The "Holidays"

This one's for my Christian friends-

          Hearing "Happy Holidays" does not make me mad. Many are frustrated, because they feel people say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas", because they want to "take 'Christ' out of Christmas", but I have a different perspective...
         This month has many different holidays: the major two being Christmas and Hanukkah. If someone tells me "Happy Holidays", my mind doesn't jump straight to them clearly being an atheist trying to take Christ out of Christmas. I think that because there are so many different religions and holidays, they don't know which one I celebrate, so they are going to play it safe.
        Maybe saying "Happy Holidays" didn't start with someone who is anti-Christ, but maybe it started with someone who after many times saying "Merry Christmas" and instead of getting the response "you too", they got "I'm jewish" or "I don't celebrate Christmas", so they got tired of feeling like they offend people all the time when this is supposed to be a joyful season.
         The biggest complaint I hear from non-Christians is that we "shove" our faith on other people. When we rant about keeping "Christ in Christmas" is this a passive-aggressive shove? Now don't get me wrong...I get upset every time I see "Xmas". No one say Xgiving or Xentine's Day... But "happy holidays" shouldn't be so offensive.
        After all, the word holiday originally meant "holy day", so next time someone tells you "happy holidays", just think, maybe they actually mean "happy holy days", because that's what they are, right?


[Subnote:]
        Calling Christmas Trees "Holiday Trees" IS actually offensive. There is no decorative tree in Kwanzaa or Hanukkah or even Boxing Day. The tree is from Christmas, therefore it is a CHRISTMAS TREE, Mr. President!

Here's hoping...

"[Love] bears all things, hopes all things, believes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13 : 7-8a

The Issues: The Death Penalty

More politics.
        Voting is so complicated, because you want to vote for someone who shares your views on important issues, BUT there are SO many issues and SO many different valid opinions on each issue, there's no way between two people (Yes, I'm only recognizing one Democrat and one Republican, sorry...) one of them will share your same views. So I thought I'd share "my view" on the major issues. And since I'm "republican", I'll start with the one major topic I see differently...

       WARNING: I am a disciple of Jesus. I am a Christian, so many of my opinions will be biblically-based.
        I understand why someone would be for the death penalty. America has so many people in prison and of those people SO many of them are in for life, or 10 lifetimes with no parole. We know that those selection of people will be in that prison until they die, no matter what happens, so why keep them there? Why waste the money? Why waste the space? Our tax dollars are being used to keep these people, that have done SUCH AWFUL things that they have no chance of ever leaving prison again, alive. Men and women that have murdered and raped and so on and so forth. Are these people really worth my tax dollars? Some would say no. So some would say the solution is the death penalty.

       I say no. If we murder a murderer, are we any better? But it's for a "good reason".
       The Bible says "Thou shalt not kill". Our laws say "Thou shalt not kill". That doesn't mean, "Thou shalt not kill...unless they are costing us too much money, then go ahead...".
   
       As a Christian, my main goal is for EVERYONE to make Heaven. If I decide the death penalty is okay, then I am cutting short a life, when had that person lived a few years longer, maybe they would have had a change of heart. Maybe those few extra years would make the difference between an eternity of life or an eternity of death in hell. I'm not willing to take that chance. I'm not willing to put someone else life in my hands when it belongs in God's.

And that's my view on the Death Penalty.

Here's hopin'...

"[Love] bears all things, hopes all things, believes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:7-8a
 

Politics

Yeah, I'm going to talk politics.
        Let's start with the stars of the show...
Barack Obama: I don't think you're a bad person, an idiot or the Anti-Christ. I don't think you're doing what you told us you would, and I don't like what you are doing. I disagree with a lot of your opinions, and I have not found one person to give me a good reason to vote for you.

I think your first election was really won because you're "cool" and "funny", which is great, but not why we should vote for someone to run our country. I also think you won, because, yes, you are black. You guys know I think racist jokes are funny, but this is not one of them. There was a perspective that year that if you didn't vote for Obama, clearly you're racist. You would be blind to say otherwise because there were some people that literally said those words.

I don't think you should get a second term for many reasons, mostly because we disagree politically, but also because of this: during your election in 2008, you said if you didn't "fix the economy" by the end of your four years, you would be a one-term president. Have you fixed the economy? No, sir. Whether it was your fault or not, it is worse, and now you're breaking a promise.

Mitt Romney: I don't think when you said you didn't care about 47% of the population, that you meant that literally. I believe you meant it in a strategic way. You were talking freely because you thought you were in the privacy of trustworthy people. I didn't even take offense when you talked about how most of that 47% are too dependent on welfare to vote for someone other than Obama. I actually agree. That doesn't mean everyone on welfare is too lazy to get up and do something with their lives, but I know way too many people that are. I could write a-whole-nother post just on dependency on welfare...

I definitely agree with you on more issues than I do with Obama, but that does not mean I think you'll be a great president. You still feel a little slimy to me (I have no facts, that's just my opinion), and I've heard too many things about your lack for want of birth control (which is none of your business) to feel comfortable with you possibly changing laws. (Again, I don't know the facts.)

I think you could win, because a lot of people are tired of Obama's presidency, and unfortunately we all know it's either you or Obama.

Now let's discuss "slander". This goes for everyone, but especially Christians! Funny how when you get an opinion about something or someone, suddenly you forget who you are representing.
Here's some examples of people I thought were Christians: (all names will be removed)
"People are idiots!"
"One Big A(you know what goes here) Mistake America"

"My political post of the night: I have decided to un-friend everyone posting excitement/relief over Obama winning the election. I can't be friends with liberals. Better said, I can't be friends with dumb a(Again, I think you get the idea)s."

You guys are great example of God's love! Oh and also of how we supposedly have faith in a God that's bigger than an election... (Note: Sarcasm)

It's so disappointing to me that people will talk like this about other people. 
Here's another example: Imagine if suddenly millions of people were saying awful things about you...how would your grandmother feel? Hmmm? 

There are ways to express yourself that aren't rude or degrading of other people! 


Also, I want to say one more thing for now. I don't post a lot of political opinion on facebook, and here's why: I don't feel like I know enough about the people or the issues to have grounds for arguments. I do know bits and pieces from articles I read and news I watch, but mostly I hear from biased people.

I'm tired of ignorant people talking up politics. Let me get you a definition of that real quick...LACKING IN KNOWLEDGE. What's knowledge? Acquaintance with FACTS. Hey 13 year olds, listening to your parents isn't fact. Hey "some people", reading or listening to super biased news isn't fact! Figure out the facts, then your opinion will be valid.

In Sam World, the Sam is represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the people who inspire her and the research she does. These are her opinions.

Say whaaat??


Here's hoping...

"[Love] bears all things, hopes all things, believes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13 : 7-8a

Insignificant

I'm falling into the trap again.
       My blogs usually fail, because if I don't have something insightful, profound or whatever to talk about, then why make a blog post? But this blog is just as much for me as it is for you, and maybe someone wants to just read the details of my life! So ha!
       So right now, Gus and I are chillin' in the house before I have to go to work. So much is happening right now! This weekend, I'll be working on the Harvest Carnival and Kylee's birthday party is on Saturday, then of course, Sunday is an all day affair! And when the weekend is over, the Harvest Carnival will just be upon us! I always stress about these things, but they all work out in the end, because we are doing this for the Glory of God and to reach out to children in our community and their families, so how could it possibly go wrong??
       After all...Romans 8 says:
^"28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose..."
And also..."³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (NKJ)

       But once again, I am looking forward, not to an activity, but for an activity to be over. :b  November brings A LOT of birthdays, Return of the King, more GLOW, Pastor Appreciation and THANKSGIVING of course! Yum yum!! Maybe I'll be an active part in the festivities as a "wife" now... I'll buy drinks! ;)

      So much going on, but for today...I will work, I will pick up Scotty and we will go to Ma-in-law's and dine on pizza!

Arrivederci!

Here's hoping...

"[Love] bears all things, hopes all things, believes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13 : 7-8a

 

The D Word

Divorce.
        Such a sticky subject, such a muddy subject and a topic that seems like people have a hard time talking to me about. Maybe because I don't talk about it much, but I'll try to explain my views...

[Side note: Unless I quote scripture, everything I say is my opinion, whether it's right or not is between you and God.]

God hates divorce, and so do I. In Malachi 2 It says, "¹³ And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand. ¹⁴ Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. ¹⁵ And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. ¹⁶ For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously." In v.16 when it says God "hateth putting away", some translations actually say that God hates divorce.

Also in Matthew 19:3-6 it states that when two people are made one, NO ONE should separate. 

So does this mean if they do separate, they're condemned? I don't think so...
If a murderer truly repents or a liar or a thief, are they still condemned? Or are they forgiven? I'm not saying it's as simple as getting a divorce, asking forgiveness and you're good.

(OPINION) I don't know how else to say this, (because it's not okay) but the only time I feel it's okay to get a divorce is in a situation of abuse to the spouse or children. Regardless of whether there's actually a divorce, get out of that house for as long as it takes for abuse to end! 
And the only other situation would be unfaithfulness. I definitely think you should try to work things out after an affair, but sometimes it just can't.
Other than that...how could you possibly justify divorce? You're unhappy? Then stop putting your happiness in your spouse and put it in Christ's hands. He's your true joy. Scott and I went through some "dating counseling" before we even got engaged (not because we needed it :b ), and I'll never forget the image Den gave us. It was this triangle with God at the top corner, then Scott and I on the opposite bottom ones, and...as we both move closer to Him, we grow closer together... How true is that?!

And now, even for those of you that would consider divorce, I don't think it is any easier, especially as a Christian, to work through the emotions of breaking so many hearts, including your own and including God's, than it is to work through your marital issues. You literally have become one in every way possible, and it's not going to be easy to tear that apart, even when you think you have, something else will remind you, you're still attached. 

I have more thoughts, but I'm not sure how to express them just yet, so maybe there will be a "D Word Part II", but for now, if you have any questions, leave a comment! Maybe that will help me make part two.

Here's hoping...

"[Love] bears all things, hopes all things, believes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13 : 7-8a

-

Negativity.
         It's a weed. Negativity is anger, sadness, hatred. It's road rage and bad manners. It's bitterness and distant. It's greedy, rude, selfish and inconsiderate. Negativity is vain and immature.
         1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says, "⁴ Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵ or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ⁶ it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
⁸ Love never ends..." 
         Some of you may recognize part of that as my tagline, it means so much to me, but that's irrelevant. 

Negativity is everything love is not.

         I feel like getting a job has enclosed me in it. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my job for the most part, but...well, let me explain.
        When I was young, when I was growing up, I was not naive to it by any means. I knew all along that negativity was everywhere. I saw it; I heard it; I even felt it, but for the most part, I was able to ignore it, because I was me. I was my own person, and I could ignore the whole world if I pleased. And if I didn't ignore it, I blocked its shadow with my own personal sunshine, because that's the gift God gave me.
        Even after graduating high school and turning 18 ("becoming an adult"), I was still able to continue ignoring it. I guess because I could respond however I wanted, I could do (to a certain extent) what I wanted, and I could go where and when (again, to a certain extent) I wanted.
        But now I have to work. Now I have to drive places and be there on time. Now I have to sit in my teller window and be a teller. Now I'm married, and I have a son that watches me and looks up to me, and I HAVE to be a good example.
       I have recently acquired road rage. It drives me INSANE (no pun intended) to watch people be so RUDE (cutting people off, riding ones bumper, NOT getting over when you're the world's slowest driver), when it's so EASY to be courteous.
       And my job: I understand how they feel. With half the country in poverty, they need someone to blame, someone to yell at for their own financial problems, but please let me tell you, World- Your local bank teller is not the person. I tell people all of the time, I am the lowest of the low. I am a PART TIME, twenty hour bank teller. I do not make rules, and I do not have the authority to bend them either, so all you do by yelling at me is upset a wide-eyed 22 year old girl who wants to just take her cash drawer and stand in the Stewart Pkwy/Garden Valley intersection and toss money around.
       I would never, of course, but a girl can dream, right?
       Oh, and by the way, when you yell at us and get angry, it just makes me want to NOT help, because if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!
       AND there's a' WHOLE 'nother topic I can't even mention, because of who might read this, so I'll end with this, a prayer:
        God, I need my sunshine back. I'm tired of walking away frustrated at things I can't help. I'm tired of being angry at people I don't even know.

       If you want to know how to live...love. Live according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Here's another helpful list: http://www.gurusoftware.com/GuruNet/Personal/Factors.htm
Hint: live on the positive side!

I'll leave you with this...
        I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered, full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end, because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow, even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something...
 
...That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for.

Here's hoping...

"[Love] bears all things, hopes all things, believes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13 : 7-8a

 

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Showing Scott how to title his blog! :D