F is for Family…Not Really

I heard about an animated series which is on Netflix called, “f is for family.”  One of those recommendations of “you have to see it,” kind of things.  And after seeing a small portion of the first show, I thought the show is a vulgar copycat version of the 70’s television show, “All in The Family.” Except I don’t exactly remember the 70s that way nor the show”All in The Family.”

These days vulgarity means big money.  You don’t have to even be a good story teller or comedian as long as it is disgusting and/or shocking.  How sad.  Why have a good plot when you can blow something up or mutilate people instead? Yes, sometimes when I think we have hit the bottom of the barrel in creativity; something like this show comes along and proves me wrong again.

Have you ever thought about the onslaught of foul language, perverted nudity, and violence we allow to enter our homes each day?  From games, to television shows it is a 24/7 free-for-all competition at who will capture our attention first.  The more we watch or listen to, the more we become accustomed and then the language, scenes, and actions don’t seem so vulgar.  And the more we become accustomed, the more it will take to get our attention next time.

In Luke 6:45 Jesus states, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks”

Basically we are what we say.  So if you speak foul and vulgar language, along with obscene actions well…you are foul, vulgar and obscene.

Also in Matthew 12:36-37 we are told by Jesus, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Isn’t it funny that Satan knows these things too? Not really.  So, by getting us to speak, watch, and listen to vulgarity puts us one step closer to his realm and another step away from God.

Now I know people will make fun of what I have said.  They will say things like, “If I watch f is for family, I am going to hell.” Maybe, maybe not. Thankfully, it is not my decision.  My point is it becomes easier and more widely accepted. Once vulgarity and abuse is more widely accepted within your home, your home and family may become vulgar and abusive.  Is that what you really want for your own children?

So where does the buck stop or should I say the vulgarity?

With us! By stopping the money flow to these shows.  Write letters to the advertisers stating you will no longer purchase products from them, if they support these shows monetarily. And then stop buying their products! Oh, yes…stop watching or participating in these things! Talk to friends, family, and neighbors about how important it is to give our next generation a better start in life.

Something to think about anyway.

God Bless You!

God Bless America!

 

Canada’s Ministry of Education Will Implement A Mandatory Financial Literacy Course

I read an article concerning Canada’s Ministry of Education’s plan to implement a pilot financial literacy course within their system.  They are looking at starting the mandatory program as early as tenth grade.  With their focus highlighting proficient knowledge of budgeting, taxes, and mortgages.

So, I decided to check into the American public school system and our mandatory course requirements for graduation. Even though I did not find a specific, across the board mandatory financial course requirement to graduate public high school, some did have life skills courses. Since these are elective courses, it varied from state to state.

In America, we grasp a student’s need for English, Math, History & Science, but what about their need to survive every day life after high school.  Is this really up to our educational system anyway?  To me, teachers appear to be given more of the parent’s responsibilities without the increase in pay!

You know parents, we can not depend or require our educational system to provide everything for our children.

In the bible we are told about preparing our children for their future in numerous verses.  Not only building their lives on God’s words, but knowing how to apply them to everyday life.

“Train a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Training our children for life is up to us, the parents. And,  I know we always think that we have tomorrow. But we don’t. So here are two questions for you.  Could your children survive if you were gone from their lives tomorrow? Or would they be easy prey for the evil of this world?

Something to think about.

And Canada’s pilot program will be interesting to watch over the next five years.  Of course, we will probably have to wait twenty years before we can measure real change.

Some interesting questions to be answered during the process of the program…

  1. Will the poverty levels change?
  2. Did the finances and the management of finances within the government improve?
  3. Was there more or less bankruptcies?
  4. Did it bring about more innovation within the country?
  5. Did small business numbers go up or down?

I am sure you can think of a few yourself!

Remember preparing your children for life without you, is a gift from you to them which no one can take away.

 

 

God Bless You!

God Bless America!

 

New England Patriots Win Super Bowl

Congratulations to the New England Patriots on winning the Super Bowl! I really thought that the Atlanta Falcons were going to win, but New England managed to pull through in overtime.

I also want to say thank you to Lady Gaga for keeping politics out of the American celebration. And for saying “One Nation Under God.”  Politics and football may divide us  in the sporting arena, but when you get down to what matters most…it is the people of America.  Skin color is only 1/8 of an inch thick on our bodies, the rest is just like everybody else!

We are Americans and we are God’s children.  Maybe a little different from the rest, but in the end we are all equal in death.

So, while you are celebrating the Patriots win, go to oneretailtherapy.com/page14 for special Super Bowl apparel and gifts.

And if you are commiserating the Patriots win, go to oneretailtherapy.com and check out the flash sales and Valentine gifts for sale.  You will feel better afterwards!

God Bless You!

God Bless America!

Super Bowl Predictions!

Being in the Houston, Texas area, I can emphatically state that the city is alive with Super Bowl fever!  And after reading the predictions from the professionals, I deem it will be a great game to watch.  Even if my team is not playing.

I predict tonight they will have the NFL Honors Award Program and that Greg Olsen will win the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.  It is an award given to an NFL player based on their humanitarian work within the community they live.

“When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” Luke 12:48

I also predict that the Falcons will beat the Patriots 31 – 27.  Gotta pull for the southern team.

But the biggest award should go to the fans.  Because it is you who actually support these teams with your attendance to the games, and the products you buy.  And in America, we can not have just a simple sporting event.  You the fans, have found a way to turn it into a charitable day too!

Super Bowl party attendees will donate food and other items, which will be given to their local food banks and shelters.  Boy Scouts will pick up bags of food left by front doors in local neighborhoods, which benefit the local food bank.  The day once known as Super Bowl has begun to be recognized as Souper Bowl!

To me that states volumes of who we are as a country.  Because we are a compassionate country.  And when Super Bowl day is over and a winner declared, Americans will find another avenue to assist their fellow-man until next year.  This is what we do and this is who we are…Americans.

God Bless You!

God Bless America!

God’s Got This Mom!

Being a grandparent myself, I am excited to learn about Jesus’ grandparents from “The Book of Anne!”  It is only logical that if Jesus had human parents, they must have come from somewhere, so Jesus should have grandparents.

Mary’s mother and father, (and Jesus’ grandparents) are Anne and Joachim, successful Galilean farmers.  Anne was Joachim’s second wife and Mary’s mother.  No, he did not have a harem.  Their whole existence revolved around God and His word.  And from the moment you read about them, you instantly know they are a warm, loving couple. Who intentionally raised their own children to know and obey their living God.

After reading about Anne, Joachim, and Mary, I can see why God would choose them for Jesus.  Also, we know why God chose Joseph, because his blood line was royal, Kind David royal.  And Joseph was a good man, who also lived, worked, and played according to the Jewish religion.  Perfect for Mary! God knew this would be the absolute environment for our Savior.

The point at which I have stopped reading, shows Mary and Joseph preparing for their travels to Bethlehem.  Anne has arrived and she is horrified that Mary is planning on going!  The baby is due at any time and she believes this could be dangerous for both Mary and the child.  Mary is calm, and self-assured, and basically tells Anne;

“Gods got this, mom.”

Yes, Anne raised Mary to be certain of God and His promises.  And, Mary is following through with what she has been taught.  I am sure her visits from the angel Gabriel and God keeping her in the loop of things, (so to speak) provided her with a knowing courage.

But I can relate as a grandmother.

I remember before each of our grandchildren were born, I felt a grip of fear.  The main reason was because we parents are told we are to take care of our children.  And I was not in the delivery room to make sure the doctor and nurses were doing the delivery right.  This was my baby girl, who was about to have her own baby and the birth had to be a c-section.

My daughter told us of the fear that washed over her, as her husband went out to tell the families about the change of plans.  She prayed to God and within the very next moment she was filled with peace.  Everything was going to be fine for her and the baby.

“Gods got this, mom.”

Later, we found out that if it had not been for the c-section, our first granddaughter would not have made it.  The cord was dangerously wrapped around her neck.  To go through the birth canal would have strangled her to death.

“Gods got this mom.”

How many times do we tell our children to have unwavering faith in God?  But then yank it away when it concerns us.  I know I do.

If only we could borrow a little of Mary’s courage from time to time and tell ourselves…

“God’s got this!”

God Bless You!

God Bless America!

Push Me, Pull You

Jesus was born into a world of turmoil and struggle between the Roman conquerors and the Jewish leaders.  Having pagans and Jews live as neighbors is a disaster brewing. Especially since the pagans were trying to force their beliefs on the Jewish people. And everything about Jewish life and government revolved around their religious beliefs.

Sounds like the “Push Me, Pull You” of the Dr. Doolittle story.

The Romans made Herod their regional ruler for them over the Jews.  Herod was twenty-six years old, Jewish, and made 1.6 million dollars a year. (1.6 million in our money today.) Except he was a converted Jew, so the Jewish people did not regard him as one of them. Herod could have cared less about the Jewish people and their leaders, his allegiance was to Rome.

I would be interested to see if Herod and King Henry the 8th of England were related.  They both had a gruesome way to end their marriages, so that they could marry another woman. And if killing all those children in hopes he had killed the Messiah were not enough, Herod made sure everyone would mourn when he died.  He told his sister Salome to arrest and put in jail the most important leaders of the Jewish people.  And when the news came that he had died, they were all to be killed.

So, in the middle of this demented push me, pull you type of existence, a baby was born. Not an ordinary baby either, but our Messiah Jesus Christ!

You see, what Herod did not understand was that God does not work within our human parameters.  He is bigger than everything in the universe.  Human planning will never, ever supersede God’s plans.

Even in today’s push me, pull you world; God is still here.  You hear about the middle east turmoil, and the violence throughout the world…God is still here.  Your day has been one push and pull away from sending you over the edge…God is still here.

If God can send a baby, in the middle of the vile evil which had a grip on Jerusalem,  to be our Messiah.  Don’t you think God can handle what is going on in the world and our lives today? We just have to ask Him and then we have to allow Him to take over!

Give the “Push Me, Pull You” back to Dr. Doolittle and give your life to God!

God Bless You!

God Bless America!

Everything is Good!

I want to apologize because I had stated that I would start my new journey, Jesus as a child, right after January 1, and I am a little delayed.  We, my husband, my self, and our youngest son, decided at the end of 2016 to sell our house and downsize.  Simplify our lives so that we would be able to pursue our passions, spend more time together and enjoy life each day to the fullest.

Well, we began the new year, 2017, with our house being sold. Then came the whirlwind of inspections, appraisers, contracts…blah, blah, blah, and back and forth. Who knew selling a house was so much fun?  And to make life a little more interesting, we decided to trust God for our next home.  Now remember everything happens in God’s timing not ours.

So, with God, we did finally find a home… this past weekend.  The best part was that the house felt like home and I have a prayer closet!  Sometimes waiting on God can be so tough, especially for me.  My husband will say to me, “Now you gave it to God, don’t take it back from Him.”  I like the orderly, scheduled existence; but that is truly not living life the way God meant for us to live…always depending on Him.

Note: During this time my son and myself became sick with a virus they thought. But now it might be sinuses instead. Oh brother! ( I am rolling my eyes.)

While all of this hurry up, chaotic scrambling has been going on,  the bible verse Romans 8:28 flashes in my mind.

“All things work together for good to those who love God, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Except I still have an uneasiness about God’s plan for us, because you know God has a sense of humor!  Why else would there be a seven-day lapse between the closings? And if you have ever read your bible then you know 7 days and 40 days can be life changing events.

Or could God just be having a little fun with me? (I am trying to convince myself here.) Because of the lapse between closings, we will be living in a camper with three dogs ages 16,15, and 5; and a 10-year-old cat.  Or maybe this is just a new-age stress test and your turn is next.  What am I worried about any way?

I have watched Tiny House Nation and seen animals and owners co-existing in a very pleasant manner.  At least when the cameras are there and aimed at them. But… our cat is set in his ways.  He insists on doing his business in a hole in the ground outside.  No litter box for this cat.  The one time we boarded him, it was a disaster, because he would not use the box.  He held it in. They finally had to put a leash on him and walk him outside.

Just keep repeating…

“All things work together for good to those who love God, who have been called according to His purpose.”

“All things work together for good to those who love God, who have been called according to His purpose.”

At least I will have some interesting, if not hilarious stories to share with you. So, please be patient with me! We will start our journey concerning Jesus’ childhood soon.

 

God Bless You!

God Bless America!

 

The Child Called Jesus

Well, my books have finally arrived concerning Jesus’ childhood.  They are… Daily Life at the time of Jesus by Miriam Feinberg Vamosh, and The Book of Anne, The Story of the Childhood of Jesus as told by His Grandmother, by Sandy Martin Ericson.

When we think of Jesus, He is either a baby or an adult.  But what happened in the middle of His life?  The growing years when how we live and what we go through, develops who we are in life.  And what about the family God choose Jesus to be a part of and why? How did all of it influence Jesus, or did it?

Maybe I will find these answers.

But before I begin, I want to explain why I chose these two books. First is The Book of Anne.  The author, Sandy Martin Ericson, and her prologue had me hooked. Because when I read her prologue, I immediately knew this was a book all Christians should read sometime during their lifetime walk with Jesus.

The Book of Anne Prologue

by

Sandy Martin Ericson

Historians tell us the father of Mary was a successful Galilean farmer named Joachim.  Most first century farmers lived in villages and worked small, nearby pieces of land.  Like the farmer in the “Parable of the Prodigal Son,” Joachim is thought to have owned large fields in a fertile valley in the Nazarean hills.  Many parables spoken by Jesus were agricultural in nature. It is reasonable to presume he spent time amid the wheat and sheep.

Scripture tells us the holy family journeyed from exile in Egypt to Galilee, rather than returning to Judea.

This story is of the life of Jesus during his childhood years and of his family and the people around him.  It is a combination of history, geography, tradition, myth and imagination.

This then is how it might have been. Turn the page and imagine with me.

Wow, I hope you buy her book or download it on your Kindle! I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Now the other book, Daily Life at the time of Jesus by Miriam Feinberg Vamosh.  This is more of a cut and dried explanation with historical data and archeological facts.  But the way it is presented with pictures and little interesting facts; like Herod earned 1.6 million dollars a year, keeps the boredom away.  She also brings into play politics and the clash of cultures and religions, to help us realize the dynamics that were stewing in the background.

Once again, I don’t think you will be disappointed if you purchased this book also.

So with both of these books in hand, I will embark on knowing Jesus and his childhood.  Which, if possible, will probably make me love Him even more!

God Bless You!

And God Bless America!

Not The Normal

If you are like me, and prefer to start getting birthday and Christmas presents when the sales are the very best, then look no farther than my next recommendation.

These are not the ordinary gifts or the extraordinary gifts kids ask for, but they would if they knew about them!  The best part is that they are educational and make learning science way too much fun.  And Steve is having his year end blow out sales!

Now what could be better?

I put three links to some of the items that will give you the greatest discounts, to your left on my page.

 

God Bless You!

And God Bless America!