I might ruffle a few feathers......but I'm speaking from my heart.....

I am a Christian. A lot of people may not believe me; even question me on it, so I’ve decided to take the time to blog about it. Why? Because I can and that is reason enough. See, I think that a lot of people today frown on Christianity. Not because they don’t believe in God, not because they don’t want to someday go to Heaven. I think it may have to do with the hypocrisy and negativity that many (what I call extremists) self-proclaimed “Christians” have spawned into our society today. Our media shows these extremists picketing abortion clinics, carrying signs with mean slogans, screaming at woman as they walk by and some even going as far as to throw things (and lets not forget blowing up a clinic)……..and they say they are doing this in the name of God. Really? How about the so-called “Christians” standing outside a gay rights rally carrying signs that read “God Hates Fags” or “Gays will burn in Hell”. Again, I say “really”? I’m not sure what “God” they are referring to, but my God doesn’t hate anyone! My God would not condone anyone hurting (physically or verbally) another human being in his name! My God says not to Judge!
So, here is my take on the two most controversial subjects related to Christianity today. First Abortion, let me say that I am Anti-Abortion, but pro-choice. How can that be, some will ask. Well, I personally would never be able to do it. I don’t believe in it (for me). However, I don’t walk in anyone’s shoes but my own. I don’t know what leads a person to make that decision; I don’t know the circumstances behind it. It’s not my place to decide what is best for someone else and it is definitely not my place to look down on someone for doing differently than I would. The fact is, abortion is here and history has proven that if you take the “choice” away, it will still be done…..only two lives may now be lost instead of one.
Next, I will share my thoughts on the very controversial subject of Homosexuality. Ten years ago, if you had asked me my beliefs about homosexuality, I would’ve said that I thought it was a “lifestyle choice”. My thoughts are much different now. I won’t pretend to understand homosexuality, I couldn’t possibly because I’m not gay, but I can say that I no longer believe that it is a “lifestyle choice” (at least not by the majority, anyway). I do believe that majority of gay people are born that way and I also believe that sometimes a traumatic experience can lead to a person becoming gay, but very (and I mean VERY few) choose to be. Modern medicine has actually been diligently proving this fact over and over again. For the longest time, “Christians” denied this fact (stating that God does not make mistakes…..and they are right, he doesn’t) but when it could no longer be denied, we started hearing that being born gay is a test from God. It is a test of your obedience and your ability to fight the “sinful” temptation. I think there is some validity to this test theory, but not like you might think. What if it is a test? What if the test is not geared at the person who is gay, but geared at the rest of society? What if it is geared at us “Christians”? What if it is to test OUR obedience in not judging, to love our neighbors, to treat others with love, caring and compassion? Too many of us are acting self-righteous, judgmental, arrogant, and hypocritical……all while saying we are “walking with God”. To many “Christians” are flooding our airwaves with hate filled messages, all in the name of Jesus. Shoot, the KKK hides behind Christianity to try and justify their views and hatred of all other “races”. Some of these people go to church weekly, read there bibles weekly, yet walk around with a heart full of hatred….again, in the name of Jesus. They fail to realize that just because they are going to church, doesn’t make them a true “Christian” just like not going to church makes you any less of a believer or Christian.
For those people who read this and think I must not read my bible and want to throw scripture at me, let me just say that I do read my bible.
I’ve read Leviticus 20:13 (NIV) 13 “‘If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
Many would say that this is justification for their distian against homosexuals. I say that as the times have changed, so too, has the use of scripture for many situations. Let’s look at a few, shall we?
DEUTERONOMY 22:13-21 (NIV)
13 If a man takes a wife and, after sleeping with her, dislikes her 14 and slanders her and gives her a bad name, saying, “I married this woman, but when I approached her, I did not find proof of her virginity,” 15 then the young woman’s father and mother shall bring to the town elders at the gate proof that she was a virgin. 16 Her father will say to the elders, “I gave my daughter in marriage to this man, but he dislikes her. 17 Now he has slandered her and said, ‘I did not find your daughter to be a virgin.’ But here is the proof of my daughter’s virginity.” Then her parents shall display the cloth before the elders of the town, 18 and the elders shall take the man and punish him. 19 They shall fine him a hundred shekels[a] of silver and give them to the young woman’s father, because this man has given an Israelite virgin a bad name. She shall continue to be his wife; he must not divorce her as long as he lives.
20 If, however, the charge is true and no proof of the young woman’s virginity can be found, 21 she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house and there the men of her town shall stone her to death. She has done an outrageous thing in Israel by being promiscuous while still in her father’s house. You must purge the evil from among you.
According to this passage, if a woman is not a virgin at the time of marriage, she shall be stoned to death. Moving on…..
MARK 10:1-12
1 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them. 2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied. 4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” 5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’[a] 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,[b] 8 and the two will become one flesh.’[c] So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”
This states that divorce and remarrying is considered adultery and in Deuteronomy it states that adultery is punished by death.
I could quote all day; instead I will say that maybe people should take the time to read it for themselves and try to apply some of it today. Would they work in today’s time? Start with these few things….. In the Bible we see Polygamy (more than one wife) as being acceptable, we read about king's having many concubines (Solomon had 1,000 concubines.) We read about slavery, sex with slaves, incest and marriage of girls as young as the age of 11.The treatment of women as property are accepted practices in the Scriptures. In MARK it is said that if a man dies before he has children then it is the wives responsibility to lay with his brothers until she bears a child.
Are these scriptures to be still in effect in today’s day and age? Don’t get me wrong, I am not questioning the validity of the bible one iota. What I am saying is you cannot apply all scripture to all “times”. The world has evolved, times have changed and God does want us to use the Bible as life guide. However, I think some people are missing the real lessons and try to use the Bible as a means to justify THEIR beliefs. Me personally, I believe this the scripture below to be of the utmost importance......

Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Somebody did not get the memo.....

I do not do 'sickness' well. After the last week of spraying my house down with lysol, keeping windows open, and overdosing on cold meds....this darn cold/virus/flu (or whatever the heck it is) will not leave! I may have to break down and go to the doctor. I do not like going to the doctors. Ive already had to go once this year (darn kidney stones) and I'm really trying to avoid going at all costs. My plan was to only go to my follow up appointments with my Oncologist this year. Thats more than enough for one person. Now, dont get me wrong, I have no problem bringing my kids or husband to the doctors. I just dont like going for me. Just my personal preference. So, today and tonight I will once again down the cough and cold medicine and hope like heck that tomorrow this wretched thing starts moving on.

Aaaaaah.....more soap box rantings.......

Enough with all the "hoopla" about MLK holiday being used as a school make up day, already!!!! I mean really, people....Its still a holiday.....and MLK was all about education, I highly doubt he would be upset. I mean seriously!? Memorial Day is also a holiday that can be used. You know the holiday in which we remember ALL (ALL as in every color, religion, etc) our U.S. soldiers who have fought for this great Nation....Wheres the "hoopla" over that one? People seriously need to pick their battles better. Im putting that whole subject on ignore for now.... Its the best thing I can do for my already dwindling sanity.

Whats with all the "so called" news? The other day there was actually an article on the Yahoo FRONT page about President Obama dying his hair? Are you frikin serious?! This is what is considered newsworthy?! Oh, and of course the comment sections was ridiculous....I almost choked on my drink a few times reading what people were writing (yes...I was reading, I admit it..thats what boredom will do to you). So what if the man dyes his frikin hair!!!!! Somehow this story about this hair turned into over 15,000 (at my last look...Im sure it was alot more)comments and arguments with tons of racist rhetoric and political bashing (liberal, conservative). It wouldve been comical if it wasnt so totally ridiculous (and even pathetic). President Obama....I could really care less what you do with your hair. Your handsome with or without dying it! Thats my opinion on the subject.....Moving on....

You know its frikin cold when you are constantly in "hotflash hell" but your hands and feet feel like icicles! Seriously!? I dont know how many times Ive said this but I moved away from Maine to get out of this BS cold weather! Apparently, Mother Nature has not gotten the memo that we are sick of this messed up weather pattern. Give me back my sunshine, da** it!!!!! No wonder Im so cranky......

I would rant some more about all the BS stuff going through my mind but my dog has decided at this precise moment to whine and scratch at the door. My cue that she needs to use the bathroom. So now I will spend the next 10-15 minutes walking around with her while she sniffs out the perfect place to finally go..... something else that has me shaking my head and wondering "what the heck".......

About to get on my soap box.......

This post is sure to offend someone....but Im not biting my tongue (or should I say typing fingers) any more.

A few days ago I posted a facebook status regarding the "hoopla" surrounding our School Administration using MKL Holiday as a make up day for school missed due to the snow. This is the Status:

"WOW. People are really tripping out over kids going to school on the MLK holiday.... Ask yourself this.. Would MLK be more upset at the fact that ALL our kids are attending school TOGETHER or that specific groups are screaming racism (yet, again) when their isn't none. It's like the boy that cried wolf.... Eventually people get tired of hearing it and when a "TRUE" situation arises noone will be listening."

Now, alot of the comments I got were positive and in agreement. The private messages, however, were not so nice.... Lets go over some, shall we:

"how can you, a white person, even begin to understand the importance of the holiday"

Uuuum....because I believe in everything MLK stood for...

"you can never know what it feels like to be black and to be treated in a racist manner"

Nope. I can never know what it feels like to be black but I do know how it feels to be judged because of my skin color (and it sucks). News flash: These days, people who are racist come in every shape and shade. Your point?

Oh, my favorite....

"you should be shamed. You cant possibly parent or teach your kids anything about their race"

WOW! Really!? Hmmmm.... Well, lets see. Since my children were all born they have been taught many things about their heritage, cultures and the history of important people and times in this country. How am I incapable of teaching these things? Recently, before this whole post about the holiday, it was implied that I should be raising my son to be a "strong black man" and my daughters to be "strong black women". Nope. Aint gonna happen. Im raising my son to be a strong MAN. Im raising my girls to be strong WOMEN. End of discussion. I actually find the whole raising strong black men and women attitude as offensive as somebody raising strong white men and women. There is NO need for "race" to be pointed out to our children when the common goal for the majority of parents raising their kids is equality, happiness and success. Why categorize our kids?

Example:

I once had a neighbor in Charlotte who was constantly telling her kids (and some of the kids in the neighborhood) that they had to unite and stick together as "black" kids in the neighborhood. That especially because they were black, they were going to have to work harder than others and the odds would always be against them. Nice.... so right from the jump these kids are seeing obstacles that may or may not be there. Right from the jump they are going to have Ill feelings toward those that are not black (and lets be frank.....the ill feelings will most likely be geared at people who happen to be white) because they will feel like they are not being given the same chances. Who put that in the childs head? Personal life experiences or the parent? Maybe the child holds back from doing something they love because the think the odds are against them. Once again, I ask, how did they come to feel this way? So, now every obstacle that comes before them....becomes a question of "race". Ive raised my kids to believe in themselves, believe in their dreams, believe in who they are and "COLOR" has never been part of the equation. They are not a color. They are human beings. Ive taught them they are capable of doing anything they set their minds to. They need to work hard because nothing worth anything comes free or easy.

Im not saying racism doesnt exist in this Country....it does (and its sad). I know there are still groups like the KKK (bunch of morons) and the Aryan Nation who just love to spew all their racial hatred. There are also less vocal and less obvious groups/people that help to keep racial tension and a racial divide alive. Like I said earlier.... they come in all shapes and all skin tones.

Oh, and before anyone tries to deem me as a racist.....let me tell you this...Im about as close to being a racist as "The ROCK" is to being female.....

I'll be back soon for part 2 of my soap box "rant"

The death of me....

I am no longer concerned about my cancer being the cause of my demise…… I’m beginning to believe that my financial stressors and raising teenagers will get me first. Seriously. What goes on inside the minds of teenagers?! What would possess a 16 year old to steadily argue with an 8 year old? A 15 year old to constantly get a thrill out of aggravating his sisters and getting them completely into “drama mode”? Oh, and of course there is the “life would be so much easier on my own” mentality! Really, I say lets try it then. My 16 year old daughter is in the “my life sucks” stage. Why does it suck, you wonder. Well, because she doesn’t have a boyfriend at the moment and she’s not allowed to do what she wants, when she wants. Oh, and because she gets “stuck” babysitting her 2 younger sisters on away football games…..like tomorrow. Hence, the super bad attitude. Now my 15 year old son has no issues with being single. He actually prefers it. No, his life “sucks” because HE brought home a C on his progress report and of course we are the “evil ones” for taking away his XBOX. Go figure.

Nope the mind of a teenager is a very strange thing. Its very “me, myself and I”. Don’t get me wrong. I know my children have had to endure quite a bit over the past couple of years. Life changed a lot for all of us after I got sick. Money is extremely tight and because of that there is a lot that they miss out on. We cant afford to do a lot of the things their friends can. I’m penny pinching all the time. We rarely have any left over after bills and when we do….we use if for things they need (notice I said NEED not want).

So I get attitude or better yet, sometimes just flat out ignored, as I go about the house (usually doing their chores) and contemplate climbing up on the roof and jumping. With my luck though, I would break a few bones and would then live to hear “ Just great Mom! Now look what you did! Told you my life sucks!” from at least one of them……..

Aaaah.....

All is well. The house is a mess...Paint, ribbon and poster boards still clutter my dining room from the big game last night. Dishes from dinner fill the sink. A weeks worth of laundry sit in baskets waiting to be folded. My 2 youngest girls added to the mess by deciding to disect their pumpkins, why, Im not sure. They didn't want to carve them for decorating purpose, NO, they literally disected them. Were the expecting to find something miraculous in there? Now they are entertaining me with a "play". My oldest has decided to hold herself up in her room (dodging the dinner dishes, Im sure) and my 15 year old son is "annoyed" with me for talking to his "not girlfriend" (would they just make it official and go out already)on Facebook. The heating pad has been my best friend today (just like every other) and I can't help but think " Yup, its been a good day". :)

Its official....

This is going to be my one and only blog. I started this blog like 2 years ago when I got over zealous with the whole blogging thing. I had my badboobie.com and loved it so I thought "what the heck...let's start another one!" Uuum ok. That worked out well. I would post on here, then forget I have it, then remember, post and forget again. Thats how my mind works....between the "Fibro Fog" and the Chemo killing any (and just about all) my working brain cells, it's a miracle that I can still function everyday. Well, badboobie.com is unavailable to me at this time ( I dont have any of the info since I didnt open the account) and although I will continue to try and atleast get access to transfer all my posts over to here.....Im basically "sh*t outta luck" at the moment when it comes to that site. So, now that this will be my "one and only" let's see if I can remember to post more than a few times a year. LOL