Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. 1 Thes. 5:11

Let’s talk about Miley.

Miley is a pretty and talented girl. A pretty, talented under age girl who is now some guy’s fantasy.

Ever hear the expression “sex sells?” Of course you have, because it’s true. Every time you turn on the TV, listen to the radio or flip open a magazine, you are exposed to a plethora of sexual images used to sell us a product. Now Miley is one image of millions, perhaps billions.

And this mommy-blogger always thought kiddie porn was illegal. With that in mind, I will not be linking to the now infamous picture.

The way I see it, Annie Liebovitz knew what she was doing when she took that picture of Miley half naked. In the picture, Miley looks a bit bedraggled, doesn’t she? Poor girl seems a bit lost, confused, maybe a little scared?

Don’t be too surprised. I’m sure that’s the way Liebovitz coached her. You know Liebovitz didn’t snap that picture with young Hannah Montana wannabees in mind or the women that usually buy Vanity Fair.

The publisher, editors and advertisers of Vanity Fair could care less who buys the magazine; as Mr. Crabs of Spongebob Squarepants would say, “Me loves me money.”

Sex sells. Annie Liebovitz knows it, the magazine people know it, Disney knows it and Miley is going to figure it out soon if she hasn’t already. At 15, Miley is still too young to be expected to stand up to the demands of a famous photographer, so if Miley felt any reservations over the pose, I can’t expect her to stick up for herself.

From what I’ve read, her parents left the shoot early, and were not there for the controversial pose. I can only imagine the conversation between the girl’s parents and those unfortunate to have approved of the photos after they left. Maybe the grandmother and teacher were too trusting?

I want to blame Liebovitz for taking advantage of the girl, but I can’t really fault her either. I guess you could argue her job is to take lovely portraits, but I would have to disagree. Ultimately her job is to sell magazines for Vanity Fair. When she told Miley to pose half covered in a bed sheet, she was just doing her job.

So who to blame? I accuse our society’s burning consumption that craves all-things sexual. Even the sexual image of a teen girl wrapped in a bed sheet.

Postsecret.com. It’s raw and real, making it one of my favorite blogs. Everyday folk revealing their most intimate secrets on a postcard for all the Net to read.

As a Christian, home schooling mom, my world can be so limited it’s easy to forget how people today suffer, especially the teen-aged unbeliever. Postsecret helps me feel connected to those that are hurting, crying out for understanding.

Just so you know, some of you may find the content on Postsecret offensive (two naughty words on the site today). I hope you can look past that; I like to think Jesus doesn’t mind it. Being that they are the lost he loves and wants to heal.

Anyway, all that backstory to say: As mothers we have power to lift up or tear down, to bless or to condemn. Click over to Postsecret to read all the testimonies (good or bad) regarding the power you hold, Mom.

Pay special attention to the last postcard, the one if you scroll over flips to the picture of Pooh and Piglet walking hand-in-hand. I hope the mother of the teen who wrote it sees it, and is encouraged today. I know it reminds me of the power I have as a mom.

Follow the link to read my latest post at New Jersey Moms blog regarding protecting our children from school bullies.

My first year in Community Bible Study is over. I enjoyed it, my kids loved it. We all made friends that will last for years, Lord willing. So you can imagine my surprise when the leadership announced Thursday that the class would not continue in the fall.

Why? No proper teaching director, declining attendance, and the church where the group met for years, could no longer play host, I was told.

I have yet to tell my kiddos.

There is another group that meets just a bit north of me, but from what I hear, the home schooler’s class is difficult to get into (with a waiting list - that should tell you something!) I’ve sent in the registration, so we’ll see what happens.

Next Thursday is our “share day,” when we gather for brunch and look back at our year together. There were tears the other day; I’m sure there will more sadness next week.

I’m really bummed about this, to be honest with you. I learned so much about those neglected Old Testament books, prophets and stories that we Christians tend to just skim over because it’s the old part of the story, know what I mean?

But what I’ve learned about obedience and faithfulness and how not to treat our relationship with God. Dang, I’m gonna miss this group of ladies. This is definitely one of those “Why, God?” moments.

My nice pleasure world took a hit these past two days.

Great Wolf Lodge. Who came up with this idea anyway? An indoor water park, inside a sweet hotel with restaurants, arcade, etc., etc. Kid paradise. Mom and Dad happy the kids are so joyful. It’s watersides, wave pool and the biggest hot tub I’ve ever seen.

And yet.

This is the part where I ruin it for myself.

As I looked out over the park with all this water flowing, swirling, dumping for our fun and games, this nagging thought would not go away.

How many people in the world do not have access to clean water for drinking, cooking, living?

More than all the people using the water park, that’s for sure.

I told you I was going to ruin it for myself.

Did I enjoy the water park? Yeah. I loved it, actually.

Will I go back? Oh yeah. Can’t wait.

Will I feel guilty we have so much when others have nothing?

Yes.

What to do? What to do?

Ha. Found this when someone doing a Google search for “Monica Brand” hit Paper Bridges. It’s really funny because I like working with free weights, but not for these results.

The video is only embedded, so I can’t post it here. You have to go to YouTube to watch it. Here is the link:

Kiana and Monica Brand

Lilacs.

That’s Edmund. What I don’t like about spring is most likely on the bottom of his feet. Spring = mud.

The wife sings on the worship team at church. I’ve been watching her particularly these past two Sundays, to see if there’s any difference. You know, pre-house fire vs. no fire.

Nope, can’t tell anything’s wrong.

She’s up there singin’ her heart out, a hand or two lifted toward God. She does this little back-and-forth shuffle. It’s almost dancing. The best thing of all: the smile on her face. You can fake a shuffle and a hand. Can’t fake joy, Internets.

And you can’t fool the Lord either.

This gal, she blesses me. She has nothing but a coming insurance check. Her lovely log cabin style home is gone. I can’t imagine the pain of losing all the photos, scrapbooks, tangible memories.

That’s the kind joy I want in my life. Complete trust and faith. On fire, Holy Spirit joy.

Paper Bridges is featured at 5 Minutes for Mom this week. My post is about mama-lion anger and the ability to keep the strongest muscle in the body - the tongue - under control with God’s power. I hope you like it, and more importantly, I pray it helps you remember Phil. 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

You ask the question Why?

I answer Who.

Hallelujah!

Habakkuk 1:2-5

Habakkuk’s Complaint

2 How long, O LORD, must I call for help,
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not save?

3 Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrong?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and conflict abounds.

4 Therefore the law is paralyzed,
and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
so that justice is perverted.

The Lord ’s Answer

5 “Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told.