:: Narrow-minded simpleton ::

:: Monday, February 25, 2002 ::

 Some of my girlfriends and I were talking at lunch today at work. One said she thought that our genetics make up 75% of our personality and tendencies.

I think it's just the opposite: I believe only 25% of our genetics determines who we are and how we act and 75% is the environment in which we grew up. The relationship with our parents or parental substitutes as we were growing up influenced our personas a great deal.

Still, even if 100% of our personality came from genetics, that doesn't mean we can't choose differently. For instance, my Dad was an alcoholic. His Dad was an alcoholic. Does that mean I'm going to be an alcoholic? Well, according to some researchers, there's a better chance than not that I am an alcoholic. And, as a matter of fact, with my past history of drinking waaay too much and not being able to stop easily, I consider myself an alcoholic.

Does that mean I still drink? Nope. I choose to not go down that path, even though it's sometimes all I can stand to not zip in to a gas mart for a cool tall boy, especially on days that I'm very, very stressed.

How do I keep from the temptation to drink? I choose to throw it upon the Lord Jesus, who covers my temptations with His sacrifice at Calvary.

Even the homosexual who has been told that he or she was born that way can choose to resist the urge to have sexual relations with someone of his or her own sex. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." I Corinthians 6:9-11b

Did you see "and such were some of you?" That means there were some that were fornicators, some idolaters, some adulterers, some homosexuals, etc., etc., that were that way. But through Jesus, they are washed, cleansed, sanctified! They (and I) can choose to turn from these harmful practices.

If you struggle, whether you were born with that struggle or not, you do have a choice to get help. Don't let anyone else tell you differently!

:: Julie 2/25/2002 05:42:00 PM [+] ::
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Heard on a tape by Larry Poland, CEO of Mastermedia International:

"Salvation is not what you know, it's Who you know."

:: Julie 2/22/2002 03:10:00 AM [+] ::
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OK, let's say you're right.

You believe that there are many ways to God, and we're all just on a big wheel with many spokes that lead toward the center, which is God.

That way, you win, and I win. Pretty good, huh?

Now, let's say the Bible is right, and Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father (God) except through Him (John 14:6). Therefore, Jesus is the only spoke on the wheel.

Now, we're in a win-lose situation! I win, because I believe Jesus is Who He says He is, and you lose by spending eternity separated from God who loved you enough to show you the Way!

Don't bet your life and eternity on a roulette wheel of "many paths to God!" "Place your bet" on Jesus, the One who has lived and died and lives again so that you may join Him forever by opening your heart to Him and asking Him inside.

What have you got to lose? I lost a life of alcohol, unsettledness, and emptiness. I gained joy, peace and purpose! And the assurance of eternal life.

What is keeping you from trusting Christ? Join the Way! You have everything to gain.

:: Julie 2/20/2002 02:37:00 AM [+] ::
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"To some He's just a name...but to me He's my everything! I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

This is a line from a song we're singing this Sunday in church (yes, I know the website doesn't work with Opera...our church don't do opera).

How many times have you heard the name "Jesus Christ!" not in a reverent way? As a curse word or epithet?

Have you ever wondered why you never hear someone use Mohammed's name that way? Or Buddha's? Or Krishna's? Or David Koresh's?

That's because Jesus is unique in that He is God! Not just a great prophet, or teacher, or Rabbi or overall good person. He is God. Why else would His name be used as an anathema, if He wasn't actually God?

Just think on that...

:: Julie 2/15/2002 05:37:00 PM [+] ::
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I think we're officially back.

Back to where we were before Sept. 11.

The new Schwarzenegger film, "Collateral Damage," was just released now instead of last October because the Sept. 11 attacks were just too fresh for this kind of movie back then.

Have we healed enough to be ready for this movie? What about those that lost family members Sept 11? Are they ready to see this kind of film?

Are the firefighters who lost their lives Sept. 11 less of heroes now since Schwarzenegger kicks booty instead of giving his life to save others?

Are New Yorkers honking furiously at each other again? Do you personally feel road rage when behind the wheel - not giving the other person the benefit of the doubt? Is that how you were before Sept. 11?

I know I am less patient with people in general, just like I was before Sept .11. I changed after the attacks, but I'm back to my same ol' rut(s) again.

How many of those who sought God and found Him amidst the carnage in NYC and at the Pentagon still walk with Him daily?

We're back, I tell you. Back to our self-absorbed pre-Sept. 11 ways. Just ask Schwarzenegger.

:: Julie 2/12/2002 06:32:00 PM [+] ::
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So, in Rhea County TN, home of the infamous "Scopes Monkey Trial," a federal judge "ordered an end to Bible classes that have been taught for 51 years in the public schools" because the schools "acted with both purpose and effect to endorse and advance religion in the public schools."

Well, now, ain't that terrible in this time of global terrorism to be teaching religion?

Yeah, yeah, what about separation of church and state, you say?

There ain't no such law or commandment on the books of this country, thankyouverymuch.

Not only that, but there were two children (represented by their parents, of course) that brought this suit to trial. What about the other hundreds of children and parents that want this kind of religious education?

Oh, yeah, they're supposed to get that in church, right? What if they don't? What if their parents are happy to sleep in on Sundays, knowing their children will get a Bible education whilst at school on weekdays? (Not that I think that's right - sleeping in on Sundays - but I digress).

And listen to this horrible curriculum that they're forcing down the kids' throats in this Bible class: "Attached to the judge's decision was a series of lesson plans used in the Bible classes, including one for kindergarten students in which the room lights were turned off while students were told to pretend the batteries in their flashlights were dead. 'It will be scary for a while, but then we find the light - just like the Bible - is our source of light, and life isn't so scary anymore,' according to the lesson plan."

Man, that's really something I wouldn't want to have taught to my kids...

:: Julie 2/09/2002 05:51:00 PM [+] ::
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What price glamour?

Greta Van Susteren, the Fox Network's new talk acquisition, has had facial surgery to alter her looks.

"I did it on a whim because CNN benched me for a month when they found out I wanted to come here to work," Van Susteren [said]..." "I looked in the mirror and thought, 'Should I get rid of this or not?'"

My thought is, why bother? She was engaging and insightful as she was. I certainly didn't agree with some of her views, but she was effective as an interviewer.

Here I go quoting Scripture again: "And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes." 1 Timothy 2:9 (NLT)

I wonder if St. Paul also meant to include warnings against going under the knife? I guess not, since it's not there in Scripture. Also, Paul was telling Timothy how a woman was supposed to dress in public worship, and since there ain't no worshipping goin' on on Van Sustreren's show, then I guess it's OK.

I sure wouldn't subject myself to that kind of surgery!

:: Julie 2/06/2002 03:03:00 PM [+] ::
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Man, those pyrads really increased my hits! That, and getting near the top of the bloghop "Best" list...

I'm pseudo-honored to be mentioned in two blogs: this one is quite thought-provoking, and this one is just plain provoking!

:: Julie 2/04/2002 04:45:00 AM [+] ::
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