Full disclosure, I like the whole idea of retribution…..at least when it is directed at others. If someone wrongs me or wrongs someone I love, I totally love the idea actually. At least, in the flesh that is my humanness. I think many of you, if you’re honest with yourself, would admit the same thing. We inherently want and NEED people to get what they deserve. Stab me in the back? You’re gonna pay! Drive like a jerk, I hope you get a ticket! It aligns with the whole “eye for an eye” idea right out of our beloved Bible! And yet, when the table is turned and retribution is pointed at me, I suddenly and completely value and live dead center in the land of grace and forgiveness. Whether or not I have a contrite heart about the offense I caused, I will more often than not beg to not receive what I absolutely deserve. “I had a bad day!” “I didn’t sleep well last night!” Even, “Wow, I was a jerk to do that, it was horrible of me. Please forgive me.” In every scenario, everything in me accepts that retribution is not God’s plan and forgiveness is superior in every way.
What is right? Where should we live?
In society, this gets a little tricky for me. I mean, seriously, if you drink and drive there will be consequences. If you murder someone, there are and should be consequences. To do otherwise would be a detriment to us all. I am not advocating the removal of laws and punishments in the realm of society, rules at jobs, and that sort of thing. I think we can all agree that, though some laws may be applied in an unequal fashion, they are important to our safety and wellbeing as a community.
But how does it look in relation to our religion? Since I am a Christian, I will focus on what I know best – MY religion. In MY religion, there are tons of scriptures that tell me to forgive people. Colossians 3 says to forgive others as Jesus already forgave you. Ephesians 4 goes further saying “hey get along, stop being jerks, and show compassion and forgiveness”. It even says in John 20 if we withhold forgiveness, it will be withheld from us (among other Gospels)! However, several Old Testament verses clearly created the means in which people could and should face retribution for their actions. Exodus 32, Leviticus 26, and in Deuteronomy 7:9-10 ESV it says, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,and repays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face.” Pretty serious retribution right there.
So, I know Jesus calls me to forgive, but God clearly established that maybe I CAN and SHOULD hold people – especially those who don’t agree with me – to a level where I am totally justified in hating and condemning them. I mean, God set the standard and I want to follow Him, so doesn’t that just seem like a natural progression? Well, that just doesn’t feel quite right to me.
So, I offer up the following to consider in relation to the whole retribution thing.
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Matt 18:21-35 ESV
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
ALL of us do not deserve the amazing gift of Grace that Jesus Christ provided to us. We can never go to church enough, tithe enough, or do anything enough to earn the gift we received. And really, Jesus never INTENDED us to earn it! So we have no room to judge others nor real room to expect retribution as we have avoided it ourselves. At least, that’s where I am in this thing called life.
I suppose it’s not that original to create a blog entry to recap a year. However, I do think it is a great exercise to focus on the blessings that have occurred, especially when so much online and in the news seems to focus on what is wrong in society. Perhaps I’ve buried my head in the sand, but there WERE many great blessings for me 2015.
After Deana received her new awesome job at the end of 2014, we put our house on the market in Texas. Selling during the winter/holiday season can be stressful, and I often worried that we’d be waiting for months for any real offers. However, a little over a month on the market and we got a WONDERFUL offer that was honestly perfect. Even with me being in Australia, we were able to push it through.
Concurrently, we also had found a wonderful home in Georgia, thanks to Tiffany who gave us a heads up about it! The selling of our Texas home was the missing piece, and since that went through we were able to move forward with our relocation. Moving with two families that are changing states can be a logistical nightmare, but in our case it was VERY smooth! The dates worked out perfectly! I thank your buyers as well as the sellers as they were very accommodating across the board.
Moving is never fun, and there were quite a few hiccups throughout the process, but looking back from the advantage point of “today” made me realize – in the scheme of things – everything went really okay. We are settled in our beautiful home, we have more than what we need, and we have friends and family to love. What more do we need? AND, I so love living in “the country”!
January 2015 another work milestone was accomplished – our Australia locations went live on our ERP system. This was a pretty big endeavor, and with the distance it made it quite interesting. SO MANY were on the team for sure, and we had our hands full for a few months after they started, but as I look back I am very proud not only of the Aussie Staff, but for the IT Project Team that made it happen. Blake, Cary, Tiffany, and Scott THANK YOU.
June 2015 kicked of the UK portion on the ERP system rollout. Many faces continued on this leg and I have to admit this is probably the biggest and best rollout to date! Internal staff absorbed many of the tasks and it has totally rocked. We go live there in a few days and I am very hopeful.
On that note, I was very glad to add Matt to the mix, which is totally awesome. He came from our vendor and rocks, except for his love for the Green Bay Packers.
Speaking of football, 2015 has proven to be a great year for the Vikings! We made the playoffs and are tied with the Packers going into the post season. While I am still being encouraged to consider switching alliances by becoming a Cheese Head, for now I am waiting for next Sunday to see who wins the GB-MN match up. Purple, after all, is still my favorite color! (Marisa and Sarah……green is not bad, I just apparently need more time to consider this and maybe walk more win prep for running from Deana!).
This year also proved to continue with the kids growing and maturing, despite my demands that they stop. I cannot believe the old pics of the kids in comparison to their pictures today! I am ALWAYS blessed when I look at them and am grateful that the Lord has placed them in my life. ❤
Of course, there’s my hot wife. We have continued to work our marriage (and, HA!, marriage can sometimes be WORK!), and I am forever thankful that the Lord has blessed our marriage and has reminded both of us to look through love, especially when “life” can be the biggest distraction.
I was able to have ALL my kids in my house during the holidays, which blesses me beyond words!!!!!
Our prayer for you today, the last day of 2015, is that you feel peace and love! And we also pray that you feel and receive tons of blessings in 2016. Happy New Year!
That’s right, it’s me – Gina – apologizing to you all in a public forum, without excuse or justifications. And the reason is, in recent months I’ve been very open about my views on Facebook (FB) about a number of subjects, including the Confederate Flag, the SCOTUS decision regarding same-sex marriage equality, and most recently the Kim Davis media frenzy. It’s not so much that I think it was wrong that I shared my feelings – no, I think sharing when done without belligerence is often good for myself and others. However, my sharing was manifested 100% from the heart of my natural state as opposed to the state I believe I’ve been taken as a follower of Christ. And because this revelation has taken me a few weeks to encompass in my mind and heart, I am posting it here on my blog so that I can include my thoughts as an encouragement for myself as well as others. Because, I think, others may easily manifest their thoughts as readily in the natural as I do.
Let me say many of these concepts I’ve personally taught at my old church and I was slapped awake by these ideas by my own notes, which I recently stumbled upon. Many of the thoughts I derived from a sermon I heard several years ago given by Paul White. So, I could be sad that I have “fallen from grace” and gone back to my own “law driven ways”, but instead I will just share my journey. Thank you for reading my post and considering this trip I’ve been on.
We all like to try to take the high road, to act in an acceptable way, to be kind and loving and thought of in nice terms. And yet, I think all of us can feel justified for responding to attacks (even if only perceived). In that context, and to avoid a super duper long blog post, let me define three ways human actions manifest themselves on the earth:
Through the demonic – You treat me good, I return evil. This is not just a reference to The Exorcist or other spiritually “freak me out” actions. Instead, it’s more like a warning my mom always told me when I was younger, “Gina,” she’d warn, “never stop to help someone on the side of the road because they might be pretending to have an issue and they really are a serial killer.” So, in this example, someone could stop to help someone on the side of the road (offer good), but in return they are killed (return of evil). While this is an extreme example, I think there are often “demonic” activities that occur everyday where someone does something nice and someone returns a less than nice or even mean reaction.
Through the natural – this is where I usually live; you treat me well, I treat you well. You treat me bad, I will treat you bad. It’s pretty simple, we mirror each other and if you’re a jerk I will feel totally justified in being a jerk back to you. I love those who love me, and despise those who despise me. This happens often when someone cuts me off on the highway and I have no trouble showing my discontent. In recent weeks, I have been compelled to think the very worst of Kim Davis, who I perceived as a hypocrite, judgmental and a cherry picker of scripture. I felt totally justified in considering her a poor example of a Christian for her actions while doing many of the things I was railing against as I assembled my words of condemnation against her. I laughed as others made fun of her appearance, I shook my head when her own sin was exposed. In a phrase, I was just as judgmental and hypocritical as she was, just not on such a large media platform.
Through the spiritual, aka “The Highway” – you treat me well, I treat you well. You treat me bad, I treat you good. Basically, no matter what you throw at me, I will return love and goodness. And, in my own power this is utterly impossible, as I’ve proven quite well in recent weeks. But that’s not to say it is impossible.
So, let’s establish some Truth based on Scripture. First, I have often thought the Kingdom of Heaven or of God was far off or something I would see after I died. But the Word explains it very differently. In Matthew 4:23 (ESV), when Jesus first started his earthly ministry the following was said (emphasis mine):
And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
Notice here Jesus FIRST proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom, and THEN people started being healed. He didn’t heal the people in order to proclaim/show the gospel of the kingdom.
Then, in Acts 1:1-3 (ESV), which records the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, after He was crucified, died, and rose from the grave, this was said (again, emphasis mine):
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
There is power in the Kingdom and Jesus spoke about it constantly, from the beginning of His earthly ministry to the very end. Throughout the gospels it is recorded as being said “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”. It is not far off, it is not coming later……it is as close as my hand and it is here, now. And there is power – healing power, power to change us and the world, and it is given to us freely through Jesus Christ. I want this power in my life. I want to live knowing I manifest myself in the Kingdom and act as if I belong in the Kingdom……not when I die or when I reach some level of spiritual maturity as if it will show up some day like a bill in the mail.
And yet, in Matthew 5:3 (ESV) at the very beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said this:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
And with that, I often freak out because, in many ways all I try to do is be more spiritual. To be more INTELLIGENT when it comes to scriptures and theology and loving my neighbors and walking in this Truth, etc. etc. etc. And yet, Jesus Himself said in order to find the kingdom of heaven, I must be poor in spirit. And He said it in the present tense “theirs IS the kingdom”, not “theirs WILL BE the kingdom”. And I believe this truly means I need to get to the end of myself and realize…….I can’t get there. Not at all. I can try to be very holy, very spiritual, very cerebral even in my understanding of God and His Word, but all I ever get by my own effort and actions is the power to manifest my life in the natural. But, when I realize this and honestly say “I can’t do it, no matter how hard I try”, THAT is when Jesus smiles and says, “Now we will get somewhere”. Because ONLY JESUS can carry us into the kingdom of heaven (as in the right now, right here version, not the place when we die).
So, as I did a few years ago, I began to give up on trying to be spiritual, of trying to manifest my interactions with others through “the Highway”. Because I am poor in spirit and do not have the means in which to get there. And I will tell you, when I begin to realize and act with this Truth, when my poverty is spirit is allowed to be real, THAT is when I begin to float to the kingdom of heaven with my Lord.
Have you ever seen The Passion of the Christ? It shows Jesus being tortured, beaten, ridiculed……it is so graphic I often cry and always get very angry. In that anger I want so badly for Christ to call His legions of angels down and destroy the Roman Soldiers and the Jewish leadership who were persecuting Him. I think many of us would accept and understand if Jesus reacted that way, for He was completely undeserving of such horrible treatment. Like so many of the politicians and Christians and LGBT folk do today; we scream out and demand our rights and insist that we ARE right and that we represent God and demand others see His personality and rules and actions through our eyes and explanations. We claim to be persecuted and declare ourselves right to demand punishment for those who have hurt us. We demand everyone should be held accountable to our views of our religion and even expect the laws of this land to reflect those morals and rules. In God’s name we scream and get public attention and cause thousands of online debates and rancid comments and angry outbursts and we feel justified and righteous as we do it. Many of us actually PRAY that God will strike down entire countries or groups of people who we decide deserve to be sent to hell. I could add several links to professing Christians do so over and over again, but I won’t. So I don’t think it is far fetched to imagine Jesus jumping off the cross and laying all those who persecuted Him flat on the ground and, truthfully, many of us would cheer and scream in joy had He done so. In our natural core, we are often Zealots ready for blood.
But if Jesus really did react like that, He would be just like you and me. He’d be walking in the natural. He’d say “you treat me good, I treat you good. You treat me bad, I treat you bad.” He’d be no different or better than you, or me, or any of us who are nothing in our own power than natural thinkers and actors.
But in reality, Jesus walked or manifested Himself on “the Highway” or “the Kingdom Way”; even after ALL that had been done to Him, the humiliation and pain He went through despite His innocence, He called out to God and said, “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they’re doing.” They treated Jesus badly, and yet He returned good by not only asking for their forgiveness, but He gave an excuse for them! The Roman soldiers and the Jewish leaders hadn’t even ASKED for forgiveness – they had not repented for their actions – and yet Jesus asked for their forgiveness! Yet we, as Christians, often condemn others and point out their sin, emphasize their sin actually, justifying why they do not deserve forgiveness and absolutely deserve no kindness, empathy, or love.
Even before His torture, when the Roman soldiers came to the Garden to arrest Jesus and Peter cut the ear off the soldier, Jesus did not return their bad with evil. He didn’t say “You lost your ear because you meant to harm me with this arrest, so that’s what you get.” No, He turned the bad to good by rebuking Peter and healing the soldier’s ear, without any price or request or demands from the soldier. He returned bad with good.
The truth is, when the controversial subjects have arisen around me lately, I have picked up the sword like Peter and started swinging. I felt just a justified in my actions as Peter did with his sword, as he lovingly and passionately protected the Lord he loved. I can even claim my actions are for my Lord, the but truth is those actions have moved me far away from the actions of Jesus and have placed me right back into the natural. I have put myself in a place of direct rebuke from Jesus, just as Peter was rebuked. In fact, I and we project “the natural” too often onto the Kingdom thinking we are standing up for what we believe or what we feel is right and pound on our chests thinking we are defending our God, when in fact we are offending His sacrifice and everything He did for and to us.
And, let me be real about something else, too. I often tell people, especially when I feel passionate about the Word or an idea related to Scripture, that the Bible is final. And I pull out scriptures to prove my case and walk about like I am dropping the mic as if to say “BOOM, IN YOUR FACE.” But sometimes quoting scripture is just more of the same natural manifestation that Christ has freed us from and which we keep picking up and tying around our ankles like a chain. For example, the law was handed to Israel in Exodus 20 and then began to get more defined in Exodus 21 In fact, Exodus 21:24-25 (ESV) justifies through the law that I can and should manifest myself in the natural. In fact, the law takes me to the place I usually live anyway (you do bad to me, I do bad to you):
eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
But I want to live in the principles of the Kingdom. And it is amazing to go back to the Sermon on the Mount and hear Jesus say the following in Matthew 5:38-42 (ESV):
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.”
Jesus is quoting Exodus 21 and basically saying, “You got it wrong. My plan for you was the Kingdom Way, NOT the natural way!” He is showing us that we should ALWAYS return good no matter what is given to us, EVEN IF what is given to us is bad/mean/hurtful. I mean really, someone sues us and we offer them more than what they asked for????? Do not resist when we believe someone is being evil????? Yes, that is the Kingdom way.
When we REST in Jesus Christ and stop trying to fulfill the law in which He’s already fulfilled and instead focus on loving others and not fighting others (being poor in spirit, not relying on ourselves, not fighting for God but walking WITH Him), we begin to allow Jesus through the Holy Spirit to guide us in His ways…..in the Kingdom Way.
So, as I think about Kim Davis and her actions, and more importantly myself and my reactions to situations such as her recent claim to fame, I also think on Matthew 10:11-13 (ESV) (emphasis mine):
And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.As you enter the house, greet it.And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
This scripture brought it home to me, in relationship to all I’ve shared here.
Jesus died for me, providing His righteousness and power now, in His kingdom
The Kingdom is powerful and is here, close at hand, now
I am poor in spirit – I can’t get to the Kingdom Way/Highway on my own but Jesus can take me there once I admit I can’t do it with my own power or actions
He showed me my reaction can ALWAYS be good when I rest in Him and His love, even when others seem to be sending me bad things
Finally, I can always have Peace in my life. Because, as Matthew 10 says, if I send out peace, then others can send me peace back (I am good to you, you are good to me)……but if I send out peace and it is not received, my peace through Jesus Christ comes back to me (I am good to you, no matter what you do the Peace comes back to me……because if you send me evil I will always return good through the love of Christ). Either way I have Peace. It isn’t about worthiness or unworthiness of others, it is about the Peace of Christ and its power above all things in the natural.
So, again I am sorry that I have been walking in the natural and feeling justified in doing so. I thank God that He has reminded me that He has provided the means to get to the Kingdom Highway through His power and that if I rest in Him, He will keep me coasting on the Kingdom Way.
So, I recently got my hair cut, and several of my friends via FB messaged me and inquired why this short cut didn’t freak me out like my other recent cuts. And that made me realize something key in my life – I still have friends that aren’t aware of my “Hair Psychosis”. So, today I’d like to explain this amazing phenomenon.
So, first let’s cover my normal seasonal, general psychosis:
At the beginning of each summer, I usually decide that I will grow my hair out. Oh, I know it’s 5,000 degrees where I live during the summer with 1,000% humidity, but logic is not part of this decision process.
About half way through the summer, my curls begin to appear and I remember the work that is involved in straightening, controlling the frizz, etc.
I usually see a picture of said frizz-explosion, and think I look fat. Because, we all know it’s the hair that causes that, right?
Usually around late September or early October I get to the point where I am tired of it all. And, despite the fact that the weather is cooling and my ears are just beginning to have the ability to have protection from the elements, I come to the decision that the damn hair must go. At that point, it usually gets cut short as a result of said temper tantrum.
This can be documented in pictures over the last 3-4 years consistently; check out summer fun vs. Christmas family photos. It’s very predictable.
So, that is the general psychosis, now let’s add the flavor that was 2014:
Part One – the meltdown
I DID decide to grow my hair out at the beginning of the summer, right on track. And, as luck would have it, I also changed “hair people”. I therefore explained to the new hair person, Hannah, that I was trying to grow my hair out and would only like a slight trim to keep the process going, clean it up, and also to help control the “I have curly hair which really turns to frizz with the slightest humidity” situation. She nodded, I tuned out, and before I knew it my hair was SHORT, I had no bangs, and I was sucked into the hell that is “were we in two different dimensions when I explained I wanted a slight trim?” THAT was this summer when I had the meltdown to my hair situation – you may remember said FB posts on that. So, the NEXT haircut I went to a NEW NEW hair person, Britney, who happens to also be a friend, and said, “whoa, just clean it up yo. I am not having short hair”. And she did fine. And my hair slowly recovered from the fiasco.
Part Two – where is the pomade?
And then, mid September arrived, and the cycle started……I was tired of my hair. The curls. The appearance of “being overweight”. The frizz. I knew how to fix it and I suddenly started gazing at my son’s hair like he was so lucky……it was so easy to fix! I talked to one of my best friends over lunch – who has short, trendy, and sexy hair – about the virtues and what would be cool to do with mine. So when I walked into my appointment last week I confidently sat down and said, “cut it off!”. Britney was so excited and accommodated my request. And I love it.
So then the cut showed up on FB and there were not the “omg I am sad about my hair” posts and the messages started coming in. “Hey, what’s the deal? A few months ago you basically got the same cut and it freaked you out, and now you’re happy?”
What could I say to that? How about, “Oh, you haven’t been paying attention to the fact I am crazy”? Yeah, to summarize this long post, I am just crazy, okay? And I love my short hair…….for now! 🙂
While I have partaken in the recent wave of ALS Ice Bucket Challenges (www.alsa.org) , and while I am confused by the “controversy” that so many are talking about regarding this wave…..this post is not about that topic. Although, I will add, if you’re looking to donate to a worthy cause, ALS is one of them worth considering.
HOWEVER, this blog post is about “making a difference”, which has been a topic that has touched my life for a long time, though it has been rumbling around in my noggin a bit more lately. I have always wanted to “make a difference”, and that is the root of this post.
I think it’s fair to say most people want to make a difference in some way. I know that is true for me. I try to find ways to make a difference as I can; donate to good causes, pray for those in need, pay my taxes with a smile. You get the drift. At times these activities make me feel good about humanity, and good about myself. I imagine you can relate to that as well. But this week I had a revelation that pulled me beyond the normal “making a difference” ideas – we all make a difference, everyday, in almost every interaction we hold.
What? It’s true.
You see, we are not islands. We interact with people everywhere, throughout the day. And our very beings “make a difference” no matter if it is conscious or not. When we walk down the street, if we smile at someone walking the opposite direction, that smile can turn a horrible day into a sparkle of hope. I contend that NOT smiling to that person also has potential for altering that person’s day. When you get cutoff on the freeway, honk your horn and maybe flip a “sign”, you can make the other driver more angry and maybe even irrational (believe me, I can attest to that). When your flight is cancelled and you see a frazzled gate attendant trying to assist dozens of ticked off travelers in addition to you (and if that “you” is me, chances are cranky is accurate), a kind word can go a long way and make them persevere just a bit longer. When a young mother is struggling to get through a door with a massive stroller, your inaction in assisting or action in assisting both make a difference in her day. We make differences, all day, everyday.
I hope I – and maybe you – can move away from the idea that “making a difference” is exclusively making donations, or quitting jobs to “join the ministry” or doing something huge. Not to say those are actions don’t make a difference; they do! Making a difference is more vast than these noble acts. And making differences are good and bad. My goal is to make POSITIVE differences, but fully admit that is not always the case. But I have challenged myself to notice humanity around me. Notice that humans that I may dislike or that may cause me frustration or that honestly are easier not to notice in the first place are worthy for me to make a difference on behalf of. To notice things when I am knee deep in situations of my own, stressful or huge or serious…..it doesn’t matter! We humans are in this together and my issues don’t trump others around me, per se. To admit that simple gestures such as smiles, or courtesy, can make huge differences for others. That “loving your neighbor” is not exclusively a huge outpouring in action, but finds its strength in the mundane. And really, “making a difference” should be more about “loving your neighbor” than about us. And believe me, when it is about me I can attest I am more often making a NEGATIVE difference than anything else. So, for me, I am approaching the idea of “making a difference”, differently. And, no matter what I may be going through today or tomorrow, this brings me great excitement. I hope it is contagious!
On Friday, September 13th I received a packaging in the mail.
There was no postal “canceling” stamp to indicate where it was sent from, though it looked beat up.
There was the proper amount of stamps on it, but was it really mailed?
There was no return address.
Inside was an envelope with my name, inside of it a letter written on lined paper.
(UPDATED 9/17) Also inside was a DVD, enclosed in a case, with the name GINA written on it. This dvd includes two sermons from Mark Driscoll preaching about the proper roles for women and the sin of homosexuality.
I have attached a picture of the letter below for reference.
First, I am the first to acknowledge that, “sharing tough love” is not easy. I have been approached by people who have addressed aspects of my life in the name of Christ, and I respect them for it. I can admit that often people who come to me to address my life have the best in mind, but often I can comfortably respond to them and affirm that I am good with where I am in Christ, my life, etc. But my point HERE is that I respect that they came to me, in love or otherwise, and had a face-to-face conversation with me from their heart – even if it was hard. And those people remain my friends today.
However, an anonymous, no name, no return address, no NOTHING letter communicates cowardice to me. It communicates not love, but judgment and condemnation. It communicates that you are fearful, and if you are reaching out in love (even if the message is hard), why is there fear? So if you sent the letter to me, please reach out to me as a real person with a real identity. Those of my friends who have done so in person, in the past can attest that I am not belligerent, I am not unkind, nor will I attack. They will also tell you that the love of God comes into the LIGHT and does not hide behind curtains or anonymous letters. If you do decide to come forward and address me openly and personally, I will not reveal your name publicly or otherwise chastise you. If you approve me sharing your name, I will, but that is the only means to which I will share it.
So, on to the activities today. Because I don’t have your name; because you’re hiding behind the fear or judgment or whatever, I have to respond publicly to you. I am sorry that it has come to it, but you’ve given me no alternative. I often fail in approaching things logically and with the least amount of emotion when I have been made to feel attacked, but know that I have prayed hard and know that I write this from my heart. Forgive me, but this will be long because I must address almost every line of the letter you sent.
But know, beyond a shadow of doubt, that your letter has violated me and my family. Love does not do that.
You wrote, “Dear Gina, I am writing to you because I wanted you to know that Jesus loves you Gina.”
My response: Thank you, though I have full knowledge of and an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, who is not only my Friend, but my Savior. I spend time with Him, I talk to Him, I think of Him, I read His Word, and above all I rest securely in the center of His Finished Work. His Love is so powerful that I cannot separate myself from it even if I tried. It is eternal and I am saved, period. IT IS FINISHED. This is affirmed in John 1, John 10, Acts 20, Romans 3:20-24, Romans 4:15-17, Romans 5:1-2, Eph 2, and many, many more. You may think, from where you sit in your “perfect life” that YOU know Jesus and I need to know Him like you do. Rest assured, I already know Him and He loves me.
You wrote, “We as Christians must humble ourselves before God when we pray. If you ask God for a good and godly husband, who will love you and cherish you, God will give you the desire of your heart.”
My response: Okay, know that I am humbling myself right now and praying to God, sincerely, because the offense to me and my family with these words is huge. I am confident that my Lord can keep me from responding in the flesh, though He is encouraging me to be real and truthful. First, I AM MARRIED – both legally (though only recognized in 13 states and by the Federal Government currently) and spiritually. My marriage, whether or not you acknowledge it, is Biblically, spiritually, legally, and physically binding. It is monogamous, prosperous, harmonious, and has been so for over ten years. I am exceedingly cherished and treated far more lovingly than I could ever imagine. And to that, which is a direct answer to prayer, I can affirm and Praise Jesus that HE DID give me the desire of my heart! I have a beautiful and loving wife, five beautiful children, and His everlasting peace! For you to suggest that, 1) this was not really, truly the desire of my heart and 2) to REALLY be fulfilled, I need to desire and marry a man is OFFENSIVE to me! And, for what it is worth, I would never EVER suggest that you marry a WOMAN (assuming you’re a woman, which I base on the writing of the letter) if that is not how you were born. Further, I certainly would not write to a person I knew was married and say they needed to pray for a DIFFERENT person to marry. It is an affront and there is no love in these comments!
You wrote, “Philippines 4:6 (you didn’t note it, but this is the NASB version) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
My response: I happen to love this verse, and just like the Bible teaches elsewhere, the Word does not return void. I do thank you for this verse, but not in the context you meant it. You see, I trust that the Lord, in His perfectness, knows that I come to Him as a broken vessel which is only made whole through His Life. And I will confess to you in this letter that I went to Him specifically about your letter and to help me not cry from it – to not spiral from the pain it caused me and my family. To not allow the yoke of condemnation in your words to suppress the love of God. And then, I asked that my building anger would not boil over like a storm. And THEN I went on to pray that He rebuke you as a person sitting in judgment, throwing stones from the dark at me and my family. I confess that I called you a hypocrite and accused you of lacking love for others (especially me), while you claimed the name of Christ under the guise of “love”. I shared with the Lord that you wrote to me for no other reason but to condemn me and to insinuate that I am somehow incomplete because I don’t have a husband. And as I spewed out all these things to my Lord, Jesus showed me that I was acting just like you – the very thing I was ranting against – in my anger and condemnation, and that made me cry all over again.
You see, Jesus does want us to follow Him, to not sin. But we often forget that He covers our sin and only wants us to FOLLOW Him, and in doing so His spirit works its way and soon enough we sin less. We become more like Him not by OUR power, but by HIS. And He made it clear that the Royal Law is to love God and love others as ourselves (Matthew, James, John – tons of scriptures support this). He even said to love our enemies! And I will tell you here, your letter did NOT do that. It did not show love, for love would never have sent it. And my reaction was not loving, for love does not think of the weaknesses or failures of others as a means to justify punishment. So yes, this verse is good to remember this ideal established by Christ, and to remind me specifically to always pray with supplication for Jesus to lead me in HIS ways, which is to love. Period. Especially for those who maybe don’t deserve that love. He said in Matthew 5 that all the laws and the prophets hang on LOVE. And I hope that when YOU truly approach Him in supplication, you hear His leadings about letters such as the one you sent me. Maybe He will direct you to not send them, or to sign your name, or maybe to just pray for the people He leads you to. That is between you and Him. But I will say again, nothing about your letter spoke love to me.
You wrote, “It is hard for a man to find a good-hearted woman, such as yourself. You have always been a beautiful woman inside and outside.”
My response: Again, since I am married already, this comment is inappropriate. I don’t think it is Biblically sound to encourage a married person to seek out another person other than their spouse. Even still, if I were “on the market” I think it is a misfortune to tell me (or any woman) that I need to “help a guy out” because it’s hard for a man to find a good-hearted woman. It is just as hard for a woman to find a good-hearted man, and yet I would not think to write to my single male friends and tell them they better get with God right away because of it! Women and men don’t necessarily need the other to be complete or fulfilled. It is an affront to singles today to say so. And affront to God’s plan for their lives. Paul wrote that some are called to be single, others to marriage. Who are WE to say what is “normal” or “right”? We need to stop acting for God and saying what others need to do or pray for.
So I am ASSUMING the real concern here is that I am married to a woman, which is clearly a sin in your eyes. To that, I would like to say with all sincerity that I am not called to convince you to think otherwise and I appreciate that is the view you may hold. However, I will not bow to your view that I am somehow not a full woman or a full Christian. I am actually quite complete and fulfilled and again, rest in my place as a Child of God and accept the full inheritance His has given me. I will also refrain from thinking you’re less of a Christian for your letter, though I am still working on that and am concerned that your stance damages the testimony of Christ to non believers and those who are jaded by Christians such as your letter presents. Thank you for your comments about me being beautiful, however. I wonder, truly, if you even know me though.
You wrote, “I hope these words find there (sic) way into your heart and encourage you to seek the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in all that you say and do.”
My response: Your words broke my heart. They offended my heart, for I approach my marriage seriously and with my entire heart. They did NOT draw me closer to God in any way, shape, or form. It was the Holy Spirit in me that drew me to Him. And I praise Jesus for His encouragement despite your letter.
And yet, it is obvious that you believe, to be a REAL woman and a REAL Christian, I am in need of a man as a husband. And by your words, I need to “seek the Lord”. I can only assume you mean I need to understand that I am in sin because I am in a same sex marriage. Again, it is not my calling to convince you to believe otherwise. But I WOULD like to ask you this – let’s say you once were a heroine addict, took part in orgies, were married and divorced and remarried, even took heroine during your first pregnancy that resulted in altering your child’s life when born. If I sent you a letter saying “you need to seek the Lord and marry a different man”, do you think that would make you run to Jesus? How about if you were fat and I walked up to you and said, “you need to seek the Lord because your gluttony is a sin, and for heck sake take that food out of your mouth” would that make you want to hug me and say “Praise Jesus?” Show me an example in the Bible where Jesus condemned anyone but the ones that thought they understood God such as the Pharisees or those selling goods in His name in the Temple? The woman caught in adultery He forgave and said “go and sin no more” and then gave her the means to stop sinning by dying on the cross! The woman at the well He told her she was living with a man, and yet He never said “but you need to change your ways.” We can both learn from this my anonymous friend. ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. You. Me. Everyone. We are NOT called to point out the sins we both commit or see each other doing, but to LOVE. Period. And if you honestly think your letter encouraged me to CHANGE, you are seriously mistaken. Instead, it has made me more aware of the pain caused by people who profess faith with their mouths (or pens, as it were) yet lack its power in their deeds. For Jesus said His yoke is easy, and His LOVE endures forever. Show me the LOVE. It doesn’t reside in your letter.
You wrote, “Sincerely, A Friend in Christ.”
My response: If you were really my friend, you would have signed your name. If you were really my friend, you would not tell me to leave my wife, break up my family, and become whole by marrying a man. You would not cause me to turn my heart from the person I committed my LIFE to, for richer or for poorer, through sickness or in health. I assume you hold marriage in high regard, and yet your letter tears marriage to shreds. You have no respect for the sanctity of marriage or all it stands for.
So here are some Biblical scriptures.
Luke 6:31 NIV “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Luke 6:37-42 NIV “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
James 4:12 ESV “There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?”
Romans 14:1-10 NIV “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
1 Cor 13 NIV (emphasis mine) “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
THE DVD You Sent
Mark Driscoll is not my pastor. I personally find his view of the Bible as slanted and misogynistic. In the future, if you want me to “get” what you’re saying, you probably should not send me something that Mark is speaking on. I affirm your right to esteem his views and words, and I know that God works out all things for those that love Him. I know Mark claims to love Jesus, so that is enough for me. However, I choose not to follow Mark’s teachings. Thanks.
Again, I encourage you to reach out and tell me who you are so that you can be removed from the darkness and come into the light as followers of Christ are called to do.
I live in Texas now, and it has done well for my family. I don’t dislike Texas, but I will say with full openness that the ethnocentricity of many Texans come off as arrogance. I will also add that I will not live here forever. Texas is one of FIFTY states, and many Texans I encounter spend more time stating things like “Texas is really its own nation, and the rest of y’all can go to hell.” However, there ARE good things about Texas as well. This post is in response to this article, in which I’d like to share my own feedback on the points it makes. (Please use the link to read the entire article for reference if desired.)
In the article, it covers TEN REASONS WHY TEXANS LOVE TEXAS.
1. We have options.
Article: Texas has it all–rivers, piney woods, the beach, big cities, deserts, hills–you name it, we have it and this is a big factor in why Texas is so awesome, well one factor anyways.
Gina: Well, “beaches” is a stretch. If you’ve been to any beach on the west coast, off of Florida, even off the east coast, you’ve been to a beach. The beaches off of Texas are NOT a place where you can really do “beach things”. And if you’re off Galveston, be prepared to be grossed out by the water.
And if you want “hills”, be prepared especially if you’re from the west coast, that these hills are tiny. They are NOT hills by most state’s definition.
One key missing factor – mountains. And be prepared to drive 3-4 hours to get to the next “factor” of fun.
2. Texas is Friendly.
Article: Texas is a friendly place, everyone knows that. We may carry guns y’all, but we ain’t gonna use em’ unless we got to.
Gina: I have to agree, Texas is VERY friendly! When Deana and I were driving through neighborhoods trying to find a place to live, people would wave and say hello. At first we were all like, “What’s their problem?” because in California a friendly person is a cause for concern. But we soon found out the people were sincere and it was nice. People also TALK to each other in Texas! You can be in line at the store or walking in a parking lot and conversations can start. It was a hard transition for shy Deana, but now she bugs ME when she spends so much time talking to strangers. LOL.
However, this friendly phenomenon ceases to exist on the road. Take the nicest Texan in the world and put them behind the steering wheel and on the road and BAM! Instant jerk. The majority tailgate, they change lanes in front of you with 3 inches to spare and no blinker, they cuss, flash the bird, and otherwise are unbelievably rude. In fact, I have a long commute a couple days a week and am on a non-congested highway for much of the trip. Three lanes exist, and due to speed traps I am usually doing the speed limit in the slow lane. EVERY SINGLE DAY, I have at least one driver (usually two, no kidding) tailgating me, throwing their hands up in the air, and otherwise ticked off that I am driving the speed limit in the slow lane. At first, I was like “well dang, the two other lanes are open – why don’t they just pass me?” Apparently, that is not a Texas trait. So instead, when this happens EVERY SINGLE DAY, I just change lanes to the middle lane and then the cranky Texan driver can pass me in the slow lane and we are good to go……..at least until the next infuriated tail-gater arrives.
3. Food in Texas makes your taste buds sing.
Article: Sure Maine has lobster, Idaho has potatoes and New York has steak, but Texas has all that and more, plus its seasoned to perfection–with a little bit of Mexico added in for good measure. Not only does Texas have some of the best food offered in America, it’s served in portions that would surprise even Paula Deen.
Gina: Okay, first of all, most Americans realize that food is very regional and preferences don’t necessarily equate to what is superior or inferior. I personally think Tex-Mex sucks the big one, and long for the day when I can enjoy the Mexican food in California. But I would NEVER say that Tex-Mex food is not “real” food because I prefer non Tex-Mex food. Most often I hear that Tex-Mex is the “only” food worth eating and if you don’t like it, you’re crazy. I have heard proud Texans tell people in North Carolina that their BBQ is “not real BBQ, real BBQ is in Texas”. Like Texas has a patent on it or something? And I have heard people try to be more diplomatic about PREFERENCES, only to be laid flat by a Texan who apparently has no problem telling someone that their preferences suck (that is, if the preferences don’t equate to bragging on Texas food).
That is NOT to say all food in Texas is bad! I do appreciate many of the spices here and have acclimated to the different regional flavors that pretty much don’t exist in California. However, I am not sure I would say it is necessarily some of the “best” food in America, any more than a Texan would probably think California offers it. I think there are more OPTIONS of food in California, and many who grew up there probably prefer it.
And sushi in the middle of the country? I am not sure about that.
As to the portions out here – that is true. And, well, given the amount of people out here my size or bigger, I am not sure that’s necessarily a good thing.
4. Texas has history, a lot of history.
Article: One of the reasons why Texans love their state so deeply is because we are taught, from an early age, to love Texas. We’re required to take Texas History, not just U.S. History, or World History, but Texas History. How many states can say that?
Gina: I totally, completely, agree that the Texans I have met love their state. That, in itself, is not a bad thing. But the above statement is a great example as to why many Texans come off a pompous asses – “we are taught about our state history, not like the rest of the country!” EXCUSE ME, that is arrogance. I can’t speak for all the states, but to suggest that there is no history in other states and to imply that history is not taught in school is STUPID. Like, wow, our colonial states have nothing to say? The states and areas found during Lewis and Clark’s expedition aren’t studied or important? Not to mention, I received a rich and BALANCED education about my own home state of California, minus the “we are better than everyone else and no one else in this country is smart enough to learn about their state history” doctrine.
I don’t mean to say there is NO HISTORY or even that there isn’t a rich history in Texas. It does, and as a lover of history of ALL KINDS, I encourage you if you haven’t already have to check out Texas history. But, with many of my most proud Texas friends, Texas history is kind of all they know or care about. In fact, one friend told me with full surety that Texas is the only state that doesn’t have to fly their flag below the USA Flag because “we were a Republic and we can be on our own anytime we want. We are the only state that was a republic!”. See section 10 for further comments on this. 🙂
5. Texas has Austin.
Article: Austin is the perfect example to show that not all Texans ride horses, chew tobacco and run around acting wild, shouting “y’all.” …..Austin is just another reason why Texans love, and have so much pride for their state…and rightfully so.
Gina: I can’t really argue this. Austin is the first city where I could really appreciate that diversity, liberalism, and artistic creativity could thrive in Texas. And where guns weren’t the focus on the state love. I love this city.
6. Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the economy.
Article: Would you be proud of your state if it was continually ranked as one of the world’s top economies and had the most job growth out of all the other state. When I hear/read about people dissing Texas, I can’t help but laugh especially because they usually give the same reasons (see “The Wall of Shame/Idiots” at end of this blog). When your state has a bigger economy than a country, such as Australia (<3 y’all), you can’t help but feel a lot of love and a lot of pride for your state.
Gina: Okay, first the economy here DOES rock in many ways. I make more in salary here than I ever did in California. The fact that salary levels are reasonable FOR PROFESSIONALS (technical fields, etc) make Texas a smart place to work and live.
But there is another side to this story. There are very little employee rights here in Texas. There are a VERY HIGH number of minimum wage employees here, and the poverty level in Texas is higher than many other states, even states like California where the economy and cost of living is crazy. Now I REALIZE this is a macro measurement, and there are lots of factors that go into this. But to just say “hey, we are proud” based on a slice of the pie is short sided. The political bend here is very much to the corporations, and in MY perception most of the wealth in this state stays at that level. Education is woefully lacking at most levels, there are very little social programs, and overall laws assist businesses. Not that this is ALL bad, but wanted to note.
And, as a side note, race is a bigger issue in Texas, too. Now, granted I grew up in California which is truly a melting pot so being in areas where there is not one main “color” is my norm. I say that as perhaps my background has overly influenced my perception of how things should be. In Texas, there are huge designations (in large part) in areas. Whites are with whites, browns are with browns, and blacks are with blacks. And racial epithets are much more prevalent and accepted. In fact, when I brought up that one such phrase used in my presence offended me and why it did, I was told that the user was “not trying to be mean” and that my being offended was being intolerant…….”in Texas, words like that are just normal”.
I hope I don’t get lumped into the “Wall of Shame/Idiots” for sharing my thoughts can can be construed as “dissing” poor, noble Texas.
7. We have pride.
Article: If you’re thinking that “pride” can’t be part of the list itself, think again. How many states can you think of, with citizens who have so much pride for their state, add ‘Texas’ to everything– just to make it better? The pride Texans have for our state goes farther back than the California gold rush and is an intricate part of our every day life, but don’t take my word for it…come to any city in Texas, find a good/busy area of town and shout something like “Texas sucks and I wish we could give it back!!” …But you best make funeral arraignments ahead of time.
Gina: Pride is everywhere, I do not contest that. And instead of sharing why this can be a PROBLEM, consider the words above that you just read. It was tongue in cheek about the whole “funeral” thing, but it’s “true y’all”. Texans don’t mind hurting you if you don’t agree with them……or as stated, if you want to wear a Lakers jersey in their proud state.
8. The cost of living makes other states look outrageous.
Article: Both for sale in similar locations (city size, distance from downtown, etc.), but, in Texas, you can buy a home twice the size of a home in California for the same price. We have no personal income tax (one of only 7 states) and if you don’t like the high sales tax (min: 6.25% and max: 8.25%), learn how to spend less…that’s simple and beneficial.
Gina: The house we own is BEAUTIFUL and we don’t have to use 70% of our disposable income to pay for it. Not having a state income tax totally rocks the house. Gasoline prices are lower than California and lots of things are cheaper. I am blessed to be able to purchase a Spyder, which I have wanted to do for YEARS, and still have money to eat. I do appreciate this aspect very much and cannot really say there is a downside to it (other than what I noted in the “economy” section).
9. There’s plenty of sunshine.
Article: The 5-Day Forecast for Central Texas
Texas may seem unbearable because of how hot it gets in the summer and, when you combine the heat with humidity levels above 70%, it does get rather uncomfortable. But guess what…we get to see more of the sun, never worry about destructive earthquakes, rarely have to flee fires, never have blizzards and when tragedies do happen, you can bet your bottom dollar your fellow Texans will come to the rescue.
Gina: Okay, well……..let me start by saying that there IS a ton of sun. No question. But in reality, it is not humanly possible to be out in it from July-September for any length of time. And if you come to Texas during that time, I will personally drive you around in my air conditioned car and show you that there are VERY FEW who actually VENTURE OUT during the day in this timeframe. When I moved here I had long hair and, having to sit through ONE BASEBALL GAME in July where I nearly died and begged a stranger to let me sit under their umbrella, I cut my hair short. The heat and humidity is oppressive, and therefore most people stay inside in their air conditioning. Think 98 degrees, 70% humidity at 8am. Yes, that is Texas.
And nice bringing in natural disasters from other states to point out that Texas rocks. Personally, I can’t refute that blizzards and earthquakes happen in other places and it freaks people out – and even sometimes causes injuries and deaths. But I find it ironic that TORNADOS were conveniently skipped in the articles “Texas rocks” campaign. Personally, I’d rather prepare for and live through earthquakes than have to deal with tornados. And yes, tornados have hit this area since I’ve lived here and I nearly pooped my pants. And no, there are no cellars/basements in Texas so we hide out in the bathroom. As long as the air conditioning works, we should be okay.
Um, and I have felt two earthquakes here since living here. Hello! Texas, come on.
10. Texas was once a Republic…
Article: Probably the strongest of the ‘reasons’, as to why Texans love Texas so much, is because we were once our own Republic and if we feel the need to secede, we probably will. Texas has a hell of a better chance at doing so than any other state. We have everything we need–money, oil, population, pride, land, etc. etc. and don’t worry about how Texans would defend themselves/fight for their rights; we’ll pull out the guns if necessary. Yes, New York is amazing, California is beautiful and Florida has pristine beaches, but there’s something about Texas that just makes it better and if you’re anything like these idiots:
You should probably realize you’re not only stupid, but embarrassing as well. Educate yourself before stating ignorant statements such as ” Texas has nothing,” because you couldn’t be more wrong. And you just might find yourself getting trampled by a horse ridden by a Texan… No, we don’t all have horses–I know that’s probably shocking.
Gina: As noted in section 4 above, some Texans I know believe their state is the only one that was a republic, and because of that there are different rules for them. The statement above seems to suggest the same ethos in thought, PLUS adds the whole sucede dialogue.
First, I want to say “Dude! The West explosion happened last month and FEMA (a federal agency, hello) was asked to help pay for it!” You go ahead and “make it on your own” and cry when all that money that you resent asking for from “that black President”, but which you rely on nonetheless. And I LOVE that I don’t have to keep bringing up the gun factor when YOU do it all on your own. On that note, Deana and I were recently in California at Disneyland and met a couple from Australia. We shared that we had moved to Texas and, given they didn’t know all of our states, we were trying to describe the state. After a few geographical comments and descriptions, the light went on – “Oh, the state that has all the guns and where they kill people in jail.” That sums it up. And yes, that “violent nature” is prevalent throughout the state.
In regards to the “Republic” comment, the fact is there ARE other states that were republics in their own right – and I will extract a great explanation from this article instead of expounding: And it [Texas] was a nominally independent if ramshackle republic, with embassies and a Congress and everything. Vermont, Hawaii, and, arguably, California were once independent republics, too, but they don’t make a fetish of it. Texas does.
On that “fetish” note, I also challenge you to try to be a non-Texas sport team fan or even dare to wear a non-Texan sport team jersey (or even try to BUY one). Good luck with that and I hope your insurance is current and that it covers bullet holes.
Texans, I commend your pride. I am not trying to silence it or diminish why you should be proud. But there is room for OTHER PEOPLE to have pride, too. And pride, just like your preference to how your steak should be prepared, varies by person and by state. YOUR preference or pride, should NOT mean that no one else has it or that yours is “right” or “better”. And I recommend, if you are pointing out why you rock, no need to say why others don’t. Just saying.
We humans, well…..we’re just plain crazy. We manifest our zaniness in multiple ways. We are scared of eating sushi yet we pay big bucks to ride on roller coaster that propels us against gravitational pull and high speeds. We buy things of lower quality to save a few bucks and then charge that purchase on a credit card that has a high interest rate.
Sometimes, in our supposed intelligence we’re just plain……SILLY!
The area where I most notice this duplicity is in realm of faith. I am not proclaiming views as right and wrong, but let’s be real – with the same-sex marriage, gun control, and even abortion debates there is PLENTY of duplicity. “God Hates Fags” being held by a church member who also swears that the sign is showing love to his neighbor because, if he “didn’t know the truth, he wouldn’t know he was going to hell”.
But this post is not really about political duplicity in the context of religion as noted above. Because, I feel there is a much more dangerous threat of duplicity in our lives, especially in our churches. And it scares the hell out of me, no pun intended.
You see, in the last year I have been taught from very loving and caring people some of the following concepts:
Idea #1 – It’s important to use your words to share the truth, even if what you have to share is not “politically correct” or is “viewed as judgment”.
Idea #2 – It’s important to NOT give satan power by using or believing words that are lies.
Let me give you examples of both of the above so that you can understand them in context.
Context of Idea #1 – We need to tell church members that they’re not doing enough to be considered a “good Christian”. Francis Chan likens this to being a lukewarm Christian, that which will be spit out from God’s mouth as noted in Revelation.
This concept is great in many ways, of course. Show me faith without works and all that. The pastor in question went on to say that we ALL should not only seek out the truth, but not be afraid of it. His example was that when you go to take your car to the dealership to be repaired and the brakes need to be replaced, you want to know the truth and details so you can address it. Or when we go to the doctor, to get the real news about what’s up. You do not want the dealership, or your doctor for the matter, to tell you “good” news if the news is really bad. You want the truth so that you can deal with it appropriately. More on this topic in a minute.
Context of Idea #2 – Satan wants us to believe lies so that they can take hold in our lives. For example, falling for the lie that you have cancer; if you verbalize this if you’re told it will take hold. Satan lies about illness and we, as Christians, have been healed by our Lord and Satan wants to get us to buy into the doctor’s lie about illness in our life.
This concept, when presented in a way that is encouraging, can really get people fired up. It reminds us in many ways about how much we don’t trust in our Lord and believe in His power! It tells us to lean not on our own understanding but trust and WALK in the power of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It becomes more problematic, however, when a person progresses in the diagnosis.
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And here is my point – how can we both seek the truth AND deny what is told to us? Given the above scenarios, how can you get the truth about the diagnosis, for example, and then immediately refute it as a lie from Satan? Even if you do refute it as a lie from hell, if you get treatment from your doctor, isn’t that sort of giving into the Satanic lie that the illness is really there? And if you DON’T get treatment, then what? Why even go to the doctor to get “the truth” in the first place? Further, I have seen where the teaching of #2 cause good, honest, but scared Christians to even SHARE that they’ve been diagnosed with cancer or other serious illnesses because they are afraid that having people even THINK the words would give a stronghold to Satan to push the illness in their lives.
This not-so-sublte duplicity – seek the truth and then push it away for fear of allowing Satan to run with it – is damaging to so many lives. To say in one breath “you need to know what to pray for or ask prayers on” while also saying “don’t you claim in word that you have cancer! don’t you dare do it” is DUPLICITOUS! It is mean. It is painful. It is dangerous.
I bring cancer into the mix because I have lost 6 lives to cancer in the last two years. In my own walk I have feared asking for prayers from some of my sisters and brothers in Christ for this very reason; I was tired of being told that I was propagating the illness by my insisting that the doctors were correct with their diagnosis. I felt both insulted and as if I relied too heavily on my intelligence and not enough on my faith. I seriously QUESTIONED my faith! And that of my loved ones – both in my family and in my church – who got more sick with each passing day.
And yet, when the deaths came, the words changed to “God just wanted them in heaven”. That’s a whole different duplicity, because hello – we are ALL going to die someday right?
But I digress.
Let’s just stop putting these rules on life people. Let’s stop putting parameters on faith. When someone is scared, don’t pummel them with indirect chastisements because they lack the amount of faith they should have (by saying they have cancer, or admitting they’re scared, or for throwing out the F word right after the C word, or anything else). Let’s remember that Jesus Christ CRIED and BEGGED God to take away the needed death He was facing. He was so freaked out that He sweat blood! Let us have those moments of fear and begging out to God without your judgment and supposed “God Hates Illness” signs. Stop insisting we cannot speak our fears audible or share facts received by medical doctors with intelligence provided by God by saying we are putting more faith in doctors than the Bible and God which says we were healed by the stripes Jesus took. (Again, not to say we weren’t healed, or can’t be healed of cancer, but saying “hey, my doctor says I have cancer” doesn’t negate a dang thing).
Anyway, I am getting fired up and that means I am no longer logically approaching this subject, so I will leave it at that. Feel free to comment about how wrong I am. This is a free country and, to avoid being duplicitous, I don’t want to tell you not to use your words. 🙂
I am happy to announce my first eBook, and it’s FREE! It’s not even that long! The only catch – it’s available through iTunes only at this time. You either need to download it to your iPad or to your computer using an iTunes account. However, I’d love it if you’d download it and let me know what you think!
God’s Eyeglasses – Based on Faith, The Word, and Basketball. Find it here.
So today is December 1st, 2012 – the official beginning of “Gina’s Birthday Celebration Month 2012”. Yes, I get a whole month to celebrate, which kind of bled into November this year, but that’s okay! This month long celebration is needed due to the fact that, as a December baby, I often was relegated to the ol’ “here’s your birthday and Christmas present!” bunch! It was admittedly worse for my brother Gary, born on the 13th, and I am sure others closer to Christmas have their own stories. As for me, Deana and the kids have always made it “my month”.
Last year was a bit different – Deana and I were blessed to be able to travel to Elmira, NY to visit my brother Joey, who had been moved from ICU into a rehabilitation center in hopes of recovering from his significant brain damage before the Stage 4 Renal Cancer took effect of his body. It was AMAZING to see him sitting up, feeding himself, and we even played chess! We had so many great conversations and I am very thankful that I was able to tell him how very much he meant to me and how hugely he impacted my life – how he was a huge part of who I am today. On that trip, Deana and I also took advantage of being in New York, which allows same-sex marriage, and we actually legally married on my birthday as well! My birthday was also the last day I saw my brother alive in person, so it was bittersweet but a fantastic way to spend my birthday.
Today, I have to say I woke up rather upset, remembering the highs and lows of this time last year. And it honestly broke my heart that my brother is no longer on this earth. Yet, I have spent today remembering that wonderful trip, the laughs and the tears, and also the many years and many memories we were able to share.
But it doesn’t stop there! In honor of “Birthday Month”, as well as this time last year, Deana took me to birthday present #1 – my remembrance tattoo for my brother at Scarecrow Galleries! I walked in expecting to only get a quote and perhaps make an appointment for another time, but Johnny (who incidentally is a chess enthusiast) was available and very interested in my idea of a tattoo. So, about an hour later the freehand drawing was done and we were ready to go! About two hours later, and not much pain on the way, this was the final result on my right outside calf:
I miss my brother very much, but this is a small way of remembering how awesome he was and how much he touched my life…..and to forever be a beacon to the fact that I owe him about a million chess games! 🙂
Just Rambling 