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Most years I try to think of something to give up for Lent, and I've never really been serious about it. This year I preliminarily decided to give up that last vestige of refined sugar in my diet. However, that's more about me than God.
So this morning I was in the shower and it hit me, I spend most of my time on/near the computer. This is a bad, bad habit leftover from the days when I had to fit a little work in whenever I could. Most days I don't actually DO anything, just check Facebook and play games and check my email every three minutes. Not cool.
My commitment this Lent is to spend less time online and more time plugged in to God and my family. To accomplish this, I need to create a realistic but tough goal (at least for me), and I think that's one hour per day. That includes blogging, email, goal tracking with the ActiTrainer, etc.
This took 5 minutes, so I'd down to about 15 more for today!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Immigration?
It stresses me out. I've long held the conviction that this is the United States of America, a country founded on freedom, opportunity, life, for one and for all. But who is "all"? In my relatively conservative community, I see graffiti all the time posted anywhere they can tag saying, "illegals out". Funny enough, they just DID something illegal, should they be out?
Which brings me to what bothers me deeply, the whole sense of deserving. It is so sickly pervasive in our culture. We think we "deserve" a new car. We "deserve" that second piece of cake, we "deserve" to go shopping after a long hard week. What do we really "deserve"?
We deserve death. The Word tells us straight up that the wages of sin is death, and we've all sinned, so that's what we "deserve". The Lord graciously gives us one breath after another, and we don't "deserve" even that! "Deserve". The very word grates on me. Sigh.
But back to the immigrants. I think it's a highly unchristian attitude to think that this place is OURS and if you weren't born here, you don't get to come. I'm talking about Kingdom economy here. In God's economy, the Haves are supposed to share with the Have-nots. I'm not talking about communism, because it's supposed to be a choice, an act of worship to the glory of God. We don't engage in much Philippians 2:3 around here, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves."
I'm not throwing stones, I'm as guilty (deserving of death) as anyone else. This morning, though, I was reading in Leviticus 19:33-34, and I think it puts a pretty fine point on the whole issue of dealing with aliens.
" 'When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.'"
"I am the Lord your God", indeed.
Which brings me to what bothers me deeply, the whole sense of deserving. It is so sickly pervasive in our culture. We think we "deserve" a new car. We "deserve" that second piece of cake, we "deserve" to go shopping after a long hard week. What do we really "deserve"?
We deserve death. The Word tells us straight up that the wages of sin is death, and we've all sinned, so that's what we "deserve". The Lord graciously gives us one breath after another, and we don't "deserve" even that! "Deserve". The very word grates on me. Sigh.
But back to the immigrants. I think it's a highly unchristian attitude to think that this place is OURS and if you weren't born here, you don't get to come. I'm talking about Kingdom economy here. In God's economy, the Haves are supposed to share with the Have-nots. I'm not talking about communism, because it's supposed to be a choice, an act of worship to the glory of God. We don't engage in much Philippians 2:3 around here, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves."
I'm not throwing stones, I'm as guilty (deserving of death) as anyone else. This morning, though, I was reading in Leviticus 19:33-34, and I think it puts a pretty fine point on the whole issue of dealing with aliens.
" 'When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.'"
"I am the Lord your God", indeed.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Raindrops on Roses
My blog friend Michelle posted a seriously cool tutorial on making girls' hair clips. My girls have hair like I had a a child. The Firecracker Princess loves her hair LONG and won't let me trim it. If you have girls, go see what Michelle does, it's adorable!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
You Guessed It, More Pictures!
Here are a couple more pictures of our trip.
On the Segway tour. It was w-a-y more fun than I anticipated!
Three Caballeros Donald in Mexico. No Panchito or Jose, though!
On the Segway tour. It was w-a-y more fun than I anticipated!
Three Caballeros Donald in Mexico. No Panchito or Jose, though!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Seven Deadly Sins
My friend Beth posted this on her MySpace blog (if that really counts as a blog), and I figured, what the heck. Here's the seven deadly sins survey!
Wrath
Who did you last get angry with?
Linda the cake lady at Grand Floridian private dining. What part of "I don't care how much it costs, that's what I want" is too difficult? At DISNEY WORLD, no less!
What is your weapon of choice?
My words, definitely. A post about this is forthcoming.
Would you hit a member of the opposite sex?
I have children, I'd hit anyone who threatened them in any way.
How about the same sex?
See above.
Who was the last person who got really angry at you?
Probably the Firecracker Princess, she is being a little sassy these days and is reaping the spankings from that behavior.
What is your pet peeve?
Um, wow. If I had to choose one, it would be the mentality that we "deserve" all the good things we have. Entitlement drives me up a wall.
Do you keep grudges, or can you let them go easily?
I'm working on it, but I'm for sure a grudge keeper.
Sloth
What is one thing you're supposed to do daily that you haven't?
Shower. I try, but the kids don't always nap at the same time to give me that opportunity.
What is the latest you've ever woken up?
2 pm, the day after band camp.
Name a person you've been meaning to contact, but haven't?
Molly. She moved to Chicago like a year ago and I still haven't talked with her!
What is the last lame excuse that you made?
Probably not going to group last week because I needed to get ready for the trip It was true, but still, I neglected fellowship for laundry. :D
Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through?
Yes, many times. You ever been up at 4 am while pregnant? It's infomercials, weird music on MTV, and CNN. Make your choice.
How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock this morning?
My alarm clock is the babes, we all tend to get up at the same time, so no actual clock!
Gluttony
What is your overpriced yuppie beverage of choice?
I don't drink most coffee house stuff because I don't drink coffee, though the apple cider at Starbucks is nice. Otherwise, it's water all the way.
Are you a meat eater?
Some of the time, once or twice a week.
What is the greatest amount of alcohol you've had in one sitting/outing/event?
Rachael's wedding, I was a little toasted.
Are you comfortable with your drinking and eating habits?
No. Well, my drinking habits are great since it's all water all the time and no caffeine or alcohol. As far as my eating habits, I'd say I'm about 80% there.
Do you enjoy candy and sweets?
More than you know.
Which do you prefer: sweets, salty foods or spicy foods?
All of the above.
Have you ever looked at a small house pet or child and thought, "lunch"?
Um, no. I have thought, "I'm going to spank that kid medium-rare", but that's about it.
Greed
How many credit cards do you own?
I dunno, like seven. We use two sometimes.
If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?
Tithe first. Pay off the house and the debt, maybe buy a bigger house to hold more children. Pay off my in-laws' house and give my folks some cash. That would use about all of it after taxes!
Would you rather be rich or famous?
Rich I guess, though upper middle class really appeals to me most
Would you accept a boring job if it meant that you would make megabucks?
If it meant someone else had to raise my children, I'd say yes. For a year. We could make that last for a good long while.
Pride
What's one thing that you have done that you're most proud of?
The Princess, the Monster, the Look Alike.
What's one thing you have done that your parents are most proud of?
I don't know that they're proud of anything I've ever done.
What thing would you like to accomplish late in your life?
I'd love to open my own Pilates studio.
Do you get annoyed by coming in second place?
Highly. I'm a smidge competitive.
Have you ever entered a contest of skill, knowing you were of much higher skill than all the other competitors?
No
Have you ever cheated to get a better score?
Yeah. Rachael and I used to cheat on our state capitals tests in grade school.
What did you do today that you're proud of?
Today? Uh, it's 11:30 am. I'll be proud of myself for busting my tail for 2+ hours at the gym later today!
Lust
How many people have you seen naked (not counting movies, family, strippers, locker rooms)?
I guess three (if you count myself)
How many people have seen you naked (not counting physicians, doctors, family, locker rooms, or when you were a young child)?
Same three (again, counting myself).
Have you ever caught yourself staring at the chest/crotch of a person of your chosen sex during a normal conversation?
I have caught myself staring off into "space" which happened to be someone's body, then realized it, blushed, and promptly exited the room, yes.
What is your favorite body part of a person of your gender choice?
I'm a butt girl.
Have you ever been propositioned by a prostitute?
No. But a former prostitute has asked me to take a class she was teaching, so that's a proposition.
Envy
What item of your friend's would you most want to have for your own?
My friend Stef has great appliances (her husband is a chef, what can I say).
Who would you want to go on "Trading Spaces" with?
Yeah, not so sure about that one.
If you could be anyone who existed in the world, who would you be?
I'd probably still be me. But perhaps for the sake of voyeurism I'd spend a day as Celine Dion, since we're like polar opposites.
Have you ever been cheated on?
Not that I know of.
Have you ever wished you had a physical feature different from your own?
Most of them, actually. But that's spiritual rebellion, and I'm trying not to engage in that.
What inborn trait do you see in others that you wish you had for yourself?
Confidence.
Wrath
Who did you last get angry with?
Linda the cake lady at Grand Floridian private dining. What part of "I don't care how much it costs, that's what I want" is too difficult? At DISNEY WORLD, no less!
What is your weapon of choice?
My words, definitely. A post about this is forthcoming.
Would you hit a member of the opposite sex?
I have children, I'd hit anyone who threatened them in any way.
How about the same sex?
See above.
Who was the last person who got really angry at you?
Probably the Firecracker Princess, she is being a little sassy these days and is reaping the spankings from that behavior.
What is your pet peeve?
Um, wow. If I had to choose one, it would be the mentality that we "deserve" all the good things we have. Entitlement drives me up a wall.
Do you keep grudges, or can you let them go easily?
I'm working on it, but I'm for sure a grudge keeper.
Sloth
What is one thing you're supposed to do daily that you haven't?
Shower. I try, but the kids don't always nap at the same time to give me that opportunity.
What is the latest you've ever woken up?
2 pm, the day after band camp.
Name a person you've been meaning to contact, but haven't?
Molly. She moved to Chicago like a year ago and I still haven't talked with her!
What is the last lame excuse that you made?
Probably not going to group last week because I needed to get ready for the trip It was true, but still, I neglected fellowship for laundry. :D
Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through?
Yes, many times. You ever been up at 4 am while pregnant? It's infomercials, weird music on MTV, and CNN. Make your choice.
How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock this morning?
My alarm clock is the babes, we all tend to get up at the same time, so no actual clock!
Gluttony
What is your overpriced yuppie beverage of choice?
I don't drink most coffee house stuff because I don't drink coffee, though the apple cider at Starbucks is nice. Otherwise, it's water all the way.
Are you a meat eater?
Some of the time, once or twice a week.
What is the greatest amount of alcohol you've had in one sitting/outing/event?
Rachael's wedding, I was a little toasted.
Are you comfortable with your drinking and eating habits?
No. Well, my drinking habits are great since it's all water all the time and no caffeine or alcohol. As far as my eating habits, I'd say I'm about 80% there.
Do you enjoy candy and sweets?
More than you know.
Which do you prefer: sweets, salty foods or spicy foods?
All of the above.
Have you ever looked at a small house pet or child and thought, "lunch"?
Um, no. I have thought, "I'm going to spank that kid medium-rare", but that's about it.
Greed
How many credit cards do you own?
I dunno, like seven. We use two sometimes.
If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?
Tithe first. Pay off the house and the debt, maybe buy a bigger house to hold more children. Pay off my in-laws' house and give my folks some cash. That would use about all of it after taxes!
Would you rather be rich or famous?
Rich I guess, though upper middle class really appeals to me most
Would you accept a boring job if it meant that you would make megabucks?
If it meant someone else had to raise my children, I'd say yes. For a year. We could make that last for a good long while.
Pride
What's one thing that you have done that you're most proud of?
The Princess, the Monster, the Look Alike.
What's one thing you have done that your parents are most proud of?
I don't know that they're proud of anything I've ever done.
What thing would you like to accomplish late in your life?
I'd love to open my own Pilates studio.
Do you get annoyed by coming in second place?
Highly. I'm a smidge competitive.
Have you ever entered a contest of skill, knowing you were of much higher skill than all the other competitors?
No
Have you ever cheated to get a better score?
Yeah. Rachael and I used to cheat on our state capitals tests in grade school.
What did you do today that you're proud of?
Today? Uh, it's 11:30 am. I'll be proud of myself for busting my tail for 2+ hours at the gym later today!
Lust
How many people have you seen naked (not counting movies, family, strippers, locker rooms)?
I guess three (if you count myself)
How many people have seen you naked (not counting physicians, doctors, family, locker rooms, or when you were a young child)?
Same three (again, counting myself).
Have you ever caught yourself staring at the chest/crotch of a person of your chosen sex during a normal conversation?
I have caught myself staring off into "space" which happened to be someone's body, then realized it, blushed, and promptly exited the room, yes.
What is your favorite body part of a person of your gender choice?
I'm a butt girl.
Have you ever been propositioned by a prostitute?
No. But a former prostitute has asked me to take a class she was teaching, so that's a proposition.
Envy
What item of your friend's would you most want to have for your own?
My friend Stef has great appliances (her husband is a chef, what can I say).
Who would you want to go on "Trading Spaces" with?
Yeah, not so sure about that one.
If you could be anyone who existed in the world, who would you be?
I'd probably still be me. But perhaps for the sake of voyeurism I'd spend a day as Celine Dion, since we're like polar opposites.
Have you ever been cheated on?
Not that I know of.
Have you ever wished you had a physical feature different from your own?
Most of them, actually. But that's spiritual rebellion, and I'm trying not to engage in that.
What inborn trait do you see in others that you wish you had for yourself?
Confidence.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
We're Back!
I wanted so badly to tell you all, but I couldn't. The Music Man reads my blog, you see, and I didn't want the surprise spoiled! His birthday was Saturday, and he thought I was taking him to Savannah. Imagine his surprise in the car on the way to Macon when he completed his crossword puzzle and the word scramble (because I'm just that mean) and he found out we were going to Disney World instead!
Here are a few pictures from our trip:
MM with Frontier Donald (his favorcit character and the theme of the trip)
MM with Anastasia, Drizella, and Lady Tremaine. They are so beyond hilarious. I was wearing my Maleficent T-shirt, and Anastasia told me she liked my style. Drizella told me that Maleficent used to babysit them when they were young, but that they didn't really like it because Diablo (her raven) came with. This went on for several minutes, I really should've taken video, it was that funny.
Here's the cake I ordered for him. The situation with the cake was ridiculous, and it was totally imappropriately expensive, but it was gorgeous and tasted great. He was happy, and that's what mattered!
Here's us at Citricos with said expensive-drama cake:
More to come later, Blogger isn't uploading anything right now!
Here are a few pictures from our trip:
MM with Frontier Donald (his favorcit character and the theme of the trip)
MM with Anastasia, Drizella, and Lady Tremaine. They are so beyond hilarious. I was wearing my Maleficent T-shirt, and Anastasia told me she liked my style. Drizella told me that Maleficent used to babysit them when they were young, but that they didn't really like it because Diablo (her raven) came with. This went on for several minutes, I really should've taken video, it was that funny.
Here's the cake I ordered for him. The situation with the cake was ridiculous, and it was totally imappropriately expensive, but it was gorgeous and tasted great. He was happy, and that's what mattered!
Here's us at Citricos with said expensive-drama cake:
More to come later, Blogger isn't uploading anything right now!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Here I Am
This post might ramble a bit, so bear with me. Yesterday was Elijah House graduation, and as weary and wary as I was about going, it was really kairos. We had some really good prophetic time, but even before that the facilitator spoke something about each of us. I was last, and that sort of stuff always makes me burn with embarrassment. One of the things Jane mentioned is that I was starting to open up and little and allow people in a little, and how I needed to continue to do this and allow my "deep gifts" into the body of Christ. I received it, and a friend of mine said something to the effect that I deserved that (kindly, of course). And I think he was right, I did need to hear it. However. Yeah.
I'll tell people my stuff. It's not a huge deal to me, though I'm relatively private and won't generally just volunteer that information. If you ask me something, I'll tell you, and I'll tell you the level of detail I think you need to know, even if it's the full monty. But I don't tend to develop new relationships readily, or I do and disclose what I think is too much and then pull away. I've always done it, ever since I can remember. And just today, I realized what that's about.
I'm not afraid of intimacy, per se. I'm more afraid of into-me-see. More specifically, I feel like I'll give what I think you need in the relationship and come to a place where I don't have anything left to offer you. Then I get afraid that you'll start peeking around the rooms of my heart and that you'll find, well, nothing. I'm totally afraid that you'll see that there's nothing to me, nothing of value to contribute to our relationship or the world at large. I don' think I HAVE any gifts to offer the body, so I don't try to engage anyone in anything, just as a protection for my own empty coffers.
As I was having this revelation, I heard this song bubble up in my heart:
Unashamed, by Starfield
I have not much
To offer You
Not near what You deserve
But still I come
Because Your cross
Has placed in me my worth
Oh, Christ my King
Of sympathy
Whose wounds secure my peace
Your grace extends
To call me friend
Your mercy sets me free
And I know I'm weak
I know I'm unworthy
To call upon Your name
But because of grace
Because of Your mercy
I stand here unashamed
I can't explain
This kind of love
I'm humbled and amazed
That You'd come down
From heavens heights
And greet me face to face
Here I am at Your feet
In my brokenness complete
I think I started to quiet myself a couple of years ago. I was always SUCH a chatterbox, would talk your ear off. If I know you well, I still will. If I don't know you well, you probably won't hear me say much at all. I'm ok with that, I'm a take it all in kind of girl these days. Part of that is feeling like people actually KNOW me now, and I don't have to push who I am in your face. Part of it is a balance. It's an Elijah House principle that one person in a relationship typically exhibits opposite traits of the other person, and I notice that even within myself, from years ago on to today.
I'm not sure, but if I had to pick an idol for myself, it would be striving. You wouldn't see it much in terms of outward manifestation, but it's there. I try to remember everything, to get everything right, all hoping for the chance to be loved. By whom, exactly?
Exactly.
If I'm to beat this one, it's going to be alone. People tell me all the time how much they love me, and I just can't receive it (at least most of the time). I am going to spend some time meditating on God's promises and see if I can't make some headway, because this, this isn't much fun.
I'll tell people my stuff. It's not a huge deal to me, though I'm relatively private and won't generally just volunteer that information. If you ask me something, I'll tell you, and I'll tell you the level of detail I think you need to know, even if it's the full monty. But I don't tend to develop new relationships readily, or I do and disclose what I think is too much and then pull away. I've always done it, ever since I can remember. And just today, I realized what that's about.
I'm not afraid of intimacy, per se. I'm more afraid of into-me-see. More specifically, I feel like I'll give what I think you need in the relationship and come to a place where I don't have anything left to offer you. Then I get afraid that you'll start peeking around the rooms of my heart and that you'll find, well, nothing. I'm totally afraid that you'll see that there's nothing to me, nothing of value to contribute to our relationship or the world at large. I don' think I HAVE any gifts to offer the body, so I don't try to engage anyone in anything, just as a protection for my own empty coffers.
As I was having this revelation, I heard this song bubble up in my heart:
Unashamed, by Starfield
I have not much
To offer You
Not near what You deserve
But still I come
Because Your cross
Has placed in me my worth
Oh, Christ my King
Of sympathy
Whose wounds secure my peace
Your grace extends
To call me friend
Your mercy sets me free
And I know I'm weak
I know I'm unworthy
To call upon Your name
But because of grace
Because of Your mercy
I stand here unashamed
I can't explain
This kind of love
I'm humbled and amazed
That You'd come down
From heavens heights
And greet me face to face
Here I am at Your feet
In my brokenness complete
I think I started to quiet myself a couple of years ago. I was always SUCH a chatterbox, would talk your ear off. If I know you well, I still will. If I don't know you well, you probably won't hear me say much at all. I'm ok with that, I'm a take it all in kind of girl these days. Part of that is feeling like people actually KNOW me now, and I don't have to push who I am in your face. Part of it is a balance. It's an Elijah House principle that one person in a relationship typically exhibits opposite traits of the other person, and I notice that even within myself, from years ago on to today.
I'm not sure, but if I had to pick an idol for myself, it would be striving. You wouldn't see it much in terms of outward manifestation, but it's there. I try to remember everything, to get everything right, all hoping for the chance to be loved. By whom, exactly?
Exactly.
If I'm to beat this one, it's going to be alone. People tell me all the time how much they love me, and I just can't receive it (at least most of the time). I am going to spend some time meditating on God's promises and see if I can't make some headway, because this, this isn't much fun.
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