Followup to last posted video.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Why I Will No Longer Support Girl Scouts - Catholic Online
Read this article PLEASE:
Opinion: Why I Will No Longer Support Girl Scouts - Catholic Online
I completely side with this opinion.
HT: Allison on FB
Opinion: Why I Will No Longer Support Girl Scouts - Catholic Online
I completely side with this opinion.
HT: Allison on FB
Sunday, February 28, 2010
The Ultimate Gift
Tonight I watched an incredible movie. It’s up there with Fireproof, The Guardian, Pay It Forward, and other inspiring movies. It’s The Ultimate Gift. I’d give it the full 5 Star rating if not higher.
I urge you to watch it with your whole family, and when you’re done – visit www.TheUltimateGift.com for information on how you can share The Ultimate Gift with those you love.
It’s worth every minute of your time. I promise.
This is a perfect movie for our times, when many people are more concerned with their finances than with their family. When teens and young adults are discovering that the life they know could be taken a way in a moment – when there parents lose a job, when someone they love dies, when their best friend commits suicide, when they have to chose between rent and food. Hopefully for many, this movie will put life back into perspective. Perhaps it will put a desire to live back in their hearts. Or just maybe it will inspire someone to dream bigger. I hope that for many. I hope that for you.
Watch this movie, then let me know in a comment how you want to share The Ultimate Gift with others.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Bin there?
I've taken a lot of time off from blogging, because I have found that the more I blog and read blogs, the more I get backed up on IRL things. I start to feel guilty about all the things I'm not doing. "The internet has a way of sucking the life out of life!"
Have you ever had a bad habit that you just couldn't shake? Well, that is what I'm working on this Lenten season. Shaking off the bad habits. Pulling out all the stops that are blocking my successes. Tackling the things that have been swept under the rug. You get the picture.
My family brought out a Sacrifice Bin this year. We all added something we wanted to give up for the 40 days of Lent. My oldest daughter put in her mp3 player, which she needs to learn their is a time and place for wearing it. My oldest son not realizing what was going on put in his favorite and largest John Deere toy tractor. He is learning that each toy needs to be treated with respect and we should be grateful for all the toys we have. My younger daugter, only 2, took her Tinkerbell musical toy and nonshalauntly put it in the bin. This is a toy she would turn on its "memorable" tune every morning to let us know she was awake. So yes, a blessing for the rest of us.
Of course, now it was Mommy's turn. After many laps around the house, I decided to put in a sealed envelope every credit card I had. No more extra spending during Lent. If you know me, you know this is HUGE of me to do. Each year too much money is put on those cards instead of purchasing with what we have. This has proven to be very effective, since I have been tempted to make many online orders since then - with the realization I had no CC number to enter at the checkout.
I keep telling myself that I will nudge my bad habits out of the way, one at a time - because that is all I can seem to handle. Many years ago it began with stopping my nail biting, which my little girl seems to enjoy doing. Years later I worked on not smothering my husband with PDA (public displays of affection). He has since tried to be more attentive to my clingy nature, or as my high school friends called me "Klingon." Yep, my Dad is proud, I'm officially a science fiction character.
So now I'm working on keeping bad food out of my mouth and my credit cards safe in my wallet for emergencies only. As God as my witness, I will get there. It's just a matter of when. As far as the "how," I think I'll keep that bin on hand for more than just 40 days.
Now here's the funny part:
My husband decided (upon our insitance) that he will "Throw in the Towel" this Lent. He has been a dream guy for me, taking care of the laundry, dishes, washing floors and toilets, and more. Now he's working 10 hour nights and with our baby reaching almost 8 months old, I am ready to take on the tasks he's been doing for me. So HE IS NOT ALLOWED to do any of these chores for 40 days. So far, not so good. That stinker is making up excuses and cleaning anyways! He just can't help himself. He says, "Oh, I was looking for my pants at the bottom of the laundry basket, so I just put the rest away as long as I was digging through." My daughter reprimanded him for doing dishes just yesterday. The nerve of the guy - how dare he be so nice! :) I love him to pieces, and it makes me want to take over the chores even more. Luckily the kids are old enough that they are being taught how to help with it all.
Sacrifice Bin idea found here:
http://catholicicing.blogspot.com/2010/02/lenten-sacrifice-ideas-and-activities.html
Have you ever had a bad habit that you just couldn't shake? Well, that is what I'm working on this Lenten season. Shaking off the bad habits. Pulling out all the stops that are blocking my successes. Tackling the things that have been swept under the rug. You get the picture.
Of course, now it was Mommy's turn. After many laps around the house, I decided to put in a sealed envelope every credit card I had. No more extra spending during Lent. If you know me, you know this is HUGE of me to do. Each year too much money is put on those cards instead of purchasing with what we have. This has proven to be very effective, since I have been tempted to make many online orders since then - with the realization I had no CC number to enter at the checkout.
I keep telling myself that I will nudge my bad habits out of the way, one at a time - because that is all I can seem to handle. Many years ago it began with stopping my nail biting, which my little girl seems to enjoy doing. Years later I worked on not smothering my husband with PDA (public displays of affection). He has since tried to be more attentive to my clingy nature, or as my high school friends called me "Klingon." Yep, my Dad is proud, I'm officially a science fiction character.
So now I'm working on keeping bad food out of my mouth and my credit cards safe in my wallet for emergencies only. As God as my witness, I will get there. It's just a matter of when. As far as the "how," I think I'll keep that bin on hand for more than just 40 days.
What bad habit will you toss in the bin???
Now here's the funny part:
Sacrifice Bin idea found here:
http://catholicicing.blogspot.com/2010/02/lenten-sacrifice-ideas-and-activities.html
Saturday, February 6, 2010
America Rising: An Open Letter to Democrat Politicians
While I did not vote for any Democrat, since I am a Conservative voter... I do agree with this powerful, well-created video.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Christians and Soap Operas?
"We are no longer able to
hear God. There are too
many different frequencies
filling our ears."
- Pope Benedict XVI
I once got sucked into NBC's daytime soaps and I was amazed at how it seemed to rule my life. I HAD to see it or tape it for later. I had nightmares that my husband was cheating on me. I was very irritable on a regular basis. When the TV was off for a week, I noticed a significant change in my behavior and dreams - and so did my husband.
Years later I still notice people's addiction to such shows. I worry about their life choices, mentality, behaviors. I was reminded of this often at the local clinic, until surprise surprise - it is now against the rules to have soaps on tv in the local clinic waiting rooms. I am certainly glad for everyone's sake.
So here are some wonderful articles I found regarding this matter. Of course some families say why stop at soaps - just keep the TV off. Well, that's not such a bad idea some days - except for my daily dose of Fox News! : )
"With only One Life to Live,
I didn't want to spend mine in front of the TV."
Should Christians watch television soap operas?
First, let’s read a few verses from the Apostle Paul that describe such programs in exquisite detail:
“Now the WORKS OF THE FLESH are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).
No one who claims to be Christian would admit that the way of life portrayed by soap operas is one they should follow. Pointless adultery, fornication, hatred, deceit and murder permeate each episode. Such “works of the flesh” are even lamented by some television critics—and these are people who often make NO claim to follow Christ!
Of course, it is wrong to physically take part in such acts as Paul described. But Matthew 5:27-28 warns that we must not take part in them mentally by watching them take place! Soap operas and other such shows are of ZERO value to the spiritually-minded Christian.
God wants us to live abundant lives: “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers” (III John 2). There is no way in which we can prosper by watching soap operas. They will not help you “grow in grace and in knowledge,” as the Apostle Peter admonished (II Pet. 3:18).
Of course, the guidelines applying to soap operas apply to all forms of entertainment. A Christian must exercise wisdom and discretion when making such choices. Activities such as playing music, exercising, reading a book, painting a landscape or gardening are all excellent and constructive substitutes for television and movies filled with violence, fantasy and nudity.
If watching television, carefully avoid programming containing the “works of the flesh” Paul warned about. Remember that those who practice them will not be in God’s kingdom!
Click here to read:
… “It is unfortunate that TV viewers who become addicted to soap operas are often sucked in after watching only two shows. TV viewers are lured back by the need to satisfy their innate curiosity, desire to "root" for their favorite character and a strong sense of loyalty. The story itself with its ability to continue from day to day can connect to the viewing audience because as in real life, our stories do not end after one single day, but continue on and on.
The continuing story of the soap opera creates an addictive and obsessive emotional reaction in the viewing audience. These addictions can destroy marriages and relationships, interfere with work performance and interfere with the living of a normal life. Soap opera addicts will do anything to get their daily "fix" of soap opera viewing.
Soap opera addicted audiences become obsessed with soap operas after being constantly exposed to divorce, unplanned pregnancies, affairs, weird nuns and rich playboys on a daily basis. This is worse than any known narcotic. These people are getting high by watching soap operas.”
Soap Operas and the Heart
by Sarah Brown
"Many Christians believe that as long as they aren’t the ones active in the sin, they aren’t sinning. But watching soap operas and other immoral shows or movies can be committing sin in our hearts. In Matthew 5:27–30, Jesus talks about not only committing adultery, but having lustful thoughts in one’s heart, and explains that it is a sin. Also, by allowing ourselves to view the act of sin (real or fiction), we are making ourselves vulnerable to the present sin, which could have long-term consequences." (Click here to read more)
BOOKS AVAILABLE:
A Christian's Look at Daytime Soap Operas by Tyrone Short
Religion and Prime Time Television
More book suggestions from Google
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Does God Exist?
Thanks mom for sharing this with me! It goes well with my review of the newer documentary
"Expelled: No Intellegence Allowed" starring Ben Stein.
This documentary was an incredible insight on the foregoing exclusion among scientists of the possibility of an Intellegent Designer (God) and the expulsion of those who step up and question Darwinism. This is not about Creationist theory (biblical relations in scientific discovery), rather being able to recognize that there is most likely an Intellegent Designer of all Creation in an unreligious manner. A scientific explanation of the beginning to all things known. And failure to recognize that several Darwin Theories are lacking evidence crucial to making it be known as factual. Darwin excluded how things began, begins his theories after the first cell was formed, and had no access to moden technologies which would most likely blow his mind and theory if he was alive today.
My mind was constantly intrigued by this documentary, especially its comparision of our culture today and the time of the Holocaust. That years later we are still being subjected to un-natural selection through abortion, euthenasia and degraded care of the poor and disabled. To think that this is being thrust upon us by a collaboration of powerful, atheistic scientists and government officials. Whoa.
What an eye opener! Highly recommended that you view this documentary.
PS - on the DVD is a trailer for "An American Carol." A must see comedy I plan to rent and review soon.
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