this post is to say that I've read and thought for an hour and fifteen minutes and have no cohesive thought.
ppptttttthhhhht.
: |*
Friday, April 30
Thursday, April 29
my last post
my last post had a paragraph in it:
"THE ARMOR OF GOD I feel like the armor is really this buffer of thought and consciousness. WHICH I AM TOTALLY WORKING ON :) ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
I read a sermon text (ephesians 6:10-13) today. our friend john macarthur says that love is a battlefield. oh wait. that was pat benatar. john macarthur says that the world is a battleground / the whole of the universe is a warfare. and he talks about good vs. evil and he relates that to getting comfortable and feeling all cool with where we are and forgetting the battle that rages on in the rest of the world.
I told an acquaintance today that I wanted to make a difference.
and I told my mom today that I was still shy about my religious endeavour.
WTF??
why am I so screwed up? why is is really easier to talk to the internet or to almost strangers than it is to talk to the woman who brought me here (physically, spiritually, emotionally)?
sorry. I think I jumped around a bit in this post but my point is that there are battles raging in people close to us as well as the rest of the world. I need to help armour everyone. really.
"THE ARMOR OF GOD I feel like the armor is really this buffer of thought and consciousness. WHICH I AM TOTALLY WORKING ON :) ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
I read a sermon text (ephesians 6:10-13) today. our friend john macarthur says that love is a battlefield. oh wait. that was pat benatar. john macarthur says that the world is a battleground / the whole of the universe is a warfare. and he talks about good vs. evil and he relates that to getting comfortable and feeling all cool with where we are and forgetting the battle that rages on in the rest of the world.
I told an acquaintance today that I wanted to make a difference.
and I told my mom today that I was still shy about my religious endeavour.
WTF??
why am I so screwed up? why is is really easier to talk to the internet or to almost strangers than it is to talk to the woman who brought me here (physically, spiritually, emotionally)?
sorry. I think I jumped around a bit in this post but my point is that there are battles raging in people close to us as well as the rest of the world. I need to help armour everyone. really.
Wednesday, April 28
created in Christ Jesus to do good works
I socialized at work today instead of reading my bible. bbboooooooo. BUT I'm reading it now and the first verse that stands out is:
ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
so now...I'd memorized the first sentence as a child (like everything except john 3:16 though, I wouldn't remember what book it'd even come from) but holy cow! why didn't my catechism class tack on that last sentence?!?! that we were created to do good works -
-
and I'm now starting to understand the jews vs gentiles thing. I think that Jesus is really "our" (like, "our" as in, I'm not a jew) savior. like, without Jesus the jews were still God's chosen people but because of Jesus we get to be a part of heaven now too...I think.
ephesians 2:12-13
remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
3:6
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
-
I don't know what to say about this passage but it strikes a chord:
ephesians 4:18-19
They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
-
I'm not sure I can abide by this rule of paul as box-o-wine makes my troubles float away most days...maybe someday I can find a way to lay them on God like a good little Christian should...
ephesians 5:11, 18
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
-
I cruised through the wives and husbands part. I agree with it and whatever; just need to find a place that expands on it a little more. but the children and parents chapter I should read intently.
ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
I may need help not exasperating my daughter :) hopefully we've now got the training and instruction started. I have to say -my husband's vast and crazy knowledge of all things lutheran makes me believe (I wasn't necessarily sold before) in parochial school.
-
can't pass up the slaves and masters chapter. I really feel like this pertains to my day job. and I don't always work as hard as I really could -sigh.
ephesians 6:7-8
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
-
THE ARMOR OF GOD
I feel like the armor is really this buffer of thought and consciousness. WHICH I AM TOTALLY WORKING ON :)
ephesians 6:13
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
-
in conclusion = I really like paul. I really agree with my bible that his letter to the ephesians is optimistic and encouraging! and he wrote it in jail...
ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
so now...I'd memorized the first sentence as a child (like everything except john 3:16 though, I wouldn't remember what book it'd even come from) but holy cow! why didn't my catechism class tack on that last sentence?!?! that we were created to do good works -
-
and I'm now starting to understand the jews vs gentiles thing. I think that Jesus is really "our" (like, "our" as in, I'm not a jew) savior. like, without Jesus the jews were still God's chosen people but because of Jesus we get to be a part of heaven now too...I think.
ephesians 2:12-13
remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
3:6
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
-
I don't know what to say about this passage but it strikes a chord:
ephesians 4:18-19
They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
-
I'm not sure I can abide by this rule of paul as box-o-wine makes my troubles float away most days...maybe someday I can find a way to lay them on God like a good little Christian should...
ephesians 5:11, 18
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
-
I cruised through the wives and husbands part. I agree with it and whatever; just need to find a place that expands on it a little more. but the children and parents chapter I should read intently.
ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
I may need help not exasperating my daughter :) hopefully we've now got the training and instruction started. I have to say -my husband's vast and crazy knowledge of all things lutheran makes me believe (I wasn't necessarily sold before) in parochial school.
-
can't pass up the slaves and masters chapter. I really feel like this pertains to my day job. and I don't always work as hard as I really could -sigh.
ephesians 6:7-8
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
-
THE ARMOR OF GOD
I feel like the armor is really this buffer of thought and consciousness. WHICH I AM TOTALLY WORKING ON :)
ephesians 6:13
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
-
in conclusion = I really like paul. I really agree with my bible that his letter to the ephesians is optimistic and encouraging! and he wrote it in jail...
Tuesday, April 27
overview of the bible
so... I don't love doing this but I searched the interwebs for a half hour and couldn't find it or anything like it... so here is a scan of the overview of the bible from the back my own. BECAUSE IT'S AMAZING. I plan to use this guide often because it makes the bible make a little more sense by summarizing. you see -I'm the type of person who gets a lot more out of a movie if I know the ending because then I can look for and enjoy the subtle cues :) sssoooooo, these little one or two sentence blips will really help guide me I think. I flipped to ephesians right after scanning all the synopses because today the idea "it tells of the advantages a believer has in Christ" seemed appropriate and interesting * it is now almost ten o'clock though and my husband has turned in for the night and I must too so ephesians will have to wait for maybe tomorrows lunchtime reading. oh! that reminds me that the reason I bought this specific NIV Bible was because it's pretty pink cover came to me in a dream and I carry it to and from work most days. its kind of a nice frequent reminder and maybe one day I'll get brave enough to leave it out on my desk so someone can ask me about it. . . . .
The First Five Books
The first five books of the Bible tell the beginnings of the Jewish (Israelite) race and culture.
GENESIS: This book describes creation, the first rebellions against God, and God's choosing of Abraham and his family as God's people - the Iraelites.
EXODUS:
Monday, April 26
sometimes your life boils down to one insane moment
this title line comes from the movie avatar... I can't say that I buy it though. not lately. tv and movies have to sum up life ~ they have to tie up years and years of emotion into neat little packages so that we can digest in an attention span. but I don't believe its all about one instant. life is a "cumulation" of attempts and works and successes!
keep trying
forge on
God sees us out here
and he knows our life intentions. our long term goals. my place in the world.
keep trying
forge on
God sees us out here
and he knows our life intentions. our long term goals. my place in the world.
Sunday, April 25
REVELATIONS ABOUND
you might be happy to know that even though my husband's volatile stomach kept him from our good friend's confirmation/membership service this am, we snuck in some more reading/discussing of the b-i-b-l-e (yes that's the book for me :). ~we may be kind of addicted to the drama and crescendo of revelations~ that's what we started in on last night and continued with today and funny enough, the second lesson at church was a passage from revelations and was the heart of the sermon even.
so what I'm finding is that the more I look to the bible for certain things, the more I'm retaining its contents. weird but after hearing many many passages and lessons ect ect, I really didn't know where to look for much except like, john 3:16. but now I've especially gotten a better handle on the new testament...the gospel or story telling books and then the letters or the communication to the churches and then revelations!! my bible has an overview at the end and it says that revelations completes the story. it totally does! and talking about it with my hubby last night made me honestly excited for the apocalypse. CRAZY RIGHT? but the imagery is amazing. the first three chapters of revelation are the intro and direction for seven churches but starting in the fourth chapter the story telling doors open up and you know, john is prophesying what will happen some day.
revelation 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."
revelation 12:7-8 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.
revelation 20:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
so what I'm finding is that the more I look to the bible for certain things, the more I'm retaining its contents. weird but after hearing many many passages and lessons ect ect, I really didn't know where to look for much except like, john 3:16. but now I've especially gotten a better handle on the new testament...the gospel or story telling books and then the letters or the communication to the churches and then revelations!! my bible has an overview at the end and it says that revelations completes the story. it totally does! and talking about it with my hubby last night made me honestly excited for the apocalypse. CRAZY RIGHT? but the imagery is amazing. the first three chapters of revelation are the intro and direction for seven churches but starting in the fourth chapter the story telling doors open up and you know, john is prophesying what will happen some day.
revelation 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."
revelation 12:7-8 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.
revelation 20:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
Saturday, April 24
aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the angels rejoiced today!
for what was lost now is found~
ok.
that's a little dramatic.
:)
but my husband and I had a defining night.
and not even a full month into the godblog project!
I feel weird discussing such a private moment in anothers spiritual journey but it is SO integral to mine. and obviously...this blog is all about mine...and as it rests now...this blog brought both my husband and I closer to our God.
after we made the decision to start trying for a family, I felt the urge to get closer to religion. at first it was a silent commitment to go to church every single sunday from conception to infinity. ha. that didn't work out so well. and after the months rolled by and I forgot we were trying and then we really got pregnant! going to church just to go to church felt like a chore. and I tried to pay attention and I was interested in a few things but seriously. it was still a chore. and just like I don't like doing housework all by my lonesome, I didn't like attending church all by my "lonesome". didn't matter if my husband went with me or if my mom went with me or if I went to the most popular sunday service - it was a few minutes of revelation (perhaps) and then nothing.
so then baby girl was born :) and our world turned a little upside down.
and when it righted again, I still didn't have anything to give to her for a spiritual life. and I still felt empty about that. and the months rolled by and my mind wandered and I finally decided on this blog idea. funny but I only shared the idea with one good friend for the longest time. for all the research time. I even fibbed to my husband about the reason I was reading a book about writing a blog. but when I came clean -and accepted his advice (my versions were blessedquest.com, blestquest and blessedhabit) he suggested nellsgodblog.com and it stuck.
and when I finally got stuff up and running, the questions and discussions started.
tonight, those discussions erupted. I had nnnnoooo idea what my hubby had repressed just to get by. like I said, its weird to tell someone else's story but I need to try.
I got to know him after he had been schooled and learned a lot about the bible and God. he'd also gotten to know the way that lutheran people thought was correct to praise that God and guitar was usually not the answer. also, missing church was not the answer. the questions about his absence only lead to more and more misses and for lots of years now we have only gone to church for parental visits and weddings.
-here we are at today.
I asked about a concept of omnipotence (hand/glove/remind me to touch on it again) he brought up several days ago. I really only asked because I was light on topics for today's post :) and what ensued was two hours of discussion and bible reading (revelations!)~two hours of passion and tears and I think we may go to church again for the right reasons: because the bible is interesting and we want to know more about it. because God is wonderful and communing with other believers will give us more to talk about. because we've been given smarts and talents and its time to share them!
for what was lost now is found~
ok.
that's a little dramatic.
:)
but my husband and I had a defining night.
and not even a full month into the godblog project!
I feel weird discussing such a private moment in anothers spiritual journey but it is SO integral to mine. and obviously...this blog is all about mine...and as it rests now...this blog brought both my husband and I closer to our God.
after we made the decision to start trying for a family, I felt the urge to get closer to religion. at first it was a silent commitment to go to church every single sunday from conception to infinity. ha. that didn't work out so well. and after the months rolled by and I forgot we were trying and then we really got pregnant! going to church just to go to church felt like a chore. and I tried to pay attention and I was interested in a few things but seriously. it was still a chore. and just like I don't like doing housework all by my lonesome, I didn't like attending church all by my "lonesome". didn't matter if my husband went with me or if my mom went with me or if I went to the most popular sunday service - it was a few minutes of revelation (perhaps) and then nothing.
so then baby girl was born :) and our world turned a little upside down.
and when it righted again, I still didn't have anything to give to her for a spiritual life. and I still felt empty about that. and the months rolled by and my mind wandered and I finally decided on this blog idea. funny but I only shared the idea with one good friend for the longest time. for all the research time. I even fibbed to my husband about the reason I was reading a book about writing a blog. but when I came clean -and accepted his advice (my versions were blessedquest.com, blestquest and blessedhabit) he suggested nellsgodblog.com and it stuck.
and when I finally got stuff up and running, the questions and discussions started.
tonight, those discussions erupted. I had nnnnoooo idea what my hubby had repressed just to get by. like I said, its weird to tell someone else's story but I need to try.
I got to know him after he had been schooled and learned a lot about the bible and God. he'd also gotten to know the way that lutheran people thought was correct to praise that God and guitar was usually not the answer. also, missing church was not the answer. the questions about his absence only lead to more and more misses and for lots of years now we have only gone to church for parental visits and weddings.
-here we are at today.
I asked about a concept of omnipotence (hand/glove/remind me to touch on it again) he brought up several days ago. I really only asked because I was light on topics for today's post :) and what ensued was two hours of discussion and bible reading (revelations!)~two hours of passion and tears and I think we may go to church again for the right reasons: because the bible is interesting and we want to know more about it. because God is wonderful and communing with other believers will give us more to talk about. because we've been given smarts and talents and its time to share them!
Friday, April 23
commitment
1 corinthians 1:9
God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
-marriage is hard. life is work. and keeping on a path to God, that's just seemingly impossible! its a good thing we aren't alone.
1 corinthians 1:8
He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
he will keep me strong to the end
God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
-marriage is hard. life is work. and keeping on a path to God, that's just seemingly impossible! its a good thing we aren't alone.
1 corinthians 1:8
He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
he will keep me strong to the end
Thursday, April 22
Wednesday, April 21
Bad news I sent both posts to
Bad news I sent both posts to the wrong address! :( Poo. Today, i wanted some comfort...got a slap on the face!
FWD: the only times
4/19 post
FWD: the only times i really let myself fall into music was long car trips...full entry later...this trip i packed my bible!
"my husband was the first person to really help me to 'settle down'.
I used to always have to have a project in front of me when watching a movie and I can fondly remember the only times I really let myself fall into true absorption or enjoyment of anything was when our family made a long car trip. dozing in and out of billy joel or amy grant tapes is a memory I carry over to dozing in and out of cohead and cambria or any of my husband's melodies on a long train/plane ride.
this work/biz trip... I packed my bible! as I sit here writing I am just filling my daily duty and awaiting the end of my entry to use my only FORCED QUIET TIME filling my head with biblical wonders. and I'm excited :)"
FWD: the only times i really let myself fall into music was long car trips...full entry later...this trip i packed my bible!
"my husband was the first person to really help me to 'settle down'.
I used to always have to have a project in front of me when watching a movie and I can fondly remember the only times I really let myself fall into true absorption or enjoyment of anything was when our family made a long car trip. dozing in and out of billy joel or amy grant tapes is a memory I carry over to dozing in and out of cohead and cambria or any of my husband's melodies on a long train/plane ride.
this work/biz trip... I packed my bible! as I sit here writing I am just filling my daily duty and awaiting the end of my entry to use my only FORCED QUIET TIME filling my head with biblical wonders. and I'm excited :)"
I'm all out of sorts.
4/20 post
I'm all out of sorts. Sent ystrdys post to the wrong site FWD: God made humans so intricate / and also so equal
"this post was because I love people :) or should I say, I love great people. and fortunate for me I work in a biz that employs and works for mainly wonderful people!
the intricate part was thought about because we all have so many strengths and weaknesses and those all weave the stories of our life and as those lives twist together it's just this ridiculous bean stalk that only the angels can comprehend. AND YET. we are all the same. my note on equal was thought about mostly after lunch with my counterparts at work. from grandparents to parents to singles and contemporary men to traditional women we all can find commonalities. we all find something in common.
and I suppose to that end, God loves us all and we in turn need others to love."
I'm all out of sorts. Sent ystrdys post to the wrong site FWD: God made humans so intricate / and also so equal
"this post was because I love people :) or should I say, I love great people. and fortunate for me I work in a biz that employs and works for mainly wonderful people!
the intricate part was thought about because we all have so many strengths and weaknesses and those all weave the stories of our life and as those lives twist together it's just this ridiculous bean stalk that only the angels can comprehend. AND YET. we are all the same. my note on equal was thought about mostly after lunch with my counterparts at work. from grandparents to parents to singles and contemporary men to traditional women we all can find commonalities. we all find something in common.
and I suppose to that end, God loves us all and we in turn need others to love."
Sunday, April 18
meditation
UGH- I'm in a crazy spell.
I wonder if I practiced meditation, could I help resolve bad moods sooner?
I love how there's an ehow.com page for meditating :)
ok. that wasn't a great anything.
I will revisit this topic another day.
I wonder if I practiced meditation, could I help resolve bad moods sooner?
I love how there's an ehow.com page for meditating :)
ok. that wasn't a great anything.
I will revisit this topic another day.
Saturday, April 17
follow in my tracks
my very wise uncle was relating to me a lesson he had recently taught his son about "following in his tracks". and this lesson was figurative and literal :) litterally not following in his father's snowmobile tracks had made for an expensive repair bill.
and for all the times I've heard similar warnings, I didn't realize that the explination can be that if something is going to happen, it should happen to me (parent) first.
having just gotten done with lent and the easter season, Jesus great sacrific is still on my mind. john 13:36 Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later." john 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
and for all the times I've heard similar warnings, I didn't realize that the explination can be that if something is going to happen, it should happen to me (parent) first.
having just gotten done with lent and the easter season, Jesus great sacrific is still on my mind. john 13:36 Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later." john 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Friday, April 16
everyone
SO... I read colossians today :) I turned off my radio, turned away from my computer (continued to eat my sandwich/oh well) and cracked open my bible. the passage suggested was awesome.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. colossians 4:6
AAANNNDDD, I liked it especially because my husband is cooking an awesome meal for our company tonight. what brings a steak to its juiciest? what brings a tomato to its ripest? what brings my mood back to reasonable when I'm pms-ing? SALT.
so please please God. enrich my words with what is needed for the pallet of the reader who needs it most.
oh. and I added a gadget to the bottom: it's a list of my fave things my husband makes for our family to eat. buon appetito!
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. colossians 4:6
AAANNNDDD, I liked it especially because my husband is cooking an awesome meal for our company tonight. what brings a steak to its juiciest? what brings a tomato to its ripest? what brings my mood back to reasonable when I'm pms-ing? SALT.
so please please God. enrich my words with what is needed for the pallet of the reader who needs it most.
oh. and I added a gadget to the bottom: it's a list of my fave things my husband makes for our family to eat. buon appetito!
Thursday, April 15
colossians
I'm here at my desk, trying to read colossians. it's a little book and my mother in law gave me such a nice verse from it but I found myself listening with half and ear to wpr, tapping my foot to the song that was stuck in my head, reaching for my lint roller and bumping my mouse to see if anyone had emailed in the last 23 seconds.
yikes!
I'm a mess.
I'm surprised God can find space in my brain.
:)
I will have to try colossians another time when I'm ready to listen.
yikes!
I'm a mess.
I'm surprised God can find space in my brain.
:)
I will have to try colossians another time when I'm ready to listen.
Wednesday, April 14
the company you keep
ok. I don't watch A LOT of tv but... it's such a good escape. so some of these thoughts will be inspired by what I see on the boob-tube.
today's concept for instance: from the second season of glee, "I think sometimes we spend so much time with these kids that, we start acting like them."
I volley between hanging with the spiritual crowd (some of it is bound to rub off, right?) and hanging with the rowdy crowd (I can be a great role model, right?). the older I get, the more I realize just how in control I am of my own actions. which makes it crazy because I can be choosy in who I spend my time with. my insane friends exacerbate me but as long as I hold strong to my morals, maybe I'll rub off on them.
today's concept for instance: from the second season of glee, "I think sometimes we spend so much time with these kids that, we start acting like them."
I volley between hanging with the spiritual crowd (some of it is bound to rub off, right?) and hanging with the rowdy crowd (I can be a great role model, right?). the older I get, the more I realize just how in control I am of my own actions. which makes it crazy because I can be choosy in who I spend my time with. my insane friends exacerbate me but as long as I hold strong to my morals, maybe I'll rub off on them.
Tuesday, April 13
favored and flawed
a favorite band of mine (say anything) has lyrics that go "like judas the traitor we are both favored and deeply flawed". that line was running through my head a lot today as well as images from the new release of clash of the titans. zeus had created the humans and was rebuked by hades for holding a soft spot in his heart for those morals even when they turned against him. for some reason, seeing it played out in the movie like that made God's benevolence seem so real...
Monday, April 12
everything God does he do for you
I can elipticize (I'm sure that's not a word but what does one call the exercise you get on an eliptical machine?) ALL DAY if I have a good book and a title that kept popping up all over my friends conversations was "Eat Love Pray" by Elizabeth Gilbert. I made it through itally with her and am just a couple chapters into india :) this quote from an indian teenager (a fellow temple floor scrubber) surprised me:
Take seriously. Make punctual. Be cool and easy. Remember- everything you do, you do for God. And everything God does, he do for you
Take seriously. Make punctual. Be cool and easy. Remember- everything you do, you do for God. And everything God does, he do for you
Sunday, April 11
O give thanks
http://www.geneveith.com/whats-with-the-common-table-prayer/_1669/
so my husband is a wonderful wonderful husband and today after a full list of tasks, he mad us shrimp three ways (sauteed/garlic cream/bbq) and asparagus for supper. mmmmmmmmmm. the first thing that came to my mind when I wanted to blog about my thankfulness was oh give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.
above is a link to an interesting site that asks a little about this "common table prayer" for lutherans. I didn't realize that my chatecism has a prayer for before and after the meal!
PRAYER BEFORE EATING
The eyes of all wait upon You, O Lord, and You give them their food in due season; You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER EATING
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for His mercy endures forever.
We thank You, Lord God, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for all Your benefits, You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
so my husband is a wonderful wonderful husband and today after a full list of tasks, he mad us shrimp three ways (sauteed/garlic cream/bbq) and asparagus for supper. mmmmmmmmmm. the first thing that came to my mind when I wanted to blog about my thankfulness was oh give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.
above is a link to an interesting site that asks a little about this "common table prayer" for lutherans. I didn't realize that my chatecism has a prayer for before and after the meal!
PRAYER BEFORE EATING
The eyes of all wait upon You, O Lord, and You give them their food in due season; You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER EATING
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for His mercy endures forever.
We thank You, Lord God, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for all Your benefits, You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Saturday, April 10
ruth and boaz
during a trip to the art museum today; a painting by joseph anton koch stood out. I'd known about ruth but never really knew her story. when my friend described the subject of the painting I was then aware how destitute her situation must have been to ask to pick up the grains of barley that were left behind by the harvesters.
what a strong love ruth must have had to follow her mother in law (against her objections) in to such a situation ~
Ruth 1:17
Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.
Friday, April 9
the nunc dimittis
ssooooo........ there's this one woman at my work who really puts me over the edge. I'm an easy goin' gal but she's made me see red. if you don't understand that expression, you've never been in an equal situation. I've even resorted to calling her a c.u.next.tuesday. she's just that horrible.
so for today's entry I forced a cleansing breath and tried to think of a calming verse or melody.
Looooord,
now lettest Thou Thy servant
de-pa-art i-n peace:
according to Thy word
and it helped :)
what helped even more is when I went to crack open my fave old hymnal to look it up for the sake of my bibliography, this aroma of church filled my head. and as I turned past the forward, the table of contents, the creeds, the articles of faith, the commandments, the sacraments and the prayers *SIGH* the pages got softer and well worn and the ghosts of all the lovely people I'd ever communed with drifted past.
maybe our daughter needs a little church sometimes.
so for today's entry I forced a cleansing breath and tried to think of a calming verse or melody.
Looooord,
now lettest Thou Thy servant
de-pa-art i-n peace:
according to Thy word
and it helped :)
what helped even more is when I went to crack open my fave old hymnal to look it up for the sake of my bibliography, this aroma of church filled my head. and as I turned past the forward, the table of contents, the creeds, the articles of faith, the commandments, the sacraments and the prayers *SIGH* the pages got softer and well worn and the ghosts of all the lovely people I'd ever communed with drifted past.
maybe our daughter needs a little church sometimes.
Thursday, April 8
better to give than to receive
so the theme of my thursday was kinda about sharing. I had a handful of flowers that had been shared with me ~and I tried to pass on the compliment and share with others: a couple friends and even a stranger.
so I asked my parochial schooled husband about a bible verse that might have the thought of sharing in it...he came up with 'tis better to give than to receive'. and ya know...I laughed because I didn't believe him! I'm sure I've seen that message on dozens of little trinkets on shelves gathering dust. BUT NO. it's really a bible verse. Paul writes it in Acts.
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
Acts 20:35
the discussion that followed will have to be written about at another time :) this week of daily thoughts has already bestowed upon me more religious conversations than I've been a part of in the past year!
so I asked my parochial schooled husband about a bible verse that might have the thought of sharing in it...he came up with 'tis better to give than to receive'. and ya know...I laughed because I didn't believe him! I'm sure I've seen that message on dozens of little trinkets on shelves gathering dust. BUT NO. it's really a bible verse. Paul writes it in Acts.
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
Acts 20:35
the discussion that followed will have to be written about at another time :) this week of daily thoughts has already bestowed upon me more religious conversations than I've been a part of in the past year!
Wednesday, April 7
peace
my one-minute devotion this morning talked about peace. let's see if I can remember it...a verse from psalms...the lord is my peace and from him I gain my salvation.
HAHAHA
NOPE
My soul finds rest in God alone: my salvation comes from him.
Psalm 62:1
I've had two good friends just recently be hit with bad news -one was involving fertility and the other involving her career goal. after discussing the disapointing news I just had to look each girl in the eye and say, "no really. are you ok with this? you seem WAY too calm". hahaha. I guess they've already read this verse!
webster indicates that peace is freedom. freedom from strife. Lord grant me peace ~
*and as an update on my spiritual life and how this two-year exercise is helping me, IT IS. I found myself telling my daughter about todays revelation as we were driving home from school. the time I normally fill with random one-sided chatting was today, dimpled with a nugget of faith. lol.
HAHAHA
NOPE
My soul finds rest in God alone: my salvation comes from him.
Psalm 62:1
I've had two good friends just recently be hit with bad news -one was involving fertility and the other involving her career goal. after discussing the disapointing news I just had to look each girl in the eye and say, "no really. are you ok with this? you seem WAY too calm". hahaha. I guess they've already read this verse!
webster indicates that peace is freedom. freedom from strife. Lord grant me peace ~
*and as an update on my spiritual life and how this two-year exercise is helping me, IT IS. I found myself telling my daughter about todays revelation as we were driving home from school. the time I normally fill with random one-sided chatting was today, dimpled with a nugget of faith. lol.
Tuesday, April 6
God knows what's in our hearts and minds...
...this phrase came up in a prime time tv show last night as one person asked another to pray with them. "God knows what's in our hearts and minds" was in response to a look of questioning from the assumed unbeliever.
~I find that thanking people is sometimes super super hard.
how can I really truely express to my husband how much it means to me that he cleaned my bathroom? how now everytime I look at my sparkling toilet I think of him :) oh. AND he made me a hotdog. mmmmm.
how can I really truely express to my friend that I felt such a strong connection when we had lunch the other day? that I think she's an amazing person and if I had a million free hours I would want to spend them all with her.
how can I really truely express to my baby's Godfather that the car he bestowed on us has made my life ten times easier and hers ten times safer? that this one act was the most thoughtful and the most generous and that I'm glad he'll be her protector if anything should happen to her own papa.
isn't it wonderful to know that God knows how much we love him and are thankful for his gifts? no notecards or stamps needed. no voicemails or hostess gifts or even spoken words needed! he freaking KNOWS what's in our hearts.
~I find that thanking people is sometimes super super hard.
how can I really truely express to my husband how much it means to me that he cleaned my bathroom? how now everytime I look at my sparkling toilet I think of him :) oh. AND he made me a hotdog. mmmmm.
how can I really truely express to my friend that I felt such a strong connection when we had lunch the other day? that I think she's an amazing person and if I had a million free hours I would want to spend them all with her.
how can I really truely express to my baby's Godfather that the car he bestowed on us has made my life ten times easier and hers ten times safer? that this one act was the most thoughtful and the most generous and that I'm glad he'll be her protector if anything should happen to her own papa.
isn't it wonderful to know that God knows how much we love him and are thankful for his gifts? no notecards or stamps needed. no voicemails or hostess gifts or even spoken words needed! he freaking KNOWS what's in our hearts.
Sunday, April 4
holidays
the day ended better than it began~ as far as guilt.
but guilt I should clarify, FOR THE WRONG REASONS!
I was guilty on this Easter morning because I didn't want to go to church and therefor my daughter wouldn't get to wear the fluffy dress she had been given (and can I just add that it was a warm day in wisconsin but certainly not warm enough for a sleeveless dress and bloomers...come on retail market managers! give us some regional weather appropriate options).
anyway.
church holidays only accent this chasm that I already have in my heart. I've been taught that God wants us to congrigate but is that totally necessary when I feel like pushing away from my faith every time I attend?? I find myself just being hyper critical or completely distracted! and I suppose that's why I've made a commitment to this more personal exercise of faith. nellsgodblog will be my church :) and the example I set for my daughter can be through actually thinking of God daily. not just going to hear about him weekly. I really do believe *
but guilt I should clarify, FOR THE WRONG REASONS!
I was guilty on this Easter morning because I didn't want to go to church and therefor my daughter wouldn't get to wear the fluffy dress she had been given (and can I just add that it was a warm day in wisconsin but certainly not warm enough for a sleeveless dress and bloomers...come on retail market managers! give us some regional weather appropriate options).
anyway.
church holidays only accent this chasm that I already have in my heart. I've been taught that God wants us to congrigate but is that totally necessary when I feel like pushing away from my faith every time I attend?? I find myself just being hyper critical or completely distracted! and I suppose that's why I've made a commitment to this more personal exercise of faith. nellsgodblog will be my church :) and the example I set for my daughter can be through actually thinking of God daily. not just going to hear about him weekly. I really do believe *
Saturday, April 3
like a baby...
my one-minute prayer for this morning had to do with crying out to God like a small child/like an infant. as a mother of a seven month old I thought our saturday together would be filled with all sorts of contemplative comparisions...but it wasn't...I'm not sure why.
is it because I can't imagine being a child again?
is it because I don't know my God deep enough?
is it because I have a fear of letting go?
is it because I crave so much control?
is it because I don't trust?
maybe I should look at it the other way around -
if God loves us like the ultimate father then how sad is he when we don't look up to him?
is it because I can't imagine being a child again?
is it because I don't know my God deep enough?
is it because I have a fear of letting go?
is it because I crave so much control?
is it because I don't trust?
maybe I should look at it the other way around -
if God loves us like the ultimate father then how sad is he when we don't look up to him?
Friday, April 2
surely not I, rabbi?
isn't it sssoooooo easy to deny? the words can slip out one after another and oh so quickly one is linked to a lie. and the justifications fall just as easily after that :) excuses are a-plenty in my brain.
tonight I pray for a strong will! a strong will to stick to my plan and to my faith and an even stronger will to never again deny it!!
tonight I pray for a strong will! a strong will to stick to my plan and to my faith and an even stronger will to never again deny it!!
Thursday, April 1
finding peace with God's plan
it's so easy to tell others what to do, right?
I find myself being short with friends because their trials seem so resolvable and yet I have taxed them all with frantic texts and phone calls earlier this week - if only I could see myself from that outside eye in order to kick my own ass.
-deap breath-
God's plan is in effect as I type...right? as the thoughts from the past few months finally FINALLY make their way to my computer screen it is all as he has planned. comforting. yes. I will have a better day tomorrow because my faith-lead journey has begun.
I find myself being short with friends because their trials seem so resolvable and yet I have taxed them all with frantic texts and phone calls earlier this week - if only I could see myself from that outside eye in order to kick my own ass.
-deap breath-
God's plan is in effect as I type...right? as the thoughts from the past few months finally FINALLY make their way to my computer screen it is all as he has planned. comforting. yes. I will have a better day tomorrow because my faith-lead journey has begun.
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