Sunday, July 22, 2012

50 Shades of Magic

First off, let me start this post by saying some of you may be slightly (okay, a lot) offended by this.  Remember this is just my .02 and if you don't agree I'm good with that.  I just hope you're good with it.  You don't have to like it, but at least respect my opinion and thoughts and be an adult.  (i.e. keep your negativity to yourself.....if you want to discuss and debate rationally I'm all for it!)  I respect your opinion, and right to have one.  Please and thanks.....
NOW.... I have been mulling this one over in my mind for a few weeks now.  To say it's bothered me is an understatement.  You see, we haven't had television in our house (other than Netflix and Hulu plus) for about 3 months now.  We are surviving, quite nicely I might add.  No more programs that we have to monitor and block, no more beer commercials with too much boobage, and no more risque movie trailers.  Which I hadn't actually realized had gotten so out of hand until this Magic Mike craze hit and I had no idea what everyone was talking about so I decided to google it.  Oiy.  I quickly remembered why I was enjoying this 'no tv' chapter in our lives.  Then all the 50 Shades of nasty hit facebook profiles and I went back to google only to discover I'm glad I purchase my books on Amazon because if there was a Barnes and Noble close by I wouldn't want to be slapped in the face with piles of 'gray matter' upon entering my Oz.  (yes, I am that fond of bookstores....it's like fairytale land).

I have been frustrated, disgusted, disappointed and downright outraged to the point I wanted to blog about this subject but didn't quite know where to start.  Until today.  My hubby has been preaching on the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount for several weeks now and today we were up to Matthew 5:27-30.  Coincidence.....I think not.  :)  God's timing is amazing as always.  His message brought my thoughts full circle and the words came I wanted to share in order to voice my opinion without just sounding like a raving lunatic full of frustration.

To save you all the trouble of looking it up in case you don't already know Matthew 5:27-30 is about adultery.  God's command for us to steer clear of things that will cause us to sin.  That if you look upon someone with lust, you have committed adultery in your heart.  Wow, that's powerful stuff.  You see, God doesn't just 'wish' we wouldn't do this, it doesn't say He 'prefers us not to'.  He commands it.  Period.  You don't tell your children I wish you wouldn't lie to me, I prefer you wouldn't talk back to me and deliberately disobey me.  We command respect and obedience from our children.  It's our job to teach them.  Our heavenly father commands us as He teaches us through His word and expects our obedience as well.  Now, I'm not saying we don't all fall short, mess us, and definitely need correction at times.  But as we learn to follow Him those times should become fewer and far between.

God clearly has no tolerance or 'gray' area of understanding when it comes to this subject.  It's one of the ten commandments and it's repeated in scripture.  Think it's important?  Yeah.  Me too.  And if you believe in the same God that I do, the same one who sent His son to die on the cross for my sins then you know all too well that He is with us, always.  If in fact He is with you would He be proud and embrace your actions, your habits, your hobbies?  The movies you watch, the programs you favor on TV, the people and places you spend your time on?  There's clearly a difference between witnessing to others and being in places and situations that are less than favorable versus being there by choice and desire.

Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.
1 Corinthians 15:33

We are told to set our minds on whatever is good.......

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philipians 4:8

Our words and actions are an outward display of our inner heart.  What is your heart speaking to others?  As Christians (and yes, even if you're not.....) we will be held accountable for every careless word we speak and our actions.  Matthew 5:28 tells us that whoever looks and lusts has committed sin in your heart.  Are you lusting for Magic Mike and his buddies?

Sound 'overboard' and a little 'out there' you say.  I choose to guard my heart.  I choose to save those looks and desires in my heart for the one man God created for me.  I choose to read words of encouragement and guidance rather than things that persuade my mind and take it to places that God knows are within me.  How many Shades of Gray does it take before you turn any shade of red due to desire or even embarrassment or shame?  Or does it even make you feel shame?

Lusting for someone doesn't come from a quick glance or look of admiration.  It doesn't come from checking out a book jacket or reading a review to know if something is suitable for you to spend your time (not to mention hard earned money) on.  It comes from an extended glance and a desire that grows in your heart and mind.  Watching 110 minutes certainly seems like an extended period of time to stare at men stripping.  The sole purpose of which is to entice a woman!  To breed lustful thoughts in her heart and mind.  Seriously. Explain any other purpose to me and I'll take it under advisement!  Would a woman want her husband or boyfriend to lust after other women?  Would you want him to be tempted by watching her strip and showing her body?  Would you want your children to watch it?  Would you want them to grow up to become a stripper?  It's definitely something that I think no one would want.  No one has a child and says, 'I dream of them one day becoming a stripper.'  If you tried to tell me you wouldn't mind, I'd have to say I doubt you're being honest with me (or yourself).  What would you do if your husband made a trip to the city strip club, raved about what a great time he had on his facebook wall with his buddies and talked about how hot the girls were for WEEKS on end!?!  Be honest.....

It really gets my goat (in case you couldn't tell), and breaks my heart.  I guess what it may boil down to is do you consider and call yourself a Christian......or do you know in your heart without a doubt that you are HIS.  Because as a child of the most high God our lives should look different.

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.  He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him.  By this we know that we are in Him.
1 John 2:3-5  

We have to take back our hearts.  Guard our minds.  Filter our lifestyle from things that the world has to 'offer'.  Just because Hollywood and society say it's good for us, it's hip, it's what everyone is doing doesn't make it right.  I want to lead my children by example.  I don't want my daughter to fall into the trap of a girl's night out watching strippers.  Her desire is to find a man who looks to the Lord in order to seek favor with her.  Why would a man like that want a woman who drools over any Tom, Dick or Harry that flaunts his business for the world to see?  I want my sons to grow up to respect women, to honor them and love them as Christ loves the church.  Not play Russian roulette hoping they find a woman who has remained pure.  Where are the women and men who will teach their sons and daughters how important this is?  It's up to us to change our lifestyles, the hobbies and hangouts, even perhaps the friends we choose.  I know we've had to make those adjustments in our life for just such reasons.  We now guard our hearts.....VERY closely!  We've built a hedge around our family that will keep such temptations at bay.  By God's grace we are able to stand strong, and stand together.  

Ladies, stop fawning over Magic Mike.  Your husband/boyfriend is tired of hearing about him by now I'm sure. (and so am I)  You know you would be totally done with pics of the latest pin up model as his screen saver, or plastered on your bathroom mirror or hanging from your bedroom wall.  So why taunt and joke about such things yourself?  Look to your husband again as you once did.  When you first became attracted to him.  His features that made your stomach fill with butterflies and your heart skip a beat.  He's your real magic man.  Don't mistake that.  Don't take it for granted.  Don't spoil your heart, risk it dreaming of someone other than your husband.  There's a price to pay.  It may seem harmless and all in good fun.  But I bet the man upstairs isn't laughing.  
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WOW.....one year (plus) later, I'm back!

I have been thinking about blogging again for the last few weeks and have so many things going through my mind but today just sparked the last bit of fire I needed to get in gear and get back to blog land.  So a quick review will catch everyone up before I jump in on what has inspired me to reappear in the blog world.

I started a new 'job'.  In April of last year I began a home-based business with Mary Kay.  Made a trip to Dallas last summer to attend my first seminar, Fall Retreat in October at Tan Tara (Lake of the Ozarks for those that don't know), a trip to Atlanta, Georgia for Leadership conference in January, back to Kansas City for Career Conference in March and one year later I debuted as a Sales Director!  Whew....whirlwind, yes. Exciting and worth EVERY second.  I am blessed beyond measure, have found a love for all things pink and sparkly and have discovered my inner shoe fiend.  Life is good.


My oldest daughter Taylor graduated from our local community college, has paid off her first car (milestones!), and we recently moved her almost two hours away to her first real apartment where she became a Bearcat.  :)  She will finish two more years of school and graduate college.  WOW....how did that all happen?  Having my first born leave home....bittersweet.  So much I could write there, but I'm sure any mom can imagine the ups and downs so I'll spare you the details.  She's amazing, we had a great time on her moving day and we're uber proud of the young woman she has become and how she is keeping her feet grounded and her heart and mind still focused on the Lord.  Love her heart and desire to remain in His presence.  Her daddy may not survive the transition though.... pray for him.  ;)  lol


Our oldest son Tyler has grown into quite the handsome young man in the last year.  He got his driver's license.  OIY.  Anyone who lives in our immediate area just let me apologize now and consider it a standing apology....  just sayin.  Boys and cars, and momma's don't mix.  lol  He can be a good driver, but it sure pushes me to my limits some days.  I so wish he had his very own vehicle.  He's getting better with his responsibilities but it's not been an easy year.  He's definitely become the strong willed teenager some parents dread but all-in-all he is a young man we are proud of.  He tries our patience most days but his heart is in the right place.  Head strong is an understatement, and he's had his fair share of groundings.  But he's a boy with two jobs, lots of friends and a Christian attitude.  That's good enough for me.  He attended his first ever prom this year and the realization that my little boy is growing up into a young man hit me.  He was so handsome in his tux.  But he's WAY taller than me now and it's kinda nice to feel 'protected' by another man in the family no matter where we go.  ♥



Our youngest son Tanner is now a 'big kid' as he puts it.  He will be in 3rd grade and we all know that's where it's at, right?!  Quite the ladies man he has had several 'girlfriends' in 2nd grade.  He might have been the teacher's pet, definitely the evangelist of his classroom as he's lined everyone out on the true meaning of Christmas and Easter at school parties.  lol  :)  Gotta love him.  He played soccer this year rather than opt for baseball and at first I had reservations about being a 'soccer mom' but he is so athletic and the game came so easy for him.  He was a soccer star!!!  I fell in love with a new sport and even though we had to sit and watch some of his games in 100+ degree heat it was awesome to cheer him on.  He's a rockstar!  Yes, I'm his mom, this is my blog, and I say so.  He also won his first ever pinewood derby!!!  Talk about over the top excited.  You'd have thought he'd won the lottery.  Love how simple little things bring him so much joy.  


Number 5 in the middle is my hero.  ;)

The biggest news of all for the last year.........  drum roll please..........  something I never in a million years saw coming at us.  My husband became a pastor!  Yes, we have been busy and life has been out of control to say the least.  Over the past year my husband had the calling to become a pastor (so did my cousin!), and he found himself filling in where needed when other pastors were on vacation or had to take some time off due to health reasons.  Then one Sunday, the church he had been filling in for ask him to preach full time.  And he said yes.  :)  He became an ordained pastor and now serves Modena Christian Church.  We are blessed.  Yes, it was scarey and totally not something we saw in our future but I gotta tell you, I wouldn't have it any other way.  It's a very small church but it's home.  I can't tell you the emotional roller coaster this sent me on but I'm finally starting to get over the motion sickness so to speak and am proud to be the preacher's wife.  Eric's heart for serving the Lord amazes me and I am overjoyed to be his wife.  



So, since the oldest daughter flew the coop, the oldest son moved into the bigger room.  The younger son in turn moved into the big brother's old room (bigger) and papa bear gets baby bears room for his new study.  We are making him a 'private office' so he can prepare his sermons and have a place to go for some quiet time.  I haven't given up on the idea of adoption so the extra room will always be there if we need it.  :)  I still surf the 'waiting children' listings and always have one (or a sibling group!) that tugs at my heart strings.  I show them to Eric and ask him to pray with me for them.  The last sibling set of 2 girls I had on my heart finally found a forever family after 3 years.  ♥  And now.... we pray for a set of twin boys.  :)  Shadrack and Meshac.  Yes, you read that right....  it's funny because they are just a year or two younger than Tanner and his favorite Veggie Tales movie is 'Rack, Shack and Benny'.  ;)  If you're a Veggie Tale lover you know the slang and I'd love to have two more boys in my house.  The soccer league wouldn't know what hit 'em!  lol  :)

Gus the wiener dog is still my baby, but he's soon going to have a little girlfriend.  Just a few more weeks and she will be coming to live with us.  Can't wait to buy her a little pink dress that sparkles.  lol ;)  Go figure.  Tanner got a new kitten from his VBS teacher last month and Roxy is fitting in marvelously on the farm.  Our herd of dexter cattle is growing (Eric loves his hobby farm), and our chickens are putting out eggs faster than we can sell them!


Life is good, we are blessed and I have a feeling it's going to be great being back in blog land.  :)  Stay tuned for what inspired me to come back!
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