On The Menu: Humble Pie

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Humble people are cool to hang out with. They have no interest on impressing anybody. They are confident and self assured; they are not in competition with anyone because they know who they are. They don’t break a sweat when they are falsely accused. Humble folks don’t mind eating their fair share of humble pie because they know it’s good to do so in order to mature. A meek person has a gentle spirit, however they are far from weak. Their humility gives them a strength that is strong enough to endure anything life throws their way.  I have chosen my lot in life and I have made friends with some of the most humble people because they help me to stay true to my God, myself and my destiny.

Humility-1. In ethics, freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one’s own worth. In theology, humility consists in lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one’s own unworthiness in the sight of God, self-abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to the divine will.

Before honor is humility. Prov.15.

Just Show Up

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Have you ever been in a place in your life where you’re not exactly sure where you’re supposed to be? During my teen years I was a high school student. Then in my twenties it was college and after I graduated came marriage and becoming a parent. My roles were clearly defined, that same pattern continued into my 30’s. Now that I’m in my 40’s the roles are beginning to change on me.

My kids are growing up and I find myself having more time to pursue my own dream and goals. Having older kids doesn’t mean they don’t depend on me anymore; now they depend on me differently. When they were smaller it was easy helping them fix a broken toy, bandaging a sore knee and just being there period. Now they have problems to which I have no pat answer for . They get older and suddenly are seeing that mom and dad are pretty limited and human.

I visited a good friend of mine in San Antonio Texas 2 summers ago. He is a musician and I wanted to know how he figured out what direction to go with his career. At that point I was completely clue less regarding which path I wanted to take next. The way he put it was so simple and yet it stuck with me. Luis just said to me, ” I keep an open mind, I hear about events for net working and I just show up.” That was it, I adopted that way of thinking and do you know what it’s done for me? I have become more open minded and willing to try out new paths which before, I would have never even considered.

In order to do that though, you have to be willing to let go and not try  to control things so much.  Sometimes you have to be willing to lose yourself in order to be found.

Label Pickle Jars NOT People!

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Braille wine label on a bottle of Lazarus wine... Image via Wikipedia

I hate labels. There, that says it all.  I have but only one name I answer to and that is the name my daddy gave me at birth. To show how much I despise labels when I first met my husband he and I were arguing while on our way home. We were at a red light and he crossed the line by calling me a female dog; I went berserk for a minute and I just raised my foot and put it right through the windshield of his car. He never labeled me like that again!

From the time I lost my parents I was labeled an orphan, and might I add that happened to me at a very young age. Then later on the other labels came and it made me boil inside because all I wanted to do was be myself; and that’s hard to achieve when you are being constantly categorized, stereo typed and labeled. The only things that have to have labels are food products, medicines and anything else that is not a breathing, walking living soul with a heart.

I once went to a counselor to try to figure out somethings in my past. After I told her what I’d been through she never labeled me; she did me a huge favor and reminded me I was anything but a victim because I had over come so much with God‘s help. THAT was great news to hear and it set me free. This same counselor though, did my husband a disservice. After several sessions with him she labeled him co-dependant. Why was that a disservice to him? Because he began to cling to that label and it made him remain the same.  I have observed for several years now how labeling someone serves to cripple them and they stay bound by the words spoken over them.

Life and death are in the tongue. Our words can break  the shackles that bind us or they can serve to further imprison us. Label a child stupid and he will believe that he is stupid all of his life. Tell a child that she is brilliant and she will aspire to much. People are not jars of pickles so top labeling them!

2 years ago we met with a family counselor because we all had issues. After our first session Bruce, the counselor told my husband and I that our children are a cut above the rest of any kids he had ever met. Last night we hear something entirely different. We spoke with a well meaning person who after a couple of hours of listening to our family air out some very strong feelings in a counseling setting, said that my kids are victims. WTH? Things didn’t change so much in our home from the last time we saw a family counselor to now.  Be careful what you let some well meaning counselor speak over yourself or your children.

After this encounter, my kids came up to me right away and told me, ” Mom, how can that man call us victims when our last family counselor told us we are a cut above the rest? Mom, sure we’ve been hurt by stuff but that’s life! And, mom, victims are people who get hurt but they never get up, they stay there, wounded.”  My 15 year old daughter put it so eloquently, ” I just reign from my place of pain.” My kids let me know they didn’t appreciate what was spoken over them, they didn’t receive one bit of it. So my husband and I prayed over them and broke the power of those words.

God, I pray that you help all of us stop labeling one another. Give us eyes to see people they way you see us. You are such an awesome God because you never label us, you just call us your children. Help us do likewise.


Sheepish Sheep

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people are strange
when you’re a stranger
faces look ugly
when you’re alone – “People are Strange“- Echo and the Bunnymen

People are strange, I have to agree with the lyrics I posted above. I recently attended a church picnic  and there is one thing I do on purpose whenever I go to social functions of this type; I completely avoid the pastors, I go as far as not even making eye contact with them.  Hold on before you go on and think it weird and maybe even a bit anti-social of me. Here’s why I behave in such a different manner. I always see people hanging around the pastors and expecting them to be Jesus 24/7. Consider this: Could it be pastors show up to enjoy the food and revelry just like everybody else? Some people just don’t understand that a pastor cannot always be in the Spirit; God‘s leaders have needs too!

A long time a go , when I was new to the things of God and to the ways of church, one evening I received a very interesting and unexpected phone call, from the pastor’s wife from the church I was regularly attending. She said she was calling to thank me. I was ransacking my brain trying to figure out what I had done for this woman since we hardly spoke to each other. Then she continued to say that she was thanking me for not bleeding the ministry. WOW! I had never heard such words. She explained that people like my husband and I were a joy for any ministry to have  around because we weren’t always calling on them for help.  She thanked me once more and then she hung up.Those few words blew me away because even as a new Believer, I always knew not to take advantage of those people God places in my life to bless me.  That brief conversation has stayed with me all these years later.

People: Stop being so selfish and understand that God’s leaders need you to bless them back to0 now and then. They are the ones who are up at all hours pacing the floor for you and covering you in prayer. They are the ones who freely give of their time and talents to feed and nurture you. They are the ones who study God’s word so you can have a fresh message each week. Some of them sacrifice a lot just for you! Next time you go to church, instead of wondering what does the good ‘ol pastor have for ME today? Why not go there and ask God to show you what YOU can do for the man of God? You know, sometimes all these people  need is a kind word of encouragement, a hug or maybe just a warm smile from you. Something that will show them that they are appreciated and cared for. When was the last time you prayed for your pastor and those in authority over you? They need just as much prayer as everybody else.

The way I see it,  pastors are some what like presidents; they have been put in charge of many things and they can not do it alone. They need the support of those they lead. Without our prayers our leaders suffer many attacks that could have easily been avoided had they been prayed for.

Now, I ‘ve seen some people in leadership positions who won’t let you bless them; whether they receive it or not is not your concern. Lots of times pride will keep them from accepting a blessing. Don’t worry, do it anyway and let The Boss deal with them 🙂

And the hands of Moses became heavy. And they took a stone and put it under him. And he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one from this and one from that side. And his hands were steady until the going of the sun.   Exodus 17:12

REACH

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The Newsboys perform Saturday, June 30 at Crea...
Image via Wikipedia

My youngest daughter recently performed a Lyrical Dance to Peter Furler’s song “REACH” at a church. Sometimes God will use a child to reach out to you and I believe this video will bless you and encourage you to keep reaching out to a God who really cares about you and loves you; no matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done. Reach, keep on reaching and NEVER give up hope.

Smart Meters..How Smart Are They Really?

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Smart Meter
Image by Tom Raftery via Flickr

A couple of months ago  I was notified by a “friendly” notice from Nevada Energy Power Company that they would be sending  a crew to my home to install a Smart Meter in order to replace the old analog meter. I thought, what’s wrong with the one I had  and then I thought nothing of it. A week or two later, a man showed up and removed the old analog meter and replaced it with a new Smart Meter ( SM ).

It’s been two months now and I am seeing a huge difference in my daughters who happen to have a bedroom right by the place where the SM is located. I contacted my Naturopath Doc and I told her about how my teen daughters are all of  sudden battling insomnia. She informed me of the truth behind the SM agenda and I am posting it on here for you to inform yourself.

Last Monday I contacted NV Energy and asked for the meter to be replaced. The woman I spoke with was less than friendly as she asked for a reason for having such a request. I told her the SM (Smart Meter) was disrupting our sleep patterns and she almost laughed in my face, saying she hasn’t heard of such an outlandish claim. I told her to go on the web and Google it because stories of how the  SMs are messing with people’s health are in abundance. She answered by saying that they can replace it but that in 2012, I’m going to have to take it back because by then the SMs will be mandatory. REALLY??  I then shot back with, what happens if I refuse it in 2012?  She smugly answered me by saying that I won’t have any power in my house.

Folks, time they are a changing! I am posting this information in the hopes to educate you about this. The powers that be are counting on our ignorance to shove something down out throats that none of us want. Please read and watch the video and then you decide.
   

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK67pYmquD8        

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTnGMN-kQ64&feature=fvsr

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JNFr_j6kdI

Las Vegas: It’s Not Just All Fun and Games

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11 years ago when we uprooted ourselves and we moved to Las Vegas, I didn’t know what was in store for us here. Lots of things can happen in a short decade. When we first came out here we knew no one and we had no family cheering our decision to move to “Sin City”. As a matter of fact we heard,” You are being irresponsible, you guys are crazy how can you raise a family in such a “sinful” place,” and other not so great comments from so called “concerned” relatives from both sides of our extended families. I even was asked this question several times,” Does everyone in Vegas live on The Strip?” Come on now, seriously?

So here we are settled in, we recently purchased a home in lovely Henderson, which is sandwiched between Hoover Dam and Las Vegas and I’m happy to announce to any nay-sayers from our past, that we are doing well and thriving in this place!

Which brings me to discuss the fact that I am proud to announce that Las Vegas has more culture than it gets credit for. I simply adore The Las Vegas Shakespeare Company. Last year they did  Shakespeare in the Park; being that Henderson is filled with wonderful parks, LVSC uses these parks to put on live performances of a Shakespeare play once per year. So this fall’s treat, starting this week end is, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and I am so excited! This company knows Shakespeare and I am happy that my girls have joined such a dedicated group of talented professionals to work with.

So, if you live in my area head on out this Saturday, October 1st at 7:00 pm to Sonata Park. Then on the 8th it will play in Discovery Park. On the  15th it will be at Lake Las Vegas, and the grand finale will be at River Mountain Park on the 22nd. All performances are free of charge and begin at 7:00pm. So bring a blanket, snacks and experience Shakespeare live because I’m quite sure Shakespeare would be proud with these talented professionals that make up LVSC. See you there!!

 

12 Things You Never Assume When Attending Church

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Assume-To take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a fact; to suppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively.

Today I want to share some truths that I had to discuss with my kids last Friday. We haven’t attended church on a regular basis up until now, so I had completely forgotten what the church atmosphere can be like at times.  Here are 12 things you never assume about church.

1) Never assume that everyone in church will welcome you or your calling.

2) Never assume that everyone that goes to church has your best intentions in mind.

3) Never assume that everyone that goes to church is going to be friendly.

4) Never assume that you won’t find bullies in church.

5) Never let just anyone lay hands on you or pray with you. Someone with a wrong spirit can defile you if you let them pray or lay hands on you.

6) Never let just anyone prophesy on you. Words are power and words spoken in a wrong spirit or out of timing can defile you.

7) T.D. Jakes once said: ” Remember this, folks is crazy.” Never assume that there are no crazy people in church.

8) Never assume that there are no cliques in church.

9) Never assume that everyone who goes to church is a nice Christian; there ARE wolves in sheep’s clothing going to church right along side with you.

10) Never assume that the people in leader ship like the pastors and the elders see or hear everything that is going on. They are after all,  human like all of us.

11) Never assume that everyone who goes to church loves and serves the same God you do. There are people in church who serve their own version of God.  Jesus said we would be known by our fruit (or lack thereof) so become a fruit inspector. 🙂

12) Just because someone sits in a garage doesn’t make them a car; in the same way, don’t assume that everyone who attends church is a Christian.

If you keep these things in mind, then your church going experience might be pleasant. I have met some of the nicest people out side of church and I have met some of the meanest people inside the church walls.

 

“I am a bit too worldly for the religious. And I’m a bit too religious for the worldly.” -Phil Keaggy, Musician

 

Bullies Are Everywhere..Including Places Like God’s House

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I have been home schooling my kids for quite some time now and we are used to the bullying we’ve encountered from other people. After while you just grow thick skin and you don’t let the snide remarks and nasty comments uttered by bullies get to us. Ignorance regarding home schooling prevails in the play ground, at the library, in the dance studio and whatever other places kids go to meet up with kids. You wouldn’t expect to find bullies in God‘s house now would you?

That’s the question that has arisen here at home. We’ve recently begun attending a very nice church and my kids are more grieved now, than they were when they were being bullied by some ignorant neighborhood kids. What’s sad is that the bullying doesn’t appear to be as nasty as what my kids were getting back in our old neighborhood. In church, the kids do it with a smile on their faces and it’s all in good fun right? 

 

BULL”Y, n. A noisy, blustering overbearing fellow, more distinguished for insolence and empty menaces, than for courage, and disposed to provoke quarrels.

BULL”Y, v.t. To insult and overbear with noise and blustering menaces

I have cause for concern when my 10 year old tells me that someone 17 years old teases her incessantly about her being home schooled. She doesn’t make any jokes about this boy going to public school because she’s too scared to say anything back to him. So please think about the next time you want to say something “cute” and joky- joky to someone else. Are you making them the butt end of the joke? Do you do it to feel better about yourself?  When you belittle someone, you’re showing the rest of the world how little you really are.

Julia’s Hands

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Julia’s hands tell a story, 

 all cut up and bruised-

paint a sad picture of painful loss-

no pain, no gain, no glory.

Julia a young teen,

 been working those hands

since her mama died at eighteen.

 She took over a grown up’s work load

when tragedy hit their lowly abode.

Julia sent away to labor in far away lands.

Her hands never wore any rings.

Not once did she ever paint her nails,

 no time  for self adornment;

always outside carrying heavily filled pails.

She  looks at girls her age, in sheer wonderment;

pretty dresses, perfumed locks, perfectly painted nails.

Does Julia cry,”Why me? Why me?” ever?

No, this young girl knows that alas,

her lot in life is for now, certainly not forever.

 

Eva Santiago Copyright 2011