Beware of the enemy

If there is something the Devil is really good at, it is perverting the things that are good and distorting them into something bad. I have really been meditating about the past couple of week's events. The one, in particular, that I am going to speak about is probably the most heated argument. It's pretty much on the decline as far as a "buzzing topic", but it still weighing on my mind. The event I am referring to is the statement by Chik-fil-a's CEO, Dan Cathy, and the support and opposition that arose from it.

I am the first to admit that I stand by Mr. Cathy's beliefs, for I share the same. But what I cannot get past is that some people are calling me, Mr. Cathy, and other's who believe the same thing "haters". Not once have I acted out of hatred towards those who believe the opposite as I do on this issue. Not once have I called any of them derogitory names or treated them with disgust as if they were lower than I am. I have not started a political debate with any of them in order to push my opinions on them as if they would miraculously turn to my side. I just don't get it. How am I a "hater" in their eyes? Just because I chose to eat at Chik-fil-a on Chik-fil-a Appreciation Day doesn't mean that I hate anyone. And just because I believe in the Bible and its teachings doesn't mean that I hate anyone either. Quite frankly, I'm appalled at how some people pointed at those who ate at Chik-fil-a and accused them of hating a specific group of people.

Even with all of this happening, I was doing fine with it until one of my own friends, not a close friend, mind you, but one that I counted as friend nonetheless, attacked me for eating there and supporting them. This is what brought the whole debate "home" for me. This is the point at which I knew I had to decide that I would rather stand by God's Word and take my stance than risk "offending" a friend because of their choice of lifestyle. These are the hardest times, it seems, when one has to stop worrying about offending anyone and cling to what is right, what is just, what is holy, and what is pure.

At first, I noticed that no one who opposed my opinion seemed to care about offending me. I also noticed that even after they did offend me, they didn't want anyone to offend them. I found this frustrating but tried to see it through their eyes. They thought of themselves as victims of a situation rather than contributors to a persecution. I'm sure they would try to argue the same against me, even though I never attacked anyone or voiced reproach.

So, I questioned myself about if it was wrong to state my beliefs, no matter how unpopular, if I was a Christian and it would ensure that the second party involved would atutomatically take it offensively since their views are not the same. Would it even be worth it in the end to state the Biblical truth when dealing with the people who are ready to pounce at your for doing so? I immediately thought of Jonah. God had told him to go to Ninevah, the capitol of Assyria, which was apparently a sinful city famous for the destruction of Babylon. God told him to "preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." (Jonah 1:1)  The story goes that Jonah ran the opposite way from Ninevah probably because he was scared of those people and knowing that they could kill him if they were offended by God's message. Who wouldn't be offended though, right? Imagine an outsider coming in to share a message that you need to stop doing what you are doing and haven't considered wrong. I think people take criticism three ways: either they hate it and hate you back, they accept it but disregard it, or they evaluate it and try to make themselves better in light of the criticism. This is how we treat God when He shows us when we do wrong. We either hate that He has shown us our wrongdoings and hate Him, accept that what we are doing is wrong but choose to continue doing it anyway, or let it be an awakening for us and we choose to walk down the path that leads to Him. Fortunately for the Ninevites, they chose the latter decision. So, I take from this story that I should not be afraid to state God's truth to those who oppose me... especially since it means that maybe a few might find the path that leads to God.

So, in conclusion, I've come to realize how distorted Satan has made this whole situation. He has taken the belief of one man, which happens to be Biblically correct, and caused anger in so many people's hearts. Simply put, Satan is trying to make it seem that we, as Christians, hate others (LGBT) if we voice our opinion against same sex marriage. This is not true at all. I feel we truly are fighting a spiritual warfare here. I believe the enemy and his helpers are behind it all and trying to convince people with false ideas. There will never be world peace or collective love here on earth as long as the enemy and his helpers are roaming around. Thank God, His Son will return to take His followers to a place where peace and love are found for eternity.

This is what I believe. I'm sorry if it offends you. This doesn't mean I hate you.

10,000 REASONS

"You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before, O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name"

--10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman

A lot has happened since now and the last blog. But I'm so excited that I had to make a new post just for this!

Yesterday, I filled out my application for Admissions for the Masters in Arts of Teaching to Belhaven University! I am so close to starting grad school! I have so many plans and dreams that I am now able to work on accomplishing! I feel like I'm now able to come out of the rut I was in and change my position in life! God is so Good! Looking back at this past year or so, He has replaced the burden in my heart with joy, the desperation with hope, the loneliness with a cornucopia of friendships, and many more blessings! A little over a year ago, I truly couldn’t imagine that I would be this happy! Thank God for his faithfulness, forgiveness, blessings, mercy, and love! There is 10,000 reasons my heart can find to praise Him!

St Patrick's Day

I will be the first to tell someone that Jackson, MS doesn't have all that many things to do. Entertainment is sparse around here. We have to rely mainly on our own creativeness for entertainment. But there are a few days out of the year that Jackson, Mississippi really knows how to throw a party! One of them is St Paddy's Day! One of my favorite events of the year is the Hal and Mal's St Paddy's Day Parade! This year, I will tentatively be running the 5K, bringing Jake to the pet parade, and then joining the fun at the parade. If you are in town on March 17, 2012, then put some green on and come party with us! This year's theme: That's What I Like About the South.

See Y'all there!

Barking Collars and Why You Should Try Them Out

So, if you know me, you know that I talk about my sweet baby a lot! He's my Jakey Poo and I loves hims so much! Anyway, I bought Jake a bark collar for when I'm away. I mean, I'm sure he behaves well when I'm not home, but just to make sure I let him wear his hot, new accessory when I'm not there. :)



Jake <3

If anyone knows my sister, then they understand that she can be quite..... special. So here's the story. True, honest-to-God story. 

I invite my sister to come over for dinner one night and to hang for a little while. She sees Jake's new collar on the counter and asks, "What's this? What does it do? How does it work?" As I explain to her how it works, she gets the brilliant idea to try it out. Don't ask me why, because I'm still trying to figure it out.



"What's this? What does it do?"

 I explain that with this bark/shock collar, when it detects vibrations from the vocal chords, it first gives a warning by one beep which is supposed to scare the dog. If barking continues within 5 seconds of the last warning, the setting goes up to the next level and I think that it vibrates. At least this is what it looked like when I first put it on Jake. After this it goes to the next level if more barking occurs within 5 seconds and it will start shocking, the intensity depending on the level.

So, Shanna tries to bark. She freaks out after hearing the first beep. Then decides it's safe to continue on.

Then, it happened! The scene/event is hard to explain since it happened so fast. Have you ever hear a fly get zapped when it flies directly into an ultraviolet light fly trap? That's the closest noise I can come up with to describe the sound emanating in my kitchen. With her last bark, Shanna's body was jolted backwards and her body went limp. As she fell to the floor, her body became paralyzed, and she was only held up by the corner of my wall. My thoughts were rushing, "Oh, no. What do I do? Rush to check her pulse? Is CPR necessary? Can she move?" Now you'd think that my first move was to kneel beside her helping her in any way that I could.... But don't be worry folks, I came to my senses and grabbed my camera! I knew I had to get pictures to prove my story! After all, you might not believe me.

You may see little Jake trying to help her. But don't let Jake fool you. He may look concerned, but he's just trying to make her pet him by forcing his head under her hand. Don't judge either of us!

Of course I don't really need to mention that at this point I was laughing so hard that I almost lost control of my bodily functions. Thank God for Depends! But in the midst of my silent, grasping for air laughter, my sister showed signs of life! As she turned her eyes toward me, the rest of her body still not responsive, I hear the faint words come out of her barely moving lips: "Holly, do NOT... put... that thing on!"

Oh, Shanna, don't worry. I'm not that dumb!

After a few minutes of recovery, her voluntary muscle control began to slowly start coming back. She had learned her lesson. And, unbeknownst to her, she had made me feel completely guilty about buying this death trap for my dog! If it could do this to a human, what can it do to my little Jakey Poo?!?!?!

With a massive headache and flank numbness, my poor sister left to go to her home where there are no torture weapons or inhumane devices. She hasn't been back since....

I hope you enjoyed the story of "How My Sister Tasered Herself".

Geaux Tigers!!!

This post is to support my Fighting Tigers in tonight's big game! What's considered a rematch between LSU and Alabama game from Nov. 5, 2011 will be the coveted BCS championship bowl game... and LSU is gonna win again, baby! Let's geaux Tigers!!! Oh, how I never thought I'd be excited about a Monday.