June 11, 2013;

     Just when you think you have everything under control , you don't.  Thank God, he does.  I recently spent five days in Phoenix on a residency.  I enjoyed it until the guest Plenary speaker (it's supposed to be the highlight of the five days, I wouldn't listen again for five minutes).  I understand that the Christian faith has come under fire from the government and various left wing groups.  They don't want it in the schools, in public, on display anywhere, they are so offended.  Of course they don't ask us if we are offended at their public displays, or presence.  If Christians say anything then we are intolerate of other groups, if they don't like Christians, they get to suppress any manifestation of the faith everywhere, but that's not intolerance.  I personally think it's more of a hate crime targeting a group, but that's just my opinion. 
    
     Anyway the plenary speaker began to mock the bible.  He actually turned several stories in it around to suit his speech and in so doing showed his ignorance as well as his own intolerance.  Apparently, he was not concerned with offending any group within the audience of over 1000 people.  More than likely, if he would have started bashing gays it would have been a public outrage and he would have been made to stop, but not in this case.  Everyone sat quietly and listened to him speak,......except me, of course.  I very verbally packed up my books, my phone and my purse explained in a voice that was quite audible to those around me that the speaker was apparently extremely ignorant and therefore, I didn't have time to listen to him.  I asked my friend next to me "do you hear him, he's publicly mocking the Bible, seriously I'm not going to listen to this idiot that doesn't have a clue what he is talking about".  Sad part was I paid for the residency and in turn paid for his presence...I want my money back. 

     I'd heard of this type of garbage taking place in universities and classrooms, but I didn't think people would just sit there and not move.  If the Christians in that room would have gotten out of their seats more than half the audience would have left and that's exactly what shouldve happened.

     In my life that was a mere spec of entertainment, there has been so much drama inflicted on my peaceful life that I finally put my foot down and said enough.  I have been forced to deal with people and read conversations that are so trashy, so low, I really didn't think people actually lived and talked that way but apparently I was so blatently wrong, there was no way I could ever be right.  It's interesting, they masked their true selves, they take showers, put clean clothes on and wear loads of perfume and cologne.  Then they try to say as little as possible because if they start talking, WOW, the perverse, hateful, disgusting speech that flows from their mouths is vile.  You really don't know people until you get an inside glimpse of them without their knowing. 

     I've decided to remove myself from this population.  I feel sorry for children who have to live in the environment, the adults think they're fooling people, that noone knows the things they do in secret.  God vindicates and when those children have Christian relatives who continually pray for them, the end of those people is never good, I've seen it too many times.  Until then.......just sit back and watch.   

June 4, 2013

I went to my residency and spent five days, met some new friends and gained some invaluable information.  It's a wonderful thing when you get to be around people who think the way you do, they're passionate about the same things you are.  It brings you back to life and makes you feel like you are no longer alone there are people out there like you.  There is a place where you fit. 

I saw my brother for the first time in about 15 years.  We haven't spoken, we didn't really have much in common and it just seemed like the thing to do.  With the invention of the cell phone I went under the radar from him and my uncle and during that time I believe I lived maybe 3 different lives or phases in my life.  Until the invention of facebook where he popped up and lo and behold he wanted to friend me.  Facebook is a funny thing, but it gave him glipses into my life, pictures of the kids grown up, my grandkids growing up and ........what? She's in a doctorate program?/?  Yea I'm wierd.  I believe as long as God allows I will go as hard as God allows and do and experience everything he has for me...as long as God allows. 

All of this to say, me and my brother sat at a breakfast table alone and ate and visited.  I believe he knows about the goings on of my youngest, who is in the middle of a situation she had no business getting in the middle of, amazing how that happens.  And I believe he thought we would talk about it.  I chose not to, why spoil my day.  So we talked about other things and finally, he confessed he was miserable, hated getting up every morning and going to work.  He actually finds himself having to talk himself into doing it everyday, then he gets there, he works and about midnight goes home, goes to bed, gets up and starts his nightmare all over again.  Honestly, it sounds like Groundhog Day. 

Then I started talking about my schooling, my life, my job and how I can't wait to finish so I can get to work, maybe do a lot of traveling, but work really hard, I apparently like work.  I have challenges with my adult children who always seem to need my help for something and having a daughter who fights schizophrenia is difficult, however, the past year has been easier.  Although, apparently her car was towed away yesterday and since she never got it in her name she apparently can't retrieve it.  Thats another story.  Anyway with all of that I'm very excited to get to work, I love my life, although my home is definitely not picture perfect like theirs, but I enjoy working on it when I can.  But I look forward to things opening up and a whole new chapter unfolding. 

So whats the big difference between us???  Why are our outlooks so incredibly different?  He just wants to retire, go home and putter (yuk).  He doesn't want to do anything, just putter, I bet you think he's about 68 or 70 don't you.  Well nope he's 57, yes I said 57.  Me? I want to hit the ground running and stop when the Lord takes me, dead in my tracks.  How old am I?? 54.  So the difference?

Well, we're both Christians, but I believe we're supposed to be fruitful, fat and flourishing in our old age.  You know Moses didn't get started til he was 80, Joshua didn't take over and go fight in the promise land until he was 80.  I could go on about Abraham, and many others, but apparently age is not an issue with God. And since they started when they were 80 I think 54 is quite young.  I figure I have another full chapter or life that could go to my hundreds.  I don't want to sit and wait to die, I don't want to rock in a chair.  I'm just getting ready to get started working on something and I'll be damned if I'm gonna sit home and wait for the grim reaper!  I feel God calling me to something and I'm gonna go, I don't know where or when or how much but I'm gonna go. 

I've had several lifetimes, chapters, books, whatever you want to call them.  Ive done everything wrong at one time or another, I've tried depending on my own wisdom, but what I find is simply that God has more.  And...he has plans for me and they're good plans, plans with an expected end.  Plans to prosper me.  I mean come on, who could do better than that, seriously.  Who out there is gonna offer a better plan than God for me.  Noone.  I don't want to live the rest of my life dreading getting up for work in the morning, wanting to go home and just putter, really?  God's got more.