Being Light in a Dark (Golf) World

I think I have mentioned before that Hubby not only works full-time, but is also taking graduate courses. The j.o.b. (stands for just.over.broke) is in the pro shop of one of the local golf courses. Our area is a golf mecca, so it's a year-round torture position.

The golf business, at least in this tourist town, is a tough place to work as a Christian. A lot of the golfers come to town with their buddies (no women), drink way too much, visit the t.opless b.ars, and, in general, live a bachelor life for a week.

For a lot of folks in the golf industry, living a moral life is not a priority. Granted, not everyone is like that, but a majority are. The courses are closed only one day a year (Christmas), and Sunday is always a big golf day, so most do not attend church, and they have a great excuse (have to work) not to.

I truly believe that Hubby is there for a reason. To be a light in a very dark place. (14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16)

We are very fortunate in that Hubby does have Sundays off. But that was a struggle at first. Church isn't just some activity to do like gardening. Not only is attending church a priority for us, but it's also a responsibility - we are worship leaders, so we kinda hafta be there.

Anyway, I do have a story to tell. Just trying to give some background info.

One of the projects Hubby did recently for his grad classes was to make a drawing depicting his image of God, his image of self, and how that image changes when he does something wrong (sin).

As an experiment, he asked his co-workers to participate as well. For two of them, their pictures did not change for the third part of the question (regarding sin). (These are my recreations of what they drew.)

A third co-worker refused when he discovered what was being asked. Hubby asked, "Do you have a mental image of God?"

"No."

"Do you know God?"

"No."

"Do you want to know God?"

No response. But at least the conversation has started. Be that light.

Thankful Thursday

This is a short list today - lots to do today! I want to say thank you to all of you who visit each week for TT! You warm my heart, and I appreciate your comments. (Thanks also to my regular readers - you come back day after day, and I still don't know why!)

Today, I am thankful for:

~ God's provision - we have a roof over our heads, food on our table, and we can put gas in the cars (for now!).

~ my wonderful Hubby - his creative talent, his intelligence, his love for the Lord and for me!

~ our beautiful Ladybug - her first birthday is next week, and this has truly been an AMAZING year!

~ my mentors - who take time to help me grow, personally and spiritually. What a blessing these women are!

For more thankful hearts, please visit our wonderful host, Iris. Thanks again for stopping by to visit!!

WW - Even Duckie Needs Some Bling

Click here or here for more WW participants.

Does Your Cat Drool?

My apologies to all you dog lovers. This post is not for you!

Does your cat drool? Mine does. It's a strange phenomenon. I knew she drooled, but what, with having a baby and all, I haven't spent much time with Her Majesty Ruthie. And I forgot about the drool.

A few weeks ago, when I was sick, she reminded me. I was trying to take a nap while my MIL was watching Ladybug. Ruthie came into the bedroom for some attention.

If you don't pet her, she'll pet you. She kneads while she purrs. Her paws go back and forth, like she's kneading bread. She loves to knead my hair if I'm laying down.

I guess she gets so entranced with her own kneading and purring, she then begins to drool. Not a lot at first. Just enough to glisten on her chin whiskers if you're looking. But after she has had her way with you and she moves on, you'll feel a wet spot. Cat saliva! Yuck!

Is Her Majesty Ruthie the only cat who does this? I'd love to hear about your cat's weird behaviors.

Little Prayers - More of Him Monday

Welcome to More of Him Monday! This concept was first introduced to the blogosphere by Diana at Sunshine on my Shoulders as "a place to find encouragement, support, and honesty as we each strive to live in God's grace and love."It's an opportunity to share how we see more of God working in our lives.

Your post can either be Scripture Speaks - a particular Bible passage and what you gained from it - or Him in My Life - a particular event when you felt God speaking to you. Write your own post, sign Mr. Linky, and come encourage others while you are encouraged in your spiritual journey.

A couple of suggestions/guidelines: Feel free to grab the badges on my sidebar. Please include a link back here in your post, so that your readers can find this carnival and be encouraged by what others share. And link only if you are participating and your post fits either the Scripture Speaks or Him in My Life themes.

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Do you ever wonder about "little prayers?" Prayers that seem too small or insignificant with which to bother God?

Is it silly for a child to ask God to heal a sick pet? Is it trivial to pray for a good parking place? Or a short line at the post office? Are any of these prayers bothersome to God?

That was on my mind last week, so I looked up some Scripture passages on prayer.

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” Matthew 21:22

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6

Never stop praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

I see in these passages that the condition of our heart matters more to God than the content of our prayers. What's my motivation for praying for a good parking space? Why does a child pray for a sick pet?

Those are the questions to asking, rather than "is this prayer bothersome to God?" He desires that we talk with Him in prayer. Because then He can tell us more about what He desires in our lives.

It is through prayer that His desires become our desires.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4

Your turn. Where have your see More of Him in your life?

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Twins

A first grade teacher told her students that more twins are born now than in past years. One little fellow asked: "Why is that?"

Before the teacher could attempt an answer, another little fellow spoke up: "Because these days little children are afraid to come into the world alone."

as seen in TimeWithGod

Genius, Prodigy, or Normal Child?

I'm sure that every parent believes that their child is a genius or a prodigy. But do we see too much? Do we expect too much of our children? Expect them to be perfect, or better?

I would guess that most children display some aptitude for one thing or another. Does early mobility suggest a proclivity towards athleticism? Does an early interest in books reveal a future Dean’s List student? Does banging on a home-made drum denote a musical prodigy?

Or is it a parent's wishful thinking?

Hubby and I are both musical. He has natural talent, I have a music degree. (Which makes us a great team!) And because of our love for music, Ladybug has had an early exposure to music of all types. She also has lots of musical toys, including a piano and a xylophone.

Ladybug also "sings" with us. I have heard her match pitch a few times, but mostly she is humming her own tune. I can hear a difference between her singing voice and her babbling voice. She also often hums herself to sleep.

So how much of this is just normal 11 month old behavior? How much of it is natural talent that she has from having two musically inclined parents? Dare I even ask, is this prodigy-like skill showing itself early?

I don't want to be one of those parents who chooses a path for their child and pushes her so that she grows to hate what her parents are pushing her toward. I want to foster a love for music so that she will choose for herself to incorporate music into her daily life. If that means piano lessons, great. If that means she'll study music like I did, great. Even if she only enjoys music on the radio, that's great too.

What do you think? How much is genius, prodigy, or just a normal 11 month old being a normal 11 month old?