Honk

Two things:

1. I wish the AZ GOP would make these so that my donation would go to them.
2. I kind of wish it said "Honk if I'm paying your mortgage."

Steps to Contentment

I got these from BSF. These steps were put into practice by a missionary's wife in Africa. She and the other wives were struggling with complaining and contentment, so they committed to practicing these simple ideas.

1. No complaints-even about the weather. (Oh this will be tough come August.)
2. No fantasies. The idea here is that God has you where you are (or who you're with) for a reason. To wish otherwise is a rejection of his provision.
3. No comparisons.
4. No "if only" statements or thoughts.
5. No "what if"'s about the future. This is worry.

I find these to be so profound; seemingly simple and direct, but I know they will change forever one's outlook.

I tend to struggle with contentment and envy. I am so grateful for a practical way to combat those horrendous thoughts that tend to go through my mind.

We learned yesterday about Miriam and her jealousy towards Moses. (Numbers 12) She spoke against Moses to her other brother Aaron about marrying a non-Jew (which was not forbidden in this case) and also questioned why Moses was so special. Her complaints prompted the Lord to summon Miriam and Aaron and defend Moses, who was not just any prophet but spoke with the Lord "face to face".

The Lord defended Moses, not only because of his closeness with the Lord, but because He had put Moses in charge. We should conclude that God takes very seriously when we complain about the leadership, federal, pastoral, etc.

(Good thing I don't struggle with that! Okay, just kidding...)

But in any case, Miriam was struck with leprosy and would have had to have been cut off from the Israelites forever if Moses had not interceded for her.

The other thing we can conclude is that jealousy is repulsive to the Lord. So disgusting and contagious that it must be confined outside of the community. This is the mental picture I hope to always have when a jealous thought comes into my mind.

The Oscars (or Ugh-Sean Penn)

So, I watched bits of the Oscars this last Sunday night. I like Hugh Jackman, I love fashion and I enjoy seeing what everyone wears, and I also like to see the winners.

That is, unless, they decide to start giving social lectures during their acceptance speech. For some reason watching self-serving hypocrites lecture me about certain marriage referendums or war fills me with such indescribable rage that I practically take out my bedroom T.V. with flying objects.



It's not a bad speech, until he starts talking about the shame we should anticipate in voting for the ban on gay marriage. UGH!

Stick to the movies, Penn.

In Defense of the Octomom

The public outcry in regards to the Octomom is, and should be for all of us moms, disheartening. I'm not about to try and give defense to her actions directly, but the way she has been treated is disconcerting.

Who is the world to say when a woman should have children? I don't think she made the best decision, but it was hers to make. Not the public's. Not Hollywood's. Not the Media's. The only person who has anything to say about this is God. For it is through Him that we are able to share in the miracle of co-creation. He commands those of us who are married to be fruitful and multiply, the only limitation is whether or not we physically can have children. The problem is that the world has determined that only those who are financially able should have children. Well, that's not what the Bible says, is it? We should all pay attention when social pressures go against the Word. This should cause us Christians to stand up and defend what the Word says about married couples bearing children.

As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.” - Genesis 9:7

Furthermore, bearing children is an amazing blessing, unlike any other in this lifetime. While money is tight, at least in our family, God has given blessing upon blessing. I believe that it is when we are stretched, financially and physically, that we are able to fully understand the strength of God. And those encounters leave me changed, humbled, grateful. God has promised:

They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them. - Isaiah 65:23

This is God's truth about bearing children. He will provide. He will protect.

The world doesn't care about the souls of the Ocotmom's children. They care about whether or not those children will be a drain on our "precious" resources, or if the mom can "afford" to raise them, or have a "big enough" house. Those things pale in comparison to the responsibility of raising loving, responsible, and independent persons. The important values don't cost a dime to teach.

Let me be clear. I think children should be raised in a two parent (husband and wife) household, as God has designed it. I don't think the Octomom exercised wisdom when she went for the in vitro procedure.

But I don't think she's deserves the world's contempt.



*I have attempted to not come across as judgmental to those of my readers who've decided not to have children. This was not my intention. I believe what the Bible says, however, and I take it seriously. The Word has a funny habit of stepping on toes, doesn't it?

Rick Santelli is My New Hero

Have you heard this? Rick Santelli is a Business Analyst for CNBC and he went off on the President's Porkulous Bill. It's Awesome.

And yes, I think we should be organizing a Tea Party for Phoenix. What the bureaucrats in Washington are doing to capitalism is horrendous. And we should all be very nervous.

New Job

Oh, yes please.