A Good Book With A Crummy Title

My sister promised me I could read this book when she was done, so I absentmindedly asked, “Have you finished Killing Jesus?”  Nobody wants to answer that in the affirmative.  But she did finish and now I have too.  The book was great.  Spoiler alert: it has the same ending as the one you already know.  Sorry.  But the authors really did their homework and the history and political tidbits are fascinating.

I’m not sure how to tactfully write this.  The Roman rulers?  Were pervy.  Shame on them!  And ferocious.  Back then rulers killed people like they were getting points for creativity.  We are sneaking up on the Lenten season, when Jesus’ death is magnified, and I’m here to tell you this book magnifies the crud out of our Savior’s crucifixion.  It’s as gruesome and painful to read as it is important.  I’m telling you because I wish somebody would have warned me about the gory parts of the book.

If you’re going somewhere tropical and beach-y for Spring Break?  Take some Janet Evanovich.  But, if you want a historically accurate, thought-provoking book to pick up this Lent, pick up the aforementioned book.  The one with the crummy title.

Miracles

I admit it!  Blogging has taken an absolute backseat in my bobsled now that the Olympics are on!  I can't get enough!  Let me just say these five words: Charlie White and Meryl Davis.  Eeeeee!  Could you just die?  His hair?  Her spriteliness?  It just makes me want to make up nonsense words like "spriteliness" I love them so!

Even as I obsess over the Olympics, there are things going on even more exciting.  And I'm not talking about my going to The Price is Right traveling show.  Even more exciting, if you can believe it.  Do you remember tiny Louisa?  From this post?  Friends, she went home from the hospital today.  And I can't even type about it without sobbing for joy.  This is an actual miracle from God's own hand.  A miracle.

Her doctors and nurses were skillful, no doubt.  She was in a fantastic hospital, for sure.  But I'm done short-changing God by mislabeling miracles.  It's not luck, or coincidence.  Christians, let's call these amazing events (big and small!) what they are!  Miracles. 

Here is more joy from a guy I've admired since I first saw his on-ice back flip.  If you ask me?  He's miraculous.

The Olympics!!

The Winter Olympics start tomorrow!!!  Are you freaking out?  I've only seen about three minutes of back stories so far, and I'm already an emotional mess.  Thrilled and nervous for these athletes (and their parents!  Don't forget their parents!)  Let's pray they glorify God with every swishing ski and cut of the ice.

In honor of the most exciting competition in the world, I found some Bible verses to inspire the athletes in us:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (ESV)  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize?  So run that you may obtain it.  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)  But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)  Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.  you are serving the Lord Christ.

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Happily, these verses apply to you whether you're a figure skater or you just figure you may want to go skating! 

Our Father

My Bible study group is studying the book of Ruth right now; we're at the beginning, when we know Naomi lost both her sons and her husband, and is returning humbly to Bethlehem.  She wasn't exactly chipper.  Consequently, the question was presented to my group, "How do you cope when life hands you something difficult?"  I, of course, put my anxiety on the shelf and pray about the situation, then continue to face the world with a smile on my face and joy in my heart.

Also, I have a bridge in Brooklyn you may be interested in.

Actually, I confided to my group (and now to you, entire Internet!) In times of difficulty I immediately assume I'm being punished.  I would never figure someone else is being disciplined by God when something goes wrong for them, only me!  So already my logic is faulty.  Also, there's that deep down belief I have that God is a loving God.  He doesn't punish us for things like enjoying a glorious day all alone: shopping slowly, eating by myself, and taking a nap (although I did get a horrible stomach flu that very night, so you can see why I would think I was being punished).

Luckily, I have this great technique (if you can call it that).  When I start to worry that God is unleashing His wrath on me, I remember, "He is my Father."  A parent.  A good and loving parent.  He works the same way I do but waaaaaay better.  My baby might think I'm horrible, and punishing her by taking a fist-sized gumball out of those chubby, little hands, when really I'm doing it for her safety.  We are little toddlers; where we see punishment, God sees the danger He is removing to keep us in one piece.  And if we are put in "time-out" by our Father it's because our behavior is unacceptable.  We wouldn't allow our two-year old continue yanking her sisters' hair, and God won't let us continue our destructive behavior either.  He loves us too much for that.

Saints Alive!

I recently bought an e-book that I just can't stand.  Usually, I tend to agree with reviews and this one had five stars!  It had a funny title!  Instead, I couldn't get past the first chapter.  Awful.  And now that e-books often cost more than hold-in-your-hot-little-hands books, it makes me crazy to not get my money's worth.  Does that make me cheap?  I don't know.  I think I just value a dollar! (Full disclosure: my Dad says I invented the copper wire.) 

In this week's "The Economist" there is an article about sainthood: "These days a successful canonization campaign launched in America typically costs around $250,000, and can go far higher, says the Catholic News Service..."

!!!!

I'm not Catholic, so I don't know much about the road to sainthood.  Here are a few things I found:

• The candidate must be deceased for five years before being considered.
• A Postulator travels to Rome to make the case for the candidate after compiling tons of documents and testimonies as evidence the potential saint led a virtuous life. (I'm guessing this compilation of proof is where the bulk of the quarter mil. is spent?)
• To be labeled "Blessed" the Postulator has to prove the candidate conducted at least one miracle. (Except martyrs- the Pope can waive the miracle requirement for them.)
• If the Postulator can prove the candidate performed two or more miracles the Pope may declare the person "Saint."  (Finally getting your baby to stay in her crib after she climbs out 8,000 consecutive times does not count as a miracle.  I checked.)

If this song is in your head for the rest of the weekend, I apologize; I just don't see any other way to wrap up this post, but with this little ditty:

Dreamy Verses

Today is my parents' 36th wedding anniversary!  They are terribly cute together, and in sync the way couples who have been married for 36 years are.  Incidentally, we had a snow day today, which made my Mom and Dad laugh because they were married in the thick of the infamous 1978 blizzard.  The governor declared a state of emergency, the minister tried to cancel on them, most guests were snowed in, and my Dad had to shovel a path to the church in his suit, making him very late (and probably sweaty).  I'm glad they didn't take the storm as a sign to cancel the whole thing (so are my brother and sister!)

Thirty-six years later.

I DuckDuckGo'd some verses about marriage and all the usual suspects popped up- the tried and so, so true verses we love to hear at weddings.  But here are two that I haven't heard at weddings, and it was love at first sight:

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up...  Ephesians 4:9-10

And I will betroth* you to me forever.  I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.  Hosea 2:19

Swoon.  Doesn't it just make you want to get married?  Or get married all over again?  Or go to a wedding?  Or start a wedding board on Pinterest even though you tied the knot ten years ago?  Just me?  Anyway, the good news is, Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  If you're looking for something a little more unique than "Roses are red, Violets are blue...." may I suggest turning to your Bible for the perfect words of adoration.


*The Living Bible translation uses "bind," which I love even more.

Taking Action

Friends, I have been useful today!  (I can't always say that.)  My baby's favorite stuffed animal lost its ear a while back and I?  Sewed it back on today!  Like a real mom!  Who sews!  Here it is:

Bun-Bun has two ears again!

I love feeling useful.  Which means I also love writing politicians (regarding issues even more important than missing bunny ears!)  It's such an easy thing to do, and it makes a difference.  Before you "x" out of this window forever, I promise this is not becoming a political blog.  Selling children as sex slaves, is not, should not, be a political thing; it's a human thing.

Sadly, many of our states do not have a safe harbor law to protect child prostitutes from prosecution.  Children forced into this lifestyle, with no hope of escape, can be charged as criminals rather than supported as victims.  Let's not sugar coat this.  It is human trafficking.  It is slavery.  As Christians, we are also called to free others from bondage- both spiritually and physically.  Jesus leads us toward the suffering and asks us to meet the physical, earthly needs of these aching prisoners.  In this case, the aching and abused children.  It is a daunting task, but do not be overwhelmed.  Here are four easy things you can do to fight child prostitution:

1.  Pray.  Pray for a massive decline in demand for children sex slaves.  Pray for the young men and women who have been rescued and are trying to recover.  Pray for children still enslaved- that they remain hopeful, and are rescued soon.  Pray for our political leaders to recognize the importance of this issue and take action.

2.  Write your Senators, Congressmen and women, Governors, all your political leaders!  Find out if there is a safe harbor statute for children in your state.  Tell them to crack down on human trafficking.  Be heard! 

3.  If you are interested in doing more or learning more, check out International Justice Mission or Polaris Project.  They have loads of information, resources, and Hallelujah! Rescue stories!

4.  Know this number: 1-888-373-7888.  It is the National Human Trafficking Hotline.  Call if you suspect any kind of potential trafficking.

If you happen to be snowed in (or frozen in), don't fret about not getting your errands done, you can accomplish so much from your own cozy home.  And I promise, doing any one of these things is better than sewing a thousand bunnies back together.