"I am convinced," said Sister Arlene Logan, "that nothing is coincidence."
Sunday afternoon dinner included the company of one of my all-time favorite people: Sister Arlene Logan.
I glean so much from her every time I am in her presence--Sunday morning was no exception.
Are there truly moments of coincidence? Or, as we like to say, "happy accidents"?
Monday, August 27, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
God Moments
Today was one of those days filled with God Moments.
From the moment I woke up, I just felt a desire, a need, to connect with him. I got up and turned on Pandora Radio-- where I have a Praise and Worship channel that I enjoy listening to. Song after song, I just felt my spirit responding to the lyrics I heard.
One of the songs I couldn't stop singing--long after it ended on Pandora--was "Jesus Paid It All." That song just SLAYS me. He DID pay it all for us. "Jesus paid it all / All to Him I owe / Sin had left a crimson stain / He washed it white as snow." Those lyrics MOVE me, every time.
Reminds me of one of my favorite Bible verses, as well: "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He died for the POTENTIAL in us. That's incredible, really, when you really think about it. I mean, WHO DOES THAT?!?!
It also reminds of a verse that says: "No greater love hath any man than this: that a man lay down his life for a friend." You know what that means, right? That He called us FRIEND long before we chose to follow Him. That blows my mind.
While getting ready this morning, I felt the Lord impressing me to go look in a particular drawer in one of our dressers. Without giving details about the financial stress I had suffered the day before, I can tell you that I "discovered" gifts in that drawer he directed me to--gifts that would put the food on our tables tonight.
People can say and think what they want. But people who bash my Savior have absolutely NO IDEA what it's like to serve Him, to live for Him, to grow to know him more daily. I really don't understand why everyone on this planet doesn't want to at least INVESTIGATE our Lord.
Honestly, it reminds me of the lyrics of a song by Skillet: "You're the Best Kept Secret of My Generation / The Best Kept Secret of All Time / The Best Kept Secret of My Generation / And I I I I Found You Out."
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Just an hour ago, I sat around the kitchen table, eating a SPLENDID meal with my family. It was a meal that we enjoyed because of Him.
Another God Moment in a day full of God Moments.
From the moment I woke up, I just felt a desire, a need, to connect with him. I got up and turned on Pandora Radio-- where I have a Praise and Worship channel that I enjoy listening to. Song after song, I just felt my spirit responding to the lyrics I heard.
One of the songs I couldn't stop singing--long after it ended on Pandora--was "Jesus Paid It All." That song just SLAYS me. He DID pay it all for us. "Jesus paid it all / All to Him I owe / Sin had left a crimson stain / He washed it white as snow." Those lyrics MOVE me, every time.
Reminds me of one of my favorite Bible verses, as well: "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He died for the POTENTIAL in us. That's incredible, really, when you really think about it. I mean, WHO DOES THAT?!?!
It also reminds of a verse that says: "No greater love hath any man than this: that a man lay down his life for a friend." You know what that means, right? That He called us FRIEND long before we chose to follow Him. That blows my mind.
While getting ready this morning, I felt the Lord impressing me to go look in a particular drawer in one of our dressers. Without giving details about the financial stress I had suffered the day before, I can tell you that I "discovered" gifts in that drawer he directed me to--gifts that would put the food on our tables tonight.
People can say and think what they want. But people who bash my Savior have absolutely NO IDEA what it's like to serve Him, to live for Him, to grow to know him more daily. I really don't understand why everyone on this planet doesn't want to at least INVESTIGATE our Lord.
Honestly, it reminds me of the lyrics of a song by Skillet: "You're the Best Kept Secret of My Generation / The Best Kept Secret of All Time / The Best Kept Secret of My Generation / And I I I I Found You Out."
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Just an hour ago, I sat around the kitchen table, eating a SPLENDID meal with my family. It was a meal that we enjoyed because of Him.
Another God Moment in a day full of God Moments.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Tales of the Tobit and Early Notes on Sirach
I read the Tobit last week and just didn't have time to post about it.
With all due respect, it reminded me of a movie script. I could literally "see" it in my mind and found myself wondering who would be cast in its major roles.
And...I hate to admit this...but I kept thinking of "The Hobbit." Of course, I have no idea if the book of "Tobit" rhymes with "Hobbit," because I've never heard Tobit pronounced before--at least that I know of.
But I enjoyed reading it and was glad that I did.
Right now, I'm on the 3rd or 4th chapter of Sirach. (I think that's how you spell it. Even my spell-checker doesn't know.) Thus far, it reminds me of a mix of Proverbs, Song of Solomon (though I can't exactly say why...), and Polonius' speech to Laertes in Hamlet.
And, once again, I can see why the Protestants excluded it--even in the first couple of chapters, there's a reference to "penance" and an emphasis on what may be construed as a doctrine of "good works will get you to heaven." But, once again, I'm wondering why I haven't read this before or why no one ever urged me to read it. I just don't get it.
One of the sources I read online (and I can't remember which--I doubt it would be deemed a "credible" source, anyway) said that Martin Luther included these books in a separate addendum of his published Bible, because early Protestants thought there were advantages to knowing their content.
(So maybe I'm not the only one who thinks this way, after all.)
While I'm not arguing their inclusion in our modern day Bibles, I do keep wondering why we have failed to discuss them. (But then again, I suppose there's so much of the Bible we haven't read and discussed that perhaps the argument is that we should spend more time on those books we do have included in our Bibles. Okay. I get that too.)
I don't have a LOT of time to catch up on all I've missed in the Apocryphal books, but ever so often, when I'm sitting waiting in a car or elsewhere, I pull out my Iphone and Bible app and continue my readings. Because I'd just really like to know and be able to talk about it one day, if need be, at least half-way intelligently.
With all due respect, it reminded me of a movie script. I could literally "see" it in my mind and found myself wondering who would be cast in its major roles.
And...I hate to admit this...but I kept thinking of "The Hobbit." Of course, I have no idea if the book of "Tobit" rhymes with "Hobbit," because I've never heard Tobit pronounced before--at least that I know of.
But I enjoyed reading it and was glad that I did.
Right now, I'm on the 3rd or 4th chapter of Sirach. (I think that's how you spell it. Even my spell-checker doesn't know.) Thus far, it reminds me of a mix of Proverbs, Song of Solomon (though I can't exactly say why...), and Polonius' speech to Laertes in Hamlet.
And, once again, I can see why the Protestants excluded it--even in the first couple of chapters, there's a reference to "penance" and an emphasis on what may be construed as a doctrine of "good works will get you to heaven." But, once again, I'm wondering why I haven't read this before or why no one ever urged me to read it. I just don't get it.
One of the sources I read online (and I can't remember which--I doubt it would be deemed a "credible" source, anyway) said that Martin Luther included these books in a separate addendum of his published Bible, because early Protestants thought there were advantages to knowing their content.
(So maybe I'm not the only one who thinks this way, after all.)
While I'm not arguing their inclusion in our modern day Bibles, I do keep wondering why we have failed to discuss them. (But then again, I suppose there's so much of the Bible we haven't read and discussed that perhaps the argument is that we should spend more time on those books we do have included in our Bibles. Okay. I get that too.)
I don't have a LOT of time to catch up on all I've missed in the Apocryphal books, but ever so often, when I'm sitting waiting in a car or elsewhere, I pull out my Iphone and Bible app and continue my readings. Because I'd just really like to know and be able to talk about it one day, if need be, at least half-way intelligently.
Make a Difference
I want to.
(I do!)
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Change this world,
Or my little part of it.
FOR THE BETTER.
I tell everyone it's possible,
And I DO believe it.
REACHING HIGHER.
There's a need
To spread the word.
DIFFERENCE IS POSSIBLE.
I can make one,
a difference.
WITH EVERY BREATH.
Every conversation is an opportunity,
Every choice a step.
ON MY WAY.
When it's all said and done,
Will I have had the chance to--
MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
(I do!)
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Change this world,
Or my little part of it.
FOR THE BETTER.
I tell everyone it's possible,
And I DO believe it.
REACHING HIGHER.
There's a need
To spread the word.
DIFFERENCE IS POSSIBLE.
I can make one,
a difference.
WITH EVERY BREATH.
Every conversation is an opportunity,
Every choice a step.
ON MY WAY.
When it's all said and done,
Will I have had the chance to--
MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Long Week
I just finished completing the first complete week back to school for this semester.
I'm sitting down now, on a break from trying to tidy up the house a bit before it gets utterly out of control--you know, that "all hope is gone" status that it hits from time to time during a busy semester--and I'm not sure I even have the time to make the time to do this!
It's been a long week, and I'm tired.
I came home with a bit of a headache, though I'm glad to say that it is all but gone now, but now I can't help but think about my sore throat--is this something serious coming on or just a mild case of allergies?--and the already full "To Do" list for tomorrow--and I'm wondering if I'll get a chance to slow down a bit this weekend.
It's only 9:30 p.m., but this new school day schedule--complete with getting Psalm completely ready and out the door by 7:25 a.m.--means that I've been getting to school with plenty of time before class (Yay!) and that I have to get up between 6:30-6:45 every day (Boo!).
But as much as I don't like to publicly admit it, I do rather like getting to school in plenty of time to brew my morning coffee.
It's been a long week, though a GOOD week, but I'm tired.
I started taking my Vitamin B12 again this week--this makes Day 2. I know I'll need it with the schedule I'm keeping this fall. I've taken to drinking 2-3 cups of coffee at work, and that seems to do some good, honestly. But we still haven't started Psalm's dance schedule yet.
It's interesting with Psalm. Now I have so many more details to look after: "Does she have everything? Her backpack? Lunch money? When is she supposed to bring snacks? I need to come to school with Tylenol?" There's always something in my mind about what she needs or "Is it 2:45?" because I'm still a bit paranoid about not getting to school in time to pick her up.
She asks me to pick her up every day. So that's what I intend to do, with the Lord's help. I know she won't always want and need me in her life in that way. I'm trying to cherish every moment I have.
I'm sorry this entry isn't more interesting--though I don't know why I'm apologizing, exactly. Or to whom I'm apologizing. I know this isn't one of my "SUPER ENERGY-CHARGED INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGES" or anything, but, really...it's me, too.
I don't think people realize that all of the time. I like to put that cheerful, smiley face out there all of the time, do my ultra-best to contribute to the POSITIVITY of the world, but sometimes I'm just tired.
You know, it's been a long week.
I'm sitting down now, on a break from trying to tidy up the house a bit before it gets utterly out of control--you know, that "all hope is gone" status that it hits from time to time during a busy semester--and I'm not sure I even have the time to make the time to do this!
It's been a long week, and I'm tired.
I came home with a bit of a headache, though I'm glad to say that it is all but gone now, but now I can't help but think about my sore throat--is this something serious coming on or just a mild case of allergies?--and the already full "To Do" list for tomorrow--and I'm wondering if I'll get a chance to slow down a bit this weekend.
It's only 9:30 p.m., but this new school day schedule--complete with getting Psalm completely ready and out the door by 7:25 a.m.--means that I've been getting to school with plenty of time before class (Yay!) and that I have to get up between 6:30-6:45 every day (Boo!).
But as much as I don't like to publicly admit it, I do rather like getting to school in plenty of time to brew my morning coffee.
It's been a long week, though a GOOD week, but I'm tired.
I started taking my Vitamin B12 again this week--this makes Day 2. I know I'll need it with the schedule I'm keeping this fall. I've taken to drinking 2-3 cups of coffee at work, and that seems to do some good, honestly. But we still haven't started Psalm's dance schedule yet.
It's interesting with Psalm. Now I have so many more details to look after: "Does she have everything? Her backpack? Lunch money? When is she supposed to bring snacks? I need to come to school with Tylenol?" There's always something in my mind about what she needs or "Is it 2:45?" because I'm still a bit paranoid about not getting to school in time to pick her up.
She asks me to pick her up every day. So that's what I intend to do, with the Lord's help. I know she won't always want and need me in her life in that way. I'm trying to cherish every moment I have.
I'm sorry this entry isn't more interesting--though I don't know why I'm apologizing, exactly. Or to whom I'm apologizing. I know this isn't one of my "SUPER ENERGY-CHARGED INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGES" or anything, but, really...it's me, too.
I don't think people realize that all of the time. I like to put that cheerful, smiley face out there all of the time, do my ultra-best to contribute to the POSITIVITY of the world, but sometimes I'm just tired.
You know, it's been a long week.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Judith--Who?
Today, I read a book from the Apocrypha. I read the book of Judith.
Of course, I had no knowledge that it even existed until a few days ago. The Bible I and approximately 799,999,999 other people read does not include this book.
Though I understand the "why's" of its exemption from the Protestant and Jewish texts, I do NOT understand why we haven't all been told about it or encouraged to read it.
It's a GREAT BOOK! I liked how one source called it "perhaps the first historical novel." That's how it read to me. It's a great story--full of memorable scenes and characters, including great lines and story "morals."
As I read it on my Iphone this morning, I found myself thoroughly intrigued and highlighting verses throughout this book.
Setting aside the "Is it, or is it not inspired scripture?" debate, I don't know WHY this book hasn't been put in some kind of children's book form and marketed to ALL Christians.
Just because it isn't considered "inspired" doesn't mean it doesn't include a powerful story or valid point. It doesn't mean we can't read it or share it or value it.
I guess what I have to ask is: Why am I only stumbling upon it now?
I told Stephen that I feel like an IDIOT not having known about it before. Why hasn't somebody told me about this book? Did I have to go to Bible School to get this knowledge? Do people think that we are incapable of reading it, outside of its being "inspired," and that's why they don't tell anybody about it, talk about it, refer to it?
We grow up reading a plethora of stories that are absolutely unrelated to God in every way. We see films about winged creatures, talking mice, and magic. We sing nursery rhymes about people living in shoes and witches who eat kids. I'm not bashing that. But the story of Judith is about our Almighty God, His power, His love and commitment to His children, and His usage of society's undervalued to accomplish great feats through His power. WHY AREN'T WE READING THAT?
Of course, I had no knowledge that it even existed until a few days ago. The Bible I and approximately 799,999,999 other people read does not include this book.
Though I understand the "why's" of its exemption from the Protestant and Jewish texts, I do NOT understand why we haven't all been told about it or encouraged to read it.
It's a GREAT BOOK! I liked how one source called it "perhaps the first historical novel." That's how it read to me. It's a great story--full of memorable scenes and characters, including great lines and story "morals."
As I read it on my Iphone this morning, I found myself thoroughly intrigued and highlighting verses throughout this book.
Setting aside the "Is it, or is it not inspired scripture?" debate, I don't know WHY this book hasn't been put in some kind of children's book form and marketed to ALL Christians.
Just because it isn't considered "inspired" doesn't mean it doesn't include a powerful story or valid point. It doesn't mean we can't read it or share it or value it.
I guess what I have to ask is: Why am I only stumbling upon it now?
I told Stephen that I feel like an IDIOT not having known about it before. Why hasn't somebody told me about this book? Did I have to go to Bible School to get this knowledge? Do people think that we are incapable of reading it, outside of its being "inspired," and that's why they don't tell anybody about it, talk about it, refer to it?
We grow up reading a plethora of stories that are absolutely unrelated to God in every way. We see films about winged creatures, talking mice, and magic. We sing nursery rhymes about people living in shoes and witches who eat kids. I'm not bashing that. But the story of Judith is about our Almighty God, His power, His love and commitment to His children, and His usage of society's undervalued to accomplish great feats through His power. WHY AREN'T WE READING THAT?
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