Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Are there Christian homosexuals?

chicago
Would you be surprised to see me standing on the streets of Chicago holding this sign? I saw a group of people in Chicago this weekend attempting to proclaim Christ holding a sign that said "There are no Christian homosexuals".  I was shocked!

 Before I begin, let me confirm my belief. I believe sin is sin and God hates it. In short, Christians should avoid sin at all costs using Jesus as their strength to do it. However, I also believe that we, as Christians, like to pick and choose what we believe to be sin and not sin. I don't agree with this sign! I don't agree with what I saw happen on the streets of Chicago in the name of Jesus either.

 A man (don't know his sexual preference) confronted the man holding this sign. He hissed and booed him. Then he spit at his feet. His actions didn't surprise me. The actions of the guy proclaiming Jesus surprised me. He shouted at the man "What are you? A poster child for drug abuse!" and "Can we take up an offering to get this man a bath? You need a bath!". Not exactly the words or condemnation that I would expect to come from a Jesus follower. Matthew 7:22-23 rang in my head "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." 

 Some may agree wholeheartedly with the words on this sign. But, what if the sign said "There are no Christian adulterers" or "There are no Christian liars"? Could we agree with these words or would they make use think twice. I'm sure every Christian has not followed God's law to the letter concerning marriage. Has there ever been a situation where you told a "white" lie or stretched the truth just a bit? Still a sin according to God. Just as ugly and deadly as homosexuality. Will our repeated sins, after we've accepted Christ, prevent us from going to heaven? I hope not! But, it's definitely something to ponder to help us keep temptation at bay. Jesus told the woman that was taken in adultery in John 8:11 "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."  Think we can do it?

 I'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave me a comment!

 Perplexed,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Money-Saving Thursday #3: How to Lower the High Price of Gas


Grocery Fuel Programs

Because we all love to eat!


fuelperksbp gas
Join any of these programs by simply obtaining a membership card from the specific store brand.

BI-LO. I rank this fuel reward program #1. Bi-Lo is the best I've found to lower the high price of gas for three reasons:

  1. Weekly incentives to maximize your reward. Bi-Lo rewards .05 per gallon for buying certain foods. For example, this week, they offer rewards for buying lunchbox supplies for back to school. Save .03 to .05 off per gallon of gasoline when you purchase specific items. Deliciousness and savings too! Look for the red circular bubble in their weekly flyer to spot even more deals.
  2. Save .05 per gallon for every $50 spent at Bi-Lo. These seem to add up quickly!
  3. Bi-Lo fuelperks can be combined* with BP Driver Rewards to DECREASE your gas bill twice as fast. For every two times you buy 20 gallons of BP gas, receive .05 off per gallon. Think of it as double dipping since BI-LO and BP are partners in their gas reward programs. *Can't be combined at the pump. You must go in the store to use both rewards at the same time.
Don't have a BP rewards card? Sign up for one here or pick up one at your friendly neighborhood BP station.

TIP: Check with your local grocery store or favorite gas station to see if they partner with other gas reward programs. They may combine rewards too! And...you never know until you ask.

These are other fuel reward programs I use regularly and highly recommend to lower the high price of gas:



Share your fuel tips in a comment. I'd love to know of more ways to save money! Check out other ways to save at Money-Saving Thursday.

Fun to save,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Will your anti-virus work when you need it?

 comple
Shew! That's all I can say. I clicked an email yesterday infecting my computer with a virus that completely shut her down. Won't even boot up! I'd like to think I'm smarter than that. I know my way around a computer been using one for YEARS without a virus problem. This virus was smarter than me. Let me explain.

We just got back from Florida. Sanibel has a toll road onto the island. Cash only. I had cards. They sent me through unpaid, took a picture of my tag and will send a bill. I thought I found one in my junk mail. The invoice from EZ Pass looked so legit. After all, I was expecting it, right? I clicked it. Yes, my anti-virus software said it was malicious but I clicked it anyway. BAM! Dead computer! So I had to borrow a computer to write my newsletter today. I'm hoping a rescue cd can fix my computer.

Here's the thought for today. Our bodies have built-in protection to fight viruses. Plus, we can take all kinds of preventative measures to keep from getting sick. But we still do. We don't try to get sick. We don't do anything to catch a cold or any other type virus.  I don't know anyone who starts their day looking for a virus to catch. In contrast, computers aren't built with virus protection. It is an add-on. If you don't want your computer to get sick, you buy it some protection. Does anti-virus software always keep our computers safe? No, not always! Especially when we click on things that are questionable or we know we shouldn't.

Let's think of sin as a virus and Jesus as our anti-virus.  Mark 2:17 says "When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." We don't have a built-in anti-virus for sin. We are all sinners. Jesus died so we can be virus-free through him. That doesn't mean we'll never sin, we will.  But, if we consider sin the Holy Spirit warns us it is a malicious threat. We have the choice to sin or not. If we do sin, Jesus is ready to forgive us and cover our sin. He's our rescue cd.

My computer can't be saved. You can! Please don't choose to take your chances without antivirus. Accept the add-on protection of Jesus to insure your cure from sin. You've heard about the "worm" virus, haven't you? It's a eternal killer. Mark 9:44 may speak of it talking about hell "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched".

Protected,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Mom-ism Monday #12: On a Tuesday

Ever heard this? Today, Steve and I went for his pulmonary rehabilitation interview at Memorial Hospital. The exercise physiologist interviewing Steve seemed nice enough. But, the longer the interview went the more I wished she had a zipper on her mouth that I could use to close it. The sad looks on her face when talking to Steve and I didn't help either. Some of the things she said while giving us her best "you poor thing" face:
  • you've had this disease for a long time and just didn't know it
  • how long have your fingers been clubbing? you know that is a sign of oxygen deprivation
  • our lung patients have to take it easy so if you don't feel like coming...don't
  • you should go to Emory. they do good with lung transplants there
  • we had a patient get a lung at Emory. he was doing better than any other patient we'd seen. he got depressed and killed himself

WHAT, REALLY???


It is difficult for me to fight back the fear of pulmonary fibrosis. I can't imagine the fear that grips Steve with overwhelming doom and doubt. I chose to be a positive person. I believe in an Almighty God who wants us to live and not die. I wish I could pray away all the negative words, emotions and vibes for everyone, everywhere.

Psalm 118:16-18 King James Version (KJV)

16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.

Right now commit to think positive, love abundantly and serve your fellow man. Rid yourself of all those bitter words and feelings before you kill someone with them, seriously. Let your mom's words ring in your ears: IF YOU CAN'T SAY SOMETHING GOOD, SAY NOTHING AT ALL!

Lovingly,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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Wednesday, July 23, 2014

5 Divine Facts about Facebook


Mark Zuckerberg, along with some Harvard friends, wrote and launched the software for Facebook in 2004 for colleges. By 2006, any person age 13 or older with a valid email address was invited to join. Facebook started a social media craze around the world.

Can we really give Zuckerberg all the credit for creating social networking? I think not!
  1. Social networking began with one man and twelve disciples! Those twelve men shared with their friends. Some gave their message a like and others couldn't wait to comment. 
  2. The coolest thing about being part of Jesus' network is he will never "unfriend" you or hide you from his newsfeed. With Jesus, we are always "Linked In"!
  3. The message of Jesus is so popular the thread has been going for over 2000 years. Oh, he got pinned a lot...with nails! 
  4. His message  over 50 characters is an absolute must retweet. If we don't, the blue bird will certainly tweet about him. 
  5. I am particularly glad I'm part of the G+ network. I've got God + Jesus + the Holy Spirit.
Do you have a You Tube Channel? I challenge you to create a video with your testimony to share with the world. You can watch mine here. Send me your link to star in an upcoming newsletter. Yes, I'm convinced that God is the original creator of social networking. He's got his own personal way of keeping up with memberships called the Book of Life. He writes down every name that accepts his friend request. That may be considered a little old school for today's times. I've been talking to him about upgrading  or writing his own software similar to Facebook. He's thinking about calling his Faithbook.

Like this? Never miss another post by joining my site with Google+ or email in the right side bar. Let's get connected by clicking here.

Socially,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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