Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Crushed Chocolate Bunny?

Christianity seems as fragile as a hollow Easter Bunny sometimes.

Why would an intelligent human being base their life on a religion started 2,000 years ago? A religion focused on the life and death of a man...a man who claimed to be God. And resurrection? Really?

Who can actually believe the stories in the Bible? A God who promises a horrifying eternity for those who won't accept His Son? A God who allowed Satan to ruin Job's life, just because Job was faithful and God had confidence that Job would remain that way.

What are those of us who believe in the Bible and in Jesus thinking? Are we thinking at all? Maybe we're the post-Easter clearance bunnies that finally sell at 90% off because we are missing two eyes, an ear and have a hole where our body should be.

Maybe.

Or maybe we know something non-believers don't.

I can only speak for myself. My experiences with Jesus are as personal and unique as my relationship with my husband.

Several years ago I was a nominal Christian, if that's possible, like being a little pregnant, I suppose. I believed, but only because I hoped...if that makes sense. I hoped it was true like a child hopes the Easter Bunny and friends are the real deal. An immature, lingering hunger for the slim chance of the reality of magic and miracles. Mostly because the reality that I saw and experienced every day wasn't at all magical or miraculous.

I wanted to believe that the chocolate bunnies were solid. And that money grew on trees and good people came out on top and bad people got theirs.

Finally, after life had left me (and by life I mean my choices and consequences as much as random acts of yuck) crushed I finally held my hands up in surrender. I had to make a choice, either blaming others and embracing cynicism, or giving God one last chance to give me reason to hope. I came to Him, just a pile of jagged chocolate slivers with two crooked googly eyes, and begged Him to help me.

The bizarre way He helped reminds me of His response to a broken Job. He asked me a question. No cynical ones, He didn't manifest in a cloud of smoke. A question that would never have come out of my thoughts swirled around in my head, and I knew. I knew that He would help me find the answer. Simple as that.

Then He began to rebuild me, using the truth in His words, His ancient and current promises, His love and His sacrifices for me. As each piece of chocolate melded to the next in His hands, with His tenderness, I began to feel whole. I didn't want to be hollow and fragile anymore. I wanted to have the inner strength that only comes from Him. Do I believe in God, His Bible and His Son? With every sliver, with every breath, I do. He has proven Himself to me. He doesn't work for me. I don't rub His head for good luck or kiss His feet for blessings. I know His plans toward me are good. Even if my circumstances aren't.

I used to struggle with trusting Him. I know how often I let people down. I also bear the scars of being let down. I have too much experience with the inner dark blot in each of us. I know what I'm capable of doing and what I've done, therefore, I know that every other person on this planet has that same capability to destroy. I didn't realize I believed that to be true about God as well. Until I read James 1:17. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

He's pure. He's honest. He doesn't play mind games. I don't always like what He says, but He's right.

So maybe my evidence and belief seems like shattered chocolate dregs to you. So ask Him to show you your tailor made evidence. As for me, His promises and blessings make me want to do the Bunny Hop...care to join me?

Serials and Scenarios - A Widget....Explained

The media likes to paint a pretty dismal picture of our future. Woe, woe, woe -- it is in the hands of today's teens. Sure. There are Brittanys and Lindsays...but haven't there always been young people who set out to self-destruct?

I've seen and heard some of the "other" kids who are growing into adults and will be voting, serving our country and parenting yet another generation.

At the Iowa caucus I attended I was shocked at the number of late teens and twenty-somethings who turned out in droves to support their candidates.

My children floor me almost daily with their mature choices and selfless behavior. Our son will teach high school in a few short months after putting himself through college, our daughter is in church leadership, our youngest volunteers at a hospital.

Iraq is full of young men and women are willing to give up their lives for a cause they believe in....freedom.

So I'm not willing to buy the hopeless message.

The Do the Hard Thing widget (panel left and above) will take you to a website that will introduce you to two other very impressive teens. A friend, Callie, and I will be back in a few weeks to talk about their book, but go check it out now...

Scribbles and Scrambles - Anyway

Here's another song. Apparently I haven't vented my music spleen enough yet. (Ooh, phrase origins...I love looking into the history of common phrases. I imagine that spleen venting has a horrid beginning. I'll let you know what I find.)

On one level this song carries the feel good lightweight "aw sweet" feeling of an e-mail forward. I hate it when forwards bring a tear to my eye... I feel worked over and make it a point to put on cynicism when reading one.

I'm not a big fan of country music either. But these words almost define the act of living. How many times have you struggled with doing the right thing especially when it seems no one cares? My thoughts and hopes can't be summed up in a simple song, but sometimes I need a simple reminder of the example I follow. Jesus, His attitude and heart laid out there in simple words set to music.

Difficult times? Hang on anyway. Faith, hope and love -- anyway.

Anyway

You can spend your whole life building something from nothing

One storm can come and blow it all away

Build it anyway

You can chase a dream that seems so out of reach and you know it might not ever come your way

Dream it anyway

Chorus:

God is great, but sometimes life ain’t good

And when I pray it doesn’t always turn out like I think it should

But I do it anyway, I do it anyway

This world’s gone crazy and it’s hard to believe that tomorrow will be better than today

Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all your heart, for all the right reasons, and in a moment they can choose to walk away

Love ‘em anyway

You can pour your soul out singing a song you believe in that tomorrow they’ll forget you ever sang

Sing it anyway, sing it anyway

I sing, I dream, I love, anyway

Scribble and Scrambles - So I've Been Thinking....

Don't know why but I've really been aware of song lyrics lately.

It might be because I've seen one too many musicals in the past few weeks.

Now, if you are a musical fan, don't start booing and hissing. Even rabid fans have to admit that not all songs from musicals are "Dream the Impossible Dream." Right?

Some are just really lame dialogue set to music.

On the flip side, simplistic thoughts can become profound when set to the right music.

Example: Coldplay's The Scientist...as a poem it works, simple thoughts, some truth to chew on, but set to the music the words almost haunt. One of my favorites, Peter Gabriel's "The Book of Love" too true, and so simple.

Digging even deeper...I wonder about my own use of words. The more I say, the more I muddy the water. The more flowery and profound I try to be in my writing the more layers I add and the more basic truth I cover with fluff and smoke.

Good ending spot, eh what?

Scribble and Scrambles - Top O' the Birthday

...twenty-five

...a quarter of a century

...a dozen eggs plus a baker's dozen donuts

...my son

...the number of zoos we've probably visited in his lifetime

...the number of hours I was in labor (okay, not actual labor....but close)

...percent of my hair is gray (8 percent attributed to him)

...reasons I love him

...reasons I'm proud of him

...one-liners, inside jokes and laughs involving him that sneak up on me and bring me a smile.

...candles

Happy Birthday son of mine. First born male who rode the wave of his parent's dysfunction and survived. Dad and I are so proud of the young man you've become.

You've added color, sound and fragrance (mixed blessing) to our lives. Thank you for being such an incredible guinea pig and all around fabulous first child.

"May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you In the palm of his hand."

Serials and Scenarios - How to Get Your Husband to Listen

I told ya'll that this was a big book week. Whoee. And I did it. Don't even ask me about the state of my laundry room. : ).

I kind of get into the marriage and family books, so when I was offered a chance to read this over, I jumped on it. I didn't expect to find so many takeaways.

You can read a bit more about the authors at Novel Journey (3-14-08) if you'd like.

My Review:

Do you struggle in your marriage? Maybe your husband makes no sense whatsoever to you, almost like he not only speaks a different language but he also doesn't speak any known tongue. Not only that, what you say meets with a large wall or a huge glistening iceberg, no way over it, under it or around it so you are forced to fire up the wrecking ball and go through it, just to get your point across. If this sounds even remotely like your marriage AND if you want to fix it, make it better or change it, then get this book.

Ladies, this book will step on your toes and go against your survival instincts. But, if you are willing to make some changes, you could have the marriage you've always wanted but have given up on.

Cobb and Grigsby deliver hard-hitting advice and facts that go against all the fairytale drama we've come to embrace as reality. But what they offer is a set of blueprints to real love and communication to counteract the shadow of romantic notion and mountains of frustration. The authors have lived where their readers reside. They've struggled and learned and are willing to pass along the keys to communication and a healthy marriage.

The only women who should not read this book are those who embrace the philosophy that others must change and bow to her will or a relationship isn't even worth her time. That's a lonely road. My Way or the Highway is a lonely road, and if you are on it, then don't even crack the cover because the advice and wisdom within will be nonsense to you. If you think the Bible or God is a bunch of dusty, old-fashioned hogwash, ditto, don't even go there because this book will do nothing but frustrate you.

But, if you are sick and tired of being sick and tired in the most valuable and important relationship on the earth...if you are open to making changes because your marriage is worth it...if you are willing to put selfishness aside and do what's best for your marriage, then invest the $14.95 in this book. For just a little more than the cost of a movie and fast food dinner for one and you might find the key that will help you continue to be part of a duo til death do you part.

Or if you are looking for Mr. Right or engaged, check it out. The authors tell the truth about the most intimate and challenging of relationships. What you learn now may save your future marriage before it starts to stink.

I don't know if I would have been open to the wisdom from Cobb and Grigsby during my dark days of marriage. When I gave up wanting to manipulate and play the same games...when I was sick and tired of myself and the way I treated my husband and the way he treated me, this book would have given me much of the truth I needed that I ended up learning the hard way.

Question: Do you know a definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Question: Is the same old, same old in your marriage insane because it's not going to change until you do? And do you want to remain there? If not, borrow or buy this book.

Serials and Scenarios - Sweet Caroline

Rachel Hauck has been here before. Click here to read it.


My review:

Sweet read.

Hauck is an honest and engaging author who creates living, breathing blemished characters and who is quickly moving up on my favorite author list.

Chick-lit lovers, low country fans and quirky character collectors should find much to love in Caroline's journey throughout the pages of this novel.

I do hope that Sweet Caroline is just the beginning of a long, long series. There is another book in Caroline, at least one in Hazel and who knows how many in Elle.

Keep 'em coming, Rachel.