The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen -- a fiction book I got from the library. Cute story of a young lady living in a small village in London in the 1800s. I enjoyed reading about life in this village, the job as an apothecary, how people viewed epilepsy and the interactions of everyone. Really enjoyed this book; light reading.
The Arabic Alphabet: How to Read & Write It by Nicholas Awde and Putros Samano -- I have been taking my time reading this book which explains the pronunciation of each letter (as best you can do while writing a pronunciation) and how to write them. I made flashcards for each letter (most have four forms) and have memorized them now! The tough thing is sometimes trying to read the letters in words. Just as we do in our own handwriting, people don't always write their letters in "proper" form so it's harder for me. I will definitely be reviewing many things in this small book. It's packed with good tips and it's stated in easy-to-understand ways.
A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam by I.A. Ibrahim is a full-color, easy-to-read guide touching on a few basics of Islam. Chapter one covers evidence for the truth of Islam which includes the Qur'an on human embryonic development, mountains, the origin of the universe, clouds and such things. It also mentions the "great challenge to produce one chapter like the chapters of the Holy Qur'an," biblical prophecies that supposedly speak of Muhammad, the simple life of Muhammad and the growth of Islam. Chapter 2 tells of benefits of Islam such as "the door to eternal paradise," "real happiness and inner peace," forgiveness of sins and "salvation from hellfire." The final chapter touches briefly on Islam's position on women, terrorism, justice, the family, the elderly, the day of judgment and how to become a Muslim. This book was a nice general overview of Islam, but didn't go into great detail especially in the third chapter. No mention of any controversial issues surrounding Islam today.
The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do by Mark Atteberry -- the author delves into topics such as church hopping, slinging mud on the Bride of Christ, living below the level of our beliefs, fighting among ourselves, missing golden opportunities, settling for mediocrity, allowing wolves to live among the sheep and so forth. Quite challenging!
The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff is a novel I found in the new section of the library. I hesitated to get it because it was over 500 pages and I didn't want to commit myself to a book that size if it were boring. However, I found it quite interesting. There is a fiction part to it, but interspersed is much about Ann Eliza Young, the 19th wife of Brigham Young. Through the book I learned some about the beginning and early years of the Mormon religion as they made their way from New York to Ohio, Illinois and on to Utah. I was appalled by the hand cart method some of the immigrants were forced to use as they made their way to "Zion" (see pages 196 and following). I already expressed my dismay at the horrible practice of polygamy that was excused by the early Mormons as given by God. Attributed to Chauncey Webb as he approached his first wife about taking another wife (his third), after telling her "'we both know this is our duty to God'" -- his having plural wives, the book records, "I had probed Mrs. Webb's most tender spot. She could not deny that the Prophet had made this clear. Her faith was always pure, while I layered mine with expediency. I am ashamed of many things, but none so much as when I excused my passions in the name of God." (pg. 205; also see pg. 213). Granted this is likely a made-up saying by the author, but I thought it greatly summed up how men have justified their own lusts with saying it was God's will. This is what angers me about plural marriages. If you want to marry a woman because she is a war widow that's one thing. But when it's simply because you see another pretty face and lust after someone's body, PLEASE don't give me that junk about it being God's will! That's what angers me so much! The frequency that the Saints and Firsts would take new wives just because they wanted a variety of sexual experiences -- honestly, it makes me think of men as no more than animals. After expressing some of this to my husband, he joked the following evening, "Are you still reading that man-hating book?"
A Mile in My Flip-Flops is a lighthearted book by Melody Carlson which I borrowed from the local library. It describes Gretchen's house flipping adventures.
Finding God in the Questions by Dr. Timothy Johnson (physician and journalist for GMA on ABC News) -- I found this at the local library and thought I'd read Dr. Johnson's personal spiritual journey. Although I didn't agree with everything he wrote, I found I agreed with most of it. I enjoyed reading why he preferred being a "follower of Jesus" rather than a "Christian." Part of this was because of how the Council of Nicea relegated the wonderful relationship of God and Jesus into a "basic biology lesson." He claims this set in motion a practice of a church which "increasingly defined its beliefs and practice through highly intellectual creedal statements" and where "it would become a political and even military-like force that would often elevate itself to the heights of secular power and prestige but all too often at the spiritual expense of distorting the original message of Jesus." (pg. 134)
I liked reading his thoughts of the term "being saved" or "being born again" and how in his view "'being saved' is a lifelong process" (pg. 143.) Also his views of John 14:6 were interesting. (see pg. 144). I previously wrote about an interesting part re: serving others.
Escape by Carolyn Jessop with Laura Palmer -- I've written a couple posts about this book earlier in October. It's a story about a woman's life in the FLDS cult and her eventual escape with her children. Besides the things I mentioned in my previous posts, I will add only these few things. Warren Jeffs, the so-called "prophet," outlawed the color red which meant many followers threw out anything that had red (e.g., children's clothes). Something I found interesting is that this cult is unlike the mainstream Mormons in that drinking tea, coffee and alcohol are not forbidden. In fact, Carolyn tells of an event she attended where nursing mothers were drinking alcohol. I don't believe getting drunk was the norm only that alcohol is not forbidden. This greatly surprised me since they are so strict about many other things. One thing I found horrendous is how Warren Jeffs would make a man leave his family and assign another man to that family or how he would reassign women to marry new husbands. Also hugging, kissing and cuddling your children was frowned upon in this cult. Such a truly rotten place altogether!
The Moon Looked Down by Dorothy Garlock -- a fiction book I found in the new section of the library; told the story of a German family unwelcome in their Midwest community during WW II. Main characters were Sophie, Cole, Ellis, Graham and Riley. Light reading, but not my favorite.
Going Home by Wanda E. Brunstetter -- a fiction book about an Amish lady, Faith, who comes home with her young daughter after living in the English world for ten years as an entertainer; light reading
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Anyone up for some humility?
Andrew is not a preacher, but for some reason a few years ago he started receiving Today's Christian Preacher addressed to REV (his fulllllllll name)! Maybe it was a joke that someone played on him...who knows? Better than subscribing him to Playboy for sure, but anyway.... I am the one who tends to read through the quarterly magazine, and last night I came across this interesting part on humility as it relates to preachers.
I had recently been talking to a friend from a very different background when humility came up in our conversation. Friend asked me what was the reason two people from such different cultures (and countries, languages, religions & food!) could break down those potential walls and appreciate each other's differences, and, in fact, become dear friends. Like if we were writing a how-to manual with FAQs (frequently asked questions) how would I answer someone who said "how can this be done?" I started talking and within a few seconds was interrupted with "yes!" as soon as I mentioned the "h" word! I'd said something like, "Be willing to have a teachable spirit, humble yourself and truly listen to each other."
Why is being willing to humble yourself so important? Here is what this magazine has to say about humility as it relates to pastors. Read through and see if you agree or disagree.
1. "Humble pastors are teachable people. They are open to instruction and confrontation. An unteachable person is an arrogant person. Anyone who will not listen to rebuke is blinded by pride."
I've often found people unwilling to listen to other points of view to be arrogant. I've not always been successful, but this is an area where I've tried to be different. I've always been a pretty good listener, and I've found the more you really listen to someone and try to understand where she is coming from, the easier it is to make sense of things and find compassion in your heart for that person! I still have very strong opinions and principles from which I am not budging (unless the Lord changes my stance), however, I have found I am able to better appreciate others' perspectives as I've tried to cultivate a teachable spirit, where even if I'm not likely to agree with you, I'm going to learn from you.
2. "Humble pastors are willing to acknowledge their weaknesses and admit their mistakes....Godly people are sin-confessing people (I John 1:9). ... Some men in ministry worry that if they ever admit they were wrong or made a mistake, it will be used against them. This kind of insecurity ruins working relationships and productivity because the insecure man strives to cover his mistakes instead of correcting them."
I believe we can apply this to many more than just pastors. How about people in politics? And how about nations? Is it a sin for a nation to admit it was wrong? It seems these days it's more popular to never apologize in order to not appear weak. Like apologizing and patriotism cannot go together. Isn't this mindset arrogant? Why is it so difficult for a superpower nation - or any nation for that matter - to humble itself in front of the world and admit, "Hey, guys, you know when we _____________. Well, we made a huge mistake and we were wrong in doing that. Please accept our sincere apologies as we seek to make amends for what we did." I think it takes a big person - one of much character - to admit publicly and with sincerity that he or she was wrong. I find I truly admire a sincere person who has the guts to humble himself and admit a wrong. Much better than those who are only sorry because they were caught or who offer half-hearted apologies while trying to justify what they did or calling them "mistakes" instead of what they truly were: wrong choices on their parts! (Do I sound arrogant now? :-D Oops!)
3. "Humble pastors also will gladly allow themselves to be held accountable. Being humble means accepting responsibility for commitment and performance. . . . Pride causes a man to bristle when he is held accountable. 'Who does he think he is? I don't need someone looking over my shoulder!' That kind of thinking misses the point. If you serve on a team, you have an obligation to that team and you make commitments to that team. A 'superstar' thinks he isn't bound by the obligations of a team. A humble man gladly accepts his role and responsibilities as a team member."
I think we've all come across news on politicians or sports or movie stars who seem to be above the rules the rest of us have to live by. You've seen arrogant ball players who think they can do whatever they want because they have special talents in basketball or football. Most of us recognize them for the arrogant jerks that they are. But maybe we've never applied it to ourselves and reading this about our willingness (or lack of it) to be held accountable hits home. I also think this can apply to nations, but since I'm at my core an individualistic American from the South who doesn't have fond thoughts of the UN, I won't delve into actually applying this to the United States at this time. ;-)
May we always remember Jesus who came from the glory of heaven willingly. He humbled Himself for our sakes. Now let us humble ourselves and serve others following the example of our Savior. If He is not "too good" to wash dirty feet, how can we protest doing tasks we deem beneath us?
Thus concludes this post on humility.
I had recently been talking to a friend from a very different background when humility came up in our conversation. Friend asked me what was the reason two people from such different cultures (and countries, languages, religions & food!) could break down those potential walls and appreciate each other's differences, and, in fact, become dear friends. Like if we were writing a how-to manual with FAQs (frequently asked questions) how would I answer someone who said "how can this be done?" I started talking and within a few seconds was interrupted with "yes!" as soon as I mentioned the "h" word! I'd said something like, "Be willing to have a teachable spirit, humble yourself and truly listen to each other."
Why is being willing to humble yourself so important? Here is what this magazine has to say about humility as it relates to pastors. Read through and see if you agree or disagree.
1. "Humble pastors are teachable people. They are open to instruction and confrontation. An unteachable person is an arrogant person. Anyone who will not listen to rebuke is blinded by pride."
I've often found people unwilling to listen to other points of view to be arrogant. I've not always been successful, but this is an area where I've tried to be different. I've always been a pretty good listener, and I've found the more you really listen to someone and try to understand where she is coming from, the easier it is to make sense of things and find compassion in your heart for that person! I still have very strong opinions and principles from which I am not budging (unless the Lord changes my stance), however, I have found I am able to better appreciate others' perspectives as I've tried to cultivate a teachable spirit, where even if I'm not likely to agree with you, I'm going to learn from you.
2. "Humble pastors are willing to acknowledge their weaknesses and admit their mistakes....Godly people are sin-confessing people (I John 1:9). ... Some men in ministry worry that if they ever admit they were wrong or made a mistake, it will be used against them. This kind of insecurity ruins working relationships and productivity because the insecure man strives to cover his mistakes instead of correcting them."
I believe we can apply this to many more than just pastors. How about people in politics? And how about nations? Is it a sin for a nation to admit it was wrong? It seems these days it's more popular to never apologize in order to not appear weak. Like apologizing and patriotism cannot go together. Isn't this mindset arrogant? Why is it so difficult for a superpower nation - or any nation for that matter - to humble itself in front of the world and admit, "Hey, guys, you know when we _____________. Well, we made a huge mistake and we were wrong in doing that. Please accept our sincere apologies as we seek to make amends for what we did." I think it takes a big person - one of much character - to admit publicly and with sincerity that he or she was wrong. I find I truly admire a sincere person who has the guts to humble himself and admit a wrong. Much better than those who are only sorry because they were caught or who offer half-hearted apologies while trying to justify what they did or calling them "mistakes" instead of what they truly were: wrong choices on their parts! (Do I sound arrogant now? :-D Oops!)
3. "Humble pastors also will gladly allow themselves to be held accountable. Being humble means accepting responsibility for commitment and performance. . . . Pride causes a man to bristle when he is held accountable. 'Who does he think he is? I don't need someone looking over my shoulder!' That kind of thinking misses the point. If you serve on a team, you have an obligation to that team and you make commitments to that team. A 'superstar' thinks he isn't bound by the obligations of a team. A humble man gladly accepts his role and responsibilities as a team member."
I think we've all come across news on politicians or sports or movie stars who seem to be above the rules the rest of us have to live by. You've seen arrogant ball players who think they can do whatever they want because they have special talents in basketball or football. Most of us recognize them for the arrogant jerks that they are. But maybe we've never applied it to ourselves and reading this about our willingness (or lack of it) to be held accountable hits home. I also think this can apply to nations, but since I'm at my core an individualistic American from the South who doesn't have fond thoughts of the UN, I won't delve into actually applying this to the United States at this time. ;-)
May we always remember Jesus who came from the glory of heaven willingly. He humbled Himself for our sakes. Now let us humble ourselves and serve others following the example of our Savior. If He is not "too good" to wash dirty feet, how can we protest doing tasks we deem beneath us?
Thus concludes this post on humility.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thoughts on Colossians 1:9-14
I've been pondering some things from Colossians 1&2 the last few days. Instead of sharing a lot of those verses in one post, perhaps I'll just share bits and pieces in coming posts. From the first chapter:
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Some observations:
1. How wonderful would it be to know people were often praying for us to be filled with all that good stuff from God?! (see vs. 9)
2. I'd love to live a life worthy of the Lord so that I might please Him in every way! Oh to have that great strength from Him so that I could endure life's trials with patience.
3. From verse 12, I love that God qualified us. We didn't qualify ourselves, but He enabled us or prepared us to be partakers in the kingdom.
4. He rescued us from the kingdom of darkness. Unlike the books I've read lately, where men were the ones who could rescue their plural wives in the hereafter, the Bible tells us clearly that God is the One Who did this. By giving this much power to men is making them like God....which it seems the polygamists often have in mind, unfortunately.
5. He brought us into the kingdom of the Son whom He loves ... and in Whom we have forgiveness of our sins.
Good stuff! What is your favorite? Does anything stand out to you?
This picture was taken by Samer along the Rhine River in Germany, October 2009. I love the sky!
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Some observations:
1. How wonderful would it be to know people were often praying for us to be filled with all that good stuff from God?! (see vs. 9)
2. I'd love to live a life worthy of the Lord so that I might please Him in every way! Oh to have that great strength from Him so that I could endure life's trials with patience.
3. From verse 12, I love that God qualified us. We didn't qualify ourselves, but He enabled us or prepared us to be partakers in the kingdom.
4. He rescued us from the kingdom of darkness. Unlike the books I've read lately, where men were the ones who could rescue their plural wives in the hereafter, the Bible tells us clearly that God is the One Who did this. By giving this much power to men is making them like God....which it seems the polygamists often have in mind, unfortunately.
5. He brought us into the kingdom of the Son whom He loves ... and in Whom we have forgiveness of our sins.
Good stuff! What is your favorite? Does anything stand out to you?
This picture was taken by Samer along the Rhine River in Germany, October 2009. I love the sky!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Now for something lighter . . .
After writing about Escape yesterday and finally finishing this 400+ page book full of infuriating things, I think I need to write about something less serious this morning.
I nearly did a double take Friday night when Andrew arrived home after eleven with a curly black wig complete with its own pick! I was talking to him as I walked down the hall, stepped into the kitchen and saw it.
Susanne & Michael
Oct. 24, 2009
When I tried it on myself, I laughed so hard Andrew heard me all the way out at his truck. Actually it looks a lot like my hair when I tease it. Only darker. And I don't stick a pick in mine.
Michael - Oct. 24, 2009
Michael called me Thursday morning to discuss my coming to pick him up for the park. Then he stepped into his room explaining to his mom he needed to talk to me privately. He shut the door, but she could still hear him despite his whispering. He said, "I'll talk to you on the phone for a few minutes to delay doing my homeschool." Crazy kid.
He is going to Classical Conversations on Tuesdays. This is where they dissected the crawfish earlier in the week. Also they are learning lots of other good stuff including Latin endings. Hehehe...it makes me laugh to think of Michael learning Latin. Tomorrow he has to read his report on Caesar Augustus. That's the guy he chose to report on. He recognized his name from the birth-of-Jesus story as recorded in Luke 2.
Saturday we had a birthday party for my dad. It was Halloween-themed and many of us tried on the black wig. It looked very authentic on my Venezuelan brother in law! I think you can see it here.
I nearly did a double take Friday night when Andrew arrived home after eleven with a curly black wig complete with its own pick! I was talking to him as I walked down the hall, stepped into the kitchen and saw it.
Susanne & MichaelOct. 24, 2009
When I tried it on myself, I laughed so hard Andrew heard me all the way out at his truck. Actually it looks a lot like my hair when I tease it. Only darker. And I don't stick a pick in mine.
Michael - Oct. 24, 2009Michael called me Thursday morning to discuss my coming to pick him up for the park. Then he stepped into his room explaining to his mom he needed to talk to me privately. He shut the door, but she could still hear him despite his whispering. He said, "I'll talk to you on the phone for a few minutes to delay doing my homeschool." Crazy kid.
He is going to Classical Conversations on Tuesdays. This is where they dissected the crawfish earlier in the week. Also they are learning lots of other good stuff including Latin endings. Hehehe...it makes me laugh to think of Michael learning Latin. Tomorrow he has to read his report on Caesar Augustus. That's the guy he chose to report on. He recognized his name from the birth-of-Jesus story as recorded in Luke 2.
Saturday we had a birthday party for my dad. It was Halloween-themed and many of us tried on the black wig. It looked very authentic on my Venezuelan brother in law! I think you can see it here.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Crazy Cult
After enduring a polygamous household where the wives constantly bickered, tattled and made life a living nightmare and where the husband and father of over fifty children ruled with cruelty in a community that saw women and children as property and, therefore, game to be beaten, Carolyn Jessop had had enough. Finally! But what did she do? Well, she went to Warren Jeffs, the acting prophet of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints. The despicable man who made their restrictive life even worse. Carolyn took a 17-page letter detailing the abuse she'd endured at the hands of her husband, Merril. And what did Warren do, but try to make her out to be the immoral, failing one!
"'You have the opportunity to become a goddess in this good man's home if he chooses to take you with him in the celestial kingdom. If you persist in wasting this life by offending your husband, you will be cast out as good for nothing and no man will ever want you in his kingdom. You need to repent, keep yourself in perfect obedience, and pray that Merril will find it in his heart to forgive you. If you continue to waste the precious time you have here on earth fighting him, you will have no place in the afterlife." (pg. 296)
Argh! Argh! Argh! How can men have that much control over women? And say this is all from God? This cruelty? Argggggh!
Merril's fifty-third child (Carolyn's 7th) was diagnosed with spinal neuroblastoma at a young age. Can you guess what this horrible man and most of his other wives said about it? Harrison was stricken with cancer because Carolyn wasn't in perfect harmony with Merril. And guess what? Perfect harmony meant that Carolyn was berated for ordering shrimp off a menu because poor darling Merril hated shrimp! Carolyn had to change her order to steak!
When the favored wife beat one of the other wife's children, Barbara defended herself: "Cathleen, you are out of order and you know it. I was only doing the will of my priesthood head. For you to question is pure rebellion." (pg. 291)
Remember, y'all, "perfect obedience produces perfect faith." (pg. 205) There is no room for "rebellion" against what this potential god says.
I know there were times while reading this book that I felt I could sling it across the room. I felt my blood start boiling at the way people in families (weird as they are!) could treat one another -- even slapping and beating their children until they were bruised!
Andrew said, "Are you reading another man-hater book." Nice timing since today is our anniversary, huh? Heheheh. Thank God Andrew is NOTHING like these creeps!
Quotes/information from Escape by Carolyn Jessop with Laura Palmer
"'You have the opportunity to become a goddess in this good man's home if he chooses to take you with him in the celestial kingdom. If you persist in wasting this life by offending your husband, you will be cast out as good for nothing and no man will ever want you in his kingdom. You need to repent, keep yourself in perfect obedience, and pray that Merril will find it in his heart to forgive you. If you continue to waste the precious time you have here on earth fighting him, you will have no place in the afterlife." (pg. 296)
Argh! Argh! Argh! How can men have that much control over women? And say this is all from God? This cruelty? Argggggh!
Merril's fifty-third child (Carolyn's 7th) was diagnosed with spinal neuroblastoma at a young age. Can you guess what this horrible man and most of his other wives said about it? Harrison was stricken with cancer because Carolyn wasn't in perfect harmony with Merril. And guess what? Perfect harmony meant that Carolyn was berated for ordering shrimp off a menu because poor darling Merril hated shrimp! Carolyn had to change her order to steak!
When the favored wife beat one of the other wife's children, Barbara defended herself: "Cathleen, you are out of order and you know it. I was only doing the will of my priesthood head. For you to question is pure rebellion." (pg. 291)
Remember, y'all, "perfect obedience produces perfect faith." (pg. 205) There is no room for "rebellion" against what this potential god says.
I know there were times while reading this book that I felt I could sling it across the room. I felt my blood start boiling at the way people in families (weird as they are!) could treat one another -- even slapping and beating their children until they were bruised!
Andrew said, "Are you reading another man-hater book." Nice timing since today is our anniversary, huh? Heheheh. Thank God Andrew is NOTHING like these creeps!
Quotes/information from Escape by Carolyn Jessop with Laura Palmer
Be Thankful!
"If the stars came out only once a year, everyone would stay up all night just to watch." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Remember the story from Luke 17:11-19 where ten lepers are healed by Jesus, but only one, a Samaritan, comes back to give Him thanks?
How important is our thanks to God and others? I found this thought-provoking as I read it from the latest In Touch magazine.
Wow! Is this why this recession has been so hard on many Americans? Things we previously took for granted -- such as being able to have a house, fancy car, good food plus DSL, cool cell phones and the latest entertainment -- were no longer easy for us to acquire? Makes me wonder how many "rights," "necessities," and blessings I have been taking for granted because they are things I am used to having. What things would I most miss if I no longer had them? Things I'd previously thought would just always be here. What about you?
My pastor often says that he will never be the greatest fisherman (he loves bass fishing). Nor will he ever be the world's best golfer or father or preacher. But he says he wants to be the most grateful man ever! So he praises God every day all the time. He doesn't want to be a grumbler or murmurer. (Ever notice from the Old Testament how much God detested that attitude in the Israelites?) So how about we give my preacher a run for his money and try to be the most thankful people in the world? Afterall, God is good and He has given us many wonderful gifts to enjoy!
Can I get an "amen" on that? ;)
Remember the story from Luke 17:11-19 where ten lepers are healed by Jesus, but only one, a Samaritan, comes back to give Him thanks?
How important is our thanks to God and others? I found this thought-provoking as I read it from the latest In Touch magazine.
We tend to ignore the things that are always present or available to us; it's easy to take those things for granted, no matter how wonderful they are. When we're accustomed to material blessings, we hardly count them as blessings until we begin to lose them -- whether they involve health, financial comfort, or easy access to life's "necessities." Might we be so familiar with such blessings that we actually trivialize them or view them as our rights? Have we heard about God's grace so often that it no longer gets our attention?
Wow! Is this why this recession has been so hard on many Americans? Things we previously took for granted -- such as being able to have a house, fancy car, good food plus DSL, cool cell phones and the latest entertainment -- were no longer easy for us to acquire? Makes me wonder how many "rights," "necessities," and blessings I have been taking for granted because they are things I am used to having. What things would I most miss if I no longer had them? Things I'd previously thought would just always be here. What about you?
My pastor often says that he will never be the greatest fisherman (he loves bass fishing). Nor will he ever be the world's best golfer or father or preacher. But he says he wants to be the most grateful man ever! So he praises God every day all the time. He doesn't want to be a grumbler or murmurer. (Ever notice from the Old Testament how much God detested that attitude in the Israelites?) So how about we give my preacher a run for his money and try to be the most thankful people in the world? Afterall, God is good and He has given us many wonderful gifts to enjoy!
Can I get an "amen" on that? ;)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Today is . . .
my dad's birthday. I found these pictures in one of my brother's Facebook photo albums and thought they would be good to share today.
My dad loves his kids. (There are four of us though this post only pictures two.) When I was little I would cry when he'd leave, but sometimes he would take me riding on his bicycle. Even when I was only a few months old. Here we are at my grandparents' house in SC. I was probably 3 at this time. My brother is sixteen months younger than I am.
My dad grew up on a dairy farm in a rural area of North Carolina. He worked a lot on tobacco farms nearby. He wondered at times if he ever would leave the farm. Then the war broke out and young men were being drafted. He joined the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era. Instead of being drafted and sent to Vietnam, they sent him to Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada where he said they had tunnels through the snow! Several of his Air Force pals were sent to Vietnam. After getting out of the Air Force, he went to college, graduated and later became a high school teacher in North Carolina. Later he became a principal/administrator of two Christian schools.
My dad and I have always been close. We are quite a bit alike, too! For starters, we both like ice cream! :-)
Happy birthday!!
My dad loves his kids. (There are four of us though this post only pictures two.) When I was little I would cry when he'd leave, but sometimes he would take me riding on his bicycle. Even when I was only a few months old. Here we are at my grandparents' house in SC. I was probably 3 at this time. My brother is sixteen months younger than I am.
My dad grew up on a dairy farm in a rural area of North Carolina. He worked a lot on tobacco farms nearby. He wondered at times if he ever would leave the farm. Then the war broke out and young men were being drafted. He joined the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era. Instead of being drafted and sent to Vietnam, they sent him to Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada where he said they had tunnels through the snow! Several of his Air Force pals were sent to Vietnam. After getting out of the Air Force, he went to college, graduated and later became a high school teacher in North Carolina. Later he became a principal/administrator of two Christian schools.
My dad and I have always been close. We are quite a bit alike, too! For starters, we both like ice cream! :-)
Happy birthday!!
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