Mine served in Viet Nam. Where did yours serve?
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13
COSMOS, CHAOS AND THE CREATOR — AGIA PARASKEVI
Written by Vladimir Moss Ever since the 1920s a gigantic paradox has opened up before the gaze of scientists. On the one hand, progress in discovering the laws of nature has increased apace; it would appear that there is no corner of the cosmos, and no aspect of its working, that cannot be understood in […]
Exit Wounds
When we think of exit wounds, we usually think of wounds created by projectiles, such as bullets. They go straight through the body, creating an entrance wound, an internal wound and an exit wound. That’s how we view them in a physiological sense.
Have you ever suffered an exit wound in an emotional sense? What is an emotional exit wound? It is the wound you suffer when you leave a person or group of people. Just as a projectile creates a wound to our bodies, an emotional projectile creates a wound to our souls. What might that look like?
You are hanging out with a group of people who are gossips in the break room,and you decide you don’t want to anymore. You leave the group and hang out with others at break. Those you left will probably gossip and spread stories about you. Their words and actions create exit wounds.
Have you ever had to leave a relationship with someone who was toxic for you? If you have, you have probably suffered many exit wounds. That person may have said and done many things to hurt you because of your choice.
Have you ever been in a job or a class in school, and for one reason or another, you were promoted to a higher level? If you have, you know you have suffered exit wounds. You were probably made fun of, and people said you thought you were better than they were.
The verbal projectiles thrown at us hurt and cause emotional pain. Many times, the stories told about us are not true, but it is difficult to defend ourselves from them. These projectiles can come at us from many different directions, but they are usually caused by one thing: Jealousy.
The people, groups or relationships we exited from are jealous of us. Our choices or the choices made for us have caused them to feel rejected and they choose to spew their projectiles of jealousy at us. Now, do you know what I am talking about? Can you think of a time when you have experienced exit wounds?
If so, you know that you didn’t choose to leave those relationships lightly. It takes courage to leave something that is negative, harmful or toxic for us because we know there will be an emotional cost or toll that we will have to pay. We know that we will experience exit wounds when we finally make those decisions and take action. In most cases, when the wounds heal, we will be glad we made the choice to exit that group of people or that relationship.
Exit wounds: they hurt, there is no doubt about it. Let us take courage and continue to make right choices for ourselves, even if we will experience emotional pain and suffering caused by others. Just like our bodies, our souls will heal in time and we will be the better for it!
Lessons Learned From My Sons
Anyone who has had sons knows that some of the best lessons in life can be learned from them. The first lesson I learned from my sons was Joy. When they were toddlers, they could find Joy in the smallest things, such as playing with the boxes at Christmas more than the toys that were in them. They didn’t need anything sophisticated to provide their Joy, they found it in their surroundings. They taught me to look for Joy in the ordinary circumstances of life.
The next lesson I learned from my sons was an appreciation of Beauty. They found Beauty in things I would have considered commonplace. When they would bring me a bouquet of dandelions, I would smile and thank them for the “pretty flowers.” They didn’t see weeds; they just saw the Beauty of nature. I learned to see Beauty where I hadn’t seen it before.
When they went to Preschool and Kindergarten, I learned Tolerance. They did not see color, race or economic status in their fellow students. They just liked who they liked and wanted to play with whomever they met. They had not learned to discriminate against people relating to anything society would later want to put on them. I knew I needed to be more like them and just view people as people…period.
When they were in Elementary School, I learned Generosity. Both of my sons began to see the economic disparity in their classmates’ lives and were concerned for them. One son went out for track. He had three pairs of tennis shoes and for the first few days, gave the shoes he was wearing away to someone needing a better pair. By the third day, he had to make a hard decision. If he gave away his last pair, he would not be able to go out for the sport himself. We all learned that, unfortunately, there are limits to where our Generosity can take us.
In Junior High, they taught me to let them have their Independence. Each had to make their own decisions and suffer the consequences for those decisions. Our youngest son went along with all of the other boys in the class and refused to write in a journal like his English teacher had assigned. He took a “D” rather than cooperate; and was grounded until he brought his grade up. Our oldest was suspended for a few days when he turned on a kid who had been harassing him throughout the year. He was ready to deck the kid, and the principal told him that if he would just leave the kid alone, he could stay in school, and the other kid would be suspended. He said, “No, if you leave me in school today, I will hit him.” He did not hit the kid and took his suspension days, having stood up to him. Each had to make his decisions Independently of his father and me.
In High School, they taught me Consideration and Respect. During a heated discussion with my oldest, he said, “Mom, you always think you are right!” That struck a chord with me as I could be a force to contend with in a verbal argument. I needed to learn to Consider my son’s opinions and not always think that I knew what was best for him. The same lesson came to me also via the younger son. He was a bright child, and I wanted him to go to college right after high school. He knew he wasn’t ready and had no desire to go to college then. When I finally quit fighting with him about it, he went about his own way, joined the Army and later worked in the construction industry. Eventually, he did go to college, but it was on his terms, pursuing a career he was interested in. I needed to learn to show Consideration for their opinions and Respect my sons’ decisions and let go of my preconceived ideas about what was best for their lives.
My sons have taught me a lot and still continue to teach me in their adult years. They are both intelligent and have deep moral values. They are better able to discern the gray areas in life, and because of them, I have learned not to be such a black and white person. I appreciate my sons and all of the lessons they have taught me, and I know I am a better person because of it.
Wanted to reblog this today!
Abortion and Rape — Mitch Teemley
I found this story in my newsfeed and was intrigued by the implications: What if pregnancy is not insult added to injury in the case of rape, but a “gift” (to be kept or lovingly given to someone else). The Bible doesn’t label all things good–far from it–but it does say that God can “work […]
The Smell of Lilacs
Photo by Valeria Boltneva on Pexels.com
My Mother died in May when I was very young. It was especially hard on my Father because he had three young children to raise. He was grieving but had to keep going, work and take care of us. At different times when he was especially sad, he would smell Lilacs. It was God’s way of telling my Father that He held him in the palm of his hand. Because of my Father’s experience, Lilacs have always held a special place in my heart. When I see them and smell them, I am reminded that God knows my heart, loves me and is there with me in any pain or sorrow I am experiencing.
For those who don’t have a living Mother today, who may have lost a loved one recently, know that God has you in the palm of his hand…that He cares for you and that He is with you. When you see and smell the Lilacs, look to Him and rest in His love for you.
Thinking of you with love today…Valerie.
“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18
The Creator Revealed: A Physicist Examines the Big Bang and the Bible | Michael G Strauss — Reasoned Cases for Christ
Michael G. Strauss is a David Ross Boyd Professor of Physics at the University of Oklahoma in Norman; he earned his undergraduate degree in physical science from Biola University and his doctorate in physics from the University of California in Los Angeles. He conducts research in experimental particle physics studying the fundamental particles and forces […]
2nd Blogiversary Giveaway!
Today is my 2nd Blogiversary! I am so happy I met so many great people and I just want you to know how much YOU have added to my life! Sending out a Big Thank You!
GIVEAWAY: For anyone who would be interested in winning one of the Bible Studies “Psalm One for Women on the Run,” I will be giving two away. Just leave a comment below. Comments will be open for three days, then I will put your names in a hat and draw two. Blessings to all of you!
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Psalm One for Women on the Run is available at:
Amazon – $5.95 Kindle – $1.95
BarnesandNoble.com – $5.95
Lighthouse Christian Publishing – $9.95
Dead Men Walking
A few days ago, a couple of my husband’s friends came to stay with us. One of them had been diagnosed about a year and a half ago with a deadly form of blood cancer. He was not supposed to make it more than about eleven months. He sought treatment and through the grace of God and medical intervention is still alive and living a fairly normal life. He is man who had a death sentence handed to him but is still here. He is literally a dead man walking. He looks a little different than he did and has less energy but all in all, he is every bit as alive as you and me.
Most of us know someone like that, someone who was given no hope for survival but miraculously is alive today. But did you know that in a spiritual sense we have all been that person? We were all born D.O.A., dead on arrival. The Bible says that when we were born into this world, we were born dead in our transgressions and that only with God’s help can we be made alive. That’s right, unless we are given a new birth spiritually, we are all literally dead men walking.
Most of us didn’t realize we were in that state initially, but as we tried to make our way in the world we noticed something was wrong with us. We were trying to do our best but something was missing. We didn’t have what it would take, i.e. the power, to change who we were and live a life that had real eternal value. Fortunately for all of us, Jesus came to earth to provide the life-changing medicine we all needed. His death on the cross brought life to all who would choose to believe in Him.
The problem is that we don’t look like Zombies when we are in this state. We all look alive because our spiritual deadness does not manifest itself in our physical appearance. We don’t look like dead men walking but we are. We have to see beyond the physical in order to evaluate our spiritual condition. Do you need the life giving medicine that Jesus provided for you so you can have eternal life?
I know I did. I needed the Blood of Christ to cover my sins and give me new life. What about you? Are you still a dead man walking? If so, there is hope for you. Try Jesus…He can give you new life, life that is eternal, and you will no longer be among the undead!
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2: 1-5
Temptation
Temptation – it is as old as the Garden of Eden. We are confronted by it daily; sometimes in small ways, sometimes in life altering ways. It doesn’t come to us wrapped in an ugly bow, looking like something we don’t want to touch. It usually comes to us looking beautiful, attractive and inviting. We are usually lured by the look of it or the sound of it. I don’t know how many times people have tried to talk me into things and made them sound tremendously appealing.
“Just once,” is a phrase that comes up when facing temptation. Others or ourselves will say, “Just try it once, it can’t hurt anything.” But is that really true? The doctors’ offices are full of young people who wanted to try having sex “just once” because everyone else was doing it. Some of them end up becoming pregnant by a person they would never want to marry or father their child and they must face a life altering decision then and there. Others have gotten an STD which may or may not be with them the rest of their lives…all because they wanted to have sex “just once” with someone they met at a bar or a party.
I remember listening to a formerly successful real estate broker. She was invited to a party where they were doing cocaine. It wasn’t the first time she had been at a party where there was cocaine, but people began telling her how great she would feel if she used it. “She could work longer hours and it would give her more energy,” they said. So, she tried it “just once.” She was not immediately hooked on it but she changed her social schedule around and only began attending parties where cocaine was available. She continued to use it and eventually she was hooked on it. After she spent all of her cash, sold everything she owned and ultimately sold herself to get the drug, did she hit rock bottom and seek help. Now she talks about the danger of trying that addicting drug “just once.”
Marriage counselors’ offices are flooded with people who wanted to watch pornography “just once.” Whether men or women, after they saw the first film, they became hooked. They couldn’t get the images out of their minds and it drew them back more and more until it became more of a draw to them then their own mates. And many times, their marriages became shipwrecked on the shores of this alluring temptation.
Most of us know people who have been in these situations. We might even have been in these situations. All because of giving into a life altering temptation “just once.” Ravi Zacharias said it best, “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”
Temptation – it’s all around us. What can we do when we are faced with it? The Scripture gives us wise advice: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10: 12-13
In other words: First, don’t think you are immune to it. We all can fall into temptation. Second, temptations are common, not unique, to each and every one of us. Third, God has promised that He will provide a way of escape from each and every temptation we have to deal with. We just have to ask Him for help when we are faced with temptation and it is available. We must look for the way of escape that He provides and then take it. We must run as if our lives depend on it, for they may well.
Temptation – let’s not be deceived into thinking it will be okay if we try it “just once.” That’s a lie straight from the pit of Hell.
Valerie Cullers 