Our Daily Bread
In the movie and Broadway musical of Sister Act, they rearrange the secular song "I will follow him" to a sacred purpose. I wonder if Simon Peter would have sung that to Jesus if he knew the tune! hehehe I wonder if we will sing that song today in our lives!
Yes, we have different types of choices at different times in our lives. Jesus told Simon Peter that there would come a time when he would not have a choice about where he was lead like when he was younger. Most of us will have that challenge!
The question for us today is: will we follow Jesus? What is your answer?
Lord, help us to follow you, to feed your lambs and take care of your sheep.
Technology Thursday
Have you ever heard of USBCell batteries? Here is the web site. These amazing batteries, available only in AA size right now, have a USB jack at one end. You plug it into a computer or USB charger to recharge the battery. How cool is that ! I have been using them for a while now. They seem to hold up very well.
Pros:
They seem to hold a charge better than most rechargeable batteries I have used.
They are easy to plug into your USB 2.0 ports on your computer to recharge.
They don't require a special charger
Cons
The cap that covers the USB plug feels a little flimsy. I am afraid that I am going to break it off (it is held on by rubber band thingys).
They are much more expensive than regular rechargeable batteries (get them on special!).
Check out the site. They have a buy one get one free deal if you use the code LOVE1FREE until February 15.
Other Stuff
I had a busy evening. I went to a QVR session at the gym, then rushed down to church for my Disciple 1 class. I was not happy that I rushed to be on time since I had the devotional and found the class starting ten minutes late! Oh well. My devotional went OK. I spoke about the Witness Wednesday topic from yesterday (about the faith the size of a mustard seed passage).
I had a nice talk with mi tigre after class. He is so funny. We love teasing each other. I look forward to seeing him again when it works out for both of us.
I have a Boot camp session tonight and then choir practice. I fly to Chicago tomorrow for a long weekend. Should be fun!
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
What a reminder!
Our Daily Bread
Coincidence or divine plan? Chance meeting or all part of the master scheme of things? It is difficult to know sometimes. I don't believe in one "master plan" like in the movie The Adjustment Bureau. I do believe in what I call "divine coincidence". ;-)
Have you ever had anything happen like the story in the devotional? What a divine coincidence! What are the chances of that happening completely at random? To me, that is the beauty of being a child of God. Not only having these happen in your life, but also recognizing them and being thankful for them!
What divine coincidence will happen to you today?
Lord thank you for the mysteries and wonder of divine coincidence!
Witness Wednesday
I am giving the devotion tonight in my D1 class. I have thought a lot about it in the past few days. I have to admit that I forgot about volunteering for this week until I received the email reminder from my minister. Yikes! So what am I going to talk about? I decided to talk about Matthew 17:20. My classmates may be surprised since I am usually "Mr. I-believe-it-all" when it comes to the Bible. I struggle with the mustard seed and other faith stories.
What is the struggle? From what I have studied and learned, I think it is the lack of discernment. What? hehehe I struggle with knowing exactly what situations to have faith in God to take care of. To know what situations that are right for me to believe in without a doubt. Here are some examples:
Illness: I had cancer when I was 26 years old. I felt God told me to have faith because he was going to completely heal me even though things may seem bleak at times. I believed with little doubt it would happen. It eventually did happen about 8 months later. Wow! Faith works!
How does this faith apply to others in my life? I am having faith that my great-nephew will be completely healed from his heart defect after the surgery he had last week. How will things work out? I don't know. I will trust God to know that the best thing for everyone involved with happen. That the result will be to make everyone involved more "whole". Isn't that what Jesus wanted for each person who touched him?
Relationship: I had a relationship that I believed was from God. I prayed and believed, had faith, that God would work things out between us in his time. We both had some baggage that we needed to deal with. I was willing to be patient if he was patient with me. Even thought we got to know each other and prayed together and spent time together, he didn't feel lead to be in a romantic relationship with me. That is my discernment issue. I have trouble discerning exactly what to have faith in at different times in my life.
What is your faith like? What do you have faith in? I believe in God and the way he works in my life. Do you believe he really works in yours? I realized after I met mi tigre that I had serious doubts about meeting my someone special even though God promised that to me. I have trouble trusting myself because I made mistakes before. I pray that I can let these things go so I can be closer to God and closer to mi tigre!
Other Stuff
I had a short mens chorus gig last night at the Boys and Girls Club building on Cleveland Avenue. There were a lot of kids. They were very attentive and polite. I hoped they enjoyed the music.
I had a couple of phone calls and got some things done around the house after I got home. I went to bed on time. I needed the rest!
I have a workout tonight, then the D1 class. Busy night! I will fit a phone call or two with mi tigre in there as well!
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Coincidence or divine plan? Chance meeting or all part of the master scheme of things? It is difficult to know sometimes. I don't believe in one "master plan" like in the movie The Adjustment Bureau. I do believe in what I call "divine coincidence". ;-)
Have you ever had anything happen like the story in the devotional? What a divine coincidence! What are the chances of that happening completely at random? To me, that is the beauty of being a child of God. Not only having these happen in your life, but also recognizing them and being thankful for them!
What divine coincidence will happen to you today?
Lord thank you for the mysteries and wonder of divine coincidence!
Witness Wednesday
I am giving the devotion tonight in my D1 class. I have thought a lot about it in the past few days. I have to admit that I forgot about volunteering for this week until I received the email reminder from my minister. Yikes! So what am I going to talk about? I decided to talk about Matthew 17:20. My classmates may be surprised since I am usually "Mr. I-believe-it-all" when it comes to the Bible. I struggle with the mustard seed and other faith stories.
What is the struggle? From what I have studied and learned, I think it is the lack of discernment. What? hehehe I struggle with knowing exactly what situations to have faith in God to take care of. To know what situations that are right for me to believe in without a doubt. Here are some examples:
Illness: I had cancer when I was 26 years old. I felt God told me to have faith because he was going to completely heal me even though things may seem bleak at times. I believed with little doubt it would happen. It eventually did happen about 8 months later. Wow! Faith works!
How does this faith apply to others in my life? I am having faith that my great-nephew will be completely healed from his heart defect after the surgery he had last week. How will things work out? I don't know. I will trust God to know that the best thing for everyone involved with happen. That the result will be to make everyone involved more "whole". Isn't that what Jesus wanted for each person who touched him?
Relationship: I had a relationship that I believed was from God. I prayed and believed, had faith, that God would work things out between us in his time. We both had some baggage that we needed to deal with. I was willing to be patient if he was patient with me. Even thought we got to know each other and prayed together and spent time together, he didn't feel lead to be in a romantic relationship with me. That is my discernment issue. I have trouble discerning exactly what to have faith in at different times in my life.
What is your faith like? What do you have faith in? I believe in God and the way he works in my life. Do you believe he really works in yours? I realized after I met mi tigre that I had serious doubts about meeting my someone special even though God promised that to me. I have trouble trusting myself because I made mistakes before. I pray that I can let these things go so I can be closer to God and closer to mi tigre!
Other Stuff
I had a short mens chorus gig last night at the Boys and Girls Club building on Cleveland Avenue. There were a lot of kids. They were very attentive and polite. I hoped they enjoyed the music.
I had a couple of phone calls and got some things done around the house after I got home. I went to bed on time. I needed the rest!
I have a workout tonight, then the D1 class. Busy night! I will fit a phone call or two with mi tigre in there as well!
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The ledger of my life
Our Daily Bread
When I took an accounting class during my MBA program, I learned about the double entry accounting system where each debit had to have a credit. They off set each other so the books would be balanced. The devotional made me think what the ledger of my life would look like!
I hope there would be many credits for "helping the less fortunate" to offset the debits for the many times others helped me. I hope there would be credits for "having faith" to offset the debits for the times I doubted. I hope there would be "offered grace and mercy to others" to offset the debits for the times that God offered me grace and mercy.
I then realized that my lifetime accounting system is a sham. No, not that pillow thingy on your couch or bed. hehehe Sham also means false or bogus. I realized that I have to throw the Quicken Accounting software in the trash because I could never keep up with the credits that God gives me each and every minute of my life!
Lord, help us to be thankful for your grace and mercy. Help us to show others what you showed us.
Teaching Tuesday
The D1 class lessons for this week and last were all based on the book of Matthew. We read the entire book in these sessions, with each week focusing on some different aspects of the writings. The book is mainly known for a comprehensive list of the parables of Jesus. While it lists some of his many miracles, it focuses on his teachings. I am going to talk about the parable of the mustard seed for the devotional this week.
Other Stuff
I ran a few errands after work, then chillaxed at Starbucks to finish my D1 reading for the week. I made it over to church in time to set up for my group meeting. We had a nice time talking and getting to know each other. Only two more weeks of the group left!
I had a nice talk with mi tigre. We teased each other as usual! I really like this guy!
I have a mens chorus gig tonight. I plan to work on my music before and after the gig.
I had some uncomfortable business to take care of last night. I had some messages with someone that has been a problem for me the past few years. My stubbornness kept me in the friendship because I felt it was my Christian duty. I finally opened my eyes to see that no friendship is worth this. It takes two to be friends. I was one man short! I ended the friendship and let him know why. He is so deep in denial about himself that he didn't understand. I am not the one to explain it to him. Only God can help him if his "stiff-necked attitude" will allow him to see how he treats people. Not many folks who know him on more than a casual basis want much to do with him. It is sad. It is painful for me, but I will get over it. I am sure he won't miss my friendship at all.
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
When I took an accounting class during my MBA program, I learned about the double entry accounting system where each debit had to have a credit. They off set each other so the books would be balanced. The devotional made me think what the ledger of my life would look like!
I hope there would be many credits for "helping the less fortunate" to offset the debits for the many times others helped me. I hope there would be credits for "having faith" to offset the debits for the times I doubted. I hope there would be "offered grace and mercy to others" to offset the debits for the times that God offered me grace and mercy.
I then realized that my lifetime accounting system is a sham. No, not that pillow thingy on your couch or bed. hehehe Sham also means false or bogus. I realized that I have to throw the Quicken Accounting software in the trash because I could never keep up with the credits that God gives me each and every minute of my life!
Lord, help us to be thankful for your grace and mercy. Help us to show others what you showed us.
Teaching Tuesday
The D1 class lessons for this week and last were all based on the book of Matthew. We read the entire book in these sessions, with each week focusing on some different aspects of the writings. The book is mainly known for a comprehensive list of the parables of Jesus. While it lists some of his many miracles, it focuses on his teachings. I am going to talk about the parable of the mustard seed for the devotional this week.
Other Stuff
I ran a few errands after work, then chillaxed at Starbucks to finish my D1 reading for the week. I made it over to church in time to set up for my group meeting. We had a nice time talking and getting to know each other. Only two more weeks of the group left!
I had a nice talk with mi tigre. We teased each other as usual! I really like this guy!
I have a mens chorus gig tonight. I plan to work on my music before and after the gig.
I had some uncomfortable business to take care of last night. I had some messages with someone that has been a problem for me the past few years. My stubbornness kept me in the friendship because I felt it was my Christian duty. I finally opened my eyes to see that no friendship is worth this. It takes two to be friends. I was one man short! I ended the friendship and let him know why. He is so deep in denial about himself that he didn't understand. I am not the one to explain it to him. Only God can help him if his "stiff-necked attitude" will allow him to see how he treats people. Not many folks who know him on more than a casual basis want much to do with him. It is sad. It is painful for me, but I will get over it. I am sure he won't miss my friendship at all.
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Monday, February 6, 2012
All good gifts...
Our Daily Bread
Do you have any items that are precious to you because they came from someone special? I have a small book case that my grandmother made me when I was in college. She couldn't afford to buy me one, so she made me one with her own two hands! Remember how precious those items seem to you and how you protect them and are thankful for them?
The devotional today reminds me to think of all good gifts (the song from the Broadway show Godspell) as being from God and to be grateful for them each and every day! Wow! I forget that sooooooo often! It is so easy to do when you aren't focused on God and being grateful!
Make a list of at least ten things you are grateful for each day. Post the list on your fridge where you will see it frequently. Be grateful!
Lord, I thank you for my many gifts. Please help me never forget the source!
Movie Monday
I didn't make it to the movie theaters this week, however I watched two movies on the Amazon Instant Video service. Mi tigre and I watched the Swedish version (with dubbed English) of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. There were some differences between that version and the American version. We liked parts of both versions. I watched the other two movies in the series: The Girl who played with Fire and The Girl who kicked the Hornets' nest.
All I can say is WOW! The movies fit together like episodes in a TV series. They are one big story of Lizbeth and her unbelievable life. Each movie has twists and turns in it that keep your interest. They all have OMG! moments! ha! Like the first movie, they can be a little slow in places. They more than make up for it in the last hour or so of each movie.
While the first movie focuses on finding a killer, the second and third movies focus on Lizbeth's life. You will not believe the story line!
I highly recommend seeing them. Very cool movies especially when seen close together.
I give these movies three bear paws!
Other Stuff
I took it easy on Sunday. I guess I did more over the weekend than I thought. I fixed some lunch after I got home from church and then took a nap. I had some nice conversations with mi tigre during the course of the day. He is so very sweet to me. I am so grateful for having met him (see the devotional above, hehehe).
Mens chorus rehearsal went well. I am in better shape with learning music than what I thought. I will work on that this week.
I have a busy week. Lots to do before my Chicago trip. I am already packed, so that helps. ;-)
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Do you have any items that are precious to you because they came from someone special? I have a small book case that my grandmother made me when I was in college. She couldn't afford to buy me one, so she made me one with her own two hands! Remember how precious those items seem to you and how you protect them and are thankful for them?
The devotional today reminds me to think of all good gifts (the song from the Broadway show Godspell) as being from God and to be grateful for them each and every day! Wow! I forget that sooooooo often! It is so easy to do when you aren't focused on God and being grateful!
Make a list of at least ten things you are grateful for each day. Post the list on your fridge where you will see it frequently. Be grateful!
Lord, I thank you for my many gifts. Please help me never forget the source!
Movie Monday
I didn't make it to the movie theaters this week, however I watched two movies on the Amazon Instant Video service. Mi tigre and I watched the Swedish version (with dubbed English) of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. There were some differences between that version and the American version. We liked parts of both versions. I watched the other two movies in the series: The Girl who played with Fire and The Girl who kicked the Hornets' nest.
All I can say is WOW! The movies fit together like episodes in a TV series. They are one big story of Lizbeth and her unbelievable life. Each movie has twists and turns in it that keep your interest. They all have OMG! moments! ha! Like the first movie, they can be a little slow in places. They more than make up for it in the last hour or so of each movie.
While the first movie focuses on finding a killer, the second and third movies focus on Lizbeth's life. You will not believe the story line!
I highly recommend seeing them. Very cool movies especially when seen close together.
I give these movies three bear paws!
Other Stuff
I took it easy on Sunday. I guess I did more over the weekend than I thought. I fixed some lunch after I got home from church and then took a nap. I had some nice conversations with mi tigre during the course of the day. He is so very sweet to me. I am so grateful for having met him (see the devotional above, hehehe).
Mens chorus rehearsal went well. I am in better shape with learning music than what I thought. I will work on that this week.
I have a busy week. Lots to do before my Chicago trip. I am already packed, so that helps. ;-)
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Does it really matter?
Our Daily Bread
Have you every listened to a singing group or a band play and thought "That just doesn't sound right"? You can't put your finger on it, but it just doesn't sound right. Things in the church can work that way as well. Whenever there are people involved, there will be some kind of issue!
The devotional talks about a problem in the early Christian church where folks claimed to follow different religious leaders. That caused a schism in the church and between the leaders. Paul wrote to them encouraging them to follow Jesus and not the individual leaders. What a concept!
When a music group or band needs help, they call in an experienced and knowledgeable leader. That was Paul in the story above. The leader helps the group fix the problem much like Paul encouraged the church to fix the leader problem!
Lord, help us to always follow you, regardless of who is leading us at church!
Psalm Sunday
The psalm for today is number 35. It is a typical style for this kind of psalm. The psalmist is begging God to fight against his enemies. In his mind, his enemies are God's enemies, so God should take care of them. He expresses his concern that God isn't listening to his prayers. I love the way that the psalm ends in a praise. The psalmist gives praise even though he feels like his prayers are not being heard!
Psalm 35
Of David.
1 Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take up shield and armor;
arise and come to my aid.
3 Brandish spear and javelin[a]
against those who pursue me.
Say to me,
“I am your salvation.”
4 May those who seek my life
be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin
be turned back in dismay.
5 May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the LORD driving them away;
6 may their path be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 Since they hid their net for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,
8 may ruin overtake them by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD
and delight in his salvation.
10 My whole being will exclaim,
“Who is like you, LORD?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
11 Ruthless witnesses come forward;
they question me on things I know nothing about.
12 They repay me evil for good
and leave me like one bereaved.
13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth
and humbled myself with fasting.
When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14 I went about mourning
as though for my friend or brother.
I bowed my head in grief
as though weeping for my mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;
assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.
They slandered me without ceasing.
16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;[b]
they gnashed their teeth at me.
17 How long, Lord, will you look on?
Rescue me from their ravages,
my precious life from these lions.
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among the throngs I will praise you.
19 Do not let those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
do not let those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.
20 They do not speak peaceably,
but devise false accusations
against those who live quietly in the land.
21 They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it.”
22 LORD, you have seen this; do not be silent.
Do not be far from me, Lord.
23 Awake, and rise to my defense!
Contend for me, my God and Lord.
24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, LORD my God;
do not let them gloat over me.
25 Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”
or say, “We have swallowed him up.”
26 May all who gloat over my distress
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who exalt themselves over me
be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27 May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, “The LORD be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his servant.”
28 My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,
your praises all day long.
Other Stuff
I didn't do as much as I planned yesterday, but I still got a lot done. I am having trouble motivating myself to exercise. I walked on Friday, but didn't make it to the gym yesterday. I have two sessions planned this week before my trip to Chicago next weekend. I will walk or something as well.
I watched the third installment of the "Girl" series yesterday afternoon. I will review the second and third installments on Monday. ;-)
I started my reading for the D1 class. I need to finish the book of Matthew before Wednesday. I will see how that goes.
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Have you every listened to a singing group or a band play and thought "That just doesn't sound right"? You can't put your finger on it, but it just doesn't sound right. Things in the church can work that way as well. Whenever there are people involved, there will be some kind of issue!
The devotional talks about a problem in the early Christian church where folks claimed to follow different religious leaders. That caused a schism in the church and between the leaders. Paul wrote to them encouraging them to follow Jesus and not the individual leaders. What a concept!
When a music group or band needs help, they call in an experienced and knowledgeable leader. That was Paul in the story above. The leader helps the group fix the problem much like Paul encouraged the church to fix the leader problem!
Lord, help us to always follow you, regardless of who is leading us at church!
Psalm Sunday
The psalm for today is number 35. It is a typical style for this kind of psalm. The psalmist is begging God to fight against his enemies. In his mind, his enemies are God's enemies, so God should take care of them. He expresses his concern that God isn't listening to his prayers. I love the way that the psalm ends in a praise. The psalmist gives praise even though he feels like his prayers are not being heard!
Psalm 35
Of David.
1 Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take up shield and armor;
arise and come to my aid.
3 Brandish spear and javelin[a]
against those who pursue me.
Say to me,
“I am your salvation.”
4 May those who seek my life
be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin
be turned back in dismay.
5 May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the LORD driving them away;
6 may their path be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 Since they hid their net for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,
8 may ruin overtake them by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD
and delight in his salvation.
10 My whole being will exclaim,
“Who is like you, LORD?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
11 Ruthless witnesses come forward;
they question me on things I know nothing about.
12 They repay me evil for good
and leave me like one bereaved.
13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth
and humbled myself with fasting.
When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14 I went about mourning
as though for my friend or brother.
I bowed my head in grief
as though weeping for my mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;
assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.
They slandered me without ceasing.
16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;[b]
they gnashed their teeth at me.
17 How long, Lord, will you look on?
Rescue me from their ravages,
my precious life from these lions.
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among the throngs I will praise you.
19 Do not let those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
do not let those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.
20 They do not speak peaceably,
but devise false accusations
against those who live quietly in the land.
21 They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it.”
22 LORD, you have seen this; do not be silent.
Do not be far from me, Lord.
23 Awake, and rise to my defense!
Contend for me, my God and Lord.
24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, LORD my God;
do not let them gloat over me.
25 Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”
or say, “We have swallowed him up.”
26 May all who gloat over my distress
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who exalt themselves over me
be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27 May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, “The LORD be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his servant.”
28 My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,
your praises all day long.
Other Stuff
I didn't do as much as I planned yesterday, but I still got a lot done. I am having trouble motivating myself to exercise. I walked on Friday, but didn't make it to the gym yesterday. I have two sessions planned this week before my trip to Chicago next weekend. I will walk or something as well.
I watched the third installment of the "Girl" series yesterday afternoon. I will review the second and third installments on Monday. ;-)
I started my reading for the D1 class. I need to finish the book of Matthew before Wednesday. I will see how that goes.
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Planting seeds...
Our Daily Bread
I used to love watching the "whirlybirds" when I was growing up. They were one-sided propeller looking things that dropped off trees. I learned much later they were seeds that the trees were dispersing to grow more trees just like it.
I loved two of the lines in today's devotional:
"Should we not then fill ourselves with God’s Word and pass it on to others with the prayer that God will use it for His intended purposes?
It may be that a simple word offered in love, guided by the wisdom of God, and borne aloft on the wings of the Spirit will have eternal consequences in someone’s life."
I entitled this entry "planting seeds". The seeds are planted in two places. First, we plant God's Word in us and grow strong just like the first quote says. Won't God use us if we learn and grow and be open to his purposes?
While we are in that process, because it is a life-long process, we should be like the trees I talked above and disperse the "whirlybirds" of God's love so they can take hold and grow in others! The Spirit guides us along the way!
Lord, thank you for your Word and your love. Help us disperse it as often as we can!
Simply Saturday
Wow, what a week or two I had! Work has gotten busier for me, but is not too bad. I am a little behind with learning my mens chorus music for the concerts at the end of this month. I have a fun trip to Chicago coming up next weekend to visit the car show. I love going to the car show! I haven't been in a few years.
I had a great visit with mi tigre. My life may have changed. We will see where this relationship goes. I really miss having him around the house. He was a lot of fun to hang out with and live with. Yes, we have our differences like any couple. We are figuring those things out and working through them. The relationship is moving forward. I joked with my friends "He lived with me for a week and is still talking to me! That is a good thing!" ha! I thank God for meeting this special man.
This relationship is new territory for me. I am trying to be easy on myself for admitting that. A 52 year old man that really hasn't been through the process of falling in love. Some people never really experience it, I guess. That is sad. I fell in love at first sight with my ex. Yikes! Even if this relationship doesn't work, I have a better idea of what to do the next time I meet someone. I hope I don't ever have to do that! I really like mi tigre!
The part that amazes me the most is that I had no clue about some of the things I have been doing and thinking while in a relationship. I had some hints about these things when I dated Yin and Yang. I am digging much deeper now that I ever have before. You know what happens when you dig deep -- you find things you didn't expect or necessarily want to see! hehehe I haven't found Jimmy Hoffa yet. That is encouraging! The key to any relationship or friendship is accepting each other regardless. There are times you have to agree to disagree. Some of the differences may irritate you at times, but you work through it together.
I mentioned an issue I finally admitted to myself the other day. I describe it this way:
not really listening or adding my own filters leads to...
making invalid assumptions that lead to...
setting unrealistic or false expectations that lead to...
disappointment or hard feelings or anger.
Yikes! Yin tried talking to me about that, but I couldn't see it and wouldn't listen. I understand now. I will work on it. The part that hurt me most is that I caused mi tigre some discomfort with the relationship., I never want to hurt him in any way.
Enough serious talk for now. I realize I am too intense at times. I also established some new jokes and nicknames for mi tigre as well, none of which I will be writing about here! hehehe We laugh about them in our phone calls. We love to laugh together. ;-)
I have some errands to run today. I finished most of my laundry last night. I also watched a movie on Amazon Prime. I will review that on Monday. I may watch another one tonight.
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I used to love watching the "whirlybirds" when I was growing up. They were one-sided propeller looking things that dropped off trees. I learned much later they were seeds that the trees were dispersing to grow more trees just like it.
I loved two of the lines in today's devotional:
"Should we not then fill ourselves with God’s Word and pass it on to others with the prayer that God will use it for His intended purposes?
It may be that a simple word offered in love, guided by the wisdom of God, and borne aloft on the wings of the Spirit will have eternal consequences in someone’s life."
I entitled this entry "planting seeds". The seeds are planted in two places. First, we plant God's Word in us and grow strong just like the first quote says. Won't God use us if we learn and grow and be open to his purposes?
While we are in that process, because it is a life-long process, we should be like the trees I talked above and disperse the "whirlybirds" of God's love so they can take hold and grow in others! The Spirit guides us along the way!
Lord, thank you for your Word and your love. Help us disperse it as often as we can!
Simply Saturday
Wow, what a week or two I had! Work has gotten busier for me, but is not too bad. I am a little behind with learning my mens chorus music for the concerts at the end of this month. I have a fun trip to Chicago coming up next weekend to visit the car show. I love going to the car show! I haven't been in a few years.
I had a great visit with mi tigre. My life may have changed. We will see where this relationship goes. I really miss having him around the house. He was a lot of fun to hang out with and live with. Yes, we have our differences like any couple. We are figuring those things out and working through them. The relationship is moving forward. I joked with my friends "He lived with me for a week and is still talking to me! That is a good thing!" ha! I thank God for meeting this special man.
This relationship is new territory for me. I am trying to be easy on myself for admitting that. A 52 year old man that really hasn't been through the process of falling in love. Some people never really experience it, I guess. That is sad. I fell in love at first sight with my ex. Yikes! Even if this relationship doesn't work, I have a better idea of what to do the next time I meet someone. I hope I don't ever have to do that! I really like mi tigre!
The part that amazes me the most is that I had no clue about some of the things I have been doing and thinking while in a relationship. I had some hints about these things when I dated Yin and Yang. I am digging much deeper now that I ever have before. You know what happens when you dig deep -- you find things you didn't expect or necessarily want to see! hehehe I haven't found Jimmy Hoffa yet. That is encouraging! The key to any relationship or friendship is accepting each other regardless. There are times you have to agree to disagree. Some of the differences may irritate you at times, but you work through it together.
I mentioned an issue I finally admitted to myself the other day. I describe it this way:
not really listening or adding my own filters leads to...
making invalid assumptions that lead to...
setting unrealistic or false expectations that lead to...
disappointment or hard feelings or anger.
Yikes! Yin tried talking to me about that, but I couldn't see it and wouldn't listen. I understand now. I will work on it. The part that hurt me most is that I caused mi tigre some discomfort with the relationship., I never want to hurt him in any way.
Enough serious talk for now. I realize I am too intense at times. I also established some new jokes and nicknames for mi tigre as well, none of which I will be writing about here! hehehe We laugh about them in our phone calls. We love to laugh together. ;-)
I have some errands to run today. I finished most of my laundry last night. I also watched a movie on Amazon Prime. I will review that on Monday. I may watch another one tonight.
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Not just for lawyers...
Our Daily Bread
The devotional talked about a lawyer that, after accepting Christ as his Savior, decided to give up his practice to "plead the case of the Lord" to everyone that would listen. Wow! I have a lawyer friend that is considering the same option! I emailed him a link to the devotional to encourage him and to let him know he wasn't the only one!
The other thing I thought about while reading the devotional is the calling of the disciples in Matthew. Jesus calmly and confidently told them "I will make you fishers of men". They gave up their way of life, all that they knew, to follow Christ.
What is Christ asking us to do? What are we supposed to give up? Are those things really more important than our Lord?
Lord, help us to take up our nets and follow you!
Foodie Friday
Mi tigre and I cooked a lot last week during his visit. Here is one of the breakfast muffin recipes we made. Very tasty and very healthy!
Turkey Bacon Bran Muffins
Ingredients
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1 1/2 cups wheat bran
1/2 cups buttermilk
1 egg
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup chopped crispy turkey bacon
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dried fruit (cherries, blueberries, cranberries , dates etc)
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
Mix together wheat bran and buttermilk/applesauce mixture
Beat togetherl, egg, sugar and vanilla and add to buttermilk, applesauce n /bran /flaxmixture. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir flour mixture into buttermilk mixture, until just blended. Fold in fruit/ bacon and spoon batter into prepared muffin tins.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean
Other Stuff
I was supposed to work out last night and was too tired. I rested before running and errand or two and driving to choir practice. I slept like a rock last night! I feel much better this morning.
I have several things to do this week to catch up on stuff I didn't take the time to do during mi tigre's visit. I will get that stuff done in the next week or so. I will also have some time during my Chicago trip to read and learn music. I want to submit my taxes this weekend. I have a refund coming this year. Woohooo!
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
The devotional talked about a lawyer that, after accepting Christ as his Savior, decided to give up his practice to "plead the case of the Lord" to everyone that would listen. Wow! I have a lawyer friend that is considering the same option! I emailed him a link to the devotional to encourage him and to let him know he wasn't the only one!
The other thing I thought about while reading the devotional is the calling of the disciples in Matthew. Jesus calmly and confidently told them "I will make you fishers of men". They gave up their way of life, all that they knew, to follow Christ.
What is Christ asking us to do? What are we supposed to give up? Are those things really more important than our Lord?
Lord, help us to take up our nets and follow you!
Foodie Friday
Mi tigre and I cooked a lot last week during his visit. Here is one of the breakfast muffin recipes we made. Very tasty and very healthy!
Turkey Bacon Bran Muffins
Ingredients
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1 1/2 cups wheat bran
1/2 cups buttermilk
1 egg
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup chopped crispy turkey bacon
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dried fruit (cherries, blueberries, cranberries , dates etc)
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
Mix together wheat bran and buttermilk/applesauce mixture
Beat togetherl, egg, sugar and vanilla and add to buttermilk, applesauce n /bran /flaxmixture. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir flour mixture into buttermilk mixture, until just blended. Fold in fruit/ bacon and spoon batter into prepared muffin tins.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean
Other Stuff
I was supposed to work out last night and was too tired. I rested before running and errand or two and driving to choir practice. I slept like a rock last night! I feel much better this morning.
I have several things to do this week to catch up on stuff I didn't take the time to do during mi tigre's visit. I will get that stuff done in the next week or so. I will also have some time during my Chicago trip to read and learn music. I want to submit my taxes this weekend. I have a refund coming this year. Woohooo!
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
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