So what is it about storms that gets people so rattled? I just don't quite understand it ... it's as if generations of us have been programmed to fear storms. I know storms can be dangerous but so is almost everything we do these days. When people hear that a storm is coming, they send out alerts to everyone like this is the one that's gonna wipe us all away. Well, I for one thinks it's high time we stopped that mess. Am i saying to not be cautious? No, but I am saying let's just ride these storms out. If you learn to enjoy the moment, it just may not be that bad. And here's how I do it:
Storms actually remind me of my childhood - it's one of those triggers like the music of an ice cream truck that sends my mind whirling back into the past. There's nothing quite like it because I get a flood of great memories and feelings that are there with me throughout the storm. Every rumble of thunder and shatter of lightning aids in this moment of reminiscence. I think of all the nights when my aunt would call us all away from the TV, the phone, the randomness of solitude that we had escaped into. She would call us all into the living room to ride out the storm. The doors would be open (screen doors locked of course) so we would get the breeze in the house. All of those electronics would be off and we were there together, all in one space. These were some of the best times of my childhood because we'd talk, sing, and play games as a big family. This would go on for however long. Sometimes the storm would last so long that the adults would get tired of the noise and there would always be one last game ... the Silent Game. LOL! That was pretty much our cue to go on ahead and take a nap wherever you are - on the floor, on the couch, in some one's lap. I won most times because (being the eldest) I knew this secret and would immediately proceed to close my eyes and just take in the natural sounds and smells of the storm. It was sssooo relaxing! Oh the memories!
Now you may say that sounds so old-fashion with the whole turn off all electronics. Of course, we all now nowadays that those things aren't as dangerous as us Southerners used to (and sometimes still) make them out to be. BUT it's not about that; it's about the family time produced from such a thing. I can tell you one thing, I plan to do the same with my family. And no I don't plan on just doing family time during the storms ... that's not how I was raised. I am just saying instead of allowing my children to fear the storm, I plan to create a calm & relaxing atmosphere so that they also grow up with those memories of when the storm's a-brewin'.
6.23.2010
6.17.2010
Eve & The Hell That Followed
So everyone knows the biblical story about Adam & Eve. Adam came 1st, Eve was taken out of his rib, Eve ate the fruit and then gave it to Adam (who ate it too), they both lied to God and punishments were given out. This is when I see all Hell broke lose right? Wrong it was already here of course because Satan (the serpent) was already here. He was just waiting on his time. But anyway, that's not what I really wanna discuss cause yeah that's just not the topic of discussion in my head today. Today we'll discuss the following questions:
Before I get started, let me ensure you understand that this is not biblical based and is not to be used in that way. These are just thoughts that I've been tossing around to help myself put it together in essence so that I may get to number 4. That is all. So don't put too much stock (if any) into what I'm about to say.
Now that that's out of the way ... here it goes:
Why did Eve really eat that fruit?
Yeah so many men like to blame Eve cause she ate the fruit first. Well, how about you not be so judgmental. Yeah she ate it first, but what made her do it. Was the serpent just that sly? There's a notion that the serpent tried to get to Adam first, but Adam was too busy about his work to pay the serpent any attention. Okay ... let's say I can agree with that. Logic would have it that Eve was distracted, which made her more susceptible to the serpent's tricks. Right? Eh, I'm not totally convinced of that. I think that Eve could have been going through some emotional issue dealing with Adam. He was a very hard worker apparently so maybe he wasn't paying her enough attention. We all know that women crave the attention of their man (and some times others who aren't theirs). So that could be believable. OR it could be that she was made as the weaker vessel that needed more protection than Adam understood at the moment. Whatever the case was, maybe ... just maybe ... the serpent was able to somehow tap into that and provide here with whatever she was wanting because of her emotional nature. Maybe she wanted to better understand Adam to be a better wife ... the list could go on. The point is maybe the serpent tapped into it and told her what she wanted to hear. He may have used this to lure her into believing that eating from the tree was a good idea and it wasn't as bad as she had been told. I'm not sure, but I'm thinking we're missing some vital info like when people cheat on a person that seems to be doing everything right; something is missing from the story that would explain not only why, but how it happened. I am in no way saying that the victim of the cheating is responsible. I am just saying that there were signs of a problem. That is all.
Why did Adam oblige her & eat it too?
I look at it this way. It was just the 2 of them plus the serpent right? Adam and Eve were husband and wife, which in my mind means best friends. Eve wanted to share everything with Adam just as he wanted to do the same with her. And although he knew it was wrong to eat the fruit, he didn't want to be left out of the loop on the new "revelation". His ego may have blurred his thinking and made him think that it couldn't be that bad since the woman hadn't already been struck dead after eating it. Maybe he had always wanted to taste it but didn't want to face the penalty so instead he waited the woman out too; figuring she would fall for it eventually, he could have a taste and blame it on her. Eh, I don't know. This is all speculative, but I think it has some validation solely based on how we are today.
Why the 2 different punishments?
They are 2 different people. It's like how parents know how to treat each child differently based on that child's personality and other life factors. I also think, based upon the punishments, that God held each one accountable for a different part in the disobedience. At the moment there's no need in focusing in on them for this discussion. The thing to focus in on is that the punishments have been built-in to our lives and that if we focus on Jesus then he'll take care of the rest.Who wants to dwell on a punishment anyway .. isn't the point to focus on doing what you need to do so that you don't repeat that again? And it's very clear that in this day and age we are to be seeking first the Kingdom and all other things will be given onto us (including understanding of that previous punishment). Just keep in mind that God is not focused on that punishment because he is looking at us through Jesus (whom has paid for that original sin).
Why we should stop blaming each other & focus on the betterment of the whole?
Come on now ... don't you see it. We do better when we stick together. Haven't you ever heard the saying: "United we stand, divided we fall?" That's exactly what this is about. The devil is all about dividing families so that he might reek havoc upon them all. The best way to get back at him is to be supportive of one another and work on keeping God first so that he may fight that battle that you would never win on your own. Also, look at the main benefit aside from the spiritual ramifications: life is so much less stressful without that added pressure of placing blame and expecting someone else to make up for whatever it is. So stop blaming each other and work on how to get each other up to the next level ... lets encourage one another and quit the bashing!
That is all for now!
- Why did Eve really eat that fruit?
- Why did Adam oblige her & eat it too?
- Why the 2 different punishments?
- Why we should stop blaming each other & focus on the betterment of the whole?
Before I get started, let me ensure you understand that this is not biblical based and is not to be used in that way. These are just thoughts that I've been tossing around to help myself put it together in essence so that I may get to number 4. That is all. So don't put too much stock (if any) into what I'm about to say.
Now that that's out of the way ... here it goes:
Why did Eve really eat that fruit?
Yeah so many men like to blame Eve cause she ate the fruit first. Well, how about you not be so judgmental. Yeah she ate it first, but what made her do it. Was the serpent just that sly? There's a notion that the serpent tried to get to Adam first, but Adam was too busy about his work to pay the serpent any attention. Okay ... let's say I can agree with that. Logic would have it that Eve was distracted, which made her more susceptible to the serpent's tricks. Right? Eh, I'm not totally convinced of that. I think that Eve could have been going through some emotional issue dealing with Adam. He was a very hard worker apparently so maybe he wasn't paying her enough attention. We all know that women crave the attention of their man (and some times others who aren't theirs). So that could be believable. OR it could be that she was made as the weaker vessel that needed more protection than Adam understood at the moment. Whatever the case was, maybe ... just maybe ... the serpent was able to somehow tap into that and provide here with whatever she was wanting because of her emotional nature. Maybe she wanted to better understand Adam to be a better wife ... the list could go on. The point is maybe the serpent tapped into it and told her what she wanted to hear. He may have used this to lure her into believing that eating from the tree was a good idea and it wasn't as bad as she had been told. I'm not sure, but I'm thinking we're missing some vital info like when people cheat on a person that seems to be doing everything right; something is missing from the story that would explain not only why, but how it happened. I am in no way saying that the victim of the cheating is responsible. I am just saying that there were signs of a problem. That is all.
Why did Adam oblige her & eat it too?
I look at it this way. It was just the 2 of them plus the serpent right? Adam and Eve were husband and wife, which in my mind means best friends. Eve wanted to share everything with Adam just as he wanted to do the same with her. And although he knew it was wrong to eat the fruit, he didn't want to be left out of the loop on the new "revelation". His ego may have blurred his thinking and made him think that it couldn't be that bad since the woman hadn't already been struck dead after eating it. Maybe he had always wanted to taste it but didn't want to face the penalty so instead he waited the woman out too; figuring she would fall for it eventually, he could have a taste and blame it on her. Eh, I don't know. This is all speculative, but I think it has some validation solely based on how we are today.
Why the 2 different punishments?
They are 2 different people. It's like how parents know how to treat each child differently based on that child's personality and other life factors. I also think, based upon the punishments, that God held each one accountable for a different part in the disobedience. At the moment there's no need in focusing in on them for this discussion. The thing to focus in on is that the punishments have been built-in to our lives and that if we focus on Jesus then he'll take care of the rest.Who wants to dwell on a punishment anyway .. isn't the point to focus on doing what you need to do so that you don't repeat that again? And it's very clear that in this day and age we are to be seeking first the Kingdom and all other things will be given onto us (including understanding of that previous punishment). Just keep in mind that God is not focused on that punishment because he is looking at us through Jesus (whom has paid for that original sin).
Why we should stop blaming each other & focus on the betterment of the whole?
Come on now ... don't you see it. We do better when we stick together. Haven't you ever heard the saying: "United we stand, divided we fall?" That's exactly what this is about. The devil is all about dividing families so that he might reek havoc upon them all. The best way to get back at him is to be supportive of one another and work on keeping God first so that he may fight that battle that you would never win on your own. Also, look at the main benefit aside from the spiritual ramifications: life is so much less stressful without that added pressure of placing blame and expecting someone else to make up for whatever it is. So stop blaming each other and work on how to get each other up to the next level ... lets encourage one another and quit the bashing!
That is all for now!
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