Past Imperfect

Last year while talking to a male friend of mine in Seminary, he told me how much he loved Facebook and he had hundreds of friends who he kept in touch with. Many of his friends were people he had met while serving in the Army. This notion of people I had met while in the Army sent chills up my spine. I told him I would not want the people I had known while in the Army contacting me. During those Army days I was a different person. And I wanted that different person from my past to stay in my past.

Fast forward to the present.

I joined Facebook last month. While searching for names of people I knew, I ran across an old Army buddy. I sent this person a private message titled "I think I know you." I reminded the person of my maiden name and where exactly I thought we had met. If this was the person, I really didn't think they would want to contact me. In a preemptive move I said they didn't have to reply, but left my e-mail address just in case. Two days later and I have not received a reply. I knew this would be the case.

I began to think a lot about the people I had interacted with in my youth and came up with this answer: I don't believe any of my past acquaintances would want to play catch up with me. NOT A PLEASANT THOUGHT.

I have been a lone wolf most of my life never trying to make deep connections with others. I never even try to remember any one's name. Faces I never forget; names never stick in my mind. I have ran from bumping into people in public places because I did not remember their name. When trapped and someone remembers me and I can not for the life of me remember their name, I just play along like I do. My children have shook their heads in utter astonishment at me recounting the past with people whose name I could not recall.

I have dodged people who in the past I was not so pleasant to. They, on the other hand have seemed to have forgotten that I paid little or no attention to them.

Even though I was not necessarily mean or evil in my past, I was young and dumb making one embarrassing mistake after the other. Growing up is such a hands on process and can be very messy. Needless to say, my education in life came through trial and error. And I do not want to bump into errors of my past. To say the least I was past imperfect. I would like it if no one could remember any of those growing pains they witness me going through or were involved in.

So, what about the people in my life today? Well, I'm still a lone wolf not making lasting friendships, but I have slowed down on making mistakes through trial and error. Marriage adds a lot of stability in a life, so does motherhood. Leaving behind your youthful experimenting twenties makes a big difference too.

By the way, that person from my past I contacted, I had to say 'I'm sorry' to them on more than one occasion. I'm sure I left a bad taste in their mouth. I am probably something to them better left in the past.

I believe many of us have been PAST IMPERFECT if we were to really think about it. I am just glad I get a chance to be FUTURE PERFECT or at least BETTER.

The hand that rocks the cradle

We often sit around and complain about the horrible state our state or country is in. We see our youths with their pants on the ground and young girls displaying sexuality early in life. There is a lack of interest in education and quick cash is the way to go. Well, these are legitimate complaints, but what can be done about them?

I believe and strongly advocate change begins at home. The Bible states we are to train a child in the way they should go and they will not depart from it. Many people mistakenly assume this passage means to force your child to attend church each Sunday in their youth and they will become a Christian later in life. THIS IS SO WRONG.

The education and training of your child is mainly their home enviroment. From the day you bring your bundle of joy home from the hospital, they are a sponge soaking up their enviroment mimicking those that surround them. The adage of do what I say and not what I do IS SOOOO WRONG too. Your children do as you do and will not depart from these lessons.

If you have a household filled with cursing--your children will learn to curse and not depart from it.

If you have a household that acts one way behind closed doors and another way when people are looking or when in public---you will raise a deceptive person who knows when to turn it on and to turn it off.

If your word does not mean anything in your home and lying comes easy to you about small things-- your child will learn lying is o.k. and won't even notice the ease in which they do it. I have had people lie about their real or fake hair at church and not realize if you lie about small things you lie about big things too.

If you disrespect people's space at home your children will disrespect other's: property and authority.

And if you do not value your child as a individual with a gift that should be nutured at every step in life--your child will not have respect for human life. This is why drive by shootings can exist. If you do not value your own life you will not value the life of others.

Boyfriends and girlfriends being changed out every two years? Your child will not have any respect for future relationship partners in their lives.

EDUCATION OF CHILDREN IS DONE BY EXAMPLE. Jesus demonstrated this through his life on earth. He came to earth in human form to SHOW you by example how you were to live. Just telling us as in the Old Testament was not good enough and too hard for us to maintain so he said "copy me" and you will be fine.

The hand that rocks the cradle--the hand holding the future and direction of our society, in most cases are single women. We are already off to a bad start with our children not experience the balance of a male and female working together on a common goal of raising well adjusted children.

Anyway, moms-- you can directly influence the direction of our states, of our nations. If you are politically concerned and savvy--your children will be. If you are seen reading a lot, your children will read. If you are constantly challenging yourself to try new things and think outside the box--your children will be inquisitive and seek higher and higher goals in their lives.

Finally, if you love God and others when no one is looking and make love and doing kind and good deeds daily for no recognition but because it is the right thing to do--your kids will be concerned with the good things and create good for themselves and others.

Believe it or not, yor children are at their core more like you than you know. Their philosophy on life came from you. They may do different things but they attack it with the worldview they learned in your house.

Girls expect to be treated well in relationships because they saw their mom treated well and demanded to be respected for her mind and personality and not her body.

Boys will treat women well in relationships if they see their mothers demand to be respected by men for their minds and character and not their body. Remember, mothers rock the cradle whether there is a man present or not.

Give your parenting skills much thought. Don't just wing it. The kid will grow up whether you instill anything in them or not. But help mold people you want to meet in your daily life. Do you want to be around someone always ready to fight or who talks about you as soon as your back is turned? Then don't you do it in your home in front of young developing minds.

Break the tradition of THAT'S THE WAY I WAS RAISED AND I'M FINE. You may be fine but are you a productive member of society for it's good or are you only concerned with your little part of the world?

Answer this question to know if you are fine:

Are you the same person you were in your early 20's, 30's, 40' 50's etc. or have you changed and grown adding more positive skills and experiences to your life?

If you are still the same person enjoying the same things and people you did when you were a teen; then what do you have to offer your children in their education of life? You haven't tasted the diversity of people and thoughts that this God given world has to offer.

Offer your kids life filled with more than the same old same old. Read, learn, grow, pray. Ask God to help you discover that wonderful talent he gave to you at your creation and to help you guide and direct the talent instilled from God in your children.

God gave you the gift of children. They belonged to Him first and He intrusted you to help prepare them for their kingdom work.

So moms, I encourage you to begin from day one while rocking that cradle you are changing the world for the better or worse, but you are having a hand in the future.

Good News For Me

As you all know I write books. Writing for me is the easy part. Getting them published is a little bit tougher. It takes a lot of rejections before you finally make it to being in Wal-Mart. With more people buying books online, this makes selling books even more of a challenge. I don't know what a person would have to be looking for on Amazon.com to find my book and purchase it, but it's there waiting for someone to love it.

Anyway, I was contacted last week by Strategic Book Publishing company (Tanya in acquisitions)who requested my manuscript for "When Will Eve Be Forgiven?" I was happy to receive a request from a publishing company. It is not unusual for a writer to be rejected hundreds of times and one author said after his tenth book, he finally got published. Some people make it and some people don't. Please take a moment to wish me luck and to offer up a prayer. I will greatly appreciate it. Below is the letter I send to publishing companies to get them to bite.

“4 things a woman should know: How to look like a girl, how to act like a lady, how to think like a man, and how to work like a dog (Anonymous).” “Women are a necessary evil, a natural temptation, a desirable calamity, a domestic peril, a deadly fascination and painted ills (Chrysostom).” “[Women] are the gateway to Hell (Tertullian).” “Women do not have a soul and do not belong to the human race, as shown by many passages of Holy Scripture (Valentius Acidalius).” “…I do not allow [women] to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says (Apostle Paul).” These are quotes that Christian history and society have made about women, but history is about to change!

Are you a frustrated Christian woman? Have you come to the conclusion that the apostle Paul is a male chauvinist? Are you concerned about the message Christianity is offering teenage girls about womanhood? Or, are you a male trying to understand women? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, this book is for you.

When Will Eve Be Forgiven is a nonfiction book that examines and defines the “curse” of Eve and the atoning work of Jesus. This book challenges the reader to go beyond the traditional explanations and characterizations of Eve and her female descendents. Each chapter is easy to follow and fosters growth for the non-Christian and the advanced Christian reader.

When I was a seminary student, I heard the complaints and confusion expressed by many women regarding how society viewed them. In the magazine Christian History, Women in the Early Church, the question is posed whether “special treatment” should be given to women to make up for history’s exclusion of them. Christian historians are bringing to the forefront the contributions women have made to Christian history. A 1991 Gallop survey stated that women control 80% of every dollar spent on consumer goods, 88% of general bookstore shoppers consider themselves as Christians, and 42% of them purchased a Bible or other religious books in the past year (Publishers Weekly).

The response to the title of my book has been: “It’s about time someone addresses how women continue to be associated with Eve’s sin while men are not associated with Adam’s sin.” My book clarifies and defines how God feels about women in Scripture and that women should forgive themselves first and not rely on others to give them freedom and acceptance within the Christian community and the world at large. It is a timely book for all who witnessed the historical presidential race of 2008. I’ve enclosed a SASE if you are interested in seeing the completed manuscript. I look forward to your response.

HE IS RISEN

HE IS RISEN!
This is the history changing proclaimation. The world has not been the same since those first century Christians saw the resurrected image of a crucified savior. The testimony began with two women and later was given credibility by more than 500 witnesses. Triumph over death was accomplished by Jesus Christ of Nazereth.

So why are there so many bunnies and eggs seen on this resurrection Sunday? Our old standby explanation of things we cannot control is hard at work. How do we make heads and tails of the unexplainable? We turn to superstition and folklore.

Do you know why eggs and bunnies are associated with the Easter celebration. It is because both the egg and bunny are symbols of fertility and for that reason were an important part of European Spring festivals. After Europe became Christianized these symbals of Spring and fertility were transfered to the Christian Easter celebration, a holiday that celebrates renewed life.

There are a number of superstitions relating to Good Friday:

A child born on Good Friday and baptised on Easter Sunday has the gift of healing.

Many fishermen will not set out for catch on Good Friday.

Bread or cakes baked on this day will not go mouldy.

Eggs laid on Good Friday will never go bad.

The planting of crops is not advised on this day, as an old belief says that no iron should enter the ground (i.e. spade, fork etc.).

Hot cross buns baked on Good Friday were supposed to have magical powers. It is said that you could keep a hot cross bun which had been made on Good Friday for at least a year and it wouldn't go mouldy.

Hardened old hot cross buns are supposed to protect the house from fire

Sailors took hot cross buns to sea with them to prevent shipwreck.

A bun baked on Good Friday and left to get hard could be grated up and put in some warm milk to stop an upset tummy.

Having a hair cut on Good Friday will prevent toothaches the rest of the year.

Giving Easter Eggs goes back to the Egyptians and Romans whom both used egg-giving as a symbol of resurrection and continuing life.

Christianity later adopted the egg as an emblem of the Resurrection of Christ.

Infants were given hard-boiled eggs dyed red (the blood of Christ) to keep them healthy for the coming year.

Children born on Easter Day are considered fortunate.

Ancient German superstition states that Rabbits lay eggs on Easter Day hence the Easter Bunny.

Pagan origins of Easter:
Many, perhaps most, Pagan religions in the Mediterranean area had a major seasonal day of religious celebration at or following the Spring Equinox. Cybele, the Phrygian fertility goddess, had a consort, Attis, who was believed to have been born via a virgin birth. Attis was believed to have died and been resurrected each year during the period MAR-22 to MAR-25.

Gerald L. Berry, author of "Religions of the World," wrote:

"About 200 B.C. mystery cults began to appear in Rome just as they had earlier in Greece. Most notable was the Cybele cult centered on Vatican hill ...Associated with the Cybele cult was that of her lover, Attis (the older Tammuz, Osiris, Dionysus, or Orpheus under a new name). He was a god of ever-reviving vegetation. Born of a virgin, he died and was reborn annually. The festival began as a day of blood on Black Friday and culminated after three days in a day of rejoicing over the resurrection." 3

Wherever Christian worship of Jesus and Pagan worship of Attis were active in the same geographical area in ancient times, Christians:

"... used to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus on the same date; and pagans and Christians used to quarrel bitterly about which of their gods was the true prototype and which the imitation."

Many religious historians and liberal theologians believe that the death and resurrection legends were first associated with Attis, many centuries before the birth of Jesus. They were simply grafted onto stories of Jesus' life in order to make Christian theology more acceptable to Pagans. Others suggest that many of the events in Jesus' life that were recorded in the gospels were lifted from the life of Krishna, the second person of the Hindu Trinity. Ancient Christians had an alternative explanation; they claimed that Satan had created counterfeit deities in advance of the coming of Christ in order to confuse humanity. 4 Modern-day Christians generally regard the Attis legend as being a Pagan myth of little value with no connection to Jesus. They regard Jesus' death and resurrection account as being true, and unrelated to the earlier tradition.

Wiccans and other modern-day Neopagans continue to celebrate the Spring Equinox as one of their 8 yearly Sabbats (holy days of celebration). Near the Mediterranean, this is a time of sprouting of the summer's crop; farther north, it is the time for seeding. Their rituals at the Spring Equinox are related primarily to the fertility of the crops and to the balance of the day and night times. In those places where Wiccans can safely celebrate the Sabbat out of doors without threat of religious persecution, they often incorporate a bonfire into their rituals, jumping over the dying embers is believed to assure fertility of people and crops.

So today we celebrate with a mixture of the pagan and Christian tradition. There are those Christians who rail against the notion of the Easter Bunny and his appearance along with his colorful eggs. But, as Jesus drilled into our minds through the Scriptures, it is the content of a person's heart that he is concerned with. Are you a pagan who worships some goddess or are you a Christian who knows the truth of Jesus' life, death and resurrection who happens to enjoy coloring and hiding eggs for little children to find? It is the heart that will be judged.

It is not the history of the Easter Bunny or a pagan goddess that many people celebrate on Easter. I say, just remember why we celebrate the day and enjoy it as a celebration of life.

Happy Easter

RELEASE THE KRAKEN!!!!!!!!!!

If you haven't seen this movie yet, you are missing out. I just returned from the movie theater and I say "release the Kraken" every chance I get.

This was a wonderful remake of an old classic by Ray Harryhausen. If you liked the written story of Perseus, you will enjoy this movie. The special effects are smoothe and flawless. The action scenes are believeable and at times human blunder is allowed to sneak in during some of the fighting scenes. The Gods are regal and you will have no problem rooting for the heroes. The story line is simple--man versus the unbeatable beasts. There was only one curse word; a rarity in movies today. Me and my daughters whispered throughout the movie as usual and laughed at the appropriate times. HINT: The evil characters in the movie always whisper:)

Now, what will the religious sector have to say about the movie? Well, it was released during the Easter season. A time when Christians are thankful for a Savior. The lead character, Sam Worthington, is seen as a savior, who at the end comes from heaven (from an eclipsing sun) riding on a winged black stallion to save mankind from the wrath of Hedes (satan type).

Zeus declares often he created man and intended and gained power from them worshipping him. It is by his grace that humans are allowed to live. Zeus allows his brother, Hedes, to run rampant on the ungrateful creation doing evil to them.

There is no disguising the parallel to God and His creation. Hopefully, the religious community can view this movie for what it is--very entertaining. If there is any ire roused, the movie offers a opening to discuss the doctrine of Christianity and win converts and answer some unanswered questions by new Christians.

The movie offers a good moral understanding of good and evil. When man loses hope or faith in the God that they worship, Satan is increased by their doubt and uncertainty.

I took the parallel in the movie and compared it to the Christian belief I profess. I hope God is with me through all of my battles supplying me with the necessary tools for victory. To know He is present, looking on, concerned with my sucess as I go through insurmountable obstacles is a comforting thought the movie reminded me about. I can be victorious, accomplishing the extraordinary and yet not place myself in the position of God, but as a human created by God.

This is a movie I will purchase when it becomes available on DVD. I did not see it in 3D but my eyes and mouth were open with every well executed, suspenseful fight scene. Of course, I loved Medusa and enjoyed the snakes.

Tulip trees, Dogwood Trees, bees and snakes

Alas! Spring has sprung!

There are butterflies zooming about. Bumble bees tussel for the best blooms with nectar. Red wasps frighten the children. Lime green lizards jump from shaky flower stem to flower stem and I run from a black runner snake looking for a tasty treat by my feet on my front steps. This is an ordinary day in my gardening life.

I was amazed at how fast I jumped up and ran for the safety of the inside of my front door. I have always dreaded the day when I came foot to face with a snake in my yard. It has come to pass and I lived to tell about it. In case you did not know, the back runner here in my state is not poisonous and runs from people as quick as a bat of the eye. I was not in danger but I was none the less in a state of shock.

To my surprise, I ended up spending the evening with family outdoors in the same area where I had almost been treaded upon by the snake earlier in the day. I guess if you love gardening and seeing spring in action, nothing will deter you. At least, not me it seems.


One of my favorite trees in the spring time is the Tulip Tree, or more commonly known,the Magnolia Tree. I have a lovely purple one at the corner of my house that never fails to put on a great show. I enjoy riding around my area looking at the different tulip trees. They can be breathtaking and add early color to any landscape.


When I lived up north, I would come back home to Mississippi by train. I could always tell when I had crossed the state line into Mississippi. In the tree line, next to the train tracks, I could see beautiful snow white blossoms amoung the leafless still dormant tress of the woods.It was the Dogwood Tree in full bloom. The arching shapes were poetic with no two trees the same. The Dogwood Tree always add majesty to the yet sleeping forest.

A little sass is given against a backsplash of green grass sprigs that is called the Redbud Tree. Its electric pink signals Spring has officially sprung.

So many spring blooming trees to choose from to chase away the winter blahs. Bees a-buzzin and me a-gawkin; this is my favorite time of the year.

Good Friday?

Today is a day of remembrance. A time in which Christians reflect back to a day of torture and torment for one man proclaiming a new way of life; a new life after death.

He began a ministry to the poor, the rejected, the disabled, the ostrasized, and included women in a way society had never allowed. He railed against those religious leaders who misused their position of power (Matthew 23:13-29):

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.”

“Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! Which is greater; the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath. You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or he altar that makes the gift sacred? Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwell in it. And he who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.”

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law---justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.”

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisees! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.”

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!”
“You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?”

Jesus' ministry was a ministry of life, of everyday living. It was not something adorned every morning or displayed in the presence of others; it was who you were day in and day out, a life style.

We say on this day that it was 'good' such a man came, gave his life to show us a better way. But many of us do not choose to live the exampled way of salvation. We pick and choose what we want to do as it fits into our chosen life style. We adjust the ministy of Jesus to parallel our lives instead of adjusting our lives to parallel Jesus' ministry. This is why and how we have so many interpretations of the Bible and so many different denominations.

On this day of the ultimate final blood sacrifice we should reflect on what we. as Christians. have gained through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

1. We have been freed from the excuse, "It is too difficult and impossible to live a Christian life on earth."
2. We have gained the knowledge and joy that true persecution isn't a couple of people talking about you or sneering at you when you pray or worship God, but persecution is the ultimate price of death; which we do not encounter in the United States.
3. We have the assurance that this life does hold its pitfalls and sadness for all who inhabit it, Christian and non-Christian alike, but Christians awake to a brighter day after death of splendor and glory.
4. We have learned that with righteous choices in life, comes great opposition and fear. You can be heralded on one day and dispised by the masses the next day. It is the heart of forgiveness that enables compassion and peace. Jesus and Stephen uttered powerful words as they were murdered by the masses: "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do."
5. Finally, you have a clear purpose for your life above all other purposes. You have been given the task and ability to show others the way to salvation. This is an honor and priveledge which unites all Christians in brotherhood. All other purposes pale in comparison to this purpose.

It was the willingness of Jesus and his followers to choose an unpopular life style, to endure the threat of death, and to say: "no matter what is going on around me, I choose God," this stance allowed Christianity to grow, flourish, and last for centuries. Justice, mercy, and faithfulness in everyday living is more effective than any speech given by today's Christian.

As everyone prepares their Easter finest suit, dress, and hat; as Easter eggs are dyed and meals are prepared, as church building fill to over flowing, it will be the daily life style lived by the individual that will speak to all the on-lookers.

Will their response be:"Woe to you, you blind guides, you hypocrites?"