Changing the Culture

I used to love Greek mythology as a child. The imagination that went into these stories of different gods and how they controlled our world was fascinating to me. I didn't believe any of the tales and had no idea that anyone else did either. But Greek mythology was actually a part of the religious practice in ancient Greece. The cult and ritual practices in the worship of these gods was very real and prevalent in the land. It was a regular part of their culture.

Early Greek religion was a blend of the Achaean, Dorian, Minoan, Egyptian and the Asian cultures, and came about as a result of the mingling of these cultures. Each city was under the protection of one particular god, who was worshiped with unique emphasis in that city. Athena is the goddess of Athens, Artemis is the god of Sparta, Aphrodite was worshiped at Corinth, Apollo worshiped at Delphi and Delos, and Zeus, the king of gods, was worshiped with special reverence at Olympia.

Blood sacrifices of animals such as oxen, sheep, horses, swine, dogs, birds, fish, fowl etc were held in the temples of the gods. During sacrifices, the people offered the blood, bones and hides of the slaughter animal to the god, and the remaining portions were used up as food for themselves.

Paul traveled through Greece with Silas and after some trouble with the Jews for preaching the gospel, he was sent to Athens to wait for Silas and Timothy. (Acts 17 )

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. Acts 17:16

Paul was always looking for an opportunity to present the gospel in a way that was relevant to the person or people he was speaking with. In this case he chose the culture's dedication to religion.

"For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you." Acts 17:23

Paul used that as his opening remark to tell the people about the salvation that comes from Christ. He didn't join in their customs and practices, but rather, he pulled something out from it. He wasn't trying to add another god to their extensive collection of gods. What he was trying to do was change the culture and it's practices. He was introducing the Unknown God, our Savior Jesus Christ, to the people with the full intent of displacing all other gods, beliefs, and religious practices in the culture. I like the way Alistair Begg stated it in a recent message on Acts 17. "Becoming a Christian involves a radical transformation and a break from all non-Christian habits. Becoming a Christian does not mean simply adding a Jesus package to a lifestyle of our own choosing."

With the onset of Christianity, the Greek religion slowly became extinct. This happened because the believers turned away from the practices of the culture and taught new believers to do the same. Do we, as followers of Jesus Christ, do that in this culture? Do we try to displace any evil that sets itself up against Jesus, or do we accept it, tolerate it, and even embrace it while we set up our belief system right next to it?

"...and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. ...for they will turn your sons away from following me...This is what you are to do to them: Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles and burn their idols in the fire. For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession." Deuteronomy 7:2,4-6

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Taking Every Thought Captive

I have always been drawn to things mysterious so it's not surprising that in my youth and as a young adult, I became involved in things of an occult nature. Many of us have played with a Ouiji board at some time in our lives thinking it was a harmless game. Then there are the *innocent* séances that kids, teens, and sometimes even adults will have when a group gets together and start talking about all things mysterious. By the way, using a Ouiji board is a form of a séance.

These things held an interest for me and I looked into a variety of occult practices. I have had my palm read and did some studying in palmistry. I studied a little numerology and looked into the power of crystals. I touched on witchcraft, white witchcraft of course because I didn't want to do anything evil. White witchcraft, I was told, is the kind that is only used for good, black witchcraft is the evil kind. Fortunately I didn't step into the realm of witchcraft but if the culture had been what it is now, I'm sure I would have.

I studied astrology in depth and learned how to create an astrological chart and how to read it. I was always looking at where the planets were and how they lined up with the planets in my chart and how they were affecting my life. Much of the astrology that I learned and practiced is still embedded in my mind and comes to the forefront when I see someone's astrological sign even though I push that thought right back out. But what's the harm in reading your daily horoscope? After all it's just for fun. So does that make it okay? By the way, did you know that your blogger profile displays your astrological (zodiac) sign unless you specify that it doesn't?

I also learned to read Tarot cards and have been to a number of psychics. Most that I went to knew very little and I found to be a waste of my money, but there were a few who knew their stuff. Oh they weren't 100% accurate but a lot of their predictions came to pass. One of the ladies I went to on several occasions, kept a picture of Jesus sitting on her table and prayed before each reading. I also used to pray in Jesus Name before I would give myself a reading. Did that make it okay? If I was doing it in Jesus' Name then did it insure that my readings were not coming from an evil source, and that I wasn't participating in evil?

That's what I thought. That's what I believed. But as I continued to read my Bible, I found many references to such things and I took them to heart.

“When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord." Deuteronomy 18:9-12

Psalm 47 makes references to astrologers.

It became clear that even though I was doing all of it in Jesus Name and covering it all in prayer, I was still participating in an evil practice. It didn't feel or look evil in my opinion, but God didn't ask my opinion, He showed me what His Word says. I could choose to obey or disobey. I had to ask myself what was more important, continuing in my long-time practices or pleasing God? I gathered up all of my books and supplies and tossed them all in the dumpster.

Even the simple reading a daily horoscope just for fun is participation in astrology. That alone makes it evil according to God's Word. The spiritual battle is very real. It's at the point where a sin or an evil appears fun and innocent that the devil gains his foothold, and he will do everything he can to keep his foot in that door. And as long as he has his foot in the door, he will attack not only the person who gave him the foothold, but their children, and spouse, and grandchildren. The only way to prevent or stop that attack is to close the door.

...do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:27

You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. Psalm 5:4

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Definitions:

A Ouija board, also known as spirit board or talking board, is a flat board marked with letters, numbers, and other symbols, theoretically used to communicate with spirits. Ouija is a trademark for a talking board currently sold by Parker Brothers.

A séance is an attempt to communicate with spirits.

Palmistry (“divination”), is the art of characterization and foretelling the future through the study of the palm, also known as palm reading.

Numerology is any of many systems, traditions or beliefs in a mystical or esoteric relationship between numbers and physical objects or living things. Numerology and numerological divination were popular among early mathematicians.

Witchcraft, in various historical, anthropological, religious and mythological contexts, is the use of certain kinds of supernatural or magical powers.

Astrology is a group of systems, traditions, and beliefs which hold that the relative positions of celestial bodies and related details can provide information about personality, human affairs, and other terrestrial matters.

Tarot reading revolves around the belief that the cards can be used to gain insight into the current and possible future situations of the subject. Some believe they are guided by a spiritual force.

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

What's in the Teaching?

My grandparents on my mom's side lived a couple of hours away from us so we didn't get a lot of visits with them when I was growing up. But every year during our summer break my sister and I would go spend a week or two with them. It was always fun and my aunts always had lots of fun activities planned for us. One year, when I was 12 years old, we went to visit and my aunts had planned lots of bible study for us. This was my first recollection of ever having any kind of bible study. We didn't go to church, study the bible, or have any conversations about God in my home. My grandma (mom's mom) was a Catholic and told me about Jesus being the Son of God and dying for my sins but that was the extent of my biblical teaching. It was a good foundation though.

My aunts had recently become Jehovah's Witnesses and were zealous to share their new religion with us. They wanted very much for us to join their religion and be saved so we got a crash course *bible study*. The study was from the JW bible and most of the lessons or teaching, focused on Armageddon, the end of the world, and the book of Revelation. God was going to destroy the earth as we know it and then make this a perfect world again like it was in the beginning. All Jehovah's Witnesses would be saved and made perfect, like Adam and Eve, and live forever here on the new perfect earth. One of the scriptures that they used in teaching me about Armagedon was from Psalm 91.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. Psalm 91:7-8

The wicked in this verse I was told refered to those who were not JWs. I was terrified at what I learned about Armageddon, but I had a heart, as most children do, ready to love God. All I needed to do was be obedient to God. That would mean that there would be times when I would need to be strong and stand firm. Not everyone was going to believe the Truth but I was not to let that influence my obedience. It would take courage to stand up for God, but if I did, God would save me.

You see, the Truth was being presented but in a way that is distorted. I was being taught that salvation comes from works. I quickly chose not to follow this teaching for reasons that are not relevant to this post. I continued to live in an environment where God was simply never a topic of discussion.

About a year later, after school one day, several kids started picking on my sister at the bus stop, with the tallest and most muscular girl leading it. I thought they were going to hurt her and I didn't know what to do. I was literally a 98 lb weakling and all alone. I mustered up every ounce of courage I had inside of me and said to that girl "What do you think God thinks about what you're doing!?" She looked at me and said "God? What do I care what God thinks!" I was sure I was in big trouble at that point but the party broke up and everyone went home. The next morning I was on the bus to go to school and we were approaching that girl's bus stop. I was cringing inside because I knew I had made a powerful enemy. When she got on the bus I was shocked to see that she was wearing a dress. She never wore dresses. She was a tough girl. It was as though God was telling me that He had taken care of the situation. He had protected me, and I wondered if she had some remorse for what she had said about Him. She didn't even look at me and that was the end of it.

You see, God used the cult teaching that I had received to teach me that obedience to Him comes out of Trusting in Him. That stirred up courage in me to act on Faith in Him.

The devil will take God's Truth and twist it and distort it so that it sounds good, and right, but points us to the wide road instead of God's narrow road. But God can use any situation, holy or evil, to accomplish His purpose. So does that mean that there was nothing wrong with the cult teaching? Does that make it okay to participate in it and teach it to our children?

"...so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it." Matthew 7:13

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. Colossians 2:8

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Project 365 - Late October 25, 2009

Go visit our hostess Sara and everyone who is playing along.

Monday - It was so nice outside that I decided to spend my time with God on the patio near the garden.

Then this guy showed up. He was about 4" long and way too close for comfort. I stopped and got rid of him and some other bug (there is a reason why they are called bugs) showed up. I got rid of that one and a big red wasp showed up. I gave up and went inside.

Tuesday - I was driving by this residential street just a couple of blocks from my home and this is what I saw. This was not an accident. This street was taped off and even residents weren't allowed in. I took these pictures from across the street where I was out of the way. There was a helicopter circling overhead for a while.

I never found out exactly what the situation was except that someone was barricaded in one of the homes and threatening suicide. I have to believe there was a bit more to the story than that. Helicopters and SWAT teams don't generally get involved in a suicide threat that I am aware of, but maybe I'm wrong.

There is a daycare center on this corner in the picture. The situation was not at the daycare center. That is the SWAT team van in this picture. At one point we did hear 8 shots fired. We guessed that they were from the SWAT team.

This is the daycare center. They sent snipers up on the roof. I guess they could see the house they were watching from there.

News crews. All of this had been going on for 2 1/2 hours before the news showed up.

While all of that was going on, this formed in the sky above the homes.

Then as the sun came out from behind the cloud these rainbows appeared on both ends.


Wednesday - I was praying over a situation that has been concerning me lately, as I walked in the house from the garage I happened to look up at the ceiling and this is what I saw. God is so good!

Thursday - Hmmm, coffee looks a little weak.

Ooops.

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Bible Quiz Answers for October 23, 2009

Here are the answers to yesterday's Bible Quiz. I tried to choose recognizable quotes but I have a feeling I'm still missing the mark here, even though our players had very accurate answers. Next week I may go with multiple choice so don't quit on me yet. :)

Sue J and KW both scored very high on this one. I did say that I only pulled these from two books of the Bible but since KW kindly provided the 3rd reference as well, I didn't want to disappoint.

• These are all statements made by Jesus.
• Who did He say them to?
• What was the situation or circumstances?
• Extra Credit: Where is it found?
  

"I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith." - Matthew 8:10 - He said it to a centurion in Capernaum who asked Jesus to heal his servant. The man believed that Jesus could do it without coming to his home or the man.

“Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” - Matthew 9:6 and Mark 2:11 - He said it to a paralyzed man that had been brought to Him (lowered through the roof) by some friends. He had first said "Your sins are forgiven." but the teachers of the law said that was blasphemy.

"Come, follow me, ... and I will make you fishers of men." - Matthew 4:19 and Mark 1:17 - He said it to Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. They were fishing in the Sea of Galilee when Jesus walked by and said this to them. This was the calling of the first disciples.

"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." - Matthew 19:23-24, Mark 10:24-25, and Luke 18:24-25 - He said it to His disciples after the rich young man wouldn't give up his wealth to follow Jesus.

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." - Matthew 22:21, Mark 12:17, and Luke 20:25 - He said it to the Pharisees who were trying to trap Him by asking if it was right to pay taxes.

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Bible Quiz - October 23, 2009 - Jesus Said...

It's time again for our Bible Quiz. This weeks questions should be easier than last week and it's an open book quiz, meaning you may use your bible but not the internet. So let's get started.

• These are all statements made by Jesus. (Taken from the NIV)
  
• Who did He say them to?
• What was the situation or circumstance?
• Extra Credit: Where is it found? (Hint: I only used two books of the Bible.)
  

1. "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith."

2. “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

3. "Come, follow me, ... and I will make you fishers of men."

4. "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

5. "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."

Answers will be posted tomorrow.

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

The Water's Edge

I've been thinking a lot about how God rescued the Israelites from their bondage to slavery in Egypt. First, He led them on the longer route because they might change their minds and go back to Egypt if they faced war along the shorter route.

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." Exodus 13:17

So God chose to lead them on the desert road to the Red Sea. He told Moses exactly where they should camp...

"Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon." Exodus 14:2

...and His reason for leading them there.

"Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.' And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." Exodus 14:3-4

God strategically placed them in this vulnerable position where they would not be able to go back to Egypt, where they would not be able to run, where they would not be able to do anything. Then God caused Pharaoh's heart to be hard so that he would go after the Israelites. The Israelites were terrified. I can imagine they were in a bit of a panic as Pharaoh's army advanced toward them. They called out to God to save them and they had questions.

• Why did you bring us out here?
• Did you rescue us to have us die in the desert?
• Why didn't you leave us where we were?

Moses instructed the people to do three things because God was going to fight for them and gain glory for Himself.

• Do not be afraid.
• Stand firm.
• Be still.

The Israelites were still terrified, and if they had not been pinned in, it's not likely they would have been still. But God was in all of the details. He had a plan and a purpose from the start of their journey and He would see it through to the end. You know what happened. God performed a miracle to save the Israelites.

Are you at the water's edge?

God didn't tell the Israelites to come up with plans and strategies for their situation. Yes, God gave us the ability to think through our situations and search for logical solutions to our problems, and most often that is where we can find Him working in our lives as we trust Him to orchestrate our circumstances. But sometimes He wants to defy logic. Sometimes He hems us in and says

"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today... The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:13-14

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Project 365 - October 18, 2009

It's time again for our week in pictures. Thank you Sara for hosting this fun meme. Here we go!

Sunday - On the way home from church. ...Word Girl

Computer Girl and Miss Personality.

Monday - We played Give a Kid a Camera so I'm sharing a few pictures that came out of that.
Computer Girl hasn't been getting enough sleep at night.

A little patriotism in the home.

She really did a great job of getting my cross wall. This is in the entry way and I can never get a good photo. Now I know who to call.

I love this one. That chest of drawers and dresser on top of the china cabinet were made by my dad when he was a boy. The dresser used to have a mirror in it but it broke years ago. I've been meaning to put another on in it's place but haven't gotten to it. You can't tell from this picture but there was quite a bit of detail in the work.

The story goes that he made them for a girlfriend but his only sister, and baby of the family wanted them so badly that he gave them to her. Over the years they were passed down to me. I'm so glad because I only have a couple of things that belonged to my dad.

Tuesday - Breakfast, an onion bagel with cream cheese. Mmmmm

Wednesday - She just kept raising her eyes at me like "you're bothering me."

Thursday - I looked out the back door and discovered that one of my garden turtles had lost her head. Oh my!

Friday - Ah the scent of Pumpkin Spice.

Saturday - When was the last time you cleaned the top of your refrigerator? This was after I wiped off the first inch of dirt. That's an exaggeration but it was pretty ucky up there.

Enjoy the rest of your day!

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Bible Quiz Answers - for October 16, 2009

Well it seems that I made yesterday's quiz a bit more challenging than I realized. It's surprising how much easier the question appears to be when the answers are right in front of you. :)

I knew it was too tough when Heidi said "I don't really know any of the answers right off the top of my head and I have been reading the Old Testament every day for the past two and a half years...". Sue J confirmed it when she only knew the answer to one of the questions, but she knew it well!

Sorry folks, next week I'll ease up a bit.

Here are the answers to Friday's Bible Quiz.

• Who said it?
• Who did they say it to?
• What were the circumstances?
• Extra Credit - What book of the bible is it in?
• Bonus - What is the common denominator in all of these scenarios?

1. "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you." - The prophet Nathan to King David when David wanted to build a palace for the Ark of the Covenent. It was Nathan's first response without consulting the Lord. - 2 Samuel 7:3
Do you know what God's response was?

2. "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son." - The prophet Elijah to the widow at Zarephath as she was gathering some sticks to make what she thought was the final meal for herself and her son before they died of starvation. - 1 Kings 17:13
Kelly got this one.

3. "This is what the LORD says: 'You have broken a wooden yoke, but in its place you will get a yoke of iron. This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will put an iron yoke on the necks of all these nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I will even give him control over the wild animals.' " - The prophet Jeremiah to Hananiah after Hananiah falsly prophesied that God was going to deliver Israel from the king of Babylon. - Jeremiah 28:13-14
No one got this one but Kelly had a pretty good guess.

4. "Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance?" - The prophet Samuel to Saul when Saul was annointed king over Israel. - 1 Samuel 10:1

5. "I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you." - The prophet Johah to the sailors on the ship to Tarshish when Johah was running from the Lord and God sent a storm upon him. - Johah 1:12

Bonus - All of these statements were spoken by a prophet.




"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Bible Quiz - October 16, 2009

It's time for another Bible Quiz. This one might be a little tougher than the last one. Try it without looking up the answers. Then if you want, go ahead and use the Bible to find the answers. Using the internet is not allowed.

• Who said it?
• Who did they say it to?
• What were the circumstances?
• Extra Credit - What book of the bible is it in?
• Bonus - What is the common denominator in all of these scenarios?

1. "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you."

2. "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son."

3. "This is what the LORD says: 'You have broken a wooden yoke, but in its place you will get a yoke of iron. This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will put an iron yoke on the necks of all these nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I will even give him control over the wild animals.' "

4. "Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance?"

5. "I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."

Answers will be posted on Saturday.

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Scripture Memory Verse Project

I've been a bit lax about working on our memory verses and projects lately. Fortunately these girls remind me often. That treasure box is quite the motivator, and Miss Personality LOVES projects.

Sue J at CREATE: Making Something of Today! suggested that I post a list of the bible verses we have learned on my blog. I think that's a great idea so I will be doing that sometime soon for those of you who are interested.

I have noticed that a lot of women, including myself, seem to fall prey to the enemy's attack on our self worth so I really want to plant lots of seeds of Truth in these girls hearts about how God views them. So the bible verse we worked on here is this one.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

The girls made images of themselves using wooden shapes and gluing them to styrofoam plates. I would have used paper plates but I didn't have any. You work with what-cha got. :) Those things that look like angels wings are actually puffy sleeves. Word Girl learned the verse too but wasn't too interested in this project. She's growing up. Oh NO!!

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Awards, Appreciation, and Apology

My dear friend Andrea at Arise to Write and her sweet dog Sitka at All God's Creatures have passed several awards on to me over the last few weeks. Unfortunately, I have been so busy I have not had an opportunity to post my appreciation. Please forgive me for being so late Andrea. I so appreciate you.

Thank you so much Andrea and Sitka for thinking of me. You have such giving hearts, both of you. Andrea is always thinking of others and praying for their needs. If you haven't met her, please visit her blog and introduce yourself. Sitka is a working dog and shares his experiences of life and the work God has given him to do on his blog. Just looking at him makes you want to give him a big hug too.

Over the Top Award

Loyal Friend Award - Aw how sweet.

This one was from Sitka. :)

Friendship Award

Active Bloggers Award

Some of these Awards had a list meme where you tell something about yourself using one word. Normally I would jump right on that cause I love those, but I just did a very lengthy one yesterday so I don't think there is much else I can say about myself right now that you don't already know, or aren't tired of hearing. :)

Of course all awards beg to be passed on so to all of you who bless me with your visits and sweet words, I pass these on to you. I am always amazed at the friends I have made through blogging.

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ME AND ARE SORRY YOU ASKED

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ME AND ARE SORRY YOU ASKED.

A long time ago Kat did this quiz on her blog Heart 2 Heart and I thought it might be fun to do it too, so I borrowed her questions and wrote my own answers. Unfortunately, I got very busy and neglected to post it. Ooops! Feel free to join in on the fun.

The phone rings. Who will it be?
Depends on the time and day of the call. Usually it would be my daughter or one of my friends Angela or Jaime.

When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
Yes, most of the time. But I do have to confess that sometimes I don't.

In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener?
Social settings are uncomfortable for me so I tend to listen more than talk. If it's a small group that I am very familiar with I will talk more but even then, I'm a listener.

Do you take compliments well?
I'm learning to accept a compliment and say thank you. Have had to work through a lot of self worth issues with God.

Do you play Sudoku?
Never have but would be willing to if someone asked. I enjoy games.

If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive?
I would depend completely on God.

Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
I did once for a week and I loved it! It was a great experience that left lasting memories.

What was your favorite game as a kid?
I don't really know. I loved when all the neighborhood kids would get together and play tag or other games in the street.

Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?
No. The relationship would go no where unless Christ was at the center.

Do you like to pursue or be pursued?
Be pursued. I believe God intended man to do the pursuing and woman to respond. I feel much more wanted when someone makes an effort to get my attention. So to speak.

Use three words to describe yourself?
Creative, Sinner, Saved


Do any songs make you cry?
I cry easily. I have cried to kids worship songs, commercial songs, romantic songs, you name it. If it touches the heart, it will likely pull a tear out of my eye.

Are you continuing your education?
I love to learn. I am learning all the time, so in that sense then yes. According to what the culture considers continuing education, sitting in a classroom or trying to get a degree, no.

Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth?
Yes. Both times with a guy I was dating at the time.

How often do you read books?
I'm almost always reading a book. I enjoy spiritual growth books over fiction.

Do you think more about the past, present or future?
That's a tough one. I think they are all so connected that I tend to look at circumstances from all angles.

What is your favorite children’s book?
When I was a kid we had The Pokey Little Puppy. For some reason that one sticks in my head. When my daughter was little I bought her a series of books called the Bugg Books. They taught good life lessons for kids and the illustrations were incredible!

What color are your eyes?
Green. When I was younger people used to ask me if they were blue because they have a blue ring around the outside of the green.

Where is your dream house located?
You know, I'm really quite pleased with the house I live in. I never thought I would ever own a house because I couldn't afford to even think of it. But God moved me to TX and within 6 months, He had arranged for me to buy this house. I am the only owner and got to watch it being built. I love what God has picked out.

If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed?
My dog and my purse. Then maybe I would have time to get the truck out of the garage.

When was the last time you were at Olive Garden?
About 10 days ago.


Where was the furthest place you traveled today?
Red Oak. About 30 miles away.

Do you like mustard?
I'll go with Kat's answer. It is my condiment of choice for most of my sandwiches and hotdogs!

Do you prefer to sleep or eat?
It depends on if I'm hungry or tired.

Do you look like your mom or dad?
I look more like my dad.

How long does it take you in the shower?
About 10 - 15 minutes.

Can you do the splits?
Ha! Nuff said.

What movie do you want to see right now?
I'm not big on movies or tv so nothing comes to mind.

What did you do for New Year’s?
This must me an old questionnaire. I stayed home.

Do you think The Grudge was scary?
The what???

Do you own a camera phone?
No. Don't really need a camera in my phone.

What’s the last letter of your middle name?
E

How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
About 5 usually.

Do you like Care Bears?
Not for or against.

What do you buy at the movies?
I like lots of snacks at the movies. Popcorn and candy. Reminds me of when I was a kid and my grandma would drop my sister and I off at the theater.

Do you know how to play poker?
I would need a refresher but pretty much, yes.

Do you wear your seat belt?
Yes, always. I can't imagine that I used to drive without it.

How many meals do you eat a day?
One and some snacks usually. No time to eat.

Do you like funny or serious people better?
I love to laugh and I have a serious side so I like when people can do both.

Ever been to L.A.?
Most of my life.

Did you eat a cookie today?
No but that's not a bad idea.

Do you hate chocolate?
No, I like my chocolate.

Are you a gullible person?
Not usually.

Are you easy to get along with?
I try to be but I do have my issues.

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Bible Quiz - The Answers

You all did a really great job on Saturday's Bible Quiz...

I'm going to start posting a Bible Quiz on Fridays with answers on Mondays. I thought it would be fun and a good learning experience for all of us. Including me since I have to search the Bible to find the information.

For now, on to the Answers...

1. Do you know who spoke the following statements?
2. Who were they spoken to?
3. What were the events that led up to the statement?
4. Extra Credit: What book of the bible will you find it?

1. "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Joseph... Spoken to his brothers after his father died because they were afraid he would seek revenge on them for selling him into slavery. Genesis 50:19-20

2. "It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. Finish this daughter's bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work." - Laban... Spoken to Jacob after giving him Leah as his wife instead of Rachel who Jacob had already worked seven years for. Genesis 29:26-27

3. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ and allow me to take her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and get out of here!” - Pharoah... Spoken to Abram after God punished Pharoah for taking Sarai as his wife because Abram and Sarai deceived him and said she was his sister, but never mentioned she was his wife. Genesis 12:18-19 (Note: Pharoah did not sleep with Sarai. God protected her from that.)

4. "Call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me." - Naomi... Spoken to the women in Bethlehem when she returned from Moab with Ruth after losing her husband and sons. Ruth:1:20

5. "Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?" - Moses... Spoken to a Hebrew for fighting another Hebrew. Moses didn't know the man he spoke to had witnessed him kill an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew the day before. Exodus 2:13

Something that all of these have in common is that these are all God's people who have been wronged or harmed in some way and had to work through their trust in God in their circumstances. God came through for all of them. In the cases of 3, 4, and 5, the people of God even sinned against God in some way.

Abram didn't trust God when he first went into Egypt or he wouldn't have told his wife to say she was his sister.

Naomi was bitter against God for her circumstances.

Moses had committed murder.

God's love, protection, and provision did not fail even in these circumstances and He won't fail you or me in ours.

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Project 365 - October 11, 2009

It's time for Project 365 again. Pay a visit to our gracious hostess Sara and join in with your week's worth in pictures.

Monday - Rained all day. As a matter of fact, I think it has rained all week. There is a little someone in the garden at the bottom of the picture looking for my friend "B".

Tuesday - First cup of hot chocolate for the season. With marshmallow of course. Do ya think it made 'em happy?

Wednesday - It died. It was just a bunch of colorful horizontal lines. When we turned it off, it stayed on with some not so colorful horizontal lines. I had to unplug it to get it to turn off. When I plugged it back in it wouldn't turn on. Time for the scrap heap.

Thursday - Computer Girl and I made a few needed purchases today.

Friday - Storm clouds filling the sky. Check out the rainbow colors under the darkest storm clouds in this picture. You might have to click on the picture to see them. What a wonderful reminder from God that He is there even in the storm.


The sun was peeking through the clouds in this picture. Do you see the faint rainbow that is just under the opening in the clouds? I didn't know it was there until I looked at the picture.

Saturday - One of my pet peeves. Marketing tactics with a deceptive nature. Even subtle deception is deception. I so look forward to a world where there is no more sin.

I hope you had a great week!

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou