Swine Flu: Do Not Do This

What You Really Should Do: Distract Yourself

For some great chuckles, find an audio copy of "The Screwtape Letters"* written by C.S. Lewis and read by John Cleese. You must experience Cleese's delivery.

Lesser men have attempted to enliven Lewis' brilliant work and well -- ahem...they're just not funny.

Has anyone else heard this version of "The Screwtape Letters?"

Also, this might help:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Excerpt from a missive written by Paul to the Philippians 4:6-7) (Man, he was one smart dude.)

Oh, and remember to wash your hands.

You are in my frazzled-but-lovin'-it prayers today. xoxoxox, Cheeky

*This "purely for example" link may not lead you to best price for "Screwtape" audio copy but it's safe. The cover looks kinda scary but it really is funny. Click link to see what I'm talkin' about: http://www.amazon.com/Screwtape-Letters-Anniversary-C-Lewis/dp/1574532618/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241082949&sr=8-4

Age of Good Intentions

I think they (the people who name things) should reconsider the term “middle age.”

Really, it should be called the “Age of Good Intentions” because that’s what the middle years are full of. Besides, some of us - I mean, "people" hate that term.

As parents of young children and children of aging parents, we are constantly stretched Pokey/Gumby-style 20 different directions.

This past week I stole some time out of my others-centered schedule to dine with dear friends. While we gathered over cocktails and a delectable family style dinner, one friend offered, “I meant to pick up three belated birthday cards and give them to you guys.” We went, “Awwwhhhh…that’s so sweet.” She thought of us.

Another friend told me, "I meant to pick up a style book for you." I don’t remember if I actually said “Awwwhhh,” (probably not, I’m kind of rude that way) but I did think it.

I've intended to be a better friend to all of them every day for the past 25 years.

You know what? I'm glad we’re finally old enough to believe what Mom has said all along. It really is “the thought that counts.”

In this hot mess of middle life, the fact that we enter each other’s minds at all is a gift. We might be too busy or forgetful to follow through, but our good intentions for one another are good enough. Great, in fact. It’s wonderful to simply be thought of.

So ladies, thanks for your good intentions; in return I give you mine.

Just a heads-up -- when we’re 80, the kids are gone, and our money is our own once again, I’ll be expecting some stellar gifts.

Have a beautiful Saturday, ladies. I’m off to volunteer for Compassion International.

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ “ (Matthew 19:14).

If you want to know more about Compassion International, click on the link somewhere over that way -->.

You are in my prayers! xoxo, Cheeks

Susan Boyle: Scotland's Beautiful Church Lady

Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent
by dwarthy

Sin Series: Leaders and Sin

Cheeky here to summarize what we've learned this week:

1. Sin is Sin, all can be redeemed except if you quit caring altogether about redemption anyway.
2. There is not simply a list of "Deep Doo-Doo Sins" we should avoid. All sin should be avoided.
3. Paul and a bunch of other really smart important people in the Bible sinned.
4. There was one perfect person and that was Jesus Christ.
5. The goal for us poor Earthly schmucks is to seek redemption, aim for righteousness, but not expect perfection in ourselves or others.

Did I get that right?

The question I have for you today is:

In Romans 7:14-25 is Paul saying that he, the Great Apostle, author of a huge portion of the New Testament, struggled with sin even as he advanced one of the greatest Christian ministries of all time?

If so, where do we get the ideas that today's Christian leaders (e.g., pastors, etc.) should step down if they commit an especially public sin like say, just for example, divorce?

Is that a Biblical teaching or a man-made addition?

Anyone know?

I'm meeting with a pastor later today so I may know more tomorrow (about the role of Christian leaders and certain kinds of sins - but also just in general. He's a really smart guy. He's also gonna help me back-up my PC. Please still back-up my PC, BP :)

You are in my prayers today as always. Thanks for reading! xoxox, Cheeks

What a Wretched Man I Am!

Do you recognize this line?

These are Paul's words to the Romans (verse 7:24).

-NOTE: this is the third in a series on "Sin" that began on Sunday 4/19 and will conclude tomorrow. (Unless you tell me you want me to continue blathering on about it. YOU decide.) Did I mention you can leave comments at any time?-

There’s a whole section in Chapter 7 of Romans titled, "Struggling with Sin." In my Bible, half the portion is underlined.

I might have saved time by circling the entire page with pink highlighter, starring the margins, and drawing huge messy arrows pointing toward Romans 7:14-25.

I posted Romans 7:18-20 on Sunday. Romans 7:14-17 is more of the same great stuff (though not as detailed as I'd like it to be).

Here is the text of Romans 7:21-25a:

"...When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Based on your comments from the other day, most of you have already glommed on to the “through Jesus Christ our Lord!” part. This is Good News! It kinda screwed up the series I had planned for the week but I’m flexible.

When I first read Romans 7:14-25, I thought, "This is awesome!" I love when the disciples admit to this kind of stuff. I also thought, "surely these sins are of the charming, innocuous variety."

If there is such a thing.

Help me out here, ladies. I'm really not trying to drag Paul into the gutter with the rest of us (OK, me).

But since I started pondering sins (as opposed to simply committing them) I have wondered -- what could Paul be referring to?

Does anyone know?

We are All in the Gutter

...but some of us are looking at the stars. - Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan, 1892, Act III

**************************************************

Good news. You guys aren't nearly as uptight about sin as I thought you might be.

Yesterday, we pretty much affirmed what Oscar Wilde wrote in 1892.

It was great to hear from you yesterday. The chance to share our perspectives is the real power of the blog. I hope you continue to chime in.

More on one of my favorite topics tomorrow. The continuation of...The Sin Series. I'll wrap it up in time for Friday.

You are in my prayers, beautiful ladies (and two gentlemen). Thanks for reading. xoxo, Cheeky

Deep Doo-Doo Sins

This week we're gonna talk about sin. If you know any authorities on this topic, please invite them to join us. Biblical authorities are welcome, too.

The thing about sin is...well, it's just so darn interesting. It's a universal phenomenon. Yet even within Christianity, our perspectives vary widely depending on denomination (and for me, time of month).

I don't remember Jesus ranking sins from Bad to Worst. Or even categorizing them: "Kinda Bad but I’ll Let it Fly," "Worse but Still Marginal," and "Man, You are in Deep Doo-Doo."

There is one sin that is differentiated from others in the New Testament. From Hebrews 6:4-6:

“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.”

The first time I heard this passage I thought it was pretty harsh. Then I shrugged my shoulders, raised my eyebrows, and thought, "That's cool." Because so far, at least, it hasn’t applied to me. There are times when my sins separate me from God but I've never disavowed His existence altogether.

How do you interpret this passage, ladies? Is this the “one sin” worse than all others? Does your denomination describe some sins as worse than others?

Today I pray that the Lord open our minds and pour in His wisdom. I also pray (sheepishly) that He put your hands on the keyboard and allow you to steal a few moments to join in this discussion.

I know that last part is selfish. Thank Him God’s grace is infinite. Now I have to pray for forgiveness. Again.

Bless you beautiful ladies. xoxoxo, Cheeky

Romans 7:18-20

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. (The Apostle Paul, Romans 7:18-20)

Psalm 23

A beautiful friend’s Stepmother is dying; neither she nor her stepmom are afraid. Yesterday, over egg scrambles and bacon, my friend spoke of the comfort Psalm 23 has brought them.

The love and grace of God are evident in this ending. I know this is not always so.

It was not the case for me when my father died. He left us quickly. And for my needs: too soon. We did not discuss where he was going.

I'll never know if he would have found comfort in this. But today I do. I hope you do, too.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.” (Psalm 23, a psalm of David.)

Today when I pray for all of you, I include special prayers for those of you who are facing or grieving the loss of a loved one.

I know that someday, my faith will be tested with a loss that shatters. I hope when this storm comes, I am as strong and graceful as my friend is today. I don’t know that I will be.

I do know that when that time comes I will be thankful, as always, for her beautiful, bright church lady presence in my life.

Bless you Beautiful Ladies! Thank you for brightening this world with your church lady love.
xoxox, Cheeky

Stephen Colbert: Love at First Sight

A wonderful thing happened while my children were frolicking in Mexico with their other Mother during Spring Break. I discovered Stephen Colbert.

For six nights I slept in a friend's spare room because I don’t like being home alone in the dark. As if my kids somehow protect me when they're here?

Being in the company of good friends distracted me from thoughts of drug-addled thugs targeting my children. And BONUS: my friends have cable TV.

I needed laughter more than ever that week, so we watched a lot of Comedy Central. This is how I came to know and love Stephen Colbert.

By his own frequent admission, he is majestically handsome. His TV persona is so over-the-top, I have to be in a good mood to enjoy it. But most days, I find him wicked funny.

Colbert is also a committed Christian. The Washington Times weblogs had this to say about his show:

"Much of the religious content in Mr. Colbert's show is often portrayed through a lens of irony. 'What is worthy of satire is the misuse of religion for destructive or political gains,' he [Colbert] said. 'That's totally different from the Word, the blood, the body and the Christ. His kingdom is not of this earth.' " (Click here to see full text.)

"The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:17.

Here on Earth, I know I’ll never meet Stephen Colbert. But I do plan to hang with him in Heaven. Between my many tennis matches with Serena Williams. Which I plan to always win.

Colbert's interview with Bart Ehrman, April 9, 2009, is brilliant! He allows Ehrman (an atheist) to promote his book while Colbert simultaneously advances the cause of Christ. If you're in the mood for satire today, check it out:
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/224128/april-09-2009/bart-ehrman

What do you think about Stephen Colbert?

Happy Friday, ladies!! You are in my prayers.
xoxox,
Cheeky

One Tip, Not 485

I received the current issue of "Woman’s Day" this week. The top article is "485 Tips to Live Well Every Day."

485? Are you freakin’ kidding me? While you’re at it, why not 62,700,587?

As soon as I saw this, the entire issue became the antithesis of "Playboy" for men. It will be something I read "only for the pictures."

I figure if you have time to read 485 Tips to Live Well, you’re livin’ pretty well already. At the very least you have a cleaning lady, personal trainer, a life coach, and a nanny. Possibly you have a live-in maid, personal chef, and a full-time masseur named Clint.

For the rest of us poor slobs, Jesus has 1 Tip to Live Well. It’s called the 2nd part of the Greatest Commandment or one of the most commonly quoted, misunderstood, and deceivingly simple statements ever.

Citing Leviticus 19:18 during one of the many times he patiently endured questioning (Matthew 22:39), Jesus says,

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

As a semi-humble servant of Christ I suggest you start with the "self" part.

Have a beautiful day, ladies! You are in my prayers today.
xox,
Cheeky

Must. Do. Taxes.

I don't really even like worms. Especially not for breakfast. This is a good thing because I am NEVER the "early bird" when it comes to taxes.

Today with God's benevolent blessing I will finish my taxes. (I don't really think He blesses taxes. But I'll always take His blessing.)

As Paul wrote to the Romans,

“Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Romans 13:7

This guy doesn’t let us off the hook on anything, does he?

Anybody else wait until today to do their taxes?

Thanks for visiting. You’re in my brief, unintelligible, but well-intentioned prayers today.

xox,
Cheeky

Mel Gibson's Divorce

Last night, while investigating whether I could implement buzz.yahoo.com on this blog I came across this headline:

Mel Gibson's Wife Files for Divorce in LA (AP)
http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.ap.org/mel-gibsons-wife-files-divorce-la-ap

I felt sorry and surprised to hear this. Yes, I know I'm hopelessly behind the times. The thing is -- I actually hate this kind of thing.

Yesterday, following the text of the article, yahoo displayed a comments section where people debated whether Robyn should really leave Mel, how much money she'll get, whether he's a whack job...all sorts of nasty uglies. The comments are what really disturbed me.

The practice of strangers weighing in on whether someone has justifiably filed for divorce brings out the worst in us. And -- it ALWAYS hurts the children.

Why do total strangers feel they have a right to stand as judge and jury when any poor slob gets divorced, public figure or no?

What do you think?

If anyone has a scripture they can relate to this, please share.
Always xox, Cheeky

Aren't You the Gardener?

John 20:11-18 cracks me up. Maybe you've seen or heard this passage recently?

But Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"

"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."

Jesus said to her, "Mary."

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).
Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.

There are a lot of things I love about this scripture.

My favorite thing (this moment) is Mary's reaction to Jesus. Yesterday, when I read it, I shook my head in recognition and chuckled.

If I was Mary, I would have been concerned, certainly, but also peeved. Because after all, I would have just gone to the time and expense of preparing annointing spices. And I might have actually remembered to bring them with me to the tomb.

My reaction to Jesus probably would have been, "Excuse me sir, but aren't you the gardener?" in my Minnesota-polite-but-not-actually-nice way. I'm embarrassed just thinking about it.

What is your favorite part?
I hope you had a blessed Easter! xoxox, Cheeky

Luke 24:1-8

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " Then they remembered his words. (Luke 24:1-8)

The Passion of the Christ

Have you seen this movie? I've heard some people watch it every year around this time.

I haven't seen it since soon after its release in 2004. My reaction was mixed and intense.

I remember thinking, "This is sensationalism." I was repelled, "I wish they hadn't shown that." I questioned some of the details.

Yet I cried (bawled) through most of the movie. I was deeply humbled and aggrieved. "I can't believe what Jesus went through for us" was a frequent gut-wrenching thought.

One scene in particular seared my heart.

After Jesus utters “It is finished” (John 19:30) they show his mother's reaction to his death. The sorrow in her eyes is positively haunting. I didn’t want to look at her, as if this was a private moment to which I shouldn’t be privy. Yet the agony she conveyed was so gripping I could not look away.

That’s when I really lost it.

I was heavy with guilt and sorrow for a few days after that. Now when I think of how Jesus suffered, I often think of Mary as well. Thanks a lot, Mel Gibson! Seriously.

Do you think about it much? If you've seen the movie, please share your impressions.
xox, Cheeky

Humble TRIUMPHAL Entry

During his time on Earth, Jesus demonstrated humility in many ways. I find this terribly fascinating.

These days, if someone with real power acts humble I think, "What kind of ponzi scheme is this person running, anyway?"

If I was a world leader with power and prestige, instead of home leader with powerful morning breath, I'd be tempted to demonstrate that power (which I would hold so dear) pretty much every chance I got.

Is this true for you?

Let's take Palm Sunday for example. When Jesus is preparing for his Triumphal Entry into Bethlehem, he says to his disciples:

"Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' " Mark 11:2-3

His disciples fetch the colt and throw some cloaks on it. Jesus hops on and rides into town over the cloaks and branches his followers have spread on the road. You know the story.

I’m thankful that we serve a Lord so renowned that throngs of people gathered to greet him as he rode into Jerusalem that day.

I’m amazed that this incredibly powerful man requested a simple, humble, colt. It’s hard to fathom doing the same.

What would you have requested?

I pray that the great and mighty, humble and kind servant we call Jesus be with you today.
xox,
Cheeky

Love, Love, Love

Jesus' words from John 13:34-35:

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

I pray that the Lord make his love palpable to you today; that he fortify you with his incredible strength. Keep runnin' the good race, beautiful church ladies and gentlemen. You inspire me.

xox, Cheeky

Gay Marriage Hits Heartland

I heard about the recent ruling ending the ban of gay marriage in Iowa while semi-listening to National Public Radio in the middle of the heartland.

I was washing dishes, enjoying the happy sounds of my two children puttering about, my winter-worn hands sporting yellow dishwashing gloves. Engaged in the everyday life of your average liberal-evangelical-house-divorcee, I was contentedly bumbling along in my regular-old thoroughly-heterosexual-female way.

This unexpected news filled me with inexplicable hope, anticipation, and a kind of joy. It felt like the beginning of a new adventure.

As living proof that heterosexuals don't have the whole marriage thing figured out I have hope that perhaps homosexuals will fare better. I don't believe marriage is for everyone; I can't recommend it for every soul on the planet. But I wholeheartedly recommend the gay people I know.

I wish for them what I wish for all my friends: love, peace, the joy that comes from knowing you are loved (unfailingly by God, preferably also by some humans). A few really great pairs of shoes, laughter every day, a roof over their head, and some darn good chocolate.

When gay marriage hit the coasts, the issue briefly came up during one of my Bible study classes. It was an uncomfortable, unedifying discussion (soliloquy). I heard snippets about the legal wrangling over gay marriage on the news and NPR. This impacted my life for a total of 2.79 seconds.

But when the issue landed in Iowa I was motivated to do a little research. This could affect some people I know and love.

I began with the Old Testament. I didn't even have to open the book; I know there were all kinds of crazy things happening in those marriages. I thought of King David and Bathsheba, Abraham and Hagar. Clearly the Old Testament isn’t going to clear up issues surrounding gay marriage in the 21st Century. At least not for me.

I turned to my favorite book in the world (truly): the New Testament. I wondered, what did Jesus say on this topic?

Some Pharisees came to him [Jesus] to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?"

"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

"Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?"

Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."

The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."

Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Matthew 19:3-12 (New International Version), http://www.biblegateway.com

That didn’t help much either. So I consulted the “Focus on the Family” website. I found an article by Dr. James C. Dobson entitled “Eleven Arguments Against Same-Sex Marriage” (The full article has since been removed from Focus's web site. The condensed version I linked to above is all that is currently available.) (Probably because it was really, truly THAT BAD.)

Reading Dobson's rambling article jazzed me up like a week's worth of Starbucks. And not in a good way.

Now I’m just frightened. Not of gay marriage. Of Dr. Dobson.

Ladies and gentlemen, what do you think of all this?

Today I pray for wisdom and guidance, for patience and understanding, for tolerance, for strength, for discernment....and even though you may think I'm a heathen for disagreeing with Dr. Dobson, I pray all these things for you as well. May the Lord bless your day.

And now I've gotta go do some dishes. This time maybe I'll listen to my iPod instead of NPR.
xoxoxo,
Cheeky

Psalm 30:4-5

"Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning."

"Bible Lady?"

Someone called me a “Bible Lady” yesterday. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

When she said it, an image of a judgmental middle aged woman with tall hair and angry eyebrows flashed through my mind. You know, the one who looks down her nose at you and won’t move over to make room in the pew.

I know that’s not how my friend sees me. Mostly because I don't have tall hair. I wondered: why is this what I pictured?

I’ve pondered it. Believe me. I guess it’s because I’m concerned about how some people employ the Bible. They use it to bash each other over the head.

As Paul wrote to the Romans in the earliest days of the church, “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.” Romans 14:13. They were squabbling mostly about what to eat and how to act on Sundays.

Some things never change.

I know another thing that never changes: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.

I pray that the Lord will wrap you in His loving arms today. Thanks for reading.
xoxox,
Cheeky