There are several songs that I wished I had written in my lifetime. But at this point in my life, my thoughts and struggles (many being about the church); Derek Webb got to write them first!! (ha, not that I am in anyway comparing my pitiful rants to his writing!!) Society, and sadly the church, just takes whatever comes down the pike. We sit through a sermon and go "okay that's truth because the pastor said so." No one questions or studies for themselves anymore - it is too hard, so just let someone else have an opinion and we'll adopt it as our own without holding it to Scripture or our values and standards. All without any regard of how dangerous that can be. Here's a great video and one of those songs I wish I had written!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Reality
I spent my 32nd birthday in an incredible way today. Believe it or not, I haven't truly celebrated my birthday in 16 years. However, I was determined that this year would be different. My not celebrating doesn't mean that good things didn't happen - I've bought a new car and closed on a house on December 15th. God has given me blessings and Marcus has worked really hard for 12 years to make sure I had good birthday's. But when your soul is wounded, blessings are sometimes hard to see. And when a soul bruised facts and reality can be distorted.
Marcus and I spent about 2 hours this morning with about 20 beautiful people feeding the down-and-out and homeless of our city. Most people I know would never spend a birthday serving others, especially those not in their socioeconomic background, and really not a birthday that they would consider a milestone. But that is exactly what made sense to me.
I met 65 year old, Mr. Brown. From Memphis, he' s moved a lot, but never goes anywhere without his harmonic and probably a Miller Light in his pocket. I spent a lot of time just sitting and listening to his stories (and did he have some stories?!). He played with Chuck Berry, Al Green and Marvin Gay "back in the day"- even had a few stories of their private lives. He is a bass player, says he has an upright bass, and is a soulful singer. If you look in his eyes, you'll know he has seen better days and been tough difficult years. There are moments he is still thankful and even gives the advice of "Keep your stuff, don't give it away! You never know when you'll need it again." But truth is all that he has is that old harmonic, a Miller Light, the food we just gave him and whatever is in his white trash bag that he carries over his shoulder.
Then Steven stopped by. Now Steven has always dropped in on cook out days; for a burger of course, but more so for the conversation. If you saw Steven walking down the street with his dog you'd probably cross over. He is probably not as old as he looks and doesn't see a razor often, but he loves his dog and will feed it before himself any day. You'd think he was homeless, but he has a modest job and a simple house. Steven has stories too. He earned a Master's degree and had a good paying job - but found drugs and lost it all. He told us about his wealthy brother who "writes a check for $500 to his church every week but he is the most mean-spirited man he knows." Today Steven did something I've never expected, he pulled me aside, handed me a bag and said, "You give these out to those you think need it. It's cold, people need gloves." With tears in my eyes I took the bag, shook his hand tightly, and told him thank you. I looked in the bag and there were probably a dozen yard gloves from the Feed and Seed store down the street. Then I looked around at the crowd of about 40 men and women, I was a little overwhelmed. I thought - "Who needs these the most?" "Where do I start?" The first pair a give out was to a grateful man, who said, "Thank you, but can get an extra pair for my friend over by the cars? He won't come over." I hesitated, thinking there aren't enough, but handed him a pair anyway. Then I gave some to a group of 4 or 5 guys, then a few women. When the food line started people the began asking for gloves. Remember in my glance in the small bag - 12 gloves. Most adults in the line got a pair of gloves!?! You do the math! I can't explain it, it was just GOD.
The fact is Steven doesn't have much. But the reality is he saw a need, gave what he could and God took care of the rest. We really confuse facts with reality. Fact is people look at Mr. Brown and see a nobody. But the reality is that he is royalty in God's eyes.
The fact is I wasted a whole lot of years not truly valuing a life that God gave me. I held on to the past - one birthday that was pretty horrible. An unfolding of a year's worth of abuses and manipulation in one day. The fact is by holding on to that moment, I was allowing someone else to define my reality. The fact is some bad things happened...and happen to all of us, but the reality is holding on, holds us back. Whether it is one day or a lifetime. God created us all in his image, we all have value and purpose. We just have move on, let go, believe, and trust.
SO I celebrated today - with some really great people, with really great stories. Probably not many people know that for 16 years I've hated my birthday, but that was my reality. We don't know other's reality. Sometime we know the facts, but that doesn't define reality. So dare to engage in the reality of others!
Marcus and I spent about 2 hours this morning with about 20 beautiful people feeding the down-and-out and homeless of our city. Most people I know would never spend a birthday serving others, especially those not in their socioeconomic background, and really not a birthday that they would consider a milestone. But that is exactly what made sense to me.
I met 65 year old, Mr. Brown. From Memphis, he' s moved a lot, but never goes anywhere without his harmonic and probably a Miller Light in his pocket. I spent a lot of time just sitting and listening to his stories (and did he have some stories?!). He played with Chuck Berry, Al Green and Marvin Gay "back in the day"- even had a few stories of their private lives. He is a bass player, says he has an upright bass, and is a soulful singer. If you look in his eyes, you'll know he has seen better days and been tough difficult years. There are moments he is still thankful and even gives the advice of "Keep your stuff, don't give it away! You never know when you'll need it again." But truth is all that he has is that old harmonic, a Miller Light, the food we just gave him and whatever is in his white trash bag that he carries over his shoulder.
Then Steven stopped by. Now Steven has always dropped in on cook out days; for a burger of course, but more so for the conversation. If you saw Steven walking down the street with his dog you'd probably cross over. He is probably not as old as he looks and doesn't see a razor often, but he loves his dog and will feed it before himself any day. You'd think he was homeless, but he has a modest job and a simple house. Steven has stories too. He earned a Master's degree and had a good paying job - but found drugs and lost it all. He told us about his wealthy brother who "writes a check for $500 to his church every week but he is the most mean-spirited man he knows." Today Steven did something I've never expected, he pulled me aside, handed me a bag and said, "You give these out to those you think need it. It's cold, people need gloves." With tears in my eyes I took the bag, shook his hand tightly, and told him thank you. I looked in the bag and there were probably a dozen yard gloves from the Feed and Seed store down the street. Then I looked around at the crowd of about 40 men and women, I was a little overwhelmed. I thought - "Who needs these the most?" "Where do I start?" The first pair a give out was to a grateful man, who said, "Thank you, but can get an extra pair for my friend over by the cars? He won't come over." I hesitated, thinking there aren't enough, but handed him a pair anyway. Then I gave some to a group of 4 or 5 guys, then a few women. When the food line started people the began asking for gloves. Remember in my glance in the small bag - 12 gloves. Most adults in the line got a pair of gloves!?! You do the math! I can't explain it, it was just GOD.
The fact is Steven doesn't have much. But the reality is he saw a need, gave what he could and God took care of the rest. We really confuse facts with reality. Fact is people look at Mr. Brown and see a nobody. But the reality is that he is royalty in God's eyes.
The fact is I wasted a whole lot of years not truly valuing a life that God gave me. I held on to the past - one birthday that was pretty horrible. An unfolding of a year's worth of abuses and manipulation in one day. The fact is by holding on to that moment, I was allowing someone else to define my reality. The fact is some bad things happened...and happen to all of us, but the reality is holding on, holds us back. Whether it is one day or a lifetime. God created us all in his image, we all have value and purpose. We just have move on, let go, believe, and trust.
SO I celebrated today - with some really great people, with really great stories. Probably not many people know that for 16 years I've hated my birthday, but that was my reality. We don't know other's reality. Sometime we know the facts, but that doesn't define reality. So dare to engage in the reality of others!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
What's THIS??
Well, I sat down to blog about politics and Christians, but another day.
Here is a much happier picture!!!! Raymond's just checking out the new nursery and not too sure about this new turtle!!
This will calm any outrage for a little while.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
World Aids Day - 6,000 reason to care...
Today, like every day, 6,000 children will lose a parent to AIDS. Yet there is hope. We have it as Christians, yet how many churches this Sunday will even mention the AIDS epidemic in Africa?? Just 5 minutes to bring awareness can change thought patterns and begin a movement to changes lives.
Hundreds of years ago the church served as the major social justice agency. What happened? Today, sadly, we leave that up to governments or some other charitable agency, that many times are not offering Christ's hope but just temporary relief.
"Learn to do right! Seek Justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1:17
So DO SOMETHING today. Make yourself aware of the problems and solutions, pray, or read.
Surely we can change...SOMETHING.
Just click below for information on World AIDS Day:
Hundreds of years ago the church served as the major social justice agency. What happened? Today, sadly, we leave that up to governments or some other charitable agency, that many times are not offering Christ's hope but just temporary relief.
"Learn to do right! Seek Justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1:17
So DO SOMETHING today. Make yourself aware of the problems and solutions, pray, or read.
Surely we can change...SOMETHING.
Just click below for information on World AIDS Day:
Monday, November 26, 2007
What I'm Reading ...
By Christine Caine
I could have totally knocked the first half of this book out tonight! (The last half is a 30 day devotional.) It is incredible, a total God appointed book and time. Never heard of Christine before, I was just walking down the Christian Living isle at Books-A-Million and the title caught my eye (what a concept!!!). I have been highlighting like a mad woman, journaling, and studying - I don't want to miss anything!! Read it if you dare!!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Thankfulness
Well, despite the clumsiness and mishaps of the weekend (falling down while walking the dog, dropping a plate and breaking a glass at the Thanksgiving meal, and getting bit while breaking up a dog fight) I still have a few things to be thankful for...(in no particular order!)
- Marcus, the best husband and best friend anyone could ever ask for! He is the only person I can spend every waking moment with and not want to commit a felony. Most days I can't believe he choose me!
- Our 4-legged, furry children - all 6 of them!
- Knowing that God is in control of our future family plans and the one to come.
- The gift of music. I say gift, because for me that's what it is, one of those extras from God.
- The moment that guitars brought conversation back between my brothers and me.
- Family... God given and those chosen (friends).
- Peace of mind
- Home
- Did I mention my red-hot husband???
- Waiting and being uncomfortable
- Our church, and the REAL people it is made of.
- GOD, for creation, sacrifice, breath, love, forgiveness, hope, strength, justice, counsel, peace, salvation, and purpose for living.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Waiting, anyone?
I have sat down to post a couple of times in the last week or so, even had some decent ideas, but I said I'd wait for later. We have been to some great concerts, found some great new music, read some great articles and stories, there have been even a few great movies. There hasn't been a lack of things to write about. I think I've just been waiting on...something else.
God has been steadily putting things on the table for me to think about, and I have just been trying to listen and wait. What a painful word right now, but it IS my life at this season! I have never been good at it, I never even been decent at it. But that is where I am with everything right now: just waiting. How does that happen all at once??? I don't know. But waiting and grieving at the same time is just one thing...misery. But you have to get through grieving to move on. (And that is a very different blog!)
Waiting makes you ask stupid things like: What did I do, that they have this but I can't? Or what didn't I do? Why is this happening to me (or us)? Wow, it can really make you selfish if you let it!! But really, I am okay in the waiting this time, because I know it is all in God's timing. I know that sounds cliche' but the older I get I realize that I don't want that watch, I just screw things up.
So I don't have a lot of answers right now for anything in my life. That's okay, I don't think the world will stop and in 5 years all of this will seem like minutes. God has proven faithful throughout my life, even when I dared or cursed him. God will continue to be faithful, he has given me a new promise:
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" -Isaiah 30:18
One day I will figure this all out and maybe have a great story to share, but for now I'll wait.
God has been steadily putting things on the table for me to think about, and I have just been trying to listen and wait. What a painful word right now, but it IS my life at this season! I have never been good at it, I never even been decent at it. But that is where I am with everything right now: just waiting. How does that happen all at once??? I don't know. But waiting and grieving at the same time is just one thing...misery. But you have to get through grieving to move on. (And that is a very different blog!)
Waiting makes you ask stupid things like: What did I do, that they have this but I can't? Or what didn't I do? Why is this happening to me (or us)? Wow, it can really make you selfish if you let it!! But really, I am okay in the waiting this time, because I know it is all in God's timing. I know that sounds cliche' but the older I get I realize that I don't want that watch, I just screw things up.
So I don't have a lot of answers right now for anything in my life. That's okay, I don't think the world will stop and in 5 years all of this will seem like minutes. God has proven faithful throughout my life, even when I dared or cursed him. God will continue to be faithful, he has given me a new promise:
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" -Isaiah 30:18
One day I will figure this all out and maybe have a great story to share, but for now I'll wait.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Lamentations 3: 22-23
"The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction!! Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. "
Thank God for new mercies everyday! That takes away some stress, because I know I do not have the ability in myself to get it right most days. I don't fully understand God's unfailing, steadfast love but I'm grateful for it and unworthy of it. It is only by the self-giving of Christ, that I am not eradicated at the very moment I breath his name!
So with all the world's chaos and sadness, and with all the do-over's of my life...I am glad God's love never ends!
Thank God for new mercies everyday! That takes away some stress, because I know I do not have the ability in myself to get it right most days. I don't fully understand God's unfailing, steadfast love but I'm grateful for it and unworthy of it. It is only by the self-giving of Christ, that I am not eradicated at the very moment I breath his name!
So with all the world's chaos and sadness, and with all the do-over's of my life...I am glad God's love never ends!
Friday, October 19, 2007
ENOUGH.
Thank GOD it is Friday! This week was enough to send me over the edge with outrages. I don't even have the energy to review them all. But I will say Americans get more outraged about the abuse of dogs than the sexual violence that women and child endure daily, every 2 and 1/2 minutes to be exact. Great, wonderful they finally caught the bastard (noun; something of irregular, inferior, or dubious origin) that taped himself raping a 3 year old. But that crap happens regularly, even here in our "Mayberry" county. Impress me when they put him away more than 5 years probation and time served!!! A month ago we saw images of angry protesters because of Micheal Vick fighting dogs, where are the protest now?? (It is pretty pathetic that I even know this guys name, seeing I've never watched a football game in my life!) I mean the media has given more awareness and education to the adoptive dog of Ellen, than to the education and awareness of sexual violence. By the end of the Vick media frenzy, we knew how to spot dog fight, what to do/who to report it to, and the effects on the dogs. Do we yet know warning signs of child abuse, or who to report it too, or the effects on the children???? Now I can't image hurting an animal of any kind. I don't want to think about a world without my best-dog & cat-friends. But I would love to live in a world where we respect each other enough that we don't have to advertise hamburgers with soft porn (check out any Hardee's commercial). Or live in a world where kids can be kids, not the sex toys of perverts.
The music of Brandi Carlile got me through the week as I drove and drove... So, to the happy moments, when you can get them. Enjoy the videos!
'til next time...
Respect someone, Respect yourself.
Listen and Pay Attention to the other life forms around you.
The music of Brandi Carlile got me through the week as I drove and drove... So, to the happy moments, when you can get them. Enjoy the videos!
'til next time...
Respect someone, Respect yourself.
Listen and Pay Attention to the other life forms around you.
Monday, October 8, 2007
a Concept of GOD
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather
than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6 TNIV
Jesus referred to this verse in the calling of Matthew in chapter 9 verse13. He was responding to the Pharisess when they questioned Jesus for eating with the "sinners." The first part of the verse caught my attention when Jesus said..."Go and learn what this means." I thought okay this is important... Jesus made it clear that this is a verse we should know something about. So I sat up straighter and turned the switch on my brain that would allow me to shut off all distractions and the days mistakes, then I focused.
I must have read this verse a dozen times, in 3 different translations, then a commentary! The NLT puts it "I want you to show love (mercy); not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me (God) more than I want burnt offerings." So I focused some more and like God does from time to time, he smacked me on the back of the head! Here was the conversation, God speaking:
"It is simple you small human...I, the God of the universe, a Holy one at that, wants to know YOU and I want YOU to know ME! Sure the commentaries will teach you some cool stuff, but just use what I gave you ... think!!"
God doesn't want ...
our stuff, our conjured up education, us to give up our car for global warming, to hear our prayers where we quote back the bible to him, us to "fix" ourselves before coming, or for us to fill up our calendars "serving him"
God wants ... us and all the crap that comes with us (I think he/she is big enough to handle it). God wants realness, a relationship - Not rituals.
So many people look at God like he/she is untouchable and far away. The creator of the universe, who controls the sun and moon...God is up there and we are down here. But it is the contrary...God is right here; God is in the box with us. And we are spending all of our time finding clever ways to break out of the box!!
Yes, I already knew all that. Maybe the verse shouldn't have amazed me so much, but it did. I guess I needed it - to be reminded of who God is, who I should be and who I am and that God wants it all. To be reminded that God values mercy and expects us to show it to all. And to be reminded that God wants small-minded-me, to know him.
and acknowledgment of God rather
than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6 TNIV
Jesus referred to this verse in the calling of Matthew in chapter 9 verse13. He was responding to the Pharisess when they questioned Jesus for eating with the "sinners." The first part of the verse caught my attention when Jesus said..."Go and learn what this means." I thought okay this is important... Jesus made it clear that this is a verse we should know something about. So I sat up straighter and turned the switch on my brain that would allow me to shut off all distractions and the days mistakes, then I focused.
I must have read this verse a dozen times, in 3 different translations, then a commentary! The NLT puts it "I want you to show love (mercy); not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me (God) more than I want burnt offerings." So I focused some more and like God does from time to time, he smacked me on the back of the head! Here was the conversation, God speaking:
"It is simple you small human...I, the God of the universe, a Holy one at that, wants to know YOU and I want YOU to know ME! Sure the commentaries will teach you some cool stuff, but just use what I gave you ... think!!"
God doesn't want ...
our stuff, our conjured up education, us to give up our car for global warming, to hear our prayers where we quote back the bible to him, us to "fix" ourselves before coming, or for us to fill up our calendars "serving him"
God wants ... us and all the crap that comes with us (I think he/she is big enough to handle it). God wants realness, a relationship - Not rituals.
So many people look at God like he/she is untouchable and far away. The creator of the universe, who controls the sun and moon...God is up there and we are down here. But it is the contrary...God is right here; God is in the box with us. And we are spending all of our time finding clever ways to break out of the box!!
Yes, I already knew all that. Maybe the verse shouldn't have amazed me so much, but it did. I guess I needed it - to be reminded of who God is, who I should be and who I am and that God wants it all. To be reminded that God values mercy and expects us to show it to all. And to be reminded that God wants small-minded-me, to know him.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Just Plain Random...
Can't sleep!!! I got tried of staring into space, so for some reason, I challenged myself to name the best songs of all time. Why and where did this come from??? I'll probably laugh at the list in the morning, but here it goes...Hope you enjoy!
*Please note this list is in NO particular order!!!*
Best Songs of ALL Time ... according to ME!
*Please note this list is in NO particular order!!!*
Best Songs of ALL Time ... according to ME!
- Pride (in the name of Love) - U2
- Message in a Bottle - The Police
- It's a Hard Life Wherever You Go - Nancy Griffith
- Country Road - James Taylor
- Hunger Stays - Margaret Becker
- Next Bold Move - Ani Difranco
- My Heaven/Late for Your Life/Joe Doe #24 - Mary Chapin Carpenter (OK to many, she needs her own list!! - Best songwriter ever!!!)
- Worlds Apart - Jars of Clay
- Deeper Well - Emmylou Harris
- I Don't Know Why - Shawn Colvin
- Silent All These Years - Tori Amos
- Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
- What's the Matter Here - 10,000 Manics
- Galileo - Indigo Girls
- LOVE SHACK - B52's (Yep! I said it!!)
- Let Him Fly - Patti Griffin
- Damaged - Plumb
- It's the End of the World - REM
- Not Ready to Make Nice - Dixie Chicks
- Fly From Heaven/I Will Not Take These Things for Granted - Toad the Wet Sprocket
- Time after Time - Cyndi Lauper
- Martyrs & Thieves/Refine Me - Jennifer Knapp (What happened to her anyway?? So sad!)
- Glory of It All - David Crowder
- My Glorious - ???? Passion?
- Luka - Susan Vega
- What I Am - Edie Brickell
- In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel
- Times Like These - Foo Fighters
- Jesus Freak - DC Talk
- Always - Newsboys
Good Night and You Are Welcome!! I know you needed that to complete your day!! Now go listen to some music!!!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Here's to Weekends!
It's been one of those weekends that you wish you just had one more day before going back to work!! One of those weekends when I walk around asking God why do I deserve this:
- My week ended with a round table meeting of colleagues from around the state - it was great being with like-minded and purpose driven people. I was inspired!
- Lunch with my mom, grandmother, nephew, and brother - good food and good to catch up.
- Guitar shopping with my super-talented, big brother (I didn't play much because I really suck compared to him!!)
- I love long drives alone - sometime you just need to go 75 mph, listening to Ani Difranco, and figure things out, or think about absolutely nothing.
- Back home Friday for date night!! Out to eat, pick up my very long awaited 10 year anniversary ring.
- Being reminded again, I am married to the most incredable man in the world and he just gets better with age!
- Small outrage about work stuff (won't go there because I didn't think about work again...until now)!
- Saturday...Marcus and I made a trip to Greenville - Atlanta Bread Co. (mmm...cheesecake!!) and to the Guitar Center!!! Hee, Hee...I bought a Taylor T5! :^)
- Played music ALL DAY!! No house cleaning, no yard work, and forgot all adult responsibilities. Lots of dishes in the sink, and it was all good.
- A great service at Capstone.
- Good times spent with new friends and their awesome new baby!
- Ended the day with more music, time with the pets, and cuddling while channel surfing!
What more could you ask for!...one more day off???
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Looking out for each other!
Meet George! We literally walked up on him this weekend in Nantahala. Walking back to our cabin Saturday morning Marcus pushes me over as the bottom of my foot rolls over on to this incredible little turtle. I almost crushed him; he totally blended in with the walkway! I would have be one miserable woman...turtles are one of my favorites of God's creation. But no harm was done to this little guy. So spending a little time with George was the highlight of my weekend.
But I could imagine for many people they would have kept on going about their vacation, missing the point. This is what taking a break is all about. Actually noticing the stuff around you...humm...that's an unique idea! Humans just don't do that kind of stuff anymore. We are so wrapped up in ourselves and our stuff- the fact some turtle is just looking for a place to warm up and dry out after inches of rain the night before doesn't matter to me as long as he doesn't get in my way. The sad thing is we do that kind of stuff to each other all the time. We don't really think about why someone is sitting alone, seems distracted, or is looking down all the time. We just say, "what's wrong with them today" or "they are a piece of work." I've done it and shame on me for not asking if everything is OK or not wanting to intrude on them. Sometimes we need to intrude, we need to ask, we need to actually send a card - the paper kind, or God forbid...pick up the phone.
Who knew that an encounter with such a little turtle could remind me that we need to look out for each other. Sometimes we need to look down to find where to go. People need to know we care, people need to know we respect them. So check out Philippians 2:3-4 and pay attention to others today.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Noticing Changes.
Marcus and I have had this long running outrage, that we've recently tested again. Anytime I have the itch to buy a new guitar, we go to this one particular store in Anderson (I'll refrain from using the store name here, but feel free to ask if you are interested!!) It started while we were dating and we have been married now for 10 wonderful years of complete bliss!! ;^) OK so the point is this hasn't changed for 12 years.
This is how it happens...we walk in look around sometime together, other times we go our separate ways. I am usually the one who picks up a guitar first and starts to play. And here comes the salesman...straight to Marcus!!! I am strumming, picking, examining, comparing and NOTHING, no one comes to ask if I need help or if I am interested. After this had happened a few times, I mention it to Marcus. Being the positive guy he is, he says no way and agrees to play along the next time we go in. So here we go again, together looking and now he is obviously showing me and handing me guitars. Enter Mr. Salesman...again NOTHING. All questions directed to Marcus and enters into conversation about how long Marcus has played guitar????
Sexism?!?! Well, walk into a music store and there are pictures of guitar legends past and present and maybe one women is represented, usually Bonnie Raitt or Heart. (Not to say those aren't great female guitarist, they definitely are...next time you are in a music store just look around.)
So we went in again last week just for fun. (This time I am looking for an electric - Fender or Gibson. Any sellers??) And yep, it happened again. But this time something different happened. I LAUGHED...all the way to the car. Though it still bothered me, it just didn't seem like a big deal. After all we have been through in the past few months, outrages seem different now. I am not saying that sexism in the community isn't important (0f course you know I will speak against it in every opportunity). We laugh harder at blatant ignorance's like that now. Before I would have seen that as an attack almost, now I walk out the store and think I still have a couple of hundred dollars in the bank and they don't.
This is how it happens...we walk in look around sometime together, other times we go our separate ways. I am usually the one who picks up a guitar first and starts to play. And here comes the salesman...straight to Marcus!!! I am strumming, picking, examining, comparing and NOTHING, no one comes to ask if I need help or if I am interested. After this had happened a few times, I mention it to Marcus. Being the positive guy he is, he says no way and agrees to play along the next time we go in. So here we go again, together looking and now he is obviously showing me and handing me guitars. Enter Mr. Salesman...again NOTHING. All questions directed to Marcus and enters into conversation about how long Marcus has played guitar????
Sexism?!?! Well, walk into a music store and there are pictures of guitar legends past and present and maybe one women is represented, usually Bonnie Raitt or Heart. (Not to say those aren't great female guitarist, they definitely are...next time you are in a music store just look around.)
So we went in again last week just for fun. (This time I am looking for an electric - Fender or Gibson. Any sellers??) And yep, it happened again. But this time something different happened. I LAUGHED...all the way to the car. Though it still bothered me, it just didn't seem like a big deal. After all we have been through in the past few months, outrages seem different now. I am not saying that sexism in the community isn't important (0f course you know I will speak against it in every opportunity). We laugh harder at blatant ignorance's like that now. Before I would have seen that as an attack almost, now I walk out the store and think I still have a couple of hundred dollars in the bank and they don't.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Silence
No real outrages since Friday. It's a good thing...because elevated blood pressure and increased heart rate daily could be a bad thing! But here's a great quote to think about...
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter."
- Martin Luther King
What matters? What's relevant?
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter."
- Martin Luther King
What matters? What's relevant?
- God, spiritual matters
- family
- friends, acquaintances
- co-workers
- beliefs, values
- respect
- equality
- self-worth
- compassion
- integrity
- calling
I could go on and I am sure you have your own list. But don't become silent - don't let the opinions, the stares, or status of someone else stop you from being who you were created to be. Silence is an awful, lonely place. When we allow someone to take our voice, we allow them to take part of our soul with them. That's not grabbing the abundant life God has for us either. So stay strong, speak up for what matters to you, and defend those you love.
'till next time...
Friday, September 7, 2007
Tired!
Ladies and Gentlemen...I am tired...
Tired of living in a society that cares more about how many kids Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have than the images we allow to invade our minds, souls, homes, and our children. Images like the one posted below. This sign was placed on Clemson Blvd. today (past the interstate and several other sights around town). Hundreds of people drove by but didn't pay attention. (If you did you should have been outraged!!) I wanted to scream, "Wake up people and start giving a damn!"
The sign shows an image of a woman being grabbed by a motorcycle (or a masculine image), in a bikini and heals (2 items I always wear together), and her underwear being pulled off. And most people just drove by...people with daughters, wives, girlfriends, sisters, mothers. OK so the point isn't that you may have missed this small sign on your way to wherever, but that we dismiss a lot more. Why do we accept women's butt to sell a car? Why do we need women's breast to sell alcohol? Or a woman's body to sell cologne?
objectify: to present something as an object
demean: to lower in character, status, or reputation
Get what I am saying?? So what's the problem? We have become too passive in our society. Do we even give a second glance to what things are really saying? We are accepting messages that aren't our own - Power and Dominance = Masculinity; Girls have to smile and act nice; only sissies cry; get it when you can get it. Sexual assault is too pervasive in our society to think our norms have nothing to do with it! Sex is NOT an entitlement!
I'm tired and fed up!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Who Knew??
Ha, Ha! I am blogging. Pretty ironic...the girl who thinks "Oh God, when I die please don't let anyone find my first drafts or my post-its with random thoughts that I've tried to keep hidden away!" 8 months into the year, my new year's resolution is ... so I've backspaced 3 times, I guess I'm still working on it - I'll get back to you on that.
So here's to random thoughts! And oh yeah, my site is pink because those of you reading think that it should be something else....
There's enough wrong in the world to make me write!
So here's to random thoughts! And oh yeah, my site is pink because those of you reading think that it should be something else....
There's enough wrong in the world to make me write!
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