Look Out, Santa...

more animals

Very Funny, Jim.

I do like these de-motivators. But this one might hit a little too close to home...

Forgiveness

Driving home from dinner with friends tonight, I just heard a snippet of what I think was probably Focus on the Family. The topic was essentially letting God carry your burdens for you. But on the topic of forgiveness, this was a phrase that jumped out at me...

When you forgive someone, you aren't letting them off the hook, you are just letting them off of your hook.

And the lightbulb pops on...

It's pretty easy to get bent out of shape over the big D (that's divorce, not Dallas for those of you who are from Texas) and what I perceive to be the wrongs that I am suffering (and please hear that in a slightly sarcastic voice) but in reality, its not my problem. God can handle the Boxer as He sees fit, and he will face consequences for his actions. My job is to forgive. Shudder.

However, I have some good motivation.

a. God says to forgive.

b. There is not much worse than the divorcee who cannot stop complaining about how awful his/her ex is.

I'm going to bed now to ponder this further. But really, there's nothing to ponder. Just some action required!

A Must Watch

I never watch awards shows, so I missed this one.

And I must say...Josh Groban can sing anything....

You must watch this...

If you don't think its funny, I don't know what to say.

The Annual Holiday Mishap

A couple of years ago, I shared how my mom, the Martha Stewart of Montana (minus the insider trading), forgot to turn on the oven for the Christmas turkey.

This year, my dad had the honors. My parents, though long divorced, are somehow on the same wavelength.

About 9:30 yesterday morning, I recieved a phone call that went something like this.

"Happy Thanksgiving, Dad"

"Uh-huh"

"What does that mean?"

"The. Turkey. Is. Still. Frozen."

After my maniacal laughter ceased, he explained to me that apparently, the spare fridge in the garage which had housed the 22 pound bird for 4 days is set just a tad too cold. Yeah. So into the microwave it went. Six minutes at a time, then rotate. And all was fine, as the turkey wasn't nearly as frozen as he thought. So a half hour later, it went into the oven.

And was delicious.

But maybe I'd better handle the turkey next holiday.

Things I am Thankful For

• my home
• both of my parents are alive, mobile, and mentally sharp (sometimes a little too sharp)
• an interesting job (with benefits!)
• my friends
• a great church...filled with wonderful people
• Buddy and Rowdy (the kitties)
• the opportunity to go to school this coming year
• a (small) savings account
• my little putt-putt

So much more comes to mind. Perhaps we should all make these lists occasionally to remember those very tangible good things that God provides for us. It's too easy for me to remember, and to dwell on, all that I feel is lacking. Really, looking at this list, its clear that my needs and much more are all met. Wow...

For Thanksgiving...

...I will be at my dad's house:

a) falling off the low-carb wagon
b) regretting having fallen off the low-carb wagon
c) going back for seconds

This is not multiple choice. I fully intend to do all three. So I guess that would be:

d) all of the above

It's Official...

I is a kollige stoodint.

That's a bit how I feel. I am beginning this venture with one class (so far) this January. Intro to Algebra. Which I took long ago in 1987. Long ago.

The English class I wanted to take online is full. If something opens up, I will jump in, but for now I will be content to get my feet wet with math!

UPDATE: The English class opened up! A friend at work and I will be online together! :)

The Beasties

Cats know how we feel. They don't care, but they know. ~Unknown

Introducing my beasts:

Buddy thinks (okay, he knows) he is the king of everything. If he spoke, I am sure it would be with a posh British accent. Notice how annoyed he is that the paparazzi keep hounding him for photos.

I have to catch him while he is asleep so you can really see how sweet he is.

The boys get along really well. They have ganged up to take over this chair. I really would like to sit in it occasionally.

Rowdy lives up to his name. He's a crazy beast. I can't get him to sit still for a photograph to save my life. This action shot of him sneaking into the shower is literally the only non-blurry photo of him I have. Sigh.

A Walk on the Beach

It's a rare and precious day in November when we have sun here. I'm so glad it is my day off! I live about a mile from the beach here in Mukilteo, so I took a drive down and went for a walk. With my camera.

First, the obligatory Mukilteo Lighthouse photo, complete with the ferry in the background.

Next, we have some seagulls, the official bird of Mukilteo. Not really. I think seagulls are really quite lovely creatures, if only I didn't know them to be the bird that will literally eat everything put in front of it.

I thought the tugboat coming through the channel was pretty neat, especially when I saw what it was towing...three cargo containers full of sawdust from the mill. Amazing what one relatively small tug can do. I am sure there is some spiritual implication in that...

The way the light is so changeable here is really interesting. All these pictures were taken within about a half hour of each other (at which time my battery in the camera went dead).

A good day.

Work and College

I am so thankful. I am technically part-time at work, yet receive full-time benefits. I also have been picking up enough extra shifts that I am getting a full 40 hours a week. And I like my job. And I can leave it at work.

So I have decided to go a little further into the medical realm and begin taking my pre-requisites for nursing school. January is the beginning of a whole new chapter. A four-year (minimum) chapter. An expensive four-year chapter. A difficult, expensive four-year chapter. OK, I'll stop. The chemistry is a little daunting, but there is a semester of algebra (review!) first. It's been a long time since high school!

And I've discovered that I love working in the ER and emergency services in general. Unless something happens to change my mind...that's where I want to stay.

I ask for you all to pray for me!

This Is for my Mom the Hunter

UPDATE: Here is an actual photo that my little momma sent me of her hauling her 150 pounds of venison up a hill. I just find it so funny that my mom, at mmfxty-something, has truly embraced her rural Montana lifestyle. Complete with the orange vest. Now I know where I get that little bit of adventure in me! (But I don't anticipate any orange vests in my future...it's really not my color.)

My mom went this week and bagged a deer. I am assuming this picture was not taken on her trip.

Book Review: Austenland by Shannon Hale

Who could resist a book called Austenland? Certainly not me!

Jane Hayes is a 30-something single woman with a major problem. None of the men she dates can measure up to Pride and Prejudice's Mr. Darcy. Oh, and this is the dark, handsome, brooding, but deep inside shy in public situations Mr. Darcy as portrayed by Colin Firth in the A and E version. Sigh.

Jane's elderly aunt leaves a bequest in her will, not cash, but a 3-week stay in Austenland, a vaction estate where the guests must dress and behave as though they are in Regency England. Sound fun, until you remember that the noble gentlemen, the gardeners and the rest of the staff are actors, and in real life are not what they seem. Does Jane find her Mr. Darcy? Does that man even exist?

This was a fun and quick read with quite a few laugh-out-loud moments. I knew I was hooked from the introduction, which reads:

For Colin Firth

You're a really great guy, but I'm married,

So I think we should just be friends.

PS Thanks, mom, for leaving me your P and P video. I will try to stop watching it at least once a week. Or not.

I'm Back

After a month-long blogging hiatus, I am back, with lots of thoughts and ideas that have been percolating in my (somewhat) dormant mind. I have a new laptop, and an internet connection at home, and now both of my loyal readers (that was only a very small joke) can expect to hear from me more often.

Stay tuned!

Quote of the Day: EB White (plus a somewhat meandering sidebar)

We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry.
~EB White in Letters of EB White

I was thinking about this quote this morning while at work, and about the difference between plain old happiness and true joy.

Happiness, according to Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary is "The agreeable sensations which spring from the enjoyment of good; that state of a being in which his desires are gratified, by the enjoyment of pleasure without pain...Perfect happiness, or pleasure unalloyed with pain, is not attainable in this life."

In other words, happiness is temporal, and can be induced by, as EB White says, picking grapes, sorting the laundry, or other pleasures which bring us that immediate satisfaction. But that is fleeting.

Joy, true joy, comes only from that lasting peace. I like this part of the Webster definition of joy. He says it is the " passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good... or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire..."

As Christians, that which we love and desire ought to be our Savior. And, as Christians, that is what will bring us true joy...that hopeful looking forward to eternity with Him. All else is the temporary stuff that yes, brings us happiness, but our joy is in Him alone.

Now, about finding joy in the laundry...

Book Review: On Wings of the Morning

On Wings of the Morning by Marie Bostwick, is one of those rare accidental pick-ups at the library that really paid off. An enjoyable and easy read, I was pleasantly surprised to find faith, hope, and love, all set in the backdrop of WWII.

Morgan and Georgia are both illegitimate children, and they share a love of flying, but their backgrounds really couldn't be much different. Most of the war (and therefore the book) is spent apart, like many of the men and women who served either abroad or at home during that time. You really pay attention to each individual, not just the couple. It's not a traditional "romance".

Here is what I appreciated about the book: honest feelings, no tawdry sex, and the deep sense of responsiblilty to family and country.

This is Why the Band Kept Playing While the Titanic Was Sinking

Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.
~Voltaire

As far as the whole relationship issue goes, there is absolutely nothing positive to report. In fact, it's just the opposite. But I saw this quote the other day, and I thought that it sums up pretty much how I feel. Just trying to keep singing, regardless of the circumstances.

Never Say Never

Some of you may recall that I have said I would never buy a brand new car again. I seriously dislike the idea of a loan, etc. However, given my current circumstances, I think the warranty and the certainty of the car starting every morning is worth the expense. Not to mention that the money I had saved up won't buy much of a used car in the Northwest. So my dad graciously has loaned me the money for this little car. And I picked it up Tuesday.

It's a 2008 Hyundai Accent. I call it the RS model. For Roller Skate.

It's little. But, oh, the gas mileage.

Here's something funny. Did you know you can get a car without a stereo? I did. It's wired with speakers, but not getting the actual radio in the car saves you $400. And I can get one installed for $150.

All you have to do is ask for the base, base, base model. It also has no A/C, which I thought would not be a problem, since we don't live in the midwest. Then we got blasted with 90+ degree weather! :) Oh well!

So What Do I Do Now?

On the Market

Not me. Don't be ridiculous.

Dad's house, in which I live.

Is it ready? No. But I'm doing the best I can. The new carpet is in, the biggest rooms have fresh paint and are clean. Now I just need to really buckle down and do the deep cleaning. You know, under the fridge and the stove, and in the laundry room. Oh, and paint the master bath. And keep the almost 1/2 acre mowed and weeded. And re-texture and paint the entry way.

Coming to work at the hospital is almost like a day off!

Quote of the Day: Roald Dahl

A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.
~Roald Dahl, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Happy Birthday, Barack

There is no doubt that it is easy to pick on President Bush's "Bushism"s. Here are a few of Candidate Obama's "better" quotes.

"I've now been in 57 states -- I think one left to go." --at a campaign event in Beaverton, Oregon

"It's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." --explaining his troubles winning over some working-class voters

"The point I was making was not that Grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn't. But she is a typical white person, who, if she sees somebody on the street that she doesn't know, you know, there's a reaction that's been bred in our experiences that don't go away and that sometimes come out in the wrong way, and that's just the nature of race in our society."

"Come on! I just answered, like, eight questions." --exasperated by reporters after a news conference

"In case you missed it, this week, there was a tragedy in Kansas. Ten thousand people died -- an entire town destroyed." --on a Kansas tornado that killed 12 people

Typical white person? What the heck is that?! Grrr.

Just Dropping By...

...on my lunch break to say a quick "hi". I am still on the planet and have lots to write. So I will have to catch up tomorrow!

If You Don't Really Believe It...

Maybe I am in the minority here (and apparently, in America, I am), but it seems to me that if you have a "faith"...then you should actually believe in the tenets of that faith. Here is an article on the increase of pluralistic beliefs within the American evangelical church. More than half of people who identify themselves as christian believe that there is more than one path to eternity with God.

When Jesus said, "I am the Way..." did He mean it? And if He didn't, why did He say it!?

Working for a Living

I am working my first swing shift here at the hospital. Overtime. Hooray.

Nights are a lot different than days. The drug seekers are all asleep. Apparently. We've had three traumas tonight. My first since working in the ER. Not for the faint of heart. Or the stomach.

So far so good. The only thing is...at 9:30 pm my body said "bedtime". But since I don't work my normal 6:45 am tomorrow I am muddling through. Back to work!

Book Review: Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

When I began this book, I knew it would be one that I would blog about. I thought that I would be writing about the pros and cons of the death penalty. The book evolved into something quite different.

Change of Heart follows the story of a convicted murderer, a priest, an ACLU lawyer, and a little girl who needs a heart transplant. Throw in a lot of religious ferver and confusion, and you have a very interesting story.

Shay Bourne killed a little girl and her step-father. Those facts are never in doubt. A college student who sat on the jury that sentenced Shay to death is now a young priest, secure in his faith and what he knows, until he meets Shay, and his faith is challenged. For it seems that Shay can do miracles, quotes from the lost gospel of Thomas, and wants to die in a way that he can donate his heart to the younger sister of the murdered girl.

Is Shay Bourne the Messiah? Could Jesus come again in another form before his triumpant second coming?

As a Christian, I believe the Bible clearly answers the above questions, but it is interesting to read Jodi Picoult's research into some alternative viewpoints. I enjoyed the book, and the twists and turns that the story and the lives of the characters take. I suppose we could debate the death penalty, too...

*Just a note: much of the story takes place in a prison, so there is some foul language.

Out of Sync

I know, I know, I don't blog like I used to.

I'm working on getting back into a rhythm, and with the Boxer on swings, me on days, and only one vehicle, that takes a bit to get moving.

I have a prayer request to ask you to lift up. Yesterday, I spoke with my Wayward Offspring, and am hoping to actually meet up with him in the next couple of weeks. Perhaps I am a little too hopeful...but it is hard not to want to hug him and tell him I love him face to face. So I need to speak with my ex-husband and am not looking forward to it. So please pray for much grace and mercy and forgiveness on my part.

Book Review: The Appeal by John Grisham

This is my last John Grisham book. I don't say that lightly, as I have enjoyed reading Grisham's novels in the past, especially the early works. However, his smirky and sarcastic attitude toward fundamentalist, conservative Christians in this book is intolerable.

Please don't mistake my meaning. I don't read only books of people with whom I agree. I enjoy books, fiction and non-fiction, that make me think, that stretch my mind, and that challenge me to defend my faith. I am, however, offended by a man who claims to be a christian, yet seems to have no idea of who or what the Christians that I know are or what we believe.

Grisham has just gone too far in this book. He gives us "christian" characters with one of two sets of values. The christian character is either a) an idiot waiting to be manipulated or, b) the power-hungry megalomaniac.

Perhaps you shall make your own judgement. John Grisham said the following in TIME this past February: I’m a Christian, and those beliefs occasionally come out in the books. One thing you really have to watch as a writer is getting on a soapbox or pulpit about anything. You don’t want to alienate readers.

I'm not sure which soapbox he thinks he's on.

Try Not to Spend it All in One Place

With much relief and anticipation, I received my first paycheck in the mail last Friday.

$44

That's forty-four dollars.

I knew before it got there that it would only be a partial week. However, what I did not know, is that the insurance is billed a full month in advance, so a month's worth was taken out of the first check. Ouch.

I figure that I worked for about $1.72 an hour. You just have to laugh. The next one will be better. I am almost certain!

Book Review: Tisha by Anne Hobbs Purdy and Richard Specht

Thanks to my mom for loaning me this book for the long drive in the moving truck! I would have devoured it, but forced myself to slow down just to make it last.

The book is written as the autobiography by Anne Hobbs, but on the cover, credit is given solely to Richard Specht, so I am not sure how many of the words are Anne's, and how many are the co-author's. Also, interesting to note, that we are promised a sequel which never happened. Rather disappointing.

Anne Hobbs is Tisha (teacher), a 19-year-old girl who teaches the village school in the remote Alaskan village of Chicken in the 1920s. A side note: Chicken (so the story goes) was named so because the early settlers could not spell "ptarmigan". I wonder why they would name a town after a bird, but I suppose worse has been done.

The book deals alot with the racial differences in the village. I was interested to learn that their were not only the prejudices from the whites to the natives, but also from the natives who had intermarried with the whites, who looked down on the other native Alaskans and the "half-breeds".

My grandfather was raised in an Alaskan village during the era when this story took place. I wish he was still alive, as I would question him as to how it was for him. Tisha made me think alot about him and how his upbringing must have been.

Shoot Your TV

I remember seeing those bumper stickers around...they were popular a few years ago. I always thought they were a little overboard...but I am starting to agree with them.

My dad is a TV watcher. Always has been. It's on at least 6 hours a day. This is tough for me to get used to. We haven't had cable for over 10 years now, and we like it that way.

My mom was never quite able to handle the TV watching with dad. I remember her being so frustrated because we were sittling at the dinner table eating and dad wouldn't switch off M*A*S*H or Star Trek. I handle this a little differently. I get up and shut it off.

My dad's older now...and I can outrun him.

He Will Strengthen Your Heart

Finally, the last chapter of my brief devotional series:

Wait on the LORD;

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the LORD!
Psalm 27:14

What does trusting in His strength look like in real life? It remembers these verses:

Lord, I cry out to You; make haste to me!...Psalm 141:1
My strength is made perfect in weakness…2 Corinthians 12:9
Without Me, you can do nothing…John 15:5

Strength in the Lord comes from recognizing
our dependence upon Him,
our need for Him,
and our utter failure and destruction without Him.

In response to our needs, there are numerous well-known and often-quoted verses in the Bible with references to God’s strength. Here are just a few:

O Lord, My strength and my Redeemer…Psalm 19:14
The Lord is the strength of my life…Psalm 27:1
Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…Isaiah 40:31

Do you feel weak today?
Do you feel as you can do nothing?
You’re right!

But God, who is infinitely strong…He is your strength!

Update (and a lame joke)

All is progressing well on the packing, sorting, and throwing out front.
Also progressing on the training of the replacements at work.
Yes, replacements.
My job is being divided between two people.
I feel smug.
Of course, they have other duties as well, so I won't get too cocky.

And now I am sick. I mean rip-roaring-headache-fever-sore-throat sick. And yes, I'm at work. Hugging everyone. Well, not really, since I work with all guys.

Here is the funny part. I have a women's retreat this weekend at which I am leading worship. But I can't talk. One of the young guys at work (who thinks he's funny-and there is only one funny person here) says, "It's obvious God loves me more, since I haven't been sick all winter."

To which I replied, "Yes, but I'm a bigger threat to the Devil".

And some other smarty says..."Why, are you trying to take his job?"

Ha ha.

Oh, wait...that was a slam.

I'm too sick to care. Or to retaliate.

Be of Good Courage

Devotion 2 of 3. For part one, Wait on the Lord, click here.

Wait on the LORD;

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the LORD!
Psalm 27:14

It’s easy to be courageous when you know that you are in a position of strength.

When I was 11, a man approached me with the intent of doing violent harm. I reacted by yelling at him and running away, which involved pushing right past him. I remember the interviewer telling me how brave I had been. I didn’t feel brave. The offender thought he had me at a disadvantage…but I knew something that he didn’t…I was less than a block from my house, and both my mom and my 6-foot-4-police-chief dad were at home. My security was nearby. All I needed to do was get to them. They were the source of whatever courage I had in that situation.

The Lord tells us clearly to be courageous and brave. In Joshua 1:9, He says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage! Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

We should remember this. In any situation, the Lord is with you! We have an advantage over our enemy. He may be unseen, He may be quietly waiting, but He is there. Even closer than my mom and dad were…He is there for you!
So be of good courage, because your security lies in His presence.

Mike...Wanna Come Over for Dinner?

People with a sense of humor are my favorite. And I always judge a candidate at least partly on whether or not I can imagine sharing a meal with them (without wanting to shove their face in the food.)

Here's Mike Huckabee on Saturday Night Live last weekend.

A Clip Worth Watching

Here is a clip from a recent episode of ER. How sad that this liberal chaplain had no answer for this man. Many of today's chaplains in the hospitals and military of today have this same psychological babble that has attempted to replace the Word of the Lord. It's 2.5 minutes and worth the time to watch.

What would your response be to this man?

I'm Back...Almost

I've been sick in bed since last Wednesday afternoon. I'm almost back up and running...half day at work today. I have no voice. Very pleasant for everyone else in the office I think! Not that I would have the energy to boss them around anyway...

One would think that I have spent the last week confined to my sickbed thinking deep thoughts about my existance and using the time to read the Bible and commune with the Lord.

Sorry to disappoint. I didn't have that many working brain cells.

I did however, watch the entire first season of ER on DVD from the library. I couldn't read anything, as all books are too heavy. Yes, really. Holding them up would have been too much. The remote is much lighter.

Lincoln's Birthday

We are indeed going through a trial--a fiery trial. In the very responsible position in which I happen to be placed, being a humble instrument in the hands of our Heavenly Father, as I am, and as we all are, to work out His great purposes, I have desired that all my works and acts may be according to His will, and that it might be so, I have sought His aid--but if after endeavoring to do my best in the light which He affords me, I find my efforts fail, I must believe that for some purpose unknown to me, He wills it otherwise.
~Abraham Lincoln, October 26, 1862


If you intend to go to work, there is no better place than right where you are.
~Abraham Lincoln, November 4, 1851

Lincoln

Like a gaunt, scraggly pine

Which lifts its head above the mournful sandhills;

And patiently, through dull years of bitter silence,

Untended and uncared for, starts to grown.

Ungainly, laboring, huge,

The wind of the north has twisted and gnarled its branches;

Yet in the heat of mid-summer days, when thunder clouds ring the horizon,

A nation of men shall rest beneath its shade.

And it shall protect them all,

Hold everyone safe there, watching aloof in silence

Until at last, one mad stray bolt of the zenith

Shall strike it in an instant down to earth.

~John Gould Fletcher

from Silver Pennies 1926

They're Back!

The Food Fairies have been on haitus for a while. I have missed them. But I do understand, as we have three single, male Air Force officers that live in our building, and they probably need the fairies more than I do.

But, twice in the last month, they have left treats! Last night, it was salmon patties, which I am going to have for lunch tomorrow.

What a blessing!

Mediocre Tuesday is Over

I say that rather tongue-in-cheek. Is it just me, or is this the Longest-Campaign-Ever?

I did go to caucus last night. Here in Minot, they were expecting between 200-300 voters at the Republican caucus, and were surprised with a final total of 877. They ran out of ballots midway and had to run and print more. Which made me roll my eyes, but feel pleased with the large turnout.

Democracy in action is a good thing. I have very strong political views, but ultimately, because all, yes, all, of my political beliefs are formed and influenced by my faith, I choose a candidate who best matches those beliefs. This, for me, is voting my conscience. I realize, though, that in the general election I may not have the same liberty, but I am praying that the candidate who realizes the party's nomination is one that I can support.

There is one that I will not....but that's a whole other post!

Wait on the Lord...

We have a women's retreat coming up early next month. The following is from a series of 3 devotions that I was asked to write.

Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Psalm 27:14

Our society hates waiting. We are convinced, both by our flesh and the media, that instant gratification is a good thing, and that if we are forced to endure any delay, it will drive us crazy.

I recently ordered an item online--delivery was estimated at 21 days, well in advance of when I needed it. But immediately, my first thought was, "Why should I have to wait?"

Likewise, we often looked at the promises of God in the same way. We want them fully now. And we want them our way. What we fail to see is that God has His own timing, and His own will. He's not our personal genie-in-the-bottle.

Waiting on the Lord comes down to one simple question that we must each ask of our hearts: "Do I really believe that my Lord and my Savior wants my best?" Of course, we believe that in our hearts, but often our heads and our thoughts get in the way.

So wait on the Lord, and wait for His best:

when the waves crash and the winds blow

when all you want is some peace

when you can't see a way to safety

Because:

even the winds and the waves obey Him

He has said He will give you rest

He is your shield and deliverer

Wait on the Lord, and be of good courage...

Deep Thoughts

Not really.

This has been a rough couple of weeks here. We've had a lot of upheaval and uncertainty. I think that (although I really, really dislike the feeling that I have no control over things) this is where God wants me to be, looking for the daily manna, both physical and spiritual, from Him. And in my heart I know this, but my head gets in the way. I analyze way too much.

This morning I just wanted to stay snuggled into the flannel sheets, which were a great price, but in hindsight I think they are just a little too comfy in the mornings. So I dragged myself to the shower and got to work...

...but I put on my little bit of attitude today, just to keep my spirits up! So now I am feeling feisty and ready to go.

Just Enough

Here are some things I know:

• God is faithful
• God is merciful
• He is forgiving
• He loves me

That's enough for me today. I will most likely need another reminder tomorrow...but today is good.

A Little Humor to Keep You Warm

I Can't Blog Because My Fingers are Frozen

It's -20 this morning. Yes, I said NEGATIVE TWENTY!

Pardon me for yelling. I'm just trying to keep warm.

That's without the windchill.

-50+ with the windchill, since the wind is blowing at over 20 mph steadily.

I am staying inside and drinking lots of coffee.

Mini Road-Trip

We are heading southwest to Dickinson, North Dakota this weekend to visit our friends at Calvary Chapel and share a little about Gospel for Asia during the Sunday service.

I'm looking forward to 3 hours in the car with nothing to do but catch up on a bit of reading!

Quote of the Day: on the Wisdom of the Ages

The venerable dead are waiting in my library to entertain me and relieve me from the nonsense of surviving mortals.

~Samuel Davies

Or, in the words of our pastor at Calvary Chapel Omaha:

If they ain't dead, they ain't read.

~Pastor Steve Johnson

A Sad Anniversary

January 22, 1973
The upholding of Roe v Wade by the Supreme Court

I've noticed that everybody that is for abortion has already been born.

~Ronald Reagan, quoted in New York Times, 22 September 1980

There are no easy answers but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.

~Ronald Reagan

I Just Couldn't Resist

Just Thanking God That I Don't Work in the Public Sector Anymore...

Quote of the Day: Elbert Hubbard

~Elbert Hubbard

Quote of the Day: Charles Spurgeon

Here's another gem from the Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon.

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. ~Proverbs 28:13

Here is the way of mercy for a guilty and repenting sinner. He must cease from the habit of covering sin.
This is attempted

• by falsehood, which denies sin;
• by hypocrisy, which conceals it;
• by boasting, which justifies it;
• and by loud profession, which tries to make amends for it.

The sinner's business is to confess and forsake. The two must go together.

Pilgrim's Progress Begins...

Tonight we are beginning a children's study of The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. We are using a version called Dangerous Journey, which abbreviates the original text, but keeps the beautiful language and has very compelling artwork. Add to this some object lessons, digging into the scripture and memory verses, and I think we are ready to go!

Here's one of my favorite quotes from Mr. Bunyan:

But pleasures are like poppies spread:

You seize the flower,--its bloom is shed.

Recovery Group

No, I haven't joined a twelve-step program.

But I am part of the "re-covery group" at church. We're working on the theater renovation, and our part is the refreshing of the seating. Head over to the Minot Building blog for a brief update and some photos.

Anything? Really?

Please pardon a little shameless self-introspection. It's been a rough 24 hours. As I got in the car today to run work errands, I flipped on the car radio (to our network, of course) and said, "OK, God, I need a little encouragement here."

Despite my treatment of the Lord as my personal "genie-in-a-bottle", He did answer my prayer...just not in the way that I expected, or wanted.

The song "Jesus Bring the Rain" by MercyMe was playing when I turned the car back on. This is NOT the song I want to hear. Here's the chorus:

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

So I can't sing along, because right now it's a total lie. I don't want "anything" that brings Him glory. Right now I want a little relief. I want the $5000 a week for life from Publisher's Clearing House. I want a foot massage. I want a vacation at the beach.

Whiny self-introspection over. I'll try to have a better word of encouragement tomorrow. Of course, blogs that are always happy-happy-nice-nice bore me to death.

So I'm a Lemming...

Hey, everyone else is doing a retrospective of favorite posts from 2007! I just want to be part of the gang...peer pressure has gotten the better of me! Here they are: enjoy reading (and re-reading).

North Dakota Beauty (a reminder I need in mid-winter!)
I'm With the Band (back from last March, when I was very cool for a fleeting moment)
The Food Fairies (hi neighbors)
Housekeeping 101 (because I needed a gentle reminder myself)

And with that, I will go to work.

Happy New Year!

As we all rise this morning with a fresh page in our journals upon which to write, with new resolutions to be thinner and healthier, to read higher quality books, to write more often and with more thought, we ponder upon the following.

First, a thanks to the Lord for what Has given us, and second, a slightly more cynical look from Mr. Mark Twain.

We meet today
To thank Thee for the era done,
And Thee for the opening one.
~John Greenleaf Whittier

Yesterday, everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink and swore his last oath. Today, we are a pious and exemplary community. Thirty days from now, we shall have cast our reformation to the winds and gone to cutting our ancient shortcomings considerably shorter than ever.
~Mark Twain