Author: Sandie D

I always have a hard time explaining who am I. I resort to the I am a mother to 2 beautiful adult daughters I have the most handsome grandsons and the loveliest grand-daughters. I'm married to an amazing man since 1980. The most important thing about me is that I am a Born Again Christian. The Lord has gotten me through so much in my life. So, I want to give Him the credit for all of my blessings. I'm also a blogger and I enjoy writing. blogs about my faith, family, and food.

Judging Others- Lisa Whelchel

Published on May 24, 2013 by Sandie DLeave a comment

This post all began from a status update on Facebook. This was posted on Lisa Whelchels wall. if you don’t know her she played Blair on The Facts of Life and is a devout Christian.

Her Status; I’m just crazy about Ellen Degeneres. She has the sweetest spirit. And such a fun show! (All that and killer apps, too. :)# @TheEllenShow

Shortly after she posted this, there were people coming out saying all kinds of things that are how they lost respect for her and those who knows that as Christians we aren’t to judge others. We are to love others as Christ loves us.

Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor? (James 4:11-15)

Here are a few of the replies that she got on her page. I’m not posting all and not putting names of who posted them.

Please find a way to be a guest on her show. That’d be awesome!
Lisa…You are even more beautiful on the inside than you are on the outside and that is saying a lot.
I have just lost all respect for you after this post. Im sorry but there is nothing sweet about Ellen. I was thinking you claimed to be Christian.
Aren’t Christians supposed to “love thy neighbor”, Donna?
I’m a big old fat lesbo that loves Ellen for the fact that she is geuninely doing her job to make people happy. I love her comedy, her show, and her dancing. She has the best guests. I have watched her since she was a stand-up comic. She’s hilarious and her comedy is clean. Having said that, I don’t go to church, but I do consider myself a Christian and surely God loves me because I am me and that’s ok. I have respect for people that can be who they are. I’m leaning toward that C- like you were talking about. I have no patience for bigotry and judging in any capacity.
There is not one person commenting on this, or on Earth, for that matter, that is without sin! I believe that God will work on people in His own time regarding their own sin, and we should pay attention to our own houses and not throw stones at others.
I am a Christian Pastor and I believe we need to love and show compassion to everyone. Jesus sat and ate with sinners. Last time I checked only God has the authority to judge anyone. Its judgment statements that turn people off from Christianity. I see people as people, not labels
I believe in Jesus Christ and the written word of God, the bible. I went on a Reformation tour with Lisa and spoke with her personally. How can you disrespect a person because they don’t feel or think the same as you? One day we will all answer for our OWN sins…worry about that not Ellen or Lisa!
Just remember God gives us all “free will” but he loves us all the same. 1st Samuel 16:7
Will never understand how Lisa’s innocent and kind comments ALWAYS seem to get her insulted or called a bad Christian. Well, let me fill you in…God made all of us, in his image, right…well guess what, being gay is not only a choice but a dna screw up…too many chromosones or not enough chromosones…so technically, isn’t that God’s creation. So instead of wasting so much time hating and putting people down, embrace what your God created.

And this was my reply to some of the comments;

I love to watch Ellen and for those who think that is wrong, I will let you have that opinion. I know many people from all walks of life. I have friends that are Christian, Catholic, Mormon, Wiccan, Pagen, Athiests and Agnostics.

Being a Christian myself, living in Utah that is predominantly Mormon (LDS), I have learned that we can be living examples of Christ. While I very much disagree with anything that is not from the Bible and inspired by God, I learned to love the people.

Many think that Christians put themselves on a pedestal and have this holier than thou attitude. We have been thought of as hypocrites and so on. Even though I don’t agree with the sins of others, it isn’t my job to be the one to judge others.

I choose to love those and be friends with those who don’t know Christ as I do. I pray that I live as Christ would have me live and that they can see that I have a personal relationship. I think Lisa and all of those people who have a relationship with Christ and a Christian would knock down those doors of hatred for the sinner and realize that we all have sins and we all fall short of the Glory of God. Lisa has the opportunity to share her faith with people many of us would never get a chance to share with. So give her a great and lets just get off the pedestal of being better than others. Shoot, I may have to do a blog on this topic now for my Senseless Ramblings of the Mindless…

It’s a rare person who is not guilty of judging other people. For some reason we feel that is our responsibility to evaluate and point out the sins of others. The Bible repeatedly warns us of the danger of being judgmental. Jesus said, “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. (Mt. 7:1-2) James also warns us about being judgmental and gives us 3 dangers that are associated with it.

Being judgmental is something that we all must resist. It’s easy to fall into the trap of slandering other people and being critical of everything they do. Not only does a judgmental attitude destroy other people, it destroys us. Judgmental people seem to be less happy than those who resist the temptation of slandering, gossiping and calling them out on their sins.

In Closing, I just want to say, “Give her a Break” and be examples of Christ. Stop worrying about what others are doing and pay attention to your own sins and walk with Christ.

RIP Frankie- A Difficult Week

Published on May 22, 2013May 22, 2013 by Sandie DLeave a comment

This was the headline on St. George News:

Washington City Police and Fire Departments responded to the discovery of the body of a 24-year-old man in Pineview Park. Washington City, Utah, May 15, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

“A little prior to 5:30 p.m. we were notified by someone in the park that had discovered the body,” Ed Kantor, public information officer for Washington City Police Department, said. “Someone did see him there and notified the police department and the fire department.”

It was right around 1992 or 1993 when I first met Frankie Walsh and his family. I was working at Circle K in Phoenix and his mom came to work there. I ended up being the person that trained her and she along with her family has been in my life ever since.

My first memory of Frankie or Francis was when he was a very small child that was running around his apartment while my husband Chuck and I visited with his parents. Frankie was a little jokster and loved picking on his sister and having fun. Frankie had this ability to make you laugh even if you wanted to be mad at him. He had a sweetness and gentleness about him too. Sometimes he used that to his advantage I think, lol. He would bat those eyes like the best of them and he would get his way. Or at-least with me he would.

Frankie was different than his sister Lynnette. She was a more serious kid and loved to read. That is something that she and her mom shared the love of. And I think that is still true. Now, Frankie, I don’t think reading was what was on his mind. He loved music, having fun and being a mischievousness and loving person. This is the Frankie I knew. I’m sure he was something different to everyone.

We eventually moved to St. George, Utah and soon after Mike and Tina followed suite with the kids in hand. They ended up staying with us off on and. I know Mike and Tina was Frankie and Lynnette’s parents, but I loved those kids as if they were my nieces and nephews and would at times get upset with them like they were my kids. Frankie knew when I was mad at him and he would go a few steps too far and I would get mad. And what would that little burger do? Well! Let me tell you what he would do! He would come up to me and give me a hug, look at me with those big brown eyes and wavy hair and tell me he was sorry and that he loved me. For any of you that have kids around and they bring out the eyes and hugs, you know it is over. How can you be mad at that. So I just tell him that it is OK, just don’t do it again and then tell him I love him while I give him a hug. He knew how to work me big time.

388658_4335945713659_1525254846_n — Frankie sure loved his little girl and she loved him… She was giggling so hard here.

There are so many memories of Frankie and as he got older, he had more problems. For me, when I think about those problems, I think about a person who was lost and didn’t know who he was or what he would or could do in his life. He had many obstacles that he overcame and others he was still dealing with.

I remember one time out in Ivins, he came up to me one night. It was shortly before he went to Job Corp. I was making breakfast at midnight. I know that sounds weird, but it is what it is. Frankie was hungry and he was sitting on the sectional watching TV. He came up behind me and I knew Frankie needed to talk. He rubbed my shoulder and started to cry. I hurried up what I was doing and we sat down and had breakfast.

We sat down and I asked him what was wrong. He was telling me how worthless he is and how he will never amount to anything. He wanted to make people happy, but he couldn’t do that. He told me that he would be better off dead and he didn’t want to ruin anyone’s life because he already ruined his. He swore me to keep this conversation to just him and I. And I told him it was. But now I think that is null and void. I can’t help but think back to how sad and torn up Frankie was. He was very depressed and could see no way out that night. He did make it through the night and after a couple hours he feel asleep. The next morning he was on a plane to Job Corp. He didn’t stay every long and was back in town to stay.

Frankie would pop over and say hey every now and then and I would pick on him about his hair. I would ask him when he was going to cut his hair and he would give me this look and smile, like he was thinking ‘Never”, lol. I told him I loved him with long hair, short hair or no hair and for who he is. He eventually moved to Bullhead City where he feel in love with Anne. Then she became pregnant and they became engaged and moved back to St. George.

The day after they moved back here they came to visit. He introduced me to Anne and she is a very nice person. Eventually they had on of the cutest little baby girl named Elycia.

22081_4335958513979_1715943402_n — Frankie looked so happy in this picture

Frankie has always been his own person with his own views. Him and I didn’t see eye to eye when it comes to our faiths. I’m what you would call very much Christian and Frankie was pagan. I’m not too sure exactly what kind since I don’t know many that are Wicca or Pagan. I told Frankie that no matter what he believed and he has a right to believe what he wants, that I will always love him. I may not agree and I don’t agree with paganism or anything like that. I have no right to tell someone what to believe What I respected and loved about Frankie and Anne is that even though they know our faiths and religion is very much on opposite ends of the spectrum, there is the respect. Frankie had no problem coming over and I really appreciated how he went out of his way to respect my wishes. And in turn I respect his.

The other night I went to a concert that was called Promises of Hope. Sanctus Real was there and they sang a song from their new CD called the Prayer (Video From Concert). During that entire song and the prayer said before the song I thought about Frankie. I do pray for him and his family. I pray for Anne who is hurting because she lost the love of her life and the father to her baby. I pray for his parents that lost a son and a sister who lost a brother. I pray they find the kind of peace that only the love of Christ can offer. I know that even though some may not believe in Christ, that they will see that they are loved and worth so much more.

RIP Frankie- You will be missed. Little Boy in front- His parents and sister is in this pic too…

Frankie decided that his best option was to take his own life. He left his house with his belongings left on the table, his infant daughter was left at home with a friend and he left the house. Eventually they found a suicide note and a missing gun. A couple hours later police notified his parents and fiance that they found Frankie’s body at a local park in Washington, Utah. I can’t even tell you how devastated this news was in so many ways. My heart and mind goes in many directions when I think of Frankie and those he left behind. For me Frankie committing suicide brought back memories of an awesome young man named Brian that took his life and also left behind parents that loved him, a daughter and a brother and sister. He was like a nephew to me to. If this week has been difficult for me, I can’t even imagine what Frankie’s family is going through. But I know that I will be praying for them as are many others.

If you are thinking about suicide, please get help. There are hotlines, hospitals, police and local pastors and clergy that are there to talk to you. If someone is thinking of suicide please take it serious. They could be talking and you just dismiss it as yeah, they say that, but they won’t. You never know. There are many who thought their loved ones wouldn’t do what they say they wanted to do and now they are burying their sons, daughters, spouses, parents, friends and so on because we failed to listen to their cries for help.

From 2007 to 2011, Washington County saw a 44 percent increase in the suicide rate while while Iron County saw a 115 percent increase.

Suicide prevention information- Utah and elsewhere

Online resources:
• Utah Crisis Intervention Team,
www.citutah.com
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,
www.samhsa.gov
• National Alliance on Mental Illness,
www.NAMI.org and
www.NAMIut.org
• Southwest Behavioral Health Center,http://www.swbehavioralhealth.com
Emergency numbers
• Dixie Regional Medical Center Behavioral Health — (435) 688-4343
• Southwest Behavioral Health Center — (435) 634-5600
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — (800) 273-8255

20 pound Dog Beats The System

Published on May 15, 2013May 15, 2013 by Sandie DLeave a comment

I’m not sure if too many know about my little Parker. Parker is a small pug/pekingese dog. He is about a year old and just the cutest little dog with a very sweet personality. He is also a very smart and doesn’t give up on doing what he wants to do. Let me explain why I say this.

Doggie Door: Yeah, Parker has defeated our doggie door. Usually the doggie door does great so our dogs can go out and do their things without us having to open the door every 5 minutes. It is great until we have to close the inside door and leave the dogs outside because company is at the house or we have to go somewhere. That’s when this 20 pound little dog goes into high gear to seek and destroy the doggie door.

And that’s exactly what he did. Within 30 minutes with the first doggie door flap it proved to be not much of a determent to him. He started from the bottom and tore his way all the way up and within minutes the door had holes and such in it. We had to duck tape the bottom until we could buy a new flap. I leave the house thinking that Duck Tape works for everything. That is what they say right? Well, it doesn’t work if you are using it on a doggie door that a little determined dog decides doesn’t need to be there. So in the house he runs with Duck Tape on his feet and he lifted the locked door for the inside of the door that is suppose to keep unwanted animals or pets out. Yeah! OK!

We went and got a new doggie door flat and decided this time to block the door when we are gone with cinder blocks. He was able to move those out of the way and make his way to the newly installed and now full of holes doggie door flap. I must say that Parker is not a stupid dog. Hubby decides that it might work if we put two cinder blocks on top of a solid dog crate. We moved this make shift thing in front of the door on the outside so he can’t squeeze in and move it. That did work a bit better, and he was still outside.

Then tonight in all my brilliance I was thinking that maybe he doesn’t like to be outside and I decided to put him in the dog crate that he sleeps in at night. It is made for a Husky, so there is plenty of room in there. All my dogs can fit in there together and still be comfy. I leave for a SHORT time to see how it will work. If I was gone longer, I would have been in trouble. I walk in the house and look around. And low and behold here is Parker still in his dog crate. Yeah, he is there, but at the same time, it is turned upside down with the bottom tray in the middle of the room. His mouth is around the metal latch ready for the break out. I told him he was a bad dog and he wagged his tail and he gave me this look that was so cute. How can I punish him when he looks like he is smiling at me.

Now, I have to devise another plan in my brain to see how I can outwit this little dog that seems to be able to get out of his crate and from eating the doggie flaps on the doggie door.

This is the dog crate we have for Parker. I had to straighten it out and then I notice he put a whole in his mattress… Goofy dog.

Gods Beauty Around Us

Published on May 1, 2013May 1, 2013 by Sandie DLeave a comment

My family has a way of telling me that I always seem to make friends no matter where I go. Today was one of those days.

With all my problems with my port a cath and them not being able to access it, I just needed to get a break from the house. Jessica, JJ and myself were already planning on going out for dinner. Of which we did do. On our way home, we were driving on the Redhills Parkway. It was right around 7 pm and there was the most beautiful sunset. I didn’t have my camera with me, so Jessica dropped me off at my house and then I drove back up to the top of the parkway that overlooks St. George. I was very happy I did that.

I got out of my car with my camera in hand. Many that knows me knows that I love to take pictures of the scenery. I have to say that St. George, Utah has some of the best scenery. So off I go and start snapping away. I always take more because I don’t know how they will turn out.

After a few minutes others started to join me. They were attracted by the sunset too. There was a couple that is visiting St. George and will be returning to Illinois tomorrow. We stood around and talked for about an hour and then they departed after giving me their email address to send a couple of the pictures I took of them.

There was even a point when God decided that some birds was needed. Out of nowhere there was a whole flock if you call them that of birds flying over head. I was able to get a few shots of them. They were just hanging out enjoying the sunset with all of us.

Right after this, there were three ladies sitting at the overlook. I asked them if they were visiting St. George and asked if I could take a picture of them looking out over the city. They were having a good old time. After my picture-taking of them, they explained to me that they were celebrating Willie Nelson’s 80th birthday. They were laughing and I couldn’t help but to laugh with them. I’m pretty sure good old Willie was smoking a joint today and drinking up a storm. And these funny ladies must have been joining in, just not in the same town, lol.

These ladies cracked me up. They were celebrating Willie Nelsons birthday, lol

As I was thinking about the conversations of the night and the wonderful scenery around me, I couldn’t help but to feel blessed. We live in a beautiful city that for the most part has wonderful people. Everyday God gives me an opportunity to be grateful and to feel blessed. Some complain left and right about all the bad stuff going on. But as I look out over the city and listen to the laughter and joy around me, how can I not feel blessed.

One other thing that I thought was very sweet. As I arrived to the pull off over the city and started taking my pictures. Not far from me was this couple. I was trying not to eavesdrop, but it was hard. See, earlier in the day, I was listening to a video about a flash mob that helped a guy propose to his sweet heart. And tonight there was a guy that had a piece of paper in his hand and reading it to this sweet lady. He was telling her how much he loved her and wanted her to marry him. It was an awe moment for sure.

City of St. George. This was taken at the lookout on the parkway

Even though my day had its bad moments, it also had many more good moments. You see, when we have Christ in our lives, we don’t have to worry about the bad things going on or IV lines not working. That’s because Christ has the best line that provides us with everything and everyone we need and more. Even though I haven’t been able to get to sleep and it is now 4:35 am as I type this out. I can still be grateful for all that God has given me. I met some wonderful people who I never would have met if it wasn’t for a gorgeous sunset with rays of sunshine poking through.

The next time you are driving around and have some extra time. Take some of that time to stop and look around you. You never know who you may meet or what God has in store for you.

What Do Babies Think When Being Born?

Published on April 30, 2013April 30, 2013 by Sandie DLeave a comment

This is just one of those random thoughts of mine. Good thing this blog is called Senseless Ramblings lol No babies were harmed in the making of this blog post 🙂

I wonder what a baby thinks when it is being born. A lot has to be going on for this poor little baby that has been floating around in fluid for 9 months and not having a care in the world and then bam! All of the sudden they are being evicted from their warm, cozy and a bit damp cubicle of a home. He is wondering how in the heck he is going to fit through that small face, but he is to the point of no return. Then poof, they are shot down a tunnel and heading to the light and then once they hit the light they get smacked on the butt by faces that they have never seen before. Some strange people are manhandling them and everything is a mess.

And then then I think about the little boys that get circumcised, lol. I can only imagine what they think when the Dr comes at them with the scalpel and needle in hand. They reach for their little private spots with these scary items and then they cut off the skin. I bet those little boys would like to climb back into the womb and never come back out to see the light again.

I can only imagine the baby looking up at all these strangers that they call parents and family. They never would have seen such strange beings in their life. If they happen to be a twin, at least they can pre-warn his/her brother or sister about what is

JJ Just after he was born… I think he was praying to go back in where it was warm and cozy and no needles and cold things.

Shoot, when my grandson JJ was born, I was there. And if he could talk, I could only imagine what he would say. I was happy to be there in the room while he was born, but some of it was a bit much because it was up close and way to personal for my own good, lol. about to take place.

The day he was born, the nurse came to me since I was there by Jessica’s side and Jason was by her head. She tells me to come here. I give her a stupid blank look, like where. She is in the position to get his baby delivered that decided it was going to be a bad trip and wanted to return to sender. So she raises Jessica’s legs in a position that I never thought a pregnant woman could get into so she could show me where JJ’s head is and where it needs to be. Right now I am feeling like I am the catcher of a diamondback baseball game. JJ was going to be the fly ball that wanted to get away. Eventually he was born and he was way upset and I tell ya, he was mad because they flicked the bottom of his foot. He must have thought he was being punished for something he was going to call the lawyer to sue whoever committed this deed of injustice.

After the baby arrives and tries to sum up what his life is going to be like, he/she relents and realizes that some of these people might be nice because he/she gets yummy warm stuff from mommy. Even though he or she might be wondering what the whole thing is with these things they put on their bottoms. They didn’t have these before and now they keep all the poopies and wet stuff from getting on their new parents, but not away from them. Little one giggles to himself as he make noises that he never heard before as he fills these funny white things taped to his body. Being a little devious and doing some payback, he realizes that he can pee on mommy and daddy when they remove this and then it is payback time. Better watch out sucker! Fully Loaded and Ready to Aim is his new motto, or at least till he can be verbal, lol.

What are you going to do to me mister? I promise, I won’t do it again

Back to the boys, they are not impressed I’m sure if they got circumcised. Now they have owies every time they pee. So far these babies are not enjoying the right of passage they just came through.

In time, they must think their parents and everyone else is nuts because of the way we talk to them and not very nice at times because they get shots and don’t always feel good. And to even think about what they think about these foreign objects called teeth start coming in. No wonder kids bite, they are getting back at us adults who put them through the ringer, lol.

Plotting my next move? When you least expect it, and boom! I haven’t forgotten the mean man cutting my pee pee!

Now they are onto bigger and better things. They know what it takes to get us to do what they want and when. And they look at us like we are nuts when we talk to them in baby talk, but find it is better to humor us.

Soon enough they are able to talk and by then so much has happened, they have forgotten all about the whole being born thing and being launched through the birth canal.

Watch out world, here they come.

Holding Pastors Accountable

Published on April 28, 2013April 28, 2013 by Sandie D2 Comments

christmas 063 — Pastor Dean and Ruth- We sure miss them

This blog posting really makes me appreciate our pastor and his wife. They recently retired and we miss them and hope the best for them. Thankfully we never had to deal with the issues that are covered in this blog. Pastor Dean and Ruth were great and were an awesome example of living their life for Christ and loving each other and their family. They will be a part of our church family always.

I have a number of friends that are church leaders, pastors and such. A friend of mine emailed me about their Pastor not living up to the standards you would expect a Pastor to be. From my understanding the pastor at her church is living in sin, by having an affair out of wedlock and taking part in conduct that we are told not to participate it. She asked me about accountability and how to confront or if she should confront the pastor at her church. When I opened my email and read her question, it took me back to when we first moved to St. George. And it still comes to mind when I go through Mesquite, NV.

A pastor and his wife was at a casino gambling and I was shocked to see them there holding their winnings in their hands. I grew up in the Nazarene Church and this just wasn’t done. We are told not to gamble and to see the pastor of my church doing this, I was wondering what my fiend asked me. Those questions would be about accountability and being an example of Christ. I couldn’t wrap my brain around the whole idea and image of my pastor gambling.

Then I had to recognize my own sin and not the sin that my pastor and his wife was committing In my mind, it was OK for me to be there gambling, but not MY pastor. I was holding him up to a higher standard than I had for myself and other Christians. I could come up with a hundred reasons why it was OK for me to be there but not him. Needless to say, I was just as much in the wrong as he was and I was wrong in thinking that him being there was the same as me being there.

I would think that we need to look at the issue at hand. Should a pastor who falls into serious sin—or who is just accused of a serious sin—respond publicly and address the charges? Does he/she need to be open with his congregation? Or does the Bible give him immunity? Does his/her standing as a Christian leader give him/her permission to hide his/her faults from view?

With the way the media and internet are, I’m pretty sure that most have heard stories of pastors addicted to pornography, pastors who’ve been accused of adultery, pastors who don’t show the love of Jesus to their families and others. It would be very difficult for a member of the congregation to hold a pastor or church leader accountable. It’s our moral and spiritual imperative to hold our pastors and leaders accountable no matter how hard that may be. (Ezekiel 3:16-21)

For me this is a hard topic, because of my friendships with pastors and church leaders. Pastors are, like everyone else, ordinary human beings; fallen people who struggle with the flesh, the devil and the world. Like everyone else, they need Grace-giving & Gospel-centered leaders around them for support, growth and encouragement. I had to go searching for the answers on this one and go to what the Bible says.

One of my friends Sue is a pastor. She and I get into a number of conversations about life and her role as a church leader (pastor). When asking her about her thoughts on this topic, this is what she said; “Life is not always under our control, just like everyone elses. We do the best we can. We try to be the best that we can be. But we fall just like everyone else.” Most pastors have tremendous issues, but feel trapped that they can’t be honest about them for fear of losing their position, respect, or influence among God’s people. Balance is a key ingredient in ministry.

What the Bible Says: God holds the pastor/overseer and the leaders of the church to a higher standard (James 3:1 is an example). He has given us high standards to use in determining who is qualified to be a leader (1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9). These two passages refer to the qualifications of church leaders who are biblical called elders. When a pastor or a leader violates these standards, they are no longer qualified to continue in their role. These qualifications include his gender, his high moral character, his relationship to his family, his ability to be a good manager, his knowledge of God’s Word, and he must be gifted or skilled in teaching.

It seems that when you look at the qualifications (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; 1 Peter 5:2-4) for pastors and deacons are simple and clear. Many times people like to gloss over that these qualifications for pastors and deacons are the basic characteristics expected of all Christians.

Some Random Thoughts About Pastors and his/her flock (Christians)

Contrary to popular opinion, pastors and deacons are not part of a super-spiritual elite group who are closer to being morally perfected or above correction.
Pastors and deacons are sinners saved by grace, sinners who are regular people who do and will sin!
Pastors are to exemplify what the Christian life looks like (1 Peter 5:3).
Christians are expected to live their lives in a manner worthy of the gospel. Pastors are simply men who exhibit maturity in their faith and live humble and consistent lives.
The terms “blameless” and “above reproach” are the initial words used in the two major qualifications lists. These words are used to describe both pastors (Titus 1:6) and deacons (1 Timothy 3:2).
Being above reproach does not mean that one has achieved sinless perfection, this is impossible in fallen man. To be above reproach refers to a level of maturity that is exemplified in consistency. Inside the church this means that one must live in line with the gospel and biblical pattern for a faithful life. Being above reproach outside the church means that non-Christians cannot point their finger and discredit ones profession of faith in Christ alone.
Throughout the New Testament the “ability to teach” (Acts 20:31; Titus 1:9; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:7) stands apart as the only qualification held to the office of pastor that is not obligatory on every other Christian. In other words, everything listed as obligatory on pastors is also obligatory upon all other Christians except the “ability to teach.”
The pastor is to be able to “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9) One of the primary roles of a pastor is “equipping the saints for the work of the ministry” and this is accomplished by teaching and passing on the faith. (Ephesians 4:12-13a, 2 Timothy 2:2).

This is a quote I found online and find it so true:

We all miss the mark, and some of the best preachers are actually a “repentive product” of their sin.

Chuck Colson = prison ministry, former prisoner
C.S. Lewis = former atheist, and great apologist

“Pastors are simply men/women who exhibit maturity in their faith and live humble.”

Pastors and Church Leaders Needs our Prayers;

Why do pastors leave the ministry? Of the most common issues are “preference for another form of ministry, the need to care for children or family, conflict in the congregation, conflict with denominational leaders, burnout or discouragement, sexual misconduct, and divorce or marital problems.” Before we point the finger or throw stones at them, let’s consider a few things. The apostle wrote: “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching…” (1 Timothy 5: 17).

In closing, here are some stats about Pastors and Church leaders.

70% of pastors constantly fight depression.
50% of pastors feel so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
90% of the pastors report working between 55 to 75 hours per week.
80% spouses feel left out and under-appreciated by church members.
70% do not have someone they consider a close friend.
40% report serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month.
50% of the ministers starting out will not last 5 years.
4,000 new churches begin each year and 7,000 churches close
Over 1,700 pastors left the ministry every month last year
According to one survey, only 23% of pastors report being happy and content in their identity in Christ, in their church, and in their home.

See how you can pray and serve them & their families:

Let’s face it: It’s easier to criticize a pastor than to be a pastor. We have little or no idea what it means to be a pastor. Here are a few examples of what most pastors suffer from, before they literally burn-out (from Disciple Makers). See how you can pray and serve them & their families

chronic fatigue (exhaustion, tiredness, a sense of being physically run down)

difficulty sleeping (waking in the middle of the night and finding yourself unable to return to sleep)

decreased concentration (can’t finish things)

anger at those making demands

self-criticism for putting up with the demands

cynicism, negativity, and irritability

a sense of being besieged

exploding easily at seemingly inconsequential things

frequent headaches and stomach aches

changes in appetite resulting in weight loss or gain

shortness of breath

increased irritability (men tend to get angry more; women tend to cry more)

social withdrawal

depression

feelings of helplessness

As the body of Christ we should love, care & appreciate our pastors today. My prayer is that as you reflect on these things, you would see how your churches treat pastors; and that you would lead a group to make sure that faithful pastors receive the honor they deserve but hardly ask for.”

Go Ask Alice- JK- Alice Asking

Published on April 28, 2013April 28, 2013 by Sandie DLeave a comment

I was having this conversation a few days ago with a friend (Alice). She was asking me about a problem she was having with a friend. Her problem is that one of the friends she thought she was close with has been pretty much non existent for some time now. Alice is hurt by this and not sure what she has done wrong. This is a hard one for me to answer since I didn’t know the person she was talking about. This friendship was and is meaningful to her. Not knowing her friend, this is difficult to know the answer to.

From my understanding they have been friends for many many years and then all the sudden her friend stepped back from the friendship and hasn’t been a part of her life for a long time. After talking to her for some time I got the idea that her friend had a lot of things on her plate going on. And my friend has had many things to.

I know my online friend Alice will be reading this and I hope she does, so she can think about what it means and how hard maintaining a friendship can be. From my understanding my friend put a lot on the shoulders of her friend, not knowing she did this though. My friend Jerri would always tell me that some friends are casual friends, others are in it for the long haul and others are there because they need to be needed or we need someone to need us.

As I was talking to Alice, Jerri’s comment came to mind and in many ways that is true. Alice was wanting more out of a friendship. She wanted one where she could talk about anything and be accepted for the good and bad. Her friend was unable to meet that criteria for her. I can understand how she would want that though. Jerri and I could spend hours on the phone, in person and so on talking about nothing or talking about everything. But not all friendships are like that. I do need to make it a point to call Jerri though. It has been awhile since we last talked.

Alice is having a problem understanding why her friend pulled away is hurt because she thought they could talk about anything and everything. That was until she opened her heart up too much and her friend pulled away. I guess I can understand this because I think we all have or at least I have had friends that have had to step back and regroup. I have had to do that too. It was like that with my friend Donna. And I’m sure some of my stuff is a bit too much for some to handle too. There has been times that too much was going on and I had to pull away for my own sanity. I do think that is OK, but at the same time don’t give up on your friend who has nobody else they can talk to. I do think this is the case with Alice. She received an email from her friend telling her that she has to back away and breath. I have been there, done that. But what upset my friend is that in the email from her friend, she said that if she needs anything to give her a call and she will be there. I guess when I think of a friend and being a good friend, you shouldn’t have to call someone up only when they are needed. Sometimes you just want to hang out or do nothing at all.

My friend was telling me that when she got that email, it made her feel like she wasn’t a friend in the same way she wanted or needed to have. I know for myself, it drives me crazy when someone calls me only when they need something and then I resent them for it. If a friend told me to call only if I needed something, then I wouldn’t consider them a friend. I would consider them someone who likes to help others and needs to save the day. If I received an email like that, i would take it how Alice is though. And I don’t think I would call or email if the only reason i was doing that was because I needed something.

I have what I would call the puppy dog syndrome at times, or should i say had. I had a hard time saying no and would beat myself up for letting someone take advantage of me. Now, I can say no pretty easily. I still have a need to help and save the day. But that isn’t always the best and it does have a way of ruining friendships or relationships with others.

But, back to my friend Alice. I would have to tell her that if she is wanting to have a real friend, then be one. Not everyone in our lives are friends. I would consider that a special bond. But we do have a lot of people that come into our lives for one reason or another and that is OK. And from my own experience, not everyone needs to know your private stuff. I do think that scares people away and they just don’t need to know it. I have learned that somethings are better kept to yourself Alice unless you know that person very well. And even then you can scare them away and they never come around again.

For others who have problems with friends or advice for Alice, you are welcome to comment.

Hymns on my Mind

Published on April 26, 2013 by Sandie DLeave a comment

Tonight I was watching the American Bible Challenge on GSN and some of the songs struck a cord with me.

For me, music speaks to my soul. Music has a way of reaching me when nothing else can. Most of the time I listen to Contemporary Christian like Mandisa, Toby Mac, Third Day, JJ Heller and so on. But tonight I wanted to listen to the old time hymns that always speaks to my heart.

One of the songs I listened to was “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”. I don’t know about anyone one else, but this song gives me hope that when my name is called and I stand before the Lord that those that I love and have accepted Christ as their personal Savior will be there waiting. Click here to listen to ‘When the Roll is Called up Yonder”

Then, there is “Victory in Jesus”. This song is filled with hope and promises. The part of this song that gets me every time is,

O victory in Jesus
My Savior, forever
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory
Beneath the cleansing flood

Click here to listen to Victory in Jesus.

Trust and Obey, I absolutely love this song. I went to a Nazarene Church when I was younger. During the summer I loved my church. The reason is why is because our pastor would let the congregation choose the songs. We would raise our hand and I was so happy when I got chosen. He knew the song I would choose, haha. He would always say ” Trust and Obey Sandie?” He was right, he knew what I liked and I loved church in the summer because I could sing my favorite songs and my pastor would entertain my likes. Click here to listen to this song.

The other song would be “In My Heart There Rings A Melody”, I sure wish our church sang this song. I would ask my daughter Jessica to play these on her flute, she would always give me a goofy look. But how can you not feel the love and hope with these songs. My favorite part of this song is;

In my heart there rings a melody
There rings a melody with heaven’s harmony;
In my heart there rings a melody
There rings a melody of love!

‘Twill be my endless theme in glory
With the angels I will sing;
‘Twill be a song with glorious harmony
When the courts of heaven ring.

Lastly, one of my favorite hymns is “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. This is one of those songs that comes to my mind and heart out of nowhere. When this song comes to mind and I sing it in my car or house when I’m alone, it has a way of putting everything in perspective and I know that I can take anything to the Lord in prayer. There is no other friend that is so faithful and one that will carry our burden and be there when are are our weakest. Even when I feel discouraged and having a really hard time, I can take it to the Lord in prayer. Click here to listen to this song.

There are many other songs that I love, but these are the ones I listened to tonight that struck a cord with me and that I needed to hear. God put these on my heart and I’m thankful that I have a personal relationship with Christ and have accepted Him as my Lord and Savior.

So Much Evil- Prayers for Boston

Published on April 16, 2013April 16, 2013 by Sandie DLeave a comment

I don’t get why people have to intentionally go out and hurt others. With what happened in Boston today, it makes me sick.

The thing that makes me the sickest is that the last mile was dedicated to those students and teachers that lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The last mile of the Boston Marathon was dedicated to these innocent lives. And yet, under the bleachers where the survivors and families sat a bomb that didn’t go off yet was found. They had to witness carnage all over again.

Why do these senseless acts have to happen and what do people get out of seeing others hurt and killed? I don’t get it. I’m willing to bet that if someone did these things to their loved ones or family they would be out for revenge. They would be asking the whys and how comes.

In a few days on April 19th, it will be the 18th anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing where the blast claimed 168 lives, including 19 children under the age of 6, and injured more than 680 people.

There is so much evil in this world and I don’t get it. I know that we are warned about how much worse thing will get before Christ comes again. But to see these horrible things happen over and over again is hard to deal with and to understand.

My thoughts and prayers are with all those that live in Boston and those that are hurt and with the families of those who lost a loved one. As of the time I’m making this post, they don’t know who did this or what their motivation was. But in my thought, it doesn’t matter what the motivation was, because it is pure and simple evil. I hope they find who did this and bring them to justice.

Justin Bieber and My Teen Idols

Published on April 15, 2013April 15, 2013 by Sandie DLeave a comment

I was reading on yahoo how Justin Bieber would hope that Anne Frank would have been a fan of his if she was alive now. Would she have written about her crush on Justin?

There are alot of people that are upset over his remark and I guess I don’t see why they are. After all he is a 19 yr old kid and he was thinking out loud when he was wondering if she would have liked his music if she was living now as a teenager. She talked about celebrities and stars she liked from her era. So I would think she would be like any other young girl if she was a teen right now.I don’t know if he knew much about her before he went to the museum, but I’m sure he does now and like most teenagers he has the foot in mouth disorder. He is in a lot of hot water over his comment, but it got me thinking about teen idols and those who I had a crush on when I was younger.

Here are some of my thoughts on the Bieber compared to my teen idols;

I don’t think that it is a far fetched idea to think that Anne Frank would be a fan if she were a teenager in today’s world. Of course he isn’t in my age bracket, but I can see why a teenager would have Bieber fever.

When I was a teenager, and man am I about to date myself with this one. But my Justin Bieber crush was Shawn Cassidy, Donny Osmond, Andy Gibb and Scott Baio. Most that are in the over 40 age group and was a teen in the 70’s will know where I’m coming from. idols.

Donny Osmond- To read his message to me, click on his image and it will enlarge the picture.

Let me start with my numero uno crush and that would have been Donny Osmond. Oh my goodness, I had every Tiger Beat magazine that he was in. His posters were on my ceiling and he was suppose to have been my husband. Some of my friends would tell me that he was a Mormon and i was just thinking that I would convert him, so not a problem. Donny was really sweet too, he sang the song “Puppy Love”. I just knew that song was written just for me and there was nobody else for Donny but me. Donny was really sweet too because on his poster he wrote to me to “meet him soon”. You can see the special message he wrote to just me and only me. Then the day came when they announced that he was taken. My world came crashing down around my teenager heart. But that was OK, I had my backup plan.

My backup plan was to marry Andy Gibb. Andy was super hot and was the best of the Gibb brothers if you asked me. Andy sang a special song to me in my dreams and I just knew it had to be all about me. Click here to listen to “I Just Want to be Your Everything”. This song is proof that he wanted me to be his everything, lol. But my world was crushed again. He decided he needed to get married in 1978 and then he died in 1988. Well! That pretty much blew my plan to marry Andy.

Oh WOW! Shaun Cassidy was super hot too. He is the younger brother to David Cassidy. David was way cute to, but Shaun Cassidy had those super tight white bell bottom pants and sang Click Here to see my heart throb of the 70’s sing in those awesome white pants. How could anyone not love Shaun Cassidy? I know that is a stupid question. Just saying! My friends and I had it all planned out on who we were going to marry. I guess Shawn would have had to be a polygamist to make us all happy, lol. Young minds aren’t always logical you know?

Well, Shaun Cassidy didn’t pan out like I wanted. For some reason he thought he needed to marry someone else. So, now my next in line is Scott Baio.

If you don’t know who he is, he played Chachi in Happy Days and then later Joanie loves Chachi. She didn’t love him more than I did though. Scott Baio was so darn cute and if I had to choose the next in line Scott was the one it was going to be. He wasn’t my first choice, but he was almost awesomely cute.

I knew that Scott Baio really liked me to because he also signed the poster in my room and made it for the world to see. He wrote, “You’re my favorite, Love Scott”. See there you go! He was ready to shout to all the world by putting the picture in Tiger beat and told the world he was my favorite I’m guessing that the other girls thought it was about them, but I knew better. He even sang a song to me too called “What Was In That Kiss”. See, I knew it. But then someone had to burst my bubble and tell me that it wasn’t about me and that he was singing it to Joanie.

You may be wondering where I’m heading at and what Justin Bieber has in common with my list of top crushes when I was younger. Well! This is what I have to say! To many young girls in the teens and pre-teen age group, they probably think he will be their boyfriend or husband. They have dreams and when he sends out a message, they may think it is to them personally. One day they will see that he is nothing but a teenage crush and a fantasy in their young minds. One girl will get him. My guess is that he will break a young girls heart when he announces that he is taken and some girl will have to go to plan B, C and maybe D.

I’m not a Justin Bieber fan, but he is no different than Donny Osmond, Andy Gibb, Shawn Cassidy and Scott Baio. He will do stupid things and people will talk crap about him. But they did about my teen idols too. Donny was a Mormon, Andy was a drug addict, Shawn was nothing bad that I know of and Scott had relationship problems. My thoughts are that if Anne Frank was alive now and was being raised a teenager in today’s times, she would have Bieber fever along with other girls her age.

I don’t know how many know who Anne Frank is. In case you don’t, she was a young girl who wrote ‘Diary of Anne Frank”. She was a normal 14 year old girl that happened to be Jewish and she died in the concentration camps in March 1945. They have a museum that is dedicated to Anne Frank and others who died during the Holocaust. Click here to go to the website.

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Suicide prevention information- Utah and elsewhere

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