Sunday, March 28, 2010

God and Me

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Cor. 13:12)

Today, I was busy with my thoughts, my hands involved with a craft, when I suddenly realized something.

Brain: “You just ordered God to do something.”
Me: ::mentally starts pounding herself to pulp::
Brain: “Well, feather head (myself excluded) what are you going to do about it?”
Me: “I... don't know what to say.”
Brain: “A simple apology might be a good starting point.”

At first I couldn't believe how preoccupied I had become with myself. Even though I was praying for someone else, I had been mentally envisioning the power I have through Jesus Christ and my prayers to Him. Instead of humble petitions, my prayers became laced with pride until I was commanding God to do things. Amazing how quickly I go downhill.

On the other hand, not so unbelievable.

It's sobering when you think of the liberties we take with God. He's Awesome, Divine, All-Powerful, Just, Loving, Great, Three In One. You know that's just a drip of whole pitcher.

We don't know how to relate to Him.

We don't even know how to talk to Him.

We can't understand how much He's done for us.

We can't understand the extent of pure justice that only God understands and uses.

But.

He gives us glimpses of Him. Sometimes it's almost blinding.

He let's us talk to Him... and not only that, He talks to us.

He knows how much He's done for us and all He says (even when we make the stupidest mistakes), “Debt paid. I love you.”

Even though we do not understand, God's Justice is being bestowed on each of His children.

Ok. So I was being demanding. So I was thinking of myself instead of God. I could start yelling at myself and get very depressed. While doing so, I could stop thinking about God completely instead of concentrating on Him totally.

Or, I could get over it and begin again. Realizing again that I am a bumbling human being who's Father loves her and wants her attention and love.

Sometimes when I pray diligently for something for a long time, I feel discouraged when God doesn't answer in 'good' time (my time, of course). I start asking myself, “Did I not pray right? What if my prayer was selfish? Maybe I'm not good enough.”

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26)

As I was writing, I remembered the man who's prayers and praises are probably the most read section of the Bible. David. The man after God's own heart.

Prayer beginning: “Oh Lord, please kill 'em! Slit their tongues. I can't stand these creeps any more.” Prayer ending: “Oh thank you, God, for answering my prayer! I praise You with my whole heart!”

It would be interesting to know if God answered David's prayer by killing those David asked Him to kill or... if God turned David's direction from his enemies, back to God. It's amazing how much becomes bearable when God is our focus. Ah... we serve a righteous God. A loving God. One whom I can't understand very well but of whom I get glimpses of.

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. “(Hebrews 7:25)

Lesson summary from today? I need to focus on God. More. I need to rest in His perfection. More.

The most amazing thing about God is that there is never an end. There is always more. I am looking forward to Heaven. :-)

Song From The Heart

I recently found this song by The Isaacs... I really love the sound of the melody and their voices combined... and the words are great too! :-)

Friday, March 26, 2010

The Joys of Braces

I am the wearer of braces with dark green rubberbands. This post is for brace wearers especially but even if you haven't ever had pieces of car antennae plastered all over your teeth, feel free to read this and try to pick apart the lingo. For you brace wearing geeks out there, I salute you with heartiness and feeling and much affection. Well, knock out the heartiness part. My pain killer is wearing off.

Hehe.

That's right. On the 23rd (Tuesday) we spent the day in MB getting braces, dental work and little baggies of lovely stuff like flossers and tooth brushes and threaders and nifty little bracket cleaners that I LOVE!!! among other things. :-) It's actually going well, I must admit. The pain hasn't been horrible and it feels healthy brushing three times a day and flossing twice. I am really looking forward to getting them off, though. I keep envisioning my beautiful smile when I'm finished with the 18 months.

The worst thing about it is flossing. Eating takes 2nd place in the very bad category, yes, but flossing is definitely #1. The first time I tried to floss, I got tangled up with the farthest molar on the bottom left. The more I tried to (gingerly) work it off whatever it was tangled on, the more I wished I had three hands: two to work the floss and one to hold a flashlight. (You know how dark it is back there?!) I ended up getting some huge scissors and cutting the floss out of my mouth, which, by that time, was a mess of shredded white material that was slippery and gooey and didn't want to be gripped by anything.

But I won. ::high fives anyone else who has gone through similar degrading situations:: And today, I finally managed to finish my floshing without... wait a minute. That's flossing. Anyways... without saliva dripping off my elbows. Ok. Enough of the gross stuff.

Food is another challenge. I'm beginning to seriously wish that all foods dissolved or liquidated like crackers or stocks. Seriously. I've been subsisting on crackers, macaroni (gingerly), sugarless juice, yogurt, water and... oh yeah. I had gravy and mashed potatoes today for dinner. That was a treat. Everyone else was saying, “Aw man! These potatoes taste so old! I can't believe how horrible they are!” But not me! I was saying, “What beautiful, smooth, delightfully gorgeous potatoes!!!” :-) :-)

For the record, I'm not complaining. I'm merely finding something in this void of eternal misery to be thankful for.

Actually, I digress. It hasn't been that bad at all. I'm really thankful to be getting braces and I'm so looking forward to the pleasures of straight teeth. :-) Beauty takes place #13 in that regard. Of course... beauty doesn't hurt. :-)

End of crazy post. Adieu, my ever patient friends, until next time.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Eli Eli's first recording... I must recommend it. :-)

Eli Eli has produced their first recording!

The Nasby family have been good friends to us over the years. We met them the summer of 2002 and have enjoyed the years of fellowship, music, fun and good food. :-) Recently, the three brothers finally finished their first CD, entitled “Risen”.

When I first listened to their recording, I was impressed by the professional sound. They produced it in their homemade studio, working on it over 10 years and the perseverance and diligence they put into their recording is evident.

They wrote/composed all of the songs so it is a new sound you will be hearing. :-) The melodies vary in sound and tempo... some very brisk, some slow and beautiful. They play a variety of instruments and their voices blend in a three part harmony.

Make sure to check out their website at: www.elieli.net

It's a pleasure to call them friends. :-)

Italian Cheese Bread

Last night, we had one of my favorite snacks. It's called “Italian Cheese Bread”. We don't have it often since cheese is so very expensive, but when we do have it, it disappears very quickly! :-)

I got this recipe from my friends Erin and Lindsey S. The latter sent the recipe to Tammy Luna, who posted it on her cooking website. That being said, I changed the recipe a little when I made it (due to not having their recipe on hand) but the idea is the same. I'll post my version but I'll also post the link to the original.

Italian Cheese Bread
1 C. water (70* - 80*)
1 ½ tsp dry instant yeast
2 TBSP melted butter/olive or canola oil
1 TBSP sugar/honey
1 tsp salt
3 C. flour

¼ - 1/3 C. Ranch or Italian dressing
¼ tsp. onion salt
½ tsp. thyme
½ tsp. oregano
1/8 tsp (or less, I just shook the shaker over it a few times) black pepper
1 C. mozzarella, grated
1 C. cheddar, grated

In dough mixer, put water, yeast, butter, sugar and salt. Let sit for a minute. Add a cup of flour and mix. While mixing, add the rest of the flour. The dough should be firm but not stiff. Let knead for five minutes.

Roll dough out into a 12” - 14” circle and place on a greased pizza or cookie sheet.

Spread the dressing evenly over the surface of the dough; sprinkle the onion salt, thyme, oregano and pepper, then spread the cheese over that.

Bake at 400* F. for 14-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and bread is golden brown around the edges.


www.tammysrecipes.com/italian_cheese_bread

Be sure to check out Tammy's website for more excellent recipes!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Computer fixed!!!

I am using my own computer, at last. I'm so happy. :) :) It's so nice to be able to feel the familiar keyboard under my fingers. :)

We're at the N's today... it's been so nice to see them again. :) Doing lots visiting, eating, playing music, sharing stories and smiles. :)

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Life has been interesting.... :-) We got a new strain of the cold we had just gotten over, so some of us have been fighting it again. Thankfully today I woke up feeling much better!

It's good to realize that one can indeed live without a computer but I must say, I really miss writing. I will be so glad to have my laptop working again!

Sara is starting to talk. The other day, she wanted something and I told her that she needed to say "Please" so she did. :-) Then, yesterday, I spotted her and waved, saying, "hello!" and she responded by saying the same thing back to me. It's so cute! I can't get over how fast she's maturing. Ruth didn't start talking until she was over 2 years old. :-) I'm sure Sara will be walking before too long, as well.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Words Woven

"A better book than I shall ever write was there;
leaf after leaf presenting itself to me,
just as it was written out by the reality of the flitting hour,
and vanishing as fast as written,
only because my brain wanted the insight
and my hand the cunning to transcribe it.

"At some future day,
it may be,
I shall remember a few scattered fragments
and broken paragraphs,
and write them down,
and find the letters turn to gold upon the page."
--Nathaniel Hawthorne ("The Custom House")

Nathaniel Hawthorne tends to be long winded and there are times when I find myself literally falling asleep over his stories! But in this instance, I don't think anyone could have written better what an author feels. The stories crowding in our heads, just waiting to be written down. And there are those moments when the words that come to our fingers are indeed golden.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Computer Troubles

Hi everyone! I just wanted to type a quick note to say that my AC cord for my laptop is not working so it might be a little while before I can post anything. I hope to get it fixed before too long... hopefully by getting a new cord! :-) I've had problems in the past with it and I think it's time to get a new one.

Cheers to all!