maybe those who sprinkle have a point!

We were having a baptism in our morning service today.

But we have no baptistry. So we rented a hot tub.

Know what? When hot tubs leak ... there is a LOT of water involved. :)

I'm just saying ...

another one for the depressing songs list ...

Honey Lyrics

See the tree how big it's grown
but friend it hasn't been too long it wasn't big
I laughed at her and she got mad the first day that she planted it was just a twig

Then the first snow came and she ran out to brush the snow away so it wouldn't die
Came runnin' in all excited slipped and almost hurt herself and I laughed till I cried
She was always young at heart kinda dumb and kinda smart and I loved her so

I surprised her with a puppy kept me up all Christmas Eve two years ago
And it would sure embarrass her
When I came home from working late cause I would know
That she'd been sittin' there and cryin' over some sad and silly late late show

And honey I miss you and I'm being good and I'd love to be with you if only I could
She wrecked the car and she was sad and so afraid that I'd be mad
But what the heck

Though I pretended hard to be guess you could say she saw through me
And hugged my neck
I came home unexpectedly and found her crying needlessly in the middle of the day
And it was in the early spring when flowers bloom and robins sing she went away

And honey I miss you and I'm being good and I'd love to be with you if only I could
Yes one day while I wasn't home while she was there and all alone the angels came
Now all I have are memories of honey and I wake up nights and I call her name

And now my life's an empty stage where honey lived and honey played and love grew up
And a small cloud passes overhead and cries down in the flower bed that honey loved
And honey I miss you and I'm being good and I'd love to be with you if only I could


(For those concerned about my mental state ... I'm enjoying these because they are SO maudlin that they make me laugh). :)

Exercise ... it not happening. But it needs to. I hope to get a walk in later today.

Study ... it's not happening either. But it ALSO needs to.

Life should be getting back to a semblance of "normal" some time soon!

Saw "The Nativity" Wednesday night. I was very impressed.

world's most depressing song

I've recently begun pursuing a collection of "the World's Most Depressing Music."

The original leader was this Dan Fogelberg song:

Same Old Lang Syne

Met my old lover in the grocery store
The snow was falling Christmas Eve
I stole behind her in the frozen foods
And I touched her on the sleeve
She didn't recognize the face at first
But then her eyes flew open wide
She went to hug me and she spilled her purse
And we laughed until we cried

We took her groceries to the checkout stand
The food was totalled up and bagged
We stood there lost in our embarrassment
As the conversation dragged
We went to have ourselves a drink or two
But couldn't find an open bar
We bought a six-pack at the liquor store
And we drank it in her car

We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to now
And tried to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knew how

She said she'd married her an architect
Who kept her warm and safe and dry
She would have liked to say she loved the man
But she didn't like to lie
I said the years had been a friend to her
And that her eyes were still as blue
But in those eyes I wasn't sure if I saw doubt or gratitude
She said she saw me in the record stores
And that I must be doing well
I said the audience was heavenly but the traveling was hell

We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to now
And tried to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knew how
We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to time
Reliving in our eloquence, another 'auld lang syne'

The beer was empty and our tongues were tired
And running out of things to say
She gave a kiss to me as I got out and I watched her drive away
Just for a moment I was back at school
And felt that old familiar pain
And as I turned to make my way back home
The snow turned in to rain...

This song acquired its status on a LONG drive at about 2:00 a.m. ... when it seemed to be playing on whatever radio station we turned to. I was quite sure there were a hundred depressed people slitting their wrists as they desperately spun the radio dial looking for something to drag their spirits out of the mire.

But ... this morning, I heard the current champion -- Randy Stonehill's "Christmas at Denny's"

CHRISTMAS AT DENNY'S

They got Christmas Muzak
Piped in through the ceiling
And the refills of coffee
Are always for free
And the waitress on graveyard
And the surly night manager
Are wishing that all of us losers would leave

There's a star on the sign
At the Texaco Station
Like the star long ago
On that midnight clear
As I look all around
At these cold, empty faces
I doubt that you'd find many wise men here

And I'm dreaming about
A silent night - Holy Night
When things were alright
And I'm dreaming about
How my life could have been
If only, if only, if only
But somewhere down the road
I gave up that fight

Merry Christmas
It's Christmas at Denny's tonight

Once I had a home
And a wife and a daughter
Had a company job
Earning middle-class pay
Then Lisa got killed
By a car near the school yard
And my wife started drinking
Just to get through each day

I will never forget
That little red wagon
Turning to rust
All alone in the rain
One morning I flagged down
A truck on the highway
I just couldn't bear
To go back there again

And I'm dreaming about
A silent night - Holy night
When things were alright
And I'm dreaming about
How my life could have been
If only, if only, if only
Well, it's not just the blind man
Who loses his sight

Merry Christmas
It's Christmas at Denny's tonight

They say
Life's made of cruel circumstance
Fate plays the tune and we dance
Dance til we drop
In the dust and we're gone
And the world just goes on

The cop at the counter
He's the guardian angel
He watches these orphans
Through dark mirrored shades
And the register rings
Like a bell sadly tolling
For the fools we've become
And the price that we paid
Oh when I was a boy
I believed in Christmas
Miracle season
To make a new start
I don't need no miracle
Sweet baby Jesus
Just help me find
Some kind of hope in my heart

And I'm dreaming about
A silent night - Holy night
When things were alright
And I'm dreaming about
How my life could have been
If only, if only, if only
But I'll still be here
At the morning's first light

Merry Christmas
It's Christmas at Denny's tonight
Merry Christmas
It's Christmas at Denny's tonight

Written by Randy Stonehill.

So ... anyone got any to add to my collection? If you can beat "Christmas at Denny's" the prize is a mention on a nationally-read blog ... yes ... it's true. :)

the weed lady, part two

Our deacon chairman went to see the weed lady last night.

Now ... in his day-job, this man is a police officer. He sees a LOT of nutty people.

However, following his visit with T.W.L., he called and said, "wow ... you weren't kidding."

Ah ... yes ... it's nice to have others' experience confirm my own. :)

the avoidance of the grocery store ...

As I went to McDonalds for the umpteenth day in a row to get breakfast on my way to work today, I thought:

"do other people avoid going to the store this time of year?"

I ran out of milk two weeks ago, and, rather than buying more, I've been eating at McDonalds almost every morning.

This is a bad thing ... both for the budget, and the calorie count!

I just hate going into stores around Christmas. It has only been the advent of internet shopping that has allowed me to enjoy the holiday.

But ... really ... people buy milk every day. I should be able to manage. (Particularly since there are 24 hour grocery stores everywhere, and I could do it at 5:00 a.m. when they are relatively empty.)

Time to quit acting like a college-kid and just get it done! (Particularly since I comitted to bringing a salad to Christmas-eve dinner, and I don't have a shred of fresh produce left in the house either!)

Hmmmm ... we'll see ... I suppose I could make a salad from canned fruit and jell-o ... and the McDonalds staff is starting to recognize me now, and it would be a shame to quench budding friendships ... :)

the weed lady

as soon as I heard the voice on the phone, I KNEW it was her ...

the weed lady

Our church bought the property behind our building - about ten acres with a house, a barn, and a pasture.

Ever since, the weed lady has been calling us.

You see ... the weeds from the pasture blow onto her property.

I know ... I know ... it's hard to imagine how she endures it.

We've started having the pasture mowed several times during the summer, in an effort to placate the weed lady. And we thought we had succeeded.

Until today.

The weed lady called, saying that leaves had blown in her yard from our uncared-for field. She spent a good bit of time talking about her inability to clean up the leaves, and how much it would cost to have the leaves picked up when they WERE bagged, and how irresponsible we were.

I don't get it.

There are no trees in the field ... just grass. As near as I can tell, she wants us to not only mow the pasture, but also rake up all the grass clippings? (ten acres?)

I gave her my most pleasant, sweet voice ... but I've got to wonder, "how does one please a person like this?"

Went for a long, hard walk after work ... the weed lady had me plenty stressed out, and I needed the exercise!

well - worrying sure solved THAT one

Just went online and looked at my bank account -- the teller caught the error and corrected it the same day ... no need to make a nasty, complicated phone call tomorrow.

God is so good to me sometimes. OK - ALL the time ... because if I HAD been made to do battle with the forces of the banking industry, it would have been good for me.

I hope it's OK that I like it better this way, though. :)

Whew!

Oh goody - a bureaucratic nightmare

Just got done paying my bills, and when I went to enter my bank deposit into M.S. Money, I discovered the teller missed a digit, and entered last week's paycheck as one tenth of the real amount.

Oh. Groan.

I signed the slip. Never looked at it. They never made a mistake before.

WHY couldn't it have gone the other way? It would be so much easier to convince them I had several thousand dollars of THEIR money than it will be to convince them that they have several hundred dollars of MY money. My stomach is already in knots at the thought of tomorrow's phone call!

On a positive note, I had a nice visit today to small-town-where-I-grew-up (Stwigu). I got to go to the church I attended in Jr. High and High School, and then spent an hour or so walking around Stwigu until it was time to go to the family Christmas at my aunt's house. It was interesting to have the time to walk there, and look at all the places I remembered, but hadn't really seen in almost 20 years.

A few observations ... My old church in Stwigu has peacocks wandering around the property. I think this is a good addition. They're pretty things, and I LOVE the sound they make - mournful and startling in a "have you considered where you'll spend eternity" kind of way. :)

The eccentric family still owns the funeral home. (Ever hear someone say, "you'll never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul?" Many of us who grew up in Stwigu HAVE seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul.)

A new addition to their general quirkiness is that now one of them has opened a chiropractic clinic directly across from the funeral home. Everyone in town KNOWS he's a mortician ... so here's the thing ... do you want a mortician cracking your back? Really? Is he used to working on living people? Is he trying to drum up business?

I suppose that's all for now. I need to focus all my energy on worrying that the credit union won't believe me, and will keep my paycheck money. Because, you see, worrying will make ALL the difference in the outcome. ;)

Me

I sing the praises of the bluetooth headset

My phone battery needed to be replaced, and I was eligible for a free phone from Sprint for renewing my contract, so I got that rather than buying a battery. I also picked up a bluetooth headset for it.

The little critter is great! I have never found driving while on the phone to be problematic, until I bought my current car, which has a manual transmission. Steering, holding the phone, AND shifting requires more hands than I possess! This little headset will not only allow me to talk but it will also dial the numbers for me if I speak them ... very clever little thing. If I'd known how handy they are, I'd have gotten one ages ago. Of course I look like the Borg assimilated me, but I'll get used to it.

I had a delightful birthday today - with some productive accomplishment (got my Christmas cards ready to mail, and a Christmas-present-project finished), a nice long nap, and then a dinner out with a couple friends tonight. They took me to Noel - which is a Christmas-themed restaraunt in an old church -- very beautifully decorated, with delicious food.

Then when I got home, I discovered some sweet "happy birthday" posts from the folks on Meet Christians, and also on Bill and Glory's blog.

Exercise is going OK. Contrary to my deepest fears, taking the day off last week did not lead to a catastrophic meltdown. Whew! (I'm glad to see Bill understands this danger! We're all just one Twinkie away from total disaster!) :)

I've been reading about King Saul's gradual decline into disobedience, and eventually madness. Just like the one Twinkie, or the one day without exercise, can start a snowball that destroys months of effort. So can a deadening of our walk with the Lord lead us gradually into decisions and decisions we might never have considered when we were in close communion with Him. Saul had SUCH a promising start. But no amount of promise can make up for a dependence on God.

yikes! it's all for nought!!!

This morning I awoke to the sound of rain on the roof. It was SOOOOO soothing.

While that was nice, it means I sat there in a trance for a half hour, and never did get down into the basement and onto the treadmill before work!

I have plans after work, so that means no exercise at all ... none.

One day without exercise is NOT that big of a deal, except that I immediately start to imagine myself giving up entirely, and becoming one with my recliner! This must not be allowed to happen. :)

stolen from Jane's blog

My first...

car:
$600 1981 burgandy Ford Escort (that dramatically went up in flames in the yard 5 months after purchase)

music purchase:
Sean Cassidy's "Born Late" ... thanks to my cousin Denise's crush on him!

major concert:
I wonder if Petra counts ... my brother and I went in high school

movie (that I remember):
Charlotte's Web

drink:
don't think I've ever had anything that would qualify! a sip of wine here & there

presidential election as a voter:
1988 - George Bush Sr.


You?

like a turtle on its back ...

was my dear little Saturn Ion last night.

Ever since I got my first front-wheel drive car, 17 years ago, I've felt fairly confident driving on bad roads, provided I could go slow enough, and take my time.

However, last night I discovered that my cute little Saturn's light weight makes for absolutely NO momentum to rock free when stuck. None at all. THIS is an important consideration!

A retired couple from church has the staff over for a Christmas party every year. It is SUCH a nice evening, and last night was this year's gathering.

This couple has a lovely home about a half-mile back from the road.

At the end of the evening, I snuck out a little before the others, since I get up early for work.

Their driveway ends in a steep uphill grade onto the road.

As I gunned the car to make it up the grade on the ice ... I saw headlights coming down the road.

BOTHER!

So, I slow down, feeling the wheels starting to slip backwards ... and sideways ... and then ... stop.

It wasn't stuck that badly. But it also would NOT rock free, no matter what I did. I'm guessing this is due to the lighter weight. I'd been noticing it seems to slide around more than my previous cars.

The men came out and pushed me out, for which I was very thankful. But I'm going to have to exercise a bit more caution from now on. I've always been able to free myself before, but it seems that won't be happening with this car!

Trinka ... who really DOES not like winter driving

hmmm ... interesting idea

Where HAVE you been? Ummm ... not sure ... but certainly not HERE for a long time. :)

Just talked with a lady from church who works at the local library (which happens to be directly across the street from my house). They are hiring someone part time to shelve books, read shelves, etc.

I find living with no emergency fund nervous-making ... and I've never been able to re-build mine since buying my condo. After 3 years, it's time to admit that it's not going to happen unless I change something.

When I think about part-time jobs, I always think "waitress" or "store clerk" ... but as a basically non-social person, after 8 hours at work, I'm not sure my energy could hold up to something that chatty.

But ... shelving books in a quiet corner ... THAT I could do! Plus it would be on my feet, so a certain amount of exercise built in.

Quite excited at this prospect, actually! I asked her to pick me up an application.

Exercise is still happening - often twice a day, but at least once. Study ... um ... not. I'm working on some projects for Christmas presents, and they're effectively consuming my time.

Trinka

the psych hospital

No ... no joke to follow that title ...

I just returned from visiting a friend in the psychiatric hospital. You know - when we come near to having a bad auto accident, or get a nasty case of food poisoning, we realize how fragile we really are. God gave us life in a moment, and He takes it back just as quickly. (and is just and right in doing so ... it all belongs to Him).

But our minds, too, are a gift. And one I take for granted, really.

When the Scripture says God "holds all things together by the word of His power." It is talking about galaxies, and molecules, oak trees, and our circulatory system. But He ALSO continually holds the reigns on our reason. That reason could slip away from my control just as easily as I could find myself tomorrow with diabetes or a sore throat.

The sweet lady I visited is one of the most gentle, quiet people--with a quirky sense of humor, and a desire to serve in behind-the-scenes ministries. I can always make her laugh - even tonight when her mind is a battleground.

just thinking, I suppose ... and thankful to be able to do so ...

miscellaneous miscellaneous

Just got done looking through a friend's pictures from her missions trip to Peru. They had a great opportunity to help out in a school, and work on building a church high in the mountains (about 2 miles up!). Plus ... apparently ... wear some nifty local swirly skirts. :)

I discovered at my condo board meeting Monday night that there's another signer on the board. We were discussing how many years a board member's term is, and another lady and I held up the sign-language #3 (thumb, and first two fingers ... the common way of holding up the middle three fingers is the sign language letter "w"). We both noticed, and I'm hoping to get a chance to ask her about it some time soon. She's already caught my attention by talking about missions trips, so I think it would be great fun to get to know her!

Working out continues to go well -- we've got treadmills in the basement now, so I have a date with one every weekday morning at 5:00, and my regular workout after work. Going to exercising twice a day seems to have been quite helpful.

My brother and sister-in-law had an exciting week last week - they won a Christian radio station's contest to have a free kitchen make-over. It was great fun listening to the announcement on the radio over the internet. If I could post audio files here, I'd let you hear it ... she was quite excited!

Hmmm ... and about Bible study ... not happening much right now. It needs to happen. I got some books from the library, and checked out too many at once, so I've been spending time devouring them to get them back by the due date. (ridiculous excuse ... I know ... however, it's the truth!) My pick of the bunch is called Kicked, Bitten and Scratched -- it's about a college program for animal trainers. I always love getting inside a career that's totally different from mine - and this was a fascinating read.

The fellowship to which my church belongs (I.F.C.A.) is having a cruise in February. They are discounting the interior cabins, and it's almost down to what I would be willing to pay. So I'm considering it. I've never been on a cruise before, and it might be fun! Particularly so, since it's church-related, so the drinking/gambling aspect won't be present. And the fact that it's in Feburary (a gloomy, depressing month, if ever I saw one) is a draw as well!

I also want to speak a word in praise of a great new Access add-in I bought for work. It's called DBPix, and it has performed miracles. Access allows pictures to be inserted in the database, but it's got a bug called "image bloat" that causes the database size to expand exponentially with every picture inserted. (mine was up to 1.3 gig in size). This add-in ties right into Access, and fixes the image bloat problem, as well as giving more options in working with the pictures. My database is now down to 14 mg., and I am a MOST satisfied customer.

OK - back to work for this girl!

our problems solved by Mr. T

Today as I was eating lunch (home-made split pea soup, thank-you-very-much ... patting self on the back), I turned on the television to keep me company.

I ended up seeing a show where Mr. T was solving a family's relationship problems.

Hmmm ... fascinating.

Of course, the scoffer in me rose up to comment.

But before it did, I had some other thoughts.

How many situations in our relationships really don't require intensive therapy, or professonal intervention? How often would an outside observer, who had our best interests at heart, really be able to give us a clear picture of what needed to happen? It could be Mr. T (though I'd prefer no television camers!), or it could be a good friend, or an elder from church, or a stranger's offhand comment.

Recently I was visiting with a friend, who mentioned she heard an overseas missionary say that Americans are noted for their easily-wounded emotions ... that it's nearly impossible to give us constructive criticism without it being taken as an offense.

Oddly enough, this same friend mentioned this in the context of discussing how she'd been wounded by a rebuke.

It's one of the things Christians are supposed to do ... encourage one another to love and good works, and how often that requires going out on a limb, and saying something that might not be easy to hear.

Yet, if it's done in love, it can precisely the conversation that turns our life in an entirely new, and God-ward direction.

Doing it properly, giving these exhortations, is not an easy thing. Much prayer, and self-examination needs to happen. "Am I really seeking this person's best? Or is this particular issue just something that happens to annoy ME?" "Is this really a sin issue? Or is it just a personal preference with which I don't agree?"

And receiving it properly is also not easy. "Do I really believe this person loves me and has my best at heart?" "Even if this doesn't ring true for me, is there something that God wants to say to me through it?"

The Scripture that says we're to "bear with one another in love" is one that needs a great deal of application, because there are times when we're simply unbearable! But there are also times when the love of an honest brother or sister can make us easier to bear.

Just pondering. Maybe I'll turn the tube back on and see if Mr. T. solved things. :) He's not such bad company when one's folding laundry!

a nice fall walk

Had a beautiful walk tonight, and thought to take my camera along. I thought I'd share some of the pictures!

ruined lives

This fellow yesterday who shot up a school in Lancaster in recompense for a 20-year-old grudge of some kind ... he has me thinking.

It is SO easy to carry bitterness around, and it grows ... all out of proportion to the original offense. It doesn't matter how awful the thing was that happened ... our lives are only ruined by it, if WE choose it to be so.

If we, rather than choosing bitterness and introspection, choose to present the ugliness to God, He can make something out of it ... He can take the worst offense, and change it to bring good from it.

Locked in a Nazi concentration camp, and watch your sister die from the conditions there?
God can make you into a Corrie TenBoom.

Break your spine in a stupid teen-age jump off a bridge?
God can give you Joni Erickson's ministry and influence.

Born blind?
Give it to Him, and you can write hymns that bless generations like Fannie Crosby.

And it's not just a few well-known examples ... I can think of dozens of people whose faces and stories are well-known to me, who have given their tragedies and pain, and handicaps to God, and He has made them something glorious.

OR

There's always the natural alternative. You can blame God, and blame others, and never allow yourself to move beyond the pain ... and rather than blessing those around you ... the bitterness can fester until it destroys everything in its path. Lancaster saw a vivid picture of this yesterday, but it happens ALL the time - maybe not with the physical taking of lives, but with smearing reputations, and destroying relationships, and sucking away hope.

hmmmmmmm ... on a totally different line ........

I've been meaning to blog about an advertisement I've seen lately for a local indian casino. (Kewadin, I think).

It shows a man in a company break room, and he starts to buy a sandwich from a machine, and they just keep spitting out at him. Then the casino logo comes up, and it says that it might be a lucky day for him to gamble there. (obvious paraphrase ... "gamble" is never used ... lest people realize what they're REALLY doing there).

I thought this ad was very telling. Because the person who's obviously NOT shown is the fictitious small business owner who stocks the sandwich machines in the fictitious break room. So this man's "luck" was breaking someone else's pocketbook.

Isn't that just what casinos are doing? One or two people may win money. Others may (for some odd reason) go and just enjoy losing theirs. But how many lives are negatively impacted by it? How many people develop addictions they can't shake? How many children are impacted by having an immoral atmosphere dragged into their communities? But the only thing that gets publicized is the "one who gets all the sandwiches."

****************

OK - on to exercise - got to the gym last night, and walked in the morning before work. Having the treadmill down in the condo basment is proving to be MOST helpful!

does this make sense to anybody?

The pope accuses Muslims of being violent.

They become irate.

They begin killing people and burning things.

you know ... . if they really wanted to protest his remarks, maybe they could knit sweaters for the poor, or save abandoned kittens ... it would be considerably more effective at proving him wrong!

Exercise is going well. I've got my treadmill in the basement now, so I can walk in the morning before work without bringing the ceiling down on my downstairs neighbor's head. :)

know what?

If you loaf all day, and go to bed at 8:00 p.m. ...

You wake up at 2:00 a.m. Fascinating. :)

And I DID loaf all day - I've had quite a busy month - company for 3 weekends, and one trip to see my dad & step-mom in PA. Yesterday (or today? ... whatever Saturday would be in this context), I just crashed.

I did make it to the gym, but other than moving some furniture and doing a load or two of laundry, that's ALL I got done. Feeling slightly guilty, but also very well rested.

I'm enjoying reading Mission to the Headhunters by Frank Drown. He's coming to speak at our church in November, so I wanted to have read his book first. He and his wife have been life-long missionaries, and he headed up the search party that found the missionaries who were killed by the Auca indians in 1956. (Jim Elliott, Nate Saint, Roger Youdarian, Peter Flemming, Ed McCully).

Well ... back to my book. :)

Psalm 139

I've been working on this Psalm for our ladies' study this Thursday. I especially appreciated this comment by Spurgeon - it's regarding verse 10 which says "Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."

We could only fly from God by his own power. The Lord would be leading, covering, preserving, sustaining us even when we were fugitives from him. -CHS

It's so true ... even when people curse God, and turn their back on Him, they do it with the breath He gives, and the strength He allows them. He is good even to those who deny Him.

No exercise has happened since Friday. But tomorrow it begins again. I had company, and several other things going on all at the same time, and exercise disappeared. But I miss it ... which is in itself a victory!

Had some delightful guests here from Missouri. It was a blessing to have the time together.

I know it makes no sense ...

But Dan installed a wireless router here at work, and now my computer has no sound.

Everything's plugged in ... all the settings are right ... just no sound.

Ah, the mysteries of life.

On the exercise front, I got a good long time on the treadmill last night, and enjoyed it immensely. A friend loaned me some peppy music, and it's quite energy-giving! I also found out that the condo has our "exercise room" (previously known as "storage closet") wired so we can put treadmills down there now. I haven't been able to use mine in the morning or at night, less I annoy my upstairs and downstairs neighbors. But this windowless little basement cell should allow for a nice workout any time of day (provided claustrophobia doesn't get me first!). :)

I've been reading in Psalm 139 in preparation for our Thursday night ladies' study starting up again in a week. No thoughts to share just yet, but I'd be interested to hear yours!

now have a toilet in my Saturn

After a nice dinner with C., who is visiting from Cyprus, T. and I went to Home Depot, and picked up a toilet for her condo. The Home Depot men were nice enough to load it, but it was heavy enough that we weren't interested in UNloading it. It's going to live in the car until T.'s brother comes next weekend. Should have taken a picture, actually!

No exercise happened yesterday - between visiting and toilet installation, I got home pretty late.

Woke up to no electricity this morning - though God woke me up 5 minutes before my alarm would have gone off, for which I was thankful.

I was thinking about Gideon. Israel was under control of the Midianites, and God intended for Gideon to lead them free. Where did God find him? He was threshing grain, in hiding, lest the Midianites steal it. God greeted him by calling him "a mighty man of valor". :) I'm thankful that God sees who He intends us to be, instead of what we are! To further demonstrate Gideon's valorious spirit, when God told him to destroy the town's idol, Gideon did it ... but did it at night, in hopes he wouldn't be seen. Yet God took him, fearful as he was, and used him as Israel's judge and deliverer.

OK - off to work for me.

I have an excellent excuse!

For some wacky reason, after creating a g-mail account, now every time I try and log into blogger from my home computer, it autofills with the g-mail account info. So I can't sign in. Weird. Going to try running ad-aware tonight and see if that helps!

But since I usually get to work 15-20 minutes early every morning (I DO love my job), I feel reasonably sure I can take a few minutes to type something from here!

I've been enjoying thinking about the Valley of Achor lately.

"Huh?" you might say ...

The Valley of Achor is where Israel's sin was discovered ... a man named Achan had stolen some things when they conquered Jericho, directly disobeying God's wishes for that city. As a consequence, Israel was routed when they attacked the next city - Ai ... and in the Valley of Achor, all was discovered, and Achan and his family lost their lives as a consequence of his behavior.

So, I'm thinking ... first of all ... our sin (MY sin) has consequences that will forever impact those dearest to me ... my family, my church, my friends ... I don't live in a vacuum.

The name "Achor" means "trouble" or "disturbance" ... and any time it was mentioned, it would have immediately brought to mind this terrible incident in Israel's history. When we hear "Oklahoma City" or "the World Trade Center" ... there is an immediate context of tragedy and loss ... so it would have been with Israel - with the added element of humiliation and sin.

What really blessed my heart was the other two times the Valley of Achor is mentioned.

In Isaiah 65:10
"Sharon will be a pasture land for flocks, And the valley of Achor a resting place for herds, For My people who seek Me."

The place where our sin is dealt with ... and all the nastiness is exposed ... one day that will be a place where we'll return for sustenance. Our of our shame will come a desire to seek Him, and a place of rest for ourself and others. He can take the worst ... and ...

Hoseah 2:15 "Then I will give her her vineyards from there, And the valley of Achor as a door of hope. And she will sing there as in the days of her youth, As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.

This is Hoseah talking about Gomer - his wife who was a prostitute (and a picture of God's people in their constant unfaithfulness to God) ...

After our constant following after other lovers ... God still seeks us ... still brings us home ... and the valley of Achor is a door of hope to us. When our wandering is dealt with, we'll return to the songs we sang when we first came to Him ... when we were first delivered from our bondage.

Isn't it amazing that God can take the worst, and somehow bring good from it?

OK ... boring exercise stuff ...

I had company for a long weekend, and exercise suffered somewhat, but we did a LOT of Dance Dance Revolution, so that probably compensated! :) I've gotten to the gym a couple times, though not as regularly as I need to.

Trinka

finally tackling this project

I have a very low tolerance for visual clutter (not to say that my house is neat ... I wish it were! ... but too much stuff around is definately a distraction to me).

So I'm only just recently started putting many pictures on the walls of the condo.

I've put up a few at a time, to make sure it doesn't go over the "clutter limit" ... than I add a few more later.

The last area to be tackled is - I've wanted to put up photos in the hallway. But of necessity it will mean a lot of frames on the wall, and I just haven't wanted to deal with it, lest it end up driving me nuts when I'm done.

But I started tackling it last night. All the pictures I'm considering are spread out on the floor, and I'm starting to lay out all my garage sale frames, and cut mats to fit.

The project-clutter is annoying me, but I have high hopes that once they're on the wall, they'll be pleasant and not clutter-ish!

Got in a good walk with a lady from church last night, and had a swim later when the pool-crowd got cold and went home. :) Thursday was a stressful day at work (two dead printers, an unexpected power outage, and a generally busy building). It was neat - towards the end of the day, I found myself equally daydreaming about going out to eat (not an uncommon daydream at the end of a hectic day) and going to the gym and having a good workout. I took the latter option ... but it was nice to have it attractive, instead of forced!

Haven't been reading much - projects are pulling me away. Though I have been enjoying J.O. Fraser's biography - Behind the Ranges - at night before bed. He was an amazing man. He died in his early 30's, but accomplished so much for God.

Psst ... for Carol ... to add a link to your blog (at least in blogger) all you have to do is highlight the text you want to make into a link, then click the button on the toolbar that looks like a chain over a greenish-gray globe (fourth from left - bold, italic, text-color, then link). It will give you a place where you can type in the url. :) Easy as pie! If you have trouble, send me an e-mail, and I'll send you some pictures of how to do it.

Trinka

meet Fred-Shep

A message board I'm on had the question posted ... "What's the rattiest old thing you can't bring yourself to get rid of."

Well ... here he is.

Fred-Shep ... a ratty stuffed dog I had when I was a little girl. He's made of plain cotton with dog-spots and a face printed on it. And he's patched in one place with blue flowered double-knit, and another place with tan nylon. He's got holes where you can see he's stuffed with old panty-hose. His panty-hose stuffing is so wadded up inside that his neck doens't stand up anymore. But for some weird reason I just can't throw the ratty old thing out. :)

Got in a good walk today, and lifted weights and swam last night.

mark this one down for the record books ...

I actually cooked a hot meal tonight.

A lady at church gave me some yellow squash, and someone else some zucchini ... so I fried it in olive oil, and added onion, garlic, tomato and mushroom, and made some rice.

This is NOT something that happens very often, but it was kinda fun. I might try it again one day. :)

If I don't mess with meat, I'm a LOT more likely to actually fix something. :) (But I still like eating out TONS better!)

Got to the gym tonight, and am trying something different. I decreased the weight slightly, added another 10 repititions.

Trinka

a relationship I need to sever

It’s been three years and two months now that I’ve ignored the problems (mostly).

But the shocking behavior just hasn’t stopped.

I’m constantly offended, and there are no apologies or attempts at reconciliation.

The world’s dirt is dragged into my home, and trapped here, and I find myself living with it for far too long.

Yet … if I stand up for change … will there be anything to fill the empty hole?

Will I live in darkness, and wish for the old unhealthiness to be restored?

Yet I’m ready, now, to take the risk.

This awful bathroom light fixture has GOT to go. It zaps me when I dust it, yet it persistently DRAWS dust to its ugly chains. It doesn't provide much light, yet exhudes ugliness.

It must go. I am resolved.

A friend with considerably more home-improvement experience is coming to visit in two weeks, and I'm prepared to throw myself on her mercy. :)

Trinka

better to just file the passport ...

Last night, while sleeping, I spent the entire 8 hours fighting dream-land beauraucracy.

I had my passport out for something, and before I went to bed, I put it in my "to be filed" pile. (I usually pay bills, and file, on Sunday nights.)

So ... last night while asleep, I found myself at a border ... somewhere ... and after having an interview with some nameless official, I left my passport and wallet behind in his office. I then spent the entire night trying to get them to let me back into the building to retrieve the passport, only to be repeatedly told that I couldn't enter the building without a passport.

Note to self: "File the bloomin' thing before you go to bed tonight!"

I've been reading in Ruth 3, which starts out with Naomi telling Ruth that she should "seek security" for her. Her plan to do this involved Ruth doing the Old Testament equvalent of proposing marriage to Boaz. (interesting precedent ... gotta keep that one in mind). :)

I found the connection between "security" and Ruth doing one of the most risky things imagineable very intriguing.

I've been swimming in the evenings, though last night there were rowdy folks there all night, and I never had opportunity. Hope to get to the gym after work today.

the faithless blogger ...

I can't believe it's been over a week since I wrote anything ... sorry all!

Let's see ... what's new to tell you ...

I've got a children's Bible club meeting at my condo in the evenings this week. I'm NOT a children's worker, but they just needed someone to provide a snack, and a shady spot, and THAT, I can do. :) Monday, there were four kids there, but last night, none came. The club is being run by a teenage girl from church, and her brother is helping her. I felt so bad for them. They really put a LOT of work into it. When nobody came last night, they went into the neighborhood to invite kids for today. I DO hope they get some attendance!

I told her the story of George Muller - how he had a burden to have a home for orphans, and prayed for God to provide all that was needed. The story of how the money came for land, buildings, furniture, etc., is just glorious. But then ... when everything was set up ... there were no children. He realized he had forgotten to pray for the children to come. God did bring in kids, more and more, until the orphanage grew to several buildings, and a large campus overlooking Bristol. (I have pictures of it - it's a beautiful place ... now used as some kind of college.)

So I told her I would be praying for God to bring her the children for today's club. :)

I took a friend to Shipshewana for her birthday Saturday. I'd forgotten how she loves to shop! She spent 3 hours in one antique store. Fortunately, they had a shady porch, and I had a book, so all was well! L. could shop, and I could read!

I've been getting to the gym, and walking some, but the heat has kept me inside more than usual. I go to the condo pool to swim, but I don't seem to have the endurance for that like I do with walking - I wear out after about 20 minutes or so. Oh well ... I suppose every bit helps!

I got a call that I'd won a membership to a gym downtown in a drawing. (I enter every drawing I see, so I suppose it's likely). However I know gyms are notorious for sneaky advertising gimmicks and bad contracts, so I'm highly dubious. Going Friday to have a look, and see what that's all about.

As far as study goes ... well ... nothing to report. I've been reading in John in preparation for the ladies' Bible study that will start in September (note to self ... get the books ordered for that). But the Ruth study hasn't gone very far.

a little mindless entertainment

Last night was the offroad derby at the Hudsonville Fairgrounds. A friend and I go to these together any time we can, and it was such fun. Not only do I like watching the race, but watching the people who come to the race is even better. :)

There was a group of wanna-be-gangster guys with big diamond earrings and cocked-to-the-side hats. They might have been intimidating if it weren't that they brought a tiny little puppy with them. It had to have been just barely old enough to leave its mother. Watching these big guys tenderly looking after that little puppy was adorable! They were giving it water out of their hands, loving the daylights out of it. It was VERY sweet.

A conspicuous feature of the women in the crowd was the lack of fabric they were wearing. The square footage of skin showing was most striking! (I'm FEMALE and I felt the need to look away because I was embarrassed.)

Which made the group of teenagers in this picture really stand out. They just oozed wholesomeness. They were clean cut, fresh-faced kids, and just seemed to love the daylights out of each other. There was no romance going on that was obvious ... just a group of friends who seemed to love each other's company. Near the end of the derby, when the stands were thinning out, they spread out, and were sitting like this with their arms woven around each other. It was so nice to see. I wish I'd had a real camera along with me, instead of just my cell phone, so the picture would be better!

Got in a walk yesterday before the heat got too bad, but no studying got done. Hoping for some of that after church today.

in answer to Carol's question

Suzie Norris was one of the first two residents of Rest Haven Homes. This lady, Bertha Webb, was the other.

It was 1946, and these were Christian ladies who couldn't live alone anymore, and had no family to care for them. A Christian couple took them in, but it got to be too much for them.

At about that time, Grace Pell had recently visited Abigail Townsend Luffe at El Nathan, the nursing home she ran in Buffalo (Abigail had grown up in Bristol, England, and was grealty influenced by George Muller's work there.)

Abigail met Grace, and took her all through the nursing home in Buffalo. (El Nathan, has since moved to Marble Hill, Missouri). She took her even into the rooms of the very sick people, and those whose minds had slipped. Then, at the end of their time together, Abigail asked Grace, "so dear, have you ever thought of working with old people?" Grace told her "no" ... that she already had a substantial work with children, and couldn't imagine incorporating a new ministry.

It was soon thereafter that the Lord brought the situation with Suzie Norris and Bertha Webb into Grace's life, and she was led to take over their care, which eventually led to the formation of Rest Haven Homes. They still hold to many of the principles that George Muller's orphanages practiced ... not making their needs known or asking for money, etc.

Grace Pell ended up dying in Rest Haven as a resident soon after I met the family. I know her younger sisters, who are now both currently living at the home - one in the nursing home, and another in an apartment there. They were from a family of 10, and had a huge impact on the Christian work here in Grand Rapids, starting a local church, Gospel Folio Press (since moved to Canada), Uplook Ministries, as well as Rest Haven. None of the 6 girls ever married, and are a great example of how to use one's single state to serve the Lord. They were even in Ripley's Believe it or Not as the "6 Miss-Pells (miss-spell ... get it?) who worked at the publishing house."

If you've never had a chance to read the story of George Muller's orphanages, or Sister Abigail's work in Buffalo, their biographies are both a real treat!

Got to the gym tonight, and read some in John this morning.

Such a fun project

I've been helping a friend prepare a history presentation for Rest Haven Homes 60th anniversary this September.

My part has been to scan in all these wonderful old pictures. I'm just loving it - looking at all these faces, and thinking about what their lives must have been.

The home has a very interesting history - tracing back through the influences of Abigail Townsend Luffe and before her, George Muller.

This picture is one of the first two residents, Suzie Norris.

I got in a walk already this morning, and have tucked in to scan pictures until I go to work at a funeral around 10:30. Need to get some studying done today, partuclarly because I'm to give a devotional at a ladies meeting tomorrow, and still have not the foggiest idea what I'm going to say. Yikes.

a few projects crossed off my list

Hope you all had a good 4th!

In the course of one of my projects, standing on top of a 6 foot ladder, right at the edge of my balcony, I so appreciated and having one of my neighbors holler “be careful up there”.

Being startled does wonders for one’s balance when standing in a precarious place.

I did eventually get back up the ladder and finish hanging the blind … once I stoped shaking. :)

thinking about God's provision

Happy 4th everyone!

In thinking about the blessings of living in this country, as well as considering Ruth chapter 2, I can't help but dwell on the provisions of God.

He has given so many opportunities, and I so often take them for granted.

Just as Ruth had no claim on the harvest from Boaz's field (in Ruth 2) ... yet he provided for her nonetheless ... so I have no claim on God's favor. Yet He is so good to me nonethless!

I was looking through some pictures this morning, and making CDs of the ones I thought others might want. In the process, I ran across the one I have posted here.

It's a picture of God's provision for one year of my life. A family from church had just bought this house, and his company promptly sent them to Japan for a year. This was at the same time I was looking for a condo to buy near the church. (I work there as secretary.)

It worked out so well for both of us ... they had someone to look after their house, and I had a place to stay for a year (3 miles from work!).

And such a place! It was brand new, and the rest of the subdivision had yet to spring up, so I had very few neighbors, and lovely views from the back windows.

I think I'll hang on to this picture. It's a good reminder that God can provide in any number of ways. :)

Got to the gym last night - I have one more week, and I'll be paying for my third year membership. What a funny thought.

Trinka

If people would just ...

put things AWAY when they're done with them, and pick up after themselves, then I wouldn't spend my Saturdays trying to keep this place in order.

Grumble grumble grumble ...

Oh.

Wait.

I live alone.

Never mind.

Not killed them yet ...

I went to a baby shower a couple weeks ago, and they (mercifully) didn't have any silly games ... but rather had each lady tell a story about childbirth or adoption when her gift was opened.

When my turn came, the hostess got this awkward look on her face. Relax Patti ... all is well! :) I told my proud adoption story ... that I had adopted an African violet when I moved into my apartment in G.R. in 1997 (I think? the day that Princess Di was killed was the day I moved in ... I'd Google it and find out if I weren't so lazy). And the amazing thing was ... I had yet to kill it! (now my other plants, of course, are not so fortunate.)

All that is to say ... the flowers on the porch are looking quite lovely, but have reached the point in the summer where the lack of drainage in the window boxes, and my own plant cluelessness, will begin to do them in. So I wanted to post a couple pictures before the great decline begins. :)

Got in a walk last night, and then went to Zeeland for a picnic with L.V.A. We had a nice time reading John together and watching the fish in the pond snap up bread crumbs from our sandwiches.

Today ... it's time to tackle the mess in the condo again. Going away last weekend means that there is much to be accomplished this weekend!

I'm hoping to get done in time to go in and have a late lunch with T., and get some help rigging up a brace so I can put my a/c in the window. My old one had the thermostat die several summers ago. A friend bypassed the thermostat for me, so I've been using it, but I had to plug & unplug it all night, so it wouldn't freeze up from running too long.

I bought this new-to-me one at a garage sale, and it's REALLY heavy. I think if I were to put it in the window without a brace under it, it just MIGHT cause the whole building to fall over. :)

there are times for moderation ...

and there are times for NOT being moderate.

I'm so weary of hearing that Israel should be patient, not respond, etc. ... And this morning I read criticisms that they might be harming civilians, as they try to get their captured soldier home.

Hmmm ... I suppose all those suicide bombers are NOT harming civilians? Why is there never any public outcry against the jihidists? They deliberately harm Israeli citizens ALL THE TIME, and there's not the slightest response from the U.N., the press ... anyone. But, by golly, if Israel tries to protect herself ... forget it ... they're the agressors. It drives me nuts!

Thank you for listening.

Got to the gym last night - first time in a week, as I was pushing to get things done to go out of town last weekend.

Last Friday-Monday, I had a great visit with some friends from Lake Road Chapel in Missouri. One lady there is an Access whiz, and she spent Saturday afternoon and some of Sunday helping my friend T. (with whom I traveled there) and I getting our databases running smoother, and cleaner. It's such a treat to be able to enjoy fellowship over something like that, and her help is a tremendous blessing to both T. and I at our jobs. I can do rudimentary Access stuff ... but when it comes to the macro/module/code type things (or even writing complicated formulas ... which was what needed to happen this past weekend) ... it's VERY nice to have someone looking over my shoulder!

This morning I was reading in John, and thinking about the Lord driving the money-changers out of the temple. This passage is often used to point out that we shouldn't be selling stuff in churches (which is definately a valid argument). But I was wondering this morning if it doesn't go a little deeper than that.

Later in Scripture, we're told that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. I think it's more than the church building, and worship services, that need to be cleansed of materialism! I think it's ME. It's so easy to start thinking "stuff" is important. But it's all so temporary.

T., with whom I traveled this past weekend, deals with death a lot because of the ministry in which she's involved. So naturally we end up talking about it as we travel. Life is SO short. It really is. I want to be a good steward of my stuff here on earth, but I want my investments to be in something that will carry on after I die.

Only two things that are here on earth will last forever ... people, and the Scriptures. So ... then ... Trinka ... who can you bless today?

How about you, gentle-reader?

Am I the only one that reacts this way?

So North Korea has a bomb that will reach the west coast of the U.S.

Does that mean ... Hollywood? Really?

Hmmmm ... trying to decide if this is a bad thing. :)

"BAD Trinka. Back to work!!!!"

"OK. OK. But let me say quickly that ... I'm still exercising, still studying (Ruth)."

happy 60th Mom

Oh ... my ... LOOK at all the pictures of you on the internet! Who knew it could happen? :)

(disclaimer, her birthday was YESTERDAY, but my scanner was cranky). I'm not a bad daughter, I just have bad computer equipment!)

This is our VBS week, and God has done some great things! We have the kids from 9:00-2:00, and there were 251 today! Two more days ... so we'll see what will happen.

This, however, has meant I've been going in to work about 5:30-5:45 every morning - just to get stuff done before the building is bustling with people. I am so thankful that I have a job that usually allows me to work in solitude. I don't do bustle well. :)

Not too much detail to share other than that I've been walking, swimming, and riding my bike, and enjoying a study of Ruth.

Yes, I do still have a blog ...

But the sun is shining, and it's light later, and it's just so GOOD to be outside. Carol asked this week, "are you having trouble getting on to blogger?). Uh ... no ... unless by "trouble" you mean ... "too distracted to get it done". :)

The flowers are growing , and I've even got some volunteer moss-roses starting to peek out from last year's seeds.

I've been exercising, and studying ... even got the bike tires pumped up, and am riding to church whenever my schedule & attire will permit. Last night, after weariness from being nagged, I picked up a bike helmet. I feel REALLY dorky wearing it ... I haven't fallen off my bike since I was 12 ... however, I can live with feeling dorky if people will stop hounding me. :)

I had such a delightful little blessing yesterday. I wear a small diamond on a chain that my mom bought me when I was 16. She had always promised us kids that she would buy us a class ring when we got to our senior year. Money was really tight growing up, but she really wanted us to have those rings. However, when I got to that age, the rings didn't really look pretty to me, and I asked if we could use the money for this little pendant instead. She was agreeable, and I've worn it ever since - and it's been a nice memory of high school, and of her kindness in saving up so I could have that treat.

Well ... I have long hair, and that's always been a problem with the chains I've used for the diamond. It tends to wrap around the chain, and eventually, after I've pulled it free enough times, the chain will break.

Yesterday, I got home from running errands with T., and looked in the mirror ... and ... no diamond.

I was just sick! I've always felt it break before, and been able to salvage the situation. She and I had been ALL OVER Grand Rapids, so I thought there was no hope.

I walked back into the bedroom where I'd just changed, and there was the diamond, sparkling in the middle of the floor! Then this morning, I found the chain, just inside the front door.

God has such a sense of humor ... it's not like He would have HAD to save it for me ... it's just a "thing" and not really all that important in the grand scheme of things. It could have just as easily dropped off in Office Depot! I am spoiled sometimes. I definately am.

I've been working on editing a sermon on the biblical view of war and the role of government. (an old college friend is now the pastor of Christ Community Church in New Hampshire, and he publishes some sermons in booklet form. He asked if I'd edit this one for him. It's been very interesting. Most of it is concepts I've considered before, but I'm appreciating the way he's stringing them together. If you're interested in reading it, let me know, and I'll e-mail a copy when I get it done.

Today is a birthday party for my mom & niece (their birthdays are both Monday). Mom does't know that she's getting a party out of the deal, so she'll be surprised. She's turning 60 this year. I've got the snazziest picture of her to post on Monday for her birthday.

It's been a productive morning so far - I "slept in" until 6:00, and have gotten the laundry done, the house picked up, and kitchen cleaned. Now I'm off to get the bathroom cleaned so I can get to the gym when it opens at 10:00!

quote on prayer

This was given on Sunday, and was a blessing to me:

“Tell God all that is in your heart, as one unloads one’s heart, its pleasures and its pains, to a dear friend. Tell Him your troubles, that He may comfort you; tell Him your joys, that He may sober them; tell Him your longings, that He may purify them; tell Him your dislikes, that He may help you conquer them; talk to Him of your temptations, that He may shield you from them; show Him the wounds of yoru heart, that He may heal them; lay bare your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for evil, your instability. Tell Him how self-love makes you unjust to others, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, how pride disguises you to yourself and to others.

If you thus pour out all your weaknesses, needs, and troubles, there will be no lack of what to say. You will never exhaust the subject. It is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets from one another never want for subjects of conversation. They do not weight their words, for there is nothing to be held back; neither do they seek for something to say. They talk out of the abundance of the heart, without consideration they say just what they think. Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved intercourse with God.”

Francois Fenelon (1651-1715)

Got in a couple walks this weekend, and also got my bike tires pumped up and rode it to church Sunday night. I'd like to ride it back to work in the afternoons after lunch any days when I won't be needing my car ... a little extra exercise, and a little less gas-money spent! :)

in lieu of an actual post ...

These are my adorable-nieces, who are on vacation with their parents this week.

the most beautiful place I've ever been

It's even lovelier when you look at it right-side up. :)

This is the stream out behind what used to be Mary Jones' house. If you haven't read the story of Mary Jones & her Bible, you are missing out!

The link speaks of this as a "legend" ... but it's definately not. I was in Bala, and visited different places mentioned in the book; I saw Mary's parents' graves, visited this beautiful spot where their home stood, and drove over the pass she walked to get her Bible. If you can get your hands on a copy of the book (probably long out of print), it's worth having!

I was scanning old negatives tonight, and came to these from our time in Wales, and thought ... now THAT was a beautiful spot. Thought I'd share it.

Now ... if I could just figure out why they're suddenty scanning in upside down ... :)

Trinka

something so simple ...

I put some flowers in my window boxes yesterday, and I'm sitting here this morning just enjoying them like crazy. :) They look pretty spindley now, but I have high hopes for them. The little one in the bucket is a tomato plant. He and the hanging basket arrived last weekend.

well ... not ALL plastics

I spray-painted this old suitcase pink. The spray paint said "for most plastics." Apparently not THIS one, because it's been three days, and it's still sticky. :) A friend who does a lot of painting suggested I put it in my car, and let it bake in the sun. So that's currently in process, but I don't see a lot of de-sticky-fying going on!

I was reading some cross references in Philemon while working on a friend's project, and found something that interested me.

Philemon is a personal letter from the Apostle Paul to his friend Philemon concerning the fate of Onesimus, who was Philemon's run-away servant.

Some time after running away, Onesimus came in contact with Paul, and became a Christian. Paul is writing to ask Philemon to accept Onesimus back, and be merciful to him. (He may have stolen or cheated Philemon as he was leaving).

In the course of writing to Philemon, Paul uses the following phrase in verse 11: He says that Onesimus "... in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me."

It was interesting that what Paul was asking Philemon to do was similar to something Paul had done himself.

Earlier, Paul and Barnabus were traveling together, and Barnabus' cousin, Mark, was traveling with them. There was some situation where Mark left the group, and Paul was disappointed with him. (Acts 13-15). However, later the situation was mended, and Paul commends Mark as being "profitable" (2 Tim. 4:11).

I thought it was neat that Paul uses the same word to commend Onesimus to Philemon that he had used about Mark with himself. There was a time when Onesimus (and Mark) were unprofitable ... but God had done a work, and they were now profitable (or useful in other translations.)

God does that! Takes areas of our life that were waste, and grows gardens there ... brings usefulness out of places that were void.

Been walking a lot this week, and hope to get to the gym tomorrow morning (if it's open for Memorial Day ... better check that).

The perfect travel-related quotation

I just started reading Around the World in 80 Travel Tales (while sitting in the sunshine on my newly-cleaned, newly-house-plant-populated balcony).

In the introduction was a quote from Lao Tzu (don't know who he is ... but will Google his name eventually and find out):

A traveler should neither have fixed plans nor be intent on arriving at his destination.

I think that sums it up perfectly! The ladies I travel with have mastered this, and it's what makes it such a joy.

Flat tire after midnight? An adventure.
Near misses with disaster? An opportunity to praise God for His protection.

I think of so many serendipitous instances that never would have come to be, if not for that attitude ... ending up at the Grand Canyon on a snowy Easter morning as a boys' choir's singing echoed off the canyon walls, discovering unpopulated beaches and meeting hospitable strangers with open homes ... God is just so good to me!

AND my windows are washed. :) (Well ... I can't reach out far enough to wash ALL of the big front one, and I'm too high up for a ladder ... so the left and right sides are washed. The middle is a bit iffy. )

Trinka

general maintenance - a good thing ...

I defragged the hard drive, used registry cleaner (thank you Kim Komando), etc., on this little computer yesterday, and it's just FLYING today. These things need to happen more often! :)

Went to the gym yesterday and batted a racquetball around for a while. I'm starting to get a bit more consistent with it, and maybe I'll play with an actual person one day soon. :) Also lifted weights afterwards.

I was reading last night in Joshua 22. Israel had taken control of the land (more or less) and each tribe was going back to their parcel of territory. The two and a half tribes who had land on the east side of the Jordan had gone home, and built an altar on the other side of the river. God had commanded that He wanted to be worshipped in Jerusalem ... so to build a place of worship there was a "very bad thing." (It almost seems to me that they didn't build it for worship, but rather as some kind of memorial ... but I don't remember reading that last night ... either I missed it this time, or misunderstood something last time ... gotta read again and figure that out.)

The other tribes saw this happening and confronted them. Sin within the group had already had disasterous results in the past, and they wanted to protect against it this time.

In our postmodern culture, it is VERY hard to tell someone they're wrong. We've been fed the fallacy that there are many truths, and what is true for one person may not be true for another. I am a big fan of openness and inclusiveness in some areas ... but there are a few where we need to not be so open!

It's not loving for me to see a brother or sister in sin, and ignore it. And it's not loving for someone to see me in sin and ignore it. We're supposed to have each other's best interests (and the best interests of God's kingdom and glory) in mind ... and that means there are times when we need each other's help to forsake the old and put on the new.

22:19 says, "‘If, however, the land of your possession is unclean, then cross into the land of the possession of the LORD, where the LORD’S tabernacle stands, and take possession among us. Only do not rebel against the LORD, or rebel against us by building an altar for yourselves, besides the altar of the LORD our God."

They were so concerned that their brothers seek after God, that they offered to give up part of their own inheritance, to make a place where they could live closer to the temple. Am I so passionate about the Lord, and His people, that I joyfully sacrifice my own interests for their good?

Trinka

How quickly our perspective changes

This morning, I actually had the thought:

"I've only got 30 gig left. I've got to do some house-cleaning on this hard drive!"

Hmmmm ... how fast things change!

Only 10 years ago, it was:

"I've only got 30 mg left. I've got to delete the temp files!" :)

Actually, I'm working with a little film scanner to scan in all my old negatives, so the pictures are quickly consuming great chunks of hard drive. Hence the desire to keep as much free as possible. The scanner is a snazzy little critter - about the size and shape of a shoebox. It does a great job, and is fairly fast - I got about 40 pictures done last night while I was watching the (videotaped) finale of the Amazing Race.

That show is one of my guilty pleasures. I love to travel, and it interests me to see how people interact with each other in the stressful situations that travel presents. This year one of my favorite teams won. It was a couple of easy-going guys. They were nice to each other, and to the people they met along the way, and just flat-out seemed to be enjoying the travel, whether they won or not.

No exercise happened last night (reference the above videotape/scanning negatives time indulgence!). But I did get some great time in the Ruth study.

Ruth is the story of a widowed mother, living outside her homeland, who marries her sons off to two native girls. The sons die, and one girl chooses to stay in her home country, while the other, Ruth, travels with her mother-in-law back to Israel.

In Israel, Ruth works in the fields to provide for the two of them, and eventually meets the owner of the field, Boaz, - a family member of her mother-in-law.

There is an Old Testament practice where a dead man's closest male relative will take the widow as his wife, and the first son resulting will inherit the dead man's estate, and provide for the widow. The new husband is called the "kinsman redeemer".

Through her mother-in-law's prompting, Ruth asks Boaz to take on this role. Boaz tells her that there is a closer relative who has the right to do this, but if that man doesn't agree, then Boaz wanted to marry her.

Anyhow ... the reason I relate all this is to say, One of the things I'm doing is tracking all the references to time and location - down to the very minute, in the book.

And there are a LOT of them. It's written almost like a play ... you know where everyone is, and when they're there ... right up until chapter 4.

Chapter 4 (the last chapter) is where Boaz sits down with the closer relative to discuss who would marry Ruth.

Ruth is an Old Testament book that, while portraying actual history (she was the great-grandmother of King David), also carries a picture of the Christian's salvation.

Ruth was a Gentile. She had absolutely no rights among God's people. But she was brought in by Boaz, and made a child of God. We, too, have no rights before God. We are born in sin, and there's nothing we can do to change it. But Christ DID what we couldn't, took our penalty, and has made us a child of God.

There was a closer family member who had the first right to Ruth. So the Old Testament law had the first rights to US. If we don't accept Christ's provision to save us, there is ONE other way available. If we keep the Old Testament law perfectly, to the letter, we can be saved that way. However, in the history of the world, only the Lord Jesus has done so ... so that route is not promising!

Anyhow, what I really wanted to share this morning was the change that happened at the beginning of chapter 4. The narrative went from a meticulous focus on time and location, to having nearly none. And from the moment the transaction was sealed ... and Ruth was Boaz's wife, nothing at all.

It's like time and location ceased to be significant.

When our place with God is sealed ... time and space become less significant for us, too. I've got a few more decades here ... but forever with Him. People I love may be far away, but He is with me, and with them.

Not as polished a presentation as I'd like of what I'm thinking about ... but if I wait for polish, it just doesn't get done most days. :)

In response to the discussion I'm listening to on talk radio right now ...

Please see The Top Ten Fallacies in the DaVinci Code ...

It is a work of fiction people! While he claimed to use "real history" ... it was just a literary device. Take a deep breath! The only reason it's "controversial" is because you're assuming there's some factual basis. There isn't. It's a STORY!

The website cited above is concise, and lists the actual facts that are distorted in the book ... it's not just what Christians believe ABOUT the history ... it's the actual, documented, facts that are at issue.

Since I can't call Rick and Scott ... I'll send it your way. :)

back to your regularly scheduled blog ... :)

Had a great walk last night; the sun was shining, and it was beautiful out. I'm enjoying the Ruth study - it was suggested to me to take all the dialogues and compare them. The book is 70% dialogue, and you really learn a lot about the individuals by looking at just what they had to say.

What a nice break ...

Mel Trotter Mission, in downtown Grand Rapids, has a luncheon for church secretaries every year.

It's one of those places that's done so much good for the kingdom of God, for so many years, that you love meeting people associated with it.

The mission is 106 years old, and has residential drug & alcohol treatment programs for both men and women. (with an 85% long-term success rate!). They have overnight housing for homeless people, and meals as well.

They also have some kind of training program happening in their kitchen ... the food was wonderful, and also just beautifully presented. They really made it special for us.

It was a blessing to get away for a while, and also to meet some other people who do the same job I do.

I got out for a walk last night, and hope to get to the gym tonight.

I started a study of Ruth last night, and am having a great time. A friend does a lot of teaching, and I asked her to set me up with something challenging and hold me accountable to it ... this certainly fits the bill! One thing I noticed this morning that I hope to pursue is how the theme of famine/hunger/thirst/harvest seems to run throughout. More to come on this (hopefully) as things progress!

the birthday boy (hmmm 60, right?)

Look what I found while I was de-cluttering today. :)

Happy birthday!

One box out in the car, ready for the Bibles for Missions store, and another is sitting on the table ready to be filled. A great big bag has already been dumpster-ized, and I'm looking forward to the rest of my day! I just love empty space and clear shelves!

This is the first year I've kept track of what I'm donating - I got Deduction Pro when I bought Tax Cut this year, and I'm shocked at how the total is adding up as I put in the stuff I'm giving away. It's really worth the extra time!

Back to work for me!

OK ... I've HAD it ...

The clutter level in this house has become unacceptable.

This is the "create empty space and lighten the load" weekend.

I anticipate many boxes headed to charity, and more than a few for the dumpster. Where does this all COME from anyway?

(For those who may be tempted to call the health department ... that picture isn't actually the current state of affairs ... it's what the place looked like when I was unpacking & doing laundry after my trip to Texas). :)

Got out for a walk tonight (in the rain), and will squeeze in another one tomorrow. Hitting the gym Sunday, as I'm guessing that Mothers' Day will be about as empty as it gets!

Trinka

lilacs!

The lilacs are out - right on schedule for Mothers' Day.

They seem unusally full and beautiful this year. I know they blossom better every-other year ... but they are just amazing this year.

They are the ideal flower for my lifestyle - thriving on that perfect combination of sunshine and neglect. :)

This bush was going above and beyond the others, and I drive past it every day on my way to work. I thought it needed its picture taken today. I've never been to Mackinac Island for the lilac festival - I usually avoid any event that brings in bus-loads of foreign tourists. But this year might be the one to make an exception!

I spent some time hitting a racquetball around last night before going downstairs to lift weights. Thwacking that ball really is a terrific stress-reducer. :) As I left to go home, I found myself thinking, "what a pleasant afternoon," this kind of thinking is fairly new to me, and I marvel at it when it happens.

Monday night, I went and helped a couple from church set up a blog. He has had on-going serious lung problems, and was just diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. He started chemo yesterday, and they wanted a blog to post updates on his progress. If you'd like to pray for them, and send a little encouragement their way, their blog is here. Ken and Judy have been a tremendous blessing in my life ever since I met them almost 15 years ago.

Trinka

Bother!

"We apologize, but we don't have a rack fit for your vehicle. Our Fit Technicians have scratched their heads over this and they don't easily admit defeat, but unfortunately your car is "unYakable". If you believe that you have received this message in error - please use the back button and make sure that you have entered your vehicle and all of its modifications correctly. Questions? Call Yakima Customer Service at 888.925.0703 (M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. PST)."

Sounds as if the roof-rack kayak option isn't available to me either.

I'm fixin' to admit defeat ...

no kayaks for me :(

The shortest one I can find is 9 feet, 4 inches ... and the longest possible thing I could get in my car is 8 feet, 6 inches. BOTHER! I do love the things! As far as I can tell, a roof rack would add $250 to the cost of an already-stretching-myself purchase.

So I suppose I'll air up the tires on my bicycle and stay on land! :)

Got in a walk tonight, and a short one last night out along the Lake Michigan shoreline. It was just beautiful.

Clifford ... No. Don't eat the ice cream! It's not worth it! Celery man ... celery is where it's at! :)

No consequences followed my failure to organize an ice cream social ... the other board members appeared to have forgotten it was my responsibility last month and assigned it to someone else this month. Which ... really ... is a good thing. Trinka chairing the social committee was a recipe for failure from the very beginning.

Picture of living in a building with elderly people:
I was just down putting in 3 loads of laundry (we have 3 machines), and a lady walked in, telling me that she was "doing one load at a time."

OK, I think. How nice for you.

Later I realized, "oh, she was asking to use one of the machines."

I went up to her place to apologize, and she informed me that there was a "rule" that you could only use 2 machines at once.

Hmmmm ... I've lived here 3 years ... haven't read that one yet. :)

You occupy the machines for the same amount of time, whether you do it all at once, or stagger it ... plus you're harder to predict if you stagger it.

I have noticed that "rules" seem to multiply in the presence of elderly folks, though! :)

She had just moved in and heard about the "rule" from one of the other ladies. I told her that it probably wasn't anything to worry about (after I made my apology for not understanding her point earlier!)

Groan! :)

off to get my laundry now! (all 3 loads)

Trinka