A Wedding, A Cake, and a Rainbow. Seeing Both Sides Of Controversy

 

PERSECUTED FOR FAITH:

 http://www.homecomers.org/mirror/intro.htm

Click on the above to read about the Anabaptist Martys who died for their faith.

 

 

 

It's never been popular to be a Christian.
 And before I launch into that, let me make a statement:
WESTBORO BAPTIST IS A HATE GROUP. I do NOT belong to a hate group. I am a follower of Jesus Christ and they (Westboro Baptist) are not following the Commandments of Christ. I can say without reservation they are ignoring them. But in America, they have EVERY RIGHT TO.

***********************************************

Now, if you think because your gay, that I, as a Christian would hate you, or even JUDGE you, YOU ARE MISTAKEN. I just won't bake you a wedding cake and your just going to have to get over that. 
Maybe just as you say Kim Davis should simply resign, you should just whip out the egg-beaters and go to town on your own cake? The most difficult part of irony is that one person doesn't *get it*.

 

Now I don't pretend to understand or relate to the huge, heaping coals of judgment that some bigoted Christians have dumped on you. I love you as a human. You have the same equal rights as any other human on this planet. I am a sinner, saved by grace and have no business judging you, lest I be judged very harshly by my Father God in heaven. KNOW that I love you, but do not believe that every gay person was born gay. It is my personal belief that I have no idea who is and who isn't born gay, but surely if we can, as humans, be born with BOTH genitalia, and be forced to choose whether to be a man or a woman by society, then surely only GOD knows the finer points of DNA and genetics. Amen?

So save me any blasting about the Gay-Christian struggles on any level and know that my heart goes out to all humanity for all struggles we each face. I am imperfect- and not qualified to point fingers. There, I got that off my chest. Let's move on...



For me, I  see the global importance, regardless if your Gay or Straight, Atheist or Christian, to uphold every one's rights, not just the ones we like or that pertain to us. I uphold others beliefs OFTEN. That's not to say I agree... I just believe in Equal Human Treatment. That means- I'm part of that beautiful, complicated, equation.

 I have a few friends who do not believe as I do, (and that includes some very far stretches from my belief system), should support me if they see me being persecuted. (The Bible says this will happen).. so heads up my friends.. The book of Revelation is coming into full view for all to see. Christians are being persecuted daily simply for being Christians.. but we know that accepting the calling of Christ, that this WILL HAPPEN.

 

http://en.radiovaticana.va/.../pope_francis_at.../1170070

The Pope on Persecution of Christians

 

http://www.breitbart.com/.../pope-warns-of-genocide-as.../

The Pope on GENOCIDE OF CHRISTIANS

 

And that's just The Pope speaking. I chose those so that it wouldn't be qualified as a fringe group. (No hating on Catholics please)

 

 

 

 

Here's some of what the BIBLE has to say directly about persecution of believers (of Jesus Christ as Lord):

• Psalms 9:13 Have mercy on me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, you that lift me up from the gates of death:
• Psalms 119:86 All your commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help you me.
• Jeremiah 20:11 But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.
• Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
• John 15:18 If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.
• John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
• Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
• 1 Corinthians 4:12 And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
• 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:4 For truly, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and you know.
• 2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
• Hebrews 10:33 Partly, whilst you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst you became companions of them that were so used.
• 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you:
• 1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

 

Christianity is ILLEGAL in many parts of the world. I remember having to explain to my children that the people who die for their religion are called Martyrs, and I know my life might have to end at the hands of someone who hates Jesus Christ. That's some heavy stuff to unload on a kid, but it's important that from the cradle that believing in Jesus won't be easy.
I'm prepared for that moment- the time and place where I may have to be beheaded, or tortured because I WILL NOT DENOUNCE JESUS! This "resolve" is called: CONVICTION. I would also die for my gay brothers in Christ, (not for their gay position, but simply to lay my life down for them out of love and devotion, should it come to it. I'm not looking forward to it, but yeah, I'd take a bullet for most anyone in harms way. 


Now, real conviction of which I speak is rarely glamorous. It's not the camera-grabing, media-induced attention that we typically are exposed to. But the media might just grab ahold of something genuine now and then by accident. And that  is why I support Kim Davis. She's going by her gut... and I like that. And it's not that I care if Gay's marry in civil ceremonies. I don't. I just love that someone has the heart and courage to draw her line in the sand. It's the stuff that writes history and don't act like you don't either- because you wouldn't be reading this if you didn't. Right? Your pulling for one side or the other.

I think we, as a people need to see what's happening on both sides of an issue, not just the one that suites us.

Can I tell you something? The church I worship with has a ton of martyrs who died for their faith... who left their homeland in search of a place where they could worship God without fear for their life. They arrived here in the US. Now.. slowly but surely they are in fear of their liberties being eroded. Before long, and probably in my lifetime, I will bet you that churches will have to alter the bible, or throw it out altogether and go completely underground as they all will be considered *bigots*. Christianity will be considered hatred, as it's twisted around and around.

 

 

 

Now, there ARE bigots out there. Make no mistake. Ignore them and PRAY FOR THEM, because that is their ignorant self speaking.

 

I see a lot of "bending" of the issues on both the Christian side and the Gay side. Kim has now decided she simply wants her name not associated with issued licenses. That was, after she was jailed. I also see Gay's making a witch hunt out of this. Don't tell me the couple from Ohio couldn't get married in any other county? I'm not believing that. And because both Christians and Gays want to be heard, there is a lot of clutter to wade through on social media to get to the heart of this issue and other issues like it. It is truly difficult to understand any facts through the media because they paint the story they way they want it to sell.

 

 

 

Understand why I'm banging on my dishpan here: So that your informed.
There is a hierarchy in my bible... God, Man, Woman, Children..in that order. Nothing will change that. I don't see women preachers in the Bible, but God used women in different roles... I'm not trying to change that. Deacons may only be the husband of one wife. Not challenging it either. But there is a whole process at work trying to water it all down. Wait and see. Either side your on.. wait and see.





Ultimately, Kim Davis will ride off in the sunset at some point. Another clash between believers, and anyone who opposes them, & their perceived rights will crop up again and again. Make particular note of what I just wrote: The clash will continue over and over. Additionally; there will be bigots. There will also be GOOD PEOPLE who are following their convictions REGARDLESS of what the GOVERNMENT has to say about it and paying the cost. Mark those words. John the Revelator sure did!

John the Revelator is considered to be exiled to Patmos, undergoing a time of persecution under the Roman rule of Domitian. Revelation 1:9 states: "I, John, both your brother and companion in tribulation... was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Early Traditions and greetings in his letters, suggest that John was banished to Patmos by the Roman authorities. This tradition is credible because banishment was a common punishment used during the Imperial period for a number of offenses. Among such offenses were the practices of magic and astrology. Prophecy was viewed by the Romans as belonging to the same category, whether Pagan, Jewish, or Christian and they didn't discriminate. Prophecy with political implications, like that expressed by John in the book of Revelation, would have been perceived as a threat to Roman political power and order. Three of the islands in the Sporades were places where political offenders were banished. (Pliny Natural History 4.69–70; Tacitus Annals 4.30)

          

         Kids- this isn't anything new.

Just know:I have no problem with the LGBT community setting standards anymore than I have a problem with all of humanity wanting equality. And if I see someone treating you as less than any other human- I will lay down my life for you.  

 It's just that, well...I  personally will not bake you a cake, but I will feed you if your hungry. And if your cold, I'll give you my coat. Sick? I'll try to heal you. I will love you like I love Christ. But don't ask me to compromise. I'll die defending my faith... just like others before me. And at some point- You'll see that the love I had was not my own. It was the love of Christ in me.

So I've pointed out that all people are flawed. No one is making 100% informed choices and most everyone will support the side that best suites their own agenda. 

 

 My question is: Will YOU, the reader, Gay, Straight, Atheist, Agnostic, or just lukewarm or on fire,  stand up for me and my right to believe in Jesus?

 

  

Wimpy Christians Unite!

I haven't been blogging much this year, but I had to get this out there. This Sunday at our church, Brother Ainsworth gave the message, and it was about "Wimpy Christianity". Basically, he asked us to examine our hearts, and ask ourselves: "just how bold are we for Christ?" Do we make excuses when we have opportunities to witness? Do we avoid the actual conversation to actually ask people if they know Jesus? I have to admit; I'm guilty as sin. I'll talk about: Church, God, Christian friends, patients who bring up the subject of God first,  etc... but to boldly ask someone face-to-face; "DO YOU KNOW JESUS?"... no, I don't. I assume.. I wait for them to bring it up, or ask me first about my beliefs. Oh yeah, I'll share, but it is usually under comfortable circumstances, once I've warmed up to someone. I do tell people often that I'll pray for them. I just don't confront them. So, yeah, I'm a wimp. So were most of the other people I was sitting around last Sunday, based on their show of hands. Brother Ainsworth gave a fantastic message that apparently hit us all pretty hard because.....

Get this- after the message, while we are all doing our usual Sunday-After-Meeting-Catch-Up, my husband Scott went out to our truck to get something. Upon approaching, he saw a Mexican man laying in our truck bed! WITH A KNIFE IN HAND! Well, you'd have to know Mr. Hunt. He' a take-no-poo kind of guy, with a take-no-prisoners kind of look about him. He can't help it, he looked that way in 3rd grade. So, he sachet's up to the guy with the knife, and utters the one of the 2 only Spanish phrases he knows: "Que' Paso?"... What Scott doesn't understand is he just gave the cue for: "Speak Spanish As Fast As You Can".. at which point Mr. Hunt realizes he's in over his head, and utters the second known Spanish phrase: "Uno momento", but he says it like: UNO MOMENTO AND IF YOU MOVE ONE INCH, I'LL BE ON YOU LIKE SPAM ON A SKILLET". So the guy just stays put, which was pretty smart on his part. Scott calls Jonathan, who is fluent in Espanol, and Jonathan starts conversing with the guy.

Here's where it gets GOOD: This man was apparently watering someone elses garden (fooling around with another man's wife, for those of you not from Texas), and got caught. He was running for cover, or so he says?

 

He appears nervous and afraid. Jonathan tells him it's ok, and he's safe here. Yeah, you got that right:Jonathan and Scott are actually COMFORTING THIS MAN (holding the knife). They invite him into the church, and he declines. Jonathan took it one step further and WITNESSED TO THIS MAN, telling him, although this may not be the best timing, YOU NEED JESUS!! He invited him to our church anytime and tells him we'll be praying for him!

How awesome is that???
Two wimps-for-Christ go toe-to-toe with bad guy... yeah, they guy who probably (according to the Cleburne Police I spoke with today, who run that area), really wasn't hiding FROM anyone at all. He was probably going to jump me, or Scott, had Scott only not been as big and imposing as he naturally is. He probably made that story up, because, well, don't bring a knife to a gun-fight is the kind of situation he was in. Not literally of course, but you can see pic's of Scott on my profile.... you can put 2+2 together.

So, OUR GOD IS SO GOOD! He gave Brother Howard the message, He gave us ALL a prick in the heart, and He made sure Scott went to the truck and not me. (That would have been a whole 'nuther story). AND- He gave Jonathan the words to speak, the courage to speak it, and the compassion to not react in fear or hate!

I've heard stories like this my whole Menno-life (the past 20 years), of people cooking a meal for someone who was robbing them, and the like. I usually internally rolled my eyes, because I didn't think that was realistic. Well, I'm rethinking all that. God willing, anything is possible.

The Jesus Police

I think we all know them, or know of them, or maybe, just perhaps, have BEEN one of them? Yes, you know of whom I'm speaking: "The Jesus Police".




We all have that well-meaning neighbor, cashier, waitress, co-worker, or spouse who is just chomping at the bit to get us on board with their kind of Christianity. They see the world as black and white. You are either with us, or against us. They police your life as if it was their business. They mostly hide on social media, or behind it. They pick apart what you say, or admit to, and hammer it to bits with scripture to support their attack. Never mind, that whatever the topic is, it's not really a hindrance to you. The TRUTH IS; it has been a hindrance to THEM. This is called: Spiritual Projecting, and it's how some people try to prove to God they are repentant, by calling out anyone they see as being in what they perceive as "harms way". They are trying like the dickens to bring Jesus to your door, and bring Him at their speed.



If you don't: "Worship on the right day, take communion every weak, day or month, adhere to a certain dress code, raise your hands in worship, keep your hands down, and follow the liturgy, free yourself completely, get married in a temple, get married by a preacher, get married by the laws of the land, confess your sins, accept complete grace, give 10 %, give a check for a thousand dollars, (Because God revealed to someone that you should), go to church every Sunday, go to church every other Sunday, go to church on Saturday, take communion with real wine, drink real wine, or distill your own shine, (for personal consumption or medicinal use of course), they will literally take you to take on little issues.




Now, these folks, The Jesus Police, they believe in God, every bit as much as you do. They are GOOD PEOPLE who are typically rather zealous about their beliefs. There is no doubt that they believe that being your personal HOLY SPIRIT is their job, although I do not believe they think of it in those terms. You see, they think they are *SAVING YOU*.from whatever it is that they believe you are doing wrong. They believe that they are simply bringing your shortcomings or oversights into focus, so that YOU may live a better Christian life, and walk a better walk.




Here's the problem: They are not THE HOLY SPIRIT.
I doubt very seriously that they are even consulting God, or asking Him to move in us, in whatever detail of life that they think we are failing in? Nope! The Jesus Police are just whipping out their ticket pad and letting you know you've committed some infraction. They base their "authority" on their own close walk with Christ. Yep, they are just trying to help you.
Usually, it's something that doesn't tempt you in the least, but rather one that the Sargent Fingerpointer believes he has mastered himself. Or maybe Sister Soinso, has a rather murky past, and she recognizes her own weakness, so she projects it on you.




There are a lot of subjects that I can use as an example, but for grins, I've picked two that represent the choices of two Christians and how an twisted sort of "pride" can lead one Christian to attack another:


1) Alcohol
2) Professions




Alcohol

I once knew a man who was a member of many social media groups. He seemed to be older and wiser. He became a "Father figure" on these religious groups, and rather adopted many people as family. He was a good man, no doubt about it.




However, he had his own past. A past that was sullied with the memories of when he left his church family as a young man, and began hanging out in bars. The story isn't unique. It's one that haunts many Christians today, if Satan has his way? And apparently, this man in his older years took it upon himself to "police" the younger people on these social media groups and watch for any mention of alcohol. Alcohol was his weakness, and was what ruined years of his life.
And he did this in his mind, as Christ would have him do, which in most cases, would be a good thing, since it's true that we all need others to kind of nudge us, encourage us, and keep us stepping in the right direction, right? ......................




Here's where it gets interesting and personal. Over time, me and this group became Internet friends. Some of these people I've met since then in real life, and others I've had phone conversations with. We've put effort into this group, and into encouraging each other. As you get to know each other you become more personal. We would greet each other daily and sometimes list what we were going to do that day. We would list things like: Milk the goats, or bake a cake.
Well, baking a cake became my undoing. You see; I wrote, in "print" that I was going to bake a rum cake. Yes, a RUM CAKE.



Do you know that this man made it his JOB from that day forward to "police" my posts? He very openly denounced my said cake as being "from the devil". No matter that after his nasty-gram, I promised, if it unnerved him that much, on a Yahoogroup, living in the Midwest, probably more than 1200 miles away, that I would use RUM FLAVORING, and not REAL RUM, regardless of how much would burn off in that 350 degree oven, for 55 minutes,..  He still saw me "dabbling with sin"???




So on went his badge, and as Jesus as his Lieutenant, he went about policing my every post. It wasn't just about alcohol, but the point is; I don't have a problem with alcohol. I certainly respect that he did, but the mere flavoring of rum, (which is sold in Lifesavers Candy) should not be enough to elicit an attack openly on a forum, in the event that I may, at some point in time become too fond of the rum cake, and take to just drinking rum like a pirate, this would justify his need to cross personal boundaries, and do so publicly.




Now, if you were raised in the church, you certainly know about Matthew 18, and I would think he did too? More later on that...



So, this man removed himself eventually from our group (more than once), and started his own little groups that were "like-minded". On our group, he seemed to pick apart me especially, but others too. Mostly on issues like alcohol, or country music. Both seemed to provoke a part of his past to come to the forefront and he would go off like a time-bomb, both predictably and accurately if someone were to even hint at anything that didn't measure up to his perspective of Godliness, which included: Only hymns, (no Christian music), plain dress, veils, not kapps,no Internet (which he claimed he only had e-mail access) and anything popular at all. He was on many groups and spent a good deal of time telling other people how to dress, what to read, what to listen to, and who to associate with, and trust me, I wasn't on the list.




So the question became- Is he wrong to judge my rum cake? Yes, I believe he was. He was impulsive, and probably didn't react based on concerns for me, because he didn't really take the time to KNOW ME. If he did, he would have known I do not care for alcohol much, and use wine and rum in cooking 100 times over drinking. Even when I explained this to him, he became fierce about his stance, and would refer to his own misjudgements in life, speculating that I too would somehow find my way to the honky-tonk and be a slave to rum, neon lights, and Lefty Frizzell.


What he didn't know was- I've already done that. I have a similar story. But I never became an alcoholic... strong drink and hangovers just don't appeal to me. So instead of making this my "point of judgement", as a Christian, I just kept my past to myself, and reserved the mention of hard drinking to someone in a *PRIVATE MOMENT*, not on a public forum. This is where Matthew 18 comes into play:


Matthew 18:15-20New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ “If your brother or sister^[a] sins,^[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. ¹⁶ But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’^{[c] 17} If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.



To me, it was obvious that this kind, elderly, father figure was genuinely concerned, but he also had a kind of backwards pride that made him feel justified as The Jesus Police?



The first question is: IS THIS A SIN??? Doesn't a real life Police Officer have to determine whether a crime has been committed? Of course they do. And they don't make the rules, they just enforce them. So what made this man break out the night stick on Kelly??



You see, for him,alcohol might have truly been a sin, where he to indulge?
 Maybe this man spent his life in constant remorse, rather than relying on grace? It's obvious he took issue with even the thought of alcohol. He had even suggested it wrong to be in mouthwash or used in herbal medicine. I mean, this man REALLY stood his ground on the subject!



So that tells me a lot about him. Not me. It's neither here nor there because it's no great temptation. And the bible says a lot about drunks, but it's clear that a little "for the stomach", (1 Timothy) is fine.
In my mind, God is saying; "Don't abuse this!"... In this mans mind God was saying:"This will ruin you and you'll go to hell!" You have to be real with yourself to have an accurate reading of your own guilt in this situation. If you can't stop at one or two, or it's something you literally crave regularly and can't do without, you probably are dabbling in something that could hurt you. Otherwise, if your wired like I am, your not. But I doubt this man cared about saving my soul. I think he cared more about being right? I think he felt like he was winning his own salvation by doing this sort of thing. By pointing out a potential sin and policing my life? Neither were really necessary.



Next: Professions


I had my children early in life. I was rather the "Loretta Lynn" of my family. I was married at 17, not because I had to, but because I wanted out on my own. I was bitter over my biological parents divorce, and it was a springboard into rebellion.

I threatened my mother that I would run away to get married in Oklahoma if she didn't agree to let me marry... I know she didn't want to and in hindsight I kick myself for tormenting her. But so much was changing so fast for me... at least it seemed? I was ready to run around and not be told what to do. So she agreed, and signed, AND drove me to the courthouse. She asked me if there was anyway she could talk me out of this? No,.. I was determined. For what, I still don't know?


I literally was sitting in Social Studies with a ring on my finger, in our rural southern town, with two other girls in my class who were also married and living on their own and still attending class. By the time I was 21, I had all my children, could have no more. (That's another story). My parents said to me that they were "too young" to be Grandparents, and although I was unaware that you could pick or choose that status, they really only had my kids on occasions, and kind of dropped out of our lives over time.

I knew by my own rebellion, that I'd have a hard row to hoe by myself. I had made hard choices for certain, and my parents were busy with their careers, and too full of themselves at that age to care much for us. I know I created that rebellion early in my teens, but you know, rebellious teenagers don't get that way all by themselves...

But I have always been a worker, and never minding holding down more than one job. I worked all the time. Now, people love to poke fun at me for having too many jobs! It's a running joke in our house. But I have done everything from build mobile homes, telemarketing, to making donuts, and driving a rural route for the U.S. Postal Service. I've been a waitress at about 25 different restaurants.
I just never was happy with any of my professions for long. Until I learned accounting. A friend helped me get a job in Accounts Receivable, which is just a fancy title for: Business-to-Business Collections. If a business has service to lease out, like "The Yellow Pages", then they have customers who finance. It was fun, and easy work for me, because I'm a talker. I can talk the money right out of your wallet and into the checking account that it belongs in, and make you feel good about doing it.
It was a win-win for me and the companies I worked for! I could do the job, and not loose the customer. That was key.

But a lot of Christians, were not happy about me working full time. They cited the "Keepers of the Home" scripture, which again, I will say this; You need to know me before you start judging me.

"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 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" (Tit. 2: 3-5).

This scripture is quoted in a way that suggests women shouldn't work if you read it just right. And at the time the scripture was written, there was so much dad-gum work to be done in a house, a wife didn't have TIME TO WORK!

The way I read this, (keeping in mind that I was not raised being aware of this verse), is: "Older women, be role models, be good, not drunks, or gossips, and teach the younger women."

Right?


t reads to me as: "Keep your priorities rights. Make your home your haven. Be obedient and love your husband and children. Live a Christ-like life before all."


Apparently there is no mercy for anyone who has raised her children and wants a career outside the home, regardless of how easily she keeps her home while she works? I mean, for heaven-sake, I have an electric dish washer! An electric mop, an electric vacuum, and a self-cleaning oven! WHAT IS IT I'M SUPPOSED TO BE DOING??? I totally understand being a Stay-At-Home Mother, and I'm not suggesting anything to the contrary. I'm speaking of the empty-nester? What's the difference in a woman with an empty nest and a young women without children? Add this to the mix: My husband travels. A LOT!

So, 100 years ago, there were ashes to be taken out of the stove, wood to chop, and a stove to blacken after I'd cleaned it out.
Did I mention that I just fling my clothes in a white box and push a button and I'll be hanged if they don't all come out clean in 15 minutes?? No wandering down by the river and heating up a washpot over a wood burning fire...
Listen ya'll- I don't even iron! Nope! Dollar General sells a bottle of wrinkle remover for $1.50. If you don't have any, you need to go get you some. It's a lifesaver!

So back to the argument. You see, I believe in being a Titus 2 Woman. I believe my home is my first concern, after God and family. But I can clean that dickens out of that house on Saturday, do my wash as I go during the week and still have time to work if my husband wants me to! And that's what it boils down to, IF your truly measuring your goodness by the God-Stick and not trying to be the Jesus Police to others! Are you?

There is a big difference in raising a child to be a stay at home mom, and converting a mid-lifer into your ideal. Remember, HE IS GOD and has more than one formula...

Read on:

I had been working a few years when once again, on social media, I was attacked for not being a STAY AT HOME KEEPER OF THE HOME!
Well, I tried to reason with them: "I had my children young, and now they are grown."... I'm 40 years old, and my husband has asked me to help, so that we can pay off all our debt (check your own scripture) and get a little bit stashed in savings?

OH NO.. that shouldn't happen! Just why is it that I think I can't have more babies, which seems to be the glue that holds this whole argument together, since you will surely see Amish women cleaning houses (because they are single) or running a business, if all their family is together. Babies it seems, is what I need to focus on, and the Jesus Police in this situation was not only a Keeper-At-Home, but also a Quiverfull believer also. Now, neither one bother me one bit. But I can't be a Keeper-At-Home if there's nothing to keep! This did not detour this Sister one bit. She actually sent me a link to http://www.blessed-arrows.com/ . This is a ministry for women who have had tubal ligation's, and want them reversed. I post this with love for the ministry and I've shared it many times to others. But...


Did you stop to think that throwing this thought into mine and my husbands lap may not be a good idea? No, you didn't. You stood there defending your badge, and your place as The Jesus Police, making sure everyone you come in contact with knows what the rules are? Your not going to support a women who is obeying her husband, let alone take time out to pray for her husband it it's all that important to you?? And your going to hinder our ability to get out of debt? You think it's "one size fits all"? That makes no sense to me. How do we practice outreach to those who aren't, or never have been in the church??? With a cookie-cutter mentality?



Yes I am  well aware that some people have babies into their late 40's and some miracle children are born over 50. But you know what??? This Christianity business, especially the ultra-conservative quiverfull theology was as new as the light of day to me! I mean, I had just gotten my husband accustomed to me covering my head for church and donning long denim jumpers everyday. You mean there's more I have to do to please God?? AND IT'S YOUR JOB TO POINT THAT OUT???
All because you were lead by the Holy Spirit to do this? Really?



No Mam. It's not your place. It's the Holy Spirits job to lead me and lead me alone.  You see, we didn't start the journey together, nor at exact times. You had different influences, and I rather admire you for that. Even more so, I kind of envy you, because you didn't have to figure out your place in life after you've made all the bad decisions.I certainly appreciate you helping me to understand what you believe, and I don't think it's wrong at all! I think it's beautiful. But it's too late for me. And no matter how hard you assert yourself, and your homestead-driven life and ideals, I'm still right where God met me. And I'm still in the palm of His hand. And it's the same place He has you in too! We will both be fine, but reserve your judgement and proclamations for yourself, because your not my Holy Spirit. You can't take a verse of scripture and make it a cookie cutter for Christians because some of these Christians weren't made of the same Cookie Dough as you. You know how you lay down your dough and roll it out? That's God.
Then you pick up the pieces of the cookies and bake them? That's God!
Lastly, you pick up the leftover, looked-over dough and roll it into unique little shapes that don't match all the others. THAT'S DEFINITELY GOD! He uses all his cookie dough and doesn't waste a bit. And we all come out fine.




So, in sharing these "for instances", I hope that you, the reader grasp that we aren't each others Holy Spirit, and chastising others, should come forth prayerfully, not eagerly. At the very least, I hope you get a bead on the next person posing as the Jesus Police and pray for them as hard as they try to save you? Be cautious that your exuberance for Christ, and your own past life, are not projected and heaped onto your brothers and sisters in Christ, but are cautiously shared with people privately, as you literally feel The Holy Spirit move in you? That is Christ-Alive. That is when we are at our humble best. Take time to get to know people intimately and let God work in your relationships over time. If, after you truly know someone, and you see something that is hindering them spiritually, go to them in earnest, alone, without an audience, and simply address your concerns, but OWN those concerns. Ask God FIRST, if this person is truly in sin, or are they in a place where God is busy working at His own time?


I guarantee two things;



1) If you rush in, you'll rush out, and you will do more damage than good.




2) If you pray hard about pointing out another sin, and your SURE it's sin, there is a biblical remedy for it in Matthew 18. Take that stance, and follow those rules. It's not just about the sinner, it's about those who are "ASSUMING" too. It's a spiritual equation that allows everyone to think long and hard about the situation BEFORE acting. If you want to be part of the family of Christ, take off your badge, and lay down your uniform and stand naked before God. Then, decide if you need to address the behaviour of others?




Blessings and Peace Out,

Kelly

Traveling Options: I'll Take The High Road....

Waking up in a house full of wadded up kleenex, Nyquil bottles, and the smell of Unker's Salve spells one thing: We is ill at the Hunt household.
You see, Mr. Hunt has his own upper respiratory mysteries going on, with much uncovered sneeezing which is followed by my lamenting about the spreading of viruses. He's making coughing/wheezing/snorting sounds as he goes about the house, speaking only in whispers, because his throat is sore.


I am on the tail end of a migraine. This does not bring out the best in my personality.



All this is said in pretense to the following: "IT'S HARD TO BE NICE WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE POOP!"



Still, it's no excuse to be sharp, short tempered, or snarky, or is it? I admit, I've used my illness, or womens monthly issues, and headaches as a reason to justify my inner lunatic at times. No, I'm not proud of that. But you know, as you get older, you kind of reflect on your character, and on your habits, good and bad. There's some things you settle on, and other things you know must change if your going to continue on for another 40m or 50 years. Aim high I always say.



Here at mid-life, when you have the occasional reflection about your behavior, you want to ask yourself ; "HOWS IT WORKING???" For me, not so good. So I'm rethinking many things I do that usually backfire, and I'm reworking my behavior into an intentionally positive pattern, to make a NEW PATH. This path is called "The High Road". Perhaps you've heard your Mother speak of it? Or at least your shrink? Oh come on! Your guidence counselor for the love of Pete?? Someone along the way surely suggested you take The High Road, I know they did.


Beginning today, I am not going to use my headaches, my body aches, my frustrations, or my unexpected visits from my Aunt Flo, or hot flashes as a springboard to speak my mind. At least as much as I'm able. I will make a conscience effort to find my inner kindness, or as Mr. Hunt says I should do: "Take a kindness pill". (Not to be confused with a chill-pill, that's a whole 'nuther ball of wax)... I will intentionally recognize when I feel under the weather and CHOOSE to rise above it or lay low. I will take The High Road. Why? Because the Bible says to. Proverbs 31: She doeth him good and not evil, All the days of her life. (I see no exception clause, do you?) I want to do right by God and by my husband. That's my priority, even if it doesn't always come naturally to me. That's why we have the Bible... to help steer us on course when we loose direction. Besides, being calm, cool, and collected in the face of adversity is one to the greatest blows to the devils stradegy. Don't you think he wants to see you come completely undone, and go for each others throat?? Of course he does!



I'll use my own character flaw as an example: In the past, I was happy 27 out of 28 days a month. But day 28 kicked my butt. There is no praying my way through it, no making a choice that today is no different than any other day, no way to escape the oppressive, black cloud that hung over my head for a good 24, sometimes 36 hours .hours. But you know what? I can CHOOSE to be quiet...to walk away...to ignore... to wait 10 seconds before I respond and choose the tone in which I speak. I can select my words wisely. I will take practice, but it CAN be done. Truthfully, in my youth I thought it was everyone elses job to *lay low* on this day. I mean surely, they can see a pattern?? If I were in their shoes, I'd be marking my calendar to make sure I knew exactly what day Mom's going to loose her mind, and blow a gasket, or burst into tears over probably not much at all.



Now, I believe Satan knows a womans monthly cycle. I suspect he has a legion of mini-satans who's only job is to follow the lunar cycle of each fertile woman and day 28, (actually it's day 21, but you get the gist), they launch an assault on that woman by prompting every soul around her to test her limits. But you know what? I am a child of The King!!! Even at my weakest, at my most vulnerable, I am forgiven, I am loved, and I have domninion over anything un-Christ-like, including my behavior, my tongue, my tone and my eye-rolls. Even if I am only this way one or two days a month, it's not acceptable to use a headache or tummy cramps as an excuse to be ugly. But that's exactly what my flesh tells me I can! Well, that's just what Old Red Legs wants me to think. Guess what? He's in for a surprise!




Today is the day!! I will, regardless of my migraine, be a kind wifey to Mr. Hunt. I will not yell: "Shut the flippin' door!!" or sarcastically say; "Can you raise the volume so that those mortor shells sound more realistic?"... or better yet, as he lays on the couch, watching the same war movie he's seen so often he can lip-sync the dialogue, I WILL NOT ask: "Have we saved Private Ryan today???"... No, no I won't. I won't give the devil any fodder I tell you!



What I'm going to do is send the Father of Lies, back to the drawing board. I will gently get up and turn the volume down myself, and remind my inner madwoman that Mr. Hunt feels poorly too, and he probably can't hear the mortar shells and gun-fire because his head is stuffed up. I will dim my own lights, and make him hot tea in a dark kitchen, see that he gets his Alka-Seltzer every 6 hours, and do it kindly and pleasantly, regardless of any urge to rant, to eye-roll, to give him the stink-eye, because, gosh-darn I feel like poo too!!!



But truly, the real reason I'm choosing KINDNESS is: I will not give my husband any cause to resent me. Why give the devil a foothold? I will choose the path of meekness and love. The devil won't know what to think? He won't have a leg to stand on, he won't have ammunition to destroy!
Seriously- look at any failed relationship and regardless of the details of the situation- the bottom line is: two people resent each other. The behavior is the cause of course, but the outcome is always the same: Resentment.




Today, I will ask God for the grace that is sufficient to get me through this migraine without damaging my marriage, or the Sheetrock.


As many women have mentored me, I try to mentor other. Wives, we have to be gentle to our husbands even when we are overwhelmed. The silent killer in all relationships, whether it be a marriage, or a friendship, is: RESENTMENT. Let nothing you say bring resentment into the fellowship. It's from the devil, and the wrench that loosens the bolts that keep your relationships hinged tightly. Ask yourself; "Am I snarky, quit tempered and hostile to my mate? How do I justify this? Is this what God wants for us as a couple?"....You probably have your answer by now, but just in case:



A few Proverbs will support this train of thought:

Clamorous, foolish women are empty-headed (Proverbs 9:13).
Gracious women retain their honor (11:16).
Lovely women without discretion are like jewels in a swine’s snout (11:22).
Wise women build substantial homes (14:1).
Foolish women destroy a home (14:1).
Contentious women are like a continual dropping on a rainy day (19:13; 27:15).
Brawling women are not easy to live with (21:9; 25:24).
Angry women are never good company (21:19).


So, if like me, you find yourself not at your best when your overwhelmed by duty, illness, or tension... take joy in knowing you'll send the devil running if you act in Godly Character. It won't happen overnight. Your going to fail many times before you change a pattern, but if you keep working at it, your character will transform itself. But keep one thing in mind- be yourself, just try to be a better version of yourself. Never try to be *Sister _________, who always seems to have her ducks in a row, and looks like the perfect version of the Titus 2/Proverbs 31 Woman. God meets you where you are and made you to be divine and unique.



Remind yourself that IF YOU STAY AWARE of any behavior that causes *RESENTMENT*, it's easier to be conscience going forward, and cut Old Red Legs off at the pass. God will reward you with joy in your marriage as you journey together.



I'll see you on the High Road, won't I?

Longing To Belong..........The Long Road to Self Discovery

Have you ever seen the video to Blind Melon's "No Rain"??

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qVPNONdF58

Here ya go, just in case you haven't. Go ahead and laugh at the *Bee Girl* who takes on the wrath of her peers just to be who she really wants to be, and ultimately finds herself in the process, as well as a community that is accepting of her, quirks and all. It's a wonderful story.

And, it's a visual metaphor that I can relate to. I would imagine many of us can, (?),which is why the video and song were so popular, and the *Bee Girl* captured our hearts.

I could very well have been *The Bee Girl*. Perculiar, and awkward as a child, but always willing to try put me in so many situations where I had to learn flexibility. This in return created skills, both social, and occupational. I tend to embrace the wierd, the outcast, the loser who is simply not sure of who they are or what direction they should go. I'm supposed to, right?

As I have grown spiritually and matured as a person, I can clearly see how my own awkwardness, and social and behavioral quirks have been a blessing. They've allowed me to think outside the box, learn to utilize my creative thinking, make friends with anyone who is willing, and take on bullies, realizing that they are truly the one in need of a friend. The older I have become, the more I've realized that whatever it is about me that makes me a bit peculiar to some, is also my strength.

But recently, I joined an Aspergers awareness group, and as I learn more about what is simply my uniqueness and what is Aspergers-driven behavior, I have noticed a trend for Aspie's to gravitate towards sub-cultures. Probably because they do not feel like they "fit in" with normal everday popular culture? That's my guess.

So, I had to ask myself; "Did I become plain, join the Mennonites, and submerge myself in Anabaptism simply to have a place to belong?".... (chew on that for a minute)

Answer: "Possibly".

Ultimate Answer: "Does it matter??"

I would say that perhaps we ALL have a desire to fit in somewhere. I wasn't lucky enough to be born into a culture that was accepting of me *as is*. I had to seek and find.

First I was with my Nanny many-a-Sunday among The Pentecostals, as a young girl. I think that may have groomed my perception of what I thought I should desire in a church?
Then I attened the Southern Baptist church for many years. It was good, and I don't have a bad thing to say about the experience, as it helped me understand the Bible, learn memory verses, help the poor, and learn the need to support missions, (God Bless Lottie Moon)

But I do believe I related strongest to The Pentecostals. There was something about being all together as a group- all with similar habits, dress, and lifestyles that beckoned to me. Like a siren to a sailor, like a moth to a flame. I just wanted to belong.

In my younger days, I combed through my geneology, seeking a race or culture to identify with, and yes- something to attach myself to and a place to once again: "BELONG".

You know, like some people can say: "I'm 1/4 Cherokee", (thus attend every Pow-Wow within driving distance and get sneered at by the local tribesmen) or "I'm Greek! Opa!!" Or SOMETHING... ANYTHING! But what I found, is a lot of interesting historical detail, and a legacy of a mutt. I am Scotch-Irish, Welsh, and African American for the most part, but I never got a Pow-Wow or cool drinking habit to claim. I DID find Slave History, but I promise you that I cannot walk around and claim to be black. It would be a slap in the face to any black person who has ever suffered racism. I can only claim the heritage, history, and have some interesting documentation of my GGG Grandmothers *emancipation* from slavery. But not enough of any ONE culture that I can identify with! Darn. Still,  I make a good "American" and historically, that's what my descendants will refer to me as.

So, here we are. I have invested a good chunk of my life learning why and what The Anabaptists believe, and trying to serve others in like fashion. Many times I fail horribly. Other times I do ok, and I think God might just be happy with this *odd little bird* He created?

I worried for a while that my drive to BE Anabaptist in lifestyle and worship was not genuine, but more of a desire to fit in somewhere? But upon deep reflection, I think that might be a small part of a bigger pie of possibilities? Greater than that, I confess I have a problem with my enormous temper, my red-neckedness, my quick-wit-ed-ness, (that is usually a gift, but sometimes a curse), and compulsive behavior that rises up like fat in a bean-pot to bite me in the butt when not kept in check. I'm mouthy, stubborn, and don't really believe that we are supposed to **link** every single like-verse in the Bible to apply to what we want it to mean. I usually have an opinion about that too, (thus in trouble again). I am fairly sure there are alien beings if we have thus discovered other universes, but I try not to talk about it at church, unless it's to Eugene & Amanda Ulrich, who love astronomy. They will indulge me.

 

I also have problems with road rage and poor customer service. Brother Richard Miller and his lovely wife Tina understand me on that point. And I don't always understand the difference between biblical and cultural issues. It's a mind warp for me. Brother Jerry Ulrich and Sister Velma, as well as my adopted family "The Ainsworths" (Howard, Leslie, and brood), have spent hours trying to help me in all my awkwardness. Don't worry, I don't take myself too seriously. We've had loads of laughs over me...LOADS!

 

I've come to a place where I believe God not only wants me to be where I am, but possibly NEEDS me to just sit and stay, (which is an act of obedience), not just for my own spiritual growth, but also to challenge and sharpen the minds and hearts of those raised within the Anabaptist Culture, to help us all learn acceptance of what is not common amongst us.

 

 Maybe I'm wrong? But I see everyones hearts beating bigger, faster, and yearning to comprehend each other at every service I attend. No, I'm not a member at the Mennonite Church I go to. I likely never will be, because I'm D & R. That's another blog, but let me say: My church does not hold that against me. They just have a bar to keep held high to raise Godly generations. I'm not the norm. They can't make an exception without opening a can of worms. I get that. SO - they love me despite it, and let God lead both my and my husband. They also let me help in the communion and foot washing. It's hard, I admit, but I can sit with the Sisters and watch.. hold towels, and pray with them. Some people would insist that is horrible, or ask;"Why don't you go somewhere else?" I answer: "Because this is where I FEEL God placed me"... that's enough. And because of these people who put into practice much more than I'm able, I am a more BALANCED person. It actually helps me, with my compulsive behavior, out-spoken, mouthy, self... It SEASONS my heart and helps me see the bigger picture. It reminds me to take myself out of the equation, and love people, even people different than myself. It gives me the balance I need to shut up, be humble, and live for others.


I think it's where I belong and God knew what He was doing when he made me *a little different*.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you *fit in*? Do you feel accepted? Are you where God can use you, and mold you more into HIS image? Are you willing to try?


Leave me a comment or write me at muttleyhunt@yahoo.com
You can also find me on facebook under Kelly Watson Hunt


God Bless!

Kelly
 

The Detour

 

 

Rumbling through some old pictures from about 10 years ago, I stumbled upon these. It's of a cabin near Shirley, Arkansas that was fully occupied until the late 1970's. Scott and I were on our way home from a bluegrass festival in Mountain View, when we stopped to look at this cabin. I've seen it quite a few times on my way up there, but never had time to step inside and take a peek? It was one of those rare occasions that I actually got going on time, and we had plenty of daylight to burn, so Scott agreed to let me go poking around. 

 

 

The door was closed, but not locked. At first glance, the main room that you enter had a fireplace on the left and an old bedstead with springs still sitting there. No mattress to be found. I'm guessing the mice got it piece by piece? The windows let in plenty of morning light, and I noticed a narrow set of stairs. Up I went and would you believe this little cabin had an upstairs room, completely sheet rocked, and a small closet! The add-on in the back is a make-shift kitchen. There was a sink, and a drain that had a pipe that just let the water out to the grass behind the cabin. No plumbing, but the outhouse was still standing! I took a look-see inside and it was still functional! (Good for me, we were in the middle of nowhere!). I saw a broom in the corner and I took to cleaning it out. You always leave a place in better shape than you found it, right? Little did I know that I was tidying up for myself! Our afternoon did not go as planned.

 

 

 

 

After I did all my investigating and was fully satisfied that I'd taken a glimpse back in time, we shut the door and left it the way we'd found it. I put my camera in the backseat of my car, and Scott asked me to drive. No problem, I love country roads! I put the key in the ignition, and tried to turn it. But it was frozen. My key would not budge. We sat there in the autumn air with the windows down for about 15 minutes trying every possible thing we could think of? Is the car in park? Yes. Well maybe we need to rock it forward? No luck. Eventually, it occurred to us that we needed help, but we were so far out in the mountains, that we couldn't get a signal on our new "cellular phones"! So, off Scott goes up a hill, holds the phone up to the sky and prays for bars! He was able to make a phone call to Triple A (AAA) and they actually knew about where we were, but said they had no idea when a driver could make it out that way? Just sit tight.

 

At this point, Scott and I realize we might actually be spending the night right where we were? We evaluated the situation, and decide to put our tent (never leave home without it!) inside the cabin. It was late October, so it would get nippy by morning, and this would keep any critters away from us. We had a case of bottled water, although there was a well behind the cabin if we needed more than just drinking water. We unloaded out car, and pulled out our folding chairs in front of the cabin, facing the road to watch for the wrecker that might or might not be on his way?

 

 

I have to say; I married a Boy Scout. Actually, Scott is an Eagle Scout, for real and for true! He shined like a brand new penny that day when he broke out a box of food I didn't know he'd stashed. We had canned ham on crackers, kippers, and oatmeal for lunch. When you THINK your going to go hungry, the most meager meal tastes so delicious! There was peanut butter and other foods for later. We could have lasted 3 or 4 days without worry.

 

I kept looking at my watch and Scott noticed I was getting a little nervous. You know there are BEARS in The Ozarks, right? My sweet husband pulled out his guitar and my mandolin, and we sat and picked out songs, and sang badly, just as some old pioneer probably did over one hundred years ago in the very same spot! I noticed I wasn't really concerned over the wrecker anymore, as I saw the sun start to get low in the west, and touch the tops of the trees. I noticed the birds, saw a raccoon, squirrels, and took note of berries and various herbs growing wild. I found that walking around, the Mullein was abundant, and realized I needed to pick as much as I can, because this will make a great salve! So I did, and Scott just chuckled at me for filling an ice-chest full of the fuzzy leaves.

 

Just about the time I think we need to light lanterns and get busy with setting up our tent, I hear a low rumble in the distance and a motor running. No one had been this way in hours. The wrecker arrived to see the two of us sitting in front of that cabin, playing and singing to our hearts content, and not really sure we wanted to go anywhere just yet? But we had to...

 

 

It was kind of sad when they hooked my car up to the chains and pulled it up the ramp. Scott and I hopped into the cab and they took us to back to Mountainview to a hotel. Ok, I've been stuck in The Ozarks before. I'm just telling you that their sense of urgency is not the same as say, someone in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Not by a LONG SHOT. It  took a week to get the starter  in and have it installed. Something that would have been an overnight job in any big city. They didn't seem to be in any big rush. Then it hit me.. what a beautiful thing! I called my supervisor at work, and explained that this is going to take about 5 days according to Roy at the Auto Repair shop. Yes, it's the only shop in town. No there's nothing I can do about it. But that didn't mean they were slack on their customer service- not at all! They gave us a rental. A beat up model, with four wheels and 4-60 A/C. (That's four windows down, at 60 miles per hour)...

 

 

 

We spent five days a little miffed that we couldn't stay in the log cabin, but happy enough to be able to cruise around the mountains and extend our vacation! That's one happy detour, and it changed my perspective about what I think I "need". Truthfully, you don't need much to be happy. You just need "enough".

 

Deep Foundations In A Shallow World

 

Recently, my Grandson and I had a "talk" about God. He's a teenager, and still struggling with the concept of God, and in fact, the very need for a God. Is there a true need? I know the answer and you may know the answer, but many of today's youth are finding little need to God. They are simply opting for the agnostic route. It sounds arrogant,. Simply put; most American teens have never truly suffered anything. They've been handed a lot. School is easy. Jobs are easy. The economy is easy. Life is good. Few teenagers have ever broken a sweat for lack of air conditioning, and have never had to stoke a fire for warmth. Food is overly abundant. Not a whole lot is required of them compared to their great grandparents generation. 

 

 

 

So, I have to ask myself, what will it take to make this generation humble? It seems horribly arrogant to think that God, Jesus, heaven, and the Bible are mere fairy stories? That it's without a purpose? That God gave His only begotten Son for no particular reason, or worse, that it's a fable? But that is a common thought among America's teens. 

 

However, if you're faith has never been challenged, it's possible that a person lacks it entirely. So here we are: the land of plenty. Majority of America is kept fat and happy by personal employment, the government, churches, and charitable organizations. It wasn't that way not so long ago.

 

 

According to Census Bureau data for 2009 (the most recent year statistics are available), of the almost 50 million Americans classified as poor, 96% of the parents said their children were never hungry. Eighty-three percent of poor families reported having enough food to eat, and 82% of poor adults said they were never hungry at any time in 2009 due to a lack of food or money. And we are seeing obesity rates in children that historically have never been witnessed. Now, I'm not knocking today's children. They don't know any different and of course I want them fed! I'm simply making a comparison from a century ago when true hunger was a reality, and quite common.

Death Rates by Cause of Death, 1900–2005

(per 100,000 population)

Year	Tuberculosis, all forms	Malignant neoplasms (cancer)	Major cardiovascular diseases	Influenza and pneumonia	Motor vehicle accidents
1900	194.4	64.0	345.2	202.2	n.a.
1910	153.8	76.2	371.9	155.9	1.8
1920	113.1	83.4	364.9	207.3	10.3
1930	71.1	97.4	414.4	102.5	26.7
1940	45.9	120.3	485.7	70.3	26.2
1950	22.5	139.8	510.8	31.3	23.1
1960	6.1	149.2	521.8	37.3	21.3
1970	2.6	162.8	496.0	30.9	26.9
1980	0.9	183.9	436.4	24.1	23.5
1990	0.7	203.2	368.3	32.0	18.8
2000	0.3	200.5	340.4	24.3	15.2
2001	0.3	194.4	323.9	21.8	15.4
2002	0.3	193.8	318.3	22.9	15.5
2003	0.2	191.5	310.3	22.4	15.4
2004	0.2	187.4	293.8	20.9	15.0
2005	0.2	188.7	288.8	21.3	15.3

 

 

Mortality rates were very high in areas of disease, such as venereal disease, and sickness. Infant mortality was as high as 30% percent in some areas of America in the early 1900's. Penicillin wasn't even invented until 1928. That translates into: the average American teen witnessed a lot of death and sickness unless they were unusually fortunate. 

 

 

 

Of course I do not wish any hunger, illness or death on today's youth. I simply wish history was taught accurately, and I wish we had better teaching tools? I sometimes long for a new invention like "smellevision". Yep, if today's youth could capture the average smell of a household from 100 years ago, they'd be thanking God for soap and water, let alone their deodorant, or Juicy Couture?
 I wish they average teen could be transported in time to see a real closet of 1900? My grandparents home was built in the 1920's and had no original closets. Each person had their own "wardrobe", a tall cabinet with a door. It was probably about 6" in height, and 3 and a half feet wide. There was room for perhaps 6 changes of hanging clothes at the most, 3-4 small drawers, and if you were lucky; a mirror on the inside or outside of the door. That was IT. You had ONE pair of shoes until you outgrew them, or wore them out. Underpants? Optional depending on how affluent your family was. Typically, a teen had 1-2 pairs of pants or skirts, and 2-3 shirts or blouses. Not drawers of designer t-shirts, and jeans. Not a small room we now call a closet full or clothes that get worn a dozen times then given away. People literally wore their closes out and even then, saved the remaining fabric for bandages (band aides were not yet marketed) patching other clothing, or cut into quilt squares. Nothing went to waste.
 

  Today's America is so vastly different than the America 1913. Imagine where your at?  Did your town even exist? If it did, was their a train? If not your great grands where likely isolated and counted on family and close neighbors for any socializing. Days started early, because of the heat in the summer, and the need to milk the cow year-round, and to break the ice and stoke the fire in the winter, and yes, milk the cows, even in the bitter cold. All this before they went to school, IF they went to school at say, age 15? Many had to stop schooling by 13-16 to work on the family farm, or in a factory to help their parents pay the bills. By 1914, we were at war, and many young teenage males were called away to war on their 18th birthday by either choice or design, as the Federal Draft was in full swing by 1917. Poverty was very common and many young men chose to join the military to learn a skill, see the world, as well as serving their country.

 

 

 

 

I suppose the point I'm getting at is this: Our society is so affluent compared to the America of 1913, and also to other countries TODAY. My fear is; the youth no longer have a need for God? My question to you, the reader is; HOW do you teach Jesus to a society that lacks nothing? Medicine is readily available for most, food is not an issue, and today's youth have so many toys, games, and videos that those born just 20 years ago, don't even know what it's like to use their imagination! Bicycles are a novelty, not a necessity, and outdoor play is "scheduled" in play dates.
Most kids don't ever break a sweat and are more likely to strain their thumb on the playstation than any other injury. No one chops wood. No one totes water. So why would they need Jesus?

 

 

 

St. Augustine said: "If you plan to build a tall house of virtues, you must first lay deep foundations of humility."

 

How do we lead our teens to Christ when they have no humility? It's not their fault... they are arrogant because they have nothing to compare their world to. We, their parents and grandparents know to be thankful, because we've seen war, we've made do, we've seen others struggle, and we've watched technology evolve. We all remember when a digital watch was $200.00! So we appreciate the affordability and luxury of what we have. Our teens, not so much.

 

 

 

Now, I admit that I did my best to make sense of  The Bible and the need for Christ for my Grandson, most likely because I've always believed in God? I don't recall a time when I didn't? My parents were agnostic growing up, but my Grandmothers were adamant about God, and drug me to church. Wow am I thankful! But, no matter how thankful I am, I need to know:  "how do I answer today's youth when they suggest The Bible isn't real, and heaven is just a fable?" How do we present the need for a God? Or do we just give them the facts, and pray?

One thing I know; faith is developed out of need. And basically TWO PRAYERS I've repetitively prayed: "HELP ME, HELP ME, HELP ME!!" And; "THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!" I know my grandchildren will get there. That sometime in their life, something will challenge them to the point of prayer, even if it's in a God whom they are unsure of?

I'd like to hear thoughts on leading youth to God, and how to develop their foundation in Christ? Raising Godly youth from the cradle is optimum, but what about those who have not been taught?

Your thoughts are precious to me. Feel free to comment.

 

Blessings,

Kelly