I forgot to post this... AGAIN. This is getting ridiculous. Here you go... Thirteen thoughts running through my head:
1) need to pack for the weekend
2) hit snooze one more time
3) BRRRR!!!!
4) how I'm hungry but nothing seems appetizing anymore.
5) ALOHA!
6) almost getting clipped by a state patrol officer who was not paying attention
7) getting away this weekend... (HALLELUJAH!)
8) t-shirts
9) A.J.A.M.
10) finishing knitting
11) how not to overpack
12) I don't like the sweater I'm wearing today
13) PTL for Healing the Buick!
I'm extending the tag to all. You know you have stuff that clutters up your head too, so share it!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Even Cleveland
Two days ago, I got another Ortberg book. I am fully aware that I have gone On and On and On about that first book, until someone is tuning me out. I get it. But Tuesday, I posted the info about the Helix Nebula, and it just rocked my world. We had bible study Tuesday night at the FBC, and I headed home to find my book in the mail. And I promptly started reading.
Now, God has been speaking to me through variety of people and mediums lately. And I have loved every moment. I don't pray for these little moments; they just happen. I can't explain the intensity of them lately, but I am thankful and give Praise to Him who deserves it.
But, I had another surprise. :)
I was minding my own business, reading this book Tuesday night, and suddenly I ran across this passage: "One night Jacob was running away from Esau, who was trying to kill him because Jacob had cheated him and deceived their father. Jacob stopped for the night at "a certain place". That's a Hebrew way of saying no place in particular. CLEVELAND, MAYBE."
I literally sat up in the bed and started laughing. Are you kidding???? **For anyone who may be particularly unaware, please note on my profile where I live. I realize that the author is probably referring to Cleveland, Ohio, but because of his ambiguity and lack of aforementioned state, I am free to make any assumption necessary.
"Cleveland, maybe."
Holy cow. Thinking this might have just been a fluke, I tried again to regain my composure and begin reading again. And then it happened, AGAIN. "God is still in the business of coming down to earth: to this cubicle, this email, this room, this house, this job, this hospital room, this car, this bed, this vacation. Any place can become Bethel, the House of God. CLEVELAND, MAYBE."
At this point, I am so excited that I do not know what to do with myself. Also, for interesting reference, the title of the book is (brace yourself... it's funny) God is closer than you think. Someone suddenly thinks I'm crazy. You are completely entitled to your opinion.
I decided to put the book down and take off into dreamland after that. Again last night, I picked up the book, inconspicuously no doubt, to begin reading. God, ever the divine comedian, did it a third time. "The expectation of Jesus was that this unseen river of life will flow again: in an office in San Francisco, a home in the suburbs of Atlanta, at a desk in a classroom in Chicago. It can happen for an attendant working at a gas station in Detroit. It can happen for plumbers and stockbrokers and homemakers and retired folks. It can happen for a CEO or a seventh grader. IT CAN HAPPEN IN CLEVELAND."
Now three times... well, three is a holy number. Get that through your head. The trinity has 3 parts. Peter denied Jesus three times. The rooster cried three times. This book that I am reading, IN CLEVELAND, said Cleveland three times, it is no coincidence. There is some sense that I really don't know what it means. A man, miles away from here, happened to mention a city that I call home inconsequentially in his book. Accident? I think not. I don't think anybody in Cleveland, Ohio would either.
I rambled all that to say... God really is closer than we think. When we seek Him, we find Him in the strangest places. In a scripture written on the bathroom stall at a junior high school, in the face of a fast-food employee who loves him undauntedly, in an airplane 30,000 feet in the air, and for me, today, in the pages of a book.
He is so jealous for our time and attention... He really is closer than we think.
Now, God has been speaking to me through variety of people and mediums lately. And I have loved every moment. I don't pray for these little moments; they just happen. I can't explain the intensity of them lately, but I am thankful and give Praise to Him who deserves it.
But, I had another surprise. :)
I was minding my own business, reading this book Tuesday night, and suddenly I ran across this passage: "One night Jacob was running away from Esau, who was trying to kill him because Jacob had cheated him and deceived their father. Jacob stopped for the night at "a certain place". That's a Hebrew way of saying no place in particular. CLEVELAND, MAYBE."
I literally sat up in the bed and started laughing. Are you kidding???? **For anyone who may be particularly unaware, please note on my profile where I live. I realize that the author is probably referring to Cleveland, Ohio, but because of his ambiguity and lack of aforementioned state, I am free to make any assumption necessary.
"Cleveland, maybe."
Holy cow. Thinking this might have just been a fluke, I tried again to regain my composure and begin reading again. And then it happened, AGAIN. "God is still in the business of coming down to earth: to this cubicle, this email, this room, this house, this job, this hospital room, this car, this bed, this vacation. Any place can become Bethel, the House of God. CLEVELAND, MAYBE."
At this point, I am so excited that I do not know what to do with myself. Also, for interesting reference, the title of the book is (brace yourself... it's funny) God is closer than you think. Someone suddenly thinks I'm crazy. You are completely entitled to your opinion.
I decided to put the book down and take off into dreamland after that. Again last night, I picked up the book, inconspicuously no doubt, to begin reading. God, ever the divine comedian, did it a third time. "The expectation of Jesus was that this unseen river of life will flow again: in an office in San Francisco, a home in the suburbs of Atlanta, at a desk in a classroom in Chicago. It can happen for an attendant working at a gas station in Detroit. It can happen for plumbers and stockbrokers and homemakers and retired folks. It can happen for a CEO or a seventh grader. IT CAN HAPPEN IN CLEVELAND."
Now three times... well, three is a holy number. Get that through your head. The trinity has 3 parts. Peter denied Jesus three times. The rooster cried three times. This book that I am reading, IN CLEVELAND, said Cleveland three times, it is no coincidence. There is some sense that I really don't know what it means. A man, miles away from here, happened to mention a city that I call home inconsequentially in his book. Accident? I think not. I don't think anybody in Cleveland, Ohio would either.
I rambled all that to say... God really is closer than we think. When we seek Him, we find Him in the strangest places. In a scripture written on the bathroom stall at a junior high school, in the face of a fast-food employee who loves him undauntedly, in an airplane 30,000 feet in the air, and for me, today, in the pages of a book.
He is so jealous for our time and attention... He really is closer than we think.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Valentine's and all that Jazz...
Yes... today is the day.
Good 'ole Valentine's.
I'm really at a loss for what to say. It is what it is, and I didn't go overboard. I did wear red today, because it's appropriate, but nothing flashy. I sent my mother a V-Day gift, because she's my Mom and she's cool like that. (It was a scrub top with red hearts.) She called me this morning to tell me she was wearing it. :)
Personally, I like Valentine's. I love red. Hearts are iffy and I can't stand solid chocolate, but I love the sentiment of the day. I love that people WANT to be sweet to one another. If only for a brief moment, some experience the emotion and attention they crave the other days of the year. Some will get engaged. I'm sure there are two people, somewhere, who are also getting married. Vegas and Ringgold are my two safe bets on that. (Ha!) Someone is giving birth (too bad it's not my best friend, because she could totally go ANY MINUTE.) Someone is falling in love. My grandparents, no doubt, are thankful for the 58 years they've spent with one another.
It's all beautiful and mushy. Extra mush on the side.
On the flip side, some couple is breaking up. Somebody is getting divorced. Somebody has just lost the love of their life. Someone somewhere is still reeling over a bad relationship. Someone is brokenhearted over where their children are.
Sad and tragic.
And then here I am. Somewhere closer to the mush than not. I prayed for my husband this morning. A little extra. I'm encouraged. Being single on this day, can drive the most righteous woman crying to the altar. But alas... I have no plan B. I trust that what God has for me, is still greater, and more wonderful, and mushy-to-the-infinite-power, and my heart is leaping and squirming just waiting for that day.
"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice. In the morning I lay my requests before you, and WAIT in expectation." Psalm 5:3
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Spell Check
For the record, I really do try to proof what I write, simply because I tend to get too excited to spell and punctuate correctly. Thus, I have made some minor revisions to my last post so that it is coherent.I did read up a bit on the Helix Nebula. The original picture I posted it a 'doctored' picture because the colors are changed to recognize infared that may not typically be recognized... so... here is another picture for your viewing pleasure thanks to NASA. I did get slightly tickled in realizing that I am extra-especially excited to know that My Maker might have blue eyes. Guess that's where I get mine from. :)
The EYE of GOD
You know, sometimes, I think we peg God to be something that He is not. We characterize him. We define him in some facet, and that becomes our version of God. Through various sandpaper people, our perception and perspectives are questioned and challenged, then we go through a period of “re-defining” our perspective of God. I do this too, often in regards to whatever situations that I am dealing with. I will call on the names of God, and characterize Him as such.
But I’m learning to love when my boat gets rocked violently.
This morning, there was an article on MSNBC that talked about what astronomers call the Eye of God. (Hence the picture.) I really haven’t read the entire article. For this, it’s not really relevant either. (Basically, astronomers and scientists believe there is dust in the Eye of God.)
I, being a long-time lover of astronomy and the stars, was blown away this morning. It literally took my breath away, and instantaneously shattered my fallable, human shape of God. Because His Eye is watching me. He is larger than I can comprehend. He is greater and more powerful than I can ever give Him credit for. He is The Creator of the heavens and the earth. This reminds me of little doll houses, and those people who collect miniatures. And, I still love to play with play-do and clay and form any variety of shapes. But it’s small stuff. Do we really realize the magnitude of Him who created all of the heavens and the earth?
"Lord, forgive me today for making you into what I want you to be. With every opportunity, remind me how Big You are. Remind me that You Are More Than Enough. You are bigger than any emotion, feeling, foe, friend, gift, or anything else than I magnify in my life. Quicken my heart to remember that I don’t have to magnify You. You Were. You Are. You Always Will Be. You are I AM. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
But I’m learning to love when my boat gets rocked violently.
This morning, there was an article on MSNBC that talked about what astronomers call the Eye of God. (Hence the picture.) I really haven’t read the entire article. For this, it’s not really relevant either. (Basically, astronomers and scientists believe there is dust in the Eye of God.)
I, being a long-time lover of astronomy and the stars, was blown away this morning. It literally took my breath away, and instantaneously shattered my fallable, human shape of God. Because His Eye is watching me. He is larger than I can comprehend. He is greater and more powerful than I can ever give Him credit for. He is The Creator of the heavens and the earth. This reminds me of little doll houses, and those people who collect miniatures. And, I still love to play with play-do and clay and form any variety of shapes. But it’s small stuff. Do we really realize the magnitude of Him who created all of the heavens and the earth?
"Lord, forgive me today for making you into what I want you to be. With every opportunity, remind me how Big You are. Remind me that You Are More Than Enough. You are bigger than any emotion, feeling, foe, friend, gift, or anything else than I magnify in my life. Quicken my heart to remember that I don’t have to magnify You. You Were. You Are. You Always Will Be. You are I AM. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
Monday, February 12, 2007
Miracle...
This story was too good NOT to share: (as quoted from CNN.com)
'Miracle' -- teen's heart, stopped for 4 days, beats again
NEW YORK (AP) -- Daniel Walker was on his final lap jogging in his high school gym class when he collapsed, his flawed heart giving out on him.
More than four days later, his heart at a standstill, kept alive by a bypass machine, it began beating again. The 17-year-old's parents called it divine intervention. His physicians were no less amazed.
"I've been a surgeon for 10 years, and this is probably one of the most incredible things I've ever seen," said Dr. Abeel Mangi, one of Walker's cardiac surgeons at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Columbia.
Walker's father described his son's recovery in spiritual terms. "God turned around, put His hand on my son, and recharged him," said William Walker, 58, a retired sanitation worker.
His son's ordeal began January 19 when he collapsed in gym class. The younger Walker suffered from a rare congenital heart flaw that left his coronary artery pinched, giving him only 10 percent of normal heart capacity. He was shuttled to two hospitals before finding himself at Columbia, waiting for a heart transplant, attached to the bypass machine.
Walker's cardiac surgeons said they could not account for the young man's recovery.
"It's a miracle," Mangi said. "There's really no other way to put it."
Two days after it began to beat on its own, surgeons were able to fix the flaw in Walker's heart, increasing its capacity to 60 percent.
'Miracle' -- teen's heart, stopped for 4 days, beats again
NEW YORK (AP) -- Daniel Walker was on his final lap jogging in his high school gym class when he collapsed, his flawed heart giving out on him.
More than four days later, his heart at a standstill, kept alive by a bypass machine, it began beating again. The 17-year-old's parents called it divine intervention. His physicians were no less amazed.
"I've been a surgeon for 10 years, and this is probably one of the most incredible things I've ever seen," said Dr. Abeel Mangi, one of Walker's cardiac surgeons at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Columbia.
Walker's father described his son's recovery in spiritual terms. "God turned around, put His hand on my son, and recharged him," said William Walker, 58, a retired sanitation worker.
His son's ordeal began January 19 when he collapsed in gym class. The younger Walker suffered from a rare congenital heart flaw that left his coronary artery pinched, giving him only 10 percent of normal heart capacity. He was shuttled to two hospitals before finding himself at Columbia, waiting for a heart transplant, attached to the bypass machine.
Walker's cardiac surgeons said they could not account for the young man's recovery.
"It's a miracle," Mangi said. "There's really no other way to put it."
Two days after it began to beat on its own, surgeons were able to fix the flaw in Walker's heart, increasing its capacity to 60 percent.
Book Club
Got to work this morning (late at usual) and ran through my routine. FYI -- I usually put on make-up at work. If you see me, and I am already put together, then you need to count yourself among those Blessed and Highly Favored. My mom never wore much make-up, and frankly, I was just never good at putting stuff on. So,... now that I am more mature and know better, I make strides. I rarely make them at home... only for special people.
ANYWAY... checked my list of websites as usual, and ran across this from BooMama. A book club! Be still my little heart. I love it. Those of you who know me well, know that I would be delighted to read anything! So... if you're interested in reading too... read her post and them post a comment. And let me know. We can call and encourage each other.
I'm still Praisin' the Lord for my car. And today is such a pretty day! I love that God is lavishing His Glory on us in sunshine... He's so good.
**Update**
BooMama graciously forwarded me the link for the book club. It's now on the right side of the page if anyone is interested!!!
ANYWAY... checked my list of websites as usual, and ran across this from BooMama. A book club! Be still my little heart. I love it. Those of you who know me well, know that I would be delighted to read anything! So... if you're interested in reading too... read her post and them post a comment. And let me know. We can call and encourage each other.
I'm still Praisin' the Lord for my car. And today is such a pretty day! I love that God is lavishing His Glory on us in sunshine... He's so good.
**Update**
BooMama graciously forwarded me the link for the book club. It's now on the right side of the page if anyone is interested!!!
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