Easter is just a couple of days away. I have accomplished two of the important Easter tasks. I have bought candy for my girls and I have bought them each a new outfit for Easter Sunday. I would have thought that by high school they would have outgrown the desire for an Easter outfit but I guess after the long winter we all want a fresh start. Or course in New England we always have age old Easter question of sandels vs. snow boots. You never know what you will need on the bi day so you must find an outfit that works for both.
In my daily readings I have made it through three readings of the crucifiction. Every time I feel so bad for Peter. Every time he denies Christ I wince. I know how he feels. I do it too, every day. Whether it is the tiny gossip I can't resist passing on, the undeserved dig I take at my husband, or those moments that I fall apart forgetting in despair and don't go to my Savior for comfort, I still deny Him, just like Peter.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
March 25th, 2010
Yes, it has been a while since I posted but this doesn't mean I haven't been reading. I have written many posts in my head but have had nearly no time to actually but fingers to keys.
I have been busy driving. Lillian passed her drivers test and has a car. This lead me to believe that my daughter toting days were over. HA! I have two daughters, and they do not have the same schedule. They do leave for school together in one car at 6:40 every morning but that is where their paths diverge. Lillian stays at school until 6 for track practice. Virginia comes home at 1:55. Lil arrives home at 6:30, just minutes after Virginia and I have left for play rehearsal. Play rehearsal last 3-4 hours and then just when it is time to go pick her up, Lillian goes to bed. So that still involves 3 trips to LHS but that is much better than 5. Most of the time my dad is willing to do the 1:55 pickup. Sometimes I stay at the rehearsals and get my Bible reading done.
The funny thing is that the musical is Godspell. Quite often I am reading the passage that they are on the stage rehearsing. Although most of the students are not Christians, it so happens that four of them are and their viewpoints about the musical are quite different. Some are concerned that the musical will be seen as religious when it isn't, it's just a play leave it alone. Others are excited to have an opportunity to share the gospel in a non-threatening way. Some are concerned that the parables are treated as a vaudeville act and is this really OK? At our house we pray that it will all be used to God's glory, Amen.
I have been busy driving. Lillian passed her drivers test and has a car. This lead me to believe that my daughter toting days were over. HA! I have two daughters, and they do not have the same schedule. They do leave for school together in one car at 6:40 every morning but that is where their paths diverge. Lillian stays at school until 6 for track practice. Virginia comes home at 1:55. Lil arrives home at 6:30, just minutes after Virginia and I have left for play rehearsal. Play rehearsal last 3-4 hours and then just when it is time to go pick her up, Lillian goes to bed. So that still involves 3 trips to LHS but that is much better than 5. Most of the time my dad is willing to do the 1:55 pickup. Sometimes I stay at the rehearsals and get my Bible reading done.
The funny thing is that the musical is Godspell. Quite often I am reading the passage that they are on the stage rehearsing. Although most of the students are not Christians, it so happens that four of them are and their viewpoints about the musical are quite different. Some are concerned that the musical will be seen as religious when it isn't, it's just a play leave it alone. Others are excited to have an opportunity to share the gospel in a non-threatening way. Some are concerned that the parables are treated as a vaudeville act and is this really OK? At our house we pray that it will all be used to God's glory, Amen.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
February 28th 2010
I sincerely hope I didn't offend any of my readers (ha!) with my last post. I certainly am not against evangelism, I just worry that we will lose God in the quest for men.
Onto a new topic. One year ago I broke my leg, my knee really. Sometimes I laugh to think back at all that happened. From the taxidermist that came to answer the 911 call to the craziness of bathing in the kitchen sink for 4 months, it was a not an easy time at our house.
There are few things I love more than reading and for months I couldn't read. I'm not sure if it was the percoset, depression or what but I could not read. No matter what interesting books were brought my way I couldn't sustain interest. IT was frustrating. I was able to watch tv and I would lay in my bed and watch several seasons of tv shows on the internet for hours at night when every one else was asleep then I could sleep when I was home alone during the day.
Now I am too busy to read and long for those days of solitude, or scrabble with my sister. Be content. This should be my anthem.
OH! gotta run to the high school and pick up my daughter from play practise, more later I promise!
Onto a new topic. One year ago I broke my leg, my knee really. Sometimes I laugh to think back at all that happened. From the taxidermist that came to answer the 911 call to the craziness of bathing in the kitchen sink for 4 months, it was a not an easy time at our house.
There are few things I love more than reading and for months I couldn't read. I'm not sure if it was the percoset, depression or what but I could not read. No matter what interesting books were brought my way I couldn't sustain interest. IT was frustrating. I was able to watch tv and I would lay in my bed and watch several seasons of tv shows on the internet for hours at night when every one else was asleep then I could sleep when I was home alone during the day.
Now I am too busy to read and long for those days of solitude, or scrabble with my sister. Be content. This should be my anthem.
OH! gotta run to the high school and pick up my daughter from play practise, more later I promise!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
February 20th, 2010
A comment or two about my last post.
I’ve been reading in the OT about making and furnishing of the tabernacle (henceforth referred to as TB). The instructions to make the TB are specific and daunting. Every item in the process is described, the materials, the size, detailing. IT is all there. Every curtain, lampstand and curtain rod are described. The craftsmanship needed to make this was inspired, I mean that literally. God gave the skills to the craftsman (exodus 35:30). Before I got to that verse I was wondering how they were going to be able to make all this stuff so beautifully and intricately carved and forged. The linens were fine and intricately woven. All of it from the rings to hold up the curtains to the cheribum on top of the ark were to be masterpieces. Why? Why all of this when it is in the desert and going to be taken down and moved now and then? Why make a building that contains more than of metric ton of gold and then move it around?
At the same time I am reading about the days leading up to the crucifiction of Christ in the New Testament. The account in Matthew focuses on Christ. His comments about how what is to come will fulfill scripture. When he is praying in the garden and the disciples keep falling asleep. What he is going through as he seeks to do the will of his father.
While I was reading I was thinking about this blog. What can I write about? What is this teaching me about me? That is when I realized that it wasn’t about me! I mean it was because Christ’s dying saved me but it wasn’t in that it is about how Holy God is. God is Holy! All that gold and silver, purple and scarlet linen, curtains and posts and rods was about God. He is SO Holy that even the most beautiful structure can only imitate His holiness. Protecting the people with the curtains, shielding them from God was because he is too Holy to be seen by them. He left HEAVEN to be in a DESERT to be with his people! All that fold and adornment wasn’t to show off but because he is unimaginably Holy. Something of which we cannot wholly conceive.
Nowadays churches spend their time and energy to become “more relevant”. Offer convenient worship times so that we do not need to be put upon. Send the teens to youth groups where we capture their attention with loud music and games. We have multipurpose churches so we do not need to be bored there or our pastors put on performance each week instead of just talking to us about God. He is Holy enough without all this. He is relevant without all of this. He can bring his message to us without the bands, cafes and worship teams. I know there are a million surveys, studies and whatever that prove we need these things to reach the masses but seriously I think we need a rethink.
I’ve been reading in the OT about making and furnishing of the tabernacle (henceforth referred to as TB). The instructions to make the TB are specific and daunting. Every item in the process is described, the materials, the size, detailing. IT is all there. Every curtain, lampstand and curtain rod are described. The craftsmanship needed to make this was inspired, I mean that literally. God gave the skills to the craftsman (exodus 35:30). Before I got to that verse I was wondering how they were going to be able to make all this stuff so beautifully and intricately carved and forged. The linens were fine and intricately woven. All of it from the rings to hold up the curtains to the cheribum on top of the ark were to be masterpieces. Why? Why all of this when it is in the desert and going to be taken down and moved now and then? Why make a building that contains more than of metric ton of gold and then move it around?
At the same time I am reading about the days leading up to the crucifiction of Christ in the New Testament. The account in Matthew focuses on Christ. His comments about how what is to come will fulfill scripture. When he is praying in the garden and the disciples keep falling asleep. What he is going through as he seeks to do the will of his father.
While I was reading I was thinking about this blog. What can I write about? What is this teaching me about me? That is when I realized that it wasn’t about me! I mean it was because Christ’s dying saved me but it wasn’t in that it is about how Holy God is. God is Holy! All that gold and silver, purple and scarlet linen, curtains and posts and rods was about God. He is SO Holy that even the most beautiful structure can only imitate His holiness. Protecting the people with the curtains, shielding them from God was because he is too Holy to be seen by them. He left HEAVEN to be in a DESERT to be with his people! All that fold and adornment wasn’t to show off but because he is unimaginably Holy. Something of which we cannot wholly conceive.
Nowadays churches spend their time and energy to become “more relevant”. Offer convenient worship times so that we do not need to be put upon. Send the teens to youth groups where we capture their attention with loud music and games. We have multipurpose churches so we do not need to be bored there or our pastors put on performance each week instead of just talking to us about God. He is Holy enough without all this. He is relevant without all of this. He can bring his message to us without the bands, cafes and worship teams. I know there are a million surveys, studies and whatever that prove we need these things to reach the masses but seriously I think we need a rethink.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
February 15th 2010
Wow! I can't believe it has been 18 days or so since my last post. I promised to never fall behind again but I have. I am spending Presidents Day catching up.
I may not have been keeping up with my Bible readings but I have done a lot of other things with my time. Of course I have managed to read 4 novels and begin a 5th while not reading my Bible. This is my M.O. I LOVE to read but will always make an excuse to read a novel rather than my Bible. I have not named this blog bibleslacker for nothing!
For the last four weeks our pastor has done a series on "Staying in Love". How to keep your marriage for a lifetime. It culminated on Sunday with a renewal of wedding vows for any couple interested. Let me say, what crazy couple would be the ones to stay in their pews at this invitation? You would look stupid , right? We knew about this ahead of time so I guess anyone who didn't want to could have stayed home. We talked about it together before hand and agreed to go up and do it. It felt weird to talk about it though. Is this something to discuss? Why wouldn't we go up. But seriously, my heart worried a little that Les wouldn't want to do it. It was pretend afterall , so I guess this should be easy. But it wasn't pretend. Here you are before the congregation, standing at the altar, with a minister, holding hands and looking into each others eyes. This is REAL. As you get ready to say your vows you have 24 years of marriage to reflect upon as you promise to stay together for another 24 or more. I think it meant more this time than the first time. I am so glad we had the opportunity. I hope we do it every year. My kids thought our kiss was too long and hard. It is nice to know we can even embarrass them by getting married. :)
I have entered a new phase of having a teenage driver. It is great to send the girls off to school each morning so I can get my exercise in before work. I am even more thankful for my dad who picks Ginny up from school at 2pm. Lil drives herself home at 6 after track practice. Ginny goes back at 6pm for play practice and then gets picked up at 9:30pm. It would be nice if we lived closer than 22 minutes from school. It seems like a hundred miles some times. Every time Lil drives off I have a moment of panic about her safety but I have realized I must get over this because it will happen everyday for years and years. I need to give it up to God, so I have.
In my daily Old Testament readings I am at the part that describes the building of the tabernacle, the furnishings and clothing of Aaron. Pretty boring. I tried to make it a game with my family asking Lil to guess what colors of fabric and stones were used for items. I am impressed that when fleeing Egypt the Israelites must have brought a whole bunch of crafting tools with them. AND they must have been amazing craftsman to make what God specified, unless He gave them special abilities when the time came. Of course due to movies, we think the only thing Israelites can do is make bricks with straw!
I'm going to get back to my reading and add another post for the New Testament stuff. I love some of Jesus' "quips" that guy sure has a way with words.
I may not have been keeping up with my Bible readings but I have done a lot of other things with my time. Of course I have managed to read 4 novels and begin a 5th while not reading my Bible. This is my M.O. I LOVE to read but will always make an excuse to read a novel rather than my Bible. I have not named this blog bibleslacker for nothing!
For the last four weeks our pastor has done a series on "Staying in Love". How to keep your marriage for a lifetime. It culminated on Sunday with a renewal of wedding vows for any couple interested. Let me say, what crazy couple would be the ones to stay in their pews at this invitation? You would look stupid , right? We knew about this ahead of time so I guess anyone who didn't want to could have stayed home. We talked about it together before hand and agreed to go up and do it. It felt weird to talk about it though. Is this something to discuss? Why wouldn't we go up. But seriously, my heart worried a little that Les wouldn't want to do it. It was pretend afterall , so I guess this should be easy. But it wasn't pretend. Here you are before the congregation, standing at the altar, with a minister, holding hands and looking into each others eyes. This is REAL. As you get ready to say your vows you have 24 years of marriage to reflect upon as you promise to stay together for another 24 or more. I think it meant more this time than the first time. I am so glad we had the opportunity. I hope we do it every year. My kids thought our kiss was too long and hard. It is nice to know we can even embarrass them by getting married. :)
I have entered a new phase of having a teenage driver. It is great to send the girls off to school each morning so I can get my exercise in before work. I am even more thankful for my dad who picks Ginny up from school at 2pm. Lil drives herself home at 6 after track practice. Ginny goes back at 6pm for play practice and then gets picked up at 9:30pm. It would be nice if we lived closer than 22 minutes from school. It seems like a hundred miles some times. Every time Lil drives off I have a moment of panic about her safety but I have realized I must get over this because it will happen everyday for years and years. I need to give it up to God, so I have.
In my daily Old Testament readings I am at the part that describes the building of the tabernacle, the furnishings and clothing of Aaron. Pretty boring. I tried to make it a game with my family asking Lil to guess what colors of fabric and stones were used for items. I am impressed that when fleeing Egypt the Israelites must have brought a whole bunch of crafting tools with them. AND they must have been amazing craftsman to make what God specified, unless He gave them special abilities when the time came. Of course due to movies, we think the only thing Israelites can do is make bricks with straw!
I'm going to get back to my reading and add another post for the New Testament stuff. I love some of Jesus' "quips" that guy sure has a way with words.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
January 28th 2010 HEY! HO!! It's time to Partay!
I haven't done my reading for today but I am getting ready to start my other 2010 commitment, exercise.
I used to be thin. I don't think there is a single person I know today, other than Les, who could attest to that fact. I have gained 126lbs since I got married. Some through gluttony some due to over 20 years of steroid use. Every once in a while I remember I DELIVERED a baby weighing 100 lbs less than I weight today! As they say on tv, "Stop the Insanity!!!"
I have new challenges to exercise, like a knee that barely works but that is no excuse. I can still get up and move and I need to get up and move! The kids were joking about my lack of ability to climb stairs. If I can't walk up stairs at 46 what will I be doing when I am 56, 66, 76 or 86? This must change.
I want to be in the physically fit club that all my friends are in. I don't mean the same health club but the feel good look good club.
So I have started with TURBO JAM!!! with Chalene Johnson. She is an unbelievable motivator (almost as good as my friend Tish). This video is so fun that even if I feel terrible when I start I have a big smile on my face when I finish. AND yesterday I felt so good all day I threw in an extra workout in the afternoon. Although it is put out by Beachbody (TM), I don't expect to have one this summer but maybe there will be hope for next year.
For right now I am glad there is no mirror in the room when I do it. I'm sure that I don't look anything like the girls in the video but I am up, moving and jammin' with them. I am still rewiring my brain to get my bad leg up and moving. My legs get confused trying to kick, bend and flex because it has been so long but they are happy to be trying it. In fact, I could probably make a million on the comedy circuit if I made a video of my workouts.
I gotta run because Chalene is waiting for me.
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