"Good Reads" Equals Good Times!

It's been a while since I hopped on here and had written. Not a whole lot in life around here has changed too much. So, there really isn't anything to whine, nag, or get angry about. For the time being, that is.

So, instead, I have decided to use my blog as an advertising tool. Namely for myself. Because it's MY blog and MY plug. (=

First of all, I have ALWAYS loved to read. Books are my BFFs. They always have been. And my girls (figures, it is always the girls lol) are avid readers as well.

So, I joined a site called Good Reads. I have my own profile. The link to it is Missy.

There are millions of books available to choose from. And you can break them all down in to "read", "to read" and "currently reading". You can give them ratings and reviews, too.

Also, there are groups. So many of them, it really is hard to choose from. I myself have started two of my own.

One is Stay Home Mom Club. It's just for Stay-At-Home mothers and even Grandmothers who are raising children.

My other group is for mothers as well. But for those that have children (be it an adult child or a minor, living with them or out on their own) that are disabled. The group can be found under Special Needs Moms.

In both groups, we talk about life, vent, and of course, about BOOKS! All genres.

Also, on FaceBook, I have started a new group as well for us book worms. Teens, men, women.. Everyone is accepted! And it's got a pretty unique, catching name. What is it you ask? Why it's Books; My Other Lover, of course!

We will have a weekly fun/random poll that won't necessarily pertain to reading. There's already a host of conversations to get you started in our DOC area. And we are chatting up a storm on the group's wall.

As of right now, I am also doing the Good Reads' 2011 Reading Challenge. I set a goal of eleven books to be read by the end of the year. After my current novel, I'll only have three more to go. Can I do it? Maybe.

Currently, I am reading the fifth book of the 'Left Behind' series, penned by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. The installment is named "Apollyon".

The storyline is set in a post-Rapture world where many people that "didn't get right with God" were left behind, as their family members and friends who accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior had ascended to Heaven.

In this book, the fifth plague is coming upon the people. The Anti-Christ is doing all that he can, through his one-world-order to stop God from fulfilling His prophesy and trying to alienate those from Christ as to win over God's converts or potential converts.

There are lies told. Secrets unfold. Love blossoms. A new life on the way. And a nasty plague of scorpion-like locusts are about to take over.

"Apollyon" is a 403-page novel. I just started reading it on November sixth. Yes, TWO days ago! And I am about to pick back up on page 251. So, hopefully, I should be done with this book by the end of the day.

It has certainly held my attention, keeping me captivated and in awe thus far. The ride through the Rapture, the Tribulation and the impending battle of good versus evil as to the End of Days has been a bumpy, but exhilarating one!

So, I highly recommend the book and it's four parts before it, in the "Left Behind" series, if you are in to Christian-based Fiction.

And I hope to see you join one of, a couple of, or even all three of my groups that I had listed above. We'd love to have you join us!

I'm not a huge fan of Christian music, but..

There are a few singers that I LOVE to listen to. I'm in to Contemporary Christian music. I like a few hymns that are traditional. But I'm really not a "traditional" kind of gal. With that said, here are my favorites (with a fave song video included).

First of all, gotta give kudos to Nicole C. Mullen. The girl can SING!



As for the guys, I have to give it up to Al Denson. The following song brings me to tears EVERY single time.



I've had the awesome pleasure to see Cece Winans perform one year at an Extraordinary Women's concert here in town. She is even more so beautiful in person and gives a WONDERFUL, praise-filled performance. Music for MY generation, and even my kids'. This was one of the songs she sang..



Another tear jerker for me. I love it though! He is my Comfort and my Strength. Darlene Zschech had done a wonderful job with this song.



Delirious has some good P&W tunes also.



I think that personally, I really needed to hear some of these and just give it all to God. It's honestly been a very emotionally charged (almost) two weeks for me and my family. Between after-school activities, the home invasion and my son's problems escalating due to the break-in, I have been stressed beyond limits. It was refreshing and calming to listen and even sing to these this morning.

True, I'm not a church-going, drop-to-my-knees-every-ten-minutes, constant-Bible-reading Christian, but I know HE loves me, He sacrificed EVERYTHING for me and that He is there even in the midst of every storm to help carry and weather me through.

Would you join me?

Thanks to my MIL's gift card giving this year for Christmas, I was able to buy a few things I wanted to have and know I would use.

One item being a book (for under $8.00 mind you!) that has 500 questions in regards to the Bible, and answers of explanation.

It goes by Chronological order to coincide with the Bible's text order. So, I would post the question (word for word), and then the answer it gives (word for word).

Then underneath, I'd place (********) to indicate the end of the quotes from the book and give my PERSONAL view of how I view the answer's explanation.

I'm not a fanatical, Bible-wielding Christian who even goes to church. I'm just a simple believer who enjoys learning in her own way and own time of how the Bible pertains to me as an individual and question myself a bit. And I have my own interpretation of how I read and view the Bible.

If this sounds like something you would like to read and participate in, let me know. I'm planning to do the first post TOMORROW (Wednesday, Jan. 5th, 2011), and will do them each Wednesday and Sunday.

It would be WONDERFUL to make this fun, engaging and interactive.

I've even made a GRAB BUTTON for this... (now that I found out how to do them on my own)

<center><a href="http://pr0udmom0f3.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp218/mels_pics_album/cooltext493541244.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>" width="260" /></center>

Feel free to grab my button and spread the word about what I think will be a great series for all levels of believers (and non-believers) to discuss and learn from.

25 Days of Christmas (Day 5)

Today's post will be talking about the history and the origin of what is now a primarily Christian tradition.

"The True Origin Of Christmas"


Christmas traditions date back to the days of Pagan practices. In fact that is where Christmas truly started. And it had nothing to do with Jesus Christ, or His birth.

It was originally an ancient winter festival, the feast of the Son of Isis which was celebrated on December 25th. Partying, drinking and gift exchanging were all a part of the yearly holiday.

Over in Rome, they celebrated the Winter Solstice. That was celebrated many years before Jesus was ever born. The holiday at the time was called Saturnalia, where Saturn was honored as the god of Agriculture. In January they also celebrated Kalends, which celebrated triumph over death. It's entire season was named Dies Natalis Invicti Solis, the Birthday of the Unconquered Sun. In ancient Rome, Mummers would dress up and go around the neighborhoods, singing songs. From this "caroling" was given it's birth.

Over in northern Europe many of the traditions were believed to be of Christian worship in it's origins. These to were started long before Jesus Christ came on to the scene. The Pagans of the north celebrated their winter solstice named Yule. Yule was symbolic of the pagan Sun God, Mithras, being born, and was observed on the shortest day of the year. The custom included lighting candles and hope that Mithras and the sun would make an appearance the following year.

Yule logs at this time that were pretty big in size were burned in honor of the sun. Yule's meaning is "wheel". The wheel is a Pagan symbol representing the sun. Mistletoe was considered a sacred plant, and the custom of kissing under the mistletoe began as a fertility ritual.

As for the tree which in our current tradition of celebrating Christmas, it is the one symbol that has been able to united almost all the northern European winter solstices. The evergreen trees were brought home and werea reminder to the people that their crops will grow again once more. The Druids used the tree as a religious symbol, holding their sacred ceremonies while surrounding and worshiping huge trees.

Finally, in 350 AD, Pope Julius I declared that Christ’s birth would be celebrated on December 25. In doing so, even with no record of the exact date or time of the year Christ was born, though it is strongly believed to be within the Autumn months, the thought of a conversion to Christianity went more smoothly and people were not AS apprehensive. Seeing as their traditions of Paganism were not (at least completely) stripped away.

Christmas as we know it today, most historians agree, began in Germany, though Catholics and Lutherans still disagree about which church celebrated it first.

The earliest record of an evergreen being decorated in a Christian celebration was in 1521 in the Alsace region of Germany.

I encourage those that read this, and have the ability to do so, to watch the 5-part video series about the historical aspects of Christmas from History Channel.












Information for this post to be made possible provided by...

Christmas Pagan Origins

25 Days of Christmas (Day 4)

Ready to get in to the holiday spirit? How about some of my favorite Christmas tunes to get you in to the mood?


I'm sending this one out to Angel over at Angel Believes (blog)...




For my little girl who LOVES this song...




For my son...For the reason being his nose has been reminding me of Rudolph...




Gotta love Achmed!!




You can't do Christmas without the Chipmunks!




A classic by Brenda Lee...




The Mormon Tabernacle...




Nat & Natalie...




For us Redneck Hillbilly types, Larry can't go wrong for the holidays! (The *ONLY* one I don't care for is 'Donny The Retard' for obvious reasons and don't find it funny.)




This is one of my FAVORITE TV specials and one of my favorite Christmas time songs...




Beautiful song..




Whomever she is, this woman has a BEAUTIFUL voice!...




Amy Grant's version is pretty...

And here I thought KIDS were bad.

Apparently, in most cases, the PARENTS seemingly are no better. And you wonder why I have a MAJOR beef with "fanatical" right-wing Christians and organized religion.

Over on my BFF, Angel's blog she posted a Vlog in regards to a fellow blogger, and one of her bloggy friends, who's son was bullied. To read that post, please feel free to CLICK HERE.

The reason so many of us are up in arms, is due to the fact, that the person in the second link had their SON dressing up as "Daphne" from "Scooby Doo". She made sure several times before ordering that indeed that is what her 5-YEAR-OLD son wanted to be. And he was quite adamant mind you, seeing as his BFF (a GIRL) was dressing as Scooby and wanted to pair up.

Now mind you, this all had taken place in a CHRISTIAN Preschool setting. Where they are taught Pre-Kindergarten concepts and that Jesus says we are to love one another no matter what and to treat others like how we wish to be treated. With love and respect.

Now, if you know me AT ALL, you know for a fact, I'm not one to post Biblical verses. I am a Christian, but not a Bible wielding one that will thump you over the head with the Good Book like bonking you with a ball bat. But just for today, I feel like quoting some Scripture.

Scripture text is derived by the Bible Gateway Site...

Matthew 22:37-40 (New International Version)

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

In other words, if YOU wish to NOT be torn down and demand to be accepted and respected, you damn well better be willing to reciprocate in return.

Wow! The verses I found for you HYPOCRITE Christians out there!! Ready?

Psalm 26:4 (New International Version)-4 "I do not sit with the deceitful, nor do I associate with hypocrites."

Matthew 7:5-"You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

Matthew 23:13-[Seven Woes on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees ] “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to."

Who can claim the name "Christian" when they are hypocrites to the tenth degree? And against a CHILD no less. Who has ANY right to judge another being? For ANY reason due to being different and "out of the box" where the "normalcy of society" is of any concern? Not myself. Not you. Not anyone. I should only judge my own misdeeds, and the misdeeds of my children. But all others should be left to the Lord God Almighty to judge for Himself. For HE is the ONLY true Judge of any one of us.

Luke 6:37-“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

As a child, and for the majority of it, I was judged and ridiculed. By both children and adults alike. Of course, I felt that it was both parties' faults. It wasn't until later in years, say in my teens, that I had come to an eye-opening conclusion. I should NEVER have blamed the children. But the parents that had raised them.

Children are NOT born to hate and ridicule others in the world. They were TAUGHT to do so. By example and the leading of their parents. I remember COUNTLESS times where I had walked in the door from school, sullen, sometimes tears streaming down my cheeks and being quiet and reserved. All because again, I was picked on for looking different from the other children. And many of them that did this to me were fellow members of our church that I had attended as a child.

My parents had the cops called on them due to the fact that they parked in a Handicapped Zone LEGALLY. But to the old lady, I didn't "look handicapped enough" to need such a spot.

My father almost got in to a fist brawl in a grocery store checkout lane thanks to some idiot ADULT stating that "if I had a kid that LOOKED like that, I wouldn't let it out the house" (thanks to the trache, tubes and monitor wires I required to be hooked up to for day trips from the hospital).

How in the hell can ADULTS, let alone human beings, be so damned cruel? Especially towards CHILDREN? It's so beyond my comprehension, it scares me.

So, this poor mother and her child had to endure horrid comments about HIS choice of costume for this past Halloween. And she got it for "letting him wear THAT". So obviously (and quite sadly) those "mothers" pegged the kid as being Gay. So what, if he is?? He is OBVIOUSLY quite comfortable in his own skin. His mother is proud of him for being HIMSELF. Not some "image" of what or who OTHERS "think" he should "be like".

Parents and people in general such as these "Christian" hypocrites outright DISGUST me. Yep, I said it! They D-I-S-G-U-S-T me. They are a very small fraction of the type of people that just chap my hide. They are two-faced, corners-of-the-mouth speaking snakes in my eyes.

So remember everyone, do *not* blame the children who speak ill of others, for they know not fully what they are doing is wrong. Blame their parents and any other adult-centered influences within their lives. Because it's the ADULTS that are "bringing up" these children to be, act and think how they are doing so. All we can do as REAL Christians is love them and gently correct them and the errors of their words and/or ways.

For the children we are bringing up today will be our future that will bring up tomorrow.

Letting Go...Not That Easy (get out the tissues)

Over at FaceBook, I do this one application called "On This Day,God Wants You To Know". While I am a Christian, I am not very devout. I believe, and I do read the Bible. I pray for others as needed and felt led to.

With these "messages" from God, it gives you these little encouraging tidbits on how to improve your life, or of someone around you, and lets you know that you aren't alone.

Today's read for me as follows...

"On this day, God wants you to know... that it's time you let go. Yes, of course, you want to control so everything happens in just the way you want it. But at the end of the day, we control nothing, - it's all in God's hands, - has always been, and will always be. So, do what you can, and then let go, and let God handle the rest."

Above this, I had stated in the status area... (my words)

"It's not so much for me, but someone else that this is going to be hard to do. A lifetime can't be let go of that easily. Although, I DID get a lifetime of what I lacked in just one decade. For that I'm forever grateful."

You see, I had grown up since infancy with only my two grandmothers. Both of my grandfathers were dead. One passed a year or around there before my birth. The other died in Germany, during World War II when MY dad was only six months old.

The only 'grandfather' I had was my Great-Grandfather. But he passed away when I was six years old. And I don't have much memory of him or our time together, sadly.

For years and years, I often wondered what having a grandfather in my life would be like. I wondered what my grandfathers would have done with me activity-wise. Fishing, walks, talks about yesteryear. Even throwing a ball around would have been nice (being I was a tomboy).

After Scott and I had gotten together, I started meeting his folks. Good, southern, country-hospitality type of people. Love of family, country and God. Then one day, it was time for my first experience meeting the WHOLE side of Scott's dad's kin. WOW!! Think about this, his grandparents, their SEVEN kids, and THEIR other halves. Then add in all of THEIR kids. And even some more kids after that. LOTS of people.

Almost instantaneously, his grandparents took me under their wing and called me "just another of their grandkids". I have since then had a surprising and unexpectedly unique place in my heart for those two. Especially Scott's grandfather. He is a man of a few words. He has hands of steel. But also full of love. Even now, in his frailty. He has ALWAYS been good and kind to my oldest child and daughter, Hayley, who is from my first marriage. He (as well as Scott's grandma and the rest of the crew) treats her like she has ALWAYS been a Cowart. Nothing less.

For him and his family to take my daughter and I in to their hearts as they have, I will ALWAYS be grateful, thankful and filled with pride.

This past Saturday, we had the annual family picnic/reunion. This year though, everyone (except an aunt, Scott and a nephew, due to work schedule conflicts mainly) was there. It was great to see. Everyone was smiling, laughing, reminiscing, and just sharing of themselves.

This is also most likely the last one with the patriarch of the family. Big Papa (Scott's grandfather) has been steadily declining over the last year. At this time last year, he was hospitalized, and we thought he was not going to make it. He did. And they gave him six more months to live...Just over six months ago.

We all know that the inevitable is coming. It's no longer a matter of if, but of when. And with only ten percent of Big Papa's heart working, we know that time is most certainly precious for each day that we all still have him in our lives.

I've suffered some of the worst loss imaginable as a child. I lost my mother when I was twelve years old. Scott has lost a couple of uncles that I know of, and his Maternal Grandparents (one before birth and one at eight years old).

Losing a cousin or an aunt or uncle is one thing. But to lose a parent at a young age is just in a way fatefully cruel. Losing a grandparent so far in to adulthood yourself, can deal a huge blow to your heart.

Scott's going to take this hard. He is quite close with Big Papa and Big Grandma. It will really be his first major loss that he will understand. And it's already killing both of us inside.

I was actually not going to go. I had my reasons. But then I changed my mind. Now, I am glad I did. And I even got a few pictures of the kids with their great-grandparents.

After getting home and staring at the one of the girls with Big Papa, Skyler sitting on his lap, and him looking SO happy, it hit me. This was quite possibly THE last time I myself will see him alive, being I don't get to personally see them that much. Nor do the kids.

Thanks to that man, he gave me in ten years, what I yearned for, for practically my entire life. To know what it's like to have a grandfather in your life. And I was fortunate enough to receive this BEAUTIFUL gift from him.

It's going to be hard for me when his journey here is over. But I know it will be much, MUCH harder for Scott. And I can only hope and pray now, that when the time comes, I will be the rock he needs me to be. To be the comfort he needs. To have the right words when he asks "why" and "how".

Yes, we all must let go. Of past hurts, of anger and of sadness. But at times, knowing you must let go makes you want to hold on even tighter due to the fear of the loss. Letting go of those that are most important in your life in ANY means can be difficult. But there are those very special someone's that it seems IMPOSSIBLE that you have to let them go.

And Big Papa is going to be one of them.

Friends. Are they "real" to you? They are to me.

I've stated many times, in many places, that I take my friendships to heart. Both in real life, and on the internet. None of my friends are "fake" to me. When they hurt, I hurt. When they rejoice, I rejoice. When they are angry, I try my best to ease the anger and help them triumph over it.

All that I am asking is the same kindness, love, and respect in return.

Yesterday, myself, Facebook, the internet, People With Disabilities, a Fiance, and five children and a host of friends (both IRL and on the net), and extended family lost a true gem.

Marta Wolf passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. She was a unique soul. She too carried her friendships in to her heart. And she too lent a hand, a word, a smile, and her heart to you when you needed it.

I have lost a good friend. We only got to speak on the phone one time. But we had a wonderful conversation. Laughs were a-plenty that day. That is one memory I will truly treasure. And in turn, it will help me to keep her in my memory.

Also, this goes to show just how powerful a tool that the internet CAN BE. And it shows the POSITIVE side that more often than not, happens. Friendships are not to be taken lightly. Even through the computer screen. THERE ARE REAL PEOPLE on the other side of a website. They have feelings. And they have a heart.

When used correctly, for what a social media site is intended for, the web can be a BEAUTIFUL place to be. But when used in a manner only to hurt and maim another HUMAN BEING, then it is a tool of hurt and violence.

So, Marta, rest in peace, my friend. You were, and always will be a treasured soul to the many lives that you have touched. We love you, and will greatly miss your humor, your love, and your smile.





"Shout To The Lord"

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
Let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

My Jesus, My Savior,
Lord, there is none like You;
All of my days
I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love.

My comfort, my shelter,
Tower of refuge and strength;
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
Let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
Let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.
Nothing compares to the promise I have
Nothing compares to the promise I have in you

Book Review : 'Angels In The ER'

I'm not one that is extremely religious by any means. I have my beliefs and I'm a 'live and let live' kind of girl. Basically, in my "beliefs world", I don't judge you on whom you choose to love (be it a man/woman coupling or a same sex coupling), what belief system you choose to have (be it Christianity or Pagan...to name a couple), how you raise your kids (as long as they are happy, healthy and well adjusted...not abused, neglected or taught to hate others).

I'm a believer in angels as well. I think that they are all around us. You just don't realize this. It may be the poor homeless person on the street, a child at school, or a church member. Or just a kind stranger who is seeing your struggle and wishes to help.

'Angels In The ER' is a book penned by Dr. Robert Lesslie, whom is a Doctor of Emergency Medicine at a hospital in South Carolina. In all his many years at this hospital, he has witnessed many "angelic moments" within the ER. From fellow staff, to patients, to even Security Guards.

Dr. Lesslie tells tales of recovery, life's little lessons learned, lessons on God's miracles and more.

I'm not one that enjoys Christian reading that is inundated with an over-usage of Biblical passages/Scripture. I like small tidbits. And this book offers just enough to "taste" the Scripture. He (Dr. Lesslie) begins each chapter with a verse to show in "real time" it's meaning through his stories of life, death, and lessons learned about human nature.

If you are a Christian novel reader, I gladly suggest that you pick up this book. You can get it at any retail store.

Make assumptions again and see where it gets you. (Defense of a friend)

With the way that I am feeling right now, I will try my best to stay calm and (for the most part) respectful. Then again, after seeing my friend, Angel get ripped apart, although in a "Christ-like manner", I don't feel like being so polite.

Then again, someone has to take the 'high road' right? May as well be me I'm guessing.

I've NEVER claimed to be a 'perfect' Christian/soul. And I never plan to. It is true that I am for equality for the GLBT Community to get married. I am one that can vote Democratically or Conservatively. I don't read, let alone have I memorized the Bible texts as much as a Christian should (in many minds).

But I love God no less. And He loves me no less. And for someone to tramps all over a friend and her PERSONAL walk with the Lord to me is a sin in and of its self. *Some* Christian "fanatics" are so freaking uptight and in to everyone else's Christian walk, snubbing them for every little "fleshly fault", that they refuse to remove the plank from their eye before removing the speck from another's.

This is why I can't stand those that are called "Holy Roller", "Bible-Thumping", "Dogmatic" Christians.

Believe me when I say I KNOW first-hand what I speak of. Especially the hypocrisy. I've lived through it, via my Dad's mother when I was little. She would force me in to attending church, scare me in to submission, and nit-picked everything I said, did, felt or believed. Even when it came to religion and MY way of worshiping, believing and practicing my Christianity.

When people in general start making generalized assumptions about those they know NOTHING about, and especially those that they THINK that they know about, said person is treading in dangerous and deep waters. They are the ones showing that they know NOTHING about a problem or situation. Especially when you don't sit down and find out what is TRULY going on from the "horse's mouth".

And for someone to make a general assumption about me, my knowledge of something, or of my faith/walk is treading in shark-infested water with me. I don't make personal "attacks" or assumptions towards others. And for a "Christian" to do it unto me is well...un-Christian like. Too bad they are so blinded by their "religious ways" that they are not able to see that they are doing more harm than good.

My friend, Angel lead me to a certain chat room a few months back for a church that she attends. Both online and in person. I watched a sermon and was fitting right in with those in the chat. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I "belonged" and that I was truly cared for. Angel gave me hope in Christianity and my faith again.

Now, that room has been shut down. No longer can I go and see those I befriended and be a part of a wonderful ministry. At least for now.

But one of the nay-sayers of the room decided to claim I know "nothing" about what all went down and why. Too bad she decided to "call me out" on false pretense and assumptions. Because I know more...WAY MORE than she thinks I do.

And worse yet, she hurt a dear friend and sister-in-Christ. That for me is 1,000's times worse. And I refuse to stand here and let it happen.

BRING BACK THE CHAT ROOM!....And stop being a "always right" Christian who talks the talk, but can't seem to walk the walk.

Devotional Sunday (1 John 3:18)

Children. They are our most precious commodity in this world. They daily show us unconditional love. They bring joy and happiness to our lives.

If only those of us in the world can be more like them. Their view of the world is pure and innocent. So are their hearts.

1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.


Actions really do speak louder than words. Even small children know this. Words can cut deep like a knife and drive directly in to the soul.

As I grew up, I had required medical intervention via a tracheotomy to help me keep air circulating through my lungs. So, I had a visible impairment, being that the "bolus" of the trach was on the outside of my throat.

Needless to say, men, women and children alike gawked, stared, snickered, sneered, giggled under their breath as they cupped their mouths to not let us see.

Then there were those, again adults and children alike, that made it no secret of how they thought of my parents letting me out of the house "looking like that" and using me as the butt of their god-awful jokes.

The children don't come out of the womb thinking, acting, and speaking in that manner. It was taught. Through the tongue of their parents. Their actions were of a lesser heartened person. So really deep down, I never truly blamed the children. I blamed those that are the "best" teachers (besides the Lord)...Their parents.

In all of this what made it worse? That I would see these kids, along with their parents in CHURCH! Talk about hypocrisy at its finest.

So yes, words of the tongue are sharper than any sword. Actions, depending on what it is, can be a softener. Words can never be taken back. So, speak through the tongue with love. And you will get love back in return.

Devotional Sunday

Trust. It is something that is earned over time. As children, we trusted our parents to clothe us, feed us and keep a roof over our heads. As a spouse, we place trust in our husbands or wives to be faithful only unto us.

Once again, I had to place my trust in God. I had to trust in Him to help me through (once again) a really tough place in my life and knew in the end, I will come out just fine in the end. So far, He has yet to fail me. For thus far, my eye is getting better (minus a set back here and there) every day.

In the book of Psalms it says...

Psalm 25:2
in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.

And sure enough the enemy I had to fight has yet to prevail. And I don't plan on letting it either. For my God is beside me, leading me along to a full recovery. He will not leave my side, no matter how bad it will possibly get in my life.

My trust in Him may wane a bit here and there, but it is there. I often wonder if He enjoys testing me. Who knows. All I know is that Jesus Christ has enough faith and trust in me to lean upon His shoulder and let Him carry me once in a while. He knows at times I need the rest and comfort of His trusting arms.

Devotional Sunday (Change from Testimony Sunday)

Isaiah 35:10
and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Isaiah 35:9-10 (in Context) Isaiah 35


Every one of us here on earth will suffer sorrow. But all of us will experience the great joy that life also has to offer.


Believe me when I say that I have had more than my fair share of sorrow. From the time that I was born in fact. And when you tally them all up that I have collected thus far, many may wonder how I am able to see the positivity in anything.


Even though a time or two, I had lost my faith in God, He never once lost His faith on me. Even when I turned a blind eye to Him.


In the end, after walking through all of the Valleys that I have traveled, I have reached the Mountain Top. Sure, I will be pushed back down in to the Valley again a few more times before my life's journey here is over. 


But I know that once I walk through the Valley, that the Mountain Top is there waiting for my return.

Since You Left

Since the time you left, we still wonder what could have been

We wonder who you would take after, who you would more like be within

The years stroll by with barely a care

But in that time, within our hearts, you are still there

We miss you, we love you

Not too far off may you be

But deep down it seems that its eternity before we once again meet

So until that day, you stay safe and warm

For within Grandma's arms are you adorned

She has you for now until the day that we will finally meet face-to-face

Daddy and I had so many plans

But for now we just hold your heart in our hands

May you have joy this Christmas Season with the Savior that we celebrate

One day soon my dear, we too will meet you at the Pearly Gates

Then forever more, we shall rejoice together, with our Lord

*Dedicated to Michael Gregory C....May you be resting and playing with the other Angel Babies this Christmas Season*

Testimony Sunday (Exodus 15:13)

It's certainly been a while since I have done my Sunday post. So, let's see if I can start this again to go on a regular basis.

The following Bible passage from Exodus really speaks volumes. It regards to love. Not the love of God solely, or the love of your husband or wife, or even your children. But the love for others and for mankind.

Exodus 15:13
"In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling."


If the above verse doesn't speak volumes to you, then I think that there is something wrong. You, we, us, the people shall show the way to the Lord through our compassion, our actions, and by showing our fellow man LOVE.

Not judgment, fire and brimstone and damnation.

When I was a small child, my grandmother, Mary, who was a very devout Catholic forced me to go to Sunday Mass, and in turn was forcing my parents to let me go, even though, they did not particularly practice the faith any longer.

As I grew, she would do the "fire and brimstone" act upon me if I had done something wrong. And would tell me that I had hurt God's heart, and that He would not accept me in to His Kingdom if I didn't stop sinning.

By adulthood, she and I would clash almost on a daily basis while she lived with me and my father after my mother's death, and his remarriage. It had gotten so bad, I finally moved out just to be free of her "saving ways".

Yes, my Grandmother loved me. No denying on that. But, she was more concerned with saving my soul then leading me with a loving heart. Instead of leading me to God and my faith in Him, she forced me to look away and turn my back.

It made her even more angry that I was angry for a long period of my life with Christ, being that He "took my mother from me". I lashed out in many ways, even to the point of cursing God.

One thing I never lost, even though I was spiritually lost, was my love of my fellow man. My faith, love, and acceptance of other how they are had never once wavered.

Today, I am over my "blue period" of having a tug-of-war with my spiritual faith. And I lead others to the Lord not through forceful means. But by telling my story of my life, and all of the blessings within it.

From my birth, where I wasn't expected to live past the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours...All the way up to most recently, my sight being restored and saved, thanks to a miraculously successful Corneal Transplant that was done against all odds to a point of most likely not being successful.

God is love. And we have been made in His image. He shows us love daily. Is it wrong that we should show the same to our fellow brothers and sisters?

Trials, Tribulations, and Test-Taking

This is a subject that I had touched on yesterday in my secondary blog...

Resigning to Fate. 

We all at some point in our lives will have to do this. Some sooner than others. Some in a higher fashion than others. Some with more pain or hurt than others.

So to get the following on FaceBook's application, "God Wants You To Know" this morning, it was even more clear than ever to me.

On this day, God wants you to know...

... that today you have a cause for celebration. Today, you should celebrate what an unbelievable life you have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make you stronger. Just as a gem cannot be polished without friction, nor can a life be perfected without trials. Take a time to acknowledge your life and to praise yourself.

Sit there and really think about this. How does that passage fit in to your life, and the lives of your family.

Personally, I have had many ups and downs. Many trials, that most people would just crawl in to a hole, bury themselves, and never even attempt to crawl out. And this last 'trial' of my strength, courage, faith, and to see how truly blessed I really am was severely put to the test.

Even today, I am dealing with a small...yes SMALL setback in my recovery from Corneal Transplant surgery. I'm just thankful it wasn't worse. Let alone rejection. Which can happen at any given point in my life. 

But I can't let that POSSIBILITY, which at this point has greatly lessened in chance stop me from living. It just means that I have to be vigilant and watch my eye more closely from now on.

No matter what trials and tribulations come your way, you must take it in stride. Those things that you think will make you weak, will in actuality make you a stronger person, and more recognizing of what people and blessings you do have, compared to what you did lose, and might lose.

Believe me, I know all too well what I am talking of. 

Testimony Sunday

(From 'God Wants You To Know' application on FaceBook)

"On this day, God wants you to know...

... that all is well. What could you not accept, if you but knew that everything that happens, all events, past, present, and to come, are gently planned by One Whose only purpose is your good?"
 
 All I could say when I first read this one was a huge "WOW!!". How powerful to me those words are. And they really hit home for me.
 
When I was born, I had birth defects internally. By medical standards, I wasn't supposed to live past my first twenty four to fourty eight hours of life. Then, not more than a month to maybe a year.
 
That was almost thirty three years ago.
 
My mother passed away when I was almost shy of becoming thirteen. That is when the doubting and anger started. Not at her. Not at myself. But at God.
 
He ruined my life. He ruined my plans. He ruined everything for me in that one moment in time. He took my mother and everything ahead I had seen coming. My Prom, graduation, marriage. All the things that a mother is supposed to be there for when her daughter gets to those milestones in her life.
 
For not just months, but for years after, I hated the Lord. I hated Him with a passion for turning on me as He did (in my eyes). What He had done to me was beyond cruel.
 
It wasn't until that final internal battle for my soul, years after my mother's death, between Satan's lies, and the Lord's Truth, both speaking to me, that I had seen the light clearly.
 
When that moment came, and I realized that it was just all a small part in God's huge plan for me, the anger, the resentment, the pain all subsided. In an instant, I felt freer than I had for such a long time. Because I had seen that my mother's death was leading to better things down the road for me.
 
My mother was overly protective. Understandably so, I may say. I guess I would be as well, if my child had the problems I did. But it hendered my childhood, and my overall recovery process.
 
After her death, I was able to get my trach removed, and closed. I went on to have a family of my own (that I was told would not be medically possible), and have recieved a second chance to see with a Corneal Transplant on my left eye on the date of mom's passing (10/29/89).
 
It's hard at times, knowing she is missing the beautiful life that I have. But I also know deep down she sees all of us. And that God is not finished with the bigger plans of my life.
 
Because all the little bumps and twists ARE a small, entrical piece of the bigger picture.

"He who hath not commited sin, shall cast the first stone."

Normally, I am not one to quote Biblical Scripture. But, for some reason, this one happened to pop in to my brain. And ultimately, I felt led to write about this passage. Although, I can't for the life of me remember what Book and verse it stems from.

As a child, I was "forced" in to submission. I had to submit to attending church with my Paternal Grandmother, who was an extremely devout Roman Catholic.

Throughout my childhood, she would quote Scripture to me. Especially when I was being punished. She would tell me that I made God sad and hurt His feelings.

She was also a devout hypocrite. Because many years later, after her death, I had learned of the not-so-Christian-like things that she had in her life's history.

Several divorces. One of her two sons was concieved and ultimately born out of wedlock. And that is to just name a couple of things. In fact I think that the only one that wasn't on her list of "Broken Commandments" was Adultry.

While still alive, she knew of some of my unChristianly partakings of the flesh. And she let me know how in the wrong I was. And for me, yes this DID include Adultry. While I know why I commited that sinful act, no excuse will hold up for my transgression of the flesh.

I'm far from an innocent Christian. I have made many, many mistakes in this lifetime. And I know that there are countless more coming in the years to come.

But I know that my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ will still love me. No matter how much I may hurt His feelings, or may break His heart. And as long as I ask, and truly mean it within my being, I will be forgiven.

This is why I do not judge others. Not for their "sinful acts", such as adultry, lying, stealing. Not even for loving someone else of the same gender.

In my heart, and in my mind, how can I sit in judgement of another human being, when I myself have failed at keeping the Lord's Commandments?

That question would race through my veins every time that my Grandmother would sit in judgement of me and my mistakes. When all along, she herself had her own glass house to throw stones at.

This is why I go by "Remove the plank from thy own eye thus you remove the plank from another's". As well as "He who hath not commited sin, shall cast the first stone". Because I know that my sins, while may not be as big as my neighbor's, are just as great a deal to God, as the neighbor's is.

There is only one true Judge. And I am not it. Nor are you. Only the Lord God can judge. He is my judge, and mine alone in the end.

Christianity...My brand.

What is a "Spiritual" type of Christian? Many ask me when I say that I am a Spiritual-Christian.

Within the definition, via Wikipedia.com, it states,.....

 "Traditionally, the following sects are "spiritual Christians": Molokans, Dukhobors, Khlysts, Skoptsy, and Ikonobortsy (Icon-fighters, "Iconoclasts"). These sects often have radically different notions of "spirituality". Their common denominator is that they sought God in "Spirit and Truth", rather than in the Church of official Orthodoxy or ancient rites of Old Believers. Their saying was "The church is not within logs, but within ribs".







Rejecting the official church, they considered their religious organization as a homogeneous community, without division into laymen and clergy."


Basically, this is how I too see my Christian walk with God. Not within the walls of a building. Not by paying my hard-earned money to an Organized Place Of Worship. And not within the confines of rituals (i.e.- I don't 'pray' for every tiny thing. Like to get the funds to go get the latest fashion).

Also. I have doubts concerning several areas of the Bible. There are too many holes within too many texts. Or one Book states one thing about a particular event or person. But then another Book relating to the same said person or event is totally opposite.

I'm not the kind of Christian (primarily refering to Fundamental Christians here) who are regarded as "Bible Thumpers", "Holy Rollers", "Religious Zealots" or the like.

I'm not one that will pound you over the head with Bible Verses, judge you for the way you decide to live (except for being abusive, alcoholism, or illegal drug use), or judge you for whom you love (bisexual, homosexual, or transgendered lifestyle).

What you do within YOUR life, to me has no bearing on mine. Nor is it truly my business. I have NO place to judge you. Only God Himself can do that.

Yes, I believe in "an eye for an eye". But you must first "remove the plank from your own eye, before removing the plank from another's".

If you can live with my "brand" of Christianity, then we will be just fine. And believe me when I say that there will be more Chirstian-based posts in the future on my blog.

Just give me  time.