Traps That Have Beset Me.

I hear from time to time people describing something happening to them that is beneficial to them, and then say that God is good.  This makes me think about the reasoning to that statement.  Doesn't that make the deciding factor as to if God is good, our perception of the situation?  If what is beneficial to you is detrimental to me, is God good for one of us and not the other?

God is good outside of anything that does or does not happen in our lives.  I believe most people believe this in theory, yet the practice is a far cry from doctrinally sound theology.  God is the I am, if he is good, He is good all the time.  Goodness is not happiness, it is godliness.  I am not looking to mince words, I assure you I am far less concerned with the words as I am with what can happen when we correlate our benefit with God's goodness. 

I am not implying that people cannot say that God is good when something good happens to them.  Of course He is, but He is every bit as good when the dog has died, the tires are flat, the money is gone, and sickness sets in.  Perhaps we should train ourselves to say this regardless of our circumstances and to show the discipline in realizing His goodness amidst disappointment as well as rejoicing. 

Iron Pigs, Take Two

Eleven is the new social awareness. I took my eleven year old niece to the Iron Pigs game a few weeks ago. We had tickets to a batting practice viewing, but since her younger brother decided not come along with us, the allure was far less compelling for two chic chicks. Instead we found ourselves driving around town looking for sunglasses and flip flops.

I remember being little and having a thousand questions and asking about things people didn’t think I could know. Television can be a great educator if we allow it to be. It is for this reason I am surprised when I am surprised by her questions and comments.

With all the inflection of shock and horror of someone three times her age, she recounted to me that she saw Lady Gaga on the Grammys wearing a meat dress. “Her dress was made out of meat.” She said. To which I internally cried that she knew who Lady Gaga is and that she is now inundated with crazytown, the world in which she lives. I tried to move the conversation to things more wholesome with little skill. I got out my ipod and played some songs I thought she would like. She likes Pink, so seemingly innocuous after Gaga. While listening to Pink I found some others I thought she would like. I played a Beatles song she didn’t know, but she correctly guessed the band, and then told me her favorite song of theirs was Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. She knows it doesn’t mean anything; she just likes it, along with Sgt. Pepper, Eleanor Rigby, and Hey Jude. I’ve never been so proud!

The night was full of fun at a baseball game, meeting up with Aunt Jen, food that is overpriced, almost missing the fireworks because of getting the best corn on the cob in the world, getting trinkets at the stand, and soda again being spilled.

Before the night was over I was told her first date would be at Friendly’s, asked when disco died and even more alarmingly asked what she would be like if she was a gangster, made her eat a hotdog given to us by one of Molinari Oswald’s clients, and educated on the proper etiquette at a baseball game waiting to go to our seats.

When the game was over we sat in the car until the lines were gone. While we waited, I got out the ipod again and she found the Veggie Tales album and we started singing along to the Second Chances song. It was fun to sing and be crazy with our water bottle microphones and the freedom to pretend to be gospel singers. She told me I should go on America’s Got Talent for Opera. I thanked her, but assured her I haven’t got the talent for that. It is nice to know that though she is eleven and knows who Lady Gaga is, is learning the Beatles masterpieces, and questions how she would be as a gangster; she still likes hanging out with me singing into impromptu sound amplification systems in front of imagined crowds of fans. I always knew we would get along just fine, but there is nothing like looking over and wondering if she is having fun and knowing by the look in her eye she is. And more than that, knowing I had something to do with it!

Am I Part Of The Problem?

It is weird that when I was in the apartment, I was writing pretty often. Since I’ve been at the house, I have written one post. Not that I haven’t thought of anything, maybe because some things need to be said at times and at other times, it doesn’t matter if other people know what you think. There is a balance of voicing thoughts and opinions that I am still in the process of perfecting.

Here is one I have been dwelling on for a while.

What is the deal with Republicans?

You see, I am a card carrying Republican. I think that the basic premise of the party, at least historically, is sound and makes the most sense to me. However, I have realized in conversations with those that do not hold my party affiliation, that there are some vast disconnects between ideals, and practice. I wish I was much more up to date on things and could have really intricate discussions with people regarding politics.

What I have learned is this. If I don’t know something, I need to say so, no need trying to pretend I know if I don’t. I will ask questions, really trying to listen for the answer, and not think of a rebuttal, this isn’t a debate for credit. If immediate silence on my part makes the other person feel like they “win” so be it, a thought through response is better than a quick one. (still practicing) Google, is my new best friend, cross referencing tool, over informative place for all things “news". Most “news” today is biased; I need to look for facts outside of opinionated adjectives. I can learn from those who disagree with me. Having a D behind your name, does not equal religious infringing moron, having and R behind your name does not equal conservative Christian hero. I need to put into practice the ideals I have.

It is the last thing on which I would like to elaborate for a spell. I was talking to one of my bosses during one of our many long conversations on politics. The most infamous of these conversations was when he came into my office said, “Not to start a long conversation, but what do you think of Sarah Palin right now”, and then left two hours later.

On this particular occasion, we were talking about social programs and the role of government in the issues we face as a nation. I have heard many times that a lot of people have issues with Republican practices because they are cheap on social funding. And many think Democrats, raise taxes to hand it out to people who don’t work. The truth is, when we oversimplify things, it may be easier to deal with them, but it does not take into account the individual and the fact that many people using social services really need the help. These people very well may have jobs, love their family, be responsible, etc, etc,. But, in keeping with the generalities, I stated that the real problem is that the church at one time took care of the needs of many of the people in the community. There has been a pulling away from being the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us and so the government, seeing the need, filled in to meet the need. This, created a larger government, and created more ways for people to abuse the system because let’s face it; it is difficult to keep tabs on millions of people collecting things. (There are a myriad of counter motives to this altruistic action I am certain, but for the sake of this blog, let’s just hope for the best as far as the reasoning for the government beefing up public works projects.)

So, mid sentence as I was blaming the church as a whole, I realized that I am part of that church as a whole and that I was doing nothing to help those around me. I may sponsor a child in Dominican, or give some money to the latest mission team, but why do I look outside the contiguous US for missions?

If all the people who call themselves Christians would be aware of and fill a need, we could greatly reduce the need for social programs, limiting government, and getting back to a more streamlined, historic view of governmental roles, the reason I am Republican. I am using the Republican party as an example, because I am one and know a lot of people in the party, and a lot of them call themselves Christian, though neither one is a requirement for the other. Republican, Democrat, Green, Independent, whatever your affiliation politically, if you are a Christian, you have a first priority to emulate Christ. He met needs, He cared for people, He fed people if he could, and yet, He turned some away later when He knew they were taking advantage of Him. We are not to be foolish with resources; we are to be selfless with our resources.

I know a lot of my friends who are Christians and Democrat, are Democrat for the social issues. They want to help people. And it is not to say they are letting the government do it all. Many of them are very giving of their personal resources. I guess my convoluted point is this; for so long I was speaking politically without realizing the first call to action was and is to speak as a Christian. To know that whatever government model, whatever party holds the most power, my goal and action should not change. Instead of worrying about who will be running in 2012, and who said what about whom, I should be wondering if that person I saw cross the street in Pottstown that looked a bit rough around the edges has a place to sleep tonight. I should be wondering if there is anything else I can do for the food bank, or the Salvation Army. Instead, I am all too inclined to watch 20 minutes of news, catch something from Fox, balance it out with CNN, and then get caught up in a rerun of Friends, or google Stefon, or whatever else that doesn’t matter five seconds from the end of it much less for entire lifetime or even more truthfully, an eternity.

So, my admonition to myself is to do this: To look for the practical ways to show the reason I am a Christian. To take may faith out of the walls of a church that may or may not have a steeple, to get rid of a list of things I do or don’t do, and to allow the Spirit of the Most High to lead me to do His work. This is not going to be easy for me. I live in the land of theory and easily dissected right and wrong, safe and foolish, and repeating to do lists. But, if I am working to be the body of Christ and serve as Jesus served, government models and party affiliation will take a back seat to the task at hand of serving those around me who need. And in by doing I will be putting into practice my ideals of government, and then I will be practicing what I believe. And when someone asks me why I am doing what I am doing I will say it is because I am so thankful for what Jesus did for me, and not because I’m a Republican.

How Much Time Do We Have?

So, I have a question about recent events that is most likely going to have some people think I've gone off the deep end. My question is this. Can we say that Harold Camping is definitely wrong in his prediction? I mean, in hind sight yes, the day came and went, but now he has moved it again. Though we can say he is wrong for claiming to know, how can we be certain he is wrong as in it will not happen?

I believe the Bible. I believe that Jesus will come back one day. I believe that no one, even Harold, does not know the day or the time. However, if he is wacked out for saying he definitely knows the day and time. Aren't we wacked out if we say that we know it definitely won't be that day and time? Isn't that doing the same thing, just in the reverse order?

When the buzz was about that the world was "suppose to end" on the 21st, I heard people say we know if won't be the 21st. But we don't know that. Every second, every day is a 50/50 shot at the rapture happening. I just imagine someone who doesn't really know much about all of this asking someone who does, and that person saying, it won't happen the 21st. If all it took to be certain the rapture would not happen, was to say the rapture would happen, then I can say it will happen every day for the next ten years and in doing so, make certain I had ten more years to do whatever in blazes I wanted to do.

I think it unlikely to be the time Camping says, but how can I think to know anything about such topics when the Son of God doesn't even know? Is that giving us a false sense of time? Redeem the time because the days are evil, work to let people know that even though wackos twist the truth, the Truth is that one day Jesus will return and a whole lot of stuff is going to go down. So if it is in the next two days, three years, or twelve centuries from now, we are to live like the next second is the last. And yet, we/I push it out of our minds and think, I have time, I have time. If that sense of time is anything like me getting ready in the morning, then Lord help me, because it will come quickly and unexpectedly. How can I dawdle, when there is an unknown deadline looming?

Something Different?

Well, I’ve moved. Yep, totally out of Mertztown and back in the even more thriving metropolis of Pottstown. Actually comparatively speaking, it is a big city. No corn fields or cows, but culture all the same. There is a lot going on. Moving to a different city, getting rid of a lot of things, and moving back into the house in which I grew up. I know what you are thinking. And no, it was not a necessity, but it is a good opportunity. A win win of situations, with a whole lot of compromise and adjustment to boot!

At times I have thought that I am a complete moron for even considering such a thing. Then I realize that often when we are told to do things, it doesn’t always make a lot of sense in the traditional sense. But, it is an answer to prayer.

You see, I began praying about about six months ago, that if it would be possible, God would allow me to move closer to my church. I would drive home from music practices, or small groups looking at an hour’s drive and being exhausted, just wanted to be home. Not to mention if someone had a need or I had a meal to take a grieving family or new mother, well, there were challenges.

I never thought God would work it so that my parents would be in another state for most of the time and that I’d be in their house with my sister. Not my first choice, but I see already in this first month, that God is blessing me and I am seeing Him to be faithful, as He always is.

There will be challenges, I will continue to sin and have a terrible attitude at times, but I am work in progress and He is faithful to complete this construction site of a human.

Iron Pigs a big mess

Last night I had tickets to the Iron Pigs game. I took Erin and Caleb and had an extra ticket, so Janelle and McKenna came along as well. We got there with what we thought was plenty of time, but due to the rain the night before the cancelled game was being played as well so they started at six and we were nearly an hour late. No worries, we were going to have fun anyway. After parking in Somalia and walking up the hill with my pregnant sister and two year old niece, being passed by shuttle carts with smirking twenty something men who clearly don't know what chivalry means, we approached the gate. After getting in we started the maze of people dodging that left one of McKenna's shoes somewhere behind us and we may never have retrieved it were it not for the kindness of a stranger. After a scolding from my sister for not knowing a shoe fell off someone else's body, and finding out Erin had stepped over it thinking it was some strangers, we got to our seats with everyone's personal effects intact.

Now began the process of getting people dinner. I was responsible for Erin and Caleb and so I divided and conquered. Well, I divided anyway. Erin wanted corn, we got corn, she wanted soda, we got soda. Sent her down, she sent Caleb up. Caleb wanted pizza and soda. Then I walked him down to the seat and went and bought my own dinner. Let me tell you, the corn is so good. I know, there are cheese steaks, and burgers, and whatever else. But corn, and pork kabobs, yum!

So, I go down, eat my food, and Caleb says he is still hungry, not a surprise, I had been warned.
So, I said please let me finish this mess and then we will go. Luckily my sister has insane amounts of baby wipes and I could clean my hands. I picked two of the messiest things of course. So, Caleb wanted corn and Erin wanted pizza. I was glad to get it for them, but I came to realize the scene in A Christmas Story where the Mom gets up to get food for people after they each wait for her to sit down isn't so far from real life.

First game ends and Erin has to use the bathroom. So, we go, and we got ice. I got one, she got one, and I got Caleb cotton candy. I know, I'm poisoning them!
I know prices are steep at ballparks, but after I left with my ice, I had the realization and it just came out of my mouth, "I just spent 3.50 on ice." Erin heard me and without much time to think says, "Maybe its the economy." I laughed and said, yeah I think it is. She's hilarious. Well, we had a good time and ate things that shouldn't be legal. Caleb turned into a sugar tornado that was not to be reckoned with. I felt my leg getting wet and heard fizzing. Soda was spewing and when I looked he had finally gotten the cap on. I asked if he shook his soda and he said yes. I asked why and of course there was no answer. Between that and the cotton candy all over his face he needed to be hosed off, but baby wipe to the rescue, we survived.

McKenna of course, was a form of entertainment, getting excited for Fefe and Ferrous, clapping with a fry in one hand and a bit of chicken in the next. She enjoyed the ice she shared with Janelle as well. We all love sugar!

Another trip to the bathroom with Caleb proved to be an interesting tale. He wanted to go into the men's room. No doubt due to my covering his eyes upon our first entrance into the ladies room. I know, a bit overkill. But, after watching any Dateline episode after 1994, I am so hesitant to let him out of my sight. Luckily a nice lady said there was a family restroom, so, I turned around and let him deal. No sooner was the door closed that the toilet flushed and he was washing his hands. So unfair to be a woman at a public venue. I always knew that. But seriously, how is it possible for it to be done so quickly?!?!!!!

We headed down to our seats and left shortly after. We all walked down and I held McKenna to make it a bit faster, though we were still checking for shoes quite often.

All in all, a great game. We lost the first game, don't know who won the second. I never go for the game really. Just the scene. Love the chaos for a short time, the goofy things they do to pass the time. The odd conversations you can overhear, and the cool weather and bright lights once the sun goes down. Can't beat the company with a stick either. Well, I guess technically you could, but it is illegal and I love them way too much to do that anyway.

I even saw Deanna Gehman, she was there with a group from church, and I get to see her in two weeks at the Musselman reunion. A good start to the summer. Spent way too much money on food for a night and could have lived for two weeks if it were the grocery store, but so glad to do it. There are so many things I will remember, definitely the economy comment, bathrooms and soda with Caleb, and McKenna's exuberance at anything musical or pig mascot, and Janelle's comments while being passed by a shuttle cart. Seriously, those of you who know her, know it is hard not to laugh when she gets a bit irritated, yet is being lighthearted about the situation.

Good times, good times!

Tuesday With Arlen?

The weather was so beautiful yesterday, and though it was cool to some, I would be happy if every single day of the year were the same temperature and humidity. Plus my hair looked awesome!

Anyway, I decided to change things up and park at the Topton Home, jog down to the track, run a few miles, and jog back. Once I finished my little routine around the home, I neared the school to find there was a baseball game in progress on the field next to the track. I wouldn't care except that the spectators sit on the inside of the track to watch the game. Why? I don't know, but it annoys me because I would have to jog in front of them every lap and after a while I just feel dumb. Drives me nuts!

So, I decided to jog down and cross the road and jog through the residential section. I had been down that way before when this same thing happened last year, so I just kept going, knowing I couldn't get lost.

I past an elderly gentleman who commented that he wished he could do what I was doing. It seemed rude to just wave as if to say, yeah, it sucks to be you, so I crossed the street and jogged in place.

He said, "Oh, I'm so glad you stopped", to which I thought, oh great I hope I'm not going to be harangued for too long. Well, I continued to jog in place and we talked about jogging paths and where he had run in his younger days. I had gotten tired of jogging in place on an incline and felt a bit stupid now that the conversation had gone on much longer than I had anticipated.

He apologized that his nose was running and so I handed him a tissue. I always take them when I jog because my nose is always running, gross I know, but that is my life. He was reluctant to take it, but I insisted that it was no problem.

He said he missed running, but he just couldn't anymore. I said I had voiced my concern about wear on my joints for the future and he mentioned he would run upwards of ten miles in the Marine Corps and that I would be stronger in the future for my efforts today. He told me he was 80 and only needed a cane.

I said, "You were in the Marine Corps?"

"Yes, 22 years."

"Thank you for your service to this country." With his head down, he said,

"No, no I didn't say that for you to thank me."

"Listen! Thank you for your service." He looked up and said,

"Thank you."

Then he said after all these years he has one regret. He wishes he would have stayed in the service for 29 years and not gotten out so soon. It was all he could think about each evening while he watched television with his dog, Amber close by him. He had traveled to many places and taken his family when he could. His youngest daughter was born in Copenhagen, but he still wishes he would have stayed.

I felt like a heel for initially not want to stop and talk to this "old man". Then I was humbled by the fact that he was reluctant to take a tissue from me. Something is terribly amiss. I have noticed from many service people that they do not walk around thinking we owe them anything, when we owe them so much. Honestly, a tissue is the least I can give in return.

It had started to get dark and I said I should get going. The path I took was a loop and I had to pass him again. I said good night and he bid me to hurry because the moon was rising.

What a sweet man, outside with his dog at night, engaging in conversation with people he meets, wishing after all these years he could have served his country more. I don't know the actual years you need to be born to be considered a part of the greatest generation, but technical or not, Arlen form Topton is definitely among them.

I didn't get all the jogging in I wanted to on account of it getting dark and my hapchance meeting. But, I'm so glad for the opportunity to meet an interesting character, and I'm glad I took it. I had just been thinking that I so often forgo building relationships with people because I have some task I need to get done. And while to let every task go, would be irresponsible, some tasks just don't have the timeline we put on them. I don't expect that it will turn into a Tuesdays with Arlen type scenario, but if I see him again I will stop and chat.

When I read the Bible and notice Jesus' interactions with people, He never seems hurried. He's not the "white rabbit" that I can be so often. He is calm, He is interested in people, and He is present. Granted, He is perfect and is all those things to people even now, but I want to be like that for Him and others. Those of you who know me, and even those of you who don't, please pray, I have so far to go and the moon is rising.