What I Believe Doesn't Matter

 

Old Christian Saying:

 

"God says it

I believe it

That settles it"

 

 

 

 

Revised version:

 

"God says it ...

 

 

... THAT SETTLES IT ! "

 

 

Any questions? Love Laura-Lee

Coming Out of Red John Part 4

In "The Coming Out of "RED JOHN" Part 3" post, I made predictions as to what would happen on "The Mentalist" in the next year or two. After watching the 100th episode on Sunday night, you should know I'm on the right track.

Remember a previous episode in which Jane helped a former friend and it ended up that she was a Psychiatrist? They made a couple of vague insinuations that Jane had been a mental patient. Then the topic was dropped.

I've told you that they are going to start making you think that several people from the CBI could be Red John or at least an accomplice. But I predicted the writers would point to the possibility that Patrick Jane IS Red John! Well, here come all the episodes which will continue to explore him as a psychopath.

But remember what I said? It's a smoke screen.

Please read Part 3 , which has all my main predictions, before commenting on this post.

I can also guarantee that FBI Agent Susan Darcy is NOT a RED JOHN accomplice. But after falling romantically for Jane, she will be killed by RED JOHN. Or will it be Patrick that kills her? ;-)

Round and round and round the writers will spin you. (Like a record round, round, round)

A "Witch's Invitation" for Halloween

I stopped celebrating Halloween many years ago. Right around the time I became too old to go "trick or treating" from door to door, I also became a Born-Again Christian.

 

Now, in truth, dressing up in costumes and having a good time is something a person never really grows out of, so there is always a "tug" on my emotions around this time of year. I have a vivid imagination, can always think of a great costume and I'm never too old for a party.

 

Of course, this time of year also brings out certain songs, depending on what generation you belong too.

 

Those of us who grew up in the 1980's immediately think of  "Thriller" by Michael Jackson.

 

Those of us even older (not me of course) think of  "The Monster Mash". Both 'classics' in their own right.

 

But when I think of Halloween, one song rises above the rest. AND the great part of it, is it can slip by my Christian conscience, so I can still enjoy it.

 

So for those of you who have never had one before, I give to you now a "Witch's Invitation."

 

With deep sincerity, Laura-Lee

 

"Witch's Invitation" by Carman

 

 

 

And if that video "left you hanging", then you should rap it up with some good news.

 

 

"THE COURT ROOM" Video

 

 

 

 

Now this is the best way to celebrate "Halloween". Make sure your name is written in "The Book"

REVIEW: "GRACE" by Max Lucado

Heather and her father, Kyle, were both doctors doing missionary work among AIDS patients in Zimbabwe. When Heather’s father became very ill she finally convinced him to get on a plane back to America for treatment. She went along to care for him on the trip and became very ill herself while on the plane. Soon she had to rush to the on board washroom where she began to vomit profusely, while her father remained in his seat with a 104.5 fever. From where she lay on the floor in the airplane washroom, Heather prayed to God for help. At some point she was found in the washroom and both her and her father were attended to by the 100 doctors who also happened to be on that plane!

With stories like that and many others, Max Lucado reveals to us God’s luxurious Grace in his new book, “Grace: More Than We Deserve; Greater Than We Imagine”.

In a world where the meaning of Grace can be easily misunderstood or even twisted to the point of being unrecognizable, Lucado explains the difference between the human version of Grace, which usually involves strings attached or the idea of earning God’s favour, and God’s idea of real grace.
“Grace is simply another word for God’s tumbling, rumbling reservoir of strength and protection. It comes at us not occasionally or miserly but constantly and aggressively, wave upon wave.” (page 99)

Lucado goes even farther back to explain why we need Grace in the first place. We, as humans, are riddled with sin which “is not a regrettable lapse or an occasional stumble. Sin stages a coup against God’s regime. Sin storms the castle, lays claim to God’s throne, and defies his authority.” (page 34)

In order to rid ourselves of our entrenched sin we often think we can win God’s favour, just as a boy scout wins his merit badges. But if we “[make] the assumption that God rates on the merit system” then “some thorny questions surfaced. If God saves good people, how good is ‘good’?” (page 46 – excerpts)

I became familiar with the writing of Max Lucado about 20 years ago when I first read his book, “God Came Near”. Through the years I have read 9 more of the more than 60 books Max has authored. I refer to him as “The Point Man” because he weaves together anecdotes, human interest, jokes, current events and Bible stories in an almost seamless way in order to meld emotion, common sense and theology into a sharp point. I was expecting more of the same with this book and was not disappointed.

Even though his writing skills have continued to grow I do have a few reservations about “Grace”. It seems to me that grace has three sides to it. All of them in perfect balance. Max discusses it’s cost and it’s results but there is little emphasis or practical advice on how to pass it on.  As is the case with most things of God, we learn the most, get to the heart of the matter, and find their greatest power in the sharing of them. Max briefly discusses this in chapter 9 by encouraging us to be “generous” and “forgiving” and a “Billboard of God’s mercy” (page 166), but fails to delve into it much deeper or give practical advice on exactly how to live grace out on a daily basis. 

He also discusses the “cost of grace” and the fact that grace was paid for by Jesus on the cross. Through an enhanced story of Barabbas, Max Lucado demonstrates that Jesus was sinless and died for each of us personally. But I wonder if a person can truly understand the massive cost of grace without identifying with our Heavenly Father who allowed his only Son to be murdered in order to purchase that grace for us? Max excels at showing different points of view, yet he misses out on helping us view things from God’s view. The view of a Parent, sacrificing one innocent, beloved Child for the sake of a rebellious, evil one.

 As Max puts it,

“ ‘Cheap grace’  comes from misunderstanding the enormity of the sacrifice.” (page 169) AND

“The gift is the Giver.” (page 150) [emphasis mine]

I am also concerned with Lucado’s use of so many different translations of the Bible. He seems to use whatever version of the Bible best suits his immediate purpose. Whether it be NIV or The Message, he used whatever version best made his point. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can be the first step down a slippery slope to slanting the Scriptures to mean what what we want, instead of us wanting to get to what they mean.

At the end of “GRACE: More Than We Deserve; Greater Than We Imagine” the book is further enhanced by a “Reader’s Guide” written by Kate Etue. It reviews each chapter with sections entitled, “Scripture Review” (which gives further Bible verses on the topic), “Ask” (which poses probing questions), and “Call on God” (which aids in beginning a conversation with the Lord).

Kate Etue picks some very pertinent Bible verses and her sincere way of starting us in a personal prayer time is both insightful and eloquent. However, I feel slightly manipulated by some of the questions in the “Ask” sections. As if I am being routed into conclusions and assumptions that I am might not come to on my own.

For Example: The question is asked,

“How is spiritual rest a holy assignment?”

When perhaps it should be phrased,

“Do you think spiritual rest is a holy assignment? If so, how?”

Yet, who am I to question the opinions of Cal Thomas (USA Today columnist), Sheila Walsh (author, speaker and singer), Colt McCoy (NFL Quarterback), Mandisa (American Idol singer) and the other 18 people who spend the first 4 pages of this book singing it’s praises?

In conclusion, I must admit that I always enjoy a book by Max Lucado, including this one. He is honest, refreshing and very funny. His topics are both timely and necessary and I feel encouraged by what he has to say. I can most definitely recommend “GRACE: More Than We Deserve; Greater Than We Imagine” as a good read and a welcome addition to my home library (because I will want to read it again).
 
Or as Max says, “ I know we shouldn’t complain. But, honestly, when someone hands you a bar of hotel soap and says, ‘This is for you',’ don’t you detect a lack of originality? But when a person gives a genuine gift, don’t you cherish the presence of affection? The hand-knit sweater, the photo album from last summer, the personalized poem, the Lucado book. Such gifts convince you that someone planned, prepared, saved and searched. Last minute decision? No, this gift was just for you.” (page 149)

I suppose the same thing applies to God’s grace too. Let us rest in the presence of his affection.

 I’m giving this book 8 out of 10 “Secret Christian Fishies".

 

 

For further information contact: 

Graf-Martin Communications Inc

 

 

HERE'S A VIDEO FROM MAX LUCADO HIMSELF

 

 

 

 

** NOTE: Please feel free to leave a comment. I would like to know what you think of this book AND the Review. (Remember. You can leave a comment Anonymously)

Close Enough to Spit and Hit It

"Grace", Counting Homeless People, Cyber-Bullying, Christmas, and "The Mentalist". All these things are coming up on my blogs. (My life has certainly become a very strange mix)


Here's what's coming up so close that you could spit and hit it:


1) Another book has arrived for me to read and review thanks to Graf-Martin Publishing.

"GRACE: More than we deserve; Greater than we imagine"

     by MAX LUCADO

 I am rushing through it as fast as possible.

 

2) They have just done the "Annual Homeless Count"  for Edmonton and I am in the middle of some research before I write an article about it.

 

 

3) I have been working on a post about Cyber Bullying  and, with the death of Amanda Todd in Port Coquitlam, I see that the Lord has me right on topic.

4) On a lighter note, Christmas is coming up and I've got some ideas that should be helpful on my crafting blog, "LOVE Expressed Through DOODLES".  Some decorating ideas but lots of card making ideas, which will be easy and fun to participate in with you and your kids.

5) On my blog, "The Bible and the Biz" I have made the claim that I have figured out the identity of "RED JOHN" who is the serial killer that drives the plot of the TV show, "The Mentalist". Because I cannot just blurt out the culprit, the 'nay-sayers' have started to come out of the wood-work and are challenging me to PROVE that I know his/her identity. So, we will see if I actually DO know. If I DO know, I should be able to predict where the show is going with both the "A Story" (Who is Red John), the "B Story" (Who is Patrick Jane), and the "C Story" (Who is everyone else).






SO, I better stop talking about it and get those things done.

In the mean time, I have noticed that many people are returning to my blogs to read the former posts. (Whew. I had no idea I had written that much and I have only begun to blab). I remind you that I LOVE comments and that you can leave a comment anonymously or with your Google Account. Either way, let me hear from you. (I already know what I'm thinking).

See you soon.
Love Laura-Lee

God Let Me Down – YUMMY !

If the Lord is the Lord of them

 

I joined Vancouver Christian Secondary School (VCSS) about 6 weeks into grade 8. Prior to that my family had been living in the Maillardville district of Coquitlam, British Columbia and it looked like there was no way that I would ever be able to go to a Christian school. During the summer we had seen an advertisement in the TV Guide for Christian Schools in the Lower Mainland. We were brand new Christians, but we put our faith in Jesus to the test and my family (me, my mother and my brother) started praying in earnest that God would find a way for me to go there.

Summer came and went and the new school year started. I had to start at my neighborhood high school and it was pretty obvious that God had completely let me down. But just when it looks like all hope is lost and there is no way that God is going to come through, He answers prayer in a way we would never guess.

In our case, our sleazy landlords rented the little house we were living in right out from under us. Mom was reading the newspaper and came across a Classified advertisement that seemed rather familiar. We all took a look and recognized the home up for rent was where we were currently living! The land lords were 'upping' the rent by $300 and the move-in date for the new tenants was only 2 weeks from that moment we saw the advertisement.
We desperately scrambled to find a new place to live, but very few home owners want to rent to a single mother with TWO teenagers. PLUS a dog. It looked like my little Maltese Poodle, Sweetie, might have to leave our family in order for us to find a place to live.
 
I had thought God let me down just because I couldn't go to a Christian School. Then, the rug got pulled completely out from under us and I was starting to question whether or not God even liked me.
But, within 1 more week, we had a new home (much, much nicer than the one we left) and my mother had been offered a new job with a promotion and pay raise.

The evening of "Move-Day" we were tired, dusty, surrounded by boxes and munching on Big Macs. Suddenly a thought hit me and I quickly got up from my dinner and went into my bedroom.
Mom discovered me about 5 minutes later with the top half of my body deeply submerged inside a very large box. When she asked, "What are you looking for?" I popped my red face out of the box and proclaimed, "I have it!"
In my hand was a map of the city and the little advertisement from the TV Guide listing the addresses of the Christian Schools. As my mother and brother joined me looking at the map, which was spread out on a kitchen counter I said, "I was just wondering if we are any nearer to a Christian School".
I discovered that we now lived only 1 mile away from Vancouver Christian Secondary School and since my mother had gotten a pay raise, we were able to afford the tuition.
That was the first of many times that I have eaten the words, " God let me down."

It says in the Bible, "But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:31-32)

Even when I was angry and hurling accusations at Him, Jesus was working out a surprise for me. I spent all the remaining days of high school at "Vancouver Christian Secondary School" which I graduated from in 1985.

In grade 12, about 3 weeks before we graduated, my class started a discussion about the first day I came to school. All those who had been attending the school when I first arrived remembered it (maybe because it also happened to be the day of a field trip). It was very interesting to hear what every one's opinion of me was on that first day. What I remember most about it was how terrified I was. I don't think anyone even knew how scared I was or how much they intimidated me. But as I sat there in grade 12, preparing to go out into the "real" world and hearing the views of what kind of person I had become, I knew it was greatly because of those who were surrounding me at that moment.

My Science teacher, Mr. Van Oosten, wrote in my last year book, "Blossom wherever you are planted". I've tried to do that, but I know I couldn't have even attempted it unless I had been accepted and loved throughout my high school years. The faith and strength of purpose I had was given to me by the other members of VCSS who had started as friends and somewhere through the years had became family.
 
On this Thanksgiving, I remember them with gratitude.

Thanks to all of you for creating a 5 year oasis that allowed me to rest and grow into who I was mean to be. You did it without judgement and by demonstrating Jesus' love to me EVERY day. You are the "Blessings" I count.

Love Always, Laura-Lee (Thanksgiving, 2012, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)

F.Y.I.: We didn't have to give up Sweetie, either. She lived with us to a ripe old age.

VCSS ALUMNI Twitter Page

Choosing the Right "ONE" to Marry

Meet Mr. and Mrs. RIGHT  CLOSE

This is a follow up on my other post: "Marriage: (at 10 years old)".


People often ask me "How do you know when he/she is the one to marry?" 

  I'm not sure why they ask me. I suppose I am getting older and therefore, people think, I'm wiser. But having lived several decades does allow you to see patterns. Especially in the way people behave. So, for those of you who want to know how to decide this very serious question of who to marry and when to marry them, here are my thoughts.

** If you don't care how you're dressed, who is at your wedding, what your ring looks like (or whether or not you even have one), if you will be going home to a hovel and you will have to be poor for the rest of your life and you still want to get married. And furthermore,  the mere sight of your beloved makes you want to run into their arms and you are thinking only one thing: "I am not good enough for this wonderful, amazing person", then I can say with some certainty that this probably the person for you.

  ("Perfect love casts out fear." - Book of: 1 John - The Bible)

** To the men: If you are proposing and you don't know whether your lady will give you a "yes" or a "no", then it is either too soon, or not the right person .

In describing LOVE, the first thing the Bible says is that, "Love is patient". If you don't know what the answer to your proposal will be, then you don't know that person well enough to be starting a life together.

 Whether or not you two should be married, is just the first in a million decisions you will have to make TOGETHER. If you aren't even on the same page as far as the "first" big decision is concerned, you are not ready to make any other ones yet. 

WHAT IS THE RUSH?!
 
I've always said: "The wedding ceremony should only be the final, public declaration of the commitment your heart has already made".
 
A piece of paper doesn't make you married and a piece of paper can't make you divorced.
Whether or not you cheat on your spouse has nothing to do with LOOKS or OPPORTUNITY. It's all about your level of commitment and if you have the character and self-discipline to follow through with your vows and promises.

BUT, if all this does work out: 1) you love the person, 2) they are right for you, 3) you are of one mind and heart, 4) you have made a lifetime commitment and 5) you have the guts to see it through and 6) the ability to love that person "NO MATTER WHAT", ...  then you have something that can change the world. Literally! A family that is bonded in love, obeying God and sacrificing for each other, is an UNSTOPPABLE FORCE and the rewards will be never ending.

                   

Bros Grimm Story: Old Man & Grandson

** I've had the privilege to spend the last dozen or so years in the company of many Senior Citizens. They are treated quite badly, many times by their own family.

I heard this story many years ago and it had a great impact on me and helped to bridge the generation gap between the elderly and myself. Maybe it will help you too. A little understanding can go a long way.

 

 

 

The Old Man and His Grandson

Image: The Old Man & His Grandson

 

There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth. His son and his son's wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it. And he used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears. Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke. The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed. Then they bought him a wooden bowl for a few half-pence, out of which he had to eat.
They were once sitting thus when the little grandson of four years old began to gather together some bits of wood upon the ground. "What are you doing there?" asked the father. "I am making a little trough," answered the child, "for father and mother to eat out of when I am big."

The man and his wife looked at each other for a while, and presently began to cry. Then they took the old grandfather to the table, and henceforth always let him eat with them, and likewise said nothing if he did spill a little of anything.

 

 

 

ORIGINAL SITE: The Old Man and His Grandson