Thanks Hubbard

Here’s an article I read, which I thought was pretty cool. It’s written care of the Hubbard team(yep those guys who make cereals).

For a long time, humankind survived with little or no legislation. People were expected to use their common sense, to treat others as they wished to be treated themselves, and generally to take responsibility for their actions. And for the most part it all seemed to work quite nicely.

But as the years have rolled on, we have seen more and more legislation enacted to cover many aspects of our lives. Some is entirely necessary, reflecting changes that have occurred in our society over time, but it’s sometimes disturbing to note how much law seems to be diminishing the importance of personal values and growth through education.

Is it perhaps suggesting that individuals, families, and communities can now transfer the issues of responsibility and accountability to schools, to workplaces, and to government? And is this sending a signal that we don’t need to use our common sense?

Bryan and I were both happily stunned and very encouraged when we read this. People are genuinely questioning these points, which I agree with(at least to some degree). The sad fact is that many of us in New Zealand have been quite happy to lay the responsibility and blame at someone else’s feet. We desperately need good morals restored, and the responsibility of this needs to be returned to the home, with parents being accountable for children’s overall education and principles. But this isn’t a complete answer.

People change and what is acceptable in one generation may not be in another. What is common sense to one person is completely illogical to another so this approach is also likely to fail. We don’t really want to rely on common sense alone, our nation needs reformation through the Holy Spirit. That’s where the enabling to do right stems from. Praise God for the Holy Spirit! The standard we want for our nation(no, the world) is with Christ at the head.

So I leave us all(me especially) with this encouraging reminder ‘the fervent prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.’

God we fervently want our nation to receive Your salvation!

What if..

What if you were a ball of goo and over a trillion million years you evolved into a walking human being? Worse, what if you were a human being and you woke up tomorrow as a ball of goo? Oh dear… Would you even realise you were a ball of goo? I know! It’s worth thinking about. Ok, so I don’t spend a lot of time considering such things but to me that’s how logical the theory of evolution is.

Can a person believe in science and creationism? Many speculate that such a position isn’t possible. I have to disagree.

A professor and director of education, by the name of Michael Reiss of the Royal Society has resigned over a statement made about creationism. He believes creationism should be discussed in schools. This resulted in an uproar amongst scientists concerned about appearing to endorse creationism and a belief that such comments were damaging to the Society’s reputation. !!!

Isn’t that just amazing? Being concerned about their reputation because they appeared to endorse creationism. And though a person is criticised heavily for mentioning such an idea, the theory of evolution is defended as the best explanation for life on Earth. It seems that belief in creationism as genuine science is discouraged. I’m just glad they called it the theory of evolution and not evolution.

My simple mind finds it difficult to understand this concept, cause I didn’t think science was about theory. I thought it was the study of the natural and physical world, but I’m not here to kick anyone around. I’m just astonished that a person has had to resign because of personal views on creationism.

My belief in God being the author of life stands, and I’m glad I won’t get fired for believing it; I just hope Mr Reiss has no difficulty finding employment. Maybe the creation science team would employ him. ??

We are not bits of goo, nor is the universe, we are masterpieces created for a divine purpose.

In the beginning God created..
Gen 1:1

Who stole my jarmies?

Since there's only two of us living here, I guess it's not hard to figure out. Bryan read one of my blogs a few days back and I think he's been planning retribution ever since!

So there's this great game I love to play and it works for any item of clothing, but I always find socks best(mental note: socks work best). You wait for husband to get out of bed and hide under the covers pretending to be asleep. You hear husband throw clothes on bed and wait as he changes. Husband then sits on bed and attempts to put socks on(Bryan hates putting socks on), you sigh while bed shakes and bounces(good thing you weren't really sleeping, cause now you'd be awake!). While husband is putting socks on, you throw off the bedspread and dive for the other sock, you giggle, then just as quickly take cover back inside the bed attempting to push the sock and yourself as far into the bed as possible. Yay!! It's a fun game.

Well, last night I was in the bedroom getting ready to go to bed, and one must always dance crazy-like before climbing into it(It relaxes you, you know). Bryan walks in, so I encourage him to join me which amazingly he does! Wow. Before long he gets into bed and I carry on(cause really, it's more fun with an audience anyway). Eventually I give it up and decide to change into my jarmies, but they're not on the bed anymore. ??? I turn around thinking maybe I put them on the dresser. No jarmies. ??? So I turn back around with a laugh, suddenly realising why Bryan had a cheeky grin on his face when he climbed in bed! He stole my tricks!! And my jarmies!!!

Just goes to show; You reap what you sow!!

Fashion gone wrong

This is Talitha, she has a story(don't we all). Her middle name is Cumi. Yes, her mother named her after the child Jesus raised from the dead in Mark 5:41. How fitting I believe the name is, and I pray prophetic. Her name means 'Little girl, I say to you, arise.' She has a special place in my heart. She is 9 years old and lives with my parents. She's a child who needs the assurance of your love.

This morning was supposed to be a blogless day. After visiting dear darling sisters website and checking out her photo album, it all changed. The cheerful, carefree attitude of today gave way to angry and grieved(but not for long). I encourage anyone reading this, it's not always wise to stifle your emotions(but sometimes they need to be ignored) we have them for a purpose. In this case my emotions moved me to tears and prayer.

It seems the kids of today have a penchant for fashion. Amen, I say. Ok, maybe not all of them but my niece is one example of many and one only has to walk through the city to become aware of the effects of fashion, culture and superstars(as they're called) to name a few. Why is it that young girls think they need to put their bodies on display?

I ask you this question. What are we doing to our kids?

We have five year olds in skirts just covering their rears. Bellys on display, and kids with seductive poses in magazines. Can you hear my utter disgust!!

So when I see photos of my niece in such clothing and seductive poses........I see red. (I decided I couldn't post the picture I'm referring to cause my conscience screams against the idea)

My sister had a problem. I forget her age, it was somewhere between the age of 9 and 11. She had a guy stalking her(why does anyone stalk a young child of this age?). It totally freaked us out. Perverted people like this don't need encouragement.

These are our kids. Let's take responsibility for who they become. Let's role model a modest display of fashion. Let's tell them that image is great, but despite the adverts on tv and such 'Image is not everything'. Let's give them someone to look up to. Let's show them that life is beyond the catwalk, singers and movie stars.

We want our kids to retain their innocence as long as possible, if that means being naive to certain things then so be it. Let them be naive to seduction, lust and every nonsense of this sort.

What one does when in need of laughter!!

After 4 months of coughing and such carry on, 1 week of waking during the night because I can't breathe and keeping husband awake with more coughing, I decided I best go see the doctor. But at about 2am this morning I came up with a rather brilliant plan(yes, occasionally I get them and sadly it is often during the night when a person is mean't to be sleeping!!) Why didn't I think of it sooner? Isn't laughter the best medicine? So it's decided. Today I allow myself the pleasure of laughter, and the extreme pleasure of making myself laugh. Tomorrow, it's back to being intensely serious......

I remember sitting by the fire. Yay for wood fires, they are the best! Bryan and I were watching a movie and I couldn't stop laughing. Don't you just love belly laughs! I was rolling and jiggling(as one does when they laugh) and roaring with laughter(is that possible?) and crying at the antics on the screen. I turned to share the laughter with Bryan and he had this weird smile on his face. It seemed he didn't really wanna watch the movie, it was preferable to watch me. Reminds me of Gary. Yea .... you know who I mean.

So what exactly does one do? Here's a few tips from me.

One hears husband turn up in vehicle and hides behind the computer desk. Husband knows wife is here somewhere(her car is parked right beside his) and searches for elusive wife. In all the usual places of course. He checks by the kitchen sink, the fridge, the washing line, no wife. Wife is having trouble containing her giggles. Finally husband checks his sock drawer. He finds socks but no wife. Husband gives up, and wife is now in tears from her laughter. Oh the joys of marriage!

One hears husband and hides behind the door, and leaps at him unexpectedly.

One visits the renewal website and is thoroughly entertained by unusual statements made by FeeNeensHolstRKPaisleySyJD and other strange individuals who visit this website.

One chases the cat around the house, seriously he loves it!

Wife is bored and wants to have fun. Husband is ignoring wife cause he's watching tv(the news again). One does crazy little jigs in front of the tv.

One dances as ridiculously as possible to the music on tv ads, till husband gives in and laughs.

One visits the site of one of her pastors, with popcorn and drinks for an afternoon of fun and entertainment.

One wakes up, looks husband in the eyes and giggles cause life is good.

One leaps around the lounge and laughs cause she feels like it and nobody's home to see.

One listens to the message saved on her answering machine from her darling sister and laughs out loud, then saves it again for next time.

One wakes up, looks husband in the eyes, bounces on the bed and races out the door. I haven't done this one yet, but I will. Is anyone feeling sorry for Bryan about now?

One begins a conversation with workmates and proceeds to confuse them as thoroughly as possible.

One walks into the bedroom and sees husband lying in bed with his Bible. Wife walks slyly towards the bed. Husband becomes suspicious. Wife grabs husbands feet and begins to pat them. Husband begins to smile(not for the faint of heart, he loses control of his feet when they get tickled). Wife finds it more amusing to pretend to tickle than actually do.

I think I know now why Bryan wants children so desperately!?

My last piece of advice; be prepared to laugh at yourself

And finally a few quotes and proverbs:

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." E.E. Cummings
"Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh." Luke 6:21
"Laughter is the brush that sweeps away the cobwebs of the heart." Mort Walker
"A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." Proverbs 17:22

What I'm learning about life in God's Kingdom??

The phrase in the Bible 'He who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted' confounds me. How is it possible in this lifetime to come to a complete understanding of this statement?? Especially considering that I'm forever changing. My perceptions and the angles at which I view this passage change with new bits of information. With new opinions I hear and my own life experiences.

It doesn't take much these days to find myself humbled, but I think it would be much better if I were humble. I'm certain my pride would be much happier which is why it's a good thing to be humbled at times. And don't you find it a true test when friends speak of your humility. Suddenly pride attempts to take over and you find yourself in a wrestling match. Again you're reminded of how easily one can revert to this state.

Strangely what is truly liberating is realising our imperfections, our weaknesses.

I look at my own life and see the ways in which I've failed. Recognising my humanity, which I'm not referring to as an excuse. Looking into my soul and seeing the insecurities, the lack. But somehwere in facing all of this I have reason to hope, because there is peace here. This is me, this is who I am.

A sudden revelation came to me recently. Though my demands(doesn't that just sound awful, but it's the truth as I see it) have been heard, it's been my cries that have been quickly answered. My cries; the voice which spoke brokenly, and incomprehensibly. The cries which couldn't be rightly expressed. It was those particular cries I doubted were heard but it's been those cries God has answered. And it's here he receives glory.

This is where we realise our insufficiency, our inadequacy . This is where we realise our absolute need of Jesus the redeemer. A place of realising our dependance and knowing that we were too weak to have done any good. This is where we become aware of our many strengths and became humbled by them because they proved useless to us, as we were too weary and feeble to use them.

Though these are some of our weaknesses, in me especially, but in us all, also be aware that we're changing and there's absolutely no way we're the cause of it. To God be the glory!!