Tired of homosexuality displayed on TV

I just turned off The Mentalist and will not watch it again. I have always enjoyed the show, but I am so tired of having homosexuals thrown into my face every time I watch TV anymore.


I am not judgemental and don't really care what people do, but I do believe homosexuality is a sin. People sin all the time and I can't stop that, but it is repulsive for me to watch two men or two women being sexually involved. I refuse to watch any more shows where homosexuality is displayed.
I apologize if this offends anyone. I have some dear friends who are homesexuals. They respect my belief and do not flaunt their relationship in my presence. I enjoy their company. I am not condeming them.
I am condeming the TV stations for flaunting homosexuality in every show they produce anymore.

Just wondering, what kind of journal entry Mary would have written tonight. Her prayer would be:
Dear Lord, please give me the wisdom to know what you would have me to say and do and the courage to fight for what I think is right for my children and grandchildren.

Valentine's Day--A Day of Love

How did you spend the day dedicated to recognizing the love of your life?

Darrel, my husband, gave me a ruby necklace packaged in a beautiful red velvet heart-shaped box with a few chocolate hearts when I got up this morning. There was also a live rose fresh from Sear’s rose garden.

I appreciated his thoughtfulness, but the plethora of red in the stores during this season makes it easy to remember Valentine gifts.
Wouldn’t it be nice to receive a gift of love the first thing every morning? Truly that gift is available just by asking. God wants to shower His children with His plethora of blessings each day. Unused blessings are the biggest waste of our lives.

Maybe we should make a new resolution for the rest of the year. Begin each day open to receive the blessings God wants us to have. He gave the ultimate gift of love through His son and wants us to receive the grace that gift allowed us to have. Ask for it and you will receive.

Do you have a Valentine story to share? I am working on an article and want to hear your story. Comment with your story and automatically be entered to win a copy of Jesus My Son: Mary’s Journal of Jesus’ Early Life.

Mary's View: Why God chose Mary to be the Mother of His son

“For nothing is impossible with God” Luke 1:37

Did Mary really write a journal? Most scholars will say girls during Mary’s time were not able to write. But is it possible? Yes, it is and how much better is Jesus’ story when written by His mother. There is so much during Jesus’ early life that only Mary would know. If we are not allowed to believe she wrote these events for us to know the real Jesus, how will we ever learn of them?

(The following blog uses excerpts from Chapter One of Jeus My Son: Mary's Journal of Jesus' Early Life)

When the angel greeted Mary, she wondered why God had chosen her. She was a humble peasant girl with no unique qualities except one.

     The only difference between me and all the other girls is my ability to read and write.

Girls during those times, as a rule, did not read nor write. So how did Mary learn these skills?

     Fortunately, my parents believed in the importance of education for girls as well as boys.

Did Mary enjoy using her writing skills?

      Like the patriarch, David, with his holy verses of praise, my love for writing is only second to my love of serving my dear Lord.

Writing material was scarce during Mary’s time. How did she obtain the material she needed to learn the skill or to record in her journal?

     Since both my parents work closely with the priests in the synagogue, they have access to the parchment and papyrus left from the priests’ studies. They bring home every scrap piece of writing material and every extra drop of ink they can find to encourage us to write.


God looked at Mary’s heart and saw that she was worthy to be the mother of the Messiah. Did Mary think her ability to write may have influenced God’s choice?

     God knew I would be compelled to record the events of his son to tell the world things that only a mother would know. Surely that is one of the reasons God chose me.

Mary Bailey is the author of Jesus My Son: Mary's Journal of Jesus' Early Life. Visit http://www.jesusmyson.com/ for more information.

Mary's View: Losing God's Son in the Temple

Have you ever lost a child? I lost my two-year old son one sunny Sunday afternoon when a few mothers from church decided to take our children to a carnival. The group was walking along when suddenly I couldn’t find my son.
My sister and I frantically retraced our path asking everyone if they had seen a little boy with a burr haircut. No one had seen him. I dreaded telling my husband how I had lost his son.

A few minutes later I saw him standing under the Ferris wheel just watching the people go around. When I ran up and grabbed him, he couldn’t understand all the tears. He didn’t realize he was lost.

When I hear the story of Mary losing her twelve year old son in the temple, I recall the fear I felt that day. I can’t imagine how Mary must have felt.

       We had lost Jesus—the son God had entrusted to our care.

This trip was special to Mary because at the age of twelve

      Jesus will soon graduate from one of the schools of the synagogue of Nazareth. He will be presented to us by the rulers as a responsible citizen of Israel.

Joseph searched throughout their caravan to no avail. Jesus could not be found. With no other choice they headed back to Jerusalem in search of their lost son. Did Mary not worry knowing this was God’s son and He would take care of him? Not quite--she was a mother.

       The roads are not safe and I knew something bad had happened for Jesus not to come to our site. I repeatedly apologized to God for losing His precious son.

When Mary found him, I am sure she was as relieved as I was.

      I wanted to rush to him with hugs and kisses before I scolded him for not staying with us.

Did Mary forget who Jesus was? If she did, Jesus reminded her.

        He looked me straight in the eyes and respectfully asked, “Mother, why were you searching for me? Don’t you know that I must be about my father’s business?”

As any mother today, Mary worried for her lost son. Nothing can replace the bond between a mother and a child.

      He is still my flesh and blood. My heart will always have a special place for him.

It doesn’t matter how confident we are that God has us in the palm of his hands, there are times when worry is the only thing a mother knows to do. We easily forget that the angels who watch over our children are the same ones who sat at God’s throne every day.

Mary is the author of Jesus My Son: Mary's Journal of Jesus' Early Life

Mary’s View: Did Jesus Perform Miracles at Home?

 Did you ever wonder if Jesus performed miracles when he was living at home with his earthly family? John records Jesus’ first public miracle when he turned the water to wine at a wedding in Cana.

             

Why was this wedding so important to Mary that she would be concerned about the wine shortage? If she was a guest, she may have felt sorry for the bridegroom since it was a disgrace to run out of wine, but would she want Jesus to expose his abilities for some wine? The ceremony must have been extremely important to Mary for her to want Jesus to identify his ministry to these people over a wine shortage.

We know Jesus had brothers and sisters. We also know weddings were a very important event during Jesus time. Most would last for a week.

This particular wedding could have been one of Jesus’ brothers or sisters. Since it was of such value to Mary, perhaps it was the wedding of her youngest daughter. Jesus is believed to have been around 30, so Mary’s youngest daughter would have been around 12 or 13 which is the accepted age for Jewish girls to marry during Jesus’ time.

Mary simply said to Jesus, “They have no wine.” She didn’t ask him to do anything. She just made a statement. She knew Jesus would be concerned if the groom of his little sister was embarrassed at their wedding.

Jesus replied, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.”

Woman? Why would Jesus call his mother woman? Perhaps this was a term of endearment Jesus had used for Mary before. It almost implies he was teasing Mary. 

Mary wasn’t upset with the salutation because she turned to the servants and said, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Mary knew without a doubt Jesus could fix the wine shortage. She didn’t ask him to do anything. She knew he would do it because she had seen him do so much more at their home in Nazareth.

He knew how important it was to his mother and little sister and he could not bear to disappoint them. His little sister was marrying the man of her dreams and he wanted the ceremony to be one she would remember forever. He may have also thought this was the last time he would see her.

By the power of two persuasive women, Jesus did perform the miracle and John was there to record it.

So did Jesus perform miracles at home? Mary would not have known Jesus could fix the wine shortage if she had not witnessed similar things at home.    

This miracle also reinforced to the six followers he had already chosen that he was indeed the Messiah with special powers. 

John writes about a lot of events the other disciples don’t mention. He knew of the importance of this miracle to show Jesus’ concern for his earthly family. To identify this as just a first miracle is an injustice to the relationship of Jesus and his family.  He performed this miracle for his little sister and his mother whom he deeply loved.

The Empty Nest: Through Her Eyes

Mary’s experience as a mother was not unlike the lives of mothers today. Despite her faith, as Jesus grew older, her fear and uncertainty became tangible.

“While writing in my journal today, tears fill my eyes as I slowly scan my house full of children. Everyone is here except Elizabeth. She is home with her husband and two little boys who are the delight of our lives. Thankfully, Elizabeth and Amos live close enough to visit often. It is heart warming to have young children in the house again.

Simon and his wife, Leah, have already reclined into the room Joseph and I shared for many years. Leah joined our family a few months ago and has already taken over many of the household tasks. She has been a blessing for me and my sons. My heart grows warm as I watch them enjoy each other’s company. By the gentle way they touch each other, I know they are as much in love as Joseph and I were.

Judas is here now, but he may leave any minute. He enjoys visiting his friends and only God knows what they are doing. I pray a lot for him. Every time he leaves the house, I utter a simple prayer for God to please bring him back safely.

My miracle child, Sarah, is sitting at the doorway hoping Joel may come for a visit any moment. Since she met the young boy at the well on his return trip to his hometown, Cana, she has done nothing but talk and think about him. Reminds me of my first encounter with Joseph.

I look around and see a house full of children, yet my heart feels empty. There is one missing. My first born son, Jesus, is not here. Physically, he is sitting outside under the big tree with a little bird perched on his shoulder, but he is no longer in my house. Since cousin John came to visit a few months ago to tell Jesus of the angel’s visit, Jesus has been with him. John said he was going to the Jordan to prepare the way for our Messiah. Since the first day I visited Elizabeth and her baby leaped in her womb, I knew this day would come, but never did I expect it to be so difficult.

Jesus has been my child for 30 years. Did my Lord really expect me to let him go like I never knew him? God should know it is impossible for a mother to ever stop loving a child.

God’s plan is for children to leave their mothers. Elizabeth left my house to live with a loving husband and the hope of a new and glorious life as a wife and mother. Jesus will be leaving with… well, I don’t know what.

I know the angel Gabriel promised me Jesus would inherit the throne of David and a kingdom. Joseph did not get to witness the kingdom we anticipated for our entire married life. I fear I may.

Dear God, the fulfillment of Your promise is my desire. I fear it is near and I must prepare my family for what is to be. Please give me the strength and wisdom I need. My dear God, You know I will comply with any plan You have for my life, but do You realize how hard it will be for me to give him back? For 30 years I have witnessed him grow in stature and in favor with all men, and in wisdom beyond man’s comprehension. 

Only You know what will happen to him. I pray I will be able to follow him in his journey and continue to record my version of his life. As always, I remain your bond servant to do your will.”

Mary Bailey is the author of “Jesus My Son: Mary’s Journal of Jesus’ Early Life.” For more information, visit www.jesusmyson.com.

The Christmas Story: Through Mary's Eyes

What do the 145 verses found in Matthew and Luke really tell us about the true Christmas story?

An in-depth look at Matthew’s story reveals facts Joseph would know:

·      Mary and Joseph were betrothed.

·      Mary was found to be with child.

·      Joseph planned to send her away secretly.

·      The angel appeared to Joseph.

·      He awoke and took Mary as his wife.

·      Jesus was born.

·      The Eastern Magi visit the couple.

·      An angel appears to Joseph who immediately takes his family to Egypt.

·      The family returned to Nazareth.

An in-depth look at Luke’s story reveals facts Mary would know:

·      Gabriel visited Zachariah announcing the birth of John the Baptist.

·      Gabriel visited Mary.

·      Mary hurried to visit Elizabeth.

·      John the Baptist was born.

·      Jesus was born.

·      The shepherds visited the stable.

·      Jesus was presented in the temple.

·      The family returned to Nazareth.

Are these men writing about the same birth? Aside from the family’s return to Nazareth, the only event that is the same is the birth of Christ,

Many educated men and organizations have tried to take this fact out of the reason for the Christmas season. But even the scripture shows us that all the other celebrations and events leading up to that miraculous event are not important. If we take the birth of Christ out of Christmas, we have no reason to celebrate. There is no holiday.

In the form of a tiny human baby, Mary gave us the greatest gift. Because of this gift, God gives us the ultimate gift of eternity.

When you receive gifts, do you leave them lying around unopened? Do they sit under the tree for years before you rip into the paper to see what is inside? So why do we not open the greatest gift we could possibly receive in our lifetime?

When we open the gift God wants to give us, we receive a new life; a life filled with peace and joy. The turmoil and anxiety created by the commercialization of the season disappear.

Because of Mary’s willingness to serve her Lord, this gift is always available. All we have to do is open it.

I pray you have a very blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with all the blessings God wants to give you.

Mary

Mary Bailey is the author of “Jesus My Son: Mary’s Journal of Jesus’ Early Life.” For more information, visit www.jesusmyson.com.