And in Other News ...

My post regarding more questions on predestination and election is coming. I'm figuring out, though, that when I work on theology posts, I take a little longer than the average "here's what my kids did today" posts. I want to be accurate and include sufficient links to back up my assertions. Thus, my delay in getting the "questions" post up. Stay tuned ...

~~~

My sweet retired neighbor—"bless his heart," as we say in the South—was vacuuming dead leaves from his yard this afternoon. If you live in Nashville and spent even 10 seconds outside today, you would conclude he is a crazy man. And you would be correct. Today, we had 30mph winds. The wind whipped and spun and slapped everything relentlessly all day long.

Dude. Vacuuming your leaves today was kinda like trying to drain the ocean with a thimble. Got news for you. As soon as you were done, your yard was covered again. With leaves from my yard. Yep. I'm positive.

~~~

I've been wanting to tell you all about my new lifestyle eating program (I'm trying not to use the word, diet), Transitions. It's a low-glycemic plan that is done in stages. This week is my first, with the detox/cleanse week. All veggies and fruits. That's it.

Well, the first of the week went well. I have added a little protein here and there, though. Today was not so great, but I aim to finish on a positive note this weekend (yes, even with Halloween candy).

I am encouraged, however, and can certainly feel the benefit of whole foods in my body. The energy levels are much more even and the satisfaction lasts longer.

It's an adjustment because we (as a society and my family, too, and I DO cook!) rely so much on processed and convenience foods. Yuck! Really, people. There's gross stuff in those boxes and it kinda just clogs up in your body and makes you fat and lethargic.

I'm ready to not be fat and lethargic anymore.

I'll keep you posted.

~~~

He Did It Just Because

photo: 123rf.com

Tulip Tuesdays: Calvinism, Part 2, The "U" in TULIP

Last week, I began a new series for Tuesdays. I'm excited to explore Calvinism (also called Reformed theology) here once a week.

Simply, Calvinism can be explained using the acronym, TULIP. Persons who affirm all five of the points of the acronym, are called "five-point Calvinists."

Part 1 focused on the "T" in TULIP, which stands for "total depravity."
Today, I tackle the "U" in TULIP: "unconditional election."

~~~

Just because.

We've all said it to our kids. We heard it when we were young. "Why, Mom?" "Just because."

Many child-rearing "experts" encourage parents to steer clear of the nebulous reason of "just because" when trying to impose a rule.

But there's at least one instance when "just because" is the best and only answer to the question, Why?.

Why does God love me?
Why did God save me?
Why will God preserve me for all eternity?

Just because.

Just. Because.

God's choosing some for salvation is completely a matter of his prerogative, to fulfill his purposes, and for his glory. God's setting his love and affection on those of his choosing is not because of anything anyone has done or who he or she is. It's not because I'm good. It's not because I'm American. It's not because I'm not a hooligan.

It's not because God gazed into the future and saw those who would say "yes" to him at a frenzied altar call. No. GOD chose me. Remember that apart from God, I am DEAD. A dead woman can't walk or raise her hand to say "yes." Even the faith to respond to God's call is a gift from God, which was predestined before the foundation of the world.

Wow! Is your mind blown yet??? Before the earth. Before the stars. Before the oceans. Before corn stalks and tomato plants and grapevines were growing on the earth. Before the foundation of the world and based on no merit of my own, God chose me. He set me apart as holy and righteous through faith in Christ.

God knows the total depravity of the human race. God knows that finite humans will never and can never obey an infinitely holy and perfect God.

What's the fair thing to do with us? God's justice is perfect, as is every aspect of his character. God's justice imposes the penalty of eternal punishment and condemnation on those who break his law. Like it or not, that IS fair.

But God, chose—again, just because—to deal with some through mercy and grace by saving them through the work of Christ.

We may wonder often, "Why are only some chosen? Why not all people? Why would a loving God exclude many from this grace and mercy?"

But that is the wrong question. The right question is, "Why would a holy, just, and perfect God choose to lavish grace and mercy on anyone, especially me?"

Marinating on this sweet and somewhat paradoxical aspect of God's nature produces great gratitude and humility.

This is unconditional election.

~~~

The doctrines of election and predestination are HUGE. Ginormous, I'm telling you! So, I'm going to answer a few related questions in an upcoming post. Check back for more on election—the U in TULIP—with questions and answers.

~~~

Up next: The "L" in TULIP—Limited Atonement

~~~

I commend to you RC Sproul's Chosen by God and Now, That's a Good Question!, as well as Michael Horton's Putting Amazing Back Into Grace. The Reformation Study Bible and the ESV Study Bible are excellent resources for Bible study from a Reformed perspective.

Menu Plan Monday

October 26-November 1

This week is really unusual because I'm beginning a new eating and "lifestyle" program, Transitions. It's a low-glycemic eating plan and the first week is a de-tox/cleanse week (more on this later). So, my eating this week is mainly fruits and veggies. I'm trying to make things that we all can eat and/or some things that I can easily supplement for the family and have a "complete" meal.

I will post recipes later, too.

Monday-Chicken Veggie Soup

Tuesday-Spaghetti
(for me): mixed Italian veggies

Wednesday-Pot Roast and veggies
(for me): veggies and salad

Thursday-Chicken Fajitas, black beans
(for me): fajita veggies, salsa, salad

Friday-pizza
(for me): roasted veggies

Saturday-BBQ chicken, broc/caul/carrot medley
(for me): veggies and baked sweet potato

Sunday-out to eat

Bellevue's TJ Maxx on a Sunday Afternoon

I ventured out to TJ Maxx this afternoon because—really?—I needed some new undies and there's no where in Bellevue to buy such items anymore since the mall closed.

Now, TJ Maxx on a Sunday afternoon is kind of an odd place.

Lots of MEN following around women, which in and of itself isn't terribly unusual (except my husband would rather have his nose hairs plucked one-by-one than be forced to trail me through TJ Maxx).

But these men were shuffling through the LINGERIE section. With their wives. I did a double-take when I saw cute little middle-aged Mister Rogers-looking man holding a blue lacy 34B bra.

What????

I overheard another woman trying to convince her husband that they needed a new set of mixing bowls (orange as they were).

Y-A-W-N!

I found chocolate-covered pretzels in the size 7 high heels area and leather gloves on the ladies' blouse clearance rack. I almost tripped over a pile of home goods that had been discarded in the shoe section.

(OK. Which reminds me of one night when I was shopping at Kroger. A woman was picking up a "few things" without the use of a cart or a basket. As I entered the checkout lane, she was nearing the front of the store and suddenly became distraught. "Where are my groceries?" She frantically asked a checker. "I left my groceries right THERE." She pointed at the end of one of the checkout aisles. Like at a spot on the floor.

Ummm. I don't know, Lady. Like maybe someone who works here put them AWAY, since the store is about to close. 'Ya think?

She actually kept muttering, "That's so strange. I left them right there. I wonder what happened to them?"

Had she only been at TJ Maxx, they would still be there causing browsers like me to stumble while trying to find new shoes.)

So, anywho, the store was incredibly warm today, which, as you know, really bothers me and makes the whole trip terribly unpleasant. But I DID find:

• new athletic shoes (since my old ones were WAYYYYY too small)
• new black clog-looking casual shoes
• undies (6 pair for $4!)
• a cute little "sign" (vintage-y looking art)
• a really cool lamp that was missing a shade (I can get a shade) and was $16, marked down from $35
• T-shirts for the boys on clearance that I will wrap for Christmas

Oh, and some dude in a flannel shirt sneezed a lung out on me. No joke. I just tried to hold my breath and doused myself in hand sanitizer at the first opportunity.

Quiet? Me, Quiet?

"Are you OK?" a friend at my ladies' Bible study asked. "You sure were quiet today."

Quiet?, I thought. I never feel that I'm quiet. Most of the time, I think I'm hogging the discussion in my Bible study group.

At my small group discussion on Tuesday, I did "tornado" in late, was distracted by a phone call that I received just as I came through the door, and had a pretty painful headache.

Still my friend's comment was unexpected.

I love Bible study discussion and always answer the questions and add my "two cents." Most of the time, I say helpful things (I hope!), but I'm always kind of wondering in the background if I'm talking too much or saying irrelevant things.

If you knew me in high school or college, you may be stunned to read this. I never—NEVER—spoke in class or answered questions. Ironically and surprisingly, I guess, I was an excellent student, but—AHEM—I was rarely prepared for class discussion.

That's right. I was the kid who never read the assignments.

I'm pretty sure I failed every pop quiz I ever took. I've really never read Oliver Twist, To Kill a Mockingbird, or For Whom the Bell Tolls.

And those chapters in history and science textbooks? Are you kidding me?

I remember skimming through Jane Eyre and most of Shakespeare's plays. Pretty sure I only hit the highlights of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. Those yellow and black Cliff Notes books were my best friends, and I learned a wonderful trick to get through 350 pages the night before the book report is due: Read the first sentence of every paragraph, and you'll get a good gist of what's going on. Good enough for a book report, anyway.

So, being the poorly-read and under-prepared student that I was, I didn't have much to add to any discussion and was always terrified the teacher would call on me and blow my "cover."

In my college sorority, I even won the "Most Likely to Be There but Never Heard" award in my pledge class.

These days, I read and read and answer my Bible study questions and ponder the nuances of the lesson.

I'm ready every Tuesday for thought-provoking, soul-stirring discussion.

Making up for lost time, I guess.

Things My Mama Taught Me (and a few I learned from HGTV)

Today I'm beginning a new series of posts called, "Things My Mama Taught Me."

I wouldn't really call myself a domestic diva, but I am a good Southern cook, who routinely OD's on information. I love all things about hearth and home, I am always on a quest for finding the most efficient way of doing the most mundane thing.

Thus, this series. I've got a lot of odds and ends of info rattling about my head, and I figured some of you might find them helpful and/or interesting.

In this regular series, you will find tips, tricks, recipes, favorite resources, and the like.

For our first installment, I'm going to tell you how to make delicious and perfectly brewed iced tea.


When I was in college and living with three roommates in a two-bedroom apartment, I was the tea maker. My roommates--Southern girls though they were--had no clue how to make iced tea. They thought tea came in a brown powder form in a can.

Sacrilege, I tell you. Absolute sacrilege.

Since then, I've been perfecting my iced tea skills, and we always have a gallon in the fridge. I can't go more than a few hours without a cold glass of tea.

Iced Tea

makes one gallon

In a small saucepan, boil about 3 cups of water. I never measure; just fill up the saucepan.

When the water boils, add 3 family size tea bags. I actually use decaf tea now and have never been able to make any distinction in flavor.

Cover the pot with a lid and allow to steep. I think it should steep at least 10-15 minutes, but 30-45 minutes will give you a deeper flavor.

Next comes the controversial part: sugar. I am not a big fan of super-sweet tea. When it is super-sweet, the flavor of the tea is obliterated by the syrupy flavor. If I want syrup, I'll drink Coke. So, I typically only add about 1/2 cup sugar to the warm liquid and stir to dissolve. (Obviously, add more sugar to adjust to your taste.)

Pour the tea mixture into a one gallon jug. Fill the jug with cold water.

In my ideal world, my iced tea is served over a glass FULL of ice and with fresh-squeezed lemon.

Absolutely, positively perfect refreshment. Ahhhh.

Some good fast iced tea options when you're out:

• Sonic Route 66 iced tea, half sweet and half unsweet with extra lemon
• McDonald's large tea, half sweet and half unsweet with extra lemon

What about you? What's your favorite iced beverage? What's your favorite hot beverage? Do you have any tips for making the perfect glass or cup of whatever?

photo: dreamstime.com

Are People Born Basically Good or Basically Bad?

photo: 123rf.com

Tulip Tuesdays: Calvinism, Part 1, the "T" in TULIP

I've had a few questions from friends about my beliefs in Calvinism and what it means to call myself a five-point Calvinist. I've decided to devote Tuesdays to exploring my beliefs, outlining them for you here.

Simply, Calvinism can be explained using the acronym, TULIP. Persons who affirm all five of the points of the acronym, are called "five-point Calvinists."

Today I begin with the first point: the "T" in TULIP, which stands for "total depravity."

~~~

I'm sure you've heard many people say they think people are basically good. They may say they have "great faith in the goodness of mankind" and believe that the majority of human beings will typically choose kindness and generosity.

You may be stunned, then, to hear me say that people are--at their core--basically bad. They aren't as bad as they could be because of God's intervening common grace to all of creation. But, humans are born sinful-- totally depraved (marked by corruption or evil).

Scripture describes totally depraved human beings in two ways: enemies of God and dead in sin.

Enemies of God
What is an enemy? A rival. Someone at cross-purposes. Someone who is opposed to your success. An enemy doesn't love you or cheer you or have your best interests at heart.

We human beings are born as enemies of God.

Dead in Sin
We are also dead in sin. A dead person is without life. A dead person is incapable of calling out, looking for, or moving toward anything. A dead person does NOT seek God.


So you may be wondering at this point, why should I care? All that stuff sounds like negative, depressing theological mumbo-jumbo. I mean, I live a good life. I'm a good mom and a good wife. I've never cheated on my husband or cheated on my taxes. I think I'm doing OK. I've definitely done enough good things to outweigh the bad things.

Hmmm. Well, it doesn't really work like that.

And that's why the doctrine of humanity's total depravity is so important. You AREN'T as bad as you could be. But you are still born sinful. You are still NOT God, and God is still God. And God's requirements for holiness have never changed but they are something neither I nor you can EVER attain.

Understanding my true nature is one of the most humbling experiences I've ever been through. I grew up a "really good girl"--and I haven't cheated on my husband or my taxes, either. But I was born dead in sin, just the same. It wasn't until I studied Calvinism (and Reformed Theology) that I grasped the gravity of my sin nature (just simply because I'm an imperfect human compared to a perfectly holy God).

The cool thing, though? The darker my sin surrounded me, the brighter God's grace overtook me!

Why? Why are humans depraved? Well, the Bible says that the first humans were born holy and happy but when they disobeyed God, all of their ancestors would inherit their sin nature. Why did they disobey? No one knows.

God, however, did not leave his creation without a remedy. He sent his Son to obey perfectly and then to receive the punishment that all of those sins deserve.

We'll talk more about that next week, with the "U" in TULIP, which stands for "Unconditional Election."

~~~

Recommended reading:
Putting Amazing Back Into Grace by Michael Horton



and
Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul


~~~

What do you think? Are people born basically bad or basically good?

If you grew up attending church, what were you taught about this?

Do you see any aspects of your own behavior or attitudes that would support that people are born basically good or people are born basically bad?

I'd love to hear your thoughts below.

Menu Plan Monday

Trying, trying, trying to get organized.

Gonna start here with Menu Plan Mondays.

Monday-Enchilada Casserole

Tuesday-Crockpot roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli

Wednesday-Chicken noodle soup (using leftover chicken) and salad or baked potatoes

Thursday-Steak, baked potatoes, salad (daughter's request)

Friday-Date night out to eat

Saturday-Steak tips over rice with sauteed onions/peppers/mushrooms (extra steak cooked on Tues.)

Sunday-simple supper or take-out or leftovers

***I'll post some of my recipes later.***

News Round-up

In Nashville, it is expected to dip below FREEZING tonight. It's this time of year when I can't remember when summer ended and when fall began. It blurs in my memory.

And Christmas comes next.

~~~

The Titans stink. They lost to the Patriots, 59-0. My husband--and most every one of my friends--are giving them h*ll. I understand their criticism. I just kind of feel sorry for them. I suppose it goes with my non-competitive nature. But, hey, when you are making that much money, you best live up to peoples' expectations.

What's wrong, Titans?

~~~

The Balloon boy saga from last week was all a hoax. I was stunned to read that headline. I watched the event unfold on Twitter: mothers, mainly, expressing concern and offering prayers for this boy's safety. At one point, someone started making jokes and was quickly shot down. Then I saw a post from one mom who said her husband wasn't concerned or sad at all, since he thought it was all staged. Boy, was he prophetic.

What's wrong with people?

~~~

The Bernard kids have chosen their Halloween costumes. Su will be a candy corn witch; Sp will be a pumpkin; and Se will be Batman. Su and I went to Party City on Friday, and I was horrified to see all the evil, ghoul, and gore. I am terribly concerned about the type of person who would buy a $200 ginormous Satan hanging mobile thing or decorate their party with dismembered body parts. This is entertainment?

What's wrong with people?

Tips for Preventing H1N1 Swine Flu

***UPDATED 10.27.09 TO INCLUDE THE ORIGINAL SOURCE FOR THE FORWARDED EMAIL.***


I get a gajillion FWD emails from my Aunt Pat (thanks, Aunt Pat!). But this one (quoted below) sparked my curiosity and seemed legit (who knows, right?). I did search Snopes and didn't find a matching hit; so if it's a myth, it hasn't come to the attention yet of the folks at Snopes.

Anywho, I figure if you follow his advice, you're only out a few minutes a day of gargling with salt water.

Also, if you do not have a good multivitamin, talk to me. I DO take a great multivitamin that—I'm convinced—contributes to my overall health and well-being. Melaleuca's vitamins have a special delivery system**. We also have an immunity booster supplement. I promise you that Chris and I have both taken Activate at the FIRST sign of a throat tickle or yucky feeling and we rebound like that (*snapping fingers*).

Another boost to your immune system is to GET THE TOXINS OUT OF YOUR HOME. When your immune system is continually assaulted with chemicals (they're in many household cleaners and personal grooming products, including shampoo, even kids' so-called "gentle" and "pure" products!), it becomes taxed and compromised. Then, when the REAL germs come along, your immune system has little to nothing left with which to fight. I can help you convert your home to a more natural, healthier, safer environment using Melaleuca products. Leave a comment below or email me if you'd like to learn more (maryb1517 [at] gmail [dot] com).

~~~

clip art: royalty-free image from dreamstime.com

Preventing Swine Flu - Good Advice

By Dr. Vinay Goyal. Dr. Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc.. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).

***The following information was compiled from notes taken at a lecture by Dr. Goyal in August 2009.***


The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

**Explanation of Melaleuca vitamins' special delivery system: The minerals in some supplements crystallize during digestion, which inhibits absorption. In addition, minerals also tend to trigger free radicals during digestion. This cascade of free radicals can “use up” the antioxidants in your multivitamin (vitamins A, C, and E), rendering them nearly useless.

Oligofructose Complex binds minerals to organic compounds (oligofructose and amino acid) to mirror the way minerals are naturally found in fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods. This binding process not only keeps the minerals more available for the body to absorb, it also guards the minerals—disarming their ability to generate massive amounts of free radicals. As a result, more of the critical nutrients you need for better health are available for use every day. (Source: Melaleuca)

Moms: Does Eternity Influence You?

If you read this blog with any regularity, you may conclude that I hate doing laundry.

And you would be correct.

In fact, I despise housework pretty much altogether. And I'm not terribly good at it, either. (I am desperately trying to "fly" with FlyLady, though.)

The hardest part of being a homemaker/mother/wife, I think, is doing the same things over and over and over again. And waking up the next day and doing them over and over and over again. Again. And, again.

Does any of it really matter?

My friend, Jennifer, once posted about how even taking care of the family's basic necessities is a blessing to them and glorifies God.

She's right, of course. But we forget. And we get trapped in our humanity and the immediacy of this world. At least I do, anyway.

If you ever feel this way, you MUST read this post from John Piper. He so beautifully speaks of the mother's work as eternal work and how every little thing is just a part of the bigger picture to come.

We were created for more. Bigger. Better. Future. More.

A Little Grammar Lesson

I just have to remind all you dear readers of a grammatical goof that absolutely bugs the snot out of me. Since I have a policy of never correcting my family members' or friends' conversational grammar, I will get everything off my chest here on my blog.

OK. When speaking of yourself and another in the subject of a sentence, put the other person's name first and yourself last, referring to yourself as "I." The pronoun, "I," is in the nominative case. The nominative case is used as the subject of the sentence.

Correct:

Mary and I went to the store.

Incorrect:

Me and Mary went to the store.

And, to be fair, most people get this correct.

But here's the part that really bothers me: the use of the objective case pronoun. When you and another are used as indirect objects in a sentence, put the other person first then refer to yourself as "me." "Me" is in the objective case. Objective case pronouns are always used as indirect objects.

Correct:

The woman gave Mary and me two tickets to the play.

Incorrect:

The woman gave Mary and I two tickets to the play.

You wouldn't say, "The woman gave I two tickets to the play." This is a handy little test to see if you have chosen the right pronoun; just remove the other person's name and see if the sentence makes sense.

Thank you for reading.

This post brought to you by Grammar Nerds of America.