Rain, Rain. Go Away. October 3, 2012

I feel like I missed out on an amazing God moment. I don’t know if missed is eve the right word. ‘Backed out of, knowing how amazing it could be’ might be closer to the truth. There was this time that I spent with God in the morning where I prayed over Soccer Practice. It was raining while I was praying, but my God is not a God that is held back by the things he has created. So, I prayed for no rain. This is not a far-reaching prayer. I know that God is in control of the weather, so if I asked for no rain, God could absolutely make that happen. This is not new theology that I am talking about. I also prayed that today I would prayerfully consider every decision that I made. How convenient it is that I just remembered that (thank you Holy Spirit).

But when I got out of work today it was pouring. Worse than pouring, people didn’t want to go outside because they would lose their food they just spent $20852404975 on. (That is another story). Even as I am watching this rain start to flood the main street in Tampa, I know that God is still in control and that I asked for a dry practice and He was able to do that. A miracle that He had preformed before, that is what I was waiting on.

I got to my car two hours before practice was going to start and found a text for Kelly, my mentor and assistant coach. It simply asked if we would be having practice. In that moment I knew that if I said no, I would be telling God that I didn’t trust him to make our practice dry. That I had to rely on what the weather man said rather than what he could do.

What do you do when you KNOW that God can do something, but He doesn’t seem to be? Do you back out slowly because you know that people are depending on you and waiting for what you decide as their leader? Is that cutting God off and not letting Him work a miracle that He has before? Is there no faith left in you to hold on to a plan that you have prayed over because you’re not sure if God will come through? How much faith does it take to break plans? About none.

It took me a good half an hour to text her back. I thought about it and sort of prayed, the whole time thinking, ‘God CAN do this, so why is it still raining.’ There wasn’t a patch of blue sky anywhere. The whole sky was a menacing grey and so I sent back a text that proved my lack of trust in God. I don’t believe I have ever been more disappointed in myself. It is embarrassing to even type this out, but I am going to.

Currently it is about 7 minutes before practice should start. I already called my players parents and cancelled. The Parents seem to think that I made the right choice, but it is not raining outside. And it hasn’t been the past hour. And why is it not raining even though it was supposed to for the rest of the day? Because I serve a God who is greater than the weather, who listens to my pleas and wants to give me what I desire, even when I so clearly don’t deserve it. I am the worst of all Christians because I know that God can move and do great things, yet I decided to work in my own human knowledge. And I will come out wrong every time that way.

God, I have nothing.. I am sorry. Forgive my lack of faith.

The Real Fight August 26, 2012

There seems to be this weird battle that takes place in everyone’s lives. And (unfortunately) it is nothing exciting with epic swords or arrows. There is no horse riding, or living under a tree and saving people every day. There is not a seen evil that you can go forth and concur. So how do we win the battle? What kind of battle is it?

It is a fight with who you are and who you want to be. This kind of fight is something that everyone goes through to, but it is a hidden fight. It is a battle in your head and heart. There is nothing more admirable than trying to grow out of who you were into the person that God wants you to be. Have the battle is figuring out who God actually wants you to be.

How much easier would it be if God was a Human King sitting on a tangible throne that we could be called into a conference with and be given a task to do to bring honor to our king and country. How much easier it would be to go out with flags raised and renewed strength leading us on the battle field where we knew victory would be ours.

This the battle I want to be in. Where I am fighting an enemy rather than myself. That would be easier.

But a change in who you are. That it is something more than meets the eye. There doesn’t seem to be an outward change to those around you. But it is something worth fighting for. If it wasn’t, there would be no change in the world. And as Gandhi says “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. I would encourage you to try it, as I work on it as well. Possibly we can change this world that God has created to actually act like him. Maybe. It would be a valiant effort in a great battle. And I am signing up. Are you?

No Longer Blind. January 18, 2012

Recently my eyes have been opened. I would like to say that this problem is something that I have never heard of, but I would be lying. Problem.. Seems like such a simple word for what really is an epidemic. A travesty. A monumental breakdown. A cataclysmic disruption. It’s so easy to write it off as if it means nothing. ‘SLAVERY‘ Its a word we have all heard.

Growing up in school I can remember hearing about the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and thinking ‘If I lived back then, I would have
done something to help the slaves. I would have stood up and fought for them. I would have been brave and befriended them when no one else would. I would have made a difference. I would have…ect’. When did that change? I can remember making plans of what I would have done. I was determined that I would have had a house in the underground rail road. I distinctly remember thinking, if there was a chance that slavery was still happening, then I would prove myself. But the thing is..

slavery still exists.

Even if we don’t want to admit it,

or notice it,

or call it what it is.

And I am a part of the problem.

Over 27 MILLION people are still enslaved. 27 million!!!! That is more than all of the african slaves combined over all those years. Its huge, and hidden, but not extinct. How have we let this happen!? We, who thought we conquered slavery and we upstanding citizens of the land. We have just hidden it, and not even that well. If you open your eyes you can see it every where. That banana you just bought came from a banana farm in Brazil and they have slaves working for them. It’s so simple, and we over look it. I was talking to a friend of mine and I was telling her how much of my stuff came from slaves. Even the clothes that I wear. I made the decision that I would buy clothes that are made by only free people and she was shocked. She told me that if I did that, I wouldn’t have any clothes.

When did that become acceptable!? We put our “fashionable needs” before people!? I would honestly rather go around in a potato sack that has been made by a free person, then wear anything that has been created by the abuse of human beings. God created PEOPLE, and we need to save them! Slavery exists. At this very moment, while I am writing these words, a woman in India is being raped and molested, for the 3rd time today. How can we sit by and let this happen?! How can we, who know what a better life is let this continue? I will no longer be blind to the problems of this world. I am going to stand up. I am going to fight. I am going to be brave for them and befriend them. I WILL make a difference. Will you?

Here are some places that help aid different movements to end slavery:

Women who have been saved. 

Products made by FREED people. 

See how many slaves you have. 

Noah’s Arc December 6, 2011

There is a blind spot in the Americans eyes. While most people in this world can walk around not seeing the problems, some people Like Jack Kosik see the blind spot and actively try to fix it.

This blind spot is those who are mentally handicap. Together these people make up about 13% of America, but they are not as taken care of as they should be. There is government funding set in place for those with this disability but it only covers about 30,000 people leaving about 20,000 on the wait list for Medicaid.

According to Kosik, The parents of those with personal disabilities are worried about what will happen with their children after they [the parents] are gone. With this in mind, Kosik has created a place called “Noah’s Arc” where those with disabilities could live and be independent people.

Getting this kind of housing has proved to be more difficult than one would assume. There are laws in place to try to help those who can’t normally help themselves, but are they working?

“There was a law in place saying that only a couple of people with disabilities can live within 2 property lines. This is mostly put in place for the other people living in the neighborhood. It has the ‘not in my backyard’ feel. Everyone thinks that this is a good idea, but not a lot of people would want it in their own neighborhood,” says Kosik.

The Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 was set in place by Senator Altman was recently appealed so that Noah’s Nest could be possible. The court document says “Planned Residential Community is a community with residential homes located within a planned residential community may be contiguous to one another; providing an effective date.”

Through a grievous amount of time spent at our Tallahassee, Kosik and a few others who felt the sting of what this law really meant decided to change the law to match what would help the majority of those who were falling through the cracks.

“We’ve gotten an Administrative Rule removed from the Florida Medicaid Handbook that put limitations, or quotas on how many people with DD could live in a given area. A rule that someone thought would be a good idea but did not have statutory authority. It took us nine months to get the rule removed,” says Kosik.

Since that time, Noah’s Arc has been able to purchases enough land in downtown Lakeland for 3 houses, with 11 different people having the ability to live there independently.

The abridged act did say that “individuals who have developmental disabilities should be able to select a home with the same freedom of choice as other United States citizens”

Because of people like Kosik, those with DD are able to live with the freedom of being with others just like them in their own community. The best part is that they have the ability to pay for it, even with the meager income that they receive.

His Fault? November 24, 2011

Samson and Delliah. This story has been brought up almost 80 times in 4 days, so I feel compelled to tell it.

Samson had a mother and father (as so many do) who were unable to conceive a child. So an angel went down telling them they would have a baby, but it would be under the Nazarite Vow. This meant that Samson could not touch an unclean animal, could not touch a dead body and could not cut his hair. [Fun Fact: John the Baptist was also under this vow] So one day, Samson goes to Timnah and finds ‘the one‘. I think the best part about him thinking this woman is “the one” is the fact that we don’t even know her name. Clearly she was important. ANYWHO.. So Samson finds ‘the one’ and tells his parents to get her for him. (that’s the way it worked in the old days). He went back to Timnah and a lion attacked him so he killed it. Then Samson goes to talk to ‘the one’.  He went back to get her and took a detour to see his lion friend. Some bees had made honey in it and he grabbed some and started eating it.His parents go to make arrangements and Samson goes to make a feast so she will marry him. But before she said yes (hah!, like she had a choice..) her town was wary and sent 30 people ‘men’ to go chat with Samson. While they were talking Samson they made a wager of sorts. If they could figure out Samson’s Riddle then he would give them clothes and vise versa. The Riddle was this:

From the eater came something to eat, From the strong came something sweet.

For 3 days the men could not figure it out so they talked to ‘the one’. They got her to convince Samson to tell her the answer (by horrible nagging for 7 days straight) and then she would tell the men. Because even the strongest man in the WORLD cannot put up with nagging, he gave in, telling ‘the one’ the answer. ‘The one’ told her people and they told Samson. He grew quite upset and killed them all… with a donkey’s bone. *Lesson; don’t get on Samson’s bad side.

Oh Sarah

I was reading Genesis today. It is a crazy book of creation and lies and jealousy and murder and floods and depressing things. But I found Love. In fact, the very first time love is even mentioned in the Bible is Genesis 20:13. Abraham is talking to a king (whom he has just lied to, about Sarah) and says ‘I said to her, ‘This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”‘ Classy. The very first time love is spoken of using the word, it is to convience a woman to do something she doesn’t want to. It sounds like the whole ‘if you love me you’ll do this’ scheme. But now we know where it comes from. Thank you Abraham. So how do we get past that? I mean, I am sure that Abraham knew that Sarah loved him. I mean, she got jealous over Hagar bearing him a son and being his wife. If sending your husbands other wife far away isn’t love, then I dont know what is.  (heavy sarcasm) I would love to be Sarah’s friend to hear her side of the story. I bet it would be like this.

So the other day, I walked into the house one day and found my husband talking to a visitor who turned out to be God. Now, hunny, I am very old. Way to old to be having a child. But God said that he would come back in a year and I would be pregnant. It was all I could do not to laugh out loud. But you know me. I snorted! And he heard me!! I thought he didn’t. I tried to play it off, but he just stood there saying ‘Is there anything that the Lord can’t do.’ Well no.. thanks. Now I feel stupid. Later on in the week we went to do some traveling, Abrahams idea, and we stop in the middle of the road, not really anywhere that you could name and he looked me straight in the eye. You know that look? Well, it wasn’t THAT look, but it was a look. He said ‘Sarah, you are so beautiful-’ Isn’t that sweet of him? He can just put butterflies in a girls stomach.. But wait for the rest. ‘Sarah, you are so beautiful, and surely the king will notice. He will try to take you from me and marry you and kill me.’ Right there I slightly freaked. We were going to a place where the king wanted to kill my husband! ‘TURN THE CAMEL AROUND!’ Thats what I shouted in my head.. because then he said this little nugget ‘If you love me, then you will say that I am your brother.’ What can I say to that? Nah, no thanks.. I didn’t really like you all that much. No. I love him, and he is my lord, and so I did what he said. It got kinda bad.

Thats how her story goes in my head. She’s one of my favorite people. But I don’t know how that happens.. I don’t know how to let someone know ‘Yes I love you, but no I’m not doing that.’ I remember a guy used that line on me to try to get me to do something that WAS NOT going to happen. Hes’s gone now and I have to live with the idea that I did the right thing.

I just need some help..

For those of us who have been blogging for some time, it can seem like an easy process. You know the ins and outs of your own blog site and can create posts like a professional. Though it might not always seem professional. There are some things that you might need to know about blogs if you have thought to create one.

People really do enjoy humor. Comedies are the most sought after films, and there is a valid reason for it. People love to laugh. There is a movie called “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” where Roger Rabbit says “That’s right! A laugh can be a very powerful thing. Why, sometimes in life, it’s the only weapon we have.”

It may not seem like a big deal, but if someone laughs, they will remember you (or your blog) and go back, maybe even tell people. And isn’t that the point of a blog, to have everyone read what you write and enjoy it? Yeah, me too.

Through my long years of writing and all of the Pulitzers that I have received, I have compiled some tips for writing a blog, and letting people enjoy it (hopefully) or just yourself. Make sure that you are happy, because if your not happy on your own, then you might never be.

1. Write about things that matter to YOU. If you don’t care, how are you going to try to connivence someone else to?
2. ALWAYS edit. I don’t think I can over emphasize this. Grammar matters. Check out Grammar Girl to learn if you don’t get it.
3. People like pretty things. Make your blog look cool and people will give it a second look. Once you get that, your in.
4. Don’t use clichés. The only exception is if you are literally living in the middle of the boon docks and that is honestly how you talk in real life.
5. Use your voice. People will get it. You are absolutely unique people will appreciate that. Use it.
6. Don’t use the same format for every post. You can use lists or paragraphs. Use them all!
7. Use comments to your advantage. If you comment on others blogs, they might do the same. Voila! Networking.
8. Use links. Its super helpful and makes your blog more exciting.
9. Don’t be afraid to just write. Sometimes you just need to get everything out, and nothing is wrong with writing. Use it to your advantage.
10. Please don’t use your blog to gossip about other people. Your entire world does not need to be put online. Know this.

With these tips, be the best blogger you can be. Feel free and don’t get hampered by all the random things that people expect.