Monday, October 29, 2007
Cults
This is a website I found that is written by Christians explaining cults and other religions:Let Us Reason . It's very interesting, and I think it's necessary to know, when surrounded by something very different than Christianity, from where the "other" is coming.
Harvest Party
Our church had its first-ever Harvest Party in our brand new building last night! I coordinated games and a friend coordinated the chili cook off. We were hoping for about 50 people if we were lucky. We ended up with OVER 300 people!!! It was amazing. The games for children went extremely well--they were simple, like bobbing for apples and rolling gourds to knock over pins, and throwing hoops over pumpkins. Our pastor played guitar on the hayride, driven by our other pastor, and we had horses to pet and a Team Extreme show (men who bent metal with their teeth, crushed soda cans on elbows, ripped phone books in half, etc.). It was so fun! I really enjoyed it.
Then--a volunteer commented that SHE could have done much more with the games. She does carnival-style games all the time. And HER husband's a DJ. He could have DJ'd for us. Plus bobbing for apples is horrible--there's some evil pagan ritual associated with it. I started to feel defensive and ended up just thanking her for volunteering to help.
As I thought about her comments, I realized some things. First, she may have been able to jazz up the games. She may have been able to coordinate everything. But she didn't. She didn't volunteer and pour all the work in to this event. She didn't tell us that her husband would volunteer his DJ services. Second, perhaps she's looking to feel needed. She needed to feel superior and judgmental, and I'm sorry for her. Thirdly, we had a VERY limited budget of less than $100 and we had a time frame of less than two months to pull this together. And did I mention we just moved to Utah 4 months ago? I hate when people just assume we know their talents.
However, in all, we truly could not have asked for a better evening.
Then--a volunteer commented that SHE could have done much more with the games. She does carnival-style games all the time. And HER husband's a DJ. He could have DJ'd for us. Plus bobbing for apples is horrible--there's some evil pagan ritual associated with it. I started to feel defensive and ended up just thanking her for volunteering to help.
As I thought about her comments, I realized some things. First, she may have been able to jazz up the games. She may have been able to coordinate everything. But she didn't. She didn't volunteer and pour all the work in to this event. She didn't tell us that her husband would volunteer his DJ services. Second, perhaps she's looking to feel needed. She needed to feel superior and judgmental, and I'm sorry for her. Thirdly, we had a VERY limited budget of less than $100 and we had a time frame of less than two months to pull this together. And did I mention we just moved to Utah 4 months ago? I hate when people just assume we know their talents.
However, in all, we truly could not have asked for a better evening.
Hide and Seek
I just have to share: AJ is the cutest boy ever. It's hard to believe that he's 2 already! Where has the time gone?? It seems just yesterday that I was devastated to learn that I was 17wks pregnant!!
I was "searching" for him today and heard hysterical giggles coming from his room. I opened the door and asked, "Is AJ in the closet?" He replied, giggling, "NO!"
So I asked, "Is AJ on the changing Table?" Again, giggling and "NO!"
Then I asked, "Is AJ in his bed?" Hysterical giggling commenced.
It was sooooo funny--he had his blanket over just his head, with his shoulders, butt and feet completely uncovered. He just KNEW that if he couldn't see me, I couldn't see him!!! I laughed so hard with him!
I was "searching" for him today and heard hysterical giggles coming from his room. I opened the door and asked, "Is AJ in the closet?" He replied, giggling, "NO!"
So I asked, "Is AJ on the changing Table?" Again, giggling and "NO!"
Then I asked, "Is AJ in his bed?" Hysterical giggling commenced.
It was sooooo funny--he had his blanket over just his head, with his shoulders, butt and feet completely uncovered. He just KNEW that if he couldn't see me, I couldn't see him!!! I laughed so hard with him!
Friday, October 12, 2007
The hat solution
I went to the knitting group last night. I really enjoy it. The ladies are working on such a variety of projects, and I even bought some sock yarn to work on a pair!
AND I found a solution to the teal hat problem. I took a skein of silvery gray mohair and combined it with the teal and it turned out really well. So now the hat is teal, black and an icier version of the original teal. I like it. And that's good, because I used worsted weight yarn and the hat fits me! Here's Grace in it.
AND I found a solution to the teal hat problem. I took a skein of silvery gray mohair and combined it with the teal and it turned out really well. So now the hat is teal, black and an icier version of the original teal. I like it. And that's good, because I used worsted weight yarn and the hat fits me! Here's Grace in it.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Color
I'm knitting a hat for AJ. I thought i was going to use the same yarn I knit his pants out of (dark blue w/white flecks), and then decided to use a teal color because I have so much teal and no ideas for it. Teal does not go with the midnight blue. It looks dumb. So now I'm looking at a completely different hat than I pictured! And I dread frogging it now b/c it's partway complete.
I think my solution is to save the hat and pick more flattering colors to go with teal. Then I can just start a new hat with my original design.
this is what makes me a perfectionist--that hat has been glaring at me for 24 hours, daring me, "Whatcha gonna do about me?"
I'm so glad I have a plan. You know what they say, "proper planning prevents piss-poor performance." I heard that in my Bible study and it has stuck in my mind!
I think my solution is to save the hat and pick more flattering colors to go with teal. Then I can just start a new hat with my original design.
this is what makes me a perfectionist--that hat has been glaring at me for 24 hours, daring me, "Whatcha gonna do about me?"
I'm so glad I have a plan. You know what they say, "proper planning prevents piss-poor performance." I heard that in my Bible study and it has stuck in my mind!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Deceived
I feel sick to my stomach.
I've always listened to Christian contemporary music. In Florida, we had a great station that I loved listening to. The mission statement was clear and it was uplifting to hear reminders of Christ's love for me.
In Utah, I found a station that also plays CCM. I was so excited! For 3 months I've been listening, and noticed that they support "local artists." A few days ago, I caught a commercial that referenced www.lds.org. I started to become suspicious. But they play Michael W. Smith! Steven Curtis Chapman! Point of Grace! How could they NOT be Christian?
I investigated the website, and their mission statement is extremely vague. I found comments and Christians were writing in about how excited they were to find a CCM station and how neat that their Mormon neighbors listen to it, too! What a great way to evangelize! Right? Next to the Christians were folks writing in thanking the station for playing LDS music. WHAT???
Then I went through the playlist of the last 30 songs. Liberally sprinkled amongst the well known CCM artists were artists I had never heard of. I began googling them, and, YEP, they're all LDS artists.
I've been exposing my children to this in my car every time we drive somewhere. I feel greatly deceived. And who is the Great Deceiver? Not Jesus, that's for sure.
The LDS consider themselves Christians. How can Christians believe that there are spirits hanging around waiting for bodies? How can Christians believe that Jesus reached the same great spiritual state that we can all eventually reach, if we try hard enough? How can Christians downplay Christ's DEATH on the Cross because it's too negative? How can Christians not be allowed to discuss doubts with each other? How can Christians listen to some "angel" present a "new" gospel????? (or is it demon?Look at Galatians 1: But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel to other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! )
There is a nationwide station, KLOVE, that we also listen to, but reception isn't always very good. From now on, I will be playing KLOVe or CDs. I'm so upset about this. I could just throw up.
I've always listened to Christian contemporary music. In Florida, we had a great station that I loved listening to. The mission statement was clear and it was uplifting to hear reminders of Christ's love for me.
In Utah, I found a station that also plays CCM. I was so excited! For 3 months I've been listening, and noticed that they support "local artists." A few days ago, I caught a commercial that referenced www.lds.org. I started to become suspicious. But they play Michael W. Smith! Steven Curtis Chapman! Point of Grace! How could they NOT be Christian?
I investigated the website, and their mission statement is extremely vague. I found comments and Christians were writing in about how excited they were to find a CCM station and how neat that their Mormon neighbors listen to it, too! What a great way to evangelize! Right? Next to the Christians were folks writing in thanking the station for playing LDS music. WHAT???
Then I went through the playlist of the last 30 songs. Liberally sprinkled amongst the well known CCM artists were artists I had never heard of. I began googling them, and, YEP, they're all LDS artists.
I've been exposing my children to this in my car every time we drive somewhere. I feel greatly deceived. And who is the Great Deceiver? Not Jesus, that's for sure.
The LDS consider themselves Christians. How can Christians believe that there are spirits hanging around waiting for bodies? How can Christians believe that Jesus reached the same great spiritual state that we can all eventually reach, if we try hard enough? How can Christians downplay Christ's DEATH on the Cross because it's too negative? How can Christians not be allowed to discuss doubts with each other? How can Christians listen to some "angel" present a "new" gospel????? (or is it demon?Look at Galatians 1: But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel to other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! )
There is a nationwide station, KLOVE, that we also listen to, but reception isn't always very good. From now on, I will be playing KLOVe or CDs. I'm so upset about this. I could just throw up.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Exercising
It's taken a move to Utah to convince me that I'm not runner, never have been and never will be. I've been married to Terry for 7 years, and all this time I've been very envious of his running ability. I've bought the clothes, the jogging bra, the $$$ running shoes and I just end up bored, hurting and frustrated, even from walking. I hate walking. I hate running. I basically screw over myself saying, "This hurts. I hate this. I'm bored. I have a stitch in my side. I don't think I can breathe anymore. Do I have asthma? My heart's going to beat out of my chest. My ankle hurts. My knee hurts. My toe's bothering me. Should I swing my arms? Are we there yet? Oh, good time to turn around. Oh no, I"m only halfway there." And that's just the quarter of the mile to the 7-11 to buy a Slurpee!
We had a pool in Florida. Except all I could do was swim with AJ or Grace on my back and I couldn't do laps because someone could drown while I was inattentive. So I'd just sit on the california ledge and watch the kiddos swim.
Now we have a gym membership and someone else watches my kids for 2 hours in the morning, 2 hours in the evening (if I'm ambitious!) while I exercise. *GROAN* I have totally set myself up to hate exercise. So I usually bike for at least 30 minutes, preferably when Friends reruns are on. We don't have cable or satellite at home, just a DVD player. So it's a treat to watch TV and I don't even notice I'm working for it! :)
Then I go to the pool. The water is perfectly temped at about 80 degrees. I can do laps for about 30 minutes, and I don't feel in pain, I don't feel disgruntled and in fact, I rather enjoy it. Swimming is second nature to me, having grown up in Florida. My muscles sing as my arms pull me through the water and my legs propel me. It's excellent therapy for my poor knees and I find I can concentrate on my strokes and sometimes, my mind is freed to pray and work through problems in my life. The 1-2-3-4-5- count as I crawl is soothing to me and oddly liberating. I emerge from the water victorious. I have no idea how many laps I have done, but I know that not only is my body stronger, but also my mind and spirit are renewed.
Unless, of course, people gradually leave the pool leaving me alone with my imagination. As soon as the last person exits, a great white shark seems to appear in the 5' deep end of the pool waiting for me. Then I get out and stew in the hot tub.
We had a pool in Florida. Except all I could do was swim with AJ or Grace on my back and I couldn't do laps because someone could drown while I was inattentive. So I'd just sit on the california ledge and watch the kiddos swim.
Now we have a gym membership and someone else watches my kids for 2 hours in the morning, 2 hours in the evening (if I'm ambitious!) while I exercise. *GROAN* I have totally set myself up to hate exercise. So I usually bike for at least 30 minutes, preferably when Friends reruns are on. We don't have cable or satellite at home, just a DVD player. So it's a treat to watch TV and I don't even notice I'm working for it! :)
Then I go to the pool. The water is perfectly temped at about 80 degrees. I can do laps for about 30 minutes, and I don't feel in pain, I don't feel disgruntled and in fact, I rather enjoy it. Swimming is second nature to me, having grown up in Florida. My muscles sing as my arms pull me through the water and my legs propel me. It's excellent therapy for my poor knees and I find I can concentrate on my strokes and sometimes, my mind is freed to pray and work through problems in my life. The 1-2-3-4-5- count as I crawl is soothing to me and oddly liberating. I emerge from the water victorious. I have no idea how many laps I have done, but I know that not only is my body stronger, but also my mind and spirit are renewed.
Unless, of course, people gradually leave the pool leaving me alone with my imagination. As soon as the last person exits, a great white shark seems to appear in the 5' deep end of the pool waiting for me. Then I get out and stew in the hot tub.
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