Bible Bait: A Beginner's Mind View of God's Word

Something kind of scary happened to me recently. In a conversation with an acquaintance, I happened to mention that I was a Christian. He smiled and said, "I know, I read your stuff". "How could that be?" I asked myself. I have been writing as an undercover Christian for years. Did he crack my code? Apparently I let out a hint or two that had given me away.

Then, something even scarier happened. While I was praying, (and actually listening for a change) I heard Jesus whisper in my ear, "Write more about Me." I pretended not to hear. If I brought Him into my writing, I might lose the interest of my readers. And worse, I could lose friends altogether. Why would he ask me to write about Him anyway? True, I have known Him most of my life, but I ignore Him half the time, and I haven't even read his best seller.

Now pretending not to hear Jesus is like pretending that the dryer is shrinking my clothes. I know better. So after months of being 'too busy,' I have decided to answer His call. My first action was to get my nose into His Book, and I am attending a Bible study that is off the charts. It doesn't take long to realize that you are reading something so profound that only our God himself could have written it. The truth is a trip, people!

Some of you may be wondering what I've been smoking. Actually, I took a pill; the red one. Like Neo in the movie "The Matrix," I have been awakened to the fact that our daily lives are but a mere illusion of something much, much greater. Once you find out the truth, you want your friends and even your enemies to find out, too. This works well into the plan of writing more about Jesus…because now I want to!

So once a week I'm going to post a thought provoking article about our Creator and His intentions for us. The segment will be called "Bible Bait: A Beginner's Mind View of God's Word". I am humbled that I was recruited to do this job, and eternally grateful for the wealth of truth that I am picking up along the way.

Many thanks to my husband and kids, who know all too well how much this new occupation pays. It should, however, make for a nice example of delayed gratification.

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

Footloose Movie Review

The only real negative comment I have on the new movie "Footloose" is that you can't get up and dance in the theater! Too bad. Other than that, I was pleasantly surprised to find this film so much fun to watch. Many critics were disappointed that it was too similar to the original. I believe these are the same people that would have complained if they had strayed too much.

There is, of course, some teen sensuality, drinking and drug use, but my most ardent warning to parents is about the dancing.

The truth is, we could only dream of dances like this for our kids. The film is a bit misleading if parents think this is the way kids are dancing at their school dances. It's not. I can understand why any misinformed parent might be angry at their school for kicking their child out of a dance, or canceling a dance altogether, if they are to believe it is anything like the movie.

Please check out the post below, as it will clearly illustrate what high school dances are really like today.

Grinding at School Dances Inappropriate

It's that time of year again: packed lunches, overloaded backpacks, and mixers...ugh! In case you didn't get a chance to view my movie last year about this time, I posted it again. If you have kids in Jr. High or High School, it's a must see. It clearly illustrates how school dances have degenerated into something very wrong. I know several principals, teachers and parents that will vouch to it's accuracy in how it portrays the typical behavior at today's dances. Please watch to the end with an open mind, and an open heart. I hope it inspires you to act to make a positive difference for our kids, who truly deserve the best!

WARNING - like the dances, there is quite a bit of vulgar sex and language throughout.

The quality on this movie is rather pitiful. I am working on a better way to import it. If you would like a DVD please leave a comment with your contact information and I will get one right out to you.

What is Formspring?

A great article from Common Sense Media...


http://www.commonsensemedia.org/new/family-battles-formspring?utm_source=cyberbullying_sa09.27.11&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=formspring

Online Parenting. Do You Check Your Child's Social Networking?

CLICK HERE to check out my article on Online Parenting.

So Annoying!

Being a good parent can mean being quite annoying in your childrens' eyes. This video assures parents that keeping a close watch on their online activity is quite necessary in spite of their children's hostility towards it. If you’re worried about how all of this intrusive policing might affect your friendship with them, remember this: The ultimate reward of being our children's friend is not only enriched, but dependent on the fact that we are first their teachers.

IS THE WORLD REALLY GOING TO END ON MAY 21, 2011?

I don't know about you, but I absolutely love vacations. Often, the time building up to them can be just as exciting as the time spent away. I start packing weeks beforehand, and gratuitously shop for new things to wear while I'm there. I think about all of the great things I'll get to do while there, that in my routine life I don't have the chance for. I eat right and workout as to be in my best shape. I make reservations for things I probably don't need to before I'm there, and plan out my time so that I have plenty of unplanned time. I do all of this with great anticipation!

I don't know whether you've heard of this yet, or not, but there is a rumor going around that Jesus is coming back to judge the living and the dead next month. May 21, 2011 to be exact. Personally, I don't think Jesus would have said, "But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." (Matthew 24:36) if he didn't really mean it. Either way, how does one prepare for this trip?

I believe a friend of mine has the answer. He says he's packing his bags for heaven…with souls! And he is as excited about it as I have ever been for any Earthly vacation. All you have to do is get people to believe in Jesus, know they are sinners, and know they are forgiven. It really is that easy! So, whether this awesome trip begins on May 21, 2011, December 21, 2012, or later today, I think I'm going to start packing for it. Does anyone want to come with me?

More divorces are filed in January than any other month.

More people file for divorce in January than any other time of the year. This could be due to the holiday delay, finances, or a resolution for change. To the children involved, the real reason doesn’t matter; to them, it’s their fault. The ultimate goal of Standing on My Own Two Feet is to help them understand that it’s not, and that their parents’ love for them is unconditional.

For more information, log on to

www.tamaraschmitz.com

What If

Just saw this movie and would recommend it to everyone!

http://www.youtube.com/whatifmovie

Ch--ch...What's missing?

The darling little girl that sits in front of me most of the time greets me at the door today, all by herself. Not long ago the priest had her stand on the pew and asked her if she loved her dad. We all fell in love with her. I proceed inside and two young high school gentlemen sporting matching jackets are ready to escort me to a seat, but unfortunately I arrive too early to need their services. It seems like just yesterday they were little boys bringing crayons and Cheerios to church. There is a rustling of noise coming from the choir as they prepare to sing us into the present. An elderly gentleman gets help to his seat from what always seems to be an extended family reunion. They take up the entire pew. Sporting everything but their shin guards, a few of the 6th graders make it obvious that they have a soccer game right after church. The woman who sits in the front row to the left fills me with joy, as she always does, with her smile that lights up the entire 1960's modern church, despite her wheelchair and the need for an assistant. I look over at our pastor and wonder what wisdom he'll share with us today, as he explains something to the young new server. We all stand as the music director magically transforms this huge piece of furniture into beautiful and inspiring music. The man that always comes in late and sits in the front row, comes in late and sits in the front row. The family with six kids sneaks in as the last moment as well, and I'm thinking that if I had that many kids to get ready I'd be lucky to get there before the second reading. 'Better late than never' applies quite seriously here at church.

Do I ever wish I was still home reading the Sunday paper in my pajamas? Do I feel like I have no choice whether I go to church or not? No and No. And this I feel even before mass begins! I choose Sunday mass will all my heart and soul, because I choose to be a part of something much better than listening to the gloomy news in my cluttered home, or sleeping away my life. After all, how could anything compete with the sharing of the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ among fellow Catholics like that precious little greeter girl, or the elderly man surrounded with enormous amounts of love? The only sadness that sneaks into my heart is the empty pew where you used to sit. Then the singing begins, and my sadness returns to joy, especially as I remember what a priest once told me: "If God gave you a bad singing voice, then give it right back to him!" So I do…

Here in this place, new light is streaming
now is the darkness vanished away,
see, in this space, our fears and our dreamings,
brought here to you in the light of this day.

Gather us in the lost and forsaken
gather us in the blind and the lame;
call to us now, and we shall awaken
we shall arise at the sound of our name.

We are the young – our lives are a mystery
we are the old – who yearns for your face.
we have been sung throughout all of history
called to be light to the whole human race.

Gather us in the rich and the haughty
gather us in the proud and the strong
give us a heart so meek and so lowly
give us the courage to enter the song.

Here we will take the wine and the water
here we will take the bread of new birth
here you shall call your sons and your daughters
call us anew to be salt of the earth.

Give us to drink the wine of compassion
give us to eat the bread that is you
nourish us well and teach us to fashion
lives that are holy and hearts that are true.