When I was younger, I didn't have many interests except for computers, television, and reading; all sources of entertainment. Though my favorite toy was my Commodore 64, I still spent many an hour watching our old, discolored television set. You may remember me being a big fan of shows such as Growing Pains or Lizzie McGuire, but, during those times, if those shows weren't on, I was usually doing something else. Before most of you knew me, though, I was a pretty ardent television watcher, or couch potato, you might say. A big part of my TV diet over the years was the Problem Child movies, which originally came out in theaters when I was too young to remember, but aired on basic cable channels such as TNT or USA umpteen times over the years. I haven't seen one of those films since I was in high school, but, I recently watched a clip from the second film online...and was shocked by what I saw. I won't describe it in detail, but it involved two teenagers engaging in sexual activity, and a crowd of voyeurs watching. That kind of humor probably went over my head as a kid, but, now, I can't believe I was even allowed to watch such a thing; that's the kind of trash that I bashed my fellow Christians for watching...yet, I watched it several times, even as far back as when I was in elementary school! I guess I had no room to talk; if only I'd realized it back then.
That wasn't the only violation of my own rules; shows such as Hollywood Squares, Home Improvement, and even Diff'rent Strokes had right much content that I shouldn't have seen...but I still regularly tuned into those programs, and, with the former two, for quite a while. While I can't undo what I did back then, I can make a change for the future...and that's what I'm going to do!
Before I get to my rule--there's only one, because, to me, it's that simple!--I will share some of my thoughts on this topic. First off: It's easy to get suckered in by entertainment...especially for me. When you get involved in a show, movie, book, video game, etc., of course you want to see it through to the end; you'd only quit before you finished it if you didn't care for it. People with my "condition" tend to be more apt to stare at a screen or look at words on a page than others. I remember seeing an article online about a decade ago that linked TV watching to autism, saying that studies showed that infants and toddlers who watched more television than others their age tended to end up diagnosed with some sort of autistic disorder. However, most of the comments disagreed with the results; they believed it was the autism causing the TV watching, not vice versa. I've noticed myself sometimes unable to turn away from a television screen, even when it was showing something I'd rather not see. If I'm going to get involved in entertainment, I have to make sure it sticks to my rule...or else I should avoid it at all costs.
Second off: I don't want to play the ratings game. There's been much discussion over the years over the flaws in the MPAA rating system; I remember reading an article on Plugged In that told of a "PG-13" movie I won't name that even left the secular critics saying, "There are so many reasons this should be an 'R' film"...but, it wasn't. You may have known someone--or be/have been someone--who wasn't/isn't allowed to watch movies with certain ratings. I've said for a while that I don't watch "R" films, but, some would say "PG-13" ones are worse because of innuendo...which is exactly why I don't watch those unless they fall into the superhero, sci-fi/fantasy, or Christian genres! Besides which, many of the movies I've watched in recent years are telefilms or direct-to-video ones that will say "Not Rated" on the back cover, maybe alongside a Canadian rating, which is even more unreliable than one from the MPAA. Honestly, I don't think I could stick to just "G" films; I got burned out on Disney or Disney-style cartoons as a kid, watching movies such as Beauty and the Beast or We're Back!: A Dinosaur's Story umpteen times on video. Most of my DVD collection consists of TV shows, but, most of the movies I own or have owned/watched in recent years either are rated "PG" or "PG-13"--though not "R"!--or would be if they'd been submitted to the MPAA.
Last point before my conclusion: Just because something is for adults doesn't mean it is or has to be morally offensive. In recent years, "adult entertainment" has become the "G"-rated way to say "pornography"; I don't know why they won't just call it what it is. Still, at the library where I work, we don't have any such DVDs, but we still do have an "adult" section and a "juvenile" section, as well as a "young adult" one. The "adult" section has books, DVDs, and CDs that are catered to an older audience. Sometimes, that does mean an "R" rating...but it doesn't always. You'll find plenty of clean media, such as old-school television programs, Hallmark Hall of Fame telefilms, and classic Disney live-action movies, in the DVD section alone. While such media may be clean, that doesn't mean young children or even teenagers will appreciate it or even understand it. When I was a kid, I had a computer game called A-Train that I never would have understood if my brother-in-law hadn't helped me play it. The content was completely clean--definitely no profanity, sex, nudity, drug use, etc., and not really any violence either--but it wasn't for young ones because it was just too complicated. It's the same with plenty of entertainment out there; it may be fine morally, but that doesn't mean it's appropriate for the younger crowd.
Okay, now here is for my rule:
If I don't want my friends or family members to know I watched or read it...
If I would be embarrassed to read or watch such a thing in public or within the doors of my church building...
If I think people would consider me a hypocrite for watching or reading such a thing...
...then, I'm avoiding it at all costs!
Sound good to you?
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Monday, February 22, 2016
Infinity Dreams Award
Now, for my post:
Tell Us Eleven Facts About Yourself:
1. I never seem to grow out of any kind of entertainment.
I was shocked when my friends would tell me that they'd grown out of Star Wars or anything else; I still like the same kind of entertainment I always have...and plenty more!
2. I used to be a game show addict.
Though I hardly watch any such television programs except for the occasional episode of Jeopardy!, I used to adore various ones, ranging from the infamous Wheel of Fortune, which actually taught me my letters, to little-known ones such as Trivial Pursuit: America Plays or Wheel 2000.
3. I have been a Mac user since I was seven years old.
Though most of America owns some sort of Apple device these days, I had one before it was cool. To be honest, my first two Macs weren't all that great, but, once OS X started, it revolutionized both their computers and the company in general.
4. I grew up on comic strips.
I have been a Garfield fan my whole life, but I like others as well. Even some of the controversial strips had G-rated humorous moments that made me laugh out loud.
5. I recently started watching the old school Wonder Woman show, and really like it!
Then again, I love superheroes and classic television, so, why wouldn't I?
6. I have a memory for dates and times like nobody else.
People, including my mom, are often surprised at how I can recall what year, what season, and sometimes even what day something happened years after the fact. I usually only remember the exact date when it was a special occasion--i.e., Christmas, someone's birthday, etc.--but that's more than other people seem to remember.
7. I can't stand people who act like they're in middle school.
Middle school was tough for me; it was a time when the world seemed very dark, and I came very close to failing seventh grade. Now that I'm in the adult world, I would hope that the people I associate with would act their age...but, that isn't always the case.
8. I work at a library...and love it.
When I was younger, I thought my future was in the computer field...but, even though I studied Web Design in college, after volunteering at my local library, I felt the stacks calling to me. Though I'm not technically a librarian--because not everyone who works at a library is one!--I hope to be one someday.
9. My favorite season is spring...for more than one reason.
Firstly, it's because that's when it gets warm, which means I don't have to wear big coats in order to go outside. Second off, it's because everything gets green outside, which is my favorite color. However, the most important reason--to me, at least--is because of garage sales popping up throughout my area.
10. Star Wars and Lizzie McGuire changed my life.
No, seriously; they did! They woke me up to a whole world of entertainment I'd be missing out on otherwise.
11. I have a massive book collection...and almost all of my books have been bought used!
Whether from garage sales, thrift stores, library sales, used bookstores, or anywhere else, I can't bear to pay full price for books; at my income, it would break the bank, so to speak!
Answer The Eleven Questions:
1. If you could be anyone in the history of the world, other than yourself, who would it be?
The Apostle Paul. No one in history did more for the sake of the Christian faith, other than Jesus Christ himself.
2. What is a weird/random obsession you have, that many people don’t know about?
Calendars. At the end of every year, I buy more than one to hang on my wall, and I even sometimes buy them well into January because they become super cheap!
3. Who (if you have one) is your role model, and why?
Jesus; He died for me, so, I live for Him!
4. What’s the weirdest event that has happened to you in the last two weeks?
Not sure.
5. What is your favorite song, and why?
I have several; one is "Stockholm Syndrome" by Muse, because it's an awesome rock track.
6. What’s your wish, right this moment? (In all honesty!)
That I had remembered to put my coat in the washer, and that I had remembered to take all of trash cans out before I started doing this.
7. What is your favorite time of day?
Morning.
8. What’s your favorite hobby of all time?
I have more than one: reading, watching movies and television shows, listening to music, and bargain hunting.
9. What’s something you wish you could change about yourself, and what is something you would never change about yourself?
I wish I could let things go; I hope I never change my stance on morally decent entertainment.
10. What is a quote that sums up your life?
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 3:15 (NIV)
11. What is your challenge you wish to achieve in life?
To become a librarian...a true librarian!
Guidelines:
* Use the Infinity Dreams Award picture.
* Thank the blogger who tagged you.
* Tell us 11 facts about yourself.
* Answer the 11 questions.
* Tag 11 bloggers.
Tagged:
Anyone reading this!
Now here are your eleven questions:
- Who was your favorite teacher in school?
- What TV show is currently your favorite?
- Who is your favorite famous person?
- How often do you talk to a friend who lives far away?
- What is the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?
- What is your favorite Christmas song?
- What was the first computer you owned?
- What is your favorite game?
- Who is your favorite superhero?
- How old were you when you first got Internet access at home?
- What is your favorite Disney film?
Saturday, February 20, 2016
If You REALLY Knew Me...
One of my biggest problems in life is people not understanding me. They just can't see how a guy can hate sports, or how anyone could prefer a morning of garage saling to a trip to Busch Gardens. You may think that's just a problem that I've had with people who didn't know me all that well, but there have been times where folks knew very well what I liked and what I didn't...but failed to apply that knowledge. James 1:22-24 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." The same could be said of any information, whether you read it in a book, see it on television, or hear it from a friend: Knowing what was said doesn't do any good if you don't apply it.
If you've known me for a while, you probably know that, back in the day, when I would go places with my sister and brother-in-law, people would assume they were my parents. Once, I was talking about that with a longtime church friend, and she said, "Sometimes people just don't think." She proceeded to talk about how, when her son, who is about my age, was a baby, she would take him on walks, and people would ask if she was his grandmother instead of his mother. What she said is true, and not just about familial assumptions; oftentimes, people who know me very well would say things that couldn't have been thought through very well. If such people had stopped to think about what they were saying, and whom they were saying it to, they probably wouldn't have uttered it.
While I can't expect to be understood by everybody on the planet--because nobody is--I do hope that those whom I consider my friends do understand me. Some of you may think I'm talking about my "condition," but it's more than just that, and for two reasons: First off, I think I've pretty much recovered from it; I'm not the same person I was back when I was younger, and the residuals that I'm still dealing with--talking to myself, poor handwriting, having to take a psychiatric medication--are present in plenty of people without any sort of autistic disorder or disability of any sort, not that my "condition" is truly a disability anyway. Second off, even if I do have a "condition," that alone doesn't define me. I am plenty of things besides mildly autistic: a Christian, a library employee, a Mac user, an entertainment lover, a Disney Channel fan, a blogger, a son, a brother, a brother-in-law, an uncle to three great kids, an avid reader...and it doesn't stop there! When I've met other people with who also had Asperger Syndrome, it seemed that our condition was the only thing we had in common; they just weren't into what I was, and vice versa. Part of that is a product of my unique upbringing; whatever the reasons, I need someone who understands what makes me who I am.
Unfortunately, just like the case with my aforementioned friend, too many people want to make incorrect assumptions, which end up causing them to have a less than favorable opinion of me. When talking about Disney Channel, they assume I like anything labeled Disney, which isn't true; I've never been a big fan of the old-school animated films from the House of Mouse, despite their continued popularity. Even back when I was a kid, my favorite Disney theatrical films were ones like Rocketman, George of the Jungle, or Flubber; live-action ones, not cartoons. I also never did care for Kim Possible; seriously, a show about a cheerleader who saves the world? Give me a break! They also assume that I'm an overgrown kid, aka somebody who refuses to grow up, not realizing that those shows are truly mature entertainment, not raunchy sex comedies or grisly, violent films that appeal to a middle school mentality. It's the same with anything else I do, and even what I don't do; when they hear that I don't like anything to do with large bodies of water, they assume I'm a wimp or just an idiot. People, especially Christians, shouldn't be judging anyone like that...but they are, and they especially do it to me. Just look at all the unfriendings and friend request denials I've had on Facebook!
I would hope that my true friends know why I do what I do, and why I don't do what I don't do. (If you don't, but would like to, feel free to ask.) However, it doesn't seem like that's always the case. If you consider yourself to be my friend, don't just assume that I do or don't do whatever because of my "condition," because I'm just plain weird, or some other pat reason like that. You'll likely find that the reason is more complicated than that...but only if you ask! Honestly, I'm tired of being misunderstood; I need people in my life who truly understand me. Will you be one of them?
If you've known me for a while, you probably know that, back in the day, when I would go places with my sister and brother-in-law, people would assume they were my parents. Once, I was talking about that with a longtime church friend, and she said, "Sometimes people just don't think." She proceeded to talk about how, when her son, who is about my age, was a baby, she would take him on walks, and people would ask if she was his grandmother instead of his mother. What she said is true, and not just about familial assumptions; oftentimes, people who know me very well would say things that couldn't have been thought through very well. If such people had stopped to think about what they were saying, and whom they were saying it to, they probably wouldn't have uttered it.
While I can't expect to be understood by everybody on the planet--because nobody is--I do hope that those whom I consider my friends do understand me. Some of you may think I'm talking about my "condition," but it's more than just that, and for two reasons: First off, I think I've pretty much recovered from it; I'm not the same person I was back when I was younger, and the residuals that I'm still dealing with--talking to myself, poor handwriting, having to take a psychiatric medication--are present in plenty of people without any sort of autistic disorder or disability of any sort, not that my "condition" is truly a disability anyway. Second off, even if I do have a "condition," that alone doesn't define me. I am plenty of things besides mildly autistic: a Christian, a library employee, a Mac user, an entertainment lover, a Disney Channel fan, a blogger, a son, a brother, a brother-in-law, an uncle to three great kids, an avid reader...and it doesn't stop there! When I've met other people with who also had Asperger Syndrome, it seemed that our condition was the only thing we had in common; they just weren't into what I was, and vice versa. Part of that is a product of my unique upbringing; whatever the reasons, I need someone who understands what makes me who I am.
Unfortunately, just like the case with my aforementioned friend, too many people want to make incorrect assumptions, which end up causing them to have a less than favorable opinion of me. When talking about Disney Channel, they assume I like anything labeled Disney, which isn't true; I've never been a big fan of the old-school animated films from the House of Mouse, despite their continued popularity. Even back when I was a kid, my favorite Disney theatrical films were ones like Rocketman, George of the Jungle, or Flubber; live-action ones, not cartoons. I also never did care for Kim Possible; seriously, a show about a cheerleader who saves the world? Give me a break! They also assume that I'm an overgrown kid, aka somebody who refuses to grow up, not realizing that those shows are truly mature entertainment, not raunchy sex comedies or grisly, violent films that appeal to a middle school mentality. It's the same with anything else I do, and even what I don't do; when they hear that I don't like anything to do with large bodies of water, they assume I'm a wimp or just an idiot. People, especially Christians, shouldn't be judging anyone like that...but they are, and they especially do it to me. Just look at all the unfriendings and friend request denials I've had on Facebook!
I would hope that my true friends know why I do what I do, and why I don't do what I don't do. (If you don't, but would like to, feel free to ask.) However, it doesn't seem like that's always the case. If you consider yourself to be my friend, don't just assume that I do or don't do whatever because of my "condition," because I'm just plain weird, or some other pat reason like that. You'll likely find that the reason is more complicated than that...but only if you ask! Honestly, I'm tired of being misunderstood; I need people in my life who truly understand me. Will you be one of them?
Sunday, February 14, 2016
The REAL Reason I'm a Lifelong Single Is...
If you do not consider yourself to be a Christian, please do not read any further. Thank you.
Today is Valentine's Day, a holiday focused on romantic love. I've heard many a friend say they hate the lovey-dovey holiday in recent years, but, it still remains a annual calendar fixture. For people like me, there's not much to celebrate; while most of you reading this are probably spending time with your significant other, I would say: What significant other? It's always been that way; I've never even been on a date...but, honestly, I say that's a good thing. A female Christian friend once had a quotation on her Facebook page that said, "Guys' rejection is God's protection," and that's still true when you reverse the genders. Honestly, in retrospect, I'm thankful I didn't end up with any of the female friends I asked out years ago, most of which I'm still in contact with thanks to Facebook. While they're still my friends--well, except for one, anyway--each of them have proven over the years that they weren't the one for me, sometimes even before I asked them out...though I didn't realize it at first.
Even though I haven't asked a girl out since 2008, I have made many new female friends since then, at church and elsewhere. Some of them have been married the whole time I've known them; others were single, but eventually ended up saying, "I do," to someone; still others have dated but never even gotten engaged, if they've even been romantically involved with anyone during our friendship. However, I can't think of a single woman I know who I would be willing to date; in fact, though I often hang out with the ladies at church, most of whom are married, I wouldn't go out with them even if they were completely single.
Why is that? Well, I've set a standard that nobody seems to be able to measure up to, especially people around my age. Let me explain: When you were single--or even if you are now--you probably encountered people of the opposite gender whom you refused to date because of something about them that was a major turn-off. I remember a single Christian lady who was on a Christian dating site, and came across a guy who said in his profile that he didn't believe in allowing animals--including pets--into the house; as a longtime animal lover, she refused to contact him because of that alone. If you're ardently enthused about your pets, you probably agree with her feelings; if you're not, you probably have something else in your life that is very important to you, such as sports. Well, as most of you know, my big thing has always been entertainment. If you look at a list of my prior obsessions--which I won't put on here--you'll see that most of them fall into that category: video games, computer games, comic strips, musical acts, and especially television shows. You just don't get between me and my entertainment; those who have reprimanded or attacked me because of what I watch on television or what game console I owned quickly became my enemies.
So, then, what's the turn-off? Well, the reason I watch, listen to, read, play, etc., what I do is not just because I'm a kid at heart, though I kind of am. It's because I believe that's what God wants; from my reading of the Bible, especially the New Testament, the Word makes it clear that Christians are to have nothing to do with moral filth. There are many verses I could list, but, here are just a few:
A common complaint against Christianity or religion in general is that it doesn't allow people to have any fun; a college classmate said that she was raised going to church, but left as a adult because she didn't like being told that everything she liked to do was wrong. Sure, sin may be fun while you're involved in it...but it has terrible consequences. Let me use an analogy: Let's say that, as a kid, you really want to attend a movie showing with your best friend...but your mom really needs your help cleaning up the house, because she isn't feeling well. You insist on doing what you want, and keep pressing her, so, she makes you a deal: If you go to the movies with your friend like you've been asking, for the next year, you won't be able to do any of your favorite things: hang out with friends, watch television or movies, play video games, chat online, read books, whatever; all you'll do is eat, do hard work, and sleep for the next twelve months. Would you still want to go to that movie showing? Of course not! Two hours worth of fun isn't worth a year of punishment! Well, that's how it is with sin: You may think it's fun at the moment, but, one day, you'll be held accountable for it, and may even pay the price. I know that I've messed up quite often in my Christian life, so, I want to make sure that I refrain from testing the bounds of God's grace any more than I already have; I echo the statement that Paul made in 1 Timothy 1:15: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." (NIV)
That right there is why I take sin very seriously; if it affects my eternal salvation, it's no joke! Unfortunately, our "anything goes" culture has turned sinful behaviors into a joke and a pastime, which is why many people, including Christians, engage in such activities without another thought. I know from experience that turning bad behavior into a joke is one of the worst things you can do. My mom once had a friend whose older son, who was disabled, had to be taken to the hospital because her younger son had grabbed a chair, hit his brother in the head with it, and ended up cracking his skull. When my mom heard about that incident, she told her friend, "When he does things like this, and you think it's cute, you're just encouraging him to keep doing it." I don't know what happened with that family afterwards, but, I do know that the culture does exactly what my mom warned her friend about: making sinful behavior seem cute or innocent.
That mentality has even spread into the church, including my church; seriously, most of the Christians I know lack any rules about what they watch, listen to, read, or play. Maybe they don't bother with pornography, but, that's about it. I, for one, am beyond sick and tired of the garbage in the media; in most cases, it seems like, if it isn't made for kids (Disney Channel, Power Rangers, etc.) or old-school (I Love Lucy), it ends up being trashy. There are some exceptions; for example, the makers of Supergirl have kept things remarkably clean for a show on the major networks, where profanity, sex, and violence seem to be the name of the game. Nowadays, you get movies and shows that you can tell are obviously morally offensive just from the title, such as I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell. It's a blatant sign how far gone our culture and our planet is.
While I can be friends with people who don't agree with my entertainment rules, because few people outside of my household do, I wouldn't want to be in a close relationship--i.e., dating, marriage, etc.--with someone who didn't share the same convictions I do, because that would mean sitting through utter garbage. That may sound admirable, but, there's one problem: Nobody seems to agree with my rules on that topic, not even my best friends at church. They may understand why I do what I do, but they don't do it themselves. Frankly, if I had to choose between being married to a worldly Christian lady and being single, I'd choose the latter; I'm better off that way, because the last thing I need is someone corrupting my mind with sinful media, which could happen in a relationship despite my significant other's intentions. If you know me, you know that my entertainment is very important to me; so, why wouldn't it affect my love life or lack thereof as well?
Today is Valentine's Day, a holiday focused on romantic love. I've heard many a friend say they hate the lovey-dovey holiday in recent years, but, it still remains a annual calendar fixture. For people like me, there's not much to celebrate; while most of you reading this are probably spending time with your significant other, I would say: What significant other? It's always been that way; I've never even been on a date...but, honestly, I say that's a good thing. A female Christian friend once had a quotation on her Facebook page that said, "Guys' rejection is God's protection," and that's still true when you reverse the genders. Honestly, in retrospect, I'm thankful I didn't end up with any of the female friends I asked out years ago, most of which I'm still in contact with thanks to Facebook. While they're still my friends--well, except for one, anyway--each of them have proven over the years that they weren't the one for me, sometimes even before I asked them out...though I didn't realize it at first.
Even though I haven't asked a girl out since 2008, I have made many new female friends since then, at church and elsewhere. Some of them have been married the whole time I've known them; others were single, but eventually ended up saying, "I do," to someone; still others have dated but never even gotten engaged, if they've even been romantically involved with anyone during our friendship. However, I can't think of a single woman I know who I would be willing to date; in fact, though I often hang out with the ladies at church, most of whom are married, I wouldn't go out with them even if they were completely single.
Why is that? Well, I've set a standard that nobody seems to be able to measure up to, especially people around my age. Let me explain: When you were single--or even if you are now--you probably encountered people of the opposite gender whom you refused to date because of something about them that was a major turn-off. I remember a single Christian lady who was on a Christian dating site, and came across a guy who said in his profile that he didn't believe in allowing animals--including pets--into the house; as a longtime animal lover, she refused to contact him because of that alone. If you're ardently enthused about your pets, you probably agree with her feelings; if you're not, you probably have something else in your life that is very important to you, such as sports. Well, as most of you know, my big thing has always been entertainment. If you look at a list of my prior obsessions--which I won't put on here--you'll see that most of them fall into that category: video games, computer games, comic strips, musical acts, and especially television shows. You just don't get between me and my entertainment; those who have reprimanded or attacked me because of what I watch on television or what game console I owned quickly became my enemies.
So, then, what's the turn-off? Well, the reason I watch, listen to, read, play, etc., what I do is not just because I'm a kid at heart, though I kind of am. It's because I believe that's what God wants; from my reading of the Bible, especially the New Testament, the Word makes it clear that Christians are to have nothing to do with moral filth. There are many verses I could list, but, here are just a few:
- But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5:3-5, NIV)
- Brothers and sisters, do not think like children. In evil things be like babies, but in your thinking you should be like adults. (1 Corinthians 14:20, NCV)
- Avoid every kind of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22, NIV)
I've been told my faith and walk were weak for all kinds of reasons, both by folks at my own church and folks at other churches. These reasons have included not wanting children, liking Rob Bell's writing, not voting Republican, listening to Eminem songs, not interpreting specific Bible passages literally, not going to church every week. And even when it's not spoken out loud, I know that sometimes it's being thought -- and I'm not just being paranoid, I know it's being thought because I was, in a sense, taught to think and feel that way when I was part of the "in" crowd, growing up in the church.That speaks of my experience to a degree; in my case, it's the lack of a wife that kind of makes me an outcast among the "young adults" at church. However, for quite a while, it's actually been my conservative beliefs that have driven a wedge between me and my fellow church members. I'm not talking about voting Republican; I'm talking about beliefs about media discernment, modest dress, profanity, extramarital affairs, and other such matters that have been debated countless times, especially in recent years. My beliefs on such things are taken right from the Bible and the morals on which I was raised, but too many people, even ones who were raised in the church, use a secular measuring stick to define their lifestyle, not realizing that God calls us to an even higher standard.
A common complaint against Christianity or religion in general is that it doesn't allow people to have any fun; a college classmate said that she was raised going to church, but left as a adult because she didn't like being told that everything she liked to do was wrong. Sure, sin may be fun while you're involved in it...but it has terrible consequences. Let me use an analogy: Let's say that, as a kid, you really want to attend a movie showing with your best friend...but your mom really needs your help cleaning up the house, because she isn't feeling well. You insist on doing what you want, and keep pressing her, so, she makes you a deal: If you go to the movies with your friend like you've been asking, for the next year, you won't be able to do any of your favorite things: hang out with friends, watch television or movies, play video games, chat online, read books, whatever; all you'll do is eat, do hard work, and sleep for the next twelve months. Would you still want to go to that movie showing? Of course not! Two hours worth of fun isn't worth a year of punishment! Well, that's how it is with sin: You may think it's fun at the moment, but, one day, you'll be held accountable for it, and may even pay the price. I know that I've messed up quite often in my Christian life, so, I want to make sure that I refrain from testing the bounds of God's grace any more than I already have; I echo the statement that Paul made in 1 Timothy 1:15: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." (NIV)
That right there is why I take sin very seriously; if it affects my eternal salvation, it's no joke! Unfortunately, our "anything goes" culture has turned sinful behaviors into a joke and a pastime, which is why many people, including Christians, engage in such activities without another thought. I know from experience that turning bad behavior into a joke is one of the worst things you can do. My mom once had a friend whose older son, who was disabled, had to be taken to the hospital because her younger son had grabbed a chair, hit his brother in the head with it, and ended up cracking his skull. When my mom heard about that incident, she told her friend, "When he does things like this, and you think it's cute, you're just encouraging him to keep doing it." I don't know what happened with that family afterwards, but, I do know that the culture does exactly what my mom warned her friend about: making sinful behavior seem cute or innocent.
That mentality has even spread into the church, including my church; seriously, most of the Christians I know lack any rules about what they watch, listen to, read, or play. Maybe they don't bother with pornography, but, that's about it. I, for one, am beyond sick and tired of the garbage in the media; in most cases, it seems like, if it isn't made for kids (Disney Channel, Power Rangers, etc.) or old-school (I Love Lucy), it ends up being trashy. There are some exceptions; for example, the makers of Supergirl have kept things remarkably clean for a show on the major networks, where profanity, sex, and violence seem to be the name of the game. Nowadays, you get movies and shows that you can tell are obviously morally offensive just from the title, such as I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell. It's a blatant sign how far gone our culture and our planet is.
While I can be friends with people who don't agree with my entertainment rules, because few people outside of my household do, I wouldn't want to be in a close relationship--i.e., dating, marriage, etc.--with someone who didn't share the same convictions I do, because that would mean sitting through utter garbage. That may sound admirable, but, there's one problem: Nobody seems to agree with my rules on that topic, not even my best friends at church. They may understand why I do what I do, but they don't do it themselves. Frankly, if I had to choose between being married to a worldly Christian lady and being single, I'd choose the latter; I'm better off that way, because the last thing I need is someone corrupting my mind with sinful media, which could happen in a relationship despite my significant other's intentions. If you know me, you know that my entertainment is very important to me; so, why wouldn't it affect my love life or lack thereof as well?
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Why I Don't See Myself As A Leader...And Likely Never Will
When I've talked about a potential future relationship, I've often said that I would need a wife who would guide me and look out for me. My friends have disagreed with me, citing the Biblical standard that husbands/fathers are supposed to be heads of their households. However, I have never seen myself as much of a leader. It's not that I'm exactly a follower either; I just sort of do my own thing, which is entirely my own decision. I don't let other people's opinions sway me, but, nor do I have anybody doing all of the same things I do; I've been essentially endorsing garage sales, the Disney Channel, and libraries for years, but everyone I know either still doesn't bother with them or was already a fan of them before they even met me. Despite my gender, I just don't see myself as leader material; in fact, I'm more inclined to let the women in my life--well, okay, only the right women!--lead me.
Why would I do that? For more than one reason. First off: In my family, the women have pretty much always led. You probably know that my biological parents divorced when I was very young, leaving my mom as head of the household. What you may not know is that my maternal grandfather died when I was barely in kindergarten; my grandmother on the same side of the family, however, outlived him by nearly a decade and a half. Due to her age and related health problems, she often needed help...but, it was often my mom and my aunts--that is, my mom's siblings--that came to my grandmother's aid. My sister--the one still living, that is--has always been a "Miss Independent" type from a young age; I would say it's part of the time in which she was raised. She has never been afraid to take charge of a situation, and people have often been very thankful for that. No offense to any people with "Y" chromosomes who may be reading this, but...in my family, most--though not all!--of the guys just couldn't be depended upon, at least in my lifetime; it was the women who called the shots.
Second off: I've grown up with countless stories that showcase strong female characters, sometimes even making their male counterparts look like idiots. Over the past two or three years, I have watched countless episodes of Power Rangers; I started off with the very first Mighty Morphin season, but have also watched newer iterations ranging from Operation Overdrive to Megaforce. Every season has at least one female Ranger, but, one thing I read on IMDb about the very first incarnation of the franchise surprised me: While the American version had two female Rangers, in the Japanese show it was based one had a male Yellow Ranger; the Pink Ranger was the sole lady among the group. That's not all that surprising, though, given the time in which it was made; in the 1990's, feminism continued to grow, and I'm sure Saban felt they needed a good hook for female viewers. When you look at other series of the time, you see many other strong women as well. In Home Improvement, Jill had to tell Tim what to do all the time, because he often acted like one of the kids. Even in Lois & Clark, Teri Hatcher's portrayal of Lois Lane was no mere damsel in distress; in fact, one episode featured a gadgetry mishap that led to her getting Superman's powers! It's true in many stories I've read, watched, listened to, played, etc.; the vast majority of the entertainment I've consumed over the years subscribes to the "Girls rule; boys drool" mentality. After hours upon hours of that...how could I not expect a woman to lead me?
Third off: I have never been a part of something where there wasn't a female in some sort of higher position. When you think of a teacher, you probably picture a woman; though men have been holding teaching positions for quite a while, it's still a female-dominated field. I remember one of my teachers in high school nominating a male instructor for Teacher of the Year, and mentioning that he was one of only two or three guys in his entire department. That was probably the case in most if not all of my high school, though; in fact, the Latin teacher there was the only guy in the whole foreign language department. While that may be expected in school, that was also the case when I was involved in other things as well...including Boy Scouting. Two of my friends in Scouting had mothers who served as leaders, despite their gender; while one of them lacked a father, the other one's dad was also a leader in the troop! The mothers of the Scouts played a big part in Cub Scouting, as well. Even at my church, while we don't believe in female elders, deacons, or preachers--and, that is NOT a debate I want to get into!--it would not be where it is today without the contributions of its female members, including the wives of the elders and deacons. The story of Jesus turning the water into wine shows that even the Savior of the world needed a woman--in that case, his mother--to tell him what to do, so, I don't think the rest of us guys have much hope without one.
Fourth off: I have never been in a leadership position. We all know that I've never been in a relationship, but, that's true in other cases as well: I'm by far the youngest of my siblings and even the baby among my first cousins. At every job I've had, I've been the low man on the totem pole. I was never a leader in any capacity of any organization I was in, including church, Scouting, and anything online. That's probably the reason I like technology as much as I do: I can tell it what to do, and it does it...but people just won't. Then again, that may be the way God wants it; leadership just isn't in my personality. I know many would say that it should be because of my gender, but, as everyone who knows me already knows: I'm not the typical guy, and for multiple reasons.
Now, for my conclusion: When talking about romantic relations, I have always expected the women in my life to be the ones to take charge; that is, to ask me out, to propose to me, etc. I know that's traditionally the guys' role, and many women would cringe at the thought of doing such a thing, but, after the experiences I've had in my life, I would ask the same question Hilary Duff once asked: Why not? If I was romantically involved with a woman who took charge of the relationship, it wouldn't bother me, because that's what women have always done in my experience, both in life and in art. Honestly, I'm inclined to let them do it, because they seem to know what they're doing; I wouldn't be where I am in my life today if not for the women in my life. Then again, maybe I'm just biased; your thoughts?
Why would I do that? For more than one reason. First off: In my family, the women have pretty much always led. You probably know that my biological parents divorced when I was very young, leaving my mom as head of the household. What you may not know is that my maternal grandfather died when I was barely in kindergarten; my grandmother on the same side of the family, however, outlived him by nearly a decade and a half. Due to her age and related health problems, she often needed help...but, it was often my mom and my aunts--that is, my mom's siblings--that came to my grandmother's aid. My sister--the one still living, that is--has always been a "Miss Independent" type from a young age; I would say it's part of the time in which she was raised. She has never been afraid to take charge of a situation, and people have often been very thankful for that. No offense to any people with "Y" chromosomes who may be reading this, but...in my family, most--though not all!--of the guys just couldn't be depended upon, at least in my lifetime; it was the women who called the shots.
Fourth off: I have never been in a leadership position. We all know that I've never been in a relationship, but, that's true in other cases as well: I'm by far the youngest of my siblings and even the baby among my first cousins. At every job I've had, I've been the low man on the totem pole. I was never a leader in any capacity of any organization I was in, including church, Scouting, and anything online. That's probably the reason I like technology as much as I do: I can tell it what to do, and it does it...but people just won't. Then again, that may be the way God wants it; leadership just isn't in my personality. I know many would say that it should be because of my gender, but, as everyone who knows me already knows: I'm not the typical guy, and for multiple reasons.
Monday, January 25, 2016
So, What I've Been Trying To Say All Along Is...
If you do not consider yourself a Christian, please do not read any further. Thank you.
I know I said a while back that I wasn't going to talk about relationships anymore, but, in the past week or two, I had a major breakthrough on the topic. No, I don't have a significant other; it wasn't that kind of breakthrough. Instead, it was a realization that my many declarations in the recent past--both online and elsewhere--had actually been rather misguided. While I realize my reasoning for the beliefs I held, that doesn't mean that I currently agree with them. In fact, the reasons for my old beliefs on the topic actually made more sense when I thought about them. Before I begin, I'll warn you: This is going to be a long one, so, you'd better get comfortable.
What was my major breakthrough? Simply put: I need a relationship; not necessarily now, but, at some point in the future, unless I die young or Jesus literally does return soon, both of which could happen. Here's why I say that: In my experience, it seems that guys can't make it on their own; they need a woman--a mother, a wife/girlfriend, a female acquaintance, or even a daughter--to tell them what to do. Just today, there was an incident where an elderly lady asked for a strong guy to shovel her snow, and the only person to reply was a mother who volunteered her teenage son. I would say that it's just the feminist culture--more on that later--but, if you look at the Bible, you'll see that it's been the case for quite a while. When God made the first woman, He said he was making "a helper suitable for" the man; flip to the Gospel of John, and you'll see that even the Savior of the World needed a woman to tell Him what to do if you read the story of Jesus turning the water into wine. I once heard a Mother's Day sermon based on that latter Bible passage that was titled, "Even Jesus Needed a Mom". So, if the Messiah needed the guidance of a woman, I'd say there's not much hope for the rest of us guys. From a secular standpoint, you often see where mainstream celebrities--including many of the male gender--give a shout-out to their mothers, wives, and/or daughters, realizing they wouldn't be where they are today without them.
While most if not all guys need a female presence in their lives, I need one more than most. I've always had a penchant for wasting time; doing pointless tasks that I even regret later. Left to my own devices, I'd always be twiddling my thumbs; thanks to the guidance of others, especially my mother, I find out what I need to do and then do it. I'm thankful for my mom's help and that of other authority figures--teachers, supervisors, etc.--but, when it comes to my parents, I know they won't be around forever; they're not getting any younger, and, if someday I end up without them, I'll need someone to help me figure out what to do and how to do it. While some guys have been helpful, in most cases, it seems that the women in my life tended to understand me better, which is why I currently have mostly female friends. Most guys I've known have been confused, annoyed, or weirded out by my habits; then again, some women have been, too, especially one in particular.
So, then, why all this talk about avoiding a relationship? Simple: While getting married is kind of a necessity for my future survival, one of my biggest fears has always been saying, "I do," to the wrong person. You may think that's a product of my biological parents' divorce when I was very little, but it goes beyond that or even dissolution of marriages in general. When I was in school, I had many teachers, most for only a year or two, sometimes not even that long. I did have some instructors who took me under their wing and looked out for me, and I seriously respected them for it; however, others besmirched their profession, sometimes doing the unthinkable to me or my classmates, which caused their students to mock them behind their backs. You probably remember the story about how the lead special ed teacher at my high school lied to me about taking chemistry class over the summer; she told me it wasn't available and I had to take an Outdoor P.E. class instead, but, I saw a list of Chemistry students posted near a classroom door on my first day of summer school. When I told my family members about what she had done, they didn't believe me; my sister and brother-in-law believed she had to be mistaken, because they were 100% sure that a teacher would never lie to a student...but, I wasn't buying it. Maybe back when they were in school, teachers had that kind of decorum, but, in my experience, that was long gone. I had to deal with jerk teachers as early as kindergarten--no joke!--and my unfortunate experiences with them made me despise school in general almost as soon as I started. If you went to a public school when I did, even if it wasn't the same school, you probably have similar experiences.
Why bring that up? Easy: Like teachers, Christians are supposed to be called to a higher standard...but, instead, they often do exactly what the rest of the world does while still proclaiming Jesus. I've had to deal with enough jerks in my life; I really don't want to be married to one. Unfortunately, that may end up happening, and I may not find out that's the case until too late. I hate to compare people to pets, but, this is the best analogy I've got: You probably know the story of Sparky, the dog my family and I had from 2002 to 2006 whom I never did like. From the time we got him, I wanted my mom to give him away to someone who would appreciate him, because I sure wasn't going to. Eventually, when he started showing some problematic behaviors, my sister, who worked at a veterinary clinic back then, had talked about putting a classified ad somewhere in order to give him away...but, she couldn't think of anything positive to say about him other than that he was "cute". I was still talking about giving him away, but, my mom said, "We're stuck with him!"
Here's why I mention that: A person--regardless of gender--could claim to be a Christian but have no other redeeming qualities in any other area; if I were married to a woman like that, I'd go insane. I'm sure all of you reading this know Jesus' commandment about divorce: you can't do it except in cases of "marital unfaithfulness," which is another was of saying an extramarital affair. So, you can't rightfully divorce someone for being a jerk, unless he/she actually cheats on you. While part of me wants to say that my future wife could change her ways, another part of me knows that the "If you've got a problem with what I do, that's on you" mentality is far too prevalent, especially among those of my generation. Even if she doesn't start out being a jerk, circumstances could cause her to change for the worse; you all know the stories of my former friends who used to think the world of me, but now won't even give me the time of day, all because of my own actions. While a wife may not walk out on me because I make a major mess-up--though she might, even if she was a Christian--it could turn our marriage into something ugly, and, much like my ended friendships, it may never recover from that.
Honestly, I'm tired of women bashing guys just because they're guys. While I understand and agree with the basic tenet of feminism--women are people, too!--I hate the way it has turned into what I would call reverse sexism or female chauvinism. Seriously, looking down on everyone of a certain gender is no different than looking down on all Asians or anybody from Texas; it's nothing short of a prejudice. Unfortunately, the whole "women are superior" mentality has even found its way into the church, and not just in the context of marriage. Over a decade ago, an elder and longtime friend departed from the church I was attending at the time, and mentioned in an e-mail that one reason he left was people "not submitting to the eldership," and, while he didn't name names, he specifically mentioned "wives". So, the women of the church were not respecting the men who were supposed to be leading the church...which is just unacceptable. While I believe women are divinely created individuals, and shouldn't be maligned, disrespected, or objectified...the same is true of anyone! Much to my chagrin, many people, including Christians, disagree with that mentality because they've fallen prey to modern culture.
So, while getting married seems to be a necessity for the distant future--assuming me and this world make it to that point--the thought of it also scares me. It's sort of like a major surgery: You know you need it to survive, but, the thought of it isn't exactly pleasant. While being married to the right person would be great and wonderful, being married to the wrong person would be something I'd regret for the rest of my life. I'll just have to hope and pray that God leads me to the right woman; that's about all I can do at this point.
A postscript: Please do not send me any links to any Christian dating websites. For the moment, I feel that God wants me living with my parents because they need me. You have no idea how many times they run into tasks they can't do without my help, ranging from setting the DVR to printing images out on their Mac to reaching a high cabinet. I definitely don't want to force God's hand in this matter, nor do I want to abandon my parents when they truly do need me. I'll just trust that, when the time comes, I'll find the right girl...and maybe not online.
I know I said a while back that I wasn't going to talk about relationships anymore, but, in the past week or two, I had a major breakthrough on the topic. No, I don't have a significant other; it wasn't that kind of breakthrough. Instead, it was a realization that my many declarations in the recent past--both online and elsewhere--had actually been rather misguided. While I realize my reasoning for the beliefs I held, that doesn't mean that I currently agree with them. In fact, the reasons for my old beliefs on the topic actually made more sense when I thought about them. Before I begin, I'll warn you: This is going to be a long one, so, you'd better get comfortable.
What was my major breakthrough? Simply put: I need a relationship; not necessarily now, but, at some point in the future, unless I die young or Jesus literally does return soon, both of which could happen. Here's why I say that: In my experience, it seems that guys can't make it on their own; they need a woman--a mother, a wife/girlfriend, a female acquaintance, or even a daughter--to tell them what to do. Just today, there was an incident where an elderly lady asked for a strong guy to shovel her snow, and the only person to reply was a mother who volunteered her teenage son. I would say that it's just the feminist culture--more on that later--but, if you look at the Bible, you'll see that it's been the case for quite a while. When God made the first woman, He said he was making "a helper suitable for" the man; flip to the Gospel of John, and you'll see that even the Savior of the World needed a woman to tell Him what to do if you read the story of Jesus turning the water into wine. I once heard a Mother's Day sermon based on that latter Bible passage that was titled, "Even Jesus Needed a Mom". So, if the Messiah needed the guidance of a woman, I'd say there's not much hope for the rest of us guys. From a secular standpoint, you often see where mainstream celebrities--including many of the male gender--give a shout-out to their mothers, wives, and/or daughters, realizing they wouldn't be where they are today without them.
While most if not all guys need a female presence in their lives, I need one more than most. I've always had a penchant for wasting time; doing pointless tasks that I even regret later. Left to my own devices, I'd always be twiddling my thumbs; thanks to the guidance of others, especially my mother, I find out what I need to do and then do it. I'm thankful for my mom's help and that of other authority figures--teachers, supervisors, etc.--but, when it comes to my parents, I know they won't be around forever; they're not getting any younger, and, if someday I end up without them, I'll need someone to help me figure out what to do and how to do it. While some guys have been helpful, in most cases, it seems that the women in my life tended to understand me better, which is why I currently have mostly female friends. Most guys I've known have been confused, annoyed, or weirded out by my habits; then again, some women have been, too, especially one in particular.
So, then, why all this talk about avoiding a relationship? Simple: While getting married is kind of a necessity for my future survival, one of my biggest fears has always been saying, "I do," to the wrong person. You may think that's a product of my biological parents' divorce when I was very little, but it goes beyond that or even dissolution of marriages in general. When I was in school, I had many teachers, most for only a year or two, sometimes not even that long. I did have some instructors who took me under their wing and looked out for me, and I seriously respected them for it; however, others besmirched their profession, sometimes doing the unthinkable to me or my classmates, which caused their students to mock them behind their backs. You probably remember the story about how the lead special ed teacher at my high school lied to me about taking chemistry class over the summer; she told me it wasn't available and I had to take an Outdoor P.E. class instead, but, I saw a list of Chemistry students posted near a classroom door on my first day of summer school. When I told my family members about what she had done, they didn't believe me; my sister and brother-in-law believed she had to be mistaken, because they were 100% sure that a teacher would never lie to a student...but, I wasn't buying it. Maybe back when they were in school, teachers had that kind of decorum, but, in my experience, that was long gone. I had to deal with jerk teachers as early as kindergarten--no joke!--and my unfortunate experiences with them made me despise school in general almost as soon as I started. If you went to a public school when I did, even if it wasn't the same school, you probably have similar experiences.
Why bring that up? Easy: Like teachers, Christians are supposed to be called to a higher standard...but, instead, they often do exactly what the rest of the world does while still proclaiming Jesus. I've had to deal with enough jerks in my life; I really don't want to be married to one. Unfortunately, that may end up happening, and I may not find out that's the case until too late. I hate to compare people to pets, but, this is the best analogy I've got: You probably know the story of Sparky, the dog my family and I had from 2002 to 2006 whom I never did like. From the time we got him, I wanted my mom to give him away to someone who would appreciate him, because I sure wasn't going to. Eventually, when he started showing some problematic behaviors, my sister, who worked at a veterinary clinic back then, had talked about putting a classified ad somewhere in order to give him away...but, she couldn't think of anything positive to say about him other than that he was "cute". I was still talking about giving him away, but, my mom said, "We're stuck with him!"
Here's why I mention that: A person--regardless of gender--could claim to be a Christian but have no other redeeming qualities in any other area; if I were married to a woman like that, I'd go insane. I'm sure all of you reading this know Jesus' commandment about divorce: you can't do it except in cases of "marital unfaithfulness," which is another was of saying an extramarital affair. So, you can't rightfully divorce someone for being a jerk, unless he/she actually cheats on you. While part of me wants to say that my future wife could change her ways, another part of me knows that the "If you've got a problem with what I do, that's on you" mentality is far too prevalent, especially among those of my generation. Even if she doesn't start out being a jerk, circumstances could cause her to change for the worse; you all know the stories of my former friends who used to think the world of me, but now won't even give me the time of day, all because of my own actions. While a wife may not walk out on me because I make a major mess-up--though she might, even if she was a Christian--it could turn our marriage into something ugly, and, much like my ended friendships, it may never recover from that.
Honestly, I'm tired of women bashing guys just because they're guys. While I understand and agree with the basic tenet of feminism--women are people, too!--I hate the way it has turned into what I would call reverse sexism or female chauvinism. Seriously, looking down on everyone of a certain gender is no different than looking down on all Asians or anybody from Texas; it's nothing short of a prejudice. Unfortunately, the whole "women are superior" mentality has even found its way into the church, and not just in the context of marriage. Over a decade ago, an elder and longtime friend departed from the church I was attending at the time, and mentioned in an e-mail that one reason he left was people "not submitting to the eldership," and, while he didn't name names, he specifically mentioned "wives". So, the women of the church were not respecting the men who were supposed to be leading the church...which is just unacceptable. While I believe women are divinely created individuals, and shouldn't be maligned, disrespected, or objectified...the same is true of anyone! Much to my chagrin, many people, including Christians, disagree with that mentality because they've fallen prey to modern culture.
So, while getting married seems to be a necessity for the distant future--assuming me and this world make it to that point--the thought of it also scares me. It's sort of like a major surgery: You know you need it to survive, but, the thought of it isn't exactly pleasant. While being married to the right person would be great and wonderful, being married to the wrong person would be something I'd regret for the rest of my life. I'll just have to hope and pray that God leads me to the right woman; that's about all I can do at this point.
A postscript: Please do not send me any links to any Christian dating websites. For the moment, I feel that God wants me living with my parents because they need me. You have no idea how many times they run into tasks they can't do without my help, ranging from setting the DVR to printing images out on their Mac to reaching a high cabinet. I definitely don't want to force God's hand in this matter, nor do I want to abandon my parents when they truly do need me. I'll just trust that, when the time comes, I'll find the right girl...and maybe not online.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
The Tag of Happiness
Some Songs That Make You Happy
- "Stockholm Syndrome" by Muse (a recent favorite of mine)
- "Lay Down Your Weapons My Friend" by Kevin Max (a song I discovered by accident, but I love it!)
- "Escape Goat" by Siobhan Magnus (though all of her songs are great, that's probably my favorite)
- "No More" by dc Talk (I love its anthemic nature and bold stance against sin!)
- "Hurricane" by Bridgit Mendler (this song has racked up tons of plays!)
- "Get This Party Started" by TobyMac (a fun song to get you going!)
Some Books That Make You Happy
- The Bible (of course!)
- Any of the Garfield Fat Cat Three Packs, especially the early ones, by Jim Davis
- The Weddings by Bella trilogy by Janice Thompson
- The Sierra Jensen series by Robin Jones Gunn
- Pretty much any Star Wars Expanded Universe books
- The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker
Some Movies and TV Shows That Make You Happy
- Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars (my favorite movie of all-time!)
- Lizzie McGuire (a show that changed my life; seriously!)
- Star Wars (another franchise which changed my life!)
- Monsters, Inc. (very cute, and very funny!)
- Austin & Ally (a wonderful show featuring my favorite kid from Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?)
- Jeopardy! (the ultimate show for trivia buffs like me!)
- Mork & Mindy (a classic, and the show that put the late Robin Williams on the map!)
- I Love Lucy (another classic, and from the early days of television!)
- Good Witch (a true family drama; something we need more of these days!)
- Power Rangers (cheesy...but FUN!)
- Bill Nye the Science Guy (he is educational...and entertaining! What could be better than that?)
- That's So Raven (a longtime favorite)
Some Foods That Make You Happy
- Pizza (my favorite food!)
- Cereal (my breakfast of choice!)
- Cheeseburgers
- Chicken sandwiches
- Mashed potatoes
- M&Ms
- Cheez-Its
- Snickers
- Goldfish crackers
- Dr. Pepper
- French fries
- Doritos Locos Tacos (from Taco Bell!)
Some Words That Make You Happy
- Jesus
- library
- take-out
- pizza
- church
- friends
- Disney
- garage sale (okay, that's two words!)
- bargain
- free
- calendar
- superhero
Some Random Things That Make You Happy
- The salvation I have in Jesus Christ.
- The Disney Channel.
- Bargain hunting, including at garage sales, library sales, thrift stores, MovieStop, used bookstores...pretty much anywhere!
- Apple devices.
- Free stuff.
- My friends at church.
- Take the banner and put it in your post.
- List as many things as you want in each category.
- Come up with more categories if you wish.
- Tag as many people as you want.
Anyone who is reading this!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)