[or interested...]
I have been listening to old Relevant podcasts because I can't find my iPod cord to update my iPod and I heard a really interesting one today. 08/10/2007, minute 21:10 to minute 26:55. The rest of the podcast is really funny (as usual) but this conversation really voiced how I feel about the church "scene" right now. Interesting thoughts.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
shameless..
Last night was The Husband's 24th birthday. He said, "I'm an old man!" in a whiney, childish voice when I told him happy birthday yesterday morning. I joked that yes, in fact he is getting old and balding. He didn't appreciate that very much. I can't wait for the year he turns 40 and I'm still 38. That'll be a good time.
So last night, we went out for his birthday, just me and him. We had such a good time...he's been really busy with school work and I've been wrapped up in dealing with the never ending family drama that we were excited about getting dressed and going out. We went to this restaurant downtown and just enjoyed being together. The Husband loved it, since he loves to try new and different foods. I was skeptical (as I enjoy specific types of food) but I really had a good time as well.
This is a gushy entry and I never do this, because I know how I hate people who do this all the time, but I thoroughly enjoy being married. I have always been a person who enjoyed deep relationships with a few people, rather than shallow relationships with several people. When I was younger, in my teens, I always looked forward to getting married because it would be the existence of the ultimate deep relationship in my life. It makes my life feel complete to know that someone knows everything about me, insecurities and all, and still chooses to love me every day. It's great to be able to give him back that same feeling. NOT that we haven't had our ups and downs, but I definitely feel like it was the right step for my life. I really do look forward to the years to come - birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and whatnot - to see where we will be when we're in our 60's...hopefully with a few grandchildren that we can spoil. It's shamelessly exciting. :)
So last night, we went out for his birthday, just me and him. We had such a good time...he's been really busy with school work and I've been wrapped up in dealing with the never ending family drama that we were excited about getting dressed and going out. We went to this restaurant downtown and just enjoyed being together. The Husband loved it, since he loves to try new and different foods. I was skeptical (as I enjoy specific types of food) but I really had a good time as well.
This is a gushy entry and I never do this, because I know how I hate people who do this all the time, but I thoroughly enjoy being married. I have always been a person who enjoyed deep relationships with a few people, rather than shallow relationships with several people. When I was younger, in my teens, I always looked forward to getting married because it would be the existence of the ultimate deep relationship in my life. It makes my life feel complete to know that someone knows everything about me, insecurities and all, and still chooses to love me every day. It's great to be able to give him back that same feeling. NOT that we haven't had our ups and downs, but I definitely feel like it was the right step for my life. I really do look forward to the years to come - birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and whatnot - to see where we will be when we're in our 60's...hopefully with a few grandchildren that we can spoil. It's shamelessly exciting. :)
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
slices..
oh, the humor.
Last June during a panel discussion in Ottawa about terrorism and the use of torture, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia stood up for the TV torturer extraordinaire and hero of Fox Broadcasting's "24." Scalia insisted that the fictional spy had "saved hundreds of thousands of lives" using tough interrogation tactics to stop a terrorist from nuking Los Angeles.
"Is any jury going to convict Jack Bauer?" Scalia scoffed. He went on to argue that when it comes to torture, "the question is really whether we believe in these absolutes. And ought we believe in these absolutes."
Is any jury going to convict Jack Bauer? I THINK NOT!
Monday, January 28, 2008
attention, attention, may i have all your eyes and ears to the front of the room...
I have shaved off about 2.5 minutes off of my 2 mile run since I began running in December. This is huge for me considering where I started at and also considering that I'm WILLINGLY PARTICIPATING IN PHYSICAL EXERCISE. (huge huge huge huge)
30 seconds more and I will have reached my first goal. Time to set a new one, I suppose.
PS - Tonight...round two with Hellga. I may post tomorrow, if my arms aren't too numb to move. Keep me in your prayers.
30 seconds more and I will have reached my first goal. Time to set a new one, I suppose.
PS - Tonight...round two with Hellga. I may post tomorrow, if my arms aren't too numb to move. Keep me in your prayers.
Friday, January 25, 2008
aaaaaand that's a rant!
I know that this great government of ours has done some really stupid things in its brief history, however, I think that the seatbelt law is the cherry on top. Even the first law that was enacted in 1968 was unnecessary. As with a long list of other things, that should have been left up to the markets to decide. With all the other things that this country should be worrying about, I do not see how or why it is important for police to be enforcing this law. I think it is a time waster and completely unimportant. I don't see how it's any of our government's business whether or not I decide to buckle up when I get behind the wheel. Now, I'm NOT saying that you shouldn't...or I don't (I always wear it Mom, I promise)...I'm just saying, there is no reason that I should get a ticket for not wearing my seatbelt. "It's my body, I'll do what I want."
You may be wondering what set me over the edge about this inane regulation. Well, I have realized that this wonderful new car I have is now equipped with a bell that goes off when I don't wear it. There is no way to turn it off and The Husband refuses to ask when he takes it to the dealer on Monday (for another thing.) I just hate to wear my seat belt. I always have. I think that there is some link to that and the fact that I hate to wear clothes. (Most people who know me know that.) I am just annoyed by them.
I know also that the government is just "looking out for me." The problem is that I don't want the government to look out for me. So stop. Put my tax dollars to ANY other use. It will be more productive, I promise.
Big brother, just PLEASE let the markets do their job. Thank you.
You may be wondering what set me over the edge about this inane regulation. Well, I have realized that this wonderful new car I have is now equipped with a bell that goes off when I don't wear it. There is no way to turn it off and The Husband refuses to ask when he takes it to the dealer on Monday (for another thing.) I just hate to wear my seat belt. I always have. I think that there is some link to that and the fact that I hate to wear clothes. (Most people who know me know that.) I am just annoyed by them.
I know also that the government is just "looking out for me." The problem is that I don't want the government to look out for me. So stop. Put my tax dollars to ANY other use. It will be more productive, I promise.
Big brother, just PLEASE let the markets do their job. Thank you.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
this road..
A recent post on the Ludwig von Mises blog brilliantly cautions the reader to think about where we are economically heading as a country.
The March.
"We are going down the road to statism. Where we will end up, no one can state. But if some of these new programs, seriously proposed, should be adopted, there is danger that the individual, whether farmer, worker, manufacturer, lawyer, or doctor, will soon be an economic slave pulling an oar in the galley of the state." - James F. Byrnes
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
she is here to pump [CLAP] YOU up..
I would like to introduce to you a woman I met last night.
Since I haven't done a paint rendering in a while, I thought I would. Her real name is Jodie, but I now refer to her as Hellga. She teaches kick boxing at the Y on the Islands. When she isn't doing that, she enjoys playing the role of Hellga, a gladiator on American Gladiators. Her hobbies include swinging cats around by their tails and making her glass shard smoothies. The sun sets because she stares it down.
I went last night to kick boxing because I loved doing Tae-bo during it's peak of popularity. I was looking for a new class because my Zumba class has been packed out to the point of unenjoyment. So I chose to go to kick boxing with Hellga. Bad idea.
I walk into kick boxing and see this crazy woman standing up at the front of the room. She was like bouncing around, yelling. Now, energy is important. But...this woman had been leading classes since 5:30 and it was 6:30. She had already led body sculpting and "amazing abs." Then she was stading in front jumping around and yelling like someone just gave her a shot of epi. The Yankee and I stare at each other, both thinking, "What have we done. If we run, she will chase us...," feeling much like most contestants on American Gladiators.
We started out and I was hurting before the "warm up" song was over. I have never sweated so hard in my life. Muscles hurt on me that I don't even know how to target to rub. After the class was over last night, she came outside the class and said, "Well, I hope I didn't go too slow for you all." The Yankee was passed out on the floor. I was leaning on the wall, lacking the strength to stand on my own. We all summoned what energy we had left to force a weak laugh from our throats. It sounded more like a cough.
Last night, The Husband had to drag me up the stairs by my hands while my legs flapped on each stair in order to get me in the apartment.
I just have this to say to you, Hellga. I hurt. I cry. But I am not a quitter.
Since I haven't done a paint rendering in a while, I thought I would. Her real name is Jodie, but I now refer to her as Hellga. She teaches kick boxing at the Y on the Islands. When she isn't doing that, she enjoys playing the role of Hellga, a gladiator on American Gladiators. Her hobbies include swinging cats around by their tails and making her glass shard smoothies. The sun sets because she stares it down.
I went last night to kick boxing because I loved doing Tae-bo during it's peak of popularity. I was looking for a new class because my Zumba class has been packed out to the point of unenjoyment. So I chose to go to kick boxing with Hellga. Bad idea.
I walk into kick boxing and see this crazy woman standing up at the front of the room. She was like bouncing around, yelling. Now, energy is important. But...this woman had been leading classes since 5:30 and it was 6:30. She had already led body sculpting and "amazing abs." Then she was stading in front jumping around and yelling like someone just gave her a shot of epi. The Yankee and I stare at each other, both thinking, "What have we done. If we run, she will chase us...," feeling much like most contestants on American Gladiators.
We started out and I was hurting before the "warm up" song was over. I have never sweated so hard in my life. Muscles hurt on me that I don't even know how to target to rub. After the class was over last night, she came outside the class and said, "Well, I hope I didn't go too slow for you all." The Yankee was passed out on the floor. I was leaning on the wall, lacking the strength to stand on my own. We all summoned what energy we had left to force a weak laugh from our throats. It sounded more like a cough.
Last night, The Husband had to drag me up the stairs by my hands while my legs flapped on each stair in order to get me in the apartment.
I just have this to say to you, Hellga. I hurt. I cry. But I am not a quitter.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
ride or die.
Today I came back from lunch and Debbie and I were talking. I asked her, because of the story she was telling me, about the rate of domestic violence within black relationships. Not so surprisingly, but VERY unfortunately, she told me that it was pretty high. She said that if she had ever been in a relationship that was abusive, that her brothers would have taken care of that for her. She made this comment, "They'd grease their face down and go at it."
Now, Debbie has made this comment to me before about the imperative "greasing" of the face that has to happen before a brawl. I asked her today, "Debbie, can you explain that to me? Why do I need to grease my face down before I fight?"
Come to find out, there are two benefits to this. First of all, if someone goes to punch/claw you in the face, their hand will slip right off because of the grease. Second, if you do get injured, there is something to help the injury immediately. So, the next time you go to fight someone, you need to grease your neck and face down with Vaseline, which, Debbie says, you can buy at the Dollar Tree.
The other important things to know about going in to a fight are as follows:
1. You must wear a long sleeve shirt. This will protect your arms against injury.
2. You must wear jogging pants. The jogging pants allow flexibility (not given by jeans or other pants) but also will provide protection to your legs.
3. You must wear old "raggedy" sneakers. These will allow you to run, if needed, through anything, and you won't be concerned about what you're stepping in, you'll just be concerned about dodging the bullets.
But the most important thing is to grease down. Buy it at the Dollar Tree.
Now, Debbie has made this comment to me before about the imperative "greasing" of the face that has to happen before a brawl. I asked her today, "Debbie, can you explain that to me? Why do I need to grease my face down before I fight?"
Come to find out, there are two benefits to this. First of all, if someone goes to punch/claw you in the face, their hand will slip right off because of the grease. Second, if you do get injured, there is something to help the injury immediately. So, the next time you go to fight someone, you need to grease your neck and face down with Vaseline, which, Debbie says, you can buy at the Dollar Tree.
The other important things to know about going in to a fight are as follows:
1. You must wear a long sleeve shirt. This will protect your arms against injury.
2. You must wear jogging pants. The jogging pants allow flexibility (not given by jeans or other pants) but also will provide protection to your legs.
3. You must wear old "raggedy" sneakers. These will allow you to run, if needed, through anything, and you won't be concerned about what you're stepping in, you'll just be concerned about dodging the bullets.
But the most important thing is to grease down. Buy it at the Dollar Tree.
Monday, January 14, 2008
you are not alone, I am here with you...
Survey Highlights Managers' Roles in Job Satisfaction
By Tom Musbach, Yahoo! HotJobs
Is your boss driving you to consider looking for a different job? If so, you're not alone, as 43% of workers in a recent survey said a dislike of their boss' performance would be a main reason for taking a new job in 2008.
According to the Yahoo! HotJobs annual job satisfaction survey, more than 7 in 10 workers are open to landing a new job in 2008. After discontent with a supervisor, the next two reasons cited for making a move are higher salary (36%) and more growth potential (34%).
"It's clear from the survey that employers need to pay attention to the boss-employee dynamic if they want to retain talented workers," said Susan Vobejda, vice president of marketing for Yahoo! HotJobs. "In addition to factors like salary, competitive benefits, and good work-life balance, employees equate job satisfaction with knowing that their contributions are recognized and valued by their managers."
In fact, 55% of the survey respondents agreed with the statement, "People don't leave companies; they leave managers."
Better Boss Relations in Three Steps
If you are unhappy with a boss, quitting your job may not be necessary. Experts recommend that you first try a strategy that involves self-reflection and discussion.
Examine the situation. "Try hard to determine the reason for your unhappiness with the boss," says career coach Julie Jansen, author of "You Want Me to Work with Who?" The difficulty, for example, may be due to differences in expectations, communication style, or values.
Talk it over. Meet with your boss to discuss your concerns and how they may be affecting your productivity. "Be wary of saying things such as, 'You always do this,'" Jansen says. "Instead say, 'When you dump a group of folders on my desk and tell me that you need the work done by 5 p.m., I feel discounted and that you aren't aware of the other projects that I'm working on. May we try to prioritize my work more regularly?'"
Allow time for change. Jansen adds, "Realize that you always have to try harder than your boss does to get along. It's not fair, but neither is life!"
You Are the Driver
The important thing to remember is that you are in the driver's seat when it comes to your job satisfaction, reminds J.T. O'Donnell, career development specialist and author of "Find Your Career Path." She recommends challenging yourself with the following questions before confronting a bad manager:
What have you done to effectively "manage up" and create a relationship that is strong and effective?
While you are frustrated and critical of your manager, are you also prepared to step up and show how it should be done?
Change Could Do You Good
If you decide you'll be happier changing jobs, Richard Phillips of Advantage Career Solutions advises a three-step plan.
Be clear about the reasons. "Vague generalizations about 'satisfaction' won't provide enough motivation to carry you through the work of actually making a change," he says.
Develop a vision. Your vision should be what you want your work life to look like in the future. "This will serve as a guide and inspiration after you've made the change."
Identify a step you can take. "Getting started is the hardest part," Phillips concludes. "After that, take small steps toward your goal; change seldom happens overnight."
_________________________________________
I feel like this is a little optimistic...the "talk it over" section is a little hopeful. But it's good to know that I'm in good company. :0)
http://hotjobs.promotions.yahoo.com/careercheckin/survey_article.html
By Tom Musbach, Yahoo! HotJobs
Is your boss driving you to consider looking for a different job? If so, you're not alone, as 43% of workers in a recent survey said a dislike of their boss' performance would be a main reason for taking a new job in 2008.
According to the Yahoo! HotJobs annual job satisfaction survey, more than 7 in 10 workers are open to landing a new job in 2008. After discontent with a supervisor, the next two reasons cited for making a move are higher salary (36%) and more growth potential (34%).
"It's clear from the survey that employers need to pay attention to the boss-employee dynamic if they want to retain talented workers," said Susan Vobejda, vice president of marketing for Yahoo! HotJobs. "In addition to factors like salary, competitive benefits, and good work-life balance, employees equate job satisfaction with knowing that their contributions are recognized and valued by their managers."
In fact, 55% of the survey respondents agreed with the statement, "People don't leave companies; they leave managers."
Better Boss Relations in Three Steps
If you are unhappy with a boss, quitting your job may not be necessary. Experts recommend that you first try a strategy that involves self-reflection and discussion.
Examine the situation. "Try hard to determine the reason for your unhappiness with the boss," says career coach Julie Jansen, author of "You Want Me to Work with Who?" The difficulty, for example, may be due to differences in expectations, communication style, or values.
Talk it over. Meet with your boss to discuss your concerns and how they may be affecting your productivity. "Be wary of saying things such as, 'You always do this,'" Jansen says. "Instead say, 'When you dump a group of folders on my desk and tell me that you need the work done by 5 p.m., I feel discounted and that you aren't aware of the other projects that I'm working on. May we try to prioritize my work more regularly?'"
Allow time for change. Jansen adds, "Realize that you always have to try harder than your boss does to get along. It's not fair, but neither is life!"
You Are the Driver
The important thing to remember is that you are in the driver's seat when it comes to your job satisfaction, reminds J.T. O'Donnell, career development specialist and author of "Find Your Career Path." She recommends challenging yourself with the following questions before confronting a bad manager:
What have you done to effectively "manage up" and create a relationship that is strong and effective?
While you are frustrated and critical of your manager, are you also prepared to step up and show how it should be done?
Change Could Do You Good
If you decide you'll be happier changing jobs, Richard Phillips of Advantage Career Solutions advises a three-step plan.
Be clear about the reasons. "Vague generalizations about 'satisfaction' won't provide enough motivation to carry you through the work of actually making a change," he says.
Develop a vision. Your vision should be what you want your work life to look like in the future. "This will serve as a guide and inspiration after you've made the change."
Identify a step you can take. "Getting started is the hardest part," Phillips concludes. "After that, take small steps toward your goal; change seldom happens overnight."
I feel like this is a little optimistic...the "talk it over" section is a little hopeful. But it's good to know that I'm in good company. :0)
http://hotjobs.promotions.yahoo.com/careercheckin/survey_article.html
the m&m's are in the mail.
hahaha.
FOUND by Amanda in North Carolina
"I found this note by a computer in the library. I thought it was very strange."
Sunday, January 13, 2008
sheer genius.
I don't know who created this picture, but it made me laugh hysterically. Thank you, Soulmatey, for putting that up as your profile pic on Facebook.
[for those who don't know...]
ughhhh.
I hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate trying to find a new church.
Hate it.
Hate it.
Friday, January 11, 2008
lostANDfound
Found this website, c/o howaboutorange. It's pretty interesting.
So, what's this all about?
We collect found stuff: love letters, birthday cards, kids' homework, to-do lists, ticket stubs, poetry on napkins, doodles-- anything that gives a glimpse into someone else's life. Anything goes.
[*caution - some occasional language...just depends on the find.]
Thursday, January 10, 2008
let me just say this...
In a phone call with my mom, I had an epiphany. In all this that is going on with my family right now, I have never questioned God one time. My faith in him is as strong or stronger as it ever has been. He truly TRULY is my rock.
But I will say, in all this, it really has made me question the church. Strongly. Some of the actions of a few "Christians" following the separation of my parents has completely amazed me. I wrote a few posts back that...
I went on to discuss why there is that compulsion to do damage control...what that view of God must be...and then I talked about this:
I was checking The Pastor's blog and I feel like this recent post he made really ties in to what I'm trying to convey.
He went on to say:
Lastly...
ALL humanity experiences suffering. The Christian and the non-Christian. We are ALL on the same playing field. Groaning IS a universal language. Even plans that seem to be laid out as godly or spiritual can be gone in an instant. It's not that these things were not good, it's that God has a different plan sometimes than what we plan for ourselves. Is this bad? No. Does this mean that there will be no pain? No. It means that we must trust him for these answers. As Christians, to come in to save the day with a plan that puts those suffering back on the "right track" is completely ridiculous to me.
First of all, it implies that those suffering are not in the complete middle of God's will. Second of all, it implies that someone ELSE can interpret and know God's will for the person suffering. Both of these things are ridiculous to me, that's the only word I can think of. I think that the true meaning of verses like Galatians 6:2 are to say that in this life we ALL are going to suffer. Christian, non-Christian, whatever...we're all going to suffer in this life. No one knows the direct reason, and anyone assuming that they do is completely off base and out of line. And, the next logical step is that if you don't know why, then you can't fix it. If a doctor doesn't know why someone is sick, they can't just start perscribing medicine or else it might kill someone. Only the person who completely knows the sickness can make it better. So, Christians coming in with their "Here to Save the Day" plans is completely out of line. We should just bear with one another, as we are called to do.
Uphold, remain firm, and be patient with one another.
As Job told his friends in chapter 13,
All I have to say is, oh snap.
Job, blamless before God, endured suffering that I cannot even fathom. But his friends were quick to share the magical plan...if only he were to search his heart to find why God is punishing him, that will end his suffering. But there was no reason. There was no thing that God was punishing Job for. He was right in telling his friends, "I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all! Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing? I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you."
All we are called to do is bear with each other. And these days, I'm not seeing it from those I should be seeing it from.
But I will say, in all this, it really has made me question the church. Strongly. Some of the actions of a few "Christians" following the separation of my parents has completely amazed me. I wrote a few posts back that...
...when bad things happen around non-Christians, from my observations, they tend to acknowledge the situation for what it is. They aren't afraid to "feel their feelings", as I like to call it. If they're angry, then they are...When bad things happen around Christians, I feel like they do damage control. For example, if someone gets separated from their husband, the non-Christian would sit around and play Independence Day by Martina McBride, eat ice cream and just laugh/cry as the emotion in the situation changed. A Christian would respond by immediately trying to get the two back together, regardless of what that takes and regardless of the issues that are within the marriage.
I went on to discuss why there is that compulsion to do damage control...what that view of God must be...and then I talked about this:
If God is in control and people are living in "His will", then everything will be in line. If everything is in line, then it will look this way or that way. If pastors' wives leave their husbands because their pastor husbands are being emotionally and verbally abusive to their family, then what does that do to their perception of God? Instead of working to truly allow the family to heal, they do damage control. They cannot look into the face of a God who would allow a Pastor's family to undergo such pain. The problem is that we live in a world of pain. It comes to each of us in different ways. As Christians, we are not exempt from this. The only thing we are guaranteed is that God is in control and with us, regardless of the situation. I'm not quite sure where Christians get the idea that nothing bad is going to happen to them, or should happen to them, but it is not Biblically supported.
I was checking The Pastor's blog and I feel like this recent post he made really ties in to what I'm trying to convey.
But, what of the suffering we experience that is not a result of our faith? What about the sickness and the loss of loved ones and job losses and the relational pain we have experienced as a church this past year? Does that not count as real suffering in our relationship with the Lord? As I have said several times, if that is true, throw the book of Job out the window! The level of suffering that has visited us this year has led our elders to believe that we have been called to suffer as a church, and we also believe that suffering has been brought upon us in order to increase our intimacy with Jesus.
But let’s face it, all humanity experiences some of the difficulties we have encountered this past year. Suffering, after all, is a universal experience. Groaning is a universal language.
He went on to say:
Linda and I had just begun really enjoying our empty nest years when her tumor changed everything. The last few years we have been planning our retirement, serving the Lord in Europe or in Asia while teaching English as a Second Language. Those plans are in serious jeopardy. “But, those were godly plans, spiritual plans!”
Lastly...
Everything that happens to us is part of God’s grand design, and don’t go trying to figure His design out, just trust Him. It does not mean that there is no pain – we suffer, for sure, but we can trust that God is not only working for His glory, but also for our good.
ALL humanity experiences suffering. The Christian and the non-Christian. We are ALL on the same playing field. Groaning IS a universal language. Even plans that seem to be laid out as godly or spiritual can be gone in an instant. It's not that these things were not good, it's that God has a different plan sometimes than what we plan for ourselves. Is this bad? No. Does this mean that there will be no pain? No. It means that we must trust him for these answers. As Christians, to come in to save the day with a plan that puts those suffering back on the "right track" is completely ridiculous to me.
First of all, it implies that those suffering are not in the complete middle of God's will. Second of all, it implies that someone ELSE can interpret and know God's will for the person suffering. Both of these things are ridiculous to me, that's the only word I can think of. I think that the true meaning of verses like Galatians 6:2 are to say that in this life we ALL are going to suffer. Christian, non-Christian, whatever...we're all going to suffer in this life. No one knows the direct reason, and anyone assuming that they do is completely off base and out of line. And, the next logical step is that if you don't know why, then you can't fix it. If a doctor doesn't know why someone is sick, they can't just start perscribing medicine or else it might kill someone. Only the person who completely knows the sickness can make it better. So, Christians coming in with their "Here to Save the Day" plans is completely out of line. We should just bear with one another, as we are called to do.
Uphold, remain firm, and be patient with one another.
As Job told his friends in chapter 13,
What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
All I have to say is, oh snap.
Job, blamless before God, endured suffering that I cannot even fathom. But his friends were quick to share the magical plan...if only he were to search his heart to find why God is punishing him, that will end his suffering. But there was no reason. There was no thing that God was punishing Job for. He was right in telling his friends, "I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all! Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing? I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you."
All we are called to do is bear with each other. And these days, I'm not seeing it from those I should be seeing it from.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
for your reading pleasure.
An interesting article from Relevant mag.
The thing about Christians, though, is that we should be aware, more so than anyone else, that we are deeply, deeply flawed. We know our flesh is out for us and that no one can work their way through their sin. We must bow in a culture that likes to stand on stilts.
The problem is, before God takes us anywhere near were we need to be, we have to give up the pride and talk to him. We have to know it will happen again, and that we cannot change our mindsets and views of God to justify what we have done.
Also, the hilariously funny Relevant podcast is now available for download from their website. So, for all those people who need something to do at work...here you go. :)
go big or go home..
To those who know me, or at least have access to my Facebook account, you know that I am rooting for Ron Paul in this election. I support his viewpoints on several issues (not all though..) and he was my top answer in the "candidate matching" quiz I posted a couple of days ago.
Now, down here where I live, there is a curiously strong support of him. I say curiously strong, because I have yet to see any campaign material littering our highways for any other candidate except him. I think I saw a Barak bumpersticker one time. Maybe.
So anyway, I was shocked and not so shocked when I saw this thing coming back from lunch.
I was walking across the tarmac back to the hangar when I noticed two guys that work on my floor staring up with their hands blocking the sun. They were looking over toward the airport airstrip, so I thought that maybe another aircraft was landing that maybe had a more original and noticable paint job than the one that landed for this operator the other day. So I looked over where they were looking and I saw the strangest thing.
Now, some of you may have heard of this already, but I have not. I was like, "Good LORD." It was flying pretty low to the ground (compared to the other aircraft that fly around here) and it had a freaking Ron Paul message on the side. (I thought Goodyear had the monopoly on that? lol) One of the guys said he heard on the news that it cost him $400k to get that up and running. I hope someone has crunched the numbers on that and the payoff is greater than the cost. That's a load of moolah.
Anyway, I stood there for a minute and stared, then thought, "Blog."
http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/
Coming to an airspace near you.
Now, down here where I live, there is a curiously strong support of him. I say curiously strong, because I have yet to see any campaign material littering our highways for any other candidate except him. I think I saw a Barak bumpersticker one time. Maybe.
So anyway, I was shocked and not so shocked when I saw this thing coming back from lunch.
I was walking across the tarmac back to the hangar when I noticed two guys that work on my floor staring up with their hands blocking the sun. They were looking over toward the airport airstrip, so I thought that maybe another aircraft was landing that maybe had a more original and noticable paint job than the one that landed for this operator the other day. So I looked over where they were looking and I saw the strangest thing.
Now, some of you may have heard of this already, but I have not. I was like, "Good LORD." It was flying pretty low to the ground (compared to the other aircraft that fly around here) and it had a freaking Ron Paul message on the side. (I thought Goodyear had the monopoly on that? lol) One of the guys said he heard on the news that it cost him $400k to get that up and running. I hope someone has crunched the numbers on that and the payoff is greater than the cost. That's a load of moolah.
Anyway, I stood there for a minute and stared, then thought, "Blog."
http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/
Coming to an airspace near you.
Monday, January 07, 2008
p(olitical) harmony.com
"Polls suggest Americans are concerned primarily with a few key issues in the 2008 presidential election. USA TODAY researched candidate positions on those top issues — Iraq, immigration and health care — as well as a few others that may influence the election. We then came up with 11 multiple-choice questions that would help differentiate the candidates and their stances.
As you answer the questions, you can roll over each color bar below the candidates' heads to find background on their positions. Your answers are matched with the positions of the presidential hopefuls to reveal the candidate (or candidates) closest to your views. The sliders on the right allow you to assign relative weights to match the importance that you place on each issue."
If you take this, post a comment and tell who your top three are. I think it's pretty interesting. I was surprised by a couple.
**If you post as an anonymous person, please include your name. Thanks :)
As you answer the questions, you can roll over each color bar below the candidates' heads to find background on their positions. Your answers are matched with the positions of the presidential hopefuls to reveal the candidate (or candidates) closest to your views. The sliders on the right allow you to assign relative weights to match the importance that you place on each issue."
If you take this, post a comment and tell who your top three are. I think it's pretty interesting. I was surprised by a couple.
**If you post as an anonymous person, please include your name. Thanks :)
Friday, January 04, 2008
what goes up, must come down.
By Amanda Granger
Savannah-Chatham police made two gun-related arrests and responded to more than 100 reports of gunfire over New Year’s.
Metro police had deployed 70 extra officers for the holiday as part of a newly launched campaign to reduce celebratory gunfire in the city.
“It went well,” said Sgt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the department. “We were able to educate the public and we had a soft-handed approach to enforcement. We were visibly present throughout the city”
Officers made 19 total arrests – ranging from parole violations to drunken driving – and responded 104 reports of gunfire between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m., Wilson said.
There were 84 such reports a year ago.
“We really wanted to get the word out to the community that firing guns into the air is unacceptable, and there were a number of incidents where we will be doing follow-up investigations,” Wilson said.
Patrolmen did seize two shotguns, 73 rounds of ammunition and a small amount of marijuana in responding to gunfire reports this New Year’s.
Source URL:
http://savannahnow.com//node/424729
-------------------------------------------------
"Main street isn't main street anymore
Lights don't shine as brightly as they shone before
Tell the truth, lights don't shine at all
In our town..."
They don't shine because they've all been shot out.
"But it's our town, Love it anyway, Come what may, it's our town..."
Thursday, January 03, 2008
praise to the lord, hallelujah...
Today, I set Debbie up with her own blog.
http://babygirl1966.blogspot.com
YESSSSSSSS.
http://babygirl1966.blogspot.com
YESSSSSSSS.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
merry christmas and happy new year!
Christmas this year was surely different, but it went as well as possible considering the circumstances. As I expected, my favorite thing was the Christmas Eve service at the Episcopal church. Since my aunt is the choir director there now, lots of my [very musical] family was participating in the service. On Sunday, before the service Monday night, Auntie Mabel asked me to sing with Mom on her solo. I told her I would, and I enjoyed that. [Hopefully everyone else did too! lol]
The message that Big E brought that night was so great. I told Mom leaving the service that I felt like I could have just cried and cried. For the record, I'm not a crier. But sometimes things hit you where you wonder if you are going to make it out without one loud sob. And of course his sermon was before the song. It was one of those where you have to remove yourself mentally and force your brain to think about that time when you were playing with My Little Pony after your 6th birthday party and you got icing in the glittering mane of the poor purplish pink pony.
His message was talking about Christ's birth resulting in the name Emmanuel, or "God with us." I think that this holiday, I needed to hear that comforting message. He talked about how God is present in everything, and that night, he was with the shephards, the angels, he was in the cries of the new baby and the bright star that shown above. But he brought that further to what that means in the lives of humans, that God is constantly "with us." That means that everything we are going through or feel like no one knows how we feel, God does. Which, of course I knew that. But there are so many emotions that are hard to verbally express in this whole situation. To be reminded that there is someone who knows me so intimately that he knows my hurt and pain before I verbalize it, is such a huge wave of relief to me.
In this whole situation, everyone has such a hard time understanding the specifics, (and several are wanting to know them, especially when it's none of their particular freaking business...) so I have spent so much time explaining things...but I need not explain anything to Him. He already knows. As basic as that is, what a powerfully comforting feeling of relief for me.
But Christmas all in all was really great. The absence of my father's issues from the whole Christmas event was really wonderful. The absence of my father's positive things was really missed. It was really bittersweet. And of course, Dear Jewel rocked it out with food that would make Paula Deen slink away in shame. The Lady Baltimore did not disappoint.
New Year's was a blast too. The Twin and The Chef came and visited and a wonderful time was had by all. I miss living closer to good friends like that.
Pics of the new puppy Sadie will follow soon. She is precious and quite the wonderful addition to the apartment.
Okay...the closing bell is about to ring. Gotta get out of here.
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!
The message that Big E brought that night was so great. I told Mom leaving the service that I felt like I could have just cried and cried. For the record, I'm not a crier. But sometimes things hit you where you wonder if you are going to make it out without one loud sob. And of course his sermon was before the song. It was one of those where you have to remove yourself mentally and force your brain to think about that time when you were playing with My Little Pony after your 6th birthday party and you got icing in the glittering mane of the poor purplish pink pony.
His message was talking about Christ's birth resulting in the name Emmanuel, or "God with us." I think that this holiday, I needed to hear that comforting message. He talked about how God is present in everything, and that night, he was with the shephards, the angels, he was in the cries of the new baby and the bright star that shown above. But he brought that further to what that means in the lives of humans, that God is constantly "with us." That means that everything we are going through or feel like no one knows how we feel, God does. Which, of course I knew that. But there are so many emotions that are hard to verbally express in this whole situation. To be reminded that there is someone who knows me so intimately that he knows my hurt and pain before I verbalize it, is such a huge wave of relief to me.
In this whole situation, everyone has such a hard time understanding the specifics, (and several are wanting to know them, especially when it's none of their particular freaking business...) so I have spent so much time explaining things...but I need not explain anything to Him. He already knows. As basic as that is, what a powerfully comforting feeling of relief for me.
But Christmas all in all was really great. The absence of my father's issues from the whole Christmas event was really wonderful. The absence of my father's positive things was really missed. It was really bittersweet. And of course, Dear Jewel rocked it out with food that would make Paula Deen slink away in shame. The Lady Baltimore did not disappoint.
New Year's was a blast too. The Twin and The Chef came and visited and a wonderful time was had by all. I miss living closer to good friends like that.
Pics of the new puppy Sadie will follow soon. She is precious and quite the wonderful addition to the apartment.
Okay...the closing bell is about to ring. Gotta get out of here.
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!
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