He's Not An Either/Or God!

I really don’t think clearly when I’m sick. My brain is scattered. Sometimes I talk in circles. Sometimes I think in circles. I apologize for this ahead of time when I speak with anyone about anything I should be aware of, educated about or well versed enough to discuss. It’s like my brain is hanging out the sign “Out to Lunch.”

On Tuesday I went on a hot date with my husband. First we ate some dinner, which was delicious. We were celebrating Danny’s release of his Tips on Tips program. Then we went pricing food for kid’s jam. Yeah, we’re cool like that. After getting kicked out of Sam’s (who knew they closed at 8:30?) we headed to Walmart. Almost to the end of our little pricing expedition, my throat went crazy. I had a hard time breathing and I couldn’t speak. My nose started running and I could feel the drainage in the back of my throat.

Danny grabbed me a quick drink and after downing several swallows, I could at least talk. I chalked the whole episode up to sinuses. By that evening my mouth was in intense pain. We have no dental insurance so as I was mentally adding up all the available money I could get my hands on, I was making a deal with God. At that point my throat was scratchy as well. Still thinking allergies/sinuses.

My deal, Lord, You know we can’t afford a dentist right now. I’ll handle the sore throat, allergies, all the yuck etc. but please heal my mouth.

I gargled with salt water. Checked out my stash of essential oils. Numbed my mouth with Orajel and went to bed.

The next morning, Wednesday, I woke up with zero mouth pain. But my throat was in full throttle forward. It was hard to swallow. I winced with saliva let alone food. And I thought, now this I can handle.

On day three I woke up in even more pain. And this thought crossed my mind. Why does God have to be an either/or God? Is He not capable of being an “everything” God? And why do I feel I need to make deals with Him anyway? When my own children are sick do I make deals with them to take away the greater illness and instead make them suffer with a bout of the flu? No. I wouldn’t want that for my children now why do I think God would want that for me?

Matthew 7:9-11 says this: “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

He is more capable than we give Him credit for. I’m done making deals with God and I’m going to approach His throne with confidence that He wants the best for me. Not seconds, not leftovers, not rummage sale quality, but the best!

Lord, I come boldly before your throne. I ask that you heal me in the name of Jesus. I pray that the enemy would be held at bay and that all my energy would be restored so I might glorify you in all that I must do. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July!

Yeah, I know I’m a day early, but I have 37 people coming to celebrate what’s left of our freedom and time has slipped away from me. So, this is going to be short and sweet and to the point.

The fourth of July used to illicit a puffed up pride in me, one that said, I’m an American and I live in the best country in the world. Our country has started a downward spiral and I’m not sure she’ll ever recover. It makes me sad to see our values and morals being flushed. Yep, I’m a bit pessimistic these days.

Then again, the Lord would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah if only there were ten righteous. Maybe there is hope. Maybe.

Then again, maybe God is as sick of it as I am and is coming back soon.

We’re going to celebrate tomorrow. Not so much for pride in what our country has become, but in remembrance of what she once was.

Had dinner with our pastors last night…and we pretty much came to the conclusion that Christ’s return is imminent. It has to be.

Enjoy your family, your friends and remember what once was. That should be enough to put a smile on your face.

Blessings,
Darlene Shortridge, Author of fiction that makes a difference

The Scapegoat

This week has been an interesting week to say the least. At least in the life of a certain celebrity chef. I have been following the news releases and trying to make sense of it all. One thing that stands out above all else is once upon a time Paula Deen used a derogatory word, a very long once upon a time ago. And now she is being crucified for it.

In our “love is key” world, this woman is not feeling the love. In fact, this type of behavior is what I would expect of the world. No grace, no mercy, no forgiveness and a long notebook that keeps track of all wrongs committed. In fact, I believe we are seeing the world’s true colors.

In a world that preaches tolerance and getting along we must question the motives behind the preaching. In other words, tolerance is expected for some circles, but others are left out in the cold. Paula Deen is near frozen.

I immediately saw the injustice of it. Because Paula is white and she used the “N” word over twenty years ago, she is presently a racist and intolerant. Because of course we are all exactly what we were twenty years ago. Yeah, and if you believe that I’m pretty certain I have an ocean front property to sell you in Arizona and by all rights I should be wearing a size 10. Okay, so that’s a farce.

Fired from the Food Network, no longer the spokesperson for Smithfield products, the future looks dim for the celebrity foodie. Or do they? Her fans are crawling out of the woodwork and screaming foul play. Boycotts of Food Network are in progress and subscribers are leaving the network in droves. I’m sure there will be plenty of repercussions for Smithfield as well.

Both the Food Network and Smishfield are looking for accolades for standing up for the oppressed. When in fact they are hypocritical goons that look like fools in the eyes of the masses. Sure, there are a few clapping their hands at such stupidity. But most see such behavior for what it is and do not condone hanging someone out to dry for something that happened years ago. So, is the Food Network going to ask their African American chefs if they have ever used derogatory descriptions of white people and fire them too? That’s a big no. Like I said, a bunch of hypocrites.

Sorry, I was rambling there. BTW…having a blog is kind of fun. Ranting is completely allowable. But, back to my point.

It is never okay to speak ill of anyone. I don’t care what color you are, the rules should be the same for everyone. We should all be held to the same measuring stick. All of us. We have become such a politically correct world that many are asking Paula to pay for the sins of generations past. Is that really fair? No, it’s not.

Hasn’t that already been done for us? Oh yeah, it has. Christ took care of it all on the cross. Now get over it.