What kind of example are we leading here?

Last night I was told about a woman going into church's and conferences preaching that Yoga (all yoga) was teaching Hinduism. This is clearly not the case, and I can say this with the background and experience to support it. I googled and found this woman who clearly took her fundamentalist theology and got very crafty with her Bible verses, and is using her ideology to market praise yoga,not Christian Yoga, praise yoga. She even says that Christian Yoga is dangerous, it just gets kookier, you can google praise yoga if you would like.

Here is a good article my friend Uma sent me on how yoga pertains to your personal religious belief system.

http://http//www.dlshq.org/religions/yogachristian.htm

If you are reading this and you do not know me you may wonder where my beliefs lay. I would label myself a Progressive Liberal Christian with a social justice agenda. I also happen to be a yoga instructor who has taught for eight years and practiced for twenty. My Christian faith is the foundation of everything I stand for.

When did this country start believing that in order to be a Christian you had to vote a certain way, think homosexuals were ruining marriage, believe sex education was a bad thing, and feel that judging others for their beliefs would lead them to Christ. What would the world look like if we quit fear mongering and loved each other. This is not condoning, if you don't condone it don't do it. Didn't these people get the memo that you can't control others behavior. Be kind, give lots of hugs, smile at people, get your butt up and do something for someone else, give what you can, spend some time in service and less time thinking about how to change everyone.

A woman told me the other day that she didn't speak to her daughter much and her grandchildren because they didn't study the bible the way she thought they ought to. Now what if that woman spent time with her family, led by example in her actions, called her kid and grand kids regularly and said "I wanted to call and say I love you, and I am proud of you". Which scenario is going to make those family members be more like grandma?

Thinking of Having a Stress Free Christmas, Read How Here!!!!

I have always had a disdain for shopping. Actually I like to give gifts, especially when they are meaningful. What I don't like is shopping for shopping sake only. YUCK, who needs more cheap stuff from China? This year our budget is only 40% of last years due to many factors, and I am going to have to get creative. This actually appeals to me having less choices makes this somewhat easier. I have ask my extended family what they would like from Amazon.com or a gift certificate to a restaurant, or local store? That's it. I told them my budget is $500 for the whole season. Last year it was more than double. We have four kids so we would usually spend at least that on them. Not this year. We plan on using our Garvan Gardens passes and going to see Christmas lights for free several times, driving around looking at lights (cost of gas), listening to Christmas music and decorating with stuff we already have and taking walks. I will probably pull out seasonal movies and pop popcorn, and we'll probably hit the library a few times. If you haven't' seen Elf the movie I highly recommend it... When Will Ferrell hugs the raccoon: Priceless Belly Laugh!!!
The other thing we will do is give gifts that give more... I am part of a group of three women who serve on an Alternative Giving committee. We put together charities that are local to global and sell gifts of fair trade coffee and food baskets from Rice Depot. This year as last I will purchase share's to send to Jackson House or Samaritan House and give a card to all four of my kids teachers saying in lue of a cheap gift we gave the money to help feed the poor. The reception every year from the teacher is "Thank you, I absolutely love this and I told the whole class about it."They think its the bee's knees. I hope you will join me in supporting Alternative Giving for the Holidays. Come by the church or go to the catalog and participate. Please click on the Westminster Homepage to the left and go to Alternative Giving to view the catalog.

All my love and joy to each of you for a reflective and meaningful Christmas that shines the light of God on each and every gift you give, showing the love of Christ in your heart.

Blessings,
Courtney