Today I read a story, one of a servant, who could be you or me. It went something like this...
"Forgive me Father, I am a sinner and for this I am truly sorry. I know I have committed hurtful and unjust assaults against Your love for me; You, the only one who is perfect and without sin."
"You know my child, I have forgiven you, even while you were in your sin. I have forgiven all mankind, while you gave no thought to what manner of men you were."
The servant, on his knees, with head bowed low, whispered "But, how can that be, I have repented of my sin to my brothers, those who have served You along side me, but to no avail. I have lost all You have given me, even that from my earthly father, but still those, my brothers, withhold their forgiveness. There have been false and unjust lies told at my expense, and gossip has run rampant through your place of Worship with heads held high and tongues on fire. I am distraught and without representation, will you remain silent, or come to my rescue?"
"My son, I have known and watched you from the time you were in your Mother's womb; I know your very soul. I know you understand my commands on such as forgiveness, love and brotherly kindness. Forgiveness is not their's to give, only your's to request, but in not giving that which has been asked, it seals a curse of their own, in not being forgiven that which they have done, no one is without sin."
"My Word tells of many such instances of those who have served me, Mighty men of my own heart, who in their serving have sinned. Sins earthly men may consider grave and unjust. Have I not accepted their request for forgiveness and given it? Have I not continued to let them serve me in their giftedness, not without consequence, but with full acceptance?"
"In all things it is Mine to judge; whether it be the service done, the heart of those who do the work, or the intent with which they do so. Through my Son, and your Brother who loved you all with his life, I extended to you forgiveness and entrance into my Kingdom."
As the son listened to his Father, as a sheep listens to its Shepherd, he recognized the Truth of the words spoken. In fact, he had read and told others of these Truths.
"Tell me father, to what extent do I continue to be held captive to those who would hold me to be an example, whether of what others should expect if under their leadership, or only to pass a message to me of their power. Can the world be held in contempt by those would be leaders?"
Of course the Father knew this was a concern to his Son, but let him ask the question anyway, then he answered..."To those who put rules on people, not given by me, there is but one thing I have to say, Hypocrite and Pharisee, "Depart from me, for I never knew you."
"Thank you Father for listening to the ramblings and concerns of one so much in your debt. It is to You I owe my very being. Thank You too for your loving kindness for all, even sinners."
This story is a true story, a story we should all take to heart, one that saddens so many because of the unjust actions of some. No man/woman is given the right to condemn a child of God, for God Himself says, "there is no condemnation for those who love the Lord." For each of us who has taken the words of our God and twisted them to meet our own wants and desires, I pray we would leave what ever we are doing and seek forgiveness from our brothers, sisters and most of all, our Father.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
The American Dream - How Do We Use Ir
Tonight as I sat up after everyone else in our house had gone to bed, I read a blog posted by someone I don't even know. I will not criticize what she believes or writes about. It just struck me odd the way she lead into her writing.
Seemingly she had just returned from a country whose people live in poverty. That is not, in and of itself hard to believe or an assumed state of affairs. What bothered me about this blog, was the fact that the writer seemed to believe that as Americans all we have to do is look at a large portion of the world and realize we are different and somehow less people of God because we are not poverty stricken, at least not most of us. That waking from the "American Dream" is somehow our ticket to becoming more Godly. I think the Dream differs greatly from person to person.
She had a lady in the car with her (which is part of the American Dream, having a car) was shocked that their family had one of an item for each member of the family (5 items) and thought they owned a store to sell them. I might add that as a child I too would have been a little taken aback, while living the American Dream, that one family had five of something my family only had one of. We were a family of 5-7 and had one item we all used for play and my brothers used it to go several miles to work at times. If I remember correctly, my dad worked three jobs to provide one very old one, for us all to share. Again part of the "American Dream".
The tone of the blog led me to think she thought we are less God's people because we have taken the blessings he has given us and either through hard work or leadership, formed a nation where teaching ourselves to fish, gave us an opportunity that just receiving a fish would not, again for the most part. I believe God created man in his image. I do not believe he created some smarter,or wealthier, but maybe some under less nobble authority.
This blog sounds very righteous and very biblical, but the first thing that pops out to me, is the writer still lives in America, and even at her lowest level, lives the American Dream. I'm not saying it's a bad idea to have, to wake yourself from the Dream, it is just not a true account of what God has asked us to do. He has not called the whole world to be poverty ridden and stricken with need.
He has, instead called us to be the light and salt of the world, not the light under the bushel, but his love that shines through us, not hiding in hiding.
He calls us to help whom we can help, he tells us, to those he has given much, he expects much in return and yes, that much can be shared with those who have little, or nothing.
He made a perfect world and populated it with people, or his children to whom he gave free will. I'm sure he wanted us to use it to his Glory, not everyone did.
He told the sluggard, he who will not work, neither shall he eat. He gave us the example of the ant who lays up in store for the winter when he will have no food.
He doesn't say we can't have more than one of something.
He instead tells us to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, visit the sick, and those in prison, those, his brothers.
Saving the whole world is not our job, it is his.
Showing the world his love living in us, is our job.
If you are materially blessed, by all means use your materials to help those who have need,
If all you have is mercy, show mercy to those who do not know it. If all you have is kindness, or gentleness, be kind and gentle, and love those who do not know the Love of God.
MARK 12.30
Seemingly she had just returned from a country whose people live in poverty. That is not, in and of itself hard to believe or an assumed state of affairs. What bothered me about this blog, was the fact that the writer seemed to believe that as Americans all we have to do is look at a large portion of the world and realize we are different and somehow less people of God because we are not poverty stricken, at least not most of us. That waking from the "American Dream" is somehow our ticket to becoming more Godly. I think the Dream differs greatly from person to person.
She had a lady in the car with her (which is part of the American Dream, having a car) was shocked that their family had one of an item for each member of the family (5 items) and thought they owned a store to sell them. I might add that as a child I too would have been a little taken aback, while living the American Dream, that one family had five of something my family only had one of. We were a family of 5-7 and had one item we all used for play and my brothers used it to go several miles to work at times. If I remember correctly, my dad worked three jobs to provide one very old one, for us all to share. Again part of the "American Dream".
The tone of the blog led me to think she thought we are less God's people because we have taken the blessings he has given us and either through hard work or leadership, formed a nation where teaching ourselves to fish, gave us an opportunity that just receiving a fish would not, again for the most part. I believe God created man in his image. I do not believe he created some smarter,or wealthier, but maybe some under less nobble authority.
This blog sounds very righteous and very biblical, but the first thing that pops out to me, is the writer still lives in America, and even at her lowest level, lives the American Dream. I'm not saying it's a bad idea to have, to wake yourself from the Dream, it is just not a true account of what God has asked us to do. He has not called the whole world to be poverty ridden and stricken with need.
He has, instead called us to be the light and salt of the world, not the light under the bushel, but his love that shines through us, not hiding in hiding.
He calls us to help whom we can help, he tells us, to those he has given much, he expects much in return and yes, that much can be shared with those who have little, or nothing.
He made a perfect world and populated it with people, or his children to whom he gave free will. I'm sure he wanted us to use it to his Glory, not everyone did.
He told the sluggard, he who will not work, neither shall he eat. He gave us the example of the ant who lays up in store for the winter when he will have no food.
He doesn't say we can't have more than one of something.
He instead tells us to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, visit the sick, and those in prison, those, his brothers.
Saving the whole world is not our job, it is his.
Showing the world his love living in us, is our job.
If you are materially blessed, by all means use your materials to help those who have need,
If all you have is mercy, show mercy to those who do not know it. If all you have is kindness, or gentleness, be kind and gentle, and love those who do not know the Love of God.
MARK 12.30
Love 1 the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’2
LUKE 10:27
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all you soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as your self.
Friends, God did call a few to sell all and follow him, the rich young ruler for one, but he knew his heart and knew he could/would not do that, to his loss.
He also knows our hearts. He knows what we have in abundance and what we don't in our need. I do not think he intends his people to throw back at him the blessings he has provided to us, but for us to be willing to share and use those blessings, what ever they might be.
When we, his sheep know his voice the way he, the Sheppard knows each one of us his sheep, we can trust he will lead us to do his perfect will. If you ask him, and truly listen, he will tell you, show you the plan he has for you.
We need to stop trying to make helping the world in need a one size fits all help. Seek to know your part and do it. Leave others to their own.
In His Love,
A.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
I Love a Story
You can find one in the delightful antics of a toddler, on a walk in the quiet coolness of a foggy morning, or in the middle of a riotous celebration of friends taking a road trip. There is a story to be found in most every day.
Not all stories start out to be that; sometimes they just happen, especially when you aren't looking. Then as you look back over a life lived, the high spots start to rise and soon the whole thing has taken on a personality of it's own...a story has been born.
Today there is a special story I would like to highlight, it's one of those kind that slip up on you when you're not looking.
Think back in time with me and enjoy this one. You will probably finish with one very similar in your own mind. Enjoy...
Some sixty-odd years ago, while I was still too young to know that stories actually happen to people, while I still thought they were just the "once-upon-a-time" ones that moms everywhere read at bedtime, this story began.
I was an only girl in an all boy family and had no friends of my own, until one day I remember being at my aunt's house and realizing the somewhat younger girl there was my cousin.
I don't remember really meeting her, she was just always there...we were always together. The younger years of paper dolls, skinned knees, eating Popsicles in the back yard, staying at each other's house, playing in the sprinkler... just always was.
Then one day I remember their family moved into the house next door to ours, that's where our story really started. By this time we were around eight, I think.
There was only a shrub fence between our front yards, and her bedroom window was right across the driveway from mine. We knew there was a "lights out" but the consequences were not strong enough to remove the temptation to talk through the window. This was before air-conditioning and our windows were always open. It was as if when the lights went out, our day continued.
The nights, just before we had to be inside, were shared lying on our backs looking at the stars and talking about what might be out there, in the darkest of dark (science was only for school).
Right after school was a time for playing, cutting limbs off trees, riding bikes and arm wrestling the guys down the street. (and always beating them)...hmmm, maybe that's why we both married guys not from the neighborhood. Although those guys were our protectors, companions and confidants when we needed one, as well as "dates to all things school related." To Jr. high dances, dance parties at her house, etc.
You've heard the saying "girl fight", well we were the best, we could have majored in that subject and have a thriving business teaching girls today. Right there between my driveway and her shrub hedge, we would kick, bite, pull hair, scratch skin off with nails, bend arms back 'til the other cried, "Give"; and on and on. When we were both too tired to even remember what the fight was about, we sat down to plan who would spend the night at whose house.
Then as we got older, and started high school, (I mean she was just a little kid then, she couldn't drive a car, or anything REAL teenagers could do), we developed our own set of friends and life started to happen. I got married, had a baby and moved away, then she got married and started having babies, too. The only times we were together were Christmases when the family Christmas Eve get-together came around. We could still pick up the phone and start our last conversation where it left off though.
Fast forward some thirty-ish years (I guess, time doesn't transfer in my stories, as relationships do).
Now enter the Diva years. She and I, along with the friend I met in first grade, got together and became THE DIVA'S, before you could even find bling that says "Diva." We have traveled, talked, shopped, ate, talked, cried, talked and have formed a golden chain not easily broken by life.
Since I have nothing to give as a tribute to my BFF, COUSIN, and DIVA SISTER, you get to be the feature of my story. Have a beautiful Sunday afternoon and, I love you DS.
Monday, October 21, 2013
A Special Night
Tonight Les and I did something we haven't done in a very long time. We actually sat on the back porch...yes with our Sleepy time tea, and talked for over an hour. At one point in our life, this was an A1 priority for us. Sort of like camp Nana and Papa, like the situation room.
We've not really had an agenda, for the most part, but usually it started as a re-grouping of what we felt our goals in this life should be, are they the same and should they be? Have we felt we've accomplished any of the things we had purposed to do, and how could we measure any success, and what were the things that didn't work?
Our re-grouping sessions have been going on for many years. They use to be done on a weekend away at least once a year, but life can get in the way, even of things that evolved from core values, and some times we discovered our core values had changed. Those were exhausting weekends. Then there was the follow through.
Tonight, for the most part, we came to the conclusion that, NO we had not accomplished most of those goals and the likelihood of it happening now is slim. So what should we do about those things. Those things being our children and now grandchildren. How could we best guide them and give them guidelines to set their own values and purpose for living life. Should we now review our own life and prioritize for the future, whatever that might look like.
How should we handle our growing older and their growing older as well. Should we sit back and say "Oh well, we tried", or should we say, "Oh no, we tried and got it all wrong". Of course we don't believe we got it ALL wrong, we have an awesome group of kids who in many cases learned from what we did rather than what we said. Isn't that the pits??? I hate it when that happens. But we feel we have an awesome relationship with them and that is vital to us.
We had one of the best talks on our own spiritual beliefs, growth, or lack there of, in some cases. Threw out some challenges for consideration. It would do no good at this point to say Papa has it all wrong because all the kids think he is the authority, and who knows, he might think so too. After all, his personality is "being right and knowing he is right". (that would be choleric(?) and melancholy) The worst possible combination to try to have a productive discussion with, trust me!
I guess my reason for writing tonight is that I have missed that close give and take with the one with whom I am one. I want to thank the Father for putting those in our lives who are not our kids only by DNA, but ones who have chosen to attach (and be attached) to this crazy, mixed up, loving, laughing, loyal, sometimes agreeing and sometimes agreeing to disagree, group we call family. If you are reading this, you know who you are and that we love you beyond any reason.
Nana
We've not really had an agenda, for the most part, but usually it started as a re-grouping of what we felt our goals in this life should be, are they the same and should they be? Have we felt we've accomplished any of the things we had purposed to do, and how could we measure any success, and what were the things that didn't work?
Our re-grouping sessions have been going on for many years. They use to be done on a weekend away at least once a year, but life can get in the way, even of things that evolved from core values, and some times we discovered our core values had changed. Those were exhausting weekends. Then there was the follow through.
Tonight, for the most part, we came to the conclusion that, NO we had not accomplished most of those goals and the likelihood of it happening now is slim. So what should we do about those things. Those things being our children and now grandchildren. How could we best guide them and give them guidelines to set their own values and purpose for living life. Should we now review our own life and prioritize for the future, whatever that might look like.
How should we handle our growing older and their growing older as well. Should we sit back and say "Oh well, we tried", or should we say, "Oh no, we tried and got it all wrong". Of course we don't believe we got it ALL wrong, we have an awesome group of kids who in many cases learned from what we did rather than what we said. Isn't that the pits??? I hate it when that happens. But we feel we have an awesome relationship with them and that is vital to us.
We had one of the best talks on our own spiritual beliefs, growth, or lack there of, in some cases. Threw out some challenges for consideration. It would do no good at this point to say Papa has it all wrong because all the kids think he is the authority, and who knows, he might think so too. After all, his personality is "being right and knowing he is right". (that would be choleric(?) and melancholy) The worst possible combination to try to have a productive discussion with, trust me!
I guess my reason for writing tonight is that I have missed that close give and take with the one with whom I am one. I want to thank the Father for putting those in our lives who are not our kids only by DNA, but ones who have chosen to attach (and be attached) to this crazy, mixed up, loving, laughing, loyal, sometimes agreeing and sometimes agreeing to disagree, group we call family. If you are reading this, you know who you are and that we love you beyond any reason.
Nana
Friday, June 7, 2013
Another Graduate Walks
I mostly look back when some one I love approaches a crossroads. Have others managed those changes. In the past couple weeks, I have been reading and re-reading not just my blogging, but have been looking through my books of memory and trying to track the milestones my loved ones have passed. It could have something to do with Hunter starting first grade and Kaela graduating high school.
With Kaela's graduation, comes another phase of not only her life, but our family's as well. Dakota will graduate next year, but after that, all the older grandchildren will be starting a new journey, one that will be all of their own making. I remember that feeling so well. I remember thinking the adults who kept telling me, "these are the best years of your life, just enjoy them" must had never gone to school a day in their lives. Or, "there will come a day when you look back, with fond memories on your high school time". LOL
The odd truth about the people who were trying to get me to be just who I was meant to be, someone who had not lived even two decades in this life, were so right. For me, the light started to dawn on the first day of school following my graduation. Everyone else I knew, except a couple close friends, were continuing life as they always had. Meeting outside the buildings and hallways laughing, talking, catching up on life through the summer. They were comparing schedules and deciding who was sharing a locker with whom. What classes they shared and who was going to be in the same electives together. Still not worrying about how many credits they needed or what a GPA really meant.
For me, things changed rather suddenly the night before that first day of school in September. I didn't have to set my radio clock as early, didn't have to have clothes picked out and PE things together or my name on my new supplies. I didn't have to put those stove pipe curlers in my hair, well maybe that was the good part. I had a couple days to go to the local furniture store to receive my small memory Lane hope chest and to go to the bank to open my first checking account that offered no service charge for five years (what a mistake).
Some of my friends were off to , LSU, some to the Air Force, others went to work in their parents buildings. I still had to wait 'til after Labor Day to talk to the recruiter for the business school I had chosen to attend. I did learn some good things there, typing and shorthand were NOT on the list though. I have a friend here in Houston who can verify that...white out was my best friend and I just got sick if I had to take dictation. After we graduated from there we worked at the same company, I believe one time she sat in the adjoining office and actually took down the letter so I could transcribe it. Fun times!! Some of the things I did learn though that have seen me through all my job interviews were, how to dress, how to converse with the decision maker and how to know who that person was, to show my skills and abilities, and get past the typing stuff. To let them know why I would be the best person for the job. I actually got asked, right off the bat, first question was..."Well, Alma, why shoes" part time job in the shoe dept of a department store...that one threw me. My response was "well, why not shoes", wrong answer.
I guess if I could sum it up, I would say kiddos, don't rush growing up. You have only spent eighteen years so far. Sit down and have a real conversation with someone who has walked where you are getting ready to walk, then add their advice to your "things to take to the table" at your first job interview, because there will be one coming VERY soon. Since more and more young people think they want to "make it on their own" just a couple days after having dad and mom who has payed for everything. Sorry digressing a little there.
Still, I was one proud Nana when they called her name and she walk across the stage and receive the diploma They all worked, slaved, studied and partied so hard to get. (well studied so hard might be a little over stated, suffered might be closer to true).
I love everyone of you who has achieved this milestone and those who are still working toward it.
HAPPY GRADUATION DAY KAELA!
I love you.
Nana
Friday, March 15, 2013
From Honor - Comes Honor
Just when does it become okay to cross the line and no longer be a "nice guy," just listening to another person's view on topics ranging from religion to child rearing, but never stating your own beliefs, thereby subjecting yourself to the other person's dogma? How do both people say what is dearest to their hearts and still honor the other person? Both thinking, "If we could just get them to understand what we understand...then they would surely see this my way"?
So many times this dilemma is the end of open and true discussion, because we close our ears and hearts to the very people we have loved and honored for such a long time, enclosing ourselves in a vacuum of our own thinking.
We all have people in our lives with whom we agree and disagree on many levels. Who is "right" and who is "wrong"?
When we become aware of the differences in opinion, sometimes subtle in dawning, other times smacking us between the eyes, does it really matter, as long as we honor each other? How and when do these changes take place? Is it a particular event that causes our divide, or does it evolve over time with the realization that the other has changed so drastically we can no longer tolerate their core beliefs?
Why do we have this driving need to be right -- often at the expense of a relationship? Why can we not sit down and listen to the others point of view, treating them as worthy human beings, made in the image of the same loving God who created each of us, and values us all? What insane idea makes us "more right" than another?
Quite often I see parents and older adults who think they have the "Whole Truth" about everything, and their understanding of that Truth is absolute, no matter the topic, or a younger more enlighented person who believes education has given them wisdom. Who are we to assume WE have ALL TRUTH and because another doesn't believe what we believe, it's so egregious that we cannot share together. I wonder if, what the apostles believed in the beginning of Jesus' ministry, was what they saw as Truth at the end? Just a thought.
Recently, I've had the honor and pleasure of getting to know a young friend. We are years apart in age, but there is a willingness on both sides to ask questions, present points of view we've both gleaned from life, and a respect we have both given and received in this slowly growing friendship. This is practicing honor. I try to practice the idea of "seeking first to understand, and then to be understood." I have never seen a positive influence coming from one persons view running ram-shod over the other persons, nor does positive influence come from not taking time to understand what another stands for. To find common ground is the ONLY place from which trust and love can be fostered. All humans have value and should be treated with honor.
These thoughts have been forming for some months. Finally, all the turmoil settled into sane thoughts I could commit to writing. I realized one's core beliefs should not have to change in order for them to be acceptable to someone else. No one should be allowed to bully another into falling into line with what they believe. One who loves, loves at all times, without strings attached. This is not to say there is no truth, it is just not ours to translate. "Lean not on your own understanding" Prov. 3:5. "The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but he mouth of fools feeds on folly" Prov. 15:14.
As usual, I know not everyone agrees with me, but that's okay. I try to view those whom I love through the eyes of the One who gave His life for all of us, therefore giving us all the same honor.
A.
So many times this dilemma is the end of open and true discussion, because we close our ears and hearts to the very people we have loved and honored for such a long time, enclosing ourselves in a vacuum of our own thinking.
We all have people in our lives with whom we agree and disagree on many levels. Who is "right" and who is "wrong"?
When we become aware of the differences in opinion, sometimes subtle in dawning, other times smacking us between the eyes, does it really matter, as long as we honor each other? How and when do these changes take place? Is it a particular event that causes our divide, or does it evolve over time with the realization that the other has changed so drastically we can no longer tolerate their core beliefs?
Why do we have this driving need to be right -- often at the expense of a relationship? Why can we not sit down and listen to the others point of view, treating them as worthy human beings, made in the image of the same loving God who created each of us, and values us all? What insane idea makes us "more right" than another?
Quite often I see parents and older adults who think they have the "Whole Truth" about everything, and their understanding of that Truth is absolute, no matter the topic, or a younger more enlighented person who believes education has given them wisdom. Who are we to assume WE have ALL TRUTH and because another doesn't believe what we believe, it's so egregious that we cannot share together. I wonder if, what the apostles believed in the beginning of Jesus' ministry, was what they saw as Truth at the end? Just a thought.
Recently, I've had the honor and pleasure of getting to know a young friend. We are years apart in age, but there is a willingness on both sides to ask questions, present points of view we've both gleaned from life, and a respect we have both given and received in this slowly growing friendship. This is practicing honor. I try to practice the idea of "seeking first to understand, and then to be understood." I have never seen a positive influence coming from one persons view running ram-shod over the other persons, nor does positive influence come from not taking time to understand what another stands for. To find common ground is the ONLY place from which trust and love can be fostered. All humans have value and should be treated with honor.
These thoughts have been forming for some months. Finally, all the turmoil settled into sane thoughts I could commit to writing. I realized one's core beliefs should not have to change in order for them to be acceptable to someone else. No one should be allowed to bully another into falling into line with what they believe. One who loves, loves at all times, without strings attached. This is not to say there is no truth, it is just not ours to translate. "Lean not on your own understanding" Prov. 3:5. "The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but he mouth of fools feeds on folly" Prov. 15:14.
As usual, I know not everyone agrees with me, but that's okay. I try to view those whom I love through the eyes of the One who gave His life for all of us, therefore giving us all the same honor.
A.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
A New Blog
The purpose of my short blog, actually note, tonight is to direct you all to a new blog you might want to check out from time to time. I don't know how he lets people know when he has added a post, but Les has a new blog on Wordpress. It's at our2storyhouse.wordpress.com. It's really cute and we might both blog from time to time, but mostly him. You are also welcome to post a comment there too.
Enjoy
A.
Enjoy
A.
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