Monday, March 4, 2013 at 11:18PM Off the top of my head, here are ways the Bible speaks of or refers to God:
Creator
Provider
Deliverer
Sustainer
LORD
Mighty
Just
Righteous
Holy
Redeemer
Shelter
Fortress
Savior
Father
How do you think of him most? Interestingly, the two that are personal buoys right this minute are Creator and Father.
Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 11:19PM
In Reordered Love, Reordered Lives, Naugle says we are inclined "either to a life of wisdom or foolishness, of blessing or cursing, of life or death, of shalom or sadness."
How painfully true!
But he also says, on the following page,"We have an obstinate hope."
How equally true! I am so grateful for this hope that hangs on, rises up, and cleaves!
Each day, I am faced with the certain, and often grim, realization that I am failing miserably in so many areas. And yet, in spite of that, the gospel rings in my ears, reminding me that my failures do not have the final word. I'm pretty stubborn. I keep bringing those shortcomings up. But my God and Savior continually, and outrageously patiently, takes them from me, each one, leaving my hands uncomfortably empty...until I lift them up to him.
Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 11:13PM I have a problem. I will admit...it's minor compared to pretty much every other problem, ever. But it is worrisome to me.
Worrisome, puzzling, baffling even.
I cannot (as in, I am not capable of) using a manual can opener.
You might be laughing at me right now, but consider this: when I am trying to prepare a meal and the main ingredient is the soup I'm working on, and my can opener falls apart in my hand as I'm cranking, I end up with a problem.
Can opener! You have one job! Can you please cooperate?
Pretty, pretty please?!
My original can opener groaned its final breath a few weeks ago. In anger and disgust, I tossed it in the trash can, as mid-opening it started eating the paper label from the can yet without touching the metal top which I much preferred it to be cutting up. I bought two new openers a couple of weeks ago, and was pleased at first with the first one I tried. The crank was smooth. The cutting blade did in fact cut into the top of the can. The gear on the side turned properly.
Until the crank just refused to turn one day and then with a boing! it sprang into my hand, along with its inside parts.
Exasperated. Sad. Defeated.
I opened the next package. This can opener didn't inspire confidence from the start. And just three cans in, it too started eating the label! While not cutting the metal!
My can openers have identity crises. Why do they think they are paper cutters? Why do they have dreams of shredding paper instead of doing what they we made to do?
Which is open cans!!
Is there a can opener out there that works?! Is it me?! I think I need therapy. Or at least a tutorial. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. I really don't want to have to start using fresh tomatoes only and dried beans only. That is a whole other can of...oh, ha! I couldn't even open it if I wanted to...
Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 1:18AM A friend can lift you up, can ease your load, and can walk with you. I am so grateful that I have been able to experience both aspects of friendship. Michael W. Smith knew what he was talking about..."Friends are friends forever."
Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 9:23PM The kitchen is cleaned up. The laundry is washed and put away. The bathrooms are sparkling. The coffee table is bare. All shoes are tucked on a shelf or in the closet. The tables are cleared off and ready for what tomorrow brings. Every book is sitting upright in its place on a bookshelf. The garbage has been taken out.
Well. At least the last sentence is true. And when I've been feeling as cruddy as I have been, then all the other stuff is what my dreams are made of. Are you staying well this winter? It has been a mild one here, but we are ready for spring, all the same.