What kind of testimony should a Christian have with unbelievers?

I’m directing that question toward myself as much as toward others. A situation came up at work yesterday which caused me to ponder that question all night.

I work a secular job at a company which is run by a brother and sister who are very active in their Presbyterian church. In fact, the sister is a deaconess, but I’m not going there with this. The brother is a very kind, compassionate man who certainly displays the characteristics of a Christian. At our Christmas dinner, he praised God for what He has done for and through the company – something you won’t often hear in a corporate setting.

Well, the sister does NOT exude Christ-likeness as does her brother. She is a mean, uncaring, self-centered person and extremely hard to work for. In the year and a half I have been here, I have heard her scream at just about everyone and fire people on a whim. Yesterday, apparently she went on a screaming fit toward her brother because she refused to pay one of the men for his work last Friday all because he forgot to clock in that morning. Everyone knows he was here, yet she refused to pay him for it. (This isn’t the first time a situation like this has happened. Last time someone did that, the brother paid the wages out of his own pocket to keep the employee from leaving.)

To me, the real shame in all this is what it causes the employees to think about Christians. One of the other workers said to me, “She’s supposed to be a Christian. Well, if she makes it in Heaven, then nobody should have to go to Hell.” I hate to see supposed Christians making a bad impression like that, and it has caused me to look inward a little closer to make sure that I am being the testimony I need to be. I’ve realized that I need to be careful of not just the words I use, but also the tone of voice accompanying those words. What a wake-up call!!

Stupid Test

This is a fun link to follow. It tests your stupidity.

http://www.stupidtester.com/index.php?im

I can't believe it's been two weeks since I've posted anything on here. Boy, have I been slacking!!!

The biggest news around the Mumpower house right now is illness. We've all been sick. Scott was sick last Friday, through the weekend, and still yet somewhat. I got it from Scott and felt badly Sunday and yesterday. Today, Sam stayed home from school with the same symptoms. Maybe now that we've all had it, it will just go away and leave us alone. At least we can hope!!

Although my Pampered Chef business has been pretty stagnant for the past several months, it appears that it is about to pick back up again. Yea!!! I'm hoping to have a few good shows this spring, and I'm really excited about it. Anyone reading this who is interested in hosting a PC show or buying products, please let me know. We've got some great deals going on this spring!

Let's see, what other news is there? Scott's mom is still in NC at Melissa's house. We were planning to go there for a visit this coming weekend, but we have decided to postpone our trip for a couple weeks. Louise has a doctor's appointment here in Bristol next Tuesday, so it would really be a waste of time and gas to go there now. We'll probably go down March 23 instead.

That's all the news for now. Have a great day!

Is Valentine's Day a public holiday?

The way I see it, Valentine's Day should be primarily between two people who are in a romantic relationship. I would also add in immediate family members, such as parents, children, etc.; but that's about it. (A notable exception would be school children who like to take little V-day cards to their friends.) On Feb. 14, I typically give my husband a cutesy V-day gift and card and buy some little something for my son; and I may say "Happy Valentine's Day" to people I meet at work or church or such; but that's the extent of it. I don't understand why some people seem to want to turn Feb. 14 into another gift-giving fiasco like Christmas has become.

I missed work on Feb. 13 because it is the anniversary of my mom's death, and I didn't want to have to deal with my pain while at work. When I went in the next day, V-Day, a co-worker had a pretty plant with pink flowers on her desk. When I commented on how pretty it was, I was informed that the company president had given out plants and chocolate the day before since he would be out of town the rest of the week. I found that very strange, and I was actually glad I had missed that day so I would not be in the uncomfortable position of receiving a V-day gift from my boss. Then, yesterday, he popped his head in my door and commenced a rather long speech on how I had been gone the day he had given out V-day gifts, but that I had not been forgotten and would receive mine later this week. I mumbled my thanks and a "that's ok" while feeling uncomfortable and wishing I had been forgotten.

In my opinion, the work place should be more formal and impersonal with no gift-giving, with a couple exceptions. Christmas gifts from employers are acceptable if everyone receives a comparable gift. Also, I enjoy being recognized on Office Personnel Appreciation Day, just as long as I am not refered to as a secretary. (I am an accountant, NOT a secretary.)

Ok, I'll step down from my soap box now.

Fundamental Forums

A couple weeks ago, I came across the Fighting Fundamental Forums. I was excited, thinking it would be a place for some serious discussions. Instead, what I found was a lot of immature bickering among people who argue their positions sans logic and with no intent to hear the other side of the debate. I keep reading it just for the entertainment value, but I have given up on finding anything of real value there. Well, I have found a couple "things" of real value -- old friends from the past. Steve Davis, son of Carol Davis, my babysitter when I was but a preschooler; and Ferrell Phillips from Gilead Christian Academy where I attended from Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Valentine's Day

Yesterday marked the 4th anniversary of my mom's death, and today marked the 4th anniversary of the first day without her in my life. By now, it looks like it would be getting easier to deal with, but it's still nearly as hard as it was when it first happened. My mom was my best friend, and I miss her dearly. No matter how far apart we lived from each other, we talked just about every day, even if there wasn't anything new to talk about. No one ever loved me like my mom did; that's what I miss the most!

The first picture is of my mom about a year before she was diagnosed with cancer. The next two are one from her college years and one from elementary. The last one is of mom and me a little more than one month before she died. She was such a beautiful lady!

The Watchmaker

You've GOT to see this presentation!!! What an excellent way to debunk the myth of evolution!! Click on the link below and be prepared to be amazed.
http://www.kids4truth.com/watchmaker/watch.html