Name Dropper

Have you ever been to a function or at a gathering of people, where there has been a lot of name dropping.   I have even found myself doing this from time to time, although my experience with important or famous people has been very limited and second hand, so I'm not sure if they count.  

I've told many people about our librarian in Canton, Connecticut.  She was the younger sister of Kathryn Hepburn.  I never met Kathryn, but when you were in the library and  heard Peg speaking, you could almost imagine that Kathryn was right there beyond the books in the next row.  Also, while living in  Tampa, Florida, our son played Little League baseball with a boy whose uncle was Wade Boggs of the New York Yankees.  I never had the opportunity to meet Wade even though he came to the park a few times, but that didn't seem to matter, because I knew his nephew.

Then it hit me, I do know someone who is more famous then either of the 2 people I mentioned above. His name is Jesus.  There is no other name like Jesus.  It's by His name, people are healed and saved and through Him, they can live abundant lives.  Although His life was brief here on earth,  He lived all of his days without sin.  He was condemned and hung on a cross to die.  On that cross, all the sin of the world, (past, present & future) was placed on Him.  He died but conquered death and rose from the grave after 3 days.  My paraphrase of John 3:16 is "God love all the people in the world so much, that He sent His only son to die and pay the penalty for our sin, and if we believe this, we will have everlasting life with the King of Kings."   I do know Jesus personally and each day I stand in awe at the Greatness of God.   My hope is as I share stories in this blog of who Jesus is to me and how He has changed my life, that His Name  will have an affect on others for generations to come.  

My Worldview

Below is a definition of worldview:

world·view

1. The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.

2. A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or a group

There was a quote in a recent article that I read, written by Brussels professor, Francis Heylighen.  He said, "What we need is a framework that ties everything together, that allows us to understand society, the world, and our place in it, and that could help us to make the critical decisions which will shape our future". 

I believe this has already been given to us. 

 IN THE BEGINNING GOD.....

Scrambled Eggs

Have you ever cracked an egg into a frying pan and when left to cook, it turns into a really nice looking sunny side up egg?  The yoke would stand out like a bull's eye surrounded by a smooth white surface.  Isn't this how we would like our life plan to be?  Many of us have had times in our life when this seems to be the case.  We are feeling like we know the plans and purpose for our life.  Easy street!

But sometimes, I have cracked that egg into the pan and it breaks, so I scramble it around and the finished product comes out looking like a lot of peaks and valleys.  When a crisis hits,  our lives become a lot like scrambled eggs.  We have all had times in our life when we can't see where we are headed or how we are going to survive.

I once heard a quote, "YOU CAN'T CRAM FOR A CRISIS".  So how are we to we get by?  How do we survive?  Sometimes the circumstances are so overwhelming that we don't know how we are going to continue.  We were given a textbook that will speak to anything we are going through.  Read it, study it, and meditate upon it.  It will lead us to a relationship with Jesus and it is through Him, we have promise after promise of how to do life.

This is a song that I learned when I was little,


 


but many of you may relate to this a little more.



When we are at our lowest point, God will offer truth, strength and encouragement for all who put their trust in Him.  Let me give you a few examples....




MAN/WOMAN: "It's impossible"
GOD: All things are possible (Luke18:27)
MAN/WOMAN: "I'm too tired"
GOD: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)


MAN/WOMAN : "Nobody really loves me"
GOD: I love you (John 2: 16 & John 13:34)


MAN/WOMAN: "I can't go on"
GOD: My Grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)


MAN/WOMAN: "I can't figure things out"
GOD: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3: 5-6)


MAN/WOMAN: "I can't do it"
GOD: You can do all things (Phillipians 4:13)


MAN/WOMAN : "I'm not able"
GOD: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)


MAN/WOMAN: "It's not worth it"
GOD: It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)


MAN/WOMAN : "I can't forgive myself"
GOD: I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)


MAN/WOMAN: "I can't manage"
GOD: I will supply all your needs (Phillipians 4:19)


MAN/WOMAN: "I'm afraid"
GOD: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)


MAN/WOMAN: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
GOD: Cast all your cares on me (I Peter 5:7)


MAN/WOMAN: "I don't have enough faith"
GOD: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)


MAN/WOMAN: "I'm not smart enough"
GOD: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)


MAN/WOMAN: "I feel all alone"
God: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

Betrayal

Have you ever felt betrayed?

The above Larry King show was filmed in May, but I only watched it a few days ago.  I'm shocked that we had a president in office for 8 years and I did not know his wife's view on abortion or gay marriages.  This may be negligence on my part for not doing more research.  But I don't ever recall the former first lady being so matter of fact on these issues before now.  She's not who I thought she was.  I feel like I was lied to.

How many people do you hang out or work with but don't know where they stand on these important topics?  Are they important to you?  

I for one will take a stand and tell you what I support and believe:  I do not believe abortion should be performed on a woman in any trimester of her pregnancy nor for chromosome defects.and I believe marriage should be between one man and one woman.

I know women who I care deeply for,  who have had abortions and are acquainted with quite a few gays.  I am not out to judge or bash anyone.   Quite the opposite.  I will love, befriend and pray for them, but I will not be a fence sitter or an unspoken voice for what I believe in.