Blessings & Butter Knives

So, I was at church yesterday and getting ready for Sunday school when it happened. I didn't realize it had happened again until a little while later when it clicked in my head and I realized that I needed to put my attitude in check again... There is a woman at my church who is the epitomy of so many things. The first word that comes to mind is humility.

I was gathering items together to carve a pumpkin that I was using for an illustration for my class. This woman came in to help out as she so often does and made some suggestions of what I could use (the butterknife). Well, I thanked her but thought that I had found the perfect tools with the selections that I made. Wouldn't you know that that butterknife and serving spoon that she suggested were the ONLY things that would work!

What I realized throughout this was how she knew all along that those items would work better but let me find that out on my own. The funny thing is that she wasn't even aware that any of this had gone on, but rather God used her yet again as I am sure He has so many times as she is so pliable to God and what He wants for her life. Now, if she knew I thought this let alone wrote it she would sheepishly say thank you but think nothing of it.

She is one of those people that I have learned and been taught to latch onto and learn everything I can from her for as long as I can. Her husband is the same. They are definitely great examples for Paul and I in so many ways. They also encourage us in so many ways and are genuinely excited about our future together.

God has used them so much in my life and already and for that I will always be greatful and thankful!!

For anyone who happens to have stumbled onto this blog or even reads intentionally that is the best advice I can give you is to latch on to a senior saint (which doesnt mean elderly, just older in the faith) and learn all you can.

The Jimmy and the 5-0

Saturday Night 2:30 a.m. (start 1940's detective movie soundtrack in background)Jimmy wasn't tired...not even a little bit. He decided that 2:30 am was the optimal time to have a hodown complete with twangy old school country and western music.

This has gone on for 6 months!! His music (well and his wives) fluctuates within the range of good to bad to worse to "I didn't even know someone recorded something that sounded that bad!" Well, this past Saturday night I had had just about enough!So after talking to Paul for a little bit I decided that calling the police would be a good idea and did so. They came over right away! I guess that might be because what would they have to do at 2:30 am in the North Country? LOL. Secondly, I can see their back door from my bedroom window as we share a parking lot.

They came over and because they buzzed Jimmy to let them in the music stopped!!! So when they came to my apartment and said the music had stopped it was no wonder. I had heard it stop abruptly but it was a little bit of time before I heard the knock on their front door. I explained that this has gone on for quite some time to which they encouraged me to call anytime if they got loud again. I didn't want it to come to calling the police but MAN! ENOUGH ALREADY! On what planet is it ok to have a party THAT loud in an apartment building at THAT time and it's cool with everyone?

I know it could be A LOT worse but for now, this is enough for me =0)

I almost forgot!

There was something else I wanted to blog about. I was reading a commentary on 1st Thessalonian yesterday and found out something interesting. Well, I am not so sure that it was interesting in as much as it was simple and thought provoking.

The author was talking about the importance of greetings like the ones found at the beginnings of many of the New Testament books. He spoke of their significance and how we so often skim through them not paying too much attention to them. Well, he cautioned against this but in a different way than typically heard in a Sunday morning sermon. He pointed out the variety of the greetings and salutations and likened it to the letters he exchanged with a girl he dated in college. He pointed out that we oftentimes when communicating with a new and/or familiar love (just as he was in his example) we quickly tear open the letter and examine the greeting to see what they have selected and there is much significance. Does it say...hello... dear...my love....sweetheart....a simple name? There is significance even in that as well as the closing!

I was so grateful for that perspective and know that I will think twice as I begin each new letter of the Bible!

Short Stories and Oil Changes

I was reading something today that someone game me to review. It was a ficticious account of what walking around with Christ after you were saved would be like. Out of the some odd 9 pages or so the one thing I could not get out of my head was the statement about devotional time with God. The author made the point that sure Jesus waits for us to come and meet with Him and when we don't we cheat ourselves, but it also cheats Jesus as He looks forward to spending time with us too. In the dialog between the man and Jesus in this 'story,' Jesus told the man that if he didn't want to make and spend time with Him for himself that he ought to do it for Jesus sake as He loves him so much.

I was just pretty convicted by it which to me was worth reading the 5 pgs preceeding this one for the conviction alone and being stuck in a garage as the mechanics scrambled to find the air filter for my car they were supposed to have yesterday but didnt and told me to come back today and they would! I am well aware that that was a huge sentence and was doing it with dramatic license and a deep breath lol. For those of you in suspense they didn't have the right filter and asked me to come back a third time but I think I am all set with them there! As it was this man who I have dealt with each time told me after I initially got my oil changed last week that I would need a new air filter which I didn't ask for because every other time it came with the change. I mean I didn't have to ask them for oil when they changed it! Oh well, I am going to chalk it up to God wanted to slow me down long enough to read that story, get convicted and get it right! So, with that said, I am off to do my reading ;)

Reno

Reno Trip October 2005

Reno

Thanks to all of you who prayed for a safe,relaxing and enjoyable time in Reno. It was that and more! Come quickly Thanksgiving ~ LOL.

The Emperor's New Clothes

Do you remember that story from childhood? This man convinces the Emperor to invest in his new clothing line but it's a scam because there are no clothes. He convinces the man that they are there even though he can't see them. So, the emperor marches through the town to show off his new clothes in a grand procession. The people are not sure what is going on and many laugh and snicker because it is clear to them that he has been had because he is clearly naked! The point is that someone convinced him of something untrue and he truly believed it.

That's sort of how I feel about my new inhaler for my asthma. It's a new kind- it's filled with dry powder ( http://www.msrcnet.com/.../ Advair_Diskus_Serevent.jpg). Unlike the traditional inhalers, you just click and tip it back. And it came with warnings of side effects that are worse than the ailment you are taking it for and the instructions that I would probably not feel, taste or see the powder but I MUST rinse my mouth out because it could bring about all sorts of delightful side effects if I had any of the med left lingering in my mouth.

Well, for some reason it reminded me of this story and I got to wondering if I was even taking anything at all which I would hope I was for what I paid for it! It also got me to thinking about the Holy Spirit. We can't 'see' Him but we can and do see the effects of His work and presence in our lives. Just like my medication, I can't see it but I know that it is working and doing what it is supposed to. Very often we overlook the Holy Spirit which is not a good thing, only to find out later what amazing incredible things He was doing in our lives and how much He is and does work. And He, the Holy Spirit, is far better for so many reasons and more than that He is free ;)

Skycoaster & Floaties

When I worked at Sixflags, there was this ride called the Skycoaster. It took so much time, training and hard work to learn the ride and become certified in how to operate it! I remember the day I got certified and what an accomplishment it was! I still have that card to remind me!

Well, anyhow for those of you who don't know what it is ( http://www.skycoaster.com/index-ie.html) - there is a much better picture and description than I could give. For the purpose of my point here...the most exhilerating element of this ride is the very element that made me so uncomfortable! The freefall! That 1-4 seconds of weightlessness where the flyers are suspended in mid air between Heaven and Earth. I never liked it..for many reasons but, as it applies to the spiritual component of my life, it could be paralleled with trust, letting go and allowing God to drive my life. And that, can be a difficult thing to do. It's one of those things that you think you have done it until you get to the next time when you are required to let go and realize that you hadn't then but maybe you are now. Someone once said that we are to live our lives with every part of our lives in open hands so that God can put in and take out as He wills. It is when we clench our fists tight and bear our teeth when God tugs at something that we often lose it . We have such a deathgrip on it that it slips through our fingers!

It's just like God that as soon as you say something, or in this case blog it, for Him to test your words. After I posted last night I wrestled with some of what I wrote about. Perhaps blogging was the beginning of that struggle(?) I don't know. What I do know is that it's ok to float to the middle of the pool and not cling to the sides. In fact, that's the best place to be so that God can move and change you as He sees fit! It's funny how you can float out to the middle of a pool on a raft and be relaxed and fine and content even but as soon as you realize where you are and how far the edges are , it is easy to panic! Once you realize you have let go , you are faced with a decision between scrambling back to the edge or just float where you are and trust that you will be fine! Believe me, I do not say that lightly as it is something that I still struggle with and 'it' boils down to trust and giving ALL over to God.

Can we find contentment or satisfaction on Google?

You know, I went to a search engine, the one I typically use, and typed in 'satisfied,' and then I typed 'content,' and was shocked to see what the world, or at least this site, would classify either of these terms. This only further proved my point. We (or at least the secular and cyber worlds) really don't know what it means to truly be content or satisfied. Or do we?

Google, Yahoo, Dogpile... certainly can't answer the question. And what does come up in a search is a far cry from the way that I would define it. Even GOOGLE- the guru of information! Perhaps it is because it is something only defined by God Himself. The Creator and Sustainer of true contentment and satisfaction. As I go through the day to day of work and life it often seems apparent that that is something that people seem to lack ....contentment. Now, I must admitt, I have had long dry spells of discontentment, and it stinks. One positive element of discontentment is that it often drives us to move, to change, become restless even. It becomes bad when it drives us toward something destructive and/or empty.

It is GREAT,however, when it drives us in our relationship with God. I was discontent with where my relationship with God was and desperately wanted to change it. I wanted to go back to when I remember things were great but the reality is, things are constantly moving and changing and when they aren't, they are stagnant and begin to smell and rot just as static ground water. And even if I was able to go back it would not be the same because I am not the same. Just as we are surprised at how small the chairs are in our 3rd grade classroom, and we ask 'how did we ever fit,' returning to a past spiritual milestone can be quite similar. Oftentimes as long as we are going and growing with God, we 'don't fit,' into the things we did weeks, months and years ago. I can't stress enough what a good thing that is!

So, here I stand, ready to move forward and forge new paths no matter what lies ahead! And that is one of the most exciting places to be!!