Stolen IPhone 4: Grand Theft (Part 1)

1 Thess 5:2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

My husband's iphone 4 was stolen at Wal-Mart over the weekend. As inconveniences go, getting a cell phone stolen ranks right up there with stolen credit cards, wallets and photo identifications. Services were shut off, employer contacts were notified and police reports were filed. Were you aware that stealing a cell phone that had a purchase value of over $700 makes that act a 'Grand Theft' - which in actuality means nothing if you never catch the thief.

My husband, being the faithful facebook status updater that he is, received several condolence comments, but the most entertaining comments were the ones that told him what he 'should've' done to avoid this. For anyone wondering, NO - he had not downloaded the GPS app that helps you locate a lost or stolen iphone.

He had just finished texting me when he walked into the store and placed the phone and his wallet in the front of the cart. Before he got to the auto parts aisle, the phone was gone. One turn, one blink of an eye, one momentary look away and it was gone. all the contact names and numbers, all 1400 undownloaded pictures of vacations and family holidays, all drafted emails - gone.

Had we taken that one precaution of downloading the GPS app, the phone would've been discovered by now and this would all be an unpleasant memory. This was just a phone, that's all.

There is something much bigger at stake. Jesus is coming, as stealth as that thief. With one turn of the head or one momentary look away, He will return and if we have not taken the one necessary precaution that is needed to ensure that we stay with our rightful Owner, all could be lost. Nothing to download, no contracts to fill out and it's completely free. Romans 6:23 says For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

IPhone 4: $700.00
Salvation: Priceless

Always Be Prepared....

Time Travel - Is it possible?

I have to say - I like time-travel movies. I don't know if it's because it is a true break from reality, or just the imagination that it takes to make a time-travel movie seem. . . well, seamless. I've recently gone back and watched a few films from the early 80's and 90's: Timecop, Back to the Future, Peggy Sue Got Married, etc. Incidentally, apparently back a decade ago, no one could foresee the internet. Not one mention of Google in these early movies, and the silver jumpsuits never really caught on, maybe next year.

That being said, the main theme usually centers around changing the past so that a mistake that was made could be fixed. Somehow, by changing one or two instances, life would be so much better for the main character. Foregoing the obvious dangers of the time-space continuum and mass taking up the same space, having your future self warn you of mistakes that could change the rest of your life, seems to be a situation that draws in an audience. The allure of "what could have been" or "if I had only known".

Scientists spend long hours trying to develop this "future" experiment only to realize that the ripple effect could be catastrophic. It makes for good entertainment, but . . . 'what if?'

What if there was a way that our future self could go back and tell our past self - "Hey, that's not a good idea. When you lie about being sick to your boss and then in two weeks you really are sick and you take off and lose your job - just tell the truth" - there is a way, and it's something better....

God knows what the future holds. The answer to "what's the best decisions I can make so that my future self is right where it should be?" is simple - prayer. If we would stop and simply ask God to guide our decisions so that the choices we make are in line with what God wants - how could we want for anything more (“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8) Who knows us and wants the absolute best for us: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

He promises us in Isaiah that he will guide us - “The Lord will guide you continually …” (Isaiah 58:11)

The only thing is, we have to ask. We don't need an old DeLorean or a flux capacitor, we don't need a black hole, a wormhole or even a hot tub. All we need is Jesus.

Momma....

I went to visit my mom this past weekend. She is such a wonderful mom. Always encouraging, always sweet, always mommy. It brought to light the true accomplishments of someone who has decided to raise up children under the leadership of God. The title of 'mommy' does not come easily and should not be taken lightly.

Were you aware that in America, only 12% of women within child bearing years are infertile? And that doesn't mean forever infertile - that's 12% of women who at one time or another struggled to have children or could not bring a child to term. While it is heartbreaking for those women who really want to have children of their own, there are billions of women who have conceived. Many of whom struggle with the choice of deciding whether or not they want to be a mom. The truth of the matter is, it doesn't take much to become a mother - but it takes a whole lot to become a "mom".

Sadly, many times we don't realize this until we become moms ourselves - only then do we truly appreciate our own mommys.

You see, to be a mother, it only takes 6-9 months - but to earn the title of 'mom' takes a lifetime. It takes staying up to rock a crying baby when you'd rather go to bed. It takes sacrificing your time to make sure your child makes it to band rehearsal or basketball practice. It takes stopping whatever it is your doing to see the dance that was just made up and hear the song that goes along with it. It takes giving up getting your nails done or hair done or a new outfit for yourself, so your child can get a new dress for that special night or tickets to that concert they've been dying to go to. It takes letting them make a mess in the kitchen because they've learned to be a helper - even if it isn't a help at all. It takes making them take their medicine when their sick even if they don't like you for it later. It takes punishing them even though they think you're the worst mom ever so they learn the right way to act later on in life. It takes going to church even though you've been there all week long because their excitement to be in church is more important than your tiredness. It takes responding calmly even when they're yelling because we know that scripture tells us not to provoke wrath in our children. Does being a 'mommy' come easy - absolutely not! We fail, we tire, we are human - but that is what makes the title so precious. A mom is one who has been charged by God to raise her children according to the example that Jesus gives us in the Bible.

Some of us have been blessed to be raised by Godly examples of moms - I am one of those women. I now have four children of my own and would be lost without the guidance from God and what I learned by example. So, thank you 'Momma' - I love you!

The Will of God

I don't like to read. There. I've said it. I'm not a big reading fan. It's not that I'm uneducated and have trouble with the big words - it's not that I don't have a good imagination and can't picture a storyline. In fact, if I had to put my finger on why I don't enjoy reading - it would have to be that it takes too much time. If there is a book that I'd really like to read, I try to find it on audio and listen to it every time I'm in the car - then I can do two things at once, like everything else in my life I feel like I have to squeeze in.

However, that being said, I'm starting a new venture. My husband loves books. He doesn't have the time to read like he would like to, but he's been building his library for when it does happen. So, I mosied into his newly established library and found a book that caught my eye. It was a small book - so I thought I could tackle it. Simply entitled, 'The Will of God'.

The book's copyright date was 1944 and it was written in the midst of World War II. Tragedy was at every corner and people looked at their circumstances as the will of God. The author tries to bring to light the true will of God.

Romans 12:2 reads - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

God's will does not include evil. It is good, pleasing and perfect. A tragic accident or a broken marriage is Not the will of God. That doesn't mean God can't use it for His glory, in spite of how we choose to perceive it. Do not stand idly by thinking this change in government or the decline of moral standard in the US and around the world is the will of God - it is not. We need to determine how God wants us to deal with these situations. Circumstantial will of God is next in Chapter 2.

No More Mister Nice Guy.

Luke 23:34 Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."

I love superhero movies. Ironman, Spiderman, Superman, Batman. The idea of the strong fighting for the weak and winning against strong odds. There was one superhero movie that stuck out for me more with only one scene: The Incredible Hulk.

I wasn't a big fan of the first full feature film they did, but this last one in 2008 was really good. There's a scene in this one where Bruce Banner is in a foreign worn down factory that he's worked at for a while with very little pay along with other natives of that country. Well, when Bruce steps in a helps out a lady from these rough guys, they begin to beat him up. While they are scurrying to back him into a corner, while hitting him at the same time, Bruce warns them to stop - to not make him angry (the quotable Incredible Hulk favorite), they laugh and continue in their actions.

Why does Bruce warn these guys? Don't we all secretly want bad things to happen to bad people? Maybe, maybe not. Bruce knew that if they continued, he would turn into the hulk and not be able to control himself and may perhaps kill them. This stuck out for me because it was so parallel to the Bible.

Jesus hung on a cross being beaten and ridiculed and He knew the damage that could be done to those people if God decided to step in. Would they have deserved it? Sure. But Jesus in his infinite mercy and grace did not want that.

Did you know that we hold the same power? That when we choose to let Jesus lead our lives, that same power is within our grasp. The power that miraculously takes away cancer can fight the enemy. Could not God still send a thousand angels to flip over the car that just cut us off on the freeway and end that drivers life there and then? But would we want that? Does someone truly deserve to spend an eternity in Hell because we didn't take the time to say - "Jesus loves you"? In our own anger, we need to stop and say a prayer for those that are unkind to us - because 'with power, comes great responsibility'.

Happy Valentines Day

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It's easy to think about love in the month of February. Valentine's Day has long been celebrated with roses, chocolates, cards and conversation hearts. Hallmark saw an opportunity and we fell for it hook, line, and sinker. A desperate need for that sought after emotion called "love".

The above verse in the Bible discusses what true love should be, which seems so far from our ideas. First, love is patient. Patience has never been my virtue. But, God says that's what love is. I can't really argue with that. So, every time I bend down to pick up the socks that sit two feet from the hamper, I have to remember that there is a man who wears those socks that comes home every day from work, without fail, and provides for his family. Love is kind. It's easy to be kind when someone else is kind to you, but when someone says to you "why isn't dinner ready?" after you've taught the kids all day, did the laundry, kissed the boo boos, dropped off and picked up from practice, and did the grocery shopping - not to come back with an unkind word is the love that God talks about. It's the Holy Spirit that speaks to you and reminds you that he's been stuck in an office all day dealing with people that are probably not Christian and you've been blessed to be able to spend time with your kids - he's just wanting to know you've thought about him enough to expect his return.

Love doesn't envy, boast and isn't proud. Are you envious of anyone? While I know this is a struggle for some, there's really not anything that God hasn't provided for me that I need. Sure, a new dishwasher or a new kitchen might be nice, but I wouldn't want someone else to go without it so I could have it. Boasting and being prideful go hand in hand. I would like to get credit for a job well done, but not at the expense of belittling someone else who may feel they deserve the credit.

This is just the first part of the verses that discuss God's idea of what true love is. It's not simple, it's not easy, and it doesn't happen quickly. It's like a garden that you begin to grow. You plow the dirt, you plant the seeds, you water the ground. Sometimes the storms that come make it seem like it's going to all wash away and you feel like you may lose your garden. But, if you pay attention to it, keep protecting it, soon... you begin to enjoy the fruit that comes from all your hard work.

Christmas - Politically Correct vs. Correct

At what point did we decide that we had to be politically correct about December 25th? And at what point did it become more important to be politically correct instead of just plain correct? Frankly, I don't care if you wish me a "Happy Holiday" or a festive "Seasons Greetings", but don't try to remove Jesus from the holiday or play down its importance.

Christmas became a government holiday in 1870. President Grant decided it should be observed by the country as a whole, and congress agreed. It was a time designated to celebrate the birth of Christ - we all know that an exact date is not available, so we picked one, December 25th. Yet, so many people have tried to disprove the validity of Christmas as a Christian holiday and come up with one excuse after another to get Jesus removed from it.

During this same time period, Grant also declared January 1st a holiday. New Years Day. Yet no one ever tries to doubt the validity or meaning of January 1st. No one tells the government that we've misread the stars or the alignment of the solar system and the actual first day of the new rotation of the earth is not really January 1st. The existence of January 1 being established as a holiday to celebrate the New Year has never been questioned.

As well as January 1 being established as a holiday, July 4th was also determined to be an American government holiday by Grant in 1870. A day to honor our independence as a country after the long Revolutionary War was finished. If people with British heritage were to begin an argument with the government saying that their great great grandfathers died at the hands of Americans so they are offended that we would celebrate that victory - would our government declare July 4th should no longer be established because they didn't want to offend those citizens? Absolutely not.

What about Veteran's Day? November 11th. In 2006, an estimated 37.5 million immigrants were now citizens of our country. What if they said, "we fought for the service in our previous country, we're offended that we are not recognized as veterans" - would we change Veteran's Day to include anyone who's ever served in any military any where? No - that would be ridiculous. The service men and women have worked hard to protect our rights and freedoms here in America.

But people will walk on eggshells around those who might get upset if you say Jesus should remain in Christmas. It's okay to offend Christians, those who appreciate the eternal freedom from a Savior who gave His life.

So, as an American Christian - I will continue to celebrate New Years Day - I will toot my paper horn with the excitement of what may come and a remembrance of the year gone by. I will continue to celebrate July 4th. I will fly my flag high and appreciate those men and women who fought in the American Revolution and founded our country and their sacrifice so that we can be a free nation. I will continue to honor Veteran's Day. I will thank my American soldiers for their efforts in the service even when I may not agree with what the government has done, I will uphold our Veteran's holiday. And finally, I will celebrate Christmas in the manner in which it was established - a day to thank God for the gift of His son Jesus. I will display a manger scene and a Christmas tree. I will say Merry Christmas and thank those who wish me a 'Happy Holiday". I will continue to teach my children the reason why we celebrate Christmas and continue to feel sorry for and pray for those who are offended by it.

http://zee-em-sea.blogspot.com/2009/12/live-out-loud.html - My daughter's film project, enjoy.