Posts
I'm entering a busy season at work as we get ready for Easter, as well as some baptisms that will be happening that same Sunday.
Then there's the "taking care of things that happened while I was away" busy-ness combined with the "preparing for things that will happen while I'm gone next week" busy-ness."
Anyhow ... all that is to say, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth. :)
I've been getting some good walks in, but avoiding the gym as I messed up my neck and back hauling my laptop around last weekend. It's getting a bit better, but I want it a LOT better before I take off next week, hauling my laptop around. :) (This time ... the backpack is going on BOTH shoulders, no matter how much I hate taking the time to do it!)
Someone suggestsed yesterday that I do some writing about singleness. It's certainly a topic that God has dealt with me about. One of my goals for this week away is to come up with an outline I'm pleased with, and maybe an introduction. Whether I'd ever go through the misery of looking for a publisher ... that's another story ... but I would enjoy the writing either way! I've also got a booklet that a friend wants me to edit, so I'll take that along. Travel combined with some interesting projects ... this is nice. :)
Had a great time with my brother & family last weekend. The adorable nieces were great fun! I came home with ... well ... a LOT of pictures. :)
Trinka
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
a little warmer and a lot hillier ...
I left this morning, and am now almost to my brother & sister-in-law's. We stayed the night rather than drive it all in one day. Which feels a bit wimpy to me when I think about it ... but now having gotten halfway here ... I think it was a good suggestion!
There are just no highways going directly anywhere down here ... It seems as if at least 250 miles of the trip was driven at 45 mph. This can be a bit wearing. No. Actually, this can be a LOT wearing!
Glad for a comfy Super 8 with high speed internet access!
:)
Found someone to work for me, so the Italy trip is going to happen! I hope to have internet access and blog from there ... we'll see!
Trinka
There are just no highways going directly anywhere down here ... It seems as if at least 250 miles of the trip was driven at 45 mph. This can be a bit wearing. No. Actually, this can be a LOT wearing!
Glad for a comfy Super 8 with high speed internet access!
:)
Found someone to work for me, so the Italy trip is going to happen! I hope to have internet access and blog from there ... we'll see!
Trinka
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
one day, I'll learn to love spontaneity!
Because opportunity to develop it seems to appear regularly. :)
As I'm in a last-minute panic trying to get everything done to get out of town this afternoon to see my brother & sister-in-law (and the adorable nieces) ...
Yesterday afternoon my dad offers me a trip to Milan April 5-11.
"Yes!"
"I mean"
"Let me check"
"I mean"
Oh dear ...
"Let me see if anyone can work for me."
"I mean"
eek!
So, the last-minute I'm-going-out-of-town-today panic is joined by last-minute, I-want-to-go-out-of-the-country-in-two-weeks panic.
I'm so glad I don't have to work with me today. :)
I had a big job on the copy machine that needed to be taken off the sorter every 10 copies. It's been done for a half hour, but I keep wandering in there to check it.
"FOCUS Trinka. FOCUS."
So ... can anyone work for me April 5-11?
:)
Trinka
As I'm in a last-minute panic trying to get everything done to get out of town this afternoon to see my brother & sister-in-law (and the adorable nieces) ...
Yesterday afternoon my dad offers me a trip to Milan April 5-11.
"Yes!"
"I mean"
"Let me check"
"I mean"
Oh dear ...
"Let me see if anyone can work for me."
"I mean"
eek!
So, the last-minute I'm-going-out-of-town-today panic is joined by last-minute, I-want-to-go-out-of-the-country-in-two-weeks panic.
I'm so glad I don't have to work with me today. :)
I had a big job on the copy machine that needed to be taken off the sorter every 10 copies. It's been done for a half hour, but I keep wandering in there to check it.
"FOCUS Trinka. FOCUS."
So ... can anyone work for me April 5-11?
:)
Trinka
Monday, March 20, 2006
random gym thoughts
While lifting weights, there's just nothing much to watch, except the other people lifting weights.
Which leads me to notice things that I otherwise might not!
For instance, fascinating person #1 was a thin, healthy-looking lady ... healthy looking except that you could see all the blood vessels in her arms on top of the muscles. It was strangely fascinating, but not in a "I'd like to be able to see my insides through my skin" kind of way. While I would love to be thin and healthy-looking ... if any of my insides start being visible through my skin? I'm outa here and looking for a milkshake.
Fascinating person #2 was a white (very white ... almost clear) fellow with Chinese characters tattooed on his chest. This begs the obvious (to ME) question ... why would you invest pain, money, and your own skin, to display text very few can read? Does he want people to ask him,
"excuse me sweaty young fellow, but what does your chest say?"
Nope. Don't think that will be happening.
OK ... enough frivolity. :)
Looking forward to a visit with my brother, sister-in-law and their girls this weekend in Tennessee (where I dearly hope it will be warm ... like even over 60? Maybe?) My mom, in theory, is coming along. She does have a tendency to back out at the last minute, so I have some good audiobooks for company, just in case.
Trinka
Which leads me to notice things that I otherwise might not!
For instance, fascinating person #1 was a thin, healthy-looking lady ... healthy looking except that you could see all the blood vessels in her arms on top of the muscles. It was strangely fascinating, but not in a "I'd like to be able to see my insides through my skin" kind of way. While I would love to be thin and healthy-looking ... if any of my insides start being visible through my skin? I'm outa here and looking for a milkshake.
Fascinating person #2 was a white (very white ... almost clear) fellow with Chinese characters tattooed on his chest. This begs the obvious (to ME) question ... why would you invest pain, money, and your own skin, to display text very few can read? Does he want people to ask him,
"excuse me sweaty young fellow, but what does your chest say?"
Nope. Don't think that will be happening.
OK ... enough frivolity. :)
Looking forward to a visit with my brother, sister-in-law and their girls this weekend in Tennessee (where I dearly hope it will be warm ... like even over 60? Maybe?) My mom, in theory, is coming along. She does have a tendency to back out at the last minute, so I have some good audiobooks for company, just in case.
Trinka
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Carpet Cleaner for Carol
Just for you today. :)
My realtor recommended cleaning the carpets in my condo with ammonia, and it did an amazing job.
I have a carpet shampooer that I got at a garage sale - it looks like an upright vacuum cleaner, and has brushes that rotate on the bottom.
She said to fill the shampoo-measuring cup with ammonia (using the same measurement that it gives for the shampoo).
You use non-sudsy ammonia (any scent).
No need to rinse after using it - it evaporates out.
The house will smell like ammonia until it dries, but after that, the scent is gone. It made my ratty old carpet look almost like new - the only sign of its age is that it's beaten down, and worn in places ... but all the stains came out.
End of household hint. :)
Got to the gym last night, and have been enjoying reading Psalm 37 in the mornings.
I was especially enjoying the idea of the dual meaning in verse 3 - - "Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness" can also be translated "... feed on His faithfulness."
Those two ideas being expressed interest me. A writer will often use words with dual meanings, and intend for their audience to consider both, I'm thinking this dual meaning was intended to be considered here.
The only way I can "cultivate faithfulness" in my own life is to "feed on HIS faithfulness." ... just like the only way I can truly "do good" is when I'm "trust[ing] in the Lord." He's the source of it all ... my ability to do anything for others comes from Him, any faithfulness and stability I have ... also a gift from God. He is the epitome of faithfulness, and there's enough there to feast a hungry heart forever!
Trinka
My realtor recommended cleaning the carpets in my condo with ammonia, and it did an amazing job.
I have a carpet shampooer that I got at a garage sale - it looks like an upright vacuum cleaner, and has brushes that rotate on the bottom.
She said to fill the shampoo-measuring cup with ammonia (using the same measurement that it gives for the shampoo).
You use non-sudsy ammonia (any scent).
No need to rinse after using it - it evaporates out.
The house will smell like ammonia until it dries, but after that, the scent is gone. It made my ratty old carpet look almost like new - the only sign of its age is that it's beaten down, and worn in places ... but all the stains came out.
End of household hint. :)
Got to the gym last night, and have been enjoying reading Psalm 37 in the mornings.
I was especially enjoying the idea of the dual meaning in verse 3 - - "Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness" can also be translated "... feed on His faithfulness."
Those two ideas being expressed interest me. A writer will often use words with dual meanings, and intend for their audience to consider both, I'm thinking this dual meaning was intended to be considered here.
The only way I can "cultivate faithfulness" in my own life is to "feed on HIS faithfulness." ... just like the only way I can truly "do good" is when I'm "trust[ing] in the Lord." He's the source of it all ... my ability to do anything for others comes from Him, any faithfulness and stability I have ... also a gift from God. He is the epitome of faithfulness, and there's enough there to feast a hungry heart forever!
Trinka
Sunday, March 12, 2006
importing horses from Egypt
I was reading last night in Deuteronomy 17 and v. 16 stood out to me. God is telling Israel what their king ought to be like, and He tells them that this man (and Israel as a whole) shouldn't be collecting horses, and particularly shouldn't be getting them from Egypt.
Kind of obscure?
Not really! When those kinds collected horses, they were doing it because horses were the "tanks" of that era. They were doing it for protection and power. God wanted to be their protector. He wanted them to trust Him.
Why the specific warning about Egypt?
It was the epitome of "the world" then. It's a picture to us now of our former life, of all that we run to for comfort other than God.
He wants us to trust Him fully, and He wants us (me!) to run to Him when circumstances seem threatening.
It made me think about those silly contests on the back of product labels. I almost always enter them, and spend a few minutes daydreaming about winning ... pay off my car, put in some pretty laminate flooring, etc. (though I must say ... for 30-year-old carpet, this stuff is NOT bad ...a carpet shampooer with ammonia instead of soap is definately the way to go!)
And while that daydreaming may be fun (and winning would be MORE fun). I know "where my help comes from. It comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." And He's not limited in the way He provides!
I'm so spoiled by Him (and by His people) in so many ways. It's good to take time to be thankful for that!
Yesterday I spent the day with the windows open, letting the spring sunshine freshen the condo. It was in the 60's here, and sunny. I had my food dehydrator drying apples. It was just a beautiful, productive, restful day. Had several visits with a good friend, with whom I hope to do some traveling this year. I also got to the gym, and out for several walks. It's hard to stay inside when the sun is shining. :)
I've also been doing some thinking about ways to combat bitterness. I posted on the MeetChristians site, and people have had some wonderful suggestions. I thought I'd throw the idea up here also. A sister confided in me Thursday that she's struggling with this issue, and I wanted to send her some ideas for help. Thoughts would be welcome!
Well, this post has been a bit of a mish-mash, hasn't it? Maybe do better next time!
Trinka
Kind of obscure?
Not really! When those kinds collected horses, they were doing it because horses were the "tanks" of that era. They were doing it for protection and power. God wanted to be their protector. He wanted them to trust Him.
Why the specific warning about Egypt?
It was the epitome of "the world" then. It's a picture to us now of our former life, of all that we run to for comfort other than God.
He wants us to trust Him fully, and He wants us (me!) to run to Him when circumstances seem threatening.
It made me think about those silly contests on the back of product labels. I almost always enter them, and spend a few minutes daydreaming about winning ... pay off my car, put in some pretty laminate flooring, etc. (though I must say ... for 30-year-old carpet, this stuff is NOT bad ...a carpet shampooer with ammonia instead of soap is definately the way to go!)
And while that daydreaming may be fun (and winning would be MORE fun). I know "where my help comes from. It comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." And He's not limited in the way He provides!
I'm so spoiled by Him (and by His people) in so many ways. It's good to take time to be thankful for that!
Yesterday I spent the day with the windows open, letting the spring sunshine freshen the condo. It was in the 60's here, and sunny. I had my food dehydrator drying apples. It was just a beautiful, productive, restful day. Had several visits with a good friend, with whom I hope to do some traveling this year. I also got to the gym, and out for several walks. It's hard to stay inside when the sun is shining. :)
I've also been doing some thinking about ways to combat bitterness. I posted on the MeetChristians site, and people have had some wonderful suggestions. I thought I'd throw the idea up here also. A sister confided in me Thursday that she's struggling with this issue, and I wanted to send her some ideas for help. Thoughts would be welcome!
Well, this post has been a bit of a mish-mash, hasn't it? Maybe do better next time!
Trinka
Thursday, March 09, 2006
new toys
For those times when I wonder ... "does anyone actually READ this thing?" ... I THINK it now has a counter.
Let's see if it appears when I publish this post. :)
Trinka
Let's see if it appears when I publish this post. :)
Trinka
just some blessings from this week ...
The new office hours are working great! I'm finding it gives me more time at lunch to run errands (an hour instead of 45 minutes), and the extra hour at night is proving to be a huge help.
This week I've had something planned every evening. In the past, that's made my life a walking nightmare. But this week, I've been able to enjoy the things on my calendar, rather than sitting through them immersed in guilt because they pre-empted exercise that day.
So ... thumbs-up to the new schedule! I'm also accomplishing so much more at work, because I have an extra hour in the morning when I'm sharp, and the phone isn't ringing. It's a winner all the way around!
Blessing number 2 - and it's a silly one!
You know the story of Elisha and the widow, where she and her son were about to starve, and the Lord multiplied the oil and the flour, so they had enough to eat, and more to sell?
Well, I'm half-convinced I've got a gallon of milk with the Lord's blessing upon it. The expiration date was March 1, and as of this morning, it was still sweet. There's a dairy farm near my mom's that sells their own milk, and I think I'm going to be buying more, if this is typical. :) I always end up throwing out the last 1/4 of a gallon, and this one is almost gone.
Exercise is going well - I'm still loving that eyetoy game. I had a couple of college students over Tuesday night to play it, and we had a great time. Reading ... I've been in Deuteronomy in the evenings, but don't have anything much to report.
TJ
This week I've had something planned every evening. In the past, that's made my life a walking nightmare. But this week, I've been able to enjoy the things on my calendar, rather than sitting through them immersed in guilt because they pre-empted exercise that day.
So ... thumbs-up to the new schedule! I'm also accomplishing so much more at work, because I have an extra hour in the morning when I'm sharp, and the phone isn't ringing. It's a winner all the way around!
Blessing number 2 - and it's a silly one!
You know the story of Elisha and the widow, where she and her son were about to starve, and the Lord multiplied the oil and the flour, so they had enough to eat, and more to sell?
Well, I'm half-convinced I've got a gallon of milk with the Lord's blessing upon it. The expiration date was March 1, and as of this morning, it was still sweet. There's a dairy farm near my mom's that sells their own milk, and I think I'm going to be buying more, if this is typical. :) I always end up throwing out the last 1/4 of a gallon, and this one is almost gone.
Exercise is going well - I'm still loving that eyetoy game. I had a couple of college students over Tuesday night to play it, and we had a great time. Reading ... I've been in Deuteronomy in the evenings, but don't have anything much to report.
TJ
Sunday, March 05, 2006
some thoughts from the wine-press
I was responsible to do a little devotional today for a meeting, and this is the written version. :)
In the little line of instructions/introduction before Psalm 84, it says "on the Gittith." The word "gittith" means "wine-press". It was probably some kind of musical instrument that looked like a wine-press.
But it's not an accident that it's there in the introduction! Because this psalm has a lot to say to those of us who are being pressed ... whose lives are in turmoil.
Our church has gone through a lot of turmoil this year ... the only reason I'm vice-chair of this committee is becaus the lady whose job it was went home to be with the Lord suddenly just before the Labor Day weekend. We've lost so many others this year, and there have been business troubles, and lost jobs, illnesses, and currently a big real-estate nightmare, all touching people in our fellowship, and so touching us as a whole.
So what does this Psalm have for those who are feeling the press?
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
We have a home ... we have security ... no matter what the press may be, or how painful the crushing ... it only intensifies our longing for our real home, and for Him.
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
The sparrow is a picture of loneliness, and the swallow of restlessness ... isn't that just the image of our lives in the press? It's easy to feel so isolated, and to settle down and relax (or trust!) just isn't possible. BUT the lonely and the restless DO settle in one place ... near His altar. There is a blessing for us, dwelling in His house, praising Him. We can "dwell with Him" as we go about our day, while we deal with the beauraucrats and betrayers ... internally, our hearts have a place of rest and praise.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca (weeping), they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.
When we set our hearts on the pilgrimage ... on the path He's laid before us, we will pass through the valley of weeping. And we WILL weep ... there will be springs left behind when we're done! But the pain isn't for naught. It will be a place of refreshment to the pilgrims who follow us. There are lessons we learn in these dark times, in the press, that we won't learn anywhere else. We will go from strength to strength, always growing to be more like Him, until one day we appear before God.
Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.
The Lord Jesus is our shield ... nothing touches us, but that which comes through Him. God looks with favor on Him, and by association on us as well. He doesn't waste our trials, nor allow them needlessly.
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
No matter what the press holds, it is the best we could ever want, because it comes from His hand. No matter what lowly service our life holds, if it's for Him ... it's a position of honor.
Elizabeth Prentiss (if you haven't read Stepping Heavenward, you're missing out!) said:
Dare to belittle and unknown
Seen and loved by God alone.
It's so true! The world around us values achievement, and celebrity ... God values lowly service. Whose approval are we after?
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
When we belong to Him, if the press comes to us, it is a good thing. And if something we deeply desire is withheld? It is also a good thing. In trusting Him with the management of our life circumstances ... we are blessed.
*****
Got to the gym this weekend, and also spent a lot of time with the eyetoy game (I do love that thing). :)
Trinka
In the little line of instructions/introduction before Psalm 84, it says "on the Gittith." The word "gittith" means "wine-press". It was probably some kind of musical instrument that looked like a wine-press.
But it's not an accident that it's there in the introduction! Because this psalm has a lot to say to those of us who are being pressed ... whose lives are in turmoil.
Our church has gone through a lot of turmoil this year ... the only reason I'm vice-chair of this committee is becaus the lady whose job it was went home to be with the Lord suddenly just before the Labor Day weekend. We've lost so many others this year, and there have been business troubles, and lost jobs, illnesses, and currently a big real-estate nightmare, all touching people in our fellowship, and so touching us as a whole.
So what does this Psalm have for those who are feeling the press?
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
We have a home ... we have security ... no matter what the press may be, or how painful the crushing ... it only intensifies our longing for our real home, and for Him.
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
The sparrow is a picture of loneliness, and the swallow of restlessness ... isn't that just the image of our lives in the press? It's easy to feel so isolated, and to settle down and relax (or trust!) just isn't possible. BUT the lonely and the restless DO settle in one place ... near His altar. There is a blessing for us, dwelling in His house, praising Him. We can "dwell with Him" as we go about our day, while we deal with the beauraucrats and betrayers ... internally, our hearts have a place of rest and praise.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca (weeping), they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.
When we set our hearts on the pilgrimage ... on the path He's laid before us, we will pass through the valley of weeping. And we WILL weep ... there will be springs left behind when we're done! But the pain isn't for naught. It will be a place of refreshment to the pilgrims who follow us. There are lessons we learn in these dark times, in the press, that we won't learn anywhere else. We will go from strength to strength, always growing to be more like Him, until one day we appear before God.
Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.
The Lord Jesus is our shield ... nothing touches us, but that which comes through Him. God looks with favor on Him, and by association on us as well. He doesn't waste our trials, nor allow them needlessly.
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
No matter what the press holds, it is the best we could ever want, because it comes from His hand. No matter what lowly service our life holds, if it's for Him ... it's a position of honor.
Elizabeth Prentiss (if you haven't read Stepping Heavenward, you're missing out!) said:
Dare to belittle and unknown
Seen and loved by God alone.
It's so true! The world around us values achievement, and celebrity ... God values lowly service. Whose approval are we after?
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
When we belong to Him, if the press comes to us, it is a good thing. And if something we deeply desire is withheld? It is also a good thing. In trusting Him with the management of our life circumstances ... we are blessed.
*****
Got to the gym this weekend, and also spent a lot of time with the eyetoy game (I do love that thing). :)
Trinka
Friday, March 03, 2006
what an enjoyable book!
My brother recommended Dinner with a Perfect Stranger, and I got the book on CD from the library.
It has been such a treat ... one of those books that, if you're listening to it in the car, makes you not want to get out when you get to your destination. :)
Exercise report: Still using that EyeToy Kinetics program and loving it ... you burn a ton of calories, and it's lots of fun!
Studying: still not where I'd like it to be, but I've enjoyed a book by Max Lucado on looking at your past to see how you best serve the Lord, and using that info., to plan your ministry. It's been very good. There's a web site related to the book that has a little mini-seminar - it was what encouraged me to buy the book. See what you think!
Trinka
It has been such a treat ... one of those books that, if you're listening to it in the car, makes you not want to get out when you get to your destination. :)
Exercise report: Still using that EyeToy Kinetics program and loving it ... you burn a ton of calories, and it's lots of fun!
Studying: still not where I'd like it to be, but I've enjoyed a book by Max Lucado on looking at your past to see how you best serve the Lord, and using that info., to plan your ministry. It's been very good. There's a web site related to the book that has a little mini-seminar - it was what encouraged me to buy the book. See what you think!
Trinka
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