hmm.

So, I had a friend ask me a few days ago why I do not have much of a problem saying things like: Oh my God. She thought I would since, yes, I do believe in God, and I go to church and so on. And truthfully, at the time I had no direct answer that would make any sense. So I said I would have to think about it. And, think about it I did. Truthfully I thought I would forget about it, but for some reason it has been continually on my mind. So. My answer is this: While I agree that God's name is reverent, and holy, and that it should be cherished and held higher than the average name, I also think that perhaps we tiptoe around his name to much. If God is love, do you really think that you will be struck by a lightening bolt when using his name in vain? However, I definitely have more to say on the subject. It does say in Exodus 20: 7: “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." I think that people take this scripture verse far, far, far to literally. Basically anything can be using God's name in vain. For example, there are the sayings like: Oh my God, Jesus Christ, or God Damn, and so on that most Christians think abhorrent. But what about other things? Like: "God told me today that I should tell you that you need to stop working at Starbucks because you work with so many gay people, and since they are horrible people because they live in open sin, you won't be able to go to Heaven because you work with them." (that has happened to me by the way) Or how about the Crusades? Or, Catholic priests raping innocent little boys? Or the people who burned innocent woman who were supposedly witches, because God said so. Or, cults where the leader does horrible things under the name of God (Warren Jeff's anyone?) Besides those major things, there are others. Like, I only got that parking spot because I prayed and God magically moved the car that was there so I could have it (sarcastic yes, but people do believe stuff like that.) Maybe it's me and my lack of an innocent mind, but I really don't know if God cares about that stuff (call me hypocritical), maybe he does and I'm really really wrong. But if one really thinks about it, how on earth does that make sense?
I bring all these things up (and there are SO MANY more) to prove my point. While I agree we have to watch what we say, I don't think that saying Oh my God is the end of the world. I take that verse from Exodus like this: Do not do things in my name that deserve punishment. Do not hate, judge, or persecute people in my name. Do not abuse people in my name, just because you think they are wrong. I think that what God was trying to say was: These are my people, my precious, imperfect humans, and just because you think that you know better, does not mean that you are allowed to use my name in order to bash others into the ground.
So, while my answer could be called vague and hypocritical, for myself I have definitely been challenged by that question, and for once in my life, I am relatively content with my answer.

Precious Stones

                                                       

In the form of many things, I keep receiving precious stones.

These stones are not always received with an open heart,

but whether these stones come in the form of something like

truth, laughter and love,

joy and light,

the vibrancy of life,

or perhaps something subtle and poignant, like grace.

whatever these stones may entail,

it is soon realized that they act as a healing balm,

to a hurting, weary and thirsty heart.

Whether the hurt was self inflicted,

or whether it was unjustly received,

these stones, while not always received well

by this intrinsically designed heart,

provide a freedom not known before.

This heart feels a freedom to be itself,

The freedom to bask in the love of God.

With no guilt. No shame. No judgement.

These stones, provide this heart the strength

to break the chains holding it back.

These stones provide this heart with

the courage to fail. The courage to choose.

And what this heart chooses to accept is

freedom, grace and mercy.

Because that is what perfect love is all about.

© Julia Bethany

Best.Thing.Ever

This is my heart crying out, this is me, on my knees.

I think people who continually seek things with their whole heart have life.

I think someone who stands there in complacency doesn't. 

I think people who believe in something, but are willing to listen and change, get it. 

I think people who stick to the same old beliefs without listening are blind and foolish. 

I think people with open hearts, who stand under an open heaven, understand how beautiful God is.

I think people who judge others, count themselves as holy, and refuse to see the heart or the soul don't. 

I think that people who believe in and have seen hope will continue to have everlasting joy.

I think those that can't or won't see hope don't. 

I think that people who hunger and thirst for more have seen, and will see favor.

I think people who think they have it all, don't see favor.

I think servants understand the love of God.

I think the self righteous don't. 

I think that atheists have a better understanding of God than many Christians.

I think that many Christians think they know, but don't really.

I think that people who love others whole heartedly understand grace.

I think that people who look at the outside rather than the inside don't. 

but.

I think that despite all our failings, grace and mercy will follow us for the rest of our lives,

despite my failings, grace and mercy will follow me for the rest of my life.

and.

it brings me to tears every time.

© Julia Bethany

Sometimes

Sometimes all you need is pure joy.

Sometimes all you need is love.

Sometimes all you need is to be carefree.

Sometimes all you need is to fly.

Sometimes all you need is precious friends.

Sometimes all you need is to dance the night away.

Sometimes all you need is to be you.

And sometimes all you need is God. 

© Julia Bethany

You Know . . .

The word "know" has so many different meanings and modifications that it's a wonder anyone can ever figure out  what a person actually means when they say know. The word "know" is derived from the word "knowledge" (that is my educated guess, if not, then, well, I suck). Being Knowledgeable can come from reading books, or watching TV (not my personal opinion, but) or watching other people. But I think that most knowledge comes from life experience. For example, I know not to stick my hand on the burner a second time because I will get burned. I know not to stick my hand behind the Starbucks fridges again without looking because yes, I will get scratched, and yes I will bleed profusely. Much of this is taught by our parents, and much of this is taught by our own hands on experiences. So, my diatribe leads to this one key point in a girls life. Boys. Men. Yeah those guys that tend to either wreak havoc or bring joy. Yeah. Them. The point being, guys are important. Very important. And us girls need to make sure that we have each others back when it comes to matters of the heart, like boys. Since we girls tend to think with our heart when it comes to such things as love, it leads us into trouble more times then not if we are not careful. I am not saying in any way that boys are these bad, evil beings that deserve nothing. So, this leads me to my key, and last point. Girls, watch yourselves because I believe that nothing good comes out of chasing after all the wrong things. It leads down paths that do not hold truth, and life. It leads to such things as unhappiness, and twenty years down the road, you may find yourself saying "I wish I had. . . ." Wait for the right guy to come along. Stand your ground. Find your prince. 

ugh. It's January.

What is it about January that sucks everything that you have to give right out of you? What is it about January that makes me feel so devoid of hope, passion, and joy? I feel like one of those buoys out on the ocean, tossed around without any feeling nor thought. I read the Bible, yeah, it is good, what it says is so good, but I can't get my voice past the dry lump in my throat to actually sound passionate. I can laugh at something, but it's this harsh brittle sound, rather than my usual infectious giggle. I can smile, but it doesn't reach my eyes. I am going through what I like to call a desert storm. I can have dry times, beautiful refreshing rain times, but once in a while I get caught in this windstorm. You know, the kind of desert storm like they show in the movies, a coughing, stumbling movie actor covered in dust being torn apart by the wind. I feel.n.o.t.h.i.n.g. This sucks. I am usually this vibrant human being, this joyful force of nature. So, my rambly thoughts have come to this. Does God give us these desert storms once in a while just to remind us of how much we have and should be grateful for? Or do we put ourselves in these predicaments, with our self serving humanistic egos, with our selfish, sinful ways? I guess the adage drilled into me as a child still remains (unfortunately) you reap what you sow Julia, you reap what you sow. But what about the good things I've sown? Where are they? For all those wondering I am not sunk into depression. I just feel blahish and that is abnormal. Some opinions would be nice!  :)

odd

I recently discovered that I am actually quite odd.
But, really, who isn't odd?
We all have these little quirks,
those little things we like to call ours.
And while we may try and hide them,
they come out despite our best efforts.
All I say to that is, people will usually
love you for those things.
Those things are . . . you.
So embrace it.