I grew up thinking that because I had been taught manners and grace, that everyone had. Since it has become apparent to me that this isn't true, I am going to help some of you less fortunate than I out. Here is is a list of questions/topics that are off limits, mostly.
1. Money. Do not ask people how much money they make. Unless it is VERY relevant. As in you are applying for their job. Do not tell people how much money you make. Unless...well, see above. Do not ask how much someone spent on something they purchased, unless you are in the market for one yourself. Not so you can say to your spouse and other friends, "You won't believe how much Leroy and Cludie May paid for that above ground pool. You know how many Elvises on Velvet down at the flea market that woulda bought?" Do not brag about how much you spent on something, or how much a gift cost.
2. Pregnancy/fertility. Unless you are 100% sure someone is pregnant, do not ask them when they're due. Do not ask them, "So, you're done right? No more babies?". Do not ask if they know what causes it. Do not ask a childless couple when they are going to have babies. Do not ask if they were trying to. An unnamed woman I know once told someone in response to that question, "Well, we were trying to have sex. Is that what you meant?"
3. Child-rearing choices. Do not assure someone they are making a terrible mistake when they tell you decisions they've made regarding their children. "What?! Your baby is sleeping with you? You're making a terrible mistake!". No, a terrible mistake would be to let them play with snakes. I'm sure they'll be fine.
4. Ok, this is a little off topic, but for the love, when someone is merging or changing lanes, and you have another lane, would you move over?!
Ok, that was fun. Feel free to name some of your own in the comments!
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
Call Out His Name
My favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 55:11, "so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
I believe the Word of God is all powerful, trustworthy, and true. I also love these verses:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1-3. We can't separate God from His Word. Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that He should lie." I believe that if we want to know we're praying the perfect will of God, we can pray His Word. However, recently I was praying, and felt very convicted of something. I was exhausted, and to be honest, completely depleted spiritually. I don't remember what I was praying about, but I started throwing scripture around, and had the thought that I was using it like a magic spell. That if I spoke the right words, I could manipulate God. My heart was somewhere else. I then began to wonder if praying that way pleases God, and quickly felt Him speaking to my heart that I know His character from reading His Word. I know who He is, and through that, I know who I am. That I can ask in His name, because I am His and He loves me. Not because I am reciting the right words. He is good, and desires to give me good things. So, I realized that it is good to pray the Word of God, but that my relationship to Him is more important. I remembered back to a very scary occurrence. We were at a water park several years ago, and lost Lauren. We each thought she was with the other one. As soon as I realized what had happened, I took off my flip flops and began to run to the last place I had seen her. All I could get out was, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!". I got to the last pool we'd played in, and there she was, happily playing in the shallow end, hanging out with the lifeguard, talking her ear off. Thinking of this, I remembered how desperate and scared I felt, and that the first thing I did was call out the name of my Jesus. He heard, and just like the song, he came to me. Speaking the Word into our situation, and believing it will come to pass is so important. But even more importantly, I know Who spoke those words to begin with. I know He loves me and my children. I know He is good. And He desires my complete attention and trust.
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
I believe the Word of God is all powerful, trustworthy, and true. I also love these verses:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1-3. We can't separate God from His Word. Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that He should lie." I believe that if we want to know we're praying the perfect will of God, we can pray His Word. However, recently I was praying, and felt very convicted of something. I was exhausted, and to be honest, completely depleted spiritually. I don't remember what I was praying about, but I started throwing scripture around, and had the thought that I was using it like a magic spell. That if I spoke the right words, I could manipulate God. My heart was somewhere else. I then began to wonder if praying that way pleases God, and quickly felt Him speaking to my heart that I know His character from reading His Word. I know who He is, and through that, I know who I am. That I can ask in His name, because I am His and He loves me. Not because I am reciting the right words. He is good, and desires to give me good things. So, I realized that it is good to pray the Word of God, but that my relationship to Him is more important. I remembered back to a very scary occurrence. We were at a water park several years ago, and lost Lauren. We each thought she was with the other one. As soon as I realized what had happened, I took off my flip flops and began to run to the last place I had seen her. All I could get out was, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!". I got to the last pool we'd played in, and there she was, happily playing in the shallow end, hanging out with the lifeguard, talking her ear off. Thinking of this, I remembered how desperate and scared I felt, and that the first thing I did was call out the name of my Jesus. He heard, and just like the song, he came to me. Speaking the Word into our situation, and believing it will come to pass is so important. But even more importantly, I know Who spoke those words to begin with. I know He loves me and my children. I know He is good. And He desires my complete attention and trust.
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