I've been doing pretty well in my Bible reading challenge. I've managed to read a chapter of Proverbs every day but one. That one day I was feeling a bit under the weather due to the aftermath of a root canal. I caught it up the next day though. Here are just a few of the verses that jumped off the page at me this week.
4:18- The path of righteousness is like the first gleam of dawn, Shining brighter till the full light of day.
4:23- Guard your heart for it is the well spring of life.(Put boundaries on your desires and don't go after everything you see)
Chapter 5 is basically a call to be faithful to your spouse and to God.
6:16-19 - list of "Things God Hates" Violent people, haughtiness, lying, murdering, scheming, eagerness to do eveil, stirring up dissention, the untruthful, the sacrifice of the wicked, the proud and those who judge unjustly. (These all sound like something someone else would do, not me. But....don't I?)
Chapter 7 is another warning against adultery against your spouse and God.
8:17- I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
9:10-The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
9:12- If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you.
I'm also working on a Bible study by Angela Thomas called "Living Your Life as a Beautiful Offering" and the one thing this week that made me really think was....
Jesus is the light of the world and we are to work at being like him. We are not to hide our light under a bushel. Ok, I've heard that all my life and even sang that song as a child. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine... BUT I began to wonder, am I really shining? When people look at me, do they see light? Is the light of Jesus shining through me, or am I walking around with a bushel basket over my head? I don't know if any of us can answer that for ourselves. I think we might need someone else to be honest enough with us to say yea or nay on that. We THINK we know, but do we really?
Friday, October 9, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Thoughtful Thursday
Lately I've wondered how different my life might be, if I had taken one of the gifts God gave me, and cultivated it. I'm talking about painting or sewing or something creative. He made me a creative being, and gave me talents that are unique to me. How would things be now, if I had taken one of those talents and made a career out of it? I don't think I could have been a painter, unless I had been trained, because I just have no specific style of my own. It doesn't flow out of me like Bob Ross or a career artist. For me, it's a laborious process, but in the end I'm happy doing it. No real demand for pottery way back when. No extra money to buy a kiln to fire it either. I did paint and sew for profit a while. That was back when the "country" style was in, and folks were wearing the loose fitting jumpsuits, embellished with personalized painting. And painted sweat and tee shirts were all the rage. It was something I really liked doing, but it lost its popularity pretty quick. Sometimes I watch quilting shows and think that trying to piece those intricate designs together would just be nearly impossible.
The last few days, for some reason, I've been wondering what kind of artistic activity I could become involved in now, that would stick with me and be soothing and enjoyable. I've wondered what lessons I could take and where I could take them. Such as watercolor lessons, or ceramics, or pottery, or something to do with textiles. And it's really strange that last night, as SR was flipping through channels, he stopped on the PBS series "Craft in America". They spotlighted several different types of artisans and I was mesmerized. Potters, glass blowers, iron workers, weavers, beaders... it was amazing. Oh, how I longed to be able to do any one of those wonderful things. As I watched those artisans, I told SR that I sure wished I could have found something in me, that could make one thing others would want to buy and own. Something that I would love doing and would light them up when they saw it. And he understood. What a man.
Another strange thing to happen a couple of days ago, is a woman I was talking with in Walmart, told me about her recent trip to a crafts fair in North Carolina. She was talking about how beautiful and unique the new crafts are. We discussed the lack of that in our area, and how the "country crafts" have died a good death and crafts now are more elaborate and classy . Are these three different situations telling me something?
I don't remember how old I was, but my mother once gave me a small, battery operated potter's wheel once. It came with a very small amount of clay and I was thrilled. Unfortunately, it was really small, and really weak and there was no way to create pottery on it. It just didn't have enough power to rotate if you pressed on the clay. She also provided supplies for me from time to time so I could draw, paint plaster statues and embroider.
I had a couple of pairs of jeans that I embroidered roses on, while in high school that I luuuuved. (Once, while wearing them, a friend quoted a Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show song to me. I got a freaky old lady name a Cocaine Kitty who embroiders on my jeans... Funny that.) I learned a little about throwing pottery in high school art class. I still have two "vases" I created.
I learned a little about painting and block printing. I should have at least gone to trade school to learn more about the creative arts, but I chose to get married and start a family. At the time I really didn't feel I was missing anything because raising my kids was the biggest blessing I could have hoped for, and I was able to do a little creative work while I did it.
When I was in the 7th grade, my dad was so interested, that he helped me paint my first picture. (He could draw anything in the world with a pencil) I guess he was trying to help me find a calling, and encouraged me to take it to the art teacher. Her critique was disappointing to say the least. I was untrained, and it was my first effort, and she behaved as a teacher would I suppose. Told me what was wrong with it. Kinda hurt a little. Well, a lot actually. In her art class, with the rest of the students, I made a "woman" by shaping clay around a bottle of some sort. There was an air bubble in her head, and when she was fired, the back of it exploded. Poor lady. You can't tell from the front though.
*Sidebar* I learned more than art in that class. The teens in Pennsylvania were quite a bit ahead of the teens in Arkansas. I heard things discuss by other girls in my class that could be labeled, "Shock and Awe".
It's weird to me, that I can still remember some of the art projects we did then, as well as some we did when I was in high school. Does that equate with the football players being able to remember countless plays, in countless games, well enough to describe them to you in detail? SR is like that. Until just now, I didn't realize how artistic I was while growing up, or how much my parents encouraged that by just supplying me with inexpensive tools and supplies. I will need to mention that to my Mom soon, and thank her. So anyway, I'm in the mood to start a new project. Again.... I just haven't really figured out what yet.
The last few days, for some reason, I've been wondering what kind of artistic activity I could become involved in now, that would stick with me and be soothing and enjoyable. I've wondered what lessons I could take and where I could take them. Such as watercolor lessons, or ceramics, or pottery, or something to do with textiles. And it's really strange that last night, as SR was flipping through channels, he stopped on the PBS series "Craft in America". They spotlighted several different types of artisans and I was mesmerized. Potters, glass blowers, iron workers, weavers, beaders... it was amazing. Oh, how I longed to be able to do any one of those wonderful things. As I watched those artisans, I told SR that I sure wished I could have found something in me, that could make one thing others would want to buy and own. Something that I would love doing and would light them up when they saw it. And he understood. What a man.
Another strange thing to happen a couple of days ago, is a woman I was talking with in Walmart, told me about her recent trip to a crafts fair in North Carolina. She was talking about how beautiful and unique the new crafts are. We discussed the lack of that in our area, and how the "country crafts" have died a good death and crafts now are more elaborate and classy . Are these three different situations telling me something?
I don't remember how old I was, but my mother once gave me a small, battery operated potter's wheel once. It came with a very small amount of clay and I was thrilled. Unfortunately, it was really small, and really weak and there was no way to create pottery on it. It just didn't have enough power to rotate if you pressed on the clay. She also provided supplies for me from time to time so I could draw, paint plaster statues and embroider.
I had a couple of pairs of jeans that I embroidered roses on, while in high school that I luuuuved. (Once, while wearing them, a friend quoted a Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show song to me. I got a freaky old lady name a Cocaine Kitty who embroiders on my jeans... Funny that.) I learned a little about throwing pottery in high school art class. I still have two "vases" I created.
I learned a little about painting and block printing. I should have at least gone to trade school to learn more about the creative arts, but I chose to get married and start a family. At the time I really didn't feel I was missing anything because raising my kids was the biggest blessing I could have hoped for, and I was able to do a little creative work while I did it.
When I was in the 7th grade, my dad was so interested, that he helped me paint my first picture. (He could draw anything in the world with a pencil) I guess he was trying to help me find a calling, and encouraged me to take it to the art teacher. Her critique was disappointing to say the least. I was untrained, and it was my first effort, and she behaved as a teacher would I suppose. Told me what was wrong with it. Kinda hurt a little. Well, a lot actually. In her art class, with the rest of the students, I made a "woman" by shaping clay around a bottle of some sort. There was an air bubble in her head, and when she was fired, the back of it exploded. Poor lady. You can't tell from the front though.
*Sidebar* I learned more than art in that class. The teens in Pennsylvania were quite a bit ahead of the teens in Arkansas. I heard things discuss by other girls in my class that could be labeled, "Shock and Awe".
It's weird to me, that I can still remember some of the art projects we did then, as well as some we did when I was in high school. Does that equate with the football players being able to remember countless plays, in countless games, well enough to describe them to you in detail? SR is like that. Until just now, I didn't realize how artistic I was while growing up, or how much my parents encouraged that by just supplying me with inexpensive tools and supplies. I will need to mention that to my Mom soon, and thank her. So anyway, I'm in the mood to start a new project. Again.... I just haven't really figured out what yet.
What Not Wednesday
Below are five things I am not. This is not a woe is me list, just the truth about myself as I see it.
1. Witty.
No matter how much I wish it, I never have a snappy comeback, or witty remark to add. I can't write tongue in cheek posts or add a great comic touch to my writings. I can remember in junior high school being able to make the other kids laugh. I was even invited on a group date once, with my date's express purpose, that I be the evening's entertainment. That was a big fail, as I suppose stage fright reared its ugly head. Since then, I've not been so entertaining. Me witty, nah.
2. Tall.
Randy Newman wrote that "short people got no reason to live." I wouldn't go that far, but it really is a handicap being only 5'. And as I grow older, I will shrink as all old folks do. Chairs are seldom comfortable for my short legs, counters are often higher than I would like and reaching any higher than the first shelf of the kitchen cabinet is a joke. I even need a step stool to climb into my own bed.
3. Vindictive.
I don't hold grudges. I forgive easily. I won't say I am not uncomfortable in the presence of someone who has done me wrong, but I don't snub them, or wish them ill. I may avoid that person if possible, but I just seem to be able to move on most of the time.
4. Brave.
I'm a scaredy cat. Scared of heights, going into places I'm not familiar with, performing in front of someone, dying, mice and snakes. I'm sure I could come up with lots of other things for the scaredy cat list. Some of them are really rediculous, but I just can't help it.
5. Energetic.
Bleh. No matter how long I work out, I still have to make myself go to the gym. I wish I had enough energy to be constantly into something and busy. Fail. I'm basically lazy. I keep trying to gain energy though, so I'm not giving up yet.
Tune in next week for another installment of What Not Wednesday....
1. Witty.
No matter how much I wish it, I never have a snappy comeback, or witty remark to add. I can't write tongue in cheek posts or add a great comic touch to my writings. I can remember in junior high school being able to make the other kids laugh. I was even invited on a group date once, with my date's express purpose, that I be the evening's entertainment. That was a big fail, as I suppose stage fright reared its ugly head. Since then, I've not been so entertaining. Me witty, nah.
2. Tall.
Randy Newman wrote that "short people got no reason to live." I wouldn't go that far, but it really is a handicap being only 5'. And as I grow older, I will shrink as all old folks do. Chairs are seldom comfortable for my short legs, counters are often higher than I would like and reaching any higher than the first shelf of the kitchen cabinet is a joke. I even need a step stool to climb into my own bed.
3. Vindictive.
I don't hold grudges. I forgive easily. I won't say I am not uncomfortable in the presence of someone who has done me wrong, but I don't snub them, or wish them ill. I may avoid that person if possible, but I just seem to be able to move on most of the time.
4. Brave.
I'm a scaredy cat. Scared of heights, going into places I'm not familiar with, performing in front of someone, dying, mice and snakes. I'm sure I could come up with lots of other things for the scaredy cat list. Some of them are really rediculous, but I just can't help it.
5. Energetic.
Bleh. No matter how long I work out, I still have to make myself go to the gym. I wish I had enough energy to be constantly into something and busy. Fail. I'm basically lazy. I keep trying to gain energy though, so I'm not giving up yet.
Tune in next week for another installment of What Not Wednesday....
Monday, October 5, 2009
Happiness is a Root Canal
That was posted on the equipment you see while sitting in the endodontist's chair. Maybe for you Doc.
I have had root canals before and was fine with them, so I wasn't afraid or anxious. Nevertheless, I prayed for God's peace and that it would go easily and quickly. As in prior episodes, after we thought the area was sufficiently numbed, the drill proved otherwise. More shots, woo hoo. Finally we were able to proceed in a pain free manner. For a while, I was just fine, then for some strange reason, I began feeling a bit anxious and uncomfortable. I can't explain why, as nothing spurred the jolt of adrenalin, but I started praying again for Jesus to give me peace, and I almost immediately calmed down and felt fine. Whew!
The doctor regaled me with anecdotes about having treated Jermaine Taylor, his (the doc's) huge house in the woods, behind a big gate, mice in his camping trailer, and all the places he'd traveled. When all was finished, I sat up and my head began to spin. After settling down a little, I was able to walk without tilting and we made it home with no problems. My brain is still a little fuzzy, I suppose from the huge amount of deadening medicine it took. And as I write this, the feeling is coming back and it feels a bit achy.
Some people really have a terrible time with a dentist and it's a major production when they have a procedure. All in all I think this was pretty smooth. I admit, I didn't handle it as well as the last time, but I'm several years older now, and that kind of digging and tugging seems to effect me a bit more than it used to. In any case, it's worth it to keep my own teeth. :)
I have had root canals before and was fine with them, so I wasn't afraid or anxious. Nevertheless, I prayed for God's peace and that it would go easily and quickly. As in prior episodes, after we thought the area was sufficiently numbed, the drill proved otherwise. More shots, woo hoo. Finally we were able to proceed in a pain free manner. For a while, I was just fine, then for some strange reason, I began feeling a bit anxious and uncomfortable. I can't explain why, as nothing spurred the jolt of adrenalin, but I started praying again for Jesus to give me peace, and I almost immediately calmed down and felt fine. Whew!
The doctor regaled me with anecdotes about having treated Jermaine Taylor, his (the doc's) huge house in the woods, behind a big gate, mice in his camping trailer, and all the places he'd traveled. When all was finished, I sat up and my head began to spin. After settling down a little, I was able to walk without tilting and we made it home with no problems. My brain is still a little fuzzy, I suppose from the huge amount of deadening medicine it took. And as I write this, the feeling is coming back and it feels a bit achy.
Some people really have a terrible time with a dentist and it's a major production when they have a procedure. All in all I think this was pretty smooth. I admit, I didn't handle it as well as the last time, but I'm several years older now, and that kind of digging and tugging seems to effect me a bit more than it used to. In any case, it's worth it to keep my own teeth. :)
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Chapter 3
I had high hopes of trying to list one good truth from each chapter of Proverbs as I read one a day in October. Good luck with picking just one! Every single chapter is jam packed full of truth and teaching that one just isn't possible. You could study each chapter by itself for weeks and still not get it all.
Keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life and bring you prosperity. Prov 3:1
Will I be rich if I keep God's commands? Not monetarily, but this kind of rich is incomparable. What would it be like to be rich in the Lord? To be so rich with his wisdom and righteousness that you were "rolling in dough"?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Prov 3:5
We've all either heard or quoted this countless times. It bears repeating. His ways are not our ways and he knows what he's doing.
The Lord disciplines those he loves. Prov 3:12
Discipline = teaching and training, not punishment. That is not to say he doesn't allow us to reap what we sow.
Hold on to sound judgment and discernment...it will calm your fear. Prov 3: 23-2 (the B_Lines translation)
If we are wise in the Lord, and do what he says, why should we fear?
Note to self.
I woke up at 3:30 a.m. with a headache. Probably due to leaving the windows open all night, and the cool weather. I just couldn't stand not to. I took some ibuprophen and eventually it eased the pain, but I never went back to sleep. That is unusual. I gave up and got up before 6:30, after laying there tossing and turning for hours. Then I took an Excedrine Migraine. The pain is still floating around in there and I am feeling a bit icky from all the meds. The only way to completely rid myself of the pain is to take a Relpax, and it makes me so sick I'd rather hurt. At least I had a quiet morning to read my Bible and think.
I've had a little of what you might call Cabin Fever. I can go anytime I like, do anything I really want (within reason) so it's not like I'm snowed in without electricity. But I'm restless and moody. I have a long list of things I could be doing, and I'd be ok doing any one of them, but I'm just not in the mood.
My new hair cut is not behaving as I'd like, not due to hairdresser fail, just because it has a mind of its own. So, I spent some time this morning doing a little clipping of my own. I've been known to cut my own hair frequently. Most of the time I don't mess it up. Most of the time. I'm not sure how it will behave now, but it's just another chapter in my long life of hair hit and misses. I'm never satisfied. I'd love and I mean LOVE to be one of those women, who find their perfect hair style and are happy with it forever.
Keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life and bring you prosperity. Prov 3:1
Will I be rich if I keep God's commands? Not monetarily, but this kind of rich is incomparable. What would it be like to be rich in the Lord? To be so rich with his wisdom and righteousness that you were "rolling in dough"?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Prov 3:5
We've all either heard or quoted this countless times. It bears repeating. His ways are not our ways and he knows what he's doing.
The Lord disciplines those he loves. Prov 3:12
Discipline = teaching and training, not punishment. That is not to say he doesn't allow us to reap what we sow.
Hold on to sound judgment and discernment...it will calm your fear. Prov 3: 23-2 (the B_Lines translation)
If we are wise in the Lord, and do what he says, why should we fear?
Note to self.
I woke up at 3:30 a.m. with a headache. Probably due to leaving the windows open all night, and the cool weather. I just couldn't stand not to. I took some ibuprophen and eventually it eased the pain, but I never went back to sleep. That is unusual. I gave up and got up before 6:30, after laying there tossing and turning for hours. Then I took an Excedrine Migraine. The pain is still floating around in there and I am feeling a bit icky from all the meds. The only way to completely rid myself of the pain is to take a Relpax, and it makes me so sick I'd rather hurt. At least I had a quiet morning to read my Bible and think.
I've had a little of what you might call Cabin Fever. I can go anytime I like, do anything I really want (within reason) so it's not like I'm snowed in without electricity. But I'm restless and moody. I have a long list of things I could be doing, and I'd be ok doing any one of them, but I'm just not in the mood.
My new hair cut is not behaving as I'd like, not due to hairdresser fail, just because it has a mind of its own. So, I spent some time this morning doing a little clipping of my own. I've been known to cut my own hair frequently. Most of the time I don't mess it up. Most of the time. I'm not sure how it will behave now, but it's just another chapter in my long life of hair hit and misses. I'm never satisfied. I'd love and I mean LOVE to be one of those women, who find their perfect hair style and are happy with it forever.
Friday, October 2, 2009
K-Love Proverbs Challenge
I was listening to K-Love radio yesterday in the car, and they have issued a challenge to listeners, to read one chapter of Proverbs each day in October. I've done this before, but always in a hurry, as if it is an assignment I must get accomplished. Sometimes it would sink in a little, but most times I just read through it at break neck speed and went on my merry way. This time I'm going to take my time and try to absorb as much as possible.
I started last night, and already the old debil tried to mess with me. I shouldn't have waiting until bedtime, but I do that frequently with no problem. Last night my eyes were giving me fits, watering, burning, blurry. Wow, talk about major warfare. There must be something really important God wants to tell me in Proverbs. I'm going to re-read the first chapter along with the second chapter today and see if I missed catching something important.
I may, from time to time, post little snippets of verses that stuck out to me. Last night even with fighting my eyes, I was struck by:
*Fools despise wisdom and discipline; Prov 1:7
(Wisdom is knowing the will of God, and discipline is the doing of it...right?)
What do you say gentle readers? Are you up for a little 31 day challenge with me? Let me know if you are.
I started last night, and already the old debil tried to mess with me. I shouldn't have waiting until bedtime, but I do that frequently with no problem. Last night my eyes were giving me fits, watering, burning, blurry. Wow, talk about major warfare. There must be something really important God wants to tell me in Proverbs. I'm going to re-read the first chapter along with the second chapter today and see if I missed catching something important.
I may, from time to time, post little snippets of verses that stuck out to me. Last night even with fighting my eyes, I was struck by:
*Fools despise wisdom and discipline; Prov 1:7
(Wisdom is knowing the will of God, and discipline is the doing of it...right?)
What do you say gentle readers? Are you up for a little 31 day challenge with me? Let me know if you are.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Following and Denver
I woke up this morning thinking about my blog and followers for some strange reason. And that old song by John Denver started worming around in my ear...Follow me up and down, all the way, all around... At one time I was all about me some John Denver. I still like his music, but I just like it now, whereas I loved it back in the day. I can remember playing him on my old stereo system that was housed in a fake wooden box. I had a turn table, a radio and an 8-track tape player. I did download a couple of his songs onto my ipod a while back and listen to it sometimes. At this stage, I mostly listen to upbeat songs good for working out.
So, anyway, the following thing. I don't have many followers. I can see from my live traffic feed that I have a few folks who read me. I wish they would add themselves as followers though. It would be nice to see who they are. You know, that traffic feed is a tricky thing. Even when I log on to my site, it may show me being from Sheridan, or Vilonia, or somewhere else I've never been. I guess my dsl provider is in several different areas or something. Hard to understand that.
I know that I am not as worldly interesting as most bloggers. I was raised pretty much in the same town all my life, and was isolated. I don't have a lot of experiences to draw on that I can share with the public. At times I have poured out some pretty personal stuff, but most times I wind up taking it back and rewording it if I repost it at all. I get to feeling a bit exposed I guess. Anyone I know can ask me pretty much anything and I will answer it truthfully. I'm an open book, but to think that strangers are reading my innermost thoughts and whining sometimes bothers me.
Sometimes when I wake up in the night or early morning with a post idea, it leaves me before I can get it down. Luckily, this one stayed with me. Well... I guess that's a matter of opinion... follow me up and down, all the way all around....take my hand and say you'll follow me......
So, anyway, the following thing. I don't have many followers. I can see from my live traffic feed that I have a few folks who read me. I wish they would add themselves as followers though. It would be nice to see who they are. You know, that traffic feed is a tricky thing. Even when I log on to my site, it may show me being from Sheridan, or Vilonia, or somewhere else I've never been. I guess my dsl provider is in several different areas or something. Hard to understand that.
I know that I am not as worldly interesting as most bloggers. I was raised pretty much in the same town all my life, and was isolated. I don't have a lot of experiences to draw on that I can share with the public. At times I have poured out some pretty personal stuff, but most times I wind up taking it back and rewording it if I repost it at all. I get to feeling a bit exposed I guess. Anyone I know can ask me pretty much anything and I will answer it truthfully. I'm an open book, but to think that strangers are reading my innermost thoughts and whining sometimes bothers me.
Sometimes when I wake up in the night or early morning with a post idea, it leaves me before I can get it down. Luckily, this one stayed with me. Well... I guess that's a matter of opinion... follow me up and down, all the way all around....take my hand and say you'll follow me......
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