Someone recently told me that there are only two prayers in the world...HELP ME, HELP ME, HELP ME and THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
I was taken aback, since it totally omitted HELP HIM, SAVE HIM, BLESS HIM, HAVE MERCY, and so many others that Christians say. I can't believe that people are so cynical and short sighted that they only see prayer as a means for personal gain or a thank you for what they alone received.
I have been bothered because I didn't speak up...so here is my speak up!
If we consider ourselves Christians and realize that salvation is our gift, we also need to acknowledge God's plan for us. "Help me" alone is not a proper prayer. That suggests that we only have to pray when we are in need. What He gives us without our requesting it is more valuable than any thing we can ask for. Knowing that God is with us in the times we don't need anything and praying daily just to talk ensures our personal relationship with him. Our requests are not always delivered but they are always fulfilled. To use "Thank you" as a second prayer suggests that we only have to pray when we receive things. What about those times we do not receive what we want, but instead what we need?
We have to see that our faith is totally outside of the box - we are not a vessel for God to fill with grace and stop up, sealing in His riches. We are a vessel that God fills and leaves open so we can pour out His gifts and blessings on others. Think of your soul like a sieve where the grace of God is poured in and the things you need in HIS PLAN pour out thickly. They are the blessings that stay with you,. The water that seeps through the holes is the blessing you give to those around you in His name.
If there have to be only two prayers, how about GOD, HELP ME DO FOR OTHERS and THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME BE OF SERVICE?
Maybe the person who said HELP ME and THANK YOU just forgot to finish their sentences. I sure hope so.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
goals not reached
Here it is, October and I have fallen quite short of my BLOG goal of 1 a week. But, I have done 27 (before this one) and know that there will be more to follow.
I am not quite ready to throw in the towel, but have decided that I set a goal far above what I could accomplish being a newbie and all. Now if I get closer to my goal by the end of the year, I may start my new goal on January 1 instead of doing a full year to February, 2011.
Now I am wondering just who is reading my blogs and who has any opinions on them. I think you need a gmail account to be a member, so I have heard from one person they read them but do not comment. If you have any comments or ideas you want me to receive, but don't want to add them to an open forum, I would love to hear from you.
Email me at ChristChild103@gmail.com
This was just a public service announcement because I needed to get that blog count up!!!
28...WOO WOO!!!!!
I am not quite ready to throw in the towel, but have decided that I set a goal far above what I could accomplish being a newbie and all. Now if I get closer to my goal by the end of the year, I may start my new goal on January 1 instead of doing a full year to February, 2011.
Now I am wondering just who is reading my blogs and who has any opinions on them. I think you need a gmail account to be a member, so I have heard from one person they read them but do not comment. If you have any comments or ideas you want me to receive, but don't want to add them to an open forum, I would love to hear from you.
Email me at ChristChild103@gmail.com
This was just a public service announcement because I needed to get that blog count up!!!
28...WOO WOO!!!!!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Happy what?-day...
On Sunday, 10/3/10 I turned 56 years old. It was a horrible day as I expected the world to stop and greet me - I expected all the times I said "don't worry about it" to be denied and everyone to call and treat me well.
But I had only 2 of my 4 siblings even remember me and with the Packers playing, no real attention from my husband till after the game was over. But this is all because I didn't make my wishes known.
The odd thing is that 3 women from choir called me and sang a lovely harmonized version of "Happy Birthday", I received an e-card from another alto...and by 10:00 Monday morning had received two more messages from choir members - neither from the alto section, telling me they hoped my day had been good.
I got a total of three cards and two gifts at choir on 9/30, another card from my son and daughter (ok - future daughter in law but why act like she isn't part of the family when she is so very important to us all), and my daughter (see above note) knit me three pair of socks...wonderful, colorful and warm socks. My son made sure I had Israel Houghton's new cd...my older sister borrowed my ladder and hugged me and told me I was important and loved. And my Dad called. OK, he couldn't remember why he called, and when he said "I can't remember..." my husband said "to talk to your daughter?" and Daddy remembered.
By noon on the 4th, my other siblings contacted me to tell me that they really were sorry that I had a birthday on such an inconvenient day for them and wished me well regardless. Perhaps their phraseology wasn't quite that way, but once I heard all they had to do, I really did see that my birthday was not exactly that important in the great scheme of things.
Why am I writing this? Because I am so tired of people telling me how nice I am and generous and giving when they should know that I am petty and selfish and demanding, just like everyone else.
And because I added up the great things about my birthday and they far outnumbered the imagined slights and self-proclaimed martyrdom I can feel better about Sunday.
SO MAGGIE!!! Get over it and move on. There will be other birthdays ... and in retrospect, how much better could they be - because other than gifts, cards, and greetings I also got some "smarts". Happy days to everyone - they are all special.
But I had only 2 of my 4 siblings even remember me and with the Packers playing, no real attention from my husband till after the game was over. But this is all because I didn't make my wishes known.
The odd thing is that 3 women from choir called me and sang a lovely harmonized version of "Happy Birthday", I received an e-card from another alto...and by 10:00 Monday morning had received two more messages from choir members - neither from the alto section, telling me they hoped my day had been good.
I got a total of three cards and two gifts at choir on 9/30, another card from my son and daughter (ok - future daughter in law but why act like she isn't part of the family when she is so very important to us all), and my daughter (see above note) knit me three pair of socks...wonderful, colorful and warm socks. My son made sure I had Israel Houghton's new cd...my older sister borrowed my ladder and hugged me and told me I was important and loved. And my Dad called. OK, he couldn't remember why he called, and when he said "I can't remember..." my husband said "to talk to your daughter?" and Daddy remembered.
By noon on the 4th, my other siblings contacted me to tell me that they really were sorry that I had a birthday on such an inconvenient day for them and wished me well regardless. Perhaps their phraseology wasn't quite that way, but once I heard all they had to do, I really did see that my birthday was not exactly that important in the great scheme of things.
Why am I writing this? Because I am so tired of people telling me how nice I am and generous and giving when they should know that I am petty and selfish and demanding, just like everyone else.
And because I added up the great things about my birthday and they far outnumbered the imagined slights and self-proclaimed martyrdom I can feel better about Sunday.
SO MAGGIE!!! Get over it and move on. There will be other birthdays ... and in retrospect, how much better could they be - because other than gifts, cards, and greetings I also got some "smarts". Happy days to everyone - they are all special.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
What do you want on your tombstone?
Old joke...
A group of seniors was asked what they wanted to hear from their friends and family at their funeral...
The first said, "I want to hear 'he was a good man"'
The second took it a step further and said, "It would be nice for them to say 'he was a loving husband and good father'"
The third thought it over and said, "I'd like someone to say 'look! He's breathing!'"
Being a Christian, I wonder if I will be at peace when I die. If I died today, would I hear accolades or would I hear relief? Would my friends even show up or think about it and decide for whatever reason that I would rather have them have a fun evening than go to a depressing wake?
Would they miss me or just find someone else to sit behind my desk at work, fill my seat at choir, and meet for coffee? Will the hole I leave be filled with love or distractions?
I think that with all we face daily, the trials, the temptations, the sadness and the confusion, all we can do is grab tightly to our faith and muddle through.
At my funeral I hope that they say "No matter what, she never lost her faith." The rest will fall in place if I remain faithful to the end.
A group of seniors was asked what they wanted to hear from their friends and family at their funeral...
The first said, "I want to hear 'he was a good man"'
The second took it a step further and said, "It would be nice for them to say 'he was a loving husband and good father'"
The third thought it over and said, "I'd like someone to say 'look! He's breathing!'"
Being a Christian, I wonder if I will be at peace when I die. If I died today, would I hear accolades or would I hear relief? Would my friends even show up or think about it and decide for whatever reason that I would rather have them have a fun evening than go to a depressing wake?
Would they miss me or just find someone else to sit behind my desk at work, fill my seat at choir, and meet for coffee? Will the hole I leave be filled with love or distractions?
I think that with all we face daily, the trials, the temptations, the sadness and the confusion, all we can do is grab tightly to our faith and muddle through.
At my funeral I hope that they say "No matter what, she never lost her faith." The rest will fall in place if I remain faithful to the end.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
4 of 4
Elaine - the baby. I know that is not a title a person wants to be saddled with through their whole life, but Elaine was the last of us. She is 12 years younger than me and I doted on her from the beginning. Where MaryBeth had Liz to be a sister to, I had Elaine.When she was young and would wake in the night, she would come to my twin bed and I would scoot over and make room for her. Mom always wanted to know why I didn't take her back to her own bed and, honestly, that meant I would have had to get out of my warm, toasty bed and walk across the hall and it was so much better to just invite her in and snuggle. I loved her for her cuddly nature - her curly blond hair - her lisp caused in part by falling on her upper teeth and damaging them - and her competitive nature. Of those things, the lisp was the only thing she grew out of. Unlike me, she always wanted to be number one. She was (and still is) an accomplished athlete. With my mother's help, she petitioned her grade school to be allowed to play football with the boys at lunch break. In those days, girls played girl games - only boys were allowed to play football. And once she was allowed to, she did play, even though it was not her sport. She set her goals in high school to be one of the better students, one of the first sophomores to get a senior varsity letter in sports, one of the most popular and well loved. She played softball with a group of girls, a few of whom she played with for the next twenty plus years. An excellent soccer player, she now assists her daughters' soccer teams as a team mother, manager and referee. Elaine was a member of the ski patrol, and even tried to teach me how to ski; a valiant effort on her part but I failed miserably.
I worry about Elaine because her nature is so competitive that I fear she will die some day of disappointment. She is so incredibly good at what she does, that if God takes her abilities away, would she be able to function as a normal person? I have the same concern for Clark Kent, David Banner and Diana Trevor. No one should be forced to live in the regular world by hiding their super powers.
When Elaine decided to marry, she picked a man who had the same drive and spirit she did. This is quite a match as each not only wanted to be the best, but to support each other in their achievements. To make things even better, they became the parents of two exceptional girls - Rachael, the eldest, is a first place person - she pushes herself to be number one at school and in sports, mostly soccer and Kayleigh, who is a great athlete, but seems to just want to be good at it all, not having picked a special sport yet. Both girls play basketball, a game their mom never played, and soccer and softball, two sports Elaine loved and excelled at. Elaine first "gold" was in volleyball, but her girls aren't old enough to be part of an accomplished team yet.
Elaine can't be categorized. She has friends to pray with, friends to do sports with, friends to drink with. She is a good Catholic girl who supports her parish by teaching Sunday school and then goes to a Packer party...yes, she is an avid sports fan as well as a player. Elaine is the one most likely to drink the guys under the table and still be able to tell you the game highlights and lowlights. She is a good listener, an incessant talker and an accomplished musician. She hosts parties that no one wants to leave and is a gracious and funny guest at your home.
Elaine is so good at everything that it is hard to not resent her or be jealous - but, as I know from experience, she only puts the pressure to be number one on herself and supports others (me) half-baked efforts.
When we married, my brother and sisters became Dukes special family, but he bonded with Elaine the most. It was a lot to do with her loving nature and the fact that she treated him like a big brother. He was so much older that she just folded into his affection for her and was often more like my daughter than my sister.
Many times she packed up an infant and three year old and drove thirty miles to sit with me when my husband was hospitalized - plus sent over dinners and gave me monetary help to get by till things normalized. None of this was asked for or expected, but I needed the help and she recognized it. For the first time, I was the one who wandered to her bed, woke her up and she scooted over and let me in.
My baby sister - my friend, Elaine.
I worry about Elaine because her nature is so competitive that I fear she will die some day of disappointment. She is so incredibly good at what she does, that if God takes her abilities away, would she be able to function as a normal person? I have the same concern for Clark Kent, David Banner and Diana Trevor. No one should be forced to live in the regular world by hiding their super powers.
When Elaine decided to marry, she picked a man who had the same drive and spirit she did. This is quite a match as each not only wanted to be the best, but to support each other in their achievements. To make things even better, they became the parents of two exceptional girls - Rachael, the eldest, is a first place person - she pushes herself to be number one at school and in sports, mostly soccer and Kayleigh, who is a great athlete, but seems to just want to be good at it all, not having picked a special sport yet. Both girls play basketball, a game their mom never played, and soccer and softball, two sports Elaine loved and excelled at. Elaine first "gold" was in volleyball, but her girls aren't old enough to be part of an accomplished team yet.
Elaine can't be categorized. She has friends to pray with, friends to do sports with, friends to drink with. She is a good Catholic girl who supports her parish by teaching Sunday school and then goes to a Packer party...yes, she is an avid sports fan as well as a player. Elaine is the one most likely to drink the guys under the table and still be able to tell you the game highlights and lowlights. She is a good listener, an incessant talker and an accomplished musician. She hosts parties that no one wants to leave and is a gracious and funny guest at your home.
Elaine is so good at everything that it is hard to not resent her or be jealous - but, as I know from experience, she only puts the pressure to be number one on herself and supports others (me) half-baked efforts.
When we married, my brother and sisters became Dukes special family, but he bonded with Elaine the most. It was a lot to do with her loving nature and the fact that she treated him like a big brother. He was so much older that she just folded into his affection for her and was often more like my daughter than my sister.
Many times she packed up an infant and three year old and drove thirty miles to sit with me when my husband was hospitalized - plus sent over dinners and gave me monetary help to get by till things normalized. None of this was asked for or expected, but I needed the help and she recognized it. For the first time, I was the one who wandered to her bed, woke her up and she scooted over and let me in.
My baby sister - my friend, Elaine.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
3 of 4
Kevin - yes, of the five of us, there is a boy. I was overjoyed as I had one older and one younger sister when he was born and really wanted a brother. He was a big baby, something my parents never got over, and they told many stories about it. I am sure that since he works very hard to stay healthy now, he really appreciates hearing Dad tell those old stories about his 10+ pound baby boy.
Kevin was loved, protected and bullied by his 4 sisters. This explains two things - that he moved to Minneapolis years ago and never looked back and that he didn't marry till he was 44 years old. He dated many lovely women, but none really stuck till Lacey. He has always been a good friend for men and women alike, and treats women with respect and admiration. (this directly corrolates to the "bullied" line - you respect women because THEY HIT!)
Kevin has a group of friends that are as welcome in our family as he is in theirs. Being an only son, he created a brotherhood with many of his high school buddies and they remain a tight group today, despite their differences in occupation, education and location.
Kevin is the only performing artist of us. Although we are all quick witted and easily amused, he went to improvisation classes and regularly performs in troupes and plays - has appeared in corporate instructional videos and hosted a local cable show.
Kevin makes it a priority to stay out of the tension and friction that can develop between us sisters, mainly because he loves us all individually. There is no "I like Mary better" or "I love Liz more" because he respects and loves us each for the things we each have to offer. He loves my husband (the feeling is mutual) and they tell stories about things they did together that the rest of us are relieved we did not participate in. Ask him why he doesn't have a Purple Rain cassette.
Kevin has a deep love of his family and this is manifested in his desire to visit with each of us when he comes to Milwaukee. He makes time to see us all individually and makes you believe that he came to town just to see you.
When he and Lacey decided to marry we all wondered why...why did he finally decide to settle with someone and why would a young, exciting woman want to marry him. But when you see them together, the questions cease. They appear to be good friends and genuinely love and enjoy each other. They really have the old PDA thing down as they are always holding hands, touching arms or exchanging looks. And they laugh together...something you need to survive as a couple.
Kevin learned much from his sisters and has taught us things too. He has patience, kindness and love - he has determination, wit and a great sense of humor. He is dependable and responsible. Kevin's independence is that much more liberating for him because he knows where he is, where he is going and where he belongs.
I love my baby brother.
Kevin was loved, protected and bullied by his 4 sisters. This explains two things - that he moved to Minneapolis years ago and never looked back and that he didn't marry till he was 44 years old. He dated many lovely women, but none really stuck till Lacey. He has always been a good friend for men and women alike, and treats women with respect and admiration. (this directly corrolates to the "bullied" line - you respect women because THEY HIT!)
Kevin has a group of friends that are as welcome in our family as he is in theirs. Being an only son, he created a brotherhood with many of his high school buddies and they remain a tight group today, despite their differences in occupation, education and location.
Kevin is the only performing artist of us. Although we are all quick witted and easily amused, he went to improvisation classes and regularly performs in troupes and plays - has appeared in corporate instructional videos and hosted a local cable show.
Kevin makes it a priority to stay out of the tension and friction that can develop between us sisters, mainly because he loves us all individually. There is no "I like Mary better" or "I love Liz more" because he respects and loves us each for the things we each have to offer. He loves my husband (the feeling is mutual) and they tell stories about things they did together that the rest of us are relieved we did not participate in. Ask him why he doesn't have a Purple Rain cassette.
Kevin has a deep love of his family and this is manifested in his desire to visit with each of us when he comes to Milwaukee. He makes time to see us all individually and makes you believe that he came to town just to see you.
When he and Lacey decided to marry we all wondered why...why did he finally decide to settle with someone and why would a young, exciting woman want to marry him. But when you see them together, the questions cease. They appear to be good friends and genuinely love and enjoy each other. They really have the old PDA thing down as they are always holding hands, touching arms or exchanging looks. And they laugh together...something you need to survive as a couple.
Kevin learned much from his sisters and has taught us things too. He has patience, kindness and love - he has determination, wit and a great sense of humor. He is dependable and responsible. Kevin's independence is that much more liberating for him because he knows where he is, where he is going and where he belongs.
I love my baby brother.
Sleep in peace, my Christian friends...
What do nonbelievers do when they lay down to sleep?
Do they relax with milk or wine or just start counting sheep?
Do they recall the little things that made their day a mess
Or do they wish they could be rich and have to work much less?
I wonder if they know that when you rest at night in love,
Knowing that your life is under guard by those above,
The pain from life is just a load that each of us must bear
But we can turn it over to the Lord’s unending care.
I wonder how they sleep when life could end at any time
And they don’t have a promise of eternity in mind.
I wonder if we told them that the peace we have is real,
Would they allow the Savior in, their wounded souls to heal?
Would they respond that we are nuts and turn their eyes away?
Do they know we won’t let them off? Won’t let them get away?
Will we express our faith and love and tell them of God’s will?
Will we convince them He can help their empty hearts be filled?
Do we show them through our actions; our words and thoughts and deeds
That God above, the Lord of Love, supplies their every need?
Do we show them the love we have as Christians can be shared
To all who throw their selves aside – who step to Christ – who dare?
Did we hold back, or take the reins and charge to fight the fight
That keeps them tossing, turning as they try to rest each night?
If they became believers, their minds could rest in peace
Knowing that through God above, anxiety will cease.
Do we help them see that God alone, in life their souls will keep?
What DO nonbelievers do when they lay down to sleep?
Do they relax with milk or wine or just start counting sheep?
Do they recall the little things that made their day a mess
Or do they wish they could be rich and have to work much less?
I wonder if they know that when you rest at night in love,
Knowing that your life is under guard by those above,
The pain from life is just a load that each of us must bear
But we can turn it over to the Lord’s unending care.
I wonder how they sleep when life could end at any time
And they don’t have a promise of eternity in mind.
I wonder if we told them that the peace we have is real,
Would they allow the Savior in, their wounded souls to heal?
Would they respond that we are nuts and turn their eyes away?
Do they know we won’t let them off? Won’t let them get away?
Will we express our faith and love and tell them of God’s will?
Will we convince them He can help their empty hearts be filled?
Do we show them through our actions; our words and thoughts and deeds
That God above, the Lord of Love, supplies their every need?
Do we show them the love we have as Christians can be shared
To all who throw their selves aside – who step to Christ – who dare?
Did we hold back, or take the reins and charge to fight the fight
That keeps them tossing, turning as they try to rest each night?
If they became believers, their minds could rest in peace
Knowing that through God above, anxiety will cease.
Do we help them see that God alone, in life their souls will keep?
What DO nonbelievers do when they lay down to sleep?
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