Things I don’t understand and probably never will!

Will the REAL MEN please stand up!

Ok, I need to vent. What is all this ‘tone’-speak and ‘style’-speak coming from the men of the RNC? What the hell is Boehner talking about, “Republicans need to learn to speak to all Americans.” WHAT? How about we already know how to speak to all Americans-IN ENGLISH! Thanks to the feminization of masculinity, more & more men have taken on feminine attributes & characteristics. Talking about the ‘tone’ and ‘style’ of communicating is generally a feminine attribute, owing to the more emotional side of a female. Masculinity generally focuses on results, logic, process, etc, not how ‘good’ or ‘sensitive’ something may sound or look. Give me a freakin break! In the femi-nazi’s efforts to ‘change’ men and ‘make them understand us’ and certainly, ‘make them more sensitive,’ masculinity has fallen by the way-side for a lot of men. Newsflash to the real men: There are STILL feminine women who are not ashamed of their femininity and who LOVE masculinity. We want our men to be able to change our tires without worrying about their nails getting dirty. We want our men to come get the bags out the car-5 or 6 at a time. We want our men to take of his jacket and place it around our shoulders on a chilly night. We want our men to walk on the outside of the pavement while we’re walking down the street in case the cars splash gutter water. We want our men protect us, provide for our family, and still be loveable, firm, and good lovers. We want our men to take their rightful places in the town squares and stand against the shenanigans of any political machines. We want our men to jack-up our boys when they buck at their mothers. There’s a time for a man to wear make-up: When he’s performing on stage or in front of the press, but, dammit, when the curtain closes or the cameras have stopped flickering, TAKE-OFF THE MAKE-UP! You should not look better or be more concerned about your ‘looks’, ‘tone,’ and ‘style’ than your woman or any woman. Get a grip. Go do some push-ups. Go shoot the breeze with the guys. Go run some laps or something, but for heaven’s sake, be masculine!

An open letter to family and friends: It's not you, it's me!

If Conservatives never understand anything else about the left, we must understand this!

Why we need national holidays-Oh, let me just say it-Why we need Christmas!

Uniformity Is NOT Unity

For the past few weeks, the concepts of Unity & Uniformity have been on my heart. After a few times of being quiet, I still could not understand why these words were stirring in me.

Now, I think I know why.

The word ‘Unity’ is mentioned in the Bible 3 times, and two of those times the same Greek word is used (in Eph 4:3 and 4:13; Henotes, from root word Heis).  Like the Hebrew word (In Ps 133:1; Yachad), both words denote ‘one-ness,’ ‘joining,’ or ‘alike-ness.’ But, as far as I can understand, none of these words have anything to do with physical looks, talents, abilities, or other skills and gifts. All these words connote a sense of one-ness of spirit and of mind (beliefs). (1 Cor 12: 4-11)

What does this have to do with anything? I think we in the Church get these concepts confused, too. According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, ‘Uniformity’ is not even mentioned in the Bible, yet, we often either believe or unwittingly and unintentionally ‘impose’ the standard of ‘Uniformity’ for ‘Unity.’

Nothing could be further from the truth. God is a God of diverse abilities with an inexhaustible depth of creativity. This same God has given each of us skills, talents, and abilities in all shapes, sizes, and styles (Rom 12:6). None of us has to work to ‘fit in,’ but, we are instantly a part of the Church at the moment of salvation.

The tapestry of the Church is colorful, vibrant, and bright. Each of us is important to the whole and the only one-ness of spirit and mind we must press to obtain is that of Christ (Phil 2: 1-7). 

What HOPE looks like!

“I hope I get that job.” “I hope to get married someday.” “I hope I get to go.”

 We’ve all made statements like this, but, what exactly does HOPE look like? What does HOPE mean?

From a Christian perspective, HOPE looks forward. It is active, busy, and always moving towards a goal. Biblically, HOPE is working, planning, and moving on purpose, with a purpose or end goal in mind (Rom 8:18-19).

In a practical sense, we have to have a purpose, vision, or goal that we are aiming to meet and work backwards as we put into action the steps and processes to meet that goal.

HOPE is never aimless or haphazard. It is not wishful thinking, but, it is shrouded in prayer, focus, and discipline.

Along the way, we may get distracted, tired, and forgetful, as humans are want to do; but, our HOPE is not some amorphous glob of amoebic soup. No, it’s real, deep, practical, and ultimately, it’s who we are in Christ (Heb 6:18-19).

So, this begs the questions: What are you hoping for? What steps are you taking to achieve your end goal? In whom is your hope placed?  

Examining Ourselves

In this season of final exams, we spend lots of time studying many subjects with the hopes of earning that elusive 'A'; but, how many of us spend a fraction of that time examining ourselves with the same fervor? If we're honest & transparent, we probably spend too much time comparing ourselves to others, instead of examining ourselves. If we're not careful-we will spend too much time comparing ourselves to others, instead of examining ourselves. Maybe it's easier, safer, more comfortable (believe it or not) to compare ourselves to others than to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear His word about ourselves (Luke 10:39). Even when we examine ourselves, as Christians, we must do this in the presence of God and with the mind of Christ. In our humanity, we don't have pure motives, even towards ourselves (Jer 17:9). But, God, in His perfect judgement, searches man in all his ways and always measures us through the coverings of His son (Jer 17:10). When you stand in front of the mirror, make sure it's Jesus looking back at you-not yourself!

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Musings and Matters: Welcome to Musings and Matters!

Musings and Matters: Welcome to Musings and Matters!: Welcome to my new blog! Finally, I'm catching up with the times and I hope you'll join me, too. Musings and Matters is the place to blog if ...

Welcome to Musings and Matters!

Welcome to my new blog! Finally, I'm catching up with the times and I hope you'll join me, too. Musings and Matters is the place to blog if you're into deep, intellectual thoughts about almost anything that, well, Matters.

I want to hear from you. Bring your ideas, opinions, and, yes, FACTS, to Musings and Matters. Any topic from family life, academia, the business world, economics, and of course, politics, et al.

Happy Mother's Day, 2012! Wishing all mothers a very happy, restful, and enjoyable day. Kiss your babies, hug your moms, let your sisters, friends, and loved ones know they are appreciated and loved.