Saturday, June 30, 2012
Lots going on
Having a busy week. Sorry I haven't written more. Will try to get back on track tomorrow. Duane
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Is this going to be on the test?
Our Daily Bread
I had a professor in college that sort of a character ( in a good way). We could joke back and forth about things during the class. I learned a lot from him. One of my jokes was this scenario: we would discuss a difficult topic in class, I would ask "Is this going to be on the test?", and he would reply "If it is important, then you will be tested on it!".
Life in Christ is very similar. We read the Bible and learn how we are supposed to act, think and love. All of those things are very, very important, so doesn't it make sense that we will be tested on it? ;-P First, let me say that I don't believe that God tests us. I believe that God allows us to be tested. He allows the evil one to make things happen to us that challenges our faith and our beliefs in how God words. It is up to us to study hard, learn the lessons and do the right things when we are tested. As David did in the Psalms, we need to recognize that God is in control and he is worthy to be praised in all of life's ups and downs!
Lord, please help us praise you regardless of our circumstances!
Technology Thursday
Here are a few technology headlines for this week:
Google is trying to block the import and sale of Apple iPhone and iPad in the U.S. I guess if you can't beat them, sue them.
Google releases low cost tablet Yet another tablet labeled as an "iPad killer". The $199 device, sounds like a Kindle Fire doesn't it, will be available in mid-July in four countries. You can preorder now at the Google store. The specs look impressive. We will see how it performs.
Samsung Galaxy S III This is the hot phone for summer. So hot you may not be able to get one for a few months! The preorders are backed up right now. Samsung predicted selling ten million of these babies in the next month or two!
***********************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I had a professor in college that sort of a character ( in a good way). We could joke back and forth about things during the class. I learned a lot from him. One of my jokes was this scenario: we would discuss a difficult topic in class, I would ask "Is this going to be on the test?", and he would reply "If it is important, then you will be tested on it!".
Life in Christ is very similar. We read the Bible and learn how we are supposed to act, think and love. All of those things are very, very important, so doesn't it make sense that we will be tested on it? ;-P First, let me say that I don't believe that God tests us. I believe that God allows us to be tested. He allows the evil one to make things happen to us that challenges our faith and our beliefs in how God words. It is up to us to study hard, learn the lessons and do the right things when we are tested. As David did in the Psalms, we need to recognize that God is in control and he is worthy to be praised in all of life's ups and downs!
Lord, please help us praise you regardless of our circumstances!
Technology Thursday
Here are a few technology headlines for this week:
Google is trying to block the import and sale of Apple iPhone and iPad in the U.S. I guess if you can't beat them, sue them.
Google releases low cost tablet Yet another tablet labeled as an "iPad killer". The $199 device, sounds like a Kindle Fire doesn't it, will be available in mid-July in four countries. You can preorder now at the Google store. The specs look impressive. We will see how it performs.
Samsung Galaxy S III This is the hot phone for summer. So hot you may not be able to get one for a few months! The preorders are backed up right now. Samsung predicted selling ten million of these babies in the next month or two!
***********************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
9 wonderful fruits...
Our Daily Bread
You have heard of the seven deadly sins, right? There was even a bizarre movie made about them called Seven. Ewwww! The devotional today is about what I call the nine graces.
They are not really graces. They are called the fruits of the Spirit. They are: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Wow, I pretty much suck at all of those things! Darn it! I guess I need more Spirit! Holy Spirit that is!
How about you? Do any of those words describe you?
Lord, please send your Holy Spirit to us and help us be open to learning the fruits of the Spirit!
Workout Wednesday
Kettlebell
This is a kettlebell:
They come in different weights and can be used for a wide variety of exercises. Please don't make the mistake I made and call it a kettleball. The trainers REALLY hate that! I told him if it doesn't ring, then it isn't a bell! Makes sense!
I use these for several exercises:
military presses: This exercise starts holding the kettlebell in one hand about chest high, then lift it up keeping your arm and elbow close to your ear. Repeat about ten times on each side. Do three sets. You can use a larger kettlebell as you build strength.
Swings: Place your feet a little wider than shoulder width apart. Hold the kettlebell by the handle with both hands. You want to swing the bell up to about waist height, then pivot your hips back, swinging the bell between your legs. You should look like one of those funny birds that swivel down and up into a glass of water! Don't bend your knees a lot, just slightly. You should feel this exercise in the back of your legs and glutes. Do three sets of ten reps to start.
weight assisted lunges: Hold one kettlebell above your head while doing walking lunges. Try doing three sets of 20 walking lunges (that is ten on each side). You can also hold a kettlebell in each hand, straight down, when doing walking lunges to add more difficulty and strength training.
These things are very handy. There are a lot more exercises you can do. They are sort of pricey, so I don't keep any around the house. I may invest in some if I catch a good deal somewhere. I am sort of between sizes right now. I will try to move up if I buy some.
***************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
You have heard of the seven deadly sins, right? There was even a bizarre movie made about them called Seven. Ewwww! The devotional today is about what I call the nine graces.
They are not really graces. They are called the fruits of the Spirit. They are: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Wow, I pretty much suck at all of those things! Darn it! I guess I need more Spirit! Holy Spirit that is!
How about you? Do any of those words describe you?
Lord, please send your Holy Spirit to us and help us be open to learning the fruits of the Spirit!
Workout Wednesday
Kettlebell
This is a kettlebell:
They come in different weights and can be used for a wide variety of exercises. Please don't make the mistake I made and call it a kettleball. The trainers REALLY hate that! I told him if it doesn't ring, then it isn't a bell! Makes sense!
I use these for several exercises:
military presses: This exercise starts holding the kettlebell in one hand about chest high, then lift it up keeping your arm and elbow close to your ear. Repeat about ten times on each side. Do three sets. You can use a larger kettlebell as you build strength.
Swings: Place your feet a little wider than shoulder width apart. Hold the kettlebell by the handle with both hands. You want to swing the bell up to about waist height, then pivot your hips back, swinging the bell between your legs. You should look like one of those funny birds that swivel down and up into a glass of water! Don't bend your knees a lot, just slightly. You should feel this exercise in the back of your legs and glutes. Do three sets of ten reps to start.
weight assisted lunges: Hold one kettlebell above your head while doing walking lunges. Try doing three sets of 20 walking lunges (that is ten on each side). You can also hold a kettlebell in each hand, straight down, when doing walking lunges to add more difficulty and strength training.
These things are very handy. There are a lot more exercises you can do. They are sort of pricey, so I don't keep any around the house. I may invest in some if I catch a good deal somewhere. I am sort of between sizes right now. I will try to move up if I buy some.
***************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Prayer changes things...
Our Daily Bread
It is very easy to be nice to folks that are nice to you! Very easy indeed! You invite them over for dinner. They invite you over for dinner. You text them with "Good morning". They text you with "Good morning to you too". Very easy indeed. As Christians, it is the "others" that causes us problems!
You know those folks, don't you? The ones that you avoid for whatever reason. Either they said something bad about you or disagreed vehemently with you in a Bible study class or your own personal reason. You go out of your way to be nice since you know it is the right thing to do. But nooooooo! They are still nasty to you! Well, the Bible says to pray for those folks. Many times, that is the only thing you can do! Do not harbor bad feelings towards them. Look at them through God's eyes. I know what you are thinking -- God is the only one who could love them! That is not the right attitude, missy! hehehe
Lord, please help us to love our enemies and those who hate us. Help us pray for them -- and mean it!
Teaching Tuesday
Secret number 6 in The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People is:
Cultivate friendships
After wisely choosing the company you keep (secret 5), cultivate those friendships! The book says that folks want and need to feel apart of something. They need to care about others and be cared about. It is simple isn't it?
I will never forget how good my grandmother was at making new friends. She lived until she was 85. She missed her husband, two sons and most of her siblings who went on to Glory before her. She pushed herself to make new friends and cultivate the friendships. I never knew who I was going to find in her living room when I visited her. A new friend from church. The child of a old friend. A long lost cousin. She was amazing. I think we can all learn from her!
Be a friend to have a friend!
**********************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
u r a BCOG U r FAWM Now believe it!
It is very easy to be nice to folks that are nice to you! Very easy indeed! You invite them over for dinner. They invite you over for dinner. You text them with "Good morning". They text you with "Good morning to you too". Very easy indeed. As Christians, it is the "others" that causes us problems!
You know those folks, don't you? The ones that you avoid for whatever reason. Either they said something bad about you or disagreed vehemently with you in a Bible study class or your own personal reason. You go out of your way to be nice since you know it is the right thing to do. But nooooooo! They are still nasty to you! Well, the Bible says to pray for those folks. Many times, that is the only thing you can do! Do not harbor bad feelings towards them. Look at them through God's eyes. I know what you are thinking -- God is the only one who could love them! That is not the right attitude, missy! hehehe
Lord, please help us to love our enemies and those who hate us. Help us pray for them -- and mean it!
Teaching Tuesday
Secret number 6 in The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People is:
Cultivate friendships
After wisely choosing the company you keep (secret 5), cultivate those friendships! The book says that folks want and need to feel apart of something. They need to care about others and be cared about. It is simple isn't it?
I will never forget how good my grandmother was at making new friends. She lived until she was 85. She missed her husband, two sons and most of her siblings who went on to Glory before her. She pushed herself to make new friends and cultivate the friendships. I never knew who I was going to find in her living room when I visited her. A new friend from church. The child of a old friend. A long lost cousin. She was amazing. I think we can all learn from her!
Be a friend to have a friend!
**********************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
u r a BCOG U r FAWM Now believe it!
Monday, June 25, 2012
God can use anything...
Our Daily Bread
Have you ever met someone and thought "how could God ever use that person?". Have you ever looked in the mirror and asked "How could God ever use that person?" ;-p It is amazing to me how God can use anything to reach us if we are just open to him!
The devotional tells an amazing story about this. God used pureed food as a way to reach someone with his salvation! Pureed food! I think I can be just as useful as pureed food! Maybe not? ha! In short, a man with health problems required pureed food because of his swallowing condition. The Christian nursing home was a safe, clean place that offered good care and pureed food (when other places didn't offer the latter). That simple thing, we are talking pureed food here, opened the door to this man and his wife accepting Christ into their lives!
God can use the simplest of things -- even us if we let him!
Lord, please help us to look in the mirror and say "here am I, Lord, use me"
Movie Monday
Not much at the movies this week so I went to see Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Killer. I noticed the previews several months ago. I was skeptical to say the least. I had no idea what to expect other than Ol' Abe kickin' some vampire butt. To my pleasant surprise, the movie had great action, very scary vampires, and some historical fact/fiction mixed in for good measure! By the end of the movie, I really wanted to care for the characters. There were lots of surprises. Like any movie or show I see, there were the "what did I just see and why did I just see it" moments, but they were few.
I give this movie two bear paws. It was very bloody, so be warned if you are squeamish. See it at the theater for the scary effects.
********************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Have you ever met someone and thought "how could God ever use that person?". Have you ever looked in the mirror and asked "How could God ever use that person?" ;-p It is amazing to me how God can use anything to reach us if we are just open to him!
The devotional tells an amazing story about this. God used pureed food as a way to reach someone with his salvation! Pureed food! I think I can be just as useful as pureed food! Maybe not? ha! In short, a man with health problems required pureed food because of his swallowing condition. The Christian nursing home was a safe, clean place that offered good care and pureed food (when other places didn't offer the latter). That simple thing, we are talking pureed food here, opened the door to this man and his wife accepting Christ into their lives!
God can use the simplest of things -- even us if we let him!
Lord, please help us to look in the mirror and say "here am I, Lord, use me"
Movie Monday
Not much at the movies this week so I went to see Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Killer. I noticed the previews several months ago. I was skeptical to say the least. I had no idea what to expect other than Ol' Abe kickin' some vampire butt. To my pleasant surprise, the movie had great action, very scary vampires, and some historical fact/fiction mixed in for good measure! By the end of the movie, I really wanted to care for the characters. There were lots of surprises. Like any movie or show I see, there were the "what did I just see and why did I just see it" moments, but they were few.
I give this movie two bear paws. It was very bloody, so be warned if you are squeamish. See it at the theater for the scary effects.
********************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Going the distance...
Our Daily Bread
There have been many times in my life that God allowed me to be isolated from my closest friends so I would finally listen to him without all the noise of people around me. That may seem a little harsh, but I have a tendency to learn through epiphanies instead of little by little, especially when I am faced with a life crisis (or what feels like a life crisis). God uses those moments to show me I need to rely on him more and accept his grace and strength I need to go the distance.
The "distance" has two meanings to me. First, like the devotional, there is the physical distance of miles or kilometers. The minister in Nepal walked sixty miles with his parishioners to share the Gospel. The author admitted, like many of us, that he complained about driving across town to visit a shut in or someone in the hospital! Second, distance also means my spiritual journey in a metaphysical sense. There is obviously not a road map that tells me exactly where I am going although I often want to ask "Are we there yet?" ha! Going the distance in either case takes reliance on God for leadership and strength.
Lord, please help us go the distance for you wherever you call us to go!
Psalm Sunday
Psalm 51 is the psalm for today. Wow! So many of my favorite verses in this psalm. From the notes, this was written after Nathan confronted David about Bathsheba. David humbled himself before God and begged for forgiveness. Have you ever had this experience? Check out these verses:
1 - 4
10 - 13
17
My tongue stumbled a lot when reading this out loud. Take it slow. ;-)
Psalm 51
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
18 May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
****************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
There have been many times in my life that God allowed me to be isolated from my closest friends so I would finally listen to him without all the noise of people around me. That may seem a little harsh, but I have a tendency to learn through epiphanies instead of little by little, especially when I am faced with a life crisis (or what feels like a life crisis). God uses those moments to show me I need to rely on him more and accept his grace and strength I need to go the distance.
The "distance" has two meanings to me. First, like the devotional, there is the physical distance of miles or kilometers. The minister in Nepal walked sixty miles with his parishioners to share the Gospel. The author admitted, like many of us, that he complained about driving across town to visit a shut in or someone in the hospital! Second, distance also means my spiritual journey in a metaphysical sense. There is obviously not a road map that tells me exactly where I am going although I often want to ask "Are we there yet?" ha! Going the distance in either case takes reliance on God for leadership and strength.
Lord, please help us go the distance for you wherever you call us to go!
Psalm Sunday
Psalm 51 is the psalm for today. Wow! So many of my favorite verses in this psalm. From the notes, this was written after Nathan confronted David about Bathsheba. David humbled himself before God and begged for forgiveness. Have you ever had this experience? Check out these verses:
1 - 4
10 - 13
17
My tongue stumbled a lot when reading this out loud. Take it slow. ;-)
Psalm 51
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
18 May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
****************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
The Father of Lies
Our Daily Bread
Last Sunday was Fathers Day. Not only were biological fathers honored, there were a lot of postings about so-and-so was the father of this and whats-his-name was the father of that. The devotional today is about the father of lies.
I remember reading about this when I was younger, but I hadn't thought about it for a long time. Satan invented lying! He will use deceit any way he can to trick us out of our right relationship with God. He will steal our joy. He will fill our minds and hearts with fear, unnecessarily. He will lead us down paths of destruction that seem so right at the time.
How has he deceived you? Break away from his lies today. Right now.
Lord, please help us see Satan's lies for what they are -- lies.
Simply Saturday
I prayed about what to write this morning. I had nothing! hehehe That's the way it works sometimes when you write a blog entry every day! As I prayed about it, God gave me this inspiration using an exercise theme -- walk, run, and rest. Let's see where this goes...
Walk
When we first accept Christ or are first trying to grow our relationship to God, it is almost like we are toddlers learning to walk for the first time. As we know from health professionals, walking is good for us! We need to walk to grow our muscles. We also need to walk in the paths of righteousness to grow our relationship with God. What does that mean? In my heart, I keep it simple. Love God with all your heart and love others as yourself. That covers the bases! We can also walk in the paths of destruction so be careful!
Run
I started running a little bit again recently. It is not easy. I am a big guy! I think of running in my relationship with God in a few ways. First, I need to run to God instead of running towards the deceit of Satan. Have you ever seen folks run towards a disaster? That is what running towards the deceit of Satan is like! Second, running is discipline. It is a state of mind as you pick up one foot, put it down, pick up the other foot, put it down, repeat thousands of times! Focusing your mind while you run helps attain your goals. It is the same with your relationship with God. We need discipline and focus to attain the goal of a right relationship with God. Lastly, I love the image in scripture of "run and not be weary". Running a long race can be exhausting. Running a short distance is exhausting for me! I am a big guy! ha! God is there for us to help us along the way. Strengthening us and sustaining us with more than a cup of water and a banana!
Rest
Lastly, we aren't always walking or running. God also built the Sabbath for us to rest. A time for us to recharge our batteries. We are also supposed to rest in him each and every day. Do you know what I mean by this? When you have someone watching your back or having your best interests in mind, it is much easier to relax and not stress about things. Rest in his Word. Rest in his promises. Rest in the fact that he is always with us.
So that is my story today and I am sticking to it! Walk, run and rest. You can do this!
****************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
My favorite saying from a Facebook post this week:
"You are beautiful. I know. I made you." -- God
Last Sunday was Fathers Day. Not only were biological fathers honored, there were a lot of postings about so-and-so was the father of this and whats-his-name was the father of that. The devotional today is about the father of lies.
I remember reading about this when I was younger, but I hadn't thought about it for a long time. Satan invented lying! He will use deceit any way he can to trick us out of our right relationship with God. He will steal our joy. He will fill our minds and hearts with fear, unnecessarily. He will lead us down paths of destruction that seem so right at the time.
How has he deceived you? Break away from his lies today. Right now.
Lord, please help us see Satan's lies for what they are -- lies.
Simply Saturday
I prayed about what to write this morning. I had nothing! hehehe That's the way it works sometimes when you write a blog entry every day! As I prayed about it, God gave me this inspiration using an exercise theme -- walk, run, and rest. Let's see where this goes...
Walk
When we first accept Christ or are first trying to grow our relationship to God, it is almost like we are toddlers learning to walk for the first time. As we know from health professionals, walking is good for us! We need to walk to grow our muscles. We also need to walk in the paths of righteousness to grow our relationship with God. What does that mean? In my heart, I keep it simple. Love God with all your heart and love others as yourself. That covers the bases! We can also walk in the paths of destruction so be careful!
Run
I started running a little bit again recently. It is not easy. I am a big guy! I think of running in my relationship with God in a few ways. First, I need to run to God instead of running towards the deceit of Satan. Have you ever seen folks run towards a disaster? That is what running towards the deceit of Satan is like! Second, running is discipline. It is a state of mind as you pick up one foot, put it down, pick up the other foot, put it down, repeat thousands of times! Focusing your mind while you run helps attain your goals. It is the same with your relationship with God. We need discipline and focus to attain the goal of a right relationship with God. Lastly, I love the image in scripture of "run and not be weary". Running a long race can be exhausting. Running a short distance is exhausting for me! I am a big guy! ha! God is there for us to help us along the way. Strengthening us and sustaining us with more than a cup of water and a banana!
Rest
Lastly, we aren't always walking or running. God also built the Sabbath for us to rest. A time for us to recharge our batteries. We are also supposed to rest in him each and every day. Do you know what I mean by this? When you have someone watching your back or having your best interests in mind, it is much easier to relax and not stress about things. Rest in his Word. Rest in his promises. Rest in the fact that he is always with us.
So that is my story today and I am sticking to it! Walk, run and rest. You can do this!
****************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
My favorite saying from a Facebook post this week:
"You are beautiful. I know. I made you." -- God
Friday, June 22, 2012
The Sounds of Silence...
Our Daily Bread
If you have been around me for more than a few seconds, you know that I can be a talker. I can also be silent, but that is much less often! ha! A joke with a close friend says that I didn't understand the words to the song "The Sounds of Silence" until I had anesthesia for the first time! I was quiet!
The devotional was interesting. It talked about when we shouldn't talk about God. I learned a simple lesson many, many years ago when clown ministries were popular (clowns are sort of scary critters nowadays!). The cardinal rule was to never talk about God or the Bible when in clown costume! What are some other rules I learned? We should not talk about God to others when we aren't in right fellowship. We could do more damage than good. Recently, I also learned that I should not talk about God during times you aren't feeling well or feeling like yourself. An otherwise loving and caring person can come across the wrong way when we speak at the wrong times. As our example, Jesus, did, there are times when silence is the right way to speak for God!
Lord, please help us know when to speak for you and when not to speak...
Foodie Friday
I have been searching for salad recipes for this weekend. I have my church dinner group on Sunday night. I narrowed it down to a few choices: a "normal" salad, the artichoke salad I usually make once per year, or the salad below that is very different. I am leaning towards different, though the other two are much easier. Here is the Asparagus and Tomato Salad recipe I am looking at:
Asparagus and Tomato Salad with Feta
Recipe from Time to Grill by Jamie Purviance/Sunset, 2011.
Summer is here: time to grill. Freshen grilling up with an amazing grilled salad.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds asparagus
1 pint cherry tomatoes
3 slices country-style white bread cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Chopped fresh chives
VINAIGRETTE:
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
Prepare the grill for direct cooking over medium heat (350° to 450°F) and preheat the grill pan.
In a small bowl whisk the mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle and whisk in the oil until it is emulsified.
Remove and discard the tough bottom of each asparagus spear by grasping at each end and bending it gently until it snaps at its natural point of tenderness, usually about two-thirds of the way down the spear.
Spread the asparagus on a large plate. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette and turn the spears until they are evenly coated. In a medium bowl toss the tomatoes and bread cubes with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette.
Brush the cooking grates clean. Spread the tomatoes and bread cubes in a single layer on the grill pan and lay the asparagus on the cooking grate. Grill over direct medium heat, with the lid closed as much as possible, until the asparagus is tender, the tomatoes begin to soften, and the bread cubes are toasted, turning often. The asparagus will take 6 to 8 minutes and the tomatoes and bread cubes will take 2 to 4 minutes.
Arrange the asparagus on a platter and top with the tomatoes, croutons, feta, and chives. Serve with the remaining vinaigrette.
******************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
If you have been around me for more than a few seconds, you know that I can be a talker. I can also be silent, but that is much less often! ha! A joke with a close friend says that I didn't understand the words to the song "The Sounds of Silence" until I had anesthesia for the first time! I was quiet!
The devotional was interesting. It talked about when we shouldn't talk about God. I learned a simple lesson many, many years ago when clown ministries were popular (clowns are sort of scary critters nowadays!). The cardinal rule was to never talk about God or the Bible when in clown costume! What are some other rules I learned? We should not talk about God to others when we aren't in right fellowship. We could do more damage than good. Recently, I also learned that I should not talk about God during times you aren't feeling well or feeling like yourself. An otherwise loving and caring person can come across the wrong way when we speak at the wrong times. As our example, Jesus, did, there are times when silence is the right way to speak for God!
Lord, please help us know when to speak for you and when not to speak...
Foodie Friday
I have been searching for salad recipes for this weekend. I have my church dinner group on Sunday night. I narrowed it down to a few choices: a "normal" salad, the artichoke salad I usually make once per year, or the salad below that is very different. I am leaning towards different, though the other two are much easier. Here is the Asparagus and Tomato Salad recipe I am looking at:
Asparagus and Tomato Salad with Feta
Recipe from Time to Grill by Jamie Purviance/Sunset, 2011.
Summer is here: time to grill. Freshen grilling up with an amazing grilled salad.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds asparagus
1 pint cherry tomatoes
3 slices country-style white bread cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Chopped fresh chives
VINAIGRETTE:
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
Prepare the grill for direct cooking over medium heat (350° to 450°F) and preheat the grill pan.
In a small bowl whisk the mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle and whisk in the oil until it is emulsified.
Remove and discard the tough bottom of each asparagus spear by grasping at each end and bending it gently until it snaps at its natural point of tenderness, usually about two-thirds of the way down the spear.
Spread the asparagus on a large plate. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette and turn the spears until they are evenly coated. In a medium bowl toss the tomatoes and bread cubes with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette.
Brush the cooking grates clean. Spread the tomatoes and bread cubes in a single layer on the grill pan and lay the asparagus on the cooking grate. Grill over direct medium heat, with the lid closed as much as possible, until the asparagus is tender, the tomatoes begin to soften, and the bread cubes are toasted, turning often. The asparagus will take 6 to 8 minutes and the tomatoes and bread cubes will take 2 to 4 minutes.
Arrange the asparagus on a platter and top with the tomatoes, croutons, feta, and chives. Serve with the remaining vinaigrette.
******************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
At the end of the day...
Our Daily Bread
Have you noticed how different phrases come and go in the English language? One of my least favorites, due to overuse at work, is "at the end of the day". It is supposed to mean "in conclusion" or "when it is all said and done". Did I mention it is overused? ;-p
I was reminded of this phrase by the scripture passages from Proverbs for today's devotional. It talks about the phrase "in the end" meaning the results of our decisions and their consequences. God can give us wisdom to make better decisions so we don't have the negative consequences of bad decisions! Yes, he can! Just trust him. Ask him for wisdom. At the end of the day, it is his wisdom that gives us a life that is not ordinary!
Lord, please help us seek wisdom so we can make the decisions that are best for us!
Technology Thursday
I had a friend ask me what the hot phone is this summer. I found a great article on what phone to buy if you weren't buying an iPhone! Many folks that want the latest and greatest plan to wait a few more months for the iPhone 5 due out this Fall. If you are not an Apple fan, here are some options for you.
Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX (Verizon)
Verizon and Motorola boast that the device, available for $199 with a new two-year contract, offers the longest battery life of any Android smartphone. Yet it’s still surprisingly slim, packs in 4G LTE capabilities, a dual-core processor and the ability to upgrade to the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. The RAZR MAXX also offers a Super AMOLED 4.3-inch Advanced display with its 540x960 pixel resolution, making it quite energy efficient. With its rugged construction and Motorola’s exceptional radio quality, the RAZR MAXX is an old classic that is as sharp as ever.
Nokia Lumia 900 (AT&T)
With an elegant design, 4.3-inch display and superb battery life, the Lumia 900 from a hardware perspective can go head-to-head with any handheld device on the market. There is also no shortage of speed as the phone is carried on AT&T’s 4G LTE network.
BlackBerry Bold 9900 (T-Mobile)
The best BlackBerry available today – and a great smartphone option for T-Mobile subscribers – is the Bold 9900. The phone offers both a QWERTY keyboard and sharp, 2.8-inch touchscreen display. Battery life is solid (although not spectacular) with more than six hours of talk time. The phone’s powerful 1.2GHz processor will not leave you in the lurch, particularly when you are viewing or sending 720p HD videos.
HTC One X (AT&T)/HTC EVO 4G LTE (Sprint)
Available through AT&T for $199 (with a new two-year contract), the HTC One X is the big daddy of the range. It offers swift 4G LTE performance with Beats Audio, a 4.7-inch 720p Super LCD HD screen, and an advanced 8-megapixel rear camera. On the inside, the One X sports Android’s latest Ice Cream Sandwich OS with HTC’s Sense 4 UI skin, plus access to hundreds of thousands of apps available in the Google Play store.
Samsung Galaxy S III (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular)
Samsung’s flagship handset device sports a huge, 4.8-inch 720x1280 HD Super AMOLED display, offers 4G LTE capabilities, microSD storage, and a speedy 1.4GHz quad-core processor. Running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with Samsung’s proprietary TouchWiz skin on top, the Korean manufacturer is flaunting the Galaxy III’s additional software capabilities. This includes S-voice natural language commands, eye-tracking, Dropbox cloud storage and smart alerts.
***********************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
u r a BCOG u r FAWM Now believe it!
Have you noticed how different phrases come and go in the English language? One of my least favorites, due to overuse at work, is "at the end of the day". It is supposed to mean "in conclusion" or "when it is all said and done". Did I mention it is overused? ;-p
I was reminded of this phrase by the scripture passages from Proverbs for today's devotional. It talks about the phrase "in the end" meaning the results of our decisions and their consequences. God can give us wisdom to make better decisions so we don't have the negative consequences of bad decisions! Yes, he can! Just trust him. Ask him for wisdom. At the end of the day, it is his wisdom that gives us a life that is not ordinary!
Lord, please help us seek wisdom so we can make the decisions that are best for us!
Technology Thursday
I had a friend ask me what the hot phone is this summer. I found a great article on what phone to buy if you weren't buying an iPhone! Many folks that want the latest and greatest plan to wait a few more months for the iPhone 5 due out this Fall. If you are not an Apple fan, here are some options for you.
Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX (Verizon)
Verizon and Motorola boast that the device, available for $199 with a new two-year contract, offers the longest battery life of any Android smartphone. Yet it’s still surprisingly slim, packs in 4G LTE capabilities, a dual-core processor and the ability to upgrade to the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. The RAZR MAXX also offers a Super AMOLED 4.3-inch Advanced display with its 540x960 pixel resolution, making it quite energy efficient. With its rugged construction and Motorola’s exceptional radio quality, the RAZR MAXX is an old classic that is as sharp as ever.
Nokia Lumia 900 (AT&T)
With an elegant design, 4.3-inch display and superb battery life, the Lumia 900 from a hardware perspective can go head-to-head with any handheld device on the market. There is also no shortage of speed as the phone is carried on AT&T’s 4G LTE network.
BlackBerry Bold 9900 (T-Mobile)
The best BlackBerry available today – and a great smartphone option for T-Mobile subscribers – is the Bold 9900. The phone offers both a QWERTY keyboard and sharp, 2.8-inch touchscreen display. Battery life is solid (although not spectacular) with more than six hours of talk time. The phone’s powerful 1.2GHz processor will not leave you in the lurch, particularly when you are viewing or sending 720p HD videos.
HTC One X (AT&T)/HTC EVO 4G LTE (Sprint)
Available through AT&T for $199 (with a new two-year contract), the HTC One X is the big daddy of the range. It offers swift 4G LTE performance with Beats Audio, a 4.7-inch 720p Super LCD HD screen, and an advanced 8-megapixel rear camera. On the inside, the One X sports Android’s latest Ice Cream Sandwich OS with HTC’s Sense 4 UI skin, plus access to hundreds of thousands of apps available in the Google Play store.
Samsung Galaxy S III (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular)
Samsung’s flagship handset device sports a huge, 4.8-inch 720x1280 HD Super AMOLED display, offers 4G LTE capabilities, microSD storage, and a speedy 1.4GHz quad-core processor. Running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with Samsung’s proprietary TouchWiz skin on top, the Korean manufacturer is flaunting the Galaxy III’s additional software capabilities. This includes S-voice natural language commands, eye-tracking, Dropbox cloud storage and smart alerts.
***********************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
u r a BCOG u r FAWM Now believe it!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Ultimate neighbor
Our Daily Bread
I am fortunate to live on a great street in Columbus that has a diverse population. There are only about ten houses on my short street, but there are probably six different demographics in them! Some of us watch out for each other, which is nice. We also have "Mrs Kravitz" on our street as well (reference to Bewitched for you young folks...). It is nice to be a good neighbor.
The devotional today talks about being a good neighbor to every one. I like this summary of what that means. It is not complicated! To be good neighbors, we can:
Wow! I loved the thought for the day at the end of the devotional:
Our love for Christ is only as real as our love for our neighbor.
Lord, please help us be like you, the ultimate neighbor!
Workout Wednesday
Don't do too much...
Have you done this before? Started a new diet and workout plan only to fizzle away because you can't keep up the routine? Yikes! Been there! Done that! Here are some tips to get started and to stay going!
I hope this helps! Frankly, if I can do it, then anyone can! ha!
*******************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I am fortunate to live on a great street in Columbus that has a diverse population. There are only about ten houses on my short street, but there are probably six different demographics in them! Some of us watch out for each other, which is nice. We also have "Mrs Kravitz" on our street as well (reference to Bewitched for you young folks...). It is nice to be a good neighbor.
The devotional today talks about being a good neighbor to every one. I like this summary of what that means. It is not complicated! To be good neighbors, we can:
- show others mercy (Luke 10:29-37),
- treat others fairly (Lev. 19:13-18; James 2:1-8),
- speak to others truthfully (Eph. 4:25), and
- forgive others completely (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13).
Wow! I loved the thought for the day at the end of the devotional:
Our love for Christ is only as real as our love for our neighbor.
Lord, please help us be like you, the ultimate neighbor!
Workout Wednesday
Don't do too much...
Have you done this before? Started a new diet and workout plan only to fizzle away because you can't keep up the routine? Yikes! Been there! Done that! Here are some tips to get started and to stay going!
- Always check with your doctor before starting a new diet or exercise program (I call it a new lifestyle!). You may have to alter medication dosages as you lose all that weight!
- EAT BETTER! You can't exercise away a bad diet. Read about healthier eating online or at the library. Schedule some sessions with a dietitian if needed. I started what I call the "better choices lifestyle" a few years ago. It was easy because I had horrible eating habits before that. I made better choices each day than I did the day or week or month before. If you fall off the wagon one day, then make better choices the next. You can do this!
- Portion control: I used to eat HUGE portions. I had Chinese carryout last week. It was soooooo tasty! The interesting thing is that I split up the dinner that I used to eat in one sitting into three meals! Yes, three meals! You get used to eating less. You don't gnaw your arm off!
- Eat healthy snacks. I keep snack size bags of walnuts and almonds at my desk. I also keep healthy snack bars. The discipline here is to know the difference between a snack and a treat! I hadn't thought about this until recently. A snack is usually something healthy. A treat is usually something that isn't! ha! Snack healthy. Minimize treats to avoid empty calories.
- Do things to keep your metabolism moving. Starting off with some light weights or exercise bands to build a little muscle is a good thing! Muscle burns more calories than fat. You can even do light calisthenics each morning before breakfast to rev your engine. Other things like lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and hot spices also rev up your metabolism as well.
- Always remember that you need to have a maintenance strategy after losing the weight to keep it off. Eating better is the most important maintenance strategy!
- Hang in there! You didn't get out of shape overnight. You will not get back into shape overnight. Be patient with yourself.
I hope this helps! Frankly, if I can do it, then anyone can! ha!
*******************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Judging
Our Daily Bread
Have you ever made a judgment about someone and been totally off base? Completely wrong? It is easy to do in today's society. The media is quick to judge and condemn based on a slim amount of evidence or whatever spectacular details they can come up with to sell their magazines or newspapers (or attract viewers to their web sites!). How can we avoid that?
The devotional is interesting this morning. It gives a different perspective of Job and his friends. I forgot how God responded to Job's friends. Look at Job 42:7-8. God didn't rebuke them because they judged Job incorrectly. He rebuked them because they spoke inaccurate things about God! I forgot that, which is sort of bad since I just studied it again last Fall. Oh well! God was so upset with them, that he required them to make a special sacrifice and have Job pray for them. That was very, very unusual in the Old Testament. Job was not a priest. Usually only high priests could offer an intercessory prayer to God! How interesting is that!
So let's look at our own lives for a minute. Are we judging others? Are we judging God? Shouldn't we be trusting God more and loving others more instead? I know I need to do these things better!
Lord, thank you for giving us wisdom if we truly seek it.
Teaching Tuesday
We are going to look at secret number 5 from The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People today! Good stuff!
Choose your companions wisely.
OoooOoooo, that is a good one. How many times have your parents told you this? How many times have you heard "he was a good kid until he fell into the wrong crowd"? I was surprised by some of the reasons for this secret. The book says that if we hang out with folks that have more than we do, we have a tendency to feel bad about ourselves. We feel bad because we keep comparing ourselves to them and what they have. If we hang out with folks who have less than what we have, then we have a tendency to be grateful. The conclusion is that we should compare ourselves with examples that are meaningful but that make us feel comfortable with who we are and what we have.
I want to add my own twist to this. As a Christian, I suggest we hang around with other Christians that know more and are farther along in their journey and with folks that aren't as far as long. We can be encouraged and be the encourager in each situation. This is what I find as "meaningful" in my life examples!
*********************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
u r a BCOG. u r FAWM. Now believe it!
Have you ever made a judgment about someone and been totally off base? Completely wrong? It is easy to do in today's society. The media is quick to judge and condemn based on a slim amount of evidence or whatever spectacular details they can come up with to sell their magazines or newspapers (or attract viewers to their web sites!). How can we avoid that?
The devotional is interesting this morning. It gives a different perspective of Job and his friends. I forgot how God responded to Job's friends. Look at Job 42:7-8. God didn't rebuke them because they judged Job incorrectly. He rebuked them because they spoke inaccurate things about God! I forgot that, which is sort of bad since I just studied it again last Fall. Oh well! God was so upset with them, that he required them to make a special sacrifice and have Job pray for them. That was very, very unusual in the Old Testament. Job was not a priest. Usually only high priests could offer an intercessory prayer to God! How interesting is that!
So let's look at our own lives for a minute. Are we judging others? Are we judging God? Shouldn't we be trusting God more and loving others more instead? I know I need to do these things better!
Lord, thank you for giving us wisdom if we truly seek it.
Teaching Tuesday
We are going to look at secret number 5 from The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People today! Good stuff!
Choose your companions wisely.
OoooOoooo, that is a good one. How many times have your parents told you this? How many times have you heard "he was a good kid until he fell into the wrong crowd"? I was surprised by some of the reasons for this secret. The book says that if we hang out with folks that have more than we do, we have a tendency to feel bad about ourselves. We feel bad because we keep comparing ourselves to them and what they have. If we hang out with folks who have less than what we have, then we have a tendency to be grateful. The conclusion is that we should compare ourselves with examples that are meaningful but that make us feel comfortable with who we are and what we have.
I want to add my own twist to this. As a Christian, I suggest we hang around with other Christians that know more and are farther along in their journey and with folks that aren't as far as long. We can be encouraged and be the encourager in each situation. This is what I find as "meaningful" in my life examples!
*********************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
u r a BCOG. u r FAWM. Now believe it!
Monday, June 18, 2012
No fun at all...
Our Daily Bread
When I talk about my college days, some friends and acquaintances ask me what we did for "fun" at a small, dry town in Central Kentucky. When I tell them about going to the rec center or Bible studies or weekend revival trips or just spending time with close friends (sober and with our clothes on), they don't get it. They lived a college life of drinking and having sex as much as possible! I thought that was only on the Animal House kind of movies!
The devotional today is, in my opinion, good advice for a person of any age. Psalms 119:9-16 gives wise advice for following a "no ordinary life" in God. In short, it says to learn and meditate on the ways of God through his Word, to praise God, and to follow his Word's teachings. As one friend put it, "if we spend our time doing the do's of the Bible, we won't have time to do the don'ts!"
Lord, help us follow the instructions in Psalm 119 when we make our own fun!
Movie Monday
I did not get to the movie theater this week. Oh well. It was a busy week and a busier weekend. I had a little time early last week so I turned on the TV. I watched parts of the Alien movies. They were all over the cable channels because of the release of Prometheus last weekend. I always liked those movies. They were exciting and creepy and suspenseful. Rent or watch them on cable sometime. I think you can stream them on one of the movie services as well.
There is not much on at the movies right now. My most interesting prospect is Madagascar 3. That is a little scary!
******************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
u r a BCOG. u r FAWM. Now believe it!
When I talk about my college days, some friends and acquaintances ask me what we did for "fun" at a small, dry town in Central Kentucky. When I tell them about going to the rec center or Bible studies or weekend revival trips or just spending time with close friends (sober and with our clothes on), they don't get it. They lived a college life of drinking and having sex as much as possible! I thought that was only on the Animal House kind of movies!
The devotional today is, in my opinion, good advice for a person of any age. Psalms 119:9-16 gives wise advice for following a "no ordinary life" in God. In short, it says to learn and meditate on the ways of God through his Word, to praise God, and to follow his Word's teachings. As one friend put it, "if we spend our time doing the do's of the Bible, we won't have time to do the don'ts!"
Lord, help us follow the instructions in Psalm 119 when we make our own fun!
Movie Monday
I did not get to the movie theater this week. Oh well. It was a busy week and a busier weekend. I had a little time early last week so I turned on the TV. I watched parts of the Alien movies. They were all over the cable channels because of the release of Prometheus last weekend. I always liked those movies. They were exciting and creepy and suspenseful. Rent or watch them on cable sometime. I think you can stream them on one of the movie services as well.
There is not much on at the movies right now. My most interesting prospect is Madagascar 3. That is a little scary!
******************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
u r a BCOG. u r FAWM. Now believe it!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Fish or snake?
Our Daily Bread
Yes, it is Father's Day. I won't go into details, but this day hasn't been very meaningful for me in my adult life. I have been fortunate to have several father-figure friends over the years. I am very thankful for that!
The timely devotional about Fathers Day reminded us about the passage in Luke where Jesus talks about fathers. He actually asks the fathers in the audience a question when talking about his father. Check out Luke 13:11. Very interesting question! Verse 12 asks a similar question, then Jesus goes on to explain what his father is like. He taught us to pray to his father like he is our father. I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!
Lord, thank you for being the perfect father! Happy Fathers Day!
Psalm Sunday
Let's look at Psalm 50 this week. This is a wonderful psalm about the nature of God. I love the section staring at verse 16. When we don't think anyone notices that the wicked are "getting away with it", we have to remember that God knows!
Psalm 50
A psalm of Asaph.
1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
3 Our God comes
and will not be silent;
a fire devours before him,
and around him a tempest rages.
4 He summons the heavens above,
and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 “Gather to me this consecrated people,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for he is a God of justice.
7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak;
I will testify against you, Israel:
I am God, your God.
8 I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices
or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall
or of goats from your pens,
10 for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird in the mountains,
and the insects in the fields are mine.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you,
for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
14 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High,
15 and call on me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
16 But to the wicked person, God says:
“What right have you to recite my laws
or take my covenant on your lips?
17 You hate my instruction
and cast my words behind you.
18 When you see a thief, you join with him;
you throw in your lot with adulterers.
19 You use your mouth for evil
and harness your tongue to deceit.
20 You sit and testify against your brother
and slander your own mother’s son.
21 When you did these things and I kept silent,
you thought I was exactly like you.
But I now arraign you
and set my accusations before you.
22 “Consider this, you who forget God,
or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,
and to the blameless I will show my salvation. ”
************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
u r a BCOG. u r FAWM. Now believe it!
Yes, it is Father's Day. I won't go into details, but this day hasn't been very meaningful for me in my adult life. I have been fortunate to have several father-figure friends over the years. I am very thankful for that!
The timely devotional about Fathers Day reminded us about the passage in Luke where Jesus talks about fathers. He actually asks the fathers in the audience a question when talking about his father. Check out Luke 13:11. Very interesting question! Verse 12 asks a similar question, then Jesus goes on to explain what his father is like. He taught us to pray to his father like he is our father. I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!
Lord, thank you for being the perfect father! Happy Fathers Day!
Psalm Sunday
Let's look at Psalm 50 this week. This is a wonderful psalm about the nature of God. I love the section staring at verse 16. When we don't think anyone notices that the wicked are "getting away with it", we have to remember that God knows!
Psalm 50
A psalm of Asaph.
1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
3 Our God comes
and will not be silent;
a fire devours before him,
and around him a tempest rages.
4 He summons the heavens above,
and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 “Gather to me this consecrated people,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for he is a God of justice.
7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak;
I will testify against you, Israel:
I am God, your God.
8 I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices
or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall
or of goats from your pens,
10 for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird in the mountains,
and the insects in the fields are mine.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you,
for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
14 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High,
15 and call on me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
16 But to the wicked person, God says:
“What right have you to recite my laws
or take my covenant on your lips?
17 You hate my instruction
and cast my words behind you.
18 When you see a thief, you join with him;
you throw in your lot with adulterers.
19 You use your mouth for evil
and harness your tongue to deceit.
20 You sit and testify against your brother
and slander your own mother’s son.
21 When you did these things and I kept silent,
you thought I was exactly like you.
But I now arraign you
and set my accusations before you.
22 “Consider this, you who forget God,
or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,
and to the blameless I will show my salvation. ”
************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
u r a BCOG. u r FAWM. Now believe it!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
U r a BCOG
Happy Pride Holiday, Columbus, Ohio!
Our Daily BreadI "came out" to my family when I was about 31 or so. Believe it or not, this boisterous, extroverted bear had a little trouble telling them. I practiced on a few close friends first. They were all very loving and accepting. When I told my beloved Grandmother about my sexual orientation, she was also loving and accepting, however, she said "we don't have to tell anyone about this..." I replied "Well, I was brought up to be proud of who I am. I don't think I can do that!" She looked at me and shook her head knowing that she was the one who taught me to be proud of who I am! ha!
That was a long lead into another amazing devotional. I had a close friend that needed a lot of encouragement. My two favorite phrases to text him were "u r a BCOG" (beloved child of God) and "u r FAWM" (fearfully and wonderfully made). These phrases had special meaning to us and our friendship as we talked and prayed. God was working in our lives as we got to know each other.
The FAWM phrase comes from Psalms 139:14. This verse means so much to me. I will write more about it below. Like any psalm, read the entire psalm out loud to get its full meaning. As another friend of mine says occasionally "now believe it!". Amen!
Lord, thank you for making me the way you did.
Simply Saturday
Pride
I will make this brief. I got a little carried away last Saturday! This will not be a gay pride infused rant or well-worded soliloquy. It is from my heart.
I was born to the daughter of a West Virginia hillbilly family in a small town in northern Ohio. My biological father left town after he found out I was on the way. I never knew him. Despite the obvious challenges of an unmarried woman having a child out of wedlock in the late 50's, my mother worked as hard as she could to raise me on her own. Instead of having just one dad like the rest of the kids, I had my grandfather and my uncles. How lucky was I? I still have a love for cars to this day that I got from my uncles!
That is when the training started -- be proud of who you are. As bad as things are today with "pigeon-holing" people, it was much worse back then. I was reminded each time a challenge arose of who I was -- a beloved child of my mother and grandparents. That transitioned over to being a beloved child of God when I was eight (I wrote about that last week).
I won't continue with my life story. Some of you have known me through much of it. Here is what I want to say on this Pride Holiday, regardless of who you are -- listen carefully. YOU, yes, I say, YOU are a beloved child of God. YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made. As my friend said to me "NOW BELIEVE IT!"
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. Psalm 139:14
************************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
You are a beloved child of God! You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Now believe it!
Friday, June 15, 2012
I found it!
Our Daily Bread
When I was a teenager, the Southern Baptist Convention launched a witnessing campaign, including lots of advertising, called "I Found It". Those three words were supposed to get people to ask "What did you find?". While the concept seemed a little hokie at the time (and even more so today), there a lot of great results! We rejoiced each time someone found God!
That is the point of today's devotional -- rejoicing when others find God. There is a catch. We must be willing to share our faith with others so that can happen! I love the scripture passage that talks about the lost coin. I have to admit that, like the woman who searched and searched for her coin, that I probably haven't made that much effort to share my faith with someone looking for a treasure in Heaven! I need to work on that.
Lord, please help us share the good news of Jesus with everyone we can...and then rejoice when they join your kingdom!
Foodie Friday
Nothing too fancy this week! I found an unusual sale at Meijer the other day. They had pub burgers and shiskkabobs for $2 per pound! They are usually much higher than that! It was a limited time offer as they had too many on hand. They were not going to be able to sell them after that night. I bought a few pounds of each and threw them on the grill when I got home.
Pub burgers
The pub burgers had special seasonings that I hadn't seen in a grocery store meat counter before. There were two choices: pepper or rosemary. They were one inch thick burgers, probably ground sirloin the way they cooked up, with either the pepper or rosemary on the outside edge. I bought the pepper version. Mmmmmm! I think I would pay full price for these! They were great! They had just the right amount of pepper on them. They were not too fatty (as some pre-formed burger patties can be). Very tasty! Give them a try today (even at full price!).
Shishkabobs
Every time I see these pre-made at the grocery, I want to buy them. They are usually too expensive for my taste. I don't usually take the time to cut up the veggies and meat to make my own (though I do have a nice skewer set given to me at Christmas one year). I bought the beef ones. They had tender beef, green peppers, yellow peppers, onions and tomatoes. I sprinkled them with a little salt and pepper after cooking. Very tasty! You could also top them with your favorite sauce such as teriyaki sauce. They also had chicken ones as well. They are worth paying full price for as well!
**************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
When I was a teenager, the Southern Baptist Convention launched a witnessing campaign, including lots of advertising, called "I Found It". Those three words were supposed to get people to ask "What did you find?". While the concept seemed a little hokie at the time (and even more so today), there a lot of great results! We rejoiced each time someone found God!
That is the point of today's devotional -- rejoicing when others find God. There is a catch. We must be willing to share our faith with others so that can happen! I love the scripture passage that talks about the lost coin. I have to admit that, like the woman who searched and searched for her coin, that I probably haven't made that much effort to share my faith with someone looking for a treasure in Heaven! I need to work on that.
Lord, please help us share the good news of Jesus with everyone we can...and then rejoice when they join your kingdom!
Foodie Friday
Nothing too fancy this week! I found an unusual sale at Meijer the other day. They had pub burgers and shiskkabobs for $2 per pound! They are usually much higher than that! It was a limited time offer as they had too many on hand. They were not going to be able to sell them after that night. I bought a few pounds of each and threw them on the grill when I got home.
Pub burgers
The pub burgers had special seasonings that I hadn't seen in a grocery store meat counter before. There were two choices: pepper or rosemary. They were one inch thick burgers, probably ground sirloin the way they cooked up, with either the pepper or rosemary on the outside edge. I bought the pepper version. Mmmmmm! I think I would pay full price for these! They were great! They had just the right amount of pepper on them. They were not too fatty (as some pre-formed burger patties can be). Very tasty! Give them a try today (even at full price!).
Shishkabobs
Every time I see these pre-made at the grocery, I want to buy them. They are usually too expensive for my taste. I don't usually take the time to cut up the veggies and meat to make my own (though I do have a nice skewer set given to me at Christmas one year). I bought the beef ones. They had tender beef, green peppers, yellow peppers, onions and tomatoes. I sprinkled them with a little salt and pepper after cooking. Very tasty! You could also top them with your favorite sauce such as teriyaki sauce. They also had chicken ones as well. They are worth paying full price for as well!
**************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
His glory
Our Daily Bread
I thought the devotional was very intense today. It was about Jesus and how he was described in John's Revelation. Instead of all the majesty and splendor and glory that described God, Jesus was described as the Lamb that was slain. He still had his wounds. Why does he still have his wounds?
The answer given by Charles Spurgeon is that his wounds are his glory! Wow! I had to think about that for a few minutes. No, this is not one of those "I got those scars in the war, young fella!" kind of moments. To me, it was a "I got these scars because I obeyed my heavenly Father and bore the sins of the world!" moment! His precious body beaten and bruised and punctured -- for each of us. Yes, to the Lamb be all glory and power and honor indeed! Praise Jesus! Praise God!
Lord, please help us remember the Lamb that was slain for us each and every day...
Technology Thursday
There are two big tech stories this week: Apple's announcements and Verizon's announcement.
Apple's WWDC announcements
Apple announced several very cool things on Monday at their developers' conference. New hardware. New software. I won't write out everything. The biggest announcement was for iOS6. Here is a link to a good article. iOS is the operating system that runs on the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch devices. With all the upgrades to the Android operating system in the past year, Apple had to do something. All the reviewers thought they did a great job.
There is also a new version of the Mac OS coming out. There will be more social integration with Facebook and other sites, much like the iOS.
Apple also announced new hardware. The updated the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and Mac Pro. The first two are laptops. The latter is their super amazing desktop box. Here is an article about the hardware updates. The MacBook Pro is now available with a Retina display similar to the new iPad and the latest iPhones. Pretty amazing stuff, but be ready to fork over some big bucks!
Verizon's data plan announcements
There have been rumors for a while that the major wireless carriers would be revising their phone and data plans because of the onslaught of data-hungry smartphones. Verizon took the lead by announcing their new shared data plans. For some folks, the new plans are cheaper. For others, they are about the same. For others, their bills would increase if they chose a new plan. Here is a good article about it.
*********************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I thought the devotional was very intense today. It was about Jesus and how he was described in John's Revelation. Instead of all the majesty and splendor and glory that described God, Jesus was described as the Lamb that was slain. He still had his wounds. Why does he still have his wounds?
The answer given by Charles Spurgeon is that his wounds are his glory! Wow! I had to think about that for a few minutes. No, this is not one of those "I got those scars in the war, young fella!" kind of moments. To me, it was a "I got these scars because I obeyed my heavenly Father and bore the sins of the world!" moment! His precious body beaten and bruised and punctured -- for each of us. Yes, to the Lamb be all glory and power and honor indeed! Praise Jesus! Praise God!
Lord, please help us remember the Lamb that was slain for us each and every day...
Technology Thursday
There are two big tech stories this week: Apple's announcements and Verizon's announcement.
Apple's WWDC announcements
Apple announced several very cool things on Monday at their developers' conference. New hardware. New software. I won't write out everything. The biggest announcement was for iOS6. Here is a link to a good article. iOS is the operating system that runs on the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch devices. With all the upgrades to the Android operating system in the past year, Apple had to do something. All the reviewers thought they did a great job.
There is also a new version of the Mac OS coming out. There will be more social integration with Facebook and other sites, much like the iOS.
Apple also announced new hardware. The updated the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and Mac Pro. The first two are laptops. The latter is their super amazing desktop box. Here is an article about the hardware updates. The MacBook Pro is now available with a Retina display similar to the new iPad and the latest iPhones. Pretty amazing stuff, but be ready to fork over some big bucks!
Verizon's data plan announcements
There have been rumors for a while that the major wireless carriers would be revising their phone and data plans because of the onslaught of data-hungry smartphones. Verizon took the lead by announcing their new shared data plans. For some folks, the new plans are cheaper. For others, they are about the same. For others, their bills would increase if they chose a new plan. Here is a good article about it.
*********************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Experience is the best teacher
Our Daily Bread
I attended a Christian college in a very rural part of Kentucky. Many of the young adults that attended had never been away from home before. They had never experienced the "real world". Like a dry, rural town in Kentucky was the "real world"! Many found themselves experimenting and being tempted beyond their capability to resist. Some of the results were heart breaking!
The scripture passage today talks about how blessed is the one that doesn't do these things! Blessed are the ones that crave experience in God's world! Learning more from his Word. Spending time worshiping and praying. Letting the goodness of God fill your mind and heart so you can brush aside the temptations of this world and practice a godly life!
Lord, please help us focus our life experiences on you. We are not missing anything by missing out on this world!
Workout Wednesday
Bowflex
When I started working out again, I wanted something I could do at home that wasn't too expensive and would be beneficial to my fitness. The exercise equipment also had to fit in my basement easily! I decided on a Bowflex machine. I found a used one on Craigs List (that was my first and only Craigs List purchase so far). I got a good deal on it. I use it regularly. What do I think of it?
I found the instruction manual to be very easy to read. It had a large selection of exercises and several recommended workouts depending on your workout goals. I decided on a 30 minute workout that I augmented a little bit. I have been adding "resistance" slowly since I am not trying to bulk up. I am trying to build muscle to facilitate weigh loss and overall fitness. This has been working!
I didn't really notice the changes until I started going to the cross fit gym. My strength level had increased where I could handle stuff I couldn't do a few months before. Woohooo! I find the combination of all the things I am doing is helping my overall fitness level and health. Double woohoooo!
I set goals to max out the original 210 pound resistance level by the end of August. I have the 310 pound resistance addon for the rest of the year! I want to max out on that level by the end of 2012. There is a 410 pound kit I can add for 2013!
Whatever you decide to do, make sure it is something you can do consistently. Decide if you work best by yourself, with others or a combination of the two. I am the latter. I sometimes prefer to do a quick workout alone in the morning before work listening to my contemporary Christian music dance mixes. Thump, thump, thump. Lift, Duanebear, lift!
Hang in there! You can do this!
********************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I attended a Christian college in a very rural part of Kentucky. Many of the young adults that attended had never been away from home before. They had never experienced the "real world". Like a dry, rural town in Kentucky was the "real world"! Many found themselves experimenting and being tempted beyond their capability to resist. Some of the results were heart breaking!
The scripture passage today talks about how blessed is the one that doesn't do these things! Blessed are the ones that crave experience in God's world! Learning more from his Word. Spending time worshiping and praying. Letting the goodness of God fill your mind and heart so you can brush aside the temptations of this world and practice a godly life!
Lord, please help us focus our life experiences on you. We are not missing anything by missing out on this world!
Workout Wednesday
Bowflex
When I started working out again, I wanted something I could do at home that wasn't too expensive and would be beneficial to my fitness. The exercise equipment also had to fit in my basement easily! I decided on a Bowflex machine. I found a used one on Craigs List (that was my first and only Craigs List purchase so far). I got a good deal on it. I use it regularly. What do I think of it?
I found the instruction manual to be very easy to read. It had a large selection of exercises and several recommended workouts depending on your workout goals. I decided on a 30 minute workout that I augmented a little bit. I have been adding "resistance" slowly since I am not trying to bulk up. I am trying to build muscle to facilitate weigh loss and overall fitness. This has been working!
I set goals to max out the original 210 pound resistance level by the end of August. I have the 310 pound resistance addon for the rest of the year! I want to max out on that level by the end of 2012. There is a 410 pound kit I can add for 2013!
Whatever you decide to do, make sure it is something you can do consistently. Decide if you work best by yourself, with others or a combination of the two. I am the latter. I sometimes prefer to do a quick workout alone in the morning before work listening to my contemporary Christian music dance mixes. Thump, thump, thump. Lift, Duanebear, lift!
Hang in there! You can do this!
********************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Weak is... good?
Our Daily Bread
As I have been blogging about on Wednesdays for a few weeks, I have been working out a lot the past several months. I am free from the physical activity restrictions I had for several years due to health reasons. I feel stronger after each workout, though I sometimes feel weak right afterwards from being tired! Strength is good, right?
When it comes to life, the Bible tells us that it is best to not rely on our own strength. We are to trust in God instead of our own strength. I talked about this with a seminary professor many years ago. His wife and I didn't understand trusting God every moment. He looked at us and said "Oh, yes, trust God for every breath!" Wow! Have you ever tried that? "God I am trusting you for this breath. God, I am trusting you for this breath " (repeat thousands of times per day!) While we may not consciously trust God for each breath, the concept of putting all of our being in his loving hands is the point!
The devotional also talked about Paul's thorn in the flesh. I learned more about this concept the past few years. There is a situation in my life that I need to be constantly vigilant to not let my weakness affect my actions. Constantly... Like Paul (and I am not claiming to be a modern day Paul!), I have prayed for God to remove this from me. God is helping me work through it so I can learn to trust him with every thought and for every breath. We are back to the every breath thing!
Lord, you are the Lord of all, our strength and our weaknesses. Please help us trust you for everything.
Teaching Tuesday
Secret Number 4
Secret number four from The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People is this:
Your goals should be aligned with one another.
Hmmm. This sounds like something from my performance plan at work! What does it mean? The book uses the example of the four tires on your car. They must all be aligned the same way so they work together to get you where you want to go. Life goals are like that. For example, learning to eat like the guy on Man vs Food and wanting to lose 50 pounds would probably be conflicting goals! That guy is pretty cute, but I don't want to eat like him!
Take a look at your goals. Well, first, do you have life goals? What are they? Do they align with each other?
While writing this, I realized that two of my goals did not align. Change is a-comin'!
****************************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you (in your weakness) and hold you in his loving arms!
As I have been blogging about on Wednesdays for a few weeks, I have been working out a lot the past several months. I am free from the physical activity restrictions I had for several years due to health reasons. I feel stronger after each workout, though I sometimes feel weak right afterwards from being tired! Strength is good, right?
When it comes to life, the Bible tells us that it is best to not rely on our own strength. We are to trust in God instead of our own strength. I talked about this with a seminary professor many years ago. His wife and I didn't understand trusting God every moment. He looked at us and said "Oh, yes, trust God for every breath!" Wow! Have you ever tried that? "God I am trusting you for this breath. God, I am trusting you for this breath " (repeat thousands of times per day!) While we may not consciously trust God for each breath, the concept of putting all of our being in his loving hands is the point!
The devotional also talked about Paul's thorn in the flesh. I learned more about this concept the past few years. There is a situation in my life that I need to be constantly vigilant to not let my weakness affect my actions. Constantly... Like Paul (and I am not claiming to be a modern day Paul!), I have prayed for God to remove this from me. God is helping me work through it so I can learn to trust him with every thought and for every breath. We are back to the every breath thing!
Lord, you are the Lord of all, our strength and our weaknesses. Please help us trust you for everything.
Teaching Tuesday
Secret Number 4
Secret number four from The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People is this:
Your goals should be aligned with one another.
Hmmm. This sounds like something from my performance plan at work! What does it mean? The book uses the example of the four tires on your car. They must all be aligned the same way so they work together to get you where you want to go. Life goals are like that. For example, learning to eat like the guy on Man vs Food and wanting to lose 50 pounds would probably be conflicting goals! That guy is pretty cute, but I don't want to eat like him!
Take a look at your goals. Well, first, do you have life goals? What are they? Do they align with each other?
While writing this, I realized that two of my goals did not align. Change is a-comin'!
****************************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you (in your weakness) and hold you in his loving arms!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Circle of Friends
Our Daily Bread
If you didn't see my Facebook update on Saturday night, that is OK. I am doing fine now. After a very tiring day, I received a bizarre private message from someone I don't even know (a friend of a friend). I was very hurt by message because I was weaker than normal. Usually things like that roll off my back, as they say.
I was hesitant about posting anything about being down because I am a very positive person. What happened next was amazing -- a circle of friends appeared. Some folks I hadn't seen in many years, but we stay in contact on Facebook. I appreciated each message very much. You never quite know how many folks read your Facebook postings (or this blog). It was a blessing to have that support even if it was virtual.
What if we all do this on Facebook and in our every day lives?
Reach out in friendship and encourage the lonely; energize the weary.
Thank you all for energizing me!
Lord, I know how much I appreciate it when others reach out to me. Help me reach out to others.
Movie Monday
I saw the movie Prometheus 3D Friday night after work. After reading reviews about the regular version and the 3D version, I paid the extra money for the 3D version. I was not disappointed.
What was the movie like? It was not Aliens or Bladerunner, classic SciFi movies that were also directed by Ridley Scott. It was, however, an interesting movie in its own right. It had scary moments. It had intense moments. It has incredible scenery and special effects. It just didn't sustain it all throughout the two hour movie. It kept my attention -- just not my interest. Does that make sense? There were also some moments I call "What did I just see and why did I just see it?" hehehe
See this movie at the theater if you are a scifi junkie. It is worth seeing on the big screen.
I give it two and a half bear paws. That is pretty good in my book!
*********************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
If you didn't see my Facebook update on Saturday night, that is OK. I am doing fine now. After a very tiring day, I received a bizarre private message from someone I don't even know (a friend of a friend). I was very hurt by message because I was weaker than normal. Usually things like that roll off my back, as they say.
I was hesitant about posting anything about being down because I am a very positive person. What happened next was amazing -- a circle of friends appeared. Some folks I hadn't seen in many years, but we stay in contact on Facebook. I appreciated each message very much. You never quite know how many folks read your Facebook postings (or this blog). It was a blessing to have that support even if it was virtual.
What if we all do this on Facebook and in our every day lives?
Reach out in friendship and encourage the lonely; energize the weary.
Thank you all for energizing me!
Lord, I know how much I appreciate it when others reach out to me. Help me reach out to others.
Movie Monday
I saw the movie Prometheus 3D Friday night after work. After reading reviews about the regular version and the 3D version, I paid the extra money for the 3D version. I was not disappointed.
What was the movie like? It was not Aliens or Bladerunner, classic SciFi movies that were also directed by Ridley Scott. It was, however, an interesting movie in its own right. It had scary moments. It had intense moments. It has incredible scenery and special effects. It just didn't sustain it all throughout the two hour movie. It kept my attention -- just not my interest. Does that make sense? There were also some moments I call "What did I just see and why did I just see it?" hehehe
See this movie at the theater if you are a scifi junkie. It is worth seeing on the big screen.
I give it two and a half bear paws. That is pretty good in my book!
*********************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
No answer is an answer...
Our Daily Bread
I remember a devotional like today's sometime last year. It hit me hard then as well. I praise God for reminding me over and over "we talked about this, remember?". He hasn't answered my prayer because it isn't in my best interest!
Being a musician, I am always reminded of songs. The first one is Unanswered Prayers by Garth Brooks. The last few lines are as follows:
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he may not answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered
Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
Sooooo, I started praying for discernment. What things should I pray for and know without a shadow of a doubt that I should have faith that it will be answered. I just need to be patient. Think Sara and Abraham here. Work with me! hehehe I still suck at that one. Some things that I believed to be God's will appear to be mistakes in my discernment. Heavy sigh.
I am reminded of another song. It is Blessings by Laura Story. I love these lines:
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
Here is my prayer for us (without a doubt I can believe and trust this one):
Lord, help us stop praying for lesser things and trust that you have our best interests at heart!
Psalm Sunday
Psalm 49 is the psalm for this week. Be sure to read it out loud! I love the way it expresses extreme confidence in the Lord and in living according to his ways!
Psalm 49
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1 Hear this, all you peoples;
listen, all who live in this world,
2 both low and high,
rich and poor alike:
3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom;
the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.
4 I will turn my ear to a proverb;
with the harp I will expound my riddle:
5 Why should I fear when evil days come,
when wicked deceivers surround me—
6 those who trust in their wealth
and boast of their great riches?
7 No one can redeem the life of another
or give to God a ransom for them—
8 the ransom for a life is costly,
no payment is ever enough—
9 so that they should live on forever
and not see decay.
10 For all can see that the wise die,
that the foolish and the senseless also perish,
leaving their wealth to others.
11 Their tombs will remain their houses forever,
their dwellings for endless generations,
though they had named lands after themselves.
12 People, despite their wealth, do not endure;
they are like the beasts that perish.
13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
14 They are like sheep and are destined to die;
death will be their shepherd
(but the upright will prevail over them in the morning).
Their forms will decay in the grave,
far from their princely mansions.
15 But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;
he will surely take me to himself.
16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
when the splendor of their houses increases;
17 for they will take nothing with them when they die,
their splendor will not descend with them.
18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—
and people praise you when you prosper—
19 they will join those who have gone before them,
who will never again see the light of life.
20 People who have wealth but lack understanding
are like the beasts that perish.
******************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I remember a devotional like today's sometime last year. It hit me hard then as well. I praise God for reminding me over and over "we talked about this, remember?". He hasn't answered my prayer because it isn't in my best interest!
Being a musician, I am always reminded of songs. The first one is Unanswered Prayers by Garth Brooks. The last few lines are as follows:
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he may not answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered
Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
Sooooo, I started praying for discernment. What things should I pray for and know without a shadow of a doubt that I should have faith that it will be answered. I just need to be patient. Think Sara and Abraham here. Work with me! hehehe I still suck at that one. Some things that I believed to be God's will appear to be mistakes in my discernment. Heavy sigh.
I am reminded of another song. It is Blessings by Laura Story. I love these lines:
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
Here is my prayer for us (without a doubt I can believe and trust this one):
Lord, help us stop praying for lesser things and trust that you have our best interests at heart!
Psalm Sunday
Psalm 49 is the psalm for this week. Be sure to read it out loud! I love the way it expresses extreme confidence in the Lord and in living according to his ways!
Psalm 49
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1 Hear this, all you peoples;
listen, all who live in this world,
2 both low and high,
rich and poor alike:
3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom;
the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.
4 I will turn my ear to a proverb;
with the harp I will expound my riddle:
5 Why should I fear when evil days come,
when wicked deceivers surround me—
6 those who trust in their wealth
and boast of their great riches?
7 No one can redeem the life of another
or give to God a ransom for them—
8 the ransom for a life is costly,
no payment is ever enough—
9 so that they should live on forever
and not see decay.
10 For all can see that the wise die,
that the foolish and the senseless also perish,
leaving their wealth to others.
11 Their tombs will remain their houses forever,
their dwellings for endless generations,
though they had named lands after themselves.
12 People, despite their wealth, do not endure;
they are like the beasts that perish.
13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
14 They are like sheep and are destined to die;
death will be their shepherd
(but the upright will prevail over them in the morning).
Their forms will decay in the grave,
far from their princely mansions.
15 But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;
he will surely take me to himself.
16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
when the splendor of their houses increases;
17 for they will take nothing with them when they die,
their splendor will not descend with them.
18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—
and people praise you when you prosper—
19 they will join those who have gone before them,
who will never again see the light of life.
20 People who have wealth but lack understanding
are like the beasts that perish.
******************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
Our Daily Bread
The devotional struck a funny cord with me this morning as many years of endless conversations about the nature of God rushed through my tiny brain. I thought about how my views about this have changed as well. I am writing some of those thoughts in the Simply Saturday section below. My mind was a complete blank about what to write today until I read the devotional! God works in mysterious ways!
Have you met someone or heard a preacher talk about prosperity Christianity? These folks (or as my minister teases "those people") believe that every Christian, when living right, will experience the utmost prosperity here on earth. If you don't have a big house or fancy new car, then you aren't living right in the eyes of God. Hmmmmm. Does that really make sense? I don't remember Jesus mentioning anything about that.
The other philosophy that I have a problem with is the "God is testing me" philosophy. Hmmmmmm. That one doesn't make sense either. Read the book of Job. Really read it. Don't assume that you already know the story (like I did when I reread it in D1 class). God didn't do the testing. God allowed Job to be tested. God never allows anything to happen to us that we can't bear. Trust. Rely. Let go. All of these things help us grow closer to him if we truly turn things over. Your life can be "not ordinary". ;-)
Lord, help us turn our lives over to you in every situation. Thank you for working in our lives!
Simply Saturday
Like I said above, I had no clue what to write this morning. The devotional inspired this entry (or rant, whatever you want to call it!). The topic is: the easy life.
I don't know much about this topic if you look at my life. To be honest, I am thankful my life has happened this way. Let me share a few things.
Health stuff:
My health history is spanning two pages in a Word document now. Even at that, I consider myself fortunate because there are folks that are a LOT worse off than me. There are folks that will never be able to be active or recover from their health issues. My friends tease me that I am like a phoenix, rising from the flames after each challenge! I have to give all the glory to God for this. He has given me the strength and determination to overcome over and over. Each time I learn more about myself and more about turning things over to God. I am grateful because of the person that I am becoming. I still have a long way to go to godliness!
Being gay:
I have been thinking about being gay a lot lately, probably because June is Pride Month. I have been getting more involved in sharing my faith with others and this issue always comes up. While researching some beliefs, I looked at the Gay Christian Network web site. The "side A" and "side B" discussion upset me. While I believe the Bible with all my heart, I do not believe that God stopped revealing himself to us thousands of years ago. Why use it as the only reference to God for every situation? The skies can't hold all that can be written about our God! We barely have the Cliff Notes in our Bible! Whatever happened to personal experience? Please let me share mine.
I didn't learn to accept myself as a Christian who happens to be gay because of scripture. The epiphany for me was standing at the bathroom sink one morning when I was 29 (more than a few years ago now!). I looked in the mirror and asked God: "What am I supposed to do?" when trying to decide if I was returning to the Baptist seminary in Louisville. I poured out my heart and told God "I can't do this any more. How can I do the things you called me to do if I am gay? They are kicking gay people out of seminary now!". I felt a wonderful calm come over me. I heard a voice in my head as clearly as talking to someone face to face: "Why are you fighting me on this? I made you this way for a reason." What the heck? That is the point in my life where I started coming out to family and friends. Being what God made me is a wonderful thing! Knowing that I didn't have to fight him about it any more was such a relief! Now, what did he mean by "I made you this way for a reason"?
While reading the devotional this morning, I realized that God calling me to be gay is the blessing I prayed for my whole life. Is it easy? Heck no. Any gay Christian will tell you that. It is almost like a second "coming out." You don't really fit in the gay world because you value different things in many cases. You don't always fit in the Christian world because of the false belief that God hates queers (at least that is what the haters's signs say!). ;-( So how is this working out for me? I feel like I have spent many years in the "wilderness" trying to figure some things out. I still don't feel ready for what lies ahead for me. I will let go. I will trust. I will step forward.
Do I recommend this life? If God takes the time to make you different, then you better be different! When responding to college friends who criticized me for saying "God called me to be gay", I told them this -- if I can help one gay youth not take his or her life or lead just one gay person to the Lord, then my life has been worth it. All the criticism and challenges have been worth it. Worth it indeed...
"My people" and all people need the Lord. I will be strong. I will stand. I will not back down. I am living the life that God blessed me with -- a life that is not ordinary. What life is he calling you to? Be what he called you to be!
*********************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Guide my feet, dear Lord. Running this race in vain is NOT an option...
The devotional struck a funny cord with me this morning as many years of endless conversations about the nature of God rushed through my tiny brain. I thought about how my views about this have changed as well. I am writing some of those thoughts in the Simply Saturday section below. My mind was a complete blank about what to write today until I read the devotional! God works in mysterious ways!
Have you met someone or heard a preacher talk about prosperity Christianity? These folks (or as my minister teases "those people") believe that every Christian, when living right, will experience the utmost prosperity here on earth. If you don't have a big house or fancy new car, then you aren't living right in the eyes of God. Hmmmmm. Does that really make sense? I don't remember Jesus mentioning anything about that.
The other philosophy that I have a problem with is the "God is testing me" philosophy. Hmmmmmm. That one doesn't make sense either. Read the book of Job. Really read it. Don't assume that you already know the story (like I did when I reread it in D1 class). God didn't do the testing. God allowed Job to be tested. God never allows anything to happen to us that we can't bear. Trust. Rely. Let go. All of these things help us grow closer to him if we truly turn things over. Your life can be "not ordinary". ;-)
Lord, help us turn our lives over to you in every situation. Thank you for working in our lives!
Simply Saturday
Like I said above, I had no clue what to write this morning. The devotional inspired this entry (or rant, whatever you want to call it!). The topic is: the easy life.
I don't know much about this topic if you look at my life. To be honest, I am thankful my life has happened this way. Let me share a few things.
Health stuff:
My health history is spanning two pages in a Word document now. Even at that, I consider myself fortunate because there are folks that are a LOT worse off than me. There are folks that will never be able to be active or recover from their health issues. My friends tease me that I am like a phoenix, rising from the flames after each challenge! I have to give all the glory to God for this. He has given me the strength and determination to overcome over and over. Each time I learn more about myself and more about turning things over to God. I am grateful because of the person that I am becoming. I still have a long way to go to godliness!
Being gay:
I have been thinking about being gay a lot lately, probably because June is Pride Month. I have been getting more involved in sharing my faith with others and this issue always comes up. While researching some beliefs, I looked at the Gay Christian Network web site. The "side A" and "side B" discussion upset me. While I believe the Bible with all my heart, I do not believe that God stopped revealing himself to us thousands of years ago. Why use it as the only reference to God for every situation? The skies can't hold all that can be written about our God! We barely have the Cliff Notes in our Bible! Whatever happened to personal experience? Please let me share mine.
I didn't learn to accept myself as a Christian who happens to be gay because of scripture. The epiphany for me was standing at the bathroom sink one morning when I was 29 (more than a few years ago now!). I looked in the mirror and asked God: "What am I supposed to do?" when trying to decide if I was returning to the Baptist seminary in Louisville. I poured out my heart and told God "I can't do this any more. How can I do the things you called me to do if I am gay? They are kicking gay people out of seminary now!". I felt a wonderful calm come over me. I heard a voice in my head as clearly as talking to someone face to face: "Why are you fighting me on this? I made you this way for a reason." What the heck? That is the point in my life where I started coming out to family and friends. Being what God made me is a wonderful thing! Knowing that I didn't have to fight him about it any more was such a relief! Now, what did he mean by "I made you this way for a reason"?
While reading the devotional this morning, I realized that God calling me to be gay is the blessing I prayed for my whole life. Is it easy? Heck no. Any gay Christian will tell you that. It is almost like a second "coming out." You don't really fit in the gay world because you value different things in many cases. You don't always fit in the Christian world because of the false belief that God hates queers (at least that is what the haters's signs say!). ;-( So how is this working out for me? I feel like I have spent many years in the "wilderness" trying to figure some things out. I still don't feel ready for what lies ahead for me. I will let go. I will trust. I will step forward.
Do I recommend this life? If God takes the time to make you different, then you better be different! When responding to college friends who criticized me for saying "God called me to be gay", I told them this -- if I can help one gay youth not take his or her life or lead just one gay person to the Lord, then my life has been worth it. All the criticism and challenges have been worth it. Worth it indeed...
"My people" and all people need the Lord. I will be strong. I will stand. I will not back down. I am living the life that God blessed me with -- a life that is not ordinary. What life is he calling you to? Be what he called you to be!
*********************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Guide my feet, dear Lord. Running this race in vain is NOT an option...
Friday, June 8, 2012
Believe
Our Daily Bread
Sometimes things just make sense to me. Often they don't. ;-p Just ask my friends! I remember so clearly a Sunday morning when I was eight years old. The Sunday School teacher was talking about a lesson much like the devotional discusses today. When she asked if anyone wanted to accept Jesus, I said "yes". It just made sense to me. I wanted Jesus in my young life.
It is a mystery of being human of how some things click with people and other things don't. Whether it is math or learning a foreign language or science or music or the gift of eternal life from God, some things just click with people and not with others. Is the gift of eternal life from God clicking with you today? Do you believe that he died for your sins and wants you to live your life in his love? Ask him today to forgive you of your sins and let him in! Click!
Lord, help us all "click" with you each and every moment of every day...
Foodie Friday
I posted this on Facebook earlier this week. I am posting it here for Foodie Friday! It is my healthy breakfast casserole.
Here is Duane's version of the breakfast casserole:
9 slices of low cal/low carb whole wheat bread
8 egg whites
1/4 cup skim milk
1 cup sliced Johnsonville Farms chicken sausage (with chipotle seasonings and cheese)
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, grated
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper ( you can add other colors if you like!)
Spice to taste (I used garlic powder, cajun seasoning, seasoned salt, pepper)
Preheat oven to 350° and grease baking pan with your choice of oil or butter (I used Pam cooking spray). Place bread pieces in pan and distribute evenly. Beat the eggs, milk and any spices you desire (salt, pepper, garlic powder...) and pour over the bread. Add the remaining ingredients and bake for 25 minutes or until top is golden brown and a knife put in the center comes out clean. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Serves: 6-10 depending on appetites...
Cooking Time: 30 Minutes
Here is the link to the original recipe for the breakfast casserole below:
http://www.traderjoes.com/recipes/recipe.asp?rid=5
*****************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Sometimes things just make sense to me. Often they don't. ;-p Just ask my friends! I remember so clearly a Sunday morning when I was eight years old. The Sunday School teacher was talking about a lesson much like the devotional discusses today. When she asked if anyone wanted to accept Jesus, I said "yes". It just made sense to me. I wanted Jesus in my young life.
It is a mystery of being human of how some things click with people and other things don't. Whether it is math or learning a foreign language or science or music or the gift of eternal life from God, some things just click with people and not with others. Is the gift of eternal life from God clicking with you today? Do you believe that he died for your sins and wants you to live your life in his love? Ask him today to forgive you of your sins and let him in! Click!
Lord, help us all "click" with you each and every moment of every day...
Foodie Friday
I posted this on Facebook earlier this week. I am posting it here for Foodie Friday! It is my healthy breakfast casserole.
Here is Duane's version of the breakfast casserole:
9 slices of low cal/low carb whole wheat bread
8 egg whites
1/4 cup skim milk
1 cup sliced Johnsonville Farms chicken sausage (with chipotle seasonings and cheese)
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, grated
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper ( you can add other colors if you like!)
Spice to taste (I used garlic powder, cajun seasoning, seasoned salt, pepper)
Preheat oven to 350° and grease baking pan with your choice of oil or butter (I used Pam cooking spray). Place bread pieces in pan and distribute evenly. Beat the eggs, milk and any spices you desire (salt, pepper, garlic powder...) and pour over the bread. Add the remaining ingredients and bake for 25 minutes or until top is golden brown and a knife put in the center comes out clean. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Serves: 6-10 depending on appetites...
Cooking Time: 30 Minutes
Here is the link to the original recipe for the breakfast casserole below:
http://www.traderjoes.com/recipes/recipe.asp?rid=5
*****************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Boast not about tomorrow
Our Daily Bread
If you have been around me for more than five or ten seconds, you will probably notice that I am a high-performing, type A, planning kind of guy. I am getting better about relaxing and taking things easy, being more spontaneous. Yeah, I pretty much suck at spontaneous!
The devotional reminded me that I can be boastful about my elegant plans. The passage from James really spoke to me as I thought about some of my discussions with friends. Some of them live vicariously through me as I travel around the U.S. for fun. I choose to spend my money on traveling instead of other things that they spend their money on. But I digress...
I learned from the devotional that I need to be more mindful of God when I talk about my plans and realize that it is only by the grace of God that I am able to do these things. After overcoming many health challenges the past four years, I know what it is like to cancel trips and cut waaaaayyyy back on activities. I should not boast. I should be grateful at all times!
Lord, help us to acknowledge your grace for every thing in our lives -- you give us strength and hope to be victorious in all things...
Technology Thursday
If you haven't picked up on it while reading my blog entries, I really enjoy my iPhone. I enjoy finding new apps that enrich my life and addons or gadgets that can make the iPhone even more useful. Here are two gadgets for the iPhone photographer. They are recommended for the iPhone 4 or 4S that have the better camera than earlier models.
The iPhone Telephoto Lens
Click here to view this telephoto lens gadget for the iPhone. It is an 8X telephoto lense for your iPhone, even thought it does make your camera look funny. It is only $35!
The iPhone SLR Mount
Click here to view this kit. This $249 kit is available for Canon or Nikon lenses. It enables you to use the SLR lenses you already own to your iPhone! Pretty cool!
There is another gadget that I preordered the other day, but it is not generally available until September. I will post more info about it when it is available!
**************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Guide my feet, dear Lord! Running this race in vain in NOT an option!
If you have been around me for more than five or ten seconds, you will probably notice that I am a high-performing, type A, planning kind of guy. I am getting better about relaxing and taking things easy, being more spontaneous. Yeah, I pretty much suck at spontaneous!
The devotional reminded me that I can be boastful about my elegant plans. The passage from James really spoke to me as I thought about some of my discussions with friends. Some of them live vicariously through me as I travel around the U.S. for fun. I choose to spend my money on traveling instead of other things that they spend their money on. But I digress...
I learned from the devotional that I need to be more mindful of God when I talk about my plans and realize that it is only by the grace of God that I am able to do these things. After overcoming many health challenges the past four years, I know what it is like to cancel trips and cut waaaaayyyy back on activities. I should not boast. I should be grateful at all times!
Lord, help us to acknowledge your grace for every thing in our lives -- you give us strength and hope to be victorious in all things...
Technology Thursday
If you haven't picked up on it while reading my blog entries, I really enjoy my iPhone. I enjoy finding new apps that enrich my life and addons or gadgets that can make the iPhone even more useful. Here are two gadgets for the iPhone photographer. They are recommended for the iPhone 4 or 4S that have the better camera than earlier models.
The iPhone Telephoto Lens
Click here to view this telephoto lens gadget for the iPhone. It is an 8X telephoto lense for your iPhone, even thought it does make your camera look funny. It is only $35!
The iPhone SLR Mount
Click here to view this kit. This $249 kit is available for Canon or Nikon lenses. It enables you to use the SLR lenses you already own to your iPhone! Pretty cool!
There is another gadget that I preordered the other day, but it is not generally available until September. I will post more info about it when it is available!
**************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Guide my feet, dear Lord! Running this race in vain in NOT an option!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Don't forget...
Our Daily Bread
I posted my status on Facebook yesterday and included the phrase "and now COFFEE!". My aunt, who knows me well, asked me about that phrase because she knows I don't drink coffee! Well, she is sort of right. I don't drink regular coffee. I told her that I drink the cafe mocha from Starbucks because it reminds me of the "cowboy coffee" that I used to drink at my grandmother's house when I was a child! Remembering is good!
My grandmother passed ten years ago, but I still remember the great times we had while I was growing up and the ways I turned the tables on her when I became an adult (though some would argue that I still need to grow up!). I sometimes have selfish thoughts of wanting her back on earth even though I know she is in a much better place, and spending time with Grandpa again! We can be comforted by these thoughts!
I visited an acquaintance in hospice on Saturday. These thoughts came through my mind there as well. His family will miss him terribly, but he will be in a better place. I will miss seeing him at Target!
Lord, please help us to remember who we are, who was important to us and that they are at rest with you now!
Workout Wednesday
I had a talk with a friend about weight loss approaches. There is one school of thought that you shouldn't lose more than 2 - 3 pounds per week. Some say no more than 1% of your body weight per week. Some say lose all you can as quickly as you can. What should you do?
To retool a phrase: Just LOSE it! ;-p Whether you lose it fast or lose it slow please remember these things I culled from many different weight loss articles:
****************************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I posted my status on Facebook yesterday and included the phrase "and now COFFEE!". My aunt, who knows me well, asked me about that phrase because she knows I don't drink coffee! Well, she is sort of right. I don't drink regular coffee. I told her that I drink the cafe mocha from Starbucks because it reminds me of the "cowboy coffee" that I used to drink at my grandmother's house when I was a child! Remembering is good!
My grandmother passed ten years ago, but I still remember the great times we had while I was growing up and the ways I turned the tables on her when I became an adult (though some would argue that I still need to grow up!). I sometimes have selfish thoughts of wanting her back on earth even though I know she is in a much better place, and spending time with Grandpa again! We can be comforted by these thoughts!
I visited an acquaintance in hospice on Saturday. These thoughts came through my mind there as well. His family will miss him terribly, but he will be in a better place. I will miss seeing him at Target!
Lord, please help us to remember who we are, who was important to us and that they are at rest with you now!
Workout Wednesday
I had a talk with a friend about weight loss approaches. There is one school of thought that you shouldn't lose more than 2 - 3 pounds per week. Some say no more than 1% of your body weight per week. Some say lose all you can as quickly as you can. What should you do?
To retool a phrase: Just LOSE it! ;-p Whether you lose it fast or lose it slow please remember these things I culled from many different weight loss articles:
- Be sure to work with your doctor before any major life change like this!
- Lose how you lose best -- fast or slow.
- Try to weigh yourself only once per week, at the same day and time, preferably first thing in the morning.
- Whether you lose weight slow or fast, always keep in the back of your mind that you need to figure out how to keep it off after you lose it. I lost about 25 pounds a few years ago, but found I couldn't maintain the weight because I literally exercised my butt off to do it. After my doctors put me back on physical activity restrictions, I gained it all back and more! Yikes...
- Make sure your maintenance plan includes an exercise plan that you can do for life. Variety of exercise can be important to many folks so you don't get bored with it!
- Figure out ways to eat that work for your lifestyle. Some folks continue on the maintenance version of Weight Watchers because it works for them. Some develop healthier eating habits that become second nature after a while (that is what I am going for). Whatever you choose, do you best to stick to it. If you fall off the wagon one or two days, get back on!
- Treat yourself to new (or new to you) clothes. If you can't afford new clothes, then take a friend to the consignment or second hand stores to look for bargains in your new size.
- The biggest thing: hang in there! You can do this! If I can do it, anyone can! ;-P
****************************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Our Daily Bread
The poem in the devotional is a verse from one of my favorite hymns: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.
I have always wondered what an "ebenezer" is in the second verse. I finally looked up to find it is a stone, like the one Samuel used, or other item that represents a fresh beginning, a reversal of course for God's people. It also said something important about God: his mercies are everlasting; his covenant is forever. And I thought it was just Scrooge's first name! Actually, knowing the meaning of ebenezer adds more meaning to The Christmas Carol -- a new beginning! But I digress...
I don't know about you, but I seem to raise my Ebenezer every day asking God for a new beginning. Too many times have I "invited temptation in for dinner" and fallen to it. Not just once, but over and over again. I realize I am only human. Like the devotional yesterday said, letting God change the inside will result in more holy activities on the outside!
Do you have a "pet" sin? Something you know God doesn't want you to do, but you do it any way? These can be different for folks, though there are some basic sins that no one should do!
Lord, help us know our sins, even our hidden ones, and turn them over to you!
Teaching Tuesday
Secret number 3 From the 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People
You don't have to win every time.
I read this secret and thought: "Seriously?!? That is crazy talk!" Oh well. I guess I need to work on that one! Why does the book say that this attitude is not good for people who want to be happy? It says that ultracompetitive people judge themselves by unrealistic standards. When they win, they expected to win and don't get much happiness out of it. When they lose, they are devastated! They can sometimes rate their successes lower than some folks rate their failures!
I have also seen this behavior with folks who never want to be wrong (or called on the carpet for something). U lookin' at me? Yes, I can be this way, too. Heavy sigh... I am much better about it than several years ago. ;-p
Are you an ultracompetitive person? Can you tone it down a few notches? Do you have to be right every time? Yeah, these things are hard for me, too...
Don't be ultracompetitive or always have to be right... Be happy...
************************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
The poem in the devotional is a verse from one of my favorite hymns: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.
I have always wondered what an "ebenezer" is in the second verse. I finally looked up to find it is a stone, like the one Samuel used, or other item that represents a fresh beginning, a reversal of course for God's people. It also said something important about God: his mercies are everlasting; his covenant is forever. And I thought it was just Scrooge's first name! Actually, knowing the meaning of ebenezer adds more meaning to The Christmas Carol -- a new beginning! But I digress...
I don't know about you, but I seem to raise my Ebenezer every day asking God for a new beginning. Too many times have I "invited temptation in for dinner" and fallen to it. Not just once, but over and over again. I realize I am only human. Like the devotional yesterday said, letting God change the inside will result in more holy activities on the outside!
Do you have a "pet" sin? Something you know God doesn't want you to do, but you do it any way? These can be different for folks, though there are some basic sins that no one should do!
Lord, help us know our sins, even our hidden ones, and turn them over to you!
Teaching Tuesday
Secret number 3 From the 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People
You don't have to win every time.
I read this secret and thought: "Seriously?!? That is crazy talk!" Oh well. I guess I need to work on that one! Why does the book say that this attitude is not good for people who want to be happy? It says that ultracompetitive people judge themselves by unrealistic standards. When they win, they expected to win and don't get much happiness out of it. When they lose, they are devastated! They can sometimes rate their successes lower than some folks rate their failures!
I have also seen this behavior with folks who never want to be wrong (or called on the carpet for something). U lookin' at me? Yes, I can be this way, too. Heavy sigh... I am much better about it than several years ago. ;-p
Are you an ultracompetitive person? Can you tone it down a few notches? Do you have to be right every time? Yeah, these things are hard for me, too...
Don't be ultracompetitive or always have to be right... Be happy...
************************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Monday, June 4, 2012
Inside...Out...
Our Daily Bread
I don't know about you, but I have been "fixed up" with both men and women that "are beautiful on the inside" many times in my life. I am not a shallow person who relies mainly on looks when meeting someone, but these things have never worked out for me. Having a beautiful 'inside" is the key point of today's devotional.
I like the summary phrase for the devotional:
If God controls you on the inside, you’ll be genuine on the outside.
Genuine, 100% sincere child of God! What a life goal! I guess he could even control this naughty tongue of mine if I let him! ha! That is a big deal! Oh well. What do you need to give over to God?
Lord, please help us let you control the inside so we can be real on the outside!
Movie Monday
I saw the movie Snow White and the Huntsman at the movies this week. The previews looked awesome, but I was a little skeptical of exactly what I would be seeing. First, let me talk about the cool parts of the movie (there weren't many):
1. the acting of Charlize Theron was pretty incredible. Evil. Pure evil.
2. the special effects were very cool
3. the seven dwarfs were interesting and disturbing all at one time...
So that was it. The rest of a slow, plodding movie that took way too long to develop and become interesting. We all know the story. They tried to tell it a new way. It was just OK. I also felt that Kristen Stewart fell back into some Twilight acting moments when she shouldn't have. Oh well.
I give this one one bear paw. Rent it. Don't waste your money at the theater.
****************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I don't know about you, but I have been "fixed up" with both men and women that "are beautiful on the inside" many times in my life. I am not a shallow person who relies mainly on looks when meeting someone, but these things have never worked out for me. Having a beautiful 'inside" is the key point of today's devotional.
I like the summary phrase for the devotional:
If God controls you on the inside, you’ll be genuine on the outside.
Genuine, 100% sincere child of God! What a life goal! I guess he could even control this naughty tongue of mine if I let him! ha! That is a big deal! Oh well. What do you need to give over to God?
Lord, please help us let you control the inside so we can be real on the outside!
Movie Monday
I saw the movie Snow White and the Huntsman at the movies this week. The previews looked awesome, but I was a little skeptical of exactly what I would be seeing. First, let me talk about the cool parts of the movie (there weren't many):
1. the acting of Charlize Theron was pretty incredible. Evil. Pure evil.
2. the special effects were very cool
3. the seven dwarfs were interesting and disturbing all at one time...
So that was it. The rest of a slow, plodding movie that took way too long to develop and become interesting. We all know the story. They tried to tell it a new way. It was just OK. I also felt that Kristen Stewart fell back into some Twilight acting moments when she shouldn't have. Oh well.
I give this one one bear paw. Rent it. Don't waste your money at the theater.
****************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Two streams
Our Daily Bread
There is a song by the contemporary Christian group Newsboys called Your love is better than life that I like a lot. Two lines from the second verse fit perfectly with today's devotional:
I dunno how I can end a prayer, then turn on a friend,
I dunno what I was thinking when I just pressed send,
I have to admit that I have a tongue problem. I am better than what I used to be about saying inappropriate things, which is very, very scary to admit because I am bad now! Even my own mother says I am bad! It must be true! I won't go into examples -- that could fill a book!
The point of the scripture passage in James is that self-discipline, including what you say (or write), is crucial to the Christian life. A few inconsiderate words, no matter how well-intentioned, can be very harmful to relationships. Words of love and words of hate or other inappropriate words shouldn't come out of the same mouth (two streams!).
I am working on it. I have a very long way to go.
Lord, please help us watch our tongues -- and not while we say things we shouldn't!
Psalm Sunday
Psalm 48 is a wonderful praise psalm. I don't understand all the references (the war references escape me at times). Recognizing the greatness of God is important to his children!
Psalm 48
A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah.
1 Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise,
in the city of our God, his holy mountain.
2 Beautiful in its loftiness,
the joy of the whole earth,
like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion,
the city of the Great King.
3 God is in her citadels;
he has shown himself to be her fortress.
4 When the kings joined forces,
when they advanced together,
5 they saw her and were astounded;
they fled in terror.
6 Trembling seized them there,
pain like that of a woman in labor.
7 You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish
shattered by an east wind.
8 As we have heard,
so we have seen
in the city of the Lord Almighty,
in the city of our God:
God makes her secure
forever.
9 Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.
10 Like your name, O God,
your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;
your right hand is filled with righteousness.
11 Mount Zion rejoices,
the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, go around her,
count her towers,
13 consider well her ramparts,
view her citadels,
that you may tell of them
to the next generation.
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever;
he will be our guide even to the end.
*****************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
There is a song by the contemporary Christian group Newsboys called Your love is better than life that I like a lot. Two lines from the second verse fit perfectly with today's devotional:
I dunno how I can end a prayer, then turn on a friend,
I dunno what I was thinking when I just pressed send,
I have to admit that I have a tongue problem. I am better than what I used to be about saying inappropriate things, which is very, very scary to admit because I am bad now! Even my own mother says I am bad! It must be true! I won't go into examples -- that could fill a book!
The point of the scripture passage in James is that self-discipline, including what you say (or write), is crucial to the Christian life. A few inconsiderate words, no matter how well-intentioned, can be very harmful to relationships. Words of love and words of hate or other inappropriate words shouldn't come out of the same mouth (two streams!).
I am working on it. I have a very long way to go.
Lord, please help us watch our tongues -- and not while we say things we shouldn't!
Psalm Sunday
Psalm 48 is a wonderful praise psalm. I don't understand all the references (the war references escape me at times). Recognizing the greatness of God is important to his children!
Psalm 48
A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah.
1 Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise,
in the city of our God, his holy mountain.
2 Beautiful in its loftiness,
the joy of the whole earth,
like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion,
the city of the Great King.
3 God is in her citadels;
he has shown himself to be her fortress.
4 When the kings joined forces,
when they advanced together,
5 they saw her and were astounded;
they fled in terror.
6 Trembling seized them there,
pain like that of a woman in labor.
7 You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish
shattered by an east wind.
8 As we have heard,
so we have seen
in the city of the Lord Almighty,
in the city of our God:
God makes her secure
forever.
9 Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.
10 Like your name, O God,
your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;
your right hand is filled with righteousness.
11 Mount Zion rejoices,
the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, go around her,
count her towers,
13 consider well her ramparts,
view her citadels,
that you may tell of them
to the next generation.
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever;
he will be our guide even to the end.
*****************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Saturday, June 2, 2012
A little kindness
Our Daily Bread
God has tendency to use things like the Our Daily Bread devotional to not only introduce areas where I need to focus my prayers and discipline, but also beat me over the head until I listen! ha! Just kidding! God uses this devotional and many other things in my life to gently remind me of the things he wants me to learn. I am grateful for his loving kindness.
I have used that term at least twice today -- loving kindness. The devotional talks about this concept when dealing with others. I never cease to be amazed about how God times these devotionals. He has been working with me to be kinder and to say things in a more loving way. Yes, I still have to say the tough things that most other folks won't say. I don't get off the hook for having a prophet spiritual gift! I need to temper everything I do and say with God's love. Like the devotional says, we do not know the burden the other person is carrying!
The tag line of the devotional says it best:
If you are tempted to lose patience with another, stop and think how patient God has been with you.
Lord, help us love like you love, to be kind and patient with others like you are kind and patient with us.
Simply Saturday
I thought I would share some pictures from the last week or so of my life. I got the first stage of my home theater done last weekend. Here is a pic of the mounted screen and projector. I will continue to work on it as I have the time and money. Yeah, it is a man cave...
God has tendency to use things like the Our Daily Bread devotional to not only introduce areas where I need to focus my prayers and discipline, but also beat me over the head until I listen! ha! Just kidding! God uses this devotional and many other things in my life to gently remind me of the things he wants me to learn. I am grateful for his loving kindness.
I have used that term at least twice today -- loving kindness. The devotional talks about this concept when dealing with others. I never cease to be amazed about how God times these devotionals. He has been working with me to be kinder and to say things in a more loving way. Yes, I still have to say the tough things that most other folks won't say. I don't get off the hook for having a prophet spiritual gift! I need to temper everything I do and say with God's love. Like the devotional says, we do not know the burden the other person is carrying!
The tag line of the devotional says it best:
If you are tempted to lose patience with another, stop and think how patient God has been with you.
Lord, help us love like you love, to be kind and patient with others like you are kind and patient with us.
Simply Saturday
I thought I would share some pictures from the last week or so of my life. I got the first stage of my home theater done last weekend. Here is a pic of the mounted screen and projector. I will continue to work on it as I have the time and money. Yeah, it is a man cave...
I had a great time at the Cleveland Indians game last night. I lucked out and got in on a bus load of friends going to the game. Catered food. Box on the first base line. Very nice. Visited the new casino in downtown Cleveland (not that great...)
I decided to put my Tuesday blog entry to the test. I made a plan for happiness and I started executing the plan this week. You might think that executing a plan for happiness is selfish and against the will of God for a Christian. For me, it is more like a plan for NOT doing the things that make me unhappy as well as focusing more on the things that do (like the privilege of serving God!). It has been a good week.
Finding your place in the world...in God's plan...at least for now is a very good thing. I don't have to know where the road goes as long as God is leading...
***********************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Friday, June 1, 2012
I can see clearly now...
Our Daily Bread
I installed some home theater components last weekend. I have been playing with them and hadn't taken the time to do the permanent installations. I mounted the nice, large screen to the wall and the HD projector to the ceiling. One of the trickiest parts of the installation is to get the project just right -- the right distance from the screen and the correct focus. I finally it set correctly.
Our relationship with God can be that way, according to the devotional. We can set the focus of our lives on the wrong things. That can cause blurriness and confusion! I know I was confused and upset when I couldn't get my project focused correctly on the screen! ;-p Read Colossians 3:1-12 as the writer talks about this topic. It is pretty amazing stuff!
Foodie Friday
Here is a nice summer salad dish to make for picnics or cookouts. I love this dish!
SEVEN LAYER PEA SALAD
from COOKS.COM
1 head lettuce, shredded
1/2 c. chopped onions
2 c. salad dressing
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
7 boiled eggs
1/2 c. chopped celery
2 boxes frozen peas
3 tbsp. sugar
Jar of bacon bits
Layer lettuce, celery, onions, peas, then spread salad dressing on top of
peas, then sprinkle sugar over salad dressing, then add cheese, bacon
bits and top with sliced boiled eggs
Notes:
I prefer to use freshly friend bacon that I cut up instead of the bacon bits. Do NOT use the fake bacon bits! hehehe The seven hard boiled eggs seems like a lot, but it is worth it!
*************************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I installed some home theater components last weekend. I have been playing with them and hadn't taken the time to do the permanent installations. I mounted the nice, large screen to the wall and the HD projector to the ceiling. One of the trickiest parts of the installation is to get the project just right -- the right distance from the screen and the correct focus. I finally it set correctly.
Our relationship with God can be that way, according to the devotional. We can set the focus of our lives on the wrong things. That can cause blurriness and confusion! I know I was confused and upset when I couldn't get my project focused correctly on the screen! ;-p Read Colossians 3:1-12 as the writer talks about this topic. It is pretty amazing stuff!
Foodie Friday
Here is a nice summer salad dish to make for picnics or cookouts. I love this dish!
SEVEN LAYER PEA SALAD
from COOKS.COM
1 head lettuce, shredded
1/2 c. chopped onions
2 c. salad dressing
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
7 boiled eggs
1/2 c. chopped celery
2 boxes frozen peas
3 tbsp. sugar
Jar of bacon bits
Layer lettuce, celery, onions, peas, then spread salad dressing on top of
peas, then sprinkle sugar over salad dressing, then add cheese, bacon
bits and top with sliced boiled eggs
Notes:
I prefer to use freshly friend bacon that I cut up instead of the bacon bits. Do NOT use the fake bacon bits! hehehe The seven hard boiled eggs seems like a lot, but it is worth it!
*************************************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)