The cross

So I went to my childrens church last time I was visiting them. They wanted me to see exactly what they did in their church. So I went and I sat through there Sunday school with them. I was utterly appalled. They are teaching the old message of the bible. They are teaching about the law of Moses and about sin! They are talking about punishments for sin and about the ten commandments. ARE WE KIDDING? Have we learned nothing?

1Do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to men who know the law—that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? 2For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. 3So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man.4So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. 5For when we were controlled by the sinful nature,^[a] the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. 6But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

If we are no longer bound by the law, why are we still teaching the law? Now it could be argued that he was speaking to people who knew the law therefore they had a foundation to understand the rest of the teachings, but thats not a very logical thought. Why not? Its like teaching someone the wrong way to do things so that they understand the right way. We cannot teach a child that 1 + 1 is 3 just to explain to them that adding is possible. Why would we do such a thing. No instead teach them the right way, that 1 + 1 is 2, so they can not only understand that adding is possible, but understand how to add also.

People will sin. Even with the power of the holy spirit within us, so exists sin. Man is not perfect and therefore this is an absolute rule. Teaching that sin brings us further from god, or that sin condems us in some way, is totally the OPPOSITE of Christs teachings. He tought us to forgive. He already died for our sins. Now we just need to ask him to forgive us. Its that simple. Teaching children that sin brings us to hell is WRONG!!!

Rather we should be teaching them about love and forgiveness. We should be teaching them about submitting to their fellow Christians and helping them in every way they can. We should teach them no one has the right to judge because as the bible says “Judge not lest ye be judged” and it also says “none can be saved through the law” meaning we are not perfect, therefore we cannot judge perfectly.

Now I recommended such things to my childrens church however they told me where to go outside the church that my kids can help in the community. Why not within the church?

I also talked to them about livening up the church to encourage newcomers to come. I talked to them about how some other churches I have been to have rock bands, or involve the kids in the sermon, or various other ideas. The preacher of the church says they want to keep a “more traditional aproach” saying that sometimes a lack of structure can create havok. Well I agree with the end statement but uh… when the chiurch is down to less then 15 members, its time to re-evaluate things.

Okay I am done ranting. Who has suggestions on how to help the church that doesn’t want help.

The Joker

Well I was busy over this past weekend doing all sorts of things with children. We TRIED to make costumes. Unfortunately I don’t know the first thing about what I am doing. I was trying to make a incredible hulk costume for my youngest son. We died a pair of his sweat pants and a white shirt he had. Both of course were to be green. Then we cut up an old pair of his jeans so that they could go over the green pants (the look of the hulk after transforming.

Well the green die didn’t stick in the clothes and instead slowly dripped out. None the less we had a fun time trying. Instead, I went out and bought him a costume. My oldest son wanted to be the joker. One shouldn’t think thats so hard until they start to think about it. How does one distinguish the joker from any other clown? He wears a purple suit with a green shirt, thats how. And how do we get a purple suit? I have no idea. So instead my oldest son decided he would be a football player unless I can find him a joker costume (not an easy task).

Now lets see other then costumes, I also build a car with my oldest son. Its a magnetix car. Not easy to build, but not really hard. Its just not all that easy for a child, so he definately needed help. With my youngest son, I built a lego house. I am finding they definately need lots more legos and more advanced ones also.

I think that about covers things for now.

Haunted Gingerbread House

Although most people associate gingerbread houses with Christmas, they are also great ideas to do with the kids for Halloween. All you need is a basic gingerbread recipe, a frosting recipe, a standard gingerbread house pattern, kids to decorate it, and the candies and treats for them to decorate it with. Also a great idea is a child’s decorating party!

Now a standard gingerbread house pattern is two rectangles each 7”x 11” for the roof, 2 rectangles each 5” x 8” for the side walls, 2 rectangles each measuring 5” x 9” for the front and back walls, and a rectangle measuring 7” x 6” for the base. This default template can and should be modified. Some ways are by adding chimneys, adding doors, or adding multiple levels to the house. A standard default template can be found at the kitchenlink cookbooks site by clicking here. You are going to want to draw your pattern on tracing paper and cut each piece out. You will use these patterns to cut your gingerbread dough to size before cooking.

The Gingerbread Recipe
Ingredients:

* 1 cup butter (softened)
* 2 cups brown sugar
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons molasses
* 6 eggs
* 6 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons baking soda
* 2 tablespoon ground ginger
* 1 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
* 1 tablespoon allspice

Directions:

1. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray, or use greased and floured parchment paper to line your baking sheets.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar till light. Beat in the 2 tablespoons of molasses and the eggs, one at a time.
3. In another large bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture, one cup at a time, beating after each addition. When batter becomes too stiff to stir with spoon, knead in any remaining dry ingredients, then shape dough into a smooth ball. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
4. Place dough on a floured surface, and roll out a small amount until 1/4 inch thick.
5. Lay one of the gingerbread house pattern pieces on the dough and cut around the edges. Using a spatula, lift the dough and place it on the prepared cookie sheet.
6. Save any scraps of dough in a separate bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Roll out scraps to make gingerbread men (to inhabit your gingerbread house) gingerbread pets, flowers, or other decorations, as you please.
7. Bake your gingerbread creations at 325 degrees, for 15 to 20 minutes.

taken from http://kids-holiday-activities.suite101.com/

Ingredients:

* 3 egg whites
* 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
* 3 – 3 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar

Directions: Beat egg whites until foamy. Combine other ingredients. (Assorted food coloring can be used to tint the icing different colors.)

taken from http://kids-holiday-activities.suite101.com/

Typically for Halloween Orange food coloring is used to connect each piece of your house together, also white is generally used for making ghosts.

After the house is put together, let the kids have a blast decorating it.

Tips:

• Lay down lots of wax paper and newspaper where ever decorating takes place
• Have extra pieces for the gingerbread house (believe me they get broken)
• Have older kids do the frosting decorations and younger kids place candies (like candy corn)
• Work right along side with the kids or they will lose interest quickly (especially younger ones)
• Do not do it for them (The project is for kids NOT you… let them screw up and make a mess)
• HAVE PATIENCE (getting angry or frustrated takes away from the fun)

You know, I try my hardest to bring Christ and God into my childrens lives. Its really not easy at all. For starters m parents and I have very different oppinions of what it means to be Christian. I really think my dad believes that “believing Christ is our saviour” is enough. To me thats not even close to it. You have to love Christ. You have to accept him into your heart. You have to be willing to forgive others. You have to ask forgiveness for your own sins. Most importantly however, you have to love everyone else on this earth. What that means is that you have to treat every last person on this earth in the same manner you would treat Christ himself.

What is my point to all this? Honestly the point is that I can read the bible to my children and I can teach them what the bible says, but I have no idea how to teach my child to love someone they can’t see or can’t hear. My kids are constantly asking me how I know God is real. How do you explain that to a child? How do you explain that he is real because he has touched your heart? Well how did he touch your heart? Thats the question that is truly unanswerable.

I suppose the only thing I can do is hope that upon hearing the gospels in the new testament that they will somehow find their faith and love for God. For me it wasn’t that easy and although I was raised to believe in God and Christ, I never truely loved them. I don’t want my kids to have the same problem.

*sighs*

Anyone have any suggestions or words of wisdom for me?

1. Create a Holloween Costume
2. Make some homemade hot cocoa
3. Create Paper SnowFlakes
4. Create Suncatchers
5. Make ice cream from snow
6. Create a Winter Suet Bird Feeder
7. Create a Pinata
8. Make a Planisphere
9. Create Foam Animals
10. Make a stained glass cross
11. Print out and do some pencil puzzles

An angry birthday party (random pic off the net)

I chose this picture off the internet because this is exactly how I feel about my upcoming birthday and who can show a better expression then that of a child? My birthday is exactly two months from yesterday and I hit 30! Yeah I know to some of you that means nothing, but its a big deal to me. This is the age that I considered old when I was a child. Its that bridge between 30 and 40 where a person has so many responsibilities I just don’t want to take on yet.

I can barely survive on a day to day basis, yet I am supposed to be planning for my retirement. Its also going to be between 30 and 40 that my oldest son will end up graduating highschool. Its just weird realizing how fast time really does go. Its seem like yesterday I was worried about asking my folks for money to hang out at the mall and today its my turn to deal with those same issues. *sighs*

I don’t want to grow up!!!

Tomorrow is my oldest sons birthday and today is his party. He is turning seven years old. Now under normal circumstances I end up getting the biggest, baddest, most favorite present during holiday times. This time however, I’m not sure. Why? Because no matter how many times I asked him, he didn’t really know what he wanted. Its really hard trying to figure out what to get a child who already has everything.

Now when I say he has everything, I mean EVERYTHING! There is not one thing he ever wants for. Does this mean he is one of those spoiled little brats who thinks everything in life gets handed to him on a silver platter? Not at all. In fact he currently has a deal going on that he gets $.10 for each book he reads and $.05 for each paper he writes. He is not a great reader/write so this is encouragement.

The reason for the money? Well he is jealous of his younger brother and he wants a Nintendo DS of his own. Well no one will buy it for him, so this solution was come up with so he could save up for himself. Meanwhile I am trying to convince him to get a different gaming system so him and his brother can swap and share. I think he needs to get a PSP but a few people I talk to say its not worth the money. Anyways… I got sidetracked.

What to get my child! I had no idea. Well my good friend Rob of Another Empty Highway recommended a subscription to the highlight magazine! Now why hadn’t I thought of that! For crying out loud I have links to it up on the site, that and the Nickelodeon magazine. So I hop online and come to the site to check out the prices. They are about $30 each for subscriptions. Well I can’t really afford both so I decide to call my ex and see if she wants to get one and me get the other.

I call her and ask her what she got for him. She tells me nothing yet. So I toss my idea at her and tell her we have to give the money to my father (he has a credit card) so he can order them. She tells me she may not be able to give him the money for a week a two. So I ask her what she had planned on doing about a gift then. Her exact words were “I’m not sure, money is kind of tight right now. You know, I just got the new apartment and I have to spend a lot getting it situated”. I cut her off right there and said “so what you are telling me is your apartment is more important then your sons birthday?” She instantly started screaming and I hung up the phone. (had I mentioned she is no longer living in a tent in the kids backyard!)

I mean really how do the expenses of a new apartment come before your children WHO ARN’T EVEN LIVING WITH YOU?? Couldn’t you bumb cigarettes for four or five days rather then paying them so your son could get a present from you? Couldn’t you skip some coffee or a meal, or something? *shakes head*

Okay so whatever, she is stupid and I already new that. I come out here for the party and guess what? She doesn’t show, doesn’t call, nothing!! Now clearly she is going to use the excuse that “no one told me about it” and its very possible that’s true. Most of the people who showed at the party were only told a few days before hand themselves. My parents kind of threw it together last minute (even though I have been asking and pestering about it for nearly a month). However the fact is, its irrelevant. She should have asked every single day until his birthday itself when the party was or what was going on. Come on your son is turning seven! Make sure SOMETHING special happens.

But no she didn’t show. He didn’t say anything about it, but I could tell he wasn’t happy she didn’t come either. At the same time however he is holding hope that she will come tomorrow (his actual birthday). Like I say, he didn’t directly say it but I can tell with my son.

I could say a lot more, but for now that’s all I plan on saying. Overall my son had a fantastic birthday and I will update everyone about his toys and gifts and what he likes most and such in the next posting.

June 27 was my youngest sons birthday. He turned five years old. We held his party on Saturday the 28. There were not a lot of people and unfortunately none of his classmates showed up (his girlfriend was in a wedding) however it was fun none the less. I gave him a Nintendo DS and my sister gave him the Mario lunch box carrying case as well as the Sonic Rush game.

The lunch box carrying case included a case to hold the DS, two blue rubber game cartridge carriers, 3 extra stylus pens (very handy for small children who lose them all the time), a set of clip on headphones so we don’t all have to hear the music when he plays, and a car charger for the DS. This was an awesome gift most especially because the DS I gave him was not brand new and did not come with a house charger.

My father and my ex both chipped in to buy him this very large and inflatable bouncy bounce. Its a very cool toy similar to a trampoline only that its bounce comes from the fact its kelp inflated by a constant running air pump. You can see a picture of what I am talking about by clicking here

What other news do I have. Well my ex screwed up big time and finally gave my parents the reason they needed to tell her to get off their property. See my parents brought my kids out to me for a weekend visit this past weekend. My father pulled me aside and told me he had something very serious he needed to talk to me about and he needed me to be 100% honest with him. He asked me if I had taken any pills from their house.

Okay so he wanted total honesty, so I told him I’d taken some crap like Advil and such when I get a headache or a toothache but other then that I never had and never would. Well apparently someone had taken 80 of my mothers lortabs. My ex was quick to try to accuse me but no one at all believed her. I have never been into pills and never been into selling drugs (except a bag of marijuana to a friend when they need help). So my parents ACTUALLY had a talk with her and gave her until the end of this month to get out of their backyard.

On to better more pleasing topics, my kids and I had a great time this past weekend. We went to the pool couple times and we went to the creek once. At the creek we got to use their inflatable alligator for the first time in over a year of them owning it. It made it so both my boys were a LOT less scared. At the pool, there was no fear at all. Both of them loved it. The could slowly walking in and only had to go as far as they felt comfortable doing.

At one point my youngest scared the living heck right out of me. I looked around and he had just vanished. Panic stuck me some kind of fierce. I started yelling for him and grabbed his brother and was getting out of the pool to go search for him when he came out of the bathroom. I told him very firmly that if he ever has to get out of the pool again, he tells me first or I warned him we would not go back.

I also had to have this very long talk with my oldest son. Apparently my father likes to try to unteach the things I teach my children. So my oldest son came to me and told me he doesn’t believe me, he agrees with his grandpa that one has to have money to live. Well I showed him that the truth is money just clouds our life and distorts the truths of what we need. We need food, we need water, we need shelter, we need clothing, we need family, we need friends, we need love, and each and every one of these things can be obtained without money.

I proved it to him. How? I showed him how I take care of all my needs. I showed him how I have a place to live and food on my table, how I have clothes, and how my life is filled with friends and loved ones. I showed him how I do all of these things without money. I showed him that if we follow Gods law and love our neighbors as ourselves, then no money is required. We will help those in need, and in return those in need will help us.

I taught him exactly what the bible tells us the 99% of the world seems to have forgotten. Its ironically funny just how easily todays world can be compared to nations long past.

Give to Caesar that which is Caesars and give to God that which is Gods

Just as it was determined that money with the face of Caesar on it must be Caesars, for it had his face so true must be the money of modern times. The face of America is on all American money. It doesn’t belong to God, its not part of Gods plan, and it won’t help you at all with the important aspects of this life. Being wealthy with money, will not get you to the kingdom of heaven. It will only serve to pollute and corrupt the ways of God. So again let it be said:

Give to Caesar that which is Caesars and give to God that which is Gods

Well its been a while sense my last update and I appologize about that. I’ve had a lot going on in life and finally am able to get back to blogging. So what has happened sense I last updated? Well as I mentioned last update, my youngest son turns 5 on friday and we are having a party on Saturday. There will be somewhere between 8 and 10 kids. Also my sons school girlfriend named Zoey will be there, which I am psyched about because I havn’t yet met her!

Oh I know what else I need to say. For some reason my parents decided they are not taking the random phone call they got about being reported to child protective services so they decided that my ex can still stay in the tent in the backyard. What the fsck is wrong with people. I am not even sure how to handle this. Perhaps I need to get a case worker for myself. *sighs* I really think the world has gone into stupid mode.

Okay one final thing I want to mention. My sister and I decided on a seconds notice to randomly go out and visit our parents and my kids. If you recall from my prior posts, my parents think I should give them notice before I show up (which isn’t going to happen as I also stated). Anyways so we show up and the babysitter is waiting at the end of the driveway to pick my oldest son up from school. I tell her that she can go home and I will take my kids for the rest of the day. You want to know what she tells me? No!

Excuse me? Whose kids are these? Okay no biggie the babysitter is doing what she thinks is right, so I will just wait until my parents get home to deal with this. When my parents get home I instantly bring the subject up. Guess what my father says? Oh she did exactly what she was supposed to! Again I say…. Excuse me? So I go to my mother and I tell her exactly this… “you can think what ever you want about this situation but I assure you if it had been 90 degree’s outside today and I came to take the kids swimming, there would have been a huge problem because there is no chance in the world someone is going to tell me I can’t take my kids when I want”. My mother agreed with me and went and spoke to the babysitter about it.

Later both my parents come back to me and again tell me she did the right thing because I need to announce a few days in advance before stopping in. How the fsck is anyone going to tell me I have to give notice but its okay for my sister to just randomly stop? So next time I am suppose to tell my sister no, I can’t go with you to mom and dads because I have to leave notice? Bullc##p! Thats NOT EVER going to happen.

However I tell you if this bullshit doesn’t stop, I will get myself my own case worker. I don’t want to drag my kids out of what I consider to be the best school district in the state, however if it comes down to it, I will if I have to.

Okay so my next update will likely not be until after the weekend (perhaps after the Fourth of July).

I never really did report what I did with the kids this past weekend. Honestly thats because there wasn’t a whole lot to report. They got here late in the evening on Friday. We went swimming for a little while when the first got here. After that we came back and had dinner. We had some leftover spaghtti with sause and a bunch of parm. cheese mixed with it. The kids loved it. In fact they asked for the same thing Saturday night for dinner.

We watched some nascar racing after dinner. I believe Kyle Busch won Friday, and came in second on sunday. He lost on Saturday. Tony Stewert who is my sons favorite, didn’t have a great weekend. We did however get to watch him on the DirecTv with the hotpass. That was fairly cool. I also found out that nascar won’t allow me to link to any of their murchandice. Aparently this website isn’t “nascar” enough! Total crap if you ask me, but I suppose their rules are their rules!

Okay so saturday, we did a little bit of bike riding but being how the weather was so incredibly hot, most of the day we spent swimming. In fact we had a 4 day heatwave (temp. over 90 F). Some of those days were breaking into the 100’s. So thats basically what we did all weekend, a lot of swimming. The water was wonderful.

The boys loved it but were a bit afraid also. Basically as you entered the water, it went from ankle level water to waiste high level water (or ankle to neck in the case of my kids) in one step. So they didn’t want to get in much past their ankles. None the less they enjoyed it. They also don’t yet know how to swim but they are in a program over the summer that will hopefully help them learn.

Now much else to really report. The kids were good as always and everything went without incodent. So I suppose I will write more when I have more to write )