Sunday, June 28, 2015

Discussion & Explanation

Throughout most of my lifetime, people could discuss things like issues, beliefs and religion.  They could share points of view.  Sometimes these discussions would be lively and occasionally they would get heated.  But there was no hate involved.  No one disliked the other person afterward or stopped speaking to them.  They simply moved on to other topics or even agreed to disagree.  These past ten years, I've seen that changing, and it is a shame.  All that does is cause division and breed hatred and contempt. 



I also have never hated or ridiculed any person for choosing to live a gay lifestyle.  They have that right given to them by God, just as I do.  It's called free will.  Our 
Creator  could have chosen to have made us automatons that did and said and thought just as Him, but He didn't.  I have no right to, nor will to contradict Him.  In fact, I have called and still call several  gays friends.  I'd be there for them if they needed me, like I would for any friend.  They respect my beliefs and haven't flaunted their gay lifestyle in my face at my home.  If they had, I'd have asked them to leave, just as I would anyone who chose to do something at my home that offended my beliefs.  They have not done so when they've invited me into their home.   If they had, I'd have left, just like I would anywhere I felt my beliefs were offended.

My post yesterday, The Rainbow Abomination, was directed toward a government that has forgotten how our founding fathers framed that said government and what responsibilities and rights belong to what branch.  That things are being forced upon us by the courts instead of being voted into law by the people or their representatives.  It was also directed at the many individuals who are now expounding that "the Bible doesn't say that" or that the Old Testament doesn't apply or that we can pick and choose parts of the Bible to believe.   Directed to those that  blaspheme God by suggesting Jesus was gay or as I read several places, that a rainbow in the sky showed God's approval on gay marriage.  

Two persons have chosen to no longer follow me because of that post. 

02: Offensive, strongly disagree or disapprove 

That is their right and I hold no ill will toward them and have no plans to reciprocate with an unfollow.   It does really make me wonder, were they objecting to the very few words that were mine, or to the The Word of God which was the bulk of that entry?  I don't know and may never know.  I will say it is called "Life & Faith" for a reason.  There will sometimes be entries from my Christian perspective.  If that offends you, I suggest you skip that entry.

I submit to you, for your consideration and reflection the following verses from the Bible, and I pray none finds them offensive.  If you do, I suggest that it is the prick of the Holy Spirit striving to convince you of your sinful attitude in order that He may lead you to confession and forgiveness.

You can read whole chapters, look up your own translation, etc. at Biblegateway.com.






Isaiah 5:20King James Version (KJV)

20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 59:14-15Living Bible (TLB)

14 Our courts oppose the righteous man; fairness is unknown. Truth falls dead in the streets, and justice is outlawed.
15 Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who tries a better life is soon attacked. The Lord saw all the evil and was displeased to find no steps taken against sin.

Jeremiah 6:10Living Bible (TLB)

10 But who will listen when I warn them? Their ears are closed, and they refuse to hear. The word of God has angered them; they don’t want it at all.

Jeremiah 10:10Living Bible (TLB)

10 But the Lord is the only true God, the living God, the everlasting King. The whole earth shall tremble at his anger; the world shall hide before his displeasure.

Jeremiah 12:17Living Bible (TLB)

17 But any nation refusing to obey me will be expelled again and finished, says the Lord.

2 Chronicles 7:14King James Version (KJV)

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Saturday, June 27, 2015

The Rainbow Abomination

Our great nation has fallen today, deeper into the pit it has been digging for itself for over 50 years.  We ignored God and enacted no fault divorce.  We had a "sexual revolution" and decided it was okay to have sex outside of marriage.  We declared shacking up okay and called it common law marriage.  Now, the United States Supreme Court has ruled in favor of homosexual marriage.  Once again trying to enact law without legislation.  Violating the constitution of our nation and supplanting states rights and stripping the legislative branch of their endowment.  

The gay/lesbian community has, in its ignorance,  (or as a mockery) adopted for itself the symbol of God holding back His Terrible Wrath for the sake of mankind for it's flag:  the rainbow.  The rainbow was placed in the sky after the great flood when God cleansed the world of all unrighteousness as a mark of the promise God made to Noah and generations to come.  When He sees the rainbow in the sky, it serves to remind Himself not to destroy us in like manner again, no matter how sinful we become.  The next time, He'll destroy us with Heavenly Fire.

Genesis 9 

Then God told Noah and his sons, 9-11 “I solemnly promise you and your children[a] and the animals you brought with you—all these birds and cattle and wild animals—that I will never again send another flood to destroy the earth.12 And I seal this promise with this sign: 13 I have placed my rainbow in the clouds as a sign of my promise until the end of time, to you and to all the earth. 14 When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will be seen in the clouds, 15 and I will remember my promise to you and to every being, that never again will the floods come and destroy all life. 16-17 For I will see the rainbow in the cloud and remember my eternal promise to every living being on the earth.”

Sodom was so ripe with every type of sexual perversion (hence the term Sodomy) that God did destroy it.  Homosexuality was just one of the many sexual sins there.

Genesis 19

But he was very urgent, until at last they went home with him, and he set a great feast before them, complete with freshly baked unleavened bread. After the meal, as they were preparing to retire for the night, the men of the city—yes, Sodomites, young and old from all over the city—surrounded the houseand shouted to Lot, “Bring out those men to us so we can rape them.”
Lot stepped outside to talk to them, shutting the door behind him. “Please, fellows,” he begged, “don’t do such a wicked thing. Look—I have two virgin daughters, and I’ll surrender them to you to do with as you wish. But leave these men alone, for they are under my protection.”
“Stand back,” they yelled. “Who do you think you are? We let this fellow settle among us and now he tries to tell us what to do! We’ll deal with you far worse than with those other men.” And they lunged at Lot and began breaking down the door.

10 But the two men reached out and pulled Lot in and bolted the door 11 and temporarily blinded the men of Sodom so that they couldn’t find the door.
Are you sitting there smug because you aren't homosexual?  Or are you a homosexual who falsely believes God never said homosexuality was a sin?  I tell you now, unless the states and the legislature stand against this, America is doomed.
 1-2 The Lord then told Moses to tell the people of Israel,
“I am Jehovah your God, so don’t act like the heathen—like the people of Egypt where you lived so long, or the people of Canaan where I am going to take you. 4-5 You must obey only my laws, and you must carry them out in detail, for I am the Lord your God. If you obey them, you shall live.[a] I am the Lord.
“None of you shall marry[b] a near relative, for I am the Lord. Do not disgrace your father by having intercourse with your mother, nor any other of your father’s wives. Do not have intercourse with your sister or half sister, whether the daughter of your father or your mother, whether brought up in the same household or elsewhere.
10 “You shall not have intercourse with your granddaughter—the daughter of either your son or your daughter—for she is a close relative.[c] 11 You may not have intercourse with a half sister—your father’s wife’s daughter; 12 nor your aunt—your father’s sister—because she is so closely related to your father;13 nor your aunt—your mother’s sister—because she is a close relative of your mother; 14 nor your aunt—the wife of your father’s brother.[d]
15 “You may not marry your daughter-in-law—your son’s wife; 16 nor your brother’s wife, for she is your brother’s.[e] 17 You may not marry both a woman and her daughter or granddaughter, for they are near relatives, and to do so is horrible wickedness. 18 You shall not marry two sisters, for they will be rivals. However, if your wife dies, then it is all right to marry her sister.
19 “There must be no sexual relationship with a woman who is menstruating;20 nor with anyone else’s wife, to defile yourself with her.
21 “You shall not give any of your children to Molech, burning them upon his altar; never profane the name of your God, for I am Jehovah.
22 “Homosexuality is absolutely forbidden, for it is an enormous sin. 23 A man shall have no sexual intercourse with any female animal, thus defiling himself; and a woman must never give herself to a male animal, to mate with it; this is a terrible perversion.
24 “Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, for these are the things the heathen do; and because they do them, I am going to cast them out from the land into which you are going. 25 That entire country is defiled with this kind of activity; that is why I am punishing the people living there, and will throw them out of the land.[f] 26 You must strictly obey all of my laws and ordinances, and you must not do any of these abominable things; these laws apply both to you who are born in the nation of Israel and to foreigners living among you.
27 “Yes, all these abominations have been done continually by the people of the land where I am taking you, and the land is defiled. 28 Do not do these things or I will throw you out of the land, just as I will throw out[g] the nations that live there now. 29-30 Whoever does any of these terrible deeds shall be excommunicated from this nation. So be very sure to obey my laws, and do not practice any of these horrible customs. Do not defile yourselves with the evil deeds of those living in the land where you are going. For I am Jehovah your God.”
Do you falsely believe the New Testament doesn't condemn sexual impurity and homosexual behavior?
18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, evil men who push away the truth from them. 19 For the truth about God is known to them instinctively;[e] God has put this knowledge in their hearts. 20 Since earliest times men have seen the earth and sky and all God made, and have known of his existence and great eternal power. So they will have no excuse when they stand before God at Judgment Day.[f]
21 Yes, they knew about him all right, but they wouldn’t admit it or worship him or even thank him for all his daily care. And after a while they began to think up silly ideas of what God was like and what he wanted them to do. The result was that their foolish minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming themselves to be wise without God, they became utter fools instead. 23 And then, instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they took wood and stone and made idols for themselves, carving them to look like mere birds and animals and snakes and puny[g] men.
24 So God let them go ahead into every sort of sex sin, and do whatever they wanted to—yes, vile and sinful things with each other’s bodies. 25 Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they prayed to the things God made, but wouldn’t obey the blessed God who made these things.
26 That is why God let go of them and let them do all these evil things, so that even their women turned against God’s natural plan for them and indulged in sex sin with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sex relationships with women, burned with lust for each other, men doing shameful things with other men and, as a result, getting paid within their own souls with the penalty they so richly deserved.
28 So it was that when they gave God up and would not even acknowledge him, God gave them up to doing everything their evil minds could think of. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness and sin, of greed and hate, envy, murder, fighting, lying, bitterness, and gossip.
30 They were backbiters, haters of God, insolent, proud, braggarts, always thinking of new ways of sinning and continually being disobedient to their parents. 31 They tried to misunderstand,[h] broke their promises, and were heartless—without pity. 32 They were fully aware of God’s death penalty for these crimes, yet they went right ahead and did them anyway and encouraged others to do them, too.
Doesn't this sound just like a nation YOU live in? I pray you will reflect upon this, and even yet turn to God for forgiveness, salvation and true freedom. 

But, instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong, cheating others, even your own brothers.
9-10 Don’t you know that those doing such things have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who live immoral lives, who are idol worshipers, adulterers or homosexuals—will have no share in his Kingdom. Neither will thieves or greedy people, drunkards, slanderers, or robbers.11 There was a time when some of you were just like that but now your sins are washed away, and you are set apart for God; and he has accepted you because of what the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God have done for you.
12 I can do anything I want to if Christ has not said no,[b] but some of these things aren’t good for me. ...But sexual sin is never right: our bodies were not made for that but for the Lord,  and the Lord wants to fill our bodies with himself. 14 And God is going to raise our bodies from the dead by his power just as he raised up the Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts and members of Christ? So should I take part of Christ and join him to a prostitute? Never!16 And don’t you know that if a man joins himself to a prostitute she becomes a part of him and he becomes a part of her? For God tells us in the Scripture that in his sight the two become one person. 17 But if you give yourself to the Lord, you and Christ are joined together as one person.
18 That is why I say to run from sex sin. No other sin affects the body as this one does. When you sin this sin it is against your own body. 19 Haven’t you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that he lives within you? Your own body does not belong to you. 20 For God has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God because he owns it.
All scripture here is from Bible Gateway and The Living Bible translation.  You can click the chapter headings and view the verses in any translation you desire.  For an in depth study of God's view on homosexuality and what the Bible actually says and means I submit to you this resource:  What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Ten Things: Adore It or Yuck!

So, my friend, Corina, did a post on her blog about Ten Things.  It started out being ten things you love/ten things you hate.  She felt hate was too strong a word.  And I agree. And I also think we use the term love way to freely.  So, I give you:  Ten Things:  Adore It!  or Yuck!


I believe in ending on a positive note, so let us start with the things that make me go yuck!, how gross, despicable, what are you thinking?!  In no particular order:


1.  When people state something and then follow it with, "You know?" or "Don't you think so?", etc.  This perturbs me because it puts me on the spot if I don't agree exactly with what they just said.  I hate to have to say, "No, I don't." for that seems rude.  But on the other hand, I don't want them thinking I share their view.  Please just make a statement and let me comment on it as I see fit.

2.  People who look down on others due to social standing, financial standing, education, dialect, etc.  None of these things are a measure of character or of intellect.  They are merely a reflection of circumstance and opportunity. 

3.  When folks belly ache about government or elected officials, etc. and yet they didn't even bother to vote.  I'm sorry, but if you didn't vote, your forfeited your right to complain.  

4.  When people use swear and cuss words as part of every day conversation.  Yes, I lose my cool and utter things I shouldn't when upset or outraged, but I don't subject the world to a constant stream of gutter talk.  Gutter talk brings those who speak it and those they force it upon down to the gutter.  

5.  Stupid or distracted drivers.  That includes the women putting on mascara while going down the freeway.  That includes the people trying to dial or text flying down the road. That includes the drivers that weave in and out of lanes at a high rate of speed just to gain a few yards of asphalt.  And that includes the 80% of vehicles I see following too closely to the person in front of them!  If you can't count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two" from the time their rear bumper passes a landmark till the time your front bumper passes a landmark, you are TOO CLOSE!  That includes the folks who swerve way over to the left to make a right hand turn, when an 18-wheeler could of made it without doing so!  

6.  "Good Christian" people who do anything to make someone feel unwelcome or unloved in a church.  But for the grace of God, go YOU!

7.  When people make promises to children and then don't keep them.  If you promise, especially a child, you do it.  If you have any doubt, don't say anything until you are sure!

8.  When someone says one more thing to me after I have walked out of a room, and I have to walk back to know what they said. Or someone who wants to talk to me while they are walking around, instead of stopping long enough to finish what they are saying. Wears my legs out and drives me crazy! 

9.  When someone in my home gets, eats or uses the last of something and doesn't tell me.  

10.  When someone passes something off to me half done or in terrible shape and leaves it up to me to deal with, sort out, clean up.  Doesn't matter if it is an account at work full of errors and missing information or a filthy caked on mess of a dish or pan I didn't cook in at home.  


Ahh!  Now on to things I enjoy, I adore, that make me smile or warms my heart.  In no particular order:

1.  Time alone in the pool at night under the stars.  This is ultimate "me" time.  Time to reflect, relax and pray.  

2.  Any small, thoughtful, unexpected surprise is a big day brightener.

3.  Hugs, kisses, laughter, smiles from the people I love and care about.

4.  Iced mocha coffee.  Whether I make me one at home or buy it somewhere, it's a treat I enjoy very much.

5.  A rainy day when I don't have to go anywhere.  Time to curl up on the couch with a good book, or watch a great old movie.  Bake cookies.  Or play board games.  

6.  To play a good game of forty-two dominoes.  Don't get to do that much any more.  So many younger folks don't know how to.  Most of the older folks we are around are into eighty-four now instead.  Just not the same. 

7.  Time by a good fire outside.  Relaxing, talking, listening to good old music.  Playing washers or dancing.  Doesn't matter the temperature, though 40-60 degrees is best.  A handful of people or a crowd of twenty.

8.  That marvelous, awe inspiring feeling when I realize I was used of God in someone's life. It humbles the pride at the same time that the spirit soars!

9.  A good group gathered for a deep Bible study, complete with historical references, cultural insights into the life and times of the people and setting of the scripture reference.

10.  To rest my head upon Pete's chest, with his arms wrapped around me.  The weight of the world melts off me and nothing and no one can touch me.  It's my ultimate safe place.

So, do you share any of my adores or yucks!? I admit, I am quite curious to know.  Did any of mine surprise you?  Would you like to get in on the fun?  I have to admit, it was cathartic and refreshing to do it.       




Saturday, June 20, 2015

Weekend Coffee Share



Come on in.  The coffee is good and fresh.  I only got up thirty minutes ago.  Didn't sleep in as I'd lain on one side all night and woke with it feeling all sore and achy. 

I had a lovely Sunday last weekend.  The girls came over after church, Candi & Baby Ruth.  Little mama had been running the roads so much finishing up school and other things I hadn't seen my Hazil Ruth in almost two weeks!  Did you know she graduated?  Candi, that is.  She's now a real licensed nail professional.  I'm proud of her.  Now she has something to fall back on.  She has something to generate income for her to go to college.  

I really enjoyed Sunday afternoon.  We watched a movie, spent some time in the pool, I cooked a good supper and I got to have lots of my grand baby smiles, hugs and kisses.

We had tropical storm Bill this week.  Wasn't much of an event for any of us personally.  No damage, no flooding. Even managed to miss most of the heavy rain on my commute.  Funny how it came to shore in South Texas, right under where Bubba is staying and working, but didn't even rain them out.  The upper high in West Texas, spun all the rain to the East.  Houston had it bad again.  And then a little further East of us had it bad again.   What about you, any fallout from Bill?

I don't mean to be rude, but I need to go get dressed pretty soon.  I'm taking Hannah to town so she can buy some things she's wanted and get her Daddy's Fathers' Day present.  And then I hope to get home and do a little house work.  I know, it's shocking.  What about you, are you ready for Father's Day?

Let's go get that last cup and you tell me about your week.

You can join Part Time Monster's #Weekend Coffee Share or read other other posts here.


Wednesday, June 17, 2015

I Saw it on Facebook



Yeah, I just couldn't resist this when I saw it.  We've all encountered those people.  Even the smartest of us have those moments when we are trying to follow some line of thinking and our brain is saying "Access Denied!"  But, God bless them, there are some out there that go through life in this state of being. Their lives are a constant string of "here's your sign" moments.

I'm not talking about forgetting to do something, or taking a moment to bring a certain word you want or a name to mind.  Nor am I speaking of trying to learn a very difficult new subject like Latin or quantum physics. I'm talking about not grasping something that should be common knowledge to any average adult. 

It can give rise to some very humorous situations or be the source of extreme frustration.  I've experienced both consequences of interaction with this type of individual, but my mind fails me now to recall one of either.

If you have a humorous story to relate regarding this subject, I invite you to share it here in the comments. 


Saturday, June 13, 2015

Weekend Coffee Share




My sentiments exactly!  

I have been up about 45 minutes.  We went to bed about one last night and sure enjoyed my morning sleeping in. Now I'm sipping my coffee.  Bonanza is playing in the background, as Pete is watching it in the living room.  I'd say we'd go outside with our coffee, but it was drizzling a little a few minutes ago. Maybe we'll just sit in the kitchen around the table, if you can clear off a spot big enough to sit your cup down.  

Every surface in our home gets cluttered like this. And I go forever without cleaning it off, because it makes me mad.  I'm not the one leaving the stuff everywhere.  Yet, I'm about the only one that ever clears it off.  That's why I never dust.  There's too much crap everywhere to dust.  

Well, enough of that.  You didn't drop by to listen to me gripe.  Work went well enough this week.  I think we got the last snag in our new updating process solved yesterday.  I did have a new account I needed to enter in the system that I didn't get to enter because there were too many questions on it.  One of our newer route managers who had never really written up a new account before did it.  His supervisor will go over it with him and help him fix the issues.  He'll live and learn and do it better next time, I'm sure, as he always does excellent on his other paperwork. 

We had a treat this week at work as well.  Another young route manager recently had a little baby girl and they brought her buy the office after her two week checkup.  She's an absolute doll!  Cutest newborn I've seen since my own and Baby Ruth.

Last night, Pete and I enjoyed relaxing in the pool. We had a really hard and heavy rain shower on my way home yesterday, but that had passed by and soon after twilight the clouds cleared away and the stars came out.  

I see a squirrel on the pole outside my window eating a pecan.  Looks like a red squirrel.  Cute little fellow.

Well, that's enough about me.  Tell me something about your week.  What's your biggest hassle keeping your home clean?  Has work been good to you?  Enjoy any time outside lately? 

You can join in the Weekend Coffee Share with Part Time Monster, too!



Monday, June 8, 2015

Let's Take Telephone a Vet Tuesday Nationwide!

Last Tuesday, I told you all about One Vet that Wants to Make a Difference.  I told you about his initiative: Telephone a Vet Tuesday.  It's really simple and could save the lives of Veterans, especially those suffering from PTSD.  Today, and each and every Tuesday, pick up the phone and call a Veteran that you know.  Or drop by and visit them.  Or invite them out for a cup of coffee.  Send them a note or card.  It doesn't have to be an expensive endeavor.  It could be a quick ten minute call.  Or a thirty minute visit.  You don't need any fancy words or solutions.  Just an ear that is willing to listen, a heart that cares and a mind to do it!  


This month, June, it PTSD Awareness month.  Please, help take this initiative nationwide!  Visit A Veteran with PTSD. You can see what Telephone a Vet Tuesday means to him and others.  Read a few of his blog posts and see what it means to deal with PTSD.  Give the Vet a word of encouragement.  Then share it on your social media. Email links to your friends.  On Twitter, use the hashtag #TAVT for Telephone a Vet Tuesday and #TWCSL (Together We Can Save Lives.)  


Let your friends and co-workers know!  Share it with your church.  Let June be the month that Telephone a Vet Tuesday becomes a national event! 


 22+ lives a day is 22+ too many to loose! 

 Show them you care!  Let them know they are not in this alone!  Remember, no man left behind!





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