The Rules of The Game Have Changed We MUST mix Church & Politics

The Bible tells us as Christians to spread the word all around the world. To help lead the lost to Him. It is customary for Christians to go and speak to those in prison, to reach out to those who are addicted to drugs, alcohol, porn or gambling. We as Christians find it perfectly okay to be the hands and feet of Jesus in orphanages all over the world. We as Christian feed the hungry. We as Christians counsel those dealing with anxiety and depression. We as Christians are ready, willing and able to help everyone, anyone to come to Christ. But we as Christians have been influenced to believe we can not mix His teachings with Politics. There are probably, no, I know there are some who still feel that way. Well, the rules of the game have changed.

When this pandemic hit the local government told us we could not go to church. Yet people marched. The local government then told us if we had church it had to be outside, yet still social distance. Yet people marched, in large groups, close together. The local government then told us we could open our doors, but everyone must socially distance and wear a mask. Yet people marched, in large groups, close together, without mask. In some state’s preachers have been fined, arrested because their local government told them to cease all church services. Yet people marched, in large groups, close together, without mask.

Since the rules to this game have changed it is time, we as Christians change. We can NOT sit quiet any longer. We can not worry about offending others by trying to open eyes to the evil that surrounds us.

The world is so full of evil, it always has been. In the past the evil seemed to lay low in the light and creep around in the darkness. Yet today, evil is shining bright during the day and night! It is not hiding any longer. Evil is snuffing out the light around us.  Evil is stealing your rights. Evil is stealing your children’s minds. Evil is stealing the unborn child. Evil does NOT care about those standing on the wall, fighting for your freedom so that you can sleep in peace at night. Evil does NOT care about the men and women patrolling your streets to make sure the bad people do not harm you, your family or your belongings. Evil does NOT care about the towns being destroyed by creatures (I cannot call them humans). Evil does NOT care about the man, our President who has worked 24/7 to make and keep America great all while not collecting ONE paycheck. How many of those same folks are willing to work for free? NONE

 

People say that our President is a bully-have you people ever stopped to realize this man is bullying against the evil, the bad guys trying to take your freedom???

The Bible tells us in Romans 13:1-7 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

You do realize the people calling him a bully are the ones screaming they hope the President dies. They hope police officers who have been shot die. They kill unborn defenseless babies. You can’t be a bigger bully than that!

People are destroying towns because they don’t agree with how the Police Officers handled someone and a criminal gets hurt or has passed away. These same people are telling you if you want to kill your baby growing in your body, the baby you have been growing for 9 months, it is ok. It is ok in their eyes NO MATTER how far along you are, kill it. I read where someone said abortion is not murder. I am so saddened by that statement. Why are you burning down towns for someone who has a criminal record, resisted arrest, fought the police, ran from the police, pulled a gun or knife on the police, took the police officers weapon and tried to use it on them, fired their own weapon on them and the criminal ended up hurt or dead? Someone who is a repeat offender? If that same criminal did something to your family or attacked you would you not fight back?? You march for someone who mistreated some one’s daughter, son, sister, mother, brother, father, cousin or friend. You march and destroy other people’s belongings for someone who stole some one’s belongings, multiple times. You march for the person who committed a crime and paid the cost YET YOU SIT BY AND CAST YOUR VOTE FOR THE VERY PEOPLE WHO SAY KILLING A UNBORN CHILD, ALLOWING LAW ENFORCMENT TO BE DISRESPECTED AND MURDERED AND LACKS RESPECT FOR OUR MILITARY IS OK. PLUS, THESE SAME PEOPLE WILL RAISE YOUR TAXES, TAKE YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY-THEY ARE NOT GIVING IT TO THE POOR FOLKS, THEY WILL SHOVE IT SO DEEP IN THEIR POCKETS IT ISNT EVEN FUNNY! THE SAME PEOPLE WILL ENFORCE SOCIALIZED MEDICINE. YOU DO REALIZE WHAT THAT IS CORRECT? THIS MEANS THEY GET TO TAKE YOUR MONEY, PUT IT IN THEIR POCKETS, TELL YOU IF AND WHEN YOU CAN GO TO THE DOCTOR. THEY TELL YOU IF YOU ARE WORTHY TO GET TREATMENT. THEY TELL YOU THAT YOUR OLDER FAMILY MEMBERS ARE NOT WORTH THE EXPENSE. THAT IS A FACT, RESEARCH IT!

There is no such thing as not mixing church and politics anymore. If the preachers are ok helping those who have lost their way due to anxiety, depression, gambling, porn, alcohol, drugs, abuse, etc then they need to STAND UP IN PULPIT AND TALK POLICTICS! I am shocked at how many people who call themselves Christians are even considering voting for anyone who supports the things mentioned above. God is shaking his head nonstop!! PREACHERS YOU DO NOT GET TO SIT THIS ONE OUT! STAND UP AND SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT. PREACH RIGHT OUT OF THE BIBLE! QUOTE THE SCRIPTURE! IT IS ALL RIGHT THERE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!!! If this offends you please unfollow or unfriend  me because I will not apologize for being a Christian who mixes church and politics. 

The D Club

I recently shared the below article regarding how Churches handle divorce or members of the      
D Club on Facebook along with my own personal view of this subject which is also below. The amount of support I received for sharing this blew me away. I received numerous texts, "likes" , phone calls and private messages. One person told me that I had a way of saying what many people want to say, but they don't say. Many people thanked me for sharing my views and stated they feel the same way.  The number of people who told me that I had been helping them through their journey, similar to mine through my post on Facebook as well as my post here on my blog was humbling. I wasn't even aware that a couple of these people had been down this path or currently going down this path. The quote we all have heard about being kind to everyone you meet because everyone is fighting their own battles came to mind. Also the quote about people hiding behind their smiles...wow. Like some of the stories I have been told in the last 24 hours just blow my mind.


Soooo, now what?  I would have thought I would have learned years ago but I obviously haven't. When in life, your job, at home. at school you present a problem, or as I like to say an opportunity you need to be willing and able to come up with a solution.  So what is the solution to how we as Christians handle those "divorced people?"  You know those Christians who weren't for one reason or another able to keep their marriage together. Remember, we don't need to know the details. We don't need to know where to lay the blame. We need to figure out how to love them, take care of them, support them, to treat them like Jesus treats the rest of us sinners.

At points in this journey I have wanted to scream " those of you who are starring, pointing, gossiping, lying about me, my ex husband and my children, who has never failed, made a mistake or been put in a position where you knew the choice you made wasn't going to make everyone happy please step forward!" In other words, all perfect people step forward!  Here is where another quote pops into my mind, "just because we sin differently don't judge me" or something like that.  Okay, so none of us are perfect. Hopefully we agree on that. Back to the issue at hand.

What can we do as a Church to minister to these people?  There are enough support groups. We as divorced people do not want to be clumped together in one more room with a bunch of other divorced folks and told to talk it out. There is a time and place for that, but we need more. Think about being put in a  group with others who gossip as much as you do. Do you think that will help you?  I'm sure a lot of talking will be going on but that is not what you need all the time. Again, support groups are great! They have a time and place. But how can WE the CHURCH help those who have gone through a divorce?

Realize that divorce does not mean an end to a family especially when children are involved so be very careful what you say. My ex husband and I might not be married but he is still the father of my children. He still helped me bring those two precious children into this world. Those children still need both of their parents. Just please don't waste time talking ABOUT the divorced folks and their family, talk to them, with them.

Listen to them without judging, without thinking you have to have a solution, just listen.
Love them
Pray for them-and let them know
Be there for them...really be there for them
Do not wait till they ask for help! If you know they need something, just do it!
Youth ministers it is your job to help the children navigate through this as well.
Do not treat them any differently-stop looking at them with pity, or down your noses.
Stop judging! Stop gossiping and for the love of all stop assuming you know anything about them!

I would challenge each of you reading this to take this issue to your home congregation and evaluate how you are handling this. How are you handling those people who are now divorced?

Oh and please know that I am praying for each of you to never have to go down this road...because I wouldn't want anyone to feel like some have made me feel.

For those of you who know me, really know me, then you already know that when I say there is life after divorce that I mean it! I did not put my trust in a group of people, not a support group or my church to get me through the rough days. I put my trust in GOD! He is bigger than any opportunity and He is constant! I will not go into how He blessed me, that blog has already been written and posted. I just wanted to remind all of those who are part of the "D Club" to keep your trust in God, He has big plans for you.


The below article was written by Jayson D. Bradley

I was talking church with a friend over coffee, and he alluded to some difficulties in his congregation.
“Uh oh, what’s up?” I asked
He said they’d discovered that one of their elders, years before attending the church, had been divorced. He and his current wife had been members at the church for a number of years now and he was an elder in good standing, but they didn’t know if their bylaws would allow him to continue serving in that capacity. I was shocked.
I asked, “What if you had found out he had murdered someone instead?”
“Oh, then there’d be no problem.” He replied.
We both laughed, but we both knew his response was no joke.

Divorce is hard enough as it is

As most who have experienced it will tell you, divorce is a living hell. Even the ones that aren’t acrimonious are full of crippling sadness, hurt, frustration, anger, and remorse. It’s like death with no finality: death of a family, death of a dream, death of a relationship, and death of a lifestyle. It’s one of the most painful things some will ever experience.
On top of this terrible injury, the church often heaps agonizing insult:
Fault-finding—One of the first things someone going through a divorce has to deal with is the hunt for a guilty party. Jesus tells the Pharisees, “anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Therefore, a divorce has to include infidelity for it to be legitimate. People feel absolutely comfortable prying into the painful particulars of someone’s marriage to figure out who this unfaithful person might be, or to convince you that you have no acceptable grounds for divorce.
Ostracism—For the most part, churches don’t often come right out and say, “Maybe you shouldn’t attend here anymore.” What often happens instead is people stop calling. They stop reaching out. Once people think they have fault figured out, they’ll begin to isolate and marginalize that person. If they can’t figure it out (or occasionally even if they can), they’ll disassociate themselves from both. At your most vulnerable moment, your community disappears.
Lectures—With the best of intentions, people will give you marriage books, fill you in on snippets of sermons they’ve heard, or just give you their $.02 about what you should or shouldn’t be doing—despite their limited knowledge of the particulars.
Discharge—As is the case with the story at the beginning of this post, it’s not unheard of to have responsibilities taken from you when you’re going through a divorce. It’s not always done to ease the stress of the divorcée; instead it often feels punitive. In many of those churches, you won’t get those responsibilities back—ever.
Gossip—This may be one of the most difficult things to endure. You come to church for sanctuary and you can feel that it’s no longer safe. Everyone’s trying to figure out what’s going on and spreading stories that are mixtures of truth and fantasy. It is the most excruciating game of telephone.
Insensitivity—When you’re divorced in the church, you’re constantly privy to people talking about the divorced as second-class citizens. After Seattle won the 2014 Super Bowl, Quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife announced they were getting a divorce. Instantly, he went from Christian poster boy to Christian pariah.
Try being a divorced person in the same room where someone is talking about someone like Russell Wilson getting a divorce. Every time you hear, “Well, there goes Russell’s credibility,” you’re reminded of your status as a bad Christian.
Some of my favorites I’ve heard over the years are have been gems like:
“You’re surprisingly spiritually sensitive for someone who’s divorced.”
“I don’t judge you; I just know the value of keeping my promises.”

Can we just be reasonable?

The church values marriage. It’s not only a covenant between two individuals; it’s a picture of Christ’s relationship to the church. The church needs to build strong, healthy marriages. But there has to be a way to way to value something without resenting or hurting those who fail.
I have no question that God hates divorce. But couldn’t it be that God hates it for what it does to people? Doesn’t he hate it for the pain it causes? Couldn’t his feelings be hatred for the painfully destructive nature of a divorce and not, as we tend to assume, just indignation for people who would have the audacity to break their vows?
One thing I don’t see in Jesus is scorn for people who hurt, and people who fail. The whole reason the cross exists is because we are all, on some level, infidels and failures.
I think we can build and encourage strong marriages without heaping condemnation on people who, for whatever reason, find themselves dashed against the rocks.

This isn’t a justification for divorce

When push comes to shove, we know nothing about someone else’s marriage. I think you could go so far as say that only God understands all of the complexities that influences whether a couple succeeds: upbringing, family of origin, culture, communication styles, personalities, spiritual considerations. You can do your best to prepare a man and woman to marry, but there are innumerable ways for them to fail each other.
We need to make church a safe place to have a bad marriage. Maybe part of the problem of divorce in the church is the heights to which we idealize and standardize perfect Christian marriages. There are so many couples desperately bailing water while struggling to navigate their troubled marriages—scared to tell anyone they’re sinking.
This doesn’t make divorce acceptable by any means. It is always a tragedy. It’s ironic that many of the divorced among us are the church’s biggest advocates for the value of good marriages. They’ve seen the other side. They understand the horrors of divorce more than anyone else possibly could.
Divorce is terrible, ugly business. It’s a heart-wrenching failure.  But it’s not an irredeemable situation that falls outside the cross’ reach.
Showing the divorced compassionate empathy and tender care does not mean you condone failed marriages.
Marriage is an important promise. Sometimes people fail. I believe we can champion the first truth while showing grace for the second.

Great article don't you think?
Below is what I posted on Facebook in regards to the article above. The support this post received is just proof this is an issue.

I believe this is one area the church in general is not equipped to handle properly. Those who have never traveled this road have zero idea how it feels...how it hurts...how isolated you feel. The stares, the rumors and gossip, the lies. There seems to be an increase curiosity and lack of caring in this situation. We as a church know how to tell those with dying family members how we are so sorry they are suffering, and that we are praying. We as a church know how to tell someone recovering from an addiction that we are proud and praying for their strength to continue down the right road. We as a church know how to support those who are adopting children..we throw baby showers and wedding showers and take food to the sick but you have someone get divorced and the church disappears. It disappears I'm told because no one really knows what to say or how to handle it. Well from experience people really don't know what to say or how to handle it when you lose a family member either - "God needed them more" "He is better off"
Well that might be true but I assure you it's not what needs to be said. But we as a church reach out and try to help those left behind after death. Well like this article says, divorce is like death. So the next time someone you know gets divorced stop the gossip, stop trying to figure out fault and realize that there are a lot of people hurting and just be there for them. Pray for them and let them know you are doing so. Reach out to everyone involved especially the children. Stop judging and stop talking about them because YOU are making things worse in a situation that is already awful. Do what we as Christians are called to do...love each other...pray for each other...take care of each other. I'm not bashing the C of C. I've discussed this with people who are Baptist, Catholic , Methodist and Presbyterian and they all say the same thing.  I love what the author of this article says ...yes God hates divorce but maybe he hates the hurt it causes. He doesn't hate me! I am divorced and guess what God still loves me! He is still here with me! He is still blessing me! So please think about how you treat those who you see as permanently marked with the letter D.

Again, I challenge you as an individual to evaluate how you treat those people who are divorced.
How does your church minister to them? Their families? The children involved?

Back To Where It All Started

February 18th, 2014 was a day I had looked forward to for some time. Preston, my oldest son would be playing baseball for Faulkner and I had taken off half a day to be there when the game started. The weather was suppose to be perfect baseball weather.

My morning took a different turn. My father was in the hospital and he wasn't having a good day,  plus a couple of other personal issues and I fell completely apart. When I crossed the railroad tracks on Wares Ferry Rd headed to the field I was balling. I literally cried OUT LOUD to God. I remember exactly what I said " God, I am not sure you listen to me anymore. I prayed for my brother and he died. I prayed for my marriage and it fell apart. I am praying for my father and he isn't getting any better. God I need you to bless me with a Christian in my life to keep me on track, for my sake and my children's sake. I need someone to keep me on the right track in life. I need someone to help me keep my faith to be strong! In Jesus name amen"
I pulled into the parking lot, fixed my make up, grabbed my camera bag and walked into the gates at Faulkner.

Everyone knows I love taking pictures. I pulled out my camera and started taking pics of the side arm pitcher on the mound. I loved the form. I loved shooting the entire series of his pitch. Before I knew it I had taken 67 pictures of this guy pitching. I shot some pics of Preston at bat and in center field throughout that game.

After the first game I went and sat on the picnic table and started deleting pictures off my memory card that were not keepers. I  looked up to see that pitcher walk off the field with ice packs tapped to his back. There was a man walking over to him, obviously his father to check on him. My youngest son had just recovered from stress fractures in his back and his Ortho had told me that so many athletes never realize they have the fractures, they just think its a pulled muscle. As his dad was walking off from him I ask what was wrong with his back. His dad walked over and explained his injury was nothing major.

We then began to talk about baseball, which one was my son, and how beautiful the weather was.
We talked about God, life, food, sports, our kids, our jobs and everything under the sun for about 45 minutes. He was heading back to work in Birmingham and I was going to watch the second game. Before he left he ask if he could take me to dinner sometime. He knew he could ask this because as I stated we had already talked about life. I said yes and provided my number.

About 10 minutes later I received a text message saying " it was very nice to meet you." I replied " are you texting and driving because that's not safe." His reply "are you already getting on to me?" I literally laughed out loud.

The next morning I woke up to a text asking me to dinner for that very night. We met for dinner, talked for 2.5 hours solid. We laughed, a lot!

Let me back up and explain something. His son was on the Varsity team and my son was on the JV team. His son had been ask that morning if he would pitch for the JV game to get some practice time in and he agreed. His dad decided to drive down for the game after getting word that morning. Yes, that was his son I had been taking pictures of and I didn't have a clue.

So while my morning was falling apart, God was already putting things in place.
So while I was crying out to God, His plan was in the works.

Fast forward to December 24, 2014. I was running around as we all do during this time of the year. Cooking breakfast for my kids, getting ready for my day, picking up desserts from my friend Paige and then heading to the lake to visit with my dad because it was his birthday. Then "he" called and said he was having to drive to town due to a coach complaining how a field looked." After I picked up the desserts he wanted to stop by and see him. So I did.

We walked around the field looking at the team pictures all over the place. How cool is it that my sons are both in team pics as bat boys when they were little and his son is on the World Series Team sign. Yes, we were at Faulkner. I immediately told him I saw nothing wrong with the field and could not believe the coach was complaining(Sorry Mac). The conversation changed a bit as we were walking and I sat down on THE picnic table. The one where we first met. Before I knew it, he was on one knee and I was in tears. He had arranged for someone, a dear friend of mine, to be there to take pictures. It was perfect and I said YES! It all took place where it all started!!

I was shocked! I was surprised! And I am beaming! We will not be making wedding plans until my youngest is out of high school and my oldest as well as his youngest further along in college.  We will however continue to work on us, our relationship with each other, our relationship with our  kids, our relationships with our families and most important our relationship with God. God is good & HE is in control.

Legacy, Its what we leave behind.

  This morning I was reading a story about the young man from the University of Alabama who died protecting his girlfriend in the tornado. It was talking about what a wonderful legacy he left behind. It got me thinking. If I died today, what would I leave behind, what would I pass down, what would my legacy be?
I am a dedicated employee and I have great work ethic. I am a daughter. I am sister. I am a niece. I am a cousin. I am an aunt. I am an acquaintance to many. I am a friend, but not to many. I am a sponsor mom to a wonderful young boy in Mexico.  I am a mother to two amazing young men. I am a Christian and I worship an amazing God. But WHAT is my legacy? What would I be remembered for?
Would I be remembered for the awards I received at work?  Would I be remembered for what kind of friend I was?  Would I be remembered as someone you could count on? Would I be remembered as my boys biggest cheerleader? Would I be remembered as a woman who loved her family more than life?  Would I be remembered as someone who loved to laugh? Would I be remembered as someone who loved being the hands and feet of Jesus? Would I be remembered as someone who lived life to its fullest?
I do not know the answer to this question. I do know that I love my job. I love my parents. I love my sisters, my brother in heaven, my sis in-laws and my brother in-laws. I love my aunts and uncles. I  love my cousins. I love my nieces and nephews. I love my friends. I love Jose Pepe in Mexico. I love Preston and Carlton with all of my heart and soul. I love to laugh. I love that I am learning to live my life. I love being the hands and feet of Jesus. I love GOD.
I could only hope that one of these is the legacy I will leave behind. But since hope in itself is not a strategy, I will continue to BE and DO these very things. I will continue to be a hard worker. I will continue to love and be loved with all of my heart. I will continue to laugh, loudly and often. I will continue to be the very best mom that I can be to my precious children. I will continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I will continue to love GOD!  All of these things, any of these things would make me proud of my legacy.
How will you be remembered? What will you pass down? What will your legacy be? Would you be proud of the things that pop into your mind right away? If so, good for you. If not, lucky for you, you still have time to change how you will be remembered. What you will pass down, what will your legacy be? You are still alive...live how you say you want to live, love like you say you want to love, BE and DO the things you want to be remembered for. 
 Live out the legacy you would be proud of.

I am who I am...I am human...my family is human. Are you human?

We as humans are very judgmental people. We judge people on their looks, their financial class, occupation, cars they drive, color, habits, choices they make just because we do not understand them and sadly which team they pull for on Saturdays. Being a judgmental person isn't something I have struggled with. NO, I didn't say I haven't done it. NOR did I say I will not be guilty of it again. BUT just like everything else some  folks struggle more than others. Everyone knows a few of them- that arrogant person who thinks they are always right about EVERYTHING and everyone else is wrong. To this person, nothing and I mean nothing anyone else does is ever "right".  These people can not accept people for who they are UNLESS they are just like them.
As in every situation there are always circumstances that do not fall into the norm, I understand that.
Some might say that I am being judgmental by pointing this out. I am just stating the obvious...a known fact. WOW, there is a word to think about.. FACT....FACTS.
FACT-a true piece of information/knowledge or information based on real occurrences.
My family just went through a change. A change that many others in history have gone through and many more will go through in the days to come. In this change there have been many ups and downs...and there will be more to come. My family is working through this, probably better than most do and or will. I didn't say it was easy, BUT we are dealing with the changes the way we see best for all involved...which means our family.
 I do however believe that the hardest part of this change has been the outsiders (sadly some we use to call friends) who do NOT know FACTS who take it upon themselves to JUDGE me, judge us. I do not claim to be perfect, nor do I claim for my family to be perfect for we are all human. So my advice to those who have pulled away, turned up your nose, chose not to speak when spoken to....I will pray for you. I will pray that when you go through a change, cause it will happen,  any kind of change, one of choice, one you could not control, one that NO ONE could possibly understand because they are NOT you nor have they lived your life, your journey, that you too have the strength to get through it with the few friends and family members that show their love and support.
When my brother was diagnosed with cancer he said " now I must decipher between the caring and the curious. I will cling to the caring and kick the curious to the curb." Well folks, enjoy your seat on the curb.

Hope Is Not A Strategy

I recently had someone say "Hope Is Not A Strategy". This is actually the title to a book I plan to read but think about this statement. Hope is NOT a strategy.  So many times in good and bad situations we  say "I sure HOPE that doesn't happen". Is there anything you can do to make sure what you are referring to doesnt happen?  If the answer is yes, then do it. "I sure hope we make it on time". Ok, then leave early, plan ahead. "I sure hope I pass this test". Ok, then study. In my work place I can not sit back and hope my sells improve. I have to work. I am my own PR person for myself and my products. I must take action. When you are dating someone you don't just hope it will go good, that they will like you, that they will enjoy being around you. You must back that hope up with actions. You don't really think you just hope to keep your job if you are NOT  DOING your job? You don't really think you can just hope to keep your friends if you are not BEING a friend? If you were the boss would you keep that employee on board if they always said "I sure hope we get that contract"  and they never made any effort to close the deal? No, because their actions must back up their hope.

Do not get me wrong, hope is a wonderful thing. There have been times hope is all I felt I had. All I am saying is do not JUST hope for something. Do not JUST hope for a change.  Do not JUST hope to be happy. Do not JUST hope to be better at something. Do not JUST hope, hope is NOT a strategy. You must back your hope up with actions.

Oh and think about this. We all hear  " it is what it is". Now I say, " it is what it is UNTIL you do something about it." Again...actions.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Change...it happens

Look up the meaning to the word "change". You will see things  like "to become different", "transform" and "alter."  We as humans for the most part fear change, resist change. We get so comfortable in our ways, our routines, our lives. We have all heard that the only constant thing is change and it is true.

Everything around us is constantly changing. The weather is constantly changing. From sunshine to rain isn't always the best change UNLESS you are in a drought. But if you are planning an outdoor event, that change isn't a good one. From rain to sunshine! This change will be good for some and not for others just depends on the circumstances of each individual.

The economy is always changing. Again, good for some and bad for others. Right now, probably most of us agree, it's not so good.

The demands of our job, again always changing. Some people may gain responsibilities and others might have their load lightened. Good for some, bad for others.
.
I'm heading to the beach soon and there is a storm brewing in the gulf. If it rains while I am there, my plans will change. I can either be mad or deal with it. That is up to me.

Some change we play a part in, some just happens and we must deal with it. My brother no longer being in my life is a change I had no control of. The cancer controlled that change. That change effected me on many levels. But I learned a lot from that change. I learned I am strong. I learned again that without God I could not have made it through that. I learned who my true friends and supporters are through their actions and words during that change. I am changed because of that change I could not control. I could have very easily crawled in a ditch and never come out because of that change. I refuse to let that change in my life control me. That change has made me realize how precious life is, and I need to live it.

My oldest son is starting college. My youngest son is changing schools. This is a change for all of us. I believe it is a change that is going to have a great outcome but it is still a change.

While some changes are by choice and some forced upon us we must really look at what is changing and how it effects everyone. Some changes will cause everyone in the situation "to become different" on one level or another. Some changes will "alter" one or many people, some for the better and some may not see it that way. Some changes will "transform" those involved. Again, some changes we have control over, some we don't. I do however believe it is up to us as individuals to make sure changes that happen for us or to us "alter" things for the better, "transform" us into who we need to be, to create us "to become different."  I'm not by any means saying we must love or even like the change but we must not let the change control us, destroy us or define us.  We must allow that change to make us better, "transform" us into who we should be.

Somethings changing arent easy, won't always be fun and won't always be accepted but are a must in life.

Things change that is a fact. How we are going to handle that change is the real question. Allow it to help us become who we need to become or allow it to destroy us? 

Change...it happens 

Are You Sad?

Every time something is brought up about my son who will be graduating from high school in 16 days the next thing someone ask is "are you sad?" I understand why they ask the question, I really do.  My answer is no. How can I be sad? Yes time is flying by. Yes it only seems like yesterday that he had his binky and mr bear. Yes it only seems like yesterday when I was taking him to his first baseball practice. But am I sad? No. I can not be sad. My son Preston has worked so hard on and off the field. He has earned every scholarship by staying focused and working hard over the years. He actually had someone tell him 4 years ago that he would never play high school or college ball and to give up his dream. He did play high school baseball and played it well. He has signed to play at the college level. So I am not sad, but proud. Yes, I cried at his last high school baseball game. Yes, I cried at his senior speech. Yes, I will cry at his graduation. These are tears of a mom being proud. Yes the first night I go to kiss him good night and I realize he is in the dorm I will probably cry...ok, I WILL cry. Again, tears of happiness that my son has accomplished his dreams at this point. That he is moving on to that next chapter of his life, the next phase of his journey. I can not wait to see what all he will accomplish, what all he will experience.
My kids are grounded Christian young men. They are human, they will stumble and they will fall. I am blessed to be their mom and will be there for them on any level they need me to be. They are both growing up and moving on through the chapters of their lives. They are  learning a lot of life's lessons along the way,they are also teaching me some life lessons as well. Life is going to happen no matter my emotion, sad, happy, mad or proud. I am going to try and just focus on the proud emotion that I feel about my children and stay away from the sad one.
So am I sad? I choose no...I choose proud.

"men are what their mothers made them" Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Sounds Of My Music

I love music, all kinds of music, I always have.  Sometimes it is the tune-the soothing piano, the whine of the guitar or the beat of the drum. Sometimes it's the lyrics I find myself enjoying-God is love/your amazing, just the way you are-Just The Way You Are/When I close  my eyes, I feel you here with me-Here With Me/All At Sea Where No one Can Bother Me-All At Sea/Surrounded by Your glory what will my heart feel-I can only imagine/We pour out our miseries God just hears a melody- Better Than A Hallelujah/How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You/But you went away, how dare u? I miss you-Over You/Your home forever now-Birmingham/I will praise you in this storm-Praise You In This Storm/ are some examples. I constantly have music playing.

I am hearing impaired. As my hearing ability continues to decline I find myself listening to music "harder" if you will. I will actually close my eyes and just focus on every part of the song.  Again, it might be the tune, or the beat or the words I'm in tune with, but I am listening "hard". More and more I am finding how songs I have listened to a thousand times are touching my heart, making me think because I am listening, really listening. I am also finding some great new songs to throw in the mix.

As a small child I can remember watching & listening to my dad and my brother play the guitar and sing with one of my sisters. I can also remember going to a few country concerts with my folks which I really enjoyed. I contribute me falling in love with music to my family. Yep, it's their fault.

I feel like my boys have inherited this love for music. They are always listening to music, and like me, a lot of different kinds. I think the listening to different types of music is important as well. Each song is an experience..some good...some bad...some you include in your favorites and others you give the thumbs down and move on.

I love the fact that recently my uncle gave my youngest son a guitar. He picks at it a little but really wants to learn to play. My youngest also enjoys hanging out with my dad and listening to bluegrass. See, it is my dads fault. LOL

 Songs are someone else's story put to music but at times it fits our story. It may even be our story someone has put to music. Just because you sing  along or even just listen it doesn't  mean it will dictate how your story goes. To some that song is just a song. To others it maybe a song of hope or encouragement. I actually know some people who don't listen to music. I realize it is because it might make you think of a bad or sad memory or the words might be a little to convicting. For these folks I say, change the channel, put in a different cd, add new music to your iPod but do not shut out music. Music can be so healing....so let it heal you. Let the music work it's magic on you. Who knows maybe, just maybe you will begin to tap your toes, snap your fingers and sing a long. There is absolutely nothing like being in a funk and have one of your favorite tunes come on..turn it up and sing your heart out. Throw in a 30 second dance party....I swear you will feel better.

So the sounds of my music include folks/groups like Mercy Me, Jamie Cullum, Adele, Drive-By Truckers, Third Day,Big Tent Revival, Miranda Lambert,Collective Soul, Amy Grant, Carrie Underwood, Ed Roland & The Sweet Tea Project, U2,Skrillex, John Mayer,Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Christina Aguilera, and of course James Taylor. So why I can blame my family for helping me fall in love with music, these folks keep me falling in love.

So what's the sound of your music?

Whatever it is...play it often...play it loud....sing your heart out and don't forget to dance!

I Saw A Sign Today....

All of my  life I have been that person who looks for "signs".Everything and anything I do,I am looking for a "sign" to help me make the right decision. I often find myself looking for "signs" of hope.I look for "signs" that things are going to be okay. It is not always easy to see the signs. Sometimes I am sure that God wants to hit me up side the head with a billboard because I keep walking around,over and through the sign He has given me.Sometimes these "signs" are not a literal word, although they can be. Sometimes the "signs" come in the form of a thought that just pops into my head; a repeated sighting of an object (like an owl, another blog for another day) a converstation a friend or stranger initiates with me; a book or song title; a word in a song that I have listened to a million times but never really HEARD and of course "signs" come to me in dreams-some while I sleep and dreams while I am wide awake. 
This morning as I was driving to work I was talking out loud to God and my brother, who lives in heaven, like I do on most days. I was asking questions, what to do about this, how to handle this, should I do it this way or that way. I can picture both of them looking at each other and shaking their heads as if to say "please stop talking". My brother always had the answers for me. He never once even hesitated when I ask for his thoughts, opinion or advice. His wisdom just rolled off of his tongue. I miss that.
I continued to ask them questions all the way to my first stop. I walked into my first appointment and was motioned to go through the door into the next waiting area. I went in, sat down and waited. As I stood to greet the person I was to be meeting with something on the wall caught my eye. It was a picture on the wall that said "In a world where YOU can be anything...Be YOURSELF." The best part of this was there was a small owl included in this picture. For those of you who know me, you totally get that. For those of you who dont know me...the owl is my brother. I will explain that in another post, on another day. BUT for now, I know that today, I ask the questions and I got the sign..I got my answer.



Do you believe in signs?

I used to wait for a sign, she said, before I did anything. Then one night I had a dream & an angel in black tights came to me & said, you can start any time now, & then I asked is this a sign? & the angel started laughing & I woke up. Now, I think the whole world is filled with signs, but if there's no laughter, I know they're not for me.
Brian Andreas