[Religion question: What am I?]

Well, as a poor dumb lost soul who was christened Catholic, raised flaming Southern Baptist, and was confirmed 4 years ago as an LCMS Lutheran, I give you the following possibilities:

 

A) United Church of Christ (based on the inclusiveness of the linked church and the whole social justice tab)

 

B) Liberal Methodist or Presbyterian. Forgive me for not knowing the various flavors of Presbyterianism. I've not had much experience with them. Someone much more knowledgeable can give you the specific letters.

 

C) ELCA Lutheran. Non-literal Bible translation, accepting of homosexual clergy, crunchy-ish.

 

Welcome to Jesus! I'm so happy for you!

[How to fashionably wear jeans in the winter?]

I live in cold-weather country. I finally broke down and purchased Uggs-real Uggs. I've had mine for 3 years and they are still going strong. Yes, they are expensive, but they are so much warmer than my dd's Bearpaws. I've had three kids and was "blessed" with child-birthing hips. I still look good (ish) when I tuck my jeans into my Uggs. I hated spending the money, but gosh do I thank God for my own personal foot/leg warmers. When the snow piles up on the prairie, I resort to my insulated LL Bean snow boots. And if you are just morally opposed to tucking jeans into boots, Target sells Cuddle Duds (lady long johns). Those things will keep you warm and toasty, despite the shoes you wear.

[when you and your husband disagree...]

i didn't mean to be flippant, my wife really IS always right, in spite of my many fruitless attempts to show otherwise!

 

Very, very smart man. You are now my new favorite poster. Your intellect is astounding.

[when you and your husband disagree...]

i didn't read the question but i don't need to: my wife is always right.

 

did i mention i've been happily married over 40 years?

 

You are a very smart man.:lol:

 

 

 

Bless you dh's heart. Dh and I have a 100%/100% marriage. we both give our all. I do not insist upon him doing things he does not want to do, and he does the same for me. I'm not his momma, and he's not my father. If he seriously wanted me to get up at 4:20am every morning to fix his lunch, knowing very well I am not even kinda a morning person, I would bless his poor dumb heart. I would try to fix leftovers for him the night before. Of course, dh is a realistic, smart man and would never ask that of me.

 

You are not his maid or his momma. You are his life partner.

[Why would a child who appears to eat well not gain weight?]

Can diabetes just pop up though? I know he had complete work ups before and immediately after his surgery.

 

I really don't know. From my anecdotal experience with other parents, it does sometimes seem to just "pop up", mostly because you're not looking for it. It never hurts to get blood sugar checked out, if only to rule out diabetes.

[Why would a child who appears to eat well not gain weight?]

You know, I was sympothizing with you, up until the unquenchable thirst comment. My oldest dd has always been small. She is 12 and weighs a whopping 76lbs. That kid eats more than I do! She's stick-thin, always has been and probably always will be.

 

The thirst comment sent up a HUGE red flag with me. My fil was recently diagnosed with Diabetes, along with his cirrhosis and heart issues. His first symptom was unquenchable thirst. Same with my mom. My thin kid doesn't have that symptom. Please get your kid's blood sugar tested. Type 1 Diabetes is scary, and a colossal pain in the rear to deal with, but you just need to either know or rule it out.

[If you believe God created the earth....]

I think we need a bumper sticker!! :)

 

Word.

[If you believe God created the earth....]

I'm in the old earth/theistic evolution camp, but I reserve my right to be wrong;).

 

My salvation is found in Jesus, not Genesis.

[Unbelievable (youth group related...and long)]

Quick update: One mom called to talk to me which was such a relief because I didn't want to be 'that mom' who went around gathering support for her personal conviction. I then talked with another mom who had absolutely.no.clue as to the new policy. The word is out and the parents are going to discuss this then meet with the youth pastor/head pastor. The awesome thing is that these parents are the core of the Quiz/youth group! Between our families I'd say 75% of the youth group is formed and 100% of the Quiz group.

 

Since first meeting with the youth pastor regarding the video games (and being dismissed) I feel relief! I am not alone in this, I don't have to approach this by myself, and I will no longer be 'that mom' - the only one who makes waves.

 

Here's how one mom (who has been there much longer than I) described the situation: "This guy has no idea that the core of the Quiz/youth group is family; we are not separate, we support and encourage each other, and the youth group is anything but the typical youth group; coming in and "fixing" it isn't the way to go because it wasn't broken."

 

What really floored me was that of all these families, not one single mom knew what kind of video games were being played! They knew there were games and they knew they weren't exactly comfortable with it happening, but not one mom/dad took the time to find out what the games were! One mom said, "Well, it's not like they are playing Halo, right? RIGHT?" Um, yeah, that would be one of the games. :glare:

 

Please, please pray for all the parents involved as well as for the church leadership. It would be heartbreaking for the kids if the youth leader won't work with us and listen to our hearts.

 

That sounds promising! But you know what? It's ok to be "that mom" sometimes. Sometimes other parents just won't speak up until "that mom" comes along. We have momma bear instincts for a reason;).

[If people comment on your children being well-behaved ..]

Possibly, but what I fault the parents on is their putting up with misbehavior, not that their kids are misbehaving in the first place. If your kid is rude, but you call them on it, you've got my sympathy.

 

This. If I see a flustered parent trying to correct their kid/ I try to go over and encourage them. Because I have been there:glare:. Some days are just better that others.

 

Do we really have to go here? This seems like too much of a generalization to me. My anecdotal evidence from my area is the opposite. There is an LDS playgroup at our park with a ton of out of control kids and intentionally oblivious parents. Several of my friends with 3+ kids seem to have given up on correcting obnoxious behavior in public. I know several homeschooling families of 5+ kids who let their kids behave very rudely. I know at least dozen parents of 1-2 children who are very involved, intentional, and aware of their children's behavior. I've lived enough places to know that family size is not a determining factor for "brattiness."

 

:iagree: I have met many "only" kids that I would have loved to steal and make my own. I know quite a few stellar "only" parents (on this board too). Meanwhile, the tyrannical hs kids I mentioned in my previous post are usually from larger families. Doesn't someone here have a siggy that says something like "The plural of anecdote is not data?" I think that one applies in cases such as these.

[Who wants to play find Amy a new hairstyle tonight?]

Thick and straight hair. Sigh. So many people would kill for this, but for those of us who live with it, it is the bane of our existence.

 

I went super-short for a long time to avoid the cocker-spaniel look. My hair is so thick and heavy that it just lays there when it is long. You must, MUST have layers. Lots and lots of layers. My hair is now between my chin and shoulders. Because I have so many layers in there, I basically wash, dry, and go. With layers (tons and tons of layers), if you're feeling sassy, you can run a straight iron through your hair and flip the ends. Super cute.

 

I really like the picture you picked. I never realized how much body my hair would have if I just parted my hair an inch to the left (or right if you want). I like the swoops bangs. And they don't really get in your eyes unless your part is way, way over to one side.

[WWYD?]

Nope. $20 is a lot of money when your employment future is uncertain at the moment. It sucks, and it's a hard lesson to learn at 13, but sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the good of the whole family :grouphug:

 

Well, I agree with this too. Good point.

[WWYD?]

It's likely that if you call the church and explain your circumstances, they might encourage Diva to come and not charge her.

 

:iagree: Our church (or someone in it) would gladly pick up the tab so Diva could attend. And her name is Diva! You know she would love it!

 

If you are thinking about this, have you reversed your previous vow to never have her do anything with that youth group again?

 

I see you later answered this question. I agree with you decision (not that it matters:tongue_smilie:). Sounds reasonable.

[If people comment on your children being well-behaved ..]

Every time my kids get a compliment, and they get those quite often, I always feel 2 things::001_huh: and :party:. I love hearing about how well-behaved my kids are, because 85% of the time we are at home I feel like selling them to a circus.:tongue_smilie:

 

Is it because they are homeschooled? That may have a bit to do with it, though like others have stated, I have met some pretty tyrannical homeschool kids. My dh has noted the difference between hs kids and ps kids when we have friends over. With hs kids, everyone, despite their ages, plays together. With ps kids, it's kinda a mad, crazy, free-for-all. It's not that ps kids are bad. They are just cooped up for so long during the day/week that they just need to let their hair down and go wild.

 

I have a hand-written note in my wallet that I have been carrying around for 2-3 years. We had gone out to dinner one night at a local restaurant. It seemed like a normal night to me. We just had dinner and talked to each other. When dh asked for the bill, the waitress brought the note instead. The lady sitting next to us had paid for our dinner because, as she stated, our kids were so polite, considerate, and well-behaved.

 

Once while we were grocery shopping, I had an elderly lady stop me and specifically compliment my parenting. My son was being a pill, constantly wandering off and not watching where he was going. So I stopped, pulled to the side of the aisle, and made him stand in time-out (arms by his side and head down). We stood there for a good 5 minutes. This lady was so impressed that I actually took the time to correct his behavior. He was running into people! Of course I'm going to address that!

 

So how do good kids happen? Luck, consistency, genetics, and more luck. My kids are generally good kids. They sure don't get that from their momma:lol:. We are consistent. I may even be considered a bit of a hard-arse. I'm not just raising kids. I'm raising future adults that have to go out into the world and function. I do not respond to requests/begging unless I am asked politely, and not in Whinese. When we are out in public, I constantly repeat the phrases "self control" and "be aware". I make them hold open doors for others. I make them look adults in the eye and speak properly to them. I do in fact threaten them with death, dismemberment, and Chinese water torture if they misbehave. If a teacher (piano, Sunday School, PE) tells me there was a problem, I address it immediately and make them apologize. I have no problems removing my kids from a group if they are misbehaving. I make sure they are aware of the fact that they are under a microscope because they are homeschooled and Christian. I teach them how to both respect others and expect others to respect them. It's hard. It's inconvenient at times, but I have a vision of the adults I would like them to be. That vision keeps me sane when I have to drag a kicking, screaming kid out of Target.

[I want to read a book a smart person would read]

Right there with you:glare:. Well, I was a Criminal Justice major. Even after I had the 2 older ones, I read good stuff. I had a period where I read tons of 19th century Brit Lit- Austen, Dickens, Bronte sisters, etc.. I went back and re-read many classics I only skimmed in high school. I've been in an intellectual drought the last few years. I still devour books, but they haven't been super thought-provoking.

 

So I will be lurking on this thread, hoping to get some great ideas.

[Really good news]

That is so good to hear! You have been and will continue to be in my prayers.

[I know political posts are not allowed, but . . .]

And more importantly, will Ryan Gosling be there?

 

Of course he will! So will all the Avengers. In costume. Carrying dictionaries.

 

Eh, they're powerless against the Kitten Lobby.

 

Many people don't know this, but the Kitten Lobby practically owns Washington. If you follow the money trail, it almost always leads back to the kitties. They have their paws in almost every piece of legislation. The Mungo/Dunbar platform essentially locks in their election.

[I know political posts are not allowed, but . . .]

:hurray: Hip Hip, Hooray! Hip Hip, Hooray!

 

(Ticker tape, streamers, little mini-flags waving and campaign interns dressed in yellow & black, tartan, plaid kilts, yellow sweaters with black angora scarves draped elegantly around their necks, and holding recycleable yellow and black, hand quilted book bags that contain candy to be thrown to children knowing that this is perfectly acceptable because this is not "the holiday which must not be named", but a parade to save our nation.)

 

Faith

 

You forgot the Mike's;).

 

Tibbie, your beautiful speech brought tears to my eyes. You really get the problems authentic Americans face. I would be proud to attend the first ever Holy Ghost Weenie Roast. Will you be selling Holy Spirit wrapping paper as a fundraiser?

[In the spirit of the 'being an authentic Christian' discussions we've been having...]

:iagree:I had tears streaming down my face while the whole congregation said the words to the Psalms together and prayed together in the Liturgy. Prayers that have been written for me (such as the Psalms) have at times been all I knew to pray, and I received the comfort that comes only from praying to the one true God.

 

P.S. The Liturgy at the LUTHERAN church. ;)

 

I am so thankful for my prayer book. Like you, sometimes those prayers are all I have to say, yet I always feel renewed after praying them.

 

It's threads like these that make me want to cry and mourn the state of our faith. Sorry, that's just how I feel. I need to hide back in my hole and continue to ignore all threads that deal with religion.

 

I understand, but I react in a completely different way. These threads make me want to fight. Sometimes I want to scream "I want my kind, loving, awesome Jesus back!!!" I posted on the "evil" thread because I want my loving Jesus back. I posted on the spin-off because people need to know that hateful Jesus turns away so many people and does so much spiritual damage. I posted on the Halloween thread because that stuff irks the snot out of me. People need to own their own Jesus, not foist extra-Biblical, soul-damaging stuff onto others.

 

Bethany, the song was pretty. I can take little kernels of wisdom out of it. Theologically, not my cuppa.

 

Bethany, I know you have a heart of platinum, but it just never ends well when we poor, pathetic humans try to do God's job of defining who is/isn't a real Christian (not that I think you were necessarily trying to do that. You're way to smart for that).

 

And Mrs. Theretohere, you are about to have a baby. That excuses everything!:grouphug:

[THIS is why people make fun of Christians!!!]

Yes, which is why discernment is a big deal. If someone's convictions align with scripture, then they're worth considering. If they're just someone's opinions wrapped in a holy spirit wrapping paper, then they're not. I've had enough of my mother's and exmil's "convictions from the Lord" to last me several lifetimes. I believe in wise counsel and seeking out those who are wise for counsel when it's needed, but I do NOT believe that every word from the mouth of those who claim to profess Christ is from God. Everyone has an agenda, be it a good one or a bad one. I prefer to look at who the person is, where they're coming from and how they live before I take their word or convictions seriously.

 

I know your post was meant to be serious, and I agree with much of what you wrote, but the "holy spirit wrapping paper" comment literally made me lol:lol:! Because I KNOW.

[I know political posts are not allowed, but . . .]

Do you think SWB will be named Secretary of Education?

 

If there is a God in heaven! And I'm pretty sure He is real;).

[I know political posts are not allowed, but . . .]

Doesn't someone post this about every 4 years? I thought we already determined we would vote for her. Someone convince her to run already!

 

:iagree: Tibbie could be her VP. I would kill to see any politician try to debate either Mrs. Mungo or Tibbie. Those ladies would mop the floor with any politician out there.

[cellulite...what to do]

You cry. That's what you do about it. And you curse genetics. My little sister is a collegiate track/cross country athlete. She runs/sprints many miles a day. She does all those weight-bearing leg exercises multiple times a week. She's 19 and has never had a kid. She still has cellulite. Even when I get down to almost anorexic looking, I still have cellulite. It's just in our genes.

 

I will never stop fighting the good fight. I will continue to do my squats, lunges, and kicks. I will walk/run hills forever, but my cellulite will never go away (unless I can finally convince dh that liposuction is indeed a valid anniversary/birthday/Christmas gift). I just hide mine as best as I can. Bermuda shorts are my best friend:tongue_smilie:.

[THIS is why people make fun of Christians!!!]

My favorite strange Halloween meets Christianity tale was way back when I was a sweet, naive seminary student serving as youth pastor at a church in the South (south with a capital "S" by the way.) One of our youth sponsors asked if we could take the kids to the local haunted house for Halloween. The kids were enthused. I, being in the Halloween-is-not-antiChristian camp, thought it was a great idea. So we advertised, gathered our kids, piled in the church van, and the sponsor gives me directions and we arrive.

 

We arrive at the "This is What It's Like in Hell" House. I'm not kidding. There were people sitting drinking wine in one room, then the next room would have them being tortured by fire in grotesque ways. Then a room with people playing cards, dancing, kissing, playing dungeons and dragons, and several others I can't remember now. Each was followed by those same people (or ones who looked very similar) being tortured in different ways (fire, poked with tridents, locked in chains with food just out of reach.) It was awful and disgusting.

 

I was speechless. Now I would have a lot to say. As a first year young female (!!!) seminary student, I just watched wide eyed and horrified. There were small children there crying and it was just gruesome.

 

Surprisingly there were no rooms with people being judgmental in them. Must have been an oversight.

 

Thanks for reminding me about the He!! Houses! I went to those. Had nightmares for weeks. I'm so glad my parents didn't participate in Halloween because it was scary and evil, yet encouraged me to go to hell houses:glare:. Not hypocritical at all.

[Cluttered? Neat? In between?]

I am a real homeschool mom with imperfect children. Thankfully, I live far out in the country. No one just stops by (thank God!!!). My dust bunnies often sprout legs. Laundry? Let's just not go there:glare:. My house looks like people live and learn here. I have learned to make no apologies for the handprints/writing on the walls/windows. There will be pet hair on the furniture. You may see a kid's underwear in the bathroom. Never look in my bedroom or you will likely be confronted with 27 loads of clean laundry. We don't make beds.

 

My kids are well-fed, well-loved, and well taken care of. They have sanitary places to eat, sleep, and play. I make well-balanced meals. My house will never be in a magazine, but we all pitch in and call it home. It is real.