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.