When it comes to my workplace, I am a bit of an outcast. Not in the sense that I am treated poorly, but I definately do not fit in, either. Grumble sessions about the workplace end quickly when my opinion is sought - me not being much of a union supporter...or much of a grumbler. Man bashing sessions are squashed when I hold my husband out as an example of positive manhood. Like I said, outcast.
Then the other day one of my co-workers noticed the book I just started to read, "What He Must Be...if he wants to marry my daughter" by Voddie Baucham.
"Do you really think you can control your kid like that?"
me: "well, it's more about teaching her to have standards for marriage."
"No way! You can't control who she falls in love with - that's crazy."
I carried on the conversation explaining that if we accept emotional responses to situations as solid reasoning than every pedophile has a reason for what they do - if they claim to be 'in love'. I talked about teaching our kids to make decisions with their brain rather than emotions. The ideals of what marriage is will come from somewhere, whether it is from peers or media based entertainment...neither of which will teach kids logically never mind biblically!
By having both sons and daughters recognize their value in Christ and have non-negotiable standards for future relationships/marriage, then they are alot less likely to end up dealing with teen pregnancy or STDs that haunt them for the rest of their lives; they are alot less likely to give themselves away to the first person who pays any romantic attention to them; alot less likely to feel like being single is a failure and settle for less than God's BEST.
At which point in the conversation I realize my co-workers are staring blankly at me and you can hear the sound of crickets in the room - no doubt they are thinking, 'weirdo'.
Still...I'm OK with that. After all, we are called to be peculiar people for God! ;o)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Love This
A great saying:
I'd say that applies to those who are single and married!
A woman should be so lost in serving God that a man must seek Him to find her.
I'd say that applies to those who are single and married!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Prime Time Church
Did you know that Oprah has her own church? As I understand it, She was listening to a sermon one day and the pastor was talking about God being a 'jealous God' (Exodus 20:5). Oprah apparently didn't like this description and blamed it on the religion's interpretation. Like so many people over the ages, the one true God didn't fit into her ideals and opinions of what is right.
So she started her own church - because her god is a god of love. Her god is accepting and tolerant of different people's lifestyle choices. Her god is not God.
When God describes Himself as jealous, it is not negative. In fact, He is talking about the very basis of the first two commandments:
God doesn't approve of His children turning our hearts away from Him to anything else. It isn't hard for our small minds to grasp this aspect of God. Let's consider it in temporal terms.
Oprah has alot of dogs, she is an animal lover. One time when she arrives to her country home, she find that the next door neighbour has left a note stating that the fence between their properties has a hole in it and the dogs have been coming over to her property everyday. Oprah apologizes and promises to repair the fence ASAP - but wait, the neighbour likes the dogs and says there is no need to hurry with the repair. The neighbour has made a habit of feeding the dogs treats and encourages them to visit. The dogs are at the neighbour's house everyday, most of the day and Oprah has to go to get them. They no longer return home on their own and the treats that the neighbour is feeding them are giving them foul gas and causing some vomiting. Oprah asks the neighbour to stop feeding them and the neighbour just smiles and says 'it is only a little treat, they like it'. Oprah get the fence repaired, but finds it knocked down again and the dos over at the neighbour's house. The vet bills are piling up and the repairs on the fence are weekly. Worst yet, the dogs seem to prefer the neighbour over her. There may be room for several emotions in this situation but jealousy is likely one of them. Those are HER dogs.
We, as God's children are not unlike those dogs. Easily enticed to wander from our home (the path of righteousness); attracted to things or people that are not good for us; sinfully and selfishly seeking out other gods to serve and be served by. Of course the Lord is a jealous God. We are HIS children.
Obviously in an understanding of God's sovereignty, I believe that those who are entice away permanently through vain doctrines are like waves upon the sea (tossed to and fro Ephesians 4:14). They were never really part of the kingdom in the first place.
The key for those of us who are truly His children is to constantly be wary of anything that is taking us away from God. Satan is very good at this tactic - we need to listen to the Spirit and wrap ourselves in the Word. Otherwise, we could end up joining the church of Oprah.
So she started her own church - because her god is a god of love. Her god is accepting and tolerant of different people's lifestyle choices. Her god is not God.
When God describes Himself as jealous, it is not negative. In fact, He is talking about the very basis of the first two commandments:
Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. Exodus 20:4a
God doesn't approve of His children turning our hearts away from Him to anything else. It isn't hard for our small minds to grasp this aspect of God. Let's consider it in temporal terms.
Oprah has alot of dogs, she is an animal lover. One time when she arrives to her country home, she find that the next door neighbour has left a note stating that the fence between their properties has a hole in it and the dogs have been coming over to her property everyday. Oprah apologizes and promises to repair the fence ASAP - but wait, the neighbour likes the dogs and says there is no need to hurry with the repair. The neighbour has made a habit of feeding the dogs treats and encourages them to visit. The dogs are at the neighbour's house everyday, most of the day and Oprah has to go to get them. They no longer return home on their own and the treats that the neighbour is feeding them are giving them foul gas and causing some vomiting. Oprah asks the neighbour to stop feeding them and the neighbour just smiles and says 'it is only a little treat, they like it'. Oprah get the fence repaired, but finds it knocked down again and the dos over at the neighbour's house. The vet bills are piling up and the repairs on the fence are weekly. Worst yet, the dogs seem to prefer the neighbour over her. There may be room for several emotions in this situation but jealousy is likely one of them. Those are HER dogs.
We, as God's children are not unlike those dogs. Easily enticed to wander from our home (the path of righteousness); attracted to things or people that are not good for us; sinfully and selfishly seeking out other gods to serve and be served by. Of course the Lord is a jealous God. We are HIS children.
Obviously in an understanding of God's sovereignty, I believe that those who are entice away permanently through vain doctrines are like waves upon the sea (tossed to and fro Ephesians 4:14). They were never really part of the kingdom in the first place.
The key for those of us who are truly His children is to constantly be wary of anything that is taking us away from God. Satan is very good at this tactic - we need to listen to the Spirit and wrap ourselves in the Word. Otherwise, we could end up joining the church of Oprah.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:2 - 7 (emphasis mine)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Here We Go Again
Technology is a wonderful thing...when it works. When it doesn't work it is the most frustrating thing!
My computer has again decided to crash at intermittent points of usage. I can be right in the middle of a brilliant post and it dies before I save - then I wonder if there is an appropriate time to swear...not really :o)
So, for the few of you who do read my thoughts and opinions...please hang in there. I'm at the mercy of computer repair guys.
My computer has again decided to crash at intermittent points of usage. I can be right in the middle of a brilliant post and it dies before I save - then I wonder if there is an appropriate time to swear...not really :o)
So, for the few of you who do read my thoughts and opinions...please hang in there. I'm at the mercy of computer repair guys.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Where Socialism Leads
The following excerpts are from an article in our local paper - this author is actually syndicated, so you may have already seen this piece. This type of information always makes me shake my head, but there are those among our population that will read it and take it completely seriously. Why? Only because someone who is 'educated' spouted these gems:
'I have a report before me from the University of North Carolina warning about a kiddies' minefield that your offspring may be playing in right now.
Yes, I am talking about "the beach." Did you know that beach goers who innocently build sandcastles or fill pails with beach sand are 13 per cent more likely to suffer a stomach ailment - and 20 per cent more likely to get diarrhea?
Are you one of those sun idolaters who mindlessly let their kids bury each other up to their nostrils in sand? Loser. The study says your kids have 24 per cent better chance of suffering gastrointestinal distress than that sensible family in their Sunday church clothes whose feet never leave the boardwalk. Meanwhile, your kids might as well be playing Russian roulette with a Glock nine mil.
As Chris Heaney, the study's lead author, so wisely warns us: "the beach is not a sterile environment." Who knew?
It's not just the beach, of course. Kiddy traps lurk everywhere, just waiting to snare the unwary. That's why school kids in Chicago recently got to sit through a 20 minute lecture on the dangers of the hula hoop. Meanwhile, an elementary school in Attleboro, Massachusetts has prudently banned the game of tag on school grounds because, as the principal points out, "accidents can happen."
He's right - and they can happen anywhere. That's why it's now possible to buy lid locks for your toilet seats (what if little Ashton or Kimberly fell in and drowned?). There is also a market for tiny gloves and mini-kneepads specifically designed to protect your wee ones during their first crawling experience across the perilous, hazard-strewn, bacteria-ridden war zone also known as the living room floor.
Just nutty Americans, you think? Think again. Last month the chief medical officer for the Vancouver Island Health Authority went public about the dangers of...
Roasting marshmallows.
Dr. Richard Stanwick counsels that children sitting around a campfire should:
- apply hand sanitizer before selecting a marshmallow;
- sterilize their roasting twig before impaling marshmallow thereon;
- use clean tissue to carefully remove carbon from twig;
- put clean marshmallow on clean stick with clean hand and proceed.
Hold it! The doctor's not finished! He also warns to be wary of ingesting molten marshmallows.
"If there's a flame coming out of it, it's probably too hot", he says.
Ya think, doc?"
The author of the news article, Arthur Black, is generally a tongue-in-cheek kind of guy. That's why I enjoy reading him.
How does socialism play into all this foolishness. For starters, these studies were paid for with government money - our tax money. Also, as I pointed out in the beginning, there are people who take this stuff seriously. People who believe that the good 'doctors', or anyone with a piece of paper declaring them to be 'educated', know more about parenting than parents.
Someone, somewhere will read these studies (and others like them) and then criticize a parent for taking their kids to the beach without wrapping them up sterile scuba suits and surgical masks. Someone, somewhere will be treated like an ignorant or dangerous parent because the recommendations of these studies are not implemented into their child-rearing tactics as if it is gospel.
Take note - worldly wisdom may sound completely ludicrous, but someone is listening. Maybe we, who have the benefit of Godly wisdom, need to start speaking louder.
'I have a report before me from the University of North Carolina warning about a kiddies' minefield that your offspring may be playing in right now.
Yes, I am talking about "the beach." Did you know that beach goers who innocently build sandcastles or fill pails with beach sand are 13 per cent more likely to suffer a stomach ailment - and 20 per cent more likely to get diarrhea?
Are you one of those sun idolaters who mindlessly let their kids bury each other up to their nostrils in sand? Loser. The study says your kids have 24 per cent better chance of suffering gastrointestinal distress than that sensible family in their Sunday church clothes whose feet never leave the boardwalk. Meanwhile, your kids might as well be playing Russian roulette with a Glock nine mil.
As Chris Heaney, the study's lead author, so wisely warns us: "the beach is not a sterile environment." Who knew?
It's not just the beach, of course. Kiddy traps lurk everywhere, just waiting to snare the unwary. That's why school kids in Chicago recently got to sit through a 20 minute lecture on the dangers of the hula hoop. Meanwhile, an elementary school in Attleboro, Massachusetts has prudently banned the game of tag on school grounds because, as the principal points out, "accidents can happen."
He's right - and they can happen anywhere. That's why it's now possible to buy lid locks for your toilet seats (what if little Ashton or Kimberly fell in and drowned?). There is also a market for tiny gloves and mini-kneepads specifically designed to protect your wee ones during their first crawling experience across the perilous, hazard-strewn, bacteria-ridden war zone also known as the living room floor.
Just nutty Americans, you think? Think again. Last month the chief medical officer for the Vancouver Island Health Authority went public about the dangers of...
Roasting marshmallows.
Dr. Richard Stanwick counsels that children sitting around a campfire should:
- apply hand sanitizer before selecting a marshmallow;
- sterilize their roasting twig before impaling marshmallow thereon;
- use clean tissue to carefully remove carbon from twig;
- put clean marshmallow on clean stick with clean hand and proceed.
Hold it! The doctor's not finished! He also warns to be wary of ingesting molten marshmallows.
"If there's a flame coming out of it, it's probably too hot", he says.
Ya think, doc?"
The author of the news article, Arthur Black, is generally a tongue-in-cheek kind of guy. That's why I enjoy reading him.
How does socialism play into all this foolishness. For starters, these studies were paid for with government money - our tax money. Also, as I pointed out in the beginning, there are people who take this stuff seriously. People who believe that the good 'doctors', or anyone with a piece of paper declaring them to be 'educated', know more about parenting than parents.
Someone, somewhere will read these studies (and others like them) and then criticize a parent for taking their kids to the beach without wrapping them up sterile scuba suits and surgical masks. Someone, somewhere will be treated like an ignorant or dangerous parent because the recommendations of these studies are not implemented into their child-rearing tactics as if it is gospel.
Take note - worldly wisdom may sound completely ludicrous, but someone is listening. Maybe we, who have the benefit of Godly wisdom, need to start speaking louder.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo
We took our homeschooling field trip at the beginning of September. There were four families that joined the fun - although trying to get everyone to look at the camera at the same time was lost cause. "Hey, move over!" "You're touching my shoe!" "Look at that bug!":
The first display we visited was the stingray and shark pool. Way cool! The stingrays swim by and you can touch them...check out the 3year old reaction:
The older kids were just as amazed - that includes me, too! They were velvety to touch and very playful. We have a home video that shows how they would swim close to the crowd and then send a big splash over the edge:
The sharks, however, were not as friendly. They stayed in the middle of the pool far away from pawing hands. The speaker told us they like to be near the water fall because they don't even like to hear us! In fact, the only reason they move closer to people is to have a pee ( I swear that's what he said):
This was the most enjoyed display - underwater view of the polar bears. We were there right after lunch so the bears were very active. They would swim right up to the window to get a good look at us, too:
The first display we visited was the stingray and shark pool. Way cool! The stingrays swim by and you can touch them...check out the 3year old reaction:The older kids were just as amazed - that includes me, too! They were velvety to touch and very playful. We have a home video that shows how they would swim close to the crowd and then send a big splash over the edge:The sharks, however, were not as friendly. They stayed in the middle of the pool far away from pawing hands. The speaker told us they like to be near the water fall because they don't even like to hear us! In fact, the only reason they move closer to people is to have a pee ( I swear that's what he said):This was the most enjoyed display - underwater view of the polar bears. We were there right after lunch so the bears were very active. They would swim right up to the window to get a good look at us, too:
This raccoon was doing what all the adults were ready to do by mid-afternoon! Does that look like a great nap, or what?:
I love the zoo...it is a full day of admiring God's creation through the creatures. After walking all day in a fairly warm sun for September, the kids were all wiped out and sleeping on the long drive home, too.
Homeschooling is great! For more show and tell, go to Mary's site.
On the Way to Grandparents' House
I really have been busy during the last month and it has kept me from even posting some pictures to show off. So let me start by showing off some pictures of a recent trip to my dad's house. Actually, these pictures show the farm where we stopped on the way. The farm sells produce, of course, but they also have a section of kid's activities that is great fun. We had Duck's BFF with us.
There was tricycle race track. Take note ladies, if you sit on a small vehicle it just makes you look big:
Here's my husband joining in the fun. The little house had a loft with a slide:
Here's what happens the next day when two little ladies have had a good time - even though they were determined to be up before everyone else!:
This week is the Fall Fair in our area, so Duck and I are sewing and knitting and baking up a storm! I'll have some pictures to share next week - God willing I have time!
There was tricycle race track. Take note ladies, if you sit on a small vehicle it just makes you look big:
Here's my husband joining in the fun. The little house had a loft with a slide:
Here's what happens the next day when two little ladies have had a good time - even though they were determined to be up before everyone else!:
This week is the Fall Fair in our area, so Duck and I are sewing and knitting and baking up a storm! I'll have some pictures to share next week - God willing I have time!Monday, September 7, 2009
Losing It
During my fifteen+ years nursing, ninety percent of my clients have fit into the demented realm. Not all nurses like to work with seniors suffering from varying degrees of dementia, but it is a preferred area of service for me - I feel like I fit in well. Not to make light of the seriousness of the disease process, it can be devastating for family members to watch their parents or other loved ones go through the changes - BUT, the senior generally does not suffer the same way. Alot of the time, the senior is quite content in a state of confusion - we use that statement in documentation, 'pleasantly confused'.
I have often told my husband that I planned on having dementia by the time I was 40years old. Well...that benchmark passed by a couple of weeks back and I'm starting to see the signs. So is my family - and I thought I was just joking!
For years I warned him that he would need to keep track of my activities for me - in case I got lost, or forgot what I was supposed to be doing. We would smile at our little joke. Well, no joke. Lately I keep losing my train of thought, not to mention pretty much any article that was in my hand a minute ago! Most definately pleasantly confused. I just wrote it off to being on summer vacation and not having a regular routine - it would be fine as soon as school started again.
Then, several weeks ago...I lost a twenty dollar bill (TWENTY DOLLARS!). I spent hours freaking out about it - days, really. For someone like me who is so cheap about spending money, losing it was horrible! (BTW, I still haven't actually confessed this to my husband - he'll read it for the first time right here)
I do know how it happened. The bill (TWENTY DOLLARS!)was in my hand while I was driving - because I was going to the store to use it. I got into the store and realized it was not in my hand anymore (did I mention it was TWENTY DOLLLARS!). I tried to give it over to the Lord. I prayed, "OK, Lord. It's your money anyway so you must have plans for it. Right?"
Over and over again I told myself that it really was God's money - as I frantically searched the car and my pockets for the bill (TWENTY DOLLARS!). Finally, I had to admit that it was gone for good. This is where I would like to say I took hold of peace about it. Nope.
I fretted inside my head constantly after that day. Every time the price of something was close to twenty dollars it would remind me of my dementia moment (TWENTY DOLLARS!). Then the Lord hammered my head with the very fact that I had been trying to grasp all along - He was in charge of the money. How did He show me? Read on...
On one of our camping trips we intended on visiting the Canadian Canoe Museum. It was the only planned stop in-town for this particular trip. We arrived and the admission price list was laughing at me with a family rate of, you guessed it, twenty dollars. The doubts and self-centred thoughts were raging in my head again. We entered the museum and the hostess at the door came over and whispered to us:
"We have a guest speaker here right now for the Liberal Party of Canada, so the you can't enter one part of the museum right now. Don't worry, you can still come in - but admission is free because of the speaker."
There was the twenty dollars back into our family funds. Just like that. I could have laughed out loud at the wonderful grace He was showing me. It was grace simply because He didn't have to show me - it is all His money. I mean, really, I'm not even a Liberal!
So there you have it. Maybe I am entering into dementia or maybe this was another way for God to show me who is in control of everything - even a twenty dollar bill. Sooner or later I hope to learn this lesson for good!
I have often told my husband that I planned on having dementia by the time I was 40years old. Well...that benchmark passed by a couple of weeks back and I'm starting to see the signs. So is my family - and I thought I was just joking!
For years I warned him that he would need to keep track of my activities for me - in case I got lost, or forgot what I was supposed to be doing. We would smile at our little joke. Well, no joke. Lately I keep losing my train of thought, not to mention pretty much any article that was in my hand a minute ago! Most definately pleasantly confused. I just wrote it off to being on summer vacation and not having a regular routine - it would be fine as soon as school started again.
Then, several weeks ago...I lost a twenty dollar bill (TWENTY DOLLARS!). I spent hours freaking out about it - days, really. For someone like me who is so cheap about spending money, losing it was horrible! (BTW, I still haven't actually confessed this to my husband - he'll read it for the first time right here)
I do know how it happened. The bill (TWENTY DOLLARS!)was in my hand while I was driving - because I was going to the store to use it. I got into the store and realized it was not in my hand anymore (did I mention it was TWENTY DOLLLARS!). I tried to give it over to the Lord. I prayed, "OK, Lord. It's your money anyway so you must have plans for it. Right?"
Over and over again I told myself that it really was God's money - as I frantically searched the car and my pockets for the bill (TWENTY DOLLARS!). Finally, I had to admit that it was gone for good. This is where I would like to say I took hold of peace about it. Nope.
I fretted inside my head constantly after that day. Every time the price of something was close to twenty dollars it would remind me of my dementia moment (TWENTY DOLLARS!). Then the Lord hammered my head with the very fact that I had been trying to grasp all along - He was in charge of the money. How did He show me? Read on...
On one of our camping trips we intended on visiting the Canadian Canoe Museum. It was the only planned stop in-town for this particular trip. We arrived and the admission price list was laughing at me with a family rate of, you guessed it, twenty dollars. The doubts and self-centred thoughts were raging in my head again. We entered the museum and the hostess at the door came over and whispered to us:
"We have a guest speaker here right now for the Liberal Party of Canada, so the you can't enter one part of the museum right now. Don't worry, you can still come in - but admission is free because of the speaker."
There was the twenty dollars back into our family funds. Just like that. I could have laughed out loud at the wonderful grace He was showing me. It was grace simply because He didn't have to show me - it is all His money. I mean, really, I'm not even a Liberal!
So there you have it. Maybe I am entering into dementia or maybe this was another way for God to show me who is in control of everything - even a twenty dollar bill. Sooner or later I hope to learn this lesson for good!
Friday, September 4, 2009
A Neat Idea!
Have you missed me? Just kidding...we've came home from another camping trip last week and a homeschool field trip to the zoo this week, plus all the canning and freezing I have been doing the last two days - PHEW! I have finally finished unpacking and doing laundry and dishes and organizing! I haven't downloaded my pictures from the camp or the zoo yet (I'll save them for next week), but because I have been absent I thought to show about a great party favour - think back -to - school party! I can't take credit for it, but it is a really neat idea found at a recent 5 yo birthday party. Candy Sushi!
It is so simple, it's brilliant! A fruit roll-up filled with Nerds candy and a Mike and Ike jelly bean in the middle to help roll it all up.
It is so simple, it's brilliant! A fruit roll-up filled with Nerds candy and a Mike and Ike jelly bean in the middle to help roll it all up.Yes...it is total sugar and I wouldn't let my Duck eat more than two - however, I took this one home to take the pictures. You'll have to guess who got to eat it! Although, I imagine my dentist will be able to tell ;o)
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