Monday, September 27, 2010

Polygamy...Really?

September 27, 2010.

Outside my window...a rainy day.
I am thinking...didn't I say that the next thing to be promoted as normal would be polygamy? I did, when they brought in 'gay marriage'. Now there's a show on TLC called Sister Wives, where a man married three sisters and had many children with them. This incestuous and polygamous situation is being presented as normal, so people will get used to the idea. Soon you'll hear, 'It's okay, as long as they love each other.' Then anyone who speaks against it will be labelled as an intolerant, hateful bigot. I'm sure they'll come up with a a name for it,too, like they did with homophobia, as if we're the ones with the problem. Next it will be pedophilia that will be promoted. I've already heard an 'expert' on the news say that it can't be treated because it's a sexual orientation. I couldn't believe they didn't ask the obvious questions. "Will their rights be protected so they can't be discriminated against because of sexual orientation?" "Can they work in daycares and schools?" "Can they adopt children?" Mark my words. It's next.
I am thankful for...an opportunity to see old friends again. We had a nice surprise on the weekend. A friend from twenty years ago was visiting from France. We originally met when she was doing her M. Div. at TBS. She used to play the piano for us at church. We saw her a few times over the years. She's currently working on her PhD in music. She's an amazing woman, totally dedicated to God. It's great to have the type of friendship where you can just pick up where you left off.
From the kitchen...roast chicken and steamed asparagus. I've noticed a difference in just one week on this diet.
I am wearing...jeans, a white t-shirt, a red hoodie and my beige windbreaker.
I am reading...Lonestar Secrets by Colleen Coble.
I am hoping...that one day my husband may have a slightly different job with the city. It seems his bosses are making a position with him in mind. He wouldn't have the stresses of day-to-day operations or the responsibilities of so many staff.
I am hearing...the train.
Around the house...my husband was at an ordination this past weekend. I would have liked to go. I enjoy those things. Instead I went shopping with my youngest on Friday and cleaned all day Saturday. I even washed windows, and was reminded that I didn't care for heights. My mom is still getting settled into her place in the basement. I bought paint for my eldest daughter's room. Now I need to find time to paint. They we have a few rooms to redecorate.
One of my favourite things...my commute. Generally stress-free and comfortable. So nice to not have to fight traffic.
Some plans for the week...work four nights. Shop and clean for out of town guests arriving on Saturday. My husband won't be available to help prep due to meetings, so I'm a little stressed about that.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Another Jonah Moment

September 21, 2010.

Outside my window...a sunny, fall day with a cool breeze. The leaves are already beginning to change.
I am thinking...it's funny that when they introduced the Ladies' meetings, I specifically didn't go to the first one, because I didn't want to get 'roped in' to leading it. Then I offered to do a class, and then another. Now, I'm going to do a five part series on the women in the genealogy of Christ. Funny, eh? I think that was another Jonah moment. (See My Jonah Moment under the Faith section).I plan to go in one direction, and God makes me go in the other, and he makes me willing to do it. Anyway, I'm really excited about this series. I've been researching and have got Tamar done, and part of Rahab. I don't start till November so I should have plenty of time. I am also surprised because if I could pick and choose which of the women to study, I would have probably left Tamar out. I always found that story kind of disturbing and awkward, and couldn't imagine talking about the details of it in church, or finding anything praiseworthy in her actions. Which just goes to show why we need to study these things. I have a whole new appreciation for her, now. I'll post the messages on my blog once I'm done. I think you'll be surprised, too.
I am thankful for...the renovation finally being done. It has taken two months. Our contractor did a great job. And yes, a Jamaican CAN build a Finnish sauna. We tested it for the first time last night and it was perfect. I've never lived in a house with a sauna in it. Now I feel like a real Finn.
From the kitchen...broccoli and chicken sautee, salad. We started back on the same lower carb diet that worked for me last year. My husband and I have both gained weight over the summer. We never felt as healthy as we did when we were eating that way. It also helps that he and my daughters are happy to eat that way, and that my mom is settled into her apartment downstairs. She tended to cook rather heavy meals.
I am wearing...jeans and an olive green sweater, and a beige windbreaker.
I am reading...A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers, in preparation for my messages.
I am hoping...God keeps working on my Mom's heart. The other day she said she started to pray for our Pastor's wife, after her surgery, and she said, "I know you don't know me..." and then started to cry. I told her to keep talking to Him and she'd get to know Him and He'd get to know her. She said, "I've done so many things." She often says that, feeling she's too bad to be saved. I told her we all have a before and after story. I've known people who were alcoholics, drug addicts, adulterers, bank robbers...to which she then said, "I've never killed anyone." Which then takes her to her other excuse, which is that she's not as bad as other people, so she doesn't need to be saved. She's so close to the Kingdom, but Satan isn't letting go without a fight. Please pray for her if you think of it. Her name is Leena.
I am hearing...the train.
Around the house...I was sick with a cold since last Thursday. I missed a night of work. Also, this weekend we had planned to clean and organize the basement since my Mom moved her stuff downstairs, but I had no energy. Now her upstairs room will be painted and my eldest will move there, because it faces south and has a better view than the brick wall of our neighbour's house. That room will become a guest room and we'll re-furnish the office are in the upstairs hallway as a writing nook for me. Our girls are busy with school. My eldest has her placement working with people who have mental illness and abuse issues. She likes it. My Mom loves her place. She hugged me and cried, saying we take such good care of her.
One of my favourite things...having a sauna in my house. We'll use it twice a week.
Some plans for the week...work three nights, shop for a tv for downstairs, a mini-fridge, floor coverings, a coffee table and other furnishings, and some fixtures for my Mom's bathroom. My husband has church business out of town, so I may purchase the paint for my daughter's room and get it started if I have time this weekend. Church on Sunday; I'm in the nursery. Not my favourite thing to do, but I'd better be careful or that'll turn into another Jonah moment.

Monday, September 13, 2010

What's Your Tag?

Whether it's good to do this or not, I find that the longer you know someone, eventually it becomes easier to add a personality tag next to their name. Of course, you wouldn't say it out loud, but it's the characteristic that tends to define a person overall. It may not be fair. I've had a label on someone that I wouldn't give to them today, because they've grown and matured. But these tags do come from somewhere.

For example, there's a lady at our church. I would see her name and think, 'faithful prayer warrior' beside it. That's how I see her overall. Some tags aren't so flattering: fair weather friends, uncommitted, argumentative. You get the idea.

The thing I was thinking about (and I'm not sure i want to hear the answer to this), is, 'What's my tag?' What's the phrase or sentence that appears beside my name when people think of me? I ask that because we don't often have insight into our own faults and shortcomings, nor our attributes. Would I have an attribute or a shortcoming after my name? After a post like this, it may well be, judgmental.

As I said, I don't want to know. That would require soul-searching and humility to change, if it's something negative.

The idea of a tag is not original to me. God used it when he spoke about Job to Satan. He said, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
Praise indeed.

What's your tag?

Nonsense begets Nonsense


September 13, 2010.

Outside my window...a refreshing fall day. Sunny after the overnight rain. I went to Curves and then walked home.
I am thinking...while I disagree with the proposed Qu-ran burning this past weekend, I think some churches went overboard by planning to read portions of the Qu-ran in their church service. They've just shown what they really believe and have undermined the authority of Scripture. The original stunt was just that, and it was wrong because we are not to offend for the sake of offending, but if someone is offended by the gospel, that we'll bear. Both acts are non-sensical and neither one promotes the gospel, but instead gives the enemies of the gospel more ammunition. It's one thing for this pastor to risk his own life because of his actions, it's another to do something that will endanger fellow believers in countries where they are the minority. It's true that they don't need an excuse, but they'll still jump on this as an example of how Muslims are victims, which they're not.
I am thankful for...my Mom's safe return from Finland and the uncomplicated surgery of our Pastor's wife.
From the kitchen...chicken souvlaki, rice and baby carrots.
I am wearing...jeans, a purple long-sleeved top, and a beige jacket.
I am reading...Playing God by Michelle McKinney Hammond.
I am hoping...that we will have a smooth transition to move my Mom's stuff downstairs. They're almost done and we started cleaning up yesterday.
I am hearing...the ticking clock. I went to the audiology appointment about my hearing loss. They said my hearing was within normal range. Maybe so, but it may have been exceptional before. There's a definite change, my family notices it, too. My husband thinks it's stress. I've had dull headaches and hearing loss for two months, which is as long as the reno has been going on. I don't feel like I'm under stress, but then I internalize it and maybe that's all there is. Anyway, I have an MRI of the brain on Saturday morning, so they can tell me if there's any concern there.
Around the house...we had the garage doors, front door and pillars painted. The doors are a greyish blue and the pillars are beige. I like it. Our daughters are getting into the routine of university life.
One of my favourite things...the smell of cedar. When the electrician came this weekend to set up the sauna heater, he tested it. We could smell the cedar upstairs. Lovely.
Some plans for the week...work three nights, work out three times, clean the basement, move my Mom in, sort through all the junk in storage, attend the Providential dinner at church.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Labour Day Weekend


Sept. 6, 2010.

Outside my window...a cool, grey, rainy day. Summer's over, it seems.
I am thinking...a nurse went missing in Orangeville. They found remains today. So sad, obviously a violent death. People in small towns don't seem to look their doors, even at night.
I am thankful for...my job. It's Labour Day, and while I'm in a union only by default, I do appreciate my job. It pays well and I love going there.
From the kitchen...ribs, chicken, fettuccine Alfredo, cold rice salad, corn on the cob, carrots, corn bread with apple butter, and peach pie.
I am wearing...purple workout pants, a grey shirt and sweater.
I am reading...The Buck Stops Here by Mindy Starns Clark. It's the fifth in a series. I love her mysteries.
I am hoping...to get our church's facebook page up and running this week.
I am hearing...a t.v. show about old movies. Hundreds of channels and nothing on. We watched Date Night the other day. It had potential as a concept, but just ended up being crude.
Around the house...the family room in the basement was repainted, and looks much better. We walked around the neighbourhood today to choose a new colour for our front door and garage doors. They need repainting. We've been in the hot tub a few times this weekend, including this morning, to drink our coffee in the rain.
One of my favourite things...a day when we don't have to do anything.
Some plans for the week...both girls start university this week. They grew up so fast. My daughter's friend Sarah is here for a few days. I'm trying to organize our fall. There are fishing trips, friends coming to visit, conferences, Thanksgiving dinner to host, moving my mom into the basement, College and Careers meeting, Ladies' Meeting, apple picking and a dinner party. I'm working three nights, then I have my audiology appointment. Our Pastor's wife has her surgery this week, so I'll make a meal for them. My mom returns from Finland on Thursday.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Outlive Your Life

"You want to do good. You want your life to matter. You want to live in such a way that the world will be glad you did."

-Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado-