Why Give Pat Robertson the time of day?

At a time when Christians in the media could show the compassion, grace and love of Christ, people like Pat Robertson have effectively alienated non-Christians by spouting negativity and condemnation.  All that does is confirm the feelings of some non-Christians that Christians are a bunch of judgmental hypocrites who don't give a darn about anyone but themselves.  I really don't understand what he was thinking or why he felt the need to abuse his platform like that, but I can tell you one thing.  HE DOES NOT SPEAK FOR THIS CHRISTIAN.  I hope he does not speak for the vast majority of Christians and I have pity for the poor souls for whom he does speak. 

Shame on you, Pat Robertson.  You had a chance to step up and give everyone the gift of Jesus and you blew it.  And while we are talking about this, I would like to say also, shame on you, whoever you are, who was sitting next to Pat at that desk.  You had a chance to say something to refute the idiotic comment that he made and instead you sat there like a bobble-headed nincompoop nodding your head in agreement.  I can only hope you were too stunned to speak and that your nodding was only an automatic response and not because you actually were in a agreement with the statement.  You both get a big FAIL in my book.

Even if what was trying to be said had any validity whatsoever, there is a thing called tact that was totally missed here.  Time and place, Pat, time and place.  You don't kick people when they are down and tell them that what happened to them was somehow their fault.  That is beyond tactless and even goes beyond disgraceful, because, those people you are blaming for this natural disaster, Pat, are long dead.  It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever that God would be punishing these people for an activity that took place centuries ago.  Not to mention the fact that a disaster like this is not specific to the people who are (in your mind) at fault.  Many Christians were killed in this earthquake.  How does that square up with your pronouncement?  If this was judgment for consorting with the devil, then why would anyone who is a Christian be affected as well?  There are so many wholes in your statement that it doesn't even deserve argument, so I won't waste my time on it any more.  And that is what every person, Christian or otherwise should be doing - not wasting another moment on your stupid statement any longer.  There are things to do, people to help, compassion to show, so there is no more time for you, Pat.

Jesus said that whenever we turn our backs on anyone in need, then we are turning our backs on him (Matthew 25:44-46).  Today, I choose to move forward, away from the offensive condemnation of someone who thinks more highly of himself than he ought, and move toward the humility and grace of my savior Jesus Christ.  I will do my part to love everyone like Jesus did.  I will honor Jesus by showing compassion and sharing myself with those in need.  I can only hope that other Christians will do the same, renouncing judgment, and shining the light of peace on the world.  It is the least we can do and the most we can do all in one fell swoop.

RIP Daddy (August 2, 1934 - October 21, 2016)

Six months ago today, on October 21, 2016, the lights went out on the first love of my life-- my sweet Daddy.  Though he is gone from this world, I continue to feel his presence in my life.  I don't think that will ever fade.

What is Advent?

I grew up in a Christian home and I knew Advent had something to do with lighting different colored candles in the weeks leading up to Christmas, but I never really delved into the meaning of Advent any deeper than that until I was an adult.

Taking a Look at the [Wo]man in the Mirror

I started off the Lenten Season, as I usually do, by going to Ash Wednesday church service; by receiving the cross of ashes on my forehead that symbolize my mortality, as I begin to reflect on the immortality of Jesus and the sacrifices he made for me.

Make Me and Instrument of Peace

Today, as we celebrate the life, and contribution to peace, of Martin Luther King, Jr., may we reflect on words of peace.

The change comes from within ourselves.  May we all seek to be instruments of peace.  Let us see all people through the eyes of love and acceptance.

The Power Of Positive Thinking

Years ago, when I was laid off from my job, and feeling pretty negative about my life and my prospects of supporting myself, I picked up a small, thin, unassuming book called The Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale.

Season of Positivity

I find myself, at present, in a miasma of negativity.  As I've written about previously in this blog, in 2015, I had several health issues.  Hospital stays, procedures, major back surgery, doctor visit after doctor visit, etc., etc.  For the first time in my life, I actually met the out of pocket maximum on my insurance (by July!), the latter part of the year my doctor visits, prescriptions, etc., etc. were paid at 100%.

How to Find the Right Place to Worship

Five weeks ago I embarked on a journey to find a new place to worship.  I've attended the same church for 17 years.  I raised my children at this church.  I saw the congregation work through many changes in that time.  I formed close relationships with many, and varied, people who attend worship there.  It was familiar, uplifting and, well, a home for me in so many ways.

Thanksgiving?

As Thanksgiving approaches I find myself looking back over this year, and I've got to tell you, it's been a pretty crap year.

The Day I Almost Died

When we go into the hospital for elective surgery, we sign a whole bunch of forms. In the recesses of one of those forms is listed the risks of the surgery. The majority of the time, none of those risk factors play out in the course of surgery, or subsequent recovery. The majority of the time... but what about the times when the small risks becomes reality?

Now Back Surgery? (Mandisa - Overcomer)

As much as I hoped, on January 1st that 2015 would be my year, it was not to be.  I've had a few physical hurdles to jump.  Hospitalized a couple of times for dangerously low sodium; esophegiatis that cause internal bleeding, leading to anemia...

How Old Do I Look?

How old do I look?  No, wait, don't answer that,  I may not hear what I want to hear, and today I am not in the right frame of mind to hear what I don't want to hear. ;)

Create Light

~Proverbs 20:27 New Living Translation (NLT)
The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.

.

How Can We Have Peace Amidst the Chaos

Raise your hand if your heart is breaking today  Nepal , Baltimore, perhaps your own town, your own home and family - in crisis mode.

What I Love About God

Want to know what I love about my God?  Lots of things, but I think the purest and best thing about God is that he tells us all to come as we are.

I am A Socially Awkward, Clumsy Dork

I have a confession to make.  To those who know me well, this will not be a big shocker, nor will it be a huge revelation to pretty much anyone who has encountered me on any given day

Why Have Faith When Bad Things Keep Happening?

If you know me, or maybe if you have been reading my posts, you undoubtedly know that I have had several medical problems this year. [I tend to whine and overshare sometimes]

Look Ahead with Hope

Many times I bog myself down with current worries,  or with the baggage of the past- so much so that I forget what lies ahead because I can't see it.  My brain gets caught up in the concrete of what I, as a human can see.

Thank you, God, that there is more to life than what I Spy with My Little Eye...

Ahead there is newness.  A day, yet to be encountered, always holds hope.  No matter what I am feeling now, or what has passed, there is hope in front of me.  There is light, even when I don't believe it.

Such simple, yet beautiful promise the future has yet to unveil.  The future's potential is wrapped up in one four letter word.

HOPE.

~Psalm 40:11-12
New Living Translation (NLT)
Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.
Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.
For troubles surround me—
too many to count!
My sins pile up so high
I can’t see my way out.
They outnumber the hairs on my head.
I have lost all courage.

In Loving Memory of a Dear Man

Sadly for us, the world lost one phenomenal man last Saturday.  I've been thinking every day since I found out about his death that I would sit down and write a few words about his death; yetet the words eluded me. Mostly, they elude me still, but my heart knows what my mouth cannot say.

When I think of Joe, I recall the last conversation I had with him.  We were in the hallway of our church, and I stopped to ask how he was doing.

Although he was quite ill at that time, he was not only there for worship that Sunday morning, but he was also, as was typical of Joe, volunteering in the Sunday School hour, walking, with the aid of his cane, from classroom to classroom passing out, and then collecting attendance sheets.

When I asked after his health, he looked at me and smiled and said - Oh, great, just great!  Anyone could see that physically, he wasn't great, just great, but that was Joe.  His big smile cutting across the ubiquitous beard covering the bottom half of his face, never one to complain, only to encourage others with his optimism.  What a gift he had in that regard.

I could go on and on about all the ways in which Joe touched my life, my children's lives when they were led by him in Youth Group, and the lives of countless people who walked into his orbit, but I won't because something tells me he would balk at the praise.  I believe he would shrug it off and change the subject.  That's the kind of man he was.

As I think through all the years I knew him,  I cannot picture a moment when he didn't give God the glory for whatever circumstances happened along.  I believe no matter what, his heart chose to say, as the song [posted] says - Blessed be the name of the Lord... You give and take away, you give and take away... my heart will choose to say blessed be Your name.

I look forward to the day when once we'll meet again.  I have no doubt he'll be singing God's praises in heaven just as he did here on earth.  What a precious gem he was. I thank God for the privilege of knowing him.

~Philippians 1:3New International Version (NIV)
I thank my God every time I remember you.

Faith by Itself is Useless

Recently, a good friend of mine, who happens to be a non-Christian, brought up some recent political news topics (Google it yourself, I'm not here to debate or discuss recent legislation or comments surrounding it) centering around things that were said by professing Christians, and she pointed out how out of whack the comments where with who Jesus was [is],

This brought to my mind and heart a subject that I believe to be of paramount importance: Accountability for me as a Christian.

I never want my belief in Jesus to be questioned because of the way I treat others.  I want to live a life like Jesus.  He reached out to others. He loved everyone.  He admonished those who set themselves above standard...  In three small, but meaningful words - Jesus was love.

I know I will never be able to completely live up to Jesus' standard, but I have to try.  What good would it do me to call myself a disciple, and yet not strive to live up to Jesus' legacy?

 James 2:6-18  says that belief in Jesus [faith] by itself is useless.  It says we must show faith in our lives or that faith is dead.  No one will benefit from a faith that is dead.  We have to breathe life into our faith by reaching outward, and living a life of love, compassion, mercy and grace, just as Jesus did.

Anything less is a farce.

~John 13:34-35New Living Translation (NLT)
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”