Happy Mother's Day!

Had an AWESOME weekend with Dale and Grace at the beach in Florida.  We've been to Amelia Island for all of my Mother's Days so far.  I really enjoy the beach for so many reasons and Grace seems to be a water baby herself.  To all the mothers, whether you birthed a child or mother a child in your life, thanks for all you do and Happy Mother's Day to you!

Is the President gay?...(Let the fallout begin)

STOP RIGHT THERE.....I do not..I repeat...DO NOT remotely BELIEVE that the president of the United States, Barack Obama, is gay.  I also know it could be considered by some as borderline disrespectful to even suggest such a thing even in jest.  But, I'm sure the fall out to him supporting gay marriage is going to be AT LEAST that bad.  I support the president of the United States.  I can't say that I unequivocally support gay marriage.  I do believe civil unions should be honored and that families of homosexuals should be supported by insurance and other benefits if a partner or child becomes ill.  I do like (love actually) that in his interview with Robin Roberts, President Obama said that he and his family are Christians (practicing) and that they believe in the golden rule....do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  So, where is the line drawn between loving and caring for our neighbors and judging them?  I don't have that answer, but it is a slippery slope.  I live in South Carolina and yesterday, my neighboring state of North Carolina voted to pass a same-sex marriage ban.  That means they voted against same-sex marriage.  They defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman.  It's the south AND it's the conservative south.  I'm sure the fact that the state of South Carolina still flies the confederate flag may have nothing to do with the discussion on gay marriage.  But, it does.  One reflects a spirit of disrespect and lack of consideration for a group of people.  The other reflects a spirit of disrespect and lack of consideration for a group of people.  I do like that the president did what many of us won't do, and that's say what we mean and mean what we say. He stated his position.  I am not just liberal, but I'm what some would consider a bleeding heart liberal (just lost a few friends I'm sure :o).  I believe we need to help people who are poor and illiterate and voiceless and not socially conscious...even those who may do it to themselves....even those who have a chance to help themselves and just don't.  I believe there are reasons that need to be addressed and generational curses and sometimes the inability to get out of the rut.  That being said, I don't believe I have the right to judge couples, hetero or homo sexual.  Having said that, I also believe that some hetero couples should not be married.  So, the president of the United States of America has taken a stand, and I applaud his effort. I'm a registered voter, and I exercise that right.  So, in that sense, I get a say.  But the bigger picture is that at the end of the day, I have to be the best person I can be in all of my relationships, and that may mean comforting a friend who's gay and can't marry or one day celebrating with that same friend because they can. 

I AM...

John 15:1 (NRSV) "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower.

Jesus was and is clear about who HE IS.  I have been practicing my "I AM" statements. They become our confession, and I want my confession of who I am to be positive and affirming.  I AM A WOMAN OF GOD.  I AM A SUPPORTIVE AND LOVING WIFE.  I AM A NURTURING AND AWESOME MOTHER :O)  I AM A POWERFUL JOURNALIST.  These are just a few of my personal  "I AM" statements.  I also want them to be true, which is where I have to be careful.  I recently caught Oprah's Life Class on tv.  It was the one where all of her favorite life coach guru's and spiritual advisers were on state together.  They each taught and led from their experiences and their individual sources of power.  I do believe in the power within.  I believe that what we say to ourselves about ourselves and our surroundings can actualize in our behavior.  I believe that we have the power of life and death in our tongues which is why I choose to speak life.  I do not...repeat...DO NOT....believe that I am my own life source or that the source stops with the universe.  I believe in a risen savior.  I believe in Jesus Christ. John 15: 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.   AH HA!...My "I AM" statements come from there.  I can be all of these branches and extensions of myself because of the vine....because of Jesus.  I can and do make these confessions  because of my main confession.  I confess Christ...Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved... Saved from believing negative speak; saved from believing that I'm not worthy; saved from being torn down by backbiting; saved from my own insecurities eating away at me; saved from an eternal death.  For that, I AM GRATEFUL.   First, confess Christ.  Then, make your positive confessions about who you are in HIM.

EXPECT MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER THINK OR IMAGINE