Jody Along the Path

Jody’s Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Apothecary’s Daughter by Julie Klassen (ISBN#0764204807) was a surprise to me. I belong to Crossings Book Club and saw this novel in the monthly catalog. I found it available through my local library and decided to give it a look. I love to read a fictional novel as a mental rest from much of the non-fiction that I read as ‘spiritual exercise’ and as part of my job in a publishing company. However, it seems that much of the Christian fiction that is being released has an American Amish or 18^th century English setting. Is that the only setting where Christians may live and practice their faith? So I chose to give this book a read with some ambivalent feelings.

I believe that the medical (apothecary) piece of this novel kept my attention as I began the story but it was the depth of the characters that kept me engaged and turning the pages. Although some of the characters are Christian they are flawed and dependent upon their faith in God to make decisions and get through difficult events.

I am a fan of the Olympics. Winter or Summer, Special or Para, for me the Olympics are a snapshot for the best in humankind. It is a time of coming together participating in a sport that is a passion in the individual’s life. He/She has committed themselves to excellence and worked very hard for that moment to give back to the world the excitement that makes them do what they are gifted to do.

Because of my view of the Olympics, when someone like Yevgeny Plushenko, 2006 Olympic Gold medalist and 2010 Silver medalist, takes the public platform that he has been given by the virtue of his achievements and talent and insults the man who beat him for the Gold Medal, I am angry! I want to slip into ‘mom mode’ and take him out to the woodshed! Shame on him that he would bring shame on the himself and the very sport that he professes to be holding to a forward-thinking, high standard! To claim that the winner, Evan Lysacek, “is not a champion” is ridiculous. Consider the thousands of male skaters in the world and here these 74 make it to the Olympic level. Every man that competed is a champion.

Go to your room, Yevgeny Plushenko, sulk and lick your wounds. Conduct yourself like the champion that you are!

Congratulations to Evan Lysacek, 2010 Men’s Gold Medal Figure Skater!

Abortion is a terrible thing. I know. I have been through it. It was over 30 years ago and yet I still remember the day vividly. God has forgiven me. I have forgiven myself. It took a very long time for that to happen. Despite my personal knowledge of the long-term effects of going through an abortion and my passion that others do not make the same mistake, I do not align myself with anti-abortion groups. (Yes, I was surprised that this commercial I am referencing came from Focus on the Family!) Their fanaticism too often breeds a total lack of compassion for the woman who is struggling with what she perceives is a “no win” situation. As Christians, we would do well to remember Jesus’ example.

John 8 tells the story of the woman caught in adultery. There is no question that adultery is wrong. There is no question that abortion is wrong. Jesus shows us all in this story how to hate the sin but love the person who sins. Jesus does not yell at the woman. I doubt Jesus wrote on the ground, “How could you destroy a man’s family?” although because we do not know specifically what He did write, there may be someone out there who will claim he did! Jesus specifically points His finger to everyone with a stone in his/her hand and demands that only those who have no guilt/sin in their life can throw the first stone.

If you are one of those who stands outside an abortion clinic with signs and pictures, do you understand what you are doing? Do you believe that Jesus would stand next to you and point His finger at the woman walking into the clinic? Or would He approach her with compassion, wanting to bring healing and unconditional love into her life? Instead protesting outside abortion clinics, why not build more homes for women to live while they are pregnant, giving them skills to help them if they decide to keep and care for their child or help to place their child for adoption if they decided that?

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10 (WEB)

So good for you, Tim Tebow and ‘mom’, for the message of love that you delivered on Super Bowl Sunday!

Today I am pleased to announce the first edition of the webzine, Bible Study Paths.

The purpose of the Bible Study Paths webzine is to promote enthusiastic Bible study in the individual, small groups, and the Church at large.

There will be articles written by evangelicals, charismatics, pentecostals, liberals, conservatives, and those who cannot (and will not) be put in any of those categories. The views will not always reflect my personal views but I hope they will make us all think and consider why we believe what we do. And I hope they will always “leave us loving God and each other more” (Alden Thompson, Walla Walla, WA, professor and friend).

I hope you find some blessings there.  — Jody

My husband and I were out and about today doing some errands. When we stopped for gas we noticed that our local Teen Challenge was at the adjoining parking lot having a car wash. Our car was really dirty and God had blessed us today with some unexpected income so – we accepted their enthusiastic curbside invitation!

I first became acquainted with Teen Challenge in my hometown in Missouri. Even though that was almost 40 years ago, the then new concept was heralded as innovative to combine faith with proven counseling and group therapy in the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction. Years of statistics have shown it to be arguably the most successful program with centers throughout the world.

In today’s economy with donation dollars more scarce and stretched further, Teen Challenge is a place to give and see a high return on your charitable investment. Go to www.teenchallange.com and find a center near you to support!

I am posting this just so you can read J. Lee Grady’s report because we NEED to hear what God is doing in Haiti.  God is showing Himself in very tangible ways and kicking out the darkness that has blanketed this island.  To GOD be ALL the glory!

Suicide has touched my life this week. The son of a woman I know committed suicide. He leaves behind family that is beyond devastated, including his own young children.

Suicide is, and has always been, a concept of life that puzzles me; confuses me; and, yes, really angers me. My first experience was a distant relative that committed suicide when I was about 5 years old. Fifty years later, when that relative’s name is mentioned at a family gathering, the voices go to whispers and everyone has the shadow of that hurt, puzzled look that they had on the first day after it happened. I spent twelve weeks as part of my nurse’s training in a psychiatric hospital. During my twelve years as a hospice nurse, we had six patients who decided they were done with this life. It wasn’t physical pain that drove them but the loss of control. In their final notes they said they thought that ending their life sooner would be ‘easier’ for their families. I believe they were wrong. On every level, the families had a ‘mess’ to clean up and walk through in order to get on with their lives.

Contrary to the theme song from the original M*A*S*H movie, suicide is painful. It is painful to everyone it touches. It feels like failure to everyone it touches. I am not going to attempt to discuss the psychiatric aspects of this disease outcome. I am going to say that as Christian I do not believe that suicide is the ‘unpardonable sin’. Many feel that because suicide is defined as a sin (under the umbrella of the command ‘do not kill’) and the person who commits the sin immediately dies – they die without repenting of that sin. That theory is scary to me as that supposes that I will have the opportunity to repent of every sin that I have committed before I die and so will die with a ‘clean slate’. And, more importantly, it also ignores the extravagant, promised-to-be-sufficient grace that God freely gives.

For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. Romans 6:14 (NIV)

But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. When they saw him, they bowed down to [worshiped] him, but some doubted. Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe [obey] all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.             Matthew 28:16-20   (WEB, my additions)

Christian Archy - First Volume in the Areopagus Series

Energion Publications, the publishing company my husband and I own, is asking this question in an essay contest that celebrates a soon-to-be-released series, Areopagus. I am obviously not in the contest for a Barnes and Noble prize (which I would love!) and I am not a judge, but I am allowed to discuss the question here on my blog!

A congregation following Jesus –

1) would be full of worshipers and those who question. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that worship of God would not just happen where it is expected but everywhere that there is His Spirit and Truth. (John 4:21-24) I believe one of the primary characteristics of an intimate relationship with Jesus is His creating an atmosphere where I can worship and I can question. He can handle my imperfect, heart-sent worship and my repetitive, heart-sent questions.

2) would be about His mission: to go and make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey Him. Buildings would be maintained only if they were for soup kitchens, care facilities, or “Open Night Basketball” for youth outreach or softball leagues that include family dinners and small group study with practice. Small groups in homes would be the norm but could include Sabbath School if that was a growing mission. Teachers and leaders would be known by their gifts and joy in service. Leaders would all have “tent-making” jobs because that, too, is an opportunity to reach out. No one would draw a salary from the congregation’s tithes and offerings but everyone could receive financial support if needed. Distribution of tithes and offerings would come, prayerfully, from the fellowship – those who are committed by their prayers, gifts, and service. Even a child who is giving could suggest a need for support!

3) would communicate (witness) to others. These would be joyful, frequent occasions. To those who do not know Jesus or about his love, opportunities to share would be sought, whether locally or abroad. Witnessing to or encouraging each other would be done any time a group met for study, food, worship, or prayer. Sharing what God has done illuminates what God is doing! It also affirms Jesus’ final words: “I am with you always.”

I do not write about parenting as an “expert” but I have received many ‘pats on the back’ for the three great children that I have known since the day they were born. I have become a fan of a blog, Beyond Just Mom, as the posts are real, poignant, funny, and yet written in a way that does not embarrass her children! Her recent posts about her 14-year-old son making a trip to Japan with a school group made me think of all the journeys my own children have experienced. I can say, without a doubt, that like all parents, no matter the species, the difficult days are when you stand still and allow them to fly off on their own wings. Whether their trips take them to their first t-ball game or gymnastic meet when they must step alone into the playing field, or the first dance or social event, feeling awkward and tongue-tied.

It is so essential to allow these excursions because one day they will gather up their clothes and move into a college dorm or their first apartment. If they are blessed from their previous flights, they know they are going to do this alone and survive it. Mom and Dad will not be running to throw themselves in front of the difficulties. But they will also know that Mom and Dad are close as a phone call, text, or email to be advisers if an opinion is requested.

I have a daughter and son who are married to fantastic people and have super grandchildren. I watched them walk down their respective aisles with joy and peace, knowing they had flexed their wings, would have extraordinary adventures, and would teach their children to fly also.

Being a parent is not for “wimps” but God did give us a handbook and He promised we would not have to do this most important job alone.

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I so голова болит секс голова болит секс enjoyed the Twins – Tigers game tonight! It was baseball at its best. It was tenacity. It was excitement. It was individual brilliance. It was individual mistakes. It was team effort. It was a fan-fest! I applauded both teams as they gave everything they had to achieve the goal. Thank you, all coaches and players, for wiping away some of the dirt on American baseball and giving us, lovers of the game, 12 innings of pure pleasure.