tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820971993021450642024-03-18T22:35:28.306-05:00Pieces of My BrainLess pretentious, more me. Musing, philosophizing, recommending, criticizing, writing, rambling, and as many other gerunds as I can produce at irregular intervals.Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-41901908549402399672018-02-04T14:32:00.000-06:002018-02-04T14:32:21.369-06:00I'm not dieting this year2018. That whole "new year, new me" thing is just weird, if not an outright lie, so I'm not saying that. But I am making a change that, while it may sound inane to you, is incredibly important to me.<br />
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I'm not worrying about my weight this year.<br />
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My mother first put me on a diet when I was 10 years old. I've been struggling against an endocrine system that shut down when I hit puberty (if not before) ever since. It's been a losing battle. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes insulin resistance, which means my body does not convert food to energy. It converts food to fat and stores it. Now, medical science can treat PCOS, but when I was diagnosed 25 years ago, the doctor told me that there was nothing they could do for it and that I would need intervention to have children. So it went untreated until I developed diabetes from that insulin resistance.<br />
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So, I'm fat. Not because I want to be, not because I could diet and exercise my way to thin (remind me to tell you about my gym experience). No, I am fat because my body does not work. It's taken me 25 years to accept that this is where I am, and this is where I will be until menopause. There's a ray of hope at that point, but I'm not there yet.<br />
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And yet, my current weight and body type are advantages in my current profession. I am stronger than I look, able to give deep pressure, and I'm not threatening to jealous wives. A lot of big men end up on my table because I can handle them.<br />
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The only results of my 37-year-long battle with my body are self-hate, self-sabotage, and an inferiority complex. I'm done with those. This year, 2018, I am focusing on improving other things about my life: I am learning to love myself exactly the way I am.<br />
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This is not to say I'm going to be binging on junk food and soda. No, I will eat the way I know my body will feel its best, and I will move as much as I can. I'm just not going to obsess over how I look.<br />
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This is me. This is who I am. And I am worth loving, just the way I am.Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-83551709365146047302017-04-14T19:58:00.000-05:002017-04-14T19:58:04.235-05:00Why is This Friday Good?Today, Christians all over the world remember the day in approximately 33 AD, when Jesus of Nazareth, God incarnate, was beaten bloody (to the point where His spine was exposed from the cat o' nine tails), took up His cross, carried it to Golgotha, and allowed Himself to be crucified. Why on earth would He do such a thing? Why would He submit to the <a href="http://www.khouse.org/articles/1998/113/" target="_blank">the physical torture of crucifixion</a>? Why did He not respond when the Roman soldiers taunted Him to call the angels and rescue Himself?<br />
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The answer is so simple that many people can't believe it. He died for love. Love. Nothing more or less. He died for love of you, me, everyone on the planet for as long as there have been humans.<br />
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"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16, in case you didn't know.<br />
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Jesus wants an authentic, genuinely intimate relationship with you. I'm not going to preach at you about sin, because no one wants to be preached at. You know all those arguments and frankly, I don't have the gift to be an evangelist. Instead, I will simply say that God wants you to know Him, and Jesus is the way.<br />
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The crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central tenet of my faith. Because He closed the gap between us and God, conquering death in the process, I have hope that I will be resurrected as well, to spend eternity in the company of my God.<br />
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Why is this Friday good? Because Jesus swept away the barrier between us and God. It is finished. There is nothing you need do but believe that He did that. It's not "believe and be baptized." It's not "believe and give up your lifestyle." It's not "believe and change who you are." It's "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31)<br />
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<br />Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-9906347717932808932017-01-31T13:02:00.003-06:002017-01-31T13:02:50.750-06:00Losing My Religion (While Keeping the Faith): Believing in an Infinite GodWhen we last met, I asked you to sit with and think about the implications of a God for whom all things are possible. What does it mean that God makes all thing possible? What is possible with God?<br />
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I thought and prayed about this question for three years. Opening your mind to Possible is not always easy, especially when you have been raised with the idea that there are rules about what God does and doesn't do, depending on when in history you live. Yet, Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus said "I and the Father are one" (John 10:38), so God is also the same throughout history. This makes perfect sense to me, as God is outside our limitations of space and time.<br />
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So the first breakthrough I had was that God is the same as He has always been, and He always will be the same. Perhaps our current idea that God doesn't speak directly to His people is flawed. It's possible that He still does. It's possible that He still heals, still works miracles, still allows us to see glimpses behind the curtain.<br />
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So I started listening for His voice. God had spoken to me before, in the depths of emotional trouble over ... well, it doesn't matter what the details are. I heard Him clearly tell me to be still and let Him work in that situation. I began asking for specific guidance, believing that God still speaks directly to His people, and that He would speak to me.<br />
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And that's when things started happening.Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-1640409231573184052017-01-21T16:00:00.002-06:002017-01-21T16:00:45.921-06:00Losing My Religion (While Keeping the Faith), IntroductionDiscussing faith is tricky. The two topics it's not "polite" to discuss are religion and politics, yet both of them have been at the forefront of social media lately. It is not my intent to discuss politics here. If you want to know, feel free to ask elsewhere.<br />
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This is the first entry in what may or may not be a long series of posts. It's largely for me to externalize my spiritual journey over the last 7 or 8 years. The further away I get from organized religion, the closer I feel to my God. This is not to say that I have abandoned all ideas of returning to church. What I am saying is that *for me,* there is value in seeking a more experiential component to my faith.<br />
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I grew up in a fundamentalist, nondenominational church. Emphasis is on study, an intellectual analysis of the Scriptures in the context of the original languages and the time in which they were written. For 40 years, I accepted that systematic study of the Bible in this way was not only the best approach to faith and worship, it was also the only way.<br />
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Then I started meditating on Matthew 19:26b - "with God, all things are possible." I asked myself, What would it mean if you really, truly, believe in an infinite God? I meditated and prayed on this simple question for about 3 years, and then the answers started coming.<br />
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I'm going to leave you with this question for a while. Sit with it, think of possibilities. What is possible if you truly, with all your heart, soul, and mind, believe that God is infinite? Infinitely powerful? Infinitely loving? Infinitely full of grace?<br />
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Think about it, and I'll share my conclusions and experiences in a while.Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-53934619599270063282016-10-10T13:43:00.004-05:002016-10-10T13:45:09.996-05:00World Mental Health Day 2016, or Why My Depression Is Not an Indicator of My Faith<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="53fa9" data-offset-key="11a0f-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="11a0f-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Today is World Mental Health Day, and I am speaking up about my depression. I come from a subculture where depression and anxiety are considered spiritual problems, and the cure is more faith, or more Bible study, or more prayer. There is a stigma associated with mental health issues, and while my speaking up probably won't erase the stigma, I hope that being open about both my faith and my mental illness will help future generations.</span></div>
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My depression is a chemical imbalance in my brain. How do I know? Usually it takes some time for an antidepressant to work, but within one hour of taking the first dose, I was no longer depressed. Now, if I miss a dose or take one late, I'm a mess - sobbing and ready to die. That kind of sensitivity to the medication indicates a physiological problem, not a spiritual or emotional one.</div>
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For someone with depression like that, faith is no disincentive to suicide. I know where I'm going when I die. I have stood at the edge of that abyss, knowing that my choices are to end it and go straight to heaven, to be with my Lord forever, or turn away and face an unknown length of time on this earth suffering and full of pain.</div>
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I haven't leaped into the abyss because I've seen what suicide does to the survivors. I saw what it did to a former colleague when his pre-teen son ended his life. I saw what it did to my family when my uncle shot himself. I can't do that to the people I love. </div>
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My point is, my faith is strong. I have been immersed in the Bible since before I was born. I've studied and read it for over 40 years. Faith is part of my soul's construction and Jesus Christ is my constant companion. Yet I also have depression and anxiety. </div>
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Please don't tell a person with depression or anxiety that they don't have enough faith, or that they need to change their attitude, or worst of all, that they're sinning. The two are unrelated. Instead, ask how you can help. Ask specifically what the person wants you to pray for. Offer them unconditional, unwavering love. </div>
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Depression is more common than you think. Be kind, be supportive, and be loving. </div>
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OK, I'll climb off my soapbox now.</div>
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Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-20277893136438989062016-10-08T21:40:00.000-05:002016-10-08T21:40:23.990-05:00St. Francis of AssissiLord, make me an instrument of thy peace<br />
Where there is hatred, let me sow love<br />
Where there is injury, pardon<br />
Where there is doubt, faith<br />
Where there is despair, hope<br />
Where there is darkness, light<br />
And where there is sadness, joy<br />
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O Divine Master<br />
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console<br />
To be understood, as to understand<br />
To be loved, as to love<br />
For it is in giving that we receive<br />
It is pardoning that we are pardoned<br />
And it is dying that we are born to eternal life.<br />
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Amen.Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-35991286899976109572016-07-04T14:18:00.001-05:002016-07-04T14:18:52.698-05:00Independence DayTwo hundred forty years ago today, a group of men signed their names to a simple document. The Declaration of Independence was a response to tyranny, but the purpose of this post is not to review all the historical reasons for the Declaration or the war that followed.<br />
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No, today I am thinking about the tyranny we currently face: The tyranny of fear. No matter where you stand on the religious or political spectra, you face demagogues screaming about who or what you are supposed to fear. Muslims, Jews, LGBTQ people, those nonexistent transgender women sneaking into our public bathrooms to assault our girl children. Homeschoolers. Public schools. Christians. Pagans. Gun owners, gun control supporters. Pro-choice. Pro-life. Cops. Gang members. Immigrants. Refugees. The homeless. The insane. The religious right, the religious left. Right wing fanatics, left wing nut jobs ... You name it. Whoever you are, someone is telling you who to fear.<br />
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And where has it gotten us? The United States of America is no longer so united. We are fractured, splintered into factions in every direction. No one discusses important topics rationally - there is only screaming, incoherence, and name-calling. We are pitted against each other instead of those who actually do possess ill will toward us. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate. We are bombarded with hate in our media, to the point where it's almost as if nothing good exists anymore.<br />
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Brothers, sisters, those who identify as both or neither, I invite you today to join me in declaring your independence from fear. No longer will I listen to the irrational messages of fear and hate. All the groups I named above? They're all just people. Most of them are trying to live as best they can. Why hate them? Isn't love a better answer?<br />
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Non-Christians, you may look away for a moment. I got something to say to my brothers and sisters in Christ. Shame on you. Shame on you for buying into the rhetoric, for forgetting that our Lord says "Love your enemies. Do good to those who persecute you." The Bible says "do not be afraid" 70 times. SEVENTY. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=%22do+not+be+afraid%22&qs_version=NIV" target="_blank">Check out the verses</a>. What gives you the right to be afraid? Is not God your refuge, a stronghold in the day of trouble? If not, you need to spend some time in the Scripture to remind yourself who you claim to serve.<br />
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OK. Is everybody paying attention again? Good. Now, I am not talking about the healthy fear that keeps you out of dangerous situations. I'm talking about the fear that underlies your interactions with people you don't agree with, or don't understand, or plain just don't like for whatever reason. I'm talking about the fear that makes you dangerous.<br />
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Here;s my promise to you: I will not live in fear. I will not give in to the hateful rhetoric being vomited by those who would be our leaders, in whatever arena. I invite you to join me in a new American Revolution - against fear, anger, and hate.<br />
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Remember that the United States of America was founded to be a haven for anyone who was oppressed. We are supposed to be a nation of hope and love and acceptance. Imagine what we could accomplish if enough of us chose to live that ideal in our personal lives. THAT is what will make America great again.<br />
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Happy Independence Day, y'all.Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-71175158570383360322016-02-28T14:32:00.001-06:002016-02-28T14:32:09.815-06:00Kitchen YumminessYou, too, can serve delicious homemade chicken quesadillas! Here's how I did it:<br />
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4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts<br />
Italian salad dressing<br />
Tortillas - flour or Udi's gluten-free<br />
Butter<br />
Shredded Mexican cheese blend<br />
Lettuce, tomatoes, onion, avocado, salsa<br />
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Slice chicken breasts thinly and place in a shallow dish that has a lid. Cover with Italian dressing, put the lid on the dish and shake to ensure that all the pieces are exposed to the liquid. Marinate overnight.<br />
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Remove the chicken slices and cook in a skillet until brown. I washed the skillet and used it to cook the quesadillas. Butter a tortilla and place it butter-side down in the skillet. Place cheese all the way to the edge of the tortilla. Place cooked chicken slices on top of cheese and heat over medium-low heat. Put more cheese on the chicken, and then place another buttered tortilla on top, butter-side up. When the cheese on the bottom is melted, carefully flip over and brown the other side.<br />
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Serve with chopped lettuce, tomato, onion, and avocado. Top with your favorite salsa.Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-47226666509139881962016-01-06T12:32:00.000-06:002016-01-06T12:32:46.501-06:00Cogitating on a ConundrumSometimes I wonder if part of the reason I'm still single is a giant disconnect in my brain.<br />
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Because I genuinely am not acquainted with any straight single men who are potential mates, I have occasionally tried the online dating thing. It usually (and is in the process now) ends with a sigh of disgust because the only men who try to contact me are not appealing, and the appealing men ignore me.<br />
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Now, I do understand why this happens. Men see the fat middle-aged woman I am now:<br />
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I get that. It's fair. This is the body I inhabit now. I also understand that men are visual. They're just wired that way. </div>
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But in my head ... oh, in my head I'm still the pretty girl. The one that guys in shops would race to serve. The one who didn't mind photographs. The one who, on a memorable occasion, a guy nearly wrecked his car because he was staring at her. (I'm not making this up. I have witnesses.)</div>
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And THAT girl isn't ready to settle for the men who are willing to settle for the fat woman. That girl still thinks she can land a man who gets her motor revving. A man with ambition and drive. A man who loves to laugh but knows how to be serious. A man who is young at heart, and, yes, is physically appealing. </div>
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It's hard to accept reality when in my head I'm still the girl who stops traffic:</div>
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<br />Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-59864400424132911652015-12-10T13:05:00.000-06:002015-12-10T13:05:09.232-06:00Dear Christian: Why Do You Fear Muslims?"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">"</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">But I say unto you, </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Love</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">your</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">enemies</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" Matthew 5:44</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">But </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">love</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> ye </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">your</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">enemies</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">your</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil." Luke 6:35</span><br />
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I think many Christians have lost the plot. I've seen posts from people who have been faithful believers for decades, who have seemingly forgotten a few things:<br />
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1. Fear of other humans has no place in the Christian life. Isaiah 35:4, 41:10; Psalm 56:4; Proverbs 29:25; Matthew 10:29; Romans 8:15; Hebrews 13:6<br />
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2. We are to "fear" God (i.e., respect). Too many verses to cite; just take a look at "fear" in any concordance.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. "<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:29-31</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are no conditions. Jesus did not say "Love thy neighbor unless he is Muslim," "Love thy neighbor unless you're afraid of him."</span></span><br />
<br />
4. Quite the contrary. See the above commandment from our Lord in Matthew 5:44. Could it be any clearer?<br />
<br />
Our Lord <i>conquered </i>death. We participate in His resurrection, and are guaranteed a place in heaven for eternity. So what if a Muslim terrorist kills us?<br />
<br />
We are commanded to love our enemies. We are commanded to show unconditional kindness, to reflect His generous love. What room is there in these commandments to refuse to help refugees? What room is there to fear them?<br />
<br />
My dear brothers and sisters, if you fear death enough to refuse to help those in need ... you have missed the point.<br />
<br />
Search the Scriptures. Read what Jesus said. And don't let anyone pull you away from the simple truth of our faith: God is love.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-14235790834101114762015-10-31T10:59:00.000-05:002015-10-31T10:59:06.837-05:00Happy New Year!Five years ago, I wrote a post about Samhain and Halloween and my personal experiences. Isn't it interesting how things change over time?<br />
<br />
Samhain, as I've said before and you probably know, is the night when the ancient Celts celebrated New Year. My ancestors observed a New Year celebration the night before my birthday, so it's easy for me to appropriate that and use Samhain as a time of personal prayer and contemplation, reviewing the year gone by and the year ahead.<br />
<br />
What's changed for me, though, is that I no longer fear encountering malevolent spirits. Last month, I had an experience with something that tried to get into my body, and although it was a bit unnerving, I wasn't frightened. Jesus banished the spirit when I asked Him to, and I haven't been bothered since.<br />
<br />
Tonight I will not be able to observe Samhain in my usual fashion, as I am volunteering at the film festival. But wherever you are, however you celebrate Halloween/Reformation Day/Samhain, I pray that the coming year will be overflowing with blessings for you and the ones you love.Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-70800028927959503212015-08-01T19:28:00.000-05:002015-08-01T19:28:12.521-05:00Veggies and RiceI was looking around at my kitchen wondering what to make for dinner. Then I remembered that there are some vegetarians I know, and I've never actually tried to make a one-dish vegetarian meal. I love one-dish meals, so I sorted through the freezer, fridge, and cabinets, and came up with the following. Adjust spice amounts to your own liking:<br />
<br />
1 package frozen vegetables of your choice (I used a blend of carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli)<br />
1 can cut green beans, drained<br />
1 jar mushrooms, drained<br />
1 can tomatoes, NOT drained<br />
About 1 tablespoon butter (if you want to make it vegan, use oil of your preference. It's only to keep the veg from burning)<br />
About 2 tablespoons minced garlic<br />
About 1 tablespoon parsley<br />
About 1/2 teaspoon marjoram<br />
About 1 teaspoon dill weed<br />
Salt and ground fresh pepper<br />
About 1/4 cup lemon juice<br />
1 cup vegetable broth<br />
2 cups Minute Rice<br />
Walnuts (optional)<br />
<br />
In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter with a little of the garlic. Add the vegetables and heat thoroughly. Grind together parsley, marjoram, and dill, and add to pan along with the rest of the garlic. Add salt and pepper, a little more than you think it will take for the vegetables. Add the lemon juice and heat until the vegetables are fully heated and the liquid is at a rolling boil. Then pour in the broth and heat again. Add in the Minute Rice, turn the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, uncover, and let sit for a few minutes to let any extra liquid evaporate.<br />
<br />
For an extra crunch (because I love the contrasting textures), add some walnuts to each serving.<br />
<br />
<br />Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-81740748421695570882015-06-02T13:47:00.001-05:002015-06-02T13:47:52.555-05:00Musings<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: none 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I was raised to live with an attitude of unconditional love. To look at the world with acceptance. To treat people the way I want to be treated, with grace and compassion. To withhold judgment until I knew all the circumstances.</div>
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It’s a bit sobering to realize that I am now modeling these values for the very people who instilled them in me, because society has reached their limits of tolerance and compassion. It's troublesome to look around at my fellow believers and followers of Christ and to see harsh judgment instead of sympathy and empathy. </div>
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Is there a certain age at which we are no longer flexible enough in our minds and hearts to embrace those whose experiences are so very different from our own? </div>
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Is there a moment at which we no longer interpret the commandment to love one another as Jesus Christ loves us to mean that we try to understand a differing point of view rather than flatly labeling it as sin and anathema?</div>
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Why are we so quick to judge, when we are commanded not to do so?</div>
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Why are we so quick to disapprove of someone else's attempt to live life as authentically as they can, and so quick to assume that that person is somehow not worthy of our respect because they are struggling in a way we cannot understand?</div>
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Why do we feel that we have the authority to dismiss another person as unworthy of unconditional love? Why do we feel justified in disgust, anger, and hatred?</div>
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Where is Jesus Christ in that? </div>
Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-76145273091418670742015-05-26T12:21:00.000-05:002015-05-26T12:21:17.119-05:00Why Christians Don't Get to Object to Gay Marriage<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I've been thinking about this one for a long time, too. Below are the most common reasons I've heard Christians use to justify their objections, and my objections to those reasons. Please read this seriously and give it some thought. If, after you have thought it through FOR YOURSELF, you still don't agree with me, that's OK. Just make sure you have reasoned and logical reasons, and you're not simply spouting rhetoric you've heard on Christian radio or whatever.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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<u>“The Bible says marriage is
between one man and one woman!”</u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Really? Let's take a look. Yes, God
created Eve for Adam. The Bible does not tell us whether Adam took
another wife; however, legend does tell us that Eve may not have been
his only wife.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Even if the original plan was one
man/one woman, a cursory reading of the Bible tells us that this was
hardly ever the case. Abraham was not criticized for taking Hagar to
wife; he was criticized for his lack of faith that the promised son
would come from Sarah. David was never criticized for having multiple
wives, and he was called a man after God's own heart. Solomon was not
criticized for his political marriages; he was criticized for
permitting them to lead him away from Jehovah. The only comment on
the subject in the New Testament is in 1 Timothy, where a pastor must
be husband to only one wife.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Using the Bible to object to same-sex
marriage mischaracterizes the Bible. The Bible does not define
marriage.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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<u>“I don't want to support that
lifestyle!”</u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Let's break this one down. You, as a
believer in Jesus Christ, don't want to support a lifestyle of sin.
(For purposes of this discussion, we will assume that homosexuality
is a sin.) So that means that you will also not support the lifestyle
of anyone who gets drunk regularly (Ephesians 5:17), anyone who uses
profanity regularly (Ephesians 5:4), anyone who exasperates their
children (Ephesians 6:4), etc. You get the picture. If you want to
say that you cannot support a sinful lifestyle, then you have to
reject all sinners, not just the ones who disgust you. And since
every one of us is a sinner (Romans 3:23), are you going to reject
yourself? No? Then you can't reject anyone else, either.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Let's also remember that many people
who identify as homosexual are not Christians (unbelievers). Without
the filling of the Holy Spirit, they have no way to do anything other
than sin.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And as for the professing Christians
who are also homosexual, you have not been appointed their personal
Holy Spirit. Their choices are between them and God. Not your
business, not mine. Your business and mine is to reflect the grace of
Jesus Christ.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u>“Hate the sin, love the sinner!”</u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Newsflash: When someone tells you “I love you, but I
hate what you're doing,” all you hear is “I hate.” And our God
is love. Our Lord invited all to His table. He promises rest to
anyone who comes. And He paid the penalty for all sin, so exactly
what is it you think you're promoting? Sin has been forgiven. You
don't get to judge someone else's sin, not when your Savior has paid
the penalty for it.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you're dealing with an unbeliever,
the only issue is what they think of Jesus Christ. Sin is an issue
for BELIEVERS, because we're the ones who have temporal consequences
of sin – we're the ones for whom 1 John 1:9 is written. Believers
have to confess our sins so that fellowship with God is restored.
Unbelievers don't have this option. All they can do is accept Jesus
Christ as their Savior.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u>“America was founded as a
Christian nation! We have to preserve Christian values!”</u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Let's take a look at history, shall we?
Yes, the Puritans came over to escape religious persecution by the
Catholic Church and the Church of England. However, the Puritans
exhibited the same astonishing lack of grace to anyone who didn't fit
their narrow notion of what Christianity should be. And at that time,
they considered themselves English colonists.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The move for independence from England
was political, not religious. It was spurred by taxation issues and
other issues regarding the governance of the colonies.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The group of men generally considered
as the Founding Fathers consisted of both Christians and Deists. Some
of the Christians were Unitarians rather than Trinitarians, so the
idea that there was one religious faith accepted by the Founding
Fathers is laughable.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If the argument is that we have a
responsibility to preserve the values “on which this country was
founded,” then we logically should still practice slavery, be
anti-mixed marriage, and women should not have the right to vote.
Those were values of society at that time. Picking and choosing
societal values from history is never intellectually honest.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Besides, as pointed out above, the
Bible does not define marriage as one man/one woman, so which version
of those values are we espousing? Polygamy? Child marriage? </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The only intellectually honest
objection to gay marriage is “It's icky!” And if you're disgusted
by the thought of sex between two men or two women, that's OK. You
can be disgusted. But you cannot use that disgust to deny them the
benefits of marriage, which is, after all, a civil institution.
Marriage is defined by the culture in which you live (just think of
the differences in what is required to be married under traditional
Christian rules, traditional Jewish rules, traditional Hindu rules,
and traditional secular rules. It's all marriage.). And one thing
that is very clear is that Christians are to live in the society
where they find themselves (Romans 13:1).</div>
Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-5855048632103571472015-05-25T10:53:00.001-05:002015-05-25T10:53:27.236-05:00My Issues with Contemporary ChristianityIf you've been paying attention (and really, why should you? You have your own life.), you might have noticed that I have been not particularly happy with the way current Christianity is going. This morning, I mentally compiled a list of Things I Need to Know, and since my memory is currently reminiscent of Swiss cheese, I need to write it down. So lucky you, you get to see it, too:<br />
<br />
1. I need to know why some passages are interpreted in their historical context and some are not. For example, "women keep silent in church" was a direct admonition to a group of women making trouble in one particular church, but it is used as a sledgehammer today.<br />
<br />
2. I need to know why "I do not suffer a woman to teach a man" is anything other than Paul's personal preference, and why it means that a woman cannot have any position of leadership in a church. I need to know why it trumps "there is neither male nor female in Christ," too.<br />
<br />
3. I need to know why we have elevated marriage and family to be the best way for Christians to honor God (and correspondingly, treating single adults, especially women, like pariahs in the local assembly) when Paul himself said that being single is better, and marriage is best only to avoid sin. See above re: not distinguishing between Paul's personal opinion and God's Word.<br />
<br />
4. I need to know why we have put the onus of avoiding being molested on our girl children instead of teaching our sons to control their damn selves.<br />
<br />
5. I need to know why we feel the need to use "I don't want to support that lifestyle" as an excuse to push people away from the love of Jesus Christ. I need to know why our discomfort with certain sin patterns trumps "Come to me, ALL who are heavy-laden." I need to know how "You are the light of the world" means that we get to decide who is worthy of our reflection of our Lord and who is not. I need to know how we expect our children to be the salt and light of the world if the world never sees them.<br />
<br />
This list may be expanded later.Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-86736472415924556522014-10-28T15:14:00.000-05:002014-10-28T15:14:07.426-05:00Living in Enemy TerritoryI don't think anyone who reads this blog will think that I am actually comparing my experiences to soldiers behind enemy lines or the civilians in occupied territory, but just in case, this is my disclaimer: The title is only a reference to how it feels to be in the body I was given. It is not an actual attempt to compare my plight to those in much worse living situations than I am.<br />
<br />
<br />
OK, now to the point of this post. Today, I had a lot on my plate. Errands to run, a job fair over an hour away to attend, cooking to plan and prepare for, cleaning to do in preparation for cooking, an endless pile of laundry, etc. Did I accomplish any of it? Well ... I did laundry, but that's like saying I breathed. Being in massage school and doing at least 4 massages a week outside of class means daily laundry. But other than that, I went back to sleep.<br />
<br />
I'm living with an autoimmune condition exacerbated by stress. There are days when my body will allow itself to be pushed, and there are days when it will not. Today was a day when what my body needed was rest. I re-prioritized some things (the job fair, while I was really looking forward to going, is not vital to my future; my sources of income are lining up nicely without it), and decided that my health was going to have to be top consideration today.<br />
<br />
It's been a long and difficult road to get to the point where I can give myself permission to rest and not feel guilty about it. Our society and my family history value accomplishment. "What did you do today?" is a question Americans ask themselves in order to determine whether they have been productive "enough." I come from a line of farmers and ranchers who truly believed that if the sun was up, they had to be working (and many times before the sun rose or after it set). Taking a day to sleep and rest is not in our value system, other than to pay lip service to it.<br />
<br />
For years, I have felt like a prisoner in my own body. My endocrine system crashed in my early 20s, causing massive weight gain, diabetes, and hormonal imbalances of all types - adrenal failure, insulin resistance, sex hormone imbalances, neurochemical imbalances in my brain causing depression and anxiety, etc. For 20 years, my body has been The Enemy.<br />
<br />
But for the past couple of years, I have tried to change my attitude toward the case of blood, flesh, and bone that houses my soul and spirit. I have tried to love it and to cooperate with it, in hopes that not constantly fighting my own existence would improve my health. And I am gradually becoming more successful with this attitude adjustment. Which leads back to today.<br />
<br />
Giving myself permission to rest today was the right decision. It is okay that I didn't cross through all the items of my to-do list. I had to take a longer perspective than just "what did I accomplish today?" The next few weeks are going to require a great deal of energy to get through, and I'm running close to empty as it is. It is not a failure to acknowledge that my body needs not to be pushed past its limits. Rather, it is a healthy choice.<br />
<br />
It may sound like I am protesting too much. I might be, because I am still learning how to accept the limits imposed on my spirit by the state of my body. I am learning to be a whole person instead of living behind enemy lines. And I will be a better version of myself tomorrow because I took today to rest.Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-16395184819010454052014-10-07T19:37:00.002-05:002014-10-07T19:38:26.613-05:00Room at the Table: An Open Letter to Evangelical Christianity<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
dear brothers and sisters in Christ:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Say
it with me – I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son our Lord, who was conceived by the
Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, died,
and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose from the dead.
He ascended into heaven, where He sits at the right hand of God the Father
Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe
in the Holy Spirit, the universal Christian church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
is what we all believe, right? This is the core of the Protestant Christian
faith. This is the commonality we all hold, the grounds for our identification
as Christians and the hope for our eternal future. This is the bond that ties
us together in Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So
why do I feel like there is no room for me at the table? Why do I feel like
there is no place for me in your church? Why am I an outcast?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
are you talking about?” you ask, genuinely confused. Well, as the young kids these
days say, lemme ‘splain you a thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
am a middle-aged woman, never married, with no children. According to 1
Corinthians 7, by definition I serve God rather than a husband (since I have no
husband). Great. I would love to serve God! And according to Hebrews 10, I am
to be part of a local assembly, which seems like the perfect place to serve
Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Okay!
Let’s see where I can serve. Can I be a pastor? Not according to 1 Timothy,
since I am a woman. Can I be a deacon? Again, not according to 1 Timothy, even
though there were plenty of female deacons in the early church (see the book of
Acts). Can I be a teacher of adults? Nope. Not if it means I’m teaching men (1
Timothy 2). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But
you could teach women or children!” you cry. Really? The Evangelical churches
teach their daughters that the highest calling of a Christian girl is to marry
a nice Christian boy and raise a passel of nice Christian children. Even that
has Scriptural support – again in that little book of 1 Timothy, where Paul
proclaimed that “women will be preserved through the bearing of children if
they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.” (1 Timothy
1:15) So let’s review: I am a woman who has never married and has no children.
How, then, do you believe that I am qualified to teach your lovely daughters
how to be Biblical wives and mothers, since I am neither?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">By
the same argument, because I do not have children, clearly I am not qualified
to teach children because I don’t know how to communicate with them or help you
rear them properly (this is actually a thing I have been told, by the way –
that I have nothing valuable to say about child-rearing because I don’t have
any children). After all, you want proper role models for your children, and
there’s something suspect about a woman who has reached the age of 44 and never
married. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What
about music? Well, let’s look at that for a minute. Theoretically, this could
be a place I could serve, particularly since I am a musician with over 10 years
of classical training. I have even performed in Carnegie Hall. So let’s look at
my experience in this area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
first time I wanted to serve my church in the music ministry, I was told I
could not be song leader because I am a woman. A man who lacked my musical
qualifications was appointed song leader over me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
second time I joined a church choir, I dove in head-first. I volunteered for
everything, brushed off my piano skills, toured with the choir, and generally
felt like I was part of a community and genuinely serving God and my church.
Then I got sick and fell out of choir practice. In a choir of about 30 people,
in a church of about 2000, guess how many people called or emailed to check on
me when I stopped showing up?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Zero.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Not
one person. No one that I had sung beside, worked beside, laughed beside,
worshiped beside, could be bothered to email or call simply to say, “Hey, are
you okay?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So
sure, music is a theoretical possibility. But when I am told that I cannot be
in a position that might smack of “leadership,” even though I am the more
qualified candidate otherwise, or when it is patently obvious that no one
values my contribution enough to even make sure I was still alive after a year
of not appearing, it’s difficult to think that this would be at all a rewarding
form of service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
may be other areas of service in a local assembly, but as far as I can tell,
the only place a church that holds to traditional Protestant thinking about women’s
roles would permit me to participate is prayer meeting. Even then, I wouldn’t
be allowed to lead one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
most frustrating aspect to this is who I have been outside a local assembly of
believers. I was an attorney for 20 years. I managed more than one law firm,
including supervision of employees. I owned my own business. I was a charter
member of a business networking group and helped to grow the group to over 30
members. I know how to be a leader, and I know how to work with men, because
when I joined the legal profession, women were still an unrespected minority.
In any other context, I am qualified to serve in a position of leadership. But
because God made me a woman, even though I am a woman who by definition is to
serve Him, I cannot use the skills, education, or brain He blessed me with in
church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
is no place for me at the table. I don’t fit in any pigeonhole, and therefore I
am expected to sit quietly in the sanctuary, with no voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God
has called me to greater service than this. He has poured out gifts on me that
I must use in service to my brothers and sisters in Christ, and that I must use
in service to our King. I cannot bury my talents; I must find a way to multiply
them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pastors,
please, I beg you – open your eyes to the reality of your congregation’s
population. There must be a way to allow single childless women to serve by
utilizing their skills and their gifts and their God-given talents without
violating Scripture. I do not have all the answers (although I do have
opinions, if anyone cares).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Meanwhile,
I will go in search of a table that has room for me. God will be there, too,
and He will bless my wholehearted desire to serve Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">*The
Apostle’s Creed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-22166331287153826172013-10-11T17:30:00.003-05:002013-10-11T17:31:19.624-05:00Oh my sweet merciful heavens - or: How Aeryn Rediscovers the Luxury of Being a GirlListen up, my children, while I 'splain you a thing. I want to announce to the men of the world that it is a shame ain't no one wants to touch this, because I feel sexy and silky ALL OVER and I am about to share with you ALL THE SECRETS.<br />
<br />
Once upon a time there was a Canadian cosmetics company called <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/">LUSH</a>, who generously shared its products with its rambunctious neighbor to the south. A fairy princess who walks this fair land under the pseudonym Miranda initiated yours truly into the mysteries of this company, and now I pass them on to you, Gentle Reader.<br />
<br />
Wash the face with the cleanser of your choice (mine is <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Fresh-Farmacy/00077,en_US,pd.html?start=8&cgid=cleansers">Fresh Farmacy</a>). Spread on the appropriate mask. My first experience was with <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/BB-Seaweed/06091,en_US,pd.html?start=6&cgid=fresh-face-masks">BB Seaweed</a>, which was entirely satisfactory except for the "Hi, I'm Seaweed. I'll be the hole in your mask today."<br />
<br />
While the mask is tightening, apply <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Roots/03741,en_US,pd.html?start=1&cgid=hair-treatments">Roots</a> hair treatment to the scalp and work completely through hair to the ends.<br />
<br />
Then run a warm to hot bath. Drop one of the many exquisite <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Bath-Bombs/bath-bombs,en_US,sc.html">bath bombs</a> into the running water. I can recommend both <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Butterball/00012,en_US,pd.html?start=2&cgid=bath-bombs">Butterball</a> and <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Sex-Bomb/00157,en_US,pd.html?starthttp://www.lushusa.com/Lovely-Jubblies/03077,en_US,pd.html?start=4&cgid=body-lotions=3&cgid=bath-bombs">Sex Bomb</a>. Sex Bomb comes with its own little rose of bubbly goodness, as well. Some people recommend adding <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Bubble-Bars/bubble-bars,en_US,sc.html">bubble bars</a>, as well.<br />
<br />
While luxuriating in the warm lavishing of the enhanced waters, shave your legs and other areas. I have discovered the superiority of the <a href="http://www.gillettevenus.com/en-US/products/type/razors-disposables/">Venus Embrace</a>, as its 5 blades make quick work of even the bear pelt on my legs and its floating head handles flab well.<br />
<br />
When you think your legs and other areas are smooth, think again. Take generous scoops of <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Ocean-Salt/9999902128,en_US,pd.html?start=1&cgid=cleansers">Ocean Salt</a> and scrub all over. Then drain the tub and turn on the shower. Shampoo the treatment out of your hair, rinse the mask and scrub off your face and body.<br />
<br />
If you think you're finished when you towel off, you are wrong. Emollients! Soften <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Full-of-Grace/04063,en_US,pd.html?start=1&q=serum">Full of Grace</a> in your hands and spread it all over your face, even your eyelids. <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Lovely-Jubblies/03077,en_US,pd.html?start=4&cgid=body-lotions">Lovely Jubblies</a> (basically bag cream for humans) goes on your bosom and anywhere else you want a tightening effect ("I'm sorry, did you just say ALL OVER MY BODY????").<br />
<br />
Finish the luxury with <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Helping-Hands/00410,en_US,pd.html?start=2&cgid=hand-care">Helping Hands</a> hand lotion and <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Lip-Balms-and-Scrubs/lip-balms-and-scrubs,en_US,sc.html">your choice of lip scrub</a> (I LOVE Mint Julips). Yes, I said LIP SCRUB. It's a sugar scrub FOR YOUR LIPS. It tastes lovely and leaves the lips oh-so-kissable. Too bad no one wants to kiss them ...Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-56943413472348770662013-07-02T15:41:00.000-05:002013-07-02T15:41:28.119-05:00A Christian Perspective on Dysmorphia<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Been thinking a lot about my transgender friend, since he had his chest reconstruction surgery. I know the attitude of most Christians is that God doesn't make mistakes and that people who experience dysmorphia between their physical gender and the gender they feel in their soul are somehow wrong, ungrateful, or sinning. I can't think that.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">While obviously I agree that God is perfect and that when He created this universe, He created it perfectly, I believe that since the Fall, sin has permeated and polluted our world. Genesis 3 supports this belief. Genesis 2 implies that human souls are created male and female. And so, I have no trouble following logic to the next step, which is that it is entirely possible, due to the aggregate pollution (both literal and metaphysical) of the world and the human genome, for a person to be born in the wrong-gendered body. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I have never had this type of dysmorphia issue. I cannot even imagine how it must feel. Even though I was a complete tomboy growing up - I gravitated to the boys for play, I spent equal time or more with my Legos and little green soldiers as I did with my Barbies - I have always felt female. I cannot judge someone for feeling things that I have no personal context for understanding or even imagining. I am no position to determine whether someone who decides to travel the extraordinarily difficult road of changing gender - legally, physically, socially - is right or wrong to do so. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">What I can do is offer unconditional acceptance, encouragement, and support for someone who is facing such an enormous burden. I think that attitude correctly reflects Jesus Christ. I am not afraid to stand up for what is right, true, and moral, but this situation requires discretion, discernment, and most of all, love. I can respect my friend for choosing to spend the time, money, and emotional effort to make his outward appearance congruent with his inward identity without any judgment. And I can be grateful that God provided him a loving and supportive wife, since his decisions cost him his biological family.</span>Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-59160986326531837742013-06-13T10:26:00.000-05:002013-06-13T10:26:21.097-05:00God, guilt, and shameDo you ever notice how sometimes you read something from one source and then something from another source, and the two pieces of information synthesize in your head to form a connection you hadn't noticed before?<br />
<br />
Just now, I was in the process of my morning self-improvement routine and this happened, and I want to share my minor epiphany with you.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Loves-Learning-Live-Fathers-Affection/dp/0964729253/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1371135223&sr=1-1&keywords=he+loves+me+by+wayne+jacobsen" target="_blank">He Loves Me! Learning to Live in the Father's Affection</a> is a book that has significantly reshaped the way I perceive God's regard for me, and I highly recommend it. The premise is that Christians have seriously misconstrued God's intent and love for us, and that in order to understand fully what He has done, is doing, and will continue to do for us, we must repudiate a performance-based idea of our relationship with Him. The sentence that caught my attention this morning is as follows:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
If we define God only in our limited interpretation of our own circumstances, we will never discover who he really is.</blockquote>
I copied this sentence into my diary for further mulling over, and went on to checking my email. There was a message from <a href="http://tappingqanda.com/" target="_blank">Gene Monterastelli</a>. Mr. Monterastelli is a practitioner of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), which uses acupressure principles to direct and control change in your attitudes and actions. This is a very useful technique, although no one really understands how it works.<br />
<br />
But I digress. The point is that the title of this morning's newsletter is "The Inconvenient Truth About Shame and Guilt." If you, like me, have a working conscience and are aware of how short you fall from the ideal standards of conduct, this title probably grabs your attention like it grabbed mine. So I clicked the link to <a href="http://tappingqanda.com/2013/06/your-guilt-is-holding-you-back-and-its-holding-others-back/comment-page-1/#comment-22351" target="_blank">this article</a>. Here are the relevant statements:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"When you feel guilty about something, you are holding the other person in a victim state."</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
When I think I have done you wrong, not only does my guilt impact the way I see myself, but it also impacts the way I see you, and therefore the way I interact with you.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
When I feel like I have hurt you, I will call you less, be hesitant in your presence, and be reluctant to spend time with you.</blockquote>
With an almost audible "click" in my head, the two concepts merged and I realized: This is true not only of human relationships, but also of our relationship with God!<br />
<br />
When I am very conscious of my sinful nature, I feel shame and guilt and do not feel that I can approach God with the bold confidence of His child (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%204:16&version=NIV" target="_blank">Hebrews 4:16</a>). When, out of shame, we hesitate to pray, open the Bible, or in some way seek God's face, we both hold back our own development and growth AND grieve our loving Father, who desires an intimate relationship with us. It feels odd to think of it as holding God in a victim status, but it is a useful analogy, in that our reluctance to pursue a relationship with Him grieves Him as much as it is detrimental to our own emotional and spiritual states.<br />
<br />
So there's the problem: Guilt and shame prevent us from experiencing the full joy of an intimate relationship with our loving Father and God, and retard our own spiritual and emotional maturity.<br />
<br />
What's the solution? I see several parts:<br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%201:9&version=NIV" target="_blank">1 John 1:9</a> promises that if we confess our sin to God, He will immediately forgive and restore us to fellowship. Confession is not complicated. It merely consists of telling God that what you did, said, or thought was a violation of His perfect standard.<br />
<br />
2. If you have wronged someone, apologize. That clears the air between you and permits resumption of the relationship.<br />
<br />
However, confession and apology, while removing the <i>fact</i> of guilt, do not always remove the <i>feeling</i> of guilt or shame. So how do we deal with that?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
3. Use tools such as Bible study, therapy, "acting as if," and EFT.<br />
<br />
Some Christians take the attitude that psychological tools are not valid; however, God created the human psyche and permitted us to discover certain principles and tools that work regardless of faith. I believe that both therapy and EFT are tools like this that should be available for everyone's use. Click the link above about Gene Monterastelli to explore his website and learn about EFT. I encourage you to try it. You'll be amazed at how well it works to help remove negative emotions that are otherwise entrenched in your heart.<br />
<br />
Once we can remove the emotions of guilt and shame from the equation, a more intimate and fulfilling relationship with a loving God can be discovered. And really, isn't that a desirable outcome?<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-943287416590138102013-05-26T08:24:00.000-05:002013-05-26T08:24:02.059-05:00Memorial Day 2013<div class="MsoNormal">
You know who you are.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the first wave on the beach at Normandy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the tunnel rat who never spoke of the horrors you
saw at Cu Chi.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the Marine wounded in an engagement that was never
reported in the newspapers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the pilot shot down over enemy territory.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the prisoner of war who never broke under torture.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the sailor who was killed on the <i>USS Cole</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the officer who risked his life for his men.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the shell of a man dying alone in a VA hospital in the
middle of nowhere.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the one whose eyes fill with tears when you hear the
National Anthem.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the one who salutes Old Glory.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the one interred at Arlington.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the one who served with the men memorialized on a
black granite wall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the one who answered your country’s call to arms.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are the unheralded hero, the scorned veteran, the
unknown soldier.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You know who you are.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I honor you.</div>
Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-42464097175850025822013-04-12T16:59:00.000-05:002013-04-12T16:59:12.000-05:00Work in Progress<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I was born for sky and water<br />To gaze upon mountains from above<br />To play with raptors on the updraft<br />To rise beyond clouds into endless Sun's light<br />To bathe in the caressing heat of His touch<br />Or in the cold salt Sea, buoyed by Her tears<br /><br />I was born to dive into darkness<br />To find the denizens of the deep<br />Unknown, unexplained, unilluminated<br /><br />I was born for the glory of the heights<br />The wonders of the ocean's heavy night<br /><br />Do not tether me to mundane soil<br />Do not yoke me to plod well-worn paths<br />I am no mortal prisoner of gravity<br />Neither Earth nor Fire can bind me<br /><br />Seek me where the water meets the sky<br />Find me there and I will show you<br />The secrets of the curved horizon</i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">(c) 2013 Aeryn Dex</span></span>Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-1257331898530493582013-03-17T11:58:00.002-05:002013-03-17T11:59:09.203-05:00Happy St. Patrick's Day!<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I bind unto myself today</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The strong Name of the Trinity,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">By invocation of the same,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Three in One and One in Three.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I bind this day to me for ever.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">His baptism in the Jordan river;</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">His death on Cross for my salvation;</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">His bursting from the spicèd tomb;</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">His riding up the heavenly way;</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">His coming at the day of doom;</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I bind unto myself today.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I bind unto myself the power</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Of the great love of the cherubim;</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The service of the seraphim,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Confessors' faith, Apostles' word,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">All good deeds done unto the Lord,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">And purity of virgin souls.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I bind unto myself today</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The virtues of the starlit heaven,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The glorious sun's life-giving ray,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The whiteness of the moon at even,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The flashing of the lightning free,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The stable earth, the deep salt sea,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Around the old eternal rocks.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I bind unto myself today</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The power of God to hold and lead,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">His eye to watch, His might to stay,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">His ear to hearken to my need.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The wisdom of my God to teach,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">His hand to guide,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">His shield to ward,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The word of God to give me speech,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">His heavenly host to be my guard.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Against the demon snares of sin,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The vice that gives temptation force,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The natural lusts that war within,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The hostile men that mar my course;</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Or few or many, far or nigh,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">In every place and in all hours,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Against their fierce hostility,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I bind to me these holy powers.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Against all Satan's spells and wiles,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Against false words of heresy,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Against the knowledge that defiles,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Against the heart's idolatry,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Against the wizard's evil craft,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Against the death wound and the burning,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Christ be with me, Christ within me,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Christ behind me, Christ before me,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Christ beside me, Christ to win me,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Christ to comfort and restore me.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Christ beneath me, Christ above me,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Christ in hearts of all that love me,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I bind unto myself the Name,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The strong Name of the Trinity;</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">By invocation of the same.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Three in One, and One in Three,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Of Whom all nature hath creation,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Praise to the Lord of my salvation,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Salvation is of Christ the Lord.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">-- St. Patrick of Ireland</span>Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-37834670094023569402013-02-14T16:13:00.002-06:002013-02-14T16:13:41.263-06:00A bit of poetryI felt in the need of a bit of centering today, so I paraphrased a bunch of Scripture promises and mashed them all together. Here's the result:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I will wait upon the Lord and He will substitute His strength for my weakness.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He will give me eagle's wings and teach me to fly.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He will give me endurance to run the race set before me and not grow tired.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He will light the path of righteousness for me to walk and I will not grow faint.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I will trust in the Lord with all my heart, and acknowledge him in all my ways - physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually - and He will direct my steps.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The Lord knows what He plans for me. He will prosper me and not harm me.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He will provide for all my needs in accordance with the riches of his glory.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He will guard my heart with His peace.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He is preparing a place for me in His house, where I will live with Him forever.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">(c) Aeryn Dex 2013</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Feel free to share if you like it. </span>Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-882097199302145064.post-32198528433894027082013-02-13T06:58:00.003-06:002013-02-13T06:58:42.470-06:00A few thoughts . . .A friend of mine recently introduced me to the writings of Mark Batterson. Mr. Batterson is the pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. He has also written numerous books on living the Christian life. One of those books is <i>Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny</i>. Given the things that God is doing in my life right now, I picked up this book and have been amazed at the insight and helpful thoughts it contains. Here are a couple of quotations that I hope bless you as much as they have blessed me.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
[W]hat we think of as the goal isn't really the goal. The goal is <i>not </i>accomplishing the dream God has given to you. The dream is a secondary issue. The primary issue is w<i>ho you become in the process</i>. We fixate on <i>what </i>and <i>when </i>and <i>where</i>. God's primary concern is always <i>who</i>. And He won't get you where He wants you to go until you become who He wants you to be. ...</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Sometimes you have to die to the dream God has given you so that God can resurrect the dream in its glorified form. And by glorified form, I simply mean pursuing the dream for God's glory. When you stop living for selfish purposes, the pressure comes off. And that's when your destiny comes into focus. ...</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
No one likes to be embarrassed. In fact, we do everything within our power to avoid embarrassment at all costs. But we need to be embarrassed for the same reason we need to fail: it keeps us humble. And humility is the key to fulfilling our destiny. The longer I live and lead, the more convinced I am of this simple truth: God doesn't do what God does <i>because </i>of us. God does what God does<i> in spite</i> of us. All we have to do is stay out of the way. And the way we stay out of the way is by staying humble. If we stay humble, there is nothing God cannot do in us and through us. And nothing expands our capacity for humility like embarrassment. If handled properly, a healthy dose of embarrassment is good for us. Embarrassing moments are like spiritual antioxidants. They purge the ego of prideful impurities. ...</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Too many people live as if the purpose of life is to avoid embarrassment at all costs. They never put themselves in situations that might be awkward. So they forfeit joy. They never reveal who they really are. So they forfeit intimacy. They never take risks. So they forfeit opportunity.</blockquote>
I highly recommend this book if you are searching for your own divine destiny. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
Aeryn Dexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041359738548661361noreply@blogger.com0