Personal Presidential Debate

Alright...after much thought and review I've decided on Mitt Romney. That is until Chuck Norris finds me and hits me so hard I go back in time and change my vote. This has been one of the most difficult election decisions for me in a while. I liked different things about each candidate and disliked others. However, I came to the decision based on:

-His economic policies and limited taxation
-His healthcare policies
-His belief in smaller government and fiscal constraint
-His experience in both corporate America and government
-His moral standing and social policies

I will admit my concern over his Mormonism, however. Yet, this is my only issue and I feel it is not a major concern. That's my intention. Sorry, Huckabee. You were close, but you had to go and raise taxes, spend tons of money and even accept a few too many gifts. Chuck Norris almost made me forget that stuff, but I can't vote for you (looking over my shoulder...waiting for the roundhouse kick to the face).

Profoundi-talk

I’m always thinking of things to say or do that are profound and will make my friends and family think, “Wow…that’s deep.” I think you do that too. I think we all do that, especially in the Christian community...and I think it's bad. I’m a relatively young Christian and there are many things that I believe we say (to sound profound) to non-and new believers that are setting them up for disappointment. Other Christians may judge me (another topic for later) for the honesty I’m about to share and they may even question my faith. But this is what I believe we ALL struggle with and we should speak up about it and be honest. Here are some things that we Christians say that I think are just profoundi-talk.

“It’s so nice being a Christian. I just have a peace about everything, because God is in control.”

This is one that I really struggle with and can’t imagine how it impacts non-believers. I’m sorry; I’d love to have a “peace about everything,” but it just isn’t so. Don’t get me wrong. I believe God is in control and I believe things happen for a reason, but that doesn’t give me super human ability to detach myself from the harsh realities of life. I have debilitating fears. I’m sometimes nearly paralyzed at the thought of my sons’ being hurt or killed, my wife’s safety, our health, and our finances. I worry about work, my house, my parents, my sisters, LIFE. Frankly, it bothers me, even as a Christian, to hear the whole “I’m at peace with the world” comment. I’m not at peace. I’m rarely at peace. I have an understanding and will get through things because I have faith in God’s control, but that does not mean I’m at peace with seeing a father of two small children killed in a car accident on his way to work. I can get through it and watch how God uses it, but the last thing I would feel is “peace” about it. Let’s be honest and just say, “Life is hard and sometimes terrible and it really helps to be able to trust that God is in control. It’s not the way He planned the world to be, but I believe He’ll use tragedy to bring good. However, I still worry and struggle. I just TRY my best to give it to God and I do my part to help.”

“I’m not afraid of dying. I’m saved and will be going to heaven.”

Alright, I don’t know if this makes me less faithful or not, but I’m petrified of death. I thought about this on the way to work this morning. I was in traffic in Miami on the expressway and passed by a horrible accident where two people were killed. Right there! Right there in the very spot I’m passing by and the crushed cars were still there. I kept thinking, “I wonder if he was a dad? A husband?” If I had been 30 minutes earlier, it could’ve been me. Morbid thought? Not very “peaceful” thinking? Dang right! Look, I don’t believe that people are totally cool with dying. So stop saying you are. Nobody believes you. My thoughts? I’m scared. I don’t know what to expect. I am a Christian and I do believe that Jesus has taken my sins away. But, if I’m really being honest, I’d say that I’m really worried that I’m missing something. You know that feeling you get when you turn in a test and you’ve gone over it a thousand times, but you still have this terrible feeling that you forgot a section or totally failed a portion? What if I get to heaven and God says, “No…I don’t have a reservation for you. Are you sure you know Christ?” Again, I’m being as honest as I can. I fear this. Also, I think that we should be careful not to claim we know exactly what will happen when we die. We don’t. The bible isn’t crystal clear on everything (“…the dead will rise first.” has always confused me. Aren’t they there already?). I’d much rather hear Christians being honest and saying, “Death is gonna suck. Nobody wants to die. But, I believe that Jesus died so that I could be with God and once I’m in heaven, it’ll be wonderful. But again…not looking forward to the dying part.” It’s kinda like getting a shot when you were a kid. I don’t care how much candy or ice cream I’m getting after the shot…the shot still stinks.

“Oh, just pray that God shows you His plan.”

Look…God is driving this car we call life and we can’t see the road. He has told us the destination and how He wants us to act along the way and even how to interact with others during the trip. But, in terms of the which roads He’s taking, what they look like, whether or not they have pot holes and what the weather’s like…let’s just say He’s not sharing any maps. I have no clue…you hear me…NO CLUE what God has in store for me. I don’t even believe in praying that he show me His plan…cause it ain’t gonna happen. He’s the navigator, pilot and co-pilot. All He lets me see…is the rear view mirror. That’s how I know God was, and is in my life. He shows me the roads I’ve been on and I get to keep guessing on where we’re going next. That’s okay with me. I’m okay with Him driving and I think it’s cool that he reveals to me where I’m at, and where I’ve been to show me just how good a driver He is. I may hate the bumps in the road once in a while, but He’s got it on cruise and we’re making good time. So, let’s be honest with people and just say God likes to navigate and frankly…He hates backseat drivers. So, you’re not gonna know His plan until you see it in the rearview.

The reason for this post is that I have been thinking a lot about Christian straight talk. Just say how you really feel and not how your dad, pastor or priest might say it. Don’t speak in King James and don’t act like you have it all figured out, 'cause I don’t buy it and neither will seekers. Being a Christian doesn’t give you super-human uderstanding of the world, amazing wisdom, keen insight into life and death, or clairvoyance. It doesn’t make us better or smarter than anyone else. The only difference is that we’ve accepted the grace and mercy of Christ, which we need because we are NOT better than anyone else. I would love to hear more Christians tell people, “Listen, I’m terrible. I’m not even close to being what I should be. In fact, I’m probably worse than you are. But, I believe that Jesus was a perfect sacrifice for me and an example for both of us. If you believe that, then together we can try to be better.” It’s that simple.

New Pictures...

Joel will be turning 6 months old this week (sniff) so I wanted to add a few pictures of him. He is such a sweet baby!

Family Update

Man did 2007 end with a BANG for us. Our front door handle broke...no big deal we used the garage anyway. Well then the garage door broke; the dryer broke and to top off the list... we were rear-ended on Meridian Rd. So we are really looking forward to a better year!

On a updated prayer request...Gabe will no longer be going to preschool. I will be teaching him at home for the rest of the year. A few issues came up in December that really made us stop and think that this school wasn't the best idea! So far it's been the best decision. He's doing great & we have our Gabe back!

Noah had an ear infection from Thanksgiving until the end of December. Was on THREE antibiotics in a month...but is finally better! He's such a sweet boy! He definetly keeps me on my toes. There isn't a day goes bye I don't ask...Where's Noah?

Joel had an ear infection was put on an antibiotic. Didn't clear up the ear or the cold which lead to wheezing on Christmas Day. He was put on another antibiotic and prednasone. He's finally better. He's finally sleeping through the night again! He is such a wonderful baby! He weighed about 15.9 the end of the month! He's doing great!

Jonathan's work is going well. He'll be traveling about once a month for about a week, which is really hard for me but is getting easier each time. He got his first commission check! YIPPIE!

As for me...I'm trying to keep the house cleaned, raise my sweet boys and be the best wife & mother I can!

Hoping for great things in 2008!

Should we try to fix or just listen?

I recently read a book for small group leaders at our church and came across a section that really hit home to me. Here's the text from the book "You can double your class in two years or less." By Josh Hunt.

"We can only fix ourselves. An atmosphere in which we are constantly trying to fix each other will quickly squelch honesty. I do not want a group that is constantly trying to fix me. It does not matter how well-meaning the group is in this. Fixing kills honesty.

I have seen this happen in groups from time and time again. One person will bravely share something that is not working. Someone else will say, "You just need to pray more."Another will tell the person,"Just forgive and forget." ...

If they will hear one another, really listen to the feelings as well as the facts, and bring both together to the Father, the group will find healing. But as long as we are trying to fix each other, God isn't allowed to do much fixing."

In James 5:16 it does not say "Confess your sins, do your best to fix each other."

In different settings, Jonathan and I have recently experienced this where we've asked for prayer and received everything from "Why did you do that?" to "Well, what I do is..." to "Why don't you just..." Granted, many of our friends are our accountability partners. But, there is a very thin line between accountability and judgement. We're guilty of the same thing in our home team and other small groups. It is easy to fall into "helping." This book helped me see that we need to build each other up in Christ not squelch the honesty and make everyone just like ourselves. Please pray for guidance when others ask for prayer! Together God can fix/solve our problems!

Paul and I

14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Romans 7:14-25

Happy New Year

I haven't written a blog in so long, I though it necessary to at least get back on here and tell all of you Happy New Year. There will be ups and downs this year; successes and failures, joy and stress, monotony and new adventures. Regardless of what this year brings, let us embrace each and every experience. Bring on 2008!

Happy New Year, everyone!!