Thanks to Grace I searched and searched and now can Wash Away my Sins.
Wait! I know! I'll fill one of the empty squirt bottles with Purell and use it right before communion. Heh heh, yeah!
Friday, September 30, 2005
Interesting Tidbits.
Biblical Curse Generator
"Take heed, O thou bull of Bashan, for you will beget difficult teenagers!"
"I hope you will be as welcome as a fart in the queen's bedchamber, O thou love-child of Methuselah!"
"Behold, thou shalt go on a diet of crunchy, unsweetened locusts, O thou who art a byword for idiocy!"
He he he... what fun!
And thanks to the Sloganizer, I have my own slogans
"A Tough Reverend Mommy to Follow."
"Once You Pop, You Can't Stop Reverend Mommy."
"Where Do You Want Reverend Mommy To Go Today?"
In other news, my Morning Prayer was deemed 71% Evil by the Gematriculator. A prayer 71 percent evil. Wow. How can that be?
And Genesis 1 from The Message is 48% Evil. I'd say that their algorithm is off.
"Take heed, O thou bull of Bashan, for you will beget difficult teenagers!"
"I hope you will be as welcome as a fart in the queen's bedchamber, O thou love-child of Methuselah!"
"Behold, thou shalt go on a diet of crunchy, unsweetened locusts, O thou who art a byword for idiocy!"
He he he... what fun!
And thanks to the Sloganizer, I have my own slogans
"A Tough Reverend Mommy to Follow."
"Once You Pop, You Can't Stop Reverend Mommy."
"Where Do You Want Reverend Mommy To Go Today?"
In other news, my Morning Prayer was deemed 71% Evil by the Gematriculator. A prayer 71 percent evil. Wow. How can that be?
And Genesis 1 from The Message is 48% Evil. I'd say that their algorithm is off.
Morning Prayer
Shadows around us, shadows above us,
Never conceal our Savior and Guide;
Christ is the Light, in Christ is no darkness;
Always we're walking close to Christ's side.
Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. GOD, your God, is with you every step you take." Joshua 1 from the Message
God our Heavenly Parent, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: We have Terror Alerts on every website, we have Gang alerts in the schools, we have newschannels on TV continually broadcasting images of death and destruction. We have commercials that lure us into worshipping commercialism. Show us that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help us to be good parents -- able to shape and guide our children in your ways. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength and courage to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; give us strength and courage through the study of your complete Revelation of your Word. Help us to not be discouraged. These things I pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Never conceal our Savior and Guide;
Christ is the Light, in Christ is no darkness;
Always we're walking close to Christ's side.
Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. GOD, your God, is with you every step you take." Joshua 1 from the Message
God our Heavenly Parent, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: We have Terror Alerts on every website, we have Gang alerts in the schools, we have newschannels on TV continually broadcasting images of death and destruction. We have commercials that lure us into worshipping commercialism. Show us that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help us to be good parents -- able to shape and guide our children in your ways. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength and courage to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; give us strength and courage through the study of your complete Revelation of your Word. Help us to not be discouraged. These things I pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Shocking!
I just paid $64.00 for 320 miles of driving. That's $.20 a mile. That's $1 every 5 miles. That's $10 or more to go to school. That's $2 to go to church/grocery store/post office round trip. That's $1 to go to karate, round trip.
I've begun to start to ask myself when I go out "is it worth the gas?"
Chaos is home sick (first day this year) and I just picked up Entropy at school... Looks like strep throat. Again. She's been on 4 antibiotics since the beginning of school. I think it's time to yank the tonsils.
UPDATE:
Gas has gone up today to the point that it's around $.25 a mile. And it's going to go up more -- the gas tax will be added back in on October 1. It's gone up about $.60 a gallon today and will go up another $.15 a gallon this weekend. Goody. Everything is so related to the price of gasoline. Food prices are going up as well. What is all this going to mean?
I've begun to start to ask myself when I go out "is it worth the gas?"
Chaos is home sick (first day this year) and I just picked up Entropy at school... Looks like strep throat. Again. She's been on 4 antibiotics since the beginning of school. I think it's time to yank the tonsils.
UPDATE:
Gas has gone up today to the point that it's around $.25 a mile. And it's going to go up more -- the gas tax will be added back in on October 1. It's gone up about $.60 a gallon today and will go up another $.15 a gallon this weekend. Goody. Everything is so related to the price of gasoline. Food prices are going up as well. What is all this going to mean?
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Banned Books Week
Wow. I own most of the books on the 100 top Banned Books. What does that say about me, I wonder?
Check it out.
Check it out.
Just for Rach
Here's a link. They sent me email wanting to know if I wanted to pre-order... Strange.
And here is another interesting site. Interesting. Very Interesting. In a Lake Woebegone sort of way.
And here is another interesting site. Interesting. Very Interesting. In a Lake Woebegone sort of way.
Time Management and other stuff
This semester is getting to me. I haven't much control over when classes are offered -- I have a 5 hour class (!) that starts at 8:00 am Monday across town -- a 7:00 pm class that I teach at my house, a Tuesday afternoon class and a Tuesday 6:30 to 10:00 pm class, followed by a 9:30 am class on Wednesday and a 7:00 pm class on Wednesday. Then nothing on Thursday and Friday. It's really thrown off my equilibrium. They aren't hard classes -- the meeting times are difficult to fit into the schedule. I just can't hit a rhythm.
We've been processing Rita evacuees, now. This season has been very exhausting for our nation, as a whole. There is more depression being reported according to my Doctor friend. People also have been reacting to the extreme low pressure areas -- flare ups of MS, arthritis, sinus headaches, migraines. Along with the stress of all these people in such dire straits. I think I heard there are still 1500 evacuees in the World Congress Center. Our Cooperative Ministry is running out of food and clothing repeatedly. Everything I take is used almost immediately. I've talked to just a small number of the evacuees -- there is such despair and grief that I begin to worry about the volunteers working with them.
It's an unsettled world.
Even the kids are picking up on this. Chaos and Entropy need more Mommy time -- Chaos had another nightmare last night. I've stopped watching the news while they are in the room. They've seen enough.
So, I've started to manage my time more carefully. Blogging is not high on the list. Today I am writing papers and working on the things I can control -- my own personal environment: the laundry, the house, sorting books, cooking a dinner (wait -- it's Moe's night) -- I'll cook tomorrow. I'm taking all sorts of stuff to Goodwill today. Including another rug my neighbor threw away last night along with a ironing board. I'm going to see if the one in the garage will fit under the kitchen table. Hey! It's better than ending up in the landfill!
We've been processing Rita evacuees, now. This season has been very exhausting for our nation, as a whole. There is more depression being reported according to my Doctor friend. People also have been reacting to the extreme low pressure areas -- flare ups of MS, arthritis, sinus headaches, migraines. Along with the stress of all these people in such dire straits. I think I heard there are still 1500 evacuees in the World Congress Center. Our Cooperative Ministry is running out of food and clothing repeatedly. Everything I take is used almost immediately. I've talked to just a small number of the evacuees -- there is such despair and grief that I begin to worry about the volunteers working with them.
It's an unsettled world.
Even the kids are picking up on this. Chaos and Entropy need more Mommy time -- Chaos had another nightmare last night. I've stopped watching the news while they are in the room. They've seen enough.
So, I've started to manage my time more carefully. Blogging is not high on the list. Today I am writing papers and working on the things I can control -- my own personal environment: the laundry, the house, sorting books, cooking a dinner (wait -- it's Moe's night) -- I'll cook tomorrow. I'm taking all sorts of stuff to Goodwill today. Including another rug my neighbor threw away last night along with a ironing board. I'm going to see if the one in the garage will fit under the kitchen table. Hey! It's better than ending up in the landfill!
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
The Lesson on the Four Gospels
On Sunday went really well. 6th and 7th graders need action and movement --esp since some of these kids are in 8:30 worship, 9:30 SS and THEN confirmation.
I started out with a discussion of the Four Gospels.
Matthew and John were probably disciples.
Mark and Luke were not.
Who each of the writers were -- made sure that the words "point of view" or "different voice" came out.
Discussed the different backgrounds of the writers. Placed the writing of each in a general timeline.
Then, started with the film "Gospel of John" and showed the prologue. We looked at the Bibles and they decided it looked and sounded like poetry.
Showed "Mr. Krueger's Christmas" -- great scene with Jimmy Stewart with the Baby in the Stable -- the stable is a cave, btw. Discussed about how all this imagery is from Luke -- that the birth narrative with the angels and shepherds is only in Luke. They asked about the wise men -- I showed a clip from "Jesus of Nazereth" with the wise men. Pointed out this is only in Matthew. They concluded that maybe Luke is more concerned with the Mary story and women's stuff and that Matthew is concerned with Kingly stuff and earthly power structures.
Showed them the Matthew 16 section from "Cotton Patch Gospel" -- again they picked up on the power language. The looked it up in different translations and we discussed it a while.
Next we began to look at John the Baptist -- from "Greatest Story Ever Told," "Jesus of Nazereth" and "Last Temptation of Christ" (note: full frontal nudity in this scene, be VERY CAREFUL about in and out points). The began to say things like "Ooo Ooo, let's look it up!" and then began a spontanous comparison on the John the Baptist accounts in each gospel.
And then we ran out of time. They now want to watch ALL my Jesus movies.
I reviewed by making sure they could tell me what the 4 gospels were, who wrote them, their background and something the author had that the others may or may not have had -- Like Luke has the Birth Narrative, Matthew has the Wise men, John has no parable, and Mark has the word "immediately."
Next will be Baptism and Communion -- I'll queue up all the communion bits and baptism bits. I'm going to add "Oh Brother" for the Baptism scenes and "The Notebook" at the very very end for communion. For the Crucifixion, I'm going to add the final scenes from "Spartacus." Any other suggestions?
I started out with a discussion of the Four Gospels.
Matthew and John were probably disciples.
Mark and Luke were not.
Who each of the writers were -- made sure that the words "point of view" or "different voice" came out.
Discussed the different backgrounds of the writers. Placed the writing of each in a general timeline.
Then, started with the film "Gospel of John" and showed the prologue. We looked at the Bibles and they decided it looked and sounded like poetry.
Showed "Mr. Krueger's Christmas" -- great scene with Jimmy Stewart with the Baby in the Stable -- the stable is a cave, btw. Discussed about how all this imagery is from Luke -- that the birth narrative with the angels and shepherds is only in Luke. They asked about the wise men -- I showed a clip from "Jesus of Nazereth" with the wise men. Pointed out this is only in Matthew. They concluded that maybe Luke is more concerned with the Mary story and women's stuff and that Matthew is concerned with Kingly stuff and earthly power structures.
Showed them the Matthew 16 section from "Cotton Patch Gospel" -- again they picked up on the power language. The looked it up in different translations and we discussed it a while.
Next we began to look at John the Baptist -- from "Greatest Story Ever Told," "Jesus of Nazereth" and "Last Temptation of Christ" (note: full frontal nudity in this scene, be VERY CAREFUL about in and out points). The began to say things like "Ooo Ooo, let's look it up!" and then began a spontanous comparison on the John the Baptist accounts in each gospel.
And then we ran out of time. They now want to watch ALL my Jesus movies.
I reviewed by making sure they could tell me what the 4 gospels were, who wrote them, their background and something the author had that the others may or may not have had -- Like Luke has the Birth Narrative, Matthew has the Wise men, John has no parable, and Mark has the word "immediately."
Next will be Baptism and Communion -- I'll queue up all the communion bits and baptism bits. I'm going to add "Oh Brother" for the Baptism scenes and "The Notebook" at the very very end for communion. For the Crucifixion, I'm going to add the final scenes from "Spartacus." Any other suggestions?
Morning Prayer
Come, let your voice be one with theirs
shout with the shout of praise
See how the giant sun soars up
God's gift for all your days!
So let the love of Jesus come
and set your soul ablaze.
The LORD is King;
let the earth rejoice;
let the multitude of the isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.
A fire goes before him
and burns up his enemies on every side.
His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees it and is afraid.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD,
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
God, you are indeed King -- ruler of the Universe. Thank you for you goodness and the goodness of your creation. There is a beauty in the world that is especially apparent after storms. The world may be broken and wet with the waters that destroyed our homes and peace of mind, but the sun is in the sky, there are clothes on our backs and the birds are on wing. Your favor does indeed last a lifetime. We may grieve and the storms will break at night -- but there will always be joy in the morning. The darkness of the night seems so overwhelming, but the light will break through the clouds.
Thank you for new babies, for letters from friends, for safe travels, for good news that friends are safe and dry and can praise you even from homes that are soggy and broken. Thank you for the faithfullness of your people who will encourage and build up the body of Christ, even when they themselves need comforting.
Lord, there are those who mourn today. Shelter them and protect them from the storms of life. Hold them in the palm of your hand. Ease their pain. There are those who are alone, there are those who are anxious, there are those who are dying. God, you are giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve the sick, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray all these things. Amen.
shout with the shout of praise
See how the giant sun soars up
God's gift for all your days!
So let the love of Jesus come
and set your soul ablaze.
The LORD is King;
let the earth rejoice;
let the multitude of the isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.
A fire goes before him
and burns up his enemies on every side.
His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees it and is afraid.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD,
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
God, you are indeed King -- ruler of the Universe. Thank you for you goodness and the goodness of your creation. There is a beauty in the world that is especially apparent after storms. The world may be broken and wet with the waters that destroyed our homes and peace of mind, but the sun is in the sky, there are clothes on our backs and the birds are on wing. Your favor does indeed last a lifetime. We may grieve and the storms will break at night -- but there will always be joy in the morning. The darkness of the night seems so overwhelming, but the light will break through the clouds.
Thank you for new babies, for letters from friends, for safe travels, for good news that friends are safe and dry and can praise you even from homes that are soggy and broken. Thank you for the faithfullness of your people who will encourage and build up the body of Christ, even when they themselves need comforting.
Lord, there are those who mourn today. Shelter them and protect them from the storms of life. Hold them in the palm of your hand. Ease their pain. There are those who are alone, there are those who are anxious, there are those who are dying. God, you are giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve the sick, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray all these things. Amen.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Busy Day
I'm planning to teach confirmation with film clips tomorrow. I've got: Mr. Krueger's Christmas, Cotton Patch Gospel, The Robe, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Jesus of Nazareth, The Last Temptation of Christ, Life of Brian, Gospel of John and The Passion. How's that for eclectic?
The lesson is on the 4 gospels -- I could bore them to death with lecture or try to engage them in discussion and critical thinking. Today's Gospel is really a mixture of all 4 gospels. A gospel of hamony that we lose track of the individual voices. I'm going to show the beginning of the crucifixion scenes for most of these -- and the really touching scene in Mr. Krueger's Christmas to point out that different points in the gospel message speak to different people.
Still editing the Advent Devotional Book. Still don't have a good name. I'm trying to get it edited by the first of October. Ambitious, I know.
School is cancelled for Monday and Tuesday b/c of the gas situation here in GA. It's also cancelled in other states -- is school in or out where you are?
The lesson is on the 4 gospels -- I could bore them to death with lecture or try to engage them in discussion and critical thinking. Today's Gospel is really a mixture of all 4 gospels. A gospel of hamony that we lose track of the individual voices. I'm going to show the beginning of the crucifixion scenes for most of these -- and the really touching scene in Mr. Krueger's Christmas to point out that different points in the gospel message speak to different people.
Still editing the Advent Devotional Book. Still don't have a good name. I'm trying to get it edited by the first of October. Ambitious, I know.
School is cancelled for Monday and Tuesday b/c of the gas situation here in GA. It's also cancelled in other states -- is school in or out where you are?
Well, Duh!
Brain Lateralization Test Results |
| Right Brain (64%) The right hemisphere is the visual, figurative, artistic, and intuitive side of the brain. Left Brain (38%) The left hemisphere is the logical, articulate, assertive, and practical side of the brain |
personality tests by similarminds.com
Thursday, September 22, 2005
What obsolete skill are you?
You are 'Latin'. Even among obsolete skills, the
tongue of the ancient Romans is a real
anachronism. With its profusion of different
cases and conjugations, Latin is more than a
language; it is a whole different way of
thinking about things.
You are very classy, meaning that you value the
classics. You value old things, good things
which have stood the test of time. You value
things which have been proven worthy and
valuable, even if no one else these days sees
them that way. Your life is touched by a
certain 'pietas', or piety; perhaps you are
even a Stoic. Nonetheless, you have a certain
fascination with the grotesque and the profane.
Also, the modern world rejects you like a bad
transplant. Your problem is that Latin has
been obsolete for a long time.
What obsolete skill are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
I blog from a seminar
about MediaShout and Sibelius. Long time to sit and watch someone else manipulate a computer.
Anyway a quote from CNN.
There are only four names left for tropical storms and hurricanes this year: Stan, Tammy, Vince and Wilma. After that, names switch to the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and so on through Omega, if needed.
That has never happened before in roughly 60 years of regularly named Atlantic storms.
"If we get up into that league, we'll have issues larger than naming these storms,'' said Frank Lepore, spokesman for the National Hurricane Center in Miami. "The new phrase will be hurricane fatigue. Let's coin that right now.''
Anyway a quote from CNN.
There are only four names left for tropical storms and hurricanes this year: Stan, Tammy, Vince and Wilma. After that, names switch to the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and so on through Omega, if needed.
That has never happened before in roughly 60 years of regularly named Atlantic storms.
"If we get up into that league, we'll have issues larger than naming these storms,'' said Frank Lepore, spokesman for the National Hurricane Center in Miami. "The new phrase will be hurricane fatigue. Let's coin that right now.''
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Thought for tonight
Rita is now the third largest Cat 5 hurricane ever tracked, according to a Galveston newspaper, behind only Allen and Camille with winds of 190 miles per hour. Winds are up to 175 miles per hour. The hurricane is taking up most of the gulf of Mexico. About 1,100 Katrina evacuees still in Houston's two mass shelters were being sent to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Some Houston hospitals were evacuated. 1.5 million people are being evacuated from Houston alone. Lord have mercy on your people.
Save the weak and the orphan;
defend the humble and needy;
Rescue the weak and the poor;
deliver them from the power of the the storm.
They do not know, neither do they understand;
they go about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
Almighty and most merciful God, you are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control. The Gulf is like a provoked and angry giant. The sea can awake from its seeming lethargy, spill over its natural boundaries, invade our land and once again within a month spread chaos and disaster. Lord, have mercy.
We remember before you all poor and neglected persons in the paths of these storms whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to protect those who have already lost so much and who are mourning, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor and calmed the storm on the Galilee for the sake of his disciples -- Grant this in the name of your son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Save the weak and the orphan;
defend the humble and needy;
Rescue the weak and the poor;
deliver them from the power of the the storm.
They do not know, neither do they understand;
they go about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
Almighty and most merciful God, you are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control. The Gulf is like a provoked and angry giant. The sea can awake from its seeming lethargy, spill over its natural boundaries, invade our land and once again within a month spread chaos and disaster. Lord, have mercy.
We remember before you all poor and neglected persons in the paths of these storms whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to protect those who have already lost so much and who are mourning, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor and calmed the storm on the Galilee for the sake of his disciples -- Grant this in the name of your son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today
Is a mixed up kind of day. We switched the schedule around a bit, so I didn't get the opportunity to start the day in prayer. Feels strange. I'll do the contemplative thing in a minute when I calm down.
I took Chaos to school this morning for "help day" with the cello strapped to her back. (Note to self: Do not allow children to wander around the house with a cello on their back. It's not good for breakable items. In fact, if it happens again, get out the video camera. It's slapstick comedy. And it scares the cat.)
I also noticed that my neighbors have been redecorating. They aren't sending the stuff to Goodwill or consigning it -- they are putting it on the curb for the garbagemen. That's crazy. They threw away 5 oriental rugs. Another neighbor nabbed two -- I grabbed the two little ones and a big one. It's too big for my kitchen or breakfast area, but I couldn't see throwing the away. They still had the tags on them. No wear and tear -- they "just didn't fit our new decor." Huh. What's with people? I know that all things are ephemeral -- all things of this world will pass away. From dust we came and to dust we will surely return. Yet I also know that we are stewards of this world -- it is our responsibility to take care of God's creation. How is it taking care of creation by throwing almost brand new items away? Especially when someone else could use them?
My mother and grandmother -- and the LH's parents and grandparents had what I call a "depression mentality." The lack of stuff and shear want of those lean years caused them to develop habits of conservation -- don't spend the money if you don't have it. I just hear the phrase "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" echoing around in my head.
Of course, that caused them to horde quite a bit, as well. Like magpies or rats they lined their nest with things that they might need -- balls of foil and string. I was raised on tales of want and need -- of the times that my Grandfather was laid off in 1934 and they thought they were going to starve. They packed all their possessions in a Model T and went to Flordia looking for work. After the work ran out, they were reduced to camping on the beach and eating conch stew. They got money eventually to go home to the farm where my great grandparents were scratching out a living. They were so poor that my mother didn't have a birthday party until she was 16 years old. My greatgrandparents were gentrified farmers -- raised on a mentality that valued education and the land. The land was in my family from 1830 when it was granted to them during the resettlement of the Cherokee nation to 1978 when my grandmother sold it. They always had the land. There's echos of the Hebrew Scriptures there, is there not?
And I wonder about contentment. What is contentment?
There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless— a miserable business! Eccles 4:8
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.Phil 4:11-13
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. I Tim 6:6-7
The secret is -- I can do all things -- I can be in plenty and want -- all circumstances -- through him who gives me strength.
And I can get this big rug and give it to someone who needs it. That will indeed make me content.
I took Chaos to school this morning for "help day" with the cello strapped to her back. (Note to self: Do not allow children to wander around the house with a cello on their back. It's not good for breakable items. In fact, if it happens again, get out the video camera. It's slapstick comedy. And it scares the cat.)
I also noticed that my neighbors have been redecorating. They aren't sending the stuff to Goodwill or consigning it -- they are putting it on the curb for the garbagemen. That's crazy. They threw away 5 oriental rugs. Another neighbor nabbed two -- I grabbed the two little ones and a big one. It's too big for my kitchen or breakfast area, but I couldn't see throwing the away. They still had the tags on them. No wear and tear -- they "just didn't fit our new decor." Huh. What's with people? I know that all things are ephemeral -- all things of this world will pass away. From dust we came and to dust we will surely return. Yet I also know that we are stewards of this world -- it is our responsibility to take care of God's creation. How is it taking care of creation by throwing almost brand new items away? Especially when someone else could use them?
My mother and grandmother -- and the LH's parents and grandparents had what I call a "depression mentality." The lack of stuff and shear want of those lean years caused them to develop habits of conservation -- don't spend the money if you don't have it. I just hear the phrase "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" echoing around in my head.
Of course, that caused them to horde quite a bit, as well. Like magpies or rats they lined their nest with things that they might need -- balls of foil and string. I was raised on tales of want and need -- of the times that my Grandfather was laid off in 1934 and they thought they were going to starve. They packed all their possessions in a Model T and went to Flordia looking for work. After the work ran out, they were reduced to camping on the beach and eating conch stew. They got money eventually to go home to the farm where my great grandparents were scratching out a living. They were so poor that my mother didn't have a birthday party until she was 16 years old. My greatgrandparents were gentrified farmers -- raised on a mentality that valued education and the land. The land was in my family from 1830 when it was granted to them during the resettlement of the Cherokee nation to 1978 when my grandmother sold it. They always had the land. There's echos of the Hebrew Scriptures there, is there not?
And I wonder about contentment. What is contentment?
There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless— a miserable business! Eccles 4:8
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.Phil 4:11-13
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. I Tim 6:6-7
The secret is -- I can do all things -- I can be in plenty and want -- all circumstances -- through him who gives me strength.
And I can get this big rug and give it to someone who needs it. That will indeed make me content.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
I'm editing
as fast as I can the Advent Devotional book. It's been making me cry. In a good way. I've a late class tonight, staff meeting, but I feel good because I am sitting in a neat and clean living room. Having an orderly environment makes for a happy mama. If I could just finish the laundry....
My small groups that started up last week are going really well -- at least the ones I've attended or visited. Teaching is a real passion for me. I should remember that....
The girls are doing well -- except that Chaos wants to go to the dance this week. Argh! Am I ready for that??? She's going with a flock of other girls -- not a boy, but she was asked by three. Isn't this really young? 11 years old is too young!
I'm pressed for time, but I'm happy this way. I'm the happiest when I'm busy working. It gives me focus and purpose. I like to take time to sit and think, too, but action makes me the happiest. I sometimes do self-checks to see if the activity is compensating for some perceived lack and sometimes it is -- and I feel that. It begins to feel like busy-ness then. But when it's work that flows from my center -- that Godspot, it's a joyous thing.
My small groups that started up last week are going really well -- at least the ones I've attended or visited. Teaching is a real passion for me. I should remember that....
The girls are doing well -- except that Chaos wants to go to the dance this week. Argh! Am I ready for that??? She's going with a flock of other girls -- not a boy, but she was asked by three. Isn't this really young? 11 years old is too young!
I'm pressed for time, but I'm happy this way. I'm the happiest when I'm busy working. It gives me focus and purpose. I like to take time to sit and think, too, but action makes me the happiest. I sometimes do self-checks to see if the activity is compensating for some perceived lack and sometimes it is -- and I feel that. It begins to feel like busy-ness then. But when it's work that flows from my center -- that Godspot, it's a joyous thing.
Morning Prayer
Grant, blessed God head
this our prayer at dawning
that we reflect the goodness of your Presence
Your beauty shines, O Light,
O Sun, O Radiance
glory re-echoing.
Hear my teaching, O my people;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.
That which we have heard and known,
and what our forefathers have told us,
we will not hide from their children.
We will recount to generations to come
the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the LORD,
and the wonderful works he has done.
Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Dearest Lord, I praise you today and thank for for a beautiful day. In you I live and move and have my being. Lord I humbly pray that you guide me and govern me by your Holy Spirit. In everything -- in all the cares and occupations of my life I may not forget you, but may remember that I am ever walking in your sight and that you walk with me. You know the things that lie heavy on my heart -- ease that burden, heal your people, tend to your sheep and bring them home to you. Let my hands be your hands here on earth, let the body of your people be the body of Christ to this broken and suffering world. Amen.
this our prayer at dawning
that we reflect the goodness of your Presence
Your beauty shines, O Light,
O Sun, O Radiance
glory re-echoing.
Hear my teaching, O my people;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.
That which we have heard and known,
and what our forefathers have told us,
we will not hide from their children.
We will recount to generations to come
the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the LORD,
and the wonderful works he has done.
Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Dearest Lord, I praise you today and thank for for a beautiful day. In you I live and move and have my being. Lord I humbly pray that you guide me and govern me by your Holy Spirit. In everything -- in all the cares and occupations of my life I may not forget you, but may remember that I am ever walking in your sight and that you walk with me. You know the things that lie heavy on my heart -- ease that burden, heal your people, tend to your sheep and bring them home to you. Let my hands be your hands here on earth, let the body of your people be the body of Christ to this broken and suffering world. Amen.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Morning Prayer
Teach me the measure of my days,
Thou Maker of my frame;
I would survey life’s narrow space,
And learn how frail I am.
A span is all that we can boast,
An inch or two of time;
Man is but vanity and dust
In all his flower and prime.
See the vain race of mortals move
Like shadows o’er the plain;
They rage and strive, desire and love,
But all the noise is vain.
Turn now, O God of hosts, look down from heaven;
behold and tend this vine;
preserve what your right hand has planted.
Let your hand be upon the person of your right hand,
and son of man you have made so strong for yourself.
And so will we never turn away from you;
give us life, that we may call upon your Name.
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts;
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Dearest Lord, I am always worrying about things beyond my control. Make me not to anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly. Life is ephemeral and even now, while I am placed among things which are passing away, help me to dicern that which is really important -- my faith, my family, my friends -- and help me to hold fast to those that shall endure. Amen.
Thou Maker of my frame;
I would survey life’s narrow space,
And learn how frail I am.
A span is all that we can boast,
An inch or two of time;
Man is but vanity and dust
In all his flower and prime.
See the vain race of mortals move
Like shadows o’er the plain;
They rage and strive, desire and love,
But all the noise is vain.
Turn now, O God of hosts, look down from heaven;
behold and tend this vine;
preserve what your right hand has planted.
Let your hand be upon the person of your right hand,
and son of man you have made so strong for yourself.
And so will we never turn away from you;
give us life, that we may call upon your Name.
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts;
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Dearest Lord, I am always worrying about things beyond my control. Make me not to anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly. Life is ephemeral and even now, while I am placed among things which are passing away, help me to dicern that which is really important -- my faith, my family, my friends -- and help me to hold fast to those that shall endure. Amen.
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