Bright Sunshiny Day

Choices, Choices, Choices....

If you ask me, there are just too many choices to be had in this life.   Seriously.  Most are silly, simple, quick as wink to decide on.

Coke or Diet?  Diet, thanks

Smoking or Non?  Non, thanks....and could we go ahead and order three kids meals?  Nuggets and fries?  Thanks.

Read or watch TV?  Read.

Yahtzee or Trouble?  Yahtzee.

See?

But life tends to get more complicated than that....

What really puzzles me (and the Hubs) are the choices that some around us are making.  So just wondering - how do you decide on the biggies?

Like, say, the election?  Not asking you to shout out who yer votin' for....but how you came about to that decision.....actually, don't say.  Just think it over. 

Or how about theology?  Do you really want it dumbed down that much?  This is a biggie for me.  I had the pleasure of hearing John Macarthur preach a few months ago...and he said who we really need to be praying for are the "evangelical leaders" (term used lightly) in our country.

I agree.

Put who you want to in the White House. We'll get what we deserve.  It's who is in the pulpits these days that freaks me out.  I once read on a blog that the best thing that could happen for "christians" or  church-goers would be to close up all the "christian" bookstores.  And you know what?  I (gasp!) agree!  Too many  choices....to many bad choices.

Yep. It's True. You Should Read It.

Yesterday, I stumbled upon an article via somebody's blog.  I can't remember which blog led me to it, so if it was you, then here's your big ol HAT TIP. I'll read your blog forever if I figure out it was you.

Back to the article.

I am going to print a thousand copies and pass it out to people when I feel they need to read it.

Yep.  I am an Introvert.  I am not shy, I do enjoy people, doing things and going places....but PEOPLE.  I need my space.  I don't need to participate in every activity under the sun nor do I want my children too.  Once, a girl in my bible study class at my old church rolled her eyes at me and said, "Yeah....YOU could (live in a small town) because you never leave your house....."  Whatever.  As an Introvert I have found myself at the receiving end of lots of poky barbs from people who can't seem to settle down.  Or understand that I LIKE being this way... I'm used to it.  I am who I am.  Fearfully and wonderfully made.  My home is clean (which is good - since I never seem to leave it...oh....wait....I DID leave it this weekend.  For four whole days!) my children are well adjusted and my husband is happy.

Oh.  And I speak kindly to others. 

One great thing about being an Introvertis that while we don't need the whole gaggle of people around us, "yipping and barking like puppies" as the article states, we do love our friends.  We are fiercely loyal, look forward to time spent over good food or just a great phone conversation. Snatches of time spent together.... or how  about a shopping trip!  Not too long ago, I went shopping with one of my peeps and (gasp!) we even shared a dressing room....so see?  Just because we are misunderstood...we are not weird.

Just content.

A Different Drummer...

Noah.

He did things a little differently.  Remember he was the one who built the ark in obedience to God.  Only he was building the ark at a time when there had never been a rainstorm.  Not even a tiny sprinkle.  Yet he persevered.  You see, he was doing what he knew to be right.  Followed his convictions.  Right. True. A little different.  Strange even. I doubt he really understood what the boat was for.  He had no concept of what the word "flood" meant.

I get Noah.  And I really like him.

He forged on... For the sake of obedience.  For the sake of his family. 

Have you ever felt like Noah? I have.  I do.  Over the last two years, things in Bright Sunshiny Day Land have changed dramatically.

We added one funny little guy.  He shows us all what living for the moment means. We  opened up Bright Sunshiny Homeschool three days a week.  We halted a lot of our outside activities.  We changed the way we attend worship and church activities.  There has been an overwhelming urge to tuck our chicks in a little closer to the nest.  Gird up the foundation of how great it is to be a child of God.  Protect our children from "black swarmy dreams" and other things that threaten their fragile security. But most of all we strive to find joy in being a family!  We want our littles to know who they are in Christ.  Their valuable place in our family. To enjoy each other.

This is it folks.  We don't get do-overs in raising our families.  I don't want to miss a second of it.

When my kids learn more and more about the greatness of God, guess what?  I want to be there. When they finally grasp the need to write neatly...I want to be there.  When they settle in to read out loud, I want to be the one listening.  Or when they learn Scripture, Bible Stories or praise songs.  It's my calling.  No denying it.  My job, Andy's job....not the church, Sunday school teacher or school.

Everyday I feel more and more like Noah.  Building and searching.  Obeying and providing security for my littles.  Searching for what's right.  Dodging the flaming arrows and prickly words.

I get it.  I'm different.  But I'm doing the best I can.  I'm praying, seeking and searching for the right way....and hearing the still small voice that says, "this is the way....walk in it."

And guess what?  We like us.  We are happy.  We find comfort and joy in being together!  Call us crazy (and some do!) but isn't that what a family is?!

ps Go read Kris!  She has a wonderful blog today.

You Can't Ruin MY Day!

Seriously. It's been nearly a week since Rosie-Schmoosie mouthed off about, what was it, 'radical Christians'. Yes, the peace of Christ that fills my heart, my home, my life is EXACTLY the same thing that drove 11 or 12 men to fly planes into buildings on September 11.  Whatever.  If you dwell on it too much, it can get your dander up.  But then what good does that do?

Read more about it here.  This is the best blog I've come across concerning her mouth.   Joel Rosenburg is right you know.  The love that Christ has for me, for my family and Rosie is all the same.

I will say this.   Rosie thinks  she is all that.  All caring, generous and schtuff.  Then last week after her 'radical christian' nonsense, she spouts off with  this comment   "this whole peanut thing is out of control , they see one  and they shut the whole school down," this was in response to a guest saying " be careful some schools ban peanuts from schools"  She has missed the boat on this one.  BIG TIME.

Perhaps she needs to visit with this family

Like I said, I won't let her ruin my day.  Andy is right you know, she is just trying to get the ratings up.

Too bad she is such an idiot.

Um. Ok. If you think so.

It's not often I spout off  about the dumbest thing that I've ever read....however....today, I think I will.

In today's edition of The Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition, (an aside here: the opinions written in today's blog in no way, shape or form, have anything to do with the author's opinion of the Journal) there is an article on the front page about a trend amongst the wealthy....

You know, the ones who are freezing themselves for later use.  These coughsmarterthanaveragecough folks have it in their brains that they when they die, they can freeze their bodies. When science advances enough  then they will be thawed out. Not right away, but in about 100 or so years and will continue living. Like nothing ever happened.   It reminds me of the baggies of grapes I have frozen in my freezer for jelly making....at a later time.   Anyway, now not only are they freezing their bodies, they are also freezing their assets.

What?!

Heaven forbid that when you get all thawed out, you find yourself not only freezer burned, but also POOR.  One dude is socking away FIVE MILLION for his post-frozen life.  Five stinking million.  Scrambling around like a bunch of squirrels trying to take it with them....I hate to burst their bubbles....or thaw their icicles, but you can't take it with you folks.  (And, um, you're not coming back, either)

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where theives break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where theives  do not break in and steal" Matt. 6:10-20

I dunnno.  It sounds a little Tom-Cruise-Michael-Jacksonish to me. What about you?  Frankly when I die, the last place I want to be is stuck in a freezer here on earth. 

"In my Father's house there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."  Jonn 14:2-3.