On the other side of crazy...

Have you ever heard about some of the crazy things Christians do in the name of their faith? Here are some examples (written from my perspective):

- "I won't go to coffee with my coworker of the opposite sex, even if it's just a quick Starbucks run."

- A coworker (male, is having troubles with his wife) "That's not something I can help you with - you'll have to ask my husband."

- They invite you to their church - persistently.

- Won't watch certain movies (Hangover 2, for example)

- Don't listen to "normal" radio stations

This list could go on and on. Even as near as two years ago, I can remember having doubts about people like this. They weren't allowed to listen to their favorite radio station anymore? No more Metallica or Rob Zombie or _______________? (Insert whatever music you like here). I thought those "rules" were insane. I thought this Christianity thing was supposed to bring LIFE, not boredom.

But the harsh reality is that, for true Christians (those following Christ, not cultural christians), the perception of what LIFE is changes. It changes drastically (for the better) and I can say this because it's happened to me. I'm not talking about a little bit of change either. I'm talking about a complete, 180 degree turnaround. Those who have known me for a long time have seen it, and have even said to me "you've really changed." (I'm not sure that was intended to be a compliment, at the time, subject for another post.)

So now, when my alarm clock goes off in the morning, and the radio is on a common "Mix" radio station, and I hear the announcers talking about things like divorce, cheating, lying, teenager problems, etc., it makes my stomach churn. When I hear the songs they play.... "raise your glass" or "get drunk" or "party all night" or "sex" this or "hit" that.... etc.... I can't take it anymore. I can't listen to some of my favorite songs anymore (from the past). I guess I never realized what they were about- either that or I just didn't care. And I sure don't want my daughter listening to that. Or that culture will become just as ingrained in her as it did in me. If you don't believe me, watch a recent KidzBop commercial.

Let's just visit some of my favorite excerpts from these songs (sarcasm intended!)
The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars
"Throw my hand in my pants." Really?

On the Floor by J.Lo
"Drink a little more" ... "Vodka and Coke" ...

Tonight, Tonight by Hot Chella Rae
"Girlfriend cheated on me... but whatever, it doesn't matter." and "Woke up with a strange tattoo, don't know how I got it..."

This is just scratching the surface. I used to think stuff like this was harmless - that the kids probably wouldn't notice and/or understand all this anyway, so why does it matter? But it does matter, and it matters because God has changed my heart.

The purpose of me writing all of this isn't to convert anybody today. But before this change started in me, I can remember looking at some of my Christian friends and thinking they were a little bit nuts for some of their choices. I suppose that I just felt it would be good to promote some understanding between those Christian and not.

Perhaps this is a topic of interest to me because of my background. For a long time, I really believed that I had to "be good" and "obey God's laws" if I wanted salvation, which is hard because I didn't even know what all of God's laws were (and I probably still don't). Fortunately, that isn't the case. Salvation is a free gift, and that's important - because no human person can overcome sin 100% of the time and be perfect - it's not possible. Thankfully, God took care of that by sacrificing his Son to cover all our sin.

For those of you that want the "meat" and not just the "potatoes" ....

I have been reading in Romans lately, and today specifically Romans Chapters 7-8. Chapter 7 talks about God's laws, and how they bring nothing but death because of sin. Let me try to explain this better, with some excerpts from Romans 7-8.

- Sin takes advantage of God's commandments, and deceives me. (Example: I am a sinful human (as we all are) and whenever I eat more than I should, instead of me being able to move on, I am crippled by guilt. This is because of sin.)

- The trouble isn't with God's holy law, but with me. I want to do what's right, but instead I do what's wrong anyway. The sin within me causes this.

- If sin controls you, it leads to death, but letting the Holy Spirit control you leads to life and peace.

Now here's where we say, "Okay, I'm supposed to let something ELSE control me? Yeah Right. I'm in control here." (Which is exactly what I used to say, and what I often revert to.) And that's when mature Christians will tell you that whether you think you're in control or not, you aren't. There are two choices: Either God's in control, or sin is in control.

And some good news:

You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living within you. (8:9). Well, how do you get the Spirit of God to live within you? Just ask him. Just say "God, I want to give my life to you. I want you to allow your Spirit to live in me, and be salt and light to others." Or something similar. Don't use my words, use your own!

One last thought.

"God causes everything to work together for the good of those that love God and are called according to his purpose for them." -Romans 8:28

I haven't quite figured out why yet, but God has called me to write posts like these. To me, I seemed like the unlikely candidate. But His ways are perfect, and He knows exactly what He's doing. :)

Rest

Last night, I stayed up late and finished my research paper for my ecology class. For the last few weeks, I have been having a very difficult time going to bed. I don't know if it's all the late night coffee (which usually doesn't affect me) or just the amount of stress I have been (put myself) under, but sleep wasn't coming easy. I would lay in bed for a long time - thinking - before I could finally go to sleep. (Ironically, I could sleep at the drop of a hat upon opening the ecology book...)

Last night, afraid I'd have the same problem, but having finished all my "work" I opened a devotional my mom gave me a couple of months ago. My bookmark was in early June. Obviously it had been a while since opening this little treasure. I turned to July 6, and here is what I found.

"In the order of creation, rest-ful night came before the working day, assuring us that rest is part of the natural rhythm and restoration of our fragmented lives." -Jane Rubietta

The verse to go along with this little gem: Proverbs 3:24

In context,
"My child, don't lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap." - Prov. 3:21-26, NLT (Emphasis mine, on vs. 24)

Last night when I read this, I got through the Jane Rubietta quote and fell asleep with the book in my hands. The first thing I did this morning was read the rest of the page and the verse. Praise God, I slept good last night!

Some know and others don't, that my goal in completing my MS in Biology is not just to get paid more at my current job. It's not just to get a higher paying job either (although that is eventually part of the plan). The main purpose is to gain credibility in science in order to speak to teachers and parents about why science education is important, and how to teach the controversial topics we have to teach in public school without setting stumbling blocks before our kids. There are many authors who've written that the first time they ever doubted their faith was in a 9th grade biology classroom. Graduate students of science (myself included) face consequences for "allowing faith to cloud our judgment." While I haven't personally experienced it, I know it's out there. I never thought I'd be called to apologetics, but I find myself faced with the fact that God is pulling me in that direction.

So while I've been working hard at maintaining my GPA and checking one more class off the list, I seem to have been neglecting two things: Bible study, and sleep!

From my devotional again: "While we may be able to multitask like the best superwoman, it takes a toll on us. We must give our bodies the rest they need and deserve. Do you want to enjoy everything God created for you? God created rest. Take a break."

And so today, I am resting, reading my Bible, and doing laundry. Ha! :)


Devotional from "Take my Heart, Oh God" by Sarah Young

Tuesday Update

Is today Tuesday? I think so. Man, I'm TIRED.

Jacki & Chantel thought I ran four miles and change in 27 minutes (and nicely pointed out that there must have been a mistake). Bwahaha!! Major CardioTrainer FAIL.

I really did go on the treadmill today, but I walked. Quickly. Ok, sort of quickly. And Nicole taught me some cool moves with free weights. My arms are going to fall off. (All of this occurred after spending about an hour in the pool earlier in the day!)

Yesterday, I did 30 mins on the Elliptical. That is a big deal for me, folks!

Food - I have done REALLY well today, even having 2 small slices of pizza for dinner... and resisting the leftovers that are hanging out in the fridge. It was one of those nights where the kid was falling asleep on the floor and we were out of bread and pretty much anything else she would eat that we could fix quickly. I sent the hubs to Little Caesar's - this kid needed food before sleep or it would be a looooooong night!!

I managed to do some of my ecology homework, but it's not quite done. And I still have some other work to do... but I found out I am approved to take vacation time in September and we are going to get to go on a trip for our 10th anniversary!! More motivation to get this weight off!!

I'll weigh in in the morning. We'll see how things are going!

Gotta lose 20 in 20

Does that sound crazy? 20 lbs in 20 days. Before you all freak out (anyone even reading this?) that's not much for someone like me. I don't need to get into numbers and math, but this will be a drop in the proverbial bucket. When I had a mild case of pancreatitis two weeks ago, I dropped 8 lbs in three days. Water. So don't panic. Once I make this first goal, I will slow down.

The plan: 30 mins of cardio (elliptical) three times per week and yoga twice a week. This week, I will only get yoga once because I am going to Arkansas on Friday.
Calories: 2200/day. I won't be starving.

This also coincides with "hunger month" so I will be working on eating on a food stamp budget. Our budget is already close to that anyway, so I think it's possible. $3.70/day per person.

So I am sitting here at McDonald's with a fruit salad and diet coke, having some indoor play time for the munchkin. And as appealing as that new Rolo McFlurry sounds, there will be no ice cream crossing these lips today!

See you all (ha) tomorrow. :)

L'Oreal Eye Makeup!

As a BzzAgent, I've had a neat opportunity to try out a few products here and there and give feedback! It's a fun way to get to try out products, and is sort of like doing market research, except I don't have to show up at some stuffy office building and eat pizza rolls!

I have not been much of an eye makeup person lately, mainly because most mascara makes my eyes itch, and because I havn't ever felt like I've done a very good job with eyeshadow. It takes longer than I have in the mornings too (since I have to be at work at 7am!)...

Yesterday, I got my package - L'Oreal The One-Sweep Eyeshadow in Natural for Green Eyes, and L'Oreal Double Extend Illuminator mascara for Green Eyes. I was pleased because they were customized for my eye color! How thoughtful! (I realized later, duh, that I had told them my eye color during a survey, but it was still neat.)

This morning, I was running late for work, as usual, so I stuck the two products in my purse and decided to apply them at work. For those of you that don't know, I teach high school, and this meant I'd be using the glass on my cabinet door as a mirror. Could be a disaster, considering that I hadn't used eye makeup in quite some time. In fact, the last time I tried eyeshadow, some students asked me if someone had punched me in the eye. Apparently it had smudged. I was hoping today wouldn't go that way.

Imagine my surprise when upon opening the eyeshadow, I discovered a tiny little mirror, built into the compact! Cool! The eyeshadow went on easily, once I figured out the curved applicator. I was amazed at how easy the application was - and it looked good! It really did look like I had taken several minutes to work on it, but it literally took about three seconds per eye!

I used that same little mirror to apply the mascara, and I was pleased that it didn't make a huge mess and clump. I have very thick, but short eyelashes. It sufficiently lengthened my eyelashes without thickening them to the point of discomfort. The sparkly "step 2" made this really fun!

So the real test was whether or not my students and colleagues would notice. These kids are observant - they noticed that I hadn't had my toenails painted over spring break like they all did. I was complimented all day at how pretty I looked. No one said "I like your eye makeup" ... they just said "You look really nice - but I can't figure out what's different." To me, that means the eye makeup is applied perfectly and isn't obvious. Overall, for the amount of effort I put in, the effect, and how long it's lasted (all day) I'd say I'll be wearing this daily! Hooray for a quick and easy long-wearing makeup!

It's Christmas Break! (For another day or so.)

What a whirlwind semester this fall was! It started with a new schedule of classes at work, two graduate level classes in Biology, leading a team at Bible Study, participating in a lot of church-related activities, playing lots of orchestra gigs, and raising a four year old, and quickly escalated into probably one of the most stressful semesters of my life! In fact, so much so, that it's taken me this long to destress enough to realize that I've been on vacation for two weeks. Unfortunately, my vacation has come to an end, and I'm back to work on Monday. I'm looking forward to attending MY church with MY family tomorrow morning for the first time in probably 8 weeks, and hoping for a much reduced schedule of things to do this semester.

I won't be leading a Bible Study group. I'm sad about this, and I'm sad I won't see my friends each week, but I'm also looking forward to spending more time with my family.

I will be taking two graduate classes again this semester - Genetic Investigation & Analysis, and Case Studies in Endocrinology (my favorite physiology subject, so far).

Olivia is taking ballet classes and so far loving it! I can't wait to help with costumes (I may curse those words later...)

JP is getting certified to teach. He'll be looking for a job, and because I'm more marketable than he is, I'll follow him to relocate if necessary, but obviously we're hoping that I can stay put and that we won't have to move. All of this is complicated by KINDERGARTEN ROUNDUP in March. Holy moly, I'm about to be the parent of a KINDERGARTENER. I can't believe it!! My baby is growing up!

In other news, I received a spinning wheel for Christmas!! I've wanted one since I first learned to spin at a craft fair when I was eleven years old. I can't wait to post about my spinning adventures. I've made one skein of yarn so far. It's uneven, lumpy in places, and sometimes too tightly spun, but that's ok - I think it's beautiful. I can't decide if I want to dye it or just leave it in it's natural off-white state. Our new pet angora rabbit, Snow-White-Fluffysoft, is getting settled into her new home, and in a few months, will be ready to have a haircut, and then we'll have some really awesome spinning to do!

That's about all for now. It's gonna be time for finishing up lesson plans tomorrow and getting things ready for a new semester at work. I hope I'll post again before June, but I can't guarantee it. :)