An excerpt from Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller:
All great characters in stories are the ones who give their lives to something bigger than themselves. And in all of the stories I don't find anyone more noble than Jesus. He gave His life for me, in obedience to His Father. I truly love Him for it. I think the difference in my life came when I realized, after reading those Gospels, that Jesus didn't just love me out of principle; He didn't just love me because it was the right thing to do. Rather, there was something inside me that caused Him to love me. I think I realized that if I walked up to His campfire, He would ask me to sit down, and He would ask me my story. He would take the time to listen to my ramblings or my anger until I could calm down, and then He would look me directly in the eye, and He would speak to me; He would tell me the truth, and I would sense in His voice and in the lines on His face that he liked me. He would rebuke me, too, and He would tell me that I have prejudices against people and that I need to deal with that; He would tell me that there are poor people in the world and I need to feed them and that somehow this will make me more happy. I think He would tell me what my gifts are and why I have them, and He would give me ideas on how to use them. I think He would point out very clearly all the ways God has taken care of me through the years, all the stuff God protected me from.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Life is Hard
Life is hard. I'm 100% confident no one reading this blog can disagree with that statement. Just to name a few culprits that make life challenging:
-Money
-Work
-Family
-Expectations regarding all of the above (to make a certain amount of money, to obtain a certain amount of material possesions, even if you can't afford them, to have a great job and a nice office and lots of time off, see your family often and make sure everyone is getting along)
-Our selfish sin nature (It's all about me)
These can be especially challenging for those of us who try to handle all of life's problem's ourselves - those of us who are independent/perfectionist types who want to do things our way and oh by the way I want it done perfectly. That's actually my personality type - in my grad school class we did some leadership personality typing and my personality is one that leads to stress - I want things done my way, right now, perfectly. Oh and by the way, since no one else can do it, I'll do it myself. Yikes. Am I really like that? Ewww.
I'm not sure that I have a point with all this, but if I did, it would be that I think the most important lesson (and probably the most difficult)to learn on my journey as a Christain is that I can't do it alone. And that includes my interactions with my family, at work, earning a living, etc... So to approach any difficult situation without consulting God or having Him be apart of our every thought and action is asking for more trouble.
Our preacher once said that we view God as a member of our Board of Directors of life. We want His input and value His opinion - but do we always follow His guidance? Do we always obey? I would have to back up a step further and ask - do I always seek His guidance? No.
So to get to the point, whatever you're dealing with right now - and I know you are. All of us (as my preacher also says) are entering into a storm, in the middle of a storm, or just coming out of a storm. Offer it up to God. Ask Him to take control and give you the patience, grace, peace and strength to handle any situation.
-Money
-Work
-Family
-Expectations regarding all of the above (to make a certain amount of money, to obtain a certain amount of material possesions, even if you can't afford them, to have a great job and a nice office and lots of time off, see your family often and make sure everyone is getting along)
-Our selfish sin nature (It's all about me)
These can be especially challenging for those of us who try to handle all of life's problem's ourselves - those of us who are independent/perfectionist types who want to do things our way and oh by the way I want it done perfectly. That's actually my personality type - in my grad school class we did some leadership personality typing and my personality is one that leads to stress - I want things done my way, right now, perfectly. Oh and by the way, since no one else can do it, I'll do it myself. Yikes. Am I really like that? Ewww.
I'm not sure that I have a point with all this, but if I did, it would be that I think the most important lesson (and probably the most difficult)to learn on my journey as a Christain is that I can't do it alone. And that includes my interactions with my family, at work, earning a living, etc... So to approach any difficult situation without consulting God or having Him be apart of our every thought and action is asking for more trouble.
Our preacher once said that we view God as a member of our Board of Directors of life. We want His input and value His opinion - but do we always follow His guidance? Do we always obey? I would have to back up a step further and ask - do I always seek His guidance? No.
So to get to the point, whatever you're dealing with right now - and I know you are. All of us (as my preacher also says) are entering into a storm, in the middle of a storm, or just coming out of a storm. Offer it up to God. Ask Him to take control and give you the patience, grace, peace and strength to handle any situation.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Baby Bunnies!
So we had the most wonderful thing happen. We had a momma bunny that birthed her baby bunnies in our yard. Literally, in the middle of our backyard. Laken found them in a hole and we won't go into it, but Cliff almost killed them with the water hose and a shovel. They survived - and then we got to watch them grow.
These are the bunnies when we first found them - right after Cliff almost killed them.
These are the bunnies just a few days later - they had grown so fast!
And this is one of the bunnies once they started to leave the nest. We think they are still around. Laken goes outside and looks for them every day. We're pretty sure they come up to the door and stick their tongues out at Laken and then she cries to go outside and then they hide from her. Torture!
I would like to say for the record I would be very happy to provide accommodations for any momma bunnies that want to birth babies here. I like being a baby bunny nursery!
One more cute pic for the road.
These are the bunnies when we first found them - right after Cliff almost killed them.
These are the bunnies just a few days later - they had grown so fast!
And this is one of the bunnies once they started to leave the nest. We think they are still around. Laken goes outside and looks for them every day. We're pretty sure they come up to the door and stick their tongues out at Laken and then she cries to go outside and then they hide from her. Torture!
I would like to say for the record I would be very happy to provide accommodations for any momma bunnies that want to birth babies here. I like being a baby bunny nursery!
One more cute pic for the road.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Happy Labor Day!
Click here to read about Labor day and why it was started.
More recommended readings for you:
I get to see some of my family this weekend! Hooray!
More recommended readings for you:
I get to see some of my family this weekend! Hooray!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Happy Birthday Cliffy
July 24th marks Cliff's 28th Birthday! Cliff and I met when we were both 19 - almost 20 and we've been together ever since. Happy Birthday Cliffy!! Gifts and money are always welcome.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
June
June went like this:
June 6-10 I visited 10 colleges in 5 days. Goo.
June 10 I celebrated my middle sister's birth. I called her but she did not answer, she called me back, I did not answer. I returned her call; she didn't answer. Epic Fail.
June 11 - 13 Cliff, Jane and I attended the CMA fest downtown. (Thank you Jane!) It was fabulous. As a result, I have a newfound obsession with Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton.
June 14 I joined twitter. Like I need one more social networking membership. However, my middle sister who is mentioned above posts pictures of my beloved neice on this site. Yay!
June 21 I began rehearsing with the dance team - they rock!
June 24 I took the MAT. I made an above average score - I won't mention that it was only 17 points above average. Whatever.
June 29/30 My friend from work and I had dessert at the Cheesecake Factory. I was elated!
Then saw Twilight Eclipse. I was disappointed.
June 6-10 I visited 10 colleges in 5 days. Goo.
June 10 I celebrated my middle sister's birth. I called her but she did not answer, she called me back, I did not answer. I returned her call; she didn't answer. Epic Fail.
June 11 - 13 Cliff, Jane and I attended the CMA fest downtown. (Thank you Jane!) It was fabulous. As a result, I have a newfound obsession with Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton.
June 14 I joined twitter. Like I need one more social networking membership. However, my middle sister who is mentioned above posts pictures of my beloved neice on this site. Yay!
June 21 I began rehearsing with the dance team - they rock!
June 24 I took the MAT. I made an above average score - I won't mention that it was only 17 points above average. Whatever.
June 29/30 My friend from work and I had dessert at the Cheesecake Factory. I was elated!
Then saw Twilight Eclipse. I was disappointed.
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