Debunking: Happy, Healthy, Wealthy Mentality
By Karen Girl Friday
Let’s make a deal … with God.
A mentality is floating around in many Christian and church circles. The Prosperity Theology. God wants me to be happy. And healthy. And if that isn’t enough—for most of us, it isn’t—God wants me to be prosperous. To have an over-abundance of goods and services.
Happy, Healthy, Wealthy. I only need to believe, ask, and God will do it.
Debunk #1: Believe
A lack of belief (faith) is keeping me from all God wants me to have.
There’s a popular Christian slogan, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it.” While I understand the awe-inspiring faith behind the statement, whatever God said (in the Bible) is settled regardless of whether I believe it. Scriptural truths are not up for dispute or reaching an agreement between me and God.
May 28, 2015 at 9:31 am | Uncategorized
How to Overcome the Spills in Life
Spilling of Waterfalls and Tears
It’s been years since I watched Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Africa spilling over the edges of the earth. There’s no way to stop it—you can’t restrain that kind of force.
No more than I can restrain tears spilling over the edges of my face. “Lord, let me remind you I am speaking to a ladies group in less than twenty-four hours. And I am speaking about you.”
Why tears? The two days before did not go as I had planned. I latched onto words murmured in the negative; and felt burdened under the weight of a hectic schedule coupled with what seemed like a myriad of responsibilities.
Overwhelmed. Discouraged in every “hat” placed atop my head—a defeated mindset fitting inside each one.
May 21, 2015 at 8:38 am | Uncategorized
Thriving Member of Jealous Anonymous
My cover is blown. Having come to terms with my problem, an intervention is not necessary. I’m ready to make a public confession. My name is Karen Friday and I am jealous.
I remember experiencing jealousy as early as elementary school. Two girls were the best of friends without wanting a third to join them. What friend qualities did I not possess? I didn’t like the boy who won the spelling bee—he gloated.
Through the years, I pretended to be happy for the girl who beat me out of the lead part of a play. The boy who was a show-off at a state oratorical contest and took home the top prize.
Jealousy began to rear its ugly head in many aspects of my life. Characterized as the “green-eyed monster,” jealousy has the ugly factor. Have you ever seen an attractive monster?
Two ugly and often secret components of jealousy:
May 14, 2015 at 9:39 am | Uncategorized
I’m A Mom Who Can’t Always Make It Better
Caleb Friday
“This will sting for a few seconds.” I blew my breath on the newly scraped flesh.
I ran toward my four year old as he limped nearer. The tears flowing down his cheeks multiplied with the sight of mom and blood oozing from his knee. A kiss, bandaid, tear-wiping, and mom-cuddles will “make it better.”
My kids had their share of boo-boos. Especially, Caleb, our son. A Ninja at heart. Bike wrecks, jumps off high things, roller skates would not cooperate with his feet, and many run-ins with the concrete at the swimming pool. Usually the lifeguard’s whistle was too late. Busted chin or bottom lip—corroboration that hard surfaces are not our friends—and adversaries of mothers.
Knees, elbows, and shins are tender places. The good Lord knew how to construct the human body, this I know. “The padding is sparse on certain parts, Lord.” (As if I have a case in point.)
May 7, 2015 at 9:32 am | Uncategorized