James Brown remake. Check it out.
Author: Gina Marie
It Gets Better
Ft. Worth Council Member Joel Burns weighs in on the recent teenage suicides related to bullying. Very moving, I recommend you invest the time to watch.
Traveling to “The City”
I have been fortunate enough to be giving the opportunity to be trained on the latest version of AccountMate – the software package I support through my employment. My employer signed me up and has sent me to my home state, to the beautiful city of San Francisco! Yeah! I am blessed. Too bad the training wasn’t set in SOUTHERN California!
But true to form, I have some traveling scars! So of course I want to share them with YOU, my 2.78 readers!
First of all, I am a little OCD about traveling – I generally like to be at the airport 2 hours before my flight is scheduled to leave, even for domestic flights. My thing is that you never know when there will be a car accident or other things out of your control that will delay your forward motion to the airport. This philosophy has caused stress on my family members at times, as many of them are late to EVERYTHING, so having me freak out because we are behind the 2 hour rule stresses them out (and, well, to be honest I am pretty stressed, too!). But for this trip, it was all me…….
In this case, I am glad that I am OCD, because there was a SERIOUS accident on the main freeway I needed to take, which SERIOUSLY delayed my driving time. What should have taken me 1 hour took me 2! But I need to divulge something…….I actually left even earlier than I was supposed to, because I was going to a long-term parking lot I’d never been to and I was not sure how efficient they were, so I had plugged more time there “just in case”. So even with this delay, I got to the airport 2 hours before my flight. LOL
ANYWAY. DFW is a very large airport and they are very efficient in the security area, etc. I got in very quickly and found my gate and settled in. I am reading a very good book right now – biographies on Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots and how their very lives worked to create animosity between the two. Very interesting and it was nice to have down time to enjoy it. But soon it was very apparent that the boarding was delayed, as “the plane was still being cleaned”. At this point I usually get nervous in general, because now that AA charges for checking bags, EVERYONE has carry on bags and many are pretty darn big. So I was stressing as I was in group 4 and I was concerned that there would not be room for my bag. I admit, I have never had that happen to me, but I have ALWAYS stressed about this and the new rules made this anxiety worse for me. But I chose to not freak out and be especially nice to those around me……..
In this case, I easily found a space and was very pleased to see the other passengers assist to help strangers find room, too. So the anxiety was unnecessary.
So we got settled, but the time to take off just kept going. We were scheduled to take off at 12:25pm, and I easily could see that we had passed that by about 15 minutes. I was concerned but what could I do? I was very glad I didn’t have to catch a connecting flight, so really there was no reason for me to stress…..
Suddenly, the captain got on the speaker and said that Maintenance was reviewing a mechanical problem and that a decision was pending as to if we would be taking off or if we’d need a new plane. Said decision was expected within 10 minutes. So, 20 minutes later we were told that the decision was that we needed a new plane. Really, my only stress at this point was if the NEXT flight would have room for my luggage in the overhead compartment! 🙂
This situation reminded me of the times I’d fly to Dallas to visit Deana and the kids when they were living in Frisco and I had not yet moved. During that time I was stranded more than once due to mechanical issues, and yes those were with AA as well! So this new situation was a reminder of days gone by.
Anyway, I am of the mind that I’d prefer not to fly on a mechanically unfit plane, so the change was not horrible. And I have to say, I was pleased to hear our new gate was very close – DFW is a HUGE airport and the hub for AA, so it could have easily been an ordeal. Our flight, when all was said and done, took off by 2:40pm so that’s not bad. And truthfully, my first seat was kind of broken so the new plane offered a more comfortable ride.
But now for the fun part! PEOPLE! They ALWAYS seem to provide me plenty of material on this blog!
First, there was a young guy on the first flight that, once he heard there was a possibility that the flight would be grounded, he got on the phone right away with AA and got his name on a totally different flight. I have no problem with that. But once the announcement was made that we WERE changing planes, he bolted out of his seat and almost mowed the guy in front of him and put his stupid little “I am an important person” ass right in my face.
I have to say, why do people on planes often think THEY are more important and should be let off the plane before the people in rows ahead of them This is very common on planes and too often I feel the need to teach them airport etiquette. (Of course, people who are about to miss their connecting flight do not fall into this category.) This was no exception, especially since I now had an ass in my face. (I was on the aisle). So I stood and said, “wow, so much for being a courteous traveler!” The gentleman across from me, who was mowed over, looked at me, smiled, and I knew he was a good guy. Of course, we had to wait a while as we were in the 18th row and there were about 85 people ahead, and the nice man and I had no problem with that. But “ass man” seemed to become more agitated with each moment. As it got closer to our ability to move, the nice man says to me, “Go ahead and get ahead of me.” I smiled and said thank you, and then he adds, “I hope I earned points for that one.” I replied, “Well, you certainly did! I have been shown that chivalry is not dead and that others are not selfish. I will certainly make mention of you on my blog!” Ass Man was FURIOUS, especially since I would not push forward until the rows ahead of me got their bags, etc.
It was SWEET!
Oh, and Ass Man was not on our replacement flight. 🙂 But, true to form, the person that got his seat didn’t know or care about letting the rows ahead of him exit first, either. THE IRONY!
Now, for my seat mates. Next to me was a man I’d guess was in his late 40’s or early 50’s. He was a small man, about my height (5’ 6”) although he had a nice build. He was attractive by American standards. What was GROSS, at first at least, was that his obvious girlfriend was close in age to my daughter……EARLY 20’s! I don’t know, that just grossed me out but maybe I’m not being fair. But that was not all that bothered me. First of all, he was one of those loud “everyone should listen to me because 1) I’m good looking and 2) what I have to say is meaningful” talkers. Additionally, his girlfriend had the same view of HER conversation! So that bugged. But then it quickly came to realization that Mr. Small Arrogant Guy had a bladder of a peanut because he asked me every 10 minutes to let him out. It was further aggravated by the fact that he ALSO asked to get up to get into his overhead bag 3 times, to get water twice (hello, small bladder), and really just expected me to move without any problem. He also had no respect for my personal space, not even pretending to not put his drinks right in my face and wait for the Flight Attendant to get them, etc. But don’t worry, two hours in I pretended to sleep and he was VERY antsy. LOL. Oh, and before that I put my iPod on so I wouldn’t have to hear their stupid conversations.
Once I landed at SFO, things were easy. Got the shuttle to the hotel, checked in, and then met up with some of my co-workers for dinner. The hotel is very nice and, because of the time change, it felt great to “sleep in”! (5:30am local time = 7:30am “body time”). NICE.
So now, here I sit writing this blog in Word as I don’t have internet access and am filling “down time” with my thoughts here. I can check my mail on my iPhone, so that’s cool. Oh, and Facebook. Important! J BUT, I just got an email from my COO saying that I need to buy the internet access for work, so WHOOT! I will do that later today as it covers 24 hours so that way I will have it throughout the day tomorrow, too.
It is NICE to be in California again! Wish I had friends and family close enough to visit. But seeing the sky and water – AWESOME! Well, not that there isn’t sun in Texas, but you know what I mean.
Hello Again, Hello
So I have neglected you, I know. And it makes me want to spring out in song, warbling Neil Diamond’s song from “The Jazz Singer”…..
“Hello again, hello. Just called to say: hello. I couldn’t sleep at all tonight And I know it’s late, but I couldn’t wait. Hello..
Well, except it’s early in the morning, I really COULD sleep and resent a bit that I have to get up to get ready for work, and who calls nowadays? LOL Yeah, crazy.
But anyway, I am alive – although this blog would not be a strong indication of that. I need to post my annual reference to Josh as well, who turned TEN on 9/20. TEN! Sheesh! How the heck did THAT happen? And I guess there have been lots of analysis on life, God, and relationships running through my head, so I can feel there is a serious blog or two coming soon……but that comes later…….
I have been sick (kidney infection followed by head cold), traveling (Oklahoma City for work and Paris, Arkansas with the fam), working (well THAT ebbs and flows, you know?), playing the drums at church, watching football (except I fell asleep with 2 minutes left of the Bears/GB game SERIOUSLY), watching the kids play sports (Zack/Soph soccer and Kenny baseball), texting/skyping with Kirstie as she moved from California to Nebraska, and somehow always feeling like I am behind the eight ball or lacking sleep. Not sure why that is. 🙂
I REALLY hope I can have ONE weekend where I actually can do NOTHING, but yeah that’s probably not gonna happen soon. I will manage though.
So what’s new with you, my 2.78 readers? Drop me a comment sometime. And with that, I am changing the song to “Goodbye, My Friend, Goodbye!”
Could it be? Is it she?
It is with awe and amazement that I sit here early today, pondering the fact that my baby girl has turned 20 – and since she was born at 2:40am, she truly has! I remember that day like yesterday, the fact that Kirstie made me a mom, and the wonder and joy I felt when I heard her cry for the first time. Those feeling have only become stronger over the years as I watched that infant turn into the wonderful woman that she is today!
Kirstie has redish blonde hair when she was very young, as you can see from this picture that was taken when she was 18 months old. You can also see that she inherited the curly hair Edgar and I both have (and which she’s very good at straightening out today!). Even at a young age, Kirstie was extremely inquisitive and able to sit for HOURS pouring over pictures, books, magazine – ANYTHING that she could investigate. And she ALWAYS loved to dance, even before she could walk!
As Kirstie grew older, her hair became VERY blonde, especially intriguing since she carries Mexican blood! But her Grandma Jan’s genes are pretty strong! 🙂 I loved the fact that Kirstie was very attached to me her first 4 or 5 years; we were often inseperable. She would sing, read, be goofy with me……..it was great.
We usually call this pic the “Josh with long hair” picture, but it’s Kirstie. She was always making friends, talking up a storm, and loved doing doing doing. I guess she’s still that way, huh? I never really had to stay on top of her at school, either, because she did her work (remember the inquisitive nature?) and usually did well in school. She also showed signed of musical talent at a young age – maybe it was all those years of being around the worship band?
Alas, despite my threats to beat her if she kept growing up, today she is twenty. TWENTY. I don’t know how that happened! I look back with fondness at the years behind me and have so many clear images of this girl – ah, to imagine that they add up to two decades! And yet, I would be remiss if I didn’t say those years have filled my soul with such love and joy! I look at her, hear her share stories or vent or plan her life, and am continually blessed to know she is AMAZING! She is real, she is smart, she is a doer…….but most of all, SHE IS MY DAUGHTER! She is going to do MORE amazing things in her life, it’s really only the beginning, and yet I sit in wonder ponding this amazing woman who is also my beloved DAUGHTER.
So, while many of these ruminations are for me alone, please join me in celebrating a fantastic human life, twenty years of amazement – HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIRSTIE! I love you VERY much!
And just in case you’ve not heard her sing, check this out:
Mom
P.S. She is also VERY good on XBox 360 (those killing games, but hey, I don’t want to sound old) and can type nearly 80wpm using pretty much two fingers. IMPRESSIVE if not trivial.
Lying Does Not Behoove You
Everyone lies, let’s face it. There are times when someone asks how they look in an outfit or if they look fat, etc – THOSE are the times when I’d probably suggest the truth may not always be optimal. Or, in situations such as those who lied to the Nazis to protect innocent Jews. Commendable.
However, we humans seem to be able to lie about pretty much anything, especially if it is to make ourselves look better or to cover our butts. For example, have you ever lied about traffic on the way to work to explain why you were late instead of admitting you totally overslept? Or you “suggest” that you have way more money in the bank than you do, or maybe buy things on credit that you can’t really afford just to appear successful.
“What?!” you ask, “you’re telling me THAT is lying?!?!!?!” Yes, yes I am .
I don’t mean to JUDGE per se, for pete sakes I have done both of the above – if not recently, but does that matter? I am a liar, I have lied (based on the above) on many occasions in my life. So please take this post a an analysis of sorts more than a judgment of you or anyone else.
Why do we do this? Why do we pretend to be something or someone we’re not? Why do we choose to lie about silly things like being late instead of taking the consequence for mistakes, even it we didn’t intend to oversleep? Why do we think we have to tell people what they want to hear in hopes of being accepted by them instead of telling the truth and seeing where the chips fall? And why do “little lies” fall right off our backs day after day with no thought or guilt or pondering?
The last point is what concerns me the most. And yet we parents tell our kids that they need to tell the truth, even as we model a whole different world…….
Yesterday, a friend acknowledged a very BIG truth about themselves that had attached to it A LOT of room for many of us to reject him. He took a huge stand to have integrity, to live in the truth. And you know what happened? Well, nothing. We accepted his truth, we didn’t stop loving him, in fact (for me) it made me love him a bit more. And that got me to thinking – do I REALLY think the truth really brings shame? Really? NO! I do admit that many people can’t handle the truth, and have lost many “a friend” who have heard of my homosexuality. I still get told on occasion that I can’t be gay AND a Christian. Alas, I am reminded that living in THE TRUTH is WAY better than lying to anyone, especially those that only loved me because I fit the mold they wanted me to live in.
So, anyway, I better get ready for work. Don’t want to be late, especially since I’d have to tell them I am was writing a blog about honesty instead of getting ready and then, well…………
Gina OUT.
Wax Philosophical……
Not really, at least I am prefacing this that I may NOT be very philosophical in this post. Perhaps the INTENTIONS are there, but it’s been a while since I’ve written here and I’ve been known to ramble. Plus, I did something to my left thumb and it hurts to type, so we shall see!
First Waxing – the whole Prop 8 thing in California. Now, I know MANY (if not most) of my friends (especially those who have incorporated faith into their lives) were for Prop 8. I can understand that, and it is not my intention to debate your stance or mine. I just wanted to share some points that I have pondered this week.
First of all, I read this amazing article and it brought up some thoughts I haven’t – for example, it doesn’t surprise me that the Catholic Church is for Prop 8 and that they were disappointed that it was found as unconstitutional. However, this article points out that the Catholic Church also does not acknowledge marriages outside of the church (something which was affirmed in my OWN life when my parents sought to be married in the church after getting married in Vegas), yet they don’t demand that these unrecognized marriages stop receiving social security benefits, etc. Yet, that’s what they are demanding for gays and lesbians. Hear me – I am a Christian and my faith is in Christ, but when I pay taxes to my government, that is a secular law and one which Jesus said I should do……but it is not related to Jesus. I feel the same about marriage; if I have to pay taxes and my neighbor can marry wife #4 and get all this and that through the government, but I can’t…..how is that right? And this ruling WAS right based on the constitution. If the Catholic Church chooses to not recognize gay marriage, that is their right. But they have no control over the constitution. And if you find gay marriage morally wrong, don’t do it! Just like I have a friend that finds it morally wrong to re-marry after a divorce and therefore has remained single, but doesn’t force her friends to do the same even though her friends share the same faith.
ANYHOW……….
Deana started her job this past week and she LOVES it. She is working in HR for the City of Dallas – her department has 4 employees and they support over 13,000! I am very proud of her and she is gonna rock! This job is a direct – I said DIRECT – answer to prayer! Our prayer lives have really grown since joining Crossroads and it has taken on a life beyond anything Deana and I have experienced before. In this case, we asked for a positive email the next day and BAM!, Deana received one stating she had made the first review in the application process. Then, we prayed that she would get a call by the next week and BAM!, she did! Now the interview process was intimidating; she had to have a 15 minute, Power Point presentation covering four topics, including HR Benefits. She freaked out a little, especially since I had to leave for a business trip and she felt I could help her. But she did it on her own and did a great job. Prayers from all over Dallas were being raised, she did a GREAT job during the interview, and received an offer THE NEXT DAY! THAT is unheard of when dealing with municipal agencies! Now, let me be clear – this is NOT a story of how great we are at praying……this is about the Faithfulness of Jesus! HE made this work out PERFECTLY! To hear Deana’s take on this miracle, check out her post here.
I, for one, have been struggling a bit with my own job. I swing between being loyal to being beat up and unmotivated. I feel as though the Lord is telling me to be faithful to Him and He will lead me. So I am trying to do that and not focus on all the things I could complain about – here on this blog or otherwise! I WOULD like to travel less, that’s for dang sure!
On that note, I have expended the full amount of non-pain movement for my thumb, so this post will have to end. I hope all of my 2.78 readers have a fantastic weekend!
Gina OUT
Howdy, I’m Still Alive
Just got back from another business trip. TIRED. So bullet points will have to do.
- Happy 40th Birthday Deana! I love you!
- Working 4 days of 13+ hours tires you out!
- God has been blessing me and the family directly – more on that later!
- Prop 8 was ruled as unconstitutional 8/4/10 – controversial but right. More on that later, too!
- I’ve been reminded this week about how amazing a family I have. My Dad, my Mom, my siblings, Deana, the kids……
- Gracie is still missing.
More later and blessings to you all! (All 2.78 of you!)
Gina out
Loving Your Neighbor…….and Other Encouragements
This is the Bible Study I did for church this past week. I took out some personal info but otherwise it is intact. Let me know what you think!
Today, I am going to talk about two major concepts – LOVE and ENCOURAGMENT. These are two amazingly powerful words, that become extraordinary items when, as Pastor has recently shared with us, they change from LOVE and ENCOURAGEMENT to LOVING and ENCOURAGING!
But I have to admit, love when we humans get our hands on it, sometimes doesn’t always FEEL good. We can all share stories where “the love” of others were really heavy yolks around our necks. We’ve heard, for example, that OUR love is not sacred nor do we really know the love of God. At times like that I want to shake my fist in the air and scream out these lyrics by U2 (because, after all, aren’t all things from the 80’s perfect in such occasions?):
You say love is a temple, love a higher law
You ask me to enter but then you make me crawl
And I can’t be holding on to what you got
When all you got is hurt!
But can’t we rejoice today that the TRUE meaning of love and all it encompasses is defined not by others around us, but by our Heavenly Father? Today we are going to focus on one segment of this amazing area of our Lord as He has been teaching me a lesson recently.
If you’ve been a Christian more than 3 months, or even if you’ve attended church more then twice, you’ve probably heard about the whole “love your neighbor as yourself” story. It’s pretty active in Christian-speak, at least in my circles. And yet, as I mentioned earlier, it often is overlooked in practice. There are many reasons for this; our definition of “neighbor”, or busy lives, our human natures that are SO powerful – this list goes on and on. Yet, the Lord has been working on my heart really, and admittedly this is a topic that is very close to my view of myself and others. Because of that, I’d like to share my journey with YOU!
Let’s begin with the Word – starting with Matthew 22:34-40 (NIV):
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Before I go too far, let’s analyze these verses together.
Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’: Jesus, true to form, didn’t have His own agenda when dealing with the Pharisees – his response quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 and had been read in the Temple for centuries and basically said “booya” to the expert who I believe had hoped to trip Jesus up. Then Jesus, goes on to add the hierarchy to His response.
This is the first and greatest commandment. Jesus’ words set this as the greatest commandment, one that the Pharisees could not really argue against at all, although in practice some of the other 600+ laws they liked to follow often seemed to come before this one. But Jesus didn’t stop there……..
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ This addition brought a whole new level of rules to the Pharisees, as they had already begun living a very regimented cast system that excluded Samaritans, Tax Collectors, women, or anyone they deemed as unworthy based on the whim of the moment. This statement meant real trouble to the Pharisees! It totally shattered the concept of how they really acted towards the majority of those around them. And yet, Jesus still had another punch coming!
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. To me, this is the “nuke statement” Jesus made that day. How can anyone hear or read these words and not understand the very clear hierarchy that Jesus established? If you don’t love God and your neighbor, nothing else matters. NOTHING! When I realized this piece of information, I realized I had been going about my Christian walk all wrong! Instead of focusing on acting a certain way or pulling away from the world, I became conscious of the fact that I needed to LOVE! Love my God and love my neighbor. JESUS defined the hierarchy and who am I to interject other laws or rules above these?
But I also believe that the love we have here can’t remain only within these doors – and neither do Pastor and I am sure you too. So, I would be remiss if I didn’t also analyze the Biblical definition of “neighbor”. Some suggest this means other Christians. Many say the net includes your friends and family, maybe even your co-workers. But what does the Bible say?
Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV) says:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Christ clearly states we need to love EVERYONE, even those who we view as enemies or whom we do not agree with. And perhaps I am wrong, but I see loving them is CARING about them, especially their eternal life. That means your physical neighbor who refuses to mow his lawn or take the trash cans in timely. It means the homeless person begging on the corner. It means the political person that you didn’t vote for and whose ideology you despise. It means the person that cut you off on the freeway this morning. Even those that spew hate at your and those you love! Basically, it means EVERYONE, but ESPECIALLY those whom you would never ever give the time of day except that Jesus told you to love them.
I think you probably get that. I really do!
But for me, it turned a corner when I thought of the ones that have so much power over me – power that I’ve given them. I have a family member who I know loves me but whom to this day refuses to even mention Deana’s name or ask how Zack and Sophia are. To my former Christian employer, who fired me when they found out I am a lesbian. In the past, I would want to pull out Matthew 22 and scream to them, “GOD TOLD YOU TO LOVE ME! YOU HYPOCRITES! YOU HATERS! YOU CAN WEAR YOUR “WHAT WOULD JESUS DO” BRACELETS BUT YOU HAVE NO LOVE!” And I would feel so righteous, knowing I was right! But I hope you realize, as I have, that Matthew 22 AND 5 applies to me, too. And while I don’t view my family member as my enemy per se, no matter how they react to me, I need to love them. ESPECIALLY since they have judged me, I need to love them! I even need to love my old work, at least try to. Because, love that is unfathomable is very Christian, don’t you think? Because if someone DESERVES or EARNS your love, is it really so hard to love them? So, let’s agree that “loving your neighbor” means “everyone – especially those who don’t deserve it”.
What about the definition of LOVE? Paul is very eloquent in describing what this is about in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Jump down to verse 13:
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I love that the Bible sets the hierarchy so clearly. Jesus established the two most important commandments for us to follow in Matthew, and He further directed Paul here to tell us that LOVE is the greatest attribute we should manifest in our lives. And He loves us so much that he clearly describes what love IS and IS NOT. And, while I fully admit that I have failed in both loving my neighbor and putting love above all else, I can also testify that Jesus – through His Holy Spirit – is daily giving me a bigger dose of His love so that I can grow in these areas! And so can you!
So, we now know the Biblical definition of NEIGHBOR and LOVE – what are we going to DO about it? That has been the biggest area where I struggle – head or heart knowledge versus acting it out in my mind, heart, and actions. So walk with me as I break out some of the “IS” statements we just read.
Love is patient. First of all, I hope you all know not to pray for patience! Take it from me, God is faithful and will give you opportunity after opportunity to grow your patience! But I have learned over the last year that God knows me, he sees where laws and churches and people have worked to tell me that I am wrong. And I may want to change every single mind I encounter today, it probably won’t happen. But my focus has always been to point out how stupid people are, and let me tell you, that’s not very loving. My impatience has skewed my ability to LOVE. I have to love and no amount of shaking my fist in the face of my opposition will make things go faster.
Love keeps no record of wrongs. Ouch! You know, I appreciate and accept the give of Grace I received from Christ and I thank Him daily for loving me and saving me. But even so, I had a long list of those who have wronged me, especially as their actions relate to my sexuality. While I want them to accept me as I am, I sit with resentment, hurt, anger, and think these people need to get right with God. But truly, MY heart needs the Holy Spirit to erase the list I hold onto! And, as we’ve already discussed, this premise needs to extend to everyone I encounter everyday.
Love always protects. What does this mean to me? To you? A more obvious answer would be that we don’t hurt the ones we love, or even go so far as to defend them from hurts/danger/pain, etc. I believe that view is true and noble. But I also believe I am being called to take this a step further! How about adding that, as a Christ follower, I will protect EVERYONE I encounter! How about, if I come across someone that doesn’t align with my point of view or even believes something that is an affront to my religion, I PROTECT THEIR DIGNITY, THEIR VIEWS, AND THEIR LIFE?
Here is what I mean by that – so often I am focused on BEING RIGHT or GETTING MY VIEWS OUT THERE, that I lose track of love altogether! This realization of my actions came crashing to the forefront on Facebook, of all places! I took part in a glaring debating – although the details really don’t need to be shared today. During the course of this debate, which had compelling points on both sides, some of us (and I do mean us) stepped it up a notch and began to add blood arrows. By blood arrows, I mean insulting strings of words that basically attacked something, be it the other person’s intelligence, way of arguing, whether or not they were even a Christian…….instead of even focusing on the original debate! With each arrow I became more arrogant, more zealous in my view, and began to FEED on the arrow’s line of attack rather than sharing why I held my views. It only got worse as alliances were built on both sides of the debate and pretty soon we had nothing more than a blood bath!
That, my friends, was the first time I realized that I was a failure, for I had not loved ANYONE in the interchange. I didn’t PROTECT my neighbor, but sacrificed them to my ideology and to my very pride in wanting to be right! I didn’t even love my FRIEDS, because my angry and hurtful actions gave my enemies fodder to condemn us! And I believe many of us repeat these actions over and over again and never even realize that – even if our ideology is a noble one – we are breaking the second most important commandment Jesus Himself taught us! And it showed me very clearly that my raised fists against those that I know hate me or want to limit my rights has been wrong as well.
But realizing my weakness doesn’t make it easy to love those that, well let’s face it, that I don’t especially LIKE. Logically, I can find reasons to not extend real love to them. Even now I feel the need to tell you that I don’t believe what they believe, that I believe they aren’t right – but it’s more important that I tell you my actions have been totally wrong!
So what should I do? What should WE do?
Maybe, instead of feeling paralyzed by our inability to love our enemies or at least those that we don’t like, we can start somewhere a bit more palatable. Pastor has been talking for weeks about reaching out to our community, and what a great way to begin flexing our spiritual love muscles is there? We can and should reach out to those that have bought the lie that God doesn’t love them. Through our love we represent Jesus through Love instead of through anger – but maybe it’s less intimidating to start. We no longer need to convince those that insist on fighting us that Love is the main goal, and instead throw out our nets of love to those who never, ever expect to receive it.
But you may be thinking – okay Gina, you’ve talked a lot about Loving, but what about encouraging others? We know love needs to be an action, and what better way to manifest love than to ENCOURAGE other!
When you’re shown loved by someone, doesn’t that encourage you? Maybe you are blessed to have family members who love you even though you’re flawed. There are TONS of verses in the Bible that speak about encouraging others. And there are many manifestations of encouragement; let’s go over just a few.
John 15:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
You know what? I often limit God. I define what I can and can’t do and live my life through that paradigm. Yet, the Lord has been faithful despite how I act. I need to tell you something – the Lord placed on my heart on July 13th that I needed to write this Bible study. He placed on my heart the need to review my view of love and encouragement on that day so heavily that I began to sit down and pray, research, and meditate on the Word. Deana asked what I was doing and I told her – she asked if I was asked to teach or something. I said no. And that was the truth. So, to hear on Sunday the 18th Deana was asked if I was interested in doing Sunday School, I was blown away. If you asked me two weeks ago, I would give you about 25 instant reasons why not only I was not QUALIFIED to be here, but I would tell you I would not know what to say. But I am standing before you today because God loves me enough to use me, and as His ambassador I pray that He speaks to you today.
Is that encouragement? Maybe it was meant just for me, for I am standing here feeling abundantly blessed and honored by my Lord!
Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
I mentioned earlier, the love you share with everyone who walks into this church is very encouraging. That is a very important manifestation of love and encouragement that each one of us can do easily each week. Walk up to someone you don’t know. Smile to those across to room. That’s encouragement. And you will even begin to realize that your actions will encourage those that may not even been the recipient on the encouragement! When Marvin Matthews was here a couple weeks ago, Jessica noticed a woman across the room who didn’t have a praise sheet; she worked that piece of paper across dozens of people so that the woman could sing along! In doing so, I was encouraged that Jessica saw the need and met the need!
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Sometimes encouragement is financial in nature. When you tithe or offer money to this church, it encourages this body and the work it does in this community. Although your tithes or offerings may be smaller or larger than those being given next to you, it encourages Pastor and this body!
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Sometimes just being there for someone is more encouraging than you know. Seven years ago my 20-year-old nephew was killed in a car accident. When I finally arrived at my brother’s side, I really didn’t know what to say. For over 10 hours he and I just sat next to each other as I prayed for him silently. I felt so very inadequate during those hours, but do you know what? To this day he said nothing encouraged him more than the fact that I was willing to sit next to him during the darkest hours of his life. So, sometimes it feels like we aren’t helping, but God directs us and blesses others just by being near. And it’s important to remember that we carry the Holy Spirit in us people! And He can and does comfort those in pain better than we ever could.
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Sometimes encouragement means doing nothing! Yes, I said nothing! Recently I was at a client site, a lovely Christian woman, and an owner of a neighbor business stopped by to shoot the breeze. This man was very nice, but he used the most filthy language we no thought to me or the woman I was working with!
I went from being shocked to internally becoming angry and offended inside – I mean SERIOUSLY, how disrespectful! After he left, I shared that I could not believe his language and couldn’t believe she had to deal with that several times a week. She replied, with no judgment towards me I might add, that she didn’t like the language either but that it was more important for her to show love to him by accepting his as he was and maybe someday he would be receptive to the Word of the Lord. Let me tell you, her actions not only showed me what encouragement looks like, but encouraged me to love others with my actions in real, if difficult ways! And her actions are BIBLICAL – check out Can you imagine how the neighbor would have reacted if Melissa had said “hey man, your language is HORRIBLE! If you’re going to cuss like that, you best not come here.” I believe it wouldn’t change his language, but it sure would close the door of love! Instead, she is leading his THROUGH LOVE to being loving. Maybe a foul mouthed lover, but one that can love……..
But to me, the most amazing story is not one that you will find when doing the usual search in the Bible for the term “encouragement”. In fact, the story really starts with a sad note. It relates to the Apostle Peter, whom I personally related to a lot! I mean, I can totally see myself jumping out on the water but taking my eyes of the Lord and falling into water. I can see myself jumping to cut off the soldier’s ear, only to be chastised by the Lord.
Peter loved the Lord very much, but even though Jesus warned him ahead of time that Peter would deny Him, he incredulously denied the possibility. We know, as Matthew 26 tells us, that Peter did, in fact, deny Christ three times. I’ve always been blown away by this – I mean Peter lived with Jesus for THREE YEARS, spending time with Him, being taught by Him, see Jesus perform miracles over and over. In Matthew 16, Peter is recorded as being the first to acknowledge that Jesus was the Christ! And yet, even after being warned of his failings, Peter denied Christ three times, emphatically!
Can you imagine how Peter felt when that happened? Matthew 26:75 tells us that Peter remembered Jesus’ words and wept bitterly. I know I’ve had situations where I’ve failed the Lord and once I was done crying, I put on the clothes of my failure and limited my ability to be used by God. I held onto those failures and defined myself through them. And I suppose Peter probably did that to some extent too. But I am encouraged by what Jesus did with Peter.
Now Jesus could have very easily said, “Peter, dude, I warned you and you still denied me. After all we’ve been through! How can I trust you?” Yet, let’s go over what Jesus did:
John 21:15-17
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.“
In the NIV Bible, the section header states “Jesus reinstates Peter”. I have been so blessed by the fact that Jesus PHYSICALLY asks Peter three times “do you love me” – to specifically cover the three times Peter denied him. Jesus LOVED Peter, and he ENCOURAGED him. But, true to form, Jesus didn’t stop there! He EMPOWERED Peter to LOVE and ENCOURAGE the world – “the sheep” – and I believe that is the most important message Jesus wants you to hear today. He will create ways and empower YOU to reach others in His name. Don’t limit yourselves by your own view of yourself – as Pastor taught us, don’t look back and listen to the echo of who we were. Romans chapter 3 tells us we are the righteousness of God through our faith in Jesus Christ, and we need to start living that way, not to boast but to LOVE and ENCOURAGE one another. So if you ever start focusing on your failures and want to limit how you can be used by God, think of Peter and how Jesus himself took that bull by the horns.
So, in the coming days, think of small and big ways you can begin to see all situations and people – your neighbors – with love. Think of small and big ways to encourage those around you, even yourselves! And by doing so, be prepared to feel the blessings flow!
Love your God
Love your Neighbor
Find ways to encourage others, even yourself
What To Say????
I’ve posted blogs like this before, but I’VE BUSY SUPER BUSY!!! I’ve been traveling a lot for work, working long hours even when I am home, doing this and doing that, and before I know it……..I realize it’s been forever since I’ve posted to this blog. So, I am approaching critical mass – I feel pressure to write something here, still don’t have much time, and am not really sure what to write about! So, I am going to be relying heavily on the “Just Rambling” theme!
First of all, I want to post a shout out – yesterday, July 21st and 10:40pm PDT, my nephew Lucas David Minard was born! He is son to my brother David and his wife Diana and I am overjoyed! I will post a pic (hopefully) soon! Incidentally, July 21st is ALSO the birthday of my brother Gary’s son, Chris, who turned 18! It was a stellar day!
Work has been BUSY. I have traveled to Oklahoma City once and Austin twice, and I have at least one more trip to Austin in a couple weeks. I’ve always imagined business traveling would be prestigeous, but it actually is very tiring. And being away from my family is not my favorite. But I still love what I do!
God has been doing some amazing things in my life as of late. Deana and I, along with the kids, have found an amazing church home and have made some really amazing friends there. We feel blessed every moment! And from that, we have made some amazing connections and we are excited to see what the Lord has planned for us!
Gracie is still missing and, in many ways, I am heartbroken. While I am not sobbing every moment, there IS a big hole that she used to fill and I don’t think it will every go away. I have not given up hope that she will be reunited with us, but I also am trying to be practical. But I miss her very, very much and can’t imagine never seeing her again.
Wylie, the kitten we got, has also struggled with Gracie’s departure – he lost his playmate. He has used our legs as a replacement to Gracie a bit during this time, but has calmed down a little and has connected with me and Sophia. He doesn’t have the exuberance of Gracie (he’s a cat, afterall!) but he does make me smile on occasion!
Well, I probably have more to write but now need to get ready for work! Hope this blog finds you healthy and happy!
Gina OUT!
Just Rambling 