Tuesday, October 30, 2012

I Know the Master of the Wind

This song came to mind as so many were experiencing Hurricane Sandy this past week.  First, Sandy touched my relatives in Jamaica and then it hit lots of close friends on Long Island in New York. The Bahamas was severely impacted also, but I didn't know anyone in harm's way.
Hurricane Sandy was not a category 4 - yet it wreaked so much havoc.

The first time I heard this song sung by the choir, I got goosebumps...I still do.

Remember this as you come through the storm.



MASTER OF THE WIND 

MY BOAT OF LIFE SAILS ON A TROUBLED SEA 
EVER THERE'S A WIND IN MY SAIL 
BUT I HAVE A FRIEND WHO WATCHES OVER ME 
WHEN THE BREEZE TURNS INTO THE GALE 

CHORUS: 

I KNOW THE MASTER OF THE WIND 
I KNOW THE MAKER OF THE RAIN, 
HE CAN CALM THE STORM 
MAKE THE SUN SHINE AGAIN 
I KNOW THE MASTER OF THE WIND 

SOMETIMES I SOAR LIKE AN EAGLE IN THE SKY, 
AMONG THE PEAKS MY SOUL CAN BE FOUND 
AN UNEXPECTED STORM MAY DRIVE ME FROM THE HEIGHTS 
BRING ME LOW BUT NE'ER BRING ME DOWN 

REPEAT CHORUS: 

TAG: 

(softly) 

HE CAN CALM THE STORM 
MAKE THE SUN SHINE AGAIN 
I KNOW THE MASTER OF THE WIND

Do you know the Master of the wind?


Monday, October 29, 2012

Political Pressure

Every four years we go through a Presidential election, and I've noticed that my thoughts are pretty consistent. This is my only post on the volatile area of politics, but I wanted to share.

Observations during Presidential elections:

  • Campaigns are a popularity contest.
  • The economy is a huge factor, but in my experience, no one person knows how to and can correct the economy; other factors come in to play besides head knowledge.
  • Voting Biblically should not only be about gay rights and abortion.
  • Democrats are bad; Republicans are good -  but we'll take a Mormon. Actually we don't care about your personal faith, or do we?
  • People select a candidate for the most inane reasons.


Timeline of my political consciousness:

President
Party
Term
My Age
Jimmy Carter
(D)
1977-1981
11
Ronald Reagan
(R)
1981-1989
15
George H.W. Bush
(R)
1989-1993
23
Bill Clinton
(D)
1993-2001
31
George Bush
(R)
2001-2008
39
Barack Obama
(D)
2008-
42


Based on the above table, I can make the following observations
  • Prior to age 23, I paid no real attention to politics. However I got married at 22, and during those first few years really started to read and form my own views more.
  • By age 31, I had three children and we were able to buy a house. At this point I was solidly middle class. In terms of the economy, I felt I could afford my lifestyle though we always lived below our means.  More importantly we were able to provide for our children. On a broader scale, this was a boom time for me in terms of job and career. There were many opportunities available and I pursued many of them.I remember the early 90s where everyone received calls from headhunters on a regular basis especially if you were in the IT industry. Jobs were a dime a dozen and the concept of longevity at a job went out the window.  The next offer was always better.
  • By age 39, I found myself with baby #4. Also, we had taken some hits on the job market and jobs were more scarce. It required more creativity and networking to land a comparable position.
  • By age 42, I was on the west coast away from close friends and family. My husband and I learned to rely on each other a whole lot more. I remember the doomsday news signalling that we were in a recession; it never spiraled in to a depression but personal depression was real for many as they were no jobs. I remember feeling the sting of no jobs. Then Obama got elected and there was a wave of hope in the air. The day of the inauguration  we stayed home (well I had no job) and watched the festivities on TV.

And here we are.


  • Your faith alone does not make you a good politician.
  • Just using my life as an example, many people came of age the same time I did. We are considered Generation X because we were born during the years from 1965 to 1981. According to demographers Bill Strauss and Neil Howe, there are approximately 88.5 million Gen Xers in the U.S. today. (wikipedia.com). This number would explain why it seems that so many know so much about politics today - there's a lot of us.
  • The Bible does not tell us how to vote in terms of party. I don't think any party has a stake on Christian views, nor do I think your views on homosexuality and abortion alone, determine your Christianity.
  • Christians are called to be in the world not of the world.
  • Ultimately if you are a Christian, your allegiance is not to a party but to God.
  • I think this sums it up a whole lot better than I ever could - Ten Commandments of Talking Politics



When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Proverbs 29:2

Galatians5:13-26 (NKJV)

Do you feel misunderstood because of your political views? Can you tell if a person is a Christian by their stance on political topics, by charitable giving, by the way they speak, by the size of their household? Do you feel pressured to vote a certain way?



Monday, October 22, 2012

Pile of Poop!

During the week, I  try to run 3 miles twice a week at 6:30 in the morning.  At this time, it's usually dark but the sun is making its way through. Because of the time of day it is quiet, it's peaceful, it's cool and it allows me time to just think and commune with God. Jogging makes me feel good, so I often use this time to clear my brain and meditate. I'm really praying without being on my knees.

I run a half mile loop 6 times to get to 3 miles.  On one particular morning there was a pile of poop in my path and that pile of poop really soured my disposition.  I had to go out of my way to avoid it; I had to look down to make sure I didn't step in it.  In addition, any pleasant thoughts I was thinking quickly disappeared.  I tried to put the poop out of mind, but each time I came around it was there.  This did not make for a pleasant run. But if I wasn't aware, it would've been a really awful run!

the most sanitary image of poop I could find!


You know what that pile of poop did?  It made me think of the negativity that sometimes shows up in our lives. This negativity may take the form of circumstances or people. Because of its inescapable aura, it has an impact on you; but you do what you can to not step in to it or be soiled by it. You can ignore it, confront it, seek counsel, or pray about it, all in an effort to minimize its effects on you.

If there are piles of poop in your life, I hope you are able to avoid them and that they disappear soon. Don't step in to a pile of poop!

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10
Are you dealing with piles of poop? How do you get rid of them?

PS - the oddest things make me think of life! I hope this didn't gross you out.

Monday, October 15, 2012

I Still Have Joy


When Sister B. sang this song, you couldn't help but be joyful with her.  It's a soulful song, that moves you.
If you knew Sister B, you would know that she's been through some things; things where you think you would lose your mind.  She would start off real low and stop to feel the words, and at some point she kept repeating ...after all I been through, after all I been through, after all the things I been through...the drums and bass guitar are doing their thing.  No one could sit still. (I really miss that in church right now!)



I Still Have Joy 

Chorus
I still have joy; I still have joy!
After all the things I've been through,
I still have joy! (sing twice)

There were times in my life
when I felt I couldn't go on
But the Lord He blessed me and He made me strong.
I kept the faith and I held on through the night.
This is my testimony--that He made everything alright!

Chorus

I get joy when I think about all He's done for me.
He even broke the habits trying to conquer me.
Well, I spoke to the mountain; it ran down to the sea.
I can't begin to tell you what He's done for me!

Chorus

There are times in my life when I feel I can't go on,
But the Lord He blesses and He makes me strong.
I keep the faith and I hold on through the night.
This is my testimony--
that He'll make everything alright!

Chorus

After all the things I've been through,
I still have joy!


I might not have been through the things Sister B went through - but we all go through. I started writing this last week as I was thinking about my life. Priorities are important in life and what you value is demonstrated in your life. All I know is that, regardless....I still have joy.  It's a choice.  I still have joy!
Some of us are going through huge difficulties right now - choose joy. Know that God is greater than your biggest problems - choose joy.

The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. Proverbs 10:28
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds... James 1:2

Do you still have joy? Have a blessed week!