The book, Man Overboard! The Story of Jonah by Sinclair B. Ferguson was very good. I thought I was familiar with the story, having heard it preached many times. But again, there are fresh insights and life applications that made me wonder how I had never noticed them before.
Although I preferred his book, Faithful God, an Exposition of the Book of Ruth, more, this book was thorough, theologically sound and encouraging. We all have some of Jonah in us, and God has to sometimes show us His mercy before we can really have a heart for evangelism or understand the character of God. This story also demonstrates the sovereignty of God in evangelism, and over His creation. It also teaches us that God can draw a straight line with a crooked stick; He can use weak, even disobedient people for His purposes. "The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time..." (Jonah 3:1)
Thursday, October 16, 2008
A Better Option
I went to an Oncology conference. I got through two and a half hours of mind numbing molecular biology and slides of cells and research statistics about clinical trials. Even the description is boring, but I assure you the reality is apt to induce narcolepsy. I did see some Doctors nodding off, so I don’t feel so bad for escaping. I don't feel guilty, though. I wasn't getting paid for the day, and I paid for the conference myself. Tomorrow should be more interesting, and I figured that books were a better choice than boredom. I stopped at Tim Horton’s for a coffee break, and then I made my way to the World’s Biggest Bookstore for an hour or two of enjoyable book browsing, along with the inevitable book buying. I also found a discount bookstore on Yonge Street where I found two great deals. I bought three new books. I admitted it to my husband as soon as I got home. He doesn't really care, but I don't like to feel sneaky.
What's worth fighting for?
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things.
The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
-John Stuart Mill
The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
-John Stuart Mill
Monday, October 13, 2008
Post Thanksgiving Dinner
Oct.13,2008
Outside my window...another beautiful day.
I am thinking...that this was a great Thanksgiving Day. I can't believe I was so relaxed and everything went so smoothly. Since I was feeding 17 people I decided to do buffet style and we sat wherever. This was a good idea.
I am thankful...for my family, my husband of 22 years, for our health and safety, for our country, for our jobs, our home and car, for a church where we hear great preaching and can serve God.
From the kitchen...dim sum, crab dip and crackers. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, pork loin with apple sauce, rice and peas (a Jamaican staple), okra and tomatoes (see recipe below), corn, green beans and carrots, mushrooms in Reisling (recipe from Canadian Living magazine), candied yams, wine, Northern blueberry pie with ice cream, lemon poppy seed cake (see recipe below), pumpkin pie with whipped cream, coffee and tea. Gluttony, pure gluttony. We'll be eating leftovers for a week.
I am wearing...a navy skirt and a light blue sleeveless blouse. It's quite warm. We ate out on the deck.
I am reading...Man Overboard! The story of Jonah, by Sinclair Ferguson. I love that story.
I am hoping...that my daughter gets back to university safely tonight and my husband comes back home safely, as well. I stayed home to clean up after our guests left.
I am hearing...When God Ran, by Phillips, Craig and Dean. I love that song. It's based on the story of the Prodigal Son.
Around the house...everything is tidied up. We're putting the pictures from tonight onto Facebook. I love Facebook.
One of my favourite things...campfires. I even like the smell of campfire smoke on me. Hot dogs are best over an open fire.
Some plans for the week...as yesterday. My husband may be going on his yearly Guys' Fishing Trip on the weekend. I'm so lonely when he's gone. I didn't think I was so needy.
Outside my window...another beautiful day.
I am thinking...that this was a great Thanksgiving Day. I can't believe I was so relaxed and everything went so smoothly. Since I was feeding 17 people I decided to do buffet style and we sat wherever. This was a good idea.
I am thankful...for my family, my husband of 22 years, for our health and safety, for our country, for our jobs, our home and car, for a church where we hear great preaching and can serve God.
From the kitchen...dim sum, crab dip and crackers. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, pork loin with apple sauce, rice and peas (a Jamaican staple), okra and tomatoes (see recipe below), corn, green beans and carrots, mushrooms in Reisling (recipe from Canadian Living magazine), candied yams, wine, Northern blueberry pie with ice cream, lemon poppy seed cake (see recipe below), pumpkin pie with whipped cream, coffee and tea. Gluttony, pure gluttony. We'll be eating leftovers for a week.
I am wearing...a navy skirt and a light blue sleeveless blouse. It's quite warm. We ate out on the deck.
I am reading...Man Overboard! The story of Jonah, by Sinclair Ferguson. I love that story.
I am hoping...that my daughter gets back to university safely tonight and my husband comes back home safely, as well. I stayed home to clean up after our guests left.
I am hearing...When God Ran, by Phillips, Craig and Dean. I love that song. It's based on the story of the Prodigal Son.
Around the house...everything is tidied up. We're putting the pictures from tonight onto Facebook. I love Facebook.
One of my favourite things...campfires. I even like the smell of campfire smoke on me. Hot dogs are best over an open fire.
Some plans for the week...as yesterday. My husband may be going on his yearly Guys' Fishing Trip on the weekend. I'm so lonely when he's gone. I didn't think I was so needy.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Thanksgiving
Oct.12,2008
Outside my window...another beautiful fall day.
I am thinking...that I'm surprised I'm not the least bit stressed about Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. I think I may even enjoy it. :)
I am thankful...my Mom's tests showed nothing to worry about. No asbestos in her lungs after all; just recovering from her broken ribs last March when she fell on the ice.
From the kitchen...PIZZA. Not homemade like last week. My daughter offered to cook and then ordered pizza instead.
I am wearing...church clothes. A black skirt, red blouse and black blazer.
I am reading...a Christian marriage magazine called MP (Marriage Partnership). It has a lot of good articles.
I am hoping...that my youngest daughter enjoys the concert of her favourite Christian band on Thursday night. She's been counting down the days since we first agreed to it. She is going to dress bizarrely in a silver wig to get noticed by the band.
I am hearing...Who Am I? by Casting Crowns.
Around the house...my oldest daughter is home for Thanksgiving weekend. She's only been at university for 6 weeks, and this is her third time back. Yet, when she's home, she's not home, because she's out with her friends.
One of my favourite things...a nice glass of white wine.
Some plans for the week...cook dinner for 17 family members tomorrow. Vote in the Federal election Tuesday. Work Tuesday night. Attend an oncology conference on Thursday and Friday, here in Toronto.
Outside my window...another beautiful fall day.
I am thinking...that I'm surprised I'm not the least bit stressed about Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. I think I may even enjoy it. :)
I am thankful...my Mom's tests showed nothing to worry about. No asbestos in her lungs after all; just recovering from her broken ribs last March when she fell on the ice.
From the kitchen...PIZZA. Not homemade like last week. My daughter offered to cook and then ordered pizza instead.
I am wearing...church clothes. A black skirt, red blouse and black blazer.
I am reading...a Christian marriage magazine called MP (Marriage Partnership). It has a lot of good articles.
I am hoping...that my youngest daughter enjoys the concert of her favourite Christian band on Thursday night. She's been counting down the days since we first agreed to it. She is going to dress bizarrely in a silver wig to get noticed by the band.
I am hearing...Who Am I? by Casting Crowns.
Around the house...my oldest daughter is home for Thanksgiving weekend. She's only been at university for 6 weeks, and this is her third time back. Yet, when she's home, she's not home, because she's out with her friends.
One of my favourite things...a nice glass of white wine.
Some plans for the week...cook dinner for 17 family members tomorrow. Vote in the Federal election Tuesday. Work Tuesday night. Attend an oncology conference on Thursday and Friday, here in Toronto.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Technology Averse Consultant?
I'm one of those technology averse people. You know, the type who are always the last to get a new gadget? I can't tell you how long I avoided ATM's, CD's or debit machines. I still don't know how to set up a DVD without help, or download (or is it upload?) songs onto an iPod. I don't own a cell phone, nor do I want to. I hate talking on the phone. I commute, and they don't work in the subway. I work in a hospital, where they are not allowed, and the rest of the time I'm with my family and their three phones. So you see, I don't need one. Besides that, I can't see the small screen without my reading glasses, and by the time I've fished them out of my purse and figured out how to answer it, I've missed my call.
Even this blog was first written on paper, and then typed in afterwards, because I can't think on the computer.
I do use ATM's now, and CD's and debit cards. I don't know how I ever lived without them. DVD's are still a mystery to me. But I did get a used iPod and like it alot.
I started this blog a few months ago and have since learned how to add pictures, edit it and change the format. I have a few other internet sites I frequent, and add book reviews, lists, posts and photos. I've had e-mail for years, and can find my way through search engines.
I recently joined facebook and have learned my way around that as well. The joke was when another friend joined facebook, and actually asked ME for technological advice. Too funny.
My husband is better at these things, but even he sometimes mixes things up. He sent a message to our daughter in university saying, "Mom is on You Tube and is asking everyone to be her friend." She replied, "Umm, don't you mean facebook?"
Even this blog was first written on paper, and then typed in afterwards, because I can't think on the computer.
I do use ATM's now, and CD's and debit cards. I don't know how I ever lived without them. DVD's are still a mystery to me. But I did get a used iPod and like it alot.
I started this blog a few months ago and have since learned how to add pictures, edit it and change the format. I have a few other internet sites I frequent, and add book reviews, lists, posts and photos. I've had e-mail for years, and can find my way through search engines.
I recently joined facebook and have learned my way around that as well. The joke was when another friend joined facebook, and actually asked ME for technological advice. Too funny.
My husband is better at these things, but even he sometimes mixes things up. He sent a message to our daughter in university saying, "Mom is on You Tube and is asking everyone to be her friend." She replied, "Umm, don't you mean facebook?"
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Life With a Nurse
Nurses have an image of being caring and gentle. But if you live with one, it's a different story.
My husband tells people the real deal. His mom is an Emergency Department nurse and his wife is an Oncology nurse. Compared to what nurses see at work, you're just whining. My mother-in-law says people come into the Emerg and say, "I'm dying!" She thinks (but doesn't say), "I've seen dying, and you're not it."
Nurses triage you. 1)Airway 2)Breathing 3)Circulation or 1)Breathing 2)Bleeding 3)Bones. If all those things are fine, you're met with a blank look.
When our kids wanted to skip school because they weren't feeling well, I was ruthless. "Unless I see a measurable sign like a fever or vomiting, etc., you're taking a Tylenol and going to school."
My husband was surprised at my apparent coldness, but I told him they were dealing with the Queen of Malingering. When I was a kid, I could invent any number of symptoms and even manufacture some signs, to get out of school. I had more tummy aches (read, belly-aching) and low-grade fevers than you'd think possible. We had a mercury thermometer. My mom would pop it in my mouth and leave the room. Did you know that friction raises the mercury? I would rub it on our couch briskly, until it was at a suitable temperature, shake it down if it was too high to correspond with how hot my forehead was (or wasn't), and enjoy my day off.
I know, I was a scoundrel.
School stressed me out, and my Mom was extra attentive to me when I was 'sick.'
Occasionally, I would get busted, like when I tried to heat the thermometer under hot water, and it would break. That happened twice.
When my husband had cancer, people said, "Oh, good, at least you have your own oncology nurse." Well, I wasn't so heartless, then. I did some things for him that I could do because I was a nurse, like flush and dress his PICC line or give him a Magnesium bolus I.V. if it was ordered, or know when to take him to Emerg. But in other ways, I didn't like it. He was my husband, not my patient. I was dealing with cancer patients at work and at home. My husband was bald and skinny like my patients and it was more than a little wierd. But we got through that time and now just look back on it as a bad memory. I wouldn't want to go through that again.
Anyway, I suppose having a nurse in the house has some benefits, even if it's only to teach the kids to tough it out and not hide from their problems.
My husband tells people the real deal. His mom is an Emergency Department nurse and his wife is an Oncology nurse. Compared to what nurses see at work, you're just whining. My mother-in-law says people come into the Emerg and say, "I'm dying!" She thinks (but doesn't say), "I've seen dying, and you're not it."
Nurses triage you. 1)Airway 2)Breathing 3)Circulation or 1)Breathing 2)Bleeding 3)Bones. If all those things are fine, you're met with a blank look.
When our kids wanted to skip school because they weren't feeling well, I was ruthless. "Unless I see a measurable sign like a fever or vomiting, etc., you're taking a Tylenol and going to school."
My husband was surprised at my apparent coldness, but I told him they were dealing with the Queen of Malingering. When I was a kid, I could invent any number of symptoms and even manufacture some signs, to get out of school. I had more tummy aches (read, belly-aching) and low-grade fevers than you'd think possible. We had a mercury thermometer. My mom would pop it in my mouth and leave the room. Did you know that friction raises the mercury? I would rub it on our couch briskly, until it was at a suitable temperature, shake it down if it was too high to correspond with how hot my forehead was (or wasn't), and enjoy my day off.
I know, I was a scoundrel.
School stressed me out, and my Mom was extra attentive to me when I was 'sick.'
Occasionally, I would get busted, like when I tried to heat the thermometer under hot water, and it would break. That happened twice.
When my husband had cancer, people said, "Oh, good, at least you have your own oncology nurse." Well, I wasn't so heartless, then. I did some things for him that I could do because I was a nurse, like flush and dress his PICC line or give him a Magnesium bolus I.V. if it was ordered, or know when to take him to Emerg. But in other ways, I didn't like it. He was my husband, not my patient. I was dealing with cancer patients at work and at home. My husband was bald and skinny like my patients and it was more than a little wierd. But we got through that time and now just look back on it as a bad memory. I wouldn't want to go through that again.
Anyway, I suppose having a nurse in the house has some benefits, even if it's only to teach the kids to tough it out and not hide from their problems.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Life Lessons From The Closet
What can you learn about yourself from cleaning out a closet? Let me tell you.
My daughter and I cleaned out a storage closet in order to give her a walk-in closet in her room. The task was long overdue, mostly because I knew it would be an all-day event. I knew it had to be done and that she'd appreciate it, but I'm a lazy procrastinator. I hardly knew where to begin.
Enter: HORMONES. I only feel like cleaning one or two days a month, but on those days I feel like a mother bird who has to feather her nest for her soon-to-arrive baby bird.
At the end of the day, we had gathered up 5 bags of clothes, 5 boxes of recycling and garbage, eight boxes of donatable goods for Value Village, and then we redirected the rest of the things we wanted to keep to other closets.
We found my wedding gown and my 16 year old tried it on. It fit, except for the length. My husband asked, "Were you really that small when we got married?" Yes, he really did! I asked him to rephrase the question.
We also found all of the nursery school curriculum from when I toyed with the idea of home schooling. I put away those toys and sent the kids to Christian school instead.
My daughter kept a few treasures. She even saved one of the homeschool posters about character, which says, "Jeff goes to bed when his mother tells him to. He obeys quickly." She put it inside her closet door.
I LEARNED:
1. I have way too many clothes. I don't even miss what I sent away.
2. I'm a pack rat. I didn't think I was, but the weight of the evidence is greatly against me.
3. We don't have enough closet space in our house. That's probably because of #2.
4. I'm nostalgic.
5. I'm only organized when the mood strikes me.
6. I don't know why I'm saving my wedding gown. Yes, I do. See #4. But if my daughters are anything like me, they'll want their own wedding gowns. I remain hopeful that they'll want to at least cut it up and use it somehow. Because it's OBVIOUS I won't be fitting into it again.
7. I hadn't cleaned out my closet in years. See #5.
8. I'm a lazy procrastinator.
9. It feels good to get rid of junk.
10. After it's done, I wonder why I didn't do it sooner. Oh, yeah, see #5 and #8.
So what are you waiting for? Go clean out a closet and see what you learn about yourself.
My daughter and I cleaned out a storage closet in order to give her a walk-in closet in her room. The task was long overdue, mostly because I knew it would be an all-day event. I knew it had to be done and that she'd appreciate it, but I'm a lazy procrastinator. I hardly knew where to begin.
Enter: HORMONES. I only feel like cleaning one or two days a month, but on those days I feel like a mother bird who has to feather her nest for her soon-to-arrive baby bird.
At the end of the day, we had gathered up 5 bags of clothes, 5 boxes of recycling and garbage, eight boxes of donatable goods for Value Village, and then we redirected the rest of the things we wanted to keep to other closets.
We found my wedding gown and my 16 year old tried it on. It fit, except for the length. My husband asked, "Were you really that small when we got married?" Yes, he really did! I asked him to rephrase the question.
We also found all of the nursery school curriculum from when I toyed with the idea of home schooling. I put away those toys and sent the kids to Christian school instead.
My daughter kept a few treasures. She even saved one of the homeschool posters about character, which says, "Jeff goes to bed when his mother tells him to. He obeys quickly." She put it inside her closet door.
I LEARNED:
1. I have way too many clothes. I don't even miss what I sent away.
2. I'm a pack rat. I didn't think I was, but the weight of the evidence is greatly against me.
3. We don't have enough closet space in our house. That's probably because of #2.
4. I'm nostalgic.
5. I'm only organized when the mood strikes me.
6. I don't know why I'm saving my wedding gown. Yes, I do. See #4. But if my daughters are anything like me, they'll want their own wedding gowns. I remain hopeful that they'll want to at least cut it up and use it somehow. Because it's OBVIOUS I won't be fitting into it again.
7. I hadn't cleaned out my closet in years. See #5.
8. I'm a lazy procrastinator.
9. It feels good to get rid of junk.
10. After it's done, I wonder why I didn't do it sooner. Oh, yeah, see #5 and #8.
So what are you waiting for? Go clean out a closet and see what you learn about yourself.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Technology is Our Friend
Oct. 6, 2008
Outside my window...a beautiful, sunny day.
I am thinking...that whoever invented the iPod is a genius.
I am thankful...that I can read and listen to music at the same time. My commute (an hour each way) goes so quickly.
From the kitchen...leftovers. We had an amazing dinner yesterday. Chicken, ribs, potatoes, broccoli and carrots, pumpkin pie.
I am wearing...jeans and a new "Mom sweater". That's a V-neck sweater with 3/4 length sleeves, with a mock white collared shirt underneath. It's what all 40 year old Mom's wear on commercials. I suppose now I'm supposed to smile while I think of new ways to make my house smell clean and fresh for my family. Because, what else would give a 40 year old a reason for living?
I am reading...The Forgotten War, by Mart Laar, about the Estonian Resistance movement in WW2.
I am hoping...to get more music on my iPod. I've been scanning my Christian CD's to decide what to transfer, so I won't have to pay for them again.
I am hearing...Nobody Knows, by the Tony Rich Project.
Around the house...back to the daily grind. I actually went shopping this morning and bought a new sheet set and super-soft guest towels.
One of my favourite things...watching movies or documentaries about submarines. I know, "Nerd Alert!"
Some plans for the week...Accept the challenge of writing 100 words a day for a month (officially start next month). Website http://www.100words.com/about.php
Outside my window...a beautiful, sunny day.
I am thinking...that whoever invented the iPod is a genius.
I am thankful...that I can read and listen to music at the same time. My commute (an hour each way) goes so quickly.
From the kitchen...leftovers. We had an amazing dinner yesterday. Chicken, ribs, potatoes, broccoli and carrots, pumpkin pie.
I am wearing...jeans and a new "Mom sweater". That's a V-neck sweater with 3/4 length sleeves, with a mock white collared shirt underneath. It's what all 40 year old Mom's wear on commercials. I suppose now I'm supposed to smile while I think of new ways to make my house smell clean and fresh for my family. Because, what else would give a 40 year old a reason for living?
I am reading...The Forgotten War, by Mart Laar, about the Estonian Resistance movement in WW2.
I am hoping...to get more music on my iPod. I've been scanning my Christian CD's to decide what to transfer, so I won't have to pay for them again.
I am hearing...Nobody Knows, by the Tony Rich Project.
Around the house...back to the daily grind. I actually went shopping this morning and bought a new sheet set and super-soft guest towels.
One of my favourite things...watching movies or documentaries about submarines. I know, "Nerd Alert!"
Some plans for the week...Accept the challenge of writing 100 words a day for a month (officially start next month). Website http://www.100words.com/about.php
Chicken Pot Pie with Herbed Dumpling Crust
This is the ultimate in comfort food on a cold day. Add a hearty soup or salad and it is very satisfying.
1. Bake 2 chicken breasts for 40-45 minutes. Add your usual spices or chicken bouillon powder with water. Cool and chop.
2. Peel 6 mini potatoes or two large potatoes. Slice to bite size pieces. Microwave for five minutes until softened.
3. Chop: 1/2 leek or one cooking onion.
4 mushrooms, quartered
1/2 cup green beans
2/3 cup carrots
1 stalk celery
1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
4. In a large frying pan, saute, leek, garlic, mushrooms, and onion in mixture of butter and olive oil.
5. Add thyme, salt and pepper, poultry seasoning to taste.
6. Add celery, beans, carrots and peas.
7. Add potatoes, and chopped chicken.
8. Add 1 cup chicken stock with 2 tbsp. flour.
9. Heat until liquid thickens. Mix thoroughly.
10. Spray casserole dish with non-stick spray. Pour mixture into it.
11. Top with Herbed Dumpling Crust (below).
Herbed Dumpling Crust
1 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. parsley
1/2 tsp. dried dill
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup cold butter
1/2 cup cold milk
Combine first five ingredients. Cut in butter with a pastry blender. Sprinkle with milk. Gather together to form a dough. Roll dough on floured surface to fit the top of the casserole dish. Place directly on top of chicken mixture. Cut steam slits in dough. Brush top of crust with milk. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.
And Loving It!
I came home from school every day and watched Get Smart! I hate to admit there were times when I actually worried about him (the time he almost drowned in the phonebooth, or when he had a tarantula crawling on him), but I digress.
This movie had all the standard lines and jokes you'd know if you had watched the show, as well as the cone of silence (updated, of course), Laraby, the agent who hides in the tree, the shoe phone and Hymie.
The new things were a smarter Agent 99, and two nerdy techies.
The downside was, as in every show and movie made now, they bring in the gay stuff, and have two men kissing. Pretty gross. Otherwise, it was fun to watch.
This movie had all the standard lines and jokes you'd know if you had watched the show, as well as the cone of silence (updated, of course), Laraby, the agent who hides in the tree, the shoe phone and Hymie.
The new things were a smarter Agent 99, and two nerdy techies.
The downside was, as in every show and movie made now, they bring in the gay stuff, and have two men kissing. Pretty gross. Otherwise, it was fun to watch.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
The Good Life
Oct. 4, 2008
Outside my window...a cool, grey day. Our sidewalks were just replaced yesterday. My tulip bulbs are in the ground. I cover them with chicken wire and weight it down with rocks because those crazy squirrels will dig them up, take a bite, and toss them away. I learned the hard way.
I am thinking...that I have a good life.
I am thankful...for the amazing conference we attended this weekend. Great preaching on marriage, family and church life.
From the kitchen...homemade pizza and apple crisp.
I am wearing...black dress pants and a black blouse.
I am reading...The Dowry of Miss Lydia Clark by Lawana Blackwell.
I am hoping...that my co-worker gets better. She was struck by a car and has a broken hip and leg.
I am hearing...a soccer game. Toronto FC vs. New York Red Bulls. Toronto is ahead 2-1at the half.
Around the house...we have friends visiting for the weekend from out of town. My daughter is home for the weekend from university, but I have yet to see her. She's singing tonight at a Christian event.
One of my favourite things...a hot sauna and a cool lake.
Some plans for the week...just working four nights, so far. I'll see if I have energy for anything else.
Outside my window...a cool, grey day. Our sidewalks were just replaced yesterday. My tulip bulbs are in the ground. I cover them with chicken wire and weight it down with rocks because those crazy squirrels will dig them up, take a bite, and toss them away. I learned the hard way.
I am thinking...that I have a good life.
I am thankful...for the amazing conference we attended this weekend. Great preaching on marriage, family and church life.
From the kitchen...homemade pizza and apple crisp.
I am wearing...black dress pants and a black blouse.
I am reading...The Dowry of Miss Lydia Clark by Lawana Blackwell.
I am hoping...that my co-worker gets better. She was struck by a car and has a broken hip and leg.
I am hearing...a soccer game. Toronto FC vs. New York Red Bulls. Toronto is ahead 2-1at the half.
Around the house...we have friends visiting for the weekend from out of town. My daughter is home for the weekend from university, but I have yet to see her. She's singing tonight at a Christian event.
One of my favourite things...a hot sauna and a cool lake.
Some plans for the week...just working four nights, so far. I'll see if I have energy for anything else.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Politics
"Ottawa is a giant meat grinder that takes in idealism at one end and spits out cynical sausage at the other."
Terry Fallis
Terry Fallis
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Recovered and Running
Sept. 27, 2008
Outside my window...our neighbours put in new windows. Almost all of the houses on our street (1950's bundgalows) have been upgraded now.
I am thinking...that it'll be nice to see some friends tonight at their church when we return their daughter to them.
I am thankful...that I'm not sick anymore, and that I have a job that pays 100% sick pay. It's one less thing to worry about.
From the kitchen...a Providential dinner at church (a.k.a. Potluck). Always an international affair.
I am wearing...my church clothes; a black leather skirt and a black and purple blouse.
I am reading...Lucky by Alice Sebold. Rather disturbing. She recounts her rape when she was a college freshman, and its' aftermath. Like I wasn't already worried about my daughter living on campus.
I am hoping...to keep my house clean until next weekend. I know, fat chance.
I am hearing...You Don't Know Me, by Michael Buble.
Around the house...if it doesn't rain tomorrow morning, I'll plant my tulip bulbs so they'll pop up in the spring.
One of my favourite things...soaking up the sun under a palm tree, or rather, near one. Palm trees just say, 'tropical getaway' to me.
Some plans for the week...work four nights, hardly sleep on Friday, go to a Baptist Conference on Friday and Saturday, entertain friends from out of town for the weekend, see my oldest daughter in passing. When I'm exhausted or frazzled, remind myself that life is short, and is made up of moments like this with friends and family.
Outside my window...our neighbours put in new windows. Almost all of the houses on our street (1950's bundgalows) have been upgraded now.
I am thinking...that it'll be nice to see some friends tonight at their church when we return their daughter to them.
I am thankful...that I'm not sick anymore, and that I have a job that pays 100% sick pay. It's one less thing to worry about.
From the kitchen...a Providential dinner at church (a.k.a. Potluck). Always an international affair.
I am wearing...my church clothes; a black leather skirt and a black and purple blouse.
I am reading...Lucky by Alice Sebold. Rather disturbing. She recounts her rape when she was a college freshman, and its' aftermath. Like I wasn't already worried about my daughter living on campus.
I am hoping...to keep my house clean until next weekend. I know, fat chance.
I am hearing...You Don't Know Me, by Michael Buble.
Around the house...if it doesn't rain tomorrow morning, I'll plant my tulip bulbs so they'll pop up in the spring.
One of my favourite things...soaking up the sun under a palm tree, or rather, near one. Palm trees just say, 'tropical getaway' to me.
Some plans for the week...work four nights, hardly sleep on Friday, go to a Baptist Conference on Friday and Saturday, entertain friends from out of town for the weekend, see my oldest daughter in passing. When I'm exhausted or frazzled, remind myself that life is short, and is made up of moments like this with friends and family.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Providence
"The providences of God are like Hebrew words:
they can only be read properly backwards."
John Flavel
they can only be read properly backwards."
John Flavel
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Finnish School Shooting
This is the second such incident within a year in Finland. The first was near Helsinki, this one was in a remote town in central Finland.
Finland, as a country, is not known for its' displays of violence; quite the contrary. Its' citizens are generally good citizens, although there are issues of domestic violence and alcohol-related offences. The fact that there have been two massacres in a year in the small country of 5 million people, has shocked Finns and non-Finns alike.
There were warning signs about this one. The police had questioned the gunman the day before, regarding a violent video he posted on you-tube.
The previous shooting involved an angry young man who saw no hope in this life, and he acted on his world view. It's a sad result of the teaching our children are getting in secular education. If we are just randomly evolved animals, then there is absolutely no reason for anyone to respect human life. If it's survival of the fittest, then might is right, and we should 'eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.'
But that's not the truth, and this young gunman learned that the moment after he died, when he stood before his Judge.
The sad thing is that people will often blame God when something like this happens. They'll say, "Where was God when this happened?" But people need to remember, if they don't want God in any part of their lives, they can't expect Him to answer them when they decide they want Him to intervene at other times. Fox-hole religion never was true religion, as people tend to go back to their old ways once trouble passes.
What happened in Finland was truly tragic. I'm not trying to minimize it. I sympathize with the families who lost their children. I would be devastated, myself. But if we're going to ask why these things are happening more and more in the world, we also need to be willing to hear the answers.
Finland, as a country, is not known for its' displays of violence; quite the contrary. Its' citizens are generally good citizens, although there are issues of domestic violence and alcohol-related offences. The fact that there have been two massacres in a year in the small country of 5 million people, has shocked Finns and non-Finns alike.
There were warning signs about this one. The police had questioned the gunman the day before, regarding a violent video he posted on you-tube.
The previous shooting involved an angry young man who saw no hope in this life, and he acted on his world view. It's a sad result of the teaching our children are getting in secular education. If we are just randomly evolved animals, then there is absolutely no reason for anyone to respect human life. If it's survival of the fittest, then might is right, and we should 'eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.'
But that's not the truth, and this young gunman learned that the moment after he died, when he stood before his Judge.
The sad thing is that people will often blame God when something like this happens. They'll say, "Where was God when this happened?" But people need to remember, if they don't want God in any part of their lives, they can't expect Him to answer them when they decide they want Him to intervene at other times. Fox-hole religion never was true religion, as people tend to go back to their old ways once trouble passes.
What happened in Finland was truly tragic. I'm not trying to minimize it. I sympathize with the families who lost their children. I would be devastated, myself. But if we're going to ask why these things are happening more and more in the world, we also need to be willing to hear the answers.
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