Humor in Walking God's Path

Humor in Walking Gods Path
April 10, 2011

Jesus tries to make a point.

Jesus saw a crowd chasing down a woman to stone her and approached them. "What's going on here, anyway?" he asked."This woman was found committing adultery, and the law says we should stone her!" one of the crowd responded."Wait," yelled Jesus. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Suddenly, a stone was thrown from out of the sky, and knocked the woman on the side of her head.
"Aw, c'mon, Dad..." Jesus cried, "I'm trying to make a point here!"

http://www.christian-jokes.net/Jokes/Bible-Humor/144-Jesus-tries-to-make-a-point.aspx

I had no idea what I wanted to write about today, but somehow the thought of Christian humor entered my mind, so I googled it. This made me laugh because the Bible is quite serious on so many things in my faith. However, God never said (or at least I don’t know if it’s said anywhere in the Bible) I always have to be serious. I love humor, at least those which don’t make nasty fun of other people, (i.e. blonde, racial, & ethnic jokes), ones that are just plain cruel, or are just plain dirty. They don’t interest me. Now this is an opinion, but it’s my own – much of society today is too numb about being sensitive to others (not everyone). Maybe that’s why when I hear off-color jokes or ones like I described above, it just turns me off. And the closer I move in my faith toward, the less I want to hear off-color or nasty jokes. Does that make me “a goody-two-shoes”? Maybe. What I care about is doing what the Lord wants me to do and being the kind of person He would have me be. Yes, I love to laugh and studies have shown that laughing can be a pain reliever. When I’m laughing at something genuinely funny, I don’t feel as much pain. The endorphins kick in and I feel like a different person. Isn’t this what my God would have me do? Isn’t this why He created me with a conscience, heart, and soul? For me these are rhetorical questions.

May God bless you, your families, and any furkids you might have.
Michelle Rose

Use, Used, Using

Use, Used, Using
April 9, 2011

20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20 New Living Translation

I am the vessel. The draft is God's. And God is the thirsty one. ~Dag Hammarskjold, Markings, 1964

Use can be either a noun or a verb. The concept can be either a bad or good. People can use other people – friends use friends for many good reasons. There are also people who use others for their own selfish and evil purposes. God uses people for His own purposes. Ok, Sasha uses me, since I feed and love her and clean her litter box out. I use her for companionship and another one much more important – helping ground me in my emotional disorder –manic-depression (shhhh, Sasha doesn’t know it).

God used me today to write today’s blog. I wanted to walk away from the computer, but I knew if I did, this blog would not get written.

You’ve all heard the following story, I’m sure, but it’s a funny example of the way God uses people. I’ll summarize it. It’s about the God-fearing old lady and the atheist who have a verbal war each morning about the existence of God. One day the old lady prays to God for groceries, since she’s hungry. The next day she opens her door to see groceries are there, but the last two lines are the funniest:

'PRAISE THE LORD!' she cried out 'HE HAS PROVIDED GROCERIES FOR ME!' The atheist neighbor jumped out of the hedges and shouted: 'THERE IS NO LORD; I BOUGHT THOSE GROCERIES!!' The little old lady threw her arms into the air and shouted: 'PRAISE THE LORD! HE HAS PROVIDED ME WITH GROCERIES AND MADE THE DEVIL PAY FOR THEM!'

God’s blessings upon all of you, your families, and you furkids. If you wish to share my blog with others, please feel free to do it.

Michelle Rose

My Mind and My Body

My Mind and My Body
April 8, 2011

My whole being, praise the Lord and do not forget all his kindnesses. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He saves my life from the grave and loads me with love and mercy. He satisfies me with good things and makes me young again, like the eagle.
Psalm 103:2-5 NCV

So many things have been going through my mind lately about what I look like. I’m not happy with my body image and my weight. I don’t feel at my best, knowing I’m at risk for health issues. Some time ago, I told my doctor I was interested in the lap band to help me lose weight, but after watching a Dr. Oz show I taped where they covered the subject of lap bands, I’m not so sure I want the surgery anymore. Yet, I know this is not an answer, only a help in losing weight. I have so much trouble controlling what I eat – I’m a compulsive overeater. Now that I’m unemployed or will be soon, I don’t know what I can afford to help me lose weight. I don’t believe in dieting. I do have a gym/heath club to which I can return, now that I’m feeling better.

Ok, here’s the big issue – my mind is in the way – of eating correctly, of getting to the gym, of doing so many things that would help me. I keep wondering what’s wrong with me (well, other than my compulsive overeating) and why I have this fear of moving forward. This verse is perfect – it lets me know that I’m not alone, so why do I feel this way?

I saw a new psychiatrist today and he adjusted my medications to help me with the depression part of my bi-polar disorder. Wow, he asked me all kinds of questions. I like him much better than the NP, so I’m going to continue with him even though I have to pay for the visits. Maybe if I can get my depression under control, then it will help me become more willing to keep away from my emotional/stress eating of junk food. I’m not looking for a quick fix, just some help getting out of this rut I’ve been stuck in for more than half a year. I’m tired of it. Praise God for loving me the way He does, because I sure haven’t been so in love with myself lately. Sigh…

God’s blessings upon you, your families, and your furkids (if any),
Michelle

Two Men

Two Men
April 6, 2011

1How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hid your face from me? 2 Ho long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? 3 Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give me light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death: 4 my enemy will say, “I have overcome him.” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. 5 But I trust in your unfailing love: my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:19-20

When doing my meditations this morning I realized there were two men in the Bible to whom I look at as examples of Godly men. David wrote many of the Psalms and sang to God about everything. David complained. David told God of his fear. David praised God. David told God how angry he was at Him. David kind of smirked a little (I can’t think of any other word) when God destroyed his enemies. David told God he loved him. David asked for God’s help, but most of all, David told God he trusted Him. I’ve often heard many people say that someone is not supposed to pray for specific things. Using David’s example, it looks like it’s ok to ask God for almost anything in prayer.

As a Pharisee, Paul persecuted Jesus. We all know what happened to Paul on the road to Damascus. Paul’s writings are strong, passionate, and frank in their belief that Jesus as the Son of God. After his conversion, Paul didn’t have the rich life that David did as a king, or even a somewhat comfortable life as a shepherd and after everyone stopped trying to kill him (although David spent quite a bit of his life hiding in caves). Paul spent most of his life after his conversion in prison, in chains, shipwrecks, starving, in rags, and other struggles that make most of our lives appear easy. Yet, Paul stood up for God’s truth and he wasn’t going to let anyone persuade him otherwise. And did Paul ask Jesus for anything in prayer? I’m sure he did, but he spent much of his ministry teaching, admonishing, and helping people. His epistles show that Paul praised Jesus, in addition to being a teacher.

Two very different men. Two different approaches to God. Two men convinced in their faith. I’m not anything like these two men in their passionate approaches to our Lord. But in looking at them as examples, I do my best to follow what they did when praying to God and I thank my Father for the example of their lives that helps me move closer to Jesus.

God’s Blessings upon you, your families, and your furkids (if any).

Michelle Rose

Communication

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God's Blessings upon you, your families and furkids (if any).
Michelle Rose

Communication
April 4, 2011

I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.
3 John 1:14 NIV

I often wonder what happened to conversations and letters between friends. For the most part now - I’ve fallen into this trap, too - much communication is done by email and texting, not speaking face-to-face or by phone. This morning I called my aunt and uncle in NJ. I had the most wonderful chat with my Uncle Angelo. We talked about what it was like back in the 40s (he knew more than I did about the early 40s) and how things were different when he served in the war. It was the longest conversation I had with him for a long time. Usually, I just ask to talk to my Aunt Nettie. I have friends where I live and although we’ve been friends for a long time, I usually hear from them only by a mass text message or email. I miss speaking to them. Ok, maybe they are having problems and don’t want to talk. But are we still friends? I was also thinking about when it was nice to get a card or letter in the mail; then came the technological revolution and now everything is done by email or texting (I’m not a big fan of the last, except for occasional ones). My two favorite ways of talking with someone I know are by phone or in person. I even bought some nice cards at Trader Joe’s to send out and they are still sitting here. This week, I’ll write these cards and mail them.

I think communication with Jesus is amazing. He’s never busy; never sends me text messages or email, and never turns away from me. The lines of communication and talking to God and my Saviour, Jesus are always open. I know it can’t always be like that in life, but it’s amazing to know that my God always has time to listen to me. He’s never going to be out of touch because of the technological revolution.

"F" Words; Don't Worry, It's Clean

"F" Words - It's clean don't worry
April 2, 2011

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 (New International Version, ©2011)

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:9-11 (NIV)

Tonight when I fed my cat, I said to her, “Sasha, you want some food?” She immediately responded by bounding into the kitchen. Then I thought for her food is her “f” word. So many times, when society thinks in terms of the “f word,” it is only in the use of profanity. Here are some other “f words,” and their associations in God’s world.

Freedom – for someone living in a war-torn country, or under the rule of a dictatorship, it’s the ability to live without fear, or to worship how they choose.

Forgiveness – it’s the knowledge that when a wrong is done, there is grace beyond the mistake.

Faith – knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord exists and He watches over His creations no matter what happens.

Family – those around you who may be relations, friends, or companions in a common belief. For those who do not have blood relations, their friends are often their family.

Friends - non-relations sticking with others through good and bad times, and loving them unconditionally. It hurts when they pass out of your life for whatever reason.

Fun – that which is done to relieve seriousness and work.

Fingers – the appendages on hands for many uses in life, such as praying, typing, eating, or holding the hands of others.

Ok, these are just a few words with positive connotations beginning with the letter “f.” It’s not always linked with profanity. They are words that I associate with positive attitudes, what God would have me do in my life, and those that uplift me in the presence of negativity. And just so those reading this blog think I’m saying these things because I’m perfect, I want to tell you I’m definitely not. I’ve let a few of those other “f” words slip from my tongue and I have to ask Jesus for forgiveness.

If you prefer to read this blog elsewhere, either on www.wordchimes.com or by email, please send me an email telling me so. Also, if you would prefer to be dropped from God’s Tug. No hard feelings.

Blessings upon you, your families, and your furkids (if you have any).
Michelle Rose

God's Furred and Feathered Ambassadors

Friends, I had no idea what I was going to write tonight. This came from God. What I write here is about my life and my relationship with the Lord.

God's blessings upon you.
Michelle Rose

God’s Furred and Feathered Ambassadors (and those with scales, too) ;~D
April 1, 2011

An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language. ~Martin Buber

If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth. ~Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Tribe, letter to President Franklin Pierce

Isaiah 11: 6-9
“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (NIV)

So much of my life I’ve spent alone, with the exception of having a four-legged companions – I’ve never been married or had a long-term relationship. God has gifted me with numerous cats, guinea pigs, and a few rats. When I feel lonely, they have cuddled me; sat on my lap; listened when I spoke of joy and sadness; needed me; and accepted me just as I am. It has also caused me great sadness when God took them from me, just as He put them in my life. It’s not that I dislike people, it’s just that for so long I could not relate to my own kind because of my emotional disability. That happened when I was first diagnosed with it, but it still happens sometimes now. I can only be with others for so long then I have to escape to be by myself and with either Sasha or other animals. The words Isaiah uses in this verse are pretty much close to my picture of an idyllic heaven. It’s where I want to be when I leave this earth. I want to run with the wolves, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, and other creatures that humans destroy for their own selfish and greedy motives. Creatures, in this life, that mostly are too wild for human companionship. Ok, I’ve gotten off on a bit of a rant here. But, maybe what I see in them, not that I don’t see it in people, are God’s blessings of understanding.

Last night I was watching The Mentalist, with Simon Baker. If any of you watch this show, you’ll understand what I’m talking about here. Patrick Jane, the character played by Baker, is multi-faceted – funny, outrageous and courageous. But something I realized last night was that he is also perceptive to the needs of people and compassionate towards them. Last night’s episode had me in tears, since Jane understands that a medical examiner, who he’s always ridiculed, is dying. It is that compassion, making me love his character. This is how God blesses me with animals – this is how animals are to me (ok, not that people aren’t). This is how God wants me to be toward other people and my lessons come from some humans and many animals. This is the longest God’s Tug I’ve written so far – although I want to keep them brief. Yet, I needed to get it out, since I’m having a bit of a challenging time right now.