Darn If You Do, Darn If You Don't

Brad and I unsuspectingly picked out "The Kite Runner" to watch last night. I heard that it is what good and showed what life is like in Afghanistan. I was in no way ready for what I saw. The movie is about the life of two boys and what their life is like living there. I must say, the movie left me in all sorts of emotions: scared, shocked, angered, heartbroken, every emotion that I have, I think I felt it during this movie. Warning, there are scenes you will never forget. I am pretty sure we should not forget. It shows what the Taliban did to their country when they took over. It shows how awful humanity can be without God. It clearly pictures why the Taliban needs to be stopped. In part of the commentary the director talks about how we as outsiders did nothing to help Afghanistan people when they were invaded by the Soviets and how the world watched as the Taliban took over and destroyed their country. I just have to say one thing, "Darn if you do, and darn if you don't!" When we as Americans come in and help, people scream that we are trying to take over the world and to stay out of their business. When no one helps, the world screams that we sat by and watched an injustice happen. How irritating is that! We are needed to stop the hideous crimes that happen in that country and many more due to Taliban rule. There are children who are homeless, raped, and left for dead on a daily basis, I'll tell you what - that is worth fighting for. There was this one scene when they stoned two people for adultery saying that the Bible says to do this. I think I recall Jesus saying, "You who are sinless, throw the first stone." People getting stoned in the name of "god" is worth fighting for. 

Boy, did that movie stir up a hornets nest. We can't just act like this isn't going on because we live her in America and we are tired of the war. This a real and powerful enemy we face. It is time to do something about it and stop fussing over why we are there, when we leave, blah, blah, blah. Remember the line from "A Few Good Men" the soldier says, "we were supposed to fight for those who couldn't fight for themselves." That is what we are to do. 

James 1: 27 says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after the orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Overachieving Parents!

This picture is the definition of an overachieving parent. These cars were for a movie night last year for Awana. My friend called me yesterday and was telling me the long list of things she had to accomplish this week. One item on her list was to make cars for movie night for Awana. I was thinking that shouldn't be too hard, just get a cardboard box and draw some wheels. Then she preceded to tell me that her cars last year were "speciality cars." How can one just send their kids in a cardboard box this year when last year they had these cars pictured above. I told her that she had  broken the number one parenting rule. Never start big. Start slow and small and work your way up each year. Then your kids don't suffer disappointment and you don't feel the pressure of having to outdo yourself each year. By the way, these are the best cars I have ever seen, how would one even begin to top that? I have no idea. I can't wait to see their pictures from this year. I will keep you updated. 

We do this don't we? In our spiritual life we get excited and become spiritual overachievers only to soon burn out. We work and work and strive and strive and never really grasp the fact that spiritual maturity takes time and the Spirit working through us. Yes, it is work but His work. We labor and toil but don't stop and worship the King. Working is easy for me, I am what you would call a spiritual overachiever. I have learned my lesson (have to relearn sometimes). I need to let God's work sink in and change me and not just know bunches of facts and information but to KNOW OUR GOD. We have got to know Him. To know someone intimately takes time, undivided attention, and history. You build on your history together step by step. It is a marathon, not a race. 

Take time today to build your relationship with Him, to KNOW Him. Let's not be  spiritual overachievers who burn out quickly, let's be one's who endure over time and build our relationship with him. Step by step, verse by verse, prayer time by prayer time, trial upon trial, joy upon joy, day by day spend time with our Most High God. 

Must Read

I read this tonight and laughed my head off. Y'all have to read. This story is from our old pastor in college. He is talking about his parents and their marriage. It is great. It is called, "The Rolling Pin is Mightier then the Sword." 

http://www.elitton.blogspot.com/ 

Enjoy! 

Radio Play

Brad and the band are finally on the radio. Listen to 90.5 KTLF in Colorado Springs. Call them and let them know that you LOVE hearing their songs on the radio. On Tuesday, Brad will be in the studio and they will interview him and he will play some songs live. Call in and tell them you LOVE it!. (Are you getting the hint, we need your help!) 

Please call or e-mail 719-593-0600 or lcar@ktlf.org

Come To Me All Who Are Weary

I just woke up from a glorious nap. I have finally arrived to a great stage in parenting. The stage that I can tell my kids that I am going to take a nap and no one is to disturb me unless they are hurt or bleeding. It was wonderful. I was only woken up once by my youngest to help him in the bathroom but miraculously, I feel back asleep. I am not one who usually naps in the afternoon because it is hard for me to get to sleep at night normally, much less with a nap in the afternoon. 

But today, I took a good hour and a half nap. Oh, glorious day! Our oldest had a football game and had to be there at 8:15 am. On a SATURDAY! Needless to say, after a very long week and early football game. I was weary and tired and just a bit grumpy. I knew we had church tonight and needed to be refreshed. I had my nap and woke up ready to head to church. However, once we got ready Drew said he was not feeling good and I took his temperature and of course, he had a fever. No church for me tonight. I was so looking forward to a night of spiritual renewal. 

Guess I will be have my own spiritual renewal here. Drew and I are eating popcorn and watching "Facing the Giants" which is sure to inspire us live differently. I keep thinking of the verses that Jesus says, "Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." 

I know that Jesus plan and promise is that when we come to him, he will give us rest. We must come to him for the rest. We are to take his yoke and I am thinking that means that we are to do what only He wants us to do. I think we are so weary is because first, we aren't coming to Him and second, we are adding things to our days and schedules that He never asked us too. 

I am starting this week to begin my day saying, "Lord, you order my steps today. I only want to do what you would have me to do, nothing more and nothing less."  

This afternoon, I thank him for a good nap and a night of rest to hang out with my boys and watch movies and popcorn by the fire.