Will You Shine Or Shred?

My intentions were not to allow several months to pass without posting something new here. Life, however, had other plans. Family, friends and other projects had my focus. I've been thinking about this post since Christmas and New Years. Around that time, I finally watched what would be the last season of Jon & Kate Plus Eight. My wife Netflixed the season, and the DVDs were featured periodically on our TV for a few weeks.

He Said, She Said...But What Does God Say?

The media continues to showcase the implosion of Jon and Kate Gosselin's marriage. Sadly, many continue to take what the media spoon feeds them, accept it as gospel and truth, and react likely in support or judgment of Jon or Kate.

How fickle we can be. Poor Jon, mean Kate. Poor Kate, mean Jon. Poor both. Mean both. Enough already!

God knew when He designed us with emotions that we would be capable of such wonderful fellowship and love. He also knew that we would act like selfish idiots.

Dump Your Anger, Jon

Perhaps you recall my last open letter to Jon Gosselin. In that letter, I shared my support for Jon, how I related to his personality, and encouraged him to stand strong while new rumors were emerging and old ones were tired and true. I took some heat for the note and the post before it but expected as much.

After all, why would I or anyone else defend a man who appeared to not defend himself, who acted so passive, and who just kinda drifted through life? Why defend someone who was faking his faith and running a scam? Basically, why defend - and why pray for - a lying loser?

If you haven't asked yourself those questions, you've likely read the exact words or sentiments somewhere in the tabloid content streams.

Emotions Getting The Best Of You?

We often allow our emotions to "get the best of us." But what does that mean? Get the best of us? Perhaps it's to take our otherwise warm, charming, and rational self (a.k.a. "the best") and slop all that into a blender turned on high-puree.

It doesn't even have to be dramatic. Our emotions can get the best of us in mundane ways.

For instance, you see a certain person at work, in the neighborhood, at church, or where ever. You have this sudden, automatic, uncontrollable reaction to hide, look the other way, or talk to someone else. You try anything to avoid speaking to that person. Your emotions not only have gotten the best of you but you've also handed over control to that person! They're controlling how you respond. Avoiding or coming in contact with them may even determine the rest of your day's pace. Sounds silly, right?

We all have done this.

Creds from Canada!

Who knew that "Jon and Kate Prayers" had such credentials in Canada? Recently, I stumbled across a wonderful review of this blog from Shelley Fralic, columnist for The Vancouver Sun:

Jon & Kate should go on a date. With God.

Her post begins, "Pray for the Gosselins. Well, that’s one solution to the reality couple’s troubled marriage, at least according to Rick Garner, whose Twitter bio says says he’s a “son, brother, husband, father, friend, and hard-workin’ webmonkey from Mississippi who loves Jesus, family and friends!”

The post continues with highlights from this blog including excerpts and details of its features and tools. Since Ms Fralic is syndicated, I've seen her column on a variety of websites. What a wonderful blessing and honor to have such a kind review of this blog shared via multiple websites!

Read Ms. Fralic's blog, Social Studies.