Nothing Charming, Witty, Funny, or Wise

Do you ever have days where you feel like you just don't have anything of value to offer? That's kind of how I feel today when it comes to this blog. I enjoyed doing the post about my sister, Megan...but then my ideas just dried right up!


I think the most valued time I spent today was reading books to Samantha and watching Ben's t-ball game. Maybe God is trying to tell me something...


This might be a good time to point you in the direction of some women who actually ARE charming, witty, funny, or wise. I was so excited to see that Lysa TerKeurst is doing her own series of blog posts about what's going on in Oprah's New Earth. Only Lysa is far more articulate and less prone to rant and rave than I am...go check it out. My friend, Becky, is also talking about this issue...and she included some interesting video clips that highlight some of what Oprah's been saying. Again...far more articulate conversation and wisdom than you'll find here.


So what to do when I don't have anything good for you? I throw out some pictures of my kids or pretty flowers for you. So here it is...the "Daiquiri doesn't have cute way to finish this post, so here are some pretty flowers" flowers...aren't they beautiful? I think so :)

Oprah Has Lost Her Mind

I just had to say it. Oprah's new book club book (A New Earth), and all this web cast garbage is just driving me bonkers.

Maybe I should have labeled this post: "Warning, Daiquiri is feeling ornery today"!

I've been spending time on Oprah's message boards to see what people think of the book she's promoting. I'm known as "Little Miss Christian" over there. And to be honest? I'm tired of trying to be the sweet little Christian woman who gently and lovingly tries to steer people to the Bible. What I really want to do is SCREAM...No! This is all lies! These are dangerous lies!

I wonder if this kind of anger that I'm feeling is at all similar to the way Jesus felt when he turned over tables and drove people out with a whip when he found them using God's house as a place to earn a buck? Yes, that's right. Jesus got angry. He got so angry that he got violent about it. Remember...God is love and peace and mercy...but he is also holy and just and righteous. He is love and peace and mercy on HIS terms, not ours.

It makes me furious to see Jesus...who he is and what he did...be pushed to the sidelines while people are searching for the "heaven within".

Heaven is real.
God is real.
God's love for us is real and is knowable.
Jesus is much more than a wise prophet or teacher.
Hell is real.
Satan is real.
Sin is real.
Yes, God is love...but he is ALSO Holy. He is also Just. He is also Faithful.

And honestly? It's making me so dang mad that someone in Oprah's influential position is promoting garbage like this...while also calling herself a Christian!

What exactly does she think it means to be a Christian? I'd love to know. But of course, the mighty Miss Winfrey is above answering questions like this.

So that's my rant for today. I should also say that I've been praying for Oprah. I've been praying for the truth to be revealed to her. I've been praying for the people who hang on her every word like it's infallible. I've been praying for all of this New Age hooey to blow over so people stop getting sucked into it.

Pray, folks. This is a battle. Not a battle for ratings or for money or for popularity. It's a battle for souls.

Do you want to know more about what's going on? Here you go:

Read a FoxNews.com article about it
Read a Probe Ministries article about it
Read a Baptist Messenger article about it

I promise to get back to cute kid pictures and helpful hints and tips now that I got that out of my system ;)

Today's Bread

I was driving Clara to school yesterday and singing along to the radio. A song came on that I've heard at least a hundred times before. One of the verses is "This is my daily bread, your very Word spoken to me". You've probably heard it too.

As I was singing along and thinking about the words, I felt that still small voice speaking to me.

"You must be starving!"

It's true. I've been starving myself lately! When it comes to spending good quality time with the very Word of God...the Bible...I've been quite the slacker. It's my goal this weekend to spend some good quality time getting my fill. I feel hungry for it.

I opened my Bible this morning as I at my breakfast. I love the Psalms. Not so much the Psalms where David is moaning and groaning about something (although they have their time and place too, of course)...I love the Psalms that are full of praise and worship. I always seem to learn a thing or two about God's character when I'm reading the Psalms.

There was one verse that really popped out to me this morning (don't you love it when that happens? :) )

Psalm 89:14
"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you."

Righteousness. Justice. Love. Faithfulness.

Why did this jump out at me? I think it has to do with the "New-Agey" spiritual stuff that's been really on the rise lately. As you might know, I've been spending quite a bit of time on Oprah's discussion boards, where they are discussing her new book selection "A New Earth".

It's terrible, what's going on over there. There's lots of talk of "enlightenment" and "ego" and "self" and letting go of the ego and self and just...being still.

On the surface it seems fine...but what is being still if you are not in the presence of God? What does "god" even mean to you if you reject Jesus as savior...not just "highly enlightened" or "a great man"...but THE SAVIOR? Jesus is being completely lost in the discussion and teachings. The Gospel is being forsaken in the name of being "open minded." It keeps me up at night, what's going on with Oprah's new project.

My point? Well, a common argument that people have when debating the validity of Jesus as Savior...as God... goes something like this:

"God is love. God loves all. We are all his children. We all have God in us because we are made in his image. There are many paths to God. Heaven and Hell are only in our heads anyway, not real places. If you say that Jesus is the only way, then you are being judgemental and filled with hate and conflict. You are not in touch with God if you believe that Jesus is the only way."

There are lots and lots of arguments to this way of thinking. It's hard to hold my tongue and not really start "Bible thumping", since the Bible is FILLED with valid arguments to statements like those.

But the bottom line? The bottom line is that YES, God is love. But he is also righteous. He is also Holy. He is also faithful. There will be a penalty for our sins...thank the Lord, that the penalty was paid by Him for us if we accept the gift of his sacrifice.

Dying on the cross for us was the ultimate in love. But why was it necessary in the first place? It was necessary because I have sinned and because God is Righteous.

I rest with a satisfied belly today...filled with the Bread of God's Word. I rest today knowing that God is many things. He his perfectly loving. He his perfectly just. He is perfectly righteous. And that great big God who is so perfectly all things good? He loves me...little ol' me!

Thinking About Thinking...

I'm still making my way through Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth.

Oprah had her live web cast last night. I tried to tune in, but I had technical problems about 10 minutes into it. We were able to log in and "take our seat" 30 minutes before the web cast began, and during that time, they showed parts of the Oprah Show. I think it was an "after the show" segment, and they were talking about this book. Watching that part was pretty informative, I thought. Oprah was talking to audience members...people talking about the book and asking Oprah questions.

One woman stood, said that she is a Christian, and asked if the book was "New Age". Oprah told her that the book was for anyone and everyone, regardless of religious beliefs. Oprah also said that she too is a Christian, and is not willing to give up her Christian beliefs, but that the book changed her spiritual life all the same. BUT THEN...she finishes by saying something like (roughly quoting here), "this book is for everyone, even Christians. If you're a Christian but are open to the possibility that there are many/other ways to God, then this book is for you."

Oh. So close.

I am one of those Christians who believes that Jesus is THE way to God. But I'm still going to read this book. Maybe there will be pieces and parts that can benefit me after I throw out all the stuff that doesn't do God justice. And I also want to be able to have an intelligent conversation about this book. 500,000 people watched the web cast last night. There should be plenty of conversation going on.

Chapter 1 really rubbed me the wrong way. I have no problems with searching out "self" and even trying to make improvements...as long as Jesus isn't lost along the way. It saddens me, really, to read posts from lots of people who talk about loss and pain and loneliness and "an empty hole" inside of them that they're trying to fill. So much pain out there...and these message boards are not going to lead those people to look for comfort and healing in the True source of comfort and healing.

Chapter 2 was interesting, thankfully not too misguided, but not really anything new (at least in my opinion). The general idea of the chapter was to bring to our attention the fact that we are not our thoughts...that the real "self" is deeper...the real self is the part of us that can notice and observe our thoughts. He goes on to define what he calls "ego"...the part of us that is constantly looking for definition from external sources like our stuff, our nationality, our race, our gender, our roles in life, how we compare to others, etc.

Nothing new under the sun here.

Since all this talk about our thoughts is happening, I thought (ha!) it might be nice to see what the Bible has to say about what goes on between our ears. There was plenty! I'm not going to analyze and elaborate on what each section of Scripture said to me. I'll let you read and pray about it for yourself. And there's plenty more, if you're interested. You can click HERE and do a search on "think", "thought", "thoughts", etc.

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The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

(2 Corinthians 10:4-5 )

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved

(Ephesians 2:1-5 )

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

(Hebrews 3:1)

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. (Luke 1:50-52 )

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. (2 Peter 3:1)

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21)

Where's The Spirituality Store??

I'm sure that there IS such a place, because I keep seeing people using the same old product. They must be getting it from somewhere.

I think that this particular product comes in powder form, and you just sprinkle it. It's called "Make the Christian Shut Up". Evidently, all a person has to do is to open the box, sprinkle some of the contents on a conversation, and see what happens. Inside, you'll find flakes of words. Some of the words are "judgemental", "self righteous", "be more open minded", and "there are lots of ways to God".

I know about this product, because I've had about 20 pounds of the garbage dumped on me in the past few days! Good thing it's a powder, and it shakes right off, or I'd be a mess.

The Gospel Of Jesus Sure Causes A Stink!

I've been spending my free time reading A New Earth, and discussing it on Oprah's message boards. My, oh my...I don't exactly feel welcome!

My friend Becky always reminds me that "the Gospel is offensive". Based solely on people's reaction to my comments on the message boards, I'd definitely have to agree.

Have you noticed how the Gospel is always, always, always met with resistance?

I am trying to keep things simple. There are lots of points that the author makes in his book that I don't agree with...but I'm trying to ignore them as petty arguments. What I can not, and will not ignore, however, are the things being said about Jesus.

Tolle (the author of ANE), makes Jesus out to be nothing more than a highly enlightened individual who was operating on a higher level of consciousness...or something like that.

And although that sounds all spiritual and fancy...it makes Jesus out to be so much less than who he really is.

Folks - I'm only just past chapter one...ONE! I'm going to keep reading and keep participating in the message boards. It just grieves me too much to see Jesus being washed out...I can't ignore what's going on in those discussions! The truth of the Gospel is being lost in all this discussion of "self".

If you're up for it, please join me. I'm pretty overwhelmed with just reading the comments and trying to respond.

Let's Talk About Evolution

OK gang. I'm confused. Maybe I'm not very smart or something, but I just do not get the whole idea of evolution.

First a bit of background...I grew up going to public schools. Obviously, I was taught that Darwin's Theory of Evolution is how we got to be the way we are today. I accepted it without really any thought that it might be inaccurate or just flat wrong. Actually, I accepted it without much thought at all...except the thought that I'd have to remember what it was called for the next pop quiz.

It seems to fit. It gives a good explanation as to how we are so genetically similar to apes. It gives a good explanation as to what we are to make of certain fossils. And of course, it is a good lesson to teach kids when you're not allowed to use the word "God" in a classroom.

But lately, I've been thinking more and more about what the Bible says regarding how we got here. Namely, that we were simply created...just the way we are. Frankly, it makes a lot more sense to me than the idea that we somehow evolved from prehistoric oceanic sludge. It especially makes more sense to me considering the fact that the "Missing Link" is still...well...missing.

I've been reading my A New Earth book that I told you about. The first chapter talks a lot about evolution and how when faced with a crisis, a species must sometimes "evolve or die". In general terms, I get the idea.

Now, I'm not saying that I don't recognize change when I see it. Sure - we've changed over the years. We're generally taller. We're generally less hairy. We're have a changing skin color as a population. We have changed. In the most general sense of the word, I suppose evolution could be defined as "change over time". Yes, we are changing.

It's the idea of an "evolutionary leap" that seems positively ludicrous to me.

So what is an "evolutionary leap"? In chapter one of his book, Mr. Tolle talks about an example...the classic example of a water animal making it's way to being a land animal:

"at some point, one of the sea creatures must have started to venture onto dry land. It would perhaps crawl a few inches at first, then, exhausted by the enormous gravitational pull of the planet, it would return to the water, where gravity is almost nonexistent...and then it tried again and again, and much later would adapt to life on land, grow feet instead of fins, develop lungs instead of gills." (A New Earth, page 20)

OK, great. Sounds fine. But HOW?!

First, how did a sea creature just venture on to dry land? Ever hear the term "fish out of water"?

Second, it kept trying to get out of the water an on to land? I think a little too much credit is being given to sea animals here!

And then, later, it just grows feet instead of fins, lungs instead of gills?! Huh?

So let's give this whole idea the benefit of the doubt for just a few minutes. Human beings are, by far, the most intelligent beings to ever inhabit the earth. Since there is already more water than land on the planet...and there is bound to be more with ice caps melting away...lets use our highly evolved brains to make an evolutionary leap and to go back to the sea. Seems like it would be easier than cramming more and more people onto less and less land, right?

Let's get to it people...ready...set...go...GROW FINS...ok...now...GROW GILLS.

I know, I know...this all happens over many years and generations. But again...HOW? Is there some sort of trigger in our DNA that must be activated in order to make an evolutionary leap? Do we need to put ourselves in the position of almost drowning repeatedly...maybe then that "leap" DNA will be activated and our kids or grand kids will be born with fins and gills? Or maybe if we jump off enough buildings, but still live to talk about it and to reproduce...will our offspring be born with feathers?

Folks...It just makes no sense to me.

I don't mean to be a brat about this...maybe I'm missing some key to understanding the idea of an evolutionary leap. If I am, please...someone comment to this post and help me understand why you believe this stuff. I truly want to understand how you make sense of this!

Again, maybe it's my simple mind (or my ego, according to Tolle)...but it makes much more sense to me that there is a supreme being (called God here), who created us. He also created the sea creatures. And the apes. And the plants. And if that's the case, maybe, just maybe, we all got here just the way the Bible describes?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this...

Calling All Christians

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord...listen up!

I believe that there is a spiritual awakening on the horizon, and I'm not so sure that is of the True kind.

Do you believe that the Bible is the literal and True Word of God?
Do you believe that Jesus is the Lord, that he died for our sins, and that he was resurrected?

If you do, then I'm calling on you to join Oprah.com with me, and begin her new book club. We'll be reading "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle.

I have not read the book. I'm sure that it contains at least some truth. I will keep my heart and head open to the possibility that it contains mostly or even all truth. But I'm going to read it critically. I'm going to compare it to the Bible every step of the way, and I'm hoping to be an active participant for Oprah's on line book club.

If there's going to be a large audience of people looking for spiritual truths, I want Jesus represented. Please join me.

My fear is that this is a New Age movement...not a movement toward truth at all, but a movement toward "self"...a movement away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

If you don't want to join me, I certainly understand. In fact, if you feel like you're not ready to be exposed to some potentially dark and deceiving stuff, then please do NOT join. This New Age stuff is very scary, and I don't blame anyone for wanting to stay away.

If you don't want to join me, please pray for me. Pray for discernment, wisdom, and protection for me and mine.

In the Lord,
Daiquiri