So, in a fit of imprudence and boredom I joined facebook. It looks like it will be a huge waste of time with all sorts of applications and quizes that can keep you entertained with nothing for hours. We'll see how it goes, I have tracked down a bunch of old friends so ...
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Ring around the Rosie ...
You may have noticed that I deleted all the links on my blog. I had thought about adding anyone and everyone but I didn't know how to get permission and all that so here is an open invite. If you want me to link you go ahead and post a comment, otherwise don't be hurt if you know I faithfully read (and enjoy!) your blog but havent' provided a link. Oh, and if you haven't linked me and want to, go right on ahead. I post such earth shatteringly profound things I want everyone on earth to read my amazing blog of superflituity. (yeah, um ... see yesterday's post below for a good example of my profundity in action.)
And in other news ... Happy Belated Birthday Robert Burns! If you can't understand the poem read it as "all that" where it says "a' that".
BTW this isn't the best introduction to Paolo Nutini, check out his song "Last Request" on youtube ... I just love it.
And in other news ... Happy Belated Birthday Robert Burns! If you can't understand the poem read it as "all that" where it says "a' that".
BTW this isn't the best introduction to Paolo Nutini, check out his song "Last Request" on youtube ... I just love it.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Let this be a warning!
Kid's require need constant surveillance! Being on the phone for 4min and 40 sec when the kids are painting with non-washable blue paint is long enough to get SMURFED! The carpet, their clothing, the table, the wall, the bathroom sink, the bathroom floor and the kitchen floor. You'd think they would know better ... you'd think I would know better.
Of course a thing like this only happens when company is coming over in less than 2 hours .. good thing it isn't anything that 30min of my handy dandy steam cleaner can't solve (thanks for the gift card Auntie Barb!) Traaaalalalalala tralalalala ...
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Firefly Christian
Firefly Christian
won't you shine your little light?
won't you twinkle in the darkness
won't you brighten up our night?
it's so hard to see you signals
flashing on and flashing off
I'm attracted to your light
like a candle and a moth
but the darkness is more lonely
when the dying light is lost
when you hide a way your glowstick
and forget to count the cost
then the darkness overwhelms me
though you flicker as before
I'll cling tighter to my twilight
I don't need you anymore.
are you midnight? are you shadow?
are you friend or are you foe?
chose your master choose your light source
and then let your candle glow.
won't you shine your little light?
won't you twinkle in the darkness
won't you brighten up our night?
it's so hard to see you signals
flashing on and flashing off
I'm attracted to your light
like a candle and a moth
but the darkness is more lonely
when the dying light is lost
when you hide a way your glowstick
and forget to count the cost
then the darkness overwhelms me
though you flicker as before
I'll cling tighter to my twilight
I don't need you anymore.
are you midnight? are you shadow?
are you friend or are you foe?
chose your master choose your light source
and then let your candle glow.
Rain, Rain ...
I LOVE the rain! It doesn't matter how long I live in California, my veins still flow with rainwater and starbucks. I'm a little disapointed in my californian children who spent 5 min outside and begged to be let back in for a hot bath and hot cocoa. Wimps! Seriously though, as much as I love a good rain drenching, I do enjoy a cozy house and some nice hot marshmellow flecked chocolate!
and for even more poetry ...
cloud blackened water
reflected the storm
assaulted by wind
and I, ocean born
was peppered by rain bullets
where I stood - torn
by the love of it's fury
and a love to be warm
and for even more poetry ...
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Help!
I was very inspired at church today. Since it was "Sanctity of Life" Sunday we got to hear from a man who ran 63 marathons in 63 days in order to raise awarness for AT - a childhood disease that is fatal by about the age of 20.
All of his own children are perfectly healthy, but the way he got involved in this project was when he asked God how he could use his running for His glory. The funny thing is that the same question has been rolling around in the back of my mind, that I want to do something, work for something but the question is, what?
I know my own physical limitations and there is no way I would want to run even 1 marathon, but a part of a triathalon? a bike race? a 5K? What are the charity "exercise events" on the Central Coast? Maybe you know someone who knows someone who has been a part of something, somewhere and can send me a link (If you don't feel comfortable leaving a comment, just click on the "email me" link on the sidebar and shoot me an email). Who knows ... maybe I won't find anything, but don't you ever feel like you could do something more for those around you? If you think about it, please pray that the Lord would show me what he wants me to do in order to please him.
All of his own children are perfectly healthy, but the way he got involved in this project was when he asked God how he could use his running for His glory. The funny thing is that the same question has been rolling around in the back of my mind, that I want to do something, work for something but the question is, what?
I know my own physical limitations and there is no way I would want to run even 1 marathon, but a part of a triathalon? a bike race? a 5K? What are the charity "exercise events" on the Central Coast? Maybe you know someone who knows someone who has been a part of something, somewhere and can send me a link (If you don't feel comfortable leaving a comment, just click on the "email me" link on the sidebar and shoot me an email). Who knows ... maybe I won't find anything, but don't you ever feel like you could do something more for those around you? If you think about it, please pray that the Lord would show me what he wants me to do in order to please him.
Life on the central coast
Stole this from Pastor Tim's blog ... I'm looking forward to having John Piper come to the central coast. Philllip and I are going to try to go to this. Are you?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
I owe you one?
Nicholas Carr once said:
I agree completely. Who needs to memorize stuff these days when we can keep it on an Internet linked device - to be accessed whenever, wherever we are. The switch to the "data cloud" has begun ... I speak Google, do you?
The weird thing is that because I can access almost all the digital information that exists I expect to be able to know lots of things I don't have the capacity to know. Almost every time my kids have a weird set of symptoms that don't fall under the category of "cold" or "flu" I have entered them into a search string and come up with a diagnosis to take with me to the doctor. Doesn't make me a doctor though, and fortunately for my kids I still take the doctor's advice even when it varies from the course of action recommended on a "medsite"..
I think this global access to information has carried over to my human relationships. I want to know why "she" said what she said, or did what she did. I want to understand a person's motivations and I feel compelled to explain my own.
Do I have to know? Do you have to know? Shall I explain my every action and then expect you to explain yours? Do I owe you? I think this is the first year in several years that Phillip hasn't guessed his Christmas present. I'm a terrible secret keeper because I am the product of an instant gratification generation that has been given the perception that they have all access to everything they could want and yet are miserable because of it. (it is always less than gratifying if ask him to open a gift early or drop so many hints he can't help but guess correctly)
I can't know everything, I don't want to either, but I do think I need to keep that in mind more often. I can't know your motives, I don't need to explain my own. There is only one lawgiver and judge after all and so I submit myself to His wisdom and accept my finite inability to figure everything out, especially now as I proof read this post, scratch my head and wonder, "What am I even talking about?"
James 3:13,17
We're beginning to process information as if we're nodes; it's all about the speed of locating and reading data. We're transferring our intelligence into the machine, and the machine is transferring its way of thinking into us.
I agree completely. Who needs to memorize stuff these days when we can keep it on an Internet linked device - to be accessed whenever, wherever we are. The switch to the "data cloud" has begun ... I speak Google, do you?
The weird thing is that because I can access almost all the digital information that exists I expect to be able to know lots of things I don't have the capacity to know. Almost every time my kids have a weird set of symptoms that don't fall under the category of "cold" or "flu" I have entered them into a search string and come up with a diagnosis to take with me to the doctor. Doesn't make me a doctor though, and fortunately for my kids I still take the doctor's advice even when it varies from the course of action recommended on a "medsite"..
I think this global access to information has carried over to my human relationships. I want to know why "she" said what she said, or did what she did. I want to understand a person's motivations and I feel compelled to explain my own.
Do I have to know? Do you have to know? Shall I explain my every action and then expect you to explain yours? Do I owe you? I think this is the first year in several years that Phillip hasn't guessed his Christmas present. I'm a terrible secret keeper because I am the product of an instant gratification generation that has been given the perception that they have all access to everything they could want and yet are miserable because of it. (it is always less than gratifying if ask him to open a gift early or drop so many hints he can't help but guess correctly)
I can't know everything, I don't want to either, but I do think I need to keep that in mind more often. I can't know your motives, I don't need to explain my own. There is only one lawgiver and judge after all and so I submit myself to His wisdom and accept my finite inability to figure everything out, especially now as I proof read this post, scratch my head and wonder, "What am I even talking about?"
James 3:13,17
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Bandwagon ...
Yup, I'm on it. Here are my 7 little known facts ...
1.) I got a tattoo at the age of 14 and my sister got in trouble for it.
2.) I took a semmester of Hebrew in college and know enough Hebrew to say a couple polite phrases and have a revenous appetite for researching Hebrew words or phrases that I come across in church or Ladies Bible Study.
3.) When we were first dating, Phillip and I got locked inside the Hall of the Crusifixion and Resurrection at Forest Lawn mortuary and memorial park (which just happens to be a huge cemetary in the L.A. area)
4.) I have always enjoyed writing poetry and have written thousands of poem since I started at age 8 (only two published out of the 4 I've ever submitted)
5.) I drove a little red 65 mustang for a few years in highschool but switched to a '79 Ford Ranger my Senior year. (boy was that a cool truck!)
6.) I've only been pulled over twice while driving, the first time was very late at night and due to the fact that I was being followed (by a friend) and the second time was when I was lost and pulled off the freeway to check my map ... no ticket either time although I've deserved it (especially when I drove my dad's car 130 mph).
7.) My most embarrassing moment was in highschool when I was singing a duet for a choir concert and the person that I was singing with messed up the words to "Silent Night". I cracked up and giggled until the song was over ... to a packed house.
1.) I got a tattoo at the age of 14 and my sister got in trouble for it.
2.) I took a semmester of Hebrew in college and know enough Hebrew to say a couple polite phrases and have a revenous appetite for researching Hebrew words or phrases that I come across in church or Ladies Bible Study.
3.) When we were first dating, Phillip and I got locked inside the Hall of the Crusifixion and Resurrection at Forest Lawn mortuary and memorial park (which just happens to be a huge cemetary in the L.A. area)
4.) I have always enjoyed writing poetry and have written thousands of poem since I started at age 8 (only two published out of the 4 I've ever submitted)
5.) I drove a little red 65 mustang for a few years in highschool but switched to a '79 Ford Ranger my Senior year. (boy was that a cool truck!)
6.) I've only been pulled over twice while driving, the first time was very late at night and due to the fact that I was being followed (by a friend) and the second time was when I was lost and pulled off the freeway to check my map ... no ticket either time although I've deserved it (especially when I drove my dad's car 130 mph).
7.) My most embarrassing moment was in highschool when I was singing a duet for a choir concert and the person that I was singing with messed up the words to "Silent Night". I cracked up and giggled until the song was over ... to a packed house.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Go Down Death ...
Last night Phillip's Grandmother Dean went to be with the Lord. This poem from "God's Trombones" seemed fitting
Go Down, Death
by James Weldon Johnson
(A Funeral Sermon)
Weep not, weep not,
She is not dead;
She's resting in the bosom of Jesus.
Heart-broken husband--weep no more;
Grief-stricken son--weep no more;
Left-lonesome daughter --weep no more;
She only just gone home.
Day before yesterday morning,
God was looking down from his great, high heaven,
Looking down on all his children,
And his eye fell on Sister Caroline,
Tossing on her bed of pain.
And God's big heart was touched with pity,
With the everlasting pity.
And God sat back on his throne,
And he commanded that tall, bright angel standing at his right hand:
Call me Death!
And that tall, bright angel cried in a voice
That broke like a clap of thunder:
Call Death!--Call Death!
And the echo sounded down the streets of heaven
Till it reached away back to that shadowy place,
Where Death waits with his pale, white horses.
And Death heard the summons,
And he leaped on his fastest horse,
Pale as a sheet in the moonlight.
Up the golden street Death galloped,
And the hooves of his horses struck fire from the gold,
But they didn't make no sound.
Up Death rode to the Great White Throne,
And waited for God's command.
And God said: Go down, Death, go down,
Go down to Savannah, Georgia,
Down in Yamacraw,
And find Sister Caroline.
She's borne the burden and heat of the day,
She's labored long in my vineyard,
And she's tired--
She's weary--
Go down, Death, and bring her to me.
And Death didn't say a word,
But he loosed the reins on his pale, white horse,
And he clamped the spurs to his bloodless sides,
And out and down he rode,
Through heaven's pearly gates,
Past suns and moons and stars;
on Death rode,
Leaving the lightning's flash behind;
Straight down he came.
While we were watching round her bed,
She turned her eyes and looked away,
She saw what we couldn't see;
She saw Old Death. She saw Old Death
Coming like a falling star.
But Death didn't frighten Sister Caroline;
He looked to her like a welcome friend.
And she whispered to us: I'm going home,
And she smiled and closed her eyes.
And Death took her up like a baby,
And she lay in his icy arms,
But she didn't feel no chill.
And death began to ride again--
Up beyond the evening star,
Into the glittering light of glory,
On to the Great White Throne.
And there he laid Sister Caroline
On the loving breast of Jesus.
And Jesus took his own hand and wiped away her tears,
And he smoothed the furrows from her face,
And the angels sang a little song,
And Jesus rocked her in his arms,
And kept a-saying: Take your rest,
Take your rest.
Weep not--weep not,
She is not dead;
She's resting in the bosom of Jesus.
Go Down, Death
by James Weldon Johnson
(A Funeral Sermon)
Weep not, weep not,
She is not dead;
She's resting in the bosom of Jesus.
Heart-broken husband--weep no more;
Grief-stricken son--weep no more;
Left-lonesome daughter --weep no more;
She only just gone home.
Day before yesterday morning,
God was looking down from his great, high heaven,
Looking down on all his children,
And his eye fell on Sister Caroline,
Tossing on her bed of pain.
And God's big heart was touched with pity,
With the everlasting pity.
And God sat back on his throne,
And he commanded that tall, bright angel standing at his right hand:
Call me Death!
And that tall, bright angel cried in a voice
That broke like a clap of thunder:
Call Death!--Call Death!
And the echo sounded down the streets of heaven
Till it reached away back to that shadowy place,
Where Death waits with his pale, white horses.
And Death heard the summons,
And he leaped on his fastest horse,
Pale as a sheet in the moonlight.
Up the golden street Death galloped,
And the hooves of his horses struck fire from the gold,
But they didn't make no sound.
Up Death rode to the Great White Throne,
And waited for God's command.
And God said: Go down, Death, go down,
Go down to Savannah, Georgia,
Down in Yamacraw,
And find Sister Caroline.
She's borne the burden and heat of the day,
She's labored long in my vineyard,
And she's tired--
She's weary--
Go down, Death, and bring her to me.
And Death didn't say a word,
But he loosed the reins on his pale, white horse,
And he clamped the spurs to his bloodless sides,
And out and down he rode,
Through heaven's pearly gates,
Past suns and moons and stars;
on Death rode,
Leaving the lightning's flash behind;
Straight down he came.
While we were watching round her bed,
She turned her eyes and looked away,
She saw what we couldn't see;
She saw Old Death. She saw Old Death
Coming like a falling star.
But Death didn't frighten Sister Caroline;
He looked to her like a welcome friend.
And she whispered to us: I'm going home,
And she smiled and closed her eyes.
And Death took her up like a baby,
And she lay in his icy arms,
But she didn't feel no chill.
And death began to ride again--
Up beyond the evening star,
Into the glittering light of glory,
On to the Great White Throne.
And there he laid Sister Caroline
On the loving breast of Jesus.
And Jesus took his own hand and wiped away her tears,
And he smoothed the furrows from her face,
And the angels sang a little song,
And Jesus rocked her in his arms,
And kept a-saying: Take your rest,
Take your rest.
Weep not--weep not,
She is not dead;
She's resting in the bosom of Jesus.
Friday, January 11, 2008
A good reminder
A friend of mine sent me the link to an amazing blog. I certainly needed the encouragment to love and respect my husband in meaningful ways on a daily basis whether or not I feel that my long lists of needs and demands have been addressed by my long suffering soul mate. Check it out!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
How to be cheap part 2
Did I say cheap? I meant "resourceful". About a year ago Phillip picked up an elliptical runner for me off of Craigslist. I dusted it, I hung clothes off of it. I went to the gym and used theirs. Why? because there was no power supply cord and buying one would cost $65 plus tax and shipping. Not worth it right?
Tonight after a bit of Internet research I began to wonder if I could use a compatible power supply cord and after rooting around in my box of cords, wires, cables, and otherwise unused electronics (I'm planning on recycling them some day) I found a power supply cord for a phone charger that fit and when I plugged it Viola! a working piece of fitness equipment. If you hear that our condo has burned down or I got electrocuted you will know why!
Tonight after a bit of Internet research I began to wonder if I could use a compatible power supply cord and after rooting around in my box of cords, wires, cables, and otherwise unused electronics (I'm planning on recycling them some day) I found a power supply cord for a phone charger that fit and when I plugged it Viola! a working piece of fitness equipment. If you hear that our condo has burned down or I got electrocuted you will know why!
A different kind of resolution
A while ago I blogged about my dread of heaven and after a coupld of months of panic attacks and despair as I tried to fathom eternity my whole perspective has changed.
I knew that I was thinking about things backward when I realized that I wasn't trusting God and must think in my heart of hearts that heaven couldn't compare with earth. How silly is that! I believe in a literal 7 day creation but Jesus said that he was "going to prepair a place for us" over 2 thousand years ago ... that's going to be some "place"! Also if heaven is HIS throne and the earth is His footstool ... where would you rather be?
This past Sunday in church Pastor Steve preached on "Living the Future Now". Of course, this being Thursday, I have forgotten most of the wonderful points he made but I was left with a revelation. What if we have the whole thing backwards? What if we are ghosts now, and will later become "real"? What if death is the believers gift, that releases us from our decay and allows us to fully realize what we were meant to be. (Not that I'm advocating death, I think Paul found himself in the same position when he said, "To live is Christ, to die is gain")
So many people say that when they get to heaven they will have so many questions to ask God. I wonder ... what if when we get to heaven we realize how trivial and irrellavent our trials were compared to the "realness" of heaven.
Romans 8:17-25
Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Matthew 6:25-34
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34
I knew that I was thinking about things backward when I realized that I wasn't trusting God and must think in my heart of hearts that heaven couldn't compare with earth. How silly is that! I believe in a literal 7 day creation but Jesus said that he was "going to prepair a place for us" over 2 thousand years ago ... that's going to be some "place"! Also if heaven is HIS throne and the earth is His footstool ... where would you rather be?
This past Sunday in church Pastor Steve preached on "Living the Future Now". Of course, this being Thursday, I have forgotten most of the wonderful points he made but I was left with a revelation. What if we have the whole thing backwards? What if we are ghosts now, and will later become "real"? What if death is the believers gift, that releases us from our decay and allows us to fully realize what we were meant to be. (Not that I'm advocating death, I think Paul found himself in the same position when he said, "To live is Christ, to die is gain")
So many people say that when they get to heaven they will have so many questions to ask God. I wonder ... what if when we get to heaven we realize how trivial and irrellavent our trials were compared to the "realness" of heaven.
Romans 8:17-25
Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Matthew 6:25-34
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Don't look kids!
So if you checked the blog today you may have noticed that my blog is rated PG. While I think that is hilarious I didn't like how the green goes with the red blogskin so I removed the HTML. You can check what your blog is rated if you care.
In other new ... Linsey and I must be on the same wavelength. I noticed she made some cute little memory board kind of thing for her kitchen the same day I decided to, except I didn't go to Costco ... I went out to the dumpster, ripped the backing off of a piece of discarded furniture, (it wasn't in the dumpster, just sitting next to it) lugged it back to the house, rooted through my fabric scraps, brushed the dirt off and got creative. I love how it turned out!! I'm so classy sometimes!!!
Also, today when I took out the trash I noticed a very nice bookshelf and since I had been looking for one for the past few weeks on CL I dragged that one back to our appartment, pealed off the stickers, scraped off the gum, gave it a good sanding, stained it and once it dries I'll have a $75 dollar book shelf! Don't laugh. I've gotten a desk (recently sold it for $50) and a very nice rocking chair that had nothing wrong with it - all curtesy of the local dumpster in the various appartments we've lived in. I was trailer trash long before I lived in a trailer!!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Poem for the year
Sonnet XIX On His Blindness 1655
When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait."
This has to be my favorite poem by Milton. I have it here to keep things in perspective this year. We all have limitations and talents. Christ came to earth as a man for too many reasons to list here but as Hebrews 4:15,16 says
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Christ not only understands our weakness, he has promised to help us. We will also be held accountable for our talents whether they be great or small. One of the things I've had to come to grips with is that even though I don't think my poetry is all that great, I think that in some way I have been given a gift and I need to express it. (There is no doubt in my mind that John Milton had talent. Take a peak at Paradise Lost or even Samson Agonistese (if you want something shorter) to look at a familier story in a way that will just blow your mind.)
So... I guess what I am saying is, what is your talent? are you using it? cultivating it? sharing it?
And the reverse is, when you fail, have you expirienced God's grace? Do you grasp the fact that he knows our weakness, that "we are but dust"?
Psalm 103:13-16 says
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 14 For he knows our frame;he remembers that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass;he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,and its place knows it no more. 17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,and his righteousness to children's children, 18 to those who keep his covenantand remember to do his commandments.
Happy New Year!
When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait."
This has to be my favorite poem by Milton. I have it here to keep things in perspective this year. We all have limitations and talents. Christ came to earth as a man for too many reasons to list here but as Hebrews 4:15,16 says
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Christ not only understands our weakness, he has promised to help us. We will also be held accountable for our talents whether they be great or small. One of the things I've had to come to grips with is that even though I don't think my poetry is all that great, I think that in some way I have been given a gift and I need to express it. (There is no doubt in my mind that John Milton had talent. Take a peak at Paradise Lost or even Samson Agonistese (if you want something shorter) to look at a familier story in a way that will just blow your mind.)
So... I guess what I am saying is, what is your talent? are you using it? cultivating it? sharing it?
And the reverse is, when you fail, have you expirienced God's grace? Do you grasp the fact that he knows our weakness, that "we are but dust"?
Psalm 103:13-16 says
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 14 For he knows our frame;he remembers that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass;he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,and its place knows it no more. 17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,and his righteousness to children's children, 18 to those who keep his covenantand remember to do his commandments.
Happy New Year!
Friday, January 4, 2008
I heart Huckabee...?
Well ... I did, but now I'm not so sure. I guess I need to read up on him a bit more. Is he the man he seems to be? The more I research the voting history of the guy it looks like he somehow believes that the government can do the work of the church through increased taxes and government programs. He is sounding more and more like John Edwards (except in the area of abortion). I'm getting concerned.
So who will I be voting for? Ron Paul. Phillip and I were talking about it the other night and he made the point that all government and authority are given by God (whether they are good or not) and the biggest reason I like Ron Paul is because of his commitment to the constitution. A quote from his website mentions that he has never voted for legislation that does not completely agree with the constitution. (Which also means he is principled, right?). His ultra conservative view on illegal immigration, Iraq, and other issues are music to my ears after listening so long to Republican after Republican that represent only a small fraction of what I would like to see in a leader. He may have only got 10% at the Iowa Caucus but he has raised more money (I think) than other conservative candidates. I doubt he has much of a chance but I'm going to support him all the way.
So who will I be voting for? Ron Paul. Phillip and I were talking about it the other night and he made the point that all government and authority are given by God (whether they are good or not) and the biggest reason I like Ron Paul is because of his commitment to the constitution. A quote from his website mentions that he has never voted for legislation that does not completely agree with the constitution. (Which also means he is principled, right?). His ultra conservative view on illegal immigration, Iraq, and other issues are music to my ears after listening so long to Republican after Republican that represent only a small fraction of what I would like to see in a leader. He may have only got 10% at the Iowa Caucus but he has raised more money (I think) than other conservative candidates. I doubt he has much of a chance but I'm going to support him all the way.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
I'm unresolved ...
I hereby resolve to:
- vainly attempt to lose 5 lbs
- kid myself into thinking I can train for a triathalon at this stage of my life
- sleep more (yeah right!) and watch less t.v.
(I like to get the ones doomed for failure out of the way first)
- read the Bible through in a year (used to do this before I had kids .. need to do it again)
- work harder at prepairing palatable, recipe inspired food that my family will enjoy eating
- love and enjoy each of my family members' strengths while praying for them to overcome their weaknesses. (Or, to be more honest, pray like crazy for em'!)
and .... well, we'll just see how things go.
- vainly attempt to lose 5 lbs
- kid myself into thinking I can train for a triathalon at this stage of my life
- sleep more (yeah right!) and watch less t.v.
(I like to get the ones doomed for failure out of the way first)
- read the Bible through in a year (used to do this before I had kids .. need to do it again)
- work harder at prepairing palatable, recipe inspired food that my family will enjoy eating
- love and enjoy each of my family members' strengths while praying for them to overcome their weaknesses. (Or, to be more honest, pray like crazy for em'!)
and .... well, we'll just see how things go.
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