Sunday, February 04, 2007
Friday, February 02, 2007
I'm moving...
over to Typepad. It's been fun at Blogger, but the truth is I decided to find a new skin. Microdermabrasion was out, because it sounds too scary. Blog design by Everyday Design was in because Jules is just too cool--bee-boppity-bip-she rules-an-hah-an-hah-an-hah-she walks around in mules--scree-scritchity-scra!
(Okay, can I just interject right here how very hard it is to type rap! You're responsible for your own sound effects. Thank goodness no one came into the room while I was rapping that out!)
Anyhoo, there's a move going on. I do not have all of these posts, version one of A Complete Thought, transferred over. I am working on moving most of them and all of the comments. However, Typepad and Blogger are not so much in love with the idea of sharing the whole A Complete Thought thing, so please be patient while Iwork rap this thing out.
So if you've been over here and you've left your comment, I'm working on giving you the credit for any post over here that you've commented on as I indeedy do move it, post and comment, over there. Of course, I'm not nearly efficient enough to also move the pics and links that went with your great comments. I do apologize. You realize you're working with an amateur? If you've been over here and left a comment and I don't move that post over there, then both the post and your comment will remain as is, here. If you go over there and leave a comment, then I'll leave it all alone--unless of course your comment is snarky (no one would possibly do that, I mean really, the readers here are nothing if not tip top class!).
Without further ado and adieu, please feel free to join me over at A Complete Thought at Typepad.
(Okay, can I just interject right here how very hard it is to type rap! You're responsible for your own sound effects. Thank goodness no one came into the room while I was rapping that out!)
Anyhoo, there's a move going on. I do not have all of these posts, version one of A Complete Thought, transferred over. I am working on moving most of them and all of the comments. However, Typepad and Blogger are not so much in love with the idea of sharing the whole A Complete Thought thing, so please be patient while I
So if you've been over here and you've left your comment, I'm working on giving you the credit for any post over here that you've commented on as I indeedy do move it, post and comment, over there. Of course, I'm not nearly efficient enough to also move the pics and links that went with your great comments. I do apologize. You realize you're working with an amateur? If you've been over here and left a comment and I don't move that post over there, then both the post and your comment will remain as is, here. If you go over there and leave a comment, then I'll leave it all alone--unless of course your comment is snarky (no one would possibly do that, I mean really, the readers here are nothing if not tip top class!).
Without further ado and adieu, please feel free to join me over at A Complete Thought at Typepad.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
A Meme of Six Things...
is actually the first meme I've ever played. Let's see what happens.
Name six things in your refrigerator: Muenster cheese, eggs, milk (both 2% and skim so that peace reigns), Diet Coke (so that peace reigns), and bacon. Now I'm hungry!
Name six things in your freezer: Fish sticks, pecans (this Southern girl will always have these on hand), chocolate chips, stash of M&Ms, chicken, and ice.
Name six things under your kitchen sink: Garbage bags, dishwasher soap, rubber gloves, hand lotion, an empty plastic bottle (I don't remember why I put this under here), and Clorox cleaning wipes.
Name six things around your computer: A cat (she lies on top of the filing cabinet while I blog), the digital camera, Chapstick, a box of tissues, sticky notes, and a book titled Hard Sayings of the Bible.
Name six things in my medicine cabinet: In my house this is an actual closet, the medicine cabinet is 3 shoe boxes full of Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Vicks Vapor Rub, Hydrocortisone Cream, and medicine syringes.
Name six things on or around your nightstand: Socks, box of tissue, biography of John Bunyan (Pilgrim's Progess author), pens, pencils, and two alarm clocks.
Reading back through I can't decide if these are normal things or just immensely boring. Oh well, the first meme has broken through, what might happen next!
Name six things in your refrigerator: Muenster cheese, eggs, milk (both 2% and skim so that peace reigns), Diet Coke (so that peace reigns), and bacon. Now I'm hungry!
Name six things in your freezer: Fish sticks, pecans (this Southern girl will always have these on hand), chocolate chips, stash of M&Ms, chicken, and ice.
Name six things under your kitchen sink: Garbage bags, dishwasher soap, rubber gloves, hand lotion, an empty plastic bottle (I don't remember why I put this under here), and Clorox cleaning wipes.
Name six things around your computer: A cat (she lies on top of the filing cabinet while I blog), the digital camera, Chapstick, a box of tissues, sticky notes, and a book titled Hard Sayings of the Bible.
Name six things in my medicine cabinet: In my house this is an actual closet, the medicine cabinet is 3 shoe boxes full of Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Vicks Vapor Rub, Hydrocortisone Cream, and medicine syringes.
Name six things on or around your nightstand: Socks, box of tissue, biography of John Bunyan (Pilgrim's Progess author), pens, pencils, and two alarm clocks.
Reading back through I can't decide if these are normal things or just immensely boring. Oh well, the first meme has broken through, what might happen next!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The Bible is not a sequel...
where the first part tells one story but the second part tells something completely new, as though the writers decided they needed to jazz up the story to keep the viewers' attention. I really react to the movie sequel idea that so many people have today regarding the Old and New Testaments. The minute I hear someone say, "Well, that's only in the ____ Testament", all sorts of warning bells sound off.
I'm not skirting the obvious differences of Old Testament revelation giving signs, types and shadows and New Testament revelation giving fulfillments and parables. I also agree to the statement that the Old Testament reveals the old covenant, and the New Testament reveals the new covenant (Heb 8:6).
However, believing that the Bible is the whole counsel of God revealing all things essential for His own glory, man's salvation, faith and life; and believing that God is changeless, the same yesterday, today and forever, means to me that His revelation has the same changeless authority.
It's just not what we want. We are the fruit of a movie culture--fast action, thin heroes, and lots of cartoons. For the lovers of sequels, it seems that the first part relates a tough, strict, exacting and judgmental God. He's frightening and standoffish, in giving laws and prohibiting that anyone would come too close to His mountain (Ex 19:12).
So it's in the sequel, we think that God has become gentler and more approachable in the person of Jesus Christ. We cite how this Lord heals and feeds thousands, still having time to call little children to Himself. He's nice to His mother. He endures tirelessly the crowds of needy people and those bumbling disciples.
He certainly is all of these things and more. However, my question is, how does anyone think that watering God down, to an image of our own liking or in any way at all for that matter, make Him more able to save? The fact is that it doesn't.
The God who sent thunder, lightning and hail to shake Pharaoh to his core, is the same Lord who has His enemies placed under His feet. The God who struck down Sodom and Gomorrah is the same Lord who struck Saul with blindness. The God who scattered the tribes of Israel for disobedience is the same Lord who scattered the money-changers in the temple.
I'm tired of Christians looking for a way to make God more palatable in His "hard" decrees or in His difficult purposes. That type of God is of the paperdoll variety--flimsy, yielding to chubby, childish hands, quickly grimed up by dirty hands, and just as easily wadded up to be tossed away when interest wanes or attention shifts.
I want a God who unyieldingly decrees His eternal purposes, without the counsel of man. I want a God who sits enthroned in the heavens, holding no counsel but His own. I want a God who is Lord over all the earth, righteous and just in His judgments, faithful and everlasting in His plans.
This is the God of the Old and New Testaments. I'll take nothing less, and neither should you.
I'm not skirting the obvious differences of Old Testament revelation giving signs, types and shadows and New Testament revelation giving fulfillments and parables. I also agree to the statement that the Old Testament reveals the old covenant, and the New Testament reveals the new covenant (Heb 8:6).
However, believing that the Bible is the whole counsel of God revealing all things essential for His own glory, man's salvation, faith and life; and believing that God is changeless, the same yesterday, today and forever, means to me that His revelation has the same changeless authority.
It's just not what we want. We are the fruit of a movie culture--fast action, thin heroes, and lots of cartoons. For the lovers of sequels, it seems that the first part relates a tough, strict, exacting and judgmental God. He's frightening and standoffish, in giving laws and prohibiting that anyone would come too close to His mountain (Ex 19:12).
So it's in the sequel, we think that God has become gentler and more approachable in the person of Jesus Christ. We cite how this Lord heals and feeds thousands, still having time to call little children to Himself. He's nice to His mother. He endures tirelessly the crowds of needy people and those bumbling disciples.
He certainly is all of these things and more. However, my question is, how does anyone think that watering God down, to an image of our own liking or in any way at all for that matter, make Him more able to save? The fact is that it doesn't.
The God who sent thunder, lightning and hail to shake Pharaoh to his core, is the same Lord who has His enemies placed under His feet. The God who struck down Sodom and Gomorrah is the same Lord who struck Saul with blindness. The God who scattered the tribes of Israel for disobedience is the same Lord who scattered the money-changers in the temple.
I'm tired of Christians looking for a way to make God more palatable in His "hard" decrees or in His difficult purposes. That type of God is of the paperdoll variety--flimsy, yielding to chubby, childish hands, quickly grimed up by dirty hands, and just as easily wadded up to be tossed away when interest wanes or attention shifts.
I want a God who unyieldingly decrees His eternal purposes, without the counsel of man. I want a God who sits enthroned in the heavens, holding no counsel but His own. I want a God who is Lord over all the earth, righteous and just in His judgments, faithful and everlasting in His plans.
This is the God of the Old and New Testaments. I'll take nothing less, and neither should you.
Dead wood doesn't sprout
Just recently I read this story while doing some looking into the truth and error issue, that should concern each believer.
"There was a champion woodcarver from Bavaria who found a piece of wood in the mouth of a sack of grain. The wood was the same color as the grains of wheat, so he took it into his head to carve the wood into imitation grains. He carved a handful of them, mixed them with some real wheat, and then invited his friends to tell them apart. The woodcarver had done the work so well that no one could tell the difference. Even he was unable to tell the imitation grains from the true wheat. In the end the only way to distinguish the true from the false kernels was to place the grains in water. After a few days the real grain sprouted, while the imitation grain remained exactly what it was before: dead wood."
How can a Christian today tell the difference between the true wheat and the dead wood? The test is the water. The water must be the living water of Christ, not something bottled and marketed by man as the latest, greatest, or newest fad. Bubbles, flavorings, and fancy packaging don't make it good water. Tap water filtered to get out at least 99.8% of the impurities, is still tap water, still containing .2% impurity. The water must come from the Rock, poured out by the Word of the Lord.
The true wheat will sprout when placed in water. The dead wood won't.
What water are you in? Are you sprouting?
"Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:10
"There was a champion woodcarver from Bavaria who found a piece of wood in the mouth of a sack of grain. The wood was the same color as the grains of wheat, so he took it into his head to carve the wood into imitation grains. He carved a handful of them, mixed them with some real wheat, and then invited his friends to tell them apart. The woodcarver had done the work so well that no one could tell the difference. Even he was unable to tell the imitation grains from the true wheat. In the end the only way to distinguish the true from the false kernels was to place the grains in water. After a few days the real grain sprouted, while the imitation grain remained exactly what it was before: dead wood."
How can a Christian today tell the difference between the true wheat and the dead wood? The test is the water. The water must be the living water of Christ, not something bottled and marketed by man as the latest, greatest, or newest fad. Bubbles, flavorings, and fancy packaging don't make it good water. Tap water filtered to get out at least 99.8% of the impurities, is still tap water, still containing .2% impurity. The water must come from the Rock, poured out by the Word of the Lord.
The true wheat will sprout when placed in water. The dead wood won't.
What water are you in? Are you sprouting?
"Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:10
Friday, January 26, 2007
Embracing error...
is a huge part of my past. Maybe that's why as I've grown in truth by God's grace alone, I try to be particularly diligent about error. For too long I lived boldly wrong. I much prefer to live humbly right.
Everyday Mommy posted a terrific piece the other day about a glaring error present in the blasphemous representation by Scientology to make Tom Cruise the next "Jesus". Her assertion in that type of error being obnoxiously loud and offensive to Christians is true. However, she then poses a question daily faced by Christians that has, for some, a more subtle tint--more the whisper of a wrong idea. Read the entire article here.
I was blown away by the comments discussion--mostly blown away by the number of commenters seemingly not too concerned with the highly New Age suggestive language and terms regarding prayer that the author's article encouraged. There was the usual finger-shaking admonitions not to judge lest you be judged, tongue-clucking over how unfortunate that this well-meaning author used terms shared with the false ideations of New Age, and the gentle tolerance of allowing that some people just view things differently than others so let's live and let live.
Of course, there were courageous commenters willing to take on this ridiculous (guess I just gave away what I think about the prayer suggestions) idea with the foundations of scripture supporting their words. Inherent among this second group was the absence of subjectivity and "feelings" replaced instead with the Biblical armor of "facts". Christians are certainly charged to be discerning in their thinking (Prov 17:24), to test and examine every spirit to see if it be false (1 Jn 4:1), and to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor 10:5). Doing these things with integrity and humility do not make one judgmental but do make one obedient to God's Word.
Naturally, no one wants to be labeled as unfeeling towards another's legitimate questions or even as bearing a lack of grace for another's beliefs. I'm not seeking to offend anyone either, but I'd certainly better be prepared and willing to offend with the truth than be offensive to God by embracing error.
Lamentations 3:40 "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. "
Everyday Mommy posted a terrific piece the other day about a glaring error present in the blasphemous representation by Scientology to make Tom Cruise the next "Jesus". Her assertion in that type of error being obnoxiously loud and offensive to Christians is true. However, she then poses a question daily faced by Christians that has, for some, a more subtle tint--more the whisper of a wrong idea. Read the entire article here.
I was blown away by the comments discussion--mostly blown away by the number of commenters seemingly not too concerned with the highly New Age suggestive language and terms regarding prayer that the author's article encouraged. There was the usual finger-shaking admonitions not to judge lest you be judged, tongue-clucking over how unfortunate that this well-meaning author used terms shared with the false ideations of New Age, and the gentle tolerance of allowing that some people just view things differently than others so let's live and let live.
Of course, there were courageous commenters willing to take on this ridiculous (guess I just gave away what I think about the prayer suggestions) idea with the foundations of scripture supporting their words. Inherent among this second group was the absence of subjectivity and "feelings" replaced instead with the Biblical armor of "facts". Christians are certainly charged to be discerning in their thinking (Prov 17:24), to test and examine every spirit to see if it be false (1 Jn 4:1), and to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor 10:5). Doing these things with integrity and humility do not make one judgmental but do make one obedient to God's Word.
Naturally, no one wants to be labeled as unfeeling towards another's legitimate questions or even as bearing a lack of grace for another's beliefs. I'm not seeking to offend anyone either, but I'd certainly better be prepared and willing to offend with the truth than be offensive to God by embracing error.
Lamentations 3:40 "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. "
Seeing your five year old...
hurtling down the neighbor's hill of a driveway, on a scooter, wearing his frog boots and a Rescue Heroes helmet is a sight to behold. Seeing your five year old on the scooter then deliberately aim for and hit the grass edge so hard that it catapults him up into the air is an even bigger sight to behold. Seeing your five year old then land on said grass and roll down the rest of the hill, oh say, 5 or 6 times only to then stand up laughing, is the biggest sight to behold.
Yelling from the front porch that he is not to do that again, at least not in your sight, is a sound to behold.
But I'm not beholding my breath on when he'll venture the next stunt of derring do.
Yelling from the front porch that he is not to do that again, at least not in your sight, is a sound to behold.
But I'm not beholding my breath on when he'll venture the next stunt of derring do.
I'm still here...
lest you think I haven't recovered from the shocks of 24. I'm just currently dwelling in the necessaries of life right now--laundry, meals, homeschool, Bible study prep.
I have a dozen things that I desire to blog about but can't. get. the. complete. thoughts. out. right. now. Please bear with me.
In the meantime, look at this for something to chew on.
See you later.
I have a dozen things that I desire to blog about but can't. get. the. complete. thoughts. out. right. now. Please bear with me.
In the meantime, look at this for something to chew on.
See you later.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Jack is human?
(WARNING: Season 6 of 24 spoilers ahead! Navigate away if not a fan!)
You have got to be kidding me! I was convinced that this terrorist-stomping, bomb-defusing, self-healing, torture-enduring man was not actually conceived and born to human parents, let alone have a brother! Certainly, Jack, of all people, was hatched in some earlier radiation-affected cabbage patch that granted him such significant abilities that all the rest of us just watch with dropped jaws.
No, looks like the guy had his first experience with undue stress in potty training like the rest of us.
Honestly, I thought that last night's one hour was better than the entire 4 hour premiere. I know, some of you might disagree. But bigger than a suitcase nuke taking out Valencia, CA is the news that Rocket Romano (from ER days, I'm sorry I cannot think of him as anyone else) is Jack's brother. And not only that, but this same Rocket Romano (glad to see your arm back on--sorry, more former ER--I don't even watch it anymore) was part of the whole mastermind of Season 5.
Jack, it didn't start and stop with the evil President Logan! Your brother, the guy who shared Cheerios with you, or not--maybe that's where it all started, is THE brain or at least one of them, behind these "terrorist incidents"!
For the love of all that is spy suspense and thrill-seeking, that piece of news is Da Bomb! And to further cause me to come off of the couch with shrieks are the previews indicating that Babe's "That'll do, Pig" farmer is Jack's dad!
I'm telling you that my heart is racing just in the re-telling. Now that's some clever writing, you 24 people. Got to hand it to you. Just when everyone is comfortable with Jack being the man without a family (please, no more Kim) and therefore, he is free and clear to stomp, thrash, shoot, defuse, foil and sabotage the worst and vilest of terrorism, he's got family to consider!
What must Christmas dinner look like at their house? Or family reunions? Do they draw names and then shoot at one another? And can you imagine playing the game of Risk on family night?
So quick synopsis:
Valencia is falling apart. Mass mayhem as everyone not nuked tries to leave before succumbing to radiation sickness. Jack rescues a man out of a helicopter on top of a house. Fayed and co. escape to new safehouse. Fayed calls nuke trigger contact guy with random girlfriend to ask for new nuke trigger since other device now radiation dust. Jack calls Buchanan and asks to be back in. Hasad arrives at CTU and gives info that former Russian general may have provided nukes. Morris discovers link between Russian general and Jack's dad. Buchanan tells Jack. Jack calls Sam, Bauer butler, to look for his dad. Liddy monitors call and then calls Jack's brother, Graham/Gray who wishes Jack had been successfully killed last year (some serious sibling rivalry there). Jack shows up at brother's house but not before Graham/Gray makes insecure wimpy man comment to his wife about her former a'mour relationship with Jack. Jack meets nephew, says hi to sister in law, and then almost immediately but behind privacy of office door begins to "persuade" Graham/Gray to tell the truth!
Other news:
Waleed wears a wire and agrees to help FBI discover info on obvious terrorist cell people being held at detention center. Girlfriend/President's sister, Saundra shrieks about it. President Wayne Palmer is still searching for his presidential presence, ie. courage and in meantime, is embunkered below White House. Advisors, generals and admirals all clamor for attention and status with their pet ideas of handling the situation. President Palmer decides to call the "terrorist incident" a nuclear bomb in his speech.
My apologies for anything I left out. I hear my own Jack Bauers running around demolishing bad guys of the world, so blogging time endeth.
I can't wait for next week!
You have got to be kidding me! I was convinced that this terrorist-stomping, bomb-defusing, self-healing, torture-enduring man was not actually conceived and born to human parents, let alone have a brother! Certainly, Jack, of all people, was hatched in some earlier radiation-affected cabbage patch that granted him such significant abilities that all the rest of us just watch with dropped jaws.
No, looks like the guy had his first experience with undue stress in potty training like the rest of us.
Honestly, I thought that last night's one hour was better than the entire 4 hour premiere. I know, some of you might disagree. But bigger than a suitcase nuke taking out Valencia, CA is the news that Rocket Romano (from ER days, I'm sorry I cannot think of him as anyone else) is Jack's brother. And not only that, but this same Rocket Romano (glad to see your arm back on--sorry, more former ER--I don't even watch it anymore) was part of the whole mastermind of Season 5.
Jack, it didn't start and stop with the evil President Logan! Your brother, the guy who shared Cheerios with you, or not--maybe that's where it all started, is THE brain or at least one of them, behind these "terrorist incidents"!
For the love of all that is spy suspense and thrill-seeking, that piece of news is Da Bomb! And to further cause me to come off of the couch with shrieks are the previews indicating that Babe's "That'll do, Pig" farmer is Jack's dad!
I'm telling you that my heart is racing just in the re-telling. Now that's some clever writing, you 24 people. Got to hand it to you. Just when everyone is comfortable with Jack being the man without a family (please, no more Kim) and therefore, he is free and clear to stomp, thrash, shoot, defuse, foil and sabotage the worst and vilest of terrorism, he's got family to consider!
What must Christmas dinner look like at their house? Or family reunions? Do they draw names and then shoot at one another? And can you imagine playing the game of Risk on family night?
So quick synopsis:
Valencia is falling apart. Mass mayhem as everyone not nuked tries to leave before succumbing to radiation sickness. Jack rescues a man out of a helicopter on top of a house. Fayed and co. escape to new safehouse. Fayed calls nuke trigger contact guy with random girlfriend to ask for new nuke trigger since other device now radiation dust. Jack calls Buchanan and asks to be back in. Hasad arrives at CTU and gives info that former Russian general may have provided nukes. Morris discovers link between Russian general and Jack's dad. Buchanan tells Jack. Jack calls Sam, Bauer butler, to look for his dad. Liddy monitors call and then calls Jack's brother, Graham/Gray who wishes Jack had been successfully killed last year (some serious sibling rivalry there). Jack shows up at brother's house but not before Graham/Gray makes insecure wimpy man comment to his wife about her former a'mour relationship with Jack. Jack meets nephew, says hi to sister in law, and then almost immediately but behind privacy of office door begins to "persuade" Graham/Gray to tell the truth!
Other news:
Waleed wears a wire and agrees to help FBI discover info on obvious terrorist cell people being held at detention center. Girlfriend/President's sister, Saundra shrieks about it. President Wayne Palmer is still searching for his presidential presence, ie. courage and in meantime, is embunkered below White House. Advisors, generals and admirals all clamor for attention and status with their pet ideas of handling the situation. President Palmer decides to call the "terrorist incident" a nuclear bomb in his speech.
My apologies for anything I left out. I hear my own Jack Bauers running around demolishing bad guys of the world, so blogging time endeth.
I can't wait for next week!
Chicken or Fish?
The boys love to ask questions. Each one of them loves to ask lots of individual questions. Each one of them loves to ask individual questions all day long, at various points throughout the day, usually while I'm trying to think complete thoughts. Hence, I blog complete thoughts--or at least I'm trying.
Back to the questions--because so many questions are asked in the course of my day, to which I always feel compelled to answer them, so desirous I am of being a mom who answered her children with other than "because I said so" (although that phrase does suffice around here as well). Do run-on thoughts count as complete thoughts?
Anyway, the point being that lots of times nonsense questions are asked, and I still try to answer them, not discerning that instead I should be challenging the questioner with a seasoned "think for yourself" type admonition. The transition stage of my older ones to actually piece together the provided information and then make wise decisions, responsible decisions, decisions not requiring a question-answer session of their mom, is a tough one I'm discovering.
Case in point, last night's interchange regarding what's for supper--a favorite question around here:
"What's for supper?"
"We're having fish sticks."
"Fish sticks? Do they have chicken in them?"
See, not only are you blown away with the high intelligence of this home but neither can you overcome your culinary jealousy for the gourmet food served therein.
Maybe there's a connection? I'll get back to you on that.
Back to the questions--because so many questions are asked in the course of my day, to which I always feel compelled to answer them, so desirous I am of being a mom who answered her children with other than "because I said so" (although that phrase does suffice around here as well). Do run-on thoughts count as complete thoughts?
Anyway, the point being that lots of times nonsense questions are asked, and I still try to answer them, not discerning that instead I should be challenging the questioner with a seasoned "think for yourself" type admonition. The transition stage of my older ones to actually piece together the provided information and then make wise decisions, responsible decisions, decisions not requiring a question-answer session of their mom, is a tough one I'm discovering.
Case in point, last night's interchange regarding what's for supper--a favorite question around here:
"What's for supper?"
"We're having fish sticks."
"Fish sticks? Do they have chicken in them?"
See, not only are you blown away with the high intelligence of this home but neither can you overcome your culinary jealousy for the gourmet food served therein.
Maybe there's a connection? I'll get back to you on that.
Monday, January 22, 2007
A helpful resource...
is found right here for bloggers and blogger wannabes. I consider myself squarely in the second category, at least until my 100th post. During my wannabe moments, I click on over to this internet deli to feast on technological delights served with simplese language for those of us struggling to understand what we obviously didn't learn in high school or college computer class.
Boy, I can still remember walking by the "nerdy" computer science lab in college and thinking, "What are they doing in there--all that staring at a tiny little screen? Whatever!" I definitely missed the learning curve on that one.
Therefore, I find myself in considerable catch-up mode to not fall behind these younger, hipper, more technologically savvy blogger moms for whom HTML and its appendages are second skin.
Enter Blogging Basics 101 to dash common fears and mistakes regarding blogging. Even more valuable to me is the straightforward step-by-step instruction for blogging success. I followed their instructions to put this button in. Nothing has exploded yet!
If you haven't looked at their site yet, and you're interested in how to start, continue or excel, visit Shannon and Chilihead for blogging etiquette, instruction and advice. Then people can walk by you at your house and ask, "What is she doing in there--all that staring at a tiny little screen? Whatever!"
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Down at the river...
there were four-wheelers running, little boys playing, a fire burning, parents relaxing, and Saturday was at its best.
Some friends of ours have a sweet place down by the river. We have been invited other times to go with them and just hang out, but the timing always seemed wrong or someone would get sick right before.
Today though, it all worked out for everyone. Our boys played with their boys at bamboo stick fighting, riding the trails, throwing twigs into the fire, swinging in the hammock and burping root beer. The stuff of which boys' dreams are made.
I was completely at peace watching the fun and staying warm by the fire. Peace and quiet all around my outside and all within my insides.
Thanks for a great day, friends.
Some friends of ours have a sweet place down by the river. We have been invited other times to go with them and just hang out, but the timing always seemed wrong or someone would get sick right before.
Today though, it all worked out for everyone. Our boys played with their boys at bamboo stick fighting, riding the trails, throwing twigs into the fire, swinging in the hammock and burping root beer. The stuff of which boys' dreams are made.
I was completely at peace watching the fun and staying warm by the fire. Peace and quiet all around my outside and all within my insides.
Thanks for a great day, friends.
Some mummies have humps...
I discovered this while reading a book on Ancient Egypt to my 5 year old. We were talking about mummies and looking at several pictures of the sarcophagi.
He pointed to one picture and commented, "I think this one might be a girl mummy because she has humps. You know, like you have humps."
How's that for an ego boost--I have "humps" that look like a mummy's.
He pointed to one picture and commented, "I think this one might be a girl mummy because she has humps. You know, like you have humps."
How's that for an ego boost--I have "humps" that look like a mummy's.
Friday, January 19, 2007
I believe that it's a button...
on my blog. All of you veteran bloggers will just have to chuckle quietly, please, over this newbie's astonishment that a piece of HTML actually worked! Hold on for a moment while I simply gaze at it....Okay, I'm back. Unbelievable! I must have been crooking my pinkie toe in just the right way for that to happen.
Anyway, what's the big deal? Well, in trying to navigate the blogosphere and meet some of the other really, really good writers, you learn about these different events like carnivals, tours, and blog parties. These blog events are ways to both meet and greet other like-minded bloggers. I feel like the shy girl at the 7th grade dance hoping that I don't get laughed out of the gymnasium because my hair is frizzy. Partly the reason why I haven't till now joined in on any of the blogging fun. The other reason would be I haven't known, until TODAY, how to post a button on my sidebar. Now things are going to change!
So, the deal with the blog party is to visit 5 Minutes for Mom the week of March 2nd through the 9th and any bloggers who visit should sign the Mr. Linky thing. Non-bloggers can still visit and see what other blogs o'interest are participating.
It's my first party, so hope the punch is good and that they like my hair. Maybe I'll even win a party favor.
Anyway, what's the big deal? Well, in trying to navigate the blogosphere and meet some of the other really, really good writers, you learn about these different events like carnivals, tours, and blog parties. These blog events are ways to both meet and greet other like-minded bloggers. I feel like the shy girl at the 7th grade dance hoping that I don't get laughed out of the gymnasium because my hair is frizzy. Partly the reason why I haven't till now joined in on any of the blogging fun. The other reason would be I haven't known, until TODAY, how to post a button on my sidebar. Now things are going to change!
So, the deal with the blog party is to visit 5 Minutes for Mom the week of March 2nd through the 9th and any bloggers who visit should sign the Mr. Linky thing. Non-bloggers can still visit and see what other blogs o'interest are participating.
It's my first party, so hope the punch is good and that they like my hair. Maybe I'll even win a party favor.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Conquering sheep...
or sheep conquering? Bet in both cases you probably think I mean to go out and knock down some sheep, right? A new version of cow-tipping, maybe? Aren't sheep docile, fluffy, perhaps somewhat slow, but certainly counted among the genteeler of animals? I'm not a sheep farmer, you realize. I'm sure they have their bad habits. Still, I don't really think of sheep as too high up on the food chain--rather more as part of the food chain.
I'm mostly interested in all the Biblical illustrations of people and sheep, believers especially as sheep. The prophets called the people of Israel sheep, 1 Kings 22:17. David called the people of his kingdom sheep, 1 Chronicles 21:17. The Psalmists called people sheep, Psalm 44, 49, 74, 78, 79, 94, 100 and others. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Micah all have references of calling people sheep. Sheep gone astray, sheep to be brought back, sheep that have been lost and so on. The Gospels have several references where Jesus called believers sheep. Are you getting the point? Sheep equals people, and if you check the context of certain passages, sheep equals believers.
I think sheep equals believers is the context in Romans 8:36 when Paul writes, "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." We understand that, if you eat meat, sheep are on the list of slaughtering. So why then in Romans 8:37 does he say, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
Does this mean we are conquering sheep? Imagine, if you would, a whole herd of conquering sheep coming across a green pasture, with victory in their eyes and a battle shout of praise in their bleating......Yes, I'm having a hard time with it too.
But if I'm going to be a sheep in one respect, lost and gone astray and needing a Good Shepherd and hearing His voice and following Him, then this world of trouble that seeks to slaughter me had better watch out--I'm coming a'conquering in the name of the Lord!
That's right--I'm a conquering sheep!
Baaaa!
I'm mostly interested in all the Biblical illustrations of people and sheep, believers especially as sheep. The prophets called the people of Israel sheep, 1 Kings 22:17. David called the people of his kingdom sheep, 1 Chronicles 21:17. The Psalmists called people sheep, Psalm 44, 49, 74, 78, 79, 94, 100 and others. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Micah all have references of calling people sheep. Sheep gone astray, sheep to be brought back, sheep that have been lost and so on. The Gospels have several references where Jesus called believers sheep. Are you getting the point? Sheep equals people, and if you check the context of certain passages, sheep equals believers.
I think sheep equals believers is the context in Romans 8:36 when Paul writes, "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." We understand that, if you eat meat, sheep are on the list of slaughtering. So why then in Romans 8:37 does he say, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
Does this mean we are conquering sheep? Imagine, if you would, a whole herd of conquering sheep coming across a green pasture, with victory in their eyes and a battle shout of praise in their bleating......Yes, I'm having a hard time with it too.
But if I'm going to be a sheep in one respect, lost and gone astray and needing a Good Shepherd and hearing His voice and following Him, then this world of trouble that seeks to slaughter me had better watch out--I'm coming a'conquering in the name of the Lord!
That's right--I'm a conquering sheep!
Baaaa!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Jack is on the list.
Heroes that is. I confess I have a similar fascination with the whole comic book storyline of villains and heroes that NBC has been showing.
This post however, is about WOW! the second night of the 24 premiere!
(Spoilers ahead, please navigate away if you're not interested in or have not yet watched the season premiere. That way, we'll all stay friends!)
I'm much more suitably impressed, than after the first night, seeing that it takes a suitcase nuke to light the fire under Jack's posterity to get him back into action. A man needs motivation, you see! So what's it going to take to get Prez Palmer to actually BE the President?
As regards the Heroes list, Jack has obviously attained cheerleader "heal thyself" status because there is no blood on the back of the tight shirt, and his shoulder bundle of nerves is obviously fully capable of full range motion. Again, the man has a reputation to keep.
For the most part though, the second night was all that I had hoped. Jack back in the saddle of the CTU-mobile telling Chloe, "I need you to do something for me." The whole "wearing comm" thing. I need that type of setup for the house when the future greats are roaming around the yard! The CTUists talking about the probablities of actually having found the terrorist and WMDs. (Is it just me or should they be aware by now that major crises of this sort last approximately 24 hours?)
Anyway, I was saying...Although the night did have its corny moments: the Chloe-Morris-Milo moment, and the fact that a late-20's something wannabe terrorist who has just experienced major blood loss and then scarfed down 12 Percosets is not drooling but still wielding a gun? I mean, really, the writers at 24 have got to work on the whole believability angle, don't you think?
As usual though, the writers have succeeded in hooking many of us into yet another round of world rocking events rivaling Apocalyptic predictions. Stay tuned for what will happen next.
This post however, is about WOW! the second night of the 24 premiere!
(Spoilers ahead, please navigate away if you're not interested in or have not yet watched the season premiere. That way, we'll all stay friends!)
I'm much more suitably impressed, than after the first night, seeing that it takes a suitcase nuke to light the fire under Jack's posterity to get him back into action. A man needs motivation, you see! So what's it going to take to get Prez Palmer to actually BE the President?
As regards the Heroes list, Jack has obviously attained cheerleader "heal thyself" status because there is no blood on the back of the tight shirt, and his shoulder bundle of nerves is obviously fully capable of full range motion. Again, the man has a reputation to keep.
For the most part though, the second night was all that I had hoped. Jack back in the saddle of the CTU-mobile telling Chloe, "I need you to do something for me." The whole "wearing comm" thing. I need that type of setup for the house when the future greats are roaming around the yard! The CTUists talking about the probablities of actually having found the terrorist and WMDs. (Is it just me or should they be aware by now that major crises of this sort last approximately 24 hours?)
Anyway, I was saying...Although the night did have its corny moments: the Chloe-Morris-Milo moment, and the fact that a late-20's something wannabe terrorist who has just experienced major blood loss and then scarfed down 12 Percosets is not drooling but still wielding a gun? I mean, really, the writers at 24 have got to work on the whole believability angle, don't you think?
As usual though, the writers have succeeded in hooking many of us into yet another round of world rocking events rivaling Apocalyptic predictions. Stay tuned for what will happen next.
Monday, January 15, 2007
The new and improved Jack?
All right, I haven't even checked other blog posts around the blogosphere about "24". I imagine that there are hundreds of bloggers posting about this today. If you don't watch "24" I suggest you navigate away because this post will bore you. If you haven't watched the premiere yet, I suggest you navigate away because this post contains spoilers. If you do watch "24", I'll try to add some links later in an update for other posts discussing the premiere. For now, please bear with me in my teeny tiny world of thoughts about last night's premiere.
Honestly, I'm a little bit undecided about it. My anticipation is that the second part tonight will enliven my hopes for this season.
The new Jack is obviously fragile right now, having just stepped off a 14 hour flight back from China where he was submitted to horrific and unimaginable torture of the worst kind--judging from the scars on his back and the burns on his right hand. Who wouldn't be? The writers earned their salt at the first twist, by having Jack return without knowing hardly anything of the past two years. This was where some significant gaps, unanswered questions, bothered me. In my writing world, I had pictured Jack returning triumphantly to take back America. Instead, he returns broken and not sure if he wants to do this anymore. His line about "dying for something instead of dying for nothing" was then picked up and used throughout the night by every other character.
Paraphrase: "Our plan has to work or Jack died for nothing." "You have to shoot him to pieces so that Jack died for something." "This was our only chance to help Jack die for something instead of nothing."
Moreover, Sutherland's depiction of Jack's emotional trauma seemed a little bit ambivalent, as well. Is Jack happy to be dying for something instead of nothing even though dying for something means more torture and ineffective CTU intelligence that has targeted the wrong terrorist?
"Okay, I haven't spoken in two years--they throw me on a plane--I'm here to be chained to a grate as the sacrificial imperialist American pig for President Palmer, but not the President Palmer I knew and laid down my life for, over and over and over--oh yeah, and this Fayed is really behind the attacks--superpowers return, please--I think?"
It's okay, Jack, I was a little confused with you as well. Hang in there, buddy. I'm sure you'll get your terrorist-stomping feet back under you in no time. You have a reputation to consider.
I also had a problem with the Ahmed storyline. That actor is easily in his late 20's and trying to pass for a 14 year old, from the looks of his friend "please wear my good luck charm necklace" guy? Why can't terrorists use adults for these critical "do you have the package?" mission jobs of world supremacy and domination? It seemed to definitely be a do-over rendition from day 4. At least that was a whole family affair of terrorists.
Lest you think this whole post is a whine about the premiere. Things I liked included Jack's McGyverian resources of escape, sabotage and terrorist-dispatching. I loved seeing Chloe's petulance on behalf of Jack, and her soft side with Morris reminded me of Tony and Michelle--great storyline. I love the Karen-Bill relationship. And seeing Jack work with a known terrorist to stop a worse known terrorist is very clever writing. The imaginable twists and turns of that co-patriotism are fascinating speculation. I'm sure perfectly planned by the writers.
I'm curious to see who the "moles" will be in the White House and CTU. You gotta have a mole. And I'm interested to see what will be the switch that throws Jack back into full throttled Jack-mode. Let it not be the return of Kim is in trouble.
At this point, my husband says, "It's. A. Television. Show."
Ha! He knows nothing. This is reallllll stuff. The known world is in danger of being blown to pieces, bit by bit by a miscreant terrorist. We need Jack--the full Jack--back to take names and ask governmental pardon later.
I'm hopeless. I'll be watching tonight for more of "Jack's back!"
Honestly, I'm a little bit undecided about it. My anticipation is that the second part tonight will enliven my hopes for this season.
The new Jack is obviously fragile right now, having just stepped off a 14 hour flight back from China where he was submitted to horrific and unimaginable torture of the worst kind--judging from the scars on his back and the burns on his right hand. Who wouldn't be? The writers earned their salt at the first twist, by having Jack return without knowing hardly anything of the past two years. This was where some significant gaps, unanswered questions, bothered me. In my writing world, I had pictured Jack returning triumphantly to take back America. Instead, he returns broken and not sure if he wants to do this anymore. His line about "dying for something instead of dying for nothing" was then picked up and used throughout the night by every other character.
Paraphrase: "Our plan has to work or Jack died for nothing." "You have to shoot him to pieces so that Jack died for something." "This was our only chance to help Jack die for something instead of nothing."
Moreover, Sutherland's depiction of Jack's emotional trauma seemed a little bit ambivalent, as well. Is Jack happy to be dying for something instead of nothing even though dying for something means more torture and ineffective CTU intelligence that has targeted the wrong terrorist?
"Okay, I haven't spoken in two years--they throw me on a plane--I'm here to be chained to a grate as the sacrificial imperialist American pig for President Palmer, but not the President Palmer I knew and laid down my life for, over and over and over--oh yeah, and this Fayed is really behind the attacks--superpowers return, please--I think?"
It's okay, Jack, I was a little confused with you as well. Hang in there, buddy. I'm sure you'll get your terrorist-stomping feet back under you in no time. You have a reputation to consider.
I also had a problem with the Ahmed storyline. That actor is easily in his late 20's and trying to pass for a 14 year old, from the looks of his friend "please wear my good luck charm necklace" guy? Why can't terrorists use adults for these critical "do you have the package?" mission jobs of world supremacy and domination? It seemed to definitely be a do-over rendition from day 4. At least that was a whole family affair of terrorists.
Lest you think this whole post is a whine about the premiere. Things I liked included Jack's McGyverian resources of escape, sabotage and terrorist-dispatching. I loved seeing Chloe's petulance on behalf of Jack, and her soft side with Morris reminded me of Tony and Michelle--great storyline. I love the Karen-Bill relationship. And seeing Jack work with a known terrorist to stop a worse known terrorist is very clever writing. The imaginable twists and turns of that co-patriotism are fascinating speculation. I'm sure perfectly planned by the writers.
I'm curious to see who the "moles" will be in the White House and CTU. You gotta have a mole. And I'm interested to see what will be the switch that throws Jack back into full throttled Jack-mode. Let it not be the return of Kim is in trouble.
At this point, my husband says, "It's. A. Television. Show."
Ha! He knows nothing. This is reallllll stuff. The known world is in danger of being blown to pieces, bit by bit by a miscreant terrorist. We need Jack--the full Jack--back to take names and ask governmental pardon later.
I'm hopeless. I'll be watching tonight for more of "Jack's back!"
Friday, January 12, 2007
Answering nosy questions...
because we feel the need to explain ourselves is what Jules over at Everyday Mommy wrote about a few days ago. Jules has one son, LoveBug, and apparently runs into strangers who feeling the love, feel the need to delve into her reproductive plans. She posted that two frequent questions she receives are "Is he your only one?" and "Will you be having another one?"
I wish my suggestions for snappy repartee to use could have been more clever because this is a situation common to my own experience. (Jules, I blame the 3 day tension headache. I'll try harder next time.)
I have three wonderful sons. Whom all look nothing alike to one another. Two do not even look alike to me at all. Because two were adopted. The two whom were adopted are only 7 1/2 months apart in age. Can you even imagine the questions I received?
Actually, it became great fun to hear the inquiring minds whom had to know just what was going on in my boudoir--or so they thought.
When future great one was 3 years old and future great two was 2 1/2 years old, I was pregnantly large with future great three. It was voting day, and the polls were wo-manned by several grandmotherly Daughters of the Revolution types.
Enter waddling and wrestling two wrestling with each other toddlers:
DAR: "My goodness, you do have your hands full."
Me: "Yes, thank you. Here is my ID."
DAR: "Are these both yours?"
Me: "Yes, they're both mine. (Boys running circles around my heels) Do I need to sign here?"
DAR: "There on the left, sweetie. Well, they seem very close in age. *Pause* Are they very close in age?"
Me: "Yes, they're only 7 1/2 months apart actually."
*Stunned silence as normal human gestation and the math necessary to figure that one out are occurring*
DAR: "Oh...one of them must have been born early?"
Me: "Yes, Ma'am. The first one was born 2 1/2 months early."
*More stunned silence because the mathematical facts of the first one being born early still doesn't make sense*
DAR: "And you're pregnant--again?"
Me: "Yes, Ma'am, I am. Can I vote over there now?"
And so that conversation was repeated more than once for six months of my pregnancy, because I show quickly! When my mother-in-law chastised me for not telling the whole story, I told her that if I was asked the question by someone who genuinely wanted to hear the whole thing and not just sniff my business, that I'd certainly tell the details. Otherwise, I was just trying to survive pregnancy with toddlers 7 1/2 months apart!
My husband said, "Wait till you tell them that each one has a different genetic father!"
Hoo boy! I didn't have the nerve for that! but I do now.
I wish my suggestions for snappy repartee to use could have been more clever because this is a situation common to my own experience. (Jules, I blame the 3 day tension headache. I'll try harder next time.)
I have three wonderful sons. Whom all look nothing alike to one another. Two do not even look alike to me at all. Because two were adopted. The two whom were adopted are only 7 1/2 months apart in age. Can you even imagine the questions I received?
Actually, it became great fun to hear the inquiring minds whom had to know just what was going on in my boudoir--or so they thought.
When future great one was 3 years old and future great two was 2 1/2 years old, I was pregnantly large with future great three. It was voting day, and the polls were wo-manned by several grandmotherly Daughters of the Revolution types.
Enter waddling and wrestling two wrestling with each other toddlers:
DAR: "My goodness, you do have your hands full."
Me: "Yes, thank you. Here is my ID."
DAR: "Are these both yours?"
Me: "Yes, they're both mine. (Boys running circles around my heels) Do I need to sign here?"
DAR: "There on the left, sweetie. Well, they seem very close in age. *Pause* Are they very close in age?"
Me: "Yes, they're only 7 1/2 months apart actually."
*Stunned silence as normal human gestation and the math necessary to figure that one out are occurring*
DAR: "Oh...one of them must have been born early?"
Me: "Yes, Ma'am. The first one was born 2 1/2 months early."
*More stunned silence because the mathematical facts of the first one being born early still doesn't make sense*
DAR: "And you're pregnant--again?"
Me: "Yes, Ma'am, I am. Can I vote over there now?"
And so that conversation was repeated more than once for six months of my pregnancy, because I show quickly! When my mother-in-law chastised me for not telling the whole story, I told her that if I was asked the question by someone who genuinely wanted to hear the whole thing and not just sniff my business, that I'd certainly tell the details. Otherwise, I was just trying to survive pregnancy with toddlers 7 1/2 months apart!
My husband said, "Wait till you tell them that each one has a different genetic father!"
Hoo boy! I didn't have the nerve for that! but I do now.
To be hop, I mean hip...
I actually have no idea how to be hip. Unless of course I'm holding a baby, and then I want to be able to hold one on my hip. It's such a relief when they reach that stage. Your productivity for all that can be accomplished with the free hand and the baby-on-hip-holding hand is amazing. Toothbrushing, talking on the phone, and applying mascara while keeping said baby on hip is a multi-task feat of my past.
But this post isn't about holding babies on hips. My babies are way past the holding on my hips stage. Unless of course, I needed a hernia--or hip dislocation. Just yesterday at the doctor's office to get a script for his sinus infection, my oldest weighed in at 69 1/2 pounds. I knew that food was going somewhere. We don't have a dog anymore.
Still, this post isn't about where the food goes. Unless of course you've been through the blogosphere lately and seen that every blogger worth her weight, or actually trying to be not worth her weight, except in a character quality way, has posted on healthy eating or healthy recipes or moving to keep healthy. I'm eating M&M's in rebellion.
And maybe that's where this post is going. I'm into rebellion. For a non-hop, I mean, non-hip mom like myself, rebellion has to take its forms in what it can. Low rise jeans are out. Skinny black Gap jeans are out. Tattoos and body piercings beyond the one hole per ear that I currently have are out. So all that is apparently left is the chance for me to win the Crazy Hip Blog Mama contest for the Pink Nintendo DS Lite. I'm so non-hip that I don't really know that I'd be able to play the thing.
What intrigues me, is that the Brain Age game that comes with it, promises to lower the age of your brain...wait a minute, that sounds funny. I mean, what if I end up playing it so well that this 30 something mom ends up with the brain of a 12 year old. I'd be just slightly older than the future greats I'm constantly trying to outwit. Unless of course, it worked me back into my twenties, when I seemed to have many more complete thoughts.
Oy vey, the cost of trying to be hop, I mean, hip!
But this post isn't about holding babies on hips. My babies are way past the holding on my hips stage. Unless of course, I needed a hernia--or hip dislocation. Just yesterday at the doctor's office to get a script for his sinus infection, my oldest weighed in at 69 1/2 pounds. I knew that food was going somewhere. We don't have a dog anymore.
Still, this post isn't about where the food goes. Unless of course you've been through the blogosphere lately and seen that every blogger worth her weight, or actually trying to be not worth her weight, except in a character quality way, has posted on healthy eating or healthy recipes or moving to keep healthy. I'm eating M&M's in rebellion.
And maybe that's where this post is going. I'm into rebellion. For a non-hop, I mean, non-hip mom like myself, rebellion has to take its forms in what it can. Low rise jeans are out. Skinny black Gap jeans are out. Tattoos and body piercings beyond the one hole per ear that I currently have are out. So all that is apparently left is the chance for me to win the Crazy Hip Blog Mama contest for the Pink Nintendo DS Lite. I'm so non-hip that I don't really know that I'd be able to play the thing.
What intrigues me, is that the Brain Age game that comes with it, promises to lower the age of your brain...wait a minute, that sounds funny. I mean, what if I end up playing it so well that this 30 something mom ends up with the brain of a 12 year old. I'd be just slightly older than the future greats I'm constantly trying to outwit. Unless of course, it worked me back into my twenties, when I seemed to have many more complete thoughts.
Oy vey, the cost of trying to be hop, I mean, hip!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Weakness of the flesh
This morning I had to give a lecture on a passage of the Bible. I prepared for it, studied the material, utilized the resources, and exercised diligence with faith.
But this morning, my head was a'poundin' and my stomach was a'torn up with less than favorable effects, and I just felt tired. I even grumbled to my husband this morning that I expect to feel tired when I stay up too late, but last night I purposefully went to bed early so I'd be fresh and ready. More like I was freshmeat being pounded by a tension headache and adrift on a sea of unfriendly stomach waves.
I love public speaking. And I've always been a talker--ask my mom. My first words comprised paragraphs. My parents pegged me to be an attorney. I was so eager to argue, even before my teen years, and therefore, always in an opening and closing argument.
So if the work was put into the first part, and the desire has always been there in the second part, why does this weak flesh quiver and tremble before the task?
Simply because the task is always bigger than me. I know that even my greatest diligence could be better. My depth of study could be deeper. And my faith should be greater.
Which is why I pray privately, just before I must speak. In those few moments, whether alone or with a friend, I ask God to do in me all that I cannot do by any strength or action of my weak flesh. And grace abiding, He does. Not because of me, but because His Word is important to Him.
Why the Lord chooses to use weak flesh that aches and trembles and quakes and quivers and constantly fails, I don't know. But whether I'm on the giving or receiving end of His work, I'm so very grateful that He does.
But this morning, my head was a'poundin' and my stomach was a'torn up with less than favorable effects, and I just felt tired. I even grumbled to my husband this morning that I expect to feel tired when I stay up too late, but last night I purposefully went to bed early so I'd be fresh and ready. More like I was freshmeat being pounded by a tension headache and adrift on a sea of unfriendly stomach waves.
I love public speaking. And I've always been a talker--ask my mom. My first words comprised paragraphs. My parents pegged me to be an attorney. I was so eager to argue, even before my teen years, and therefore, always in an opening and closing argument.
So if the work was put into the first part, and the desire has always been there in the second part, why does this weak flesh quiver and tremble before the task?
Simply because the task is always bigger than me. I know that even my greatest diligence could be better. My depth of study could be deeper. And my faith should be greater.
Which is why I pray privately, just before I must speak. In those few moments, whether alone or with a friend, I ask God to do in me all that I cannot do by any strength or action of my weak flesh. And grace abiding, He does. Not because of me, but because His Word is important to Him.
Why the Lord chooses to use weak flesh that aches and trembles and quakes and quivers and constantly fails, I don't know. But whether I'm on the giving or receiving end of His work, I'm so very grateful that He does.
Psalm 22:26 "The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him will praise the Lord. Let your heart live forever!"
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
I'm caught up with laundry until...
right about now because the future greats all just came in gloriously dirty from building mud huts. Whoopee! And unfortunately it's too cold right now for me to strip them of those clothes and have them only in nature's barest attire just to get completely caught up. Sigh! The neverending cycle of laundry.
But otherwise, every piece of clothing has been washed and dried and is neatly--okay, not so neatly, but at least it's in the baskets, people. The next step of making it into the drawers and closets is a work in progress.
Since returning to regularly scheduled programming of Bible study and officially off of holiday break, I'm becoming ever more aware of the many works in progress that God so graciously continues in me.
I realized last night in some pondering, with consternation, that I didn't accomplish all of my holiday goals, including concentrated time in prayer and reading. By His grace, I did accomplish several goals, but there is always more to do. It's the laundry again. I'm washed and dried, but in some spots still lying ever so not neatly in the basket. A bit rumpled and wrinkled and waiting to be placed in my proper home.
Anticipating future glory, complete adoption as His daughter, the fulfillment of this body's redemption, the absence of sin--as a believer, all part of the hope in which I was saved. While the completion takes time, the completion certainly occurs.
Psalm 111:7-8 "The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy,
They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness."
But otherwise, every piece of clothing has been washed and dried and is neatly--okay, not so neatly, but at least it's in the baskets, people. The next step of making it into the drawers and closets is a work in progress.
Since returning to regularly scheduled programming of Bible study and officially off of holiday break, I'm becoming ever more aware of the many works in progress that God so graciously continues in me.
I realized last night in some pondering, with consternation, that I didn't accomplish all of my holiday goals, including concentrated time in prayer and reading. By His grace, I did accomplish several goals, but there is always more to do. It's the laundry again. I'm washed and dried, but in some spots still lying ever so not neatly in the basket. A bit rumpled and wrinkled and waiting to be placed in my proper home.
Anticipating future glory, complete adoption as His daughter, the fulfillment of this body's redemption, the absence of sin--as a believer, all part of the hope in which I was saved. While the completion takes time, the completion certainly occurs.
Psalm 111:7-8 "The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy,
They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness."
Saturday, January 06, 2007
I blame it on not having Diet Coke....
at lunch that resulted in the 2 1/2 hour, pillow-wet-from-drooling, nap that I took today. But boy howdy, did it feel nice. It was that napping "drugged" sleep that only needed a gentle rainfall outside to make it perfectly complete.
But it wasn't raining outside--it was a balmy 70 degrees. And I could hear the children playing outside, the neighbor girls singing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" at the top of their lungs, and the purr of the cats also napping with me.
Yes, that's the sleep that I've been needing since Wednesday.
Of course, I'll be up til 2 a.m. tonight.
That's okay. It was a great nap.
But it wasn't raining outside--it was a balmy 70 degrees. And I could hear the children playing outside, the neighbor girls singing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" at the top of their lungs, and the purr of the cats also napping with me.
Yes, that's the sleep that I've been needing since Wednesday.
Of course, I'll be up til 2 a.m. tonight.
That's okay. It was a great nap.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
51st post
I noticed on the blogger dashboard that I've written 50 posts. I don't know whether to be astonished that I've written that much or confused that I can't even remember what I wrote. Oh well, the point is to have and write down complete thoughts. The point is to have and write down...what was I saying? You get the picture. Some days will be better than others.
The school that the future greats were at started back today. However, we've been homeschooling-lite (short days) for two days last week and since yesterday of this week. The flexibility of scheduling is encouraging for them, and me, because they like having schoolwork interspersed with life activities.
For example, the other day they were a bit bored with regular play and they followed me into the schoolroom where I was working on lesson plans. I asked my oldest to choose a picture from our history books to sketch, and the second to work on some Logic Links games. My youngest practiced his handwriting. All three were at work on bonafide "learning" activities. After about 30 minutes they were ready to go on to the next thing, but for that 30 minutes, it was like I had put shredded broccoli into the spaghetti sauce. They were learning AND having fun.
I've started another blog at homeschoolblogger.com. I thought it would be good to have a place to write only about homeschooling. I'll use this site for life in general posts and those, whaddya call them....oh yeah, complete thoughts. You can link to it from the sidebar. Veneror Vigiloque is the name. It's from our family crest and means Reverence and Vigilance Also. Two other things about which to have complete thoughts. But those will have to wait for other posts--maybe somewhere in the 50's.
The school that the future greats were at started back today. However, we've been homeschooling-lite (short days) for two days last week and since yesterday of this week. The flexibility of scheduling is encouraging for them, and me, because they like having schoolwork interspersed with life activities.
For example, the other day they were a bit bored with regular play and they followed me into the schoolroom where I was working on lesson plans. I asked my oldest to choose a picture from our history books to sketch, and the second to work on some Logic Links games. My youngest practiced his handwriting. All three were at work on bonafide "learning" activities. After about 30 minutes they were ready to go on to the next thing, but for that 30 minutes, it was like I had put shredded broccoli into the spaghetti sauce. They were learning AND having fun.
I've started another blog at homeschoolblogger.com. I thought it would be good to have a place to write only about homeschooling. I'll use this site for life in general posts and those, whaddya call them....oh yeah, complete thoughts. You can link to it from the sidebar. Veneror Vigiloque is the name. It's from our family crest and means Reverence and Vigilance Also. Two other things about which to have complete thoughts. But those will have to wait for other posts--maybe somewhere in the 50's.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Quickly, there's a fire....
about to start in my hardly-used-because-we-live-in-the-middle-of-Georgia (but above the gnat line, people) which-is-currently-experiencing-an-unusual-and-unseasonably-warm- January fireplace. Tonight it's going to be *freezing* so we thought we'd light a fire and pretend it's winter.
We are not gas logs people. Neither are we gas grill people. My husband is all about the power of the match or lighter fluid or charcoal or whatever combustible materials he can combust. I love his comments when we're watching Survivor and some marketing executive/waitress/yoga teacher is trying to light the fire with the old flint and coconut hair, "You're supposed to strike it with some meaning, man!" "No, don't blow that way, you're going to put out the whole thing." And on and on. Seriously though, if I am ever on a deserted island, I'm going to pray he's with me because I'd be assured that whatever varmints were caught would be safely cooked to proper temperature over a fire!
The boys are hurrying to get showered and into pajamas so that they can watch the whole event. It is quite exciting.
Other notes flitting randomly through my head:
*Use the dishwasher liberally. Fill it up with everything possible and get out of the kitchen.
*Everybody's posting about their new year's diet. In rebellion I ate some M&Ms before I posted. I know I mentioned in my list for 2007 about walking on the treadmill, but that's not to lose weight. It's so that the weight I'm maintaining doesn't jiggle as much.
*I think Eddie Bauer has Ann Taylor"ed" their sizes because I now wear a smaller size in their clothes than usual.
*It was a good day.
*Muchas gracias to the friend who invited the boys for a playdate today. They're still talking about the fun they had.
Gotta run, the fire is starting!
We are not gas logs people. Neither are we gas grill people. My husband is all about the power of the match or lighter fluid or charcoal or whatever combustible materials he can combust. I love his comments when we're watching Survivor and some marketing executive/waitress/yoga teacher is trying to light the fire with the old flint and coconut hair, "You're supposed to strike it with some meaning, man!" "No, don't blow that way, you're going to put out the whole thing." And on and on. Seriously though, if I am ever on a deserted island, I'm going to pray he's with me because I'd be assured that whatever varmints were caught would be safely cooked to proper temperature over a fire!
The boys are hurrying to get showered and into pajamas so that they can watch the whole event. It is quite exciting.
Other notes flitting randomly through my head:
*Use the dishwasher liberally. Fill it up with everything possible and get out of the kitchen.
*Everybody's posting about their new year's diet. In rebellion I ate some M&Ms before I posted. I know I mentioned in my list for 2007 about walking on the treadmill, but that's not to lose weight. It's so that the weight I'm maintaining doesn't jiggle as much.
*I think Eddie Bauer has Ann Taylor"ed" their sizes because I now wear a smaller size in their clothes than usual.
*It was a good day.
*Muchas gracias to the friend who invited the boys for a playdate today. They're still talking about the fun they had.
Gotta run, the fire is starting!
Monday, January 01, 2007
Since I'm still on the whole new year's kick...
I've been thinking about 10 things that I'd like to do this year. Here they are in no particular order, other than randomness.
1) Read the Mitford series of books
2) Take up knitting again
3) Learn how to use the digital camera so I can upload pics to this blog (I realize that I may be the last mommy blogger in the known world who cannot currently do this--patience, dear friends)
4) Take a weekend trip with the great man and no future greats--somewhere in the mountains (gee, I hope he reads this!)
5) Return to a 3 times a week treadmill routine
6) Return to baking homemade bread (which makes #5 all the more important to do!)
7) Take a weekend trip with some girlfriends that involves lots of giggling & lots of chocolate, and a little bit of shopping, dependent on the ole' checking account thingy
8) Learn how to crochet (after I've finished a few knitting projects)
9) Institute monthly "dates" with my future greats so that their training for how to treat a lady begins with special time with mom
10) Be consistent with blogging so that my writing improves and complete thoughts continue
While I haven't finished framing my particular spiritual goals, I do have some ideas:
1) To press on with better Scripture memory
2) To be diligent in my study and teaching
3) To read more of the classics on theology (still working on that list!)
The upside to goals is having a target at which to aim. The downside is fighting discouragement when the target is not hit. Sanctification occurs somewhere in between the two.
Philippians 3:12 "Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus."
1) Read the Mitford series of books
2) Take up knitting again
3) Learn how to use the digital camera so I can upload pics to this blog (I realize that I may be the last mommy blogger in the known world who cannot currently do this--patience, dear friends)
4) Take a weekend trip with the great man and no future greats--somewhere in the mountains (gee, I hope he reads this!)
5) Return to a 3 times a week treadmill routine
6) Return to baking homemade bread (which makes #5 all the more important to do!)
7) Take a weekend trip with some girlfriends that involves lots of giggling & lots of chocolate, and a little bit of shopping, dependent on the ole' checking account thingy
8) Learn how to crochet (after I've finished a few knitting projects)
9) Institute monthly "dates" with my future greats so that their training for how to treat a lady begins with special time with mom
10) Be consistent with blogging so that my writing improves and complete thoughts continue
While I haven't finished framing my particular spiritual goals, I do have some ideas:
1) To press on with better Scripture memory
2) To be diligent in my study and teaching
3) To read more of the classics on theology (still working on that list!)
The upside to goals is having a target at which to aim. The downside is fighting discouragement when the target is not hit. Sanctification occurs somewhere in between the two.
Philippians 3:12 "Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus."
Happy 2007!
New Year's Eve at this house last night was just plain....ordinary. Our initial plans had included having friends over to play double canasta and eat yummy snacks until the midnight tolled but 2 out of 3 future greats are sniffling, snorting, and coughing up their lungs. So we cancelled what would have otherwise been an *exciting* time!
Instead, the great man was downstairs in the basement *cleaning* or as he candidly admitted was probably just moving stuff around. I lounged on the red couch to the tune of some football games and then spent 1 1/2 hours in front of the computer taking an HTML tutorial, found at http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp. When I reached the sections on HTML code for colors, my eyes (and brain) lost all focus.
But wouldn't you know that 2007 still arrived. There's just no stopping of time. Unless you're in line at WalMart on New Year's Day buying your family's lunch at 1:28 p.m.
This morning was lazy--breakfast at 10, lunch at 2, who knows when supper will happen. There are no plans for any traditional New Year's Day lunch. And I'm perfectly all right with that. While I don't buy in to the whole black eyed peas tale, I do keep hearing my mom's voice, "Whatever you do the first day of the year, you do the rest of the year."
Well, I genuinely hope so. It has been relaxing and easygoing. If our family accomplished any goals from last year, it was to take stock of the rat race and opt out on a couple of things. There is still much to be done in decluttering, de-rushing, and de-stressing, but just being able to write January 1, 2007 on the first check of a new checkbook, made me feel all fresh inside.
Here's to a new year!
Instead, the great man was downstairs in the basement *cleaning* or as he candidly admitted was probably just moving stuff around. I lounged on the red couch to the tune of some football games and then spent 1 1/2 hours in front of the computer taking an HTML tutorial, found at http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp. When I reached the sections on HTML code for colors, my eyes (and brain) lost all focus.
But wouldn't you know that 2007 still arrived. There's just no stopping of time. Unless you're in line at WalMart on New Year's Day buying your family's lunch at 1:28 p.m.
This morning was lazy--breakfast at 10, lunch at 2, who knows when supper will happen. There are no plans for any traditional New Year's Day lunch. And I'm perfectly all right with that. While I don't buy in to the whole black eyed peas tale, I do keep hearing my mom's voice, "Whatever you do the first day of the year, you do the rest of the year."
Well, I genuinely hope so. It has been relaxing and easygoing. If our family accomplished any goals from last year, it was to take stock of the rat race and opt out on a couple of things. There is still much to be done in decluttering, de-rushing, and de-stressing, but just being able to write January 1, 2007 on the first check of a new checkbook, made me feel all fresh inside.
Here's to a new year!
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