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Print The title of my blog, updated to reflect my opinions on this journey of life, may not be everyone’s preference and is as varied as the number of teas and spices in the world. Some people may prefer coffee or another beverage. However, for others my thoughts may be deliciously soothing, “just what the doctor ordered,” and right on target. I recommend the house blend! Earthly Gains, Fear of Hell? Fear of Hell makes us Richer caught my eye as I perused the money section of MSN. I am the family CFO, and try to stay aware of ways to improve our finances. I thought this would be a no-brainer for us. Instead it made me think. Does belief in hell help us have more money because we believe in consequences to our actions and thus conduct our businesses with more integrity? Do other social factors contribute? Do those who believe in hell also believe in stricter economy with their money in the example of tithes, offerings, and (sometimes) charity? I can think of some strongly “religious” countries that are probably some of the poorest in the world. Would we say then that their religion is corrupt or their belief system tarnished? (Probably yes, but work with me.) Or is this simply another packaged form of prejudice? “We’re better than you are because our belief in God is purer, our belief in hell stronger, and you’re an ignorant savage.” It would be interesting to see this study done in all the nations of the world, not just a select few. After all, doing a study on the U.S., European nations, Japan, and Turkey seems a little biased and a good way to skew results. DNC a Snoozer I wouldn’t have believed it, except Dan Rather told me so. Oh that’s right, I didn’t need him to tell me either. Same showboating, with the same tired rants, and botox slackened faces. (Not to mention who was vying for the father that had the most menial job award. “My dad was a mill worker”, etc.) The only fun I had with it was seeing what the commentators would say and even that was predictable. Yawn. The only one even the pundits thought was interesting is Barack Obama, and that’s probably because he was a fresh face in the sea of blah predictability. (That screechy annoying red-haired child does not count!) I know this is part of the election process, but I think that these big overblown grandstanding operations aren’t interesting to the “common man”. No matter what side of the aisle you cast your vote from. Instead of politics, it felt more like an awards ceremony. With the same schmoozing and endless lists of supporters and half baked political statements. It’s amazing to me how some people think that because they are important to themselves, they are important to the world. My Wanderings “Not all who wander are lost” stated the bumper sticker on a little car I passed yesterday. I chuckled, especially when I noticed that the driver looked a little “grungy”, a little wild, and a lot like someone who wanders for a living. How fitting for him. And for me. I think of all the times that my husband and I have gone on “wandering trips” keeping certain landmarks in mind in case we did get lost. Usually it was towards a general destination, but with a laid-back attitude in getting there. However, someone spotting us moseying our way from point A down to point M then up to B may question whether or not we were lost (or had simply lost our minds). Yet, it’s on some of those “mosey” wandering journeys that we’ve seen some of the most beautiful scenery, or enjoyed a treasure of a road that led into a quaint little town with charm and appeal, and had some beautifully intimate talks and understanding of each other. It’s also been in my walk with God where I’ve stopped being so driven to be the best Christian, or focused on getting to my destinations (wherever they may lead) that I’ve had some of the most wonderfully intimate moments with Him. I’ve found roads less traveled that led me to amazing destinations and beautiful insights to His character. Sometimes a road that I thought I was just taking to mosey on was the best and shortest route to a destination I’d needed to find or get to. Physically, and spiritually. I may, to outsiders, look like I’m a little lost. But often my wandering leads to where I need to be. And in the end, I realize it’s always been the right road for me. Opinionated Women Ah finally, someone understands! I enjoy opinionated women. I would have to dislike myself if I didn’t. However, I cannot abide those who assume (or demand) that because they have the spouse they do, that they have the same voice or right to speak as those who have gotten where they are by their own merit. It’s similar to a person born in wealth telling a pauper that they know the struggle of being poor. It’s irritating. And meaningless. Serenity Prayer I attend a 12-step program and go because I found out recently that my father almost died from alcoholism. Even though we didn’t have much contact while I was growing up, there is still a connection. I wanted to help him and I realized that I wasn’t as able to deal with this issue as I thought (for him or me). Growing up in the church equipped me in many ways to deal with life, especially in prayer and reliance on God. However, I knew that all my years of “church” hadn’t prepared me for my father’s situation and I desperately needed some assistance. So I enlisted the help of “outside” resources. At the beginning of every meeting, a portion of the serenity prayer is read which is the most common part of the prayer. (“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”) However, there is more to the prayer that I was just informed about.
The serenity prayer further says, “Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking as He did this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it. Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen.” That’s a lot to think about and reminds me that God is walking this road with me. He will help me and give me strength as well as guide me on it. “For to me to live is Christ…” (Philippians 1:21).
ninetyandnine.com © 2004, ninetyandnine.com and this anonymous blogger ---------- |
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