For the first time in a few weeks, I think, I'm at home while my husband is out doing something!! This is exciting news, as due to this, that, and the other we've been spending more time together than usual. Now I don't mean that is a bad thing (spending more time together), but I came to the realization we do need time to refresh and recharge and such individually. Plus I can hover like all get-out when he's not feeling well so he gets some breathing space too. ;-)
Isn't it a good thing that we can never have too much 'together time' with God? Man, wouldn't that just suck if there was such a thing?
Person: "God, I've really been enjoying spending more time with You lately."
God: "Meh, I think I need some time to Myself - I'm feeling a little crowded."
Hello! So not God! (But so much us, eh? And usually when we want to go be schmucks or something.)
I bought an iMac this past weekend and I'm ridiculously excited to have found out how to expand the browser window. Amazing what a tutorial will do for a person. (Again, then why don't I read/study my Bible more??)
I'm also getting the itch to get going on my long-languishing novel again and work on 'the other blog' which has also been languishing for awhile.
Speaking of which . . .
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
What About Grace?
So I was on-line yesterday afternoon, trying to get some stuff together for a project I still don't have done when I discovered the lead singer of a group I like had married a solo artist I have enjoyed in the past. I knew the one person had been married and divorced a few years ago and had made some questionable career choices. And I discovered this person had apparently made some recently, as there was a blog which felt it was its duty to keep a continual reminder up of this person's faux pas.
As I talked with my husband about it later, I said I had the urge to post on this person's web site that he or she is really acting like a Pharisee. I wanted to point out there is only one sin Jesus said was unforgivable (blaspheming the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12: 31-32)), that God forgives and forgets our sins when we genuinely repent, that grace covers a multitude of sins and hey, how big is that plank your eye? But hubby said such a thing would be pointless -- it wouldn't change their minds. Plus it is the goodness of God which brings men to repentance (Romans 2:4), not my sarcastic replies and jabs.
It's sad, really, how so many of us in the Christian community can judge each other (I'm as guilty as anyone else), finding Scriptures to back up our wrong stances and misconceptions. Sure, look at the person's fruit and see where they're at. Be careful who you associate with and all of that. But then remember what many a person has been taught, Christian and non-Christian, as the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (Mark 12:31, Galatians 6:7).
And remember the great grace and love and mercy which have been bestowed upon you. Unearned. Undeserved. But available to all who will receive it.
As I talked with my husband about it later, I said I had the urge to post on this person's web site that he or she is really acting like a Pharisee. I wanted to point out there is only one sin Jesus said was unforgivable (blaspheming the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12: 31-32)), that God forgives and forgets our sins when we genuinely repent, that grace covers a multitude of sins and hey, how big is that plank your eye? But hubby said such a thing would be pointless -- it wouldn't change their minds. Plus it is the goodness of God which brings men to repentance (Romans 2:4), not my sarcastic replies and jabs.
It's sad, really, how so many of us in the Christian community can judge each other (I'm as guilty as anyone else), finding Scriptures to back up our wrong stances and misconceptions. Sure, look at the person's fruit and see where they're at. Be careful who you associate with and all of that. But then remember what many a person has been taught, Christian and non-Christian, as the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (Mark 12:31, Galatians 6:7).
And remember the great grace and love and mercy which have been bestowed upon you. Unearned. Undeserved. But available to all who will receive it.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Don't Mind Me While I Prattle
From the Merriem-Webster dictionary:
So consider yourself forewarned. ;-)
Any which way, there is, it seems, a lot of things going on in my life and around my life at the moment and sometimes it's all just plain overwhelming. How do I prioritize? What is the correct way to deal with some things? How much space do you allow for people to talk to the person you know who is *really* going through something serious while still seeking out the words of comfort and stuff you need? How do you ask for help when everyone else around you is as busy, if not busier, than you are at the moment?
What about when you're thinking you're just totally missing the boat with God? That all you come to Him with is a list of requests and complaints and uncertainties? When your faith feels more like the bottom of the Red Sea as the children of Israel crossed over it all those years ago than anything that will actually touch God and His provisions? What do you do when it feels like you have a thousand questions, but are scared to hear what the answers could be?
I know I often don't handle stressful situations well. I can get testy, crabby, overly-emotional, or (as when my husband and I moved into a new house) get sick. I try to push things down to deal with at a more appropriate time but that doesn't always work either. But, in retrospect, I can see signs of improvement in that so there is hope for more positive changes to be made.
Maybe I'm just tired and need some more sleep . . .
Main Entry: 1 prat·tle
Pronunciation: \ˈpra-təl\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): prat·tled; prat·tling \ˈprat-liŋ, ˈpra-təl-iŋ\
Etymology: Low German pratelen; akin to Middle Dutch praten to prate
Date: 1532
intransitive verb
1 : prate
2 : to utter or make meaningless sounds suggestive of the chatter of children : babble
transitive verb
: to say in an unaffected or childish manner
So consider yourself forewarned. ;-)
Any which way, there is, it seems, a lot of things going on in my life and around my life at the moment and sometimes it's all just plain overwhelming. How do I prioritize? What is the correct way to deal with some things? How much space do you allow for people to talk to the person you know who is *really* going through something serious while still seeking out the words of comfort and stuff you need? How do you ask for help when everyone else around you is as busy, if not busier, than you are at the moment?
What about when you're thinking you're just totally missing the boat with God? That all you come to Him with is a list of requests and complaints and uncertainties? When your faith feels more like the bottom of the Red Sea as the children of Israel crossed over it all those years ago than anything that will actually touch God and His provisions? What do you do when it feels like you have a thousand questions, but are scared to hear what the answers could be?
I know I often don't handle stressful situations well. I can get testy, crabby, overly-emotional, or (as when my husband and I moved into a new house) get sick. I try to push things down to deal with at a more appropriate time but that doesn't always work either. But, in retrospect, I can see signs of improvement in that so there is hope for more positive changes to be made.
Maybe I'm just tired and need some more sleep . . .
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Late Night Musings
At the time it frustrates me and later on it sort of amuses me that when I'm upset about something (no matter how serious or trivial) and I am told to just relax how hard it can be to do just that. Then I try to get away so I can collect myself and people just want to keep talking while I'm thinking "Let me take my moment alone, please!! I feel like enough of a tool at the moment, so yeah . . . I'd like to hide now!"
As a friend of mine said, "We're wired how we're wired", so I guess we will all butt heads on ocassion as we each try to deal with things or help a situation along in the way we feel is best. But still . . .
And why is it we can so easily give advice but not receive the very same advice when it's given back to us? Or is that just me?
Then we ask God to "change me" so "I'm more like Jesus". Then when He uses various situations and people to point out the things that need changing, we act like a petulant child or think we're under enemy attack or something so as to avoid (fruitlessly, really) to allow the master Carpenter to smooth out the rough spots and soften jagged edges.
We humans are a crazy bunch if you think about, so full are we of contradictions and conflicting desires and the like. Yet knowing how all over the map we can be, God still sent His Son to die for each and every one of us and *then* raise Him from the dead so we could come into a real relationship with Him both now and for eternity.
Pretty awesome, no?
Now I really am going to go to bed. ;-)
As a friend of mine said, "We're wired how we're wired", so I guess we will all butt heads on ocassion as we each try to deal with things or help a situation along in the way we feel is best. But still . . .
And why is it we can so easily give advice but not receive the very same advice when it's given back to us? Or is that just me?
Then we ask God to "change me" so "I'm more like Jesus". Then when He uses various situations and people to point out the things that need changing, we act like a petulant child or think we're under enemy attack or something so as to avoid (fruitlessly, really) to allow the master Carpenter to smooth out the rough spots and soften jagged edges.
We humans are a crazy bunch if you think about, so full are we of contradictions and conflicting desires and the like. Yet knowing how all over the map we can be, God still sent His Son to die for each and every one of us and *then* raise Him from the dead so we could come into a real relationship with Him both now and for eternity.
Pretty awesome, no?
Now I really am going to go to bed. ;-)
Sunday, February 17, 2008
I Wonder as I Ponder
I know it says in the Bible not to envy others, and when I think about it, I don't think I'm doing that. But there is something about listening to people talk who know what their purpose in life is and who are doing it which I admire. And it leaves me wondering what am I supposed to be doing?
Chances are I have it figured out on some level, but as some people I know will probably attest to, I'm pretty good at second-guessing my motives and such until I'm not sure which way is up. Sometimes I wonder if it's just a good excuse to not do anything -- you know, if I don't go anywhere or try anything then I can't fail/mess it up/get it wrong.
Then, as it so often happens, a song lyric pops into my head, popping me out of a potential funk:
Great. Way to change my perspective on things again.
I'm only kidding -- it really is a good thing to have one's perspective changed.
I guess part of my problem is I do get so caught up in my own things, the things I want to do and like to do that I don't take the time to get caught up God and His things and the things He wants me to do. The fleshly part of me fears giving up something I like (which is incredibly selfish, I know); but the non-fleshly parts chafe at this, I think, and I wonder when will I be able to say with certainty "Here is what my purpose is, and here I am doing it."
Chances are I have it figured out on some level, but as some people I know will probably attest to, I'm pretty good at second-guessing my motives and such until I'm not sure which way is up. Sometimes I wonder if it's just a good excuse to not do anything -- you know, if I don't go anywhere or try anything then I can't fail/mess it up/get it wrong.
Then, as it so often happens, a song lyric pops into my head, popping me out of a potential funk:
". . . then laugh at my mistakes
‘cause they're only lessons I’ve learned."
*~ Paul Brandt, "Risk"
Great. Way to change my perspective on things again.
I'm only kidding -- it really is a good thing to have one's perspective changed.
I guess part of my problem is I do get so caught up in my own things, the things I want to do and like to do that I don't take the time to get caught up God and His things and the things He wants me to do. The fleshly part of me fears giving up something I like (which is incredibly selfish, I know); but the non-fleshly parts chafe at this, I think, and I wonder when will I be able to say with certainty "Here is what my purpose is, and here I am doing it."
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
*~ Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJ)
Sunday, February 10, 2008
:-P
There are moments/days/many times when I can *so* identify with the Apostle Paul and his lament of doing the things he knew he shouldn't be doing while not doing the things he knew he should be doing.
:-P
And that is really all I can muster on that right now as I really do need to get to bed.
Blargh.
:-P
And that is really all I can muster on that right now as I really do need to get to bed.
Blargh.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
No Forwarding Address
Sometimes I wish life had a rewind button so you could go back and do things like delete unkind words or make a better choice when faced with going out for lunch or getting some extra work done at the office.
Then I have to go and listen to a song which contains the following lyrics:
Yeah, I know -- way to all be encouraged when I felt a really good pout or, at the very least, a good hissy fit coming on.
;-P
But seriously -- I have had friends leave my life either by mutual agreement (spoken or not) or by a unilateral one by myself or them (again, spoken or not) or it was a case of us simply drifting apart as time or 'things' or changes in direction occured. Some I have been okay with. Other times I have fought to keep the friendship going (even pleading for the relationship to remain). Sadly, there are even time where I have been indifferent.
And I could go and change all those things if I successfully built a time machine. If I could, though, would it be the right thing to do?
In Paul's letter to the Roman church, he wrote ". . . all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
All things, eh?
Hmm.
So God can use all my missteps and blunders and use them to work together for good? (Don't forget, though, this only happens when we allow Him to do so. God won't override our free wills.)
It sort of boggles the mind, quite frankly. (Though God is quite good at that, isn't He? I mean, a bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, yet it does!)
So to all the friends I've loved and lost: I'm sorry for where I have done things (intentional or not) to hurt you. I forgive you for the things you've done (intentionally or not) that have hurt me. And if our friendship was only meant to be for a season, then I hope we both received the good God intended for us both to have (even if it looked to be anything but good at the time).
And to my two bestest friends:
Jesus -- You have given me so much and anything I can give You seems so paltry in comparison. And often times, is is paltry and 'meh' and sad. Yet Your love for me doesn't change and it is this love, this goodness, which works in me to change for the better.
My husband -- I'm so glad we started out as friends before we became a couple. I think it was a God-given opportunity for us to build a good foundation. I hope I'm half the support and blessing you are to me. I love you!
Then I have to go and listen to a song which contains the following lyrics:
It's time for letting go
All of our 'if onlys'
'Cause we don't have a time machine
And even if we did
Would we really want to use it?
Would we really want to go change everything?
'Cause we are who and where and what we are for now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about
*~ "Miracle of the Moment", Steven Curtis Chapman
Yeah, I know -- way to all be encouraged when I felt a really good pout or, at the very least, a good hissy fit coming on.
;-P
But seriously -- I have had friends leave my life either by mutual agreement (spoken or not) or by a unilateral one by myself or them (again, spoken or not) or it was a case of us simply drifting apart as time or 'things' or changes in direction occured. Some I have been okay with. Other times I have fought to keep the friendship going (even pleading for the relationship to remain). Sadly, there are even time where I have been indifferent.
And I could go and change all those things if I successfully built a time machine. If I could, though, would it be the right thing to do?
In Paul's letter to the Roman church, he wrote ". . . all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
All things, eh?
Hmm.
So God can use all my missteps and blunders and use them to work together for good? (Don't forget, though, this only happens when we allow Him to do so. God won't override our free wills.)
It sort of boggles the mind, quite frankly. (Though God is quite good at that, isn't He? I mean, a bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, yet it does!)
So to all the friends I've loved and lost: I'm sorry for where I have done things (intentional or not) to hurt you. I forgive you for the things you've done (intentionally or not) that have hurt me. And if our friendship was only meant to be for a season, then I hope we both received the good God intended for us both to have (even if it looked to be anything but good at the time).
And to my two bestest friends:
Jesus -- You have given me so much and anything I can give You seems so paltry in comparison. And often times, is is paltry and 'meh' and sad. Yet Your love for me doesn't change and it is this love, this goodness, which works in me to change for the better.
My husband -- I'm so glad we started out as friends before we became a couple. I think it was a God-given opportunity for us to build a good foundation. I hope I'm half the support and blessing you are to me. I love you!
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