Religion - Does anyone take me seriously any more?

Once again I found myself another religion related topic to write about.  That is Baptism...  I know, I know, what can I say about baptism that you guys do not know about.  Well, I am going to say what I think baptism means to me.

Baptism is a ritual of forgiveness between God and a person.  It is a two way conversation.  A person prays to God for forgiveness and then gets into a river and dives into it.  The whole body has to be emerged in water.  There is a deep meaning behind this act.  

The river 'delivers' all the sins away.  This is significant as you are given a second chance.  This is where I think people misunderstand the meaning of baptism.  They things that there will be third, forth, fifth chance....  etc.  The truth is that we do not know if God gives more that second chance.  yet people go through with this secrete ritual without changing their lifestyle, without modifying their behavior, not knowing or understanding the true meaning...

This makes is sad and angry at the same time.  I always said that I did not like people.  Though, it sounds very bad, it is the only way I can communicate how I feel about humans.  I have been in Customer Service industry for a long time.  I learned how to read people.  I know  what to expect out of them.. I profile and I am correct at least 95% of the time.  It is not that I do not like people in general.  It is that I do not like the behavior of people.    But this is a whole other blog.

PS.  My readers... Please do not take this personally.  This is a blog after all..... 

My America

Funny that I call the US mine.  I lived in this country for only 11 years yet I do not felt so in touch with any other country.  My America is a very young country. Merely 300 years old it has a very short history compare to the rest of the world.  The Europe does not see America as equal in literature, culture or any other aspect. It is an 'enemy' on some level.

I can say many great things about America.  It is the greatest country to live in.  I know because I lived in Europe, I know what happens there.  

From a very young age non-American's are taught not to like Americans.  They are selfish, uneducated, uncultured bunch of people.  And by European standards they are correct.  But what they are missing is the core and the strength of this country.  No where else in the world people proudly hang their flag in front of their home.  No where else in the world people sing their hymn while not being forced.  

The first time I felt an American was at a Baseball game.  The hymn was playing and I took my hand and placed it on my heart and that is when I knew where I belong.  I am not going to say that I had tears in my eyes because I didn't. But I did FEEL!

My America is full of opportunities, happiness, pride.  I am honored to be a part of this land.  I am proud to be an American!!!!!!!

Why women cry..... the movie edition

For many years I have been observing many women crying over movies.  The cheesier the movie the more tears cascade down a face of a woman.  Today, I talked to a friend of mine about such movies.  Two came to mind and both seem to touch her heard equally.  In this blog I would like to discuss those and a couple other movies.

The Notebook

Really??!!  I was watching it with a friend of mine... by the end of the movie and one kleenex box later I was bored out of my mind.  Ten minutes into the movie I knew exactly what was going to happen.  The remainder of the movie I watch my friend drowning in her own tears.  Although I try, I do not understand why women cry during a love story.  Is it because they want to be a part of some thing so dramatic that they had to make a movie about it?  Is it because their lives are so dull that some high-paid actors push just the correct combination of buttons to make viewers' lives more exciting.  I wish I knew the answer to all of my questions.  I wish I could experience that feeling of remorse towards actors on the screen doing what they are paid to do.  

In The Notebook an elderly couple of going through a memory lane of their life.  It is a truly interesting story full of love and devotion of two people.  The drama is overwhelming and the screenwriter made sure of it.  

PS I love you

I hated that movie.  It was a typical movie targeted women directly.  They took the weakest aspect of woman's personality - inability to let go.

A man, a great husband, a light of her life dies.  The movie takes us through a life of a woman he left behind.  A woman who receives letters from her dead husband asking her to run errands for him... :)  It is a reverse love story.  In real life she should begin a healing process after her husband's death but in this movie she was walked through that process by her dead husband.  

Again, it is one of those stories when a screenwriter created a story that should not happen to anyone for their own sake.  But somehow women fall for it and cry about it.

My husband always tells people that I did not cry during Passion of the Christ.  He takes it as far as saying that I made fun of it.  The truth is I did not cry.  There was nothing to cry about.  It was a story of Jesus.  The blood was his make up, the violence was brilliantly orchestrated, and the actor did fantastic job reliving a life of Jesus Christ himself.  But, and there is always BUT, I do not feel sorry for a guy in the movie (aka the actor) who got paid millions of dollars to play a part in this movie.  Its not personal, its business.  

I do not cry at movies.  I have been missing my sensitivity chip my whole life.  I do not understand why people cry.  I am curious.  I want to feel it but I can't give a director a pleasure of getting a tear out of me.  The only movie I would consider to get sad during is Schindler's List.  Not because of the story during the film but the story behind the film.

For those of you who know me, this is not a surprise.  I do not hide my confusion about your tears of sadness.  I am always forward with my opinion.  I love the fact that you feel as through that I get to experience these uncharted waters of emotions.

Religion - nothing is _____ any longer

I was watching TV last night and came across a religious program.  In that program, a preacher was telling me what to think while asking for donations.  This man did not sit on an ordinary chair, in an ordinary room, wearing ordinary cloths.  He was very well dressed, sitting in a throne like chair in a room full of golden statuettes, many vases of arranged flowers, and wealth breathing walls.  I understand that it is a set up but how commercialized can religion get.  

He is not alone in this money making business.  What about the performers who make killing on god saved children.  There is an award show for them!!!  WHAT DA H E L L!!!!!  I mean it....

Jesus said that he did not want the money and wealth but spiritual fulness. 

If all the people who make money really cared about spreading the word of JC then the concerts will cost minimal amount just enough to cover the expenses and no profit would be made.  I am not against the profit.  All I am saying is to call things for what they are.  All those God fearing individuals who "want" to spread the word are nothing but a corporation making the money off the religion.  There names should be:

Brandon Heath, Corp.

Steven Curtis Chapman, LLC    etc...

(I had to look the names up as I know nothing about them)  :)

Then, I see what they are doing and I can respect them for that.

My Religion - Thought One

My grandmother always said that religion is not something you want to talk about at the table. Come to think of it, we never talked about religion. Most of the people have their own way of thinking about their god(s). With that said, I do as well.

My first encounter with the religion in the US was about 10 years ago when I was asked if I was saved ..... What?! I was not sure how to react to a question like that. I would like to think that my God will take me (if my god excists) when my time comes. 

It has been a long journey and till this day I wonder about God, the bible, and the spiritual life.  I have been in the middle of that struggle for some time now. The questions are constantly there..  where is God?  Why is God so untouchable and unexplainable?  Why should I believe the Bible word to word?  Why? 

I know, I know.... I am going to hell for thinking like this.  It is my nature to question things.  Just ask my husband, I ask many questions every day about many important and dumb issues.  I love to question peoples' decisions, so why not question the bible.

So I do not go to church therefore I am going to hell, But who is to say that the person who goes to church religiosly is saved even of they do believe that JC died on the cross for them. Let's look at it this way. I am a child malester who attends a chuch three times per week, I believe with everything that I have that JC has died for me... Do I go to Heaven? I hope not. A chritian will argue that a person who believe in god will not do such think. I have to laugh at such naive take on life. Well, I am not a child molester so I really do know how that person feels. 

I do not go to church every sunday. I am lucky to go once per month. Two reasons: my chuch is in charlotte amd I do not believe going to church makes me a better person.  I can honestly say that I fear after death events and that is what drives me to be a good citizen.  I am a good mom, wife, daughter, friend, neighbor, and stranger.  I am a good person regardless my Spok like personality.

I have visited many churches in my life time.  I have visited the most of christian churches why living in the South.  I have been in Baptist Church, Methodist, Catholic, Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, Extreme Baptist...  None of them fit me.  Each one has something about them that my body rejects.  I never understood a microphone, tv screen, band music, screaming out Halleluya(spelling), preacher telling me what and how to think, telling me his/her own interpretation of the bible, the definition of each passage, etc.  I feel like I am at the YMCA.  (I do not want to offend anyone, these are my thoughts and feeling)  I feel like I am joining a cult.  I feel like I drink kool-aid.

I like Armenian Church.  It is a place where you can go say your prayer and leave.  It is a place of a community on a different level.  There are no band practices within the walls of our God's house.  There is a quiet paradise of your thoughts. I like it there.  Only at that church I feel spiritual.  I believe because there, no one can judge me for questioning God, no one can tell me how to interpret the bible, no one will disturb the silence.  I love that, I can meditate., I feel in peace.

My Dad

I was two and a half when my father passed away. Seems like a long time ago, I know. But not a day goes by that I do not think of him..

I know him through stories, pictures, rumors, and reputation. I wish I could remember him.

Consideration

What is consideration? According to webster it is:

con·sid·er·ation

Pronunciation:

\kən-ˌsi-də-ˈrā-shən\

Function:

noun

Date:

14th century

1: continuous and careful thought consideration he agreed to their requests>2 a: a matter weighed or taken into account when formulating an opinion or plan considerations forced her to leave college> b: a taking into account3: thoughtful and sympathetic regard

After reading the above description I know the following... It is has been around long enough for people to digest it and implement into their every day life. But I wonder why some people choose to ignore such important action. Regardless how much I dislike someone I always take that person in consideration if required.

I am having difficult time writing about this. After all, I had an experience that brought this up to the surface. I really want to know why certain some one does not take some things in consideration. I am known for being up front to people. I do not say things behind people's back unless I am willing to say into their face. Unfortunately, I find myself in a situation when I cannot really say it up front. I am not afraid just do not want to start something unpleasant. So here is the best that I can do.....

If my kids read this I hope they understand that I have nothing against no one..... I am just trying to understand...'

It was Mother;s Day yesterday. After the day has passed three of my six kids did not call me. It did not hurt my feeling because I know they are kids and their brain does not quiet get it yet. But what I do not understand is why they were not reminded to make a phone call. After all I did give them up on our weekend so that they could spend Mother;s Day with their mom. It had nothing do to with the plans. We were ready to tell the kids that all of their plans would have to be canceled because that weekend was very important to me. So I was considerate but I did not get that back. TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED.... I know what it means and I live my life by that rule.

A big part of a step parent is constantly being remind that you are step. It is a curse that has been put upon us to suffer for loving our non-biological children.

PS they did call after my husband called remind them....

The First Amendment

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The First Amendment of Bill of Right. One sentence and 46 words. Short and simple yet it allows me to write this blog about whatever I wish. It allows you to read if you choose to do so. No police knocking on my door, no KGB monitoring my internet activities, no neighbor "telling" on me.

This Amendment is not to be taken lightly. Because of the freedom of speech or of the press the United States became what it is today. For some strange reason people take their constitution for granted. They think it will always be there no matter what, but it is soon to change. Our freedom of speech and press has been put on Obama watch. He is watching us not for the security reasons but for socialist reason. He wants us to think as convenient for him. He wants us feel as we are in need of his holly touch. He is getting 50% of Americans to think that is it OK to depend on him and it is not OK to say anything against him as he is the ONE, he is the forgotten child....

I know what the First Amendment means to me, but I would really like to know what it means to you. Please share your thought....