a lesson in punctuation

I think it's time to admit that the furnace in the condo is NOT working ... I keep listening to pings in the radiator, and assuming that heat will be forthcoming. It's not happening. Gotta do something about this soon ... there's only so many layers one can wear and still function! :)

Saw this little punctuation lesson, and thought it was great!
****************************
Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we're apart. I can be forever happy--will you let me be yours?
Jane
****************************
Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we're apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be?
Yours,
Jane

off in my own little world

I got a walkman-type CD player to wear to the gym, and tried it out last night.

I really found myself enjoying the isolation of being swimming in my own little pool of music amidst the crowds. It cut down some on the hectic-ness of the gym atmosphere. Gonna keep doing this, I think. Now I just need to find some kind of belt or arm-band to hold the thing, so I'm not having to hang on to it the whole time!

Along the lines of music ... I was looking up some poems for Thursday's Bible study, and ran across this. I've tried to learn instruments, and to sing ... and while I can master the bare-bones-basics, I'm just not built to get much farther than that. There are so many nuances that are just lost on me. I appreciated this poem this morning! :)

To a Mute Musician

So music was ”left out” of your makeup.
You were just “not there”
When music was handed out.

It may be true
That you cannot sing, nor play an instrument.
Perhaps the mysteries of counterpoint and harmony
Will always be a closed book to you.

But I wonder
If that is all there is
To being a musician?
I think perhaps the violin
Is not conscious of the music
That lies hidden in its heart;
Yet countless multitudes
Rejoice
In the melodies that flow from it
When the Master takes the bow
And plays upon it.

I wonder
If you may not have lived
Closer to the Master of all Music
Than you know.
You have allowed Him to take
Life’s dissonances,
And in you to resolve them
Into celestial concord.

You may not hear
The music that He makes;
Yet others hear the song
And bring Him praise.

One day
I think you will take your place
Among the truly great musicians
Of His court;
For you,
Who may not know earth’s music,
Have learned the Song
Of heaven.

-- E. Margaret Clarkson

my gets-paid-for-HIS-writing brother ...

who hasn't bothered to create a blog HIMSELF, wrote me this morning to ask why I haven't been updating mine.

So here I am. :)

It's a fairly busy season at work, so I'm not getting here as often as I planned.

Due to the ladies' Bible study, I didn't get any exercising done yesterday except pilates. I am trying to re-create that habit, though, so it was good to get it in.

Tonight I plan to get myself to the gym. I bought myself a walkman CD player, and am looking forward to trying it out.

For last night's study, I was doing some reading on the blessings God brings through dark times.

Isaiah 45:
2 "I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.
3 "I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.

There are things we learn in the darkness that we can't learn anywhere else. And when we find these things hidden in times of sorrow, we KNOW it's got to be from God ... that He is in it.

When Israel was wandering in the wilderness, we see that He gave them a pillar of fire to lead them in the night:

Ex 13:21 The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.

He didn't leave them in the dark without help ... He showed Himself strong to them, and to the outside world that was watching ... this totally un-natural guidance in dark times was a strong proof to them of God's intervention in His people's lives.

A few other Scriptures that have blessed me as I've considered this:

Da 2:22 "It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him.

The Lord gives songs in the night:

Ps 42:8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life.

Isa 42:16 "I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, In paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them And rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, And I will not leave them undone."

Ps 91:5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day;
He reassured them of His love for them, and at the same time, struck terror into the hearts of their enemies, by providing unnatural light and guidance in the night.

Isa 26:9 At night my soul longs for You, Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; For when the earth experiences Your judgments The inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

Ps 130:6 My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.

Ps 63:6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches,

well, THAT's done

This is the first time I've ever had a car with a door-and-trunk-unlocker doo-dad (I mean, other than the key). :)

It also has one of those panic buttons. I just KNEW eventually I'd hit the thing and be one of those people everyone stares at in parking lots.

Got that one out of the way this morning at the grocery store before work.

Fortunately I got it shut off before too many people noticed!

This morning the greeter at the store told me she thought I was losing weight.

I found this interesting not because I actually HAVE lost weight (still fighting the battle). I was wearing the "have you lost weight" capri pants. (of which, I now have 4 pairs ... for that very reason).

I found it intersting because she remembered me.

Whenever anyone says, "how are you," I have been making a concerted effort for the last few years to stop. Look them in the eye, and give a pleasant answer. Then ask them the same question and really listen to what they say.

And this lady remembered me.

I live my life in such a state of rush - always trying to fit as much into every free moment as possible. Yet how long does it take to stop and have a pleasant conversation with the lady at the grocery store?

Maybe 30 seconds?

It's worth it.

Got to the gym last night, though I skipped the bicep machine because the incredibly sweaty guy before me hadn't cleaned it off, and it was just too gross to deal with. :)

I was reading in the section of the Old Testament (Numbers, maybe? Forgot to look. This chronological Bible gets me confused about where I'm reading sometimes!).

The Jews were on their journey from Egypt to Israel, and the Lord had them send spies into Israel to bring back some of the fruit of the land. And it was amazing -- bigger than they could have possibly imagined.

I'm also studying the fruit of the Spirit in the Christian's life - love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control.

I wonder if God also causes people who aren't yet residents of the promised land (who haven't yet given their lives to God), to come amongst Christians and look around a little.

Do they get a taste of the fruit in our lives? Is it so extraordinary that they leave still thinking about it? Does it show them that this is a place that God has blessed? Do they want to move in?

Something I can ask for in my life!

Got the chance to have a long walk at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids last Friday. It was just so lovely - the leaves were turning, and the sun was sparkling on the river. I saw a blue heron catching his dinner, and a duck and a squirrel arguing over the same acorn (duck won). Such a beautiful world we live in!

(Yes. I admit it. I do live within driving distance of Grand Rapids...Have I mentioned my doberman and gun collection? Gotta tell you all about them one day).

Trinka

a quick update for those who don't watch the news ...

For a story on the upstanding protestors in Toledo:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,172437,00.html

excuse me ... toledo?

When visiting skinheads are the well-manned people in town, you've got serious issues.

Heard on the news over the weekend,
"there were out-of-towners instigating things."

Know what? No amount of instigation would cause me to knock down the doors on an old man's house. No amount of instigation would make me think, "hey, let's throw bricks at this ambulence window."

Nope.

Wouldn't happen.

"But you don't know what it is to live in poverty, and be looked down on."

You might be surprised. :)

Nevertheless ... no temptation to trash my neighborhood or hurt old, sick people.

why pop music doesn't offend me

At the gym this morning (patting self on back), I was listening to a classic rock station they had playing.

I am not musical ... I have no gifts in this area other than a love for poetry, which translates into a love for lyrics ... but I'm not sensitive to tone like many are.

So, this song is playing, and I thought, "I should just try listening to the words, and seeing what it's about."

This is what non-musical me got from it:

Out here in the fields
(so far, so good, right? Sounds like the start of a ballad or something.)

blah blah blah my eels

yep ... that's the closest I could come to picking out actual words. From this point, it got totally unintelligible, until the line:

I need to ask forgiveness

OK. What for? Maybe the eels were served sureptitiously to guests or something?

Oh well ... so much for my foray into pop culture. At least the music isn't planting disgusting stuff in my brain - I don't even understand it. :)

Though as I was leaving there was one playing with a man saying again and again,
I've got her under my thumb.

Hmmm ... this sounds to me like a rock singer who probably does NOT get many dates. :)

Male rock singer: "wanna go out Friday night?"

Lady remembering the "under my thumb" song): "No. I was planning to use a do-it-yourself eyeball transplant kit I got through the internet."

:)

Anyhow, I know we bloggers are expected to comment on pop culture. I suppose that's the best you're gonna get from me.

Trinka

has anyone seen an escaped cricket?

I just couldn't resist ... really.

At the funeral home Sunday, I was visiting with B.'s parents.

B. is my upstairs neighbor.

They asked if I had heard loud pounding coming from B.'s apartment late one night.

Yes. In fact, I had.

They went on to say that B. has a strong dislike for bugs, and she was trying to kill a stubborn cricket one night - by pounding it with a broom handle.

Now, I have no particular animosity towards crickets, in fact, I like the sound they make. I really couldn't resist the opportuinity ...

Monday morning, I left the following note on B.'s door:

Have you by any chance seen my pet cricket? He got away a few days ago,
and I know they tend to travel upwards ... Trinka :)

I thought, just in case she didn't automatically realize that people didn't normally keep crickets as pets, the smiley face would have led her in that direction.

Apparently not ... she called her father in a panic, wondering what on earth she could tell me about the cricket assassination. Fortunately her father remembered the previous day's conversation!

On a more serious note, I was reading the following news article this morning: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20051011/D8D62SSG3.html

Stevie Wonder is lamenting the lack of love in our society.

It's amazing to me that people SEE the problem, and assume it must be tackled by addressing the surface issues.

Yet, there seems to be no consideration of the roots!

The issue isn't people being rude on the bus, or not holding the door for little old ladies.

The issue is that hearts are becoming more and more self-involved, and respect for human life is dwindling.

Why is this?

Not because we don't have plenty of exhortations to love each other and be kind to each other. The culture is quite well-supplied with that kind of message.

It's because our hearts need a radical change, in order to have others' needs ahead of our own. Society won't be changed, unless the change first starts with God working in hearts. That's the ONLY answer. (Though I still think voting Republican is a good plan.) :)

Got to the gym last night, and didn't feel sick. Yippee! The body seems to be cooperating again.

Trinka

the time is short and eternity is long

The service yesterday was a real blessing ... so hard to see a casket that small ... yet what a testimony that little girl had of love for God and for others.

This little girl knew she was right with God. Her obituary described the events of Friday afternoon as her "stepping off the gravel and into the presence of the Lord."

It prompts me to ask ... gentle-reader ... what if it had been you?

Today you're sitting today in front of that computer ... breathing.

What if tomorrow, you're not?

One of us in this little e-community will be the next one of us to die.

It's the ultimate statistic ... one out of every one dies.

We'll stand before our creator, and no matter how many good things we've done, we'll be faced with the truth that it's not enough.

The Bible is clear that there is a way to be right with God. But it's also clear that the answer isn't found in anything we can accomplish on our own.

Romans 3:23 says that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."

So we're all standing on common ground ... good people and murderers; hypocrites and humble.

What does that common ground earn us?

Romans 6:23 says, "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

So, my wages ... what I've earned by my sin (ANY sin), is death.

BUT

So thankful for that "but" ...

God offers sinners the gift of eternal life - not on the basis of our merit (thankfully), but rather through Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

God's gift of freedom from the penalty we earned by our sin did not come cheap.

The penalty had to be paid, and only One sacrifice would be sufficient -- His own Son.

A gift only belongs to me if I accept it, right? If I leave that bouquet of roses sitting on the front steps, they're never really mine. It's the same with this gift God offers us.

Romans 10:9-11 says, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

This is the whole theme of the Bible summed up in a neat package -- we are incapable of making ourselves worthy of God's attention ... yet He loves us, and desires to make a way for us to come to Him.

The one Bible verse that almost everyone knows sums it up so beautifully! John 3:16 -
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Interested in learning more about these things? There's a great, easy-to-read book called The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus by John R. Cross (it's available from Amazon at - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1890082147/103-4775512-5355038?v=glance&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance

End of preach for today.

Exercise-related accountability - I got to the gym over the weekend, and have been walking. Last night was ladies' Bible study, and so nothing else got done after work.

Trinka

heavy hearts here

We've just had our second unexpected death in the past month. The first was a young mom over Labor Day weekend; the second was a nine-year-old girl yesterday afternoon.

Both families are involved in many, many ministries at the church ... both are very dear to many hearts.

This is not outside God's providence. He will work all things for the good of those who love Him.

But if you think to pray for these dear ones, and that we will know how to stand in the gap for them ... it would be appreciated.

Got to the gym this morning ... still feel really sick while working out, but I lessened the weights by one increment, and that seemed to help some.

Had a great time last night at a get-together learning more about Answers in Genesis' new museum http://www.answersingenesis.org - I'm hoping to go down and see it when it opens.

Trinka

care for a side of hypocrisy with that humble pie?

I've been exercising (though not to the gym ... due to this sick-to-my-stomach situation that doesn't seem to go away), and been reading - particularly in 1 Peter, as I get ready for the Monday night ladies' Bible study.

I've been thinking about sin lately. I know ... I know ... not a pleasant subject!

But nonethless, it's been on my mind.

As I mentioned in the last post, I've been listening in my car to a series of sermons on Romans by Charles Leiter (http://www.lakeroadchapel.org - I don't think the Romans series is posted, but some of his other messages are). He's mentioned several times the idea that the greatest sins are those we commit against God ... forgetting Him, choosing others above Him, etc.

Also this week, someone confessed something to me that I found shocking.

In praying about that situation, and considering the messages I'm listening to, it's had me examining my attitudes towards sin.

Why did I find the confession shocking? Because I think of some sins as worse than others. But my standards are so different from God's!

Actually, it's MY sins that are worst. Preoccupation, seeking entertainment, and focus on my "to do" list regularly put God at the back of my mind. I can go entire days without involving Him in my life.

The shame is MINE. My sins are persistent, and on-going, and rarely confessed or acknowledged.

This song, from Fernando Ortega's new CD, has been woven through my thinking on this:
(You can listen at: http://www.fernandoortega.com) It's talking not so much about the shame associated with sin, as that of just human-ness. However, it's figuring into my meditations on this subject in a way I haven't quite got a handle on just yet.

SHAME

Though I am weak
Sometimes weary
In times of trial
I hide my face
In the balance
Judge me wholly
Please don’t judge me
By my shame

In dark hours
Of confrontation
When words may fall
Too soon to unsay
Don’t mistake them
For my true meaning
They are measures
Of my shame

I have tried to
Live life humbly
Not a coward
Not in vain
When my meekness
Overcomes me
Remember me
Not my shame
Not my shame

I am small
And self-conscious
Every mirror
Reflects the grain
Judge my essence
By my kinships
Remember me
Not my shame

I am weak
Sometimes weary
Sometimes small
I hide away
When my hours
Are all accounted
Please don’t bind me
To my shame

I have tried to
Live life humbly
Not a coward
Not in vain
When my meekness
Overcomes me
Remember me
Not my shame
Not my shame(repeat)

In reality, it's purely the mercy of God that has kept me. That's it.

God, in His providence, chose to weave together circumstances in such a way that I didn't end up in this other one's shoes. The wall between me and shocking behavior is one God erected, and one that my heedlessness could tear down in a second, if He left me to myself.

Thankful for His protection, and desiring to be constantly reminded that it's He who is responsible for anything worthwhile in my life,

Trinka

which is worse?

I didn't get any exercise yesterday, and it appears none will be coming today, as both days were/are packed to the brim. But I did walk 5 miles or so Saturday, and I'm hoping it will compensate at least somewhat!

I drove up near Cadillac to pick up a friend Sunday afternoon. The trees were starting to change up there, and it was just beautiful.

I was listening to a series of sermons on Romans, and it was a blessing. The one that was playing this morning was talking about the difference between ungodliness and unrighteousness.

If we were to ask people what sins are "worst" ...what would they say?

Almost universally, they (I) would focus first on things that injur others .... then on crimes related to property, etc.

However, that isn't God's order at all!

The first and greatest command is to love the Lord with all the heart, soul, mind and strength.

Hmmm ... wouldn't that mean that violating this command is the greatest sin?

Good for me to remember that God's priorities are different than my own ... that no matter how much I think I'm a "good person" ... because I don't do ___________ ... He knows that I violate this greatest commandment ALL THE TIME.

Still needing to be changed!
Trinka

can you believe I drove to McDonalds for free internet

just to post pictures of my car?

Yep. I did. :)

Here she is - her name is "Lil #5" (the first two Lils were Ford Escorts, the second two were Chevy Cavaliers.) Lil #1 had a most glorious demise, as she caught fire, and drove herself into the side of our house ... but that's a story for another time. :) (and I'll even scan pictures to accompany it)

on being critical

I got in a quick walk last night, but due to an oofy-stomach, didn't pursue it too far!

However, since eating hasn't been appealing, I've dropped weight, so I won't complain too strenuously.

I was reading in 1 Peter 1 this morning,

22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.

We're to love one another with sincerity, fervency, and from a pure heart (as it says in the KJV).

It's a good reminder to me, as I see a tendency toward being critical ... and this is NOT the person I want to be! I may have said it here before, but I was struck by the idea (which I read somewhere ... can't remember where) that being critical is really slaping God's face. When I criticize another Christian, I'm saying that God hasn't worked in their life in the way I think best. That's a little silly, isn't it? Yet it's a perspective that's all-too-easy to fall into!

He's God. I'm not. Need to keep that in mind!

Going up north to pick up a friend Sunday. It's supposed to be a beautiful day for a drive, and I'm still in the honeymoon phase with that new car, so I'm looking forward to it!

Trinka
Trinka

back to work

Today is my first day back.

Statistics about my days off:

# of trips to the gym: 2
# of days without exercise: none!
# of things crossed off my "to-do list": none :( Not so thrilled about that last one!

However, quite a few unexpected things came up that required large chunks of time, and the days off allowed that, so it was a blessing.

I bought a new Saturn and sold my Cavalier ... which required considerable running here & there for several days. The price came through at less than he had quoted me, and I discovered that full coverage on this car is nearly the same price that PLPD was on the old one ... what a blessing! Hope to snap a picture of myself with the new car, and post it some time soon.

I had the pastor-candidate and his wife over for brunch, and that took a lot of time in the preparation stage. (I always choose to have people for brunch, under the assumption that I can't ruin it ... proved THAT one wrong!). :)

I was reading in Lev. 21, and thinking about the criteria for the high priest's wife.
10 ‘The priest who is the highest among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil has been poured and who has been consecrated to wear the garments ...
13 ‘He shall take a wife in her virginity.
14 ‘A widow, or a divorced woman, or one who is profaned by harlotry, these he may not take; but rather he is to marry a virgin of his own people,
15 so that he will not profane his offspring among his people; for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.’"

The Lord Jesus is our "great high priest." And the church is considered His bride. Yet we constantly turn aside to other lovers, and were anything BUT virgins when He chose us.

Yet He creates that IN us, even though it's not there to begin with!

Trinka

well that's done

Ordered the car yesterday, and it may be here by this weekend. Yikes!

The p.m., pessimistic Trinka was in a bit of a flurry last night. But really ... so much of the p.m. Trinka's thinking is motivated by fear (as opposed to prudence). I told her she gets to clamp down as tight as she wants on the budget for the next few years, and she felt LOTS better. :)

Got to the gym last night, and (though I'm hesitant to say it too loudly) it appears that I've reversed the gaining-weight trend. The last 3 days or so, the numbers have turned the other direction. Whew! I was starting to get concerned. Just gotta keep a closer watch on those calories.

My siser-in-law has been running - I'm so proud of her! I've done little bits here & there to give some variety to my walks, but I think she's inspiring me (especially now that the weather's turning cooler). They're taking my little niece also, and at 2, she's learning to love exercise. What a wonderful way to start out in life. I devloped an early passion for books that I wouldn't trade for anything ... but I do wish it was matched by a passion for physical activity.

I've been reading in 1 Peter as I prepare for the ladies' Bible study, and 1:13 has been on my mind. It talks about girding your mind ... grabbing hold of your thoughts, and putting them where they ought to be. It's such a good reminder. When we control our thinking, our actions, feelings, attitudes and reactions all follow along behind.

Along the same idea, 2 Corinthians 10:5:
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Read this today (my apologies for the weird line breaks ... don't know how to fix it!) :

You've got to admit, some of our hearts are trashed out. Let any riffraff
knock on the door, and we throw it open. Anger shows up, and we let him in.
Revenge needs a place to stay, so we have him pull up a chair. Pity wants to
have a party, so we show him the kitchen. Lust rings the bell, and we change
the sheets on the bed. Don't we know how to say no?

Many don't. For most of us, thought management is, well, unthought of.
We think much about time management, weight management, personnnel management, even scalp management. But what about thougth maangement? Shouldn't we be as concerned about managing our thoughts as we are managing anything else?

Jesus was. Like a trained soldier at the gate of a city, he stood watch over his mind. He stubbornly guarded the gateway of his heart ...

If He did, shouldn't we ...?

Grace for the Moment, pg. 290, Max Lucado

Well, vacation starts tomorrow. I may still post occasionally - McDonalds, across the street from my place, has wireless now. :)

Trinka

the vacation cometh

Looking forward to a few days off over this weekend - I'm taking off Thursday - Tuesday. Planning on some home-improvement projects, and having a few people over for brunch one day.

Saturday our local roller rink had free skating in the afternoon. I went with a family from church, and had a ball! It's the kind of thing I don't think to do on my own, but really enjoyed it. Though I do wish people would get the idea of the "new skaters on the outside" thing. It seems like I was always fighting to avoid squishing some poor little one who'd fallen in front of me!

Also got in a walk Saturday, and another Sunday. And moved furniture on top of that. I tried switching where my dining room and office were - I kinda like it because now I can look out the slider from my desk. When the days start to get shorter, I want to capture as much light as I can.

I've been reading in 1 Peter, preparing for tonight's ladies' Bible study.

One of the fellows I read had some great thoughts on the idea of election/free will - very balanced, which I like!

Haven't heard back from the Saturn salesman. I'm thinking that most salespeople prefer phone or face to face. I, on the other hand, am VERY fond of e-mail. :) That's OK ... it gives me more time to think.

This car issue definately proves to me that I have two distinct personalities - one a.m. and one p.m.

In the morning, I'm optimistic and liberal - "sure I want to buy that car. The money will work out. It will be great!"

At night, I'm pessimistic and conservative - "nope ... too much money ... make do with what you've got. don't risk it!"

Now, if I can just decide which time of day to MAKE the decision, I'll do well!

Trinka

no reading ... no exercise .... but Thai food was great

Well, I did get to the gym Thursday, but yesterday? Not so much. :) After work I went with T. to run errands, test drive an Ion, and then out for Thai food. (If I was ever to actually pursue cooking with any dilligence, I'd love to learn to make Thai food.)

I loved the car. A fellow from church had brought out an Aveo for me to try yesterday morning. And I liked it. But the Ion? Definately loved it. :) However, the price was a bit steeper than I'd been led to believe (the .9% financing wasn't available on 2006 models, and the 2005s were gone.)

So, the car purchase is likely postponed for a while, unless the salesman's able to combine some discounts for me. (I'm eligible for more than one, and I doubt they can be used together ... but you never know!) I sent him an e-mail this morning asking about it, so we'll see. (the dragonfly green color I loved so much on the 2005s has transitioned to a cypress green that I like even better. I do love it when I can get a car in a non-flashy color other than white, black or grey).

As far as reading, ok ... "none" is a bit extreme. But not much. I was looking at 1 Peter, and thinking about the idea of "resting our hope fully on grace."

There are so many other things on which I'm tempted to rest my hope. But all those things are eventually going to fail me. But God's grace is secure, and I can trust it forever.

Trinka

leprousy

Lately, I've been reading in the sections of the Old Testament where it dealt with all the rules and restrictinos that they had to impose on people with leaprosy.

From a practical, protect-everyone-from-germs standpoint, I know these rules had a purpose. But it's also a picture of sin ... and the grievous implications of even a small transgression! Even the tiniest spot of leaprosy required drastic action. Yet, when it completely covered the person's body, they could be considered clean! Sin is such a serious business that even a tiny bit condemns us ... yet it's when we realize that we're altogether sinful that we find hope for healing ... by trusting in Christ's deliverance instead of our own.

From John Newton's Olney Hymnal:


Oft as the leper's case I read,
My own described I feel;
Sin is a leprosy indeed,
Which none but Christ can heal.

2. Awhile I would have passed for well,
And strove my spots to hide;
Till it broke out incurable,
Too plain to be denied.

3. Then from the saints I sought to flee,
And dreaded to be seen;
I thought they all would point at me,
And cry, Unclean, unclean!

4. What anguish did my soul endure,
Till hope and patience ceased?
The more I strove myself to cure,
The more the plague increased.

5. While thus I lay distressed, I saw
The Savior passing by;
To him, though filled with shame and awe,
I raised my mournful cry.

6. Lord, thou canst heal me if thou wilt,
For thou canst all things do;
O cleanse my leprous soul from guilt,
My filthy heart renew!

7. He heard, and with a gracious look,
Pronounced the healing word;
I will, be clean - and while he spoke
I felt my health restored.

8. Come lepers, seize the present hour,
The Saviour's grace to prove;
He can relieve, for he is pow'r,
He will, for he is love.

Exercise-wise ... I got to the gym last night and lifted weights, and am REALLY feeling the results today. I'm feeling a bit let down at how much work I'm putting into this whole enterprise, and how little results I'm seeing.

However, I did notice last night that the pretty, skinny girls are almost universally lifting 2 to 3x LESS weight than I am.

Wow.

I'm quite shocked, actually.

I might never be tiny ... but at least I'll be able to open my own peanut-butter jars. :)

Trinka

some new pavement to ride on

Just noticed that they're putting in a sidewalk along the busy road I use to get to work. Methinks my bike tires will zip along nicely there!

Yes ... I know ... "bicycles should ride on the road."

So ... from henceforth, sidewalks along busy roads will be known as "bike paths."

There. Doesn't that feel better? :)

I know I'LL feel LOTS better when the cement is dry, and I can use it!

Got in a nice walk and a swim last night. The pool is closing for winter today, so it was a treat to have a warm night, with a beautiful half-moon to swim in yesterday. The boisterous types didn't leave the pool until 8:30, but once they did, it was lovely!

I'm working on the 1 Peter study for tonight. The ladies haven't gotten their books yet, so they aren't ready to look at the first chapter, so I think I'll do a short devotional on Peter. I've been thinking about his influence on Mark's life ... how one who knows failure up close & personal can be an encouragement to another who's experiencing it!

Here's a poem from the Olney Hymnal, written by John Newton (the man who wrote Amazing Grace)

When Peter boasted, soon he fell,
Yet was by grace restored;
His case should be regarded well
By all who fear the Lord.

A voice it has, and helping hand,
Backsliders to recall;
And cautions those who think they stand,
Lest suddenly they fall.

He said, “Whatever others do,
With Jesus I’ll abide;”
Yet soon amidst a murd’rous crew
His suff’ring Lord denied.

He who had been so bold before,
Now trembled like a leaf;
Not only lied, but cursed and swore,
To gain the more belief.

While he blasphemed he heard the cock,
And Jesus looked in love;
At once, as if by lightning struck,
His tongue forbore to move.

Delivered thus from Satan’s snare
He starts, as from a sleep;
His Savior’s look he could not bear,
But hasted forth to weep.

But sure the faithful cock had crowed
A hundred times in vain;
Had not the Lord that look bestowed,
The meaning to explain.

As I, like Peter, vows have made,
Yet acted Peter’s part;
So conscience, like the cock, upbraids
My base, ungrateful heart.

Lord Jesus, hear a sinner’s cry,
My broken peace renew;
And grant one pitying look, that I
May weep with Peter too.

Labor Day weekend

Well ... I'm home and have my desk cleared off to the point where I can make a quick post!

I spent the long weekend in eastern Pennsylvania at my dad & step-mom's house with my brother, sister-in-law, and two sweet nieces.

I would post pictures of them (I did come home with 288 ... almost qualifying myself for honorary grandparent status). :) But, since creepy stuff still happens online, posting pictures of cute children feels not-so-good ... so instead I'll put one up of the lovely view off the deck. Coming from Michigan, being able to see hills is a constant wonder to me. :)

As is typical of vacations, I ate more than I should, and exercised less than I should. But I'm back on the bandwagon yesterday and today.

I've been reading in 1 Peter, in preparation for the study that begins Monday. I was talking with a friend last night, and enjoying thinking about the author of the book. The last thing the Lord said to Peter before the cross was "put down your sword." And His last words to him after the cross were, "feed my sheep."

We sure see that in this book! Peter writes from the perspective of humility and gentleness, seeking to shepherd the sheep God had given him. It's so easy for me to pick up the sword, instead of feeding sheep! I apprecited, too, the exhortations in the book to hospitality and loving the brethren ... much more conducive to sheep-feeding than sword-wielding!

Sat next to a lady from P.E.T.A. at the Philadelphia airport. Fascinating, really, to talk to someone from the extreme opposite political position!

Thankful I wasn't wearing a leather coat ...
Trinka

better day ...

Had a good, long walk yesterday (with gas at $3.39, I chose not to drive the 15 miles to the gym!).

Then had a great visit with T., whose job involves managing actual people (I just have to get all the "stuff" where it needs to be, and when). She's a help to me with dealing with difficult folks!

This morning, got to give a reference for a friend for a job she's applied for. I just LOVE giving references. :)

OK - off to find a long weekend. See you next week!

Trinka

terrible, awful, really-bad day

one of those days that you just want to unplug the phone and go hide in a closet with a bag of chocolate, and sneak out only when promised a long neck massage.

However, neither chocolates nor the neck massage is going to happen, so I'd better pull myself together.

We had a tragic accident happen last Tuesday involving one of our families. Some are hospitalized, and one is with the Lord, and the funeral will be next Tuesday.

Which, coincidentally, is the last day of the long weekend when I've planned to be away at my dad's.

I have a substitute working for me that day.

But she doesn't want to miss the funeral.

My job is being a support person, filling in the gaps behind the scenes during things like funerals.

Feeling so frustrated, and irritated, and just wanting to bag it, and stay here so things are done right, but at the same time, there are those already-paid-for plane tickets.

tired, tired, tired!!!!

no exercise yesterday ... crises-related phone calls all day, afternoon & evening, then prayer meeting. Maybe no exercise today, if I can talk T. into a Taco Bell and a nice long visit. She's practical, used to dealing with difficult people, and will help me get my attitude back into a more spiritual condition.

me

who me?

It looks as if I'll be leading the Monday night Bible study on 1 Peter. Don't feel overly confident. I love to study, but I like someone ELSE to keep the conversation moving!

Thinking more and more seriously about the Saturn Ions. The "no rust" feature is so appealing here in Michigan. My poor little Cavalier started to rust almost before I got the first frost scraped off the windshield! :)

Got to the gym last night. The students are back, and it is a BUSY place. :)

C. sent me an IM from a hotel in Toronto where she's waiting for her plane to Cyprus. She's taken a teaching job there. Poor dear. I might have to go visit her when the snow is deep this winter. :)

Trinka

I believe, help my unbelief

Was talking about this passage with a friend, and it's been on my mind since then.

There are some people in the Bible who made ringing declarations of faith ...
Joshua "choose you this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." / Elijah with the prophets of Baal ... "if Baal be god, then serve him; if God be God, then serve Him."

But there were also a lot of folks whose faith was shaky. They would have bursts of trust, followed by seasons of doubt. Even when the Lord comments on their doubts, it’s with such gentleness, and seems to go hand-in-hand with reaching out to help them.

Mary & Martha –
“Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died. (John 11:12 & 21)

How did the Lord respond?

Harshly … right? “Why don’t you just decide to trust me, and carry on?”

No – “He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. (John 11:33-35)

He didn’t chastise them for that “if” … He felt with them, and led them to the place where they’d see Him work. He’ll lead US to that place too, if we bring our “ifs” to Him.

The disciples, as a group --
Luke 8:22-25, they were in the storm on the Sea of Galilee, and fear overwhelmed them. He said, “where is your faith?” but didn’t chastise … in fact, he didn’t even say it until AFTER He had dealt with the situation. At the cross, they all “forsook Him and fled”. Mark 14:50

Mary, at the tomb –
She assumed that the only possible reason He could be gone was that someone had taken the body. He had said several times publicly that He’d rise again. But her faith just wasn’t there. How did He deal with her? John 20:15, “Woman, why are you weeping” … then He said her name with such tenderness, that it could only be Him, and she knew. No chastisement here either. Just gentleness.

Peter, on several occasions!
When he sank beneath the waves … his faith faltered, he took his eyes off the Lord. But for goodness sake, look where he was! He was stronger in faith than any of the others there! And again, the Lord was gentle, “you of little faith, why did you doubt?” … He reached out and gathered him up.

Again when he cut off the man’s ear … the Lord had been pretty explicit in telling them what was going to happen … yet Peter didn’t trust Him … he tried to fix it himself.

Again when he denied … the events of that night, and the upcoming cross, stripped all his confidence away, and left him terrified and desolate.

Three very public failures … a minimal education, no reputation to speak of … and God turned him around, and sent him to reach out to the Jews. And he didn’t back down again!

God is not only the author of our faith, but also the perfector of it … (Heb. 12:2) One of the things Paul is thankful for about the Thessalonian Christians is that their faith is “greatly enlarged” … (2 Thess. 1:3) … it’s something for which we can be grateful in one another … we can long for each other that our faith would grow. We can pray that God would “fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power. (2 Thess. 1:11)

**********

Not too much exercise happened this weekend ... there were lots of things going on, and I just didn't make it out. I did have a lovely time at the demolition derby, and also went out to do some more car shopping.

I drove a little used VW Jetta that was just adorable. But I've also discovered that a brand-new Saturn Ion can be had for about $12,000 with the employee discount I get through my step-father.

So ... still pondering the matter. By the time I finally make up my mind, maybe I'll have saved enough to pay for the silly thing. :)

Trinka

God spoils me ...

I was given all the strawberries and blueberries I could possibly eat. Spoiled rotten, this girl is!

So spoiled, as a matter of fact, that this past week, at a garage sale, I saw some beautiful hand-painted shower curtain hooks that matched my embroirdered shower curtain. How cool is that? Paid $1 for a package originally marked $8. Very fun! :)

Got to the gym last night, and rode my bike Wednesday. Made it all the way to the top of the hill without getting off & walking. Yippeee! I do like seeing things like that happen.

This weekend is the demo. derby with T. We've been going for years now, and it's such a nice chance to visit and catch up, while watching some cathartic car-crashing.

Have a great weekend all!

Trinka (off to visit a used car dealer or two)

car shopping ...

I've been doing a lot of it.

It's amazing how easily your "this is what I want to spend" amount creeps up!

They're sneaky, these car folks! :)

Then there are the web sites where you can pick your color, and it shows you the picture that changes as you do ... they're sly ones. "OK ... now show me the aqua one with the tan interior ... now the gold one ... OK, with the black interior ..." Grrrrrr!

The lure of 60 mpg makes the hybrids look SOOOOOO nice. But ... really ... I'd have to save a LOT of gas to make it worth spending double my budget.

Gotta get that thar perspective in line!

And it's important to remember that God has kept my car running (contrary to all reason, considering the mileage) quite well so far!

Those little Ions are cute ... too.

NO. GIRL.

GET BACK TO WORK!

SHUT THE WEB SITE DOWN AND BACK AWAY FROM THE KEYBOARD.

bird-filled weekend

OK ... first-off, the accountability part ... no exercise happened this weekend, and WAY too much chocolate was ingested. I barely opened my Bible. Yep. No successes in any area to report.

I love birds. And this weekend I went to my mom & step-dad's over night Saturday. They live in the country and feed birds, including hummingbirds, and there were so many beautiful ones to watch. One of the hummers flew into a window, and died. And while it was sad to see it dead, it was also fascinating to look at it up close ... the pattern on the feathers, and how light it was. It's amazing how God can pack such intricate design into a tiny little creature. Above is a picture.

They had an unusual bird come around - a yellow-billed cuckoo ... I'd never seen one of them before. Also while I was there a flock of 6 sandhill cranes flew over.

We went to see March of the Penguins (more birds!). It was a terrific movie -- totally clean, and fascinating for any age. I'd recommend it.

A couple more pleasant, nature-type things over the weekend ... on our way back to their cabin in the woods, a squirrel raced us all the way down the lane. And when she opened her patio umbrella, there was a little frog perched inside. It apparently spends the nights there, and goes off during the day to do whatever frogs do. Above is a picture of that little guy.

That's all for me this fine day. Off to the gym tonight, and back on the diet bandwagon. :)

Trinka

methinks some psychology is at work here

and NOT in my favor.

Last Friday, gas was $2.67. I said, "you've got to be kidding me. I ain't payin' that. I'll wait until the weekend is over, and it will be cheaper. I'll show THEM.

This week, Wednesday, I finally gave up and paid $2.79.

Today, Friday again, I saw gas for $2.69, and though. Wow! That's cheap! I gotta fill up before the weekend!

Sick. It's just sick! Looked at a used Honda Insight online this week, and thought, "hmmmmm ... that's an idea...." :)

(wanna know something funny? I had to come back and edit this because I'd typed those gas prices initially as 1.67/1.79/1.69 ... living in a dream world, this girl is)

I was reading in Numbers again this morning, and noticed a long passage about the Kohathites, and what they could and couldn't do with the Levites in the tabernacle. It seems like there's some history there that I'm not catching. Hoping to look into it & figure it out. I'm wondering if it's related to Korah & his rebellion... but the names aren't quite close enough to make me sure of it. My puzzle for the weekend ... :)

Got to the gym last night. And this morning, when I did that squinty-eyed, wake-up stretch, noticed that there's some serious muscle appearing in my arms. Cool! I'm not interested in becoming Miss Muscle-woman ... but I do know that with muscle comes metabolism. Plus it's kinda nice to be able to shove my own furniture where it needs to go. :)


I'm so far behind at work here that it's not even funny. Yesterday at 4:50, I was doing stuff I usually have finished by 3:00. And now I've just arrived to piles of stuff that won't ever get done today. And I told the youth pastor I'd run to Meijers and pick up pop for an activity tonight.

Grrrrr ... hence the reason I'm not posting anything more than this today! :)

Trinka

firstborn that aren't born first

After yesterday's whining, I actually missed prayer meeting last night.

A friend was going to fix the brakes on my bike before prayer meeting (thanks D.A.!), but we ran late, and I didn't get there. So a TON of exercise found its way into my evening - rode my bike all over, and paddled around the pool for a while.

I was SO far behind all day today ... now at 10 minutes to 5:00, I'm where I'm usually at around 3:00 on Thursdays. Will be glad to leave the building today!

And I only made it THIS far because I happened to have a spare folding machine sitting here, and I was able to fold twice as fast. Thankful for that timing!

I was reading last night in Numbers 3:

12 "Now, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the sons of Israel instead of every firstborn, the first issue of the womb among the sons of Israel. So the Levites shall be Mine.

13 "For all the firstborn are Mine; on the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, from man to beast. They shall be Mine; I am the LORD."

In the Old Testament, the firstborn had all kinds of extra privileges and responsibilities.

Yet again and again, God plucks up someone from further down the birth order and plops him/her into the firstborn's place.

Isaac came after Ishmael
Jacob came after Esau
Joseph was down the line (his two sons were elevated to the same level
David wasn't the firstborn, or even the most impressive

Yet here in Numbers God made a substitution for ALL the firstborn ... He took one tribe, and set them apart for Himself as priests in lieu of all Israel's firstborn sons.

And now ... the church is called the church of the firstborn:

Heb 12:23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

and a kingdom of prists

Re 1:6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Re 5:10 "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."

Blessed to be put in the firstborn's place!
Trinka

this exercise thing ...

the scheduling of it is wearisome. I went to a surprise birthday party yesterday (happy Birthday Donna!) ... but it started at 6:30 ... didn't exercise before, too late to exercise after, so I go to sleep feeling like a lump.

Now today, it's fight to squeeze it in before prayer meeting or it's too late again afterwards.

I sometimes feel like the only way to do it "right" is to give up everything else.

I always hear heavy people say, "I just don't have time to exercise." Well ... somehow, we've gotta FIND time. But the day-to-day finding can be a real frustration!

So ... what about the two Bible studies this coming fall ... give them up to keep my little program going? Don't really like THAT idea either. But I've already got prayer meeting Wednesdays ... if I commit to Monday and Thursday nights too, that pretty much shoots the week.

Skinny folks make it look so easy!

Trinka, with the confused schedule

why didn't I do this two years ago?

In talking with some of the elderly ladies at my condo over the weekend, I happened to mention that I don't cook. It's not that I can't cook; it's just that there's no time, and very little inclination.

Well, if I didn't come home yesterday after work to some hot zucchini cassarole and warm muffins sitting outside my door.

I'm thinking maybe I should mention that I don't have time to clean either. :)

Thanks Jo! It was delicious!!

On my way home from the gym, I noticed that my favorite peach stand was up and running, so I bought a big basket, and shared some with the ladies. I DO love the produce this time of year, peaches, blueberries, tomatoes and sweet corn ... it's the perfect diet. :)

Was reading in Exodus, where the tabernacle was being assembled, and noticed that the credit for the artisans' skill was given to God. It's important to remember - the things I do well (art and music NOT being on the list) are gifts from Him. I'm thankful.

Trinka

life still offers a test every now and then

There was a contest in the newspaper for the tackiest room. Immediately our church's downstairs ladies' room came to mind. What do you think? You just don't SEE robin's egg blue and lime green wallboard anymore these days. :)

Went out for dinner last night with one of the elders & his wife, and another single lady, to discuss starting some kind of singles' program at church.

It was a lovely visit ... I really enjoyed it.

I went in, knowing I had only 500 calories left for the day, and determined to stay within that number. (I love eating out, and tend to always want to try new, fattening things at restaraunts.)

I worked hard to pick out a hawaiian chicken salad thing ... all fruit & vegetables, and grilled chicken.

It was an effort, but I avoided all the cheese/butter/chocolate options!

Then, the man who was treating said, "no, you should get a dinner instead."

Eeek! back to square one!

I know he was saying that, out of consideration that I not choose a cheap entree for his sake.

But now ... a whole new menu page to evaluate!

But what a blessing ... I found a broiled fish thing, that was still reasonable calorie-wise (though not price-wise ... sorry Mr. A) ...

My natural inclination would be to say, "oh well ... can't have my healthy thing ... gotta choose something deep-fried NOW).

Gotta keep working those "make the right choice in this situation" muscles. :)

where do I want my carcas cast?

I was reading in Leviticus 26 this morning and v. 30 caught my eye:

“I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and cast your carcasses on the lifeless forms of your idols; and My soul shall abhor you.”

When we seek after idols (even modern one$), we become as lifeless as they are. We belong “cast upon” Him … there’s just no other option that won’t result in death.

“I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God.” Psalm 22:10

On the exercise front, I’m considering some kind of weight-lifting system for my house. I’m finding that driving to the gym is eating up a tremendous amount of time and gasoline. Anyone had experience with any of the resistance-type systems? I’d love NOT to welcome any other horribly-heavy object into my life.

who, me?

Went to my condo board meeting last night. I'm not ON the board, but I wanted to ask about the idea of using an un-used room for cardio equipment.

I happened to be in the line-of-sight when they were discussing nominations for next year's board election, and they put my name on the list.

It seems weird to be asked to do such things. However, I think some younger, more flexibile opinions on this particular board wouldn't do any harm. :)

Evidenced by the response to my question last night.
"oh, we can't put exercise equipment in that room. We might want to sit in there, or play cards."

I've lived here for two years, and have yet to see anyone enter that room. But you never know, someone MIGHT want to play cards in there SOME DAY. :)

I've been blessed looking through a list of Scriptures that a friend compiled to help those struggling with an addiction. It's amazing how they apply to my situation re: diet and exercise as well. We've all got SOMETHING that we're tempted to set up as an idol ... and God wants to throw it down, so we're solely His.

It was a real treat - as I walked out to my car at the gym last night, the thought came, "this feels really good." After exercising for 45 minutes? Now THAT's unusual. :) Feeling pretty sore today. It's a good kind of sore, I suppose.

Trinka

but my intentions were good ...

I dragged 41 pounds of books into the post office in an M-bag this morning.

Already at the counter (ahead of about 5 people) was K. - just finishing up sending some packages to one of our soldiers.

Knowing she was going to need to be reimbursed for shipping, I asked her if she wanted me to put the order on the church credit card.

"Sure," says she, "that would be a great help!"

She hands me the paperwork, and goes home. Clerk #1, who was helping her, now has a half rung-up order, and me standing there with 41 pounds of books.

At this point clerk #2 (the only other clerk) announces, "I'm going on break."

So ... the five people who I just jumped in front of are now waiting for clerk #1 ... the one who's dealing with me and my problematic little M-bag.

Because, you see, Clerk #1 doesn't know how to do M-bags.

So she calls her supervisor, who helps us.

And we discover that 41 pounds is way too heavy ... gotta split it up. (There are now about a dozen people waiting).

I fill out another customs form (I'd done the first one before I came in), and split the books into two bags.

I'm hearing murmuring from behind me, and Clerk #2 still hasn't re-appeared from his break.

The drawstrings on the bags aren't working properly ...

When I finally left, Clerk #2 had just returned, and there were about 15 people waiting.

I've been watching the news all morning for news of the post-office riot ...

To all who I've offended today ... I'm so sorry ... I was just trying to make K.'s day easier, as I turned yours into a giant hassle!

Trinka

pleasant summer sights ...

last night, while riding my bike home from prayer meeting ...

- two boys taking turns pulling each roller-bladed-other along the sidewalk with a rope

-a hummingbird buzzing around the geranium on my porch, until she saw me sitting there drinking my coffee this morning

-a much-needed summer rainstorm blowing in, during the same porch-coffee-drinking

The summer storm refreshes in so many ways. I've been praying for God to meet a certain need, and it's such a beautiful reminder to me of how un-limited He really is. Whether He gives, or with-holds, it's for good, and from love, and I can trust Him.

Another blessing ... having a beautifully spotless, no-white-goo in sight, kitchen.

Trinka

splat

Let me just say ... the health department would condem my place if they could see the kitchen right now.

Last night I was SO sleepy ... on my way to bed, I reached into the fridge for some cool water to take along with me, and I knocked over a container of coffee creamer.

hence the title of this post ...

Who knew it could spray so far, and so widely?

A goodly portion of my kitchen is coated in sticky, french-vanilla-scented goo.

I couldn't bear the thought of staying awake long enough to thoroughly clean it up last night ... so I just went over everything with a dish cloth.

But ... really ... it's seriously sticky in there ... walls, floor, counters, inside the fridge ... diligent attention needs to be paid.

Saves me the trouble of deciding what to do after prayer meeting tonight. :)

I was reading in Exodus about the burnt offerings that were to be sacrificed on the new altar. It says that "all that touches the altar shall be holy." I was thinking how, when we give anything to Him, it becomes holy. It's such an amazing thing ... no matter what awful thing we give Him ... it gains a luster from the simple fact that we gave it to Him.

One of my favorite poems:

Peerless Worth(Song 5:9-16)

Hast thou heard Him, seen Him, known Him?
Is not thine a capturedheart?
Chief among ten thousand own Him,
Gladly choose the better part.

Idols once they won thee, charmed thee,
Lovely things of time and sense;
Gilded, thus does sin disarm thee,
Honey'd, lest thou turn thee thence.

What has stripped the seeming beauty
From the idols of the earth?
Not the sense of right or duty,
But the sight of peerless worth.

Not the crushing of those idols,
With its bitter void and smart;
But the beaming of His beauty,
The unveiling of His heart.

Who extinguishes his taper
'Till he hails the rising sun?
Who discards the garb of winter
'Till the summer has begun?

'Tis that look that melted Peter,
'Tis that face that Stephen saw,
'Tis that heart that wept with Mary,
Can alone from idols draw.

Draw and win and fill completely,
Till the cup o'erflow the brim:
What have we to do with idols,
Who have companied with Him?

spoiled rotten american christian ...

Had a good reminder of just HOW spoiled.

A friend spoke this past Sunday -- a man who works in a Muslim country. He spoke on 2 Timothy, particularly the idea of enduring hardship for the Lord, and being a good soldier.

As an illustration, he used the persecution that the Christians there accept as part of their daily lives ... and it was sobering. There are threats from outside, and betrayals and woundings from inside. It just ripped my heart out to think about it ... it would be SO hard to live in a society that hated you. But how much harder to see brothers & sisters fall away, make public denunciations, etc.

Any time I'm tempted towards disunity, or gossip, or lack of love for another Christian, I need to remember this! And if someone treats me badly ... well ... it's not really THAT badly, is it?

Pray for these folks!
Trinka

yikes - wake me up next time!

Had one of those dreams last night where I think there's someone in the room, and try to wake up to talk to them, but can't ... and try hollering to wake myself up, but it doesn't work.

Once when traveling with a friend, she told me I yelled in my sleep, so I know it DOES happen. Today I'm wondering if I was screaming bloody murder, and ought to apologize to a neighbor or two!

I was thinking about the last half of Exodus 28:30 last night & this morning:

And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.

That last phrase struck me ... what would it be like to "bear the judgment" on my heart continually? How would I be different if I was always remembering that the people around me are eternal creatures ... who will be judged if they don't accept the alternative?

We read this C.S. Lewis quote in prayer meeting Tuesday morning, and I thought it applied to this:

It is a serious thing to ... remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere moral. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization -- these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snug and exploit -- immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. -- C.S. Lewis

what do I smell?

I was reading in Exodus 30 last night & this morning.

It's talking about the incense & perfumes that would be used in the tabernacle. Israel was told never to mimic the same formula to use on themselves or in their homes. God's things, and His places were supposed to smell different ...

People's homes often have a distinctive scent ... neither unpleasant nor pleasant ... just distinctive.

God wanted that for HIS house, the tabernacle. When that scent was perceived, people's thoughts would turn to Him.

In 2 Corinthians 2:15 it says that Christians "are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."

God wants His people to have a distinctive "fragrance" also. When someone meets me, I want to remind them of Christ. When someone who doesn't know Jesus meets me, I hope they're reminded of "great Aunt Susan, who belived kind of like you do."

It's so easy to get caught up in temporary problems & irritations (ugh - like that awful experience when I went to check out Escape Fitness Tuesday), and forget that I'm an ambassador for Another. That is far more important than personal offenses!

Trinka

I like these forwards ...

Welcome to the new edition of getting to know your friends.

1. What is your occupation?
Office manager

2. What is the last thing you read?
My chronological Bible – I love having the approximate dates, and reading it in order!

3. What are you listening to right now?
Local talk radio

4. What was the last thing you ate?
A granola bar

5. Do you wish on stars?
No – but I love looking up at them.

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Grey – those who know me well will know why. :)

7. How is the weather right now?
Sunshine and blue skies, and 20 degrees cooler than it has been.

8. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Sean at the Sprint PCS store

9. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Yes – and look forward to seeing her in September!

10. How old are you today?
36

11. Favorite drink?
A smoothie that D. ordered at a fast food place in Texas. Wish I could find something similar here!

12. Favorite sport to watch?
No such thing.

13. Have you ever dyed your hair?
Red. But never found a natural-looking color, so I quit.

14. Do you wear contacts or glasses?
Both – or else I wouldn’t even be able to find the floor in the morning.

15. Pets?
5 African violets

16. Favorite month?
May

17. Favorite food?
Thai

18. What was the last movie you watched?
An IMAX on Egypt

19. Favorite day of the year?
New Years Day – very contemplative and quiet

20. What do you do to vent anger?
Don’t know if I’m consistent, but last night I called a friend, wrote a letter to the offending company, and this morning had the above-mentioned friend edit the letter lest I send it and regret it later!

22. Fall or Spring?
Both

23. Do you delete forwards without reading them, read them and delete, or send them out to others?
Read the ones with a subject line I haven’t seen before, delete those I know I’ve read previously, and rarely send them on to others.

24. Cherry or Blueberry?
Blueberry (and peach) my two favorite fresh fruits, both currently in season!

25. Do you want your friends to email you back?
Yes

26. Who is most likely to respond? ?????
Lori V. if she can remember how to cut & paste.

27. What's your favorite smell?
Lilacs

28. Who do you live with?
1,000 wonderful books, and a few spiders who hide behind them

30. What is on the floor of your closet?
A laundry basket, and a Rubbermaid container of the clothes I’m hoping to un-grow into. :)

31. Who is the friend you have had the longest?
D.

32. What did you do last night?
Had a bad experience at a fitness center (see #20 above!) and helped Chris V. with her computer.

33. Favorite non-Biblical author?
Samuel Rutherford

34. What’s your favorite use of an unexpected afternoon off?
A good used book store, running errands, and cleaning my house without pressure to hurry or be anywhere.

35. What are you afraid of?
parties

36. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers?
Cheese hamburgers

37. Favorite car?
I find the new hybrids draw me. I saw a Honda Inspire in someone’s driveway this last weekend, and it had an interesting shape.

38. Favorite dog breed?
Any large, non-hyper dog.

39. Number of keys on your key ring?
11 – I’m house-sitting right now.

40. How many years at your current job?
10 1/2

41. Favorite day of the week?
Sunday

42. How many states have you lived in?
2

43. How many cities (towns) have you lived in/name them?
Michigan - Allendale, Athens, Fulton, Grand Rapids, Jenison, Union City
Pennsylvania – Reading, Spring Creek

start with the inside

I've been reading in Exodus 25 (or near there!), and God described to Moses how He wanted the tabernacle set up.

I half-remember a sermon on this ... and it was interesting -- in one section, when God talked about the actual tent, He described it in several layers, and He started with the inside layer, and worked His way out. It seemed backwards to me ... if I were going to describe the same thing, I think I'd start with the outside, and work my way in.

But to God, the interior was most significant ... it was where He would meet with His people. And with people, too, He's most concerned with our hearts and minds. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.

Got to the gym last night, and then had a wondeful swim ... it was VERY hot here yesterday, and the swimming pool was just begging for company. :)

Off to check out that new gym tonight.

Trinka

kinda like driving in England

I'm awash with relief at having Sunday's class done and over with. I was asked to co-teach a class on marriage & singleness yesterday. (I did the singleness part, obviously!)

I felt prepared, and was able to stick to my notes without burying my face in them (which is a hard balance for me to strike.) It was a blessing for me to renew my thinking on God's goodness to me as well!

I was thinking of an illustration for how it felt to speak ... I've never been paralyzed in fear at the idea as so many people are. Neither do I find it totally comfortable. It's more a matter that if I'm well prepared, I can do it, but it's never really been "natural" for me.

It reminds me of driving in England. I did it (though D. did far more!). I knew I COULD do it, and that if I kept doing it, it would become more natural over there on the left side of the street. But it certainly required a lot of concentration, and I was worn out when it was done!

Slept all afternoon yesterday when I got home!

Tomorrow afternoon there's an open house at a new gym that's starting right near where I work. Feel slightly guilty spending money on it ... yet the convenience of being able to work out before work in the mornings has a real draw to it. Maybe I'll walk in and hate the place, and my mind will be made up for me!

Trinka

rest

I've been reading in Exodus 23, where the Lord talks about the need for the sabbath, and the sabbath-year (every 7th year, the fields were left fallow, and the land rested).

It was a blessing to think about this ... particularly in line with the Lord Jesus being the fulfillment of the sabbath.

In Ex. 23, it talks about how leaving the land rest will allow the poor, and the animals, to eat off the volunteer growth in the fields. The sabbath feeds those who can't farm for themselves.

What a blessing that our Lord offers us the freedom from sin that we couldn't give ourselves ... He is the bread of life, and the living water that we can't earn or buy, but is offered to us without cost.

Isaiah 55:
1 "Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost.
2 "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance.

I've been walking, but not getting to the gym since Tuesday. I'm teaching the Sunday school class (or rather, half of it) Sunday, and the preparation is needing a lot of time. In truth, I probably AM prepared already, but it builds my confidence to keep working on it. :)

Trinka

how the other half lives

I took today off to work on my talk for Sunday school this coming Sunday.

Woke up at 6:30, was able to go over to the gym while it was nearly empty and work out ... and drive over to the local free-wi-fi-and-coffee shop for breakfast and a quick e-mail check.

I have to say, that a leisurely life does have an appeal!

And for the person who sent yesterday's anonymous comment ... I'm sure God will be interested to know He doesn't exist. (you may want to consider whether your logic has any holes) :)

Trinka

just to confirm that you got the message ...

To preface, I hate confirmations ... I find it irritating that people will call me to see if I got something in the mail (particularly sales-people!). I spent some time with the king of all double-checkers ... and so I've gone in the other direction ... radically so!

However, in reading Exodus 20, I noticed that God does this! He had Moses tell the people to stay away from the mountain while Moses went up to get the 10 commandments. Then when Moses got up there, God sent him back to repeat the message!

So ... I suppose there's room for balance here ... there most be SOME occasions where double-checking is needed.

Got to the gym on Sunday, and walked Friday & Saturday. It's VERY warm here right now, so I think there should be extra credit offered. :)

A new gym is opening up just down the street from work, and I'm hoping to go and have a look tomorrow. I'd love to be able to go before work in the mornings, and re-visit having a life in the evenings once again.


A friend broke his shoulder in a bicycle accident a while back due to a fellow rider who heard "left" and went "right". I did this for him to send the guy in an funny e-mail, and am quite happy with how it turned out.

Don't see any future as a graphic artist, but at least it's understandable!

So ... did you buy the rental insurance

My brother tells me this is a rental car he was driving.

Here's his account of the situation:

I was driving in the passing lane on the highway, which means there were other cars I was passing. One of them decided to pass cars too. He tried to merge into my lane where I was currently... driving, being, minding my own business. Anyway, I slammed on my brakes and veered off the left side of the road since, as I said, I was passing cars which were on my right. The car seemed to know something I didn't. It swerved across the right lane -- sideways -- and into the ditch, where it skidded on it's side. If you look close, there are some red marks behind the back door. Those are raspberry stains. It slid over some helpless raspberry bushes. I hope I'm not charged with any sort of crime.
We discovered that about an hour before my 3 p.m. date with the ditch at the 48 mile marker, I 181, Kristen had been doing her daily devotions. She'd prayed for our safety on the roads. Now we both wish she'd been more specific -- no accidents of any kind! I don't know if I'm covered or if I'll be paying Enterprise for the next 20 years. But I'm still thankful that I missed the line of cars in the right-hand lane.
Oh... No scratches, bumps or bruises. In fact, I had a sore back before the accident. Now it's great!

So ... really ... I haven't had a day THIS bad:

Was feeling very weary about the going-t0-the-gym-after-work routine, and had some good encouragement from a friend last night. It IS worth it ... even if I don't see the results I'd like. (at least I can consistently open my own jelly jars!)

I was reading in Exodus 17, about the battle with the Amalekites, where Israel was helped by God to win, as long as Moses held his hands in the air. When he got tired, Aaron and Hur brought him a rock to sit on, and held his hands up. There is so much to be thankful for about those in leadership ... who bear the burden of "holding up their hands" ... of continual responsibility ... while we fight the battle in the trenches. It's a reminder to me of the importance of praying for those in leadership ... I can help hold up their hands when they're weary.

Trinka

Why only some?

To get the exercise accountability out of the way before the interesting stuff ... rode my bike to and from prayer meeting last night, and had a lovely long paddle in the pool around 9:00 pm after all the noisy folks went home. :)

Carol and I have been discussing the idea of God's healing people (physically), and it's given me some interesting food for thought.

Mark 1:
2 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.


In other places, it says the Lord healed "all". But here, and again in Mark 3, it says He healed "many". Why not all?

We know that God heals spiritually -- all who ask Him - without qualification

Romans 10
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

And I see that sometimes He heals physically -- in James, God even gives us a picture of how we are to ask for healing:

James 5
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

*the sick person requests it to happen
*the elders go them ... it's private
*they prayed and anointed with oil in the Lord's name

Some will be healed physically here on earth. Others will be healed when they are freed from their suffering by death, and step into God's presence. But either way, they will be healed.

I know of cancer that was suddenly "not there" ... and terminal diagnoses (is that the plural spelling? don't remember!) that were changed to treatable ones.

But I also know of some godly ones who slowly descended into the mist of Alzheimers, and others who lost their bodies to ALS. I've read books by great men and women of faith that were written from sickbeds, and despite great suffering.

What's the difference? Why do some of God's people regain health, and others suffer for decades?

It can't be the amount or quality of their faith ... faith is a fruit of the Spirit ... a gift of God ... and to say that someone remains ill because of lack of faith is a terrible condemnation, not only of them, but of God Himself.

We see people in the Scriptures whom God allowed (or even caused!) to suffer physical affliction.

When God's angel wrestled with Jacob -
Ge 32:25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
Ge 32:31 Now the sun rose upon him just as he crossed over Penuel, and he was limping on his thigh.

For the rest of his life, Jacob bore that limp as a reminder of that night.

He says that some afflictions, He made:
Ex 4:11 The LORD said to him, "Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?

Our natural way of thinking rebels against this! Why would He allow this?
Why did Job suffer in such a fashion, and never know the cause?

He doesn't always tell us! But He does say that
Isa 63:9 In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.

He suffers alongside the sufferer.

Romans 8
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

We know that our suffering has purpose. It "works together for good" ... and what is that "good"? It's in verse 29 - it conforms us into the image of His Son. There's a reason that so much great ministry was born in times of pain ... it's in those times that we meet with God.

Our suffering allows us to comfort others who suffer:
2Co 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Our sufferings become a stream of refreshment to those who follow behind us:
Psalm 84
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca (weeping), they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

I suppose that's enough for today ... I've already written more than most people would want to read ... but I'm thankful for the chance to think about these things. It's when I'm healthy that I need to prepare my heart for dark times ...There are treasures hidden in those dark times, and I need to be ready to mine them:

Isa 45:3 "I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.

In closing, a list of those who come to mind whose physical illnesses have been used to give God glory, and encourage others:

Fanny Crosby (blindness),
Joni Erickson Tada (paralysis),
William Cowper (crippling depression),
Charles Spurgeon (gout, exhaustion, depression),
Amy Carmichael (bedridden for decades following a fall),
Frances Havergal (never have figured out what made her so sick, bedridden for much of her life),

as well as some nameless dear ones, currently in my life, whose names are unknown to the world, but whose sufferings are right this very second precious to God, and a testimony for Him.
Trinka

remembering for at least a month!

No exercise happened yesterday, but I did have a lovely evening at the Petra exhibit at Calvin College with a lady from church. It was a nice break!

The teens were here at church this morning meeting to go to an amusement park. They saw the letters on my car and knew immediately what they were for. I've got all manner of names, initials and little notes scattered around it now. Fun stuff!

I was reading in Exodus, and the Jews were in the wilderness, complaining that they were hungry, and that they would have been better off in Egypt.

This was, mind you, only a month after their experience at the red sea! We forget so soon what God is capable of! (me too, I confess it).

Yet, a generation later, when Joshua was camped outside Jericho, and Rahab the harlot helped the spies, remember what her reason was? The people remembered what God had done at the Red Sea, and were afraid to oppose Him.

He was so gentle in feeding the people with manna, even when they were complaining, longing after their slavery, and forgetting Him. I'm thankful He's patient with me, because I do these things too.

alphabeti-car

While in Utah last year on a white water rafting trip (oh, that was SO fun)I saw a fellow with magnetic letters all over his car. So you could re-arrange them and leave him notes. I bought a set of letters and stuck them to my car this afternoon.

I hope people get the idea and leave messages ... it's such a very-tidy Dutch community, that I have visions of people lining them up in alphabetical order in neat little rows. :)

I got to the gym last night. I'm noticing that the more muscled and sweatier the person, the less likely he/she will clean off the weight machines when finished. Maybe he/she thinks that their sweat is more hard-won, and therefore should be appreciated by others?

Not sure.

Yet another mystery for the non-athletic to puzzle over.

I was reading about the beginnings of Israel's journey away from Egypt. They had just crossed the red sea 3 days ago, and came to a spring with bitter water. God had Moses throw a tree into the water to make it fresh again. There's a Tree that will take our bitter hearts and make them sweet, too. It's only at the Cross that we can be changed.

Trinka

I'm still out here ...

I'm still exercising (in fact, riding my bike instead of taking my car quite often). Tonight I go to pick up my new card at the gym -- I've been here a year, and just renewed my membership. Who would have thought? :)

I'm working on the study for the July 24 Sunday school class on singleness - it's been a blessing to remember what God's done in my life in that area. Anyone who has any thoughts to add, I'd love to hear them.

weary of saying goodbye

Picked up a bicycle from the classified ads last night ... I kinda like it now that I've peeled off all the stickers, and cleaned it up a bit. I rode it to work this afternoon, and I can tell some new muscles will need to be built ... but it's definately do-able. I plan to ride it back again for prayer meeting tonight.

Got in a walk last night, but not to the gym (due to an appointment to look at the above-mentioned bicycle).

I've been thinking about goodbyes. I hate them. There have been far too many funerals lately, and dear ones moving away, missionaries going back to the field, nieces far away whom distance prevents me from knowing ...

This is one where He can identify with us. "For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross." That joy is us ... being with us one day ... and He's waiting for all His own to be together.

The idea of heaven having "no more sea" is a precious one - a preacher I liked (he's gone too!) talked about the sea as a picture of separation. In heaven, there will be no more saying goodbye to dear ones, no more separation due to distance, or misunderstanding, or busy-ness.

There's a quote from C.S. Lewis that I like very much. While it's talking about time, I think it applies here too --

Quoted from a private correspondance from C.S. Lewis:

A wish may lead to false beliefs, granted. But what does the exitence of the wish suggest? At one time I was much impressed by Arnold's line 'Nor does the being hungry prove that we have bread.' But surely, tho' it doesn't prove that one particular man will GET food, it DOES prove that there is such a thing as food! I.e., if we were a species that didn't normally eat, weren't designed to eat, would we feel hungry? You say the materialist universe is 'ugly.' I wonder how you discovered that! If you are really a product of a materialistic universe, how is it you don't feel at home there? Do fish comlain of the sea for being wet? Or if they did, would that fact itself not strongly suggest that they had not always been, or would not always be, purely aquatic creatures? Notice how we are perpetually surprised at time. ('How time flies! Fancy John being grown-up and married! I can hardly believe it!') In heaven's name, why? Unless, indeed, there is something in us which is NOT temporal.

who knew it would cost THAT much?

To swap handlebars on an old bicycle? $80. Yikes!

got to put some more thought into this one!

be ready to get out of Egypt

It was a pleasantly productive weekend ... it's nice to have extra time to get things crossed off my "to do" list.

I got to the gym Saturday and increased the weights I'm lifting (and can STILL feel the consequences in my arms). Had a long walk on all the other days.

I'm looking at bicycles, thinking maybe I could start riding to work & church ... save a little money in gas, make my car last a bit longer, AND get myself moving.

A family at church gave me a bike, but it has curled-under handlebars -- just going a couple miles, my wrists were aching from resting forward on them. I'm going to do some looking today to see if I can replace the handlebars with something that will let me sit up straight. The rear brake doesn't work, either, so I've got to learn how to replace it.

I've been reading in Exodus 12 - the original passover. It's been a blessing to look at all the parallels between that passover, and the Lord Jesus' sacrifice as our passover Lamb.

Last night, I was thinking about how the Lord told the Jews to eat that passover meal -- He had them come to the meal all dressed and ready to leave - even carrying their walking sticks.

When we become Christians, it's kind of like that for us too ... He's going to be bringing us out of our old life, and into a new one. And we'd better be ready to hit the road quick! We can't get OURSELVES out of Egypt. No matter how we try, the chains of that slavery can't be broken by our own efforts. But when we ask GOD to do it ... we'd better be prepared for things to start happening!

Trinka

nice to know it's do-able

As I thought yesterday about my rapidly-deteriorating car, and my need for more exercise, it occurred to me that I should be walking or biking to church more often. It's 2.5 miles each way ... so very do-able.

There is a busy four-lane road to cross to get here and I've been avoiding it for that reason ... but today I proved to myself I could do it. Exciting to develop some new options. :)

Hope you're having a good 4th ... I'm getting a LOT done, and I'm pleased.

Trinka

and so I did neither

A friend called, and we ended up going for a walk last night, and then I cleaned up some remote controls I got from ebay (found a garage sale television that worked great, but the remote was dead).

I do need to get to the gym some time this weekend (hopefully it's not closed for the holiday!) But I was feeling a little lonely, so a visit & walk was nice last night, and then a nice catch-up phone call from another friend. Still wish I had something interesting to do for the holiday ... but a little productivity around the house wouldn't do me any harm!

I was reading in Exodus 8, about the different plagues God brought against Egypt when Pharoah wouldn't let the Jews leave. A few things stood out to me that I hadn't noticed before --

Pharoah's magicians finally gave up attempting to imitate what God was doing, and in 8:19, they admitted that it was God who was acting. I find it interesting that at this point, the plagues were still impacting the Israelites as well as the Egyptians. Sometimes God's people suffer along with the world ... and that doesn't stop people from realizing it's God's doing. We definately aren't immune!

It's interesting, too, that it was at this same point that Pharoah quit asking Moses to pray for the plagues to be removed (though he does resume asking again later in the chapter). It's almost like, as the magicians' eyes were opened, Pharoah's heart became more hard.

I was also noticing that God always warned about what was going to happen. Pharoah had the chance to repent, and let the Jews go. The Egyptian people had an opportunity to prepare (as much as possible) for what was coming ... all that was required was to believe God and take action.

Kind of like now ... God tells us that our only hope & real happiness is to be found in Him ... we've got no reason NOT to run to Him, except for our own determination to do it our own way!

I might get internet-deprived, and hunt up a free wi-fi spot over the holiday, so maybe I'll check in over the weekend. :)

Have a good holiday everyone!

Trinka