Hear My Heart

I want to preface this post with this: When Dave & I were in our early 20s, we did not make much money at all, and we had Medicaid for Shane and received SSI (social security disability) for Shane for about 3 years. This post does not in any way mean that I am against anyone (who is truly in need) using the Government resources - this is what the "system" is designed to do. Yet, it is not  a "parking lot" for people to live in indefinitely. I will be the first one to help some one navigate through the system to receive resources as they are truly needed.


You know, I get really frustrated when I hear people say "don't judge" when they are referring to people who are living on the system. I know and understand that there are honest people out there who are struggling to make ends meet and they need extra help for a season. I have no problem with that. What I DO have a problem with is the fact that our society has built a population of individuals who believe they are "entitled" to receiving government assistance and refuse to work or keep a job so that they can "settle" living off Government handouts. What I DO have a problem with is the ones who sell their food stamps on Craigslist or other sites for cash. What I DO have a problem with is the ones who come out and tell me its "wrong" for me to judge others for their mishandling of Government funds - (which, by the way, is money that I am forced to pay into a broken system through higher taxes - this is not free or new money). What I DO have a problem with is the ones who ask for assistance and then turn their noses up at what you can provide for them as if you are supposed to be their personal store or cash register.

Yes, as Christians we are to help those (WHO ARE TRULY IN NEED) out: Prov 19:17, Matt 25,

However, scripture is also clear that if you CHOOSE to not work, then you do not eat -- 1 Timothy 5:8 and 2 Thes. 3:10-12 -- Laziness is not an excuse.

I have heard mention that Christians should never judge people - however, that is not scripturally sound. We do not have the right to pass judgment over a person's soul nor can we truly discern people's heart motives or intentions - that is God's alone. However, we (you, I, and everyone else) pass judgment over actions every day of our lives. I have the right to decide if I want to help someone pay a bill - I can inspect their history - if they continually come to ask me for assistance each month for a bill - yet they are out partying or spending their resources frivolously, then I have the right to tell them NO - it would be wrong of me to continue enabling someone to mis-manage their funds. Yes God tells us to provide for the poor - yet, He never tells us to enable harmful behavior - we should not be just giving people fish to eat - we should teach them to fish - if they don't want to learn, then that is their problem and I will not be threatened by people's words of 'don't judge me.'

Heaping Hot Coals

Anyone who knows me well enough knows one of my favorite sayings is for God to help me forgive someone who has hurt me and to react to the particular person(s) in kindness because its like heaping hot coals on their heads. :)  

Walking in Love

Ephesians 4:32-5:2 "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."

Choices. We make them every day. We choose what to eat, wear, and how to act. It is so easy to respond to someone who has been ugly to you with like action. But, God calls us to be different. He wants us to respond to others as He responds to us! Think about how choosing to act like God in difficult situations may affect your walk with God and also your relationships with others.

Unite & Fight! Part 1

Breathe - for women....

Unite and Fight! Part 1 --
by Cindi Dailey

We are in a battle for our lives! Our church, our families, and our marriages are all being attacked. We can either choose to wallow in the depths of despair, be part of the problem, or rise up—say enough’s enough, and fight! God has called us to be warriors, not wimps.

Reflections

So, I want to blog more in 2012. I did break my record in 2011 with 20 blog posts!!! I am gearing up again for school this spring (Research Eval & Statistics [Jan-Mar] and Cultural Counseling [Mar-May]) and will also be starting a 20-day kitchen coaching session with Sheri Rose Shepherd on 17 January that I got free when I ordered some books from her website. I am not sure what her eating plan is, but it probably has to do with cutting out bad stuff and eating whole foods...which is what I need to do anyway. :)

Highways and Byways

Oh how the time has flown by! I can not believe its been since July that I last posted. So much has happened in the last 3 months.

August 2011 - I took a diabetes education class (4 weeks) that was phenomenal. I learned so much throughout these few weeks and I am getting better blood sugar readings at home. Still need to work on diet and exercise, but I finally feel like I'm in control of the disease instead of the disease being in control of me.  During August, I also started back to school to finish my Masters Degree in Professional (Biblical) Counseling through Liberty University.

Budgeting and Menu Planning (9-15 July 2011)

So the goal this week is to eat whats in the freezer and minimize what I have to buy at the store. And to use coupons when I can.

Breakfasts: omlets, scrambled eggs, coffee
Lunches: salads, leftovers, roastbeef or ham roll ups, veges
Snacks: cheese, protein, full fat greek yogurt, berries, apples, peanut butter
Dinners:
Saturday - not sure, since we have a birthday party at 4 and have to be at Lifeblood at 7 to set up and music practice
Sunday - taco salad w/homemade taco meat/seasoning, pepperjack, salsa
Monday - chicken breast sauteed with broccoli & cheese (freezer, need cheese)
Tuesday - CI Group - crockpot-pot roast w/celery, onions, beef broth, carrots, salad (freezer, need-celery & salad stuff)
Wednesday -sauteed snapper with green beans or broccoli (freezer)
Thursday - CI Group-  Leftovers
Friday - Out!