La La Land

I just wanted to point out some of the topics you can find right now on CNN.com.  I find it incredibly alarming to see the direction this world is headed in. 

Headlines (with typical American reaction):

• Cholera kills 138 in 48 hours (oh my! Well, at least it isn't happening here!)
• 400 trapped by rock slides in Taiwan (Whoa! I hope they have some video of it so I can see it!)
• Opinion: NPR right to fire Juan Williams (Who cares?)
• Lohan to stay in rehab until January (Poor girl, she is just trying to live the American Dream!)
• Hurricane watch for Honduras (That sucks!)
• Google TV blocked by big networks (What!  That is outrageous!  I'm calling my senator!)
• Deadly disease to hit more of U.S. (What is this...oh..Diabetes..well, I will just go work out some more...and then I won't have to worry about it..at least for myself..those other people need to take better care of themselves!)
• HP finally releases its 'iPad killer' (Awesome!  I'll be first in line at the store!)
• Lisa Marie: Michael couldn't be saved (Tragedy!)
• Gwyneth Paltrow's gone country? (What!  Well, I don't like her anymore!)
• Yep, moon has water. (Cool...wonder when we will live there?!)
• Cheerleader out after Facebook pic (That's retarded.)

Please understand that my 'reactions' are based on who I used to be..so I can legitimately say that I fell into the realm of normalcy, as I used to share those views with others.


What is most shocking to me is the mix of headlines: death, more death, things that no one really cares about, celeb gossip, possible death, things that impact the all important TV, certain death, impulse buying, more celeb gossip, science, and of course Facebook.  Do you think people in India care about what is happening to Lindsay Lohan?
 
Is it just me, or are we (The United States, and similar cultures) in La La Land?  Sure, we keep up with what is going on in the rest of the world, but do we really care?  When I was a kid, we would stay for the summer at my grandmother's house.  She always had the TV on, and mostly the news.  It used to scare me then, I can only imagine how kids feel now. 
 
I used to disagree that the TV had anything to do with kids becoming desensitized to violence...and now...I am positive that it IS the reason.  I have a 3 year old that gets glued to the TV no matter what is on.  He knows all about how to die, and how to kill someone.  Scary thought.
 
Our philosophy towards the world is 'it's all about me, and I really don't care what you are doing, as long as I am not effected.'  I have some sad news for you friends, you are being effected.  The more we turn a blind eye to those in need, the more we focus on ourselves, and pride sets in.
 
This brings me to my most important point.  We recently read the book of Obadiah in the Bible, of which I want to point out some verses.  Try inserting the U.S. in place of Edom....
 
 The Coming Judgment on Edom

1 The vision of Obadiah.
Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom
(We have heard a report from the LORD,
And a messenger has been sent among the nations, saying,
“ Arise, and let us rise up against her for battle”):
2 “ Behold, I will make you small among the nations;
You shall be greatly despised.
3 The pride of your heart has deceived you,
You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high;
You who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’
4 Though you ascend as high as the eagle, and though you set your nest among the stars,
From there I will bring you down,” says the LORD.

7 All the men in your confederacy shall force you to the border;
The men at peace with you shall deceive you and prevail against you.
Those who eat your bread shall lay a trap for you.
No one is aware of it.

15 “ For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near;
As you have done, it shall be done to you;
Your reprisal shall return upon your own head.
16 For as you drank on My holy mountain,
So shall all the nations drink continually;
Yes, they shall drink, and swallow,
And they shall be as though they had never been.

Are you scared yet?  Let me help you find some peace in an ever increasing world of death and destruction.  Simply put, and told by God through man:
 
Matthew 11:
Jesus Gives True Rest

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

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How Selfish of Me!

It is no secret that I am addicted to Facebook.  I check it approx. every 5 minutes.  Not to mention that I also check my website stats to see if anyone has been poking around..and the hotmail account...and this blog, and anything else that will inflate my head just a bit.  (I checked my FB 5 times during the writing of this!)

It's hard not to.  Something interesting has happened lately, though.  Because I check my Facebook so often, I get to see what everyone else is posting, that I would have missed before.  I have met some new friends, and had the pleasure of talking to some of them about our shared love of Christ.

There is also lots of prayer requesting going on in the land of Facebook.  A couple weeks ago one of my new friends posted a photo of a baby girl who was in the hospital, and close to death.  I tell you, it is not possible to see something like that and NOT stop immediately to pray. 

Sometimes I call Facebook the devil, because there have been several times when I have posted something about being a Christian and gotten nasty responses.  Lately, the devil has subsided, and angels are abounding.  This poor, sweet baby girl has been blessed by God on several occasions, and it is being witnessed by hundreds online. 

The most notable, and recent observation was a prayer posted on her wall about giving the doctors wisdom.  The day after that prayer, a new doctor arrived who specializes in her condition.  What a blessing to witness miracles taking place.  My prayers are with this baby girl, that she will grow strong and healthy, and always be comforted, and shielded from pain.

I think sometimes in our selfishness we can become humbled.  Not by our own accounts, but by God's.  If you choose to go one way God says ok, well then THIS!  If you go the other, then THIS!  Life's lessons aren't always learned by trial and error.  Sometimes you can be sitting on your butt all day and learn something. 

Right now I am struggling between focusing on my photography and getting enough time in God's Word.  I try to start every morning reading the Bible...and for the past 2 weeks, I have been doing pretty good.  My fault: looking at Facebook before the Bible.  What am I thinking?!! 

Lord, clear my mind from my thoughts, and instead place yours.  For only in you will I find the answers, and only through you will I get my satisfaction.

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If you would like to post a prayer for baby Brinley or check on her status, go here: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001662005886

Pray for 'Christians'

I received an email from a Muslim friend of mine with a video attached.  The video was in response to the "Quran book burning" that was supposed to take place.  The woman on the video was one of the ministers of First Community Church in Ohio. 

While I agreed with her that we should break down the barriers and stereotypes we have put on Islam, I did not agree with her when she said, "We should all go out, buy Qurans, read them, and follow their paths to love".  She harps on the fact that she is a Christian.

I am personally astounded by this.  How can you call yourself a Christian when you decide to read the Quran and follow it's teaching?  One of the main points in the Quran is that Muhammad is the last prophet in the line of the greats; Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus & his disciples.  If you live for Christ, and you have felt the power of the Holy Spirit, you have then surely come to realize that the Bible is whole and complete.  No need for another prophet. 

Below are the beliefs of the church the minister came from, as well as the Unitarian church founded in the heart of Houston.  I am writing this not to show the faults of others, but to show you how close the enemy is to you.  Pray for our city, our country, and our fellow 'Christians'.  What is most disturbing to me is the children that are raised to believe that they will go to Heaven because they are in a church environment.  We should not only be reaching out to people less fortunate than ourselves, but to our neighboors, who believe whole-heartedly, that they are following the right path to salvation.

First Community Church

 is "the church of the infinite quest," as described in 1924 by The Reverend M. H. Lichliter of First Congregational Church. Remaining true to that spirit, our church believes …

• All people are included in God's unconditional love and grace.
• In Jesus Christ whose life revealed God's love at work in the human family.
• In the Holy Spirit as the power by which we are brought into closer harmony with our Creator. Therefore we …
• Strive to follow the path of Jesus Christ, while recognizing other pathways to the Divine
• Encourage each person's spiritual journey, embracing a variety of spiritual disciplines.
• Understand that the words we use to express our faith are to be lived out by loving and compassionate action.
• Take the Bible seriously, not literally; finding more grace in the search for meaning than in absolute certainty.
• Agree to differ, unite to serve, and resolve to love.

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First Unitarian Universalist Church

We believe that spiritual understanding is a lifelong journey and we encourage our children, youth and adults to be curious and explore.

Inspired by beauty, nature, science, great writers, religious texts, we gain insight from many sources.

Believing in the inherent worth and dignity of each individual, we celebrate the individuals experience of spirituality.

With a history of activism and social justice, we find ways to put our faith into action.

Unitarian Universalism is a faith that welcomes people of diverse ages, sexual orientation, gender identities, theologies, ethnic backgrounds and religious heritages.

From all over this great sprawling city our members find their way on Sunday morning to be together. We are theists, humanists, atheists, agnostics, pagans, doubters and seekers sitting in the pews together so that we may stand and sing, reflect on our lives and find strength to be our best selves as we head back out into the weekdays of our lives.

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Matthew 7:

15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Please Daddy?

Life is complicated.  My mother always told me that I was a high low person...my low times are really low, and my high times are really high.  She should know, because every time something horrible or great happened, she was the first person I came crying to.  She would be there for me on the phone, and let me talk it out.

Recently, and I mean, like, 3 days ago, we were blessed with some awesome news.  It was Heaven sent.  I know this to be true because of all the things that led up to it.  I have always believed that everything happens for a reason, and now, knowing that God is in control, it is more true than ever.  Whether you want to believe it or not, God is in control of your life.  All of the decisions you make are because God has a plan for you.  Even if you make a decision that leads to something horrible happening, the Lord is showing you something.

Our experiences shape who we are.  For example, today was an enormously trying day with my child.  He is three and a half, and believes that he is king of the world!  Seth and I were discussing his new found disobedience, and Seth said to him: "See, if you just obey, then you will get what you want, and more!"  The same is true for us, as adults.  As children we are taught to listen, and obey so we can live better lives without accidentally getting run over in the street, or getting cavities in our mouths. 

Should it be so different from our Father in Heaven?  He tells us to go one way..if we choose to go another, things don't work out the way we want them to.  If we can just listen, then we will get what we want, or need, but it may take some patience, and hardship....just like children.  Ethan's complaint was that he wanted gummy bears.  He was screaming and crying because he wanted them...but instead he got to go to his room to settle down.  After eating dinner, he had totally forgotten about the gummy bears, but his daddy reminded him, and it was all that he could do to hold back the happy dance.

That is exactly the way we felt when we heard the news about this new development in our lives.  How quickly we forget about what we want because we cannot do it in our own power.  When you put your faith in God's hands, he will reward you with the things that you not only want, but need.  You see, we may think we have everything figured out, but in reality, you will always be learning from what is happening in your life.

We are all children...God's children.  Whine all you want, but until you submit yourself to your Father, you will never feel the satisfaction of getting what He has to give you.

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