So, I know this can be a rather trivial subject to most people, and it to me most of the time-- but there is a small piece to the subject that can tend to get under my skin and even hurt me personally. Let me see if I can articulate it well enough to make sense! Here we go...
We all can usually tell when someone send us a "bulk text" meaning the person who sent it to you also sent it to many other recipients. Most of the time we receive them during the holidays that simply read, "Merry Christmas". Sometimes you receive them randomly, out of the blue, from one of your contacts that is having an awfully long, boring day that simply asks, "what's up?". Now, just to make it clear, I am not speaking about these types of texts. A lot of those texts go unanswered, and that's okay because most of the time people aren't expecting an answer back. The texts that I am addressing in this post are the bulk texts to many people that legitimately need answering back.
About four years ago I was moving from one house to another in the same city. I didn't have much help from family, because I am lacking in numbers in the category here, where I live. I also did not have a truck, but only my small SUV which can hold a considerable amount but not much in the way of furniture. I needed some assistance getting my bed, desk, dresser and random other things to my new house. So, I decided to send out a bulk text to all of my friends in the valley to see if anyone was willing and able to help. I sent the same text to about 30 people that read something like, "Hello friends! I am moving to a new place out on Tammany and I need some help getting a few loads over there because my car isn't big enough to haul everything. Is anyone available to help? Thanks!". I figured I would get a reasonable amount of responses since I sent it to so many people.... Guess how many people responded back? TWO. Now, let me state that again, TWO people RESPONDED back. Not two people said they were willing to help, while to other people texted back and said they weren't available. No, only TWO people RESPONDED back to the text. Meaning the other 28 didn't. That's a lot of people not to respond back! Now I know it's easy to brush a bulk text off because you think, "hey, if I don't respond she won't notice because I know she sent this to all of her contacts... ya da, ya da, ya da.". But when EVERYONE thinks that same thing it leaves the sender feeling really small and insignificant. I understand if you're at work and can't answer. I understand if you're in class and didn't have your phone on. I understand if you're driving and can't answer right away. I understand if you're busy and can't help. But what I don't understand is not answering back at all. Period. Not only did I not get a response right away from those said 28 people, but I didn't get any other answers at all. Ever. None. And I will let you in on a secret... I wasn't mad at these 28 people-- I was hurt. We live in a culture today that feels the need to offer assistance but is perfectly okay with not following through with the offer. We don't like to be "tied down" to a specific date and time to be somewhere. We should kiss RSVP's goodbye because nobody answers those!
Now, let me state that I am not holding a grudge against those 28 people, it was a long time ago and I have obviously gotten over the issue, I was simply using it as an example. Furthermore, let me also state, that I am guilty of this bad texting etiquette too. I have been one of those many recipients that hasn't answered back to important bulk texts (mainly thinking of you Carrie Jo, if you're reading this!), forgiveness please! I am very sorry. I know how frustrating and hurtful it can be.
The moral of the story is: if your friend send you a text asking a question, asking for help or expressing something of importance, don't just blow it off because you're sure it's a bulk text and your not answering will go unnoticed-- because chances are, it won't. The sender does know exactly who they are sending the message to. It's usually to a small group of really close friends. Lets not just take the back seat with the rest of society where it's okay to blow your friends off when you aren't face to face with them. Or by offer help to a friend but not following through. If you are a close friend to someone, that automatically states that you are willing to help them when asked or at least let them know you aren't available at the moment. It also states that you hold them in a higher esteem than people you don't know or acquaintances, therefore they deserve your answer, even in bulk text form. Be the friend that someone can count on, even if it's just a text saying you'd love to help but you don't have time. An unanswered text can say a lot of hurtful things. A small, simple answer to a text can keep the peace in a relationship.
So, there is my two cents on the matter. Don't take it too seriously or go too in-depth with it, just ponder it and move on (=
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Side lined
It's almost Christmas! It's crazy how fast this year went. Our family had a few big milestones this year: we bought a house, moved and had our second baby! Marek Roman Olson joined us November 5th (= We feel very blessed for all of these wonderful gifts.
So, along with Christmas coming we are all plagued with the same thing every year: sickness. As much as we try to avoid it, it seems it finds it's way into our home at least once during the winter season. Not fun but it's part of life. As a new parent (my oldest is 18 months so I think that still puts me in the "new parent" category to most people) I have been noticing a trend. Not a good trend, mind you. I have taken notice to how many kids/toddlers/infants are sick. And the reason I have taken notice to this fact is because they are in the grocery stores, at Christmas parties, on their way to school, at my chiropractor's office, in the nursery at church, etc. Now, correct me if I am wrong but it use to be a common rule of thumb that if you or one of your family member's was sick you STAYED HOME. At least when I was growing up it was common courtesy to not attend functions, that weren't mandatory to attend, if you were sick. Yeah, I know, what a party-pooper I am, but really? I thought that was just common sense to the average adult. If you or your child is sick then they don't get to join in the fun. Now I don't mean it as a punishment for you or your child but to be polite to all the other NOT sick people. It's very selfish and rude to go somewhere like a party or grocery store if you or your child is sick. What you're stating is, "my eggs are more important to me than you and your child's health" or, "my entertainment and social life are important to me, so even though I am sick (or your child is), I am still going to attend. Sorry if you get sick the next day, but really I'm not." Now you may not really think either of those things but it's the principle of the matter. Why would expose the healthy people to your sick family? Don't share the suffering, trust me, nobody wants to share in your wealth of runny noses and coughing.
Our family has decided to stay home from a lot of functions this winter due to the amount of sick people out and about. There has been a nasty bug going around that is causing major sinus infections and pneumonia in some serious cases (I was acquainted with someone who just lost their 14 month old to sudden, onset pneumonia, prayers for them are needed). So, please, for the sake of other people, stay home if you are sick-- we all know how hard it is to have a sick child, and even more so if you have more than one child.
Wishing you all a happy New Year as 2013 comes to a close!
So, along with Christmas coming we are all plagued with the same thing every year: sickness. As much as we try to avoid it, it seems it finds it's way into our home at least once during the winter season. Not fun but it's part of life. As a new parent (my oldest is 18 months so I think that still puts me in the "new parent" category to most people) I have been noticing a trend. Not a good trend, mind you. I have taken notice to how many kids/toddlers/infants are sick. And the reason I have taken notice to this fact is because they are in the grocery stores, at Christmas parties, on their way to school, at my chiropractor's office, in the nursery at church, etc. Now, correct me if I am wrong but it use to be a common rule of thumb that if you or one of your family member's was sick you STAYED HOME. At least when I was growing up it was common courtesy to not attend functions, that weren't mandatory to attend, if you were sick. Yeah, I know, what a party-pooper I am, but really? I thought that was just common sense to the average adult. If you or your child is sick then they don't get to join in the fun. Now I don't mean it as a punishment for you or your child but to be polite to all the other NOT sick people. It's very selfish and rude to go somewhere like a party or grocery store if you or your child is sick. What you're stating is, "my eggs are more important to me than you and your child's health" or, "my entertainment and social life are important to me, so even though I am sick (or your child is), I am still going to attend. Sorry if you get sick the next day, but really I'm not." Now you may not really think either of those things but it's the principle of the matter. Why would expose the healthy people to your sick family? Don't share the suffering, trust me, nobody wants to share in your wealth of runny noses and coughing.
Our family has decided to stay home from a lot of functions this winter due to the amount of sick people out and about. There has been a nasty bug going around that is causing major sinus infections and pneumonia in some serious cases (I was acquainted with someone who just lost their 14 month old to sudden, onset pneumonia, prayers for them are needed). So, please, for the sake of other people, stay home if you are sick-- we all know how hard it is to have a sick child, and even more so if you have more than one child.
Wishing you all a happy New Year as 2013 comes to a close!
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Reboot
Alright. One word. Reboot.
I think it's time to give this blog a face life, not for my readers (who are many *cough*) but for myself. I need to find a topic that I feel I can write about regularly. So it obviously needs be something that matters to me, hence the new name. From hence forth, I am going to try to write about manners and things that should matter to the common man. This does not mean that I don't need to work on a few things or need critiquing, but it's something that I notice a lot and I feel it could be used as a tool for myself as well, more of a reflective tool. Wish me luck fellow patrons. Cheers!
I think it's time to give this blog a face life, not for my readers (who are many *cough*) but for myself. I need to find a topic that I feel I can write about regularly. So it obviously needs be something that matters to me, hence the new name. From hence forth, I am going to try to write about manners and things that should matter to the common man. This does not mean that I don't need to work on a few things or need critiquing, but it's something that I notice a lot and I feel it could be used as a tool for myself as well, more of a reflective tool. Wish me luck fellow patrons. Cheers!
Friday, June 7, 2013
to speak or not to speak?
Oh my, my, my... There are several things I could write about today. Much has happened that there are a few really important topics I could address. The one that is newest on my mind is eating at me the most though.
This can be a very touchy subject for someone in my position... I would like to address the topic of older women and what they talk and tell younger women. Since I haven't been married for a long duration, nor am I an older aged woman, nor am I filled with tons of wisdom, but I do feel I can address just this particular subject...bare with me you older, wiser women-- if I am out of line or off, please correct me!
Titus 2 explains what our role is as wives and mother, "that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." (Titus 2: 3-5). I love this scripture, it's the scripture of my life right now because this is the area of my life I am in. It is something I will continue to learn and build towards until I pass away to be with the Father. I pray I will do my duty as a mother to love my children and teach them ways of God as I should..
So, I just recently was told of an event, an ongoing event in someone's life, an unfortunate, hard, un-Godly event... It something this person has to over come with the help of God. When I talked to his wife I recommended a book to her to read because it addressed this particular topic. Now obviously not everyone is going to agree with everything someone says, I don't even agree with everything in the book, but the book has changed my life tremendously, for the better! It's up lifting and God glorifying! It's challenging. It's a life changing book because it reflects the Word of God. I had given her this book for a wedding gift-- sadly, she informed me that an older woman, whom she trusts completely, discouraged her to not read the book at all... I was crushed, not personally, but for her and her lack of unwillingness; because some woman who didn't agree with something entirely discouraged a young woman from reading something that could have really helped her in this situation. This book was completely dedicated to God and spoke the truth on so many topics, pages and pages of scripture and commentary affirming the Word of God.
I want to encourage any woman, before giving advise and handing over wisdom that you be sure that it is sound and biblical and not personal. Don't discourage young women from read, listening or hearing anything over something personal and petty. I know I am so quick to criticize and give advise on topics often and sometimes wished I had held my tongue. We all have our personal likes and dislikes but we NEED to remember to have grace for one another and think about what we advise someone on-- really question our motives and reasoning and ask ourselves: is this biblical? Is this God's Truth? Am I over critical of people and beliefs? Is this a personal distastefulness or a Godly one?...
We can either uplift, encourage and help one another or we can smother, discourage and lead one another astray. Let's work on thinking before we speak on topics so important to life, marriage and Truth.
This can be a very touchy subject for someone in my position... I would like to address the topic of older women and what they talk and tell younger women. Since I haven't been married for a long duration, nor am I an older aged woman, nor am I filled with tons of wisdom, but I do feel I can address just this particular subject...bare with me you older, wiser women-- if I am out of line or off, please correct me!
Titus 2 explains what our role is as wives and mother, "that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." (Titus 2: 3-5). I love this scripture, it's the scripture of my life right now because this is the area of my life I am in. It is something I will continue to learn and build towards until I pass away to be with the Father. I pray I will do my duty as a mother to love my children and teach them ways of God as I should..
So, I just recently was told of an event, an ongoing event in someone's life, an unfortunate, hard, un-Godly event... It something this person has to over come with the help of God. When I talked to his wife I recommended a book to her to read because it addressed this particular topic. Now obviously not everyone is going to agree with everything someone says, I don't even agree with everything in the book, but the book has changed my life tremendously, for the better! It's up lifting and God glorifying! It's challenging. It's a life changing book because it reflects the Word of God. I had given her this book for a wedding gift-- sadly, she informed me that an older woman, whom she trusts completely, discouraged her to not read the book at all... I was crushed, not personally, but for her and her lack of unwillingness; because some woman who didn't agree with something entirely discouraged a young woman from reading something that could have really helped her in this situation. This book was completely dedicated to God and spoke the truth on so many topics, pages and pages of scripture and commentary affirming the Word of God.
I want to encourage any woman, before giving advise and handing over wisdom that you be sure that it is sound and biblical and not personal. Don't discourage young women from read, listening or hearing anything over something personal and petty. I know I am so quick to criticize and give advise on topics often and sometimes wished I had held my tongue. We all have our personal likes and dislikes but we NEED to remember to have grace for one another and think about what we advise someone on-- really question our motives and reasoning and ask ourselves: is this biblical? Is this God's Truth? Am I over critical of people and beliefs? Is this a personal distastefulness or a Godly one?...
We can either uplift, encourage and help one another or we can smother, discourage and lead one another astray. Let's work on thinking before we speak on topics so important to life, marriage and Truth.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
a birthday week
Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband today!
He's at work today but we celebrated on Tuesday night with a big group of friends! So, if you don't know, we live in a tiny one bedroom basement apartment and I think we had 27 people crammed in here!! We loved it!! We ate pizza, salad, veggies, chips, hot wings...and lots of drinks! Thanks everyone for providing the extra food! We had a big stack of pizza boxes outside our door the next morning! It looked like all we ate was pizza!! Lucas and I really had a good time, we don't mind being crunched in a small space with people we love. It was great being able to see everyone and fellowship with other believers (= Oh, and for future parties for all you ladies, I have found the secret to having a nice clean house after a big party with food-- hold the party in a smaller room and/or don't have places for people to set stuff down! Since our apartment is so small and we had so many people packed in here there was no room for people to set down there plates, etc. So, everyone threw their trash away! So, literally we had hardly any clean up from the party! We put some chairs back in place and threw away three cups, that was IT! Since we used all disposable plates and cups all I had was a small sink of silverware to do. It was amazing!
So, we've had a really nice week so far (= There has been one thing on my mind though. I posted a pro-life picture on my Facebook and I had a gal I was acquainted with start a conversation about it. She's a pro-choice-er so it obviously turned more into a debate than a discussion. I was trying to logically explain my view and she was doing the same-- but we would never see eye to eye. I was very disturbed by the conversation for most of the duration of it (it was a conversation that lasted a few days). I couldn't tell if I was disturbed by her exactly or by the lies she had been hearing and telling herself. Since she isn't a believer she is under no obligation to follow scripture or morality, so I wasn't upset with her about that, but I think I was sad for her mainly, not like I pitied her, but genuinely sad for her. Living under the idea that there are no consequences for your actions sounds great to anyone, but after so long living like that guilt creeps up behind you and starts to take you apart piece by piece. Bitterness starts eating you heart away. I think we've all seen this in someone to some degree. The only thing I can do for her is pray, so I've been prayer for her all week. It's amazing how prayer can calm the soul and mind. I pray that when the moment comes when God knocks at the door of her heart that she would answer-- that someone would come into her life that was encouraging and knows the Truth to help start guiding her in a Godly direction. God says to pray for our enemies, I did and he calmed my spirit. The greatest part about the great commission is it's not our job to save people. I used to be under the illusion that it was-- that's God's job. My job is to show people that we all have a fatal disease (sin) and the only way to cure it is through the gospel (Jesus)-- after that my job is done. It's between them and God then.
He's at work today but we celebrated on Tuesday night with a big group of friends! So, if you don't know, we live in a tiny one bedroom basement apartment and I think we had 27 people crammed in here!! We loved it!! We ate pizza, salad, veggies, chips, hot wings...and lots of drinks! Thanks everyone for providing the extra food! We had a big stack of pizza boxes outside our door the next morning! It looked like all we ate was pizza!! Lucas and I really had a good time, we don't mind being crunched in a small space with people we love. It was great being able to see everyone and fellowship with other believers (= Oh, and for future parties for all you ladies, I have found the secret to having a nice clean house after a big party with food-- hold the party in a smaller room and/or don't have places for people to set stuff down! Since our apartment is so small and we had so many people packed in here there was no room for people to set down there plates, etc. So, everyone threw their trash away! So, literally we had hardly any clean up from the party! We put some chairs back in place and threw away three cups, that was IT! Since we used all disposable plates and cups all I had was a small sink of silverware to do. It was amazing!
So, we've had a really nice week so far (= There has been one thing on my mind though. I posted a pro-life picture on my Facebook and I had a gal I was acquainted with start a conversation about it. She's a pro-choice-er so it obviously turned more into a debate than a discussion. I was trying to logically explain my view and she was doing the same-- but we would never see eye to eye. I was very disturbed by the conversation for most of the duration of it (it was a conversation that lasted a few days). I couldn't tell if I was disturbed by her exactly or by the lies she had been hearing and telling herself. Since she isn't a believer she is under no obligation to follow scripture or morality, so I wasn't upset with her about that, but I think I was sad for her mainly, not like I pitied her, but genuinely sad for her. Living under the idea that there are no consequences for your actions sounds great to anyone, but after so long living like that guilt creeps up behind you and starts to take you apart piece by piece. Bitterness starts eating you heart away. I think we've all seen this in someone to some degree. The only thing I can do for her is pray, so I've been prayer for her all week. It's amazing how prayer can calm the soul and mind. I pray that when the moment comes when God knocks at the door of her heart that she would answer-- that someone would come into her life that was encouraging and knows the Truth to help start guiding her in a Godly direction. God says to pray for our enemies, I did and he calmed my spirit. The greatest part about the great commission is it's not our job to save people. I used to be under the illusion that it was-- that's God's job. My job is to show people that we all have a fatal disease (sin) and the only way to cure it is through the gospel (Jesus)-- after that my job is done. It's between them and God then.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
a small political piece-- beware of strong conservative-ism.
I don't know about you, but I am really getting tired of this gun scare-- the federal government is pushing so hard on this one issue, like they always do. They usually end up moving forward a bit but never get as far as they want... Next they'll come after the home-schoolers and families (again). Anyone who doesn't believe they have a socialist agenda is either really dull or simply chooses to look away, either way, it's their responsibility. It's very sad to see the world I grew up in slowly crumble, I know my children will not grow up in the same world and hurts my heart. But we still have so much to look forward to. With this gun push the conservative states are taking a stand simply telling D.C. that we will not follow unconstitutional laws anymore, and the liberal states are handing over their freedoms because they think it will make them more "safe" and make America more "peaceful". Well, it didn't really work for the Jewish people of Germany did it? They complied and then were mass murdered by their leaders... Let's not be so naive America-- people are evil and want power and money, simple as that, and with leaders who have no moral ground or obligation that's what will flourish....evil. So, maybe, just maybe the United States of America will fall, but the continent won't fall apart, maybe we'll have what the South wanted during the Civil War, freedom from a federal government and just a government that governs just the State, then people can pick and choose what laws they want to live by... Interesting thought. Anyways, Lucas and I aren't worried at this point-- we are staying alert and informed but we are not shaking in our boots...we still have a lot of ground to walk on and we definitely live in one of the best states in America! Go Idaho! We will be one of the last states standing! God sees all and is in control, ALWAYS! They can't take our freedoms if we don't give them up! And to end with my husband's favorite saying, "Molon Labe" : Come and take them!
Monday, March 4, 2013
:: random thoughts ::
Ahhh...life is moving quickly, it's hard to keep up sometimes. Malcolm is growing like a weed, he'll be nine months on the 19th! And another little one is in the making...whoops! Spilled the beans =) Yes, I am pregnant! I'm about 6 weeks along and my due date is somewhere in mid-October (I think). It's very exciting. We were hoping to move so we could have some more space, as we are in a one bedroom, basement apartment-- but I don't think that's going to happen right away, we need to stay put for a bit; we just got out of debt and we don't need a rent that's almost twice as much as ours now, that would be very taxing on us again and we just got some wiggle room! God is good, and we still have A LOT to be thankful for in this hobbit hole of ours =) Well, this week on the agenda we have: grocery shopping, cleaning (always!), a potluck dinner with friends, a rehearsal dinner and wedding... those are a few of the big ones. So, I know this post doesn't shout excitement, nor does it have a hidden message, it was just about our daily lives... Hope I didn't bore you too badly! My next one should be better! Have a blessed and joy filled day!
Monday, February 25, 2013
Scrabble
The other evening we were at my in-laws. I was having a conversation with my FIL (father-in-law) at about 10:30 at night. We were talking about bachelor parties and how they usually are fairly lame because guys just can't seem to figure out what to do when no gals are around! At, least that's what FIL said! He made an analogy about it, he said, "it's like playing a game of Scrabble with only vowels, it's hard, lame and ends quickly." I found that interesting... I thought about it for a bit and then mentioned to him that his analogy was quite good! Men are like vowels and women are like consonants! Vowels are crucial to our language, without them our language would cease to exists! Without them we couldn't speak, write, rhyme... We need them! They are our staples in our language... Like men are, without them things don't function! They are our leaders, protectors, bread winners, our rocks. Now women are like the consonants, they give our language uniqueness and flair! They are all very different but compliment each other very well! They are the second most important things in our vocabulary! The consonants is what keeps language moving; like women, women keep things moving, up to speed. And we are very unique and colorful! And together with the vowels we are beautiful! Just a thought... =)
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Catching Up ^^
Hello all! I know it's been forever, life has been moving so fast! Let me update you on our life!
Here is what my days are filled with now: taking care of our eight month old son, cleaning, picking up toys, laundry, dishes...repeat! That's right, we had our first baby on June 19th, 2012 (which was our two year anniversary!). It was such a gift for our anniversary! Malcolm Israel Olson was born at 6:25 am, 7 pounds, 19.5 inches long. We had a lovely home-birth with the assistance of a mid-wife. I wouldn't change anything about it! He was beautiful and perfect, ten fingers, ten toes, and a head full of dark brown hair (it's an ashy blonde now, though!). We thank God daily for our little boy even though he can be quite a handful sometimes! He babbles a lot saying, "dada, mama, baba, gaga...and many other un-typable words!
So, this also means I am a stay-at-home wife and mama! I left my job at Sherwin-Williams in May of last year. I loved the four years I was there, great job, but I love my job now more, and it's far more important! Lucas works as a goldsmith for a local jewelry store here in town and it's a wonderful job for him. He gets to use his trade he went to school for and works with some awesome people. A lot better atmosphere than the pawn shop he worked at previously!
So, let's see if I can stay up to date better with this...cross your fingers!
Here is what my days are filled with now: taking care of our eight month old son, cleaning, picking up toys, laundry, dishes...repeat! That's right, we had our first baby on June 19th, 2012 (which was our two year anniversary!). It was such a gift for our anniversary! Malcolm Israel Olson was born at 6:25 am, 7 pounds, 19.5 inches long. We had a lovely home-birth with the assistance of a mid-wife. I wouldn't change anything about it! He was beautiful and perfect, ten fingers, ten toes, and a head full of dark brown hair (it's an ashy blonde now, though!). We thank God daily for our little boy even though he can be quite a handful sometimes! He babbles a lot saying, "dada, mama, baba, gaga...and many other un-typable words!
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| Malcolm a few days old! |
So, let's see if I can stay up to date better with this...cross your fingers!
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| Around 3 month old. |
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| He's quiet distracted by the noise I am making! |
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| Having a blast after swimming at Elk Creek Falls. |
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| All ready for bed in his army jumper! |
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| Enjoying his Bumbo. |
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| Time for a walk in the cold winter night. |
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| Out for a picnic with some friends. |
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| Mum time! |
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| Three generations! |
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| [days filled with joy] |
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| Daddy time! |
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| Swing time, he hate his swing! |
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| Dad's solution to keep him on the couch since he is mobile now! |
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| toys & slobber =) |
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| He looks like a Bailey here! |
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Women vs. Men
In this post I want to talk about something that is a bit personal to me. It's also something I've struggled with since I can remember...
My parents divorced when I was three years old (no, this isn't a sob story about my parent being divorced!). My Dad recieved full custody of me and my brother for various reason. I saw my Mom here and there but she definitely wasn't around regularly, nor could I rely on her for anything because she didn't have custody of us... Now let me make this clear before I get into this; I have a good relationship with my Mum now, I had to get over a lot and forgive a lot from things passed.. I have and I love my Mum and do not want to dishonor her in any way, but I do have tell you my feelings when I was younger to get my point across. Now that we have that established that, let me get back to the point... So, my Dad raised me; it was just my Dad, my brother and me for nine years together. Coincidently I ended up feeling more comfortable around boys and men than girls and women. Plus, as I got older I had trust issues with women because of my Mum, I felt she didn't want us and didn't want to be involved in our lives. I felt like she ran away from her reponsibilty... Once I turned 12 my Dad married again, she was our Step Mother for eight years. So, all through my junior high and high school years she was around. We were close in some instances but she already had two kids of her own so she never came too close, if you can understand that. Now the other part of this story is when I became a Christian-- before I was a Christian I had a few very close girlfriends. I did everything with these girls and we went through a lot together. Once I became a Christian (when I was 15) our relationships changed. We still stayed friends but I had different morals then they did and there were certain things I wouldn't do or say. So, my weekends became filled with work instead of spending time with my friends because I didn't party, etc. I'm not trying to sound like a saint or better than them, I'm just explaining that we had different priorities and motives in things. My life was starting to become very lonely.. And once I graduated and moved to Lewiston I didn't hear from anyone back at home. The whole summer after high school I spent my time at work or with my brother. All the girls that had been in my life were gone. I felt very alone and spent my time praying for some real friends.. God answered my prayers by putting me in a church that had a good sized 'college group', but I unfortunetly only answered His gift half way.. I have met some amazing girls that are apart of that college group at my home church but sadly I was so afraid of getting close to girls again, thinking they would all leave, I kept them at an arms length away. I had been hurt by so many fickle women before that I felt that if I didn't get too close then I couldn't get hurt-- but then I just ended up hurting myself because of it. To put the cherry on top of it all, in 2010, right when I was getting married my Dad and Step Mom were going through a divorce. I haven't seen her since my wedding day. I wasn't all that surprised and honestly, not that hurt because parts of my heart are so closed and cold that sometimes they just don't even feel...and let me just say that I am NOT proud of that last statement. It's not a good place to be, I'd rather cry my eyes out for weeks than not feel anything. I want to wear my heart on my sleeve and not hide it in a lead box, buried under ten feet of dirt, but sadly that's where it's ended up...at least in this area of life.
So, the real point of of this post is not to point fingers at those who have wronged me but to look in the mirror at myself and say to anyone who wants to hear: I am a bad friend. I don't know how to be a good friend, not because of a lack of effort but because of a lack of heart. I hate the fact that I can carry on a conversation with the guys I have in my life for hours and can hardly have a conversation with ANY of the girls I know, including my Mum and sisters-in-law. I hate the fact that the only conversations I have with women at church here in Lewiston or in Kamiah or anywhere else are the generic conversations about what's going on in life and the weather. What I truly want and long for with the gals in my life is deep conversations, phone calls just to say hi, sharing: stories,struggles, heart aches, joys, even conversations about nothing that we can laugh at later! I want to be able to hold a girlfriends hand like sisters do and not feel afraid that she feels awkward or uncomfortable. I want to be able to call a girlfriend up bawling about nothing, just because I'm sad and vice versa! I want to be able to go shopping with a girlfriend and try on ridiculous outfits just because we want to! *Sigh* but I am too afraid to offer any of that because I'm afraid of rejection. And I just don't know how to share my heart... I don't know how to not hold someone at an arms length away. So, for anyone gal who reads this I just want to say I'm sorry. I don't know how to be a friend anymore and I see and understand why you wouldn't want me as a close friend. I pray to God that He can teach me to open up my heart to the women around me and teach me to be a good friend again... Please pray for me.
Yours Truly,
Tessa O.
My parents divorced when I was three years old (no, this isn't a sob story about my parent being divorced!). My Dad recieved full custody of me and my brother for various reason. I saw my Mom here and there but she definitely wasn't around regularly, nor could I rely on her for anything because she didn't have custody of us... Now let me make this clear before I get into this; I have a good relationship with my Mum now, I had to get over a lot and forgive a lot from things passed.. I have and I love my Mum and do not want to dishonor her in any way, but I do have tell you my feelings when I was younger to get my point across. Now that we have that established that, let me get back to the point... So, my Dad raised me; it was just my Dad, my brother and me for nine years together. Coincidently I ended up feeling more comfortable around boys and men than girls and women. Plus, as I got older I had trust issues with women because of my Mum, I felt she didn't want us and didn't want to be involved in our lives. I felt like she ran away from her reponsibilty... Once I turned 12 my Dad married again, she was our Step Mother for eight years. So, all through my junior high and high school years she was around. We were close in some instances but she already had two kids of her own so she never came too close, if you can understand that. Now the other part of this story is when I became a Christian-- before I was a Christian I had a few very close girlfriends. I did everything with these girls and we went through a lot together. Once I became a Christian (when I was 15) our relationships changed. We still stayed friends but I had different morals then they did and there were certain things I wouldn't do or say. So, my weekends became filled with work instead of spending time with my friends because I didn't party, etc. I'm not trying to sound like a saint or better than them, I'm just explaining that we had different priorities and motives in things. My life was starting to become very lonely.. And once I graduated and moved to Lewiston I didn't hear from anyone back at home. The whole summer after high school I spent my time at work or with my brother. All the girls that had been in my life were gone. I felt very alone and spent my time praying for some real friends.. God answered my prayers by putting me in a church that had a good sized 'college group', but I unfortunetly only answered His gift half way.. I have met some amazing girls that are apart of that college group at my home church but sadly I was so afraid of getting close to girls again, thinking they would all leave, I kept them at an arms length away. I had been hurt by so many fickle women before that I felt that if I didn't get too close then I couldn't get hurt-- but then I just ended up hurting myself because of it. To put the cherry on top of it all, in 2010, right when I was getting married my Dad and Step Mom were going through a divorce. I haven't seen her since my wedding day. I wasn't all that surprised and honestly, not that hurt because parts of my heart are so closed and cold that sometimes they just don't even feel...and let me just say that I am NOT proud of that last statement. It's not a good place to be, I'd rather cry my eyes out for weeks than not feel anything. I want to wear my heart on my sleeve and not hide it in a lead box, buried under ten feet of dirt, but sadly that's where it's ended up...at least in this area of life.
So, the real point of of this post is not to point fingers at those who have wronged me but to look in the mirror at myself and say to anyone who wants to hear: I am a bad friend. I don't know how to be a good friend, not because of a lack of effort but because of a lack of heart. I hate the fact that I can carry on a conversation with the guys I have in my life for hours and can hardly have a conversation with ANY of the girls I know, including my Mum and sisters-in-law. I hate the fact that the only conversations I have with women at church here in Lewiston or in Kamiah or anywhere else are the generic conversations about what's going on in life and the weather. What I truly want and long for with the gals in my life is deep conversations, phone calls just to say hi, sharing: stories,struggles, heart aches, joys, even conversations about nothing that we can laugh at later! I want to be able to hold a girlfriends hand like sisters do and not feel afraid that she feels awkward or uncomfortable. I want to be able to call a girlfriend up bawling about nothing, just because I'm sad and vice versa! I want to be able to go shopping with a girlfriend and try on ridiculous outfits just because we want to! *Sigh* but I am too afraid to offer any of that because I'm afraid of rejection. And I just don't know how to share my heart... I don't know how to not hold someone at an arms length away. So, for anyone gal who reads this I just want to say I'm sorry. I don't know how to be a friend anymore and I see and understand why you wouldn't want me as a close friend. I pray to God that He can teach me to open up my heart to the women around me and teach me to be a good friend again... Please pray for me.
Yours Truly,
Tessa O.
Friday, March 2, 2012
[tid-bits]
I've been struggling what to write about for the past two months. You would think that in the past five months something should have sparked my interest enough the was 'worthy' enough for me to sit down and write about it! I guess that's just how life is... I believe everyone could write a book about their life-- I bet most of them would be best sellers, too. But actually sitting down and writing everything, trying to explain everything the way you see and making your point, it can be tricky. Some people were given a gift by God that allows them to be able to write down their words and in a way they turn into an actions in peoples minds. I fear I do not have this gift. I do enjoy writing regardless-- plus, very few people will ever see these documented words! ;)
So-- I have left the question lingering... what am I going to write about today?? Well, I'll let you in on a little secret *whispers* I have no idea!! I just really wanted to write, so I thought I'd just ramble and see what we get! (That's how I cook sometimes!)
The news I have to report on is: the first and most exciting thing is God has granted Lucas and I with one amazing gift and responsibility, I am pregnant (again) and this time the wee-one made it past 8 weeks! I am currently 23 weeks along and the little person is well and kicking (literally!). I have to admit, some woman love being pregnant-- I am not one of those woman! I am thrilled to be carrying a little soul but I do not like gaining weight and I do not like being tired and having mood swings! This too will pass, though. And I think this is one of God's ways of teaching us women that we cannot control everything and that we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. And the hardest thing for me to sacrifice is my figure-- I never realized how vein I was until I started gaining weight and my tummy started growing. It's amazing how much of society has gotten to me-- I have to keep remembering and reminding myself that my worth does not come from how I look or what shirt size I wear. (Keep in mind that I do believe that God gaves us these bodies and we need to take care of them, but weight and eating healthy can be two totally different things).
Other news, I just finished reading a book, it's Elizabeth Elliot's Let Me Be A Woman. It's for any girl and woman in any part life. Elizabeth explains so very well what it means to be a woman-- I have to warn you though, it does not follow todays ideals, beliefs or politically correct terms. It follows strictly God's commands of what our role is as women; some of it may take some getting used to, I know it took me a long time to really open up my mind and heart to them! Today, society sees rules, limitaions and roles as suffocating, lessing and burdensome. And it's easy to view them that way, especially with the ideas of society meshing with the ideas of the churches. Hate to break it to you, but the ideas of society cannot evolve/move with the churches because they stand for two totally different and opposite things, or at least they are suppose to. Anyway, instead of getting on my soapbox let me just highly recommend reading Elizabeth's book and let God do the work, because if God can't convince you then I surely can't!
Well, I think I'm going to have to cut this one short because I have a Rotorooter guy walking about my house and have lost my train of thought for the most part (though, I am glad he is here!) Until next time, have a wonderful week, month or months (depending on how long it takes me to sit down and write again!)
So-- I have left the question lingering... what am I going to write about today?? Well, I'll let you in on a little secret *whispers* I have no idea!! I just really wanted to write, so I thought I'd just ramble and see what we get! (That's how I cook sometimes!)
The news I have to report on is: the first and most exciting thing is God has granted Lucas and I with one amazing gift and responsibility, I am pregnant (again) and this time the wee-one made it past 8 weeks! I am currently 23 weeks along and the little person is well and kicking (literally!). I have to admit, some woman love being pregnant-- I am not one of those woman! I am thrilled to be carrying a little soul but I do not like gaining weight and I do not like being tired and having mood swings! This too will pass, though. And I think this is one of God's ways of teaching us women that we cannot control everything and that we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. And the hardest thing for me to sacrifice is my figure-- I never realized how vein I was until I started gaining weight and my tummy started growing. It's amazing how much of society has gotten to me-- I have to keep remembering and reminding myself that my worth does not come from how I look or what shirt size I wear. (Keep in mind that I do believe that God gaves us these bodies and we need to take care of them, but weight and eating healthy can be two totally different things).
Other news, I just finished reading a book, it's Elizabeth Elliot's Let Me Be A Woman. It's for any girl and woman in any part life. Elizabeth explains so very well what it means to be a woman-- I have to warn you though, it does not follow todays ideals, beliefs or politically correct terms. It follows strictly God's commands of what our role is as women; some of it may take some getting used to, I know it took me a long time to really open up my mind and heart to them! Today, society sees rules, limitaions and roles as suffocating, lessing and burdensome. And it's easy to view them that way, especially with the ideas of society meshing with the ideas of the churches. Hate to break it to you, but the ideas of society cannot evolve/move with the churches because they stand for two totally different and opposite things, or at least they are suppose to. Anyway, instead of getting on my soapbox let me just highly recommend reading Elizabeth's book and let God do the work, because if God can't convince you then I surely can't!
Well, I think I'm going to have to cut this one short because I have a Rotorooter guy walking about my house and have lost my train of thought for the most part (though, I am glad he is here!) Until next time, have a wonderful week, month or months (depending on how long it takes me to sit down and write again!)
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Something BIG?
I became a christian in the summer 2005. To me, it seems a lifetime ago, but in reality it wasn't. I remember a conversation with my youth pastor at that time-- I remember telling him that I didn't know what God had in store me in the future but I felt like it was something big. Something important.
For many years I felt it was a calling towards missions. I loved going on missions trips and doing God's work in the mission field. Now that I think back, I was most interested in missions because I didn't fit anywhere. I had no place really in my family, after high school I hardly talked to any of my friends that I grew up with for 13 years, and I didn't possess any particular skill that would get me very far in life. I was lost and was constantly trying to "get to the mission field". I tried many times to get to Bible College so I could learn more about God's word and so I would have more opportunities towards missions. But, try as I might, I never prevailed.
God had other plans for me. In November of 2009 I met the love of my life, Lucas. And by June 2010 we were married! Whew, did that man take my life into full speed! I had much to learn as a new wife... I never realized how lost I really was until I look back to who I was before Lucas. God sent me the answers to my prayers through Lucas. My man isn't interested in money (well, I mean he is, but it's not his goal in life!), he's not interested in being in the CEO of some big corporation, he's not interested in fancy things (except for his guns and knives!), and he wasn't interested in having a modern wife. He didn't want a career woman or a women's rights leader, he was looking for his Help Meet. Little did I know what that was when I first got married!
He informed me that once we started having children that he wanted me to stay home, and then once they old enough he wanted me to home school the children... "Whoa, hold it mister! I'm not qualified for any of this! I wasn't raised to be a house wife, or a stay at home mother!"... It took many hours of talking to Lucas, talking to God, talking to my Mother-in-law to finally see that I didn't have to be qualified or raised to be these things-- these were the things God had intended me to be. He was my teacher and all I needed. Since being married I have learned A LOT! And I have never felt more "right" with myself or "right" with God. I don't feel like I need to be anywhere else. Yes, I do get restless somedays when all the house work is done and all I can think of doing is twiddling my thumbs but these times will pass and we'll have little ones to keep me busy for many, many years!
God thinks very highly of women and has given us a grave responsibilty-- he calls it "building a nation". How powerfully is that? We as women, if we decide to pick up the torch, have one of the most influencial and important jobs in life-- raising children and building a strong home for our family. God gave us this responsibility and too many women have dropped the ball running after selfish ambitions and dreams. Well, I am not going to be one of those women. I have much to learn but with God on my side and Lucas on my other I will succeed as long as I keep in mind what my true job is as a woman. God doesn't want sissy women, he needs strong, courageous women who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the Kingdom. And I can only hope that I grow and learn to be one of those women, and when I go Home I can only pray He will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
So, my idea of "something big" back in 2005 was a bit off of what it is today, but I know that God has me hear and no one else can fill my place. I have a job to do, and even though it's not exactly mission work, I still have a mission. To respect and love my husband, to build up our home to be strong, to bear and raise Godly children, and to "build a nation".
For many years I felt it was a calling towards missions. I loved going on missions trips and doing God's work in the mission field. Now that I think back, I was most interested in missions because I didn't fit anywhere. I had no place really in my family, after high school I hardly talked to any of my friends that I grew up with for 13 years, and I didn't possess any particular skill that would get me very far in life. I was lost and was constantly trying to "get to the mission field". I tried many times to get to Bible College so I could learn more about God's word and so I would have more opportunities towards missions. But, try as I might, I never prevailed.
God had other plans for me. In November of 2009 I met the love of my life, Lucas. And by June 2010 we were married! Whew, did that man take my life into full speed! I had much to learn as a new wife... I never realized how lost I really was until I look back to who I was before Lucas. God sent me the answers to my prayers through Lucas. My man isn't interested in money (well, I mean he is, but it's not his goal in life!), he's not interested in being in the CEO of some big corporation, he's not interested in fancy things (except for his guns and knives!), and he wasn't interested in having a modern wife. He didn't want a career woman or a women's rights leader, he was looking for his Help Meet. Little did I know what that was when I first got married!
He informed me that once we started having children that he wanted me to stay home, and then once they old enough he wanted me to home school the children... "Whoa, hold it mister! I'm not qualified for any of this! I wasn't raised to be a house wife, or a stay at home mother!"... It took many hours of talking to Lucas, talking to God, talking to my Mother-in-law to finally see that I didn't have to be qualified or raised to be these things-- these were the things God had intended me to be. He was my teacher and all I needed. Since being married I have learned A LOT! And I have never felt more "right" with myself or "right" with God. I don't feel like I need to be anywhere else. Yes, I do get restless somedays when all the house work is done and all I can think of doing is twiddling my thumbs but these times will pass and we'll have little ones to keep me busy for many, many years!
God thinks very highly of women and has given us a grave responsibilty-- he calls it "building a nation". How powerfully is that? We as women, if we decide to pick up the torch, have one of the most influencial and important jobs in life-- raising children and building a strong home for our family. God gave us this responsibility and too many women have dropped the ball running after selfish ambitions and dreams. Well, I am not going to be one of those women. I have much to learn but with God on my side and Lucas on my other I will succeed as long as I keep in mind what my true job is as a woman. God doesn't want sissy women, he needs strong, courageous women who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the Kingdom. And I can only hope that I grow and learn to be one of those women, and when I go Home I can only pray He will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
So, my idea of "something big" back in 2005 was a bit off of what it is today, but I know that God has me hear and no one else can fill my place. I have a job to do, and even though it's not exactly mission work, I still have a mission. To respect and love my husband, to build up our home to be strong, to bear and raise Godly children, and to "build a nation".
Sunday, October 2, 2011
On-Time vs. Time-On
Hello!
So, time literally got away from me! A small update: in June my husband and I moved to a small apartment in the same town and then went on a mission trip to Tijuana,MX-- we built a small house (something like a shed to us) for a family through Amor Ministries. The mission was a success. We came back to a very messy, new apartment but we slowly got it put together! Then soon after that we found out I was pregnant-- unfortunately I had a miscarriage at about nine weeks into the pregnancy =( It was a hard and painful process but we got through it and God is good. There is so much we can't see and understand, we completely trust Him with this situation and joyfully wait to meet our little one someday in the Kingdom. Then my Father-in-law finished his second homeschool cirriculum, this one on Chemistry (see the101series.com). So, time as truly gotten away from me since the last time I wrote!
On more of a personal note: In mid-August I found out I had a gluten-intolerance! It blew me away at first because I thought I would only be able to eat fruits and veggies the rest of my life, but then soon came to find out that there are tons of gluten-free foods, you just have to know where to look and what to look for! I've had a lot of support and help from friends and family while going cold-turkey off gluten and learning how to rebuild my kitchen's ingredients! Also, I have started a study by Nancy Cambell called The Family Meal Table & Hospitality. It scriptually shows us (women) the importance of the dinner table. It goes into detail about what kind of food we should be serving our families. It is going to take me awhile to finish, it's quite a thorough study, but it will be well worth my time =)
Along with all those big events I mentioned, we've been spending time with friends and family as much as we can. Our work schedules have been off kilter for some time now. We don't usually have even two days of together anymore =( So, it's been hard to have a regular schedule together. Luckily, it will NOT be like this forever. Once I get pregnant again and/or we get all our debt paid off I am planning on leaving the work place and staying home to be a full time wife and mommy! Lord willing, I won't have to wait too terribly long! Oooooh, God has been so good to us. He's always provided for us; we always have food in the refridgerator and cupboards, we have a roof over our heads (and some friends as well! ;P We live in a triplex!). We have clothes, two running (most of the time!) vehicles, a nice bed, running water, blankets, internet, books, and a fish! How awesome is that?! I can't even fathom why He would be so kind to us.. I am definitely not the most disciplined follwer of Christ. Then again, He never said that I had to be the best to recieve blessings. . Blessed are we!
Lately, I've been meditating on a familiar hymn: 'How Deep the Father's Love For Us'. I never liked hymns much--my childhood was rather limited on the times I ever heard them. This hymn has been coming to me while doing daily things: washing the dishes, driving, while I'm at work, checking my e-mail, etc. And most times it makes me stop and ponder our Savior; so quickly I forget everything He has done for me. I forget the huge sacrifice He endured so that I may live in harmony with Him. I forget how amazing it truly was and what He had to go through so that I could be with Him. It's incomparable, really. What an amazing and inconceivable love the Father has and shares with us.
I hope my next entry will be back on track towards my original intention--or maybe it's going to take a turn for a different theme! We'll see!
Thanks for your time!
So, time literally got away from me! A small update: in June my husband and I moved to a small apartment in the same town and then went on a mission trip to Tijuana,MX-- we built a small house (something like a shed to us) for a family through Amor Ministries. The mission was a success. We came back to a very messy, new apartment but we slowly got it put together! Then soon after that we found out I was pregnant-- unfortunately I had a miscarriage at about nine weeks into the pregnancy =( It was a hard and painful process but we got through it and God is good. There is so much we can't see and understand, we completely trust Him with this situation and joyfully wait to meet our little one someday in the Kingdom. Then my Father-in-law finished his second homeschool cirriculum, this one on Chemistry (see the101series.com). So, time as truly gotten away from me since the last time I wrote!
On more of a personal note: In mid-August I found out I had a gluten-intolerance! It blew me away at first because I thought I would only be able to eat fruits and veggies the rest of my life, but then soon came to find out that there are tons of gluten-free foods, you just have to know where to look and what to look for! I've had a lot of support and help from friends and family while going cold-turkey off gluten and learning how to rebuild my kitchen's ingredients! Also, I have started a study by Nancy Cambell called The Family Meal Table & Hospitality. It scriptually shows us (women) the importance of the dinner table. It goes into detail about what kind of food we should be serving our families. It is going to take me awhile to finish, it's quite a thorough study, but it will be well worth my time =)
Along with all those big events I mentioned, we've been spending time with friends and family as much as we can. Our work schedules have been off kilter for some time now. We don't usually have even two days of together anymore =( So, it's been hard to have a regular schedule together. Luckily, it will NOT be like this forever. Once I get pregnant again and/or we get all our debt paid off I am planning on leaving the work place and staying home to be a full time wife and mommy! Lord willing, I won't have to wait too terribly long! Oooooh, God has been so good to us. He's always provided for us; we always have food in the refridgerator and cupboards, we have a roof over our heads (and some friends as well! ;P We live in a triplex!). We have clothes, two running (most of the time!) vehicles, a nice bed, running water, blankets, internet, books, and a fish! How awesome is that?! I can't even fathom why He would be so kind to us.. I am definitely not the most disciplined follwer of Christ. Then again, He never said that I had to be the best to recieve blessings. . Blessed are we!
Lately, I've been meditating on a familiar hymn: 'How Deep the Father's Love For Us'. I never liked hymns much--my childhood was rather limited on the times I ever heard them. This hymn has been coming to me while doing daily things: washing the dishes, driving, while I'm at work, checking my e-mail, etc. And most times it makes me stop and ponder our Savior; so quickly I forget everything He has done for me. I forget the huge sacrifice He endured so that I may live in harmony with Him. I forget how amazing it truly was and what He had to go through so that I could be with Him. It's incomparable, really. What an amazing and inconceivable love the Father has and shares with us.
I hope my next entry will be back on track towards my original intention--or maybe it's going to take a turn for a different theme! We'll see!
Thanks for your time!
Monday, March 14, 2011
We, History?
The Ten Commandments were inscribed on stone before the Old Testament was written; The Law of Moses was now open to all--everyone's sin was exposed to them (1400-1500 BC).
39 books make up the old testmament; timelines, wars, history, family lines, and prophecies were spoken throughout these books-- the Law of Moses was stated among the books that Moses wrote (400 BC).
27 is the number of books that are in the New Testament; The Gospel, good news, prophecies fulfilled, instruction for the Christian walk after the veil was torn, the Great Commission of Christ, and the warning of Judgement day is stated throughout these books (100 AD).
Now, lets take a look at these times for a few minutes... God picked specific people to write these books of the Bible, they were God "breathed"; meaning yes, men wrote them, but God gave them the words to speak in these books; earthly/wordly ideas are not found in these books-- but God's Law's and ideas are. People don't condemn themselves...just ask yourself!
Back to the point, at the beginning of human time, the Garden of Eden, we began breaking God's Law-- Eve ate of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil; God's Law was not to eat of the tree, and what did the woman have to go and do?? Eat it and Adam just had no idea what was going on! ;) God's Law was broken at the very beginning and so the sad song of humanity begins... The point of this small scene from Genesis is that we were tricked, decieved into not believing God's Word, God's Law. The serpent hardly had to question Eve and she gave in. Oh, what sad creatures we truly are... How long does it take to break in a wild horse? It can take months for them to even begin to trust us... It took Eve what, like 3 minutes max to believe Satan and his lies against God and His Law. From the beginning of time God's Law has been under attack... As we move through history into the years of the Old Testament we see God's Law (10 Commandments) being tried all over; fornication, lies, murdering, lusting/adultery, idolism, etc. Everyone had the Laws but they did not truly fear God's wrath; God gave instructions to be under His protection throughout those years, before the veil was torn and yet people corrupted His Laws. Thanks goodness we had good ol' Isaiah, Daniel and Ezekiel (plus others) professing God's words and making prophecies that would one day come true...
Now onto the time of the New Testament and Jesus walking among us; prophecies were fulfilled by the birth of Christ. As a man Christ began proclaiming he was the Son of God, and that He was the way to God. God was giving us a new way to be reborn through Him so we wouldn't have to pay the penalty of our sins. Christ and his desciples continually taught that Jesus was the way, the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). This was another of God's laws, God made another way for us to be with Him eternally, and yet people still strayed. Jesus knew the people would though; the pharisee's denied Him and stated that they followed the Law of Moses and He was a blasphemer; even though prophecy states that the Son of God would be born unto the world to save us from our transgressions, and that we would not see Him. During the time of Jesus we still were blind to His Law and ways, and he was right in front of us to have.
After Jesus rose again he fulfilled more prophecies and proved to those who didn't believe. Jesus instructed His desciples to show the way to Him, through the Law and Jesus' love for them. And look what happened to the twelve--all Martyrs, except for John, who was blessed with old age so he could bring witness and proof of the Judgement day to come in the last book of the Bible, Revelation.
By 500 AD the Bible began circulation everywhere and it was translated into over 500 different languages. And then by 600 AD all translations were outlawed except in Latin. And only few knew that language; in that time there was a lack of Latin literature because it was being withheld from the people. The 'Dark Ages' as we call it now was a time that God's Word was kept from the people and new ideas were being born, the Renaissance era took place during this time. The term 'dark ages' isn't used in texts very often anymore because apparently it gave that time a "negative connotation" but really people were being "enlightened" by new ways of thinking; in other words, people learned that if they stopped following and thinking about God then their conscience would be free from guilt. The 'dark age' time can stretch from 400 AD clear up to the 1400's. God's Law was being hidden from the people but of course truth, God's truth, can never be diminished.
Now John Wycliffe, 1328(ish)-1384-- He was quite the rogue. He was an english theologian, and reformist, quite the combination! He was a university teacher and he had followers called the Lollards, which, like Mr. Wycliffe, were a rebellious group who fought against the clergymen of the Roman Catholic church and like to focus on biblically sound reforms. John Wycliffe translated the Vulgate Bible (Latin translation) into English in the years 1382-1384 with some help from associates.It became known as the Wycliffe's Bible. Among these associates he had a student named John Hus (actually Jan Hus if we want to get technical). After John Wycliffe died Mr. Hus continued to fight for a reform of the Church. Mr. Hus was tried and found guilty of heresey against the Roman Catholic doctrines and was burned at the stake in 1415; Hus's last words were, "In the next one hundred years, God will raise up a man who's call for reform cannot be suppressed." Can anyone take a guess??? None other than good ol' Mr. Martin Luther himself! In 1517 Martin Luther translates and publishes the Bible into German using the Gutenberg Printing Press; and the Word began to spread... Martin Luther stood up against the Roman Catholic Church with his theses--he stated that the Roman Catholic theology was not biblical. The Catholic church at that time was teaching that faith alone could not justify nor save man-- but, had to be active in charity and "good works" meaning donating money to the church. Martin Luther states in his theses that forgiveness is God's alone to grant; people couldn't "pay" for their sins.
Luther posted this theses on the doors of All Saints Church on October 31 1517.
And this, my friends, was the start of the church reformation! Though keep in mind that John Wycliffe was labeled as the morning star of the reformation.
Now, I could go on forever and give you a history lesson up until now, but then we would never get back to my orignal point-- which I lost sight of myself there for a bit! The point I'm trying to show you is that from the very beginning of time, as we call it, God's word had been perverted, changed and tampered with.
And yet, the Truth of the pages always seems to make it through any trial... that alone should be enough evidence to people of its actual truth.
Now on to today...what are we seeing and hearing in our churches? Mainly we see license, which is the opposite of legalism. We see a "watered down" version of the gospel. The "backslide" rate of born-again Christians is phenominal! I think it's somewhere around 80%!! We are missing something here, aren't we Christians?? Why are the people of the Bible so much more spiritual? Why are they so strong? Why is it that when the Bible says the Holy Spirit went into someone, it actually brought about a major change in them, and today is seems so...lukewarm?
Why aren't Christians telling everyone they can about Jesus?? And when they do, why do they always seem to fall away??
It seems so hopeless, doesn't it? Why isn't the message getting through?? Well, I can probably tell you the answer but it didn't originate from me, and it didn't originate from anyone in this day and age--it came from the Master, the one who walked among us with a blameless life, the one who came to show us the way, the one who came to take our blame away. Yes, Jesus Christ...the one and only =) Jesus came to save the world, not to condemn... BUT the biggest point that seems to be hidden from us, left out of the equation is the fact that we are already condemned!
John 3:18 tells us that those who believe in Jesus are not condemned, but those who don't believe stand condemned because they don't believe...And what condemns people?? It is the piece I was missing from my witnessing for years...The Law! The Law of Moses! The Ten Commandments! These are the Laws God set WAY back when. This shows us our sin, and keeps us from justifying ourselves! This is the tool Jesus used all the time. The woman at the well, the adulteror, the rich young ruler, etc...This is the key being left out of the teaching and preaching today. The church today is teaching only one side of the equation. They are teaching the "Jesus Loves You" part. Which is great but without the other side, it's almost irrelavant! People don't care that Jesus loves them and is full of grace if they don't know why they need His love and salvation. If they don't see their sin and what law they've violated, then they really don't like to hear that they are condemned and going to Hell.
You have to show them their sin through the Law which God gave us, and then explain to them that our God may be good and loving but He is also just and perfect--so He can't let imperfection into His Kingdom. He can't let the murderous, adulterous, lying, thieving people go...there must be justice or He wouldn't be considered a good judge, He would be considered evil.
BUT, if you let people know that someone has walked into the courtroom and paid their fines for them it's going to matter to them that this person is Jesus. Then they will understand why they need his love, mercy, and grace.
Now, don't think me to be enlightened or inspired here, I am simply educated through so many different influences that we have in our time today; people who are finding the key to re-opening the door to our Savior that seemed to be lost for so many years.
Del Tackett
Ray Comfort
Kirk Cameron
Lious Giglio
Frances Chan
Bill Weise
And so many others...
But most importantly, the one who never lost it, Jesus.
So, my question is: Are we about to go through another "Reformation" in our churches today?
39 books make up the old testmament; timelines, wars, history, family lines, and prophecies were spoken throughout these books-- the Law of Moses was stated among the books that Moses wrote (400 BC).
27 is the number of books that are in the New Testament; The Gospel, good news, prophecies fulfilled, instruction for the Christian walk after the veil was torn, the Great Commission of Christ, and the warning of Judgement day is stated throughout these books (100 AD).
Now, lets take a look at these times for a few minutes... God picked specific people to write these books of the Bible, they were God "breathed"; meaning yes, men wrote them, but God gave them the words to speak in these books; earthly/wordly ideas are not found in these books-- but God's Law's and ideas are. People don't condemn themselves...just ask yourself!
Back to the point, at the beginning of human time, the Garden of Eden, we began breaking God's Law-- Eve ate of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil; God's Law was not to eat of the tree, and what did the woman have to go and do?? Eat it and Adam just had no idea what was going on! ;) God's Law was broken at the very beginning and so the sad song of humanity begins... The point of this small scene from Genesis is that we were tricked, decieved into not believing God's Word, God's Law. The serpent hardly had to question Eve and she gave in. Oh, what sad creatures we truly are... How long does it take to break in a wild horse? It can take months for them to even begin to trust us... It took Eve what, like 3 minutes max to believe Satan and his lies against God and His Law. From the beginning of time God's Law has been under attack... As we move through history into the years of the Old Testament we see God's Law (10 Commandments) being tried all over; fornication, lies, murdering, lusting/adultery, idolism, etc. Everyone had the Laws but they did not truly fear God's wrath; God gave instructions to be under His protection throughout those years, before the veil was torn and yet people corrupted His Laws. Thanks goodness we had good ol' Isaiah, Daniel and Ezekiel (plus others) professing God's words and making prophecies that would one day come true...
Now onto the time of the New Testament and Jesus walking among us; prophecies were fulfilled by the birth of Christ. As a man Christ began proclaiming he was the Son of God, and that He was the way to God. God was giving us a new way to be reborn through Him so we wouldn't have to pay the penalty of our sins. Christ and his desciples continually taught that Jesus was the way, the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). This was another of God's laws, God made another way for us to be with Him eternally, and yet people still strayed. Jesus knew the people would though; the pharisee's denied Him and stated that they followed the Law of Moses and He was a blasphemer; even though prophecy states that the Son of God would be born unto the world to save us from our transgressions, and that we would not see Him. During the time of Jesus we still were blind to His Law and ways, and he was right in front of us to have.
After Jesus rose again he fulfilled more prophecies and proved to those who didn't believe. Jesus instructed His desciples to show the way to Him, through the Law and Jesus' love for them. And look what happened to the twelve--all Martyrs, except for John, who was blessed with old age so he could bring witness and proof of the Judgement day to come in the last book of the Bible, Revelation.
By 500 AD the Bible began circulation everywhere and it was translated into over 500 different languages. And then by 600 AD all translations were outlawed except in Latin. And only few knew that language; in that time there was a lack of Latin literature because it was being withheld from the people. The 'Dark Ages' as we call it now was a time that God's Word was kept from the people and new ideas were being born, the Renaissance era took place during this time. The term 'dark ages' isn't used in texts very often anymore because apparently it gave that time a "negative connotation" but really people were being "enlightened" by new ways of thinking; in other words, people learned that if they stopped following and thinking about God then their conscience would be free from guilt. The 'dark age' time can stretch from 400 AD clear up to the 1400's. God's Law was being hidden from the people but of course truth, God's truth, can never be diminished.
Now John Wycliffe, 1328(ish)-1384-- He was quite the rogue. He was an english theologian, and reformist, quite the combination! He was a university teacher and he had followers called the Lollards, which, like Mr. Wycliffe, were a rebellious group who fought against the clergymen of the Roman Catholic church and like to focus on biblically sound reforms. John Wycliffe translated the Vulgate Bible (Latin translation) into English in the years 1382-1384 with some help from associates.It became known as the Wycliffe's Bible. Among these associates he had a student named John Hus (actually Jan Hus if we want to get technical). After John Wycliffe died Mr. Hus continued to fight for a reform of the Church. Mr. Hus was tried and found guilty of heresey against the Roman Catholic doctrines and was burned at the stake in 1415; Hus's last words were, "In the next one hundred years, God will raise up a man who's call for reform cannot be suppressed." Can anyone take a guess??? None other than good ol' Mr. Martin Luther himself! In 1517 Martin Luther translates and publishes the Bible into German using the Gutenberg Printing Press; and the Word began to spread... Martin Luther stood up against the Roman Catholic Church with his theses--he stated that the Roman Catholic theology was not biblical. The Catholic church at that time was teaching that faith alone could not justify nor save man-- but, had to be active in charity and "good works" meaning donating money to the church. Martin Luther states in his theses that forgiveness is God's alone to grant; people couldn't "pay" for their sins.
Luther posted this theses on the doors of All Saints Church on October 31 1517.
And this, my friends, was the start of the church reformation! Though keep in mind that John Wycliffe was labeled as the morning star of the reformation.
Now, I could go on forever and give you a history lesson up until now, but then we would never get back to my orignal point-- which I lost sight of myself there for a bit! The point I'm trying to show you is that from the very beginning of time, as we call it, God's word had been perverted, changed and tampered with.
And yet, the Truth of the pages always seems to make it through any trial... that alone should be enough evidence to people of its actual truth.
Now on to today...what are we seeing and hearing in our churches? Mainly we see license, which is the opposite of legalism. We see a "watered down" version of the gospel. The "backslide" rate of born-again Christians is phenominal! I think it's somewhere around 80%!! We are missing something here, aren't we Christians?? Why are the people of the Bible so much more spiritual? Why are they so strong? Why is it that when the Bible says the Holy Spirit went into someone, it actually brought about a major change in them, and today is seems so...lukewarm?
Why aren't Christians telling everyone they can about Jesus?? And when they do, why do they always seem to fall away??
It seems so hopeless, doesn't it? Why isn't the message getting through?? Well, I can probably tell you the answer but it didn't originate from me, and it didn't originate from anyone in this day and age--it came from the Master, the one who walked among us with a blameless life, the one who came to show us the way, the one who came to take our blame away. Yes, Jesus Christ...the one and only =) Jesus came to save the world, not to condemn... BUT the biggest point that seems to be hidden from us, left out of the equation is the fact that we are already condemned!
John 3:18 tells us that those who believe in Jesus are not condemned, but those who don't believe stand condemned because they don't believe...And what condemns people?? It is the piece I was missing from my witnessing for years...The Law! The Law of Moses! The Ten Commandments! These are the Laws God set WAY back when. This shows us our sin, and keeps us from justifying ourselves! This is the tool Jesus used all the time. The woman at the well, the adulteror, the rich young ruler, etc...This is the key being left out of the teaching and preaching today. The church today is teaching only one side of the equation. They are teaching the "Jesus Loves You" part. Which is great but without the other side, it's almost irrelavant! People don't care that Jesus loves them and is full of grace if they don't know why they need His love and salvation. If they don't see their sin and what law they've violated, then they really don't like to hear that they are condemned and going to Hell.
You have to show them their sin through the Law which God gave us, and then explain to them that our God may be good and loving but He is also just and perfect--so He can't let imperfection into His Kingdom. He can't let the murderous, adulterous, lying, thieving people go...there must be justice or He wouldn't be considered a good judge, He would be considered evil.
BUT, if you let people know that someone has walked into the courtroom and paid their fines for them it's going to matter to them that this person is Jesus. Then they will understand why they need his love, mercy, and grace.
Now, don't think me to be enlightened or inspired here, I am simply educated through so many different influences that we have in our time today; people who are finding the key to re-opening the door to our Savior that seemed to be lost for so many years.
Del Tackett
Ray Comfort
Kirk Cameron
Lious Giglio
Frances Chan
Bill Weise
And so many others...
But most importantly, the one who never lost it, Jesus.
So, my question is: Are we about to go through another "Reformation" in our churches today?
Friday, March 4, 2011
The Beginning
So, this being my first post I should probably explain the name and why I've started it; cliche`, I know, but it's a good way to start things out.
I started this blog because I do enjoy writing, and I can process through things better than just thinking thoughts in my head, writing/typing my thoughts makes the process go WAY faster! I'm not stating that I'm am any good at this writing thing, but one of my friends said I should start a blog; I had been toying with the idea of starting one for months now and she tilted me over the edge. So, here I am, writing my first blog =)
Now on to the name... I admit, it's not a very good name, I may change it in the future, but Coffee & Confessions to me is: Coffee is a drink most people have while thinking on/over a topic or issue, and we drink it while having a deep or light conversation with someone; it fits nearly every situation when it comes to interacting or pensiveness. Now, the Confession part of it is, the things rolling around in my head: confessions, ideas, retorical thinking, statements, revelations, etc...
I hope to NOT make this blog my diary, I am hoping it becomes an outlet to me-- I usually like writing about a theological topic that I need to finish thinking about, or an idea or statement that I think should be shared with others-- God gave us these amazing minds and if we are filled with the Spirit then I think God would want us to tell the world our ideas and musings.
Hopefully this will be more of a tool for me and you than anything else =) Until my first official blog, Sola Deo Gloria!! (To God alone the Glory!)
I started this blog because I do enjoy writing, and I can process through things better than just thinking thoughts in my head, writing/typing my thoughts makes the process go WAY faster! I'm not stating that I'm am any good at this writing thing, but one of my friends said I should start a blog; I had been toying with the idea of starting one for months now and she tilted me over the edge. So, here I am, writing my first blog =)
Now on to the name... I admit, it's not a very good name, I may change it in the future, but Coffee & Confessions to me is: Coffee is a drink most people have while thinking on/over a topic or issue, and we drink it while having a deep or light conversation with someone; it fits nearly every situation when it comes to interacting or pensiveness. Now, the Confession part of it is, the things rolling around in my head: confessions, ideas, retorical thinking, statements, revelations, etc...
I hope to NOT make this blog my diary, I am hoping it becomes an outlet to me-- I usually like writing about a theological topic that I need to finish thinking about, or an idea or statement that I think should be shared with others-- God gave us these amazing minds and if we are filled with the Spirit then I think God would want us to tell the world our ideas and musings.
Hopefully this will be more of a tool for me and you than anything else =) Until my first official blog, Sola Deo Gloria!! (To God alone the Glory!)
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