There seems to be a lot of speculation these days about who and what God will bless. Does God bless those with money, without money, those who are gay, straight, bi, trans, hefty, skinny..............
Actually, this post won't be about that- at least, the meat of this won't be about that. Everything I just listed above is a label of some sort. I am concerned that we are so busy labeling ourselves that we forget to take the time to love ourselves.
One concern I've had over the last few years is our cultural obsession with dieting. We all must eat the right foods in order to be the right weight and lose 20 pounds tomorrow in order to fit into that sexy new dress by Christmas time in order to impress our family and friends who thought we would always be fat. Don't get me wrong: being healthy and sexy are great goals- especially since I see FAR too many people wearing things unappealing to my eyes on an everyday basis walking around San Bernardino. (Sometimes, it's bad enough for a mental F-bomb). But, what happened to just being happy with our body types as they are? There is nothing wrong with having a slightly larger waist or smaller boobs. Unless you need to lose weight for health reasons, would you at least consider being happy in your current state before buying into the hype?
Also, can we please get to the place where sexual orientation is not such a huge deal anymore? Whoever you prefer to sleep with, please be at peace with God and yourself. No one else matters in the long run. Really.
Back to how I started this post...
I really believe this is the heart of the Beatitudes Jesus lists in the Sermon on the Mount. It is not so much about the list, but about what's not on the list. You see, Jesus never said any of the following:
Happy are those who...
- have sexy bodies
- can lose weight fast
- have the most fashionable clothes
- declare their sexual orientation to the world
- have natural, relaxed, curly, straight....hair
- have a mansion and five cars (ahem, TBN preachers)
- are reading the latest self-help books
- are listening to the right preachers on television
In fact, being the revolutionary Jesus is, our world is turned upside down when we hear who is really happy and in direct line of God's blessing.
Don't believe me? Read Matthew 5 for yourself.
21 February 2014
15 February 2014
Social Media Marriage
Ya know......I love all of my friends who are married. I want to see you happy. Really, I do.
Now, on to something that will make some of you angry....
Wait...I also want to say that I love social media. I love keeping up with my friends and family. I love knowing where you are in life's journey. I love knowing that your marriage is doing well. I love knowing that your kids are growing up to be great human beings. I love hearing a limited amount of your political views. I love seeing your funny quiz results and playing games with you. I love hearing how your soul is doing well.
That being said, I believe it's time we had a chat- especially if you use social media to chronically whine about life. If you need a friend, I'm here to listen to you. Honestly. Or, if not me, there are a ton of other people who will listen to you hurts and sorrows when you need it. What I get concerned about is using social media as your psychologist- then complaining when no one responds to your complaints.
My particular concern this evening is how such complaints affect family life- especially marriage.
Tonight, while scrolling through Facebook, I saw something that I've seen in various forms over the last 5 years of having some form of social media. One of my friends has been complaining about his/her spouse for almost two weeks now- in public status updates. Tonight, I guess they have made up because there is now a picture of the happy couple on a date night- and the spouse is tagged in said picture. I've noticed that the above mentioned spouse was not mentioned in the nasty passive aggressive status updates over the last two weeks.
Folks, seriously....Facebook is not your therapist. Maybe it is prudent to keep your personal marital problems off of social media. Talk privately to a friend, clergy person, psychologist, or whoever.
Seriously and bluntly, everybody on Facebook, Twitter, and wherever else ain't got time to go through your marital drama with you.
Now, on to something that will make some of you angry....
Wait...I also want to say that I love social media. I love keeping up with my friends and family. I love knowing where you are in life's journey. I love knowing that your marriage is doing well. I love knowing that your kids are growing up to be great human beings. I love hearing a limited amount of your political views. I love seeing your funny quiz results and playing games with you. I love hearing how your soul is doing well.
That being said, I believe it's time we had a chat- especially if you use social media to chronically whine about life. If you need a friend, I'm here to listen to you. Honestly. Or, if not me, there are a ton of other people who will listen to you hurts and sorrows when you need it. What I get concerned about is using social media as your psychologist- then complaining when no one responds to your complaints.
My particular concern this evening is how such complaints affect family life- especially marriage.
Tonight, while scrolling through Facebook, I saw something that I've seen in various forms over the last 5 years of having some form of social media. One of my friends has been complaining about his/her spouse for almost two weeks now- in public status updates. Tonight, I guess they have made up because there is now a picture of the happy couple on a date night- and the spouse is tagged in said picture. I've noticed that the above mentioned spouse was not mentioned in the nasty passive aggressive status updates over the last two weeks.
Folks, seriously....Facebook is not your therapist. Maybe it is prudent to keep your personal marital problems off of social media. Talk privately to a friend, clergy person, psychologist, or whoever.
Seriously and bluntly, everybody on Facebook, Twitter, and wherever else ain't got time to go through your marital drama with you.
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