Yesterday was a wonderful time in worship at church. The Lord is really touching my spirit and bringing some truths into my life that I am having difficulty with. Every have that happen to you?
The first thing He showed me by pinching me. You know how you get when you are in the middle of singing a wonderfully worshipful song, pouring your heart out, and the Lord just pinches you and asks, "Are you really 'getting' those words?" Ouch! Lately I have been doing quite a bit of belly-aching because of my situation. I KNOW that the Lord is there and has blessed me immensely, but do I truly believe "You give and take away...?" I guess I believe it when things are going well. But what of those times He takes away? And how do I respond when He does take away? Does my heart "choose to say, Lord, blessed be your name?" Wow! That was something that knocked me on my rear - quite literally! I had to sit down and contemplate that before I could even return to worshipping.
What about you? Tell me, how do you choose to bless the Lord even in the midst of your fire? I'm curious. I know, it's easier said than done, right?
And the question I am going to take with me for the rest of the week is this, "Is God still God no matter what my circumstances?" Well, of course He is! But how am I reflecting that and sharing that in my every-day life?
OK...so that was a little more deep for a "daily viewpoint" (which, by the way, seems to have turned into a weekly observation) but I just needed to get that out there.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Obsessed
Ok...I'm just gonna put it out there and admit it...I am addicted to Downton Abbey. Whew! Boy does that feel good! (I just hope and pray that I will incur more addicts to come out of the closet and not have judgement raining down on my beautifully coifed hair!)
Firstly, I never fancied myself a fan of that time period, but who knew that this era is very similar in its struggles and challenges? Secondly, I didn't even know that British television had series shows! (Who influenced whom?) And thirdly, I have always preferred the BBC productions of my beloved Jane Austen's stories. Why wouldn't I prefer their television?
I thoroughly enjoy getting to know each of the characters and wondering how they will react next. I see a little of myself in each of the female characters. Let's start with Sybil (spoiler warning!) - yes, she did die, but I loved the way she lovingly crossed all social and economic borders. I could so see myself traipsing down that long staircase to dinner in a flamboyant outfit, just to stir up a little trouble! Then there is Edith. Who knew there was a witch inside such a classy woman! I think that somehow her "evil-ness" came back around and bit her square in the rear. BUT...there is such a compassionate side in her that sees beyond what they eye can see and looks to the heart. I could see myself being catty toward a good friend and then turning around and assisting someone with a handicap in the hospital. Mary is somehow like princess of the story, isn't she? She expects things to go precisely as she demands and she pouts when someone doesn't abide her wishes. Oh boy! Don't even get me started on how that is so like me! (Be forewarned, Gerald.) Lady Grantham? Well, truth be told, she is least like me....but that's ok. Someone has to be a little different, right? Oh, and let's not forget the dowager countess! Violet is so spunky and forthright in every opinion. The only difference in her and me is that she has the wisdom behind the biting comments and sarcastic quips. I get into infinite trouble precisely because I DON'T use wisdom!
Oh well...
So during this down time I am determined to find every book that vaguely resembles that time period - and I already have a long list - and diligently read! Who knows, maybe I might even be able to guess, by the time the new season starts, who the next character to get killed off will be! (I must admit I hope it's that Mrs. Crawley! Why is she there anyway?)
Until the next season starts, good day to you and here's hoping you will fine a rip-roaring time between now and then! You can be assured that I will have more to say on this subject as I watch season 3 for the third time and read all my new wonderful books!
Firstly, I never fancied myself a fan of that time period, but who knew that this era is very similar in its struggles and challenges? Secondly, I didn't even know that British television had series shows! (Who influenced whom?) And thirdly, I have always preferred the BBC productions of my beloved Jane Austen's stories. Why wouldn't I prefer their television?
I thoroughly enjoy getting to know each of the characters and wondering how they will react next. I see a little of myself in each of the female characters. Let's start with Sybil (spoiler warning!) - yes, she did die, but I loved the way she lovingly crossed all social and economic borders. I could so see myself traipsing down that long staircase to dinner in a flamboyant outfit, just to stir up a little trouble! Then there is Edith. Who knew there was a witch inside such a classy woman! I think that somehow her "evil-ness" came back around and bit her square in the rear. BUT...there is such a compassionate side in her that sees beyond what they eye can see and looks to the heart. I could see myself being catty toward a good friend and then turning around and assisting someone with a handicap in the hospital. Mary is somehow like princess of the story, isn't she? She expects things to go precisely as she demands and she pouts when someone doesn't abide her wishes. Oh boy! Don't even get me started on how that is so like me! (Be forewarned, Gerald.) Lady Grantham? Well, truth be told, she is least like me....but that's ok. Someone has to be a little different, right? Oh, and let's not forget the dowager countess! Violet is so spunky and forthright in every opinion. The only difference in her and me is that she has the wisdom behind the biting comments and sarcastic quips. I get into infinite trouble precisely because I DON'T use wisdom!
Oh well...
So during this down time I am determined to find every book that vaguely resembles that time period - and I already have a long list - and diligently read! Who knows, maybe I might even be able to guess, by the time the new season starts, who the next character to get killed off will be! (I must admit I hope it's that Mrs. Crawley! Why is she there anyway?)
Until the next season starts, good day to you and here's hoping you will fine a rip-roaring time between now and then! You can be assured that I will have more to say on this subject as I watch season 3 for the third time and read all my new wonderful books!
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Gardening
Gardening is a touchy subject for me. Touchy in that I get just a "touch" defensive when my skills, or rather lack of skills, has been called into question. I love gardening, or at least the idea of it anyway.
I remember when I was about twenty-two I knew how to kill any green living thing. I then thought that if I tended toward the cactus family I would be safe. Unfortunately, my zeal for making sure those beautiful, easy, "can't-kill-them" plants was soon put to rest when, after a mere two months, they too died. What is it with me? Not only did I NOT have a green thumb, mine was turning out to be black!
Well, I was determined. I was going to make a go of this gardening thing whether it was just a few indoor plants or something outside in the jungle I fondly called a yard. I was given a few indoor plants and by some miracle of the Lord (I really believe He was showing way more mercy than I deserved!) they not only didn't die, they did pretty well!
OK...Now the test would come. Can I handle outdoor plants? I was given a few perennials (which I later learned was another name for plants which were supposed to live forever) and I was tickled pink! Good thing the flowers were pink peonies! Those have since become one of my very favorite flowers. They didn't do very well the first few years, but they didn't die either and I was grateful.
Now I wanted to try my hand at something I could eat - something I knew how to do with ease! But unfortunately I didn't have the proper conditions - at least that's MY story! I was told by some "Debby-Downers" that I wasn't capable of making a garden work, and they pretty much did everything in their power to ensure that it failed, to include placing my garden spot in the shade and then told me I needed to make it work or else I wasn't a very good gardener.
Well, I tended my garden and did my best, but it failed. I was discouraged, to say the least. But a few years later I tried again.
The results of that garden, and why I even chose this subject to write about to begin with, will be in future blogposts.
I remember when I was about twenty-two I knew how to kill any green living thing. I then thought that if I tended toward the cactus family I would be safe. Unfortunately, my zeal for making sure those beautiful, easy, "can't-kill-them" plants was soon put to rest when, after a mere two months, they too died. What is it with me? Not only did I NOT have a green thumb, mine was turning out to be black!
Well, I was determined. I was going to make a go of this gardening thing whether it was just a few indoor plants or something outside in the jungle I fondly called a yard. I was given a few indoor plants and by some miracle of the Lord (I really believe He was showing way more mercy than I deserved!) they not only didn't die, they did pretty well!
OK...Now the test would come. Can I handle outdoor plants? I was given a few perennials (which I later learned was another name for plants which were supposed to live forever) and I was tickled pink! Good thing the flowers were pink peonies! Those have since become one of my very favorite flowers. They didn't do very well the first few years, but they didn't die either and I was grateful.
Now I wanted to try my hand at something I could eat - something I knew how to do with ease! But unfortunately I didn't have the proper conditions - at least that's MY story! I was told by some "Debby-Downers" that I wasn't capable of making a garden work, and they pretty much did everything in their power to ensure that it failed, to include placing my garden spot in the shade and then told me I needed to make it work or else I wasn't a very good gardener.
Well, I tended my garden and did my best, but it failed. I was discouraged, to say the least. But a few years later I tried again.
The results of that garden, and why I even chose this subject to write about to begin with, will be in future blogposts.
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