Thoughts on work

We don't have a TV that works.  Well, we have a TV that works but it has no functioning antennae and we don't buy cable. That means we can watch videos but not live broadcasting.  That works for me, I am very fond of my fast forward button.  It means that I don't have to watch things that are graphic. 

I have no internal filters that protect me from the violence I watch on TV.  It effects me... deeply.  I have found that my lack of filters isn't anything to be proud of.  It simply is where I am in my walk right now. I suppose many would suggest I push myself through so that I could "toughen up", but is tough better?  There is a difference between building walls -- being "tough" so that you don't feel pain and having filters that clearly define the difference between your stuff and stuff that is not your stuff. :) When I watch TV, it's all my stuff... I'm not sure how better to explain.

But... are created to watch violence as entertainment? What is the difference between watching it on TV and watching it in a Colosseum? Have we become the very thing we hate? Who are we? What are we created for? Ephesians2:10 boldly answers that question. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them."  We are His workmanship! We are a product of God's artistic expression... His art.  As art we are a reflection of His very being.  And we are created with purpose... good works... What are those?  What makes work good or not good?  Does this mean we must work to be saved? (Listening)

I believe that we were created to work... to move our bodies for the purpose of accomplishing a purpose. We can not survive without working even picking up a spoon and feeding ourselves can be classified as work.   But what makes a work "good"? We were created for good works... as apposed to evil works. The fact that we move our bodies simply means we are alive as apposed to dead.  To some degree the more we move our bodies (that is the less we sit around and vege) the more alive we are.  Did you know that they now have a name for sitting for long periods of time... it's called "sitting disease" and research says it increases your chances of dying... yup sitting can kill you. :) But the question is... what are we meant to do?  What are "good works" (listening)

Hmmm the picture I have is of a frozen generation.  So many teens to 30 somethings seem frozen and unable to move.  I am peer to many moms who are confused as to why their children don't seem to have any motivation... they sit, they stare either at a screen or at the sky... what has bewitched them?  And I see older people sitting, feeling bereft of purpose and just as frozen.  The sense I have is of speaking over all of them... "move, just move". I'm thinking of that movie "Ever After" where Cinderella is standing between her past and her future and says to her self, "Breathe, just breathe."  Proverbs 16:9 says, "The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps." Does that mean we must first take steps so that the LORD has something to work with?  I think I will spend more time pacing instead of sitting and see where my feet end up.  :)

Hooters

I have been praying as I am working on a presentation for women who have been brutalized by their not-so-charming, Prince Charmings.  What sets women up anyway?  On the other hand what sets a man up to brutalize a woman?  What happened to the idea of preserving and protecting?  What would happen on the Titanic today if it were sinking and there were not enough life boats to go around?  Would men give place on life boats for women, for children?  Would anyone give place?  Or would it just be a panicked free-for-all because no one values another's life above their own? I wonder.

So what is it that sets women up?  I'm wondering if the question should be what doesn't set women up! There are so many twisted messages. You say, "I want to marry a gentleman" I know what you mean, you want to marry someone who is kind and honorable and who would never expose or overpower you. I'm thinking of John 8:1-11 where a woman is brought to Jesus that was caught in the very act of adultery.  Can you imagine?  How did they catch her exactly?  I'm thinking she was set up.  Notice they didn't bring the man who had to have also been caught in the very act did he not? How horrifying to be exposed before a crowd of people itching to stone you! I'm thinking she was completely buck before that crowd. I doubt if they stopped to dress her--maybe throw a sheet around her--maybe but Jesus does an amazing thing.  He stoops down and starts to scribble in the sand.  All of the sudden that horde of contemptuous eyes, dripping with self righteousness and cruelty, were turned from the frightened, exposed and embarrassed young woman and were now focused on deciphering the scribblings in the sand.  Jesus was a gentleman to her... protecting and covering in a way that didn't add further injury.

Joseph was a gentleman to Mary in that when he found that she was pregnant by someone other than him, he didn't want to expose her but intended to send her away secretly (Matthew 1:19).  Even in the face of such a dilemma, Joseph chose to be kind.  The bible gives righteousness as the reason for his kindness. That's amazing... kindness to a woman who he thought was unfaithful to him is an act of righteousness!

So here's my question, "If that's our picture of a gentleman then why are places where naked women dancers are treated like slabs of meat at an auction called a gentleman's club?" and "Why do we pitch a bloody fit over a name like Beaner's Coffee because it is degrading and disrespectful, but no one says a word against a name like Hooters?"