Genesis 1-3

     The other day, I downloaded a bible app for my iPhone. Mainly I wanted to use it as a reference for looking up verses, but I noticed it also came with a reading plan to read the entire bible in one year. The first day's assignment wasn't very long, Genesis 1-3.  I was raised Christian (Methodist), and grew up with a single mother who played organ at churches for her second job, so I've been to many a church service, a Sunday School class, and vacation bible school.  I've studied the bible before, but I never completely committed myself to the church because of my skepticism.  When I went to college, I became interested in Philosophy and Religion classes and took several courses on eastern religions.  The farther I expanded my horizons, the greater my world view became, and even though I was raised as a Christian, I believe there is a lot of wisdom in other world religions as well. In fact, I believe there are common threads among all religions, specifically people trying to answer the big questions like why are we here and where do we go after we die?  Early humans tried to answer scientific questions like why there was day and night etc. Each culture has its own myths and prophets and sets of rules to live by.  Yet I don't believe that any one religion has the cornerstone on truth.  How can one be right when all the others are wrong (Christians make up only about a third of the world population)?  How does any mortal know the mysteries of the universe? 
     Back to Genesis.  If this was a novel that I had just begun, I would have to put it down.  It's really too far fetched and hokey for me.  God made the world in six days and then rested?  He just said let there be light and there was and it was good?  Really?  He made man from dust and gave him dominion over every living thing?  And to add insult to injury, he took a rib from Adam when he was sleeping and fashioned a woman to be Adam's helper?  Woman comes from man?  Created just to be man's helpmate?  Really?  Then of course it's all her fault that the serpent can persuade her to eat an apple (after God already told Adam they could eat anything in the garden of eden, just not of that one tree) which then allows Adam and Eve to have the knowledge they are naked and should cover up their privates with loin cloths?  Because God is so mad at Eve for eating the apple, she and all women are cursed to painful childbirth?  This is clearly my opinion and is not meant to cause offense to any readers, but I seriously can't get past the beginning of this story.  It's really far fetched, and I have a hard time understanding how so many people can adhere to these words like they are the truth and throw out all the scientific understanding that has taken place since the bible was written.  Can't people see that there is day and night because of the workings of the sun and moon?  Can't people see that the fossil record clearly shows us that species developed over time and not every species was created in the first six days of existence?  Can't women see they are equal human beings to men?  Women aren't here just to help men. That is ridiculous and demeaning to women everywhere!  I can see how humans are blessed with big brains and have the power to single-handedly wipe out the rest of the species on the planet, but this kind of 'dominion' over all other living things is a very destructive mindset.  We may have more brain power than the other beings, but that doesn't give us the right to destroy animal/plant species and wild habitats. 
    

Sierra painted this mural on the wall where she works.  Her boss noticed her artistic skills (she doodles when she is not busy tutoring kids) and asked her to add some color to the walls. How nice!

Daybook

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY: July 13, 2011

Outside my window...it's dark.

I am thinking...about how lucky my kids are to have parents who love them. We are watching Precious, and it's so sad how sone kids are abused.

I am thankful...for my education.

From the learning rooms...Summer bridge workbooks for Zoe and Thomas, library visit with the kids.

In the kitchen...rotisserie chicken, French bread, and green beans for the family's dinner tonight.

I am wearing...Victoria's Secret 'pink' shorts and shirt

I am creating...excel smart art foldables for fraction, decimal, and integer rules.

I am going...out for lunch and dinner tomorrow!

I am wondering...how my summer break can already be halfway over.

I am reading...The bible. Just started today with Genesis 1-3. I was enjoying the Art of Racing in the Rain, but somebody stole it at the gym!

I am hoping...Sierra will be safe when she goes to college next month.

I am looking forward to...Sleeping late tomorrow.

I am hearing...The movie, Precious, is on.

Around the house...laundry, toys, new kids' shoes. All three kids cleaned their rooms and the upstairs rooms today.

I am pondering...how can a mother emotionally or physically abuse her child.

One of my favorite things...my bed.

A few plans for the rest of the week: lunch and dinner out tomorrow, gym/pool on the weekend,

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

FOR TODAY~ Friday July 8, 2011

Outside my window...  it's a hot, sunny, blue sky Texas day.  102 degrees and nothing but triple digits in the weekly forecast.  The grass is green but looks thirsty. 

I am thinking...  about going to the gym today after I finish a few things on my to-do list.  We just got back from vacation, and it's taking a few days to catch up.

I am thankful... for my family, for my relatively good health, for planet earth, and for so many other things. I'm also thankful the Atlantis takeoff was successful this morning!

From the learning rooms... Zoe and Thomas are working on summer bridge workbooks, and everybody has a new book to read. We went to the library yesterday.  Thomas likes to skip around in his workbook but has trouble finding where he was to show me what work he did.  So, I'm teaching him how to go one page at a time, left to right, and how to use a bookmark.  Zoe's a bookworm.  Her nook charger broke, so we checked out a few hard copies for her yesterday.  Sierra flew through a book last night and is on a second one today.  Will do mad minutes with all three of them too just for fun (one minute timed math drills). 

In the kitchen...  there is a fresh load of groceries.  We had our first homemade meal in a few days last night (because we were staying at a hotel in FL and then on the road back home). Just had leftovers for lunch~chicken, brown rice, peas (we had green pepper and tomato last night).  Got plenty of fresh fruit for easy snacking~watermelon, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches.  Not sure what we are having tonight yet.

I am wearing... blue shorts and a green striped t shirt that has a butterfly on it.

I am creating... this new section of my blog. I saw a friend use this template in her blog and learned how to use it yesterday.  Thanks Elizabeth!

I am going... to see 311 & Sublime in August and Kid Rock in September. Dallas gets a lot of good live music!

I am wondering...  what happens to us after we die?

I am reading...  The Art of Racing in the Rain.

I am hoping... for a long, healthy life with my family.

I am looking forward to... seeing my friend, Cathy, tomorrow. She is visiting TX from VA, and I haven't seen her since she attended my surprise 40th birthday party in 2008.  We've known each other for about ten years now.

I am hearing... Clear by Miley Cyrus on my iTues DJ.

Around the house... all the kids are lounging.  We are having a quiet day so far. The kids have done some homework and chores. The maids just came yesterday, so it's generally clean, but there is always laundry in every stage to do. 

I am pondering...  how to be the best parent I can be.  With three kids in vastly different stages of life, I'm always challenged with meeting their needs and providing the best life possible for them.

One of my favorite things...  is playing guitar.  My former teacher just moved back to the area, so I'm starting lessons again next week after taking about a year off.  I want to learn more music theory and how to solo.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  movie night at home tonight, gym visit and seeing my friend tomorrow, yoga and swimming on Sunday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

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Today on the way to the beach we took the skybridge over the street and stopped on the upper deck for a moment to take some pictures. I noticed a very tan older man in a wheelchair and remembered also seeing him there yesterday. We started going down the stairs and both girls felt sorry for him because he was alone and couldn't go down to the beach. We talked about him for a few minutes, wondering what his story was and what thoughts were swirling around in his head. Was he sad and lonely? I hoped for the contrary. I tried to put myself in his figurative shoes and thought if I couldn't use my legs, how wonderful it would be to still be able to have a beachfront experience. He was able to sit and enjoy the gorgeous view, see and hear the crashing waves, and feel the constant breeze blowing in from the ocean. Although he couldn't fully participate, walk on the sand, run into the ocean, jump or swim in the waves, he could still reap the many benefits of being by the sea. I admired him for being strong enough to be out there alone and hoped maybe he was able to enjoy watching his family play on the beach. Later we saw him alone at the beach bar and I wondered if perhaps he is permanent resident here. What a nice way to spend the golden years.
Two years ago when we came here for beach week, I had already injured my ankle but didn't have it repaired yet. I limped in a brace and went home in far greater pain than I had upon arrival. Two surgeries and two years later, I still have a handicapped parking tag (since I can't walk very far without pain) but for the most part I'm able to enjoy myself in the water and on the sand. Walking on the sand and playing in the ocean is challenging on my ailing joint but I'm hopeful it's all in the name of rehabilitation and strengthening. I absolutely love jumping over waves especially since I can't jump on land!
I think I might have to retire here. And if not here, somewhere near the ocean. The climate is so good for my allergy prone skin. The beauty of the coastal areas is so good for my soul. I think I've found my happy place.
Long live beach week!

White sugary sands
Clear green and turquoise ocean
Sun salt surf seabreeze

Dark clouds rolling in
Afternoon thundershowers
Skies clear sun comes out

Staring at the sea
Looking at the horizon
The Earth is so big