Discerning God's Will

I attended a retreat yesterday and one of the topics being discussed was how to discern God's will. 

One thought that struck me was the question "Why do we always assume that what we want is not what God wants?"

I sometimes struggle with the idea that if I came up with something, then it may not be God's will.  But if we truly are trying to live according to God's standards and are seeking Him, then it does stand to reason that our plans may be His plans.  The danger is that we still need to discern between ideas.

For me right now, the road to adoption is taking time.  This frustrates me in some ways, but in others I can see that the slow and steady approach is the right one.  Without taking my time to make decisions, save money, and get some parenting advice, I would probably feel less certain about my decision to adopt.  I also would have missed out on the background knowledge I have learned about international adoption, foster care, various countries' process and how agencies work.

Hypocrisy: Branstad's Lack of Sacrifice

Terry Branstad was elected Iowa's governor in November.  He had previously served in various state positions, including governor, from 1973 until 1999.  As a result, he is entitled to a $50,000 per year pension for his state service.  He also is receiving a $130,000 salary each year.

However, since taking office, Branstad has been pushing for current state employees to pay more on their benefits and to give back an increase in their salary.  His justification is that the budget crisis requires a sacrifice by state employees.

While I am not quibbling with the idea that sacrifices need to be made, it appears to me that Branstad is being hypocritical in accepting both salary and pension.  Is he entitled to both?  Yes.  But that does not make it right, nor appropriate to do so when trying to get others to make monetary sacrifice. 

Branstad's lack of sacrifice is hurting the message he is sending. 

It also highlights a disturbing trend in his administration: fixing the numbers.  Branstad is claiming that there is a budget shortfall of over $700 million.  However, the budget shortfall is actually around $350 million - the additional amounts are from a proposed tax break.  The amount of sacrifice Branstad is trying to cover actually includes a generous business tax reduction.

Apparently, not all have to sacrifice equally.  Or even at all.

Budgeting: The book problem

I have decided I need a book budget.  Just this week I have purchased over $200 in books; most of them are for school, but a few are for pleasure.

I guess it isn't surprising that spend so much on books, as I have always been a reader.  My aunt would punish her daughter/my cousin when I was at her house by ordering us to my cousin's room.  As we headed upstairs, the last words were, "And no reading any books either!"

Right now, I have a shelf of books that I want to read.  I occasionally pull one off and read it, but with my school schedule, it rarely happens.

So, now I need to come up with a reasonable amount budget.  Maybe a hundred?  Fifty?

Valentine's Day

As a single woman, I have a love-hate relationship with Valentine's Day. 

On one hand, I appreciate that there is a holiday to celebrate relationships in our culture.  Too often, we fail to remind our loved ones that we do love and appreciate them.  I love how the holiday is sometimes taken over by gifts for children and other non-romantic people.

On the other hand, I don't like how that is often celebrated as a way to force people to buy gifts, keep up with the Jones', and a license for sex between unmarried people. 

I know there is a debate between those who believe it was a pagan holiday and a Christian celebration of a man who died for his mission.  The pagans seems to be winning the battle these days.

I'm also conflicted about when the holiday falls.  These days, I am usually spending my Valentine's day at seminary, but wishing I was in Daytona for the start of the racing season.    I know that

Style: Sermons

This week I had a class on preaching.  I find it fascinating that there are so many styles out there that work.  In fact, if you read any book on preaching, they have a few "don't do this" listed.  Interestingly, you can find a well known preacher who does this exact thing - and is successful.

We watched several different preachers in class (amazing what is online these days).  Despite the variety in different styles, the message is the same.

What one person likes, another hates.  We saw sermons that lasted over an hour, one around 20 minutes and most at 30-40 minutes.  I cannot imagine listening to an hour sermon each week, but I suppose if the preacher was engaging, it may be easier than I think.

What style of preacher do you like?  How long is too long?

Foster Parenting & Adoption

In two weeks, I start my foster parenting classes.  Ten weeks and a homestudy later, I will be a licensed foster parent in Iowa.  I'm excited to take the next step down the road in the process.  Once licensed, I will be able to have children placed with me who I may be able to adopt.

I am also still working toward international adoption.  I am looking at various country programs and several adoption agencies.  I am amazed at how the same corruption problems infest various countries: Guatemala, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, and now Ethiopia is having trouble.  While there are many, many children out there who need families, there are many children and families who are being damaged for monetary reasons.  The challenge as a potential adoptive parent is to find an ethical agency and a country who is being operated in an ethical manner.

"Reality" TV

I have tried to avoid getting sucked into the reality TV craze.  To some degree, I have been successful, but I do have a few shows that I watch that are "reality" based shows.

What fascinates me about these programs is that the "reality" shown is not a true reality.  How many maintain relationships with people who scream at them at the slightest provocation?  Who has the money to live in million dollar mansions with no spending limits in sight?  Who has tens of men or women fighting over them for a date?  Who gets engaged after dating 30 people simultaneously and expects it to last?

These shows mainstream the idea that yelling at people, being impatient, getting your own way, and immediate gratification are goals everyone can achieve.  Backstabbing is common, snarky comments are rarely apologized for, and confrontations are the ultimate end.

While I don't doubt that many of these shows are staged, probably even scripted, the reality sold in them is not true or accurate. 

Fixing our minds on this type of "entertainment" is not healthy.

What If...

What if ...

The Catholic Church had listened to MartinLuther and reformed?

Charles Martel had lost the Battle of Tours and the Islamic expansion into Western Europe had proceeded unchecked?

The Continental Army had not survived the winter at Valley Forge?

Henry VIII's older brother had not died, thus leading him to a life in the priesthood?

Eleanor of Aquitaine had stayed married to Louis VI of France and not divorced him to marry Henry II of England?

Lincoln had not been assassinated?

Robert E. Lee had remained with the North instead of the South during the Civil War?

George Washington had his own children?

New Tribe Found?

Photos were released of a tribe living in Brazil near the Peruvian border.  The tribe, Brazil and monitors claim, has never been contacted by the "outside" world.

To me, it is fascinating to think that there are places on earth that do not know anything about the rest of the world.  They have their own culture, their own history and their own way of life.

The concern is that deforestation and oil drilling will force this tribe out of its locale, ruining its culture forever. 

I wonder what kind of interaction the tribe has had with other tribes.  And if and how the tribe will be introduced to the rest of the world.