My Hero

Hero: a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.

 

When my husband was 18 years old, he wanted to be a Marine. His father was a Marine, as was his grandfather and great-grandfather and so on and so forth. Unfortunately things didn't work out, so being a Marine was not in his future...

At one time he considered Law Enforcement until he realized you had to protect the guilty from the victim's daddy.

He did a brief stint on the VFD, but full time Fire Fighting didn't happen, either.

 

My husband has a great desire to be a hero. In his mind the above vocations offer a man that opportunity. As each year passes, and he gets another year older, I often see the what-ifs in his eyes.

 

It amazes me that he doesn't see the heroism I see.

 

He may not boast a military allegiance, but in the Army of the Lord, he is quite a soldier. He may never save someone from a burning building, but many will be rescued from the fires of hell. He may never take a bullet in the line of duty, but fiery darts of the wicked are aimed at him constantly for the ministry's sake. He has never ran from responsibility, and he has always had my back.

 

Sacrifices are made every day by ordinary men who get up, go to work, come home, and flee from temptation. They father children they did not sire, bolster the weak, protect the innocent, and guide the lost. They show those who are broken how they can be mended. They speak softly and still make an impression. They stand for what they believe to be true.

 

Every good man is a hero to someone.

Who's yours?

 

Crīstesmæsse

Crīstesmæsse is old English for Christmas, literally meaning, "A mass for Christ" Mass comes from the old Latin "missa" or dismissal, and has morphed into "mission" meaning you can now leave and be about your mission.

So in essence, celebrating Christmas means you are (or should be) on a mission for Christ.

I am a Christian. I celebrate, serve, love and honor, to the best of my human ability, Christ the Savior. I am not of the Jewish faith (though I did discover many of my ancestors were) so therefore I do not celebrate Hanukkah. Neither am I African-American, so Kwanza in not on my holiday list either.

However, if someone wished me a Happy Hanukkah or Kwanza, I would simply smile, say "Thank you, you too!" and be on my way. I am not intimidated by other's beliefs, nor do I wish them any harm or oppression.

But, I would not be so hypocritical as to take advantage of the above holidays, just because it behooved me.

If one does not wish to celebrate Christmas, then one is not required to do so. There is no law on the books that says just because a bar advertises free drinks for women on ladies night that I have to go in and drink. Just because the strip club downtown says "Come in and meet nice girls" doesn't mean my husband is obliged to do so. If a store is having a 50% off sale it doesn't mean I must go in and buy twice as much as I normally would.

Just because someone puts up a sign that says "Merry Christmas" and a school sings "Silent Night" or "Oh Hanukkah!Oh Hanukkah!" at a holiday program, doesn't mean one has to believe in Christ, Judaism, or go to the program.

Freedom of religion means just that. You choose to participate, or not participate. Seeing something that offends you doesn't require your participation in it. It just means it's there. Just like bars, strip joints, mosques, temples or churches.

My advice to everyone is, let it be. Stop trying to justify your beliefs by suppressing those of others, and stop thinking that everyone has an agenda to change your opinion. If you are rooted and grounded in your belief, you shouldn't feel the need to justify it by stifling others.

Please, enjoy the season however you see fit, and allow me to do the same...just remember, if, on Dec 25th,  you pass out gifts and get the day off with pay, you are taking advantage of the holiday set forth by Christians to honor Christ.

Without Him, that particular day of giving and sharing would not be.

Happy Whatever to you! Hope it's the best ever!

In God We Trust

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest

I have a morning routine that seldom changes, even on my days off. Alarm-bathroom-dresser-closet-feed and water dogs-get Tom up.

That's where things get really interesting.

My wonderful, patient, giving, loving and compassionate husband is not a morning person. And by "morning", I mean any time before noon if it's his day off. In order for me to get us to work on time, my morning goes something like this...

"Tom, honey, it's time to get up."  I usually say this several times..
At some point, one foot slides from under the covers and raises up. That's my cue to put on his socks, which I do most every morning. (He can't sleep with socks on) If I don't see the foot voluntarily arise from it's cocoon, I gently tap his foot and he responds by lifting it, much like my old horse, Jim, used to!

"Tom, it's 6:15, honey, it's time to get up" (we leave at 6:30). This usually results in a repostioning of the body; a roll, a wiggle, or, if I'm really lucky, I get to see the whites of his eyes...

"C'mon, Thomas!" My voice gets a little more stern at this point. "You are already late!"
"Late" is the magic word. He hates to be late for work, mostly because he doesn't want to stay over and make it up.
Once awake, he gets going pretty well, and can get ready fairly quickly. I believe he does this for one reason and one reason only.

Once in the car, he goes back to sleep. He kicks back, pulls his hat down, and snoozes the entire 45 minute drive from Mitchell to Bloomington.

Dog...

This morning I looked over and caught a glimpse of him in the random headlights, and his peaceful slumber amused me, and inspired me.

In this thing we call life, it is often difficult to rest. We fuss and worry, we hit our invisible brake, grab the dash and, as Tom so laughingly accuses me of when he drives, look ahead for miles just in case the road gets a little dangerous. We often forget God wants to be in the driver's seat!  We should be able to lay back, rest and rejuvenate, so that we can be ready to take the wheel when the time is right. We can trust Him to gets us where we need to be, on time, in order to do the job He has assigned to us.
It's all about having faith in the guy behind the wheel.

When I pull into the parking lot, he begans to rouse. He gets out, stretches, groans and smiles at me. As he prepares to slide into the driver's seat he leans over, kisses me and says "Thank you, baby. That's the best sleep I get."

When life gets crazy, and exhausting, and you just can't seem to find any peace, I suggest you just pull over, kick back in the passenger seat and say "Why don't you drive awhile." It'll be the best sleep you get.

Rest easy my friends...God's got this...

security

My sister calls me Suzy Homemaker.

Sarcastically.

I suppose if you wanted to eat off my floor you could, but I wouldn't advise it. Between 2 dogs and one husband who has hoarding issues, my house is full of movable items. Move this to sit down, move that to get into the spare room, move something else to get to the refrigerator, most recently a compound mitre saw.
(In his defense, he was putting in a new floor...it just took a while!)

There's lots of stuff here. Music equipment, boxes of toys, shelves of books, shoes on the floor, pillows on the couch, candy in the bowl and a random glass or two abandoned on various surfaces.

But there's no place my kids and grandkids would rather be. This is home, clutter and all. There are very few sacred items, and even the guitars are up for grabs if you really want to give it a try. We also have a resuscitated Jazzy, with  zero-turn radius capabilities, that makes a great joy ride on a hardwood floor.

I recently commented to my oldest granddaughter, "I don't know why you want to come here all the time. It's a mess, and you have to sleep on that uncomfortable couch..." She just smiled and shrugged "Any house will do Nan, as long as you're in it." She is the same child that once said to me "I get good sleep here."

I realized that was the perfect expression of love, trust and security. 
No worries...

As children of the Almighty God, we should feel that exact same way. When our life gets cluttered, when our environment gets a little uncomfortable, we need only look into the face of our loving Lord and say "If you are with me, it's OK." Just because things aren't perfect, doesn't mean His love isn't. Just because pain comes, doesn't mean healing isn't on the way, and just because we don't see them, doesn't mean He doesn't shed tears for us.

I hope my home is always a haven for my children, my grandchildren and all the others that I have adopted through the years. My couch may be cluttered, but my heart is always open and my refrigerator is always full.

I am my Father's daughter...

Not Me

Matt 26:39
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

Don't ever think for a minute that Jesus didn't have a glimmer of hope for plan "B".  He new the excruciating pain He would suffer, and the anguish and humiliation to which He would be subjected. I'm sure there was a point He wanted to scream out "It's not my fault! They're the ones to blame!"

But He didn't. He just quietly laid down on the cross with the understanding that His sacrifice was necessary for the salvation of others.

People blame establishments for the behavior of their patrons.
Children blame their parents.
Parents blame their children.
Churches blame the world.
The world blames God.

Guess who the problem really is? Do you have a mirror?

If there was ever a time for personal responsibility, it's now. It's not the bar's fault some underage girl got drunk. It's not the cop's fault the speeder got a ticket. It's not the teacher's fault the student is failing.
It's not the government's  fault that you have more than you can financially handle.
Let's stop acting like irresponsible adolescents and realize this life is a one shot deal. No one owes you anything. But you owe other's, and most especially God, a whole lot.

Stealing Christmas

 For many years my friends and family have (I hope) affectionately referred to me as either "Scrooge" or "The Grinch". I only buy for my direct decendants, and then I do so frugally. My friends know that, although I may not buy them a present, I love them. They know they can call me at 3:00 in the morning and I will be on my way.

Beats dish towels, don't you think?


Christmas is, traditionally, a time for gift giving, good will toward men, and just generally doing for others less fortunate. All admirable things to be sure, but...

...there are 11 other months in the year...

Long ago, when I was a fresh-faced, 17 year old Student Council President, I heard a woman declare, "People aren't just hungry in November and December." That statement made a lasting impression on me. We, as a society, tend to rise to the occasion. We offer our hand to the poor and needy, then quickly use that same hand to pat our self on the back for our efforts. We enjoy the brief, poignant high that comes from hearing a child whisper thank you, or a single mom shed grateful tears.

But what are they eating in January and February? Who's buying the summer clothes for the children of that same single mom. Who's making sure she has enough gas to go to work?

Far be it from me to take away anyone's enjoyment of the holiday season. I adore the get togethers, the meals, the verbal sparring between siblings and cousins, and the tender, shared moments of remembrance.
But, months after the tinsel is tossed and the packages are emptied, we must remember that a child may still be hungry, a parent may still be struggling and a need may still exist.

What then?

I think I'll just pretend it's Christmas...

Control Issues

Proverbs 3:5-7
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes...


If  9/11 showed us anything, it's that control is just an illusion. People in powerful positions entered their offices that fateful day, people for whom others fetched and carried, yes sir-ed and no ma'am-ed... people who felt like they were in control of their world.

Then disaster struck.

Stress comes when we lack choices. When things are happening around us that we can't control we experience a sense of anxiety and fear. We frantically, or possibly methodically, attempt to fix those things which have gone awry. Often it's a fruitless endeavor.

In reality, the only thing you can control is your own faith in God. Your body will betray you, your temper will get away from you, your children will misbehave and your subordinates will defy you. God, in His wisdom, gave us all a free will. Not even He, the maker and creator of everything, attempts to maintain total control.

When life spins in it's own direction, we have to find our center within our Comforter, the Holy Spirit. We have to turn to God and be willing to say "I can't do this on my own." We have to be willing to let go of those things which create chaos inside us, and replace it with the peace that passes all understanding. We have to let Him do His job. Otherwise, we will be so busy trying to do His job, we won't be able to do ours.

job description

In the 28 years that I have been in the workforce, I have worked as a nursing assistant, an associate in a hardware store, a cook/waitress/cashier in an auction barn kitchen, a substitute teacher and a nurse. As a  nurse, my employment has been extremely varied; Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Occupational, Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Education and Training. Regardless of my employment, one thing has always been consistent. I was given a job description, and expected to do the job for which I was hired. I have worked weekends and holidays, days, evenings and nights. I have spent many a Christmas and Thanksgiving with another's family instead of my own. But as Superchicken use to say "You knew the job was dangerous when you took it."

As Christians, we have a job description.

Hebrews 10:25 tells us that we really need to go to church and surround ourselves with people who are like minded and those who can encourage us.

Matthew 7:20 says that people should know us by the "fruit" we bare.

Matthew 7:12 instructs us to treat others like we would want to be treated.

Most people work diligently to impress and please their employers. When they accepted the job, they accepted all the responsibilities that went with it.

As Christians, we need to realize what our responsibility is to God. We have been commanded to seek out the lost, support the church, sacrifice our self in order to further His kingdom, and be kind to those whom others turn away. He directs us to pray for the sick, the lost, and the broken. He expects us to reach out to those who are struggling and direct them down the right path.
He requires of us self-discipline, and self examination. He wants us to plant, tend, and harvest when the time is right.

If any one of us took a position with an employer, then did not do the work the employer expected of us, we wouldn't keep the job for long. Fortunately, our heavenly Father is merciful, and we all have continued chances to make things right. Jobs come and go, employers go out of business, and work conditions change, but God...God is forever unchanging, forever faithful, and forever merciful. Shouldn't He be afforded the same consideration as an earthly boss?
And besides, who else is going to give you such a great retirement plan?!

Heart vs Head

In the last 48 hours I have heard the same quotation from several different sources. Social media, radio and TV. The quotation?

The heart wants what the heart wants...

Although that may be true, it doesn't make the heart correct.

When my daughters were younger they frequently requested to do things, or have things, that I was not comfortable with.

But, kids want what they want.

 It was up to me to say yes or no, and guard them from things that would harm them. They did not make logical decisions at 5, 10 or even 15. That was my job as the mother. The one in charge..
Putting your heart in charge of your life is like putting a teenager in charge of himself. Feelings, not logic will be what dictates his actions. In most cases fleshly desire will be his driving force and Christian values will take a back seat.

Proverbs 4:23 says that we are to guard our hearts, because that's where life's issues flow from.
Proverbs 23:19 tells us to keep our hearts on the right path.

So if the bible tells us to guard our hearts, and keep it on the right path, then that must mean our heart should not dictate our lives.

Every decision we make should be contemplated using the word of God.
Prov. 2:2 says "So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding"

 If we see that our heart wants something that God does not want us to have, then it is up to our spirit and our mind to tell our heart "No". We have to make it understand...

Feelings, what so many base their life on, are nothing more than smoke and mirrors, reflecting an often inaccurate image. You feel stupid, you feel ugly, you feel like you can't live without a certain individual. You feel lost, you feel broken, you believe what someone, a long time ago, convinced you was the truth. But it doesn't make it so.

God made you, God knows you. He knows what you want, but He also knows what you need. In order to give you all He wants you to have, you have to clean house and get rid of all the old baggage. You have to let go of the old, in order for God to give you something new.

God would never expect more from you than what you can accomplish. So the next time your heart cries out for something, stop and contemplate with your head whether it's a good thing. Guard your heart, because once broken, it's hard to repair.

Crutch

In a mid 90's winter, after a graceful glide (HA!) to my knees, I found myself in a brace, on crutches. My right knee was broken...I was also told that even after the 6-8 weeks of healing, it would never be the same. Since it was a work comp injury I was sent to a specialist who would eventually determine my permanent impairment and my cash compensation.

When you have a broken leg, you can't walk on it, depend on it, or even count on it for balance. If you try and use it without the assistance of a crutch, you can cause further damage and impede your healing. You have to depend on others to help fetch and carry, bear your burdens, and prepare your way. In my case, I couldn't even drive. Life was frustrating. My arms ached from using muscles I'd never used before, and my hands were sore.
But after a while, I got use to them. I could slip and slide around doors, maneuver steps and those sore muscles eased up and bulked up. When my healing time was over, it felt strange not to have them anymore.

Many people, those who are skeptical of God, often accuse Christians of using God/religion as a "crutch" .

I agree.

Without God,  I am broken. I am not whole. I am fallible, sinful, fallen and lost. But with my crutch, I am capable! I can maneuver through this life, leaning on Him. When my burdens are too much to bear I have help; through Him and my brothers and sisters in Christ. I have angels that prepare my way.
Learning to lean on God has often been painful, and stressful, but through the years I have become stronger, and those weakened spiritual muscles have developed over time. My hands don't get sore, but my knees still do, as they should.

When I returned to my specialist at the end of those 6 weeks, he walked in, looked at my x-rays, walked out, then returned with 2 other sets of films. He said "I'm sorry, but I thought they gave me the wrong records." He then popped all three films up on the screen. "This," he said, pointing to the first x-ray "was your very first x-ray taken. It shows a very clear fracture." He then pointed to next one "This one is the first one we took here, showing a healing fracture." Then came the one that had been taken just moments before. "This one, taken today, shows no evidence that a fracture ever occurred." He shook his head in amazement. "There will be no permanent impairment."
I wasn't surprised at all.  God promised me complete healing.
Crutches are good for something....

Tough Love

I Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
The first 12 words of that scripture speak volumes. 

Paul, in his wisdom and inspiration, let us know thousands of years ago that we would face a time when God's word would become nothing more than a few suggestions in a book. We live in an age where behavior that will send you to hell, won't send you to jail. Fewer and fewer people worry about the eternal effects of their actions. They only worry about the now. They don't realize they have their priorities backwards...

The moral expectations of most people have been significantly lowered. Our children are being taught that society, and not God, determines what is acceptable and right. They are told not to feel guilty when their actions and behaviors are in direct opposition to God's word, because "God made you the way you are."
That's as asinine as telling an alcoholic,or a heroin addict that God made him that way. When we chose to behave in direct opposition to God's word, we are opposing God Himself. Let me tell you, He is not someone I'd want to go head to head with...ever.

It is time that Father's got jobs, supported their families, loved their wives, and became the spiritual leaders of their households. Party time is over boys, put away the booze and the drugs and man up.

It's time that Mother's set a good example of what a Godly woman should be, and behaved like ladies. Bars and Taverns are no place for a mother, girls. If you wanted to act like a drunken tart, you should not have had kids. There is no reason on earth that you should be leaving your kids on a weekend night to go drink and party. Sorry. Look it up.

And for those of you raised by the above type of parents, quit using their bad behavior as an excuse to be a
drunk
drug addict
abuser
theif
liar
lowlife
need I go on??? Get a grip, pull your boots up and realize that as long as you have one breath left in your body you have an opportunity to set your life right. Better do it before your last chance passes you by.

Love Story

In my opinion, the Book of Ruth is one of the most important books of the bible. In Ruth, we see how a relationship works between a man and a woman, a redeemer and the redeemed, and between those who have become family by choice, and not by birth. It shows us that following the rules set forth by God will bring about the results we desire. It it a book of full of honor, love, and respect.

In the beginning we see that Ruth, who has lost her husband, decides to devote her life to caring for her mother in law instead of returning to her own people. We can assume that Ruth sees something in Naomi that draws her to the older woman. Being a Moabitess, Ruth doesn't know much about Naomi's God, but she is willing to serve Him, and Naomi.  Naomi was surely a good and loving woman, accepting Ruth as if she were her own daughter, otherwise Ruth would have felt no obligation toward her. How different from the stereotypical relationship that is the subject of many sitcoms and monologues in today's society.

We see that Naomi, in return, wants a better life for Ruth, and also an opportunity to continue her son's lineage. (In that era, a near kinsman could marry a widow, and their first son continued the name of the dead brother/kinsman so "their name would not be blotted out") She was a smart woman, but not manipulative. She guided Ruth in such a way that her honor and attributes shone.

Last, but not least, is our hero, Boaz. As a romantic, I really want to believe that Boaz was strong, young and handsome! We see in the second chapter of Ruth that Boaz notices this young maiden gleaning in the fields after his men. He finds out that she has followed Naomi, dedicated her life to Naomi, her God and her people, and he finds that very admirable. He then tells her not to bother going behind the workers in the other fields. He tells her to only glean in his. He assures her that she will be safe, as he has told his men "Hands off". What he doesn't tell her is that he also instructed his men to,
“Let her gather among the sheaves and don’t reprimand her. ¹⁶ Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her.”

Boaz could have easliy said to her "Just come around every day and I'll have some corn waiting on you." By telling his men to "drop" some extra, he allowed her to keep her dignity. He allowed her to feel that she was working for what she obtained, which in turn increased her feelings of self-worth and self-confidence. He did not want to embarrass her with charity or pity.

When Naomi saw that Ruth was bringing home an unusual amount of food, she must have known something was up. So she instructed her in the ways of the kin. She set up the process for "redemption".
The scene on the threshing floor is one of the most beautiful moments in the bible. Ruth goes to the threshing floor, and lays down at Boaz's feet. When he awakens he sees that she is there, and wants nothing more than to redeem her, but there is another, closer, kin who has that option as well. He tells her this, but he adds

"Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” 

He knows she is not yet his, and has no rights to her, but he desires that she remain close to him through out the night so she will be safe and comforted, and she will know that he has feelings for her.
The next day he finds the kinsman, who declines the offer of Ruth and what comes with her, and they live happily ever after.

The story of Ruth is one of redemption, much like our redemption in Christ, and is one of the greatest love stories ever told, second only to the story of the Cross. It is an example of how every relationship should begin, and continue...with love, honor and respect. If we would all follow the example of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz, our hearts would always be full, and seldom broken.
And by the way....

 Boaz and Ruth are the great-grandparents of King David!

You be the judge...

"The Bible says you're not supposed to judge!"
How many times have you heard someone quote this scripture? Usually it's in reference to a behavior that hits close to home. They really don't like another person telling them that they, or someone they love, is doing wrong. In defense they spout a partial scripture that clearly shows they have never really read the entire chapter themselves, and they are only repeating what they have heard someone else say.

The truth is, we are to judge ourselves, first and foremost, and keep our sinful nature in check. We can judge the actions of others, and if they blatantly go against the word of God, we can say "What you are doing is against God's word." It's funny that you never hear someone in a court of law say, "You can't judge me!" The judge sitting in that chair, holding that gavel, knows the law of the land backwards and forwards. He has studied it, lived it, and possible even twisted it a litttle. Because of his vast knowledge of what is and is not allowed, he is able to stand in judgement over others.

As Christians, we should know the rules and regulations. We should study the Word of God and know it backwards and forwards. When we see someone who is doing wrong, we should first look at ourselves. When we have dealt with anything unseemly, we can then freely go to them and say, "Look, I know you are ________, and you know what the Bible says about that. How can I help you overcome this?"

However, if you are cheating on your spouse, you have no room to speak to someone about their pornography addiction. If you are a functional alcoholic, you have no right to condem someone for smoking pot.
If you are a gossip, you have no right to open your mouth to anyone about anything.

Judging another's behavior should always be done in love. Love can be compassionate, or it can be tough. It can be gentle, or it can be stern and immovable. A lot depends on the person and the situation.
But most importantly, we must let God guide us in our approach, because, after all, we are His representative.