At the beginning of last year, or perhaps the end of the year before, I read "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People"; I loved it. I have ever been a purpose driven person and have never known a time when I did not doggedly pursue my passion. In the past few years though I have realized that much of the time I present myself as a snob to many, and a know-it-all to as many more. Finding myself the sort of person who prefers to recognized my faults and correct them, I have made an attempt at sorting out why others, and myself, could see me in such a light.
Forgive me I am coming to the point.
I had a revelation the other day; through a culmination of books that I have read, pod-casts I have listened to, and several conversations with my darling husband. I understand now that I am not really a snob so much as I am maybe not very good at communicating my thoughts, so you see.
I would suggest that I am much akin to Sherlock Holmes in my approach to life. I have a vision for my life and follow my purpose to that end. Anything that is outside my area of influence, or that which does not directly or immediately effect my path, I tend to ignore and be quite indifferent toward. Such things as politics (and anything pertaining thereto), news, pop culture, reality anything, sitcoms, drama, world events, a formal college education, and the like. I tend to, as some may see it, shelter myself from those thing. I have access to them, but no interest in them. Some may say that is a very narrow vision of the world, very small indeed. Yet I would say just the opposite. These areas my be of concern to many other people, if they have influence over them or no, and that is their choice.
In the simplicity of the life I chose, I have less stress and more control over what is or is not in my life. I chose to shield my mind from the aspects of the world that have little or nothing to do with my vision and purpose; because of that I have the freedom to seek out knowledge and even wisdom in the things that do come into my path. Things such as classical education and homeschooling, Biblical marriage and parenting, computer technology, natural and herbal remedies, Christian values and character, and social and economic statistics. These are the things I care about and have significance in my vision. I research these areas on multiple levels and educate myself until I am satisfied. There is a virtual ocean of information out there pertaining to these subjects and I am content swimming through every bit of it.
One of the habits of highly effective people is that they only concern themselves with the things they have control over. I cannot say that I have perfected this habit, but I like to think that i have a decent start on it. I have learned that the world is only as small or as large as you make it. In the same turn, I have discovered that life is only as complicated and stressful as you allow. I was once taught that everything in life is a choice, some are harder than others, but we can learn and grow from them all. My husband and I are a team in our vision, though we see it from different points of view, we see the same picture.We chose a simple, self educated life, where when hardships come we meet them head on. We are not financially well off, but we have a good life.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Thursday, November 19, 2009
House of Strength
I have heard it said that God should be the cornerstone to ant person who follows Christ, but I think there maybe more to it than that.
When building a house, or any building, one must first begin with a firm foundation. Once that has been dug into, then the cornerstone can be placed and the rest of the foundation formed around it. Building a foundation is no easy task, it can be messy, tedious, and time consuming to make sure all the blocks line up with the cornerstone; the edges between the blocks are made straight, even, and clean. Depending on the size of the structure there may be other pillars or supports placed throughout the lowest level.
Later these may be covered up or left bare, depending on who dwells there. After the whole foundation is set, wooden beams can be placed and anchored to the foundation. Wood panels are laid down on top of the beams as a basic flooring to walk on, before the finished product. Then outside and inside framing of walls, with spaces specially set for doors and windows. The roof, which really is put on about the same time the outer shell is being placed, is the ultimate protection from hazard.
Outside walling for weather is pieced together, windows and doors set in; then wiring, insulation, and pluming lines. Sheetrock or drywall covers this to make things look less messy and safer. In the end, after everything is built and working, then we add our personal touches: carpet, hard wood, paint, wall paper, pictures, furniture, and so forth.
Now let’s look at this in another way. The Bible is our firm foundation; if we dig into it and place our cornerstone there we have a good start. God the Father is our cornerstone; by Him we measure all things. The trials of life are the mortar that build us stronger and keep us attached to Him. Each new block is a victory in Him. The support beams and pillars are other Christ followers, holding us up in prayer. The basic flooring that we walk on is the child-like faith that He is holding us steady.
The outside frame work and walling are His Will, for as long as we are in it we know that whatever happens is in His plan and no danger will come to us. His love is our insulation. Wiring throughout is our source of power, prayer and worship; anytime and anywhere. The pluming brings the water of His Spirit to quench our thirst, fill us up, and sometimes to wash away filth and to make us clean. Doors and windows can be strengths or weaknesses, a way to get out of the storm or a way to allow evil in. The inner walls are our talents and abilities, on them we can build our character and confidence, mark how we have grown, and see how we have changed over time.
Finally the roof is the hand of our Savior Jesus Christ. He protects us from the worst storms. Sometimes the roof gets a hole; but how? Well, when Christ died on the cross for us he gained a hole in each hand; it was in the house plans from the beginning. When the roof leaks He is just reminding us that when things go wrong, He still has everything in His hand.
When building a house, or any building, one must first begin with a firm foundation. Once that has been dug into, then the cornerstone can be placed and the rest of the foundation formed around it. Building a foundation is no easy task, it can be messy, tedious, and time consuming to make sure all the blocks line up with the cornerstone; the edges between the blocks are made straight, even, and clean. Depending on the size of the structure there may be other pillars or supports placed throughout the lowest level.
Later these may be covered up or left bare, depending on who dwells there. After the whole foundation is set, wooden beams can be placed and anchored to the foundation. Wood panels are laid down on top of the beams as a basic flooring to walk on, before the finished product. Then outside and inside framing of walls, with spaces specially set for doors and windows. The roof, which really is put on about the same time the outer shell is being placed, is the ultimate protection from hazard.
Outside walling for weather is pieced together, windows and doors set in; then wiring, insulation, and pluming lines. Sheetrock or drywall covers this to make things look less messy and safer. In the end, after everything is built and working, then we add our personal touches: carpet, hard wood, paint, wall paper, pictures, furniture, and so forth.
Now let’s look at this in another way. The Bible is our firm foundation; if we dig into it and place our cornerstone there we have a good start. God the Father is our cornerstone; by Him we measure all things. The trials of life are the mortar that build us stronger and keep us attached to Him. Each new block is a victory in Him. The support beams and pillars are other Christ followers, holding us up in prayer. The basic flooring that we walk on is the child-like faith that He is holding us steady.
The outside frame work and walling are His Will, for as long as we are in it we know that whatever happens is in His plan and no danger will come to us. His love is our insulation. Wiring throughout is our source of power, prayer and worship; anytime and anywhere. The pluming brings the water of His Spirit to quench our thirst, fill us up, and sometimes to wash away filth and to make us clean. Doors and windows can be strengths or weaknesses, a way to get out of the storm or a way to allow evil in. The inner walls are our talents and abilities, on them we can build our character and confidence, mark how we have grown, and see how we have changed over time.
Finally the roof is the hand of our Savior Jesus Christ. He protects us from the worst storms. Sometimes the roof gets a hole; but how? Well, when Christ died on the cross for us he gained a hole in each hand; it was in the house plans from the beginning. When the roof leaks He is just reminding us that when things go wrong, He still has everything in His hand.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Harsh upon my own sex
I am about as sexist a woman as any can find. I am angered by the man haters out there who think that women should bne out in the work force just as much as men. I hate that I have to work outside the home to help bring in money for our childless family to stay afloat.
I will not say that all woman should be stuck home bare foot an pregnant in the kitchen making pie all day. I do believe that there are women out there who do well in the professional positions. It is the women who are so emotionally charged and completely illogical who really grind my wheat. I firmly beleive that this nation was better off befor women were allowed run for office and to some extent to vote too. A strong opinion yes, but no stronger than the views of my man oppressing female counterparts. There are so many feminists out there who say they want equal rights to men, but what they seem to really want is more rights than men. These are bitter women, hurt or neglected by their father or some other important man in their life. They want revenge. These are spiteful women, angry at the world for their percieved ill treatment.
I am one example of women who want to stay home, care for my husband and children.I want my husband to be the leader of my home, to help disciplin our children. I want to be my husbands help mate, to be submissiveto him, not a slave or subordinate. They say that "behind every great man is a great woman." Well, I want to be that woman.I don't need to vote, I do but I don't need to. I vote for whom ever my husband voted for. He is a good man, honest, and Godly. He dotes on me, loves me, respects me, prays with me, values my opinion and how I feel, and he appreciates me. he has his faults and I acknowledge them; but I have my faults too, and they are no less than his. Each of us has our own goals and dreams, many of them coincide with eachother, but they do not run in two different directions. We both have great tallents and abilities, and we do our best to use them for God's glory.
I do believe in God and the Bible. I take bothe seriously and litterally. I would not consider myself a Bible thumper or even very conservative. I believe what I believe and that makes me who I am. I do not think it is right to force others to live the same sort of life I chose to lead, though I do believe that the God of the Bible is the one true God and the only Way. I make no appologies for it, just as those who oppose me make no appologies for their beliefs. or faith or lack thereof.
I don't wish to be typical or normal in the eyes of the world. I already feel alien here. I want to be a Godly woman, a Proiverbs woman. I want to be different, becausse normal is disfunctional.
Normal women are bitchy, illogicl, unforgiving, overly emotional, bitter, insecure, indicisive, contentious, and poor communicaters. They take everything personally, react to emotions, and emasculate any man they can for their own insecuries. I know I am a rare woman, but I know there are more out there like me, I have met a few.
These are the womans rights I want to fight for: to take care of my husband, home, and children.
I want to educate my children myself, with my husband. I want to have babies at home or in a birthing center. Naturally, with the help of a midwife as they did once upon a time. I want to breastfeed until my child weans themself, the way it once was. I want to use cloth diapers. I want to disciplin and care for my chuildren the way I see fit, to teach them self control and responsibility. I want to rumn my home, not have my children do it, or have the government or psychologists tell me what is best.
I will not say that all woman should be stuck home bare foot an pregnant in the kitchen making pie all day. I do believe that there are women out there who do well in the professional positions. It is the women who are so emotionally charged and completely illogical who really grind my wheat. I firmly beleive that this nation was better off befor women were allowed run for office and to some extent to vote too. A strong opinion yes, but no stronger than the views of my man oppressing female counterparts. There are so many feminists out there who say they want equal rights to men, but what they seem to really want is more rights than men. These are bitter women, hurt or neglected by their father or some other important man in their life. They want revenge. These are spiteful women, angry at the world for their percieved ill treatment.
I am one example of women who want to stay home, care for my husband and children.I want my husband to be the leader of my home, to help disciplin our children. I want to be my husbands help mate, to be submissiveto him, not a slave or subordinate. They say that "behind every great man is a great woman." Well, I want to be that woman.I don't need to vote, I do but I don't need to. I vote for whom ever my husband voted for. He is a good man, honest, and Godly. He dotes on me, loves me, respects me, prays with me, values my opinion and how I feel, and he appreciates me. he has his faults and I acknowledge them; but I have my faults too, and they are no less than his. Each of us has our own goals and dreams, many of them coincide with eachother, but they do not run in two different directions. We both have great tallents and abilities, and we do our best to use them for God's glory.
I do believe in God and the Bible. I take bothe seriously and litterally. I would not consider myself a Bible thumper or even very conservative. I believe what I believe and that makes me who I am. I do not think it is right to force others to live the same sort of life I chose to lead, though I do believe that the God of the Bible is the one true God and the only Way. I make no appologies for it, just as those who oppose me make no appologies for their beliefs. or faith or lack thereof.
I don't wish to be typical or normal in the eyes of the world. I already feel alien here. I want to be a Godly woman, a Proiverbs woman. I want to be different, becausse normal is disfunctional.
Normal women are bitchy, illogicl, unforgiving, overly emotional, bitter, insecure, indicisive, contentious, and poor communicaters. They take everything personally, react to emotions, and emasculate any man they can for their own insecuries. I know I am a rare woman, but I know there are more out there like me, I have met a few.
These are the womans rights I want to fight for: to take care of my husband, home, and children.
I want to educate my children myself, with my husband. I want to have babies at home or in a birthing center. Naturally, with the help of a midwife as they did once upon a time. I want to breastfeed until my child weans themself, the way it once was. I want to use cloth diapers. I want to disciplin and care for my chuildren the way I see fit, to teach them self control and responsibility. I want to rumn my home, not have my children do it, or have the government or psychologists tell me what is best.
Blasted women and the most crap I will ever get
I don't mind not being liked by everyone. I acknowledge that I have at times a very abrasive personality. I see this and count it as both a blessing and a curse. I know that I rub some people the wrong way. I don't intend to, but I also know that I am often misunderstood. My tone of voice, my attitude at a given time, and sometimes my over confidence gets in the way of my ability to communicate. Though I do think at times that people do need to be offended, wake them up a bit, get them thinking.
I like questions, I ask them all the time. Questions followed by honest and intelligent answers are the only way to solve or understand anything.
Why do women twist things about the way they do? They seem to hear what they want, not what is being said. Aside from taking things all too personally, they turn everything inside out and backward. i do not claim to be perfect, all wise, or all knowing, but I do know myself. I know my securities and insecurities, my faults and my strengths. I do thing for myself and have no issue with admitting to being wrong; but when I know that I am right I will stand firm. I don't like being wrong, but I will admit to it when it is plain. i will also admit when i don't know something; I do not count this as an insecurity or even a flaw, only as ignorance. Ignorance can be a flaw and it can be a blessing.
I do not follow the news in any way. I only know what is going on in the world from news show commercials, blurbs on the radio, and conversations I overhear. To me the news, as liberal media presents it, is too depressing. It all seems to be about fear and death. Stories are writen for emotions rather than to convey facts. Opinions are given instead of truths and evidance. There always seems to be a slant on everything.
I research what is important to me: education, child rearing, domestic economics, frugality, and a host of other intrests. Though I enjoy writing stories of fiction, much of my intrests are reality based. I have no time for reality television or even most sitcoms. Reality television is not reality, it is improv, people placed in a given situation, playing a part without a script. Sitcoms portray "typical" couples or familieswhere: the man is an insensitive, selfish fool; the woman is either an air head or a contentious, ultra sensitive, control-freak. Neither tha man nor the woman portray any amount of respect for one another or expect it from their disobedient children who do seem to be running the home.
I like questions, I ask them all the time. Questions followed by honest and intelligent answers are the only way to solve or understand anything.
Why do women twist things about the way they do? They seem to hear what they want, not what is being said. Aside from taking things all too personally, they turn everything inside out and backward. i do not claim to be perfect, all wise, or all knowing, but I do know myself. I know my securities and insecurities, my faults and my strengths. I do thing for myself and have no issue with admitting to being wrong; but when I know that I am right I will stand firm. I don't like being wrong, but I will admit to it when it is plain. i will also admit when i don't know something; I do not count this as an insecurity or even a flaw, only as ignorance. Ignorance can be a flaw and it can be a blessing.
I do not follow the news in any way. I only know what is going on in the world from news show commercials, blurbs on the radio, and conversations I overhear. To me the news, as liberal media presents it, is too depressing. It all seems to be about fear and death. Stories are writen for emotions rather than to convey facts. Opinions are given instead of truths and evidance. There always seems to be a slant on everything.
I research what is important to me: education, child rearing, domestic economics, frugality, and a host of other intrests. Though I enjoy writing stories of fiction, much of my intrests are reality based. I have no time for reality television or even most sitcoms. Reality television is not reality, it is improv, people placed in a given situation, playing a part without a script. Sitcoms portray "typical" couples or familieswhere: the man is an insensitive, selfish fool; the woman is either an air head or a contentious, ultra sensitive, control-freak. Neither tha man nor the woman portray any amount of respect for one another or expect it from their disobedient children who do seem to be running the home.
Blinders of a Horse
Live in your head. Don't mind the news or what goes on around you. Be vigilant, be faithful, trust and obey. Do as your told and do not fear. hear my voice: my quiet gentle voice. When all else seems to be going south, breath deep and keep moving. I have a plan for you, I have a purpose. Have joy, have peace, hope is ever present, and my love will provide all that you need. Your vision of the future is dim, I will dazzle you.
I keep my eyes on Him as the world comes crashing down. My road will be straight and my vision narrow, my mind open and clear to his voice.
I keep my eyes on Him as the world comes crashing down. My road will be straight and my vision narrow, my mind open and clear to his voice.
Humpty Dumpty
I feel so alien in this world any more. Everything seems backward and upside down. Government, education, domestics, and all over our society is lost in sin and perversion. Greed, pride, and all kinds of immorality have turned our culture. People use to be respectful, responsible, and reputable. So much has become acceptable that was once considered unacceptable, and they call it enlightenment. I call it perversion. I am all for change and advancement, but not when basic principals are reversed or completely set aside.
People wonder why our society has gone into such disarray. Well it starts in the home and in the public schools. When individuals and families are out of control the rest of society reflects it. When parents don't control their children, the children don't learn self control; and what they are when they are four is what they will be when they are fourteen and twenty-four.
Once the largest trouble in public schools was gum chewing and talking in class. Now there are police and metal detectors at even the small schools, because of weapons and the possibility of their use.
It makes me angry when people say how fgreat this nation is, but it is all pride and not a good healthy confidence. This nation was founded on rebellion. Christianity was once recognised as the standard, not all has been set aside. We are not a great nation we are a "know-it-all" teen, a petulant child. America must be humbled, we need to be judged. I realize tat many other nations are just as bad if not worse, but we are so arrogant; thinking we are blessed and protected. We are not Israel, we are not Gods chosen nation. We have no more blessing or protection than any other nation, we are not special. The world does not respect us because we have earned it, they fear us because we can blow them up. It is our military they wish not to recon with. Our pride will be our down fall , and we will fall.We have turned away from our most basic principals and those principals are what made us great, once. Our greatness has fallen, and so soon will all the rest.
People wonder why our society has gone into such disarray. Well it starts in the home and in the public schools. When individuals and families are out of control the rest of society reflects it. When parents don't control their children, the children don't learn self control; and what they are when they are four is what they will be when they are fourteen and twenty-four.
Once the largest trouble in public schools was gum chewing and talking in class. Now there are police and metal detectors at even the small schools, because of weapons and the possibility of their use.
It makes me angry when people say how fgreat this nation is, but it is all pride and not a good healthy confidence. This nation was founded on rebellion. Christianity was once recognised as the standard, not all has been set aside. We are not a great nation we are a "know-it-all" teen, a petulant child. America must be humbled, we need to be judged. I realize tat many other nations are just as bad if not worse, but we are so arrogant; thinking we are blessed and protected. We are not Israel, we are not Gods chosen nation. We have no more blessing or protection than any other nation, we are not special. The world does not respect us because we have earned it, they fear us because we can blow them up. It is our military they wish not to recon with. Our pride will be our down fall , and we will fall.We have turned away from our most basic principals and those principals are what made us great, once. Our greatness has fallen, and so soon will all the rest.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
You're so vain...
There's a guy who works in my building who, when his wife comes in to dine with him for lunch, he seems ashamed of her; or maybe he's ashamed of himself, I am not sure which. He is a fairly attractive man, but she seems very plain. She isn't ugly, she's just plain. I understand that they have children, though it still does not explain his demeanor when she is around.
My husband comes in every Thursday for lunch, and a Bible study with our Pastor. I advertise everytime. I am proud of my husband, he's everything to me; and he is the kind of person people tend to like to be around. Well I best be off, so little to do and so much time to do it in, you know.
My husband comes in every Thursday for lunch, and a Bible study with our Pastor. I advertise everytime. I am proud of my husband, he's everything to me; and he is the kind of person people tend to like to be around. Well I best be off, so little to do and so much time to do it in, you know.
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