Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
You like Jesus' blood, Papa?
A couple of weeks ago, we let Anastasia sit through almost an entire church service with us.
Unfortuanately, we only had 1 instead of 2 chairs removed for handicap accessibility. So, Philip was kinda squished in a space too small for a wheelchair.
During the sermon, I thought Anastasia was being a bit loud and wanted to take her out. That resulted in more noise, but also an inconvenience to the person sitting behind Philip. Ie, he had a wheelchair rolling into him so we could get by. So, when Anastasia and I came back in, we sat in the seats immediately in front of Philip.
We took the Lord's Supper at the end of the service - and I was very excited about explaining to her what we were doing. As the bread came around, I told her, "Anastasia this is Jesus's body." Then as we were about to drink the 'wine', I told her, "We're drinking Jesus's blood." Anastasia wanted to put my cup in the little slot in the chair/pew in front of me and then went to collect Philip's cup as well.
As she walked around my chair to his, Anastasia asked, with her high little voice and head inquisitively cocked to the side, "You like Jesus' blood, Papa?" My heart warmed. Though it's unlikely she comprehended what we were doing, she heard me. That's a moment I will cherish until him we worship returns.
Unfortuanately, we only had 1 instead of 2 chairs removed for handicap accessibility. So, Philip was kinda squished in a space too small for a wheelchair.
During the sermon, I thought Anastasia was being a bit loud and wanted to take her out. That resulted in more noise, but also an inconvenience to the person sitting behind Philip. Ie, he had a wheelchair rolling into him so we could get by. So, when Anastasia and I came back in, we sat in the seats immediately in front of Philip.
We took the Lord's Supper at the end of the service - and I was very excited about explaining to her what we were doing. As the bread came around, I told her, "Anastasia this is Jesus's body." Then as we were about to drink the 'wine', I told her, "We're drinking Jesus's blood." Anastasia wanted to put my cup in the little slot in the chair/pew in front of me and then went to collect Philip's cup as well.
As she walked around my chair to his, Anastasia asked, with her high little voice and head inquisitively cocked to the side, "You like Jesus' blood, Papa?" My heart warmed. Though it's unlikely she comprehended what we were doing, she heard me. That's a moment I will cherish until him we worship returns.
Friday, November 11, 2011
25 Ways to Wear a Scarf
25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in less than 5 minutes. This video is fabulous! As the weather cools down, a scarf is a fantastic accessory. It's fashionable and practical.
Which style is your favorite?
Which style is your favorite?
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Tear Here to Create Memories
It's somewhat hard to tell, but the bag of mini-chocolate cookies says, "Tear here to create memories."
I was making Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies (recipe follows) for the first time. It was in a cookbook that I bought in the checkout line at the grocery store - I see one dynamite looking recipe and I bought the whole thing. But it has a whole section devoted to chocolate, so I did OK.
As I was opening the bag of Nestle mini chips, there's a cute little message that says, "Tear here to create memories." A creative way to indicate that that was the place I was supposed to open the bag. However, the tear kept going, quickly, until I had slit a whole down most of the length of the bag and the chips were spilling out all over the counter and floor. Thankfully, most were salvageable by falling on the counter top.
They weren't kidding about the memory part.
Being a connoisseur of chocolate chip cookies, the chip-to-cookie ratio is key. Too few chips and you're missing what defines the cookie. Too many chips and it's too much of a good thing. Now, I realize this ratio is a delicate one and that it might vary from person to person. But I think a well-researched chocolate chip cookie will have a proportion that satisfies the masses.
The cookies were good enough to share the recipe. Though these are the revisions I would make: I would use only half to three-quarters of the bag of mini chocolate chips rather than the whole thing; and add more brown sugar or some white sugar.
As I was opening the bag of Nestle mini chips, there's a cute little message that says, "Tear here to create memories." A creative way to indicate that that was the place I was supposed to open the bag. However, the tear kept going, quickly, until I had slit a whole down most of the length of the bag and the chips were spilling out all over the counter and floor. Thankfully, most were salvageable by falling on the counter top.
They weren't kidding about the memory part.
Being a connoisseur of chocolate chip cookies, the chip-to-cookie ratio is key. Too few chips and you're missing what defines the cookie. Too many chips and it's too much of a good thing. Now, I realize this ratio is a delicate one and that it might vary from person to person. But I think a well-researched chocolate chip cookie will have a proportion that satisfies the masses.
The cookies were good enough to share the recipe. Though these are the revisions I would make: I would use only half to three-quarters of the bag of mini chocolate chips rather than the whole thing; and add more brown sugar or some white sugar.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 pkg. (4 serving size) instant vanilla, butterscotch or chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 large egg
1 large egg white
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels
PREHEAT oven to 350° F.
COMBINE flour and pudding mix in small bowl. Beat butter in large mixing bowl on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Beat in brown sugar and baking soda until well combined. Beat in egg and egg white. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Drop dough by rounded teaspoon 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until set. Cool on baking sheets 2 to 3 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
COMBINE flour and pudding mix in small bowl. Beat butter in large mixing bowl on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Beat in brown sugar and baking soda until well combined. Beat in egg and egg white. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Drop dough by rounded teaspoon 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until set. Cool on baking sheets 2 to 3 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
As you see from the picture, they turned out a little darker than the recipe's picture. However, they weren't especially crispy...which I appreciate. Chocolate chip memories.
Friday, October 28, 2011
I'll be right Bek
Philip and I make that cheesy comment all the time...his sister's name is Bek and y'all should know this super-cool gal.
And here's your chance! Bek is a very strong woman and deserves independence. Here's a note from her:
My name is Bek Soen and this is a part of my story. For those of you who don't know, I was born with a genetic nerve disease called Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT). CMT affects my hands and feet from a young age. I have now been using a wheelchair full time from the age of 17. I have never driven on my own and have had to depend on many family and friends to transport me everywhere.
Right now I cannot even live away from home or take myself to work. My brother drives me to and from every day. I am now in the process of taking specialized lessons and hopefully getting a specialized vehicle by the beginning of the year. The unfortunate piece of this is that these things are extremely expensive. I have been able to get some help from the government (for the lessons which are 5k alone), our state is in poor condition and not able to offer much more help. I have also been saving as much of my own money as I can.
This is where you can help!!!! I am asking for you to tell my story to your friends and family and join in the mission of independence. Can you donate $5, $10, $20, $100 or more dollars to help me fund my car? Can you share my story with your friends through facebook, email, twitter or more? I need your help as an adapted car is very expensive! I know forwarding emails is not our favorite but I'm asking that you do that with this email or at least share a link to the chipin website.
http://bekstir2drive.chipin.com/accessible-vehicle Donate at this link!You can donate here through your pay pay account which is safe~!!! To hear more about my story, send me an email at bek.soen@gmail.com or call me at 630-967-4628!! I love talking with anyone and everyone about it.
And here's your chance! Bek is a very strong woman and deserves independence. Here's a note from her:
My name is Bek Soen and this is a part of my story. For those of you who don't know, I was born with a genetic nerve disease called Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT). CMT affects my hands and feet from a young age. I have now been using a wheelchair full time from the age of 17. I have never driven on my own and have had to depend on many family and friends to transport me everywhere.
Right now I cannot even live away from home or take myself to work. My brother drives me to and from every day. I am now in the process of taking specialized lessons and hopefully getting a specialized vehicle by the beginning of the year. The unfortunate piece of this is that these things are extremely expensive. I have been able to get some help from the government (for the lessons which are 5k alone), our state is in poor condition and not able to offer much more help. I have also been saving as much of my own money as I can.
This is where you can help!!!! I am asking for you to tell my story to your friends and family and join in the mission of independence. Can you donate $5, $10, $20, $100 or more dollars to help me fund my car? Can you share my story with your friends through facebook, email, twitter or more? I need your help as an adapted car is very expensive! I know forwarding emails is not our favorite but I'm asking that you do that with this email or at least share a link to the chipin website.
http://bekstir2drive.chipin.com/accessible-vehicle Donate at this link!You can donate here through your pay pay account which is safe~!!! To hear more about my story, send me an email at bek.soen@gmail.com or call me at 630-967-4628!! I love talking with anyone and everyone about it.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Eating Meat
I work 20 hours a week at a larger local company here in the Jackson, Mississippi, area. Because I am there only part-time, I'm not able to get to know my co-workers as well as I'd like.
However, there was a discussion today that helped me get to know them better. There was obviously some history to said discussion, but essentially, it was regarding eating pork; more specifically, what the Bible says about eating pork.
This was so interesting to me. First of all, because of my interest in Judiasm and Jewish heritage. Also, because, as an outsider of sorts, it seemed that they weren't using the most pertinent Scriptures for the argument. Which, if adhered to, there would be no argument at all.
I asked someone sitting close to me who wasn't actively participating in the discussion if many people in Customer Service (where I work) didn't eat pork. He said that there are several. I asked if anyone was Jewish and the answer was, "No." So, that determined to me that most people place themselves in some variety of the Christian category.
To summarize, one party proposed that the New Testament does not expressly allow us to eat pork after the Old Testament had expressly forbidden it. The other party proposed that the New Testament lifted the prohibition because we live under a "new law."
I'm going to skip my personal defense of which party is correct on the issue of eating pork and go directly to what I'm deeming the most pertinent pericopes from the New Testament: Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8.
What made this discussion so fascinating to me is that I have been in situations in the past where Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians were applied. But in the groups that I've run with in the past, it's never been about actually eating meat (which are what Romans 14 & 1 Corinthians 8 address). It has always been about drinking.
But to get back to the story at hand, both of those passages would tell the person whose conscience is clean to eat meat to not bind the conscience of those who don't see it as OK'd by Jesus. In other words, the person/group that was trying to convince the other party that there is now no longer any condemnation for eating pork is wrong.
This is a delicate topic that shouldn't be avoided by those who eat pork or meat in any form. 1 Corinthians 10 tells us not to refrain but to deal lovingly with those who see otherwise on this issue. Last note: I was a vegetarian for 10 years. :)
However, there was a discussion today that helped me get to know them better. There was obviously some history to said discussion, but essentially, it was regarding eating pork; more specifically, what the Bible says about eating pork.
This was so interesting to me. First of all, because of my interest in Judiasm and Jewish heritage. Also, because, as an outsider of sorts, it seemed that they weren't using the most pertinent Scriptures for the argument. Which, if adhered to, there would be no argument at all.
I asked someone sitting close to me who wasn't actively participating in the discussion if many people in Customer Service (where I work) didn't eat pork. He said that there are several. I asked if anyone was Jewish and the answer was, "No." So, that determined to me that most people place themselves in some variety of the Christian category.
To summarize, one party proposed that the New Testament does not expressly allow us to eat pork after the Old Testament had expressly forbidden it. The other party proposed that the New Testament lifted the prohibition because we live under a "new law."
I'm going to skip my personal defense of which party is correct on the issue of eating pork and go directly to what I'm deeming the most pertinent pericopes from the New Testament: Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8.
What made this discussion so fascinating to me is that I have been in situations in the past where Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians were applied. But in the groups that I've run with in the past, it's never been about actually eating meat (which are what Romans 14 & 1 Corinthians 8 address). It has always been about drinking.
But to get back to the story at hand, both of those passages would tell the person whose conscience is clean to eat meat to not bind the conscience of those who don't see it as OK'd by Jesus. In other words, the person/group that was trying to convince the other party that there is now no longer any condemnation for eating pork is wrong.
This is a delicate topic that shouldn't be avoided by those who eat pork or meat in any form. 1 Corinthians 10 tells us not to refrain but to deal lovingly with those who see otherwise on this issue. Last note: I was a vegetarian for 10 years. :)
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Norwex
My friend Lisa sells Norwex. I had never heard of it before her, but I have loved their cleaning stuff! My favorite has been the dish cloth.
To be honest, I wasn't that impressed when I first saw it - there's not much to it. But it holds the lather as well as a regular dish rag but doesn't hold the odors!! I've also enjoyed the Kitchen Cloth set. Those little suckers really do stay dry!
Norwex uses some anti-bacterial technology using silver. The very fine silver in the cloth sucks and holds the bacteria into the cloth. Then you rinse the cloth out in very warm water and the bacteria wash down the drain! The Enviro-cloth aslo did a bang-up job on some spots we had in our carpet from Philip's wheelchair.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
So, do you walk?
Philip was outside with Anastasia today when she spotted some kids picking up pecans. It was a family with 5 children. She darted over and instantly was one of them. While they were busy with their activity, one of the children asked Philip, "So, do you walk?"
Philip didn't tell me what he responded, but I imagine it was some form of what he tells most kids when the question is asked, "God made me this way." This answer usually doesn't satisfy the child, but hopefully it will communicate the truth that God controls his creation.
Philip didn't tell me what he responded, but I imagine it was some form of what he tells most kids when the question is asked, "God made me this way." This answer usually doesn't satisfy the child, but hopefully it will communicate the truth that God controls his creation.
Friday, September 23, 2011
FoodMatters
Last weekend, my husband and I watched the documentary, FoodMatters. Whoa. What an education! Here is a excerpt about the film:
With nutritionally-depleted foods, chemical additives and our tendency to rely upon pharmaceutical drugs to treat what's wrong with our malnourished bodies, it's no wonder that modern society is getting sicker. Food Matters sets about uncovering the trillion dollar worldwide 'sickness industry' and gives people some scientifically verifiable solutions for overcoming illness naturally.
I appreciated that the panelists were not angry at the medical community and even complimented it on the developments for acute conditions, illnesses, and circumstances. Personally, I am very indebted to the medical community in the way of child birth! However, we can help ourselves far more than we do in the way of chronic health issues.
Now, Philip and I take a powerful, patented nutritional supplement called Reliv, which has done wonders for us. Which convinced me that these people have to be right. FoodMatters was encouraging to make some additional changes as well. Here are the changes that I/we are trying to implement:
1. Drink 1 liter of water first thing in the morning. When you get up in the morning, before you have coffee, tea, breakfast, anything else - drink 1 L of water. It really gets things moving, if you know what I mean.
2. Eat 51% raw. Cooking food actually changes the chemical composition and our system reads it as a foreign body it needs to fight off! Our bodies think we are sick and it initiates the immune system.
And you can actually watch FoodMatters for FREE Oct 2-8! Follow the link to register and you can also watch the first chapter of the film. The FoodMatters site said that the film was controversial...I will stand by my recommendation, though.
Let me know your thoughts if you have watched it!!
With nutritionally-depleted foods, chemical additives and our tendency to rely upon pharmaceutical drugs to treat what's wrong with our malnourished bodies, it's no wonder that modern society is getting sicker. Food Matters sets about uncovering the trillion dollar worldwide 'sickness industry' and gives people some scientifically verifiable solutions for overcoming illness naturally.
I appreciated that the panelists were not angry at the medical community and even complimented it on the developments for acute conditions, illnesses, and circumstances. Personally, I am very indebted to the medical community in the way of child birth! However, we can help ourselves far more than we do in the way of chronic health issues.
Now, Philip and I take a powerful, patented nutritional supplement called Reliv, which has done wonders for us. Which convinced me that these people have to be right. FoodMatters was encouraging to make some additional changes as well. Here are the changes that I/we are trying to implement:
1. Drink 1 liter of water first thing in the morning. When you get up in the morning, before you have coffee, tea, breakfast, anything else - drink 1 L of water. It really gets things moving, if you know what I mean.
2. Eat 51% raw. Cooking food actually changes the chemical composition and our system reads it as a foreign body it needs to fight off! Our bodies think we are sick and it initiates the immune system.
And you can actually watch FoodMatters for FREE Oct 2-8! Follow the link to register and you can also watch the first chapter of the film. The FoodMatters site said that the film was controversial...I will stand by my recommendation, though.
Let me know your thoughts if you have watched it!!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Cowbells at the Memphis game
My beloved Mississippi State Bulldogs face the Memphis Tigers tonight. I'll be watching from the comfort of a friend's home. Philip lovingly volunteered to stay home with Anastasia so I could concentrate on the game - what a great husband, hey?
As I was purusing the internet for something worth reading about the game tonight, I came across For Whom the Cowbell Tolls . They had a Q/A answered by MemphisRoar.com. This particular question and answer that made me laugh:
Q8: Do you anticipate State fans being thoroughly searched this coming Thursday to prevent Cowbells from making it into the stadium?
Noise makers are banned from the stadium, so the plan is to have Ole Miss fans standing at the gate to "probe" all state fans suspected to be carrying them. I have even heard they have purchased some of the new full-body xray scanners. Prepare to be violated. [/failed joke] But seriously, the University has said that purses and anything carried in will be searched. Noise makers that make it past security will be confiscated by stadium security upon use.
Ring those cowbells!
As I was purusing the internet for something worth reading about the game tonight, I came across For Whom the Cowbell Tolls . They had a Q/A answered by MemphisRoar.com. This particular question and answer that made me laugh:
Q8: Do you anticipate State fans being thoroughly searched this coming Thursday to prevent Cowbells from making it into the stadium?
Noise makers are banned from the stadium, so the plan is to have Ole Miss fans standing at the gate to "probe" all state fans suspected to be carrying them. I have even heard they have purchased some of the new full-body xray scanners. Prepare to be violated. [/failed joke] But seriously, the University has said that purses and anything carried in will be searched. Noise makers that make it past security will be confiscated by stadium security upon use.
Ring those cowbells!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Chick-fil-A rules
We're big fans of Chick-fil-A. We love their food, and their cow-centric marketing campaigned is genius.
Yesterday, I was going to get Anastasia dinner there. On Tuesday nights, this particular location was offering a FREE Kid's Meal with the purchase of an adult meal. (It just happened to be Tuesday.) Well, of course I got me and Philip dinner, too.
Later, I was pondering on how often Chick-fil-A gives away their food - like Cow Day where you can show up dressed as a cow and get free chicken or this deal yesterday where we got a free Kid's Meal.
So, I went to their site just a moment ago to get an image to post here, and what do you know...they giving away FREE breakfast sandwhiches Sept 6-10! All you have to do is go to their website and make a reservation. They have had this promotion before and we took advantage of it then.
Yet another great marketing tool brought to you by Chick-fil-A.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Ice Ceam
No, I didn't leave out the "r" in cream. That's the way Anastasia says ice cream, so it's spelled correctly.
Tonight was Anastasia's first minor league baseball game. The Mississippi Braves were playing...well...I think it was Birmingham. I sat down all of 5 mins, but Anastasia had a blast. Our friend, Sandi, and Adeline and their friend showed us a great time! They knew the ropes. Anastasia jumped in the bouncy thing, ate a hot dog (after she had pulled it out of the bun), looked wide-eyedly around the store, walked around the entirety of the walk-way and played on the "Berg" (the grassy hill underneath the scoreboard).
We were going to get some ice cream at the park, but Philip and I decided Anastasia was quickly approaching melt down. So we promised her ice cream on the way home. On the walk out to the car and until we pulled into Baskin Robbins, Anastasia was talking about 'ice ceam.' Our favorite was , "I wanna eat ice ceam in my mouf [mouth]."
She handled the soft serve pretty well. I had braced myself for more ice cream on her than in her mouth. But the true test will be when I'm buckling her in her carseat again in several hours here...will the straps bear witness to the late night ice cream goodness?...i think it will be an affirmative.
Tonight was Anastasia's first minor league baseball game. The Mississippi Braves were playing...well...I think it was Birmingham. I sat down all of 5 mins, but Anastasia had a blast. Our friend, Sandi, and Adeline and their friend showed us a great time! They knew the ropes. Anastasia jumped in the bouncy thing, ate a hot dog (after she had pulled it out of the bun), looked wide-eyedly around the store, walked around the entirety of the walk-way and played on the "Berg" (the grassy hill underneath the scoreboard).
We were going to get some ice cream at the park, but Philip and I decided Anastasia was quickly approaching melt down. So we promised her ice cream on the way home. On the walk out to the car and until we pulled into Baskin Robbins, Anastasia was talking about 'ice ceam.' Our favorite was , "I wanna eat ice ceam in my mouf [mouth]."
She handled the soft serve pretty well. I had braced myself for more ice cream on her than in her mouth. But the true test will be when I'm buckling her in her carseat again in several hours here...will the straps bear witness to the late night ice cream goodness?...i think it will be an affirmative.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Books are to be read according to their worth
I recently started reading God and Football: Faith and Fanaticism in the SEC by Chad Gibbs. It addresses a topic I have often thought about since I became a (Christian) believer in 1998. I had long before been a believer in Mississippi State.
Since being converted, when I have the occasion to go to a Miss. State football game - rather, one we win decidedly - there is a sense of excitement and joy and community and blissfulness that is rarely matched. However, I know that sensation may seem like sadness compared to what believers will experience in glory. What I do get sad about in those victorious Bulldog moments is the likelihood that many people will not share the thrill of rejoicing with me when Jesus returns.
But getting to the title of this blog entry: Gibbs writes about a subject worthy of focus. His introduction is enough to make any SEC loving Christian wince in knowing laughter. Namely, that SEC football is much more attractive than loving Jesus. He describes this with a light-hearted and serious combination that makes it easier to swallow, but true nonetheless.
However, I find myself not being able to read large portions of his book at a time. When I told Philip that tonight, with shame in my heart because his writing style is not lofty or hard to read, he replied, "Books are to read according to their worth."
In essence, Philip was saying that even though Gibbs may have a worthy subject, his tone and attitude can be abrasive as well as humorous, sometimes at the expense of the church. In humor, he takes shots at specific denominations (50, 61, 72/3). Although he is attempting to get a laugh out of his audience, he does it at the expense of the church. He is undercutting the very God he is attempting to seek. Gibbs emphasizes the unity of the fans at the games he visits but fails to promote the same among God's children.
So while I appreciate his quest to find a balance between loving his Auburn Tigers and the Almighty God, there could be more thought put into the ink he spills about Jesus' bride, the church. I look forward to finishing the book...but at much slower a pace than I had anticipated.
Monday, July 25, 2011
A Modern Confession
Father, we confess that we are satiated and bored;
Creation has bored us.
Work has bored us.
Family has bored us.
Friends have bored us.
Our homes have bored us.
Television has bored us.
Redemption has bored us.
Truth has bored us.
You have bored us.
No generation in history has ever had so much to entertain it.
We are jaded and cynical.
We think the world is our servant, so we are not thankful when things go well for us, and we are not patient when they do not.
We believe every desire should be satisfied, so we are not delighted when they are, and we are not humbled when they are not.
We laugh, but do not know joy.
We are captivated , but we are never really awed.
We celebrate, but we do not worship.
We live, but not for you.
Have mercy on us, and forgive us.
Amaze us with grace - blood stained, incarnate, Messianic grace - the Glory of God in Christ.
Though you may not find the entirety of this confession to be true, at the very least a portion has been true of anyone residing in America.
This is a prayer that was printed in a Covenant Theological Seminary chapel service on February 23, 2007. The prayer was written by Rev. Michael Kelly, Green Lake PCA, Seattle, WA.
Creation has bored us.
Work has bored us.
Family has bored us.
Friends have bored us.
Our homes have bored us.
Television has bored us.
Redemption has bored us.
Truth has bored us.
You have bored us.
No generation in history has ever had so much to entertain it.
We are jaded and cynical.
We think the world is our servant, so we are not thankful when things go well for us, and we are not patient when they do not.
We believe every desire should be satisfied, so we are not delighted when they are, and we are not humbled when they are not.
We laugh, but do not know joy.
We are captivated , but we are never really awed.
We celebrate, but we do not worship.
We live, but not for you.
Have mercy on us, and forgive us.
Amaze us with grace - blood stained, incarnate, Messianic grace - the Glory of God in Christ.
Though you may not find the entirety of this confession to be true, at the very least a portion has been true of anyone residing in America.
This is a prayer that was printed in a Covenant Theological Seminary chapel service on February 23, 2007. The prayer was written by Rev. Michael Kelly, Green Lake PCA, Seattle, WA.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
To be, rather than to seem
To our eternal blessing, Jesus was rather than seemed.
During this week between Palm Sunday and Easter, Jesus would have been participating in Passover. Now, in the 21st century, Palm Sunday gets plenty of attention. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are also well known and observed. And of course and rightly so, Easter is the pinnacle of the week and celebrated by the Christian community.
However, in Matthew 11, there is a passage that doesn't get much attention. Over a year ago, Brian Habig taught on Matthew 11:11-25. The title of the sermon is "Becoming What He Prayed For" on March 21, 2010. Click here, find it and listen to it. Whether you love Jesus or are indifferent to him, listen to it.
To summarize the text: On Palm Sunday, Jesus goes to the temple and looks around. Then he leaves the city. The next day, he curses a fig tree and then goes to the temple and drives out the people doing business there. Jesus and his disciples again left the city, the fig tree had withered up, and Jesus teaches his disciples about trust, prayer, and forgiveness.
Sadly, the church is not always what she seems. Praise God, Jesus was content to be rather than to seem.
During this week between Palm Sunday and Easter, Jesus would have been participating in Passover. Now, in the 21st century, Palm Sunday gets plenty of attention. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are also well known and observed. And of course and rightly so, Easter is the pinnacle of the week and celebrated by the Christian community.
However, in Matthew 11, there is a passage that doesn't get much attention. Over a year ago, Brian Habig taught on Matthew 11:11-25. The title of the sermon is "Becoming What He Prayed For" on March 21, 2010. Click here, find it and listen to it. Whether you love Jesus or are indifferent to him, listen to it.
To summarize the text: On Palm Sunday, Jesus goes to the temple and looks around. Then he leaves the city. The next day, he curses a fig tree and then goes to the temple and drives out the people doing business there. Jesus and his disciples again left the city, the fig tree had withered up, and Jesus teaches his disciples about trust, prayer, and forgiveness.
Sadly, the church is not always what she seems. Praise God, Jesus was content to be rather than to seem.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Homemade Toothpaste!
We have been going through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. In an effort to make my "Wal-Mart/Target" envelope money go further, I've been researching what I can make myself for cheaper than I can get at the store. Not only did I find out that toothpaste is much cheaper to make, but it's actually safer! Apparently, fluoride isn't a great ingredient to brush our teeth with!
This morning I made my own toothpaste! This video calls for oil of peppermint. If you're using peppermint extract, you're going to need a whole lot more than a drop...otherwise it tastes terrible!! I'm excited about my newfound Dave-Ramsey-approving, safe-teeth-cleaning, Zach-Galifianakis-endorsed (not really), toothpaste.
This morning I made my own toothpaste! This video calls for oil of peppermint. If you're using peppermint extract, you're going to need a whole lot more than a drop...otherwise it tastes terrible!! I'm excited about my newfound Dave-Ramsey-approving, safe-teeth-cleaning, Zach-Galifianakis-endorsed (not really), toothpaste.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Who's Listening?
Public speaking is a beast. If you do it on any kind of regular basis, it can be provide thrilling highs and disappointing lows.
As a member of the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce, I am on the Elder Services Committee. First Fridays for Seniors is a monthly event designed to educate and inform the aging population and their caregivers about services available to them in Rankin County, Mississippi.
Today, I had the opportunity to educate the attendees of First Fridays about Reliv! I used my notes from a talk I did last year. During the talk, I was admittedly nervous, and had thought after I was done that there would be little interest. I could tell there was at least one or two who were tracking with me and giving me feedback via their body language.
After the talk, I was encouraged that those who evidenced curiosity approached me with feedback. But I was pleasantly surprised that some who seemed to be looking right through me also wanted more information. It was very exciting to have caught the attention of those that seemed to only be feigning interest.
Organization and preparation are key to public speaking. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will be. The more organized you are, the clearer you will be. Mix these 2 ingredients together and you never know who might be listening!
As a member of the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce, I am on the Elder Services Committee. First Fridays for Seniors is a monthly event designed to educate and inform the aging population and their caregivers about services available to them in Rankin County, Mississippi.
Today, I had the opportunity to educate the attendees of First Fridays about Reliv! I used my notes from a talk I did last year. During the talk, I was admittedly nervous, and had thought after I was done that there would be little interest. I could tell there was at least one or two who were tracking with me and giving me feedback via their body language.
After the talk, I was encouraged that those who evidenced curiosity approached me with feedback. But I was pleasantly surprised that some who seemed to be looking right through me also wanted more information. It was very exciting to have caught the attention of those that seemed to only be feigning interest.
Organization and preparation are key to public speaking. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will be. The more organized you are, the clearer you will be. Mix these 2 ingredients together and you never know who might be listening!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Cover Your Assets
Did you know you can spend money to make money? If you didn’t, you’re probably spending money to spend money. The difference in those two ideas is the difference between an asset and a liability.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki, may be over 10 years old now, but his concepts are timeless. What separated Rich Dad from Poor Dad? Financial intelligence. Kiyosaki’s underlying principle is that financial education is paramount to building wealth. Seems simple, right? It is actually. The problem lies in where the financial education originates.
Where are we being taught about money and how it works? Our school systems? At home? By credit card companies and high-interest marketing strategies? Kiyosaki rightly says that “money without financial intelligence is money soon gone.” It doesn’t matter that someone makes $300.000 a year. If he is financially illiterate, then wealth constantly eludes him. Money doesn’t solve problems; intelligence solves problems – and makes money.
Kiyosaki provides six helpful lessons, but understanding one concept can begin to establish that financial intelligence. *Know the difference between an asset and a liability and buy assets.* The definition of an asset is anything that generates income.
Does your car generate income? I don’t mean does your car get you to your job – I mean does the actual existence of your car generate income. No. In fact, the existence of your car generates expenses. You must spend money to put gas in the car and keep it maintained and insure it. Therefore, your car is a liability.
Assets can come in many different forms, but Kiyosaki often uses real estate. Owning a rental property (with tenants, of course), generates income and builds wealth. Those tenants are paying the mortgage on a home that can later be sold or that continue to generate the revenue of the rent paid. However, your own home is not an asset but a liability because again, you must pay money to heat it, cool it, light it, fix it, insure it, etc. And don’t confuse equity with asset.
Kiyosaki’s advice can be summed up in 3 points. Know the difference between an asset and a liability. Then, learn to recognize an asset when it presents itself. And finally, take action. The well-educated will be able to capitalize on opportunity whereas the uneducated will not be able to even recognize the opportunity.
If you spend money to make money, you’ll be well on your way to establishing – and maintaining – wealth.
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