Inspiration!

Want a story of prostitution and deception, abuse and judgement and confrontation?

Try: Tamar

She is one of my more favourite female characters in that book that I should read more widely in as I tend to steer towards the nobrainers of pslams and the letters.

So continues my occasional (limit self to ONE chapter a session when good) progression through Lost Women of the Bible by Carolyn Custis James.

I’ve read about Tamar before in that Francine Rivers book… and so have been previously enlightened and inspired by her courage and strength.

Oh yes, as Christian females – women, girls, tweenies you should be gentle quiet and submissive…

WHY WHY WHY do they always quote those and leave off all those bits and pieces that calls for a bit of, “Woah, back up there _insert male name_ you might just be wrong this time”.

Gentle and submissive.
Oh yes.
That was Esther. Who just had to smile at Mr. “I choose if you live or not if you offend me” and then flat out tell him what to do.
That was Tamar. Who had to de-wool Judah’s eyes by something I wouldn’t consider if you paid me (how ironic) to keep the honor of the family name – this same family that collectively abused her and dishonored her.
That was Ruth. Who had to pull a hurry up on Boaz and ‘fulfil’ your duty, respect me (and Naomi), while having to act in a way that could have gone horribly wrong.

While I am mentioning it Rebekah got to choose if she wanted to ‘go with’ (aka marry) Issac. How’s that for respect of her judgement in a culture where arranged marriages, mainly minus consulation with the female, were the thing to do!

I grappled with the whole strength and vulnerabilty and all that junk ages ago.
It’s very curious to see how it all fits together.

There are many apologetics for the Timothy verses:

“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” (1 Tim 2:11-12)

Of which I cannot honestly be bothered going into right now. These theories go both ways. Although a fuller contextual look at Jesus/God and how women fit into the Bible it points towards…

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Gen 1:27)

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal 3:28-29)

How can I be non-feminist and still say hooray for strong women? But for people willing to speak up and protect honor. Speaking the truth in love – in whatever that means, even if it is graphic confrontation. Well, here’s to them.

I want to be one of you.

General

Working in a bookshop you don’t intend to get sucked in by certain titles and you don’t have much time to read blurbs, but a mental ‘must get’ or at least read list starts building.

Mine looks a little like this at the moment:


Haddon, Mark – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
This is not so much a kids book, Dymocks keeps it in the Literature section, it’s meant to be brilliant. I’ve had my eye on it for months and months now.


Campbell, Eric – Absurdistan
Back in 200x around the time all the ‘War on Terrorism’ stuff came up I kept a close eye on the news and made a mental note to keep track of one particular journalist. This was short lived when I picked (Eric Campbell – I’m fairly sure it was him) and the following week his camera man was blown up by a suicide bomber. I confess I gave up the idea following anyone after that (was a bit put out, and minorly disturbed). I would very much like to have a read of this one.


Hamilton, Clive – Affluenza
Curiousity apparently killed the cat. This looks interesting.


Martel, Yann – Life of Pi
Again another that has been lurking in the background for ages.

And some others on the list:

Heller, Joseph – Catch 22 maybe
Nabokov, Vladimir – Lolita(questionable that I attempt this one, I’d like to one day if I feel brave 🙂 really do the girls wandering around Eastland with pink Lolita bags have a clue of where the name has come from! :S)
Behrendt, Greg/ Tuccillo, Liz – He’s Just Not That In To You I would like sincerly to read this book. I read a small proportion when I was in Borders one day (yeh, traitor!) and a lot of it is full of crap but I want a ‘non Christianese’ view on relationships. Again it would be interesting.
Smalley, Gary – The Five Love Languages I don’t think I’ve ever read (if I have it was ages ago) the actual Love Languages book, always the alternate ones ie: Love Languages of God, Teens Love Languages or similar.
Pax, Salam – The Baghdad BlogI mean why not! You can read it here I think.

and there are others… oh yes there are others.

I should read something by Oscar Wilde and hmm… I wouldn’t mind a book on Body Language as that would be quite facinating.

General

Do me a favor and appease my curiousity by going here and clicking six words about me.

and you can ‘watch it’ by going here.

but do answer the thing first before you go have a look.

General

I’m doing the lazy (wo)man’s blogging thing tonight:

You Are 45% Normal
(Somewhat Normal)

While some of your behavior is quite normal…
Other things you do are downright strange
You’ve got a little of your freak going on
But you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself

How Normal Are You?

———–
And some random Valentines day quiz (which I stole off tony) because I’m bored.

1. do you like anyone?: yep lots of people
2. do they know it?: hopefully

IN THE LAST MONTH HAVE YOU. . .
4. Had someone buy you something?: yes
5. Bought something?: yes too much
6. Had Sex?: no
7. Been hugged?: yes
8. Felt stupid?: of course
9. Talked to an ex? none exist
10. Missed someone: yes
11. Failed a test: never! 😛 (oh so close)
12. Ate cereal: I try to avoid cereal
13. Danced crazy: HAHAHA Bec dance!
14. Lied? Probably

UNIQUE
16. Any nervous habits?: sure, or just bored habits like playing with things in front of me.
17. Are you double jointed?: only my tongue
18. Can you roll your tongue?: oh yeh, and flip the front forward
19. Can you raise one eyebrow?: no, it would be cool to though.
20. can you cross your eyes? yes
21. Do you make your bed daily?: not really (often, but if up early I just deal with it before I go to sleep. I destroy it most nights)

HAVE YOU EVER. . .
22. Said “I Love you” and meant it: I suppose so, but not in ‘that’ way (seeing as this is a Valentines quiz a day late)
23. Given money to a homeless person?: yes
24. Waited all night for a phone call that never came?: no
25. Snuck out?: no… maybe when I was younger
26. Sat and looked at the stars?: yes
27. Do you swear?: in my head, and if ‘crap’ counts, then occasionally. It’s unimaginative and unhelpful the majority of the time. It’s not classy 😛
28. Do you ever spit?: yes
29. You cook your own food?: sometimes
30. You do your own chores?: mostly
31. You’re happy with your hair?: yes, had this random idea to dye it black last week (yeh freak out, bec dying hair – like thats going to happen)… but I dont’ think so. I like my hair most days.
32. You own a dog?: um yes. do you want him? I have so little time for him now.
33. Do you like to swim?: yes
34. Are you patient?: more than I used to be

DO YOU PREFER
41. flowers or chocolate: um, depends. To be honest. Flowers probably becuase its a rare thing getting flowers and you can only have so much chocolate.
42. grey or black?: black
43. Color or black and white photos?: irrelevant question
44. lust or love?: love
45. sunrise or sunset? Both

NON VALENTINES DAY Q`S
1. Are you in a relationship?: nope – or yes I’m in many but not ‘that’ kind
2. If so, with who?: N/A
3. Sign? Why ask, it’s a load of crap.
4. Do you believe in love at first sight? No
5. What about true love? What is ‘true love’?
6. Have you made out with casual people? No
7. Would you kiss on the first date? No
8. Do you look for one night stands? Ha! No
9. Do you enjoy receiving flowers? Yeeees
10. Do you enjoy gifts from your girl/guy: if so, yes, but gifts aren’t a huge thing for me

VALENTINES QUESTIONS (haven’t they all been?)
1. You have a valentine planned out to have? No, woops it’s another whole year now.
2. Do you like having a valentine? N/A
3. Does someone like you currently? I am not telepathic
4. Are you even worried about the upcoming holiday? Heh what holiday? Oh, Valentines. Nope.
5. What’s the best gift to receive on the day? Lurve… nah . A hug.
6. Is a little kiss during school on Valentines Day sweet? *Gag*
7. Why is this an important holiday to couples? It forces tollerance and dollars
8.Have you ever gotten something from someone on the day? Yes

General