Political Christmas for Christians

I don't really like to watch a lot of news talk shows. They are usually way too sarcastic and tend to spend a lot of time talking bad about other news talk shows. However, I do try to stay informed about what is going on in the world so I turn on the news every once in a while! Recently, there has been a lot of debate about how Jesus would do Christmas and charity. A lot of scripture has been thrown around, taken out of context, or just been completely misquoted.

Let me preface the rest of this with the fact that I am a Christian and a conservative.

One person said that Jesus must be a liberal because he hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors. Well, I don't know what he was trying to say about liberals with the prostitute part of that comment, but as for the tax collectors, when asked why He hung out with them He simply said He was sent to those who were sick, not to those who were well. Also, Zaccheus and Matthew stopped being tax collectors after an encounter with Jesus. On the conservative side, someone said that God helps those who help themselves.That isn't actually a quote from the Bible and it doesn't necessarily reflect the values that I think Jesus tried to convey in His lifetime.

Jesus wasn't into politics to start off with. When Pharisees cornered him about paying taxes to the Roman government He said that we should give unto Caesar what is due to Caesar. He didn't take sides about the political issues of the day, Jesus just said we should do what is right. As Christians, we do have a responsibility to be good citizens and give the taxes required of us by the government, even when we don't agree with the rulers at the time. The same government He told us to give taxes to ended up allowing him to be crucified and then persecuted the church for ages.

That being said, he didn't say he agreed with the outrageous taxes they were charging. I'm not going to put words in Jesus's mouth because I'm sure lately He's gotten a mouthful from everyone else, but what He did say is that we should help the poor. He never said to let the government help the poor, He said WE should help the poor. We should be generous and giving and lead by the Spirit to give to others everyday.

When Jesus preached to the multitudes and they became hungry, He didn't tell them to go find the local government sponsored program for hungry people, He used what God had given Him and He fed the people right there. When the fishermen were depressed after a day of fishing and no success, Jesus didn't tell them about how He had voted in higher taxes just for this circumstance and they should all go stand in the unemployment line. Nope, He told them to go back out again and because of their obedience and willingness, they received an amazing catch that they could not contain themselves!

So, I guess all I really want to say is let's take the politics out of Christmas and Christianity and do what Jesus himself did for others. Let's give of ourselves and be lead by the Holy Spirit to have compassion all year long. Don't depend on others or programs to do the things that He has called YOU to do yourself.

Conquering a Fear

This past weekend, Dallas and I decided on Friday afternoon to pack up and go camping. I'm not the super spontaneous type on my own, but Dallas keeps me on my toes and I'm thankful that he does! Of course, it appears that most of Houston had the same idea that we had, because most of the parks had no available camp sites left. The only one we found anywhere close to here was Brazos Bend State Park. Now, it is a great park, but I tried very hard to find something else...anything else. Why? The park is known as "The home of the American Alligator".

Every since I was little I have had a serious fear of alligators, even though I had never seen one in person. It all started with an episode of growing pains where Mike and one of his mischievous friends made this home video about an alligator that came through plumbing in your house and ate you in the bath tub. I'm not sure what the plot was exactly, but all I remember is staring at the drain while taking my showers for years after that! This anxiety about alligators wasn't helped along by the Discover channel highlights of 15 ft. alligators leaping from the water and taking down a deer or something of that sort.

So, in my mind, alligators are killers through and through. They would like nothing more than to take my arm off and then come back for the rest years later. Some of them might even just finish me off in one gulp. While I was really excited about hanging out, and relaxing with Dallas, these thoughts were lingering in the back of my mind.

He basically had to drag me out to the lake the first night, and though it was calm and no predators in sight, I was sure that there was something evil lurking close by. I decided the next day that I would try again, maybe even take the hike around the lake. I'm glad I did. By the end of the day, we had seen over 20 alligators of all sizes. We even saw this guy about 10 ft away from us on the shore. He is about 7 or 8 feet long.




In the end, they weren't as scary as I had always imagined them to be. In fact, the majority of them just sat completely still and didn't seem to care that we were there. I'm not saying I'm going to swim with them anytime soon or try to befriend one, but at least I know they won't be hunting me next time I'm at a city park pond!

Most importantly, Dallas and I had a great time! (And the Baby Bump and Ranger) I wished we could stay longer! It's so nice to just slow down and enjoy the day going by.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

So my little sister and her friend, Kaci, were in town this weekend and early this week. We had a great time! We went to Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, TX, to the Astros vs. Cubs game on Monday night, and made a "music video" you can view on my facebook page. My 2 wild, crazy sisters make my life more fun and keep me remembering to lighten up occasionally!

Wisdom Teeth Aren't So Smart

So, I had to have my bottom 2 wisdom teeth out on Friday afternoon. I wanted to get all 4 but now I'm glad I followed the doctor's advice. My bottom two were too close to the nerves and I can't feel my bottom front teeth, bottom lip, or chin! The surgery site itself is healing pretty well, but the nerves apparently are going to take some time.

I know it's not a big deal to not be able to feel for a while, but it just really bugs me. I think I realized that its the fear that it might not come back or it might be a long time before it does that is getting to me. I know it's irrational because the doctor told me that it would come back, but it's hard to think it's true when all I can feel is...well, nothing.

Sometimes, I worry about my relationship with God that way. I know He's in my life, working, even when I can't see Him. But I wonder...when is the breakthrough coming? Will it ever come? I know it's irrational because God has ALWAYS come through for me and I have NEVER been forsaken, but it's hard to remember that when all I can see is nothing. At least nothing with my physical senses. With the eyes of faith I see that He has it all under control and that I'm in His hands, but it's really easy for that picture to fade when the "reality" is screaming at me right in front of my physical eyes.

But, I choose to trust Him about my life AND my mouth! And for now, I'll keep eating my smoothies, taking my anti-biotics, rinsing my mouth, and just doing all the things the doctor recommended, while God heals those nerves and gives me back all the feeling and makes all the swelling go away! Amen! :)

My New Journey

Dallas and I just got a 2009 Dodge Journey! I'm so thankful for it and so HAPPY! God is good to us!

Pastor Sharon

Last week, we visited my parents in Tulsa, Ok. I had a great time! We got to hang out and talk and I was able to see my little sister turn 21 on July 4th. I also got to know her boyfriend, Luke, a little better. (I've only had 5 1/2 yrs to get to know him, haha) We went to church on Wednesday night at Victory, which I went to while I lived in Tulsa. It felt like home.

I was inspired by Pastor Sharon Daugherty and the strength she has shown since Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty, her husband, passed away in November 2009. As she spoke on trusting God and His word and living out the Christian life, I couldn't help but tear up. I am amazed that, though I know it is hard, she has pushed on so faithfully. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose my husband. I can't imagine being able to even stand up or speak under those circumstances, and yet, she has taken the reins of a mega-church and plunged forward. I thank God for such an amazing example of trust and walking with Him. Like I said, I know that she has struggles and that this isn't easy for her, but I can see the peace that passes understanding, and the joy that I don't think I could have if I were in her place.

Her message inspired me, as well. It was simple and practical, but something that was a word in season for me. She reminded me that I need to press in to God's word and fill my heart and mind up with His thoughts and words in order to live the life He wants for me. The desire for His presence was sparked in me again-- a yearning to learn His word and meditate on it was renewed.

Happy

Yesterday, I was putting a few more pages together for a scrapbook I made for Dallas. As I looked back over the pages from this past year, I got that nostalgic feeling. So many great things have happened in my life, not just in this last year, but all along the way. This last year, I had the opportunity to have my second wedding anniversary, the Zoe fall retreat, Thanksgiving with our family in Chillicothe, MO, the college graduation of the man I love, Christmas with our family in Midland, TX, and moving to Katy, TX, for Dallas's new job. That was just the fun from September to January!

Since January, God has opened up so many doors for us and reminded me that He has a plan for me. I have been able to do things I always wanted to, but I had began to doubt would ever happen. I'm so thankful that God never forgets us. Isaiah 49:16 says that God has engraved us on the palms of His hands and that our walls are ever before him.

I'm happy--happy that God is with me, happy that I have a wonderful husband, happy that I have a purpose in my life!

5 Years with Dallas

5 years ago today, on "The Hill" (Wyandotte youth camp), Dallas asked me to be his girlfriend! Now we've almost been married 3 years and I couldn't be any happier! God brought me an amazing man who is perfect for me in every way! I am so thankful for God's hand in our lives before and since we've known each other.

Am I forgetting something?

Do you ever get that nagging feeling that you are forgetting something you need to do? I hate that feeling. Especially when I'm pretty sure that there is nothing I need to be worried about. All morning I've been on edge trying to figure out what I'm supposed to be doing. I think maybe I dreamed last night that there was something that I needed to do. Either way, I'll either think of it soon or I will remember too late to do anything about it.

In other breaking news, we are watching 2 golden retrievers for one of our friends. One is 5 yrs. old and the other is 11 weeks. Along with our cocker spaniel, Ranger, I have a little entourage of 3 that follow me around wherever I go. Other than tripping over them every time I turn around, they are actually kind of fun to have around. They remind me to relax and enjoy the chaos.

A Beginning

So, today I have been productive. I have straightened the house and mowed the yard, front and back. I would give myself a pat on the back, but these are things that I have needed to do for the last couple of days and I just kept putting them off. I don't know why I've been procrastinating so much, it's not like I'm just now getting days off after so many long months of hard work. In fact, I've had so many days without working at all, I think, maybe, I just know there really is always tomorrow to get things done.

Generally, I am the type that likes to "pay now-play later" so this trend in my behavior is a little alarming. I love to say that I am growing and learning that I can rest and be okay with who I am. That I have learned that I am good enough just as I am and I have no obligation to do things just to please others. Unfortunately, if I really look at the situation, I still feel that pull to impress; I feel the desire to do something to make me worthy of praise. Now, I'm just stuck in this unending loop of procrastination, guilt, and then, worst of all, self-righteous justification of my faulty behavior.

So, what to do? I know that I can live a life free of condemnation and guilt for past failures, but God has given me grace, not as the great cover up for sins, but as a weapon to overcome temptation everyday! I desire to live the life described in Proverbs 31:10-12, 30 "An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life....Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

I want to live a life to bring honor to God and to my husband. I've started many journeys to bettering myself with a journal entry, but this time, I am going public! Welcome to my Golden Moments.