Make Him Look Bad

I have many pet peeves. Toilet paper on backwards, people reading over my shoulder, people who pull out in front of me and drive 20 miles under the speed limit, and watching commercials (I am spoiled by my DVR)... 

But nothing bugs me more than people who make me as a Christian and Jesus look bad. 

Nothing.

These people do a pretty good job of making us look bad.

But so does this guy:

If you don't recognize him, his name is Pat Robertson. He is a "pastor" (which by the way, now that we share this title offends me even more). He is also on the 700 Club on TV. And he says a lot of dumb things.... A LOT. For instance, when Haiti was devastated by a hurricane, he proceeded to tell America that it was Haiti's fault because of their "pact with the devil". He also likes to predict when the end of the world is going to come, in which case, he obviously has not been right. 

Once again, Pat Robertson opened his mouth and stuck his foot in it. Watch this clip:

Ok, Pat, let me get this straight... We should send money to orphans, but not really do anything else to love on them or help them. Also, sarcasm is a way to go... "No one wants to deal with the United Nations"?? Racist much? I'll give you this, sir, it is true that adoption isn't for everyone... I definitely think that it is only for some people. But what I don't agree with is saying that orphans grow up "weird". They are God's children just as much as biological children are. Just because they have parents does not mean they are less. God never asked us to throw money at those who need it. He said to love them. To care for them. 

James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." 

Obviously, Pat Robertson isn't changing anytime soon, though I pray that he does... But to the people who think this man is speaking for us Christians, please do not be fooled. This man is a heretical, lost, ignorant man who does not deserve to be called "pastor". 

We Will Run

Thus far in 2012, God and I have had an interesting relationship. It can be summed up in these words: Doubt. Fear. Anger. Depression. Love. Overwhelmed. Passion. Intensity. Stubborness. Pride. Broken. Forgiven. New. Life.

I am planning on writing it all out when my brain can fathom it a little better. But for now, a song that has become so very personal to me. Enjoy.

We Will Run (by Gungor)

Create in me a clean heart
For I have turned my face from You
Teach us of Your ways O God O God
For we have turned away from You
Lord have mercy

We will run to You we will run to You
Turning from our sin we return to You
Father heal Your world make all things new
Make all things new

Your love and mercy build us shape us
Break us and recreate us now
Lord have mercy

20 Things

I found this on pinterest and I had to share. I adore it. Enjoy.

20 Things I Would Like to Tell Engaged or Newlywed Women

 1. Marriage is made up of two good forgivers. Because every marriage is made up of two sinners. (Romans 3:23)

2. At some point, you will have to learn that life isn’t all about you. (Philippians 2:3)

3. Don’t listen to women that tell you that passion fades…it doesn’t have to! (um…all of Song of Solomon)

4. Don’t give up. Love never fails. (1 Cor. 13)

5. He wants a kind wife, not a maid or another mother. Be nice. (Galatians 5:22-23)

6. Give your husband the gift of your respect.  He needs it more than you know. (Ephesians 5:33)

7. Be mindful of your expectations.

8. Honor the Lord above all things. Colossians 3: 17

9. Find your worth and security in the Lord, and don’t look to your husband to meet all of your needs.

10. Be very careful about reading romance novels, they set you up for an unrealistic view of romance.

11. Real romance is finding that one spot in the crook of his arm to snuggle into, that shared look over the dinner table when the kids are acting crazy, and the way he fixes the leaky sink when he is dog-tired after work.

12. Love is about relationship.  The more I love my husband, and seek a relationship with him, the less critical and duty-bound I become.  It is similar to my relationship with God.

13. Be thankful for the husband you have. Accept him as he is, not for what you want him to be.

14. Don’t compare!! Don’t buy into the game of comparing him with anyone else’s husband.

15.The Biblically “normal” marriage is filled with joy, connection, laughter, and peace. It’s not free of hurt feelings and conflict, but they know how to process their pain with one another so that they live more often in a meadow than at the scene of a train wreck.  This is not the average marriage, but it normal – -because it is a visible display of Jesus’ relationship with His bride (Ephesians 5:22-33).

16. Your marriage is a testimony! “The #1 evangelistic tool in America (the world) today is a successful marriage, because it’s a living miracle!” – Dr. Joe Aldrich, former president of Multnomah Bible College.

17. Pray for your marriage. Pray hard.

18.I’ve heard that is gets better with age.  I have to say in my short {13 year} experience, that is so true.

19. Where there is God, there is always hope. Even for the most broken marriages. “With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

20.Marriage is commitment and sacrifice. But it’s also the best, most wild ride you will ever have with your best friend.

What if His People Prayed

I am not a fan of President Obama. I don't agree with most of his policies. I think his healthcare plan is bogus. I think he is a horrible president.

And I have not been afraid to say so on my Facebook page.

But God convicted me last night. I saw one of my friends post something about him and I was about to click the like button when I kind of got slapped in the face as the Lord enjoys doing sometimes. He spoke to me about the passage in the Bible that talks about praying for leaders.

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:1-4

It says that our prayers for our "all those in authority" "pleases God". He "wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth"... Including Obama.

Don't get me wrong, there is reason to complain. And a comment here and there is fine. But I wonder what would happen if we as believers spent even half as much time praying as we do complaining about our President...

What if His people prayed?

The Olympics

The Olympics always make me emotional... With their little stories about the moms and how hard the athletes have worked and all the tears they cry when they make a mistake or tears of joy when they win a medal. It makes me all sappy.

But my favorite thing about the Olympics is the unity that happens. As I sat and watched women's gymnastics, Aliya Mustafina of Russia had just finished an incredible uneven bar routine. He Kexin, the Chinese opponent, came over to Mustfina gave her a hug and smiled. Obviously speaking two different languages, Mustafina could only respond with a universal hand signal, a thumbs up. The two smiled again, showing respect for the others' talent, and went on their way.

And then I watched Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang as he once again was plagued by injury in his Achilles as he tried to run the 100 meter hurdles. He hopped on one foot the whole 100 meters just to cross the finish line. As he did, the athlete from Hungary came up to him, shook his hand, and then raised the Chinese man's arm in the arm. Soon, the runners from Great Britain and Spain came to help Xiang off the track. It was sportsmanship like I have not seen very often.

Yes, the Olympics are the world's biggest competition, but there are moments when the competition, the name of of your country, the language you speak, the politics, the history... It simply doesn't matter. It all freezes as incredibly talented athletes unite.

21st Century

It seems ridiculous that people are still affected by things like measles, malaria.. Things that we as Americans don't worry about.

Her name is Justine. She was 7 years old. She lived in Uganda at an orphanage of some our friends. And a couple of weeks ago she died of measles. This is a disease that Americans no longer have to worry about. There is a way to prevent it. But not in Africa. In Africa, this is still a struggle.

How in the 21st Century are there still children dying of diseases some countries don't even have to worry about? While we visited Uganda earlier this year, we were visiting people in the hospital who were dying of malaria.... I paid about $7 to get pills that lasted for 2 months to prevent me from getting malaria... And these people are dying from it.

I don't understand it. It isn't fair. But I guess life is that way. But it sucks. I hate it. It makes me sick.

R.I.P. Justine