A few loose screws

No doubt most folks who know me could agree that sometimes I have a few screws loose. Our family would be included in that comment. Right now, though, there's a good reason. Not only are some screws loose, but we might be coming unglued, too. Sounds like we need a good repairman.

After Phil had a cancerous tumor removed from his tongue in May, all pathology reports came back clean, meaning no more cancer. After a lengthy recovery, but never feeling quite up to par, Phil discovered another spot on his tongue around Thanksgiving. He saw the doctor right away and had a biopsy of it. It is another cancerous tumor.

We saw an oncologist on December 5th, but found out that with a new insurance plan starting on January 1st, this doctor would not be covered. We had to find a doctor who was both on the old plan and the new one. We found Dr. Santiago at the Cancer Care Center. We got to see him on December 18th and a plan was laid out for Phil to have a course of radiation along with a targeted drug called Erbitux. Phil will have radiation 5 days a week for about 6 weeks. Once a week, he will also have an infusion of Erbitux. This means they will give it to him through an IV. The Erbitux is basically a vaccine. It's been found to do wonders with oral cancer as well as colorectal. I guess it's an "all in the family" kind of drug!

Now, you are probably wondering if we saw the doctor in December why I am still using the words "WILL start." Good thing to wonder. He had to see a radiation oncologist to set up the radiation treatment. He did that just before Christmas only to learn he had to see a dentist to be sure his teeth could handle the radiation first. He has since had a crown, been in major pain and then had a root canal. NOW he has to wait for his mouth to heal 2 weeks before they will begin radiation. In the meantime he had a mask made of his face, which is pretty cool.

You can keep up with our journey through cancer at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/philgarrison 

Now, back to those loose screws. A few weeks ago we were at the library and when we went to leave, the car wouldn't start. I had no jumper cables. There "happened" to be men sitting in pick up trucks on either side of the car. Surely one of them could help. Neither of them had jumper cables! One, though, offered to go to his house & get his. He went & came back with brand new cables. He actually bought some when he realized someone had borrowed his. He tried to jump start my car. Nothing. Nada. Nil. He then pulled out a wrench & tightened a screw. That was it. The car started right up! I offered to pay him (though I had no cash, my "rich kids" still had Christmas money on them), and he refused saying God would bless him. What a special blessing for us! 

So, we may have some screws loose. But that's nothing new for us! We'll just keep plugging along seeing what God has in store in this journey! 

Holly Jolly Christmas

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Joyeux Noel! Have a Holly Jolly Christmas! God Jul!

Do you use any of those expressions this time of year? For years now the "War on Christmas" has been raging. Stores call their special items, like trees on which you put lights and decorations to celebrate on Dec. 25, Holiday items. Employees have been told they can say "Happy Holidays!" but not "Merry Christmas!" I agree with those who believe this is wrong and that it is an infringement of freedom of religion and free speech. However, that's not what this post is about. Not really, at least.

I am probably in the minority here. I am a Christian. I do believe people should have the right to say "Merry Christmas" if they choose to do so. I do believe that we celebrate Christmas as the Mass of Christ---a celebration and worship of the Lord's coming to earth as a baby so long ago. That's not what puts me in the minority, of course.

What does put me in the minority are these things. First, we chose not to "do" Santa Claus. We never told our kids that a fat man with a white beard, a red suit & deer would be bringing gifts. Which is really funny, because as long as my parents lived at Canyon Lake, my dad CLEARLY fit that description. He grows out a little mustache & beard just for Christmas. It's white. He has red shirts & a Santa hat. At the lake they always had deer in the yard (not reindeer, but deer still). And he is definitely a good physical copy of the "Dude in the Cherry Red Suit." We just didn't tell them that a MYTHICAL character was bringing gifts. Phil & I both loved Santa growing up, but he really wanted Christmas to focus on the Truth of Jesus' birth. As they got old enough to know about Santa, we did teach them about St. Nick, that many families chose to pretend that Santa was real, and not to bring that up to others. Of course, that led to problems because if Santa DID come up, they were honest. If someone asked, "Do you believe in Santa?" They said no. Which got translated into, "Your kids told my kids Santa isn't real." Both girls have said that they are glad we didn't do Santa (I've asked them several times), Natalie has a real disdain for the guy for a LONG time because she was always getting in trouble with others for not believing in him.

Next, you'd think that would mean we are the kind of family who bars all things remotely related to the frivolity of the season. That is the farthest thing from us! We (okay, the girls & I) LOVE the festive part of Christmas. Each girl has a little tree with ornaments she's been collecting through the years. With pink lights. Then we have a big (artificial---we have allergies) tree full of decorations. Yes, even some Santa ornaments. We love watching Christmas movies. I think Natalie has seen every Hallmark Christmas movie produced this season alone! We love a Charlie Brown Christmas & even Rudolph. Who wouldn't love a show about an elf who wants to be a dentist? LOL! Not "doing Santa" has in now way diminished the fun of the season!

That brings me to the third way I am probably in the minority: I really don't have an issue with Happy Holidays. I say Merry Christmas, but I don't mind signs that say Happy Holidays or people saying that. I DO mind "Holiday trees" and "Holiday ornaments" and such. That's just plain stupid. No one puts up a Kwanzaa tree or a Hanukkah tree! A Yule tree, perhaps, but not the others. No large chain store closes for the other holidays, either. They close on December 25th. Even so, the words Happy Holidays doesn't bother me. If you think about it, the word Holiday means Holy Day. So, those wishing you Happy Holidays are wishing you multiple Holy Days!

Finally, I really like Christmas music, and not just carols. I LOVE Christmas Carols. I love singing of the birth of my Savior and thinking what it was like for Mary and Joseph that night. What it was like for the Shepherds nearby. What it was like for the Wise Men who visited the child in his home later (you do know they didn't go to the manger, right?). But I also love hearing Burl Ives burst out Holly Jolly Christmas. Or Judy Garland singing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. I even like some of the newer songs, but you can keep "Last Christmas I gave you my heart." That has to be one of my least favorite EVER songs. I love thinking that somewhere someone is having a White Christmas or is going home for Christmas, if only in their dreams. And I laugh at "Mom & Dad can hardly wait for school to start again" since I homeschool my kids! This music brings back memories of Christmases past. We'll never have a Hallmark Christmas. We will probably never have snow in San Antonio in December. And only once every 20 years or so do we even get flurries that stick for an hour. But, I still like the music about such things! I don't think this makes me a hypocrite since the Lord created snow and families!

So, if you see me and want to say Happy Holidays, go ahead. I'll tell you Merry Christmas back, but I won't be offended. And if you want to tell me to have a Holly Jolly Christmas and to have a cup of cheer, I'll listen. Just don't try to hang Holiday ornaments on my Holiday Tree. THAT is a crime punishable by....something!

Does Every Vote Count?

While I'm waiting for some more guest bloggers, here's a political/government question that might be asked in a class. During the elections we hear the phrase, "every vote counts." It seems that in most elections this is true. I wonder, though, how that works with our electoral college. In our homeschool co-op last spring we taught a short government course. It was the first time I understood how the electoral college works. However, I'm still trying to figure out why we have it. Why is popular vote not enough? If we have a certain number of voters who make that final vote based on popular vote, is it truly effective? What happens if the popular vote is divided equally among 3 candidates, but your state has 10 people in the electoral college? Does every vote truly count then?

I don't know but I'm hoping someone who speaks peoplese (vs. legalese) can answer this for me!

Any volunteers?

Christians and Politics: Guest Blogger 3, Beth

Welcome to my third Guest Blogger, Beth! She's a dear online friend and a fellow "dork sister" (a group of us who admit to doing really silly things on a daily basis). Enjoy reading her take on this topic!

Should Christians be involved in politics? If so, in what ways? 

 Yes, I believe so.  I think we should do our best to make our voices heard. I think we need to stand by our Christian principals and faith when we are involved.  For me, I can't check my faith and beliefs at the door of my house when I leave to go elsewhere. My faith is a core part of who I am, how I respond to life, and my outlook and world view.  I can't check it at the door and go and be someone else when involved in politics or community events.  I think our biggest way to be invovled is to PRAY.  God promises he will hear the prayers of the righteous and all of us can be involved in prayer for our nation, our leaders at the local levels and national levels. 
 
Does God's Word, the Bible, have anything to say about politics?  

I think we need to remember the fruits of the spirit when dealing in politics....love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness,  mercy, etc.  If we respond and interact this way in  our political dealings, I think God will be blessed and we will show others what true Christians really look like. The verse about rendering to Cesear what is Cesear's comes to mind too. I think we do need to be faithful, tax paying, law abiding citizens.  The issue for me is if the laws change in such a way to where they are not meeting my biblical standard...what then? Will we be forced to abide by laws that go against our religious beliefs?? That's a problem and I think at that point my religious beliefs should overtake the laws of the land. But, hum.....not sure I have all the answers for this one.
 
Should pastors share political ideas from the pulpit? Why or why not? If yes, in what ways

 I'm not sure about this one.  Our minster has been pretty quiet about it lately. He's not really touched on the subject.  I agree that you don't want your church to be divisive over political issues but truth needs to be told as well. I know our church has biblical voter guides available out in the hall for people to take and look over, but that's about as far as they have gone to say anything about the elections to the congregations.  I guess that's how it should be. Provide the info and let the people decide but don't make a big deal about it from the pulpit. People do have differing views...for very good reasons...on both sides of the isle and many do come from christian perspectives.
 
(Optional) How are your personal political views influenced by the Bible? 

 I do vote my biblical views as best as I can and as long as there is a candidate that is somewhat influenced by faith and their religion.  I will always vote prolife.  I feel that is one area where the Bible speaks loud and clear about not killing or murdering. I consider abortion murder.  Other's don't feel that way and don't have an isssue with the topic.  That being said, people will bring up the topic of capital punishment and war.  I do beleive God told his people to go to war on several occasions to follow his will, protect the nation of Isreal, etc.  So, I do feel that if war is warrented for the safety and protection of our country and allies, then our nation should consider it as an option.  God bless the men and women who stand up and fight for our nation by being in the armed forces.  There is not enough gratitude in my heart for what many have done on our behalf.

Politics and Faith: Guest Blogger 2, Becky Kiser

My sweet niece is today's guest blogger on the topic of politics and Christians. Enjoy reading!

Before I answer the questions, I wanted to share with all of you that I feel in process about all of this. This is my fourth election to vote in and I feel like each experience has been totally different for me. I've voted from different motives (and often wrong motives) each time. So none of this is me sharing as an expert at all but simply from a woman, like you, wanting to honor God in all areas of my life whether that's voting or grocery shopping. :)

Should Christians be involved in politics? If so, in what ways?
Absolutely Christians NEED to be involved in politics... and in every way they personally feel called. If you are over 18, then clearly voting is a huge part of it. But before voting even occurs (or you turn voting age) you have to become educated. My first election I voted straight ticket out of total ignorance. I had heard that the Christian way to vote was Republican, so that first year I did straight republican. I hate that I voted with such ignorance and naivety (note: because of how I voted, not who I voted for). Since then I have really study each issue and compared it to the current times. I have looked at each candidate and looked at not just their character or religious beliefs but how they have done their jobs in years past. I've studied and continue to study ALL the issues not just abortion and marriage and see how they line up with the Word and our world. One thing that I feel like should be addressed is ways we should NOT be involved in politics. But I'll address that in the next section too. :)
Does God's Word, the Bible, have anything to say about politics?
Sadly all I've heard about from the majority of Christians when it comes to politics is really disheartening. I want to remind all of us of to things the Word says for sure to us as Christians (there's no room for interpretation):
1. Love God and Love Others (Matt 22:37-38). I think we need to be VERY cautious in how we share about politics. Unfortunately social media has removed the filter for a lot of people. They've posted things too quickly that can do a lot of harm. I've been so saddened after debates to hear so many make fun of the other party/candidate and cry victory (this goes for both parties). How we speak of each candidate (president, congress, etc.) matters. The same rules the Bible gives us about slander, gossip, hate, etc. all still apply. Because they've put themselves in the public eye doesn't mean we all of a sudden have permission to speak poorly of them. We are still called to respect our authority, and whether we like it or not, the government is our authority. Parents especially should be modeling kind and gracious words and behavior for their kids. In all our opinions, actions and words we should be very intentional to be loving towards others and God.

2. GO and be a disciple (Matt 28:19).  Remember that not everyone you share your opinion with shares your same belief in Christianity. I have heard from so many who don't share my faith how annoying Christians are during the political season. Before you speak or tweet or status update, ask yourself how this is winning others over for Jesus.

3. Be peace loving-- James 3:17-18 syas, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."

Along with those two challenges from the Word, I think it is important to search out the Word for your own on all the issues. Ask the Lord what needs to be a law for the whole nation NOT just what is my personal belief? What are commands just for Christians NOT just what I want my world to look like so I am more comfortable. 

And remember, from what I've studied comprehensively anyway, WE as Christians are the ones called to go and be the church. Somethings I think we put too much pressure on the government to change things. We live in the world, it will always disappoint us. We live with other humans, and they are not a holy God we can put our full trust in.  All that to say, be the church to the world we live in. We may not be able to pass into law all the things we believe most in and that's OK. :) Because that doesn't change how you can still live. You can still have a strong marriage and model how the Word says it should be (while loving your gay neighbors). You can still pray at school (while doing it respectfully for your Muslim classmate). You can still chose life in your pregnancy (and pray and support pregnancy centers and adoption and whatever else you can do to help eliminate abortion). You can live within the means you are given (even if you are taxed even more this next year because you have been given all you need). You can still reach out the poor because that's what Jesus did (even if the government doesn't help them). You can still pray for healing for the sick (regardless of how healthcare works out). You can model faith in a God that can be trusted (not fear in the god of government).

Should pastors share political ideas from the pulpit? Why or why not? If yes, in what ways?
I don't think they should. I think it is really inappropriate and divisive. Publicly endorsing certain parties or candidates from the pulpit seems out of place to me. I have NO problem with them doing so personally though. 
(Optional) How are your personal political views influenced by the Bible?

This has actually been what's made voting so hard for me, considering what is the most God honoring way to vote every two years. Considering ALL issues and also considering if they should be a law or if they should be something the church/Christians should be doing is a challenge. Often times what I believe personally is moral or Biblically acceptable is not the same as what I think the government should have authority over or in. Also, often times there are issues on each side that I feel strongly about as a Christian. At the end of the season when it comes time to vote, you just have to trust that you've come to the right choice for yourself. And more than all of that trust more in Christ then you do in the outcome of the vote! :)

Guest Blogger 1: Politics and Religion

My first guest blogger asked to remain anonymous. Here is the info I received:

My feelings can best be expressed in the attached blog. Regardless of those who receive their “truth” from the NPR/MSNBC camp or the Fox News/Conservative Talk Radio camp there is only one Truth and it doesn’t involve politics or hating people because they believe something different than you. I will let my vote that I do in the privacy of the polling location do all my talking in the realm of politics. 

 

Here is the link to the blog:

http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/163120-how-to-overcome-election-fatigue.html?p=2

 

Thanks to the contributor and thanks to you for stopping by to read! 

Talking about Politics and Religion

You've likely heard the saying that if you want a dinner party to go well, never discuss politics or religion. You also have likely been inundated with BOTH of those the past few months, and even more as the election date draws near! I decided to ask some fellow Christians for their take on our role as Christians in the realm of politics. I've heard enough of the "your candidate stinks" information to last a lifetime. I want to get to the issue that would effect all believers, not just those in the USA.

I asked several questions and am hoping to hear back so I can share these on my blog. Some will be anonymous and some might share their identities/backgrounds. Hope you will come back to see What's Cookin' with Chef Mama's friends! First order coming up shortly!