</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh</span> yes ladies I went there..... it's biblical so suck it up and get over it and guys you will need to buckle up because I said I am NOT going to bash men, but I am going to bash bad leadership! Wouldn't you? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I</span> hear many people today talking about the horrid leadership we have in America today! I hear so many say, "If I could just get him face to face I'd tell that president what I think about how he's doing and how I think he should do it differently or just GET OUT OF OFFICE." So take this as a real eye opener and if applicable listen to your wife she may just be telling you something you should be listening to and chances are she's saying it in about as nice a tone as you'd address the current leaders of the country! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> E</span>very good leader has core values that make them a good leader! One of my former husbands biggest complaints was that I simply was not willing to be lead, but my equally frustrated response was that I simply was not going to be led to slaughter, like a defenseless animal. It is no secret that there are many strong willed independent women who have a head on their shoulders and it is highly presumptuous of a man to think that they will follow them blindly to slaughter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">T</span>here are certain things that a leader of the family must be willing to accept about their position. I will list them as I see them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A leader of a family must be capable of</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Leading an army ( the whole unit, not just the willing ones or the ones that are solid in conviction but the WHOLE UNIT)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Leading with integrity </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Leading with humility</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Answer to a higher authority</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">G</span>eorge Washington was by far a man that we have all learned accomplished great things when it came to leading his men in battle. Among those men were the 1st Virginia Regiment who upon learning of his plans to resign wrote a letter asking him to either reconsider or appoint a man of equal character. In the letter they stated </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "<span style="background-color: white;">Your steady adherence to impartial Justice, your quick Discernment and invariable Regard to Merit, wisely intended to inculcate those genuine Sentiments, of true Honor and Passion for Glory, from which the great military Achievements have been derived, first heighten'd our natural Emulation, and our Desire to excel."</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mgw:@field%28DOCID+@lit%28lw030097%29%29" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click Here for the whole letter here!</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> T</span>wo things jump out at me in this sentence, first, the men list qualities that they seem to feel are important, impartial justice, quick discernment, regard for merit, honor and passion for glory. Secondly, these things, these characteristics are attributed for awakening their natural passion and desire to excel!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> M</span>any times I have heard a man say that a women has to want to be led, or that she must be willing, in the right spirit or even broken before she can be led but I would argue that if a woman saw in her leader such characteristics as impartial justice, quick discernment and a regard for merit, her natural desire to excel under leadership as well as her commitment to her leader might be awakened in a way that would set a fire to the God given desires for her spouse! And much like the military men, she would not want or even look forward to any resignation of her leader!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Ahhh Integrity</span>, where exactly have you gone and honestly ( no pun intended) why do you matter? </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Samuel Johnson is quoted saying </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“There can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">and Thomas Jefferson says "</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> B</span>oth men were wise in their ideas and it stands to reason that a leader who lacks integrity will lack in respect. Since men are appointed leaders over the woman it would seem imperative that they embody integrity in such a way that they might be accused of being too honest, or too morally sound. A woman is a delicate creature, longing for a strong arm to hold her, a supportive ear to hear her and a steadfast presentation to ensure her safety. None of these things is possible if her leader lacks integrity for she will feel that the strength is just a "show of force", the ear is simply to pacify her momentarily and that the steadfast presentation is nothing but a hollow shell sure to crumble under pressure. You cannot build confidence on lies, manipulations or even a tiny ounce of deceitfulness. A true leader must embrace integrity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">O</span>n ward and forward we march towards the need for humility. </span><br />
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<strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: right; word-wrap: break-word;">“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less” -<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/c_s_lewis.html" style="color: #4d8b97; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" title="view author">C. S. Lewis</a></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> I </span>absolutely love this quote from Lewis, it makes the definition of humility look like a thing that is easy to accomplish! But oh how difficult it is to remember that the thoughts you have should be focused not on yourself but on others. A follower is more likely to want to follow if they know that the person who is leading them is worthy of praise but willfully sets aside such things to make note of someone else's accomplishments. A humble leader is more likely to put his followers first, to provide when there is a need, to go beyond expectations and to understand that others are vital even if they don't have the same roles or responsibilities as them.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">L</span>astly, a true leader must answer to a higher authority. When a leader does not answer to a higher authority, they are a dictator. A man who answers to God is a man who lives under rules and regulations made to ensure his success. A man who refuses to answer to God becomes a slave to his own devices and quickly destroys his own reputation with those who would otherwise have grown to admire him.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The blame for the broken homes, the untrained and undisciplined children, the immodestly dressed and fashion-mad wives, and the whole train of evils which curse our American civilization, must be placed upon degenerate, weakling men, slackers and shirkers and quitters, not willing to take the place of manhood and bear the burdens which God lays on men as heads of families." John R. Rice</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">M</span>r. Rice brings about a very interesting yet sad reality that the failure of the success of families falls upon the shoulders of the unwilling men, those who simply did not embrace the job of leadership God bestows upon all me who volunteer themselves for the position.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">S</span>o, after all this I must revisit my earlier idea that a man, when in a relationship with a woman is supposed to be a leader and as such he should possess the very qualities he might expect in a leader. As you consider what you want out of the President, Congress, Governor and even your local leadership in politics and church you must ask yourself, "Do I have the qualities of a leader? Am I one who should be followed? Am I even leading? Have I taken on the idea that my family is a unit who needs a leader?". All these questions most likely will be answered with a half yes or a hell no but either way there will be an answer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Once you have your answer then take those questions to your spouse and see what the answers are!!! </i></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Will she have the same opinions as the soldiers in Washington's unit? </i></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Will she beg you not to resign? </i></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> If</span> you find yourself with the reality that you haven't been leading, START NOW! But don't expect a family that was formerly under your dictatorship to suddenly trust your guidance! You must demonstrate your leadership, repeatedly to cancel out the doubt, mistrust and poor performance you provided in your first term! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>You wouldn't expect anything less from the leader of this country!!!</b></span></div>
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<br />The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-63171385717598628532013-03-22T22:55:00.000-07:002013-03-22T22:57:13.135-07:00What's the purpose?I often wonder, "what's the purpose for all this?" and "Why are we taking this journey?" "What could possibly come of this?", but honestly it doesn't matter! I'm constantly seeing realities that tell me nothing is in vain when you recognize that God really does have it all under control. Wait a minute He doesn't have it under control, He's controlling it. He's got the good and the bad (at least what we think is bad).<br />
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Isaiah 47:5<br />
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I form the light, and create darkness:</div>
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I make peace, and create evil:</div>
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I the <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lord</span> do all these <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">things</em>.</div>
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To all those who'd like to say that it simply doesn't mean what it says. You can call it calamity, you can call it evil you can call it what you want, but I'd rather believe it is what it is and that He really is the author of EVERYTHING! I know that there are MANY MANY debates about this verse, but for me I'd rather believe that the "care" and "preservation" of the Word is just as relevant to this verse as it is with all the others.<br />
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I don't want to serve a God who created a world where something caught Him by surprise. I don't want a God who didn't plan the good and the bad together. We do it all the time, we call it calculated risks. We make decisions knowing the realities, we manipulate what we can control to ensure the outcome is as we would like, the only difference between us and God is that He is the Author of it all. We just get to play a little in the world, He gets to work all things out for His glory.<br />
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I am amazed at the journey we have taken so far, the good, the bad and the ugly but none of it is a shock to God, because He's not piloting and waiting for a surprise. He's got it all within His control.<br />
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Remember that the next time you think you're at the mercy of the world.The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-76694172137826484242013-03-02T13:16:00.000-08:002013-03-02T13:18:01.627-08:00I will make History!!!The last few days I've been contemplating what I would write about next. The funny thing is that when I have to think about it, there are tons of ideas that run through my head but none of them seem blog worthy in the end, mainly because I veto them before they have a chance to flourish into a post or even a full sentence for that matter! <br />
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So today as I was folding laundry I noticed my nephew's shirt had a statement on it. In big bold letters it says "I will make history". I couldn't help but find the irony in this statement. You see we're all making history one way or another. We make history as we live our lives day in and day out, with the people we meet, friends, family and even the meaningless encounters with people we don't know. Every step we take will send us another direction, some will step the same path over and over repeating mistakes and bringing misery, others will find new direction and in doing so find a way to create a new path and a better existence. With all the talk of politics and guns, I have quickly realized that the shirt represents an idea that I'd love for my children to embrace, I will make history, a history that will be talked about, not like we talk about our today. <br />
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There is no shortage of posts on facebook concerning the day to day events of our lives and I don't want my kids to look back on my little history day to day or even the big history of our country and realize that I didn't do that much to "make history" and that I let others "make it" for me. It would be a real shame. It made me think of ways my life has been impacted by others "history".<br />
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While out doing family research I came across an epitaph that still to this day makes me wonder, what would my "history" look like in a simple statement, on a stone, would it stand out enough to make others think? Would it be something that would impress someone even after I'm gone? </div>
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This one did..... a simple statement</div>
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<strong>"Defer not till tomorrow to be wise, for tomorrows 'sun on thee may never rise".</strong></div>
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<strong>- William Congreve -</strong> </div>
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I don't know a thing about that family member but what I do know is he made history for me by leaving words on his stone that reminded me to think about the current day wisely because the next was not promised. I'll never forget his epitaph and the value those words had to me. </div>
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Most of the time when we think about making history our mind lingers towards, laws, historical stories, popular figures of the past and even a few people who have made an impression on us in our very short lives. Rarely do we stop to think about the history we are making daily. Every day, the decisions we make, the patterns and paths we follow are slowly making an impression on those we know, be it parents, children, nieces, nephews, neighbors, facebook "friends", spouses and friends.<br />
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The history I've shared with people I've known for years is often scattered with the good, the bad and the ugly. It is a long saga of triumphs and tradgedies that sometimes I'd rather not remember. I look back on many of my years and wonder, what if anything would I change and how would that have changed the history I've left with others? There are a times I know that even my personality, character and motivations have altered the outcome of a seemingly empty event or conversations, leaving behind a memory or a thought that will forever stay with the people I was around at that moment and the end result is permanant, it's history. <br />
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<em><strong>Today</strong></em>, strive to "make history" that is positive, uplifting and life changing! History that will encourage others to think about things in a different way, gain a feeling that helps them continue a journey they have long desired to quit or even do something that will make a difference to them. When you effectively pursue a life that "makes" history then you can know that your accomplishing something, don't let others make your history for you!!!<br />
<br />The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-25756357878686526682013-02-17T21:47:00.000-08:002013-02-17T21:50:52.920-08:00We're praying for you..... Just call if you need anything....<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I hate to say it but I am becoming a critic of my own faith. </b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>I </b></span>am realizing the amount of worthless chatter we present to the world, fellow believer and unbeliever alike. It is no wonder to me that so many people are turned away from faith so quickly. When I consider what I was taught as a child into adulthood and how little I saw it demonstrated it brings me to believe that our complacency as a religion is so deep that we are just as the Pharisees and Sadducees were in the days of Christ. A loudly boasting, noise producing, vast waste of space. Murdering the very essence of our faith through a lack of motivation, a lack of willingness to move and an overall buy in to the ridiculous statements such as "We're praying for you" and "Just call if you need anything".<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>N</b></span>ow before you go nuts and think that I've lost all bearing, hear me out. When you hear someone say "we're praying for you" the first thought that comes to mind is "oh that's nice" or maybe you even think about your own prayer time and realize that if they are anything like you.... it's gonna be a short prayer said once or twice and then you'll be quickly forgotten. Even the believers have lost their faith in a solid petition of prayer to the Almighty and rightly so! We have pretty much made "I'll pray for you" a house hold statement as worthless as the slogan on a big company that implies they put customers first! Most importantly we have through that statement around as much as the words "I love you" hit the ears of so many people on Valentines day each year right before they break up and move on!!! We've overused and abused it to the point that it has lost its worth.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">H</span></b>ow do we get it back? Simple really, if you say your going to pray for someone then do two things pray for them and then write a note and mail it! Example "I'll pray for your family" you say to a fellow friend. Two days later you think, oh I am supposed to be praying for them. You say a prayer and hastily depart to other things..... they never knew you actually did what you said you were going to do and honestly they have no reason to think you did, cause honestly EVERYBODY SAYS IT! So change the tune, when you say a prayer take 3 extra minutes to write a quick note, "Hey, I was thinking of your family and while I'd love to do more for you I simply can't at this time. But I wanted to know that you were in my thoughts and prayers today!" AND MAIL IT!!!! </div>
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<b>How quickly would those empty words be changed to a meaningful tangible reality for those who heard them and dismissed them as mindless christian chatter!!!</b></div>
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With all that being said to me lately, today my favorite christian phrase is "Just call if you need ANYTHING"..... seriously? You need me to call? My needs are posted all over the internet, on Facebook, in emails you have received, in phone calls I have made and YOU need ME to call you???<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> A</span></b>s a person who claims to have faith we must learn to embrace our responsibilities as such, when you know someone is in need, you should NOT ask them to "give you a call" your right in FRONT of THEM...... instead of asking them to do yet another embarrassing thing like call and plead their case to you, simply say "I know things are tough right now, is there anything we can do for you?" or even "I saw you had some needs, and I wanted to ask you if x, y, or z might be helpful" showing that you as a caring person actually thought ahead demonstrates your commitment to actively working out your faith. I can honestly say that if I had even a dollar for every time I've heard "We're praying for you" or "If you need ANYTHING just call", my children wouldn't be homeless, we'd have a car of our own and we wouldn't be worrying about how the health insurance bill was going to be paid.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Y</span></b>ou can call it ranting, you can claim I'm bitter if that will make you feel better but honestly what makes me angry is the fact that I used to listen to all this stuff about how people were just "hurt" because their expectations of people were too high and they let their "hurt" drive them away from the church....... <b>what a bunch of hype</b>, the church is a place were building up, edifying, tending to those in need and providing like no other should be happening so where did WE go wrong? We went wrong when we put numbers and limitations on God, when we told God our budget wasn't big enough for His business and when we used the "good steward" excuse to avoid doing our job!!! What if, just what if we actually closed the bank account and worked on cash, paid all our needs in cash and donated the rest to those in need, do you think that God wouldn't provide if we as the "faithful" ones actually believed?<br />
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So in another attempt to say "<b>wake up friends</b>" here is my challenge for the week, when you KNOW someone is hurting or in need, don't just say one of the standard phrases and if heaven forbid you do, follow it up properly with ACTION!!!<br />
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We could all use a wake up call and I think that if you pay attention to the example God gave us, he didn't ask people to send him a letter before he could meet their needs. He faced it right at the moment it was presented and He FOLLOWED it up with ACTION...... if that is His example it should be ours as well!<br />
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<b>GO MAKE A DIFFERENCE (notice it didn't say, go "say a difference).............. </b></div>
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The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-87452571595485865472013-02-04T08:01:00.000-08:002013-02-04T08:11:29.169-08:00We the Pew SittersI have in the past 7 months begun to learn what it means to be at the mercy of the good Samaritans. Somedays I find that there are many and some days there are none. I am not angry at the realities of the world I live in but this experience has been so enlightening to me and has challenged my long standing beliefs. I am not against gathering together in fellowship and I am definitely not against joining in a good round of praise and worship but yesterday lent me another lesson, one that comes from the deepest part of my action crazy soul. <br />
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For some reason I used to really enjoy sitting in the pew and participating in the traditions of the typical "baptist" sunday but now it seems so frustrating. To sit for an hour and a half in a pew, looking around as people writing notes on their bulletin that they will most likely never revisit, highlighting scripture that will never leave the good Book to be applied in the real world, and ladies and men alike heads nodding in agreement as they nod off for a quick nap. The pew sitters, as I see it are supposed to be the life of the body! Where is the life of the body? What can the body do if it does not EXERCISE. I want to see pastors that encourage the body to EXERCISE THEIR FAITH!!!<br />
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I see this as a grave failure in our culture as a church. We have become lazy, even fat on the ideology of gathering together. If every sermon started with packing of food bags, or sorting socks for the homeless, or anything for that matter would the congregation attend? What if the pastor handed the sermon out on disc after the congregation had split up and mowed lawns for the elderly? Would taking that 1.5 hours to change the world change the congregation, would it turn us into servants of the Almighty? Would there be a church that could do it? You see when you fail to exercise you get fat and you forget how important it is for the body to move..... your church secretary creating a handout that you carelessly leave on a counter isn't exercise. Sharing the "good news" without caring for the person your sharing with isn't exercising it just basic stuff anyone can do, believer or not.<br />
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There are people out there that actually need believers to demonstrate Christ's example and trust me pew sitting isn't the answer. Now, don't get all up in arms I'm not saying to abandon learning or avoid the pastors sermon I just want to challenge you to consider what you could be doing. In a time when technology has given us so many options I question the archaic approach to hearing the Word and I am frustrated with the idea that so many "christians" don't exercise the body and thus we are wasting into a helpless, fat, and soon dead presentation of a very ALIVE GOD. Pastors, get out of the droning and challenge your members by example. Don't tell them how you have a great relationship with the Almightly, SHOW THEM, show them how it drives you to giving, caring and compassion. Let's get to a point where we exercise together, in fellowship as we rejoice in what God has given us by blessing the world.<br />
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Would it kill the congregation to wear jeans one sunday and descend on a popular roadway to clean up the trash that is floating in the ditches???? Can you imagine a WHOLE CONGREGATION cleaning up the trash of the world, one mile at a time? And don't worry nay sayers, the people who aren't physically capable could actually stay behind to fix a dinner so that at the end of the amazing event a fellowship could continue as you sit and dine together! This is just one example of something a large group could do.......... take the thought and re-imagine what Sunday morning might look like for your congregation! I think we can do a much better job of exercising our blessings, physically, mentally and spiritually.<br />
<br />The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-64396936954080218722013-01-24T15:43:00.000-08:002013-01-24T15:50:48.912-08:00That's all the lumber......<div style="text-align: center;">
I am always curious of my own doings. I sometimes wonder about the opportunities I've missed and the times I've fallen short. I think about how many things I've been blessed with and how many times I've failed to bless others. </div>
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It's kind of ironic to think about these things given the circumstances I'm in but it never ends even in my position there are still things I can do to help others and I will continue to do those things. My attempts to collect lumber for a home have been very limited. I have had lots of offers of help but very little material donated and honestly that doesn't shock me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVn9YpM7kA61cWFrzV7IEbpo7vExaU2p1B8iIrNREa9u10a3_dXnzF4-pItbD0_nAP3ZhUM3jRlytOFEGSbpWdLu96iF_3IsJltzUESiGz-ZNpRwnqvCT3CdttbS9_TsUCswlnv2Uuzhiq/s1600/lumber-piles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVn9YpM7kA61cWFrzV7IEbpo7vExaU2p1B8iIrNREa9u10a3_dXnzF4-pItbD0_nAP3ZhUM3jRlytOFEGSbpWdLu96iF_3IsJltzUESiGz-ZNpRwnqvCT3CdttbS9_TsUCswlnv2Uuzhiq/s200/lumber-piles.jpg" width="200" /></a>I even had a woman of a business tell me that "that was just too much for me to take on"...... it was all I could do not to scream at her and ask her if the accident, hospitalization, divorce, lack of income, no car and no home wasn't too much for me too! Without naming names, I was appalled at her careless concern and lack of respect for me as I was making an attempt to make something happen rather than sit at home and feel sorry for myself. I was very impressed when she shooed me off on a local charity organization as though it was above her to consider that all of us are a community of caregivers that in large and small ways we can be a heart beat to an individual, a family, a school, a church or a whole city! </div>
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As I continue to think about my project and what I'd like to accomplish it makes me think of the song Eli Woods sings called "The lumber song". </div>
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This version of the song found on youtube made me laugh however the story is so real to us who live in this world. We need to find our way to show our care for others and our community. Even as simple as opening a door for someone or letting the person in a hurry go in front of us in line! We can make a difference if we want to, it's the wanting to that seems to leave us behind! I sometimes wonder what I can do to make my kids less selfish, to encourage them to think of others first and to stand out from the average kids. I know that deep down it is me and my responses that will teach them to love others.</div>
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When you run around this weekend, take a minute to think about the lumber song and take just one more minute to do something that affects an individual, family, church or community in a positive way!</div>
The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-25678845156437730622013-01-12T08:00:00.002-08:002021-09-20T21:25:16.083-07:00PerspectiveSometimes in life you gain perspective and other times you lose perspective. Either way that little attribute of understanding or misunderstanding makes a huge difference in your life and the lives of others! It is often times that our perspective is what leads us to judge one another. I can personally attest to the uncomfortable reality of being judged on things seen but not known! And, on the same token I am guilty of the same.<br />
<br />
When we see a bum on the street we assume they are a drug addict and that they "put" themselves there. There are times when that really isn't the case! When we see a person wearing great cloths we assume that they are well off and have everything together, most of the time that is unlikely.<br />
<br />
Yesterday I went to a lumber store to drop of my material list and realized that the graces of other people make me "look" like nothing is wrong! I pulled up in a 2013 Ford Escape that still has paper tags ( my fathers car), walked in with bright blue hair ( my neices' kindness for getting the dye and the pastors kindness for paying for it) and Miss Me jeans ( my sisters, taken straight from her closet with permission). So in a minute it looks like I have money to do my hair, a new car and expensive jeans, yet I'm saying I have no money and soon no home for my kids to live in, no income to sign for a rental home, and I've even filed for state assistance! <br />
<br />
I realized quickly that I was so guilty of making assumptions without knowledge! I have often times assessed a situation but not asked any questions! I have looked at someone and determined their worth by what they wear or how they talk, I have judged parenting skills by how kids behaved without considering the situations that may be present, I have assumed that I knew just from observing and frankly that's not enough. <br />
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The real power in perspective comes in knowledge! You don't know if you don't ask!<br />
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There is no shame in confirming a story by asking questions or looking things up, there is no shame in approaching a person and asking because by doing so you gain knowledge!!!<br />
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Here's the real kicker with knowledge you can then gain wisdom.</div>
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When discussing my situation with others I try to always lean towards the positive, I smile a lot ( why not!) and I save my heart wrenching moments for my pillow or my mother! At the end of it all, the one thing I want to make sure of in all my challenges is that I walk away wiser, a better understanding of how to help others and a willingness to challenge my assumptions, ask questions, gain knowledging and in doing so be a wiser person! <br />
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So, when you pass somebody today or they ask you for something, don't judge them! </div>
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Talk to them, get to know them and by george do something! </div>
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Jesus taught the multitudes and FED them! He challenged the disciples and LED them! Paul visited people and then WROTE them! We as a christian people, we can look all day long at a circumstance and wonder why, or even say well that's disappointing but it's not for me to be involved. I've heard some people say life isn't a spectator sport, it's meant to be lived and honestly they're right! </div>
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Don't just be a spectator in the game.</div>
The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-57890526015945418012013-01-10T00:13:00.004-08:002013-01-10T00:21:02.595-08:00We need a home, and momma plans to build it!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Everybody goes through hard times, but we have no intention of letting the hard times hold our family back! In the last 7 months our family has been hit with an unbelievable number of events and the journey is nowhere close to being over, here's a short timeline. . ..<br />
<br />
• June 24th A car accident almost claims Elijah's (8 yrs old) life, life flighted from the scene<br />
• July 23rd Transferred from LSUS to Christus Santa Rosa, San Antonio for rehabilitation (8 hours from home)<br />
• August 28th We returned home!<br />
• September 18th Dad leaves<br />
• September 21st Dad files for Divorce<br />
• October -- We are seeking options concerning reconstructive surgery for Elijah's Airway ( still needed)<br />
• November 10th Mom and Dad's last Anniversary, 11 years.<br />
• November 27th Divorce final, child support ordered.<br />
• December 8th No more car.<br />
• December 14th Dad fired. No more support.<br />
• December 25th Christmas (generous people made this a wonderful holiday) but no Dad<br />
• December 28th We are told we must vacate our rental home<br />
• January 30th The day we need a new home.<br />
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So what are we going to do now?<br />
<br />
We're going to ask for your help!<br />
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As a contractor's daughter, mom knows how to build things. This won't be the first time she's put a roof on a house or raised a wall. With her fathers' help and a small piece of his land, she aims to build a house for her boys. A modest home that only totals 768sqft! We're not out to gain a mansion. After all the adjustments we've had to make, we just want a home to call our own!<br />
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You can check out our story at<br />
<a href="http://raisingboysandlifesjoys.blogspot.com/2012/12/laying-it-all-out-on-table.html" target="_blank">Raising Boys and Life's Joys ( a blog by mom)</a><br />
If you want to know more about Elijah’s Journey you can go to<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/j-PxSZlaH6M" target="_blank">Elijah's Journey</a><br />
If you’d like to follow him on facebook as we continue his journey towards recovery you can follow on at<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/elijahrocksinprayer" target="_blank">Elijah Rocks, a public facebook page</a><br />
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Will you consider donating any of the needed materials below?<br />
If so, please feel free to contact us at 903-930-8951 or 903-930-4465<br />
Via email at colelaurent83 at gmail.com<br />
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Don't have any material?<br />
You can donate towards materials via paypal using the email address <a href="mailto:gracecovers@hotmail.com">gracecovers@hotmail.com</a><br />
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So. . .. . .. . .. Without further delay here's the list.<br />
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1. 13 2X10X16 Treated (Floor Joist)<br />
2. 10 2X10X16 Treated (Floor Band)<br />
3. 1 4X6X16 Treated Seal<br />
4. 1 4X6X10 Treated<br />
5. 24 Sheets ¾" CDX plywood<br />
6. 24 Sheets ½" BC plywood<br />
7. 51 2X4X16 plate material<br />
8. 138 2X4X92 5/8 studs<br />
9. 13 2X10X16 untreated<br />
10. 5 2X10X16 floor bands<br />
11. 26 2X6X10 rafters<br />
12. 18 4X8X 1/2" OSB sheeting<br />
13. 45 Sheets 5/8 T111<br />
14. 7 Squares of Shingles<br />
15. 2 rolls of #15 felt<br />
16. 4 1X6X8<br />
17. 2 1X6X12<br />
18. 2 1X6X16<br />
19. 4 Sheets ¼" BC plywood<br />
20. 1 6X8 exterior Door<br />
21. 12 windows ( size doesn't matter really, we like to be eclectic)<br />
22. 1 sliding glass door or double doors (exterior rear)<br />
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Additional needs will include<br />
23. Rolls of insulation<br />
24. 72 Sheets of sheetrock<br />
25. 110, 220 wire<br />
26. Outlets, switches, boxes etc.<br />
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We will be diligent to mark off materials as they are donated. I know that is seems ambitious but we have set aside the weekend of January 25th -- 27th to build a house and Lord willing it's gonna happen!!<br />
Thank you for making this possible, one piece of wood at a time!<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Mom, <br />
and the Boys<br />
Elijah, Ethan, Josiah & Jeremiah<br />
</div>
The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-4422057366465563332012-12-18T09:42:00.000-08:002012-12-18T21:52:11.568-08:00Laying it all out on the table. In the last 6 months, many of you have followed me in a journey that both you and I will never forget. Many times you see the posts, positive, uplifting and memorable a few of you who have friended me on my personal page and on occasion see the posts that indicate that it isn't always easy. So today in an attempt to help you understand the journey that myself and my children have traveled in the last year I will be laying it out on the table, all of it.<br />
<br />
Seven months ago I was a married woman, two biological boys and two adopted boys and life was fairly normal. My husband had a good job working with a great company, we were renting a house out in the country and enjoying the relatively close friends and family after moving to Texas in January. We attended Bar-None Cowboy Church where the boys had some great men and women guiding their learning while we sat in on the Sunday sermon each week. To the outside it was a picturesque christian family with the standard minor bump and bruises one might expect in life.<br />
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On the inside it was a tough struggle as honesty and integrity were not the staple of my spouse, it made me a sad, emotionally strained and often times nagging wife. I have no excuse for my responses and I am learning every day how to balance my responses in spite of others behaviors ( I'll let you know when I figure it out). One of the most devastating parts of the marriage was pornography, it is in my opinion one of the most vial, most utilized tools of the devil one might experience next to addictions. This was our life.<br />
<br />
June 24th came and thus the introduction of hundreds of people to the life of our son, his condition and the overall need he had for prayer, we all needed prayer. You watched and waited, anticipated and prayed with us as God took our son from a crumpled mess to an amazing miracle, and you rejoiced with us as the journey unfolded. While so many of you complemented the faith you felt was displayed, you were in your responses such an intricate part of the healing process for me, as the prayers of many accomplish so much. I will never be able to thank you all individually for your prayer and support so please take this as a Thank You!<br />
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While some people may begin to read this and think, what is the relevance of this to Elijah? I hope that you will take the time to finish it so that you may better know how to direct your prayers as we have a journey behind the journey you see.<br />
<br />
After returning from Rehabilitation with Elijah, all my boys were home in the same house and life started to normalize a little bit, though things between Eric and I were not normalizing at all.<br />
<br />
He was angry, very angry. Angry at God, my mother for driving, angry at God again, angry at the church for their lack of response, angry at God. The defining moment in our marriage came when I saw him texting someone, when I asked who he responded "that's none of your business". I can officially say I lost it, after weeks in the hospital taking care of my child, monitoring and managing the care of our other 3 children who were also in San Antonio with friends while I was down there, I realized that he had had weeks of time to feed his anger and to seek comfort in places that may or may not have been appropriate. The end result was an altercation between us, Eric left that night. He returned home one time afterwards, it was not good, he left.<br />
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He filed for divorce on Sept. 21st, he traded his car in for a Jeep ( I felt like I had been stabbed, my son almost died in a car accident how could he think this was ok?). As with all divorces there were discussions, arguments and so many other things that go with it. Throughout this time my concerns were securing support and insurance for the children, Elijah needed the insurance, so do the other kids. In order for there to be support Eric had to have a job. I knew that the Jeep he had traded had never had the financing secured so I asked the attorney to award him the vehicle I was driving, though I knew it would jeopardize transportation for myself and the children I also knew that him not having transportation would jeopardize his ability to maintain a job thus risking financial support and insurance coverage. Making such a decision was not easy but I felt it was the best decision given the circumstances of his current vehicle.<br />
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On Nov. 27th, the divorce was finalized. A week later he requested the car because the dealership was requesting the Jeep back. I dropped the car off at the local bus station, stashed the keys and left. I don't know that the kids even reacted much to this, but for me leaving behind my source of transportation was difficult though I felt it was a necessary evil to make sure he kept his job.<br />
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God has plans that are beyond our understanding and despite my carefully considered planning. Eric was fired from his job Dec. 14th, the situation that led to the firing is undetermined at this point, but I have been told a number of things by various people. You can imagine how I took this news. Monday morning I went to his former job location to find out what I could about COBRA cost. I was informed that the insurance was terminated the day he was fired. I was devastated, I quickly learned that COBRA would cost $673 dollars a month just to carry Elijah, not my other boys, just Elijah.<br />
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I can not begin to explain all the details of everything that has happened in the last 6 months. At the beginning of this post I started by saying "7 months ago I was" so I will now finish this post with.... Today I am a single mother, I have no insurance, no income, no vehicle and due to circumstances that have no control over I will need to find another home to rent. After 11 years of marriage, my life had drastically changed, my children's lives had been rocked with an assault they never saw coming and through it all they are still doing well! Sure these things are impacting them, and yes they cry and wonder why all this is happening from time to time but ultimately they are handling it stoically with amazing strength. Yesterday was rough for me, especially realizing that getting Elijah to Cincinnati is now going to be tougher than ever with no income to cover COBRA ( COBRA is necessary for him because Medicaid does not go outside the state). As I was digging through some paperwork while sitting on the floor Elijah came in and saw me, as I looked up he said "you don't feel good momma?" to which I just replied "no, I don't feel good today." He just said "well that's ok".<br />
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So, if you want to pray for Elijah, Ethan, Josiah ( he is currently staying with a friend due to behavioral issues) and Jeremiah pray for there hearts, their security, their stability and their faith.<br />
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God does not lack in His mercy. He has steadily shown His amazing ability to sustain me and my children and for that I am forever grateful.<br />
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The point in all this is that I don't want people to see the posts and think, this amazing child, and his amazing family and think that because we post positive things that there are no negatives. We have our ups and our downs, we have our moments of crying, breaking apart and feeling like all is lost but the reality is, it isn't all lost........<br />
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God is in control and all this is simply "Beshert" or rather "meant to be". The end result will be glorious and I am confident that the hearts of many will continue to be blessed by the amazing miracle of my son, his faith and his confidence.<br />
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Thank you for your care, your concern and your prayers.<br />
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May your Christmas be blessed because this is truly the most wonderful time of the year!! <br />
Nicole<br />
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<br />The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-91335588616367173152012-12-04T17:52:00.000-08:002012-12-04T17:52:09.043-08:00My Thank You to FORD <br />
For those of you who didn't know my son was critically injured in a vehicular accident June 24th or this year. I know that God had everything under control, right down to the vehicle my mother was driving. That being said I feel it is only right that Ford hear just how grateful I am for the work they do on the vehicles they produce. Everyone needs to know they are doing a good job from time to time and I don't think the people at Ford are any exception to that!!!<br />
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My letter to the FORD CORPORATION AND THEIR EMPLOYEES</div>
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To Whom it may concern:<br />
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>First I would like to introduce myself. My name is Lauren and I am a mother of 4 boys and now a faithful Ford F150 lover.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
This year, a Cadillac Escalade that was traveling at a minimum of 70 MPH hit my mothers’ Ford F150 on the passenger side as I in the vehicle behind her watched in horror. The impact was unbelievable. I can remember each second as the Ford was pushed, bulldozed really, before it began to spin for 3 ½ rotations finally coming to a stop facing me across the intersection. In the truck were my mother, my two oldest sons and my nephew. I knew I would face something unimaginable as I parked my car and began to assess the scene. <br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>But this is where the vehicle makes a difference to me. My mother was getting out! My second oldest son Ethan (6 at the time) was saying “I’m ok. I’m ok.”, my nephew was saying “Elijah, Elijah wake up, wake up”….. my nephew appeared to be ok as well. <br />
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Elijah, the only one on the impact side was unresponsive. This boy, my son, eight years old, an avid seatbelt wearer, sat slumped over in his seat, seatbelt still secure. The rest of what unfolded is a story a mother should never have to endure, weeks in ICU, 2 months in inpatient rehabilitation and months more of outpatient care. <br />
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So, you may ask, why the letter to your company? Simple! </div>
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I want to say THANK YOU! </div>
Thank you for your diligence, your aim for safety and your careful consideration taken as you create a vehicle. Thank you for the care your workers take in building the vehicles. I’m not in a position to say all your vehicles perform this well, but I’m willing to honestly say it will be the next vehicle I buy and the performance of this one vehicle warrants a Thank You. I don’t typically buy into claims that a corporation puts on their own product but after seeing first hand the performance of my mothers 2003 Ford F150 Lariat, I can attest to the stability, safety and strength that it had against a vehicle that has a curb weight almost 1000lbs heavier.<br />
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Today, not even 6 months later my son is well on his way to recovery. Other than a trach tube, you can’t even tell that just a few months ago he was unable to walk, talk or eat. Some may say that I am putting too much stock in the vehicle, but I’m not crazy there is a level of divine intervention for sure, but having a vehicle built well also plays a large part in accident outcomes. I don’t think I can say it enough and hopefully sometime in the future I’ll be the proud owner of a Ford F150 and when somebody asks me about my vehicle I’ll get to share with them my deep appreciation for how a Ford is built and how I know from personal experience that your slogan “Built Ford tough” isn’t just a slogan to me anymore it’s a statement about how the engineering, safety features, factory production and final completion of your truck made a forever difference in my life and the life of my family.<br />
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So once more, thank you and may you all have a very Merry Christmas!!!</div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sincerely, <br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Lauren Laurent<br />
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If you want to know more or see the amazing recovery of Elijah feel free to follow him! </div>
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For all those at Ford Motor Company, Thank you so very much! Keep up the good work.</div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/elijahrocksinprayer%C2%A0">Elijah Rocks Facebook!</a></div>
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The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-16465700441292625992012-03-22T14:45:00.000-07:002012-03-22T14:45:38.825-07:00Living in Laneville!Our time in Alabama was eventful, profitable for learning and eye opening. I did not know that there was a place within the U.S. that could have so much ignorance and still preach like they were the only pocket on God's green earth that was right. Needless to say, moving from there was one of the smartest decisions we made and has opened up a great amount of opportunities that we would not have been afforded had we stayed. <br />
<br />
So, where are we now? Living in Laneville...... Texas to be exact. The town of Laneville boasts a 4 way intersection, several closed businesses and a single eatery that most say is good, though we haven't taken the time to try it. Two churches, Baptist and Methodist (we don't attend either) and a park that was dedicated to somebody, not really sure why and the local post office. All in all it is a pleasant environment, people seem to leave each other alone, and that's my preference. The boys enjoy 3 acres behind the house we are renting and the local park is only a few steps away. <br />
<br />
Someone has cut the grass at the park recently, the boys are enjoying the weather a bright sunny day 77 degrees and a brisk wind. <br />
<br />
Eric and I are still pursuing education, Eric is in his 3rd semester of an Environmental Masters while he works as the Environment, Health and Safety Manager over the Satcom work in Kilgore, a great position which he seems to be thriving at. <br />
<br />
I am continuing my Masters in Mental Health Counseling, trying to keep my head above water while homeschooling, raising 4 boys and tending to all sorts of crisis within the home :) <br />
<br />
We have recently begun pursuing a Reactive Attachment Diagnosis for your two younger boys. I detest labels but unfortunately the whole of society including family will call you a liar unless you have a doctor (who does NOT know your child) write a note about what you tell them ABOUT YOUR CHILD! It's a sad world we live in. Either way the information put forward for people raising RAD kids has been extremely helpful and we have had some, albeit small, advances in improved behavior. I hope to soon have a small informational post along with a book I wrote that is humorous yet factual on the stress RAD's have on a family and what friends, family and teachers can do to help! <br />
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I can honestly say that one of the best things about being in Laneville, TX is that it is appx 40 minutes from Longview, TX where two of the wisest people I know live. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with my Grandparents and cherish each opportunity I have to assist them. The knowledge and truth that they share in conversations is priceless, something that can not be matched by others in my life and the humor they share is often priceless as well. I feel honored to bring my kids over for a visit or two, sometimes those few hours are more valuable than all the training and instruction they get from Eric and I in a week. So these are just a few things about us and our lives, living in Laneville.The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-4531506825944231382011-11-12T06:36:00.000-08:002011-11-12T06:36:36.669-08:00Living life....... and letting go!Today, of all days Eric milks the cow. Typically this is reserved to the soft hands of myself who has a gentle touch the cow greatly appreciates! But today I am relinquishing this opportunity to Eric.<br />
<br />
It isn't really that he can't do it but that I do it more efficiently! I do it with speed he seems to get confused as to which fingers close first and then there's the issue of thinking he's getting dirt in the milk ( not a pleasant thought at all ) but I am letting him do it!<br />
<br />
I have learned 3 things about letting Eric do things and I can imagine many women have learned the same. <br />
<center>1. Actually let them do it. <br />
2. Give them a short list of suggestions <br />
DO NOT tell them what or how to do it <br />
even if you have been doing it forever. <br />
3. LEAVE THE AREA!!!</center><br />
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This last tidbit is the most important part! Just leave the area, what ensues will either be comical, tragic or amazing! Either way the outcome will not be available if you stick around to watch the action.<br />
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So, this morning we will see the result of Eric milking Delilah! She typically refuses to give milk for a whole day after he touches her, I am hoping that is not the outcome today!The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-12035851351402805012011-11-07T14:20:00.000-08:002011-11-07T14:20:01.216-08:00 Living for the Prodigal<sp><sp><sp><b> It</b> isn’t every day that one lives with a child who sincerely disregards all better options only to ensure that they disobey and disrespect at a level that will soon drive them to view the interior of a prison or at best the interior of an otherwise empty home.<br />
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<center>And yet, every day I wake, I have been living for a prodigal. Some of you have been making a decision to live for your prodigal for weeks, months, even years now and every day it is the same life sucking event. This prodigal has the potential to ruin your moments, your days, your marriage, relationships and lives. No matter which way you look at it, this one child, person or individual can and will with or without intent continue to destroy the people around them. And choosing to live for them is wrong. Yes, you heard me <b>CHOOSING TO LIVE FOR THEM IS WRONG</b>.</center> <br />
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<b>For me</b>, it really wasn’t the disrespect or even the down right manipulative aspects of my child but really it was the unique amount of selfishness he seemed to be able to pack into his tiny 6 year old frame. The ability to always want everything to be centered around him, to threaten his brothers stability of enjoying life to the point that no one wanted to be around him, and yet he could still manage to influence them all. He really makes the house an awful place to be. After much research I came across an amazing link that assisted me in better understanding just how selfish this little boy was.<br />
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According to an ODD pamphlet distributed by Notmykid.org, <br />
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Those with ODD, “like to see you get mad. Every request can end up as a powerful struggle. Lying becomes a way of life, and getting a reaction out of others is the chief hobby. Perhaps hardest of all to bear, they rarely are truly sorry and often believe nothing is their fault.” <br />
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Sadly, the pamphlet didn’t offer some amazing cure and even left little hope for those thinking the behavior would somehow amazingly change. Actually it indicated that most people would go on to become yet another statistic or label that would otherwise be recognized as a psychiatric disorder and altogether excuse the individual from their selfish tactics.<br />
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As an individual who believes that all issues, on most levels, stem from selfishness. I recognize the issue at hand but realize that short of losing his arms or legs and having to become dependant on someone, my son has a limited understanding of what it means to be selfless. And, in some cases even such an awful event would only render him a more deeply seeded selfish jerk. <br />
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So back to reality, earlier I said living for the prodigal is wrong. I meant that. So perhaps it would be better to understand what I meant. There are days when I would get up and my decisions were made in a way to attempt to avoid his outbursts, to work around his manipulations or even to eliminate his opportunities to damage me or my other children. <br />
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The most recent bouts of tantrums and disrespect finalized as my son kicked a large hole in his bedroom wall. It took everything in me to not send him flying through the window! As with any parent dealing with a manipulative and selfish driven child you are constantly challenged, by the child, by others and even by your own internal need to take a break. My son got an appropriate punishment and then he was taken to visit a friend of ours while I took the time to recover and begin to assess what I should have done differently.<br />
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<center><b>It didn’t take me long to realize what I should have done.</b></center><br />
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<b>1. When a child who knowingly and willingly destroys property as a repeated offense. CALL LAW ENFORCEMENT<br />
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2. LET THEM GO<br />
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3. PRAY</b><br />
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I conclusively decided that if this occurred again I would follow the above steps because I love my son, I love him enough to understand that all my love will NEVER make him respectful, it will never make him want to love others, it will never make him love himself enough to make a respectful person of himself. All my love can NEVER do these things. That’s a lot for the mother of a prodigal to accept but it is the truth. <br />
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<center><b>So</b>, after a week away my prodigal will come home, his room has been repainted, the hole repaired, a new bed set, a writing desk and a lamp with a cars themed lampshade sits nicely on the desk, his pillows have been fluffed and we will celebrate his return! But, his return will not be without a strong warning, “if you ever choose to willfully destroy property or harm another person, we as your parents, without hesitation will call the proper authority to detain, charge and keep you until you have completed the time or sentence that the judge sees appropriate to give you.”</center><br />
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<center><b>We will make this choice because we love you.</b></center><br />
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There are so many people I know even in my own family, that are living with a prodigal and they are serving that prodigal, they are hoping and praying that their unwillingness to give up will make that prodigal change, but it is at the lowest point that a prodigal learns what it means to turn from selfishness and it is at the lowest point that a person learns what it means to be loved and to love others. A prodigal is, when enabled, incapable of seeing the need to change. A prodigal will drain you and make you incapable of seeing how drained you have become. I had to learn that it was not respectful or motherly to drain all my energy on my prodigal and leave little time or patience for my three children who where in good earnest trying to respect, honor and obey. I had to learn that the priority I made for my prodigal was inappropriate and unacceptable and I will be telling my prodigal that the time will be delivered when it is needed, not when it is wanted or demanded. My time will not be determined by my prodigal and my prodigal will not dictate my going and my coming. <br />
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If the time comes that I must let go, I would rather that the God almighty give me the strength to let go than sin consume me that I am so selfish to let my other children pay the price for my prodigal. This lesson is not without a heavy heart but it is definitely better learned now while I still have many years to raise my boys! I would hate for the prodigal to distract me from all the wonderful things they will do in the years to come. I will pray for my prodigal, and with strength, raise my boys.<br />
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<center><b>A Mother’s Prayer for her Prodigal</b></center><br />
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<center>I love my child, with all I am<br />
No matter where the sin may send<br />
But all my love can never change<br />
Choices made when selfishness reigns<br />
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My choices will be hard at best<br />
My heart will cry, my lips never rest<br />
Prayers of hope and words of wisdom<br />
But no longer will I be drained of living<br />
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For on the bench sit my others<br />
Missing dearly their distracted mother<br />
All my love so carelessly placed <br />
I’ve seen the pain upon their face<br />
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Lord, give me strength to realize<br />
The ones you gave me <br />
Are precious in Your sight <br />
And while in love you’ve entrusted me<br />
Sometimes they belong back with Thee<br />
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So in Your wisdom let me be<br />
Better prepared to let my prodigal be<br />
To let them be alone again<br />
To let them be alone in sin<br />
To let them choose the way they will<br />
Within the restraints of laws and judges<br />
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I pray you keep my child safe for me<br />
But never so safe they can harm others freely<br />
I pray you reach their heart for me<br />
But never at the cost of another heart<br />
I pray you open their eyes to see<br />
But if when opened they turn their back on Thee<br />
I pray you give me strength to let the child go<br />
Back to the merciless law and foe. AMEN</center>The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-11734592989674796902011-07-21T11:28:00.000-07:002011-07-21T11:28:59.628-07:00Revisiting Reality!It's been a while since I have considered the realities of what life really is about, but then again who has the time? LOL<br />
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Today I have had a wonderful morning, got up, milked the cow, cleaned the kitchen, vacuumed, made bread dough ( it's rising ) and plated blueberry crumb bars compliments of <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/07/blueberry-crumb-bars/">Smitten Kitchen</a> and yet through the midst of it all we managed to feed 6 kids and get them dressed! I think it is amazing that all of this can happen in a matter of a couple hours! And we think God couldn't create the world in 6 days!! LOL He is the master of multitasking.<br />
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After a delightful morning, we had a visit from the "church" way out of line but hey they're trying right? Don't get me started, wasn't it that creepy little Yoda dude that said "do or do not, their is no try!"..... I don't mind the church but please people bother to have SOME christian standards :)<br />
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So after the "church" visit that went as well as a pile of crap in a pristine chapel, the kids have been playing outside and on the Wii and we have enjoyed a really great day! Nothing about this world is simple but yet if we let it be, there is a simple peace about knowing that no matter which way the storm rolls, we are covered! We don't need to build an Ark, we don't have to sacrifice our children or beg for a statue to do a miracle. <br />
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Blessed beyond measure and filled to unimaginable heights our God is bigger than any other god and most importantly He is actively participating in our life, in the past, today and we know He will continue to do so in the future. <br />
<center><b>The best part is He is letting us see Him in our life, that is what life is truly about!!!</b></center>The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743581809259589955.post-3501861278839574452011-06-22T06:11:00.000-07:002011-06-22T06:11:38.409-07:00Time for a review!!! MyFitnessPal App.....I generally don't care to write reviews but I felt that this app has been a significant part of my last couple weeks and without sharing it how can others benefit!<br />
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MyFitnessPal a FREE app created by MyFitnessPal LLc is one of the best apps I have found for food, fitness and calorie tracking! Not only does it allow you to scour the 750,000 foods within their database it also allows you to create and save any foods that are not in the database.<br />
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The application also allows you to connect with friends much like facebook or myspace, allowing for comments of encouragement or correction if need be! Having enjoyed many a meal out, this app has been the start of what I hope to say is the last time I will overeat out of ignorance!<br />
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The reality is in this fast pasted world of going going gone, we actually get tricked by food labels and packaging that boast a healthy alternative only to discover that that alternative was full of all the things we don't want! There have been hundreds even thousands of days that I have consumed what I though was a healthy and balanced diet only to discover my ignorance.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuGBJqFvcPtgdXFXjUScK3_ugpNj-i84TVDl7KMKaERcAKgudzZjLb3-F664kDW3GWng7xGb65kGye680p06nNluZbri1XI4qttVMK2z5SuUY-w_rui9ADUjPCAyfZrTJUTrOdsN9DMpc/s1600/myfitnesspal.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuGBJqFvcPtgdXFXjUScK3_ugpNj-i84TVDl7KMKaERcAKgudzZjLb3-F664kDW3GWng7xGb65kGye680p06nNluZbri1XI4qttVMK2z5SuUY-w_rui9ADUjPCAyfZrTJUTrOdsN9DMpc/s320/myfitnesspal.gif" /></a></div><br />
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Today I follow a pretty tight schedule of consumption, sticking closely to the caloric intake suggestion made by MyFitnessPal and the results are amazing. I stepped on the scale to a number I hadn't seen in 6 months and to my delight I have lost a whole pant size! <br />
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While I don't expect this app to do the work for me, it definetly makes my daily consumption easier and healthier all around! So, if your looking for something to help you stay on track or if you and your friends want to start a diet together this is the app that can help you connect with your friends and reconnect with the body you once had!The Beauty with Bravadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13864202946353563737noreply@blogger.com0