Two Sides of the Coin

My husband often says that the qualities you love about somebody manifest themselves in ways that you love in one context and in another context manifest themselves in ways that drive you crazy. Someone who is very passionate about life is often very influential in peoples lives, great speakers and are able to inspire, but they can also overreact and be a little too dramatic when the situation calls for the storm to be calmed. Someone who is a planner most often have great parties, organized homes and are the people to turn to when chaos needs some order. But on the flip side they are the people who are often unable to join you for that impromtu night out to the movie or a connection at the local ice cream shop.

One of the things my husband loves about me is that I'll take a person for face value, often not questioning motives and giving them the benefit of the doubt. But this quality drives my husband crazy when a salesperson shows up at my door. I've bought 100 dollars worth of steaks for a "great deal" and I would have purchased a Kirby in a heartbeat had that one purchase not been more than our monthly income at the time....the thing transformed into a carpet shampoo cleaning machine, it's a housewife's dream.

Good marketing does the same thing for me, if you make something pretty, convenient, thorough, or easier for me to live I'll very likely want it and believe what the ad tells me. If a new movie has a really cool trailer and simple lines that capture you like, "Every Generation Has a Legend...Every Journey Has a First Step...Every Saga Has a Beginning" One of the best trailers for a blockbuster ever! You better believe I'll be in line as fast as possible to see what that is all about....because I believe that if the trailer is good the movie will be good too. Now, we've all been disappointed with the follow up to some pretty spectacular trailers, but they really make you believe that movie is going to fulfill all the hopes you ever had for the show or you wouldn't fork out the 10 bucks to make sure you experienced the story with quality film and sound and no distractions guaranteed (unless, of course, you drink too much diet Coke).

Well, when I start receiving information in any context about something I believe in on a much deeper level than a made up story whether it be from the pulpit, the radio, the television, YouTube or maybe, lets say even an e-mail...even a forwarded e-mail, the gears within me get all wound up and suddenly I can do something, even though its small, and have some sort of influence upon this culture and the country I was born in, no matter how small it may be. I am quite aware that signing your name on an e-mail is pretty small, but it is something. I get sucked into these Christian rights e-mails and how America is going down the tubes and a big group I believe in like Focus on the Family is in a fight for something that's right and I'm suddenly ready to jump on the bandwagon. I want to fight for what's right and this sounds good!!!

There's a couple of problems with this whole reaction to an e-mail that tells me CBS is going to cancel all shows that have any mention of God in their shows (unless of course they are cursing God). First of all, I have put no thought into the credibility of this e-mail, I'm just reacting. Secondly, I am married to the foremost ambassador of the Anti-Forward E-mails because they are all fake or waste your time Association. I cannot count the times I have heard my husband's rhetoric on this topic and here I am commiting the same act he has so strongly opposed, time and time and time again.

Well, I had my moment of weakness, and actually forwarded an e-mail to those very family and friends with whom we have had extensive conversations on this very topic and the absurdity of the Christian Community for believing an e-mail so easily. Turns out this e-mail concerning Focus on the Family and a certain battle with CBS is a hoax, and it has been circulating for at least a decade! What will I do next time I get stirred up? I'll check it out and I hope you do too.
But the next time I feel like I need to make a contribution to society, I'll go love my boys. Who knows what God has in store for them, and what happens in their lives later, begins now.

P.S. Here's the best website to check out all your forwarded e-mails and urban legends that seem to have a distant ring of truth. http://www.snopes.com/

What is Your Favorite Beverage?

I recall making a very important realization in my life several years ago. It has made at least one decision making process in my life easy so that I don't even have to think about what I want because I already know, either around the world or in the luscious green of the midwest where I've spent much of my adult life.

There are few things more satisfying to me than a Diet Coke on ice in a paper cup from McDonalds.....

Now I don't have to be at McDonalds to enjoy a Diet Coke. I enjoy Diet Cokes on the rocks in many eating establishments, but if I have need only of a Diet Coke, it is to McDonalds I go.

Prior to this articulation of my opinion, I articulated another. I really prefer my soda on ice in a cup rather than straight from the can. I think I am less likely to express any surprise belches when my coke is on ice and besides it just taste better. But the best is from McDonalds. Maybe they know some secrets of the trade that common consumers like us couldn't have the capacity to dream up. I've wondered if it is just the combination of carbon dioxide to syrup, or maybe they put something else in it, or maybe the Coke has some sort or mild chemical reaciton to the cup that McDonalds created that adds to the taste, wierd I know, but seriously what could it be? Whatever it is it works for me and I know others that feel the same way.

So...what is your favorite carbonated beverage and does it need to be on the rocks, straight from the can or just plain cold? does it come from a favorite restaurant or your local convenience store? do you mix drinks? I'd love to know....tell me what you think.

Two Words I Hate!!! Part B

The second word? Perfect. Mostly because man's idea of perfection is so often not in line with God's idea of perfection. I'm so far away from perfection in God's eyes I'm sure I don't even really know what I am talking about. When I talk about things being perfect, I'm talking about being so caught up in everything around you being perfect that you can't really live. Like a house always looking perfect (which I have tried to accomplish and have only discovered I am a miserable failure in this department) or plans always being perfect or always looking perfect or your car looking and running perfectly. Don't misunderstand me please. I love the word "excellent" which communicates that one is always striving to do their best work, whatever that may be, but it gives me a huge sense of freedom from perfection. I will leave perfection up to God and strive for excellence while I am still here.

Two Words I Hate!!! Part A

The first one is "Nice". First of all it is way overused... that's nice dear, be nice to your friends, it's a nice day, so nice of you to stop by. What does it really mean anyway? There are so many other words you can use that mean what you are really trying to communicate. that's fine dear, be kind to your friends, it's a beautiful day, so great of you to stop by. In the context that I really do not like the word "nice" is in with relationships. I first articulated this opinion to myself while watching a christian children's video in which a song was being sung with purpose of communicating how one should behave in relationships. The title of the song? "Be Nice". I nearly think this word is evil....why? So glad you asked. It communicates that you should never ever disturb anyones feelings. I am sure many would agree with me that there is a time and place when, if you are really expressing love to a person and a confrontation needs to take place then there are a lot of things about that experience, including words, that will not be nice, but will be loving and God honoring. To be nice in our culture is a value that is more important than to be honest, loving and even kind. To be kind is a scriptural mandate, but I haven't seen the word "nice" in my Bible, so if anyone else does....please let me know. And be kind to all those in your life....just don't be "nice" at any cost.