Upon finding out that the Rangers had lost the last game and, therefore, weren't the World Series' Champions:
Hooman: "Hey! At least we beat the Yankees!"
Of course, all the other testosterone infused boys in this house were down in the dumps.
I was just bummed because I now have no legitimate reason to keep beer in the fridge. Between the Cowgirls tucking tail and running back to their jillion dollar stadium between games, the Rangers coming in second, and Mike Modano defecting to Michigan* there really isn't a good reason to drink anymore.
But, maybe, just maybe, I could get consensus that the fact that we have no one left to cheer for is reason for keeping a few cold ones handy in and of itself.
We'll just drink to that.
And to one of the funnest baseball seasons ever! Thanks, Rangers!
*My heart is shattered into a million little pieces. Kind of like the ice when a good, hard, albeit illegal, check throws a player's head into it, Mike. How could you???
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Mid-Terms
A prayer on this mid-term election day, courtesy of the Book of Common Prayer:
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favour and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honourable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favour and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honourable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Blessings or Disguises?
This is a little soap-boxy today, but hang with me because the message is worthy.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Somewhere along the way, I heard "not everything that sounds good is."
I don't consider myself naive or brain dead or even ignorant when it comes to most things. So it seems like it would be hard for me to get caught up in something that looked good but isn't. Agreed?
But, let me tell you, this is one message that requires so much more than a corsery glance. It requires digging down. Then, possibly, digging some more.
In fact, our human brains are so easily misled that the Bible reminds us to "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves."*
So, maybe it would be a good idea to balance my intelligence with a little research every once in a while, instead of relying on my first perception of things. Right?
This all came to me today when we received one of countless hundreds of solicitations that enter our mailbox on an annual basis. These are well thought out letters, often from groups whose names I recognize, printed with stories and pictures and appeals that tear my heart out. And sometimes make me cry.
On this particular occasion, my attention was caught by the title of the charity work: Angel Tree.
That's the same name as our annual Sunday School party and the Salvation Army's huge holiday project. It had to be good!
Well, a little deeper digging through the five-part, color printed, picture laden mailing revealed that Chuck Colson, Rick Warren, and Franklin Graham all support this ministry. Two of the three even allowed their picture to be used right next to quotes on how great this ministry is!
Surely, NOW, I had reliable sources and should write a check, send it, and pat myself on the back.
But wait just one minute. A quick check of my favorite website for giving, www.charitynavigator.org**, revealed that the parent program for this ministry gets an overall one of four stars for its work. In fact, 69 cents of every $1 goes to the actual program costs. The other 31 cents? Over half (18 cents of every dollar) is used to send nifty brochures to entice people like me to donate.
Looking even further, within the same catagory of charity, there are four others who all have 3 or 4 stars next to their name. Now, I've never heard of any of them (probably because they aren't sending five-part mailings), but, apparently, they are using their money much more wisely.
Of all the things King David asked for, God was most impressed when he asked for wisdom. No, riches or status or health didn't rank. Wisdom did.
We should learn from that.
When's the last time you really looked into that favorite charity and how they are using your money? Do you know where the money at your local church is going? How much of those cookie dough proceeds are actually going to benefit your local school?
If you think "I trust them. They aren't out to dupe me. Besides, I'd be embarrassed asking." then you are only partially right.
Bottom line: It's the money God entrusted you to distribute, so it's your business.
And if you are refused information? Something is rotten in the state of Denmark***, honey, and it ain't the cheese! You should be able to get full disclosure on each and every dollar that's being earned and spent. Because, by law, this information is required.
This is the time of year we are most thankful for all we've been blessed with. It is our task to be sure that we are using our blessings in a way that would most please the God who blessed us with everything in the first place.
Now, go. Take a good, hard look at those blessings. And be sure you are pleasing God with the wisdom behind your financial decisions.
*Matthew 7:15, NLV. Truthfully, it will be worth your while to back up to Matthew 7:1 and read the whole chapter. You'll recognize most of it..and it is wonderful!
**I love Charity Navigator and have used it for years. But, there are, no doubt other websites for this same type of information.
***Thank you Shakespeare. HUGS.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Somewhere along the way, I heard "not everything that sounds good is."
I don't consider myself naive or brain dead or even ignorant when it comes to most things. So it seems like it would be hard for me to get caught up in something that looked good but isn't. Agreed?
But, let me tell you, this is one message that requires so much more than a corsery glance. It requires digging down. Then, possibly, digging some more.
In fact, our human brains are so easily misled that the Bible reminds us to "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves."*
So, maybe it would be a good idea to balance my intelligence with a little research every once in a while, instead of relying on my first perception of things. Right?
This all came to me today when we received one of countless hundreds of solicitations that enter our mailbox on an annual basis. These are well thought out letters, often from groups whose names I recognize, printed with stories and pictures and appeals that tear my heart out. And sometimes make me cry.
On this particular occasion, my attention was caught by the title of the charity work: Angel Tree.
That's the same name as our annual Sunday School party and the Salvation Army's huge holiday project. It had to be good!
Well, a little deeper digging through the five-part, color printed, picture laden mailing revealed that Chuck Colson, Rick Warren, and Franklin Graham all support this ministry. Two of the three even allowed their picture to be used right next to quotes on how great this ministry is!
Surely, NOW, I had reliable sources and should write a check, send it, and pat myself on the back.
But wait just one minute. A quick check of my favorite website for giving, www.charitynavigator.org**, revealed that the parent program for this ministry gets an overall one of four stars for its work. In fact, 69 cents of every $1 goes to the actual program costs. The other 31 cents? Over half (18 cents of every dollar) is used to send nifty brochures to entice people like me to donate.
Looking even further, within the same catagory of charity, there are four others who all have 3 or 4 stars next to their name. Now, I've never heard of any of them (probably because they aren't sending five-part mailings), but, apparently, they are using their money much more wisely.
Of all the things King David asked for, God was most impressed when he asked for wisdom. No, riches or status or health didn't rank. Wisdom did.
We should learn from that.
When's the last time you really looked into that favorite charity and how they are using your money? Do you know where the money at your local church is going? How much of those cookie dough proceeds are actually going to benefit your local school?
If you think "I trust them. They aren't out to dupe me. Besides, I'd be embarrassed asking." then you are only partially right.
Bottom line: It's the money God entrusted you to distribute, so it's your business.
And if you are refused information? Something is rotten in the state of Denmark***, honey, and it ain't the cheese! You should be able to get full disclosure on each and every dollar that's being earned and spent. Because, by law, this information is required.
This is the time of year we are most thankful for all we've been blessed with. It is our task to be sure that we are using our blessings in a way that would most please the God who blessed us with everything in the first place.
Now, go. Take a good, hard look at those blessings. And be sure you are pleasing God with the wisdom behind your financial decisions.
*Matthew 7:15, NLV. Truthfully, it will be worth your while to back up to Matthew 7:1 and read the whole chapter. You'll recognize most of it..and it is wonderful!
**I love Charity Navigator and have used it for years. But, there are, no doubt other websites for this same type of information.
***Thank you Shakespeare. HUGS.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)