the internet is not secure - people will find out...

Ok, so the other day I was frustrated. My husband made me cry. He didn't mean to but it happened. He felt bad that he made me cry. Forgiveness is truly a gift from God because I know in my heart I am not one who wishes to forgive if my feelings are still hurt. Anyhow, with in the hour we were both doing well. The argument was over and forgiven. But I wanted to talk to someone about my hurt feelings. I wanted to be self-centered for a few minutes. In my mind it was "all about me". I called me best friend. We talked for a few and then I felt better. But what if I came online and used my blog to vent? Would that be ok? NO!!!!

But why? Why would using my blog to blow off some steam not be a good idea? Ok, so it may not be a good idea but what makes it not an ok idea either? First, do I really want everyone reading about my marital "problems"? Nope, I don't. I don't want others to think bad of my husband. I don't want people to judge the relationship I have with him.

If you go with what your mom probably taught you, "if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all"  then it certainly wouldn't be ok for you to even call your best friend as I did. I know she doesn't need to hear my bad thoughts of Mike. I also know that if those feelings are kept bottled inside of me they do nothing but get bigger. So letting them out helps keep the problem from getting worse. Does that fact make it ok to blab about my bad feelings? No, not really.... So what's a girl to do?

If you are like me then you are a raging mess of a roller coaster of hormones and feelings. Women's feelings can go up and down, be hot or cold, many times during the day. Sometimes the only way, its seems, to difuse these feelings is to let them out.

But, think about it. What if the tables were turned? What if your spouse was the one with the raging hormones? What if your spouse was the one who blabbed and vented about you to his friends? How would you feel? I bet you would feel the same way I know I would feel. I would feel hurt and unloved. I would feel betrayed. I would be angry at my husband for spreading our business (in a probably not so nice way) to others that have no business being involved. So, if that is how I would feel then what am I making my husband feel like? You might say "well he doesn't know I say those things so I'm not making him feel bad". Well, just as I mentioned in the title today, people will find out. The Scriptures say your sin will find you out.

Is blabbing and venting sin? Well, yeah I guess it is. Of course I do not want to admit that because then it means that I have sinned in that area more then once, more then twice, truthfully it's been a lot. How I feel about it, how knowing it is sin makes me feel really doesn't change the fact that it is sin.

So how can we, as women who are designed with feelings that get easily hurt, vent and get those horrible feelings off our chest without destryoing the relationship we are in? I can't tell you exactly because I have never figured it out. I can say that giving it to God helps a lot. Giving it to God is probably the only thing we can do. I know it's the only thing we should do.

Being angry, hurt and frustrated are actually actions, not feelings. Think about it. When you are angry, what do you do? You usually act out in one way or another, be it venting, yelling or stomping around. If you are hurt you usually mope around, cry or complain. If you are frustrated, what do you do? If you are like me I get irritated and upset. I complain and demand things calm down so I can concentrate. All these are actions... they are things we do. But, you say, anger, hurt and frustration are feelings but the things we do when I feel them are the actions, right? NOT SO!

No matter what you feel, (yes I am included myself in this whole discussion) is exhibited in your behavior. You chose to act on those "feelings" When you love someone you are sweet and caring to them. When you hate someone you are cold shouldered to them. Your "feelings' are shown in your actions. But can you change your "feelings" by changing your actions? YOU BETCHA!!!

Giving our "feelings" over to God helps us not only desire to change our behavior but we actually can change it. So I challenge you, and myself, the next time you are hurt, angry or frustrated (or any other "feeling" that can lead to bad behavior) give your thoughts, feelings and actions over to God. Only He can help you change those feelings and actions into something positive.

Ok, I wrote this today is response to a post I put on my facebook page this morning. "If you have something not so nice to say or if you want to vent about people on facebook just remember that everyone sees, or hears this at one time or another. So if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything. :)"

When I put that post on facebook I was actually thinking of when Mike and I got into a bit of a argument the other night.  Now, we do not argue much and when we do it is usually because of me. I am being honest about it. I am a selfish person who wants her own feelings attended to and who wants her own way. My feelings are hurt easily. Trying to improve myself I am giving things to God more often. I have seen a bit of an improvement. However, the other night when Mike and I argue I called my best friends and vent about Mike. I was upset and called him some not so nice names, (not swear words mind you). I shouldn't have though. I should have called him names I shouldn't have called m best friend to complain as it's not her business.

I am also writing this in response to another comment someone told me recently. No matter what the privacy settings on your facebook account are things can be seen by others you may not want to have see them. On the internet things are never really private. Things can also get back to someone who you would rather not have known those things.

Today, when writing this post I originally wanted to complain about someone I know. I do not want that person to know I was complaining about them so I was thinking how do I say this or that without that person being offended? Then it hit me! I shouldn't say anything if I have to think that question. My being upset at that person is my business, not yours. It is something I should take up with that person, not you. It really is an action. If I am really upset about it I need to give it to God and to change my thoughts. I shouldn't let my thoughts dictate my feelings or vise versa. Then I thought well, it really isn't that big of a deal to lose the friendship over and I do not want to bring it up to this person so I think I will just not talk about it. But remember what I said about feelings that are not dealt with? They fester? If it is not important enough to bring up to this person and it's not big enough to bother with then it's not big enough to fester about either.... Giving it to God is the only recourse I really have in dealing with these feelings so they don't turn into sinful actions like gossiping or animosity.

So I urge you, no matter what your feelings are about different things and different people give them to God and let Him direct their paths.

Love you all and pray for your hearts to be close to the Almighty God.

Have a great day!!!

ok take two...

This is the second time I am attempting to write this blog. The first time didn't go well as I hit a wrong key and lost what I wrote. Don't worry, it wasn't that much, just a few words actually. This did get me thinking though, you ever wish you could have a take 2 in your life. I certainly do some days. But we do not get a take two..... so I guess we have to make the best of what we do do. We have to think before we act and we have to think before we react. Lots of times we act or react out of habit and reflex. Is that the proper thing to do though? no. our instincts and our reflexes are full of fleshly desires and thoughts. We need to focus on Christ's will and desire for us. That includes how He wishes we would behave. To act as God wishes us to take discipline and thoughts. It takes determination and planning. when we act without thinking it usually gets us in to trouble. Ok, not usually, almost always... think about it though, it's true.

We are still like children in God's eyes. We still have a lot to learn. Just like a child who wanders off on his own we get lost in our own world without direction. Adults help children stay on the right track, stay out of trouble. God helps us do the same. Before you go on about your day I urge you to ask God for guidance. He is always willing to help out. :)

I am sitting here.........

Ok, so that is what I am doing, sitting here... doing nothing. I'm thinking though., thinking of what to write. I wish to write but am not sure what to write about. I do not like when that feeling happens. Being unsure is not something I am very comfortable with. I'm sure most people feel that way though. I mean who wants to feel unsure about things? Who really wants to feel confused? I know I do not like it at all.
With God though, we can always feel sure about things. We can always rest in His arms and know He will help us through our tough times. With His comfort we can be assured that He has our best interests at heart and He will never lead us astray or into danger.

Us though? We lead ourselves into danger on a daily basis. Each day we follow our flesh to some degree. So why does that put us in danger?  Well, you ever hear the saying that you can't worship two masters? That is the just of the situation when you follow your flesh or won desires. You are "worshiping" or following your own fleshly desires.

When you were a kid I'm sure your mother told you not to do something that you thought was fun or entertaining. I am also sure that at one time or another you disobeyed her and did it anyways. You followed your own desires and not those of your mother. Did it get you into trouble? Maybe not the situation but the disobedience? I'm sure your mom didn't look to happy on the fact that you disobeyed her. You probably were punished in some way. Or you found yourself in a compromising situation that you could have avoided had you obeyed your mom.

That is the way it is with God. When we do not obey Him and follow His lead for us in our lives we place ourselves in compromising situations. We sometimes miss out of blessings that we could have had had we obeyed, or we end up in a situation we do not know how to get out of unscathed. If we had only listened to the guiding of the Holy Spirit we could have avoided the problem our disobedience has caused.

I don't know about you but I really do not want to find myself in compromising situations. I like being safe and sound. I like being protected. I like not getting into trouble.

So as you go about your day may you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and may it keep you out of trouble.
I know I will try. :)

things to do

So today, and it seems like everyday lately, the kids are playing with Transformers, Bionicles or (in Daniel's case) board games. We woke up, played the computer, watched some tv then started school. We even worked through our lunch today which helped get the work done earlier then usual. :) This does not always happen but today it did, and today it made me a happy mommy. :)
There is so much around the apartment that I need to accomplish but instead I am sitting at the computer plinking around on it. Yes, I am getting up and down quite a bit as I am also making dinner. Oh, I am also washing and drying laundry so my family has clean clothes tomorrow and washing the dishes. lol See a mom's work is never done. Everyone always says "Mom, where is this? Mom, where is that? Mom, what's for dinner? Mom, can you buy this for me? Mom, can you help please?" or husbands are forever repeating  "Honey, I need my clothes ironed, Honey, what's for dinner? Is the laundry done? Do I have clean socks? What was in the mail today?" So many questions so little time to answer them all.
Do you ever feel that way? I sure do. Even if no one is asking me a zillion questions at that particular moment, I feel as if there are still a zillion questions needing answers and a zillion things needing done. I feel as if no matter how hard I work, no matter how long I work the work is never done. If I feel that way, I wonder how God feels?
I mean He has so much more to do then I do. Yeah, I know he doesn't have to fold laundry, find socks, make beds, sweep floors or cook dinner but he has to answer questions all day. He watches and protects each of His children, keeping them from making bad choices, and going down spiritually dangerous roads. He rewards all of His children for loving and following Him which mean He is watching them see if they are following His directions for their life. He is vigilant in doing so too.
Good thing I am not God. That is a lot of things to do! I couldn't keep up the pace and protect, watch and guide everyone. I can barely do that with my own family I know I couldn't do it with any others, let alone the whole world.
Isn't God amazing? I am blown away and in awe to think of all God does for me. It's not like I can repay Him or adequately thank Him for all He does. I could thank Him in the most elaborate ways, the most expensive ways for the rest of my life and still not even come close to what He deserves. One day every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord and Savior of not only the Earth, not only the galaxy but of the universe! One day we will be in His glory for eternity, casting the crowns He has rewarded us with at His feet where they belong. I can't think of a more splendid way to spend eternity. :) I hope you agree. :)

today is the day

Ok, I have no idea what today is the day for but it sure is the day for something. lol We really should wake up each day and think today is the day for God to show me something wonderful. :) I know, I know, I don't even wake up that way each morning but we should you know? It would make our days start out on a better footing I can tell you that.

Today is the day that God shows me something amazing... When I figure out what it is I will let you all know. :)

As for now I am going to go teach my children.... have a great day. :)

don't want to be awake, don't want to go to sleep...

Ok, so it's 12:07 am on October 15th. It is late and I really should go to bed. I know I should. I really do not want to though. I want to be able to stay up late and get up late. I want to be lazy and relax all day tomorrow. I want to volunteer at the school and come home and scrapbook.
We do not get what we want for a majority of our life. We have things to do, people to take care of and places to be. Children need to be taught, husband's need clothing washed and dishes done. So who does it all? Yup, that's right -- mom. mom has a full life of things to do and usually they are not done for her only done by her.
Does this make me unhappy? yes and no. Well, I have to say honestly, no it does not. I only say yes on the small point that it really would be nice for one day to do what I wish with no other obligations. No one to cook for. No one to clean for. No one to teach. Just me, my television a few good movies, some books and some popcorn. If I even got a bath without interruptions I would be happy. lol
I do know that no matter what little time I do get to myself, I always miss my fmaily when it's quiet. I have had a bit of time wiht out anyone home, and besides being weird... I was missing everyone. I got bored easier and felt strange with no noise around from the boys.
So I guess, if you ask me would I rather be in a quiet, peaceful house where I could relax all day if I wished to or would I rather be busy with chores taking care of my family. Well, my family time beats alone time any day!
God has given females an inner desire longing to nurture and provide emotional support for others. When we do not do that we miss out on a big part of the blessing God provides us as women. Frankyl, not only do I not want to miss out on that but I have gotten used to all the chaos and noise I am surrounded by,
After what happened last school year having my children home, safe and sound with my is a dream come true!
So, despite my wishes, I really must go to bed as I have two teens to teach in the morning. :)
God loves you so much! pleas don't ever forget that. :)
Good night.

Daniel's life growing up with Moebius. :)

I was asked to write out Dnaiel's "story" for the many faces of Moebius website. The following is what I wrote. I thought Iwould share it here also. :) 

Daniel Preston is my youngest son. He is 13 years old and is a vibrant and energetic, albeit at times shy, young teenage boy. He was born with Moebius in 1997. At the time of his birth we really had no idea what Moebius was, or that it was indeed what Daniel had. Upon his birth he was whisked away from us and we were told he had no vocal usage and no facial muscle usage. He had less then normal movement in his limbs, and although everything seemed to be working just fine the doctor’s feared he would be a vegetable for life. He confounded the doctor's the day he was born. Daniel could not close his eyelids and he didn’t produce enough moisture to keep his eyes from drying out. His mouth did not close and his jaw was recessed quite a bit. His ears were tilted back more and were smaller then normal and his nipples were farther apart then normal. Daniel was also allergic to his own urine and had to be changed quite frequently. On top of all that he had a congenital kidney problem that might need surgery very soon. We left the hospital with our newly born wonderful little boy not knowing what would be in his future, or ours for that matter. 

During his first few years we saw many doctor's including geneticist, nephrologists, neurologists, ophthalmologists, urologist and audiologist. No one could clarify exactly what was wrong with our child though. Daniel became a human pincushion for the many doctors he saw as they had never seen a child with this condition before and could not accurately diagnose him. This became very frustrating and energy sapping for us all. He was truly a conundrum.

Daniel didn’t cry until he was 2 months old and then only if he was really angry or upset. Even then, it was only a moan or whimper. He did wiggle a bit which helped us know when he needed attention. He didn’t cry normally until he was more then 4 months old. He was bottle-fed but we had to hold both his cheeks when feeding him and he was syringe-fed for a time also. Daniel was born with Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney Syndrome. (We knew he would be born with this as the pregnancy ultrasound showed it prior to his birth. We just didn’t know how severe it was until his birth.) This is a big fancy way to say that one kidney didn’t work at all and looked like a rubbery pile of white grapes. His other kidney was getting back-washed urine from his bladder, which could lead to kidney infections, which could result in hospitalization. Daniel was put on antibiotics the day he was born. He stayed on them daily for 14 months. Due to Daniel being very sick with his kidney problem he was inattentive and lethargic the majority of the time. At this time we had no idea if Daniel could hear or see, as he showed no signs of doing either. His brainwave-hearing test came back normal but we still had no idea if he could truly hear. Daniel was very sick from 3 months old until 10 months old. He could not keep food down for long, had high fevers frequently and was constantly sick. After many visits to the pediatricians and the emergency room we were still left with out any idea of what was truly making Daniel sick. (We also had no idea that facial muscle problem was called Moebius, not facial muscle paralysis.) The doctor’s could not find anything wrong with him and the idea of his body rejecting his own kidney seemed preposterous to them. After much prodding from us the doctor’s finally decided to remove Daniel’s malformed kidney. At the age of 10 months Daniel had surgery to remove his bad kidney. After the surgery Daniel became a much happier kid, proof that his body was indeed rejecting his own kidney because it did not function nor even resemble a regular kidney. He was no longer sick with fevers or vomiting and actually gained weight quicker. Since his body was no longer rejecting his own kidney, this gave Daniel more energy to be a kid. He was running and talking (a first for both of those) the day after the surgery, even at 10 months old!  After his surgery he started showing signs of hearing and seeing. To us this was amazing! His paternal grandparents honestly thought, as we did, that Daniel was really deaf and blind before the surgery. They were very worried that he was mentally retarded also but they were afraid to say anything to us about it. His behavior changed drastically after the surgery; proving that this assumption was wrong. It finally felt like we had a more normal child, although he still didn’t vocalize or blink.

At 4 months old Daniel received his very first pair of glasses. His glasses were the smallest manufactured and the smallest that LensCrafters have ever fitted for a child. Because of his Moebius (again we didn’t know this was what he had at that time), the glasses needed to have side guards, again something LensCrafters had never done for a child this young before. These side guards helped protect Daniel’s eyes from dust and debris and also helped keep his eyes moist. Due to the special circumstances, Daniel's lack of blinking and the danger to his eyes that causes, LensCrafters paid for Daniel’s first pair of glasses, custom fitted with specially designed side guards. The manager and the technician were a recognized and given an award for their hard work in helping Daniel with his glasses. They truly were a blessing. We are very thankful to them. At this time the glasses were strictly to help keep moisture in front of his eyes. They had no prescriptions in them at this time.  He wore the glasses anytime we were out of the house or when the windows were open. The prescription glasses came at 9 months old. Although his eye doctor recognized Daniel’s facial condition as Moebius we were not informed of this until Daniel was more then 2 years old. He wore glasses full-time from 9 months old until he was about 5 years old. At 5 years of age he no longer needed glasses on a daily basis. At this time he was still not a very vocal child but he was a happy one. Daniel still had no facial reflexives and very little facial muscle usage. This did not stop him though. Daniel has always been, since his surgery at 10 months old, a very energetic child who is playful and inquisitive. He has never let his Moebius get the best of him for long. He had a while, when he was about 5 or 6 when he would cry about not being able to smile. He knew, as we always told him, that God designed Daniel just the way He wants Daniel to be. God doesn’t make mistakes. Over the years Daniel has grown accustomed to his “half-smile” and will now also help encourage others that have difficulties in life.

Due to Daniel’s lack of facial muscle usage and lack of feeling in his cheeks he was a vegetarian until he was about 5 or 6 years old. (The food would get stuffed in the back of his mouth between his teeth and cheek.  He wouldn’t be able to feel it there and this caused a lot of gagging and refusal to eat on his part.) He then started to be able to chew meat enough to make it swallow-able. As he has gained, over the years, some feeling in his cheek muscles he is now able to eat almost all foods, including meats. He chooses not to eat some foods though as they are tougher for him to chew.

During this whole time Daniel’s pediatrician would not give up on finding out more information on Daniel’s condition. She took classes on facial muscle paralysis and researched Moebius extensively. Although Daniel might be the only patient she will ever have with Moebius she treated him with the best care she could give a patient. For this we are very thankful and blessed by God to have such a wonderful pediatrician.  

Daniel has outgrown his inattentiveness, his kidney problem and for the most part, his shyness. Daniel has also developed some feeling in his mouth, which has aided in his eating of foods. He has also learned, through our constant reminding for him to manually blink to keep his eyes moist, although he still has little or no blinking reflexes. As time has gone on this has become habitual for him and he does it as a subconscious "reflex". He can now smile half way when he desires and has gained some more usage of his lips. (He can even make a popping sound with his lips!!! This could never have been done when he was younger.) He still has some stomach issues due to allergies and anxieties though. He has also developed some jaw malformation due to the laxity of his jaw muscles, which will require full braces and a mouth spreader. Hopefully this treatment will prevent further problems with his jaw. If we do not get him braces Daniel will eventually require major surgery to correct the malformation of the jawbones due to the laxity of the muscles. Over all, Daniel has been - and still is - a normal, healthy, young, teenage boy that has been a blessing to us and to all those that know him. 

Daniel has always been and will always be our little Daniel in the lion's den. He has gone through trials after trials and come out unscathed just as Daniel did in the lions' den in the Scriptures. God has seen to protect our Daniel and keep him improving after all these years. Daniel is a wonderful reminder that through God all things are possible. Even though we may see a dark cloud God has a silver lining just waiting around the bend. 

We have met many people on facebook that have Moebius and this has helped encourage Daniel also. We are thankful to have met so many wonderful people.

what man will do to man........

Last night we watched tv, just Mike and myself. Thursday is supposed to be an enjoyable night of television as there are two shows we like one right after the other. We watch CSI and The Mentalist.

Although the shows are about criminals and how they get caught last night's shows we especially disturbing.
First, CSI was about a vampire and werewolf convention. Of course, someone was killed, but it was done is a very gruesome way. Then the Mentalist was about this cult called Visualize and it reminded me of the cults we have heard about in the news.

What bothered me the most is what man will do to man. In CSI, the man was killed basically because others didn't agree with his choices and who he fell in love with. So, the poor guy was brutally killed for loving someone. In The Mentalist, the cult group was not only controlling but also manipulative. A guy was shot at the end of the show, again, because he fell in love with a girl another guy liked.

This attitude I find very unsettling. who are we to take someone else's life just because we disagree with their choice of love? Who are we to decided that someone else's life is ours to take?After reading this you probably think I am anti capital punishment but that is a different story for a different time. I do agree, on some level, with capital punishment.

Man will steal, murder, cheat, lie and then try to hide it all. You may not think you are a bad person but you are. So am I. You have lied more then once, So have I. You may not have stolen anything from a store but I'm sure you have taken pens or things from work and brought it home with out permission. So have I. You may have not killed anyone but you have hurt others with your words at times. So have I. We were created in God's Image. No stealing, no lying, no cheating, no hiding it. Where have we all gone wrong? Why are we so opposite of God?

God gave us all free will. He gave us the ability of mind to pick and chose. He gave us a conscience to know what is right and what is wrong. Why do we not use these God given abilities? We, as a human race, decide to follow our own thoughts and put God's aside. Why do we do this? Because we are an arrogant species. Arrogant, prideful, self-serving, narrow-minded are just some qualities that hinder us in our relationship with God.

Ok, how does our feeling good about ourselves and having a desire to fulfill our desires stand in the way of our relationship with God? When we live like this we put ourselves first. We put ourselves in a status above God. He becomes second place, or worse yet, he's further down the list. We drive a wedge between God and ourselves with this arrogant, prideful, self-serving personality. This wedge becomes like a wall that blocks our view of Christ.

I have also been reading Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand. This book describes the life Richard who suffered under the bloody regime of the Ceausescus in Romania for 14 1/2 years on the middle of the 1900's. He tells the somber tale of Christian martyrdom in the 20th century. He paints for us the portraits of men, women, and children who suffer because they are in love with the Saviour. If only I was like that...... In my humanity, to die for another seems unrealistic. It makes no sense. How would my death benefit another? It wouldn't in anyway. But God......... Well, God's life, the life of Christ, is worth so much more then mine! His life is LIFE. His life covers all sin. His life washes us clean as clean can be. His love passes all our human understanding. To my simple human brain I still can't fully comprehend or appreciate that.

But in the heat of the moment, as they say, when push comes to shove, when it is deny Him or die, I know with all my heart, I know with out any hesitation, I know with out blinking an eye that He will sustain me. If it means I have to die rather then deny him I know He will give me the strength to do so.

Humans are a cruel, cruel race. I am ashamed at times to be part of them. To think that humans will do unspeakable things to each other in the name of feeling good about one's self. In the name of  standing up for our thoughts and opinions. In the name of because we want to. I just do not get that!!! Why do we, as the human race, feel that we can do what we want as long as we find it pleasing? Why do we feel that we deserve to get our way? We feel that if we get rid of the "higher power" then we get our own way? How self-centered!!! God made us in HIS image. Who are we to throw that away and to slap God in the face by saying He doesn't exist.
I just don't get humanity. I really don't.

I do know that I love my God in every way I can imagine.

Give me wisdom and give me grace....
To teach my children to seek your face.
                                     Amen

a horrible book

Ok, I was at the library the other day, of course, looking for a book to read. (That is what you usually get at the library right? ok, just checking) lmbo!!! Ok, I'm silly today, I get that way when I am tired. Any way I found two books that looked sort of interesting but wouldn't be totally sure until I read them. I always review books for Adam and I thought these books might be ones he would like. BOY WAS I WRONG!!! The devil sure has a way of deceiving one doesn't he?

The book I was most interested in is titled The Garden, by Elsie V. Aidinoff.  The inside jacket's description looked sort of promising.

"   The book description:

"There was a serpent, there for Eve's awakening, and for all the days since. Teacher, mentor, companion, friend, and more.
The was God, The Creator. Quick to anger. Dangerous. Majestic.
There was Adam: as God said, a joy to behold.
And there was Eve.
These four hold the future in their hands. And only Eve -- or perhaps the Serpent, too -- wonders what lies outside the Garden of Eden. Passionate, witty, beautifully drawn, and utterly unforgettable, The Garden, a debut novel, remakes and offers insights into a story that forms the cornerstone of our understanding.  "

It doesn't sound so bad, right? Well, WRONG!

The book actually makes Eve out to be a strong willed, simple child who developed into a strong willed, independent woman who is not submissive to anyone, least of all to God.. Adam is portrayed to be a pawn in God's hands and a simple minded boy. The Serpent, is not Satan yet in this book, but rather God's helper in raising Adam and Eve. God raises Adam and the Serpent raises Eve. In this book, procreation was the main goal of creating humankind and God is a demanding and angry old man who only thinks of himself and his pleasure. God, in this book, forces Adam unwillingly have forced sex with eve, in a sense raping her. all this just to satisfy his own curiosity. The Serpent actually tried to reason with Adam and Eve about not eating the apple. The whole story is opposite to the Biblical records. I did not read the whole story as I was disgusted after only page two. I did however, skim the book to get the just of the story line before I condemn it completely.

Like I said, I was actually reviewing this book for a possibility for Adam to listen to. He will NOT be reading this book ever if I have anything to say about it! I know I won't have that right when he is an adult but for now, he reads what I approve of.

This book threw me for a loop as it was not what I expected. The attitudes of the characters were unimaginably messed up. It makes me stop and think of how easy it is for Satan to confuse us and make us question the Biblical accounts. Are they true? how do we know if they are really true? can we prove it?

All these questions can float in your mind at one time or another. This book just encourages that thinking. It is disgusting! It just goes to show that you need to be vigilant and watchful in all you do. Watch what you children watch, read what they read, befriend their friends, listen to their music. You are not a friend to your kid, you are their guidance, their conscience, their parent. in this day and age parents need to act more like parents instead of self absorbed people. If you want to be self absorbed you shouldn't have kids!
God gave these kids to you to raise. They really are His children, whom he loaned us for the time being. We are responsible for the way they are raised. Will you raise them in the way of the Lord? or in your way?
I do not mean to be so bold and bossy ubt I do mean to tell the truth. Please do not be mad at me. :)

I love books but some books need to be burned! This is one of them.

things that bug me to no end

Ok, maybe it's not really "things" that bug me but rather one thing in particular. My hearing. I am technically "borderline" hearing impaired in both ears due to genetic reasons. As a result, over time my hearing will slowly get worse and worse. Not that I mind that. It is what it is, a fact of life. Yeah, it sucks but lots of things on this Earth does so, to me, it's just one more thing.
What bothers me the most about it is the fact that some tv shows say they have closed captions but the typing is messed up. I don't mean a few words are messed up here and there but all the words are screwed up so badly that I cannot follow the story line. That wouldn't be so bad if television shows had a level volume but no, they have to be loud then quiet then loud then quiet... or the show's background noise is so loud that you can't make out the dialogue.
I watch some shows, like Dr. Who, that have this particular problem. I love watching Dr. Who but sometimes, like tonight it's just not worth it. I can hear some of the dialogue but not enough to actually follow the story line well enough to understand the plot line.
It's not even just tv. The movie theaters, certain people's voice, sounds the car makes, I can't hear a lot of things that my husband and my kids point out to me. It really irks me to no end!
I know you probably are thinking so? Just go get hearing aides, problem fixed, right? Well, problem fixed if we could afford it right now. With my youngest needing braces, homeschooling both kids, needing to get a newer car soon, all the dental work I seem to need frequently, and all the other day to day bills hearing aides are not a priority.
Just once, I wish money didn't matter.
I try not to use this blog as a complaint forum but tonight I just can't help it. 
Thanks for listening.

garage sales - my musings for today

What a gorgeous day it is today. Rochester weather can be very annoying but not today. :) The weather is sunny but not too cool and not too breezy. The air felt great on our walk this morning...... :) I am not usually one to compliment the weather as I usually have not much of an opinion one way or the either. I like snow, don't mind driving in it but I hate that is is sooooooooo cold though! It is really pretty how it covers all the ugliness man kind has made on the earth.... I love the summer but I hate the sticky humidity that comes along with the heat. The spring is usually rainy and that is a good thing for our plants and crops. However, it is not so great for our moods. One can only take so many of those gloomy overcast spring days. The fall is probably my favorite season if I had to pick one. In the fall the weather is brisk, not too cold yet and still sunny most of the time. The air is filled with wonderful harvest scents; apple pies, pumpkins, spices, and so many other wonderful things. The farmer markets are still open and are selling eggplant, squash, corn, tomatoes, apples, mmmmm all the yummy things........ :)
The one thing I do not like at all about the fall is the darkness that creeps, all to fast, into our days. The sun rises later, sets earlier, the clouds are usually darker then in the spring, and people are usually busier and aggitated. So many people get so agitated over stupid things.
Like the holidays, I mean come on! We are celebrating wonderful things; the first Thanksgiving and the birth of our Saviour, so why do we get so agitated?
Mankind takes simple things, like taking pleasure in thanking our God, and turns it into such a huge commercialized event. You have the decorations. You have the food, and lots of it! You have the parades. You have the family and friend get togethers. you have the football games. My question is what in the world do any of these things have to do with Thanking God and celebrating His birth? Nothing! That is right nothing!!!  LOL... But we get so wrapped up in our traditions and our holidays that we loose sight of the reason for the season.
As a side note, I hate that saying at Christmas time, Jesus is the Reason for the Season. I know it is VERY, VERY TRUE but what I hate about it is has become a gimmick. It has become common saying through the Christian and Catholic communities that is really has lost it's meaning. I don't think we should stop saying it, I just think we should really appreciate the fact that it is true and mean every word  of it every time we say it.
Ok, back to what I was saying. The other thing I love about fall is the garage sales. Garage sales are so neat to go to because you can find so many nice things that other people no longer want. I have gotten some great bargains at garage sales. Hosting a garage sale however, can be a chore in itself. You have to sift through the things you have to find what you want to get rid of or what you no longer use or need. It is a great time to "clean house" and make room for things you do need and desire. Cleaning house makes life so much nicer to live. It makes your apartment or house more of a home and not just a place to live and sleep.
That got me thinking of where Jesus lives. I know that I need to do some cleaning up of my heart for Him to live comfortably there. (Not that I would want to have a garage sale from the things I need to get rid of in there because I would not want anyone to be bothered with my sins and have it stand in their way of a good relationship with Christ.) The idea of cleaning house has great merit though.
So what things do I need to get rid of to make Jesus' place of residence (IE: my heart) more comfortable for Him? hhhmmmm. I don't have to take much time to think this one thru. The things that have taken up my time and kept me from spending time with Him, those things need to go. If they can't go, (and I cannot stop doing them, such as my job) then I have to make them take a back burner to Christ. No matter what we do in life, it can be done for the Glory of the Lord if our hearts are right. No, I do not mean stealing or adultery can be done for the glory of the Lord for those are sins and He will have no part of them. What I mean is that is we wash cars or clean toilets we can do it to the best of our ability and in that we are glorifying the Lord with our hard work. We are to attribute all our work to Him, for without Him we would have nothing. If it is running a company, running a church of just fixing cars, prayer should be the first and foremost thing on our minds. Keeping our eyes on the Lord will help us keep our jobs being done well.
So, as you go about your day, keep your eyes focused on Him.
God Bless, Trisha