Our Daily Bread
Folks who attend church, do stuff for others, and give unselfishly can fall into a dangerous trap -- self-righteousness. We feel our good works make us deserving of attention from God and that our sins don't really count. Sound familiar? I know I think that way sometimes! DOH hehehe
The devotional today reminds us of a humbling thought. None of us is righteous, not one. Our righteousness exists only in the power of Christ's sacrifice to wash away our sins. In response to the greatest gift ever given to this earth, we are to honor God with all of our heart, love others as ourselves and walk humbly with our God. It is our honor to do so.
Lord, thank you for the greatest gift of all -- you Son.
Movie Monday
I went to the movie theater this weekend! Woohoooo! I hadn't been in several weeks for one reason or another. I went to see I am number four and Drive Angry.
I am number four
This is a sci-fi film about a group of special aliens that were brought to earth to protect it from the evil aliens that destroyed their planet. The evil aliens were out to kill the nine good aliens and had succeeded in killing the first three. The main character is number four. I thought the story and action were good. The special effects were pretty cool. The acting was so so. It was a great no-brainer movie for a Saturday afternoon. I give it 2 bear paws.
Drive Angry
Don't we all drive this way too much? hehehe Nicholas Cage plays a man who escaped Hell to save his granddaughter from an evil cult leader. There was a lot of shoot-em-up action. One weird scene had Cage's character killing 10 men while having sex with a waitress. Very interesting scene. The Accountant character was interesting as well. I give this 2 bear paws as well. There were some very cool classic muscle cars in the movie as well. You gotta like that.
Other Stuff
My eye is improving each day now. I will continue to take it easy as best as I can.
I had an incredible experience last night. While I was praying about a situation in my life, I begged God for a sign or for the faith to trust him more. About 20 minutes later I received a sign. Wow! Thank you, Lord! I have some follow up work to do tonight regarding the situation. God does work. Have faith.
I have a busy week. Starting a new small group class tonight at church. Need to do laundry and cleaning on ?Tuesday. I have my last D2 class on Wednesday. I have dinner plans with my hero on Thursday. Not sure what will happen this weekend. Don't have anything planned so far.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
A different approach to praise
Our Daily Bread
A close friend of mine and I have a common problem -- we are uncomfortable in receiving a compliment! I am much better about it now than when I was younger, but I still get embarrassed when someone compliments me. The "ah, shucks" and red face no longer appear! hehehe
The devotional this morning talked about a lady that was an inspiration to me when I was in my teens and early 20s. Her name is Corrie ten Boom. Take a look at her books some time. I had never heard about her practice of offering God a bouquet of praise until I read bout it this morning. How cool is that! In short, whenever Corrie received a compliment, she offered it up to God in praise. We haven nothing to offer others unless we receive it from God. In never thought about it this way. Sounds like I have a new way to praise God!
Lord, I want to lift up any compliments I receive to you in praise. Thank you for giving me the strength to be a blessing to others.
Psalm Sunday
This week we look at Psalm 3. I have to admit that I can't always relate to the Psalms. As far as I know, I don't have many "foes". I don't really have many that rise up against me. THEN, I thought about how intense my feelings are when things don't work out the way I want or a friend lies to me or some health issue arises. NOW, I understand a little more how overwhelmed that David was at times. The coolest thing about the Psalms, and this one is no exception, is how the write always turned back to God as his strength and shield. While I do pray for God to deliver me, I really don't pray for the breaking of teeth. That just ain't right! :-)
Psalm 3
A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
1 LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”[b]
3 But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
6 I will not fear though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.
7 Arise, LORD!
Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
8 From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.
Other Stuff
My left eye is making progress this weekend. I can focus a little better today. It is still itching so that is telling me the healing process is well under way. I am thankful.
I had a full day yesterday even though I didn't mean to. I ran some errands. Saw two movies. Had dinner with fly bear. Talked to Bubby on the phone. Worked on my D2 reading. Today I am going to church, staying for the church dinner, going to grocery, making my traditional Irish salad, and then attending my dinner group this evening. This is a good thing!
God works in mysterious ways. Very mysterious. "I have no frickin clue" mysterious ways. hehehe I will see what He has in mind for me next.
Hang in there, my friends. I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
A close friend of mine and I have a common problem -- we are uncomfortable in receiving a compliment! I am much better about it now than when I was younger, but I still get embarrassed when someone compliments me. The "ah, shucks" and red face no longer appear! hehehe
The devotional this morning talked about a lady that was an inspiration to me when I was in my teens and early 20s. Her name is Corrie ten Boom. Take a look at her books some time. I had never heard about her practice of offering God a bouquet of praise until I read bout it this morning. How cool is that! In short, whenever Corrie received a compliment, she offered it up to God in praise. We haven nothing to offer others unless we receive it from God. In never thought about it this way. Sounds like I have a new way to praise God!
Lord, I want to lift up any compliments I receive to you in praise. Thank you for giving me the strength to be a blessing to others.
Psalm Sunday
This week we look at Psalm 3. I have to admit that I can't always relate to the Psalms. As far as I know, I don't have many "foes". I don't really have many that rise up against me. THEN, I thought about how intense my feelings are when things don't work out the way I want or a friend lies to me or some health issue arises. NOW, I understand a little more how overwhelmed that David was at times. The coolest thing about the Psalms, and this one is no exception, is how the write always turned back to God as his strength and shield. While I do pray for God to deliver me, I really don't pray for the breaking of teeth. That just ain't right! :-)
Psalm 3
A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
1 LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”[b]
3 But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
6 I will not fear though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.
7 Arise, LORD!
Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
8 From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.
Other Stuff
My left eye is making progress this weekend. I can focus a little better today. It is still itching so that is telling me the healing process is well under way. I am thankful.
I had a full day yesterday even though I didn't mean to. I ran some errands. Saw two movies. Had dinner with fly bear. Talked to Bubby on the phone. Worked on my D2 reading. Today I am going to church, staying for the church dinner, going to grocery, making my traditional Irish salad, and then attending my dinner group this evening. This is a good thing!
God works in mysterious ways. Very mysterious. "I have no frickin clue" mysterious ways. hehehe I will see what He has in mind for me next.
Hang in there, my friends. I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Hopeless? I don't think so...
Our Daily Bread
Hopeless? Downhearted? Sad? I learned something important this week. I guess you can teach an old bear new tricks! hehehe I am a little embarrassed to write this because most of you may have known this for many years! Here it goes...
I think human nature (and my nature) is to focus on the one or two things in your life that aren't going the way you want causing you to feel depressed or hopeless or sad. This week I learned to accept the things that aren't going the way I want and then focus on the blessings in my life that could not be replaced. So what that a romantic relationship doesn't go the way you want? I had a friend text me last night with one of the coolest messages I could ever get from a close friend. Those kinds of blessings FAR outweigh some minor bumps in the road like not dating the person you want to be with.
Like the devotional says, God can and will provide for our needs beyond our wildest dreams if we trust him and have faith. An example is another close friend that I love dearly. His first LTR (long term relationship) did not work out. He got frustrated that he didn't meet someone for a few years. After meeting his current partner and falling in love, he said he could not even imagine something better. Wow! I want that too!
So what are you hopeless, downhearted or sad about now? Romance? Job or lack of job? Living situation? Whatever it is. Count your blessings. Be grateful for them. Trust God for hope. Trust God to know your needs. Trust God and DON'T try to make things happen on your own (that is what I do!).
Lord, thank you so much for the many blessings I have in my life and for a heart that can hold love. I will trust you and not focus on the things I don't have.
Simply Saturday
My left eye is doing better today. I think the changes are so small that it is hard for me to tell. I felt a lot of itching yesterday as it was healing more and more. The stitches felt like eye lashes in my eye and I couldn't take them out! That is a very good sign. I will rest this weekend. I will take it easy.
Life is so funny. I feel like a loaf of leavened bread sometimes. hehehe There is an analogy for you! I don't know where that came from! God has been kneading me and kneading me (and we all know I am needy at times... pun intended...) to thoroughly mix all the things together he has been teaching me. In my analogy, the yeast is the Holy Spirit. God is putting the Spirit in my life more and more each day so it can grow depth in my personality and help me "rise" above the things that constrain me -- much like bread can rise above the constraints of the bread pan before baking. What is the end product? I know I will be a new creation some day in heaven. What will the end product be on earth? I will return to an analogy I feel more comfortable with -- I don't know where the road is leading me. No frickin' clue. What does it matter as long as God is leading?
So am I just supposed to lay around in a warm place with a kitchen towel draped over me until I finish rising? That is how my Grandmother used to make bread! Yes and no. In my bread analogy, the "warm place" is a church where I can feel a part and be nurtured. The kitchen towel is the word of God as it covers me in knowledge and protects my mind from other forces in the world. It protects my mind by giving me pure things to think about instead of the crap the world is throwing at us every second.
What happens next? The bread is put into the oven and baked for the appropriate amount of time. All the work, all the protection, all the chemical reactions of the yeast result in a fully baked load of bread that is pleasing to the eye. Have you ever had a half baked loaf of bread? EEEWwwwwwww! hehehe
After baking, the last important thing happens for my loaf of life bread (oh, I like that term "life bread"). hehehe I offer that loaf of life bread to God as a sacrifice just as Christ offered his life bread to his heavenly father thousands of years ago. God, please take my body, my life, the one you have been working on and use it to your glory.
As my minsters say at the end of their sermons "may it be so".
Hang in there, my friends. I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Hopeless? Downhearted? Sad? I learned something important this week. I guess you can teach an old bear new tricks! hehehe I am a little embarrassed to write this because most of you may have known this for many years! Here it goes...
I think human nature (and my nature) is to focus on the one or two things in your life that aren't going the way you want causing you to feel depressed or hopeless or sad. This week I learned to accept the things that aren't going the way I want and then focus on the blessings in my life that could not be replaced. So what that a romantic relationship doesn't go the way you want? I had a friend text me last night with one of the coolest messages I could ever get from a close friend. Those kinds of blessings FAR outweigh some minor bumps in the road like not dating the person you want to be with.
Like the devotional says, God can and will provide for our needs beyond our wildest dreams if we trust him and have faith. An example is another close friend that I love dearly. His first LTR (long term relationship) did not work out. He got frustrated that he didn't meet someone for a few years. After meeting his current partner and falling in love, he said he could not even imagine something better. Wow! I want that too!
So what are you hopeless, downhearted or sad about now? Romance? Job or lack of job? Living situation? Whatever it is. Count your blessings. Be grateful for them. Trust God for hope. Trust God to know your needs. Trust God and DON'T try to make things happen on your own (that is what I do!).
Lord, thank you so much for the many blessings I have in my life and for a heart that can hold love. I will trust you and not focus on the things I don't have.
Simply Saturday
My left eye is doing better today. I think the changes are so small that it is hard for me to tell. I felt a lot of itching yesterday as it was healing more and more. The stitches felt like eye lashes in my eye and I couldn't take them out! That is a very good sign. I will rest this weekend. I will take it easy.
Life is so funny. I feel like a loaf of leavened bread sometimes. hehehe There is an analogy for you! I don't know where that came from! God has been kneading me and kneading me (and we all know I am needy at times... pun intended...) to thoroughly mix all the things together he has been teaching me. In my analogy, the yeast is the Holy Spirit. God is putting the Spirit in my life more and more each day so it can grow depth in my personality and help me "rise" above the things that constrain me -- much like bread can rise above the constraints of the bread pan before baking. What is the end product? I know I will be a new creation some day in heaven. What will the end product be on earth? I will return to an analogy I feel more comfortable with -- I don't know where the road is leading me. No frickin' clue. What does it matter as long as God is leading?
So am I just supposed to lay around in a warm place with a kitchen towel draped over me until I finish rising? That is how my Grandmother used to make bread! Yes and no. In my bread analogy, the "warm place" is a church where I can feel a part and be nurtured. The kitchen towel is the word of God as it covers me in knowledge and protects my mind from other forces in the world. It protects my mind by giving me pure things to think about instead of the crap the world is throwing at us every second.
What happens next? The bread is put into the oven and baked for the appropriate amount of time. All the work, all the protection, all the chemical reactions of the yeast result in a fully baked load of bread that is pleasing to the eye. Have you ever had a half baked loaf of bread? EEEWwwwwwww! hehehe
After baking, the last important thing happens for my loaf of life bread (oh, I like that term "life bread"). hehehe I offer that loaf of life bread to God as a sacrifice just as Christ offered his life bread to his heavenly father thousands of years ago. God, please take my body, my life, the one you have been working on and use it to your glory.
As my minsters say at the end of their sermons "may it be so".
Hang in there, my friends. I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Friday, February 25, 2011
Not just peace, but perfect peace...
Our Daily Bread
I never thought about there being different kinds of peace. God's love will bring us "perfect peace". I hate the imperfect kind! hehehe That is sooooo lame! ;-)
All joking aside, the devotional struck home again today. I knew that writing and posting the devotional last week about 'a quiet, confident joy" meant that Satan would test me on it. Satan had been testing me on it more than usual during the few weeks I was writing the testimony. Yikes!
Another test came last night. A relationship discussion didn't go the way I wanted. I have to admit that I was pretty numb last night. It didn't really hit me until this morning. Not being in a relationship with this person wasn't the part that really bothered me -- he had been lying to me and was going to have his own way despite the fact he knew he was hurting me with his actions. Who would want to be with someone like that?
The part that hurt the most is that I thought I was following God's direction in this relationship. WTF? I had something like this happen last September and I didn't react well at all. I am blessed to report that I am not having the wrestling matches with God now that I had in September. The quiet, confident joy is sustaining me, assuring me that God will work in all circumstances. So what do I do next? Take time for the healing of my eye. Continue my lifestyle changes to lose weight. Most importantly, don't be afraid to seek God's will and do the best I can to follow it. The road before me is unsure and I don't know where it is going. What does it matter as long as God is leading?
Thank you, Lord, for your quiet, confident joy and your silent love that sustains me in good times and not so good times
Foodie Friday
We are having an early St Patrick's day theme for our dinner group on Sunday night. Here is the salad recipe I found to contribute to the meal. I need to find watercress. I need to figure out what kind of lettuce to use!
TRADITIONAL IRISH SALAD
Printed from COOKS.COM
Lettuce
Hard boiled eggs, quartered
Tomatoes, quartered
16 oz. can sliced beets
Watercress
Slices of cucumber
LYDIA'S DRESSING:
2 hard boiled eggs
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 level tsp. salt
1 tbsp. soft brown sugar
1/2 tbsp. cider vinegar
4 tbsp. cream
Arrange lettuce leaves like a rose in deep bowl, biggest leaves on the outside, small leaves in the center. Scatter all or some of the listed ingredients between the leaves.
Sieve egg yolks and add sugar, salt and mustard. Blend in vinegar and cream. Chop egg whites and add some to sauce. Scatter the rest over the salad. Do not dress salad beforehand. Serve dressing separately. Serves 8-10.
Other Stuff
As you can tell from the devotional, some things didn't go the way I wanted last night. I will be fine. God has promised me many things. I am doing my best to keep my promises to him. I will love. I will trust. I will have faith. That is what I do...
The left eye is about the same today. I will see how things go at the doctor on Wednesday. I am sure it will be fine.
I may have to work tonight. Not sure of what will unfold this weekend. I am looking forward to my dinner group. I will probably spend some time with flybear if he isn't busy.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
I never thought about there being different kinds of peace. God's love will bring us "perfect peace". I hate the imperfect kind! hehehe That is sooooo lame! ;-)
All joking aside, the devotional struck home again today. I knew that writing and posting the devotional last week about 'a quiet, confident joy" meant that Satan would test me on it. Satan had been testing me on it more than usual during the few weeks I was writing the testimony. Yikes!
Another test came last night. A relationship discussion didn't go the way I wanted. I have to admit that I was pretty numb last night. It didn't really hit me until this morning. Not being in a relationship with this person wasn't the part that really bothered me -- he had been lying to me and was going to have his own way despite the fact he knew he was hurting me with his actions. Who would want to be with someone like that?
The part that hurt the most is that I thought I was following God's direction in this relationship. WTF? I had something like this happen last September and I didn't react well at all. I am blessed to report that I am not having the wrestling matches with God now that I had in September. The quiet, confident joy is sustaining me, assuring me that God will work in all circumstances. So what do I do next? Take time for the healing of my eye. Continue my lifestyle changes to lose weight. Most importantly, don't be afraid to seek God's will and do the best I can to follow it. The road before me is unsure and I don't know where it is going. What does it matter as long as God is leading?
Thank you, Lord, for your quiet, confident joy and your silent love that sustains me in good times and not so good times
Foodie Friday
We are having an early St Patrick's day theme for our dinner group on Sunday night. Here is the salad recipe I found to contribute to the meal. I need to find watercress. I need to figure out what kind of lettuce to use!
TRADITIONAL IRISH SALAD
Printed from COOKS.COM
Lettuce
Hard boiled eggs, quartered
Tomatoes, quartered
16 oz. can sliced beets
Watercress
Slices of cucumber
LYDIA'S DRESSING:
2 hard boiled eggs
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 level tsp. salt
1 tbsp. soft brown sugar
1/2 tbsp. cider vinegar
4 tbsp. cream
Arrange lettuce leaves like a rose in deep bowl, biggest leaves on the outside, small leaves in the center. Scatter all or some of the listed ingredients between the leaves.
Sieve egg yolks and add sugar, salt and mustard. Blend in vinegar and cream. Chop egg whites and add some to sauce. Scatter the rest over the salad. Do not dress salad beforehand. Serve dressing separately. Serves 8-10.
Other Stuff
As you can tell from the devotional, some things didn't go the way I wanted last night. I will be fine. God has promised me many things. I am doing my best to keep my promises to him. I will love. I will trust. I will have faith. That is what I do...
The left eye is about the same today. I will see how things go at the doctor on Wednesday. I am sure it will be fine.
I may have to work tonight. Not sure of what will unfold this weekend. I am looking forward to my dinner group. I will probably spend some time with flybear if he isn't busy.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Believe...
Our Daily Bread
"What one believes is more important that what one achieves". Wow! For an overachiever like me, that is a mouthful!
I am a very goal oriented person. I set goals almost daily, well, usually daily, weekly, monthly, yearly and lifetime. hehehe It is good to have a vision of where you want to go and a plan to achieve those goals! The problem with this approach is that it doesn't always take into consideration God's leadership. You may have noticed my many references to the "road" analogy the past several months. If we have things all planned out, then that makes it harder to trust God for the next step on the road he sets before us! I find I need to balance the two. There are things that I know God wants me to accomplish, so I plan for those.
An example of something I have not planned this year is vacation time. I usually have my vacations planned by the end of February so I can get all the flights and hotel deals I want. The only vacation I had planned, to Ft Lauderdale in early January, was canceled due to my health. I planned that trip in February 2009!
Work with God. Pray. Do what he leads to plan and to trust each day.
Lord, you know how I am. Help me to trust you and not plan EVERY thing! ;-)
Technology Thursday
Here are a few things I read about recently.
New Intel computer processors
Intel recently came out with the second generation i-series processors. Their approach the past few years has been a struggle for them (and for AMD) as they have hit the ceiling on the technologies they currently use to make these chips. We will see how much faster they can go. I believe there will be a breakthrough in the next year or two.
iPad2
There are many rumors swirling aboutthe second generation iPad. It is probably due out in April or May. Most rumors talk about it being like a large iPhone4 without the phone! Thinner. Faster. Front and rear facing cameras. More features than the previous release. We will see!
Motorola Atrix phone at ATT
I read about this phone a few months ago. I dropped by the ATT store at Polaris on Tuesday to check on my wireless discount. I noticed this phone arrived that day and was on display. It was VERY cool. A fast, refined version of an Android phone. I am eligible for an upgrade in June or so. Not sure if I will get another Phone or this phone. I will see what is available then.
Battery charging
There have been some new battery charging technologies become commercially viable in the past year. Over the air charging is one. I talked to a company about their product at a conference last year. It was supposed to be available this year. There is also some viable options for using solar power to charge devices. Very cool as well.
Other Stuff
My eye seems to be in a holding pattern. I will continue to take it easy. I go back tot he doctor on March 2.
Meeting a friend for dinner tonight. The conversation should be interesting.
I thought I had a boring weekend in front of me, but noooooo! I have to work Friday night. I have church and church dinner on Sunday. I have my church dinner group Sunday night. Next week is busy too. I finish one class on Wednesday and start a new class on Monday. The Monday class is only for six weeks.
God taught me some things about relationships this week. I still have so much to learn to have the kind of relationship he wants me to have.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
"What one believes is more important that what one achieves". Wow! For an overachiever like me, that is a mouthful!
I am a very goal oriented person. I set goals almost daily, well, usually daily, weekly, monthly, yearly and lifetime. hehehe It is good to have a vision of where you want to go and a plan to achieve those goals! The problem with this approach is that it doesn't always take into consideration God's leadership. You may have noticed my many references to the "road" analogy the past several months. If we have things all planned out, then that makes it harder to trust God for the next step on the road he sets before us! I find I need to balance the two. There are things that I know God wants me to accomplish, so I plan for those.
An example of something I have not planned this year is vacation time. I usually have my vacations planned by the end of February so I can get all the flights and hotel deals I want. The only vacation I had planned, to Ft Lauderdale in early January, was canceled due to my health. I planned that trip in February 2009!
Work with God. Pray. Do what he leads to plan and to trust each day.
Lord, you know how I am. Help me to trust you and not plan EVERY thing! ;-)
Technology Thursday
Here are a few things I read about recently.
New Intel computer processors
Intel recently came out with the second generation i-series processors. Their approach the past few years has been a struggle for them (and for AMD) as they have hit the ceiling on the technologies they currently use to make these chips. We will see how much faster they can go. I believe there will be a breakthrough in the next year or two.
iPad2
There are many rumors swirling aboutthe second generation iPad. It is probably due out in April or May. Most rumors talk about it being like a large iPhone4 without the phone! Thinner. Faster. Front and rear facing cameras. More features than the previous release. We will see!
Motorola Atrix phone at ATT
I read about this phone a few months ago. I dropped by the ATT store at Polaris on Tuesday to check on my wireless discount. I noticed this phone arrived that day and was on display. It was VERY cool. A fast, refined version of an Android phone. I am eligible for an upgrade in June or so. Not sure if I will get another Phone or this phone. I will see what is available then.
Battery charging
There have been some new battery charging technologies become commercially viable in the past year. Over the air charging is one. I talked to a company about their product at a conference last year. It was supposed to be available this year. There is also some viable options for using solar power to charge devices. Very cool as well.
Other Stuff
My eye seems to be in a holding pattern. I will continue to take it easy. I go back tot he doctor on March 2.
Meeting a friend for dinner tonight. The conversation should be interesting.
I thought I had a boring weekend in front of me, but noooooo! I have to work Friday night. I have church and church dinner on Sunday. I have my church dinner group Sunday night. Next week is busy too. I finish one class on Wednesday and start a new class on Monday. The Monday class is only for six weeks.
God taught me some things about relationships this week. I still have so much to learn to have the kind of relationship he wants me to have.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
God only knows...
Our Daily Bread
Russ Taff, former lead singer for The Imperials, recorded a solo Contemporary Christian album many years ago. A cool song on it was called "God only knows". I relied on the words to that song many times when I didn't understand what was going on and why.
One of the verses in the scripture passage spoke to me today:
Job 12:13 “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his."
There are many times in my life, like today, that I don't understand some things that are going on in my life. This passage and the devotional reinforced that God is in control. God only knows. Understand is his. Amen!
During times when it seems few things make sense, we need to continue to rely on his presence in our lives. Rely on his assurance that he knows our needs. Like I wrote in my D2 devotional last week and posted on this site, God has our backs. He gives a quiet, confident joy that transcends all circumstances. Praise God!
Lord, thank you for the animals you created. They remind us that you only know. Please help my trust you!
Lifestyle Change Wednesday
I have been watching my food intake. I also started walking again this week. I am keeping my weight steady at about 6.5 pounds lost. I also noticed that my pants fit better. Very cool. I will ramp up my exercise a little more after my eye doctor appointment on March 2.
Other Stuff
My eye is doing a little better each day. I continue to take it easy and try not to strain! I am to butch to be this delicate! hehehe
There are some things going on with me that are testing my joy and testing my faith. Please say a little prayer for me. This is new territory for me. I am praying that I handle things the way God wants me to.
Work is busy. Whew... I guess they really missed me when I was out. hehehe
I received my annual Costco check yesterday. Woohoooo!
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do!
Russ Taff, former lead singer for The Imperials, recorded a solo Contemporary Christian album many years ago. A cool song on it was called "God only knows". I relied on the words to that song many times when I didn't understand what was going on and why.
One of the verses in the scripture passage spoke to me today:
Job 12:13 “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his."
There are many times in my life, like today, that I don't understand some things that are going on in my life. This passage and the devotional reinforced that God is in control. God only knows. Understand is his. Amen!
During times when it seems few things make sense, we need to continue to rely on his presence in our lives. Rely on his assurance that he knows our needs. Like I wrote in my D2 devotional last week and posted on this site, God has our backs. He gives a quiet, confident joy that transcends all circumstances. Praise God!
Lord, thank you for the animals you created. They remind us that you only know. Please help my trust you!
Lifestyle Change Wednesday
I have been watching my food intake. I also started walking again this week. I am keeping my weight steady at about 6.5 pounds lost. I also noticed that my pants fit better. Very cool. I will ramp up my exercise a little more after my eye doctor appointment on March 2.
Other Stuff
My eye is doing a little better each day. I continue to take it easy and try not to strain! I am to butch to be this delicate! hehehe
There are some things going on with me that are testing my joy and testing my faith. Please say a little prayer for me. This is new territory for me. I am praying that I handle things the way God wants me to.
Work is busy. Whew... I guess they really missed me when I was out. hehehe
I received my annual Costco check yesterday. Woohoooo!
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
What great love...
Our Daily Bread
I love the use of vivid imagery in the Bible. The imagery of a loving mother towards her child is very vivid. The passage in Isaiah says that even though a mother might possibly forget the son she bore, God will never forget or forsake us! Wow!
I appreciated this passage this morning. Very timely as usual. I forget at times how much God loves me and how much he wants me to have an abundant life. I let my insecurities guide my attitudes and actions instead of letting God meet the desires of my heart. I have been thinking and praying about this a lot the past few days. I "acted out" over the weekend due to my insecurities. I am fortunate the friend understood what I was going through and forgave me.
What did I learn? I need to be patient. God IS working amazing things in my life. He is meeting the desires of my heart. I just need to step out of the way! hehehe Seriously, I could not ask for more. I am so blessed and so fortunate.
Thank you, Lord, for knowing the desires of my heart and for working towards fulfilling them in your time. Help me trust and be patient.
Disciple Two-sday
We have been studying the mission trips of Paul, Luke's account of Paul's travels and some of Paul's writings to the churches he visited. Our study manual brought out how the different books show how Paul grew as a minister and a teacher. The book of Ephesians is a perfect example. Compare that book to the writings to the Corinthians. Very different approach!
March 2 (next week!) is our last week of class. Wow! I plan to start two different small groups over the course of the next two months. That should be fun.
Other stuff
My eye is making a little progress today. I started walking again yesterday, but took it easy. I am supposed to meet my walking buddy today. I miss our walks and talks! I will take it easy on the walking. I plan to start riding the recumbent bike again after my doctor appointment on March 2.
I need to run some errands and visit a sick friend tonight. I might get some reading in as well. ;-)
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
I love the use of vivid imagery in the Bible. The imagery of a loving mother towards her child is very vivid. The passage in Isaiah says that even though a mother might possibly forget the son she bore, God will never forget or forsake us! Wow!
I appreciated this passage this morning. Very timely as usual. I forget at times how much God loves me and how much he wants me to have an abundant life. I let my insecurities guide my attitudes and actions instead of letting God meet the desires of my heart. I have been thinking and praying about this a lot the past few days. I "acted out" over the weekend due to my insecurities. I am fortunate the friend understood what I was going through and forgave me.
What did I learn? I need to be patient. God IS working amazing things in my life. He is meeting the desires of my heart. I just need to step out of the way! hehehe Seriously, I could not ask for more. I am so blessed and so fortunate.
Thank you, Lord, for knowing the desires of my heart and for working towards fulfilling them in your time. Help me trust and be patient.
Disciple Two-sday
We have been studying the mission trips of Paul, Luke's account of Paul's travels and some of Paul's writings to the churches he visited. Our study manual brought out how the different books show how Paul grew as a minister and a teacher. The book of Ephesians is a perfect example. Compare that book to the writings to the Corinthians. Very different approach!
March 2 (next week!) is our last week of class. Wow! I plan to start two different small groups over the course of the next two months. That should be fun.
Other stuff
My eye is making a little progress today. I started walking again yesterday, but took it easy. I am supposed to meet my walking buddy today. I miss our walks and talks! I will take it easy on the walking. I plan to start riding the recumbent bike again after my doctor appointment on March 2.
I need to run some errands and visit a sick friend tonight. I might get some reading in as well. ;-)
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Monday, February 21, 2011
And the winner is...
Our Daily Bread
Isn't that the way we usually judge disagreements? And the winner is.... As humans, we usually contend that every argument has a winner and a loser.
The Biblical example is different. Paul and Barnabas had a serious disagreement! Even after discussing it, they could not work out a resolution except to part ways. That solution is necessary sometimes. They didn't part ways forever. They reconciled and worked together later in their ministries. Paul even worked with Mark again later in his ministry.
God has a way of healing disagreements if we pray about them and are open to his healing spirit. Do you have an open wound, a disagreement that you are having difficulty getting past? Ask God to help you work it out.
Lord, please make each of us to be an instrument of your peace, not strife.
Movie Monday
I watched a few movies on DVD last week while I was off work. One was a old movie that I hadn't seen in a while called Stigmata. It was cool. The one I will write about today is a movie based on a character in the Bible and historical references called Lydia. The movie is called Quo Vadis
Quo Vadis
Lydia was a hostage to the Roman empire that was also a Christian, a follower of the Christ in early New Testament times. Her adopted family were friends with Paul and Peter. Christianity was a sect in Rome and met in hiding. Nero was skeptical of Christians. He had them persecuted to cover up his burning of Rome. Most folks have heard of having Christians thrown to the lions or crucified because of Roman emperors. It was this mistake that caused the downfall of Nero.
The acting was very good, especially Peter Ustinov as Nero. Very cool. Of course, there were lots of Roman soldiers in uniform. What is there not to like about that? ;-) The elaborate scenery was incredible. No CGI there!
I give the movie 2 bear paws. It was very long. I always think long movies could be shorter!
Other Stuff
My left eye is doing a little better today. I noticed that I can see more white in my left eye now as the incision is healing. I will be patient.
God is teaching me some things about patience now. I have to be patient for the eye to heal. I need to be patient with some other important things in my life. I learned last night that part of my problem with patience is not trusting God enough to work in his time. I also let my insecurities affect my ability to be patient. I will pray about that more. I will do better.
Back to work this morning. It will be nice to get back into a routine. I miss my friends at Starbucks and at work!
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Isn't that the way we usually judge disagreements? And the winner is.... As humans, we usually contend that every argument has a winner and a loser.
The Biblical example is different. Paul and Barnabas had a serious disagreement! Even after discussing it, they could not work out a resolution except to part ways. That solution is necessary sometimes. They didn't part ways forever. They reconciled and worked together later in their ministries. Paul even worked with Mark again later in his ministry.
God has a way of healing disagreements if we pray about them and are open to his healing spirit. Do you have an open wound, a disagreement that you are having difficulty getting past? Ask God to help you work it out.
Lord, please make each of us to be an instrument of your peace, not strife.
Movie Monday
I watched a few movies on DVD last week while I was off work. One was a old movie that I hadn't seen in a while called Stigmata. It was cool. The one I will write about today is a movie based on a character in the Bible and historical references called Lydia. The movie is called Quo Vadis
Quo Vadis
Lydia was a hostage to the Roman empire that was also a Christian, a follower of the Christ in early New Testament times. Her adopted family were friends with Paul and Peter. Christianity was a sect in Rome and met in hiding. Nero was skeptical of Christians. He had them persecuted to cover up his burning of Rome. Most folks have heard of having Christians thrown to the lions or crucified because of Roman emperors. It was this mistake that caused the downfall of Nero.
The acting was very good, especially Peter Ustinov as Nero. Very cool. Of course, there were lots of Roman soldiers in uniform. What is there not to like about that? ;-) The elaborate scenery was incredible. No CGI there!
I give the movie 2 bear paws. It was very long. I always think long movies could be shorter!
Other Stuff
My left eye is doing a little better today. I noticed that I can see more white in my left eye now as the incision is healing. I will be patient.
God is teaching me some things about patience now. I have to be patient for the eye to heal. I need to be patient with some other important things in my life. I learned last night that part of my problem with patience is not trusting God enough to work in his time. I also let my insecurities affect my ability to be patient. I will pray about that more. I will do better.
Back to work this morning. It will be nice to get back into a routine. I miss my friends at Starbucks and at work!
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Sunday, February 20, 2011
God is the audience...
Our Daily Bread
I never understood something until I read the devotional and scripture today. I never understood the animal sacrifice requirement in the Old Testament. That carries forward into the sacrifice of the Lamb in the New Testament. Why did Jesus have to bleed and die for our sacrifice? I understand a little more now. Here is what I learned.
God gave detailed instructions on animal sacrifice. In essence, he wanted the obedience of the Hebrews, not really the sacrifices. He wanted the honest obedience and repentance from sin so they could have relationship with him. In Psalm 50, God says he doesn't need their animals. Psalm 50:14 says: "Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High."
This brings us to the main topic of the devotional -- worship. Is worship aimed at us or aimed at God? It is supposed to be our worship leaders leading us in worshiping towards God. Worship is not entertainment for us. It is not a Broadway show that plays once a week! hehehe
Think of this the next time you attend church! I know I will!
Lord, I want to focus the worship on you, not on anyone else!
Psalm Sunday
This is one of the "fear" psalms! Wow! I learn more about how God used the Hebrew people to accomplish and demonstrate his work in their history. This psalm is a perfect example of how God required all nations to honor and obey him.
Psalm 2 (New Living Translation)
1 Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.
3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then in anger he rebukes them,
terrifying them with his fierce fury.
6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
in Jerusalem,[a] on my holy mountain.”
7 The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:
“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.[b]
Today I have become your Father.[c]
8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
the whole earth as your possession.
9 You will break[d] them with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.’”
10 Now then, you kings, act wisely!
Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry,
and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
for his anger flares up in an instant.
But what joy for all who take refuge in him!
Other Stuff
My eye is doing OK today. The vision is not improving as fast as what I want. I will do my best to be patient. I am not the best at being patient! DOH!
We had a nice worship service and CGLF luncheon today at King Avenue. I got to see some friends that I don't get to talk to very often. Woohoooo!
Back to work tomorrow. It will take me a whole day to get through my emails! OH well.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
I never understood something until I read the devotional and scripture today. I never understood the animal sacrifice requirement in the Old Testament. That carries forward into the sacrifice of the Lamb in the New Testament. Why did Jesus have to bleed and die for our sacrifice? I understand a little more now. Here is what I learned.
God gave detailed instructions on animal sacrifice. In essence, he wanted the obedience of the Hebrews, not really the sacrifices. He wanted the honest obedience and repentance from sin so they could have relationship with him. In Psalm 50, God says he doesn't need their animals. Psalm 50:14 says: "Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High."
This brings us to the main topic of the devotional -- worship. Is worship aimed at us or aimed at God? It is supposed to be our worship leaders leading us in worshiping towards God. Worship is not entertainment for us. It is not a Broadway show that plays once a week! hehehe
Think of this the next time you attend church! I know I will!
Lord, I want to focus the worship on you, not on anyone else!
Psalm Sunday
This is one of the "fear" psalms! Wow! I learn more about how God used the Hebrew people to accomplish and demonstrate his work in their history. This psalm is a perfect example of how God required all nations to honor and obey him.
Psalm 2 (New Living Translation)
1 Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.
3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then in anger he rebukes them,
terrifying them with his fierce fury.
6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
in Jerusalem,[a] on my holy mountain.”
7 The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:
“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.[b]
Today I have become your Father.[c]
8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
the whole earth as your possession.
9 You will break[d] them with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.’”
10 Now then, you kings, act wisely!
Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry,
and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
for his anger flares up in an instant.
But what joy for all who take refuge in him!
Other Stuff
My eye is doing OK today. The vision is not improving as fast as what I want. I will do my best to be patient. I am not the best at being patient! DOH!
We had a nice worship service and CGLF luncheon today at King Avenue. I got to see some friends that I don't get to talk to very often. Woohoooo!
Back to work tomorrow. It will take me a whole day to get through my emails! OH well.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Bearing each others burdens...
Our Daily Bread
The devotional for today reminded me of two of my closest friendships. Each one has an example of sharing each others burdens.
I remember one time when friend number one invited me to dinner. Something came up with his family, so we spent the afternoon with some of his family members so they wouldn't be alone with their burdens. He was so sweet and considerate. I learned a lot that day. Yes, we didn't get to eat lunch until about 4:00 pm, but it was worth it! That friend has helped bear some of my burdens the past few years as well!
Friend number 2 is bearing a heavy load right now. I am honored to "be there" for him right now. God has used us both to bear each others burdens the past few months. It helped us grow closer as friends. We also understand each other more than ever.
Please understand that we can't just throw our burdens over the fence for others to bear and then be content. We must also share the burdens of others as we grow closer them and to God.
Lord, thank you for the sharing of burdens and the sharing of joys. I praise you for friends!
Simply Saturday
I am going to visit my family today. I need to return a repaired computer to my aunt. I need to drop off some stuff to my mother. I am not sure what my plans are for this evening. I want to return home as soon as I can so I can be ready for this evening however I decide to spend it.
My left eye is doing OK. I am doing my best to take it easy. A friend lifted the repaired computer into my car for me yesterday. I am careful as I do laundry and a few little things around the house. The vision will continue to clear up as the eye continues to heal.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
The devotional for today reminded me of two of my closest friendships. Each one has an example of sharing each others burdens.
I remember one time when friend number one invited me to dinner. Something came up with his family, so we spent the afternoon with some of his family members so they wouldn't be alone with their burdens. He was so sweet and considerate. I learned a lot that day. Yes, we didn't get to eat lunch until about 4:00 pm, but it was worth it! That friend has helped bear some of my burdens the past few years as well!
Friend number 2 is bearing a heavy load right now. I am honored to "be there" for him right now. God has used us both to bear each others burdens the past few months. It helped us grow closer as friends. We also understand each other more than ever.
Please understand that we can't just throw our burdens over the fence for others to bear and then be content. We must also share the burdens of others as we grow closer them and to God.
Lord, thank you for the sharing of burdens and the sharing of joys. I praise you for friends!
Simply Saturday
I am going to visit my family today. I need to return a repaired computer to my aunt. I need to drop off some stuff to my mother. I am not sure what my plans are for this evening. I want to return home as soon as I can so I can be ready for this evening however I decide to spend it.
My left eye is doing OK. I am doing my best to take it easy. A friend lifted the repaired computer into my car for me yesterday. I am careful as I do laundry and a few little things around the house. The vision will continue to clear up as the eye continues to heal.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Friday, February 18, 2011
What choices will you make?
Our Daily Bread
The devotional hit me square between the eyes this morning. Life (and following God) is about choices. I made some not-so-good choices yesterday. I prayed for forgiveness last night and again this morning. Praying about it twice indicates that I am having trouble forgiving myself! Yikes!
The weirdest part is that I read the passage from Philippians last week for my D2 class! I should have known better! I will do better. I will continue to make better choices for my life. The most difficult for me is making choices about my eating habits. I am doing better and will continue to do better. I will lose the weight that I need to lose this year. It is all about choices.
Lord, I want to make better choices so I can represent you better on this earth.
Foodie Friday
I want to give a few tips and tricks about cooking this week.
First, if you are going to cook, you should learn to use spices. I get my spices at several places depending on what I am looking for. I shop for some spices, like for fish, at Trader Joes. I pick up some spices at Costco if I want them in bulk. Costco is a great place to get sea salt and real vanilla. My favorite place to get spices is Penzeys Spices. Here is a link to their web page. Lots of variety. High quality. The prices are pretty reasonable. My favorite part is receiving a package from Penzeys. They add some bulk spices to the packing material so the box explodes with scents when you open it!
Second, I was reminded about cooking in bulk. Who has time to cook each night? I often make a big batch of something I like and then freeze some portions for later use. I made a pot of chili yesterday. I am going to freeze some portions for when the weather turns colder again next week. Brrrrr!
Lastly, I find ways to make boxed meals taste better. For example, I take the stroganof noodes mix, cook it per the instructions, and then add extra onion powder, garlic powder and sour cream to spice it up. I also marinate some inexpensive steak and cut it up in to strips to add to it as well. It is not difficult. It tastes much better!
When cooking for yourself, or for you and your special someone, keep it simple and keep it healthy!
Other Stuff
My eye is healing slowly but surely. I am very thankful. I am taking things easy. I did a few things around the house yesterday, but didn't do any lifting.
I FINALLY found someone to prune the mature trees in my back yard! Woohoooo! They did a great job and gave me a good price on the work. I love the two trees in my back yard. I was afraid of losing one of them because there were a lot of dead branches on it. It should be fine now.
I have a service visiting this morning for an estimate. I will determine if I can afford what I want.
I plan to visit my family tomorrow. I have some things to drop off. I want to get back to Columbus fairly early if at all possible. I have some plans for Saturday night.
I plan to attend a church social tonight sponsored by the CGLF (Christian Gays, Lesbians and Friends). I enjoy the socials.
Hang in there my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
The devotional hit me square between the eyes this morning. Life (and following God) is about choices. I made some not-so-good choices yesterday. I prayed for forgiveness last night and again this morning. Praying about it twice indicates that I am having trouble forgiving myself! Yikes!
The weirdest part is that I read the passage from Philippians last week for my D2 class! I should have known better! I will do better. I will continue to make better choices for my life. The most difficult for me is making choices about my eating habits. I am doing better and will continue to do better. I will lose the weight that I need to lose this year. It is all about choices.
Lord, I want to make better choices so I can represent you better on this earth.
Foodie Friday
I want to give a few tips and tricks about cooking this week.
First, if you are going to cook, you should learn to use spices. I get my spices at several places depending on what I am looking for. I shop for some spices, like for fish, at Trader Joes. I pick up some spices at Costco if I want them in bulk. Costco is a great place to get sea salt and real vanilla. My favorite place to get spices is Penzeys Spices. Here is a link to their web page. Lots of variety. High quality. The prices are pretty reasonable. My favorite part is receiving a package from Penzeys. They add some bulk spices to the packing material so the box explodes with scents when you open it!
Second, I was reminded about cooking in bulk. Who has time to cook each night? I often make a big batch of something I like and then freeze some portions for later use. I made a pot of chili yesterday. I am going to freeze some portions for when the weather turns colder again next week. Brrrrr!
Lastly, I find ways to make boxed meals taste better. For example, I take the stroganof noodes mix, cook it per the instructions, and then add extra onion powder, garlic powder and sour cream to spice it up. I also marinate some inexpensive steak and cut it up in to strips to add to it as well. It is not difficult. It tastes much better!
When cooking for yourself, or for you and your special someone, keep it simple and keep it healthy!
Other Stuff
My eye is healing slowly but surely. I am very thankful. I am taking things easy. I did a few things around the house yesterday, but didn't do any lifting.
I FINALLY found someone to prune the mature trees in my back yard! Woohoooo! They did a great job and gave me a good price on the work. I love the two trees in my back yard. I was afraid of losing one of them because there were a lot of dead branches on it. It should be fine now.
I have a service visiting this morning for an estimate. I will determine if I can afford what I want.
I plan to visit my family tomorrow. I have some things to drop off. I want to get back to Columbus fairly early if at all possible. I have some plans for Saturday night.
I plan to attend a church social tonight sponsored by the CGLF (Christian Gays, Lesbians and Friends). I enjoy the socials.
Hang in there my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Special posting: My journey towards humility
I am writing my usual stuff about the Our Daily Bread devotional today. I am also posting the devotional that I gave last night at my Disciple 2 class. We have one person start each session with a short devotional and prayer. It was not easy for me to share this much about myself. The coolest thing is that God had me start the devotional several weeks ago. I didn't realize until the end of last week that it fit perfectly with one of the topics for last night! I hope you get as much out of reading it as I did writing it. Please note that the title says "towards humility". I am the first to admit that I have a long way to go before I am a humble man! hehehe
Our Daily Bread
The devotional today hit me hard. God has been dealing with me about some habitual sins. I was reminded of many sermons that I heard in my youth when I read the devotional summary:
Wow! There are some things in your spiritual life that you know. You never really forget them. This concept of "turning from sin" is one that I need to be reminded of constantly. Like every human being, I have some habitual sins. No, I am not going to tell you what they are! hehehe I ask God for forgiveness, but I don't really seem to repent! I keep repeating the sins! Yikes!
Do you have some "pet sins" that you repeat and don't really repent from? Let us pray for each other!
Lord, I want to truly repent from my pet sins and do my best to commit them no more! Thank you for your strength.
My Journey towards Humility by Duane Fitzpatrick
Celebration from Chapter 28:
When we move from a self-centered existence to a God-centered existence, we move from anxiety to joy.
My road towards humility started in 2007 with the breakup of my 11.5 year long term relationship. That breakup was one of the most difficult times in my life! Over the course of the next few years, I lost my job at Chase, I had several health problems including the start of my eye issues and almost lost a foot due to a rare infection, and I had several relationship attempts fail miserably.
When I finally started giving things over to God, he immediately started breaking down what I call "the big three": my pride, selfishness and arrogance. Those are tough things to say about yourself! He started with internal healing from Bible study and from many sessions with a counselor. My pride and arrogance were hurt because I was in counseling. I had always been the strong one! God helped me see that my strength was often a facade. He was tearing me down so he could build me up again the right way. My health issues also taught me several lessons about faith and about the "big three". God was rebuilding me into the kind of compassionate, unselfish and empathetic man he wanted me to be. One example is a couple at King Avenue that I had never met told me one morning they had been praying for my eyes. I rambled on for a few minutes and then finally listened to them tell me one of them had similar issues. Things had not gone as well for her, however, she continued to pray for me. We keep in touch and pray for each other now. God added gratitude to the list of things I needed to practice daily.
God lead me to the Our Daily Bread devotional web site. I started reading it every day. Last July, I started writing about the daily devotional in my blog. That devotional is where God gave me the basis for my upgraded personality -- a quiet, confident joy. It is a calm, comforting sense that you know God is in control. His angels are at your side. His will has your best interests at heart. It is a joy that no one or nothing on this earth can steal away. That quiet, confident joy powers me so I can touch others with my outgoing personality. I know I am a beloved child of God in whom he is well pleased.
So where am I now in the process? I am a little better. I have a long way to go. I still struggle with my pride, arrogance and selfishness on a daily basis. God is helping me be more sensitive to my thoughts and actions. I am also dealing with being strong, resilient, formidable and humble all at the same time! He is helping me share the quiet, confident joy that only he can give. All things are possible with God. I can attest to that!
Lastly, I guess I have to quote a Broadway musical or I might lose my gay card. When it comes to living my life, my way:
"But I don't want it -
No - I can't want it
Anymore:
Something has changed within me. Something is not the same..."
Praise God for his loving kindness. Praise God indeed.
Our Daily Bread
The devotional today hit me hard. God has been dealing with me about some habitual sins. I was reminded of many sermons that I heard in my youth when I read the devotional summary:
Repentance means hating sin enough to turn from it.
Wow! There are some things in your spiritual life that you know. You never really forget them. This concept of "turning from sin" is one that I need to be reminded of constantly. Like every human being, I have some habitual sins. No, I am not going to tell you what they are! hehehe I ask God for forgiveness, but I don't really seem to repent! I keep repeating the sins! Yikes!
Do you have some "pet sins" that you repeat and don't really repent from? Let us pray for each other!
Lord, I want to truly repent from my pet sins and do my best to commit them no more! Thank you for your strength.
My Journey towards Humility by Duane Fitzpatrick
Celebration from Chapter 28:
When we move from a self-centered existence to a God-centered existence, we move from anxiety to joy.
My road towards humility started in 2007 with the breakup of my 11.5 year long term relationship. That breakup was one of the most difficult times in my life! Over the course of the next few years, I lost my job at Chase, I had several health problems including the start of my eye issues and almost lost a foot due to a rare infection, and I had several relationship attempts fail miserably.
When I finally started giving things over to God, he immediately started breaking down what I call "the big three": my pride, selfishness and arrogance. Those are tough things to say about yourself! He started with internal healing from Bible study and from many sessions with a counselor. My pride and arrogance were hurt because I was in counseling. I had always been the strong one! God helped me see that my strength was often a facade. He was tearing me down so he could build me up again the right way. My health issues also taught me several lessons about faith and about the "big three". God was rebuilding me into the kind of compassionate, unselfish and empathetic man he wanted me to be. One example is a couple at King Avenue that I had never met told me one morning they had been praying for my eyes. I rambled on for a few minutes and then finally listened to them tell me one of them had similar issues. Things had not gone as well for her, however, she continued to pray for me. We keep in touch and pray for each other now. God added gratitude to the list of things I needed to practice daily.
God lead me to the Our Daily Bread devotional web site. I started reading it every day. Last July, I started writing about the daily devotional in my blog. That devotional is where God gave me the basis for my upgraded personality -- a quiet, confident joy. It is a calm, comforting sense that you know God is in control. His angels are at your side. His will has your best interests at heart. It is a joy that no one or nothing on this earth can steal away. That quiet, confident joy powers me so I can touch others with my outgoing personality. I know I am a beloved child of God in whom he is well pleased.
So where am I now in the process? I am a little better. I have a long way to go. I still struggle with my pride, arrogance and selfishness on a daily basis. God is helping me be more sensitive to my thoughts and actions. I am also dealing with being strong, resilient, formidable and humble all at the same time! He is helping me share the quiet, confident joy that only he can give. All things are possible with God. I can attest to that!
Lastly, I guess I have to quote a Broadway musical or I might lose my gay card. When it comes to living my life, my way:
"But I don't want it -
No - I can't want it
Anymore:
Something has changed within me. Something is not the same..."
Praise God for his loving kindness. Praise God indeed.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Efficiency...
Our Daily Bread
I love efficiency. I try to be as efficient as possible in most things I do. As I joked with a friend the other day while cleaning, "there are some things I like slow, but cleaning is not one of them!" hehehe You can let your imagination run wild there...
The devotional today talks about a section of scripture that is very efficient in giving us direction on several topics. Very cool! The passage is Leviticus 19. Read that when you get a chance. I read it last Fall for my D2 class. I like the way God directs us to be fair in all of our dealings. ALL of our dealings!
Lord, thank you for your direction on how to live!
Lifestyle Change Wednesday
I weighed in this morning. I have lost 7.4 pounds so far. For my changes this week, I have been more conscious of the calories that I eat without listing out each item in a journal. I have not been able to exercise due to my eye surgery so I had to watch my calorie intake so I wouldn't gain weight. I can do this going forward as well so I can continue my weight loss and lifestyle change. Woohooo!
If you are trying to change your lifestyle, I encourage you to hang in there. If I can do it, anyone can!
Other Stuff
I had a great checkup at the eye doctor this morning. There is minimal swelling and blood in my left eye. The eye pressure is back down to normal. I asked him about my eye sight, which hasn't gotten much better since the end of last week. He said to keep doing the things I am doing and let it heal. It will clear up and my eye sight will improve as it continues to heal. The eye is not used to this kind of trauma. It takes a while for it to get back to normal. I forgot how long it took when I had this surgery on my right eye in 2009. I will be patient and continue to take it easy. I plan to go back to work on Monday, 2/21 as planned.
I finished a book last night. A friend enjoyed it and had me read it so we could talk about it. It is The Silmarillion by Tolkien. It is a precursor to The Lord of the Rings books. It was very cool. He gave me another book to start on when I finished the first one. I will start on that one this afternoon.
I am giving my very personal devotion tonight about 7:00. I am a little nervous about it because it is so personal. Please say a little prayer for me about that time if you think about it.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
I love efficiency. I try to be as efficient as possible in most things I do. As I joked with a friend the other day while cleaning, "there are some things I like slow, but cleaning is not one of them!" hehehe You can let your imagination run wild there...
The devotional today talks about a section of scripture that is very efficient in giving us direction on several topics. Very cool! The passage is Leviticus 19. Read that when you get a chance. I read it last Fall for my D2 class. I like the way God directs us to be fair in all of our dealings. ALL of our dealings!
Lord, thank you for your direction on how to live!
Lifestyle Change Wednesday
I weighed in this morning. I have lost 7.4 pounds so far. For my changes this week, I have been more conscious of the calories that I eat without listing out each item in a journal. I have not been able to exercise due to my eye surgery so I had to watch my calorie intake so I wouldn't gain weight. I can do this going forward as well so I can continue my weight loss and lifestyle change. Woohooo!
If you are trying to change your lifestyle, I encourage you to hang in there. If I can do it, anyone can!
Other Stuff
I had a great checkup at the eye doctor this morning. There is minimal swelling and blood in my left eye. The eye pressure is back down to normal. I asked him about my eye sight, which hasn't gotten much better since the end of last week. He said to keep doing the things I am doing and let it heal. It will clear up and my eye sight will improve as it continues to heal. The eye is not used to this kind of trauma. It takes a while for it to get back to normal. I forgot how long it took when I had this surgery on my right eye in 2009. I will be patient and continue to take it easy. I plan to go back to work on Monday, 2/21 as planned.
I finished a book last night. A friend enjoyed it and had me read it so we could talk about it. It is The Silmarillion by Tolkien. It is a precursor to The Lord of the Rings books. It was very cool. He gave me another book to start on when I finished the first one. I will start on that one this afternoon.
I am giving my very personal devotion tonight about 7:00. I am a little nervous about it because it is so personal. Please say a little prayer for me about that time if you think about it.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Pure silver...
Our Daily Bread
One of my favorite analogies that I tell friends to describe my spiritual journey is the purification of silver. The devotional today refers to it. The silversmith heats up the silver and then pours off the dross or impurities. He turns up the heat and repeats the same process over and over until the silver is as pure as humanly possible.
God will do the same with us if we let him. He will purify our hearts, minds and wills if we allow him to turn up the heat and then respond to it in the right way. We should respond with gratefulness, prayer, joy and confidence in the working of God in our lives. Praise God!
Please know that I understand how difficult this is! I am a man who had an eye cut on last week! Even through that surgery, I was grateful that my doctor knew what he was doing, in prayer that God would be with me, had joy in that one more step to restore my eyesight was complete and confidence in the healing power of God.
Is God turning up the heat on your life? How are you responding?
Lord, thank you for purifying me. I ask for your strength for purification!
Discipleship Two-sday
The two chapters this week talked about Antioch (missionary zeal) and Phillipi (count it all joy).
The Antioch (missionary zeal) chapter talked about the missionary journeys in the Book of Acts that spread the Gospel far and wide. It was amazing to read again! Oh, to be that bold in telling the Gospel!
The Phillipi (count it all joy) chapter meant a lot to me. I mentioned briefly how God lead me to write a devotional a few weeks ago. He lead me to weave in the topic from this chapter into the devotional before I even read it! Wow! I hope it means as much to others as it does to me. I will post it here on Thursday.
Other Stuff
My left eye seems to be in a holding pattern. It hasn't gotten better or worse the past 48 hours. I have a checkup with the doctor tomorrow morning. I will let you know what he says. I use all the eye drops he gave me per his instructions.
I hope to finish reading a book today. I have one or two more I want to read this week.
A friend visited last night. We had a nice time hanging out and watching a movie. It was nice spending Valentines Day with a close friend.
Going to get my oil changed and then visit a sick friend. Reading and rest on the schedule for the remainder of the day.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
One of my favorite analogies that I tell friends to describe my spiritual journey is the purification of silver. The devotional today refers to it. The silversmith heats up the silver and then pours off the dross or impurities. He turns up the heat and repeats the same process over and over until the silver is as pure as humanly possible.
God will do the same with us if we let him. He will purify our hearts, minds and wills if we allow him to turn up the heat and then respond to it in the right way. We should respond with gratefulness, prayer, joy and confidence in the working of God in our lives. Praise God!
Please know that I understand how difficult this is! I am a man who had an eye cut on last week! Even through that surgery, I was grateful that my doctor knew what he was doing, in prayer that God would be with me, had joy in that one more step to restore my eyesight was complete and confidence in the healing power of God.
Is God turning up the heat on your life? How are you responding?
Lord, thank you for purifying me. I ask for your strength for purification!
Discipleship Two-sday
The two chapters this week talked about Antioch (missionary zeal) and Phillipi (count it all joy).
The Antioch (missionary zeal) chapter talked about the missionary journeys in the Book of Acts that spread the Gospel far and wide. It was amazing to read again! Oh, to be that bold in telling the Gospel!
The Phillipi (count it all joy) chapter meant a lot to me. I mentioned briefly how God lead me to write a devotional a few weeks ago. He lead me to weave in the topic from this chapter into the devotional before I even read it! Wow! I hope it means as much to others as it does to me. I will post it here on Thursday.
Other Stuff
My left eye seems to be in a holding pattern. It hasn't gotten better or worse the past 48 hours. I have a checkup with the doctor tomorrow morning. I will let you know what he says. I use all the eye drops he gave me per his instructions.
I hope to finish reading a book today. I have one or two more I want to read this week.
A friend visited last night. We had a nice time hanging out and watching a movie. It was nice spending Valentines Day with a close friend.
Going to get my oil changed and then visit a sick friend. Reading and rest on the schedule for the remainder of the day.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Monday, February 14, 2011
A friend in need and a friend in deed
Happy Valentines Day!!!
Our Daily Bread
Boy, I can't get away from Facebook even in the daily devotionals! Many of you know that I deleted all my online accounts except for my email accounts and this blog about 18 months ago. I didn't feel like I was meeting the right kind of people or having the kind of "friendships" I wanted to have online. Do you ever feel that way?
The devotional talks about friendships - real and virtual. Christ left this earth calling us "friends" instead of us being his servants. A friend knows all that he knows. He told us all that the Father had for us to know. It is our job to spread the good news and to be a friend to others. How cool is that? ;-)
I am stretching this topic a little bit to include Valentines Day. We should be all be grateful for whatever state we are in - single, married, partnered, etc. We all have special friends that help us through the bad times and share our good times. Praise God!
Lord, thank you so much for friends!
Movie Monday
Since today is Valentines Day, I thought I would talk about two of my favorite romantic movies: Ever After and Date Night.
Ever After stars Drew Barrymore and Angelica Huston in a retelling of the Cinderella story. It is so cool! There are some great lines. Even if you have a heart of stone, the movie will touch you and make you want to hug a stranger. hehehe
Date Night came out last year. It starts Tina Fey and Steve Carell. They are an middle aged married couple that seemingly lost the fire in their relationship (or are at least afraid they have after some of their friends break up). They get involved in some mayhem after they stole someone's restaurant reservation. Lots of hi jinx ensue with, of course, a corny, happy ending. It is very cool.
Other Stuff
I can't really tell how my eye is doing since I just took all of my morning eye drops. My vision has been clearing up slowly but surely. I am not sure how much progress it has made in the past 48 hours. I will keep resting and relaxing the best I can.
I get to spend some time with Flybear this afternoon after the Atlas Butler folks do a safety inspection on my furnace and air conditioner.
I will spend the evening reading. Not much exciting for Valentines Day. Did I mention being content in whatever state we are in? ;-)
Hang in there, my friends. I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Sunday, February 13, 2011
He is exalted!
Our Daily Bread
God asked me to incorporate more worship and praise in my prayer and devotional life. The devotional today talks about that! Wow!
We can use several approaches to accomplish this desire. I am copying a lot of the devotional into this posting because I liked it so much. You can click on the Our Daily Bread link above to see the original devotional.
"One way to do that is to meditate on His many attributes. Exalt God, for He is faithful, eternal, all-knowing, just, unchangeable, gracious, holy, merciful, longsuffering, impartial, and infinite. Our God is perfect.
Exalt God also by realizing that He is all-powerful, almighty, personal, righteous, unsearchable, wise, triune, accessible, self-existent, glorious, and compassionate.
Another way to worship God is to contemplate His names. Exalt God, for He is Creator. He is Love. He is Redeemer. He is Shepherd. He is Savior, Lord, and Father. He is Judge. He is Comforter. He is Teacher. He is I AM. Our God is the Mighty One.
Dwell on His identity. God is our shield. Our stronghold. Our light. Our strength. Our sustainer. Our rescuer. Our fortress.
Meditate on God’s attributes. Contemplate His names. Dwell on His identity. Adore Him. Respect Him. Honor Him. Love Him. Exalt Him. Use the rest of your life getting ready to worship our awesome God forever."
No, this is not Palm Sunday, it is now Psalm Sunday. I decided to change the topic for the Sunday entry to post and talk a little bit about each psalm. I have been toying with this idea for a few weeks. Let's see how it works for a few weeks. Here is Psalm 1:
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
This psalm obviously talks about the joy of following God. It is not good to be wicked! No one mourns the wicket! hehehe God watches over the paths of the those that follow and obey him.
I doubted my own motivation about following God for a while. I finally got it through my thick skull that it is not my DUTY to follow God and obey him. It is my HONOR! What a difference in my frame of mind!
I hope this new topic blesses you as much as it has already blessed me.
Other Stuff
My eye is healing slowly but surely (yes it is and please don't call me Shirley!). Sorry, that was an old Airplane movie joke! hehehe I can see a little better each day. The pain is gone. I am doing well taking it easy. I will continue to do so.
God helped me work through some relationship stuff this weekend. Praise God! It is his will (and one of my deepest desires) that I truly learn how to love and to be loved. I want to put aside insecurity and doubt. Praise God for his loving kindness.
I am a little bummed out that the Buckeyes lost their first basketball game yesterday, especially after being ahead by 15 points! Yikes! This loss is fine as long as it motivates them to win it all! ;-)
Hang in there my friends. I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
God asked me to incorporate more worship and praise in my prayer and devotional life. The devotional today talks about that! Wow!
We can use several approaches to accomplish this desire. I am copying a lot of the devotional into this posting because I liked it so much. You can click on the Our Daily Bread link above to see the original devotional.
"One way to do that is to meditate on His many attributes. Exalt God, for He is faithful, eternal, all-knowing, just, unchangeable, gracious, holy, merciful, longsuffering, impartial, and infinite. Our God is perfect.
Exalt God also by realizing that He is all-powerful, almighty, personal, righteous, unsearchable, wise, triune, accessible, self-existent, glorious, and compassionate.
Another way to worship God is to contemplate His names. Exalt God, for He is Creator. He is Love. He is Redeemer. He is Shepherd. He is Savior, Lord, and Father. He is Judge. He is Comforter. He is Teacher. He is I AM. Our God is the Mighty One.
Dwell on His identity. God is our shield. Our stronghold. Our light. Our strength. Our sustainer. Our rescuer. Our fortress.
Meditate on God’s attributes. Contemplate His names. Dwell on His identity. Adore Him. Respect Him. Honor Him. Love Him. Exalt Him. Use the rest of your life getting ready to worship our awesome God forever."
I thought this devotional was extraordinary and, of course, just what I needed!
Lord, I want to worship you in word and deed. Thank you for your leadership.
Psalm Sunday
No, this is not Palm Sunday, it is now Psalm Sunday. I decided to change the topic for the Sunday entry to post and talk a little bit about each psalm. I have been toying with this idea for a few weeks. Let's see how it works for a few weeks. Here is Psalm 1:
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
This psalm obviously talks about the joy of following God. It is not good to be wicked! No one mourns the wicket! hehehe God watches over the paths of the those that follow and obey him.
I doubted my own motivation about following God for a while. I finally got it through my thick skull that it is not my DUTY to follow God and obey him. It is my HONOR! What a difference in my frame of mind!
I hope this new topic blesses you as much as it has already blessed me.
Other Stuff
My eye is healing slowly but surely (yes it is and please don't call me Shirley!). Sorry, that was an old Airplane movie joke! hehehe I can see a little better each day. The pain is gone. I am doing well taking it easy. I will continue to do so.
God helped me work through some relationship stuff this weekend. Praise God! It is his will (and one of my deepest desires) that I truly learn how to love and to be loved. I want to put aside insecurity and doubt. Praise God for his loving kindness.
I am a little bummed out that the Buckeyes lost their first basketball game yesterday, especially after being ahead by 15 points! Yikes! This loss is fine as long as it motivates them to win it all! ;-)
Hang in there my friends. I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Saturday, February 12, 2011
I just don't believe it...
Our Daily Bread
I was praying about a relationship situation this morning. I asked God to help me not be disappointed if a special person didn't ask me out for Valentines Day. It is highly unlikely he will. Going out on VD could be inappropriate for our relationship. I realize I am being selfish, but I care about this man very much.
That leads to the devotional. How should I react to this person the next time I see him? What if he asks someone else out after we have been spending a lot of time together? Why do I create these little scenarios over and over again that increase my anxiety and frustration!?! DOH! God is teaching me so much these days. He is teaching me that no circumstance or no person can steal the joy of my salvation. He is teaching me that I need to love my friends and family regardless if they do what I think they should do. He is teaching me that I need to rely on him and trust him for all my needs. He knows them all. He knows the desires of my heart. The only way the desires of my heart will be fulfilled is if I trust God. No more insecurity. No more selfishness. No more pride. No more arrogance. Yes, I am being a little hard on myself. As I wrote here before, God has given me so much. He expects much from me. I can only achieve this through his loving kindness and mercy.
What are the desires of your heart? What is God asking you to do?
Lord, thank you for reinforcing how I should act with everyone. Help me be what I say at the end of each day's entry "upbeat and steady" according to your will.
Simply Saturday
I have been resting and sleeping. Yes, I have. hehehe Those of you that know me realize how difficult it is for me to slow down. I have been reading a lot. Watched a few movies. Slept a LOT. So how are things going?
My left eye is clearing up slowly but surely. I can see some things today that I couldn't see yesterday. I am putting in my eye drops per the schedule the doctor gave me. The eye is a little gross in the morning from all the drops and stuff. I have to rinse it out the best I can. I will continue to rest and take it easy. I can do this. ;-) I plan to go to church tomorrow.
I had a nice evening with my bubby last night. Bubby is a relatively new friend that is like a Christian little brother to me. We met a few months ago and got close pretty fast ( some of you know how I am with people). We had a nice supper. A nice talk Watched a few movies. Relaxed. It was a good thing. I find it cool that we call each other Bub or Bubby. That is what my little brother and I used to call each other when we were young. ;-)
I also finished up my D2 reading for next week. I am on the third revision of my devotion for the evening. I hope to finish a book that a friend lent me either today or tomorrow. It is sort of a slow read. I have to turn off my "remember a lot of this stuff" reading mode when I read this book. I like it though.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
I was praying about a relationship situation this morning. I asked God to help me not be disappointed if a special person didn't ask me out for Valentines Day. It is highly unlikely he will. Going out on VD could be inappropriate for our relationship. I realize I am being selfish, but I care about this man very much.
That leads to the devotional. How should I react to this person the next time I see him? What if he asks someone else out after we have been spending a lot of time together? Why do I create these little scenarios over and over again that increase my anxiety and frustration!?! DOH! God is teaching me so much these days. He is teaching me that no circumstance or no person can steal the joy of my salvation. He is teaching me that I need to love my friends and family regardless if they do what I think they should do. He is teaching me that I need to rely on him and trust him for all my needs. He knows them all. He knows the desires of my heart. The only way the desires of my heart will be fulfilled is if I trust God. No more insecurity. No more selfishness. No more pride. No more arrogance. Yes, I am being a little hard on myself. As I wrote here before, God has given me so much. He expects much from me. I can only achieve this through his loving kindness and mercy.
What are the desires of your heart? What is God asking you to do?
Lord, thank you for reinforcing how I should act with everyone. Help me be what I say at the end of each day's entry "upbeat and steady" according to your will.
Simply Saturday
I have been resting and sleeping. Yes, I have. hehehe Those of you that know me realize how difficult it is for me to slow down. I have been reading a lot. Watched a few movies. Slept a LOT. So how are things going?
My left eye is clearing up slowly but surely. I can see some things today that I couldn't see yesterday. I am putting in my eye drops per the schedule the doctor gave me. The eye is a little gross in the morning from all the drops and stuff. I have to rinse it out the best I can. I will continue to rest and take it easy. I can do this. ;-) I plan to go to church tomorrow.
I had a nice evening with my bubby last night. Bubby is a relatively new friend that is like a Christian little brother to me. We met a few months ago and got close pretty fast ( some of you know how I am with people). We had a nice supper. A nice talk Watched a few movies. Relaxed. It was a good thing. I find it cool that we call each other Bub or Bubby. That is what my little brother and I used to call each other when we were young. ;-)
I also finished up my D2 reading for next week. I am on the third revision of my devotion for the evening. I hope to finish a book that a friend lent me either today or tomorrow. It is sort of a slow read. I have to turn off my "remember a lot of this stuff" reading mode when I read this book. I like it though.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Friday, February 11, 2011
Do I really love to tell the story?
Our Daily Bread
The devotional today refers to the hymn "I love to tell the story". After thinking about the devotional, I am not sure I can honestly sing that hymn! I am not the kind of person to just go through the motions, especially at church. I want to be honest when I sing a hymn or say a prayer.
God is working in me to use my outgoing personality to share my faith more and more. I started with the care call team at church. I make phone calls and/or send emails as needed to folks who haven't been at church in a while. I can do that. I teased one friend that I need to channel the energy I use for flirting into spreading the Gospel! Yikes!
How about you? When was the last time you told the story? Do you love to tell it?
Lord, help me honestly say "I love to tell the story". Your story.
Foodie Friday
The recipe for this week is for Easy Chicken Bake. It is from the back of a box of Stovetop Stuffing mix. I don't usually put the veggies in the mix. I prefer to use more chicken. Try it both ways and see how you like it. You can also make it healthier by using whole wheat stuffing mix, low fat soup and low fat sour cream. It still tastes pretty good! I also sautee the chicken before mixing it with the rest of the ingredients.
Easy Chicken Bake
1 pkg Stove Top stuffing mix for chicken
1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into cubes
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/3 cup sour cream
1 bag frozen mixed vegetables, thawed, drained.
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare stuffing mix per package directions. Set aside.
2. Mix chicken, soup, sour cream and vegetables in 13X9 inch baking dish, top with stuffing
3. Bake for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked thoroughly.
Makes six servings.
Enjoy!
Other Stuff
My left eye is doing a little better today. I forgot that it takes a few days before I can see very well out of it after this surgery. I can see large shapes and some smaller shapes. Nothing is clear at this time. I will continue to rest and take it easy.
I decided to cancel my trip to St Louis this weekend. I do not feel comfortable driving by myself. I could have flown, but I don't think lugging a suitcase around would be a good thing either. My best friend completely understood. He agreed that he would be more worried about me instead of focusing on his family and other friends for the funeral. He will call me as he needs to talk and vent.
I watched a movie yesterday and started on my D2 readings after a couple of naps. I have also been writing the devotional that God told me to write for the Feb 16 D2 class. I didn't understand how it would be relevant until I started reading the chapters this week. Our God is an awesome God. I hope it is as meaningful to the other disciples as it has been for me to write it. I will post it here next Thursday after I read it in class on Wed night.
Monday will be my annual "give my love life over to God" day. I choose not to be depressed about not having someone special for Valentines Day. God has given me so much in my life. He has someone special for me. I will discover who that is when the time is right. Our God is an awesome God. He knows what is best for us and at the specific time. I get frustrated that His time is not always my time. What is up with that? hehehe
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
The devotional today refers to the hymn "I love to tell the story". After thinking about the devotional, I am not sure I can honestly sing that hymn! I am not the kind of person to just go through the motions, especially at church. I want to be honest when I sing a hymn or say a prayer.
God is working in me to use my outgoing personality to share my faith more and more. I started with the care call team at church. I make phone calls and/or send emails as needed to folks who haven't been at church in a while. I can do that. I teased one friend that I need to channel the energy I use for flirting into spreading the Gospel! Yikes!
How about you? When was the last time you told the story? Do you love to tell it?
Lord, help me honestly say "I love to tell the story". Your story.
Foodie Friday
The recipe for this week is for Easy Chicken Bake. It is from the back of a box of Stovetop Stuffing mix. I don't usually put the veggies in the mix. I prefer to use more chicken. Try it both ways and see how you like it. You can also make it healthier by using whole wheat stuffing mix, low fat soup and low fat sour cream. It still tastes pretty good! I also sautee the chicken before mixing it with the rest of the ingredients.
Easy Chicken Bake
1 pkg Stove Top stuffing mix for chicken
1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into cubes
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/3 cup sour cream
1 bag frozen mixed vegetables, thawed, drained.
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare stuffing mix per package directions. Set aside.
2. Mix chicken, soup, sour cream and vegetables in 13X9 inch baking dish, top with stuffing
3. Bake for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked thoroughly.
Makes six servings.
Enjoy!
Other Stuff
My left eye is doing a little better today. I forgot that it takes a few days before I can see very well out of it after this surgery. I can see large shapes and some smaller shapes. Nothing is clear at this time. I will continue to rest and take it easy.
I decided to cancel my trip to St Louis this weekend. I do not feel comfortable driving by myself. I could have flown, but I don't think lugging a suitcase around would be a good thing either. My best friend completely understood. He agreed that he would be more worried about me instead of focusing on his family and other friends for the funeral. He will call me as he needs to talk and vent.
I watched a movie yesterday and started on my D2 readings after a couple of naps. I have also been writing the devotional that God told me to write for the Feb 16 D2 class. I didn't understand how it would be relevant until I started reading the chapters this week. Our God is an awesome God. I hope it is as meaningful to the other disciples as it has been for me to write it. I will post it here next Thursday after I read it in class on Wed night.
Monday will be my annual "give my love life over to God" day. I choose not to be depressed about not having someone special for Valentines Day. God has given me so much in my life. He has someone special for me. I will discover who that is when the time is right. Our God is an awesome God. He knows what is best for us and at the specific time. I get frustrated that His time is not always my time. What is up with that? hehehe
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Odd question....
Our Daily Bread
The sentence at the end of the devotional today is this:
"If you meet opposition, maybe it shows that you are doing something that counts."
My question is: if you are meeting opposition, does it mean that you aren't doing something that counts? Wow! I will have to think about that one! I remember being taught as a teenager that your life will be very smooth and easy, like the wide road that leads to Hell, when you aren't doing God's will. I always thought that was odd. It made the ways of God seem painful and unattractive. I finally learned that God cleanses and purifies his children so we can commune better together. We can understand his ways a little better. We can rest in the knowledge that his path for us, the narrow and winding road, is our best option is life. Our lives might not always be easy, but we have the strength and guidance of the Almighty God on our side!
Lord, help me to speak your words and do something that counts!
Technology Thursday
Just a few random technology notes for this week.
Verizon started selling the iPhone 4 this week. It is also available at Best Buy on the Verizon network. It will be interesting to hear how the performance of their 3G network will hold up with the new traffic from the iPhones!
I am seeing more "leaks" about the Motorola Xoom tablet computer. It is supposed to be the iPad killer. The rumors have it the iPad 2 will be at least as good as the Xoom and much cheaper! There will be some functionality differences between the iOS and Android Mobile (Zoom uses this). There will always be some Apple-centric things that will bug some folks. Some people will use the Samsung tablet or the Motorola tablet so they won't be buying an Apple product! Here is a link to the Xoom web page.
I saw some interesting technologies at the conference last week. Unified telephony was the big one that is getting better and better each year. You will be hearing more about that in the personal devices market in the next year or two. There are a few devices out there now.
Other Stuff
My left eye is doing OK. My vision is clearing up a little, but not as fast as I thought it would. I will rest and be patient. I need to call my best friend. I don't think there is any way I can drive to St Louis this weekend for his father's funeral. I will stay home and rest instead. I can read OK, but watching movies is not as fun since I can only focus with one eye. ;-( It will get better. Just need some time.
Only three more weeks left for our D2 class! I will miss this group of people. We have enjoyed my great talks and insights. I am so thankful to have been a part of it. I am giving the devotional next week. The neat part is that God lead me to write something about myself. I looked ahead last night to discover that the topic fits perfectly with one of the lessons for net week! Cool! Isn't God amazing!
Hang in there, my friends. I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
The sentence at the end of the devotional today is this:
"If you meet opposition, maybe it shows that you are doing something that counts."
My question is: if you are meeting opposition, does it mean that you aren't doing something that counts? Wow! I will have to think about that one! I remember being taught as a teenager that your life will be very smooth and easy, like the wide road that leads to Hell, when you aren't doing God's will. I always thought that was odd. It made the ways of God seem painful and unattractive. I finally learned that God cleanses and purifies his children so we can commune better together. We can understand his ways a little better. We can rest in the knowledge that his path for us, the narrow and winding road, is our best option is life. Our lives might not always be easy, but we have the strength and guidance of the Almighty God on our side!
Lord, help me to speak your words and do something that counts!
Technology Thursday
Just a few random technology notes for this week.
Verizon started selling the iPhone 4 this week. It is also available at Best Buy on the Verizon network. It will be interesting to hear how the performance of their 3G network will hold up with the new traffic from the iPhones!
I am seeing more "leaks" about the Motorola Xoom tablet computer. It is supposed to be the iPad killer. The rumors have it the iPad 2 will be at least as good as the Xoom and much cheaper! There will be some functionality differences between the iOS and Android Mobile (Zoom uses this). There will always be some Apple-centric things that will bug some folks. Some people will use the Samsung tablet or the Motorola tablet so they won't be buying an Apple product! Here is a link to the Xoom web page.
I saw some interesting technologies at the conference last week. Unified telephony was the big one that is getting better and better each year. You will be hearing more about that in the personal devices market in the next year or two. There are a few devices out there now.
Other Stuff
My left eye is doing OK. My vision is clearing up a little, but not as fast as I thought it would. I will rest and be patient. I need to call my best friend. I don't think there is any way I can drive to St Louis this weekend for his father's funeral. I will stay home and rest instead. I can read OK, but watching movies is not as fun since I can only focus with one eye. ;-( It will get better. Just need some time.
Only three more weeks left for our D2 class! I will miss this group of people. We have enjoyed my great talks and insights. I am so thankful to have been a part of it. I am giving the devotional next week. The neat part is that God lead me to write something about myself. I looked ahead last night to discover that the topic fits perfectly with one of the lessons for net week! Cool! Isn't God amazing!
Hang in there, my friends. I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
I got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Our Daily Bread
...down in my heart. Down in my heart! Yes! I like the points of today's devotional. We cannot truly experience joy if we have not experienced some sorrow. If we have experienced joy and sorry, the next logical thing to do is empathize with those around us during their joy and sorrow! I like the idea of "being there" for my friends and sometimes for folks that I don't even know.
I have a tendency to be a giver instead of receiving this kind of attention. I was deeply touched by a close friend who took me to my eye surgery yesterday. It meant even more to me when he told me some comforting words that I told him recently. He said those meant a lot to him at the time and still today. He wanted me to know that and to experience the peace he felt when he thought of them.
Did I mention -- I got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart! hehehe
Yes, I had my eye cut on yesterday. Yes, it was scary. And YES!, God provided his love and care in the form of friends and family who care for me. Our God is an awesome God!
Lord, thank you for your peace, love and strength during all my joys and sorrows! I praise you!
Lifestyle Change Wednesday
I have been trying to eat better and walk more. I haven't ridden my new recumbent bike very much. One of the reasons is that the basement was being worked on (it is pretty much done now). I was also out of town for eight days. During my trip to Orlando, I did a lot of walking. I was also pretty successful in watching what I ate, except for a few days.
I got on the scale this morning and weighed in at 265. That is a loss of seven pounds so far. I will keep working at it. I need to watch my eating the next two weeks when I can't be very active. I need to rest as much as I can so my eye can start healing. I may try to walk next week or do a light session on my bike. The doctor says I can do stuff as long as it is not "straining" in any way. Yikes!
Other Stuff
I go to the doctor in a few minutes to have the patch taken off my left eye. The eye hurt more than what I anticipated yesterday afternoon, but it settled down last night. I slept most of the afternoon, then did my reading for D2. I will review the readings some more this afternoon. I have to wear the metal patch over night for the next few weeks so I do't accidentally rub my eye. That would be bad. I will wear some protective glasses when I am out and about for the next few weeks as well so nothing accidentally hits my eye. That would also be bad!
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
...down in my heart. Down in my heart! Yes! I like the points of today's devotional. We cannot truly experience joy if we have not experienced some sorrow. If we have experienced joy and sorry, the next logical thing to do is empathize with those around us during their joy and sorrow! I like the idea of "being there" for my friends and sometimes for folks that I don't even know.
I have a tendency to be a giver instead of receiving this kind of attention. I was deeply touched by a close friend who took me to my eye surgery yesterday. It meant even more to me when he told me some comforting words that I told him recently. He said those meant a lot to him at the time and still today. He wanted me to know that and to experience the peace he felt when he thought of them.
Did I mention -- I got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart! hehehe
Yes, I had my eye cut on yesterday. Yes, it was scary. And YES!, God provided his love and care in the form of friends and family who care for me. Our God is an awesome God!
Lord, thank you for your peace, love and strength during all my joys and sorrows! I praise you!
Lifestyle Change Wednesday
I have been trying to eat better and walk more. I haven't ridden my new recumbent bike very much. One of the reasons is that the basement was being worked on (it is pretty much done now). I was also out of town for eight days. During my trip to Orlando, I did a lot of walking. I was also pretty successful in watching what I ate, except for a few days.
I got on the scale this morning and weighed in at 265. That is a loss of seven pounds so far. I will keep working at it. I need to watch my eating the next two weeks when I can't be very active. I need to rest as much as I can so my eye can start healing. I may try to walk next week or do a light session on my bike. The doctor says I can do stuff as long as it is not "straining" in any way. Yikes!
Other Stuff
I go to the doctor in a few minutes to have the patch taken off my left eye. The eye hurt more than what I anticipated yesterday afternoon, but it settled down last night. I slept most of the afternoon, then did my reading for D2. I will review the readings some more this afternoon. I have to wear the metal patch over night for the next few weeks so I do't accidentally rub my eye. That would be bad. I will wear some protective glasses when I am out and about for the next few weeks as well so nothing accidentally hits my eye. That would also be bad!
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Space cadet...
Our Daily Bread
I didn't get much out of today's devotional at first. It was about parenting. Then I thought about the book "It takes a village to raise a child" by Hillary Clinton. I am a member of several "villages". Am I being the best example for little eyes and little ears? Probably not all of the time!
I was at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure last week. There were LOTS of kids! Was I the Christian example for those children or did my impatience leave them with a question mark about guys like me? Hmmm. Food for thought.
How about you? What are you like when you around little kids. How about big kids? Are you the example that you need to be?
Lord, help me remember the little eyes and little ears are around a lot!
Surgery Update
I headed to surgery this morning about 7:00 am. I had to be at the hospital two hours before the outpatient surgery at 9:30. I am thankful for the good friend who took me this morning! I have another friend taking me to the follow up visit on Wednesday to get the patch off my left eye. I am sure things will be fine. I am thankful to have another chance to keep my eye sight. Very thankful indeed.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
I didn't get much out of today's devotional at first. It was about parenting. Then I thought about the book "It takes a village to raise a child" by Hillary Clinton. I am a member of several "villages". Am I being the best example for little eyes and little ears? Probably not all of the time!
I was at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure last week. There were LOTS of kids! Was I the Christian example for those children or did my impatience leave them with a question mark about guys like me? Hmmm. Food for thought.
How about you? What are you like when you around little kids. How about big kids? Are you the example that you need to be?
Lord, help me remember the little eyes and little ears are around a lot!
Surgery Update
I headed to surgery this morning about 7:00 am. I had to be at the hospital two hours before the outpatient surgery at 9:30. I am thankful for the good friend who took me this morning! I have another friend taking me to the follow up visit on Wednesday to get the patch off my left eye. I am sure things will be fine. I am thankful to have another chance to keep my eye sight. Very thankful indeed.
Hang in there, my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sometimes I feel like...Somebody's watch-in' meeee....
Our Daily Bread
Yes, God's angels are watching over us! Woohooo! Praise God!
THEN, I thought about all the times that I do stuff I shouldn't do... God's angels are watching over me then as well! Yikes!
It is comforting to know that God watches out for us. His armies are every with us fighting battles unseen while we are unaware.
Lord, thank you for my guardian angels! You know I need them!
Other Stuff
Eye surgery tomorrow. Went for my presurgery screening today. It went fine. Tomorrow should come off with out a hitch. I am confident. ;-)
I will do some reading and relaxing the rest of the week.
I hope to drive to St Louis on Friday. My best friend lost his father. The funeral is on Saturday. I plan to attend if at all possible.
Hang in there my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Yes, God's angels are watching over us! Woohooo! Praise God!
THEN, I thought about all the times that I do stuff I shouldn't do... God's angels are watching over me then as well! Yikes!
It is comforting to know that God watches out for us. His armies are every with us fighting battles unseen while we are unaware.
Lord, thank you for my guardian angels! You know I need them!
Other Stuff
Eye surgery tomorrow. Went for my presurgery screening today. It went fine. Tomorrow should come off with out a hitch. I am confident. ;-)
I will do some reading and relaxing the rest of the week.
I hope to drive to St Louis on Friday. My best friend lost his father. The funeral is on Saturday. I plan to attend if at all possible.
Hang in there my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Let me see others...
Our Daily Bread
Lord, let me see others for who they really are and not for who I think they are! One of the most important things I have learned at my church is to accept everyone for who they are. We have folks from all walks of life, many races and creeds, many economic levels and many different backgrounds. It is very cool to see all these folks sitting and worshipping God together!
I grew up in a very prejudiced environment. I realized at an early age that these attitudes weren't right. I tried very hard to learn more about other people and to share my experiences with my family. I STILL find that I have prejudices at 51 years of age! Darn it! I am working on them. I try not to let them affect my interactions with church folks or coworkers. It is difficult at times. Also, being a part of a minority that is prejudiced againts regularly, I should be even more accepting if I want others to accept me! A a child of God, all of his children are equal in his sight. They should be equal in mine as well.
Lord, I want to see others through your eyes!
Orlando Update
Time to go home! I miss my house, my church and my friends. I do not miss the cold weather! I want that on the record! hehehe The airport shuttle is picking me up in a few minutes.
I am not sure what was going on with me yesterday. I didn't feel like doing much. I even watched TV! What was up with that? hehehe I planned to pray and read a lot. I didn't do much of either. It was just one of those days I guess. Going to be busy today and tomorrow, then I can rest after my surgery on Tuesday.
Hang in there, my friends. I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Lord, let me see others for who they really are and not for who I think they are! One of the most important things I have learned at my church is to accept everyone for who they are. We have folks from all walks of life, many races and creeds, many economic levels and many different backgrounds. It is very cool to see all these folks sitting and worshipping God together!
I grew up in a very prejudiced environment. I realized at an early age that these attitudes weren't right. I tried very hard to learn more about other people and to share my experiences with my family. I STILL find that I have prejudices at 51 years of age! Darn it! I am working on them. I try not to let them affect my interactions with church folks or coworkers. It is difficult at times. Also, being a part of a minority that is prejudiced againts regularly, I should be even more accepting if I want others to accept me! A a child of God, all of his children are equal in his sight. They should be equal in mine as well.
Lord, I want to see others through your eyes!
Orlando Update
Time to go home! I miss my house, my church and my friends. I do not miss the cold weather! I want that on the record! hehehe The airport shuttle is picking me up in a few minutes.
I am not sure what was going on with me yesterday. I didn't feel like doing much. I even watched TV! What was up with that? hehehe I planned to pray and read a lot. I didn't do much of either. It was just one of those days I guess. Going to be busy today and tomorrow, then I can rest after my surgery on Tuesday.
Hang in there, my friends. I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Saturday, February 5, 2011
My hope is built on nothing less...
Our Daily Bread
One of my favorite hymns is On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand. We should all have Christ as the foundation of our no ordinary lives! I know I do! ;-) Praise God!
I also know that I try to do things on my own waaaaayyyy too many times! I try to make things happen instead of letting God work in my life and in the lives of others. How amazing to have a God that wants to be in my daily life! I am so blessed!
My prayer for each of us is that God will be the foundation of our lives. He will lead us to things that we never imagined possible.
Lord, I thank you for my life. I thank you for the honor of serving you!
Simply Saturday
Yes, the picture below is the view from my room this weekend. Please don't hate. I laid out by the pool and used the hot tubs a few times already. I am not looking forward to going back to the cold weather tomorrow!
I enjoyed the conference a lot. I got to see some old friends. I got to meet some new friends. I also started tweeting, so you can follow me on Twitter @duanebear ;-)
I had a great day at the Universal parks yesterday. Universal Studios had some older, but cool stuff. Islands of Adventure had some cool stuff including the new Harry Potter section. It was soooooo cool! I got to see it twice this week and enjoyed it both times. The first time was more fun because butterbeer and pumpkin juice were free! Woohoooo!
I fly home Sunday morning. I have a little time to get laundry done and get my house in order before having my eye surgery Tuesday morning. I will be off for two weeks.
I had some bad news yesterday -- my best friend lost his father. He lived a very full life, however, he went sort of quickly. We are all saddened by Sal's death. I hope to attend the funeral next Saturday if my eye is doing OK.
Hang in there my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
One of my favorite hymns is On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand. We should all have Christ as the foundation of our no ordinary lives! I know I do! ;-) Praise God!
I also know that I try to do things on my own waaaaayyyy too many times! I try to make things happen instead of letting God work in my life and in the lives of others. How amazing to have a God that wants to be in my daily life! I am so blessed!
My prayer for each of us is that God will be the foundation of our lives. He will lead us to things that we never imagined possible.
Lord, I thank you for my life. I thank you for the honor of serving you!
Simply Saturday
Yes, the picture below is the view from my room this weekend. Please don't hate. I laid out by the pool and used the hot tubs a few times already. I am not looking forward to going back to the cold weather tomorrow!
I enjoyed the conference a lot. I got to see some old friends. I got to meet some new friends. I also started tweeting, so you can follow me on Twitter @duanebear ;-)
I had a great day at the Universal parks yesterday. Universal Studios had some older, but cool stuff. Islands of Adventure had some cool stuff including the new Harry Potter section. It was soooooo cool! I got to see it twice this week and enjoyed it both times. The first time was more fun because butterbeer and pumpkin juice were free! Woohoooo!
I fly home Sunday morning. I have a little time to get laundry done and get my house in order before having my eye surgery Tuesday morning. I will be off for two weeks.
I had some bad news yesterday -- my best friend lost his father. He lived a very full life, however, he went sort of quickly. We are all saddened by Sal's death. I hope to attend the funeral next Saturday if my eye is doing OK.
Hang in there my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Friday, February 4, 2011
orlando update
Going to visit Harry Potter again today. I had a great time Wed night. I will let you know how the park looks in the daylight. It was dark Wednesday night.
Our Daily Bread
If something didn't change when Christ came into your heart then you didn't do it right! Hehehe. Don't mean to judge. Christ changes things in your heart and your mind. I remember how he chamged me at the tender age of 8. God's lovingkindness made all the sense in the world to me.
Now I try to serve him the beat I can. I sin. I make mistakes. I keep trying to be a better person and a better representative of God. No pressure! It is my honor to serve him.
Hang in there my friends. I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Our Daily Bread
If something didn't change when Christ came into your heart then you didn't do it right! Hehehe. Don't mean to judge. Christ changes things in your heart and your mind. I remember how he chamged me at the tender age of 8. God's lovingkindness made all the sense in the world to me.
Now I try to serve him the beat I can. I sin. I make mistakes. I keep trying to be a better person and a better representative of God. No pressure! It is my honor to serve him.
Hang in there my friends. I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Our Daily Bread
The devotional today is important to a school geek like me. I have spent a lot of time learning as much as I about stuff. I am fortunate to have two masters degrees in varying subjects. All of this means nothing when we talk about God. Knowing about God is not the same thing as knowing God. Satan knows about God. You know how he works! Yikes!
My goal is to know more about God so I can know God even better than before. Isn't that how you build a relationship? Learn more about that person. I know a lot about some famous people but that doesn't mean that I have a relationship with them. Take the time to talk to God. Listen to God as well. He wants to have a relationship with you.
Orlando Update
The weather is 80 and overcast today. We might get rain. My conference is over this afternoon. I will move to another hotel for the weekend. I am flying home on Sunday. Not looking forward to the cold weather again!
I had an incredible time at the Islands of Adventure last night. The Harry Potter section was amazing! I could have stayed for hours. A coworker took lots of pictures. My iPhone camera didn't work very well. :-( I am too fat to ride the cool rides so I road the hypogriff ride. It was enough for me. Hehehe. I am a wimp when it comes to rides. It was a great evening. I picked up a few souvenirs.
Not sure what I will do this weekend. Napping sounds like a plan right now though I will have plenty of time for that the next two weeks. I didn't think about that.
Hang in there my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
The devotional today is important to a school geek like me. I have spent a lot of time learning as much as I about stuff. I am fortunate to have two masters degrees in varying subjects. All of this means nothing when we talk about God. Knowing about God is not the same thing as knowing God. Satan knows about God. You know how he works! Yikes!
My goal is to know more about God so I can know God even better than before. Isn't that how you build a relationship? Learn more about that person. I know a lot about some famous people but that doesn't mean that I have a relationship with them. Take the time to talk to God. Listen to God as well. He wants to have a relationship with you.
Orlando Update
The weather is 80 and overcast today. We might get rain. My conference is over this afternoon. I will move to another hotel for the weekend. I am flying home on Sunday. Not looking forward to the cold weather again!
I had an incredible time at the Islands of Adventure last night. The Harry Potter section was amazing! I could have stayed for hours. A coworker took lots of pictures. My iPhone camera didn't work very well. :-( I am too fat to ride the cool rides so I road the hypogriff ride. It was enough for me. Hehehe. I am a wimp when it comes to rides. It was a great evening. I picked up a few souvenirs.
Not sure what I will do this weekend. Napping sounds like a plan right now though I will have plenty of time for that the next two weeks. I didn't think about that.
Hang in there my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
computer stuff in a devotion?
Our Daily Bread
The poem today is one of my all-time favorites. We need to pray the most when we have the least amount of time for it! Wow!
I have been experiencing this the past few weeks. How do I pray more when I am sick and tired and stressed? Then I think: i found time to eat. I found time to spend time with friends. I found time for all the things that are important to me except for prayer!
Lord please forgive me for not making prayer more important to me!
Orlando Update
I had a long day yesterday. Lots of sessions and things to do. I had to sleep in this morning to recover! I have several sessions today then a fun evening planned at the Universal park. Can't wait to see the Harry Potter section of the park! Woohooo!
Considering the devotion today and the rainy weather we are expecting in Orlando, I am considering a prayer retreat one day. I need to work out some things with God and I need to do some listening.
Hang in there my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
The poem today is one of my all-time favorites. We need to pray the most when we have the least amount of time for it! Wow!
I have been experiencing this the past few weeks. How do I pray more when I am sick and tired and stressed? Then I think: i found time to eat. I found time to spend time with friends. I found time for all the things that are important to me except for prayer!
Lord please forgive me for not making prayer more important to me!
Orlando Update
I had a long day yesterday. Lots of sessions and things to do. I had to sleep in this morning to recover! I have several sessions today then a fun evening planned at the Universal park. Can't wait to see the Harry Potter section of the park! Woohooo!
Considering the devotion today and the rainy weather we are expecting in Orlando, I am considering a prayer retreat one day. I need to work out some things with God and I need to do some listening.
Hang in there my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Restless fickle heart
Our Daily Bread
So what yesterday's devotion lacked in meaning was outdone by the topic for today. I know i have a restless and fickle heart! Everyone does!
I thought about the devotion a lot this morning. I have a tendency to question myself a lot, especially in matters of the heart. I had some uncharacteristic things happen the past few years. I don't always understand why. The best explanation is my fickle and restless heart. I made mountains out of molehills meaning I tried to make something out of nothing several times. That is not like me. God used the experiences to show me that i need to turn my whole heart over to him each day. Wow!
Lord please help me submit my restless and fickle hearr over to you.
Orlando Update
It was beautiful here again yesterday. It is supposed to be 80 degrees today with overcast skies. Rain is moving in. I am thankful that I am not in the Columbus ice storm today!
It has been nice to see some old friends and make some new friends at this conference. Very cool! I have very days planned for Tuesday and Wednesday. I am looking forward to relaxing and recharging this weekend.
Hang in there my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
So what yesterday's devotion lacked in meaning was outdone by the topic for today. I know i have a restless and fickle heart! Everyone does!
I thought about the devotion a lot this morning. I have a tendency to question myself a lot, especially in matters of the heart. I had some uncharacteristic things happen the past few years. I don't always understand why. The best explanation is my fickle and restless heart. I made mountains out of molehills meaning I tried to make something out of nothing several times. That is not like me. God used the experiences to show me that i need to turn my whole heart over to him each day. Wow!
Lord please help me submit my restless and fickle hearr over to you.
Orlando Update
It was beautiful here again yesterday. It is supposed to be 80 degrees today with overcast skies. Rain is moving in. I am thankful that I am not in the Columbus ice storm today!
It has been nice to see some old friends and make some new friends at this conference. Very cool! I have very days planned for Tuesday and Wednesday. I am looking forward to relaxing and recharging this weekend.
Hang in there my friends! I will be upbeat and steady. That is what I do...
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