So true.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Tangled
Saw "Tangled" in 3d. Not bad considering Disney's usual butcher job on the fairy tale. 3 cheers for the Horse. He absolutely makes this movie work!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Here I Am
Sometimes Your calling, comes in dream
Sometimes it comes in the Spirit's breeze,
You reach for the deepest hope in me,
And call out for the things of eternity.
But I'm a man, of dust and stains,
You move in me, so I can say,
Here I am, Lord send me,
All of my life I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me,
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,
Here I am.
Setbacks and failures, and upset plans,
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands,
Are You not the closest when it's hardest to stand?
I know that You will finish what You began.
And these broken parts You redeem,
Become the song, that I can sing
Here I am, Lord send me,
All of my life I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me,
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,
Here I am.
Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness,
And the fear that I'll fail You in the end,
In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces,
I can't put this together but You can.
Here I am, Lord send me,
I want to live my life as an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me,
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,
Here I am all my life an offering to You
Here I am.
Downhere - Here I Am
Sometimes it comes in the Spirit's breeze,
You reach for the deepest hope in me,
And call out for the things of eternity.
But I'm a man, of dust and stains,
You move in me, so I can say,
Here I am, Lord send me,
All of my life I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me,
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,
Here I am.
Setbacks and failures, and upset plans,
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands,
Are You not the closest when it's hardest to stand?
I know that You will finish what You began.
And these broken parts You redeem,
Become the song, that I can sing
Here I am, Lord send me,
All of my life I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me,
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,
Here I am.
Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness,
And the fear that I'll fail You in the end,
In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces,
I can't put this together but You can.
Here I am, Lord send me,
I want to live my life as an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me,
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,
Here I am all my life an offering to You
Here I am.
Downhere - Here I Am
Monday, August 30, 2010
Voice of Truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"
Chorus:
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them lookin' down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Voice of Truth
Casting Crowns
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"
Chorus:
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them lookin' down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Voice of Truth
Casting Crowns
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Psalm 15-16
GOD, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list?
"Walk straight, act right, tell the truth.
"Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbor; despise the despicable.
"Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, never take a bribe.
"You'll never get blacklisted if you live like this."
Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you.
I say to GOD, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense.
And these God-chosen lives all around-- what splendid friends they make!
Don't just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale.
I swear I'll never treat god-names like brand-names.
My choice is you, GOD, first and only. And now I find I'm your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir!
The wise counsel GOD gives when I'm awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I'll stick with GOD; I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go.
I'm happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell-- that's not my destination!
Now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way.
(Psalms 15-16 The Message)
"Walk straight, act right, tell the truth.
"Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbor; despise the despicable.
"Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, never take a bribe.
"You'll never get blacklisted if you live like this."
Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you.
I say to GOD, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense.
And these God-chosen lives all around-- what splendid friends they make!
Don't just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale.
I swear I'll never treat god-names like brand-names.
My choice is you, GOD, first and only. And now I find I'm your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir!
The wise counsel GOD gives when I'm awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I'll stick with GOD; I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go.
I'm happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell-- that's not my destination!
Now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way.
(Psalms 15-16 The Message)
Thursday, August 12, 2010
CDL Update
Wow, I'm tired.
Putting in my apprenticeship driving as part of a team out of a WalMart Distribution Center serving WalMart and Sam's Club Stores in 7 states. We deliver groceries 7 days a week to 1, 2, or 3 stores on each run; a run being from 500 to 1000 miles round trip.
The reefer trailer that WalMart uses is divided into three compartments. A run might be a Dairy/Deli run, in which the compartments are at +30, -20, +30; or it might be a Meat/Produce run where the compartments are at +40, +30, +40. And supposedly the loaders at the Distribution Center load the truck in order, but even so, if the first store needs only 3 pallets out of the first compartment and one pallet from the second compartment, you have to unload the entire first compartment to get the one pallet from the center compartment, then reload everything. And the driver just watches, we are not allowed to load/unload. Usually the store employees could care less about what is happening to the pallets belonging to another store, not their problem, eh? Arrgghh!
Anyways, the schedule is setup so that a team running around the clock can hook up a reefer, deliver to the stores, return to the DC, drop the reefer, and hook another and keep going. WalMarts deliver at night, Meat/Produce before midnight and Dairy/Deli in the early morning; and Sam's delivers between 5 AM and 11 AM.
Oh, and sometimes we have to bring groceries back to the DC. The other day we finished delivering to to Sam's and then went to a Meat Packer and picked up a load to bring back to the DC. Then a couple of days later we went way out in the country and picked up 6 pallets of fresh sweet corn at a farm to bring back to the DC.
As an apprentice I am not allowed to drive between midnight and 6 AM, so I get the noon to midnight shift. Some of our routes cut across corners of a couple of national parks, some of the most beautiful real estate in the U.S. And this is the best time for seeing the wildlife; we see a sign that says "Watch for Big Game" and then come around a corner a mile later and see a big yellow Deere or Caterpillar or Komatsu tearing up the road, quite a wonderful sight to see.
Although I must admit to now having seen the deer and antelope play. The only buffalo I have seen have been roaming feed lots. And I did pass a gate that said "Home on the Range", about an acre of dirt and prairie grass and a small garden shed.
I have about another week of my phase one apprenticeship left, then I return to school for another test and three more days of classroom instruction before adding on 60 days of my phase two apprenticeship. Then I will be able to drive my own truck. Nothing against the people I have been teaming with, it is just very disorienting to wake up and have no idea where or when you are. And to awaken when the truck is going over a very rough patch of road (way too common); your first thought is "Lord, am I going to die now?" then a sigh of relief as you realize that the truck is not off the road.
Trucks are pretty important. Think about it for a moment. It would look pretty silly if ship canals had to be dug to every WalMart, or railroad tracks laid to every grocery store. Trucks bring everything the "last mile" to the store. The food you eat, the clothes you wear, your TV’s and stereos, the cars you drive, the homes you live in, all that was brought to you by truck. All of it. There are a lot of them out here on the highways, carrying the food you eat to the store you buy it at. A truck driver brought the materials that built your home, brought the equipment used to build your home.
Every day, for pennies a mile, truckers are dodging the silly little two and four wheelers, trying not to run them over even though they seem to be deliberately trying to cast themselves under our wheels. I’ve had people pull out from behind me, pass me, cut in front of me by feet, and then stand on their brakes to drop into an off-ramp, while I am desperately standing on my brakes so I don’t squash them as they pass right under my nose. What did they gain? Two feet? A split second? But they were also a split second away from eternity, and I’m not sure they even knew it. Loaded, I weigh about 80,000 pounds. 40 tons. And your car weighs less than 3 tons. I weigh over 10 times more than you do. Want to get stared down by a pro linebacker? Most people don't, but they don't seem to mind staring down a big truck.
Truck drivers get paid by the mile. We don’t get paid by the hour. We are going as fast as we can, as safely as we can, to deliver the goods that people need. We are not trying to slow everyone else down. Don’t look at us as an obstacle in your daily commute, but as a person trying to do their job as safely and quickly as possible. We’d rather be at home also. Well, some of us anyways.
Putting in my apprenticeship driving as part of a team out of a WalMart Distribution Center serving WalMart and Sam's Club Stores in 7 states. We deliver groceries 7 days a week to 1, 2, or 3 stores on each run; a run being from 500 to 1000 miles round trip.
The reefer trailer that WalMart uses is divided into three compartments. A run might be a Dairy/Deli run, in which the compartments are at +30, -20, +30; or it might be a Meat/Produce run where the compartments are at +40, +30, +40. And supposedly the loaders at the Distribution Center load the truck in order, but even so, if the first store needs only 3 pallets out of the first compartment and one pallet from the second compartment, you have to unload the entire first compartment to get the one pallet from the center compartment, then reload everything. And the driver just watches, we are not allowed to load/unload. Usually the store employees could care less about what is happening to the pallets belonging to another store, not their problem, eh? Arrgghh!
Anyways, the schedule is setup so that a team running around the clock can hook up a reefer, deliver to the stores, return to the DC, drop the reefer, and hook another and keep going. WalMarts deliver at night, Meat/Produce before midnight and Dairy/Deli in the early morning; and Sam's delivers between 5 AM and 11 AM.
Oh, and sometimes we have to bring groceries back to the DC. The other day we finished delivering to to Sam's and then went to a Meat Packer and picked up a load to bring back to the DC. Then a couple of days later we went way out in the country and picked up 6 pallets of fresh sweet corn at a farm to bring back to the DC.
As an apprentice I am not allowed to drive between midnight and 6 AM, so I get the noon to midnight shift. Some of our routes cut across corners of a couple of national parks, some of the most beautiful real estate in the U.S. And this is the best time for seeing the wildlife; we see a sign that says "Watch for Big Game" and then come around a corner a mile later and see a big yellow Deere or Caterpillar or Komatsu tearing up the road, quite a wonderful sight to see.
Although I must admit to now having seen the deer and antelope play. The only buffalo I have seen have been roaming feed lots. And I did pass a gate that said "Home on the Range", about an acre of dirt and prairie grass and a small garden shed.
I have about another week of my phase one apprenticeship left, then I return to school for another test and three more days of classroom instruction before adding on 60 days of my phase two apprenticeship. Then I will be able to drive my own truck. Nothing against the people I have been teaming with, it is just very disorienting to wake up and have no idea where or when you are. And to awaken when the truck is going over a very rough patch of road (way too common); your first thought is "Lord, am I going to die now?" then a sigh of relief as you realize that the truck is not off the road.
Trucks are pretty important. Think about it for a moment. It would look pretty silly if ship canals had to be dug to every WalMart, or railroad tracks laid to every grocery store. Trucks bring everything the "last mile" to the store. The food you eat, the clothes you wear, your TV’s and stereos, the cars you drive, the homes you live in, all that was brought to you by truck. All of it. There are a lot of them out here on the highways, carrying the food you eat to the store you buy it at. A truck driver brought the materials that built your home, brought the equipment used to build your home.
Every day, for pennies a mile, truckers are dodging the silly little two and four wheelers, trying not to run them over even though they seem to be deliberately trying to cast themselves under our wheels. I’ve had people pull out from behind me, pass me, cut in front of me by feet, and then stand on their brakes to drop into an off-ramp, while I am desperately standing on my brakes so I don’t squash them as they pass right under my nose. What did they gain? Two feet? A split second? But they were also a split second away from eternity, and I’m not sure they even knew it. Loaded, I weigh about 80,000 pounds. 40 tons. And your car weighs less than 3 tons. I weigh over 10 times more than you do. Want to get stared down by a pro linebacker? Most people don't, but they don't seem to mind staring down a big truck.
Truck drivers get paid by the mile. We don’t get paid by the hour. We are going as fast as we can, as safely as we can, to deliver the goods that people need. We are not trying to slow everyone else down. Don’t look at us as an obstacle in your daily commute, but as a person trying to do their job as safely and quickly as possible. We’d rather be at home also. Well, some of us anyways.
Free Me Up
I'm giving up my electro TV things
'Cuz I don't ever need no anything like that again
I'm livin' on the move and I wanna drop these chains
Well you'd be surprised what I left behind
It keeps me looking upward
You free me up to live this life
Far from any Earthly sense of home
And there's a place where I belong
But there's nothing here I really own, I really own
Do you deem this to be extreme behavior?
A little bit too ideal
You call it young man's fever
But I've got my treasure stored beyond Heaven's gates
And you'd be surprised what lies behind them
It keeps me looking upward
You free me up live this life
Far from any Earthly sense of home
And there's a place where I belong
But there's nothing here I really own, I really own
Nothing here, nothing here,
No there's nothing here I really own I really own
All that you find here, you will lose it
All you find here, you will lose it
All you gain here on earth, you'll lose in the end
All you gain here on earth, you will lose it... Lose it
You free me up to live this life
There's a place where I belong
But there's nothing here, nothing here I really own.
Downhere, Martel/Germain
Downhere
'Cuz I don't ever need no anything like that again
I'm livin' on the move and I wanna drop these chains
Well you'd be surprised what I left behind
It keeps me looking upward
You free me up to live this life
Far from any Earthly sense of home
And there's a place where I belong
But there's nothing here I really own, I really own
Do you deem this to be extreme behavior?
A little bit too ideal
You call it young man's fever
But I've got my treasure stored beyond Heaven's gates
And you'd be surprised what lies behind them
It keeps me looking upward
You free me up live this life
Far from any Earthly sense of home
And there's a place where I belong
But there's nothing here I really own, I really own
Nothing here, nothing here,
No there's nothing here I really own I really own
All that you find here, you will lose it
All you find here, you will lose it
All you gain here on earth, you'll lose in the end
All you gain here on earth, you will lose it... Lose it
You free me up to live this life
There's a place where I belong
But there's nothing here, nothing here I really own.
Downhere, Martel/Germain
Downhere
Saturday, July 17, 2010
You Put This Love In My Heart
I found it hard to believe
Someone like you cared for me
You put this love in my heart
I tried but could not refuse
You gave me no time to choose
You put this love in my heart
I want to know where the bad feelings go
When I'm depressed and I get down so low
And then I see you coming to me and it's alright
I want to tell you right now
I'm not afraid to say how
You put this love in my heart
There are some times when I doubt
But you always find me out
You put this love in my heart
Cause when I see all that you've done for me
It's hard to doubt, I just have to believe
'Cause you followed up, proved it all of your life
Well I know he loneliness I had before
Is gone now I'll never feel it anymore
Cause your love has released me
From all that's in my past
And I know I can believe you
When you say I'll never be forsaken
Your love is gonna last
There's so much more I should say
If I could just find a way
You put this love in my heart
Is all this real or a dream
I feel so good I could scream
You put this love in my heart
I want to know where the bad feelings go
When I'm depressed and I get down so low
And then I see you coming to me and it's alright
You put this love in my heart
You put this love in my heart
You put this love in my heart
Keith Green
28|28|28
Someone like you cared for me
You put this love in my heart
I tried but could not refuse
You gave me no time to choose
You put this love in my heart
I want to know where the bad feelings go
When I'm depressed and I get down so low
And then I see you coming to me and it's alright
I want to tell you right now
I'm not afraid to say how
You put this love in my heart
There are some times when I doubt
But you always find me out
You put this love in my heart
Cause when I see all that you've done for me
It's hard to doubt, I just have to believe
'Cause you followed up, proved it all of your life
Well I know he loneliness I had before
Is gone now I'll never feel it anymore
Cause your love has released me
From all that's in my past
And I know I can believe you
When you say I'll never be forsaken
Your love is gonna last
There's so much more I should say
If I could just find a way
You put this love in my heart
Is all this real or a dream
I feel so good I could scream
You put this love in my heart
I want to know where the bad feelings go
When I'm depressed and I get down so low
And then I see you coming to me and it's alright
You put this love in my heart
You put this love in my heart
You put this love in my heart
Keith Green
28|28|28
Friday, July 16, 2010
God Will Make A Way
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
By a roadway in the wilderness He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade but His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today
Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
Don Moen
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
By a roadway in the wilderness He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade but His Word will still remain
And He will do something new today
Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
Don Moen
CDL
Passed my CDL Exam, should be getting my new drivers license early next week. Test went OK, got dinged for a few minor things; the examiner felt that I didn't do enough traffic checks especially while making left turns; while doing the pre-trip inspection I mentioned the wheel, tire, lug nuts but failed to mention the check for "cracked or welded rims"; little things like those. On the whole the test went quite smoothly, no surprises, nothing unexpected or for which I was not prepared.
Although I passed the test, school is not yet over. This afternoon we get a video on "How to Chain Up", then we go out in the yard and practice putting the chains on, all six of them. I think that tomorrow is logbooks and Sunday is Qualcomm. Now is when we cover the things required for the job but not required to pass the CDL exam; things like all the special rules required by certain states like Oregon, California, and others that have rules that are different from or in addition to the the Federal Rules.
Next big hurdle: getting a job driving truck.
Although I passed the test, school is not yet over. This afternoon we get a video on "How to Chain Up", then we go out in the yard and practice putting the chains on, all six of them. I think that tomorrow is logbooks and Sunday is Qualcomm. Now is when we cover the things required for the job but not required to pass the CDL exam; things like all the special rules required by certain states like Oregon, California, and others that have rules that are different from or in addition to the the Federal Rules.
Next big hurdle: getting a job driving truck.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Oh Lord, You're Beautiful
Oh Lord, You're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Oh Lord, You're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
I want to take Your Word and shine it all around.
But first help me just to live it Lord.
And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to You.
Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with Holy fear.
I want to take Your Word and shine it all around.
But first help me just to live it Lord.
And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to You.
Oh Lord, You're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Oh Lord, You're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Keith Green http://www.lastdaysministries.org/ 28|28|28
Your face is all I seek,
For when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Oh Lord, You're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
I want to take Your Word and shine it all around.
But first help me just to live it Lord.
And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to You.
Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with Holy fear.
I want to take Your Word and shine it all around.
But first help me just to live it Lord.
And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to You.
Oh Lord, You're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Oh Lord, You're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Keith Green http://www.lastdaysministries.org/ 28|28|28
Friday, July 9, 2010
Backing Practice
Spent most of the day playing with Big Boy's Toys. Sorta. Since I have my permit, I am now allowed in the truck, along with 63 other remaining members of my class. So, we spent the day, 8 to a truck, 10 minutes a turn, practicing starting the truck, putting it in low gear, pulling it straight forward about 100 feet, stopping, putting it in reverse, backing up STRAIGHT about 100 feet, stopping, ad infinitum.
And yes, we are standing on hot black freshly sealed asphalt, it is 92 degrees in the shade, and there is no shade. I think I have sunburn on my forehead; I didn't have my visor in my backpack and had to go to the dorm to get it. Probably have sunburn on the back of my neck also. I'm sure I will know soon enough!
One of the school trucks backing away from me.
Me about to climb into one of the school's trucks.
And yes, we are standing on hot black freshly sealed asphalt, it is 92 degrees in the shade, and there is no shade. I think I have sunburn on my forehead; I didn't have my visor in my backpack and had to go to the dorm to get it. Probably have sunburn on the back of my neck also. I'm sure I will know soon enough!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
CDL
Got my Commercial Drivers License Learners Permit. Passed the General Knowledge Test at "only" 90% and both the Air Brakes and Combination Vehicles Tests at 100% each.
Next step: Actual driving.
Next step: Actual driving.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
If My People
A friend of mine shared this with me, and I just had to pass it along for the rest of the world. This is so cool!
If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
If
"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart…" Psalm 95:7-8
"Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble." Proverbs 28:14
"But, because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed." Romans 2:5
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:13
"For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they've closed their eyes…" Acts 28:27
My people
"Now if you obey Me fully and keep My covenant, then out of all nations you will be My treasured possession. Although the whole earth is Mine, you will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation…" Exodus 19:5-6
"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth the Lord has chosen you to be His treasured possession." Deuteronomy 14:2
"Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture." Psalm 100:3
"I'll put My Laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be My people." Hebrews 8:10
Who are called by My Name
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him Who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9
"…our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:13-14
Will humble themselves
"The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." Psalm 51:17
"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:4
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4
"He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Mica 6:8
"I live…with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the spirit of the contrite." Isaiah 57:15
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time." 1 Peter 5:6
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." James 4:10
And pray
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. To everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Matthew 26:41
"…the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16
"If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you." John 15:7
"Pray continually." 1 Thessalonians 5:17
And seek My face
"You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
"But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul." Deuteronomy 4:29
"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." Psalm 105:4
"Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near" Isaiah 55:6
"... break up your unploughed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord…" Hosea 10:12
"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." 1 Chronicles 16:11
"Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts you who are double-minded." James 4:8
And turn from their wicked ways
"…but now God commands all people everywhere to repent." Acts 17:30
"Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, and times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Acts 3:19
"…unless you repent, you too will all perish." Luke 13:3
"Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him and to our God, for He will freely pardon." Isaiah 55:7
"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret." 2 Corinthians 7:10
"Return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Joel 2:12
Then will I hear from heaven
"Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord…because you tore your robes and wept in My presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord." 2 Kings 22:19
"So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer." Ezra 8:23
"After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly." Acts 4:31
And will forgive their sin
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God's grace." Ephesians 1:7
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
"He forgives all my sins…" Psalm 103:3
"But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared." Psalm 130:4
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Matthew 6:14
"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Matthew 11:25
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13
And will heal their land
"How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished." Jeremiah 12:4
"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people." Proverbs 14:34
"For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; it is He Who will save us." Isaiah 33:22
"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Habakkuk 2:14
If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
If
"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart…" Psalm 95:7-8
"Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble." Proverbs 28:14
"But, because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed." Romans 2:5
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:13
"For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they've closed their eyes…" Acts 28:27
My people
"Now if you obey Me fully and keep My covenant, then out of all nations you will be My treasured possession. Although the whole earth is Mine, you will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation…" Exodus 19:5-6
"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth the Lord has chosen you to be His treasured possession." Deuteronomy 14:2
"Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture." Psalm 100:3
"I'll put My Laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be My people." Hebrews 8:10
Who are called by My Name
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him Who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9
"…our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:13-14
Will humble themselves
"The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." Psalm 51:17
"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:4
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4
"He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Mica 6:8
"I live…with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the spirit of the contrite." Isaiah 57:15
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time." 1 Peter 5:6
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." James 4:10
And pray
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. To everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Matthew 26:41
"…the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16
"If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you." John 15:7
"Pray continually." 1 Thessalonians 5:17
And seek My face
"You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
"But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul." Deuteronomy 4:29
"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." Psalm 105:4
"Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near" Isaiah 55:6
"... break up your unploughed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord…" Hosea 10:12
"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." 1 Chronicles 16:11
"Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts you who are double-minded." James 4:8
And turn from their wicked ways
"…but now God commands all people everywhere to repent." Acts 17:30
"Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, and times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Acts 3:19
"…unless you repent, you too will all perish." Luke 13:3
"Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him and to our God, for He will freely pardon." Isaiah 55:7
"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret." 2 Corinthians 7:10
"Return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Joel 2:12
Then will I hear from heaven
"Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord…because you tore your robes and wept in My presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord." 2 Kings 22:19
"So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer." Ezra 8:23
"After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly." Acts 4:31
And will forgive their sin
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God's grace." Ephesians 1:7
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
"He forgives all my sins…" Psalm 103:3
"But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared." Psalm 130:4
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Matthew 6:14
"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Matthew 11:25
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13
And will heal their land
"How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished." Jeremiah 12:4
"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people." Proverbs 14:34
"For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; it is He Who will save us." Isaiah 33:22
"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Habakkuk 2:14
CDL School
As usual, recruiters will promise you the world. After paying the school admission fee and signing the loan agreement, then the conditional employment contract comes out. The pay scale offered is a good 30% less than what was given to me by the recruiter or displayed on the website. It MIGHT be enough to buy basic food and necessities with. If I can survive the first year then it will be OK, but the pay for the first year will be pretty poor, pretty close to minimum wage, just a bit less. Passed the physical today and I have my Medical Certificate for the next year anyways.
Friday, July 2, 2010
The Last Airbender
Not sure what to think about this movie. I loved the cartoon series. I'm amazed at how well they were able to find actors that looked like the cartoon characters (except General Iroh for some reason). The story line was more or less followed, not less then I expected. The acting was OK.
But...
Something seemed to be missing. I can't put my finger on it, but something was not right. I MAY go back to see the sequels, if they happen to be made, but I wouldn't bet on it.
If you are a fan of the series then you need to see this. If you are not a fan, maybe. I was the only person in my group to have seen the Nickelodeon cartoon, but the others enjoyed it. But they were not gushing about it either.
A pleasant way to spend a rainy afternoon?
I'm not used to being so...ambivalent.
But...
Something seemed to be missing. I can't put my finger on it, but something was not right. I MAY go back to see the sequels, if they happen to be made, but I wouldn't bet on it.
If you are a fan of the series then you need to see this. If you are not a fan, maybe. I was the only person in my group to have seen the Nickelodeon cartoon, but the others enjoyed it. But they were not gushing about it either.
A pleasant way to spend a rainy afternoon?
I'm not used to being so...ambivalent.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
CDL
I've been accepted to CDL school, I'll be starting in the next few days. Have to get there first, it's only about 1,000 miles away.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Driving
Driving dump truck the last couple of weeks has been a lot of fun, even if Friday was not the greatest. We've actually had 4 sunny, non-rainy days in a row, and the mud all dried up and turned to dust. Thirty hours later, I'm still hacking up mud. Gaaah!
But it has reminded me how much I like to drive, and the fact is, I do handle that truck pretty good for an amateur. And, although I have seriously been working hard at finding steady work in IT, the fact seems to be that I'm not wanted in IT any more. I've had all of two interviews since I left the Hospital. TWO.
I think I'm gonna get my CDL and do some serious driving.
But it has reminded me how much I like to drive, and the fact is, I do handle that truck pretty good for an amateur. And, although I have seriously been working hard at finding steady work in IT, the fact seems to be that I'm not wanted in IT any more. I've had all of two interviews since I left the Hospital. TWO.
I think I'm gonna get my CDL and do some serious driving.
What You Touch May Make You a 'Softie' or Play 'Hard Ball'
In experiments, holding hard, heavy objects tied to tougher attitudes, scientists say
By Jenifer Goodwin
HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, June 25 (HealthDay News) -- When it comes to forming first impressions about others, you probably realize that what you see, hear, and maybe even smell influence your assessment.
But new research suggests the way things feel -- the chair you're sitting on, the mug of coffee you're holding -- may subconsciously but powerfully influence your attitudes and behavior.
In a series of experiments, researchers at Yale University showed that the weight, texture and the things people incidentally touched altered how they felt and behaved.
In one experiment, researchers had 54 passersby evaluate a job candidate by reviewing their resume. They did so while holding either a light clipboard or a heavy clipboard.
Participants who held the heavy clipboard judged job applicants to be better overall and more seriously interested in the job than did people who were holding a lighter clipboard.
In addition, those holding the heavy clipboard considered their own task of rating candidates as more important than those holding a light clipboard.
According to the authors, those attitudes are also reflected in people's everyday language -- "heavy weight," "heavy handed," "weighty matters," and "gravity of the situation," for example.
However, those candidates whose resumes were viewed on the heavy clipboards were not rated as being more likely to get along with co-workers, suggesting that the sensation of "heavy" corresponds to seriousness, but not necessarily likeability, the researchers noted.
"Experiences with the physical world, such as hardness, heaviness or smoothness, activate the physical meaning of those concepts, but it also activates the abstract meanings of those concepts -- hard may mean difficult, heavy may mean serious," explained senior study author John Bargh, a professor of psychology and cognitive science at Yale.
In another experiment, researchers found that sitting in hard, cushion-less chairs made people tougher price negotiators and less willing to compromise than people placed in softer, more comfortable chairs.
Researchers had 86 participants haggle over the price of a new car with a sticker price of $16,500.
After their first offers were rejected, participants made second offers. Those sitting on unyielding wooden chairs raised their offered price by less than $900, while those in padded chairs upped their offer by more than $1,200.
The rigidity of the chair, researchers said, appears to have influenced people to take a "hard line" in negotiations.
The study is published in the June 25 issue of Science.
Phrases that use physical sensations to describe abstract concepts -- such as "a rough day" or "a warm person" -- are such an ingrained part of our everyday speech that we hardly notice we're doing it, Bargh said.
That may be because these impressions of the physical world begin to take root in infancy, eventually forming a "scaffold for the development of conceptual knowledge," Bargh said.
At birth, babies use their hands to acquire information about their environment, and research has shown that when young infants touch various objects, they can tell the difference between heavy and light objects, rough vs. smooth, warm vs. cold and hard vs. soft.
"The perception of tactile information is the first sense to develop in utero," said Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. "It makes sense that there are going to be these cross-connections between what we feel with our hands and these concepts of language."
It's well accepted that our other senses are connected with abstract language -- what we see, hear and even smell, of course, stir up all sorts of thoughts and memories -- but the impact of sense of touch has been less appreciated, Bargh said.
A third experiment by the Yale team found that people who'd handled rough jigsaw puzzle pieces were more likely to describe an interaction between two people as adversarial, compared to folks who'd first handled smooth pieces.
And a 2008 study by the same team showed that people were more likely to judge strangers as warm and trustworthy if they (the observers) were also holding a warm drink at the time.
There may be some lessons here for helping to get things to go your way, Bargh said.
"Someone said the best way to negotiate is to give a hot cup of coffee and sit them in a soft chair," he said. "The warmth helps them trust you, the soft chair will make the negotiator more yielding."
SOURCES: John Bargh, Ph.D., professor, psychology and cognitive science, Yale University, New Haven, Conn.; Tiffany Field, Ph.D., director, Touch Research Institute at University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami; June 25, 2010, Science
Copyright © 2010 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Isaiah 55:1-2
If you are thirsty, come and drink water! If you don't have any money, come, eat what you want! Drink wine and milk without paying a cent. Why waste your money on what really isn't food? Why work hard for something that doesn't satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and you will enjoy the very best foods.
How Great Thou Art
O Lord my God,
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all
The works Thy Hand hath made,
I see the stars,
I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout
The universe displayed;
When through the woods
And forest glades I wander
I hear the birds
Sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down
From lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook
And feel the gentle breeze;
When Christ shall come,
With shouts of acclamation,
And take me home,
What joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow
In humble adoration
And there proclaim,
"My God, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul,
My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Lyrics Carl Boberg
English Translation Stuart K. Hine, 1899
I don't have any specific reasons for it, but I keep singing this song in my head all day. Since I happen to consider this as being one of the greatest hymns of all time I rather enjoy it. Beats the heck out of having some other tune rattling around inside the mind.
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all
The works Thy Hand hath made,
I see the stars,
I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout
The universe displayed;
When through the woods
And forest glades I wander
I hear the birds
Sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down
From lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook
And feel the gentle breeze;
When Christ shall come,
With shouts of acclamation,
And take me home,
What joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow
In humble adoration
And there proclaim,
"My God, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul,
My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Lyrics Carl Boberg
English Translation Stuart K. Hine, 1899
I don't have any specific reasons for it, but I keep singing this song in my head all day. Since I happen to consider this as being one of the greatest hymns of all time I rather enjoy it. Beats the heck out of having some other tune rattling around inside the mind.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Blueprint for Life
Sitting in the cab of a dump truck can give one a lot of time for reflection. Something that crossed my feeble mind this morning is how like driving a dump truck can be like my life.
We are moving dirt (today) from what will become a settling pond to what is now a low spot that has to be raised. We dump the dirt, just plain brown subsoil with rocks ranging up to about 1.5 feet in diameter, and then drive over it. Occasionally, a big dozer then runs over it, evens it out a bit, then a compactor goes over it. But most of the time it is a VERY bumpy ride, and you have to go very slowly and hang onto the steering wheel.
The thing is, I don't know the exact extent of the area that needs to be raised, nor how high. I just dump the dirt where they tell me. I could go look at the blueprints. I grew up around construction, and I know just enough to be dangerous, so I might be able to figure the prints out. Then again, I might read them wrong. So, I keep my eyes on the foreman when I'm bringing a load in. If he doesn't direct me, I use my best judgment and place the load where I think it goes. If he directs me, I place the load where he wants it.
The point? The Bible is our blueprint, and God is the foreman. God appoints others to act in His place to give us direction (a couple of times I have relayed messages from the foreman to the other volunteer drivers) or He may give us explicit directions, or He may expect us to use our best judgment based on our understanding of the plans. But we do need to look at the plans, and we do need to keep our eyes on the Foreman so that He can direct us. And we seldom have a view of the overall plan. I keep wishing that the dozer operator would come over and smooth us out a road, but that is not in the plans, and the dozer has other things to do that are in the plans.
I have to accept that the foreman knows what he is doing. I have to accept that God knows what He is doing. I have to understand that I do not have the full set of blueprints, just the part of them that is important for me to know. And I need to work at understanding the ones I have, and rely on God to direct me in the parts where I don't have or understand the plan. And sometimes that means I will be driving over a VERY bumpy road, and the steering wheel might kick back sometimes, and my head might bounce off the ceiling and my butt off the floor.
But God has the plans. THAT is the important part.
Update, a few days later:
I did go read the plans, and actually spent some time with the excavator operator measuring and marking. I learned that after the foot or so that we had already raised we still needed another 1-1/2 feet of fill. And that's exactly what we need to do, spend some time with someone who is willing to teach us, and be teachable, and learn what the Bible means. And then go follow the directions!!!
We are moving dirt (today) from what will become a settling pond to what is now a low spot that has to be raised. We dump the dirt, just plain brown subsoil with rocks ranging up to about 1.5 feet in diameter, and then drive over it. Occasionally, a big dozer then runs over it, evens it out a bit, then a compactor goes over it. But most of the time it is a VERY bumpy ride, and you have to go very slowly and hang onto the steering wheel.
The thing is, I don't know the exact extent of the area that needs to be raised, nor how high. I just dump the dirt where they tell me. I could go look at the blueprints. I grew up around construction, and I know just enough to be dangerous, so I might be able to figure the prints out. Then again, I might read them wrong. So, I keep my eyes on the foreman when I'm bringing a load in. If he doesn't direct me, I use my best judgment and place the load where I think it goes. If he directs me, I place the load where he wants it.
The point? The Bible is our blueprint, and God is the foreman. God appoints others to act in His place to give us direction (a couple of times I have relayed messages from the foreman to the other volunteer drivers) or He may give us explicit directions, or He may expect us to use our best judgment based on our understanding of the plans. But we do need to look at the plans, and we do need to keep our eyes on the Foreman so that He can direct us. And we seldom have a view of the overall plan. I keep wishing that the dozer operator would come over and smooth us out a road, but that is not in the plans, and the dozer has other things to do that are in the plans.
I have to accept that the foreman knows what he is doing. I have to accept that God knows what He is doing. I have to understand that I do not have the full set of blueprints, just the part of them that is important for me to know. And I need to work at understanding the ones I have, and rely on God to direct me in the parts where I don't have or understand the plan. And sometimes that means I will be driving over a VERY bumpy road, and the steering wheel might kick back sometimes, and my head might bounce off the ceiling and my butt off the floor.
But God has the plans. THAT is the important part.
Update, a few days later:
I did go read the plans, and actually spent some time with the excavator operator measuring and marking. I learned that after the foot or so that we had already raised we still needed another 1-1/2 feet of fill. And that's exactly what we need to do, spend some time with someone who is willing to teach us, and be teachable, and learn what the Bible means. And then go follow the directions!!!
Psalms 139:1-24
You have looked deep into my heart, LORD, and you know all about me.
You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts.
You notice everything I do and everywhere I go. Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say, and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side.
I can't understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.
Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight? If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there. Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean. Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me. Or suppose I said, "I'll hide in the dark until night comes to cover me over." But you see in the dark because daylight and dark are all the same to you.
You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me.
Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt. Nothing about me is hidden from you!
I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below, but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed.
Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do.
Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine. I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach. And when I awake, I will find you nearby.
How I wish that you would kill all cruel and heartless people and protect me from them! They are always rebelling and speaking evil of you. You know I hate anyone who hates you, LORD, and refuses to obey. They are my enemies too, and I truly hate them.
Look deep into my heart, God, and find out everything I am thinking. Don't let me follow evil ways, but lead me in the way that time has proven true.
So Be It!!
You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts.
You notice everything I do and everywhere I go. Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say, and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side.
I can't understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.
Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight? If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there. Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean. Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me. Or suppose I said, "I'll hide in the dark until night comes to cover me over." But you see in the dark because daylight and dark are all the same to you.
You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me.
Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt. Nothing about me is hidden from you!
I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below, but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed.
Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do.
Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine. I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach. And when I awake, I will find you nearby.
How I wish that you would kill all cruel and heartless people and protect me from them! They are always rebelling and speaking evil of you. You know I hate anyone who hates you, LORD, and refuses to obey. They are my enemies too, and I truly hate them.
Look deep into my heart, God, and find out everything I am thinking. Don't let me follow evil ways, but lead me in the way that time has proven true.
So Be It!!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Job Search
As of 7:30 AM local on the State Employment website there are 468 new listings TODAY in the "Computers" Category, of which I qualify for 36. That is the most I have seen at one time, and especially lately when it seems there have only been one or two postings daily. I'll be busy filling out forms for a while today.
Later: took until 11:30 PM, but 30 applications, resumes, and cover letters are done. Pray that one of them is the one I'm looking for. That is more apps in one day then I think I've had the opportunity to submit in any week ever. 5 of the postings were already closed by the time I got to them.
Later: took until 11:30 PM, but 30 applications, resumes, and cover letters are done. Pray that one of them is the one I'm looking for. That is more apps in one day then I think I've had the opportunity to submit in any week ever. 5 of the postings were already closed by the time I got to them.
Psalm 46:1-3
God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble.
And so, we won't be afraid!
Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.
Let the ocean roar and foam, and its raging waves shake the mountains.
I must remember that God is always ready to help so I don't need to worry about the future.
And so, we won't be afraid!
Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.
Let the ocean roar and foam, and its raging waves shake the mountains.
I must remember that God is always ready to help so I don't need to worry about the future.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Psalm 42
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon--from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?"
My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
I MUST ALWAYS maintain my focus and my hope on my living God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon--from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?"
My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
I MUST ALWAYS maintain my focus and my hope on my living God.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Covenant
The Church I attend has started a new building project, all volunteer, so, of course, I have volunteered to move dirt.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Mi Rancho
Had lunch at Mi Rancho in Bemidji recently. Another "Authentic Mexican Dining Experience". Yeah right.
Service was excellent. Food was good (more on that in a moment). Decor and atmosphere was great. Tables were really neat.
That table top appears to be a solid block of hand carved wood, covered and sealed with a thick layer of epoxy. Gives me a few ideas for a future dining room set when my life gets to that point again.
The food, although good and edible, was singularly bland to my way of thinking. Probably quite appropriate for the tastebuds of Northern Minnesota, but not for someone expecting fire and spice.
Ah well. Far better than the Patron of Hibbing, but not up to the measure of El Potro in Grand Rapids.
Service was excellent. Food was good (more on that in a moment). Decor and atmosphere was great. Tables were really neat.
That table top appears to be a solid block of hand carved wood, covered and sealed with a thick layer of epoxy. Gives me a few ideas for a future dining room set when my life gets to that point again.
The food, although good and edible, was singularly bland to my way of thinking. Probably quite appropriate for the tastebuds of Northern Minnesota, but not for someone expecting fire and spice.
Ah well. Far better than the Patron of Hibbing, but not up to the measure of El Potro in Grand Rapids.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Lamentations 3:1-40
I have suffered much because God was angry. He chased me into a dark place, where no light could enter. I am the only one he punishes over and over again, without ever stopping. God caused my skin and flesh to waste away, and he crushed my bones. He attacked and surrounded me with hardships and trouble; he forced me to sit in the dark like someone long dead. God built a fence around me that I cannot climb over, and he chained me down. Even when I shouted and prayed for help, he refused to listen. God put big rocks in my way and made me follow a crooked path.
God was like a bear or a lion waiting in ambush for me; he dragged me from the road, then tore me to shreds. God took careful aim and shot his arrows straight through my heart. I am a joke to everyone-- no one ever stops making fun of me. God has turned my life sour. He made me eat gravel and rubbed me in the dirt. I cannot find peace or remember happiness. I tell myself, "I am finished! I can't count on the LORD to do anything for me." Just thinking of my troubles and my lonely wandering makes me miserable. That's all I ever think about, and I am depressed.
Then I remember something that fills me with hope. The LORD's kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. The LORD can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. Deep in my heart I say, "The LORD is all I need; I can depend on him!" The LORD is kind to everyone who trusts and obeys him. It is good to wait patiently for the LORD to save us. When we are young, it is good to struggle hard and to sit silently alone, if this is what the LORD intends. Being rubbed in the dirt can teach us a lesson; we can also learn from insults and hard knocks.
The Lord won't always reject us! He causes a lot of suffering, but he also has pity because of his great love. The Lord doesn't enjoy sending grief or pain. Don't trample prisoners under your feet or cheat anyone out of what is rightfully theirs. God Most High sees everything, and he knows when you refuse to give someone a fair trial. No one can do anything without the Lord's approval. Good and bad each happen at the command of God Most High. We're still alive! We shouldn't complain when we are being punished for our sins. Instead, we should think about the way we are living, and turn back to the LORD.
(Contemporary English Version)
God was like a bear or a lion waiting in ambush for me; he dragged me from the road, then tore me to shreds. God took careful aim and shot his arrows straight through my heart. I am a joke to everyone-- no one ever stops making fun of me. God has turned my life sour. He made me eat gravel and rubbed me in the dirt. I cannot find peace or remember happiness. I tell myself, "I am finished! I can't count on the LORD to do anything for me." Just thinking of my troubles and my lonely wandering makes me miserable. That's all I ever think about, and I am depressed.
Then I remember something that fills me with hope. The LORD's kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. The LORD can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. Deep in my heart I say, "The LORD is all I need; I can depend on him!" The LORD is kind to everyone who trusts and obeys him. It is good to wait patiently for the LORD to save us. When we are young, it is good to struggle hard and to sit silently alone, if this is what the LORD intends. Being rubbed in the dirt can teach us a lesson; we can also learn from insults and hard knocks.
The Lord won't always reject us! He causes a lot of suffering, but he also has pity because of his great love. The Lord doesn't enjoy sending grief or pain. Don't trample prisoners under your feet or cheat anyone out of what is rightfully theirs. God Most High sees everything, and he knows when you refuse to give someone a fair trial. No one can do anything without the Lord's approval. Good and bad each happen at the command of God Most High. We're still alive! We shouldn't complain when we are being punished for our sins. Instead, we should think about the way we are living, and turn back to the LORD.
(Contemporary English Version)
Monday, May 17, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
He Is
something I've been thinking about a lot: Who is God? What is He like?
Part of this comes from my incarceration. Most of my fellow inmates don't have any idea who or what He is, they have never been to Sunday School or Church; a lot of them never made it to High School.
If you ask a typical Christian or Bible Student who or what God is, you often get some of the standard list of the attributes of God:
Wisdom
Infinitude
Holiness
Sovereignty
Trinity
Omniscience
Faithfulness
Omnipotence
Self-existence
Self-sufficient
Justice
Immutability
Mercy
Eternal
Goodness
Omnipresence
But if you ask them to explain this in terms that my new acquaintances would understand they can't give an answer. I think that too many self professed Christians, when they are talking about their God or their religion really do not understand what they are saying; and I think that too many of us have made Christianity into a "Mystery" religion, one where everything is full of mystery and ritual, where only the "initiated" or "chosen" can understand what is really happening.
And this is wrong. Yes, Moses was raised and trained to be a Prince of Egypt, Daniel was evidently a member of the upper class, and Matthew had some mathematical ability and political acumen as a tax collector, but many of God's chosen people were nobody special. Peter, James, John, and Andrew were simple fisherman, most likely illiterate, with no education beyond what was needed for mending nets and finding and selling fish.
So, for the last couple of months I've been making note of some of the things that mean "God" to me. And the first thing I noticed was that when I try to do this for a person, I might say that a particular person is pretty or handsome or smart or a good mechanic, but I generally do not particularly note more than a handful of things that stand out. As I get to know a person better, I will take note of more things. And so it is with God, the better I get to know Him the more I notice.
My Avenger Deut. 32:35
My Father Matt. 6:9
My Rest Matt. 11:28
My Comforter Jer. 8:18
My Shepherd Psa. 23; John 10:1-18
My Bread John 6:35
My Light John 8:12
My Life John 14:6
My Vine John 15
My Water John 7:37-38
My Teacher John 14:23-24
My Peace John 14:27
My Counselor John 14:15-17; Psa. 32:8
My Glory John 17:22
My Healer Mark 6:56
My Help Psa 63:7
My Lover Psa. 13:5
My Strength Psa. 118:14
My Song Psa 118:14
My Defender Prov. 23:11
My Creator Isa. 43:15
My Salvation Isa. 43:3
The Still Small Voice in the silence
The Calmer of the Storm
My Foundation
The Word that created this world and will create the world that is to come
The Filler of My Heart
The breath of life
The Sacrificial Lamb
The High Priest
The fire by night
The law giver
Kinsman-redeemer
King
Rebuilder of broken walls and lives
Morning song
Wisdom's cry
Lover's dream
Prince of peace
Stranger in the fire
Forever faithful
The Arms that carry me
Strength
Shield
Fire from heaven
Glorious treasure
Healer of the sick
Part of this comes from my incarceration. Most of my fellow inmates don't have any idea who or what He is, they have never been to Sunday School or Church; a lot of them never made it to High School.
If you ask a typical Christian or Bible Student who or what God is, you often get some of the standard list of the attributes of God:
Wisdom
Infinitude
Holiness
Sovereignty
Trinity
Omniscience
Faithfulness
Omnipotence
Self-existence
Self-sufficient
Justice
Immutability
Mercy
Eternal
Goodness
Omnipresence
But if you ask them to explain this in terms that my new acquaintances would understand they can't give an answer. I think that too many self professed Christians, when they are talking about their God or their religion really do not understand what they are saying; and I think that too many of us have made Christianity into a "Mystery" religion, one where everything is full of mystery and ritual, where only the "initiated" or "chosen" can understand what is really happening.
And this is wrong. Yes, Moses was raised and trained to be a Prince of Egypt, Daniel was evidently a member of the upper class, and Matthew had some mathematical ability and political acumen as a tax collector, but many of God's chosen people were nobody special. Peter, James, John, and Andrew were simple fisherman, most likely illiterate, with no education beyond what was needed for mending nets and finding and selling fish.
So, for the last couple of months I've been making note of some of the things that mean "God" to me. And the first thing I noticed was that when I try to do this for a person, I might say that a particular person is pretty or handsome or smart or a good mechanic, but I generally do not particularly note more than a handful of things that stand out. As I get to know a person better, I will take note of more things. And so it is with God, the better I get to know Him the more I notice.
My Avenger Deut. 32:35
My Father Matt. 6:9
My Rest Matt. 11:28
My Comforter Jer. 8:18
My Shepherd Psa. 23; John 10:1-18
My Bread John 6:35
My Light John 8:12
My Life John 14:6
My Vine John 15
My Water John 7:37-38
My Teacher John 14:23-24
My Peace John 14:27
My Counselor John 14:15-17; Psa. 32:8
My Glory John 17:22
My Healer Mark 6:56
My Help Psa 63:7
My Lover Psa. 13:5
My Strength Psa. 118:14
My Song Psa 118:14
My Defender Prov. 23:11
My Creator Isa. 43:15
My Salvation Isa. 43:3
The Still Small Voice in the silence
The Calmer of the Storm
My Foundation
The Word that created this world and will create the world that is to come
The Filler of My Heart
The breath of life
The Sacrificial Lamb
The High Priest
The fire by night
The law giver
Kinsman-redeemer
King
Rebuilder of broken walls and lives
Morning song
Wisdom's cry
Lover's dream
Prince of peace
Stranger in the fire
Forever faithful
The Arms that carry me
Strength
Shield
Fire from heaven
Glorious treasure
Healer of the sick
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Psalm 38
O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure!
For Your arrows pierce me deeply, and Your hand presses me down.
There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin.
For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness.
I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
For my loins are full of inflammation, and there is no soundness in my flesh.
I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart.
Lord, all my desire is before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You.
My heart pants, my strength fails me; as for the light of my eyes, it also has gone from me.
My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, and my relatives stand afar off.
Those also who seek my life lay snares for me; those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, and plan deception all the day long.
But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; and I am like a mute who does not open his mouth.
Thus I am like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth is no response.
For in You, O LORD, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.
For I said, "Hear me, lest they rejoice over me, lest, when my foot slips, they exalt themselves against me."
For I am ready to fall, and my sorrow is continually before me.
For I will declare my iniquity; I will be in anguish over my sin.
But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong; and those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied.
Those also who render evil for good, they are my adversaries, because I follow what is good.
Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
(Psa 38 NKJV)
For Your arrows pierce me deeply, and Your hand presses me down.
There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin.
For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness.
I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
For my loins are full of inflammation, and there is no soundness in my flesh.
I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart.
Lord, all my desire is before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You.
My heart pants, my strength fails me; as for the light of my eyes, it also has gone from me.
My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, and my relatives stand afar off.
Those also who seek my life lay snares for me; those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, and plan deception all the day long.
But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; and I am like a mute who does not open his mouth.
Thus I am like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth is no response.
For in You, O LORD, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.
For I said, "Hear me, lest they rejoice over me, lest, when my foot slips, they exalt themselves against me."
For I am ready to fall, and my sorrow is continually before me.
For I will declare my iniquity; I will be in anguish over my sin.
But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong; and those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied.
Those also who render evil for good, they are my adversaries, because I follow what is good.
Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
(Psa 38 NKJV)
Thursday, May 6, 2010
How Many Kings?
How many kings stepped down from their thrones,
How many lords have abandoned their homes,
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
From "How Many Kings"
Downhere
Martel/Germain
Doesn't matter how many times I hear this song it still brings tears to my eyes. And I hear it at least once a day. No matter what I've done, no matter what you've done, God still loves me and He still loves you, and He wants us all to come back home to Him.
How many lords have abandoned their homes,
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
From "How Many Kings"
Downhere
Martel/Germain
Doesn't matter how many times I hear this song it still brings tears to my eyes. And I hear it at least once a day. No matter what I've done, no matter what you've done, God still loves me and He still loves you, and He wants us all to come back home to Him.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Senor Patron
Had dinner with a friend a couple of nights ago at Senor Patron, an "authentic Mexican Restaurant" in the Irongate Mall, Hibbing, MN. Yes, I know I didn't spell "senor" correctly, haven't figured out the code, and since they didn't have it always spelled correctly on all of their stuff I feel less concerned about it.
Food and service wasn't bad, but was, well, different. It was on Friday evening, so I could cut some slack for that, but the restaurant was not busy by any means. I ordered a combination plate that included a chile rellenos, my friend ordered a taco salad. My plate was delivered several (maybe 5?) minutes before the other plate was delivered. I can't speak for the taco salad, but although I have had several variations on the chile rellenos theme, I have never had one which had ground beef in it. Or, for that matter, where the seed pod thingy was left in it. Just a bit strange, I thought.
I think El Potro in Grand Rapids has much better service, and I think that El Potro's chile rellenos combination plate is the best I have ever enjoyed. Just my opinion, for what it's worth.
Food and service wasn't bad, but was, well, different. It was on Friday evening, so I could cut some slack for that, but the restaurant was not busy by any means. I ordered a combination plate that included a chile rellenos, my friend ordered a taco salad. My plate was delivered several (maybe 5?) minutes before the other plate was delivered. I can't speak for the taco salad, but although I have had several variations on the chile rellenos theme, I have never had one which had ground beef in it. Or, for that matter, where the seed pod thingy was left in it. Just a bit strange, I thought.
I think El Potro in Grand Rapids has much better service, and I think that El Potro's chile rellenos combination plate is the best I have ever enjoyed. Just my opinion, for what it's worth.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Which way now?
'Cheshire Puss,' she began, rather timidly, as she did not at all know whether it would like the name: however, it only grinned a little wider. 'Come, it's pleased so far,' thought Alice, and she went on. 'Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?'
'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.
'I don't much care where--' said Alice.
'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.
'--so long as I get somewhere,' Alice added as an explanation.
'Oh, you're sure to do that,' said the Cat, 'if you only walk long enough.'
'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.
'I don't much care where--' said Alice.
'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.
'--so long as I get somewhere,' Alice added as an explanation.
'Oh, you're sure to do that,' said the Cat, 'if you only walk long enough.'
Monday, April 12, 2010
How to Train Your Dragon
A good movie. I want a plush Toothless. I don't know how they did it, but they made a fearsome, mean dragon look like a cat look like a fish act like a kitten and be cuddly all at the same time. And this is another movie that is well worth seeing in 3D with all the flying involved. My only regret was that I ate wayyy too much popcorn.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Alice In Wonderland
I really enjoyed Tim Burton's treatment of Alice in Wonderland. He didn't abuse any of the characters, if anything I thought that he added some depth to the characters and I didn't feel that he tried to change any of them. The new story didn't change any of the old story facts but added on to it in a logical sequence. In fact, I think that Charles Dodgson would have enjoyed this story.
I was only disappointed in one tiny matter. Yes, I know that ""The Hunting of the Snark" isn't an "Alice" story, but it is certainly closely related and shares some characters. At the end of the new Alice we see her standing on the bow of her ship. I thought it would have been a nice touch to have tied a rudder to the bowsprit, but somehow, Burton missed that opportunity. Doesn't hurt the movie at all, and only a true Dodgson fan would ever think of that.
I will have to add the DVD to my collection when I rebuild it, and I want to get the soundtrack as well, I really enjoyed the music, it added a fitting touch.
I was only disappointed in one tiny matter. Yes, I know that ""The Hunting of the Snark" isn't an "Alice" story, but it is certainly closely related and shares some characters. At the end of the new Alice we see her standing on the bow of her ship. I thought it would have been a nice touch to have tied a rudder to the bowsprit, but somehow, Burton missed that opportunity. Doesn't hurt the movie at all, and only a true Dodgson fan would ever think of that.
I will have to add the DVD to my collection when I rebuild it, and I want to get the soundtrack as well, I really enjoyed the music, it added a fitting touch.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Disappointment = His appointment
DISAPPOINTMENT
Disappointment - His appointment,
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God's better choice for me.
His appointment must be blessing
Though it may come in disguise
For the end from the beginning,
Open to His wisdom lies.
Disappointment - His appointment
Whose? The Lord's who loves best.
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test.
For like loving, earthy parent
He rejoices when He knows
That His child accepts unquestioned
All that from His wisdom flows.
Disappointment - His appointment
No good thing will he withhold
From denials oft we gather
Treasures from His love untold.
Well, He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller deeper trust
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.
Disappointment - His appointment
Lord I take it then as such,
Like the clay in hands of potter
Yielding wholly to Thy touch
All my life's plan is Thy molding
Not one single choice be mine
Let me answer unrepining,
Father not my will but Thine.
Lyrics By Anonymous
from "Love Broke Thru" by Phil Keaggy
www.philkeaggy.com
Disappointment - His appointment,
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God's better choice for me.
His appointment must be blessing
Though it may come in disguise
For the end from the beginning,
Open to His wisdom lies.
Disappointment - His appointment
Whose? The Lord's who loves best.
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test.
For like loving, earthy parent
He rejoices when He knows
That His child accepts unquestioned
All that from His wisdom flows.
Disappointment - His appointment
No good thing will he withhold
From denials oft we gather
Treasures from His love untold.
Well, He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller deeper trust
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.
Disappointment - His appointment
Lord I take it then as such,
Like the clay in hands of potter
Yielding wholly to Thy touch
All my life's plan is Thy molding
Not one single choice be mine
Let me answer unrepining,
Father not my will but Thine.
Lyrics By Anonymous
from "Love Broke Thru" by Phil Keaggy
www.philkeaggy.com
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Goals
I've finally made it to the point where I'm beginning to realize that I need some goals beyond mere survival. My goals for the last year or so have pretty much involved shelter, transport, and food. Now I need to go beyond that and start thinking about what my future will look like 1 year, 5 years, 20 years from now. And I can set these goals without worrying about what anyone else thinks or cares about them. Feels kinda weird, but there it is. So, I'm going to spend the next few days in a focused brainstorming session working toward developing my list of goals.
As someone said, If you aim at nothing you will certainly hit it.
Some websites that appear to have good and helpful info:
http://www.assessment.com
http://www.mindtools.com/
http://www.success77.com/
http://www.goal-setting-guide.com
As someone said, If you aim at nothing you will certainly hit it.
Some websites that appear to have good and helpful info:
http://www.assessment.com
http://www.mindtools.com/
http://www.success77.com/
http://www.goal-setting-guide.com
Friday, February 19, 2010
Shoes - and Socks?
Went shopping with a friend last night for some new clothes for me. I've been told that, when I buy clothes for myself, I tend to dress like a washing machine repairman, so I know that clothes shopping is not one of my talents. So I brought a friend along whose fashion judgment I trust (among other things).
As part of my new wardrobe, I bought a pair of shoes. My friend said "You need new socks also". Hunh? I already own about 20 pairs of black socks, whyinheck would I want more?
Well, I'm told (and, upon reflection it makes sense) that shoes and socks setup wear patterns so that your feet and shoes and socks all fit together. When you upset the balance with a new pair of shoes the use of old socks that have been previously fitted to another pair of shoes will cause blisters to form. So, best if you get new socks to go with the old shoes.
I have a pair of hiking/working boots that I almost never wear because they kill my feet. I'm thinking I might buy a couple of pairs of socks and try them with just the boots and see what happens.
As part of my new wardrobe, I bought a pair of shoes. My friend said "You need new socks also". Hunh? I already own about 20 pairs of black socks, whyinheck would I want more?
Well, I'm told (and, upon reflection it makes sense) that shoes and socks setup wear patterns so that your feet and shoes and socks all fit together. When you upset the balance with a new pair of shoes the use of old socks that have been previously fitted to another pair of shoes will cause blisters to form. So, best if you get new socks to go with the old shoes.
I have a pair of hiking/working boots that I almost never wear because they kill my feet. I'm thinking I might buy a couple of pairs of socks and try them with just the boots and see what happens.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Beam in the Eye
Mat 7:2-5 For with whatever judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with whatever measure you measure out, it shall be measured to you again. And why do you look on the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but do not consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull the splinter out of your eye; and, behold, a beam is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First cast the beam out of your own eye, and then you shall see clearly to cast the splinter out of your brother's eye.
Kinda a little first-person experience here. I was awakened this morning about 3 or 4 AM by a great deal of pain in my right eye. I thought there was something in my eye. I went into the bathroom to look in the mirror. Now, most of you know that I wear glasses. My uncorrected vision is about 20/210. What this means is that without my glasses I can only focus on things about 2" from my eye. And, I need new glasses really bad. So, when I went to look in the mirror at my right eye, I can't see out of my right eye, and my left eye is too far away to focus on the right eye to see what is wrong.
I was eventually able to get a ride to the local Wally-World and get some eye-wash and flush my eye. Even now, after most of the day has passed, I still cannot see out of my right eye, although the pain has receded for the most part. I really shouldn't be driving, but I needed to get on the Internet to look for work.
But here is the important part, to me. Even though I knew I had a beam in my eye, even though I wanted to remove it, I couldn't personally do anything about it. I had to ask for and receive help. And, even though it has been removed, I am still suffering the consequences of having the beam in my eye. The pain and blocked vision didn't immediately vanish.
Funny thing is, last night I had already determined that I was going to ask for help on removing the beam in my heart's eye, because I certainly wasn't having a lot of success doing it myself.
Kinda a little first-person experience here. I was awakened this morning about 3 or 4 AM by a great deal of pain in my right eye. I thought there was something in my eye. I went into the bathroom to look in the mirror. Now, most of you know that I wear glasses. My uncorrected vision is about 20/210. What this means is that without my glasses I can only focus on things about 2" from my eye. And, I need new glasses really bad. So, when I went to look in the mirror at my right eye, I can't see out of my right eye, and my left eye is too far away to focus on the right eye to see what is wrong.
I was eventually able to get a ride to the local Wally-World and get some eye-wash and flush my eye. Even now, after most of the day has passed, I still cannot see out of my right eye, although the pain has receded for the most part. I really shouldn't be driving, but I needed to get on the Internet to look for work.
But here is the important part, to me. Even though I knew I had a beam in my eye, even though I wanted to remove it, I couldn't personally do anything about it. I had to ask for and receive help. And, even though it has been removed, I am still suffering the consequences of having the beam in my eye. The pain and blocked vision didn't immediately vanish.
Funny thing is, last night I had already determined that I was going to ask for help on removing the beam in my heart's eye, because I certainly wasn't having a lot of success doing it myself.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Fecal Matter
Was carrying on a conversation a few moments ago, about how I will have to start over with all my hobbies. I don't have any of my car projects, any of my guns, any of my swords, any of my HO and N scale trains, any of my car models, any of my books, any of my woodworking tools, any of my metal working tools, any of my metal forging tools, any of my old computer or electronic parts, I don't have my antique sewing machine I was restoring, etc. etc., and the list could go on.
But, it was all 'stuff' (anyone remember the "Stuff-Mart"?). So, big deal, I don't have any 'stuff', I'm the better for it. I don't have to worry about where to put it, don't have to worry about how I'm going to take care of it, don't have to worry about someone stealing or damaging it. And I keep telling myself that those are good things. I entered this world without 'stuff' and I will leave it without 'stuff'.
And, I think that when I am once again in a place where I can have 'stuff' that I will have a different focus. A lot of my stuff was mine because it came to me, not necessarily because I chose it, and I couldn't bear to get rid of things. Now, I can pick and choose my 'stuff'.
Yes, would have been better not to have to start over, but when life hands me lemons I've had to learn how to make lemonade. Applies to more than just drinks and hobbies.
Funny, how different people react when the fecal matter hits the fan. Some people have learned to gather the fecal matter up, dry it, and use it to heat their coffee. Others have learned to gather it and make a tea to feed their roses. The worst thing you can do is let the fecal matter stay on the floor, walls, and ceiling. Gotta put it to use, make it good for something.
But, it was all 'stuff' (anyone remember the "Stuff-Mart"?). So, big deal, I don't have any 'stuff', I'm the better for it. I don't have to worry about where to put it, don't have to worry about how I'm going to take care of it, don't have to worry about someone stealing or damaging it. And I keep telling myself that those are good things. I entered this world without 'stuff' and I will leave it without 'stuff'.
And, I think that when I am once again in a place where I can have 'stuff' that I will have a different focus. A lot of my stuff was mine because it came to me, not necessarily because I chose it, and I couldn't bear to get rid of things. Now, I can pick and choose my 'stuff'.
Yes, would have been better not to have to start over, but when life hands me lemons I've had to learn how to make lemonade. Applies to more than just drinks and hobbies.
Funny, how different people react when the fecal matter hits the fan. Some people have learned to gather the fecal matter up, dry it, and use it to heat their coffee. Others have learned to gather it and make a tea to feed their roses. The worst thing you can do is let the fecal matter stay on the floor, walls, and ceiling. Gotta put it to use, make it good for something.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Housekeeping
Been finally getting some housekeeping done on my blog. When I moved it from www.hartshorn.org to here many of the links got broken and almost all of the photos got lost. I have all the photos (I think), it is just a matter of locating, then uploading them into the correct place. This takes time. Finally got most of the pages updated, except for the slide pages. That will be a bit more work, but one I want to get done.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Sunshine
Although the forecast says "Rain" the sun is trying to peak thru the clouds this morning and I'm trying to feel upbeat even though I'm 90% certain I feel a cold coming on. Even though I have applied for 24 jobs in the last two weeks, I have only received eight "we wish you the best of luck pursuing other options" letters. Looking on the positive side I take that to mean that I'm still being considered for sixteen other positions right now, just like I'm enjoying the brief peaks at the sunshine.
Right?
Right?
Monday, January 11, 2010
Avatar
Wow, is Avatar a great movie.
I had absolutely NO intention of going to see it, but I was forcibly hauled into the 3D version and I have to say I am glad I was. A good story line and INCREDIBLE graphics made it easily the best movie I have ever seen. And I mean EVER SEEN.
Wow.
edit 1/15 I have been seeing some comments other places about how the story line is lifted from real life. Yes, it certainly could be. One of the things that makes this such a good story is that much of this story has occurred in real life and most of us wish the ending would work in real life also. Unfortunately for most of us, the ending is the fairy tale that will never happen. It is the parallel to life that makes this story so good. Having the story line parallel to real life in no way detracts from this movie, it is, in fact, what allows so many of us to identify with it and enjoy the story.
I had absolutely NO intention of going to see it, but I was forcibly hauled into the 3D version and I have to say I am glad I was. A good story line and INCREDIBLE graphics made it easily the best movie I have ever seen. And I mean EVER SEEN.
Wow.
edit 1/15 I have been seeing some comments other places about how the story line is lifted from real life. Yes, it certainly could be. One of the things that makes this such a good story is that much of this story has occurred in real life and most of us wish the ending would work in real life also. Unfortunately for most of us, the ending is the fairy tale that will never happen. It is the parallel to life that makes this story so good. Having the story line parallel to real life in no way detracts from this movie, it is, in fact, what allows so many of us to identify with it and enjoy the story.
Monday, January 4, 2010
New Year
Yah, I'm still alive, just nothing to say. Spending most of my time looking for work and keeping out of trouble. I'm not quite ready to say "Happy New Year" yet; had a rough weekend that evoked a lot of memories. They say it takes a year or so before things start to level out, I've just begun so I have a long ways to go. And job hunting can be a tad depressing, I'm not really much of a salesman and I find it hard to toot my own horn.
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