What does it Mean?

JesUSAves

I used to really hate these shirts, like despise them.  If you know me, you know that I'm a strong believer that Jesus and America are not interchangeable.  I have no love for God and Country, I love God and people.

But then I realized that this little... whatever it is... word? saying? Made absolutely no since to me.  So... What does it mean? 

Jesus saves Americans?
Americans love Jesus?
Christians love America?

USA saves Jesus?

Jes USA ves...?

Is it something that you're just supposed to wear to the 4th fireworks so that people know that you're Christian, but not a terrorist? Is it klingon? I just don't know...

Parenting...

Parenting has been on my mind for the last few months.  I wonder if we're doing it right, if we're inflicting some kind of damage to our kids, if you can over train a child till their will breaks and they loose their spirt, and uniqueness in the process.  I wonder if our girls are truly happy and care free.  Or if they should be.  Is it more important to teach them to obey without question, or to learn how to reason and inquire?  Is it more important to love on them or be consistent in discipline?  Should they be allowed to argue their side or should they do first and ask why later?  

My current parenting philosophy lies somewhere between To Train up a Child and Why not train a Child.  As you can see these Ideas are pretty conflicting.  

-Overall I would say I don't agree with the Pearls'. They have some great thoughts... for example: The Church (as in Churches, not the actual body of believers) is for the sick.  Go in, do your ministry, and get your kids out. I know for a fact that many children have been abused in church, so I see that as sound advise. As far as some of their discipline tactics, though, they seem borderline torturous. They also talk about parenting as the most important role which I don't think you can support biblically. -I really haven't read much by them, though, so feel free to comment your thoughts.

-The other side. *sigh* I really like the idea of parenting gently. The idea of guiding with words and not punishment. I love the idea of it, but I'm unsure about the application. I know that people have argued that well behaved kids shouldn't be our goal (we should be "Teaching kids how to think, no merely what to think"...quote from Hippie Housewife), but good behavior does have it's place, doesn't it, shouldn't there be some type of consequence to trowing a fit over not being able to have candy in the store? - for those of you practicing this type of parenting please help me out!

I'm at a loss and I see many great parents that parent many different ways.  I just want to do what God would have us to do, but there is so little instruction in the bible that I find myself totally, and utterly confused.  Not only that, but, it's not like I can stop parenting until I figure it out, right?

*praying*

How do you parent?

Why We Don't....

Note: This is an attempt to let you in on our beliefs regarding the celebration of Christmas and why they are.  My hope is only to explain myself in a way that would be fully informative and respectful.  It is not, in any way a judgment on your traditions, beliefs, or practices. 

Biblically: I'm unaware of any instance in the Bible were Jesus's Birth was celebrated on a specific day. There is little doubt that December 25th has nothing to do with the timeline of Jesus's actual birth.  It would seem from the bible that during the time of Jesus's birth the weather was warm and dry because the shepherds were still out in the field with their sheep (probably sometime in September).  So why is December 25th so special?

Traditionally: There are many pagan holidays that were/are celebrated during this time of year.  Most of them having to do with the sun starting to come back to life after the solstice (the days beginning to get longer).  In fact many of the traditions that Christian families practice during their celebrations came from these earlier pagan celebrations.  Including:

• Gifting of presents
• Gluttonous eating and drinking
• Lighting candles
• Kissing under mistletoe
• Bringing cut trees indoors
• Caroling -though at the time they were obviously different tunes having nothing to do with the Christ child.

Socially: This holiday seems to put exclamation marks between the "haves" and the "have-nots".  While the children in Africa get a little shoebox of trinkets our children are opening hundreds of dollars worth of stuff that will probably break in a few hours/weeks/months.  Not to mention those kids working 12-18 hours a day for next to nothing (and often times in abuse-full situations) to make all of the stuff that is bought.

Environmentally: Every year I see hundreds of beautiful trees leave our area to live in somebody's house for a month and then get taken to a landfill.  Houses are lit up as much as possible skyrocketing energy consumption.  Tons of new toys, clothes, and shoes are made causing more environmental pollution and waste. And anyone can see the overflowing trash bins the week following a Christmas celebration.

So what do we celebrate? We celebrate Jesus's birth, life, and sacrificial death.  We celebrate the anticipation of his return. We celebrate the changing seasons of the year and of our lives. We celebrate growing older and the love that Jesus has brought to us through friends, family, and community.

Mostly we celebrate with our everyday lives.  When we do celebrate with food and gifts (or treats and one of my good friends calls them) we try our best to make sure they are environmentally friendly, socially conscious, and typically home made.

Fun Finds Friday

Praying in Color

A new (to me) way to talk to God. I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but I've always found it hard and a bit boring to pray. I know, I should (and really I do) want to spend hours talking to My Savior. It's just that every time I sat down to have a long conversation with The Lord I would end up falling asleep, or at the very least, loose interest and start day dreaming.

We were staying with some family and I saw that the lady of the house was sitting in the front room by herself coloring... I asked what she was working on. She said "I'm Praying in Color, have you heard of it? I think you would like it." and handed me a book.

I had no idea that there were other ways to pray than with your head bent, eyes closed, and hands together... So I borrowed the book! I took it home and read it cover to cover, and to tell you the truth didn't know what I thought. The basic idea is to draw your prayer. for example: writing the names of people you are praying for and drawing/coloring around that name while praying for them... but it's not just about praying for people, it works with just about anything that's on your heart. There were a few concepts that scared me a little, like praying without language (sounded a lot like meditation, and that word reminds me of some new age religion), but then I started to think about people that don't have a language (such as some of the deaf kids that used to come to us at the ranch, 12 years old and no language) ... and I do truly believe that they still have the ability to pray... so I let God out of this little box that I had put him in and here's what I learned:

• There's more than one way to pray.
• Hanging out with God (even not talking) can be amazing!
• "Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly"
• God like's to work outside of the box (he's a creative God).

Start praying in color, or something equally as "outside of the box" and tell me what you think!

God vs Science

Does it have to be one or the other?

I was reading a blog recently where a woman was talking about her homeschooling and the fact that she doesn't teach the subject of science to her children because it is the subject of the devil (or something like that) and would confuse them into unbelief. I was shocked mildly taken aback. I have known for years that christians and scientists seem to be on opposite sides. I know that many christians scoff at the idea of global warming and scientists roll their eyes at the creation story. Still I assumed even the biggest sceptic believed some theories of science (like that there are other planets and solar systems out there). In the same way I have always believed that even the scientist most apposed to christianity still believed there were certain truths in the world (such as murder being wrong and choice being right).

First of all let me just say that I do have an issue with the idea that we all just happened to accidently form from a mud puddle (it seems way more far fetched than the idea of design to me). And I'm not 100% into the whole global warming/cooling issue not for lack of proof, however... but the simple idea that climate changes are normal i.e. the ice age (this doesn't mean that I don't think taking care of God's creation isn't something that we should always be conscious of). I do know, however, that science helps prove christianity over and over again (and you could probably say the same of the opposite).

To me, discrediting science for fear that it might disprove Christianity is like turning your brain off -something that i don't believe in any way we were called to do- . Why would you even want to follow a God that didn't want to be found in the very thing that he created. I believe that he wants to be found and that he has proven himself over and over again, even in the science realm (no matter how much they want to deny it).

YouTube - Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (Super Trailer)

looks like science has just as hard of a time of questioning their beliefs as christians do.

The Order of Things

Danny's mom is having to evacuate her house because of the fire in Auburn. He said that all is fin,e because the wind is blowing the fire away from her house. Good news! Later Danny and I were talking about it, though, and he said he had to evacuate once when he was a kid. I asked him if it was really cool and exciting (cause thats what I would have thought it would be). He said, "no, I was scared to death..." and then, "but my mom was totally freaking out, so it probably came from that."

There was a line in "Saving Private Ryan" that went something like, If you're going to complain you complain up (in rank). This make sense... there really is no point in complaining down, it's just not beneficial. If there is no one higher, however, you share your thoughts, concerns, and complaints, in the wrong direction, to the wrong person. In the case of Danny's mom, she shared it with her kids.

I remember my childhood being supper secure and comfortable. I always felt safe. I don't think it came from knowing that my parents loved me, although they did and I knew they did. I think it came from knowing they loved each other. I remember that before my dad would go to work each day he would kiss my mom goodbye, and my parents would hold hands when we would drive in the car. It was more than even that, though. The way that they would talk to each other... it was soothing.

So after saying all of that, it shouldn't surprise you to know that I try not to put my kids first, and I don't think that raising them is the most important job that I have. While I do talk about them an awful lot, and spend more time with them than any one else, I almost try and think of it as a day job (although I am tempted to consume myself with them)... or maybe a career. I do this for 20ish years and then retire. Sure I go back and visit and maybe even work part time every now and again, but for the most part I'm retired.

I'm their mother and I love them dearly, but they only have a temporary place in my home. My husband is permanent, my girls are only mine (really mine) until they are 18. Danny is the love of my life and by loving him I am loving my kids. By loving Danny (and being close enough to trust him with my worries, concerns, and thoughts) I am giving my children the comfort, security, safety that they need.

Safety First

Dude!!!

YouTube - Francis Chan - Balance Beam

The Bigger Picture

In response to Colette's latest post :o) Enjoy

YouTube - Shane Claiborne - Fundamentalism

Not okaying sin, but inviting sinners to come to the Lord... loving people as people. Ministering to them where they are, not where we want them to be. Showing them that they have a place in God's kingdom. That they aren't a mistake, and that they can still experience love.

Warning: this may be uncomfortable!

God's not American

We really want to put a bumper sticker on our car that reads "God is Not American". My Dad thinks we'll get shot. He's probably right (the bullet might even come from somebody at our church)... American Christians seem to think that this is God's chosen nation. You know the part of the bible that talks about the Israelites and the Americans... haha.

When I bring up the fact that I have an issue with Patriotism most of my friends are shocked. They say, "Well, yes, America has walked away from God. But it started out as a Godly nation, laid out with the 10 commandments (more or less) as our governing system. So there for we support American and bringing America back to God." What I say to that is... check your facts. America was in no way founded as a Theocracy. Our "Godly" forefathers were not Christians and many of them were running from something (the law). These were not good, ethical, or bible following people. Even if our nation was "the chosen nation" and was God fearing, do you think it would be biblical to pledge our allegiance to it?

I think patriotism breeds indifference (at the very least) towards other people groups. In fact, there is a man from our church (who I respect as a Godly Christian) who said out right, " I don't care about [such and such a country] I'm American". OK, so the context of the conversation was having to do with gas prices and how much other countries have to pay for fuel in comparison. But I really think, regardless of the subject, that this is the way that the majority of the American Christian church feels. How sad is that? Basically we're saying screw the rest of the world we're the only ones that really matter.

I think my husband also makes a good point when he said "Patriotism is one of the foremost avenues for racism." If we think we are better than others, or more deserving than others, than how are we any different than the Pharisees?

A good friend of mine has some very good questions for the American church (and many other thought provoking ideas) on her blog... I strongly recommend checking it out.

Radio Silent

Over here at the Harmon house we have been BUSY for the last few weeks! Here's a taste of what's been going on sense the last post.

I finished my dad's father's day present (left). A self standing screen with birch trees painted on it. It's made from the old fence at my parent's house that my dad and brother are now redoing (thrifty and meaningful... how cool is that?!) It took about a week, but with some perfect finishing touches from Danny it was done just in time to give it to him before our trip.

The day before we left I made a birthday present for one of my sister in laws (totally forgot to take a picture).

I'm scared to death of Sati loosing her monkey so just before we left (like hours) I decided that Mono needed a safe place to ride around on our trip. So I made a sling for his mama. She LOVES it, and I think Mono is happy, too.

.... and then it was finally time to head off to family camp in the redwoods for a week (here's a picture of all the kids... minus marleigh). We had a BLAST but are glad to be back home catching up on sleep

What's With the Egg?

Easter is an event that is just too amazing to wrap my mind around. While I do feel that I could give my life for another person (maybe I'm morbid in that way). I really can't imagine taking their blame and letting it separate me from God (even if only for a min.). That is just too much of a sacrifice. Yet, that's what Jesus did for me... and he was closer to God than any one of us has ever been... I can't even imagine the pain of that separation. He sacrificed EVERYTHING so that I could live forever in glory. And what happened next???? Even more exciting... HE CAME BACK TO LIFE... dude! Like I said, I can't seem to wrap my mind around it.

So, with that being said, you will understand why I'm a bit annoyed. The American church has just added pagan festivities to their own. With sermons on "what the egg means to the Christian" and Easter egg hunts in the Church, how are we separating ourselves from every one else? How are we communicating the truly amazing gift that "Easter" has brought us?

If you want to take your kids out in your back yard and hunt easter eggs, or decorate your house with bunnies, that's your call. It's your family, your house, and your own convictions. But, to me, the church has no place to sponsor these activities (I think the message that is sends is confusing). Sure, maybe it's fun, maybe more people will come if we tone down the message... but in the end will they see Jesus or just the easter bunny?

Living off Fear

I really don't pay much attention to current events. I prefer it that way... in fact I make a point to not watch the news. It's not that I don't want to be informed, I would just rather hear both sides of a situation before I make my mind up about something (and I don't remember a single time when the news broadcast has spoken on both sides and allowed you, your own view). Normally, I would say, they find something that might put a couple people in danger (somewhere in the world) and make you feel like you're one of them. American's are fed by fear. I just choose not to partake in the feast.

I'm a little surprised by the people that are really afraid, though. It's the Christians... the ones that claim to have the power of God (GOD!!!!) by their side. I'm a Christian, I know what I believe, and to me, it seems silly to be in fear's grasp. It's paralyzing!

It seems to have been this way sense I can remember. When I left for Mexico (for two years) people from my church were upset and couldn't imagine why I would leave the US when there are people in our own neighborhoods that need to be saved. It is true... there are, but that's not what I was called to.

** In my eyes, American's have all the resources they need to come to Christ. In my eyes, it's a stubbornness that keeps them from the Lord. That's why I don't make a great missionary here in the US (I just don't have the compassion for the rich that I do for the poor). **

A couple months ago, just after the results came in of the presidential election, most of my bible study group walked in looking defeated and somewhat sick. They kept shaking their heads and saying "scary times, we're living in scary times". I really don't know if Obama is the anti-christ or the "hope" that our country is looking for. But Am I the only one that is a little excited at the prospect that he might be "the one" (anti-christ)? We could be witnessing amazing prophecy right here, right now.

** I'm just thinking what is there to fear??? GOD'S ON OUR SIDE... we're on the right side (and by the way if it's foretold by God that there will be an anti-christ, than there will be... we aren't going to stop it). **

The most recent thing that has been brought to my attention is the Mexico scare. When people found out that we were bringing our daughter to Mexico with us on a little short term missions trip.... THEY FLIPPED!!! Even if we were going to be in some kind of danger (which we weren't) is that supposed to stop us from serving the Lord? We are only on this earth for a short time, and if God calls us to some place scary we will go (and we will bring our kids) because God, not fear, is in control of our lives.

** "The only thing to fear is fear it's self" **

Thoughts?

an earlier post on fear: State Side: The Fear Behind it

A Day Dream Believer

I have a dream... well it's more of a day dream, or maybe a fantasy.

Danny and I, both, have a huge desire to live by the ocean (the details of our fantasies maybe differ a little bit, but for the most part we're on the same page). But when I'm talking about "by the ocean" I don't want you to get the idea that we want to live in a town that is close to the ocean, no, no, we want to live on the beach.

I want a large porch with a picnic table on it. A place where we can eat breakfast as a family and then, after, turn the kids loose to find oysters, play in the tide pools, and build sand castles (while mom and dad finish up our coffee). Danny can take our little groms surfing on the weekends, and when they come back I can make them a snack and we can all take a lazy afternoon nap outside in a hammock or on a beach blanket laid out in the shade. I want to be able to go out kayaking with my husband and be able to chase my kids around on an endless beach. I want my kids to grow up outside with a continual supply of sand in their ears and no shoes on their feet. I want to live in another country, and send our kids to school there, learning that countries language. Our ministry can be right there on the beach, and maybe scuba diving will even fit into God's call on our lives.

So is it a tall order? YES! but I really believe that God sees our dreams, I even believe that he gives us those dreams. So, now we're just waiting for God to send us to this paradise, we'll take the bugs and all.

~what this doesn't mean is that we've completely shut down here... No, we still have a ministry here, and are not wishing time away... our hearts are just a little closer to the ocean.~

What is your dream?